Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0010200 (cough)
 23,843 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Polysaccharides, isolated from the lichen Cetraria islandica, have antimicrobial effectiveness. For pharmaceutical applications the two glucan components lichenan and isolichenan as well as the galactomannan component are of actual interest. Especially the a-glucan isolichenan ist used as an active ingredient in cough lozenges. The conditions for the extraction of the raw material, mainly pH and temperature, have a strong influence on the yield of lichenan, isolichenan, and galactomannan, and also on the amount of tannins in the extract. Target products and also by-products give higher extraction yields with increasing extraction temperatures. Hot water extraction with subsequent fractionation of the extracted polysaccharides by multiple freezing/thawing steps and water removal applying ethanol and ether permitted the isolation of the target polysaccharides in preparative quantities. Tannins were removed by reversed phase chromatography. IR and NMR spectroscopy were used for structural characterization of lichenan and isolichenan. After optimization of the hot water extraction process no significant lower extraction and fractionation yields have been obtained compared to the established tricky DMSO extraction procedure.
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PMID:Rational approach to fractionation, isolation, and characterization of polysaccharides from the lichen Cetraria islandica. 764 81

This study investigated two schools, one of which had previous mold problems. Pupils aged 6 to 13 yr were investigated using a questionnaire on symptoms and a skin prick test. The amount of airborne (1--> 3)-beta-D-glucan was measured in the classrooms. The levels were significantly higher in the problem school than in the control school (15.3 versus 2.9 ng/m3). The extent of respiratory as well as general symptoms was higher among the pupils in the problem school. Among the atopics, the extent of symptoms of dry cough, cough with phlegm, and hoarseness was similar to the nonatopics in the control school, but significantly higher in the problem school. The results suggest that (1--> 3)-beta-D-glucan, either by itself or as an indicator of molds, is a risk indicator of airways inflammation.
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PMID:Airways inflammation, atopy, and (1--> 3)-beta-D-glucan exposures in two schools. 981 26

Personal exposure to fungi, bacteria, endotoxin, and (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan was determined at different woodworking sites--logging sites, sawmills, woodchipping sites, and joineries. Exposure levels to fungi at logging sites and sawmills were in the range of 10(3)-10(4) cfu/m3, at the woodchipping mill, 10(3)-10(5) cfu/m3, and at joineries, 10(2)-10(4) cfu/m3. Although mean endotoxin levels were lower than the suggested threshold value of 20 ng/m3, some personal exposures at sawmills and a joinery exceeded the standard. The geometric mean personal (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan exposure level at the woodchipping mill was 2.32 ng/m3, at sawmills, 1.37 ng/m3, at logging sites, 2.02 ng/m3, and at joineries, 0.43 ng/m3. Highly significant associations were found between mean personal inhalable endotoxin exposures and Gram-negative bacteria levels (p < 0.0001), and mean personal inhalable (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan exposures and fungi levels (p = 0.0003). The prevalence of cough, phlegm, chronic bronchitis, nasal symptoms, frequent headaches, and eye and throat irritations was significantly higher among woodworkers than controls. Dose-response relationships were found between personal exposures and work-related symptoms among joinery workers and sawmill and chip mill workers.
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PMID:Exposure to biohazards in wood dust: bacteria, fungi, endotoxins, and (1-->3)-beta-D-glucans. 1051 May 22

Three green mills and two dry mills were studied for personal exposure to wood dust and biohazards associated with wood dust and their correlation to lung function and work-related symptoms among sawmill workers. The levels of exposure to endotoxin, (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan, bacteria and fungi were high in green mills compared with dry mills. Compared with dry mill workers, green mill workers had significantly high prevalence of regular cough, chronic bronchitis, regular blocked nose, regular sneezing, sinus problems, flu-like symptoms, and eye and throat irritation. Significant positive correlations were found among endotoxin and Gram (-)ve bacteria, (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan and fungi, and endotoxin and (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan exposure levels. Significant dose-response relationships were found for personal exposures and lung function, and lung function and work-related respiratory symptoms. The significant correlations found for respirable fractions show that not only inhalable but also respirable fractions are important in determining potential health effects of exposure to wood dust. The management and employees of the sawmilling industry should be educated on the potential health effects of wood dust. Wood dust should be controlled at the source.
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PMID:Effects of personal exposures on pulmonary function and work-related symptoms among sawmill workers. 1083 32

This study was conducted to evaluate clinical features at the onset of pneumonia and the usefulness of methods for diagnosing pneumonia in patients who have undergone kidney transplantation. From January 1990 to December 1998. 174 kidney transplantations were performed, and were followed by 22 cases of pneumonia. Of the 22 pneumonia patients, 16 were male and 6 were female. The median age of the 22 patients was 37.2 +/- 13.3 years. All the patients received cyclosporin A and corticosteroids. In 11 cases, the organisms were identified in the microbiology or pathology laboratory, either during life or at autopsy. Six cases were due to Pneumocystis carinii (PC), three to PC and Cytomegalovirus (CMV), one to Aspergillus, and one resulted from miliary tuberculosis. Pneumonia occurred within 4 months after kidney transplantation in most cases. The mean interval between the transplantation and the appearance of pneumonia was 77.3 +/- 34.3 days, except in the cases of Aspergillosis and miliary tuberculosis, where the intervals were 46 and 50 months, respectively. The mean interval from the appearance of symptoms to the detection of pulmonary infiltration was 3.3 +/- 4.3 days. The clinical features present when pulmonary infiltration was detected by CT were fever (91%), cough (32%), and crackles (27%). However, at this time, 55% of the cases had no symptoms other than fever. Chest radiographs were positive for pulmonary infiltration in 64% of the cases at the same time that the pulmonary infiltrates were detected by CT. Eighty percent of the cases exhibited diffuse interstitial infiltrates. Organisms were detected in 7 of 9 cases examined with bronchofiberscopy (BF). But in only one of 13 cases that did not undergo BF. Increased values of serum beta-D-glucan were detected in the early phase of three PC pneumonia cases, suggesting that beta-D-glucan is useful as a marker of PC pneumonia. The use of bronchofiberscopy was more frequent in survivors of PC pneumonia than in non-survivors, whereas the mean age was higher and coexisting CMV infections were identified more frequently in the non-survivors. We concluded that fever is important as an initial symptom of pulmonary infection. In addition, we find that CT is very useful for the detection of interstitial infiltrates, and BF is an excellent method for detecting organisms in the pneumonia patient after kidney transplantation.
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PMID:[Opportunistic pneumonia after kidney transplantation]. 1143 8

A 58-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital complaining of fever, dry cough, and exertional dyspnea. Chest radiographs showed diffuse interstitial infiltrates in both lungs, and blood gas analysis showed moderate hypoxemia. The levels of serum KL-6 and beta-D-glucan were markedly elevated. Bronchoscopy was performed and Pneumocystis carinii was found in the BALF and transbronchial lung biopsy specimens. A positive reaction for the HTLV-I antibody was obtained, and HTLV-I proviral DNA was demonstrated. A conclusive diagnosis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in a smoldering ATL patient was made on these grounds. Without specific treatment for Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, the symptoms and abnormal chest radiographic findings disappeared. This case suggests that the fluctuation in cell-mediated immunity associated with HTLV-I carriers may allow recovery from Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia even without antipneumocystis therapy.
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PMID:[Spontaneous resolution of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia]. 1197 68

A 70-year-old man with liver cirrhosis and previous gastrectomy admitted for fever, coughing, and bloody sputum soon after convalescing from pulmonary tuberculosis had a peripheral white blood cell count of 9,900/microL, C-reactive protein of 14.1mg/dL, serum albumin of 2.0g/dL, and serum positive for antiaspergillus and beta-D glucan antibodies. Chest radiography showed thickening of the walls of the large residual cavities with previous tuberculosis lesions and infiltrates around them. On day 2 of hospitalization, Aspergillus fumigatus without other bacillus was detected in sputum culture taken on admission. Despite immediate treatment with intravenous micafungin and oral itraconazole and improved brief initial improvement, his general condition abruptly deteriorated into frequent massive hemoptysis and he developed of shock, respiratory failure, and severe malnutrition, dying 30 days later. Autopsy findings showed pulmonary aspergillosis in and around the large cavities and on the other side of the lungs. Pulmonary aspergillosis without hematological malignanciy and immunosuppression can thus be abruptly severe and fatal due to malnourishment stemming from pre-existing conditions such as chronic hepatitis despite prompt, ordinarily adequate medical treatment.
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PMID:[Autopsy case of pulmonary aspergillosis soon after convalescence from pulmonary tuberculosis]. 1644 78

The characteristics of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) in patients with connective tissue diseases (CTDs) were examined retrospectively. Nine patients were enrolled in this study. Their mean age was 57.1 years. All the patients received a high-dose steroid or immunosuppressant. The onset (mean 6.6 days) of fever, cough, breathlessness, and geographical ground-glass opacities revealed by chest computed tomography was acute. The serum beta-D: -glucan level increased with a simultaneous increase in the Krebs von den Lungen (KL)-6 or surfactant protein D level. The serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and albumin levels and the peripheral blood lymphocyte count at the onset of PCP were low, but only the serum IgG level decreased significantly. The patients were treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or pentamidine isetionate. Six patients died eventually: two patients of progressive respiratory failure, two probably due to a recurrence of the PCP, and two with microbial respiratory infections other than PCP. Five of the six patients required mechanical ventilation. Three patients received secondary prophylaxis and survived. In conclusion, the acute onset was characteristic of PCP in patients with CTDs. High-dose steroids, immunosuppressants, and hypogammaglobulinemia are risk factors; and respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation, severe secondary infections, and a lack of secondary prophylaxis are poor prognostic factors. Secondary prophylaxis is recommended for all of these patients.
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PMID:Clinical characteristics of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in patients with connective tissue diseases. 1702 61

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) remains the most common opportunistic infection in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Familiarity with the clinical features of PCP is crucial for prompt diagnosis, even if the patient is unaware of their HIV serostatus. We describe herein the clinical features of 34 episodes in 32 patients with AIDS-associated PCP and review the existing literature. As for symptoms, the frequency of fever, cough, and dyspnea was 74%, 74%, and 65%, respectively, and the complete triad was present in only 14 of the 34 episodes on first examination. Median duration from onset of symptoms until diagnosis was 3 weeks, and AIDS-associated PCP tended to take an insidious clinical course. Although laboratory findings were generally nonspecific, measurement of beta-D-glucan levels in the serum or plasma was highly useful in the diagnosis of PCP. All but 1 of the patients showed beta-D-glucan levels higher than the cutoff value (median, 147 pg/ml; range, 5-6920 pg/ml). Typical radiographic features of PCP are bilateral, symmetrical ground-glass opacities, but a wide variety of radiographic findings were observed. In our patients, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the lung showed ground-glass opacities sparing the lung periphery (41% of episodes) or displaying a mosaic pattern (29%), or being nearly homogeneous (24%), ground-glass opacities associated with air-space consolidation (21%), associated with cystic formation (21%), associated with linear-reticular opacities (18%), patchily and irregularly distributed (15%), associated with solitary or multiple nodules (9%), and associated with parenchymal cavity lesions (6%).
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PMID:Pneumocystis pneumonia in patients with HIV infection: clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, and radiological features. 1733 22

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) is one of the fatal complications encountered after liver transplantation. The diagnosis of PCP is sometimes very difficult, because detection of the bacteria itself is not easy under some conditions, and the serum level of the chemical mediator is not yet considered to be a definitive diagnostic marker. We report a case of PCP that occurred 3 months after transplantation in a living-donor liver-transplant recipient; the disease developed during the course of outpatient follow-up when the patient's condition was stable. The patient was maintained with the usual level of immunosuppressants, using tacrolimus, steroid, and mycophenolate mofetil. The patient had a dry cough with mild fever, and a chest computed tomography (CT) scan showed a reticular shadow in the left lung field. The plasma level of beta-D: glucan was high (135 pg/ml). We suspected an invasive fungal infection, but no pathogen was detected by routine fungal culture and cytology. Finally, P. carinii was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and we started treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) combined with an antifungal agent. During this period, the level of beta-D: glucan correlated with the patient's clinical symptoms; this marker was very useful for monitoring the treatment of PCP in this living-donor liver-transplant recipient.
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PMID:Usefulness of beta-D glucan in diagnosing Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and monitoring its treatment in a living-donor liver-transplant recipient. 1752 Feb 8


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