bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alcohol and violence: use of possible confounders in a time‐series analysis
Authors: Bye Elin K.
Published: January 2007

Aims  To assess the aggregate association between alcohol consumption and violence, while controlling for potential confounders.

Design and measurements  The data comprise aggregate time‐series for Norway in the period 1880–2003 and 1911–2003 on criminal violence rates and per capita alcohol consumption. Possible confounders comprise annual rates of unemployment, divorce, marriage, total fertility rate, gross national product, public assistance/social care and the proportion of the population aged between 15 and 25. Autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) analyses were performed on differenced data. Both semilogarithmic and linear models were estimated.

Findings  Alcohol consumption was associated significantly with violence, and an increase in alcohol consumption of 1 litre per year per inhabitant predicted a change of approximately 8% in the violence rate. The parameter estimate for the alcohol variable remained unaltered after including the covariates both in the semilogarithmic and the linear models. Of the seven covariates included in the models, only divorce was associated significantly with violence rate.

Conclusions  The results suggest that alcohol consumption has an independent effect on violence rates when other factors are controlled for. The results support the assumption of a causal effect of alcohol consumption on violence, and it appears that alcohol consumption is an important factor when we wish to explain changes in violence rates over time.
Human amniotic fluid‐derived stem cells have characteristics of multipotent stem cells
Authors: Kim J. , Lee Y. , Kim H. , Hwang K. J. , Kwon H. C. , Kim S. K. , Cho D. J. , Kang S. G. , You J.
Published: January 2007

Abstract.  Objectives: To characterize mesenchymal stem cell‐like cells isolated from human amniotic fluid for a new source of therapeutic cells. Materials: Fibroblastoid‐type cells obtained from amniotic fluid at the time of birth. Methods: The ability of ex vivo expansion was investigated until senescence, and stem cell‐like characteristics were analyzed by examining differentiation potential, messenger RNA expression and immunophenotypes. Results and Conclusions: A morphologically homogenous population of fibroblastoid‐type (HAFFTs) cells, similar to mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow (BM‐MSCs), was obtained at the third passage. The cells became senescent after 27 passages over a period of 8 months while undergoing 66 population doublings. Under appropriate culture conditions, by the 8th passage they differentiated into adipocytes, osteocytes, chondrocytes and neuronal cells, as revealed by oil red O, von Kossa, Alcian blue and anti‐NeuN antibody staining, respectively. Immunophenotype analyses at the 17th passage demonstrated the presence of TRA‐1–60; SSEA‐3 and‐4; collagen types I, II, III, IV and XII; fibronectin; α‐SMA; vimentin; desmin; CK18; CD44; CD54; CD106; FSP; vWF; CD31; and HLA ABC. Reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction analysis of the HAFFTs from passages 6–20 showed consistent expression of Rex‐1, SCF, GATA‐4, vimentin, CK18, FGF‐5 and HLA ABC genes. Oct‐4 gene expression was observed up to the 19th passage but not at the 20th passage. HAFFTs showed telomerase activity at the 5th passage with a decreased level by the 21st passage. Interestingly, BMP‐4, AFP, nestin and HNF‐4α genes showed differential gene expression during ex vivo expansion. Taken together, these observations suggest that HAFFTs are pluripotent stem cells that are less differentiated than BM‐MSCs, and that their gene expression profiles vary with passage number during ex vivo expansion.
Constitutive histone H2AX phosphorylation and ATM activation are strongly amplified during mitogenic stimulation of lymphocytes
Authors: Tanaka T. , Kajstura M. , Halicka H. D. , Traganos F. , Darzynkiewicz Z.
Published: January 2007

Abstract.  Objectives: We recently postulated that constitutive activation of Ataxia Telangiectasia, Mutated (CAA) and constitutive histone H2AX phosphorylation (CHP) seen in cells not treated with genotoxic agents are the events triggered by DNA damage caused by endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS), the product of mitochondrial oxidative metabolism. The aim of this study was to seek further evidence in support of this postulate, namely to test whether the levels of CAA and CHP correlate with cells metabolic activity. Materials & Methods: Peripheral blood lymphocytes are non‐cycling (G0) cells characterized by minimal rate of oxidative metabolism. A dramatic rise in transcriptional and translational activity, an increase in number of mitochondria, and induction of DNA replication, occur during their mitogenic stimulation. This classic model of cell activation was chosen to study a possible correlation between CAA and CHP versus metabolic activity and generation of ROS. Results: The levels of CAA and CHP in lymphocytes were increased many‐fold during their stimulation. This increase was paralleled by the rise in extent of endogenously generated ROS. The growth of stimulated lymphocytes in the presence glucose antimetabolite 2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose led to markedly lowered translational activity, decreased ROS generation and correspondingly attenuated CHA and CAA. Conclusions: The present data are consistent with our postulate that CHP and CAA report DNA damage by endogenous oxidants whose level correlates with metabolic activity. Because cumulative DNA damage by ROS generated via oxidative metabolism is considered the key mechanism responsible for cell ageing and senescence the data imply that these processes are delayed in G0 quiescent lymphocytes or stem cells as compared with proliferating cells.
Nicotine‐induced proliferation of isolated rat pancreatic acinar cells: effect on cell signalling and function
Authors: Chowdhury P. , Bose C. , Udupa K. B.
Published: January 2007

Abstract.  Objectives: The aim of the current study was to investigate whether nicotine treatment would induce the proliferation of isolated rat primary pancreatic acinar cells in culture by activating mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling and exocrine secretion. Materials and Methods: A nicotine dose‐ and time‐response curve was initially developed to determine the optimal dose and time used for all subsequent studies. Proliferation studies were conducted by cell counting and confirmed further by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation and flow cytometry assays. MAPK signalling studies were conducted by Western blot analysis. Localization of ERK1/2 signals, with or without nicotine and the MAPK inhibitor, was visualized by immunofluorescence. Results: Nicotine treatment caused dose‐dependent activation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinases (ERK1/2), the maxima occurring at 100 µm and at 3 min after treatment; the response was suppressed by the ERK1/2 inhibitor. Maximal nicotine‐induced cell proliferation occurred at 24 h, and UO126‐treatment significantly reduced this response. Exposure of cells to 100 µm nicotine for 6 min significantly enhanced both baseline and cholecystokinin‐stimulated cell function, and these effects were not affected by treatment with the inhibitor of ERK1/2 but were suppressed by mecamylamine, a nicotinic receptor antagonist. Conclusions: Our results suggest that nicotine treatment induced cell proliferation of isolated pancreatic acinar cells and that this is coupled with the activation of MAPK signalling with no effect on its function. Hence, in primary cells, the mechanism of induction and regulation of these two processes, cell proliferation and cell function, by nicotine treatment are independent of each other.
Spontaneous cell proliferation is associated with poor sensitivity to glucocorticoids in patients infected with HTLV
Authors: Lopes R. P. , Menna‐Barreto M. , Bauer M. E.
Published: January 2007

Abstract.  Background: Human T‐cell lymphotropic viruses (HTLV)‐I/II have a special tropism for infecting T cells and inducing spontaneous lymphocyte proliferation. Leukaemia and neurological manifestations are associated with HTLV‐I/II infections, and treatment is usually based on anti‐inflammatory drugs including glucocorticoids. Although steroid resistance has been reported, it is unknown whether this condition is related to the infection itself or to the treatment. Objective: We investigated whether spontaneous cell proliferation is associated with T‐cell sensitivity to glucocorticoids. Materials and Methods: Twenty‐eight HTLV‐I/II patients and 11 healthy age‐matched controls took part in this study. Lymphocytes were isolated and cultured in vitro to measure spontaneous and mitogen‐induced proliferation as well as cellular sensitivity to dexamethasone. Results: Patients with HTLV‐I/II infection showed similar stimulated and unstimulated T‐cell proliferation as well as comparable sensitivity to dexamethasone in vitro. There were no group differences in the frequency of glucocorticoid responders versus non‐responders. However, T cells of patients with spontaneous proliferation were unresponsive to mitogenic stimulation and were remarkably more resistant to dexamethasone than cells of patients with normal proliferation. Conclusion: These data suggest that the poor clinical response to steroids may be associated with spontaneous cell proliferation during HTLV infection.
Varying responses of human cells with discrepant p53 activity to ionizing radiation and heat shock exposure
Authors: Tokalov S. V. , Pieck S. , Gutzeit H. O.
Published: January 2007

Abstract. Objectives: Both heat shock (HS) and ionizing radiation have an impact on the cell cycle and may induce cell cycle arrest or apoptosis. Mutations of thep53gene are observed at a high frequency in human tumours and are recognized in about half of all human cancers. Sensitivity to radiation, heat and anticancer agents has been observed inp53+/+cells, but not in mutated orp53‐deficient cells. Moreover, enhancement of radiosensitivity by HS has been observed in wild‐typep53cells but not inp53‐deficient cells. The molecular mechanism of the differential cell response to HS or ionizing radiation is not yet understood.Materials and Methods: Differences in cellular response to radiation (200 kV X‐ray, 1, 2, 5 Gy) and HS (39 °C, 41 °C and 43 °C for 30 min) on cell cycle progression of cultures of humanp53mutant cells were investigated by flow cytometry. In addition, the effects of stressors used on the expression of several heat shock genes (HSP27,HSP60,HSP70,HSC70,HSP75,HSP78,HSP90) were studied by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction.Results and Conclusions: Yet, with respect toHSPgene expression, different stressors produced similar effects. Combination of HS and radiation treatment significantly induced the transcription of theHSP70gene above the level induced by each stressor alone. Cell cycle analysis, however, revealed striking differences in prolonged dynamics of cell division in response to each stressor. Thus,p53status could be a useful indicator in predictive assays for hyperthermia cancer treatment in combination with radiation and/or chemotherapy.
Towards integrated paediatric services in the Netherlands: a survey of views and policies on collaboration in the care for children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Nijhuis B. J. G. , Reinders‐Messelink H. A. , De Blécourt A. C. E. , Olijve W. G. , Haga N. , Groothoff J. W. , Nakken H. , Postema K.
Published: January 2007

Aim  Worldwide, family‐centred and co‐ordinated care are seen as the two most desirable and effective methods of paediatric care delivery. This study outlines current views on how team collaboration comprising professionals in paediatric rehabilitation and special education and the parents of children with disabilities should be organized, and analyses the policies of five paediatric rehabilitation settings associated with the care of 44 children with cerebral palsy (CP) in the Netherlands.

Methods  For an overview of current ideas on collaboration, written statements of professional associations in Dutch paediatric rehabilitation were examined. The policy statements of the five participating settings were derived from their institutional files. Documents detailing the collaborative arrangements involving the various professionals and parents were evaluated at the institutional level and at the child level. Involvement of the stakeholders was analysed based on team conferences.

Results  Also in the Netherlands collaboration between rehabilitation and education professionals and parents is endorsed as the key principle in paediatric rehabilitation, with at its core the team conference in which the various priorities and goals are formulated and integrated into a personalized treatment plan. As to their collaborative approaches between rehabilitation centre and school, the five paediatric settings rarely differed, but at the child level approaches varied. Teams were large (averaging 10.5 members), and all three stakeholder groups were represented, but involvement differed per setting, as did the roles and contributions of the individual team members.

Conclusion  Collaboration between rehabilitation and education professionals and parents is supported and encouraged nationwide. Views on collaboration have been formulated, and general guidelines on family‐centred and co‐ordinated care are available. Yet, collaborative practices in Dutch paediatric care are still developing. Protocols that carefully delineate the commitments to collaborate and that translate the policies into practical, detailed guidelines are needed, as they are a prerequisite for successful teamwork.
Caregiver experiences, contextualizations and understandings of the burn injury to their child. Accounts from low‐income settings in South Africa
Authors: Van Niekerk A. , Seedat M. , Menckel E. , Laflamme L.
Published: January 2007

Background  Childhood burn injury is a widespread phenomenon with a disproportionate concentration in Sub‐Saharan Africa. Burn injuries may have far‐reaching and traumatic interpersonal, social and occupational effects for young children. There has been scant attention to the caregiver's experience of these events. This study sought to explore the caregiver's understanding of the injury to their children, the injury causes and its preventability.

Methods  The study is based on interviews with 13 caregivers. All informants were the female parents or grandparent of children who had sustained a moderate to severe burn injury and presented at a children's hospital in Cape Town. The interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a synthesis of the grounded theory approach with core content analytic steps.

Results  Analysis of data indicates that information related to the injury event can be separated into the child's activities, the activity undertaken by the caregiver at the time of the event and the environmental hazards coming into play. The remote factors associated with the event were related to the individual caregiver, family circumstances, the area's living conditions and the cultural context. The caregivers' suggestions for the future focused on the isolation of heat sources, caregiver supervision and environmental renovations.

Conclusions  Caregivers emphasized the multifactorial nature of the burn injury event and highlighted the adverse environmental, domestic and personal circumstances to their child's burn injury. Their recommendations for burn prevention avoidance and control are consistent with their understanding of the injury aetiology and demonstrate a synergy with public health recommendations for environmental and technological interventions.
Using household survey data to inform policy decisions regarding the delivery of evidence‐based parenting interventions
Authors: Sanders M. R. , Markie‐Dadds C. , Rinaldis M. , Firman David , Baig Natalie
Published: January 2007

Background  This study used household survey data on the prevalence of child, parent and family variables to establish potential targets for a population‐level intervention to strengthen parenting skills in the community. The goals of the intervention include decreasing child conduct problems, increasing parental self‐efficacy, use of positive parenting strategies, decreasing coercive parenting and increasing help‐seeking, social support and participation in positive parenting programmes.

Methods  A total of 4010 parents with a child under the age of 12 years completed a statewide telephone survey on parenting.

Results  One in three parents reported that their child had a behavioural or emotional problem in the previous 6 months. Furthermore, 9% of children aged 2–12 years meet criteria for oppositional defiant disorder. Parents who reported their child's behaviour to be difficult were more likely to perceive parenting as a negative experience (i.e. demanding, stressful and depressing). Parents with greatest difficulties were mothers without partners and who had low levels of confidence in their parenting roles. About 20% of parents reported being stressed and 5% reported being depressed in the 2 weeks prior to the survey. Parents with personal adjustment problems had lower levels of parenting confidence and their child was more difficult to manage. Only one in four parents had participated in a parent education programme.

Conclusions  Implications for the setting of population‐level goals and targets for strengthening parenting skills are discussed.
One‐year stability of the Measure of Processes of Care
Authors: Siebes R. C. , Wijnroks L. , Ketelaar M. , Van Schie P. E. M. , Vermeer A. , Gorter J. W.
Published: January 2007

Background  The Measure of Processes of Care (MPOC) is a 56‐item self‐administered measure designed to examine what parents of a child with a chronic health problem think of the services they and their child receive, and to measure the extent to which these services are family‐centred. Reliability and validity of the MPOC were established in prior studies. The aim of the present study was to assess the 1‐year stability of the MPOC to justify its use as an evaluative tool.

Methods  Nine paediatric rehabilitation centres in the Netherlands participated in this short longitudinal survey study. Subjects were 205 parents (response rate 74.8%) of children aged 1–18 years who received care in one of the participating paediatric rehabilitation centres. All subjects filled out two MPOCs with a 1‐year interval.

Results  All correlations between the scale scores of the MPOC at the first and second administration were relatively high and significant (range: 0.443–0.609, all P < 0.001), demonstrating high inter‐individual stability. However, all mean scale scores, except for Providing General Information, significantly reduced after 1 year.

Conclusions  The MPOC has a moderate 1‐year stability. However, because of its tendency to score lower when repeated after 1 year, its use as an evaluative follow‐up instrument to assess the effectiveness of a programme intervention is restricted.
Neuropsychological profile of pre‐schoolers with metaphonological difficulties: results from a non‐clinical sample
Authors: Termine C. , Stella G. , Capsoni C. , Rosso E. , Binda A. , Pirola A. , Conti C. , Gruppi E. , Lanzi G. , Salini S. , Tognatti C. , Zoppello M. , Balottin U.
Published: January 2007

Background  The level of language development reached in pre‐school age is considered the most reliable predictor of reading acquisition. In normally developing children, learning to read is strongly related to early language skills, and in particular to phonological processing abilities. In dyslexic children, reading abilities seem to show a correlation with phonological awareness.

Methods  A group of 65 children (aged 5–6 years) were recruited and submitted to an in‐depth neuropsychological assessment [i.e. metaphonological skills, intelligence, verbal short‐term memory (VSTM) and other aspects of receptive and expressive language]. We were able to identify 14 children with significant metaphonological difficulties (MD): 11 children with exclusively MD, and the other three children with specific language impairment. This study compares the neuropsychological profile obtained from children with MD with that of a peer group without any language impairment (N).

Results  The performances of the MD were within the normal ability range in almost all the administered tests but significantly lower compared with those of their peers without language impairment (N) in some items of the intelligence scale (Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence) and in the tests of VSTM and of receptive/expressive language. Nevertheless, there were not statistically significant differences between MD and N in output phonology.

Conclusions  In pre‐school age, in a group of non‐clinical children, with a range of abilities, those with MD appear to be at the lower end of the normal range in many other verbal skills. These children could be considered at‐risk for possible subsequent difficulties learning to read and thus need to be identified and to warrant prompt treatment.
Parents' use and views of the national standard Personal Child Health Record: a survey in two primary care trusts
Authors: Walton S. , Bedford H.
Published: January 2007

Background  The Personal Child Health Record (PCHR) is a booklet given to parents in the UK, following the birth of a child, to be used as the main record of their growth, development and uptake of preventative health services. The national standard PCHR has been available since April 2004. The aim of this survey was to explore parental views of the ‘new’ PCHR, their experiences in receiving it, and its subsequent use, focusing on specific issues of current debate among health professionals.

Methods  A parental questionnaire (n = 89) was administered in July 2004, in 10 child health clinics located in two primary care trusts; one in central London and the other in Buckinghamshire.

Results  Nearly all parents (98%) reported that they used the PCHR as a record of their child's health and development and 92% reported that they ‘always’ took it with them when seeing healthcare staff about their child. Some parents (22%) indicated that they had not been given a satisfactory explanation as to how to use the PCHR, at the time it was issued to them. Parents reported that health visitors were more likely than other health professionals to use the PCHR both to obtain information about their child and to record information. The majority of respondents (78%) were happy for the level of maternal education to be documented in their child's PCHR.

Conclusions  Parents used, appreciated and liked the design of the national standard PCHR. Health visitors and primary care staff used the PCHR more than secondary care staff. The potential benefits of the PCHR will only be maximized if other healthcare professionals respond by using it.
Inverse changes in fetal insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐1 and IGF binding protein‐1 in association with higher birth weight in maternal diabetes
Authors: Lindsay Robert S. , Westgate J. A. , Beattie J. , Pattison N.S. , Gamble G. , Mildenhall L. F. J. , Breier B. H. , Johnstone Frank D.
Published: January 2007

Objective  The insulin like growth factor (IGF) system plays a key role in regulating fetal growth, is metabolically regulated, and may influence development of increased birth weight in offspring of mothers with diabetes. We examined IGF‐1 and IGF binding protein‐1 (IGFBP‐1) concentrations in cord blood samples from offspring of mothers with gestational and type 2 diabetes.

Design and patients  Case‐control study of Maori and Pacific Island mothers recruited prospectively at Middlemore Hospital, South Auckland, New Zealand.

Measurements  Cord blood (for insulin, IGF‐1 and IGFBP‐1) was taken from umbilical vein at birth from singleton babies born after 32 weeks of gestation from138 mothers with gestational diabetes (GDM), 39 mothers with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and 95 control mothers.

Results  Babies born to mothers with both GDM and T2DM had significantly increased birth weight (Z‐score birth weight mean ± SD: GDM 0·94 ± 1·31, T2DM 0·53 ± 1·1) compared to controls (Z‐score birth weight −0·08 ± 1·10). IGFBP‐1 was significantly reduced in both diabetic groups (median interquartile range: GDM 67(31–137) ng/ml, T2DM 59(29–105) ng/ml, control 114(56–249) ng/ml). Cord IGF‐1 was significantly increased in cord blood of infants of mothers with GDM (42·2 ± 16·3 ng/ml vs. control 34·7 ± 18·5 ng/ml) but not T2DM (38·7 ± 17·4 ng/ml). In all offspring, IGF‐1 and IGFBP‐1 were positively and negatively correlated with birth weight, respectively.

Conclusions  Maternal diabetes results in inverse changes of circulating fetal IGF‐1 and IGFBP‐1 at birth. A decrease in circulating IGFBP‐1 and to a lesser extent an increase in circulating IGF‐1 may present an important mechanism that contributes to increased birth weight in diabetic pregnancies.
Dehydroepiandrosterone substitution in female adrenal failure: no impact on endothelial function and cardiovascular parameters despite normalization of androgen status
Authors: Christiansen Jens Juel , Andersen Niels Holmark , Sørensen Keld E. , Pedersen Erik Morre , Bennett Paul , Andersen Marianne , Christiansen Jens Sandahl , Jørgensen Jens Otto Lunde , Gravholt Claus Højbjerg
Published: January 2007

Background  Female adrenal insufficiency implicates reduced production of the adrenal androgen precursor dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and low androgen levels. Oral DHEA restores androgen deficit but the clinical implications and safety of substitution therapy is uncertain. A putative DHEA receptor in vascular endothelium has been described and in vitro studies have shown involvement of DHEA in NO dependent pathways.

Aim  To evaluate effects of DHEA substitution on cardiovascular parameters.

Design  Six months randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled crossover study. Treatment consisted of DHEA 50‐mg or placebo. Each treatment period was followed by a 2‐month washout period.

Material and methods  Ten females with documented adrenal failure were included. Androgen levels were measured. Cardiovascular evaluation was performed before and after every treatment period. Two patients left the study because of skin side effects and anxiety, respectively. All patients had low circulating androgens baseline and normal range androgens during DHEA treatment. We examined patients with noninvasive endothelial cell function, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐based cardiac output, echocardiography, ambulatory 24‐h blood pressure and maximal oxygen consumption.

Results  DHEA treatment normalized androgen status to levels seen in healthy women. DHEA and placebo treatment had no effect on echocardiographic parameters of myocardial dimensions or systolic and diastolic function, noninvasive endothelial cell function at the level of the brachial artery, 24‐h blood pressure and heart rate, cardiac output and maximal oxygen consumption during exercise cycle testing. Remarkably, all participants had evidence of concentric left ventricular remodelling by echocardiography.

Conclusion  Restoration of physiological androgen levels using 6 months of DHEA replacement in this pilot study did not affect cardiovascular parameters and endothelial function in female adrenal insufficiency.
Macroprolactinomas and epilepsy
Authors: Deepak Doddabele , Daousi Christina , Javadpour Mohsen , MacFarlane Ian A.
Published: January 2007

Objective  To assess the prevalence and characteristics of epilepsy in patients with macroprolactinomas. Secondly, to report the response to dopamine agonist (DA) therapy.

Patients  A case note analysis of all patients with a diagnosis of macroprolactinoma attending a neuroendocrine clinic between 1996 and 2006. Those with epilepsy at diagnosis of macroprolactinoma were examined in detail.

Results  There were 64 patients with macroprolactinoma and 29 of these had tumours with suprasellar extension compressing/invading the optic apparatus and/or surrounding brain structures. Six of these 29 patients (four men), had a history of seizures at the time of diagnosis, five of whom had features suggestive of temporal lobe epilepsy. None of the other 35 patients had epilepsy. All six patients with epilepsy had invasive prolactinomas on cranial imaging and marked hyperprolactinaemia (median prolactin 369 000 mU/l, range 28 000 to > 750 000). Seizures had been present for a median of 2 years (range 1–23 years) before the diagnosis of macroprolactinoma. A rapid reduction in seizure frequency occurred in all patients with initiation of DA therapy. Four have been seizure‐free between 18 months to 15 years despite only small reductions in tumour size.

Conclusions  Invasive macroprolactinomas can commonly be associated with epilepsy, particularly of temporal lobe origin. It is essential to enquire about epileptic symptoms, as the seizure disorder may have been undiagnosed/untreated for years. DA therapy can reduce ictal frequency and the doses of anti‐epileptic drugs. Complete freedom from epilepsy can also occur.
Maternal and foetal resistin and adiponectin concentrations in normal and complicated pregnancies
Authors: Cortelazzi Donatella , Corbetta Sabrina , Ronzoni Stefania , Pelle Francesca , Marconi Annamaria , Cozzi Veronica , Cetin Irene , Cortelazzi Riccardo , Beck‐Peccoz Paolo , Spada Anna
Published: January 2007

Objective   The aim of this study was to evaluate how resistin and adiponectin (ApN) are involved in maternal energy metabolism and foetal growth.

Design  A cross‐sectional study.

Patients and Measurements  Resistin and ApN were measured in 30 healthy nonpregnant women, 73 pregnant women [10–41 weeks of gestation; 18 with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), five with pregnancy‐induce hypertension (PIH), nine with pre‐eclampsia (PE), eight with chronic hypertension (CH) and 33 normal] and 40 foetal samples (20–41 weeks of gestation; 18 from GDM mothers and 22 from normal mothers).

Results  Resistin levels were significantly higher in normal pregnant women than in nonpregnant controls (13·7 ± 2·1 vs. 6·3 ± 1·6 ng/ml; P < 0·005) and showed a negative correlation with gestational age (P < 0·0001, r = −0·7). Only women with PE presented resistin levels significantly lower than normotensive women of the same gestational age (8·2 ± 1·2 vs. 17·9 ± 4·3 ng/ml; P < 0·005). ApN levels, although similar in normal pregnant women to those in nonpregnant controls, were significantly lower in women with GDM (37–41 weeks; 5·2 ± 0·5 vs. 8·2 ± 0·8 mg/l; P < 0·0001) and PE (20–37 weeks; 5·0 ± 0·7 vs. 9·5 ± 0·7 mg/l; P = 0·008) than those found in normal women matched for gestational age. Resistin was detected in the umbilical venous blood in foetuses from 20 to 41 weeks of gestation. In all newborns, both resistin and ApN levels were significantly higher than those recorded in adult life and did not correlate with maternal levels (P = ns, r = 0·03 for resistin and P = ns, r = −0·3 for ApN). Foetuses from diabetic mothers had ApN significantly lower than normal foetuses (26·8 ± 2·6 vs. 37·5 ± 3·5 mg/l; P = 0·02), while resistin levels were similar (17·3 ± 3·7 vs. 18·2 ± 1·5 ng/ml; P = ns).

Conclusion  The secretion pattern of ApN in normal and complicated pregnancies strongly suggests an involvement of ApN in insulin resistance during gestation, while resistin seems to have a minor role. Moreover, the detection of high levels of resistin and ApN in cord blood during gestation is consistent with a regulatory action of these adipokines on tissue differentiation and foetal growth.
Behavioural responses of a south‐east Australian floodplain fish community to gradual hypoxia
Authors: MCNEIL DALE G. , CLOSS GERARD P.
Published: January 2007

1. Hypoxic conditions occur frequently during hot, dry summers in the small lentic waterbodies (billabongs) that occur on the floodplains of the Murray‐Darling River system of Australia. Behavioural responses to progressive hypoxia were examined for the native and introduced floodplain fish of the Ovens River, an unregulated tributary of the Murray River in south‐east Australia.

2. Given the high frequency of hypoxic episodes in billabongs on the Ovens River floodplain, it was hypothesised that all species would exhibit behaviours that would confer a degree of hypoxia‐tolerance. Specifically, it was hypothesised that as hypoxia progressed, gill ventilation rates (GVRs) would increase and aquatic surface respiration (ASR) would become increasingly frequent. Fish were subjected to rapid, progressive hypoxia from normoxia to anoxia in open tanks.

3. All tested species exhibited behaviours consistent with their use of potentially hypoxic habitats. As hypoxia progressed, GVRs increased and all species, with the exception of oriental weatherloach, began to switch increasingly to ASR with 90% of individuals using ASR at various oxygen concentrations below 1.0 mg O2 L−1. Australian smelt, redfin perch and flat‐headed galaxias were the first three species to rise to ASR, with 10% of individuals using ASR by 2.55, 2.29 and 2.21 mg O2 L−1 respectively. Goldfish and common carp were the last two species to rise to ASR, with 10% of individuals using ASR by 0.84 and 0.75 mg O2 L−1 respectively. In contrast to other species, oriental weatherloach largely ceased gill ventilation and used air‐gulping as their primary means of respiration during severe hypoxia and anoxia.

4. Australian smelt, redfin perch and flat‐headed galaxias were unable to maintain ASR under severe hypoxia, and began exhibiting erratic movements, termed terminal avoidance behaviour, and loss of equilibrium. All other species continued to use ASR through severe hypoxia and into anoxia. Following a rise to ASR, GVRs either remained steady or decreased slightly indicating partial or significant relief from hypoxic stress for these hypoxia‐tolerant species.

5. Behavioural responses to progressive hypoxia amongst the fish species of the Ovens River floodplain indicate a generally high level of tolerance to periodic hypoxia. However, species‐specific variation in hypoxia‐tolerance may have implications for community structure of billabong fish communities following hypoxic events.
Habitat selection and diel distribution of the crustacean zooplankton from a shallow Mediterranean lake during the turbid and clear water phases
Authors: CASTRO BRUNO B. , MARQUES SÉRGIO M. , GONÇALVES F
Published: January 2007

1. The fish fauna of many shallow Mediterranean Lakes is dominated by small‐bodied exotic omnivores, with potential implications for fish–zooplankton interactions still largely unknown. Here we studied diel variation in the vertical and horizontal distribution of the crustacean plankton in Lake Vela, a shallow polymictic and eutrophic lake. Diel sampling was carried out on three consecutive days along a horizontal transect, including an open‐water station and a macrophyte (Nymphaea alba) bed. Since transparency is a key determinant of the predation risk posed by fish, the zooplankton sampling campaigns were conducted in both the turbid (autumn) and clear water (spring) phases.

2. In the turbid phase, most taxa were homogeneously distributed along the vertical and horizontal axes in the three consecutive days. The only exception was for copepod nauplii, which showed vertical heterogeneity, possibly as a response to invertebrate predators.

3. In the clear water phase, most zooplankton taxa displayed habitat selection. Vertically, the general response consisted of a daily vertical migration (DVM), despite the limited depth (1.6 m). Horizontally, zooplankters showed an overall preference for the pelagic zone, independent of the time of the day. Such evidence is contrary to the postulated role of macrophytes as an anti‐predator refuge for the zooplankton.

4. These vertical (DVM) and horizontal (macrophyte‐avoidance) patterns were particularly conspicuous for large Daphnia, suggesting that predation risk from size‐selective predators (fish) was the main factor behind the spatial heterogeneity of zooplankton in the spring. Thus, the difference in the zooplankton spatial distribution pattern and habitat selection among seasons (turbid and clear water phases) seems to be mediated the predation risk from fish, which is directly related to water transparency.

5. The zooplankton in Lake Vela have anti‐predator behaviour that minimises predation from fish. We hypothesise that, due to the distinct fish community of shallow Mediterranean lakes, aquatic macrophytes may not provide adequate refuge to zooplankters, as seen in northern temperate lakes.
Responses of white spruce (Picea glauca) to experimental warming at a subarctic alpine treeline
Authors: DANBY RYAN K. , HIK DAVID S.
Published: January 2007

From 2001 to 2004 we experimentally warmed 40 large, naturally established, white spruce [Picea glauca(Moench) Voss] seedlings at alpine treeline in southwest Yukon, Canada, using passive open‐top chambers (OTCs) distributed equally between opposing north and south‐facing slopes. Our goal was to test the hypothesis that an increase in temperature consistent with global climate warming would elicit a positive growth response. OTCs increased growing season air temperatures by 1.8°C and annual growing degree‐days by one‐third. In response, warmed seedlings grew significantly taller and had higher photosynthetic rates compared with control seedlings. On the south aspect, soil temperatures averaged 1.0°C warmer and the snow‐free period was nearly 1 month longer. These seedlings grew longer branches and wider annual rings than seedlings on the north aspect, but had reduced Photosystem‐II efficiency and experienced higher winter needle mortality. The presence of OTCs tended to reduce winter dieback over the course of the experiment. These results indicate that climate warming will enhance vertical growth rates of young conifers, with implications for future changes to the structure and elevation of treeline contingent upon exposure‐related differences. Our results suggest that the growth of seedlings on north‐facing slopes is limited by low soil temperature in the presence of permafrost, while growth on south‐facing slopes appears limited by winter desiccation and cold‐induced photoinhibition.
Interleukin‐4 inhibition of osteoclast differentiation is stronger than that of interleukin‐13 and they are equivalent for induction of osteoprotegerin production from osteoblasts
Authors: Yamada Atsushi , Takami Masamichi , Kawawa Tadaharu , Yasuhara Rika , Zhao Baohong , Mochizuki Ayako , Miyamoto Yoichi , Eto Tomoo , Yasuda Hisataka , Nakamichi Yuko , Kim Nacksung , Katagiri Takenobu , Suda Tatsuo , Kamijo Ryutaro
Published: January 2007

Interleukin (IL)‐4 and IL‐13 are closely related cytokines known to inhibit osteoclast formation by targeting osteoblasts to produce an inhibitor, osteoprotegerin (OPG), as well as by directly targeting osteoclast precursors. However, whether their inhibitory actions are the same remains unclear. The inhibitory effect of IL‐4 was stronger than that of IL‐13 in an osteoclast‐differentiation culture system containing mouse osteoblasts and osteoclast precursors. Both cytokines induced OPG production by osteoblasts in similar time‐ and dose‐dependent manners. However, IL‐4 was stronger in direct inhibition that targeted osteoclast precursors. Furthermore, IL‐4 induced phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription‐6 (STAT6) at lower concentrations than those of IL‐13 in osteoclast precursors. IL‐4 but not IL‐13 strongly inhibited the expression of nuclear factor of activated T‐cells, cytoplasmic 1 (nuclear factor‐ATc1), a key factor of osteoclast differentiation, by those precursors. Thus, the activities of IL‐4 and IL‐13 toward osteoclast precursors were shown to be different in regards to inhibition of osteoclast differentiation, whereas those toward osteoblasts for inducing OPG expression were equivalent.
Diabetes in non‐obese diabetic mice is not associated with quantitative changes in CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cells
Authors: Mellanby Richard J. , Thomas David , Phillips Jenny M. , Cooke Anne
Published: January 2007

The role of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in maintaining self tolerance has been intensively researched and there is a growing consensus that a decline in Treg function is an important step towards the development of autoimmune diseases, including diabetes. Although we show here that CD25+ cells delay diabetes onset in non‐obese diabetic (NOD) mice, we found, in contrast to previous reports, neither an age‐related decline nor a decline following onset of diabetes in the frequency of CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate that CD4+ CD25+ cells from both the spleen and pancreatic draining lymph nodes of diabetic and non‐diabetic NOD mice are able to suppress the proliferation of CD4+ CD25– cells to a similar extent in vitro. We also found that pretreatment of NOD mice with anti‐CD25 antibody allowed T cells with a known reactivity to islet antigen to proliferate more in the pancreatic draining lymph nodes of NOD mice, regardless of age. In addition, we demonstrated that onset of diabetes in NOD.scid mice is faster when recipients are co‐administered splenocytes from diabetic NOD donors and anti‐CD25. Finally, we found that although diabetic CD4+ CD25+ T cells are not as suppressive in cotransfers with effectors into NOD.scid recipients, this may not indicate a decline in Treg function in diabetic mice because over 10% of CD4+ CD25+ T cells are non‐Foxp3 and the phenotype of the CD25– contaminating population significantly differs in non‐diabetic and diabetic mice. This work questions whether onset of diabetes in NOD mice is associated with a decline in Treg function.
The use of mineral trioxide aggregate in one‐visit apexification treatment: a prospective study
Authors: Simon S. , Rilliard F. , Berdal A. , Machtou P.
Published: January 2007

Aim  To assess the outcome of apexification using mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA).

Methodology  Fifty‐seven teeth with open apices on 50 patients referred for root canal treatment received an apexification procedure in one appointment with MTA by the same operator. Patients were recalled at 6 months, 12 months and every year thereafter. Blind to the treatment record, two examiners assessed the pre‐treatment, post‐treatment and control radiographs of the study patients in a dark room using a magnifier. Each apex visible on the radiographs was scored with the periapical index (PAI), and the size of the apical lesion was measured. The presence of an apical bridge was also noted. Kappa‐Cohen test was used for examiners calibration. The paired t‐test was used for statistical analysis of apical healing.

Results  Forty‐three cases were included with at least 12 months follow‐up. When considering the PAI score and the decrease in size of the apical lesion, healing occurred in 81% of cases.

Conclusion  Apexification in one step using an apical plug of MTA can be considered a predictable treatment, and may be an alternative to the use of calcium hydroxide.
Irreversible but not reversible pulpitis is associated with up‐regulation of tumour necrosis factor‐alpha gene expression in human pulp
Authors: Kokkas A. B. , Goulas A. , Varsamidis K. , Mirtsou V. , Tziafas D.
Published: January 2007

Aim  To analyse the gene expression of tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) in human dental pulps, under normal and inflammatory conditions and to examine the association between any observed alterations in the expression of this cytokine with the severity of the clinical symptoms.

Methodology  Eighteen pulpal samples were obtained from single‐rooted human teeth. Six of the teeth were normal (group A), six had been diagnosed with reversible pulpitis (group B), and the remaining six were from teeth diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis (group C). TNF‐α gene expression was semi‐quantitatively analysed in each sample with RT‐PCR, and the results from each group of teeth were compared with the Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests.

Results  Tumour necrosis factor‐alpha was detected in all three groups of dental pulp. Statistical analysis provided evidence of a significant increase of TNF‐α gene expression associated with irreversible inflammation compared with healthy controls (P = 0.002). No such difference was detected in reversibly inflamed pulp in comparison to healthy teeth (P = 0.699).

Conclusion  Tumour necrosis factor‐alpha gene expression in inflamed human dental pulp tissue is positively associated with the severity of clinical symptoms.
Waves and synchrony inEpirrita autumnata /Operophtera brumataoutbreaks. I. Lagged synchrony: regionally, locally and among species
Authors: TENOW O. , NILSSEN A. C. , BYLUND H. , HOGSTAD O.
Published: January 2007

In 1990–2003, during a complete 10‐year outbreak cycle, the synchrony of the birch defoliating outbreaks of the geometridsEpirrita autumnataandOperophtera brumatawas studied quantitatively in the northern part of the Fennoscandian mountain chain (the Scandes). Data were supplemented with similar data from 1964 to 1966 and historical information. A 30‐year series of field data from one locality in southern Scandes made possible interregional comparisons.

In 1991, outbreaks started in north‐eastern Fennoscandia and moved westward like a wave and reached the outer coast of north‐western Norway in about 2000. This wave is a new observation. In the same years, a previously documented outbreak wave moved southward along the Scandes.

Outbreak periods have usually occurred around the middle of each decade. Seemingly unrelated population peaks at the decadal shift 2000 were reported from islands at the coast of north‐western Norway. They are shown here to have been the final ripples of the east–west wave.

At some localities,O. brumatapeaked 2 years afterE. autumnata. A lag of 1 or 2 years also occurred at the locality in southern Scandes. This interspecific time lag is a new observation. In accordance with the north–south wave, a time‐lag of 1–2 years occurred between the fluctuations of northern and southernE. autumnataandO. brumatapopulations.

The population peak ofE. autumnataoccurred 1 year earlier at one locality than at a nearby locality. This pattern and particular altitudinal shifts of theO. brumatapopulation density at these localities repeated in two outbreak periods. This indicates that, for example, local climate may modify outbreak synchrony between nearby localities.

At the same localities,O. brumatapeaked first at one altitude and 1 or 2 years later at another altitude. This vertical lag is a new observation.

E. autumnatashows fluctuation traits similar to some other cyclic animals, e.g. the larch budmoth in the European Alps, some European tetraonid birds and the Canadian snow‐shoe hare. These similarities (and dissimilarities) in intra‐ and interspecific synchronies and causes ofE. autumnataandO. brumatasynchronies, regionally, locally and among the two species are discussed.