bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increased peripheral blood CD4+ T cell responses to deamidated but not to native gliadin in children with coeliac disease
Authors: Lammi A , Arikoski P , Vaarala O , Kinnunen T , Ilonen J 
Published: February 2012

SummaryT cell recognition of gliadin from dietary gluten is essential for the pathogenesis of coeliac disease (CD). The aim of the present study was to analyse whether gliadin-specific T cells are detectable in the circulation of children with newly diagnosed coeliac disease by using a sensitive carboxfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE) dilution method. Peripheral blood CD4+ T cell responses were analysed in 20 children at diagnosis of CD and compared to those in 64 healthy control children carrying the CD-associated human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DQ2 or -DQ8 alleles. Deamidated gliadin (gTG)-specific T cells were detectable in the peripheral blood of more than half the children with CD (11 of 20, 55%) compared to 15 of 64 (23·4%) of the control children (P = 0·008). Proliferative responses to gTG were also significantly stronger in children with CD than in controls (P = 0·01). In contrast, T cells specific to native gliadin were detectable at comparable frequencies in children with CD (two of 19, 10·5%) and controls (13 of 64, 20·3%). gTG-specific T cells had a memory phenotype more often than those specific to native gliadin in children with CD (P = 0·02), whereas controls had similar percentages of memory cells in both stimulations. Finally, gTG-specific CD4+ T cells had a higher expression of the gut-homing molecule β7 integrin than those specific to the control antigen tetanus toxoid. Collectively, our current results demonstrate that the frequency of circulating memory CD4+ T cells specific to gTG but not native gliadin is increased in children with newly diagnosed CD.
Soil organic matter turnover is governed by accessibility not recalcitrance
Authors: Dungait Jennifer A. J. , Hopkins David W. , Gregory Andrew S. , Whitmore Andrew P. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractMechanisms to mitigate global climate change by sequestering carbon (C) in different ‘sinks' have been proposed as at least temporary measures. Of the major globalCpools, terrestrial ecosystems hold the potential to capture and store substantially increased volumes ofCin soil organic matter (SOM) through changes in management that are also of benefit to the multitude of ecosystem services that soils provide. This potential can only be realized by determining the amount ofSOMstored in soils now, with subsequent quantification of how this is affected by management strategies intended to increaseSOMconcentrations, and used in soilCmodels for the prediction of the roles of soils in future climate change. An apparently obvious method to increaseCstocks in soils is to augment the soilCpools with the longest mean residence times (MRT). Computer simulation models of soilCdynamics, e.g. RothC and Century, partition these refractory constituents into slow and passive pools withMRTs of centuries to millennia. This partitioning is assumed to reflect: (i) the average biomolecular properties ofSOMin the pools with reference to their source in plant litter, (ii) the accessibility of theSOMto decomposer organisms or catalytic enzymes, or (iii) constraints imposed on decomposition by environmental conditions, including soil moisture and temperature. However, contemporary analytical approaches suggest that the chemical composition of these pools is not necessarily predictable because, despite considerable progress with understanding decomposition processes and the role of decomposer organisms, along with refinements in simulation models, little progress has been made in reconciling biochemical properties with the kinetically defined pools. In this review, we will explore how advances in quantitative analytical techniques have redefined the new understanding ofSOMdynamics and how this is affecting the development and application of new modelling approaches to soilC.
Effect of acetic acid, caproic acid and tryptamine on voluntary intake of grass silage by growing cattle
Authors: Krizsan S. J. , Randby Å. T. , Westad F. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe objective of this study was to identify and quantify fermentation end‐products, detected with chromatographic techniques, that were negatively related to intake of grass silage by cattle. Further, the aim was to verify the intake‐depressing effect of these compounds in a feeding trial. A set of twenty‐four silages that had been used in a previous study to model variations in intake owing to fermentation quality was reanalysed with liquid and gas chromatography. Known and unknown chromatogram peaks were subjected to a regression analysis to determine which were negatively related to intake. Compounds were identified and quantified using a liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry system; acetic acid (AcA), caproic acid and tryptamine were chosen for verification. Growing steers were offered wilted silage with these three compounds added, separately or as a mixture, in proportions similar to the maximum values detected in the silages of the previous study. Dietary addition of AcA, either separately or mixed with the other two compounds, reduced silage dry matter (DM) intake. However, the reduction in silage DM intake equalled the amount provided by the added substances, so that no differences in total DM intake were observed for any of the dietary treatments.
An invasive tree alters the structure of seed dispersal networks between birds and plants in French Polynesia
Authors: Spotswood Erica N. , Meyer Jean‐Yves , Bartolome James W. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractAim  We studied how the abundance of the highly invasive fruit‐bearing tree Miconia calvescens DC. influences seed dispersal networks and the foraging patterns of three avian frugivores.Location  Tahiti and Moorea, French Polynesia.Methods  Our study was conducted at six sites which vary in the abundance of M. calvescens. We used dietary data from three frugivores (two introduced, one endemic) to determine whether patterns of fruit consumption are related to invasive tree abundance. We constructed seed dispersal networks for each island to evaluate how patterns of interaction between frugivores and plants shift at highly invaded sites.Results  Two frugivores increased consumption of M. calvescens fruit at highly invaded sites and decreased consumption of other dietary items. The endemic fruit dove, Ptilinopus purpuratus, consumed more native fruit than either of the two introduced frugivores (the red‐vented bulbul, Pycnonotus cafer, and the silvereye, Zosterops lateralis), and introduced frugivores showed a low potential to act as dispersers of native plants. Network patterns on the highly invaded island of Tahiti were dominated by introduced plants and birds, which were responsible for the majority of plant–frugivore interactions.Main conclusions  Shifts in the diet of introduced birds, coupled with reduced populations of endemic frugivores, caused differences in properties of the seed dispersal network on the island of Tahiti compared to the less invaded island of Moorea. These results demonstrate that the presence of invasive fruit‐bearing plants and introduced frugivores can alter seed dispersal networks, and that the patterns of alteration depend both on the frugivore community and on the relative abundance of available fruit.
Effects of partial circadian adjustments on sleep and vigilance quality during simulated night work
Authors: CHAPDELAINE SIMON , PAQUET JEAN , DUMONT MARIE 
Published: February 2012

SummaryIn most situations, complete circadian adjustment is not recommended for night workers. With complete adjustment, workers experience circadian misalignment when returning on a day‐active schedule, causing repeated circadian phase shifts and internal desynchrony. For this reason, partial circadian realignment was proposed as a good compromise to stabilize internal circadian rhythms in night shift workers. However, the extent of partial circadian adjustment necessary to improve sleep and vigilance quality is still a matter of debate. In this study, the effects of small but statistically significant partial circadian adjustments on sleep and vigilance quality were assessed in a laboratory simulation of night work to determine whether they were also of clinical significance. Partial adjustments obtained by phase delay or by phase advance were quantified not only by the phase shift of dim light salivary melatonin onset, but also by the overlap of the episode of melatonin production with the sleep–wake cycle adopted during simulated night work. The effects on daytime sleep and night‐time vigilance quality were modest. However, they suggest that even small adjustments by phase delay may decrease the accumulation of sleep debt, whereas the advance strategy improves subjective alertness and mood during night work. Furthermore, absolute phase shifts, by advance or by delay, were associated with improved subjective alertness and mood during the night shift. These strategies need to be tested in the field, to determine whether they can be adapted to real‐life situations and provide effective support to night workers.
Dissociated local arousal states underlying essential clinical features of non‐rapid eye movement arousal parasomnia: an intracerebral stereo‐electroencephalographic study
Authors: TERZAGHI MICHELE , SARTORI IVANA , TASSI LAURA , RUSTIONI VALTER , PROSERPIO PAOLA , LORUSSO GIORGIO , MANNI RAFFAELE , NOBILI LINO 
Published: February 2012

SummarySleep has been shown to be a global phenomenon in which the presence of local processes of both activation and deactivation are finely orchestrated. Dysfunctional and independent action of the systems involved in non‐rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and wakefulness is deemed to be at the basis of arousal parasomnias. We show, in a patient with confusional arousals, persistence of sleep in the hippocampal and frontal associative cortices in contrast to the presence of awakening in the motor, cingulate, insular, amygdalar and temporopolar cortices. The clinical features of the confusional arousals in this patient are highly consistent with a dysfunctional coexistence of local cortical arousal and local cortical sleep.
Repeated leaf wounding alters the colonization ofMedicago truncatularoots by beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms
Authors: LANDGRAF RAMONA , SCHAARSCHMIDT SARA , HAUSE BETTINA 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTIn nature, plants are subject to various stresses that are often accompanied by wounding of the aboveground tissues. As wounding affects plants locally and systemically, we investigated the impact of leaf wounding on interactions ofMedicago truncatulawith root‐colonizing microorganisms, such as the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungusGlomus intraradices, the pathogenic oomyceteAphanomyces euteichesand the nitrogen‐fixing bacteriumSinorhizobium meliloti. To obtain a long‐lasting wound response, repeated wounding was performed and resulted in locally and systemically increased jasmonic acid (JA) levels accompanied by the expression of jasmonate‐induced genes, among them the genes encoding allene oxide cyclase 1 (MtAOC1) and a putative cell wall‐bound invertase (cwINV). After repeated wounding, colonization with the AM fungus was increased, suggesting a role of jasmonates as positive regulators of mycorrhization, whereas the interaction with the rhizobacterium was not affected. In contrast, wounded plants appeared to be less susceptible to pathogens which might be caused by JA‐induced defence mechanisms. The effects of wounding on mycorrhization and pathogen infection could be partially mimicked by foliar application of JA. In addition to JA itself, the positive effect on mycorrhization might be mediated by systemically induced cwINV, which was previously shown to exhibit a regulatory function on interaction with AM fungi.
Zinc ions block H+/OH‐ channels in Chara australis
Authors: AL KHAZAALY SABAH , BEILBY MARY J. 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTChara australis cells exposed to media of pH 10 and above exhibit high conductance, arising from the opening of H+/OH‐ channels in the plasma membrane. This high conductance can be totally inhibited by 1.0 mm ZnCl2 and restored by 0.5 mm 2‐mercaptoethanol (ME). Important for carbon fixation, H+/OH‐ channels play a key role in cell pH banding. Banding was also shown to be abolished by 1.0 mm ZnCl2 and restored in some cells by ME. The proton pump is also involved in banding, but was little affected by ZnCl2 over the periods needed for the inhibition of H+/OH‐ channels. Previously, we postulated that H+/OH‐ channels open transiently at the onset of saline stress in salt‐sensitive C. australis, causing membrane potential difference (PD) noise; and remain open in latter stages of saline stress, contributing to cell deterioration. ZnCl2 totally inhibited the saline noise and the upwardly concave I/V characteristics associated with the putative H+/OH‐ currents. Again, ME reversed both these effects. We discuss the mode of action of zinc ions and ME with reference to animal voltage‐gated H+ channels and water channels.
ENTIRE and GOBLET promote leaflet development in tomato by modulating auxin response
Authors: Ben‐Gera Hadas , Shwartz Ido , Shao Mon‐Ray , Shani Eilon , Estelle Mark , Ori Naomi 
Published: February 2012

SummaryCompound leaves produce leaflets in a highly controlled yet flexible pattern. Here, we investigate the interaction between auxin, the putative auxin response inhibitor ENTIRE (E, SlIAA9) and the CUC transcription factor GOBLET (GOB) in compound‐leaf development in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Auxin maxima, monitored by the auxin response sensor DR5, marked and preceded leaflet and lobe initiation. The DR5 signal increased, but maxima were partially retained in response to the external or internal elevation of auxin levels. E directly interacted with the auxin receptors SlTIR1 and SlAFB6. Furthermore, E was stabilized by a mutation in domain II of the protein and by the inhibition of auxin or proteasome activity, implying that E is subjected to auxin‐mediated degradation. In e mutants the DR5 signal expanded to include the complete leaf margin, and leaf‐specific overexpression of a stabilized form of E inhibited the DR5 signal and lamina expansion. Genetic manipulation of GOB activity altered the distribution of the DR5 signal, and the inhibition of auxin transport or activity suppressed the GOB overexpression phenotype, suggesting that auxin mediates GOB‐regulated leaf patterning. Whereas leaves of single e or gob mutants developed only primary leaflets, the downregulation of both E and GOB resulted in the complete abolishment of leaflet initiation, and in a strong DR5 signal throughout the leaf margin. These results suggest that E and GOB modulate auxin response and leaflet morphogenesis via partly redundant pathways, and that proper leaflet initiation and separation requires distinct boundaries between regions of lamina growth and adjacent regions in which growth is inhibited.
Expression of myostatin, myostatin receptors and follistatin in diabetic rats submitted to exercise
Authors: Dutra Daniela B , Bueno Patrícia G , Silva Rafaella N , Nakahara Natália H , Selistre‐Araújo Heloísa S , Nonaka Keico O , Leal Angela MO 
Published: February 2012

Summary

Myostatin (MSTN) has been implicated in metabolic adaptation to physiological stimuli, such as physical exercise, which is linked to improved glucose homeostasis.
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of exercise on the expression of MSTN, MSTN receptors (ActRIIB and ALK4) and follistatin (FS) in the muscle and fat of streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats.
Control and diabetic rats were randomly assigned to a swimming training group (EC and ED, respectively) and a sedentary group (SC and SD, respectively). Exercising animals swam for 45 min at 0900 and 1700 hours, 5 day/week, for 4 weeks. The mRNA expression of MSTN, ActRIIB, ALK4 and FS
mRNA was quantified by real‐time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction.
Expression of MSTN and FS
mRNA increased in the muscle and subcutaneous fat of SD compared with SC rats. Expression of ActRIIB
mRNA was increased in the muscle, mesenteric fat and brown adipose tissue (BAT) of SD compared with SC rats, whereas ALK4
mRNA expression was only increased in the BAT of SD compared with SC rats. After training, MSTN and ActRIIB expression was lower in the BAT of EC compared with SC rats. Expression of MSTN
mRNA increased in the mesenteric fat of ED compared with SD rats, whereas FS
mRNA expression decreased in the muscle, mesenteric and subcutaneous fat and BAT. Lower ALK4
mRNA expression was noted in the BAT of ED compared with SD rats.
These results indicate that MSTN, its receptors and FS expression change in both the muscle and fat of diabetic rats and that the expression of these factors can be modulated by exercise in diabetes.
Clinical applications of lung function tests: A revisit
Authors: LIANG BIN‐MIAO , LAM DAVID C.L. , FENG YU‐LIN 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACTThe development and clinical application of lung function tests have a long history, and the various components of lung function tests provide very important tools for the clinical evaluation of respiratory health and disease. Spirometry, measurement of the diffusion factor, bronchial provocation tests and forced oscillation techniques have found diverse clinical applications in the diagnosis and monitoring of respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung diseases and asthma. However, there are some practical issues to be resolved, including the establishment of reference values for individual test parameters and the roles of these tests in preoperative risk assessment and pulmonary rehabilitation. Novel measurements, including negative expiratory pressure, the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide and analysis of exhaled breath condensate, may provide new insights into physiological abnormalities or airway inflammation in respiratory diseases, but their clinical applications need to be further evaluated. The clinical application of lung function tests continues to face challenges, which may be overcome by further improvement of conventional techniques for lung function testing and further specification of new testing techniques.
Health according to the experiences of Iranian women with diabetes: A phenomenological study
Authors: Aghamohammadi‐Kalkhoran Masoumeh , Valizadeh Sousan , Mohammadi Eesa , Ebrahimi Hossein , Karimollahi Mansoureh 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThis study explores the meaning of health among Iranian women with diabetes using hermeneutic phenomenology based on Van Manen's approach. A total of 19 women with diabetes who were referred to the Diabetes Center of Imam Khomeini hospital in Ardabil, Iran were recruited using a purposive sampling method. Data were gathered through semi‐structured interviews. Each interview was transcribed verbatim and analyzed simultaneously. Data analysis led to the emergence of five main themes: a God‐centered life, health as a precious possession, health as wellbeing, independence, and acceptance. Patients often described coping with their illnesses and pursuing lifestyle changes by applying their spiritual and religious beliefs. The findings of this study can be used by healthcare teams to revise their opinions about patients with diabetes according to the culture of their patients.
A diabetes scorecard does not improve HbA1c, blood pressure, lipids, aspirin usage, exercise and diabetes knowledge over 9 months: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Irwig M. S. , Sood P. , Ni D. , Amass T. , Khurana P. S. , Jayanthi V. V. , Wang L. , Adler S.M 
Published: February 2012

Diabet. Med. 29, 1206–1212 (2012)AbstractAims  To test (1) whether a diabetes scorecard can improve glycaemic control, blood pressure control, LDL cholesterol, aspirin usage and exercise; (2) if the scorecard will motivate and/or educate patients to improve their scores for subsequent visits; and (3) whether the scorecard will improve rates of clinical inertia.Methods  Five physicians enrolled 103 patients ≥ 40 years old with uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes [HbA1c≥ 64 mmol/mol (8.0%)] to randomly receive either a diabetes scorecard or not during four clinical visits over a 9‐month period. The population was predominantly urban with a disproportionately higher percentage of black people than the general population. Our scorecard assigned points to six clinical variables, with a perfect total score of 100 points corresponding to meeting all targets. The primary outcomes were total scores and HbA1c in the scorecard and control groups at 9 months.Results  There were no significant differences between the control and scorecard groups at visits 1 and 4 in total score, HbA1c, blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, aspirin usage, exercise or knowledge about diabetic targets. By visit 4 both the control and scorecard groups had statistically significant improvements with their mean total score (9 and 7 points, respectively), HbA1c [−9 mmol/mol (–0.8%) and −15 mmol/mol (–1.4%), respectively] and aspirin usage (33% increase and 16% increase, respectively). Rates of clinical inertia were low throughout the study.Conclusions  A diabetes scorecard did not improve glycaemic control, blood pressure control, LDL cholesterol, aspirin usage, exercise or diabetic knowledge in an urban population with uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes.
Serum 1,5‐anhydroglucitol is associated with diabetic retinopathy in Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Kim W. J. , Park C. Y. , Park S. E. , Rhee E. J. , Lee W. Y. , Oh K. W. , Park S. W. , Kim S. W. , Park H. S. , Kim Y. J. , Song S. J. , Ahn H. Y. 
Published: February 2012

Diabet. Med. 29, 1184‐1190 (2012)AbstractAims  To determine whether there is a relationship between 1,5‐anhydroglucitol (1,5‐AG), a marker of postprandial hyperglycaemia and glycaemic variability, and the presence of diabetic retinopathy and albuminuria in patients with Type 2 diabetes.Methods  Five hundred and sixty‐seven patients with Type 2 diabetes (serum creatinine < 133 μmol/l), who were enrolled in the Seoul Metro‐City Diabetes Prevention Program (SMC‐DPP), were cross‐sectionally assessed by multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results  After controlling for age, sex, binary HbA1c levels, duration of diabetes, triglyceride, systolic blood pressure, smoking status, history of hypertension and dyslipidaemia, and the use of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker medication, the odds ratios (95% CI) of diabetic retinopathy were 2.86 (1.12–7.25) for the first (lowest) quartile of 1,5‐anhydroglucitol, 2.87 (1.25–6.61) for the second quartile and 0.88 (0.35–2.22) for the third quartile compared with the fourth quartile (P for trend = 0.010). Conversely, the associations between 1,5‐anhydroglucitol and clinical albuminuria were non‐significant after adjustment. Subjects with low 1,5‐anhydroglucitol (< 10.0 μg/ml) were more likely to experience diabetic retinopathy than those with high 1,5‐anhydroglucitol (≥ 10.0 μg/ml) under moderate glucose control (HbA1c < 8%, 64 mmol/mol) and there were no significant differences in the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy between the subgroup with HbA1c < 8% (64 mmol/mol) and low 1,5‐anhydroglucitol and the subgroup with HbA1c ≥ 8% (64 mmol/mol).Conclusions  1,5‐Anhydroglucitol levels show close associations with diabetic retinopathy, especially among patients under moderate glucose control, but not with albuminuria. These results suggest that 1,5‐anhydroglucitol might be a complementary marker for targeting higher risk group.