bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CD66a (CEACAM1) expression by mouse natural killer cells
Authors: Thirion Gaëtan , Feliu Ana Agusti , Coutelier Jean‐Paul 
Published: May 2008

SummaryCD66a (CEACAM1), an adhesion molecule that has regulatory function on T lymphocytes, was found to be expressed on a minority of mouse natural killer (NK) cells, especially in the liver. CD66a expression on NK cells depended on their differentiation stage, with highest levels on immature CD49b−NK cells. Expression of CD66a on NK cells was strongly enhanced by in vitro activation with interleukin‐12 (IL‐12) and IL‐18. However, in vivo NK cell stimulation by infection with lactate dehydrogenase‐elevating virus did not lead to strong CD66a expression, even on activated interferon‐‐γ‐producing NK cells. These results indicate that CD66a expression is differently regulated, depending on the NK cell activation pathway, which may lead to distinct regulatory mechanisms of the functional subpopulations of these cells.
Daytime sleepiness and neural cardiac modulation in sleep‐related breathing disorders
Authors: LOMBARDI CAROLINA , PARATI GIANFRANCO , CORTELLI PIETRO , PROVINI FEDERICA , VETRUGNO ROBERTO , PLAZZI GIUSEPPE , VIGNATELLI LUCA , DI RIENZO MARCO , LUGARESI ELIO , MANCIA GIUSEPPE , MONTAGNA PASQUALE , CASTIGLIONI PAOLO 
Published: May 2008

SummarySleep‐related breathing disorders are common causes of excessive daytime sleepiness, a socially and clinically relevant problem. Mechanisms responsible for daytime sleepiness are still largely unknown. We investigated whether specific alterations in autonomic cardiac modulation during sleep, commonly associated with sleep‐related breathing disorders, are related to excessive daytime sleepiness. Fifty‐three patients with sleep‐related breathing disorders underwent nocturnal polysomnography. Excessive daytime sleepiness was diagnosed as a Multiple Sleep Latency Test response less than or equal to 600 s. We explored the relation of excessive daytime sleepiness, objectively determined, with indices of autonomic cardiac regulation, such as baroreflex sensitivity and heart rate variability, with polysomnographic indices of the severity of sleep‐related breathing disorders and with quality of sleep. Patients with excessive daytime sleepiness, when compared with patients without, had significantly lower baroreflex sensitivity and significantly higher low‐to‐high frequency power ratio of heart rate variability during the different stages of nocturnal sleep. By contrast, no differences were found in indices quantifying the severity of sleep‐related breathing disorders or sleep quality. We demonstrated that excessive daytime sleepiness is accompanied by a deranged cardiac autonomic control at night, the latter probably reflecting autonomic arousals not detectable in the EEG. As abnormal autonomic regulation is also known to be associated with increased cardiovascular risk, a possible relation between excessive daytime sleepiness and cardiovascular events in patients with sleep‐related breathing disorders deserves to be investigated in future studies.
Associations of birthweight and infant growth with body composition at age 15 – the COMPASS study
Authors: Eriksson Marit , Tynelius Per , Rasmussen Finn 
Published: May 2008

SummarySize at birth and postnatal growth have been positively associated with obesity in adulthood. However, associations between postnatal growth and body composition later in life have rarely been studied. The overall purpose was to explore the associations between birthweight, weight gain during first year of life and height, weight, body mass index, fat free mass index (FFMI), fat mass index, % fat mass (FM) and waist circumference in adolescence.The COMPASS study is a population‐based study of adolescents from a well‐defined area in Stockholm County, Sweden. Birth characteristics and weight during childhood were collected from registers and child health centre records, and body composition at age 15 years was measured by bioelectric impedance by trained nurses. Complete data were available for 2453 adolescents. Associations between predictor and outcome variables were assessed with linear regression modelling.Birthweight was positively associated with all outcome variables, except for %FM among girls. FFMI increased by 0.49 kg/m2[95% CI 0.34, 0.63] (boys) and 0.25 kg/m2[0.12, 0.38] (girls) per 1 SD increase in birthweight. Increased weight gain in infancy showed strong, positive associations with all measures of body composition. FFMI increased by 0.73 kg/m2[0.60, 0.87] (boys) and 0.63 kg/m2[0.50, 0.76] (girls) per unit increase in weight z‐score during first year of life. The effect of increased weight gain in infancy was not modified by birthweight. Birthweight and postnatal growth were both positively related to body composition in adolescence. Increased weight gain during the first year of life had stronger effect than prenatal growth, suggesting infancy to be a more critical period.
Ethnic differences in term birthweight: the role of constitutional and environmental factors
Authors: Goedhart Geertje , Van Eijsden Manon , Van Der Wal Marcel F. , Bonsel Gouke J. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryIt is not clear to what extent ethnic differences in the term birthweight distribution are constitutional or pathological. This study explored term birthweight heterogeneity between ethnic groups and the explanatory role of constitutional and environmental factors. As part of a prospective cohort study, the Amsterdam Born Children and their Development study, 8266 pregnant women filled out a questionnaire during early pregnancy. Ethnic groups were categorised as: native Dutch group; first and second generation Surinamese, Antillean, Turkish, Moroccan, Ghanaian and other non‐Dutch groups. Only singleton livebirths with ≥37.0 weeks of gestation and with complete data were included for analysis (n = 7118). We performed linear regression analyses to estimate the association between ethnicity and, for gestational age, standardised birthweight at term, adjusted for constitutional (fetal gender, parity, maternal age, maternal height) and environmental (education, cohabitation status, maternal body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, depression, work stress) determinants respectively.Mean birthweight ranged from 3223 g (second generation Surinamese newborns) to 3548 g (Dutch newborns). Adjustment for constitutional factors substantially reduced the ethnic differences in birthweight, while adjustment for environmental factors provided little additional explanation. Surinamese [first generation: regression coefficient (b) = −98.3 g, P < 0.001; second generation: b = −159.3 g, P < 0.001], first generation Antillean (b = −102.0 g, P = 0.037), and Ghanaian newborns (b = −120.7 g, P = 0.001) remained significantly smaller than Dutch newborns after adjustment for all determinants. Term birthweight differences between Dutch newborns and Turkish, Moroccan and other non‐Dutch newborns were largely explained by constitutional rather than environmental determinants, limiting the need for prevention. Surinamese, Antillean and Ghanaian (mainly black) newborns remained unexplainably smaller after adjustment, leaving the possibility of either unknown constitutional or pathological underlying mechanisms.
Palaeoenvironmental significance of Late Permian palaeosols in the South‐Eastern Iberian Ranges, Spain
Authors: DE LA HORRA RAÚL , BENITO Ma ISABEL , LÓPEZ‐GÓMEZ JOSE , ARCHE ALFREDO , BARRENECHEA JOSÉ F. , LUQUE JAVIER 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe Late Permian (Wuchiapingian) Alcotas Formation in the SE Iberian Ranges consists of one red alluvial succession where abundant soil profiles developed. Detailed petrographical and sedimentological studies in seven sections of the Alcotas Formation allow six different types of palaeosols, with distinctive characteristics and different palaeogeographical distribution, to be distinguished throughout the South‐eastern Iberian Basin. These characteristics are, in turn, related to topographic, climatic and tectonic controls. The vertical distribution of the palaeosols is used to differentiate the formation in three parts from bottom to top showing both drastic and gradual vertical upwards palaeoenvironmental changes in the sections. Reconstruction of palaeoenvironmental conditions based on palaeosols provides evidence for understanding the events that occurred during the Late Permian, some few millions of years before the well‐known Permian‐Triassic global crisis.
Comparative proteome analyses of phosphorus responses in maize (Zea mays L.) roots of wild‐type and a low‐P‐tolerant mutant reveal root characteristics associated with phosphorus efficiency
Authors: Li Kunpeng , Xu Changzheng , Li Zhaoxia , Zhang Kewei , Yang Aifang , Zhang Juren 
Published: May 2008

SummaryLow phosphorus (P) availability is a major limitation for plant growth. To better understand the molecular mechanism of P efficiency in maize, comparative proteome analyses were performed on the roots of the low‐P‐tolerant mutant 99038 and wild‐type Qi‐319 grown under P‐sufficient (+P) or P‐deficient (−P) conditions. Over 10% of proteins detected on two‐dimensional electrophoresis (2‐DE) gels showed expression that was altered twofold or more between the genotypes under +P or −P conditions. We identified 73 (+P) and 95 (−P) differentially expressed proteins in response to phosphate (Pi) starvation. These proteins were involved in a large number of cellular and metabolic processes, with an obvious functional skew toward carbon metabolism and regulation of cell proliferation. Further analysis of proteome data, physiological measurements and cell morphological observations showed that, compared to the wild‐type, the low‐P‐tolerant mutant could accumulate and secrete more citrate under Pi starvation, which facilitates solubilization of soil Pi and enhances Pi absorption. The proportion of sucrose in the total soluble sugars of the low‐P‐tolerant mutant was significantly higher, and cell proliferation in root meristem was accelerated. This resulted in better developed roots and more advantageous root morphology for Pi uptake. These results indicate that differences in citrate secretion, sugar metabolism and root‐cell proliferation are the main reasons for higher tolerance to low‐P conditions in the mutant compared to the wild‐type. Thus, the mutant displayed specialized P‐efficient root systems with a higher capacity for mobilization of external Pi and increased cell division in the root meristem under Pi starvation.
Monosaccharide inhibition of adherence by Pseudomonas aeruginosa to canine corneocytes
Authors: McEwan Neil A. , Rème Christophe A. , Gatto Hugo , Nuttall Timothy J. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe effect of d‐galactose, d‐mannose, l‐rhamnose and dextrose on the adhesion to canine corneocytes by three strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was studied in six healthy dogs. Canine corneocytes were collected from the inner aspect of the pinna using adhesive discs (D‐Squame®). Half millimetre of bacterial suspension in phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) with or without the addition of a monosaccharide was placed over the corneocyte layer and incubated in moist chambers. Image analysis was used to quantify bacterial adherence to corneocytes. The three strains of Pseudomonas adhered well to canine corneocytes. All monosaccharides tested inhibited the adherence of Pseudomonas to canine corneocytes. The mean reduction in adhesion for individual sugars at a concentration of 0.1% was 40.2% (dextrose), 30.8% (l‐rhamnose), 25.6% (d‐galactose) and 19.4% (d‐mannose). When d‐galactose, d‐mannose and l‐rhamnose were used in combination at 0.1% concentration, the mean reduction in adherence was 52.9%. The monosaccharides studied may have a potential role in the management of Pseudomonas infections in dogs.
Rotational and continuous grazing of sheep in the Inner Mongolian steppe of China
Authors: Wang C. J. , Tas B. M. , Glindemann T. , Mueller K. , Schiborra A. , Schoenbach P. , Gierus M. , Taube F. , Susenbeth A. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe aim of this study was to compare the effects of rotational and continuous grazing on herbage mass (HM), organic matter digestibility (dOM) and intake (OMI) and live weight gain (LWG) of sheep grazing on the inner Mongolian steppe, China at a stocking rate of 4.5 sheep/ha during the growing season. In the years 2005 and 2006, four 2‐ha plots were used of which two were divided into four 0.5 ha paddocks each for rotational grazing, where sheep were moved each 10 days to the next paddock. The dOM was estimated from faecal crude protein concentration and OMI by oral administration of titanium dioxide. Herbage mass was similar in both grazing systems and dOM and OMI were higher (p < 0.05) at continuous grazing than at rotational grazing, but LWG did not differ probably because of extra energy expenditure for grazing and walking in a larger area. The dOM and OMI decreased (p < 0.05) with progress of the growing season and differed between years. Since precipitation during the growing season in both years was lower than the 30 years average which was probably the reason that positive effects of non‐grazing periods on herbage regrowth and quality at rotational grazing could not occur, further studies are required in years with average precipitations before a final evaluation of these grazing systems can be made. Moreover, it seems necessary to quantify energy expenditure for physical activity of animals in grazing studies.
Effects of β‐glucanase and xylanase supplementation on gastrointestinal digestive enzyme activities of weaned piglets fed a barley‐based diet
Authors: Fan C. L. , Han X. Y. , Xu Z. R. , Wang L. J. , Shi L. R. 
Published: May 2008

SummaryThe effects of supplementing a barley‐based diet for weaned piglets with exogenous β‐glucanase and xylanase on gastrointestinal digestive enzyme activities were investigated. Thirty‐six cross‐bred weaned piglets were randomly assigned to two groups with three pens based on sex and mass. Each group was fed on the diet based on barley with or without added β‐glucanase and xylanase (0.15%) for a 4‐week period. The results showed that enzyme supplementation improved growth performance of piglets significantly (p < 0.05), but had no effect (p = 0.091) on average daily feed intake. The results also showed that supplementation of β‐glucanase and xylanase had no effect on pepsin activity in gastric contents but slightly decreased (p = 0.092) the pepsin activity in gastric mucosa. Meanwhile, no effect of enzyme supplementation on trypsin activity in duodenal contents was observed. However, the activities of amylase and lipase in duodenal contents were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased, whereas the activities of maltase, sucrase and γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase (γ‐GT) in jejunal and ileal mucosa were enhanced significantly (p < 0.05). The improvement of disaccharidase and γ‐GT activity may be attributed to the positive impacts of exogenous enzymes on digestion and absorption of the nutrients. In conclusion, the current results indicated that supplementation with enzymes in barley‐based diets could improve the growth performance of piglets, decrease the activities of amylase and lipase in duodenal contents and increase the activities of disaccharidase and γ‐GT in jejunal and ileal mucosa.
Comparison of promoters in transgenic rice
Authors: Furtado Agnelo , Henry Robert J. , Takaiwa Fumio 
Published: May 2008

SummaryReports of the use of rice storage protein gene promoters to express transgenes in rice grain have demonstrated that rice grain can be used as a production platform for end‐use quality or seed‐based edible vaccines. The generation of transgenic rice with multitraits (gene stacking), which requires the use of multiple transgenes under the control of different promoters, necessitates the use of promoters from rice and other cereals, as this is highly advantageous in reducing homology‐based transcriptional gene silencing. Using the green fluorescent protein gene (gfp) as a reporter gene and a transgenic rice platform, promoters of storage protein and non‐storage protein genes from barley, wheat and rice were compared with regard to their spatial and temporal control of expression. Storage protein promoters from barley (549‐bp B‐hordein and 433‐bp D‐hordein) and wheat (425‐bp high‐molecular‐weight glutenin) directed the expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) in endosperm but not embryo; however, expression was leaky, as it was also observed in seed maternal tissues, leaf and root tissues. As expected, the rice promoters (1350‐bp glutelin B‐1 and 1007‐bp α‐globulin) directed the endosperm‐specific expression of GFP in transgenic rice. Our results indicate that seed‐specific promoters from barley and wheat, although containing endosperm and GCN4 motifs, which are important for endosperm‐specific expression in rice, may not be spatially regulated in the same manner as they are in their native species. The analysis of GFP expression under the control of various promoters in rice grain indicates that promoters from other cereals can drive high levels of endosperm‐specific expression in rice, but their utility for seed‐specific expression may depend on their tissue specificity.
Does self‐directed and web‐based support for parents enhance the effects of viewing a reality television series based on the Triple P – Positive Parenting Programme?
Authors: Sanders Matthew , Calam Rachel , Durand Marianne , Liversidge Tom , Carmont Sue Ann 
Published: May 2008

Background:  This study investigated whether providing self‐directed and web‐based support for parents enhanced the effects of viewing a reality television series based on the Triple P – Positive Parenting Programme.Method:  Parents with a child aged 2 to 9 (N = 454) were randomly assigned to either a standard or enhanced intervention condition. In the standard television alone viewing condition, parents watched the six‐episode weekly television series, ‘Driving Mum and Dad Mad’. Parents in the enhanced television viewing condition received a self‐help workbook, extra web support involving downloadable parenting tip sheets, audio and video streaming of positive parenting messages and email support, in addition to viewing the television series.Results:  Parents in both conditions reported significant improvements in their child’s disruptive behaviour and improvements in dysfunctional parenting practices. Effects were greater for the enhanced condition as seen on the ECBI, two of the three parenting indicators and overall programme satisfaction. However, no significant differences were seen on other measures, including parent affect indicators. The level of improvement was related to number of episodes watched, with greatest changes occurring in families who watched each episode. Improvements achieved at post‐intervention by parents in both groups were maintained at six‐month follow‐up. Online tip sheets were frequently accessed; uptake of web‐based resources was highest early in the series.Conclusions:  The value of combining self‐help approaches, technology and media as part of a comprehensive public health approach to providing parenting support is discussed.
Involvement of the low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐related protein in the transcytosis of the brain delivery vector Angiopep‐2
Authors: Demeule Michel , Currie Jean‐Christophe , Bertrand Yanick , Ché Christian , Nguyen Tran , Régina Anthony , Gabathuler Reinhard , Castaigne Jean‐Paul , Béliveau Richard 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe blood–brain barrier (BBB) restricts the entry of proteins as well as potential drugs to cerebral tissues. We previously reported that a family of Kunitz domain‐derived peptides called Angiopeps can be used as a drug delivery system for the brain. Here, we further characterize the transcytosis ability of these peptides using an in vitro model of the BBB and in situ brain perfusion. These peptides, and in particular Angiopep‐2, exhibited higher transcytosis capacity and parenchymal accumulation than do transferrin, lactoferrin, and avidin. Angiopep‐2 transport and accumulation in brain endothelial cells were unaffected by the P‐glycoprotein inhibitor, cyclosporin A, indicating that this peptide is not a substrate for the efflux pump P‐glycoprotein. However, competition studies show that activated α2‐macroglobulin, a specific ligand for the low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐related protein‐1 (LRP1) and Angiopep‐2 can share the same receptor. In addition, LRP1 was detected in glioblastomas and brain metastases from lung and skin cancers. Fluorescent microscopy also revealed that Alexa488‐Angiopep‐2 co‐localized with LRP1 in brain endothelial cell monolayers. Overall, these results suggest that Angiopep‐2 transport across the BBB is, in part, mediated by LRP1.
Assessment of left ventricular diastolic function from mitral annulus motion, a comparison with pulsed Doppler measurements in patients with heart failure
Authors: Blomstrand P. , Kongstad O. , Broqvist M. , Dahlström U. , Wranne B. 
Published: May 2008

Summary. Mitral and pulmonary venous flow velocity recordings are often used for the assessment of left ventricular diastolic function. These curves are, however, also influenced by other factors. To investigate whether mitral annulus motion carries additional information in this context, mitral annulus motion was compared to Doppler registrations of mitral and pulmonary flow velocities in 38 patients with heart failure (NYHA II—III) after myocardial infarction.Patients with an increased atrial contribution to mitral annulus motion (> 57%, n= 12) had a higher mitral late‐to‐early flow velocity ratio (A/E) and pulmonary systolic to diastolic filling ratio (<0–01). Patients with atrial displacement above average for the group (? 5.1 mm, n= 19) had a higher mitral AVE ratio and pulmonary systolic to diastolic filling ratio than patients with a lower than average atrial component (P < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between a/T ratio and A/E ratio (r= 0.61, P < 0.001) and between pulmonary flow and transmitral flow (= 0.76, P < 0.001).We conclude that an increased atrial displacement of the mitral annulus is a frequent finding in patients with signs of left ventricular relaxation abnormality. There is a significant correlation between a/T ratio and A/E ratio but the information contained in the two indices are not identical.