bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
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

SummaryObjective   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

Summary1. 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

Summary1. 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

AbstractFrom 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

SummaryInterleukin (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

SummaryThe 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

AbstractAim  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

AbstractAim  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

SummaryIn 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.
Floodplain connectivity, disturbance and change: a palaeoentomological investigation of floodplain ecology from south‐west England
Authors: DAVIS S. R. , BROWN A. G. , DINNIN M. H. 
Published: January 2007

Summary

Floodplain environments are increasingly subject to enhancement and restoration, with the purpose of increasing their biodiversity and returning them to a more ‘natural’ state. Defining such a state based solely upon neoecological data is problematic and has led several authors to suggest the use of a palaeoecological approach.
Fossil Coleopteran assemblages recovered from multiple palaeochannel fills in south‐west England were used to investigate past floodplain and channel characteristics during the mid‐ to late‐Holocene. Ordination of coleopteran data was performed using Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) and produced clear and discrete clustering. This clustering pattern is related to the nature of the environment in which assemblages were deposited and hence channel configuration and dynamics.
The DCA clustering pattern is strongly related to measures of ecological evenness, and a strong relationship between these indices and the composition of the water beetle assemblage within samples was revealed. Repeating the ordination with presence–absence data results in a similar pattern of clustering, implying that assemblage composition is crucial in determining cluster placement.
As assemblage composition is primarily a function of floodplain topography and hence disturbance regime, we attempt to relate these data to the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis (IDH). A significant positive correlation was found between ecological diversity (Shannon's H′) and Axis 1 of all ordinations in predominantly aquatic assemblages.
Psychosocial stress and atherosclerosis: family and work stress accelerate progression of coronary disease in women. The Stockholm Female Coronary Angiography Study
Authors: Wang H.‐X. , Leineweber C. , Kirkeeide R. , Svane B. , Schenck‐Gustafsson K. , Theorell T. , Orth‐Gomér K. 
Published: January 2007

Abstract.Objective.  To examine the impact of psychosocial stress, experienced in the family and work life, on the progression of coronary atherosclerosis in women cardiac patients.Design.  Longitudinal follow‐up study. The mean luminal diameter change over 3 years was averaged over 10 predefined coronary segments, representing the entire coronary tree. Stress in family life was measured by using the Stockholm Marital Stress Scale and that of work life by the demand‐control questionnaire.Subjects.  Amongst patients enrolled in the Stockholm Female Coronary Angiography Study, 80 women were evaluated for stress exposure and coronary atherosclerosis progression using serial quantitative coronary angiography.Results.  Multi‐variable‐controlled mixed models anova analyses revealed that women with high stress from either family or work had significant disease progression over 3 years, whereas those with low stress had only slight progression. In women who were free of stress from either family or work life, i.e. they were satisfied with both of these life domains, the coronary artery changes had regressed. Their mean coronary luminal diameter increased by 0.22 mm (95% CI: 0.10; 0.35 mm) when compared with women who experienced stress from both sources, whose luminal diameter decreased by 0.20 mm (95% CI: −0.14; −0.25). These associations were independent of baseline luminal diameter and standard cardiovascular risk factors, including age smoking, hypertension and HDL at baseline.Conclusions.  Stress from family or work life may accelerate coronary disease processes in women, whereas relative protection may be obtained from a satisfactory job and a happy marriage.
Differential regulation of Escherichia coli topoisomerase I by Fis
Authors: Weinstein‐Fischer Dalit , Altuvia Shoshy 
Published: January 2007

SummaryWe previously reported that the P1 promoter of topA encoding topoisomerase I of Escherichia coli is activated in response to oxidative stress, in a Fis‐dependent manner. Here we show that Fis regulation of topA varies with the intracellular concentrations of Fis. Thus, when Fis levels are low, hydrogen peroxide treatment results in topA activation, whereas at high Fis levels hydrogen peroxide treatment renders topA P1 inactive. In vivo DMS footprinting indicates that only at low Fis levels, when exposed to the stress, the region of the topA promoter changes and P1 becomes active. Potassium permanganate experiments indicate that low levels of Fis activate P1 transcription by facilitating the formation of open complexes, while high levels of this protein shut off the promoter. DNase I footprinting show that Fis binds the promoter region of topA at eight sites with different affinities. One low affinity site overlaps the −10, −35 hexamers of RNA polymerase. We propose that in response to oxidative stress, when present at low levels, Fis binds the promoter region of topA at its high affinity sites, thereby facilitating the recruitment of RNA polymerase to P1, while at high levels, Fis occupies the low affinity sites as well, and thus prevents the binding of RNA polymerase. Our results indicate that the oxidative stress response varies in response to changes in growth phase and nutritional environment.