bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydophila abortus induce the expression of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor in cells of the human female reproductive tract
Authors: Wheelhouse Nick , Wattegedera Sean , Fleming Diana , Fitch Paul , Kelly Rodney , Entrican Gary 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT C. trachomatis and C. abortus are related Gram‐negative intracellular bacteria that cause reproductive failure due to infertility (C. trachomatis) or abortion (C. abortus). These organisms target epithelial cells in the reproductive tract and/or placenta, but the innate immune mechanisms that lead to protection or pathology and disease are poorly understood. SLPI is an innate immune molecule which protects mucosal surfaces from infection and injury. C. trachomatis and C. abortus were found to induce SLPI mRNA and peptide expression in HeLa (cervical epithelium) and JEG‐3 cells (trophoblast) respectively. Both cell lines constitutively expressed SLPI and, although infection enhanced this expression, killed organisms did not. These data demonstrate that Chlamydia/Chlamydophila grow in cells that express SLPI, suggesting that SLPI does not exert antimicrobial effects against these organisms. However, SLPI has multiple functions, and we speculate that it may play a role in controlling tissue inflammation and pathology.
Chlamydia pneumoniae induces interleukin‐6 and interleukin‐10 in human gingival fibroblasts
Authors: Rizzo Antonietta , Paolillo Rossella , Lanza Alfonso Galeota , Guida Luigi , Annunziata Marco , Carratelli Caterina Romano 
Published: September 2008

ABSTRACT Chlamydia pneumoniae is an obligate intracellular Gram‐negative bacterium with a unique biphasic developmental cycle that can cause persistent infections. In humans, Chlamydia causes airway infection and has been implicated in chronic inflammatory diseases, such as asthma and atherosclerosis. In addition, recent studies demonstrated that patients with severe periodontitis can harbor C. pneumoniae, which can increase the risk for a host inflammatory response with weighty clinical sequelae. Previous studies have established that periodontal pathogenic bacteria (i.e. Gram‐negative bacteria) can induce the synthesis and release of cytokines and other inflammatory mediators in human gingival fibroblasts. HGF are resident cells of the periodontium that respond to receptor stimulation by producing a variety of substances including cytokines and growth factors. Our results demonstrate that after 48 hr of incubation with viable C. pneumoniae HGF showed a proliferative response, as seen by both colorimetric MTT assay and direct cell count (30% and 35%, respectively). In addition, HGF incubated with viable or UV light‐inactivated C. pneumoniae organisms showed an increase in the levels of IL‐6 and IL‐10, but not IL‐4; on the contrary, HGF infected with heat‐killed bacteria did not show a significant production of any of the cytokines considered. In conclusion, the present study suggests that C. pneumoniae may modulate the expression of IL‐6 and IL‐10 by human gingival fibroblasts. Further studies are warranted to clarify the molecular mechanisms of C. pneumoniae in the regulation of cytokine expression by host cells and to elaborate the relevant clinical implications.
Associations of inflammatory factors with glycaemic status among middle‐aged and older Chinese people
Authors: Ye Xingwang , Franco Oscar H. , Yu Zhijie , Li Huaixing , Hu Frank B. , Liu Huaiyu , Wang Xiangdong , Tang Haiying , Liu Yong , Chen Yan , Lin Xu 
Published: September 2008

SummaryObjective  Low‐grade chronic inflammation is associated with risk for type 2 diabetes. We investigated the associations between inflammatory factors and glycaemic status in a middle‐aged and older Chinese population.Design  A population‐based cross‐sectional study of 3289 residents aged 50–70 years from Beijing and Shanghai.Measurements  C‐reactive protein (CRP), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and soluble tumour necrosis factor α‐receptor two (sTNFR2) were assayed.Results  Comparing the highest with the lowest quartile of CRP, the odds ratio (OR) of diabetes was significantly higher in women [3·66 (95% CI 2·23–6·03)] than in men [1·51 (0·95–2·41)] (P for interaction = 0·004), while the increased OR for impaired fasting glucose (IFG) was only observed in women [OR 2·03 (1·44–2·84)] (P for interaction = 0·022), after adjustment for age, geographic location, education, lifestyle factors, family history of diabetes, and use of antibiotics, aspirin and lipid‐lowering drugs. The multiple‐adjusted OR of IL‐6 for diabetes was also higher in women [2·95 (1·78–4·90)] than in men [2·23 (1·39–3·59)] (P for interaction = 0·045). sTNFR2 was not associated with diabetes but inversely associated with IFG in men [OR 0·59 (0·41–0·85)] and women [OR 0·78 (0·56–1·09)] (P for interaction = 0·13). In addition, CRP was significantly associated with increased HbA1c in both genders within euglycaemia after multiple adjustments.Conclusions  Inflammatory markers are closely associated with diabetes and IFG in Chinese people. These associations appear to be stronger in women than in men. Furthermore, plasma CRP is positively associated with HbA1c even in euglycaemic individuals.
Elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leptin in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH): evidence for hypothalamic leptin resistance?
Authors: Ball A. K. , Sinclair A. J. , Curnow S. J. , Tomlinson J. W. , Burdon M. A. , Walker E. A. , Stewart P. M. , Nightingale P. G. , Clarke C. E. , Rauz S. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryObjective  The aetiology of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is not known, but its association with obesity is well‐recognized. Recent studies have linked obesity with abnormalities in circulating inflammatory and adiposity related cytokines. The aim of this study was to characterize adipokine and inflammatory cytokine profiles in IIH.Design  Paired serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens were collected from 26 patients with IIH and compared to 62 control subjects. Samples were analysed for leptin, resistin, adiponectin, insulin, IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐8 (CXCL8), TNFα, MCP‐1 (CCL2), hepatocyte growth factor, nerve growth factor and PAI‐1 using multiplex bead immunoassays.Results  CSF leptin was significantly higher in patients with IIH (P = 0·001) compared to controls after correction for age, gender and body mass index (BMI). In the control population, BMI correlated with serum leptin (r = 0·34; P = 0·007) and CSF leptin (r = 0·51; P < 0·0001), but this was not the case for the IIH population. Profiles of other inflammatory cytokines and adipokines did not differ between IIH patients and controls once anthropometric factors had been accounted for.Conclusions  IIH was characterized by significantly elevated CSF leptin levels which did not correlate with BMI. We suggest that CSF leptin may be important in the pathophysiology of IIH and that obesity in IIH may occur as a result of hypothalamic leptin resistance.
Characterization of macroprolactin and assessment of markers of autoimmunity in macroprolactinaemic patients
Authors: Kavanagh‐Wright Lucille , Smith Thomas P. , Gibney James , McKenna T. Joseph 
Published: September 2008

SummaryObjective  It has been reported that macroprolactin is a complex of PRL and an immunoglobulin G (IgG). This study further characterizes macroprolactin and evaluates for other markers of autoimmunity using a cohort of macroprolactinaemic sera.Patients and normal subjects  Following treatment of hyperprolactinaemic sera (n = 58) with polyethylene glycol (PEG), PRL values fell from 524–13 546 mU/l (Range) to 452–8455 mU/l, while in macroprolactinaemic sera (n = 41), PRL concentration fell from 525–5747 to 98–378 mU/l (PEG treated normoprolactinaemic reference range, 68–230 mU/l in males, 70–390 mU/l in females).Design  PRL was measured in sera prior to and following gel filtration chromatography, ultrafiltration, treatment with protein A‐sepharose, protein G‐sepharose, antihuman IgG‐agarose and sodium thiocyanate (NaSCN). The binding of radio‐labelled PRL in macroprolactinaemic sera was also measured. Sera were assayed for antithyroid and antinuclear antibodies. C‐reactive protein (CRP) and CD5 positive B cells were also measured. Comparisons were made between values obtained in normal, hyperprolactinaemic and macroprolactinaemic sera.Results  Macroprolactinaemic sera indicated the presence of an IgG molecule and/or IgG fragments with one or more molecules of PRL. In 97% of the sera macroprolactin had a molecular weight of 204 kDa. Treatment of macroprolactinaemic sera with NaSCN caused dissociation of macroprolactin, releasing monomeric PRL. Macroprolactinaemic sera did not yield evidence of an increase in markers of autoimmunity when compared with hyperprolactinaemic or normal sera.Conclusions  Comprehensive analysis of macroprolactin confirmed its composition as an IgG molecule or fragment with a PRL molecule. The occurrence of macroprolactin does not appear to be associated with autoimmunity.
Vitamin D deficiency and supplementation during pregnancy
Authors: Yu C. K. H. , Sykes L. , Sethi M. , Teoh T. G. , Robinson S. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryObjective  Vitamin D is essential for skeletal health and prolonged deficiency results in infantile rickets and adult osteomalacia. The aim of this study is to determine the vitamin D status in pregnancy and to evaluate the effects of daily and of single‐dose vitamin D supplementation.Design  A prospective randomized study at St Mary's Hospital London.Patients A total of 180 women (Indian Asian, Middle Eastern, Black and Caucasian) were recruited at 27 weeks gestation and randomized into three treatment groups: a single oral dose of 200 000 IU vitamin D, a daily supplement of 800 IU vitamin D from 27 weeks until delivery and a no treatment group.Measurements  Vitamin D (25‐hydroxyvitamin D), PTH and corrected calcium levels in mothers at 27 weeks and at delivery and cord 25‐hydroxyvitamin D and corrected calcium levels.Results  The final maternal 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels were significantly higher in the supplemented group [daily dose (median) 42 (IQR 31–76) nmol/l, stat dose (median) 34 (IQR 30–46) nmol/l vs. median 27 (IQR 27–39) nmol/l in the no treatment; P < 0·0001] and significantly fewer women with secondary hyperparathyroidism in the supplemented group (10% in daily dose vs. 12% in stat dose vs. 27% in the no treatment; P < 0·05). Cord 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels were significantly higher with supplementation [daily dose median 26 (IQR 17–45) nmol/l, stat dose median 25 (IQR 18–34) nmol/l vs. median 17 (IQR 14–22) nmol/l in no treatment; P = 0·001].Conclusion  Single or daily dose improved 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels significantly. However, even with supplementation, only a small percentage of women and babies were vitamin D sufficient. Further research is required to determine the optimal timing and dosing of vitamin D in pregnancy.
Small, dense low‐density lipoproteins (LDL) are predictors of cardio‐ and cerebro‐vascular events in subjects with the metabolic syndrome
Authors: Rizzo Manfredi , Pernice Vincenzo , Frasheri Arian , Di Lorenzo Gabriele , Rini Giovam Battista , Spinas Giatgen A. , Berneis Kaspar 
Published: September 2008

SummaryObjective  Small, dense low‐density lipoproteins (LDL) are a feature of the metabolic syndrome (MS) but their predictive role still remains to be established. We performed a 2‐year follow‐up study in 124 subjects with MS (63 ± 6 years), as defined by the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute guidelines, to assess clinical and biochemical predictors of cerebro‐ and cardio‐vascular events.Methods and results  Beyond traditional cardiovascular risk factors, we measured LDL size and subclasses by gradient gel electrophoresis. Clinical events were registered in the 25% of subjects. At univariate analysis subjects with events had increased prevalence of elevated fasting glucose (P = 0·0117), smoking (P = 0·0015), family history of coronary artery disease (P = 0·0033) and higher levels of total‐ and LDL‐cholesterol (P = 0·0027 and P = 0·0023, respectively); LDL size was lower (P < 0·0001), due to reduced larger subclasses and increased small, dense LDL (all P < 0·0001). At multivariate analysis the following were independent predictors of events (univariate odd ratios were calculated): low HDL‐cholesterol (OR 15·4, P = 0·0238), elevated fasting glucose (OR 12·1, P = 0·0102), elevated small, dense LDL (OR 11·7, P = 0·0004), elevated blood pressure (OR 9·2, P = 0·0392), smoking (OR 4·8, P = 0·0054).Conclusions  This is the first study that assessed the predictive role of small, dense LDL beyond traditional cardiovascular risk factors in subjects with MS.
Sediment Fe:PO4 ratio as a diagnostic and prognostic tool for the restoration of macrophyte biodiversity in fen waters
Authors: GEURTS JEROEN J. M. , SMOLDERS ALFONS J. P. , VERHOEVEN JOS T. A. , ROELOFS JAN G. M. , LAMERS LEON P. M. 
Published: September 2008

Summary1. Globally, freshwater wetlands, including fen waters, are suffering from biodiversity loss due to eutrophication, water shortage and toxic substances, and to mitigate these pressures numerous restoration projects have been launched. Water quality data are generally used to evaluate the chances of reestablishment of aquatic vegetation in fen waters and shallow peat lakes. Here we investigated whether sediment characteristics, which are less prone to fluctuate in time, would result in more reliable predictions.2. To test if sediment characteristics can indeed be used not only for an easy and early diagnosis of nutrient availability and water quality changes in fen waters, but also for the prognosis of biodiversity response, we recorded the aquatic vegetation and collected surface water, sediment pore water and sediment samples in 145 fen waters in the Netherlands, Ireland and Poland.3. Endangered macrophyte species were more closely related to surface water chemistry than common species in terms of occurrence and abundance. Sites featuring endangered species appeared to have significantly lower turbidity and pH, and lower concentrations of SO4, PO4, total phosphorus (TP) and NH4 than other sites.4. PO4 and TP concentrations in the water layer increased markedly at PO4 concentrations above 5–10 μmol L−1 in the sediment pore water. High surface water PO4 and TP concentrations appeared to be SO4‐induced and only occurred below certain threshold values for pore water Fe:PO4 (3.5 mol mol−1) and total sediment Fe:P (10 mol mol−1).5. Interestingly, the occurrence of endangered species also correlated strongly with sediment and sediment pore water ratios; the number of endangered species increased markedly at pore water Fe:PO4 ratios above 1 mol mol−1, whereas their actual abundance had the greatest increase at ratios above 10 mol mol−1. Additionally, endangered species seemed to be more sensitive to accumulation of potentially toxic substances such as sulphide and ammonium than non‐endangered species.6. As an indicator of both biogeochemical processes and biodiversity, pore water Fe:PO4 ratios could be a valuable diagnostic and prognostic tool for the restoration of water quality and biodiversity in fen waters, e.g. for selecting the most promising sites for restoration and for optimization of restoration measures.
Signalling mechanisms regulating the activation of human eosinophils by mast‐cell‐derived chymase: implications for mast cell–eosinophil interaction in allergic inflammation
Authors: Wong Chun K. , Ng Sinnie S. M. , Lun Samantha W. M. , Cao Ju , Lam Christopher W. K. 
Published: September 2008

SummaryAllergic diseases such as asthma and allergic dermatitis are associated with the degranulation of mast cells. Chymase, a mast‐cell‐specific protease, is the major component in mast cell granules that can induce eosinophil infiltration into inflammatory sites. We examined the immunopathological mechanisms for the activation of eosinophils by chymase in allergic inflammation. Cytokines were measured by cytometric bead array Flex Sets multiplex assay using flow cytometry and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Adhesion molecules, migration and intracellular signalling pathways were assessed by flow cytometry, Boyden chamber assay and Western blot, respectively. Chymase suppressed the apoptosis of eosinophils and induce the release of the cytokine interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and chemokines CXCL8, CCL2 and CXCL1 by eosinophils dose‐dependently. It also up‐regulated the surface expression of adhesion molecule CD18 and stimulated the chemokinetic migration of eosinophils. The expressions of adhesion molecules, cytokines and chemokines, and chemokinetic migration were differentially regulated by the activation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase, p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase, Akt, Janus‐activated kinase and nuclear factor‐κB pathways. Chymase therefore plays a pivotal immunological role in the interaction between mast cells and eosinophils in allergic diseases such as allergic dermatitis by inducing adhesion molecule‐mediated chemokinetic migration and inflammatory cytokines and chemokines of eosinophils, through multiple intracellular signalling molecules and transcription factor. Our results therefore provide a further biochemical basis for the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation consequent on the interaction between mast cells and eosinophils, and give insight for the development of new therapies.
Social constraint and an absence of sex‐biased dispersal drive fine‐scale genetic structure in white‐winged choughs
Authors: BECK N. R. , PEAKALL R. , HEINSOHN R. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis study used eight polymorphic microsatellite loci to examine the relative effects of social organization and dispersal on fine‐scale genetic structure in an obligately cooperative breeding bird, the white‐winged chough (Corcorax melanorhamphos). Using both individual‐level and population‐level analyses, it was found that the majority of chough groups consisted of close relatives and there was significant differentiation among groups (FST = 0.124). However, spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed strong spatial genetic structure among groups up to 2 km apart, indicating above average relatedness among neighbours. Multiple analyses showed a unique lack of sex‐biased dispersal. As such, choughs may offer a model species for the study of the evolution of sex‐biased dispersal in cooperatively breeding birds. These findings suggest that genetic structure in white‐winged choughs reflects the interplay between social barriers to dispersal resulting in large family groups that can remain stable over long periods of times, and short dispersal distances which lead to above average relatedness among neighbouring groups.
High connectivity on a global scale in the pelagic wahoo, Acanthocybium solandri (tuna family Scombridae)
Authors: THEISEN T. C. , BOWEN B. W. , LANIER W. , BALDWIN J. D. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThe population genetic structure and phylogeography of wahoo, Acanthocybium solandri, were investigated on a global scale with intron six of lactate dehydrogenase‐A (ldhA6, 8 locations, N = 213) and mtDNA cytochrome b (Cytb, 10 locations, N = 322). Results show extensive sharing of haplotypes across the wahoo's entire global range, and analyses were unable to detect significant structure (nuclear FST = 0.0125, P = 0.106; mtDNA ΦST < 0.0001, P = 0.634). Power analyses indicated 95% confidence in detecting nuclear FST ≥ 0.0389 and mtDNA ΦST ≥ 0.0148. These findings appear unique, as most other tunas, billfishes, and oceanic sharks exhibit significant population structure on the scale of East–West Atlantic, Atlantic vs. Indian‐Pacific, or East–West Pacific. Overall nuclear heterozygosity (H = 0.714) and mtDNA haplotype diversity (h = 0.918) are both high in wahoo, while overall mtDNA nucleotide diversity (π= 0.006) and nuclear nucleotide diversity (π=0.004) are uniformly low, indicating a recent increase in population size. Coalescence analyses yield an estimate of effective female population size (NeF) at ~816 000, and a population bottleneck ~690 000 years ago. However, conclusions about population history from our Cytb data set are not concordant with a control region survey, a finding that will require further investigation. This is the first example of a vertebrate with a single globally distributed population, a finding we attribute to extensive dispersal at all life stages. The indications of a worldwide stock for wahoo reinforce the mandate for international cooperation on fisheries issues.
Hitching a lift on the road to speciation
Authors: SMADJA CAROLE , GALINDO JUAN , BUTLIN ROGER 
Published: September 2008

AbstractUnderstanding how speciation can take place in the presence of homogenizing gene flow remains a major challenge in evolutionary biology. In the early stages of ecological speciation, reproductive isolation between populations occupying different habitats is expected to be concentrated around genes for local adaptation. These genomic regions will show high divergence while gene exchange in other regions of the genome should continue relatively unimpaired, resulting in low levels of differentiation. The problem is to explain how speciation progresses from this point towards complete reproductive isolation, allowing genome‐wide divergence. A new study by Via and West (2008) on speciation between host races of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum, introduces the mechanism of ‘divergence hitchhiking’ which can generate large ‘islands of differentiation’ and facilitate the build‐up of linkage disequilibrium, favouring increased reproductive isolation. This idea potentially removes a major stumbling block to speciation under continuous gene flow.
Alteration in vaginal microflora, douching prior to pregnancy, and preterm birth
Authors: Thorp John M. , Dole Nancy , Herring Amy H. , McDonald Thaddeus L. , Eucker Barbara , Savitz David A. , Kaczor Diane 
Published: September 2008

SummaryWe aimed to determine the relationship of douching prior to pregnancy and bacterial vaginosis (BV) during pregnancy on preterm birth, addressing individual and joint effects. We used a prospective cohort study and assessed vaginal microflora using gram stains and Nugent's criteria. Douching behaviour was based on self‐report about the 12 months prior to pregnancy. Preterm births were categorised as spontaneous or medically indicated. A total of 2561 women provided vaginal specimens and 1492 provided self‐reports on douching behaviour.Bacterial vaginosis assessed at 24–28 weeks' gestation in the absence of douching prior to pregnancy was associated with spontaneous preterm birth (odds ratio = 2.74 [95% confidence interval 1.13, 6.66]) as was douching in the absence of BV (OR = 2.20 [1.29, 3.75]). The combination of BV and douching was unrelated to spontaneous or medically indicated preterm birth. We concluded that acute alterations in vaginal microflora at mid‐pregnancy or douching prior to pregnancy were associated with an increased risk of preterm birth, but the combination did not appear to increase the risk further than would be expected.