bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of macrophage infiltration in the orbital fat of patients with Graves’ ophthalmopathy
Authors: Chen Mei‐Hsiu , Chen Ming‐Hong , Liao Shu‐Lang , Chang Tien‐Chun , Chuang Lee‐Ming 
Published: February 2008

SummaryObjective  Infiltration of the retro‐ocular space by inflammatory cells, accumulation of glycosaminoglycans, and the overabundance of orbital adipose tissue are characteristic findings in Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO). The cause of macrophage infiltration in the orbital adipose tissue of patients with GO remains to be elucidated.Design  Immunohistochemistry of orbital adipose tissues with anti‐CD68 was used for determining macrophage infiltration pattern and cell counts. Quantitative real‐time PCR was used for analysing mRNA expression. Correlation of macrophage infiltration with the duration of GO and mRNA expression were also determined.Patients  Fifteen subjects with GO who underwent orbital decompression were recruited. Six patients without thyroid history who underwent elective orbital surgery were enrolled as controls.Measurements  Histological distribution of macrophages, macrophage cell counts, CD68 and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) mRNA levels, and duration of GO.Results  We demonstrated that macrophage infiltration in orbital fat from patients with GO was higher than controls (P = 0·005). The infiltration of macrophages was located primarily around blood vessels and between mature adipocytes. Macrophage infiltration did not attenuate in GO of long duration. We also found that the expression of MCP‐1 was higher in GO orbital fat than that in the orbital fat of controls (P = 0·047) and the infiltration of macrophages in adipose tissue from patients with GO was positively correlated with expression of MCP‐1 mRNA (r = 0·546, P = 0·035).Conclusion  Macrophage infiltration may play an important role in the pathogenesis of GO via over‐expression of MCP‐1.
Short‐ and long‐term relationships of serum ghrelin with changes in body composition and the metabolic syndrome in prepubescent obese children following two different weight loss programmes
Authors: Kelishadi Roya , Hashemipour Mahin , Mohammadifard Noushin , Alikhassy Hasan , Adeli Khosrow 
Published: February 2008

SummaryObjectives  Ghrelin has been proposed to be a regulator of energy balance, and its dysregulation may be important in obesity. The aims of this study were (i) to compare short‐ and long‐term changes in circulating ghrelin concentration after increasing energy expenditure vs. its changes after decreasing energy intake, (ii) to determine factors associated with changes in ghrelin level, and (iii) to assess relationships of ghrelin concentration with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in prepubescent obese children.Design  Randomized controlled trial.Patients  About 100 obese children aged 7–9 years.Measurements  After baseline testing, children were randomly assigned to two interventional groups, either receiving dietary recommendations or engaging in physical training classes for 6 months. Ghrelin, insulin, leptin, fasting blood sugar, lipid profile and anthropometric indexes, as well as energy intake and expenditure were measured.Results  Of the participants, 92 completed the 6‐month trial, and 87 returned for the 1‐year follow‐up. Except ghrelin level, other biochemical variables had no significant change at 12‐ vs. 6‐month follow‐up. In both groups, ghrelin showed a progressive increase in the periods of time with significant reduction of overweight and negative energy balance; while after the end of the trial, when children regained weight, it decreased toward baseline levels. Baseline ghrelin had strong negative correlation with measures of central obesity. The odds of having the MetS were 12% lower in the middle and 37% lower in the highest tertile of ghrelin level. As the number of MetS components increased, there was a progressive decrease in ghrelin and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), with a progressive increase in serum insulin, HOMA‐R and leptin levels.Conclusions  Ghrelin increases in response to overweight reduction and negative energy balance resulting from either an exercise intervention or reduction in food intake in prepubescent obese children. It is unlikely to regulate long‐term energy balance in young obese children.
Immune cellular parameters of leprosy and human immunodeficiency virus‐1 co‐infected subjects
Authors: Carvalho Karina I. , Maeda Solange , Marti Luciana , Yamashita Jane , Haslett Patrick A. J. , Kallas Esper G. 
Published: February 2008

AbstractLeprosy and human immunodeficiency virus‐1 (HIV‐1) are examples of human infections where interactions between the pathogen and the host cellular immunity determine the clinical manifestations of disease. Hence, a significant immunopathological interaction between HIV‐1 and leprosy might be expected. In the present study we explored several aspects of cellular immunity in patients co‐infected with HIV‐1 and Mycobacterium leprae. Twenty‐eight individuals were studied, comprising four groups: healthy controls, HIV‐1 and M. leprae co‐infection, HIV‐1 mono‐infection, and M. leprae mono‐infection. Subjects in the mono‐infection and co‐infection groups were matched as far as possible for bacillary load and HIV disease status, as appropriate. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were analysed using six‐ and seven‐colour flow cytometry to evaluate T‐cell subpopulations and their activation status, dendritic cell (DC) distribution phenotypes and expression of IL‐4 by T cells. The co‐infected group exhibited lower CD4 : CD8 ratios, higher levels of CD8+ T‐cell activation, increased Vδ1 : Vδ2 T cell ratios and decreased percentages of plasmacytoid DC, compared with HIV‐1 mono‐infected subjects. Across infected groups, IL‐4 production by CD4+ T lymphocytes was positively correlated with the percentage of effector memory CD4+ T cells, suggesting antigenically driven differentiation of this population of T cells in both HIV‐1 and M. leprae infections. Co‐infection with M. leprae may exacerbate the immunopathology of HIV‐1 disease. A T helper 2 (Th2) bias in the CD4+ T‐cell response was evident in both HIV‐1 infection and leprosy, but no additive effect was apparent in co‐infected patients.
Sleep and affect in older adults: using multilevel modeling to examine daily associations
Authors: MCCRAE CHRISTINA S. , McNAMARA JOSEPH P. H. , ROWE MEREDETH A. , DZIERZEWSKI JOSEPH M. , DIRK JUDITH , MARSISKE MICHAEL , CRAGGS JASON G. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryThe main objective of the present study was to examine daily associations (intraindividual variability or IIV) between sleep and affect in older adults. Greater understanding of these associations is important, because both sleep and affect represent modifiable behaviors that can have a major influence on older adults’ health and well‐being. We collected sleep diaries, actigraphy, and affect data concurrently for 14 days in 103 community‐dwelling older adults. Multilevel modeling was used to assess the sleep–affect relationship at both the group (between‐persons) and individual (within‐person or IIV) levels. We hypothesized that nights characterized by better sleep would be associated with days characterized by higher positive affect and lower negative affect, and that the inverse would be true for poor sleep. Daily associations were found between affect and subjective sleep, only and were in the hypothesized direction. Specifically, nights with greater reported awake time or lower sleep quality ratings were associated with days characterized by less positive affect and more negative affect. Gender was not a significant main effect in the present study, despite previous research suggesting gender differences in the sleep–affect relationship. The fact that self‐ratings of sleep emerged as the best predictors of affect may suggest that perceived sleep is a particularly important predictor. Finally, our results suggest exploration of affect as a potential intervention target in late‐life insomnia is warranted.
An ultra short episode of sleep is sufficient to promote declarative memory performance
Authors: LAHL OLAF , WISPEL CHRISTIANE , WILLIGENS BERNADETTE , PIETROWSKY REINHARD 
Published: February 2008

SummaryVarious studies have demonstrated that a night of sleep has a beneficial effect on the retention of previously acquired declarative material. In two experiments, we addressed the question of whether this effect extends to daytime naps. In the first experiment we assessed free recall of a list of 30 words after a 60 min retention interval that was either filled with daytime napping or waking activity. Memory performance was significantly enhanced after napping as opposed to waking but was not correlated with time spent in slow wave sleep or total sleep time within the napping condition. The second experiment was designed to clarify the role of total sleep time and therefore included an additional third group, which was allowed to nap for no longer than 6 min on average. In comparing word recall after conditions of no napping (waking), short napping, and long napping, we found superior recall for both nap conditions in contrast to waking as well as for long naps in contrast to short naps. These results demonstrate that even an ultra short period of sleep is sufficient to enhance memory processing. We suggest that the mere onset of sleep may initiate active processes of consolidation which – once triggered – remain effective even if sleep is terminated shortly thereafter.
Effect of dopaminergic substances on sleep/wakefulness in saline‐ and MPTP‐treated mice
Authors: LALOUX CHARLOTTE , DERAMBURE PHILIPPE , HOUDAYER ELISE , JACQUESSON JEAN‐MARIE , BORDET RÉGIS , DESTÉE ALAIN , MONACA CHRISTELLE 
Published: February 2008

SummarySleep/wakefulness (S/W) disorders are frequent in Parkinson’s disease (PD). The underlying causes have yet to be elucidated but dopaminergic neurodegenerative lesions seem to contribute to appearance of the disorders and anti‐Parkinsonian medication is known to accentuate S/W problems. Hence, we reasoned that studying the acute effect of dopaminergic compounds on S/W in an animal model of PD might improve our knowledge of S/W regulation in the context of partial dopaminergic depletion. To this end, we tested the effect of levodopa (l‐dopa), pergolide (a mixed D2/D1 agonist) and lisuride (a D2 agonist) on S/W recordings in MPTP‐treated mice, in comparison with controls. Our results showed that dopaminergic compounds modify S/W amounts in both control and MPTP mice. Wakefulness amounts are greater in MPTP mice after l‐dopa (50 mg kg−1) and lisuride (1 mg kg−1) injections compared with control mice. Moreover, the paradoxical sleep latency was significantly longer in MPTP mice after high‐dose l‐dopa administration. Our observations suggest that the actions of both l‐dopa and lisuride on S/W differ slightly in MPTP mice relative to controls. Hence, MPTP‐induced partial DA depletion may modulate the effect of dopaminergic compounds on S/W regulation.
Self‐reported seasonality is associated with complaints of sleep problems and deficient sleep duration: the Hordaland Health Study
Authors: ØYANE NICOLAS M. , URSIN REIDUN , PALLESEN STÅLE , HOLSTEN FRED , BJORVATN BJøRN 
Published: February 2008

SummaryChange in sleep duration dependent on time of year is a central characteristic of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). In a community health survey, we analysed associations between seasonality, subjective sleep problems and sleep duration. Totally, 8860 subjects (3531 men and 5329 women) aged between 40 and 44 years were included in the study. Seasonal changes in mood and behaviour were measured by the Global Seasonality Score (GSS) questionnaire, and subjects were grouped in high (GSS ≥ 11), moderate (GSS 8–10) or low (GSS < 8) seasonality groups. Sleep symptomatology was assessed using a modified version of the Karolinska Sleep Questionnaire. Significant sleep duration deficiency was defined as the difference between subjective sleep need and sleep duration of at least 1 h. Sleep problems suggesting insomnia as well as increased daytime sleepiness were more prevalent in the high/moderate seasonality groups compared with the low seasonality group. Seasonality was furthermore associated with shorter sleep duration and increased subjective sleep need. Significant sleep duration deficiency was more prevalent in subjects reporting high (men 20% and women 21%) and moderate (men 13% and women 19%) seasonality than subjects reporting low (men 10% and women 14%) seasonality. In conclusion, we found seasonal changes in mood and behaviour to be associated with several sleep‐related complaints. Sleep duration deficiency increased with increasing seasonality, mainly due to increasing subjective sleep need.
Sleep‐disordered breathing in a middle‐aged and older Polish urban population
Authors: PŁYWACZEWSKI ROBERT , BEDNAREK MICHAŁ , JONCZAK LUIZA , ZIELIŃSKI JAN 
Published: February 2008

SummaryObstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is a frequent disorder; however, the prevalence of sleep‐disordered breathing is not well known in many countries. The aim of our investigation was to assess the prevalence of sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB) in a representative sample of the population of Warsaw. We studied 676 subjects (57.1% of the randomised cohort from the Monica II study). The sample comprised 356 males (52.7%) and 320 females (47.3%), whose mean age was 56.6 ± 8.2 years (range 41–72 years). Mean number of apnoeas and hypopnoeas per hour of time in bed (AH) in males was 7 ± 9.5 and in females 3.9 ± 6.6 (P < 0.001). SDB (cut‐off point AH > 5 or >10) was identified in 188 subjects (27.8%) and 97 subjects (14.3%), respectively. SDB was established twice as frequently in males as in females (respectively 36.5 versus 18.5%; P < 0.001 for AH > 5 and 19.8 versus 8.5%; P < 0.001 for AH > 10). A diagnosis of OSAS AH > 10 and Epworth Sleepiness Score ≥11 points was established in 51 subjects (7.5%). The prevalence of OSAS was nearly four times higher in males (40 subjects, 11.2%) than in females (11 subjects, 3.4%; P < 0.001). The severity of OSAS was similar in both sexes (AH: males 32.3 ± 14.9 and females 31.4.1 ± 15.4). Older age and male sex were predictors of SDB. SDB and OSAS were independent predictors of coronary artery disease after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, neck circumference and smoking habit.
Relationships between affect, vigilance, and sleepiness following sleep deprivation
Authors: FRANZEN PETER L. , SIEGLE GREG J. , BUYSSE DANIEL J. 
Published: February 2008

SummaryThis pilot study examined the relationships between the effects of sleep deprivation on subjective and objective measures of sleepiness and affect, and psychomotor vigilance performance. Following an adaptation night in the laboratory, healthy young adults were randomly assigned to either a night of total sleep deprivation (SD group; n = 15) or to a night of normal sleep (non‐SD group; n = 14) under controlled laboratory conditions. The following day, subjective reports of mood and sleepiness, objective sleepiness (Multiple Sleep Latency Test and spontaneous oscillations in pupil diameter, PUI), affective reactivity/regulation (pupil dilation responses to emotional pictures), and psychomotor vigilance performance (PVT) were measured. Sleep deprivation had a significant impact on all three domains (affect, sleepiness, and vigilance), with significant group differences for eight of the nine outcome measures. Exploratory factor analyses performed across the entire sample and within the SD group alone revealed that the outcomes clustered on three orthogonal dimensions reflecting the method of measurement: physiological measures of sleepiness and affective reactivity/regulation, subjective measures of sleepiness and mood, and vigilance performance. Sleepiness and affective responses to sleep deprivation were associated (although separately for objective and subjective measures). PVT performance was also independent of the sleepiness and affect outcomes. These findings suggest that objective and subjective measures represent distinct entities that should not be assumed to be equivalent. By including affective outcomes in experimental sleep deprivation research, the impact of sleep loss on affective function and their relationship to other neurobehavioral domains can be assessed.
Methane‐related microbial gypsum calcitization in stromatolites of a marine evaporative setting (Münder Formation, Upper Jurassic, Hils Syncline, north Germany)
Authors: ARP GERNOT , OSTERTAG‐HENNING CHRISTIAN , YÜCEKENT SELÇÜK , REITNER JOACHIM , THIEL VOLKER 
Published: February 2008

AbstractFossil stromatolites may reveal information about their hydrochemical palaeoenvironment, provided that assignment to a specific microbial community and a corresponding biogeochemical mechanism of formation can be made. Tithonian stromatolites of the Münder Formation at Thüste, north Germany, have traditionally been considered as formed by intertidal cyanobacterial communities. However, thin sections of the stromatolites show elongated angular traces of former gypsum crystals in a dense arrangement, but no algal or cyanobacterial filament traces. Moreover, high Fe2+ and Mn2+ contents, oxygen‐isotope and sulphur‐isotope ratios of carbonate‐bound sulphates, and sulphurized hydrocarbon biomarkers of the stromatolitic carbonate indicate that CaCO3 precipitation occurred near the oxic–anoxic interface as a result of intensive bacterial sulphur cycling rather than photosynthetic activity. Furthermore, anaerobic oxidation of methane by Archaea may have driven CaCO3 precipitation in deeper parts of the biofilm community, as reflected by high concentrations of squalane with a strongly negative δ13C in conjunction with evaporite pseudomorphs showing extremely low δ13CCarb ratios. Consequently, the Thüste stromatolites are now interpreted as having initially formed by gypsum impregnation of biofilms. Subsequently, early Mg‐calcitic calcitization within the biofilms occurred because of combined bacterial iron, manganese and sulphate reduction, with an increasing contribution of anaerobic oxidation of methane with depth. This model plausibly explains the prominent preservation of signals derived from oxygen‐independent metabolic pathways, whereas virtually no geochemical record exists for an aerobic community that may, nevertheless, have prevailed at the stromatolite surface. Photic‐zone stromatolites with a prominent signal of anaerobic oxidation of methane may be common in, and indicative of, oxygen‐depleted sulphate‐bearing environments with high rates of methane production, conditions that possibly were fulfilled at the Archaean to Proterozoic transition.
The AT‐hook‐containing proteins SOB3/AHL29 and ESC/AHL27 are negative modulators of hypocotyl growth in Arabidopsis
Authors: Street Ian H. , Shah Purvi K. , Smith Alison M. , Avery Nathan , Neff Michael M. 
Published: February 2008

Summary SOB3, which encodes a plant‐specific AT‐hook motif containing protein, was identified from an activation‐tagging screen for suppressors of the long‐hypocotyl phenotype of a weak phyB allele, phyB‐4. sob3‐D (suppressor of phyB‐4#3 dominant) overexpressing seedlings have shorter hypocotyls, and as adults develop larger flowers and leaves, and are delayed in senescence compared with wild‐type plants. At the nucleotide level, SOB3 is closely related to ESCAROLA (ESC), which was identified in an independent activation‐tagging screen. ESC overexpression also suppresses the phyB‐4 long‐hypocotyl phenotype, and confers an adult morphology similar to sob3‐D, suggesting similar functions. Analysis of transgenic plants harboring SOB3:SOB3‐GUS or ESC:ESC‐GUS translational fusions, driven by their endogenous promoter regions, showed GUS activity in the hypocotyl and vasculature tissue in light‐ and dark‐grown seedlings. A loss‐of‐function SOB3 allele (sob3‐4) was generated through an ethyl methanesulfonate intragenic suppressor screen of sob3‐D phyB‐4 plants, and this allele was combined with a predicted null allele, disrupting ESC (esc‐8), to examine potential genetic interactions. The sob3‐4 esc‐8 double mutant had a long hypocotyl in multiple fluence rates of continuous white, far‐red, red and blue light. sob3‐4 esc‐8 phyB‐9 and sob3‐4 esc‐8 cry‐103 triple mutants also had longer hypocotyls than photoreceptor single mutants. In contrast, the sob3‐4 esc‐8 phyA‐211 triple mutant was the same length as phyA‐211 single mutants. Taken together, these data indicate that SOB3 and ESC act redundantly to modulate hypocotyl growth inhibition in response to light.
Degradation of the auxin response factor ARF1
Authors: Salmon Jemma , Ramos Jason , Callis Judy 
Published: February 2008

SummaryAuxin‐mediated gene expression is largely controlled through a family of DNA‐binding proteins known as auxin response factors (ARF). Previous studies on the role of proteolytic regulation in auxin signaling have focused on degradation of their interacting partner, the Aux/IAA proteins. Aux/IAA family members with domain II sequences are rapidly degraded, show auxin‐enhanced degradation rates, and interact with the related F‐box proteins TIR1 and AFB1‐3, which indicates that they are ubiquitylated by a CUL1‐dependent E3 ligase. To date, limited data have been generated regarding degradation of ARFs. Here, we focus on the degradation rate of one ARF family member, Arabidopsis thaliana ARF1, and find that the half‐lives of N‐terminally HA‐tagged ARF1 and C‐terminally luciferase‐tagged ARF1 are both approximately 3–4 h. This half‐life appears to be conferred by a component of the middle region (MR), and degradation of the luciferase fusion with the MR is more rapid when the fusion includes an additional nuclear localization signal. ARF1 degradation is proteasome‐dependent and rates are not altered in a CUL1 mutant background, suggesting that this ARF is targeted for proteasomal degradation via an alternative set of machinery to that used for Aux/IAA degradation. Consistent with this, exogenous indole acetic acid does not affect the degradation of ARF1. Given increasing evidence that the relative ratio of Aux/IAAs to ARFs rather than the absolute quantity within the cell appears to be the mode through which auxin signaling is modulated, this half‐life is likely to be biologically relevant.
Partial demethylation of oligogalacturonides by pectin methyl esterase 1 is required for eliciting defence responses in wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca)
Authors: Osorio Sonia , Castillejo Cristina , Quesada Miguel A. , Medina‐Escobar Nieves , Brownsey Geoff J. , Suau Rafael , Heredia Antonio , Botella Miguel A. , Valpuesta Victoriano 
Published: February 2008

SummaryIn addition to the role of the cell wall as a physical barrier against pathogens, some of its constituents, such as pectin‐derived oligogalacturonides (OGA), are essential components for elicitation of defence responses. To investigate how modifications of pectin alter defence responses, we expressed the fruit‐specific Fragaria × ananassa pectin methyl esterase FaPE1 in the wild strawberry Fragaria vesca. Pectin from transgenic ripe fruits differed from the wild‐type with regard to the degree and pattern of methyl esterification, as well as the average size of pectin polymers. Purified oligogalacturonides from the transgenic fruits showed a reduced degree of esterification compared to oligogalacturonides from wild‐type fruits. This reduced esterification is necessary to elicit defence responses in strawberry. The transgenic F. vesca lines had constitutively activated pathogen defence responses, resulting in higher resistance to the necrotropic fungus Botrytis cinerea. Further studies in F. vesca and Nicotiana benthamiana leaves showed that the elicitation capacity of the oligogalacturonides is more specific than previously envisaged.