bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Frailty predicts long‐term mortality in elderly subjects with chronic heart failure
Authors: Cacciatore F. , Abete P. , Mazzella F. , Viati L. , Della Morte D. , D’Ambrosio D. , Gargiulo G. , Testa G. , De Santis D. , Galizia G. , Ferrara N. , Rengo F. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractBackground  The elderly are characterized by a high prevalence of chronic heart failure (CHF) and frailty, which is a complex interaction of physical, psychological and social impairment. This study aimed to examine the predictive role of frailty on long‐term mortality in elderly subjects with CHF.Materials and methods  The study assessed long‐term mortality after 12‐year follow up in 120 subjects with CHF and 1139 subjects without CHF, selected in 1992, from a random sample of the elderly population in the Campania region of Italy. Frailty was assessed according to a ‘Frailty Staging System’.Results  Subjects with CHF were prevalently female (60%) and older than 75 years (mean 75·9 ± 6·7); subjects without CHF were prevalently female (56·4%) and younger than 75 years (mean 74·0 ± 6·3). In subjects with and without CHF stratified into classes of frailty there was a statistically significant increase in age, comorbidity, disability and low social support, and a decrease in MMSE score. Moreover, death progressively increased more with frailty in subjects (70·0% to 94·4%, P < 0·03) than in those without (43·8.% to 88·3%, P < 0·0001) CHF. The Kaplan–Meier analysis shows that at 9 years the probability of survival progressively decreased as frailty increased (45·5% to 0%) in subjects with CHF and from 62·8% to 25·9% in subjects without CHF. The Cox regression analysis indicated that frailty is predictive of mortality in the multivariate model adjusted for several variables including sex and age in subjects with and without CHF. Moreover, the analysis showed that frailty is more predictive of mortality in elderly subjects with CHF when it was analyzed either as continuous (1·48 vs. 1·36) or as a dummy (3 vs. 1 = 1·62 vs. 1·24) variable.Conclusions  Thus mortality among elderly subjects with or without CHF increases with frailty. Moreover, frailty is more predictive of long‐term mortality in elderly subjects with than in those without CHF. Hence, frailty represents a new independent variable for predicting long‐term mortality in elderly subjects with CHF.
Strength and endurance training lead to different post exercise glucose profiles in diabetic participants using a continuous subcutaneous glucose monitoring system
Authors: Cauza E. , Hanusch‐Enserer U. , Strasser B. , Kostner K. , Dunky A. , Haber P. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractBackground  Although both strength training (ST) and endurance training (ET) seem to be beneficial in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), little is known about post‐exercise glucose profiles. The objective of the study was to report changes in blood glucose (BG) values after a 4‐month ET and ST programme now that a device for continuous glucose monitoring has become available.Materials and methods  Fifteen participants, comprising four men age 56·5 ± 0·9 years and 11 women age 57·4 ± 0·9 years with T2D, were monitored with the MiniMed (Northridge, CA, USA) continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) for 48 h before and after 4 months of ET or ST. The ST consisted of three sets at the beginning, increasing to six sets per week at the end of the training period, including all major muscle groups and ET performed with an intensity of maximal oxygen uptake of 60% and a volume beginning at 15 min and advancing to a maximum of 30 min three times a week.Results  A total of 17 549 single BG measurements pretraining (619·7 ± 39·8) and post‐training (550·3 ± 30·1) were recorded, correlating to an average of 585 ± 25·3 potential measurements per participant at the beginning and at the end of the study. The change in BG‐value between the beginning (132 mg dL−1) and the end (118 mg dL−1) for all participants was significant (P = 0·028). The improvement in BG‐value for the ST programme was significant (P = 0·02) but for the ET no significant change was measured (P = 0·48). Glycaemic control improved in the ST group and the mean BG was reduced by 15·6% (Cl 3–25%).Conclusion  In conclusion, the CGMS may be a useful tool in monitoring improvements in glycaemic control after different exercise programmes. Additionally, the CGMS may help to identify asymptomatic hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia after training programmes.
Gestational diabetes mellitus is associated with increased C‐reactive protein concentrations in the third but not second trimester
Authors: Leipold H. , Worda C. , Gruber C. J. , Prikoszovich T. , Wagner O. , Kautzky‐Willer A. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractObjective Serum C‐reactive protein (CRP) concentrations were measured longitudinally throughout pregnancy to test the hypothesis that CRP could relate more closely to glucose tolerance than to adiposity.Methods The CRP concentrations in pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and those with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) were measured at the same time as the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), at the 24th and 28th weeks of gestation and between the 37th and 38th weeks of gestation.Results At the end of the third trimester, women with GDM had significantly higher CRP levels than women with NGT [median (interquartile range), 9·7 mg L−1 (5·4–16·0) and 5·7 mg L−1 (5·1–7·2); P < 0·001, respectively], but at the time of the diagnostic OGTT no significant difference between the two groups was observed. This was owing to a significant increase of CRP in women with GDM between the time of the OGTT and the 37th−38th gestational weeks [median (interquartile range), 1·9 mg L−1 (−2·2, 6·7); P = 0·01]; whereas, no change in CRP was found in women with NGT [median (interquartile range), −0·1 mg L−1 (−2·4, 3·1); P = 0·76]. Multiple linear regression analysis showed only a significant independent influence of GDM (P < 0·001) on maternal CRP concentrations in the 37th−38th gestational weeks and a significant influence of body mass index (P < 0·007), but no influence of GDM at the time of the OGTT.Conclusion These data suggest that in women with gestational diabetes the CRP concentration is primarily related to the degree of adiposity until the second trimester and that thereafter impaired glucose metabolism appears to be the predominant predictor of changes in CRP.
Tumour necrosis factor alpha in fat redistribution syndromes associated with combination antiretroviral therapy in HIV‐1‐infected patients: potential role in subcutaneous adipocyte apoptosis
Authors: Domingo P. , Vidal F. , Domingo J. C. , Veloso S. , Sambeat M. A. , Torres F. , Sirvent J. J. , Vendrell J. , Matias‐Guiu X. , Richart C. ,   on behalf of the HIV‐FRS Study Group
Published: November 2005

AbstractBackground  The pathogenesis of fat redistribution syndromes (FRS) observed in the setting of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for the treatment of HIV‐1‐infection remains elusive. A dysregulation of the tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) system occurs in HIV‐infected patients with FRS.Materials and methods  The study looked at both the in vivo and in vitro relationship between TNF‐α and the degree of subcutaneous adipocyte apoptosis in 60 HIV‐1‐infected patients on HAART with FRS, another 60 HIV‐1‐infected patients on HAART without FRS and 60 uninfected control patients. Apoptosis was assessed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP (deoxyuridine 5′‐triphosphate)‐digoxigenin Nick End Labelling (TUNEL) method. Soluble receptors of TNF‐α were determined by the sandwich enzyme immunoassay technique. The in vitro viability was assessed by staining with 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and apoptosis by TUNEL.Results  HIV‐1‐infected patients with FRS had significantly higher degrees of subcutaneous adipocyte apoptosis than those without FRS (P = 0·0001) and uninfected controls (P < 0·0001). There was a statistically significant association between serum levels of soluble TNF‐α receptors #1 and #2 and the degree of subcutaneous adipocyte apoptosis in patients with and without FRS (P < 0·0001 for both receptors). In vitro, the addition of TNF‐α (10 ng mL−1) to an adipocyte culture embedded with indinavir, either alone or in clinically relevant combinations with stavudine (d4T) and lamivudine (3TC), significantly decreased adipocyte viability (P = 0·0001) and increased adipocyte apoptosis (P < 0·0001) with respect to that observed with the addition of antiretrovirals alone.Conclusions  TNF‐α plays a significant role in subcutaneous adipocyte apoptosis, which occurs in the setting of FRS in HIV‐1‐infected patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy.
Chorionic plate artery function and Doppler indices in normal pregnancy and intrauterine growth restriction
Authors: Mills T. A. , Wareing M. , Bugg G. J. , Greenwood S. L. , Baker P. N. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractBackground  In fetal growth restriction (FGR) abnormal umbilical artery (UA) Doppler waveform indices suggest increased vascular resistance and impaired placental blood flow. This study aimed to determine whether UA Doppler waveform indices were related to the vasoreactivity of placental chorionic plate small arteries in normal and FGR pregnancies.Materials and methods  UA Doppler waveform analysis was performed 24 h before delivery in 23 normal term and 15 FGR pregnancies. Post‐delivery responses of chorionic plate arteries to vasoactive agents were examined using the technique of wire myography.Results  Altered vascular reactivity to agonists was demonstrated in chorionic plate arteries in FGR pregnancy. Constriction to U46619 (thromboxane mimetic) and relaxation to sodium nitroprusside (nitric oxide donor) were significantly increased in the arteries of FGR pregnancies compared with normal pregnancies. No relationship existed between Doppler indices and chorionic plate responses in normal or FGR pregnancies.Conclusions  Fetoplacental vascular reactivity is altered in FGR pregnancy independently of UA Doppler waveform indices. Altered function may be additive to the pathophysiology underlying abnormal Doppler waveforms and could contribute to the inappropriate control of vascular tone in FGR.
The effect of exercise on large artery haemodynamics in healthy young men
Authors: Sharman J. E. , McEniery C. M. , Campbell R. I. , Coombes J. S. , Wilkinson I. B. , Cockcroft J. R. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractBackground  Brachial blood pressure predicts cardiovascular outcome at rest and during exercise. However, because of pulse pressure amplification, there is a marked difference between brachial pressure and central (aortic) pressure. Although central pressure is likely to have greater clinical importance, very little data exist regarding the central haemodynamic response to exercise. The aim of the present study was to determine the central and peripheral haemodynamic response to incremental aerobic exercise.Materials and methods  Twelve healthy men aged 31 ± 1 years (mean ± SEM) exercised at 50%, 60%, 70% and 80% of their maximal heart rate (HRmax) on a bicycle ergometer. Central blood pressure and estimated aortic pulse wave velocity, assessed by timing of the reflected wave (TR), were obtained noninvasively using pulse wave analysis. Pulse pressure amplification was defined as the ratio of peripheral to central pulse pressure and, to assess the influence of wave reflection on amplification, the ratio of peripheral pulse pressure to nonaugmented central pulse pressure (PPP : CDBP‐P1) was also calculated.Results  During exercise, there was a significant, intensity‐related, increase in mean arterial pressure and heart rate (P < 0·001). There was also a significant increase in pulse pressure amplification and in PPP : CDBP‐P1 (P < 0·001), but both were independent of exercise intensity. Estimated aortic pulse wave velocity increased during exercise (P < 0·001), indicating increased aortic stiffness. There was also a positive association between aortic pulse wave velocity and mean arterial pressure (r = 0·54; P < 0·001).Conclusions  Exercise significantly increases pulse pressure amplification and estimated aortic stiffness.
Modulatory effect of mannose‐binding lectin on cytokine responses: possible roles in HIV infection
Authors: Heggelund L. , Mollnes T. E. , Espevik T. , Müller F. , Kristiansen K. I. , Aukrust P. , Frøland S. S. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractBackground  Mannose‐binding lectin (MBL) is a soluble receptor of the innate immune system, probably contributing to antimicrobial defence. The possible role of MBL in HIV infection is unclear.Materials and methods  Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 28 HIV‐infected patients and 13 healthy controls were stimulated with MBL and costimulated with HIV‐1 gp120 or mannan from Saccharomyces cerevisiae before inflammatory responses in PBMC cultures were examined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and flow cytometry. HIV‐1 RNA replication in vitro was assessed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) in supernatants from patients with measurable HIV‐1 RNA levels.Results  (i) Enhanced TNF‐α responses were observed when PBMCs from healthy controls and HIV‐infected patients were stimulated with MBL and costimulated with HIV‐1 gp120 or mannan. (ii) MBL stimulation induced increased HIV RNA replication in culture supernatants when costimulated with mannan.Conclusions  The present study suggests a modulatory role of MBL on cytokine responses, and HIV replication after stimulation with microbial products. These effects of MBL on inflammatory responses and viral replication may be clinically relevant for HIV infection.
Haem oxygenase‐1 genotype and cardiovascular adverse events in patients with peripheral artery disease
Authors: Dick P. , Schillinger M. , Minar E. , Mlekusch W. , Amighi J. , Sabeti S. , Schlager O. , Raith M. , Endler G. , Mannhalter C. , Wagner O. , Exner M. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractBackground  A functional GT dinucleotide length polymorphism in the haem oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) gene promoter is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Short (< 25) (GT)n repeats are suggested to facilitate enhanced HO‐1 up‐regulation in response to injury and confer potent anti‐inflammatory and antioxidative effects.Materials and methods  We investigated the association between the HO‐1 GT‐polymorphism and cardiovascular outcome in 472 patients with advanced peripheral artery disease. Cardiovascular risk profile and DNA samples for determination of the HO‐1 genotype (carrier vs. noncarrier of a short (GT)n repeat allele) were obtained at baseline, and patients were followed for median 21 months for the occurrence of coronary events (myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary interventions and coronary artery bypass graft), cerebrovascular events (stroke or carotid revascularization) and all‐cause mortality.Results  Coronary events occurred in 48 patients (9%), cerebrovascular events in 40 patients (9%) and 59 patients (13%) died. In total, 173 major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) occurred in 133 patients (28%). Carriers of the short (GT)n repeat allele had a 0·46‐fold reduced adjusted hazard ratio for coronary events (P = 0·016) as compared to noncarriers. No significant difference was found for cerebrovascular events, mortality and overall MACE.Conclusion  Apparently, the HO‐1 genotype exerts potentially protective effects against coronary adverse events in patients with peripheral artery disease. Homozygous and heterozygous carriers of < 25 (GT)n repeats had lower rates of myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary interventions and coronary bypass operations compared to patients with longer (GT)n repeats.
Modelling the effect of soil water content and sorption on dye‐tracer fluorescence
Authors: Bänninger D. , Lehmann P. , Flühler H. , Guglielmetti M. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryFluorescent dye tracers are used to show concentration maps of tracer fronts, plumes and pathways on soil profiles and in monolith cross sections. The physical process of fluorescence from the exposed soil surfaces must be understood in order to retrieve accurately the concentration of such compounds. We found in a laboratory experiment that the fluorescence of quartz sand stained with Acid Yellow depends both on the tracer concentration and the soil water content. In this study, we investigate the dependence of fluorescence on the water content by using a radiative transfer model. The hypothesis of our modelling approach is that fluorescence depends on water content (1) because of the adsorption properties of the tracer and (2) because the microscopic distribution of the water phase changes the positioning and emission of the excited fluorescence molecules in the sample. Our model results show that both factors influence fluorescence to a similar extent, as observed in the Acid Yellow experiment. Because these results explain only part of the overall variation in the experiment, further factors, in addition to the postulated causes, have to be considered for determining concentration maps of fluorescent tracers from real soil profiles.
Effects of experimental drought on soil respiration and radiocarbon efflux from a temperate forest soil
Authors: BORKEN WERNER , SAVAGE KATHLEEN , DAVIDSON ERIC A. , TRUMBORE SUSAN E. 
Published: November 2005

AbstractSoil moisture affects microbial decay of SOM and rhizosphere respiration (RR) in temperate forest soils, but isolating the response of soil respiration (SR) to summer drought and subsequent wetting is difficult because moisture changes are often confounded with temperature variation. We distinguished between temperature and moisture effects by simulation of prolonged soil droughts in a mixed deciduous forest at the Harvard Forest, Massachusetts. Roofs constructed over triplicate 5 × 5 m2plots excluded throughfall water during the summers of 2001 (168 mm) and 2002 (344 mm), while adjacent control plots received ambient throughfall and the same natural temperature regime. In 2003, throughfall was not excluded to assess the response of SR under natural weather conditions after two prolonged summer droughts. Throughfall exclusion significantly decreased mean SR rate by 53 mg C m−2 h−1over 84 days in 2001, and by 68 mg C m−2 h−1over 126 days in 2002, representing 10–30% of annual SR in this forest and 35–75% of annual net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of C. The differences in SR were best explained by differences in gravimetric water content in the Oi horizon (r2=0.69) and the Oe/Oa horizon (r2=0.60). Volumetric water content of the A horizon was not significantly affected by throughfall exclusion. The radiocarbon signature of soil CO2efflux and of CO2respired during incubations of O horizon, A horizon and living roots allowed partitioning of SR into contributions from young C substrate (including RR) and from decomposition of older SOM. RR (root respiration and microbial respiration of young substrates in the rhizosphere) made up 43–71% of the total C respired in the control plots and 41–80% in the exclusion plots, and tended to increase with drought. An exception to this trend was an interesting increase in CO2efflux of radiocarbon‐rich substrates during a period of abundant growth of mushrooms.Our results suggest that prolonged summer droughts decrease primarily heterotrophic respiration in the O horizon, which could cause increases in the storage of soil organic carbon in this forest. However, the C stored during two summers of simulated drought was only partly released as increased respiration during the following summer of natural throughfall. We do not know if this soil C sink during drought is transient or long lasting. In any case, differential decomposition of the O horizon caused by interannual variation of precipitation probably contributes significantly to observed interannual variation of NEE in temperate forests.
The effect of addition of calcium and processing temperature on the quality of guava in syrup
Authors: Sato Ana Carla K. , Sanjinéz‐Argandoña Eliana J. , Cunha Rosiane L. 
Published: November 2005

SummaryThe effect of process temperature and calcium concentration in the cooking syrup of guava in syrup were studied. A central composite rotatable design (CCRD) was used to optimize the quality indices of the final product, such as texture and colour. All of the processed guava quality parameters were compared with those of the fresh fruit and of a commercial sample to evaluate the effects of processing on the final product quality. Increase in the process temperature promoted changes in the final product colour, the fruit becoming darker. On the contrary, higher calcium concentrations in the cooking syrup produced lighter samples, with colour parameters closer to those of the fresh fruit. In general, the addition of calcium promoted better texture and minimized the negative effects of temperature on the mechanical properties. Processed guavas had higher rupture stress and strain than fresh fruit, indicating an increase in hardness and elasticity.
Wildfire effects on plant species richness at multiple spatial scales in forest communities of the southern Appalachians
Authors: REILLY MATTHEW J. , WIMBERLY MICHAEL C. , NEWELL CLAIRE L. 
Published: November 2005

Summary

We fitted species‐area curves to the power function and examined changes in the parameters to quantify changes in species richness of all plants together, trees only and non‐trees over five scales of magnitude (0.01 m2 to 400 m2) after a wildfire in the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, North Carolina, USA.
Increases in species richness of all plants together occurred after the fire at all scales and increased in magnitude as scale increased. However, a lack of change in the slopes (z‐values) of species‐area curves indicates that proportional changes were independent of scale of observation below 400 m2. Changes in species richness were predominantly driven by immigration, which was significantly related to fire severity. Survival of species present pre‐fire was greater than local extinction, but neither was related to severity.
Species richness of trees increased at all scales but proportional increases were smaller at larger scales and slopes of species‐area curves decreased after the fire. Local seedling recruitment increased species richness at small scales, but low rates of immigration due to dispersal limitation in most species limited increases at larger scales.
Directional changes in species richness of non‐trees were not always consistent at fine scales but both absolute and relative changes were positive at scales ≥ 1 m2 and increased with increasing scale. Slopes of species‐area curves increased post‐fire because localized patterns of immigration within plots resulted in little mixing of species at small scales but large changes in species richness at larger scales.
Fire in the southern Appalachians increases plant species richness within local communities, but rates of species turnover and patterns of beta diversity are maintained by local recruitment of tree seedlings at small scales and immigration of herb, shrub and vine species at larger scales.
Although decreased levels of competition after disturbance promote species coexistence at small scales, changes in species richness at larger scales are determined by the degree that the local community is linked to the species pool of the surrounding landscape through processes related to dispersal, particularly mass effects.