bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Systemic autoimmune diseases co‐existing with chronic hepatitis C virus infection (the HISPAMEC Registry): patterns of clinical and immunological expression in 180 cases
Authors: RAMOS‐CASALS M. , JARA L.‐J. , MEDINA F. , ROSAS J. , CALVO‐ALEN J. , MAÑÁ J. , ANAYA J.‐M. , FONT J. ,   THE HISPAMEC STUDY GROUP
Published: May 2005

Abstract.Objectives.  To describe the clinical and immunologic characteristics of a large series of patients with systemic autoimmune diseases (SAD) associated with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.Methods.  We analysed 180 patients diagnosed with SAD and chronic HCV infection seen consecutively at our centres during the last 10 years. The clinical and immunological patterns of disease expression were compared with 180 SAD‐matched patients without chronic HCV infection.Results.  A total of 180 HCV patients fulfilled the classification criteria for the following SAD: Sjögren's syndrome (n = 77), systemic lupus erythematosus (n = 43), rheumatoid arthritis (n = 14), antiphospholipid syndrome (n = 14), polyarteritis nodosa (n = 8) and other SAD (n = 24). One hundred and thirty (72%) patients were female and 50 (28%) male, with a mean age at SAD diagnosis of 50 years. The main immunologic features were antinuclear antibodies in 69% of patients, cryoglobulinaemia in 62%, hypocomplementaemia in 56% and rheumatoid factor (RF) in 56%. Compared with the SAD‐matched HCV‐negative group, SAD‐HCV patients presented a lower prevalence of females (P = 0.016), an older age at SAD diagnosis (P = 0.039) and a higher prevalence of vasculitis (P < 0.001) and neoplasia (P < 0.001). Immunologically, SAD‐HCV patients presented a lower prevalence of antinuclear (P = 0.036), anti‐extractable nuclear antigen (P = 0.038) and anti‐DNA (P = 0.005) antibodies, and a higher frequency of RF (P = 0.003), hypocomplementaemia (P < 0.001) and cryoglobulins (P < 0.001).Conclusions.  In comparison with an SAD‐matched HCV‐negative population, SAD‐HCV patients were older and more likely to be male, with a higher frequency of vasculitis, cryoglobulinaemia and neoplasia. This complex pattern of disease expression is generated by a chronic viral infection that induces both liver and autoimmune disease.
Influence of metabolic syndrome on hypertension‐related target organ damage
Authors: MULÈ G. , NARDI E. , COTTONE S. , CUSIMANO P. , VOLPE V. , PIAZZA G. , MONGIOVÌ R. , MEZZATESTA G. , ANDRONICO G. , CERASOLA G. 
Published: May 2005

Abstract.Objectives.  The aim of our study was to analyse, in a wide group of essential hypertensive patients without diabetes mellitus, the influence of metabolic syndrome (MS) (defined according to the criteria laid down in the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults) on markers of preclinical cardiac, renal and retinal damage.Design.  Cross‐sectional study.Setting.  Outpatient hypertension clinic.Subjects and methods.  A total of 353 young and middle‐aged hypertensives, free from cardiovascular and renal diseases (and 37% of whom had MS), underwent echocardiographic examination, microalbuminuria determination and non‐mydriatic retinography.Results.  When compared with subjects without MS, hypertensive patients with MS exhibited more elevated left ventricular (LV) mass (either normalized by body surface area or by height elevated by a power of 2.7), higher myocardial relative wall thickness, albumin excretion rate (AER) and a greater prevalence of LV hypertrophy (57.7% vs. 25.1%; P < 0.00001), of microalbuminuria (36.2% vs. 19.3%; P = 0.002) and of hypertensive retinopathy (87.7% vs. 48.4%; P < 0.00001). These results held even after correction for age, 24‐h blood pressures, duration of hypertension, previous antihypertensive therapy, and gender distribution. The independent relationships between LV mass and MS, and between AER and MS, were confirmed in multivariate regression models including MS together with its individual components.Conclusions.  MS may amplify hypertension‐related cardiac and renal changes, over and above the potential contribution of each single component of this syndrome. As these markers of target organ damage are well‐known predictors of cardiovascular events, our results may partly explain the enhanced cardiovascular risk associated with MS.
Nine patients with anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody‐positive vasculitis successfully treated with rituximab
Authors: ERIKSSON P. 
Published: May 2005

Abstract.Objectives.  Rituximab (RIT) is a monoclonal anti‐CD20 antibody, which depletes B‐lymphocytes but not plasma cells. RIT is used for treatment of B‐cell lymphomas, but has also shown beneficial effects in autoimmune diseases. In this case series RIT was used in anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)‐positive vasculitis.Design.  Case series with a structured follow‐up of treated patients.Setting.  Departments of Nephrology and Rheumatology of a university hospital.Subjects.  Two women with myeloperoxidase‐ANCA‐positive microscopic polyangiitis and seven patients (five men and two women) with proteinase 3‐ANCA‐positive Wegener's granulomatosis. All patients were resistant to conventional therapy or had relapsed repeatedly after cessation of cyclophosphamide (Cyc).Interventions.  The cases were treated with intravenous infusions of RIT once a week two times (three cases) or four times (six cases). To prevent formation of antibodies to RIT, mycophenolate mofetil (five patients), azathioprine (one patient), or a short course of Cyc (two patients) were added or allowed to continue.Main outcome measures.  Remission at 6 months assessed with Birmingham vasculitis activity score. The cases were followed 6–24 months and relapse rate was also noted.Results.  Eight of nine patients responded completely and one case responded partially. Pulmonary X‐ray improved (four cases), progress of lower extremity gangrene stopped (one case), remission of neuropathy was stable (one patient), renal vasculitis went into remission (two cases), and severe musculoskeletal pain improved (one case). Minor relapse in the nose occurred in two cases. No adverse events or major infections were noted.Conclusion.  RIT seems promising and safe in ANCA‐positive vasculitis, and controlled studies should be conducted.
Mononeuropathy multiplex and chylothorax as earlier manifestations of pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: CHEN H.‐A. , CHENG N.‐C. , LIN K.‐P. , LIAO H.‐T. , CHEN C.‐H. , HUANG D.‐F. 
Published: May 2005

Abstract.Mononeuropathy multiplex (MNM) and chylothorax are rare clinical disorders. The concurrence of these two disorders with Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection has not been reported. We herein report a patient who was initially diagnosed with fever of unknown origin and MNM, and then developed chylothorax. Pulmonary tuberculosis was proved 1 month after chylothorax appeared. With low‐dose prednisolone 15 mg day−1 and anti‐tuberculosis drugs, all these disorders completely resolved 1 year later.
Cholesterol‐lowering effects of rosuvastatin compared with atorvastatin in patients with type 2 diabetes – CORALL study
Authors: WOLFFENBUTTEL B. H. R. , FRANKEN A. A. M. , VINCENT H. H. ,   THE DUTCH CORALL STUDY GROUP
Published: May 2005

Abstract.Objectives.  To compare the efficacy of the newest cholesterol‐lowering drug, rosuvastatin (RSV) with atorvastatin (ATV) in subjects with type 2 diabetes.Design.  A 24‐week, open‐label, randomized, parallel‐group, phase IIIb, multicentre study.Setting.  Diabetes outpatient clinics of 26 hospitals in the Netherlands.Subjects.  A total of 263 patients with type 2 diabetes treated with oral agents or insulin, age (mean ± SD) 60 ± 10 years, body mass index (BMI) 31.4 ± 6.1 kg m−2, 46% males.Intervention.  After a 6‐week dietary lead‐in period, patients were randomized to RSV (n = 131) or ATV (n = 132) treatment in a dose escalation scheme (RSV: 10, 20 and 40 mg or ATV: 20, 40 and 80 mg for 6 weeks each sequentially).Main outcome measures.  Primary outcome was the change in apolipoprotein B (apoB) and apoB/apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1) ratio, which has been suggested a better predictor for cardiovascular events than total (TC) or low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C). Secondary outcomes were the changes in other lipid parameters.Results.  Baseline LDL‐C in the RSV and ATV groups was 4.23 ± 0.98 mmol L−1 and 4.43 ±0.99 mmol L−1, whilst apoB/apoA1 was 0.86 ±0.22 and 0.92 ± 0.35, respectively. A greater reduction in apoB/apoA1 was seen with RSV (−34.9%, −39.2% and −40.5%) than with ATV (−32.4%, −34.7% and −35.8%, P < 0.05 at weeks 12 and 18). Significantly greater reductions in LDL‐C were also seen with RSV (−45.9%, −50.6% and −53.6%) than with ATV (−41.3%, −45.6% and −47.8%, all P < 0.05). The American Diabetes Association (ADA) LDL‐C goal of <2.6 mmol L−1 was reached by 82%, 84% and 92% of patients with RSV and 74%, 79% and 81% with ATV. Triglyceride reductions ranged from 16 to 24% and were not different between treatments. Both treatments were well‐tolerated: nine patients in the RSV and 11 in the ATV group withdrew from treatment because of adverse events after randomization.Conclusion.  In subjects with type 2 diabetes, greater improvements of apoB/apoA1 and across the lipid profile were observed with RSV compared with ATV.
SLE, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease
Authors: FROSTEGÅRD J. 
Published: May 2005

Abstract.Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease and the major cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in general. Atherosclerotic plaques are characterized by the presence of activated immune competent cells, but antigens and underlying mechanisms causing this immune activation are not well defined. During recent years and with improved treatment of acute disease manifestations, it has become clear that the risk of CVD is very high in a prototypic autoimmune disease, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SLE‐related CVD and atherosclerosis are important clinical problems but may in addition also shed light on how immune reactions are related to premature atherosclerosis and atherothrombosis. A combination of traditional and nontraditional risk factors, including dyslipidaemia (and to a varying degree hypertension, diabetes and smoking), inflammation, antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) and lipid oxidation are related to CVD in SLE. Premature atherosclerosis in some form leading to atherothrombosis is likely to be a major underlying mechanism, though distinctive features if any, of SLE‐related atherosclerosis when compared with ‘normal’ atherosclerosis are not clear. One interesting possibility is that factors such as inflammation or aPL make atherosclerotic lesions in autoimmune disease more prone to rupture than in ‘normal’ atherosclerosis. Whether premature atherosclerosis is a general feature of SLE or only affects a subgroup of patients remains to be demonstrated. Treatment of SLE patients should also include a close monitoring of traditional risk factors for CVD. In addition, attention should also be paid to nontraditional risk factors such as inflammation and SLE‐related factors such as aPL. Hopefully novel therapeutic principles will be developed that target the causes of the inflammation and immune reactions present in atherosclerotic lesions.
Oculomotor changes are associated to daytime sleepiness in the multiple sleep latency test
Authors: GENNARO LUIGI DE , DEVOTO ALESSANDRA , LUCIDI FABIO , VIOLANI CRISTIANO 
Published: May 2005

SummarySleep onsets in the diurnal multiple sleep latency test (MSLT), following different sleep lengths of the preceding night sleep (8, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 h) and following the corresponding recovery nights, were considered for a study on changes of oculomotor activity during sleep onset. The study aimed to assess the individual time course in spontaneous blinks (SBs) and slow eye movements (SEMs) during the sleep onset period and also the relationship with sleep latencies in the MSLT. Group analyses compared oculomotor changes between conditions characterized by a different level of daytime sleepiness. The results show a clear inverse relation between the two oculomotor measures, with a linear SB decrease and quadratic SEM increase across the wake–sleep transition. A 150 s sample of SB and SEM activity at the start of MSLT trials correlates with individual subsequent sleep latency. Finally, mean changes in daytime sleepiness as measured by the MSLT are paralleled by coherent oculomotor changes, with a significant linear decrease of SB as sleepiness increases as a consequence of previous sleep reduction. Both individual and group results show that endogenous blinking is associated with moderate changes in daytime sleepiness.
Symptoms of sleep disturbance in persons with Alzheimer's disease and normal elderly
Authors: TRACTENBERG ROCHELLE E. , SINGER CLIFFORD M. , KAYE JEFFREY A. 
Published: May 2005

SummaryWe retrospectively analyzed sleep time and sleep disturbance symptoms in 399 healthy, non‐demented elderly (NDE) and 263 persons with a diagnosis of possible (n = 53) or probable (n = 210) Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our primary objective was to determine differences in subjective sleep disturbance between these samples. Secondary objectives were to determine if subjects with time in bed (TIB) ≤6 h per night reported more sleep disturbance and whether sleep complaints were associated with more severe cognitive and/or functional impairment. The prevalence of ‘sleep problems’ (a single item) was significantly lower in NDE (18.3%) than AD (27.6%), and the proportions of each cohort reporting TIB ≤6 h per night were very low (NDE: 6.0%; AD: 3.5%) and not significantly different. Less TIB was correlated with better cognitive function for AD (P < 0.01), and cognition and function were significantly worse for AD subjects with estimates of >6 h of TIB compared with those with estimates of ≤6 h (P < 0.05). Greater sleep disturbance was correlated with greater functional impairment in both cohorts; but only in AD did greater estimated TIB also correlate with greater functional impairment (all P < 0.05). In general, estimated TIB was not associated with mood in either cohort; however, in both cohorts depression was significantly associated with sleep disturbance symptoms and was significantly worse in those who reported having ‘sleep problems’. There was no association between subjective perception of ‘sleep problems’, the number and frequency of sleep disturbance symptoms, and estimated TIB in either group.
Is the failure to detect stimulus deviance during sleep due to a rapid fading of sensory memory or a degradation of stimulus encoding?
Authors: SABRI MERAV , CAMPBELL KENNETH B. 
Published: May 2005

SummaryThe mismatch negativity (MMN) is thought to reflect the outcome of a system responsible for the detection of change in an otherwise repetitive, homogenous acoustic environment. This process depends on the storage and maintenance of a sensory representation of the frequently presented stimulus to which the deviant stimulus is compared. Few studies have been able to record the MMN in non‐rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. This pattern of results might be explained by either a rapid fading of sensory memory or an inhibition of stimulus input prior to entry into the cortical MMN generator site. The present study used a very rapid rate of presentation in an attempt to capture mismatch‐related negativity prior to the fading of sensory memory. Auditory event‐related potentials were recorded from 12 subjects during a single sleep period. A 1000 Hz standard stimulus was presented every 150 ms. At random, on 6.6% of the trials, the standard was changed to either a large 2000 Hz or a small 1100 Hz deviant. In wakefulness, the large deviant elicited an extended negativity that was reduced in amplitude following the presentation of the small deviant. This negativity was also apparent during REM sleep following the presentation of the large deviant. These deviant‐related negativities (DRNs) were probably a composite of N1 and MMN activity. During NREM sleep (stage 2 and slow‐wave sleep), only the large deviant continued to elicit a DRN. However this DRN might be overlapped by the initial activity of a component that is unique to sleep, the N350. There was little evidence of the DRN or the MMN during sleep following the presentation of the small deviant. A rapid rate of presentation, therefore, does not preserve the MMN following small deviance within sleep. It is possible that inhibition of sensory input occurs before entry into the MMN generating system in the temporal cortex.
The relationships between memory systems and sleep stages
Authors: RAUCHS GÉRALDINE , DESGRANGES BÉATRICE , FORET JEAN , EUSTACHE FRANCIS 
Published: May 2005

SummarySleep function remains elusive despite our rapidly increasing comprehension of the processes generating and maintaining the different sleep stages. Several lines of evidence support the hypothesis that sleep is involved in the off‐line reprocessing of recently‐acquired memories. In this review, we summarize the main results obtained in the field of sleep and memory consolidation in both animals and humans, and try to connect sleep stages with the different memory systems. To this end, we have collated data obtained using several methodological approaches, including electrophysiological recordings of neuronal ensembles, post‐training modifications of sleep architecture, sleep deprivation and functional neuroimaging studies. Broadly speaking, all the various studies emphasize the fact that the four long‐term memory systems (procedural memory, perceptual representation system, semantic and episodic memory, according to Tulving's SPI model; Tulving, 1995) benefit either from non‐rapid eye movement (NREM) (not just SWS) or rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, or from both sleep stages. Tulving's classification of memory systems appears more pertinent than the declarative/non‐declarative dichotomy when it comes to understanding the role of sleep in memory. Indeed, this model allows us to resolve several contradictions, notably the fact that episodic and semantic memory (the two memory systems encompassed in declarative memory) appear to rely on different sleep stages. Likewise, this model provides an explanation for why the acquisition of various types of skills (perceptual‐motor, sensory‐perceptual and cognitive skills) and priming effects, subserved by different brain structures but all designated by the generic term of implicit or non‐declarative memory, may not benefit from the same sleep stages.
Prediction of melatonin efficacy by pretreatment dim light melatonin onset in children with idiopathic chronic sleep onset insomnia
Authors: VAN DER HEIJDEN KRISTIAAN B. , SMITS MARCEL G. , VAN SOMEREN EUS J. W. , BOUDEWIJN GUNNING W. 
Published: May 2005

SummaryResearch has shown efficacy of melatonin treatment to advance sleep–wake rhythms in insomnia. In healthy adults, direction and magnitude of the phase shift depends on the timing of administration relative to the phase position of the circadian system. Therefore, in the present study we investigated whether in children with chronic sleep onset insomnia (SOI) efficacy of melatonin treatment in the early evening could be predicted from dim light melatonin onset (DLMO), a phase marker of the circadian system. We combined data of two previously published double blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trials in 110 participants, aged 6–12 years. Sleep was actigraphically estimated, and saliva collected, at baseline and in the third week of a 4‐week treatment period with 5 mg melatonin or placebo at 18:00 or 19:00 hours. Primary outcome measures were pre‐ to post‐treatment changes in dim light melatonin onset (ΔDLMO), sleep onset (ΔSO), sleep latency (ΔSL), and total sleep duration (ΔTSD). Melatonin advanced DLMO with +1:12 h (P < 0.001), SO with +0:42 h (P = 0.004), SL decreased with 25 min (P = 0.019), and TSD did not change significantly, as compared with placebo. In the melatonin‐treated group, but not in the placebo‐treated group, pretreatment DLMO was significantly related to ΔDLMO [F(1, 29) = 7.28, P = 0.012] and ΔSO [F(1, 25) = 7.72, P = 0.010]. The time interval between treatment administration and pretreatment DLMO (INT) was only significantly related to ΔSO [F(1,26) = 5.40, P = 0.028]. The results suggest that in children with SOI, the efficacy of early evening melatonin to advance sleep onset and endogenous melatonin onset increases the later the pretreatment DLMO is.
Birds in the diet of the Eurasian badger Meles meles: a review and meta‐analysis
Authors: HOUNSOME TIM , DELAHAY RICHARD 
Published: May 2005

ABSTRACT 1. We reviewed 110 published studies of badger diet or badger predation of birds. The studies covered most of the Eurasian badger's range, from Ireland east to Japan and from Sweden south to southern Spain. 2. Bird remains were recorded in 2038 cases out of a total 36699 samples of badger faeces and stomachs. The overall percentage frequency of occurrence of bird remains in badger faeces and stomachs was 5.55% for all studies combined, and 7.97% for UK studies. The remains of 45 bird species from 11 orders were recorded. 3. The percentage frequency of occurrence of birds in badger diet increased significantly with latitude. There was no significant relationship between the occurrence of birds in badger diet and season. 4. While the prevalence of birds in the diet of badgers is generally low, the studies reviewed here provide insufficient evidence to assess whether badger predation has an impact on bird populations at a national scale, and experimental approaches to this problem are required.
Age determination and age structure in the edible dormouse Glis glis based on incremental bone lines
Authors: KRYŠTUFEK BORIS , PISTOTNIK MEDEJA , SEDMAK ČASAR KSENIJA 
Published: May 2005

ABSTRACT 1. Absolute age was estimated from incremental bone layers of the mandible in 109 edible dormice Glis glis collected between May and September 1997 in mixed beech and fir forests of central Slovenia. 2. Mandible cross‐sections of juveniles obtained in September showed a great number of vascular canals and no resting lines. In the remaining animals (n = 81), the number of resting lines varied between one and seven, with two or three lines being the most common condition (62% of specimens). Among these adult animals, which hibernated at least once, females attained higher mean (3.3 years) and maximum age (7 years) than males (mean = 2.2, maximum = 6 years). 3. The frequency distribution of age classes suggested unequal reproductive success between years but there was no indication of any lack of litters in years of low mast production.
Expanding ranges of wild and feral deer in Great Britain
Authors: WARD ALASTAIR I. 
Published: May 2005

ABSTRACT 1. It is often stated that wild deer in Great Britain are increasing in range and number. This study presents the first quantified estimate of national range expansion for all six species. From national surveys of deer presence in 10 km squares between 1972 and 2002, the red deer range is estimated to have expanded at a compound rate of 0.3% per year, fallow deer at 1.8%, Chinese water deer at 2.0%, roe deer at 2.3%, Japanese sika at 5.3% and Reeves’ muntjac at 8.2%. 2. Each species is expected to expand its range further for the foreseeable future. The most widespread species, roe deer, is predicted to be present within 79% of all 10 km squares in mainland Britain within 10 years. 3. Deer range expansion brings a combination of benefits and costs, and some degree of management is considered necessary to limit both environmental damage and deer suffering.