Eveningness associates with smoking and sleep problems among pregnant women

Sleep problems during pregnancy impair maternal health and increase the risk for adverse pregnancy outcome. The circadian preference toward eveningness has been associated with sleep problems in previous studies. Here, we studied whether evening-type women had more sleep problems during their pregnancy, as compared with other chronotypes, in a sample consisting of 1653 pregnant women from the Finnish CHILD-SLEEP Birth Cohort. Chronotype was assessed with a shortened version of the morningness–eveningness questionnaire. Pregnant evening-type women reported more sleep problems, including troubles of falling asleep (OR = 3.4, p < 0.0001), poor sleep quality (OR = 2.9, p < 0.01) and daily tiredness (OR = 3.2, p < 0.0001) than the morning-type women, even after controlling for sleep duration and sleep deprivation. They had higher scores on Epworth Sleepiness Scale (p < 0.05), Basic Nordic Sleep Questionnaire (p < 0.0001) and Global Seasonality Score (p < 0.01) and were also more often smokers, also during pregnancy (p < 0.001) and reported poorer general health (p < 0.001) than the morning-type women. They also reported having had more sleep problems during their childhood (OR = 1.5, p < 0.05) and adolescence (OR = 2.0, p < 0.001) than the morning-type women. Our results indicate that eveningness is associated with more sleep problems and unhealthy life habits during pregnancy.     

Extension of dynamic range of sensitive nanoparticle-based immunoassays

Nanoparticles have successfully been employed in immunometric assays that require high sensitivity. Certain analytes, however, require dynamic ranges (DRs) around a predetermined cut-off value. Here, we have studied the effects that antibody orientation and addition of free solid-phase and detection antibodies have on assay sensitivity and DR in traditional sandwich-type immunoassays. D-dimer and cardiac troponin I (cTnI), both routinely used in critical care testing, were applied as model analytes. The assays were performed in microtitration wells with preimmobilized solid-phase antibody. Inherently fluorescent nanoparticles coated with second antibody were used to detect the analyte. The selection of antibody orientation and addition of free solid-phase or detection antibody, with nanoparticles and calibrator, desensitized the assays and extended the DR. With D-dimer the upper limit of the DR was improved from 50 to 10,000 ng/ml, and with cTnI from 25 to 1000 ng/ml. Regression analysis with the Stago STA Liatest D-dimer assay yielded a slope (95% confidence interval) of 0.09 (0.07–0.11) and a y-intercept of −7.79 (−17.87–2.29) ng/L (n = 65, r = 0.906). Thus it is concluded that Europium(III)-chelate-doped nanoparticles can also be employed in immunoassays that require wide DRs around a certain cut-off limit.     

The structural basis of receptor-binding by Escherichia coli associated with diarrhea and septicemia

GafD in Escherichia coli G (F17) fimbriae is associated with diarrheal disease, and the structure of the ligand-binding domain, GafD1-178, has been determined at 1.7A resolution in the presence of the receptor sugar N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. The overall fold is a beta-barrel jelly-roll fold. The ligand-binding site was identified and localized to the side of the molecule. Receptor binding is mediated by side-chain as well main-chain interactions. Ala43-Asn44, Ser116-Thr117 form the sugar acetamide specificity pocket, while Asp88 confers tight binding and Trp109 appears to position the ligand. There is a disulfide bond that rigidifies the acetamide specificity pocket. The three fimbrial lectins, GafD, FimH and PapG share similar beta-barrel folds but display different ligand-binding regions and disulfide-bond patterns. We suggest an evolutionary path for the evolution of the very diverse fimbrial lectins from a common ancestral fold.     

Vasopressin type 1A receptor up-regulation by cyclosporin A in vascular smooth muscle cells is mediated by superoxide

Based on our previous results, we investigated whether cyclosporin A (CsA)-induced vasopressin type 1A receptor up-regulation was mediated by free radicals. We report that CsA analogues with different affinities for cyclophilin and calcineurin were able to up-regulate vasopressin type 1A receptor and to generate free radicals in smooth muscle cells independently of calcineurin. Further, we demonstrate that the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine blocked the increase in vasopressin type 1A receptor mRNA and protein levels induced by CsA and that low concentrations of prooxidants were able to directly increase vasopressin type 1A receptor mRNA and protein levels. In addition, short exposure to CsA or pro-oxidants was sufficient to significantly increase vasopressin type 1A receptor mRNA and protein levels. Using cell-permeable forms of superoxide dismutase and catalase, we finally show that superoxide mediates the CsA-induced effects on vasopressin type 1A receptor. These results provide strong evidence that CsA-induced superoxide generation is causally involved in vasopressin type 1A receptor expression and demonstrate for the first time that low physiological concentrations of radicals, most probably superoxide, are able to directly affect cellular signaling to increase vasopressin type 1A receptor expression in rat aortic smooth muscle cells.     

Strain while skiing and hauling a sledge or carrying a backpack

Eight soldiers on skis transported three loads of different weights on the level, uphill and downhill. The load was placed either on a cargo sledge or in a backpack or divided between the sledge and the backpack. The sledge had a new type of haulage-shaft, which was fixed to both sides of the pelvis. A service belt spread the pull over the whole upper body. The physical stain of different transport methods and the serviceability of the sledge was studied by measuring heart rate (HR), oxygen consumption, ventilation, and perceived exertion. The results indicate that both absolute and relative strain were systematically lower when pulling the load on the sledge than when carrying it in the backpack and on the sledge. HR when pulling a load equal to the human body weight on the sledge was on average 133 beats X min-1; HR was significantly higher 144 beats X min-1 when the load was divided between backpack and sledge. At the lower load level the differences between the transport methods were not significant for HR, oxygen consumption or ventilation. Uphill travel increased oxygen consumption by about 50% over that on the level. Perceived exertion at all load levels was significantly lower with the sledge than with the backpack alone or in combination. The estimated maximal allowable working time emphasized the advantage of the sledge and the importance of high physical working capacity. The maneuverability of the sledge with the new haulage shaft was good and the braking mechanisms worked well.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Pancreatic Duct Obstruction in the Pig: Light Microscopy of Chronic Pancreatitis

Morphological changes of pancreatic tissue in young pigs caused by surgical ligation of the main pancreatic duct are described. Nineteen animals from 6 to 7 weeks in age were operated on and necropsied 3 or 6 to 8 weeks later. Twelve pigs developed a pronounced chronic pancreatitis with complete exocrine insufficiency. Of the 7 animals failing to develop ectasia of pancreatic ducts, 2 died due to surgical complications. In addition, 3 pigs were sham-operated and served as controls. In macroscopical studies it was observed that in the pronounced pancreatitis cases the ligated duct was greatly dilated by a clear watery fluid. Only remnants of pale and firm grandular tissues were seen around the ectatic ducts. Microscopically, typical changes of chronic pancreatitis were noted. Complete disappearance of acini was followed by ductular cell proliferations. Glandular tissues were divided into lobuli by fibrotic tissues and fat cells. The wall of the main pancreatic duct was greatly thickened and fibrotic, presenting intensely proliferating ductular cells and round cell infiltrates. Furthermore, enlarged endocrine islets surrounded by connective tissue fibres were seen.     

Effect of Genetically Modified Pseudomonas putida WCS358r on the Fungal Rhizosphere Microflora of Field-Grown Wheat

We released genetically modified Pseudomonas putida WCS358r into the rhizospheres of wheat plants. The two genetically modified derivatives, genetically modified microorganism (GMM) 2 and GMM 8, carried the phz biosynthetic gene locus of strain P. fluorescens 2-79 and constitutively produced the antifungal compound phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA). In the springs of 1997 and 1998 we sowed wheat seeds treated with either GMM 2, GMM 8, or WCS358r (approximately 10⁷ CFU per seed), and measured the numbers, composition, and activities of the rhizosphere microbial populations. During both growing seasons, all three bacterial strains decreased from 10⁷ CFU per g of rhizosphere sample to below the limit of detection (10² CFU per g) 1 month after harvest of the wheat plants. The phz genes were stably maintained, and PCA was detected in rhizosphere extracts of GMM-treated plants. In 1997, but not in 1998, fungal numbers in the rhizosphere, quantified on 2% malt extract agar (total filamentous fungi) and on Komada's medium (mainly Fusarium spp.), were transiently suppressed in GMM 8-treated plants. We also analyzed the effects of the GMMs on the rhizosphere fungi by using amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis. Introduction of any of the three bacterial strains transiently changed the composition of the rhizosphere fungal microflora. However, in both 1997 and 1998, GMM-induced effects were distinct from those of WCS358r and lasted for 40 days in 1997 and for 89 days after sowing in 1998, whereas effects induced by WCS358r were detectable for 12 (1997) or 40 (1998) days. None of the strains affected the metabolic activity of the soil microbial population (substrate-induced respiration), soil nitrification potential, cellulose decomposition, plant height, or plant yield. The results indicate that application of GMMs engineered to have improved antifungal activity can exert nontarget effects on the natural fungal microflora.     

Ecosystem services–A tool for sustainable management of human–environment systems. Case study Finnish Forest Lapland

The concept of ecosystem services (ESs) is a relatively new scientific methodology, offering a possible approach to the prevention of ecological problems caused by human action and to the resolution of conflicts arising from land-use questions. Since ESs were launched as a major conceptual tool in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA, 2005), interest in them has been increasing. Despite the scientific as well as economic and political enthusiasm for the ES approach, only few case studies have as yet been published. We studied the interface between ESs and landscape planning in Forest Lapland, in northern Finland. In the article, we present a methodology and various databases which can be used in applied research on ESs. We classify the ESs offered by various biotopes of the study area, and examine the effects of different land-use forms on the provision of ESs. On the basis of our results, we suggest possible uses of the European CORINE land cover database in case studies.     

Response of zooplankton to nutrient enrichment and fish in shallow lakes: a pan-European mesocosm experiment

1. Responses of zooplankton to nutrient enrichment and fish predation were studied in 1998 and 1999 by carrying out parallel mesocosm experiments in six lakes across Europe. 2. Zooplankton community structure, biomass and responses to nutrient and fish manipulation showed geographical and year‐to‐year differences. Fish had a greater influence than nutrients in regulating zooplankton biomass and especially the relative abundances of different functional groups of zooplankton. When fish reduced the biomass of large crustaceans, there was a complementary increase in the biomasses of smaller crustacean species and rotifers. 3. High abundance of submerged macrophytes provided refuge for zooplankton against fish predation but this refuge effect differed notably in magnitude among sites. 4. Large crustacean grazers (Daphnia, Diaphanosoma, Sida and Simocephalus) were crucial in controlling algal biomass, while smaller crustacean grazers and rotifers were of minor importance. Large grazers were able to control phytoplankton biomass even under hypereutrophic conditions (up to 1600 μg TP L^?1) when grazer biomass was high (>80–90 μg dry mass L^?1) or accounted for >30% of the grazer community. 5. The littoral zooplankton community was less resistant to change following nutrient enrichment in southern Spain, at high temperatures (close to 30 °C), than at lower temperatures (17–23 °C) characterising the other sites. This lower resistance was because of a greater importance of nutrients than zooplankton in controlling algal biomass. 6. Apart from the reduced role of large crustacean grazers at the lowest latitude, no consistent geographical patterns were observed in the responses of zooplankton communities to nutrient and fish manipulation.