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Medical AI Inquiry: You was designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.  Labels: OBJECTIVE, METHODS, RESULTS. Meshes: Animals, Antibodies, Antinuclear, Circadian Rhythm, Disease Models, Animal, Female, Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic, Male, Mice, Mice, Inbred NZB, Pain Threshold, Risk Factors, Sleep Deprivation, Time Factors.
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Is increased disease activity associated with altered sleep architecture in an experimental model of systemic lupus erythematosus? Context: The aim of this study was to evaluate sleep patterns during the course of the disease in (NZB/NZW)F1 mice, an experimental model of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Female mice were implanted with electrodes for chronic recording of sleep-wake cycles during the entire experimental phase (9, 19, and 29 weeks of age). The disease course was also assessed. At each time-point, blood samples were collected from the orbital plexus to evaluate serum antinuclear antibodies (ANA), which are important serologic parameters of disease evolution. Pain perception was also evaluated. During the dark phase, (NZB/NZW)F, mice aged 19 weeks spent more time in sleep, and, as a consequence, the total waking time was lower when compared with earlier periods. An augmented number of sleep-stage transitions and microarousals were observed at the 29th week of life in both light and dark phases. At this same time-point, the mice showed lower pain thresholds than they had at 9 weeks of life. The disease status was confirmed; the entire group of mice at 29 weeks of life showed positive ANA with high titer levels.
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The sleep-recording data showed that, during the progress and severe phases of the disease (19 and 29 wks of age, respectively), sleep architecture is altered. According to these results, increased sleep fragmentation, disease activity, and pain sensitivity are features observed in these mice, similar to symptoms of SLE. Final Decision: yes