bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modulation of Estrogen Signaling by the Novel Interaction of Heat Shock Protein 27, a Biomarker for Atherosclerosis, and Estrogen Receptor β
Authors: Miller Harvey , Poon Stephanie , Hibbert Benjamin , Rayner Katey , Chen Yong-Xiang , O’Brien Edward R.
Published: January 2005

Objective—

We sought to discover proteins that associate with estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) and modulate estrogen signaling.

Methods and Result—

Using a yeast 2-hybrid screen, we identified heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) as an ERβ-associated protein. HSP27 is a recently identified biomarker of atherosclerosis that is secreted at reduced levels from atherosclerotic compared with normal arteries. In vitro protein-binding assays confirmed the specific interaction of HSP27 with ERβ and not ERα. HSP27 expression was absent in coronary arteries with complex atherosclerotic lesions. Interestingly, HSP27 expression was also absent in 60% of coronary arteries from young males and females (27±6.5 years) with normal histology or nonobstructive fatty streaks/atheromas. Moreover, the absence of HSP27 in these normal or minimally diseased arteries coincided with the loss of ERβ expression. Only 35% of arteries showed coexpression of HSP27 and ERβ. Relative to controls, estradiol-mediated transcription was reduced 20% with overexpression of HSP27 and increased 44% when HSP27 protein levels were reduced with HSP27 siRNA.

Conclusions—

HSP27, an ERβ-associated protein, shows attenuated expression with coronary atherosclerosis and modulates estrogen signaling.
Brugada Syndrome: Report of the Second Consensus Conference
Authors: Antzelevitch Charles , Brugada Pedro , Borggrefe Martin , Brugada Josep , Brugada Ramon , Corrado Domenico , Gussak Ihor , LeMarec Herve , Nademanee Koonlawee , Perez Riera Andres Ricardo , Shimizu Wataru , Schulze-Bahr Eric , Tan Hanno , Wilde Arthur
Published: January 2005

Since its introduction as a clinical entity in 1992, the Brugada syndrome has progressed from being a rare disease to one that is second only to automobile accidents as a cause of death among young adults in some countries. Electrocardiographically characterized by a distinct ST-segment elevation in the right precordial leads, the syndrome is associated with a high risk for sudden cardiac death in young and otherwise healthy adults, and less frequently in infants and children. Patients with a spontaneously appearing Brugada ECG have a high risk for sudden arrhythmic death secondary to ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation. The ECG manifestations of Brugada syndrome are often dynamic or concealed and may be unmasked or modulated by sodium channel blockers, a febrile state, vagotonic agents, α-adrenergic agonists, β-adrenergic blockers, tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressants, a combination of glucose and insulin, hypo- and hyperkalemia, hypercalcemia, and alcohol and cocaine toxicity. In recent years, an exponential rise in the number of reported cases and a striking proliferation of articles defining the clinical, genetic, cellular, ionic, and molecular aspects of the disease have occurred. The report of the first consensus conference, published in 2002, focused on diagnostic criteria. The present report, which emanated from the second consensus conference held in September 2003, elaborates further on the diagnostic criteria and examines risk stratification schemes and device and pharmacological approaches to therapy on the basis of the available clinical and basic science data.
Elevated Brain Natriuretic Peptide Predicts Blood Pressure Response After Stent Revascularization in Patients With Renal Artery Stenosis
Authors: Silva Jose A. , Chan Albert W. , White Christopher J. , Collins Tyrone J. , Jenkins J. Stephen , Reilly John P. , Ramee Stephen R.
Published: January 2005

Background—

A significant number (20% to 40%) of hypertensive patients with renal artery stenosis will not have blood pressure improvement after successful percutaneous revascularization. Identifying a group of patients with refractory hypertension and renal artery stenosis who are likely to respond to renal stent placement would be beneficial.

Methods and Results—

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) was measured in 27 patients with refractory hypertension and significant renal artery stenosis before and after successful renal artery stent placement. This neuropeptide was elevated (median, 187 pg/mL; 25th to 75th percentiles, 89 to 306 pg/mL) before stent placement and fell within 24 hours of the successful stent procedure (96 pg/mL; 25th to 75th percentiles, 61 to 182 pg/mL;
P
=0.002), remaining low (85 pg/mL; 25th to 75th percentiles, 43 to 171 pg/mL) at follow-up. Clinical improvement in hypertension was observed in the patients with a baseline BNP >80 pg/mL (n=22) in 17 patients (77%) compared with 0% of the patients with a baseline BNP ≤80 pg/mL (n=5) (
P
=0.001). After correction for glomerular filtration rate, BNP was strongly correlated with improvement in hypertension.

Conclusions—

BNP is increased in patients with severe renal artery stenosis and decreases after successful stent revascularization. In addition, an elevated baseline BNP level of >80 pg/mL appears to be a good predictor of a blood pressure response after successful stent revascularization.
Adrenomedullin Enhances Angiogenic Potency of Bone Marrow Transplantation in a Rat Model of Hindlimb Ischemia
Authors: Iwase Takashi , Nagaya Noritoshi , Fujii Takafumi , Itoh Takefumi , Ishibashi-Ueda Hatsue , Yamagishi Masakazu , Miyatake Kunio , Matsumoto Toshio , Kitamura Soichiro , Kangawa Kenji
Published: January 2005

Background—

Previous studies have shown that adrenomedullin (AM) inhibits vascular endothelial cell apoptosis and induces angiogenesis. We investigated whether AM enhances bone marrow cell–induced angiogenesis.

Methods and Results—

Immediately after hindlimb ischemia was created, rats were randomized to receive AM infusion plus bone marrow–derived mononuclear cell (MNC) transplantation (AM+MNC group), AM infusion alone (AM group), MNC transplantation alone (MNC group), or vehicle infusion (control group). The laser Doppler perfusion index was significantly higher in the AM and MNC groups than in the control group (0.74±0.11 and 0.69±0.07 versus 0.59±0.07, respectively,
P
<0.01), which suggests the angiogenic potency of AM and MNC. Importantly, improvement in blood perfusion was marked in the AM+MNC group (0.84±0.08). Capillary density was highest in the AM+MNC group, followed by the AM and MNC groups. In vitro, AM inhibited MNC apoptosis, promoted MNC adhesiveness to a human umbilical vein endothelial cell monolayer, and increased the number of MNC-derived endothelial progenitor cells. In vivo, AM administration not only enhanced the differentiation of MNC into endothelial cells but also produced mature vessels that included smooth muscle cells.

Conclusions—

A combination of AM infusion and MNC transplantation caused significantly greater improvement in hindlimb ischemia than MNC transplantation alone. This effect may be mediated in part by the angiogenic potency of AM itself and the beneficial effects of AM on the survival, adhesion, and differentiation of transplanted MNCs.
Antihypertensive Therapy Increases Cerebral Blood Flow and Carotid Distensibility in Hypertensive Elderly Subjects
Authors: Lipsitz Lewis A. , Gagnon Margaret , Vyas Mitul , Iloputaife Ikechukwu , Kiely Dan K. , Sorond Farzaneh , Serrador Jorge , Cheng Debbie M. , Babikian Viken , Cupples L. Adrienne
Published: January 2005

Many physicians are reluctant to lower blood pressure to recommended levels in elderly hypertensive patients because of concern about producing cerebral hypoperfusion. Because hypertension is associated with potentially reversible structural and functional alterations in the cerebral circulation that may improve with treatment, we investigated whether long-term pharmacological reduction of systolic blood pressure will improve, rather than worsen, cerebral blood flow and its regulation. Three groups of elderly subjects 65 years of age or older were studied prospectively: normotensive subjects (N=19), treated hypertensive subjects with systolic pressure <140 mm Hg (N=18), and uncontrolled hypertensive subjects with systolic pressure >160 mm Hg at entry into the study (N=14). We measured beat-to-beat blood flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery (transcranial Doppler ultrasonography), finger arterial pressure (photoplethysmography), and pulsatile distensibility of the carotid artery (duplex Doppler ultrasonography) at baseline and after 6 months of observation or antihypertensive therapy. After baseline hemodynamic measurements, uncontrolled hypertensive subjects underwent aggressive treatment with lisinopril with or without hydroclorothiazide or, if not tolerated, nifedipine or an angiotensin receptor blocker to bring their systolic pressure <140 mm Hg for 6 months. The other 2 groups were observed for 6 months. After 6 months of successful treatment, uncontrolled hypertensive subjects had significant increases in cerebral blood flow velocity and carotid distensibility that was not seen in the other groups. Treatment reduced cerebrovascular resistance and did not impair cerebral autoregulation. Therefore, judicious long-term treatment of systolic hypertension in otherwise healthy elderly subjects does not cause cerebral hypoperfusion.
Reduction in Albuminuria Translates to Reduction in Cardiovascular Events in Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Ibsen Hans , Olsen Michael H. , Wachtell Kristian , Borch-Johnsen Knut , Lindholm Lars H. , Mogensen Carl Erik , Dahlöf Björn , Devereux Richard B. , de Faire Ulf , Fyhrquist Frej , Julius Stevo , Kjeldsen Sverre E. , Lederballe-Pedersen Ole , Nieminen Markku S. , Omvik Per , Oparil Suzanne , Wan Ying
Published: January 2005

Few data are available to clarify whether changes in albuminuria over time translate to changes in cardiovascular risk. The aim of the present study was to examine whether changes in albuminuria during 4.8 years of antihypertensive treatment were related to changes in risk in 8206 patients with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy in the Losartan Intervention For Endpoint reduction in hypertension (LIFE) study. Urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR) was measured at baseline and annually. Time-varying albuminuria was closely related to risk for the primary composite end point (ie, when UACR decreased during treatment, risk was reduced accordingly). When the population was divided according to median baseline value (1.21 mg/mmol) and median year 1 UACR (0.67 mg/mmol), risk increased stepwise and significantly for the primary composite end point from those with low baseline/low year 1 (5.5%), to low baseline/high year 1 (8.6%), to high baseline/low year 1 (9.4%), and to high baseline/high year 1 (13.5%) values. Similar significant, stepwise increases in risk were seen for the components of the primary composite end point (cardiovascular mortality, stroke, and myocardial infarction). The observation that changes in UACR during antihypertensive treatment over time translated to changes in risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality was not explained by in-treatment level of blood pressure. We propose that monitoring of albuminuria should be an integrated part of the management of hypertension. If albuminuria is not decreased by the patient’s current antihypertensive and other treatment, further intervention directed toward blood pressure control and other modifiable risks should be considered.
Angiotensin II Type-1 Receptor Antagonism Attenuates the Inflammatory and Thrombogenic Responses to Hypercholesterolemia in Venules
Authors: Petnehazy Thomas , Stokes Karen Y. , Russell Janice M. , Granger D. Neil
Published: January 2005

Hypercholesterolemia elicits an inflammatory response in the microvasculature that is accompanied by an increased expression of angiotensin II type-1 receptors (AT1-R) on platelets, leukocytes, and endothelial cells. AT1-R blockade attenuates inflammatory responses to angiotensin II (eg, adhesion molecule expression and reactive oxygen species production). We investigated whether AT1-R antagonism attenuates the platelet and leukocyte recruitment induced by acute hypercholesterolemia in postcapillary venules. Leukocyte and platelet adhesion and oxidative stress were quantified by intravital microscopy in cremaster muscle, and P-selectin and AT1-R expression was determined in mice placed on a normal diet (ND) or high-cholesterol diet (HCD) for 2 weeks. Platelet and leukocyte adhesion was significantly elevated by hypercholesterolemia. In HCD mice receiving losartan (HCD-Los) in drinking water, platelet and leukocyte recruitment was reduced to ND levels. Increased platelet adhesion was observed in HCD mice receiving platelets from HCD-Los mice, consistent with a direct beneficial action of losartan on the vessel wall. Hypercholesterolemia elicited an oxidative stress in venules and an increased expression of P-selectin and AT1-R. The oxidative stress and AT1-R upregulation were reduced by losartan, but the P-selectin response was not. We propose that AT1-R engagement contributes to the prothrombogenic and proinflammatory state induced in venules by hypercholesterolemia.
Dietary Linolenic Acid Is Associated With a Lower Prevalence of Hypertension in the NHLBI Family Heart Study
Authors: Djoussé Luc , Arnett Donna K. , Pankow James S. , Hopkins Paul N. , Province Michael A. , Ellison R. Curtis
Published: January 2005

Dietary linolenic acid has been shown to be associated with coronary artery disease. However, limited data are available on its effects on blood pressure. We used data from 4594 white participants (aged 25 to 93 years) in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Family Heart Study to evaluate whether dietary linolenic acid was associated with prevalent hypertension and resting blood pressure. We used generalized estimating equations to determine the prevalence odds ratios (ORs) of hypertension and adjusted means of systolic and diastolic blood pressure across quartiles of linolenic acid. Mean dietary linolenic acid intake was 0.81±0.35 g per day for men and 0.69±0.29 g per day for women. From the lowest to the highest quartile of linolenic acid, multivariable adjusted ORs (95% confidence interval [CI]) for hypertension were 1.0 (reference), 0.73 (0.56 to 0.95), 0.71 (0.53 to 0.95), and 0.67 (0.47 to 0.96), respectively (
P
for trend 0.04), controlling for age, sex, energy intake, body mass index, risk group, study site, education, smoking, alcohol intake, exercise, and history of coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus. Dietary linolenic acid was related inversely to resting systolic (
P
for trend 0.03) but not diastolic blood pressure (
P
for trend 0.43). Linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid, was not associated with prevalent hypertension or blood pressure. These data suggest that dietary linolenic acid is associated with a lower prevalence of hypertension and lower systolic blood pressure in white subjects.
Asymptomatic Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction in Essential Hypertension
Authors: Verdecchia Paolo , Angeli Fabio , Gattobigio Roberto , Sardone Mariagrazia , Porcellati Carlo
Published: January 2005

Prevalence, determinants, and prognostic value of asymptomatic left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) in uncomplicated subjects with essential hypertension are still incompletely known. We studied 2384 initially untreated subjects with hypertension, no previous cardiovascular disease, and no symptoms or physical signs of congestive heart failure (CHF). These subjects were studied at entry and followed for up to 17 years (mean 6.0). Asymptomatic LVSD (ALVSD), defined by an echocardiographic ejection fraction <50%, was found in 3.6% of subjects. Cigarette smoking (
P
=0.013), increased left ventricular (LV) mass (
P
=0.001), and higher 24-hour heart rate (
P
=0.014) were independent correlates of ALVSD. During follow-up, a first cardiovascular event occurred in 227 subjects, and 24 of these events were hospitalizations for symptomatic CHF. Incidence of CHF per 100 persons per year was 0.12 in patients without and 1.48 in patients with ALVSD (log-rank test
P
=0.0001). In a Cox model, after adjustment for age (
P
=0.0001), LV mass (
P
=0.0001), and cigarette smoking (
P
=0.039), LVSD conferred a markedly increased risk for CHF (odds ratio, 9.99; 95% confidence interval, 3.67 to 27.2). Incidence of coronary (0.84 versus 0.62×100 person years) and cerebrovascular (0.80 versus 0.62×100 person years) events did not differ (all
P=
NS) between subjects with and without ALVSD. ALVSD is a potent and early marker of evolution toward severe CHF requiring hospitalization in subjects with essential hypertension.
Lesion Development and Response to Immunization Reveal a Complex Role for CD4 in Atherosclerosis
Authors: Zhou Xinghua , Robertson Anna-Karin L. , Rudling Mats , Parini Paolo , Hansson Göran K.
Published: January 2005

Atherosclerosis is a complex disease, bearing many of the characteristics of a chronic inflammatory process. Both cellular and humoral immune responses may be involved in the disease development. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) is suggested to be an autoantigen in atherosclerosis. A protective effect against atherosclerosis has been demonstrated in animals immunized with oxLDL. Such a protection is associated with elevation of T cell–dependent IgG antibodies against oxLDL. In addition, it has been shown that immunization with Freund adjuvant alone also confers protection against development of atherosclerosis. We therefore hypothesized that CD4+ T cells are critical in the development of atherosclerosis and that they are involved in protective immune reactions after immunization. The development of atherosclerosis was studied in apolipoprotein E knockout (apoE KO) mice and CD4/apoE double knockout (dKO) mice that were immunized with either oxLDL in Freund adjuvant or adjuvant alone, or left untreated. Our results show that (1) the absence of CD4+ cells in apoE KO mice leads to reduced atherosclerosis, indicating that CD4+ cells constitute a major proatherogenic cell population, and (2) the atheroprotective effect of LDL immunization does not depend on CD4+ cells, whereas (3) the atheroprotective effect of adjuvant injection is CD4-dependent. These findings demonstrate complex roles of immune cell-cell interactions in the regulation of the atherosclerotic process and point to several possible targets in the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis.
Are Politics Local?
Authors: Morgenstern Scott , Swindle Stephen M.
Published: January 2005

This article measures, compares, and analyzes the degree to which local factors, be they candidate qualities or district characteristics, affect electoral politics. It applies Morgenstern and Potthoff’s components-of-variance model to 56 parties or coalitions to measure the “local vote” and shows that only in some cases do local factors manifest themselves in voting patterns. To explain this finding, the authors argue that the type of executive system, ideological cohesion, and a country’s ethnic heterogeneity combined with federalism are all strongly tied to the local vote patterns. Statistical tests also show that in spite of the large literature on the incentives that electoral systems can offer to candidates to pursue a personal vote, the electoral system does not have a clear impact on the local vote.
The Constitutional Adjudication Mosaic of Latin America
Authors: Navia Patricio , Ríos-Figueroa Julio
Published: January 2005

This article maps current constitutional adjudication systems in 17 Latin American democracies. Using recent theoretical literature, the authors classify systems by type (concrete or abstract), timing (a priori or a posteriori), and jurisdiction (centralized or decentralized). This approach captures the richness and diversity of constitutional adjudication in Latin America, where most countries concurrently have two or more mechanisms. Four models of constitutional adjudication are currently in use. In the past, weak democratic institutions and the prevalence of inter partes, as opposed to erga omnes, effects of judicial decisions, prevented the development of constitutional adjudication. Today, democratic consolidation has strengthened the judiciary and fostered constitutional adjudication. After discussing the models, the authors highlight the role of the judiciary in the constitutional adjudication bodies, the broad range of options existing to initiate this adjudication process, and the prevalence of amparo (habeas corpus) provisions.
Prevention for HIV-Seropositive Persons
Authors: Lightfoot Marguerita , Rotheram-Borus Mary Jane , Milburn Norweeta G. , Swendeman Dallas
Published: January 2005

This article presents a three-module intervention based on social action theory that focuses on health promotion and social identity formation for seropositive youth. The modules are designed to reduce transmission of HIV by reducing sexual and substance abuse acts, increasing healthy acts and adherence to care, and maintaining positive behavioral routines. Components of the modules are described, including examples of how these components are implemented in the actual intervention sessions. The importance of using successive approximation to consolidate changes in behavior by defining social roles and personal identities that are consistent with positive behavioral routines is demonstrated. Outcomes of the intervention are presented as well as issues of cost-effectiveness, feasibility, and alternative implementation strategies.
Collaborating With an Urban Community to Develop an HIV and AIDS Prevention Program for Black Youth and Families
Authors: Baptiste Donna R. , Paikoff Roberta L. , McKay Mary McKernan , Madison-Boyd Sybil , Coleman Doris , Bell Carl
Published: January 2005

This article describes a collaboration between academic researchers and residents of a low-income, inner-city community to develop and deliver an HIV and AIDS prevention program for Black youth. The Chicago HIV Prevention and Adolescent Mental Health Project (CHAMP) Program was developed and implemented to decrease HIV and AIDS risk exposure among youth living in a community that has been dramatically affected by HIV and AIDS. The article outlines (a) phases in the collaborative process to develop the program; (b) strategies used to embed contextually relevant themes and activities that address individual and systemic factors influencing HIV and AIDS risk; (c) a process model, based on the CHAMP experience, that can be replicated to develop programs for other youth problems; (d) descriptions of the CHAMP preadolescent and early adolescent curricula; (e) and how university- and community-based facilitators were trained to collaborate as a team to implement the CHAMP Program. Information is also provided about delivering the program in a distressed urban setting.
Development and Implementation of a Medication Adherence Training Instrument for Persons Living With HIV
Authors: McPherson-Baker Shvawn , Jones Deborah , Durán Ron E. , Klimas Nancy , Schneiderman Neil
Published: January 2005

Recent advances in the medical management of HIV offer the potential for increased longevity, improved quality of life, and the treatment of HIV as a chronic, rather than terminal, illness. The advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has required the necessity of strict adherence to complex medication regimens. As a vital factor in the successful outcome of HAART therapy, adherence-focused treatment represents a teaching opportunity for practitioners involved in the care and management of persons who are HIV positive. Scores of articles have been published regarding nonadherence, and numerous strategies have been employed to encourage adherence. Despite these efforts, medication adherence continues to present problems for patients and health care providers. This article discusses prior and existing adherence interventions for people living with HIV and outlines the rationale related to the development of a structured protocol, the Medication Adherence Training Instrument (MATI), for the evaluation and enhancement of HIV medication adherence by health care providers. The key components to the MATI throughout all sessions are to provide information, enhance motivation, and assess current levels of adherence and HIV-related knowledge.
An Intervention to Promote the Female Condom to Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic Patients
Authors: Artz Lynn , Macaluso Maurizio , Kelaghan Joseph , Austin Harland , Fleenor Michael , Robey Lawrence , Hook Edward W. , Brill Ilene
Published: January 2005

This article describes a 1-hour behavioral intervention designed to promote female condoms and safer sex to women at a high risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The intervention includes a promotional videotape; a skills-oriented counseling session with a nurse clinician; assorted take-home items, including a videotape for men; and free supplies of female and male condoms. Designed for women ages 18 to 34 attending public STD clinics, the intervention is developed using a systematic process of formative evaluation influenced by principles of social marketing and drawing on the social cognitive theory. The effect of the intervention on female and male condom use is evaluated using a pretest-posttest design with 1,159 women. Most elements of the intervention could be replicated in settings other than STD clinics and delivered by persons other than nurse clinicians.
Mediation and Moderation of the Relationship Between Intrinsic Religiousness and Mental Health
Authors: Tix Andrew P. , Frazier Patricia A.
Published: January 2005

The present study examined specific aspects of individuals’ personal strivings as mediators, and religious tradition as a moderator, of the relationship between intrinsic religiousness and mental health. In a sample of 268 university students, the negative relationship between intrinsic religiousness and hostility was mediated by the degree of sanctification within individuals’ strivings. The relationships between intrinsic religiousness and both anxiety and depression were moderated by religious tradition, with Catholics’ intrinsic religiousness significantly associated with greater anxiety and depression but Protestants’ intrinsic religiousness not significantly associated with either of these mental health variables. Implications of these results for future research on religiousness are discussed.
On the Eve of War: Authoritarianism, Social Dominance, and American Students’ Attitudes Toward Attacking Iraq
Authors: McFarland Sam G.
Published: January 2005

In the week before the 2003 American attack on Iraq, the effects of authoritarianism and the social dominance orientation on support for the attack were examined. Based on prior research on the nature of these constructs, a structural model was developed and tested. As predicted, authoritarianism strengthened support for the attack by intensifying the perception that Iraq threatened America. Social dominance increased support by reducing concern for the likely human costs of the war. Both also increased blind patriotism, which in turn reduced concern for the war’s human costs and was reciprocally related to the belief that Iraq threatened America.
Promoting Success or Preventing Failure: Cultural Differences in Motivation by Positive and Negative Role Models
Authors: Lockwood Penelope , Marshall Tara C. , Sadler Pamela
Published: January 2005

In two studies, cross-cultural differences in reactions to positive and negative role models were examined. The authors predicted that individuals from collectivistic cultures, who have a stronger prevention orientation, would be most motivated by negative role models, who highlight a strategy of avoiding failure; individuals from individualistic cultures, who have a stronger promotion focus, would be most motivated by positive role models, who highlight a strategy of pursuing success. In Study 1, the authors examined participants’ reported preferences for positive and negative role models. Asian Canadian participants reported finding negative models more motivating than did European Canadians; self-construals and regulatory focus mediated cultural differences in reactions to role models. In Study 2, the authors examined the impact of role models on the academic motivation of Asian Canadian and European Canadian participants. Asian Canadians were motivated only by a negative model, and European Canadians were motivated only by a positive model.
Use of Cellular and Plasma Apheresis in the Critically Ill Patient: Part 1: Technical and Physiological Considerations
Authors: Linenberger Michael L. , Price Thomas H.
Published: January 2005

Apheresis is the process of separating the blood and removing or manipulating a cellular or plasma component for therapeutic benefit. An apheresis procedure, or series of procedures, may be indicated in the critical care setting as primary or adjunctive therapy for certain hematologic, neurologic, renal, and autoimmune/ rheumatologic disorders. Optimal management of severely ill patients undergoing apheresis requires a working knowledge of the technical, methodological, and therapeutic considerations. These considerations include instrument hardware and separation methods, vascular access requirements, hemodynamic and hemostatic effects of the procedures, exposure to anticoagulants and homologous blood products, physiological variables affecting blood/plasma processing efficiency, and therapeutic endpoints for specific indications. Part 1 of this review will discuss each of those technological considerations and the basic physiological principles that guide this form of therapy. Part 2 of this series will deal with the clinical indications and applications for specific disorders that are most likely to affect patients in the intensive care unit.
Global Pay Systems: Compensation in Support of a Multinational Strategy
Authors: Watson Bobby W. , Singh Gangaram
Published: January 2005

Multinational companies have always faced challenges with respect to compensation. This article outlines two of the most widely used systems: the balance-sheet approach and the going-rate approach. Although the balance-sheet approach provides the benefits of equity for the expatriate between assignments and better facilitates repatriation, it generally comes at a high cost to the company. Another challenge with the balancesheet approach is the complexity in administering the program as more expatriates from different home countries are sent abroad. With respect to the going-rate approach, assignments to multiple locations likely result in variation of pay. This is particularly evident when an employee is transferred from an economically advanced location to a developing country. To address these challenges, an argument is advanced for a global pay system such as the one at Seagram Spirits and Wine Group. This article concludes that a global pay system must provide the ingredients to achieve the overall strategy of the multinational company.
The Next Decade for Pay and Rewards
Authors: Zingheim Patricia K. , Schuster Jay R.
Published: January 2005

Pay and rewards are evolving quickly. It is likely that the Web will play an increasing role in both the content and the infrastructure for the next 10 years. This article makes a business case for using the Web for more than merely accelerating existing pay and rewards solutions. Instead, value-added reward solutions such as skill pay can be facilitated by Web applications. Many of the pieces of the skill pay solution already exist, so the real challenge is integration as well as innovation.
Being Involved and Making a Difference
Authors: Messias DeAnne K. Hilfinger , De Jong Margaret K. , McLoughlin Kerry
Published: January 2005

Background: The relationships between poverty, empowerment, and health are of theoretical and practical interest to nurses, yet few researchers have examined volunteerism in poor communities from a holistic health perspective. Purpose: This study explores the experiences of women engaged in community volunteer work in the context of economic poverty. Method: Individual, in-depth interviews were conducted with 8 women, ages 21 to 77 years, who qualified for federal assistance or self-identified as low-income and were currently involved in volunteer community work. Findings: Participants’ stories of being involved and making a difference illustrated women making connections, developing relationships, gaining knowledge and skills, increasing self-esteem and confidence, reaching out to help others, and strengthening communities. Conclusion: At both the individual and community level, well-being was enhanced through women’s community volunteerism in the context of economic poverty. Implications: At the individual and community levels, well-being was enhanced through women’s community volunteerism in the context of economic poverty. From a holistic nursing perspective, the findings provide support for community volunteerism as a health-promoting strategy among women living in economic poverty.
A Names-and-Faces Approach to Stakeholder Management
Authors: McVea John F. , Freeman R. Edward
Published: January 2005

Just as the ideas of stakeholder theory, stakeholder management, or stakeholder capitalism approach acceptance as a mainstream core idea in management theory, the authors want to suggest a somewhat radical rethinking of it. They believe that in almost all of its incarnations, stakeholder theory merely recapitulates some rather standard business assumptions. As a result, they believe that two problems are perpetuated—the separation of ethics and value creation and the overemphasis of stakeholder roles rather than relationships between stakeholders as real people with names and faces. In this article, the authors propose that by adopting a view of stakeholders as real people with names and faces, they can reinvigorate stakeholder research and focus their efforts on the neglected challenge of understanding how collections of idiosyncratic individuals can work together to create value in entrepreneurial firms in ways that benefit all those who are affected.
Yes, Managers Should Be Paid Like Bureaucrats
Authors: Frey Bruno S. , Osterloh Margit
Published: January 2005

Corporate scandals, reflected in excessive management compensation and fraudulent accounts, cause great damage. Agency theory’s insistence to link the compensation of managers and directors as closely as possible to firm performance is a major reason for these scandals. They cannot be overcome by improving variable pay for performance as selfish extrinsic motivation is reinforced. Based on the common pool approach to the firm, institutions are proposed, serving to raise intrinsically motivated corporate virtue. More importance is to be attributed to fixed pay and strengthening the legitimacy of authorities by procedural fairness, relational contracts, and organizational citizenship behavior.
Intelligence and Interrogation
Authors: Knights Ben
Published: January 2005

This article seeks to illuminate a crossover area between subject research and ‘scholarship of teaching’. It proposes that a strategic bridge between discipline as body of knowledge and discipline as pedagogy is the formation and socialization of the student through practices that are at once social, rhetorical, and intellectual. While acknowledging that many current formations are generic, and stem from extra-disciplinary priorities, the article takes two case studies from the history of English Literary Studies. In each of the two moments explored (the 1930s and the 1980s), radical change in the subject was closely tied to the formation of paradigmatic identities for the student. In each case, radical change in the knowledge base and practice of subject professionals was mirrored in changes of practice in the classroom. Learners were socialized into a sense of belonging through rituals of opposition: in the one case to the perceived perils of mass culture, in the other to the collusions attributed to the chief practitioners of their own discipline. While actual students inevitably need to negotiate their own path through the discourses into which they are being socialized, the article argues the importance of close attention to the rituals of initiation into an ‘academic tribe’.
Identity Change
Authors: Hockey John , Allen-Collinson Jacquelyn
Published: January 2005

For over a decade, practice-based research degrees in art and design have formed part of the United Kingdom research degree education portfolio, with a relatively rapid expansion in recent years. This route to the PhD still constitutes an innovative, and on occasion a disputed, form of research study and students embarking upon the practice-based doctorate find themselves in many ways undertaking pioneering work. To date there has been a dearth of empirical studies of the actual experiences of such students. This article, based upon qualitative interviews with 50 students based at 25 institutions, represents an attempt to begin to fill this lacuna. The article charts the biographical change which students undergo as they pursue their doctorates. It examines the ways in which they construct, maintain, and modify their identities whilst in the role of ‘creator/maker’, and seek to manage and combine the different modes of being required of a ‘creator’ and a researcher.
Epimorphin expression in interstitial pneumonia
Authors: Terasaki Yasuhiro , Fukuda Yuh , Suga Moritaka , Ikeguchi Naoki , Takeya Motohiro
Published: January 2005

Epimorphin modulates epithelial morphogenesis in embryonic mouse organs. We previously suggested that epimorphin contributes to repair of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice via epithelium-mesenchyme interactions. To clarify the role of epimorphin in human lungs, we evaluated epimorphin expression and localization in normal lungs, lungs with nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), and lungs with usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP); we also studied the effect of recombinant epimorphin on cultured human alveolar epithelial cells in vitro. Northern and Western blotting analyses revealed that epimorphin expression in NSIP samples were significantly higher than those in control lungs and lungs with UIP. Immunohistochemistry showed strong epimorphin expression in mesenchymal cells of early fibrotic lesions and localization of epimorphin protein on mesenchymal cells and extracellular matrix of early fibrotic lesions in the nonspecific interstitial pneumonia group. Double-labeled fluorescent images revealed expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 in re-epithelialized cells overlying epimorphin-positive early fibrotic lesions. Immunohistochemistry and metalloproteinase activity assay demonstrated augmented expression of metalloproteinase induced by recombinant epimorphin in human alveolar epithelial cells. These findings suggest that epimorphin contributes to repair of pulmonary fibrosis in nonspecific interstitial pneumonia, perhaps partly by inducing expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2, which is an important proteolytic factor in lung remodeling.
Predominant constitutive CFTR conductance in small airways
Authors: Wang Xiaofei , Lytle Christian , Quinton Paul M
Published: January 2005

Background

The pathological hallmarks of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are inflammation of the small airways (bronchiolitis) and destruction of lung parenchyma (emphysema). These forms of disease arise from chronic prolonged infections, which are usually never present in the normal lung. Despite the fact that primary hygiene and defense of the airways presumably requires a well controlled fluid environment on the surface of the bronchiolar airway, very little is known of the fluid and electrolyte transport properties of airways of less than a few mm diameter.

Methods

We introduce a novel approach to examine some of these properties in a preparation of minimally traumatized porcine bronchioles of about 1 mm diameter by microperfusing the intact bronchiole.

Results

In bilateral isotonic NaCl Ringer solutions, the spontaneous transepithelial potential (TEP; lumen to bath) of the bronchiole was small (mean ± sem: -3 ± 1 mV; n = 25), but when gluconate replaced luminal Cl-, the bionic Cl- diffusion potentials (-58 ± 3 mV; n = 25) were as large as -90 mV. TEP diffusion potentials from 2:1 NaCl dilution showed that epithelial Cl- permeability was at least 5 times greater than Na+ permeability. The anion selectivity sequence was similar to that of CFTR. The bionic TEP became more electronegative with stimulation by luminal forskolin (5 μM)+IBMX (100 μM), ATP (100 μM), or adenosine (100 μM), but not by ionomycin. The TEP was partially inhibited by NPPB (100 μM), GlyH-101* (5–50 μM), and CFTRInh-172* (5 μM). RT-PCR gave identifying products for CFTR, α-, β-, and γ-ENaC and NKCC1. Antibodies to CFTR localized specifically to the epithelial cells lining the lumen of the small airways.

Conclusion

These results indicate that the small airway of the pig is characterized by a constitutively active Cl- conductance that is most likely due to CFTR.
GATA: a graphic alignment tool for comparative sequence analysis
Authors: Nix David A , Eisen Michael B
Published: January 2005

Background

Several problems exist with current methods used to align DNA sequences for comparative sequence analysis. Most dynamic programming algorithms assume that conserved sequence elements are collinear. This assumption appears valid when comparing orthologous protein coding sequences. Functional constraints on proteins provide strong selective pressure against sequence inversions, and minimize sequence duplications and feature shuffling. For non-coding sequences this collinearity assumption is often invalid. For example, enhancers contain clusters of transcription factor binding sites that change in number, orientation, and spacing during evolution yet the enhancer retains its activity. Dot plot analysis is often used to estimate non-coding sequence relatedness. Yet dot plots do not actually align sequences and thus cannot account well for base insertions or deletions. Moreover, they lack an adequate statistical framework for comparing sequence relatedness and are limited to pairwise comparisons. Lastly, dot plots and dynamic programming text outputs fail to provide an intuitive means for visualizing DNA alignments.

Results

To address some of these issues, we created a stand alone, platform independent, graphic alignment tool for comparative sequence analysis (GATA http://gata.sourceforge.net/). GATA uses the NCBI-BLASTN program and extensive post-processing to identify all small sub-alignments above a low cut-off score. These are graphed as two shaded boxes, one for each sequence, connected by a line using the coordinate system of their parent sequence. Shading and colour are used to indicate score and orientation. A variety of options exist for querying, modifying and retrieving conserved sequence elements. Extensive gene annotation can be added to both sequences using a standardized General Feature Format (GFF) file.

Conclusions

GATA uses the NCBI-BLASTN program in conjunction with post-processing to exhaustively align two DNA sequences. It provides researchers with a fine-grained alignment and visualization tool aptly suited for non-coding, 0–200 kb, pairwise, sequence analysis. It functions independent of sequence feature ordering or orientation, and readily visualizes both large and small sequence inversions, duplications, and segment shuffling. Since the alignment is visual and does not contain gaps, gene annotation can be added to both sequences to create a thoroughly descriptive picture of DNA conservation that is well suited for comparative sequence analysis.
Variants in the vitamin D receptor gene and asthma
Authors: Wjst Matthias
Published: January 2005

Background

Early lifetime exposure to dietary or supplementary vitamin D has been predicted to be a risk factor for later allergy. Twin studies suggest that response to vitamin D exposure might be influenced by genetic factors. As these effects are primarily mediated through the vitamin D receptor (VDR), single base variants in this gene may be risk factors for asthma or allergy.

Results

951 individuals from 224 pedigrees with at least 2 asthmatic children were analyzed for 13 SNPs in the VDR. There was no preferential transmission to children with asthma. In their unaffected sibs, however, one allele in the 5' region was 0.5-fold undertransmitted (p = 0.049), while two other alleles in the 3' terminal region were 2-fold over-transmitted (p = 0.013 and 0.018). An association was also seen with bronchial hyperreactivity against methacholine and with specific immunoglobulin E serum levels.

Conclusion

The transmission disequilibrium in unaffected sibs of otherwise multiple-affected families seem to be a powerful statistical test. A preferential transmission of vitamin D receptor variants to children with asthma could not be confirmed but raises the possibility of a protective effect for unaffected children.
Microarray analysis of gene expression profiles of cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts after mechanical stress, ionising or ultraviolet radiation
Authors: Boerma Marjan , van der Wees Caroline GC , Vrieling Harry , Svensson J Peter , Wondergem Jan , van der Laarse Arnoud , Mullenders Leon HF , van Zeeland Albert A
Published: January 2005

Background

During excessive pressure or volume overload, cardiac cells are subjected to increased mechanical stress (MS). We set out to investigate how the stress response of cardiac cells to MS can be compared to genotoxic stresses induced by DNA damaging agents. We chose for this purpose to use ionising radiation (IR), which during mediastinal radiotherapy can result in cardiac tissue remodelling and diminished heart function, and ultraviolet radiation (UV) that in contrast to IR induces high concentrations of DNA replication- and transcription-blocking lesions.

Results

Cultures enriched for neonatal rat cardiac myocytes (CM) or fibroblasts were subjected to any one of the three stressors. Affymetrix microarrays, analysed with Linear Modelling on Probe Level, were used to determine gene expression patterns at 24 hours after (the start of) treatment. The numbers of differentially expressed genes after UV were considerably higher than after IR or MS. Remarkably, after all three stressors the predominant gene expression response in CM-enriched fractions was up-regulation, while in fibroblasts genes were more frequently down-regulated. To investigate the activation or repression of specific cellular pathways, genes present on the array were assigned to 25 groups, based on their biological function. As an example, in the group of cholesterol biosynthesis a significant proportion of genes was up-regulated in CM-enriched fractions after MS, but down-regulated after IR or UV.

Conclusion

Gene expression responses after the types of cellular stress investigated (MS, IR or UV) have a high stressor and cell type specificity.