bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acclimation Effects on the Supreme Court of Canada: A Cross‐Cultural Examination of Judicial Folklore*
Authors: Ostberg C. L. , Wetstein Matthew E. , Ducat Craig R.
Published: August 2003

Objective. Few public law theories developed to understand the decision making of U.S. courts have been examined in different cultural settings. This study examines the applicability of the “freshman effects” theory in the context of the Canadian Supreme Court.

Methods. The article uses analysis of variance tests to examine changes in the voting and authorship patterns of 15 Canadian Supreme Court Justices during the Laskin, Dickson, and Lamer Court periods (1973–1999).

Results. We find very little evidence of acclimation effects on the Canadian Supreme Court. However, through the Chief Justice's power to compose decision panels, Canadian justices in their first full year of service are assigned significantly fewer cases than in subsequent years of their career. Thus, Canadian justices are given time to acclimate to the high court through a lower workload, a luxury not afforded to U.S. justices.

Conclusions. Theories of public law adopted to understand U.S. courts may be limited in their generalizability beyond the U.S. setting because of the institutional and political forces that shape judicial decision making in other courts.
The States and the Differing Impetus for Divergent Paths on Same‐Sex Marriage, 1990–2001
Authors: Barclay Scott , Fisher Shauna
Published: August 2003

Using a regression model of pooled time series data from the 50 states in the United States in the period 1990 to 2001, we look at the political, demographic, and social movement factors that provide the impetus for the enactment of state laws that proscribe the celebration of marriages involving lesbian and gay couples. In doing so, we consider the validity of existing indicators that have been previously associated with the introduction of policies concerning sexual orientation at the state and local level, as well as introduce new factors that might apply uniquely to the area of same‐sex marriage laws.
Institutions, Bureaucratic Decisions, and Policy Outcomes: State Insurance Solvency Regulation
Authors: Ruhil Anirudh V. S. , Teske Paul
Published: August 2003

Although over the past 2 decades several scholars have documented a link between institutional arrangements and policy choices, few studies have demonstrated how different institutional arrangements give rise to different policy outcomes. Further, although some studies have related bureaucratic resources to policy decisions, almost none have illustrated that the way state agencies actually deploy regulatory resources—policy outputs—significantly influences policy outcomes. Focusing specifically on the insurance industry in the United States, in this article we illustrate the impact of state regulatory activities on the solvency of firms in the insurance industry from 1987 to 1997, and in doing so we emphasize the differences between policy outputs and policy outcomes. In the case of policy outputs, for example, we find that elected insurance commissioners, divided state government, budgetary resources, and larger insurance sectors lead to more aggressive solvency examinations of insurers. In addition to examinations, however, we discern an important role for both regulatory and political institutions in subsequent insurer insolvencies.
Technology Evolution and Citizen Activism: The Net and the Rebirth of Limited Government
Authors: Weissberg Robert
Published: August 2003

Stuart Nagel's scholarship often focused on how technology shaped policy. This link constantly evolves as political activists seek new advantages. The Internet has greatly altered today's activism by sharply reducing information costs. This transformation is well illustrated in school politics and tax avoidance. Disgruntled parents no longer need to fight the education establishment directly—non‐public school alternatives such as home schooling are now far easier thanks to the Net. The Net has also greatly facilitated tax avoidance by “democratizing” offshore banking. These options now constrain Washington and thus restore a degree of limited government once almost unthinkable.
Rethinking the Concept of Membership in Nature Advocacy Organizations
Authors: Bosso Christopher J.
Published: August 2003

The political science literature on interest groups, particularly since Olson (1965), normally focuses on individual motivations to join groups or the incentives offered by groups to entice prospective members to join and, more important, to stay on as members over time. But what happens to our understanding about “members”—a term freighted with overtones of democratic participation—when these individuals are more likely to be passive “supporters” or “donors”? Is there a conceptual and practical distinction between the two? This article ponders this question by examining the advocacy organizations that comprise the national environmental community.
Roles of
Candida albicans
Dfg5p and Dcw1p Cell Surface Proteins in Growth and Hypha Formation
Authors: Spreghini Elisabetta , Davis Dana A. , Subaran Ryan , Kim Michelle , Mitchell Aaron P.
Published: August 2003

The
Candida albicans
cell wall participates in both growth and morphological transitions between yeast and hyphae. Our studies here focus on Dfg5p and Dcw1p, two similar proteins with features of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked cell surface proteins. Mutants lacking Dfg5p are defective in alkaline pH-induced hypha formation; mutants lacking Dcw1p have no detected hypha formation defect. Both homozygote-triplication tests and conditional expression strategies indicate that
dfg5
and
dcw1
mutations are synthetically lethal. Therefore, Dfg5p and Dcw1p share a function required for growth. Epitope-tagged Dfg5p, created through an insertional mutagenesis strategy, is found in cell membrane and cell wall extract fractions, and endoglycosidase H digestion shows that Dfg5p undergoes N-linked mannosylation. Surprisingly, Dfg5p is required for expression of the hypha-specific gene
HWP1
in alkaline media. Because Dfg5p is a cell surface protein, it is poised to generate or transmit an external signal required for the program of hypha-specific gene expression.
Formation and Remodeling of Inositolphosphoceramide during Differentiation of
Trypanosoma cruzi
from Trypomastigote to Amastigote
Authors: Salto Maria Laura , Bertello Laura E. , Vieira Mauricio , Docampo Roberto , Moreno Silvia N. J. , de Lederkremer Rosa M.
Published: August 2003

Differentiation of
Trypanosoma cruzi
trypomastigotes to amastigotes inside myoblasts or in vitro, at low extracellular pH, in the presence of [
3
H]palmitic acid or [
3
H]inositol revealed differential labeling of inositolphosphoceramide and phosphatidylinositol, suggesting that a remodeling process takes place in both lipids. Using
3
H-labeled inositolphosphoceramide and phosphatidylinositol as substrates, we demonstrated the association of at least five enzymatic activities with the membranes of amastigotes and trypomastigotes. These included phospholipase A
1
, phospholipase A
2
, inositolphosphoceramide-fatty acid hydrolase, acyltransferase, and a phospholipase C releasing either ceramide or a glycerolipid from the inositolphospholipids. These enzymes may be acting in remodeling reactions leading to the anchor of mature glycoproteins or glycoinositolphospholipids and helping in the transformation of the plasma membrane, a necessary step in the differentiation of slender trypomastigotes to round amastigotes. Synthesis of inositolphosphoceramide and particularly of glycoinositolphospholipids was inhibited by aureobasidin A, a known inhibitor of fungal inositolphosphoceramide synthases. The antibiotic impaired the differentiation of trypomastigotes at acidic pH, as indicated by an increased appearance of intermediate forms and a decreased expression of the Ssp4 glycoprotein, a characteristic marker of amastigote forms. Aureobasidin A was also toxic to differentiating trypomastigotes at acidic pH but not to trypomastigotes maintained at neutral pH. Our data suggest that inositolphosphoceramide is implicated in
T. cruzi
differentiation and that its metabolism could provide important targets for the development of antiparasitic therapies.
On Computing a Largest Empty Arbitrarily Oriented Rectangle
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Asish , Rao S. V.
Published: August 2003

Given a set P of n points within a rectangle R, we present an O(n3) time algorithm for computing an arbitrarily oriented empty rectangle of largest area in R that is bounded by a point of P on each of its four sides. We assume that R is large enough to contain such a rectangle.
The A-Dependence of Open Charm and Bottom Production
Authors: Vogt R.
Published: August 2003

We study inclusive heavy quark and exclusive heavy quark pair production in pp and pA interactions. Intrinsic transverse momentum is introduced in pp interactions. Nuclear effects are introduced in pA interactions, including kTbroadening and nuclear shadowing. The nuclear dependence is studied over a range of energies, both in fixed target and collider setups.
Carrier Concentrations and Drift Currents in the Depletion Region of a p–n Junction
Authors: Mak D. K.
Published: August 2003

It has always been stated in electronics, semiconductor and solid state device textbooks that the hole drift and electron drift currents in the depletion region of a p–n junction are constant and independent of applied voltage (biasing). However, the explanations given are qualitative and unclear. We extrapolate the existing analytic theory of a p–n junction to give a quantitative explanation of why the currents are constant. We have also shown that the carrier concentrations in the depletion region, as depicted in some of the textbooks, are incorrect, and need to be revised. Our calculations further demonstrate that in reverse biasing, both hole and electron carrier concentrations each experience a local maximum and a local minimum, indicating that their diffusion currents change directions twice within the depletion region.
Effects of Substrate Temperature and External Poling Field on Molecular Orientation and Aggregation in Vacuum Deposited Photo Responsive DR1 Films
Authors: Taunaumang H. , Hidayat R. , Tjia M. O.
Published: August 2003

A series of absorption spectroscopy measurements have been conducted on photo responsive Disperse Red 1 (DR1) films vacuum deposited at different substrate temperatures, with and without the presence of external poling field. Compared with the spectrum in solution, the spectra of DR1 films are generally featured by a pronounced depression of the visible absorption band and the appearance of a new peak at considerably shorter wavelength. A further depression of the absorption band and enhancement of the new peak are observed in the films deposited at higher substrate temperatures or in the presence of poling electric field, without showing, however, visible increase of the corresponding blue shift. These changes are attributed to increased portion of the vertically oriented DR1 molecules without resulting in higher packing of the oriented molecules.
Nonlinear Wave Propagation and Spatial Solitons in Nematic Liquid Crystals
Authors: Assanto Gaetano , Peccianti Marco , Brzdakiewicz Katarzyna A. , de Luca Antonio , Umeton Caesar
Published: August 2003

Optical spatial solitons have been demonstrated in bulk nematic liquid crystals. We present an overview of our recent experimental results on nonlinear wave propagation in nematic liquid crystals, focusing on spatial solitons through the reorientational nonlinear response. Various phenomena, including spatial readdressing, weak signal guiding and two-soliton interactions, are observed in voltage biased planar cells.
On American Derivatives and Related Obstacle Problems
Authors: Kampen Jörg
Published: August 2003

We derive obstacle problems for pricing of American derivatives with multiple underlyings heuristically using only a few postulates such that classical (Brownian motion) models as well as models based on Levy processes can be considered in our frame. For the classical models we define a "signed measure" which allows to compute the exercise region near maturity and obtain a generic condition for continuity of the free boundary and prove some more general features of exercise regions for classical models. Especially, we investigate the exercise regions of the most important American derivatives with one and multiple underlyings where we include dependence of volatility and interest rates on time and the underlyings extending and recovering some classical results. Further applications include stochastic volatility models. It is shown that in classical stochastic volatility models where volatility is driven by an Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process an American compound call has a nonempty exercise region and compute the exercise region near expiration in a typical situation.
Promoter but Not Exon 7 Polymorphism of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Affects Training-Induced Correction of Endothelial Dysfunction
Authors: Erbs Sandra , Baither Yves , Linke Axel , Adams Volker , Shu Yanwen , Lenk Karsten , Gielen Stephan , Dilz Rainer , Schuler Gerhard , Hambrecht Rainer
Published: August 2003

Background—

Polymorphisms in the promoter (T−786C) and exon 7 (G894T) of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene were shown to be associated with reduced vascular NO production or increased proteolytic cleavage of eNOS. Therefore, we aimed to determine the effects of these polymorphisms on endothelial function and endothelial response to physical exercise in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods and Results—

Sixty-seven patients were randomized to either a training or a control group. At the beginning and after 4 weeks, acetylcholine-induced changes in average peak velocity (APV) of a coronary or mammary artery were invasively assessed by Doppler velocimetry. Polymorphisms were detected by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism. At the beginning, in subjects with the wild-type (WT) variant, APV increased by 88±7% in response to acetylcholine. This response was significantly blunted in patients who were positive for the promoter (44±7%) or the exon 7 (62±9%) polymorphism. Four weeks of exercise training resulted in augmentation of an endothelium-dependent increase in APV by +36±12% in promoter polymorphism–positive patients but by +81±18% and +91±15% in WT variant- and exon 7 polymorphism–positive subjects, respectively.

Conclusions—

These results suggest that the presence of either one of the polymorphisms attenuates endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in CAD patients. Only the promoter polymorphism might have an adverse effect on training-induced improvement in endothelial function.
Serial Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Injected Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Hill Jonathan M. , Dick Alexander J. , Raman Venkatesh K. , Thompson Richard B. , Yu Zu-Xi , Hinds K. Allison , Pessanha Breno S.S. , Guttman Michael A. , Varney Timothy R. , Martin Bradley J. , Dunbar Cynthia E. , McVeigh Elliot R. , Lederman Robert J.
Published: August 2003

Background—

Delivery and tracking of endomyocardial stem cells are limited by the inability to image transplanted cells noninvasively in the beating heart. We hypothesized that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could be labeled with a iron fluorophore particle (IFP) to provide MRI contrast in vivo to assess immediate and long-term localization.

Methods and Results—

MSCs were isolated from swine. Short-term incubation of MSCs with IFP resulted in dose-dependent and efficient labeling. Labeled cells remained viable for multiple passages and retained in vitro proliferation and differentiation capacity. Labeled MSCs (10
4
to 10
6
cells/150 μL) were injected percutaneously into normal and freshly infarcted myocardium in swine. One, 3, and 1 animals underwent serial cardiac MRI (1.5T) for 4, 8, and 21 days, respectively. MRI contrast properties were measured both in vivo and in vitro for cells embedded in agar. Injection sites containing as few as 10
5
MSCs could be detected and contained intact IFP-bearing MSCs on histology.

Conclusions—

IFP labeling of MSCs imparts useful MRI contrast, enabling ready detection in the beating heart on a conventional cardiac MR scanner after transplantation into normal and infarcted myocardium. The dual-labeled MSCs can be identified at locations corresponding to injection sites, both ex vivo using fluorescence microscopy and in vivo using susceptibility contrast on MRI. This technology may permit effective in vivo study of stem cell retention, engraftment, and migration.
Endothelial Dysfunction Induced by Hyperhomocyst(e)inemia
Authors: Stühlinger Markus C. , Oka Roberta K. , Graf Eric E. , Schmölzer Isabella , Upson Barbara M. , Kapoor Om , Szuba Andrzej , Malinow M. Rene , Wascher Thomas C. , Pachinger Otmar , Cooke John P.
Published: August 2003

Background—

Endothelial function is impaired by hyperhomocyst(e)inemia. We have previously shown that homocyst(e)ine (Hcy) inhibits NO production by cultured endothelial cells by causing the accumulation of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA). The present study was designed to determine if the same mechanism is operative in humans.

Methods and Results—

We studied 9 patients with documented peripheral arterial disease (6 men; 3 women; age, 64±3 years), 9 age-matched individuals at risk for atherosclerosis (older adults; 9 men; age, 65±1 years), and 5 young control subjects (younger adults; 5 men; age, 31±1 years) without evidence of or risk factors for atherosclerosis. Endothelial function was measured by flow-mediated vasodilatation of the brachial artery before and 4 hours after a methionine-loading test (100 mg/kg body weight, administered orally). In addition, blood was drawn at both time points for measurements of Hcy and ADMA concentrations. Plasma Hcy increased after the methionine-loading test in each group (all,
P
<0.001). Plasma ADMA levels rose in all subjects, from 0.9±0.2 to 1.6±0.2 μmol/L in younger adults, from 1.5±0.2 to 3.0±0.4 μmol/L in older adults, and from 1.8±0.1 to 3.9±0.3 μmol/L in peripheral arterial disease patients (all,
P
<0.001). Flow-mediated vasodilatation was reduced from 13±2% to 10±1% in younger adults, from 6±1% to 5±1% in older adults, and from 7±1% to 3±1% in peripheral arterial disease patients (all,
P
<0.001). Furthermore, we found positive correlations between plasma Hcy and ADMA concentrations (
P
=0.03,
r
=0.450), as well as ADMA and flow-mediated vasodilatation (
P
=0.002,
r
=0.623).

Conclusions—

Our results suggest that experimental hyperhomocyst(e)inemia leads to accumulation of the endogenous NO synthase inhibitor ADMA, accompanied by varying degrees of endothelial dysfunction according to the preexisting state of cardiovascular health.
Platelet/Endothelial Biomarkers in Depressed Patients Treated With the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Sertraline After Acute Coronary Events
Authors: Serebruany Victor L. , Glassman Alexander H. , Malinin Alex I. , Nemeroff Charles B. , Musselman Dominique L. , van Zyl Louis T. , Finkel Mitchell S. , Krishnan K. Ranga R. , Gaffney Michael , Harrison Wilma , Califf Robert M. , O’Connor Christopher M.
Published: August 2003

Background—

Depression after acute coronary syndromes (ACSs) has been identified as an independent risk factor for subsequent cardiac death. Enhanced platelet activation has been hypothesized to represent 1 of the mechanisms underlying this association. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are known to inhibit platelet activity. Whether treatment of depressed post-ACS patients with SSRIs alters platelet function was not known. Accordingly, we serially assessed the release of established platelet/endothelial biomarkers in patients treated with sertraline vs placebo in the Sertraline AntiDepressant Heart Attack Randomized Trial (SADHART).

Methods and Results—

Plasma samples (baseline, week 6, and week 16) were collected from patients randomized to sertraline (n=28) or placebo (n=36). Anticoagulants, aspirin, and ADP-receptor inhibitors were permitted in this study. Platelet factor 4, β-thromboglobulin (βTG), platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1, P-selectin, thromboxane B
2
, 6-ketoprostaglandin F
1a
, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and E-selectin were measured by ELISA. Treatment with sertraline was associated with substantially less release of platelet/endothelial biomarkers than was treatment with placebo. These differences attained statistical significance for βTG (
P
=0.03) at weeks 6 and 16 and for P-selectin (
P
=0.04) at week 16. Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a significant advantage for sertraline vs placebo for diminishing E-selectin and βTG concentrations across the entire treatment period.

Conclusions—

Treatment with sertraline in depressed post-ACS patients is associated with reductions in platelet/endothelial activation despite coadministration of widespread antiplatelet regimens including aspirin and clopidogrel. The antiplatelet and endothelium-protective properties of SSRIs might represent an attractive additional advantage in patients with depression and comorbid coronary artery and/or cerebrovascular disease.
Impact of Valve Prosthesis-Patient Mismatch on Short-Term Mortality After Aortic Valve Replacement
Authors: Blais Claudia , Dumesnil Jean G. , Baillot Richard , Simard Serge , Doyle Daniel , Pibarot Philippe
Published: August 2003

Background—

The prosthesis used for aortic valve replacement (AVR) can be too small in relation to body size, thus causing valve prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) and abnormally high transvalvular pressure gradients. This study examined if there is a relation between PPM and short-term mortality after operation.

Methods and Results—

The indexed valve effective orifice area (EOA) was estimated for each type and size of prosthesis being implanted in 1266 consecutive patients and used to define PPM as not clinically significant if >0.85 cm
2
/m
2
, as moderate if >0.65 cm
2
/m
2
and ≤0.85 cm
2
/m
2
, and as severe if ≤0.65 cm
2
/m
2
; it was correlated with 30-day mortality and compared with other relevant variables. Moderate or severe PPM was present in 38% of patients. Thirty-day mortality was 4.6% (58/1266 patients) and the strongest independent predictors in multivariate analysis were left ventricular ejection fraction <40% (
P
=0.007), infectious endocarditis (
P
=0.002), emergent/salvage operation (
P
=0.002), cardiopulmonary bypass time >120 minutes (
P
=0.001), and PPM (
P
=0.003). Relative risk of mortality was increased 2.1-fold (95% confidence interval, 1.2 to 3.7) in patients with moderate PPM and 11.4-fold (4.4 to 29.5) in those with severe PPM. Moreover, risk of mortality for every category of PPM was higher in patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction <40% as compared with ≥40% (nonsignificant PPM, 2.7 versus 1.0; moderate PPM, 7.1 versus 1.8; severe PPM, 77.1 versus 11.3).

Conclusion—

PPM is a strong and independent predictor of short-term mortality among patients undergoing AVR, and its impact is related both to its degree of severity and the status of left ventricular function. In contrast to other risk factors, moderate-severe PPM can be largely avoided with the use of a prospective strategy at the time of operation.
Hormone Replacement Therapy and Inflammation
Authors: Miller Andrew P. , Chen Yiu-Fai , Xing Dongqi , Feng Wenguang , Oparil Suzanne
Published: August 2003

Inflammation plays a central role in the pathogenesis of many forms of vascular disease, including atherosclerosis. Atherogenesis begins with endothelial damage, and the damaged endothelium expresses adhesion molecules, chemokines, and proinflammatory cytokines that direct atherosclerotic plaque formation and spill into the circulation as biomarkers of atherosclerotic disease risk. Menopausal hormone therapy, including a variety of estrogen preparations with or without a progestin, has negative modulatory effects on most of these soluble inflammatory markers, including E-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and tumor necrosis factor-α, inconsistent effects on interleukin-6, and stimulatory effects on transforming growth factor-β, a vasoprotective cytokine. In contrast, C-reactive protein, a circulating proinflammatory cytokine produced in both liver and atherosclerotic arteries, increases in response to oral conjugated estrogens but not to transdermal estrogen. Although C-reactive protein is clearly linked to increased cardiovascular disease risk in women, the hormone-induced rise in this biomarker is not associated with increased risk and may be related to a first-pass effect of C-reactive protein production in the liver after oral estrogen absorption. Many important questions about the effects of ovarian hormones on vascular inflammation and the pathogenesis of vascular disease cannot be answered in human subjects. Insights from fundamental mechanistic studies in animal models are needed to delineate the cellular/molecular events that determine whether these hormones protect or injure blood vessels.
SR141716A-Sensitive Enhancement of ET-1 Hypotensive Effect by Chronic NOS Inhibition
Authors: Souza Hugo C.D. , Salgado Helio C. , Ballejo Gustavo , Salgado Maria Cristina O.
Published: August 2003

The present study evaluated the potential mechanism involved in the hypotensive effect induced by ET-1 in rats treated with the NO synthase inhibitor
N
G
-nitro-
l
-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) in the drinking water during 7 days. Hypertension developed in the L-NAME–treated rats (164±3 versus 112±1 mm Hg in untreated control rats), and the hypotensive effect of ET-1 (100 pmol/kg IV) was significantly enhanced compared with control rats (32±2% versus 20±1% fall in mean arterial pressure). The enhanced ET-1 hypotensive effect in L-NAME–treated rats was abolished by the ET
B
receptor antagonist BQ-788 but was unaltered by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor diclofenac, the cytochrome P450 inhibitor fluconazole, or the potassium channel blockers apamin, glibenclamide, tetraethylammonium, and 4-aminopyridine. Pretreatment with the cannabinoid CB
1
receptor antagonist SR141716A significantly reduced the hypotensive response to ET-1 in L-NAME–treated rats (20±1%), although it did not modify the response in untreated control rats (17±1%). These findings indicate that in rats under chronic NOS inhibition, the hypotensive effect of ET-1 is unexpectedly enhanced and appears to be mediated by a non-NO/non-prostanoid mechanism and involves an SR141716A-sensitive mechanism triggered by ET
B
receptor activation.
Antibiotics in Primary Prevention of Stroke in the Elderly
Authors: Brassard Paul , Bourgault Chantal , Brophy James , Kezouh Abbas , Suissa Samy
Published: August 2003

Background and Purpose—

An increasing number of reports have linked infections to atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Thus, use of antibiotics may lower the risk of developing cerebrovascular disease. We investigated whether antibiotic use is associated with the risk of stroke in elderly individuals treated for hypertension.

Methods—

A cohort of 29 937 elderly subjects initiating antihypertensive therapy between 1982 and 1995 was formed from the Quebec healthcare insurance database. A nested case-control design was used in which each subject hospitalized with a primary discharge diagnosis of stroke between 1987 and 1995 was matched on calendar time to 5 randomly selected controls from the cohort. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios of stroke after adjustment for predisposing factors.

Results—

We identified 1888 cases and 9440 controls. The overall adjusted odds ratio for current antibiotic use was 0.80 (95% confidence interval, 0.63 to 1.01), and that for recent use was 0.81 (95% confidence interval, 0.70 to 0.94). Penicillin was the only individual antibiotic class that showed a protective association across different time windows. No significant association was found between stroke risk and the use of fluoroquinolones, macrolides, tetracyclines, or cephalosporins.

Conclusions—

Although no clear, consistent associations between overall antibiotic use and cerebrovascular disease could be found, an intriguing association between penicillin use and stroke should be explored further.
Stroke in South America
Authors: Saposnik Gustavo , Del Brutto Oscar H.
Published: August 2003

Background and Purpose—

Stroke is a leading cause of mortality and disability in South America because of an increase in life expectancy and changes in the lifestyle of the population. Because epidemiological and clinical characteristics of stroke vary according to regional factors, we need to know the peculiarities of stroke on this continent.

Methods—

We performed a systematic review of articles on stroke in South America, with emphasis on those providing information on the incidence and prevalence of stroke (community-based studies) and the pattern of stroke subtypes (hospital-based studies).

Results—

Seven papers provided information on stroke epidemiology; 11 gave data on the pattern of stroke subtypes. Community-based studies showed crude stroke prevalence rates ranging from 1.74 to 6.51 per 1000 and annual incidence rates from 0.35 to 1.83 per 1000. Hospital-based stroke registries consistently reported a high frequency of intracranial hemorrhages, which accounted for 26% to 46% of all strokes. Among patients with cerebral infarctions, intracranial atherosclerotic lesions and small-vessel disease have been common pathogenic mechanisms underlying the stroke. In most studies, hypertensive arteriolopathy was the most common cause of both infarctions and hemorrhages.

Conclusions—

Stroke has been poorly studied in South America. Available data suggest that the prevalence and incidence of stroke are lower than in developing countries. The pattern of stroke subtypes seems to be different from that reported in other regions of the world, with a higher frequency of cerebral hemorrhages, small-vessel disease, and intracranial atherosclerotic lesions. Such differences may be related to genetic, environmental, or sociocultural factors and to differences in the control of stroke risk factors.
Selective expression of stromal-derived factor-1 in the capillary vascular endothelium plays a role in Kaposi sarcoma pathogenesis
Authors: Yao Lei , Salvucci Ombretta , Cardones Adela R. , Hwang Sam T. , Aoki Yoshiyasu , De La Luz Sierra Maria , Sajewicz Agatha , Pittaluga Stefania , Yarchoan Robert , Tosato Giovanna
Published: August 2003

Kaposi sarcoma (KS), the most common neoplasm in patients with AIDS, typically presents with multiple skin lesions characterized by “spindle cells,” the vast majority of which are infected with KSHV (Kaposi sarcoma herpes virus, also named HHV-8). In patients with AIDS, the presence of cell-associated KSHV DNA in blood is predictive of subsequent KS development, but the mechanisms by which circulating KSHV-infected cells contribute to AIDS-KS pathogenesis are unclear. Here, we show that the chemokine stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), which is constitutively expressed by skin capillary endothelium and displayed on the endothelial cell surface in association with heparan sulfate, can trigger specific arrest of KSHV-infected cells under physiologic shear flow conditions. Moreover, in the presence of soluble SDF-1 gradients, SDF-1 expressed on the endothelial barrier can promote transendothelial migration of KSHV-infected cells. By triggering specific adhesion of circulating KSHV-infected cells and favoring their entry into the extravascular cutaneous space, endothelial cell–associated SDF-1 in cutaneous capillaries may dictate the preferential occurrence of KS in the skin.
Kit regulatory elements required for expression in developing hematopoietic and germ cell lineages
Authors: Cairns Linda A. , Moroni Emanuela , Levantini Elena , Giorgetti Alessandra , Klinger Francesca G. , Ronzoni Simona , Tatangelo Laura , Tiveron Cecilia , De Felici Massimo , Dolci Susanna , Magli Maria Cristina , Giglioni Barbara , Ottolenghi Sergio
Published: August 2003

The Kit (White) gene encodes the transmembrane receptor of stem cell factor/Kit ligand (KL) and is essential for the normal development/maintenance of pluripotent primordial germ cells (PGCs), hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), melanoblasts, and some of their descendants. The molecular basis for the transcriptional regulation of Kit during development of these important cell types is unknown. We investigated Kit regulation in hematopoietic cells and PGCs. We identified 6 DNase I hypersensitive sites (HS1-HS6) within the promoter and first intron of the mouse Kit gene and developed mouse lines expressing transgenic green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the control of these regulatory elements. A construct driven by the Kit promoter and including all 6 HS sites is highly expressed during mouse development in Kit+ cells including PGCs and hematopoietic progenitors (erythroid blast-forming units and mixed colony-forming units). In contrast, the Kit promoter alone (comprising HS1) is sufficient to drive low-level GFP expression in PGCs, but unable to function in hematopoietic cells. Hematopoietic expression further requires the addition of the intronproximal HS2 fragment; HS2 also greatly potentiates the activity in PGCs. Thus, HS2 acts as an enhancer integrating transcriptional signals common to 2 developmentally unrelated stem cell/progenitor lineages. Optimal hematopoietic expression further requires HS3-HS6.
Prediction of Disease Outcome in Melanoma Patients by Molecular Analysis of Paraffin-Embedded Sentinel Lymph Nodes
Authors: Kuo Christine T. , Hoon Dave S.B. , Takeuchi Hiroya , Turner Roderick , Wang He-Jing , Morton Donald L. , Taback Bret
Published: August 2003

Purpose: A significant number of patients who develop recurrence after a histopathologically negative sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy will demonstrate occult metastases on re-evaluation of the SLNs with serial sectioning and immunohistochemistry. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) has been evaluated to improve disease staging and avoid false-negative findings in fresh or frozen-section SLNs. The purpose of this study was to develop a multimarker RT-PCR assay for assessing melanoma patients’ archived paraffin-embedded (PE) SLNs.

Patients and Methods: Archived PE histopathologically positive (n = 37) and negative (n = 40) SLNs from patients with primary melanoma were analyzed using a semiquantitative multimarker RT-PCR assay.

Results: Marker expression in histopathologically positive and negative SLNs were as follows: 89%, 92%, 35%, and 43% (positive) and 40%, 33%, 5%, and 13% (negative) for tyrosinase, melanoma antigen recognized by T cells-1, tyrosinase-related protein-1, and tyrosinase-related protein-2, respectively. Twenty-five percent of histopathologically negative SLN patients were upstaged using at least two markers. Of these, 80% developed a recurrence. Furthermore, at a median follow-up of 55 months, patients with histopathologically negative SLNs who expressed zero or one marker had a significantly improved disease-free (P < .002) and overall (P < .03) survival versus those expressing two or more markers.

Conclusion: These findings demonstrate the feasibility of a multimarker RT-PCR assay for evaluating archived PE SLNs. More significantly, identification of molecular risk factors can be detected in histopathologically negative SLNs for distinguishing early-stage melanoma patients with a worse prognosis.
The Positive Inotropic and Calcium-Mobilizing Effects of Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptides on Rat Heart
Authors: Xu Xiang-Bin , Cao Ji-Min , Pang Jing-Jiang , Xu Rong-Kun , Ni Chao , Zhu Wen-Ling , Asotra Kamlesh , Chen Meng-Chin , Chen Chen
Published: August 2003

GH-releasing peptides (GHRP) are synthetic peptides exerting GH-dependent or GH-independent effects via GH secretagogue receptor on many organs, including the heart. The underlying mechanisms of the cardiotropic properties of GHRP are poorly understood. This study investigates these effects of four GHRP in isolated perfused heart preparations and isolated neonatal and adult ventricular myocytes. The calcium response of cardiocytes to GHRP was visualized using confocal microscopy. All tested GHRP facilitated both ventricular contraction and relaxation in a dose-dependent manner, moderately decreasing coronary flow, but not modifying heart rate. GHRP induced a biphasic increase in intracellular free Ca2+ of the cardiocytes, consisting of a transient phase (phase 1), followed by a plateau phase (phase 2). Phase 1 was abolished by pretreatment with thapsigargin, a Ca2+-adenosine triphosphatase inhibitor of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The phase 2 response was eliminated by removing extracellular free Ca2+, by verapamil, a voltage-gated Ca2+ channel blocker, or by 24-h pretreatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, down-regulating protein kinase C. In isolated (denervated) heart, GHRP have a direct cardiotropic, without chronotropic, effect. GHRP elevate myocardial intracellular free Ca2+ through activating Ca2+ influx via voltage-gated Ca2+ channels and triggering Ca2+ release from thapsigargin-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ stores. Protein kinase C mediates the GHRP-induced Ca2+ influx, but not Ca2+ release. These finding support a number of roles for GHRP in the cardiovascular system.
High Constitutive Signaling of the Ghrelin Receptor—Identification of a Potent Inverse Agonist
Authors: Holst Birgitte , Cygankiewicz Adam , Jensen Tine Halkjær , Ankersen Michael , Schwartz Thue W.
Published: August 2003

Ghrelin is a GH-releasing peptide that also has an important role as an orexigenic hormone-stimulating food intake. By measuring inositol phosphate turnover or by using a reporter assay for transcriptional activity controlled by cAMP-responsive elements, the ghrelin receptor showed strong, ligand-independent signaling in transfected COS-7 or human embryonic kidney 293 cells. Ghrelin and a number of the known nonpeptide GH secretagogues acted as agonists stimulating inositol phosphate turnover further. In contrast, the low potency ghrelin antagonist, [D-Arg1,D-Phe5,D-Trp7,9,Leu11]-substance P was surprisingly found to be a high potency (EC50 = 5.2 nm) full inverse agonist as it decreased the constitutive signaling of the ghrelin receptor down to that observed in untransfected cells. The homologous motilin receptor functioned as a negative control as it did not display any sign of constitutive activity; however, upon agonist stimulation the motilin receptor signaled as strongly as the unstimulated ghrelin receptor. It is concluded that the ghrelin receptor is highly constitutively active and that this activity could be of physiological importance in its role as a regulator of both GH secretion and appetite control. It is suggested that inverse agonists for the ghrelin receptor could be particularly interesting for the treatment of obesity.
Plasmodium falciparumapical membrane antigen 1 (PfAMA-1) is translocated within micronemes along subpellicular microtubules during merozoite development
Authors: Bannister Lawrence H. , Hopkins John M. , Dluzewski Anton R. , Margos Gabriele , Williams Ian T. , Blackman Michael J. , Kocken Clemens H. , Thomas Alan W. , Mitchell Graham H.
Published: August 2003

During the assembly of Plasmodium falciparum merozoites within the schizont stage, the parasite synthesizes and positions three sets of secretory vesicles (rhoptries, micronemes and dense granules) that are active during red cell invasion. There are up to 40 micronemes per merozoite, shaped like long-necked bottles, about 160 nm long and 65 nm at their widest diameter. On their external surfaces, they bear bristle-like filaments, each 3-4 nm thick and 25 nm long. Micronemes are translocated from a single Golgi-like cisterna near the nucleus along a band of two or three subpellicular microtubules to the merozoite apex, where they dock with the rhoptry tips. Dense granules are also formed around the periphery of the Golgi cisternae but their distribution is unrelated to microtubules. Three polyclonal antibodies raised against the recombinant PfAMA-1 ectodomain sequence recognizing both the 83 kDa and processed 66 kDa molecules label the peripheries of translocating and mature micronemes but do not label rhoptries significantly at any stage of merozoite development within schizonts. This result confirms that PfAMA-1 is a micronemal protein, and indicates that within the microneme it is located near or inserted into this organelle's boundary membrane.
Remarkable Photosensitized Luminescence of Neodymium(III) Complexes with Halogenated 8-Quinolinol Derivatives
Authors: Iwamuro Mitsunori , Adachi Tomoko , Wada Yuji , Kitamura Takayuki , Yanagida Shozo
Published: August 2003

Remarkable luminescence of neodymium ion (Nd(III)) complexed with 8-quinolinol derivatives containing halogen atoms was successfully observed in organic solution under visible light irradiation via photosensitization. Introduction of halogen atoms in the ligands led to enhancement of the luminescence.
A Heavy-Atom Effect on the cis-trans Photoisomerization of Bisforlmyl-Substituted trans,trans,trans-1,6-Diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene
Authors: Sonoda Yoriko , Kawanishi Yuji , Sakuragi Masako
Published: August 2003

On irradiation of p,p′-bisformyl-substituted trans,trans,trans-1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene in ethyl iodide, trans,trans,trans → trans,cis,trans isomerization was predominantly observed, which is in contrast to stereoselective trans,trans,trans → cis,trans,trans isomerization in common organic solvents.
Electron Spin-Echo Envelope Modulation Studies on Copper Site of Particulate Methane Monooxygenase from Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b
Authors: Takeguchi Masayuki , Fukui Kouichi , Ohya Hiroaki , Okura Ichiro
Published: August 2003

The electron spin-echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) effect was studied on the type II copper site in the particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO) from Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b. From comparing the ESEEM spectra of the membranes treated with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and some model compounds, it was clarified that there were at least two imidazole ligands bound copper (II) in pMMO.
Synthesis of an Optically Active Poly(phenylacetylene) Bearing Galvinoxyl Radicals for Magnetic Materials
Authors: Kaneko Takashi , Yamamoto Tsuyoshi , Aoki Toshiki , Oikawa Eizo
Published: August 2003

An optically active polyradical was first synthesized by copolymerization of (4-ethynylphenyl)hydrogalvinoxyl and chiral acetylene monomer using Rh-catalyst. The circular dichroism spectrum of the polyradical showed a Cotton effect indicating the exess of one-handed helix backbone and the induced chirality of side-chain galvinoxyl units. Intermoleculer antiferromagnetic interaction observed for the polyradical was larger than that of the corresponding polyradical without excess of one-handed helix.
Simultaneously in-situ Analysis of Trace Elements and U-Pb and Pb-Pb Ages for Single Zircons by Laser Ablation Microprobe-Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Liang Xirong , Li Xian-hua , Sun Min , Liu Ying , Tu Xianglin
Published: August 2003

Simultaneously in-situ analysis for more than 25 trace elements and U-Pb and Pb-Pb ages in single zircons using the LAM-ICPMS technique was successfully achieved. The precision and accuracy of analysis are 5-15% for most trace elements, 1-3% for 207Pb/206Pb isotopic ratios, and 2-8% for 206Pb/238U ratios. This combined geochemical and geochronological investigation has significant implications to studying zircons with complicated geological histories.
Surface-assisted Photomanipulation of Orientation of a Polymer Liquid Crystal
Authors: Kidowaki Masatoshi , Fujiwara Takenori , Ichimura Kunihiro
Published: August 2003

The alignment photocontrol of liquid crystalline polymer films was achieved by a thin film of a polymethacrylate with p-cyanoazobenzene side chains as a command layer, which was exposed to linearly polarized light in advance.
Stepwise Construction of Clusters Containing Ru2PtWS4 and Ru2Pt2WS4 Cores by the Thermal Reaction of [{Cp*Ru(CO)}2(WS4)] (Cp* = η5-C5Me5) with [PtMe2(cod)] (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene)
Authors: Yuki Masahiro , Okazaki Masaaki , Ogino Hiroshi
Published: August 2003

The stepwise construction of [{Cp*Ru(CO)}2(WS4)(PtMe2)] and [{Cp*Ru(CO)}2(WS4)(PtMe2)2] clusters was achieved by the thermal reaction of [{Cp*Ru(CO)}2{W(μ-S)4}] with [PtMe2(cod)].
Preparation of Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Vesicle “Cerasome” Derived from Artificial Lipid with Alkoxysilyl Head
Authors: Katagiri Kiyofumi , Ariga Katsuhiko , Kikuchi Jun-ichi
Published: August 2003

An artificial lipid bearing a triethoxysilyl head and a dialkyl tail has been synthesized in order to prepare a novel type of organic-inorganic hybrid, “Cerasome”, which can form siloxane network on its vesicular surface. The Cerasomes were obtained upon vortex mixing of aqueous dispersion of the lipid followed by acid hydrolysis of the head moiety.
Solvent Effect on the Structure of the Self-Assembled Monolayer of Alkanethiol
Authors: Yamada Ryo , Sakai Hidetada , Uosaki Kohei
Published: August 2003

Structures of self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of decanethiol on Au(111) surface prepared in ethanol, toluene, DMF and heptane solution were examined by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and electrochemical reductive desorption measurement in 0.5 M KOH aqueous solution. While no significant difference was detected in the reductive desorption measurement except for the SAM prepared in heptane, the STM observation showed that domain size and pit size were strongly affected by solvent.
Spectroscopic and Photophysical Behavior of 2-Quinolone as a Probe for Brønsted and Lewis Acid Sites in Zeolites
Authors: Kojima Masanobu , Odaka Akira , Nakajima Tsuyoshi , Kuriyama Yasunao
Published: August 2003

Brønsted and Lewis acid sites in zeolites were characterized by using 2-quinolone as a probe, by means of ultraviolet and infrared absorption spectra, fluorescence decay lifetime, and ESR. The results showed clearer differences in the acidity of zeolites compared to those determined by using Hammett indicators. The species observed in the zeolites depended on the acidity, the cavity size, and the amount of 2-quinolone loaded.
Hexarhenium(III) Clusters [Re6(μ3-S)8X6]4− (X− = Cl−, Br−, I−) are Luminescent at Room Temperature
Authors: Yoshimura Takashi , Ishizaka Shoji , Umakoshi Keisuke , Sasaki Yoichi , Kim Haeng-Boo , Kitamura Noboru
Published: August 2003

Hexarhenium clusters, (n-Bu4N)4[Re6(μ3-S)8X6] (X− = Cl−, Br−, I−) show strong red emission both in the solid state and in solution with the lifetime of a few μs at room temperature.
In situ Formation of ZSM-5 in NaY Gel and Characterization of ZSM-5/Y Composite Zeolite
Authors: Chen Honglin , Shen Baojian , Pan Huifang
Published: August 2003

A novel one-pot procedure for the preparation of Y and ZSM-5 composite zeolite was developed by in situ hydrothermal crystallization of Y synthesis gel. Comparing to the mechanical mixture of ZSM-5 and Y zeolites, the composite material showed identical thermal and hydrothermal stability, better performances in dealumination and synergism advantages in catalytic cracking of heavy oil.
Microwave-promoted Synthesis of Methoxylated Benzaldehydes from Natural cis-Phenylpropenes Using NaIO4/OsO4 (cat.)
Authors: Sinha Arun K , Joshi Bhupendra P , Acharya Ruchi
Published: August 2003

Microwave-promoted rapid oxidation of toxic natural cis-phenylpropenes (1a–1e) into high valued methoxylated benzaldehydes (2a–2e) was achieved within 2 min in high yield (71–84%) by reacting with sodium metaperiodate in the presence of catalytic amount of osmium tetraoxide (co-oxidant) and benzyltriethylammonium chloride (PTC).
Hydrothermal Conversion of Solid Silica Beads to Hollow Silicalite-1 Sphere
Authors: Dong Angang , Wang Yajun , Tang Yi , Wang Deju , Ren Nan , Zhang Yahong , Gao Zi
Published: August 2003

Uniform hollow silicalite-1 spheres with a high intact ratio and good mechanical stability were fabricated through a novel and effective approach, which involved the seed-induced hydrothermal crystallization of mesoporous silica microbeads in an alkaline aqueous solution.