bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geographical indications and the South Africa–European Union free trade agreement
Authors: Craven Emily , Mather Charles
Published: March 2003

Geographical indications, as a form of intellectual property, are becoming increasingly important in global trade. In South Africa’s trade and cooperation agreement with the European Union, problems over the use of names such as ‘port’ and ‘sherry’ provided an important obstacle to the conclusion of the trade deal. This paper argues that the conflict over geographical indications in this trade agreement must be seen in the context of broader initiatives to establish a system of protecting this form of intellectual property through the World Trade Organisation.
Embodying a Europe of the cities: geographies of mayoral leadership
Authors: Mcneill Donald
Published: March 2003

This paper explores some issues in representing the geographies of mayoral power in contemporary Europe. It begins by summarizing the idea of a ‘Europe of the Cities’ and an emerging new mayoral political class in Europe, and then discusses some of the insights offered by cultural geography in conceptualizing this new agenda in urban politics.
Interactions between aeolian and fluvial systems in dryland environments
Authors: Bullard Joanna E. , Livingstone Ian
Published: March 2003

Historically, fluvial and aeolian processes in dryland environments have been viewed as mutually exclusive. However, recent research indicates that in many regions dryland aeolian and fluvial systems do not operate independently. There are interactions between the two systems that have important implications for the geomorphology of the landscape. This paper reviews the factors controlling the transfer of sediments between aeolian and fluvial systems, focusing on moisture availability, sediment supply and the magnitude/frequency characteristics of fluvial and aeolian events. We conclude by highlighting areas of future research that will contribute greatly to our understanding of aeolian–fluvial relationships in dryland areas.
Rural industrialization, ‘quality’ and service: some findings from South Warwickshire and North Devon
Authors: Jarvis David , Dunham Philip , Ilbery Brian
Published: March 2003

Studies of UK rural industrialization have traditionally sought to explain the success of rural SMEs (Small and Medium‐sized Enterprises) in terms of their capacity for innovative or enterprising behaviour. In turn, this has led researchers to focus their attention on the material aspects of competitive behaviour, particularly those connected to technology and technological exploitation, at the expense of more intangible aspects such as the advantages gained from novel working practices and marketing strategies. In particular, the notion of ‘quality’ as a determinant of competitive behaviour, an idea gaining increased emphasis within literature concerning rural SMEs in the food, farming and craft sectors, has been neglected in wider studies of rural industrialization. However, this paper contends that both ‘formal’ and ‘informal’ constructions of quality are significant factors in the success of manufacturers outside these specific sectors.
Representing rurality? New Labour and the electoral geography of rural Britain
Authors: Ward Neil
Published: March 2003

The first Blair administration faced clamorous criticism from some lobby groups for its handling of rural issues. Yet Labour has presented itself as a ‘one–nation’ party representing both urban and rural areas. This paper examines the basis of recent claims about the parliamentary representation of rural Britain, and analyzes the results of the last two General Elections. It illustrates how the malleability of the category of ‘rural’ allows for contrasting claims about rural representation, and highlights the continuity of party representation among those constituencies located outside the main urban areas in the 1997 and 2001 parliaments, despite regular rural protest.
Strategy, Scale or Policy? Exit in the Australian Car Industry
Authors: Fleischmann Matthew P. , Prentice David
Published: March 2003

This paper estimates the importance of strategy, scale and policy in determining the pattern of exit in the Australian car industry. Previous studies found only a weak role for strategy in exit from declining industries. Using a new dataset and improvements on the specification used in earlier studies, we find evidence that strategy influences the pattern of exit where economies of scale are less important. Protection is also found to negatively influence the likelihood of exit.
E–Commerce and the Australian Economy
Authors: Dunt Emily S. , Harper Ian R.
Published: March 2003

This paper considers the likely impact of e–commerce and the Internet on the Australian economy. It surveys literature on the extent and development of e–commerce in Australia and its impact on the shape of the Australian economy. Evidence for the ‘renewal’ of the Australian economy is presented and examined, especially the question of whether Australia has enjoyed increases in productivity as a result of the production and/or use of new information and communications technology. Australia is seen as broadly well placed to benefit from the Internet and e–commerce. Traditionally isolated from the world’s main economic centres and reliant on commodities in international trade, the advent of the Internet is ideal for a country in transition to a service–orientated, knowledge–based economy. As the composition of Australia’s exports becomes more service–orientated and knowledge–intensive, traditional trading links with Europe and North America may strengthen relative to those with Asia.
Sustainability and Sahelian soils: evidence from Niger
Authors: Warren Andrew , Batterbury Simon , Osbahr Henny
Published: March 2003

It is difficult to produce systems for judging sustainability, despite general enthusiasm for the concept. Here we evaluate the ‘capitals’ formulation for sustainability, which attempts to bring together the social and the environmental dimensions of the issue, and which has gained wide currency. We concentrate our attention on the ‘natural capital’ element in this framework, which has apparently been seen as its least problematical component. We use data on soil erosion from a Sahelian agricultural community in Niger. Despite apparently high rates of erosion, we find it difficult to decide whether the system is sustainable (using the capitals or any other framework). It is even dubious whether sustainability is an urgent concern. We caution against imposing yet another poorly formulated set of concepts on this and similar systems.
On referendum voting in Italy: YES, NO or non–vote? How Italian parties learned to control referendums
Authors: Uleri Pier Vincenzo
Published: March 2003

Abstract. National referendums progressively became a part of Italian political life in the last three decades of the twentieth century. The increased use made of them came as a genuine surprise. Some 53 issues were put before the electorate between 1970 and 2000, the majority following citizen petitions, with a smaller number promoted by regional councils. The so–called ‘abrogative referendum,’ conceived as a sort of modern–day veto, proved to be a multi–use political tool wielded predominantly by the Radical Party, a political movement largely outside the Italian party system. Parties were the main actors in referendums as far as the mobilisation of voters was concerned. Indeed, the parties gave birth to a variety of alignments, some supporting mobilisation and competition, while others encouraged abstension and effective demobilisation. By virtue mainly of the constitutional rule that requires 50 per cent turnout for the result to be valid, the vote on 18 issues was declared void. Many lessons can be learned from the Italian experience, and one in particular is of special interest to all who value the survival of liberal democracies: all electors are equal, but in referendums non–voters are more equal than the voters.
Can High Quality Overcome Consumer Resistance to Restricted Provider Access? Evidence from a Health Plan Choice Experiment
Authors: Harris Katherine M.
Published: March 2003

Objective. To investigate the impact of quality information on the willingness of consumers to enroll in health plans that restrict provider access.

Data Sources and Setting. A survey administered to respondents between the ages of 25 and 64 in the West Los Angeles area with private health insurance.

Study Design. An experimental approach is used to measure the effect of variation in provider network features and information about the quality of network physicians on hypothetical plan choices. Conditional logit models are used to analyze the experimental choice data. Next, choice model parameter estimates are used to simulate the impact of changes in plan features on the market shares of competing health plans and to calculate the quality level required to make consumers indifferent to changes in provider access.

Principal Findings. The presence of quality information reduced the importance of provider network features in plan choices as hypothesized. However, there were not statistically meaningful differences by type of quality measure (i.e., consumer assessed versus expert assessed). The results imply that large quality differences are required to make consumers indifferent to changes in provider access. The impact of quality on plan choices depended more on the particular measure and less on the type of measure. Quality ratings based on the proportion of survey respondents “extremely satisfied with results of care'' had the greatest impact on plan choice while the proportion of network doctors “affiliated with university medical centers'' had the least. Other consumer and expert assessed measures had more comparable effects.

Conclusions. Overall the results provide empirical evidence that consumers are willing to trade high quality for restrictions on provider access. This willingness to trade implies that relatively small plans that place restrictions on provider access can successfully compete against less restrictive plans when they can demonstrate high quality. However, the results of this study suggest that in many cases, the level of quality required for consumers to accept access restrictions may be so high as to be unattainable. The results provide empirical support for the current focus of decision support efforts on consumer assessed quality measures. At the same time, however, the results suggest that consumers would also value quality measures based on expert assessments. This finding is relevant given the lack of comparative quality information based on expert judgment and research suggesting that consumers have apprehensions about their ability to meaningfully interpret performance‐based quality measures.
Is Exposure to Income Inequality a Public Health Concern? Lagged Effects of Income Inequality on Individual and Population Health
Authors: Mellor Jennifer M. , Milyo Jeffrey
Published: March 2003

Objective. To examine the health consequences of exposure to income inequality.

Data Sources. Secondary analysis employing data from several publicly available sources. Measures of individual health status and other individual characteristics are obtained from the March Current Population Survey (CPS). State‐level income inequality is measured by the Gini coefficient based on family income, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau and Al‐Samarrie and Miller (1967). State‐level mortality rates are from the Vital Statistics of the United States; other state‐level characteristics are from U.S. census data as reported in the Statistical Abstract of the United States.

Study Design. We examine the effects of state‐level income inequality lagged from 5 to 29 years on individual health by estimating probit models of poor/fair health status for samples of adults aged 25–74 in the 1995 through 1999 March CPS. We control for several individual characteristics, including educational attainment and household income, as well as regional fixed effects. We use multivariate regression to estimate the effects of income inequality lagged 10 and 20 years on state‐level mortality rates for 1990, 1980, 1970, and 1960.

Principal Findings. Lagged income inequality is not significantly associated with individual health status after controlling for regional fixed effects. Lagged income inequality is not associated with all cause mortality, but associated with reduced mortality from cardiovascular disease and malignant neoplasms, after controlling for state fixed‐effects.

Conclusions. In contrast to previous studies that fail to control for regional variations in health outcomes, we find little support for the contention that exposure to income inequality is detrimental to either individual or population health.
Hospitals' Negotiating Leverage with Health Plans: How and Why Has It Changed?
Authors: Devers Kelly J. , Casalino Lawrence P. , Rudell Liza S. , Stoddard Jeffrey J. , Brewster Linda R. , Lake Timothy K.
Published: March 2003

Objective To describe how hospitals' negotiating leverage with managed care plans changed from 1996 to 2001 and to identify factors that explain any changes.

Data Sources Primary semistructured interviews, and secondary qualitative (e.g., newspaper articles) and quantitative (i.e., InterStudy, American Hospital Association) data.

Study Design The Community Tracking Study site visits to a nationally representative sample of 12 communities with more than 200,000 people. These 12 markets have been studied since 1996 using a variety of primary and secondary data sources.

Data Collection Methods Semistructured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of individuals from hospitals, health plans, and knowledgeable market observers. Secondary quantitative data on the 12 markets was also obtained.

Principal Findings Our findings suggest that many hospitals' negotiating leverage significantly increased after years of decline. Today, many hospitals are viewed as having the greatest leverage in local markets. Changes in three areas—the policy and purchasing context, managed care plan market, and hospital market—appear to explain why hospitals' leverage increased, particularly over the last two years (2000–2001).

Conclusions Hospitals' increased negotiating leverage contributed to higher payment rates, which in turn are likely to increase managed care plan premiums. This trend raises challenging issues for policymakers, purchasers, plans, and consumers.
The Effects of Primary Care Depression Treatment on Patients' Clinical Status and Employment
Authors: Schoenbaum Michael , Unützer Jürgen , McCaffrey Daniel , Duan Naihua , Sherbourne Cathy , Wells Kenneth B
Published: March 2003

Objective. To evaluate the effects of depression treatment in primary care on patients' clinical status and employment, over six months.

Data Sources/Study Setting. Data are from a randomized controlled trial of quality improvement for depression that included 938 adults with depressive disorder in 46 managed primary care clinics in five states.

Study Design. Observational analysis of the effects of evidence‐based depression care over six months on health outcomes and employment. Selection into treatment is accounted for using instrumental variables techniques, with randomized assignment to the quality improvement intervention as the identifying instrument.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods. Patient‐reported clinical status, employment, health care use, and personal characteristics; health care use and costs from claims data.

Principal Findings. At six months, patients with appropriate care, compared to those without it, had lower rates of depressive disorder (24 percent versus 70 percent), better mental health‐related quality of life, and higher rates of employment (72 percent versus 53 percent), each p<.05.

Conclusions. Appropriate treatment for depression provided in community‐based primary care substantially improves clinical and quality of life outcomes and employment.
Measuring What People Value: A Comparison of “Attitude” and “Preference” Surveys
Authors: Phillips Kathryn A , Johnson F. Reed , Maddala Tara
Published: March 2003

Objective. To compare and contrast methods and findings from two approaches to valuation used in the same survey: measurement of “attitudes” using simple rankings and ratings versus measurement of “preferences” using conjoint analysis. Conjoint analysis, a stated preference method, involves comparing scenarios composed of attribute descriptions by ranking, rating, or choosing scenarios. We explore possible explanations for our findings using focus groups conducted after the quantitative survey.

Methods. A self‐administered survey, measuring attitudes and preferences for HIV tests, was conducted at HIV testing sites in San Francisco in 1999–2000 (n=365, response rate=96 percent). Attitudes were measured and analyzed using standard approaches. Conjoint analysis scenarios were developed using a fractional factorial design and results analyzed using random effects probit models. We examined how the results using the two approaches were both similar and different.

Results. We found that “attitudes” and “preferences” were generally consistent, but there were some important differences. Although rankings based on the attitude and conjoint analysis surveys were similar, closer examination revealed important differences in how respondents valued price and attributes with “halo” effects, variation in how attribute levels were valued, and apparent differences in decision‐making processes.

Conclusions. To our knowledge, this is the first study to compare attitude surveys and conjoint analysis surveys and to explore the meaning of the results using post‐hoc focus groups. Although the overall findings for attitudes and preferences were similar, the two approaches resulted in some different conclusions. Health researchers should consider the advantages and limitations of both methods when determining how to measure what people value.
Strategies for Reporting Health Plan Performance Information to Consumers: Evidence from Controlled Studies
Authors: Hibbard Judith H. , Slovic Paul , Peters Ellen , Finucane Melissa L.
Published: March 2003

Objective. To assess whether presentation approaches designed to be more meaningful result in greater weighting of quality information in decisions. An emerging body of research indicates that the way information is presented affects how it is interpreted and how it is weighted in decisions. Comparative health plan performance reports are not being used by consumers possibly because the information presented is difficult to use. The next generation of these reports should be designed to support decision making.

Design and Study Participants. The study uses a controlled experimental design. Participants (n=162) were randomly assigned to different conditions and asked to complete tasks related to using quality information and making health plan selections. Dependent variables included the amount of weight given to quality information in choices and decision accuracy.

Results. Some presentation approaches make it easier for users to process and integrate quality data into their choices. However, other presentation formats influence consumers' decisions in ways that undermine their self‐interest.

Conclusions. Findings indicate that presenting quality data in a more evaluable format increases the weight it carries in consumer decisions. Every change made in the presentation of comparative data has the potential to influence decisions. Those who disseminate information have a responsibility to be aware of how they use that influence and to direct it in productive and defensible ways. The alternative is to manipulate people in ways that are unknown, are not thought out, or are not defensible, but are no less manipulative.
Managing Indigent Care: A Case Study of a Safety‐Net Emergency Department
Authors: Dohan Daniel
Published: March 2003

Objective. To examine how one safety‐net emergency department (ED) managed problems associated with the provision of indigent care in everyday life.

Data Sources/Study Setting. Interview and observational data collected in County Hospital ED, a public teaching hospital in a California city, during 6 months of 1999.

Study Design. The study used ethnographic methods to document and understand day‐to‐day routines and practices for providing indigent care in a safety‐net facility.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods. One‐ to 2‐hour semistructured interviews with a snowball sample of eight ED physicians were tape recorded, and fieldnotes were recorded in situ during 10–30 hours of participant observation per week in all areas of the ED. Data were coded to highlight themes of interest and to identify recurrent patterns of behavior.

Principal Findings. In everyday life, providers at County ED relied on graduate medical education (GME) to manage two everyday problems, social use and tenuous financing, associated with the provision of indigent care. GME helped manage problematic social visits to the ED by defining them as interesting cases. GME helped with tenuous finances by creating a work culture that encouraged the provision of uncompensated work.

Conclusions. Safety‐net facilities often face problems similar to those in County ED. Future research should assess the extent to which the everyday management of these problems in County ED resembles that in other safety‐net facilities.
Comparing Oral Health Care Utilization Estimates in the United States Across Three Nationally Representative Surveys
Authors: Macek Mark D. , Manski Richard J. , Vargas Clemencia M. , Moeller John
Published: March 2003

Objective. To compare estimates of dental visits among adults using three national surveys.

Data Sources/Study Design. Cross‐sectional data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), and National Health Expenditure surveys (NMCES, NMES, MEPS).

Study Design. This secondary data analysis assessed whether overall estimates and stratum‐specific trends are different across surveys.

Data Collection. Dental visit data are age standardized via the direct method to the 1990 population of the United States. Point estimates, standard errors, and test statistics are generated using SUDAAN.

Principal Findings. Sociodemographic, stratum‐specific trends are generally consistent across surveys; however, overall estimates differ (NHANES III [364‐day estimate] versus 1993 NHIS: –17.5 percent difference, Z=7.27, p value < 0.001; NHANES III [365‐day estimate] vs. 1993 NHIS: 5.4 percent difference, Z=–2.50, p value=0.006; MEPS vs. 1993 NHIS: –29.8 percent difference, Z=16.71, p value < 0.001). MEPS is the least susceptible to intrusion, telescoping, and social desirability.

Conclusions. Possible explanations for discrepancies include different reference periods, lead‐in statements, question format, and social desirability of responses. Choice of survey should depend on the hypothesis. If trends are necessary, choice of survey should not matter; however, if health status or expenditure associations are necessary, then surveys that contain these variables should be used, and if accurate overall estimates are necessary, then MEPS should be used. A validation study should be conducted to establish ``true'' utilization estimates.
Hungry for Food or Hungry for Love?
Authors: Mulquin Marie‐Eve , Siaens Corinne , Wodon Quentin T.
Published: March 2003

Despite recent progress in reducing poverty, the fight against hunger remains a challenge in the United States. Charities have set up soup kitchens in order to reach out to the poor and hungry. Unfortunately, the way in which some soup kitchens are run is not appealing. One may wonder if waiting in line for a bowl of soup provided out of a van contributes to self‐esteem. Beyond hunger, the poor suffer from isolation and a lack of respect from society. It may be worth looking at the experience of other countries that provide hunger relief in a more humane manner. In this paper, we analyze the experience of a soup kitchen in Namur, Belgium, whose cozy atmosphere has led its customers to come as much for socialization as for food.
Comment on ‘The Shortage in Market‐Inalienable Human Organs’
Authors: Barnett A. H. , Kaserman David L.
Published: March 2003

In the 1998 article ‘The Shortage in Market‐Inalienable Human Organs: A Consideration of ‘Nonmarket‘ Failures’ in this journal, Emanuel D. Thorne advocates increased exhortation and advises against the adoption of markets in cadaveric organ procurement. In support of this view, Thorne offers analysis in which he purports to show that, with more effective exhortation, a donative system is capable of procuring more organs at lower costs than market procurement. We argue that Thorne's analysis is seriously flawed and that his conclusions are suspect, if not entirely illogical. The flaws in his analysis include both logical errors and empirical fallacies. Importantly, the issues we, and Professor Thorne, address are not mere matters of academic quibbling—human lives are at stake. Simply put, we argue that Thorne uses faulty analysis to support a policy that is so ill‐conceived that it needlessly allows people to die. In this comment, we discuss some of the errors in Thorne's article and explain why we believe that his policy recommendation is ill‐conceived.
Henry George on Property Rights: Reply to John Pullen
Authors: Feder Kris
Published: March 2003

John Pullen argues that Henry George's proposal to “make land common property” is inconsistent with his proposal to tax rent. This reply argues that George's two formulations are consistent, and that Pullen has confused common property with state property. On the other hand, Pullen's conception of property as composed of a “basket of rights” focuses attention on the question of whether, as trustee of the common property, a Georgist regime should be understood to have certain rights (and obligations) to constrain private land use decisions.
Explaining Collective Intentionality
Authors: Miscevic Nenad
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT . The Construction of Social Reality contains interesting suggestions about the ways in which phenomena of we‐intentionality derive from beliefs and desires of social agents. This explanatory trust is in deep tension with Searle's general view that we‐intentionality is a primitive phenomenon. I propose that we preserve the explanations and reject the general view, and argue for the proposal.
Identifying a policymaker’s target: an application to the Bank of Canada
Authors: Rowe Nicholas , Yetman James
Published: March 2003

We develop a new way to test hypotheses about policymakers’ targets and implement that test for Canadian monetary policy. For example, if the Bank of Canada is targeting a 2 per cent inflation rate, and if the Bank’s instrument takes eight quarters to affect inflation, then deviations of inflation from 2 per cent should be uncorrelated with the Bank’s information set lagged eight quarters. We show that there was a major change in the Bank’s objectives near the time when formal inflation targets were announced and that the Bank has indeed been targeting inflation since then. JEL Code: E52, E61

Identifier une cible du définisseur de politique: une application à la Banque du Canada. Les auteurs développent une nouvelle manière de tester des hypothèses quant aux cibles des définisseurs de politiques, et utilisent ce protocole pour analyser la politique monétaire canadienne. Par exemple, si la Banque du Canada s’est donnée pour cible un taux d’inflation de 2 pour‐cent, et si l’instrument utilisé par la Banque du Canada met huit trimestres à avoir son effet sur le taux d’inflation, alors les déviations de l’inflation autour de 2 pour‐cent ne devraient pas être co‐reliées à l’information disponible aux autorités monétaires quand elle a agi. On montre que il y a eu changement dans les objectifs de la Banque aux environs du moment où les cibles formelles d’inflation ont été annoncées, et que la Banque a de fait ciblé le taux d’inflation depuis.
Can cross–border pollution reduce pollution?
Authors: Hatzipanayotou Panos , Lahiri Sajal , Michael Michael S.
Published: March 2003

We develop a two–country model of foreign aid and cross–border pollution resulting from production activities in the recipient country. There is both private and public abatement of pollution, the latter being financed through emissions tax revenue and foreign aid. We characterize a Nash equilibrium in which the donor country chooses the amount of aid and the recipient chooses the fraction of aid allocated to pollution abatement and the emission tax rate. At this equilibrium, an increase in the donor’s perceived rate of cross–border pollution reduces emission levels. JEL Classification: Q28, F35, H41

Est–ce que la pollution trans–frontière peut réduire le niveau de pollution? Les auteurs développent un modèle à deux pays d’aide à l’étranger et de pollution trans–frontière résultant d’activités de production dans le pays qui reçoit l’aide. Il existe des efforts privés et publics pour réduire la pollution, ces derniers étant financés par les rentrées fiscales d’une taxe sur la pollution et par l’aide étrangère. On définit un équilibre à la Nash pour lequel le pays donateur choisit le montant de l’aide, et le pays récipiendaire choisit la fraction de l’aide étrangère qu’il allouera à la lutte à la pollution ainsi que le taux de taxation sur la pollution. A cet équilibre, un accroissement dans le taux de pollution trans–frontière perçu par le donataire réduit le taux de pollution.
A Simple Option‐Pricing Formula
Authors: Savickas Robert
Published: March 2003

A simple option‐pricing formula based on the Weibull distribution is introduced. The simplicity of the algebraic form and ease of implementation are comparable to those of Black‐Scholes. Application to S&P 500 options shows that the pricing biases present in the Black‐Scholes model are eliminated. Prices produced by the presented model generally lie within or close to the bid‐ask spread. For long‐term options (over one year), the Weibull formula exhibits significantly higher precision than the Black‐Scholes formula does. While a rigorous comparison of all available models is necessary, the simplicity and precision of the proposed model are its main advantages over the existing models.
REGULATION OF PROTEIN FUNCTION BY GLYCOSAMINOGLYCANS—AS EXEMPLIFIED BY CHEMOKINES
Authors: Handel T.M. , Johnson Z. , Crown S.E. , Lau E.K. , Sweeney M. , Proudfoot A.E.
Published: March 2003

▪ Abstract  Immune modulators such as cytokines and growth factors exert their biological activity through high-affinity interactions with cell-surface receptors, thereby activating specific signaling pathways. However, many of these molecules also participate in low-affinity interactions with another class of molecules, referred to as proteoglycans. Proteoglycans consist of a protein core to which glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains are attached. The GAGs are long, linear, sulfated, and highly charged heterogeneous polysaccharides that are expressed throughout the body in different forms, depending on the developmental or pathological state of the organ/organism. They participate in many biological functions, including organogenesis and growth control, cell adhesion, signaling, inflammation, tumorigenesis, and interactions with pathogens. Recently, it was demonstrated that certain chemokines require interactions with GAGs for their in vivo function. The GAG interaction is thought to provide a mechanism for retaining chemokines on cell surfaces, facilitating the formation of chemokine gradients. These gradients serve as directional cues to guide the migration of the appropriate cells in the context of their inflammatory, developmental, and homeostatic functions. In this review, we discuss GAGs and their interaction with proteins, with a special emphasis on the chemokine system.
PAIN MECHANISMS: Labeled Lines Versus Convergence in Central Processing
Authors: Craig A.D. (Bud)
Published: March 2003

▪ Abstract  The issue of whether pain is represented by specific neural elements or by patterned activity within a convergent somatosensory subsystem has been debated for over a century. The gate control theory introduced in 1965 denied central specificity, and since then most authors have endorsed convergent wide-dynamic-range neurons. Recent functional and anatomical findings provide compelling support for a new perspective that views pain in humans as a homeostatic emotion that integrates both specific labeled lines and convergent somatic activity.
On nilpotent filiform Lie algebras of dimension eight
Authors: Barbari P. , Kobotis A.
Published: March 2003

The aim of this paper is to determine both the Zariski
constructible set of characteristically nilpotent filiform Lie
algebras g of dimension 8 and that of the set of nilpotent
filiform Lie algebras whose group of automorphisms consists of
unipotent automorphisms, in the variety of filiform Lie algebras
of dimension 8 over C.
Commuting idempotents of an H∗‐algebra
Authors: Saworotnow P. P.
Published: March 2003

Commutative H∗‐algebra is characterized in terms of
idempotents. Here we offer three characterizations.
Map kinase signaling pathways and hematologic malignancies
Authors: Platanias Leonidas C.
Published: March 2003

Mitogen-activated protein (Map) kinases are widely expressed serine-threonine kinases that mediate important regulatory signals in the cell. Three major groups of Map kinases exist: the p38 Map kinase family, the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) family, and the c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) family. The members of the different Map kinase groups participate in the generation of various cellular responses, including gene transcription, induction of cell death or maintenance of cell survival, malignant transformation, and regulation of cell-cycle progression. Depending on the specific family isoform involved and the cellular context, Map kinase pathways can mediate signals that either promote or suppress the growth of malignant hematopoietic cells. Over the last few years, extensive work by several groups has established that Map kinase pathways play critical roles in the pathogenesis of various hematologic malignancies, providing new molecular targets for future therapeutic approaches. In this review, the involvement of various Map kinase pathways in the pathophysiology of hematologic malignances is summarized and the clinical implications of the recent advances in the field are discussed.
Diminished Interleukin-6 Response to Proinflammatory Challenge in Men and Women after Intravenous Cocaine Administration
Authors: Halpern John H. , Sholar Michelle B. , Glowacki Julie , Mello Nancy K. , Mendelson Jack H. , Siegel Arthur J.
Published: March 2003

Cocaine abuse is associated with increased rates of infections, including human immunodeficiency virus, and cocaine has immunomodulatory effects in experimental animal and cellular models. When challenged by antigens, tissues release cytokine polypeptides that signal a complex balance of cellular and humoral immune responses. Placement of indwelling venous catheters also leads to surrounding tissue inflammation, mediated partially by local production and release of the proinflammatory cytokine, IL-6. Thus, catheter placement provides a model for examination of cocaine’s immunological effects. Thirty healthy men and women with a history of cocaine use participated in this study of neuroendocrine and immunological responses to iv injection of 0.4 mg/kg cocaine or saline placebo. After injection, blood samples were collected from the antecubital vein of the opposite arm via an indwelling venous catheter at 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 30, 40, 60, 80, 120, 180, and 240 min. Cocaine, ACTH, cortisol, and dehydroepiandrosterone concentrations peaked at 8, 12, 40, and 20 min, respectively. Stimulation of IL-6 at 240 min was markedly reduced in subjects receiving cocaine compared with subjects receiving placebo (3.85 ± 0.49 vs. 11.64 ± 2.21 pg/ml; P = 0.0019, by two-tailed t test). Gender and menstrual cycle phase did not significantly influence most endocrine or IL-6 measures, although the small number of subjects limits the power of these comparisons. Because cocaine stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, IL-6 suppression may be a consequence of corticosteroid release. Cocaine-induced suppression of proinflammatory IL-6 may mediate impaired host defenses to infections.
Immediate allergic and nonallergic reactions to Christmas and Easter cacti
Authors: Andersen F , Bindslev‐Jensen C , Paulsen E , Andersen KE , Stahl Skov P
Published: March 2003

Background: Occupational exposure to Christmas cacti has been reported as a cause of type I allergy. Therefore, the prevalence of immediate‐type mucosal and skin reactions related to cactus exposure was studied in 103 employees in a cactus nursery.

Methods: The study was based on a questionnaire followed by clinical examination, skin prick tests (SPT) with standard inhalant allergens and cacti, and a histamine‐release test (HRT/Refix) using fresh cactus extracts as elicitor.

Results: The questionnaire was answered by 84 (82%) of the nursery employees, and 63 (61%) were interviewed and skin prick tested; 58 of these were tested with HRT/Refix. Furthermore, 22 healthy controls were included and tested in vivo and in vitro. Cactus‐related contact urticaria and/or rhinoconjunctivitis were reported by 37% of the cactus workers. Based on a combination of positive history, positive SPT, and positive HRT/Refix to cactus, 8% of the cactus workers were allergic to cacti. No noncactus workers or controls were allergic to cacti by these criteria. Testing with fresh cactus material elicited positive SPT and negative HRT/Refix in 27 nursery workers and controls, of whom 12 had immediate‐type skin and mucosal symptoms.

Conclusions: Christmas and Easter cacti seemed to be able to induce contact urticaria and rhinoconjunctivitis on both an immunologic and a nonimmunologic basis. Personal atopy was associated with positive reactions to cacti.
Predictive capacity of histamine release for the diagnosis of drug allergy
Authors: Demoly P , Lebel B , Messaad D , Sahla H , Rongier M , Daurès JP , Godard P , Bousquet J
Published: March 2003

Background: The diagnosis of immediate allergic reactions to drugs is difficult, requiring in vitro test development. Basophils are likely to be involved in these reactions, and to evaluate the sensitivity, the specificity, and the predictive values of the histamine‐release test, we performed a prospective study in 68 patients tested for suspected drug allergy.

Methods: Positive diagnosis was established by history, skin tests, and, if needed, oral provocation tests. Histamine release in the presence of the drug was assessed on heparinized whole blood by enzyme immunoassay (Immunotech, France), and the cutoff value was set at 5% of total histamine content. Spontaneous and anti‐IgE‐induced histamine release was also studied in all subjects.

Results: All patients presented to our clinic with reactions ranging from maculopapular exanthema to anaphylactic shock. Thirty‐five patients had proven drug allergy; 33 were not allergic to drugs and served as a control group together with 40 other subjects with no history of drug allergy. Net histamine release was positive in 18/35 allergics and 27/73 nonallergics, giving poor sensitivity (51.4%), specificity (63.0%), and positive predictive value (29.3%), but valuable negative predictive value (81.1%).

Conclusions: The usefulness of the in vitro histamine‐release test for the diagnosis of drug allergy appears to be insufficient.
A double‐blind, single‐dose, crossover comparison of cetirizine, ebastine, epinastine, fexofenadine, terfenadine, and loratadine versus placebo: suppression of histamine‐induced wheal and flare response for 24 h in healthy male subjects
Authors: Grant Ja , Danielson L , Rihoux J‐p , DeVos C
Published: March 2003

Background: New H1‐antagonists have become available, but there has been no comparison of their potency for inhibiting histamine in the skin.

Methods: Cetirizine 10 mg, ebastine 10 mg, epinastine 20 mg, fexofenadine 60 mg, terfenadine 60 mg, loratadine 10 mg, or placebo was given to 14 healthy male volunteers in a double‐blind, crossover randomized manner. Inhibition of the wheal and flare response to epicutaneous histamine phosphate (100 mg/ml) challenge was measured at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 24 h after doses.

Results: Epinastine inhibited the wheal and flare after 30 min. Cetirizine commenced acting at 1 h and was superior to other treatments. Ebastine was no better than placebo until 4 h, but was efficacious thereafter until 24 h. Terfenadine induced potent inhibition after 1 h and was superior to its metabolite fexofenadine. Loratadine was the least potent inhibitor. Inhibition of the flare response paralleled the patterns seen for wheals. The rank order for area under the curve (0–24 h) was cetirizine, epinastine, terfenadine, ebastine, fexofenadine, loratadine, and placebo.

Conclusions: The inhibition of histamine effects in the skin may be useful in predicting the clinical utility of newly introduced antihistamines in treating allergic disorders.
Sensitization to local dust‐mite fauna in Singapore
Authors: Chew F.T. , Lim S.H. , Goh D.Y.T. , Lee B.W.
Published: March 2003

Background: Recent studies showed the presence of a unique dust‐mite fauna in the indoor environment of Singapore. Immediate hypersensitivity to these dust mites, along with other known indoor allergens, may play a role in the pathogenesis of allergic respiratory diseases. This study evaluated the sensitization rates of the local atopic population to these allergens.

Methods: The skin prick test was performed on a total of 391 individuals (289 patients with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis and 102 healthy controls) using extracts of six species of local dust mites (Austroglycyphagus malaysiensis, Blomia tropicalis, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, D. farinae, Sturnophagoides brasiliensis, and Tyrophagus putrescentiae) and 10 other common indoor allergens. Total serum IgE and specific IgE to these dust mites were also quantified with the fluorescence allergosorbent test (FAST).

Results: The sensitization rates among patients with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis to dust mites and other inhalant allergens tested (via skin prick tests) were as follow: B. tropicalis (96.2%), D. pteronyssinus (93.4%), D. farinae (92.3%), A. malaysiensis (78.2%), S. brasiliensis (71.6%), T. putrescentiae (71.3%), canary feathers (69.9%), Periplaneta americana (cockroach) (59.5%), Blattella germanica (cockroach) (56.4%), mosquito (Aedes sp.) (46.4%), dog epithelia (mixed breed) (34.3%), kapok seed (31.8%), cat hair (29.1%), Aspergillus fumigatus (20.8%), Penicillium notatum (18.0%), and Candida (Monilia) albicans (9.3%). All patients were observed to react to at least three of the six dust‐mite extracts, with 254/289 (87.9%) reacting to at least five or to all six. Skin prick responses to the dust mites were found to correlate with the corresponding specific IgE levels quantified by FAST (P<0.001). In addition, specific IgE levels to D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae were highly correlated (Spearman's rank coefficient=0.76, P<0.001), as were those to B. tropicalis and A. malaysiensis (r=0.60, P<0.001).

Conclusions: Asthma and/or allergic rhinitis patients were highly sensitized to the local dust‐mite fauna. Thus, these dust mites should be considered important allergenic sources of this region.
Occupational asthma in a grain worker due to Lepidoglyphus destructor, assessed by bronchial provocation test and induced sputum
Authors: Alvarez Mj , Castillo R , Ortega N , Blanco C , Carrillo T , Rey A
Published: March 2003

Background: Occupational asthma (OA) can be a debilitating disease even when removal from the workplace is achieved. Today, the “gold standard” in the assessment of OA is the bronchial provocation test (BPT). Induced sputum is a noninvasive method of exploring airway inflammation which can provide additional information about such challenges and thus could be applied in OA diagnosis and monitoring.

Methods: We report the study carried out in a grain worker sensitized to Lepidoglyphus destructor (Ld), who suffered from mild asthma at the workplace. Skin prick test and specific serum IgE were measured. Ld‐BPT was performed, and the changes in eosinophil rates, and ECP and tryptase levels in induced sputum were studied 30 min and 18 h after Ld‐BPT. We also determined the changes in nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness (NSBH), given as PD20 values. To assess the specificity of the changes, we also carried out sputum induction and methacholine challenge after barley‐BPT.

Results: An isolated immediate response was obtained with Ld‐BPT, while barley‐BPT was negative. Induced sputum showed higher tryptase levels 30 min after Ld‐BPT, and higher eosinophil and epithelial cell percentages and ECP levels 18 h after Ld‐BPT. There was also a decrease in methacholine PD20 values after Ld‐BPT. Those changes were not observed after barley‐BPT.

Conclusions: The study of eosinophilic and mast‐cell markers in induced sputum provides additional knowledge about the inflammatory process occurring in the airways, suggesting that the study of induced sputum should be considered in the assessment of OA.
Eosinophil activation by eotaxin – eotaxin primes the production of reactive oxygen species from eosinophils
Authors: Honda K. , Chihara J.
Published: March 2003

Background: The CC chemokine eotaxin has been shown to possess selective chemotactic activity for eosinophils, the major effector cells in allergic inflammation. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) from eosinophils may damage cells or tissue, such as the mucosal epithelium. In this study, we examined the effect of eotaxin on ROS from eosinophils and compared its activity with RANTES and interleukin (IL)‐5. Moreover, we examined the signal transduction of eotaxin and the effect of dexamethasone on ROS from eosinophils.

Methods: Eosinophils were isolated by modified CD16‐negative selection. ROS in luminol‐dependent or lucigenin‐dependent chemiluminescence reaction were examined. Calcium ionophore A23187 was added to the mixture of eosinophils with luminol or lucigenin, and then ROS were determined.

Results: Eotaxin primed the production of ROS in a dose‐dependent manner. ROS from untreated eosinophils evoked with calcium ionophore A23187 in luminol‐dependent chemiluminescence gave a maximal value of 4957±1035 intensity counts (IC) (mean±SE, n=7) and an integral value of 15.75±3.14 IC (×10−4), while eosinophils that were treated with eotaxin gave maximal values of 11 142±2300 IC (10 nM) and 29 165±3718 IC (100 nM) and integral values of 41.07±5.44 IC (×10−4) (10 nM) and 152.90±22.38 IC (×10−4) (100 nM). Moreover, eotaxin was less effective as a priming agent with lucigenin‐sensitive pathways than luminol‐sensitive pathways. Among several kinds of eosinophils activating cytokines and chemokines, the priming effect of eotaxin on ROS was the most potent. Eotaxin‐primed ROS were inhibited by pertussis toxin, which ADP‐ribolysates G proteins; wortmannin, a phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase inhibitor; and genistein, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, suggesting the involvement of pertussis toxin‐sensitive G proteins, phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase, and tyrosine kinase in the signal transduction of eotaxin. Moreover, dexamethasone inhibited ROS from not only untreated eosinophils but also eosinophils treated with eotaxin.

Conclusions: Eotaxin may play an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation through eosinophil activation by priming of eosinophil oxidative metabolism, as well as by involvement in selective eosinophil chemotaxis.