bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dialectics and Implications of Natural Neurotropic Autoantibodies in Neurological Disease and Rehabilitation
Authors: Poletaev A. B. , Abrosimova A. A. , Sokolov M. A. , Gekht A. B. , Alferova V. V. , Gusev E. I. , Nikolaeva T. Ya. , Selmi C.
Published: October 2004

The role of natural idiotypic (Id‐Abs) and anti‐idiotypic (AId‐Abs) autoantibodies
against neuro‐antigens observed in different neurological disorders is not fully
understood. In particular, limited experimental evidence has been provided
concerning the qualitative and quantitative serological response after acute injuries
of the central nervous system or during chronic mental diseases. In this study, we
analyzed the specific Id‐Abs and AId‐Abs serological reactivities against 4
neuro‐antigens in a large population of patients with ischemic stroke, schizophrenia,
as well as healthy individuals. Patients with ischemic stroke were tested at different
time points following the acute stroke episode and a correlation was attempted
between autoantibodies response and different patterns of functional recovery.
Results showed variable and detectable Id‐Abs and AId‐Abs in different proportions
of all three populations of subjects. Among patients with different functional
recovery after ischemic stroke, a difference in time‐related trends of Id‐Abs and
AId‐Abs was encountered. Our observations suggest that changes in
the production of natural neurotropic Abs may engender a positive homeostatic,
beside a possible
pathogenic effect, in specific neurological disorders.
Spaces on which every pointwise convergent series of continuous functions converges pseudo-normally
Authors: Bukovský Lev , Ciesielski Krzysztof
Published: October 2004

A topological space

X
X

is a

Σ

Σ
∗

\Sigma \Sigma ^*

-space provided that, for every sequence

⟨

f
n

⟩

n
=
0

∞

\langle f_n\rangle _{n=0}^\infty

of continuous functions from

X
X

to

R

\mathbb {R}

, if the series

∑

n
=
0

∞

|

f
n

|

\sum _{n=0}^\infty |f_n|

converges pointwise, then it converges pseudo-normally. We show that every regular Lindelöf

Σ

Σ
∗

\Sigma \Sigma ^*

-space has the Rothberger property. We also construct, under the continuum hypothesis, a

Σ

Σ
∗

\Sigma \Sigma ^*

-subset of

R

\mathbb {R}

of cardinality continuum.
A note on principal parts on projective space and linear representations
Authors: Maakestad Helge
Published: October 2004

Let

H
H

be a closed subgroup of a linear algebraic group

G
G

defined over a field of characteristic zero. There is an equivalence of categories between the category of linear finite-dimensional representations of

H
H

, and the category of finite rank

G
G

-homogeneous vector bundles on

G

/

H

G/H

. In this paper we will study this correspondence for the sheaves of principal parts on projective space, and we describe the representation corresponding to the principal parts of a line bundle on projective space.
Isotrivially fibred isles in the moduli space of surfaces of general type
Authors: Möller Martin
Published: October 2004

We complement Catanese’s results on isotrivially fibred surfaces by completely describing the components containing an isotrivial surface with monodromy group

Z

/

2

Z

\mathbb {Z}/2 \mathbb {Z}

. We also give an example for deformation equivalent isotrivial surfaces with different monodromy group.
Isometries for Ky Fan norms between matrix spaces
Authors: Li Chi-Kwong , Poon Yiu-Tung , Sze Nung-Sing
Published: October 2004

We characterize linear maps between different rectangular matrix spaces preserving Ky Fan norms.
On lifting properties for confluent mappings
Authors: Charatonik Janusz , Prajs Janusz
Published: October 2004

Known results about lifting of paths for covering, light open and light confluent mappings are in some sense extended for all confluent mappings with the domain being a continuum having the arc property of Kelley. As an application we prove that each confluently tree-like continuum has the fixed point property.
Convergence of paths and approximation of fixed points of asymptotically nonexpansive mappings
Authors: Chidume C. , Li Jinlu , Udomene A.
Published: October 2004

Let

E
E

be a real Banach space with a uniformly Gâteaux differentiable norm possessing uniform normal structure,

K
K

be a nonempty closed convex and bounded subset of

E
E

,

T
:
K
⟶
K

T: K \longrightarrow K

be an asymptotically nonexpansive mapping with sequence

{

k
n

}
n

⊂
[
1
,
∞
)

\{k_n\}_n\subset [1, \infty )

. Let

u
∈
K

u\in K

be fixed,

{

t
n

}
n

⊂
(
0
,
1
)

\{t_n\}_n \subset (0, 1)

be such that

lim

n
→
∞

t
n

=
1

\lim \limits _{n\to \infty }t_n = 1

,

t
n

k
n

>
1

t_nk_n > 1

, and

lim

n
→
∞

k
n

−
1

k
n

−

t
n

=
0

\lim \limits _{n\to \infty }\frac {k_n - 1}{k_n-t_n} =0

. Define the sequence

{

z
n

}
n

\{z_n\}_n

iteratively by

z
0

∈
K

z_0\in K

,
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="z Subscript n plus 1 Baseline equals left-parenthesis 1 minus StartFraction t Subscript n Baseline Over k Subscript n Baseline EndFraction right-parenthesis u plus StartFraction t Subscript n Baseline Over k Subscript n Baseline EndFraction upper T Superscript n Baseline z Subscript n Baseline comma n equals 0 comma 1 comma 2 comma period period period Subscript period Baseline">

z

n
+
1

=
(
1
−

t
n

k
n

)
u
+

t
n

k
n

T
n

z
n

,

n
=
0
,
1
,
2
,
.
.

.
.

z_{n+1}= (1-\frac {t_n}{k_n})u + \frac {t_n}{k_n}T^nz_n, \>n= 0, 1, 2, ..._.

It is proved that, for each integer

n
≥
0

n \geq 0

, there is a unique

x
n

∈
K

x_n \in K

such that
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="x Subscript n Baseline equals left-parenthesis 1 minus StartFraction t Subscript n Baseline Over k Subscript n Baseline EndFraction right-parenthesis u plus StartFraction t Subscript n Baseline Over k Subscript n Baseline EndFraction upper T Superscript n Baseline x Subscript n Baseline period">

x
n

=
(
1
−

t
n

k
n

)
u
+

t
n

k
n

T
n

x
n

.

x_n= (1-\frac {t_n}{k_n})u + \frac {t_n}{k_n}T^nx_n.

If, in addition,

lim

n
→
∞

‖

x
n

−
T

x
n

‖
=
0

\lim \limits _{n\to \infty }\|x_n - Tx_n\| = 0

and

lim

n
→
∞

‖

z
n

−
T

z
n

‖
=
0

\lim \limits _{n\to \infty }\|z_n - Tz_n\| = 0

, then

{

z
n

}
n

\{z_n\}_n

converges strongly to a fixed point of

T
T

.
Rational irreducible plane continua without the fixed-point property
Authors: Hagopian Charles , Mańka Roman
Published: October 2004

We define rational irreducible continua in the plane that admit fixed-point-free maps with the condition that all of their tranches have the fixed-point property. This answers in the affirmative a question of Hagopian. The construction is based on a special class of spirals that limit on a double Warsaw circle. The closure of each of these spirals has the fixed-point property.
Jacobi polynomials from compatibility conditions
Authors: Chen Yang , Ismail Mourad
Published: October 2004

We revisit the ladder operators for orthogonal polynomials and re-interpret two supplementary conditions as compatibility conditions of two linear over-determined systems; one involves the variation of the polynomials with respect to the variable

z
z

(spectral parameter) and the other a recurrence relation in

n
n

(the lattice variable). For the Jacobi weight
\[
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="w left-parenthesis x right-parenthesis equals left-parenthesis 1 minus x right-parenthesis Superscript alpha Baseline left-parenthesis 1 plus x right-parenthesis Superscript beta Baseline comma x element-of left-bracket negative 1 comma 1 right-bracket comma">

w
(
x
)
=
(
1
−
x

)

α

(
1
+
x

)

β

,

x
∈
[
−
1
,
1
]
,

w(x)=(1-x)^{\alpha }(1+x)^{\beta },\qquad x\in [-1,1],

\]
we show how to use the compatibility conditions to explicitly determine the recurrence coefficients of the monic Jacobi polynomials.
A row removal theorem for the Ext¹ quiver of symmetric groups and Schur algebras
Authors: Hemmer David
Published: October 2004

In 1981, G. D. James proved two theorems about the decomposition matrices of Schur algebras involving the removal of the first row or column from a Young diagram. He established corresponding results for the symmetric group using the Schur functor. We apply James’ techniques to prove that row removal induces an injection on the corresponding

Ext
1

\operatorname {Ext}^1

between simple modules for the Schur algebra. We then give a new proof of James’ symmetric group result for partitions with the first part less than

p
p

. This proof lets us demonstrate that first-row removal induces an injection on Ext

1

^1

spaces between these simple modules for the symmetric group. We conjecture that our theorem holds for arbitrary partitions. This conjecture implies the Kleshchev-Martin conjecture that

Ext

Σ
r

1

(

D
λ

,

D
λ

)
=
0

\textrm {Ext}^1_{\Sigma _r}(D_\lambda ,D_\lambda )=0

for any simple module

D
λ

D_\lambda

in characteristic

p
≠
2

p \neq 2

. The proof makes use of an interesting fixed-point functor from

Σ
r

\Sigma _r

-modules to

Σ

r
−
m

\Sigma _{r-m}

-modules about which little seems to be known.
Hyperbolic unit groups
Authors: Juriaans S. , Passi I. , Prasad Dipendra
Published: October 2004

In this paper we study the groups

G

{\mathcal {G}}

whose integral group rings have hyperbolic unit groups

U

(

Z

G

)

{\mathcal {U}(\mathbb {Z} {\mathcal {G}}) }

. We classify completely the torsion subgroups of

U

(

Z

G

)

\mathcal {U}(\mathbb {Z} {\mathcal {G}})

and the polycyclic-by-finite subgroups of the group

G

{\mathcal {G}}

. Finally, we classify the groups for which the boundary of

U

(

Z

G

)

{\mathcal {U}(\mathbb {Z} {\mathcal {G}}) }

has dimension zero.
Hyperbolic rank of products
Authors: Foertsch Thomas , Schroeder Viktor
Published: October 2004

Generalizing a result of Brady and Farb (1998), we prove the existence of a bilipschitz embedded manifold of negative curvature bounded away from zero and dimension

m
1

+

m
2

−
1

m_1+m_2-1

in the product

X
:=

X
1

m
1

×

X
2

m
2

X:=X_1^{m_1}\times X_2^{m_2}

of two Hadamard manifolds

X
i

m
i

X_i^{m_i}

of dimension

m
i

m_i

with negative curvature bounded away from zero. Combining this result with a result of Buyalo and Schroeder (2002), we prove the additivity of the hyperbolic rank for products of manifolds with negative curvature bounded away from zero.
A version of Sharkovskii’s theorem for differential equations
Authors: Andres Jan , Pastor Karel
Published: October 2004

We present a version of the Sharkovskii cycle coexistence theorem for differential equations. Our earlier applicable version is extended here to hold with the exception of at most two orbits. This result, which (because of counter-examples) cannot be improved, is then applied to ordinary differential equations and inclusions. In particular, if a time-periodic differential equation has

n
n

-periodic solutions with

n
≠

2
m

n \not = 2^m

, for all

m
∈

N

m \in {\mathbb N}

, then infinitely many subharmonics coexist.
Asymptotic properties of groups acting on complexes
Authors: Bell Gregory
Published: October 2004

We examine asymptotic dimension and property A for groups acting on complexes. In particular, we prove that the fundamental group of a finite, developable complex of groups will have finite asymptotic dimension provided the geometric realization of the development has finite asymptotic dimension and the vertex groups are finitely generated and have finite asymptotic dimension. We also prove that property A is preserved by this construction provided the geometric realization of the development has finite asymptotic dimension and the vertex groups all have property A. These results naturally extend the corresponding results on preservation of these large-scale properties for fundamental groups of graphs of groups. We also use an example to show that the requirement that the development have finite asymptotic dimension cannot be relaxed.
Regularity of loop group factorization
Authors: Taylor Michael
Published: October 2004

In the factorization of a

Gl
⁡
(
n
,

C

)

\operatorname {Gl}(n,\mathbb {C})

-valued loop

φ
\varphi

into a unitary factor and a factor holomorphic in the disk, it is shown that the two factors each have as much regularity as

φ
\varphi

, measured in a variety of function spaces, though with exceptions. This is analogous to known results for Birkhoff factorization, but somewhat different techniques are involved.
Valuations and rank of ordered abelian groups
Authors: Kumar Manish
Published: October 2004

It is shown that there exists an ordered abelian group that has no smallest positive element and that has no sequence of nonzero elements converging to zero. Some formulae for the rank of ordered abelian groups have been derived and a necessary condition for an order type to be rank of an ordered abelian group has been discussed. These facts have been translated to the spectrum of a valuation ring using some well-known results in valuation theory.
Supercongruences for truncated _{𝑛+1}𝐹_{𝑛} hypergeometric series with applications to certain weight three newforms
Authors: Mortenson Eric
Published: October 2004

We prove general results on supercongruences between values of truncated

n
+
1

F

n

_{n+1}F_{n}

hypergeometric functions and their character analogs. As a consequence of the main results of this paper, we prove Beukers-type supercongruences for certain weight three newforms.
Infinite time blow-up for superlinear parabolic problems with localized reaction
Authors: Souplet Philippe
Published: October 2004

We consider the nonlocal diffusion equation
\[

u
t

−

u

x
x

=

u
p

(
t
,

x
0

(
t
)
)
,

u_t-u_{xx}=u^p(t,x_0(t)),

\]
on the space interval

(
0
,
1
)

(0,1)

, with Dirichlet boundary conditions. It is known that if the curve

x
0

(
t
)

x_0(t)

remains in a compact subset of

(
0
,
1
)

(0,1)

for all times, then blow-up cannot occur in infinite time. The aim of this paper is to show that the assumption on

x
0

x_0

is sharp: for a large class of functions

x
0

(
t
)

x_0(t)

approaching the boundary as

t
→
∞

t\to \infty

, blow-up in infinite time does occur for certain initial data. Moreover, the asymptotic behavior of the corresponding solution is precisely estimated and more general nonlinearities are also considered.
Stable rank of corner rings
Authors: Ara P. , Goodearl K.
Published: October 2004

B. Blackadar recently proved that any full corner

p
A
p

pAp

in a unital C*-algebra

A
A

has K-theoretic stable rank greater than or equal to the stable rank of

A
A

. (Here

p
p

is a projection in

A
A

, and fullness means that

A
p
A
=
A

ApA=A

.) This result is extended to arbitrary (unital) rings

A
A

in the present paper: If

p
p

is a full idempotent in

A
A

, then

sr
⁡
(
p
A
p
)
≥
sr
⁡
(
A
)

\operatorname {sr} (pAp)\ge \operatorname {sr}(A)

. The proofs rely partly on algebraic analogs of Blackadar’s methods and partly on a new technique for reducing problems of higher stable rank to a concept of stable rank one for skew (rectangular) corners

p
A
q

pAq

. The main result yields estimates relating stable ranks of Morita equivalent rings. In particular, if

B
≅

End

A

⁡
(
P
)

B\cong \operatorname {End}_{A}(P)

where

P

A

P_{A}

is a finitely generated projective generator, and

P
P

can be generated by

n
n

elements, then

sr
⁡
(
A
)
≤
n

⋅

sr
⁡
(
B
)
−
n
+
1

\operatorname {sr}(A)\le n{\cdot }\operatorname {sr}(B)-n+1

.
Production of Yersinia stable toxin (YST) and distribution of yst genes in biotype 1A strains of Yersinia enterocolitica
Authors: Singh Itender , Virdi Jugsharan S
Published: October 2004

Two hundred and fifty nine isolates of Yersinia enterocolitica and related species were examined for the production of heat-stable enterotoxin (Yersinia stable toxin; YST) as well as for the prevalence of enterotoxin genes, viz. ystA, ystB and ystC. Under the conventional conditions used for the production of Y. enterocolitica enterotoxin, i.e. in tryptic soy broth (TSB) supplemented with yeast extract at 28 °C for 48 h, 77.7 % of clinical isolates and 62.3 % of swine isolates showed enterotoxigenicity in infant mice. All isolates that produced enterotoxin at 28 °C also showed enterotoxic activity at 37 °C after 48 h incubation under an alkaline pH of 7.5, the pH present in the ileum. All Yersinia intermedia and Yersinia frederiksenii isolates were negative for enterotoxin production. All clinical isolates and 96.3 % of Y. enterocolitica isolates from swine hybridized with a probe for ystB, which indicated that the ystB gene was most prevalent in Y. enterocolitica biotype 1A strains. None of the Y. enterocolitica isolates showed hybridization with oligonucleotide probes for ystA or ystC. The study indicated that YST-b was the major contributor to diarrhoea produced by biotype 1A strains of Y. enterocolitica.
Enhanced active efflux, repression of porin synthesis and development of Mar phenotype by diazepam in two enterobacteria strains
Authors: Tavío María M , Vila Jordi , Perilli Mariagrazia , Casañas Lucía T , Maciá Laura , Amicosante Gianfranco , Jiménez de Anta María T
Published: October 2004

The aim of this work was to determine whether diazepam could induce the multiple antibiotic resistance (Mar) phenotype in Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli strains. The Mar phenotype is characterized by decreased susceptibility to multiple antibiotics due to the loss of porins and/or increased expression of active efflux systems. The effect of subinhibitory concentrations of diazepam on the susceptibility of different antimicrobial agents, outer-membrane protein expression and norfloxacin intracellular accumulation was studied. The results revealed that diazepam concentrations equal or twice adult dosage induced the same Mar phenotype as two well known E. coli marRAB inducers, sodium salicylate and sodium benzoate. Susceptibility to norfloxacin in a K. pneumoniae clinical isolate and E. coli strain Ag100 decreased due to enhanced active efflux and loss of porin expression. A decreased susceptibility to chloramphenicol, tetracycline, nalidixic acid and β-lactam antibiotics was also observed. In conclusion, like sodium salicylate or sodium benzoate, diazepam may induce the Mar phenotype.
Distribution of espI among clinical enterohaemorrhagic and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli isolates
Authors: Mundy Rosanna , Jenkins Claire , Yu Jun , Smith Henry , Frankel Gad
Published: October 2004

Enterohaemorrhagic (EHEC) and enteropathogenic (EPEC) Escherichia coli are important diarrhoeagenic pathogens; infection is dependent on translocation of a number of type III effector proteins. Until recently all the known effectors were encoded on the LEE pathogenicity island, which also encodes the adhesin intimin and the type III secretion apparatus. Recently, a novel non-LEE effector protein, EspI/NleA, which is required for full virulence in vivo and is encoded on a prophage, was identified. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of espI among clinical EHEC and EPEC isolates. espI was detected in 86 % and 53 % of LEE+ EHEC and EPEC strains, respectively. Moreover, the espI gene was more commonly found in patients suffering from a more severe disease.
Assessing clonality of Vibrio cholerae Inaba isolates by characterization of nonsense mutations in wbeT
Authors: Rijpkema Sjoerd G , Durrani Zarmina , Ramamurthy T , Balakrish Nair G
Published: October 2004

The transferase gene wbeT of six clinical isolates of Vibrio cholerae O1 biotype El Tor was analysed. Two unique mutations were identified in the wbeT gene of three Inaba isolates. Due to their random nature, mutations in wbeT can be used to determine the clonal origin of clinical Inaba isolates.
Streptococcus sinensis may react with Lancefield group F antiserum
Authors: Woo Patrick CY , Teng Jade LL , Leung Kit-wah , Lau Susanna KP , Tse Herman , Wong Beatrice HL , Yuen Kwok-yung
Published: October 2004

Lancefield group F streptococci have been found almost exclusively as members of the ‘Streptococcus milleri’ group, although they have been reported very occasionally in some other streptococcal species. Among 302 patients with bacteraemia caused by viridans streptococci over a 6-year period, three cases were caused byStreptococcus sinensis(type strain HKU4T, HKU5 and HKU6). All three patients had infective endocarditis complicating their underlying chronic rheumatic heart diseases. Gene sequencing showed no base differences between the 16S rRNA gene sequences of HKU5 and HKU6 and that of HKU4T. All three strains were Gram-positive, non-spore-forming cocci arranged in chains. All grew on sheep blood agar as α-haemolytic, grey colonies of 0.5–1 mm in diameter after 24 h incubation at 37 °C in ambient air. Lancefield grouping revealed that HKU5 and HKU6 were Lancefield group F, but HKU4Twas non-groupable with Lancefield groups A, B, C, D, F or G antisera. HKU4Twas identified by the Vitek system (GPI), API system (20 STREP) and ATB system (ID32 STREP) as 99 %Streptococcus intermedius, 51.3 %S. intermediusand 99.9 %Streptococcus anginosus, respectively. Using the same tests, HKU5 was identified as 87 %Streptococcus sanguinis/Streptococcus gordonii, 59 %Streptococcus salivariusand 99.6 %S. anginosus, respectively, and HKU6 as 87 %S. sanguinis/S.gordonii, 77 %Streptococcus pneumoniaeand 98.3 %S. anginosus, respectively. The present data revealed that a proportion of Lancefield group F streptococci could beS. sinensis. Lancefield group F streptococci should not be automatically reported as ‘S. milleri'.
Printing the Regicide of Charles I
Authors: TUBB MOS
Published: October 2004

The execution of Charles I by the English republic on 30 January 1649 was the most unpopular political act of the seventeenth century. Yet within three weeks of Charles's death the leaders of the new government were ‘cheerful and well pleased’. This article explores one of the key reasons for their good mood: they had just managed a polemical triumph. In the weeks following the regicide, parliament and its supporters had justified the king's execution with a wide array of printed documents. Further, various government agents severely hampered the republic's opponents from printing their own missives, thereby creating a fairly clear space for the pro‐regicide press. Although the long‐term impact may have been limited, there can be little doubt that the English republic and its proponents asserted a potent case for regicide in early February 1649.
Issues in Money Demand: The Case of Europe
Authors: Artis Mike , Beyer Andreas
Published: October 2004

This article establishes a co‐integration analysis for the euro area (sample period: 1983–2000), identifying three co‐integrating vectors: one which can be labelled money demand (in which real M3 money balances are related to output, with unit elasticity, and the long rate of interest); another pertaining to the spread between the short and long rate of interest; and a third which is an output (IS) relationship in which output is related to the real rate of interest. Currency substitution terms affect the adjustment of real money balances though they do not enter the co‐integration space. We use the aggregation procedure for historical Euroland data advocated by Beyer, Doornik and Hendry for application to aggregation of money, GDP and prices when exchange rates were varying. We make use of the German short‐ and long‐term interest rates as benchmarks for own rate and opportunity cost variables.
The Transparency and Credibility of the European Central Bank
Authors: De Haan Jakob , Amtenbrink Fabian , Waller Sandra
Published: October 2004

The European Central Bank (ECB) ranks highly on our proposed central bank disclosure indicator, measuring activities of central banks to enhance the public's understanding of their policies. Nevertheless, our survey evidence suggests that private‐sector economists do not consider the ECB transparent. We argue that this may be caused by the quality of the information provided by the ECB. In addition, the way intermediaries report on the ECB may influence the public's perceptions. The ECB also does not rank highly in terms of credibility; still, most ECB policy decisions were in line with financial markets' expectations.
Faculty Disputes
Authors: Collins John
Published: October 2004

Abstract: Jerry Fodor, among others, has maintained that Chomsky'slanguage facultyhypothesis is anepistemologicalproposal, i.e. the faculty comprises propositional structures known (cognized) by the speaker/hearer. Fodor contrasts this notion of a faculty with an architectural (directly causally efficacious) notion of amodule. The paper offers an independent characterisation of the language faculty as an abstractly specified non‐propositional structure of the mind/brain that mediates between sound and meaning—a function in intension that maps to a pair of structures that determine sound‐meaning convergence. This conception will be elaborated and defended against a number of likely complaints deriving from Fodor's faculty/module distinction and other positions which seek to creditknowledge of languagewith an empirical or theoretical significance. A recent explicit argument from Fodor that Chomsky must share his conception will be diagnosed and the common appeal toimplicit knowledgeas a foundation for linguistic competence will be rejected.
Nationalism versus constitutionalism in Fiji*
Authors: Lawson Stephanie
Published: October 2004

Abstract. Since Fiji became an independent state in 1970 it has experienced three coups against elected governments. On each occasion, intervention has been justified on the grounds that the rights and interests of indigenous Fijians have been under threat from a government controlled by Indo‐Fijians, the country's second largest ethnic group. This is despite the fact that the constitutions under which these governments were elected contained extensive provisions for the protection of indigenous rights and interests precisely to meet such concerns. Since the coup of May 2000, the 1997 constitution has been resurrected through the legal process and fresh elections held. Although this represented a formal victory for the forces of constitutionalism, the election itself resulted in the return to office of the post‐coup interim administration that had been appointed by the military and which had pledged to uphold the primacy of Fijian interests against other claims. The story of nationalism versus constitutionalism in Fiji is one in which all the efforts of institutional designers seem to have been consistently trumped by the successful manipulation of ethnic identity, especially (although not exclusively) by Fijian nationalists. But it also suggests that there is more to the problems of stability in Fiji than the fact of ethnic difference. In addition, the article critically assesses arguments which favour the development of a new form of constitutionalism which dispenses with the liberal ‘rule of uniformity’ in favour of principles and practices that give explicit recognition to cultural difference.
Musical constructions of nationalism: a comparative study of Bartók and Stravinsky
Authors: Brincker Benedikte , Brincker Jens
Published: October 2004

Abstract.This article argues that music, and in particular the history of music, can make a considerable contribution to the study of nations and nationalism and illustrates it by analysing Béla Bartók and Igor Stravinsky, relating these analyses to significant debates within theories of nations and nationalism. Within studies of nations and nationalism the article concentrates on the different interpretations of the term ‘construction’ expressed in the works of Eric Hobsbawm and Anthony D. Smith.
Steady‐state pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and tolerability of donepezil hydrochloride in hepatically impaired patients
Authors: Reyes Josephine F. , Vargas Ramon , Kumar Dinesh , Cullen Edward I. , Perdomo Carlos A. , Pratt Raymond D.
Published: October 2004

Aims

To evaluate the pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), tolerability and safety of donepezil HCl 5 mg following oral doses for 1 and 24 days in hepatically impaired patients compared with healthy controls under steady‐state, multiple‐dose conditions.

Methods

In this single‐centre, multiple‐dose, open‐label study, patients with impaired hepatic function (Child–Pugh grade A or B) and healthy controls (matched by gender, age and weight to the hepatically impaired patients) received a single 5 mg dose of donepezil on day 1 and then donepezil HCl 5 mg once daily from days 6 to 29. PK and PD (determination of erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase inhibition) parameters were evaluated on days 1 and 29. Treatment‐emergent adverse events (AEs), vital signs, physical examination and clinical laboratory test parameters were monitored throughout the study.

Results

A total of 35 subjects (18 patients with hepatic impairment and 17 healthy controls) were enrolled and 32 subjects (16 in each group) completed the study. On day 1 (following a single dose) hepatically impaired patients showed a significant decrease in Tmax, while t½ and AUC0–∞ were significantly increased compared with the healthy controls. On day 29 (following multiple doses), AUC0−24 h, Cmax, t½, CSS, and RA were significantly increased in hepatically impaired patients compared with healthy controls. AUC0−24 h increased by 47.6% in the patients with hepatic impairment compared with the healthy controls. There were no significant differences in PD between the groups, although at steady state, the mean AChE inhibition was 16.2% higher in the hepatically impaired patients. No serious AEs were reported and no subject withdrew from the study due to AEs. The most common AEs in both groups were headache and diarrhoea. No clinically significant changes from baseline were observed in vital signs, physical examination findings or electrocardiograms. There was a significant difference in the number of hepatically impaired subjects with abnormalities in serum glucose compared with healthy subjects. However, these elevations were not associated with AEs.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that patients with AD and mild to moderate hepatic impairment (Child–Pugh grade A or B) can be safely given donepezil 5 mg once daily and that this dose is associated with a nonsignificantly higher AChE inhibition than age‐matched volunteers.
Are alterations of lymphocyte subpopulations in polymicrobial sepsis and DHEA treatment mediated by the tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-αreceptor (TNF-RI)? A study in TNF-RI (TNF-RI–/–) knock-out rodents
Authors: HILDEBRAND F , PAPE H-C , HARWOOD P , WITTWER T , KRETTEK C , VAN GRIENSVEN M
Published: October 2004

Sepsis is associated with depression of T cell-dependent immune reactivity with proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, playing an important role. Recent investigations describe an association between these immunological alterations and disturbances of the endocrine system, related most frequently to sex steroid hormones. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), one of the most abundant adrenal sex steroid precursors, seems to have a protective immunological effect towards septic insults. In this study, both the role of TNF-receptor I (RI) and possible interactions in the protective role of DHEA were investigated in a murine model of polymicrobial sepsis. Polymicrobial sepsis was induced by caecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in a murine model. The effects of DHEA on survival, clinical parameters and cellular immunity (T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells) were investigated. CLP was performed in genetically modified TNF-RI knock-out (TNF-RI–/–) and genetically unmodified (wild-type, WT) mice. DHEA application was associated with a decrease in the mortality rate in WT animals. A mortality rate of 91·7% was observed in TNF-RI–/– mice after CLP. This mortality rate was reduced to 37·5% by the application of DHEA. In sham-operated TNF-RI–/– animals, a significantly higher proportion of NK cells within the lymphocyte population was measured compared with the corresponding WT group. After CLP, a significant increase in the percentage cell count of NK cells was recorded in WT mice. Overall, following DHEA application in WT mice, an alteration in the cellular immune response was characterized by a reduction in the percentage counts of CD4+, CD8+ and NK cells. In the group of TNF-RI–/– mice treated with DHEA, no increase in the percentage cell count of NK cells was observed after CLP. No data for cell analysis were available from the CLP-TNF-RI–/– mice treated with saline, due to the high mortality rate in these animals. DHEA reduces the complications of sepsis in a TNF-RI-independent manner. Our study suggests that NK cells are involved in the protective mechanism of DHEA in WT mice. It would therefore seem that DHEA represents a feasible alternative therapy for the dysregulated immune system in sepsis.
Neutrophil responses to CRP are not dependent on polymorphism of human FcγRIIA (R131H)
Authors: RODRÍGUEZ J A , BODMAN-SMITH K B , RAYNES J G
Published: October 2004

IgG2a mediated in vitro phagocytosis is less effective for individuals homozygous for Fcγ RIIaR131 allele and such individuals are also more susceptible to certain infections. It has been reported that CRP binds to Fcγ RIIaR131 but not Fcγ RIIaH131 and since Fcγ RIIa is also a major Fc receptor on neutrophils it would be expected that normal healthy donors who did not have at least one copy of Fcγ RIIaR131 would not respond to CRP. We examined responses reported to be dependent on FcγRIIa but no difference between groups was observed in CRP mediated phagocytosis of S. pneumoniae, reactive oxygen production, or IL-8 synthesis. This suggests that either neutrophil receptors other than Fcγ RIIa are responsible for CRP mediated responses or differences in CRP binding to the forms of Fcγ RIIa are comparatively minor.
Interleukin (IL)-10, IL-1ra and IL-12 profiles in active and quiescent systemic lupus erythematosus: could longitudinal studies reveal patient subgroups of differing pathology?
Authors: CAPPER E R , MASKILL J K , GORDON C , BLAKEMORE A I F
Published: October 2004

Several cytokines have been implicated individually in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and some, including interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12 and IL-1ra are raised during flares of disease activity. Few studies have been directed at examining the interactions between these cytokines and how their combined profile relates to disease activity. We have examined serum levels of IL-10, IL-12 and IL-1ra in a cohort of SLE patients obtained from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham in cross-sectional and, in a smaller group, longitudinal analyses. In the cross-sectional study, there were significant correlations between levels of the three cytokines. There were also significant correlations between levels of each cytokine and measures of disease activity. IL-10 levels correlated with ESR, anti-dsDNA antibody titres and C3D, IL-12 levels with anti-dsDNA antibody titres and IL-1ra levels with ESR, anti-dsDNA antibody titres and C3D. IL-1ra levels also correlated with CRP. Circulating IL-10 and IL-1ra levels were higher in patients with SLE than in normal controls, although in this study group they did not reach significance. Circulating IL-12 levels were, however, significantly higher in SLE compared to controls. This was true both in patients with active disease and those sampled during a quiescent phase. These data add to the evidence that cytokines such as IL-10, IL-12 and IL-1ra are important in SLE pathogenesis. In a retrospective study of serial serum samples from seven patients, we found two patients whose cytokine profile was very different from the rest of the group. In most patients normalized  IL-10,  IL-12  and  IL-1ra  levels  mirrored  BILAG  scores  closely,  but  in  these  two  patients,  IL-10, IL-12 and IL-1ra levels did not fluctuate with disease activity. It is possible that there is a subgroup of SLE patients whose cytokine profile could be an important indicator of their pathology. In order to confirm this and determine the frequency of such patients this study needs to be repeated with a much larger  subject  group.  The  coexistence  of  patient  groups  with  different  patterns  of  cytokine  activity might explain conflicting reports of associations of levels of particular cytokines with SLE. As the observed differences could reflect different aetiologies of SLE, this information could reveal valuable endophenotypes for genetic and functional studies of SLE and might, ultimately, inform therapeutic management.
Mannan-binding lectin modulates the response to HSV-2 infection
Authors: GADJEVA M , PALUDAN S R , THIEL S , SLAVOV V , RUSEVA M , ERIKSSON K , LÖWHAGEN G-B , SHI L , TAKAHASHI K , EZEKOWITZ A , JENSENIUS J C
Published: October 2004

Viruses have developed numerous strategies to escape recognition by the immune system. However, some viruses such as herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) are recognized by initiators of the complement system, e.g. mannan-binding lectin (MBL). To study the effects of MBL deficiency during viral infection we have chosen a model of generalized HSV-2 infection. We infected MBL-A and MBL-C double knock-out mice (DKO) with HSV-2 via the intraperitoneal (i.p.) route. DKO mice cleared HSV-2 from the liver less efficiently than the comparable wild-type animals. The impairment to effectively neutralize HSV-2 correlated with compromised liver function as measured by increased plasma levels of alanine-amino transferase. No differences in the viral burden were found in other organs such as spleen or brain. Thus, MBL-mediated protection was limited to the effects of preservation of liver homeostasis. Reconstitution with recombinant human MBL before and during the HSV-2 infection dramatically lowered the viral titres in the liver. Taken together, the data show that MBL modulates the response to HSV-2 in mice by affecting neutralization of the virus. To analyse if MBL plays a role in establishment and progression of human HSV-2 infection we analysed MBL levels in the serum samples from asymptomatic (virus-exposed people who have never displayed symptoms of HSV-2 infection) and symptomatic HSV-2 patients (people with recurrent HSV-2 infections). We found that the frequency of the MBL deficiency (<100 ng/ml) was higher in the symptomatic group and significantly different from that in the asymptomatic group (P = 0·0369). This suggests that lack of MBL-mediated complement activation increases susceptibility to viral infection.
Expression of Werner and Bloom syndrome genes is differentially regulated by in vitro HIV-1 infection of peripheral blood mononuclear cells
Authors: BORDI L , AMENDOLA A , CICCOSANTI F , ABBATE I , CAMILLONI G , CAPOBIANCHI M R
Published: October 2004

In HIV infection, continuous immune activation leads to accelerated ageing of the adaptive immune system, similar to that observed in elderly people. We investigated the expression of WRN and BLM (genes involved in disorders characterized by premature ageing, genomic instability and cancer predisposition) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) activated in vitro with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and infected with different HIV-1 strains. The steady state levels of mRNA were analysed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and protein expression was assayed using immunocytochemistry and Western blot techniques. In uninfected PBMC, PHA stimulation induced an increase in BLM mRNA and protein expression, while WRN expression remained virtually unchanged. When PBMC were infected in vitro with a lymphotropic HIV-1 strain, the level of BLM mRNA showed a peak at 24 h of infection, followed by a decline to uninfected culture levels. A similar result failed to be seen using an R5-tropic HIV-1 strain. In accordance with mRNA expression, in HIV-infected cultures PBMC were stained more frequently and more intensely by a BLM-specific antibody as compared to uninfected cultures, staining peaking at 24. Conversely, WRN expression was not modulated by HIV-1. The proportion of cells showing BLM up-regulation, established by immunocytochemical staining, was much greater than the proportion of productively infected PBMC, as established by proviral DNA measurement. This result indicates that BLM up-regulation is probably a result of an indirect bystander cell effect. Activation of the BLM gene in infected PBMC suggests that premature ageing could be a further immunopathogenetic mechanism involved in HIV-induced immunodeficiency, and points to a possible new candidate target for innovative therapeutic intervention.
Variable NKG2 expression in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of rhesus monkeys
Authors: LABONTE M L , LETVIN N L
Published: October 2004

To provide a basis for beginning to explore the CD94/NKG2 family of molecules in rhesus monkeys, we sought to characterize the expression of these inhibitory and activating cell signalling molecules in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy rhesus monkeys. We developed and employed a semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay to evaluate mRNA expression levels of nine NKG2 molecules in PBMCs from the monkeys. In addition to quantitating NKG2A, NKG2B, NKG2C2, NKG2C and NKG2D expression, mRNA expression of transmembrane-deleted forms of these molecules was also evaluated. Significant variability in NKG2 mRNA expression in the PBMCs was detected, with 15 unique NKG2 expression level profiles detected in a study of 15 monkeys. We also found that the ratio of the expressed levels of mRNA of the four NKG2 splice variants, NKG2A, NKG2B, NKG2AΔtm, and NKG2BΔtm, was variable between the monkeys as well as in an individual monkey over a period of 1·5 years. These findings indicate the dynamic nature of NKG2 mRNA expression in the rhesus monkey.
Association of increased platelet-associated immunoglobulins with thrombocytopenia and the severity of disease in secondary dengue virus infections
Authors: SAITO M , OISHI K , INOUE S , DIMAANO E M , ALERA M T P , ROBLES A M P , ESTRELLA B D , KUMATORI A , MOJI K , ALONZO M T , BUERANO C C , MATIAS R R , MORITA K , NATIVIDAD F F , NAGATAKE T
Published: October 2004

Severe thrombocytopenia and increased vascular permeability are two major characteristics of dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF). To develop a better understanding of the roles of platelet-associated IgG (PAIgG) and IgM (PAIgM) in inducing thrombocytopenia and its severity of disease in patients with secondary dengue virus infection, the relationship between the PAIgG or PAIgM levels and disease severity as well as thrombocytopenia was examined in 78 patients with acute phase secondary infection in a prospective hospital-based study. The decrease in platelet count during the acute phase recovered significantly during the convalescent phase. In contrast, the increased levels of PAIgG or PAIgM that occurred during the acute phase of these patients decreased significantly during the convalescent phase. An inverse correlation between platelet count and PAIgG or PAIgM levels was found in these patients. Anti-dengue virus IgG and IgM activity was found in platelet eluates from 10 patients in an acute phase of secondary infection. Increased levels of PAIgG or PAIgM were significantly higher in DHF than those in dengue fever (DF). An increased level of PAIgM was associated independently with the development of DHF, representing a possible predictor of DHF with a high specificity. Our present data suggest that platelet-associated immunoglobulins involving antidengue virus activity play a pivotal role in the induction of thrombocytopenia and the severity of the disease in secondary dengue virus infections.
Heterogeneous expression of apolipoprotein‐E by human macrophages
Authors: Tedla Nicodemus , Glaros Elias N. , Brunk Ulf T. , Jessup Wendy , Garner Brett
Published: October 2004

Apolipoprotein‐E (apoE) is expressed at high levels by macrophages. In addition to its role in lipid transport, macrophage‐derived apoE plays an important role in immunoregulation. Previous studies have identified macrophage subpopulations that differ substantially in their ability to synthesize specific cytokines and enzymes, however, potential heterogeneous macrophage apoE expression has not been studied. Here we examined apoE expression in human THP‐1 macrophages and monocyte‐derived macrophages (MDM). Using immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry methods we reveal a striking heterogeneity in macrophage apoE expression in both cell types. In phorbol‐ester‐differentiated THP‐1 macrophages, 5% of the cells over‐expressed apoE at levels more than 50‐fold higher than the rest of the population. ApoE over‐expressing THP‐1 macrophages contained condensed/fragmented nuclei and increased levels of activated caspase‐3 indicating induction of apoptosis. In MDM, 3–5% of the cells also highly over‐expressed apoE, up to 50‐fold higher than the rest of the population; however, this was not associated with obvious nuclear alterations. The apoE over‐expressing MDM were larger, more granular, and more autofluorescent than the majority of cells and they contained numerous vesicle‐like structures that appeared to be coated by apoE. Flow cytometry experiments indicated that the apoE over‐expressing subpopulation of MDM were positive for CD14, CD11b/Mac‐1 and CD68. These observations suggest that specific macrophage subpopulations may be important for apoE‐mediated immunoregulation and clearly indicate that subpopulation heterogeneity should be taken into account when investigating macrophage apoE expression.
Characterization of the B‐cell inhibitory protein factor in Ixodes ricinus tick saliva: a potential role in enhanced Borrelia burgdoferi transmission
Authors: Hannier Sigrid , Liversidge Janet , Sternberg Jeremy M. , Bowman Alan S.
Published: October 2004

We recently described the inhibition of host B lymphocytes by Ixodes ricinus tick saliva. In this study, we characterized the factor responsible for this activity and examined the modulation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐ and Borrelia burgdorferi outer surface protein (Osp)‐induced proliferation of naive murine B lymphocytes by an enriched fraction of this factor. The B‐lymphocyte inhibitory activity was destroyed by trypsin treatment, indicating that a proteinaceous factor was responsible for this activity. The removal of glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) from tick salivary glands extracts (SGE) showed that this B‐cell inhibitory protein (BIP) was not a GST. Gel filtration liquid chromatography indicated that BIP has a native molecular weight of ≈ 18 000. An enrichment protocol, using a combination of anion‐exchange and reverse‐phase liquid chromatography, was established. BIP‐enriched fractions did not suppress T‐cell proliferation. Delayed addition of BIP‐enriched fractions, up to 7 hr after LPS addition, inhibited the proliferation of isolated B cells. BIP‐enriched fractions dramatically inhibited both OspA‐ and OspC‐induced proliferation of isolated B cells. These results strongly suggest that BIP may facilitate B. burgdorferi transmission by preventing B‐cell activation, and also highlights the potential of BIP as a therapeutic agent in B‐cell maladies.