bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sirolimus as primary immunosuppression in liver transplantation is not associated with hepatic artery or wound complications
Authors: Dunkelberg Jeffrey C. , Trotter James F. , Wachs Michael , Bak Thomas , Kugelmas Marcello , Steinberg Tracy , Everson Gregory T. , Kam Igal
Published: May 2003

Sirolimus is a new immunosuppressive agent increasingly being used in liver transplant recipients. There is concern that sirolimus may be associated with wound complications and hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT). We have used sirolimus as primary immunosuppression in 170 liver transplant recipients and therefore reviewed our experience with wound complications and HAT in our cohort of patients. Records of all 170 patients administered sirolimus as primary immunosuppression and 180 historic controls were reviewed. Numbers of wound and hepatic artery complications were recorded, as well as the prevalence of obesity, reoperation, diabetes, and OKT3 use, all of which are risk factors for wound complications. The prevalence of wound complications was 12.4% in sirolimus-treated patients compared with 13.9% in historic controls (P = not significant [NS]). The prevalence of hepatic artery complications was 5.3% in sirolimus-treated patients compared with 8.3% in historic controls (P = NS). The prevalence of obesity and OKT3 administration was significantly lower in sirolimus-treated patients. Multivariate analysis failed to show an association between sirolimus therapy and hepatic artery or wound complications. The prevalence of wound and hepatic artery complications is not different in liver transplant recipients administered sirolimus as part of a primary immunosuppressive regimen compared with historic controls.
Effect of chronic administration of tacrolimus and cyclosporine on human gastrointestinal permeability
Authors: Parrilli Gianpaolo , Abazia Cristiana , Sarnelli Giovanni , Corsaro Maria Michela , Coccoli Pietro , Viglione Lucia , Cuomo Rosario , Budillon Gabriele
Published: May 2003

The antirejection drug tacrolimus (FK506) has been reported to impair intestinal permeability in an early stage after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), and cyclosporine (CsA) has shown a similar effect in animals. We studied the chronic effect of FK506 and CsA on gastroduodenal and intestinal permeability and on blood endotoxin levels in patients 2 to 3 years after OLT. Thirty-two OLT patients (22 men and 10 women; mean age, 44.8 ± 7.1) who had received CsA (n = 19) or FK506 (n = 13) and 10 healthy volunteers (6 male and 4 female, mean age 41.7 ± 5.4) were assessed for gastroduodenal permeability by recovery in urine of sucrose after oral administration and for intestinal permeability by recovery in urine after oral loads of rhamnose and lactulose, which evaluate the intracellular and paracellular routes, respectively. In all subjects, plasma levels of endotoxins also were assessed. Gastroduodenal permeability was similar in patients and controls (0.03 ± 0.003 versus 0.04 ± 0.01%, P = NS). In regard to intestinal permeability, passage through the intracellular route was significantly reduced in OLT patients compared with controls (1.13 ± 0.06 versus 2.74 ± 0.17%, P < .01), but paracellular permeability was unchanged (0.14 ± 0.007 versus 0.13 ± 0.01%, P = NS). Serum endotoxin levels were similar in all subjects. We conclude that chronic administration of FK506 or CsA induces a clinically irrelevant, selective dysfunction of monosaccharide absorption, but does not affect gastroduodenal or intestinal permeability.
A model to predict survival at one month, one year, and five years after liver transplantation based on pretransplant clinical characteristics
Authors: Thuluvath Paul J. , Yoo Hwan Y. , Thompson Richard E.
Published: May 2003

Reliable models that could predict outcome of liver transplantation (LT) may guide physicians to advise their patients of immediate and late survival chances and may help them to optimize organ use. The objective of this study was to develop user-friendly models to predict short and long-term mortality after LT in adults based on pre-LT recipient characteristics. The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) transplant registry (n = 38,876) from 1987 to 2001 was used to develop and validate the model. Two thirds of patients were randomized to develop the model (the modeling group), and the remaining third was randomized to cross-validate (the cross-validation group) it. Three separate models, using multivariate logistic regression analysis, were created and validated to predict survival at 1 month, 1 year, and 5 years. Using the total severity scores of patients in the modeling group, a predictive model then was created, and the predicted probability of death as a function of total score then was compared in the cross-validation group. The independent variables that were found to be very significant for 1 month and 1 year survival were age, body mass index (BMI), UNOS status 1, etiology, serum bilirubin (for 1 month and 1 year only), creatinine, and race (only for 5 years). The actual deaths in the cross-validation group followed very closely the predicted survival graph. The chi-squared goodness-of-fit test confirmed that the model could predict mortality reliably at 1 month, 1 year, and 5 years. We have developed and validated user-friendly models that could reliably predict short-term and long-term survival after LT.
Impact of donor infections on outcome of orthotopic liver transplantation
Authors: Angelis Michael , Cooper Jeffrey T. , Freeman Richard B.
Published: May 2003

Infection occurs when microbial agents enter the host, either through airborne transmission or by direct contact of a substance carrying the infectious agent with the host. Human body fluids, solid organs, or other tissues often are ideal vectors to support microbial agents and can transmit infections efficiently from donor to recipient. In the case of blood transfusion and tissue transplantation, the main consequence of such a transmission is infection of the recipient. However, in the case of solid-organ transplantation, and particularly for liver transplantation, donor infections are not only transmitted to the recipient, the donor infection also may affect the donated liver’s preservability and subsequent function in the recipient irrespective of the systemic consequences of the infection. In addition, solid organ recipients of infected organs are less able to respond to the infectious agent because of their immunosuppressive treatment. Thus, transmission of infections from organ donor to liver recipient represents serious potential risks that must be weighed against a candidate’s mortality risk without the transplant. However, the ever-increasing gap between the number of donors and those waiting for liver grafts makes consideration of every potential donor, regardless of the infection status, essential to minimize waiting list mortality. In this review, we will focus on assessing the risk of transmission of bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic infectious agents from cadaveric liver donors to recipients and the effect such a transmission has on liver function, morbidity, and mortality. We will also discuss risk-benefit deliberations for using organs from infected donors for certain types of recipients. These issues are critically important to maximize the use of donated organs but also minimize recipient morbidity and graft dysfunction.
Acquired hemophilia A after liver transplantation: A case report
Authors: Hisatake Garrett M. , Chen Teng-Wei , Renz John F. , Farmer Douglas G. , Ghobrial Mark R. , Yersiz Hasan , Amado Rafael G. , Goldstein Leonard , Busuttil Ronald W.
Published: May 2003

It is well recognized that orthotopic liver transplantation rapidly corrects the coagulation disorder observed in patients with hemophilia A or B combined with end-stage liver disease; however, the transmission of hemophilia from a donor to a transplant recipient has not been reported previously. We describe a patient who developed acquired hemophilia A after liver transplantation due to the unknown presence of factor VIII inhibitor in the donor. The resulting coagulation disorder was unresponsive to standard factor replacement therapy, and was ultimately corrected with retransplantation. Hemophiliac donors should not be precluded from organ donation, though the presence of factor VIII inhibitor should be actively sought before organ procurement. High levels of factor VIII inhibitor represents an absolute contraindication to liver donation.
Enforced Granulocyte/Macrophage Colony-stimulating Factor Signals Do Not Support Lymphopoiesis, but Instruct Lymphoid to Myelomonocytic Lineage Conversion
Authors: Iwasaki-Arai Junko , Iwasaki Hiromi , Miyamoto Toshihiro , Watanabe Sumiko , Akashi Koichi
Published: May 2003

We evaluated the effects of ectopic granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) signals on hematopoietic commitment and differentiation. Lineage-restricted progenitors purified from mice with the ubiquitous transgenic human GM-CSF receptor (hGM-CSFR) were used for the analysis. In cultures with hGM-CSF alone, hGM-CSFR–expressing (hGM-CSFR+) granulocyte/monocyte progenitors (GMPs) and megakaryocyte/erythrocyte progenitors (MEPs) exclusively gave rise to granulocyte/monocyte (GM) and megakaryocyte/erythroid (MegE) colonies, respectively, providing formal proof that GM-CSF signals support the GM and MegE lineage differentiation without affecting the physiological myeloid fate. hGM-CSFR transgenic mice were crossed with mice deficient in interleukin (IL)-7, an essential cytokine for T and B cell development. Administration of hGM-CSF in these mice could not restore T or B lymphopoiesis, indicating that enforced GM-CSF signals cannot substitute for IL-7 to promote lymphopoiesis. Strikingly, >50% hGM-CSFR+ common lymphoid progenitors (CLPs) and >20% hGM-CSFR+ pro-T cells gave rise to granulocyte, monocyte, and/or myeloid dendritic cells, but not MegE lineage cells in the presence of hGM-CSF. Injection of hGM-CSF into mice transplanted with hGM-CSFR+ CLPs blocked their lymphoid differentiation, but induced development of GM cells in vivo. Thus, hGM-CSF transduces permissive signals for myeloerythroid differentiation, whereas it transmits potent instructive signals for the GM differentiation to CLPs and early T cell progenitors. These data suggest that a majority of CLPs and a fraction of pro-T cells possess plasticity for myelomonocytic differentiation that can be activated by ectopic GM-CSF signals, supporting the hypothesis that the down-regulation of GM-CSFR is a critical event in producing cells with a lymphoid-restricted lineage potential.
Pure Significance Tests of the Unit Root Hypothesis Against Nonlinear Alternatives
Authors: BLAKE ANDREW P. , KAPETANIOS GEORGE
Published: May 2003

Abstract.This paper describes artificial neural network based pure significance tests for the unit root hypothesis against nonlinear alternatives. The theoretical properties of the tests are discussed and a Monte Carlo investigation of their small sample properties is undertaken.
Testing Serial Correlation in Semiparametric Time Series Models
Authors: LI DINGDING , STENGOS THANASIS
Published: May 2003

Abstract. In this paper, we propose two test statistics for testing serial correlation in semiparametric time series model that could allow lagged dependent variables as explanatory variables. The first one is testing for zero first‐order serial correlation and the second is for testing higher‐order serial correlation. The test statistics are shown to have asymptotic normal or χ2 distributions under the assumption of a martingale difference error process. Our results generalize some of the test statistics of Li and Hsiao (1998), that were developed for the case of panel data with a large N and a fixed T, to the case of a large T with N either small or large.
State‐level Emergency Response to the September 11 Incidents: the Role of New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection
Authors: Cohen Maurie J.
Published: May 2003

Disaster preparedness and emergency response in the United States have become increasingly decentralised with state and local governments assuming a larger share of these responsibilities. Policy planners generally view these as positive developments because of the presumed greater adaptability of lower levels of government rapidly evolving crisis conditions. The terrorist incidents of September 11, 2001 required disaster managers across the country to take charge of a situation of an unanticipated type and magnitude. During the events' aftermath public attention was transfixed on activities at the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon outside of Washington, DC. However, emergency responders nation‐wide were simultaneously taking preventative measures to secure nuclear power plants, water resources, and other exposed facilities. This analysis highlights the immediate response activities implemented in New Jersey under the aegis of the state's Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). The discussion also considers several of the longer‐term initiatives carried out in the state during the subsequent period due to on‐going threat vulnerability assessments and actual events such as anthrax contamination. The conclusion assesses the implications of the September 11 incidents on emergency preparedness at the state level.
Book Reviews
Authors: Dimitrova Antoineta
Published: May 2003

The EU and Crisis Management: Development and Prospects, Simon Duke, European Institute of Public Administration, Maastricht (2002), 230 pp.
Orders and Organizations:
Authors: Ioannides Stavros
Published: May 2003

ABSTRACT. We explore the relevance to the theory of economic organization of the distinction introduced by Hayek between two kinds of social order: spontaneous orders and organizations. We argue that Hayek's ideas lead to an understanding of the business firm as a process, which comes very close to some of the core notions of the evolutionary theory of the firm, while they still view the firm as the outcome of a contract among asset owners. First of all, we put forth a simple conceptual schema in order to differentiate between contracts that lead to the formation of an organization and ordinary market contracts. We then explore the conditions for an understanding of the firm as a set of interconnected processes, rather than as an end state. Finally, we introduce the concept of purposeful direction as an important condition for the existence of the firm and we show the history‐contingent character of the firm's growth.
Why the Georgist Movement Has Not Succeeded:
Authors: Samuels Warren J.
Published: May 2003

ABSTRACT. The article surveys factors external and internal to the Georgist movement that account for its relative lack of success. Key factors are the identification of income with productivity and the belief in a right to privatize economic rent. The Georgist defense of productive property thus was seen as an attack on property.
Two Decades of Research Comparing For‐Profit and Nonprofit Health Provider Performance in the United States*
Authors: Rosenau Pauline Vaillancourt , Linder Stephen H.
Published: May 2003

Objective.This article reports on a systematic review of data‐based, peer‐reviewed scientific assessments of performance differences between private for‐profit and private nonprofit U.S. health care providers published since 1980.

Methods.Computerized bibliographic searches of all relevant databases yielded 149 studies (179 assessments) that compared the performance of for‐profit and nonprofit health care providers on four performance criteria (access, quality, cost/efficiency, and/or amount of charity care). Reported findings on performance were coded in one of three ways: for‐profit superiority, nonprofit superiority, or no difference/mixed results.

Results.Overall, the nonprofits were judged superior 59 percent of the time, the for‐profits superior only 12 percent of the time, and for the rest (29 percent), no difference was found or results were mixed.

Conclusions.Caution is warranted on policies that encourage private for‐profit entities to replace private nonprofit providers of health care services in the United States.
From Riches to Riches: Intergenerational Transfers and the Evidence from Estate Tax Returns*
Authors: Wahl Jenny B.
Published: May 2003

Objective. Intergenerational transfers of wealth and ability can influence the distribution of wealth. This research examines the empirical relationships among intergenerational variables and cross‐sectional wealth distribution.

Methods. Models pioneered by Gary Becker set out the conditions necessary for regression to the mean in wealth across generations. However, empirical testing of such models has been incomplete because large, reliable, intergenerational data sets—especially with data from three generations—are hard to find. This article unveils a remarkable new source of intergenerationally linked data: federal estate tax records filed in Wisconsin from 1916 to 1981 and linked across three generations of families.

Results. Wealth tends to regress to the mean at the top end of the distribution, but slowly. Consequently, wealth inequality in the United States is likely to persist. What is more, recent federal tax changes, particularly the repeal of the estate tax and the reduction in capital gains tax rates, will exacerbate cross‐sectional wealth disparities.

Conclusions. In the long run, intergenerational forces may help overcome inequalities in wealth across U.S. families. Empirical results suggest, however, that regression to the mean will occur quite slowly, and the long run could be long indeed.
Down and Down We Go: Trust and Compliance in South Korea*
Authors: Lee Aie‐Rie
Published: May 2003

Objective Sociopolitical value orientations in South Korea have changed dramatically throughout the post‐World War II period, primarily as a function of intergenerational change and rising levels of education. This article investigates the impact of value change on political cynicism and noncompliance.

Methods This research analyzes data from the three waves of the World Values Surveys from 1982 to 1995.

Results The findings indicate that there had been a general pattern of spreading public distrust of both social and political institutions between Koreans and that more elite‐challenging forms of political participation showed the predicted increase as well. Also found are different predictors of our two dependent variables: for political cynicism, those with a higher education and/or more libertarian values were more cynical of political institutions; for protest potential, citizens who are better educated, young, more libertarian, and more active in the political process were more likely to exhibit a greater potential to involve themselves in protest activities.

Conclusions The research findings conclude that value change has played a central role in interpreting the sociopolitical world, and thus in minimizing the public's faith in key political and private institutions in Korea.
The Effect of Environmental Disclosure Requirements on Willingness to Pay for Residential Properties in Borderlands Community*
Authors: Berrens Robert P. , Bohara Alok K. , Jenkins‐Smith Hank C. , Silva Carol L.
Published: May 2003

Objective. This study examines the effect of environmental information disclosure requirements on future real estate transactions. The setting involves pollution from a concrete products and quarrying site near a largely Hispanic, residential community.

Methods. The survey‐based contingent valuation (CV) method is used to test the hypothesis that a split‐sample treatment for an information disclosure requirement with a potentially negative affective quality will reduce the willingness to pay (WTP) of potential buyers for a typical property.

Results. Results indicate that the information disclosure treatment reduces WTP, and that this effect is significantly exacerbated when the surveys are conducted in Spanish.

Conclusions. In addition to identifying significant reductions in the WTP of potential home buyers, our findings demonstrate the importance of cultural and regional considerations for how information disclosure requirements are conducted in real estate transactions. Future CV studies should also consider Spanish‐language options in applications involving significant Hispanic populations.
The Continuing Dominance of Traditional Gender Roles in Southern Elections*
Authors: Lublin David , Brewer Sarah E.
Published: May 2003

Objective.Studies of the election of women to public office have been increasingly encouraging about their prospects of female candidates. The purpose of this study is to examine the extent to which gender roles continue to influence the election of women to local office and the pool of candidates for higher office.

Methods.Utilizing data on the gender of officials, the nature of the office, and constituency demographics from county elections in eight Southern states, we construct logit models of the election of women.

Results.Women hold few local offices involved in fighting crime or of an executive nature. On the other hand, women routinely win election to process‐oriented offices with less discretion. Our analysis of constituency demographics reinforces our conclusions. Women win election in areas where the public office is relatively undesirable compared to other opportunities and the ratio of high‐quality male to high‐quality female candidates is relatively low.

Conclusions.Although the frequent election of women to county office provides an expanded pool of female candidates for higher offices, it seems unlikely that women will find it as easy to move up the electoral ladder into the more competitive arena of high‐profile statewide and federal leadership offices.
Language Choice, Residential Stability, and Voting Among Latino Americans*
Authors: Johnson Martin , Stein Robert M. , Wrinkle Robert
Published: May 2003

Objective. Students of political behavior have often found that the primary use of languages other than English impedes many forms of political participation in the United States. We develop expectations about how language choice operates with social context to influence an individual's decision to vote. Although choosing to speak a language other than English—in this case, Spanish—may affect the amount of political information individuals have at their disposal, this choice also represents their access to social and community resources that enable, rather than impede, political participation.

Methods. We examine the voting behavior of Latinos, almost entirely Mexican Americans, living in south Texas counties on the U.S. border and reconsider the consequences of language choice for political behavior.

Results. Controlling for past residential tenure, we find that Spanish‐speaking Latinos will be more likely to vote than English‐speaking Latinos.

Conclusions. The establishment of ties to an ethnic group in a majority‐minority context over time mitigates the negative relationship between the use of Spanish as a primary language and voting.
Imbalance Between Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-4 and Matrix Metalloproteinases During Acute Myoctardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Schulze Costas J. , Wang Wenjie , Suarez-Pinzon Wilma L. , Sawicka Jolanta , Sawicki Grzegorz , Schulz Richard
Published: May 2003

Background—

We have previously reported that matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) contributes to myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by degradation of troponin I, a regulatory element of the contractile proteins. MMP activities are also tightly regulated by tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMPs). The change in TIMPs during acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury is not clear.

Methods and Results—

Isolated rat hearts were perfused either aerobically for 75 minutes or subjected to 15, 20, or 25 minutes of global, no-flow ischemia followed by 30 minutes of aerobic reperfusion. During reperfusion after ischemia, there was a rapid, enhanced release of TIMP-4, the most abundant TIMP in the heart, into the coronary effluent, as shown both by reverse zymography and Western blot. There was a negative correlation between the recovery of cardiac mechanical function and the release of TIMP-4 during reperfusion in hearts subjected to different durations of ischemia. Immunogold electron microscopy revealed a close association of TIMP-4 with the sarcomeres in aerobically perfused hearts. Moreover, TIMP-4 was present only in thin myofilaments prepared from aerobically perfused hearts but not in ischemic-reperfused hearts. An enhanced MMP activity was shown in ischemic-reperfused hearts by in situ zymography.

Conclusions—

Loss of TIMP-4 from the cardiac myocyte leads to an increase in net myocardial MMP activity that contributes to acute myocardial stunning injury.
Genome-Wide Array Analysis of Normal and Malformed Human Hearts
Authors: Kaynak Bogac , von Heydebreck Anja , Mebus Siegrun , Seelow Dominik , Hennig Steffen , Vogel Jan , Sperling Hans-Peter , Pregla Reinhard , Alexi-Meskishvili Vladimir , Hetzer Roland , Lange Peter E. , Vingron Martin , Lehrach Hans , Sperling Silke
Published: May 2003

Background—

We present the first genome-wide cDNA array analysis of human congenitally malformed hearts and attempted to partially elucidate these complex phenotypes. Most congential heart defects, which account for the largest number of birth defects in humans, represent complex genetic disorders. As a consequence of the malformation, abnormal hemodynamic features occur and cause an adaptation process of the heart.

Methods and Results—

The statistical analysis of our data suggests distinct gene expression profiles associated with tetralogy of Fallot, ventricular septal defect, and right ventricular hypertrophy. Applying correspondence analysis, we could associate specific gene functions to specific phenotypes. Furthermore, our study design allows the suggestion that alterations associated with primary genetic abnormalities can be distinguished from those associated with the adaptive response of the heart to the malformation (right ventricular pressure overload hypertrophy). We provide evidence for the molecular transition of the hypertrophic right ventricle to normal left ventricular characteristics. Furthermore, we present data on chamber-specific gene expression.

Conclusions—

Our findings propose that array analysis of malformed human hearts opens a new window to understand the complex genetic network of cardiac development and adaptation. For detailed access, see the online-only Data Supplement.
Accumulation of Ultrasmall Superparamagnetic Particles of Iron Oxide in Human Atherosclerotic Plaques Can Be Detected by In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Kooi M.E. , Cappendijk V.C. , Cleutjens K.B.J.M. , Kessels A.G.H. , Kitslaar P.J.E.H.M. , Borgers M. , Frederik P.M. , Daemen M.J.A.P. , van Engelshoven J.M.A.
Published: May 2003

Background—

One of the features of high-risk atherosclerotic plaques is a preponderance of macrophages. Experimental studies with hyperlipidemic rabbits have shown that ultrasmall superparamagnetic particles of iron oxide (USPIOs) accumulate in plaques with a high macrophage content and that this induces magnetic resonance (MR) signal changes. The purpose of our study was to investigate whether USPIO-enhanced MRI can also be used for in vivo detection of macrophages in human plaques.

Methods and Results—

MRI was performed on 11 symptomatic patients scheduled for carotid endarterectomy before and 24 (n=11) and 72 (n=5) hours after administration of USPIOs (Sinerem) at a dose of 2.6 mg Fe/kg. Histological and electron microscopical analyses of the plaques showed USPIOs primarily in macrophages within the plaques in 10 of 11 patients. Histological analysis showed USPIOs in 27 of 36 (75%) of the ruptured and rupture-prone lesions and 1 of 14 (7%) of the stable lesions. Of the patients with USPIO uptake, signal changes in the post-USPIO MRI were observed by 2 observers in the vessel wall in 67 of 123 (54%) and 19 of 55 (35%) quadrants of the T2*-weighted MR images acquired after 24 and 72 hours, respectively. For those quadrants with changes, there was a significant signal decrease of 24% (95% CI, 33% to 15%) in regions of interest in the images acquired after 24 hours, whereas no significant signal change was found after 72 hours.

Conclusions—

Accumulation of USPIOs in macrophages in predominantly ruptured and rupture-prone human atherosclerotic lesions caused signal decreases in the in vivo MR images.
β-Blockers Restore Calcium Release Channel Function and Improve Cardiac Muscle Performance in Human Heart Failure
Authors: Reiken Steven , Wehrens Xander H.T. , Vest John A. , Barbone Alessandro , Klotz Stefan , Mancini Donna , Burkhoff Daniel , Marks Andrew R.
Published: May 2003

Background—

Chronic β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) blockade improves cardiac contractility and prolongs survival in patients with heart failure; however, the mechanisms underlying these favorable responses are poorly understood. Stress-induced activation of the sympathetic nervous system results in protein kinase A (PKA)-mediated phosphorylation of the calcium (Ca
2+
) release channel/cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2), required for cardiac excitation-contraction (EC) coupling, activating the RyR2 channel, and increasing cardiac contractility. The hyperadrenergic state of heart failure results in leaky RyR2 channels attributable to PKA hyperphosphorylation and depletion of the stabilizing FK506 binding protein, FKBP12.6. We tested the hypothesis that improved cardiac muscle function attributable to β-AR blockade is associated with restoration of normal RyR2 channel function in patients with heart failure.

Methods and Results—

We assessed the effects of β-AR blockade on left ventricular volume using isolated perfused hearts and β-agonist responsiveness using muscle strips from patients undergoing transplantation. Twenty-four human hearts were examined, 10 from patients with heart failure treated with β-AR blockers (carvedilol, metoprolol, or atenolol), 9 from patients with heart failure without β-AR blocker treatment, and 5 normal hearts. RyR2 PKA phosphorylation was determined by back-phosphorylation, FKBP12.6 in the RyR2 macromolecular complex was determined by coimmunoprecipitation, and channel function was assayed using planar lipid bilayers. β-AR blockers reduced left ventricular volume (reverse remodeling) and restored β-agonist response in cardiac muscle from patients with heart failure. Improved cardiac muscle function was associated with restoration of normal FKBP12.6 levels in the RyR2 macromolecular complex and RyR2 channel function.

Conclusions—

Improved cardiac muscle function during β-AR blockade is associated with improved cardiac Ca
2+
release channel function in patients with heart failure.
Eplerenone
Authors: Brown Nancy J.
Published: May 2003

Data from animal studies and clinical trials indicate that aldosterone causes cardiovascular and renal injury through mineralocorticoid receptor–dependent mechanisms. However, although aldosterone receptor antagonism reduces mortality in patients with congestive heart failure, the progestational and antiandrogenic side effects of the nonspecific aldosterone receptor antagonist, spironolactone, have limited its usefulness in the treatment of hypertension. This review provides an overview of the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of a new, more selective aldosterone receptor antagonist, eplerenone, in the context of emerging concepts of the role of aldosterone in cardiovascular toxicity.
Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Deficiency Exacerbates Heart Failure and Reduces Survival After Acute Myocardial Infarction in Mice
Authors: Adachi Yuichiro , Saito Yoshihiko , Kishimoto Ichiro , Harada Masaki , Kuwahara Koichiro , Takahashi Nobuki , Kawakami Rika , Nakanishi Michio , Nakagawa Yasuaki , Tanimoto Keiji , Saitoh Yoshitomo , Yasuno Shinji , Usami Satoru , Iwai Masaru , Horiuchi Masatsugu , Nakao Kazuwa
Published: May 2003

Background—

Angiotensin II plays a prominent role in the progression of heart failure after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Although both angiotensin type 1 (AT
1
) and type 2 (AT
2
) receptors are known to be present in the heart, comparatively little is known about the latter. We therefore examined the role played by AT
2
receptors in post-AMI heart failure.

Methods and Results—

In wild-type mice subjected to AMI by coronary artery ligation, AT
2
receptor immunoreactivity is upregulated in the infarct and border areas. Among AT
2
receptor-null (−/−) mice, the 7-day survival rate after AMI was significantly lower than among wild-type mice (43% versus 67%;
P
<0.05). All sham-operated animals of both genotypes survived through the study. Ventricular mRNA levels for brain natriuretic peptide were elevated in both genotypes 24 hours after coronary occlusion, with levels in AT
2
−/−
significantly higher than in wild-type mice, as were their lung weights, and histological examination revealed marked pulmonary congestion in the AT
2
−/−
mice. Cardiac function was significantly decreased in AT
2
−/−
mice 2 days after AMI.

Conclusions—

AT
2
receptor deficiency exacerbates short-term death rates and heart failure after experimental AMI in mice. The AT
2
receptor may thus exert a protective effect on the heart after AMI.
Ischemia Modified Albumin Is a Sensitive Marker of Myocardial Ischemia After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Sinha Manas K. , Gaze David C. , Tippins John R. , Collinson Paul O. , Kaski Juan Carlos
Published: May 2003

Background—

Ischemia modified albumin (IMA; Ischemia Technologies, Inc) blood levels rise in patients who develop ischemia during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). It is not known whether IMA elevations correlate with increases in other markers of oxidative stress, ie, 8-iso prostaglandin F2-A (iP).

Methods and Results—

We compared IMA versus iP plasma levels in 19 patients (mean age 62.8±11.9 years) undergoing PCI and 11 patients (mean age 64±13.6 years) undergoing diagnostic angiography (controls). In the PCI patients, blood samples for IMA and iP were taken from the guide catheter before PCI and after balloon inflations, and from the femoral sheath 30 minutes after PCI. IMA was measured by the albumin cobalt binding (ACB) test and plasma iP by enzyme immunoassay. During PCI, all 19 patients had chest pain and 18 had transient ischemic ST segment changes. IMA was elevated from baseline in 18 of the 19 patients after PCI. Median IMA levels were higher after PCI (101.4 U/mL, 95%CI 82 to 116) compared with baseline (72.8 U/mL, CI 55 to 93;
P
<0.0001). Levels remained elevated at 30 minutes (87.9 U/mL, CI 78 to 99;
P
<0.0001) and returned to baseline at 12 hours (70.3 U/mL, CI 65 to 87;
P
=0.65). iP levels were raised after PCI in 9 of the 19 patients. However, median iP levels were not significantly different immediately (
P
=0.6) or 30 minutes after PCI (
P
=0.1). In the control group, IMA and iP levels remained unchanged before and after angiography (
P
=0.2 and 0.16, respectively).

Conclusions—

IMA is a more consistent marker of ischemia than iP in patients who develop chest pain and ST segment changes during PCI.
SOME COMPARATIVE THOUGHTS ON PREMODERN SOUTHEAST ASIAN WARFARE
Authors: Lieberman Victor
Published: May 2003

Between c. 1550 and 1650 discrepant political and economic contexts in the central Philippines, northeast Indonesia, and Burma produced distinctive military logics. In the pre-literate, localized societies of the Philippines and the interior of Indonesian islands, raiders sought heads for spiritual power and captives for ransom or labor, but along the coasts of northeast Indonesia wider religious and trade contacts and European-style guns bred a novel interplay between state formation and warfare. In Burma yet larger populations and more complex administrations supported sustained, massive military expeditions. Chronicle accounts of Burmese armies are exaggerated, but it is difficult to quantify those exaggerations or to isolate the cultural imperatives governing chronicle composition.Entre c. 1550 et 1650, les divers contextes politiques et économiques aux Philippines centrales, dans le nord-est de l'Indonésie et en Birmanie ont produit des logiques militaires distinctes. Dans les sociétés illettrées et limitées des Philippines et de l'intérieur des îles indonésiennes, des pillards chassaient des têtes pour gagner le pouvoir spirituel et des captifs pour en tirer rançon ou pour les faire travailler. Mais le long des côtes du nord-est de l'Indonésie, les contacts religieux et commerciaux plus diversifiés, et l'utilisation d'armes à feu de style européen ont engendré un effet réciproque nouveau entre la formation de l'état et la guerre. En Birmanie, les populations plus importantes et les administrations plus complexes ont soutenu des expéditions militaires prolongées et massives. Les rapports dans les chroniques sur les armées birmanes sont exagérés, mais il est difficile de mesurer ces exagérations ou d'isoler les impératifs culturels qui régissaient la composition de ces chroniques.
Examining the Role of Social Capital in Access to College for Latinas: Toward a College Opportunity Framework
Authors: González Kenneth P. , Stoner Carla , Jovel Jennifer E.
Published: May 2003

Using life history research methods, this study sought to understand how relationships with family and school personnel affect postsecondary opportunities for Latina students. The focus is on primary and secondary school experiences of two groups of Latina students and how those experiences influenced their opportunities to pursue postsecondary education. Findings suggest exposure to or accumulation of high or low volumes of social capital or institutional neglect and abuse limits or expands students’ perceived and/or actual opportunities for college.
Optimum force balancing of a planar parallel manipulator
Authors: Alici G , Shirinzadeh B
Published: May 2003

This paper focuses on optimum force balancing of a planar parallel manipulator, articulated with revolute joints, with a combination of a proper distribution of link masses and two springs connected to the driving links. After conducting the static force analysis of the mechanism, the force balancing is formulated as an optimization problem such that a mean-square root of the sum-squared values of bearing and spring forces is minimized throughout an operation range of the manipulator, provided that a set of balancing constraints consisting of balancing conditions and the sizes of some inertial and geometric parameters are satisfied. The minimization of bearing forces and spring forces adds to the life of bearings and springs, transmits less shaking force and moment to the ground, decreases wear in the mechanism components and consequently reduces the actuation burden on the actuators when the manipulator is in motion. Optimization results indicate that the proposed optimization approach is systematic, versatile and easy to implement for the optimal balancing of the parallel manipulator and other kinematic chains.
Metabolite-binding RNA domains are present in the genes of eukaryotes
Authors: SUDARSAN NARASIMHAN , BARRICK JEFFREY E. , BREAKER RONALD R.
Published: May 2003

Genetic control by metabolite-binding mRNAs is widespread in prokaryotes. These riboswitches are typically located in noncoding regions of mRNA, where they selectively bind their target compound and subsequently modulate gene expression. We have identified mRNA elements in fungi and in plants that match the consensus sequence and structure of thiamine pyrophosphate-binding domains of prokaryotes. In Arabidopsis, the consensus motif resides in the 3′-UTR of a thiamine biosynthetic gene, and the isolated RNA domain binds the corresponding coenzyme in vitro. These results suggest that metabolite-binding mRNAs are possibly involved in eukaryotic gene regulation and that some riboswitches might be representatives of an ancient form of genetic control.
Transfer RNA modifications that alter +1 frameshifting in general fail to affect −1 frameshifting
Authors: URBONAVIC̆IUS JAUNIUS , STAHL GUILLAUME , DURAND JÉRÔME M.B. , BEN SALEM SAMIA N. , QIAN QIANG , FARABAUGH PHILIP J. , BJÖRK GLENN R.
Published: May 2003

Using mutants (tgt, mnmA(asuE, trmU), mnmE(trmE), miaA, miaB, miaE, truA(hisT), truB) of either Escherichia coli or Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and the trm5 mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we have analyzed the influence by the modified nucleosides Q34, mnm5s2U34, ms2io6A37, Ψ39, Ψ55, m1G37, and yW37 on −1 frameshifts errors at various heptameric sequences, at which at least one codon is decoded by tRNAs having these modified nucleosides. The frequency of −1 frameshifting was the same in congenic strains only differing in the allelic state of the various tRNA modification genes. In fact, in one case (deficiency of mnm5s2U34), we observed a reduced ability of the undermodified tRNA to make a −1 frameshift error. These results are in sharp contrast to earlier observations that tRNA modification prevents +1 frameshifting suggesting that the mechanisms by which −1 and +1 frameshift errors occur are different. Possible mechanisms explaining these results are discussed.
Stop codon suppression via inhibition of eRF1 expression
Authors: CARNES JASON , JACOBSON MARTY , LEINWAND LESLIE , YARUS MICHAEL
Published: May 2003

In humans, recognition of a stop codon by protein release factor eRF1 leads to release of the nascent peptide from the ribosome. Although efficient eRF1 activity is usually desirable, numerous pathologies result from eRF1 recognition of premature stop mutations in essential genes. In these cases, decreased eRF1 activity could increase readthrough of the premature stop codon, thereby making full-length protein. To broaden the means available to beneficially decrease eRF1 activity, we have targeted eRF1 mRNA using siRNAs and antisense oligonucleotides. We show that both eRF1-targeted siRNA and antisense oligonucleotides decrease eRF1 mRNA and eRF1 protein concentrations, and increase UAG readthrough in cultured human cells.
Motivational‐emotional vulnerability and difficulties in learning to read and spell
Authors: Poskiparta Elisa , Niemi Pekka , Lepola Janne , Ahtola Annarilla , Laine Piialiisa
Published: May 2003

Background: Although the relationship between motivation and learning problems has been studied in older children, little is known about how these factors interact during the first years of schooling or even earlier.

Aims: To compare the development of motivational‐emotional profiles from preschool to grade 2 between groups classified as poor readers, good decoders and good readers in grade 2. To study the possibility that diverging motivational‐emotional paths occur concomitantly with school experience.

Sample: A total of 127 children were followed longitudinally from preschool up to the second grade. In preschool, their mean age was 6 years 8 months.

Method: Two different methods tapping motivational‐emotional vulnerability were used. Firstly, researchers at preschool age and classroom teachers in grades 1 and 2 rated children's task, ego‐defensive and social dependence orientations. Secondly, an experimental situation was arranged each year where children's play behaviour with LEGO® bricks was observed in free play vs. in induced pressure situations, and their motivational orientations were scored.

Results: In preschool, the motivational‐emotional profiles were almost the same among the three prospective reading‐level groups, but in grades 1 and 2, classroom teachers rated poor readers as less task‐oriented and more ego‐defensive and socially dependent compared to good decoders and good readers. The ratings were corroborated by observational data on play behaviour in induced pressure situations.

Conclusions: Early problems in learning to read and spell are related to motivational‐emotional vulnerability in learning situations in the school context.
Large‐Diameter Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes Synthesized by Chemical Vapor Deposition
Authors: Yang Q.‐H. , Bai S. , Sauvajol J.‐L. , Bai J.‐B.
Published: May 2003

The effect of diameter on the properties of nanotubes has come a step closer to experimental verification with the CVD synthesis described here of large‐diameter single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The SWNTs (see Figure) have a preferential orientation, good purity, and average diameter greater than 3 nm. They exist as macroscopic ropes and aggregate into small bundles.
Preparation and Optical Properties of Highly Crystalline, Colloidal, and Size‐Controlled Indium Oxide Nanoparticles
Authors: Seo W.S. , Jo H.H. , Lee K. , Park J.T.
Published: May 2003

Highly crystalline and monodisperse In2O3 nanoparticles have been prepared by thermal decomposition of In(acac)3 in oleylamine under inert atmosphere. The particle size of In2O3 can be easily manipulated by changing the experimental conditions. A weak size dependence of photoluminescence is also demonstrated. The Figure shows a 3D superlattice of 6 nm diameter nanoparticles.
Cyanide‐Bridged CrIII–NiII Superparamagnetic Nanoparticles
Authors: Catala L. , Gacoin T. , Boilot J.‐P. , Rivière É. , Paulsen C. , Lhotel E. , Mallah T.
Published: May 2003

Using reverse micelles as nanoreactors facilitates the preparation of bimetallic CrIII–NiII cyanide‐bridged nanoparticles that behave as superparamagnets with a blocking temperature of 5.5 K. The Figure presents a plot of magnetization vs. field for various temperatures. Redispersion in an organic solution allows the particles to be diluted in a polymer matrix (inset of Figure) leading to a shift of the blocking temperature down to 2 K.
Photonic Band Engineering in Opals by Growth of Si/Ge Multilayer Shells
Authors: García‐Santamaría F. , Ibisate M. , Rodríguez I. , Meseguer F. , López C.
Published: May 2003

Engineering the shape of photonic bands is a desirable aim to study anomalous dispersion effects or gap formation. Accurate control of silicon and germanium growth by chemical vapor deposition within thin silica opals is reported here. Alternate layers of the two semiconductors—which can be selectively removed (see Figure)—allows new freedom in the fabrication of photonic crystals (see also cover).
Automatic construction of English/Chinese parallel corpora
Authors: Yang Christopher C. , Li Kar Wing
Published: May 2003

As the demand for global information increases significantly, multilingual corpora has become a valuable linguistic resource for applications to cross‐lingual information retrieval and natural language processing. In order to cross the boundaries that exist between different languages, dictionaries are the most typical tools. However, the general‐purpose dictionary is less sensitive in both genre and domain. It is also impractical to manually construct tailored bilingual dictionaries or sophisticated multilingual thesauri for large applications. Corpus‐based approaches, which do not have the limitation of dictionaries, provide a statistical translation model with which to cross the language boundary. There are many domain‐specific parallel or comparable corpora that are employed in machine translation and cross‐lingual information retrieval. Most of these are corpora between Indo‐European languages, such as English/French and English/Spanish. The Asian/Indo‐European corpus, especially English/Chinese corpus, is relatively sparse. The objective of the present research is to construct English/Chinese parallel corpus automatically from the World Wide Web. In this paper, an alignment method is presented which is based on dynamic programming to identify the one‐to‐one Chinese and English title pairs. The method includes alignment at title level, word level and character level. The longest common subsequence (LCS) is applied to find the most reliable Chinese translation of an English word. As one word for a language may translate into two or more words repetitively in another language, the edit operation, deletion, is used to resolve redundancy. A score function is then proposed to determine the optimal title pairs. Experiments have been conducted to investigate the performance of the proposed method using the daily press release articles by the Hong Kong SAR government as the test bed. The precision of the result is 0.998 while the recall is 0.806. The release articles and speech articles, published by Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, are also used to test our method, the precision is 1.00, and the recall is 0.948.