bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elevated serum levels of the apoptosis related molecules TNF‐α, Fas/Apo‐1 and Bcl‐2 in oral lichen planus
Authors: Sklavounou‐Andrikopoulou A. , Chrysomali E. , Iakovou M. , Garinis G. A. , Karameris A.
Published: July 2004

Background:  The serum circulatory levels of apoptosis related molecules measured in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) and healthy individuals in order to investigate possible alterations associated with the clinical forms of OLP.

Methods:  Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, soluble Fas (sFas) and Bcl‐2 studied by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in whole blood samples in 13 OLP reticular, 13 OLP atrophic‐erosive form patients and 26 healthy subjects.

Results:  Significantly elevated levels of TNF‐α and sFas detected in OLP patients as compared with controls. Serum concentrations of Bcl‐2 although increased in 17/26 patients, they were not statistically significant. Reticular OLP exhibited slightly elevated TNF‐α and significantly elevated Bcl‐2 serum levels, compared with erosive OLP.

Conclusions:  These data suggest that a putative dysfunction in the Fas/FasL mediated apoptosis might be involved in the OLP pathogenesis. A downregulation of Bcl‐2 serum levels in the atrophic‐erosive OLP may be associated with promotion of the disease activity.
Immortalization of human dental papilla, dental pulp, periodontal ligament cells and gingival fibroblasts by telomerase reverse transcriptase
Authors: Kamata Nobuyuki , Fujimoto Ryoichi , Tomonari Mayumi , Taki Masayuki , Nagayama Masaru , Yasumoto Shigeru
Published: July 2004

Background:  Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is catalytic subunit of human telomerase.

Methods:  We studied the immortalization of a series of human dental and periodontal cells by ectopic expression of hTERT and co‐expression of hTERT with human papilloma virus 16 (HPV16) or simian virus 40 (SV40). Differentiation abilities of the established cell lines were studied in terms of the mineralized matrix formation and gene expression.

Results:  We established immortalized gingival fibroblasts by hTERT, dental papilla and periodontal ligament cells by hTERT and HPV16, and pulp cells by hTERT and SV40. The papilla and pulp cells showed mineralization and dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) expression when cultured in the presence of β‐glycerophosphate. The immortalized periodontal ligament cells did not show mineralization or DSPP expression, although expressions of alkaline phosphatase, osteopontin and osteocalcin were detected.

Conclusions:  These cell lines will be useful tools for studying the repair and regeneration of dental and periodontal tissues and various diseases including odontogenic tumors.
Functional genotype in matrix metalloproteinases‐2 promoter is a risk factor for oral carcinogenesis
Authors: Lin Shu‐Chun , Lo Su‐Shun , Liu Chung‐Ji , Chung Ming‐Yi , Huang Jen‐Wu , Chang Kuo‐Wei
Published: July 2004

Background:  Matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP‐2) can degrade extracellular matrix and basement membrane, and play an important role in the development and progression of multiple carcinomas, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). A −1306C→T polymorphism in the MMP‐2 promoter disrupts Sp1‐binding site, and results in reduction of transcriptional activity. This study aimed to assess the association of such genotype with the risk of OSCC and oral submucous fibrosis (OSF), which is a precancerous condition that exhibits excessive collagen production and etiologically links to areca use.

Methods:  Genomic DNA from the blood samples of 121 OSCC cases, 58 OSF cases and 147 controls were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and subjected to denaturing high‐performance liquid chromatography (dHPLC) analysis for genotyping. The OSCC were further classified into buccal squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) and non‐buccal squamous cell carcinoma (NBSCC), according to the site of involvement. Fisher's exact test and unconditional logistic regression models were used for statistical analysis.

Results:  Subjects carrying CC genotype had nearly twofold increased risk for developing OSCC when comparing with CT or TT genotype. Subjects carrying CC genotype had more apparent risk (greater than fourfold) for developing NBSCC. However, no increase in risk for lymph node metastasis or advanced stage was identified in OSCC cases carrying such genotype. Preliminarily data suggest no significant association between subjects carrying CC genotype and the development of BSCC or OSF.

Conclusion:  This is the first paper demonstrating that functional genotype of MMP‐2 promoter is a risk factor for oral carcinogenesis, particularly for the subsets occurring on non‐buccal site.
Mitotic proliferation of myoepithelial cells during regeneration of atrophied rat submandibular glands after duct ligation
Authors: Takahashi S. , Shinzato K. , Domon T. , Yamamoto T. , Wakita M.
Published: July 2004

Background:  The purpose of the present study was to elucidate whether myoepithelial cells proliferate mitotically during regeneration of rat submandibular glands after atrophy.

Methods:  The excretory duct of the right submandibular gland of rats was doubly ligated near the hilum with metal clips, which were removed after 7 days of ligation (day 0). The regenerating right submandibular glands were removed from 0 to 14 days after removal of the clips. The removed tissue was examined with immunohistochemical double staining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) as a marker of proliferating cells and actin as a marker of myoepithelial cells, as well as with transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Results:  The PCNA‐positive myoepithelial cells were observed at the periphery of transitional duct‐acinar structures, ducts and acini in the regenerating glands at every time‐point, and the PCNA‐labeling index of myoepithelial cells increased greatly especially between day 2 and 4. The mitosis of myoepithelial cell was also identified by TEM at day 4.

Conclusion:  These findings suggest that myoepithelial cells are able to proliferate mitotically during regeneration of rat submandibular gland.
Associations of smoking prevalence with individual and area level social cohesion
Authors: Patterson Joan M , Eberly Lynn E , Ding Yingmei , Hargreaves Margaret
Published: July 2004

Study objective:To discover if area level social cohesion, neighbourhood safety, and home safety are associated with current cigarette smoking among adults after adjustment for concentrations of poverty and low education.

Design:Cross sectional survey of a random sample of adults, stratified by 19 geographical areas.

Setting:SHAPE, Survey of the Health of Adults, the Population, and the Environment—conducted in 1998 by the Hennepin County Community Health Department and the Minneapolis Department of Health and Family Support in Minnesota.

Participants:5256 men and 4806 women, 18 years and older, randomly selected from 19 geographical areas in an urban county.

Main results:Overall, 21.2% of survey respondents reported current cigarette smoking. Both higher area level social cohesion (OR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.74 to 0.98) and higher individual social cohesion (OR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.92 to 0.99) were associated with lower likelihoods of smoking. Similar models were obtained for neighbourhood safety and home safety.

Conclusions:These findings contribute to the growing literature on the important role of social cohesion and other area level characteristics on smoking behaviour among adults.
Can cardiovascular risk factors and lifestyle explain the educational inequalities in mortality from ischaemic heart disease and from other heart diseases? 26 year follow up of 50 000 Norwegian men and women
Authors: Strand Bjørn Heine , Tverdal Aage
Published: July 2004

Objective:Investigate the degree to which smoking, physical activity, marital status, BMI, blood pressure, and cholesterol explain the association between educational level and ischaemic heart disease (IHD) mortality and other forms of cardiovascular mortality, with main focus on IHD mortality.

Design:Prospective health examination survey study conducted in the period 1974–78.

Setting:Oppland, Sogn og Fjordane, and Finnmark counties in Norway.

Participants:The sample comprised 22 712 men and 21 972 women, aged 35–49 at screening. The subjects were followed up with respect to mortality throughout year 2000.

Main results:4342 men and 2164 women died during the follow up, 1343 men and 258 women of IHD. IHD mortality risk was higher for people with low education compared with people with high education, and people with low education had more adverse risk factors. After adjustment for smoking the IHD mortality relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence limits, in the low educational group decreased from 1.33 (1.18 to 1.50) to 1.16 (1.03 to 1.31) for men, and from 1.72 (1.23 to 2.41) to 1.58 (1.13 to 2.22) for women. Further adjustment for physical activity, marital status, BMI, blood pressure, and cholesterol reduced the RR to 1.03 (0.91 to 1.17) for men and 1.24 (0.88 to 1.75) for women.

Conclusions:Unfavourable cardiovascular risk factors and high IHD mortality are more prevalent among less educated than their highly educated peers. After simultaneous adjustment for all recorded risk factors, the excess IHD mortality in the low educational groups was reduced by 91% for men and 67% for women.
Nickel essentiality and homeostasis in aquatic organisms
Authors: Muyssen B T.A , Brix K V , DeForest D K , Janssen C R
Published: July 2004

It has been well established that a number of trace metals are essential for various biological functions and are critical in many of the enzymatic and metabolic reactions occurring within an organism. The essentiality of nickel is now generally accepted, based on the numerous symptoms caused by nickel deficiency (mainly in terrestrial vertebrates) and its essential role in various enzymes in bacteria and plants. The information on optimal and deficient concentrations of nickel, however, is limited and the essentiality of nickel to aquatic animals is not established. The purpose of this review is to synthesize the available information on nickel essentiality and homeostasis in aquatic organisms. There is less information on these topics compared to that for other essential metals. Nickel essentiality to aquatic organisms can only be confirmed for plants and (cyano)bacteria due to the documented role of nickel in the urease and hydrogenase metabolism. Deficiency levels ranged from 10-12 M to 2 × 10-6 M Ni in different species. No studies were identified that had the explicit objective of evaluating homeostatic mechanisms for nickel in aquatic life. However, inferences could be made through the evaluation of nickel bioconcentration and tissue distribution data and a comparison to other metals that have been more thoroughly studied. Data suggest active regulation and therefore nickel essentiality, since there are no known examples of active regulation of non-essential metals in invertebrates. Key words: nickel, essentiality, homeostasis, bioconcentration, regulation.
Principles and practice of ecological design
Authors: Shu-Yang Fan , Freedman Bill , Cote Raymond
Published: July 2004

The history of development of the concept of ecological design (or eco-design) is described, and key influences and antecedents are introduced. Seven principles of ecological design are advanced: (1) the need to meet the inherent needs of humans and their economy; (2) the requirement to sustain the integrity of the structure and function of both natural and managed ecosystems; (3) the appropriateness of emulating the inherent designs of nature in anthropogenic management systems; (4) the need to make progress to a sustainable economy through greater reliance on renewable resources and more focus on recycling, reusing, and efficient use of materials and energy; (5) the use of ecological economics (or full-cost accounting) to comprehensively take resource depletion and environmental damage into consideration and thereby address issues of natural debt; (6) the need to conserve natural ecosystems and indigenous biodiversity at viable levels; and (7) the desirability of increasing environmental literacy to build social support for sustainable development, resource conservation, and protection of the natural world. Examples are presented of the recent application of the principles of eco-design to the planning and management of human communities, industrial parks and networks, architectural practice, and products. The principles and practices of eco-design have much to contribute to the urgent need to make rapid and tangible progress towards a sustainable human economy. Key words: ecological design, eco-design, sustainable development, community planning, architecture, industrial park, green products, biological conservation.
Implications of the mineralogy and chemical composition of lead beads from Frobisher's assay site, Kodlunarn Island, Canada: prelude to Bre-X?
Authors: Beaudoin Georges , Auger Réginald
Published: July 2004

Lead beads recovered from a 16th century archaeological site on Kodlunarn Island in Frobisher Bay are believed to be a by-product of assaying rocks mined from various locations by Martin Frobisher's expeditions in 15771578. The lead beads were melted in crucibles to separate gold from its rock matrix. Microprobe analyses of galena grains in the lead indicate that they contain up to 0.4 wt.% silver but no gold. The chemical composition of the lead beads was determined in situ by electron microprobe and in bulk by inductively coupled plasma  mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and pyrolysis assay. The lead beads form two chemical composition groups that were recovered from different sites: (Shop 1) Cu-poor, Bi-free, Sb-rich, with 3743 g/t Ag and no detectable gold; (Shop 2) Cu-rich, Bi-rich, Sb-poor, with 7896 g/t Ag and one sample that yielded 0.72 g/t Au. These two groups also have different lead isotope compositions: Shop 1 has low 206Pb/204Pb and 208Pb/204Pb compared with Shop 2. These compositions suggest that Shop 1 leads are derived from England, whereas Shop 2 has a composition typical of Cyprus ores and of some deposits in England. The composition of the lead beads indicates that the flux and collector used for the assays on Kodlunarn Island did not introduce a gold-rich contamination. Silver was likely added from the flux or collector used to assay the rocks, a contamination well-known to Renaissance assayers.
Geochemistry of Wistarburgh glass (ca. 1739-1777): implications for batch recipes and distinction from other south Jersey wares
Authors: Owen J Victor
Published: July 2004

The Wistarburgh factory was America's first successful glassworks. Since it operated largely prior to the American Revolution, little is known about its products, and confusion surrounds the authenticity of some of the objects attributed to this factory. However, analysis of alkali-lime glass sherds from the glassworks site shows that green Wistarburgh bottle glass is much more calcic and is enriched in various trace elements (notably the rare-earth elements) compared with later south Jersey glass for which analytical data are available. The compositional data indicate that Wistarburgh's proprietors made use of a batch recipe containing approximately 68 wt.% local sand, 24% dolomitic limestone, and 3% each of soda ash and potash. In addition to green bottle glass, blue, aquamarine, and colourless potashlead glass and colourless potash glass were also recovered from the Wistarburgh factory site, suggesting that a range of specialized glasswares was produced by this factory.
Orthopyroxene, augite, and plagioclase compositions in dacite: application to bedrock sourcing of lithic artefacts in southern British Columbia
Authors: Greenough John D , Mallory-Greenough Leanne M , Baker James
Published: July 2004

Extremely fine-grained, hypocrystalline, microporphyritic dacite (whole-rock SiO2 = 6570 oxide wt.%), called "glassy basalt" by archaeologists, was commonly used to manufacture lithic artefacts found in the British Columbia (B.C.) Interior. Geochemical fingerprinting of dacite minerals can help identify the geologic source of these artefacts. Multiple (~300) mineral analyses show that mafic orthopyroxene (En6580), plagioclase (An3070), augite (Wo3045, En4045, Fs1015), and olivine (~Fo85) (in that order) represent the most abundant and commonly occurring microphenocrysts. Relative abundances vary among sources. Clustering of averaged mineral data reveals at least five distinct dacite sources for lithic artefacts in the B.C. Interior. Discriminant analysis separates individual mineral analyses according to these five areas with ~ 90% efficiency and provides functions for "sourcing" new artefacts in the future. Two sites represent "quarry" locations and their scope (e.g., geographic area ≥ 4 km2, archaeological stratigraphic depth locally ≥ 2 m at Cache Creek) implies prolonged use and trade. However, fingerprinting suggests that in the B.C. Interior, tools were made from local dacite. Mineral fingerprinting uses small (~0.1 g) samples, which is important when analyzing valuable artefacts. Hypocrystalline, "knappable," microporphyritic dacite is probably common around the Pacific due to Cenozoic subduction. Thus, mineral-based sourcing could have wider application outside of western Canada.
Whole-rock trace-element analyses applied to the regional sourcing of ancient basalt vessels from Egypt and Jordan
Authors: Mallory-Greenough Leanne M , Greenough John D
Published: July 2004

"Fingerprinting" lithic artefacts using whole-sample geochemistry is a simple, inexpensive, technique that can supply archaeologists with important provenance and trade information. To demonstrate its utility, it is applied here to basalt vessels produced by Near East societies encompassing the millennia and geographic areas where civilization arose and writing developed. Using published whole-sample geochemical data for bedrock samples, exploratory statistical techniques show that Jordanian and Egyptian basalts are fundamentally distinct. Petrogenetically significant plots (VTi) and element ratios (Rb/Sr, Nb/Y, Sr/Zr) efficiently "fingerprint" and separate Jordanian and Egyptian bedrock basalt samples and Levantine and Egyptian basaltic artefacts. The results show that most basalt artefacts were manufactured and used within the geographic regions and culture areas where they were produced. However, a representative sample of some typologically distinct basaltic artefacts from Maadi, Egypt, geochemically resembles Palestinian basalts and quantitatively confirms archaeological evidence that trade interactions between Egyptian and Jordanian Neolithic societies were established early. Thus, knowledge of the bedrock source of raw materials used in the manufacture of basaltic artefacts is useful for inferring trade and social interaction between and within these cultures.
Landscape evolution and human occupation during the Archaic period on the northern Plains
Authors: Oetelaar Gerald A
Published: July 2004

Recent archaeological excavations at a deeply stratified site in northwest Calgary, Alberta have uncovered four occupation layers spanning the interval from 8000 to 2000 BP. Depending on the dating one accepts for the Holocene thermal maximum, two or more of these occupations occurred during this interval of aridity. This site thus provides a record of human occupation during the Archaic (Middle Prehistoric I) period in the Calgary area. More importantly, the site occurs in an upland setting, apparently far removed from reliable sources of water and normal environments of deposition. Yet, the cultural deposits occur in sediments which extend 2 m below surface and include five sedimentary units as well as a minimum of three pedogenic units. This paper presents the results of geoarchaeological research on the changing landscape for the site and notes the implications of these changes for the study of Archaic manifestations on the northern Plains.
Arcticanodon dawsonae, a primitive new palaeanodont from the lower Eocene of Ellesmere Island, Canadian High Arctic
Authors: Rose Kenneth D , Eberle Jaelyn J , McKenna Malcolm C
Published: July 2004

A new genus and species of palaeanodont, Arcticanodon dawsonae, is based on a single lower jaw fragment from lower Eocene (Wasatchian) strata of the Margaret Formation, Eureka Sound Group, on central Ellesmere Island, Nunavut. The new taxon is more derived than early Paleocene Escavadodontidae, but lacks derived traits of Metacheiromyidae. It is therefore most similar to primitive epoicotheriids, although the similarities are essentially in plesiomorphic features. Consequently, Arcticanodon dawsonae is classified as Palaeanodonta, incertae sedis, pending discovery of more complete specimens.
Paleoenvironmental interpretation of the paleosols and sediments at the Stampede site (DjOn-26), Cypress Hills, Alberta
Authors: Klassen Judith
Published: July 2004

A 3.65 m-thick sequence of paleosols and sediments exposed at the Stampede archaeological site provides an opportunity for studying climate change and its impact on ancient site utilization over a 7200-year period. Three radiocarbon dates establish temporal boundaries for the lower sequence of paleosols and sediments at 7200 and 6100 BP. This lower sequence is characterized by lack of cultural material in most paleosols, high accumulation rates, and evidence for fluvial deposition. The upper sequence dates from 6100 BP and is characterized by low accumulation rates, increased pedogenesis, and increased evidence for human occupation, particularily between 4660 and 5230 BP. Phytoliths provide a strong signal for grassland vegetation beginning at 6100 years BP coincident with the most intensive occupation of the site. Stable carbon isotopes and carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratios support the presence of grass. The differences evident between the lower and upper sequences can be attributed to the change from warm dry conditions to cooler, moister conditions and agree to a first approximation with the information inferred from the nearby Elkwater Lake and Harris Lake records. However, the persistence of forest at the Stampede site for a 1400-year time interval, when the Harris Lake record indicates more arid conditions, suggests that springs and north-facing slopes made the Cypress Hills an "oasis" for both animals and people.
Low-Income Fathers
Authors: Nelson Timothy J.
Published: July 2004

This article reviews recent literature on low-income fathers, including the transition to fatherhood for young unmarried fathers and levels of father involvement among married, cohabiting, and nonresident low-income fathers. I discuss predictors of father involvement as well as available evidence concerning their effects on children's well-being. Although mounting qualitative evidence argues that unmarried low-income men may be more favorably disposed to fatherhood than previously recognized and that such intentions may greatly influence subsequent fathering behavior, studies of fertility intention remain largely separate from those of father involvement. I propose that subsequent research should also pay greater attention to the effects of fatherhood on low-income men.
Space in the Study of Labor Markets
Authors: Fernandez Roberto M. , Su Celina
Published: July 2004

A common claim in the economic, geographic, and sociological literatures on labor markets is that space “matters” for labor market outcomes. We review three distinct literatures that take the relationship between labor markets and geographic space as a central concern, in particular: (a) the research on race and spatial mismatch; (b) the literature on gender, space, and labor markets; and (c) the research on the spatial agglomeration of employers and its relationship to workers' careers and economic growth. Our goal in this review is to shed light on the key mechanisms by which spatial factors might work in the context of the labor market. Despite taking contrasting positions—for some of these discussions, the emphasis is on space as a constraining factor, whereas for others space is primarily a facilitator of labor market transactions—the issue of social networks emerges as an important theoretical thread across all these literatures. We conclude by considering the implications of this mechanism and suggesting lines of future research for the study of space and labor markets.
Sociology of Terrorism
Authors: Turk Austin T.
Published: July 2004

The sociology of terrorism has been understudied, even though considerable literatures on various forms of social conflict and violence have been produced over the years. The aim here is to note what has been learned about the social origins and dynamics of terrorism in order to suggest agendas for future research. Arguably the main foci of sociological studies of terrorism should be (a) the social construction of terrorism, (b) terrorism as political violence, (c) terrorism as communication, (d) organizing terrorism, (e) socializing terrorists, (f) social control of terrorism, and (g) theorizing terrorism. For each issue, I provide a brief summary of current knowledge, with bibliographic leads to more detailed information, as well as identify research issues.
America's Changing Color Lines: Immigration, Race/Ethnicity, and Multiracial Identification
Authors: Lee Jennifer , Bean Frank D.
Published: July 2004

Over the past four decades, immigration has increased the racial and ethnic diversity in the United States. Once a mainly biracial society with a large white majority and relatively small black minority—and an impenetrable color line dividing these groups—the United States is now a society composed of multiple racial and ethnic groups. Along with increased immigration are rises in the rates of racial/ethnic intermarriage, which in turn have led to a sizeable and growing multiracial population. Currently, 1 in 40 persons identifies himself or herself as multiracial, and this figure could soar to 1 in 5 by the year 2050. Increased racial and ethnic diversity brought about by the new immigration, rising intermarriage, and patterns of multiracial identification may be moving the nation far beyond the traditional and relatively persistent black/white color line. In this chapter, we review the extant theories and recent findings concerning immigration, intermarriage, and multiracial identification, and consider the implications for America's changing color lines. In particular, we assess whether racial boundaries are fading for all groups or whether America's newcomers are simply crossing over the color line rather than helping to eradicate it.
The Sociology of Sexualities: Queer and Beyond
Authors: Gamson Joshua , Moon Dawne
Published: July 2004

We identify three trends in the recent sociology of sexuality. First, we examine how queer theory has influenced many sociologists whose empirical work observes sexuality in areas generally thought to be asexual. These sociologists also elaborate queer theory's challenge to sexual dichotomizing and trace the workings of power through sexual categories. Second, we look at how sociologists bring sexuality into conversation with the black feminist notion of “intersectionality” by examining the nature and effects of sexuality among multiple and intersecting systems of identity and oppression. A third trend in the sociology of sexuality has been to explore the relationships between sexuality and political economy in light of recent market transformations. In examining these trends, we observe the influence of globalization studies and the contributions of sociologists to understanding the role of sexuality in global processes. We conclude with the contributions sociologists of sexuality make toward understanding other social processes and with the ongoing need to study sexuality itself.
New Risks for Workers: Pensions, Labor Markets, and Gender
Authors: Shuey Kim M. , O'Rand Angela M.
Published: July 2004

This paper considers the changing social institution of employersponsored pensions within the framework of the sociology of risk. Employer-sponsored pensions are elements of a variable and changing occupational welfare system in which the risk and responsibilities for retirement income security have shifted from employer to worker through the expanding role of third-party vendors (insurers). Risk processes can be identified at the employer, insurer, family, and individual levels. This system can be conceptualized as a hierarchy of risk that begins at the organizational level with employer sponsorship of alternative pension plans and extends to the allocation of workers across pension jobs, to worker decisions regarding pension participation and investment of funds, and to final pension balances. Embedded in this multi-level risk system are gender differences that further stratify the aging workforce. We discuss the implications of these changes for future research on life course and retirement and recommend that risk preferences be examined within the contexts of the workplace and the household.
Protest and Political Opportunities
Authors: Meyer David S.
Published: July 2004

I review the development of the political opportunity or political process perspective, which has animated a great deal of research on social movements. The essential insight—that the context in which a movement emerges influences its development and potential impact—provides a fruitful analytic orientation for addressing numerous questions about social movements. Reviewing the development of the literature, however, I note that conceptualizations of political opportunity vary greatly, and scholars disagree on basic theories of how political opportunities affect movements. The relatively small number of studies testing political opportunity hypotheses against other explanations have generated mixed results, owing in part to the articulation of the theory and the specifications of variables employed. I examine conflicting specifications of the theory by considering the range of outcomes scholars address. By disaggregating outcomes and actors, I argue, we can reconcile some of the apparent contradictions and build a more comprehensive and robust theory of opportunities and social movements.
Durkheim's Theory of Mental Categories: A Review of the Evidence
Authors: Bergesen Albert J.
Published: July 2004

Durkheim hypothesized that basic categories of thought are based on society as their model, and that these mental representations arise from participation in society's totemic rites. This proposition is evaluated in light of recent research on the cognitive architecture of newborns and infants. The evidence suggests that presocialized infants possess mental representations of not only the physical world but also the minds of others and even the sui generis quality of collectivities. This review concludes that the Durkheimian theory of the social origin of mind has little empirical support and suggests that the sociology of mental life needs to be radically retheorized.
The Production of Culture Perspective
Authors: Peterson Richard A. , Anand N.
Published: July 2004

The production of culture perspective focuses on how the symbolic elements of culture are shaped by the systems within which they are created, distributed, evaluated, taught, and preserved. After tracing the consolidation of the perspective in the late 1970s, we introduce six facets of production (technology, law and regulation, industry structure, organization structure, occupational careers, and market) and use them to theorize within the production perspective a wide range of research. Third, we show the utility of the facet model in coherently theorizing a research study based in a quite different perspective. Fourth, we explore the recent application of the production perspective in organizational research. Fifth, we outline the recent extension of the production perspective to autoproduction, the study of identity formation, and meaning in informal relations. Finally, we discuss criticisms of the perspective and suggest opportunities for research.
The Use of Newspaper Data in the Study of Collective Action
Authors: Earl Jennifer , Martin Andrew , McCarthy John D. , Soule Sarah A.
Published: July 2004

Studying collective action with newspaper accounts of protest events, rare only 20 years ago, has become commonplace in the past decade. A critical literature has accompanied the growth of protest event analysis. The literature has focused on selection bias—particularly which subset of events are covered—and description bias—notably, the veracity of the coverage. The “hard news” of the event, if it is reported, tends to be relatively accurate. However, a newspaper's decision to cover an event at all is influenced by the type of event, the news agency, and the issue involved. In this review, we discuss approaches to detecting bias, as well as ways to factor knowledge about bias into interpretations of protest event data.
Social Cohesion
Authors: Friedkin Noah E.
Published: July 2004

Investigators interested in developing a general theory of social cohesion are confronted with a complex body of work that involves various definitions of social cohesion, specialized literatures on particular dimensions of social cohesion (e.g., membership turnover, organizational commitment, categorical identifications, interpersonal attachments, network structures), and lines of inquiry focused on the social cohesion of specific types of groups (e.g., families, schools, military units, and sports teams). This review addresses the problem of integrating the individual and group levels at which social cohesion has been defined. It also develops a perspective on social cohesion as a domain of causally interrelated phenomena concerned with individuals' membership attitudes and behaviors, in which the major dimensions of social cohesion occupy different theoretical positions with respect to one another as antecedent, intervening, or outcome variables.
Values: Reviving a Dormant Concept
Authors: Hitlin Steven , Piliavin Jane Allyn
Published: July 2004

Over the past decades, the concept of values has gone in and out of fashion within sociology. Relatively recent advances in both the conceptualization and measurement of values offer the potential for a reincorporation of values into sociological work. Sociologists often employ cursory understandings of values, imbuing values with too much determinism or viewing them as too individually subjective. The concept is employed sporadically in sociological subdisciplines. This review maps out the contours of the various approaches to linking values with culture, social structure, and individual behavior. We discuss theoretical and empirical approaches to values, organizing the broad literature to address three questions: (a) What are values? (b) Where do values come from? and (c) What do values do? We identify important research findings and suggest areas for future inquiry.
The “New” Science of Networks
Authors: Watts Duncan J.
Published: July 2004

In recent years, the analysis and modeling of networks, and also networked dynamical systems, have been the subject of considerable interdisciplinary interest, yielding several hundred papers in physics, mathematics, computer science, biology, economics, and sociology journals ( Newman 2003c ), as well as a number of books ( Barabasi 2002 , Buchanan 2002 , Watts 2003 ). Here I review the major findings of this emerging field and discuss briefly their relationship with previous work in the social and mathematical sciences.
Muscle glycogen content in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: He Jing , Kelley David E.
Published: July 2004

Muscle contains the largest reservoir of glycogen (Glyc), a depot that is closely regulated and with influence on insulin sensitivity. The current study examines muscle Glyc in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity and with respect to muscle fiber type, intramyocellular lipid content (IMCL), and mitochondrial function (oxidative enzyme activity; OX-Enz). There is increasing interest in the relation of IMCL and mitochondrial dysfunction with insulin resistance (IR), yet the association with muscle Glyc has not been examined with regard to these parameters. Using a quantitative histological approach specific to muscle fiber types, we assessed muscle Glyc, IMCL, and OX-Enz in vastus lateralis obtained by percutaneous biopsy in lean nondiabetic (L; n = 16), obese nondiabetic (Ob; n = 15), and T2DM volunteers ( n = 14). Insulin sensitivity was estimated using homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-IR. Muscle Glyc was reduced in T2DM, a deficit evident for type IIa fibers, yet minor in types I and IIb fibers. Low Glyc in T2DM correlated with fasting hyperglycemia. Also, in T2DM and Ob, there was significantly higher IMCL and lower OX-Enz in all fiber types. The IMCL-to-OX-Enz ratio, especially for type I fibers, correlated strongly with IR. Similarly, a Glyc-to-OX-Enz ratio correlated with IR, particularly for type IIb fibers. This ratio tended to be higher in Ob and T2DM. In summary, there is decreased muscle Glyc in T2DM yet a disproportional Glyc-to-OX-Enz relationship that is related to IR, although not as robustly as the IMCL-to-OX-Enz ratio.
Heterogeneous β
2
-Adrenoceptor Expression and Dilation in Coronary Arterioles Across the Left Ventricular Wall
Authors: Hein Travis W. , Zhang Cuihua , Wang Wei , Kuo Lih
Published: July 2004

Background—

Previous in vivo studies have shown that β-adrenoceptor agonists cause a redistribution of coronary flow away from the subendocardium; however, the underlying mechanism remains uncertain. We tested the hypothesis that a heterogeneous distribution of β-adrenoceptors and their vasomotor responses exists in the coronary microcirculation across the left ventricular wall.

Methods and Results—

Porcine subepicardial and subendocardial arterioles (<100 μm) were isolated from the left ventricle and pressurized for in vitro study of vasodilation to the nonselective β-adrenoceptor agonist isoproterenol and the selective β
2
-adrenoceptor agonist procaterol. Both vessel types developed a similar level of basal tone and dilated to isoproterenol and procaterol. However, subepicardial arterioles exhibited a much higher sensitivity and greater dilation capacity to both agonists. The isoproterenol-induced vasodilations were inhibited by glibenclamide, an ATP-sensitive potassium (K
ATP
) channel blocker. In contrast to isoproterenol, dilations of subepicardial and subendocardial arterioles to pinacidil, a K
ATP
channel opener, were similar. In both vessel types, isoproterenol-induced dilation was inhibited by the β
2
-adrenoceptor blocker ICI-118,551 but was insensitive to the β
1
-adrenoceptor blocker atenolol. Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical data revealed that β
2
-adrenoceptor mRNA and protein expression, respectively, were markedly greater in subepicardial arterioles.

Conclusions—

This study demonstrates that selective activation of β
2
-adrenoceptors elicits dilation of both subepicardial and subendocardial arterioles through opening of K
ATP
channels. The higher β
2
-adrenoceptor expression in subepicardial arterioles may contribute to the greater dilation of these vessels to β
2
-adrenoceptor activation.
High Levels of Dietary Advanced Glycation End Products Transform Low-Dersity Lipoprotein Into a Potent Redox-Sensitive Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Stimulant in Diabetic Patients
Authors: Cai Weijing , He John Cijiang , Zhu Li , Peppa Melpomeni , Lu Changyong , Uribarri Jaime , Vlassara Helen
Published: July 2004

Background—

LDL modification by endogenous advanced glycation end products (AGEs) is thought to contribute to cardiovascular disease of diabetes. It remains unclear, however, whether exogenous (diet-derived) AGEs influence glycoxidation and endothelial cell toxicity of diabetic LDL.

Methods and Results—

Twenty-four diabetic subjects were randomized to either a standard diet (here called high-AGE, HAGE) or a diet 5-fold lower in AGE (LAGE diet) for 6 weeks. LDL pooled from patients on HAGE diet (Db-HAGE-LDL) was more glycated than LDL from the LAGE diet group (Db-LAGE-LDL) (192 versus 92 AGE U/mg apolipoprotein B) and more oxidized (5.7 versus 1.5 nmol malondialdehyde/mg lipoprotein). When added to human endothelial cells (ECV 304 or human umbilical vein endothelial cells), Db-HAGE-LDL promoted marked ERK1/2 phosphorylation (pERK1/2) (5.5- to 10-fold of control) in a time- and dose-dependent manner compared with Db-LAGE-LDL or native LDL. In addition, Db-HAGE-LDL stimulated NF-κB activity significantly in ECV 304 and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (2.3-fold above baseline) in a manner inhibitable by a MEK inhibitor PD98059 (10 μmol/L), the antioxidant
N
-acetyl-
l
-cysteine, NAC (30 mmol/L), and the NADPH oxidase inhibitor DPI (20 μmol/L). In contrast to Db-LAGE-LD and native LDL, Db-HAGE-LDL induced significant soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 production (2.3-fold), which was blocked by PD98059, NAC, and DPI.

Conclusions—

Exposure to daily dietary glycoxidants enhances LDL-induced vascular toxicity via redox-sensitive mitogen-activated protein kinase activation. This can be prevented by dietary AGE restriction.
Intracoronary Adenovirus Encoding Adenylyl Cyclase VI Increases Left Ventricular Function in Heart Failure
Authors: Lai N. Chin , Roth David M. , Gao Mei Hua , Tang Tong , Dalton Nancy , Lai Yin Yin , Spellman Matthew , Clopton Paul , Hammond H. Kirk
Published: July 2004

Background—

We tested the hypothesis that intracoronary delivery of an adenovirus encoding adenylyl cyclase type VI (Ad.AC
VI
) would be associated with increased left ventricular (LV) function in pigs with congestive heart failure.

Methods and Results—

Pigs (52±6 kg; n=16) underwent placement of pacemakers, LV pressure transducers, and left atrial and aortic catheters. Physiological and echocardiographic studies were obtained from conscious animals 13 days later, and pacing was initiated (220 bpm). Seven days later, measures of LV function were reduced, documenting severe LV dysfunction and dilation. Pigs then received intracoronary Ad.AC
VI
(1.4×10
12
vp; n=7) or saline (PBS; n=9) (randomized, blinded), with concomitant infusion of nitroprusside (50 μg/min, 6.4 minutes) to increase gene transfer. Pacing was continued for 14 days, and final studies were obtained. The a priori key end point was change in LV dP/dt during isoproterenol infusion (pre-Ad.AC
VI
value minus value after 21 days of pacing). Pigs receiving Ad.AC
VI
showed a smaller decrease in both LV +dP/dt (
P
=0.0014) and LV −dP/dt (
P
=0.0008). Serial echocardiography showed that Ad.AC
VI
treatment was associated with increased LV function and reduced LV dilation and that end-systolic wall stress was reduced. AC-stimulated cAMP production was increased 1.7-fold in LV samples from Ad.AC
VI
-treated pigs (
P
=0.006), and B-type natriuretic peptide was reduced (0.035). Gene transfer was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction.

Conclusions—

AC
VI
gene transfer increases LV function and attenuates deleterious LV remodeling in congestive heart failure.
Glycated Hemoglobin Level Is Strongly Related to the Prevalence of Carotid Artery Plaques With High Echogenicity in Nondiabetic Individuals
Authors: Jørgensen Lone , Jenssen Trond , Joakimsen Oddmund , Heuch Ivar , Ingebretsen Ole Christian , Jacobsen Bjarne K.
Published: July 2004

Background—

High levels of HbA
1c
have been associated with increased mortality and an increased risk of atherosclerosis assessed as carotid intima-media thickness or plaque prevalence. In the present population-based study, we examined the association between HbA
1c
and plaque prevalence with emphasis on plaque echogenicity in subjects not diagnosed with diabetes.

Methods and Results—

HbA
1c
measurements and ultrasonography of the carotid artery were performed in 5960 subjects (3026 women, 2934 men) 25 to 84 years of age. Plaque morphology was categorized into 4 groups from low echogenicity (soft plaque) to strong echogenicity (hard plaque). HbA
1c
was categorized into 5 groups: <5.0%, 5.0% to 5.4%, 5.5% to 5.9%, 6.0% to 6.4% and >6.4%. Carotid plaque prevalence increased with increasing HbA
1c
level (
P
for linear trend=0.002). The OR for hard plaques versus no plaques was 5.8 in the highest HbA
1c
group (>6.4%) compared with subjects in the lowest group (<5.0%) after adjustment for several possible confounders. The risk of predominantly hard plaques was also significantly associated with HbA
1c
levels, although the ORs at each level were somewhat lower than for hard plaques. With respect to the risk of soft plaques versus no plaques, no statistically significant relationship with HbA
1c
levels was found.

Conclusions—

Metabolic changes reflected by HbA
1c
levels may contribute to the development of hard carotid artery plaques, even at modestly elevated levels.
Protective Role for Interferon-β in Coxsackievirus B3 Infection
Authors: Deonarain Raj , Cerullo Dante , Fuse Koichi , Liu Peter P. , Fish Eleanor N.
Published: July 2004

Background—

Coxsackievirus-induced myocarditis can be a serious cause of heart failure. In the absence of a specific antiviral therapy, modulating the host immune response may be protective. Interferons (IFNs)-α and -β perform a fundamental role in innate and adaptive antiviral responses, thereby presenting as candidate therapeutics for coxsackievirus infections.

Methods and Results—

To examine the contribution of IFN-β in protection from coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) infection, mice lacking the IFN-β gene were infected with 10
3
plaque-forming units of CVB3. In contrast to wild-type mice that exhibit an intact IFN-β response, we observed increased susceptibility to infection (70% mortality), a downregulation of IFN-stimulated gene targets (2′-5′ oligoadenylate synthetase, serine/threonine protein kinase, the GTPase Mx), and cardiomyocyte breakdown and disruption in the IFN-β
−/−
mice.

Conclusions—

Viewed together, these results clearly demonstrate that IFN-β is important in mediating protection against CVB3-induced myocarditis.
Anti-Xa Activity Relates to Survival and Efficacy in Unselected Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients Treated With Enoxaparin
Authors: Montalescot G. , Collet J.P. , Tanguy M.L. , Ankri A. , Payot L. , Dumaine R. , Choussat R. , Beygui F. , Gallois V. , Thomas D.
Published: July 2004

Background—

Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is recommended in the treatment of unstable angina (UA)/non–ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), but no relationship has ever been shown between anticoagulation levels obtained with LMWH treatment and clinical outcomes.

Methods and Results—

In all, 803 consecutive patients with UA/NSTEMI were treated with subcutaneous enoxaparin and were followed up for 30 days. The recommended dose of enoxaparin of 1 mg/kg BID was used throughout the population except when physicians decided on dose reduction because of a history of a recent bleeding event or because of a high bleeding risk. Anti–factor Xa activity was >0.5 IU/mL in 93% of patients; subtherapeutic anti-Xa levels (<0.5 IU/mL) were associated with lower doses of enoxaparin. The 30-day mortality rate was significantly associated with low anti-Xa levels (<0.5 IU/mL), with a >3-fold increase in mortality compared with the patients with anti-Xa levels in the target range of 0.5 to 1.2 IU/mL (
P
=0.004). Multivariate analysis revealed low anti-Xa activity as an independent predictor of 30-day mortality at least as strong as age, left ventricular function, and renal function. In contrast, anti-Xa activity did not predict major bleeding complications within the range of anti-Xa levels observed in this study.

Conclusions—

In this large unselected cohort of patients with UA/NSTEMI patients, low anti-Xa activity on enoxaparin treatment is independently associated with 30-day mortality, which highlights the need for achieving at least the minimum prescribed anti-Xa level of 0.5 IU/mL with enoxaparin whenever possible.