bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pharmacologic inhibition of platelet vWF-GPIbα interaction prevents coronary artery thrombosis
Authors: Swillo Robert , Morgan Gwen , Leik Courtney , Brooks Jonathan , Shaw Gray , Schaub Robert , Crandall David , Vlasuk George , Hennan James 
Published: February 2006

SummaryUnder high shear arterial blood flow von Willebrand Factor (vWF) binds the platelet receptor glycoprotein (GP) Ibα, leading to platelet adhesion, activation and thrombosis. Blockade of vWF-GPIbα interactions by GPG-290 was investigated in a canine model of coronary artery thrombosis alone and in combination with clopidogrel. GPG-290 (100 µg/kg, n=6; 500 µg/kg, n=6) prolonged time to thrombotic occlusion (TTO) to 105±34 and 156±23 (p<0.05) min, respectively compared to the saline treated control group (32±6min, n=6). Patency of the injured vessel was sustained in 1/6 (100µg/kg) and 3/6 vessels (500 µg/kg) 4 hours after injury, in contrast to 0/6 in the control group. There was an increase in bleeding after the 500 µg/kg dose, but only at the 1 hr time point. Clopidogrel was studied in two dosing regimens representing either a clinical pretreatment regimen (PTR) of 4.3 mg/kg on day –2 followed by 1.1 mg/kg daily for2 days prior to the procedure or pre-procedural loading dose regimen (LDR) of 4.3 mg/kg 3 hr pre-procedure. The PTR and LDR clopidogrel treatments prolonged TTO to 98.2±30.0 min and 136.1±39.5 min (p<0.05), and sustained patency in 1/6 and 4/8 vessels, respectively. However, template bleeding time in the LDR clopidogrel group was sustained higher than the control group. The combination of PTR clopidogrel and GPG-290 (100 µg/kg) prolonged TTO equivalent to LDR clopidogrel alone (141.4±35.1 min) and sustained patency in 3/7 dogs, without increased bleeding while LDR clopidogrel combined with 100 µg/kg GPG-290 prevented occlusion in 5/8 dogs and further prolonged TTO (173.5±32.6 min) but was associated with increased bleeding compared to control. GPG-290 is an antithrombotic agent that may be combined with lower doses of clopidogrel to yield similar antithrombotic efficacy as higher loading doses.
Warm-up exercise suppresses platelet-eosinophil/neutrophil aggregation and platelet-promoted release of eosinophil/neutrophil oxidant products enhanced by severe exercise in men
Authors: Yen Hsiang-Ling , Yang Chuen-Mao , Wang Jong-Shyan 
Published: February 2006

SummaryHeterotypic platelet-eosinophil/neutrophil aggregation and subsequent release of eosinophil/neutrophil oxidant products contribute to pathogenesis of conditions such as asthma and inflammatory bowel diseases. This study investigates whether warmup exercise (WUE) affects platelet-eosinophil/neutrophil interaction mediated by high-intensity exercise (HIE). Twenty-three healthy sedentary men performed on three occasions light-intensity exercise (LIE, 40%VO2max for 40 min) and HIE (80%VO2max for 40 min) with and without WUE (40%VO2max for 20 min). Before and immediately after exercise, platelet-eosinophil and platelet-neutrophil aggregation (PEA and PNA), reactive oxygen species production of eosinophils and neutrophils (EROS and NROS) enhanced by platelets, and adhesion molecule expression on platelets, eosinophils, and neutrophils were measured. The results of this study demonstrated that HIE enhanced PEA, PNA, and platelet-induced EROS and NROS, was accompanied by increased expressions of Mac-1 on eosinophils and neutrophils and P-selectin on platelets at 5 dyne/cm2 of shear stress, 100 µg/ml lipopolysaccharide, and 1 µM N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine treatments, whereas the enhancement of HIE on platelet-eosinophil/neutrophil interaction was suppressed by WUE. Conversely, LIE significantly reduced PEA and PNA, suppressed platelet-induced EROS and NROS, and down-regulated eosinophil/neutrophil Mac-1 and platelet P-selectin expressions under various stimuli and shear flow conditions. Moreover, these effects were more pronounced in platelet interaction with eosinophils than with neutrophils. It is concluded that HIE enhances hetero-aggregation, adhesion molecules expressions, and subsequent oxidative bursts mediated by platelets and eosinophils/neutrophils, this effect diminishes after WUE. However, LIE minimizes the risk of thromboinflammation.
Antithrombotic effects of ximelagatran plus acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and clopidogrel plus ASA in a human ex vivo arterial thrombosis model
Authors: Eriksson-Lepkowska Maria , Nyström Per , Eriksson Ulf , Sarich Troy , Badimon Juan , Kalies Inge , Elg Margareta , Bylock Anders , Wåhlander Karin 
Published: February 2006

SummaryIt was the objective of this study to compare the antithrombotic effects and bleeding profiles of the oral direct thrombin inhibitor ximelagatran, an anticoagulant, and the antiplatelet agent clopidogrel on top of steady-state acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in a human arterial thrombosis model. Healthy male volunteers (n=62) received ASA (160 mg once daily),plus either clopidogrel for 6 days (loading dose 300 mg, then 75 mg once daily), or a single dose of ximelagatran (36 or 72 mg) on Day 6. Changes in total thrombus area (TTA) under low shear rate (LSR; 212 s-1) and high shear rate (HSR; 1690 s-1) conditions were measured, using the ex vivo Badimon perfusion chamber model pre-dose and 2 and 5 hours after dosing on Day 6, and capillary bleeding times (CBT) were determined. Ximelagatran plus ASA significantly reduced TTA under LSR and HSR, compared with ASA alone. Ximelagatran plus ASA reduced TTA more than clopidogrel plus ASA under LSR after2 hours (36 mg, P=0.0011; 72 mg, P<0.0001) and 5 hours (72 mg, P=0.0057), and under HSR after 2 and 5 hours (72 mg, P<0.05). Compared with ASA alone, CBT was markedly prolonged by clopidogrel plus ASA (ratio 6.4; P<0.0001) but only slightly by ximelagatran plus ASA (72 mg ximelagatran,ratio 1.4;P=0.0010).Both drug combinations were well tolerated. Oral ximelagatran plus ASA has a greater antithrombotic effect in this human ex vivo thrombosis model and a less prounounced prolongation of bleeding time than clopidogrel plus ASA.
The risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism in patients with unprovoked symptomatic deep vein thrombosis and asymptomatic pulmonary embolism
Authors: Díaz Gema , Marín Elena , Vidal Rafael , Sueiro Antonio , Yusen Roger , Jiménez David 
Published: February 2006

SummaryPatients with a first episode of symptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE) havea higher risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) than patients with a first episode of proximal lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Patients with symptomatic DVT and silent PE may havea different risk of VTE recurrence than patients that have symptomatic DVT without PE. Therefore, it was the aim of this prospective cohort study to compare the risk of recurrent symptomaticVTE in patients with proximal lower extremity DVT and silent PE to the risk in patients that only have proximal lower extremity DVT. Ninty-one consecutive outpatients presenting to the emergency department of a university hospital subsequently hospitalised with a first episode of unprovoked symptomatic proximal lower extremity DVT, and without new pulmonary symptoms were included. Standard initial treatment consisted of intravenous unfractionated heparin or subcutaneous low-molecular-weight heparin for 5–7 days, overlapped with oral vitamin-K antagonist therapy, with long-term oral vitamin-K antagonist therapy (goal INR 2.5 [2.0–3.0]). Study endpoints were: symptomatic recurrent DVT, new PE, and recurrent PE, evaluated by standard objective testing. At enrolment, 28 of 91 (31%) patients with DVT had silent PE. In the patients with DVT and silent PE, there were 3 VTE recurrences during 20 person-years of follow-up, while there were no VTE recurrences during 61 person-years of follow-up in the patients with isolated DVT. The Kaplan-Meier estimated VTE recurrence rate at 1 year after the diagnosis of DVT was 11% (95% CI: 2–28%) for patients with symptomatic DVT and silent PE, compared to 0% in patients with isolated symptomatic DVT (p = 0.0045). In patients with a first episode of unprovoked symptomatic acute proximal lower extremity DVT, the risk of recurrent VTE was significantly higher in those with silent PE compared to those without PE.
Anti-thrombotic effect of bivalirudin compared with eptifibatide and unfractionated heparin in diabetic patients
Authors: Lev Eli , Patel Rajnikant , Karim Azim , Kleiman Amanda , Badimon Juan , Kleiman Neal 
Published: February 2006

SummaryPatients with diabetes who undergo percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are at high risk for thrombotic complications following the procedure. We sought to compare the anti-thrombotic effect of bivalirudin to that of eptifibatide plus unfractionated heparin in diabetic patients undergoing elective PCI. Thirty diabetic patients were randomized to receive during PCI either bivalirudin (bivalirudin group, n=15) or eptifibatide plus heparin (eptifibatide group, n=15) at standard dosing regimens. The drugs were continued for 20 minutes (bivalirudin) or 18 hours (eptifibatide) after PCI. Blood thrombogenicity was assessed using the Badimon ex vivo perfusion chamber. Each patient underwent two perfusion studies – at baseline (on aspirin and clopidogrel) and 15–20 minutes following PCI. Perfusion studies were performed at rheologic conditions of low and high shear rates (LSR, HSR). Porcine aortic tunica media served as the thrombogenic substrate. Aortic specimens were stained for total platelet-thrombus and fibrin deposition. Thrombus area was measured using computerized planimetry. There were no differences in clinical characteristics or baseline thrombus area between the two groups. Total platelet-thrombus area was reduced significantly in both groups, but the degree of reduction was lower in the bivalirudin group compared with the eptifibatide group (HSR: 69.5% vs. 89.3% reduction, respectively, P=0.04; LSR: 50.6% vs. 73.2%, P=0.03). Fibrin deposition was reduced in both groups by 47–49%. In conclusion, both bivalirudin and the combination of eptifibatide plus heparin, given to diabetic patients during PCI, achieved marked reductions in total thrombus formation and fibrin deposition. However, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibition by eptifibatide causeda more pronounced reduction in thrombus formation.
Human endothelial cells synthesize protein Z, but not the protein Z dependent inhibitor
Authors: Denoyelle Christophe , Corbière Cécile , Litzler Pierre-Yves , Legrand Elisabeth , Vannier Jean-Pierre , Vasse Marc 
Published: February 2006

SummaryProtein Z (PZ) is a vitamin K-dependent protein isolated from human plasma, and acts as a cofactor fora serpin, called protein Z-dependent protease inhibitor (ZPI).A prothrombotic phenotype has been reported in PZ deficient mice, and PZ deficiencies have been observed in patients with arterial thrombotic events. PZ was immunologically detected in the endothelium of atherosclerotic arteries, suggesting that endothelial cells could be involved in the production of PZ.In this study we analyzed the synthesis and release of PZ and ZPI by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), representative of the macrovasculature, and by HMEC-1, a microvascular endothelial cell line. PZ was quantified bya specific ELISA in the supernatant and in the lysates of both cellular types. Western blotting of the supernatants showed the presence of a band of 62 kDa,identical to PZ synthesized by the hepatoma cell line HepG2. mRNA of PZ was also detected in each cellular type. PZ biosynthesis was unaffected by inflammatory cytokines in HUVEC, whereas a slight decrease of mRNA and PZ antigen (53.5 ± 14.5% of protein synthesis as compared to the control, p < 0.01) and a modest increase (126± 8.5% as compared to the control, p< 0.05) were induced respectively byTumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-alpha (25 ng/ml) and oncostatin M (5 ng/ml) in HMEC-1. Immunological studies showed the presence of PZ near the nucleus and a possible expression of PZ at the membrane.In addition, PZ was present in the endothelial cells of both normal arterial and venous vessel sections. In contrast, neither ZPI nor its mRNA was detected in endothelial cells.
Re-conceptualizing Civil Society: The Debate Continues With Specific Reference to Contemporary Senegal
Authors: Lo Mbaye 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThis article challenges the civil society argument based on its failure to correctly and appropriately conceptualize Africa's societal experiences. To this end, the article explores Senegal as a case study to show how the idiosyncrasy of societal development has constructed and produced different types of associational life that is not grasped within the liberal preconditions of civil society. Senegal was selected to make a deductive analysis. If we can prove that Senegalese society, which is commonly cited in the liberal argument as a vibrant model of civil society, is neither acting within the conventional frameworks nor meets the conventional preconditions of civil society, the argument on the flaws of the liberal conception of civil society will stand.
Census in Nigeria: The Politics and the Imperative of Depoliticization
Authors: Mimiko Femi 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThis paper demonstrates that the persistent (mis)management of census is a key variable in the pattern of political instability and diminishing capacity that have defined the Nigerian State since it attained relative political independence in 1960. With roots in the highly exploitative and manipulative colonial enterprise, the crises of census in Nigeria continue to be sustained in contemporary times by the inherited contradictions that define the nation's political economy. Thus every past census in Nigeria has been a victim of intense elite contestation for power and resources, and therefore rather than enhance the planning and development process of the country, has further impaired it. The paper argues that any census, the scheduled 2005 edition inclusive, conducted in the context of extant hotly-disputed and largely illegitimate State structure, will not be able to accomplish its set objectives; with the decision by the Nigerian State to deny rather than come to terms with Nigerians' primary forms of identity, ethnic and religious, set to further erode rather than enhance the integrity of the exercise. It concludes that census will stop being inverted in its role in Nigeria only when the governance structure becomes wholly decentralized, the federating units become truly so, and census as an exercise becomes wholly de-politicized.
South Asians in East Africa (1880-1920) with a Particular Focus on Zanzibar: Toward a Historical Explanation of Economic Success of a Middlemen Minority
Authors: Oonk Gijsbert 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe main object of this article is to falsify the common historical portrait of South Asians in Zanzibar and East Africa. Most studies, a-priori, assume the outstanding business success of the Asian minority in East Africa. In explaining this success, they emphasize common explanations and theories for their economic success, like hard work, having a superior business mind, using their ethnic resources for capital accumulation and knowledge of (international) markets. In this article I attempt to explain the success of South Asians in Zanzibar, East Africa, from a historical point of view. My main argument is that South Asians started with a far more favorable socio-economic position as compared to their African counterparts. They were more than Swahilis, accustomed with a money economy and the concept of interest. In addition, they knew how to read, write and produce account books. Finally, they had access to the rulers, and were able to negotiate profitable terms of trade. Nevertheless, many were not successful at all and went bankrupt. Therefore, the success of South Asians in East Africa may be explained as the outcome of a 'trial and error' process. The successful remained in East Africa, whereas others left. India remained a safety net for those who did not make out as well as a source for new recruitment of traders, shopkeepers and clerks.
The Economy of Conflict in the Oil Rich Niger Delta Region of Nigeria
Authors: Ikelegbe Augustine 
Published: February 2006

AbstractEconomies of war underpinned by greed and opportunities have been posited to underlie causality, dynamics and the sustenance of conflicts – particularly Africa's resource wars. This study examines the economy of conflict in the resource conflicts in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. It found that a conflict economy comprising an intensive and violent struggle for resource opportunities, inter and intra communal/ethnic conflicts over resources, and the theft and trading in refined and crude oil has blossomed since the 1990s. This paper examines the interfaces between the Nigerian state, multinational oil companies, the international community, and youth militias with the economy. This paper found that though the economy did not cause the conflict, it has become a part of the resistance and a resource for sustaining it. The economy underpins an extensive proliferation of arms and the institutions of violence and the pervasiveness of crime, violence and communal/ethnic conflicts.
An exploratory study of Israeli start-up entrepreneur usage of the internet
Authors: Shoham Snunith , Baruchson-Arbib Shifra , Gouri-Oren Osnat 
Published: February 2006

Internet usage and its evaluation as a source of information, compared to traditional information sources, were examined among 92 entrepreneurs of Israeli start-ups. Entrepreneurs' independent versus mediated use in internet searches was also examined. Ninety percent of the entrepreneurs in this study described the internet as an important tool, while 71% believed that they were skilled in the use of the internet, despite the fact that they primarily used basic internet services including access of a repertoire of websites and search engines. Findings of the study indicate that the internet plays a significant role in entrepreneurs' search activities, compared to traditional sources of information. Thus, the study findings reflect a change in entrepreneurial search practices and a shift toward a use of the internet. Entrepreneurs who perceived themselves as highly skilled in internet searches, tended to perform independent searches rather than rely on mediators. The convenience, accessibility and anonymity of the internet, as well as the wealth of available informative data at no cost, contributed to this pattern of findings. Additionally, the internet contains diverse information which meets the needs of entrepreneurs, especially in the venture conception phase. Entrepreneurs in this stage have minimal cash resources and, according to Kirzner's theory of ‘alertness,’ tend to seek out all possible information rather than conduct more focused searches.
The Evolution of Rawls's Justification of Political Compliance: Part 1 of The Problem of Political Compliance in Rawls's Theories of Justice
Authors: Carter Alan 
Published: February 2006

AbstractAs Rawls's thought evolved from his 1958 article ‘Justice as Fairness’ to the 1996 edition of his book Political Liberalism, his response to the problem of political compliance would seem to have undergone a number of changes. This article critically evaluates the development of Rawls's various explicit or implied arguments that serve to justify compliance to just social arrangements, and concludes that the problem of political compliance remains without any cogent solution within the vast corpus of Rawls's work.
A Paradox of Sovereignty in Rousseau's Social Contract
Authors: Simpson Matthew 
Published: February 2006

AbstractOne unique part of Rousseau's Social Contract is his argument that a just society must have a specific constitutional arrangement of powers centred around what he calls the Sovereign and the Prince. This makes his philosophy different from other contractualists, such as Hobbes and Locke, who think that the principles of good government are compatible with any number of institutional structures. Rousseau's constitutional theory is thus significant in a way that has no parallel in Hobbes or Locke. More to the point, any problems that exist in his constitutional theory will have consequences for his political thought as a whole. This article argues that there is a contradiction at the center of Rousseau's theory of institutions that threatens the cogency of the Social Contract.
More on Blameworthiness and Alternative Possibilities
Authors: Goddu G.C. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThe derivation of the generally held Principle of Alternative Possibilities (PAP), roughly ‘you are morally responsible only if you could do otherwise’, from an even more generally held moral principle, K (for Kant), that roughly speaking ‘ought implies can’, has recently been the focus of significant debate. In this paper I shall argue that by focusing on PAP interpreted in terms of commissions alone an alternative derivation of PAP interpreted in terms of omissions is being overlooked. The advantage of the new derivation is that it avoids many of the criticisms directed at the original derivation.
Influence of asymmetry of vestibular caloric response and age on balance and perceived symptoms after acute unilateral vestibular loss
Authors: Kammerlind Ann-Sofi C , Ledin Torbjörn , Ödkvist Lars , Skargren Elisabeth IB 
Published: February 2006

Objective: To evaluate the influence of asymmetry of vestibular caloric response and age on balance and perceived symptoms after acute unilateral vestibular loss. Design: Prospective study. Setting: Ear, nose and throat departments in three hospitals. Subjects: Fifty-four patients (mean age 52 years) with acute unilateral vestibular loss participating in a randomized controlled training study were included. Main measures: Electronystagmography testing was performed within one week after onset of symptoms and after 10 weeks. The outcome measures clinical static balance tests (sharpened Romberg's test with eyes closed, standing on foam with eyes closed, and standing on one leg with eyes open and closed) and subjective symptom ratings on a visual analogue scale were done after one week, 10 weeks and six months. The correlation between age and asymmetry of vestibular caloric response, respectively, and the outcome measures were analysed. Results: Greater caloric asymmetry correlated with poorer performance at the sharpened Romberg's test and standing on one leg with eyes closed at all three follow-ups (rho=-0.31 to -0.54), and with higher symptom ratings at the 10-week and six-month follow-ups (rho=0.30-0.60). Higher age was associated with poorer performance on the sharpened Romberg's test and standing on one leg at all three follow-ups (rho=0.31-0.64), but did not change over time. Higher age was also associated with higher ratings of vertigo at the six-month follow-up, and less reduction of vertigo between the 10-week and six-month follow-ups (rho=0.29-0.48). Conclusions: A higher degree of asymmetry of vestibular caloric response and high age seem to be associated with poor outcome in balance and perceived symptoms after acute unilateral vestibular loss.