bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Did political constraints bind during transition? Evidence from Czech elections, 1990–20021
Authors: Doyle Orla , Walsh Patrick Paul 
Published: July 2007

AbstractMany theoretical models of transition are driven by the assumption that economic decision making is subject to political constraints. In this paper we test whether the ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ of economic reform influenced voting behaviour in the first five national elections in the Czech Republic. We propose that voters, taking stock of endowments from the planning era, could predict whether they would become winners or losers of transition. Using survey data we measure the degree to which regions were ‘not afraid’ or ‘afraid’ of economic reform in 1990. We define the former as potential ‘winners’ who should vote for pro‐reform parties and the latter as potential ‘losers’ who should support left‐wing parties. Using election results and economic indicators at the regional level, we demonstrate that there is persistence in support for pro‐reform and communist parties which is driven by prospective voting based on initial conditions in 1990. We find that regional unemployment rates in 2002 are good predictors of voting patterns in 1990 and provide empirical evidence that political constraints bind during transition.
Representation of harmonic frequencies in auditory memory: A mismatch negativity study
Authors: Zion‐Golumbic Elana , Deouell Leon Y. , Whalen Douglas H. , Bentin Shlomo 
Published: July 2007

AbstractMost natural sounds are composed of a mixture of frequencies, which activate separate neurons in the tonotopic auditory cortex. Nevertheless, we perceive this mixture as an integrated sound with unique acoustic properties. We used the Mismatch Negativity (MMN), a marker of auditory change detection, to determine whether individual harmonics are represented in sensory memory. The MMN elicited by duration and pitch deviations were compared for harmonic and pure tones. Controlled for acoustic differences between standards and deviants and their relative probabilities, the MMN was larger for harmonic than pure tones for duration but not for pitch deviance. Because the magnitude of the MMN reflects the number of concurrent changes in the acoustic input relative to a preexistent acoustic representation, these results suggest that duration is represented and compared separately for individual frequencies, whereas pitch comparison occurs after integration.
Regulation and Role of the Presynaptic and Myocardial Na+/H+ Exchanger NHE1: Effects on the Sympathetic Nervous System in Heart Failure
Authors: Leineweber Kirsten , Heusch Gerd , Schulz Rainer 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTIn acute myocardial ischemia and in chronic heart failure, sympathetic activation with excessive norepinephrine (NE) release from and reduced NE reuptake into sympathetic nerve endings is a prominent cause of arrhythmias and cardiac dysfunction.The Na+/H+ exchanger NHE1 is the predominant isoform in the heart. It contributes to cellular acid–base balance, and electrolyte, and volume homeostasis, and is activated in response to intracellular acidosis and/or activation of guanine nucleotide binding (G) protein‐coupled receptors. NHE1 mediates its signaling via protein kinases A (PKA) or C (PKC).In cardiomyocytes, NHE1 is restricted to specialized membrane domains, where it regulates the activity of pH‐sensitive proteins and modulates the driving force of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. During acute ischemia/reperfusion and in heart failure the activity/amount of NHE1 is increased, leading to intracellular Ca2+ overload and promoting structural (apoptosis, hypertrophy) and functional (arrhythmias, hypercontraction) myocardial damage. In sympathetic nerve endings, increased NHE1 activity results in the accumulation of axoplasmic Na+ that diminishes the inward and/or favors the outward transport of NE via the neuronal norepinephrine transporter (NET). The increased NE levels within the nerve–muscle junction facilitate the sustained stimulation of myocardial α‐ and β‐adrenoceptors (ARs), which in turn aggravate the increases in myocardial NHE1 activity and the associated deleterious effects. Furthermore, the responsiveness of the β‐AR declines overtime, which results in further release of NE, initiating a vicious cycle. Accordingly, NHE1 is a potential candidate for targeted intervention to suppress this feedback loop.
Biomechanical Evaluation of Cervical Intervertebral Plug Stabilization in an Ovine Model
Authors: FRANSSON BOEL A. , ZHU QINGAN , BAGLEY RODNEY S. , TUCKER RUSSELL , OXLAND THOMAS R. 
Published: July 2007

Objective—(1) To determine the biomechanical stability of cervical spinal segment C5–C6 after ventral slot (VS) decompression and distraction–stabilization by a modified polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) intervertebral plug technique (IVP) in an ovine model. (2) To determine if the distraction of the disk space is maintained after VS‐IVP, and the frequency of bony intervertebral union.Study Design—Experimental in vivo study in an ovine model with an in vitro control study.Animals—Adult (>2 years age), intact sheep (n=18).Methods—Ten sheep had VS/IVP surgery of C5–6 with computed tomography (CT) images obtained immediately before and after surgery, as well as 8 (n=10) and 24 (n=5) weeks postoperatively. Cervical spines harvested 8 weeks (8‐week group; n=5) and 24 weeks (24‐week group; n=5) after surgery had three‐dimensional (3D) flexibility tests in flexion–extension, axial rotation, and lateral bending. Image data was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively in 3D. Eight ovine cervical spines served as controls and had biomechanical testing in intact condition (n=5) and after in vitro VS/IVP (n=5).Results—Significantly decreased range of motion (ROM) was noted in all loading modes when comparing in vitro operated spines and the 24‐week group to intact spines. The 8‐week group was not significantly different from the intact group, except in lateral bending. Quantitative CT analysis of treatment groups showed progressive disk space collapse and ventral implant migration. Intervertebral bony union did not occur.Conclusion—Biomechanical stability was obtained immediately after VS/IVP surgery, but ROM at 8 weeks was not different from intact spines. However, at 24 weeks, the operated level had regained stability similar to the immediate postoperative level. Distraction of the disk space was not maintained and bony union did not occur in this ovine model of VS/IVP.Clinical Relevance—In clinical situations requiring constant increased stability of cervical segments for an extended time, more rigid stabilization techniques are required.
The Persistent Problem of Colorism: Skin Tone, Status, and Inequality
Authors: Hunter Margaret 
Published: July 2007

AbstractColorism is a persistent problem for people of color in the USA. Colorism, or skin color stratification, is a process that privileges light‐skinned people of color over dark in areas such as income, education, housing, and the marriage market. This essay describes the experiences of African Americans, Latinos, and Asian Americans with regard to skin color. Research demonstrates that light‐skinned people have clear advantages in these areas, even when controlling for other background variables. However, dark‐skinned people of color are typically regarded as more ethnically authentic or legitimate than light‐skinned people. Colorism is directly related to the larger system of racism in the USA and around the world. The color complex is also exported around the globe, in part through US media images, and helps to sustain the multibillion‐dollar skin bleaching and cosmetic surgery industries.
In Vitro Activities of Different Inhibitors of Bacterial Transcription against
Staphylococcus epidermidis
Biofilm
Authors: Villain-Guillot Philippe , Gualtieri Maxime , Bastide Lionel , Leonetti Jean-Paul 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACT

Staphylococcus epidermidis
is a major cause of nosocomial infections because of its ability to form biofilms on the surface of medical devices. Only a few antibacterial agents are relatively active against biofilms, and rifampin, a transcription inhibitor, ranks among the most effective molecules against biofilm-related infections. Whether this efficacy is due to advantageous structural properties of rifampin or to the fact that the RNA polymerase is a favorable target remains unclear. In an attempt to answer this question, we investigated the action of different transcription inhibitors against
S. epidermidis
biofilm, including the newest synthetic transcription inhibitors. This comparison suggests that most of the antibiotics that target the RNA polymerase are active on
S. epidermidis
biofilms at concentrations close to their MICs. One of these compounds, CBR703, despite its high MIC ranks among the best antibiotics to eradicate biofilm-embedded bacteria.
Leish-111f, a Recombinant Polyprotein Vaccine That Protects against Visceral Leishmaniasis by Elicitation of CD4+T Cells
Authors: Coler Rhea N. , Goto Yasuyuki , Bogatzki Lisa , Raman Vanitha , Reed Steven G. 
Published: July 2007

ABSTRACTTheLeishmania-derived recombinant polyprotein Leish-111f or its three component proteins, thiol-specific antioxidant (TSA),Leishmania majorstress-inducible protein 1 (LmSTI1), andLeishmaniaelongation initiation factor (LeIF), have previously been demonstrated to be efficacious against cutaneous or mucosal leishmaniasis in mice, nonhuman primates, and humans. In this study we demonstrate that Leish-111f is also a vaccine antigen candidate against visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused byLeishmania infantum. We evaluated the immune response and protection induced by Leish-111f formulated with monophosphoryl lipid A in a stable emulsion (Leish-111f+MPL-SE) and demonstrated that mice developed strong humoral and T-cell responses to the vaccine antigen. Analysis of the cellular immune responses of immunized, uninfected mice demonstrated that the vaccine induced a significant increase in CD4+T cells producing gamma interferon, interleukin 2, and tumor necrosis factor cytokines, indicating a Th1-type immune response. Experimental infection of immunized mice and hamsters demonstrated that Leish-111f+MPL-SE induced significant protection againstL. infantuminfection, with reductions in parasite loads of 99.6%, a level of protection greater than that reported for other vaccine candidates in animal models of VL. Taken together, our results suggest that this vaccine represents a good candidate for use against severalLeishmaniaspecies. The Leish-111f+MPL-SE product we report here is the first defined vaccine for leishmaniasis in human clinical trials and has completed phase 1 and 2 safety and immunogenicity testing in normal, healthy human subjects.
Micronuclei Bearing Acentric Extrachromosomal Chromatin Are Transcriptionally Competent and May Perturb the Cancer Cell Phenotype
Authors: Utani Koh-ichi , Kawamoto June-ko , Shimizu Noriaki 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
Extrachromosomal double minutes (DM) bear amplified genes that contribute to the malignancy of human cancer cells. A novel intracellular behavior of DMs resulted in their selective entrapment within micronuclei; opening the vista, this could perturb the cancer cell phenotype if genes located on DMs were expressed in micronuclei. Here, using fluorescence in situ hybridization, we detected transcripts in DM-enriched micronuclei. Visualization of DMs and their transcripts in live cells showed that DMs are as actively transcribed in the micronuclei and nuclei. Moreover, pulse-incorporated bromouridine was detected in the micronuclei, and the transcripts eventually exited from the micronuclei, similar to the behavior of nuclear transcripts. This apparently normal pattern of gene expression in DM-enriched micronuclei was restricted to micronuclei associated with lamin B, and lamin B association was more frequent for micronuclei that incorporated DMs than for those that incorporated a chromosome arm. The frequency of lamin B–associated micronuclei increased after entry into S phase, and accordingly, there was a concomitant increase in transcription in micronuclei. Taken together, these results indicate that the expression of genes on DMs can be temporally altered by their incorporation into micronuclei. This may be relevant for a broad spectrum of other extrachromosomal elements. (Mol Cancer Res 2007;5(7):695–704)
Interleukin-8 Signaling Promotes Translational Regulation of Cyclin D in Androgen-Independent Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: MacManus Christopher F. , Pettigrew Johanna , Seaton Angela , Wilson Catherine , Maxwell Pamela J. , Berlingeri Silvia , Purcell Colin , McGurk Maryalice , Johnston Patrick G. , Waugh David J.J. 
Published: July 2007

Abstract
We have shown previously that interleukin-8 (IL-8) and IL-8 receptor expression is elevated in tumor cells of human prostate biopsy tissue and correlates with increased cyclin D1 expression. Using PC3 and DU145 cell lines, we sought to determine whether IL-8 signaling regulated cyclin D1 expression in androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC) cells and to characterize the signaling pathways underpinning this response and that of IL-8–promoted proliferation. Administration of recombinant human IL-8 induced a rapid, time-dependent increase in cyclin D1 expression in AIPC cells, a response attenuated by the translation inhibitor cycloheximide but not by the RNA synthesis inhibitor, actinomycin D. Suppression of endogenous IL-8 signaling using neutralizing antibodies to IL-8 or its receptors also attenuated basal cyclin D1 expression in AIPC cells. Immunoblotting using phospho-specific antibodies confirmed that recombinant human IL-8 induced rapid time-dependent phosphorylation of Akt and the mammalian target of rapamycin substrate proteins, 4E-BP1 and ribosomal S6 kinase, resulting in a downstream phosphorylation of the ribosomal S6 protein (rS6). LY294002 and rapamycin each abrogated the IL-8–promoted phosphorylation of rS6 and attenuated the rate of AIPC cell proliferation. Our results indicate that IL-8 signaling (a) regulates cyclin D1 expression at the level of translation, (b) regulates the activation of proteins associated with the translation of capped and 5′-oligopyrimidine tract transcripts, and (c) activates signal transduction pathways underpinning AIPC cell proliferation. This study provides a molecular basis to support the correlation of IL-8 expression with that of cyclin D1 in human prostate cancer and suggests a mechanism by which this chemokine promotes cell proliferation. (Mol Cancer Res 2007;5(7):737–48)
A high-accuracy consensus map of yeast protein complexes reveals modular nature of gene essentiality
Authors: Hart G Traver , Lee Insuk , Marcotte Edward M 
Published: July 2007

Abstract

Background
Identifying all protein complexes in an organism is a major goal of systems biology. In the past 18 months, the results of two genome-scale tandem affinity purification-mass spectrometry (TAP-MS) assays in yeast have been published, along with corresponding complex maps. For most complexes, the published data sets were surprisingly uncorrelated. It is therefore useful to consider the raw data from each study and generate an accurate complex map from a high-confidence data set that integrates the results of these and earlier assays.

Results
Using an unsupervised probabilistic scoring scheme, we assigned a confidence score to each interaction in the matrix-model interpretation of the large-scale yeast mass-spectrometry data sets. The scoring metric proved more accurate than the filtering schemes used in the original data sets. We then took a high-confidence subset of these interactions and derived a set of complexes using MCL. The complexes show high correlation with existing annotations. Hierarchical organization of some protein complexes is evident from inter-complex interactions.

Conclusion
We demonstrate that our scoring method can generate an integrated high-confidence subset of observed matrix-model interactions, which we subsequently used to derive an accurate map of yeast complexes. Our results indicate that essentiality is a product of the protein complex rather than the individual protein, and that we have achieved near saturation of the yeast high-abundance, rich-media-expressed "complex-ome."
Polyglutamine variation in a flowering time protein correlates with island age in a Hawaiian plant radiation
Authors: Lindqvist Charlotte , Laakkonen Liisa , Albert Victor A 
Published: July 2007

Abstract

Background
A controversial topic in evolutionary developmental biology is whether morphological diversification in natural populations can be driven by expansions and contractions of amino acid repeats in proteins. To promote adaptation, selection on protein length variation must overcome deleterious effects of multiple correlated traits (pleiotropy). Thus far, systems that demonstrate this capacity include only ancient or artificial morphological diversifications. The Hawaiian Islands, with their linear geological sequence, present a unique environment to study recent, natural radiations. We have focused our research on the Hawaiian endemic mints (Lamiaceae), a large and diverse lineage with paradoxically low genetic variation, in order to test whether a direct relationship between coding-sequence repeat diversity and morphological change can be observed in an actively evolving system.

Results
Here we show that in the Hawaiian mints, extensive polyglutamine (CAG codon repeat) polymorphism within a homolog of the pleiotropic flowering time protein and abscisic acid receptor FCA tracks the natural environmental cline of the island chain, consequent with island age, across a period of 5 million years. CAG expansions, perhaps following their natural tendency to elongate, are more frequent in colonists of recently-formed, nutrient-rich islands than in their forebears on older, nutrient-poor islands. Values for several quantitative morphological variables related to reproductive investment, known from Arabidopsis fca mutant studies, weakly though positively correlate with increasing glutamine tract length. Together with protein modeling of FCA, which indicates that longer polyglutamine tracts could induce suboptimally mobile functional domains, we suggest that CAG expansions may form slightly deleterious alleles (with respect to protein function) that become fixed in founder populations.

Conclusion
In the Hawaiian mint FCA system, we infer that contraction of slightly deleterious CAG repeats occurred because of competition for resources along the natural environmental cline of the island chain. The observed geographical structure of FCA variation and its correlation with morphologies expected from Arabidopsis mutant studies may indicate that developmental pleiotropy played a role in the diversification of the mints. This discovery is important in that it concurs with other suggestions that repetitive amino acid motifs might provide a mechanism for driving morphological evolution, and that variation at such motifs might permit rapid tuning to environmental change.
Phylogenomics of the archaeal flagellum: rare horizontal gene transfer in a unique motility structure
Authors: Desmond Elie , Brochier-Armanet Celine , Gribaldo Simonetta 
Published: July 2007

Abstract

Background
As bacteria, motile archaeal species swim by means of rotating flagellum structures driven by a proton gradient force. Interestingly, experimental data have shown that the archaeal flagellum is non-homologous to the bacterial flagellum either in terms of overall structure, components and assembly. The growing number of complete archaeal genomes now permits to investigate the evolution of this unique motility system.

Results
We report here an exhaustive phylogenomic analysis of the components of the archaeal flagellum. In all complete archaeal genomes, the genes coding for flagellum components are co-localized in one or two well-conserved genomic clusters showing two different types of organizations. Despite their small size, these genes harbor a good phylogenetic signal that allows reconstruction of their evolutionary histories. These support a history of mainly vertical inheritance for the components of this unique motility system, and an interesting possible ancient horizontal gene transfer event (HGT) of a whole flagellum-coding gene cluster between Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota.

Conclusion
Our study is one of the few exhaustive phylogenomics analyses of a non-informational cell machinery from the third domain of life. We propose an evolutionary scenario for the evolution of the components of the archaeal flagellum. Moreover, we show that the components of the archaeal flagellar system have not been frequently transferred among archaeal species, indicating that gene fixation following HGT can also be rare for genes encoding components of large macromolecular complexes with a structural role.
Prevention of fall incidents in patients with a high risk of falling: design of a randomised controlled trial with an economic evaluation of the effect of multidisciplinary transmural care
Authors: Peeters Geeske MEE , de Vries Oscar J , Elders Petra JM , Pluijm Saskia MF , Bouter Lex M , Lips Paul 
Published: July 2007

Abstract

Background
Annually, about 30% of the persons of 65 years and older falls at least once and 15% falls at least twice. Falls often result in serious injuries, such as fractures. Therefore, the prevention of accidental falls is necessary. The aim is to describe the design of a study that evaluates the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a multidisciplinary assessment and treatment of multiple fall risk factors in independently living older persons with a high risk of falling.

Methods/Design
The study is designed as a randomised controlled trial (RCT) with an economic evaluation. Independently living persons of 65 years and older who recently experienced a fall are interviewed in their homes and screened for risk of recurrent falling using a validated fall risk profile. Persons at low risk of recurrent falling are excluded from the RCT. Persons who have a high risk of recurrent falling are blindly randomised into an intervention (n = 100) or usual care (n = 100) group. The intervention consists of a multidisciplinary assessment and treatment of multifactorial fall risk factors. The transmural multidisciplinary appraoch entails close cooperation between geriatrician, primary care physician, physical therapist and occupational therapist and can be extended with other specialists if relevant. A fall calendar is used to record falls during one year of follow-up. Primary outcomes are time to first and second falls. Three, six and twelve months after the home visit, questionnaires for economic evaluation are completed. After one year, during a second home visit, the secondary outcome measures are reassessed and the adherence to the interventions is evaluated. Data will be analysed according to the intention-to-treat principle and also an on-treatment analysis will be performed.

Discussion
Strengths of this study are the selection of persons at high risk of recurrent falling followed by a multidisciplinary intervention, its transmural character and the evaluation of adherence. If proven effective, implementation of our multidisciplinary assessment followed by treatment of fall risk factors will reduce the incidence of falls.

Trial registration
Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN11546541.