Borderplex Economic Outlook: 2006 – 2008

A variety of measures such as real output, retail receipts, and personal incomes show how the borderplex economy continues to expand (Table 1). Although employment growth is expected to subside, local labor market strength will be sufficiently robust to hold the El Paso unemployment rate well below its 32-year average of greater than 10 percent. Similarly, even though residential construction activity is expected to moderate slightly, overall housing activity is projected to remain high by historical standards. Expansion at Fort Bliss is the source for much of the heightened business activity as the arrivals of new troops translate into greater demand for housing, retail, and other services. By 2008, more than 13 thousand businesses are expected to be registered in El Paso. Per capita personal income is projected to exceed $26,200 that year. Additional detail obtained from simulations of the UTEP Borderplex Econometric Forecasting Model is presented below for El Paso, Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua City, and Las Cruces.U.S. - Mexico Border Region; Econometric Forecasts

El Paso Housing Sector Econometric Forecast Accuracy

There is comparatively little empirical evidence regarding the accuracy of regional housing sector forecasts. Much of the recent analysis conducted for this topic is developed for housing starts and indicates a relatively poor track record. This study examines residential real estate forecasts previously published for El Paso, TX using a structural econometric model. Model coverage is much broader than just starts. Similar to earlier studies, the previously published econometric predictions frequently do not fare very well against the selected random walk benchmarks utilized for the various series under consideration.applied econometrics, metropolitan housing sector forecasts, Agribusiness, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Political Economy, C53, R15, R31,

Sequencing and analysis of the gastrula transcriptome of the brittle star Ophiocoma wendtii

Background The gastrula stage represents the point in development at which the three primary germ layers diverge. At this point the gene regulatory networks that specify the germ layers are established and the genes that define the differentiated states of the tissues have begun to be activated. These networks have been well-characterized in sea urchins, but not in other echinoderms. Embryos of the brittle star Ophiocoma wendtii share a number of developmental features with sea urchin embryos, including the ingression of mesenchyme cells that give rise to an embryonic skeleton. Notable differences are that no micromeres are formed during cleavage divisions and no pigment cells are formed during development to the pluteus larval stage. More subtle changes in timing of developmental events also occur. To explore the molecular basis for the similarities and differences between these two echinoderms, we have sequenced and characterized the gastrula transcriptome of O. wendtii. Methods Development of Ophiocoma wendtii embryos was characterized and RNA was isolated from the gastrula stage. A transcriptome data base was generated from this RNA and was analyzed using a variety of methods to identify transcripts expressed and to compare those transcripts to those expressed at the gastrula stage in other organisms. Results Using existing databases, we identified brittle star transcripts that correspond to 3,385 genes, including 1,863 genes shared with the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus gastrula transcriptome. We characterized the functional classes of genes present in the transcriptome and compared them to those found in this sea urchin. We then examined those members of the germ-layer specific gene regulatory networks (GRNs) of S. purpuratus that are expressed in the O. wendtii gastrula. Our results indicate that there is a shared ‘genetic toolkit’ central to the echinoderm gastrula, a key stage in embryonic development, though there are also differences that reflect changes in developmental processes. Conclusions The brittle star expresses genes representing all functional classes at the gastrula stage. Brittle stars and sea urchins have comparable numbers of each class of genes and share many of the genes expressed at gastrulation. Examination of the brittle star genes in which sea urchin orthologs are utilized in germ layer specification reveals a relatively higher level of conservation of key regulatory components compared to the overall transcriptome. We also identify genes that were either lost or whose temporal expression has diverged from that of sea urchins

Borderplex Long-Term Economic Trends to 2026

Long-term prospects for the El Paso - Ciudad Juárez borderplex economy call for steady growth. On the north side of the border, the population of El Paso is projected to reach 965 thousand by 2026, the last year of the forecast period. Real gross metropolitan product, the broadest measure of local economic activity, is expected to increase by more than 85 percent over the course of the next two decades to more than $31.5 billion (1996 dollars). Better job market conditions combine with income growth to push total retail sales above$20.7 billion by the end of the simulation period. Given this projected state of affairs, the UTEP Borderplex Econometric Model forecasts housing starts to average more than 5 thousand units per year through 2026. Substantially higher single-family home prices result under these circumstances. Demographic expansion and business growth jointly lead to greater demand for water in El Paso. As shown in Table 1, total consumption will approximate 45.8 billion gallons per year by the end of the forecast period.Border Economies; Econometric Forecasting Analysis

Infrastructure Tolls in Texas: Evidence from the Borderplex

Do changes in toll rates affect pedestrian, car, and truck traffic across the bridges between El Paso and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico? As more and more attention is paid to the use of tolls as funding mechanisms for new road and infrastructure construction in Texas, the answer to this question has policy implications not only for local and state lawmakers, but also for firms importing and exporting goods between Texas and Mexico. This article uses bridge traffic data from the Borderplex to examine the relative impact of tolls and concludes that local policymakers have more leeway than they thought in raising funds to make infrastructure improvements.Tolls; International Bridges; Border Economics

Voluntary Wheel Running during Weight Loss Leads to Differential Changes in Monocytes, Compared to Forced Treadmill Running

High-fat feeding and subsequent weight gain may contribute to innate immune dysfunction. Weight loss via calorie restriction and exercise represent one means to restore normal immune function. The purpose of the study was to examine how 8- weeks of aerobic exercise and low-fat diet affects weight gain, monocyte concentration, and monocyte cell-surface expression of TLR2, TLR4, CD80, and CD86. For 12- months, 24 male CD-1 mice underwent a pre-treatment phase, consuming either a low fat (10% fat) or high-fat (60% fat) diet ad libitum. Mice were randomly assigned to one of four groups (N=6/group): CN (low-fat sedentary), V-EX (voluntary wheel running), F10 EX (forced treadmill running), or SD (sedentary). V-EX, F-EX, and SD groups were switched from the high-fat to low-fat diet for an 8-week treatment period, while the CN group continued consuming the low-fat diet. Saphenous vein blood samples were analyzed using flow cytometry at baseline, week 4, and week 8. V-EX (36.4%) and F14 EX (27.1%) lost significant body weight over 8-weeks (P\u3c0.001). V-EX ran 4.4x more than F-EX (P\u3c0.001). As a group, V-EX had higher monocyte concentration than CN (48.9%) and F-EX (58.9%, P=0.004). Cell-surface expression of TLR2 (22.9%, P=0.002), TLR4 (33.3%, P\u3c0.001), and CD86 (18.6%, P\u3c0.001) increased from baseline to week 8. A time effect was seen in week 4 when CD80 expression was 42% greater for V-EX than SD (P=0.013). The present study confirms short-term exercise and low-fat diet consumption cause significant weight loss and altered immune profile as measured by increased TLR2, TLR4, CD80, and CD86 expression

Borderplex Economic Outlook: 2006 – 2008

A variety of measures such as real output, retail receipts, and personal incomes show how the borderplex economy continues to expand (Table 1). Although employment growth is expected to subside, local labor market strength will be sufficiently robust to hold the El Paso unemployment rate well below its 32-year average of greater than 10 percent. Similarly, even though residential construction activity is expected to moderate slightly, overall housing activity is projected to remain high by historical standards. Expansion at Fort Bliss is the source for much of the heightened business activity as the arrivals of new troops translate into greater demand for housing, retail, and other services. By 2008, more than 13 thousand businesses are expected to be registered in El Paso. Per capita personal income is projected to exceed $26,200 that year. Additional detail obtained from simulations of the UTEP Borderplex Econometric Forecasting Model is presented below for El Paso, Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua City, and Las Cruces

Borderplex Economic Outlook: 2006 – 2008

A variety of measures such as real output, retail receipts, and personal incomes show how the borderplex economy continues to expand (Table 1). Although employment growth is expected to subside, local labor market strength will be sufficiently robust to hold the El Paso unemployment rate well below its 32-year average of greater than 10 percent. Similarly, even though residential construction activity is expected to moderate slightly, overall housing activity is projected to remain high by historical standards. Expansion at Fort Bliss is the source for much of the heightened business activity as the arrivals of new troops translate into greater demand for housing, retail, and other services. By 2008, more than 13 thousand businesses are expected to be registered in El Paso. Per capita personal income is projected to exceed $26,200 that year. Additional detail obtained from simulations of the UTEP Borderplex Econometric Forecasting Model is presented below for El Paso, Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua City, and Las Cruces

Suppression of experimental abdominal aortic aneurysms in the rat by treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors

AbstractPurpose: Pathologic remodeling of the extracellular matrix is a critical mechanism in the development and progression of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Although angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are known to alter vascular wall remodeling in other conditions, their effects on AAAs are unknown. In this study we assessed the effect of ACE inhibitors in a rodent model of aneurysm development. Methods: Male Wistar rats underwent transient aortic perfusion with porcine pancreatic elastase, followed by treatment with one of three ACE inhibitors (captopril [CP], lisinopril [LP], or enalapril [EP]), an angiotensin (AT)1 receptor antagonist (losartan [LOS]), or water alone (9 rats in each group). Blood pressure and aortic diameter (AD) were measured before elastase perfusion and on day 14, with an AAA defined as an increase in AD (ΔAD) of more than 100%. The structural features of the aortic wall were examined by means of light microscopy. Results: Aneurysmal dilatation consistently developed within 14 days of elastase perfusion in untreated rats, coinciding with the development of a transmural inflammatory response and destruction of the elastic media (mean ΔAD, 223% ± 28%). All three ACE inhibitors prevented AAA development (mean ΔAD: CP, 67% ± 4%; LP, 18% ± 12%; and EP, 14% ± 3%; each P <.05 vs controls). ACE inhibitors also attenuated the degradation of medial elastin without diminishing the inflammatory response. Surprisingly, the aneurysm-suppressing effects of ACE inhibitors were dissociated from their effects on systemic hemodynamics, and LOS had no significant effect on aneurysm development compared with untreated controls (mean ΔAD, 186% ± 19%). Conclusion: Treatment with ACE inhibitors suppresses the development of elastase-induced AAAs in the rat. Although this is associated with the preservation of medial elastin, the mechanisms underlying these effects appear to be distinct from hemodynamic alterations alone or events mediated solely by AT1 receptors. Further studies are needed to elucidate how ACE inhibitors influence aortic wall matrix remodeling during aneurysmal degeneration. (J Vasc Surg 2001;33:1057-64.

Suppression of experimental abdominal aortic aneurysms in the rat by treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors

AbstractPurpose: Pathologic remodeling of the extracellular matrix is a critical mechanism in the development and progression of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs). Although angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are known to alter vascular wall remodeling in other conditions, their effects on AAAs are unknown. In this study we assessed the effect of ACE inhibitors in a rodent model of aneurysm development. Methods: Male Wistar rats underwent transient aortic perfusion with porcine pancreatic elastase, followed by treatment with one of three ACE inhibitors (captopril [CP], lisinopril [LP], or enalapril [EP]), an angiotensin (AT)1 receptor antagonist (losartan [LOS]), or water alone (9 rats in each group). Blood pressure and aortic diameter (AD) were measured before elastase perfusion and on day 14, with an AAA defined as an increase in AD (ΔAD) of more than 100%. The structural features of the aortic wall were examined by means of light microscopy. Results: Aneurysmal dilatation consistently developed within 14 days of elastase perfusion in untreated rats, coinciding with the development of a transmural inflammatory response and destruction of the elastic media (mean ΔAD, 223% ± 28%). All three ACE inhibitors prevented AAA development (mean ΔAD: CP, 67% ± 4%; LP, 18% ± 12%; and EP, 14% ± 3%; each P <.05 vs controls). ACE inhibitors also attenuated the degradation of medial elastin without diminishing the inflammatory response. Surprisingly, the aneurysm-suppressing effects of ACE inhibitors were dissociated from their effects on systemic hemodynamics, and LOS had no significant effect on aneurysm development compared with untreated controls (mean ΔAD, 186% ± 19%). Conclusion: Treatment with ACE inhibitors suppresses the development of elastase-induced AAAs in the rat. Although this is associated with the preservation of medial elastin, the mechanisms underlying these effects appear to be distinct from hemodynamic alterations alone or events mediated solely by AT1 receptors. Further studies are needed to elucidate how ACE inhibitors influence aortic wall matrix remodeling during aneurysmal degeneration. (J Vasc Surg 2001;33:1057-64.