bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type I in a Chinese family: British C133W mutation exists in the Chinese
Authors: Bi Hongyan , Gao Yunying , Yao Sheng , Dong Mingrui , Headley Alexander Peter , Yuan Yun
Published: September 2007

Hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type I (HSAN I) is an autosomal dominant disorder of the peripheral nervous system characterized by marked progressive sensory loss, with variable autonomic and motor involvement. The HSAN I locus maps to chromosome 9q22.1–22.3 and is caused by mutations in the gene coding for serine palmitoyltransferase long chain base subunit 1 (SPTLC1). Sequencing in HSAN I families have previously identified mutations in exons 5, 6 and 13 of this gene. Here we report the clinical, electrophysiological and pathological findings of a proband in a Chinese family with HSAN I. The affected members showed almost typical clinical features. Electrophysiological findings showed an axonal, predominantly sensory, neuropathy with motor and autonomic involvement. Sural nerve biopsy showed loss of myelinated and unmyelinated fibers. SPTLC1 mutational analysis revealed the C133W mutation, a mutation common in British HSAN I families.
Pyramidal tract degeneration in sporadic Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease
Authors: Iwasaki Yasushi , Yoshida Mari , Hashizume Yoshio , Kitamoto Tetsuyuki , Sobue Gen
Published: September 2007

We investigated the neuropathologic features of pyramidal tract degeneration in 27 cases of sporadic Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease (sCJD). The present study included 13 cases of subacute spongiform encephalopathy (SSE), 13 cases of panencephalopathic‐type (PE‐type) sCJD and one case of thalamic‐type sCJD. Pyramidal tract degeneration was observed in PE‐type sCJD cases with disease duration of more than 13 months. Cases of SSE, PE‐type sCJD of relatively short duration and thalamic‐type sCJD showed no pyramidal tract degeneration. All cases with pyramidal tract degeneration showed severe cerebral neocortical involvement with widespread cerebral white matter degeneration. The loss of myelin and axons and macrophage infiltration and fibrillary gliosis seen in these pyramidal tract lesions is consistent with secondary tract degeneration due to cerebral neocortical involvement. Interestingly, some cases with pyramidal tract degeneration showed a distal‐dominant pathology that we believe indicates retrograde degeneration or a “dying‐back” phenomenon of the pyramidal tract. Our results indicate that pyramidal tract degeneration is a late pathologic event in sCJD. Investigation of pyramidal tract degeneration may help clarify the mechanisms underlying the development of sCJD white matter pathology, particularly that of PE‐type sCJD.
Acute encephalopathy associated with ingestion of a mushroom, Pleurocybella porrigens (angel's wing), in a patient with chronic renal failure
Authors: Obara Koji , Wada Chizu , Yoshioka Toshiaki , Enomoto Katsuhiko , Yagishita Saburo , Toyoshima Itaru
Published: September 2007

The authors report an autopsy case of acute encephalopathy in which generalized convulsion and coma occurred after ingestion of Pleurocybella porrigens (angel's wing mushroom). The patient was a 65‐year‐old man who had undergone hemodialysis for 3 months due to chronic renal failure. Pathologic examination of the brain revealed extensive postinfarction‐like cystic necrosis in the bilateral putamens and multiple spotty necroses in the deep cerebral and cerebellar cortices. In 2004, similar acute encephalopathy related to ingestion of the mushroom was endemic in Japan, the pathogenesis of which remains to be elucidated.
Malignant epidermoid cyst of the pineal region with lumbar metastasis
Authors: Pagni Fabio , Brenna Ambrogio , Leone Biagio Eugenio , Vergani Francesco , Isimbaldi Giuseppe
Published: September 2007

This report describes a malignant neoplasia of the pineal region in a 65‐year‐old woman who presented with symptoms of intracranial hypertension and dissemination to CSF with radiologically documented lumbar intradural localizations. The histological examination of the lesion showed fragments of a cystic malignant neoplasia with epithelial elements resembling squamous cell carcinoma. We excluded the possibility of a cerebral metastasis from a squamous cell carcinoma arising in the genital or gastrointestinal tract, lung and skin. We propose this unique report for cyto‐ histological correlation and, as suggested in the American and Japanese literature, we discuss the hypothesis of the development of a squamous cell carcinoma arising from the malignant degeneration of a cerebral epidermoid cyst and we show by cytological examination of the CSF the exceptional presence of malignant cells and by lumbar MRI their intradural localizations.
Role of proteasomes in the formation of neurofilamentous inclusions in spinal motor neurons of aluminum‐treated rabbits
Authors: Kimura Noriyuki , Kumamoto Toshihide , Ueyama Hidetsugu , Horinouchi Hideo , Ohama Eisaku
Published: September 2007

We examined the role of the 20S proteasome in pathologic changes, including abnormal aggregation of phosphorylated neurofilaments, of spinal motor nerve cells from aluminum‐treated rabbits. Immunohistochemistry for the 20S proteasome revealed that many lumbar spinal motor neurons without intracytoplasmic neurofilamentous inclusions or with small inclusions were more intensely stained in aluminum‐treated rabbits than in controls, whereas the immunoreactivity was greatly decreased in some enlarged neurons containing large neurofilamentous inclusions. Proteasome activity in whole spinal cord extracts was significantly increased in aluminum‐treated rabbits compared with controls. Furthermore, Western blot analysis indicated that the 20S proteasome degraded non‐phosphorylated high molecular weight neurofilament (neurofilament‐H) protein in vitro. These results suggest that aluminum does not inhibit 20S proteasome activity, and the 20S proteasome degrades neurofilament‐H protein. We propose that abnormal aggregation of phosphorylated neurofilaments is induced directly by aluminum, and is not induced by the proteasome inhibition in the aluminum‐treated rabbits. Proteasome activation might be involved in intracellular proteolysis, especially in the earlier stages of motor neuron degeneration in aluminum‐treated rabbits.
Immunohistochemical evaluation of the microvascular density through the expression of TGF‐β (CD 105/endoglin) and CD 34 receptors and expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in oligodendrogliomas
Authors: Corteze Netto Gabriel , Birlem Bleil Cristina , Hilbig Arlete , Barbosa Coutinho Lígia Maria
Published: September 2007

Angiogenesis has been proposed as essential for the growth of solid tumors. The determinants of this process, the growth factors and the vascular endothelial receptors have brought a potential in the tumor prognostic determination as well as perspectives of “targets” for antiangiogenic therapy. In oligodendrogliomas (OL), angiogenesis is little known and/or has generated conflicting results. In order to clarify angiogenesis in OL, we have evaluated the immunohistochemical expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the microvascular density (MVD) through the expression of TGF‐β (CD105/endoglin) (MVD‐CD105) and CD34 (MVD‐CD34) receptors using the Chalkley point method in 30 OL. No significant immune reaction was found for the VEGF. There was expression in <10% of tumor cells and/or staining of weak intensity in 15 (50.0%), >10% of cells and moderate intensity staining in 1 (3.33%), and negative expression in 14 (46.67%). If present, the expression was restricted to tumor and endothelial cells. Our findings suggest that VEGF has little influence on OL angiogenesis. All specimens showed CD105 and CD34 expression in the intratumor vascular endothelium, suggesting involvement of CD105 in OL angiogenesis. The mean ± SD MVD‐CD105 and MVD‐CD34 were 10.83 ± 2.24 and 11.00 ± 2.76 in OL (P = 0.086; r = 0.319); 10.00 ± 2.00 and 10.40 ± 3.02 in OL grade II (n = 15) (P = 0.547; r = 0.105), and 11.67 ± 2.22 and 11.53 ± 2.45 in OL grade III (n = 15) (P = 0.817; r = 0.551), respectively. The absence of correlation between DMV‐CD105, DMV‐CD34 and tumor grades suggests that anti‐CD105 and anti‐CD34 antibodies have different vascular specificities. MVD‐CD105 was greater in OL grade III than in OL grade II (P = 0.0032), indicating an increase in the vascular neoformation, something which must be evaluated as a possible prognostic factor in OL. Both TGF‐β and CD105 bring perspectives as “targets” for antiangiogenic treatments in OL.
An experimental model of brain metastasis of lung carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Zean , Hatori Tsutomu , Nonaka Hiroko
Published: September 2007

Most metastatic brain tumors originate from lung cancers. However, there has been relatively little progress on developing an experimental model of metastasis of lung cancer to the brain. By injecting Lewis lung carcinoma cells into the right internal carotid artery of C57BL/6NCrj mice, we succeeded in developing a model of metastatic brain tumors. In this model, carcinoma cells proliferated in the choroid plexus of the right lateral ventricle and formed a nodular tumor mass, while carcinoma cells in the cerebral parenchyma multiplied along the perivascular sheath without forming a nodular mass. Twelve days after injection, carcinoma cells spread into the left hemicerebrum. Fifteen days after injection, carcinoma cells could be seen in both hemispheres, along with intraventricular tumor formation. The maximum life span of mice with metastatic brain tumors was 22 days. Our model essentially replicated the general process of metastatic cancer and may have a significant role in further research on brain metastasis of lung cancer.
Sovereign Debt Restructuring: The Judge, the Vultures and Creditor Rights
Authors: Miller Marcus , Thomas Dania
Published: September 2007

What role did the US courts play in the Argentine debt swap of 2005? What implications does this have for the future of creditor rights in sovereign bond markets? The Judge in the Argentine case has, it appears, deftly exploited creditor heterogeneity – between ‘holdouts’ seeking capital gains and institutional investors wanting a settlement – to promote a swap with a supermajority of creditors. Our analysis of Argentine debt litigation reveals a ‘Judge‐mediated’ sovereign debt restructuring which resolves key issues of Transition and Aggregation – two of the tasks envisaged for the IMF's stillborn Sovereign Debt Restructuring Mechanism. For the future, we discuss how Judge‐mediated sovereign debt restructuring (together with creditor committees) could complement Collective Action Clauses in sovereign bond contracts.
Globalisation, Women's Economic Rights and Forced Labour
Authors: Neumayer Eric , De Soysa Indra
Published: September 2007

Globalisation critics are concerned that increased trade openness and foreign direct investment exacerbate existing economic disadvantages of women and foster conditions for forced labour. Defenders of globalisation argue instead that as countries become more open and competition intensifies, discrimination against any group, including women, becomes more difficult to sustain and is therefore likely to recede. The same is argued with respect to forced labour. This article puts these competing claims to an empirical test. We find that countries that are more open to trade provide better economic rights to women and have a lower incidence of forced labour. This effect holds in a global sample as well as in a developing country sub‐sample and holds also when potential feedback effects are controlled via instrumental variable regression. The extent of an economy's ‘penetration’ by foreign direct investment by and large has no statistically significant impact. Globalisation might weaken the general bargaining position of labour such that outcome‐related labour standards might suffer. However, being more open toward trade is likely to promote rather than hinder the realisation of two labour rights considered as core or fundamental by the International Labour Organisation, namely the elimination of economic discrimination and of forced labour.
The Impact of Bilateral Investment Treaties on FDI Dynamics
Authors: Egger Peter , Merlo Valeria
Published: September 2007

This paper investigates the impact of bilateral investment treaties (BITs) on foreign direct investment (FDI) in transition countries. FDI stocks are characterised by sluggish adjustment and a dynamic pattern. This leads to biased estimates of the contemporaneous impact of BITs on FDI in static models. In our application, the contemporaneous (short‐run) impact of BITs amounts to 4.8 per cent and the long‐run effect to 8.9 per cent in the preferred model.
Sensitivity to auditory and visual stimuli during early reading development
Authors: King Bernardine , Wood Clare , Faulkner Dorothy
Published: September 2007

An investigation was conducted into the visual and auditory temporal processing profiles of two groups of 4‐ to 6‐year‐old children: pre‐alphabetic children, who showed no alphabetic ability (failing to read any non‐words in a test), and those who demonstrated some alphabetic ability. This alphabetic group showed higher scores in reading and spelling attainment than the pre‐alphabetic group. They were also faster than the pre‐alphabetic group in reacting to the onset and offset of auditory and visual stimuli. However, when age was used as a covariate, only reaction times (RTs) to the offsets of visual stimuli were found to be faster in the alphabetic than the pre‐alphabetic group. This suggests that responses to the offset of visual stimuli are becoming more rapid during the same developmental period when alphabetic ability is beginning to be acquired. Within the alphabetic group, after accounting for age, visual and auditory onset RTs were strongly correlated, whereas within the pre‐alphabetic group there were high correlations between visual and auditory offset RTs. It is therefore suggested that a strong association between RTs to visual and auditory onsets may be beneficial during early alphabetic acquisition, when phoneme–grapheme associations are established. Multiple regression analyses showed visual offset RT as the only variable to account for a significant amount of variance in spelling attainment after age was taken into account, which may relate to Frith's (1985) contention that spelling is important in driving early alphabetic ability.
Phonological skill, lexical decision and letter report performance in good and poor adult spellers
Authors: Masterson Jackie , Laxon Veronica , Lovejoy Sophie , Morris Victoria
Published: September 2007

Two groups of undergraduate students, matched for reading skill but differing in spelling ability, participated in three experiments with the aim of exploring the causes of differences in spelling skill in this population. In the first experiment participants were presented with a range of tasks to investigate the possibility that the poor spellers had poorer phonological abilities than the good spellers. No significant differences were observed. In Experiment 2, a lexical decision task was used. The words in the task differed in orthographic neighbourhood size (N) and frequency. Analysis of the latencies revealed effects of frequency and N, but the effect of spelling group was not significant and neither was the interaction with N. Analysis of the errors revealed that the poor spellers made significantly more errors than the good spellers. In Experiment 3 participants were asked to identify the letters in briefly presented words and non‐words. There was a significant effect of stimulus type in favour of words. Poor spellers made more errors in the task than the good spellers, although the difference was restricted to non‐words. Finally, an analysis of the errors made in spelling to dictation by the two groups was carried out. This revealed that the poor spellers were more likely than the good spellers to make errors that were not phonologically plausible and that differed markedly from the target. Overall, the results are interpreted in terms of a partial orthographic representations explanation of poor spelling in good readers.
The Analysis of Change, Newton’s Law of Gravity and Association Models
Authors: de Rooij Mark
Published: September 2007

Newton’s law of gravity states that the force between two objects in the universe is equal to the product of the masses of the two objects divided by the square of the distance between the two objects. In the first part of the paper it is shown that a model with a ‘law-of-gravity’ interpretation applies well to the analysis of longitudinal categorical data where the number of people changing their behaviour or choice from one category to another is a measure of force and the goal is to obtain estimates of mass for the two categories and an estimate of the distance between them. To provide a better description of the data dynamic masses and dynamic positions are introduced. It is shown that this generalized law of gravity is equivalent to Goodman’s RC(M) association model. In the second part of the paper the model is generalized to two kinds of three-way data. The first case is when there are multiple two-way tables and in the second case we have change over three points of time. Conditional and partial association models are related to three-way distance models, like the INDSCAL model, and triadic distance models respectively.
Detecting Year-of-Birth Mortality Patterns with Limited Data
Authors: Richards S. J.
Published: September 2007

Late life mortality patterns are of crucial interest to actuaries assessing risk of longevity, most obviously for annuities and defined benefit pension schemes. The stability of public finances is also affected, as the governments have very substantial risk of longevity in the form of state benefits and public sector pension schemes. One important explanatory variable for late life mortality patterns is year of birth. Previous work has demonstrated various techniques for detecting such patterns, but always with long time series of mortality rates. The paper describes two alternative ways to detect such patterns, even with missing population data or the absence of a time series. The paper finds support for the idea that different birth cohorts have different rates of aging.
On the use and Evaluation of Prospective Scan Methods for Health-Related Surveillance
Authors: Woodall William H. , Brooke Marshall J , Joner Jr Michael D. , Fraker Shannon E , Abdel-Salam Abdel-Salam G
Published: September 2007

We review some prospective scan-based methods that are used in health-related applications to detect increased rates of mortality or morbidity and to detect bioterrorism or active clusters of disease. We relate these methods to the use of the moving average chart in industrial applications. Issues that are related to the performance evaluation of spatiotemporal scan-based methods are discussed. In particular we clarify the definition of a recurrence interval and demonstrate that this measure does not reflect some important aspects of the statistical performance of scan-based, and other, surveillance methods. Some research needs in this area are given.
A New Approach to Investigating Spatial Variations of Disease
Authors: Choo Louise , Walker Stephen G.
Published: September 2007

For rare diseases the observed disease count may exhibit extra Poisson variability, particularly in areas with low or sparse populations. Hence the variance of the estimates of disease risk, the standardized mortality ratios, may be highly unstable. This overdispersion must be taken into account otherwise subsequent maps based on standardized mortality ratios will be misleading and, rather than displaying the true spatial pattern of disease risk, the most extreme values will be highlighted. Neighbouring areas tend to exhibit spatial correlation as they may share more similarities than non-neighbouring areas. The need to address overdispersion and spatial correlation has led to the proposal of Bayesian approaches for smoothing estimates of disease risk. We propose a new model for investigating the spatial variation of disease risks in conjunction with an alternative specification for estimates of disease risk in geographical areas—the multivariate Poisson–gamma model. The main advantages of this new model lie in its simplicity and ability to account naturally for overdispersion and spatial auto-correlation. Exact expressions for important quantities such as expectations, variances and covariances can be easily derived.
Ambivalence, Contradiction, and Symbiosis: Carers’ and Mental Health Users’ Rights
Authors: YEATES VICTORIA
Published: September 2007

This article explores the emergence of separate rights for carers and psychiatric service users. Although political rhetoric and policy documents largely assume symbiosis between carer and cared‐for person, increasingly the law reflects that their rights and interests may conflict and operate in opposition one to another. This article examines the social and policy factors that lie behind these developments and disentangles some of the ambivalences, contradictions, and symbioses that characterize this area of law. While service users’ rights in relation to decisions about their care have emerged from the shadow of family rights, carers’ rights to community support services have emerged as an adjunct to service users’ rights. The article explores the development of the rights paradigm in promoting the welfare of mentally disordered people and their carer, and the current limits of separation between their respective entitlements.
The Pursuit of Grounded Theory in Agricultural and Environmental Regulation: A Suggested Approach to Empirical Legal Study in Biosecurity
Authors: OUTHWAITE OPI , BLACK ROBERT , LAYCOCK ANGELA
Published: September 2007

In the light of the current, increased interest in empirical legal studies, including the associated capacity limitations identified in the Nuffield Foundation's Inquiry on Empirical Research in Law, and in other arenas, this article seeks to contribute to the development of empirical legal studies by presenting in detail one approach to empirical research in the field of biosecurity (border controls and associated measures to protect human, animal, and plant life and the environment). The article focuses on the particular approach of grounded theory to legal inquiry in law, on the novel aspects of this research methodology, and on the potential, as identified by the present authors, for its application to biosecurity. The article examines some of the specific processes applied in the analysis of qualitative data, collected through the application of this methodology, focusing on the insights facilitated by the mixed‐method approach to analysis developed by the authors. Finally, examples of the insights gained through both the application of grounded theory and the particular approach to data analysis are presented and evaluated.
Overcoming the Glass Barriers: Reflection and Action in the ‘Women to the Top’ Programme
Authors: Eriksson‐Zetterquist Ulla , Styhre Alexander
Published: September 2007

Numerous equality programmes have been launched with the aim of promoting a more gender equal work life, yet little substantial action has been reported. This article presents a study of the Women to the Top programme in Sweden, supported by the European Union (EU) and aimed at promoting more women into top management positions. The research suggests that large‐scale projects assembling such heterogeneous actors as industry representatives, politicians and scholars tend to generate further reflection and discussion rather than promoting adequate and highly needed action. Drawing upon Brunsson's distinction between action rationality and decision rationality, the relatively modest effects of large‐scale equality programmes are examined, not in terms of a lack of commitment or competence on the part of the participants but as a matter of the disjunction between reflection and action. Reconciling reflection and action, that is, emphasizing not only reflection on gender inequality but also privileging various forms of practical action (such as new policies, the appointment of female managers, restructuring gendered wage inequalities or new recruitment procedures), is therefore a top priority for policymakers desiring more substantial changes in the gendered outline of industry.
United by Gender or Divided by Class? Women's Work Orientations and Labour Market Behaviour
Authors: James Laura
Published: September 2007

Recent debates on the relationship between women's work orientations and their labour market behaviour have been marked by a polarization between those who emphasize personal choice and those who argue that constraint is equally, if not more, important. However, in both approaches ‘orientation’ is understood primarily as a choice between prioritizing paid work or family (understood almost exclusively in terms of childcare responsibilities) for all women regardless of socioeconomic class. Drawing on in‐depth qualitative interview data, this article outlines some of the similarities and differences in the work orientations of women in professional/managerial, intermediate and routine/manual socioeconomic classes in Oxford. It develops the concept of ‘work orientation’ to include the meaning of paid work as well as labour market behaviour for women with and without children. The data presented here suggest that there are important class‐based differences in women's attitudes and that apparently similar work orientations may have very different causes and labour market consequences.
Influence of impaired T‐ and B‐cell compartments on efficacy of IVIg in dysimmune neuropathies
Authors: Matà S. , Corzani S. , Biagiotti R. , Piacentini S. , Siracusa G. , Giudizi M. G. , Mastio M. D. , Borsini W. , Taiuti R. , Vultaggio A. , Sorbi S. , Maggi E.
Published: September 2007

Autoimmune mechanisms are postulated to play a role in the development and progression of dysimmune neuropathies (DN). We investigated the relation between lymphocyte number and marker expression, and disease activity in 20 patients with DN under intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) treatment. B‐ and T‐lymphocyte markers were studied by flow cytometry of the expression of CD5, CD25, CD23 and CD38 markers on B cells and of CD3, CD4 and CD8 markers, respectively. These parameters were compared with those obtained from matched healthy volunteers. The proportions of CD38+ B cells were higher in patients compared with those of controls. Proportions of activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were comparable in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients and controls, but a significant reduction of the absolute numbers of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ cells were observed in DN patients. The percentages of CD25+ memory T cells were instead significantly increased in DN patients. Lastly, T‐cell reduction and the CD19/CD38 ratio over total B (CD19+) cells directly correlated with a poor response to IVIg therapy. In DN, whereas T‐cell number is reduced, activated T and B cells are increased, thus suggesting an intrinsic defect of the immune response.
Catathrenia (nocturnal groaning): an abnormal respiratory pattern during sleep
Authors: Vetrugno R. , Lugaresi E. , Plazzi G. , Provini F. , D'Angelo R. , Montagna P.
Published: September 2007

Catathrenia (nocturnal groaning) is a rare condition characterized by monotonous irregular groans occurring during sleep. Ten patients (five women; mean age: 27 ± 7.4 years, range: 15–41) with sleep‐related groaning persisting for years or decades and normal daytime fibreoptic laryngoscopy and respiratory function tests underwent videopolysomnographic recording (VPSG) analysing their respiratory patterns during sleep. After the VPSG, all patients were clinically followed up for a mean period of 4.9 ± 3.5 years. On VPSG, all patients showed nocturnal groaning during NREM sleep and particularly during REM sleep stages. Groaning was associated with disproportionate prolonged expiration causing reduced breathing rate without oxygen desaturation. The breathing pattern with prolonged expiration and sound production alternated with a normal respiratory pattern without groaning. Endoesophageal pressure during groaning showed mildly positive swings at the initial phase of expiration suggesting a partial mild expiratory upper airway obstruction. At the end of the follow‐up period, all patients reported persistent nocturnal groaning but no other clinical manifestations. Groaning confined to sleep alternating with normal breathing and the absence of long‐term clinical consequences suggest that catathrenia is because of an abnormality of the internal respiratory drive system, possibly related to persistence of a neonatal (vestigial) type of breathing pattern.
Probation Education, Why the Hush? A Reply to Stout and Dominey's December 2006 Counterblast
Authors: TREADWELL JAMES , MANTLE GREG
Published: September 2007

Abstract: This article is a response to a ‘Counterblast’ concerning the delivery of probation training (Stout and Dominey 2006). The authors mounted a ‘defence of distance learning’, as a method for training probation officers, and took issue with assertions earlier made by us on the subject of distance learning. Our article is intended to clarify our position on distance learning (which previously amounted to no more than a few words) and to clarify the basis of some of our reservations. In doing this, we make more general, critical observations concerning the state of New Labour's probation training programme and about the current crises in which the service, and its training arrangements have become embroiled.
Unauthorized Migration from Africa to Spain
Authors: Carling Jørgen
Published: September 2007

The dynamics of unauthorized border‐crossing in the Mediterranean region has received extensive media coverage but little academic attention. This article examines the patters and dynamics of transit migration towards the Spanish‐African borders, and of unauthorized migration across these borders. The geography of migration is examined in detail, and this leads to several conclusions with implications for migration management. First, the origins of sub‐Saharan African transit migrants in Morocco are remarkably diverse. Second, cities and towns far beyond Europe play a pivotal role in the migration dynamics at the Spanish‐African borders. Third, the Strait of Gibraltar itself has lost much of its importance as a crossing point. Fourth large‐scale smuggling to the Canary Islands directly from West Africa is still marginal in numerical terms, but represents a worrying scenario.
Health Status of Temporary Migrants in Urban Areas in Vietnam1
Authors: Nguyen Liem T. , White Michael J.
Published: September 2007

The rapid economic growth after economic reform, known in Viet Nam as “Doi Moi”, and the growing scope of urban migration raise specific questions for social policy, including migration and health policies. This paper compares issues of health status and its determinants as they affect temporary urban migrants versus permanent urban migrants and non‐migrants. The analyses utilize multivariate logistic regression and data from the 1997 Vietnam Migration and Health Survey. The results show that temporary migrants staying in guest houses are most vulnerable to health problems. Though most of them are initially healthier, their reported health deteriorates faster than other groups of urban residents. The findings also present important implications for the current migration and health policies in Vietnam: 1) A special attention should be given to temporary migrants in guest houses; 2) Different priorities in health policy should be applied to different groups of migrants and non‐migrants; 3) The current population management policy by registration system needs to be reviewed; 4) Providing clean water is one of the most important ways to improve health of temporary migrants; 5) Targeting educational investments and reducing unemployment would likely to improve overall health; 6) A higher priority on health policies targeting women would likely pay dividends, and; 7) Improving management and collaboration between government offices and interested partners is important to improving health status and reducing inequity.
Immigrant Participation in Decision‐Making Processes at the Local Level: A Comparison of Immigrants and Veterans in Israel
Authors: Boehm Amnon
Published: September 2007

The issue of new immigrants' participation in policymaking and planning processes at the local level has not been adequately addressed. On the basis of qualitative research, the article examines a variety of different characteristics of immigrant participation in policymaking and planning in Israel. In particular, the research investigates aspects of participation, such as level of influence and typical tactics, of immigrant leaders from the Commonwealth of Independent States (specifically, Russia, the Ukraine, and Belarus) and Ethiopia. In addition, a comparison with veteran leaders in the same city examines whether the characteristics of the immigrants' participation express (a) adjustment to the character of the existing participation in their new city, (b) reliance on the character of participation common in their countries of origin, or (c) participation focusing on the immigrants' position within the power structure of the city. The findings show that the third pattern is prevalent. The article suggests reasons for the emergence of immigrants' participation characteristics, the advantages and limitations of this kind of participation, and means for dealing with the limitations.
Temporary Skilled Migration to Australia: Employers' Perspectives1
Authors: Khoo Siew‐Ean , Voigt‐Graf Carmen , McDonald Peter , Hugo Graeme
Published: September 2007

With the 1996 introduction of a new visa making it easier for employers to sponsor skilled foreign workers, temporary skilled migration has become a significant component of international migration flows to Australia. This paper examines employers' reasons for sponsoring skilled workers from abroad, their modes of recruitment, the occupational skills they require, and their industry profile. We also discuss issues relating to the perception of a shortage of skilled workers, the extent that sponsoring foreign workers substitutes for investing in local training, and the role of networks in recruiting overseas workers.

Many employers' now have a global view of labour recruitment. While this is understandable for multinational companies with global operations, many small businesses and public sector institutions are adopting the same strategy to obtain skilled labour which they say is in short supply in Australia. With the internationalization of the Australian economy, there is also an increasing demand for people with specialized skills and knowledge that is not available in Australia's relatively small labour market. An understanding of the demand factors motivating temporary skilled migration is crucial to effectively managing Australia's migration and labour trends.
Migration and Human Rights on the Mexico‐Guatemala Border
Authors: Ogren Cassandra
Published: September 2007

This paper identifies the protections in place for irregular migrants on the Mexico‐Guatemala border and analyzes Mexican government immigration enforcement policies and levels of compliance with international standards and national law. The history of the Mexico‐Guatemala border region and different types of migration flows into and through the area are also explored, as well as the linkages between migration, trade, security, and US immigration policy. It is argued that the Mexican government has partially complied with international conventions and national laws to protect the human rights of transmigrants in the Guatemalan border region, but that compliance is not complete and that an international response is required to ensure that human rights standards are upheld.
Global regulations of sunscreens
Authors: Steinberg David C.
Published: September 2007

On June 1, 2006, the trade associations representing the personal care industry of the European Union, the U.S., Japan and South Africa agreed on an International Sunscreen Protection Method. What will this mean? Sunscreens are regulated throughout the world either as cosmetics, over‐the‐counter (OTC) drugs which do not require a governmental pre‐approval or OTC drugs that require a pre‐approval before they are placed on the market. Regardless of how they are regulated, all of these product regulations are very similar concerning sunscreens! Each country has a pre‐approved list of permitted UV filters, an accepted method of running efficacy by SPF determination, and regulated labels. Some countries have approved methods for UVA claims and water‐resistance testing. The latest changes are in Australia, where some sunscreens will be regulated as cosmetics based on SPF and claims, and Canada, where some sunscreens will be regulated as Natural Health Products depending on their actives! And now here comes a new variable, the harmonized SPF method.

What confusion! This paper will cover the different SPF test methods (Harmonized, Australia, and US‐FDA) along with the formulations of reference standards, currently approved UVA methods, water‐resistant testing, some labeling requirements and finally a brief review of cGMPs and other requirements for the U.S. It will have an update of the recent changes in regulations and cover the approved UV filters permitted in the U.S., EU, Japan, Canada and Australia as well as their maximum use level and correct ingredient designation. There is also a master cross reference list by INCI designation.
Scientific characterization of subclinical skin changes by noninvasive biophysical methods for development of more efficacious skincare products
Authors: Tagami Hachiro
Published: September 2007

In 1966, after finishing only my first year of a residency program, I went to the US to study for 2.5 years with Dr Albert M. Kligman the analysis of functional properties of various skin changes in vivo using aged skin, various types of dermatitis and topically applied steroid‐induced atrophy as experimental models. Ten years later, I luckily found that measurements of high frequency conductance and capacitance of the skin enable us to evaluate the skin surface hydration state that determines the softness and smoothness of the skin and in particular to detect even subtle skin changes induced by changes in our environmental or by the application of skincare products and cosmetics. Employing such noninvasive biophysical instruments, I have analyzed the functional properties of normal and abnormal skin changes including subclinical skin changes such as atopic xerosis, senile xerosis, scars and effects of various topical and systemic agents. From these studies it became apparent that as long as a certain level of barrier function was retained skin surface hydration is a more important factor for enjoying a good quality of life. We also succeeded in confirming the effect of corneotherapy, the term so pertinently suggested by Dr Kligman for the beneficial effects of skincare products. We could show that their daily application definitely improves the condition of subclinical skin problems. Further progress in such instrumental analysis of skin properties will greatly aid us in the future in selecting a more desirable skincare product on an individual basis.
Differential toxicity on monocytes and monocyte‐derived dendritic Cells: a new tool to differentiate allergens from irritants?
Authors: Furio Laetitia , Guesnet Joelle , Ducarre Blandine , Guezennec Anne , Schmitt Daniel , Peguet‐Navarro Josette
Published: September 2007

Phenotypic activation of monocyte‐derived dendritic cells has been proposed as an in vitro alternative assay to discriminate potential sensitizers from irritants, but the sensitivity of the assay remains controversial. In this study, we first determined the dynamic range of expression of activation/maturation markers on human monocyte‐derived dendritic cells cultured in the presence or absence of transforming growth factor ß (TGFβ)? On day three of culture, most monocytes had already differentiated into dendritic cells that expressed low levels of costimulatory molecules especially in the presence TGFβ‐treatment of 3‐day‐old TGFβ‐treated monocyte‐derived dendritic cells with several chemicals at sub‐toxic concentrations induced significant phenotypic changes for all the strong and mild sensitizers tested, whereas the irritant sodium lauryl sulfate had no effect. However, a very large variability was observed among the experiments. Most interestingly, we could show here for the first time that at concentrations sub‐toxic for monocyte‐derived dendritic cells all the allergens tested induced monocyte apoptosis within 2 days of culture. In contrast, sodium lauryl sulfate displayed similar toxicity on monocytes and monocyte‐derived dendritic cells and these results were confirmed with other irritants such as benzoic acid or methylsalicylate. Although testing of far more chemicals is required, these results indicate that differential toxicity of chemicals to monocytes and monocyte‐derived dendritic cells could be a rapid, simple and valuable tool to differentiate sensitizers from irritants.
Blackberry leaf extract: a multifunctional anti‐aging active
Authors: Herrmann Martina , Grether‐Beck Susanne , Meyer Imke , Franke Helge , Joppe Holger , Krutmann Jean , Vielhaber Gabriele
Published: September 2007

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a major role in wrinkle formation. Their expression increases with aging and is further enhanced by UV irradiation. Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) leaf extract has been shown to suppress MMP‐1, ‐2 and ‐9 in cell‐free assays. We have now further explored the activity of this extract. The effect on MMP‐1 expression at the protein and the mRNA level was investigated using non‐irradiated and UVA‐irradiated human dermal fibroblasts. The extract showed a dose‐dependent reduction of the MMP‐1 protein level of both irradiated and non‐irradiated cells with an almost complete inhibition at a dosage of 0.1%. MMP‐1 mRNA expression of UVA‐irradiated cells was decreased after pre‐incubation as well as after post‐incubation with the extract. Best results were obtained with combined pre‐ and post‐treatment (0.1% extract led to 59% reduction in comparison with the respective control). Moreover, we found that blackberry leaf extract inhibits IL‐1α, a cytokine known to induce MMP expression. At a dosage of 0.2% the inhibition was 40% compared with that of the stimulated control. The extract also exhibited a potent radical scavenging activity comparable to that of α‐tocopherol as was shown by the ABTS assay. Taken together, these biological activities make blackberry leaf extract a highly efficient multifunctional anti‐aging active.
Emulsifying power of mannan and glucomannan produced by yeasts
Authors: Kuncheva M. , Pavlova K. , Panchev I. , Dobreva S.
Published: September 2007

Synopsis

Subject of study was the colloid chemical properties of the biopolymers mannan, synthesized from strain Rhodotorula acheniorum MC, and glucomannan, synthesized from strain Sporobolomyces salmonicolor AL1. Their emulsifying capacity was studied in model systems of aqueous solutions in concentrations from 0.5% to 2.5% with regard to the aqueous phase. Emulsions of the direct type (oil/water) with 50% oil content were obtained. A disperse system with 2.5% glucomannan had 100% intact emulsion in the centrifugation test, while for the system with mannan, this indicator was 72%. Lab cream emulsions were obtained with glucomannan and with the emulsifiers Rofetan N/NS and Arlacel 165 used in the cosmetics industry. It has been established that under standard testing conditions, cream‐like emulsions with 2.0% glucomannan have stability indicators comparable to these of 5.0% rofetan N/NS and 5.0% Arlacel 165. The samples with different concentrations of glucomannan showed a pseudo‐plastic behaviour, as the highest viscosity was shown by the emulsion with 2.0% stored at 45°C. The newly synthesized exopolysaccharides had a distinct emulsifying power and can be applied in the cosmetic and food industries.
A double‐blind and controlled study on the influence of the vehicle on the skin susceptibility to stinging from lactic acid
Authors: Sahlin A. , Edlund F. , Lodén M.
Published: September 2007

Synopsis

For patients with skin diseases, the process of treating the skin with topical medications adds to the burden of having the disease. Inconvenient skin reactions can make the treatment troublesome and lower the compliance. Moreover, epidemiological surveys indicate that 50% or more of female consumers believe they have sensitive skin. In the present study, the influence of the vehicle on the adverse skin reaction to lactic acid was judged by the test subjects after application of the test formulations to the facial skin.

The results showed a water‐in‐oil (w/o) emulsion to induce less stinging than an ordinary oil‐in‐water (o/w) emulsion. Increasing the mineral oil content in the o/w emulsion from 10% to 50% tended (P = 0.077) to decrease the stinging potential of the formulation. An o/w emulsion free from lactic acid but with pH adjusted to 3 using hydrochloric acid induced significantly less stinging than the corresponding lactic acid formulation at pH 3.

In conclusion, the present study gives new insights into the influence of vehicle on the stinging capacity of lactic acid, which may be related to its possible penetration via appendages. Hence, encapsulation of the stinging substances in the inner water phase of an emulsion may be a possible option to reduce adverse skin reactions and to increase compliance to water‐soluble substances.
Model specification search using a genetic algorithm with factor reordering for a simple structure factor analysis model
Authors: MUROHASHI HIROTO , TOYODA HIDEKI
Published: September 2007

Abstract:  Many techniques for automated model specification search based on numerical indices have been proposed, but no single decisive method has yet been determined. In the present article, the performance and features of the model specification search method using a genetic algorithm (GA) were verified. A GA is a robust and simple metaheuristic algorithm with great searching power. While there has already been some research applying metaheuristics to the model fitting task, we focus here on the search for a simple structure factor analysis model and propose a customized algorithm for dealing with certain problems specific to that situation. First, implementation of model specification search using a GA with factor reordering for a simple structure factor analysis is proposed. Then, through a simulation study using generated data with a known true structure and through example analysis using real data, the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed method were demonstrated.
Developmental changes in self‐corrected elaboration effects on incidental memory
Authors: TOYOTA HIROSHI
Published: September 2007

Abstract:  Two experiments were carried out to investigate the changes across age groups in the effects of self‐corrected elaboration on incidental memory. Each participant performed an orienting task involving three conditions: self‐corrected, self‐generated and experimenter‐provided elaboration. The orienting task was followed by free recall tests. In Experiment 1, the participants were sixth‐grade and second‐grade students. For sixth‐grade students the self‐corrected elaboration led to a better free recall than the other two elaborations, whereas for the second‐grade students, no difference was observed between any of the three elaborations. In Experiment 2, using a longer word list than that in Experiment 1, the participants were undergraduates. The self‐corrected and self‐generated elaborations led to a better free recall than the experimenter‐provided elaboration, and no difference between the former two elaborations was observed. The results obtained from these two experiments were interpreted as showing that the effectiveness of a self‐corrected elaboration depends on the participants’ age.