bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serial serum thrombopoietin levels in a pregnant woman with essential thrombocythaemia
Authors: Kanda Yoshinobu , Chiba Shigeru , Tanaka Yuji , Miwa Akiyoshi , Togawa Atsushi , Kato Takashi , Miyazaki Hiroshi , Nishino Ruriko , Yazaki Yoshio , Hirai Hisamaru
Published: March 2005

Thrombopoietin (TPO) is a ligand for c‐mpl, which regulates the differentiation and maturation of megakaryocytes. Essential thrombocythaemia (ET) is a clonal myeloproliferative disorder. It has been reported that the platelet count declines during pregnancy in ET patients. We examined serial changes in the serum TPO level during the course of pregnancy in a patient with ET. The serum TPO level showed significant negative correlation with the platelet count. Although it mimicked the normal feed back system, the TPO levels were consistently higher than the normal upper limit. Accumulation of these data will be helpful in revealing the pathogenesis of ET and the decline in the platelet count during pregnancy.
High numbers of clonal CD19+ cells in the peripheral blood of a patient with multiple myeloma
Authors: Rasmussen Thomas , Kastrup Jesper , Knudsen Lene Meldgaard , Johnsen Hans Erik
Published: March 2005

Recent studies concerning the numbers of circulating clonal B cells in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) have reported conflicting data regarding the exact levels of clonal B cells and the existence of clonal cells in the CD34 compartment. In this report we show that high numbers of clonal cells with a phenotype of late‐stage B cells or pre‐plasma cells were present in the peripheral blood (PB) of a patient with MM. During treatment the initial high level of PB clonal cells was markedly reduced and remained low (<1%) post transplant, even after disease progression. In addition, we found that the MM clone did not include a B‐progenitor population defined by CD34.
Molecular analysis of bcl‐1/IgH junctional sequences in mantle cell lymphoma: potential mechanism of the t(11;14) chromosomal translocation
Authors: Stamatopoulos Kostas , Kosmas Christos , Belessi Chrysoula , Kyriazopoulos Panagiotis , Papadaki Theodora , Anagnostou Dimitra , Loukopoulos Dimitris
Published: March 2005

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is characterized by the t(11;14) translocation that juxtaposes the bcl‐1 locus to immunoglobulin (Ig) gene sequences and leads to deregulation of cyclin D1 gene. t(11;14) is thought to result from an error of the recombinase during D‐JH Ig gene assembly; however, data on the underlying mechanism and candidate recombination‐targeting motifs in the major translocation cluster (MTC) of the bcl‐1 gene are lacking.

bcl‐1/IgH junctional sequences from seven MCL patients were amplified by PCR using primers targeting MTC and JH sequences on chromosomes 11q13 and 14q32, respectively. PCR products were directly sequenced and junctional sequences were searched for homology to known germline D genes. bcl‐t MTC breakpoints were searched for the presence of possible recombination target motifs; heptamers, nonamers, binding sequence of the bp45 nuclease, x‐like sequences and D gene segments.

bcl‐1/JH junctions were found to bear homology to D gene segments (DLR3, DM and DIR5) in 3/7 MCL samples. A computer‐based search in previously published and/or submitted to GenBank bcl‐1/JH junctional sequences identified homology to D genes in 1/4 MCL tumour samples and 1/4 MCl cell lines; DXP4 or D23/7 and DHQ52 or D22/21 or DXP5, respectively. The MTC locus contained motifs with homology to bp45 nuclease binding sequence, x‐like sequences, heptamers/nonamers, D‐like DIR genes and non‐homologous recombination short (6 bp) DNA sequences.

The above data indicate that the t(11;14) translocation in MCL may also occur at a more mature stage of B‐cell ontogeny than previously thought, i.e. during VH‐to‐DJH rearrangement. Various known recombination motifs within MTC may contribute to an illegitimate recombination event between bcl‐1 and DJH.
Detection of GPI‐anchored protein‐deficient cells in patients with aplastic anaemia and evidence for clonal expansion during the clinical course
Authors: Kawaguchi Kohtaro , Wada Hiroshi , Mori Ako , Takemoto Yoshinobu , Kakishita Eizo , Kanamaru Akihisa
Published: March 2005

The incidence of patients with aplastic anaemia (AA) who show a deficiency of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)‐anchored proteins on their peripheral blood (PB) or bone marrow (BM) cells is higher than that previously reported. We analysed the expression of CD55 or CD59 on PB and BM cells and those of colonies and bursts formed in cultures with marrow cells from AA patients. 4/21 (19%) AA cases later developed paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH). 7/17 (41.2%) AA cases showed a subpopulation without GPI‐anchored proteins. The defect characteristic for PNH was observed only on the colonies/bursts but not on the PB or BM cells in three cases. We found the affected colonies/bursts in cultures using thawed marrow cells which had been cryopreserved at the diagnosis of aplasia in one patient who developed PNH 3 years later. Two different mutations of the PIG‐A gene were found in the colonies/bursts at the time of AA. The nucleotide sequences were identical between the colonies/bursts at the time of AA and those after the transition to PNH. However, one of the mutations was detected only at the haemopoietic progenitor level but not in PB granulocytes. There may be latent subclones with PNH abnormalities which could expand to the level of clinical detection, or which do not progress and remain indolent for a relatively long time, implying the different extents of clonal expansion among the affected progenitors.
Characterizing CD43 expression in haematogones using multicolor flow cytometric analysis
Authors: Tsao Lawrence , Colovai Adriana I. , Jiang Jie‐Gen , Bhagat Govind , Alobeid Bachir
Published: March 2005

Haematogones are precursor B cells commonly detected in small numbers in the bone marrow. Morphologically, haematogones can mimic lymphoblasts and are best distinguished using multicolour flow cytometry with antibody combinations. Haematogones show characteristic and reproducible patterns of antigen expression representing the B‐cell maturation sequence. CD43 expression, widely seen in haematopoietic elements, has not been well characterized in haematogones. We demonstrate that CD43 is consistently expressed in haematogones in a reproducible pattern similar to that of CD10 when combined with CD20. We propose that in combination with other markers, CD43 can be useful in the identification of haematogones.
Requirement for myeloid growth factors in the differentiation of acute promyelocytic leukaemia
Authors: Matsui William , Douglas Smith B. , Vala Milada , Beal Nikeshia , Huff Carol Ann , Diehl Louis F. , Jones Richard J.
Published: March 2005

It is well known that the differentiation of acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) cells by all‐trans‐retinoic acid (ATRA) may be enhanced by myeloid growth factors, but the requirement for growth factors in this process is unclear. Our previous studies in multiple myeloma and non‐APL acute myeloid leukaemia demonstrated that lineage‐specific growth factors are required for the maximal activity of many pharmacologic differentiating agents in vitro. Thus, we studied whether the differentiation of APL is similarly dependent on growth factors. We found that the myeloid growth factors granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor or granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor markedly increased the differentiation of NB4 cells or APL blasts from clinical samples treated with ATRA, arsenic trioxide (ATO), or bryostatin‐1 as evidenced by the enhanced expression of myeloid surface antigens and the inhibition of clonogenic growth. Furthermore, myeloid growth factors were necessary for the differentiation of APL cells since the activity of each pharmacologic agent could be blocked by specific growth factor‐neutralizing antibodies. Each differentiating agent was active only at concentrations that inhibited cell cycling, suggesting that this property is also required for differentiation. These data demonstrate that both pharmacologic differentiating agents and myeloid growth factors are required, but neither sufficient, for the differentiation of APL cells. The combined use of pharmacologic differentiating agents and growth factors may improve the clinical efficacy of differentiation therapy in APL.
A fish selective obstacle to prevent dispersion of an unwanted fish species, based on leaping capabilities
Authors: HOLTHE E. , LUND E. , FINSTAD B. , THORSTAD E. B. , MCKINLEY R. S.
Published: March 2005

Abstract  The European minnow, Phoxinus phoxinus (L.), constitutes a serious threat to natural brown trout, Salmo trutta L., stocks in Norway following its introduction and translocation. In the present study, the leaping capabilities of the European minnow (50–110 mm total length) and brown trout (64–255 mm total length) were investigated with the aim of constructing suitable waterfall barriers to prevent further unwanted dispersal of the minnow, but still allow passage of larger brown trout. No successful leap of minnows was recorded at 4.9–6.5 °C, even at height intervals as low as 3 cm. At 14.0–16.5 °C, minnows were able to force waterfall barriers up to 27 cm high. At 4.9–6.5 °C brown trout forced waterfall barriers up to 40 cm. Thus, building of such barriers in brooks and rivers can help prevent the dispersal of minnows, and still allow larger brown trout to pass during feeding and spawning migrations.
Clocks and the Black Box: Circadian Influences on Gonadotropin‐Releasing Hormone Secretion
Authors: Chappell P. E.
Published: March 2005

Although the mechanisms underlying hypothalamic surge secretion of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) in rodent models have remained enduring mysteries in the field of neuroendocrinology, the identities of two fundamental constituents are clear. Elevated ovarian oestrogen, in conjunction with circadian signals, combine to elicit GnRH surges that are confined to the afternoon of the proestrus phase. The phenomenon of oestrogen positive feedback, although extensively investigated, is not completely understood, and may involve the actions of this steroid directly on GnRH perikarya, as well as on the activity of neuronal afferents. Additionally, whereas many studies have focused upon regulation of GnRH surge secretion by the neuroanatomical biological clock, the suprachiasmatic nucleus, it remains unclear why this daily signal is capable of stimulating surges only in the presence of oestrogen. This review re‐examines multiple models of circadian control of reproductive neurosecretion, armed with the recent characterisation of the intracellular transcriptional feedback loops that comprise the circadian clock, and attempts to evaluate previous studies on this topic within the context of these new discoveries. Recent advances reveal the presence of oscillating circadian clocks throughout the central nervous system and periphery, including the anterior pituitary and hypothalamus, raising the possibility that synchrony between multiple cellular clocks may be involved in GnRH surge generation. Current studies are reviewed that demonstrate the necessity of functional clock oscillations in generating GnRH pulsatile secretion in vitro, suggesting that a GnRH‐specific intracellular circadian clock may underlie GnRH surges as well. Multiple possible steroidal and neuronal contributions to GnRH surge generation are discussed, in addition to how these signals of disparate origin may be integrated at the cellular level to initiate this crucial reproductive event.
Tuberculosis verrucosa cutis: antitubercular therapy, a well‐conceived diagnostic criterion
Authors: Sehgal Virendra N. , Sardana Kabir , Bajaj Promila , Bhattacharya Sambit N.
Published: March 2005

A 39‐year‐old housewife sustained inadvertent trauma to the right index finger about 6 years ago, whilst stitching clothes. A couple of weeks later, the site of trauma became hard and gritty. Ever since, it has progressed slowly, without any appreciable outward sign. It was not associated with any discomfort/pain. Consequent on an opinion from a surgeon, it was decided to operate on the right index finger. During the operation, under local anesthesia, a hard and gritty material was removed. The material was subjected to histopathologic study. Several stitches were applied to the wound. It failed to respond to antimicrobial therapy over a 4‐week period, prompting the patient to seek another opinion. Examination of the skin surface revealed a plaque with an irregular configuration on and around the distal interphalangeal joint of the right index finger. It was erythematous and pigmented. The top of the plaque was irregular and had alternating elevations and depressions (Fig. 1). Diascopy was negative for apple jelly nodule. A bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccination scar was identified on the left deltoid. There was no regional lymphadenopathy or systemic abnormality. Mantoux test with intradermal injection of 0.1 mL SPAN's tuberculin (purified protein derivative/5 tuberculin units/0.1 mL) (Span Diagnostic Ltd., Murat, India) was negative after 72 h. Investigations, including total and differential leukocyte count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum biochemistry, and renal and liver function tests, were within the normal range, as was a chest X‐ray.

Tuberculosis verrucosa cutis before (a) and after (b) antitubercular therapy (ATT)

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Hematoxylin and eosin‐stained sections prepared from the biopsy taken from the lesion revealed noteworthy changes in the epidermis and the dermis. The former was marked by the presence of hyperkeratosis, acanthosis, and papillomatosis, whilst the latter contained tubercle granulomas. Each of the granulomas was well formed and consisted of large numbers of lymphocytes, histiocytes, and foreign body (Langerhans’) giant cells (Fig. 2). Caseation necrosis and acid‐fast bacilli could not be demonstrated. The preceding revelations were fairly conducive to the diagnosis. Accordingly, antitubercular therapy (ATT), comprising 450 mg of rifampicin, 300 mg of isonicotinic acid hydrazide, and 800 mg of ethambutol, was recommended for oral administration each day for 60 days. The outcome of the treatment was satisfactory, resulting in perceptible regression of the skin lesion (Fig. 1b). The patient was advised to continue the treatment for another 30 days, after which 450 mg of rifampicin and 300 mg of isonicotinic acid hydrazide were to be continued for another 6 months.

Tuberculosis verrucosa cutis depicting well‐formed tubercle(s) comprising lymphocytes, histiocytes, neutrophils, and a few giant cells (hematoxylin and eosin, × 100)

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Structure–activity relationships of arodyn, a novel acetylated kappa opioid receptor antagonist*,†
Authors: Bennett M.A. , Murray T.F. , Aldrich J.V.
Published: March 2005

Abstract:  We previously reported that the novel dynorphin A (Dyn A, Tyr‐Gly‐Gly‐Phe‐Leu‐Arg‐Arg‐Ile‐Arg‐Pro‐Lys‐Leu‐Lys‐Trp‐Asp‐Asn‐Gln) analog arodyn (Ac[Phe1,2,3,Arg4,d‐Ala8]Dyn A‐(1–11)NH2, Bennett, M.A., Murray, T.F. & Aldrich, J.V. (2002) J. Med. Chem. vol. 45, pp. 5617–5619) is a κ opioid receptor‐selective peptide [Ki(κ) = 10 nm, Ki ratio (κ/μ/δ) = 1/174/583] which exhibits antagonist activity at κ opioid receptors. In this study, a series of arodyn analogs was prepared and evaluated to explore the structure–activity relationships (SAR) of this peptide; this included an alanine scan of the entire arodyn sequence, sequential isomeric d‐amino acid substitution in the N‐terminal ‘message’ sequence, NMePhe substitution individually in positions 1–3, and modifications in position 1. The results for the Ala‐substituted derivatives indicated that Arg6 and Arg7 are the most important residues for arodyn's nanomolar binding affinity for κ opioid receptors. Ala substitution of the other basic residues (Arg4, Arg9 and Lys11) resulted in lower decreases in affinity for κ opioid receptors (three‐ to fivefold compared with arodyn). Of particular interest, while [Ala10]arodyn exhibits similar κ opioid receptor binding as arodyn, it displays higher κ vs. μ opioid receptor selectivity [Ki ratio (κ/μ) = 1/350] than arodyn because of a twofold loss in affinity at μ opioid receptors. Surprisingly, the Tyr1 analog exhibits a sevenfold decrease in κ opioid receptor affinity, indicating that arodyn displays significantly different SAR than Dyn A; [Tyr1]arodyn also unexpectedly exhibits inverse agonist activity in the adenylyl cyclase assay using Chinese hamster ovary cells stably expressing κ opioid receptors. Substitution of NMePhe in position 1 gave [NMePhe1]arodyn which exhibits high affinity [Ki(κ) = 4.56 nm] and exceptional selectivity for κ opioid receptors [Ki ratio (κ/μ/δ) = 1/1100/>2170]. This peptide exhibits antagonistic activity in the adenylyl cyclase assay, reversing the agonism of 10 nm Dyn A‐(1–13)NH2. Thus [NMePhe1]arodyn is a highly κ opioid receptor‐selective antagonist that could be a useful pharmacological tool to study κ opioid receptor‐mediated activities.
Roles of residues 3 and 4 in cyclic tetrapeptide ligand recognition by the κ‐opioid receptor
Authors: Przydzial M.J. , Pogozheva I.D. , Bosse K.E. , Andrews S.M. , Tharp T.A. , Traynor J.R. , Mosberg H.I.
Published: March 2005

Abstract:  A series of cyclic, disulfide‐ or dithioether‐containing tetrapeptides based on previously reported potent μ‐ and δ‐selective analogs has been explored with the aim of improving their poor affinity to the κ‐opioid receptor. Specifically targeted were modifications of tetrapeptide residues 3 and 4, as they presumably interact with residues from transmembrane helices 6 and 7 and extracellular loop 3 that differ among the three receptors. Accordingly, tetrapeptides were synthesized with Phe3 replaced by aliphatic (Gly, Ala, Aib, Cha), basic (Lys, Arg, homo‐Arg), or aromatic sides chains (Trp, Tyr, p‐NH2Phe), and with d‐Pen4 replaced by d‐Cys4, and binding affinities to stably expressed μ‐, δ‐, and κ‐receptors were determined. In general, the resulting analogs failed to exhibit appreciable affinity for the κ‐receptor, with the exception of the tetrapeptide Tyr‐c[d‐Cys‐Phe‐d‐Cys]‐NH2, cyclized via a disulfide bond, which demonstrated high binding affinity toward all opioid receptors (Kiμ = 1.26 nm, Kiδ = 16.1 nm, Kiκ = 38.7 nm). Modeling of the κ‐receptor/ligand complex in the active state reveals that the receptor‐binding pocket for residues 3 and 4 of the tetrapeptide ligands is smaller than that in the μ‐receptor and requires, for optimal fit, that the tripeptide cycle of the ligand assume a higher energy conformation. The magnitude of this energy penalty depends on the nature of the fourth residue of the peptide (d‐Pen or d‐Cys) and correlates well with the observed κ‐receptor binding affinity.
Preparation of protected peptidyl thioester intermediates for native chemical ligation by Nα‐9‐fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) chemistry: considerations of side‐chain and backbone anchoring strategies, and compatible protection for N‐terminal cysteine*,†
Authors: Gross C.M. , Lelièvre D. , Woodward C.K. , Barany G.
Published: March 2005

Abstract:  Native chemical ligation has proven to be a powerful method for the synthesis of small proteins and the semisynthesis of larger ones. The essential synthetic intermediates, which are C‐terminal peptide thioesters, cannot survive the repetitive piperidine deprotection steps of Nα‐9‐fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) chemistry. Therefore, peptide scientists who prefer to not use Nα‐t‐butyloxycarbonyl (Boc) chemistry need to adopt more esoteric strategies and tactics in order to integrate ligation approaches with Fmoc chemistry. In the present work, side‐chain and backbone anchoring strategies have been used to prepare the required suitably (partially) protected and/or activated peptide intermediates spanning the length of bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI). Three separate strategies for managing the critical N‐terminal cysteine residue have been developed: (i) incorporation of Nα‐9‐fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl‐S‐(N‐methyl‐N‐phenylcarbamoyl)sulfenylcysteine [Fmoc‐Cys(Snm)‐OH], allowing creation of an otherwise fully protected resin‐bound intermediate with N‐terminal free Cys; (ii) incorporation of Nα‐9‐fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl‐S‐triphenylmethylcysteine [Fmoc‐Cys(Trt)‐OH], generating a stable Fmoc‐Cys(H)‐peptide upon acidolytic cleavage; and (iii) incorporation of Nα‐t‐butyloxycarbonyl‐S‐fluorenylmethylcysteine [Boc‐Cys(Fm)‐OH], generating a stable H‐Cys(Fm)‐peptide upon cleavage. In separate stages of these strategies, thioesters are established at the C‐termini by selective deprotection and coupling steps carried out while peptides remain bound to the supports. Pilot native chemical ligations were pursued directly on‐resin, as well as in solution after cleavage/purification.
Are National Cultural Traits Applicable To Senior Firm Managers?
Authors: Thompson Edmund R. , Phua Florence T. T.
Published: March 2005

Researchers have applied Hofstede's categorization of national cultural traits not only in studies of ‘average’ employee samples, from which the categorization was originally derived, but also to élite senior executives, and even to firms, on the assumptions that top management teams (i) are culturally homogeneous with average employees and (ii) directly reflect cultural characteristics in strategic decision‐making. Such assumptions are questioned by research finding that country sub‐populations are culturally heterogeneous and that individuals' cultural characteristics are moderated by organizational and task contexts. Using the construct of collectivism/individualism, this study tests the applicability of Hofstede's generic national cultural norms to senior executives using Anglo‐Saxon and Chinese samples. Results cast doubt on the applicability of Hofstede's classifications to senior manager populations and suggest several avenues for further research.
Beyond Agency Conceptions of the Work of the Non‐Executive Director: Creating Accountability in the Boardroom
Authors: Roberts John , McNulty Terry , Stiles Philip
Published: March 2005

This paper examines board effectiveness through an examination of the work and relationships of non‐executive directors. It is based on 40 in‐depth interviews with company directors, commissioned for the Higgs Review. The paper observes that research on corporate governance lacks understanding of the behavioural processes and effects of boards of directors. Whilst board structure, composition and independence condition board effectiveness it is the actual conduct of the non‐executive vis‐à‐vis the executive that determines board effectiveness. Data about behaviour and relationships on boards suggest that traditional theoretical divisions between agency and stewardship theory, and control versus collaboration models of the board do not adequately reflect the lived experience of non‐executive directors and other directors on the board. Developing accountability as a central concept in the explanation of how boards operate effectively enables the paper to both challenge the dominant grip of agency theory on governance research and support the search for theoretical pluralism and greater understanding of board processes and dynamics. Practically, the work suggests that corporate governance reform will be undermined by prescription that supports distant perceptions of board effectiveness but not the actual effectiveness of boards.
Studying Board Context, Process and Dynamics: Some Challenges for the Future
Authors: Pye Annie , Pettigrew Andrew
Published: March 2005

This paper contributes to the timely debate on research into boards and their effectiveness by focusing on context, process and time, which are crucial to understanding board dynamics. It also explores key principles of board process research, and advocates the need to strengthen its theoretical and methodological foundations in order to challenge the analytically particular assumptions of agency theory. The paper concludes that there is still much more to be researched in this area and encourages work that explores variation in board process and director effectiveness in different organizational contexts, as well as seeking to go beyond the board to address their impact and effectiveness in the broader organizational and external context.
Beyond Self‐Interest: Agency Theory and the Board in a Satisficing World
Authors: Hendry John
Published: March 2005

This paper argues that a consideration of some of the peculiarities of boards of directors can be used as a basis for developing and enriching our theoretical conception of agency relationships; and that the generalized version of agency theory that results can help us to better understand some of the empirical observations and theoretical and policy issues raised by Roberts, McNulty and Stiles.
Controlling the Overall Significance Level of a Battery of Least Squares Diagnostic Tests*
Authors: Godfrey Leslie G.
Published: March 2005

Double bootstrap methods are used to control the overall significance level of a battery of diagnostic tests applied to a regression model estimated by ordinary least squares. Monte Carlo evidence on the finite sample performance of the bootstrap methods is reported and discussed.
RECENT ADVANCES IN INTERNATIONAL FINANCE: INTRODUCTION
Authors: Cheung Yin‐Wong
Published: March 2005

Arguably, international finance is one of the most exciting areas in economics. The development of international finance is influenced and shaped, at least in part, by the continuing process of globalization and integration. In the last 25 years the profession has witnessed the proliferation of both theoretical models and empirical analyses in international finance. The analysis of both new and existing issues has benefited from increasingly elaborate modelling techniques and sophisticated empirical tools.
DOES ‘AGGREGATION BIAS’ EXPLAIN THE PPP PUZZLE?
Authors: Chen Shiu‐Sheng , Engel Charles
Published: March 2005

Abstract.  Recently, Jean Imbs and colleagues have claimed that much of the purchasing power parity puzzle can be explained by ‘aggregation bias’. This paper re‐examines aggregation bias. It clarifies the meaning of aggregation bias and its applicability to the PPP puzzle; demonstrates that the size of the ‘bias’ is much smaller than suggested if explosive roots in the simulations are ruled out; and shows that the presence of non‐persistent measurement error data can make price series appear less persistent than they are. After correcting for small‐sample bias, half‐life estimates indicate that heterogeneity and aggregation bias do not help to solve the PPP puzzle.
FINANCIAL LIBERALIZATION AND ECONOMIC GROWTH: A THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF THE TRANSFORMING CHINESE ECONOMY
Authors: Fung Michael K. Y. , Ho Wai‐Ming , Zhu Lijing
Published: March 2005

Abstract.  We conduct a theoretical investigation into how financial reforms are affecting the long‐run economic performance of the partially reformed Chinese economy. In a model with a dual structure in commodity production and financial repression, allowing the co‐existence of a state banking system and an informal credit market and introducing heterogeneity in the transaction technologies of individuals, we examine the interactions between the state banking system and the informal credit market, and the effects of various measures of financial liberalization on individuals’ optimal portfolio choices and the macroeconomic aggregates.
Factors associated with virological response in HIV‐infected patients failing antiretroviral therapy: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Fournier S , Chaffaut C , Maillard A , Loze B , Lascoux C , Gérard L , Timsit J , David F , Bergmann J‐F , Oksenhendler E , Sereni D , Chevret S , Molina J‐M
Published: March 2005

Objectives

To assess the antiviral response to optimized therapy following genotypic resistance testing and to identify factors associated with virological response in HIV‐1‐infected patients failing antiretroviral therapy.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted in 344 HIV‐1‐infected patients who underwent genotypic resistance testing because of virological failure. Virological response was defined as a plasma HIV RNA level below 200 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL or a drop of plasma viral load from baseline of more than 1 log10. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with virological response.

Results

The median age of the patients was 40 years, with a male to female ratio of 4:1. Fifty‐one per cent of patients had received the three major classes of antiretrovirals and the median duration of previous antiretroviral therapy was 4.6 years. At baseline, the median plasma HIV RNA level was 4.4 log10 copies/mL and the median CD4 cell count was 274 cells/μL. At 3 months, 55% of patients (188 of 344) had a virological response, which was sustained at 6 months (53%). Predictors of virological response were exposure to two or fewer protease inhibitors [odds ratio (OR) 1.8; P=0.046], and use in optimized therapy of a new class of antiretrovirals (OR 2.9; P=0.006), of more than two new drugs (OR 3.0; P<0.0001), of abacavir (OR 1.9; P=0.03), or of lopinavir/ritonavir (OR 3.7; P=0.0002).

Conclusions

A high proportion of patients achieved a short‐term virological response in this cohort study. Patients with the least experience of protease inhibitor treatment and in whom a new class of antiretroviral, more than two new drugs, abacavir or lopinavir/ritonavir was used in optimized therapy had the best virological outcome.
Prevalence of pervasive developmental disorders in children and adolescents with mental retardation
Authors: De Bildt Annelies , Sytema Sjoerd , Kraijer Dirk , Minderaa Ruud
Published: March 2005

Background:  Insight into the prevalence of pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) in children and adolescents with mental retardation (MR) is known to be of clinical importance. However, estimating this prevalence is complicated. The literature reports prevalence rates ranging from 3% through 50%. This variation seems to be related to the concepts of PDD under study, the instruments used, and the studied populations. The present study aimed to estimate a reliable prevalence rate of PDD.

Methods:  A total population‐based screening with the PDD‐MRS and the ABC (n = 825) was followed by further assessment of children and adolescents at high risk for PDD according to these instruments, and for controls, with the ADI‐R, ADOS‐G and a DSM‐IV‐TR classification (n = 188).

Results:  The instruments lead to different prevalence rates that range from 7.8% to 19.8%. The differences in the estimated prevalence rates are related to the concept of PDD and the instruments they represent. The DSM‐IV‐TR prevalence (16.7%) seems to be the most reliable and well‐founded estimate, since this prevalence rate is based on information from multiple informants and multiple time periods.

Conclusions:  The reported prevalence rates provide policy makers with an up‐to‐date and more substantiated guideline for the allocation of resources for children and adolescents with MR and PDD. The height of the prevalence should alert professionals that PDD is widespread in the population with MR.
Non‐verbal cognitive development and language impairment
Authors: Botting Nicola
Published: March 2005

Background:  Specific language impairment (SLI) is currently partly defined by the presence of non‐verbal IQ scores in the normal range. However, not only is there a debate concerning where ‘normal thresholds’ should be, but increasing information about the presence of processing deficits in SLI have led some researchers to question the use of IQ criteria in clinical diagnosis. In particular, little is known about the longitudinal and developmental patterns of cognitive performance in this population.

Method:  Data from a long‐term follow‐up study of SLI was examined in 82 children defined at original participation as having SLI who had IQ measurements at 7, 8, 11 and 14 years.

Results:  Analyses revealed a significant fall between 7 and 14 years of over 20 IQ points. This fall took place mainly between 8 and 11 years but was still continuing between 11 and 14 years. Further investigation revealed different groups of children showing different developmental patterns in IQ, even after controlling for baseline measurement. These groups also showed significantly different language outcomes at 14 years. Analyses controlling for IQ at 7 were also performed that suggested a dynamic process between language and cognitive development.

Conclusions:  These findings appear to be in agreement with a model of impairment that views ‘Residual Normality’ as unlikely (Karmiloff‐Smith, 1998; Thomas & Karmiloff‐Smith, 2002). The implications are therefore discussed in relation to the dynamic development of systems along with the possible cognitive mechanisms (such as working memory) that might interact with language to create an SLI profile.
Deafness to fear in boys with psychopathic tendencies
Authors: Blair R.J.R. , Budhani S. , Colledge E. , Scott S.
Published: March 2005

The processing of the emotional signals of others is fundamental for normal socialization and interaction. Reduced responsiveness to the expressions of sadness and fear has been implicated in the development of psychopathy (Blair, 1995). The current study investigates the ability of boys with psychopathic tendencies to process auditory affect information. Boys with psychopathic tendencies and a comparison group, as defined by the Antisocial Process Screening Device (APSD: Frick & Hare, 2001), were presented with neutral words spoken with intonations conveying happiness, disgust, anger, sadness and fear and were asked to identify the emotion of the speaker based on prosody. The boys with psychopathic tendencies presented with a selective impairment for the recognition of fearful vocal affect. These results are interpreted with reference to amygdala dysfunction and components of the Integrated Emotion Systems model.
Staying on task: can a thinking skills approach support a productive pedagogy for inclusion?
Authors: Baumfield Vivienne , Devlin Niall
Published: March 2005

This study investigates the effects of a thinking skills approach on the on task rates of pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN). There were three situations: two experimental and one controlled. The experimental situations compared on task rates of 19 primary‐aged pupils with SEN in thinking skills (TS) and non‐thinking skills (XTS) lessons. These same 19 pupils’ on task rates were then compared to the 19 different pupils with SEN in the control situation (CON). The study found that pupils with SEN had significantly higher on task rates in thinking skills lessons compared to the non‐thinking skills lessons and pupils with SEN in the control situation. This study also found that pupils’ on task rate was directly proportional to the level of thinking skills content in a lesson. In addition it was found that pupils in thinking skills lessons spent significantly more time working collaboratively.
THE TREATMENT OF EDUCATION IN NATIONAL ACCOUNTING1
Authors: Seers Dudley , Jolly Richard
Published: March 2005

It is argued that the conventions of an accounting system, such as the S.N.A., are a matter of convenience. The treatment of education as a current expenditure, instead of as a form of capital formation, derives from the Keynesian system, and is not appropriate for dynamic problems of developing countries, where weaknesses in education are often the main “bottleneck” in the process of development. In such countries, expenditure on education clearly yields its benefits mainly in the longer run. To treat this as a consumption item biases policy in the direction of using financial resources for fixed capital rather than human investment, and may cause aid agencies to penalize countries which expand their educational systems. A similar problem arises on other expenditures such as health, but the case for treating them as investment is not so strong.

To treat educational expenditure as part of capital formation logically requires two major changes. First education needs to be removed from private and public consumption, and for this purpose a fairly broad definition of what is education should be used. Secondly, the stock of educational capital should be valued. The valuation problems are, however, severe. Variations in cost components make historic cost of little value as a yardstick, and calculations of future returns are fraught with difficulties. Using replacement costs, which seems the best method, involves the construction of education profiles in physical terms which can then be valued by present or by standardised costs. The depreciation of human capital through mortality and retirement can be allowed for by applying national average rates to these physical profiles.

Switching educational expenditure from current to capital accounts involves no serious practical problem. However, although there should logically be an allowance for depreciation on human capital, this is not recommended; single monetary measures of educational stock are not very meaningful, and this would involve changing the definition of “net” aggregates. Development of statistics of educational stocks and flows in physical terms—the beginnings of “demographic accounting” fully integrated with the rest of national accounting—is strongly advocated.
THE TREATMENT OF INTEREST AND NET RENTS IN THE NATIONAL ACCOUNTS FRAMEWORK1
Authors: Sunga Preetom S.
Published: March 2005

The contention in this paper is that the present method of treating interest and net rents as transfers rather than as payments for services provided creates problems in the measurement of production by industry and that the difficulties encountered in explaining the treatment of interest items in the different tables of the National Accounts are even more apparent when one views the National Accounts framework as an integrated reflection of economic reality.

It is argued that the lending of money arises from the stretching out of the production and consumption process, and the interest charges constitute a charge for the administrative services and risk involved. This is somewhat analagous to the charges for hiring out real goods and services. A similar case is made for the treatment of rents with the exception of imputed net rent where it is contended that economic risk is incurred only when production is undertaken for sale and that there should be no entrepreneurial return where the production is for the use of the owner‐producer.

It is suggested that an alternative treatment of interest and rents as payments for services is more realistic. Its adoption in the National Accounts would eliminate the need for imputations now made to account for the production of financial intermediaries, as well as the unconvincing explanations put forward for the present treatment of interest on consumer and public debt. Finally, it would serve to integrate the production accounts with the financial flows and the related financial structure.
CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS IN AGRICULTURE: AN INTERNATIONAL COMPARISON
Authors: Clark Colin
Published: March 2005

Capital requirements may be expressed in various ways but when comparisons are to be made between situations of great variety it is best to express them per unit of annual product. The definition of product also raises difficulties. Here it is measured net of agricultural inputs but still gross of industrial inputs. The study approaches the problem by first considering the capital requirements of the simplest types of agriculture and then moving up the scale towards the more advanced. Simple forms of crop culture using hand tools may require only 0.1 to 0.2 of a year's product in the form of capital. These requirements increase when livestock are added, either for draught power or for their products. Increases also occur when tree and bush crops are introduced. In the less favourable climates, capital is also needed for the provision of shelter. When comparisons are possible between farms of different sizes, the greater capital requirements per unit of product for the smaller farms are clearly to be seen. In general the amount of capital per unit of product in agriculture is tending to fall, both through improvements in techniques and through an increase in the average size of holding.
THE SEERS MODIFIED INPUT‐OUTPUT TABLE: SOME PROJECTION TECHNIQUES
Authors: Frank Charles R.
Published: March 2005

Dudley Seers and his colleagues in working with various less developed economies have proposed a modified version of an input‐output table for making projections and tests of consistency in planning. The table includes only the important inter‐sectoral flows. By making a simplifying assumption with regard to the non‐included inter‐sectoral flows, an algebraic formulation of the modified input‐output table is possible. The resulting matrix of input‐output coefficients and final demands can be transformed into a Leontief input‐output matrix which is block triangular and composed of two‐blocks, one of which is diagonal. Given a set of final demands it is very easy to solve for the total output of each of the sectors. The amount of computation involved is directly related to the number of intersectoral flows included in the original modified input‐output table.
ON REVISIONS IN NATIONAL ACCOUNTS ESTIMATES1
Authors: Rinne Horst
Published: March 2005

This paper treats three subjects:

(1) In Sections II and III there is given a general analysis of revisions in national income data, namely the sources of revisions are enumerated and the conclusions that might be drawn are discussed in some detail.

(2) Section IV gives a description of the history of revisions in national income estimates for the FRG (Federal Republic of Germany) for the period 1949–1965. The general revisions are classified according to their causes.

(3) Sections V to VII give a statistical analysis of the revisions described in Section IV. Revisions in the level and in the linear annual change are characterized by their mean and their mean absolute deviation. Theil's coefficient of inequality is computed and on the basis of its decomposition a kind of analysis of variance is carried out.
REGIONAL INFORMATION DESIGN FOR PUBLIC DECISIONS*
Authors: Hirsch Werner Z.
Published: March 2005

Regional information designs are tools for decision makers at subnational levels; their principal purpose is to improve the dialogue between the decision maker and the analyst as a means of improving the quality of policy decisions. This paper first examines key characteristics of regional accounts and regional information systems of relevance primarily at the state or province level. Then the nature and scope of regional decisions are reviewed with a view of delineating the problems encountered in developing systematic regional information to help make those decisions. Both policy and program decisions are considered in terms of scanning the horizon for potential opportunities and problems and of identifying preferred solutions to the problems. Finally, one regional information design is sketched out which classifies in an orderly fashion the environmental and program information useful in regional decision making.
CZECHOSLOVAK AGGREGATE PRODUCTION IN THE INTERWAR PERIOD*
Authors: Pryor Frederic L. , Pryor Zora P. , Stadnik Miloš , Staller George J.
Published: March 2005

The purpose of this article is to present estimates of the Czechoslovak gross domestic product from 1913 through 1937 and to interpret these data in terms of certain crucial economic policy decisions. In the first part of the article, the major methods of estimation of the G.D.P. using a sector of origin approach are briefly discussed; a fuller description is presented in the appendix. The second part examines the major economic dilemmas facing the Czechoslovak government and the most important actual policy decisions. In order to provide quantitative perspective on the Czechoslovak successes and failures, national product and export series for all the Central European nations are also presented and briefly discussed.
THE ROLE OF MICRODATA IN THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ACCOUNTS*
Authors: Ruggles Richard , Ruggles Nancy D.
Published: March 2005

Microdata sets—samples of data relating to individual reporting units—can provide a valuable extension of the national economic accounts as they presently exist, making it possible to meet many of the criticisms being leveled at the accounts over their failure to include much nontransactions information that is essential to the evaluation of economic and social performance. To serve this purpose, however, the microdata sets must be integrated with the aggregate accounts, and with one another. A microdata sets relating to any given sector should add up (with appropriate weighting) to the economic constructs for that sector in the national accounts, and the microdata set for one sector should be articulated as appropriate with those of other sectors. This paper discusses techniques for constructing such microdata sets, including necessary adjustments of the macro accounts, techniques of alignment of microdata with the macro accounts and the creation and development of synthetic microdata sets. Synthetic matching and other techniques of merging data sets are discussed. The paper concludes with a consideration of the methodological implication of the integration of microdata and national accounts.
A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF HOUSEHOLD CONSUMPTION FINANCED BY INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE RESOURCES, IN FRANCE AND ITALY (1959, 1965, 1969)
Authors: Cao‐Pinna Vera , Foulon Alain
Published: March 2005

In this article the authors anticipate some results of a study carried out in France and in Italy, in the framework of a wider research project aiming at analysing in some depth and at comparing the recent trends and patterns of total household consumption in some capitalist and socialist countries.1

The accounting scheme used to arrive at a comprehensive definition of household consumption, inclusive of the “non‐market” divisible services produced by public administrations, and to identify the share of this new aggregate which is financed by collective resources, isoutlined in the first section. In the second section, the article shows the growing relative importance of publicly‐supported consumption, but it also shows that during the sixties, the overall cost of divisible public services and of social benefits provided in kind or in cash was, in both countries, almost entirely auto‐financed by the household sector, via social security contributions and taxes levied on that sector's income and consumption. In the third section, comparative analysis of the recent structural evolution of the “market” and the “non‐market” shares of total household consumption points out the similarities and dissimilarities between the patterns and forms of private and public spending in the two countries.

The results of this analysis seem to support the thesis that unless a better integration of social policies with economic growth policies is achieved, it will not be possible to implement rational choices between the “market” and the “non‐market” ways of satisfying specific population needs. The authors' conclusion is that under present circumstances, public civil expenditures will continue to rise, both in France and in Italy, more rapidly than total national resources and it will become difficult to balance total receipts and total outlays of the public sector.