bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of an immunogenic CD8+ T-cell epitope derived from γ-globin, a putative tumor-associated antigen for juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia
Authors: Hirano Naoto , Butler Marcus O. , Xia Zhinan , Berezovskaya Alla , Murray Andrew P. , Ansén Sascha , Kojima Seiji , Nadler Lee M.
Published: June 2006

Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) is a rare clonal myeloproliferative disorder. Although allogeneic stem cell transplantation can induce long-term remissions, relapse rates remain high and innovative approaches are needed. Since donor lymphocyte infusions have clinical activity in JMML, T-cell-mediated immunotherapy could provide a nonredundant treatment approach to compliment current therapies. γ-Globin, an oncofetal protein overexpressed by clonogenic JMML cells, may serve as a target of an antitumor immune response. We predicted 5 γ-globin-derived peptides as potential human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2 restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes and showed that 4 (g031, g071, g105, and g106) bind A2 molecules in vitro. Using an artificial antigen-presenting cell (aAPC) that can process both the N- and C-termini of endogenously expressed proteins, we biochemically confirmed that g105 is naturally processed and presented by cell surface A2. Furthermore, g105-specific CD8+ CTLs generated from A2-positive healthy donors were able to specifically cytolyze γ-globin+, but not γ-globin- JMML cells in an A2-restricted manner. These results suggest that this aAPC-based approach enables the biochemical identification of CD8+ T-cell epitopes that are processed and presented by intact cells, and that CTL immunotherapy of JMML could be directed against the γ-globin-derived epitope g105.
A prospective cohort study of postoperative complications in the management of perforated peptic ulcer
Authors: Sharma Smita S , Mamtani Manju R , Sharma Mamta S , Kulkarni Hemant
Published: June 2006

Background

With dwindling rates of postoperative mortality in perforated peptic ulcer that is attributable to H2-receptor blocker usage, there is a need to shift the focus towards the prevention of postoperative morbidity. Further, the simultaneous contribution of several putative clinical predictors to this postoperative morbidity is not fully appreciated. Our objective was to assess the predictors of the risk, rate and number of postoperative complications in surgically treated patients of perforated peptic ulcer.

Methods

In a prospective cohort study of 96 subjects presenting as perforated peptic ulcer and treated using Graham's omentoplatsy patch or gastrojejunostomy (with total truncal vagotomy), we assessed the association of clinical predictors with three domains of postoperative complications: the risk of developing a complication, the rate of developing the first complication and the risk of developing higher number of complications. We used multiple regression methods – logistic regression, Cox proportional hazards regression and Poisson regression, respectively – to examine the association of the predictors with these three domains.

Results

We observed that the risk of developing a postoperative complication was significantly influenced by the presence of a concomitant medical illness [odds ratio (OR) = 8.9, p = 0.001], abdominal distension (3.8, 0.048) and a need of blood transfusion (OR = 8.2, p = 0.027). Using Poisson regression, it was observed that the risk for a higher number of complications was influenced by the same three factors [relative risk (RR) = 2.6, p = 0.015; RR = 4.6, p < 0.001; and RR = 2.4, p = 0.002; respectively]. However, the rate of development of complications was influenced by a history suggestive of shock [relative hazards (RH) = 3.4, p = 0.002] and A-blood group (RH = 4.7, p = 0.04).

Conclusion

Abdominal distension, presence of a concomitant medical illness and a history suggestive of shock at the time of admission warrant a closer and alacritous postoperative management in patients of perforated peptic ulcer.
What properties characterize the hub proteins of the protein-protein interaction network of Saccharomyces cerevisiae?
Authors: Ekman Diana , Light Sara , Björklund Åsa K , Elofsson Arne
Published: June 2006

Background

Most proteins interact with only a few other proteins while a small number of proteins (hubs) have many interaction partners. Hub proteins and non-hub proteins differ in several respects; however, understanding is not complete about what properties characterize the hubs and set them apart from proteins of low connectivity. Therefore, we have investigated what differentiates hubs from non-hubs and static hubs (party hubs) from dynamic hubs (date hubs) in the protein-protein interaction network of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Results

The many interactions of hub proteins can only partly be explained by bindings to similar proteins or domains. It is evident that domain repeats, which are associated with binding, are enriched in hubs. Moreover, there is an over representation of multi-domain proteins and long proteins among the hubs. In addition, there are clear differences between party hubs and date hubs. Fewer of the party hubs contain long disordered regions compared to date hubs, indicating that these regions are important for flexible binding but less so for static interactions. Furthermore, party hubs interact to a large extent with each other, supporting the idea of party hubs as the cores of highly clustered functional modules. In addition, hub proteins, and in particular party hubs, are more often ancient. Finally, the more recent paralogs of party hubs are underrepresented.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that multiple and repeated domains are enriched in hub proteins and, further, that long disordered regions, which are common in date hubs, are particularly important for flexible binding.
Randomized Phase III Study of Trastuzumab, Paclitaxel, and Carboplatin Compared With Trastuzumab and Paclitaxel in Women With HER-2–Overexpressing Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Robert Nicholas , Leyland-Jones Brian , Asmar Lina , Belt Robert , Ilegbodu Des , Loesch David , Raju Robert , Valentine Elizabeth , Sayre Robert , Cobleigh Melody , Albain Kathy , McCullough Cecelia , Fuchs Lea , Slamon Dennis
Published: June 2006

Purpose

This randomized, multicenter, phase III trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of trastuzumab and paclitaxel with or without carboplatin as first-line therapy for women with HER-2–overexpressing metastatic breast cancer (MBC).

Patients and Methods

HER-2 overexpression was defined as immunohistochemical staining scores of 2+ or 3+. Between November 1998 and May 2002, 196 women with HER-2–overexpressing MBC were randomly assigned to six cycles of either trastuzumab 4 mg/kg loading dose plus 2 mg/kg weekly thereafter with paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 every 3 weeks (TP), or trastuzumab 4 mg/kg loading dose plus 2 mg/kg weekly thereafter with paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 and carboplatin area under the time-concentration curve = 6 every 3 weeks (TPC) followed by weekly trastuzumab alone.

Results

Baseline characteristics of the 196 patients were well balanced between study arms. Objective response rate (ORR) was 52% (95% CI, 42% to 62%) for TPC versus 36% (95% CI, 26% to 46%) for TP (P = .04). Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 10.7 months for TPC and 7.1 months for TP (hazard ratio [HR], 0.66; 95% CI, 0.59 to 0.73; P = .03). Improved clinical outcomes with TPC were most evident in HER-2 3+ patients, with an ORR of 57% (95% CI, 45% to 70%) v 36% (95% CI, 25% to 48%; P = .03) and median PFS of 13.8 v 7.6 months (P = .005) for TPC and TP, respectively (HR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.46 to 0.64). Both regimens were well tolerated, and febrile neutropenia and neurotoxicity occurred infrequently; grade 4 neutropenia occurred more frequently with TPC (P < .01).

Conclusion

The addition of carboplatin to paclitaxel and trastuzumab improved ORR and PFS in women with HER-2–overexpressing MBC. This well-tolerated regimen represents a new therapeutic option.
The “Big Dog” Effect: Variability Assessing the Causes of Error in Diagnoses of Patients With Lung Cancer
Authors: Raab Stephen S. , Meier Frederick A. , Zarbo Richard J. , Jensen D. Chris , Geisinger Kim R. , Booth Christine N. , Krishnamurti Uma , Stone Chad H. , Janosky Janine E. , Grzybicki Dana M.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The frequency of diagnostic error in patients who have a lung mass and a pathology specimen is as high as 15%. This study examined the role of inter-pathologist agreement in identifying the cause of error in these patients.

Methods

Pathologists from six institutions reviewed the slides of 40 patients who had a pulmonary specimen false-negative diagnosis. The initial assessment of error cause arose from cytologic-histologic correlation slide review of discrepant diagnostic samples in patients who had both a bronchial brushing cytologic and surgical specimen. The cause of error was attributed either to clinical sampling (diagnostic material obtained in one but not the other sample) or interpretation (pathologist failed to identify the salient diagnostic features). The pairwise kappa (κ) statistic was used to calculate interobserver agreement between the review and original diagnoses and between the separate review diagnoses.

Results

The pairwise κ statistic ranged widely from −0.154 to 1.0, and the pairwise κ statistic of the slides from one institution was undetermined because that institutional pathologist never made the assessment that error was secondary to interpretation. Agreement for observers within the same institution was better than agreement between observers from different institutions.

Conclusion

Pathologists exhibit poor agreement in determining the cause of error for pulmonary specimens sent for cancer diagnosis. We developed a psychosocial hypothesis (the “Big Dog” Effect) that partially explains biases in error assessment. This lack of agreement precludes confident targeting of these errors for quality improvement interventions with prospects of success across a variety of institutions.
Adjuvant Procarbazine, Lomustine, and Vincristine Improves Progression-Free Survival but Not Overall Survival in Newly Diagnosed Anaplastic Oligodendrogliomas and Oligoastrocytomas: A Randomized European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Phase III Trial
Authors: van den Bent Martin J. , Carpentier Antoine F. , Brandes Alba A. , Sanson Marc , Taphoorn Martin J.B. , Bernsen Hans J.J.A. , Frenay Marc , Tijssen Cees C. , Grisold Wolfgang , Sipos Laslo , Haaxma-Reiche Hanny , Kros Johannes M. , van Kouwenhoven Mathilde C.M. , Vecht Charles J. , Allgeier Anouk , Lacombe Denis , Gorlia Thierry
Published: June 2006

Purpose

Anaplastic oligodendrogliomas are more responsive to chemotherapy than high-grade astrocytomas. We investigated, in a multicenter randomized controlled trial, whether adjuvant procarbazine, lomustine, and vincristine (PCV) chemotherapy improves overall survival (OS) in newly diagnosed patients with anaplastic oligodendrogliomas or anaplastic oligoastrocytomas.

Patients and Methods

The primary end point of the study was OS; secondary end points were progression-free survival (PFS) and toxicity. Patients were randomly assigned to either 59.4 Gy of radiotherapy (RT) in 33 fractions only or to the same RT followed by six cycles of standard PCV chemotherapy (RT/PCV). 1p and 19q deletions were assessed with fluorescent in situ hybridization.

Results

A total of 368 patients were included. The median follow-up time was 60 months, and 59% of patients have died. In the RT arm, 82% of patients with tumor progression received chemotherapy. In 38% of patients in the RT/PCV arm, adjuvant PCV was discontinued for toxicity. OS time after RT/PCV was 40.3 months compared with 30.6 months after RT only (P = .23). RT/PCV increased PFS time compared with RT only (23 v 13.2 months, respectively; P = .0018). Twenty-five percent of patients were diagnosed with combined 1p/19q loss; 74% of this subgroup was still alive after 60 months. RT/PCV did not improve survival in the subgroup of patients with 1p/19q loss.

Conclusion

Adjuvant PCV chemotherapy does not prolong OS but does increase PFS in anaplastic oligodendroglioma. Combined loss of 1p/19q identifies a favorable subgroup of oligodendroglial tumors. No genetic subgroup could be identified that benefited with respect to OS from adjuvant PCV.
Quality of Life and Pain in Advanced Stage Prostate Cancer: Results of a Southwest Oncology Group Randomized Trial Comparing Docetaxel and Estramustine to Mitoxantrone and Prednisone
Authors: Berry Donna L. , Moinpour Carol M. , Jiang Caroline S. , Ankerst Donna Pauler , Petrylak Daniel P. , Vinson Lynne V. , Lara Primo N. , Jones Sharon , Taplin Mary E. , Burch Patrick A. , Hussain Maha H.A. , Crawford E. David
Published: June 2006

Purpose

Palliation of bone pain can be achieved in men with androgen-independent prostate cancer treated with docetaxel and estramustine (DE) or mitoxantrone and prednisone (MP). While Southwest Oncology Group trial 99-16 demonstrated a survival improvement of DE over MP, the study also was designed to compare the palliation of disease-related symptoms.

Methods

Pain palliation and global quality of life (QOL) were the two primary patient-reported outcomes. Pain was measured with the Present Pain Intensity scale of the McGill Pain Questionnaire-Short Form. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 (QLQ-C30) and its Prostate Cancer Module (PR25) measured QOL and symptom status. Pain and analgesic use were measured at random assignment, every cycle for eight cycles, and 1 year from random assignment; the QLQ-C30 and the PR25 were administered at random assignment, before cycle four (week 10) and cycle eight (month 6) and at 1 year. In addition to the primary intent-to-treat, missing at random analysis, sensitivity analyses were performed to assess robustness of global QOL conclusions under alternative informative missing data assumptions.

Results

Six hundred seventy four eligible patients received DE (n = 338) or MP (n = 336). In an intention-to-treat analysis, median overall survival was 17.5 months for the DE arm and 15.6 months for the MP arm (P = .02). There were no statistically significant differences in pain palliation between the treatment arms. The sensitivity analyses showed a consistent lack of statistically significant global QOL differences for the two arms.

Conclusion

DE had superior clinical efficacy (overall survival, time-to-progression, and prostate-specific antigen declines) with similar global QOL and pain palliation in the MP arm.
Phase II Trial of Intravesical Gemcitabine in Bacille Calmette-Guérin–Refractory Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder
Authors: Dalbagni Guido , Russo Paul , Bochner Bernard , Ben-Porat Leah , Sheinfeld Joel , Sogani Pramod , Donat Machelle S. , Herr Harry W. , Bajorin Dean
Published: June 2006

Purpose

The aim of this phase II study was to determine the efficacy of gemcitabine administered as an intravesical agent in patients with bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) –refractory transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

Patients and Methods

Patients with superficial bladder cancer refractory or intolerant to intravesical BCG therapy and refusing a cystectomy were considered eligible for the trial. Eligible patients received two courses of intravesical gemcitabine twice weekly at a dose of 2,000 mg/100 mL for 3 consecutive weeks, with each course separated by 1 week of rest. Patients were evaluated for response at 8 weeks, then every 3 months to 1 year.

Results

Thirty eligible patients were included on study. The median follow-up for all the patients was 19 months (range, 0 to 35 months). Of the 30 patients, 15 (50%; 95% CI, 32% to 68%) achieved a complete response (CR). Twelve patients had tumor recurrence with a median recurrence-free survival time of 3.6 months (95% CI, 2.9 to 11.0 months). Two patients maintained a CR at 23 and 29 months, respectively. The 1-year recurrence-free survival rate for patients with a CR was 21% (95% CI, 0% to 43%). Two patients progressed to a higher stage while receiving gemcitabine treatment. The median follow-up for patients who did not have a progression or a cystectomy was 19 months (range, 2 to 35 months). Eleven patients (37%) underwent a cystectomy subsequent to gemcitabine therapy.

Conclusion

Gemcitabine has activity in a high-risk patient population and remains a viable option for some patients who refuse cystectomy.
Perioperative CA19-9 Levels Can Predict Stage and Survival in Patients With Resectable Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Ferrone Cristina R. , Finkelstein Dianne M. , Thayer Sarah P. , Muzikansky Alona , Castillo Carlos Fernandez-del , Warshaw Andrew L.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

Different prognostic factors stratify patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The purpose of this study was to determine whether preoperative CA19-9 levels can predict stage of disease or survival and whether a change in preoperative to postoperative CA19-9 or the postoperative CA19-9 predicts overall survival.

Patients and Methods

Four hundred twenty-four consecutive patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma underwent resection between January 1, 1985 and January 1, 2004. Of the patients with a bilirubin less than 2 mg/dL, 176 had preoperative CA19-9 values, and 111 had pre- and postoperative CA19-9 values. Survival was measured from the first postoperative CA19-9 level measured (median, 39 days) until death or last follow-up. A multivariate failure time model was fit using clinical, operative, pathologic, and adjuvant treatment characteristics, and a categorization was defined by the values and changes in CA19-9 before and after surgery.

Results

Of the 176 patients, 128 (73%) had T3 lesions, and 99 (56%) had N1 disease; 138 patients (78%) underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy. Median preoperative CA19-9 levels were lower in N0 patients compared with patients with positive nodes (nine v 164 U/mL, respectively; nonparametric P = .06) and in T1/T2 patients versus T3 patients (41 v 162 U/mL, respectively; P = .03). Median follow-up time (n = 111) was 1.8 years (range, 1 to 12.9 years), with overall actuarial 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of 70%, 36%, and 30%, respectively. Significant predictors of survival on multivariate analysis included a decrease in CA19-9 (P = .0005), negative lymph nodes (P = .001), lower T stage (P = .0008), and postoperative CA19-9 less than 200 U/mL (P = .0007).

Conclusion

In patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, preoperative CA19-9 correlates with stage of disease. Both a postoperative decrease in CA19-9 and a postoperative CA19-9 value of less than 200 U/mL are strong independent predictors of survival, even after adjusting for stage. CA19-9 levels should be included in a patient's perioperative care and should be considered for prognostic nomograms.
Phase III Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial of Black Cohosh in the Management of Hot Flashes: NCCTG Trial N01CC1
Authors: Pockaj Barbara A. , Gallagher James G. , Loprinzi Charles L. , Stella Philip J. , Barton Debra L. , Sloan Jeff A. , Lavasseur Beth I. , Rao Radha M. , Fitch Tom R. , Rowland Kendrith M. , Novotny Paul J. , Flynn Patrick J. , Richelson Elliott , Fauq Abdul H.
Published: June 2006

Purpose

Hot flashes can cause significant morbidity in postmenopausal women undergoing or finished with breast cancer treatment. Black cohosh has been used to treat hot flashes, but definitive clinical data about efficacy have been equivocal.

Methods

A double-blind, randomized, cross-over clinical trial with two 4-week periods, was used to study the efficacy of black cohosh (1 capsule, Cimicifuga racemosa 20 mg BID) for the treatment of hot flashes in women. Participants kept a daily hot flash diary during a baseline week and then during two 4-week crossover treatment periods. Hot flash scores were measured by assigning points (1 to 4 for mild to very severe) to each hot flash based on severity and then adding the points for a given time period.

Results

Between October 31, 2003, to March 4, 2004, 132 patients were randomly assigned. Toxicity was minimal and not different by treatment group. Patients receiving black cohosh reported a mean decrease in hot flash score of 20% (comparing the fourth treatment week to the baseline week) compared with a 27% decrease for patients on placebo (P = .53). Mean hot flash frequency was reduced 17% on black cohosh and 26% on placebo (P = .36). Patient treatment preferences were measured after completion of both treatment periods by ascertaining which treatment period, if any, the patient preferred. Thirty-four percent of patients preferred the black cohosh treatment, 38% preferred the placebo, and 28% did not prefer either treatment.

Conclusion

This trial failed to provide any evidence that black cohosh reduced hot flashes more than the placebo.
Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor Is Estrogen Sensitive and Inhibits the Growth of Human Ovarian Cancer and Ovarian Surface Epithelial Cells
Authors: Cheung Lydia W. T. , Au Simon C. L. , Cheung Annie N. Y. , Ngan Hextan Y. S. , Tombran-Tink Joyce , Auersperg Nelly , Wong Alice S. T.
Published: June 2006

Epithelial ovarian carcinoma is the most lethal gynecological cancer. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease development and progression. In this study, we found that the expression of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) was greatly reduced in ovarian tumors and in ovarian cancer cell lines when compared with their normal precursor, ovarian surface epithelium (OSE). In addition, we showed that exogenous PEDF inhibited the growth of cultured human OSE as well as ovarian cancer cell lines, whereas targeted inhibition of endogenous PEDF using small interfering RNA or neutralizing PEDF antibody promoted the growth of these cells, confirming that the growth-inhibitory effect was PEDF specific. We also report for the first time that estrogen is an important upstream regulator of PEDF in human OSE. Treatment of the cultured cells with 17β-estradiol (E2) inhibited the expression of PEDF protein and mRNA in a dose- and time-dependent manner, which could be reversed by the specific estrogen receptor antagonist, ICI 182,780, indicating that the regulation was estrogen receptor-mediated. We further showed that this down-regulation of PEDF gene transcription was a direct, primary effect of E2. E2 promoted OSE and ovarian cancer cell growth, whereas simultaneous treatment with E2 and PEDF abrogated the estrogenic growth stimulation of these cells. This study is the first to demonstrate a role of PEDF in OSE biology and ovarian cancer and suggests that the loss of PEDF may e of relevance in carcinogenesis.
MyD88 Is a Key Mediator of Anorexia, But Not Weight Loss, Induced by Lipopolysaccharide and Interleukin-1β
Authors: Ogimoto Kayoko , Harris Marvin K. , Wisse Brent E.
Published: June 2006

Systemic inflammatory signals can disrupt the physiological regulation of energy balance, causing anorexia and weight loss. In the current studies, we investigated whether MyD88, the primary, but not exclusive, intracellular signal transduction pathway for Toll-like receptor 4 and IL-1 receptor I, is necessary for anorexia and weight loss to occur in response to stimuli that activate these key innate immune receptors. Our findings demonstrate that the absence of MyD88 signaling confers complete protection against anorexia induced by either lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (20 h food intake in MyD88−/− mice 5.4 ± 0.3 vs. 3.3 ± 0.4 g in MyD88+/+ control mice, P < 0.001) or IL-1β (20 h food intake in MyD88−/− mice 4.9 ± 0.5 vs. 4.0 ± 0.3 g in MyD88+/+ control mice, P < 0.001). However, absent MyD88 signaling does not prevent these inflammatory mediators from causing weight loss (LPS, −0.4 ± 0.1 g; IL1β, −0.1 ± 0.1 g, both P < 0.01 vs. vehicle-injected MyD88−/− mice, +0.4 ± 0.2 g). Furthermore, LPS-induced weight loss occurs in the absence of adipsia, fever, or hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis activation in MyD88-deficient mice. In addition, the peripheral inflammatory response to LPS is surprisingly intact in mice lacking MyD88. Together, these observations indicate that LPS reduces food intake via a mechanism that is dissociated from its effect on peripheral cytokine production, and whereas the presence of circulating proinflammatory cytokines per se is insufficient to cause anorexia in the absence of MyD88 signaling, it may contribute to LPS-induced weight loss.
Schumpeter Redux: A Review of Raghuram G. Rajan and Luigi Zingales's Saving Capitalism from the Capitalists
Authors: Sylla Richard
Published: June 2006

Saving Capitalism from the Capitalists is an ambitious probe into capitalism's past, present, and future. Whereas Joseph A. Schumpeter viewed capitalism as doomed because it was losing its political and social supports, Rajan and Zingales see it more as threatened from within by established or “incumbent” industrialists and financiers who become enemies of free markets. The authors contend that free financial markets foster economic progress while undermining the ability of incumbents to have their way. Rajan and Zingales may overstate the significance of “the great reversal” of financial development in the middle decades of the twentieth century, and their evidence and interpretations are sometimes flawed. Nonetheless, they make a strong case for the fundamental importance of financial development for economic modernization and their warnings about the antimarket tendencies of incumbents are well worth pondering.
Price Changes in the Euro Area and the United States: Some Facts from Individual Consumer Price Data
Authors: Dhyne Emmanuel , Álvarez Luis J , Bihan Hervé Le , Veronese Giovanni , Dias Daniel , Hoffmann Johannes , Jonker Nicole , Lünnemann Patrick , Rumler Fabio , Vilmunen Jouko
Published: June 2006

Prices of goods and services do not adjust immediately in response to changing demand and supply conditions. This paper characterizes the average frequency and size of price changes in the euro area and its member countries, investigates the determinants of the probability of price changes, and compares the evidence for the euro area with available U.S. results. The facts documented in this paper are based on evidence from individual price data recorded at the store level in all euro area countries except Ireland and Greece: that is in datasets covering Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain, which together account for around 97 percent of euro area GDP. The data used are the monthly price records underlying the computation of national Consumer Price Indices and Harmonized Consumer Price Indices. These data cover a large number of products selected on the basis of extensive Household Budget Surveys.
History Lessons: The Birth of Impersonal Exchange: The Community Responsibility System and Impartial Justice
Authors: Greif Avner
Published: June 2006

This paper describes the premodern European institution that supported impersonal exchange, in which a merchant's decision to exchange is independent either of expectations of future exchange with the same partner or of knowledge of that partner's past conduct or the ability to report misconduct to future trading partners. Economists know surprisingly little about how institutions evolved to support impersonal exchange. The standard story asserts that in the early stages of market development, exchange tends to be personal and is supported by reputation; then, after an economy becomes sufficiently large, society establishes centralized and impartial courts that, by the threat of coercively imposed sanctions, enable widespread impersonal exchange. But during the late medieval period, there was no centralized legal system capable of effectively supporting impersonal exchange among merchants from different localities; and, although local courts existed throughout Europe, they were not impartial dispensers of justice but were attentive to local interests and were controlled by the local elite. This paper describes how a particular institution, the “community responsibility system,” nevertheless enabled European merchants to commit to keep their contractual obligations in impersonal exchange from the late medieval to the modern period.
Religion and Economy
Authors: McCleary Rachel M , Barro Robert J
Published: June 2006

Religion has a two-way interaction with political economy. With religion viewed as a dependent variable, a central question is how economic development and political institutions affect religious participation and beliefs. With religion viewed as an independent variable, a key issue is how religiosity affects individual characteristics, such as work ethic, honesty, and thrift, and thereby influences economic performance. In this paper, we sketch previous studies of this two-way interaction but focus on our ongoing quantitative research with international data.
Use of haemolysis index to estimate potassium concentration in in-vitro haemolysed serum samples
Authors: Shepherd John , Warner Maria H. , Poon Philip , Kilpatrick Eric S.
Published: June 2006

Clin Chem Lab Med 2006;44:877–9.
Flow-cytometric immunophenotyping of normal and malignant lymphocytes
Authors: Szczepański Tomasz , van der Velden Vincent H.J. , van Dongen Jacques J.M.
Published: June 2006

During the past two decades, flow-cytometric immunophenotyping of lymphocytes has evolved from a research technique into a routine laboratory diagnostic test. Extensive studies in healthy individuals resulted in detailed age-related reference values for different lymphocyte subpopulations in peripheral blood. This is an important tool for the diagnosis of hematological and immunological disorders. Similar, albeit less detailed, information is now available for other lymphoid organs, e.g., normal bone marrow, lymph nodes, tonsils, thymus and spleen. Flow-cytometric immunophenotyping forms the basis of modern classification of acute and chronic leukemias and is increasingly applied for initial diagnostic work-up of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Finally, with multiparameter flow cytometry, it is now possible to identify routinely and reliably low numbers of leukemia and lymphoma cells (minimal residual disease).

Clin Chem Lab Med 2006;44:775–96.
Comparability of point-of-care whole-blood electrolyte and substrate testing using a Stat Profile Critical Care Xpress analyzer and standard laboratory methods
Authors: Flegar-Meštrić Zlata , Perkov Sonja
Published: June 2006

Clin Chem Lab Med 2006;44:898–903.
Recommendation to treat continuous variable errors like attribute errors
Authors: Krouwer Jan S.
Published: June 2006

Clinical laboratory errors can be considered as either belonging to attribute or continuous variables. Attribute errors are usually considered to be pre- or post-analytical errors, whereas continuous variable errors are analytical. Goals for each error type are different. Error goals for continuous variables are often specified as limits that contain 95% of the results, whereas attribute error goals are specified as allowed error rates for serious events. This leads to a discrepancy, because for a million results, there can be up to 50,000 medically unacceptable analytical errors, but allowable pre- and post-analytical error rates are much lower than 5%. Steps to remedy this are to classify analytical error rates into severity categories, exemplified by existing glucose error grids. The results in each error grid zone are then counted, as has been recommended by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This in effect transforms the continuous variable errors into attribute errors. This is an improvement over current practices for analytical errors, whereby the use of uncertainty intervals is recommended that include only 95% of the results (i.e., leaves out the worst 5%), and it is precisely this 5% of results that are likely to be in the most severe zones of an error grid.

Clin Chem Lab Med 2006;44:797–8.
The Role of Education in Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Policy
Authors: Ribaudo Marc O. , Horan Richard D.
Published: June 2006

Education is often used to provide producers with information on how to operate more efficiently with current technologies or on profitable new technologies that generate less pollution. While such “win‐win” solutions to water quality problems are attractive, we use a simple economic framework to show that education cannot be considered a strong tool for water quality protection. Its success depends on a number of factors related to profitability and altruism, and “win‐win” solutions are not always guaranteed, even when they appear to exist. Evidence suggests that net returns are the chief concern of producers when they adopt alternative management practices.
Industrial Hemp: China's Experience and Global Implications
Authors: Wang Qingbin , Shi Guanming
Published: June 2006

This article examines major factors of China's hemp production and export and derives implications for the global market and the ongoing debate in the United States. Although China's declining hemp production is mainly due to the low relative purchase price, its lack of response to changes in the world market is a result of the extremely low price transmission elasticity from world price to domestic price. One major implication is that China's ongoing market reform is likely to have a positive impact on its hemp production and export and a negative impact on the world price and the projected profit for U.S. farmers.
Potential Benefits of Agricultural Biotechnology: An Example from the Mexican Potato Sector
Authors: Qaim Matin
Published: June 2006

The study analyzes ex ante the socioeconomic effects of transgenic virus resistance technology for potatoes in Mexico. All groups of potato growers could significantly gain from the transgenic varieties to be introduced, and the technology could even improve income distribution. Nonetheless, public support is needed to fully harness this potential. Different policy alternatives are tested within scenario calculations in order to supply information on how to optimize the technological outcome, both from an efficiency and an equity perspective. Transgenic disease resistance is a promising technology for developing countries. Providing these countries with better access to biotechnology should be given higher political priority.
Politics and Food Insecurity in Africa
Authors: Paarlberg Robert L.
Published: June 2006

Food security circumstances are improving in every region of the world except in Africa, where they have been progressively worsening. One food security challenge for analysts in the twenty‐first century may be to stop thinking globally and spend more time thinking about Africa, where the largest problems will lie. The discovery that Africa's weak policy performance in the food and farm sector may be in part an outgrowth of its greater ethnic diversity, compounded by political malfunctions that date from a colonial history of externally imposed state formation is an inconvenient one for the economist.
Strategy and Etiquette for Graduate Students Entering the Academic Job Market
Authors: Shively Gerald , Woodward Richard , Stanley Denise
Published: June 2006

This article highlights important issues for graduate students seeking academic employment in agricultural economics. Emphasis is placed on developing a strategy to provide clear and reliable signals that the candidate will be a successful assistant professor, not just a successful graduate student. Publishing, teaching, and grant writing are identified as three important areas in which credible signals must be delivered. Advice regarding the interview process is also provided.
Who Will Our Students Be? A Futuristic View
Authors: Weldon Richard N. , Covington Bea , Long Burl F. , Connor Larry J.
Published: June 2006

Agricultural and applied economics departments must continue to develop and market programs that meet the educational needs of students. This article examines the current composite of students and degree programs. It then goes on to describe our future students and degree programs and examines distance education programs and delivery methods that will be used to reach these students. New degree programs will be offered in agribusiness and resource economics, mostly at the M.S. level. It is apparent that in the future, departments will teach increasing numbers of students at off‐campus locations. The profession will experience major growth in distance education programs using a wide variety of delivery methods.
Perceptions of Extension and Research Marketing Economists
Authors: Parcell Joe L. , Schroeder Ted C. , Kastens Terry L. , Dhuyvetter Kevin C.
Published: June 2006

This research examined whether university extension and research marketing economists have similar or different views regarding marketing strategies, price forecasts, and futures market efficiency. Results from surveys conducted of extension and research marketing economists found that perceptions differed in seven of twelve questions posed to both groups. Three important findings of this study were (a) that both groups tended to not believe in the efficient market hypothesis, (b) that extension and researchers disagreed as to whether marketing strategies should be based on statistically significant findings, and (c) that extension and research economists rarely collaborate.
Contractual Relations, Control, and Quality in the Hog Sector
Authors: Hennessy David A. , Lawrence John D.
Published: June 2006

Agricultural production, especially hog production, is undergoing brisk reorganization. Production and marketing contracts are attenuating the control and property rights of growers. In seeking reasons for the restructuring, this paper surveys the opinions of industry participants. It then places these opinions in the context of existing theories on the nature of the firm subject to vertical production/processing inter dependencies. Special attention is devoted to contract specifications and their relationships with control and quality.
Evolution of Agricultural Land Leasing Models: A Survey of the Literature
Authors: Dasgupta Siddhartha , Knight Thomas O. , Love H. Alan
Published: June 2006

Issues relating to agricultural tenancy have been viewed as important economic questions since the early writings of Smith and Mill. At the close of the twentieth century, interest in these issues remains strong. In developing countries with agrarian economies, this interest is stimulated by the perceived importance of land lease arrangements in either fostering or impeding economic development. In the United States, where the proportion of farmland operated under lease arrangements has increased from 35% in 1950 to 43% in 1992 (USDA 1992), concern focuses on efficiency of resource use and issues such as effects of absentee landownership and tenant farming on the adoption of soil‐conserving production practices.
A Comparison of Fiscal Consequences for Tax and Expenditure Limitation Proposals
Authors: Edelman Mark A.
Published: June 2006

Three constitutional tax and expenditure limitation proposals are analyzed for historical consequences. The first and second allowed 32% less state spending and $710 million less in local government aid compared to actual. The first proposal also imposed limits on local government units and allowed property taxes to increase about 5% more than actual. The second proposal covered state revenues only and would have required a 29.7% increase in property taxes to fully replace the reduction in local government aid. A third proposal excluded local government aid but effectively covered only half of the state general fund revenues.
Policy Implications of New Grain and Oilseed Market Structures for Quality
Authors: Jones Eluned , Mercier Stephanie
Published: June 2006

Public agencies have the mandate to determine the point of intervention and delineation in balancing the equity between private information (and potential market power) and the public right to information. Symmetry of information availability will increasingly favor those who have access to alternative market structures. Therefore, producers' future competitiveness depends on public policy decisions with respect to the amount and form of, as well as access to, accurate, objective, and consistent information. Consequently, the role of public agencies may need to be clarified and redefined, given the implied functional changes and the expanded need for multiagency coordination.
Estimating the Effects of Relaxing Agricultural Land Use Restrictions: Wetland Delineation in the Swampbuster Program
Authors: Claassen Roger , Heimlich Ralph E. , House Robert M. , Wiebe Keith D.
Published: June 2006

Wetland protection is an issue of ongoing debate. Although it is widely agreed that wetland loss to agriculture has been declining in recent decades, the role of policy remains contentious. We analyze the effect of changes in wetland delineation rules that were proposed but rejected by Congress during the 1996 farm bill debate. Our research combines detailed, site‐specific information on wetlands with a broader model of the agricultural economy. Using site‐specific data, we analyze the potential agricultural profitability of a representative sample of actual wetlands. We estimate wetland acreage that would have been exempted from swampbuster and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act under the proposed delineation changes, the acreage of exempted wetland that could be profitably converted to crop production, and the associated commodity price, crop acreage, and farm income effects. We find that up to 82.7 million wetland acres would be exempted under the proposed delineation changes, of which as many as 12 million acres could be profitably converted to crop production. This conversion would have a dampening effect on commodity price and farm income. We conclude that (a accurately estimating the effect of resource policy depends critically on detailed information on resource quality and (b) commodity price and farm income effects imply that all agriculture producers—not only those who could expand cropland acreage through wetland drainage—have a stake in wetland policy.
Deterministic Modeling without (Unwarranted) Apology
Authors: Huffaker Ray G.
Published: June 2006

The risk literature in agricultural economics asserts that deterministic methods ignore important sources of uncertainty, and thus strongly discourages their use to model economic behavior, performance, and welfare. This paper applies principles of randomness drawn from the philosophy of science literature to investigate this assertion and to formulate proper implications for the appropriate use of deterministic methods under uncertainty. The results specify the circumstances under which a deterministic approach offers a scientifically credible alternative to a probabilistic approach in accounting for uncertainty.
What Does It Take for a Market to Function?
Authors: Davidson Jeff , Weersink Alfons
Published: June 2006

Markets are intricate webs of institutions and social arrangements that have evolved so that transactions can take place at minimum cost. Markets fail to evolve when the uncertainty that surrounds the transaction causes costs to outweigh the benefits of the exchange. If market failure caused by a missing market is to be corrected, the goal of the new market must be to minimize the transaction costs of exchange. The literature offers few suggestions for the conditions necessary for a market to function. The objective of this paper is to specify these necessary conditions by defining what a market really is, identifying characteristics of properly functioning markets, and describing design lessons learned from recent attempts at creating markets in alternative contexts. The paper concludes with a synthesized set of criteria necessary for a market to function.
Private Open Space and Public Concerns
Authors: McLeod Donald , Woirhaye Jodie , Kruse Carol , Menkhaus Dale
Published: June 2006

Agricultural lands provide open space, which is valuable as wildlife habitat, as a visual resource, and as access to public lands. Sublette County, WY, is the basis for a case study relevant to rural land use planning. A mail survey provided responses from landowners and other residents. Agricultural land uses and public involvement in land use planning were approved. Land use controls including zoning were accepted. Differences existed between residents and nonresidents regarding personal income, local employment, the future importance of extractive industries, and the reasons for living in the county.
Tung Oil: A Revival
Authors: Carter Courtney , House Lisa , Little Randy
Published: June 2006

This case illustrates the difficult financial decisions that exist in agriculture. A small group of farmers are considering planting tung nut trees on their land. Historical information about the tung nut industry is included as background. Because tung nuts are grown on trees, farmers deciding to invest in tung orchards must wait years for a return on investment. Instructors can use this case to aid in teaching financial topics, such as net present value, simple rate of return, and other financial measures. Other issues also could be explored, including risk, marketing channels, business planning, and alternative agricultural crops.
Identification of powdery mildew (Erysiphe graminis sp. tritici) and take-all disease (Gaeumannomyces graminis sp. tritici) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) by means of leaf reflectance measurements
Authors: Graeff Simone , Link Johanna , Claupein Wilhelm
Published: June 2006

The ability to identify diseases in an early infection stage and to accurately quantify the severity of infection is crucial in plant disease assessment and management. A greenhouse study was conducted to assess changes in leaf spectral reflectance of wheat plants during infection by powdery mildew and take-all disease to evaluate leaf reflectance measurements as a tool to identify and quantify disease severity and to discriminate between different diseases. Wheat plants were inoculated under controlled conditions in different intensities either with powdery mildew or take-all. Leaf reflectance was measured with a digital imager (Leica S1 Pro, Leica, Germany) under controlled light conditions in various wavelength ranges covering the visible and the near-infrared spectra (380–1300 nm). Leaf scans were evaluated by means of L*a*b*-color system. Visual estimates of disease severity were made for each of the epidemics daily from the onset of visible symptoms to maximum disease severity. Reflectance within the ranges of 490780 nm (r2 = 0.69), 510780nm (r2 = 0.74), 5161300nm (r2 = 0.62) and 5401300 nm (r2 = 0.60) exhibited the strongest relationship with infection levels of both powdery mildew and take-all disease. Among the evaluated spectra the range of 490780nm showed most sensitive response to damage caused by powdery mildew and take-all infestation. The results of this study indicated that disease detection and discrimination by means of reflectance measurements may be realized by the use of specific wavelength ranges. Further studies have to be carried out, to discriminate powdery mildew and take-all infection from other plant stress factors in order to develop suitable decision support systems for site-specific fungicide application.