bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Monitoring of human herpesviruses after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation and bone marrow transplantation
Authors: Maeda Yoshinobu , Teshima Takanori , Yamada Masao , Shinagawa Katsuji , Nakao Shinji , Ohno Yuju , Kojima Kensuke , Hara Masamichi , Nagafuji Koji , Hayashi Shin , Fukuda Shunnichi , Sawada Hitoshi , Matsue Kosei , Takenaka Katsuto , Ishimaru Fumihiko , Ikeda Kazuma , Niiya Kenji , Harada Mine
Published: March 2005

Herpesviruses frequently cause serious complications after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo‐BMT). Recent studies have shown more rapid immune reconstitution after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (allo‐PBSCT) compared with allo‐BMT. However, it has not been clarified whether the improved immune reconstitution after allo‐PBSCT is associated with a lower incidence of herpesvirus infections. We monitored the emergence of Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), human herpesvirus 6 (HHV‐6) and HHV‐7 DNA by a nested‐double polymerase chain reaction in peripheral blood leucocytes from 22 allo‐BMT and 16 allo‐PBSCT patients. Each virus had an unique temporal profile of detection. HHV‐6 DNA was detected most frequently at 3 weeks after transplantation, whereas CMV and EBV DNA were detected later (2–3 months). Detection rates of HHV‐6 DNA at 3 and 4 weeks after allo‐BMT were significantly higher than those after allo‐PBSCT (9/16 v 2/13 at 3 weeks, P < 0.01; 10/21 v 1/15 at 4 weeks, P < 0.01). Detection rates of the other three herpesviruses after the two types of allogeneic transplantation were not significantly different throughout observation period. Furthermore, detection of HHV‐6 DNA within the first 4 weeks was associated with delayed platelet engraftment after both allo‐BMT and allo‐PBSCT (P < 0.01). These results suggest an advantage for allo‐PBSCT over allo‐BMT in terms of suppression of HHV‐6 reactivation and prevention of subsequent complications.
Spleen stromal cells support haemopoiesis and in vitro growth of dendritic cells from bone marrow
Authors: Ni Keping , O'Neill Helen
Published: March 2005

Long‐term stroma‐dependent cultures from murine spleen have been previously shown to support dendritic cell (DC) development in vitro. Secondary cultures have now been established using a splenic stromal cell layer overlaid with cells from different lymphoid sites. Cells resembling DCs can be generated in vitro from unfractionated murine lymphoid cells in the absence of added growth factors. Bone marrow (BM) cultures are the most successful but some cultures have been derived from spleen and thymus. Large numbers of mononuclear cells with dendritic morphology can be generated from BM within 2 weeks and cell production in many cultures has been maintained for at least 6 months. A significant proportion of cells binds antibodies specific for DC markers. No lymphoid cells, mast cells or granulocytes are detectable in culture by antibody and histochemical staining and light and electron microscopy. As with cells generated in primary cultures, cells grown in secondary cultures are equally potent stimulators of both syngeneic and allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions, confirming their function as antigen‐presenting cells. They are also capable of endocytosing and presenting protein antigen to the D10.G4.1 Th2 clone and to unprimed T cells.

This study confirmed the presence of DC precursors in multiple lymphoid sites which can be induced to proliferate in the presence of a spleen stromal cell monolayer. The secondary culture system provides an ideal in vitro model for investigation of the development of DC from different tissue sites. It also provides a stable and continuous resource of cells for further studies on DC development.
Unexpected pattern of β‐globin mutations in β‐thalassaemia patients from northern Portugal
Authors: Cabeda José M. , Correia Cristina , Estevinho Alexandra , Simões Carla , Amorim Maria Luis , Pinho Luciana , JustiçA Benvindo
Published: March 2005

We characterized the genetic nature of β‐thalassaemia in northern Portugal. Of the 164 patients studied three were β‐thalassaemia major cases (one IVS‐1‐6/β°39 and two homozygous IVS‐1‐110). The analysis of the frequency of each mutation in the families revealed that the codon 6(−A) mutation was unexpectedly frequent (40%) and associated with the β‐globin haplotype E, and not with the usual European and North African CD6(−A) haplotypes. In contrast, the frequency of IVS‐1‐6 (8%) and β°39 (19%) was found to be lower than in the rest of the country. The frequency of all other mutations was similar to previous reports for central/southern Portugal.

Six families carried none of the most frequent mutations in the Mediterranean area. These families were studied by gene sequencing, revealing that three families carried a previously described mutation (CD16 G → A). The remaining families carried previously unidentified mutations: one showed an 86 bp insertion in exon 2 (named HGSA) and two showed a deletion of a cytidine in codon 11 (CD11(−C)).

The results, showing a high frequency (82%) of β° mutations, strongly indicates that genetic counselling should be intensified as a means of preventing the spread of the severe mutations found.
A case of complete adenylate kinase deficiency due to a nonsense mutation in AK‐1 gene (Arg 107 → Stop, CGA → TGA) associated with chronic haemolytic anaemia
Authors: Bianchi Paola , Zappa Manuela , Bredi Elena , Vercellati Cristina , Pelissero Giovanni , Barraco Fiorenza , Zanella Alberto
Published: March 2005

Two siblings of Italian origin with mild chronic haemolytic anaemia, psychomotor impairment and undetectable adenylate kinase (AK) activity are reported. The other red cell enzyme activities were normal except for a slight decrease of PFK. 2,3‐DPG levels were increased in both siblings, and AMP decreased in one only. The parents were not consanguineous and displayed intermediate AK activity. The sequence of complete erythrocyte AK‐1 cDNA showed the presence of a nonsense homozygous mutation at codon 107 (CGA → TGA, Arg → Stop) in the siblings. The mutation results in a truncated protein of 107 amino acids in comparison with the 194 of the normal one. Moreover a 37 bp deletion in the first part of exon 6 (from nt 326 to nt 362 of the cDNA sequence) was detected in one allele; this deletion is not likely to further affect the enzyme structure, being localized after the stop codon. The new variant was named AK Fidenza, from the origin of the patients.
Effect of the administration of recombinant hirudin and/or tissue‐plasminogen activator (t‐PA) on endotoxin‐induced disseminated intravascular coagulation model in rabbits
Authors: Muñoz M. C. , Montes R. , Hermida J. , Orbe J. , Páramo J. A. , Rocha E.
Published: March 2005

We evaluated the effect of r‐hirudin and/or tissue‐plasminogen activator (t‐PA) in a model of DIC in rabbits induced by i.v. infusion of 100 μg/kg/h/6 h endotoxin. Rabbits were treated with saline (endotoxin control group), r‐hirudin at 0.3 mg/kg/h/6 h, t‐PA at 0.3 mg/kg for 90 min and r‐hirudin plus t‐PA at the doses described above. The best results were achieved when r‐hirudin and t‐PA were infused together. This treatment reduced the consumption of platelets and protein C and attenuated the increase of PAI‐1 more efficiently than r‐hirudin or t‐PA alone. r‐Hirudin plus t‐PA also resulted in the lowest formation of fibrin deposits in the kidneys. Finally, mortality at 24 h dropped from 70% in the endotoxin control group to 40%, 10% and 0% in the t‐PA, r‐hirudin and r‐hirudin plus t‐PA groups respectively. None of the t‐PA‐infused rabbits which had died by 24 h showed macroscopic signs of haemorrhage. r‐Hirudin alone was better than t‐PA alone, as was shown by fibrin deposits and mortality. We conclude that r‐hirudin and t‐PA given simultaneously were more efficient than either given alone in this model of DIC. Effective thrombin inhibition, which could influence other pathophysiological mechanisms apart from coagulation, together with the improvement in fibrinolysis, would explain these results.
Leukaemia‐associated immunophenotypes (LAIP) are observed in 90% of adult and childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: detection in remission marrow predicts outcome
Authors: Griesinger Frank , Pirò‐Noack Markus , Kaib Niels , Falk Michael , Renziehausen Anja , Troff Carmen , Grove Doris , Schnittger Susanne , Büchner Thomas , Ritter Jörg , Hiddemann Wolfgang , Wörmann Bernhard
Published: March 2005

Analysis of differentiation antigens on leukaemic blasts is routinely done for diagnostic purposes, i.e. determination of stage of differentiation and lineage assignment. Acute lymphoblastic leukaemias are also frequently characterized by a leukaemia‐associated immunophenotype (LAIP), either the coexpression of differentiation antigens physiologically restricted to other stages of differentiation (asynchronous LAIP) or cell lineages (aberrant LAIP). We defined LAIP in 241 consecutive unselected B‐lineage (n = 193) and T‐lineage (n = 48) ALL by three‐colour flow cytometry using directly conjugated monoclonal antibodies. The incidence of LAIP was found to be 91.7%. In 63% of patients two to six leukaemia‐associated expression patterns were detected. In order to study the specificity of LAIP in a therapy‐relevant setting, remission bone marrow samples from patients with B‐lineage ALL were analysed for the expression of T‐lineage‐associated phenotypes on the normal bone marrow cells and vice versa. The frequency of all T‐lineage LAIP+ cells and all aberrant B‐lineage LAIP+ cells was <1% in regenerating bone marrow samples at different timepoints. The incidence and clinical significance of LAIP+ cells was studied in 196 remission marrows of 70 ALL patients (55 remaining in CCR, 14 with bone marrow relapse, one with isolated CNS relapse). The presence of >1% LAIP+ at two consecutive timepoints predicted 5/8 bone marrow relapses in B‐lineage ALL. The occurrence of LAIP+ cells >1% in T‐lineage ALL after induction therapy predicted relapse in 7/7 cases. In conclusion, flow cytometric detection of LAIP+ cells appears to be a powerful tool for the prediction of outcome in ALL.
Factor VIII, von Willebrand factor and the risk of major ischaemic heart disease in the Caerphilly Heart Study
Authors: Rumley A. , Lowe G. D. O. , Sweetnam P. M. , Yarnell J. W. G. , Ford R. P.
Published: March 2005

The relationships of three measurements of the factor VIII/von Willebrand factor (VWF) complex (factor VIII activity, FVIIIc (one‐stage assay); VWF antigen, VWF Ag (ELISA); and VWF activity, VWF act, measured by a recently‐developed ELISA) to major ischaemic heart disease (IHD) events were studied in 1997 men aged 49–65 years, in the second phase of the Caerphilly Heart Study. These variables were related using logistic regression analysis to myocardial infarction or IHD death, which occurred in 129 men during an average follow‐up period of 61 months. All three measurements were highly correlated (r = 0.63–0.77), and each was significantly associated with incident major IHD on univariate analyses (relative odds in highest fifth compared to lowest fifth, 1.68–1.90; P = 0.028–0.006) and on multivariate analyses adjusting for major IHD risk factors and for baseline IHD. Neither FVIIIc nor VWF act was significantly related to incident IHD following adjustment for VWF Ag. We therefore suggest that the associations between these three measurements of the factor VIII/VWF complex and incident IHD might have at least three explanations: VWF Ag is a marker of arterial endothelial disturbance; VWF act promotes platelet adhesion/aggregation and hence the platelet component of arterial thrombosis; and FVIIIc promotes fibrin formation and hence the fibrin component of arterial thrombosis.
c‐Flip protein expression in Burkitt's lymphomas is associated with a poor clinical outcome
Authors: Valnet‐Rabier Marie‐Blanche , Challier Bruno , Thiebault Sylvie , Angonin Régis , Margueritte Geneviève , Mougin Christiane , Kantelip Bernadette , Deconinck Eric , Cahn Jean‐Yves , Fest Thierry
Published: March 2005

The World Health Organization Classification of Lymphoid Neoplasms identifies Burkitt's lymphoma/leukaemia (BL) as a single entity, characterized by unique clinical and genetic features that require specific high intensity chemotherapy regimens. Although remarkable successes in the treatment of the disease have been observed, when compared with paediatric patients, adults are less likely to reach stable complete remission. We investigated 32 BL cases, composed in equal part by adults and children that were treated with the French LMB regimen, for factors that may be implicated in chemoresistance. Immunohistochemical detection of procaspase‐8, caspase‐3a, survivin, p53, CD95, c‐Flip and Phospho‐RelA (Ser536) was investigated on paraffin‐embedded tissues. The expression of c‐Flip was found highly related to a poor prognosis, mostly characterized by adults with a chemoresistant disease, resulting in a high death rate within the first year of diagnosis. The 2‐year overall survival with c‐Flip expression was 24% compared with 93% in the absence of this marker (P = 0·04). All c‐Flip‐positive BL cases presented a nuclear Phospho‐RelA (Ser536) localization, suggesting the presence of an active nuclear factor (NF)‐κB transcription pathway. These findings show that c‐Flip could be a reliable prognostic factor in BL, suggesting new therapeutic approaches that target the NF‐κB pathway.
Incidence and spectrum of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma in Chinese migrants to British Columbia
Authors: Au W.Y. , Gascoyne R.D. , Klasa R.D. , Connors J.M. , Gallagher R.P. , Le N.D. , Loong F. , Law C.K. , Liang R.
Published: March 2005

The incidence and spectrum of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) differ between the Chinese and Caucasian populations. Using population‐based registries, we studied the pattern of NHL in Chinese migrants to British Columbia (BC). The records of all NHL cases of Chinese descent diagnosed between 1980 and 1997 were retrieved. Age‐standardized incidences were calculated by 5‐year intervals in terms of age and calendar years and the relative rates were compared between the migrant, Hong Kong and BC populations. The histological distribution of NHL was compared with 4500 consecutive NHL cases diagnosed in the two populations. A total of 211 cases of migrant NHL were identified, with an age‐standardized incidence rate of 7·11 per 100 000 per year, compared with the Hong Kong and BC rates of 7·91 [standardized incidence ratio (SIR) = 0·86, P = 0·01] and 11·88 (SIR = 0·56, P < 0·01). The standardized rates of follicular lymphoma remained low, but the incidence of gastric and nasal natural killer/T lymphomas in migrants were lower than expected. Genetic factors appeared to be stronger than environmental factors in governing the overall incidence of NHL in Chinese. However, certain subtypes of lymphoma may show decreased rates in migrants because of environmental factors.
Acute leukaemia in children with Down syndrome: a population‐based Nordic study
Authors: Zeller Bernward , Gustafsson Göran , Forestier Erik , Abrahamsson Jonas , Clausen Niels , Heldrup Jesper , Hovi Liisa , Jonmundsson Gudmundur , Lie Sverre O. , Glomstein Anders , Hasle Henrik ,   the Nordic Society of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology (NOPHO)
Published: March 2005

To determine the epidemiology and outcome of children with Down syndrome (DS) diagnosed with acute leukaemia in the Nordic countries, data registered in the Nordic Society of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology (NOPHO) population‐based leukaemia registry were analysed. Of 3494 children with acute leukaemia diagnosed between July 1984 and December 2001, 136 patients (3·9%) with DS were identified. 2·1% of the children with acute lymphoid leukaemia (ALL) and 14·0% of the children with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) had DS. In ALL, DS patients had similar age and sex distribution and no major differences in blood counts compared with non‐DS children. None of the DS patients had T cell leukaemia. Outcome was inferior to that of non‐DS children and treatment results did not improve over time. In AML, DS patients showed a significant female predominance and all but one were <5 years old. DS patients with AML had significantly lower platelet and white blood cell counts and two‐thirds were type M7 as according to the French–American–British classification. None of the patients <5 years of age had typical AML cytogenetic aberrations. Outcome was far better in the DS group. DS patients treated for AML after 1992 had an excellent outcome (probability of event‐free survival, 83 ± 6%). The high proportion of female DS patients with AML is unexplained. The differing treatment results in AML versus ALL need further evaluation and represent a challenge for the coming years.
Tooth development included in the multifocal jaw lesions of langerhans cell histiocytosis
Authors: MITOMI T. , TOMIZAWA M. , NODA T.
Published: March 2005

Many cases demonstrating the oral manifestations of langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) have been reported; however, tooth development in jaw lesions has rarely been mentioned. This paper reports the case of a 3‐year‐old Japanese girl with LCH suffering from multiple osteolytic lesions of the skull and jaw bones. She was referred to our paediatric clinic because of swelling of the mucogingival folds in the upper and lower primary molar regions. The patient responded well to steroid therapy and the osteolytic lesions resolved. There was an accompanying development of permanent tooth germs included in the lesions. Langerhans cell histiocytosis in children usually has a long‐term clinical course and paediatric dentists should be involved with oral health care for affected patients.
Prevalence of oral mucosal lesions in children and youths in the USA
Authors: SHULMAN J. D.
Published: March 2005

Introduction.  There is a dearth of studies of oral lesions in children and youths using probability samples of a general population. The present paper describes the results of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988–1994 (NHANES III), and compares them to those of the National Survey of Oral Health in US Schoolchildren, 1986–1987.

Methods.  The NHANES III was a large US study based on a multistage probability sample. Dentist examiners were trained to recognize, classify and record, in a standard manner, the clinical characteristics of each of the 48 conditions of interest using procedures based on the World Health Organization's Guide to Epidemiology and Diagnosis of Oral Mucosal Diseases.

Results.  Examinations were performed on 10 030 individuals (10·26%) aged between 2 and 17 years, 914 of whom had a total of 976 lesions. The lip was the most frequent site of lesions (30·7%), followed by the dorsum of the tongue (14·7%) and the buccal mucosa (13·6%). Lesions were more prevalent in males (11·76%) than females (8·67%). The most prevalent lesions were lip/cheek bite (1·89%), followed by aphthous stomatitis (1·64%), recurrent herpes labialis (1·42%) and geographic tongue (1·05%). The prevalence of recurrent aphthous stomatitis in the NHANES III child and youth survey was substantially higher than that for adults, while the NHANES III adult estimates for geographic tongue (1·85%; 95% CI 1·42, 2·28) and cheek/lip bite (3·05%; 95% CI 2·36, 3·74) were substantially greater than those for children and youths (0·97% and 2·05%, respectively).

Conclusion.  Reported prevalences for rare conditions in other studies employing more selected samples (especially if standard errors or confidence intervals are not provided) should be interpreted with caution. Studies of adult populations, however valid, may have limited applicability to children.
Adapalene vs. metronidazole gel for the treatment of rosacea
Authors: Altinyazar H. Cevdet , Koca Rafet , Tekin Nilgün Solak , Eştürk Emel
Published: March 2005

Background  Rosacea is a common, chronic dermatosis that requires long‐term therapy. Oral isotretinoin and topical and/or oral antibiotics are effective, but their usage may be limited due to side‐effects.

Objective  The goal of the study was to compare the efficacy of topical adapalene gel (0.1%) and topical metronidazole gel (0.75%) in the treatment of patients with papulopustular rosacea.

Methods  This study included 55 patients with papulopustular rosacea. Diagnostic efforts were focused on clinical and histological features. Patients were randomly assigned to the adapalene (n = 30) and metronidazole (n = 25) groups. Sunlight protection factor 20 cream was used to protect all patients from sunlight. The characteristics and numbers of inflammatory papules, pustules, erythema and telangiectasia were scored at baseline and after 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Side‐effects were recorded at each visit.

Results  Fifty patients, 27 in the adapalene group and 25 in the metronidzaole group, completed the study. Significant reductions in the total number of inflammatory lesions were found in the adapalene group compared with the metronidazole group. There was no significant difference in the scores of erythema and telangiectasia in the adapalene group. However, a significant reduction in erythema was seen in the metronidazole group.

Conclusions  Adapalene gel is well tolerated and can be used as an alternative for topical treatment of papulopustular rosacea.
Immunostimulants and Toll‐like receptor ligands obtained by screening combinatorial lipopeptide collections*
Authors: Reutter F. , Jung G. , Baier W. , Treyer B. , Bessler W.G. , Wiesmüller K.‐H.
Published: March 2005

Abstract:  Synthetic lipopeptides carrying the head group of bacterial lipoproteins are specific ligands of Toll‐like receptors (TLR). The three fatty acids containing lipopeptides with the tripalmitoyl‐S‐glyceryl‐cysteinyl N‐terminus (Pam3Cys) are agonists of TLR2. The structurally related lipopeptides with a head group lacking the fatty acyl residue at the amino‐terminus (Pam2Cys) stimulate TLR2 and 6. To investigate the influence of the peptide chain of lipohexapeptides with a free N‐terminus with regard to their ability to enhance B‐cell proliferation, a randomized S‐[2,3‐bis(palmitoyloxy)‐(2RS)‐propyl]‐(R)‐cysteinyl‐pentapeptide amide collection Pam2CysXXXXX and 5 × 19 subcollections (Pam2CysOXXXX, Pam2CysXOXXX, Pam2CysXXOXX, Pam2CysXXXOX, Pam2CysXXXXO, O: all protein amino acids except Cys) were prepared by parallel solid‐phase synthesis. The collection represents synthetic lipopeptide analogues of the numerous bacterial lipoproteins and of mycoplasma lipoprotein. Each of the 95 subcollections is characterized by one defined and four degenerated amino acid positions thus comprising 194 individual lipopeptides with free N‐terminal amino groups. High‐performance liquid chromatography electrospray mass spectrometry (HPLC–ESI‐MS) was applied for the analytical characterization of the lipohexapeptide amide subcollections and for the individual lipohexapeptide amides. The subcollections were tested for polyclonal activation of murine spleen cells, deconvolution led to highly active single S‐[2,3‐bis(palmitoyloxy)‐(2RS)‐propyl]‐(R)‐cysteinyl‐pentapeptide amides.
Use of the excluded protecting group (EPG) method for peptide synthesis
Authors: Head D.B. , Dong J.Z. , Burton J.A.
Published: March 2005

Abstract:  The excluded protecting group (EPG) method has been used for the solution synthesis of several peptides including Merrifield's Model Tetrapeptide, linear antamanide and an analogue of magainin‐1, [Ala19, Asn22]magainin‐1. In the approach reported, the C‐terminal amino acid is esterified to the 2‐position of cholestane as the [2s,3s]iodohydrin ester and the penultimate amino acid added to the aminoacyl‐steroid as the Fmoc‐pentafluorophenyl‐ester. The Fmoc group is removed with Et2NH/DMF (∼15% v/v) and, after evaporation to ∼10 mL, the solution chromatographed on Sephadex LH‐20 in DMF. The dipeptidyl‐steroid elutes as the free amine well separated from other reaction mixture components. Fractions containing the dipeptide, as determined by counting and TLC, are pooled and reacted with the next Fmoc‐amino acid‐pentafluorophenyl ester in the sequence. Repetition of the deprotection/purification/reaction cycle yields the fully protected peptide.On completion of the synthesis, the cholestane iodohydrin ester is selectively removed by treatment with Zn°/AcOH to yield the peptide with intact α‐amino and side chain protecting groups. Global deprotection is achieved with HF. All intermediates from the syntheses reported were characterized. The magainin analogue was shown to have full biologic activity. The Fmoc iodohydrin esters of 16 of the 20 proteogenic amino acids have been prepared and characterized for use as the C‐terminal amino acids in other EPG syntheses.
Mentoring Functions: A Contemporary View of the Perceptions of Mentees and Mentors
Authors: Fowler Jane L. , O'Gorman John G.
Published: March 2005

The purpose of this study was to develop an instrument for assessing mentoring based in contemporary organizational life. In the first phase of the study, 24 mentees and 24 mentors were interviewed about their mentoring experience. In‐depth analysis of the interview data resulted in the development of an instrument to measure mentoring functions. In the second phase of the study, the instrument was tested for its factor structure using a large sample of 272 mentees and 228 mentors. A two‐phase statistical analysis, principal components analysis with one sample followed by confirmatory factor analysis with the other, revealed eight distinct functions of mentoring. Mentees and mentors were found to share similar perceptions about the mentoring functions that occur in their relationships. The results represent a thorough attempt to define and describe mentoring in a contemporary organizational environment.
Temporary Help Agencies and Occupational Mobility*
Authors: García‐Pérez J. Ignacio , Muñoz‐Bullón Fernando
Published: March 2005

This paper analyses the effects of Temporary Help Agencies (THA) on occupational mobility by performing an empirical comparison of the job‐to‐job upgrading chances of agency and regular (non‐agency) workers in Spain. We estimate a switching regression model to allow for self‐selection into agency work because of, for instance, more motivated workers being more likely to search for jobs through a THA. We find evidence in favour of the existence of self‐selection in all qualification groups considered. Concerning mobility, we find that agency workers in intermediate qualification levels are less likely to experience demotions than regular workers. THA increase the probability of high‐skilled workers achieving a permanent contract in Spain.
Detection of Structural Change in the Long‐run Persistence in a Univariate Time Series*
Authors: Kurozumi Eiji
Published: March 2005

In this paper, we investigate a test for structural change in the long‐run persistence in a univariate time series. Our model has a unit root with no structural change under the null hypothesis, while under the alternative it changes from a unit‐root process to a stationary one or vice versa. We propose a Lagrange multiplier‐type test, a test with the quasi‐differencing method, and ‘demeaned versions’ of these tests. We find that the demeaned versions of these tests have better finite‐sample properties, although they are not necessarily superior in asymptotics to the other tests.
A Panel CUSUM Test of the Null of Cointegration*
Authors: Westerlund Joakim
Published: March 2005

This paper proposes a simple residual‐based panel CUSUM test of the null hypothesis of cointegration. The test has a limiting normal distribution that is free of nuisance parameters, it is robust to heteroskedasticity and it allows for mixtures of cointegrated and spurious alternatives. Our Monte Carlo results suggest that the test has small‐size distortions and reasonable power. In our empirical application to international R&D spillovers, we present evidence suggesting that total factor productivity is heterogeneously cointegrated with foreign and domestic R&D capital stocks.
THE SUITABILITY OF A GREATER CHINA CURRENCY UNION
Authors: Cheung Yin‐Wong , Yuen Jude
Published: March 2005

Abstract.  The study assesses the level of integration among the three Greater China economies (China, Hong Kong and Taiwan) and examines the suitability of a Greater China currency union. The three economies already have extensive trade and investment linkages. Our analyses show that they share common long‐run and short‐run cyclical variations. We also estimate the output costs of relinquishing policy autonomy to form a currency union. The estimated output losses, which depend on, e.g., the method used to generate shock estimates, seem to be moderate and are likely to be less than the efficient gains derived from a currency union.
Impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy on organ‐specific manifestations of HIV‐1 infection
Authors: Torre D , Speranza F , Martegani R
Published: March 2005

In the last 10 years, interesting results have been reported concerning the impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on the changing pattern of organ‐specific manifestations of HIV‐1 infection. There has been a clear step‐wise reduction in the incidence of several opportunistic infections (OIs), particularly Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, whereas a nonsignificant reduction in incidence has been observed for other organ‐specific diseases, including invasive cervical cancer and Hodgkin disease. In addition, several organ‐specific manifestations, including HIV‐associated nephropathy, wasting syndrome and cardiomiopathy, are a direct consequence of damage by HIV‐1, and so HAART may have a therapeutic effect in improving or preventing these manifestations. Finally, the introduction of HAART has seen the emergence of several complications, termed immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome, which includes OIs such as cytomegalovirus vitritis, Mycobacterium avium complex lymphadenitis, paradoxical responses to treatment for tuberculosis, and exacerbation of cryptococcosis. Because not all HIV‐1 organ‐specific manifestations are decreasing in the HAART era, this review will analyse the influence of HAART on several organ‐specific manifestations, and in particular OIs related to several organs, cerebral disorders and HIV‐1‐related neoplasia.
Serial order reconstruction in Down syndrome: evidence for a selective deficit in verbal short‐term memory
Authors: Brock Jon , Jarrold Christopher
Published: March 2005

Background:  Individuals with Down syndrome consistently perform less well than appropriately matched comparison groups on tests of verbal short‐term memory, despite performing relatively well on non‐verbal short‐term memory tasks. However, it is not clear whether these findings constitute evidence for a selective deficit in verbal short‐term memory, or whether they instead reflect the influence of non‐central factors such as speech difficulties or poor number knowledge.

Methods:  Twenty‐six individuals with Down syndrome and 32 typically developing children were tested on a digit reconstruction task in which participants were presented with auditory digit sequences and responded by pressing the corresponding digits on a touch‐screen in the correct serial order. Background measures were performance on a closely matched visuo‐spatial reconstruction task, reaction time on a simple digit identification task, receptive vocabulary age and non‐verbal ability (Raven's matrices). Participants were also tested on a conventional digit recall task.

Results:  All four background measures accounted for significant individual variation in digit reconstruction performance, but there remained a significant effect of group that reflected relatively poor performance of individuals with Down syndrome. Hierarchical regression showed that group membership accounted for unique variation in both digit reconstruction and recall performance, even after all group differences on background measures had been accounted for.

Conclusions:  The results provide strong evidence that Down syndrome is associated with a selective deficit in verbal short‐term memory, and a deficit in verbal serial order memory in particular. Implications for the language difficulties associated with Down syndrome are discussed.
AN AXIOMATIC APPROACH TO NATIONAL ACCOUNTING: AN OUTLINE
Authors: Aukrust Odd
Published: March 2005

This article deals in an axiomatic manner with problems of definition, classification, and measurement in the national accounts. It argues that the elementary units which must be classified in national accounting are economic objects (real and financial), rather than transactions. The article defines briefly a set of postulates, and shows that the structure of a simple system of national accounting can be derived from them. There are twenty postulates—certain of them establishing basic categories such as sector, time, economic object, value (price); others establishing relations between categories (for example the notion of ownership); and others describing operations in which economic objects can be involved, such as production, final consumption, change of ownership, and change of debtor and creditor (in the case of financial objects). It is shown that the system of postulates makes it possible to consider a large number of accounting concepts (flows or stocks) as classes (baskets) of real objects (e.g., exports, real capital) or financial objects (e.g., payments, total debt of a sector). These concepts can be defined without reference to prices, although prices are necessary to measure them. Other concepts cannot be defined in this way in this system of postulates, for example value added, foreign balance, saving, net worth. However, it is possible to define magnitudes of the latter type and measure them in terms of value: for example, value added can be defined as the difference between the value of receipts and the value of outlays of a sector. In this way it is possible to establish algebraic relations among the national accounting concepts. (This article is a summary of certain parts of the doctoral thesis of the author, published in Norwegian in 1955.)
LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY COMPARISON BETWEEN CZECHOSLOVAKIA AND FRANCE
Authors: Kux Jaroslav , Mairesse Jacques , Drechsler László
Published: March 2005

This paper reports on the results of the bilateral study of the comparison of levels of labor productivity in industry between Czechoslovakia and France in 28 branches of industry. Because of the importance of common studies of the questions of productivity of labor and its international comparison, the Economic Commission for Europe of the U.N. decided several years ago to introduce a concrete programme of work in this sphere. This study was made jointly by Czechoslovakia and France. The present paper reports on the first stage of the study, giving results based on physical unit methods. The second stage of the work includes comparisons for branches of industry not covered in this paper, on the basis of value indicator methods; detailed results will be published in respective U.N. series to the end of 1969 (Series Conf. Eur. Stats.).
REDISTRIBUTION OF INCOME—NOTES ON SOME PROBLEMS AND PUZZLES
Authors: Nicholson J. L.
Published: March 2005

There are both major philosophical and major econometric questions to be faced in the measurement of inequality of income. The scaling of different sizes and types of families can never be unique and may be a function of real income. However, even subjective guesses may be better than doing nothing. Demographic changes, such as the increase in pensioners with the increase in life expectancy, affects the distribution of income, and it seems desirable to estimate the separate effect of their influence. The extent to which the inequality of incomes is reduced by all taxes and benefits combined has remained remarkably constant in the U.K. over the period for which estimates have been made (1937–1967). The progressive effect of all taxes and benefits combined is largely the result of benefits (in cash and kind). The stability in the degree of inequality of original income is much more difficult to explain. A number of factors which reduce or increase inequality can be identified for further analysis.
PRICES IN THE NATIONAL ACCOUNTS FRAMEWORK: A CASE FOR COST‐BENEFIT ANALYSIS*
Authors: Fabricant Solomon
Published: March 2005

There are serious questions about the social costs and benefits of extending the role of prices in the national accounts. The costs may be greater, and the benefits smaller, than is commonly supposed. Many important uses of price (and other) data do not require that these data be organized within an elaborate—or even any—framework of national accounts. Also, the basic price (and other) data are still too often very scanty and rough. Would it not be better to devote available resources to improving these data rather than trying to force them, prematurely, into an elaborated set of national accounts?
APPROACHES TO REGIONAL ECONOMIC ACCOUNTING IN CANADA
Authors: Adler Hans J.
Published: March 2005

In the introduction of the paper, Economic Accounts are defined as a set of statistics useful in economic analysis and region is defined as a province. The paper is divided into four sections the first of which contains a brief historical outline of the development of demands for provincial economic accounts and the Dominion Bureau of Statistics' response to these needs. Apart from a description of the more well‐known conceptual difficulties, some of the fundamental problems of the usefulness and applicability of a national accounting framework to the regional scene are discussed. The resource problems of constructing analytically meaningful and reliable as well as spatially reconcilable regional accounts are described.

Section II outlines the impact of present policies and problems on the development of regional statistics. It describes the reasons for the Bureau's desire to strengthen its data base in regional terms and the decision to await possible construction of regional accounts till the regional data base has been fleshed out in a more systematic manner. With the development of the latter, the ability, advantages and disadvantages of the provinces undertaking their own estimates must also be more fully explored. The third part of the paper deals with an over‐view of work in Canada on provincial accounts carried out by organizations other than the Dominion Bureau of Statistics. Section IV gives a very summary description of the data gaps which exist in presently available regional statistics.
SOME COMPARISONS OF THE CANADIAN‐U.S. INCOME DISTRIBUTIONS
Authors: Podoluk Jenny R.
Published: March 2005

This paper compares the income distribution of Canada and the United States as well as other characteristics of the population such as the labour force and income trends in the two countries in the post‐war years. In both countries family income distributions show similar degrees of inequality and similar movements in real incomes through time. However, an examination of Canadian data suggests that differences do exist in underlying patterns. For example, there are greater earnings differentials between skilled and unskilled workers in Canada than in the United States while on the other hand in the United States greater differences exist between family incomes with heads in different age groups than is the case in Canada.
A SYNTHETIC ESTIMATE OF THE NATIONAL WEALTH OF JAPAN 1885–1973*
Authors: Goldsmith Raymond
Published: March 2005

This article present estimates, in current prices, of the national wealth of Japan and of about a dozen components for twelve benchmark dates between 1885 and 1973, the distance ranging, with one exception, from five to twelve years. The estimates are derived by a combination of (a) Ohkawa's perpetual inventory estimates of reproducible fixed assets for the period from 1885 to 1940 and Economic Planning Agency censuses for 1950 to 1965, roughly extrapolated to 1973; with (b) estimates of other components of national wealth (land, inventories, consumer durables and net foreign assets) taken for the pre‐war period chiefly from census‐type data and derived for the postwar period from miscellaneous, mainly official, sources.

As in most countries the current value of Japan's national wealth increased until World War II considerably more slowly than its national product, which expanded with extraordinary rapidity. In the postwar period, however, the ratio showed a slight upward trend reaching by 1973 fully 3 1/2. The ratio of all reproducible assets to national product showed a similar pattern at a lower level, reaching 2 1/2 in 1973. In contrast the ratio of so‐called productive assets (non‐residential buildings, equipment and inventories) failed to show a definite secular trend remaining between 1.5 and 2.2 at all but one benchmark date.

Changes in the structure of national wealth over the past century were pronounced, but very different before and after World War II. Up to the 1940's, the share of land declined sharply from about one‐half to less than one‐fourth, to the benefit primarily of producer durables and non‐residential structures. In the last quarter of a century, in contrast, the extraordinary rise in urban land prices brought the share of land in national wealth back to one‐third (though the share of agricultural land continued to decline rapidly), while that of producer and consumer durables continued to increase.
ASPECTS OF POVERTY IN MALAYSIA
Authors: Anand Sudhir
Published: March 2005

This paper is concerned with the definition and measurement of poverty in Malaysia. A poverty line is estimated after considering both the absolute and relative approaches to the definition. Various indices of poverty are discussed, ranging from the simple “incidence of poverty” measure to others which take account of the “poverty gap”. There is a derivation of a new index due to Sen, and alternative normalizations are suggested for it. Estimates of all these measures are presented for Malaysia. Finally, the simple “incidence of poverty” measure, which is decomposable, is adopted to construct a “profile” of the poor in Malaysia.
TOWARDS A DEFINITION OF NON‐MARKET ACTIVITIES*
Authors: Hawrylshyn Oli
Published: March 2005

Recent attempts to measure value of household work and other non‐market activities have been based on a simplistic interpretation of Opportunity Cost of Time Theory; this paper attempts to refine this and develop practical definitions from basic Utility Theory. First a distinction is made between economic and other activities, the former being the only ones subject to dollar‐measurement; we recognize economic activities can occur outside the market and focus our analysis upon these latter. In the framework of Becker‐Lancaster a Household‐Production Function is posited which produces jointly such non‐market economic activities‐called indirect utility‐and welfare or satisfaction‐ called utility. A criterion for identifying the indirect utility activities (Third‐Person Criterion) is outlined, and related to time‐use survey data.

Finally, four practical estimation methods are outlined: simple opportunity cost of time; gross replacement cost; individual function replacement cost; and the full production function approach. This latter, which includes evaluation of capital contributions, is deemed theoretically most valid but for present purposes least practical because of lack of data on domestic capital stock. The paper concludes that there exists both a theoretical basis for valuing non‐market activities, and the necessary data to apply the formulas developed.
CONCEPTUAL AMD STATISTICAL ISSUES IN DEVELOPING ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES‐RECENT U.S. EXPERIENCE
Authors: Cremeans John E.
Published: March 2005

The purpose of this paper is to describe the conceptual and statistical basis of the estimates of United States public and private spending for pollution abatement and control (PAC) prepared by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce. The concepts and definitions were designed to ensure comparability with the national economic accounts since much of the analysis of the effects of environmental programs on the economy is conducted with the aid of the accounts. The work to date has been limited to pollution associated with harmful “foreign” substances and forms of energy discharged in the course of production, distribution and consumption. The conceptual base includes evaluation of benefits, but estimates completed thus far are limited to the cost of pollution abatement and control.

Definitions are given for pollution, pollution abatement, direct pollution abatement cost, indirect pollution abatement cost and indirect benefits. A framework for the estimation and presentation of PAC expenditures is developed and the estimate of U.S. PAC expenditures for 1972 and 1973 is presented. A brief chronological summary of the BEA project is also provided.
THE SIZE DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME: AN INTERNATIONAL COMPARISON
Authors: Cromwell Jerry
Published: March 2005

This paper collects and extends the available data on size distribution of income by country, and then uses these data to develop an hypothesis about the relation of stage and mode of development to the distribution of income. In particular, the author attributes the increase in income inequality which often occurs in the early stages of economic development to the uneven spread of capitalist modes of production, which leads to a dualism which separates the capitalist sector from the rest of the economy. The author goes on to discuss the role of this dualism in increasing the inequalities existing in the society. Finally, the author contrasts the income distributions found in socialist countries with those of capitalist ones, and concludes that it is not economic growth per se, but rather the capitalist mode of production, which creates income inequalities in developing countries.
NEW MEASURES OF PRICES AND PRODUCTIVITY FOR TRADABLE AND NONTRADABLE GOODS*
Authors: Goldstein Morris , Officer Lawrence H.
Published: March 2005

Empirical work on the division of real output and prices into tradable and nontradable components has not kept pace with theoretical developments. The conventional proxies of prices and productivity by tradable and nontradable sector are examined and found deficient in several important respects. It is demonstrated that an approach that relies on the long–standing data on gross domestic product by industry of origin can overcome some of these deficiencies. These data are used to construct new annual measures of prices and productivity for tradable and nontradable output for 12 industrial countries over the period 1950–73. While far from precise, the new measures are consistent with the following criteria for distinguishing between tradables and nontradables: the degree of foreign trade participation should be higher for tradables than for nontradables; the degree of international commodity arbitrage, as measured by cross‐country correlations of price changes, should be higher for tradables than nontradables; and tradables should be closer substitutes than nontradables for traded goods from other countries (imports).

Despite the considerable conceptual advantages of the new measures of prices and productivity over the conventional proxies, correlation analysis indicates that the new and old measures usually move together rather closely in our 12 subject countries. The correlations are higher across the alternative relative productivity measures than for the alternative relative price measures.