bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
EU Bilateral and Regional Trade Agreements: Impacts on the CAP Les accords bilatéraux et régionaux européens: leur impact sur la PAC. Bilaterale und regionale Handelsabkommen in der EU: Auswirkungen auf die GAP
Authors: Moehler Rolf 
Published: August 2007

summaryEU Bilateral and Regional Trade Agreements: Impacts on the CAPSince it started in 1992, reform of the CAP has been related in various ways to the WTO. In comparison the impact on CAP reform of the bilateral and regional agreements the EU has concluded is negligible. The EU has found ways and means to shield its agriculture from too much import pressure and the geographical scope of its bilateral and regional agreements is impressive. They cover the countries of the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean Sea, the Western Balkan, ACP countries, South Africa, Chile and Mexico. Free trade agreements with MERCOSUR, ASEAN, Korea and India, as proposed by the Commission, will not make much difference. It is unlikely that these agreements produce enough import pressure to bring about further substantial reform. All four partners provide vast markets for European industrial products and services and this could increase pressure to open the EU agricultural market in a way the actual CAP cannot cope with. But only MERCOSUR and ASEAN are major exporters of agricultural products. And even here bilateral negotiations provide more flexibility to contain the impact of tariff concessions than the WTO. However, the combined effect of free trade agreements with MERCOSUR and ASEAN may push the EU to further reduce the intervention price for cereals or abolish it altogether.
Trade Policy Reform Through Litigation La voie judiciaire pour réformer les politiques commerciales Reform der Handelspolitik durch Rechtsstreitigkeiten
Authors: McMahon Joseph A. 
Published: August 2007

summaryTrade Policy Reform Through LitigationThe uncertain nature of the Doha negotiations gives rise to the possibility that Members may seek to achieve reforms through litigation rather than negotiations. This article examines two areas of the Common Agricultural Policy that may be the subject of litigation. The first of these areas is the Single Farm Payment (SFP). It is suggested that the SFP may not be fully consistent with the provisions of Annex 2 of the Agreement on Agriculture (the Green Box). Although the Appellate Body decision in US ‐ Upland Cotton addressed some of the questions on the interpretation of paragraph 6 of Annex 2, it chose not to address the fundamental requirement for all Green Box policies contained in the introductory paragraph. The second area is export subsidies for processed agricultural products and here the issue is the continuing relevance of Article XVI: 4 of the GATT Whilst a dispute may be the best way forward to determine this particular issue, it is not the best way forward with respect to the Green Box. As this Box is likely to become the primary repository of agricultural support measures, negotiation not litigation offers the best way forward.
Neoinstitutionalism: Still no intellectual hegemony?
Authors: Crouch Colin 
Published: August 2007

AbstractDespite its greater realism, neoinstitutionalism has not been able to rival neoliberal approaches in the minds of many public‐policy communities. This article suggests four reasons why this is the case: the way that neoliberalism appears to be rooted in the strong paradigms of neoclassical economics, the related simple appeal of marketization as a solution to policy problems, the dominance of short‐term calculation in financial markets as the apparently most successful form of economic activity, and the role of corporate actors as public‐policy insiders. It is argued that an essential solution to the problem is a rapprochement between neoinstitutionalism and neoclassical economics, which is itself not necessarily wedded to neoliberalism.
Empirical Analysis of the Structure of Sino‐US Agricultural Trade
Authors: Zheng Yingmei , Qi Jianhong 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThis paper empirically analyzes the structure of agricultural trade between China and the USA from 1996 to 2005, using different trade indexes such as the Grubel—Lloyd Index, the Revealed Comparative Advantage Index, the Finger—Kreinin Similitude Index and the Export Diversification Index, with a focus on the issues impeding Sino‐US agricultural trade. We found that over the period of 1996 to 2005, inter‐industry trade outweighed intra‐industry trade in Sino‐US agricultural trade, and that bilateral trade was more complementary than competitive. At the same time, China's agricultural exports were more diversified than USA exports, but China's degree of diversification steadily declined during the sample period. The findings indicate that there exists great potential for further development of agricultural trade between China and the USA, and that positive and effective trade policies will result in maximization of potential agricultural trade development and will bring forth mutual benefits to both countries.
Development of the New Rural Cooperative Medical System in China
Authors: Wang Yanzhong 
Published: August 2007

AbstractBased on a survey conducted by our research team at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the present paper reports on the development of China's new rural cooperative medical system set up in late 2002. The new rural cooperative medical system is different from the old system in that it is organized, guided and supported by the government but that rural residents voluntarily participate in its administration. It is financed by individuals, collectives and the government. The new cooperative medical system focuses on serious disease planning and mutual aid and fraternity between rural residents in health care. The results of our survey indicate that the new rural medical system has been successful up to now but that it also has some problems. China needs to pay more attention to overcoming the difficulties and challenges it faces in terms of future medical needs so that a mechanism for its sustainable development can be established.
Photophysical Properties and Photobiological Behavior of Amodiaquine, Primaquine and Chloroquine
Authors: Viola Giampietro , Salvador Alessia , Cecconet Laura , Basso Giuseppe , Vedaldi Daniela , Dall’Acqua Francesco , Aloisi Gian Gaetano , Amelia Matteo , Barbafina Arianna , Latterini Loredana , Elisei Fausto 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThis article describes the results of a coupled photophysical and photobiological study aimed at understanding the phototoxicity mechanism of the antimalarial drugs amodiaquine (AQ), primaquine (PQ) and chloroquine (CQ). Photophysical experiments were carried out in aqueous solutions by steady‐state and time‐resolved spectrometric techniques to obtain information on the different decay pathways of the excited states of the drugs and on the transient species formed upon laser irradiation. The results showed that all three drugs possess very low fluorescence quantum yields (10−2–10−4). Laser flash photolysis experiments proved the occurrence of photoionization processes leading to the formation of a radical cation in all three systems. In the case of AQ the lowest triplet state was also detected.Together with the photophysical properties the photobiological properties of the antimalarial drugs were investigated under UV irradiation, on various biological targets through a series of in vitro assays. Phototoxicity on mouse 3T3 fibroblast and human keratinocyte cell lines NCTC‐2544 was detected for PQ and CQ but not for AQ. In particular, PQ‐ and CQ‐induced apoptosis was revealed by the externalization of phosphatidylserine. Furthermore, upon UV irradiation, the drugs caused significant variations of the mitochondrial potential (Δψmt) measured by flow cytometry. The photodamages produced by the drugs were also evaluated on proteins, lipids and DNA. The combined approaches were useful in understanding the mechanism of phototoxicity induced by these antimalarial drugs.
Mechanism of Photoisomerization of 1‐Naphthyl‐2‐Phenylethylenes in Organic Glasses
Authors: Yang Lan‐Ying , Liu Robert S. H. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractPhotoisomerization reactions of cis isomers of 1‐β‐naphthyl‐2‐phenylethylene, an o‐methylated homolog and 1‐α‐naphthyl‐2‐phenylethylene in organic glasses at liquid nitrogen temperature were studied. Reactions were followed by changes in UV‐absorption spectra of the irradiated samples. Formation of an unstable trans‐photoproduct was detected only with the o‐methylated homolog. The results are consistent with high regioselective Hula‐twist photoisomerization at the benzylic sites of the three compounds examined. Calculated data on relative energies of the conformers of both the cis and the trans isomers are in agreement with the suspected conformational population of the starting materials and the photoproducts.
Outdoor Workers’ Acceptance of Personal Protective Measures Against Solar Ultraviolet Radiation
Authors: Weber Marko , Uller Andreas , Schulmeister Karl , Brusl Helmut , Hann Hans , Kindl Peter 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe acceptance and usability of personal protection against solar UV radiation was evaluated in a field study with a group of tinsmiths in Austria. The personal protective measures (PPM) tested involved four categories: shirts, headwear, sunglasses and topically applied sunscreens; at least six different products per category were tested. Recommendations for the “ideal” shirt, headwear, pair of sunglasses and topical sunscreen are given based on data from questionnaires, i.e., from the point of view of the workers, independently from the actual physical level of protection (such as low transmittance or area of coverage) provided. It is argued that in practice it is important to consider the acceptance and usability of protective measures as well as the level of physical protection when providing PPM.
Molecular Assembly and Photophysical Properties of Quaternary Molecular Hybrid Materials with Chemical Bond
Authors: Yan Bing , Qian Kai , Lu H.F. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractIn this paper, two long chain aliphatic carboxylic acids (oleic acid [OLA] and stearic acid [STA]) are modified with cross‐linking molecules (N‐2‐aminoethyl‐3‐aminopropyl‐methyl‐dimethoxylsiliane, (AEAPMMS, H2 N(CH2)2HN(CH2)3SiCH3(OCH3)2 and 3‐aminopropyl‐methyl‐diethoxylsiliane (APMES, H2 N(CH2)3SiCH3(OC2H5)2) resulting in four new kinds of structural molecular bridge OLA (STA)‐AEAPMMS (APMES). Subsequently, ternary molecular complex systems with four molecular bridges OLA (STA)‐AEAPMMS (APMES) and 2,2‐bipyridyl (bipy) of lanthanides (terbium and europium) or zinc ions were assembled, which resulted in four novel kinds of quaternary molecular hybrid materials (named as bipy‐Ln (Zn)‐OLA (STA)‐AEAPMMS (APMES) with strong chemical bonds (N‐Ln(Zn)‐O coordination bonds and Si‐O covalent bonds) after a sol‐gel (cohydrolysis and copolycondensation) process of the modified molecular bridges (as structural ligand) with inorganic precursor (tetraethoxysilane, TEOS). And especially bipy behaves as functional ligand to sensitize the luminescence of terbium or europium ions through the effective intramolecular energy transfer process, which gives rise to the characteristic emission of metal ions. The design and assembly from structural and functional ligands can help achieve a candidate technology for molecular hybrids.
Influence of Aggregation on Interaction of Lipophilic, Water‐Insoluble Azaphthalocyanines with DOPC Vesicles
Authors: Zimcik Petr , Miletin Miroslav , Kopecky Kamil , Musil Zbynek , Berka Pavel , Horakova Veronika , Kucerova Helena , Zbytovska Jarmila , Brault Daniel 
Published: August 2007

AbstractDioleoylphosphatidylcholine unilamellar vesicles made by extrusion technique (LUVETs) were studied as the delivery system for lipophilic water‐insoluble potential photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT). Two azaphthalocyanines (AzaPcs) with hydrophobic substituents only and two also possessing two charged amino groups were introduced into the study. All compounds are insoluble in water and form aggregates in PBS with tetrahydrofuran as cosolvent. The size of these aggregates depends on the concentration of AzaPc in solution. AzaPcs with tert‐butyl substituents were found to be incorporated into the lipid bilayer of vesicles in the monomeric form even at high concentrations. The stability of LUVETs with incorporated AzaPc was excellent for at least 4 weeks. Therefore, they are suitable for use as a delivery system for these water‐insoluble photosensitizers. Very low amount of AzaPc with n‐octyl substituents incorporated into LUVETs due to its stronger self‐aggregation. Values of binding constants determined for all AzaPcs showed inverse order than expected from their lipophilicities. However, the binding constants followed the order of the strength of aggregation forces. Aggregation of AzaPcs in water medium plays a very important role in the interaction of AzaPcs with LUVETs.
Performance evaluation of the Z2 coulter counter for WBC and RBC counting
Authors: PENG L. , WANG W. , BAI L. 
Published: August 2007

SummaryThe Z2 Coulter Counter (Z2) is a new, single‐channel semi‐automated electronic counter using the Coulter principle, providing both count and concentration results of cells, as well as providing size distribution of the cell population. The Z2 was evaluated according to guidelines published by the International Committee for Standardisation in Haematology. The results demonstrated excellent linearity for WBC and RBC (r > 0.999). The Z2 showed excellent precision, with a within‐run, between‐run and overall coefficient of variance less than 2%. Carryover was generally acceptable (<1%). WBC and RBC were stable after blood storage for 48 h at 4 °C and room temperature. There was almost no interference for WBC, RBC at high concentrations of bilirubin (178.5 μmol/l) or triglyceride (14.8 mmol/l) (P > 0.05). The bias of coincidence correction in WBC and RBC counting with the Z2 was less than 1%. Correlation between the Z2 and Sysmex F‐820 or SE‐9500 was excellent (r > 0.996) for WBC and RBC counting. Our results indicate that the Z2 has good features of precision, accuracy, linearity and good comparison with other haematology analysers, and could be used as a calibrating instrument for WBC and RBC counting.
The effects of thalidomide on chemotactic migration of multiple myeloma cell lines
Authors: FUCHIDA S.‐I. , SHIMAZAKI C. , HIRAI H. , AKAMATSU S. , YAMADA N. , UCHIDA R. , OKANO A. , OKAMOTO M. , INABA T. , TANIWAKI M. 
Published: August 2007

SummaryWe examined the effect of thalidomide and dexamethasone on the migration of multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines, U266, RPMI8226, and NCI‐H929, using chemotaxis chamber plates. U266 underwent chemotactic migration in response to stromal‐cell derived factor‐1 alpha (SDF‐1α), and other cell lines underwent random migration in response to SDF‐1α or monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 alpha. Following preincubation with 1 μg/ml thalidomide, the cell lines showed reduced migratory capacity in response to SDF‐1α. Concerning the corresponding receptors, CXC chemokine receptor 4 was detected only on the surface of U266, by flow cytometry, whereas chemokine (C‐C motif) receptor 2 was not detected on all three cell lines. Moreover, decreased migration by thalidomide was not accompanied by altered expression of the corresponding receptors of each cell line. This is the first report to show the effects of thalidomide on the migration of MM cell lines. The results suggest that the inhibition of chemotactic migration might be one of the mechanisms of the success of thalidomide in controlling MM.
Hepatitis B virus X protein induces apoptosis and cell cycle deregulation through interfering with DNA repair and checkpoint responses
Authors: Chen Hong‐Ying , Tang Nan‐Hong , Lin Na , Chen Zhi‐Xin , Wang Xiao‐Zhong 
Published: August 2007

Aim:  To investigate the effects of hepatitis B virus X (HBx) gene on apoptosis and cell cycle in hepatocyte line HL‐7702 and to discuss the possible mechanisms in the pathway.Methods:  The recombinant plasmid pcDNA3‐X and vector pcDNA3 were transfected into HL‐7702 cells and selected by G418 to construct two new cell lines, which were named HL‐7702‐HBx and HL‐7702‐con, respectively. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) and western blot analysis were used to confirm that HBx gene was expressed steadily in the HL‐7702‐HBx cells. Then apoptosis and cell cycle of the two cells were detected by DNA ladder, flow cytometric analysis, and electronic microscope observation. Apoptosis and cell cycle gene expressions in the two cells were subsequently evaluated by using gene arrays. Some of results were further confirmed by real‐time PCR and western blot analysis.Results:  RT–PCR and the western blot analysis showed that HL‐7702‐HBx expressed the HBx gene steadily. Comparedwith the HL‐7702‐con cells, there was increased apoptosis and accumulation of the S phase in the HL‐7702‐HBx cells. The gene array analysis indicated that some DNA repair genes (XRCC1, DDB1, etc.) and DNA damage checkpoint‐related genes (Cdc47, RAD17, etc.) played roles in the HBx‐mediated imbalance of apoptosis and cell cycle. Both cDNA array analysis and real‐time RT–PCR showed that mRNA of XRCC1, Cdc47 and RAD17 were upregulated by HBx. Unexpectedly, the western blot analysis revealed that HBx inhibited their protein expression.Conclusion:  The expression of HBx in HL‐7702 cells promoted apoptosis and accumulation of the S phase through the inhibition of DNA repair and checkpoints via post‐transcriptional mechanisms.
Development of Resistance in Wild-Type and Hypermutable
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Strains Exposed to Clinical Pharmacokinetic Profiles of Meropenem and Ceftazidime Simulated In Vitro
Authors: Henrichfreise Beate , Wiegand Irith , Luhmer-Becker Ingeborg , Wiedemann Bernd 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT

In this study we investigated the interplay of antibiotic pharmacokinetic profiles and the development of mutation-mediated resistance in wild-type and hypermutable
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
strains. We used in vitro models simulating profiles of the commonly used therapeutic drugs meropenem and ceftazidime, two agents with high levels of antipseudomonal activity said to have different potentials for stimulating resistance development. During ceftazidime treatment of the wild-type strain (PAO1), fully resistant mutants overproducing AmpC were selected rapidly and they completely replaced wild-type cells in the population. During treatment with meropenem, mutants of PAO1 were not selected as rapidly and showed only intermediate resistance due to the loss of OprD. These mutants also replaced the parent strain in the population. During the treatment of the mutator
P. aeruginosa
strain with meropenem, the slowly selected mutants did not accumulate several resistance mechanisms but only lost OprD and did not completely replace the parent strain in the population. Our results indicate that the commonly used dosing regimens for meropenem and ceftazidime cannot avoid the selection of mutants of wild-type and hypermutable
P. aeruginosa
strains. For the treatment outcome, including the prevention of resistance development, it would be beneficial for the antibiotic concentration to remain above the mutant prevention concentration for a longer period of time than it does in present regimens.
Identification of Novel Epoxide Inhibitors of Hepatitis C Virus Replication Using a High-Throughput Screen
Authors: Peng Lee F. , Kim Sun Suk , Matchacheep Sirinya , Lei Xiaoguang , Su Shun , Lin Wenyu , Runguphan Weerawat , Choe Won-Hyeok , Sakamoto Naoya , Ikeda Masanori , Kato Nobuyuki , Beeler Aaron B. , Porco John A. , Schreiber Stuart L. , Chung Raymond T. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT
Using our high-throughput hepatitis C replicon assay to screen a library of over 8,000 novel diversity-oriented synthesis (DOS) compounds, we identified several novel compounds that regulate hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication, including two libraries of epoxides that inhibit HCV replication (best 50% effective concentration, < 0.5 μM). We then synthesized an analog of these compounds with optimized activity.
Health Care-Associated Pneumonia and Community-Acquired Pneumonia: a Single-Center Experience
Authors: Micek Scott T. , Kollef Katherine E. , Reichley Richard M. , Roubinian Nareg , Kollef Marin H. 
Published: August 2007

ABSTRACT

Pneumonia occurring outside of the hospital setting has traditionally been categorized as community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). However, when pneumonia is associated with health care risk factors (prior hospitalization, dialysis, residing in a nursing home, immunocompromised state), it is now more appropriately classified as a health care-associated pneumonia (HCAP). The relative incidences of CAP and HCAP among patients requiring hospital admission is not well described. The objective of this retrospective cohort study, involving 639 patients with culture-positive CAP and HCAP admitted between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2005, was to characterize the incidences, microbiology, and treatment patterns for CAP and HCAP among patients requiring hospital admission. HCAP was more common than CAP (67.4% versus 32.6%). The most common pathogens identified overall included methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(24.6%),
Streptococcus pneumoniae
(20.3%),
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
(18.8%), methicillin-sensitive
Staphylococcus aureus
(13.8%), and
Haemophilus influenzae
(8.5%). The hospital mortality rate was statistically greater among patients with HCAP than among those with CAP (24.6% versus 9.1%;
P
< 0.001). Administration of inappropriate initial antimicrobial treatment was statistically more common among HCAP patients (28.3% versus 13.0%;
P
< 0.001) and was identified as an independent risk factor for hospital mortality. Our study found that the incidence of HCAP was greater than that of CAP among patients with culture-positive pneumonia requiring hospitalization at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Patients with HCAP were more likely to initially receive inappropriate antimicrobial treatment and had a greater risk of hospital mortality. Health care providers should differentiate patients with HCAP from those with CAP in order to provide more appropriate initial antimicrobial therapy.