bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hydroxymethylglutaryl‐CoA Reductase Inhibitors in Older Persons with Acute Myocardial Infarction: Evidence for an Age–Statin Interaction
Authors: Micale Foody JoAnne , Rathore Saif S. , Galusha Deron , Masoudi Frederick A. , Havranek Edward P. , Radford Martha J. , Krumholz Harlan M. 
Published: February 2006

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the relationship between hydroxymethylglutaryl‐CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) and outcomes in older persons with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).DESIGN: Observational study.SETTING: Acute care hospitals in the United States from April 1998 to June 2001.PARTICIPANTS: Medicare patients aged 65 and older with a principal discharge diagnosis of AMI (N=65,020) who did and did not receive a discharge prescription for statins.MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome of interest was all‐cause mortality at 3 years after discharge.RESULTS: Of 23,013 patients with AMI assessed, 5,513 (24.0%) were receiving a statin at discharge. Nearly 40% of eligible patients (n=8,452) were aged 80 and older, of whom 1,310 (15.5%) were receiving a statin at discharge. In a multivariable model taking into account demographic, clinical, physician and hospital characteristics, and propensity score, discharge statin therapy was associated with significantly lower 3‐year mortality (hazard ratio (HR)=0.89 (95% confidence interval (CI)=0.83–0.96)). In an analysis stratified by age, discharge statins were associated with lower mortality in patients younger than 80 (HR=0.84, 95% CI=0.76–0.92) but not in those aged 80 and older (HR=0.97, 95% CI=0.87–1.09).CONCLUSION: Statin therapy is associated with lower mortality in older patients with AMI younger than 80 but not in those aged 80 and older, as a group. This finding questions whether statin efficacy data in younger patients can be broadly applied to the very old and indicates the need for further study of this group.
Is Hospice Associated with Improved End‐of‐Life Care in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities?
Authors: Munn Jean C. , Hanson Laura C. , Zimmerman Sheryl , Sloane Philip D. , Mitchell C. Madeline 
Published: February 2006

OBJECTIVES: To examine whether hospice enrollment for nursing home (NH) and residential care/assisted living (RC/AL) residents near the end of life is associated with symptoms and symptom management, personal care, spiritual support, and family satisfaction.DESIGN: Structured, retrospective telephone interviews with family and staff who attended to NH and RC/AL residents in the last month of life.SETTING: A stratified sample of 26 NH and 55 RC/AL facilities in four states.Participants: Family members (n=97) and long‐term care (LTC) staff (n=104) identified as most involved in care of 124 residents who died over a 15‐month period.MEASUREMENTS: A variety of reported measures of care and symptoms before death, including the Discomfort Scale for Dementia of the Alzheimer's Type.RESULTS: Of 124 decedents, 27 (22%) received hospice services. Dementia was less common in hospice enrollees than in decedents who did not receive hospice care. Hospice enrollees more often had moderate/severe pain and dyspnea and received pain treatment and were more likely to receive assistance with mouth care and eating and drinking. There were no differences related to unmet need, and observed differences were largely eliminated when comparisons were limited to residents whose deaths were expected.CONCLUSION: Rates of hospice use observed in this study (22%) were considerably higher than previously reported, although persons with dementia may continue to be underreferred. Hospice use is targeted to dying residents with higher levels of reported pain and dyspnea. Because difference in care largely disappears in cases when death was expected, LTC staff seem to be well positioned to provide end‐of‐life care for their residents and are advised to remain sensitive to instances in which death may be expected.
An assessment of the current structure of food demand in urban China
Authors: Gould Brian W. , Villarreal Hector J. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractWe evaluate the current structure of food demand in urban China by using household expenditure survey data from five provinces. Two complementary analyses are undertaken. First, an aggregate analysis based on a fractional logit model is used to examine how households allocate food expenditures across the food‐at‐home (FAH) and food‐away‐from‐home (FAFH) categories. This is followed by a disaggregated analysis of how households allocated their FAH expenditures across 12 commodity categories. A Quadratic Almost Ideal Demand System (QUAIDS) is used. We find evidence of significant food purchase substitution and complementarity.
Social welfare effects of removing multiple exchange rates: evidence from the rice trade in Iran
Authors: Bakhshoodeh M. , Thomson K. J. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractIn order to encourage the involvement of the private sector in importing rice, the Iranian government plans to relax the system of multiple foreign exchange rates applied to importers wishing to supply the domestic market. In this article, the welfare effects of removing the current controls on the rice trade, and a domestic rice coupon program, are evaluated by applying a partial equilibrium analysis to 1961–1999 data. The results show that, as far as foreign exchange is concerned, liberalization of the rice market causes an increase in rice imports, mainly due to a decrease in domestic supply. In welfare terms, the loss in producer surplus from rice market liberalization is relatively high, but most rice consumers, and the Iranian taxpayer, would gain. Overall, gains to consumers and taxpayers are estimated to be higher than the losses incurred by domestic suppliers, and therefore net social welfare at national level can be improved by rice market liberalization in Iran. Issues for further discussion include residual food security roles for the state, and supply‐side adjustments in terms of resource use and higher‐quality production.
An examination of economic efficiency of Russian crop production in the reform period
Authors: Osborne Stefan , Trueblood Michael A. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThis article examines economic efficiency (EE) of crop production of Russian corporate farms for 1993–1998. EE declined over the period, due to declines in both technical and allocative efficiency. Technical efficiency (TE) results indicate that output levels could have been maintained while reducing overall input use by an average of 29–31% in 1998, depending on the method used, while the allocative efficiency (AE) results show that costs could have been reduced about 30%. The EE scores show that Russian corporate farms could have increased efficiency by reducing the use of all inputs, particularly fertilizer and fuel. Russian agriculture inherited machinery‐intensive technology from the Soviet era, which may be inappropriate given the relative abundance of labor in the post‐reform environment. Investment constraints have prevented the replacement of old machinery‐intensive technology with smaller scale machines that allow for a more labor‐using technology.
Optimal pest control in greenhouse production of ornamental crops
Authors: Schumacher Sara K. , Marsh Thomas L. , Williams Kimberly A. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractIn this study, we develop a conceptual bioeconomic model of floriculture production with aesthetic benefits, wherein optimal decision rules depend on an intertemporal economic objective to maximize profits subject to economic and biological processes. Necessary conditions of the model identify optimal trajectories (e.g., simultaneous, single, or cycling controls) that define decision rules and economic thresholds for profit maximizing growers producing crops with aesthetic attributes. The necessary conditions also highlight intertemporal trade‐offs between aesthetic benefits and expected future net benefits of arthropod stocks, which have important policy implications. The model is applied to the greenhouse production system of ivy geranium.
Determinants of a social clause in international trade negotiations
Authors: Tavernier Edmund M. , Turvey Calum G. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractSurvey data are used to examine the determinants of a “social clause” in international trade negotiations. Proponents of such a clause argue that the inclusion of labor laws, environmental impacts, and other social issues in international trade negotiations would ensure fair competition, an equitable distribution of the benefits of free trade, and, in the case of labor, protect the basic rights of workers. Opponents see these arguments as a disguised form of protectionism and self‐interest based on the protection of labor‐intensive industries in developed countries. Results from a logit model indicate a decreased likelihood for the inclusion of a social clause in international trade negotiations across farm sizes. In particular the results suggest that agricultural producers with annual gross sales including government payments between US$500,000 and US$999,000, are 40% less likely to want labor laws, environmental impacts, and food safety standards to be included as part of international trade negotiations. The results also show that agricultural producers with college experience or college degrees are less likely to want these social interventions while second generation farmers and first generation farmers with a master's degree want labor laws, environmental impacts, and food safety standards to be included as part of international trade negotiations.
Off‐farm labor supply responses to permanent and transitory farm income
Authors: Kwon Chul‐Woo , Orazem Peter F. , Otto Daniel M. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractA sample of Iowa farm couples is used to evaluate whether off‐farm labor supply decisions respond to permanent and transitory components of farm income. Off‐farm labor supply of both spouses declines in response to increases in permanent farm income. Farm wives also reduce off‐farm labor supply in response to positive transitory farm income shocks. Consequently, one mechanism farm households use to smooth their goods consumption when facing fluctuating farm income is to modify their consumption of leisure. Ability to smooth goods consumption does not imply the absence of liquidity constraints among farm households unless leisure consumption is also smoothed.
Analysis of a supply‐control program under uncertainty and imperfect competition: Chinese cabbage in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Shu‐Yu , Sexton Richard J. , Xia Tian 
Published: February 2006

AbstractResearchers have often attributed the farm–wholesale price spread, after adjusting for marketing costs, as compensation for marketing firms' risk bearing. However, price spreads in excess of marketing costs can also be due to marketing firms' exercise of market power. In settings where both imperfect competition and marketer risk aversion are plausible, a modeling framework must be sufficiently general to accommodate both types of behavior. This article develops and estimates such a model in the context of fresh produce marketing and develops the implications for analysis of supply‐control programs. The model is applied to the production and marketing of Chinese cabbage in Taiwan and specifically to the analysis of supply‐control programs implemented in this industry by the Taiwanese government. The empirical results provide little support for the hypothesis that marketing firms exhibit risk averse behavior, but they do show that marketing firms exercise oligopsony power in procurement of the product from farmers, and that this power is positively related to the quantity supplied in each market period. This provides a heretofore unexplored impetus for supply controls intended to raise producer incomes. However, such controls are also rendered less effective by imperfect competition because marketing firms capture part of the benefits from supply reduction.
Price and quantity endogeneity in demand analysis: evidence from directed acyclic graphs
Authors: Wang Zijun , Bessler David A. 
Published: February 2006

AbstractWe propose to use the emerging method of directed graphs to study price/quantity endogeneity issues in empirical demand analysis. The approach is illustrated through the examination of U.S. meat consumption. We find that for two major meat products (beef and poultry), retail prices contemporaneously caused quantities consumed, thus were predetermined. In contrast, the quantity consumed of pork appeared to be predetermined relative to its price.
Modeling winegrape prices in disequilibrium
Authors: Oczkowski Edward 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThis article presents an econometric model of winegrape prices which recognizes the existence of demand and supply imbalances in the Australian market. A “markets in disequilibrium” framework is employed to motivate modeling price changes as responding to variations in excess demand/supply. The disequilibrium price equation provides estimates of regional and varietal price discounts/premiums and a measure of the speed of disequilibrium price adjustment. The equilibrium assumption is rejected for the market and substantial differences between equilibrium and disequilibrium estimates point to the inaccuracies of assuming market clearing. Disequilibrium estimates point to significant differences between warm and cool regions and changing speed of disequilibrium adjustment over time.
Productivity growth and inter‐sector spill‐over in Dutch horticulture, 1976–1995
Authors: Oude Lansink Alfons , Bezlepkin Igor 
Published: February 2006

AbstractThis article calculates nonparametric measures of total factor productivity growth on Dutch horticultural firms in the period 1976–1995. Individual components of total factor productivity growth, i.e., efficiency change and technical change are regressed on socioeconomic factors reflecting the effects of the world oil crises, household and demographic characteristics, location, and investment in physical capital. Also, the article investigates the presence of inter‐sector spill‐overs between groups of firms with different specializations in Dutch horticulture.
Autoantibodies in Argentine Women with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
Authors: Bustos Daniel , Moret Ana , Tambutti Monica , Gogorza Sebastian , Testa Roberto , Ascione Amanda , Prigoshin Norma 
Published: February 2006

ProblemTo determine the presence or absence of subclinical autoimmunity in Caucasian Argentine healthy women with first trimester recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), the sera of 118 healthy women with a history of three or more consecutive abortions and 125 fertile control women without abortions and two children were analyzed for the presence of autoantibodies: immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgM anticardiolipin, antinuclear (ANA), antismooth muscle (ASMA), antimitocondrial (AMA), antiliver‐kidney‐microsomal fraction (LKM), antigastric parietal cells (GPC), antineutrophil cytoplasmatic (ANCA) and antibodies antigliadin type IgA and IgG and IgA antitransglutaminase related with celiac disease (CD).Method of studyANA, ASMA, AMA, anti‐LKM, antibodies to GPC and ANCA were determined by indirect immunofluorescence (IFI) and anticardiolipin, antigliadina and antitransglutaminase antibodies were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).ResultsThere was no significant difference between controls and patients with ANA, ASMA, AMA, LKM, ANCA and GPC. The prevalence of anticardiolipin antibodies in RPL was significantly higher than controls (P < 0,01) and the prevalence of positive antibodies for antigliadina type IgA and IgG and IgA antitransglutaminase in RPL was significantly higher than controls (P < 0.04).ConclusionWe show that Caucasian Argentine women with RPL showed significantly higher incidence of anticardiolipin antibodies than normal controls and finally we recommended the screening of IgA and IgG antigliadina and IgA antitransglutaminase antibodies in pregnancy, because of the high prevalence of subclinical CD in RPL and the chance of reversibility through consumption of a gluten free diet.
A Sandwich Enzyme‐Linked Immunoabsorbent Assay for Measurement of Gonadotropin‐Releasing Hormone‐Toxin Conjugates
Authors: Yang Wei‐Hsiung , Allen Matt C. , Wieczorek Maciej , Michael Glode L. , Nett Terry M. 
Published: February 2006

Problem  Biological effectiveness of targeted cytotoxins is dependent on their stability, circulating half‐life, receptor binding ability, and cytotoxicity. The objective of this study was to compare stability of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH)‐toxin conjugates made with disulfide linkers to those using a maleimidodibutyryl (mb) linkage.Method of study  We developed a sandwich enzyme‐linked immunoabsorbent assay recognizing both GnRH analog and cytotoxin to ensure the conjugate measured was intact. Anti‐D‐Leu6‐GnRH was used for capture and anti‐pokeweed antiviral protein (anti‐PAP) or anti‐RNase for quantification. Specificity was verified by lack of reactivity with ovine FSH and LH, PAP, RNase, and D‐Lys6‐GnRH.Results  Conjugates prepared using disulfide linkages were not stable in serum in vitro (half‐lives <10 min), whereas mb conjugates had half‐lives >2 hr. Clearance of mbGnRH‐PAP from the circulation of sheep was rapid (t1/2 <20 min).Conclusion  The assays were found to be specific, sensitive and accurate for measurement of GnRH‐toxin conjugates in vitro and in vivo.
Short‐term Cytolytic Mediators’ Expression in Decidual Lymphocytes is Enhanced by Interleukin‐15
Authors: Strbo Natasa , Laskarin Gordana , Crncic Tatjana Bogovic , Juretic Frankovic Koraljka , Bedenicki Ivica , Tokmadzic Vlatka Sotosek , Randic Ljiljana , Bouteiller Philippe Le , Tabiasco Julie , Podack Eckhard R. , Rukavina Daniel 
Published: February 2006

ProblemWe investigated whether decidual adherent cells (DAC) and interleukin (IL)‐15, in comparison to interleukin (IL)‐2 affect cytolytic potential of first trimester decidual lymphocytes (DL).Method of studyDecidual mononuclear cells were obtained by enzymatic digestion and density gradient centrifugation. Non‐adherent DL were collected after 2‐hr adherence and cultured for 18 or 72 hr with: IL‐15 (0.5–5 ng/mL), IL‐2 (100–1000 U/mL) or both of these cytokines, DAC (ratio 3:1 and 1:1) or DAC and anti‐IL‐15 antibody. Perforin, Fas ligand (FasL) and granzyme B were detected at mRNA level in indicated culture conditions. Cytolytic activity of DL against K‐562, P815 and P815‐Fas was measured by 2‐hr PKH‐26 cytotoxicity assay. The dynamics of perforin protein and mRNA expression were measured in DL after a contact with K‐562 targets.ResultsInterleukin‐15 enhanced perforin, FasL and granzyme B transcription after 18‐hr culture and prevented perforin protein downregulation, observed after DL culture. IL‐2 had similar effects. DAC sustained perforin expression in DL and anti‐IL‐15 monoclonal antibody abrogated this effect. DAC increased cytotoxicity of DL against K‐562 which was mediated by IL‐15.ConclusionInterleukin‐15, probably produced by DAC, upregulates cytolytic mediators’ expression and perforin‐mediated cytotoxicity of DL, with equal efficiency as high concentrations of IL‐2.
Elevation of Macrophage Colony‐Stimulating Factor in Amniotic Fluid at Late Stage of Normal Pregnancy
Authors: Hayashi Masatoshi , Hombo Yoshiyasu , Shibazaki Mitsuei , Nakajima Atsuko , Inaba Noriyuki 
Published: February 2006

ProblemMacrophage colony‐stimulating factor (M‐CSF) promotes placental growth and maintenance, and regulates trophoblast invasion into the placental bed. We evaluated whether the amniotic fluid M‐CSF levels at the late stage of normal pregnancy is altered compared with those at the middle stage.Method of studyThis study enrolled 52 subjects experiencing normotensive pregnancies with single fetuses, of whom 26 were women at the late stage (term gravidas) and 26 were women at the middle stage (controls). The average gestational age at entry was 38 weeks of gestation and 17 weeks, respectively. Amniotic fluid was collected from these subjects. Amniotic fluid M‐CSF levels were determined by the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay method then compared between term gravidas and controls.ResultsAmniotic fluid M‐CSF concentrations were 4815 pg/mL (median) in term gravidas and 3795 pg/mL in controls; the concentrations were significantly higher in term gravidas than in controls.ConclusionsWe demonstrated a significant increase in amniotic fluid M‐CSF levels in term gravidas. These results suggest that elevated levels of M‐CSF in amniotic fluid have an important immunological function in the maintenance of pregnancy and fetal growth.
High Levels of Peripheral Blood NK Cells in Women Suffering from Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion are Reverted from High‐Dose Intravenous Immunoglobulins
Authors: Perricone Roberto , Muzio Gioia Di , Perricone Carlo , Giacomelli Roberto , Nardo Domenico De , Fontana Luigi , Carolis Caterina De 
Published: February 2006

ProblemTo determine the levels of peripheral blood natural killer (NK) cells in healthy women and recurrent aborters, and the effect of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIGs) on these levels.Method of studyA total of 659 women were evaluated for NK cells by means of flow cytofluorimetry: 42 non‐pregnant healthy women, 394 non‐pregnant recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) women, 36 pregnant healthy women and 187 pregnant RSA women. Fifty‐four of the pregnant RSA women were treated with IVIG; in 18 of them NK cells were measured immediately before and after the very first IVIG infusion (0.5 g/kg body weight).ResultsBlood NK cell results were increased in RSA pregnant/non‐pregnant women, and significantly reduced by IVIG, even after the very first infusion. In RSA pregnant women treated by means of IVIG therapy, 92.3% success rate was observed.ConclusionsHigh levels of NK cells are detected in women affected by RSA. IVIGs are capable of decreasing them with a short‐ and long‐term efficacy, allowing having a very high success rate of pregnancies in RSA women.
Evidence for Expression of Both Classical and Non‐Classical Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Genes in Bovine Trophoblast Cells
Authors: Davies Christopher J. , Eldridge Jennifer A. , Fisher Patricia J. , Schlafer Donald H. 
Published: February 2006

ProblemDuring the third trimester of pregnancy bovine trophoblast cells in the interplacentomal and arcade regions of the placenta express major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC‐I) antigens. At parturition immunological recognition of MHC‐I antigens appears to contribute to normal placental release. Therefore, we hypothesized that during late pregnancy bovine trophoblast cells express polymorphic, classical MHC‐I antigens.Method of studyCloning, microarray screening and sequencing of cDNA were used to study transcription of MHC‐I genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and interplacentomal, trophoblast cells. Real‐time reverse transcription, polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) was used to compare the abundance of MHC‐I transcripts in PBMC and trophoblast cells.ResultsScreening of cloned MHC‐I cDNA on MHC‐I microarrays indicated that in PBMC 90–98% of MHC‐I transcripts were encoded by classical MHC‐I genes with the remainder encoded by non‐classical MHC‐I genes. In contrast, 21–66% of MHC‐I transcripts from interplacentomal trophoblast cells were from classical genes and 34–79% were from non‐classical genes. Transcripts from four non‐classical MHC‐I loci were identified by sequence analysis. Real‐time RT‐PCR indicated that the overall levels of MHC‐I gene expression in PBMC and trophoblast were similar.ConclusionBovine interplacentomal trophoblast cells express both classical and non‐classical MHC‐I genes, but the relative level of expression varies considerably.