bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Absence of hemochromatosis associated Cys282Tyr HFE gene mutation and low frequency of hemochromatosis phenotype in nonalcoholic chronic liver disease patients in India
Authors: THAKUR V , GUPTAN RC , HASHMI AZ , SAKHUJA P , MALHOTRA V , SARIN SK 
Published: December 2003

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Hereditary hemochromatosis (HHC) is an autosomal recessive disorder causing primary iron overload syndrome and chronic liver disease (CLD). This genetic disease is commonly associated with C282Y mutation of the HFE gene, commonly seen in the Northern European population. Minor reports on HHC are available from Asia, however, so far no genetic study is available from India. We prospectively studied the prevalence of C282Y mutation in CLD patients and healthy subjects in a tertiary care referral center in India.Methods:  A total of 249 consecutive biopsy proven CLD (HBV = 112, HCV = 72, cryptogenic = 65) patients and 134 age matched healthy controls were included. Cases of secondary iron overload, pregnancy, chronic alcoholism, age < 30 years and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were excluded. A transferrin saturation index (TSI) of >60% was suggestive of a phenotypic presentation of HHC. C282Y mutation was studied by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) using genomic DNA. The 387 bp fragment obtained after polymerase chain reaction was digested with 10 units of endonuclease Rsa1. The mutation was detected by creation of an additional restriction site, giving rise to fragments of 247 111 and 29 bp.Results:  While the mean TSI was comparable, serum ferritin was significantly higher in CLD patients compared to controls (38 ± 16%vs 28 ± 13%; p = not significant (NS), and 125 ± 18 vs 42 ± 25 ng/mL; p < 0.001). A TSI of >60% was detected in 24 (9.64%) patients. Only one restriction site was found for endonuclease Rsa1, giving rise to two fragments of 247 and 140 bp, suggesting absence of C282Y mutation in the HFE gene in all patients.Conclusions:  Almost 10% of nonalcoholic CLD patients in India have iron overload, but this is independent of C282Y mutation of the HFE gene. Large population based studies are recommended to investigate the prevalence of this rare disorder in India.
Three different subsite classification systems for carcinomas in the proximity of the GEJ, but is it all one disease?
Authors: DOLAN KEVIN , MORRIS ANTHONY I , GOSNEY JOHN R , FIELD JOHN K , SUTTON ROBERT 
Published: December 2003

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Currently there are three different subsite classification systems for carcinomas in the region of the gastroesophaeal junction (GEJ), namely ICD‐O, Munich and Liverpool. The aim of the present study was to compare clinicoepidemiological, pathological and molecular features of adenocarcinomas in the proximity of the GEJ, classified according to their position with respect to the GEJ initially, and then classified according to ICD‐O, Munich and Liverpool classifications.Methods:  Forty‐seven adenocarcinomas in the proximity of the GEJ were subdivided into groups 1 (exclusively within esophagus), 2 (mainly within esophagus but extending distally across GEJ), 3 (equally present in esophagus and stomach) or 4 (mainly in stomach but extending proximally across GEJ), and analysis of their clinicoepidemiological, pathological and molecular features was performed. Molecular characterization included loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and microsatellite instability analyses.Results:  Group 3 carcinomas were younger than other carcinomas in the proximity of the GEJ, but otherwise these carcinomas were similar in their clinicoepidemiological, pathological and molecular features. There were no significant differences between esophageal (groups 1 and 2) and gastric (groups 3 and 4) carcinomas as classified by ICD‐O. Munich types I (groups 1 and 2), II (group 3) and III (group 4) carcinomas of the GEJ were also similar. LOH at the site of the Rb tumor suppressor gene and at 17p11.1‐p12 was more common in GEJ (groups 2, 3 and 4) than lower third (group 1) esophageal carcinomas classified according to the Liverpool system.Conclusion:  Overall, adenocarcinomas of the lower esophagus and adenocarcinomas involving the GEJ have similar clinicoepidemiological, pathological and molecular features no matter which subsite classification is used, adding further evidence that they represent the same disease.
A prospective study of the effects of regular sports practice on mortality among the elderly in a rural community in Japan: An 8‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Kim Hunkyung , Suzuki Takao , Iwasa Hajime , Yoshida Hideyo 
Published: December 2003

Background: Regular exercise and sports practice are considered effective to maintain the health and quality of life of the elderly, and even to decrease mortality. The present study aimed to clarify the relation between regular sports practice and relatively long‐term mortality among the community‐dwelling elderly and to determine whether regular sports practice is an independent risk factor for all‐cause mortality.Methods: In  a population‐based prospective study, the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Longitudinal Interdisciplinary Study on Aging (TMIG‐LISA), 748 community‐dwelling persons aged 65 and older who participated in the baseline survey in August 1992 were followed annually for 8 years with respect to mortality.Results: Excluding 22 early deaths that occurred during the first two years of follow‐up, a total of 158 deaths (83 males and 75 females) were confirmed during the 8‐year follow‐up period. Univariate analysis showed that subjects practicing sports regularly a had significantly higher score for instrumental activities of daily living (I‐ADL), higher alcohol drinking rate, and faster usual walking speed (P < 0.001). To determine the independent risk factors for mortality, Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was conducted using sex, age, regular sports practicing habit, current smoking habit, current alcohol drinking habit, I‐ADL (from the subscale of TMIG‐Index of Competence), and usual walking speed. Regular sports practice did not reduce the risk of death, while sex (P < 0.001), age (P < 0.001), I‐ADL (P < 0.05), and usual walking speed (P < 0.001) were identified as significant independent predictors for all‐cause mortality among the elderly people living in the rural community.Conclusion: Regular sports practice has no significant effect on mortality; however, keeping a higher walking speed in daily life is a strongly relevant capability for regular sports practice and a significant predictor of prolonged active live expectancy.
Prevalence of depressive symptoms among the elderly: A longitudinal study
Authors: Niino Naoakira , Ihara Kazushige , Suzuki Takao , Shibata Hiroshi 
Published: December 2003

Aim:  Depression is a common psychiatric problem in late life. The purpose of the present study was to assess the prevalence of depressive symptoms among community‐dwelling elderly, both cross‐sectionally and longitudinally.Methods:  This study was a part of the community study in a large cohort of elderly people aged 65 and over in Nangai Village, Japan. Data on depressive symptoms from the fifth survey in 2000 were analyzed cross‐sectionally and also combined with data from the first survey in 1992 to assess aging and cohort effects. Depressive symptoms were measured by the short form of Geriatric Depression Scale.Results:  Among 1195 respondents at the fifth survey, the prevalence of depressive symptoms was 22.3%. In 457 subjects who responded at both surveys, mean depression score or prevalence of depressive symptoms tended to be higher at the fifth survey than at the first survey. The difference in prevalence between the first survey and the fifth survey among individuals of the same age groups was significant only in the oldest group (77 years and over).Conclusion:  Among Japanese community‐dwelling elderly people, aging effects on depressive symptoms were found, though marked cohort effects were not confirmed.
Effects of osteoporotic fractures on quality of life‐related variables in the community elderly in Japan: An 8‐year follow‐up study in TMIG‐LISA
Authors: Yoshida Hideyo , Suzuki Takao , Kim Hunkyung , Yukawa Harumi , Watanabe Shuichiro , Kumagai Shu , Shinkai Shoji , Ishizaki Tatsuro 
Published: December 2003

Background:  The purpose of this study was to investigate the long‐term influence of osteoporotic fractures on (1) self‐rated health (SRH); (2) instrumental activity of daily living (I‐ADL); and (3) state of depression, all of which are the major variables related to quality of life (QOL) in the elderly.Methods:  The subjects were 504 men and women who participated in the Longitudinal Interdisciplinary Study on Aging conducted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology (TMIG‐LISA) from 1992 to 2000. Among those interviewed, 50 participants (15 males and 35 females) who sustained fractures spontaneously or by minor trauma were diagnosed as having osteoporotic fractures.A nested case‐control (1 : 1) study with sex‐and age‐matched controls was conducted as statistical analysis to identify the effects of osteoporotic fractures on QOL‐related variables.Results:  For self‐rated health, the frequency of ‘poor’ self‐rated health increased significantly in the cases from 19.6% at baseline (1992) to 42.6% at the 8‐year follow‐up (2000). In the controls, there was no significant increase in frequency of ‘poor’ rating.The proportion of subjects with impaired I‐ADL during 8 years increased significantly in the cases from 12.0% in 1992 to 38.0% in 2000, and also in the controls from 14.0% in 1992 to 36.0% in 2000.The prevalence of depressive status increased in the cases from 32.6% to 50.0%. There was, however, no statistically significant difference between cases and controls.Conclusion:  The results suggest that osteoporotic fractures at any site are associated with serious and remarkable decline of overall QOL‐related variables among the community elderly.
Changes in TMIG‐Index of Competence by subscale in Japanese urban and rural community older populations: Six years prospective study
Authors: Fujiwara Yoshinori , Shinkai Shoji , Kumagai Shu , Amano Hidenori , Yoshida Yuko , Yoshida Hideyo , Kim Hunkyung , Suzuki Takao , Ishizaki Tatsuro , Watanabe Shuichiro , Haga Hiroshi , Shibata Hiroshi 
Published: December 2003

Objective:  To examine the longitudinal changes in higher‐level functional capacity in Japanese urban and rural community older populations.Design:  Population‐based cross‐sectional, and prospective cohort studies.Setting:  Koganei city in a suburb of Tokyo, and Nangai village, Akita Prefecture, Japan.Participants:  One thousand, five hundred and six older persons (793 in Koganei and 713 in Nangai) aged 65–83 years living at home.Main outcome measures:  Disability in Instrumental Self‐Maintenance (IADL), Intellectual Activity or Social Role, measured by the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence.Results:  At baseline, older men and women in the rural area, Nangai, had higher prevalence of disability in Intellectual Activity compared with respective counterparts in the urban area, Koganei. By contrast, disability in Social Role was more prevalent among elderly people in Koganei than in Nangai. In both areas older men and women had lowest prevalence of disability in IADL among three subscales. The six‐year longitudinal survey on older persons who had initially no disability in all three subscales demonstrated that in urban Koganei older persons were most likely to be disabled in Social Role with advancing age, followed in turn by Intellectual Activity and IADL. By contrast, elderly people in rural Nangai were most likely to be disabled in Intellectual Activity, followed by Social Role and instrumental ADL. The Cox‐proportional hazard model analysis for those who had no IADL disability at baseline revealed that the baseline level of Intellectual Activity or Social Role predicted significantly future onset of IADL disability in both areas even after controlling for sex, age, and chronic medical conditions.Conclusions:  In both urban and rural community older populations, disability in Social Role and Intellectual Activity preceded IADL disability, and predicted significantly the future onset of IADL disability.
Aging‐related changes of food intake in elderly subjects living in an urban community and relation with vital prognosis: Results of an 8‐year longitudinal study (TMIG‐LISA)
Authors: Yukawa Harumi , Suzuki Takao 
Published: December 2003

Purpose:  We conducted an 8‐year longitudinal study to investigate aging‐related changes in food and nutrient intake in a cohort of elderly subjects living in an urban community, and attempted to relate food intake with vital prognosis.Procedures:  The first (baseline) nutrition survey was conducted in 1991 on 161 subjects (72 males and 89 females; aged 65–79) living in Koganei City. The second nutrition survey was conducted 8 years later in 1999. Excluding death or illness, 98 subjects (61%) were available for follow‐up. Nutrition survey was conducted by a three‐day dietary record method with daily home visits by dieticians. Aging‐related changes in physical attributes, food intake, nutrient intake, and intake adequacy were analyzed. The relationship between nutrition intake and mortality was analyzed by Cox proportional hazard model.Results:  (i) Weight and body mass index in females decreased significantly accompanying aging. (ii) Among all food groups, consumption of fruits was significantly lowered in males and females. (iii) Significantly decreased intake of protein, fats, carbohydrate, iron, sodium was observed in females. (iv) No change in protein–fat–carbohydrate energy ratio was observed. (v) Nutrient intake was greater than the recommended dietary allowances at baseline and also eight years later. (vi) A significant correlation was observed between vegetable protein intake and vital prognosis in males.Conclusion:  In the present cohort, although nutrient and food intake changed with aging, nutrient intake was higher than the recommended dietary allowances. These results show that a ‘diet for healthy longevity’ is achieved by continuing to maintain the recommended dietary allowances despite age advancement.
Information content, audit reports and going‐concern: an Australian study
Authors: Bessell Max , Anandarajan Asokan , Umar Ahson 
Published: December 2003

AbstractResearch conducted on the information content of going concern ‘modified’ reports in the USA and UK indicates that a modified audit report does not appear to have information content to users if the going concern contingency is disclosed in the notes to the financial statements. In the present study, we provide evidence from Australia. We examine whether modification/qualification by an auditor in Australia (an ‘Emphasis of Matter’ and an ‘Except for’ report, respectively) has information content to a user. The results indicate that for a company in a state of financial distress, the modification, in either form, does not appear to significantly enhance either perceptions of risk or decision‐making.
Investment manager characteristics, strategy, top management changes and fund performance
Authors: Gallagher David R. 
Published: December 2003

AbstractThe present study examines the performance of Australian investment management organisations with direct reference to their specific characteristics and strategies employed. Using a unique information source, performance is evaluated for actively managed institutional balanced funds, Australian share funds and Australian bond funds. For balanced mandates, performance is evaluated with respect to the investment strategy adopted, the experience and qualifications held by investment professionals, and the tenure of the key investment professionals. The present study examines the performance of top management and the impact on returns when turnover arises. The research documents that a significant number of active Australian equity managers earned superior risk‐adjusted returns in the period, however, active managers perform in line with market indices for balanced funds and Australian bond funds. A number of manager characteristics are also found to predict risk‐adjusted returns, systematic risk and investment expenses for balanced funds.
The tick/volatility ratio as a determinant of the compass rose: empirical evidence from decimalisation on the NYSE
Authors: McKenzie Michael D. , Frino Alex 
Published: December 2003

AbstractRecent research suggests that volatility has an important role to play in the appearance of the compass rose pattern. The introduction of decimal prices on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) provides an ideal opportunity to test this hypothesis using actual market data. The empirical evidence presented in this paper suggests that the 85 per cent reduction in the tick/volatility ratio resulting from the decimalisation of prices was not sufficient to eliminate the compass rose pattern.
An analysis of the implications of diversity for students’ first level accounting performance
Authors: Rankin Michaela , Silvester Mark , Vallely Mark , Wyatt Anne 
Published: December 2003

AbstractThe present study investigates the impact of student diversity on performance of first‐year undergraduate accounting students. The paper is motivated by (i) increasing diversity amongst the accounting student cohort because of the trend to internationalise education services in industrialised countries; and (ii) inconsistent and inconclusive prior evidence on the determinants of accounting student performance. The major contribution of the present paper is to provide a theoretical framework from the published educational literature that can explain much of the variation in the findings of prior studies. We employ this framework to develop and test several propositions in relation to students’ prior content and metacognitive knowledge. The results indicate students studying on‐campus significantly outperform students studying by distance education. On average, international students studying on‐campus perform better than domestic students (studying either on‐ or off‐campus), with international students studying off‐campus performing worst of all. Prior high school accounting, tertiary entrance score and motivation (reflected by both major of study and tutorial attendance) also influence student performance.
Exchange Rates and Cohesion: Historical Perspectives and Political‐Economy Considerations
Authors: EICHENGREEN BARRY , LEBLANG DAVID 
Published: December 2003

AbstractWe consider the political economy of exchange rate choice and its implications for economic growth from an historical perspective. Previous studies have tended to find only a weak association between the choice of exchange rate regime on the one hand and growth and cohesion on the other. Our findings confirm this negative result, but then go on to explain it by showing that the implications of the exchange rate regime for growth and cohesion are context‐specific. They show that the choice of entry rate is important and that when the global monetary regime operates as an engine of deflation it is inadvisable for countries to link up to it. We draw out the implications of these findings for the debate over Britain and the euro.
Monetary Union and the Economic Geography of Europe
Authors: MIDELFART KAREN‐HELENE , OVERMAN HENRY G. , VENABLES ANTHONY J. 
Published: December 2003

AbstractMonetary union is likely to change the spatial structure of economic activity in the EU. This article reviews what is known about these effects and discusses the implications for EMU. We argue that EMU is likely to promote a modest increase in specialization amongst EU countries, although industry‐specific shocks are sufficiently small for this not to pose further difficulties for macroeconomic management. Improvements in market access are likely to raise income levels in insiders relative to outsiders. Taking a very long‐term view, the urban structure of the EU might be expected to become more polarized, developing a steeper size distribution.
Social Union, Convergence and Migration
Authors: SINN HANS‐WERNER , OCHEL WOLFGANG 
Published: December 2003

AbstractThe forces of the market and systems competition bring about economic and social convergence in Europe, and there is no need for social policies at the EU level. Social harmonization would distort migration flows and slow down the speed of economic convergence. National welfare states will be threatened by the free migration of people in Europe. The race to the bottom is a serious risk. However, to contain this risk, neither harmonization of welfare payments nor constraints on migration are needed. The adoption of the principle of selectively delayed integration is a better alternative.
Perceived flavour changes in blue mould cheese after tasting white wine‡
Authors: Nygren Ingemar T. , Gustafsson Inga‐Britt , Johansson Lisbeth 
Published: December 2003

AbstractThe object of this study was to evaluate by descriptive sensory analysis how prior tasting of dry white wine affects the sensory perception of blue mould cheese. Two blue mould cheeses, a Swedish one, Bredsjö Blå (Bredsjö Mjölkfår AB, Sweden), and a French one, Roquefort (Roquefort Société, France), were tasted in combination with five commercial dry white wines. Nine trained assessors assessed the cheeses and the wines in sequential order, with the cheese being assessed before and after tasting the wines. The main findings were that the most pronounced characteristics of the Bredsjö Blå, such as buttery and woolly flavours, and the saltiness and sour taste of the Roquefort, decreased after tasting dry white wine.
Quality changes during the storage of sous vide processed soybean sprouts soup
Authors: Koo Kyoung‐Mo , Lyu Eun Soon , Kim Jae Cherl , Lee Dong Sun , Paik Hyun‐Dong 
Published: December 2003

AbstractSoybean sprouts soup was made by mixing 100 g blanched soybean sprouts with 400 mL tap water containing 0.8% salt. The soup was vacuum packed in a plastic bag and cooked at 97°C with subsequent rapid cooling. Packaged samples were stored in a refrigerating chamber at 3 and 10°C. Sous vide (cook‐chill) soybean sprouts soup was evaluated for physicochemical quality changes and microbial safety during storage to examine the possibility of shelf‐life extension and industrial application. The physicochemical changes examined were colour, texture and concentration of ascorbic acid. More deterioration in the quality of the soybean sprouts soup was found when stored at 10°C than at 3°C. Initial numbers of aerobic, anaerobic and psychrophilic bacteria were high but those of heat resistant bacteria, yeast and molds were low in the raw soybean sprouts. Finally no microorganisms were detected after sous vide processing. The sous vide soybean sprouts soup received high scores in all sensory evaluations and did not differ significantly from the freshly cooked soup. We conclude that soybean sprouts soup prepared in the described manner may be stored for at least 6 days under chilled conditions and used by the food service industry with good quality characteristics.