bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intellectual capital system interaction in Taiwan
Authors: Tsan Wen‐Nan , Chang Chao‐Ching 
Published: May 2005

PurposeConfronted with the transformation of industrial economies, the Taiwanese information technology (IT) industry has to upgrade from production to innovation orientation. The paper seeks to explore what is the core competence of the Taiwanese IT industry. In brief, what kind of intellectual capital (IC) is embedded in the Taiwanese IT industry and how this IC is managed effectively. The point is to discover how the Taiwanese IT industry should start to accumulate or enhance the core resource and strategic capability for future competitive advantage.Design/methodology/approachThe study selected a relatively representative number of IT firms in Taiwan covering six industries. This study conducted a two‐stage survey to construct a measurement model and explored the IC profile of the Taiwanese IT industries.FindingsThis study was able to identify eight IC factors as a measuring model in exploring the IC profiles of four Taiwanese IT industries. The findings indicate the stronger IC in the Taiwanese IT industry as well as the weaker side.Research limitations/implicationsThe research was limited by the sample within the Taiwan information communications technology industries. It needs to be extended across further industries in the future. It should also be compared with other countries’ industrial IC under similar assessment and measurement. The significant differences between industries could be explored by case study methodology.Practical implicationsInnovation capability plays an important role in confronting the knowledge‐based economy in Taiwanese IT industries. However, there is no compelling evidence to show that investment in research and development will help to achieve the goal of establishing Taiwan as an “Asia Pacific Electronic Information Industry Resource Integration Center”.Originality/valueThis research indicates that the IC System Model developed would help us to identify the interactions among IC elements. It could help to explore whether it is true that, the higher the IC management, the higher is the influence from the input of IC to the output.
Cognitive Architecture, Concepts, and Introspection: An Information‐Theoretic Solution to the Problem of Phenomenal Consciousness
Authors: Aydede Murat , Güzeldere Güven 
Published: May 2005

AbstractThis essay is a sustained attempt to bring new light to some of the perennial problems in philosophy of mind surrounding phenomenal consciousness and introspection through developing an account of sensory and phenomenal concepts. Building on the information‐theoretic framework ofDretske (1981), we present an informational psychosemantics as it applies to what we callsensory concepts, concepts that apply, roughly, to so‐called secondary qualities of objects. We show that these concepts have a special informational character and semantic structure that closely tie them to the brain states realizing conscious qualitative experiences. We then develop an account of introspection which exploits this special nature of sensory concepts. The result is a new class of concepts, which, following recent terminology, we callphenomenal concepts: these concepts refer to phenomenal experience itself and are the vehicles used in introspection. On our account, the connection between sensory and phenomenal concepts is very tight: it consists in different semantic uses of the same cognitive structures underlying the sensory concepts, such as the concept of red. Contrary to widespread opinion, we show that information theory contains all the resources to satisfy internalist intuitions about phenomenal consciousness, while not offending externalist ones. A consequence of this account is that it explains and predicts the so‐called conceivability arguments against physicalism on the basis of the special nature of sensory and phenomenal concepts. Thus we not only show why physicalism is not threatened by such arguments, but also demonstrate its strength in virtue of its ability to predict and explain away such arguments in a principled way. However, we take the main contribution of this work to be what it provides in addition to a response to those conceivability arguments, namely, a substantive account of the interface between sensory and conceptual systems and the mechanisms of introspection as based on the special nature of the information flow between them.
Chronic sickle cell lung disease: new insights into the diagnosis, pathogenesis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Machado Roberto F. , Gladwin Mark T. 
Published: May 2005

SummaryPulmonary hypertension is a common complication of sickle cell disease (SCD). In spite of the mild elevations in pulmonary artery pressures in these patients, the associated morbidity and mortality is high. In fact, in adult patients with SCD, pulmonary hypertension is emerging as the major independent risk factor for death. The aetiology of pulmonary hypertension is probably multifactorial, including haemolysis, impaired nitric oxide bioavailability, chronic hypoxaemia, thromboembolism, parenchymal and vascular injury because of sequestration of sickle erythrocytes, chronic liver disease and asplenia. Interestingly, pulmonary hypertension is emerging as a common, and probably, invariant sequella of lifelong haemolytic anaemia in other hereditary and acquired haemolytic diseases, such as thalassaemia, stomatocytosis and spherocytosis. There are currently limited specific data on the effects of any treatment modality for pulmonary hypertension in patients with SCD. It is likely that maximization of SCD therapy, in all patients, and treatment with selective pulmonary vasodilators and antiproliferative agents, in patients with severe disease, would be beneficial. A large trial evaluating the effects of therapy for pulmonary hypertension in the SCD population is clearly indicated.
Expression of the Rho‐family GTPase gene RHOF in lymphocyte subsets and malignant lymphomas
Authors: Gouw Launce G. , Scott Reading N. , Jenson Stephen D. , Lim Megan S. , Elenitoba‐Johnson Kojo S. J. 
Published: May 2005

SummaryWe have studied the expression of RHOF, a member of the Rho‐GTPase family, in an array of lymphoid cells and tissues. Previous microarray studies demonstrated RHOF upregulation in a subset of transformed follicular lymphomas. Real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction evaluated RHOF expression in lymphocyte subpopulations, and normal and malignant lymphoid tissue. Cells and tissues of B‐cell origin expressed higher RHOF levels than their T‐cell counterparts. Neoplastic cells and tissues of B‐cell origin expressed higher levels of RHOF than their benign cellular counterparts. Relatively elevated levels of RHOF were seen in lymphomas derived from germinal centre origin.
Relevance of the criteria commonly used to diagnose myeloproliferative disorder in patients with splanchnic vein thrombosis
Authors: Chait Yasmine , Condat Bertrand , Cazals‐Hatem Dominique , Rufat Pierre , Atmani Sai , Chaoui Driss , Guilmin Françoise , Kiladjian Jean Jacques , Plessier Aurélie , Denninger Marie Hélène , Casadevall Nicole , Valla Dominique , Brière Jean B. 
Published: May 2005

SummaryMyeloproliferative disorders (MPD) are reported in 25–65% of patients with splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT). Diagnostic criteria for MPD have not been fully established in this context. Using clusters of abnormal megakaryocytes in bone marrow (BM) biopsy as a reference standard for Philadelphia negative MPD, we assessed the relevance of other criteria currently recommended for the diagnosis of MPD in SVT (128 consecutive SVT patients). First, usual criteria were compared with BM results: endogenous erythroid colony formation (EEC) was strongly correlated with BM results; splenomegaly, blood cell count, total red cell volume, erythropoietin level and cytogenetic were much less accurate. Then, patients were assigned to three groups according to the combination of BM and EEC findings (group I: both present; group II: both absent; group III: other patients); clinical presentation and outcome were compared in each group. At a mean follow‐up of 6·09 ± 6·6 years, progression to a severe form of MPD occurred in 7 of 31 group I patients (23%), in 1 of 34 group III patients (3%) and 0 of 63 group II patients. The combination of marked splenomegaly and platelet count >200 × 109/l was restricted to groups I and III. In conclusion, in patients with SVT, BM findings and EEC allowed the diagnosis of MPD at risk of aggravation. Marked splenomegaly in association with platelet counts >200 × 109/l constitute a simple index with high specificity but low sensitivity.
Isolates of Trichuris muris elicit different adaptive immune responses in their murine host
Authors: Johnston C. E. , Bradley J. E. , Behnke J. M. , Matthews K. R. , Else K. J. 
Published: May 2005

SUMMARY The J and S isolates of Trichuris muris have different infection profiles in C57BL/6 mice; J worms are expelled, S worms survive to chronicity. Building on this, the ability of the J and S isolates to survive, and the quality of the immune response induced was explored in three different strains of mouse. The resistant BALB/c mouse mounted a strong Th2 response against both isolates, which were quickly expelled. The susceptible AKR host mounted a Th1 response and retained both isolates. Despite equivalent worm exposure, mesenteric lymph node cells from AKR mice infected with the S isolate produced significantly higher levels of IL‐12 and the intestinal mastocytosis was reduced. IgG1 and IgG2a from S‐infected AKR mice recognized low molecular weight antigens not recognized by J‐infected mice. Differential expulsion kinetics was observed in the slower‐responding C57BL/6 strain; J worms were expelled but S isolate worms were retained. Survival of the S isolate was again associated with elevated IL‐12 and decreased Th2 responses. In resistant mouse strains, the outcome of infection is thus dominantly influenced by host genetics. However, in the slower‐responding host, isolate‐derived factors may play a role in shaping the quality of the adaptive immune response, thus influencing parasite survival.
Determinants of immunodiagnostic success in human ocular toxoplasmosis
Authors: Garweg J. G. 
Published: May 2005

SUMMARYOcular toxoplasmosis is a local manifestation of systemic infection in whichToxoplasmaspreads into the eye, affecting mainly the posterior segment of the eye. Reactivation of the initial retinal condition presumably results from the rupture of quiescent parasitic cysts lying adjacent to pre‐existing scars and may secondarily involve the choroid (leading to retinochoroiditis). Although the molecular mechanisms underlying host–parasite interaction are largely unknown, toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis usually remains a local event, and does not necessarily evoke a detectable systemic immune response. Local immunotolerance mechanisms may likewise confound attempts to confirm the clinical diagnosis by serology. Aqueous humour may be analysed for the presence of parasite DNA or of specific antibodies, but the DNA burden therein is low, and a more definite confirmation would require risky puncturing of the vitreous. Laboratory confirmation of the diagnosis is also frustrated by marked individual differences in the time elapsing between the onset of clinical symptoms and the activation of specific antibody production, resulting in a high proportion of false negative results. Whether a delay in the onset of local specific antibody production reflects immunotolerance in cases of congenital – but not obviously in those of acquired – infection remains an open question, but it could account for a relatively low confirmation rate in laboratory tests for local antibody production. Against this background, current diagnostic strategies need to be re‐evaluated with a view to future improvements.
Polymorphism of tandem repeat in promoter of 5‐lipoxygenase in ASA‐intolerant asthma: a positive association with airway hyperresponsiveness
Authors: Kim S.‐H. , Bae J.‐S. , Suh C.‐H. , Nahm D.‐H. , Holloway J. W. , Park H.‐S. 
Published: May 2005

Background:  5‐Lipooxygenase (ALOX5) and 5‐lipoxygenase‐activating protein (ALOX5AP) are known as key enzymes in cysteinyl‐leukotriene (cys‐LT) production, critical mediators in aspirin acetylsalicyclic acid (ASA)‐intolerant asthma (AIA). To date, studies of the promoter region of ALOX5 gene has revealed the potential influence of a variable number of tandem repeats of a Sp1‐ and Egr1‐binding motif, on the transcription rate.Methods:  To understand the pathological process that arises from cys‐LT overproduction in AIA, we genotyped ALOX5 Sp1 and ALOX5AP poly(A) repeat promoter polymorphism by fluorescent‐based capillary electrophoresis in the Korean population.Results:  No significant differences in allele and genotype frequencies of the ALOX5 and ALOX5AP promoter polymorphisms were observed between the three groups. However, there was a strong association of the ALOX5 Sp1 repeat polymorphism with airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR; PC20 methacholine); AIA patients carrying a mutant allele (n > 5 or n < 5 repeats) showed increased AHR compared to AIA patients with wild‐type genotype (P = 0.003).Conclusion:  Although the alleles of the ALOX5 and ALOX5AP promoter cannot be considered as a prominent risk factor in the development of AIA, the genetic variant of tandem repeat (GGGCGG; Sp1‐binding motif) in ALOX5 promoter is associated with the severity of airway hyperresponsiveness in AIA patients.
Epsilon germ‐line and IL‐4 transcripts are expressed in human intestinal mucosa and enhanced in patients with food allergy
Authors: Coëffier M. , Lorentz A. , Manns M. P. , Bischoff S. C. 
Published: May 2005

Background:  The mechanisms of gastrointestinal (GI) food allergy (FA) are poorly understood. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is increased in stools from patients with FA, as well as the number of cells carrying IgE in intestinal mucosa, but the origin of IgE production remains unknown. To investigate a local production of IgE in intestine, we analysed the levels of transcripts for epsilon germ‐line (εGT), and potential regulators of IgE production, IL‐4, IL‐13, IFN‐γ, IL‐4Rα, STAT6 and FcεRIα in intestinal mucosa of adult patients with FA.Methods:  Endoscopic biopsies were obtained from the caecum of 25 patients with FA and 14 control patients. The levels of εGT, IL‐4, IL‐13, IFN‐γ, IL‐4Rα, STAT6 and FcεRIα mRNA were analysed by real‐time RT‐PCR and compared with unpaired nonparametric Mann–Whitney test.Results:  The mean εGT transcript level in caecum was increased in FA patients compared with control patients (P < 0.05). IL‐4 mRNA expression was also increased in FA patients (P < 0.05), whereas mRNA expression for IL‐13, IFN‐γ, IL‐4Rα, STAT6 and FcεRIα mRNA expression was not altered. However, the ratio of IL‐4 mRNA/IFN‐γ mRNA was significantly increased in FA patients (P < 0.05). No correlation was observed between εGT transcripts expression in intestinal mucosa and total IgE levels in serum.Conclusions:  This study shows that (i) εGT transcripts are expressed in human intestinal mucosa; (ii) εGT and IL‐4 transcripts are increased in caecal mucosa from patients with FA. These results suggest local production of IgE in intestine that might be of importance for inflammatory reactions in the GI tract.
Efficacy and safety of preseasonal‐specific immunotherapy with an aluminium‐adsorbed six‐grass pollen allergoid
Authors: Corrigan C. J. ,   the Study Group, Kettner J. , Doemer C. , Cromwell O. , Narkus A. 
Published: May 2005

Background:  The clinical efficacy and safety of a six‐grass pollen allergoid has been studied. The advent of more exacting clinical guidelines and a better appreciation of the possible mechanisms of treatment prompted this reappraisal.Methods:  A 2‐year double‐blind multicentre placebo‐controlled phase 3 clinical trial was undertaken in 154 patients suffering symptoms of rhinoconjunctivitis with or without asthma (GINA I or II). Therapy comprised two consecutive preseasonal short‐courses of subcutaneous injections using a grass pollen allergoid adsorbed to aluminium hydroxide.Results:  A combined symptom and medication score (SMS) was used as the primary end‐point for clinical efficacy. SMS from the first year showed a significant difference of 26.6% between the two study groups (P = 0.026) and this was improved after the second year when there was a 48.4% difference in SMS between active and placebo treatment in favour of the allergoid (P = 0.018). Highly significant increases in grass pollen allergen‐specific IgG1 and IgG4 antibody concentrations were measured in association with active treatment. Allergen tolerance was increased as judged by a conjunctival provocation test and significant improvements in quality of life were documented using a standardized questionnaire. The allergoid was well tolerated.Conclusions:  The grass pollen allergoid was shown to be safe and clinically efficacious in the management of hay fever with or without asthma (GINA I or II).
Costs associated with persistent allergic rhinitis are reduced by levocetirizine
Authors: Bousquet J. , Demarteau N. , Mullol J. , van den Akker‐van Marle M. E. , Van Ganse E. , Bachert C. ,   for the XPERT study group
Published: May 2005

Background: Allergic rhinitis was recently classified by the ARIA guidelines as persistent or intermittent. Levocetirizine was shown to improve symptoms and health‐related quality of life of patients with persistent allergic rhinitis in the XPERTTMstudy, a 6‐month randomized double blind placebo‐controlled trial.Objective: To assess the total costs of persistent allergic rhinitis, and the effect of long‐term treatment with levocetirizine on these costs from several perspectives (societal, social security system, and employers).Methods: Direct medical cost parameters (medications, physician visits and hospitalizations) and time lost parameters (workdays and Usual Daily Activities (UDA) lost) related to persistent allergic rhinitis and its comorbidities (asthma, sinusitis, otitis and upper respiratory infection) were measured. A cost analysis was performed using 2002 French costing data.Results: From a societal perspective, the total cost of persistent allergic rhinitis without long‐term treatment was estimated at €355.06/patient/month. From a social security perspective, levocetirizine treatment yielded an additional cost of €2.78/patient/month, compared to no‐treatment. However, levocetirizine reduced the total cost of persistent allergic rhinitis and its comorbidities by €152.93/patient/month from a societal perspective and by €64.70/patient/month from an employer perspective. Most gains resulted from a decrease in the lost workdays and UDA in the levocetirizine group.Conclusion: The cost of persistent allergic rhinitis is substantial. Treatment with levocetirizine reduces the cost of persistent allergic rhinitis and its comorbidities to the society by €152.93/patient/month while improving symptoms and health‐related quality of life.
The Effect on Pregnancy Rate of Progesterone Administration after Manual Reduction of Twin Embryos in Dairy Cattle
Authors: López‐Gatius F. 
Published: May 2005

SummaryTwin pregnancies are undesirable in dairy cattle as they increase the risk of abortion and have many negative effects on the profitability of the herd. The purpose of this study was to evaluate manual reduction of a twin embryo in dairy cows bearing unilateral twins. On day 34 of gestation, 33 cows were assigned to one of three treatment groups (n = 11 for each group): untreated cows (group control), amnion rupture (group AR), and amnion rupture plus treatment (intravaginal progesterone for 28 days) (group ART). A significantly higher (P = 0.0001) pregnancy loss rate was recorded in the AR group (100%, 11/11), than in the ART (54.5%, 6/11) and control (27.3%, 3/11) groups. In the ART group, one embryo survived amnion rupture and the cow bearing it had twins at parturition, while the remaining four cows delivered singletons. Our results suggest that the procedure of rupturing the amnion with progesterone supplementation may provide a satisfactory way for twin reduction in dairy cattle.
Effects of Low‐dose Dexamethasone on Thymus Morphology and Immunological Parameters in Veal Calves
Authors: Biolatti B. , Bollo E. , Cannizzo F. T. , Zancanaro G. , Tarantola M. , Dacasto M. , Cantiello M. , Carletti M. , Biolatti P. G. , Barbarino G. 
Published: May 2005

SummaryGlucocorticoids are often illegally used in association with anabolic steroids as growth promoters in veal calves and beef production. An experimental administration of dexamethasone was carried out in veal calves in order to assess the role of low doses of exogenous glucocorticoids on induction of thymus atrophy and on the immune response. Three groups of five veal calves each were included in this study: group D was administered 0.4 mg/day of dexamethasone‐21‐phosphateper osfor 25 days; group V was administered 2 mg of dexamethasone‐21‐isonicotinate i.m. at days 14 and 21, and group K served as control. At slaughter, the weight of the thymus was severely reduced in group D and in group V, compared with control animals. Lesions included severe lymphoid depletion and hyperplasia of adipose tissue.In situevaluation of apoptosis in thymus, showed a reduction of the percentage of positive nuclear areas of animals belonging to group V in comparison with control animals. An overall decrease of lymphocyte proliferative response was detected after treatment with short acting dexamethasone, while antibody response was not affected by treatments.
Apolipoprotein E genotype in the subarachnoid hemorrhage population
Authors: Alexander S , Kerr M , Conley YP , Kong Y , Yonas H 
Published: May 2005

INTRODUCTIONThe APOE4 allele has been associated with poor outcomes after acute neurologic injury. The purposes of this study are to describe (1) the APOE4 allele distribution in this population and (2) the relationship between APOE4 allele presence and outcomes.METHODSInclusion criteria were: individuals age 18–75 with severe aneurysmal SAH and a CSF drainage system. Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) was at 3, 6, and 12 months.RESULTSOf the 87 subjects in this study, 21 (24.1%) had an APOE4 allele. Trends indicated that subjects with an APOE4 allele had less severe hemorrhage and better outcomes.CONCLUSIONSThe association between APOE å4 allele and outcome after SAH in this population appears to be opposite of that represented in the literature.