bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gender in the African Diaspora: Electronic Research Materials
Authors: Manning Patrick 
Published: January 2004

AbstractElectronic resources, especially the World Wide Web, present important advantages for gendered analysis of the African Diaspora. For topics ranging from patterns of enslavement to current educational issues, this review emphasises the possibilities for crossing regional and linguistic boundaries in gender studies through use of the Internet. With citation of numerous websites and other resources, the essay identifies research issues, discusses research techniques, notes various forms of electronic publication and provides examples of searching electronically for different kinds of information.
Production of a new model of slowly progressive Heymann nephritis
Authors: Barabas Arpad Z. , Cole Chad D. , Barabas Arpad D. , Lafreniere Rene 
Published: January 2004

Summary.  A slowly progressive autoimmune kidney disease was induced in Sprague Dawley rats by subcutaneous injection of a chemically modified kidney antigen (rKF3), incorporated into Alum and Distemper complex vaccine, followed by subcutaneous injections of an aqueous preparation of the same antigen. Pathogenic autoantibodies developed, which reacted with fixed glomerular nephritogenic antigen. Subsequently, immunopathological events lead to chronic progressive immune complex glomerulonephritis and proteinuria.The slowly developing disease was morphologically and functionally similar to Heymann nephritis (HN). The damage observed in the kidneys of experimental animals at 8 weeks and at the end of the experiment was examined by direct fluorescent antibody test, histology and electron microscopy. The changes were similar to the typical lesions found in HN rat kidneys, but less severe. Animals became proteinuric from 17 weeks onward (instead of the usual 4–8 weeks). By the end of the experiment, at 8 months, 100% of the rats were proteinuric. This new experimental model of autoimmune kidney disease, which is not complicated by intraperitoneal deposition and retention of Freund's complete adjuvant and renal tubular antigens, allowed us to investigate the pathogenesis of the disease processes from a different aspect, and promises to be a useful and improved model for the investigation of future treatment options.
Role of endoscopic ultrasonography in diseases of the extrahepatic biliary system
Authors: YUSUF TONY E , BHUTANI MANOOP S 
Published: January 2004

AbstractEndoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is one of the most recent advances in gastrointestinal endoscopy. Available EUS devices include echoendoscopes, such as radial scanning and linear array echoendoscopes, and catheter ultrasound probes. Endoscopic ultrasonography has various applications, such as staging of gastrointestinal malignancy, evaluation of submucosal tumors, and has grown to be an important modality in evaluating the pancreaticobiliary system. With regard to the biliary system, EUS is useful for the detection and staging of ampullary tumors, detection of microlithiasis and choledocholithiasis and evaluation of benign and malignant bile‐duct strictures. Endoscopic ultrasonography may be used as an adjunct to transabdominal ultrasound for the detection and characterization of gallbladder polyps. In addition, EUS is helpful in the staging of gallbladder cancer as well as in diagnosing anomalous pancreaticobiliary junction with its associated pancreatobiliary diseases. The present paper reviews the current applications of EUS for imaging and intervention in diseases of the extrahepatic biliary system.© 2004 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Ingestion of resistant starch protects endotoxin influx from the intestinal tract and reduces D‐galactosamine‐induced liver injury in rats
Authors: MORITA TATSUYA , TANABE HIROKI , TAKAHASHI KOJI , SUGIYAMA KIMIO 
Published: January 2004

AbstractBackground and Aims:  The aim of the present study was to examine the protective effect of a dietary high‐amylose cornstarch (HAS) against D‐galactosamine (D‐GalN)‐induced liver injury, focusing specifically on intestinal endotoxin translocation.Methods:  Male Wistar rats fed a HAS‐free basal diet or a 30% HAS‐supplemented diet were injected intraperitoneally with D‐GalN. Serum transaminase activities, serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, and portal venous endotoxin concentrations were determined at various time points. Ileal mucosal proliferation, small intestinal immunoglobulin (Ig)A and mucin, and the size of the cecal short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA) pool were also determined.Results:  High‐amylose cornstarch ingestion significantly reduced the increase in serum transaminase activities at 22 h after the injection of D‐GalN. Rats fed the HAS diet showed a greater cecal SCFA production as measured by pool size than those fed the basal diet. Luminal IgA and mucin content were significantly greater in rats fed the HAS diet. Protein, DNA and RNA contents in the ileal mucosa were also higher in rats fed the 30% HAS diet. In a further experiment, portal venous endotoxin concentrations in rats fed the basal diet reached 72 ng/L at 4 h after D‐GalN administration, but endotoxin was not detected in rats fed the HAS diet. At this time, portal endotoxin concentrations were significantly and positively correlated with the serum concentrations of TNF‐α and serum alanine aminotransferase activities.Conclusion:  These data support the view that HAS ingestion may reduce D‐GalN‐induced liver injury as a result of an inhibitory effect on endotoxin influx from the intestinal tract, at least in part as a result of alterations in the mucosal barrier functions.© 2004 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Immunoactivative role of indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase in human hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: ISHIO TETSUYA , GOTO SHIGERU , TAHARA KOUICHIROU , TONE SHIGENOBU , KAWANO KATSUNORI , KITANO SEIGO 
Published: January 2004

AbstractBackground:  Indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO) is a tryptophan catabolic enzyme. Recent studies have focused on the immunoregulatory role of IDO in mononuclear cells. The role of IDO in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines and HCC patients was examined.Methods:  The expression of IDO mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) cocultured with HCC cell lines was detected by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). The cytotoxicity of PBMC against HCC cell lines cultured with and without IDO inhibitor was examined by sodium 51chromate release assay. In the tumor portion of 21 HCC patients, the expression of mRNA of IDO, tryptophan 2,3‐dioxygenase and some cytokines was detected by RT‐PCR. The expression and distribution of IDO protein in HCC specimens was analyzed by immunohistochemistry.Results:  The IDO mRNA was strongly induced in PBMC cocultured with HepG2 and PLC/PRF/5 and faintly induced in PBMC cocultured with Hep3B and HuH7. The cytotoxicity of PBMC against HCC cell lines was directly proportional to the level of expression of IDO mRNA and reduced by IDO inhibitor. The expression of IDO mRNA in the tumor portion was detected in 12 out of 21 HCC patients. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the IDO‐positive cells were identified to be tumor‐infiltrating cells, not tumor cells. The IDO mRNA correlated significantly with gene expression of interferon‐γ, tumor necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐1β. The recurrence‐free survival rate of IDO‐positive HCC patients was significantly higher than that of IDO‐negative HCC patients (P < 0.05).Conclusions:  These results suggest that IDO is a necessary enzyme for anticancer immune reactions of tumor‐infiltrating cells.© 2004 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein expression in hepatocellular carcinoma and the cirrhotic liver
Authors: XIAO YI , KLEEFF JÖRG , GUO JUNCHAO , GAZDHAR AMIQ , LIAO QUAN , DI CESARE PAUL E , Büchler Markus W , FRIESS HELMUT 
Published: January 2004

AbstractBackground:  Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) is the fifth member of the thrombospondin family of extracellular, calcium‐binding proteins. It was initially isolated and characterized in cartilage tissue, where it is thought to contribute to the extracellular matrix composition and cell–extracellular matrix interaction. In the present study the expression of COMP was investigated in normal liver (n = 19), liver cirrhosis (n = 14) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC; n = 16) tissues, both at the mRNA and protein level.Methods and Results:  By northern blot and western blot analysis, COMP was absent or rarely expressed in the normal liver and liver cirrhosis tissues, but significantly overexpressed in HCC tissue samples. The COMP mRNA overexpression in HCC was not related to the clinical stage or tumor grade. By in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry analysis, COMP mRNA and protein expression were localized within the cytoplasm of the tumor cells.Conclusion:  COMP is highly expressed within the tumor cells of HCC, suggesting that COMP might play a role in the pathophysiology of this disease.© 2004 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Surveillance for newly acquired hepatitis C in Australia
Authors: ROBOTIN MONICA C , COPLAND JOY , TALLIS GRAHAM , COLEMAN DAVID , GIELE CAROLIEN , CARTER LOUISE , SPENCER JENEAN , KALDOR JOHN M , DORE GREGORY J 
Published: January 2004

AbstractBackground:  The purpose of the present paper was to determine recent patterns of hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission in Australia through a national system of enhanced surveillance of newly acquired hepatitis C.Methods:  Demographic, clinical, and risk behavior information on newly acquired hepatitis C cases from 1997 to 2000 was collected. Newly acquired hepatitis C included cases of HCV antibody sero‐conversion within a 12 month period and acute clinical hepatitis C cases.Results:  Nine hundred and twelve cases of newly acquired hepatitis C were identified, representing 2.8% of all HCV notifications for this period. The majority of cases (72%) were diagnosed in people aged between 20 and 39 years. Injecting drug use was reported in the vast majority of cases (93%), with sexual transmission (2%) and tattooing (2%) reported in small numbers. HCV antibody sero‐conversion was the mode of diagnosis in most cases (78%).Conclusions:  Injecting drug use is the main route of HCV transmission in Australia. As only a small proportion of HCV infections are detected as newly acquired, enhanced surveillance procedures, including increased regular HCV testing of at‐risk populations are required to more effectively monitor recent patterns of transmission.© 2004 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Intestinal inflammation alters the susceptibility to pentylenetetrazole‐induced seizure in mice
Authors: RIAZI KIARASH , HONAR HOOMAN , HOMAYOUN HOUMAN , DEMEHRI SHADPOUR , BAHADORI MOSLEM , DEHPOUR AHMAD REZA 
Published: January 2004

AbstractBackground:  Inflammatory bowel disorders are associated with increased incidence of seizures. Alteration in the endogenous opioid system and overproduction of nitric oxide have been implicated in colitis. The possible contribution of opioid receptors and nitric oxide to increased seizure susceptibility was examined in a putative model of intestinal inflammation.Methods:  The alterations in clonic seizure threshold, induced by pentylenetetrazole, following the induction of intestinal inflammation by the administration of two consecutive daily oral doses of croton oil, was evaluated in mice. This model was used to evaluate the effects of pretreatment with opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone (10 mg/kg, once daily for 4 days or a single dose on the test day), non‐specific nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (10 mg/kg, once daily), and specific inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor aminoguanidine (100 mg/kg, once daily) on seizure threshold in intestinal inflammation.Results:  A significant decrease in clonic seizure threshold was observed in mice with intestinal inflammation compared to the control group. Chronic pretreatment with naltrexone per se did not cause any significant change in seizure threshold, but it significantly restored the threshold in croton oil‐treated mice to that of the control animals. However, acute naltrexone pretreatment (on the test day) could not restore the decreased seizure threshold to control level. Chronic pretreatment with neither NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester nor aminoguanidine altered the seizure threshold in the control animals and in mice treated with croton oil.Conclusions:  Experimental croton oil‐induced intestinal inflammation leads to a proconvulsant effect, which may have clinical relevance. Chronic alterations mediated by endogenous opioids may be involved in this process, though a direct opioid‐receptor‐mediated effect is unlikely. Nitric oxide synthesis, via constitutive or inducible pathways, is not involved in this increased susceptibility.© 2004 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Gastroesophageal reflux disease related to diabetes: Analysis of 241 cases with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: NISHIDA TSUTOMU , TSUJI SHINGO , TSUJII MASAHIKO , ARIMITSU SHOKO , SATO TOMONOBU , HARUNA YOSHIMICHI , MIYAMOTO TAKASHI , KANDA TSUTOMU , KAWANO SUNAO , HORI MASATSUGU 
Published: January 2004

AbstractBackground and Aim:  We examined the incidence of symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).Methods:  Patients comprised those with DM or chronic hepatitis C (CHC) who visited Osaka Prefectural General Hospital in the same study period. Reflux symptoms were examined using a self‐administered questionnaire. A total score of 4 or more was considered an indication of symptomatic GERD. Disease duration, hemoglobinA1c and diabetic complications were assessed.Results:  Patients with DM (n = 241) or CHC (n = 42) were recruited for the study. Of the 241 patients with DM, 100 (41.5%) reported experiencing upper gastrointestinal symptoms, whereas only 9 of 42 (21.4%) patients with CHC reported upper gastrointestinal symptoms (P = 0.0137). Sixty‐one patients (25.3%) with DM had reflux symptoms but only four patients (9.5%) with CHC reported reflux symptoms. The incidence of symptomatic GERD was significantly higher in patients with DM than in those with CHC (P = 0.0219). Patients with DM for less than 5 years had a 2.4‐fold higher incidence of GERD than patients with CHC. The incidence tended to rise with increased disease duration. Patients with diabetic complications reported reflux symptoms more frequently. The incidence decreased, however, in DM patients who had these conditions for more than 16 years.Conclusions:  Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for symptomatic GERD. In DM patients, use of oral hypoglycemic agents, body mass index, disease duration and the quality of diabetic control influenced the incidence of GERD.© 2004 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Can somatostatin prevent post‐ERCP pancreatitis? Results of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: ARVANITIDIS DIMITRIOS , ANAGNOSTOPOULOS GEORGE K , GIANNOPOULOS DIMITRIOS , PANTES ATHANASIOS , AGARITSI ROXANNE , MARGANTINIS GEORGE , TSIAKOS STAVROS , SAKORAFAS GEORGE , KOSTOPOULOS PANAGIOTIS 
Published: January 2004

AbstractBackground:  Acute pancreatitis is the most common complication of endoscopic retrogade cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), occurring in 1–10% of patients. Several substances have been used, with negative results, in an attempt to prevent this complication.Methods:  We performed a double‐blind randomized trial in 372 consecutive patients undergoing diagnostic or therapeutic ERCP to evaluate the role of somatostatin in preventing post‐ERCP pancreatitis. The first group received continuous somatostatin infusion for 12 h starting 30 min before ERCP, the second group received a bolus intravenous injection of somatostatin at the time of cannulation of the papilla, and the third group received a placebo.Results:  Two patients in each of the somatostatin groups (1.7%) and 12 patients in the placebo group (9.8%) developed pancreatitis (P < 0.05). Serum amylase levels 5 and 24 h after the procedure were lower in both groups that received somatostatin than in the placebo group (P < 0.05).Conclusion:  Somatostatin is useful in preventing post‐ERCP pancreatitis. Further studies must be designed to investigate the cost‐effectiveness of the drug and to determine the ideal administration route and dosage.© 2004 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on gastroesophageal function
Authors: TANAKA IZUMI , TATSUMI YOSHIHIDE , KODAMA TADASHI , KATO KEIMEI , FUJITA SHINYA , MITSUFUJI SHOJI , KASHIMA KEI 
Published: January 2004

AbstractBackground:  To elucidate the cause of possible occurrence of reflux esophagitis after Helicobacter pylori eradication, gastric and esophageal function among H. pylori infected Japanese patients were evaluated both before and after eradication therapy.Methods:  Nine H. pylori‐positive patients were studied before and 6 months after successful H. pylori eradication. Studies included gastric emptying, esophageal manometry, gastric and esophageal pH monitoring as well as measuring serum levels of gastrin, pepsinogen I and pepsinogen II.Results:  Helicobacter pylori eradication was associated with a significant change in serum gastrin and pepsinogen levels, consistent with the improvement in mucosal inflammation. There was no significant change in gastric emptying, fasting or postprandial lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure, esophageal primary peristaltic contractions, frequency of transient LES relaxation, or gastroesophageal reflux, as assessed by 24 h pH monitoring. The percent time of the gastric pH >4 at night decreased significantly. A 41‐year‐old male developed erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (Los Angeles Classification Grade A) after eradication. Physiological studies showed he had abnormal esophageal motility prior to H. pylori eradication.Conclusions:  With the exception of gastric pH at night, most patients did not experience a significant change in gastric or esophageal function after H. pylori eradication. Development of GERD post H. pylori eradication likely reflects an increase in the acidity of the refluxate superimposed on pre‐existing abnormalities in gastroesophageal motility.© 2004 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
Giant liver hemangioma in three sisters
Authors: ADMIRAAL GC , VAN SCHIE A , VAN MEYEL JJM , VASMEL WLE 
Published: January 2004

Abstract  We describe a patient, in whom giant liver hemangioma (GLH) was found by ultrasound study in screening for hypertension. Two of her sisters also had GLH. One of them had become symptomatic and the hemangioma was successfully removed. The other sisters were carefully watched. Our patient didn’t need any intervention in 4 years of follow‐up. The pathogenesis of GLH is still unknown. Recent investigations show a role of the TIE receptor/angiopoietine system in vascular malformations. In literature we only found two other reports about a familial occurrence of liver hemangiomas. A genetic defect in familial GLH has not yet been identified.© 2004 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd
The Bernanke and Blinder Model in an Open Economy: The Italyn Case
Authors: Chiades Paolo , Gambacorta Leonardo 
Published: January 2004

AbstractThis paper analyzes the functioning of monetary policy transmission mechanisms in Italy from 1984 to 1998, highlighting the role performed by the credit system. We extend the Bernanke and Blinder model (1988) to the case of an open economy under a quasi-fixed exchange rate regime, deriving analytically the conditions for the functioning of the three monetary policy channels generally identified in the literature (‘money’, ‘exchange rate’ and ‘credit’). These conditions explain the partial effectiveness of monetary policy in achieving price and income targets, while maintaining external equilibrium. By means of a structural VECM analysis, we evaluate the effectiveness of the transmission of monetary policy through the three channels.
Convergence in Structure and Productivity in European Manufacturing?
Authors: Gugler Klaus , Pfaffermayr Michael 
Published: January 2004

Abstract
We find fast convergence in productivity for 99 three-digit European industries over the 1985-98 period. Half of any productivity gap is closed on average in about 10-15 years. We explicitly formulate the steady-state assumptions for structural convergence to hold. Convergence in industrial structure is much slower than productivity catch-up with a half-life of around 50 years, a stylized fact which cannot easily be explained by the existing models of trade and growth.
Pitfalls in Restructuring the Electricity Industry
Authors: Meran Georg , Schwarze Reimund 
Published: January 2004

Abstract
This paper models some reductions in output that may follow the opening of electricity markets to competition. Specifically, we show that vertical separation of electricity generation, transmission and distribution could reduce welfare compared to the previous system of vertically integrated monopoly, if grid owners can act as monopolistic retailers or, alternatively, set access prices that maximize merchandizing surplus. Moreover, we show that a rule of non-discriminatory pricing would not remedy any of these problems. Hence, to secure the efficiency gains of deregulation, the re-regulation of the remaining monopolistic core - the electric grid - cannot rely on simple rules like cost-based non-discriminatory pricing.
Risk Taking in Asymmetric Tournaments
Authors: Kräkel Matthias 
Published: January 2004

Abstract
A tournament is examined in which two agents with different abilities choose efforts as well as risks. According to the previous literature, the more (less) able agent should choose a low (high) risk strategy, because the first one does not want to imperil his favorable position, whereas the last one can only gain by increasing risk. We show that this is not necessarily true. Risk taking affects equilibrium efforts as well as winning probabilities. Depending on both effects diverse equilibria are possible. For example, the low and the high ability agent may both choose high risks or both choose low risks.
SHORT REVIEWS
Authors: Bangaarts John , Brockerhoff Martin , Busza Joanna , McNicoll Geoffrey 
Published: January 2004

Books reviewed in this article:Chris Beyrer, War in the Blood: Sex, Politics and AIDS in Southeast AsiaCaroline H. Bledsoe et al. (eds.), Critical Perspectives on Schooling and Fertility in the Developing WorldDonald J. Hernandez and Evan Charney (eds)., From Generation to Generation: The Health and Well‐Being of Children in Immigrant FamiliesNana Poku and David T. Graham (eds.), Redefining Security: Population Movements and National SecurityJyoti Shankar Singh, Creating a New Consensus on PopulationJael Silliman and Ynestra King (eds.), Dangerous Intersections: Feminist Perspectives on Population, Environment, and Development; A Project of the Committee on Women, Population, and the EnvironmentMichael S. Teitelbaum and Jay Winter, A Question of Numbers: High Migration, Low Fertility, and the Politics of National IdentityUnited Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division, World Population Monitoring 1997Anthony Young, Land Resources: Now and for the Future
Unraveling the Enigma of the Russian Mortality Crisis: A Review Essay on Charles M. Becker and David Bloom (eds.), The Demographic Crisis in the Former Soviet Union*
Authors: McKee Martin 
Published: January 2004

Richard Stone, Some British Empiricists in the Social Sciences, 1650–1900 Arup Maharatna, The Demography of Famines: An Indian Historical Perspective Timothy W. Guinnane, The Vanishing Irish: Households, Migration, and the Rural Economy in Ireland, 1850–1914 Gail Kligman, The Politics of Duplicity: Controlling Reproduction in Ceausescu's Romania Rosalind P. Petchesky and Karen Judd (Eds.), Negotiating Reproductive Rights: Women's Perspectives Across Countries and Cultures