bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Where Do the Lead Ingots of the Saintes‐maries‐de‐la‐mer Wreck Come From? Archaeology Compared With Physics
Authors: Trincherini P. R. , Barbero P. , Quarati P. , Domergue C. , Long L. 
Published: March 2003

The lead isotope compositions of many different samples from lead ingots of Roman age from two relicts (from Cabrera, and from Saintes‐Maries‐de‐la‐Mer) of the Western Mediterranean have been measured. Other lead isotope analyses of ores, metals or lead ingots from mines of Sierra Morena and from Cartagena and Sardinia have been accomplished. All the lead isotope measurements have been performed at the Joint Research Centre of the European Union, Ispra (Va), Italy. The samples have been prepared in a class 100 clean room, using only ultrapure reagents and FEP materials.In view of the archaeological arguments, it was possible to believe that the Roman lead ingots of the Saintes‐Maries‐de‐la‐Mer 1 wreck came from Spanish lodes, as well as those of the Cabrera 5 wreck. In fact, while the comparison between the first group of ingots (Cabrera 5) and the lead from Sierra Morena is consistent, the correspondence between the second group of ingots (Saintes‐Maries‐de‐la‐Mer 1) and the Cevennes ores (southern France) gives rise to several problems concerning the archaeological and physical origins. These problems are discussed.
Catching Up on Health Outcomes: The Texas Medication Algorithm Project
Authors: Kashner T. Michael , Carmody Thomas J. , Suppes Trisha , Rush A. John , Crismon M. Lynn , Miller Alexander L. , Toprac Marcia , Trivedi Madhukar 
Published: March 2003

Objective. To develop a statistic measuring the impact of algorithm‐driven disease management programs on outcomes for patients with chronic mental illness that allowed for treatment‐as‐usual controls to “catch up” to early gains of treated patients.Data Sources/Study Setting. Statistical power was estimated from simulated samples representing effect sizes that grew, remained constant, or declined following an initial improvement. Estimates were based on the Texas Medication Algorithm Project on adult patients (age≥18) with bipolar disorder (n=267) who received care between 1998 and 2000 at 1 of 11 clinics across Texas.Study Design. Study patients were assessed at baseline and three‐month follow‐up for a minimum of one year. Program tracks were assigned by clinic.Data Collection/Extraction Methods. Hierarchical linear modeling was modified to account for declining‐effects. Outcomes were based on 30‐item Inventory for Depression Symptomatology—Clinician Version.Principal Findings. Declining‐effect analyses had significantly greater power detecting program differences than traditional growth models in constant and declining‐effects cases. Bipolar patients with severe depressive symptoms in an algorithm‐driven, disease management program reported fewer symptoms after three months, with treatment‐as‐usual controls “catching up” within one year.Conclusions. In addition to psychometric properties, data collection design, and power, investigators should consider how outcomes unfold over time when selecting an appropriate statistic to evaluate service interventions. Declining‐effect analyses may be applicable to a wide range of treatment and intervention trials.
South Africa's Political Futures
Authors: Butler Anthony 
Published: March 2003

AbstractPolitical analysts are variously divided over the prospects for South Africa's democracy. This article both explores and explains their great diversity of opinion. It investigates the implications, both positive and negative, of African National Congress one-party electoral dominance. The paper goes on to assess the reliability of the mechanisms through which an electorally dominant government can be rendered politically accountable. It then explores the implications of political challenges — concerning capital and skills flight, HIV/AIDS, and corruption — that have licensed further speculation about South Africa's future, and concludes that a cohesive ruling alliance offers the best hope of entrenching the country's imperfect democracy.
Tight money policies and inflation revisited
Authors: Bhattacharya Joydeep , Kudoh Noritaka 
Published: March 2003

In this paper we reconsider the link between tight money policies and inflation in the spirit of Sargent and Wallace’s (1981) influential paper, ‘Some unpleasant monetarist arithmetic.’ A standard neoclassical model with capital, bonds, and return‐dominated currency is used. The potential for tight‐money policies to be inflationary (unpleasant arithmetic) exists, even when the real interest rate is below the growth rate of the economy. Additionally, the likely observability of unpleasant arithmetic in real world economies is shown to depend crucially on the type of monetary policy rule that is used. JEL Classification: E52, E63 Un autre coup d’œil sur la relation entre politiques monétaires restrictives et inflation. Ce mémoire ré‐examine la relation entre politiques monétaires restrictives et inflation dans l’esprit du travail de Sargent et Wallace (1981) ‘Some Unpleasant Monetarist Arithmetic’. Les auteurs utilisent un modèle néo‐classique standard avec capital, débentures et une monnaie dont les rendements sont dominés par ceux d’autres réservoirs de valeur. La possibilité que les politiques monétaires restrictives soient inflationnistes existe même quand le taux d’intérêt réel est plus petit que le taux de croissance de l’économie De plus on montre que l’obtention de ces résultats déplaisants dans les économies concrètes dépend fondamentalement du type de règle monétaire qu’on utilise.
Productivity performance and international competitiveness: an old test reconsidered
Authors: Choudhri Ehsan U. , Schembri Lawrence L. 
Published: March 2003

A modern adaptation of the Ricardian model is used, which incorporates monopolistic competition and multiple factors to derive a MacDougall‐type relation between a country’s international competitiveness at the industry level and its productivity performance. This relation is implemented empirically for Canada and the United States, using panel data for twenty‐five years and forty industries. A key finding is that the Canadian‐U.S. productivity ratio is an important determinant of relative shares of Canadian firms in both Canadian and U.S. markets. Trade liberalization between Canada and the United States also plays a significant role in influencing market shares. JEL Classification: F11, F12 Niveau de productivité et compétitivité internationale : un autre coup d’œil à un vieux test. Ce mémoire utilise une adaptation moderne du modèle ricardien qui postule concurrence monopolistique et plusieurs facteurs pour dériver une relation à la MacDougall entre la compétitivité internationale d’un pays au niveau de l’industrie et son niveau de productivité. On calibre cette relation pour le Canada et les États‐Unis en utilisant des données pour quarantes industries sur une période de vingt‐cinq ans. Un résultat important est que le ratio de la productivité entre le Canada et les États‐Unis est un déterminant important des parts de marché des firmes canadiennes tant au Canada qu’aux États‐Unis. La libéralisation du commerce entre les deux pays joue aussi un rôle important dans la définition de ces parts de marché.
Association of ambient air‐pollution levels with acute asthma exacerbation among children in Singapore
Authors: Chew FT , Goh DYT , Ooi BC , Saharom R , Hui JKS , Lee BW 
Published: March 2003

Background: Air‐pollution levels have been shown to be associated with increased morbidity of respiratory diseases. Methods: Data for ambient air‐pollutant levels, meteorologic factors, and hospitalization or emergency room (ER) visits for acute asthma in Singapore children over a 5‐year period (1990–4) were obtained and analyzed for associations by time‐series methods. Results: Throughout this period, the annual mean and 24‐h mean levels for sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and total suspended particles (TSP) and maximum 1‐h daily average for ozone were generally within the air‐quality guidelines established by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, positive correlation between levels of each of these pollutants and daily ER visits for asthma was observed in children aged 3–12 years, but not among adolescents and young adults (13–21 years old). The association with SO2 and TSP persisted after standardization for meteorologic and temporal variables. An adjusted increase in 2.9 ER visits for every 20 μg/m3 increase in atmospheric SO2 levels, lagged by 1 day, was observed on days when levels were above 68 μg/m3. With TSP, an adjusted increase of 5.80 ER visits for every 20 μg/m3 increase in its daily atmospheric levels, lagged by 1 day, was observed on days with levels above 73 μg/m3. Similar results were also obtained after controlling for autocorrelation by time‐series analysis. Conclusions: These associations were observed even though the overall levels of all pollutants were generally within the air‐quality guidelines established by the WHO. These findings suggest that asthmatic children are susceptible to increased levels of air pollutants, particularly SO2 and TSP, although the ambient levels are generally within “acceptable” ranges.
Allergy to date fruits: characterization of antigens and allergens of fruits of the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.)
Authors: Kwaasi A.A.A. , Parhar R.S. , Al‐Sedairy S.T. , Collison K.S. , Al‐Mohanna F.A. , Harfi H.A. , Panzani R.C. 
Published: March 2003

Background: Date‐palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruits are eaten daily by most inhabitants of the Middle East and the neighboring countries. Recent reports have indicated that dates are allergenic. This study aimed to investigate the antigenic and allergenic potential of date fruits. Methods: Date‐fruit extracts from eight cultivars were evaluated in skin prick tests (SPT) in an atopic population, used to produce antisera, analyzed by SDS–PAGE, and fractionated by gel‐filtration chromatography. Sera from SPT‐positive individuals were evaluated by ELISA and RAST, and in anti‐IgE immunoblot experiments. Results: About 13% of patients were SPT‐positive for at least two extracts. SDS–PAGE of whole extracts revealed 15–18 protein bands of 6.5–>100 kDa, and Sephacryl S‐200 fractions gave distinct peptide bands. RAST and anti‐IgE ELISA gave a range of positive results, which could be abrogated when sera were preabsorbed with fruit extracts. IgE immunoblots of different extracts with pooled positive sera revealed different anti‐IgE‐binding immunoprints. All the positive sera from fruit‐allergic and pollen‐allergic individuals bound strongly to two anti‐IgE reactive bands of 6.5 to 12–14 kDa and 28–33 kDa, respectively, and about 50% of sera bound to a 54–58‐kDa band. Conclusions: These results strongly indicate that

date‐palm fruit is a potent allergen

sera from fruit‐allergic as well as pollen‐allergic patients recognize common fruit‐specific epitopes

there is heterogeneity in patient responses to the different extracts.
Prevalence of pollinosis in the Basque Country
Authors: Azpiri A. , Alonso E. , Gamboa P.M. , Jauregui I. , Antepara I. , Fernandez E. , Férnandez de Corres L. , Audicana M. , Muñoz D. , Escobar A. 
Published: March 2003

Background: The prevalence of allergic diseases, mainly pollinosis, has increased within the last decades. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of sensitization to Poaceae pollen in the Basque Country. This is a region of northern Spain, with an area of 7261 km2 and a population of 2109009 inhabitants. Two different climatic regions may be distinguished in the Basque Country (the Atlantic and the Oceanic).Methods: A transversal study was carried out on 2216 subjects, aged 10–40 years. A personal interview was carried out in order to compile study data, by means of a questionnaire that had been previously validated with a clinical history and an allergy study.Results and Conclusions: Our results show the prevalence of pollinosis in the Basque Country to be 10.6% (C.I. 95% 9.35–11.96%) without significant differences between men and women. The prevalence in the Atlantic climate area (9.71%) was lower than in the Oceanic climate area (13.61%). There were no differences between persons living in a rural environment (10.87%) and those living in an urban setting (10.51%). Pollinosis was more frequent in individuals aged 10–20 (11.41%) and 20–30 (12.54%) than those aged 30–40 years (7.43%). Three features significantly distinguished pollinic from nonpollinic patients:
a more common complaint of symptoms after ingestion of Rosaceae fruits or nuts (10.2%)
a family history of atopy (8.8%)
a greater occurrence of bronchial asthmatic symptoms (23%).
Allergy to bumblebee venom. III. Immunotherapy follow‐up study (safety and efficacy) in patients with occupational bumblebee‐venom anaphylaxis
Authors: De Jong N.W. , De Groot H. , Vermeulen A.M. 
Published: March 2003

Background: The objective was to investigate whether venom immunotherapy with bumblebee venom (BBV) is safe and effective. Methods: Eleven patients with severe occupational anaphylaxis caused by stings of bumblebees were studied. Sensitization to bumblebee venom was confirmed by skin tests and RAST. Immunotherapy was started with bumblebee venom extract by the semirush procedure, because these patients showed a primary sensitization to Bombus venom, and a low or absent degree of cross‐reactivity with honeybee venom. IgE titer and skin tests with bumblebee venom were performed yearly. Efficacy was evaluated by means of in‐hospital sting challenge and/or occupational field stings from bumblebees. Results: All patients reached maintenance dose in 6 weeks without severe side‐effects. During the follow‐up period (1.5–5 years), three systemic reactions in two patients were seen in 20 bumblebee stings. However, these reactions were milder than the index sting. Conclusions: Immunotherapy with bumblebee venom is safe and effective, and is comparable with honeybee and yellow‐jacket venom immunotherapy.
Immunologic response to different determinants of benzylpenicillin, amoxicillin, and ampicillin. Comparison between urticaria and anaphylactic shock
Authors: Torres M.J. , Mayorga C. , Pamies R. , Juarez C. , Blanca M. , Romano A. 
Published: March 2003

Background: Subjects with IgE‐mediated allergic reactions to penicillins can develop urticaria or anaphylactic shock. Urticaria is mainly associated with positivity to the major determinant of benzylpenicillin (BPO), and anaphylactic shock with minor determinants (MDM). The presence of IgG antibodies to BPO is thought to be mainly associated with urticaria, possibly protecting from anaphylactic shock. We aimed to study the skin test response to BPO and MDM, amoxicillin (AX), and ampicillin (AMP) in a group of subjects allergic to penicillins, and to evaluate the role of specific IgG. Methods: We studied a group of patients with immediate allergic reactions to penicillins, comparing urticaria and anaphylactic shock. Skin tests were done with BPO, MDM, AX, and AMP. Specific IgE and IgG antibodies to benzylpenicilloyl‐poly‐l‐lysine (BPO‐PLL) and amoxicilloyl‐poly‐l‐lysine (AXO‐PLL) were determined by RAST and ELISA, respectively. Results: Fifty‐nine patients were studied (30 with anaphylactic shock and 29 with urticaria). Skin test positivity to BPO was associated with urticaria (P<0.001), and positivity to MDM, AX, and AMP with anaphylactic shock (P=0.006, P<0.001, and P=0.002, respectively). Specific anti‐BPO‐PLL and AXO‐PLL IgG values were higher in patients than controls (P<0.001), but no differences were observed between urticaria and anaphylactic shock. Conclusions: Positivity to minor determinants of penicillins is associated more with anaphylactic shock than urticaria, but the role of IgG antibodies in helping to prevent the development of anaphylactic shock could not be confirmed. Abbreviations: BPO: benzylpenicilloyl; MDM: minor determinant mixture; AX: amoxicillin; AMP: ampicillin; AXO‐PLL: amoxicilloyl‐poly‐l‐lysine; BPO‐PLL: benzylpenicilloyl‐poly‐l‐lysine.
Overexpression of CD44 on alveolar eosinophils with high concentrations of soluble CD44 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in patients with eosinophilic pneumonia
Authors: Katoh S. , Taniguchi H. , Matsumoto N. , Matsukura S. , Matsubara Y. , Kadota J. , Kohno S. , Fukushima K. 
Published: March 2003

Background: High levels of interleukin‐5 (IL‐5) are found in the alveolar space of patients with eosinophilic pneumonia (EP). IL‐5 promotes the growth and differentiation of eosinophils, as well as activating these cells. IL‐5 also induces the expression of CD44 on eosinophils in vitro. To evaluate the contribution of CD44 to the pathogenesis of EP, we examined the expression of CD44 on eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and measured the concentration of soluble CD44 (sCD44) in BALF from patients with EP. Methods: The concentrations of IL‐5, sCD44, and hyaluronic acid (HA) were measured in BALF. The expression levels of CD44 on eosinophils in BALF and peripheral blood in patients with EP were compared. Results: The expression of CD44 on alveolar eosinophils and the concentration of sCD44 were increased in BALF of patients with EP. There was a significant correlation between IL‐5 and sCD44 in BALF. A high concentration of HA was observed in BALF of EP patients. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the high expression of CD44 on eosinophils probably results from upregulation by IL‐5 and could be important in the pathogenesis of EP.
Onset of action of mometasone furoate nasal spray (NASONEX®) in seasonal allergic rhinitis
Authors: Berkowitz Rb , Bernstein Di , LaForce C , Pedinoff Aj , Rooklin Ar , Damaraju Crv , Mesarina‐wicki B , Nolop Kb 
Published: March 2003

Background:Mometasone furoate nasal spray (MFNS, NASONEX®), is a new synthetic corticosteroid with considerable efficacy in the treatment of seasonal and perennial rhinitis and less than 0.1% systemic absorption. This study was designed to evaluate the time of onset of action of MFNS. The subjects were evaluated over the course of 2 weeks during the spring allergy season.Methods:The effects of MFNS 200 μg given once daily for 2 weeks were evaluated in a randomized, multicenter, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study in 201 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Clinically significant onset of action was assessed prospectively by special patient diary cards kept during the first 3 days of treatment.Results:By 12 h after initial dosage (the earliest evaluation), 28% of patients in the MFNS group experienced clinically significant relief, compared with 13% of those given placebo (P=0.01). Median time to at least moderate symptom relief in patients who received MFNS was 35.9 h, compared with more than 72 h in patients given placebo (P<0.01). By 72 h, 64% of the patients receiving MFNS experienced at least moderate relief, compared with 40% of those treated with placebo (P<0.01). Both patient and physician ratings of symptom severity, response to treatment, and overall condition of rhinitis indicated significant (P<0.01) superiority of MFNS over placebo. MFNS was well tolerated, with adverse events comparable to placebo.Conclusions:MFNS provided rapid onset of clinically significant symptom relief in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis.
Cow's milk allergy: diagnostic accuracy of skin prick and patch tests and specific IgE
Authors: Majamaa H , Moisio P , Kautiainen H , Majamaa H , Turjanmaa K , Holm K 
Published: March 2003

Background: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the relevance of skin tests and the concentration of cow's milk‐specific IgE antibodies in correlation with oral cow's milk challenge in infants with suspected cow's milk allergy. Methods: The study material comprised 143 infants under the age of 2 years who had undergone a diagnostic elimination challenge because of suspected cow's milk allergy in 1996. Cow's milk‐specific IgE was measured, and skin prick and patch tests were performed. Results: Of the 143 oral cow's milk challenges performed, 72 (50%) were positive. Of the positive reactions, 22 involved immediate‐type reactions. In 50 patients, delayed‐onset reactions of eczematous or gastrointestinal type appeared. Of the infants with challenge‐proven cow's milk allergy, 26% showed elevated IgE concentrations to cow's milk, 14% had a positive skin prick test, and 44% had a positive patch test for cow's milk. Interestingly, in most patch test‐positive patients, the prick test for cow's milk was negative. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that many patients with a negative prick test result had a positive patch test to cow's milk. The patch test was a more sensitive method than the prick test or RAST to detect cow's milk allergy in this study population. Our results indicate that patch testing will significantly increase the probability of early detection of cow's milk allergy. Confirmation of the diagnosis is essential in patients with negative test results but a clinical suspicion of food allergy, and in patch test‐positive patients. For this purpose, the most reliable method is the elimination‐challenge procedure.
Study of the Th1/Th2 balance, including IL‐10 production,in cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells frombirch‐pollen‐allergic patients
Authors: Movérare R. , Elfman L. , Stålenheim G. , Björnsson E. , Movérare R. 
Published: March 2003

Background: Excessive production of interleukin (IL)‐4, IL‐5, IL‐10, and IL‐13 is thought to be important in the development of allergy and asthma. The objective of this investigation was to study Th1/Th2‐like cytokine profiles in vitro in seven patients allergic to birch pollen and six nonallergic controls during the birch‐pollen season. Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated and cultured with birch‐pollen extract (BPE) or tetanus toxoid (TT) for 7 days, harvested, and restimulated with the mitogens phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA) for 24 h. Cytokine production was determined by ELISA, and logarithmic cytokine ratios were compared between the two groups and between the antigens. Results: In the allergic group, the cultures prestimulated with BPE had a more Th2‐like cytokine response than the TT‐prestimulated cultures; i.e., lower IFN‐γ and higher IL‐10 production (P<0.05), as well as higher IL‐5/IFN‐γ and IL‐13/IFN‐γ ratios (P<0.05). There were also significantly higher IL‐4/IFN‐γ (P<0.005) and IL‐5/IFN‐γ (P<0.05) ratios in BPE‐stimulated cultures in the allergic group than in the control group. The IL‐4 and IL‐13 production in vitro correlated with the specific serum IgE levels. Conclusions: BPE stimulation induces a Th2‐like cytokine response by PBMC isolated during the pollen season from birch‐pollen‐allergic patients, indicating a Th2‐type immune response to birch pollen in vivo.