bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes in the Composition of Bilirubin‐IX Isomers During Human Prenatal Development
Authors: Yamaguchi Tokio , Nakajima Hiroshi 
Published: September 2004

We analyzed the isomeric composition of bilirubin‐IX in human fetal bile using HPLC. The approximate ratio of the bilirubin‐IX isomers obtained from the fetal bile at 20 weeks of gestation was IXα, 6%; IXβ, 87%; IXγ, 0.5%; and IXδ, 6%.From 15 to 22 weeks, bilirubin‐IXβ was predominant and bilirubin‐IXδ and bilirubin‐IXα were also present in the bile as minor components. By 28 weeks, bilirubin‐IXα constituted about 50% of the total bilirubin.There was a general correlation between fetal age and the proportion of bilirubin‐IXβ to bilirubin‐IXβ in the bile and the small intestinal contents of fetuses. As development proceeded from mid‐gestation to near term, the isomeric composition dramatically changed, with a decrease in the IXβ isomer and a subsequent increment of the IXα isomer. In contrast, the IXβ isomer changes little.Recently, we identified four forms of biliverdin reductase including two biliverdin‐IXα reductases and two biliverdin‐IXβ reductases in human liver cytosolic fractions [Yamaguchi, T., Komoda, Y. & Nakajima, H. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 24343–24348]. The proportion of the total activity of biliverdin‐IXβ reductases to that of biliverdin‐IXα reductases was considerably higher in the fetal, than in the adult liver.
A Novel Membrane Glycoprotein Involved in Ascidian Hemocyte Aggregation and Phagocytosis
Authors: Takahashi Hiroki , Azumi Kaoru , Yokosawa Hideyoshi 
Published: September 2004

Invertebrate hemocytes undergo several cellular defense reactions. To clarify the molecular mechanisms for cellular recognition between hemocytes and also between hemocytes and foreign materials, we established hybridoma clones producing monoclonal antibodies that inhibit hemocyte aggregation (i.e. a cellular reaction between hemocytes) in the solitary ascidian, Hulocynthia roretzi. The antibody, A74, also inhibited phagocytosis of foreign materials by H. roretzi hemocytes.Immunocytochemistry of H. roretzi hemocytes using A74 antibody revealed the localization of the A74 antigen on the surface of hemocytes. The A74 antigen, which is referred to as A74 protein, was purified from a hemocyte membrane preparation by three chromatographies on phenyl‐Sepharose, A74 antibody‐immobilized Sepharose and Mono Q. The A74 protein was a glycoprotein with a molecular mass of 160 kDa; N‐glycosidase or neuraminidase treatment resulted in a reduction of its molecular mass. The N‐terminal amino acid sequence of A74 protein showed little similarity to other known proteins. Thus, the A74 protein is a novel membrane protein that plays an important role in ascidian cellular defense reactions.
Interpreting incidence trends for treated end‐stage renal disease: Implications for evaluating disease control in Australia
Authors: STEWART JOHN H , MCCREDIE MARGARET RE , WILLIAMS SHEILA M , MCDONALD STEPHEN P 
Published: September 2004

SUMMARY:Background:  Five sources of change modify trends in incidence of treated end‐stage renal disease (ESRD): (i) demography; (ii) disease control, comprising prevention and treatment of progressive kidney disease; (iii) competing risks, which encompass dying from untreated uraemia or non‐renal comorbidity; (iv) lead‐time bias; and (v) classification bias. Thus, rising crude incidence of treated ESRD may conceal effective disease control when there has been demographic change, lessening competing risks, or the introduction of bias.Methods:  Age‐specific incidences of treated ESRD in Australia were calculated from Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant (ANZDATA) Registry data by indigenous/non‐indigenous status (all causes) and by primary renal disease (non‐indigenous only) for two successive decades, 1982–1991 and 1992–2001.Results:  We postulate that less competing risks explained much of the increase in treated ESRD in the elderly and Indigenous Australians. The increase in glomerulonephritic ESRD in non‐indigenous Australians could be ascribed mainly to immigration from non‐European countries. There was no significant change in incidence of treated ESRD in Indigenous or non‐indigenous persons aged less than 25 years, in non‐indigenous persons aged 25–64 years for ESRD caused by hereditary polycystic disease or hypertension, or in type 1 diabetics aged over 55 years. End‐stage renal disease from analgesic nephropathy had declined. The increase in treated ESRD caused by type 2 diabetic nephropathy appeared to be multifactorial. Lead‐time/length bias and less competing risks may have concealed a small favourable trend in other primary renal diseases.Conclusion:  Whether recent disease control measures have had an impact on incidence of treated ESRD is not yet certain, but seems more likely than implied by previous reports.
ATTEMPT IN GASTROSCOPY TO EXPOSE NARROW FURROWS BETWEEN PACKED FOLDS OF THE GREATER CURVATURE: SIMPLE TECHNIQUE TO AVOID A BLIND SPOT
Authors: Ukawa Shiro , Ukawa Kunio 
Published: September 2004

Background:  Occasionally, there are patients in whom the folds of the greater curvature of the stomach are closely packed, resulting in difficulty with endoscopic visualization of the intervening furrows.Methods:  A simple technique was attempted to avoid such blind spots. This was to slide the scope tip along the furrow or furrows between the folds to attain smoothing in the greater curvature. In the present study, 424 patients required this unfolding maneuver for complete observation. This accounted for 12.5% of 3404 patients examined during the study period. It was found that sliding the scope tip across the folds or applying gentle pressure at a point of the greater curvature also was effective. Possible modification by atropine, given as premedication, is also discussed.Results:  A marked smoothing effect was achieved in 263 patients accounting for 62.0%, a moderate effect in 125 patients accounting for 29.5%, and a poor effect in 36 patients, which is 8.5%. The background mucosa of the stomach seemed to be related to the degree of effectiveness. Specifically, the cases with widely spread chronic gastritis showed less response to the maneuver.Conclusions:  Gentle contact with the greater curvature, cleaving the furrows between folds, mild touching in random directions, or applying pressure on a point, resulted in the unexpected flattening of the folds and widening of the narrow furrows in many cases. This phenomenon cannot be explained by mechanical factors alone, and a physiological response, such as an accommodation reflex, is suspected to be playing a role.
SQUAMOUS CELL PAPILLOMA OF THE ESOPHAGUS: CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY OF 24 CASES
Authors: Oguma Junya , Ozawa Soji , Kitagawa Yuko , Saikawa Yoshiro , Oyama Takashi , Kitajima Masaki 
Published: September 2004

Background:  Squamous cell papilloma of the esophagus is considered to be a rare condition; however, the number of cases with this condition reported in recent years has increased, perhaps due to advances in endoscopic diagnosis.Methods:  We reviewed the clinicopathological features of 26 lesions of squamous cell papilloma of the esophagus in 24 cases seen at our hospital from 1994 to 2003. There were nine men and 15 women, with a mean age of 60.5 years (range, 31–82 years). Six patients had a history of malignant disease in the past. With regard to the presence of other lesions in the esophagus, six patients had hiatal hernia and four had gastroesophageal reﬂux disease.Results:  Two patients each had two lesions of squamous cell papilloma. There were seven lesions in which inﬂammatory cell inﬁltration was found on hisotological examination, of which four had underlying hiatal hernia; ﬁve lesions were found to have mild dysplasia on histological examination of which three had gastroesophageal reﬂux disease. The median duration of follow up of the cases was 8 months (range, 1–101 months). During the follow‐up period, none of the lesions showed any dramatic change of appearance or malignant transformation.Conclusion:  In principle, while it may be sufﬁcient to keep patients with squamous cell papilloma of the esophagus under simple follow up, the patients must be investigated to rule out malignancy of other organs, and the small probability of malignant transformation of the tumor must always be borne in mind.
A CASE OF PANCREATIC PSEUDOCYST SUCCESSFULLY TREATED WITH ENDOSCOPIC CYSTGASTROSTOMY USING A NEW THERAPEUTIC ECHOENDOSCOPE
Authors: Kakutani Hiroshi , Hino Syoryoku , Ikeda Keiichi , Uchiyama Yujirou , Sumiyama Kazuki , Kuramochi Akira , Kawamura Muneo , Tajiri Hisao 
Published: September 2004

Aim:  A case of an infected pancreatic pseudocyst in which cystgastrostomy was successfully performed with a new therapeutic echoendoscope and ﬂuoroscopic guidance is presented.Methods:  A curved linear array echoendoscope (GF‐UCT240‐AL5; Olympus) with an instrument channel 3.7 mm in diameter was used in combination with the Aloka SSD‐5000 display unit. It enabled endoscopic video viewing. The cyst puncture was performed using a 1‐mm diathermic needle housed in a 5 Fr Teﬂon tube. Following the endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)‐guided puncture, a 10 Fr stent was placed in the pancreatic pseudocyst without an exchange of endoscope.Results:  The procedure was well tolerated for the patient and there were no complications. The cyst was resolved and the stent was removed 8 weeks later.Conclusion:  This new therapeutic echoendoscope may provide a more effective, safer and less time‐consuming method of endoscopic pseudocyst drainage.
Capital Controls: a Political Economy Approach
Authors: Alfaro Laura 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThe paper examines the economic consequences of political conflicts that arise when countries implement capital controls. In an overlapping‐generations model, agents vote on whether to open or close an economy to capital flows. The young (workers) receive income only from wages while the old (capitalists) receive income only from savings. The authors characterize the set of stationary equilibria for an infinite‐horizon game. Assuming dynamic efficiency, when the median representative is a worker (capitalist), capital‐importing countries will open (close) while capital‐exporting countries will close (open). These predicted patterns are consistent with data on liberalization policies over time and across various countries.
The Gains from Trade and Policy Reform Revisited
Authors: Diewert W. Erwin , Woodland Alan D. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThe primary purpose of the paper is to provide characterizations of the conditions for welfare improvements in several situations that have received very little attention in the existing literature. The first aim is to exhibit the gains that can accrue to a country from the elimination of excess supplies as a result of a policy move from autarky to free trade. The second aim is to characterize the conditions under which the introduction of new goods into the economy will generate welfare gains. The third main area discussed is the extension of the authors’ methodology to a large open economy that can influence its terms of trade. The techniques used to illustrate the gains from eliminating excess supplies and from the introduction of new goods have a much wider applicability; they may be used to obtain and synthesize several welfare results from the literature.
Foreign Investment and the Mediation of Trade Flows
Authors: Swenson Deborah L. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractHow does foreign direct investment affect the trade between nations? While many theories of the multinational firm are based on the premise that foreign production and trade are substitutes, most empirical studies of foreign investment and trade uncover a complementary relationship. This paper shows that the mismatch between theoretical work and empirical findings is a byproduct of data aggregation. When the unique country–industry patterns of mostly OECD country foreign investments in the US are analyzed, predicted substitution patterns are revealed at the data level that roughly corresponds to broad products. The complementary effects of foreign investment on trade emerge at higher levels of aggregation.
Labor Mobility, Trade, and Social Capital
Authors: Schiff Maurice 
Published: September 2004

AbstractLabor market integration raises welfare in the absence of distortions. This paper examines labor and goods market integration in a general‐equilibrium model with social capital. The findings are: (i) labor market integration has an ambiguous impact on welfare, and raises it if the goods and labor skills are sufficiently different; (ii) compared to Pareto optimum, labor mobility (social capital) is excessively large (depleted); (iii) trade is superior to labor market integration if trading costs are no higher than private migration costs, otherwise the outcome is ambiguous; and (iv) the creation of new institutions in response to labor market integration has an ambiguous impact on welfare.
Vertically Integrated North–South Trade and the Redux Model
Authors: Garcia‐Cebro Juan Antonio , Varela‐Santamaria Ramon 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThe paper uses the framework of Obstfeld and Rogoff's Redux model to study the impact of monetary shocks on exchange rate, terms of trade, and welfare in the context of a North–South trade. The authors show that a relative Northern monetary expansion can depreciate or appreciate its currency depending on whether the consumption elasticity of money demand and the degree of monopolistic distortion are low or high enough. This shock has asymmetric effects on welfare in such a way that “beggar‐thyself” or “beggar‐thy‐neighbor” effects always occur.
From Segmented Markets to Integrated Markets: an Analysis of Economic Integration and Antidumping Legislation
Authors: Ishikawa Jota 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThe paper examines how a movement from segmented markets to integrated markets affects the volume of trade, consumer prices, profits and welfare in a monopoly model. The monopolist can initially discriminate consumer prices among markets with trade costs but has to take arbitrage into account as economic integration proceeds. The analysis provides interesting insights into economic integration and antidumping law. It is shown that the extent of arbitrage and the shape of the marginal cost curve play crucial roles. Surprisingly, it is possible that neither consumers nor the monopolist gains from economic integration, and that antidumping legislation benefits consumers at the expense of producers.
Using GIS to Model Incidence, Prevalence and Spread of Non‐legal Drug Use
Authors: Field Ken , Beale Linda 
Published: September 2004

AbstractCurrent methods for estimating the incidence and prevalence of non‐legal drug use tend to be retrospective and are not capable of forecasting spatial characteristics. This paper details the development of a GIS model for forecasting and displaying spatio‐temporal trends in non‐legal drug use. It builds upon a current model that estimates levels of drug use, using GIS to develop and visualise the spatial dimension and to predict levels of use for unknown locations using radial basis functions with a thin spline interpolator. The model is calibrated against known data for the onset and spread of heroin use. Results of validation and cross validation of the interpolated surfaces give some confidence to the accuracy of the method. It provides a first stage in a process to develop more complex models that might be used to examine the introduction of new drug use practices, socio‐economic characteristics of different drug use habits, harm reduction measures or to further examine the role of space in the spread of drug use.
Archaeometry and materiality: materials‐based analysis in theory and practice*
Authors: Jones A. 
Published: September 2004

Due to the diversity of contemporary archaeology, the aims and approaches of archaeological scientists and archaeological theorists are often at odds. I suggest that this position is problematic, both intellectually and methodologically, as both groups are fundamentally engaged in the same task: an understanding of past societies through the medium of material culture.This paper offers a review of the intellectual positions of both groups, with a brief discussion of the history of archaeological theory and an appraisal of its current trajectory. I will discuss how and why contemporary theoretical perspectives have fundamentally diverged from the perspectives of archaeological scientists and how the recent theoretical emphasis upon materiality offers a rapprochement between theoreticians and archaeological scientists.
T‐cell‐derived malignant lymphoma in the boxer breed
Authors: Lurie D. M. , Lucroy M. D. , Griffey S. M. , Simonson E. , Madewell B. R. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThe boxer breed of dog is at high risk for a variety of neoplasms including lymphoma. In this observational study, tissue sections from boxer dogs with lymphoma were immunostained for T and B lymphocyte distinction, and the results compared with similar studies carried out on lymphoma tissues from temporally selected cohorts of golden retriever and rottweiler dogs. The frequency of T‐cell lymphomas was significantly (P < 0.001 for all comparisons) higher in the boxers than in the rottweilers or golden retrievers. We are unaware of other reports linking immunotype of canine lymphoma with breed; whether other brachycephalic breeds of dogs have a similar preponderance of T‐cell lymphoma awaits further study.
Transforming open mining pits into fish farms: Moving towards sustainability
Authors: Otchere Fred A. , Veiga Marcello M. , Hinton Jennifer J. , Farias Renato A. , Hamaguchi Robert 
Published: September 2004

Abstract The legacy of mining activities has typically been land ‘returned to wildlife’, or, at some sites, degraded to such an extent that it is unsuitable for any alternate use. Progress towards sustainability is made when value is added in terms of the ecological, social and economic well‐being of the community. In keeping with the principles of sustainable development, the innovative use of flooded open pits and tailings impoundments as commercial, recreational or ornamental fish farms should be considered in some locations, as it could make a significant contribution to the social equity, economic vitality and environmental integrity of mining communities. This article highlights the growing significance of aquaculture and explores the benefits and barriers to transforming flooded pits and impoundments into aquaculture operations. Among other benefits, aquaculture may provide a much‐needed source of revenue, employment and, in some cases, food to communities impacted by mine closure. Further, aquaculture in a controlled closed environment may be more acceptable to critics of fish farming who are concerned about fish escapes and viral transmissions to wild populations. Despite the potential benefits, aquaculture in flooded pits and impoundments is not without its complications — it requires a site‐specific design approach that must consider issues ranging from metals uptake by fish, to the long‐term viability of the aquatic system as fish habitat, to the overall contribution of aquaculture to sustainability.
New and innovative therapies for Behcet's disease
Authors: DAVATCHI Fereydoun 
Published: September 2004

AbstractBackground:  Behcet's disease (BD) is a vasculitis progressing by attacks and remissions. Not all patients will respond even to the classical treatments. New treatments are emerging with the hope to overcome this failure.Biologic agents:  Interferon‐α (IFN‐α), anti‐tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), and tolerization have been used in BD.IFN‐α is mainly used for ocular manifestations of BD. The result seems impressive, 92% of cases had good or excellent results. It was less impressive for mucocutaneous and joint manifestations. The dosage is 6–9 million IU/day for 4 weeks, then 4.5 million daily for 4 weeks, and then 3 million/day. The maintenance dose is 3 millions, three times/week, to continue for 8 weeks after complete remission.Etanercept (anti‐TNF‐α) was effective in mucocutaneous lesions of BD at the dosage of 25 mg twice weekly for 3 months (double‐blind control study). Attacks relapsed after discontinuation. Etanercept was ineffective in ocular lesions (open study).Infliximab (anti‐TNF‐α) was very effective in many studies of ocular lesions. It dramatically suppressed the inflammatory attack. The dosage is one injection of 5 mg/kg (intravenous infusion) at weeks 0, 2, 6, and then every 8 weeks.Tolerization with oral administration of HSP peptide 336–351 seems to protect from uveitis relapse. Pentoxifylline is not particularly effective unless for oral aphthae (50% response rate). Pimecrolimus ointment may be of help in resistant genital aphthosis, reducing the healing time.
Improvement in rheumatoid heart disease following infliximab in a patient with long standing rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: HON Yoon Kam 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThis report describes a 60‐year‐old woman with chronic active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with rheumatoid heart disease treated successfully with infliximab. The patient had a history of rheumatoid heart disease, presented with cardiac failure and also had active polyarthritis. Two‐dimensional echocardiogram (2‐DE) showed ejection fraction (EF) of 35%. Infliximab therapy at 3 mg/kg was given to the patient, at weeks 0, 2, and 6 and then 8‐weekly. There was complete remission of her joint symptoms and the EF improved to 55%. Patients with active arthritis and rheumatoid heart disease can benefit from infliximab.
Acid phosphatase in cheese
Authors: AKUZAWA Ryozo , FOX Patrick F. 
Published: September 2004

ABSTRACTThe combined action of proteinases/peptidases and acid phosphatases on phosphorylated proteins/peptides could be important for cheese quality. It seems that acid phosphatase activity in cheese originates from milk and microorganisms. Bovine milk contains more than one acid phosphatase, which are distributed between the cream and skim milk. The properties of two enzymes isolated from butter milk and skim milk are different. In general, acid phosphatase, especially that from starter organisms is very heat stable. The dephosphorylation of casein and phosphopeptides is of interest in cheese ripening. It has been suggested that acid phosphatases from both skim milk and lactic acid bacteria contribute to dephosphorylation of phosphopeptides in cheese, which are produced from casein by coagulant, indigenous milk proteinase and microbial proteinases during cheese ripening.
Oral thyroxine administration mimics photoperiodically induced gonadal growth in Japanese quail
Authors: YASUO Shinobu , EBIHARA Shizufumi , YOSHIMURA Takashi 
Published: September 2004

ABSTRACTMost temperate‐zone animals are seasonal breeders. In a previous study, it was found that light‐induced hormone conversion of thyroxine (T4) prohormone to active 3,5,3′‐triiodothyronine (T3) in the mediobasal hypothalamus regulates photoperiodic response of gonads in Japanese quail. Here the effect of T4 or T3, administered in drinking water, on testicular growth in the Japanese quail kept under short days is shown. Testicular length was significantly increased in birds given T4 at doses of 4, 8 and 10 mg/L, while any dose of T3 had little effect on testicular growth. High doses (8 and 10 mg/L) of T4 and T3 resulted in high mortality and/or reduction of bodyweight. Among all of the treatment, 4 mg/L of T4 was the most effective on photoperiodic testicular growth, which caused little reduction in bodyweight. These data provide a new conventional method for promoting gonadal growth under short days.