bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New Roles of a Neuropeptide Cortistatin in the Immune System and Cancer
Authors: Li Min , Yan Shaoyu , Fisher William E. , Chen Changyi , Yao Qizhi 
Published: February 2005

AbstractCortistatin (CST) is a neuropeptide that strongly resembles somatostatin (SS) structurally and functionally. CST binds to all five SS receptors (SSTR1‐SSTR5) with high affinity and exerts its function mainly through SSTRs. Despite many similar functions between these two neuropeptides, they are products of different genes. Recently, some distinct functions and receptor usage of CST have been reported. Some of the interesting functions of CST were not found with SS. Therefore CST could have potential new roles in an ex‐neuronal system that regulates immune responses as well as other cellular functions in the body. In this review, we discuss the new functions of CST in the immune system, cancer pathogenesis, and possible CST‐specific receptors.
Roles of Neuropilins in Neuronal Development, Angiogenesis, and Cancers
Authors: Chen Changyi , Li Min , Chai Hong , Yang Hui , Fisher William E. , Yao Qizhi 
Published: February 2005

AbstractNeuropilin‐1 (NRP1) and neuropilin‐2 (NRP2) are transmembrane glycoproteins that have been characterized as receptors for both semaphorins for neuronal guidance and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for angiogenesis. Biologic properties of NRPs have been linked to their unique domain structures. However, molecular interaction among NRPs, VEGF, and VEGF receptors is still not clear. Although several types of cancer cells can express NRPs, the role of NRPs in tumor pathogenesis is largely unknown. Thus, future investigations should include determining the effects and mechanisms of NRPs on proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of neuronal, endothelial, and cancer cells. Study of protein‐protein interaction, signal transduction pathways, and NRP‐mediated gene expression is particularly important to understand NRPs functions, which may have significant clinical applications in the treatment of neurological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers.
Character complexity and redundancy in writing systems over human history
Authors: Changizi Mark A. , Shimojo Shinsuke 
Published: February 2005

A writing system is a visual notation system wherein a repertoire of marks, or strokes, is used to build a repertoire of characters. Are there any commonalities across writing systems concerning the rules governing how strokes combine into characters; commonalities that might help us identify selection pressures on the development of written language? In an effort to answer this question we examined how strokes combine to make characters in more than 100 writing systems over human history, ranging from about 10 to 200 characters, and including numerals, abjads, abugidas, alphabets and syllabaries from five major taxa: Ancient Near–Eastern, European, Middle Eastern, South Asian, Southeast Asian. We discovered underlying similarities in two fundamental respects.
(i) The number of strokes per characters is approximately three, independent of the number of characters in the writing system; numeral systems are the exception, having on average only two strokes per character.

(ii) Characters are
ca
. 50% redundant, independent of writing system size; intuitively, this means that a character's identity can be determined even when half of its strokes are removed.

Because writing systems are under selective pressure to have characters that are easy for the visual system to recognize and for the motor system to write, these fundamental commonalities may be a fingerprint of mechanisms underlying the visuo–motor system.
Effects of lactulose and polyethylene glycol on colonic transit
Authors: Fritz E. , Hammer H. F. , Lipp R. W. , Högenauer C. , Stauber R. , Hammer J. 
Published: February 2005

SummaryBackground : The effects of lactulose and polyethylene glycol on colonic transit are poorly established.Aim: To assess the effects of these laxatives on colonic transit in normal subjects.Methods : Colonic transit (mean residence time, cumulative counts in stool, counts remaining in the proximal or distal colon) was measured scintigraphically in normal subjects on the second and third day of a 3‐day ingestion of 67–134 g/day lactulose, or 59 g/day polyethylene glycol.Results : At similar stool weight (lactulose: 653 ± 120 g/day; polyethylene glycol: 522 ± 66 g/day), transit was significantly slower during 99 g/day lactulose when compared with 59 g/day polyethylene glycol; this was most pronounced in the distal colon (mean residence time: lactulose – 403 ± 55 min; polyethylene glycol – 160 ± 41.9 min). Short chain fatty acid concentration in 24‐h stool correlated significantly with counts remaining in the distal colon at 12 h(r = 0.79, P = 0.001). Increasing lactulose doses were significantly associated with increasing stool weight (r = 0.79) and shorter mean residence time in the total (r = −0.56) and distal colon (r = −0.64). The sum of faecal carbohydrates plus short chain fatty acids was associated with stool weight (r = 0.95, P < 0.001).Conclusion : Lactulose accelerates colonic transit. However, compared with polyethylene glycol, transit during lactulose is prolonged.
Ursodeoxycholic acid reduces increased circulating endothelin 2 in primary biliary cirrhosis
Authors: Dimoulios P. , Kolios G. , Notas G. , Matrella E. , Xidakis C. , Koulentaki M. , Tsagarakis N. , Kouroumalis A. , Kouroumalis E. 
Published: February 2005

SummaryBackground : Endothelins and nitric oxide regulate sinusoidal blood flow and the perfusion of the peribiliary vascular plexus.Aims : To study the serum and hepatic vein concentration of ET‐1, ET‐2, ET‐3 and nitric oxide in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis and the effect of ursodeoxycholic acid treatment.Methods : Endothelins and nitrites/nitrates were measured in serum and hepatic vein blood in primary biliary cirrhosis and viral cirrhotic patients prior and after ursodeoxycholic acid therapy and in serum in controls. Endothelins were measured with commercial enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays and nitrites/nitrates with a modification of Griess reaction.Results : The ET‐1 and ET‐3 levels were similar in patients and controls. Primary biliary cirrhosis patients had the highest serum ET‐2 (P < 0.001) compared with other groups. Nitrites/nitrates was increased in primary biliary cirrhosis (P < 0.05) compared with normal. ET‐2 and nitric oxide were similar in all primary biliary cirrhosis stages. Ursodeoxycholic acid significantly decreased ET‐2 in all stages (I and II: P < 0.05 and III and IV: P < 0.01) and increased nitric oxide (P < 0.05) in early primary biliary cirrhosis. Hepatic vein ET‐1 and ET‐3 were higher in viral cirrhosis patients, but only in primary biliary cirrhosis a significant difference for ET‐1 and ET‐3 between hepatic and peripheral veins was found.Conclusions : Increased ET‐2 is an early defect in primary biliary cirrhosis that is significantly reduced by the ursodeoxycholic acid treatment. The possibility of a more generalized endothelial cell dysfunction in primary biliary cirrhosis requires further investigation.
Adalimumab induces apoptosis of human monocytes: a comparative study with infliximab and etanercept
Authors: Shen C. , Assche G. V. , Colpaert S. , Maerten P. , Geboes K. , Rutgeerts P. , Ceuppens J. L. 
Published: February 2005

SummaryBackground : Adalimumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody to tumour necrosis factor, was recently introduced for therapy of Crohn's disease.Aim : Since induction of apoptosis of inflammatory cells is thought to be an important mechanism of action of the antitumour necrosis factor monoclonal antibody infliximab, we studied the induction of apoptosis of activated peripheral blood monocytes by adalimumab.Method : Apoptosis was analysed at the levels of the cell membrane, mitochondria and DNA by flow cytometry.Results: We found that both adalimumab and infliximab induced apoptosis in cultured monocytes, while etanercept did not. Apoptosis induction was caspase‐dependent and detectable already after 2 h. The production of interleukin‐10 and interleukin‐12 by monocytes was down‐regulated significantly by adalimumab and infliximab but not by etanercept, while levels of soluble tumour necrosis factor in monocyte cultures were down‐regulated by all three reagents.Conclusions : These data show that both adalimumab and infliximab affect monocyte cytokine production and induce apoptosis of activated monocytes. Our findings will have to be further correlated to therapeutic efficacy of these antitumour necrosis factor reagents.
Long‐term ursodeoxycholic acid therapy for primary biliary cirrhosis: a follow‐up to 12 years
Authors: Chan C. W. , Gunsar F. , Feudjo M. , Rigamonti C. , Vlachogiannakos J. , Carpenter J. R. , Burroughs A. K. 
Published: February 2005

SummaryBackground : It is uncertain whether ursodeoxycholic acid therapy slows down the progression of primary biliary cirrhosis, according to two meta‐analyses. However, the randomized trials evaluated had only a median of 24 months of follow‐up.Aim : To evaluate long‐term ursodeoxycholic acid therapy in primary biliary cirrhosis.Methods : We evaluated 209 consecutive primary biliary cirrhosis patients, 69 compliant with ursodeoxycholic acid and 140 untreated [mean follow‐up 5.79 (s.d. = 4.73) and 4.87 (s.d. = 5.21) years, respectively] with onset of all complications documented. Comparison was made following adjustment for baseline differences according to Cox modelling, Mayo and Royal Free prognostic models.Results : Bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase concentrations improved with ursodeoxycholic acid (at 36 months, P = 0.007 and 0.018, respectively). Unadjusted Kaplan–Meier analysis showed benefit (P = 0.028), as 44 (31%) untreated and 15 (22%) ursodeoxycholic acid patients died or had liver transplantation. However, there was no difference when adjusted by Cox modelling (P = 0.267), Mayo (P = 0.698) and Royal Free models (P = 0.559). New pruritus or fatigue or other complications were not different, either before or after adjustment for baseline characteristics.Conclusions : Long‐term ursodeoxycholic acid therapy did not alter disease progression in primary biliary cirrhosis patients despite a significant improvement in serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase consistent with, and similar to, those seen in ursodeoxycholic acid cohorts in randomized trials.
Administration of GAS914 in an orthotopic pig‐to‐baboon heart transplantation model
Authors: Brandl Ulrike , Michel Sebastian , Erhardt Matthias , Brenner Paolo , Bittmann Iris , Rössle Matthias , Baschnegger Heiko , Bauer Andreas , Hammer Claus , Schmoeckel Michael , Reichart Bruno 
Published: February 2005

Abstract:  Background:  Long‐term survival of transgenic cardiac xenografts is currently limited by a form of humoral rejection named acute vascular rejection. Preformed and elicited cytotoxic antibodies against Galα(1,3)Gal terminating carbohydrate chains, known as the primary cause of hyperacute rejection, are crucial for this process. We investigated whether GAS914, a soluble, polymeric form of a Galα(1,3)Gal trisaccharide would sufficiently minimize xenograft rejection of hDAF‐transgenic pig hearts orthotopically transplanted into baboons.Methods:  Orthotopic heart transplantations were performed using hDAF transgenic piglets as donors and four non‐splenectomized baboons as recipients. Baseline immunosuppression consisted of tacrolimus, sirolimus, ATG, steroids. In addition two animals received low‐dose GAS914, and two animals high‐dose GAS914. One of these baboons received high dose GAS914 and cyclophosphamide induction therapy. Serum levels of anti‐Galα(1,3)Gal IgM and IgG antibodies, and anti‐pig antibodies were controlled daily by anti‐Galα(1,3)Gal enzyme‐linked immunosorbant assay and anti‐pig hemolytic assays. Histomorphological (hematoxylin and eosin, elastic van Gieson) and immunohistochemical (IgM, IgG) evaluations were performed on tissue specimens.Results:  Following low‐dose GAS914 therapy survival time was 1 and 9 days, respectively. In baboons treated with high dosages of GAS914 a survival of 30 h and 25 days could be obtained. GAS914 caused an immediate and significant reduction of both anti‐Galα(1,3)Gal IgM and IgG antibodies. However, sufficient antibody reduction was independent of dosage and form of application of GAS914. A pre‐transplant GAS914 treatment was not necessary to effectively reduce antibody levels and prevent hyperacute rejection. In the early postoperative period preformed anti‐pig antibodies corresponded predominantly to anti‐Galα(1,3)Gal antibodies making them susceptible to GAS914. Subsequently, while anti‐Galα(1,3)Gal antibodies remained low, anti‐pig antibodies increased despite of GAS914 application. Corresponding to increased anti‐pig antibody titers depositions of IgM and IgG immunoglobulins were detected, which were possibly non‐Galα(1,3)Gal‐specific.Conclusions:  Following orthotopic transplantation of hDAF‐transgenic pig hearts into baboons, GAS914 is able to maintain a sufficient reduction of Galα(1,3)Gal‐specific cytotoxicity to the graft. GAS914 therefore is able to prevent not only hyperacute rejection, but also acute vascular rejection at its beginning, when serum cytotoxicity to the pig heart appears to be predominantly Galα(1,3)Gal‐specific. A sustained prevention of acute vascular rejection, however, still requires the identification of antibody specificities other than to Galα(1,3)Gal.
Economic Takeoffs in a Dynamic Process of Globalization*
Authors: Bond Eric W. , Jones Ronald W. , Wang Ping 
Published: February 2005

AbstractThe paper develops a dynamic general‐equilibrium framework to illustrate that trade liberalization may speed up the process of globalization and industrialization by enabling a small open economy to reallocate production factors to modern export sectors where increasing returns to experience are present. The authors emphasize the role of knowledge in service activities related to the export of modern sector goods, which has the form of a public good that can be utilized in exporting of other modern sector goods. As a consequence of this knowledge accumulation, the economy begins to take off and exhibits more rapid rates of wage and output growth. The accumulation of knowledge also shifts comparative advantage in the modern sector to more service‐intensive goods, thus leading to a natural evolution of comparative advantage. These results lend theoretical support to the different development experiences in the 1960s between East Asia and Latin America.
International Labor Union Policy and Growth with Creative Destruction*
Authors: Palokangas Tapio 
Published: February 2005

AbstractA multi‐economy Schumpeterian growth model is constructed. Economies are interdependent through technology transfer. Households can stay as workers or become researchers at some cost. Workers are employed in production and researchers in R&D. Workers are unionized and union power depends on the government's protection. The main findings are as follows. If international technological dependence increases, then workers’ wages, the growth rate, and the level of welfare fall. The international coordination of labor union policy raises workers’ wages and promotes growth and welfare.
The Role of Human Capital and Population Growth in R&D‐based Models of Economic Growth*
Authors: Strulik Holger 
Published: February 2005

AbstractHuman capital accumulation is introduced in a growth model with R&D‐driven expansion in variety and quality of intermediate goods and knowledge spillovers from both research activities. Economic growth is no longer uniquely tied to population growth as previous growth models without scale effects suggest. The model predicts that economic growth depends positively on the rate of human capital accumulation and positively or negatively on population growth and is therefore supported by empirical evidence to a greater extent than previous models. In particular, long‐run growth is compatible with a stable population.
Taking a Turnpike: A Korean Perspective*
Authors: Hong Wontack 
Published: February 2005

AbstractCatch‐up is very much like taking interstate turnpikes to travel from a destitute backward state to an advanced state of material affluence in the shortest time. This paper presents an overview of the catch‐up process in Korea, analyzing the process of taking a turnpike. It delineates the advantage of export‐oriented growth strategy and examines the institutionalization of an export‐oriented regime in Korea. It amplifies the nature of Korea's “governed” market policies that bred the seeds of eventual catastrophe in light of the 1997 crisis that has dramatically revealed Korea's Achilles heel. It also addresses the political economy of switching turnpikes, amplifying the necessity of a fundamental institutional restructuring at certain points in the catch‐up process.
Implicit Mercantilism, Oligopoly, and Trade*
Authors: McGuire Martin C. , Ohta Hiroshi 
Published: February 2005

AbstractThe authors propose a new model of trade between developing and advanced economies to capture the effects of important asymmetries in the organizations of their industries. This model demonstrates how the industrial structure of a developing economy can evolve to produce what the authors call “implicit mercantilism.” Free entry plus domestic oligopoly in a developing economy, when combined with competitive behavior in developed countries, generates several distinct stages of mercantilism hitherto unrecognized in the literature. Each stage has its own pattern of interaction with a competitive trading world. As the production costs and techniques of the mercantile society converge to world standards, its citizens will first lose from this progress, only later to gain. Both effects are due to certain relationships between home prices and world prices, newly identified in this paper. The analysis is particularly relevant to the structure of Asian economies, and to policy debates about their reform.
Out‐of‐home Placement of School‐age Children with Disabilities and High Support Needs
Authors: Llewellyn Gwynnyth , McConnell David , Thompson Kirsty , Whybrow Samantha 
Published: February 2005

Background  This study explored the relationship between family life variables and out‐of‐home placement tendency for families of school‐age children with disabilities and high support needs.Method  This study was a prospective cohort study of 81 families with children with disabilities and high support needs aged between 6 and 13 years. There were two waves of data collection 12–18 months apart involving in‐depth interviews with the primary carer.Results  Out‐of‐home placement tendency was associated with three interrelated family life variables: (i) difficulty balancing the demands of caring and the needs of other family members; (ii) sharing workload and responsibility; and (iii) integrating the child into the everyday world.Conclusion  Family capacity to continue balancing the demands of caring and the needs of other family members is central to maintaining family‐based placement.
‘Busy Behaviour’ in the ‘Land of the Golden M’: Going Out with Learning Disabled Children in Public Places
Authors: Ryan Sara 
Published: February 2005

Background  Research suggests that the inclusion of learning disabled people is contingent, unsatisfactory and incomplete. This paper will take a step back and look at the experiences of mothers of learning disabled children in public places.Methods  Seventeen women have taken part in the small scale qualitative study which used a combination of single and group interviews to explore their experiences in public places.Findings  Four areas have been identified as having an impact upon the experiences of the mothers and children in public places: the effects of the childrens' learning impairments, structural constraints, the attitudes of others and the attitudes of the mothers.Conclusion  The paper will conclude by asking if there is a role for alternative primary communities for learning disabled people and make suggestions for the development of a more ‘learning disabled child‐friendly’ environment.
Families of 30–35‐Year Olds with Down's Syndrome
Authors: Carr Janet 
Published: February 2005

Background The families of a population sample of people with Down's syndrome (DS), and of their non‐disabled controls, have been followed since early childhood, and the families have now been seen again as their sons and daughters reached age 30 and 35 years.Methods A semi‐structured interview schedule was used, including items from the handicaps, behaviour and skills schedule [L. Wing,Acta Psychologica Scandinavica, Suppl. 285 (1980) 241] and from Holmes’ thesis (The Quality of Life of Mentally Handicapped Adults and Their Parents, 1988, PhD Thesis) relating to leisure and social life and experience of services.Results Most parents, now in their late 60s, reported good health and a satisfactory social life. Mothers’ mean stress scores were slightly higher in the Down's syndrome group than in the controls: possible explanations for this are discussed. Only one factor relating to the offspring with Down's syndrome could be shown to influence stress. Few adverse effects on the siblings were identified.Conclusions The study is in agreement with others in showing families of older people with Down's syndrome to be well‐adjusted and not unduly stressed.
Emotional well‐being for all: mental health and people with profound and multiple learning disabilities
Authors: Sheehy Kieron , Nind Melanie 
Published: February 2005

SummaryThis article considers the emotional well‐being of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities. It identifies the factors that have particularly affected this group of people: an historical failure to acknowledge their human status; deficit‐based services, a lack of voice and communication barriers. Whilst these factors are of importance to all people with learning disabilities, evidence is presented that those with profound and multiple learning disabilities are the most likely to experience challenges to their mental health and the least likely to receive appropriate support. A strategy for developing our understanding and good practice in the area is suggested. This prioritizes areas for future work and suggests that a collaborative approach is most likely to yield positive outcomes for these individuals.
Residence times and source ages of deep crustal fluids: interpretation of 129I and 36Cl results from the KTB‐VB drill site, Germany
Authors: FEHN U. , SNYDER G. T. 
Published: February 2005

AbstractWe present here 129I/I and 36Cl/Cl ratios, together with halogen concentrations in crustal fluids from the continental deep drill site (KTB‐VB) in Germany, where fluids were collected from 4000 m depth during a pump test carried out in 2002 and 2003. Compared with seawater, the fluids are enriched by factors of 2, 8 and 40 for Cl−, Br and I, respectively, and show little variation over the test period. The 129I/I ratios are between 1700 and 4100 × 10−15; the 36Cl/Cl ratios are below 10 × 10−15. Co‐variation between 129I and 36Cl concentrations in the fluids indicates that anthropogenic components are absent and that the ratios reflect an addition from crustal sources. The results suggest residence times of 10 Ma or more for the fluids in formations with uranium concentrations of 1 ppm. A minimum age of 30 Ma for the iodine source was derived from the correlation between 129I and 36Cl concentrations in the fluids. The results demonstrate that the halogen characteristics of the KTB fluids are very similar to those of other deep crustal fluids and that the combination of 129I and 36Cl systematics allows determination of residence times and source ages of such fluids.