bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Examining the link between price regulation and pharmaceutical R&D investment
Authors: Vernon John A. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThis paper examines the link between price regulation and pharmaceutical research and development (R&D) investment. I identify two mechanisms through which price regulation may exert an influence on R&D: an expected‐profit effect and a cash‐flow effect. Using established models of the determinants of pharmaceutical R&D, I exploit a unique fact to quantify firm exposure to pharmaceutical price regulation: relative to the rest of the world, the U.S. pharmaceutical market is largely unregulated with respect to price. Using this fact within the context of a system of quasi‐structural equations, I simulate how a new policy regulating pharmaceutical prices in the U.S. will affect R&D investment. I find that such a policy will lead to a decline in industry R&D by between 23.4 and 32.7%. This prediction, however, is accompanied by several caveats. Moreover, it says nothing about the implications for social welfare; therefore, these issues are also discussed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vitro and in vivo behavior of self‐reinforced bioabsorbable polymer and self‐reinforced bioabsorbable polymer/bioactive glass composites
Authors: Niiranen Henna , Pyhältö Tuomo , Rokkanen Pentti , Kellomäki Minna , Törmälä Pertti 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro and in vivo properties and degradation of (1) self‐reinforced (SR) lactide copolymer, P(L/DL)LA 70:30, and (2) SR composites of the same polylactide and bioactive glass 13‐93. The following three polymer and polymer–bioactive glass samples were studied: SR‐PLA70, SR‐PLA70 + BaG15s, and SR‐PLA70 + BaG20c. In vitro behavior was studied in a phosphate‐buffered saline for 87 weeks at 37° ± 1°C and a pH of 7.4 ± 0.2. In vivo behavior was studied by implanting the rods in the dorsal subcutaneous tissue of rats (SR‐PLA70 + BaG20c) or rabbits (SR‐PLA70 and SR‐PLA70 + BaG15s) for 48 weeks. The degradation of the specimens was evaluated by measuring the changes in mechanical properties, crystallinity and molecular weight of polymer, water absorption, weight loss, and structural changes. Results showed that the addition of bioactive glass filler modified the degradation kinetics and material morphology. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 69A: 699–708, 2004
Acanthosis Nigricans in Kabuki Syndrome
Authors: Fahim Simone S. , Adam John E. 
Published: April 2004

Background Acanthosis nigricans has been classified in different ways. All classifications depend on the clinical picture and the association with other conditions. Objective We report a case of acanthosis nigricans in a patient with Kabuki syndrome. This syndrome is characterized by five main manifestations: typical facial features, post natal growth deficiency, skeletal abnormalities, dermatoglyphic abnormalities, and mild to moderate mental retardation. Conclusion Our case may suggest that acanthosis nigricans could be associated with Kabuki syndrome.
Ultrasonic assessment of cervix in “at risk” patients
Authors: Varma T.R. , Patel R.H. , Pillai U. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractOne hundred seventy patients were considered to be at risk of cervical incompetence from their previous history. They were scanned serially from the first trimester to 36 weeks gestation. Of the 170, 105 patients (61.8%) were found to have defective cervix (the length of cervix, width of the cervix, and cervical canal at the level of the internal cervical os, and herniation of amniotic membrane with or without fetal parts into the cervical canal). Of the 105 patients diagnosed to have defective cervix (possible cervical incompetence), 22 patients (21%) aborted, 48 patients (45.7%) had to have cervical cerclage, 26 patients (24.8%) had preterm delivery and the remaining 9 patients (8.5%) had no problems during pregnancy. The remaining 65 patients (38.2%) did not have ultrasonic evidence of cervical incompetence and 3 aborted and only 2 patients delivered between 35 and 37 weeks gestation while 60 patients delivered between 37 and 42 weeks gestation. These 65 patients would have had cervical cerclage on the basis of the clinical history alone, but in only 6, cervical cerclage was inserted.
Who is the elderly primigravida in Nigeria?
Authors: Ojo A. , Oronsaye U. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractA retrospective study of 792 primigravidae, divided into four age‐groups, was made in order to detect which group showed features of the elderly primigravida. Adolescent primigravidae showed significantly highest incidences of pre‐eclampsia, anemia, premature labor and cephalopelvic disproportion. The 20–24 year age‐group showed the least incidence of pregnancy and labor complications. The 25–29 year age‐group showed significantly increased incidences of uterine fibroids, pre‐eclampsia, post‐term pregnancy, premature labor, slow labor, fetal distress, failed induction, vacuum and cesarean section deliveries, when compared with the 20–24 year age‐group. Most of the complications in the 25–29 year age‐group were continued into 30–34 years. A woman 25 years and above in her first pregnancy in Nigeria should be termed “elderly primigravida”.
Evolution of cystic and adnexal tumors identified by echography
Authors: Pinotti J.A. , de Franzin C.M.M.O. , Marussi E.F. , Zeferino L.C. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe authors present their experience in detecting volume and echostructure alterations of the ovary in 14 525 women examined echographically and clinically. They analyzed 499 adnexal tumors and observed after clinical follow‐up and echography that 60.6% of the cystic‐septa tumors had involuted spontaneously. Percentage of spontaneous resolution was higher in small‐diameter tumors, avoiding unnecessary surgery.
Primary pulmonary hypertension in pregnancy
Authors: Takeuchi T. , Nishii O. , Okamura T. , Yaginuma T. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractPrimary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is an uncommon but serious disease. Most patients with PPH are young women and the disease is more serious and eventful in pregnant women. We have experienced a patient with PPH in pregnancy, who was delivered successfully but died suddenly on the 7th day after the delivery. We report the obstetric course and the clinical management for the delivery of the patient with PPH.
Biochemical changes in the mother and the fetus during labor and its significance for the management of the second stage
Authors: Schneider H. , Prögler M. , Ziegler W.H. , Huch R. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractIn 69 patients with uneventful pregnancies, term labor was studied prospectively with respect to length of second stage, number of bearing down efforts, maternal and fetal levels of lactate, epinephrine and norepinephrine. Maternal venous blood concentrations were measured in early labor and at the time of delivery while samples from umbilical artery and vein provided fetal blood. There was a significant rise of lactate and catecholamines in maternal blood during labor and at delivery fetal lactate concentration was lower than the maternal level while for epinephrine and norepinephrine fetal levels were higher. For all three compounds umbilical artery concentrations were higher than umbilical venous levels. While there was no correlation between the biochemical parameters in maternal blood and length of second stage maternal lactate and norepinephrine concentration at the time of delivery significantly correlated with the number of bearing down efforts. Umbilical artery lactate correlated with both, length of second stage and number of bearing down efforts.
Globulines anormalment precipitables (GAP) in Nigerian users of progestogen‐only pill
Authors: Wright E.A. , Temple V.J. , Kapu M.M. , Mwaigwe M.M. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe globulines anormalment precipitables (GAP), which have been reported to be raised in current and former oral contraceptive users, were measured in Nigerian subjects which included male volunteers. The results showed that GAP were presnt in males who had never used contraceptives and that the mean values were lowest in intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) users and highest in females who had never used any contraceptives. However, curent contraceptive users had lower mean GAP values than either former users or never users. It was therefore concluded that GAP levels alone cannot be used to predict the development of thromboembolic complications in pill users, and that ethinyl estradiol cannot be the main physiological stimulus for GAP synthesis.
The tap test: A simple and inexpensive method for the diagnosis of fetal pulmonary maturity
Authors: Kassanos D. , Botsis D. , Gregoriou O. , Bezantakos Ch. , Kontogeorgi Z. , Zourlas P.A. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractOBJECTIVE: To report our experience in the prediction of fetal lung maturity with the tap test. METHOD: Amniotic fluid was obtained from 207 pregnant women from 17–40 weeks' gestation and the tap test compared with the phospholipid profile. RESULTS: The predictive values for a mature tap test were 100%, 99.9% and 98.2% and for immature tap test were 45.8%, 50% and 56.4% at 2.5 and 10 min, respectively. CONCLUSION: The tap test is a reliable, rapid, easy, inexpensive and accurate method for detection of fetal lung maturity.
Bone mineral density in Turkish postmenopausal women
Authors: Biberoǧlu K.Ö. , Yildiz A. , Kandemir Ö. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractOBJECTIVE: To determine the bone mineral density curve in Turkish postmenopausal women and to evaluate the efficacy of estrogen replacement therapy in the prevention of bone loss. METHOD: Spinal bone mineral density was measured using dual photon absorptiometry in 118 postmenopausal women, prospectively. Parity, previous and current use of estrogen preparations were correlated with BMD using Student's t‐test and the χ2‐test. RESULTS: With a mean BMD value of 0.967 ± 0.013 g/cm2, 62.5% of our postmenopausal study population had a mean BMD value of < 1.0 g/cm2 and 33.7% were already osteoporotic (<0.9 g/cm2). Bone loss was faster and more intense in the surgically menopausal than in the naturally menopausal group (P < 0.05). Parity after the fourth delivery dropped the mean BMD value (P < 0.05). Previous and current use of estrogen treatment seemed to decrease bone mineral loss in the postmenopausal years. CONCLUSION: Our data stress the need for locally obtained normal BMD values in every country in the world. High parity, surgical menopause and duration of 5 or more years of natural menopause are risk factors for bone loss. Estrogen replacement diminishes the annual bone loss.
Wife battering in Nigeria
Authors: Odujinrin O. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractOBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence, types and regularity of spouse abuse among Nigerian women. The effects of socio‐economic status, education and alcohol consumption were also investigated. METHOD: Questionnaire survey of 1000 randomly chosen Nigerian women was undertaken. RESULT: Wife abuse was found to be as prevalent in Nigeria as in other parts of the world, 81.0% of the respondents had suffered either verbal abuse (68.6%) or both physical and verbal abuse (31.4%); occasionally (77.4%), regularly (16.2%) or always (6.0%), Almost half of them (46.2%) were abused in the presence of their children. Education and occupation were found to influence the prevalence, type and regularity of abuse and their children witnessing the abuse. CONCLUSION: Wife battering has been found to be very prevalent in Nigeria. However, further research is needed to identify the causes and the psychological effects on these women and their children. This information will be invaluable for designing appropriate medico‐social rehabilitation for them.
Prenatal diagnosis of congenital nephrosis of the Finnish type (CNF) in the second trimester
Authors: Suren A. , Gröne H.J. , Kallerhoff M. , Weber M.H. , Zoll B. , Osmers R. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractCongenital nephrosis of the Finnish type is an hereditary, autosomal recessive disease which leads to death in early infancy. This is a case report concerning an affected fetus with legal interruption in the 24th week of gestation on the basis of certain sonographic changes in the fetal kidneys and changes in the protein profile in amniotic fluid, which were consistent with nephrotic damage of the kidneys. Light and electron microscopy showed evidence of CNF, i.e. increase of mesangial matrix and cells in glomeruli, dilated tubular segments, and effaced and plumb foot processes of the glomerular epithelial cells. Antenatal diagnosis of CNF therefore seems feasible in the second trimester of gestation by means of AFP determinations in maternal serum and amniotic fluid as well as by using sonographic criteria and determination of proteins in amniotic fluid.
Is there a methimazole dose effect on remission rate in Graves' disease? Results from a long‐term prospective study
Authors: Benker Georg , Reinwein Dankwart , Kahaly Georg , Tegler Lennart , Alexander W. Donald , Faßbinder Johanes , Hirche Herbert ,   The European Multicentre Trial Group of the Treatment of Hyperthyroidism with Antithyroid Drugs
Published: April 2004

OBJECTIVEThe optimal antithyroid drug regimen for Graves' disease remains a matter of controversy. The European Multicentre Trial Group has investigated the effects of methimazole drug dose on the long‐term outcome of Graves' disease.DESIGNExtended follow‐up of patients from a prospective multicentre trial, designed to study methimazole dose effects on the outcome of Graves' disease. We have reported previously that the relapse rates did not differ after a medication‐free observation period of 12 months; the relapse rates were 37 and 38%, respectively. In this paper, we describe the outcome in these patients after a mean observation period of 4.3 ± 1.3 years and have looked for potential predictors of this outcome.PATIENTSThree hundred and thirteen patients with Graves' disease were randomized to treatment with a constant dose of 10 or 40 mg of methimazole for 1 year, with levothyroxine supplementation as required.MEASUREMENTSAt the time of inclusion into the trial: thyroid size, T4, T3, TSH‐binding inhibiting immunoglobulins, urinary iodide excretion, thyroid uptake, Crook's therapeutic index of hyperthyroidism (a measure of clinical disease severity). At the time of follow‐up examination: TSH, T4, T3, thyroid size, thyroid ultrasound, THS‐binding inhibiting immunoglobulins.RESULTSThe overall relapse rate was 58%. There was no difference in relapse rates between patients treated with either 10 or 40 mg of methimazole (58.3 vs. 57.8%). Five patients had become spontaneously hypothyroid, without obvious relationship to antithyroid drug dose. Patients who relapsed and patients who remained in remission did not differ with respect to: age, goitre size, ophthalmopathy, median iodine excretion, serum T4 or serum T3, Crook's therapeutic index and thyroid uptake at the time of study entry. Thus, none of these variables was potentially suitable for predicting outcome. This finding was confirmed by Cox's proportional hazard regression. Thyroid volume, measured by ultrasound, did not differ between patients in remission and patients with relapse. There was no difference in the course of endocrine eye signs, in the requirement for steroid and radiotherapy for eye signs, or in thyroid echostructure between patients in the 10 and in the 40 mg group, nor was serum TSH different in patients who had remained in remission (0.8 ± 0.6 mU/l in the 10 mg group, 1.0 ± 0.8 mU/l in the 40 mg group).CONCLUSIONSThe dose of methimazole in Graves' disease therapy can safely be kept to the minimal required dose. This will provide the same chance of remission as higher doses, and provide the best balance of risk and benefit.
Glucocorticoid therapy suppresses abnormal secretion of big IGF‐II by non‐islet cell tumours inducing hypoglycaemia (NICTH)
Authors: Teale J. D. , Marks V. 
Published: April 2004

OBJECTIVETo assess the relative efficacy of hGH and glucocorticoids in the treatment of non‐islet cell tumour hypoglycaemia (NICTH) by examination of their influence on the composition of the various molecular species involving tumour and mature forms of IGF‐II in association with IGFBP‐3.DESIGNTwo groups each of 4 patients, all diagnosed as cases of NICTH, were treated with either hGH or glucocorticoids. Through the use of acidic size exclusion chromatography serum levels of tumour (big) and mature IGF‐II were evaluated. Neutral size exclusion chromatography was used in the separation of molecular species before assay for immunoreactive IGF‐II and IGFBP‐3 content.RESULTSHigh‐dose hGH treatment produced increases in serum levels of big and mature IGF‐II and IGFBP‐3 but without generation of high molecular weight complexes. Glucocorticoid treatment suppressed big IGF‐II permitting re‐establishment of normal IGF/IGFBP association patterns.CONCLUSIONGlucocorticoid therapy has been demonstrated to consistently reverse the biochemical abnormalities caused by tumour‐derived big IGF‐II compared with the potentially adverse stimulatory effects of hGH treatment in causing increases in serum levels of big IGF‐II.
Stratified or Comprehensive? The Economic Efficiency of School Design
Authors: Brunello Giorgio , Giannini Massimo 
Published: April 2004

AbstractWe study the efficiency of secondary school design by focusing on the degree of differentiation between vocational and general education. Using a simple model of endogenous job composition, we analyze the interaction between relative demand and relative supply of skills and characterize efficient school design when the government runs schools and cares about total net output. We show that neither a comprehensive nor a stratified system unambiguously dominates the other system in terms of efficiency for all possibile values of the underlying parameters. Since comprehensive systems generate more equal labour market outcomes, it follows that the relationship between efficiency and equity in secondary education is not necessarily a trade off.
Identifying Earnings Assimilation of Immigrants under Changing Macroeconomic Conditions
Authors: Barth Erling , Bratsberg Bernt , Raaum Oddbjørn 
Published: April 2004

AbstractFailure to account for differences between immigrants and natives in their responsiveness to changes in macroeconomic conditions may bias estimates of assimilation effects on immigrant earnings. Using Norwegian register data from 1980 to 1996, we first establish that earnings of immigrants from non‐OECD countries exhibit greater sensitivity to local unemployment than do earnings of natives. The empirical analysis further reveals that standard methods of estimation—which fail to consider differential immigrant and native responsiveness—understate earnings growth and overstate cohort differentials among non‐OECD immigrants. These biases are attributable to trends in macroeconomic conditions over the sample period.
Dissociating brain regions controlling the temporal and ordinal structure of learned movement sequences
Authors: Bengtsson Sara L. , Ehrsson H. Henrik , Forssberg Hans , Ullén Fredrik 
Published: April 2004

AbstractWe used functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate if different brain regions are controlling the temporal and ordinal structure of movement sequences during performance. Human subjects performed overlearned spatiotemporal sequences of key‐presses using the right index finger. Under different conditions, the temporal and the ordinal structure of the sequences were varied systematically in relation to each other, using a factorial design: COMBINED had a rhythm of eight temporal intervals and a serial order of eight keys; TEMPORAL had an eight‐interval rhythm produced on one key; ORDINAL had an isochronous rhythm and an eight‐key serial order; two control conditions had an isochronous pulse performed on one or two keys, respectively. Brain regions involved in rhythmic and ordinal control of the sequences were revealed by analysing main effect contrasts for the corresponding factors. TEMPORAL and ORDINAL were also compared directly to test for significant differences. A dissociation was found between largely the presupplementary motor area, the right inferior frontal gyrus and precentral sulcus, and the bilateral superior temporal gyri, involved in temporal control, and lateral fronto‐parietal areas, the basal ganglia and the cerebellum, which were implicated in ordinal control. The vermis and the superior colliculus were the only regions with an activity increase specifically related to combining long temporal and ordinal sequences. We conclude that humans use different brain networks for temporal and ordinal sequence control, and that the performance of combined sequences activates both networks, the medial cerebellum, and the superior colliculus.
Humanin antagonists: mutants that interfere with dimerization inhibit neuroprotection by Humanin
Authors: Hashimoto Yuichi , Terashita Kenzo , Niikura Takako , Yamagishi Yohichi , Ishizaka Miho , Kanekura Kohsuke , Chiba Tomohiro , Yamada Marina , Kita Yoshiko , Aiso Sadakazu , Matsuoka Masaaki , Nishimoto Ikuo 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe 24‐residue peptide Humanin (HN) protects neuronal cells from insults of various Alzheimer's disease (AD) genes and Aβ by forming a homodimer. We have previously shown that P3A, S7A, C8A, L9A, L12A, T13A, S14A and P19A mutations nullify the neuroprotective function of HN [Yamagishi, Y., Hashimoto, Y., Niikura, T. & Nishimoto, I. (2003) Peptides, 24, 585–595]. Here we examined whether any of these ‘null’ mutants could function as dominant‐negative mutants. Homodimerization‐defective mutants, P3A‐, L12A‐, S14A‐ and P19A‐HN, specifically blocked neuroprotection by HN, but not by activity‐dependent neurotrophic factor. Furthermore, insertion of S7A, the mutation that blocks the homodimerization of HN, but not insertion of G5A abolished the antagonizing function of L12A‐HN. While L12A‐HN and G5A/L12A‐HN actually inhibited HN homodimerization, S7A/L12A‐HN had no effect. These data indicate that P3A‐, L12A‐, S14A‐ and P19A‐HN function as HN antagonists by forming an inactive dimer with HN. This study provides a novel insight into the understanding of the in vivo function of HN, as well as into the development of clinically applicable HN neutralizers.