bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Economic Organizations and Corporate Governance in Japan
Authors: Milhaupt Curtis J. , West Mark D. 
Published: August 2004

Abstract
Using an institutional and empirical approach, this book analyses the role of formal rules (law and regulations) and informal rules (norms, practices, and shared beliefs) in the Japanese economy. Through in‐depth studies of corporate governance and finance, mergers and acquisitions, financial regulation, organized crime, and markets for everything from venture capital to legal talent, Professors Milhaupt and West show that institutions play a crucial and heretofore overlooked role in the structure of the Japanese economy, which often is portrayed as being governed exclusively by interpersonal relations and bureaucratic fiat. As these rules change, Japanese actors are responding, reshaping corporate governance and financial markets, while eroding the bureaucracy's power.
Pachydermia is Not Diagnostic of Active Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease
Authors: Hill R Keith , Simpson C Blake , Velazquez Ruben , Larson Nicole 
Published: August 2004

AbstractObjective: To determine the change in pachydermia/posterior commissure hypertrophy in patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPR) on long‐term acid‐suppressive therapy.Study Design: Retrospective chart review.Methods: Seventeen patients with LPR who were compliant with long‐term acid‐suppressive treatment and had good control of their symptoms for at least 20 months were examined. Pre‐ and posttreatment still laryngeal images from these patients were analyzed by five otolaryngologists blinded to patient information and were scored for pachydermia/posterior commissure hypertrophy according to the Reflux Finding Score (RFS) subset. Test‐retest intraobserver reliability, intergrader correlations, as well as a paired t test for means of the data sets were then calculated.Results: There was no significant difference in the grading scores between the pre‐ and posttreatment group for degree of pachydermia/posterior commissure hypertrophy despite a prolonged treatment interval (mean = 32 months) (P = .25).Conclusions: There is no statistically significant difference in the degree of pachydermia/posterior commissure hypertrophy found at diagnosis and after long‐term acid suppressive therapy in patients with LPR. Therefore, it appears that pachydermia, as an isolated finding, is unreliable in determining the presence of active LPR.
Nasopharyngeal pH Monitoring in Chronic Sinusitis Patients Using a Novel Four Channel Probe
Authors: Wong I W. Y. , Omari T I. , Myers J C. , Rees G , Nair S B. , Jamieson G G. , Wormald P J. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractObjective: To determine the prevalence of acid reflux into the nasopharynx in patients with chronic sinusitis.Study design: Prospective study of patients presenting to a specialist rhinology practice with chronic sinusitis.Methods: Forty patients with chronic sinusitis underwent ambulatory 24 hour pH testing. The mean age of the patients was 56.3 years (25 Female, 15 Male). The studies were performed using a specially developed bifurcated 4 channel pH probe, incorporating 2 circumferential sensors positioned at the naso‐ and hypo‐pharynx, and 2 unidirectional sensors positioned at the proximal and distal esophagus.Results: The circumferential band sensors yielded a stable recording largely free of artefact allowing meaningful recordings to be obtained from thirty‐seven patients. Twelve patients (32.4%) were diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux. A total of 809 reflux episodes were recorded. Of these, 596 (73.7%) reached the distal esophagus, with 187 (23.1%) and 24 (3.0%) reaching the proximal esophagus and hypopharynx respectively. Only 2 episodes (0.2%) were recorded in the nasopharynx. This occurred in 2 of 37 patients (5%).Conclusions: Acid reflux into the nasopharynx is a rare event in patients with chronic sinusitis even though a significant proportion (32.4%) have abnormal 24 hour pH studies. It is likely that alternative mechanisms other than direct acid contact are involved in the pathogenesis of chronic sinusitis.
Voice Changes after Androgen Therapy for Hypogonadotrophic Hypogonadism
Authors: Akcam Timur , Bolu Erol , Merati Albert L. , Durmus Coskun , Gerek Mustafa , Ozkaptan Yalcin 
Published: August 2004

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis: Males with isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) fail to undergo normal sexual development, including the lack of masculinization of the larynx. The objective of this study was to measure the mean vocal fundamental frequency (MF0) in IHH patients and determine the impact of androgen treatment. An additional aim was to compare the MF0 between IHH patients and controls.Study Design: Prospective observational study.Methods: Twenty‐four patients with IHH were identified along with 30 normal males and females. Voice recordings were obtained on all subjects. Androgen therapy was administered to the IHH patients. The MF0 and serum sex hormone levels were measured before treatment and at intervals during therapy. These results were compared with the pretreatment data within the IHH group. Voice parameters were also compared between the pre‐ and posttreatment IHH patients and the normal males and females.Results: The MF0 in untreated IHH patients was 229 ± 41 Hz. This was intermediate between the normal male (150 ± 22 Hz, P < .001) and normal female patients (256 ± 29 Hz, P < .01). After treatment, the MF0 in the IHH group decreased to 173 ± 30 Hz (P < .0001); indeed, their posttreatment MF0 approached that of normal males (P < .08). Serum hormone levels responded to the injected testosterone, but these levels did not directly correlate with MF0.Conclusions: MF0 in IHH patients is intermediate between normal male and female levels. After treatment with testosterone, these values approach the range of normal males. This prospective study details the impact of androgens on the larynx and vocal function in patients with IHH.
The Effect of Endogenous Nitric Oxide on Cholinergic Ciliary Stimulation of Human Nasal Mucosa
Authors: Alberty Jürgen , August Christian , Stoll Wolfgang , Rudack Claudia 
Published: August 2004

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis: Endogenous nitric oxide (NO) production by inducible nitric oxide synthase is enhanced in the nasal ciliated respiratory tract epithelium of patients with allergic rhinitis. Recent experimental data have suggested endogenous NO to be strongly involved in the complex regulation of ciliary activity, the driving force of the mucociliary transport system. The authors investigated the effect of endogenous NO on acetylcholine‐stimulated ciliary activity of human nasal mucosa.Study Design: In vitro study.Methods: Cultures of human nasal mucosa explants were incubated with tumor necrosis factor‐α and bacterial lipopolysaccharides to enhance endogenous NO production. Expression of inducible NO synthase was morphologically demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. Ciliary beat frequency was determined by phase‐contrast microscopy of ciliated epithelium, using a computerized photoelectric technique. Stimulation experiments were performed in vitro with acetylcholine and N(G)‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME), a NO synthase inhibitor.Results: Upregulation of inducible NO synthase in the respiratory tract epithelium after stimulation with tumor necrosis factor‐α and lipopolysaccharide was visualized by immunohistochemical analysis. Experimental inhibition of enhanced endogenous NO production by 10−2 mol/L L‐NAME significantly reduced baseline ciliary beat frequency from 8.6 ± 0.2 to 7.8 ± 0.2 Hz (P < .05). Cholinergic ciliary stimulation above baseline by 10−4 mol/L acetylcholine was not significantly different before (11.5%) or after (10.8%) blocking of endogenous NO production.Conclusion: Taken together, the study results suggest that baseline ciliary activity depends on endogenous NO production but that the extent of cholinergic ciliary stimulation is independent of endogenous NO production. The combination of the two effects may improve nasal mucociliary clearance of inhaled allergens in patients with allergic rhinitis.
High‐Dose Cisplatin With Amifostine: Ototoxicity and Pharmacokinetics
Authors: Ekborn Andreas , Hansson Johan , Ehrsson Hans , Eksborg Staffan , Wallin Inger , Wagenius Gunnar , Laurell Göran 
Published: August 2004

AbstractObjectives/Hypothesis:Ototoxicity is a common side effect of high‐dose cisplatin treatment. Thiol‐containing chemoprotectors ameliorate cisplatin ototoxicity under experimental conditions. The trial was initiated to test the efficacy of amifostine protection in high‐dose cisplatin treatment (125–150 mg/m2) for metastatic malignant melanoma, to correlate the ototoxic outcome with cisplatin pharmacokinetics, and to evaluate the importance of using a selective analytical method for the quantification of cisplatin.Study Design:Prospective study of 15 patients with stage IV malignant melanoma.Methods:Clinical follow‐up of therapeutic response, pure‐tone audiometry, and analysis of cisplatin and its monohydrated complex in blood ultrafiltrate by liquid chromatography with postcolumn derivatization were performed. Ultrafiltered blood platinum was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.Results:Ototoxicity and gastrointestinal toxicity were the most prominent side effects. Three patients ultimately required hearing aids. All patients had audiometric changes at one or more frequencies after the second treatment course, and all but one patient reported auditory symptoms. No correlation was found between hearing loss and blood cisplatin pharmacokinetics. Platinum levels determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry were higher than total platinum levels calculated from cisplatin and monohydrated complex concentrations obtained by liquid chromatography analysis.Conclusion:Ototoxicity was unacceptable despite amifostine treatment. Cisplatin pharmacokinetics during the first treatment course were not predictive of hearing loss. Amifostine caused a lowering of dose‐normalized area under the concentration‐time curve for cisplatin and monohydrated complex. Use of the unselective inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis leads to an overestimation of active drug. Selective analysis of cisplatin is especially important when evaluating cisplatin pharmacokinetics during chemoprotector treatment.
The quantum topological electrostatic potential as a probe for functional group transferability
Authors: Popelier P. L. A. , Devereux M. , Rafat M. 
Published: August 2004

The electrostatic potential can be used as an appropriate and convenient indicator of how transferable an atom or functional group is between two molecules. Quantum-chemical topology (QCT) is used to define the electron density of a molecular fragment and the electrostatic potential it generates. The potential generated on a grid by the terminal aldehyde group of the biomolecule retinal is compared with the corresponding aldehyde group in smaller molecules derived from retinal. The terminal amino group in the free amino acid lysine was treated in a similar fashion. Each molecule is geometry-optimized by an ab initio calculation at B3LYP/6-311G+(2d,p)//HF/6-31G(d) level. The amino group in lysine is very little influenced by any part of the molecule further than two C atoms away. However, the aldehyde group in retinal is influenced by molecular fragments six C atoms away. This dramatic disparity is ascribed to the difference in saturation in the carbon chains; retinal contains a conjugated hydrocarbon chain but lysine an aliphatic one.
Expression of Na+/HCO3− co‐transporter proteins (NBCs) in rat and human skeletal muscle
Authors: Kristensen J. M. , Kristensen M. , Juel C. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractAim:  Sodium/bicarbonate co‐transport (NBC) has been suggested to have a role in muscle pH regulation. We investigated the presence of NBC proteins in rat and human muscle samples and the fibre type distribution of the identified NBCs.Methods and results:  Western blotting of muscle homogenates and sarcolemmal membranes (sarcolemmal giant vesicles) were used to screen for the presence of NBCs. Immunohistochemistry was used for the subcellular localization. The functional test revealed that approximately half of the pH recovery in sarcolemmal vesicles produced from rat muscle is mediated by bicarbonate‐dependent transport. This indicates that the NBCs are preserved in the vesicles. The western blotting experiments demonstrated the existence of at least two NBC proteins in skeletal muscle. One NBC protein (approximately 150 kDa) seems to be related to the kidney/pancreas/heart isoform NBC1, whereas the other protein (approximately 200 kDa) is related to the NBC4 isoform. The two NBC proteins represent the electrogenic isoforms named NBCe1 and NBCe2. Membrane fractionation and immunofluorescence techniques confirmed that the two NBCs are located in the sarcolemmal membrane as well as in some internal membranes, probably the T‐tubules. The two NBCs localized in muscle have distinct fibre type distributions.Conclusions:  Skeletal muscle possesses two variants of the sodium/bicarbonate co‐transporter (NBC) isoforms, which have been called NBCe1 and NBCe2.
Extracellular GABA in the medial hypothalamus is increased following hypocretin‐1 administration
Authors: Viggiano An. , Monda M. , Viggiano Al. , Fuccio F. , De Luca B. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractAim: Hypocretin 1 is an hypothalamic neuropeptide that induces an increase in food intake when administered into the cerebral lateral ventricle. As it is well known that the medial hypothalamus (MH) is involved in the feeding behaviour also through GABAergic circuits, the aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect of an hypocretin 1 intracerebroventricular (icv) injection on the extracellular levels of GABA in the MH.Methods: GABA levels in the MH were evaluated in six rats by microdialysis and high performance liquid chromatography‐electrochemical detection 30 min before and every 30 min for an over all period of 6 h after an icv injection of hypocretin 1. The same procedure was used in another group of six rats but saline was injected into the lateral ventricle as control.Results: The results show that extracellular GABA increases in the MH after the injection of hypocretin 1 at 60 min and at 3 h after the injection.Conclusion: This finding suggests a possible mechanism by which hypocretin 1 should induce hyperphagia in the first hour after injection. As it is already known that the inhibition of the MH by injection of GABA causes an increase of food intake, it is possible that hypocretin 1 causes an increase in food intake by increasing the GABA release in the MH. The lack of an increase in the GABA level after the fourth hour is consistent with the lack of an increase in food intake at this time, as we observed in previous experiments. The finding of a biphasic increase in the GABA level, at 60 min and at 3 h, was unexpected and should be further investigated.
Effect of pitavastatin against expression of S100β protein in the gerbil hippocampus after transient cerebral ischaemia
Authors: Muramatsu Y. , Kurosaki R. , Kato H. , Araki T. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractAim and methods:  We investigated the immunohistochemical alterations of S100β‐, S100‐, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)‐ and isolectin B4‐positive cells in the hippocampus after 5 min of transient cerebral ischaemia in gerbils. We also examined the effect of 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐coenzyme A (HMG‐CoA) reductase inhibitor pitavastatin against neuronal damage in the hippocampal CA1 sector after ischaemia.Results:  Severe neuronal damage was observed in the hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons from 5 days after ischaemia. GFAP‐positive cells increased gradually in the hippocampus from 5 days after ischaemia. Five and 14 days after ischaemia, significant increases in the number of GFAP‐positive cells and isolectin B4‐positive cells were observed in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 sector. Mild increases in the number of S100 and S100β‐positive cells were observed in the hippocampal CA1 sector from 1 h to 2 days after ischaemia. Thereafter, S100β‐positive cells increased in the hippocampal CA1 sector after ischaemia, whereas S100‐positive cells decreased in this region. In our double‐labelled immunostainings, S100 and S100β immunoreactivity was found in GFAP‐positive astrocytes, but not in isolectin B4‐positive microglia. Pharmacological study showed that HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitor, pitavastatin, can protect against the hippocampal CA1 neuronal damage after ischaemia. This drug also prevented increases in the number of GFAP‐positive astrocytes, isolectin B4‐positive microglia, S100‐positive astrocytes and S100β‐positive astrocytes after ischaemia.Conclusion:  The present study demonstrates that pitavastatin can decrease the neuronal damage of hippocampal CA1 sector after ischaemia. This beneficial effect may be, at least in part, mediated by inhibiting the expression of astrocytic activation in the hippocampus at the acute phase after ischaemia. Thus the modulation of astrocytic activation may offer a novel therapeutic strategy of ischaemic brain damage.
DNA hypo‐methylating agents and sickle cell disease
Authors: Saunthararajah Yogen , Lavelle Donald , DeSimone Joseph 
Published: August 2004

SummaryFetal haemoglobin (HbF, α2) decreases polymerization of sickle haemoglobin (HbS) and high levels correlate with decreased morbidity and mortality in sickle cell disease (SSD). Therefore, a therapeutic goal in SSD is the pharmacologic reactivation of HbF. Silencing of the globin (HbF) gene is associated with DNA methylation. The cytosine analogues 5‐azacytidine and 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine (decitabine) hypomethylate DNA by inhibiting DNA methyl‐transferase. In clinical trials, 5‐azacytidine and decitabine have demonstrated the greatest efficacy in HbF reactivation. Clinical development of these drugs has been delayed by concerns regarding the carcinogenic potential of 5‐azacytidine. Furthermore, controversy regarding DNA hypomethylation versus more generic cytotoxic effects as the mechanism of action suggested that other cytotoxic/cytostatic agents might be as effective. Additional preclinical data and clinical studies of decitabine have tempered many safety concerns and have confirmed that DNA hypomethylation is the mechanism of action. Pharmacologic reactivation of HbF through DNA hypomethylation holds promise as an effective disease modifying intervention for patients with SSD. Larger studies are required to confirm safety and effectiveness with chronic use.
Differing body size between the autumn and the winter–spring cohorts of neon flying squid (Ommastrephes bartramii) related to the oceanographic regime in the North Pacific: a hypothesis
Authors: Ichii Taro , Mahapatra Kedarnath , Sakai Mitsuo , Inagake Denzo , Okada Yoshihiro 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe neon flying squid (Ommastrephes bartramii), which is the target of an important North Pacific fishery, is comprised of an autumn and winter–spring cohort. During summer, there is a clear separation of mantle length (ML) between the autumn (ML range: 38–46 cm) and the winter–spring cohorts (ML range: 16–28 cm) despite their apparently contiguous hatching periods. We examined oceanic conditions associated with spawning/nursery and northward migration habitats of the two different‐sized cohorts. The seasonal meridional movement of the sea surface temperature (SST) range at which spawning is thought to occur (21–25°C) indicates that the spawning ground occurs farther north during autumn (28–34°N) than winter–spring (20–28°N). The autumn spawning ground coincides with the Subtropical Frontal Zone (STFZ), characterized by enhanced productivity in winter because of its close proximity to the Transition Zone Chlorophyll Front (TZCF), which move south to the STFZ from the Subarctic Boundary. Hence this area is thought to become a food‐rich nursery ground in winter. The winter–spring spawning ground, on the other hand, coincides with the Subtropical Domain, which is less productive throughout the year. Furthermore, as the TZCF and SST front migrate northward in spring and summer, the autumn cohort has the advantage of being in the SST front and productive area north of the chlorophyll front, whereas the winter–spring cohort remains to the south in a less productive area. Thus, the autumn cohort can utilize a food‐rich habitat from winter through summer, which, we hypothesize, causes its members to grow larger than those in the winter–spring cohort in summer.
Somatic energy of sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka at the onset of upriver migration: a comparison among ocean climate regimes
Authors: Crossin Glenn T. , Hinch Scott G. , Farrell Anthony P. , Higgs David A. , Healey Michael C. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractWe examined somatic energy patterns in two stocks (Chilko and Early Stuart) of adult Fraser River (British Columbia, Canada) sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), collected at the end of their ocean residency, spanning years across different climate regimes. Both stocks had high levels of somatic energy in years with high open ocean productivity (1956, 1957, 2001 and 2002), and relatively low levels in years with poor open ocean productivity (1999 and 2000). For Early Stuart sockeye, energy levels in 1999 and 2000 were approximately 15% lower (∼1.5 MJ kg−1) than that in the 1950s, an amount of energy equivalent to that necessary for migrating 600 km upriver. In recent years (2001 and 2002), energy levels have increased by about 9% for both stocks. Low energy levels at the onset of upriver migration, particularly in years of energetically demanding in‐river conditions, such as high flows or temperatures, are likely to contribute to prespawning and en route mortality in Fraser sockeye.
Melanotic neuroectodermal tumour of infancy in the maxilla: a case report
Authors: LIU H.‐H. , CHEN T.‐W. , CHANG H.‐S. 
Published: August 2004

Summary. A 4·5‐month‐old Chinese boy presented with a bulging mass in the anterior right maxillary region. Clinical features and incisional biopsy examination confirmed the diagnosis of melanotic neuroectodermal tumour of infancy (MNTI). The lesion had first been noted a month before the biopsy. The extent of the lesion was defined via computed tomography, and surgical excision was accomplished through a partial maxillectomy under general anaesthesia. The patient has been irregularly followed‐up over the past 8 years, and no evidence of recurrence has been found, either by clinical examination or serial computed tomography scans. A bony defect and a lack of alveolar process were noted on the right side of the anterior maxilla. The patient displayed social withdrawal at school as a result of his partial anodontia. There have only been a limited number of reports on the dental rehabilitation of postoperative MNTI. We report a case of maxillary MNTI in which the need for dental rehabilitation was emphasized.