bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Union recognition in Britain's offshore oil and gas industry: implications of the Employment Relations Act 1999
Authors: Woolfson Charles , Beck Matthias 
Published: June 2004

ABSTRACTThe Employment Relations Act 1999 (ERA) has provided trade unions in the UK with new opportunities for achieving recognition. After a long history of anti‐unionism in the offshore oil and gas industry, employers have voluntarily ceded recognition to Trades Union Congress (TUC)‐affiliated trade unions. The legitimacy of this recognition process has been contested by the non‐TUC Offshore Industry Liaison Committee (OILC), an offshore workers’ union, seeking to act as a recognised bargaining agent. The ERA may be promoting ‘business friendly’ agreements at the expense of claims to recognition of other bargaining agents and of democratic employee choice.
From Public Support for the Arts to Cultural Policy
Authors: Wyszomirski Margaret 
Published: June 2004

AbstractAlthough public funding for the arts had been an element of budget and appropriations business at both the federal and state levels for over a quarter century, the idea that policy justifies and directs these resource allocations has been slow to emerge. This article provides a historiographical discussion of how the issue was framed and of the resistance to the term “cultural policy” through reference to contextual, political, and epistemic factors. It then uses four presidential reports ranging from 1953 to 1997 to track the evolution of political language concerning the policy definition of the arts and culture, the roles and responsibilities of the federal government regarding these, and the emergence of a range of policy issues beyond public funding.
Old Pictures in New Frames: Issue Definition and Federal Arts Policy
Authors: Strom Elizabeth , Cook Angela 
Published: June 2004

AbstractOver the past three decades, those advocating for arts funding have shifted their arguments. When the National Endowment of the Arts (NEA) was created in 1965, its supporters praised arts and culture for their uplifting qualities, and for their ability to counterbalance trends toward materialism and militarism. By the 1990s, arts advocates were far more likely to use instrumentalist arguments, showing that investment in arts and culture produce other desirable benefits, most notably economic development advances. This article reviews the changing discourse of arts advocacy in several ways: (1) by reviewing and coding Congressional debates on arts funding from 1965–2000, (2) reviewing arts coverage in the New York Times and selected arts periodicals during this same time period. Comparing this case to others in the literature on policy redefinition, the paper argues that cultural advocates have consciously reframed their arguments to broaden their appeal in the face new and more threatening opposition.
Gender Difference in the Non‐Specific and Specific Immune Response in Humans
Authors: Bouman Annechien , Schipper Martin , Heineman Maas Jan , Faas Marijke M. 
Published: June 2004

Problem:  The purpose of this present ex vivo study is to get insight in the sex differences of the basic non‐specific and specific immune response.Method of study:  Intracellular types 1 and 2 cytokine production by stimulated male and female lymphocytes and monocytes in a whole blood preparation was measured by flow cytometry.Results:  Increased percentage interleukin (IL)‐12, IL‐1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α producing monocytes and decreased percentage IL‐2 producing lymphocytes, i.e. type 1 cytokine, were found in men as compared with women.Conclusion:  These results suggest a gender difference in the balance between the specific and non‐specific immune response, i.e. a more profound and higher state of excitation of the non‐specific immune response and relative suppression of the cellular immune response of the specific immune system in men as compared with women.
Subpopulations of Mouse Testicular Macrophages and their Immunoregulatory Function
Authors: Bryniarski Krzysztof , Szczepanik Marian , Maresz Katarzyna , Ptak Maria , Ptak Włodzimierz 
Published: June 2004

Problem:  Testicular macrophages (TMf) participate together with Sertoli cells in formation of blood–testis barrier. The present experiments were aimed to test their immunoregulatory functions in vivo and in vitro.Method of study:  TMf were purified by glass adherence, rosetting with opsonized erythrocytes and fractionation on discontinuous Percoll gradient (over 95% purity). Their antigen‐presenting capacity in humoral and cell‐mediated responses was tested in vitro (Mishell–Dutton cultures, proliferation assay) and in vivo (induction of contact sensitivity reaction).Results:  TMf represent a heterogeneous cell population. Heavier Percoll fractions produce little transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β and are efficient antigen‐presenting cells in humoral and cell‐mediated immune responses. Lighter fractions produce high amounts of TGF‐β and are rather tolerogenic than immunogenic. Their immunosuppressive activity can be prevented by treatment of TMf donors with cyclophosphamide or in vitro by anti‐TGF‐β monoclonal antibody. In non‐separated TMf population the immunosuppressive activity prevails.Conclusions:  Subpopulation of TMf able to trigger specific immune responses is present in the testis but remains under control of other TMf subpopulation which minimizes the risk of development of autoimmune reactions.
Cytokine Gene Polymorphisms in Recurrent Pregnancy Loss of Unknown Cause
Authors: Prigoshin Norma , Tambutti M. , Larriba J. , Gogorza S. , Testa R. 
Published: June 2004

Problem:  According to previous investigations, certain cytokines may play a role in recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Significantly different levels of Th1/Th2 cytokines are produced by normal pregnant women compared with women with RPL of unknown cause.Objective:  We have studied the polymorphism of cytokine genes which are related to the amount of the cytokine produced. High (H), intermediate (I) and low (L) cytokine responses can be predicted from the cytokine genotype.Material and Methods:  The genetic polymorphism of Th1 cytokine [i.e. interferon (IFN)‐γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α] and Th2 cytokines [i.e. interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐10] and the transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β were studied by polymerase chain reaction‐sequence specific primers (PCR‐SSP) in the DNA of PBC from 41 women with RPL and 54 control women who had at least two children and without known pregnancy losses.Results:  The results showed: (i) no evidence of associations between patients and controls concerning the Th1: TNF‐α; the Th2: IL‐6 and IL‐10 and the TGF‐β genotype, (ii) significative association between RPL versus controls concerning IFN‐γ +874 A → T: T/A genotype was increased in the patient group in comparison with the control group (65% versus 35.8%) (P = 0.01) and there was a statistical disminution in the frequency of the A/A (L) genotype between the patient groups in comparison with the control group (20% versus 41.5%) (P = 0.04).Conclusion:  This finding would support the concept of involvement of IFN‐γ +874 A → T in the pathogenesis of RPL of unknown cause in the Caucasian Argentine population.
The Approach to Conception for Women with Seminal Plasma Protein Hypersensitivity
Authors: Resnick David J. , Hatzis Dimitrios C. , Kanganis Polly , Liccardi Frederick L. , Lee‐Wong Mary , Bernstein Jonathan A. 
Published: June 2004

Problem:  Allergic reactions to human seminal plasma protein has become increasingly recognized in the medical community. Treatment for most allergic conditions usually begins with avoidance of the offending allergen. For women with seminal plasma protein hypersensitivity (SPH) who desire to conceive, this approach is unacceptable. We describe a case report of a woman with an SPH who desired to have unprotected intercourse in order to conceive.Methods:  The patient underwent skin prick testing to her fiancé's fresh undiluted semen. Serum‐specific IgG and IgE was performed by ELISA to the fiancé's whole seminal plasma and seminal plasma proteins (SPP). The patient underwent an intravaginal graded challenge to whole seminal fluid. Intrauterine insemination with washed spermatozoa was attempted but in vitro fertilization was subsequently required.Results:  The patient had a positive prick test to whole seminal plasma but negative specific IgG and IgE ELISA to SPPs. An intravaginal graded challenge to whole seminal plasma was well tolerated. However, she experienced a subsequent severe local reaction after unprotected intercourse. She deferred treatment with systemic desensitization to relevant SPPs. She failed intrauterine insemination but successfully conceived with in vitro fertilization.Conclusion:  This case report emphasizes that SPH is not associated with sterility. It also indicates that whole seminal plasma graded challenge is not uniformly successful for the treatment of SPH.
Perlecan and Syndecan‐4 in Uterine Tissues during the Early Pregnancy in Mice
Authors: San Martin S. , Soto‐Suazo M. , Zorn T. M. T. 
Published: June 2004

Problem:  During early pregnancy in mice, there is recruitment of specific immune cells, remodeling of the endometrium, cell differentiation and synthesis of new molecules.Method of study:  Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the distribution of perlecan and syndecan‐4 in the uteri before and after embryo implantation.Results:  During pre‐implantation, perlecan was identified in basement membranes and extracellular spaces of the endometrial stroma. In contrast, expression of syndecan‐4 was quite weak. In the peri‐implantation period, perlecan remained in the basement membranes, and it was no longer observed in the stroma and it was identified in the embryonic cells. On day 4 of pregnancy, syndecan‐4 increased in the fibroblasts of the subepithelial stroma. After implantation, syndecan‐4 was pronounced in pre‐decidual and mature decidual cells.Conclusions:  The coordinate balance between the pre‐ and post‐implantation periods suggests a role of these two molecules in the adaptive modification of the uterine microenvironment to receive and implant the embryo.
No Association of C677T Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase and an Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Polymorphism with Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
Authors: Makino Aiko , Nakanishi Tamao , Sugiura‐Ogasawara Mayumi , Ozaki Yasuhiko , Suzumori Nobuhiro , Suzumori Kaoru 
Published: June 2004

Problem:  It is controversial whether polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) are associated with recurrent pregnancy loss.Method of study:  We studied the frequency of the C677T polymorphism of MTHFR and a eNOS gene polymorphism, as well as the plasma levels of homocysteine and NO, in 85 cases with a history of two or more unexplained embryonal losses, 40 patients suffering fetal loss and 76 controls.Results:  The frequency of the MTHFR gene T allele, which has been reported to be associated with miscarriages, in patients suffering fetal loss was rather significantly lower than in controls whereas there was no difference in the frequency of the eNOS gene A allele. There were no differences in the plasma homocysteine levels among the three groups. However, the NO concentrations in the embryonal loss and fetal loss groups were significantly higher than that in controls.Conclusion:  We conclude that the NO concentration but not the polymorphism of MTHFR and eNOS gene and hyperhomocysteinemia are associated with recurrent pregnancy loss in Japanese.
Expression of Toll‐like Receptors in Human Endometrial Epithelial Cells and Cell Lines
Authors: Young Steven L. , Lyddon Terri D. , Jorgenson Rebecca L. , Misfeldt Michael L. 
Published: June 2004

Problem:  Are toll‐like receptors (TLRs) expressed by human endometrium and endometrial cell lines?Methods of study:  Expression of each TLR mRNA species was determined by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) analysis of proliferative‐phase human endometrium, separated endometrial epithelial cells, and the Ishikawa and RL95‐2 endometrial epithelial cell lines. U‐937 and SKW 6.4 cell lines were used as positive controls. Functional relevance of PCR findings was tested by enzyme‐linked immunsorbent assay (ELISA)analysis of IL‐8 production after stimulating cell lines with ligands for TLR2‐5.Results:  TLR1‐6 and 9 mRNA species were detected in both whole endometrium and separated endometrial epithelial cells. Ishikawa cells expressed TLR2 and TLR5, while RL95‐2 cells expressed TLR3, 5, and 9. Response of RL95‐2, Ishikawa, and U‐937 cells to TLR2‐5 ligands was consistent with RT‐PCR findings except response to flagellin by Ishikawa cells.Conclusion:  These studies provide the first evidence of TLR expression in the endometrium of any species and suggest the usefulness of endometrial cell lines to study TLR function.
Lectin Receptors for Endometrial H‐type 1 Antigen on Goat Conceptuses
Authors: Woldesenbet S. , Garcia R. , Igbo N. , Leake J. , Lewis S. K. , Newton G. R. 
Published: June 2004

Problem:  The goal of this study was to determine if caprine conceptuses express lectin‐like receptors for endometrial H‐type 1 (HT1) antigen.Method of study:  Conceptus tissues were collected during the apposition, adhesion and attachment phases of placentation and evaluated using immunofluorescence microscopy.Results:  Conceptus staining for the trisaccharide lacto‐N‐fucopentaose‐1 was strong and uniform during apposition of fetal and maternal tissues but changed by day 25 of pregnancy when large aggregates of intense staining were observed. Monoclonal antibodies to galectin‐3 did not stain conceptus tissue during the apposition phase but intense punctate staining was observed after day 25. Strong uniform staining for Lewis Y antigen was detected only on day 17 of pregnancy.Conclusion:  Conceptus tissue expresses potential receptors for endometrial HT1 antigen. Carbohydrate–lectin interactions may facilitate attachment of the apical surfaces of uterine epithelial cells and trophectoderm during the early stages of placentation.
Granulocyte Colony‐stimulating Factor Suppresses Autologous Tumor Killing Activity of the Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes in the Patients with Ovarian Carcinoma
Authors: Ohta Yoshiaki , Hayakawa Satoshi , Karasaki‐Suzuki Miki , Sugita Kenji , Komine Shihoko , Chishima Fumihisa , Hatta Yoshihiro , Horie Takashi , Seo Naohiro , Sheikh Aleemuzzaman , Nemoto Norimichi , Yamamoto Tatsuo 
Published: June 2004

Problem:  Granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) is often administered to patients with chemotherapy‐induced leukocytopenia. However, adequate attention has not been paid to its effects on cancer immunology. Reported by us and others, G‐CSF often induces immunosuppression and down‐regulation of response T helper (Th)2 directed immune reaction both in vivo and in vitro. In this study, we analyzed the effects of G‐CSF on interferon (IFN)‐γ production and autologous tumor killing (ATK) activities of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).Methods of study:  In order to evaluate the cytokine‐induced activation of peripheral T and natural killer (NK) cells, we analyzed IFN‐γ production by interleukin (IL)‐2‐ and IL‐12‐stimulated PBMCs, using the ELISPOT assay. Specific killing of autologous tumor cells was evaluated by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay.Results:  The PBMC collected from both cancer‐bearing patients and healthy subjects showed IL‐2‐ and/or IL‐12‐induced IFN‐γ production. The frequency of IFN‐γ producing cells was significantly higher in the normal subjects compared with the patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma. The ATK activity was also enhanced in IL‐2‐ and/or IL‐12‐stimulated PBMCs of patients with ovarian carcinoma. G‐CSF almost completely abolished IFN‐γ production and ATK activity of PBMC stimulated with IL‐2 and/or IL‐12.Conclusions:  The G‐CSF appears to be a suppressor of antitumor immunity. Routine administration of G‐CSF to cancer patients may not be recommended, except for febrile neutropenia.
Cytogenetic Abnormalities in Products of Conception: A Relationship Revisited
Authors: Yusuf Rushdia Z. , Naeem Rizwan 
Published: June 2004

Objectives:  Cytogenetic evaluation of product of conception (POC) is essential to determine the cause of pregnancy loss and aid the prenatal diagnosis of subsequent pregnancies. The purpose of this study is twofold. (1) To profile cytogenetic abnormalities, their relationship with maternal and gestational age and analyze sex ratios in our case series of 2052 consecutive samples of POC referred to the Baystate Medical Center, Laboratory Genetics between January 1992 and January 1999. (2) To present a comprehensive review of such data published in the last 15 years, in order to study temporal differences in the above parameters and make this information readily available for cytogeneticists and genetic counselors.Materials and methods:  Data was entered and analyzed in Epi Info version 6.0 using the Z‐test, chi‐square test of significance and linear correlation coefficient.Results and conclusions:  The profile of cytogenetic abnormalities detected in POC has not changes significantly over time. The mean maternal age in our study (overall and for trisomies) was higher than that reported previously, which is consistent with the noted trend of increasing age at pregnancy in recent years. Our study provides evidence that abnormal karyotypes are aborted earlier and that tetraploidies have the least survival amongst all abnormalities. The higher mean gestational age for trisomic abortions in our study, as compared with previously reported figures, can be attributed to the increasing practice of active maternal screening with subsequent therapeutic abortions. Analysis of sex ratios may reaffirm a female specific developmental disadvantage in early stages of pregnancy.
Anti-inflammatory Effect of Bee Venom on Type II Collagen-Induced Arthritis
Authors: Lee Jae-Dong , Kim Su-Young , Kim Tae-Woo , Lee Sang-Hoon , Yang Hyung-In , Lee Doo-Ik , Lee Yun-Ho 
Published: June 2004

Bee venom (BV) has been used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation in traditional Oriental medicine, especially in chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We previously reported that the BV injection into a traditional acupuncture point (Zusanli) reduced arthritis-associated edema and nociceptive responses in Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats (Kwon et al., 2001). This study was designed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anti-cytokine effect of BV on a murine type-II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model. Male mice were immunized by spontaneous injection of 100 μg of an emulsion of bovine type-II collagen and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), with a booster injection after 2 weeks. In the experimental group, 0.1 ml BV was injected at acupuncture point (Zusanli) near both knees twice a week for a total of 5 times. In the control group, normal saline was injected at the same frequencies. These injections began 5 weeks after the first collagen injection. Starting the 3rd week after the first collagen injection, we examined limb swelling and severity of arthritis twice a week. At 8 weeks, mice were sacrificed and synovial tissue was examined with the light microscope and serum cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α) were measured by ELISA.The incidence of arthritis, the mean arthritis index and the number of arthritic limbs were significantly lower in the treatment compared to the control group (63% versus 75%, 3.4% versus 8.5%, 23% versus 75%, respectively). Among the serum proinflammatory cytokines, the production of TNF-α in the BV group was suppressed compared to the control group (59+/-4.5 versus 99.5+/-6.5, p <0.05), but IL-1β was not suppressed. The examination of the histopathology of the joints of murine CIA showed decreased inflammation signs and less lymphocyte infiltration after BV acupuncture therapy. Acupuncture therapy with BV suppressed the development of arthritis and caused inhibition of the immune responses in type-II collagen-induced arthritis.
Project Management Approaches at Techlogix
Authors: Khan Jamshed Hasan 
Published: June 2004

This case examines the different project management approaches at Techlogix. Some are highly structured and formal while others are relatively unstructured and informal. The Engyro project involved the development of an Applications Service Provider (ASP) Payments System through a highly structured formal project management system, which created few problems in terms of product specification changes and development. However, a Financial Management System (FMS) developed for the Government of Guam through a relatively unstructured and informal project management approach proved to be a bad experience for Techlogix. The CEO wanted to standardize a highly structured project management system for the company. The project managers at Techlogix feared that a highly structured system would reduce flexibility available to project managers. They felt that a structured configuration and change management system would require a lengthy process to bring about changes in a project's specifications. This would eventually discourage change and create customer dissatisfaction or force the project managers to circumvent standardized procedures creating other problems. This case is useful for examining the factors relevant to project management approaches.
Why Giants Change Their Minds
Authors: Jiang Bin , Willette William 
Published: June 2004

Both Matsushita and Sony were based in Japan, both manufacture consumer electronics, and both were similar to each other in size and brand reputation. Both of them were also facing the same problem: escalating manufacturing costs in Japan were eroding Japan's traditional advantages in manufacturing, especially when its neighbor China was emerging as the "workshop of the world" with low cost advantage. These two players, however, selected totally different manufacturing strategies. While Matsushita aggressively moved its manufacturing business to China, Sony suddenly shifted some of its production back to Japan. Matsushita's and Sony's supply-chain rebuilding strategies were diametric opposites with the same objectives — to improve their competitiveness by optimizing their critical success factors across their supply chains. Today's competition is not really company versus company, but supply chain versus supply chain. Managers and executives should realize that what they had done before for single firms is now being examined from the perspective of a chain of firms. The contemporary issues in Matsushita and Sony provide an extremely interesting lesson about how to establish competitive advantage by using effective supply chain management and how an advantage can be eroded by using incorrect supply chain management.