bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intussusception in the Northern Territory: The incidence is low in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
Authors: Webby Rosalind J , Bines Julie E , Barnes Graeme L , Tindall Helen , Krause Vicki , Patel Mahomed
Published: May 2006

Aim:  To describe the epidemiology, immunisation status and management of children with intussusception in the Northern Territory (NT), 1993–2003.

Methods:  Intussusception data were obtained from all NT hospitals using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD 9/10) codes for children under 18 years of age between 1993 and 2003. Medical records of these children were used to collect information on demographics, admission date, clinical symptoms, signs and management. Immunisation data were obtained from the NT immunisation register. The NT mortality database was reviewed for deaths from intussusception in children between 1993 and 2003. One death in an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child was found in the NT mortality database. Medical records for this child were destroyed and so the case definition for intussusception used in this study was not fulfilled and the child was excluded.

Results:  Intussusception proven by radiological or surgical means was identified in 23 children from hospital records. The incidence for children with intussusception in NT is 0.65/1000 live births. The incidence of intussusception was lower in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children (0.16/1000 live births) than in non‐Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children (0.92/1000 live births) (P < 0.01).

Conclusion:  The incidence of intussusception in the NT is similar to other developed countries but Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have a very low incidence of intussusception. Intussusception is a rare event in the NT and will require a sensitive surveillance system to detect any potential increased risk of intussusception after the introduction of a new rotavirus vaccine.
Adrenomedullin and total nitrite levels in children with familial Mediterranean fever
Authors: Balat Ayşe , İşlek İsmail , Çekmen Mustafa , Yürekli Muhittin , Tekin Deniz , Muslu Ali , şahinöz Saime
Published: May 2006

Aim:  Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is the most frequent periodic syndrome characterised by recurrent attacks of polyserositis. However, recent studies revealed that there might be an ongoing subclinical inflammation between the attacks. As nitric oxide (NO) and adrenomedullin (AM) are both synthesised in the endothelium, and mediates many functions within immune system, we considered them to be an interesting target of investigation in FMF.

Methods:  Fifteen children with FMF receiving regular colchicine, ranging in age from 3 to 16 years, were investigated in comparison with 15 healthy age‐ and sex‐matched controls. The mean age of the patients was 9.7 ± 3.9 years. Total nitrite, a stable product of NO, was quantitated by means of the Griess reaction, while AM was measured by HPLC.

Results:  Plasma‐urinary AM and total nitrite levels were significantly higher in children with FMF. Plasma AM levels (pmol/mL) in patients and controls were 40.95 ± 5.99 vs. 34.86 ± 5.24, P < 0.05, and urinary AM excretion (pmol/mg creatinine) was 51.16 ± 28.15 vs. 37.5 ± 24.26, P < 0.05 respectively. Plasma total nitrite levels (µmol/L) in patients and controls were 44.80 ± 10.36 vs. 32.13 ± 9.28, P < 0.05, and urinary nitrite excretion (µmol/mg creatinine) was 2.24 ± 1.71 vs. 1.09 ± 0.96, P < 0.05 respectively.

Conclusion:  This study considered that AM and NO may have a role in the immuno‐inflammatory process of FMF, although, whether these act to preserve, or protect against, further inflammatory injury is not clear. Our results further supports the hypothesis that these patients have subclinical inflammation between attacks.
Predicting respiratory syncytial virus hospitalisation in Australian children
Authors: Reeve Carole A , Whitehall John S , Buettner Petra G , Norton Robert , Reeve David M , Francis Fleur
Published: May 2006

Background:  There is limited information on respiratory syncytial virus infections among Australians, particularly those of Indigenous descent.

Aim:  This study identifies groups of infants at risk of hospitalisation with respiratory syncytial virus‐positive lower respiratory tract infection who may be targeted for prevention with palivizumab.

Methods:  Case control study: the case notes of 271 children with cases of respiratory syncytial virus‐positive lower respiratory tract infection admitted to The Townsville Hospital were studied for risk factors. Controls were chosen randomly from babies born in The Townsville Hospital during that period. Multiple logistic regression analysis and classification and regression tree analysis were used to identify risk factors.

Results:  Multiple logistic regression analysis identified birthweight <2500 g, maternal parity and marital status to be independent predictors of hospitalisation with respiratory syncytial virus‐positive lower respiratory tract infection. Classification and regression tree analysis identified babies born weighing <2500 g who possessed older siblings to be at highest risk. Single mothers and smoking were additional risk factors. Indigenous babies were significantly more likely to be exposed to all of the identified risk factors.

Conclusion:  Babies born weighing <2500 g (especially with siblings) could be targeted for prevention. All Indigenous babies should be considered at high risk because of their exposure to multiple risk factors.
Cytomegalovirus‐associated protracted diarrhoea in an immunocompetent boy
Authors: Shimizu Masaki , Ohta Kazuhide , Wada Hideo , Sumita Ryo , Yachie Akihiro , Koizumi Shoichi
Published: May 2006

Aim:  Cytomegalvirus (CMV) gastroenteritis is rarely described in immunocompetent children. We describe here an immunocompetent 1‐year‐old boy with CMV‐associated protracted diarrhoea and discuss the pathogenesis of CMV infection of the gastrointestinal tract.

Methods:  Immunohistochemical study was performed using a gastric and duodenal tissue of this patient. Furthermore, the detection of CMV‐DNA in stool and urine samples was performed by polymerase chain reaction method.

Results:  CMV infection was proven by the detection of CMV‐DNA in stool and urine samples and CMV‐positive cells in the immunoperoxidase preparation from gastroduodenal biopsy. The biopsy specimens showed severe chronic active gastroduodenitis with numerous CD3+ T cells and CD68+ macrophages.

Conclusions:  We speculated from these findings that CMV invasion of the mucosal layer induced an intense immune response characterised by massive infiltration of activated T‐cells and macrophages in this patient. Although the pathogenesis of CMV‐associated gastroenteritis in immunocompetent hosts remains generally unknown, immune mechanism may play some roles in generating the chronic inflammatory lesions.
Withdrawal of neonatal mechanical ventilation against the parents’ wishes
Authors: Isaacs David , Kilham Henry , Gordon Adrienne , Jeffery Heather , Tarnow‐Mordi William , Woolnough Janet , Hamblin Julie , Tobin Bernadette
Published: May 2006

Abstract:  Neonatologists and parents usually agree when intensive treatment should be stopped. We describe the management of two babies where there was disagreement between the parents and hospital staff, and discuss the medical, legal and ethical implications of the two cases.
Breastfeeding and obesity at 14 years: A cohort study
Authors: Shields Linda , O’Callaghan Michael , Williams Gail M , Najman Jake M , Bor William
Published: May 2006

Aim:  To determine the influence of breastfeeding on overweight and obesity in early adolescence.

Methods:  Data about breastfeeding duration, BMI of children at 14 years, and confounding variables, were collected from an ongoing longitudinal study of a birth cohort of 7776 children in Brisbane. Prevalence of overweight and obesity at 14 years was assessed according to duration of breastfeeding, with logistic regression being used to adjust for the influence of confounders.

Results:  Data were available for 3698 children, and those not included were significantly different in age, educational level, income, race, birthweight, and small‐for‐gestational‐age status. Breastfeeding for longer than six months was protective of obesity (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4, 0.96) though not of overweight. When confounding variables were considered the effect size diminished and lost statistical significance OR 0.8 (95% CI 0.5, 1.3). Breastfeeding for less than 6 months had no effect on either obesity or overweight though a trend was found for increased prevalence of overweight at 14 years with shorter periods of breastfeeding.

Conclusion:  This investigation contributes to the gathering body of evidence that breastfeeding for longer than 6 months has a modest protective effect against obesity in adolescence.
Uterine angiogenesis during implantation and decidualization in mice
Authors: MATSUMOTO HIROMICHI , SATO EIMEI
Published: May 2006

Increased uterine vascular permeability and angiogenesis are hallmarks of implantation and placentation. These events are profoundly influenced by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Although VEGF and its receptor Flk‐1 are primarily important for uterine vascular permeability and angiogenesis before and during the attachment phase of the implantation process, VEGF together with the angiopoietins and their receptor Tie‐2 directs angiogenesis during decidualization after implantation. Uterine expression of HIF and ARNT follows the localization of VEGF expression with increasing angiogenesis during the postimplantation period, although their expression does not correlate with VEGF expression during the pre‐implantation period. Upstream of VEGF, estrogen promotes uterine vascular permeability but inhibits angiogenesis, whereas progesterone stimulates angiogenesis with little effect on vascular permeability. Furthermore, COX‐2‐derived prostaglandins participate in uterine vascular permeability and angiogenesis during implantation and decidualization. (Reprod Med Biol 2006; 5: 81–86)
Concentration of lactoferrin and interleukin‐6 in cervical mucus from patients being treated for infertility
Authors: MITSUKAWA KAORI , OTSUKI KATSUFUMI , YANAIHARA ATSUSHI , SAWADA MAKI , IWASAKI SHINJI , OKAI TAKASHI
Published: May 2006

Background:  The concentrations of the iron‐binding protein lactoferrin (LF) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) were measured in the cervical mucus of patients being treated for infertility throughout the menstrual cycle.

Methods:  A total of 251 cervical mucus samples were obtained from the patients throughout the menstrual cycle. One hundred and fifty samples were from primary infertility patients with unexplained infertility and 101 samples were from secondary infertility patients as a control. The concentrations of LF and IL‐6 were measured by enzyme immunoassays. The standard curve of LF concentrations ranged from 1.6 to 50 ng/mL.

Results:  The mean LF and IL‐6 concentrations in the cervical mucus of primary infertility patients were higher than that of the control patients (P= 0.04, P= 0.032, respectively) The LF and IL‐6 concentrations were highly correlated (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion:  Elevated levels of IL‐6 and LF in the cervical mucus were obtained from primary infertility patients. We speculate that LF might also be one of the causes of infertility and might play an important role in reproductive processes in the cervix. (Reprod Med Biol 2006; 5: 105–109)
Effect of L‐ascorbic acid supplementation on testicular oxidative stress and endocrine disorders in mature male rats exposed to intensive swimming exercise
Authors: SAMANTA PRABHAT KUMAR , MANNA INDRANIL , JANA KULADIP
Published: May 2006

In order to investigate the ameliorative potential of L‐ascorbic acid on intensive swimming exercise induced testicular oxidative stress, 18 Wistar male rats (age: 3 months, weight: 127.5 ± 5.3 g) were randomly divided into the following groups: (i) control group (CG,n = 6); (ii) experimental group (EG,n = 6); and (iii) supplemented group (SG,n = 6). An exercise protocol of 3 h swimming per day, five days per week was followed for 6 weeks in EG and SG with no exercise in CG. In SG, L‐ascorbic acid was supplied orally at a dose of 25‐mg/kg of bodyweight each day for 6 weeks. A significant decrease (P < 0.05) was noted in paired testicular weights, epididymal sperm count, testicular Δ5, 3β‐hydroxyseroid dehydrogenase, 17β‐hydroxyseroid dehydrogenase, plasma levels of testosterone luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, prolactin, the numbers of preleptotine spermatocytes, midpachytene spermatocytes and stage 7 spermatids of stage VII seminiferous epithelium cycle in EG when compared with CG. A significant elevation (P < 0.05) in plasma corticosterone and testicular content of malondialdehyde along with a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in glutathione, ascorbic acid, α‐tocopherol, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione‐peroxidase, and glutathione‐S‐transferase were noted in testes of EG compared with CG. No significant change was noted in final bodyweight or numbers of spermatogonia‐A among the groups. Furthermore, L‐ascorbic acid supplementation restored the above parameters to the control level.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that intensive swimming exercise induced oxidative stress causes dysfunctions in the male reproductive system, which can be protected by L‐ascorbic acid. (Reprod Med Biol 2006;5: 145–153)
Polygonum hydropiper crude root extract mimics estrogenic properties in females: Evidence of uterine protein profiles studied by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
Authors: HAZARIKA AJIT , SARMA HIRENDRA N.
Published: May 2006

Polygonum hydropiper is a widely grown weed in the north‐eastern states of India. In the present study, estrogenic effects of the crude root extract (CRE) of Polygonum hydropiper on uterine protein was tested in ovary‐intact and ovariectomized (OVX) female albino rats. The methanolic crude extract of Polygonum hydropiper was given to adult ovary‐intact and OVX female albino rat in a dose of 1000 mg/kg bodyweight per day. Oral administration of the CRE was carried out for a period of 12 days from the onset of proestrus and for a similar period of time for the OVX female. To study the estrogenic effect, OVX females were subcutaneously injected with 0.1 µg of estradiol‐17β (E2). E2 was injected at the interval of 24 h for a total period of 72 h. The uterine protein of ovary‐intact and OVX females was studied by single dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The results showed similar protein bands in OVX females treated with E2 and CRE. In addition, treatment with CRE stimulated expression of more proteins in the uterus. The results showed that CRE of Polygonum hydropiper mimics the effect of estradiol‐17β in the uterine protein profiles of adult female albino rats. (Reprod Med Biol 2006; 5: 155–160)
Emergence agitation in preschool children: double‐blind, randomized, controlled trial comparing sevoflurane and isoflurane anesthesia
Authors: BORTONE LUCIANO , INGELMO PABLO , GROSSI SILVIA , GRATTAGLIANO COSIMO , BRICCHI CRISTINA , BARANTANI DANIELE , SANI EMANUELE , MERGONI MARIO
Published: May 2006

Background:  This randomized, double‐blind controlled trial was conducted to determine whether the association of sevoflurane for induction and isoflurane for anesthesia maintenance resulted in a lower incidence of postoperative agitation compared with sevoflurane as single agent.

Methods:  After Institute Ethics Committee's approval and parental written informed consent, 128 unpremedicated children (1–6 years), ASA I‐II, scheduled for elective subumbilical surgery were enrolled. After induction with 8% sevoflurane, patients were randomly allocated to receive sevoflurane or isoflurane 1–1.5 MAC as maintenance agent. The primary endpoint of the study was the incidence of postoperative agitation defined as a screaming and crying child and/or a child that required physical restraint during emergence.

Results:  Eighteen children were excluded because they received sedatives, analgesia or anesthesia or because of ineffective regional analgesia before randomization. Fifty‐four patients receiving sevoflurane and 56 receiving isoflurane completed the study. Twenty‐eight children (95% CI 38–66%) in the sevoflurane group presented with postoperative agitation compared with 18 (95% CI 20–46%) patients receiving isoflurane (P = 0.028). Fifteen minutes after awakening, 11/54 children receiving sevoflurane were agitated compared with 4/56 receiving isoflurane (P = 0.03). Thereafter, there was a gradual reduction in the incidence of postoperative agitation over time.

Conclusions:  The association of sevoflurane for induction and isoflurane for maintenance produced significant less postoperative agitation in preschool children receiving regional anesthesia during subumbilical surgery compared with sevoflurane for induction and maintenance.
Continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration to treat controlled‐release carbamazepine overdose in a pediatric patient
Authors: YILDIZ TULAY SAHIN , TOPRAK DEMET GEDIKBASI , ARISOY EMIN SAMI , SOLAK MINE , MD KAMIL TOKER
Published: May 2006

Carbamazepine (CBZ) intoxication is an important issue in acute poisoning practice. Highly protein‐bound, CBZ is not removed efficiently through conventional hemodialysis. We describe the use of continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) in a 2‐year‐old boy who developed general tonic clonic seizure and respiratory depression due to controlled‐release formula of CBZ overdose (peak drug level of >20 μg·ml−1, therapeutic range: 5–10 μg·ml−1). Serum CBZ concentrations fell to 0.25 μg·ml−1 at the end of hemodiafiltration. The patient recovered rapidly and was discharged from hospital 4 days from the time of ingestion with no complications or neurologic impairment.
Development of a population‐based threshold model of conidial germination for analysing the effects of physiological manipulation on the stress tolerance and infectivity of insect pathogenic fungi
Authors: Andersen M. , Magan N. , Mead A. , Chandler D.
Published: May 2006

Entomopathogenic fungi are being used as biocontrol agents of insect pests, but their efficacy can be poor in environments where water availability is reduced. In this study, the potential to improve biocontrol by physiologically manipulating fungal inoculum was investigated. Cultures of Beauveria bassiana, Lecanicillium muscarium, Lecanicillium longisporum, Metarhizium anisopliae and Paecilomyces fumosoroseus were manipulated by growing them under conditions of water stress, which produced conidia with increased concentrations of erythritol. The time‐course of germination of conidia at different water activities (water activity, aw) was described using a generalized linear model, and in most cases reducing the water activity of the germination medium delayed the onset of germination without affecting the distribution of germination times. The germination of M. anisopliae, L. muscarium, L. longisporum and P. fumosoroseus was accelerated over a range of aw levels as a result of physiological manipulation. However, the relationship between the effect of physiological manipulation on germination and the osmolyte content of conidia varied according to fungal species. There was a linear relationship between germination rate, expressed as the reciprocal of germination time, and aw of the germination medium, but there was no significant effect of fungal species or physiological manipulation on the aw threshold for germination. In bioassays with M. anisopliae, physiologically manipulated conidia germinated more rapidly on the surface of an insect host, the melon cotton aphid Aphis gossypii, and fungal virulence was increased even when relative humidity was reduced after an initial high period. It is concluded that physiological manipulation may lead to improvements in biocontrol in the field, but choice of fungal species/isolate will be critical. In addition, the population‐based threshold model used in this study, which considered germination in terms of physiological time, also called hydrotime, could have general application in mycology and environmental microbiology.
SENTIMENT CLASSIFICATION of MOVIE REVIEWS USING CONTEXTUAL VALENCE SHIFTERS
Authors: Kennedy Alistair , Inkpen Diana
Published: May 2006

We present two methods for determining the sentiment expressed by a movie review. The semantic orientation of a review can be positive, negative, or neutral. We examine the effect of valence shifters on classifying the reviews. We examine three types of valence shifters: negations, intensifiers, and diminishers. Negations are used to reverse the semantic polarity of a particular term, while intensifiers and diminishers are used to increase and decrease, respectively, the degree to which a term is positive or negative. The first method classifies reviews based on the number of positive and negative terms they contain. We use the General Inquirer to identify positive and negative terms, as well as negation terms, intensifiers, and diminishers. We also use positive and negative terms from other sources, including a dictionary of synonym differences and a very large Web corpus. To compute corpus‐based semantic orientation values of terms, we use their association scores with a small group of positive and negative terms. We show that extending the term‐counting method with contextual valence shifters improves the accuracy of the classification. The second method uses a Machine Learning algorithm, Support Vector Machines. We start with unigram features and then add bigrams that consist of a valence shifter and another word. The accuracy of classification is very high, and the valence shifter bigrams slightly improve it. The features that contribute to the high accuracy are the words in the lists of positive and negative terms. Previous work focused on either the term‐counting method or the Machine Learning method. We show that combining the two methods achieves better results than either method alone.
WTO Negotiations and Other Agricultural Trade Issues in Japan
Authors: Honma Masayoshi
Published: May 2006

This paper examines the current developments in WTO negotiations on agriculture and discusses the issues of greatest concern to Japan as well as agricultural issues in free trade area (FTA) negotiations relating to Japan. With regard to agricultural policies in Japan it is stressed that: (1) structural reform in Japanese agriculture is essential to promote the WTO agricultural negotiations and to make negotiations on FTAs more effective and prompt; (2) Japan must consider various measures to increase the investment of capital from outside agriculture and the accumulation of new human capital; and (3) there should be increased market competition in Japanese agriculture so that productive resources can be better concentrated in efficient farms and farm businesses. On international issues, it may be desirable to establish an international forum, particularly among Asian countries, to discuss important agricultural issues in the region. This forum should consider not only agricultural tariff reductions, but also sanitary and phyto‐sanitary (SPS) measures that might be addressed in working toward a broader FTA in Asia. The objective would be for Japan to play a strong leadership role in seeking wider cooperation on agricultural policies and agricultural resource management together with potential FTA partners in the Asian region.
An Evaluation of Japan's First Safeguards Actions
Authors: Kuno Arata
Published: May 2006

Japan has been one of the major GATT/WTO member countries with relatively little experience in implementing protectionist measures. However, in April 2001, for the first time in its history, Japan invoked provisional safeguard measures against imports of Welsh onions, Shiitake mushrooms and Tatami mats mainly from China. This paper reviews and evaluates the chain of events regarding these safeguard actions, and considers the means by which Japan might be able to deal with its ‘trilemma’ policy problem involving how to coordinate the promotion of trade liberalisation, the administration of WTO‐consistent safeguards and responses to domestic political demands for protection. The paper first attempts to review the theoretical rationale for implementing safeguard measures and counterarguments against these measures. Second, it discusses the economic circumstances in which Japan implemented the safeguard measures and evaluates these measures critically from the standpoint of economic efficiency and the political economy interests involved. Finally, it concludes with a recommendation that the aforementioned ‘trilemma’ policy problem in Japan can be best addressed by means of the introduction of a ‘well‐institutionalised’ domestic programme to provide adjustment assistance to ameliorate the displacement resulting from import surges.
The Evolution of Japan's Aggressive Legalism
Authors: Araki Ichiro
Published: May 2006

Japan's recent trade policy is sometimes characterised as ‘aggressive legalism’ in the sense that it aggressively utilises the multilateral trade rules embodied in the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organisation in dealing with disputes with its trade partners. This policy may appear to be a marked departure from Japan's past practice of favouring bilateral, non‐legal settlement of trade disputes. Upon closer examination, however, while Japan has been moderately active in using the WTO dispute settlement process for resolving its trade disputes, it behaves more like a country that resorts to surgical strikes on selected targets (usually the United States) under a powerful cover of the European Community. Compared to Japan, Korea's attitude in the WTO is more aggressive. While the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) is not content with the status quo and is seeking to expand its aggressiveness in the WTO dispute settlement mechanism, it faces an uphill battle. One of the difficulties facing trade officials in Japan may be the lack of a national system for lodging WTO complaints, open to any citizens or firms, like Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974 or the European Trade Barriers Regulation. Nonetheless, in the historical context, Japan is far more aggressive than in the past in utilising the rules of the GATT/WTO to advance its national interests. It will never revert to the infamous practice of bilateralism and grey area measures.
Accounting for Joint Ventures and Associates in Canada, UK, and US: Do US Rules Hide Information?
Authors: Soonawalla Kazbi
Published: May 2006

Abstract:  Unlike US GAAP, accounting principles in Canada and the UK require disclosure of disaggregated components of joint ventures and associates. Using comparative analysis of Canadian, UK and US data, this study investigates the potential loss of forecasting and valuation relevant information from aggregating joint venture and associate accounting amounts. Findings show that aggregating joint venture and associate investment numbers, and aggregating joint venture revenues and expenses, each leads to loss of forecasting and valuation relevant information. Thus, current US accounting principles likely mask information that financial statement users could use to predict future earnings and explain share prices.
Economic Benefits of Adopting IFRS or US‐GAAP – Have the Expected Cost of Equity Capital Really Decreased?
Authors: Daske Holger
Published: May 2006

Abstract:  The question of whether the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) results in measurable economic benefits is of special interest, particularly in light of the European Union's adoption of IFRS for listed companies. In this paper, I investigate the common conjecture that internationally recognised financial reporting standards (IAS/IFRS or US‐GAAP) reduce the cost of capital for adopting firms. Building on Leuz and Verrecchia (2000), I use a set of German firms that have adopted such standards and investigate the potential economic benefits of this reporting strategy by analysing their cost of equity capital through the use and customisation of available implied estimation methods. Evidence from the 1993–2002 period fails to document lower expected cost of equity capital for firms applying IAS/IFRS or US‐GAAP. During the transition period I analyse, the expected cost of equity capital in fact appear to have rather increased under non‐local accounting standards.
Separation of Ownership from Control and Acquiring Firm Performance: The Case of Family Ownership in Canada
Authors: Ben‐Amar Walid , André Paul
Published: May 2006

Abstract:  This study investigates the relationship between ownership structure and acquiring firm performance. A large proportion of Canadian public companies have controlling shareholders (families) that often exercise control over voting rights while holding a small fraction of the cash flow rights. This is achieved through the concurrent use of dual class voting shares and stock pyramids. Many suggest that these ownership structures involve larger agency costs than those imposed by dispersed ownership structures and that they distort corporate decisions with respect to investment choices such as acquisitions. We find that average acquiring firm announcement period abnormal returns for our sample of 327 Canadian transactions are positive over the 1998–2002 period. Cash deals, acquisitions of unlisted targets and cross‐border deals have a positive impact on value creation. Governance mechanisms (outside block‐holders, unrelated directors and small board size) also have a positive influence on the acquiring firm performance. Further, the positive abnormal returns are greater for family firms. We do not find that separation of ownership and control has a negative impact on performance. These results suggest that, contrary to other jurisdictions offering poor minority shareholder protection or poor corporate governance, separation of control and ownership is not viewed as leading to value destroying mergers and acquisitions, i.e., market participants do not perceive families as using M&A to obtain private benefits at the expense of minority shareholders. We do find a non‐monotonic relationship between ownership level and acquiring firm abnormal returns. Ownership of a majority of the cash flow rights has a negative impact on announcement returns. This is consistent with the view that large shareholders may undertake less risky projects as their wealth invested in the firm increases.
Do Better‐Governed Australian Firms Make More Informative Disclosures?
Authors: Beekes Wendy , Brown Philip
Published: May 2006

Abstract:  We investigate whether and if so, how, corporate governance ‘quality’1 is related to the information flows from a company and how the share market and its agents respond. Specifically, we study links between the ‘quality’ of a firm's corporate governance (CGQ) and the informativeness of its disclosures. We employ six indicators of informativeness. They include document counts, properties of analysts’ forecasts and a ‘timeliness’ metric, in the spirit of Ball and Brown (1968), that reflects the average speed of price discovery throughout the year. Our results suggest the answer to our question is ‘Yes’: better‐governed firms do make more informative disclosures.
Board Share‐Ownership and Takeover Performance
Authors: Cosh Andy , Guest Paul M. , Hughes Alan
Published: May 2006

Abstract:  We investigate the relation between takeover performance and board share‐ownership in the acquiring company for a sample of 363 UK takeovers completed in the period 1985–96. In investigating this relationship we pay particular attention to the composition of board shareholdings as well as their size. Thus, in addition to the analysis of total board holdings, we analyse the separate impact of CEO shareholdings and of the pattern of non‐executive and executive holdings within the board. In addition to our detailed examination of board holdings we assess the impact of non‐board holdings. Our analysis controls for a number of non‐shareholding constraints on discretionary director behaviour and for a variety of other influences on takeover outcomes including: the means of payment; acquirer size and market to book value; the relative size of the acquirer and the target; the nature of the bid in terms of hostility and industrial direction; and the pre‐takeover performance of the acquiring company. We assess performance in terms of announcement returns, long run share returns and a portfolio of accounting measures. We find evidence that overall board ownership has a strong positive impact on long run share returns and a weak positive impact on operating performance. However, much stronger effects are found when the overall board measure is split into CEO, executive, and non‐executive directors. We find strong evidence of a positive relation between takeover performance and CEO ownership, which holds for both long run returns and operating performance measures. This finding is robust to controlling for other factors that determine takeover performance and holds in a two stage least squares framework that controls for endogeneity effects. Shareholdings of other executive directors, non‐executive directors, and non‐board holdings are found to have no significant effect on takeover performance.
Use of Forecasts of Earnings to Estimate and Compare Cost of Capital Across Regimes
Authors: Easton Peter
Published: May 2006

Abstract:  I critically examine several of the methods used in the recent literature to estimate and compare the cost of capital across different accounting/regulatory regimes. I focus on the central importance of expectations of growth beyond the short period for which forecasts of future pay‐offs (dividends and/or earnings) are available. I illustrate, using the stocks that comprised the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) at December 31, 2004, as an example, the differences between the growth rates implied by the data, and growth rates that are often assumed in the literature. My analyses show that assumptions about growth beyond the (short) forecast horizon may seriously affect the estimates of the expected rate of return and may lead to spurious inferences.
The fetal sex ratio and metabolic, biochemical, haematological and clinical indicators of severity of hyperemesis gravidarum
Authors: Tan PC , Jacob R , Quek KF , Omar SZ
Published: May 2006

The association between female fetal sex and hyperemesis gravidarum is well established in European and North American populations. The association between female fetuses and severity of hyperemesis remains uncertain. A retrospective study based on case notes review of 166 Asian women hospitalised for hyperemesis was performed. Female fetuses were significantly associated with hyperemesis in our population (P= 0.004, OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2–2.2) as well as associated with severe ketonuria and high urea. When both severe ketonuria and high urea were present at initial hospital admission for hyperemesis, 83% (95% CI 66–93) of the fetuses were female.
The IL‐10 −1082G polymorphism is associated with clearance of HPV infection
Authors: Farzaneh F , Roberts SA , Mandal D , Ollier B , Winters U , Kitchener HC , Brabin L
Published: May 2006

The role of cytokines in protecting against human papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV‐associated disease is not fully understood. We compared the frequency of the interleukin (IL)‐10 polymorphism (G allele) at position −1082 and the distribution of GG/GA/AA genotypes among 116 HPV‐positive women, grouped according to their cervical cytological profiles, with 119 HPV‐negative controls with normal smears. No difference was observed in genotype frequency between the groups. Among women in the HPV‐positive, smear‐normal group, who were re‐tested for HPV after 12 months, there was a significant inverse association between presence of at least one variant G allele (high activity) and HPV persistence (OR per G allele = 0.082 [95% CI 0.009–0.73], P= 0.001; after controlling for ethnicity). This association remained significant after controlling for age, smoking and hormonal contraception (OR = 0.028 [95% CI 0.001–0.66], P= 0.001). This preliminary study suggests that higher levels of IL‐10 may prevent cervical neoplasia through their role in eliminating HPV.
In vitro and ex vivo evaluation of second‐generation histone deacetylase inhibitors for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy
Authors: Hahnen Eric , Eyüpoglu Ilker Y. , Brichta Lars , Haastert Kirsten , Tränkle Christian , Siebzehnrübl Florian A. , Riessland Markus , Hölker Irmgard , Claus Peter , Romstöck Johann , Buslei Rolf , Wirth Brunhilde , Blümcke Ingmar
Published: May 2006

Among a panel of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors investigated, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) evolved as a potent and non‐toxic candidate drug for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), an α‐motoneurone disorder caused by insufficient survival motor neuron (SMN) protein levels. SAHA increased SMN levels at low micromolar concentrations in several neuroectodermal tissues, including rat hippocampal brain slices and motoneurone‐rich cell fractions, and its therapeutic capacity was confirmed using a novel human brain slice culture assay. SAHA activated survival motor neuron gene 2 (SMN2), the target gene for SMA therapy, and inhibited HDACs at submicromolar doses, providing evidence that SAHA is more efficient than the HDAC inhibitor valproic acid, which is under clinical investigation for SMA treatment. In contrast to SAHA, the compounds m‐Carboxycinnamic acid bis‐Hydroxamide, suberoyl bishydroxamic acid and M344 displayed unfavourable toxicity profiles, whereas MS‐275 failed to increase SMN levels. Clinical trials have revealed that SAHA, which is under investigation for cancer treatment, has a good oral bioavailability and is well tolerated, allowing in vivo concentrations shown to increase SMN levels to be achieved. Because SAHA crosses the blood–brain barrier, oral administration may allow deceleration of progressive α‐motoneurone degeneration by epigenetic SMN2 gene activation.
Development of microsatellite markers in the noxious red tide‐causing algae Heterosigma akashiwo (Raphidophyceae)
Authors: NAGAI S. , YAMAGUCHI S. , LIAN C. L. , MATSUYAMA Y. , ITAKURA S.
Published: May 2006

We isolated 13 polymorphic microsatellites from the noxious red tide‐causing algae, Heterosigma akashiwo. These loci provide a class of highly variable genetic markers as the number of alleles ranged from three to 12 and the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.286 to 0.926 and from 0.314 to 0.888, respectively. We consider these loci potentially useful for detailing the genetic structure and gene flow among H. akashiwo populations.
Novel microsatellite DNA markers for the threatened African endemic tree species, Milicia excelsa (Moraceae), and cross‐species amplification in Milicia regia
Authors: OUINSAVI CHRISTINE , SOKPON NESTOR , BOUSQUET JEAN , NEWTON CRAIG H. , KHASA DAMASE P.
Published: May 2006

Eleven microsatellite primer pairs were developed for the tropical African tree Milicia excelsa. Genomic DNA was enriched for dinucleotide (TCn and TGn) and tretranucleotide (GATAn), and 188 random clones were sequenced from both orientations. We designed and tested 44 oligonucleotide primer pairs, which were evaluated using genomic DNA from 30 M. excelsa mature trees collected from a natural population in Benin. Eleven of the 44 markers showed good amplification and were polymorphic. The number of putative alleles for polymorphic primer pairs varied from three to seven, with expected and observed heterozygosities ranging from 0.10 to 0.64 and from 0.10 to 0.80, respectively. All 11 loci amplified the related species Milicia regia, indicating that these primers will be useful for population and ecology genetic studies in other species of the genus Milicia.
Nabobs Revisited: A Cultural History of British Imperialism and the Indian Question in Late‐Eighteenth‐Century Britain
Authors: Nechtman Tillman W.
Published: May 2006

Studies of the late eighteenth‐century British empire in India have long used the figure of the nabob to personify political debates collectively known as “the India question.” These nabobs, employees of the East India Company, were (and continue to be) represented as rapacious villains. This article will revisit the history of nabobs to offer a cultural history of British imperialism in late eighteenth‐century India. It will argue that nabobs were representative figures in the political debates surrounding imperialism in South Asia because they were hybrid figures who made Britain’s empire more real to domestic British observers. It will argue that the nabobs’ hybrid identity hinged on the collection of material artifacts they brought back to Britain from India. Nabobs stood at the boundary between nation and empire, and they suggested the frontier was permeable. They exposed the degree to which the projects of building a nation and an empire were mutually constitutive.
Complex Effects of Prescribed Fire on Restoring the Soil Water Content in a High‐Elevation Riparian Meadow, Arizona
Authors: Mullen Regina M. , Springer Abraham E. , Kolb Thomas E.
Published: May 2006

One of the largest and rarest Bebb willow (Salix bebbiana) communities in the United States occurs at Hart Prairie, Arizona. Low recruitment of the willow over the past several decades has been linked to inadequate soil water content for seed germination and seedling establishment. We tested a hypothesis that a prescribed burn would reduce biomass of and evapotranspiration by herbaceous plants, thereby increasing soil water content. Three treatments (unburned control, early‐growing season burned, late‐growing season burned) were applied in year 2001 to replicated plots in fern‐ and grass‐dominated herbaceous communities. Soil water content (0–30 cm) was measured weekly in plots during the 2001, 2002, and 2003 growing seasons. Both early‐ and late‐season burning reduced herbaceous biomass in the fern‐dominated community in 2002 and 2003 and reduced biomass in the grass‐dominated community in 2002 but not in 2003. Soil water content increased for approximately four weeks in 2001 following the early‐season burn, but the early‐season and late‐season burns reduced soil water content in both communities over much of the 2002 and 2003 growing seasons. Thus, early‐season burning may benefit willow seed germination by increasing soil water content immediately following burning but be detrimental to germination in the second and third growing seasons after burning because of drier soil. Large temporal variation in the effect of prescribed burning on soil water content will complicate the use of fire as a restoration tool to manage soil water available for threatened plants such as Bebb willow and for recharge of groundwater.
Transthoracic Real‐Time Three‐Dimensional Echocardiography in the Diagnosis and Description of Noncompaction of Ventricular Myocardium
Authors: Baker G. Hamilton , Pereira Naveen L. , Hlavacek Anthony M. , Chessa Karen , Shirali Girish
Published: May 2006

Background: Numerous modalities have been used to diagnose and characterize noncompaction of ventricular myocardium (NCVM) including magnetic resonance imaging, two‐dimensional echocardiography (2DE), contrast‐enhanced 2DE, and angiography. The current case series examines the use of real‐time three‐dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (RT‐3DE) in four such cases of NCVM. Methods: From December 2003 to March 2004, we performed RT‐3DE using a Philips Sonos 7500 echocardiographic scanner equipped with a 2–4 MHz 3D matrix array transthoracic probe, to evaluate four patients with NCVM. The real‐time 3D transthoracic probe allows for dataset acquisition in an ultrasound wedge, which can be manipulated instantaneously. In addition, complete 3D volume rendering is acquired, allowing for volumetric imaging. Results: The age range of the patients was 2 months to 42 years. One patient had the codiagnoses of coarctation of the aorta and bicuspid aortic valve. In all four patients, RT‐3DE enabled diagnosis and provided detailed characterization of the affected myocardium. Entire trabecular projections and intertrabecular recesses were easily visualized simultaneously, and endocardial borders were clearly demarcated. Wall motion abnormalities of the affected myocardium were clearly visualized. The compacted and noncompacted portions of the myocardium could be differentiated well. Conclusions: Our study provides preliminary data highlighting the utility and feasibility of RT‐3DE in the clinical characterization of NCVM. The complex 3D nature of this disorder and the endocardial hypertrabeculation were more readily visualized than with 2DE.
A Large Saphenous Vein Graft Aneurysm Presenting as a Right Atrial Mass: A Case Report
Authors: Carasso Shemy , Sternik Leonid , Kuperstein Rafael , Feinberg Micha S.
Published: May 2006

An aneurysm of a saphenous vein graft (SVG) is a rare but potentially fatal complication of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We describe a case of a large SVG aneurysm (7 × 6 cm) compressing the right atrium. The patient presented with chest pain, dyspnea and desaturation, and a right intra‐atrial mass was revealed on echocardiography. The differential diagnosis of intracardiac masses revealed by echocardiography should include extrinsic lesions. Due to its potential lethal complications, an SVG aneurysm should be considered in a post‐CABG patient presenting with acute coronary syndrome or heart failure.
Physiochemical characterization of the Alzheimer's disease‐related peptides Aβ1–42Arctic and Aβ1–42wt
Authors: Johansson Ann‐Sofi , Berglind‐Dehlin Fredrik , Karlsson Göran , Edwards Katarina , Gellerfors Pär , Lannfelt Lars
Published: May 2006

The amyloid β peptide (Aβ) is crucial for the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Aggregation of monomeric Aβ into insoluble amyloid fibrils proceeds through several soluble Aβ intermediates, including protofibrils, which are believed to be central in the disease process. The main reason for this is their implication in familial Alzheimer's disease with the Arctic amyloid precursor protein mutation (E693G). This mutation gives rise to early onset Alzheimer's disease, and synthetic Aβ1–40Arctic displays an enhanced rate of protofibril formation in vitro[Nilsberth C, Westlind‐Danielsson A, Eckman CB, Condron MM, Axelman K, Forsell C, Stenh C, Luthman J, Teplow DB, Younkin SG, Naslund J & Lannfelt L. (2001) Nat Neurosci4, 887–893]. To increase our understanding of the mechanisms involved in Aβ aggregation, especially Aβ monomer oligomerization into protofibrils and protofibril fibrillization into fibrils, the kinetics of Aβ1–42wt and Aβ1–42Arctic aggregation were examined under different physiochemical conditions, such as concentration, temperature, ionic strength and pH. We used size exclusion chromatography for this purpose, where monomers are separated from protofibrils, and fibrils are separated from protofibrils in a centrifugation step. The Arctic mutation significantly accelerated both Aβ1–42wt protofibril formation and protofibril fibrillization. In addition, we demonstrated that two distinct chemical processes – monomer oligomerization and protofibril fibrillization – were affected differently by changes in the micro‐environment and that the Arctic mutation alters the peptide response to such changes.