bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transgenerational tobacco smoke exposure and childhood cancer: An observational study
Authors: Ortega‐García Juan A , Martin Marlene , López‐Fernández María T , Fuster‐Soler Jose L , Donat‐Colomer Joaquín , López‐Ibor Blanca , Claudio Luz , Ferrís‐Tortajada Josep
Published: April 2010

Aim:  Although tobacco smoke is an established risk factor for adult cancer, studies of the association between parental smoking and childhood cancer have produced inconsistent results. To investigate the transgenerational relationship between pre‐natal and post‐natal tobacco smoke exposure from the grandmother's pregnancies until after the post‐natal period and childhood cancer.

Methods:  Exposure to tobacco smoke was recorded for three generations. Data were collected through personal interviews using the paediatric environmental history, and were compared among 128 children with cancer and 128 matched controls. The contingency tables and a logistic multivariable regression model were used to control for possible confounding factors.

Results:  Smoke exposure during oogenesis (maternal grandmother smokers) – odds ratio (OR) 2.2 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1–4.9) – and during the mother’ pregnancies – OR 1.8 (95% CI 1.1–3.3) – were significantly associated with an increased risk of childhood cancer.

Conclusions:  Tobacco smoke exposure during the grandmother's and mother's pregnancies increase the risk of cancer in the descendants. The results suggest that the biological plausibility of the association between parental smoking and paediatric cancer can be explained by the large latency period of paediatric carcinogenesis.
Fluid management of hypernatraemic dehydration to prevent cerebral oedema: A retrospective case control study of 97 children in China
Authors: Fang Chengqing , Mao Jianhua , Dai Yuwen , Xia Yonghui , Fu Haidong , Chen Yifang , Wang Yaping , Liu Aimin
Published: April 2010

Aim:  To compare the fluid management of hypernatraemic dehydration in acute gastroenteritis in those who developed cerebral oedema (cases) versus those who did not (controls).

Methods:  A retrospective study of 97 cases of hypernatraemic dehydration at a tertiary children's hospital in China over five years, in which rehydration regimes of 49 children who developed cerebral oedema were compared with 48 children who made an uneventful recovery.

Results:  Risk factors for cerebral oedema (vs. no cerebral oedema) were an initial fluid bolus (29/49 vs. 15/48, P = 0.006), the mean rate of bolus infusion (14.7 ± 2.2 vs. 10.8 ± 1.4 mL/kg/hr, P < 0.001), the severity of hypernatraemia (serum sodium 167.7 ± 7.8 vs. 161.3 ± 7.9 mmol/L, P < 0.001) and the overall rehydration rate (8.2 ± 1.1 vs. 6.4 ± 0.6 mL/kg/hr, P < 0.001). On logistic regression, a rapid rehydration rate was the most significant contributor to cerebral oedema. From receive operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the safe rate of rehydration was <6.8 mL/kg/hr.

Conclusion:  The key risk factors for the development of cerebral oedema during recovery from hypernatraemic dehydration were too rapid a rate of rehydration, an initial fluid bolus to rapidly expand plasma volume and the severity of the hypernatraemia. Thus, we conclude that a uniformly slow rate of rehydration is the best way of preventing cerebral oedema.
Assessing quality of life in paediatric clinical practice
Authors: Morrow Angela M , Quine Susan , Heaton Maria D , Craig Jonathan C
Published: April 2010

The rising prevalence of children with chronic conditions has made quality of life an increasingly important outcome measure in paediatric practice. The discrepancy between doctors’ and patients’ perceptions of quality of life makes formal assessment necessary.

In this paper we use a case scenario to answer commonly asked questions. What is quality of life and who can assess it? Why assess quality of life in the clinical setting? Is it feasible to measure in routine clinical practice? How is quality of life formally assessed? We provide a basic outline of the language and methods of quality of life assessment and use the case scenario to discuss the process of choosing an appropriate instrument.

We conclude that quality of life assessment in clinical practice is feasible and provides benefits for both patients and doctors. The benefits include better informed doctors, improved patient doctor communication and a means to effectively monitor quality of life as a treatment outcome.
Appraising the roles of nutrient availability, global change, and functional traits during the angiosperm rise to dominance
Authors: Mueller Kevin E. , Diefendorf Aaron F. , Freeman Katherine H. , Eissenstat David M.
Published: April 2010

Ecology Letters (2010) 13: E1–E6

To explain the rise of angiosperms during the Cretaceous, Berendse & Scheffer (Ecol. Lett., 12, 2009, 865) invoke feedbacks between leaf litter, soil nutrients, and growth, overlooking other factors affecting resource acquisition by Cretaceous plants. We evaluate their hypothesis, highlight alternative explanations, and emphasize use of a broader framework for understanding the angiosperm radiation.
Detecting interspecific macroparasite interactions from ecological data: patterns and process
Authors: Fenton Andy , Viney Mark E. , Lello Jo
Published: April 2010

Ecology Letters (2010) 13: 606–615

There is great interest in the occurrence and consequences of interspecific interactions among co‐infecting parasites. However, the extent to which interactions occur is unknown, because there are no validated methods for their detection. We developed a model that generated abundance data for two interacting macroparasite (e.g., helminth) species, and challenged the data with various approaches to determine whether they could detect the underlying interactions. Current approaches performed poorly – either suggesting there was no interaction when, in reality, there was a strong interaction occurring, or inferring the presence of an interaction when there was none. We suggest the novel application of a generalized linear mixed modelling (GLMM)‐based approach, which we show to be more reliable than current approaches, even when infection rates of both parasites are correlated (e.g., via a shared transmission route). We suggest that the lack of clarity regarding the presence or absence of interactions in natural systems may be largely attributed to the unreliable nature of existing methods for detecting them. However, application of the GLMM approach may provide a more robust method of detection for these potentially important interspecific interactions from ecological data.
Alternative regression methods are not considered in Murtaugh (2009) or by ecologists in general
Authors: Dahlgren Johan P.
Published: April 2010

Ecology Letters(2010) 13: E7–E9

Murtaugh (2009) recently illustrated that all subsets variable selection is very similar to stepwise regression. This, however, does not necessarily mean both methods are useful. On the contrary, the same problems with overfitting should apply. Ecologists should, if model building is indeed necessary, consider more reliable regression methods now available.
The environmental limits to geographic range expansion in birds
Authors: Pigot Alex L. , Owens Ian P. F. , Orme C. David L.
Published: April 2010

Ecology Letters(2010) 13: 705–715

The environmental factors limiting species’ ranges across broad geographic and taxonomic scales are central to questions regarding the geographic variation in biodiversity and impacts of environmental change. However, our understanding remains relatively limited owing to the small‐scale, correlative nature of most previous analyses. In this study, we provide a global test of the environmental determinants of range limits in birds, using both stochastic and environmentally deterministic models of range expansion to simulate spatial patterns in the shape of species’ distributions. We show that spatial variation in range shape can be well explained by the action of a few key climatic variables in limiting range expansion. Furthermore, we demonstrate that these patterns cannot be explained by random processes alone. In addition, our study also identifies important differences in the factors constraining range expansion between biogeographic realms and between widespread and rare species. Although temperature was the principal climatic determinant of range shape at a global scale, its effects were driven primarily by widespread species, with the ranges of rare taxa better predicted by gradients in precipitation or topography. These key results were robust with respect to the index used to quantify range shape. Our analysis helps resolve long running debates regarding the role of environmentally deterministic and stochastic processes in structuring biodiversity and extends our understanding of the factors limiting species’ ranges and the response of broad scale biodiversity patterns to environmental change.
Biofilm formation in environmental bacteria is influenced by different macromolecules depending on genus and species
Authors: Andrews Johanna S. , Rolfe Stephen A. , Huang Wei E. , Scholes Julie D. , Banwart Steven A.
Published: April 2010

The formation of biofilms by diverse bacteria isolated from contaminated soil and groundwater on model substrata with different surface properties was assessed in a multifactorial screen. Diverse attachment phenotypes were observed as measured by crystal violet dye retention and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Bulk measurements of cell hydrophobicity had little predictive ability in determining whether biofilms would develop on hydrophobic or hydrophilic substrata. Therefore selected pairs of bacteria from the genera Rhodococcus, Pseudomonas and Sphingomonas that exhibited different attachment phenotypes were examined in more detail using CLSM and the lipophilic dye, Nile Red. The association of Rhodococcus sp. cell membranes with lipids was shown to influence the attachment properties of these cells, but this approach was not informative for Pseudomonas and Sphingomonas sp. Confocal Raman Microspectroscopy of Rhodococcus biofilms confirmed the importance of lipids in their formation and indicated that in Pseudomonas and Sphingomonas biofilms, nucleic acids and proteins, respectively, were important in identifying the differences in attachment phenotypes of the selected strains. Treatment of biofilms with DNase I confirmed a determining role for nucleic acids as predicted for Pseudomonas. This work demonstrates that the attachment phenotypes of microbes from environmental samples to different substrata varies markedly, a diverse range of macromolecules may be involved and that these differ significantly between genera. A combination of CLSM and Raman spectroscopy distinguished between phenotypes and could be used to identify the key macromolecules involved in cell attachment to surfaces for the specific cases studied.
Global analysis of reptile elevational diversity
Authors: McCain Christy M.
Published: April 2010

Aim  Latitudinal‐ and regional‐scale studies of reptile diversity suggest a predominant temperature effect, unlike many other vertebrate richness patterns which tend to be highly correlated with both temperature and water variables. Here I examine montane gradients in reptile species richness with separate analyses of snakes and lizards from mountains around the world to assess a predominant temperature effect and three additional theories of diversity, including a temperature–water effect, the species–area effect and the mid‐domain effect (MDE).

Location  Twenty‐five elevational gradients of reptile diversity from temperate, tropical and desert mountains in both hemispheres, spanning 10.3° N to 46.1° N.

Methods  Elevational gradients in reptile diversity are based on data from the literature. Of the 63 data sets found or compiled, only those with a high, unbiased sampling effort were used in analyses. Twelve predictions and three interactions of diversity theory were tested using nonparametric statistics, linear regressions and multiple regression with the Akaike information criterion (AIC).

Results  Reptile richness and, individually, snake and lizard richness on mountains followed four distinct patterns: decreasing, low‐elevation plateaus, low‐elevation plateaus with mid‐elevation peaks, and mid‐elevation peaks. Elevational reptile richness was most strongly correlated with temperature. The temperature effect was mediated by precipitation; reptile richness was more strongly tied to temperature on wet gradients than on arid gradients. Area was a secondary factor of importance, whereas the MDE was not strongly associated with reptile diversity on mountains.

Main conclusions  Reptile diversity patterns on mountains did not follow the predicted temperature–water effect, as all diversity patterns were found on both wet and dry mountains. But the influence of precipitation on the temperature effect most likely reflects reptiles' use of radiant heat sources (sunning opportunities) that are more widespread on arid mountains than wet mountains due to lower humidity, sparser vegetation and less cloud cover across low and intermediate elevations.
The range implications of lizard traits in changing environments
Authors: Buckley Lauren B.
Published: April 2010

Aim  Most predictions of species ranges are based on correlating current species localities to environmental conditions. These correlative models do not explicitly include a species' biology. In contrast, some mechanistic models link traits to energetics and population dynamics to predict species distributions. These models enable one to ask whether considering a species' biology is important for predicting its range. I implement mechanistic models to investigate how a species' morphology, physiology and life history influence its range.

Location  North America.

Methods  I compare the mechanistic model predictions with those of correlative models for eight species of North American lizards in both current environments and following a uniform 3 °C temperature warming. I then examine the implications of superimposing habitat and elevation requirements on constraints associated with environmental tolerances.

Results  In the mechanistic model, species with a narrower thermal range for activity are both predicted and observed to have more restricted distributions. Incorporating constraints on habitat and elevation further restricts species distributions beyond areas that are thermally suitable. While correlative models generally outperform mechanistic models at predicting current distributions, the performance of mechanistic models improves when incorporating additional factors. In response to a 3 °C temperature warming, the northward range shifts predicted by the mechanistic model vary between species according to trait differences and are of a greater extent than those predicted by correlative models.

Main conclusions  These findings highlight the importance of species traits for understanding the dynamics of species ranges in changing environments. The analysis demonstrates that mechanistic models may provide an important complement to correlative models for predicting range dynamics, which may underpredict climate‐induced range shifts.
Functional homogenization of bird communities along habitat gradients: accounting for niche multidimensionality
Authors: Clavero Miguel , Brotons Lluís
Published: April 2010

Aim  To test whether functional homogenization of bird communities is promoted by anthropogenic landscape transformation, using specialization and habitat preference indices that account for the multidimensionality of niches.

Location  Catalonia, north‐east Iberian Peninsula.

Methods  We used data on bird species occurrences and landscape features in 2834 1‐km2 squares. Three orthogonal landscape gradients, which were taken as niche dimensions, were defined by means of principal components analysis (PCA). Specialization and habitat preference indices were created for 103 terrestrial bird species on the basis of their frequency of occurrence variation along the landscape gradients. These indices, together with species rarity, were then averaged for bird communities. We then analysed the patterns of variation of communities’ mean specialization, mean rarity and mean habitat preference values along a gradient of agricultural–forest habitat mosaics.

Results  Wherever we found a significant variation in the degree of specialization along the agricultural–forest gradient, agricultural habitats held more specialized bird communities than did forest ones and bore, on average, rarer species. Thus, results contradicted our initial hypothesis that humanized areas would bear more functionally homogenized bird communities. Higher α‐diversity values tended to be associated with generalist communities and with those having rarer species.

Main conclusions  Estimations of bird community specialization for different niche dimensions can behave differently along certain landscape gradients, and some of these differences can be explained by the variation of mean habitat preferences. Thus, we argue that a multidimensional approach to assess average niche breadth of communities can be more informative than a unidimensional measure. Our results suggest that widespread land abandonment and current secondary forest expansion throughout the Mediterranean area are promoting functional homogenization of bird communities. It would be desirable to construct larger‐scale indicators of functional homogenization in order to monitor communities’ responses to widespread landscape changes.
Biogeography of the Amazon molly: ecological niche and range limits of an asexual hybrid species
Authors: Costa Gabriel C. , Schlupp Ingo
Published: April 2010

Aim  To understand the relative contributions of environmental factors, dispersal limitations and the presence of sperm donors in determining the distribution of the Amazon molly (Poecilia formosa), a sperm‐dependent unisexual fish species of hybrid origin. To explore niche similarities and/or differences between the hybrid and parental species. To evaluate whether large‐scale abiotic factors can explain a successful introduction of both P. formosa and Poecilia latipinna.

Location  South‐east United States, Mexico and Central America.

Methods  We used abiotic variables in ecological niche modelling (ENM) to identify regions with suitable conditions for the presence of the Amazon molly and its two parental species (P. latipinna and Poecilia mexicana). We also used a recently developed metric to calculate the degree of niche overlap between the hybrid and its parental species.

Results  ENM produced highly significant models [all area under the curve (AUC) > 0.99 for the three species]. Annual mean temperature and minimum temperature of the coldest month were the variables that best explained the distribution of the Amazon molly. With the exception of south Florida, few areas beyond the known distribution of the species were predicted to have suitable environmental conditions. The hybrid species niche overlaps partially with the parental species. However, given the available data, it is neither more similar nor more different than expected by chance.

Main conclusions  Two different processes are acting to limit the distribution of P. formosa. At the northern limit, although a sperm donor species is present further north, suitable environmental conditions are absent from nearby locations. At the southern limit, a sperm donor species is present and areas with good environmental conditions are present at nearby locations, suggesting that dispersal ability is the limiting factor. We found that the hybrid species overlaps in a similar way with both parental species while still having its own niche identity. This result may be explained by the fact that hybrid species inherit characteristics of two ecologically divergent species, which can result in intermediate or even transgressive phenotypes. These results support recent work on the role of hybridization in diversification.
Taking Stock of Temporary Organizational Forms: A Systematic Review and Research Agenda
Authors: Bakker René M.
Published: April 2010

This paper brings together the research on temporary organizational forms. Despite a recent surge in publications on this topic, there have been few attempts to integrate knowledge on what we know of such temporary forms of organization. In order to correct this, an integrative framework is proposed around four central themes: time, team, task and context. Within each of these themes, the paper offers an overview of the literature, the gaps in what we know, and what future directions might be taken by scholars hoping to contribute to this important and rapidly growing field.
The potential of asset‐based development strategies for poverty alleviation in Sub‐Saharan Africa
Authors: Ssewamala Fred M. , Sperber Elizabeth , Zimmerman Jamie M. , Karimli Leyla
Published: April 2010

Ssewamala FM, Sperber, ES, Zimmerman JM, Karimli L. The potential of asset‐based development strategies for poverty alleviation in Sub‐Saharan Africa

Int J Soc Welfare 2010: 19: 433–443 © 2010 The Author(s), Journal compilation © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd and International Journal of Social Welfare.

This article explores the potential of a relatively new approach to social development as a poverty alleviation strategy in Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA): asset‐based development, an integrated approach to human, social, and economic capital formation. It considers the theoretical framework guiding asset‐based development and the accompanying set of programmatic and policy‐level tools for poverty alleviation in SSA. After considering the recent historical and theoretical contexts of the approach, the authors examine the potential of asset‐based development programs, specifically savings‐led microfinance programs for the poor, to engender development and, more specifically, poverty alleviation in the region. Major challenges and directions for future research are presented.
Hurting No‐One Else’s Body but Your Own: People with Intellectual Disability Who Self Injure in a Forensic Service
Authors: Duperouzel Helen , Fish Rebecca
Published: April 2010

Background  This paper details the experiences of nine people with mild/moderate intellectual disability who self injure; looking beyond the clinical presentations in an attempt to capture the perceptions these people have of their care in a medium secure unit.

Methods  A phenomenological approach was used, and during in‐depth interviews, the participants gave rich descriptions of their experiences of self‐injury.

Results  The analysis of the interviews revealed four main themes; coping strategies, staff and the organizational response – therapeutic communication, close observation and looking to the future. As a coping strategy, self‐injury was seen as an effective means of reducing distress – there were unique and common reasons for this distress. Common themes relating to the actions and reactions of health professionals and the organizational response were evident within all accounts.

Conclusions  The theoretical and clinical implications for service users are discussed.
APOE is not Associated with Alzheimer Disease: a Cautionary tale of Genotype Imputation
Authors: Beecham Gary W. , Martin Eden R. , Gilbert John R. , Haines Jonathan L. , Pericak‐Vance Margaret A.
Published: April 2010

With the advent of publicly available genome‐wide genotyping data, the use of genotype imputation methods is becoming increasingly common. These methods are of particular use in joint analyses, where data from different genotyping platforms are imputed to a reference set and combined in a single analysis. We show here that such an analysis can miss strong genetic association signals, such as that of the apolipoprotein‐e gene in late‐onset Alzheimer disease. This can occur in regions of weak to moderate LD; unobserved SNPs are not imputed with confidence so there is no consensus SNP set on which to perform association tests. Both IMPUTE and Mach software are tested, with similar results. Additionally, we show that a meta‐analysis that properly accounts for the genotype uncertainty can recover association signals that were lost under a joint analysis. This shows that joint analyses of imputed genotypes, particularly failure to replicate strong signals, should be considered critically and examined on a case‐by‐case basis.
Efficient Calculation of P‐value and Power for Quadratic Form Statistics in Multilocus Association Testing
Authors: Tong Liping , Yang Jie , Cooper Richard S.
Published: April 2010

We address the asymptotic and approximate distributions of a large class of test statistics with quadratic forms used in association studies. The statistics of interest take the general form D=XTA X, where A is a general similarity matrix which may or may not be positive semi‐definite, and X follows the multivariate normal distribution with mean μ and variance matrix Σ, where Σ may or may not be singular. We show that D can be written as a linear combination of independent χ2 random variables with a shift. Furthermore, its distribution can be approximated by a χ2 or the difference of two χ2 distributions. In the setting of association testing, our methods are especially useful in two situations. First, when the required significance level is much smaller than 0.05 such as in a genome scan, the estimation of p‐values using permutation procedures can be challenging. Second, when an EM algorithm is required to infer haplotype frequencies from un‐phased genotype data, the computation can be intensive for a permutation procedure. In either situation, an efficient and accurate estimation procedure would be useful. Our method can be applied to any quadratic form statistic and therefore should be of general interest.
MQScore_SNP Software for Multipoint Parametric Linkage Analysis of Quantitative Traits in Large Pedigrees
Authors: Axenovich Tatiana I. , Aulchenko Yurii S.
Published: April 2010

We describe software for multipoint parametric linkage analysis of quantitative traits using information about SNP genotypes. A mixed model of major gene and polygene inheritance is implemented in this software. Implementation of several algorithms to avoid computational underflow and decrease running time permits application of our software to the analysis of very large pedigrees collected in human genetically isolated populations. We tested our software by performing linkage analysis of adult height in a large pedigree from a Dutch isolated population. Three significant and four suggestive loci were identified with the help of our programs, whereas variance‐component‐based linkage analysis, which requires the pedigree fragmentation, demonstrated only three suggestive peaks.

The software package MQScore_SNP is available at http://mga.bionet.nsc.ru/soft/index.html.
Effects of acute and chronic administration of atomoxetine and methylphenidate on extracellular levels of noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin in the prefrontal cortex and striatum of mice
Authors: Koda Ken , Ago Yukio , Cong Yana , Kita Yuki , Takuma Kazuhiro , Matsuda Toshio
Published: April 2010

J. Neurochem.(2010)114, 259–270.

Acute administration of atomoxetine and methylphenidate, attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drugs, activates catecholaminergic systems in rat brain, but the effects of their chronic administration are not known. This study examined the effects of acute and chronic administration of ADHD drugs on the extracellular levels of noradrenaline (NA), dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5‐HT), and the expression of the neuronal activity marker c‐Fos in the prefrontal cortex and striatum of mice. Acute ADHD drugs increased NA and DA, but not 5‐HT, levels in the prefrontal cortex of mice. Maximal effects of atomoxetine and methylphenidate were observed at 1 mg/kg and 3 mg/kg, respectively. At these doses, both drugs did not affect the spontaneous locomotor activity of mice. Chronic administration of atomoxetine 1 mg/kg and methylphenidate 3 mg/kg for 21 days also increased NA and DA, but not 5‐HT, levels in the prefrontal cortex. The increases in NA levels induced by atomoxetine, but not methylphenidate, were reduced by chronic treatment. In contrast, acute and chronic administration of atomoxetine 1 mg/kg and methylphenidate 3 mg/kg did not affect the monoamine levels in the striatum. Acute and chronic atomoxetine 1 mg/kg and methylphenidate 3 mg/kg increased the expression of c‐Fos in the prefrontal cortex, but not in the striatum, to a similar extent. These results suggest that acute and chronic administration of the ADHD drugs selectively activate the prefrontal catecholamine systems in mice.
TAX DATA FOR WEALTH CONCENTRATION ANALYSIS: AN APPLICATION TO SPANISH WEALTH TAX
Authors: Durán‐Cabré José Ma , Esteller‐Moré Alejandro
Published: April 2010

As recent studies in different countries show, tax data offer the opportunity to estimate income or wealth shares for the upper income groups. However, several critical points must be considered in order to avoid misleading conclusions: the interpolation technique used, legal amendments, and tax fraud. In this note we take Spanish wealth tax as a case study to assess the importance of these factors, and compare our results with those obtained by Alvaredo and Saez (2009). Although the results of the two analyses are very similar, our approach complements theirs by offering a more precise treatment of the correction of fiscal underassessment and tax fraud in real estate, which is the main asset in Spaniards' portfolios.
Dominicans, Franciscans, and the art of political rivalry: two drawings and a fresco by Giovanni Battista della Rovere
Authors: McGrath Thomas
Published: April 2010

The old rivalry between Dominicans and Franciscans took on a new dimension in late sixteenth‐century Milan as the two largest mendicant orders sought to proclaim their relevance in the years following the Council of Trent. Two drawings by Giovanni Battista della Rovere in the Fogg Museum underscore the ways in which these groups used visual images to clarify their roles within the Catholic community and steer public opinion in their favour. The Franciscans responded to the growing popularity of Dominican rosary confraternities by resurrecting the story of St Francis receiving the Porziuncola Indulgence from the Virgin, which made her gift of the rosary to Dominic seem almost trivial by comparison. The Dominicans, meanwhile, sought to reinforce the authenticity of the rosary legend, which came under attack in the late sixteenth century, by commissioning images that placed Dominic's use of the rosary in historical context, such as the scene of Dominic preaching with the rosary before the Fourth Lateran Council, depicted in one of the drawings at the Fogg. In these commissions the artist reveals a sensitivity to changing religious attitudes, as well as an ability to work with patrons to forge new iconographies responsive to Counter‐Reformation concerns.
Patients with isolated polycystic liver disease referred to liver centres: clinical characterization of 137 cases
Authors: Van Keimpema Loes , De Koning Daan B. , Van Hoek Bart , Van Den Berg Aad P. , Van Oijen Martijn G. H. , De Man Robert A. , Nevens Frederik , Drenth Joost P. H.
Published: April 2010

Background and aim: Isolated polycystic liver disease (PCLD) is characterized by the presence of multiple cysts in the liver in the absence of polycystic kidneys. The clinical profile of PCLD is poorly defined and we set up a study for the clinical characteristics of PCLD.

Methods: We collected clinical data on 188 PCLD patients (defined as >10 liver cysts) from five tertiary referral centres, and 137 patients were selected for the purpose of this study. We performed molecular analysis of the PCLD associated genes PRKCSH and SEC63 in 91 patients.

Results: A total of 118 (86%) patients were female. The majority of patients (88%) had >20 cysts. The median age at diagnosis was 47 years (range 23–84). 37 (41%) patients carried a mutation. Clinical symptoms at presentation were present in 111 (84%) patients. γ‐glutamyl transferase was elevated to 1.4 times upper limit of normal (interquartile range 1.0–2.7). The presence of a mutation and female gender predicted a more severe course: female patients were 9 years younger at the time of diagnosis (47 years; range 23–84) and 91% had symptoms (P<0.01); likewise, mutation carriers were younger at presentation (39 years; range 35–48) and 95% of this cohort had symptoms (P<0.01). During follow‐up [median 8.2 years (range 0–35)], 10% of untreated and 51% of treated patients developed complications. Mortality in this cohort was 8%, but only 2% died of PCLD‐related causes. 58% of patients were treated a median of 2 years (range 0–25) after diagnosis.

Conclusion: Symptomatic PCLD patients are mainly females. Females and mutation carriers were younger at diagnosis and had a more severe course of disease.
Migraine and Migraines of Specialists: Perceptions and Management
Authors: Donnet Anne , Becker Henri , Allaf Bashar , Lantéri‐Minet Michel
Published: April 2010

(Headache 2010;50:1115‐1125)

Objectives.— To describe the perception of migraine by neurologists in France, to compare perceptions between neurologists who did and did not suffer from migraines and to describe treatments used for their own migraines.

Background.— Patients with migraine are usually undertreated, as treatment guidelines are frequently not followed and, therefore, resulting treatment satisfaction is low. One reason for this may be inappropriate perceptions of physicians concerning the seriousness of the pathology and the need to treat. However, available information on physician perceptions of migraine is limited.

Methods.— This was an observational, epidemiological survey conducted both in hospital‐ and community‐based neurologists in France. Participating neurologists completed an anonymous questionnaire which collected data on demographics, migraine status, and perceptions of migraine. Neurologists who considered themselves migraineurs also provided data on migraine impact, treatment and on treatment satisfaction. Distributions of responses to questions on migraine perceptions were compared between migraineur and nonmigraineur neurologists.

Results.— The study included 368 neurologists, of whom 179 (48.6%) were migraineurs themselves. Some 92.3% of participants claimed to be very or quite interested in migraine. Migraine was considered a real illness by 96.5% of neurologists and to be very or quite disabling by 96.6%. Around half perceived migraine as a challenging condition to manage with respect to unrealistic patient expectations (46.2%), time‐consuming treatment (48.9%), and complications because of anxious or depressive comorbidity (59.9%) or medical nomadism (consulting multiple physicians for the same condition; 47.0%). No significant differences in any perception items were observed between migraineur and nonmigraineur neurologists. In total, 83.1% of neurologists were satisfied with acute headache treatments and 60.4% with prophylactic headache treatments. The most frequently reported treatments for neurologist's own migraines were nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (used by 57.0%) and triptans (50.3%).

Conclusions.— French neurologists are interested and concerned about migraine but find it challenging to treat. Migraine perceptions do not differ between neurologists who do and do not suffer from migraines themselves. Neurology training needs to prepare medical students adequately for the challenges of migraine treatment in terms of patient communication and psychiatric issues.
50+ Years of Diversification Announcements
Authors: Akbulut Mehmet E. , Matsusaka John G.
Published: April 2010

This paper studies announcement returns from 4,764 mergers over 57 years to shed light on several controversies concerning corporate diversification. One prominent view is that diversification destroys value because of agency problems or internal investment distortions, but we find that combined (acquirer plus target) announcement returns are significantly positive for diversifying mergers throughout the period, and no lower than the returns for related mergers. The returns from diversifying acquisitions fell after 1980, and investors rewarded mergers involving financially constrained firms before but not after 1980, consistent with the idea that the value of internal capital markets declined over time.
Terrorism and Stock Market Sentiment
Authors: Nikkinen Jussi , Vähämaa Sami
Published: April 2010

This paper examines the effects of terrorism on stock market sentiment by focusing on the behavior of expected probability density functions of the FTSE 100 index around terrorist attacks. We find that terrorism has a strong adverse impact on stock market sentiment. In particular, terrorist attacks are found to cause a pronounced downward shift in the expected value of the FTSE 100 index and a significant increase in stock market uncertainty. Furthermore, our results show that the expected FTSE 100 probability densities became significantly more negatively skewed and fat‐tailed in the immediate aftermath of terrorist acts.
Investment Irreversibility, Cash Flow Risk, and Value‐Growth Stock Return Effects
Authors: Prombutr Wikrom , Lockwood Larry , Diltz J. David
Published: April 2010

We simulate results from a simple real options model to provide insight into the value‐growth stock return anomaly. In our model, firms possess either single (“value” firm) or multiple (“growth” firm) investment opportunities. Our model predicts that growth firms: (1) invest sooner, (2) exhibit greater continuity in capital expenditure over time, (3) have lower book‐to‐market ratios, and (4) generate lower rates of return than value firms.
Does Inclusion in a Smaller S&P Index Create Value?
Authors: Becker‐Blease John R. , Paul Donna L.
Published: April 2010

This study finds overall increases in equity value surrounding addition to the S&P SmallCap and MidCap indexes from 1996 to 2003 and investigates sources of the value gains. Following addition, there are significant increases in proxy variables for stock liquidity and investor recognition, and changes in these variables are impounded into the permanent component of announcement share price revisions. We also find that changes in capital investment intensity are increasing in changes in stock liquidity, consistent with a reduction in the cost of capital following index addition.
The Efficacy of Regulation Fair Disclosure
Authors: Sinha Praveen , Gadarowski Christopher
Published: April 2010

This paper examines the impact of Securities and Exchange Commission's Regulation Fair Disclosure (FD) on information leakage around voluntary management disclosures. We find a positive correlation between stock returns two days before and after the voluntary disclosure in the pre‐Regulation FD period, but not in the post‐Regulation FD period. After Regulation FD is implemented, pre‐announcement abnormal return as a percentage of total return decreases by 26.1% (21.4%) for large firms with good (bad) news, suggesting that the amount of information leakage reduces for these firms. These findings provide support for the premise and the intended purpose of the regulation for large firms.
Yes, The Value Line Enigma Is Still Alive: Evidence from Online Timeliness Rank Changes
Authors: Zhang Ying , Nguyen Giao X. , Le Steven V.
Published: April 2010

Beginning June 9, 2005, Value Line started announcing its Timeliness changes online at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, one day earlier than Friday noon's post‐delivery. We confirm that the Value Line effect still exists but shifts to Thursday in the Internet era. Unlike previous findings, the next‐day abnormal return after the announcement has disappeared, suggesting that the market efficiently priced the change. We find that a portfolio upgraded from rank 5 to 4 gains the highest cumulative abnormal return of 9.07% over a 50‐day window. Finally, we find that the post‐earnings announcement drift does not explain the Value Line enigma.
Asset Pricing and Welfare Analysis with Bounded Rational Investors
Authors: Lu Lei
Published: April 2010

Motivated by the fact that investors have limited ability to process information, I model investors’ bounded rational behavior in processing information and investigate its implications for asset pricing. Investors can make mistakes in processing information and thus have inaccurate estimates of fundamentals. This process generates “bounded rational risk.” I find that the volatility of stock and bond return increases in the presence of bounded rational investors, which can help explain the excessive volatility puzzle. The stock‐bond return correlation becomes time varying and even negative and rational investors benefit from the trading with bounded rational investors.
Left Ventricular Diastolic Function and Exercise Capacity in Patients with Chagas Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Lima Marcia Maria Oliveira , Nunes Maria Carmo P. , Rocha Manoel O.C. , Beloti Francilu Rodrigues , Alencar Maria Clara N. , Ribeiro Antônio Luiz P.
Published: April 2010

Parameters of diastolic function have been shown to correlate with exercise capacity (EC) in individuals with impaired left ventricular (LV) systolic function. However, the role of LV diastolic function in predicting EC in Chagas cardiomyopathy has not been reported. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the relationship between LV diastolic parameters assessed by echocardiography and EC in patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy. Methods: We studied 40 patients (23 men; 49 ± 8 years), with diagnosis of Chagas disease and dilated cardiomyopathy. Medical therapy was individually adjusted according to standardized guidelines. Methods of acquiring two‐dimensional Doppler, tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), and their measurements were described. Exercise testing was performed by a Bruce protocol. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels were also determined. Results: Most patients (63%) were in NYHA functional class I. Mean peak oxygen consumption estimated (peakVO2) was 31.7 ± 10.2 mL/kg per minute, and mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 36.3 ± 7.8%. Univariate analysis showed that various echocardiographic parameters of diastolic function were correlated with peakVO2. There was no correlation between BNP levels or LVEF and EC. Multivariate analysis, after adjustment for age and gender, revealed that E/E′ ratio and left atrial volume (LAV), emerged as independent predictors of EC, as demonstrated in the model: peakVO2= 60.825 + (0.439 × LAV) − (1.620 × E/E′ ratio) − (0.483 × age) − (4.821 × female gender). The R2 of this model was 0.52. Conclusions: Functional capacity assessed by peakVO2 was related to increase LV filling pressures, independently on systolic function in patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy. (Echocardiography 2010;27:519‐524)
Rosiglitazone, but Not Pioglitazone, Improves Myocardial Systolic Function in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: A Tissue Doppler Study
Authors: Pala Selcuk , Esen Özlem , Akçakoyun Mustafa , Kahveci Gökhan , Kargın Ramazan , Tigen Kürşat , Karaahmet Tansu , Açar Göksel , Esen Ali Metin , Kırma Cevat
Published: April 2010

Objective: Despite many potential benefits, thiazolidinedione (TZD) use has been associated with increased exacerbation rate of heart failure due to fluid retention. In our study, the effect of rosiglitazone and pioglitazone on myocardial function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and normal left ventricular systolic function was evaluated by both conventional echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). Methods: Forty patients who were diagnosed type 2 DM according to the American Diabetes Association criteria were included in the study. After baseline evaluation, all patients were randomly assigned to receive either rosiglitazone 4 mg twice daily or pioglitazone 30 mg daily for 4 months. Blood samples were taken and detailed pulsed‐wave and tissue Doppler echocardiographic examination was performed at baseline and 4 months after TZD therapy. Results: Left ventricular systolic velocity (Sm) values were found to be significantly increased in the rosiglitazone group (+2.6 ± 0.7 cm/sec, P < 0.0001), while they remained unchanged in the pioglitazone group. Left ventricular early diastolic velocity (Em) increased at the same extent in both groups after treatment (rosioglitazone: +0.7 ± 0.7 cm/sec; pioglitazone: +0.5 ± 0.4 cm/sec, P < 0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, while rosiglitazone and pioglitazone therapy improved metabolic parameters, blood pressure values and diastolic function similarly, in type 2 diabetic patients, only rosiglitazone improved systolic myocardial function significantly. (Echocardiography 2010;27:512‐518)
Assessment of Right Ventricular Diastolic Function by Tissue Doppler Imaging in Patients with Acute Right Ventricular Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Mukhaini Mohammed , Prashanth Panduranga , Abdulrehman Said , Zadjali Majid
Published: April 2010

Background: It is known that right ventricular systolic parameters as assessed by color tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) are abnormal in patients with inferior wall ST elevation myocardial infarction (IWMI) with right ventricular myocardial infarction (RVMI). This study was undertaken to determine right ventricular diastolic function as assessed by TDI in patients with acute RVMI. Methods: Thirty‐five patients with first IWMI were studied and compared with 20 age‐matched healthy controls, and categorized into those with (14 patients) and without (21 patients) RVMI based on standard ECG criteria. Peak systolic, peak early and late diastolic velocities (Sm, Em, and Am), Em/Am ratio along with time to Sm (ECG Q‐Sm) and time to Em (ECG Q‐Em) were acquired from the apical 4‐chamber view at the lateral side of tricuspid annulus using TDI. Results: Sm, Em, and Em/Am ratio was reduced significantly in patients with RVMI as compared with those without RVMI and healthy individuals (Sm [11.1 ± 2.9] vs. [14 ± 1.9] and [14.5 ± 2.1] cm/sec, P < 0.01; Em [9.2 ± 3.5] vs. [12.9 ± 3] and [14.0 ± 2.0] cm/sec, P < 0.01; Em/Am ratio 0.53 ± 0.2 vs. 0.78 ± 0.19 and 0.8 ± 0.3 [P < 0.0001]). Among the intervals, there was significant prolongation of Q‐Em (558 ± 14.8 vs. 507 ± 16.2 and 480 ± 20 ms [P < 0.0001]) but Q‐Sm and Am were not statistically different between the groups. Conclusion: Right ventricular TDI diastolic parameters are abnormal in patients with RVMI. The method of recording the velocities and time intervals are simple and can be used to assess right ventricular diastolic function in patients with RVMI. (Echocardiography 2010;27:539‐543)