bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What Do Management Earnings Forecasts Convey About the Macroeconomy?
Authors: BONSALL SAMUEL B. , BOZANIC ZAHN , FISCHER PAUL E.. 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTWe decompose quantitative management earnings forecasts into macroeconomic and firm‐specific components to determine the extent to which voluntary disclosure provided by management has macroeconomic information content. We provide evidence that the forecasts of bellwether firms, which are defined as firms in which macroeconomic news explains the greatest amount of variation in the forecasts, provide timely information to the market about the macroeconomy when bundled with earnings announcements. Further, we show that bellwether firms provide timely information about both industry‐specific events and broader economic events. Finally, we document that the macroeconomic news in individual forecasts is more pronounced for bad news and point forecasts.
Introduction to the Special Feature: Will the BRIC Decade Continue? The Role of Rural Areas and Agriculture
Authors: Brosig Stephan , Teuber Ramona , Levkovych Inna , Thiele Rainer , Glauben Thomas 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThis article provides an introduction to the special feature on agriculture‐related issues in the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) contained in this issue of Journal of Agricultural Economics. The special feature is motivated by the increased interest which these countries have received since the turn of the millennium and by the significance of agriculture in their development. It considers economic and social development in BRICs, their integration in world agricultural trade as well as environmental concerns. This article presents key figures on economic, social and agricultural features in BRICs and compares them across countries. A synthesis of the articles included in the special feature is provided by highlighting the selection of topics likely to be crucial for further development across BRICs.
A plant‐traits approach to assessing the success of alien weed species in irrigated Mediterranean orchards
Authors: Juárez‐Escario A. , Valls J. , Solé‐Senan X.O. , Conesa J.A. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractIn addition to their impact on natural habitats, invasive alien plants can have a significant negative effect on agricultural systems and cause economic losses. Flood‐irrigated orchards in the Mediterranean Basin are vulnerable to the invasion of alien weeds, primarily because of the traditional management practices used in the orchards, which are characterized by high soil moisture during the dry summer period, nutrient availability and high levels of disturbance. This study sought to determine whether their biological traits can explain the success of alien weed species. To answer this question, 408 floristic relevés were conducted in 136 flood‐irrigated orchards on the Plains of Lleida (Catalonia, NE of Spain). Richness and cover of native and alien weeds were compared. Furthermore, a set of biological traits were compared between successful and non‐successful weeds for the whole data and separately between native and alien weeds using logistic regression and classification trees. In flood‐irrigated orchards, alien species covered most of their area, even though the richness of alien species was lower than that of the native species. The most important species wereC4species with seeds dispersed by water, and on the other hand, rosulate and caespitose‐reptant hemicryptophytes with long flowering period. Most of these traits fitted with those of the invasive alien weeds, which were mostlyC4species with seeds dispersed by water. Perennial life form characterized successful native weeds. In this study, we discuss how the traditional management of flood irrigation in fruit‐tree orchards favours invasive alien weeds that have specific traits, acting as a reservoir for the spread of alien weeds into other crops and surrounding riparian habitats. We also propose changing management practices in order to avoid the selection of alien weeds and to promote native species.
Telomere length behaves as biomarker of somatic redundancy rather than biological age
Authors: Boonekamp Jelle J. , Simons Mirre J. P. , Hemerik Lia , Verhulst Simon 
Published: January 2013

SummaryBiomarkers of aging are essential to predict mortality and aging‐related diseases. Paradoxically, age itself imposes a limitation on the use of known biomarkers of aging because their associations with mortality generally diminish with age. How this pattern arises is, however, not understood. With meta‐analysis we show that human leucocyte telomere length (TL) predicts mortality, and that this mortality association diminishes with age, as found for other biomarkers of aging. Subsequently, we demonstrate with simulation models that this observation cannot be reconciled with the popular hypothesis that TL is proportional to biological age. Using the reliability theory of aging, we instead propose that TL is a biomarker of somatic redundancy, the body's capacity to absorb damage, which fits the observed pattern well. We discuss to what extent diminishing redundancy with age may also explain the observed diminishing mortality modulation with age of other biomarkers of aging. Considering diminishing somatic redundancy as the causal agent of aging may critically advance our understanding of the aging process, and improve predictions of life expectancy and vulnerability to aging‐related diseases.
A prospective single‐centre evaluation of the intra‐individual variability of faecal calprotectin in quiescent Crohn's disease
Authors: Naismith G. D. , Smith L. A. , Barry S. J. E. , Munro J. I. , Laird S. , Rankin K. , Morris A. J. , Winter J. W. , Gaya D. R. 
Published: January 2013

SummaryBackgroundAs a non‐invasive marker of gastrointestinal inflammation, faecal calprotectin (FC) is being increasingly used to guide the management of Crohn's disease. It is therefore a concern that studies have shown variability in day to day levels.AimTo determine the degree of this intrapersonal variability in the context of quiescent Crohn's disease.MethodsA single‐centre prospective study was undertaken in 143 Crohn's disease patients in clinical remission. Three faecal calprotectin levels were analysed from stool samples on consecutive days. Consistency of faecal calprotectin levels was determined by measuring the intraclass correlation (ICC). Due to higher variability at higher faecal calprotectin levels, the ICC was calculated for the log‐transformed values. The reliability of detecting a ‘case’ of active inflammation as defined for specific concentrations of faecal calprotectin was measured by the kappa statistic.ResultsNinety‐eight complete sets of results were obtained. The ICC was 0.84 (95% CI: 0.79–0.89), which represents low variability across samples. The kappa statistic for the reliability of detecting a case as defined by an FC level of >50 μg/g was substantial at 0.648 (0.511–0.769).ConclusionsDay to day variability of faecal calprotectin is low in our cohort of quiescent Crohn's disease patients and the reliability of defining a ‘case’ is moderately good. These data provide reassurance to clinicians using a single calprotectin sample to inform therapeutic strategies in this cohort.
Allopurinol safely and effectively optimises thiopurine metabolites in patients with autoimmune hepatitis
Authors: de Boer Y. S. , van Gerven N. M. F. , de Boer N. K. H. , Mulder C. J. J. , Bouma G. , van Nieuwkerk C. M. J. 
Published: January 2013

SummaryBackgroundTen percent of patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) are nonresponsive or intolerant to thiopurine therapy. A skewed metabolism, leading to the preferential generation of (hepato)toxic thiopurine metabolites (6‐MMPs) instead of the metabolic active 6‐tioguanine (thioguanine) nucleotides (6‐TGNs), may explain this unfavourable outcome. Co‐administration of allopurinol to low‐dose thiopurine therapy may effectively revert this deviant metabolism, as has been shown in inflammatory bowel disease.AimTo describe the effect of adding allopurinol to low‐dose thiopurine therapy in patients with AIH with intolerance or nonresponse to normal thiopurine dosages due to a skewed metabolism.MethodsWe describe the clinical efficacy and tolerability of allopurinol–thiopurine combination therapy with allopurinol 100 mg and low‐dose thiopurine (25–33% of the original dosage) in eight AIH patients with a skewed thiopurine metabolism. Patients were switched because of dose‐limiting intolerance (n = 3), nonresponse (n = 3) or loss of response (n = 2) to conventional thiopurine treatment.ResultsAll eight patients showed biochemical improvement with a reduction in median alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels of 62 U/L at start to 35 U/L at 1 month (P = 0.03). This clinical benefit was sustained in seven patients. Allopurinol–thiopurine combination therapy effectively bypassed thiopurine side effects in four of five patients. Median 6‐tioguanine nucleotides levels increased from 100 to 200 pmol/8 × 108 red blood cells (RBC) at 3 months (P = 0.04). Median 6‐MMP levels decreased in all patients from 6090 to 175 pmol/8 × 108 RBC (P = 0.01).ConclusionAllopurinol safely and effectively optimises thiopurine therapy in patients with autoimmune hepatitis with intolerance and/or nonresponse due to an unfavourable thiopurine metabolism.
Anti‐tumour efficacy on glioma models of PHA‐848125, a multi‐kinase inhibitor able to cross the blood–brain barrier
Authors: Albanese C , Alzani R , Amboldi N , Degrassi A , Festuccia C , Fiorentini F , Gravina GL , Mercurio C , Pastori W , Brasca MG , Pesenti E , Galvani A , Ciomei M 
Published: January 2013

Background and PurposeMalignant gliomas, the most common primary brain tumours, are highly invasive and neurologically destructive neoplasms with a very bad prognosis due to the difficulty in removing the mass completely by surgery and the limited activity of current therapeutic agents. PHA‐848125 is a multi‐kinase inhibitor with broad anti‐tumour activity in pre‐clinical studies and good tolerability in phase 1 studies, which could affect two main pathways involved in glioma pathogenesis, the G1‐S phase progression control pathway through the inhibition of cyclin‐dependent kinases and the signalling pathways mediated by tyrosine kinase growth factor receptors, such as tropomyosin receptors. For this reason, we tested PHA‐848125 in glioma models.Experimental ApproachPHA‐848125 was tested on a panel of glioma cell lines in vitro to evaluate inhibition of proliferation and mechanism of action. In vivo efficacy was evaluated on two glioma models both as single agent and in combination with standard therapy.Key ResultsWhen tested on a subset of representative glioma cell lines, PHA‐848125 blocked cell proliferation, DNA synthesis and inhibited both cell cycle and signal transduction markers. Relevantly, PHA‐848125 was also able to induce cell death through autophagy in all cell lines. Good anti‐tumour efficacy was observed by oral route in different glioma models both with s.c. and intracranial implantation. Indeed, we demonstrate that the drug is able to cross the blood–brain barrier. Moreover, the combination of PHA‐848125 with temozolomide resulted in a synergistic effect, and a clear therapeutic gain was also observed with a triple treatment adding PHA‐848125 to radiotherapy and temozolomide.Conclusions and ImplicationsAll the pre‐clinical data obtained so far suggest that PHA‐848125 may become a useful agent in chemotherapy regimens for glioma patients and support its evaluation in phase 2 trials for this indication.
The β‐catenin pathway contributes to the effects of leptin on SREBP‐1c expression in rat hepatic stellate cells and liver fibrosis
Authors: Zhai Xuguang , Yan Kunfeng , Fan Jiye , Niu Minghui , Zhou Qian , Zhou Yan , Chen Hongshan , Zhou Yajun 
Published: January 2013

Background and PurposeLiver fibrosis is commonly associated with obesity and most obese patients develop hyperleptinaemia. The adipocytokine leptin has a unique role in the development of liver fibrosis. Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a key step in hepatic fibrogenesis and sterol regulatory element‐binding protein‐1c (SREBP‐1c) can inhibit HSC activation. We have shown that leptin strongly inhibits SREBP‐1c expression in rat HSCs. Hence, we aimed to clarify whether the β‐catenin pathway, the crucial negative regulator of adipocyte differentiation, mediates the effects of leptin on SREBP‐1c expression in HSCs and in mouse liver fibrosis.Experimental ApproachHSCs were prepared from rats and mice. Gene expressions were analysed by real‐time PCR, Western blot analysis, immunostaining and transient transfection assays.Key ResultsLeptin increased β‐catenin protein but not mRNA levels in cultured HSCs. Leptin induced phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase‐3β at Ser9 and subsequent stabilization of β‐catenin protein was mediated, at least in part, by ERK and p38 MAPK pathways. The leptin‐induced β‐catenin pathway reduced SREBP‐1c expression and activity but did not affect protein levels of key regulators controlling SREBP‐1c activity, and was not involved in leptin inhibition of liver X receptor α. In a mouse model of liver injury, the β‐catenin pathway was shown to be involved in leptin‐induced liver fibrosis.Conclusions and ImplicationsThe β‐catenin pathway contributes to leptin regulation of SREBP‐1c expression in HSCs and leptin‐induced liver fibrosis in mice. These results have potential implications for clarifying the mechanisms of liver fibrogenesis associated with elevated leptin levels.
Integrating genetic and imaging investigations into the clinical management of congenital hyperinsulinism
Authors: Banerjee I. , Avatapalle B. , Padidela R. , Stevens A. , Cosgrove K. E. , Clayton P. E. , Dunne M. J. 
Published: January 2013

SummaryCongenital Hyperinsulinism (CHI) is a rare but important cause of hypoglycaemia in infancy. CHI is a heterogeneous disease, but has a strong genetic basis; a number of genetic causes have been identified with CHI in about a third of individuals, chiefly in the genes that code for the ATP sensitive K+ channels (KATP) in the pancreatic β‐cells. Rapid KATP channel gene testing is a critical early step in the diagnostic algorithm of CHI, with paternal heterozygosity correlating with the occurrence of focal lesions. Imaging investigations to diagnose and localize solitary pancreatic foci have evolved over the last decade with (18)F‐DOPA PET‐CT scanning as the current diagnostic tool of choice. Although clinical management of CHI has improved significantly with the application of genetic screening and imaging investigations, much remains to be uncovered. This includes a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms for dysregulated insulin release in those patients without known genetic mutations, and the development of biomarkers that could characterize CHI, including long‐term prognosis and targeted treatment planning, i.e. ‘personalised medicine’. From the perspective of pancreatic imaging, it would be important to achieve greater specificity of diagnosis not only for focal lesions but also for diffuse and atypical forms of the disease.
Beyond Market Signals: Negotiating Marketplace Politics and Corporate Responsibilities
Authors: Hamilton Trina 
Published: January 2013

AbstractIn the face of stiff resistance to their legislative efforts in national and multilateral arenas, nongovernmental organizations, unions, and others are engaging in marketplace politics to press their social and environmental concerns. While important criticisms of market‐based regulation abound, recent research has suggested that this form of politics is not restricted to simple market signals or a singular market logic, so the question of what drives corporate responsiveness remains. Drawing on a statistical analysis of a large data set of marketplace campaigns and in‐depth interviews with campaign proponents, consultants, and targeted executives, this article proposes a relational framework for understanding marketplace politics, situating campaign strategies in relation to targeted firms' brand vulnerabilities and corporate social responsibility (CSR) “absorptive capacity,” on the one hand, and parallel actions of key intermediaries—including investment advisory firms and pioneering competitors—on the other hand. I argue that it is influential minorities of consumers, investors, and intermediaries—often in dialogue with targeted executives—who create change, rather than majority, arm's length market movements. Overall, this research enhances the multiplicity of recent case studies by identifying common opportunities and barriers for marketplace politics and contributes to the burgeoning literature within economic geography that is redrawing the boundaries of corporate CSR decision making and capacity building.
Three‐Dimensional Echocardiography in the Evaluation of Global and Regional Function in Patients with Recent Myocardial Infarction: A Comparison with Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Thorstensen Anders , Dalen Håvard , Hala Pavel , Kiss Gabriel , D'hooge Jan , Torp Hans , Støylen Asbjørn , Amundsen Brage 
Published: January 2013

We aimed to compare three‐dimensional (3D) and two‐dimensional (2D) echocardiography in the evaluation of patients with recent myocardial infarction (MI), using late‐enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (LE‐MRI) as a reference method. Echocardiography and LE‐MRI were performed approximately 1 month after first‐time MI in 58 patients. Echocardiography was also performed on 35 healthy controls. Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction by 3D echocardiography (3D‐LVEF), 3D wall‐motion score (WMS), 2D‐WMS, 3D speckle tracking–based longitudinal, circumferential, transmural and area strain, and 2D speckle tracking–based longitudinal strain (LS) were measured. The global correlations to infarct size by LE‐MRI were significantly higher (P < 0.03) for 3D‐WMS and 2D‐WMS compared with 3D‐LVEF and the 4 different measurements of 3D strain, and 2D global longitudinal strain (GLS) was more closely correlated to LE‐MRI than 3D GLS (P < 0.03). The segmental correlations to infarct size by LE‐MRI were also significantly higher (P < 0.04) for 3D‐WMS, 2D‐WMS, and 2D LS compared with the other indices. Three‐dimensional WMS showed a sensitivity of 76% and a specificity of 72% for identification of LV infarct size >12%, and a sensitivity of 73% and a specificity of 95% for identification of segments with transmural infarct extension. Three‐dimensional WMS and 2D gray‐scale echocardiography showed the strongest correlations to LE‐MRI. The tested 3D strain method suffers from low temporal and spatial resolution in 3D acquisitions and added diagnostic value could not be proven.
Is basic self‐disturbance in ultra‐high risk for psychosis (‘prodromal’) patients associated with borderline personality pathology?
Authors: Nelson Barnaby , Thompson Andrew , Chanen Andrew M. , Amminger Günther Paul , Yung Alison R. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAimResearch in the phenomenological tradition suggests that the schizophrenia spectrum is characterized by disturbance of the ‘basic’ self, whereas borderline personality disorder involves disturbance of the ‘narrative’ self. The current study investigated this proposal in an ultra‐high risk for psychosis sample.MethodsThe sample consisted of 42 ultra‐high‐risk participants with a mean age of 19.22 years. Basic self‐disturbance was measured using the Examination of Anomalous Self‐Experience. Borderline personality pathology was measured using the borderline personality disorder items from the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition) Axis II Personality Questionnaire.ResultsNo correlation was found between the measures of basic self‐disturbance and borderline personality pathology.ConclusionsThe finding is consistent with the proposal that different (although not mutually exclusive) types of self‐disturbance characterize the schizophrenia spectrum and borderline personality disorder. Further research should further examine the question of basic self‐disturbance in patients with established borderline personality disorder.
Early traumatic experiences in those at clinical high risk for psychosis
Authors: Addington Jean , Stowkowy Jacqueline , Cadenhead Kristin S. , Cornblatt Barbara A. , McGlashan Thomas H. , Perkins Diana O. , Seidman Larry J. , Tsuang Ming T. , Walker Elaine F. , Woods Scott W. , Cannon Tyrone D. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAimSeveral lines of evidence suggest a possible association between a history of trauma in childhood and later psychosis or psychotic‐like experiences. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of childhood trauma and bullying in young people at clinical high risk (CHR) of developing psychosis.MethodsThe sample consisted of 360 individuals who were at CHR of developing psychosis and 180 age‐ and gender‐matched healthy controls. All participants were assessed on past trauma and bullying. The CHR participants were also assessed on a range of psychopathology and functioning.ResultsIndividuals at CHR reported significantly more trauma and bullying than healthy controls. Those who had experienced past trauma and bullying were more likely to have increased levels of depression and anxiety and a poorer sense of self.ConclusionsThese results offer preliminary support for an association between a history of trauma and later subthreshold symptoms.
Differential effects of site‐specific knockdown of estrogen receptor α in the medial amygdala, medial pre‐optic area, and ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus on sexual and aggressive behavior of male mice
Authors: Sano Kazuhiro , Tsuda Mumeko C. , Musatov Sergei , Sakamoto Toshiro , Ogawa Sonoko 
Published: January 2013

AbstractTestosterone is known to play an important role in the regulation of male‐type sexual and aggressive behavior. As an aromatised metabolite of testosterone, estradiol‐induced activation of estrogen receptor α (ERα) may be crucial for the induction of these behaviors in male mice. However, the importance of ERα expressed in different nuclei for this facilitatory action of testosterone has not been determined. To investigate this issue, we generated an adeno‐associated virus vector expressing a small hairpin RNA targeting ERα to site‐specifically knockdown ERα expression. We stereotaxically injected either a control or ERα targeting vector into the medial amygdala, medial pre‐optic area (MPOA), or ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMN) in gonadally intact male mice. Two weeks after injection, all mice were tested biweekly for sexual and aggressive behavior, alternating between behavior tests each week. We found that suppressing ERα in the MPOA reduced sexual but not aggressive behavior, whereas in the VMN it reduced both behaviors. Knockdown of ERα in the medial amygdala did not alter either behavior. Additionally, it was found that ERα knockdown in the MPOA caused a parallel reduction in the number of neuronal nitric oxide synthase‐expressing cells. Taken together, these results indicate that the testosterone facilitatory action on male sexual behavior requires the expression of ERα in both the MPOA and VMN, whereas the testosterone facilitatory action on aggression requires the expression of ERα in only the VMN.