bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do Decomposed Financial Ratios Predict Stock Returns and Fundamentals Better?
Authors: Jiang Xiaoquan , Lee Bong Soo 
Published: July 2012

AbstractWe investigate the prediction of excess returns and fundamentals by financial ratios, which include dividend‐price ratios, earnings‐price ratios, and book‐to‐market ratios, by decomposing financial ratios into a cyclical component and a stochastic trend component. We find both components predict excess returns and fundamentals. Cyclical components predict increases in future stock returns, while stochastic trend components predict declines in future stock returns in long horizons. This helps explain previous findings that financial ratios in the absence of decomposition find weak predictive power in short horizons and some predictive power in long horizons. We also find both components predict fundamentals.
Characterization of Domains Reorientation in Multilayer Piezoelectric Ceramic Actuators by Polarized Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Peng Bin , Yue Zhenxing , Meng Siqin , Xi Xiaoqing , Li Longtu 
Published: July 2012

Polarized Raman spectroscopy was applied to characterize domains reorientation in the multilayer piezoelectric ceramic actuators during the poling process and in the near crack tip zone. It is found that the relative intensity of the vibration modes of E(2TO) and E(3TO + 2LO) + B1 (IE(2TO)/Isilent) is affected by electric field and mechanical stress. During the poling process, IE(2TO)/Isilent increases when the applied DC electric field exceeds the coercive electric field. In the near crack tip zone, the IE(2TO)/Isilent mapping indicates that near the crack tip zone indicated that the domains were reoriented and the mapping of Raman shift of E(3TO + 2LO) + B1 mode reveals the stress release caused by crack development. This study also confirms that the relative intensity of IE(2TO)/Isilent can be used for characterization of domains reorientation in PZT‐based ceramics under electric and mechanical stresses.
Biracial couples and adverse birth outcomes: a systematic review and meta‐analyses
Authors: SRINIVASJOIS RAVISHA M. , SHAH SHREYA , SHAH PRAKESH S. ,   ON BEHALF OF KNOWLEDGE SYNTHESIS GROUP ON DETERMINANTS OF PRETERM/LBW BIRTHS
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackground. Differences in birth outcomes such as low birthweight (LBW), preterm births (PTB), stillbirth, differences in birthweight in Black vs. White race are well known. Infants born to biracial parents (mother and father from either Black or White races) also experience higher adverse birth outcomes. Objective. To systematically review and meta‐analyze birth outcomes among parents of mixed racial background compared to parents of same race. Search strategy. Medline, Embase, CINAHL and bibliographies of identified articles were searched for English language studies. Selection criteria. Studies reporting association between parental mixed racial status and LBW, PTB, or small‐for‐gestational age (SGA) outcomes were included. Data collection and analyses. After exclusion of duplicate cohorts in different publications, data from White mother–Black father (WMBF), Black mother–White father (BMWF) and Black mother–Black father (BMBF) groups were compared with the White mother–White father (WMWF) group. Results. Eight English language studies from of 26 335 596 singleton births were included and reviewed. Compared to the WMWF group, the adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence intervals) were: (a) low birthweight; 1.21 (1.10–1.33) for WMBF, 1.75(1.64–1.87) for BMWF, and 2.08 (1.81–2.38) for BMBF; (b) preterm births; 1.17 (1.05–1.31) for WMBF, 1.37 (1.18–1.59) for BMWF, and 1.78 (1.59–2.00) for BMBF; and (c) stillbirths; 1.43 (0.92–2.21) for WMBF, 1.51 (1.09–2.08) for BMWF, and 1.85 (1.47–2.32) for BMBF. Conclusion. Biracial status of parents was associated with higher risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes than both White parents but lower than both Black parents, with maternal race having a greater influence than paternal race on pregnancy outcomes.
Serum soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) in early pregnancy prior to clinical onset of preeclampsia
Authors: ODDEN NANCY , HENRIKSEN TORE , MØRKRID LARS 
Published: July 2012

Abstract Objective. To examine whether soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) in early pregnancy could be a risk marker for later development of preeclampsia. Design. Case‐control study. Setting. Hospital‐based. Population. The study comprised 43 pregnant women developing preeclampsia (cases) and 86 pregnant women not developing the disorder (controls). Each case was matched with two controls with respect to pre‐pregnancy body mass index, gestational age at time of blood collection, storage time of blood samples and maternal age. Methods. The samples had been taken predominantly in the first trimester as part of a routine serological screening for rubella, HIV and toxoplasmosis of Norwegian pregnant women, and were analyzed by a commercially available enzyme‐linked immunosorbent suPARnostic® assay kit (ELISA, Virogates, Copenhagen, Denmark). Results. There was no significant difference between median suPAR levels in women who subsequently developed preeclampsia and those who did not (4.5 in the case group vs. 4.3 ng/mL in the control group, p= 0.49). The suPAR levels were relatively high compared with levels in non‐pregnant women, reflecting some general physiological responsiveness associated with pregnancy irrespective of preeclampsia. The suPAR level was not related to maternal body mass index, maternal age or sample storage time, nor did it show any association with the following fetal characteristics: body weight, body length, placental weight, delivery method or gender. Conclusion. suPAR did not appear to be a useful early pre‐clinical marker of preeclampsia.
Cutaneous deciduosis: a report of two cases of an unusual pseudomalignancy
Authors: Natale Kristen E. , Royer Michael C. , Rush Walter L. , Lupton George P. 
Published: July 2012

Cutaneous deciduosis represents a rare manifestation of cutaneous endometriosis in which typical endometrial glands and stroma are morphologically and physiologically transformed under hormonal influence. The transformed glands and stroma usually take on the microscopic appearance of uterine decidua but may mimic malignancy. We describe two cases of cutaneous deciduosis that presented in the post‐partum period, but biopsies were not performed until a much later date. The first lesion arose on the perineum of a 31‐year‐old female after vaginal delivery, but a biopsy was not performed until 6 years after presentation. The second lesion grew in a cesarean section scar of a 26‐year‐old female with a history of ovarian adnexal endometriosis. Clinically described as a persistent post‐operative hematoma, the lesion throbbed in synchrony with her menstrual cycles; a biopsy was also performed 6 years after presentation. Histopathologically, both specimens showed similar findings. Sections showed a multinodular proliferation of pale‐staining epithelioid cells without significant nuclear atypia or conspicuous mitotic figures. Both showed focal glands that ranged from slit‐like to slightly dilated and that contained a flattened epithelial lining without atypia. These unusual cases are presented to instruct about the pathologic findings of this entity in order to prevent the unnecessary diagnosis of malignancy.Natale KE, Royer MC, Rush WL, Lupton GP. Cutaneous deciduosis: a report of two cases of an unusual pseudomalignancy.
DEK expression in Merkel cell carcinoma and small cell carcinoma
Authors: Patel Rajiv M. , Walters Laura L. , Kappes Ferdinand , Mehra Rohit , Fullen Douglas R. , Markovitz David M. , Ma Linglei 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe chromatin architectural factor DEK maps to chromosome 6p and is frequently overexpressed in several neoplasms, including small cell lung carcinoma, where it is associated with poor prognosis, tumor initiation activity and chemoresistance. DEK expression has not been studied in cutaneous Merkel cell carcinoma.MethodsWe applied a DEK monoclonal antibody to 15 cases of Merkel cell carcinoma and 12 cases of small cell carcinoma. DEK nuclear immunoreactivity was scored based on percentage (0, negative; 1+, <25%; 2+, 25–50%; 3+, >50%) and intensity (weak, moderate or strong).ResultsAll 15 Merkel cell carcinoma cases (100%) showed diffuse (3+) nuclear positivity (14 strong, 1 weak). Six of 12 small cell carcinoma cases (50%) showed diffuse (3+) and strong nuclear positivity, while one case exhibited focal (1+) weak nuclear positivity. The remaining five cases were negative for DEK expression.ConclusionsOur results suggest that DEK may be involved in the pathogenesis of Merkel cell carcinoma and therefore may provide therapeutic implications for Merkel cell carcinomas. In addition, the difference in DEK expression between Merkel cell carcinoma and small cell carcinoma suggests possible separate tumorigenesis pathways for the two tumors.
Treatment with mesenchymal stromal cells is a risk factor for pneumonia‐related death after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Forslöw Ulrica , Blennow Ola , LeBlanc Katarina , Ringdén Olle , Gustafsson Britt , Mattsson Jonas , Remberger Mats 
Published: July 2012

AbstractWe performed a retrospective cohort study to find out whether the use of reduced‐intensity conditioning (RIC) might reduce the risk of early death from pneumonia. Pneumonia‐associated deaths were evaluated in 691 hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients. The majority had a hematological malignancy (n = 504) and an HLA‐matched donor (n = 584). RIC was given to 336 patients and myeloablative conditioning (MAC) to 355. Data concerning radiology, culture and autopsy results were evaluated together with risk factors for death related to pneumonia within or after 100 d after HSCT (early and overall pneumonia). In 60 patients, pneumonia contributed to death (early n = 17). The cumulative incidence of early pneumonia‐related death was 2.8% and 2.1% in MAC and RIC patients, respectively. The cumulative incidence of overall pneumonia‐related death was 8.2% and 10.5%, respectively. In 40 patients, (67%) an etiology could be established, with 19 patients having proven or probable mold infection. In the multivariate analyses, acute graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) grades II–IV, cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and having received mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) were factors associated with overall pneumonia‐related death. Bacteremia and a previous HSCT were associated with early pneumonia‐related death. RIC did not reduce the incidence of early death associated with pneumonia. Acute GVHD II–IV, CMV infection and MSC treatment were factors associated with pneumonia‐related death. Mold infection was the most common contributor to pneumonia‐related death in HSCT patients.
Pathology of spontaneous air sacculitis in 37 baboons and seven chimpanzees and a brief review of the literature
Authors: Kumar Shyamesh , Fox Benjamin , Owston Michael , Hubbard Gene B. , Dick Edward J. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackground  Air sacculitis is an important clinical condition in non‐human primates.Methods  We evaluated 37 baboons and seven chimpanzees with spontaneous air sacculitis submitted to pathology over a 20‐year period.Results  Air sacculitis was observed almost exclusively in males. Common reported signs were halitosis, coughing, nasal discharges, depression, anorexia, and weight loss. Gross lesions included thickened air sacs and suppurative exudate lining the walls. Microscopic lesions included marked epithelial hyperplasia or hypertrophy, necrosis, fibrosis, cellular infiltrates, and bacterial colonies. Mixed bacterial infections were more common than infections by single species of bacteria. Streptococcus sp. was the most frequent bacteria isolated in both baboons and chimpanzees.Conclusions  This is the first report describing the gross and microscopic lesions of air sacculitis in chimpanzees. The preponderance of males suggests a male sex predilection in baboons.
Parameters of haematology, clinical chemistry and lipid metabolism in the common marmoset and alterations under stress conditions
Authors: Kuehnel F. , Grohmann J. , Buchwald U. , Koeller G. , Teupser D. , Einspanier A. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractCommon marmosets are suitable non‐human primate models for many human diseases. Standard values for blood parameters are required to evaluate physiological and pathological situations. Two studies were conducted: study I to determine standard values and study II to examine these under changed housing conditions. In study I, all parameters for clinical chemistry were similar in range for both genders with these specifics: male marmosets had significantly higher total and LDL cholesterol levels than females, whereas the mean corpuscular volume and the mean corpuscular haemoglobin were significantly lower than in females. In study II, glucose, lymphocytes and salivary cortisol were significantly lower, and faecal cortisol was increased during the change of housing conditions. In conclusion, standard values for haematology and clinical chemistry for the common marmoset were determined. Further on, parameters that are influenced by relocation stress and its importance for experimental results are described.
No association of SIDS with two polymorphisms in genes relevant for the noradrenergic system: COMT and DBH
Authors: Klintschar Michael , Heimbold Christian 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAim:  Recent research suggests that genetic variance determining the strength of noradrenergic transmitting might contribute to the aetiology of SIDS. We have typed 2 functional polymorphisms of relevance for both biosynthesis and catabolism of noradrenalin: The Val158Met single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the Catechol‐O‐methyl transferase gene (COMT) and the 1021C/T SNP of the dopamine dehydroxylase gene (DBH).Methods:  COMT and DBH were typed in 171 and 196 SIDS cases and 213 and 244 controls, respectively, using PCR followed by digestion with restriction enzymes. Typing was performed using a QIAxcel automatic electrophoresis unit.Results:  Both SNPs were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, and for none of these polymorphisms, an association with SIDS could be demonstrated. The allelic frequencies of the DBH locus were C: 78.32% and T: 21.68% in SIDS and C: 77.66% and T: 22.34% in controls. For the COMT locus, the allelic frequencies were A: 51.17% and G: 48.83% in SIDS and A: 52.82% and G: 47.18% in controls.Conclusion:  Despite these negative results, the noradrenergic system is still an attractive candidate as modulator of SIDS risk to our eyes. There are several genes involved in this system that have not been studied up to now.
Structural analysis of trimeric phospholipase A2 neurotoxin from the Australian taipan snake venom
Authors: Cendron Laura , Mičetić Ivan , Polverino de Laureto Patrizia , Paoli Marco 
Published: July 2012

Snake pre‐synaptic neurotoxins endowed with phospholipase A2 activity are potent inducers of paralysis through the specific disruption of the neuromuscular junction pre‐synaptic membrane and represent a valuable tool for investigating neuronal degeneration and recovery. They have different structural complexity and a wide range of lethal potency and enzymatic activity, although they share a similar mechanism of action. Although no correlation has been reported between neurotoxicity and enzymatic activity, toxicity increases with structural complexity and phospholipase A2 oligomers show 10‐fold lower LD50 values compared to their monomeric counterparts. To date, no structural study has been performed on multimeric SPANs with the aim of shedding light on the correlation between structural complexity and neurotoxicity. In the present study, we investigated the structure of taipoxin, a trimeric phospholipase A2 neurotoxin, as well as that of its subunits, by X‐ray crystallography and small angle X‐ray scattering analysis. We present the high‐resolution structure of two isoforms of the taipoxin β subunit, which show no neurotoxic activity but enhance the activity of the other subunits in the complex. One isoform shows no structural change that could justify the lack of activity. The other displays three point mutations in critical positions for the catalytic activity. Moreover, we designed a model for the quaternary structure of taipoxin under physiological conditions, in which the three subunits are organized into a flat holotoxin with the substrate binding sockets exposed on the same side of the complex, which suggests a role for this interface in the toxin–membrane interaction.Database
The coordinates and structure factors have been deposited in the RCSB Protein Data Bank (http://www.rcsb.org) under accession numbers 3VBZ and 3VC0, corresponding to β isoforms 1 and 2 respectivelyStructure digital abstract

taipoxin beta isoform 2
and taipoxin beta isoform 2 bind by x‐ray crystallography (View interaction)
Tissue Doppler and myocardial deformation imaging to detect myocardial dysfunction in pediatric cancer patients treated with high doses of anthracyclines
Authors: Yağci‐Küpeli Begül , Varan Ali , Yorgun Hikmet , Kaya Bariş , Büyükpamukçu Münevver 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAimTo detect subtle changes in myocardial function in pediatric cancer patients treated with high dose anthracyclines.MethodsIn all, 19 pediatric cancer patients with no cardiotoxicity findings treated with a cumulative anthracycline dose of ≥350 mg/m2 and healthy participants of the same age were included in the study. Transthoracic echocardiography measurements, pulsed‐wave tissue Doppler from the basal portions of all walls and strain and strain rate imaging of all walls from basal portion were obtained.ResultsA total of 19 patients (13 boys and six girls) and 17 participants (10 boys and seven girls) in the control group were enrolled. Three patients had subnormal ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) values. There was no significant difference in EF and FS between the two groups. The left ventricle isovolumic relaxation time was prolonged (P = 0.02) and the mitral color propagation velocity was decreased in patients (P = 0.001). Peak systolic strain and strain rates of the right ventricle, septal, lateral and inferior wall basal region of the left ventricle were significantly lower in patients than controls (all P < 0.05). Tissue Doppler measurements of early and late diastolic myocardial velocities of the right ventricular free wall, lateral wall of left ventricle and septum, and peak systolic myocardial velocity of the left ventricle anterior wall were significantly lower in patients (all P < 0.05).ConclusionMyocardial Doppler and deformation imaging techniques provide a thorough evaluation of cardiac functions with the advantage of detecting subtle early changes before a global cardiac functional impairment occurs.
Structure and composition of the boundary zone between aragonitic crossed lamellar and calcitic prism layers in the shell of Concholepas concholepas (Mollusca, Gastropoda)
Authors: Dauphin Yannicke , Cuif Jean‐Pierre , Cotte Marine , Salomé Murielle 
Published: July 2012

AbstractMollusc shells are composed of two or three layers. The main layers are well‐studied, but the structural and chemical changes at their boundaries are usually neglected. A microstructural, mineralogical, and biochemical study of the boundary between the inner crossed lamellar and outer prismatic layers of the shell of
Concholepas concholepas showed that this boundary is not an abrupt transition. Localized structural and chemical analyses showed that patches of the inner aragonitic crossed lamellar layer persist within the outer calcitic prismatic layer. Moreover, a thin aragonitic layer with a fibrous structure is visible between the two main layers. A three‐step biomineralization process is proposed that involves changes in the chemical and biochemical composition of the last growth increments of the calcite prisms. The changes in the secretory process in the mantle cells responsible for the shell layer succession are irregular and discontinuous.
Proanthocyanidins Inhibit Seed Germination by Maintaining a High Level of Abscisic Acid in Arabidopsis thalianaF
Authors: Jia Liguo , Wu Qiuyu , Ye Nenghui , Liu Rui , Shi Lu , Xu Weifeng , Zhi Hui , Rahman A. N. M. Rubaiyath Bin , Xia Yiji , Zhang Jianhua 
Published: July 2012

AbstractProanthocyanidins (PAs) are the main products of the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway in seeds, but their biological function during seed germination is still unclear. We observed that seed germination is delayed with the increase of exogenous PA concentration in Arabidopsis. A similar inhibitory effect occurred in peeled Brassica napus seeds, which was observed by measuring radicle elongation. Using abscisic acid (ABA), a biosynthetic and metabolic inhibitor, and gene expression analysis by real‐time polymerase chain reaction, we found that the inhibitory effect of PAs on seed germination is due to their promotion of ABA via de novo biogenesis, rather than by any inhibition of its degradation. Consistent with the relationship between PA content and ABA accumulation in seeds, PA‐deficient mutants maintain a lower level of ABA compared with wild‐types during germination. Our data suggest that PA distribution in the seed coat can act as a doorkeeper to seed germination. PA regulation of seed germination is mediated by the ABA signaling pathway.
Diffuse radio emission in MACS J1752.0+4440
Authors: van Weeren R. J. , Bonafede A. , Ebeling H. , Edge A. C. , Brüggen M. , Giovannini G. , Hoeft M. , Röttgering H. J. A. 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
We report the discovery of large-scale diffuse radio emission in the galaxy cluster MACS J1752.0+4440 (z = 0.366). Using Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT) observations we find that the cluster hosts a double radio relic system as well as a 1.65 Mpc radio halo covering the region between the two relics. The relics are diametrically located on opposite sides of the cluster centre. The NE and SW relics have sizes of 1.3 and 0.9 Mpc, respectively. In the case of an isolated binary merger event, the relative sizes of the relics suggest a mass ratio about 2:1. We measure integrated spectra of −1.16 ± 0.03 for the NE relic and −1.10 ± 0.05 for the SW relic. We conclude that this cluster has undergone a violent binary merger event and the relics are best explained by particles (re)accelerated in outwards travelling shock waves. The spectral indices suggest that the relics trace shock waves with Mach numbers (M) of around 3.5–4.5. These relatively high Mach numbers derived from the radio spectral index are comparable to those derived for a few other recently discovered relics. This implies that merger shocks with M &gt; 3 are relatively common in cluster outskirts if our understanding of diffusive shock acceleration is correct.