bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Option Prices Leading Equity Prices: Do Option Traders Have an Information Advantage?
Authors: JIN WEN , LIVNAT JOSHUA , ZHANG YUAN 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACT Recent evidence shows that option volatility skews and volatility spreads between call and put options predict equity returns. This study investigates whether such predictive ability is driven by option traders’ information advantage. We examine the predictive ability of volatility skews and volatility spreads around significant information events including earnings announcements, other firm‐specific information events, and events that trigger significant market reactions. Consistent with option traders having an information advantage relative to equity traders before information events, we find that the option measures immediately before these events have higher predictive ability for short‐term event returns than they do in a more dated window or before a randomly selected pseudo‐event. We also find that option measures have predictive ability after information events. However, this predictive ability holds only for unscheduled corporate announcements, which suggests that, relative to equity traders, option traders have superior ability to process less anticipated information.
Natural triterpenes modulate immune‐inflammatory markers of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis: therapeutic implications for multiple sclerosis
Authors: Martín R , Hernández M , Córdova C , Nieto ML 
Published: January 2012

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEMultiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), are inflammatory demyelinating diseases that develop as a result of deregulated immune responses causing glial activation and destruction of CNS tissues. Oleanolic acid and erythrodiol are natural triterpenes that display strong anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. Oleanolic acid beneficially influences the course of established EAE. We now extend our previous observations to erythrodiol and address the efficacy of both compounds to protect against EAE, given under different regimens.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHThe utility of both triterpenes in disease prevention was evaluated at a clinical and molecular level: in vivo through their prophylactic administration to myelin oligodendrocyte protein‐immunized C57BL/6 mice, and in vitro through their addition to stimulated‐BV2 microglial cells.KEY RESULTSThese triterpenes protected against EAE by restricting infiltration of inflammatory cells into the CNS and by preventing blood–brain barrier disruption. Triterpene‐pretreated EAE‐mice exhibited less leptin secretion, and switched cytokine production towards a Th2/regulatory profile, with lower levels of Th1 and Th17 cytokines and higher expression of Th2 cytokines in both serum and spinal cord. Triterpenes also affected the humoral response causing auto‐antibody production inhibition. In vitro, triterpenes inhibited ERK and rS6 phosphorylation and reduced the proliferative response, phagocytic properties and synthesis of proinflammatory mediators induced by the addition of inflammatory stimuli to microglia.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSBoth triterpenes restricted the development of the characteristic features of EAE. We envision these natural products as novel helpful tools for intervention in autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases including MS.
Upper normal threshold of serum alanine aminotransferase in identifying individuals at risk for chronic liver disease
Authors: Park Ha Na , Sinn Dong Hyun , Gwak Geum‐Youn , Kim Jee Eun , Rhee Sang Youl , Eo Sung June , Kim Yu Jin , Choi Moon Seok , Lee Joon Hyeok , Koh Kwang Cheol , Paik Seung Woon , Yoo Byung Chul 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackground/AimsSerum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is an easily available, low‐cost screening tool for detecting silent chronic liver disease. Recent studies have suggested that the currently accepted healthy ALT thresholds be lowered.MethodsIn this retrospective cross‐sectional study, we determined upper thresholds for ALT values in a nationally representative healthy cohort (n = 3337) from the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV). Sensitivity and specificity of the currently used ALT threshold (40 IU/L, regardless of gender) was compared against study‐derived, gender‐specific ALT thresholds for detecting individuals at risk for chronic liver disease in 27 913 health check‐up participants.ResultsThe 95th percentile levels for ALT in healthy weight, metabolically normal, liver disease‐free KNHANES participants were 34 IU/L for men and 25 IU/L for women. The prevalence of ALT elevation among health check‐up participants was 11.0% in currently used thresholds, and increased to 22.6% with study‐derived, gender‐specific thresholds. Of the population who were additionally defined to have elevated ALT levels under new ALT threshold, 65.7% were at risk for chronic liver disease. Sensitivity for detecting individuals at risk for chronic liver disease improved from 18 to 33% with new thresholds whereas a trade‐off in specificity (from 96 to 88%) was observed.ConclusionsIt is recommendable to lower the current ALT thresholds to better identify individuals at risk for chronic liver disease.
Treating Chronically Ill People with Diabetes Mellitus with Limited Life Expectancy: Implications for Performance Measurement
Authors: Woodard LeChauncy D. , Landrum Cassie R. , Urech Tracy H. , Profit Jochen , Virani Salim S. , Petersen Laura A. 
Published: January 2012

ObjectivesTo develop an algorithm to identify individuals with limited life expectancy and examine the effect of limited life expectancy on glycemic control and treatment intensification in individuals with diabetes mellitus.DesignIndividuals with diabetes mellitus and coexisting congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dementia, end‐stage liver disease, and/or primary or metastatic cancer with limited life expectancy were identified. To validate the algorithm, 5‐year mortality was assessed in individuals identified as having limited life expectancy. Rates of meeting performance measures for glycemic control between individuals with and without limited life expectancy were compared. In individuals with uncontrolled glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, the effect of limited life expectancy on treatment intensification within 90 days was examined.SettingOne hundred ten Department of Veterans Affairs facilities; October 2006 to September 2007.ParticipantsEight hundred eighty‐eight thousand six hundred twenty‐eight individuals with diabetes mellitus.MeasurementsHbA1c; treatment intensification within 90 days of index HbA1c reading.ResultsTwenty‐nine thousand sixteen (3%) participants had limited life expectancy. Adjusting for age, 5‐year mortality was five times as high in participants with limited life expectancy than in those without. Participants with limited life expectancy had poorer glycemic control than those without (glycemic control: 77.1% vs 78.1%; odds ratio (OR) = 0.84, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.81–0.86) and less‐frequent treatment intensification (treatment intensification: 20.9% vs 28.6%; OR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.67–0.76), even after controlling for patient‐level characteristics.ConclusionParticipants with limited life expectancy were less likely than those without to have controlled HbA1c levels and to receive treatment intensification, suggesting that providers treat these individuals less aggressively. Quality measurement and performance‐based reimbursement systems should acknowledge the different needs of this population.
Amniotic membrane‐derived cells inhibit proliferation of cancer cell lines by inducing cell cycle arrest
Authors: Magatti Marta , De Munari Silvia , Vertua Elsa , Parolini Ornella 
Published: January 2012

AbstractCells derived from the amniotic foetal membrane of human term placenta have drawn particular attention mainly for their plasticity and immunological properties, which render them interesting for stem‐cell research and cell‐based therapeutic applications. In particular, we have previously demonstrated that amniotic mesenchymal tissue cells (AMTC) inhibit lymphocyte proliferation in vitro and suppress the generation and maturation of monocyte‐derived dendritic cells. Here, we show that AMTC also significantly reduce the proliferation of cancer cell lines of haematopoietic and non‐haematopoietic origin, in both cell–cell contact and transwell co‐cultures, therefore suggesting the involvement of yet‐unknown inhibitory soluble factor(s) in this ‘cell growth restraint’. Importantly, we provide evidence that the anti‐proliferative effect of AMTC is associated with induction of cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase. Gene expression analyses demonstrate that AMTC can down‐regulate cancer cells' mRNA expression of genes associated with cell cycle progression, such as cyclins (cyclin D2, cyclin E1, cyclin H) and cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK4, CDK6 and CDK2), whilst they up‐regulate cell cycle negative regulator such as p15 and p21, consistent with a block in G0/G1 phase with no progression to S phase. Taken together, these findings warrant further studies to investigate the applicability of these cells for controlling cancer cell proliferation in vivo.
Upward shift in elevational plant species ranges in Sikkilsdalen, central Norway
Authors: Felde Vivian Astrup , Kapfer Jutta , Grytnes John‐Arvid 
Published: January 2012

Phytosociological studies can be an important tool to detect temporal vegetation changes in response to global climate change. In this study, we present the results of a resurvey of a plot‐based phytosociological study from Sikkilsdalen, central Norway, originally executed between 1922 and 1932. By using a detailed phytosociological study we are able to investigate several aspects of elevational shifts in species ranges. Here we tested for upward and downward shifts in observed upper and lower distribution limits of species, as well as changes in species optima along an elevational gradient, and related the observed range shifts to species traits that could explain the observed trends.More species shifted upwards than downwards, independently of whether we were investigating shifts in species’ upper or lower distribution ranges or in species optima. However, shifts in species upper range margins changed independently of their lower range margins. Linking different species traits to the magnitude of shifts we found that species with a higher preference for prolonged snow cover shifted upwards more in their upper elevational limits and in their optima than species that prefer a shorter snow cover, whereas no species traits were correlated with the magnitude of changes in lower limits.The observed change in species ranges concord both with studies on other mountains in the region and with studies from other alpine areas. Furthermore, our study indicates that different factors are influencing species ranges at the upper and lower range limits. Increased precipitation rates and increased temperatures are considered the most important factors for the observed changes, probably mainly through altering the pattern in snow cover dynamics in the area.
Immune tolerance induction in patients with severe hemophilia with inhibitors: expert panel views and recommendations for clinical practice
Authors: Benson Gary , Auerswald Günter , Elezović Ivo , Lambert Thierry , Ljung Rolf , Morfini Massimo , Remor Eduardo , Šalek Silva Zupančić 
Published: January 2012

AbstractFor hemophilia patients with inhibitors, immune tolerance induction (ITI) may help to restore clinical response to factor (F) VIII or FIX concentrates. Several ITI regimens and protocols exist; however, despite 30 yr of progressive investigation, the ITI evidence base relies mainly on observational data. Expert opinion, experience, and interpretation of the available evidence are therefore valuable to support clinical decision‐making. At the Sixth Zürich Haemophilia Forum, an expert panel considered recent data and consensus to distill key practice points relating to ITI. The panel supported current recommendations that, where feasible, ITI should be offered early to children and adults (ideally ≤5 yr of inhibitor detection) when inhibitor titers are <10 Bethesda units (BU) and should be stopped when successful tolerance is achieved. For hemophilia A inhibitor patients, ITI can be founded on recombinant FVIII at high doses. The panel considered that patients with a high bleeding frequency should be offered additional prophylaxis with a bypassing agent. For patients with hemophilia B, there may be a benefit of genetic testing to indicate the risk for inhibitors. ITI is often less effective and associated with a greater risk of side effects in these patients. For high‐titer inhibitor (≥5 BU) hemophilia B patients, the panel advised that bypassing agents could be offered on demand in addition to ITI. Within future ITI regimens, there may be a role for additional immunosuppressant therapies. Participants agreed that research is needed to find alternatives to ITI therapy that offer durable and sustained effects and reduced rates of complications.
Effects of local osteoprotegerin gene transfection on orthodontic root resorption during retention: an in vivo micro‐CT analysis
Authors: Zhao N. , Liu Y. , Kanzaki H. , Liang W. , Ni J. , Lin J. 
Published: January 2012

Zhao N., Liu Y., Kanzaki H., Liang W., Ni J., Lin J. Effects of local osteoprotegerin gene transfection on orthodontic root resorption during retention: an in vivo micro‐CT analysis.  Orthod Craniofac Res 2012;15:10–20 © John Wiley & Sons A/SStructured AbstractObjectives –  External root resorption (ERR) is a serious complication of orthodontic treatment. Aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of local osteoprotegerin (OPG) gene transfection on ERR during retention.Material and Methods –  Eighteen 6‐week‐old male Wistar rats were divided into three groups. All the rats were subjected to 2 weeks of orthodontic tooth movement followed by a 2‐week retention period. During retention, the three groups of rats received local OPG gene transfection (OPG transfection group, n = 6), mock vector transfection (mock group, n = 6), or no injections (control group, n = 6). ERR of all three groups was evaluated with in vivo micro‐CT analysis at three different time points: baseline, the last day of orthodontic tooth movement, and the last day of retention.Results –  In the OPG transfection group, there was no significant difference between ERR at the baseline and ERR on the last day of retention. By the last day of retention, the repair ratio of ERR in the OPG transfection group was statistically higher in relation to the repair ratio of the other groups (p < 0.001).Conclusion –  The results indicated that local OPG gene transfection significantly enhanced the repair of ERR during retention. Local OPG gene transfection might therefore be a useful tool for ERR repair during retention.
Orthopedic protraction of the maxilla may affect cranial base synchondroses indicated by increased expressions of growth factors
Authors: Feng J. , Zhao N. , Zhao J. , Rabie A. B. , Shen G. 
Published: January 2012

Feng J., Zhao N., Zhao J., Rabie A. B., Shen G. Orthopedic protraction of the maxilla may affect cranial base synchondroses indicated by increased expressions of growth factors.  Orthod Craniofac Res 2012;15:62–70 © John Wiley & Sons A/SStructured AbstractObjectives –  To examine the biological adaptation of cranial base synchondroses (CBS) when the maxilla was forward positioned by orthopedic force.Setting and Sample Population –  The Department of Orthodontics at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. 50 Sprague–Dawley rats, 4 weeks of age, were divided into experimental (n = 30) and control groups (n = 20).Material and Methods –  An orthopedic appliance was fitted to the cranio‐maxillary complex to advance the maxilla forward. The animals in the experimental group, together with the counterparts in the control group, were sacrificed at days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14, respectively. The whole cranial base housing both the spheno‐ethmoid (SES) and spheno‐occipital synchondroses (SOS) was removed for tissue processing and immunotest of Sox9, Core‐binding factor α 1 (Cbfa1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), three carefully selected growth factors that are markers of chondrogenesis in different stages and its transition to endochondral ossification. Semiquantitative analysis was also conducted by using a computerizing imaging system.Results –  The temporal tendency of the changes in the expressions of the three growth factors featured an increase from Day 3 and onwards for Cbfa1 and VEGF, and a following decline after Day 5 for Sox9. In both SES and SOS, the expressions of the three growth factors were significantly stronger in the experimental groups than that in groups (p < 0.05).Conclusions –  Protractive orthopedic force imposed on the maxilla provokes an enhancement of chondrogenic process in CBS.
Spatial pattern and composition of the Florida scrub seed bank and vegetation along an anthropogenic disturbance gradient
Authors: Navarra Jennifer J. , Quintana‐Ascencio Pedro F. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractQuestionHow does spatial pattern and composition of the seed bank and its relationship to above‐ground cover vary across an anthropogenic disturbance gradient of intact Florida rosemary scrub, degraded scrub and improved pasture?LocationFlorida rosemary scrub, Lake Wales Ridge, Highlands County, FL, USA (27° 11′N, 81° 21′W).MethodsIn nine grid plots located in intact Florida rosemary scrub, degraded scrub and improved pasture, we assessed percentage vegetation cover and seed bank composition.ResultsThe vegetation was dominated by long‐lived perennials, while the seed bank was dominated by short‐lived species. Shrubs were the dominant above‐ground cover in rosemary scrub, sub‐shrubs and the spike moss Selaginella arenicola in degraded scrub and non‐native grasses in pastures. Scrub forbs were dominant in the seed bank of rosemary scrub, similar amounts of sedges, ruderal forbs and scrub forbs in degraded scrub, and ruderal species and sedges in pastures. Species absent from the vegetation were randomly distributed in the seed bank, while species present above‐ground had an aggregated spatial distribution. In rosemary scrub, scrub forb seed banks were spatially aggregated and were positively associated with conspecific species above‐ground and with litter cover. These patterns were not observed in degraded scrub, perhaps due to reduced shrub and increased bare ground.ConclusionOur results suggest that reduced shrub cover and increased bare ground in the degraded scrub may explain why there is less spatial aggregation of scrub forbs in the seed bank. Restoration of Florida rosemary scrub in pasture sites will require species reintroduction of appropriate scrub species; restoration of degraded scrub should emphasize increasing shrub cover to restore habitat spatial structure.
Influenza Research Database: an integrated bioinformatics resource for influenza research and surveillance
Authors: Squires R. Burke , Noronha Jyothi , Hunt Victoria , García‐Sastre Adolfo , Macken Catherine , Baumgarth Nicole , Suarez David , Pickett Brett E. , Zhang Yun , Larsen Christopher N. , Ramsey Alvin , Zhou Liwei , Zaremba Sam , Kumar Sanjeev , Deitrich Jon , Klem Edward , Scheuermann Richard H. 
Published: January 2012

Please cite this paper as: Squires et al. (2012) Influenza research database: an integrated bioinformatics resource for influenza research and surveillance. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 6(6), 404–416.Background  The recent emergence of the 2009 pandemic influenza A/H1N1 virus has highlighted the value of free and open access to influenza virus genome sequence data integrated with information about other important virus characteristics.Design  The Influenza Research Database (IRD, http://www.fludb.org) is a free, open, publicly‐accessible resource funded by the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases through the Bioinformatics Resource Centers program. IRD provides a comprehensive, integrated database and analysis resource for influenza sequence, surveillance, and research data, including user‐friendly interfaces for data retrieval, visualization and comparative genomics analysis, together with personal log in‐protected ‘workbench’ spaces for saving data sets and analysis results. IRD integrates genomic, proteomic, immune epitope, and surveillance data from a variety of sources, including public databases, computational algorithms, external research groups, and the scientific literature.Results  To demonstrate the utility of the data and analysis tools available in IRD, two scientific use cases are presented. A comparison of hemagglutinin sequence conservation and epitope coverage information revealed highly conserved protein regions that can be recognized by the human adaptive immune system as possible targets for inducing cross‐protective immunity. Phylogenetic and geospatial analysis of sequences from wild bird surveillance samples revealed a possible evolutionary connection between influenza virus from Delaware Bay shorebirds and Alberta ducks.Conclusions  The IRD provides a wealth of integrated data and information about influenza virus to support research of the genetic determinants dictating virus pathogenicity, host range restriction and transmission, and to facilitate development of vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics.
Comparative Study on the Antioxidant Capacity and Cholinesterase Inhibitory Activity of Citrus aurantifolia Swingle, C. aurantium L., and C. bergamia Risso and Poit. Peel Essential Oils
Authors: Tundis Rosa , Loizzo Monica Rosa , Bonesi Marco , Menichini Federica , Mastellone Vincenzo , Colica Carmela , Menichini Francesco 
Published: January 2012

Abstract:  The interest in medicinal plant research and in the aroma‐therapeutic effects of essential oils in humans has increased in recent years, especially for the treatment of pathologies of relevant social impact such as Alzheimer's disease. The present study was taken up to evaluate the antioxidant capacity and the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibitory activity of the peel essential oils from three Citrus species, C. aurantifolia Swingle, C. aurantium L., and C. bergamia Risso & Poit. Essential oils were analyzed by GC and GC‐MS and they contain mainly limonene, α‐pinene, β‐pinene, γ‐terpinene, and linalyl acetate. C. aurantifolia oil showed the highest radical scavenging activity on ABTS assay (IC50 value of 19.6 μg/mL), while C. bergamia exhibited a good antioxidant activity evaluated by the β‐carotene bleaching test (IC50= 42.6 μg/mL after 60 min of incubation). C. aurantifolia inhibited more selectively AChE. Obtained data suggest a potential use of Citrus oils as a valuable new flavor with functional properties for food or nutraceutical products with particular relevance to supplements for the elderly.Practical Application:  The demonstrated antioxidant activity and procholinesterase properties of Citrus essential oils suggested their use as a new potential source of natural antioxidant to added as extra‐nutrient for using in food industries as a valuable new flavor with functional properties for food or nutraceutical products with particular relevance to supplements for the elderly.