bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stakeholder appraisal of policy options for tackling obesity in Greece
Authors: Codrington C. , Sarri K. , Kafatos A. 
Published: March 2007

SummaryThe study aimed to map stakeholders’ evaluations of policy options to counter the rising prevalence of obesity in Greece, where the case for action on obesity is only now being made. The multi‐criteria mapping method was used to capture and compare stakeholders’ appraisals and to provide a policy analysis.Efficacy and practical feasibility were the issues most frequently used by stakeholders to evaluate options and were weighted more highly than cost criteria, which were often defined in terms of governmental costs. There was a broad favourable appraisal for downstream measures offering individuals the skills, information and opportunities to make healthier choices, rather than options to modify the obesogenic environment. Consistently, high rankings were given to educational options, for improving communal facilities and for some information‐related options (food labelling, advertising), with particular support for policies targeting the young. There was also significant advocacy by a few for the creation of a new government body charged with intersectoral policy co‐ordination. The Policy Options for Responding to the Growing Challenge of Obesity Research Project analyses thus point to support for a portfolio of measures to combat the problem of obesity in Greece as well as an appreciation that political will is an essential prerequisite.
Stakeholder appraisal of policy options for responding to obesity in Italy
Authors: De Marchi B. , Casati S. , Tarlao G. 
Published: March 2007

SummaryThis article deals with the phenomenon of obesity in contemporary Italian society. It is based on the fieldwork carried out during the year 2005 within the European Union‐funded project ‘PorGrow: policy options for responding to obesity’ (see: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/spru/PorGrow).The most recent statistical data on the spread of overweight and obesity in Italian society reveal that the phenomenon has reached a dimension that, albeit not as serious as in other Western countries, constitutes a serious threat to public health and to the national budget.The panel of stakeholders interviewed for this research showed awareness of this issue and generally agreed on the necessity to adopt a very multifaceted portfolio of policy measures to address the problem. Participants frequently regarded educational policies as the highest priority, followed by informational measures and infrastructural actions. Fiscal policy options were widely considered ineffective and unacceptable, and little enthusiasm was shown for technological innovations.In sum, while interviewees saw a real need for improved food habits on the part of Italian citizens, nonetheless in a country affected by many criticalities, the weakness of political will and the pressure of fast food culture remain severe obstacles in the fight against overweight and obesity.
Longitudinal Relations Among Parental Emotional Expressivity and Sympathy and Prosocial Behavior in Adolescence
Authors: Michalik Nicole M. , Eisenberg Nancy , Spinrad Tracy L. , Ladd Becky , Thompson Marilyn , Valiente Carlos 
Published: March 2007

AbstractConcurrent and longitudinal relations among parental emotional expressivity, children's sympathy and children's prosocial behavior were assessed with correlations and structural equation modeling when the children were 55–97 months old (N = 214;Mage = 73 months,SD = 9.59) and eight years later (N = 130; ages 150–195 months old,M = 171 months,SD = 10.01). Parent emotional expressivity (positive and negative) and children's sympathy were stable across time and early parent‐reported sympathy predicted adolescents' sympathy and prosocial behavior. Parents' positive expressivity was positively related to sympathy and prosocial behavior, but in adolescence, this was likely primarily because of consistency over time. Early observed parental negative expressivity was negatively related to adolescents' prosocial behavior. Reported negative expressivity in childhood was negatively related to boys' sympathy in childhood and positively related to girls' sympathy behavior in adolescence. The later relation remained significant when controlling for the stability of parental expressivity and sympathy, suggesting an emerging positive relation between the variables for girls.
The evolution of amphibian metamorphosis: insights based on the transformation of the aortic arches of Pelobates fuscus (Anura)
Authors: Kolesová Hana , Lametschwandtner Alois , Roček Zbyněk 
Published: March 2007

AbstractIn order to gain insights into how the aortic arches changed during the transition of vertebrates to land, transformations of the aortic arches during the metamorphosis of Pelobates fuscus were investigated and compared with data from the early development of a recent ganoid fish Amia calva and a primitive caudate amphibian Salamandrella keyserlingi. Although in larval Pelobates, as in other non‐pipid anurans, the gill arches serve partly as a filter‐feeding device, their aortic arches maintain the original piscine‐like arrangement, except for the mandibular and hyoid aortic arches which were lost. As important pre‐adaptations for breathing of atmospheric oxygen occur in larval Pelobates (which have well‐developed, though non‐respiratory lungs and pulmonary artery), transformation of aortic arches during metamorphosis is fast. The transformation involves disappearance of the ductus Botalli, which results in a complete shunting of blood into the lungs and skin, disappearance of the ductus caroticus, which results in shunting of blood into the head through the arteria carotis interna, and disappearance of arch V, which results in shunting blood to the body through arch IV (systemic arch). It is supposed that the branching pattern of the aortic arches of permanently water‐dwelling piscine ancestors, of intermediate forms which occasionally left the water and of primitive tetrapods capable of spending longer periods of time on land had been the same as in the prematamorphic anuran larvae or in some metamorphosed caudates in which the ductus caroticus and ductus Botalli were not interrupted, and arch V was still complete.
VIEWS OF THE PROCESS AND CONTENT OF ETHICAL REVIEWS OF HIV VACCINE TRIALS AMONG MEMBERS OF US INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARDS AND SOUTH AFRICAN RESEARCH ETHICS COMMITTEES
Authors: KLITZMAN ROBERT 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTGiven the ethical controversies concerning HIV vaccine trials (HVTs), we aimed to understand through an exploratory study how members of institutional review boards (IRBs) in the United States (US) and research ethics committees (RECs) in South Africa (SA) view issues concerning the process and content of reviews of these studies. We mailed packets of 20 questionnaires to 12 US IRB chairs and administrators and seven REC chairs to distribute to their members. We received 113 questionnaires (76 from the US and 37 from SA). In both countries, members tended to be white males with advanced academic degrees. Compared to the US, SA members called for ‘major changes’ in HVT protocols more frequently (p = 0.004), and were less likely to think that HVT participants understood risks and benefits (p = 0.033) or informed consent forms (p = 0.000). In both countries, members were divided on several critical issues (e.g. the minimum standard for treatment for HVT participants who became infected during the HVT), but agreed that they needed more training. Of the SA respondents, 40% reported that they were ‘self‐taught’ in ethics. This study, the first we know of to offer quantitative data comparing US vs. non‐US IRBs/RECs, thus suggests key similarities and differences (e.g. compared to SA respondents, US respondents appeared to overestimate participants' understanding of informed consent), along with needs for education. These initial exploratory data in this area have important implications for IRBs, RECs, policy‐makers and scholars concerning future practice, training, policy, and investigations in research ethics, and prevention and treatment of HIV and other diseases in the developing world and elsewhere.
IPO Failure Risk
Authors: DEMERS ELIZABETH , JOOS PHILIP 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTWe explore the factors associated with historical IPO failures by developing an IPO failure prediction model that includes accounting information as well as proxies for the role of information intermediaries and other IPO deal–related characteristics. We document statistically significant differences in failure models applicable to nontech versus high tech IPOs, and these structural differences are largely driven by accounting‐based proxies for firms' investments in intangible assets, operating performance, and financial leverage. We also develop parsimonious, predominantly accounting‐based, strictly out‐of‐sample (i.e., no hindsight) IPO failure forecasting models for each of the two sectors. We find that our forecasts are negatively associated with one‐year post‐IPO abnormal returns. A pseudo‐hedge strategy of going short (long) in high (low) failure risk portfolios yields returns of economically significant magnitudes over the one‐year horizon, and is robust to alternative returns methodologies. Further results suggest that IPO long‐run returns anomalies may persist, but they take different forms for high‐tech and nontech IPOs.
The Book‐to‐Price Effect in Stock Returns: Accounting for Leverage
Authors: PENMAN STEPHEN H. , RICHARDSON SCOTT A. , TUNA İREM 
Published: March 2007

ABSTRACTThis paper lays out a decomposition of book‐to‐price (B/P) that derives from the accounting for book value and that articulates precisely how B/P “absorbs” leverage. The B/P ratio can be decomposed into an enterprise book‐to‐price (that pertains to operations and potentially reflects operating risk) and a leverage component (that reflects financing risk). The empirical analysis shows that the enterprise book‐to‐price ratio is positively related to subsequent stock returns but, conditional upon the enterprise book‐to‐price, the leverage component of B/P is negatively associated with future stock returns. Further, both enterprise book‐to‐price and leverage explain returns over those associated with Fama and French nominated factors—including the book‐to‐price factor—albeit negatively so for leverage. The seemingly perverse finding with respect to the leverage component of B/P survives under controls for size, estimated beta, return volatility, momentum, and default risk.
Gingival crevicular fluid interleukin‐1β, prostaglandin E2 and periodontal status in a community population
Authors: Zhong Y. , Slade G. D. , Beck J. D. , Offenbacher S. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractAim: Interleukin‐1 β (IL‐1β) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) are key inflammatory mediators involved in periodontal disease. The purposes of this molecular cross‐sectional epidemiological study were to investigate relationships in a community sample between mean concentrations of IL‐1β and PGE2 in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and (1) clinical periodontal signs and (2) risk factors of host inflammatory response and/or periodontal disease.Material and Methods: The sample comprised 6277 community‐dwelling adults aged 52–74 years enrolled in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. IL‐1β and PGE2 concentrations were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Person‐level summary variables were computed for maximum pocket depth (MaxPD), maximum clinical attachment level (MaxCAL) and presence/absence of bleeding on probing (BOP). Mean GCF IL‐1β and PGE2 concentrations were dependent variables in multiple linear regression models with periodontal measures and covariates as explanatory variables.Results: Both GCF IL‐1β and PGE2 were positively related to MaxPD and BOP in multiple regression models (p<0.01). Increased levels of IL‐1β and PGE2 were associated with body mass index 30 kg/m2.Conclusion: Higher levels of GCF IL‐1β and PGE2 were significantly associated with clinical signs of periodontal disease and independently related to patient‐based anthropomorphic measures, behaviours and exposures in community‐dwelling adults.
Citation classics in periodontology: a controlled study
Authors: Nieri Michele , Saletta Daniele , Guidi Luisa , Buti Jacopo , Franceschi Debora , Mauro Saverio , Pini‐Prato GiovanPaolo 
Published: March 2007

AbstractAim: The aims of this study were to identify the most cited articles in Periodontology published from January 1990 to March 2005; and to analyse the differences between citation Classics and less cited articles.Material and Methods: The search was carried out in four international periodontal journals: Journal of Periodontology, Journal of Clinical Periodontology, International Journal of Periodontics and Restorative Dentistry and Journal of Periodontal Research. The Classics, that are articles cited at least 100 times, were identified using the Science Citation Index database. From every issue of the journals that contained a Classic, another article was randomly selected and used as a Control.Results: Fifty‐five Classics and 55 Controls were identified. Classic articles were longer, used more images, had more authors, and contained more self‐references than Controls.Moreover Classics had on the average a bigger sample size, often dealt with etiopathogenesis and prognosis, but were rarely controlled or randomized studies.Conclusions: Classic articles play an instructive role, but are often non‐Controlled studies.
Epigenetic events in malignant melanoma
Authors: Rothhammer Tanja , Bosserhoff Anja‐Katrin 
Published: March 2007

AbstractIrreversible changes in the DNA sequence, including chromosomal deletions or amplification, activating or inactivating mutations in genes, have been implicated in the development and progression of melanoma. However, increasing attention is being turned towards the participation of ‘epigenetic’ events in melanoma progression that do not affect DNA sequence, but which nevertheless may lead to stable inherited changes in gene expression. Epigenetic events including histone modifications and DNA methylation play a key role in normal development and are crucial to establishing the correct program of gene expression. In contrast, mistargeting of such epigenetic modifications can lead to aberrant patterns of gene expression and loss of anti‐cancer checkpoints. Thus, to date at least 50 genes have been reported to be dysregulated in melanoma by aberrant DNA methylation and accumulating evidence also suggests that mistargetting of histone modifications and altered chromatin remodeling activities will play a key role in melanoma. This review gives an overview of the many different types of epigenetic modifications and their involvement in cancer and especially in melanoma development and progression.
A functional Sp1/Egr1‐tandem repeat polymorphism in the 5‐lipoxygenase gene is not associated with myocardial infarction
Authors: González P. , Reguero J. R. , Lozano I. , Morís C. , Coto E. 
Published: March 2007

SummaryArachidonate 5‐lipoxygenase is an enzyme encoded by the ALOX5 gene, and plays an important role in the synthesis of leukotrienes. These are inflammatory mediators, and have been involved in atherosclerosis and other pathological processes that require proinflammatory activities. Human and animal studies have suggested a role for the ALOX5 gene in atherosclerosis, including a significant association between a promoter polymorphism and a carotid intimal‐medial thickness in response to dietary fat. This polymorphism was three‐ to six‐tandem repeats of a Sp1/Egr1 binding motif (GGGCGG)n, and the number of repeats has been linked with the amount of gene expression. We hypothesized that this ALOX5 polymorphism could influence the risk for myocardial infarction (MI).First, we analysed the effect of the four alleles on gene expression by transfecting the HEK‐293 cell line with luciferase reporter‐constructs. We found that luciferase activities are dependent on the number of the Sp1/Egr1 repeats, with the three and six repeats having the lowest and highest values. We genotyped 312 male MI survivors, aged < 55 years, and 376 healthy controls matched with patients for sex, age, and ethnicity. Ninety‐six per cent of the patients were smokers, compared to only 42% among the controls (P < 0.001; OR = 31.84). The 55 + 56 repeat genotypes were less frequent in patients (55 = 56%, 56 = 0.6%) compared to controls (55 = 60%, 56 = 3%). However, these were non‐significantly different frequencies. In addition, no difference in MI‐onset age and biochemical values was found between the allele and genotypes. In conclusion, we confirmed the effect of the ALOX5‐promoter polymorphism on gene expression, but our data did not support a significant effect of this functional variation on MI risk.
A biased Gm haplotype and Gm paraprotein allotype in multiple myeloma suggests a role for the Gm system in myeloma development
Authors: Ilić V. , Milošević‐Jovčić N. , Marković D. , Petrović S. , Stefanović G. 
Published: March 2007

SummaryThe association between a particular Gm haplotype and susceptibility to multiple myeloma (MM) is not clear. The reason is probably because no investigations have so far been carried out on the relationship between the Gm haplotype, which represents the inherited combination of IgG Gm allotypes, and the Gm allotype expressed at the IgG paraprotein (M‐component), which reflects the enhanced gene expression within the haplotype in MM. We studied the incidence of Gm allotypic markers present in IgG subclasses in the serum from 52 patients with MM and in parallel with the isolated IgG paraproteins. The results showed that 84.6% of the patients were heterozygous for haplotypes Gm(a; z; n−; g;)/Gm(f; n+/n–; b1; b0; b5) and 15.3% were homozygous for Gm(f; n/n–; b1; b0; b5), while no homozygous Gm(a; z; n–; g) individuals were found among the studied patients. The incidence of these combinations in the healthy population in Serbia is 34%, 66% and < 1%, respectively. Subjects with Gm(a; z; n–; g)/Gm(f; n+/n–; b1; b0; b5) combination are over 10 times [odds ratio (OR) = 10.69; 95% confidence interval 1.67–68] as likely to be affected by the disease as the subjects with homozygous Gm(f; n+/n–; b1; b0; b5) combination (OR = 0.35, 95% confidence interval 0.06–2.23). However, despite the Gm heterozygosity, most of the Gm(a; z; n–; g;)/Gm(f; n+/n–; b1; b0; b5) positive patients with MM (86.3%) had IgG paraprotein with the allotypic marker from the Gm(f; n+/n–; b1; b0; b5) haplotype. Together with patients homozygous for this haplotype, the relative number of patients with serum IgG paraprotein carrying allotypic marker from the Gm(f; n/n–; b1; b0; b5) haplotype was 88.5%. These results suggest that the development of an M‐component could be related to a disturbance on chromosome 14q32 carrying the Gm (f; n+/n–; b1; b0; b5) set of genes.
Discovery of a remarkable subpulse drift pattern in PSR B0818–41
Authors: Bhattacharyya B. , Gupta Y. , Gil J. , Sendyk M. 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
We report the discovery of a remarkable subpulse drift pattern in the relatively less-studied wide profile pulsar B0818–41 using high-sensitivity Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) observations. We find simultaneous occurrences of three drift regions with two different drift rates: an inner region with steeper apparent drift rate flanked on each side by a region of slower apparent drift rate. Furthermore, these closely spaced drift bands always maintain a constant phase relationship. Though these drift regions have significantly different values for the measured P2, the measured P3 value is the same and equal to 18.3P1. We interpret the unique drift pattern of this pulsar as being created by the intersection of our line of sight (LOS) with two conal rings on the polar cap of a fairly aligned rotator (inclination angle α∼ 11°), with an ‘inner’ LOS geometry (impact angle ). We argue that both rings have the same values for the carousel rotation periodicity P4 and the number of sparks Nsp. We find that Nsp is 19–21 and show that it is very likely that P4 is the same as the measured P3, making it a truly unique pulsar. We present results from simulations of the radiation pattern using the inferred parameters, which support our interpretations and reproduce the average profile as well as the observed features in the drift pattern quite well.
Can the soft excess in AGN originate from disc reflection?
Authors: Done Chris , Nayakshin Sergei 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
The soft excess seen in many active galactic nuclei (AGN) is most probably due to partially ionized material moving at relativistic speeds close to the black hole. There are currently two potential geometries for this material, one where it is out of the line of sight, seen via reflection (e.g. the accretion disc), the other where it is in the line of sight, seen in absorption (e.g. a wind above the disc). Both models require apparent fine-tuning of the ionization parameter of this material in order to produce the large jump in opacity at ∼0.7 keV associated with O vii/viii, as required to make the soft excess. However, Chevallier et al. show that these states rather naturally dominate the absorption spectrum for soft X-ray spectra if the illuminated material is (at least approximately) in pressure balance. Here we explore whether hydrostatic pressure equilibrium in a disc can likewise naturally select the required ionization states in reflection. We find the opposite. The soft excess X-ray excess is much weaker in the hydrostatic models than it is in the constant density models. Because even the constant density models cannot fit the largest soft excesses seen without the intrinsic continuum being hidden from view, this means that reflection from a hydrostatic disc cannot realistically match the data. Even if the disc structure is instead more like a constant density atmosphere, the required fine-tuning of the ionization parameter still remains a problem for reflection models.