bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Management's disclosure of hedging activity
Authors: Reynolds‐Moehrle Jennifer 
Published: January 2007

PurposeThis study aims to examine how market participants changed the way they process earnings information after learning of the implementation of hedging activities.Design/methodology/approachUsing a sample of derivative user and non‐user firms, this study empirically compares earnings predictability, forecast revision behavior, and the earnings response coefficients before and after the disclosure of sustained hedging activity.FindingsThe findings indicate that analysts’ forecast accuracy increased and that unexpected earnings were incorporated into subsequent earnings forecasts to a greater extent subsequent to disclosure of sustained hedging activity. Additionally, the findings indicate an increase in the earnings‐return relation in the hedging activity period.Research limitations/implicationsThis evidence empirically supports the claim that, when a company communicates that hedging activities have been started, market participants are better able to forecast earnings and view subsequent earnings announcements as providing greater information about future earnings. The results may be understated due to the minimal disclosures required during the sample period. Future research could revisit these tests for the SFAS 133 time period as a way of evaluating the usefulness of more detailed disclosures.Practical implicationsThe models used in the tests of forecast revisions and earnings response coefficients could easily be adapted to other settings where the research question compares different time periods.Originality/valueThis study adds to the empirical evidence regarding the effects of hedging activity by providing direct evidence of analysts’ use of and investors’ reactions to earnings surprises following the disclosure of the implementation of hedging activities.
Fas‐mediated upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 expression in cultured dermal fibroblasts: Role in the inflammatory response
Authors: FUJIWARA Masao , SUEMOTO Hiroki , MURAGAKI Yasuteru , OOSHIMA Akira 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACTThe Fas–Fas ligand interaction is the most important pathway in starting apoptosis. In addition, several recent reports have emerged documenting non‐apoptotic roles for Fas. However, a non‐apoptotic role of Fas in dermal fibroblasts remains unknown. The present study investigated whether Fas stimulation not only promotes apoptosis but also stimulates elements of the inflammatory response such as angiogenesis and macrophage infiltration. Fas stimulation was performed by treating cultured human dermal fibroblasts with an agonistic anti‐Fas monoclonal antibody (mAb). Anti‐Fas mAb‐treated fibroblasts showed a significantly greater increase of caspase‐3 and caspase‐8 activity compared with control fibroblasts. Addition of the anti‐Fas mAb induced DNA fragmentation, as confirmed by the DNA ladder assay. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated 2′‐deoxyuridine 5′‐triphosphate nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining showed that treatment with the anti‐Fas mAb induced an increase of apoptotic fibroblasts in a time‐dependent manner. At both mRNA and protein levels, anti‐Fas mAb‐treated fibroblasts showed significantly higher expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)‐1 compared with control fibroblasts. A pan‐caspase inhibitor (Z‐VAD‐FMK) significantly inhibited VEGF and MCP‐1 expression. After transplantation of fibroblasts into mice with severe combined immunodeficiency, the nodules derived from anti‐Fas mAb‐treated fibroblasts showed more abundant neovascularization, increased macrophage infiltration, and more apoptotic cells in comparison with nodules derived from control fibroblasts. The results of both in vitro and in vivo studies confirmed significantly higher angiogenic activity and macrophage chemotactic activity of anti‐Fas mAb‐treated fibroblasts compared with control fibroblasts.
Gianotti–Crosti syndrome in a child following hepatitis B virus vaccination
Authors: KARAKAŞ Mehmet , DURDU Murat , TUNCER İlhan , ÇEVLİK Filiz 
Published: January 2007

ABSTRACTGianotti–Crosti syndrome is self‐limited, characterized by papular eruption with a symmetrical distribution on the limbs and face of children, and a dermatosis of unknown etiology. However, there are many suggested factors such as a number of diseases (viral or bacterial) and vaccination. We report a case of Gianotti‐Crosti syndrome that had developed 3 weeks after the hepatitis B virus vaccination.
Genetic estimates of annual reproductive success in male brown bears: the effects of body size, age, internal relatedness and population density
Authors: ZEDROSSER ANDREAS , BELLEMAIN EVA , TABERLET PIERRE , SWENSON JON E. 
Published: January 2007

Summary

We studied male yearly reproductive success (YRS) and its determinants (phenotypic characteristics, age, population density) in two Scandinavian brown bear populations, using molecular techniques to determine paternity.
We found a significant difference in male YRS between the study areas, with lower YRS in the south than in the north.
In general, older and larger males had higher YRS. Older males may be more experienced in competition for reproduction (male dominance). Large body size is of direct benefit in male–male competition and of advantage in endurance competition for the access to females.
Age was relatively more important for YRS in the north and body size was more important in the south, due perhaps to differences in male age structure due to illegal killing. A single old male dominated the reproduction in the north during the study, which resulted most probably in the relatively higher importance of age in the north. In the south, with a more even male age structure, no single male was able to dominate, probably resulting in a more intense competition among males, with body size as the deciding factor.
Male YRS was correlated positively with population density. This may be related to the structure of the expanding bear population, with female densities declining towards the population edge.
Internal relatedness, a measure of genetic heterozygosity, was correlated negatively with YRS, suggesting that outbred individuals have a higher YRS. Individual heterozygosity at key or many loci may reflect male physical qualities and condition‐sensitive traits, which may benefit males directly in contest or in sperm competition.
Some compatible Rhizobium leguminosarum strains in peas decrease infections when parasitised by Orobanche crenata
Authors: MABROUK Y , ZOURGUI L , SIFI B , DELAVAULT P , SIMIER P , BELHADJ O 
Published: January 2007

Summary Orobanche crenata (crenate broomrape) produces serious damage to many legume crops and particularly becomes a limiting factor for pea production in the Mediterranean basin. Nodulation effects on pea–broomrape relationships were studied using the commercial pea cultivar Douce de Provence and different Rhizobium strains using pot and Petri dish experiments. First, the benefit of bacterial inoculation on plant growth and efficiency of N incorporation were demonstrated for two isolates, P.SOM and P.1236. These isolates did not influence parasite germination induced by the artificial stimulant, GR24. In contrast, pea root inoculation with P.SOM and P.1236 isolates led to a reduced root infection by O. crenata, resulting from a lower Orobanche germination rate close to pea roots and a limited capacity of the parasitic seedlings to develop tubercles. Broomrape necrosis was observed both before and after parasite attachment to inoculated pea roots. Concomitantly, reduction in infection was accompanied by enhanced peroxidase activity and constantly high phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity in pea roots. These data suggest the involvement of these enzymes in pea resistance to crenate broomrape induced by the compatible rhizobia. Management of Orobanche via crop selection based on these enzyme systems is a viable option.
Metabolic effects of pioglitazone and rosiglitazone in patients with diabetes and metabolic syndrome treated with metformin
Authors: Derosa G. , D’Angelo A. , Ragonesi P. D. , Ciccarelli L. , Piccinni M. N. , Pricolo F. , Salvadeo S. A. T. , Montagna L. , Gravina A. , Ferrari I. , Paniga S. , Cicero A. F. G. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackground: Metformin is considered the gold standard for type 2 diabetes treatment as monotherapy and in combination with sulphonylureas and insulin, whereas the combination of metformin with thiazolidinediones is relatively less studied. The aim of the present study was to assess the differential effect on glycaemic metabolism and lipid variables of the combination of metformin plus pioglitazone or metformin plus rosiglitazone in diabetic patients with metabolic syndrome.Methods: All patients began metformin and were randomized to receive pioglitazone or rosiglitazone for 12 months. We assessed body mass index, glycated haemoglobin, fasting plasma glucose, postprandial plasma glucose, fasting plasma insulin, postprandial plasma insulin, homeostasis model assessment index, total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein A‐I, and apolipoprotein B.Results: Significant decreases in glycated haemoglobin, fasting plasma glucose, postprandial plasma glucose, fasting plasma insulin, and postprandial plasma insulin were seen after 9 and 12 months in both groups. Homeostasis model assessment index improved at 12 months in both groups. Significant total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein A‐I, and apolipoprotein B improvement was observed in pioglitazone group after 12 months, but not in the rosiglitazone group. These variations were significant between groups.Conclusion: The combination of metformin plus thiazolidinediones was able to improve glycaemic control compared with previous therapy. Pioglitazone was associated with a significant improvement in lipid and lipoprotein variables.
Non‐invasive positive pressure ventilation for acute respiratory failure: justified or just hot air?
Authors: Crummy F. , Naughton M. T. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractNon‐invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIV) is the provision of mechanical positive airway pressure ventilatory support through the patient’s upper airway through mask interface. Conditions in which it has been shown to be effective are acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema and acute hypercapnic exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In such conditions, NIV is associated with reduced intensive care unit demands, a reduction in intubation rates, reduced health‐care expenditure and improved survival. Other conditions, such as hypercapnia of other cause, hypoxaemic respiratory failure and acute asthma, have supportive, but less conclusive data. Indications, contraindications and guidelines for the use of NIV are discussed.
Tissue angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes mellitus without left ventricular systolic dysfunction or clinical evidence of heart failure: a pooled meta‐analysis of randomized placebo‐controlled clinical trials
Authors: Saha S. A. , Molnar J. , Arora R. R. 
Published: January 2007

Aim:  The aim of this study was to determine the role of tissue angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors in the prevention of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes mellitus without left ventricular systolic dysfunction or clinical evidence of heart failure in randomized placebo‐controlled clinical trials using pooled meta‐analysis techniques.Methods:  Randomized placebo‐controlled clinical trials of at least 12 months duration in patients with diabetes mellitus without left ventricular systolic dysfunction or heart failure who had experienced a prior cardiovascular event or were at high cardiovascular risk were selected. A total of 10 328 patients (43 517 patient‐years) from four selected trials were used for meta‐analysis. Relative risk estimations were made using data pooled from the selected trials and statistical significance was determined using the Chi‐squared test (two‐sided alpha error <0.05). The number of patients needed to treat was also calculated.Results:  Tissue ACE inhibitors significantly reduced the risk of cardiovascular mortality by 14.9% (p = 0.022), myocardial infarction by 20.8% (p = 0.002) and the need for invasive coronary revascularization by 14% (p = 0.015) when compared to placebo. The risk of all‐cause mortality also tended to be lower among patients randomized to tissue ACE inhibitors, whereas the risks of stroke and hospitalization for heart failure were not significantly affected. Treating about 65 patients with tissue ACE inhibitors for about 4.2 years would prevent one myocardial infarction, whereas treating about 85 patients would prevent one cardiovascular death.Conclusion:  Pooled meta‐analysis of randomized placebo‐controlled trials suggests that tissue ACE inhibitors modestly reduce the risk of myocardial infarction and cardiovascular death and tend to reduce overall mortality in diabetic patients without left ventricular systolic dysfunction or heart failure.
The Greek moulages: a picture of skin diseases in former times
Authors: Worm A‐M , Hadjivassiliou M , Katsambas A 
Published: January 2007

AbstractMedical moulages are three‐dimensional wax figures made for teaching in the beginning of the last century. A rather unknown hospital museum in Athens, Greece, stores 1660 moulages depicting skin and venereal diseases prevalent at that time such as syphilis, lepra and tuberculosis. The historical background behind the Greek moulages and the art of moulaging are described.
Decomposition of the ERP late posterior negativity: Effects of retrieval and response fluency
Authors: Herron Jane E. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractNegativity elicited by recognized items over posterior sites—the late posterior negativity (LPN)—has been linked to action monitoring, task “uncertainty,” and contextual retrieval. Four recognition tests required retrieval of encoding operations. Task fluency was assumed to increase with each block. The responses assigned to the episodic sources were reversed in Block 3 to reduce response fluency. Dissociable LPNs were identified; the 1200–1900‐ms LPN was insensitive to task and response fluency and may reflect the maintenance of a retrieved episode. The 600–1200‐ms LPN was sensitive to task fluency and may index the search for episodic information. A response‐related LPN was sensitive to response fluency and was consistent with an action monitoring role. The findings confirm that the LPN is functionally heterogeneous, and comprises subcomponents sensitive to retrieval fluency, action monitoring, and postretrieval processing respectively.
Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in Hemibarbus labeo (Cyprinidae) using PCR‐based isolation of microsatellite arrays (PIMA)
Authors: LIN CHUNG‐JIAN , WANG JIANG‐PING , LIN HUNG‐DU , CHIANG TZEN‐YUH 
Published: January 2007

AbstractA total of 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci from Hemibarbus labeo were isolated and characterized using an optimized protocol to construct a microsatellite‐enriched genomic library. The analysis of variability was performed in 24 specimens of mainland China. The mean number of alleles across loci was 3.10 ± 1.10 and the level of expected heterozygosity varied from 0.0417 to 0.7482. Frequencies of null alleles of the 10 loci are not significantly greater than zero. No linkage disequilibrium was detected between loci in either population. Five primer pairs cross‐amplify the microsatellites in other species, indicating transportability of the markers within the family Cyprinidae.
Improving outcome in patients undergoing liver surgery
Authors: Furrer Katarzyna , DeOliveira Michelle Lucinda , Graf Rolf , Clavien Pierre‐Alain 
Published: January 2007

AbstractLiver surgery is associated with many factors, which may affect outcome. Preoperative assessment of patient's general condition, resectability, and liver reserve are paramount for success. The Child–Pugh score and other scoring systems only partially enables to assess the risk associated with liver surgery. The presence of portal hypertension per se is a major risk factor for hepatectomy. Intraoperatively, any attempts should be made to minimize blood loss. Low central venous pressure and inflow occlusion best prevent bleeding. Ischemic preconditioning and intermittent clamping are routinely applied in many centers to protect against long periods of ischemia, although the mechanisms of protection remain unclear. In this review we describe recent advances in activated pathways associated with protection against ischemia. Postoperatively, the best factor impacting on outcome probably resides in experienced medical care particularly in the intensive care setting. Currently, no drug or gene therapy approaches has reached the clinic. The future relies on new insight into mechanisms of ischemia–reperfusion injury.
CagA and VacA are Immunoblot Markers of Past Helicobacter pylori Infection in Atrophic Body Gastritis
Authors: Annibale Bruno , Lahner Edith , Santucci Annalisa , Vaira Dino , Pasquali Amelia , Severi Carola , Mini Roberta , Figura Natale , Fave Gianfranco Delle 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Atrophic body gastritis (ABG) may be induced by H. pylori infection. It is difficult to diagnose H. pylori infection in this condition, since during progression of body atrophy the bacterium disappears. In 30% of patients with ABG no sign of H. pylori infection is detectable. We aimed to investigate whether patients with ABG, classified as H. pylori‐negative by conventional methods (ELISA serology and Giemsa stain histology), have been previously exposed to the infection.Methods:  Case series consisted of 138 outpatients with ABG, of whom 31 are H. pylori negative (histology and ELISA serology), and 107 are H. pylori related (histology and ELISA serology positive: active infection, n = 29; only serology positive: past infection, n = 78). Thirty control subjects who were H. pylori negative at histology and ELISA serology were investigated. Immunoblotting of sera against H. pylori whole‐cell protein lysate was performed.Results:  None of the control sera recognized CagA, VacA, heat‐shock protein B, and urease B, yielding a specificity of 100%. All H. pylori‐negative patients with ABG showed immunoblotting seroreactivity, including in each case either CagA or VacA. The concomitant seroreactivity against CagA and VacA was highly prevalent in the H. pylori‐negative patients with ABG, comparable to those with active infection (77.4% vs. 86.2%) and with past infection (vs. 61.5%).Conclusions:  Immunoblotting against CagA and VacA is able to prove past exposure to H. pylori infection in all patients with ABG defined as H. pylori‐negative by conventional methods, suggesting a hidden role of H. pylori infection in gastric atrophy also in these patients.
5‐LOX Inhibitor Modulates the Inflammatory Responses Provoked by Helicobacter pylori Infection
Authors: Park Soojin , Han Sang‐Uk , Lee Kee‐Myung , Park Kyung Ha , Cho Sung Won , Hahm Ki‐Baik 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackground:  Arachidonic acid metabolites have been considered as pivotal mediators in Helicobacter pylori‐induced inflammatory response, which are mainly metabolized by two distinct enzymes: cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX). While COX has become well known to play a key role in either carcinogenesis or inflammation related to H. pylori infection, little is known regarding the implication of LOX in H. pylori infection. In this study, we evaluated the roles of 5‐LOX and its metabolites in H. pylori‐induced host responses and further a potential beneficial action of specific LOX inhibitors against H. pylori infection.Materials and Methods:  Expressions of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), COX‐2, and 5‐LOX after H. pylori infection were evaluated by immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting. Synthesis of LOX metabolites was measured with reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography. For analyzing the influence of 5‐LOX inhibitors, nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and geraniin, on H. pylori‐induced inflammatory responses, RNase protection assay and RT‐PCR were performed.Results:  H. pylori stimulated the translocation of cPLA2 from cytoplasm to nucleus and increased the biosynthesis of hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs) as a predominant form of 5S‐HETE in gastric epithelium. NDGA exerted a strong suppression activity of H. pylori‐induced 5‐LOX signaling. The administration of LOX inhibitors was related with down‐expression of proinflammatory mediators such as interleukin‐8 and tumor necrosis factor‐α in both H. pylori‐infected gastric epithelial cells and macrophage cells.Conclusion:  LOX modulation with its specific inhibitors could impose significant anti‐inflammatory responses after H. pylori infection, based on the fact that H. pylori infection provoked gastric inflammation through metabolizing arachidonic acid by the 5‐LOX pathway.
Identification and Characterization of an Organic Solvent Tolerance Gene in Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Chiu Hung‐Chuan , Lin Tzu‐Lung , Wang Jin‐Town 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackground:  Pre‐cleaning and soaking in glutaraldehyde is the necessary procedure to disinfect endoscopes. However, some chemical‐solvent‐tolerant bacteria may survive after incomplete endoscopic disinfection. The goal of this study was to identify glutaraldehyde resistance‐related genes in Helicobacter pylori.Materials and Methods:  λ‐Zap phagemid expression library of H. pylori strain NTUH‐C1 was selected with 0.1% glutaraldehyde. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of glutaraldehyde‐resistant DNA fragments of H. pylori NTUH‐C1 strain were determined. Imp/OstA recombinant protein was expressed, purified, and used to generate anti‐Imp/OstA polyclonal antibody. Imp/ostA knockout, deletion, and complementation strains were constructed. The function of Imp/OstA was monitored by organic solvent tolerance assay, antibiotics susceptibility test, and n‐phenylnapthylamine assay.Results:  Using Imp/ostA polyclonal antibody against cell lysate of wild‐type and imp/ostA mutant showed that it is not essential in H. pylori. Organic solvent tolerance assay demonstrated the role of Imp/ostA in n‐hexane tolerance. MIC test showed that the mutation of imp/ostA was susceptible to hydrophobic and β‐lactam antibiotics. NPN assay demonstrated that the level of outer membrane permeability was increased by 50% in mutant strain comparing to wild‐type strain (p < .001).Conclusions:  We have identified an Imp/OstA protein that was associated with glutaraldehyde resistance in our clinical strain H. pylori NTUH‐C1 by screening of λ‐Zap expression library. Disruption of this protein results in altering membrane permeability, sensitivity to organic solvent, and susceptibility to antibiotics.