bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maternal smoking, social class and outcomes of pregnancy
Authors: Villalbí Joan R. , Salvador Joaquin , Cano‐Serral Gemma , Rodríguez‐Sanz Maica C. , Borrell Carme 
Published: August 2007

SummaryExposure to tobacco during pregnancy is an important risk factor for infant health. Recently the prevalence of smoking during pregnancy has declined in our area. The objective of this study was to analyse the association between several social variables and the fetal exposure to smoking, as well as the association between maternal smoking and some adverse gestational outcomes. Data collection was cross‐sectional. The study population were women in the city of Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain) delivering a child without birth defects. The sample corresponded to the controls of the Birth Defects Registry of Barcelona, 2% of all pregnancy deliveries in the city from 1994 to 2003 (n = 2297). Information sources were hospital records and a personal interview of mothers. The analysis measured first the association between independent variables (instruction level, social class, occupation, nationality, planned pregnancy, parity, hospital funding and smoking status of the mother's partner) with two dependent variables: smoking at the initiation of pregnancy and quitting during pregnancy. Second, the persistence of smoking over pregnancy and all independent variables were studied with three variables indicating adverse outcomes of pregnancy: low gestation, low birthweight and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Finally, the joint association between the persistence of smoking over pregnancy and social class taken as independent variables was determined with the three variables indicating adverse outcomes of pregnancy. Logistic regression models were fitted, adjusting for maternal age. Results are presented as odds ratios with their 95% confidence intervals.The prevalence of smoking at the onset of gestation was 41%, and 40% of these women quit during pregnancy, so that 25% delivered as active smokers. Fewer women with higher educational levels and from families with non‐manual jobs smoked, as did immigrants, those planning pregnancy and women whose partner did not smoke. Smoking immigrants quit more frequently than nationals, as did those planning pregnancy, primiparae, and women whose partner did not smoke. Low gestation, low birthweight and IUGR were more frequent among smokers and women with a manual occupation, but manual occupation lost its significance when adjusting for smoking. The association between smoking and adverse results was higher for IUGR. In conclusion, the prevalence of smoking and quitting during pregnancy varied according to social factors. The influence of social factors on the outcome of pregnancy was mediated strongly by smoking in a country that provides access to health care free of cost. A priority in reducing inequalities in health is to help women from manual work backgrounds quit smoking.
Risk factors for failure to thrive in infancy depend on the anthropometric definitions used: The Copenhagen County Child Cohort
Authors: Olsen Else M. , Skovgaard Anne M. , Weile Birgitte , Jørgensen Torben 
Published: August 2007

SummaryFailure to thrive (FTT) is the term widely used to describe poor weight gain in infancy, a condition associated with cognitive deficiency in later childhood. FTT has been investigated in earlier population studies, but little is known about risk factors for FTT or the sequence of events as this requires data to be collected prospectively within the first year of life. Furthermore, several different anthropometric criteria have been used to define FTT, and it is not known whether children identified by the different criteria are comparable. In the present population study we compared risk factors for FTT in a general infant population using different definitions of FTT. Three different criteria of FTT mirroring those used in previous population studies were applied to a birth cohort of 6090 infants. Sociodemographic data and prospectively collected information concerning physical and mental development of the children were obtained from National registries and standardised public health nurse records. Risk factors preceding each of the three ‘types’ of FTT were compared.The three criteria for FTT identified children with very different profiles and a prevalence of FTT ranging from around 2% to 21% in this affluent population. The criterion of slow weight gain conditional on birthweight (conditional weight gain) was associated with lower birthweight, small‐for‐gestational‐age and deviant overall development. Adding low body mass index did not change this profile. In contrast, the commonly used criterion of downward crossing of centiles on an ordinary weight‐for‐age chart was associated with factors normally linked with low risk of adverse physical and mental development.Slow conditional weight gain, irrespective of additional thinness, seemed to identify infants with prenatal growth retardation and early developmental delays. In contrast, simple downward crossing of centiles seemed mainly to identify healthy low‐risk infants, and thus, seems a poor screening measure of FTT in this affluent infant population. Thus, conditional weight gain appears to be the most sensible measure of FTT at present. However, only longitudinal studies including different anthropometric measures and different outcomes can unravel the discriminating power of the different FTT definitions concerning long‐term prognosis.
Ectopic expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase inVicia narbonensisseeds: effects of improved nutrient status on seed maturation and transcriptional regulatory networks
Authors: Radchuk Ruslana , Radchuk Volodymyr , Götz Klaus‐Peter , Weichert Heiko , Richter Andreas , Emery R.J. Neil , Weschke Winfriede , Weber Hans 
Published: August 2007

SummarySeed maturation responds to endogenous and exogenous signals like nutrient status, energy and hormones. We recently showed that phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) overexpression inVicia narbonensisseeds alters seed metabolism and channels carbon into organic acids, resulting in greater seed storage capacity and increased protein content. Thus, these lines represent models with altered sink strength and improved nutrient status. Here we analyse seed developmental and metabolic parameters, and C/N partitioning in these seeds. Transgenic embryos take up more carbon and nitrogen. Changes in dry to FW ratio, seed fill duration and major seed components indicate altered seed development. Array‐based gene expression analysis of embryos reveals upregulation of seed metabolism, especially during the transition phase and at late maturation, in terms of protein storage and processing, amino acid metabolism, primary metabolism and transport, energy and mitochondrial activity, transcriptional and translational activity, stress tolerance, photosynthesis, cell proliferation and elongation, signalling and hormone action and regulated protein degradation. Stimulated cell elongation is in accordance with upregulated signalling pathways related to gibberellic acid/brassinosteroids. We discuss that activated organic and amino acid production leads to a wide‐range activation of nitrogen metabolism, including the machinery of storage protein synthesis, amino acid synthesis, protein processing and deposition, translational activity and the methylation cycle. We suggest that α‐ketoglutarate (α‐KG) and/or oxalacetate provide signals for coordinate upregulation of amino acid biosynthesis. Activation of stress tolerance genes indicates partial overlap between nutrient, stress and abscisic acid (ABA) signals, indicating a common interacting or regulatory mechanism between nutrients, stress and ABA. In conclusion, analysis of PEPC overexpressing seeds identified pathways responsive to metabolic and nutrient control on the transcriptional level and its underlying signalling mechanisms.
Involvement of cathepsin B in the plant disease resistance hypersensitive response
Authors: Gilroy Eleanor M. , Hein Ingo , Van Der Hoorn Renier , Boevink Petra C. , Venter Eduard , McLellan Hazel , Kaffarnik Florian , Hrubikova Katarina , Shaw Jane , Holeva Maria , López Eduardo C. , Borras‐Hidalgo Orlando , Pritchard Leighton , Loake Gary J. , Lacomme Christophe , Birch Paul R. J. 
Published: August 2007

SummaryA diverse range of plant proteases are implicated in pathogen perception and in subsequent signalling and execution of disease resistance. We demonstrate, using protease inhibitors and virus‐induced gene silencing (VIGS), that the plant papain cysteine protease cathepsin B is required for the disease resistance hypersensitive response (HR). VIGS of cathepsin B prevented programmed cell death (PCD) and compromised disease resistance induced by two distinct non‐host bacterial pathogens. It also suppressed the HR triggered by transient co‐expression of potato R3a and Phytophthora infestans Avr3a genes. However, VIGS of cathepsin B did not compromise HR following recognition of Cladosporium fulvum AVR4 by tomato Cf‐4, indicating that plant PCD can be independent of cathepsin B. The non‐host HR to Erwinia amylovora was accompanied by a transient increase in cathepsin B transcript level and enzymatic activity and induction of the HR marker gene Hsr203. VIGS of cathepsin B significantly reduced the induction of Hsr203 following E. amylovora challenge, further demonstrating a role for this protease in PCD. Whereas cathepsin B is often relocalized from the lysosome to the cytosol during animal PCD, plant cathepsin B is secreted into the apoplast, and is activated upon secretion in the absence of pathogen challenge.
CMV‐hyperimmune globulin for preventing cytomegalovirus infection and disease in solid organ transplant recipients: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Bonaros Nikolaos , Mayer Bernd , Schachner Thomas , Laufer Günther , Kocher Alfred 
Published: August 2007

Abstract. Objective: The goal of this meta‐analysis was to investigate the impact of cytomegalovirus hyperimmune globulin (CMVIG) on cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, CMV disease, and mid‐term survival in solid organ transplant recipients.Methods: Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane databases were searched since their inceptions until 2006. Inclusion criteria comprised: prospective randomized trials, in solid organ transplantation which received CMV prophylaxis including CMVIG on one of the treatment arms. Random effects models were used to calculate pooled risk ratios (RR) and meta‐regression was employed to explain study heterogeneity. Stratified analyses were conducted and Funnel plot was used to assess publication bias.Results: Literature searches identified 11 randomized trials (698 patients; median follow‐up: 12 months, range: 3–22 months) including six randomized trials (302 patients) after kidney transplantation. The analysis demonstrated a beneficial effect of the prophylactic use of CMVIG on total survival [RR (95% confidence interval; CI): 0.67 (0.47–0.95)] and prevention of CMV‐associated death [RR (95% CI): 0.45 (0.24–0.84)] in solid organ transplant recipients but not kidney transplant recipients [RR (95% CI): 0.35 (0.12–1.04)]. CMV disease was significantly reduced in all recipients receiving prophylactic CMVIG [RR (95% CI): 0.697 (0.57–0.85)]. CMVIG had no impact on CMV‐infections and clinically relevant rejections.Conclusions: Prophylactic administration of CMVIG after solid organ transplantation is associated with improved total survival, reduced CMV disease, and CMV‐associated deaths.
A Modified Procedure for Isolating Double‐stranded RNA: Application to Diagnosis of Amasya Cherry Disease
Authors: Açikgöz S. , Döken M. T. , Değirmenci N. F. , Coutts R. H. A. , Kozlakidis Z. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractA novel method of isolating double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) from cherry leaves affected with Amasya cherry disease (ACD) using silica capture in combination with non‐ionic cellulose was developed. Unfractionated RNAs prepared using the new procedure and used to isolate dsRNA was cleaner in terms of contamination with proteins and phenolics when compared with preparations isolated with a phenol/chloroform method. The generated dsRNA was successfully utilized in a reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction method developed to detect a diagnostic, mycovirus dsRNA element always associated with ACD.
A Rapid and Reliable Method for Monitoring the Sensitivity of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum to Boscalid
Authors: Stammler G. , Benzinger G. , Speakman J. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractBoscalid is a new fungicidal compound registered against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in different crops in several European countries. For a sustainable use of this compound, the sensitivity of the target pathogen has to be observed. A mycelial growth test in tissue culture plates with liquid YBA medium was developed for a rapid and reliable sensitivity determination. Isolates never exposed to boscalid and field isolates from oilseed rape and beans, which had been isolated after boscalid market introduction and mainly from fields with boscalid treatments, were monitored for their sensitivity. All isolates were totally inhibited within 1.0 mg active ingredient/l. The frequency distribution of the ED50 values was similar both for those isolates which had never been exposed to boscalid and for those isolates collected in 2006.
Trends in incidence of treated end‐stage renal disease, overall and by primary renal disease, in persons aged 20–64 years in Europe, Canada and the Asia‐Pacific region, 1998–2002
Authors: STEWART JOHN H , MCCREDIE MARGARET RE , WILLIAMS SHEILA M , JAGER KITTY J , TRPESKI LILYANNA , MCDONALD STEPHEN P ,   FOR THE ESRD INCIDENCE STUDY GROUP
Published: August 2007

SUMMARY:Aims:  To determine if rates of diabetic and non‐diabetic end‐stage renal disease (ESRD), which had been rising in young and middle‐aged adults in all populations up to the mid‐1990s, had started to decline, and if so, whether improvement had occurred in respect of each of the principal primary renal diseases causing ESRD.Methods:  Poisson regression of age‐ and sex‐standardized incidence of ESRD for persons aged 20–64 years in 18 populations from Europe, Canada and the Asia‐Pacific region, for 1998–2002.Results:  In persons from 12 European descent (Europid) populations combined, there was a small downward trend in all‐cause ESRD (−1.7% per year, P = 0.001), with type 1 diabetic ESRD falling by 7.8% per year (P < 0.001), glomerulonephritic ESRD by 3.1% per year (P = 0.001), and ‘all other non‐diabetic’ ESRD by 2.5% per year (P = 0.02). The reductions in ESRD attributed to hypertensive (−2.2% per year) and polycystic renal disease (−1.5% per year) and unknown diagnosis (−0.2% per year) were not statistically significant. On the other hand, the incidence of type 2 diabetic ESRD rose by 9.9% per year (P < 0.001) in the combined Europid population, although that of (principally type 2) diabetic ESRD remained unchanged in the pooled data from the four non‐Europid populations.Conclusion:  Recent preventive strategies, probably chiefly modern renoprotective treatment, appear to have been effective for tertiary prevention of ESRD caused by the proteinuric nephropathies other than type 2 diabetic nephropathy, for which the continuing increase in Europid populations represents a failure of prevention and/or a change in the nephropathic potential of type 2 diabetes.
Exchange Rates and the Conversion of Currency‐Specific Risk Premia
Authors: Eisenberg Astrid , Rudolf Markus 
Published: August 2007

Abstract How do the risk factors that drive asset prices influence exchange rates? Are the parameters of asset price processes relevant for specifying exchange rate processes? Most international asset pricing models focus on the analysis of asset returns given exchange rate processes. Little work has been done on the analysis of exchange rates dependent on asset returns. This paper uses an international stochastic discount factor (SDF) framework to analyse the interplay between asset prices and exchange rates. So far, this approach has only been implemented in international term structure models. We find that exchange rates serve to convert currency‐specific discount factors and currency‐specific prices of risk – a result linked to the international arbitrage pricing theory (IAPT). Our empirical investigation of exchange rates and stock markets of four countries presents evidence for the conversion of currency‐specific risk premia by exchange rates.
UK Evidence on the Characteristics versus Covariance Debate
Authors: Lee Edward , Liu Weimin , Strong Norman 
Published: August 2007

Abstract We evaluate the Fama–French three‐factor model in the UK using the approach of Daniel and Titman (1997) to determine whether characteristics or covariance risk better explains the size and value premiums. Across all three factors, we find that return premiums bear little relationship to the corresponding loadings. We show that small and value stocks earn higher returns irrespective of their return covariance. Our study contributes to the existing literature by reporting original findings on the Fama–French three‐factor model in the UK and by reporting results that complement existing evidence from similar studies in the USA and Japan.
The Post‐Cost Profitability of Momentum Trading Strategies: Further Evidence from the UK
Authors: Agyei‐Ampomah Sam 
Published: August 2007

Abstract This paper examines the post‐cost profitability of momentum trading strategies in the UK over the period 1988–2003 and provides direct evidence on stock concentration, turnover and trading cost associated with the strategy. We find that after factoring out transaction costs the profitability of the momentum strategy disappears for shorter horizons but remains for longer horizons. Indeed, for ranking and holding periods up to 6‐months, profitable momentum returns would not be available to most average investors as the cost of implementation outweighs the possible returns. However, we find post‐cost profitability for ranking and/or holding periods beyond 6 months as portfolio turnover and its associated cost reduces. We find similar results for a sub‐sample of relatively large and liquid stocks.
Japan's Deflation: A Time‐Inconsistent Policy in Need of an Inflation Target*
Authors: Cargill Thomas F. , Guerrero Federico 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe Japanese economy experienced a ten‐year period of deflation between 1995 and 2005, an experience that has been unprecedented among industrial economies since the Great Depression of the 1930s. This paper offers an equilibrium explanation of deflationary policy rooted in the time‐inconsistency literature, and shows that central bank policy may be susceptible to a deflation bias under a set of conditions resembling those actually faced by the Bank of Japan. The paper offers general lessons about central bank policy and provides further support for the adoption of an inflation‐targeting framework.
Migration Control in Europe After 9/11: Explaining the Absence of Securitization*
Authors: BOSWELL CHRISTINA 
Published: August 2007

AbstractRejecting the predominant view that 9/11 encouraged a ‘securitization’ of migration control, this article argues that political discourse and practice in Europe have remained surprisingly unaffected by the terrorism threat. This finding challenges the critical securities literature, implying the need for a more differentiated theory of the political system and organizational interests.
Real Constitution, Formal Constitution and Democracy in the European Union
Authors: ERK JAN 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe European integration experiment might besui generisin many ways, but this does not mean that one could not import theoretical insights from other fields of study that seek to understand the workings of political unions where unity and diversity coexist. In particular, the literatures on comparative federalism, political theory and constitutional politics can help set the study of the European Union in a broader context. One point that emerges from this theoretical cross‐fertilization is the absence of a shared language space that could function as the forum for European democratic deliberation. As a result, democracy in Europe by default functions through the underlying real constitution of nationaldemoiinstead of a pan‐Europeandemos. Similar experiences in multination federations suggest that in such cases formal constitutions will inevitably come to reflect the deep differences between the constituent units. In this context, some degree of constitutional ambiguity might be not only unavoidable but also desirable.
Blocking Minorities: Networks and Meaning in the Opposition Against the Proposal for a Directive on Temporary Work in the Council of Ministers of the European Union*
Authors: NEDERGAARD PETER 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThis article contains a case study of the behaviour of a blocking minority in the Council of Ministers. The article demonstrates that the behaviour of the Member States cannot be explained directly in this case by domestic circumstances and interests, as is often done, for example, in the liberal intergovernmentalist literature. Instead, the alternative explanations offered in this article are tight networks and their ability to create meaning in being part of the blocking minority through an attractive storyline. If generalized, this means that the influence of storylines created by discourse‐coalitions must be upgraded as explanations of the behaviour in the Council of Ministers and that Member States providing the network with hegemony can critically strengthen an issue network. These factors have previously been overlooked in the literature on the Council of Ministers.
Regeneration of the central nervous system using endogenous repair mechanisms
Authors: Okano Hideyuki , Sakaguchi Masanori , Ohki Koichi , Suzuki Norihiro , Sawamoto Kazunobu 
Published: August 2007

AbstractRecent advances in developmental and stem cell biology have made regeneration‐based therapies feasible as therapeutic strategies for patients with damaged central nervous systems (CNSs), including those with spinal cord injuries, Parkinson disease, or stroke. These strategies can be classified into two approaches: (i) the replenishment of lost neural cells and (ii) the induction of axonal regeneration. The first approach includes the activation of endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) in the adult CNS and cell transplantation therapy. Endogenous NSCs have been shown to give rise to new neurons after insults, including ischemia, have been sustained; this form of neurogenesis followed by the migration and functional maturation of neuronal cells, as well as the responses of glial cells and the vascular system play crucial roles in endogenous repair mechanisms in damaged CNS tissue. In this review, we will summarize the recent advances in regeneration‐based therapeutic approaches using endogenous NSCs, including the results of our own collaborative groups.