bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Institutional differences in EU countries and their relationship with earnings management differences
Authors: Reverte Carmelo 
Published: May 2008

PurposeThe paper seeks to highlight the differences among EU countries in a series of institutional factors (e.g. enforcement, securities regulation, investor protection and ownership concentration) in order to test whether these differences are associated with the European variability in earnings management practices and, as a result, in the quality of financial information.Design/methodology/approachThe approach is to use cluster analysis and regression analysis.FindingsThe results of the study confirm the main hypothesis in that earnings management practices are significantly lower in those EU countries with an institutional framework more favourable to a high quality of financial reporting (i.e. in those countries with a higher level of enforcement of the rules, stricter securities regulation, lower ownership concentration and a higher degree of investor protection).Research limitations/implicationsThe study presents the limitations typical from cross‐country studies. Moreover, the results should be interpreted cautiously as earnings management is difficult to measure. Future research should explore further the theoretical relations among institutional factors and earnings management practices by taking into consideration potential endogeneity issues.Practical implicationsThe results of the study suggest that a single EU financial market should be based not only on a harmonization of financial reporting standards (such as the International Reporting Financing Standards issued by the International Accounting Standards Board) but also on a harmonization of enforcement rules, investor protection mechanisms, and securities regulation.Originality/valueThe main contribution is to justify from an empirical point of view the necessity of the recent EU convergence regulatory initiatives in the areas of shareholder protection, enforcement and securities regulation to facilitate the construction of the pan‐European stock market.
Removal of distal protein–water hydrogen bonds in a plant epoxide hydrolase increases catalytic turnover but decreases thermostability
Authors: Thomaeus Ann , Naworyta Agata , Mowbray Sherry L. , Widersten Mikael 
Published: May 2008

AbstractA putative proton wire in potato soluble epoxide hydrolase 1, StEH1, was identified and investigated by means of site‐directed mutagenesis, steady‐state kinetic measurements, temperature inactivation studies, and X‐ray crystallography. The chain of hydrogen bonds includes five water molecules coordinated through backbone carbonyl oxygens of Pro186, Leu266, His269, and the His153 imidazole. The hydroxyl of Tyr149 is also an integrated component of the chain, which leads to the hydroxyl of Tyr154. Available data suggest that Tyr154 functions as a final proton donor to the anionic alkylenzyme intermediate formed during catalysis. To investigate the role of the putative proton wire, mutants Y149F, H153F, and Y149F/H153F were constructed and purified. The structure of the Y149F mutant was solved by molecular replacement and refined to 2.0 Å resolution. Comparison with the structure of wild‐type StEH1 revealed only subtle structural differences. The hydroxyl group lost as a result of the mutation was replaced by a water molecule, thus maintaining a functioning hydrogen bond network in the proton wire. All mutants showed decreased catalytic efficiencies with the R,R‐enantiomer of trans‐stilbene oxide, whereas with the S,S‐enantiomer, k cat/K M was similar or slightly increased compared with the wild‐type reactions. k cat for the Y149F mutant with either TSO enantiomer was increased; thus the lowered enzyme efficiencies were due to increases in K M. Thermal inactivation studies revealed that the mutated enzymes were more sensitive to elevated temperatures than the wild‐type enzyme. Hence, structural alterations affecting the hydrogen bond chain caused increases in k cat but lowered thermostability.
Determinants of plasma apolipoprotein A‐V and APOA5 gene transcripts in humans
Authors: Hahne P. , Krempler F. , Schaap F. G. , Soyal S. M. , Höffinger H. , Miller K. , Oberkofler H. , Strobl W. , Patsch W. 
Published: June 2008

Abstract.Objective.  Apolipoprotein A‐V (apoAV) contributes to the regulation of triglyceride metabolism, which plays a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic diseases. We therefore ascertained determinants of hepatic APOA5 transcript and apoAV plasma levels in humans.Design.  We determined influences of anthropometric variables, biochemical factors related to lipid and glucose metabolism, hepatic mRNA levels transcribed from the APOA1/C3/A4/A5 cluster and transcription factor genes implicated in the regulation of APOA5 as well as common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the APOA5 locus on APOA5 expression in 89 obese patients and 22 non‐obese controls.Results.  Mean, age and sex adjusted, hepatic APOA5 mRNA or apoAV plasma levels did not differ by obesity status, homoeostasis model assessment insulin resistance or inflammatory markers. In multivariate regression models, the c56C > G SNP, plasma apoCIII, plasma nonesterified fatty acids, hepatic APOA5 transcripts, sex and a weak association with obesity status explained 61% of the variance in apoAV plasma levels. Hepatic transcript levels of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1A1) and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor alpha (PPARA), plasma nonesterified fatty acids and the c56C > G SNP explained 48% of the variance in hepatic APOA5 transcript levels.Conclusion.  Apolipoprotein A‐V plasma levels are independently associated with plasma free fatty acid and hepatic APOA5 mRNA levels. Associations of APOA5 transcripts with PPARA and CPT1A1 transcripts suggest that APOA5 expression is intimately linked to hepatic lipid metabolism.
Maternal vitamin D deficiency, ethnicity and gestational diabetes
Authors: Clifton‐Bligh R. J. , McElduff P. , McElduff A. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractAims  Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to impaired glucose metabolism. We determined whether serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) is associated with glucose metabolism in pregnant women and the effect of ethnicity on this relationship.Methods  We analysed serum 25OHD concentrations in 307 pregnant women attending a metropolitan obstetric clinic between October 2003 and May 2005. Measurements from 264 of the women were taken at the time of glucose tolerance testing at mid‐gestation, a population therefore at increased risk for gestational diabetes. Pearson correlation analysis was used to test for univariate linear relationships between the natural log of serum 25OHD (ln‐25OHD) and other variables. Multiple regression analysis was used to adjust for confounding factors.Results  Mean serum 25OHD concentration was 53.8 ± 23.9 nmol/l (sd). Ln‐25OHD was negatively correlated with serum parathyroid hormone as expected (r −0.24, confidence intervals −0.35 to −0.12). Ln‐25OHD was also negatively correlated with fasting plasma glucose (r−0.20, −0.31 to −0.08), fasting insulin (r −0.20, −0.31 to −0.08) and insulin resistance as calculated by homeostatis model assessment (r −0.21, −0.32 to −0.09). The association between fasting glucose and log‐transformed 25OHD concentration was of borderline significance after accounting for ethnicity, age and body mass index in multivariate analyses (−0.13, −0.26 to 0.01). The odds ratio of gestational diabetes in women with 25OHD < 50 nmol/l did not reach statistical significance (1.92, 95% confidence interval 0.89–4.17).Conclusions  Maternal 25OHD concentrations are inversely related to fasting glucose, although further studies are required to establish whether this is independent of the effects of ethnic background.
The Pro12Ala polymorphism of the PPARG gene is not associated with the metabolic syndrome in an urban population of middle‐aged Swedish individuals
Authors: Montagnana M. , Fava C. , Nilsson P. M. , Engström G. , Hedblad B. , Lippi G. , Minuz P. , Berglund G. , Melander O. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractBackground  To determine if the common Pro12Ala polymorphism (rs1801282) of the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPARG) gene is associated with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) or with its individual components in middle‐aged Swedish individuals.Methods  MetS was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program/Adult Panel III (NCEP/ATP III), the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the European Group for the Study of Insulin Resistance (EGIR) criteria in a population‐based sample of nearly 5000 subjects participating in the Malmö Diet and Cancer‐cardiovascular arm.Results  Of the subjects included in the analysis, 21.8, 29.4 and 20.4% had MetS according to the NCEP/ATP III, IDF and EGIR (only in subjects without diabetes) definitions, respectively. The Pro12Ala was not associated with MetS or with its individual components. These results were similar when patients with diabetes were excluded. Hypertensive and obese ala‐carriers had lower fasting glucose and hypertensive ala‐carriers also had lower level triglycerides (P < 0.05).Conclusions  Our data do not support a major role for the Pro12Ala variant of the PPARG gene in MetS and its individual components. The modest difference in triglyceride and glucose levels, restricted to hypertensive and obese subjects in our cohort, suggests that the polymorphism has a minor effect on glucose and lipid metabolism, particularly in individuals at risk for gluco‐metabolic disturbances.
Educational interventions for migrant South Asians with Type 2 diabetes: a systematic review
Authors: Khunti K. , Camosso‐Stefinovic J. , Carey M. , Davies M. J. , Stone M. A. 
Published: June 2008

AbstractAims  To conduct a systematic review to determine the scope of published assessments of educational initiatives for South Asians with Type 2 diabetes living in Western countries and to consider the effectiveness of reported interventions.Methods  A range of electronic databases was searched using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and free text terms; papers published up to the end of 2007 were considered. Two researchers independently reviewed titles and abstracts and the full text of selected citations. Reference list review and consultation with experts in the field were used to check for completeness of the final sample of studies prior to data extraction.Results  Only nine studies, including five randomized controlled trials with a combined total of 1004 cases, met our inclusion criteria. The quality of reporting in some studies was limited, e.g. omission of detailed information about ethnicity. Selected studies included a range of group and one‐to‐one interventions with varied knowledge, psychological and biomedical outcome measures. The effectiveness of the interventions was also variable, and the low number and heterogeneity of the studies made identification of factors linked to effectiveness difficult and meta‐analysis inappropriate. However, it appeared that improvements in knowledge levels may be easier to achieve than positive biomedical outcomes, and the need for tailored approaches was suggested.Conclusions  Our findings confirm the difficulty of designing, assessing and achieving an impact through educational interventions for migrant South Asians with Type 2 diabetes and emphasize the need for good‐quality studies in these high‐risk populations.
DEMAND THRESHOLD, ZERO EXPENDITURE AND HIERARCHICAL MODEL OF CONSUMER DEMAND
Authors: Chattopadhyay Nachiketa , Majumder Amita , Coondoo Dipankor 
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACTConsumer expenditure surveys often show households reporting zero consumption of some commodities. Three reasons for this are recognized in the literature: (i) infrequency of purchase, (ii) a strong brand preference for differentiated products and (iii) misreporting. However, sometimes the number of households reporting zero consumption is seen to decline with income. To capture this phenomenon, which does not fall into any of the categories mentioned above, we propose a hierarchical preference structure and identify a class of recursive utility functions representing this structure. An empirical illustration based on Indian consumer expenditure data is provided.
Long‐term trends for socio‐economic differences in prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome: diffusion of services or persistence of disparities?
Authors: Khoshnood B , De Vigan C , Blondel B , Vodovar V , Cadio E , Goffinet F 
Published: June 2008

Objective  To assess long‐term trends in disparities for prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome in relation to policy changes.Design  Population‐based observational study.Setting  Paris.Population  Residents of Paris who gave birth or had a termination of pregnancy in Paris during 1983–2003 (approximately 23 000 births per year).Methods  Using population‐based data from the Paris Registry of Congenital Malformations on 1934 cases of Down syndrome, we assessed differences in prenatal diagnosis proportions by maternal profession and geographical origin for the years 1983–2003. Analyses included locally weighted scatter plot smoother curves and binomial regression.Main outcome measure  Trends in proportion of Down syndrome cases diagnosed prior to birth for different maternal occupation groups and women of different geographical origins.Results  The proportion of prenatally diagnosed cases increased substantially, reaching to about 85–90% of cases in 2003 for most socio‐economic groups. This increase was accompanied by a significant decrease in disparities in prenatal diagnosis. Nonetheless, the proportion of prenatally diagnosed cases remained 12% lower for women without a profession compared with those in the highest occupational category (maternal age‐adjusted risk difference −12.0%, 95% CI −17.1 to −6.9).Conclusions  Together with the implementation of policies aimed at providing access to prenatal screening for all women, socio‐economic differences in prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome decreased over time. These trends need to be monitored, particularly in light of technical advances and alternative strategies for prenatal testing. However, while monitoring the proportion of cases with prenatal diagnosis is important, the ideal evaluation of prenatal testing programmes should also include measures of informed choice.
Behavioral sensitization to Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol and cross‐sensitization with morphine: differential changes in accumbal shell and core dopamine transmission
Authors: Cadoni Cristina , Valentini Valentina , Di Chiara Gaetano 
Published: May 2008

AbstractAlthough cannabinoid‐induced behavioral sensitization and cross‐sensitization with opiates has been recently demonstrated, no information is available on the associated state and responsiveness of dopamine (DA) transmission in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell and core. In this study we investigate by means of dual probe microdialysis, the effect of exposure to a sensitizing regimen of Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9‐THC) and morphine on the extracellular concentrations of DA under basal conditions and after challenge with Δ9‐THC and morphine in the NAc shell and core. Different groups of male Sprague–Dawley rats were administered twice daily for 3 days with increasing doses of Δ9‐THC (2, 4, and 8 mg/kg i.p.), morphine (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg s.c.), and vehicle. After 14–20 days from the last injection, the animals were implanted with two microdialysis probes, one aimed at the NAc shell and the other at the core. The following day animals pre‐treated with Δ9‐THC and vehicle controls were challenged with 150 μg/kg i.v. of Δ9‐THC or 0.5 mg/kg i.v. of morphine. Animals pre‐treated with morphine and their vehicle controls were administered with 150 μg/kg i.v. of Δ9‐THC. Rats pre‐exposed to Δ9‐THC showed behavioral sensitization associated with a reduced stimulation of DA transmission in the NAc shell and an increased stimulation in the NAc core in response to Δ9‐THC challenge. Pre‐exposure to Δ9‐THC induced behavioral sensitization to morphine also, but only a reduced stimulation of DA transmission in the NAc shell was observed. Animals pre‐treated with morphine showed behavioral sensitization and differential changes of DA in the NAc shell and core in response to Δ9‐THC challenge with a decreased response in the shell and an increased response in the core. The results show that Δ9‐THC‐induced behavioral sensitization is associated with changes in the responsiveness of DA transmission in the NAc subdivisions that are similar to those observed in the sensitization induced by other drugs of abuse.
Huperzine A exhibits anti‐inflammatory and neuroprotective effects in a rat model of transient focal cerebral ischemia
Authors: Wang Zhi‐Fei , Wang Juan , Zhang Hai‐Yan , Tang Xi‐Can 
Published: May 2008

AbstractHuperzine A, a reversible and selective acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor, has been reported to display neuroprotective properties. The present study investigated the protective effects of huperzine A in a rat model of transient focal cerebral ischemia created by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Huperzine A (0.1 mg/kg), administrated intraperitoneally at the onset of occlusion and 6 h later, markedly restored regional cerebral blood flow, reduced infarct size, and decreased neurological deficit score at 24 h after reperfusion. Along with inhibiting AChE activity, huperzine A inhibited nuclear translocation of transcription factor nuclear factor‐kappa B, decreased overexpression of proinflammatory factors in both ipsilateral cortex and striatum, and suppressed activation of glial cells in the ischemic penumbra. Neurological deficit and glial cells activation were also reduced by daily administration of huperzine A for 14 days. Mecamylamine, a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) antagonist, totally abolished the inhibitory effects of huperzine A on ischemia‐induced glial cells activation. Meanwhile, mecamylamine partially reversed the infarct size‐reducing effects of huperzine A. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that huperzine A exhibits neuroprotective effects against transient focal cerebral ischemia‐induced brain injury and suggest that the protection mechanism may involve a cholinergic anti‐inflammatory pathway, in which nAChR plays an essential role.
NELL2 participates in formation of the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the pre‐optic area in rats
Authors: Jeong Jin Kwon , Ryu Byung Jun , Choi Jungil , Kim Dong Hee , Choi Eun Jung , Park Jeong Woo , Park Joong Jean , Lee Byung Ju 
Published: May 2008

AbstractFormation of the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the pre‐optic area (SDN‐POA) in the rat hypothalamus shows a sexually differential development of neurons. Volume of the SDN‐POA in males is much bigger than that in females which is because of a neuroprotective effect of estradiol converted from circulating testosterone during a critical period of brain development. We found that neural epidermal growth factor‐like like‐2 (NELL2), a neural tissue‐enriched protein, is a potential downstream target of estrogen. In this study, we examined a possible role of NELL2 in the development of the SDN‐POA and in the normalcy of sexual behavior in the male rats. NELL2 was expressed and co‐localized with estrogen receptor alpha in the SDN‐POA. A blockade of NELL2 synthesis in the brain during postnatal day 0 (d0) to d4 by an intracerebroventricular injection of an antisense NELL2 oligodeoxynucleotide, resulted in a decrease in volume of the SDN‐POA in males. Interestingly, it reduced some components of the male sexual behavior such as mounting and intromission, but not the sexual partner preference in adulthood. In vitro study using the hippocampal neuroprecursor HiB5 cells showed that NELL2 has a protective effect from a cell death condition. These data suggest that a relevant expression of NELL2 in the neonatal brain is important for the estrogen‐induced normal development of the SDN‐POA and the normalcy of sexual behavior in male rats.
Altered aminergic neurotransmission in the brain of organic cation transporter 3‐deficient mice
Authors: Vialou Vincent , Balasse Laure , Callebert Jacques , Launay Jean‐Marie , Giros Bruno , Gautron Sophie 
Published: May 2008

AbstractOrganic cation transporters (OCTs) are carrier‐type polyspecific permeases known to participate in low‐affinity extraneuronal catecholamine uptake in peripheral tissues. OCT3 is the OCT subtype most represented in the brain, yet its implication in central aminergic neurotransmission in vivo had not been directly demonstrated. In a detailed immunohistochemistry study, we show that OCT3 is expressed in aminergic pathways in the mouse brain, particularly in dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra compacta, non‐aminergic neurons of the ventral tegmental area, substantia nigra reticulata (SNr), locus coeruleus, hippocampus and cortex. Although OCT3 was found mainly in neurons, it was also occasionally detected in astrocytes in the SNr, hippocampus and several hypothalamic nuclei. In agreement with this distribution, OCT3/Slc22a3‐deficient mice show evidence of altered monoamine neurotransmission in the brain, with decreased intracellular content and increased turnover of aminergic transmitters. The behavioral characterization of these mutants reveal subtle behavioral alterations such as increased sensitivity to psychostimulants and increased levels of anxiety and stress. Altogether our data support a role of OCT3 in the homeostastic regulation of aminergic neurotransmission in the brain.
Expression of E‐FABP in PC12 cells increases neurite extension during differentiation: involvement of n‐3 and n‐6 fatty acids
Authors: Liu Jo‐Wen , Almaguel Frankis G. , Bu Liming , De Leon Daisy D. , De Leon Marino 
Published: May 2008

AbstractEpidermal fatty acid‐binding protein (E‐FABP), a member of the family of FABPs, exhibits a robust expression in neurons during axonal growth in development and in nerve regeneration following nerve injury. This study examines the impact of E‐FABP expression in normal neurite extension in differentiating pheochromocytoma cell (PC12) cultures supplemented with selected long chain free fatty acids (LCFFA). We found that E‐FABP binds to a broad range of saturated and unsaturated LCFFAs, including those with potential interest for neuronal differentiation and axonal growth such as C22:6n‐3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), C20:5n‐3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and C20:4n‐6 arachidonic acid (ARA). PC12 cells exposed to nerve growth factor (NGFDPC12) exhibit high E‐FABP expression that is blocked by mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor U0126. Nerve growth factor‐differentiated pheochromocytoma cells (NGFDPC12) antisense clones (NGFDPC12‐AS) which exhibit low E‐FABP expression have fewer/shorter neurites than cells transfected with vector only or NGFDPC12 sense cells (NGFDPC12‐S). Replenishing NGFDPC12‐AS cells with biotinylated recombinant E‐FABP (biotin‐E‐FABP) protein restores normal neurite outgrowth. Cellular localization of biotin‐E‐FABP in NGFDPC12 was detected mostly in the cytoplasm and in the nuclear region. Treatment of NGFDPC12 with DHA, EPA, or ARA further enhances neurite length but it does not trigger further induction of TrkA or MEK phosphorylation or E‐FABP mRNA observed in differentiating PC12 cells without LCFFA supplementation. Significantly, DHA and EPA neurite stimulating effects are higher in NGFDPC12‐S than in NGFDPC12‐AS cells. These findings are consistent with the scenario that neurite extension of differentiating PC12 cells, including further stimulation by DHA and EPA, requires sufficient cellular levels of E‐FABP.