bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Agronomic performance of anther‐derived doubled haploid and single seed descent lines in crosses between primary and secondary winter triticale
Authors: Thiemt E. M. , Oettler G. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractOctoploid (8x) and hexaploid (6x) primary triticales (xTriticosecale Wittm.) can be used as crossing parents with secondary 6x triticales to enlarge the genetic basis of a breeding programme or introgress traits. Doubled haploid (DH) production permits to develop homozygous lines more rapidly from a segregating generation than other breeding methods such as single seed descent (SSD). Both anther‐derived DH and SSD lines were produced from reciprocal cross‐combinations between 8x and 6x primary and 6x secondary triticales. Field experiments of DH and SSD lines were conducted in three environments as two‐replicate lattices to measure seven agronomic traits. A tendency for higher grain yield, taller plants and a higher 1000‐kernel weight of SSD lines compared with DH lines was found. Significant genetic variation for all traits in both breeding methods was revealed, indicating their suitability to select superior genotypes. Hexaploid and even more so 8x primary triticales can profitably be included as crossing parents in a commercial breeding programme. In such crosses, the primary triticales should be used as the male parents if followed by DH method.
Hepatitis A seroprevalence and demographics in Turkish children in Ankara
Authors: Sac Rukiye U. , Bostancı Ilknur , Dallar Yıldız , Cihan Goksin , Atlı Ozlem 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBackground:  Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is the most common cause of hepatitis in childhood and an important public health problem. The objective of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis A and patient demographics in children between 1 and 15 years old who were admitted to a pediatric outpatient clinic in Ankara, Turkey.Methods:  Hepatitis IgM and G antibodies were determined in the sera of children who attended the outpatient clinic. Informed consent was obtained from all subjects or their parents.Results:  The mean age of the children (n = 335) was 7.9 ± 2.1 years; 47.5% of them were girls. The overall anti‐HAV IgG prevalence in children aged 1–15 years was 47.2%. The positivity of hepatitis A IgM was highest in the 6–10 years age group (22.7%; P < 0.001). HAV IgG was highest in the 11–15 years age group (69.4%; P < 0.001). A total of 95.6% of the children had social insurance, 49.3% were living in poverty. The socioeconomic level of 82.4% of subjects was low. The history of hepatitis in their families was 6.9%.Conclusions:  Hepatitis A is intermediate endemic in Ankara and children must be vaccinated before school age, in addition to health education and improved sanitation.
Differentiation of bacterial and viral community‐acquired pneumonia in children
Authors: Don Massimiliano , Valent Francesca , Korppi Matti , Canciani Mario 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBackground:  Microbe‐specific diagnosis of pediatric community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) and the distinction between typical‐bacterial, atypical‐bacterial and viral cases are difficult. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of four serum non‐specific inflammatory markers and their combinations, supplemented by chest radiological findings, in the screening of bacterial etiology of pediatric CAP.Methods:  Serum procalcitonin (PCT), serum C‐reactive protein (CRP), blood erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and white blood cell (WBC) counts were determined in 101 children with CAP, all confirmed on chest radiograph. Evidence of etiology was achieved in 68 patients (67%) mainly using a serologic test panel including 15 pathogens.Results:  For the combination of CRP > 100 mg/L, WBC count > 15 × 109/L, PCT > 1.0 ng/mL and ESR > 65 mm/h, the likelihood ratio for a positive test result (LR+) was 2.7 in the distinction between pneumococcal and viral CAP and 3.9 between atypical and viral CAP. If there was a higher value in one of these four parameters (CRP > 200 mg/L, WBC count > 22 × 109/L, PCT > 18 ng/mL or ESR > 90 mm/h) LR+ changed to ≥3.4, which means a significant increase from pre‐test to post‐test disease probability. An alveolar radiological infiltration was associated with higher values in non‐specific inflammatory markers when compared with interstitial infiltrates, but there were no significant associations between radiological and etiological findings.Conclusions:  CRP, WBC count, PCT and ESR or their combinations have a limited role in screening between bacterial and viral pediatric CAP. If all or most of these markers are elevated, bacterial etiology is highly probable, but low values do not rule out bacterial etiology.
Whole blood interferon‐γ assay for tuberculosis in children in Japan
Authors: Higuchi Rumiko , Mori Masaaki , Ozawa Remi , Miyamae Takako , Imagawa Tomoyuki , Nishimaki Shigeru , Mitsuda Toshihiro , Aihara Yukoh , Yokota Shumpei 
Published: September 2008

AbstractBackground:  Whole blood interferon‐γ assay QuantiFERON‐TB2G (QFT‐2G), which is a new specific method for diagnosing tuberculosis (TB), has been developed and used in the clinical field. The aim of the present study was to assess the usefulness of QFT‐2G as an indicator, both for diagnosing childhood TB and for assessing therapeutic effectiveness.Methods:  The subjects were 61 children introduced to the TB outpatient department for the first time between June 2004 and March 2006. QFT‐2G, the tuberculin test and chest computed tomography (CT) were performed for all patients.Results:  Ten patients having typical characteristics of primary tuberculosis (PTB) on chest CT, and diagnosed as having tubercle bacillus infections, all had positive reaction on QFT‐2G. Of seven patients who had no abnormalities on diagnostic imaging but who reacted positively on QFT‐2G, one developed TB later, and no TB was detected over the period of observation in 44 patients with negative QFT‐2G at their first consultation. Moreover, four patients with non‐tuberculous acid‐fast bacilli in which Mycobacterium avium or Mycobacterium gordonae was detected had negative reaction on QFT‐2G. In addition, all 10 patients with positive reactions on QFT‐2G in whom the subsequent course of the disease was observed had decrease on QFT after treatment.Conclusions:  QFT‐2G is a powerful tool with a wide application both in diagnosis and in assessment of treatment effectiveness in PTB.
Robust improvements in fasting and prandial measures of β‐cell function with vildagliptin in drug‐naïve patients: analysis of pooled vildagliptin monotherapy database
Authors: Pratley R. E. , Schweizer A. , Rosenstock J. , Foley J. E. , Banerji M. A. , Pi‐Sunyer F. X. , Mills D. , Dejager S. 
Published: September 2008

Aim:  To assess the effects of 24‐week treatment with vildagliptin on measures of β‐cell function in a broad spectrum of drug‐naïve patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).Methods:  Data from all double‐blind, multicentre, randomized, placebo‐ or active‐controlled trials conducted in drug‐naïve patients with T2DM were pooled from all patients receiving monotherapy with vildagliptin (100 mg daily: 50 mg twice daily or 100 mg once daily, n = 1855) or placebo (n = 347). Fasting measures of β‐cell function [homeostasis model assessment of β‐cell function (HOMA‐B) and proinsulin : insulin ratio] were assessed in the overall pooled monotherapy population. Standard meal tests were performed at baseline and week 24 in a subset of patients, and effects of vildagliptin (100 mg daily, n = 227) on dynamic (meal test–derived) measures of β‐cell function [insulin secretion rate relative to glucose (ISR/G) and insulinogenic indices] were assessed relative to baseline and vs. placebo (n = 29).Results:  In the overall population, vildagliptin significantly increased HOMA‐B both relative to baseline [adjusted mean change (AMΔ) = 10.3 ± 1.5] and vs. placebo (between‐treatment difference in AMΔ = 11.5 ± 4.5, p = 0.01) and significantly decreased the proinsulin : insulin ratio relative to baseline (AMΔ = −0.05 ± 0.01) and vs. placebo (between‐treatment difference in AMΔ = −0.09 ± 0.02, p < 0.001). Relative to baseline, vildagliptin monotherapy significantly increased all meal test–derived parameters, and ISR/G (between‐treatment difference in AMΔ = 9.8 ± 2.8 pmol/min/m2/mM, p < 0.001) and the insulinogenic index0–peak glucose (between‐treatment difference in AMΔ = 0.24 ± 0.05 pmol/mmol, p = 0.045) were significantly increased vs. placebo.Conclusions:  Vildagliptin monotherapy consistently produced robust improvements in both fasting and meal test–derived measures of β‐cell function across a broad spectrum of drug‐naïve patients with T2DM.All Phase III trials described (NCT 00099905, NCT 00099866, NCT 00099918, NCT 00101673, NCT 00101803 and NCT 00120536) are registered with ClinicalTrials.gov.
Efficacy and safety of sitagliptin when added to ongoing metformin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes*
Authors: Scott R. , Loeys T. , Davies M. J. , Engel S. S. ,   for the Sitagliptin Study 801 Group
Published: September 2008

Aim:  To assess the addition of sitagliptin to ongoing metformin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes who were inadequately controlled [haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) 7–11%] on metformin monotherapy.Methods:  Patients (n = 273) on metformin (≥1500 mg/day) were randomized to receive the addition of once‐daily placebo, sitagliptin 100 mg or rosiglitazone 8 mg in a 1 : 1 : 1 ratio for 18 weeks. The efficacy analysis was based on the all‐patients‐treated population using an analysis of co‐variance with change in HbA1c from baseline as the primary endpoint.Results:  The mean baseline HbA1c was 7.7% for the entire cohort. After 18 weeks, both active add‐on therapies led to greater improvements in HbA1c from baseline: −0.73% for sitagliptin (p < 0.001 vs. placebo) and −0.79% for rosiglitazone compared with −0.22% for placebo. No difference was observed between the sitagliptin and rosiglitazone treatments (0.06% [95% confidence interval (CI): −0.14 to 0.25]). The proportion of patients achieving an HbA1c < 7% was greater with sitagliptin (55%) and rosiglitazone (63%) compared with placebo (38%). Body weight increased from baseline with rosiglitazone (1.5 kg) compared with body weight reduction with sitagliptin (−0.4 kg) and placebo (−0.8 kg). The difference in body weight between the sitagliptin and rosiglitazone groups was 1.9 kg (95% CI: 1.3–2.5). In a prespecified analysis, the proportion of patients experiencing a greater than 3‐kg increase in body weight was 21% in the rosiglitazone group compared with 2% in both the sitagliptin and placebo groups. Both active treatments were generally well tolerated, with no increased risk of hypoglycaemia or gastrointestinal adverse events compared with placebo.Conclusions:  In this 18‐week study, the addition of sitagliptin was effective and well tolerated in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with metformin monotherapy. Treatment with sitagliptin produced similar reductions in HbA1c compared with the addition of rosiglitazone.
Estimating and validating a firm‐year‐specific measure of conservatism: Australian evidence
Authors: Lai Cheng , Taylor Stephen L. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractWe provide new evidence on the asymmetric timeliness with which economic gains and losses are recognized in Australian financial reporting (i.e. conservatism), as well as some of the factors associated with variation in conservatism. We first derive, and then estimate and subsequently validate, a firm‐year‐specific measure of conservatism (C_Score) in the manner suggested byKhan and Watts (2007). Our results indicate that conservatism is a pervasive feature of the Australian financial reporting environment. Conservatism is positively associated with stock return volatility, investment cycle length and prior period conservatism, and it is negatively associated with firm age, firm size and leverage. The results are an encouraging start for research into the causes and consequences of conservatism in Australian financial reporting.
Knowledge transfer in project reviews: the effect of self‐justification bias and moral hazard
Authors: Cheng Mandy M. , Schulz Axel K‐D , Booth Peter 
Published: September 2008

AbstractIn this study, we examine two factors that impact managers’ willingness to share private information during the project review stage of capital budgeting. Drawing on the cognitive dissonance theory and the agency theory, we find that both high perceived personal responsibility and the use of project reviews for performance evaluation result in a greater tendency for managers to withhold negative private information. However, we do not find an interaction between these two factors. Our study makes a contribution to both the academic literature investigating factors affecting project reviews and the practitioner literature looking at design and implementation of effective project reviews.
Goodwill impairment as a reflection of investment opportunities
Authors: Godfrey Jayne M. , Koh Ping‐Sheng 
Published: September 2008

AbstractWe exploit a unique opportunity to examine whether goodwill impairment write‐offs reflect firms’ investment opportunities during the first years of the US goodwill impairment accounting regime. We find that impairment write‐offs are negatively associated with firms’ underlying investment opportunities. We also find associations between goodwill impairment write‐offs and traditionally applied leverage, firm size and return on assets variables, although the leverage and firm size results are less robust. The results support the International Accounting Standards Board and Financial Accounting Standards Board contention that an impairment test regime can reflect firms’ underlying economic attributes, while simultaneously indicating that managers use discretion to reduce contracting costs.
Accruals quality and corporate cash holdings
Authors: García‐Teruel Pedro J. , Martínez‐Solano Pedro , Sánchez‐Ballesta Juan Pedro 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis Work Uses Panel Data For Firms Listed In The Spanish Stock Exchange Over The Period From 1995 To 2001 To Analyse The Effect Of Accounting Quality On Cash Holdings. The Results Show That Firms With Good Accruals Quality Hold Lower Cash Levels Than Firms With Poor Accruals Quality. This Finding Suggests That The Quality Of Accounting Information May Reduce The Negative Effects Of Information Asymmetries And Adverse Selection Costs, Allowing Firms To Reduce Their Level Of Corporate Cash Holdings. The Results Also Show That Cash Holdings Decrease When Firms Increase Their Use Of Bank Debt And In The Presence Of Cash Substitutes. In Contrast With This, Firms With Higher Cash Flow Hold Higher Levels Of Cash.
Corporate governance and chief executive officer dismissal following poor performance: Australian evidence
Authors: Lau James , Sinnadurai Philip , Wright Sue 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis paper investigates the association between corporate performance and the probability of chief executive officer (CEO) dismissal for large corporations in Australia. Consistent with prior US and UK studies, corporate performance is negatively related to the probability of CEO dismissal, using both accounting and market‐based performance measures. This paper also investigates whether key corporate governance characteristics affect the likelihood of CEO dismissal, by examining their effect on the strength of the negative association between corporate performance and CEO dismissal. The only significant variable is size of the board. Although its effect is opposite to that hypothesized, this paper provides a plausible explanation. Overall, the results are consistent with shareholder wealth considerations dominating board behaviour in Australia.
Black economic empowerment, legitimacy and the value added statement: evidence from post‐apartheid South Africa
Authors: Cahan Steven F. , Van Staden Chris J. 
Published: September 2008

AbstractWe examine why companies in South Africa voluntarily provide a value added statement (VAS). The VAS can be used by management to communicate with employees and thereby establish a record of legitimacy. Since we want to establish if the VAS is used to establish symbolic or substantive legitimacy, we examine whether production of a VAS is associated with actual performance in labour‐related areas. To measure labour‐related performance, we use an independent Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) rating. We find that BEE performance is significantly and positively related to the voluntary publication of a VAS. Our results suggest that BEE performance and disclosure of a VAS are two elements of a strategy used by South African companies to establish their substantive legitimacy with labour.
Volatility linkages of the equity, bond and money markets: an implied volatility approach
Authors: Wang Kent 
Published: September 2008

AbstractThis study proposes an alternative approach for examining volatility linkages between Standard & Poor's 500, Eurodollar futures and 30 year Treasury Bond futures markets using implied volatility from the three markets. Simple correlation analysis between implied volatilities in the three markets is used to assess market correlations. Spurious correlation effects are considered and controlled for. I find that correlations between implied volatilities in the equity, money and bond markets are positive, strong and robust. Furthermore, I replicate the approach of Fleming, Kirby and Ostdiek (1998) to check the substitutability of the implied volatility approach and find that the results are nearly identical; I conclude that my approach is simple, robust and preferable in practice. I also argue that the results from this paper provide supportive evidence on the information content of implied volatilities in the equity, bond and money markets.
Effects of Psychological Contract Breach on Organizational Citizenship Behaviour: Insights from the Group Value Model
Authors: Restubog Simon Lloyd D. , Hornsey Matthew J. , Bordia Prashant , Esposo Sarah R. 
Published: September 2008

abstractResearch on psychological contract breach has referenced social exchange as its dominant theoretical foundation. In this study, we draw insights from the group value model as a theoretical extension to explain employees' negative responses to psychological contract breach. According to the group value model, fair treatment by group members communicates symbolic messages about the relationship between the organization and the employee, and has implications for whether employees can take pride in their organizational membership. When people are treated unfairly, they lose trust in the organization and dis‐identify from the group. This in turn results in less willingness on the part of the employees to engage in organizational citizenship behaviours (OCBs). We tested these relationships across three studies. In Study 1, we conducted a longitudinal test of the role of trust as a mediator between breach and organizational identification. In Studies 2 (cross‐sectional) and 3 (longitudinal), we tested the complete model in which we examined the role of trust and identification in mediating the link between breach and OCBs. All three studies provided support for the mediated model. Furthermore, as predicted by the group value model, the hypothesized relationships emerged in response to relational but not transactional contract breaches. Theoretical and applied implications are discussed.
Ankle–branch index and HIV: the role of antiretrovirals
Authors: Olalla J , Salas D , Del Arco A , De la Torre J , Prada JL , Machín‐Hamalainen S , García‐Alegría J 
Published: September 2008

ObjectiveTo study the relationship between antiretroviral (ARV) treatment and abnormal ankle–branch index (ABI) and to compare the risk factors for altered ABI.MethodsPatients coming to the office from April 2007 until July 2007 were offered the chance to take part in the study. ABI was obtained by the standard technique. Those ≤0.9 or ≥1.3 were considered altered ABI. Clinical reports were reviewed to examine traditional vascular risk factors, coinfection with hepatitis C virus and/or hepatitis B virus, tobacco use, highly active antiretroviral therapy use and its components and length of use of each ARV drug.ResultsABI was measured in 147 patients, 82.3% males. Thirty‐three patients (22.45%) had an altered ABI, and it was related to CD4 cell nadir, dyslipidaemia and protease inhibitor (PI) use. When logistic regression was carried out, only dyslipidaemia (OR 2.68, CI 95%: 1.06–6.91) and PI use (OR 2.79, CI 95%: 1.15–6.54) remained in the model.ConclusionsAltered ABI is associated with PI use independently of dyslipidaemia. Probably, it marks patients with high vascular risk not identified with traditional scales.
Pharmacokinetics of new 625 mg nelfinavir formulation during pregnancy and postpartum
Authors: Read JS , Best BM , Stek AM , Hu C , Capparelli EV , Holland DT , Burchett SK , Smith ME , Sheeran EC , Shearer WT , Febo I , Mirochnick M 
Published: September 2008

ObjectivesOur objective was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics of nelfinavir (NFV) (625 mg tablets) 1250 mg twice daily during pregnancy and postpartum.MethodsThe participants were HIV‐1‐infected pregnant women enrolled in P1026s and receiving NFV (625 mg tablets) 1250 mg twice daily as part of routine clinical care. Intensive steady‐state 12‐h NFV pharmacokinetic profiles were performed during pregnancy and postpartum. The target NFV area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC0–12) was ≥10th percentile NFV AUC0–12 in non‐pregnant historical controls (18.5 μg h/mL).ResultsOf 27 patients receiving NFV, pharmacokinetic data were available for four (second trimester), 27 (third trimester) and 22 (postpartum) patients. The NFV maximum concentration (Cmax), 12‐h post‐dose concentration (C12) and AUC0–12 were significantly lower during the third trimester compared to postpartum (P≤0.03). The metabolite hydroxyl‐tert‐butylamide (M8) AUC0–12 and the M8/NFV AUC ratio were lower during the third trimester compared to postpartum (P<0.01). The NFV AUC0–12 exceeded the AUC0–12 target for 15/27 (56%) and 21/22 (95%) of third trimester and postpartum patients, respectively. The minimum concentration (Cmin) was above the suggested minimum trough concentration (0.8 μg/mL) in 15% (third trimester) and 18% (postpartum). The plasma viral load was <400 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL in 81% of patients at delivery.ConclusionsThese results suggest that higher doses of NFV should be considered during pregnancy.