bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Capital shocks, bank asset allocation, and the revised Basel Accord
Authors: Jacques Kevin T. 
Published: April 2007

AbstractIn contrast to the 1988 Basel Accord (Basel I), the revised risk‐based capital standards (Basel II) propose regulatory capital requirements based on credit ratings. This paper develops a theoretical model to analyze how banks will adjust their low and high credit risk commercial loans under the proposed newer standard. Capital‐constrained banks respond to an adverse capital shock by reducing high credit risk loans, while under certain circumstances, low credit risk loans may actually increase. When compared to Basel I, it is shown that high‐risk loans are reduced more under Basel II, but whether a bank reduces total lending more under Basel I or under the revised standards depends on a complex interaction of factors.
GEOMETRY OF CRITICAL LOCI
Authors: TRÁNG LÊ DŨNG , MAUGENDRE HÉLÈNE , WEBER CLAUDE 
Published: April 2007

Let(formula here)be the germ of a finite (that is, proper with finite fibres) complex analytic morphism
from a complex analytic normal surface onto an open neighbourhood U of the origin
0 in the complex plane C2. Let u and v be coordinates of C2
defined on U. We shall call the triple (π, u, v) the initial data.Let Δ stand for the discriminant locus of the germ π, that is, the image by π of the
critical locus Γ of π.Let (Δα)α∈A be the branches of the discriminant locus
Δ at O which are not the coordinate axes.For each α ∈ A, we define a rational number dα by(formula here)where I(–, –) denotes the intersection number at 0 of complex analytic curves in
C2. The set of rational numbers dα, for α ∈ A,
is a finite subset D of the set of rational numbers Q. We shall call D the set of
discriminantal ratios of the initial data (π, u, v).
The interesting situation is when one of the two coordinates (u, v) is tangent to some
branch of Δ, otherwise D = {1}. The definition of D depends not only on the choice
of the two coordinates, but also on their ordering.In this paper we prove that the set D is a topological invariant of the initial data
(π, u, v) (in a sense that we shall define below) and we give several ways to compute
it. These results are first steps in the understanding of the geometry of the
discriminant locus. We shall also see the relation with the geometry of the critical
locus.
SCHEMES OF TORI AND THE STRUCTURE OF TAME RESTRICTED LIE ALGEBRAS
Authors: FARNSTEINER ROLF , VOIGT DETLEF 
Published: April 2007

Much of the recent progress in the representation theory of infinitesimal group
schemes rests on the application of algebro-geometric techniques related to the notion
of cohomological support varieties (cf. [6, 8–10]). The noncohomological characterization
of these varieties via the so-called rank varieties (see [21, 22]) involves
schemes of additive subgroups that are the infinitesimal counterparts of the
elementary abelian groups. In this note we introduce another geometric tool by
considering schemes of tori of restricted Lie algebras. Our interest in these derives
from the study of infinitesimal groups of tame representation type, whose
determination [12] necessitates the results to be presented in §4 and §5 as well as
techniques from abstract representation theory.In contrast to the classical case of complex Lie algebras, the information on the
structure of a restricted Lie algebra that can be extracted from its root systems is
highly sensitive to the choice of the underlying maximal torus. Schemes of tori obviate
this defect by allowing us to study algebraic families of root spaces. Accordingly,
these schemes may also shed new light on various aspects of the structure theory of
restricted Lie algebras. We intend to pursue these questions in a forthcoming paper
[13], and focus here on first applications within representation theory.
PROJECTIVE PRIME IDEALS AND LOCALISATION IN PI-RINGS
Authors: CHATTERS A. W. , HAJARNAVIS C. R. , LISSAMAN R. M. 
Published: April 2007

The results here generalise [2, Proposition 4.3] and [9, Theorem 5.11]. We shall
prove the following.THEOREM A. Let R be a Noetherian PI-ring. Let P be a non-idempotent prime
ideal of R such that PRis projective. Then P is left localisable and RPis a prime principal
left and right ideal ring.We also have the following theorem.THEOREM B. Let R be a Noetherian PI-ring. Let M be a non-idempotent maximal
ideal of R such that MRis projective. Then M has the left AR-property and M contains
a right regular element of R.
The anti-schistosomal drug praziquantel is an adenosine antagonist
Authors: ANGELUCCI F. , BASSO A. , BELLELLI A. , BRUNORI M. , PICA MATTOCCIA L. , VALLE C. 
Published: April 2007

SUMMARYThe mechanism of action of praziquantel (PZQ), the drug of choice against schistosomiasis, is still unclear. Since exposure of schistosomes to the drug is associated with calcium influx and muscular contraction, calcium channels have been suggested as the target, although direct combination of PZQ with their subunits was never demonstrated. We report a hitherto unknown effect of PZQ, namely the inhibition of nucleoside uptake, as observed in living worms using radio-isotope labelled adenosine and uridine. This effect is clearly seen in schistosomes but is absent in mammalian cells in culture. Moreover it is a specific pharmacological effect seen exclusively with the active levo-R(−)stereo isomer of the drug, and is shared by at least one benzodiazepine having antischistosomal activity. This novel effect acquires significance given that schistosomes cannot synthesize purine nucleosidesde novo. A possible relationship between this novel effect and the known action of PZQ on calcium channels is discussed, since adenosine is known to bind to specific receptors and to behave as an indirect antagonist of calcium release in mammalian cells. If calcium channels were correlated with adenosine receptors also in schistosomes, as they are in mammals, this would support the hypothesis that PZQ-induced calcium influx may be correlated to adenosine receptor blockade.
Presence of tumour inhibits the normal post-operative response in arginine and NO production in non-cachectic mice
Authors: Vissers Yvonne L. J. , von Meyenfeldt Maarten F. , Luiking Yvette C. , Dejong Cornelis H. C. , Buurman Wim A. , Deutz Nicolaas E. P. 
Published: April 2007

We have described recently that cancer patients have low plasma arginine concentrations, even without weight loss being present, suggesting that decreased arginine availability may be a specific feature of the presence of tumour. As arginine is important in post-operative repair, we hypothesized that abnormalities in arginine metabolism in cancer lead to an aberrant post-operative response in arginine and NO metabolism. To investigate this, we studied post-operative alterations in arginine and NO production and the acute-phase response in MCA (methylcholanthrene) sarcoma-bearing mice. Controls, mice with small MCA tumours (&lt;15% of carcass weight) and large MCA tumours (&gt;15% of carcass weight) were studied, either with or without undergoing laparotomy. The stable isotopes L-[guanidino-15N2-2H2]arginine and L-[ureido-15N]citrulline were used to study whole-body arginine and NO production rates. SAP (serum amyloid P component) concentrations were measured to assess the acute-phase response. Significance was tested using Mann–Whitney U test. In healthy FVB mice, laparotomy significantly increased whole-body arginine production (from 42±3 to 54±3 nmol·10 g−1 of carcass weight·min−1), NO production (from 1.1±0.1 to 1.4±0.2 nmol·10 g−1 of carcass weight·min−1) and levels of SAP (from 4±1 to 115±23 ng/ml), whereas in all MCA tumour-bearing mice baseline values of arginine metabolism and SAP concentration were already elevated and the response to laparotomy was absent. In conclusion, MCA tumour-bearing mice had a disturbed post-operative metabolic response, as evidenced by attenuated post-operative arginine and NO production, concomitant with an attenuated acute-phase response. This indicates that altered arginine metabolism may be an important characteristic of the metabolic changes in cancer.
Histopathological grade, mucinous differentiation and DNA ploidy in relation to prognosis in colorectal carcinoma
Authors: Purdie C A , Piris J 
Published: April 2007

AimsWe investigated parameters which might help identify poor prognosis colorectal cancers and, in particular, we stratified Dukes' stage B carcinomas in order to identify those patients who would benefit from adjuvant therapy.Methods and resultsHistopathological parameters and DNA ploidy were analysed in a consecutive series of 256 resected colorectal cancers and their relationship with patient survival were investigated. By univariate analysis, Dukes' stage, degree of differentiation, nature of the invasive margin and DNA ploidy all correlated with prognosis. However, degree of differentiation assessed by the worst pattern seen anywhere in the tumour correlated more significantly with clinical outcome than did the predominant pattern. This was confirmed by multivariate analysis which showed only Dukes' stage and worst pattern differentiation as independent prognostic variables. Mucinous carcinomas showed no significant difference in outcome when compared to adenocarcinomas. DNA ploidy correlated with prognosis but only at a low level (P = 0.035) but this was maintained for Dukes' B carcinomas.ConclusionsDukes' stage and degree of differentiation provide independent prognostic information in colorectal cancer. However, differentiation should be assessed by the worst pattern and not by the predominant pattern as is currently recommended by the UKCCCR. DNA ploidy provides some prognostic information and does stratify Dukes' B cancers and thus might provide useful information on which to base decisions concerning adjuvant therapies in this difficult group. Mucinous differentiation has no prognostic significance.
Sphingosine kinase inhibitor suppresses dendritic cell migration by regulating chemokine receptor expression and impairing p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase
Authors: Jung In Duk , Lee Jun Sik , Kim Yong Joo , Jeong Young‐Il , Lee Chang‐Min , Lee Min Goo , Ahn Soon‐Choel , Park Yeong‐Min 
Published: April 2007

SummaryThe migration of dendritic cells (DCs) to secondary lymphoid organs plays a crucial role in the initiation of adaptive immune responses. Although lipopolysaccharide enhances chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) expression on DCs, the second signal for the migration of DCs toward the chemokine CCL19 remains unknown. In this study, we show that sphingosine kinase inhibitor (SKI) inhibits the migration of DCs toward CCL19 through the down‐regulation of CCR7. Inhibition of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation by SKI may be responsible for the SKI‐mediated effects on the regulation of chemokine receptor expression. Impairment of DC migration by the inhibition of p38 MAPK and down‐regulation of CCR7 expression may contribute to the protective effects of SKI in DC‐related disorders. These results suggest that sphingosine kinase‐mediated signalling plays a role in the innate and adaptive immune responses by altering DC migration.
Low‐income minority mothers' reports of infant health care utilisation compared with medical records
Authors: Murray Kennan D. , El‐Mohandes Ayman A. E. , El‐Khorazaty M. Nabil , Kiely Michele 
Published: April 2007

SummaryThis study aimed to investigate mothers' reporting of the nature, location, frequency and content of health care visits for their infants, as compared with data abstracted from the infants' medical records. It was part of a community‐based parenting intervention designed to improve preventive health care utilisation among minority mothers in Washington, DC. Mothers ≥18 years old with newborn infants and with poor or no prenatal care were enrolled in the study. A total of 160 mother–infant dyads completed the 12‐month study. Mothers were interviewed when the infants were 4, 8 and 12 months old, and were asked to recall infant visits to all health care providers. Medical records from identified providers were used for verification. The number and type of immunisations given, types of providers visited, and reason for the visits were compared.Only about a quarter of mothers agreed with their infants' medical records on the number of specific immunisations received. The mothers reported fewer polio (1.8 vs. 2.1, P = 0.006), diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis (DTP) (1.8 vs. 2.2, P = 0.002), and Haemophilus influenzae type b (HiB) (1.3 vs. 2.1, P < 0.0001) immunisations than were recorded. Similarly, about a quarter of the mothers were unaware of any polio, DTP or hepatitis B immunisations given, as documented in the medical records, and 38% did not know that their infant was immunised for HiB. Nearly half of the mothers recalled more infant doctors' visits than were recorded in the medical records (4.1 vs. 3.6 visits, P = 0.017). The mothers generally disagreed with the providers about the reason for a particular visit and reported fewer sick‐baby visits (1.5 vs. 3.3, P < 0.0001) than the providers recorded. Mothers' reports and medical records matched in only 19% of the cases. In 47%, mothers under‐reported and in 34% over‐reported the total number of visits. The strongest agreement between mothers' reports and medical records was in the case of emergency room visits (63%). In conclusion, in this population, mothers' reporting did not match that of providers with respect to specific information: the number of immunisations, the location where services were provided, and the classification of sick‐ vs. well‐baby visits. Future studies that evaluate health care utilisation data should take these discrepancies into consideration in their selection of information source, and in their interpretation of the data.
Reliability and determinants of anogenital distance and penis dimensions in male newborns from Chiapas, Mexico
Authors: Romano‐Riquer S. Patricia , Hernández‐Ávila Mauricio , Gladen Beth C. , Cupul‐Uicab Lea A. , Longnecker Matthew P. 
Published: April 2007

SummaryDevelopment of the perineum as well as the external genitalia is determined by dihydrotestosterone, resulting in a greater anogenital distance (AGD) in males than females. In animal experiments with hormonally active agents, anogenital distance is used as a bioassay of fetal androgen action. Use of anogenital distance in human studies has been rare. Because anogenital distance has been an easy‐to‐measure, sensitive outcome in animal studies, we developed an anthropometric protocol for measurement of anogenital distance in human males. In this paper we describe the method for measurement of three anogenital distances, their reliability, and an assessment of predictors for each in the context of an epidemiological study. We compare the reliabilities and predictors to those for stretched penis length and penis width.A cross‐sectional study of 781 newly delivered male infants was conducted in 2002–03 in Chiapas, Mexico. Replicate measures were obtained on nearly all subjects. The reliability of the measures of anogenital distance (0.82–0.91) were higher than for stretched penis length (0.78) and width (0.75). Birthweight and gestational length were more strongly related to anogenital distance than to penis length. Anogenital distance was not related to penis length (r = 0.03).Our large study clearly shows that AGD can be measured well in newborn males, and that the measurements were more reliable than those of penis length. Whether AGD measures in humans relate to clinically important outcomes, however, remains to be determined, as does its utility as a measure of androgen action in epidemiological studies.
Preterm delivery and exposure to active and passive smoking during pregnancy: a case–control study from Italy
Authors: Fantuzzi Guglielmina , Aggazzotti Gabriella , Righi Elena , Facchinetti Fabio , Bertucci Emma , Kanitz Stefano , Barbone Fabio , Sansebastiano Giuliano , Battaglia Mario Alberto , Leoni Valerio , Fabiani Leila , Triassi Maria , Sciacca Salvatore 
Published: April 2007

SummaryThe aim of this study was to assess the relationship between preterm/early preterm delivery and active smoking as well as environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure in a sample of pregnant Italian women. A case–control study was conducted in nine cities in Italy between October 1999 and September 2000. Cases of preterm birth were singleton babies born before the 37th gestational week; babies born before the 35th gestational week were considered early preterm births. Controls were babies with gestational ages ≥ 37th week. A total of 299 preterm cases (including 105 early preterm) and 855 controls were analysed. A self‐administered questionnaire was used to assess active smoking and ETS exposure, as well as potential confounders. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed a relationship between active smoking during pregnancy and preterm/early preterm delivery [adjusted ORs: 1.53; 95% CI 1.05, 2.21 and 2.00; 95% CI 1.16, 3.45, respectively]. A dose–response relationship was found for the number of cigarettes smoked daily. The adjusted ORs were 1.54 and 1.69 for preterm babies and 1.90 and 2.46 for early preterm babies for 1–10 and >10 cigarettes/day respectively. ETS exposure was associated with early preterm delivery [adjusted OR 1.56; 95% CI 0.99, 2.46] with a dose–response relationship with the number of smokers in the home. Smoking during pregnancy was strongly associated with preterm delivery with a dose–response effect. ETS exposure in non‐smoking women was associated only with early preterm delivery.
Codeine induces human mast cell chemokine and cytokine production: involvement of G‐protein activation
Authors: Sheen C. H. , Schleimer R. P. , Kulka M. 
Published: April 2007

Background:  Activation of mast cells and the systemic release of histamine are common side effects of opiates such as codeine and morphine. In some individuals, codeine not only elicits a sizable early response due to mast cell degranulation, but can also lead to late cutaneous allergic inflammation possibly through the production of chemokines. However, individuals who exhibit a late phase reaction to codeine often do not react to its synthetic analog, meperidine. The goal of this study was to test whether codeine and meperidine induce secretion of inflammatory mediators in human mast cells.Methods:  To characterize opiate activation of human mast cells, we stimulated cultured human (LAD2 cell line and CD34+‐derived) mast cells with codeine and meperidine and measured degranulation and chemokine production.Results:  Codeine, but not meperidine, activated human mast cell degranulation within 30 min in a dose‐dependent manner. Degranulation was blocked by the phosphoinositol‐3 kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, wortmannin, and pertussis toxin but not by Ro‐31‐8220, a PKC inhibitor or forskolin, a cyclic adenylyl cyclase activator. After 3 and 8 h of stimulation, codeine, but not meperidine, activated human mast cells to release monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (CCL2), regulated on activation, normal T expressed and secreted (RANTES, CCL5) and interleukin‐8 (CXCL 8) but not inducible protein‐10 (CXCL10).Conclusions:  Codeine activates human mast cell degranulation and chemokine production by activating protein kinase A and PI3 kinase, possibly leading to NF‐κB activation. Therefore, opiates may regulate late phase allergic inflammation by activating chemokine production by human mast cells.
Evaluation of the IgE cross‐reactions among vespid venoms. A possible approach for the choice of immunotherapy
Authors: Caruso B. , Bonadonna P. , Severino M. G. , Manfredi M. , Dama A. , Schiappoli M. , Rizzotti P. , Senna G. , Passalacqua G. 
Published: April 2007

Background: Hymenoptera venom allergy can be effectively cured with specific immunotherapy, thus the correct identification of the allergen is essential. In the case of multiple skin and serum positivities it is important to know if a cross‐reaction among venoms is present. We studied by CAP‐inhibition assays the degree of cross‐reactivity betweenVespula vulgarisandPolistes dominulus.Methods: Serum samples were obtained from consecutive patients with a clinical history of grade III–IV reactions to hymenoptera sting and with nondiscriminative skin/CAP positivity to bothVespulaandPolistes. Inhibition assays were carried out with a CAP method, incubating the sera separately with both venoms and subsequently measuring the specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) to venoms themselves.Results: Forty‐five patients (33 male, mean age 40 years, age range 12–74, total serum IgE 242 ± 168 kU/l) were included. Their specific IgE toVespulaandPolisteswere 12.03 ± 5.70 kU/l and 10.7 ± 2.0 kU/l (P = NS), respectively. At the CAP‐inhibition assays, in 25 patients a >75% heterologous inhibition byP. dominulusvenom againstV. vulgaris‐specific IgE was found. In six subjectsV. vulgarisvenom effectively inhibited theP. dominulus‐specific IgE. In the remaining 14 cases the CAP‐inhibition test provided intermediate and not discriminative results.Conclusion: In 31/45 patients, the double sensitizations to venoms were probably the result of cross‐reactions and the CAP‐inhibition allowed identifying the true double sensitizations. This approach may be helpful for the correct prescription of immunotherapy in the case ofV. vulgarisandP. dominulusdouble positivity.
Methanobactin‐promoted dissolution of Cu‐substituted borosilicate glass
Authors: KULCZYCKI E. , FOWLE D. A. , KNAPP C. , GRAHAM D. W. , ROBERTS J. A. 
Published: April 2007

ABSTRACTMineral weathering plays an important role in the global cycling of carbon and metals and there is an increasing realization that subsurface microbial activity may be a key factor controlling specific biogeochemical reactions and their rates. Methanobactin (mb) is an extracellular copper‐binding compound excreted by methanotrophs to acquire copper for the regulation of methane oxidation. Bioavailable Cu regulates the expression and activity of pMMO vs. sMMO (particulate vs. soluble methane monooxygenase, respectively), key enzymes responsible for bacterial methane oxidation. In this study, we investigate the effect of mb on the dissolution of Cu‐substituted borosilicate glass at low temperature and near neutral pH conditions, using batch dissolution experiments. Methanobactin promotes the dissolution of Cu‐substituted glasses at rates faster than control experiments. Glasses with lower concentrations of copper (80 p.p.m.) or no copper are dissolved more rapidly by mb than those with more abundant copper (800 p.p.m.). Within the first 2 h of reaction, mb sorption onto glass surfaces limits mass transfer of Cu into solution, and at higher concentrations (100 µmol) of the ligand, inhibits dissolution rates of all glass formulations. These results suggest that both the concentration of mb in solution and the solid phase Cu concentration impact silicate weathering rates and related cycling of carbon in near‐surface geological settings.