bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
International Variations in Transparency and Capital Structure: Evidence from European Firms
Authors: Aggarwal Raj , Kyaw NyoNyo Aung 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThis paper documents the impact of national transparency regimes on corporate capital structure in 14 European countries. After controlling for relevant firm, industry, and national variables, we find that owner‐manager agency cost‐reducing transparency such as higher levels of analysts following is associated with lower corporate debt levels. In contrast, transparency that reduces owner‐creditor agency costs that helps creditors control business risks (and creditors‐to‐owners wealth transfers), such as disclosure timeliness, institutional trading activities, and enforcement of anti‐insider trading laws, are associated with higher corporate debt levels. Among other transparency measures, levels of financial and governance disclosures are negatively associated with debt ratios and higher levels of audit intensity and accounting disclosures are positively associated with debt ratios. Further, transparency factors are more important for large firms and for firms in services and high technology.
A sulphur deficiency‐induced gene, sdi1, involved in the utilization of stored sulphate pools under sulphur‐limiting conditions has potential as a diagnostic indicator of sulphur nutritional status
Authors: Howarth Jonathan R. , Parmar Saroj , Barraclough Peter B. , Hawkesford Malcolm J. 
Published: December 2008

SummaryA sulphate deficiency‐induced gene, sdi1, has been identified by cDNA‐amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis utilizing field‐grown, nutrient‐deficient wheat (Triticum aestivum var. Hereward). The expression of sdi1 was specifically induced in leaf and root tissues in response to sulphate deficiency, but was not induced by nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium or magnesium deficiency. Expression was also shown to increase in plant tissues as the external sulphate concentration in hydroponically grown plants was reduced from 1.0 to 0.0 mm. On this basis, sdi1 gene expression has potential as a sensitive indicator of sulphur nutritional status in wheat. Genome‐walking techniques were used to clone the 2.7‐kb region upstream of sdi1 from genomic DNA, revealing several cis‐element motifs previously identified as being associated with sulphur responses in plants. The Arabidopsis thaliana gene most highly homologous to sdi1 is At5g48850, which was also demonstrated to be induced by sulphur deficiency, an observation confirmed by the analysis of microarray data available in the public domain. The expression of Atsdi1 was induced more rapidly than previously characterized sulphur‐responsive genes in the period immediately following the transfer of plants to sulphur‐deficient medium. Atsdi1 T‐DNA ‘knockout’ mutants were shown to maintain higher tissue sulphate concentrations than wild‐type plants under sulphur‐limiting conditions, indicating a role in the utilization of stored sulphate under sulphur‐deficient conditions. The structural features of the sdi1 gene and its application in the genetic determination of the sulphur nutritional status of wheat crops are discussed.
1. ACTS OF GOD? MIRACLES AND SCIENTIFIC EXPLANATION1
Authors: FØRLAND TOR EGIL 
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACTGod, at least as an active agent, is excluded from today's scientific worldview—including the worldview of the humanities. This creates a gulf between a godless science and believers in God's active presence in the world, a gulf that I argue is unbridgeable. I discuss the general methodological question from the starting point of a 1652 episode in a Norwegian valley, where God reportedly saved two brothers stranded on an islet by providing just enough fresh, edible plants each day for them to survive until they were found by a search team after twelve days. I resist four temptations to take easy ways out of a real dilemma: whether to accept or dismiss this and similar miracle accounts. The first is to explain evidence and refuse to consider the events about which the evidence reports; the second, to deny that reports of miracles represent a problem since biblical actors and authors lacked Hume's concept of inviolable laws of nature; the third, to become resigned to a putative epistemological gap that renders impossible any dialogue on religion with actors from the early modern period; the fourth, to restrict our studies to asking what the events meant to the historical actors without passing judgment on the truth value of their beliefs. I suggest that when doing historical research, historians are part of a scientific community; consequently, historiographical explanations must be compatible with accepted scientific beliefs. Whereas many historians and natural scientists in private believe in supernatural entities, qua professional members of the scientific community they must subscribe to metaphysical naturalism, which is a basic working hypothesis in the empirical quest of science. As long as the supernatural realm is excluded from the scientific worldview, however, historians’ explanations of miracles will differ fundamentally from the explanations proffered by believers.
Better access to primary healthcare for adults with learning disabilities: evaluation of a group programme to improve knowledge and skills
Authors: Webb Jenny , Stanton Melanie 
Published: December 2008

Accessible summary

Many people with learning disability have poor health, compared with other people.
Each person taking part in this study told their health story and set themselves health targets.
Some of the things they learnt were: what to do when they are in pain; how to make appointments with the doctor; and how to make their needs clear when they are in the doctor’s surgery.
This research is important in helping people feel more confident when they visit their doctor, and in making it more likely that they are able to stay healthy.

Summary

The health of people with learning disabilities is poor when compared with the general population but this difference is not reflected in higher rates of access to primary healthcare.
This paper will report on a study undertaken to run and evaluate a 12‐week programme to enable people with learning disabilities to better access primary healthcare.
The importance of this research lies in the successful outcomes achieved, and in the distinctive properties of the programme, which used practice‐based groups, and focussed on the development of health skills as well as health knowledge.
Alcohol Neurolysis of the Sciatic and Femoral Nerves to Improve Pressure Ulcer Healing
Authors: Wilkes Denise , Ganceres Natalie , Doulatram Gulshan , Solanki Daneshvari 
Published: December 2008

AbstractSuccessful pressure ulcer treatment is challenging and is often plagued with prolonged hospitalizations, multiple surgeries, and high recurrence rates. Pressure ulcer secondary to spinal cord injury is further complicated by spasticity, which contributes to both ulcer continuance and healing. This report illustrates the use of neurolytic regional techniques for spasticity control and pressure ulcer healing. Case report: We present our experience with a paraplegic man who suffered from chronic right trochanteric and ischial pressure ulcers that failed to heal despite surgical and conservative treatment. We report the successful treatment of knee and hip flexor spasticity with a femoral and sciatic alcohol neuroablation technique. It was not until the successful control of his lower extremity spasticity that the pressure ulcers showed signs of healing. Neuroablation nay be considered for spasticity control when more conservative approaches fail or are not feasible.
Acute Success of Cryoablation of Left‐Sided Accessory Pathways: A Single Institution Study
Authors: GIST KATJA M. , BOCKOVEN JOHN R. , LANE JOHN , SMITH GRACE , CLARK JOHN M. 
Published: December 2008

Objective: To compare the acute success and recurrence rate of cryoablation for left‐sided accessory pathways (AP) with controls who underwent radiofrequency ablation (RFA) at the same institution. Background: Catheter cryoablation of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is considered to be a safer alternative a compared with RFA. At our institution, cryoablation has become the primary interventional modality for all APs. The reported success rates of cryoablation for AP‐mediated tachycardia have generally been less favorable than for RFA. However, the location of AP may influence cryoablation outcome. Furthermore, there are little data available on cryoablation of left‐sided pathways. Methods: A chart review was performed for all patients undergoing cryoablation between August 2005 and August 2007. Twenty‐nine patients (mean age 13 years, range 6–18 years) were identified with SVT secondary to left‐sided AP. The data collected included patient age, height, weight, date of procedure, mapping, ablation and procedure time, pathway location, success, and recurrence. Cryoablation was performed via a transseptal approach. Procedural success and recurrence rate were compared with our most recent 28 patients undergoing RFA ablation. Results: Procedural success was achieved in 97% of patients in the cryoablation group, compared with 100% in the RFA control group. Recurrence rate in the cryoablation group was 1 of 24 (4.2%) patients compared with 4 of 28 (14%) patients in the RFA group over 12 months. Conclusion: Cryoablation can be safely and effectively used in the treatment of left‐sided AP. Long‐term outcomes remain to be seen.
Clinical Application of PET/CT Fusion Imaging for Three‐Dimensional Myocardial Scar and Left Ventricular Anatomy during Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation
Authors: TIAN JING , SMITH MARK F. , CHINNADURAI PONRAJ , DILSIZIAN VASKEN , TURGEMAN Aharon , ABBO AHARON , GAJERA KALPITKUMAR , XU CHENYANG , PLOTNICK DANIEL , PETERS ROBERT , SABA MAGDI , SHOROFSKY STEPHEN , DICKFELD TIMM 
Published: December 2008

Background: Image integration has the potential to display three‐dimensional (3D) scar anatomy and facilitate substrate characterization for ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation. However, the current generation of clinical mapping systems cannot display 3D left ventricle (LV) anatomy with embedded 3D scar reconstructions or allow display of border zone and high‐resolution anatomic scar features. Objective: This study reports the first clinical experience with a mapping system allowing an integrated display of 3D LV anatomy with detailed 2D/3D scar and border zone reconstruction. Methods: Ten patients scheduled for VT ablation underwent contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CT) and Rubidium‐82 perfusion/F‐18 Fluorodeoxyglucose metabolic Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging to reconstruct 3D LV and scar anatomy. LV and scar models were co‐registered using a 3D mapping system and analyzed with a 17‐segment model. Metabolic thresholding was used to reconstruct the 3D border zone. Real‐time display of CT images was performed during ablation. Results: Co‐registration (error 4.3 ± 0.7 mm) allowed simultaneous visualization of 3D LV anatomy and embedded scar and guided additional voltage mapping. Segments containing homogenous or partial scar correlated in 94.4% and 85.7% between voltage maps and 3D PET scar reconstructions, respectively. Voltage‐defined scar and normal myocardium had relative FDG uptakes of 40 ± 13% and 89 ± 30% (P < 0.05). The 3D border zone correlated best with a 46% metabolic threshold. Real‐time display of registered high‐resolution CT images allowed the simultaneous characterization of scar‐related anatomic changes. Conclusion: Integration of PET/CT reconstruction allows simultaneous 3D display of myocardial scar and border zone embedded into the LV anatomy as well as the display of detailed scar anatomy. Multimodality imaging may enable a new image‐guided approach to substrate‐guided VT ablation.
Does Electrogram Guided Substrate Ablation Add to the Success of Pulmonary Vein Isolation in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation? A Prospective, Randomized Study
Authors: DEISENHOFER ISABEL , ESTNER HEIDI , REENTS TILKO , FICHTNER STEPHANIE , BAUER AXEL , WU JINJIN , KOLB CHRISTOF , ZRENNER BERNHARD , SCHMITT CLAUS , HESSLING GABRIELE 
Published: December 2008

Introduction:
Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is an established treatment for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF). The ablation of complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAE) has emerged as a novel treatment approach. We sought to evaluate the additional effect of CFAE ablation to PVI in paroxysmal AF.
Methods and Results:
Ninety‐eight patients with paroxysmal AF (57 ± 10 years, 74 male) were randomized to the PVI (n = 48) or PVI + CFAE group (n = 50). After PVI, CFAE ablation was performed in patients with inducible AF in the PVI + CFAE group. The primary endpoint was combined objective (7‐day Holter ECG) and subjective (symptoms) freedom of atrial tachyarrhythmia 3 months after ablation. Long‐term follow‐up (19 ± 8 months) was available in 94 of 98 patients. CFAE ablation was performed in 30 of 50 patients of the PVI + CFAE group. After 3 months, 36 of 48 patients (75%) in the PVI group and 38 of 50 patients (76%) in the PVI + CFAE group were in stable sinus rhythm (P = NS). During long‐term follow‐up (19 ± 8 months), 34 of 46 patients (74%) in the PVI group and 40 of 48 patients (83%) in the PVI + CFAE group were in sinus rhythm (P = 0.08). In a subgroup analysis, a significantly better long‐term outcome was achieved if inducible AF after PVI had been treated by additional CFAE ablation as compared with PVI only (sinus rhythm in 25/28 patients; 89% vs 22/30 patients 73%; P = 0.003).
Conclusion:
In the intention‐to‐treat analysis, additional CFAE ablation did not improve the success rate of PVI in patients with paroxysmal AF. However, during long‐term follow‐up, patients with still inducible AF after PVI seemed to profit from additional CFAE ablation.
Spliceosomal protein E regulates neoplastic cell growth by modulating expression of Cyclin E/CDK2 and G2/M checkpoint proteins
Authors: Li Z. , Pützer B. M. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractSmall nuclear ribonucleoproteins are essential splicing factors. We previously identified the spliceosomal protein E (SmE) as a downstream effector of E2F1 in p53‐deficient human carcinoma cells. Here, we investigated the biological relevance of SmE in determining the fate of cancer and non‐tumourigenic cells. Adenovirus‐mediated expression of SmE selectively reduces growth of cancerous cells due to decreased cell proliferation but not apoptosis. A similar growth inhibitory effect for SmD1 suggests that this is a general function of Sm‐family members. Deletion of Sm‐motifs reveals the importance of the Sm‐1 domain for growth suppression. Consistently, SmE overexpression leads to inhibition of DNA synthesis and G2 arrest as shown by BrdU‐incorporation and MPM2‐staining. Real‐time RT‐PCR and immunoblotting showed that growth arrest by SmE directly correlates with the reduction of cyclin E, CDK2, CDC25C and CDC2 expression, and up‐regulation of p27Kip. Importantly, SmE activity was not associated with enhanced expression of other spliceosome components such as U1 SnRNP70, suggesting that the growth inhibitory effect of SmE is distinct from its pre‐mRNA splicing function. Furthermore, specific inactivation of SmE by shRNA significantly increased the percentage of cells in S phase, whereas the amount of G2/M arrested cells was reduced. Our data provide evidence that Sm proteins function as suppressors of tumour cell growth and may have major implications as cancer therapeutics.
High intracellular content of cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1 in early‐ and intermediate stage B‐cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia lymphocytes predicts rapid progression of the disease
Authors: Wolowiec Dariusz , Wojtowicz Marcin , Ciszak Lidia , Kosmaczewska Agata , Frydecka Irena , Potoczek Stanislaw , Urbaniak‐Kujda Donata , Kapelko‐Slowik Katarzyna , Kuliczkowski Kazimierz 
Published: December 2008

AbstractPrevious studies showed that peripheral blood lymphocytes of B‐cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B‐CLL) displayed a high intracellular level of cell cycle inhibitory protein p27Kip1. It has been suggested that its’ high expression may confer them survival advantage and lead to unfavorable prognosis, but the prognostic significance of p27Kip1 expression for previously untreated, non‐advanced stage B‐CLL was not established. We studied a relationship between the intracellular level of p27Kip1 of lymphocytes of early‐ and intermediate stage B‐CLL patients and their spontaneous apoptosis in vitro, as well as prognostic significance of p27Kip1 in B‐CLL lymphocytes for the risk of disease progression. Intracellular p27Kip1 content of peripheral blood lymphocytes obtained from 48 previously untreated 0–II Rai stage B‐CLL patients was determined by flow cytometry. The viability and apoptosis of those lymphocytes after 72‐h culture were also assessed. During the follow‐up period (6–71 months, median 59.5), we recorded the time elapsed to the doubling of lymphocyte count, progression to a higher Rai stage and the appearance of indications for cytostatic treatment. The p27Kip1 expression was neither correlated with initial lymphocyte count, CD38 expression, cell viability nor spontaneous apoptosis ratio after 72‐h culture. Higher p27Kip1 level was related to the probability of earlier occurrence of each of three above‐mentioned events. We did not find a prognostic significance of in vitro cell viability nor apoptosis as to the risk of disease progression. Our results indicate that elevated intracellular p27Kip1 level in leukemic lymphocytes of early‐ and intermediate stage B‐CLL patients contributes to rapid progression of the disease.
Habitual micronutrient intake during and after pregnancy in Caucasian Londoners
Authors: Derbyshire E. , Davies G.J. , Costarelli V. , Dettmar P.W. 
Published: December 2008

AbstractMicronutrient status is of fundamental importance both upon conception and throughout pregnancy. There is an abundance of literature investigating nutrient intakes during individual trimesters of pregnancy but few studies have investigated baseline intakes of nutrients throughout gestation as a continuum. The current investigation set out to measure habitual micronutrient intakes at weeks 13, 25, 35 of pregnancy and 6 weeks postpartum using a prospective background information questionnaire, 4–7‐day weighed food diary and postnatal questionnaire. Seventy‐two primiparous, Caucasian Londoners were recruited at the study start with 42 completing the first, second, third trimester and postpartum study stages respectively. Study findings indicated that sodium intakes were significantly higher than UK guidelines throughout and after pregnancy (P < 0.001). Intakes of folate, iron, vitamin D, potassium, iodine and selenium were lower than UK recommendations during and after pregnancy, but to varying levels of statistical significance (P < 0.05). Only 23–38% of women met UK recommendations for folate (300 µg day−1) through dietary sources. Similarly, only a small percentage of women met dietary guidelines for iron (19–28%). The findings from the current study indicate that public health interventions may be required to help expectant mothers achieve an optimal diet, particularly after birth when dietary recommendations increase for some micronutrients.
Relationship between socio‐demographic and anthropometric variables and number of erupted primary teeth in suburban Nigerian children
Authors: Oziegbe Elizabeth Obhioneh , Adekoya‐Sofowora Comfort , Folayan Morenike Oluwatoyin , Esan Temitope Ayodeji , Owotade Foluso John 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThe socio‐demographic and anthropometric variables could influence the number of teeth present in the child's mouth. To determine the effect of anthropometric and socio‐demographic variables on the number of erupted primary teeth, a cross‐sectional study was performed involving 1013 children aged between 4 and 36 months who attended the immunization clinics in Ile‐Ife, Nigeria. Statistical analyses were performed using stata. The analyses included frequencies, cross‐tabulations, chi squared test and t‐test. The number of erupted teeth was modelled as the dependent variable in a multiple regression (Binomial) model, and the socio‐demographic (age, gender and socio‐economic status) and anthropometric variables, such as weight and height at presentation, as predictor variables. Statistical significance was inferred at P < 0.05. The age and height at presentation had significant association with the number of erupted teeth in this study population (P < 0.001). Also children from high socio‐economic class in relation to low socio‐economic class had significant larger number of erupted teeth in this study population (P < 0.001). The age and height of the child at presentation were significantly related to the number of erupted teeth. Also children from high socio‐economic class had significant lager number of erupted teeth compared with children from low socio‐economic class.
Parental distress around supplementing breastfed babies using nasogastric tubes on the post‐natal ward: a theme from an ethnographic study
Authors: Taylor Alison M. , Cloherty Michele , Alexander Jo , Holloway Immy , Galvin Kathleen , Inch Sally 
Published: December 2008

AbstractThere is abundant evidence of the benefits of breastfeeding. In the UK, supplementation in hospital has consistently been shown to be associated with shortened duration of breastfeeding. This paper reports on a subset of the data from an ethnographic study that explored the expectations, beliefs and experiences of mothers and health professionals concerning supplementation, using a variety of methods, of breastfed babies in an English maternity unit in 2002. This paper aims to describe the expectations, beliefs and experiences of mothers and health professionals concerning supplementation by nasogastric (NG) tube on the post‐natal ward. Participant observation was carried out on day and night shifts and at weekends over 9 months. Mothers, midwives, neonatal nurses, health care assistants and senior paediatricians were interviewed. Categories and themes were generated. The researchers' constructs of ‘the essential method’, when the tube was the method needed for medical reasons, and ‘the chosen method’, when other methods of oral feeding should have been possible, emerged. The latter included time pressures and the avoidance of any form of oral activity that might perhaps make return to the breast more difficult. The data concerning the use of NG tubes for supplementation yielded the specific theme of parental distress. In the absence of evidence that supplementation by NG tube on the post‐natal ward is associated with greater breastfeeding success than other methods, the use of the tube to avoid any form of ‘oral confusion’ should be discontinued. Its use primarily to save time should not be considered acceptable.