bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In vitro fertilisation with recombinant follicle stimulating hormone requires less IU usage compared with highly purified human menopausal gonadotrophin: results from a European retrospective observational chart review
Authors: Trew Geoffrey H , Brown Adam P , Gillard Samantha , Blackmore Stuart , Clewlow Christine , O'Donohoe Paul , Wasiak Radoslaw 
Published: November 2010

Abstract

Background
Previous studies have reported conflicting results for the comparative doses of recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH) and highly purified human menopausal gonadotrophin (hMG-HP) required per cycle of in vitro fertilisation (IVF); the aim of this study was to determine the average total usage of rFSH versus hMG-HP in a 'real-world' setting using routine clinical practice.

Methods
This retrospective chart review of databases from four European countries investigated gonadotrophin usage, oocyte and embryo yield, and pregnancy outcomes in IVF cycles (± intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection) using rFSH or hMG-HP alone. Included patients met the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guideline criteria for IVF and received either rFSH or hMG-HP. Statistical tests were conducted at 5% significance using Chi-square or t-tests.

Results
Of 30,630 IVF cycles included in this review, 74% used rFSH and 26% used hMG-HP. A significantly lower drug usage per cycle for rFSH than hMG-HP (2072.53 +/- 76.73 IU vs. 2540.14 +/- 883.08 IU, 22.6% higher for hMG-HP; p < 0.01) was demonstrated. The median starting dose was also significantly lower for rFSH than for hMG-HP (150 IU vs. 225 IU, 50% higher for hMG-HP, p < 0.01). The average oocyte yield per IVF cycle in patients treated with rFSH was significantly greater than with hMG-HP (10.80 +/- 6.02 vs. 9.77 +/- 5.53; p < 0.01), as was the average mature oocyte yield (8.58 +/- 5.27 vs. 7.72 +/- 4.59; p < 0.01). No significant differences were observed in pregnancy outcomes including spontaneous abortion between the two treatments. There was a significantly higher rate of OHSS (all grades) with rFSH (18.92% vs. 14.09%; p < 0.0001). The hospitalisation rate due to OHSS was low but significantly higher in the rFSH group (1.07% of cycles started vs. 0.67% of cycles started with rFSH and hMG-HP, respectively; p = 0.002).

Conclusions
Based on these results, IVF treatment cycles with rFSH yield statistically more oocytes (and more mature oocytes), using significantly less IU per cycle, versus hMG-HP. The incidence of all OHSS and hospitalisations due to OHSS was significantly higher in the rFSH cycles compared to the hMG-HP cycles. However, the absolute incidence of hospitalisations due to OHSS was similar to that reported previously. These results suggest that the perceived required dosage with rFSH is currently over-estimated, and the higher unit cost of rFSH may be offset by a lower required dosage compared with hMG-HP.
Hepatitis C Treatment: current and future perspectives
Authors: Munir Saira , Saleem Sana , Idrees Muhammad , Tariq Aaliyah , Butt Sadia , Rauff Bisma , Hussain Abrar , Badar Sadaf , Naudhani Mahrukh , Fatima Zareen , Ali Muhmmad , Ali Liaqat , Akram Madiha , Aftab Mahwish , Khubaib Bushra , Awan Zunaira 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a member of Flaviviridae family and one of the major causes of liver disease. There are about 175 million HCV infected patients worldwide that constitute 3% of world's population. The main route of HCV transmission is parental however 90% intravenous drug users are at highest risk. Standard interferon and ribavirin remained a gold standard of chronic HCV treatment having 38-43% sustained virological response rates. Currently the standard therapy for HCV is pegylated interferon (PEG-INF) with ribavirin. This therapy achieves 50% sustained virological response (SVR) for genotype 1 and 80% for genotype 2 & 3. As pegylated interferon is expensive, standard interferon is still the main therapy for HCV treatment in under developed countries. On the other hand, studies showed that pegylated IFN and RBV therapy has severe side effects like hematological complications. Herbal medicines (laccase, proanthocyandin, Rhodiola kirilowii) are also being in use as a natural and alternative way for treatment of HCV but there is not a single significant report documented yet. Best SVR indicators are genotype 3 and 2, < 0.2 million IU/mL pretreatment viral load, rapid virological response (RVR) rate and age <40 years. New therapeutic approaches are under study like interferon related systems, modified forms of ribavirin, internal ribosome entry site (HCV IRES) inhibitors, NS3 and NS5a inhibitors, novel immunomodulators and specifically targeted anti-viral therapy for hepatitis C compounds. More remedial therapies include caspase inhibitors, anti-fibrotic agents, antibody treatment and vaccines.
Module detection in complex networks using integer optimisation
Authors: Xu Gang , Bennett Laura , Papageorgiou Lazaros G , Tsoka Sophia 
Published: November 2010

Abstract

Background
The detection of modules or community structure is widely used to reveal the underlying properties of complex networks in biology, as well as physical and social sciences. Since the adoption of modularity as a measure of network topological properties, several methodologies for the discovery of community structure based on modularity maximisation have been developed. However, satisfactory partitions of large graphs with modest computational resources are particularly challenging due to the NP-hard nature of the related optimisation problem. Furthermore, it has been suggested that optimising the modularity metric can reach a resolution limit whereby the algorithm fails to detect smaller communities than a specific size in large networks.

Results
We present a novel solution approach to identify community structure in large complex networks and address resolution limitations in module detection. The proposed algorithm employs modularity to express network community structure and it is based on mixed integer optimisation models. The solution procedure is extended through an iterative procedure to diminish effects that tend to agglomerate smaller modules (resolution limitations).

Conclusions
A comprehensive comparative analysis of methodologies for module detection based on modularity maximisation shows that our approach outperforms previously reported methods. Furthermore, in contrast to previous reports, we propose a strategy to handle resolution limitations in modularity maximisation. Overall, we illustrate ways to improve existing methodologies for community structure identification so as to increase its efficiency and applicability.
Associations among systemic blood pressure, microalbuminuria and albuminuria in dogs affected with pituitary- and adrenal-dependent hyperadrenocorticism
Authors: Lien Yu-Hsin , Hsiang Tsai-Yuan , Huang Hui-Pi 
Published: November 2010

AbstractBackgroundHypertension and proteinuria are medical complications associated with the multisystemic effects of long-term hypercortisolism in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism (HAC).MethodsThis study investigated the relationships among adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-stimulation test results, systemic blood pressure, and microalbuminuria in clinically-healthy dogs (n = 100), in dogs affected with naturally occurring pituitary-dependent (PDH; n = 40), or adrenal-dependent hyperadrenocorticism (ADH; n = 30).ResultsMean systemic blood pressure was similar between clinically healthy dogs and dogs with HAC (p= 0.803). However the incidence of hypertension was highest in dogs with ADH (p = 0.017), followed by dogs with PDH, with the lowest levels in clinically healthy dogs (p = 0.019). Presence of microalbuminuria and albuminuria in clinically healthy dogs and dogs affected with HAC was significantly different (p< 0.001); incidences of albuminuria followed the same pattern of hypertension; highest incidence in dogs with ADH, and lowest level in clinically healthy dogs; but microalbuminuria showed a different pattern: clinically healthy dogs had highest incidences and dogs with ADH had lowest incidence. The presence of albuminuria was not associated with blood pressure values, regardless of whether dogs were clinically healthy or affected with ADH or PDH (p= 0.306).ConclusionsHigher incidence of hypertension and albuminuria, not microalbuminuria was seen in dogs affected with HAC compared to clinically healthy dogs; incidence of hypertension and albuminuria was significantly higher in dogs affected with ADH compared to PDH. However, presence of albuminuria was not correlated with systemic blood pressure.
Protein complex forming ability is favored over the features of interacting partners in determining the evolutionary rates of proteins in the yeast protein-protein interaction networks
Authors: Chakraborty Sandip , Kahali Bratati , Ghosh Tapash C 
Published: November 2010

Abstract

Background
Evolutionary rates of proteins in a protein-protein interaction network are primarily governed by the protein connectivity and/or expression level. A recent study revealed the importance of the features of the interacting protein partners, viz., the coefficient of functionality and clustering coefficient in controlling the protein evolutionary rates in a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network.

Results
By multivariate regression analysis we found that the three parameters: probability of complex formation, expression level and degree of a protein independently guide the evolutionary rates of proteins in the PPI network. The contribution of the complex forming property of a protein and its expression level led to nearly 43% of the total variation as observed from the first principal component. We also found that for complex forming proteins in the network, those which have partners sharing the same functional class evolve faster than those having partners belonging to different functional classes. The proteins in the dense parts of the network evolve faster than their counterparts which are present in the sparse regions of the network. Taking into account the complex forming ability, we found that all the complex forming proteins considered in this study evolve slower than the non-complex forming proteins irrespective of their localization in the network or the affiliation of their partners to same/different functional classes.

Conclusions
We have shown here that the functionality and clustering coefficient correlated with the degree of the protein in the protein-protein interaction network. We have identified the significant relationship of the complex-forming property of proteins and their evolutionary rates even when they are classified according to the features of their interacting partners. Our study implies that the evolutionarily constrained proteins are actually members of a larger number of protein complexes and this justifies why they have enhanced expression levels.
Night vision by cuttlefish enables changeable camouflage
Authors: Allen Justine J. , Mäthger Lydia M. , Buresch Kendra C. , Fetchko Thomas , Gardner Meg , Hanlon Roger T. 
Published: November 2010

SUMMARY
Because visual predation occurs day and night, many predators must have good night vision. Prey therefore exhibit antipredator behaviours in very dim light. In the field, the giant Australian cuttlefish (Sepia apama) assumes camouflaged body patterns at night, each tailored to its immediate environment. However, the question of whether cuttlefish have the perceptual capability to change their camouflage at night (as they do in day) has not been addressed. In this study, we: (1) monitored the camouflage patterns of Sepia officinalis during the transition from daytime to night-time using a natural daylight cycle and (2) tested whether cuttlefish on a particular artificial substrate change their camouflage body patterns when the substrate is changed under dim light (down to starlight, 0.003 lux) in a controlled light field in a dark room setting. We found that cuttlefish camouflage patterns are indeed adaptable at night: animals responded to a change in their visual environment with the appropriate body pattern change. Whether to deceive their prey or predators, cuttlefish use their excellent night vision to perform adaptive camouflage in dim light.
Population differences in fever and sickness behaviors in a wild passerine: a role for cytokines
Authors: Adelman James S. , Bentley George E. , Wingfield John C. , Martin Lynn B. , Hau Michaela 
Published: November 2010

SUMMARYImmune responses benefit hosts by clearing pathogens, but they also incur physiological costs and tissue damage. While wild animals differ in how they balance these costs and benefits, the physiological mechanisms underlying such differential investment in immunity remain unknown. Uncovering these mechanisms is crucial to determining how and where selection acts to shape immunological defense. Among free-living song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) in western North America, sickness-induced lethargy and fever are more pronounced in Southern California than in Washington and Alaska. We brought song sparrows from two populations (Southern California and Washington) into captivity to determine whether these differences persist in a common environment and what physiological signals facilitate such differences. As in free-living sparrows, captive California birds exhibited more pronounced fever and lethargy than Washington birds in response to lipopolysaccharide, a non-pathogenic antigen that mimics bacterial infection. After treatment, the two populations showed similar reductions in luteinizing hormone levels, food intake and body mass, although treated birds from California lost more breast muscle tissue than treated birds from Washington. Moreover, California birds displayed higher bioactivity of interleukin-6, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, and marginally higher levels of corticosterone, a steroid hormone involved in stress, metabolism and regulating inflammatory responses. Our results show that immunological differences between these populations cannot be explained by immediate environment alone and may reflect genetic, maternal or early-life effects. Additionally, they suggest that cytokines play a role in shaping immunological variation among wild vertebrates.
Cohesive Zone Modeling of Initiation and Propagation of Multiple Cracks in Hard Thin Surface Coatings
Authors: Laukkanen Anssi , Homberg Kenneth , Ronkainen Helena , Wallin Kim 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
Surface coatings are increasingly used to improve the tribological performance of advanced products. The novel coating deposition techniques offer numerous possibilities for tailoring surfaces with different materials and structures. The tribological contact of loaded surfaces is, however, a complicated system itself, and further complexity is introduced when functionally graded coating structures are considered or improvement of specific micro- and nanostructural features is pursued. Furthermore, the mechanisms of damage in such a system are from a modeling standpoint highly complex and to great extent remain an active and open field of study. The focus of the current work is in the numerical modeling of graded thin hard coatings on a plastically deforming metallic substrate when loaded by contact that is typically exhibited during a scratch test. A finite element approach is implemented wherein a coating crack initiation and propagation are modeled using cohesive zone formalism. The cracks are considered to initiate and propagate within the coating and also within the coating to substrate interface. The results demonstrate how an optimization of the coating structure can enhance and exceed the performance of simplistic traditional coated systems. The material parameters of the problem and their significance in terms of fracture and failure behavior are discussed. The results are compared to fracture mechanical analyses and experimental information regarding the problem under study.
Evaluation of High Temperature Rheological Characteristics of Asphalt Binder with Carbon Nano Particles
Authors: Amirkhanian Armen N. , Xiao Feipeng , Amirkhanian Serji N. 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
In recent years, nano technology, a relatively new field in science dealing with structures that are on the nano scale, have been used in numerous applications to improve properties of various materials. However, the use of this technology has not been explored in detail in the area of asphalt binder materials. The objective of this study was to investigate and evaluate the high temperature rheological properties of the binders containing various percentages of carbon nano particles. The experimental design for this study included the utilization of five binder sources, three binder grades (PG 64-22, PG 64-16, and PG 52-28), one type of nano particle, and four percentages of nano particles (0.0 %, 0.5 %, 1.0 %, and 1.5 % by weight of the virgin binder). Some of the rheological characteristics of these binders were obtained, including rotational viscometer (four testing temperatures of 120, 135, 150 , and 165°C) and dynamic shear rheometer. The results of the experiments indicated that the addition of nano particles was helpful in increasing the viscosity, failure temperature, phase angle, and viscous and elastic modulus values and in improving the rutting resistance of the binders. On the other hand, the binder sources and grades generally influenced their rheological properties as the nano particles were added to the asphalt binder.
Maintenance Costs, Outside Options and Optimal Ownership of a Public Good
Authors: Grosjean Pauline 
Published: November 2010

Abstract
There has been much attention recently to public-private partnerships and the involvement of NGOs in public good provision. This paper re-examines the effect of ownership of a public good on investment incentives when contracts are incomplete. In the presence of maintenance costs, it is shown that the leading result in the literature by Besley and Ghatak (2001) does not carry through. In some circumstances, project ownership should be allocated to the party that values the project relatively less. The model is applied to the case of environmental conservation and investigates the advantages of Payments for Environmental Services from the point of view of investment incentives in conservation.
Advanced User Interface Generation in the Software Framework for Magnetic Measurements at Cern
Authors: Arpaia Pasquale , Fiscarelli Lucio , Commara Giuseppe 
Published: November 2010

Advanced User Interface Generation in the Software Framework for Magnetic Measurements at CernA model-based approach, the Model-View-Interactor Paradigm, for automatic generation of user interfaces in software frameworks for measurement systems is proposed. The Model-View-Interactor Paradigm is focused on the "interaction" typical in a software framework for measurement applications: the final user interacts with the automatic measurement system executing a suitable high-level script previously written by a test engineer. According to the main design goal of frameworks, the proposed approach allows the user interfaces to be separated easily from the application logic for enhancing the flexibility and reusability of the software. As a practical case study, this approach has been applied to the flexible software framework for magnetic measurements at the European Organization for Nuclear research (CERN). In particular, experimental results about the scenario of permeability measurements are reported.
Do Indicated Preventive Interventions for Depression Represent Good Value for Money?
Authors: Mihalopoulos Cathrine , Vos Theo , Pirkis Jane , Smit Filip , Carter Rob 
Published: November 2010

Objective: The prevention of depression is of growing interest to researchers and policy makers. However, the question of whether interventions designed to prevent depression provide value for money at a population level remains largely unanswered. The current study assesses the cost-effectiveness of two indicated interventions designed to prevent depression: a brief psychological intervention based on bibliotherapy and a more comprehensive group-based psychological intervention following opportunistic screening for sub-syndromal depression in general practice. Method: Economic modelling using a cost utility framework was used to assess the incremental cost effectiveness ratios (ICERs) of the two interventions within the Australian population context, modelled as add-ons to current practice. The perspective was the health sector and outcomes were measured using disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Uncertainty was measured using probabilistic uncertainty testing and important model assumptions were tested using univariate sensitivity testing. Results: The brief bibliotherapy intervention had an ICER of AU$8600 per DALY and the group-based psychological intervention had an ICER of AU$20 000 per DALY. The majority of the uncertainty simulations for both interventions fell below the cost-effectiveness threshold value of $50 000 per DALY. Extensive sensitivity testing showed that the results were robust to the assumptions made in the analyses. Conclusions: Following screening in general practice, both psychological interventions, particularly brief bibliotherapy, appear to be good value for money and worthy of further evaluation under routine care circumstances. Acceptability issues associated with such interventions, particularly to primary care practitioners as providers of the interventions and health system administrators, also need to be considered before wide-scale adoption is contemplated.
Glutamate clearance mechanisms in resected cortical dysplasia
Authors: González-Martínez Jorge A. , Ying Zhong , Prayson Richard , Bingaman William , Najm Imad 
Published: November 2010

Object
Changes in the expression of glutamate transporters (GLTs) may play a role in the expression of epileptogenicity. Previous studies have shown an increased number of neuronal GLTs in human dysplastic neurons. The expression of glial and neuronal GLTs and glutamine synthetase (GS) in balloon cells (BCs) and BC-containing cortical dysplasia has not been studied.

Methods
The authors analyzed neocortical samples that were resected in 5 patients who had cortical dysplasia–induced medically intractable focal epilepsy and who underwent extraoperative prolonged electrocorticographic (ECoG) recordings. The expressions of glial (GLT1/EAAT2) and neuronal (EAAT3, EAAC1) GLTs and GS proteins were immunohistochemically studied in all 5 resected samples. The authors also assessed in situ colocalization of GLTs and GS with neuronal and glial markers.

Results
Balloon cell–containing cortical dysplasia lesions did not exhibit ictal patterns on prolonged extraoperative ECoG recordings. There was a differential expression of glial and neuronal GLTs in BCs and dysplastic neurons: the majority of BCs highly expressed glial but not neuronal GLTs. Dysplastic neurons showed increased immunohistochemical staining with neuronal EAAT3 but not with EAAT2/GLT1. Moreover, only glial fibrillary acidic protein–positive BCs also expressed GS.

Conclusions
There is a differential GLT expression in dysplastic and balloon cells. The presence of glial GLTs and GS in balloon cell cortical dysplasia suggests a possible antiepileptic role for BCs and is consistent with the reported increased epileptogenicity in GLT1-deficient animals.