bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of basal serum testosterone levels with ovarian response and in vitro fertilization outcome
Authors: Qin Yingying , Zhao Zhiyi , Sun Mei , Geng Ling , Che Li , Chen Zi-Jiang 
Published: January 2011

Abstract

Background
To evaluate basal testosterone (T) levels during follicular phase of the menstrual cycle as a predictor for ovarian response and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome.

Method
We analyzed data retrospectively from hospital-based IVF center including one thousand two hundred and sixty Chinese Han women under their first IVF cycle reached the ovum pick-up stage, without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or endometriosis undergoing long IVF protocol. Patients were divided into 2 groups. Group 1: patients with diminished ovarian reserve (basal FSH >10 IU/L) (n = 187); Group 2: patients with normal ovarian reserve (basal FSH < = 10 IU/L) (n = 1073). We studied the association of basal T levels with ovarian response and IVF outcome in the two groups. Long luteal down-regulation protocol was used in all patients, that is, the gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist was administered in the midluteal phase of the previous cycle and use of recombinant FSH was started when satisfactory pituitary desensitization was achieved.

Results
Basal T levels were markly different between pregnant and non-pregnant women in Group 1; whereas not in Group 2. A testosterone level of 47.85 ng/dl was shown to predict pregnancy outcome with a sensitivity of 52.8% and specificity of 65.3%; and the basal T was correlated with the numbers of large follicles (> 14 mm) on HCG day in Group 1. Significantly negative correlations were observed between basal T, days of stimulation and total dose of gonadotropins after adjusting for confounding factors in both groups.

Conclusion
In women with diminished ovarian reserve, basal T level was a predictor for the number of large follicles on HCG day and pregnancy outcome; but could not in those with normal serum FSH. Basal T levels were associated with both days of stimulation and total dose of gonadotropins, indicating that lower level of T might relate with potential ovarian poor response.
A system dynamics analysis determining willingness to wait and pay for the implementation of data standards in clinical research
Authors: Cofiel Luciana , Zammar Guilherme R , Zaveri Amrapali J , Shah Jatin Y , Carvalho Elias , Nahm Meredith , Kesselring Gustavo , Pietrobon Ricardo 
Published: January 2011

Abstract

Background
Industry standards provide rigorous descriptions of required data presentation, with the aim of ensuring compatibility across different clinical studies. However despite their crucial importance, these standards are often not used as expected in the development of clinical research. The reasons for this lack of compliance could be related to the high cost and time-intensive nature of the process of data standards implementation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the value of the extra time and cost required for different levels of data standardisation and the likelihood of researchers to comply with these levels. Since we believe that the cost and time necessary for the implementation of data standards can change over time, System Dynamics (SD) analysis was used to investigate how these variables interact and influence the adoption of data standards by clinical researchers.

Methods
Three levels of data standards implementation were defined through focus group discussion involving four clinical research investigators. Ten Brazilian and eighteen American investigators responded to an online questionnaire which presented possible standards implementation scenarios, with respondents asked to choose one of two options available in each scenario. A random effects ordered probit model was used to estimate the effect of cost and time on investigators' willingness to adhere to data standards. The SD model was used to demonstrate the relationship between degrees of data standardisation and subsequent variation in cost and time required to start the associated study.

Results
A preference for low cost and rapid implementation times was observed, with investigators more likely to incur costs than to accept a time delay in project start-up. SD analysis indicated that although initially extra time and cost are necessary for clinical study standardisation, there is a decrease in both over time.

Conclusions
Future studies should explore ways of creating mechanisms which decrease the time and cost associated with standardisation processes. In addition, the fact that the costs and time necessary for data standards implementation decrease with time should be made known to the wider research community. Policy makers should attempt to match their data standardisation policies better with the expectations of researchers.
Conceptualising population health: from mechanistic thinking to complexity science
Authors: Jayasinghe Saroj 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThe mechanistic interpretation of reality can be traced to the influential work by René Descartes and Sir Isaac Newton. Their theories were able to accurately predict most physical phenomena relating to motion, optics and gravity. This paradigm had at least three principles and approaches: reductionism, linearity and hierarchy. These ideas appear to have influenced social scientists and the discourse on population health. In contrast, Complexity Science takes a more holistic view of systems. It views natural systems as being 'open', with fuzzy borders, constantly adapting to cope with pressures from the environment. These are called Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS). The sub-systems within it lack stable hierarchies, and the roles of agency keep changing. The interactions with the environment and among sub-systems are non-linear interactions and lead to self-organisation and emergent properties. Theoretical frameworks such as epi+demos+cracy and the ecosocial approach to health have implicitly used some of these concepts of interacting dynamic sub-systems. Using Complexity Science we can view population health outcomes as an emergent property of CAS, which has numerous dynamic non-linear interactions among its interconnected sub-systems or agents. In order to appreciate these sub-systems and determinants, one should acquire a basic knowledge of diverse disciplines and interact with experts from different disciplines. Strategies to improve health should be multi-pronged, and take into account the diversity of actors, determinants and contexts. The dynamic nature of the system requires that the interventions are constantly monitored to provide early feedback to a flexible system that takes quick corrections.
Quality of data collection in a large HIV observational clinic database in sub‐Saharan Africa: implications for clinical research and audit of care
Authors: Kiragga Agnes N , Castelnuovo Barbara , Schaefer Petra , Muwonge Timothy , Easterbrook Philippa J 
Published: January 2011

BackgroundObservational HIV clinic databases are now widely used to answer key questions related to HIV care and treatment, but there has been no systematic evaluation of their quality of data. Our objective was to evaluate the completeness and accuracy of recording of key data HIV items in a large routine observational HIV clinic database.MethodsWe looked at the number and rate of opportunistic infections (OIs) per 100 person years at risk in the 24 months following antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation in 559 patients who initiated ART in 2004‐2005 and enrolled into a research cohort. We compared this with data in a routine clinic database for the same 559 patients, and a further 1233 patients who initiated ART in the same period. The Research Cohort database was considered as the reference “gold standard” for the assessment of data accuracy. A crude percentage of underreporting of OIs in the clinic database was calculated based on the difference between the OI rates reported in both databases.We reviewed 100 clinic patient medical records to assess the accuracy of recording of key data items of OIs, ART toxicities and ART regimen changes.ResultsThe overall incidence rate per 100 person years at risk for the initial OI in the 559 patients in the research cohort and clinic databases was 24.1 (95% CI: 20.5‐28.2) and 13.2 (95% CI: 10.8‐16.2) respectively, and 10.4 (95% CI: 9.1‐11.9) for the 1233 clinic patients. This represents a 1.8‐ and 2.3‐fold higher rate of events in the research cohort database compared with the same 599 patients and 1233 patients in the routine clinic database, or a 45.1% and 56.8% rate of underreporting, respectively. The combined error rate of missing and incorrect items from the medical records' review was 67% for OIs, 52% for ART‐related toxicities, and 83% and 58% for ART discontinuation and modification, respectively.ConclusionsThere is a high rate of underreporting of OIs in a routine HIV clinic database. This has important implications for the use and interpretation of routine observational databases for research and audit, and highlights the need for regular data validation of these databases.
Association of functional polymorphisms in CYP19A1 with aromatase inhibitor associated arthralgia in breast cancer survivors
Authors: Mao Jun J , Su H Irene , Feng Rui , Donelson Michelle L , Aplenc Richard , Rebbeck Timothy R , Stanczyk Frank , DeMichele Angela 
Published: January 2011

Abstract
Introduction
Aromatase inhibitor-associated arthralgia (AIAA) is a common and often debilitating symptom in breast cancer survivors. Since joint symptoms have been related to estrogen deprivation through the menopausal transition, we hypothesized that genetic polymorphisms in CYP19A1, the final enzyme in estrogen synthesis, may be associated with the occurrence of AIAA.

Methods
We performed a cross-sectional study of postmenopausal women with stage 0 to III breast cancer receiving adjuvant aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy. Patient-reported AIAA was the primary outcome. DNA was genotyped for candidate CYP19A1 polymorphisms. Serum estrogen levels were evaluated by radioimmunoassay. Multivariate analyses were performed to examine associations between AIAA and genetic variants controlling for possible confounders.

Results
Among 390 Caucasian participants, 50.8% reported AIAA. Women carrying at least one 8-repeat allele had lower odds of AIAA (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.21 to 0.79, P = 0.008) after adjusting for demographic and clinical covariates. Estradiol and estrone were detectable in 47% and 86% of subjects on AIs, respectively. Although these post-AI levels were associated with multiple genotypes, they were not associated with AIAA. In multivariate analyses, women with more recent transition into menopause (less than five years) were significantly more likely to report AIAA than those greater than ten years post-menopause (AOR 3.31, 95% CI 1.72 to 6.39, P < 0.001).

Conclusions
Functional polymorphism in CYP19A1 and time since menopause are associated with patient-reported AIAA, supporting the hypothesis that the host hormonal environment contributes to the pathophysiology of AAIA. Prospective investigation is needed to further delineate relationships between host genetics, changing estrogen levels and AIAA.
Obstacles and opportunities for understanding macrophage polarization
Authors: Murray Peter J , Wynn Thomas A 
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACTMacrophages are now routinely categorized into phenotypic subtypes based on gene expression induced in response to cytokine and pathogen-derived stimulation. In the broadest division, macrophages are described as being CAMs (M1 macrophages) or AAMs (M2 macrophages) based on their exposure to TLR and IFN signals or Th2 cytokines, respectively. Despite the prolific use of this simple classification scheme, little is known about the precise functions of effector molecules produced by AAMs, especially how representative the CAM and AAM subtypes are of tissue macrophages in homeostasis, infection, or tissue repair and how plasticity in gene expression regulates macrophage function in vivo. Furthermore, correlations between mouse and human tissue macrophages and their representative subtypes are lacking and are a major barrier to understanding human immunity. Here, we briefly summarize current features of macrophage polarization and discuss the roles of various macrophage subpopulations and macrophage-associated genes in health and disease.
SerpinB1 protects the mature neutrophil reserve in the bone marrow
Authors: Benarafa Charaf , LeCuyer Tessa E , Baumann Mathias , Stolley James Michael , Cremona Tiziana P , Remold-O′Donnell Eileen 
Published: January 2011

ABSTRACTSerpinB1 is among the most efficient inhibitors of neutrophil serine proteases—NE, CG, and PR-3—and we investigated here its role in neutrophil development and homeostasis. We found that serpinB1 is expressed in all human bone marrow leukocytes, including stem and progenitor cells. Expression levels were highest in the neutrophil lineage and peaked at the promyelocyte stage, coincident with the production and packaging of the target proteases. Neutrophil numbers were decreased substantially in the bone marrow of serpinB1−/− mice. This cellular deficit was associated with an increase in serum G-CSF levels. On induction of acute pulmonary injury, neutrophils were recruited to the lungs, causing the bone marrow reserve pool to be completely exhausted in serpinB1−/− mice. Numbers of myeloid progenitors were normal in serpinB1−/− bone marrow, coincident with the absence of target protease expression at these developmental stages. Maturation arrest of serpinB1−/− neutrophils was excluded by the normal CFU-G growth in vitro and the normal expression in mature neutrophils of early and late differentiation markers. Normal absolute numbers of proliferating neutrophils and pulse-chase kinetic studies in vivo showed that the bone marrow deficit in serpinB1−/− mice was largely restricted to mature, postmitotic neutrophils. Finally, upon overnight culture, apoptosis and necrosis were greater in purified bone marrow neutrophils from serpinB1−/− compared with WT mice. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that serpinB1 sustains a healthy neutrophil reserve that is required in acute immune responses.
Sox3 Functions in a Cell-Autonomous Manner to Regulate Spermatogonial Differentiation in Mice
Authors: Laronda Monica M. , Jameson J. Larry 
Published: January 2011

AbstractThe X-linked Sox3 gene encodes a member of the Sry high-mobility group box proteins, which play a role in many developmental processes including neurogenesis and testis development. This study further examined the role of Sox3 in spermatogenesis. Males without Sox3 expression exhibited a similar number of germ cell nuclear antigen-positive germ cells at 1, 5, and 10 d postpartum (dpp) compared to their wild-type littermates, but there was significant germ cell depletion by 20 dpp. However, spermatogenesis later resumed and postmeiotic germ cells were observed by 56 dpp. The VasaCre transgene was used to generate a germ cell-specific deletion of Sox3. The phenotype of the germ cell-specific Sox3 knockout was similar to the ubiquitous knockout, indicating an intrinsic role for Sox3 in germ cells. The residual germ cells in 20 dpp Sox3−/Y males were spermatogonia as indicated by their expression of neurogenin3 but not synaptonemal complex protein 3, which is expressed within cells undergoing meiosis. RNA expression analyses corroborated the histological analyses and revealed a gradual transition from relatively increased expression of spermatogonia genes at 20 dpp to near normal expression of genes characteristic of undifferentiated and meiotic germ cells by 84 dpp. Fluorescent-activated cell sorting of undifferentiated (ret tyrosine kinase receptor positive) and differentiated (kit receptor tyrosine kinase-positive) spermatogonia revealed depletion of differentiated spermatogonia in Sox3−/Y tubules. These results indicate that Sox3 functions in an intrinsic manner to promote differentiation of spermatogonia in prepubertal mice but it is not required for ongoing spermatogenesis in adults. The Sox3−/Y males provide a unique model for studying the mechanism of germ cell differentiation in prepubertal testes.
Two-Year Outcome Following Traumatic Brain Injury and Rehabilitation: A Comparison of Patients From Metropolitan Melbourne and Those Residing in Regional Victoria
Authors: Ponsford Jennie , Olver John , Ponsford Michael , Schönberger Michael 
Published: January 2011

AbstractBackground and Objective:Victoria's trauma management system provides acute care and rehabilitation following traumatic brain injury (TBI), with care of more complex injuries generally provided in specialist centres in metropolitan Melbourne. Little is known about how the outcomes of TBI survivors living in metropolitan Melbourne compare to those who reside in regional Victoria once they return to their community, where support services may be less available. The aim of the present study was to compare, in TBI individuals who have been treated at an inner-city rehabilitation centre in Melbourne, the long-term outcomes of those who live in metropolitan Melbourne (termed ‘Metro’) with those who reside in regional Victoria, termed ‘Regional.’Design and participants:Comparative study with quantitative outcome measures. A total of 959 patients, of whom 645 were designated ‘metro’ and 314 ‘regional’, were followed-up routinely at 2 years post-injury.Outcome measures:Structured Outcome Questionnaire, Glasgow Outcome Scale — Extended, Sickness Impact Profile, Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and Drug Abuse Screening Test.Results:Few differences in outcomes were found between groups. However, after controlling for group differences in age and injury severity, some non-significant trends were suggestive of better outcomes in terms of less social isolation and anxiety and fewer dysexecutive behaviours in regional dwellers.Conclusions:These findings suggest that outcomes in patients from regional areas are at least as good as those from metropolitan Melbourne.
Comparison of People With ABI Living in Two Accommodation Settings: Shared Supported Accommodation and Residential Aged Care
Authors: Winkler Dianne , Farnworth Louise , Sloan Sue , Brown Ted , Callaway Libby 
Published: January 2011

AbstractBackground:People with severe acquired brain injury (ABI) often require high and ongoing levels of paid support, which is sometimes provided within a shared supported accommodation service (SSA). In Victoria there are more than 140 people with severe ABI living in shared supported accommodation services who have a similar level of disability as young people with ABI in residential aged care (RAC).Objectives:The aims of this article are twofold: (1) to describe the characteristics, support needs and level of community inclusion of people with an ABI living in shared SSA in Victoria and (2) to compare the characteristics, support needs, social contact, community integration and leisure participation of this group with a group of people with ABI under 50 years old living in RAC reported in a previous study.Participants:Information was obtained from SSA managers on 128 residents with an ABI, aged under 60 years, who were living in shared supported accommodation.Measures:Questionnaires were used to obtain information about the characteristics, support needs and occupational participation of participants. Support needs were measured utilising the Care and Needs Scale (CANS).Method:Questionnaires were sent to and completed by SSA managers.Results:Of the 39 SSA managers contacted, 32 provided information about the characteristics of 128 residents with ABI living in their facilities. While 72% of SSA residents accessed the community almost everyday or more often, 40% of this sample received a visit from a friend less often than once per year. Results of the CANS indicated that the SSA group required a similar level of support to the comparison group of people with ABI living in RAC, but went outside, participated in community based leisure activities, and visited friends significantly more often. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the frequency of visits to the facility from relatives or friends.Conclusion:Although the relationship between client outcomes and accommodation is a complex one, this study suggests that the type of accommodation and support has a significant impact on the frequency of community participation experienced people with ABI and high care needs.
The promotion of public interest through new policy initiatives for public television: the cases of France and Spain
Authors: Ibarra Karen Arriaza 
Published: January 2011

Public television in France and Spain differs from those in other European countries in the historical socio-political changes it has gone through in the last century. Coincidentally, today both media are working towards a new, similar model of public service television, and the implementation of some radical changes, such as the progressive suppression of advertising until its complete elimination in 2011, strengthens the assumption that new policy initiatives are being taken in order to finance and re-structure public television in both countries.The economic answer to the elimination of advertising has been the creation of new taxes to telecommunications' operators and private television companies in order to help support public media, but with these, controversy came: the European Commission has already accepted complaints from both countries' companies stating that these new taxes are illegal. The economic future of public television in France and Spain, then, is yet to be determined.
Dissection and prediction of RNA-binding sites on proteins
Authors: Pérez-Cano Laura , Fernández-Recio Juan 
Published: January 2011

AbstractRNA-binding proteins are involved in many important regulatory processes in cells and their study is essential for a complete understanding of living organisms. They show a large variability from both structural and functional points of view. However, several recent studies performed on protein-RNA crystal structures have revealed interesting common properties. RNA-binding sites usually constitute patches of positively charged or polar residues that make most of the specific and non-specific contacts with RNA. Negatively charged or aliphatic residues are less frequent at protein-RNA interfaces, although they can also be found either forming aliphatic and positive-negative pairs in protein RNA-binding sites or contacting RNA through their main chains. Aromatic residues found within these interfaces are usually involved in specific base recognition at RNA single-strand regions. This specific recognition, in combination with structural complementarity, represents the key source for specificity in protein-RNA association. From all this knowledge, a variety of computational methods for prediction of RNA-binding sites have been developed based either on protein sequence or on protein structure. Some reported methods are really successful in the identification of RNA-binding proteins or the prediction of RNA-binding sites. Given the growing interest in the field, all these studies and prediction methods will undoubtedly contribute to the identification and comprehension of protein-RNA interactions.