bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Farm Animal Welfare, Consumer Willingness to Pay, and Trust: Results of a Cross‐National Survey
Authors: Nocella Giuseppe , Hubbard Lionel , Scarpa Riccardo 
Published: May 2010

AbstractHigher animal welfare standards increase costs along the supply chain of certified animal‐friendly products (AFP). Since the market outcome of certified AFP depends on consumer confidence toward supply chain operators complying with these standards, the role of trust in consumer willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) for AFP is paramount. Results from a contingent valuation survey administered in five European Union countries show that WTP estimates were sensitive to robust measures of consumer trust for certified AFP. Deriving the WTP effect of a single food category on total food expenditure is difficult for survey respondents; hence, a budget approach was employed to facilitate this process.
An Investigation of Factors that Influence the Survival of Contracts in the DOCa Rioja Wine Industry
Authors: Fernández Olmos Marta 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThis study applied a multi‐theoretical perspective to explore factors that determine the duration of continuing supply relationships between grape processors and growers. Our empirical study employed hazard rate models with time‐varying covariates, using data from supply contracts between wineries and growers in the DOCa Rioja wine industry. We found evidence that rates of contract termination: (1) decrease with the level of site‐specificity in the processor‐grower relationship; (2) increase with the existence of market uncertainty; (3) decrease with the existence of monitoring; and (4) increase (rather than decrease) over time.
LCE: a link-based cluster ensemble method for improved gene expression data analysis
Authors: Iam-on Natthakan , Boongoen Tossapon , Garrett Simon 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
Motivation: It is far from trivial to select the most effective clustering method and its parameterization, for a particular set of gene expression data, because there are a very large number of possibilities. Although many researchers still prefer to use hierarchical clustering in one form or another, this is often sub-optimal. Cluster ensemble research solves this problem by automatically combining multiple data partitions from different clusterings to improve both the robustness and quality of the clustering result. However, many existing ensemble techniques use an association matrix to summarize sample-cluster co-occurrence statistics, and relations within an ensemble are encapsulated only at coarse level, while those existing among clusters are completely neglected. Discovering these missing associations may greatly extend the capability of the ensemble methodology for microarray data clustering.
Results: The link-based cluster ensemble (LCE) method, presented here, implements these ideas and demonstrates outstanding performance. Experiment results on real gene expression and synthetic datasets indicate that LCE: (i) usually outperforms the existing cluster ensemble algorithms in individual tests and, overall, is clearly class-leading; (ii) generates excellent, robust performance across different types of data, especially with the presence of noise and imbalanced data clusters; (iii) provides a high-level data matrix that is applicable to many numerical clustering techniques; and (iv) is computationally efficient for large datasets and gene clustering.
Availability: Online supplementary and implementation are available at: http://users.aber.ac.uk/nii07/bioinformatics2010
Contact: nii07@aber.ac.uk; natthakan@mfu.ac.th
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
If you try to stop smoking, should we pay for it? The cost–utility of reimbursing smoking cessation support in the Netherlands
Authors: Vemer Pepijn , Rutten‐van Mölken Maureen P. M. H. , Kaper Janneke , Hoogenveen Rudolf T. , Van Schayck C. P. , Feenstra Talitha L. 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACTBackground Smoking cessation can be encouraged by reimbursing the costs of smoking cessation support (SCS). The short‐term efficiency of reimbursement has been evaluated previously. However, a thorough estimate of the long‐term cost–utility is lacking.Objectives To evaluate long‐term effects of reimbursement of SCS.Methods Results from a randomized controlled trial were extrapolated to long‐term outcomes in terms of health care costs and (quality adjusted) life years (QALY) gained, using the Chronic Disease Model. Our first scenario was no reimbursement. In a second scenario, the short‐term cessation rates from the trial were extrapolated directly. Sensitivity analyses were based on the trial's confidence intervals. In the third scenario the additional use of SCS as found in the trial was combined with cessation rates from international meta‐analyses.Results Intervention costs per QALY gained compared to the reference scenario were approximately €1200 extrapolating the trial effects directly, and €4200 when combining the trial's use of SCS with the cessation rates from the literature. Taking all health care effects into account, even costs in life years gained, resulted in an estimated incremental cost–utility of €4500 and €7400, respectively. In both scenarios costs per QALY remained below €16 000 in sensitivity analyses using a life‐time horizon.Conclusions Extrapolating the higher use of SCS due to reimbursement led to more successful quitters and a gain in life years and QALYs. Accounting for overheads, administration costs and the costs of SCS, these health gains could be obtained at relatively low cost, even when including costs in life years gained. Hence, reimbursement of SCS seems to be cost‐effective from a health care perspective.
The value of pulse pressure and stroke volume variation as predictors of fluid responsiveness during open chest surgery
Authors: Wyffels P. A. H. , Sergeant P. , Wouters P. F. 
Published: May 2010

SummaryWe investigated the ability of pulse pressure variation and stroke volume variation to predict fluid responsiveness during mechanical ventilation in patients undergoing open chest surgery by comparing their respective correlations with cardiac output changes induced by leg elevation. Serial leg elevation manoeuvres were performed before and after sternotomy in 15 patients scheduled for elective off‐pump coronary bypass surgery. Under closed chest conditions, both pulse pressure variation and stroke volume variation correlated well with the induced cardiac output changes (r = 0.856, p = 0.002 and r = 0.897, p = 0.0012, respectively). These correlations were lost for both parameters following sternotomy. Our data show that pulse pressure variation and stroke volume variation are valid predictors of fluid responsiveness under closed chest conditions but that this property no longer holds when the chest is open.
Melanism in guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) is associated with a deletion of Phenylalanine‐256 in the MC1R gene
Authors: Vidal O. , Araguas R. M. , Fernández R. , Heras S. , Sanz N. , Pla C. 
Published: May 2010

SummaryWe have characterized a deletion in the MC1R gene causing the loss of one amino acid (p.Phe256del), which is perfectly associated with melanism in guinea fowl (Numida meleagris). Co‐segregation of the p.Phe256del with melanism was confirmed in 25 offspring born from a cross of two heterozygote birds; therefore we suggest that this mutation is responsible for the black phenotype. Interestingly, this is the first case of recessive melanism linked to MC1R.
A genetic linkage map of red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus
Authors: Portnoy D. S. , Renshaw M. A. , Hollenbeck C. M. , Gold J. R. 
Published: May 2010

SummarySecond‐generation, sex‐specific genetic linkage maps were generated for the economically important estuarine‐dependent marine fish Sciaenops ocellatus (red drum). The maps were based on F1 progeny from each of two single‐pair mating families. A total of 237 nuclear‐encoded microsatellite markers were mapped to 25 linkage groups. The female map contained 226 markers, with a total length of 1270.9 centiMorgans (cM) and an average inter‐marker interval of 6.53 cM; the male map contained 201 markers, with a total length of 1122.9 cM and an average inter‐marker interval of 6.03 cM. The overall recombination rate was approximately equal in the two sexes (♀:♂ = 1.03:1). Recombination rates in a number of linkage intervals, however, differed significantly between the same sex in both families and between sexes within families. The former occurred in 2.4% of mapped intervals, while the latter occurred in 51.2% of mapped intervals. Sex‐specific recombination rates varied within chromosomes, with regions of both female‐biased and male‐biased recombination. Original clones from which the microsatellite markers were generated were compared with genome sequence data for the spotted green puffer, Tetraodon nigroviridis; a total of 43 matches were located in 17 of 21 chromosomes of T. nigroviridis, while seven matches were in unknown portions of the T. nigroviridis genome. The map for red drum provides a new, useful tool for aquaculture, population genetics, and comparative genomics of this economically important marine species.
Mosapride as an adjunct to lansoprazole for symptom relief of reflux oesophagitis
Authors: Hsu Yao‐Chun , Yang Tzeng‐Huey , Hsu Wei‐Lun , Wu Huei‐Tang , Cheng Yang‐Chih , Chiang Ming‐Feng , Wang Chaur‐Shine , Lin Hwai‐Jeng 
Published: May 2010

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT Reflux oesophagitis is a common clinical disorder associated with significant morbidity. Proton pump inhibitors are the current pharmacotherapy of choice, but not all treated patients achieve symptom relief. Little is known about the efficacy of mosapride, a prokinetic agent which decreases episodes of gastro‐oesophageal reflux, as an adjunct to proton pump inhibitors in improving the symptoms of reflux oesophagitis. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS Mosapride was generally not more effective than placebo as an adjunct therapy to a standard dose of lansoprazole in decreasing the symptom burden of patients with reflux oesophagitis. However, in a subgroup with more severe symptoms, combination therapy with lansoprazole and mosapride was possibly superior to monotherapy with lansoprazole.AIMSTo investigate if mosapride, a prokinetic agent, was an effective adjunct to acid suppression in improving the symptoms of reflux oesophagitis.METHODSPatients (n= 96) with reflux oesophagitis were randomly assigned to either mosapride (5 mg three times daily) or placebo for 4 weeks. Symptom severity was assessed by a validated questionnaire at enrolment, 4 and 8 weeks after medication. The primary outcome for the first 4 weeks was decrease in symptom scores. After a 3 day washout period, patients initially allocated to mosapride crossed over to placebo and vice versa for the next 4 weeks. The outcome of the second phase was maintenance of symptom control. All patients received lansoprazole (30 mg once daily) throughout study.RESULTSThe decreased symptom score after 4 weeks of treatment with lansoprazole and mosapride (n= 50) was 13.42 ± 1.16 (mean ± SEM), similar to that of lansoprazole plus placebo (10.85 ± 1.03, n= 46), with an insignificant difference of 2.57 (95% CI −0.53, 5.67, P= 0.103). However, a sub‐group analysis for patients with pre‐treatment scores of >18 points (n= 48) revealed that lansoprazole plus mosapride achieved a greater reduction of symptom score than lansoprazole plus placebo (18.22 ± 1.91 vs. 12.88 ± 1.65; mean difference of 5.34, 95% CI 0.28, 10.40, P= 0.039). In the second phase, there was no difference between lansoprazole with mosapride or placebo in maintaining symptom control (39/44 or 86.64% vs. 41/50 or 82%, P= 0.401). Subgroup analysis for those with substantial residual symptoms revealed similar results.CONCLUSIONCompared with placebo, mosapride generally does not provide additional benefit to a standard dose of lansoprazole in patients with reflux oesophagitis, except possibly in the subgroup of severely symptomatic patients.
CYP4F2rs2108622: a minor significant genetic factor of warfarin dose in Han Chinese patients with mechanical heart valve replacement
Authors: Cen Han‐Jing , Zeng Wu‐Tao , Leng Xiu‐Yu , Huang Min , Chen Xiao , Li Jia‐Li , Huang Zhi‐Ying , Bi Hui‐Chang , Wang Xue‐Ding , He Yan‐Ling , He Fan , Zhou Rui‐Na , Zheng Qi‐Shan , Zhao Li‐Zi 
Published: May 2010

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT• Genetic polymorphisms ofVKORC1andCYP2C9are known to influence warfarin dosage.• Recent studies among Caucasians showed that polymorphisms ofCYP4F2also play a role in warfarin pharmacogenetics.• The contribution ofCYP4F2variants to the variability inwarfarin dose requirement in Chinese subjects remains to be investigated.WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS• This research was to study the effect ofCYP4F2variants on warfarin requirements in the Han Chinese population.• This study developed a multiple regression model includingCYP2C9,VKORC13673G>A,CYP4F2genotypes and age, weight, combination use of amiodarone which could explain 56.1% of the individual variability in warfarin doseCYP4F2could explain 4% of the variance in warfarin dose.• We found that one novel genotypic polymorphism 5417G>T for Asp36Tyr, which was identified as an important marker of warfarin resistance, was absent in the Han Chinese population in our study.AIMSThe objective of this study was to assess the effect of theCYP4F2on the daily stable warfarin dose requirement in Han Chinese patients with mechanical heart valve replacement (MHVR).METHODSFrom March 2007 to November 2008, 222 Han Chinese MHVR patients were recruited in our study.VKORC13673G>A, 5417G>T,CYP2C9*3 andCYP4F2rs2108622 were genotyped by using the polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism method (PCR‐RFLP). Polymorphisms ofVKORC19041G>A were detected by direct sequencing. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to investigate the contribution ofCYP4F2.RESULTSTheCYP4F2rs2108622 CT/TT group took a significantly higher stable warfarin dose (3.2 mg day−1) than the CC group (2.9 mg day−1, 95% CI 0.2, 1.0,P= 0.033). The multiple linear regression model includedVKORC13673G>A,CYP2C9,CYP4F2genotypes and clinical characteristics. The model could explain 56.1% of the variance in stable warfarin dose in Han Chinese patients with MHVR.CYP4F2contributed about 4% to the variance in the warfarin dose. There was no variation in the SNPs ofVKORC15417G>T.CONCLUSIONCYP4F2is a minor significant factor of individual variability in the stable warfarin dose in Han Chinese patients with MHVR. The effect ofCYP2C9andVKORC1genotypes on variability in the stable warfarin dose had also been confirmed.
All‐cause mortality of elderly Australian veterans using COX‐2 selective or non‐selective NSAIDs: a longitudinal study
Authors: Kerr Stephen J. , Rowett Debra S. , Sayer Geoffrey P. , Whicker Susan D. , Saltman Deborah C. , Mant Andrea 
Published: May 2010

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • Previous studies have found varying impact of exposure to COX‐2 selective and non‐selective NSAIDs. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • Individuals receiving a COX‐2 selective NSAID had an increased risk of all‐cause mortality after correction for age, sex and cardiovascular risk as measured by co‐prescription.• Despite differences in the pharmacokinetic properties of the COX‐2 selective inhibitor drugs, our study lends no support to clinicians preferring any one COX‐2 selective inhibitor drug, or substituting one for another on the grounds of mortality risk alone.• The Australian Department of Veterans' Affairs data sets make it possible to conduct timely record linkage studies of all‐cause mortality from use of medicines in a large and clinically relevant population.AIM To determine hazard ratios for all‐cause mortality in elderly Australian veterans taking COX‐2 selective and non‐selective NSAIDs.METHODS Patient cohorts were constructed from claims databases (1997 to 2007) for veterans and dependants with full treatment entitlement irrespective of military service. Patients were grouped by initial exposure: celecoxib, rofecoxib, meloxicam, diclofenac, non‐selective NSAID. A reference group was constructed of patients receiving glaucoma/hypothyroid medications and none of the study medications. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using Cox proportional hazards regression models. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated for each exposure group against each of the reference group. The final model was adjusted for age, gender and co‐prescription as a surrogate for cardiovascular risk. Patients were censored if the gap in supply of study prescription exceeded 30 days or if another study medication was initiated. The outcome measure in all analyses was death.RESULTS Hazard ratios and 95% CIs, adjusted for age, gender and cardiovascular risk, for each group relative to the reference group were: celecoxib 1.39 (1.25, 1.55), diclofenac 1.44 (1.28, 1.62), meloxicam 1.49 (1.25, 1.78), rofecoxib 1.58 (1.39, 1.79), non‐selective NSAIDs 1.76 (1.59, 1.94).CONCLUSIONS In this large cohort of Australian veterans exposed to COX‐2 selective and non‐selective NSAIDs, there was a significant increased mortality risk for those exposed to either COX‐2‐selective or non‐selective NSAIDs relative to those exposed to unrelated (glaucoma/hypothyroid) medications.
Interferon‐alpha regulates the dynamic balance between human activated regulatory and effector T cells: implications for antiviral and autoimmune responses
Authors: Golding Amit , Rosen Antony , Petri Michelle , Akhter Ehtisham , Andrade Felipe 
Published: May 2010

SummaryAn adequate effector response against pathogens and its subsequent inactivation after pathogen clearance are critical for the maintenance of immune homeostasis. This process involves an initial phase of T‐cell effector (Teff) activation followed by the expansion of regulatory T cells (Tregs), a unique cell population that limits Teff functions. However, significant questions remain unanswered about the mechanisms that regulate the balance between these cell populations. Using an in vitro system to mimic T‐cell activation in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), we analysed the patterns of Treg and Teff activation, with special attention to the role of type I interferon (IFN‐I). Interestingly, we found that IFN‐α, either exogenously added or endogenously induced, suppressed the generation of CD4+ FoxP3HI IFN‐γNeg activated Tregs (aTregs) while simultaneously promoting propagation of CD4+ FoxP3Low/Neg IFN‐γPos activated Teffs (aTeffs). We also showed that IFN‐α‐mediated inhibition of interleukin (IL)‐2 production may play an essential role in IFN‐α‐induced suppression of aTregs. In order to test our findings in a disease state with chronically elevated IFN‐α, we investigated systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Plasma from patients with SLE was found to contain IFN‐I activity that suppressed aTreg generation. Furthermore, anti‐CD3 activated SLE PBMCs exhibited preferential expansion of aTeffs with a very limited increase in aTreg numbers. Together, these observations support a model whereby a transient production of IFN‐α (such as is seen in an early antiviral response) may promote CD4 effector functions by delaying aTreg generation, but a chronic elevation of IFN‐α may tip the aTeff:aTreg balance towards aTeffs and autoimmunity.
Risk factors for visceral leishmaniasis in India: further evidence on the role of domestic animals
Authors: Singh S. P. , Hasker E. , Picado A. , Gidwani K. , Malaviya P. , Singh R. P. , Boelaert M. , Sundar S. 
Published: May 2010

SummaryObjective  Studies investigating risk factors for visceral leishmaniasis (VL) on the Indian Subcontinent have shown contradictory results related to the role of domestic animals. In some studies having animals in or around the house was a risk factor, in others it was protective. We investigated the specific hypothesis that keeping domestic animals inside the house at night is a risk factor for VL.Methods  Individually matched case–control study. All patients with VL diagnosed in the study area in Bihar, India between March 1st, 2007 and December 1st, 2008 were eligible. For each case, we selected two random controls, with no history of previous VL; matched on sex, age group and neighbourhood. Patients and controls were subjected to a structured interview on the main exposure of interest and potential confounders; a conditional logistic regression model was used to analyse the data.Results  We enrolled 141 patients and 282 controls. We found no significant associations between VL and keeping domestic animals inside the house (OR of 0.88 for bovines and 1.00 for ‘any animal’) or ownership of domestic animals (OR of 0.97 for bovines and 1.02 for ‘any animal’). VL was associated with housing conditions. Living in a thatched house (OR 2.60, 95% CI 1.50–4.48) or in a house with damp floors (OR 2.60, 95% CI 1.25–5.41) were risk factors, independently from socio economic status.Conclusion  Keeping animals inside the house is not a risk factor for VL in Bihar, India. Improving housing conditions for the poor has the potential to reduce VL incidence.
Household cost‐of‐illness of visceral leishmaniasis in Bihar, India
Authors: Sundar Shyam , Arora Rakesh , Singh S. P. , Boelaert Marleen , Varghese Beena 
Published: May 2010

SummaryObjective  To determine the cost of kala‐azar (KA) to patients in Bihar, India.Method  A semi‐structured questionnaire was used to collect costs of illness – direct (medical; non‐medical) and indirect costs (work days lost). After screening the community known to be endemic for visceral leishmaniasis (VL), households (HHs) with VL were recruited which reported a case of KA who received treatment between September 2005 and September 2006. The total costs were calculated as a summation of individual costs category. Medians were estimated for the total and for each of the cost categories.Result  Data from 171 HHs and 183 patients revealed that median age of patients with KA was 18; 59% were men; 33% were employed; household size was 7; household median monthly income was $38. The median total costs per patient were $127, equal to >3 months of income, of which medical care comprised $83 (provider fees $13, medicines $50, diagnostics $9, hospital stay $30); and food and transport comprised $33. Patients also lost almost 2 weeks of work time during illness and even after recovery.Conclusion  Despite provision of free/subsidized medicines, diagnostics, and hospital stay at public and Non‐Governmental Organization facilities, the impoverished HHs of Bihar with a case of KA incur high expenditures. Easier access to, and more use of free public health services, plus innovative health financing schemes, are urgently required.
Correlation between pruritus score and grossly visible erythema in dogs
Authors: Hill Peter , Rybníček Jan , Lau‐Gillard Peri 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe severity of pruritus and the extent and severity of erythema were quantified in 107 dogs presenting with various dermatoses. Pruritus was assessed using a previously validated scale, and erythema was quantified by assessing severity at 72 different body sites. Pruritus scores were either 0, or followed a normal type of distribution, with most dogs having a score in the middle of the range and a few dogs having low or high scores. The median pruritus score was 6.3/10. Erythema scores were heavily skewed towards lower values, with only a few dogs having high scores. The median diffuse erythema score was 6.0/216 and the median score for maculo‐papular/pustular erythema was 0/1080. Pruritus and erythema scores were significantly correlated with a Spearman rank correlation coefficient of 0.4062 (P < 0.001). However, visual assessment of the data representing the two variables revealed that this was not a consistent biological or clinically relevant correlation. Individual dogs could have a high pruritus score with low erythema score or vice versa. This study raises questions about the use of erythema scoring systems as a primary outcome measure in clinical trials, and also about the role of various inflammatory mediators in the pathogenesis of canine pruritus.