bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of the motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME) in predicting pregnancy after intrauterine insemination
Authors: Akl Livia D , Oliveira Joao Batista A , Petersen Claudia G , Mauri Ana L , Silva Liliane FI , Massaro Fabiana C , Baruffi Ricardo LR , Cavagna Mario , Franco Jose G 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background
Although the motile sperm organelle morphology examination (MSOME) was developed merely as a selection criterion, its application as a method for classifying sperm morphology may represent an improvement in the evaluation of semen quality. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic value of normal sperm morphology using MSOME with regard to clinical pregnancy (CP) after intrauterine insemination (IUI).

Methods
A total of 156 IUI cycles that were performed in 111 couples were prospectively analysed. Each subject received 75 IU of recombinant FSH every second day from the third day of the cycle. Beginning on the 10th day of the cycle, follicular development was monitored by vaginal ultrasound. When one or two follicles measuring at least 17 mm were observed, recombinant hCG was administered, and IUI was performed 12-14 h and 36-40 h after hCG treatment. Prior to the IUI procedure, sperm samples were analysed by MSOME at 8400× magnification using an inverted microscope that was equipped with DIC/Nomarski differential interference contrast optics. A minimum of 200 motile spermatozoa per semen sample were evaluated, and the percentage of normal spermatozoa in each sample was determined.

Results
Pregnancy occurred in 34 IUI cycles (CP rate per cycle: 21.8%, per patient: 30.6%). Based on the MSOME criteria, a significantly higher percentage of normal spermatozoa was found in the group of men in which the IUI cycles resulted in pregnancy (2.6+/-3.1%) compared to the group that did not achieve pregnancy (1.2+/-1.7%; P = 0.019). Logistic regression showed that the percentage of normal cells in the MSOME was a determining factor for the likelihood of clinical pregnancy (OR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.51; P = 0.003). The ROC curve revealed an area under the curve of 0.63 and an optimum cut-off point of 2% of normal sperm morphology. At this cut-off threshold, using the percentage of normal sperm morphology by MSOME to predict pregnancy was 50% sensitive with a 40% positive predictive value and 79% specificity with an 85% negative predictive value. The efficacy of using the percentage of normal sperm morphology by MSOME in predicting pregnancy was 65%.

Conclusions
The present findings support the use of high-magnification microscopy both for selecting spermatozoa and as a routine method for analysing semen before performing IUI.
Enhanced UV photosensitivity from rapid thermal annealed vertically aligned ZnO nanowires
Authors: Dhara Soumen , Giri PK 
Published: August 2011

AbstractWe report on the major improvement in UV photosensitivity and faster photoresponse from vertically aligned ZnO nanowires (NWs) by means of rapid thermal annealing (RTA). The ZnO NWs were grown by vapor-liquid-solid method and subsequently RTA treated at 700°C and 800°C for 120 s. The UV photosensitivity (photo-to-dark current ratio) is 4.5 × 103 for the as-grown NWs and after RTA treatment it is enhanced by a factor of five. The photocurrent (PC) spectra of the as-grown and RTA-treated NWs show a strong peak in the UV region and two other relatively weak peaks in the visible region. The photoresponse measurement shows a bi-exponential growth and bi-exponential decay of the PC from as-grown as well as RTA-treated ZnO NWs. The growth and decay time constants are reduced after the RTA treatment indicating a faster photoresponse. The dark current-voltage characteristics clearly show the presence of surface defects-related trap centers on the as-grown ZnO NWs and after RTA treatment it is significantly reduced. The RTA processing diminishes the surface defect-related trap centers and modifies the surface of the ZnO NWs, resulting in enhanced PC and faster photoresponse. These results demonstrated the effectiveness of RTA processing for achieving improved photosensitivity of ZnO NWs.
Common fixed points of R-weakly commuting maps in generalized metric spaces
Authors: Abbas Mujahid , Khan Safeer Hussain , Nazir Talat 
Published: August 2011

AbstractIn this paper, using the setting of a generalized metric space, a unique common fixed point of four R-weakly commuting maps satisfying a generalized contractive condition is obtained. We also present example in support of our result.2000 MSC: 54H25; 47H10; 54E50.
Dynamics of a two-dimensional system of rational difference equations of Leslie--Gower type
Authors: Kalabušić S , Kulenović MRS , Pilav E 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
We investigate global dynamics of the following systems of difference equations

x

n
+
1

=

α

1

+

β

1

x

n

A

1

+

y

n

y

n
+
1

=

γ

2

y

n

A

2

+

B

2

x

n

+

y

n

,

n
=
0
,
1
,
2
,
…

where the parameters α
1, β
1, A
1, γ
2, A
2, B
2 are positive numbers, and the initial conditions x
0 and y
0 are arbitrary nonnegative numbers. We show that this system has rich dynamics which depends on the region of parametric space. We show that the basins of attractions of different locally asymptotically stable equilibrium points or non-hyperbolic equilibrium points are separated by the global stable manifolds of either saddle points or non-hyperbolic equilibrium points. We give examples of a globally attractive non-hyperbolic equilibrium point and a semi-stable non-hyperbolic equilibrium point. We also give an example of two local attractors with precisely determined basins of attraction. Finally, in some regions of parameters, we give an explicit formula for the global stable manifold.

Mathematics Subject Classification (2000)

Primary: 39A10, 39A11 Secondary: 37E99, 37D10
Dietary total antioxidant capacity is inversely related to central adiposity as well as to metabolic and oxidative stress markers in healthy young adults
Authors: Hermsdorff Helen Hermana M , Puchau Blanca , Volp Ana Carolina P , Barbosa Kiriaque BF , Bressan Josefina , Zulet M Ángeles , Martínez J Alfredo 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background
Dietary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) has been assumed as a useful tool to assess the relationship between the cumulative antioxidant food capacity and several chronic disorders. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the potential relationships of dietary TAC with adiposity, metabolic and oxidative stress markers in healthy young adults.

Methods
This study enrolled 266 healthy subjects (105 men/ 161 women; 22 ± 3 years-old; 22.0 ± 2.7 kg/m2). Dietary intake, anthropometry, blood pressure, lifestyle features, and biochemical data were assessed with validated procedures.

Results
In linear regression analyses, dietary TAC values were inversely associated with glycemia, total cholesterol:HDL-c ratio, triglycerides and oxidized-LDL concentrations, and positively associated with HDL-c concentrations, independently of gender, age, smoking status, physical activity, vitamin use supplement, waist circumference, energy intake, fatty acid intake. In addition, plasma TAC was negatively correlated with ox-LDL concentrations (r= -0.20, P = 0.003), independently of the assessed confounding variables. Finally, dietary TAC values were inversely related to waist circumference values (r= -0.17, P = 0.005) as well as to lower mild central obesity occurrence (waist circumference ≥ 80/ 94 cm for women/ men, respectively).

Conclusion
Dietary TAC values are inversely associated with glucose and lipid biomarkers as well as with central adiposity measurements in healthy young adults, indicating dietary TAC as a useful tool to assess the health benefits of cumulative antioxidant capacity from food intake. In addition, the independent and inverse relationships of ox-LDL concentrations with dietary and plasma TAC respectively suggest a putative role of antioxidant rich-diet in the link between redox state and atherogenesis at early stage.
Subcoronary versus supracoronary aortic stenosis. an experimental evaluation
Authors: Sorensen Mette , Hasenkam J Michael , Jensen Henrik , Sloth Erik 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background
Valvular aortic stenosis is the most common cause of left ventricular hypertrophy due to gradually increasing pressure work. As the stenosis develop the left ventricular hypertrophy may lead to congestive heart failure, increased risk of perioperative complications and also increased risk of sudden death. A functional porcine model imitating the pathophysiological nature of valvular aortic stenosis is very much sought after in order to study the geometrical and pathophysiological changes of the left ventricle, timing of surgery and also pharmacological therapy in this patient group.
Earlier we developed a porcine model for aortic stenosis based on supracoronary aortic banding, this model may not completely imitate the pathophysiological changes that occurs when valvular aortic stenosis is present including the coronary blood flow. It would therefore be desirable to optimize this model according to the localization of the stenosis.

Methods
In 20 kg pigs subcoronary (n = 8), supracoronary aortic banding (n = 8) or sham operation (n = 4) was preformed via a left lateral thoracotomy. The primary endpoint was left ventricular wall thickness; secondary endpoints were heart/body weight ratio and the systolic/diastolic blood flow ratio in the left anterior descending coronary. Statistical evaluation by oneway anova and unpaired t-test.

Results
Sub- and supracoronary banding induce an equal degree of left ventricular hypertrophy compared with the control group. The coronary blood flow ratio was slightly but not significantly higher in the supracoronary group (ratio = 0.45) compared with the two other groups (subcoronary ratio = 0.36, control ratio = 0.34).

Conclusions
A human pathophysiologically compatible porcine model for valvular aortic stenosis was developed by performing subcoronary aortic banding. Sub- and supracoronary aortic banding induce an equal degree of left ventricular hypertrophy. This model may be valid for experimental investigations of aortic valve stenosis but studies of left ventricular hypertrophy can be studied equally well by graduated constriction of the ascending aorta.
Distinct configurations of protein complexes and biochemical pathways revealed by epistatic interaction network motifs
Authors: Casey Fergal , Krogan Nevan , Shields Denis C , Cagney Gerard 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Background
Gene and protein interactions are commonly represented as networks, with the genes or proteins comprising the nodes and the relationship between them as edges. Motifs, or small local configurations of edges and nodes that arise repeatedly, can be used to simplify the interpretation of networks.

Results
We examined triplet motifs in a network of quantitative epistatic genetic relationships, and found a non-random distribution of particular motif classes. Individual motif classes were found to be associated with different functional properties, suggestive of an underlying biological significance. These associations were apparent not only for motif classes, but for individual positions within the motifs. As expected, NNN (all negative) motifs were strongly associated with previously reported genetic (i.e. synthetic lethal) interactions, while PPP (all positive) motifs were associated with protein complexes. The two other motif classes (NNP: a positive interaction spanned by two negative interactions, and NPP: a negative spanned by two positives) showed very distinct functional associations, with physical interactions dominating for the former but alternative enrichments, typical of biochemical pathways, dominating for the latter.

Conclusion
We present a model showing how NNP motifs can be used to recognize supportive relationships between protein complexes, while NPP motifs often identify opposing or regulatory behaviour between a gene and an associated pathway. The ability to use motifs to point toward underlying biological organizational themes is likely to be increasingly important as more extensive epistasis mapping projects in higher organisms begin.
Purtscher-like retinopathy following valsalva maneuver effect: case report
Authors: Nor-Masniwati Saidin , Azhany Yaakub , Zunaina Embong 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Introduction
Purtscher's retinopathy is a rare condition that is noted in cases related to various types of trauma. The characteristic finding in the fundus is the presence of multiple Purtscher flecken. Purtscher-like retinopathy has a similar presentation in the fundus, but without an association with trauma.

Case presentation
A 43-year old Malay man presented with a sudden onset of central foggy vision in the left eye after holding his breath for two minutes while catching a falling object. It was not associated with floaters, flashes of light, or head trauma. His vision in the right eye was 6/6, and in his left eye it was finger counting. He had bilateral temporal sub-conjunctival hemorrhages. An examination of his left fundus revealed multiple white cotton wool spots and dot-blot retinal hemorrhages with diffuse retinal edema at the posterior pole. His right fundus was noted to have only mild temporal peri-papillary edema associated with a few dot-blot hemorrhages. Fundus fluorescein angiography showed good arterial perfusion and no evidence of leaking or neo-vascularization. A diagnosis of Purtscher-like retinopathy was made, and the patient was treated with indomethacin tablets for six weeks. At his six-week follow-up examination, his left eye visual acuity had improved to 6/12. His bilateral sub-conjunctival hemorrhage had resolved. His left fundus showed residual multiple cotton wool spots and reduced retinal edema.

Conclusions
Treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs seems to be effective in reducing edema in patients with Purtscher-like retinopathy.
Lipid rescue of massive verapamil overdose: a case report
Authors: Liang Conrad W , Diamond Sarah J , Hagg Daniel S 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Introduction
Massive intentional verapamil overdose is a toxic ingestion which can cause multiorgan system failure and has no currently known antidote.

Case Presentation
The patient is a 41-year-old Caucasian woman who ingested 19.2 g of sustained release verapamil in a suicide attempt. Our patient became hypotensive requiring three high-dose vasopressors to maintain arterial pressure. She also developed acute respiratory failure, bradycardic ventricular rhythm necessitating continuous transvenous pacing, and anuric renal failure. Our patient was treated with intravenous calcium, bicarbonate, hyperinsulinemic euglycemic therapy and continuous venovenous hemodialysis without success. On the fourth day after hospital admission continuous intravenous lipid therapy was initiated. Within three hours of beginning lipid therapy, our patient's vasopressor requirement decreased by half. Within 24 hours, she was on minimal vasopressor support and regained an underlying junctional rhythm. After three days of lipid infusion, she no longer required inotropic agents to maintain blood pressure or pacing to maintain stable hemodynamics.

Conclusions
Intravenous fat emulsion therapy may be an effective antidote for massive verapamil toxicity.
Failure of functional imaging with gallium-68-DOTA-D-Phe1-Tyr3-octreotide positron emission tomography to localize the site of ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion: a case report
Authors: Gani Linsey U , Gianatti Emily J , Cheung Ada S , Jerums George , MacIsaac Richard J 
Published: August 2011

Abstract

Introduction
The diagnostic efficacy of biochemical and imaging modalities for investigating the causes of Cushing's syndrome are limited. We report a case demonstrating the limitations of these modalities, especially the inability of functional imaging to help localize the site of ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion.

Case presentation
A 37-year-old Arabian woman presented with 12 months of progressive Cushing's syndrome-like symptoms. Biochemical evaluation confirmed adrenocorticotropic hormone -dependent Cushing's syndrome. However, the anatomical site of her excess adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion was not clearly delineated by further investigations. Magnetic resonance imaging of our patient's pituitary gland failed to demonstrate the presence of an adenoma. Spiral computed tomography of her chest only revealed the presence of a non-specific 7 mm lesion in her left inferobasal lung segment. Functional imaging, including a positron emission tomography scan using 18-fluorodeoxyglucose and gallium-68-DOTA-D-Phe1-Tyr3-octreotide, also failed to show increased metabolic activity in the lung lesion or in her pituitary gland. Our patient was commenced on medical treatment with ketoconazole and metyrapone to control the clinical features associated with her excess cortisol secretion. Despite initial normalization of her urinary free cortisol excretion rate, levels began to rise eight months after commencement of medical treatment. Repeated imaging of her pituitary gland, chest and pelvis again failed to clearly localize a source of her excess adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion. The bronchial nodule was stable in size on serial imaging and repeatedly reported as having a nonspecific appearance of a small granuloma or lymph node. We re-explored the treatment options and endorsed our patient's favored choice of resection of the bronchial nodule, especially given that her symptoms of cortisol excess were difficult to control and refractory. Subsequently, our patient had the bronchial nodule resected. The histological appearance of the lesion was consistent with that of a carcinoid tumor and immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the tumor stained strongly positive for adrenocorticotropic hormone. Furthermore, removal of the lung lesion resulted in a normalization of our patient's 24-hour urinary free cortisol excretion rate and resolution of her symptoms and signs of hypercortisolemia.

Conclusion
This case report demonstrates the complexities and challenges in diagnosing the causes of adrenocorticotropic hormone -dependent Cushing's syndrome. Functional imaging may not always localize the site of ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion.
Lipomatous apocrine adenoma with syringocystadenoma papilliferum arising from the external auditory canal
Authors: Su Tzu-Cheng , Shen Ko-Hung , Wang Hsin-kai , Chu Pei-Yi , Chen Mei-Ling 
Published: August 2011

AbstractA case of lipomatous tubular adenoma (LTA) with syringocystadenom papilliferum (SCAP) arising from the external auditory canal in a 25-year-old man is described and to the best of our knowledge through literature review, this kind of morphologic entity has not been reported before. Herein we reported the first case in the English literature in the world.
Transforming growth factor β 869C/T and interleukin 6 -174G/C polymorphisms relate to the severity and progression of bone-erosive damage detected by ultrasound in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Ceccarelli Fulvia , Perricone Carlo , Fabris Martina , Alessandri Cristiano , Iagnocco Annamaria , Fabro Cinzia , Pontarini Elena , De Vita Salvatore , Valesini Guido 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
Introduction
Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and IL-6 genes (respectively, 869C/T and -174G/C) have been associated with radiographic severity of bone-erosive damage in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Musculoskeletal ultrasound (US) is more sensitive than radiography in detecting bone erosion. We analyzed the association between TGF-β 869C/T and IL-6 -174G/C SNPs and bone-erosive damage, evaluated by US, in a cohort of patients with severely active RA.

Methods
Seventy-seven patients were enrolled before beginning anti-TNF treatment. Disease activity was measured using the disease activity score in 28 joints, and the clinical response was evaluated according to the European League Against Rheumatism response criteria. Rheumatoid factor (RF) and anticitrullinated protein/peptide antibodies (ACPAs) were detected. The 869C/T TGF-β and -174G/C IL-6 SNPs were analyzed by PCR amplification. US was performed to assess the bone surfaces of metacarpophalengeal (MCP), proximal interphalangeal (PIP) and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints by obtaining multiplanar scans. According to the number of erosions per joint, a semiquantitative score ranging from 0 to 3 was calculated in each anatomical site to obtain a MCP total erosion score (TES), a PIP TES and a MTP TES, all ranging from 0 to 30, and a global patient TES calculated as the sum of these scores (range, 0 to 90).

Results
Patients carrying the TGF-β 869TT genotype showed a statistically significant lower MTP TES than those with the CC or CT genotype (mean MTP TES ± standard deviation for 869TT 6.3 ± 5.7 vs. 869CC/CT 11.7 ± 7.8; P = 0.011). Interestingly, patients with the TT genotype showed dichotomous behavior that was dependent on autoantibody status. In the presence of ACPAs and/or RF, the TT genotype was associated with lower erosion scores at all anatomical sites compared with the CC and CT genotypes. Conversely, the same 869TT patients showed higher erosion scores in the absence of ACPAs or RF.

Conclusions
In RA patients, TGF-β 869C/T SNPs could influence the bone-erosive damage as evaluated by US. The serological autoantibody status (ACPAs and RF) can modulate this interaction.
A comparative analysis of DNA methylation across human embryonic stem cell lines
Authors: Chen Pao-Yang , Feng Suhua , Joo Jong Wha Joanne , Jacobsen Steve E , Pellegrini Matteo 
Published: August 2011

Abstract
Background
We performed a comparative analysis of the genome-wide DNA methylation profiles from three human embryonic stem cell (HESC) lines. It had previously been shown that HESC lines had significantly higher non-CG methylation than differentiated cells, and we therefore asked whether these sites were conserved across cell lines.

Results
We find that heavily methylated non-CG sites are strongly conserved, especially when found within the motif TACAG. They are enriched in splice sites and are more methylated than other non-CG sites in genes. We next studied the relationship between allele-specific expression and allele-specific methylation. By combining bisulfite sequencing and whole transcriptome shotgun sequencing (RNA-seq) data we identified 1,020 genes that show allele-specific expression, and 14% of CG sites genome-wide have allele-specific methylation. Finally, we asked whether the methylation state of transcription factor binding sites affects the binding of transcription factors. We identified variations in methylation levels at binding sites and found that for several transcription factors the correlation between the methylation at binding sites and gene expression is generally stronger than in the neighboring sequences.

Conclusions
These results suggest a possible but as yet unknown functional role for the highly methylated conserved non-CG sites in the regulation of HESCs. We also identified a novel set of genes that are likely transcriptionally regulated by methylation in an allele-specific manner. The analysis of transcription factor binding sites suggests that the methylation state of cis-regulatory elements impacts the ability of factors to bind and regulate transcription.