bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analysis of full‐length mitochondrial DNA D‐loop sequences from Macaca fascicularis of different geographical origin reveals novel haplotypes
Authors: Badhan Anjna , Eichstaedt Christina A. , Almond Neil M. , Knapp Leslie A. , Rose Nicola J. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBackgroundCynomolgus macaques are indigenous to Asia occupying a range of geographical areas. A non‐indigenous population established on Mauritius approximately 500 years ago. Mauritian cynomolgus macaques are recognised as having low genetic diversity compared to Indonesian macaques, from which they originated. As cynomolgus macaques are widely used as a biomedical model, there have been many studies of their genetic relationships. However, population diversity and relationships have only been assessed through analysis of either the hypervariable region I or II separately within the D‐loop region of the mitochondrial genome in these macaques.MethodsUsing sequencing, we defined haplotypes encompassing the full D‐loop sequence for Mauritian and Indonesian cynomolgus macaques.ResultsWe evaluated the haplotype relationships by constructing a median‐joining network based on full‐length D‐loop sequences, which has not been reported previously.ConclusionOur data allow a complete D‐loop haplotype, including a hereto unreported polymorphic region, to be defined to aid the resolution of populations of cynomolgus macaques and which highlights the value in analysing both D‐loop hypervariable regions in concert.
A review of nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and ability to communicate the risks and benefits of complementary and alternative medicine
Authors: Chang Hsiao‐Yun , Chang Huai‐Lu 
Published: February 2015

Aims and objectivesThis study reviewed existing literature to investigate how frequently nurses include complementary and alternative forms of medicine in their clinical practice. In so doing, we investigated nurses' knowledge of and attitudes towards complementary and alternative medicine as well as their ability to communicate the risks and benefits of these therapies with patients.BackgroundLittle information is available concerning nurses' knowledge and attitudes towards complementary and alternative medicine or how they incorporate these therapies into their practice. In addition, little is known about the ability of nurses to communicate the risks and benefits of complementary and alternative medicine to their patients.Study designThis study used a scoping review method to map and synthesise existing literature.Data sourcesBoth electronic and manual searches were used to identify relevant studies published between January 2007 and January 2014.Review methodsThe review was conducted in five stages: (1) identification of research question(s), (2) locate studies, (3) selection of studies, (4) charting of data, and (5) collating, summarising, and reporting of results.ResultsFifteen papers met the inclusion criteria for this review, among which 53·7% referenced how frequently nurses include complementary and alternative medicine in their practice. We found that 66·4% of nurses had positive attitudes towards complementary and alternative medicine; however, 77·4% did not possess a comprehensive understanding of the associated risks and benefits. In addition, nearly half of the respondents (47·3–67·7%) reported feeling uncomfortable discussing complementary and alternative medicine therapies with their patients.ConclusionThe lack of knowledge about complementary and alternative medicine among nurses is a cause for concern, particularly in light of its widespread application.Relevance to clinical practiceFindings from this study suggest that health care professionals need to promote evidence informed decision‐making in complementary and alternative medicine practice and be knowledgeable enough to discuss complementary and alternative medicine therapies. Without involvement of complementary and alternative medicine communication on the part of our profession, we may put our patients at risk of uninformed and without medical guidance.
Nurses' and personal care assistants' role in improving the relocation of older people into nursing homes
Authors: Ellis Julie M , Rawson Helen 
Published: February 2015

Aims and objectivesThis article presents findings from a study that explored nurses' and personal care assistants' role in improving the relocation of older people into a nursing home.BackgroundSuggestions for improving the relocation process for older people moving into a nursing home have been the outcomes of studies that have interviewed residents and their families. However, the views of nurses and personal care assistants working in nursing homes have not been previously explored.DesignAn exploratory, descriptive qualitative research design.MethodsIndividual interviews were conducted with 20 care staff (seven registered nurses, five enrolled nurses and eight personal care assistants) employed at four nursing homes.FindingsUsing thematic analysis, two key themes were identified: ‘What it's like for them’ – highlighted staffs' awareness of the advantages, disadvantages and meaning of relocation, and focused on staffing and nursing care; other services provided and the environment. The second theme – ‘We can make it better’, revealed suggestions for improving the relocation process, and included spending time with new residents and the importance of a person‐centred approach to care.ConclusionCare staff have an important role in improving the relocation process of older people into a nursing home, as well as contributing to the discussion on this important clinical topic.Relevance to clinical practiceChallenging care staff to acknowledge the importance of their role in helping older people settle into a nursing home is a key requirement of nursing practice in aged care. Nursing practice guidelines, with a focus on person‐centred care, on how to manage the relocation process for an older person and their family are required for this aspect of nursing home care. Education of staff on relocation policies and procedures is essential to ensure that residents and their families are supported through this process.
Rewarding Trading Skills without Inducing Gambling
Authors: MAKAROV IGOR , PLANTIN GUILLAUME 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTThis paper develops a model of active asset management in which fund managers may forgo alpha‐generating strategies, preferring instead to make negative‐alpha trades that enable them to temporarily manipulate investors' perceptions of their skills. We show that such trades are optimally generated by taking on hidden tail risk, and are more likely to occur when fund managers are impatient and when their trading skills are scalable, and generate a high profit per unit of risk. We propose long‐term contracts that deter this behavior by dynamically adjusting the dates on which the manager is compensated in response to her cumulative performance.
Melatonin‐mediated inhibition of Purkinje neuron P‐type Ca2+ channels in vitro induces neuronal hyperexcitability through the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase‐dependent protein kinase C delta pathway
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Li Hua , Pu Yicheng , Gong Shan , Liu Chunfeng , Jiang Xinghong , Tao Jin 
Published: February 2015

AbstractAlthough melatonin receptors are widely expressed in the mammalian central nervous system and peripheral tissues, there are limited data regarding the functions of melatonin in cerebellar Purkinje cells. Here, we identified a novel functional role of melatonin in modulating P‐type Ca2+ channels and action‐potential firing in rat Purkinje neurons. Melatonin at 0.1 μm reversibly decreased peak currents (IBa) by 32.9%. This effect was melatonin receptor 1 (MTR1) dependent and was associated with a hyperpolarizing shift in the voltage dependence of inactivation. Pertussis toxin pretreatment, intracellular application of QEHA peptide, and a selective antibody raised against the Gβ subunit prevented the inhibitory effects of melatonin. Pretreatment with phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) inhibitors abolished the melatonin‐induced decrease in IBa. Surprisingly, melatonin responses were not regulated by Akt, a common downstream target of PI3K. Melatonin treatment significantly increased protein kinase C (PKC) activity 2.1‐fold. Antagonists of PKC, but not of protein kinase A, abolished the melatonin‐induced decrease in IBa. Melatonin application increased the membrane abundance of PKCδ, and PKCδ inhibition (either pharmacologically or genetically) abolished the melatonin‐induced IBa response. Functionally, melatonin increased spontaneous action‐potential firing by 53.0%; knockdown of MTR1 and blockade of P‐type channels abolished this effect. Thus, our results suggest that melatonin inhibits P‐type channels through MTR1 activation, which is coupled sequentially to the βγ subunits of Gi/o‐protein and to downstream PI3K‐dependent PKCδ signaling. This likely contributes to its physiological functions, including spontaneous firing of cerebellar Purkinje neurons.
A Critique of an Epistemic Intellectual Culture: Cartesianism, Normativism and Modern Crises
Authors: Arponen V. P. J. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe so‐called epistemological turn of theDescartes‐Locke‐Kant tradition (Rorty) is a hallmark of modern philosophy. The broad family of normativism constitutes one major response to theCartesian heritage building upon some version of the idea that human knowledge, action and sociality build fundamentally upon some form of social agreement and standards. Representationalism and theCartesian picture more generally have been challenged by normativists but this paper argues that, even where these challenges by normativism have been taken to heart, our intellectual culture remains fundamentally epistemic in certain problematic senses. Two problems are highlighted: first, normativism remains functionallyCartesian, for human action and sociality appear as processes driven by the shared understandings by competent contributors (regardless of how these are constructed naturalistically), and second, normativism is unable to account for forms of human action and sociality other than those occurring in the relatively small worlds of normatively regulated conceptual spaces of mutual access and listening. These points are illustrated by an applied discussion of the blind spots of normativist accounts of the emerging environmental and the on‐going economic crises.
Milk and serum concentration of ceftiofur following intramammary infusion in goats
Authors: Garrett E. F. , Dirikolu L. , Grover G. S. 
Published: February 2015

Five dairy goats were used to determine the milk and serum concentrations along with elimination characteristics of ceftiofur following intramammary administration. One udder half of each goat was infused twice with 125 mg ceftiofur with a 24‐h interval between infusions. Milk samples were collected at 1, 2, 8, and 12 h after the last infusion and then every 12 h for a total of 7 days. Blood was collected from each animal at 3, 8, 12, and 24 h after infusion and then every 24 h for 6 days. Following a washout period of 1 week, the experiment was repeated using the opposite udder half. The elimination half‐life of ceftiofur from the mammary gland was 4.7 h. The concentration of ceftiofur was greater than published MIC90 values for Staphylococcus spp. bacteria for 24 h. Ceftiofur was absorbed into systemic circulation from the mammary gland. The maximum concentration was 552 ng/mL at 3 h after infusion, and the serum elimination half‐life was 10 h. Intramammary infusion of 125 mg ceftiofur every 24 h can be expected to maintain drug concentration in milk above published MIC90 for Staphylococcus spp.
Sexual dimorphism in bite force in the grey mouse lemur
Authors: Thomas P. , Pouydebat E. , Hardy I. , Aujard F. , Ross C. F. , Herrel A. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractSexual dimorphism is thought to be the result of sexual selection, food competition and/or niche differentiation, or simply the result of differential growth between the sexes. Despite the fact that sexual dimorphism is common among primates, lemurs are thought to be largely monomorphic. Yet, females of the species Microcebus are known to be larger than males. Here, we investigate if dimorphism in head dimensions is present in a colony of captive grey mouse lemurs Microcebus murinus. Moreover, we test whether any observed shape dimorphism is associated with differences in bite force between the sexes. Our results show that male and female grey mouse lemurs are indeed sexually dimorphic in head dimensions, with females having taller and wider heads than males. Moreover, we confirm previous observations that females are heavier than males. Bite force was principally determined by head dimensions and age in our dataset, and differed between sexes, with females biting harder than males. These data suggest a potential role for niche dimorphism in driving the observed shape and performance dimorphism as female reproductive output may depend upon the ability of animals to obtain resources that are difficult to ingest.
Microbial dynamics in glacier forefield soils show succession is not just skin deep
Authors: Edwards Arwyn , Cook Sophie 
Published: February 2015

All over the world, glaciers are receding. One key consequence of glacier area loss is the creation of new terrestrial habitats. This presents an experimental opportunity to study both community formation and the implications of glacier loss for terrestrial ecosystems. In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Rime et al. () describe how microbial communities are structured according to soil depth and development in the forefield of Damma glacier in Switzerland. The study provides insights into the contrasting structures of microbial communities at different stages of soil development. An important strength of the study is the integration of soil depth into the paradigm of primary succession, a feature which has rarely been considered by other studies. These findings underscore the importance of studying the interactions between microbial communities and glaciers at a time when Earth's glacial systems are experiencing profound change.
In‐Plane Displacement and Strain Image Analysis
Authors: Almeida Graça , Melício Fernando , Biscaia Hugo , Chastre Carlos , Fonseca José Manuel 
Published: February 2015

AbstractMeasurements in civil engineering load tests usually require considerable time and complex procedures. Therefore, measurements are usually constrained by the number of sensors resulting in a restricted monitored area. Image processing analysis is an alternative way that enables the measurement of the complete area of interest with a simple and effective setup. In this article photo sequences taken during load displacement tests were captured by a digital camera and processed with image correlation algorithms. Three different image processing algorithms were used with real images taken from tests using specimens of PVC and Plexiglas. The data obtained from the image processing algorithms were also compared with the data from physical sensors. A complete displacement and strain map were obtained. Results show that the accuracy of the measurements obtained by photogrammetry is equivalent to that from the physical sensors but with much less equipment and fewer setup requirements.
The conserved histone deacetylase Rpd3 and the DNA binding regulator Ume6 repress BOI1's meiotic transcript isoform during vegetative growth in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Liu Yuchen , Stuparevic Igor , Xie Bingning , Becker Emmanuelle , Law Michael J. , Primig Michael 
Published: February 2015

SummaryBOI1 and BOI2 are paralogs important for the actin cytoskeleton and polar growth. BOI1 encodes a meiotic transcript isoform with an extended 5′‐untranslated region predicted to impair protein translation. It is, however, unknown how the isoform is repressed during mitosis, and if Boi1 is present during sporulation. By interpreting microarray data from MATa cells, MATa/α cells, a starving MATα/α control, and a meiosis‐impaired rrp6 mutant, we classified BOI1's extended isoform as early meiosis‐specific. These results were confirmed by RNA‐Sequencing, and extended by a 5′‐RACE assay and Northern blotting, showing that meiotic cells induce the long isoform while the mitotic isoform remains detectable during meiosis. We provide evidence via motif predictions, an in vivo binding assay and genetic experiments that the Rpd3/Sin3/Ume6 histone deacetylase complex, which represses meiotic genes during mitosis, also prevents the induction of BOI1's 5′‐extended isoform in mitosis by direct binding of Ume6 to its URS1 target. Finally, we find that Boi1 protein levels decline when cells switch from fermentation to respiration and sporulation. The histone deacetylase Rpd3 is conserved, and eukaryotic genes frequently encode transcripts with variable 5′‐UTRs. Our findings are therefore relevant for regulatory mechanisms involved in the control of transcript isoforms in multi‐cellular organisms.
The targeted recognition of Lactococcus lactis phages to their polysaccharide receptors
Authors: McCabe Orla , Spinelli Silvia , Farenc Carine , Labbé Myriam , Tremblay Denise , Blangy Stéphanie , Oscarson Stefan , Moineau Sylvain , Cambillau Christian 
Published: February 2015

SummaryEach phage infects a limited number of bacterial strains through highly specific interactions of the receptor‐binding protein (RBP) at the tip of phage tail and the receptor at the bacterial surface. Lactococcus lactis is covered with a thin polysaccharide pellicle (hexasaccharide repeating units), which is used by a subgroup of phages as a receptor. Using L. lactis and phage 1358 as a model, we investigated the interaction between the phage RBP and the pellicle hexasaccharide of the host strain. A core trisaccharide (TriS), derived from the pellicle hexasaccharide repeating unit, was chemically synthesised, and the crystal structure of the RBP/TriS complex was determined. This provided unprecedented structural details of RBP/receptor site‐specific binding. The complete hexasaccharide repeating unit was modelled and found to aptly fit the extended binding site. The specificity observed in in vivo phage adhesion assays could be interpreted in view of the reported structure. Therefore, by combining synthetic carbohydrate chemistry, X‐ray crystallography and phage plaquing assays, we suggest that phage adsorption results from distinct recognition of the RBP towards the core TriS or the remaining residues of the hexasacchride receptor. This study provides a novel insight into the adsorption process of phages targeting saccharides as their receptors.
Three‐dimensional Computed Tomography for Assessing Lung Morphology in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis following Posterior Spinal Fusion Surgery
Authors: Fu Jun , Liu Chao , Zhang Yong‐gang , Zheng Guo‐quan , Zhang Guo‐ying , Song Kai , Tang Xiang‐yu , Wang Yan 
Published: February 2015

ObjectiveTo evaluate the changes in lung morphology in subjects with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) following posterior spinal fusion surgery.MethodsFrom April 2009 to August 2013, 30 AIS patients (nine males and 21 females) were enrolled in this study. All scans were obtained with the patient in the supine position and the breath held in deep inspiration and performed both before and after surgery. Syngo software was used to manage the computed tomography scan imaging and to calculate the lung volume, lung height and pulmonary cross‐sectional area in the apical vertebral plane.ResultsLeft lung, right lung and total lung volumes and convex to concave lung volume ratio did not change significantly after corrective surgery. There was a statistically significant improvement in left lung and right lung heights after posterior spinal fusion surgery. However, the pulmonary cross‐sectional area in the apical vertebrae plane was smaller postoperatively than preoperatively.ConclusionsThis study showed that lung height in AIS patients increased significantly immediately postoperatively whereas lung volume did not change significantly. Thoracic symmetry was improved postoperatively in these patients.
Living donor liver transplantation from a heterozygous parent for classical maple syrup urine disease
Authors: Kadohisa Masashi , Matsumoto Shirou , Sawada Hirotake , Honda Masaki , Murokawa Takahiro , Hayashida Shintaro , Ohya Yuki , Lee Kwang‐Jong , Yamamoto Hidekazu , Mitsubuchi Hiroshi , Endo Fumio , Inomata Yukihiro 
Published: February 2015

AbstractMSUD is a hereditary metabolic disorder that is characterized by impaired activity of the BCKADC. Liver transplantation has been approved as a treatment for some MSUD cases in which the control of BCAAs is insufficient. Although there have been several reports about DDLT for MSUD, few LDLT cases have been reported. Because either of parents who are heterozygote of this disease usually applies to be a candidate of donor in LDLT, the impairment of BCKADC activity of graft liver should be concerned. We performed LDLT for 10 month‐old girl with a left lateral segment graft from her father. BCKADC activities of the patient and her parents were measured using lysates of lymphocytes isolated from peripheral blood specimen before the transplant. As a consequence, the activity of BCKADC of father was not inferior to a normal range. The patient tolerated the operation well. Postoperative course was uneventful and mixed milk was started at 8th POD. The serum BCAAs levels have remained within normal range. It should be necessary to follow the physical growth and mental development of the recipient in the future.
Assessment of Genetic Variability in the Coding Sequence of Melatonin Receptor Gene (MTNR1A) in Tropical Arid Sheep Breeds of India
Authors: Saxena VK , Jha BK , Meena AS , Narula HK , Kumar D , Naqvi SMK 
Published: February 2015

ContentsSeasonal behaviour in sheep, which varies in tropical and temperate environmental conditions, is a matter of study, because it can provide a clue to address the problem of seasonality in sheep. Melatonin receptor is the membrane‐bound G‐coupled receptor, sensing the message of photoperiodic cues thorough melatonin. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) studies were carried out to assess the variability of gene at G612A and C606T SNPs in MTNR1A gene, which have been studied to be markers for out‐of‐season breeding. Allelic frequency distribution corresponded to higher frequency of GG and CC genotype, in tropical arid sheep breed in comparison with temperate region sheep breed. PCR amplification of MTNR1A gene of 30 animals was performed and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identification was carried out using Lasergene software. Seven SNPs/mutations were identified, but most of them were synonymous, except the one G706A, leading to substitution of valine by isoleucine. Polyphen‐2 analysis of G706A mutation revealed that it is a benign mutation. Two important SNPs C426T and G555A, which were identified in temperate sheep breeds, could not be traced in Magra and Marwari breeds of sheep. Thus, the Magra and Marwari breeds of tropical, arid region demonstrated the presence of both polymorphic SNPs markers G612A and C606T, associated with out‐of‐season breeding. GG and CC genotypes were having a higher prevalence in the studied population.