bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Widening disparity in the geographic distribution of pediatricians in Japan
Authors: Sasaki Hiromasa , Otsubo Tetsuya , Imanaka Yuichi 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
The shortage of physicians in Japan is a serious concern, particularly in specialties like pediatrics. The purpose of this study was to investigate recent changes in the geographic distribution of pediatricians and the factors underlying this change.

Methods
We investigated the numerical changes in the pediatrician workforce (2002 to 2007) per 100,000 of the population under the age of 15 years in 369 secondary medical areas throughout Japan, using attributive variables such as population size, social and economic status, and pediatric service delivery. We performed principal component analysis and multiple regression analysis.

Results
We obtained two principal components: one that reflected the degree of urbanization and another that reflected the volume of pediatric service delivery. Only the first component score was positively correlated with an increased pediatrician workforce per 100,000 of the population under the age of 15 years. We classified the secondary medical areas into four groups using component scores. The increase in pediatrician workforce during this period was primarily absorbed into the two groups with higher levels of urbanization, whereas the two rural groups exhibited little increase. Pediatricians aged 50 to 59 years increased in all four groups, whereas pediatricians aged 30 to 39 years decreased in the two rural groups and increased in the two urban groups.

Conclusions
The trends of the pediatrician workforce increase generally kept pace with urbanization, but were not associated with the original pediatrician workforce supply. The geographic distribution of pediatricians showed rapid concentration in urban areas. This trend was particularly pronounced among female pediatricians and those aged 30 to 39 years. Given that aging pediatricians in rural areas are not being replaced by younger doctors, these areas will likely face new crises when senior physicians retire.
The arrestin-domain containing protein AdcA is a response element to stress
Authors: Habourdin Clémence , Klein Gérard , Araki Tsuyoshi , Williams Jeffrey G , Aubry Laurence 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
Cell behaviour is tightly determined by sensing and integration of extracellular changes through membrane detectors such as receptors and transporters and activation of downstream signalling cascades. Arrestin proteins act as scaffolds at the plasma membrane and along the endocytic pathway, where they regulate the activity and the fate of some of these detectors. Members of the arrestin clan are widely present from unicellular to metazoa, with roles in signal transduction and metabolism. As a soil amoeba, Dictyostelium is frequently confronted with environmental changes likely to compromise survival. Here, we investigated whether the recently described arrestin-related protein AdcA is part of the cell response to stresses.

Results
Our data provide evidence that AdcA responds to a variety of stresses including hyperosmolarity by a transient phosphorylation. Analysis in different mutant backgrounds revealed that AdcA phosphorylation involves pathways other than the DokA and cGMP-dependent osmostress pathways, respectively known to regulate PKA and STATc, key actors in the cellular response to conditions of hyperosmolarity. Interestingly, however, both AdcA and STATc are sensitive to changes in the F-actin polymerization status, suggesting a common primary sensor/trigger and linking the stress-sensitive kinase responsive for AdcA phosphorylation to the actin cytoskeleton. We also show that STATc-dependent transcriptional activity is involved for the timely dephosphorylation of AdcA in cells under stress.

Conclusion
Under osmotic stress, AdcA undergoes a phosphorylation-dephosphorylation cycle involving a stress-sensitive kinase and the transcription regulator STATc. This transient post-transcriptional modification may allow a regulation of AdcA function possibly to optimize the cellular stress response.
Fabrication of nanowire network AAO and its application in SERS
Authors: Jiwei Qi , Yudong Li , Ming Yang , Qiang Wu , Zongqiang Chen , Jingyang Peng , Yue Liu , Wudeng Wang , Xuanyi Yu , Qian Sun , Jingjun Xu 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
In this paper, nanowire network anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) was fabricated by just adding a simple film-eroding process after the production of porous AAO. After depositing 50 nm of Au onto the surface, nanowire network AAO can be used as ultrasensitive and high reproducibility surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate. The average Raman enhancement factor of the nanowire network AAO SERS substrate can reach 5.93 × 106, which is about 14% larger than that of commercial Klarite® substrates. Simultaneously, the relative standard deviations in the SERS intensities are limited to approximately 7%. All of the results indicate that our large-area low-cost high-performance nanowire structure AAO SERS substrates have a great advantage in chemical/biological sensing applications.
Application of p-regularity theory to nonlinear boundary value problems
Authors: Grzegorczyk Wiesław , Medak Beata , Tret’yakov Alexey A 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
The paper studies the question of solution existence to a nonlinear equation in the degenerate case. This question is studied for three particular boundary value problems for ordinary and partial second-order differential equations. The so-called p-regularity theory is applied to these purposes as an effective apparatus to investigate many nonlinear mathematical, physical and numerical problems. All results obtained in the paper are based on the constructions of this theory whose basic concepts were described by Tret’yakov. We recall the main definitions and theorems of p-regularity theory and illustrate the results by examples including singular boundary value problems. In the first and second ones, the description of solutions by a tangent cone at an initial point are given. In the third example, we formulate a sufficient condition for p-regularity (

p
=
2

), which can be tested using the notion of resultant.

MSC: 47J05, 34B15, 34B16.
Fourier-Hankel solution of the Robin problem for the Helmholtz equation in supershaped annular domains
Authors: Caratelli Diego , Gielis Johan , Tavkhelidze Ilia , Ricci Paolo E 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
The Robin problem for the Helmholtz equation in normal-polar annuli is addressed by using a suitable Fourier-Hankel series technique. Attention is in particular focused on the wide class of domains whose boundaries are defined by the so-called superformula introduced by Gielis. A dedicated numerical procedure based on the computer algebra system Mathematica© is developed in order to validate the proposed methodology. In this way, highly accurate approximations of the solution, featuring properties similar to the classical ones, are obtained.
Prevention of Decline in Cognition after Stroke Trial (PODCAST): a study protocol for a factorial randomised controlled trial of intensive versus guideline lowering of blood pressure and lipids
Authors: Blackburn Daniel J , Krishnan Kailash , Fox Lydia , Ballard Clive , Burns Alistair , Ford Gary A , Mant Jonathan , Passmore Peter , Pocock Stuart , Reckless John , Sprigg Nikola , Stewart Rob , Wardlaw Joanna , Bath Philip MW 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
Stroke is a common cause of cognitive impairment and dementia. However, effective strategies for reducing the risk of post-stroke dementia remain undefined. Potential strategies include intensive lowering of blood pressure and/or lipids.

Methods/Design
Design: multi-centre prospective randomised open-label blinded-endpoint controlled partial-factorial phase IV trial in secondary and primary care.
Participants: 100 participants from 30 UK Stroke Research Network sites who are post- ischemic stroke or intracerebral haemorrhage by three to seven months.
Interventions - all patients (1:1): intensive versus guideline blood pressure lowering (target systolic < 125 mmHg versus < 140 mmHg).
Interventions - ischemic stroke (1:1): intensive versus guideline lipid lowering (target low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c) < 1.4 mmol/l versus < 3 mmol/l).
Hypotheses: does ‘intensive’ blood pressure lowering therapy and/or ‘intensive’ lipid control reduce cognitive decline and dementia in people with ischemic stroke; and does ‘intensive’ blood pressure lowering therapy reduce cognitive decline and dementia in patients with hemorrhagic stroke.
Primary outcome: Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination-Revised.
Secondary outcomes: feasibility of recruitment and retention of participants, tolerability and safety of the interventions, achieving and maintaining the blood pressure and lipid targets, maintaining differences in systolic blood pressure (> 10 mmHg) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (> 1 mmol/l) between the treatment groups, and performing clinic and telephone follow-up of cognition measures.
Randomisation: using stratification, minimization and simple randomization.
Blinding: participants receive open-label management. Cognition is assessed both unblinded (in clinic) and blinded (by telephone) to treatment. Adjudication of events (dementia, vascular, serious adverse events) is blinded to management.

Discussion
The PODCAST trial is ongoing with 78 patients recruited to date from 22 sites. Outcomes of cognitive impairment and dementia are accruing.

Trial registration

ISRCTN85562386
Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism for Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Prüßing Katja , Voigt Aaron , Schulz Jörg B 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Drosophila melanogaster provides an important resource for in vivo modifier screens of neurodegenerative diseases. To study the underlying pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease, fly models that address Tau or amyloid toxicity have been developed. Overexpression of human wild-type or mutant Tau causes age-dependent neurodegeneration, axonal transport defects and early death. Large-scale screens utilizing a neurodegenerative phenotype induced by eye-specific overexpression of human Tau have identified several kinases and phosphatases, apoptotic regulators and cytoskeleton proteins as determinants of Tau toxicity in vivo. The APP ortholog of Drosophila (dAPPl) shares the characteristic domains with vertebrate APP family members, but does not contain the human Aβ42 domain. To circumvent this drawback, researches have developed strategies by either direct secretion of human Aβ42 or triple transgenic flies expressing human APP, β-secretase and Drosophila γ-secretase presenilin (dPsn). Here, we provide a brief overview of how fly models of AD have contributed to our knowledge of the pathomechanisms of disease.
Heat shock factor 1 over-expression protects against exposure of hydrophobic residues on mutant SOD1 and early mortality in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Lin Pei-Yi , Simon Sharotka M , Koh Won Kyun , Folorunso Oluwarotimi , Umbaugh C Samuel , Pierce Anson 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBackgroundMutations in the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase gene (SOD1) are responsible for 20% of familial forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and mutant SOD1 has been shown to have increased surface hydrophobicityin vitro. Mutant SOD1 may adopt a complex array of conformations with varying toxicityin vivo. We have used a novel florescence-based proteomic assay using 4,4’-bis-1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonate (bisANS) to assess the surface hydrophobicity, and thereby distinguish between different conformations, of SOD1and other proteinsin situ.ResultsCovalent bisANS labeling of spinal cord extracts revealed that alterations in surface hydrophobicity of H46R/H48Q mutations in SOD1 provoke formation of high molecular weight SOD1 species with lowered solubility, likely due to increased exposure of hydrophobic surfaces. BisANS was docked on the H46R/H48Q SOD1 structure at the disordered copper binding and electrostatic loops of mutant SOD1, but not non-mutant WT SOD1. 16 non-SOD1 proteins were also identified that exhibited altered surface hydrophobicity in the H46R/H48Q mutant mouse model of ALS, including proteins involved in energy metabolism, cytoskeleton, signaling, and protein quality control. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) were also enriched in the detergent-insoluble fractions with SOD1. Given that chaperones recognize proteins with exposed hydrophobic surfaces as substrates and the importance of protein homeostasis in ALS, we crossed SOD1 H46R/H48Q mutant mice with mice over-expressing the heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) transcription factor. Here we showed that HSF1 over-expression in H46R/H48Q ALS mice enhanced proteostasis as evidenced by increased expression of HSPs in motor neurons and astrocytes and increased solubility of mutant SOD1. HSF1 over-expression significantly reduced body weight loss, delayed ALS disease onset, decreases cases of early disease, and increased survival for the 25thpercentile in an H46R/H48Q SOD1 background. HSF1 overexpression did not affect macroautophagy in the ALS background, but was associated with maintenance of carboxyl terminus of Hsp70 interacting protein (CHIP) expression which declined in H46R/H48Q mice.ConclusionOur results uncover the potential importance of changes in protein surface hydrophobicity of SOD1 and other non-SOD1 proteins in ALS, and how strategies that activate HSF1 are valid therapies for ALS and other age-associated proteinopathies.
Karyotype and cytogenetic mapping of 9 classes of repetitive DNAs in the genome of the naked catfish Mystus bocourti (Siluriformes, Bagridae)
Authors: Supiwong Weerayuth , Liehr Thomas , Cioffi Marcelo B , Chaveerach Arunrat , Kosyakova Nadezda , Pinthong Krit , Tanee Tawatchai , Tanomtong Alongklod 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
In the present study, conventional and molecular cytogenetic studies were performed in the naked catfish Mystus bocourti (Siluriformes, Bagridae). Besides the conventional Giemsa staining, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using nine classes of repetitive DNAs namely 5S and 18S rDNAs, U2 snRNA, the microsatellites (CA)15 and (GA)15, telomeric repeats, and the retrotransposable elements Rex1, 3 and 6. was also performed.

Results

M. bocourti had 2n = 56 chromosomes with a karyotype composed by 11 m + 11 sm + 6 st/a and a fundamental number (NF) equal to 100 in both sexes. Heteromorphic sex chromosome cannot be identified. The U2 snRNA, 5S and 18S rDNA were present in only one pair of chromosomes but none of them in a syntenic position. Microsatellites (CA)15 and (GA)15 showed hybridization signals at subtelomeric regions of all chromosomes with a stronger accumulation into one specific chromosomal pair. FISH with the telomeric probe revealed hybridization signals on each telomere of all chromosomes and interstitial telomeric sites (ITS) were not detected. The retrotransposable elements Rex1, 3 and 6 were generally spread throughout the genome.

Conclusions
In general, the repetitive sequences were not randomly distributed in the genome, suggesting a pattern of compartmentalization on the heterochromatic region of the chromosomes. Little is known about the structure and organization of bagrid genomes and the knowledge of the chromosomal distribution of repetitive DNA sequences in M. bocourti represents the first step for achieving an integrated view of their genomes.
Identification of Streptococcus parasanguinis DNA contamination in human buccal DNA samples
Authors: Mahfuz Istiak , Cheng Wei , White Stefan J 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
The use of buccal swabs in clinical and scientific studies is a very popular method of collecting DNA, due to its non-invasive nature of collection. However, contamination of the DNA sample may interfere with analysis.

Findings
Here we report the finding of Streptococcus parasanguinis bacterial DNA contamination in human buccal DNA samples, which led to preferential amplification of bacterial sequence with PCR primers designed against human sequence.

Conclusion
Contamination of buccal-derived DNA with bacterial DNA can be significant, and may influence downstream genetic analysis. One needs to be aware of possible bacterial contamination when interpreting abnormal findings following PCR amplification of buccal swab DNA samples.
Population and growth of queen conch (Lobatus gigas Linnaeus, 1758) in the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve of Belize
Authors: Chan Isani , Tseng Li-Chun , Dahms Hans-Uwe , Hwang Jiang-Shiou 
Published: November 2013

Abstract

Background
The conservation effectiveness of marine protected areas is of substantial dispute. In the Belize Barrier Reef, there are several zones with increasing human activity and harvesting of overexploited species. Marine protected areas are designed to protect endangered species and increase the population size of exploited species. The present study investigated the population and morphological characteristics of Lobatus gigas (Linnaeus, 1758) in the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve (SCMR) at the southernmost tip of the Belize Barrier Reef to estimate the effectiveness of the marine protected area.

Results
A total of 693 L. gigas conches were counted over the 7,200 m2 from 36 transect lines. The densities of juveniles and adult conches in the conservation zone were substantially higher (20.13 and 2.88 individuals/100 m2, respectively) than in the general use zone (5.29 juveniles and 0.58 adults individuals/100 m2). The shell length of adult individuals ranged from 14.4 to 18.5 cm in the conservation zone and from 14.6 to 18.1 cm in the general use zone. A comparison of shell length of juveniles and adults showed no significant differences between the conservation zone (11.39 ± 1.46 cm) and general use zone (11.62 ± 1.24 cm). There was a significant positive correlation for shell length with lip thickness in the conservation zone (Pearson's correlation, r = 0.729, p < 0.001) and general use zone (Pearson's correlation, r = 0.613, p = 0.02).

Conclusions
The function and effectiveness of marine protected areas are discussed using the results of the present study that identifies the primary objective which is to ensure a continuous recruitment of valuable targeted species by the protection of spawning stock biomass that is important for the management of marine protected areas in an environmentally sensitive ecosystem.
The vertebrate taxonomy ontology: a framework for reasoning across model organism and species phenotypes
Authors: Midford Peter E , Dececchi Thomas Alex , Balhoff James P , Dahdul Wasila M , Ibrahim Nizar , Lapp Hilmar , Lundberg John G , Mabee Paula M , Sereno Paul C , Westerfield Monte , Vision Todd J , Blackburn David C 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBackgroundA hierarchical taxonomy of organisms is a prerequisite for semantic integration of biodiversity data. Ideally, there would be a single, expansive, authoritative taxonomy that includes extinct and extant taxa, information on synonyms and common names, and monophyletic supraspecific taxa that reflect our current understanding of phylogenetic relationships.DescriptionAs a step towards development of such a resource, and to enable large-scale integration of phenotypic data across vertebrates, we created the Vertebrate Taxonomy Ontology (VTO), a semantically defined taxonomic resource derived from the integration of existing taxonomic compilations, and freely distributed under a Creative Commons Zero (CC0) public domain waiver. The VTO includes both extant and extinct vertebrates and currently contains 106,947 taxonomic terms, 22 taxonomic ranks, 104,736 synonyms, and 162,400 cross-references to other taxonomic resources. Key challenges in constructing the VTO included (1) extracting and merging names, synonyms, and identifiers from heterogeneous sources; (2) structuring hierarchies of terms based on evolutionary relationships and the principle of monophyly; and (3) automating this process as much as possible to accommodate updates in source taxonomies.ConclusionsThe VTO is the primary source of taxonomic information used by the Phenoscape Knowledgebase (http://phenoscape.org/), which integrates genetic and evolutionary phenotype data across both model and non-model vertebrates. The VTO is useful for inferring phenotypic changes on the vertebrate tree of life, which enables queries for candidate genes for various episodes in vertebrate evolution.
Genomic analysis reveals key aspects of prokaryotic symbiosis in the phototrophic consortium “Chlorochromatium aggregatum”
Authors: Liu Zhenfeng , Müller Johannes , Li Tao , Alvey Richard M , Vogl Kajetan , Frigaard Niels-Ulrik , Rockwell Nathan C , Boyd Eric S , Tomsho Lynn P , Schuster Stephan C , Henke Petra , Rohde Manfred , Overmann Jörg , Bryant Donald A 
Published: November 2013

Abstract
Background
‘Chlorochromatium aggregatum’ is a phototrophic consortium, a symbiosis that may represent the highest degree of mutual interdependence between two unrelated bacteria not associated with a eukaryotic host. ‘Chlorochromatium aggregatum’ is a motile, barrel-shaped aggregate formed from a single cell of ‘Candidatus Symbiobacter mobilis”, a polarly flagellated, non-pigmented, heterotrophic bacterium, which is surrounded by approximately 15 epibiont cells of Chlorobium chlorochromatii, a non-motile photolithoautotrophic green sulfur bacterium.

Results
We analyzed the complete genome sequences of both organisms to understand the basis for this symbiosis. Chl. chlorochromatii has acquired relatively few symbiosis-specific genes; most acquired genes are predicted to modify the cell wall or function in cell-cell adhesion. In striking contrast, ‘Ca. S. mobilis’ appears to have undergone massive gene loss, is probably no longer capable of independent growth, and thus may only reproduce when consortia divide. A detailed model for the energetic and metabolic bases of the dependency of ‘Ca. S. mobilis’ on Chl. chlorochromatii is described.

Conclusions
Genomic analyses suggest that three types of interactions lead to a highly sophisticated relationship between these two organisms. Firstly, extensive metabolic exchange, involving carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur sources as well as vitamins, occurs from the epibiont to the central bacterium. Secondly, ‘Ca. S. mobilis’ can sense and move towards light and sulfide, resources that only directly benefit the epibiont. Thirdly, electron cycling mechanisms, particularly those mediated by quinones and potentially involving shared protonmotive force, could provide an important basis for energy exchange in this and other symbiotic relationships.