bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors Affecting Success Rate of Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) Courses
Authors: Abu‐Zidan Fikri M. , Mohammad Alshafi , Jamal Abdulla , Chetty Diane , Gautam Subash C. , van Dyke Murray , Branicki Frank J. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of the present study was to define the factors that affect passing the assessments for successful completion of the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) Provider Courses in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).MethodsThe ATLS Provider Course has been taught in three medical centers in the UAE since 2004. A total of 1,041 doctors completed the course during the period 2004–2010. A special protocol was designed to enter data accrued for each course, participants’ demographics, and assessments, including the final results. Direct logistic regression was performed to define factors affecting success in multiple choice questions (MCQ) and in the practical initial assessment station exam. The studied variables included the year, the course site, speciality, level of practice, and pre‐test score.ResultsThe majority of participants were surgeons (33.2 %), followed by Emergency Medicine physicians (27.3 %). The logistic regression model showed that having a low pre‐test score (p < 0.0001) and being a family medicine practitioner (p < 0.0001) increased the likelihood of failing the MCQ exam. The chance of passing the end of course practical exam increased with time (p = 0.002). A low pre‐test score (p < 0.0001) and being examined in site A (p = 0.04) increased the chance of failing in the initial assessment exam. The pass rate for the ATLS exam significantly increased after adoption of the interactive approach to teaching.ConclusionsPrior knowledge and preparation is essential to passing the ATLS exam. Doctors who deal clinically with all aspects of airway, breathing, and circulation of the ATLS course are more likely to pass the MCQ exam in our setting, followed by those who usually manage only the circulation or disability aspects of ATLS. It is possible that the interactive approach to teaching ATLS has improved the overall ATLS success rate.
Komorbide Substanzstörungen in der erwachsenen Allgemeinbevölkerung
Authors: Piontek Daniela , Kraus Ludwig , Matos Elena Gomes de , Pabst Alexander 
Published: December 2013

Ziel: Ziel ist die Untersuchung der homotypischen Komorbidität von Störungen im Zusammenhang mit dem Konsum von legalen und illegalen Substanzen sowie Medikamenten in der erwachsenen Bevölkerung. Methodik: Die Auswertungen basieren auf Daten des Epidemiologischen Suchtsurveys 2012. In einem zweistufigen Zufallsverfahren wurde eine Stichprobe von n = 9084 Personen realisiert (Ausschöpfung 53.6 %). Substanzbezogene Störungen nach DSM-IV wurden mithilfe des Münchener Composite International Diagnostic Interview für Alkohol, Tabak, Cannabis, Kokain, Amphetamine sowie Schmerz-, Schlaf- und Beruhigungsmittel erfasst. Ergebnisse: Multiple Diagnosen (Missbrauch und/oder Abhängigkeit) lagen bei insgesamt 6.6 % der Stichprobe vor. Der Anteil komorbider Substanzstörungen war bei Störungen durch Cannabis-, Schlafmittel- und Kokainkonsum am höchsten. Als Risikofaktoren für das Auftreten mindestens einer bzw. mehr als einer Diagnose erwiesen sich männliches Geschlecht, jüngeres Alter, niedrigere Schulbildung, lediger/geschiedener Familienstand und nicht-deutsche Staatsbürgerschaft. Schlussfolgerungen: Ein nicht unerheblicher Anteil der deutschen Bevölkerung ist von multiplen Substanzstörungen betroffen. Weitere epidemiologische Studien zur Beschreibung dieser Hochrisikogruppe sind nötig.
Cooperative assembly of IFI16 filaments on dsDNA provides insights into host defense strategy
Authors: Morrone Seamus R. , Wang Tao , Constantoulakis Leeza M. , Hooy Richard M. , Delannoy Michael J. , Sohn Jungsan 
Published: December 2013

Significance
Human IFN-inducible protein-16 (IFI16) is an essential intracellular foreign DNA receptor of innate immunity and also implicated in several autoimmune disorders. However, little is known about molecular mechanisms that underlie its function. We show here that IFI16 cooperatively assembles into filaments on dsDNA. IFI16 thus oligomerizes even in the presence of excess DNA, and it is the non–DNA-binding pyrin domain of IFI16 that drives the filament assembly. These results provide unifying mechanistic explanations for several previous in vivo observations regarding IFI16 and also suggest that assembling filaments on foreign nucleic acids is a broad host defense strategy.
Crystal structures of a pentameric ligand-gated ion channel provide a mechanism for activation
Authors: Sauguet Ludovic , Shahsavar Azadeh , Poitevin Frédéric , Huon Christèle , Menny Anaïs , Nemecz Àkos , Haouz Ahmed , Changeux Jean-Pierre , Corringer Pierre-Jean , Delarue Marc 
Published: December 2013

SignificanceWe describe the X-ray structures of the same pentameric ligand-gated ion channel (pLGIC) in both its liganded or ligand-free conformations. This provides the molecular basis for understanding the opening and closing (gating mechanism) of these key players in the fast transmission of chemical signals at synapses. As described with classical allosteric proteins, the tertiary changes of the subunits are linked together through the quaternary constraint by a marked reorganization of the interfaces between subunits and the associated binding pockets and cavities. The closed form displays a cavity that may allow a better understanding of the mechanism of action of pharmacological effectors of pentameric ligand-gated ion channels and the rational design of new modulators.
Distinct cerebellar engrams in short-term and long-term motor learning
Authors: Wang Wen , Nakadate Kazuhiko , Masugi-Tokita Miwako , Shutoh Fumihiro , Aziz Wajeeha , Tarusawa Etsuko , Lorincz Andrea , Molnár Elek , Kesaf Sebnem , Li Yun-Qing , Fukazawa Yugo , Nagao Soichi , Shigemoto Ryuichi 
Published: December 2013

Significance
Long-term depression (LTD) of parallel fiber (PF) to Purkinje cell (PC) synapses has been postulated to cause cerebellar motor learning and extensively studied using in vitro preparations. However, there has been no in vivo evidence showing its occurrence after physiological learning, and much controversy on its role has persisted. We demonstrate that LTD as a form of AMPA receptor decrease does occur in PF–PC synapses after adaptation of horizontal optokinetic response. However, it lasted less than a day and was followed by elimination of these synapses. Our findings indicate distinct in vivo engrams for short-term and long-term memory in cerebellar motor learning, and open new mechanistic investigations of how the short-term memory is stabilized through structural reorganization of synaptic connections.
Measuring membrane protein stability under native conditions
Authors: Chang Yu-Chu , Bowie James U. 
Published: December 2013

Significance
How proteins fold is a fundamental problem in molecular biology and has been the subject of intense study. Membrane protein folding is a particularly thorny challenge because the proteins reside in a complex, nonhomogenous bilayer. As the bilayer has a powerful influence on their structure and stability, new approaches are needed to study folding in their natural environment. Here we describe an approach for driving reversible unfolding of a large membrane protein, which does not require alteration of the environmental properties. Our method therefore provides a general tool to examine the folding of membrane proteins.
Cortical neural populations can guide behavior by integrating inputs linearly, independent of synchrony
Authors: Histed Mark H. , Maunsell John H. R. 
Published: December 2013

Significance
The brain performs computations by transforming sensory inputs to make decisions. We study these neuronal computations in the mouse, one of the smallest animals with a cerebral cortex, the part of the human brain that controls complex behavior. We find animals’ behavior can be insensitive to the timing of cortical inputs, depending only on total spike count, even though individual neurons are sensitive to timing. Thus, the cortex can integrate input linearly, or place equal weight on inputs regardless of their arrival time. This emergent linear network behavior may arise from fluctuations in membrane potential generated by background network activity. Brain diseases may arise from dysfunction of these network properties, perhaps by damaging the mechanisms that create this background noise.
Platinum supported on titanium–ruthenium oxide is a remarkably stable electrocatayst for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles
Authors: Parrondo Javier , Han Taehee , Niangar Ellazar , Wang Chunmei , Dale Nilesh , Adjemian Kev , Ramani Vijay 
Published: December 2013

SignificanceIn this study, we showcase titanium–ruthenium oxide (TRO)—a remarkably stable support material, and Pt/TRO, a derivative electrocatalyst that is also extremely stable. These materials have been tested to establish their catalytic activity and stability using accelerated tests that mimic conditions and degradation modes encountered during long-term fuel cell operation. We have evaluated Pt/TRO using these protocols, and provide concrete evidence that this material is far more stable than Pt/C and, would meet the requirements for use in an automotive fuel cell stack. Our cost analysis indicates the use of ruthenium is not a factor given that >90% of catalyst cost resides in the platinum metal; moreover, the exceptional stability of Pt/TRO removes the needs for overdesign or replacement.
Emerging predictable features of replicated biological invasion fronts
Authors: Giometto Andrea , Rinaldo Andrea , Carrara Francesco , Altermatt Florian 
Published: December 2013

SignificanceBiological dispersal is a key driver of several fundamental processes in nature, crucially controlling the distribution of species and affecting their coexistence. Despite its relevance for important ecological processes, however, the subject suffers an acknowledged lack of experimentation, and current assessments point at inherent limitation to predictability even in the simplest ecological settings. We show, by combining replicated experimentation on the spread of the ciliateTetrahymenasp. with a theoretical approach based on stochastic differential equations, that information on local unconstrained movement and reproduction of organisms (including demographic stochasticity) allows reliable prediction of both the propagation speed and range of variability of invasion fronts over multiple generations.
Representation of interval timing by temporally scalable firing patterns in rat prefrontal cortex
Authors: Xu Min , Zhang Si-yu , Dan Yang , Poo Mu-ming 
Published: December 2013

Significance
The ability to estimate time interval in the order of seconds is important for animal behaviors. However, how the brain estimates the passage of time remains mysterious. In the current study, we trained rats to estimate two different time intervals and recorded activities of single neurons from the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). We found that some PFC neurons showed activity changes during time estimation by the rat, with the same profile that was temporally scaled by a factor proportional to the estimated time intervals. Local cooling of mPFC slowed the time estimated by the rat. Thus, PFC neuronal activity contributes to time estimation, and temporal scaling of neuronal activity may be a circuit mechanism for estimating different time intervals.
Models that include supercoiling of topological domains reproduce several known features of interphase chromosomes
Authors: Benedetti Fabrizio , Dorier Julien , Burnier Yannis , Stasiak Andrzej 
Published: December 2013

AbstractUnderstanding the structure of interphase chromosomes is essential to elucidate regulatory mechanisms of gene expression. During recent years, high-throughput DNA sequencing expanded the power of chromosome conformation capture (3C) methods that provide information about reciprocal spatial proximity of chromosomal loci. Since 2012, it is known that entire chromatin in interphase chromosomes is organized into regions with strongly increased frequency of internal contacts. These regions, with the average size of ∼1 Mb, were named topological domains. More recent studies demonstrated presence of unconstrained supercoiling in interphase chromosomes. Using Brownian dynamics simulations, we show here that by including supercoiling into models of topological domains one can reproduce and thus provide possible explanations of several experimentally observed characteristics of interphase chromosomes, such as their complex contact maps.
The family of topological phases in condensed matter†
Authors: Shen Shun-Qing 
Published: December 2013

Abstract
The discovery of topological insulators and superconductors is an important advance in condensed matter physics. Topological phases reflect global properties of the quantum states in materials, and the boundary states are the characteristic of the materials. Such phases constitute a new branch in condensed matter physics. Here a historic development is briefly introduced, and the known family of phases in condensed matter are summarized.
Exploring community structure in biological networks with random graphs
Authors: Sah Pratha , Singh Lisa O. , Clauset Aaron , Bansal Shweta 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundCommunity structure is ubiquitous in biological networks. There has been an increased interest in unraveling the community structure of biological systems as it may provide important insights into a system’s functional components and the impact of local structures on dynamics at a global scale. Choosing an appropriate community detection algorithm to identify the community structure in an empirical network can be difficult, however, as the many algorithms available are based on a variety of cost functions and are difficult to validate. Even when community structure is identified in an empirical system, disentangling the effect of community structure from other network properties such as clustering coefficient and assortativity can be a challenge.ResultsHere, we develop a generative model to produce undirected, simple, connected graphs with a specified degrees and pattern of communities, while maintaining a graph structure that is as random as possible. Additionally, we demonstrate two important applications of our model: (a) to generate networks that can be used to benchmark existing and new algorithms for detecting communities in biological networks; and (b) to generate null models to serve as random controls when investigating the impact of complex network features beyond the byproduct of degree and modularity in empirical biological networks.ConclusionOur model allows for the systematic study of the presence of community structure and its impact on network function and dynamics. This process is a crucial step in unraveling the functional consequences of the structural properties of biological systems and uncovering the mechanisms that drive these systems.
Methyl Jasmonate-Elicited Transcriptional Responses and Pentacyclic Triterpene Biosynthesis in Sweet Basil
Authors: Misra Rajesh Chandra , Maiti Protiti , Chanotiya Chandan Singh , Shanker Karuna , Ghosh Sumit 
Published: December 2013

Abstract
Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is well known for its diverse pharmacological properties and has been widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments. Although a variety of secondary metabolites with potent biological activities are identified, our understanding of the biosynthetic pathways that produce them has remained largely incomplete. We studied transcriptional changes in sweet basil after methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment, which is considered an elicitor of secondary metabolites, and identified 388 candidate MeJA-responsive unique transcripts. Transcript analysis suggests that in addition to controlling its own biosynthesis and stress responses, MeJA up-regulates transcripts of the various secondary metabolic pathways, including terpenoids and phenylpropanoids/flavonoids. Furthermore, combined transcript and metabolite analysis revealed MeJA-induced biosynthesis of the medicinally important ursane-type and oleanane-type pentacyclic triterpenes. Two MeJA-responsive oxidosqualene cyclases (ObAS1 and ObAS2) that encode for 761- and 765-amino acid proteins, respectively, were identified and characterized. Functional expressions of ObAS1 and ObAS2 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae led to the production of β-amyrin and α-amyrin, the direct precursors of oleanane-type and ursane-type pentacyclic triterpenes, respectively. ObAS1 was identified as a β-amyrin synthase, whereas ObAS2 was a mixed amyrin synthase that produced both α-amyrin and β-amyrin but had a product preference for α-amyrin. Moreover, transcript and metabolite analysis shed light on the spatiotemporal regulation of pentacyclic triterpene biosynthesis in sweet basil. Taken together, these results will be helpful in elucidating the secondary metabolic pathways of sweet basil and developing metabolic engineering strategies for enhanced production of pentacyclic triterpenes.
Systematic evaluation of bias in microbial community profiles induced by whole genome amplification
Authors: Direito Susana O. L. , Zaura Egija , Little Miranda , Ehrenfreund Pascale , Röling Wilfred F. M. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryWhole genome amplification methods facilitate the detection and characterization of microbial communities in low biomass environments. We examined the extent to which the actual community structure is reliably revealed and factors contributing to bias. One widely used [multiple displacement amplification (MDA)] and one new primer‐free method [primase‐based whole genome amplification (pWGA)] were compared using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based method as control. Pyrosequencing of an environmental sample and principal component analysis revealed that MDA impacted community profiles more strongly than pWGA and indicated that this related to species GC content, although an influence of DNA integrity could not be excluded. Subsequently, biases by species GC content, DNA integrity and fragment size were separately analysed using defined mixtures of DNA from various species. We found significantly less amplification of species with the highest GC content for MDA‐based templates and, to a lesser extent, for pWGA. DNA fragmentation also interfered severely: species with more fragmented DNA were less amplified with MDA and pWGA. pWGA was unable to amplify low molecular weight DNA (< 1.5 kb), whereas MDA was inefficient. We conclude that pWGA is the most promising method for characterization of microbial communities in low‐biomass environments and for currently planned astrobiological missions to Mars.
Evolution of salt tolerance in a laboratory reared population of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Perrineau Marie‐Mathilde , Zelzion Ehud , Gross Jeferson , Price Dana C. , Boyd Jeffrey , Bhattacharya Debashish 
Published: December 2013

SummaryUnderstanding the genetic underpinnings of adaptive traits in microalgae is important for the study of evolution and for applied uses. We used long‐term selection under a regime of serial transfers with haploid populations of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii raised in liquid TAP medium containing 200 mM NaCl. After 1255 generations, evolved salt (ES) populations could grow as rapidly in high salt medium as progenitor cells (progenitor light [PL]). Transcriptome data were analysed to elucidate the basis of salt tolerance in ES cells when compared with PL cells and to cells incubated for 48 h in high salt medium (progenitor salt [PS], the short‐term acclimation response). These data demonstrate that evolved and short‐term acclimation responses to salt stress differ fundamentally from each other. Progenitor salt cells exhibit well‐known responses to salt stress such as reduction in photosynthesis, upregulation of glycerophospholipid signaling, and upregulation of the transcription and translation machinery. In contrast, ES cells show downregulation of genes involved in the stress response and in transcription/translation. Our results suggest that gene‐rich mixotrophic lineages such as C. reinhardtii may be able to adapt rapidly to abiotic stress engendered either by a rapidly changing climate or physical vicariance events that isolate populations in stressful environments.
Environmental controls and composition of anoxygenic photoheterotrophs in ultraoligotrophic high‐altitude lakes (Central Pyrenees)
Authors: Caliz Joan , Casamayor Emilio O. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryThe phylogenetic composition of freshwater anoxygenic photoheterotrophs (APs) has been poorly investigated as compared with their marine counterparts. In this study, we explored a set of ultraoligotrophic cold high mountain lakes (Central Pyrenees, Spain) by both pufM gene denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis fingerprinting, and cloning and sequencing of selected lakes samples. Different ranges of limnological and physico‐chemical values were explored as environmental drivers of APs richness and composition. We did not observe significant relationships between richness/diversity of pufM and any of the limnological characteristics measured or trophic status, but a negative correlation with ammonia concentration. Conductivity, pH and nitrate concentration were significantly related to changes in APs community composition, whereas lake area, altitude, temperature and trophic status did not. Most of the sequences (> 85%) had the pufM sequences of Limnohabitans (Betaproteobacteria) as the closest relative in databases, whereas less abundant clones were more closely related to Rhodobacter, Sulfitobacter and Brevundimonas (Alphaproteobacteria), in agreement with 16S rRNA gene sequences previously found in the area. Congregibacter‐like Gammaproteobacteria were not detected. Comparison with available studies in inland waters showed taxonomic partitioning along salinity gradients, and Congregibacter‐like sequences restricted to high saline conditions in continental water bodies.
Blocking initial infiltration of pioneer CD8+T‐cells into the CNS via inhibition of SHP‐2 ameliorates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice
Authors: Luo Qiong , Sun Yang , Gong Fang‐Yuan , Liu Wen , Zheng Wei , Shen Yan , Hua Zi‐Chun , Xu Qiang 
Published: December 2013

Background and PurposeIn contrast to T‐cell priming in the periphery, therapeutic strategies targeting the initiation step of T‐cell trafficking into the CNS have not been extensively investigated. In this study, we examined the effect of NSC‐87877, a potent Src homology 2‐containing protein tyrosine phosphatase 2 (SHP‐2) inhibitor, on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and elucidated its unique mechanism of action.Experimental ApproachC57BL/6 mice were immunized with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein35–55 and monitored for clinical severity of disease and histopathological features in the CNS. Levels of cytokines in serum were measured by elisa. Effects of NSC‐87877 on expressions of chemokines and cytokines in the CNS were determined by quantitative PCR.Key ResultsNSC‐87877‐treated mice developed conventional TH1 and TH17 responses, but were highly resistant to the induction of EAE. NSC‐87877 decreased the accumulation of lymphocytes in the CNS and increased the functional expression of chemokine receptor CXCR7 on CD8+ T‐cells. Adoptive transfer of T‐cells from 2D2‐transgenic mice restored EAE susceptibility in NSC‐87877‐treated mice, indicating that NSC‐87877 only targets the initial migration of pioneer T‐cells. Furthermore, T‐cell‐conditioned SHP‐2‐deficient mice treated with NSC‐87877 were no longer resistant to EAE, suggesting that inhibition of SHP‐2 contributes to the amelioration of EAE by NSC‐87877.Conclusions and ImplicationsNSC‐87877 almost completely abolished the development of EAE by blocking the initial infiltration of pioneer CD8+ T‐cells into the uninflamed CNS. These results reveal a critical role for SHP‐2 in regulating EAE pathogenesis and indicate that NSC‐87877 is a potential candidate for the treatment of relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis.