bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Mutation that Creates a Pseudoexon in SOD1 Causes Familial ALS
Authors: Valdmanis Paul N. , Belzil Veronique V. , Lee James , Dion Patrick A. , St‐Onge Judith , Hince Pascale , Funalot Benoit , Couratier Philippe , Clavelou Pierre , Camu William , Rouleau Guy A. 
Published: October 2009

SummaryAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an adult onset neurodegenerative disease which targets motor neurons of the cortex, brainstem and spinal cord. About 5–10% of all amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cases are familial (FALS), and 15–20% of FALS cases are caused by mutations in the zinc‐copper superoxide dismutase gene (SOD1). We identified a large family from France with ten members affected with ALS. Linkage was established to the SOD1 locus on chromosome 21 and genomic and cDNA sequencing was performed for the SOD1 gene. This revealed an activated pseudoexon between exons 4 and 5 that was present in two tested members of the family. Translation of this 43 base pair exon results in the introduction of seven amino acids before a stop codon is present, leading to a prematurely truncated SOD1 protein product of 125 amino acids. Sequencing intron 4 in a patient revealed a heterozygous change 304 bp before exon 5 (c.358 – 304C > G), but only 5 bp after the cryptic exon, thus causing this alternative splice product. This mutation segregated in all affected individuals of the family. This adds an additional genetic mechanism for developing SOD1‐linked ALS and is one which can be more readily targeted by gene therapy.
Using research evidence in mental health: user‐rating and focus group study of clinicians’ preferences for a new clinical question‐answering service
Authors: Barley Elizabeth A. , Murray Joanna , Churchill Rachel 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackground and objectives:  Clinicians report difficulties using research in their practices. The aim of the study was to describe needs and preferences for a mental health clinical question‐answering service designed to assist this process.Method:  Multi‐disciplinary clinicians participated in a focus group; users of the service supplied feedback.Results:  Fifty‐four clinicians received answers to 84 questions about mental health treatments. User ratings showed that the answers had multiple uses: informing health care (43), education (22), staff development (28) and research (12), and were considered useful, clear, relevant and helpful. Focus group participants appreciated critically appraised summaries of evidence and stressed the time‐saving benefit of the service. Clinicians without a medical training were least confident in applying evidence. Attitudes to research were positive, but concern was expressed about its potential misuse for political purposes. This appeared to arise from an ambiguity around the term ‘insufficient evidence’, which participants felt is widely misinterpreted as ‘evidence of no effect’.Conclusions:  A highly valued, responsive service has been developed. A range of clinicians find critically appraised summaries of research useful. Education about the use of research may help clinicians to be more evidence based.
The open access movement and Cuban health research work: an author survey
Authors: Sánchez‐Tarragó Nancy , Carlos Fernández‐Molina J. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractObjective:  To assess the level of knowledge about and the attitudes of the Cuban health researchers towards the open access movement.Methods:  A descriptive, cross‐sectional study was conducted from March to June 2007 through a printed questionnaire administered to a group of Cuban researchers from several national health institutes, who were selected by means of a stratified random sampling (160 researchers from 11 institutions). Summary statistics and bivariate correlations were obtained using the spss statistical program, version 10.0 for Windows.Results:  The best known initiatives for researchers were those related to biomedical sciences, i.e. PubMed Central, HINARI and BioMed Central. The rate of publication in open access journals and deposit in open access repositories was low. Most of researchers (85%) agree to upload a copy of their papers onto an open access repository if their institution requests so.Conclusions:  Our findings indicate a need for the promotion of the beneficial aspects of the open access movement, as well as training and encouragement for researchers so that they can take full advantage of the potential of this movement.
Pharmacists’ utilization and interest in usage of personal digital assistants in their professional responsibilities
Authors: Dasgupta Anandaroop , Sansgiry Sujit S. , Sherer Jeff T. , Wallace David , Sikri Samir 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackground and objectives:  Pharmacists use PDAs for performing various activities related to their profession. The objective of this study was to examine pharmacists’ utilization pattern and interest in usage of personal digital assistants (PDAs) in various facets of health care.Methods:  A cross‐sectional survey was conducted by distributing a pre‐validated 23‐item instrument to a convenience sample of pharmacists (n = 295) in the Houston area. Usage frequency (0 = never to 5 = frequently) and interest in future use (1 = extremely disinterested to 5 = extremely interested) of PDAs for various activities were evaluated and compared across pharmacy practice settings.Results:  Most pharmacists reported maximum use of PDAs, as personal organizers (3.7 ± 1.8), in obtaining drug information (2.9 ± 1.8) and as medical calculators (2.6 ± 1.9). Similar results were obtained while evaluating interest of pharmacists who did not have PDAs and have never used PDAs for these three activities. Hospital pharmacists owned and used PDAs significantly (P < 0.05) more often than community pharmacists.Conclusions:  Pharmacists used PDAs for basic functions in their profession role. Application of PDA technology in community pharmacy settings may result in its better adoption in both the settings.
Clinical librarians, a new tribe in the UK: roles and responsibilities
Authors: Harrison Janet , Beraquet Vera 
Published: October 2009

AbstractAims:  The aims of this research were to determine the background, education, training experience, roles and responsibilities of practising Clinical Librarians (CL) in the UK. This paper reports the findings of a survey undertaken in 2007 at the third Clinical Librarian conference.This research builds on research undertaken by Harrison and Sargeant in 2002 and Ward in 2004, and can be considered as part of a longitudinal study of the role of the CL in the UK.Objectives:  The objectives of the research were to define and gain a broad understanding of the role of the CL in the UK highlighting similarities and differences amongst the professionals and provide evidence for a baseline of skills and activities for the CL role. The type of sampling used was Judgemental.Results/analysis:  Results/analysis detail the skills and activities undertaken by CLs. Searching for information for Clinicians was the activity most frequently undertaken. Developing good relationships with other healthcare professionals was considered essential. Two‐thirds of the respondents held a postgraduate library qualification.Conclusions:  Crucially a new model for the UK CL role is derived drawing on the findings of this study and the existing literature.
Literature searching for social science systematic reviews: consideration of a range of search techniques
Authors: Papaioannou Diana , Sutton Anthea , Carroll Christopher , Booth Andrew , Wong Ruth 
Published: October 2009

AbstractBackground:  Literature for a systematic review on the student experience of e‐learning is located across a range of subject areas including health, education, social science, library and information science.Objectives:  To assess the merits and shortcomings of using different search techniques in retrieval of evidence in the social science literature.Methods:  A conventional subject search was undertaken as the principal method of identifying the literature for the review. Four supplementary search methods were used including citation searching, reference list checking, contact with experts and pearl growing.Results:  The conventional subject search identified 30 of 41 included references; retrieved from 10 different databases. References were missed by this method and a further 11 references were identified via citation searching, reference list checking and contact with experts. Pearl growing was suspended as the nominated pearls were dispersed across numerous databases, with no single database indexing more than four pearls.Conclusions:  Searching within the social sciences literature requires careful consideration. Conventional subject searching identified the majority of references, but additional search techniques were essential and located further high quality references.
N‐acetylcysteine inhibits hyperglycemia‐induced oxidative stress and apoptosis markers in diabetic neuropathy
Authors: Kamboj Sukhdev Singh , Vasishta Rakesh Kumar , Sandhir Rajat 
Published: October 2009

J. Neurochem. (2010) 112, 77–91.AbstractSeveral studies have indicated the involvement of oxidative stress in the development of diabetic neuropathy. In the present study, we have targeted oxidative stress mediated nerve damage in diabetic neuropathy using N‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine (NAC), a potent antioxidant. After 8 weeks, streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats developed neuropathy which was evident from decreased tail‐flick latency (thermal hyperalgesia). This was accompanied by decreased motor coordination as assessed by performance on rota‐rod treadmill. Na+ K+ ATPase, a biochemical marker of development of diabetic neuropathy, was significantly inhibited in sciatic nerve of diabetic animals. NAC treatment at a daily dose between 1.4 and 1.5 g/kg body weight to diabetic animals for 7 weeks in drinking water ameliorated hyperalgesia, improved motor coordination and reversed reduction in Na+ K+ ATPase activity. There was an increase in lipid peroxidation in sciatic nerve of diabetic animals along with decrease in phospholipid levels, while NAC treatment attenuated lipid peroxidation and restored phospholipids to control levels. This was associated with decrease in glutathione and protein thiols. The activities of antioxidant enzymes; superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione‐S‐transferase were reduced in sciatic nerve of diabetic animals. Cytochrome c release and active caspase 3 were markedly increased in nerve from diabetic animals suggesting activation of apoptotic pathway. NAC treatment significantly ameliorated decrease in antioxidant defense and prevented cytochrome c release and caspase 3 activation. Electron microscopy revealed demyelination, Wallerian degeneration and onion‐bulb formation in sciatic nerve of diabetic rats. NAC on the other hand was able to reverse structural deficits observed in sciatic nerve of diabetic rats. Our results clearly demonstrate protective effect of NAC is mediated through attenuation of oxidative stress and apoptosis, and suggest therapeutic potential of NAC in attenuation of diabetic neuropathy.
CaMKII associates with CaV1.2 L‐type calcium channels via selected β subunits to enhance regulatory phosphorylation
Authors: Abiria Sunday A. , Colbran Roger J. 
Published: October 2009

J. Neurochem. (2010) 112, 150–161.AbstractCalcium/calmodulin‐dependent kinase II (CaMKII) facilitates L‐type calcium channel (LTCC) activity physiologically, but may exacerbate LTCC‐dependent pathophysiology. We previously showed that CaMKII forms stable complexes with voltage‐gated calcium channel (VGCC) β1b or β2a subunits, but not with the β3 or β4 subunits (Grueter et al. 2008). CaMKII‐dependent facilitation of CaV1.2 LTCCs requires Thr498 phosphorylation in the β2a subunit (Grueter et al. 2006), but the relationship of this modulation to CaMKII interactions with LTCC subunits is unknown. Here we show that CaMKII co‐immunoprecipitates with forebrain LTCCs that contain CaV1.2α1 and β1 or β2 subunits, but is not detected in LTCC complexes containing β4 subunits. CaMKIIα can be specifically tethered to the I/II linker of CaV1.2 α1 subunits in vitro by the β1b or β2a subunits. Efficient targeting of CaMKIIα to the full‐length CaV1.2α1 subunit in transfected HEK293 cells requires CaMKII binding to the β2a subunit. Moreover, disruption of CaMKII binding substantially reduced phosphorylation of β2a at Thr498 within the LTCC complex, without altering overall phosphorylation of CaV1.2α1 and β subunits. These findings demonstrate a biochemical mechanism underlying LTCC facilitation by CaMKII.
The contribution of newly established populations to the dynamics of range expansion in a one‐dimensional fluvial‐estuarine system: rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in Eastern Quebec
Authors: Thibault Isabel , Bernatchez Louis , Dodson Julian J. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractAim Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum 1792) is an exotic salmonid invading eastern Canada. First introduced for recreational fishing in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritime provinces, the species is now spreading in salmon rivers located in Eastern Quebec, where its stocking is strictly forbidden. Newly established populations have been found along the St Lawrence Estuary. To effectively mitigate the potential threat the invasion poses to native salmonids, we aimed to document the invasion’s origin and progress in the St Lawrence River and estuary. We first determined genetic origins among several potential wild and cultured source populations, found at the upstream and downstream extremities of the St Lawrence system. Thereafter, we studied the range expansion, predicting that the invasion process conforms to a one‐dimensional stepping‐stone dispersion model.Location Recently invaded salmon rivers that flow into the Estuary and Gulf of St Lawrence in Quebec, and watercourses supporting naturalized populations (Lake Ontario, Lake Memphremagog and Prince‐Edward‐Island rivers).Methods Rainbow trout from 10 potential source populations (wild and domestic strains) and 243 specimens captured in salmon rivers were genotyped at 10 microsatellite loci. Genetic origins of specimens and relationship between colonies were assessed using assignment analyses based on individuals and clusters.Results Invasion of rainbow trout in Eastern Quebec is directed downstream, driven by migrants from upstream naturalized populations, found in the Ganaraska River (Lake Ontario), and, to a lesser extent, in Lake Memphremagog. Populations from the Maritime provinces and domestic strains do not contribute to the colonisation process. A recently established population in Charlevoix (Eastern Quebec) supplies other downstream colonies.Main conclusions Rainbow trout is spreading from Lake Ontario downstream to Eastern Quebec using the St Lawrence River system as an invasion corridor. Range expansion in a downstream direction is driven by a more complex stepping‐stone dispersion model than predicted. Management options to protect native salmonids include reducing the effective size of the Charlevoix population, impeding reproduction in recently colonized rivers, halting the upstream migration of anadromous spawners, and curtailing stocking events inside the stocking area.
Chloroplast DNA phylogeography of the endangered Japanese red maple (Acer pycnanthum): the spatial configuration of wetlands shapes genetic diversity
Authors: Saeki Ikuyo , Murakami Noriaki 
Published: October 2009

AbstractAim  Japanese red maple (Acer pycnanthum K. Koch) is an endangered species which grows in discrete wetland ecosystems within a limited geographical range. It is an important relic of geologic time, an endemic of unique wetland ecosystems and an indicator of hotspots of plant species diversity. However, information on its genetic characteristics across its range is lacking. Our aim was to determine the genetic structure and diversity of the species and make recommendations for conservation.Location  Wetlands in central Honshu Island, Japan.Methods  We collected leaf samples from 400 individuals of A. pycnanthum in 30 populations, extracted total DNA from each and sequenced three non‐coding regions of chloroplast DNA.Results  We identified nine haplotypes. High haplotype diversity (0.81) and the occurrence of rare haplotypes in eight distant populations suggest that wetlands provided multiple, adequate‐size refuges during the Last Glacial Maximum. We found only one to four haplotypes within populations. The high degree of differentiation (GST = 0.83) implies that gene flow by seeds among populations is restricted. Eight populations demonstrated a positive contribution to the total genetic diversity owing to occurrence of rare and private haplotypes. Such populations are concentrated in the south‐western part of the species distribution. According to the spatial autocorrelation analysis, there were significant spatial clusters of populations, which were characterized by similar haplotype composition. Using the haplotype distribution, samova and barrier detected nearly identical genetic boundaries.Main conclusion  In spite of the species’ limited geographical range, we identified a relatively high number of haplotypes and a clear geographical structure. We propose six management units, which can be used for future conservation activities, such as introduction of new individuals for on‐site conservation projects and seed collection for ex situ conservation.
Neophyte species richness at the landscape scale under urban sprawl and climate warming
Authors: Nobis Michael P. , Jaeger Jochen A. G. , Zimmermann Niklaus E. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractAim  Land use and climate are two major components of global environmental change but our understanding of their simultaneous and interactive effects upon biodiversity is still limited. Here, we investigated the relationship between the species richness of neophytes, i.e. non‐native vascular plants introduced after 1500 AD, and environmental covariates to draw implications for future dynamics under land‐use and climate change.Location  Switzerland, Central Europe.Methods  The distribution of vascular plants was derived from a systematic national grid of 1 km2 quadrates (n = 456; Swiss Biodiversity Monitoring programme) including 1761 species, 122 of which were neophytes. Generalized linear models (GLMs) were used to correlate neophyte species richness with environmental covariates. The impact of land‐use and climate change was thereafter evaluated by projections for the years 2020 and 2050 using scenarios of moderate and strong changes for climate warming (IPCC) and urban sprawl (NRP 54).Results  Mean annual temperature and the amount of urban areas explained neophyte species richness best, with a high predictive power of the corresponding model (cross‐validated D2 = 0.816). Climate warming had a stronger impact on the potential increase in the mean neophyte species richness (up to 191% increase by 2050) than ongoing urban sprawl (up to 10% increase) independently from variable interactions and model extrapolations to non‐analogue environments.Main conclusions  In contrast to other vascular plants, the prediction of neophyte species richness at the landscape scale in Switzerland requires few variables only, and regions of highest species richness of the two groups do not coincide. The neophyte species richness is basically driven by climatic (temperature) conditions, and urban areas additionally modulate small‐scale differences upon this coarse‐scale pattern. According to the projections climate warming will contribute to the future increase in neophyte species richness much more than ongoing urbanization, but the gain in new neophyte species will be highest in urban regions.
Revisiting the Micro and Small Enterprise Sector in Kenya
Authors: House‐Soremekun Bessie 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThe purpose of this article is to review the state of the literature on the Micro and Small Enterprise (MSE) sector in Kenya to examine how entrepreneurs affect economic growth and development. First, it provides a brief assessment of Kenya’s development prospects in the 21st century. Second, it interrogates the literature with regard to some of the theoretical and empirical studies performed on the microenterprise sector in the global south on a general level, and in Kenya, from 1970–2009. Third, it discusses the important role of women in economic development and entrepreneurship.
Antichrist in the Middle Ages:Plus ça change…
Authors: Ryan Michael A. 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThroughout the entirety of the European Middle Ages (ca. 500–1500 C. E.), Christianity functioned as a dominant force in political, social, and cultural matters, replete with figures both natural and supernatural. One of the most fascinating, and widely studied, individuals within the Christian worldview was the Antichrist. An entirely human, yet utterly evil, foil to Jesus Christ within Christian understanding, the Antichrist was the central figure whose advent would begin the various traumas of the Apocalypse and usher in the End Times. Although a terrible and traumatic figure, the Antichrist’s humanity is key to understanding him, as the name ‘Antichrist’ as applied to various individuals appears repeatedly throughout the Middle Ages in response to historic moments of crisis. Modern scholars in the fields of history, art history, and literature have recognized that the Antichrist’s mutability is crucial for comprehending him within the medieval context, as he served as a way to call for ecclesiastical reform or to criticize one’s political enemies. Scholars recently have begun to take note of medieval approaches to resisting the Antichrist. One of the most important tools at medieval people’s disposal was in the form of the occult sciences, such as astrology or alchemy. The Antichrist was thus more than just a shadowy and fearsome figure lurking in the darkness, but proved to be a central figure that drove intellectual, cultural, and religious matters alike during the Middle Ages.
From ‘Sale to Accession Deed’– Scanning the Historiography of Kashmir 1846–1947
Authors: Lone Fozia Nazir 
Published: October 2009

AbstractThis article revisits the historiographical context of Kashmir from its sale by British in 1846 to accession to India in 1947. Taking a holistic approach it explores the views of international, Indian, Pakistani and Kashmiri scholarships on crucial aspects of the history of Kashmir in this era. The endeavour would be to expound the paradigm shift in the historiographical writings and explore the major debates and dominant trends that arose in the history of Kashmir during the epoch 1846–1947.