bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neural Information Processing: between synchrony and chaos
Authors: Rossello Josep , Canals Vincent , Morro Antoni 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThe brain is characterized by performing many different processing tasks ranging from elaborate processes such as pattern recognition, memory or decision-making to more simple functionalities such as linear filtering in image processing. Understanding the mechanisms by which the brain is able to produce such a different range of cortical operations remains a fundamental problem in neuroscience. Some recent empirical and theoretical results support the notion that the brain is naturally poised between ordered and chaotic states. As the largest number of metastable states exists at a point near the transition, the brain therefore has access to a larger repertoire of behaviours. Consequently, it is of high interest to know which type of processing can be associated with both ordered and disordered states. Here we show an explanation of which processes are related to chaotic and synchronized states based on the study of in-silico implementation of biologically plausible neural systems. The measurements obtained reveal that synchronized cells (that can be understood as ordered states of the brain) are related to non-linear computations, while uncorrelated neural ensembles are excellent information transmission systems that are able to implement linear transformations (as the realization of convolution products) and to parallelize neural processes. From these results we propose a plausible meaning for Hebbian and non-Hebbian learning rules as those biophysical mechanisms by which the brain creates ordered or chaotic ensembles depending on the desired functionality. The measurements that we obtain from the hardware implementation of different neural systems endorse the fact that the brain is working with two different states, ordered and chaotic, with complementary functionalities that imply non-linear processing (synchronized states) and information transmission and convolution (chaotic states).
The oligomer plasticity of the small heat-shock protein Lo18 from Oenococcus oeni influences its role in both membrane stabilization and protein protection
Authors: Maitre Magali , Weidmann Stéphanie , Rieu Aurélie , Fenel Daphna , Schoehn Guy , Ebel Christine , Coves Jacques , Guzzo Jean 
Published: February 2012

The ability of the small Hsp (heat-shock protein) Lo18 from Oenococcus oeni to modulate the membrane fluidity of liposomes or to reduce the thermal aggregation of proteins was studied as a function of the pH in the range 5–9. We have determined by size-exclusion chromatography and analytical ultracentrifugation that Lo18 assembles essentially as a 16-mer at acidic pH. Its quaternary structure evolves to a mixture of lower molecular mass oligomers probably in dynamic equilibrium when the pH increases. The best Lo18 activities are observed at pH 7 when the particle distribution contains a major proportion of dodecamers. At basic pH, particles corresponding to a dimer prevail and are thought to be the building blocks leading to oligomerization of Lo18. At acidic pH, the dimers are organized in a double-ring of stacked octamers to form the 16-mer as shown by the low-resolution structure determined by electron microscopy. Experiments performed with a modified protein (A123S) shown to preferentially form dimers confirm these results. The α-crystallin domain of Methanococcus jannaschii Hsp16.5, taken as a model of the Lo18 counterpart, fits with the electron microscopy envelope of Lo18.
MSTN genotypes in Thoroughbred horses influence skeletal muscle gene expression and racetrack performance
Authors: McGivney Beatrice A. , Browne John A. , Fonseca Rita G. , Katz Lisa M. , MacHugh David E. , Whiston Ronan , Hill Emmeline W. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryMyostatin, encoded by the MSTN gene, is a member of the TGF‐β superfamily that regulates skeletal muscle development. A MSTN SNP significantly associated with Thoroughbred horse racing phenotypes has recently been identified as well as significant reductions in Thoroughbred skeletal muscle gene expression for three transcripts 400–1500 base pairs downstream of the MSTN gene following a period of training. Together, these findings indicate that MSTN genotypes may influence MSTN gene expression. To investigate this, MSTN mRNA expression was measured in biopsies from the middle gluteal muscle from 60 untrained yearling Thoroughbreds (C/C, n = 15; C/T, n = 28; T/T, n = 17) using two independent real‐time qRT‐PCR assays. MSTN gene expression was also evaluated in a subset (N = 33) of these animals using samples collected after a ten‐month period of training. A significant association was observed between genotype and mRNA abundance for the untrained horses (assay I, P = 0.0237; assay II, P = 0.003559), with the C/C cohort having the highest MSTN mRNA levels, the T/T group the lowest levels and the C/T group intermediate levels. Following training, there was a significant decrease in MSTN mRNA (−3.35‐fold; P = 6.9 × 10−7), which was most apparent for the C/C cohort (−5.88‐fold, P = 0.001). These data demonstrate the tight relationship between phenotype, genotype and gene expression at the MSTN gene in Thoroughbred racehorses.
Inhibition of CYP2D6‐mediated tramadol O‐demethylation in methadone but not buprenorphine maintenance patients
Authors: Coller Janet K. , Michalakas Jennifer R. , James Heather M. , Farquharson Aaron L. , Colvill Joel , White Jason M. , Somogyi Andrew A. 
Published: February 2012

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT• Management of pain in opioid dependent individuals is problematic due to numerous issues including cross‐tolerance to opioids. Hence there is a need to find alternative analgesics to classical opioids and tramadol is potentially one such alternative.• Methadone inhibits CYP2D6 in vivo and in vitro.• We aimed to investigate the effect of methadone on the pathways of tramadol metabolism: O‐demethylation (CYP2D6) to the opioid‐active metabolite M1 and N‐demethylation (CYP3A4) to M2 in subjects maintained on methadone or buprenorphine as a control.WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS• Compared with subjects on buprenorphine, methadone reduced the clearance of tramadol to active O‐desmethyl‐tramadol (M1) but had no effect on N‐desmethyltramadol (M2) formation.• Similar to other analgesics whose active metabolites are formed by CYP2D6 such as codeine, reduced formation of O‐desmethyltramadol (M1) is likely to result in reduced analgesia for subjects maintained on methadone. Hence alternative analgesics whose metabolism is independent of CYP2D6 should be utilized in this patient population.AIMS To compare the O‐ (CYP2D6 mediated) and N‐ (CYP3A4 mediated) demethylation metabolism of tramadol between methadone and buprenorphine maintained CYP2D6 extensive metabolizer subjects.METHODS Nine methadone and seven buprenorphine maintained subjects received a single 100 mg dose of tramadol hydrochloride. Blood was collected at 4 h and assayed for tramadol, methadone, buprenorphine and norbuprenorphine (where appropriate) and all urine over 4 h was assayed for tramadol and its M1 and M2 metabolites.RESULTS The urinary metabolic ratio [median (range)] for O‐demethylation (M1) was significantly lower (P= 0.0002, probability score 1.0) in the subjects taking methadone [0.071 (0.012–0.103)] compared with those taking buprenorphine [0.192 (0.108–0.392)], but there was no significant difference (P= 0.21, probability score 0.69) in N‐demethylation (M2). The percentage of dose [median (range)] recovered as M1 was significantly lower in subjects taking methadone compared with buprenorphine (0.069 (0.044–0.093) and 0.126 (0.069–0.187), respectively, P= 0.04, probability score 0.19), M2 was significantly higher in subjects taking methadone compared with buprenorphine (0.048 (0.033–0.085) and 0.033 (0.014–0.049), respectively, P= 0.04, probability score 0.81). Tramadol was similar (0.901 (0.635–1.30) and 0.685 (0.347–1.04), respectively, P= 0.35, probability score 0.65).CONCLUSIONS Methadone inhibited the CYP2D6‐mediated metabolism of tramadol to M1. Hence, as the degree of opioid analgesia is largely dependent on M1 formation, methadone maintenance patients may not receive adequate analgesia from oral tramadol.
Challenges to nurse prescribers of a no‐antibiotic prescribing strategy for managing self‐limiting respiratory tract infections
Authors: Rowbotham Samantha , Chisholm Anna , Moschogianis Susie , Chew‐Graham Carolyn , Cordingley Lis , Wearden Alison , Peters Sarah 
Published: February 2012

AbstractAims.  To report a qualitative study of the experiences of nurse prescribers in managing patients with self‐limiting respiratory tract infections.Background.  Patients frequently attend primary care with respiratory tract infections. Although a no‐prescribing strategy is recommended for these consultations, general practitioners frequently prescribe antibiotics, citing non‐clinical reasons such as patient pressure. Nurses increasingly manage people with respiratory tract infections, but research has not yet explored their experiences within such consultations.Design.  Semi‐structured interviews and focus groups.Methods.  Fifteen semi‐structured interviews and three focus groups (n = 5, n = 4, and n = 12) with a purposive sample of nurse prescribers (n = 34) and other non‐medical prescribers (n = 2) were conducted between November 2009–November 2010. A qualitative approach was used to develop conceptual categories from the dataset, and emerging themes were explored in subsequent interviews/focus groups.Findings.  Although participants reported experiencing numerous challenges within these consultations, they believed that they possessed some of the communication skills to deal effectively with patients without prescribing antibiotics. Participants reported that protocols supported their decision‐making and welcomed the benefits of peer support in dealing with ‘demanding’ patients. However, the newness of nurses and other non‐medical prescribers to the prescribing role meant that some were cautious in dealing with patients with respiratory tract infections.Conclusion.  Training for nurses and other non‐medical prescribers should focus on building their confidence and skills to manage people with respiratory tract infections without recourse to antibiotics. Further work should seek to explore which strategies are most effective in managing respiratory tract infections while maintaining patient satisfaction with care.
Chronotype and diurnal patterns of positive affect and affective neural circuitry in primary insomnia
Authors: HASLER BRANT P. , GERMAIN ANNE , NOFZINGER ERIC A. , KUPFER DAVID J. , KRAFTY ROBERT T. , ROTHENBERGER SCOTT D. , JAMES JEFFREY A. , BI WENZHU , BUYSSE DANIEL J. 
Published: February 2012

SummaryWhile insomnia is a well‐established risk factor for the initial onset, recurrence or relapse of affective disorders, the specific characteristics of insomnia that confer risk remain unclear. Patients with insomnia with an evening chronotype may be one particularly high‐risk group, perhaps due to alterations in positive affect and its related affective circuitry. We explored this possibility by comparing diurnal patterns of positive affect and the activity of positive affect‐related brain regions in morning‐ and evening‐types with insomnia. We assessed diurnal variation in brain activity via the relative regional cerebral metabolic rate of glucose uptake by using [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose‐positron emission tomography during morning and evening wakefulness. We focused on regions in the medial prefrontal cortex and striatum, which have been consistently linked with positive affect and reward processing. As predicted, chronotypes differed in their daily patterns in both self‐reported positive affect and associated brain regions. Evening‐types displayed diurnal patterns of positive affect characterized by phase delay and smaller amplitude compared with those of morning‐types with insomnia. In parallel, evening‐types showed a reduced degree of diurnal variation in the metabolism of both the medial prefrontal cortex and the striatum, as well as lower overall metabolism in these regions across both morning and evening wakefulness. Taken together, these preliminary findings suggest that alterations in the diurnal activity of positive affect‐related neural structures may underlie differences in the phase and amplitude of self‐reported positive affect between morning and evening chronotypes, and may constitute one mechanism for increased risk of mood disorders among evening‐type insomniacs.
Legumes select symbiosis island sequence variants in Bradyrhizobium
Authors: PARKER MATTHEW A. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBradyrhizobium strains sampled from 14 legume genera native to eastern North America showed substantial host‐related phylogenetic clustering at three loci in the symbiotic island (SI) region (nodC, nifD, nifH), indicating selection of distinct suites of SI lineages by different legumes. Bacteria assorted consistently with particular legumes across two regions separated by 800 km, implying recurrent assembly of the same symbiotic combinations. High genetic polymorphism of all three SI loci relative to four nonsymbiotic loci supported the inference that a form of multiple‐niche balancing selection has acted on the SI region, arising from differential symbiont utilization by different legume taxa. Extensive discordance between the tree for SI variants and a phylogenetic tree inferred for four housekeeping loci implied that lateral transfer of the symbiosis island region has been common (at least 26 transfer events among 85 Bradyrhizobium strains analysed). Patterns of linkage disequilibrium also supported the conclusion that recombination has impacted symbiotic and nonsymbiotic regions unequally. The high prevalence of lateral transfer suggests that acquisition of a novel SI variant may often confer a strong selective advantage for recipient cells.
Clinical application of 2.7M Cytogenetics array for CNV detection in subjects with idiopathic autism and/or intellectual disability
Authors: Qiao Y , Tyson C , Hrynchak M , Lopez‐Rangel E , Hildebrand J , Martell S , Fawcett C , Kasmara L , Calli K , Harvard C , Liu X , Holden JJA , Lewis SME , Rajcan‐Separovic E 
Published: February 2012

Qiao Y, Tyson C, Hrynchak M, Lopez‐Rangel E, Hildebrand J, Martell S, Fawcett C, Kasmara L, Calli K, Harvard C, Liu X, Holden JJA, Lewis SME, Rajcan‐Separovic E. Clinical application of 2.7M Cytogenetics array for CNV detection in subjects with idiopathic autism and/or intellectual disability.Higher resolution whole‐genome arrays facilitate the identification of smaller copy number variations (CNVs) and their integral genes contributing to autism and/or intellectual disability (ASD/ID). Our study describes the use of one of the highest resolution arrays, the Affymetrix® Cytogenetics 2.7M array, coupled with quantitative multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of short fluorescent fragments (QMPSF) for detection and validation of small CNVs. We studied 82 subjects with ASD and ID in total (30 in the validation and 52 in the application cohort) and detected putatively pathogenic CNVs in 6/52 cases from the application cohort. This included a 130‐kb maternal duplication spanning exons 64–79 of the DMD gene which was found in a 3‐year‐old boy manifesting autism and mild neuromotor delays. Other pathogenic CNVs involved 4p14, 12q24.31, 14q32.31, 15q13.2‐13.3, and 17p13.3. We established the optimal experimental conditions which, when applied to select small CNVs for QMPSF confirmation, reduced the false positive rate from 60% to 25%. Our work suggests that selection of small CNVs based on the function of integral genes, followed by review of array experimental parameters resulting in highest confirmation rate using multiplex PCR, may enhance the usefulness of higher resolution platforms for ASD and ID gene discovery.
7q11.23 Microduplication: a recognizable phenotype
Authors: Dixit A , McKee S , Mansour S , Mehta SG , Tanteles GA , Anastasiadou V , Patsalis PC , Martin K , McCullough S , Suri M , Sarkar A 
Published: February 2012

Dixit A, McKee S, Mansour S, Mehta SG, Tanteles GA, Anastasiadou V, Patsalis PC, Martin K, McCullough S, Suri M, Sarkar A. 7q11.23 Microduplication: a recognizable phenotype.Williams‐Beuren syndrome is a well‐known microdeletion syndrome with a recognizable clinical phenotype. The subtle phenotype of the reciprocal microduplication of the Williams‐Beuren critical region has been described recently. We report seven further patients, and a transmitting parent, with 7q11.23 microduplication. All our patients had speech delay, autistic features and facial dysmorphism consistent with the published literature. We conclude that the presence of specific dysmorphic features, including straight, neat eyebrows, thin lips and a short philtrum, in our patients with speech delay and autistic features provides further evidence that the children with 7q11.23 microduplication have a recognizable phenotype.
Chemical‐Mediated Predator Avoidance in the European House Cricket (Acheta domesticus) is Modulated by Predator Diet
Authors: Hoefler Chad D. , Durso Lisa C. , McIntyre Kyle D. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractChemical information often mediates interactions between predators and prey, and threat‐sensitivity theory includes predictions that prey species should respond to chemical signatures of predators in a manner that is commensurate with the level of the assessed threat. Using the European house cricket (Acheta domesticus), we explored the influence of diet‐derived cues from the centipede Scolopocryptops sexspinosus on anti‐predator behavior in three laboratory experiments. In experiment 1, we compared the amount of time that adult female crickets spent on untreated filter paper and filter paper exposed to centipedes fed either the larvae of Hermetia illucens (black soldier fly), crickets, or a mixture of fly larvae and crickets. We discovered that crickets spent significantly less time on filter paper exposed to centipedes fed crickets only or a mixture of crickets and fly larvae compared with blank filter paper or filter paper exposed to centipedes fed fly larvae only. In our second experiment, we compared the amount of time that crickets spent on blank filter paper and filter paper exposed to adult female conspecifics to rule out the possibility that crickets simply avoid all filter paper exposed to metabolic by‐products, and crickets exhibited no discrimination. In our third experiment, we tested the potential effects of diet order on anti‐predatory behaviors. Specifically, we compared the amount of time that adult female crickets spent on filter paper exposed to centipedes fed fly larvae followed by crickets and filter paper exposed to centipedes fed crickets followed by fly larvae. We discovered no diet sequence effect. Our study demonstrates that European house crickets are sensitive to the chemical cues of their centipede predators, but only when centipedes have fed upon crickets.
Quantitative trait locus analysis of spot blotch and leaf rust resistance in the BCD47 × Baronesse barley mapping population
Authors: Castro Ariel J. , Gamba Fernanda , German Silvia , Gonzalez Silvana , Hayes Patrick M. , Pereyra Silvia , Perez Carlos 
Published: February 2012

With 2 figures and 6 tablesAbstractWe studied the genetics of the resistance to leaf rust (LR) (caused by Puccinia hordei) and spot blotch (SB) (caused by Cochliobolus sativus) in barley using a doubled‐haploid population derived from the cross BCD47 × Baronesse. BCD47 has low SB severity and high susceptibility to LR, while Baronesse is susceptible to SB and has low LR severity. Resistance to both diseases is expressed at the adult plant stage. The population was phenotyped in eight field environments for SB and nine for LR. Ten quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were detected for SB. None were significant in more than three environments, and both parents contributed resistance alleles. Five QTLs were detected for LR. The most consistent quantitative trait locus (QTL) (significant in seven environments) was on chromosome 6H (located on the Bmag173‐Bmag009 interval) with Baronesse contributing the resistance allele. Coincident QTL effects for SB were also detected in this region with resistance alleles to the two diseases in repulsion. These results illustrate the difficulties of resistance gene detection in the complex disease environments found under field conditions.
Targeted therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma: Present and future
Authors: Chan Stephen L , Yeo Winnie 
Published: February 2012

AbstractFollowing the encouraging results of sorafenib in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), targeted therapy has become a new direction of research in the treatment of HCC. Emerging data provide evidence that the pathogenesis and progression of HCC are mediated by a number of molecular defects and dysregulated pathways. Novel targeted therapies are designed to inhibit the aberrant pathways at a molecular level with an aim to improve the clinical outcome. For the past few years, an increasing number of targeted agents have been tested in HCC in the clinical setting. This review aims to summarize the current status of clinical development of targeted therapy in HCC, with focus on novel agents targeting angiogenesis, signal transduction and epigenetic dysregulation of tumors. The review also discusses the lessons learned from outcomes of completed clinical trials and provides perspectives on future clinical trials in HCC.
The sociology of medical screening: past, present and future
Authors: Armstrong Natalie , Eborall Helen 
Published: February 2012

AbstractMedical screening raises fundamental issues for sociological inquiry, but at present a well‐developed sociology of medical screening is lacking. This special issue on the sociology of screening brings together an exciting collection of new work that tackles medical screening from a variety of theoretical and methodological approaches. In this opening paper, we begin by explaining what we mean by screening, and why we believe screening merits sociological attention. Secondly, we reflect on the sociology of screening to date and provide an introduction for those new to this area. We then provide an overview of the papers in this collection, highlighting links and contrasts between papers. We conclude by reflecting on sociology’s potential contribution to wider debates about screening, and propose future research directions.
When Does Truth Matter?Spinoza on the Relation between Theology and Philosophy
Authors: James Susan 
Published: February 2012

AbstractOne of the aims ofSpinoza'sTractatusTheologico‐Politicusis to vindicate the view that philosophy and theology are separate forms of enquiry, neither of which has any authority over the other. However, many commentators have objected that this aspect of his project fails. Despite his protestations to the contrary,Spinoza implicitly gives epistemological precedence to philosophy. I argue that this objection misunderstands the nature ofSpinoza's position and wrongly charges him with inconsistency. To show how he can coherently allow both that theology and philosophy employ independent epistemological standards, and that philosophy is epistemologically superior to theology, we need to step back from the immediate disputes to which theTractatusis a response and examine aCiceronian distinction on whichSpinoza indirectly draws. As well as enabling us to vindicateSpinoza's position, it places his alleged naturalism in a new light and portrays philosophizing as a form of piety.