bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Targeted metagenomics: a high‐resolution metagenomics approach for specific gene clusters in complex microbial communities
Authors: Suenaga Hikaru 
Published: March 2011

SummaryA major research goal in microbial ecology is to understand the relationship between gene organization and function involved in environmental processes of potential interest. Given that more than an estimated 99% of microorganisms in most environments are not amenable to culturing, methods for culture‐independent studies of genes of interest have been developed. The wealth of metagenomic approaches allows environmental microbiologists to directly explore the enormous genetic diversity of microbial communities. However, it is extremely difficult to obtain the appropriate sequencing depth of any particular gene that can entirely represent the complexity of microbial metagenomes and be able to draw meaningful conclusions about these communities. This review presents a summary of the metagenomic approaches that have been useful for collecting more information about specific genes. Specific subsets of metagenomes that focus on sequence analysis were selected in each metagenomic studies. This ‘targeted metagenomics’ approach will provide extensive insight into the functional, ecological and evolutionary patterns of important genes found in microorganisms from various ecosystems.
Architecture and the extracellular matrix: the still unappreciated components of the adipose tissue
Authors: Divoux A. , Clément K. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryFibrosis is usually characterized by the modification of both the amount and composition of a wide panel of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. In the liver, pancreas, kidney and lung the accumulation of fibrosis disrupts cellular processes and appears detrimental for organ function. This review highlights the available evidence supporting an important ECM remodelling in adipose tissue (AT) and, in particular, during the development of obesity. The modifications and occurrence of new adipose ECM components leads to an abnormal accumulation of fibrosis in this tissue. This phenomenon was well described in rodent models and evidence is beginning to emerge in humans; however, the origin and potential impact of these depots in AT biology are unclear. Two animal models with disruptions in ECM components (secreted proteins acidic in nature rich in cysteine null mice and ob/ob collagen VI null mice) suggest that fibrosis limits adipocyte hypertrophy and may cause the metabolic disorders associated with obesity. Over‐expression of Hypoxia‐inducible factor 1 leading to an increase in collagen expression suggests a role for hypoxia in fibrosis development. We conclude this review with possible hypotheses regarding the cellular and molecular contributors of fibrosis initiation.
The effects of catechin rich teas and caffeine on energy expenditure and fat oxidation: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Hursel R. , Viechtbauer W. , Dulloo A. G. , Tremblay A. , Tappy L. , Rumpler W. , Westerterp‐Plantenga M. S. 
Published: March 2011

SummaryDifferent outcomes of the effect of catechin‐caffeine mixtures and caffeine‐only supplementation on energy expenditure and fat oxidation have been reported in short‐term studies. Therefore, a meta‐analysis was conducted to elucidate whether catechin‐caffeine mixtures and caffeine‐only supplementation indeed increase thermogenesis and fat oxidation. First, English‐language studies measuring daily energy expenditure and fat oxidation by means of respiration chambers after catechin‐caffeine mixtures and caffeine‐only supplementation were identified through PubMed. Six articles encompassing a total of 18 different conditions fitted the inclusion criteria. Second, results were aggregated using random/mixed‐effects models and expressed in terms of the mean difference in 24 h energy expenditure and fat oxidation between the treatment and placebo conditions. Finally, the influence of moderators such as BMI and dosage on the results was examined as well. The catechin‐caffeine mixtures and caffeine‐only supplementation increased energy expenditure significantly over 24 h (428.0 kJ (4.7%); P < 0.001 and 429.1 kJ (4.8%); P < 0.001, respectively). However, 24 h fat oxidation was only increased by catechin‐caffeine mixtures (12.2 g (16.0%); P < 0.02 and 9.5 g (12.4%); P = 0.11, respectively). A dose‐response effect on 24 h energy expenditure and fat oxidation occurred with a mean increase of 0.53 kJ mg−1 (P < 0.01) and 0.02 g mg−1 (P < 0.05) for catechin‐caffeine mixtures and 0.44 kJ mg−1 (P < 0.001) and 0.01 g mg−1 (P < 0.05) for caffeine‐only. In conclusion, catechin‐caffeine mixtures or a caffeine‐only supplementation stimulates daily energy expenditure dose‐dependently by 0.4–0.5 kJ mg−1 administered. Compared with placebo, daily fat‐oxidation was only significantly increased after catechin‐caffeine mixtures ingestion.
Podcasts are not for everyone
Authors: Kazlauskas Alanah , Robinson Kathy 
Published: March 2011

AbstractTwenty‐first century students are expected to utilise emerging technologies such as lecture podcasts as learning tools. This research explored the uptake of podcasts by undergraduate students enrolled in two very different cognitively challenging subjects in the second year of the nursing programme and in the first year of a business programme. Regardless of the semester, the different content being studied and the statistically significant demographic differences between the nursing and business cohorts, striking behavioural similarities emerged. Students from both cohorts in each semester under investigation spent similar amounts of time studying regardless of gender, age, Internet access and time spent on paid work. The patterns of podcast usage by responding nursing and business students were not significantly different. Non‐listeners in both cohorts did not differ significantly from podcast users (listeners) either demographically or with regard to personal access to computers, the Internet and MP3/4 players. Non‐listeners utilised lecture notes, text resources and the learning management system in a similar way to listeners. The only significant difference was the longer hours spent in paid work by non‐listeners.These findings reinforce the emerging concept that podcasts are not embraced by everyone. Despite the flexibility and mobile learning opportunities afforded by podcasts, significant numbers of students prefer to learn in face‐to‐face environments and by reading and/or listening in set study environments.
Employment Protection and Temporary Work Agencies
Authors: Baumann Florian , Mechtel Mario , Stähler Nikolai 
Published: March 2011

AbstractEmployers who use temporary agency staff in contrast to regular staff are not affected by employment protection regulations when terminating a job. Therefore, services provided by temporary work agencies may be seen as a substitute for regular employment. In this paper, we analyse the effects of employment protection on the size of the temporary work agency sector in a model of equilibrium unemployment. We find that higher firing costs may even reduce temporary work agency employment if agencies themselves are subject to employment protection, a consideration that distinguishes our results from those for fixed‐term employment arrangements.
Economic Development, Social Inclusion and Urban Governance: The Case of the City‐Region of Ottawa in Canada
Authors: ANDREW CAROLINE , DOLOREUX DAVID 
Published: March 2011

AbstractOver the last decade, numerous studies have emerged that attempt to articulate the links between economic development, social inclusion and democratic politics at the level of the city‐region. One very significant set of articles comprised the Debate on City‐Regions in this journal in 2007, propounding the arguments for an interpretation of the politics of city‐regions as necessarily involving tensions between economic development and social inclusion, and requiring empirical investigation to determine the precise patterns of interrelations between wealth creation, social reproduction, democratization and citizenship. This article addresses these issues in the context of a study of the city‐region of Ottawa, Canada. It examines the public policies put in place to promote the regional economy and build the structure of the city‐region, the role of actors in building institutional infrastructure to support the regional economy and address social exclusions, and also the development of associative modes of governance at different scales within the city‐region. The article ascertains how the politics of the Ottawa city‐region succeed, or do not succeed, in bringing together economic development and social inclusion.RésuméCes dix dernières années, de nombreuses études ont tenté d'exposer les liens entre développement économique, inclusion sociale et politiques démocratiques au niveau d'une région métropolitaine. Un ensemble très intéressant d'articles sur les régions métropolitaines a paru en 2007 dans la partie Débat de cette publication; il proposait comme interprétation que les politiques des régions métropolitaines s'accompagnaient obligatoirement de tensions entre évolution économique et inclusion sociale, tout en suggérant la nécessité d'études empiriques pour établir les schémas précis d'interrelations entre création de richesses, reproduction sociale, démocratisation et citoyenneté. Cet article traite ces aspects dans le cadre d'une étude sur la région métropolitaine d'Ottawa au Canada. Il examine les politiques publiques mises en place pour promouvoir l'économie régionale et bâtir la structure métropolitaine régionale. Il étudie également le rôle des acteurs dans la construction d'une infrastructure institutionnelle visant à soutenir l'économie régionale et à traiter les exclusions sociales, ainsi que l'évolution des modes de gouvernance associatifs aux différents échelons de la région métropolitaine. L'article établit comment les politiques de la région métropolitaine d'Ottawa ont réussi, ou échoué, dans leurs efforts pour combiner développement économique et inclusion sociale.
Comparative epidemiological study of non‐melanoma skin cancer between Spanish and north and central European residents on the Costa del Sol
Authors: Aguilar Bernier M. , Rivas Ruiz F. , De Troya Martín M. , Blázquez Sánchez N. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackground  Non‐melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common tumour in white people. The progressive increase of these malignancies in such populations as those found in Europe represents an important public health concern which it is presumed will have a great impact on healthcare costs. However, the lack of comparable epidemiological information between countries hinders the development of a common health policy.Objectives  The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of NMSC in the public health area of the western part of the Costa del Sol, in southern Spain, and study the differences between the Spanish (S) population and that originally between the north and centre of Europe (N).Methods  We undertook a retrospective analysis of all patients with histologically confirmed tumours in both populations during the period 1 January 2006 to 30 June 2009.Results  In comparison with the Spanish, the patients from the north and centre of Europe were more likely to have phototype I/II (S: 56.9%; N: 85.8%), recreational photoexposure (S: 48.4%; N: 83.8%), multiple carcinomas (S: 16.8%; N: 28.2%) and more carcinomas per patient (S: 1.7 ± 1.3; N: 2.3 ± 2.3). The tumours were more often located on the trunk and limbs (S: 28.3%; N: 50.2%) with a predominance of the less aggressive histological types (S: 34.7%; N: 42.6%) and non‐invasive treatments in patients from the north and centre of Europe (S: 25.6%; N: 35.3%) when compared with the Spanish population.Conclusion  Persons from the north and centre of Europe living on the Costa del Sol present a different pattern of NMSC to the local Spanish population and usually require a less invasive therapeutic approach. These findings highlight the need to define prevention and treatment policies for NMSC according to the characteristics of each particular population. This would help reduce not only the frequency but also the associated morbimortality of this disease, particularly in high‐risk populations.
Cholinergic urticaria: pathogenesis‐based categorization and its treatment options
Authors: Nakamizo S. , Egawa G. , Miyachi Y. , Kabashima K. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackground  Cholinergic urticaria (CU) has well‐described characteristic clinical presentations, yet the precise pathological mechanism remains incompletely understood. A variety of pathogeneses has been proposed, which suggests that there exists several clinical subtypes.Conclusions  In this review, we categorize CU into four subtypes: (i) CU with poral occlusion; (ii) CU with acquired generalized hypohidrosis; (iii) CU with sweat allergy; and (iv) idiopathic CU, and discuss diagnostic and treatment options.
Rethinking Procreation: Why it Matters Why We Have Children
Authors: LOTZ MIANNA 
Published: March 2011

abstractAttempts to explain the intuitive wrongfulness in alleged ‘wrongful life’ cases commonly do so by attributing harmful wrongdoing to the procreators in question. Such an approach identifies the resulting child as having been, in some sense, culpably harmed by their coming into existence. By contrast, and enlarging on work elsewhere, this paper explores the relevance of procreative motivation, rather than harm, for determining the morality of procreative conduct. I begin by reviewing the main objection to the harm‐based approach, which arises out of Derek Parfit's analysis of the non‐identity problem and its implications for preconception cases. Most attempts to avoid the non‐identity objection adopt either an impersonal harm approach or draw on some version of a metaphysical modal counterpart theory to defend a person‐affecting harm account. But here I develop an alternative view. The proposed account construes the wrongness in the considered cases as ‘evil’ rather than harm, and the type of evil in question as being of a non‐grievance, welfare‐connected, collective kind. Understanding the wrongness in this way offers a basis for the view that it matters morally why we procreate, and not just whether or how we do so.
Can Consent be Presumed?
Authors: DEN HARTOGH GOVERT 
Published: March 2011

abstractOpt‐out systems of postmortal organ procurement are often referred to as ‘presumed consent’ systems. A presumption directs us, in a case in which no compelling evidence is available to hold that P, nevertheless to proceed as if P were true, unless there is sufficient evidence that it is false. It is recommended to presume consent in this case, because, in the absence of registered objections of the deceased, it is held to be more probable that she consented than that she did not. Whether this suggestion makes sense, however, turns out to depend on the proper interpretation of the concept of ‘consent’. On a mental state conception of consent we are allowed to presume it if we have reason to suppose the deceased to have been in favour of donation. However, we should rather understand consent to be a public action of authorisation. On that view consent cannot be presumed, and the opt‐out systems as we presently know them on the European continent and elsewhere do not satisfy the requirement that the deceased should have consented to the removal of his organs.
The influence of peripheral afferent signals on the rating of perceived exertion and time to exhaustion during exercise at different intensities
Authors: Pires Flávio O. , Lima‐Silva Adriano E. , Bertuzzi Rômulo , Casarini Dulce H. , Kiss Maria Augusta P. D. M. , Lambert Mike I. , Noakes Timothy D. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThis study determined which peripheral variables would better predict the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and time to exhaustion (TE) during exercise at different intensities. Ten men performed exercises at first lactate threshold (LT1), second lactate threshold (LT2), 50% of the distance from LT1 to LT2 (TT50%), and 25% of the distance from LT2 to maximal power output (TW25%). Lactate, catecholamines, potassium, pH, glucose, V̇O2, VE, HR, respiratory rate (RR) and RPE were measured and plotted against the exercise duration for the slope calculation. Glucose, dopamine, and noradrenaline predicted RPE in TT50% (88%), LT2 (64%), and TW25% (77%), but no variable predicted RPE in LT1. RPE (55%), RPE+HR (86%), and RPE+RR (92% and 55%) predicted TE in LT1, TT50%, LT2, and TW25%, respectively. At intensities from TT50% to TW25%, variables associated with brain activity seem to explain most of the RPE slope, and RPE (+HR and+RR) seems to predict the TE.
Role of prostaglandin E2 in the synthesis of the pro‐inflammatory cytokine interleukin‐6 in primary sensory neurons: an in vivo and in vitro study
Authors: St‐Jacques Bruno , Ma Weiya 
Published: March 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 118, 841–854.AbstractFollowing various types of nerve injury, cyclooxygenase 2 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) are universally and chronically up‐regulated in injured nerves and contribute to the genesis of neuropathic pain. Persistent high levels of PGE2 likely exert chronic effects on nociceptive dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that injured nerve‐derived PGE2 contributes to the up‐regulation of the pro‐inflammatory cytokine interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) in DRG neurons following partial sciatic nerve ligation. In naive adult rats, IL‐6 was expressed in only a few small size DRG neurons which all co‐expressed EP4 receptors. Partial sciatic nerve ligation increased and shifted IL‐6 expression from small to medium and large size damaged DRG neurons. Perineural injection of a selective cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor or a selective EP4 receptor antagonist significantly suppressed the up‐regulation of IL‐6 in DRG, suggesting that injured nerve derived PGE2 contributes to the de novo synthesis of IL‐6 in DRG neurons through EP4 receptors. In cultured sensory ganglion explants, a stabilized PGE2 analog increased IL‐6 mRNA and protein levels through the activation of EP4, protein kinase A, protein kinase C, extracelluar regulated protein kinase/MAPK, cAMP response element binding protein and NFκB signalling pathways. Taken together, these data indicate that facilitating the de novo synthesis of pain‐related cytokines in injured medium and large size DRG neurons is a novel mechanism underlying the role of injured nerve derived PGE2 in the genesis of neuropathic pain.
Central activation of the cholinergic anti‐inflammatory pathway reduces surgical inflammation in experimental post‐operative ileus
Authors: The FO , Cailotto C , van der Vliet J , de Jonge WJ , Bennink RJ , Buijs RM , Boeckxstaens GE 
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve reduces intestinal inflammation following mechanical handling, thereby shortening post‐operative ileus in mice. Previous studies in a sepsis model showed that this cholinergic anti‐inflammatory pathway can be activated pharmacologically by central administration of semapimod, an inhibitor of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase. We therefore evaluated the effect of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) semapimod on intestinal inflammation and post‐operative ileus in mice.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Mice underwent a laparotomy or intestinal manipulation 1 h after i.c.v. pre‐treatment with semapimod (1 µg·kg−1) or saline. Drugs were administered through a cannula placed in the left lateral ventricle 1 week prior to experimentation. Twenty‐four hours after surgery, gastric emptying was measured using scintigraphy, and the degree of intestinal inflammation was assessed. Finally, activation of brain regions was assessed using quantitative immunohistochemistry for c‐fos.KEY RESULTS Intestinal manipulation induced inflammation of the manipulated intestine and significantly delayed gastric emptying, 24 h after surgery in saline‐treated animals. Semapimod significantly reduced this inflammation and improved gastric emptying. Vagotomy enhanced the inflammatory response induced by intestinal manipulation and abolished the anti‐inflammatory effect of semapimod. Semapimod but not saline induced a significant increase in c‐fos expression in the paraventricular nucleus, the nucleus of the solitary tract and the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Our findings show that i.c.v. semapimod reduces manipulation‐induced intestinal inflammation and prevented post‐operative ileus. This anti‐inflammatory effect depends on central activation of the vagus nerve.
Diverse patterns of cyclooxygenase‐independent metalloproteinase gene regulation in human monocytes
Authors: Reel Buket , Sala‐Newby Graciela B , Huang Wei‐Chun , Newby Andrew C. 
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) production from monocyte/macrophages is implicated in matrix remodelling and modulation of inflammation. However, knowledge of the patterns and mechanisms of gene regulation of MMPs and their endogenous tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) is fragmentary. MMP up‐regulation may be a target for cyclooxygenase (COX) and prostaglandin (PG) receptor inhibition, but the extent and mechanisms of COX‐independent MMP up‐regulation are unclear.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We studied MMP mRNA expression and selected protein levels in human peripheral blood monocytes before and after adhesion, upon stimulation with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), PGE2 or forskolin and after culturing with monocyte colony‐stimulating factor on plastic or human fibronectin for up to 7 days.KEY RESULTS Monocyte adherence for 2 h transiently up‐regulated COX‐2, MMP‐1, MMP‐7 and MMP‐10 mRNAs, and persistently up‐regulated MMP‐2, MMP‐9, MMP‐14 and MMP‐19 mRNAs. LPS, PGE2 or forskolin selectively increased MMP‐1, MMP‐9, MMP‐10, MMP‐12 and MMP‐14 mRNAs. LPS increased PGE2 production through COX but up‐regulated MMP levels independently of COX. Differential dependence on inhibition of p42/44 and p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinases, c‐jun N‐terminal kinase and inhibitor of κB kinase2 paralleled the diverse patterns of MMP stimulation by LPS. Differentiation on plastic increased mRNA levels of MMP‐7, MMP‐9, MMP‐12 and MMP‐14 and TIMP‐2 and TIMP‐3 independently of COX; fibronectin accelerated MMP but not TIMP up‐regulation.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Adhesion, LPS stimulation and maturation of human monocytes lead to selective, COX‐independent MMP and TIMP gene regulation, which is a potential target for selective inhibition by signalling kinase inhibitors.