bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The search for compounds that stimulate thermogenesis in obesity management: from pharmaceuticals to functional food ingredients
Authors: Dulloo A. G. 
Published: September 2011

SummaryThe concept of managing obesity through the stimulation of thermogenesis is currently a focus of considerable attention by the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and functional food industries. This paper first reviews the landmark discoveries that have fuelled the search for thermogenic anti‐obesity products that range from single‐target drugs to multi‐target functional foods. It subsequently analyses the thermogenic and fat‐oxidizing potentials of a wide array of bioactive food ingredients which are categorized under methylxanthines, polyphenols, capsaicinoids/capsinoids, minerals, proteins/amino acids, carbohydrates/sugars and fats/fatty acids. The main outcome of this analysis is that the compounds or combination of compounds with thermogenic and fat‐oxidizing potentials are those that possess both sympathomimetic stimulatory activity and acetyl‐coA carboxylase inhibitory property, and are capable of targeting both skeletal muscle and brown adipose tissue. The thermogenic potentials of products so far tested in humans range from marginal to modest, i.e. 2–5% above daily energy expenditure. With an increasing number of bioactive food ingredients awaiting screening in humans, there is hope that this thermogenic potential could be safely increased to 10–15% above daily energy expenditure – which would have clinically significant impact on weight management, particularly in the prevention of obesity and in improving the long‐term prognosis of post‐slimming weight maintenance.
The Force of Truth1
Authors: Blum Alex 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThe theme of the paper is that what is true cannot be false and conversely. This position was anticipated by Aristotle in De Interpretatione and by G. H. von Wright. The latter calls it “a truth of the logic of relative modalities.”Aristotle has been taken to task by Susan Haack and others for arguing fallaciously from the Principle of Bivalence, that every statement is either true or false, to fatalism. The implication holds, but we show that it is unreasonable to assume that Aristotle grounded his argument on this implication rather than on what we call the force of truth.
Does Foreign Direct Investment Affect Wage Inequality? An Empirical Investigation
Authors: Figini Paolo , Go¨rg Holger 
Published: September 2011

AbstractWe use a panel of more than 100 countries for the period 1980–2002 to analyse the relationship between inward foreign direct investment (FDI) and wage inequality. We particularly check whether this relationship is nonlinear, in line with a theoretical discussion. We find that the effect of FDI differs according to the level of development: we depict two different patterns, one for OECD (developed) and one for non‐OECD (developing) countries. Results suggest the presence of a nonlinear effect in developing countries: wage inequality increases with FDI inward stock, with such effect diminishing with further increases in FDI. For developed countries, wage inequality decreases with FDI inward stock, and there is no robust evidence to show that this effect is nonlinear.
Introduction to the Special Issue on Behavioral and Experimental Public Economics
Authors: PLOTT CHARLES R. , RULLIÈRE JEAN‐LOUIS , VILLEVAL MARIE CLAIRE 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThe workshop of the Association for Public Economic Theory on behavioral and experimental public economics was held at Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université de Lyon, from June 24 to June 26, 2008. Thirty papers were presented in addition to keynotes by Charlie Plott and John List. The focus of the workshop was to test theoretical models using experimental methods to increase our understanding of the efficiency of mechanisms supporting the provision of public goods, social cooperation, and voting systems. This special issue aims at showing how lively and diversified the ongoing experimental research in public economics has come to be. We highlight three topics in particular: the power of voting and legal enforcement systems, the efficiency of various institutions to support cooperation in social dilemma games, and auctions.
Endogenous Move Structure and Voluntary Provision of Public Goods: Theory and Experiment
Authors: NOSENZO DANIELE , SEFTON MARTIN 
Published: September 2011

AbstractIn this paper, we examine voluntary contributions to a public good, embedding Varian's (1994) voluntary contribution game in extended games that allow players to choose the timing of their contributions. We show that predicted outcomes are sensitive to the structure of the extended game, and also to the extent to which players care about payoff inequalities. We then report a laboratory experiment based on these extended games. We find that behavior is similar in the two extended games: subjects avoid the detrimental move order of Varian's model, where a person with a high value of the public good commits to a low contribution, and instead players tend to delay contributions. These results suggest that commitment opportunities may be less damaging to public good provision than previously thought.
Relationships between hair growth rate and morphological parameters of human straight hair: a same law above ethnical origins?
Authors: Saint Olive Baque C. , Zhou J. , Gu W. , Collaudin C. , Kravtchenko S. , Kempf J. Y. , Saint‐Léger D. 
Published: September 2011

SynopsisAfter measurement of individual growth rates, natural hair fibres from Asian and Caucasian subjects were analysed using scanning electron microscopy. In total, more than 1000 hairs were analysed. Measurements of diameter, medulla and interscale distance (average distance between two successive cuticle scales) show these parameters strongly correlated with hair growth rate. A thicker hair fibre corresponds to a faster growth rate, a shorter interscale distance and greater probability to have a medulla, and vice versa, a thin hair fibre shows slower growth rate, a larger interscale distance and a lower probability to have a medulla. Very interestingly, this finding appears to be unrelated to the ethnic origin of the subjects, suggesting a common characteristic of human hair, at least for the straight or semi‐straight hair studied. From a practical viewpoint, this finding clearly suggests an alternative method for measuring hair growth rates, by measuring the interscale distance, which appears easier than using common laboratory equipments.
Das Bundestagswahlrecht aus Perspektive der Social Choice-Theorie
Authors: Lindner Tobias 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThe current system to elect the German Bundestag (i.e. German Federal Parliament) has a major defect: more votes for one party can lead to less seats in the parliament for that same party - the so called negative voting weight. The German Federal Constitution Court has requested the Parliament to modify the electoral system in order to avoid this malfunction. There are lots of possible solutions to that problem. In this paper we attempt to evaluate several possible modifications from a Social Choice perspective. We introduce a simple system of conditions for electoral systems by which we classify possible modifications. It follows that there cannot exist an electoral system that satisfies all of these conditions. There are solutions, however, which satisfy more conditions than other possible modifications.
The ‘Making it Happen’ programme in India and Bangladesh
Authors: Raven J , Utz B , Roberts D , van den Broek N 
Published: September 2011

Please cite this paper as: Raven J, Utz B, Roberts D, van den Broek N. The ‘Making it Happen’ programme in India and Bangladesh. BJOG 2011;118 (Suppl. 2):100–103.A training package designed to train health care providers in the management of common obstetric and newborn complications using a competency based ‘skills and drills’ approach is used in Bangladesh and India as one of the interventions under the ‘Making it Happen’ programme. The programme was commenced in 2009 and aims to reduce maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity by improving health care providers’ capacity to deliver Essential (Emergency) Obstetric and Newborn Care (EOC&NC) thus increasing the availability and quality of these services.Preliminary results indicate that the training package has improved knowledge and skills of trained health care providers and ensures more signal functions of EOC are provided.
Identification of Bax–voltage‐dependent anion channel 1 complexes in digitonin‐solubilized cerebellar granule neurons
Authors: Huckabee Dennis B. , Jekabsons Mika B. 
Published: September 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 119, 1137–1150.AbstractMitochondrial outer membrane Bax oligomers are critical for cytochrome c release, but the role of resident mitochondrial proteins in this process remains unclear. Membrane‐associated Bax has primarily been studied using 3‐[(3‐cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]‐1‐propanesulfonate (CHAPS) as the solubilizing agent, as it does not induce conformational artifacts, although recent evidence indicates it may have other artifactual effects. The objective of this study was to investigate digitonin as an alternative detergent to assess Bax oligomeric state, and possible interaction with voltage‐dependent anion channel (VDAC)1 in cerebellar granule neurons. VDAC1 co‐immunoprecipitated with Bax in digitonin extracts from healthy and apoptotic neurons. Two‐dimensional blue native‐SDS–PAGE revealed five Bax and VDAC1 oligomers having similar masses from 120 to 500 kDa. The levels of two VDAC1 oligomers in Bax 1D1 immunodepleted extracts negatively correlated with levels of co‐precipitated VDAC1, indicating the co‐precipitated VDAC1 was derived from these oligomers. Immunodepletion with the 6A7 antibody modestly reduced the levels of Bax oligomers from apoptotic but not healthy neurons. A sixth 170 kDa oligomer containing exclusively 6A7 Bax and no VDAC1 was identified after apoptosis induction. CHAPS failed to solubilize VDAC1, and additionally yielded no distinct oligomers. We conclude that digitonin is a potentially useful detergent preserving Bax–VDAC1 interactions that may be disrupted with CHAPS.
Quantification of myocardium at risk in myocardial perfusion SPECT by co‐registration and fusion with delayed contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging – an experimental ex vivo study
Authors: Ugander Martin , Soneson Helen , Engblom Henrik , van der Pals Jesper , Erlinge David , Heiberg Einar , Arheden Håkan 
Published: September 2011

SummaryBackground:  Myocardial perfusion single‐photon emission computed tomography (MPS) can be used to assess myocardium at risk in occlusive coronary ischaemia. The aim was to develop a method to quantify myocardium at risk as perfusion defect size on ex vivo MPS using co‐registration and fusion with ex vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Methods:  Pigs (n = 19) were injected 99mTc‐tetrofosmin prior to concluding 40 min of coronary artery occlusion, followed by reperfusion and MRI contrast injection. The excised heart was imaged with T1‐weighted MRI and MPS, and images were co‐registered using freely available software (Segment v1.8, http://segment.heiberg.se). The left ventricle was semi‐automatically delineated in MRI and copied to MPS. The threshold for a MPS perfusion defect was defined as the mean counts in the MPS image at the MRI‐determined border between remote myocardium and air. The threshold was measured using count maxima set to the 100th–95th percentile of counts within the myocardium. The count maximum that gave the lowest threshold variability (SD) was considered the most robust.Results:  A count maximum using the 100th percentile yielded a threshold of (mean ± SD) 55 ± 6·2%. This method showed the lowest SD compared to 99th–95th percentile count maxima (6·6–7·2%).Conclusions:  We describe a method for objective quantification of myocardium at risk as perfusion defect size on MPS using knowledge of the anatomy of the myocardium from co‐registered MRI. This enables simultaneous quantification of myocardium at risk by MPS and infarct size by MRI for the evaluation of treatments for myocardial infarction.
The Effects of Safety Net Hospital Closures and Conversions on Patient Travel Distance to Hospital Services
Authors: Bazzoli Gloria J. , Lee Woolton , Hsieh Hui‐Min , Mobley Lee Rivers 
Published: September 2011

ObjectiveTo examine the effects of safety net hospital (SNH) closure and for‐profit conversion on uninsured, Medicaid, and racial/ethnic minorities.Data Sources/Extraction MethodsHospital discharge data for selected states merged with other sources.Study DesignWe examined travel distance for patients treated in urban hospitals for five diagnosis categories: ambulatory care sensitive conditions, referral sensitive conditions, marker conditions, births, and mental health and substance abuse. We assess how travel was affected for patients after SNH events. Our multivariate models controlled for patient, hospital, health system, and neighborhood characteristics.Principal FindingsOur results suggested that certain groups of uninsured and Medicaid patients experienced greater disruption in patterns of care, especially Hispanic uninsured and Medicaid women hospitalized for births. In addition, relative to privately insured individuals in SNH event communities, greater travel for mental health and substance abuse care was present for the uninsured.ConclusionsClosure or for‐profit conversions of SNHs appear to have detrimental access effects on particular subgroups of disadvantaged populations, although our results are somewhat inconclusive due to potential power issues. Policy makers may need to pay special attention to these patient subgroups and also to easing transportation barriers when dealing with disruptions resulting from reductions in SNH resources.
Location of Cancer Surgery for Older Veterans with Cancer
Authors: Kouri Elena M. , Landrum Mary Beth , Lamont Elizabeth B. , Bozeman Sam , McNeil Barbara J. , Keating Nancy L. 
Published: September 2011

ObjectiveMany veterans undergo cancer surgery outside of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). We assessed to what extent these patients obtained care in the VHA before surgery.Data SourcesVHA‐Medicare data, VHA administrative data, and Veterans Affairs Central Cancer Registry data.Study DesignWe identified patients aged ≥65 years in the VHA‐Medicare cohort who underwent lung or colon cancer resection outside the VHA and assessed VHA visits in the year before surgery.Principal FindingsOver 60% of patients in the VHA‐Medicare cohort who received lung or colon cancer surgeries outside the VHA did not receive any care in VHA before surgery.ConclusionsVeterans’ receipt of major cancer surgery outside the VHA probably reflects usual private sector care among veterans who are infrequent VHA users.
Retracted: Cannabinoid CB2 receptors modulate ERK‐1/2 kinase signalling and NO release in microglial cells stimulated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide
Authors: Merighi Stefania , Gessi Stefania , Varani Katia , Simioni Carolina , Fazzi Debora , Mirandola Prisco , Borea Pier Andrea 
Published: September 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Cannabinoid (CB) receptor agonists have potential utility as anti‐inflammatory drugs in chronic immune inflammatory diseases. In the present study, we characterized the signal transduction pathways affected by CB2 receptors in quiescent and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated murine microglia.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We examined the effects of the synthetic CB2 receptor ligand, JWH‐015, on phosphorylation of MAPKs and NO production.KEY RESULTS Stimulation of CB2 receptors by JWH‐015 activated JNK‐1/2 and ERK‐1/2 in quiescent murine microglial cells. Furthermore, CB2 receptor activation increased p‐ERK‐1/2 at 15 min in LPS‐stimulated microglia. Surprisingly, this was reduced after 30 min in the presence of both LPS and JWH‐015. The NOS inhibitor l‐NAME blocked the ability of JWH‐015 to down‐regulate the LPS‐induced p‐ERK increase, indicating that activation of CB2 receptors reduced effects of LPS on ERK‐1/2 phosphorylation through NO. JWH‐015 increased LPS‐induced NO release at 30 min, while at 4 h CB2 receptor stimulation had an inhibitory effect. All the effects of JWH‐015 were significantly blocked by the CB2 receptor antagonist AM 630 and, as the inhibition of CB2 receptor expression by siRNA abolished the effects of JWH‐015, were shown to be mediated specifically by activation of CB2 receptors.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Our results demonstrate that CB2 receptor stimulation activated the MAPK pathway, but the presence of a second stimulus blocked MAPK signal transduction, inhibiting pro‐inflammatory LPS‐induced production of NO. Therefore, CB2 receptor agonists may promote anti‐inflammatory therapeutic responses in activated microglia.
VPAC receptors: structure, molecular pharmacology and interaction with accessory proteins
Authors: Couvineau Alain , Laburthe Marc 
Published: September 2011

The vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a neuropeptide with wide distribution in both central and peripheral nervous systems, where it plays important regulatory role in many physiological processes. VIP displays a large biological functions including regulation of exocrine secretions, hormone release, fetal development, immune responses, etc. VIP appears to exert beneficial effect in neuro‐degenerative and inflammatory diseases. The mechanism of action of VIP implicates two subtypes of receptors (VPAC1 and VPAC2), which are members of class B receptors belonging to the super‐family of GPCR. This article reviews the current knowledge regarding the structure and molecular pharmacology of VPAC receptors. The structure–function relationship of VPAC1 receptor has been extensively studied, allowing to understand the molecular basis for receptor affinity, specificity, desensitization and coupling to adenylyl cyclase. Those studies have clearly demonstrated the crucial role of the N‐terminal ectodomain (N‐ted) of VPAC1 receptor in VIP recognition. By using different approaches including directed mutagenesis, photoaffinity labelling, NMR, molecular modelling and molecular dynamic simulation, it has been shown that the VIP molecule interacts with the N‐ted of VPAC1 receptor, which is itself structured as a ‘Sushi’ domain. VPAC1 receptor also interacts with a few accessory proteins that play a role in cell signalling of receptors. Recent advances in the structural characterization of VPAC receptor and more generally of class B GPCRs will lead to the design of new molecules, which could have considerable interest for the treatment of inflammatory and neuro‐degenerative diseases.LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Secretin Family (Class B) G Protein‐Coupled Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2012.166.issue‐1
A novel angiopoietin‐derived peptide displays anti‐angiogenic activity and inhibits tumour‐induced and retinal neovascularization
Authors: Palmer GM , Tiran Z , Zhou Z , Capozzi ME , Park W , Coletta C , Pyriochou A , Kliger Y , Levy O , Borukhov I , Dewhirst MW , Rotman G , Penn JS , Papapetropoulos A 
Published: September 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Pathological angiogenesis is associated with various human diseases, such as cancer, autoimmune diseases and retinopathy. The angiopoietin (Ang)–Tie2 system plays critical roles in several steps of angiogenic remodelling. Here, we have investigated the anti‐angiogenic effect of a novel angiopoietin‐derived peptide.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Using computational methods, we identified peptides from helical segments within angiopoietins, which were predicted to inhibit their activity. These peptides were tested using biochemical methods and models of angiogenesis. The peptide with best efficacy, A11, was selected for further characterization as an anti‐angiogenic compound.KEY RESULTS The potent anti‐angiogenic activity of A11 was demonstrated in a multicellular assay of angiogenesis and in the chorioallantoic membrane model. A11 bound to angiopoietins and reduced the binding of Ang‐2 to Tie2. A11 was also significantly reduced vascular density in a model of tumour‐induced angiogenesis. Its ability to inhibit Ang‐2 but not Ang‐1‐induced endothelial cell migration, and to down‐regulate Tie2 levels in tumour microvessels, suggests that A11 targets the Ang–Tie2 pathway. In a rat model of oxygen‐induced retinopathy, A11 strongly inhibited retinal angiogenesis. Moreover, combination of A11 with an anti‐VEGF antibody showed a trend for further inhibition of angiogenesis, suggesting an additive effect.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Our results indicate that A11 is a potent anti‐angiogenic compound, through modulation of the Ang–Tie2 system, underlining its potential as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of ocular and tumour neovascularization, as well as other pathological conditions that are dependent on angiogenesis.
The past and current status of endangered butterflies in Korea
Authors: CHOI Sei‐Woong , KIM Sung‐Soo 
Published: September 2011

AbstractHere we review the current situation of endangered butterflies in Korea and describe the causes of their decline. Because no details regarding the changes in butterfly populations across the country were available, we selected candidate butterfly species based on a score sheet sent to six specialists in Korea. Twenty species were finally selected and assessed. As a result, 3 critically endangered, 14 endangered and 3 vulnerable species were identified. We attempted to identify the possible causes of decline by addressing habitat loss (grassland or riparian grassland), forest succession, warmer temperature, over‐collecting and loss of symbiont ants. We discuss the causal factors with the current situation of butterfly populations in Korea.
The Impacts of System and Human Factors on Online Learning Systems Use and Learner Satisfaction
Authors: Alshare Khaled A. , Freeze Ronald D. , Lane Peggy L. , Wen H. Joseph 
Published: September 2011

ABSTRACTSuccess in an online learning environment is tied to both human and system factors. This study illuminates the unique contributions of human factors (comfort with online learning, self‐management of learning, and perceived Web self‐efficacy) to online learning system success, which is measured in terms of usage and satisfaction. The research model was tested employing SEM on a sample of 674 college students enrolled in at least one online course. The factors of comfort with online learning and perceived Web self‐efficacy were significant predictors of satisfaction. Comfort with online learning was significant in predicting usage. The impact of demographic variables was examined.