bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
From Students to Consumers: reflections on the marketisation of Portuguese higher education
Authors: Cardoso Sónia , Carvalho Teresa , Santiago Rui 
Published: May 2011

A progressive attempt to replace traditional public administration values and concepts by others that are closer to private management can be observed in the replacement of the service user concept by that of consumer or client. This redefinition's more implicit or explicit intent is to increase consumers'/clients' status, their capacity to choose and make rational choices in the market, and, ultimately, to ensure that organisations fulfil their needs.Influenced by this tendency, higher education institutions (HEIs) also started to see students as clients or consumers and to influence their choices by trying to define HE demand. This is evident in the shift in their external communication strategies: ‘institutional information’, based on HEIs' prestige, is being progressively replaced by ‘marketed information’, based on economic consumer logic.In trying to understand how students are perceived by Portuguese HEIs, we undertook qualitative research based on the content analysis of undergraduate degrees' announcements in newspapers. Major findings evidence that their content: (1) can be classified in a continuum bounded by two poles: the use of ‘institutional information’ and the use of ‘marketed information’; (2) show the presence of a social representation of students as clients or consumers; (3) seems related to HEIs' nature (public vs. private), positioning in the HE system (universities and polytechnics) and ‘symbolic capital’ (traditional vs. new institutions).
Introduction of the ZmDof1 gene into rice enhances carbon and nitrogen assimilation under low‐nitrogen conditions
Authors: Kurai Tomohiro , Wakayama Masataka , Abiko Tomomi , Yanagisawa Shuichi , Aoki Naohiro , Ohsugi Ryu 
Published: May 2011

SummaryThe excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer to maximize crop yields causes negative environmental effects such as pollution and ecological imbalance. To overcome this problem, researchers have attempted to improve the nitrogen assimilation capacity of crops. Maize Dof1 (ZmDof1) is a plant‐specific transcription factor shown to promote nitrogen assimilation in Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) even under nitrogen‐deficient conditions. The present study examines the effect of the introduction of the ZmDof1 gene on carbon and nitrogen assimilation in rice. ZmDof1 induced the expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) genes in transgenic rice plants and transactivated the PEPC promoters in protoplast transient assays, showing similar effects in rice as in Arabidopsis. Transgenic rice expressing ZmDof1 and grown in the presence of 360 μm (nitrogen‐sufficient) or 90 μm (nitrogen‐deficient) of nitrogen concentrations showed modulation of metabolite content and gene expression associated with the anaplerotic pathway for the TCA cycle, suggesting an increased carbon flow towards nitrogen assimilation. Furthermore, increases in carbon and nitrogen amounts per seedling were found in Dof1 rice grown under nitrogen‐deficient conditions. Nitrogen deficiency also resulted in the predominant distribution of nitrogen to roots, accompanied by significant increases in root biomass and modification of the shoot‐to‐root ratio. Measurement of the CO2 gas exchange rate showed a significant increase in the net photosynthesis rate in Dof1 rice under nitrogen‐deficient conditions. Taken these together, the present study displayed that ZmDof1 expression in rice could induce gene expressions such as PEPC genes, modulate carbon and nitrogen metabolites, increase nitrogen assimilation and enhance growth under low‐nitrogen conditions.
The effect of topically applied corticosteroids on interleukin 1β levels in patients with atopic dermatitis
Authors: Nutan F.N.U. , Kanwar A.J. , Parsad D. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractBackground  Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic recurrent disease of childhood. The therapeutics of AD needs to be more tailored given the new cytokine antibodies available. In this scenario we considered interleukin 1 beta (IL‐1β) levels before and after therapy with topical corticosteroids.Objectives  To measure the IL‐1β levels before and after treatment in patients with AD after 75% improvement in scoring for atopic dermatitis index.Methods  Forty‐five subjects with AD were treated with betamethasone ointment and their IL‐1β level was measured prior to and following treatment.Results  The IL‐1β levels were raised during disease activity and following improvement they decreased in a statistically significant manner. Also the IL‐1β levels corresponded with the severity of disease activity.Conclusions  Newer modalities of therapy in the form of cytokine monoclonal antibodies should be studied in a larger scale in AD.
Exploiting the Brachypodium Tool Box in cereal and grass research
Authors: Mur Luis A. J. , Allainguillaume Joel , Catalán Pilar , Hasterok Robert , Jenkins Glyn , Lesniewska Karolina , Thomas Ianto , Vogel John 
Published: May 2011

SummaryIt is now a decade since Brachypodium distachyon (Brachypodium) was suggested as a model species for temperate grasses and cereals. Since then transformation protocols, large expressed sequence tag (EST) databases, tools for forward and reverse genetic screens, highly refined cytogenetic probes, germplasm collections and, recently, a complete genome sequence have been generated. In this review, we will describe the current status of the Brachypodium Tool Box and how it is beginning to be applied to study a range of biological traits. Further, as genomic analysis of larger cereals and forage grasses genomes are becoming easier, we will re‐evaluate Brachypodium as a model species. We suggest that there remains an urgent need to employ reverse genetic and functional genomic approaches to identify the functionality of key genetic elements, which could be employed subsequently in plant breeding programmes; and a requirement for a Pooideae reference genome to aid assembling large pooid genomes. Brachypodium is an ideal system for functional genomic studies, because of its easy growth requirements, small physical stature, and rapid life cycle, coupled with the resources offered by the Brachypodium Tool Box.

Contents

Summary
334

I.
Introduction
335

II.
A challenge for the Brachypodium Tool Box: the legacy of cereal domestication
335

III.
Opening the Brachypodium Tool Box: what is Brachypodium?
336

IV.
The Brachypodium Tool Box: where are we now?
337

V.
Targets for the Brachypodium Tool Box: key traits
342

VI.
Whence for the Brachypodium Tool box? Primus inter pares?
344

Acknowledgements
345

References
345
The influence of health involvement and satisfaction on healthy food choices among people over 60 years
Authors: Saba Anna , Vassallo Marco 
Published: May 2011

AbstractWith increased longevity in Europe, diet quality in later life is increasingly important. The aim of this study was to understand views on the consumption of fruit, raw and cooked vegetables held by a sample (n = 258) of people over 60 years randomly recruited in Italy. Data were gathered by self‐completed questionnaires and the results analysed to assess the causal relationship between selected variables predicting the consumption of fruit and vegetables. Generally, respondents had good health involvement (i.e. health had personal relevance and importance was attached to health issues) and they claimed knowledge of the relationship between health and consumption of fruit and vegetables. Their expressed feelings of satisfaction (i.e. positive feelings towards and from consumption) were the most important predictor of consumption for fruit, raw and cooked vegetables. Despite high levels of interest in healthy eating, health involvement was not found to motivate healthy consumption behaviour. This may have important implications for the way that health promotion campaigns are conceptualized and designed.
QRS widening and QT prolongation under bupropion: a unique cardiac electrophysiological profile
Authors: Caillier Bertrand , Pilote Sylvie , Castonguay Annie , Patoine Dany , Ménard‐Desrosiers Verlaine , Vigneault Patrick , Hreiche Raymond , Turgeon Jacques , Daleau Pascal , De Koninck Yves , Simard Chantale , Drolet Benoit 
Published: May 2011

AbstractQRS widening and QT prolongation are associated with bupropion. The objectives were to elucidate its cardiac electrophysiological properties. Patch‐clamp technique was used to assess the IKr‐, IKs‐, and INa‐blocking effects of bupropion. Langendorff retroperfusion technique on isolated guinea‐pig hearts was used to evaluate the MAPD90‐, MAP amplitude‐, phase 0 dV/dt‐, and ECG‐modulating effects of bupropion and of two gap junction intercellular communication inhibitors: glycyrrhetinic acid and heptanol. To evaluate their effects on cardiac intercellular communication, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) technique was used. Bupropion is an IKr blocker. IC50 was estimated at 34 μm. In contrast, bupropion had hardly any effect on IKs and INa. Bupropion had no significant MAPD90‐modulating effect. However, as glycyrrhetinic acid and heptanol, bupropion caused important reductions in MAP amplitude and phase 0 dV/dt. A modest but significant QRS‐widening effect of bupropion was also observed. FRAP experiments confirmed that bupropion inhibits gap junctional intercellular communication. QT prolongation during bupropion overdosage is due to its IKr‐blocking effect. QRS widening with bupropion is not related to cardiac sodium channel block. Bupropion rather mimics the QRS‐widening, MAP amplitude‐ and phase 0 dV/dt ‐reducing effect of glycyrrhetinic acid and heptanol. Unlike class I anti‐arrhythmics, bupropion causes cardiac conduction disturbances by reducing cardiac intercellular coupling.
Effects of periodic and continued resistance training on muscle CSA and strength in previously untrained men
Authors: Ogasawara Riki , Yasuda Tomohiro , Sakamaki Mikako , Ozaki Hayao , Abe Takashi 
Published: May 2011

SummaryTo determine muscle adaptations to retraining after short‐term detraining, we examined the effects of continuous and interrupted resistance training on muscle size and strength in previously untrained men. Fifteen young men were divided into continuous training (CTr) or retraining (RTr) groups and performed high‐intensity bench press training. The CTr group trained continuously for 15 weeks, while the RTr group trained for 6 weeks, stopped for a 3‐week detraining period and resumed training at week 10. After the initial training phase, increases (P<0·01) in one repetition maximum (1‐RM) and magnetic resonance imaging‐measured triceps brachii and pectorals major muscle cross‐sectional areas (CSAs) were similar in both groups. Muscle CSA and 1‐RM increased (P<0·05) continuously for the CTr group, but the muscle adaptations were lower (P<0·05) after the last 6‐week training period than after the initial phase. In the RTr group, there were no significant decreases in muscle CSA and 1‐RM after the 3‐week detraining period, and increases in muscle CSA after retraining were similar to those observed after initial training. Ultimately, improvements in 1‐RM and muscle CSA in both groups were similar after the 15‐week training period. Our results suggest that compared with continuous 15‐week training, 3‐week detraining does not inhibit muscle adaptations.
The orexin receptor OX1R in colon cancer: a promising therapeutic target and a new paradigm in G protein‐coupled receptor signalling through ITIMs
Authors: Laburthe Marc , Voisin Thierry 
Published: May 2011

An exciting aspect of the heptahelical orexin receptor 1 (OX1R) has emerged recently, when it was shown that it drives apoptosis in human colon cancer cell lines. Here we review recent findings related to the role of OX1R in colorectal cancers and the unexpected mechanism whereby this G protein‐coupled receptor works. The OX1R is aberrantly expressed at all steps of primary colorectal tumour progression and after local (lymph node) or distant (liver, lung) metastasis. No OX1R is detected in normal colonic epithelial cells. Treatment of human colon cancer cells in culture with orexins promotes robust apoptosis and subsequent reduction of growth including in cells that are resistant to 5‐fluorouracil, the most commonly used drug in chemotherapy. When human colon cancer cells are xenografted in nude mice, treatment with orexins dramatically slows tumour growth and even reverses the development of established tumours. Thus, OX1R agonists might be novel candidates for colon cancer therapy. Activation of OX1R drives apoptosis through Gq protein but independently of classical Gαq activation of phospholipase C. In fact, it is the freed βγ dimer of Gq that plays a pivotal role by stimulating Src‐tyrosine kinase. This results in phosphorylation of two immunoreceptor tyrosine‐based inhibitory motifs (ITIM) in OX1R and subsequent recruitment by OX1R of the phosphotyrosine phosphatase SHP‐2, which is activated thereby. Downstream events include release of cytochrome c from mitochondria and activation of caspase‐3 and caspase‐7. The role of ITIMs in OX1R‐driven apoptosis represents a new paradigm of G protein‐coupled receptor signalling.LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on the Molecular Pharmacology of G Protein‐Coupled Receptors (GPCRs). To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2012.165.issue‐6. To view the 2010 themed section on the same topic visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.2010.159.issue‐5/issuetoc
Subchronic treatment with fluoxetine and ketanserin increases hippocampal brain‐derived neurotrophic factor, β‐catenin and antidepressant‐like effects
Authors: Pilar‐Cuéllar F , Vidal R , Pazos A 
Published: May 2011

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE5‐HT2A receptor antagonists improve antidepressant responses when added to 5‐HT‐selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or tricyclic antidepressants. Here, we have studied the involvement of neuroplasticity pathways and/or the 5‐hydroxytryptaminergic system in the antidepressant‐like effect of this combined treatment, given subchronically.EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHExpression of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor (TrkB), 5‐bromo‐2′‐deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation, and β‐catenin protein expression in different cellular fractions, as well as 5‐HT1A receptor function were measured in the hippocampus of rats treated with fluoxetine, ketanserin and fluoxetine + ketanserin for 7 days, followed by a forced swimming test (FST) to analyse antidepressant efficacy.KEY RESULTSmRNA for BDNF was increased in the CA3 field and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus by combined treatment with fluoxetine + ketanserin. Expression of β‐catenin was increased in total hippocampal homogenate and in the membrane fraction, but unchanged in the nuclear fraction after combined treatment with fluoxetine + ketanserin. These effects were paralleled by a decreased immobility time in the FST. There were no changes in BrdU incorporation, TrkB expression and 5‐HT1A receptor function in any of the groups studied.CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSThe antidepressant‐like effect induced by subchronic co‐treatment with a SSRI and a 5‐HT2A receptor antagonist may mainly be because of modifications in hippocampal neuroplasticity (BDNF and membrane‐associated β‐catenin), without a significant role for other mechanisms involved in chronic antidepressant response, such as hippocampal neuroproliferation or 5‐HT1A receptor desensitization in the dorsal raphe nucleus.
Effects of Pacing Rates on Global and Regional Myocardial Blood Flow
Authors: Ten CATE TIM J.F. , KNAAPEN PAUL , LAMMERTSMA ADRIAAN A. , De COCK CAREL C. , Van HEMEL NORBERT M. , VERZIJLBERGEN J. FRED 
Published: May 2011

Background:
Information is scarce on the effects of right ventricular apical (RVA) pacing on regional and global myocardial blood flow (MBF). The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between pacing rate and both regional and global MBF.
Methods:
Four patients with exclusive atrial pacing and six patients with exclusive RVA pacing underwent three consecutive H215O positron emission tomography scans at 60, 90, and 130 pulses per minute (ppm). For each pacing rate, regional and global MBF was determined. In all patients, the left ventricular (LV) function was normal.
Results:
By varying the atrial pacing rate from 60 to 130 ppm, the mean global MBF increased from 0.94 to 1.40 mL/g/min, whereas the mean septal to lateral MBF ratio decreased from 1.09 to 0.83. In ventricular‐paced patients at corresponding rates, the mean global MBF also increased from 1.07 to 1.52 mL/g/min but here the mean septal to lateral MBF ratio increased from 0.83 to 1.0.
Conclusions:
During both acute atrial and RVA pacing, regional and global MBF increases with higher pacing rates. However, the septal to lateral MBF ratio decreases with atrial pacing and increases with RVA pacing in patients with normal LV function. In RVA pacing, these different rate‐dependent effects on regional MBF can be considered as a favorable factor that helps to understand why in some long‐term paced patients, LV function is preserved. (PACE 2011; 34:587–592)
Entrance Skin Dose during Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation for Tachyarrhythmia: A Multicenter Study
Authors: KIDOUCHI TAKASHI , SUZUKI SHIGERU , FURUI SHIGERU , MITANI HARUO , NITTA JUNICHI , MATSUMOTO KUNIHIRO , OHTOMO KUNI 
Published: May 2011

Background:
To assess the entrance skin dose (ESD) during radiofrequency catheter ablation procedures for tachyarrhythmia including atrial fibrillation (Af).
Methods:
This study focused on 99 consecutive patients who underwent procedures for tachyarrhythmia (Af; n = 34, non‐Af; n = 65) in three institutions. The non‐Af group included atrial flutter, atrial tachycardia, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular premature contraction, atrial premature contraction, atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia, and Wolff‐Parkinson‐White syndrome. In two of the three institutions, the procedures were performed for both Af and non‐Af. The ESDs were measured using 100 radiosensitive indicators attached to the back of each patient's jacket at 5‐cm intervals. For statistical analyses, multiple regression analysis (the dependent variable, Max‐ESD; and the independent variables, dose area product [DAP], total fluoroscopic time [TFT], body mass index, etc.), Pearson's correlation test, and the Mann‐Whitney test were employed.
Results:
The overall averages for the TFTs, the DAPs, and the Max‐ESDs were 49.9 ± 28.2 minutes, 71.2 ± 73.7 Gy cm2, and 0.57 ± 0.51 Gy, respectively. DAP was positively related to the Max‐ESD and was significant in stepwise multiple regression analysis (P < 0.0001). There was a significant association between TFT and Max‐ESD in five of the six kinds of angiographic unit, and between DAP and Max‐ESD in all three systems with available DAP measures. In one institution, TFT, DAP, and Max‐ESD differed significantly between the Af and non‐Af groups (P = 0.0002, P < 0.0001, and P < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
During the cardiac catheter ablation, ESDs of only a few patients exceeded the thresholds of radiation skin injuries, and the DAP proved useful to estimate each patient's Max‐ESD. (PACE 2011; 34:563–570)
A community of learners in the evidence‐based dental clinic
Authors: Schoonheim‐Klein M. , Wesselink P. R. , Vervoorn J. M. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractAn increasing emphasis has been placed on the need for an evidence‐based approach in dentistry. This calls for effort in dental education to develop and implement tools for the application of evidence in clinical decision‐making (evidence‐based decision‐making, EBDM).Aim:  To evaluate whether the implementation of a community of learners (COL) within a clinical EBDM course enables students, clinical teachers and scientists to discuss the application of evidence in clinical decision‐making and whether it stimulates a scientific approach in students.Material and Methods:  A clinical course in EBDM was created. Students presented and discussed patient cases in a COL of student‐peers, clinical teachers and scientists. From the discussion, clinical questions arose and were translated into PICO format (Problem, Intervention, Comparison and Outcome). Students searched for evidence in the literature. Four weeks later, they presented and discussed the evidence found. Before and after the implementation of the course, students, clinical teachers and scientists completed a questionnaire anonymously on the procedure adopted, its content, the learning outcomes and their appreciation of this course. Assessment of the competence EBDM was performed at the end of the course. Grading scores of students in the COL were compared with scores of a student group that did not participate in the COL and were not advised by scientists.Results:  Evaluation showed that scientists, clinical teachers and students gradually became more positive on the adopted procedure, content, learning outcomes and the appreciation of this course (ANOVA Bonferoni P < 0.05). The student’s evaluation showed the development of a more scientific approach. Assessment scores of EBDM were sufficient and promising.Conclusion:  A stimulating arena was created: a COL, in which the evidence used in clinical decision‐making, was discussed. The COL involved dental students, clinical teachers and scientists. In this setting, an EBDM course appeared to result in a more scientific approach from dental students. The COL provided a good working concept for EBDM in dental education.
Effect of leptin on differentiation of human dental stem cells
Authors: Um S , Choi J‐R , Lee J‐H , Zhang Q , Seo BM 
Published: May 2011

Oral Diseases (2011) 17, 662–669Objectives:  Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were identified in adult human periodontal ligament and dental pulp that are considered as potential stem cell sources for future clinical applications in dentistry. Leptin is known as an important regulator of mesenchymal differentiation. The objective of this study was to elucidate the role of leptin on proliferation and differentiation of dental MSCs.Materials and methods:  Enhancement of cemento/odontoblastic differentiation of dental stem cells by leptin was confirmed by alizarin red S staining and alkaline phosphatase activity staining. In contrast, leptin reduced adipogenesis in both dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) confirmed by oil red O staining and RT‐PCR. The expression of adipogenic markers, lipoprotein lipase and proliferator‐activated receptor γ2 (PPARγ2), were suppressed in PDLSCs incubated on media supplemented with leptin for 2 weeks.Results:  Leptin had a relatively stronger osteogenesis promoting effect and adipogenesis suppressing effect in PDLSCs than in DPSCs.Conclusions:  Collectively, leptin had a relatively stronger promoting effect on cemento/odontoblastic differentiation and a suppressing effect on adipogenesis in PDLSCs than in DPSCs. This study has provided evidence that leptin acts as an important modulator of dental MSCs differentiation.