EBM E-learning: Feasible and Effective for Occupational Physicians in Different Countries

Hugenholtz, Nathalie I.R.,Slutter, Judith K.,Van Dijk, Frank J.H.,Nieuwenhuijsen, Karen Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute 2012 Safety and health at work Vol.3 No.3

Objectives: Although evidence-based medicine (EBM) is a useful method for integrating evidence into the decision-making process of occupational physicians, occupational physicians lack EBM knowledge and skills, and do not have the time to learn the EBM method. In order to enable them to educate themselves at the time and place they prefer, we designed an electronic EBM course. We studied the feasibility and utility of the course as well as its effectiveness in increasing EBM knowledge, skills, and behaviour. Methods: Occupational physicians from various countries were included in a within-subjects study. Measurements were conducted on participants' EBM knowledge, skills, behaviour, and determinants of behaviour at baseline, directly after finishing the course and 2 months later (n = 36). The feasibility and utility of the course were evaluated directly after the course (n = 42). Results: The course is applicable as an introductory course on EBM for occupational physicians in various countries. The course is effective in enhancing EBM knowledge and self-efficacy in practising EBM. No significant effect was found on EBM skills, behaviour, and determinants of behaviour. After the course, more occupational physicians use the international journals to solve a case. Conclusion: An electronic introductory EBM course is suitable for occupational physicians. Although it is an effective method for increasing EBM knowledge, it does not seem effective in improving skills and behaviour. We recommend integrating e-learning courses with blended learning, where it can be used side by side with other educational methods that are effective in changing behaviour.

새로운 종류인 데이터베이스권

P. Bernt Hugenholtz 한국정보법학회 2003 정보법학 Vol.7 No.1

1996. 3. 11. 유럽연합의 Database Directive가 채택된 지 7년이 흘렀다. 유럽연합의 Database Directive는 독특한 2단계 보호방식올 취하고 있다. 즉 데이터베이스 자체는 지적창작의 일종으로 저작권에 의해 보호하고 데이터베이스 내용의 무단 추출 및 무단 재이용은 소위 데이터베이스권이라는 새로운 형태의 권리로 보호하는 것이다. 이 Database Directive 이행입법 시한은 1998. 1. 1 이었는데 이 기한을 준수한 나라는 독일, 스웨덴, 영국, 오스트리아 뿐이었다. 대부분 나라들은 1998년부터 2000년 사이에 이행조치를 완료하였다. ‘유럽연합은 Database Dìrective를 채택한 이후 의욕적인 데이터베이스 보호제도의 세일즈’에 나서고 있다. 이러한 유럽연합의 적극적인 노력으로 인해, 비록 대부분이 유럽 국가들이기는 하지만, [2면] 40여개 국가가 데이터베이스권을 채태하기에 이르렀다. WIPO에서도 1996년 데이터베이스 보호제도 도입을 논의하다 마지막에 논의 자체가 좌절된 바 있다. 최근 유럽이사회는 WIPO에 대하여 적극적으로 ‘유럽에서 데이터베이스보호 제도가 성공을 거두었으며 세계경제의 발전을 위해 데이터베이스 보호제도의 재상정을 권고’하고 있다. 유럽연합의 각 국가가 Database Dìrective를 이행하기 위해 이행입법을 한 후에 각국의 국내법원은 많은 흥미로운 판례들은 내놓고 있다.

Genomic Encyclopedia of Bacteria and Archaea: Sequencing a Myriad of Type Strains

Kyrpides, Nikos C.,Hugenholtz, Philip,Eisen, Jonathan A.,Woyke, Tanja,Gö,ker, Markus,Parker, Charles T.,Amann, Rudolf,Beck, Brian J.,Chain, Patrick S. G.,Chun, Jongsik,Colwell, Rita R.,Danchin, An Public Library of Science 2014 PLoS biology Vol.12 No.8

<▼1><P>This manuscript calls for an international effort to generate a comprehensive catalog from genome sequences of all the archaeal and bacterial type strains.</P></▼1><▼2><P>Microbes hold the key to life. They hold the secrets to our past (as the descendants of the earliest forms of life) and the prospects for our future (as we mine their genes for solutions to some of the planet's most pressing problems, from global warming to antibiotic resistance). However, the piecemeal approach that has defined efforts to study microbial genetic diversity for over 20 years and in over 30,000 genome projects risks squandering that promise. These efforts have covered less than 20% of the diversity of the cultured archaeal and bacterial species, which represent just 15% of the overall known prokaryotic diversity. Here we call for the funding of a systematic effort to produce a comprehensive genomic catalog of all cultured Bacteria and Archaea by sequencing, where available, the type strain of each species with a validly published name (currently∼11,000). This effort will provide an unprecedented level of coverage of our planet's genetic diversity, allow for the large-scale discovery of novel genes and functions, and lead to an improved understanding of microbial evolution and function in the environment.</P></▼2>

Identification of the mechanism for dehalorespiration of monofluoroacetate in the phylum Synergistota

Leong Lex E. X.,Denman Stuart E.,Kang Seungha,Mondot Stanislas,Hugenholtz Philip,McSweeney Chris S. 아세아·태평양축산학회 2024 Animal Bioscience Vol.37 No.2

Objective: Monofluoroacetate (MFA) is a potent toxin that blocks ATP production via the Krebs cycle and causes acute toxicity in ruminants consuming MFA-containing plants. The rumen bacterium, Cloacibacillus porcorum strain MFA1 belongs to the phylum Synergistota and can produce fluoride and acetate from MFA as the end-products of dehalorespiration. The aim of this study was to identify the genomic basis for the metabolism of MFA by this bacterium. Methods: A draft genome sequence for C. porcorum strain MFA1 was assembled and quantitative transcriptomic analysis was performed thus highlighting a candidate operon encoding four proteins that are responsible for the carbon-fluorine bond cleavage. Comparative genome analysis of this operon was undertaken with three other species of closely related Synergistota bacteria. Results: Two of the genes in this operon are related to the substrate-binding components of the glycine reductase protein B (GrdB) complex. Glycine shares a similar structure to MFA suggesting a role for these proteins in binding MFA. The remaining two genes in the operon, an antiporter family protein and an oxidoreductase belonging to the radical S-adenosyl methionine superfamily, are hypothesised to transport and activate the GrdB-like protein respectively. Similar operons were identified in a small number of other Synergistota bacteria including type strains of Cloacibacillus porcorum, C. evryensis, and Pyramidobacter piscolens, suggesting lateral transfer of the operon as these genera belong to separate families. We confirmed that all three species can degrade MFA, however, substrate degradation in P. piscolens was notably reduced compared to Cloacibacillus isolates possibly reflecting the loss of the oxidoreductase and antiporter in the P. piscolens operon. Conclusion: Identification of this unusual anaerobic fluoroacetate metabolism extends the known substrates for dehalorespiration and indicates the potential for substrate plasticity in amino acid-reducing enzymes to include xenobiotics. Objective: Monofluoroacetate (MFA) is a potent toxin that blocks ATP production via the Krebs cycle and causes acute toxicity in ruminants consuming MFA-containing plants. The rumen bacterium, <i>Cloacibacillus porcorum</i> strain MFA1 belongs to the phylum Synergistota and can produce fluoride and acetate from MFA as the end-products of dehalorespiration. The aim of this study was to identify the genomic basis for the metabolism of MFA by this bacterium.Methods: A draft genome sequence for <i>C. porcorum</i> strain MFA1 was assembled and quantitative transcriptomic analysis was performed thus highlighting a candidate operon encoding four proteins that are responsible for the carbon-fluorine bond cleavage. Comparative genome analysis of this operon was undertaken with three other species of closely related Synergistota bacteria.Results: Two of the genes in this operon are related to the substrate-binding components of the glycine reductase protein B (GrdB) complex. Glycine shares a similar structure to MFA suggesting a role for these proteins in binding MFA. The remaining two genes in the operon, an antiporter family protein and an oxidoreductase belonging to the radical S-adenosyl methionine superfamily, are hypothesised to transport and activate the GrdB-like protein respectively. Similar operons were identified in a small number of other Synergistota bacteria including type strains of <i>Cloacibacillus porcorum, C. evryensis</i>, and <i>Pyramidobacter piscolens</i>, suggesting lateral transfer of the operon as these genera belong to separate families. We confirmed that all three species can degrade MFA, however, substrate degradation in <i>P. piscolens</i> was notably reduced compared to <i>Cloacibacillus</i> isolates possibly reflecting the loss of the oxidoreductase and antiporter in the <i>P. piscolens</i> operon.Conclusion: Identification of this unusual anaerobic fluoroacetate metabolism extends the known substrates for dehalorespiration and indicates the potential for substrate plasticity in amino acid-reducing enzymes to include xenobiotics.