bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The clinical utility of C‐peptide measurement in the care of patients with diabetes
Authors: Jones A. G. , Hattersley A. T.
Published: February 2013

C‐peptide is produced in equal amounts to insulin and is the best measure of endogenous insulin secretion in patients with diabetes. Measurement of insulin secretion using C‐peptide can be helpful in clinical practice: differences in insulin secretion are fundamental to the different treatment requirements of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. This article reviews the use of C‐peptide measurement in the clinical management of patients with diabetes, including the interpretation and choice of C‐peptide test and its use to assist diabetes classification and choice of treatment. We provide recommendations for where C‐peptide should be used, choice of test and interpretation of results. With the rising incidence of Type 2 diabetes in younger patients, the discovery of monogenic diabetes and development of new therapies aimed at preserving insulin secretion, the direct measurement of insulin secretion may be increasingly important. Advances in assays have made C‐peptide measurement both more reliable and inexpensive. In addition, recent work has demonstrated that C‐peptide is more stable in blood than previously suggested or can be reliably measured on a spot urine sample (urine C‐peptide:creatinine ratio), facilitating measurement in routine clinical practice. The key current clinical role of C‐peptide is to assist classification and management of insulin‐treated patients. Utility is greatest after 3–5 years from diagnosis when persistence of substantial insulin secretion suggests Type 2 or monogenic diabetes. Absent C‐peptide at any time confirms absolute insulin requirement and the appropriateness of Type 1 diabetes management strategies regardless of apparent aetiology.
Differences in host selection and performance between B and Q putative species of Bemisia tabaci on three host plants
Authors: Jiao Xiaoguo , Xie Wen , Wang Shaoli , Wu Qingjun , Pan Huipeng , Liu Baiming , Zhang Youjun
Published: February 2013

B and Q are two putative species of the Bemisia tabaci complex (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), and are among the most invasive and destructive pests of crops and horticultural plants worldwide. In China, Q predominates and is displacing B. Although researchers have proposed that the higher capacity of Q to utilize host plants plays an important role in its replacement of B, there are few relevant field surveys and experimental studies. The difference in host assessment between B and Q in multiple‐choice rather than in no‐choice situations may be essential to understanding the displacement. Here, we compared settling and oviposition preferences, and adult and nymph performance, for the putative species B and Q of the B. tabaci complex on three common host species: poinsettia [Euphorbia pulcherrima Wild. ex Klotsch (Euphorbiaceae)], cotton [Gossypium hirsutum L. (Malvaceae)], and cabbage [Brassica oleracea L. (Brassicaceae)]. Although the preferred hosts for settling and oviposition were the same as those that supported maximum fitness (adult longevity, fecundity, and nymph survivorship), these hosts differed between B and Q. When given a choice, B preferred to settle and oviposit on cabbage over poinsettia and cotton, whereas Q preferred to settle and oviposit on poinsettia and cotton over cabbage. In a no‐choice experiment, adult longevity, fecundity, and nymphal survival for B were greater on cabbage than on poinsettia and cotton, but the opposite was true for Q.
Early School‐leaving in Spain: evolution, intensity and determinants
Authors: Fernández‐Macías Enrique , Antón José‐Ignacio , Braña Francisco‐Javier , De Bustillo Rafael Muñoz
Published: February 2013

Spain has one of the highest levels of early school leaving and educational failure of the European Union. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the anatomy of early school leaving in Spain and its characteristics. In order to do so, in the first part we discuss the measurement problems related with this concept and the evolution of drop‐out rates in Spain. We argue that the published figures of early school leaving slightly underestimate the phenomenon, and discuss the impact of the increase in immigration rates on the level of educational failure and its very unequal distribution in terms of gender. In a second part, using data from the Labour Force Surveys of 2000 and 2007, we explore the factors behind educational failure by means of a logistic regression. The results of this model confirm the explanatory power of social reproduction hypotheses, but also show that there are important aspects of the patterns and recent evolution of early school leaving which cannot be explained by a single theoretical approach.
Informing Institutional Management: institutional strategies and student retention
Authors: Hovdhaugen Elisabeth , Frølich Nicoline , Aamodt Per Olaf
Published: February 2013

European universities are facing demands for better student retention, especially in countries where state funding is no longer based on the number of students, but on the number of graduates. An extensive literature on retention focuses on the characteristics of students who leave higher education without a degree. Much less is known about the measures taken by higher education institutions to encourage study progress. This article examines whether retention strategies are incorporated into the institutions’ overall strategies and the policies and activities developed by universities to foster study progress and enhance retention rates. The results suggest that the universities’ overall strategies and retention activities are loosely coupled and that the universities tend to use blanket measures addressing retention, regardless of why students are leaving.
School Teachers' Continuous Professional Development in an Online Learning Community: lessons from a case study of an eTwinning Learning Event
Authors: Holmes Brian
Published: February 2013

A social revolution is occurring in the way information is shared, knowledge is generated and innovation takes place over the Internet and there is renewed interest in the social concept of ‘community’ to support online learning. This article describes action research conducted in the context of an eTwinning Learning Event (LE) that provides useful insights into how an online learning community can support the continuous professional development (CPD) of school teachers. Using the Community of Inquiry framework (Garrison et al., 2000), it offers empirical evidence of how cognitive, social and teaching aspects impact competence development. It suggests that online learning communities offer an appropriate environment for teachers' intellectual and emotional reflection, characterised by trust, mutual respect and shared values centred on improving pupils' learning. It also suggests that the educational experience within such a community is significantly influenced by the tutor's design and moderation of activities aimed at fostering critical thinking.

The article concludes that online learning communities offer a valuable alternative to traditional teacher training by supporting teachers to learn in the context of their everyday practice, whilst collaborating and reflecting on their experience with peers across regions and countries. Concerning the wider use of social networking for learning, it suggests that educators still have a valuable role to play in ensuring that collaboration leads to an effective educational experience.
Changing Assessment — Towards a New Assessment Paradigm Using ICT
Authors: Redecker Christine , Johannessen Øystein
Published: February 2013

This article discusses how Information and Communication Technologies can support 21st century assessment strategies and what needs to be done to ensure that technological advances support and foster pedagogical innovation. Based on an extensive review of the literature, it provides an overview of current ICT‐enabled assessment practices, with a particular focus on the more recent developments of ICT‐enhanced assessment tools that recognise 21st century skills. The article also refers to relevant cases of eAssessment, looks into examples of the potential of emerging technologies for eAssessment and discusses some relevant innovation and policy issues. Reflecting on these examples, it argues that, although technological challenges exist, the more pressing task at present is to transcend the traditional testing paradigm and conceptually develop (e)Assessment strategies that allow to more fully exploit the benefits of emerging technologies in order to foster the development of 21st century skills.
The Use of ICT in Education: a survey of schools in Europe
Authors: Wastiau Patricia , Blamire Roger , Kearney Caroline , Quittre Valerie , Van de Gaer Eva , Monseur Christian
Published: February 2013

The Survey of Schools: ICT in education commissioned in 2011 by the European Commission took place between January 2011 and November 2012, with data collection in autumn 2011. This article presents the main findings of the Survey based on over 190,000 questionnaire answers from students, teachers and head teachers in primary, lower and upper secondary schools randomly sampled. The article details the analytical framework design and the survey methodology implemented. It then presents the main ‘state of the art’ indicators that have been built, concerning ICT infrastructure and access to it, frequency of students' ICT based activities during lessons, level of teachers' and students' confidence in their digital competences, their opinion about using ICT for teaching and learning, and the school strategies to support ICT integration in teaching and learning. The article also presents the main findings of the exploratory part of the analysis, introducing the concepts of digitally supportive school, digitally confident and supportive teacher and digitally confident and supportive student, estimating their respective proportion at EU level on average and by country and investigating whether high percentage of digitally supportive schools include high percentages of digitally confident and positive teachers and students. A few recommendations for policy making at European, national, regional/local and institutional levels conclude the article.
Increased risk of central venous catheter–associated thrombosis in acute promyelocytic leukemia: a single‐institution experience
Authors: Grisariu Sigal , Spectre Galia , Kalish Yosef , Gatt Moshe E.
Published: February 2013

Background

Patients with acute leukemia and in particular, acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), are felt to be at high risk for developing venous thromboembolism. The presence of central venous catheters (CVCs) increases this risk; however, reports have varied regarding the frequency of this complication. Current guidelines do not recommend the routine use of prophylactic anticoagulation for patients with CVC.

Methods

We suspected an increased incidence of CVC thrombosis in patients with APL and therefore conducted a retrospective survey of 473 patients who were treated for acute leukemia at our institution.

Results

The overall rate of symptomatic CVC thrombosis was 6.8%. We found a significantly (P < 0.001) increased rate of symptomatic CVC thrombosis (32%) in patients with APL as compared with patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia (6.4% and 4%, respectively). CVC thrombosis was most prevalent following induction treatment and was associated with higher platelet counts in patients with APL. Following this observation, 13 additional newly diagnosed patients with APL were treated with low molecular weight heparin prophylaxis during the recovery phase after chemotherapy. None had a thrombotic event.

Conclusions

Although our treatment group was small, we suggest considering prophylaxis for CVC thrombosis during platelet recovery after induction treatment in patients with APL.
Trial‐by‐trial reliability of responses in the primary visual cortex on binocular disparity depends on stimulus order
Authors: Vorobyov Vasily
Published: February 2013

An association of the detrimental effect of monocular deprivation on binocular vision with reduced reliability of neuronal responses in the primary visual cortex has been shown on randomly presented binocular stimuli [V. Vorobyov et al. (2007) Eur J Neurosci. 26(12), 3553–3563]. To examine this effect on biologically relevant signals, binocular gratings of varying relative phase disparity were presented in sequential order, simulating motion, to 55 cats with various types of daily visual experience. During sequential stimulation, the proportions of ‘unstable’ cells (with phase differences exceeding 22.5 ° between peak binocular responses in two consecutive trials) were similar in cats with exclusively binocular experience and with short periods of daily monocular vision (≤ 3.25 h), in mixed binocular–monocular conditions. In contrast, random stimulation was characterized by a significantly enlarged population of ‘unstable’ cells in the latter. After a longer period of monocular vision (6.5 h) or exclusively discordant binocular experience (strabismus), sequential stimulation was accompanied by a significant increase of this population, whereas during randomized stimulation it was very similar to that in cats with short periods of daily monocular vision. Finally, there were no differences in populations of ‘unstable’ cells in cats with long monocular or strabismic vision and those with exclusive monocular experience during sequential stimulation, in contrast with a significant increase in the latter during randomized stimulation. I propose that the detrimental effect of abnormal binocular experience on binocular processing in the primary visual cortex is associated with a disruption of the mechanisms involved in both discrimination of binocular disparity signals and evaluation of their temporal profiles.
A functional magnetic resonance imaging study of visuomotor processing in a virtual reality‐based paradigm: Rehabilitation Gaming System
Authors: Prochnow D. , Bermúdez i Badia S. , Schmidt J. , Duff A. , Brunheim S. , Kleiser R. , Seitz R. J. , Verschure P. F. M. J.
Published: February 2013

The Rehabilitation Gaming System (RGS) has been designed as a flexible, virtual‐reality (VR)‐based device for rehabilitation of neurological patients. Recently, training of visuomotor processing with the RGS was shown to effectively improve arm function in acute and chronic stroke patients. It is assumed that the VR‐based training protocol related to RGS creates conditions that aid recovery by virtue of the human mirror neuron system. Here, we provide evidence for this assumption by identifying the brain areas involved in controlling the catching of approaching colored balls in the virtual environment of the RGS. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging of 18 right‐handed healthy subjects (24 ± 3 years) in both active and imagination conditions. We observed that the imagery of target catching was related to activation of frontal, parietal, temporal, cingulate and cerebellar regions. We interpret these activations in relation to object processing, attention, mirror mechanisms, and motor intention. Active catching followed an anticipatory mode, and resulted in significantly less activity in the motor control areas. Our results provide preliminary support for the hypothesis underlying RGS that this novel neurorehabilitation approach engages human mirror mechanisms that can be employed for visuomotor training.
Distribution and persistence of technetium‐99 hexamethyl propylene amine oxime‐labelled bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells in experimentally induced tendon lesions after intratendinous injection and regional perfusion of the equine distal limb
Authors: Sole A. , Spriet M. , Padgett K. A. , Vaughan B. , Galuppo L. D. , Borjesson D. L. , Wisner E. R. , Vidal M. A.
Published: February 2013

Reasons for performing study

Intralesional (i.l.) injection is currently the most commonly used technique for stem cell therapy in equine tendon injury. A comparison of different techniques of injection of mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of tendon lesions is required.

Objectives

We hypothesised that vascular perfusion of the equine distal limb with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) would result in preferential distribution of MSCs to acute tendon injuries.

Study design

In vivo experimental study.

Methods

Lesions were surgically induced in forelimb superficial digital flexor tendons of 8 horses. Three or 10 days after lesion induction, technetium‐99 hexamethyl propylene amine oxime‐labelled MSCs were injected via i.v. or intra‐arterial (i.a.) regional limb perfusion (RLP) at the level of the distal antebrachium and compared to i.l. injection. Mesenchymal stem cell persistence and distribution within the forelimb and tendon lesions was assessed with scintigraphy for 24 h.

Results

Lesion uptake was higher with i.l. injection than with RLP, but MSC persistence decreased similarly over time in all 3 techniques. Intra‐arterial RLP resulted in a better distribution of MSCs and a higher uptake at the lesion site than i.v. RLP. Limbs perfused i.a. on Day 10 showed greater accumulation of MSCs in the lesion than limbs perfused on Day 3. Arterial thrombosis occurred in 50% of the i.v. RLP limbs and in 100% of the i.a. RLP limbs, which led to clinical complications in one horse.

Conclusions and potential relevance

Compared with i.l. injection, RLP results in lower uptake but similar persistence of MSCs at the site of tendon lesions. A time dependent accumulation of MSCs was identified with i.a. RLP. The i.a. RLP appears more advantageous than the i.v. RLP in terms of distribution and uptake. However, the described i.a. technique produced arterial thrombosis and thus cannot currently be recommended for clinical use.

The Summary is available in Chinese – see Supporting information.
Paeonol suppresses lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammatory cytokines in macrophage cells and protects mice from lethal endotoxin shock
Authors: Chen Na , Liu Dianfeng , Soromou Lanan Wassy , Sun Jingjing , Zhong Weiting , Guo Weixiao , Huo Meixia , Li Hongyu , Guan Shuang , Chen Zhenwen , Feng Haihua
Published: February 2013

Paeonol (2′‐hydroxy‐4′‐methoxyacetophenone) is the main phenolic compound of the radix of Paeonia suffruticosa which has been used as traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, we primarily investigated the anti‐inflammatory effects and the underlying mechanisms of paeonol in RAW macrophage cells; and based on these effects, we assessed the protective effects of paeonol on lipopolysaccharide‐induced endotoxemia in mice. The in vitro study showed that paeonol regulated the production of TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, and IL‐10 via inactivation of IκBα, ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 MAPK. In mouse model of lipopolysaccharide‐induced endotoxemia, pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines are significantly regulated, and thus the survival rates of lipolysaccharide‐challenged mice are improved by paeonol (150, 200, or 250 mg/kg). Therefore, paeonol has a beneficial activity against lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 cell and mouse models.
Online Education in Family and Consumer Sciences University Programs and Four Models for Teaching Online
Authors: Rehm Marsha , Allison Barbara N. , Bencomo Angelina , Godfrey Roxie V.
Published: February 2013

College and university faculty in Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) programs are becoming more involved in online course design and instruction. The purpose of this article is twofold. First, examples of several existing FCS online programs are presented. Many online programs are being offered in the United States, and several are offered in an international setting (e.g. British Columbia, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand). Second, four models of education that FCS instructors can draw upon for teaching online are presented. The models are positivism, constructivism, the community of inquiry approach, and experiential learning. Positivism should be utilized when the goal is to teach specific and basic knowledge, which is usually contained in lectures and readings. Other models are more appropriate when the goal is to cultivate students' higher level thinking through dynamic learning processes. Constructivism is based on the assumption that learners are active creators of knowledge and meaning. The community of inquiry approach highlights the importance of building relationships for learning. The experiential learning model involves direct participation in realistic contexts and should be followed with reflection on the general principles of the learning situation. Online teaching strategies, examples, and limitations are presented for each model.
Helen Woodard Atwater: A Leader of Leaders
Authors: Wilmarth Melissa J. , Nickols Sharon Y.
Published: February 2013

This article chronicles the life of Helen W. Atwater, a leader of leaders, and emissary for journalistic expertise, home economics, and women's role in civil society. Atwater's career as a writer and editor encompassed three decades in the early twentieth century during which she prepared reports for the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Office of Home Economics, served as the first full‐time editor of the Journal of Home Economics, and participated in early public policy advocacy of the American Home Economics Association. Atwater's active membership in many professional organizations contributed to the understanding of home economics outside of the profession.
Modeling Entrepreneurial Career Intentions among Undergraduates: An Examination of the Moderating Role of Entrepreneurial Knowledge and Skills
Authors: Watchravesringkan Kittichai (Tu) , Hodges Nancy Nelson , Yurchisin Jennifer , Hegland Jane , Karpova Elena , Marcketti Sara , Yan Ruoh‐nan
Published: February 2013

The purpose of this study was to empirically develop a comprehensive model of undergraduate students' entrepreneurial career intention that combines both cognitive and behavioral decision‐making processes. Data were collected via a questionnaire completed by textile and apparel undergraduates at four American universities (n = 345). Based on the literature, a model of personal values—attitude—behavioral intention was developed. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized relationships in the model. Results revealed that self‐actualization as a value significantly influenced attitudes, which, in turn, influenced entrepreneurial career intentions. Both entrepreneurial knowledge and skills moderated the relationship between self‐actualization and entrepreneurial career attitudes. Findings shed light on the influence of personal values and entrepreneurial knowledge and skills on entrepreneurial career choice. Further testing of the model is needed.
Romantic Relationships among Women Experiencing Obesity: Self‐Perception and Weight as Barriers to Intimacy
Authors: Williams Amanda L. , Merten Michael J.
Published: February 2013

This study addresses a gap in the literature connecting obesity research with the daily lives of women. Results from seven focus groups with 50 women suggest a dynamic interplay between weight status and women's intimate relationships with men. Women described obesity as a barrier to both physical and emotional intimacy; however, women often self‐selected themselves out of intimate relationships. In addition, health profile match between partners functioned as a protective factor when both spouses were overweight and were motivated to become healthier together. When there was a weight or motivation mismatch, women described more negative relationship interactions. In some instances, weight functioned as a source of vulnerability or target for conflict, suggesting potential power imbalance in women's relationships that perpetuate adverse or harmful interactions. Themes extracted from this study offer fresh insight and new directions for researchers as well as health and relationship practitioners working with women.
Ryanodine receptor calcium release channels: lessons from structure–function studies
Authors: Amador Fernando J. , Stathopulos Peter B. , Enomoto Masahiro , Ikura Mitsuhiko
Published: February 2013

Ryanodine receptors (RyRs) are the largest known ion channels. They are Ca2+ release channels found primarily on the sarcoplasmic reticulum of myocytes. Several hundred mutations in RyRs are associated with skeletal or cardiomyocyte disease in humans. Many of these mutations can now be mapped onto the high resolution structures of individual RyR domains and on full‐length tetrameric cryo‐electron microscopy structures. A closely related Ca2+ release channel, the inositol 1,4,5‐trisphospate receptor (IP3R), shows a conserved structural architecture at the N‐terminus, suggesting that both channels evolved from an ancestral unicellular RyR/IP3R. The functional insights provided by recent structural studies for both channels will aid in the development of rationale treatments for a myriad of Ca2+‐signaled malignancies.
Roles of endoproteolytic α‐cleavage and shedding of the prion protein in neurodegeneration
Authors: Altmeppen Hermann C. , Prox Johannes , Puig Berta , Dohler Frank , Falker Clemens , Krasemann Susanne , Glatzel Markus
Published: February 2013

The cellular prion protein (PrPC) plays important roles in neurodegenerative diseases. First, it is the well‐established substrate for the conformational conversion into its pathogenic isoform (PrPSc) giving rise to progressive and fatal prion diseases. Moreover, several recent reports highlight important roles of PrPC in other neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease. Since PrPC is subject to proteolytic processing, here we discuss the two main cleavage events under physiological conditions, α‐cleavage and shedding. We focus on how these cleavages and the resulting fragments may impact prion diseases as well as other neurodegenerative proteinopathies. Finally, we discuss the recently identified sheddase of PrPC, namely the metalloprotease ADAM10, with regard to therapeutic potential against neurodegenerative diseases.
Crack growth model for pipeline steels exposed to near‐neutral pH groundwater
Authors: Lu B. T.
Published: February 2013

This paper postulates a crack growth model for pipeline steels in near‐neutral pH soil environments, on the basis of the experimental results reported in literature and the fundamental understanding of the corrosion fatigue crack growth dominated by hydrogen embrittlement mechanism. The comparison with the laboratory data indicates that this model can provide reasonable predictions for the dependence of the crack growth rates on the stress intensity factor, stress ratio, loading frequency, solution pH and electrochemical potential.
Consumer ethnocentricity and preferences for wool products by country of origin and manufacture
Authors: Hustvedt Gwendolyn , Carroll Kathryn A. , Bernard John C.
Published: February 2013

Labelling on apparel products usually focuses on the country where manufacturing takes place, rather than where the raw materials were obtained. A choice experiment of consumers in three southern US states was conducted to determine preferences and marginal willingness to pay (mWTP) for wool blend sweaters based on fibre origin and country of manufacture. Fibre origin choices were Australia, US and US State, with the latter to investigate consumer interest in local over simply domestic. Manufacturing had two possibilities, US and China. Survey questions were used to determine an average consumer ethnocentric tendency (CET) score for each consumer, and a median split was used to place each into a High or Low CET group. Nested logit models were analysed for both groups, and mWTP estimates were computed from the coefficients. Both CET groups were willing to pay significant premiums for State‐produced wool over US wool, and for US wool over Australian wool. However, the Low CET group exhibited lower premiums for fibre origins than their High CET counterparts. Ethnocentric consumers, unlike Low CET consumers, were additionally willing to pay significant premiums for wool blend sweaters knitted in the US vs. those knitted in China. Results suggest that labelling fibre by State or by US origin may allow producers to obtain substantial premiums for their apparel products. Promotion of domestic manufacturing though may only be effective for a smaller set of consumers.
T‐cell subsets in the germinal center
Authors: Ramiscal Roybel R. , Vinuesa Carola G.
Published: February 2013

T cells are known to migrate to B‐cell‐enriched follicles and germinal centers within secondary lymphoid organs to provide help to B cells. Cognate T:B interactions that take place at the T:B border and subsequently within germinal centers are essential for B‐cell priming, differentiation into germinal center B cells, and selection of mutated cells into memory B cells or memory plasma cells. In recent years, different stages of maturation within B‐cell helper T cells, collectively known as B‐follicular helper T (Tfh) cells, as well as heterogeneity amid germinal center T cells are becoming clear. Indeed, germinal centers support not only bona fide Tfh cells but also CD4+ and CD8+ follicular regulatory T (Tfr) cells that act to suppress germinal center responses and B‐cell helper natural killer T cells. There is a growing need for more precise phenotypic and functional distinction of these specialized T‐cell subsets. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on the ontogeny, molecular identity, and functional relevance of the various subsets of germinal center T cells.
Early signaling events that underlie fate decisions of naive CD4+ T cells toward distinct T‐helper cell subsets
Authors: Yamane Hidehiro , Paul William E.
Published: February 2013

CD4+ T‐helper (Th) cells are a major cell population that play an important role in governing acquired immune responses to a variety of foreign antigens as well as inducing some types of autoimmune diseases. There are at least four distinct Th cell subsets (Th1, Th2, Th17, and inducible T‐regulatory cells), each of which has specialized functions to control immune responses. Each of these cell types emerge from naive CD4+ T cells after encounter with foreign antigens presented by dendritic cells (DCs). Each Th cell subset expresses a unique set of transcription factors and produces hallmark cytokines. Both T‐cell receptor (TCR)‐mediated stimulation and the cytokine environment created by activated CD4+ T cells themselves, by ‘partner’ DCs, and/or other cell types during the course of differentiation, play an important role in the fate decisions toward distinct Th subsets. Here, we review how TCR‐mediated signals in collaboration with the cytokine environment influence the fate decisions of naive CD4+ T cells toward distinct Th subsets at the early stages of activation. We also discuss the roles of TCR‐proximal signaling intermediates and of the Notch pathway in regulating the differentiation to distinct Th phenotypes.
The Th17 family: flexibility follows function
Authors: Basu Rajatava , Hatton Robin D. , Weaver Casey T.
Published: February 2013

Discovery of the T‐helper 17 (Th17) subset heralded a major shift in T‐cell biology and immune regulation. In addition to defining a new arm of the adaptive immune response, studies of the Th17 pathway have led to a greater appreciation of the developmental flexibility, or plasticity, that is a feature of T‐cell developmental programs. Since the initial finding that differentiation of Th17 cells is promoted by transforming growth factor‐β (TGFβ), it became clear that Th17 cell development overlapped that of induced regulatory T (iTreg) cells. Subsequent findings established that Th17 cells are also unusually flexible in their late developmental programming, demonstrating substantial overlap with conventional Th1 cells through mechanisms that are just beginning to be understood but would appear to have important implications for immunoregulation at homeostasis and in immune‐mediated diseases. Herein we examine the developmental and functional features of Th17 cells in relation to iTreg cells, Th1 cells, and Th22 cells, as a basis for understanding the contributions of this pathway to host defense, immune homeostasis, and immune‐mediated disease.
Helper T‐cell identity and evolution of differential transcriptomes and epigenomes
Authors: Vahedi Golnaz , C. Poholek Amanda , Hand Timothy W. , Laurence Arian , Kanno Yuka , O'Shea John J. , Hirahara Kiyoshi
Published: February 2013

CD4+ T cells are critical for the elimination of an immense array of microbial pathogens. Among the ways they accomplish this task is to generate progeny with specialized, characteristic patterns of gene expression. From this perspective, helper cells can be viewed as pluripotent precursors that adopt distinct cell fates. Although there are aspects of helper cell differentiation that can be modeled as a classic cell fate commitment, CD4+ T cells also maintain considerable flexibility in their transcriptional program. This makes sense in terms of host defense, but raises the question of how these remarkable cells balance both these requirements, a high degree of specific gene expression and the capacity for plasticity. In this review, we discuss recent advances in our understanding of CD4+ T‐cell specification, focusing on how genomic perspectives have influenced our views of these processes. The relative contributions of sensors of the cytokine milieu, especially the signal transducer and activator of transcription family transcription factors, ‘master regulators’, and other transcription factors are considered as they relate to the helper cell transcriptome and epigenome.
CD4+ T‐cell subsets in intestinal inflammation
Authors: Shale Matthew , Schiering Chris , Powrie Fiona
Published: February 2013

Intestinal CD4+ T cells are essential mediators of immune homeostasis and inflammation. Multiple subsets of CD4+ T cells have been described in the intestine, which represents an important site for the generation and regulation of cells involved in immune responses both within and outside of the gastrointestinal tract. Recent advances have furthered our understanding of the biology of such cells in the intestine. Appreciation of the functional roles for effector and regulatory populations in health and disease has revealed potential translational targets for the treatment of intestinal diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease. Furthermore, the role of dietary and microbiota‐derived factors in shaping the intestinal CD4+ T‐cell compartment is becoming increasingly understood. Here, we review recent advances in understanding the multifaceted roles of CD4+ T cells in intestinal immunity.
Aquatic dermatology: encounters with the denizens of the deep (and not so deep) – a review. Part II: the vertebrates, single‐celled organisms, and aquatic biotoxins
Authors: Ottuso Patrick
Published: February 2013

Numerous aquatic vertebrate species are known to cause cutaneous injury. While many of the injuries occur in regions that harbor such organisms, with the ability of people to travel long distances in short periods of time, these injuries may be seen worldwide. Also, with the increasing tendency of people to keep home aquariums, these injuries may occur anywhere. The majority of such injuries are minor and most go unreported. Some, however may be associated with morbidity and loss of life. Along with such injuries comes the potential for infection by bacteria, algae, or fungi. Some of these organisms are ubiquitous, others are specific to the aquatic environment. Toxins may be transferred from the offending organisms into the wound. Interestingly, some of these same toxins may be beneficial to treating some disease states in man.
Effects of isotretinoin on serum vitamin E levels in patients with acne
Authors: Aktürk Aysun Şikar , Güzel Savaş , Bulca Songül , Demirsoy Evren Odyakmaz , Bayramgürler Dilek , Bilen Nilgün , Kıran Rebiay
Published: February 2013

Anecdotal reports suggest that using retinoids with vitamin E leads to improvements of some side effects due to isotretinoin. However, vitamin E blood levels have not been reported previously in patients with acne treated with isotretinoin. We aimed to investigate the serum vitamin E levels before and after isotretinoin therapy in patients with acne. A total of 70 patients treated with isotretinoin for acne in our dermatology department were included in this study. The serum vitamin E levels were measured as baseline before isotretinoin treatment. All patients received 0.6–0.8 mg/kg/d isotretinoin. The treatment was finished within 5–7 months while ensuring that the cumulative dose was 120 mg/kg. Serum vitamin E levels were measured again in the last month of treatment. The mean serum vitamin E levels before and after treatment were compared. Forty‐six patients completed the study. It was detected that the mean serum vitamin E level was 20.22 mg/dl before isotretinoin treatment. In the last month of treatment, the mean serum vitamin E level was 16.24 mg/dl. Serum vitamin E levels decreased in all patients except three. The mean serum vitamin E level after treatment was statistically decreased in comparison with the mean serum vitamin E level before treatment. Our results showed that vitamin E levels decreased during isotretinoin treatment. We considered that some of the side effects due to isotretinoin treatment might be related to this, and supplementation vitamin E may be useful during isotretinoin treatment.
Follicular cutaneous larva migrans: a report of three cases and review of the literature
Authors: Veraldi Stefano , Persico Maria Chiara , Francia Claudia , Nazzaro Gianluca , Gianotti Raffaele
Published: February 2013

Background

Hookworm‐related cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) is characterized clinically by erythematous and slightly raised tracks, located especially on the feet. These tracks may be single or multiple, linear or serpiginous, more or less ramified and intertwined. The length is variable (up to many cm); the width ranges from 1 mm to 4 mm. Tracks are often accompanied by severe pruritus.

Methods

Three adult Caucasian patients recently returned from trips to Malaysia and Thailand, presented with follicular CLM. The disease was characterized clinically by follicular, erythematous, small papules that were sometimes topped with vesicles or pustules, located on the buttocks. Pruritus was severe.

Results

Histopathological examinations revealed a perifollicular infiltrate predominantly consisting of lymphocytes and eosinophils. All patients were successfully treated with oral albendazole (400 mg/day for seven days). In the first patient, two courses were necessary.

Conclusions

Dermatologists should be aware of the existence of this rare and atypical, although emerging, clinical presentation of hookworm‐related CLM.
De la Taille's Mysterium Fidei: Eucharistic Sacrifice and Nouvelle
Théologie
Authors: Matthiesen Michon M.
Published: February 2013

Maurice de la Taille's Mysterium Fidei (1921)
was, as one of its reviewers remarked, a veritable ‘theological event’, both
in terms of its methodology and its overturning of post-Tridentine theology
on eucharistic sacrifice. De la Taille's work has been long overlooked in
the history of theology in the early twentieth century. The paper
demonstrates that de la Taille's work on the Eucharist proves an early
example of nouvelle théologie and a catalyst for the the liturgical
movement. Conciliar and pre-Conciliar documents presuppose his
Mysterium Fidei. Through the retrieval of a
patristic and medieval teaching about sacrificial oblation, de la Taille
disperses the web of immolationist theories about the sacrifice of the Mass
that had dominated baroque and early modern theology.
Comparative biogeography of echinoids, bivalves and gastropods from the Southern Ocean
Authors: Pierrat Benjamin , Saucède Thomas , Brayard Arnaud , David Bruno
Published: February 2013

Aim

Biogeographical patterns within three classes, the Echinoidea, Bivalvia and Gastropoda, were investigated in Antarctic, sub‐Antarctic and cold‐temperate areas based on species occurrence data. Faunal similarities among regions were analysed to: (1) test the robustness of the biogeographical patterns previously identified in bivalves and gastropods; (2) compare them with the biogeographical patterns identified for echinoids; and (3) evaluate the reliability of the biogeographical provinces previously proposed, depending on the taxa and taxonomic levels analysed.

Location

The Southern Ocean, sub‐Antarctic islands and cold‐temperate areas south of 45° S latitude at depths of < 1000 m.

Methods

Taxonomic similarities among 14 bioregions were analysed using a non‐hierarchical clustering method, the bootstrapped spanning network (BSN) procedure. Taxonomic similarities were analysed within the three classes at species and genus levels.

Results

The previously identified large‐scale biogeographical entities are clarified. Echinoid and bivalve faunas are structured mainly according to three faunal provinces: (1) New Zealand, (2) southern South America and sub‐Antarctic islands, and (3) Antarctica. Gastropod faunas group into five provinces: (1) New Zealand, (2) southern South America, (3) east sub‐Antarctic islands, (4) West Antarctica, and (5) East Antarctica. Strong faunal relationships between bioregions perfectly match the flows of the Antarctic Circumpolar and Antarctic Coastal currents. Moreover, the legacy of the climatic and palaeoceanographic history of Antarctica is revealed by trans‐Antarctic faunal affinities, thereby strongly supporting hypotheses of past marine seaways that would have connected both the Amundsen–Bellingshausen area to the Weddell Sea and the Weddell Sea to the Ross Sea.

Main conclusions

A significant advantage of the BSN procedure lies in the possibility of identifying both biogeographical groupings and transitional areas; that is, both strong connections and groupings between bioregions. The method has also proved to be efficient for identifying potential faunal exchange pathways and dispersal routes, both present and past, by fitting networks to oceanographic and palaeogeographical maps.
Tumor necrosis factor receptor‐associated factor 5 is an essential mediator of ischemic brain infarction
Authors: Wang Lang , Lu Yanyun , Guan Hongjing , Jiang Dingsheng , Guan Yu , Zhang Xin , Nakano Hiroyasu , Zhou Yan , Zhang Yan , Yang Li , Li Hongliang
Published: February 2013

Tumor necrosis factor receptor‐associated factor 5 (TRAF5) is an adaptor protein of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily and the interleukin‐1 receptor/Toll‐like receptor superfamily and plays important roles in regulating multiple signaling pathways. This study was conducted to investigate the role of TRAF5 in the context of brain ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery was performed on TRAF5 knockout mice (KO), neuron‐specific TRAF5 transgene (TG), and the appropriate controls. Compared with the WT mice, the TRAF5 KO mice showed lower infarct volumes and better outcomes in the neurological tests. A low neuronal apoptosis level, an attenuated blood‐brain barrier (BBB) disruption and an inhibited inflammatory response were exhibited in TRAF5 KO mice. TRAF5 TG mice exhibited an opposite phenotype. Moreover, the Akt/FoxO1 signaling pathway was enhanced in the ischemic brains of the TRAF5 KO mice. These results provide the first demonstration that TRAF5 is a critical mediator of I/R injury in an experimental stroke model. The Akt /FoxO1 signaling pathway probably plays an important role in the biological function of TRAF5 in this model.
The isolectin IB4 binds RET receptor tyrosine kinase in microglia
Authors: Boscia Francesca , Esposito Carla Lucia , Casamassa Antonella , de Franciscis Vittorio , Annunziato Lucio , Cerchia Laura
Published: February 2013

Ret receptor tyrosine kinase is the signaling component of the receptor complex for the family ligands of the glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). Ret is involved in the development of enteric nervous system, of sympathetic, parasympathetic, motor and sensory neurons, and it is necessary for the post‐natal maintenance of dopaminergic neurons. Ret expression has been as well demonstrated on microglia and several evidence indicate that GDNF regulates not only neuronal survival and maturation but also certain functions of microglia in the brain. Here, we demonstrated that the plant lectin Griffonia (Bandeiraea) simplicifolia lectin I, isolectin B4 (IB4), commonly used as a microglial marker in the brain, binds to the glycosylated extracellular domain of Ret on the surface of living NIH3T3 fibroblasts cells stably transfected with Ret as well as in adult rat brain as revealed by immunoblotting. Furthermore, confocal immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated a clear overlap in staining between pRet and IB4 in primary microglia cultures as well as in adult rat sections obtained from control or post‐ischemic brain after permanent middle artery occlusion (pMCAO). Interestingly, IB4 staining identified activated or ameboid Ret‐expressing microglia under ischemic conditions. Collectively, our data indicate Ret receptor as one of the IB4‐reactive glycoconjugate accounting for the IB4 stain in microglia under physiological and ischemic conditions.
Challenges in mental health nursing: working in institutional or community settings?
Authors: Farmakas A. , Papastavrou E. , Siskou O. , Karayiannis G. , Theodorou M.
Published: February 2013

Accessible summary

The work environment is an important factor for the delivery of safe and quality care and the retention of healthcare professionals.

Mental health nurses working in institutions perceive professional environment more negatively when compared with those working in the community.

Perceptions of work motivation, leadership and autonomy are lower when nurses work in psychiatric institutions.

More research to investigate the reasons why these weaknesses appear in the working environment is needed.

Professional environments likely affect patient safety, quality of care provided, and nurses' satisfaction and retention. The aim of this study was to explore mental health nurses' perceptions of their professional practice environment and examine differences in perceptions between nurses working at institutions and those practising in community care. The methodology used was descriptive and comparative. The sample consisted of 248 mental health nurses working within the public sector (76% response rate) drawn from a psychiatric hospital (n = 163) and community settings (n = 85). We administered the Revised Professional Practice Environment (RPPE) questionnaire. Comparisons of the two groups were made using eight subscales of the RPPE. The results indicated that mental health nurses' ratings of their practice environment were slightly positive (M = 2.69; range = 1–4). Nurses working in a psychiatric hospital perceived the professional practice environment more negatively (M = 2.66) than their colleagues in community care (M = 2.73). A t‐test comparison revealed statistically significant differences between the two groups within subcategories of work motivation (P = 0.04) and leadership and autonomy (P = 0.03). Nurses working in the community gave higher ratings in comparison with their colleagues working in institutional settings. In conclusions, an in‐depth analysis of differences in practice environments is required to define causes of these differences and how they might influence nurses' abilities to provide quality care.