bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of corilagin on alleviating cholestasis via farnesoid X receptor‐associated pathways in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Yang Fan , Wang Yao , Li Gang , Xue Juan , Chen Zhi‐Lin , Jin Feng , Luo Lei , Zhou Xuan , Ma Qian , Cai Xin , Li Hua‐Rong , Zhao Lei 
Published: December 2017

Background and PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate the ameliorative effects of corilagin on intrahepatic cholestasis induced by regulating liver farnesoid X receptor (FXR)‐associated pathways in vitro and in vivo.Experimental ApproachCellular and animal models were treated with different concentrations of corilagin. In the cellular experiments, FXR expression was up‐regulated by either lentiviral transduction or GW4064 treatment and down‐regulated by either siRNA technology or treatment with guggulsterones. Real‐time PCR and Western blotting were employed to detect the mRNA and protein levels of FXR, SHP1, SHP2, UGT2B4, BSEP, CYP7A1, CYP7B1, NTCP, MRP2 and SULT2A1. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the expression of BSEP in liver tissues. Rat liver function and pathological changes in hepatic tissue were assessed using biochemical tests and haematoxylin and eosin staining.ResultsCorilagin increased the mRNA and protein levels of FXR, SHP1, SHP2, UGT2B4, BSEP, MRP2 and SULT2A1, and decreased those of CYP7A1, CYP7B1 and NTCP. After either up‐ or down‐regulating FXR using different methods, corilagin could still increase the mRNA and protein levels of FXR, SHP1, SHP2, UGT2B4, BSEP, MRP2 and SULT2A1 and decrease the protein levels of CYP7A1, CYP7B1 and NTCP, especially when administered at a high concentration. Corilagin also exerted a notable effect on the pathological manifestations of intrahepatic cholestasis, BSEP staining in liver tissues and liver function.Conclusions and ImplicationsCorilagin exerts a protective effect in hepatocytes and can prevent the deleterious activities of intrahepatic cholestasis by stimulating FXR‐associated pathways.
The South African universal preschool year: a case study of policy development and implementation
Authors: Richter L. , Samuels M.‐L. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundSouth Africa is the first sub‐Saharan African country to legislate, fund and implement free preschool education. Human rights and restitution were at the forefront of the political struggle for democracy in South Africa. Levelling the playing fields by improving the school readiness of children disadvantaged by the racist policies of Apartheid is essential to the transformation of South African society.MethodsA review of published and unpublished documents on Grade R was undertaken, and access and enrolment data come from the National Department of Basic Education's Education Management Information System (EMIS).ResultsA decade after initiation in 2005, 79% of 5‐year‐olds was enrolled in a preschool class; the vast majority of them in free public schools. Grade R is near universal and on track to becoming compulsory. It is part of the Foundation Phase (Grades 1–3) of schooling, falling under the Department of Basic Education, but also part of a broader national strategy to improve early child development under the direction of an Inter‐Departmental Steering. Evaluations demonstrate wide access to Grade R and high uptake, especially in the poorest areas. However, the quality of Grade R provision in these areas is not up to standard because of low levels of funding; inadequate training, supervision, remuneration and retention of Grade R teachers; insufficient learner support materials; and inadequate monitoring and quality assurance.ConclusionsLack of quality, amongst other factors, contributes to a widening school performance gap between children from more and less privileged areas. Quality of Grade R as well as earlier learning and subsequent years of schooling must be improved to achieve South Africa's aim to reduce poverty and inequality through, amongst others, parent and family involvement, learning in the home and preschool preparation.
Scaling up child development centres in Bangladesh
Authors: Khan N. Z. , Sultana R. , Ahmed F. , Shilpi A. B. , Sultana N. , Darmstadt G. L. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundChild Development Centres (CDCs) have been established within government medical college tertiary hospitals across Bangladesh. Services entail a parent–professional partnership in a child and family friendly environment with a focus on assessment, diagnosis, and management of a range of neurodevelopmental disorders in children and adolescents 0–16 years of age. Services are provided by a multidisciplinary team of professionals (child health physician, child psychologist, and developmental therapist) who emphasize quality of services over the numbers of children seen.MethodsIn 2008, Dhaka Shishu (Children's) Hospital was given the mandate by the government to conceptualize, train, and monitor CDCs nationwide. Here, we describe the rationale and processes for the establishment of the national network of CDCs and discuss lessons learned on scaling up early childhood development services in a low resource setting.ResultsFifteen CDCs were established in major government hospitals across Bangladesh and have recorded 208,866 patient visits. The majority (79%) of children were from the lowest and middle‐income families, and about one third (30%) were < 2 years of age at first presentation. Two thirds of children seen in follow‐up demonstrated improvements in functional skills since their first visit, 77% in their adaptive behaviour (i.e., activities of daily living) and 70% in cognitive functions.ConclusionsCDCs are expanding coverage for child neurodevelopment services across Bangladesh through a tiered system of home‐based screening, community‐ and clinic‐based functional assessment, and CDC‐based diagnosis, support, and referral. Vulnerable populations—the lowest income groups and younger children—comprised the majority of patients, among whom there is high unmet need for psychological services that is being met for the first time. Innovative human resource development, including a 3‐month training for the multidisciplinary teams, enabled wide coverage for assessment and diagnosis of a range of neurodevelopmental problems. Demand for services is growing, especially among non‐government and private hospitals.
Immune cells regulate VEGF signalling via release of VEGF and antagonistic soluble VEGF receptor-1
Authors: Hoeres T , Wilhelm M , Smetak M , Holzmann E , Schulze-Tanzil G , Birkmann J 
Published: December 2017

Summary
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important regulator of physiological and pathological angiogenesis. Besides malignant and stromal cells, local immune cells shape VEGF signalling in the tumour microenvironment. Aminobisphosphonates such as zoledronic acid (Zol) are drugs known to inhibit osteoclast activity and bone resorption, but also have immunomodulatory and anti-tumour effects. These properties have been linked previously to the down-regulation of VEGF and interference with tumour neo-angiogenesis. It was therefore surprising to find that treatment with Zol in combination with low-dose interleukin (IL)-2 increased serum VEGF levels in cancer patients. In this study we aimed to characterize the effect of Zol and IL-2 on VEGF signalling of blood-derived immune cells in vitro. Upon stimulation with IL-2, T cells and natural killer (NK) cells increase production of VEGF consecutively to the release of proinflammatory interferon (IFN)-γ, and Zol accelerates this response specifically in γδ T cells. VEGF can, in turn, be antagonized by soluble VEGF receptor (sVEGFR)-1, which is released depending on stimulatory conditions and the presence of monocytes. Additionally, malignant cells represented by leukaemia and lymphoma cell lines produce VEGF and some release sVEGFR-1 simultaneously. Our findings indicate a mechanism by which the VEGF and the sVEGFR-1 production by immune cells regulates local VEGF signalling. Therefore, immunotherapeutic interventions may enable both pro- as well as anti-tumour effects via immune cell-mediated alterations of VEGF homeostasis.
Contrasting above‐ and belowground organic matter decomposition and carbon and nitrogen dynamics in response to warming in High Arctic tundra
Authors: Blok Daan , Faucherre Samuel , Banyasz Imre , Rinnan Riikka , Michelsen Anders , Elberling Bo 
Published: December 2017

AbstractTundra regions are projected to warm rapidly during the coming decades. The tundra biome holds the largest terrestrial carbon pool, largely contained in frozen permafrost soils. With warming, these permafrost soils may thaw and become available for microbial decomposition, potentially providing a positive feedback to global warming. Warming may directly stimulate microbial metabolism but may also indirectly stimulate organic matter turnover through increased plant productivity by soil priming from root exudates and accelerated litter turnover rates. Here, we assess the impacts of experimental warming on turnover rates of leaf litter, active layer soil and thawed permafrost sediment in two high‐arctic tundra heath sites in NE‐Greenland, either dominated by evergreen or deciduous shrubs. We incubated shrub leaf litter on the surface of control and warmed plots for 1 and 2 years. Active layer soil was collected from the plots to assess the effects of 8 years of field warming on soil carbon stocks. Finally, we incubated open cores filled with newly thawed permafrost soil for 2 years in the active layer of the same plots. After field incubation, we measured basal respiration rates of recovered thawed permafrost cores in the lab. Warming significantly reduced litter mass loss by 26% after 1 year incubation, but differences in litter mass loss among treatments disappeared after 2 years incubation. Warming also reduced litter nitrogen mineralization and decreased the litter carbon to nitrogen ratio. Active layer soil carbon stocks were reduced 15% by warming, while soil dissolved nitrogen was reduced by half in warmed plots. Warming had a positive legacy effect on carbon turnover rates in thawed permafrost cores, with 10% higher respiration rates measured in cores from warmed plots. These results demonstrate that warming may have contrasting effects on above‐ and belowground tundra carbon turnover, possibly governed by microbial resource availability.
Three‐Dimensional Static Articulation Accuracy of Virtual Models – Part I: System Trueness and Precision
Authors: Yee Sophia Hui Xin , Esguerra Roxanna Jean , Chew Amelia Anya Qin'An , Wong Keng Mun , Tan Keson Beng Choon 
Published: December 2017

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate the 3D static articulation accuracy of 3 model scanner‐CAD systems (Ceramill Map400 [AG], inEos X5 [SIR], Scanner S600 Arti [ZKN]) using a coordinate measuring machine (CMM). Trueness and precision for each system will be reported in Part I.Materials and MethodsThe master model simulated a single crown opposing a 3‐unit fixed dental prosthesis. Five mounted stone cast sets were prepared, and one set was randomly selected. Reference values were obtained by measuring interarch and interocclusal reference features with the CMM. The stone cast set was scanned 5 times consecutively and articulated virtually with each system (3 test groups, n = 5). STL files of the virtual models were measured with CMM software. dRR, dRC, and dRL, represented interarch global distortions at right, central, and left sides, respectively, while dRM, dXM, dYM, and dZM represented interocclusal global and linear distortions between preparations.ResultsFor trueness values, mean interarch global distortions ranged from 13.1 to 40.3 μm for dRR, –199.0 to –48.1 μm for dRC, and –114.1 to –47.7 μm for dRL. Mean percentage error of interarch distortion did not exceed 0.6%. Mean interocclusal distortions ranged from 16.0 to 117.0 μm for dRM, ‐33.1 to 101.3 μm for dXM, 32.9 to 49.9 μm for dYM and –32.0 to 133.1 μm for dZM. ANOVA of trueness found statistically significant differences for dRC, dRL, dRM, dXM, and dZM. For precision values, absolute mean difference between the 10 superimposition combinations ranged from 25.3 to 91.0 μm for dRR, 21.5 to 85.5 μm for dRC, 24.8 to 70.0 μm for dRL. Absolute mean difference ranged from 49.9 to 66.1 μm for dRM, 20.7 to 92.1 μm for dXM, 86.8 to 96.0 μm for dYM, and 36.5 to 100.0 μm for dZM. ANOVA of precision of all test groups found statistically significant differences for dRR, dRC, dRL, dXM and dZM, and the SIR group was the least precise.ConclusionThe overall interarch global distortion of all three model scanner‐CAD systems was low and did not exceed 0.6%. Variations in scanner technology, virtual articulation algorithm, and use of physical articulators contributed to the differences in distortion observed among all three groups.
The Effect of Surface Treatment on Shear Bond Strength between Y‐TZP and Veneer Ceramic: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: de Mello Caroline Cantieri , Bitencourt Sandro Basso , dos Santos Daniela Micheline , Pesqueira Aldiéris Alves , Pellizzer Eduardo Piza , Goiato Marcelo Coelho 
Published: December 2017

AbstractPurposeThe objective of this systematic review with meta‐analysis was to evaluate surface treatment in yttria‐stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal ceramic (Y‐TZP) on the shear bond strength (SBS) values between Y‐TZP (core ceramic) and veneer ceramic, compared to untreated specimens.Materials and MethodsThis review was registered at PROSPERO platform under the number CRD42016036493. The systematic review of the extracted publications was performed to compare the effect of surface treatment on SBS between Y‐TZP ceramic and veneering ceramic. A comprehensive review of the literature from the earliest available dates through January 2017 was performed in the PubMed/Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases.ResultsA total of 15 studies were identified for the inclusion of data, with only in vitro studies. A random‐effect model found statistically significant differences between untreated and treated surfaces of Y‐TZP (p < 0.00001; MD: 2.84; 95% CI: 2.19 to 3.49). In another analysis, a random‐effect model found statistically significant differences between the groups that only performed the associations of treatments and control group (p < 0.00001; MD: 3.19; 95% CI: 2.11 to 4.28).ConclusionsSurface treatment in Y‐TZP improved the values of SBS between the Y‐TZP and veneer ceramic. The associations between two or more treatments also showed positive effect on the bond strength due the cumulative effect of the treatments.
Porcine intestinal yeast species, Kazachstania slooffiae, a new potential protein source with favourable amino acid composition for animals
Authors: Urubschurov V. , Büsing K. , Souffrant W.‐B. , Schauer N. , Zeyner A. 
Published: December 2017

SummaryThere is little information about Kazachstania slooffiae which dominates among other yeasts in the pigs’ intestine. Therefore, the aims of this study were to characterise the yeast cell contents and to investigate which nitrogen sources, organic acids and alcohols may be utilised or produced by this species. The results showed that, K. slooffiae could use urea, ammonium sulphate, peptides and single amino acids and produce thereby ethanol and formic acid. However, this yeast did not metabolise amino acids, lactic, butyric, propionic and acetic acids as sole carbon source. Using a global metabolite profiling approach employing gas chromatography and high‐resolution liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, was found that the amount of peptides and dehydroascorbic acid considerably increased in the fermentation residues after yeast cultivation. It is noteworthy that the cells of K. slooffiae had higher contents of nitrogen and total amino acids (especially lysine) than the cells of nutritional yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). This study indicates that due to potential production of peptides and formic acid in the intestinal tract, K. slooffiae might have an impact on the gut health. Moreover, from a nutritional standpoint, the cells of this yeast can be a good source of protein with useful amino acid composition for animal.
Experiences of Singapore nurses as second victims: A qualitative study
Authors: Chan Shi Teng , Khong Betty Peck Chui , Pei Lin Tan Lynnette , He Hong‐Gu , Wang Wenru 
Published: December 2017

AbstractNurses, like other healthcare professionals, such as physicians, pharmacists, and therapists, are susceptible to unanticipated patient harm, in which they suffer as second victims due to the immense personal and professional impact from the adverse event. The aim of the present study was to explore the psychological responses, coping strategies, and support needs of Singapore nurses as second victims of adverse events. A descriptive qualitative study was adopted. Eight participants (6 women and 2 men) who had been involved in an adverse event were interviewed and audio‐recorded. Thematic analysis was performed to analyze the data. Seven themes emerged from the thematic analysis: responding psychologically after the event, feeling others’ prejudice, having intrusive thoughts, drawing valuable lessons from the event, coping to recover after the event, taking responsibility for the mistakes made, and finding self‐identity. The harmful effects of adverse events on nurses are long lasting. Second‐victim nurses adopted various coping strategies to recover. The findings from the present study will guide the development of effective second‐victim support programs.
Mobility and resource use influence the occurrence of pollinating insects in restored seminatural grassland fragments
Authors: Öckinger Erik , Winsa Marie , Roberts Stuart P. M. , Bommarco Riccardo 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAfter habitat restoration, species need to recolonize from existing populations. The ability of species to recolonize restored habitats likely depends on their traits. This study aimed to test if species traits and isolation from source habitat can explain the presence of insects in restored grasslands. We surveyed the occurrence of hoverflies and bees in 14 restored seminatural pastures as well as in intact seminatural grasslands in the surrounding landscape. We tested how connectivity, time since restoration, and species traits influence if species that are present in the surrounding landscape also occur in restored pastures. Solitary bee species present in the landscape were less likely to occur in restored pastures compared to bumblebees and hoverflies. The occurrence of bumblebees, but not solitary bees or hoverflies, decreased with time since restoration. The occurrence of solitary bees increased but the occurrence of hoverflies decreased with high connectivity. Migratory hoverflies were more likely to occur in restored pastures than nonmigratory hoverflies, especially in pastures with low connectivity. Among both bumblebees and solitary bees, the occurrence was influenced by nesting traits, with the lowest occurrence of parasitic species and of species digging nests in the ground. The subset of the landscape's species pool that occurs in restored pastures has a contrasting set of traits compared with species in intact source habitats. Both mobility and resource use act as filters that influence the assembly of pollinator communities after restoration. A full recovery of pollinator communities is more likely if source populations are available nearby.
Dating palaeo‐seismic faulting in the Taiwan Mountain Belt
Authors: Chen Chih‐Tung , Wu Chieh‐Yu , Lo Ching‐Hua , Chu Hao‐Tsu , Yui Tzen‐Fu 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIn‐situ 40Ar/39Ar laser microprobe dating was carried out on the Hoping pseudotachylite from a mylonite‐fault zone in the metamorphosed basement complex of the active Taiwan Mountain Belt to determine the timing of the responsible earthquake(s). The dating results, distributed from 3.2 to 1.6 Ma with errors ranging from 0.2 to 1.1 Ma, were derived from a combination of two Ar isotopic system end‐members with inverse isochron ages of 1.55 ± 0.05 and 2.87 ± 0.07 Ma, respectively. Petrographical observations reveal fault melt containing ultracataclasites, therefore the older inverse isochron end‐member may be attributed to the relic wall rock Ar isotopic system contained in micro‐breccia. Without significant Ar loss expected, the ~1.6 Ma for the young end‐member defines the exact time of the pseudotachylite formation. Seismic faulting therefore occurred during basement rock exhumation in the Taiwanese hinterland.
Detection and genetic characterization of diverse Bartonella genotypes in the small mammals of Singapore
Authors: Neves E. S. , Mendenhall I. H. , Borthwick S. A. , Su Y. C. F. , Smith G. J. D. 
Published: December 2017

SummaryBartonella species are arthropod‐borne bacterial pathogens that infect numerous mammalian species. Small mammals play an important role as natural reservoirs of many Bartonella species, maintaining the greatest diversity of Bartonella described to date. Although Bartonella research has been conducted in Southeast Asia, no studies have been undertaken on small mammals in Singapore. Here, we report the detection and description of Bartonella in small mammals in Singapore during the period of November 2011 to May 2014. BartonellaDNA was detected in 20.8% (22/106) of small mammal spleens with a PCR amplifying the beta subunit of bacterial RNA polymerase (rpoB) gene. Commensal species Rattus norvegicus and Rattus tanezumi had the highest prevalence, 75% (3/4) and 34,5% (10/29), followed by Suncus murinus 30% (6/20), Tupaia glis 16,7% (1/6) and Mus castaneus 13.3% (2/15). Phylogenetic analysis of 18 rpoB gene sequences revealed five Bartonella genotypes circulating in the small mammals of Singapore. Bayesian tip‐significance testing demonstrated strong structuring in the geographical signal, indicating that distribution of Bartonella species is correlated to the distribution of their hosts. Major deforestation and fragmentation in Singapore favour synanthropic species that traverse habitats and increase the possibility of spillover to incidental hosts.