bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preventative role of interleukin-17 producing regulatory T helper type 17 (Treg17) cells in type 1 diabetes in non-obese diabetic mice
Authors: Bellemore S M , Nikoopour E , Schwartz J A , Krougly O , Lee-Chan E , Singh B 
Published: August 2015

Summary
T helper type 17 (Th17) cells have been shown to be pathogenic in autoimmune diseases; however, their role in type 1 diabetes (T1D) remains inconclusive. We have found that Th17 differentiation of CD4+ T cells from BDC2·5 T cell receptor transgenic non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice can be driven by interleukin (IL)-23 + IL-6 to produce large amounts of IL-22, and these cells induce T1D in young NOD mice upon adoptive transfer. Conversely, polarizing these cells with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β + IL-6 led to non-diabetogenic regulatory Th17 (Treg17) cells that express high levels of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and IL-10 but produced much reduced levels of IL-22. The diabetogenic potential of these Th17 subsets was assessed by adoptive transfer studies in young NOD mice and not NOD.severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice to prevent possible transdifferentiation of these cells in vivo. Based upon our results, we suggest that both pathogenic Th17 cells and non-pathogenic regulatory Treg17 cells can be generated from CD4+ T cells under appropriate polarization conditions. This may explain the contradictory role of Th17 cells in T1D. The IL-17 producing Treg17 cells offer a novel regulatory T cell population for the modulation of autoimmunity.
An overview of programmes offered by shelters for street children inSouthAfrica
Authors: Mokomane Zitha , Makoae Mokhantšo 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThis paper reports part of the findings from a 2014 audit of shelters for street children conducted in four provinces ofSouthAfrica. The paper focuses on the assessment of the types, structure and implementation of the programmes, as well as on the adequacy of resources necessary for implementing the programmes. The overall picture that emerged from the assessment was that all shelters draw on a comprehensive and enabling legislative and policy framework to offer some elements of developmental, therapeutic and recreational programmes at the early intervention level. Overall, however, the implementation of the programmes does not effectively take into consideration the varied and interconnected factors that, within and across multiple social systems, impel children to the streets. It was thus apparent that the programmes do not adequately address the risks and opportunities of street children inSouthAfrica, specifically within the eco‐developmental framework. Recommendations are offered for social work policy and practice to further enhance the quality and impact of programmes offered in the shelters.
Porphyromonas gingivalis biofilm formation in different titanium surfaces, an in vitro study
Authors: Di Giulio Mara , Traini Tonino , Sinjari Bruna , Nostro Antonia , Caputi Sergio , Cellini Luigina 
Published: August 2015

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this work was to evaluate the biofilm formation of Porphyromonas gingivalis on disks of titanium (Ti) grade 4 (G4) and Ti‐6Al‐4V alloy grade 5 (G5) with different surface topographies.Materials and methodsPorphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 33277 was used to develop an in vitro mature biofilm on a total of 96 disk‐shaped specimens of laser‐treated (L), sandblasted (S), and machined (M) surfaces of Ti G4 and Ti G5. Surface roughness (Ra) and the wettability contact angle (WCA) were measured to characterize the surface of the specimens. The bacterial biofilm was evaluated by biomass quantification, bacterial viability, visualization of the biofilm extracellular matrix, and bacterial cell count. Data were analyzed using one‐way ANOVA and Holm–Sidak tests and expressed as mean ± standard deviation.ResultsThe Ra for the L group was 0.10 (±0.07) μm inside the craters and 0.40 (±0.08) μm in the area surrounding the craters resulting the smoothest (P < 0.05) in respect to the S group (1.30 ± 0.61 μm) and the M group (0.75 ± 0.23 μm). The L group showed a higher WCA than S and M groups for both G4 (109.9° ± 6.6) and G5 (104.2° ± 5.9) materials (P < 0.05). The L group displayed both the less P. gingivalis bacterial biomass (0.38 ± 0.01 for G4; 0.62 ± 0.02 for G5) that was significant in respect to G4‐S (P < 0.001), G4‐M (P < 0.001), and G5‐M (P = 0.001) and the less total cell number (215 ± 18 for G4 and 244 ± 9 for G5) than S and M groups for both G4 and G5 materials (P < 0.01).ConclusionWithin the limits of the present study, the results showed that G4‐L appears to be significantly efficient in the reduction of the P. gingivalis biofilm formation.
A new device for improving dental implants anchorage: a histological and micro‐computed tomography study in the rabbit
Authors: Barak Shlomo , Neuman Moshe , Iezzi Giovanna , Piattelli Adriano , Perrotti Vittoria , Gabet Yankel 
Published: August 2015

AbstractObjectiveIn the present study, a new healing cap that could generate a pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) around titanium implants to stimulate peri‐implant osteogenesis was tested in the rabbit model.Materials and methodsA total of 22 implants were inserted in the proximal tibial metaphysis of 22 rabbits. A healing cap containing the active device was inserted in half of the implants (11 test implants); an “empty” healing cap was inserted in the other ones (11 control implants). The animals were euthanized after 2 and 4 weeks, and the samples were processed for micro‐computed tomography and histology. The peri‐implant volume was divided into coronal (where the PEMF was the strongest) and apical regions.ResultsMost of the effects of the tested device were confined to the coronal region. Two weeks post‐implantation, test implants showed a significant 56% higher trabecular bone fraction (BV/TV), associated with enhanced trabecular number (Tb.N, +37%) and connectivity density (Conn.D, +73%) as compared to the control group; at 4 weeks, the PEMF induced a 69% increase in BV/TV and 34% increase of Tb.N. There was no difference in the trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) at either time point. Furthermore, we observed a 48% higher bone‐to‐implant contact (BIC) in the test implants vs. controls after 2 weeks; this increase tended to remain stable until the fourth week. Mature trabecular and woven bone were observed in direct contact with the implant surface with no gaps or connective tissue at the bone‐implant interface.ConclusionsThese results indicate that the PEMF device stimulated early bone formation around dental implants resulting in higher peri‐implant BIC and bone mass already after 2 weeks which suggests an acceleration of the osseointegration process by more than three times.
E‐commerce trade in invasive plants
Authors: Humair Franziska , Humair Luc , Kuhn Fabian , Kueffer Christoph 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBiological invasions are a major concern in conservation, especially because global transport of species is still increasing rapidly. Conservationists hope to anticipate and thus prevent future invasions by identifying and regulating potentially invasive species through species risk assessments and international trade regulations. Among many introduction pathways of non‐native species, horticulture is a particularly important driver of plant invasions. In recent decades, the horticultural industry expanded globally and changed structurally through the emergence of new distribution channels, including internet trade (e‐commerce). Using an automated search algorithm, we surveyed, on a daily basis, e‐commerce trade on 10 major online auction sites (including eBay) of approximately three‐fifths of the world's spermatophyte flora. Many recognized invasive plant species (>500 species) (i.e., species associated with ecological or socio‐economic problems) were traded daily worldwide on the internet. A markedly higher proportion of invasive than non‐invasive species were available online. Typically, for a particular plant family, 30–80% of recognized invasive species were detected on an auction site, but only a few percentages of all species in the plant family were detected on a site. Families that were more traded had a higher proportion of invasive species than families that were less traded. For woody species, there was a significant positive relationship between the number of regions where a species was sold and the number of regions where it was invasive. Our results indicate that biosecurity is not effectively regulating online plant trade. In the future, automated monitoring of e‐commerce may help prevent the spread of invasive species, provide information on emerging trade connectivity across national borders, and be used in horizon scanning exercises for early detection of new species and their geographic source areas in international trade.
Hypoglycaemia in adults with insulin‐treated diabetes in the UK: self‐reported frequency and effects
Authors: Frier B. M. , Jensen M. M. , Chubb B. D. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractAimFew real‐life studies of non‐severe (self‐treated) hypoglycaemic events are available. This survey quantified the self‐reported frequency of non‐severe hypoglycaemia and its effects in adults with insulin‐treated diabetes in the UK.MethodsAdults aged > 15 years with Type 1 diabetes or insulin‐treated Type 2 diabetes completed ≤ 4 weekly questionnaires (7–day recall). Respondents with Type 2 diabetes were grouped by insulin regimen: basal‐only, basal–bolus and ‘other’.ResultsOverall, 1038 respondents (466 with Type 1 diabetes, 572 with Type 2 diabetes) completed 3528 questionnaires. Mean numbers of non‐severe events per week were 2.4 (Type 1 diabetes; median = 2) and 0.8 (Type 2 diabetes; median = 0); 23% and 26% of non‐severe events occurred at night, respectively. Fatigue and reduced alertness were the commonest issues following events (78% and 51% of respondents, respectively). The effects of nocturnal events persisted longer than those of daytime events: Type 1 diabetes = 10.6 vs. 4.9 h (P = 0.0002); Type 2 diabetes = 15.3 vs. 5.1 h (P < 0.0001). In the week following an event, respondents’ blood glucose measurements increased by 4.3 (Type 1 diabetes; 12% increment) and 4.2 (Type 2 diabetes; 21% increment) tests/week. In employed respondents, 20% of events caused work‐time loss, more so following nocturnal (vs. daytime) hypoglycaemia: Type 1 diabetes = 2.7 vs. 1.1 h (P = 0.0184); Type 2 diabetes = 2.5 vs. 1.6 h (P = 0.1340). Most respondents rarely/never informed healthcare professionals about events (Type 1 diabetes = 82%, Type 2 diabetes = 69%).ConclusionsNon‐severe hypoglycaemia is common in adults with insulin‐treated diabetes in the UK, with consequent health‐related/economic effects. Communication about non‐severe hypoglycaemia is limited and the burden of hypoglycaemia may be underestimated.
Effectiveness of the Kids in Control of Food (KICk–OFF) structured education course for 11–16 year olds with Type 1 diabetes
Authors: Price K. J. , Knowles J. A. , Fox M. , Wales J. K. H. , Heller S. , Eiser C. , Freeman J. V. ,   the KICk–OFF Study group
Published: August 2015

AbstractAimTo assess the effect of a 5–day structured education course (Kids in Control of Food; KICk–OFF) on biomedical and psychological outcomes in young people with Type 1 diabetes.MethodsThis was a cluster‐randomized trial involving 31 UK paediatric centres. Participants were recruited prior to stratified centre randomization. Intervention centres delivered KICk–OFF courses, whereas control centres delivered usual care. Participants were 11–16 years of age and had Type 1 diabetes for at least one year. The KICk–OFF course was delivered by trained educators to eight participants per course. Glycaemic control and quality of life were measured at baseline, 6, 12 and 24 months. Secondary outcomes were hypoglycaemia, ketoacidosis, fear of hypoglycaemia and diabetes self‐efficacy.ResultsThree hundred and ninety‐six participants provided baseline data (199 intervention and 197 control). At 6 and 12 months the intervention group showed significantly improved total generic quality of life scores compared with controls (baseline: 80 vs. 82; 6 months: 82 vs. 82; P = 0.04). Across the whole intervention group mean HbA1c levels were not significantly different from controls; baseline HbA1c mean (95% confidence interval), 78 mmol/mol (75–81) vs. 76 mmol/mol (74–79) [9.3% (9–9.6%) vs. 9.1% (8.9–9.4%); 24 months: 77 mmol/mol (74–79) vs. 78 mmol/mol (75–81) (9.2% (8.9–9.4%) vs. 9.3% (9–9.6%)], adjusted mean difference, –2.0 mmol/mol (6.5–2.5) [2.3% (–2.7% to 2.4%)], P = 0.38.ConclusionsAttending a KICk–OFF course was associated with significantly improved total quality of life scores within 6 months. Glycaemic control, as measured by HbA1c, was no different at 24 months. (Clinical Trial Registry No: ISRCTN3704268)
Reproducibility of Echocardiograph‐Derived Multilevel Left Ventricular Apical Twist Mechanics
Authors: Stewart Glenn M. , Yamada Akira , Kavanagh Justin J. , Haseler Luke J. , Chan Jonathan , Sabapathy Surendran 
Published: August 2015

Left ventricular (LV) twist mechanics are routinely assessed via echocardiography in clinical and research trials investigating the function of obliquely oriented myocardial fibers. However, echocardiograph‐derived measures of LV twist may be compromised by nonstandardized acquisition of the apical image. This study examined the reproducibility of echocardiograph‐derived parameters of apical twist mechanics at multiple levels of the apical myocardium. Two sets of 2D LV parasternal short‐axis images were obtained in 30 healthy subjects (24 men; 19–57 year) via echocardiography. Images were acquired immediately distal to the papillary muscles (apical image 1), immediately above the point of LV cavity obliteration at end systole (apical image 3), and midway between apical image 1 and apical image 3 (apical image 2). Repeat scans were performed within 1 hour, and twist mechanics (rotation and rotation rate) were calculated via frame‐by‐frame tracking of natural acoustic echocardiographic markers (speckle tracking). The magnitude of apical rotation increased progressively toward the apex (apical image 1: 4.2 ± 2.1°, apical image 2: 7.2 ± 3.9°, apical image 3: 11.8 ± 4.6°). apical images 1, 2, and 3 each had moderate to good correlations between repeat scans (ICC: 0.531–0.856). When apical images 1, 2, and 3 were averaged, rotation was 7.7 ± 2.7° and between‐scan correlation was excellent (ICC: 0.910). Similar results were observed for systolic and diastolic rotation rates. Averaging multiple standardized apical images, tending progressively toward the apex, generated the most reproducible rotation indices and may be optimal for the assessment of LV twist mechanics across therapeutic, interventional, and research studies; however, care should be taken given the influence of acquisition level on the magnitude of apical rotation.
Is Education the Pathway to Success? A Comparison of Second Generation Turkish Professionals in Sweden, France, Germany and The Netherlands
Authors: Crul Maurice 
Published: August 2015

AbstractEducation is often seen as the most important mobility channel for children of immigrants. To what extent is this true? In this article, we look at successful second generation Turkish professionals in Sweden, France, Germany and The Netherlands. What kind of pathways did they take to become a professional? Based on the large quantitative international TIES survey, I reconstruct the pathways to a professional position in the four countries. We see how the open, comprehensive school systems in Sweden and France provide the main paths to a professional job. In Germany, however, it is the apprenticeship system. The Netherlands is a case in between. I describe how different educational institutional arrangements and the different ways the transition to the labour market is organised in the four countries also result in different routes to a professional career. I use new qualitative material from the ELITES project that was gathered in the four countries to illustrate the pathways to success in greater depth.
On the study of plant defence and herbivory using comparative approaches: how important are secondary plant compounds
Authors: Agrawal Anurag A. , Weber Marjorie G. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractSpecies comparisons are a cornerstone of biology and there is a long tradition of using the comparative framework to study the ecology and evolution of plant defensive traits. Early comparative studies led to the hypothesis that plant chemistry plays a central role in plant defence, and the evolution of plant secondary chemistry in response to insect herbivory remains a classic example of coevolution. However, recent comparative work has disagreed with this paradigm, reporting little connection between plant secondary chemicals and herbivory across distantly related plant taxa. One conclusion of this new work is that the importance of secondary chemistry in plant defence may have been generally overstated in earlier research. Here, we attempt to reconcile these contradicting viewpoints on the role of plant chemistry in defence by critically evaluating the use and interpretation of species correlations as a means to study defence–herbivory relationships. We conclude that the notion that plant primary metabolites (e.g. leaf nitrogen content) are the principal determinants of herbivory (or the target of natural selection by herbivores) is not likely to be correct. Despite the inference of recent community‐wide studies of herbivory, strong evidence remains for a prime role of secondary compounds in plant defence against herbivores.
Mainstem‐tributary linkages by mayfly migration help sustain salmonids in a warming river network
Authors: Uno Hiromi , Power Mary E. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractAnimal migrations can link ecosystems across space. We discovered an aquatic insect that migrates between a river mainstem and its tributaries, and provides an important trophic subsidy for tributary predators. A mayfly, Ephemerella maculata, rears in a warm, sunlit productive river mainstem, then migrates as adults to cool, shaded unproductive tributaries where they oviposit and die. This migration tripled insect flux into a tributary for 1 month in summer. A manipulative field experiment showed that this E. maculata subsidy nearly tripled the growth of the young of the year steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in the recipient tributary over the summer months, and was more important than terrestrial invertebrate subsidies, which have been considered the primary food source for predators in small, forested creeks. By delivering food subsidies from productive but warming river mainstems to cool but food‐limited tributaries, aquatic insect migrations could enhance resilience to cool‐water predators in warming river networks.
Phosphatase inhibition prevents the activity‐dependent trafficking of GABAA receptors during status epilepticus in the young animal
Authors: Joshi Suchitra , Rajasekaran Karthik , Hawk Kyle M. , Brar Jasmit , Ross Brittany M. , Tran Christine A. , Chester Stephen J. , Goodkin Howard P. 
Published: August 2015

SummaryObjectivesTo determine if the activity‐dependent trafficking of γ2 subunit–containing γ‐aminobutyric acid type A receptors (GABAARs) that has been observed in older animals and posited to contribute to benzodiazepine pharmacoresistance during status epilepticus (SE) is age‐dependent, and to evaluate whether blockade of protein phosphatases can inhibit or reverse the activity‐dependent plasticity of these receptors.MethodsThe efficacy and potency of diazepam 0.2–10 mg/kg administered 3 or 60 min after the onset of a lithium/pilocarpine‐induced seizure in postnatal day 15–16 rats was evaluated using video–electroencephalography (EEG) recordings. The surface expression of γ2 subunit–containing GABAARs was assessed using a biotinylation assay, and GABAAR‐mediated miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) were recorded using whole‐cell patch‐clamp recording techniques from dentate granule cells in hippocampal slices acutely obtained 60 min after seizure onset (SE‐treated). The effect of the protein phosphatase inhibitors FK506 and okadaic acid (OA) on the surface expression of these receptors was determined in organotypic slice cultures exposed to high potassium and N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) or in SE‐treated slices.ResultsDiazepam terminated seizures of 3 min but not 60 min duration, even at the highest dose. In the SE‐treated slices, the surface expression of γ2 subunit–containing GABAARs was reduced and the amplitude of the mIPSCs was diminished. Inhibition of protein phosphatases prevented the activity‐induced reduction of the γ2 subunit–containing GABAARs in organotypic slice cultures. Furthermore, treatment of SE‐treated slices with FK506 or OA restored the surface expression of the γ2 subunit–containing GABAARs and the mIPSC amplitude.SignificanceThis study demonstrates that the plasticity of γ2 subunit–containing GABAARs associated with the development of benzodiazepine resistance in young and adult animals is similar. The findings of this study suggest that the mechanisms regulating the activity‐dependent trafficking of GABAARs during SE can be targeted to develop novel adjunctive therapy for the treatment of benzodiazepine‐refractory SE.
Electronic brachytherapy used for the successful treatment of three different types of equine tumours
Authors: Bradley W. M. , Schilpp D. , Khatibzadeh S. M. 
Published: August 2015

SummaryAn electronic form of interstitial brachytherapy was used to treat tumours on 3 different horses. One horse was treated for an ocular lymphoma, the second for a sarcoid, and the third for melanoma. This form of brachytherapy contains inherent advantages over previously used forms of brachytherapy and provides another treatment option for equine tumours that cannot be treated with, or do not respond to, conventional tumour therapies.
Influence of artificial and casting defects on fatigue strength of moulded components in Ti‐6Al‐4V alloy
Authors: Léopold G. , Nadot Y. , Billaudeau T. , Mendez J. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe influence of defects on the fatigue strength of a cast Ti‐6Al‐4V alloy has been investigated. An experimental programme has been defined with different castings. On a first stage, a flat fatigue specimen has been developed to be representative of the real aircraft component. Then, reference fatigue properties have been determined and reduction of the fatigue strength has been quantified for artificial and natural defects. It is shown that an artificial defect with a chemically milled surface is representative of an in‐service component surface machining: surface pinholes have similar influence on the fatigue behaviour. Furthermore, the experimental results have shown that the geometrical morphology is not the major parameter that governs the fatigue life reduction: the defect type has a major influence. It is also shown that the initiation stage is not negligible in the total fatigue life about 105 cycles. Kitagawa diagrams were built to determine critical defect sizes.