bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Commercialisation de la microfinance: impact sur les plus pauvres en Afrique
Authors: Halouani Nihel , Boujelbène Younes 
Published: May 2013

RÉSUMÉNous cherchons à déterminer si la commercialisation des IMF est associée à la « dérive de mission ». Plus précisément, en considérant que la commercialisation se caractérise par la viabilité, la concurrence, et la réglementation des IMF, nous évaluons son effet sur la taille moyenne des prêts accordés. L'étude empirique est basée sur les données en panel de 96 IMF œuvrant dans 22 pays africains durant la période 2005–2008, et aussi sur la méthode des MCO afin d'étudier l'impact de la commercialisation des IMF sur la taille moyenne des prêts par groupe de clientèle servie. Les résultats indiquent que les IMF africaines ont une plus faible portée sociale lorsqu'elles sont autonomes financièrement, mais la réglementation et la concurrence peuvent favoriser l'inclusion des plus pauvres. Nous constatons également que l'augmentation de la taille moyenne des prêts est associée à des niveaux inférieurs de remboursement du prêt par les plus pauvres, à la baisse de pourcentage de femmes emprunteuses, au pourcentage de population rurale et à la forme juridique d'ONG, et aussi à la prédominance du crédit individuel. Ceci caractérise la dérive de mission.
Role of P‐glycoprotein in the Uptake/Efflux Transport of Oral Vitamin K Antagonists and Rivaroxaban through the Caco‐2 Cell Model
Authors: Gschwind Liliane , Rollason Victoria , Daali Youssef , Bonnabry Pascal , Dayer Pierre , Desmeules Jules Alexandre 
Published: May 2013

AbstractVitamin K antagonists (VKAs) are prescribed worldwide and remain the oral anticoagulant of choice. These drugs are characterized by a narrow therapeutic index and a large inter‐ and intra‐individual variability. P‐glycoprotein could contribute to this variability. The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of P‐gp in the transport of acenocoumarol, phenprocoumon and warfarin using an in vitro Caco‐2 cell monolayer model. These results were compared with those obtained with rivaroxaban, a new oral anticoagulant known to be a P‐gp substrate. The transport of these four drugs was assessed at pH conditions 6.8/7.4 in the presence or absence of the P‐gp inhibitor cyclosporine A (10 μM) and the more potent and specific P‐gp inhibitor valspodar (5 μM). Analytical quantification was performed by LC/MS. With an efflux ratio of 1.7 and a significant decrease in the efflux (Papp B–A), in the presence of P‐gp inhibitors at a concentration of 50 μM, acenocoumarol can be considered as a weak P‐gp substrate. Concerning phenprocoumon, the results suggest that this molecule is a poor P‐gp substrate. The P‐gp inhibitors did not affect significantly the transport of warfarin. The efflux of rivaroxaban was strongly inhibited by the two P‐gp inhibitors. In conclusion, none of the three VKAs tested are strong P‐gp substrates. However, acenocoumarol can be considered as a weak P‐gp substrate and phenprocoumon as a poor P‐gp substrate.
ICT's participatory potential in higher education collaborations: Reality or just talk
Authors: James Rosalind 
Published: May 2013

AbstractRecently, interest has sparked in collaboration and networking within and between universities, industry, government and the wider populace. Knowledge transfer has gradually become a strategic issue, so that many governments and funding bodies now use economic‐based incentives to mandate collaboration in hope of stimulating innovation, improving efficiency and promoting inclusion. Web 2.0 has been heralded as an enabler of collaboration. Powerful new tools abound to enhance collaborative initiatives. I investigate uptake of these tools and their impact on collaboration in the Australian context. Although research is scant, the literature provided a preliminary picture of Web 2.0 usage patterns among Australian academics, researchers and professionals. Adoption of virtual collaboration tools for work activities is lower than expected. Connectivity, accessibility and availability do not seem to be major deterrents to Web 2.0 use, suggesting appropriation is the problem. It remains unclear whether these technologies have encouraged further collaboration; at present, these are primarily social devices and tools, their beneficial work applications yet to be fully unmasked. It is argued that further research and broader professional learning opportunities would support greater Web 2.0 appropriation.
Cell of origin in radiation‐induced premalignant thymocytes with differentiation capability in mice conditionally losing one Bcl11b allele
Authors: Go Rieka , Hirose Satoshi , Katsuragi Yoshinori , Obata Miki , Abe Manabu , Mishima Yukio , Sakimura Kenji , Kominami Ryo 
Published: May 2013

Bcl11b is a haploinsufficient tumor suppressor, mutations or deletion of which has been found in 10–16% of T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias. Bcl11bKO/+ heterozygous mice are susceptible to thymic lymphomas, a model of T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, when γ‐irradiated, and irradiated Bcl11bKO/+ mice generate clonally expanding or premalignant thymocytes before thymic lymphoma development. Cells with radiation‐induced DNA damages are assumed to be the cells of origin in tumors; however, which thymocyte is the tumor cell origin remains obscure. In this study we generated Bcl11bflox/+;Lck‐Cre and Bcl11bflox/+;CD4‐Cre mice; in the former, loss of one Bcl11b allele occurs in thymocytes at the immature CD4−CD8− stage, whereas in the latter the loss occurs in the more differentiated CD4+CD8+ double‐positive stage. We examined clonal expansion and differentiation of thymocytes in mice 60 days after 3 Gy γ‐irradiation. Half (9/18) of the thymuses in the Bcl11bflox/+;Lck‐Cre group showed limited rearrangement sites at the T‐cell receptor‐β (TCRβ) locus, indicating clonal cell expansion, but none in the Bcl11bflox/+;CD4‐Cre group did. This indicates that the origin of the premalignant thymocytes is not in double‐positive cells but immature thymocytes. Interestingly, those premalignant thymocytes underwent rearrangement at various different sites of the TCRα locus and the majority showed a higher expression of TCRβ and CD8, and more differentiated phenotypes. This suggests the existence of a subpopulation of immature cells within the premalignant cells that is capable of proliferating and continuously producing differentiated thymocytes.
Why go online when you have pain? A qualitative analysis of teenagers’ use of the Internet for pain management advice
Authors: Henderson E. M. , Keogh E. , Eccleston C. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundAdolescents are routinely recognized as native to online technologies. However, we know from previous research that this familiarity does not often translate into its use for help‐seeking around health. We designed this study to examine the experience of adolescents in using the Internet to access pain management information, specifically why some adolescents may be reluctant to use these resources.MethodsTwenty‐six healthy, school attending, adolescents aged between 14 and 17 years old were recruited to a qualitative study of focus groups. Seventeen participants were female and nine were male. Participation was limited to those who self‐selected as frequent users of the Internet, but who were loath to use it as a resource for health information as we wished to explore reasons for non‐use. All data were thematically analysed.ResultsMost participants reported using the Internet to seek health information at least once. Experiences with online content were typically negative and drawn on only when all other sources of information and pain coping were exhausted. Three themes emerged, Drivers of Internet use, Barriers, and Anxiety around use. Adolescent health websites were reported to be confusing, anxiety provoking and hard to negotiate. The Internet was judged to be less accessible than other forms of pain and health coping information. Secondary themes related to topic embarrassment, the strive for independence and reassurance, preferred information source failure, curiosity, website design, availability of OTC analgesics, effort, fear‐provoking narratives, mistrust of quality of online content and pain‐related anxiety.ConclusionsCounter to many positive reports of the health benefits of Internet use during information seeking, its value is questionable to some adolescents. Typical experience was anxiety provoking, unlikely to yield helpful results, and wasteful comparative to off‐line resources for pain.
Swiss Children's Moral and Psychological Judgments About Inclusion and Exclusion of Children With Disabilities
Authors: Gasser Luciano , Malti Tina , Buholzer Alois 
Published: May 2013

Children's judgments about inclusion and exclusion of children with disabilities were investigated in a Swiss sample of 6‐, 9‐, and 12‐year‐old children from inclusive and noninclusive classrooms (N = 422). Overall, the majority of children judged it as morally wrong to exclude children with disabilities. Yet, participants were less likely to expect the inclusion of children with mental or physical disabilities in academic and athletic contexts compared to social contexts. Moreover, older children more consistently coordinated disability type with context of exclusion. There were also significant differences depending on the type of classroom. The findings extend existing research on exclusion by investigating exclusion based on disability across different age groups and educational settings.
Nasal levels of soluble IL‐33R ST2 and IL‐16 in allergic rhinitis: inverse correlation trends with disease severity
Authors: Baumann R. , Rabaszowski M. , Stenin I. , Tilgner L. , Gaertner‐Akerboom M. , Scheckenbach K. , Wiltfang J. , Chaker A. , Schipper J. , Wagenmann M. 
Published: May 2013

SummaryBackgroundSerum levels of IL‐16, IL‐33 and the decoy receptor of IL‐33, soluble ST2, are elevated in allergic rhinitis. Recent studies show that IL‐16, soluble ST2 or anti‐IL‐33 reduce type 2 cytokines (such as IL‐5) and eosinophilia in murine models of allergic asthma or allergic rhinitis respectively.ObjectiveIn this study, we studied the release of IL‐5, IL‐16, IL‐33 and soluble ST2 in allergic rhinitis patients after nasal allergen challenge and natural pollen exposure.MethodsThe nasal lavages of 15 allergic and 14 non‐allergic volunteers were collected during the pollen allergy season. In addition, six allergic volunteers underwent unilateral nasal allergen and control challenge out of season and nasal secretions and sera were collected. IL‐5, IL‐16, IL‐33 and soluble ST2 in nasal secretions and sera were measured by electrochemiluminescent assay or ELISA, respectively.ResultsNasal IL‐5, IL‐16 and soluble ST2 levels were significantly increased in seasonally pollen exposed allergic volunteers compared to control subjects (P < 0.001, P = 0.018 and P = 0.002 respectively), whereas IL‐33 remained undetectable. Nasal IL‐16 showed a weak inverse correlation trend with nasal symptoms (r = −0.48, P = 0.07). Nasal soluble ST2 concentrations were inversely correlated with nasal symptoms (r = −0.61, P = 0.02) and positively correlated with IL‐16 (r = 0.56, P = 0.03). Significant increases of nasal IL‐5, IL‐16 and ST2 but not IL‐33 were observed after nasal allergen challenge. At 24 h after allergen challenge, local ST2 and IL‐5 concentrations showed an inverse correlation trend (r = −0.83, P = 0.04). Serum levels of IL‐5, IL‐16 and soluble ST2 rose in at least five of six volunteers tested at 5 or 24 h post‐challenge.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceThe observed upregulation of soluble ST2 and IL‐16 after nasal allergen challenge and during peak pollination season suggests potential regulatory roles of these cytokines in the inflammatory reaction in allergic rhinitis.
Streptococcal–vimentin cross-reactive antibodies induce microvascular cardiac endothelial proinflammatory phenotype in rheumatic heart disease
Authors: Delunardo F , Scalzi V , Capozzi A , Camerini S , Misasi R , Pierdominici M , Pendolino M , Crescenzi M , Sorice M , Valesini G , Ortona E , Alessandri C 
Published: May 2013

SummaryRheumatic heart disease (RHD) is characterized by the presence of anti-streptococcal group A antibodies and anti-endothelial cell antibodies (AECA). Molecular mimicry between streptococcal antigens and self proteins is a hallmark of the pathogenesis of rheumatic fever. We aimed to identify, in RHD patients, autoantibodies specific to endothelial autoantigens cross-reactive with streptococcal proteins and to evaluate their role in inducing endothelial damage. We used an immunoproteomic approach with endothelial cell-surface membrane proteins in order to identify autoantigens recognized by AECA of 140 RHD patients. Cross-reactivity of purified antibodies with streptococcal proteins was analysed. Homologous peptides recognized by serum cross-reactive antibodies were found through comparing the amino acid sequence of streptococcal antigens with human antigens. To investigate interleukin (IL)-1R-associated kinase (IRAK1) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation, we performed a Western blot analysis of whole extracts proteins from unstimulated or stimulated human microvascular cardiac endothelial cells (HMVEC-C). Adhesion molecule expression and release of proinflammatory cytokines and growth factors were studied by multiplex bead based immunoassay kits. We observed anti-vimentin antibodies in sera from 49% RHD AECA-positive patients. Cross-reactivity of purified anti-vimentin antibodies with heat shock protein (HSP)70 and streptopain streptococcal proteins was shown. Comparing the amino acid sequence of streptococcal HSP70 and streptopain with human vimentin, we found two homologous peptides recognized by serum cross-reactive antibodies. These antibodies were able to stimulate HMVEC-C inducing IRAK and NF-κB activation, adhesion molecule expression and release of proinflammatory cytokines and growth factors. In conclusion, streptococcal–vimentin cross-reactive antibodies were able to activate microvascular cardiac endothelium by amplifying the inflammatory response in RHD.
Understanding and working with adolescent neglect: perspectives from research, young people and professionals
Authors: Hicks Leslie , Stein Mike 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThis paper provides an overview of research about adolescent neglect funded by the Department of Children, Schools and Families (now the Department for Education) and the Department of Health. The paper examines what is known from literature about the causes of adolescent neglect, together with its potential consequences for well‐being. Drawing on qualitative data, the concept of neglect is explored from the perspectives of young people themselves and the professionals who work with them. Consideration is given to examples of interventions and preventative models geared towards addressing adolescent neglect. Key findings indicate that there is a need for both a re‐examination of current definitions of neglect in the light of age‐related distinctions and perspectives, and a fuller understanding of the particular needs of adolescents who are experiencing neglect. Additionally, the research highlights that there is a lack of research knowledge about neglectful parenting and the behaviour of young people, as well as limited understanding of interventions with neglected adolescents. Key themes from the research are discussed in terms of their implications for future practice, policy and research in relation to working to improve the welfare of neglected young people.
Skin pretreatment with microneedles prior to pilocarpine iontophoresis increases sweat production
Authors: Wing David , Prausnitz Mark R. , Buono Michael J. 
Published: May 2013

SummaryCollection of sweat via pilocarpine iontophoresis is commonly used to diagnose cystic fibrosis (CF), with thousands of tests performed each day. The main source of resistance to the passage of pilocarpine ions to the sweat glands is the electrical resistance of the stratum corneum. It was hypothesized that pretreating the skin with 0·5 mm‐long microneedles would significantly decrease this resistance, thus increasing pilocarpine's permeation into the skin. Improved permeation should result in significantly reduced time to sweat initiation, time to collection of a clinically meaningful amount of sweat, and increased total amount of sweat produced in 15 min. Subjects (n = 12) had two 5 cm2 areas on the forearm measured, marked and randomized to experimental (microneedles + iontophoresis) or control (iontophoresis alone). Microneedle pretreatment was conducted using a 35‐needle microneedle stamp in a manner that 20 applications completely covered the 5 cm2 treatment area. This was repeated five times for a total of 100 applications. Both experimental and control sites were placed under iontophoresis (1·5 mA) for 5 min. Microneedle pretreatment significantly decreased mean skin resistance (260 ± 27 kΩ versus 160 ± 19 kΩ, P = 0·006), while significantly increasing mean sweat rate (0·76 ± 0·35 versus 0·54 ± 0·19 μl cm2 min−1, P = 0·007). No significant difference was found concerning pain (P = 0·059), number of active sweat glands (P = 0·627) or the osmolality of the collected sweat (P = 0·636). The results of this study suggest that microneedle pretreatment prior to pilocarpine iontophoresis significantly increases sweat production. Such results have the potential to improve the methodology currently used to diagnose cystic fibrosis and, more broadly, to administer drugs via the skin.
UV‐induced occupational skin cancer: possibilities of secondary individual prevention in the “Dermatologist's Procedure”
Authors: Elsner Peter , Blome Otto , Diepgen Thomas Ludwig 
Published: May 2013

SummaryInvasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) as a “quasi occupational disease” according to §9 Section 2 of the German Social Code Book (SGB) VII typically develops on chronically UV‐damaged skin from actinic keratoses. After the Medical Scientific Committee of the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs has confirmed the legal criteria for acknowledging UV‐induced SCC as an occupational disease, it is expected that the condition will be added to the official list of occupational diseases issued by the Federal Government in the near future. The Social Accident Insurance is required by law (§3 Occupational Disease Regulation) to prevent these tumors by “all appropriate means“. There are excellent therapeutic and preventive measures for the management of actinic keratoses to avoid the development of SCC. The “Dermatologist's Procedure“ according to §§ 41–43 of the agreement between the Social Accident Insurance and the Federal Medical Association was established in Germany in 1972 to take preventive measures in insured persons with skin lesions possibly developing into an occupational disease, or worsening it, or leading to a recurrence of it This procedure proved to be very successful in the prevention of severe and/or recurring skin diseases forcing a worker to leave his job. On the basis of this agreement, the Social Accident Insurance has the instruments to independently provide preventive measures for the new occupational skin disease SCC induced by natural UV light according to §9 Section 2 of the German Social Code Book (SGB) VII.
Are users of sulphonylureas at the time of an acute coronary syndrome at risk of poorer outcomes?
Authors: Nagendran J. , Oudit G. Y. , Bakal J. A. , Light P. E. , Dyck J. R. B. , McAlister F. A. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractAimsAdenosine triphosphate sensitive potassium (KATP) channel activity is cardioprotective during ischaemia. One of the purported mechanisms for sulphonylurea adverse effects is through inhibition of these channels. The purpose of this study is to examine whether patients using KATP channel inhibitors at the time of an acute coronary syndrome are at greater risk of death or heart failure (HF) than those not exposed.MethodsUsing linked administrative databases we identified all adults who had an acute coronary syndrome between April 2002 and October 2006 (n = 21 023).ResultsWithin 30 days of acute coronary syndrome, 5.3% of our cohort died and 15.6% were diagnosed with HF. Individuals with diabetes exhibited significantly higher risk of death (adjusted OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.03–1.40) and death or HF (aOR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.59–1.89) than individuals without diabetes. However, there was no significantly increased risk of death (aOR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.76–1.33) or death/HF (aOR: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.89–1.26) in patients exposed to KATP channel inhibitors versus patients not exposed to KATP channel inhibitors prior to their acute coronary syndrome.ConclusionsDiabetes is associated with an increased risk of death or HF within 30 days of an acute coronary syndrome. However, we did not find any excess risk of death or HF associated with use of KATP channel inhibitors at the time of an acute coronary syndrome, raising doubts about the hypothesis that sulphonylureas inhibit the cardioprotective effects of myocardial KATP channels.
Jaw growth in the absence of teeth: the developmental morphology of edentulous mandibles using the p63 mouse mutant
Authors: Paradis Mitchell R. , Raj Muhammad T. , Boughner Julia C. 
Published: May 2013

SUMMARYMammalian tooth and jaw development must be coordinated well enough that these systems continue to function together properly throughout growth, thus optimizing an animal's survival and fitness, as well as a species' success. The persistent question is how teeth and jaws remain developmentally and functionally viable despite sometimes monumental evolutionary changes to tooth and jaw shape and size. Here we used the p63 mouse mutant to test the effect of tooth development — or the lack thereof — on normal mandible developmental morphology. Using 3D geometric morphometrics, we compared for the first time mandible shape among mice with normal tooth and jaw development against p63 double knock‐out mice, with failed tooth development but apparently normal jaw development. Mandible shape differed statistically between toothless (p63−/−) and toothed (p63+/−, p63+/+) mice as early as embryonic day (E) 18. As expected, most of the shape difference in the p63−/−mandibles was due to underdeveloped alveolar bone related to arrested odontogenesis in these E18‐aged mice. Mandible shape did not differ statistically between p63+/−and p63+/+adult mice, which showed normal tooth development. Our results support the idea of a gene regulatory network that is exclusive to the mandible and independent of the dentition. This study also underscores the biomechanical impact of the teeth on the developing alveolar bone. Importantly, this work shows quantitatively that the p63 mutant is an apt model with which to study mandible morphogenesis in isolation of odontogenesis to clarify developmental relationships between the teeth and jaws.