Statement of Problem: Aboriginal youth are at greater risk of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) compared to non-Aboriginal youth. Diabetes prevention strategies need to consider cultural factors that are embedded within an ecological perspective. Methods: Photovoice was used to explore the meanings of T2D and the Aboriginal Youth Mentorship Program (AYMP). Also, a non-randomized crossover experimental trial was performed on children. Grade 4 students were offered a 5 month intervention led by high school mentors. The main outcome measures were WC and BMI z score. Results: Results indicate that youth were very hopeful that T2D can be prevented or managed through nutrition and physical activity. They believe that AYMP can help with T2D prevention, through learning positive health behaviors, but also by enhancing social determinants of health related to education, employment and social support networks. After the intervention, the change in WC was significantly lower in the intervention group compared to the control group (p <0.05). Conclusion: Findings from this research study show that AYMP may be a successful program in teaching positive lifestyle behaviors while supporting social determinants of health; the combined biological and social outcomes can benefit students in reducing their risk for T2D. / October 2015

The objective of the research in this thesis was to develop high-efficiency n-type silicon solar cells at low-cost to reach grid parity. This was accomplished by reducing the electrical and optical losses in solar cells through understanding of fundamental physics and loss mechanisms, development of process technologies, cell design, and modeling. All these technology enhancements provided a 3.44% absolute increase in efficiency over the 17.4% efficient n-type PERT solar cell. Finally, 20.84% efficient n-type PERT (passivated emitter and rear totally diffused) solar cells were achieved on commercial grade 239cm2 n-type Cz silicon wafers with optimized front boron emitter without boron-rich layer and phosphorus back surface field, silicon dioxide/silicon nitride stack for surface passivation, optimized front grid pattern with screen printed 5 busbars and 100 gridlines, and improved rear contact with laser opening and physical vapor deposition aluminum. This thesis also suggested research directions to improve cell efficiency further and attain ≥21% efficient n-type solar cells which involves three additional technology developments including the use of floating busbars, selective emitters, and negatively charged aluminum oxide (Al2O3) film for boron emitter surface passivation.

Aims: Elders with type 2 diabetes represent the faster growing demographic segment today, yet there is little known about the factors that influence their diabetes self care management. The factors (age related developmental deficits, health literacy, knowledge of diabetes as a disease, and prior attendance within a structured diabetes educational program) that most impact diabetes self care among this age group was determined from the literature. Seven research questions and three model hypothesis questions were posed to examine the relationships between these identified factors. Method: The study was composed of 75 elders with type 2 diabetes who resided within two metropolitan regions in the Southwest. The elders were asked to perform manual dexterity tests, visual acuity examination, and tests of cognition along with answering questions in regard to their health literacy and knowledge of diabetes. Results: Of all the factors examined only health literacy and cognitive reasoning ability were statistically significant to the measure of diabetes self care.

Data from the 2001-2002 Texas A&M University Ranch to Rail Program-South were used to determine factors that influence cattle feedlot performance and profitability. Steers (n=860) were classified according to sire (SBIO) and dam (DBIO) biological groups, kill groups (KILL), and entry month (ENTRYMON). Biological groups were determined by predominant genetic make up of the sire or dam. Traits evaluated included net income (NI), feedlot average daily gain (ADG), slaughter weight (OUTWT), carcass weight (CW), fat thickness (FT), longissimus muscle area (LMA), marbling score (MS), yield grade, (YG), medicine costs (TOTMED), and carcass value (CVL). Analyses of covariance were performed to determine differences between SBIO and DBIO, KILL, and ENTRYMON, and the influence of initial feedlot weight (INWT). Sire biological type had a significant effect on NI, ADG, FT, LMA, MS, YG, and CVL. Dam biological type and KILL had significant effects on all traits excluding TOTMED. Entry month accounted for no differences. Among SBIO groups, British-sired steers exhibited greatest values for ADG (1.39 kg/d), MS (457), FT (1.45 cm), CVL ($891), and NI ($25.62). Continental-sired steers exhibited the largest LMA (97.65 cm) and lowest YG (2.51). Brahman-sired steers exhibited the lowest ADG (1.32kg/d), MS (405), CVL ($859), and NI ($-17.80). Multiple regression was performed to determine which traits had the greatest effect on CVL and NI. Independent categorical effects were SBIO, DBIO, KILL and ENTRYMON, while independent continuous effects were INWT, ADG, FT, LMA, MS and TOTMED. Both CVL and NI were influenced by CW, FT, LMA, and MS, but not by ADG, INWT, or TOTMED. Phenotypic correlation coefficients were determined among all traits. Highest correlations were present between CVL: and NI, CW, ADG, and LMA (0.80, 0.81, 0.54, and 0.49, respectively). Strong correlations were seen between ADG and CW (0.63), FT and YG (0.87) and YG and LMA (-0.51). Marbling score was moderately correlated to CVL (0.30) and NI (0.30). This study indicates that a wide variety of traits interact to determine CVL and NI in retained ownership programs, and that maximizing carcass value does not ensure increased profitability.

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a chronic disease characterized by cellular insulin resistance and consequent disturbances in glucose metabolism. Long-term consumption of buckwheat has been previously shown to improve glycemia in individuals with T2DM; however, the underlying mechanisms as well as the contribution of improved acute glycemic responses have not been fully characterized. The current study used cell culture and clinical studies to investigate the mechanisms and effectiveness of common buckwheat for acute modulation of glucose metabolism and glycemia. Glucose uptake was inhibited in H4IIE cells treated with a buckwheat extract (BWE), an effect attributed to the actions of an unknown compound(s). Reduced glucose uptake and transepithelial glucose transport was also present in Caco2 colorectal adenocarcinoma cells and monolayers. The mechanism behind inhibited glucose uptake did not involve modulation of several signaling pathways regulating glucose metabolism, including p38 MAPK, p42/44 ERK, PI3Kγ, PKC, PKA, mTOR and AMPK. Interestingly, BWE treatment was associated with other effects on glucose metabolism, including elevated glucose production and levels of gluconeogenic enzymes. However, these effects were not mediated through the classical pathway of CREB activation involving cyclic AMP and PKA. In a blinded, reference product-controlled study, consumption of a cracker product made from whole grain common buckwheat flour containing 50 grams of available carbohydrate was not associated with changes in post-prandial glucose or insulin concentrations in both healthy individuals and those with diet-controlled T2DM. However, consumption of buckwheat crackers was associated with changes in selected gastrointestinal satiety hormones. Interestingly, several significant correlations observed between fasting concentrations and the overall post-prandial response of these hormones were affected by T2DM. In conclusion, glucose-lowering effects of common buckwheat are not due to the actions of known bioactive compounds, and may involve direct inhibition of facilitative transporters by a novel compound. Although a buckwheat food product did not reduce post-prandial glycemia, identifying the compound responsible for inhibited glucose uptake will allow development of food products enriched with this compound, and may represent a more effective dietary approach to managing glycemia.

No description available.

No description available.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2010. / The 1 year overall prevalence of Episodic Tension-Type Headache (ETTH) is 38.3%; with lifetime prevalence at 46% for TTH. Little literature exists to support the effectiveness of spinal manipulation in the treatment of ETTH. Therefore aim of this study was to determine the relative effectiveness of cervical spine manipulation and a Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) (Ibuprofen®) in the treatment of ETTH. Method: This study was a prospective randomised clinical trial with two intervention groups (N=32, n1=16 and n2=16). The allocation of participants to the two groups was completed by means of simple randomization. Group one were treated using cervical spine manipulation. Group two were treated using Ibuprofen. Subjective measurements included the Numerical Rating Scale 101 Questionnaire (NRS-101), Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), CMCC Neck Disability Index (CMCC) and Headache Diary. A p value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The subjective measurements of the NRS-101, SF-MPQ and CMCC showed a significant time effect in both treatment groups. Several of the subjective Headaches Diary outcomes followed this trend with significant time effect in both groups. There was a significant treatment effect for the NRS-101. Several subject outcomes from the Headache Diary showed a significant treatment effect in favour of manipulation, namely frequency and duration of headaches. Conclusion: The findings in this study have shown that cervical spine manipulation is more effective than Ibuprofen® for the treatment of ETTH in terms of several subjective outcomes namely: pain intensity (NRS-101), and the frequency and the duration of headache per day.

OBJECTIVES: (1) Compare the relapse of corrected deep bites in three groups of patients separated by facial type (2) Determine the associations of various parameters influencing deep bite relapse. METHODS: 60 patients treated at the University of Washington were included, all with initial overbites >50%. Patients were grouped according to initial Y-axis, MPA, and LFH values. Data was collected from casts and cephalometric radiographs at three time points: pre-treatment, post-treatment, and ten years post-retention. RESULTS: Dolicocephalic subjects showed the least amount of deep bite relapse (0.1 ± 1.1 mm), while brachycephalic (1.2 ± 0.9 mm) and mesocephalic (1.4 ± 1.3 mm) subjects experienced significant relapse (p < 0.05). Intergroup comparisons revealed that the brachycephalic group had significantly more post-retention change in overbite, N-ANS, interincisal angle, and L1-MP than the dolicocephalic group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Orthodontists should consider overcorrection of overbite in brachycephalic and mesocephalic patients presenting with overbites >50%.

Le diabète de type 1 (DT1) est une maladie auto-immune très répandue dans les pays industrialisés. Cette pathologie résulte d'un dérèglement du système immunitaire qui s'attaque aux cellules bêta du pancréas. Au laboratoire, nous utilisons la souris NOD (non obèse diabétique), une souche de souris qui développe de façon spontanée un DT1 similaire à celui retrouvé chez l’homme. Chez la souris NOD, les cellules dendritiques (DCs) sont impliquées dans le bris de la tolérance. Nous avons démontré auparavant que l'injection de GM-CSF permet de générer de cellules dendritiques semi-matures empêchant le développement du DT1 chez la souris NOD. Nous nous sommes ensuite intéressés au mécanisme d'action du GM-CSF. Nous voulions savoir si le GM-CSF affectait les cellules souches au niveau de la moelle osseuse ou s’il affectait les DCs déjà différenciées. Nous avons donc généré des DCs à partir de la moelle osseuse de souris traitées ou non au GM-CSF et nous avons démontré que le GM-CSF affectait directement les cellules souches de la moelle osseuse. Les DCs obtenues de souris traitées au GM-CSF restent dans un état semi-mature et produisent plus d'IL-10 que les DCs obtenues de souris non traitées. Par la suite, nous avons développé un modèle in vitro permettant de générer des DCs similaires à celles retrouvées chez les souris traitées au GM-CSF. Ces DCs ont été dérivées de la moelle osseuse et cultivées avec une faible concentration de GM-CSF (GM/DCs) et ensuite caractérisées comme étant des DCs tolérogènes (tDCs). Ces tDCs ont un phénotype semi-mature et produisent beaucoup de cytokines anti-inflammatoires. Nous avons ensuite étudié les mécanismes moléculaires qui permettaient d'expliquer les différences observées entre les GM/DCs et les DCs immunogènes générées en présence d'IL-4 et de GM-CSF (IL-4/DCs). Nous avons démontré que les protéines composant les complexes NF-?B sont p52/p65 chez les GM/DCs et p52/p65 et p52/RelB chez les IL-4/DCs. De plus, la sous-unité p65 est préférentiellement recrutée au niveau du promoteur de l’IL-10 chez les GM/DCs tandis qu’on la retrouve sur le promoteur de l'IL-12p35 chez les IL-4/DCs. Nous avons démontré qu’une phosphorylation soutenue de ERK1/2 est responsable de la production d'IL-10 en induisant la liaison à l’ADN du facteur de transcription AP-1. Par la suite, nous avons démontré pour la première fois que le facteur de transcription C/EBPß liait l’ADN chez les GM/DCs. L'utilisation de souris déficientes en C/EBPß nous a permis de démontrer que C/EBPß était essentiel pour la résistance à la maturation des GM/DCs. De plus, nous avons démontré que p38 est essentiel à la production d'IL-10 ainsi que pour la synThèse de C/EBPß. La liaison à l’ADN de C/EBPß est dépendante de la GSK3, une enzyme qui peut être inhibée par la PI3K. Nous avons montré que l’utilisation d'inhibiteurs contre la PI3K n'affectait pas la maturation des GM/DCs, mais qu'elle modulait leur production de cytokines. Lorsque la PI3K est inhibée, les GM/DCs produisent de l’IL-23 et de l’IL-6 en plus d'acquérir la capacité de convertir les T naïfs en Th17 . En somme, nous identifions des mécanismes moléculaires clés contrôlant les fonctions tolérogènes des DCs.