Global Genetic Structure and Molecular Epidemiology of Encapsulated Haemophilus influenzae

A collection of 2,209 isolates of six polysaccharide capsule types of Haemophilus influenzoe, including 1,975 serotype b isolates recovered in 30 countries was characterized for electrophoretically demonstrable allele profiles at 17 metabolic enzyme loci. Two hundred eighty distinct multilocus genotypes were distinguished, and cluster analysis revealed two primary phylogenetic divisions. The population structure of encapsulated H. influenzae is clonal. Currently, most of the invasive disease worldwide is caused by serotype b strains of nine clones, Strains producing serotype c, e, and f capsules belong to single divisions and have no close genetic relationships to strains of other serotypes, Serotype a and b strains occur in both primary phylogenetic divisions, probably as a result of transfer and recombination of serotype-specific sequences of the cap region between clonal lineages. A close genetic relatedness between serotype d isolates and some strains of serotypes a and b was identified, There are strong patterns of geographic variation, on an intercontinental scale, in both the extent of genetic diversity and the clonal composition of populations of encapsulated strains, The analysis suggests that the present distribution of clones is, in part, related to patterns of racial or ethnic differentiation and historical demographic movements of the human host population

Social inclusion, digitalisation and young people: research study

This study aims to explore the existing state of play when it comes to digitalisation and social inclusion of young people. The overall question leading this study was: “What is the intersection between social inclusion and digitalisation?”. In order to explore this intersection, three main sub- questions were used: 1) What are the relevant policies, legal frameworks and practices at European, national and local level looking at the intersection of social inclusion and digitalisation in the youth field? ; 2) What are the instruments (tools, platforms) that the national and local authorities, or other entities, have been developing to train the specialists in the youth field (the youth workers, youth educators, youth specialists, civil servants) to work on digitalisation and social inclusion o that the state and non-state actors make available for young people in order to respond to their needs and interests related to digitalization? ; and 3) What are the potential risks and opportunities of digitalisation for young people – especially for the ones that are at risk of social exclusion? Considering the research questions stated above, the objectives of the study are the following: 1) To offer a general review of the European, national and local youth policies, focusing on social inclusion and digitalisation ; 2) To present existing practices, based on a brief analysis of the national, transnational and local projects ; and 3) To present potential risks and opportunities of digitalisation. In terms of data collection, two main methods used were: 1. The online questionnaire using open questions. Data was collected using an online questionnaire answered by EKCYP correspondents and youth organisations across Europe ; and 2) Desk review of relevant documents. The researchers conducted a desk review of mainly secondary sources (literature, legislation, action plans, governmental programmes, resolutions and decisions). Desk analysis was complemented by the secondary analysis of data collected during the EU’s 6th Cycle of Structured Dialogue

An overview of social inclusion, digitalisation and young people

IN ENGLISH: This chapter looks at the current effects of digitalisation on social inclusion and how the two concepts might be understood and interlinked within the youth sector. It is based on a research study in 2019 by the same group of authors, which looked at social inclusion, digitalisation and young people (Șerban et al. 2020), and the intersection of these themes across Europe. --------------- IN CROATIAN: Ovo poglavlje razmatra trenutne učinke digitalizacije na socijalnu uključenost i kako se ta dva pojma mogu razumjeti i međusobno povezati u sektoru mladih. Temelji se na istraživanju iz 2019. godine iste grupe autora, koje se bavilo socijalnom uključenošću, digitalizacijom i mladima (Șerban i sur. 2020), te presijecanjem tih tema u Europi

Participation, Citizenship and Intergenerational Relations in Children and Young People's Lives: Children and Adults in Conversation

In 2012, over 200 academics who are active in international childhood and youth research gathered together alongside young people for a unique ICYRNet conference where they debated and discussed participatory approaches. Participation, Citizenship and Intergenerational Relations in Children and Young People's Lives continues the dialogue between young people and adults that started then. This edited collection draws together work from six countries about participatory research and intergenerational relations. Adopting participatory techniques, the editors worked with children and young people to co–author three chapters that each reflect young people's interpretations of three chapters written by adults. This provides a unique insight into how children and young people view research which is about them as well as highlighting their perspectives on research which resonates with their own life experiences. The book includes reference to a wealth of supplementary visual and audio materials which are available on the conference website at www.dvigc.com

Impact of type-1 collagen hydrogel density on integrin-linked morphogenic response of SH-SY5Y neuronal cells

Cellular metabolism and behaviour is closely linked to cytoskeletal tension and scaffold mechanics. In the developing nervous system functional connectivity is controlled by the interplay between chemical and mechanical cues that initiate programs of cell behaviour. Replication of functional connectivity in neuronal populations in vitro has proven a technical challenge due to the absence of many systems of biomechanical regulation that control directional outgrowth in vivo. Here, a 3D culture system is explored by dilution of a type I collagen hydrogel to produce variation in gel stiffness. Hydrogel scaffold remodelling was found to be linked to gel collagen concentration, with a greater degree of gel contraction occurring at lower concentrations. Gel mechanics were found to evolve over the culture period according to collagen concentration. Less concentrated gels reduced in stiffness, whilst a biphasic pattern of increasing and then decreasing stiffness was observed at higher concentrations. Analysis of these cultures by PCR revealed a program of shifting integrin expression and highly variable activity in key morphogenic signal pathways, such as mitogen-associated protein kinase, indicating genetic impact of biomaterial interactions via mechano-regulation. Gel contraction at lower concentrations was also found to be accompanied by an increase in average collagen fibre diameter. Minor changes in biomaterial mechanics result in significant changes in programmed cell behaviour, resulting in adoption of markedly different cell morphologies and ability to remodel the scaffold. Advanced understanding of cell–biomaterial interactions, over short and long-term culture, is of critical importance in the development of novel tissue engineering strategies for the fabrication of biomimetic 3D neuro-tissue constructs. Simple methods of tailoring the initial mechanical environment presented to SH-SY5Y populations in 3D can lead to significantly different programs of network development over time

Supplementary information files for Impact of type-1 collagen hydrogel density on integrin-linked morphogenic response of SH-SY5Y neuronal cells

Supplementary information files for article Impact of type-1 collagen hydrogel density on integrin-linked morphogenic response of SH-SY5Y neuronal cells Cellular metabolism and behaviour is closely linked to cytoskeletal tension and scaffold mechanics. In the developing nervous system functional connectivity is controlled by the interplay between chemical and mechanical cues that initiate programs of cell behaviour. Replication of functional connectivity in neuronal populations in vitro has proven a technical challenge due to the absence of many systems of biomechanical regulation that control directional outgrowth in vivo. Here, a 3D culture system is explored by dilution of a type I collagen hydrogel to produce variation in gel stiffness. Hydrogel scaffold remodelling was found to be linked to gel collagen concentration, with a greater degree of gel contraction occurring at lower concentrations. Gel mechanics were found to evolve over the culture period according to collagen concentration. Less concentrated gels reduced in stiffness, whilst a biphasic pattern of increasing and then decreasing stiffness was observed at higher concentrations. Analysis of these cultures by PCR revealed a program of shifting integrin expression and highly variable activity in key morphogenic signal pathways, such as mitogen-associated protein kinase, indicating genetic impact of biomaterial interactions via mechano-regulation. Gel contraction at lower concentrations was also found to be accompanied by an increase in average collagen fibre diameter. Minor changes in biomaterial mechanics result in significant changes in programmed cell behaviour, resulting in adoption of markedly different cell morphologies and ability to remodel the scaffold. Advanced understanding of cell–biomaterial interactions, over short and long-term culture, is of critical importance in the development of novel tissue engineering strategies for the fabrication of biomimetic 3D neuro-tissue constructs. Simple methods of tailoring the initial mechanical environment presented to SH-SY5Y populations in 3D can lead to significantly different programs of network development over time. </p