Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Food allergy and Helicobacter pylori infection.

BACKGROUND Most antigens reach the immune system through mucosae. Gastrointestinal mucosa is a barrier for alimentary antigens. Inflammatory processes, such as Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis, could alter the integrity of the gastric barrier, increase the mucosal permeability, and enhance crossing of food antigens which may stimulate allergic reactions. PURPOSE The aim of this study was to establish whether patients with symptomatic food allergy and detectable immunoglobulin E (IgE) to alimentary antigens were infected by Helicobacter pylori more often than controls, and to determine the phenotype of the infecting Helicobacter pylori. PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty-eight consecutive patients with symptomatic food allergy and serum IgE to alimentary antigens, and 53 consecutive age-matched controls (subjects without food allergy and detectable levels of IgE anti-alimentary antigens) living in the same area and attending the same institution were investigated serologically to determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection, and an immune response to CagA, a marker of the most pathogenic strains. IgE to alimentary allergens were measured by a commercial kit. RESULTS The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with food allergy and controls was similar (42.1% and 47.1%, respectively). Anti-CagA antibodies in Helicobacter pylori-infected persons were detected in 62.5% of patients with food allergy, and 28.0% of controls (p = 0.030, odds ratio = 4.29, RR = 2.23). The mean IgE level to the most common alimentary antigens was increased in CagA-positive, with respect to the CagA-negative, patients. CONCLUSIONS The enhanced mucosal and inflammatory lesions commonly found in individuals infected by CagA-positive Helicobacter pylori strains could increase the epithelial permeability and render non-selective the passage of allergens which, in atopic persons, could directly stimulate an IgE response. Infection by CagA-positive Helicobacter pylori may increase the risk of food allergy.
Intention versus identification as determinants of adolescents’ health behaviours: evidence and correlates

The present study used a within-participants design to (a) assess the predictive validity of prototype identification versus intention for adolescents’ health behaviours and (b) examine whether control of health behaviour by intention relative to identification is associated with key individual difference variables. Participants were school children (N = 136) who completed measures of intention, perceived behavioural control and prototype identification for 14 health-related behaviours at Time 1, and reported their behaviour 2 weeks later (Time 2). A hierarchical regression showed that prototype identification and intention exhibited similar predictive validity in the prediction of adolescents’ health behaviour. Importantly, identification contributed an additional 6% to the variance in behaviour, after controlling for intention and perceived behavioural control from the theory of planned behaviour [TPB: Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50, 179–211. ]. Additional analyses showed that greater social comparison tendencies, lower agreeableness, greater intellect and less emotional stability were all related to greater control of behaviour by prototype identification. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
Semantic encoding of spoken sentences: Adult aging and the preservation of conceptual short-term memory

Traditional models of human memory have postulated the need for a brief phonological or verbatim representation of verbal input as a necessary gateway to a higher level conceptual representation of the input. Potter has argued that meaningful sentences may be encoded directly in a conceptual short-term memory (CSTM) running parallel in time to such a phonological store. The primary aim of the current study was to evaluate two main tenets of the CSTM model: that linguistic context biases selection of information entering the conceptual store, and that information not integrated into a coherent structure is rapidly forgotten. Results confirmed these predictions for spoken sentences heard by both young and older adults, supporting the generality of the model and suggesting that CSTM remains stable in normal aging.
From Cue to Recall: The Temporal Dynamics of Long-Term Memory Retrieval

A fundamental function of long-term memory is the ability to retrieve a specific memory when encountering a retrieval cue. The purpose of this dissertation was to further our understanding of such cued recall by investigating the temporal dynamics from the presentation of the retrieval cue until the target memory is recalled. Retrieval cues are often related with several memories. When such a retrieval cue is presented, the associated memories will compete for retrieval and this retrieval competition needs to be handled in order to retrieve the sought after target memory. Study 1 and Study 2 investigated the temporal dynamics of such competitive semantic cued recall. Interestingly, previous research has shown that the ability to retrieve the currently relevant target memory comes with a cost, namely retrieval-induced forgetting of the competing memories. These studies also investigated the role of competitor activation and target retrieval in this forgetting phenomenon. Study 1 investigated the electrophysiological correlates of reactivation of competing currently irrelevant memories and the role of such competitor activation in retrieval-induced forgetting. Competitor activation was related to an FN400 event-related potential (ERP) effect and this effect predicted increased levels of retrieval-induced forgetting, indicating that this forgetting effect is dependent on competitor activation. Study 2 examined processes involved in target retrieval in a similar competitive semantic cued recall task. The main finding in this study was that attempts to retrieve the target memory were related to a late posterior negativity ERP effect. Another important finding was that behavioural and ERP measures of target retrieval were unrelated to retrieval-induced forgetting. Retrieval cues can sometimes elicit involuntary retrieval of unwanted memories. Such memory intrusions are a core symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder. Study 3 investigated the temporal dynamics of such memory intrusions. One of the key findings was that memory intrusions were related to a negative slow wave ERP effect possibly reflecting the activation of the intruding memory in working memory. Taken together the findings in the dissertation indicate that cued recall involves several cognitive processes ranging from early automatic memory reactivation to conscious processes such as working memory activation and recollection. The findings have implications for cognitive theories of memory and have relevance for several clinical conditions including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm: update on molecular biology, diagnosis, and therapy.

BACKGROUND Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare hematological malignancy with an aggressive clinical course. Most patients with BPDCN have skin lesions and simultaneous involvement of the peripheral blood, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. METHODS A search of PubMed and Medline was conducted for English-written articles relating to BPDCN, CD4(+)CD56(+) hematodermic neoplasm, and blastic natural killer cell lymphoma. Data regarding diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment were analyzed. RESULTS BPDCN is derived from precursor plasmacytoid dendritic cells. The diagnosis of BPDCN is based on the characteristic cytology and immunophenotype of malignant cells coexpressing CD4, CD56, CD123, blood dendritic cell antigens 2 and 4, and CD2AP markers. Multiple chromosomal abnormalities and gene mutations previously reported in patients with myeloid and selected lymphoid neoplasms were identified in approximately 60% of patients with BPDCN. Prospectively controlled studies to guide treatment decisions are lacking. The overall response rate with aggressive acute lymphoblastic leukemia-type induction regimens was as high as 90%, but the durability of response was short. Median survival rates ranged between 12 and 16 months. Patients with relapsed disease may respond to L-asparaginase-containing regimens. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, particularly when performed during the first remission, may produce durable remissions in selected adults. CONCLUSIONS BPDCN is a rare aggressive disease that typically affects elderly patients. The most commonly affected nonhematopoietic organ is the skin. Although BPDCN is initially sensitive to conventional chemotherapy regimens, this response is relatively short and long-term prognosis is poor. In the near future, novel targeted therapies may improve outcomes for patients with BPDCN.
Does Participation in Voluntary Associations Contribute to Social Capital? The Impact of Intensity, Scope, and Type

Voluntary associations are often ascribed a fundamental role in the formation of social capital. However, scholars disagree on the extent to which face-to-face contact, that is, active participation, is necessary to create this resource. This article examines the impact of participation in associations on social capital using three dimensions: intensity (active vs. passive participation), scope (many vs. few affiliations) and type (nonpolitical vs. political purpose). Whereas those affiliated display higher levels of social capital than outsiders, the difference between active and passive members is absent or negligible. The only cumulative effect of participation occurs when a member belongs to several associations simultaneously, preferably with different purposes. The article challenges the notion that active participation is necessary for the formation of social capital and suggests that more attention should be paid to the importance of passive and multiple affiliations within associations.
Magnetotail flow bursts: Association to global magnetospheric circulation, relationship to ionospheric activity and direct evidence for localization

A series of bursty bulk flow events (BBFs) were observed by GEOTAIL and WIND in the geomagnetotail. IMP8 at the solar wind showed significant energy coupling into the magnetosphere, while the UVI instrument on POLAR evidenced significant energy transfer to the ionosphere during two substorms. There was good correlation between BBFs and ionospheric activity observed by UVI even when ground magnetic signatures were absent, suggesting that low ionospheric conductivity at the active sector may be responsible for this observation. During the second substorm no significant flux transport was evidenced past WIND in stark contrast to GEOTAIL and despite the small intersatellite separation ((3.54, 2.88, −0.06) RE). Throughout the intervals studied there were significant differences in the individual flow bursts at the two satellites, even during longitudinally extended ionospheric activations. We conclude that the half‐scale‐size of transport‐bearing flow bursts is less than 3 RE.
ERK1 and ERK2 Activation by Chemotactic Factors in Human Eosinophils Is Interleukin 5-dependent and Contributes to Leukotriene C4 Biosynthesis*

Eosinophils, the major immune effector cells contributing to allergic inflammation and asthma, are profoundly affected by interleukin (IL) 5 with respect to their differentiation, viability, recruitment, and cytotoxic effector functions. IL-5 enhances eosinophil responsiveness to a variety of chemotactic factors via a process called priming, although the molecular mechanism is unknown. In this study, we report that, following IL-5 priming of eosinophils, chemotactic agents including fMet-Leu-Phe, IL-8, and RANTES, promote vigorous transient activation of ERK1 and ERK2. In contrast, these chemotactic factors stimulate weak or indiscernible ERK activation in unprimed eosinophils. Furthermore, this intracellular marker of priming is selective for IL-5-related cytokines, in that it is observed following exposure to IL-5 and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor but not to interferon-γ, stem cell factor, tumor necrosis factor α, or IL-4. Interestingly, priming of chemoattractant-induced ERK activation is accompanied by an increase in association of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins with the adapter protein Grb2. The biological relevance of ERK activation to IL-5 priming is supported by the observation that inhibition of ERK activity by treatment with the MEK inhibitors PD98059 or U0126 inhibited the release of leukotriene C4 stimulated by fMet-Leu-Phe in IL-5-primed eosinophils. These data provide evidence for a previously undescribed fundamental mechanism by which stimulation of IL-5 family receptors induces a rapid phenotypic alteration in the signal transduction pathways of chemotactic receptors, enabling their activation of the ERK1 and ERK2 pathway and contributing to the capacity of these cells to synthesize LTC4.
Regional, National, and International Nanoelectronics Research Programs: Topical Concentration and Gaps

This paper will outline some results obtained by an international working group on nanoelectronics, which collects data from major publicly funded programs in Europe, Japan, and the United States on long-term nanoelectronics research. It maps these programs and projects onto a set of research directions that are expected to drive nanoelectronics for the long term. The purpose is to identify those research topics attracting a lot of attention and those important topics that seem less attractive. This paper will give examples of interregional collaborative programs and identify sources of funding specifically provided to support international collaborations.
Can LDL cholesterol be too low? Possible risks of extremely low levels

Following the continuous accumulation of evidence supporting the beneficial role of reducing low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) levels in the treatment and prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and its complications, therapeutic possibilities now exist to lower LDL‐C to very low levels, similar to or even lower than those seen in newborns and nonhuman species. In addition to the important task of evaluating potential side effects of such treatments, the question arises whether extremely low LDL‐C levels per se may provoke adverse effects in humans. In this review, we summarize information from studies of human cellular and organ physiology, phenotypic characterization of rare genetic diseases of lipid metabolism, and experience from clinical trials. Specifically, we emphasize the importance of the robustness of the regulatory systems that maintain balanced fluxes and levels of cholesterol at both cellular and organismal levels. Even at extremely low LDL‐C levels, critical capacities of steroid hormone and bile acid production are preserved, and the presence of a cholesterol blood–brain barrier protects cells in the central nervous system. Apparent relationships sometimes reported between less pronounced low LDL‐C levels and disease states such as cancer, depression, infectious disease and others can generally be explained as secondary phenomena. Drug‐related side effects including an increased propensity for development of type 2 diabetes occur during statin treatment, whilst further evaluation of more potent LDL‐lowering treatments such as PCSK9 inhibitors is needed. Experience from the recently reported and ongoing large event‐driven trials are of great interest, and further evaluation including careful analysis of cognitive functions will be important.
Children's narrative productions: A comparison of personal event and fictional stories

ABSTRACT Personal event narratives and fictional stories are narrative genres which emerge early and undergo further development throughout the preschool and early elementary school years. This study compares personal event and fictional narratives across two language-ability groups using episodic analysis. Thirty-six normal children (aged 4 to 8 years) were divided into high and low language-ability groups using Developmental Sentence Scoring (DSS). Three fictional stories and three personal event narratives were gathered from each subject and were scored for length in communication units, total types of structures found within the narrative, and structure of the whole narrative. Narrative genre differences significantly influenced narrative structure for both language-ability groups and narrative length for the high language-ability group. Personal events were told with more reactive sequences and complete episodes than fictional stories, while fictional stories were told with more action sequences and multiple-episode structures. Compared to the episodic story structure of fictional stories, where a prototypical ‘good” story is a multiple-episode structure, a reactive sequence and/or a single complete episode structure may be an alternate, involving mature narrative forms for relating personal events. These findings suggest that narrative structures for personal event narratives and fictional stories may follow different developmental paths. Finally, differences in productive language abilities contributed to the distinctions in narrative structure between fictional stories and personal event narratives. As compared to children in the low group, children in the high group told narratives with greater numbers of complete and multiple episodes, and their fictional stories were longer than their personal event narratives.
Re-thinking management education: from cognition, to action, to learning

This research memorandum is the transcript used in the inaugural lecture given at the University of Hull on 12th March 2007. The lecture is presented in two parts. Part I begins with an introduction to cognitive style, a psychological construct from within the domain of individual differences psychology. This is discussed in relation to its potential influence on student performance in management education. Part II focuses on more macro aspects of management education. It begins by considering the historical context of Business Schools and the ways in which management education has evolved (generally for the worse). This is followed by an evaluation of the state of management education today. Its relevance is challenged and various connections are questioned, for example, between theory & practice, management education & career success, and scholarship & management practice. Drawing on theories associated with learning, knowledge, and achievement, the lecture then moves on to argue for doing radically different things in the medium term, and for completely re-thinking the management education provision in the longer term.
FAKTOR-FAKTOR YANG MEMPENGARUHI QUALITY OF WORK LIFE (QWL)

Tujuan dari penelitian ini untuk mengetahui Faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi Quality Of Work Life Di PT Semen Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah metode penelitian kuantitatif berjenis Analisis Faktor. Subjek yang dijadikan penelitian merupakan karyawan PT Semen Indonesia berjumlah 62 karyawan. Penelitian ini menggunakan instrumen yang berupa skala psikologi dan teknik analisis data menggunakan Analisis Faktor dengan bantuan SPSS versi 16,00 for windows.
Cardiovascular and Renal Outcomes of Renin–Angiotensin System Blockade in Adult Patients with Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review with Network Meta-Analyses

Background Medications aimed at inhibiting the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) have been used extensively for preventing cardiovascular and renal complications in patients with diabetes, but data that compare their clinical effectiveness are limited. We aimed to compare the effects of classes of RAS blockers on cardiovascular and renal outcomes in adults with diabetes. Methods and Findings Eligible trials were identified by electronic searches in PubMed/MEDLINE and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (1 January 2004 to 17 July 2014). Interventions of interest were angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), and direct renin (DR) inhibitors. The primary endpoints were cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, and stroke—singly and as a composite endpoint, major cardiovascular outcome—and end-stage renal disease [ESRD], doubling of serum creatinine, and all-cause mortality—singly and as a composite endpoint, progression of renal disease. Secondary endpoints were angina pectoris and hospitalization for heart failure. In all, 71 trials (103,120 participants), with a total of 14 different regimens, were pooled using network meta-analyses. When compared with ACE inhibitor, no other RAS blocker used in monotherapy and/or combination was associated with a significant reduction in major cardiovascular outcomes: ARB (odds ratio [OR] 1.02; 95% credible interval [CrI] 0.90–1.18), ACE inhibitor plus ARB (0.97; 95% CrI 0.79–1.19), DR inhibitor plus ACE inhibitor (1.32; 95% CrI 0.96–1.81), and DR inhibitor plus ARB (1.00; 95% CrI 0.73–1.38). For the risk of progression of renal disease, no significant differences were detected between ACE inhibitor and each of the remaining therapies: ARB (OR 1.10; 95% CrI 0.90–1.40), ACE inhibitor plus ARB (0.97; 95% CrI 0.72–1.29), DR inhibitor plus ACE inhibitor (0.99; 95% CrI 0.65–1.57), and DR inhibitor plus ARB (1.18; 95% CrI 0.78–1.84). No significant differences were showed between ACE inhibitors and ARBs with respect to all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, angina pectoris, hospitalization for heart failure, ESRD, or doubling serum creatinine. Findings were limited by the clinical and methodological heterogeneity of the included studies. Potential inconsistency was identified in network meta-analyses of stroke and angina pectoris, limiting the conclusiveness of findings for these single endpoints. Conclusions In adults with diabetes, comparisons of different RAS blockers showed similar effects of ACE inhibitors and ARBs on major cardiovascular and renal outcomes. Compared with monotherapies, the combination of an ACE inhibitor and an ARB failed to provide significant benefits on major outcomes. Clinicians should discuss the balance between benefits, costs, and potential harms with individual diabetes patients before starting treatment. Review registration PROSPERO CRD42014014404