Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interleukin-8/CXCL8 Forms an Autocrine Loop in Fetal Intestinal Mucosa

IL-8/CXC ligand (CXCL) 8 is ingested in high concentrations by the human fetus/neonate with amniotic fluid and human milk, and is also produced constitutively by intestinal epithelial cells (IEC). We have shown that recombinant human IL-8/CXCL8 (rhIL-8/CXCL8) protects cultured IEC against tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and cycloheximide-induced cytotoxicity. In view of its constitutive production, we hypothesized that IL-8/CXCL8 might play an autocrine role in fetal enterocyte maintenance. In this study, we measured IL-8/CXCL8 mRNA concentrations in fetal intestine (11–22 wk gestation), sought the presence of the protein by immunohistochemistry in fetal stomach and intestine (9–24 wk), measured IL-8/CXCL8 in neonatal gastric secretions, and studied constitutive and stimulated IL-8/CXCL8 expression in cultured IEC. We found that IL-8/CXCL8 is consistently transcribed and expressed in fetal intestinal tissue, in a developmentally regulated inverse relationship with gestational maturation. The cognate receptors for IL-8/CXCL8 are also expressed abundantly in the fetal intestine, and, therefore, we sought to determine whether the expressed IL-8/CXCL8 would complete an autocrine loop. Neutralization of IL-8/CXCL8 resulted in increased cell death in cultured IEC in the presence of TNF-α. This effect is specifically mediated through the CXCR2 receptors. We speculate that IL-8/CXCL8 secretion during cytotoxic stress reflects a cellular self-defense mechanism.
Linking service climate to customer loyalty

The present study evaluates the effect of service climate on customer loyalty by incorporating resident perceptions of service quality regarding their interaction with staff members in a nursing home. The study also explores the mediating role of service quality between service climate and customer loyalty. A conceptual two-level model linking service climate to customer loyalty was developed and analyzed using data collected from 197 nursing staff members and 477 residents in 44 nursing homes in Taiwan. The results show that service climate improves service quality and customer loyalty and provide empirical support for the mediating role of service quality between service climate and customer loyalty. Both theoretical and practical implications are discussed as well as future research directions.
Production of recombinant human growth hormone in Escherichia coli: Expression of different precursors and physiological effects of glucose, acetate, and salts

The constitutive cytoplasmic expression in E. coli of human growth hormone (hGH) with different N‐terminal extensions (3 or 4 amino acids) has been studied. These hGH precursors were used for in vitro cleavage to obtain the mature, authentic hormone. Small changes in the amino acid extensions of the hGH precursors led to three‐fold differences in specific expression rates. The specific expression rate of the hGH precursors was inversely proportional to the ratios of the specific growth rates of plasmid containing and plasmid free cells (μ+/μ−) and also to the genetic stability. To ensure a satisfactory genetic stability in production fermentors, an hGH precursor with a moderate expression efficiency was chosen.
Understanding HIV-related stigma : social and psychological processes

• A submitted manuscript is the version of the article upon submission and before peer-review. There can be important differences between the submitted version and the official published version of record. People interested in the research are advised to contact the author for the final version of the publication, or visit the DOI to the publisher's website. • The final author version and the galley proof are versions of the publication after peer review. • The final published version features the final layout of the paper including the volume, issue and page numbers.
Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Gene Expression Is Accelerated by Inhibitors of Histone Deacetylases in Rabbit Skin Cells Infected with a Mutant Carrying a cDNA Copy of the Infected-Cell Protein No. 0

ABSTRACT An earlier report showed that the expression of viral genes by a herpes simplex virus 1 mutant [HSV-1(vCPc0)] in which the wild-type, spliced gene encoding infected-cell protein no. 0 (ICP0) was replaced by a cDNA copy is dependent on both the cell type and multiplicity of infection. At low multiplicities of infection, viral gene expression in rabbit skin cells was delayed by many hours, although ultimately virus yield was comparable to that of the wild-type virus. This defect was rescued by replacement of the cDNA copy with the wild-type gene. To test the hypothesis that the delay reflected a dysfunction of ICP0 in altering the structure of host protein-viral DNA complexes, we examined the state of histone deacetylases (HDACs) (HDAC1, HDAC2, and HDAC3). We report the following. (i) HDAC1 and HDAC2, but not HDAC3, were modified in infected cells. The modification was mediated by the viral protein kinase US3 and occurred between 3 and 6 h after infection with wild-type virus but was delayed in rabbit skin cells infected with HSV-1(vCPc0) mutant, concordant with a delay in the expression of viral genes. (ii) Pretreatment of rabbit skin cells with inhibitors of HDAC activity (e.g., sodium butyrate, Helminthosporium carbonum toxin, or trichostatin A) accelerated the expression of HSV-1(vCPc0) but not that of wild-type virus. We conclude the following. (i) In the interval in which HSV-1(vCPc0) DNA is silent, its DNA is in chromatin-like structures amenable to modification by inhibitors of histone deacetylases. (ii) Expression of wild-type virus genes in these cells precluded the formation of DNA-protein structures that would be affected by either the HDACs or their inhibitors. (iii) Since the defect in HSV-1(vCPc0) maps to ICP0, the results suggest that this protein initiates the process of divestiture of viral DNA from tight chromatin structures but could be replaced by other viral proteins in cells infected with a large number of virions.
A Model for Teaching Service Management in Hospitality

“Service” became the buzzword of the 1980s. While numerous business school programmes have been progressive in research, publication and education in this area, service management in hospitality education has yet to receive the attention that it deserves. Offers a review of service management issues, discusses the reasons why an understanding of service management concepts is important to the hospitality student, and makes recommendations for how the service concepts can be grouped together to form the basis of a service management course in a hospitality curriculum.
Is competence set expansion in the information service industry a planned behavior? The moderating effects of action control style

Technological advancement has brought dramatic changes to most industries. As a result, the pressure to compete has intensified tremendously. This is especially evident in the information service (IS) industry where the need of companies to expand their employees' competence set (CS) becomes critical. This study investigated whether CS expansion in the IS industry is a planned behavior moderated by individual style of action control. A mail survey was carried out to collect data from the IS companies in Taiwan. A total of 190 valid samples were obtained. The results of analyses showed that our proposed model provided a good fit to the data. Attitude tendency (AT), subjective norms (SN), and computer/information technology (IT) self-efficacy positively affected employees' intentions of expanding the CS. Moreover, we found that the action control style moderated the effects of AT, SN, and computer/IT self-efficacy on behavioral intention. The implications of this study as well as its limitations are discussed.
Wilh. Wilhelmsen Shipping Company: moving from CSR tradition to CSR leadership

Purpose – The purpose of this case study is to explore the depth of integration of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), defined as the triple bottom line (3BL), throughout the Wilh. Wilhelmsen (WW) Shipping Company. The endeavor is to understand how the company defines CSR, the developmental experiences of the leaders toward CSR and to identify strategies, policies and practices implemented to support CSR.Design/methodology/approach – As a part of a larger CSR research project on European‐based companies practicing CSR, Wilh. Wilhelmsen was the first organization selected to be studied in understanding the levels of integration of CSR throughout the company. The methodology used for collecting the data consisted of one‐on‐one interviews with senior executives and focus group sessions conducted with a cross‐section of staff employees and middle level managers at Wilh. Wilhelmsen headquarters in Lysaker, Norway.Findings – Interviews and focus group sessions indicated that CSR and sustainability are not ty.
Sensory Changes and Pain After Abdominal Hysterectomy: A Comparison of Anesthetic Supplementation with Fentanyl Versus Magnesium or Ketamine

Drugs interacting with opioid or N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors may have differing effects on postsurgical sensory changes, such as central inhibition or spinal excitation. We compared the effect of supplementing isoflurane/N2 O/O2 anesthesia with an opioid agonist (fentanyl [n = 15]) or two drugs inhibiting the NMDA system differently (magnesium, ketamine [n = 15 in each group]) on sensory changes after abdominal hysterectomy. Electric sensation, pain detection, and pain tolerance thresholds were determined (preoperatively and 1, 4, 24 h, and 5 days postoperatively) in arm, thoracic, incision, and leg dermatomes together with pain scores and cumulative morphine consumption. Thresholds relative to the arm were derived to unmask segmental sensory changes hidden by generalized changes. Absolute thresholds were increased 1-24 h, returning to baseline on Day 5, without overall differences among drugs. Fentanyl thresholds were lower 1 h and higher 5 days postoperatively compared with magnesium and ketamine; thresholds were lower at 24 h for magnesium versus ketamine. Relative thresholds increased compared with baseline only with fentanyl (1-4 h); none decreased. Pain scores and morphine consumption were similar. Thus, all adjuvants suppressed spinal sensitization after surgery. Fentanyl showed the most, and magnesium the least, central sensory inhibition up to 5 days postoperatively, with different patterns of inhibition directly postsurgery versus later. Differences in sensory processing were not reflected in clinical measures. Implications: We studied the effects on postsurgical sensory processing of general anesthesia supplemented by drugs affecting opioid or N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors using sensory thresholds. Generalized central sensory inhibition, differently affected by the drugs, predominated after surgery. All drugs suppressed spinal excitation. Clinical pain measures did not reflect sensory change.
QSAR Studies of CYP2D6 Inhibitor Aryloxypropanolamines Using 2D and 3D Descriptors

Thirty six aryloxypropanolamine compounds with cytochrome 2D6 (CYP2D6) inhibitory activity were subjected to molecular shape analysis and molecular field analysis studies to explore the required molecular shape features as well as information on putative interactions with the active site of the enzyme. In addition to the 3D QSAR models, impact of two‐dimensional (2D; thermodynamic, structural and topological including E‐state parameters) descriptors towards the inhibitory activity was also studied. The whole data set was divided into training (n = 26) and test (n = 10) sets by K‐means clustering technique. The chemometric tools used for molecular shape analysis and molecular field analysis were GFA and G/PLS techniques respectively. The G/PLS model derived in molecular field analysis using maximum common subgroup alignment was found to be the best model based on highest external (R2pred = 0.912) predictive power with lowest RMSEP value (0.363). The molecular field analysis‐derived models suggest the requirement of U‐shape conformation for optimum interactions as well as importance of different substituents on the aryloxypropanol fragment like indolylalkyl substituent. The molecular shape analysis models indicate the importance of distribution of positive and negative charges on the surface of the molecules. The QSAR models with 2D descriptors reveal the importance of bulk, branching and presence of different fragments.
Confirmatory factor analysis of the German Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS-D)

ABSTRACT Over the past five years, the development of interprofessional education programmes has been gaining momentum in Germany fostering the need to evaluate these with appropriate instruments. Instead of developing a new instrument for evaluation purposes, the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS) was chosen, as it is a widespread instrument that has been used in a variety of different educational settings and countries. The German version of the RIPLS was administered in two sites to health professional students in Heidelberg and Freiburg, Germany. Cronbach’s alpha was used to examine internal consistency. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed for confirmation of the underlying factor structure of the RIPLS-D. In total, 531 questionnaires were analysed. The instrument showed overall reliability (0.81) and low reliability (< 0.7) in the subscales. The underlying factor structure could not be confirmed. These results contribute further evidence on deficits with the RIPLS. Despite known issues, the RIPLS continues to be translated and applied. This paper highlights the problematic issues in the RIPLS-D and does not recommend its use.
TANF child-only cases in California: Barriers to self-sufficiency and well-being

Since the United States implemented Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), or ‘welfare reform,’ the number of assistance cases without an adult receiving aid has risen dramatically. In states like California, these child-only cases now constitute the majority of all TANF cases. Despite this increase, existing research sheds little light on the composition of child-only caseloads and the status of the adults and children in such cases. Drawing on county administrative data and interviews with 143 parents associated with child-only cases in five California counties, this paper identifies both the demographics of the child-only caseload in these sites and the major barriers to employment that parents in sanctioned and timed-out child-only cases face. These include human capital, health, and family issues, in addition to other obstacles. The data suggest that, despite functioning as one administrative entity, CalWORKs, California's TANF program, has transformed into two separate programs: a welfare-to-work program and a subsistence-level cash assistance program for some members of child-only families. Given this transformation, the paper closes by suggesting a research agenda for future child-only scholarship and argues for policy innovations to meet the needs of the expanding child-only caseload.
Diminishing the social network in organizations: does there need to be such a phenomenon as ‘survivor syndrome’ after downsizing?

Many management fads have been shown to be detrimental to the well-being of employees as well as to the long-term competitiveness of organizations. Downsizing has been recognized as belonging to this category and research has begun to clarify what is now commonly known as ‘survivor syndrome’, the negative attitudes and behaviours of those that survive retrenchment. However, recent evidence shows that ‘survivor syndrome’ does not actually exist in all downsizing situations. By closely examining the specific conditions under which the effects of downsizing are lessened, this study contributes to the development of effective interventions for dealing with organizational change. Using the data from a longitudinal survey, this paper investigates the impact of downsizing on survivor attitudes of affective and continuance commitment, general and specific job satisfaction, perceived organizational support, and the behaviours of performance, effort, turnover intention and absenteeism. While analyses reveal evidence of decline in some of the variables after the downsizing, a more important finding was support for the counter-argument that a syndrome does not actually exist. Four of the variables were not significantly affected by downsizing. The implication for management is that effective management of a downsizing programme can decrease the likelihood of a syndrome permeating an organization. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Epidemiology of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria in Elderly Women

We studied asymptomatic bacteriuria in elderly ambulatory women residents without indwelling catheters in self‐contained apartment houses at the Philadelphia Geriatric Center (PGC), in the nursing home at PGC, and in several life‐care communities (LCC). Subjects were studied every 6 months from January 1983 through January 1989, and since enrollment was continuous some participated in more surveys than others. PGC residents were middle class and lived either in a self care apartment house (CL) or nursing home (NH); LCC residents were middle or upper class. Antimicrobial therapy for asymptomatic bacteriuria was not given by the study team.
Postnatal structure of the sella turcica in Down syndrome.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the shape of the sella turcica in a group of patients with Down syndrome and compare the findings with those made earlier in human fetuses with Down syndrome. Profile radiographs from 78 patients (age 4 months to 50 3/12 years) were analyzed. A tracing was made of each sella turcica, and the shape was compared with that of a normal sella, including the normal growth pattern from childhood to adulthood. Sella turcica structure could be classified into three morphological types, defined as: type I, almost normal appearance; type II, deviations in the anterior wall; and type III, deviations in the floor of the sella turcica. Compared with previously registered prenatal structural deviations in the sella turcica, it can be concluded that the postnatal radiographic material reflects the prenatal findings, because type I, both prenatally and postnatally, is by far the most common, whereas the remaining types are uncommon, both prenatally and postnatally. The study confirms the relevance of prenatal investigations for postnatal diagnostics as previously documented in sella turcica analyses of prenatal and postnatal myelomeningocele cases.
Confined displacement algorithm determines true and random colocalization in fluorescence microscopy

The quantification of colocalizing signals in multichannel fluorescence microscopy images depends on the reliable segmentation of corresponding regions of interest, on the selection of appropriate colocalization coefficients, and on a robust statistical criterion to discriminate true from random colocalization. Here, we introduce a confined displacement algorithm based on image correlation spectroscopy in combination with Manders colocalization coefficients M1ROI and M2ROI to quantify true and random colocalization of a given florescence pattern. We show that existing algorithms based on block scrambling exaggerate the randomization of fluorescent patterns with resulting inappropriately narrow probability density functions and false significance of true colocalization in terms of p values. We further confine our approach to subcellular compartments and show that true and random colocalization can be analysed for model dendrites and for GABAB receptor subunits GABABR1/2 in cultured hippocampal neurons. Together, we demonstrate that the confined displacement algorithm detects true colocalization of specific fluorescence patterns down to subcellular levels.
Mechanisms and Influence of Octreotide-Induced Regulation of Somatostatin Receptor 2 on Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background: Somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) belong to the family of G protein-coupled receptors. Exposure of G protein-coupled receptors to their agonists induces a rapid decrease in their initial response. The goal of this study is to investigate alteration in SSTR2 by the treatment of SSTR agonist octreotide (OCT) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the resulting consequence. Methods: Morphology, proliferation and cell cycle of the human HCC cell line (Bel7402) were evaluated. Effect of OCT on HCC growth and development was assessed in vivo. SSTR2 expression was measured by RT-PCR and detected by immunohistochemistry. Results: Short-term OCT treatment on Bel7402 cells barely changed cell proliferation and morphology, and no apoptosis was induced. The SSTR2 protein level was markedly decreased on Bel7402 cells after exposure to OCT. However, the weight of the HCC xenograft was significantly lower in the OCT treatment group as compared with the control group. In the rat hepatocarcinogenesis model, the mortality and incidence of HCC in the OCT treatment group were remarkably less than those in the control group. Long-term OCT treatment led to increased levels of both SSTR2 mRNA and protein in hepatocytes and HCC cells. Conclusion: Short-term OCT treatment could lead to SSTR2 desensitization, resulting in a reduced inhibitory effect on HCC by OCT. However, long-term OCT treatment effectively inhibited the development and growth of HCC probably via resensitization and upregulation of SSTR2.
Minimal clinically important difference: defining what really matters to patients.

When assessing the clinical utility of therapies intended to improve subjective outcomes, the amount of improvement that is important to patients must be determined.1 The smallest benefit of value to patients is called the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). The MCID is a patient-centered concept, capturing both the magnitude of the improvement and also the value patients place on the change. Using patientcentered MCIDs is important for studies involving patientreported outcomes,2 for which the clinical importance of a given change may not be obvious to clinicians selecting treatments. The MCID defines the smallest amount an outcomemust change to be meaningful to patients.1 In this issue of JAMA, Hinmanet al3 report findings froma clinical trial evaluatingwhether acupuncture (needle, laser, andsham laser) improved pain or overall functional outcomes compared with no acupuncture among patients with chronic knee pain. Pain was measured on a numerical rating scale and functional status by the Western andMcMasterUniversitiesOsteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score. The MCIDs for both end points were based on prior experience with these scoring systems. The MCID for pain was determined using an expert consensus, or Delphi approach,4 while the MCID for function was determined using an “anchor” approach, based on patients’ qualitative assessments of their own responses to treatment.5
BTI reliability and time-dependent variability of stacked gate-all-around Si nanowire transistors

We report experimental results of the N/PBTl (Negative/Positive Bias Temperature Instability) reliability of vertically stacked Gate-All-Around (GAA) silicon nanowire (NW) MOSFETs. We benchmark the lifetime of these novel devices against FinFETs with different widths and similar gate-stack. We do not only compare the average degradation, but also the time-dependent variability. At last, we predict the impact of the nanowire diameter on the reliability using TCAD simulations. Both the experimental results and the simulations indicate that BTI reliability is not negatively impacted down to a nanowire diameter of 6nm.