Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Obesity, stigma, and responsibility in health care: A synthesis of qualitative studies

Objective: To synthesize research findings on experiences and attitudes about obesity and stigma in health care. Methods: We compiled qualitative studies and applied Noblitt & Hare's meta ethnography to identify, translate, and summarize across studies. Thirteen qualitative studies on experiences and attitudes about obesity and stigma in health care settings were identified and included. Results: The study reveals how stigmatizing attitudes are enacted by health care providers and perceived by patients with obesity. Second-order analysis demonstrated that apparently appropriate advice can be perceived as patronizing by patients with obesity. Furthermore, health care providers indicate that abnormal bodies cannot be incorporated in the medical systems—exclusion of patients with obesity consequently happens. Finally, customary standards for interpersonal respect are legitimately surpassed, and patients with obesity experience contempt as if deserved. Third-order analysis revealed conflicting views between providers and patients with obesity on responsibility, whereas internalized stigma made patients vulnerable for accepting a negative attribution. A theoretical elaboration relates the issues of stigma with those of responsibility. Conclusion: Contradictory views on patients’ responsibility, efforts, knowledge, and motivation merge to internalization of stigma, thereby obstructing healthy coping and collaboration and creating negative contexts for empowerment, self-efficacy, and weight management. Professionals need to develop their awareness for potentially stigmatizing attitudes towards vulnerable patient populations.
Epidemics of Influenza and Pediatric Diseases Observed in Infectious Disease Surveillance in Japan, 1999-2005

BACKGROUND A method for determining epidemics in small areas from the sentinel surveillance data has been proposed and applied in the National Epidemiological Surveillance of Infectious Diseases (NESID) in Japan. We observed epidemics of influenza and 11 pediatric diseases by the method in the NESID in Japan during 1999-2005. METHODS We assumed that an epidemic in a public health center area began in a week when the number of cases reported to the NESID per sentinel clinic and hospital in the area in the week exceeded a given value, and that the epidemic ended when the number was lower than another given value. The proportion of public health center areas with epidemics (epidemic area proportion) by week in fiscal 1999-2005 was calculated. Total public health center area-weeks observed were about 30,000 each year. RESULTS The mean epidemic area proportion in the 7 years was 6.0% for influenza and 0.2-7.4% for pediatric diseases. The proportion increased in pharyngoconjunctival fever and group A streptococcal pharyngitis, decreased in measles and was less than 1.0% in pertussis and rubella. In influenza, the height of the peak in the weekly epidemic area proportion varied between 6 and 90% in the 7 years and the week of the peak varied widely. In some pediatric diseases, the height of the peak varied, while the week of the peak was relatively constant. CONCLUSION The frequency and temporal change were described in the epidemics of influenza and pediatric diseases in public health center areas from the NESID data in Japan, 1999-2005.
Immunohistochemical colocalization of G protein alpha subunits and 5‐HT in the rectal gland of the cartilaginous fish Scyliorhinus canicula

Serotonin [5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT)] is an important neuromodulator involved in a wide range of physiological functions. The effects of serotonin are mediated by an extended family of receptors coupled to multiple heterotrimeric G‐proteins, associated with cellular membrane. G proteins connect receptors to effectors and thus trigger intracellular signaling pathways. These cellular processes several regulate systemic functions such as embryonic development, gonadal development, learning and memory, and organismal homeostasis. Generally, elasmobranch fish dwell a hypersaline environment and utilize a specialized extrarenal salt secreting organ, the rectal gland, to face ionic homeostasis. In this study in addition to the morphological, histochemical and immunohistochemical description of the Scyliorhinus canicula rectal gland, for the first time, the presence of serotonin (5‐HT), and distribution of different types of G protein alpha subunits (Gα o, Gα q/11, and Gα s/olf) has been investigated in the rectal gland epithelium by confocal immunofluorescence techniques. Colocalization G proteins and 5‐HT in the secretory epithelium of the gland suggests serotonin acts as a hormone and involves G proteins in an autocrine‐paracrine control of rectal gland homeostasis.
Infectivity of a Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Lacking the SH, G, and F Proteins Is Efficiently Mediated by the Vesicular Stomatitis Virus G Protein

ABSTRACT To examine the requirements of the human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) SH (small hydrophobic), G (attachment), and F (fusion) proteins for virus infectivity and morphology, we used the prototype A2 strain of HRSV to generate a series of cDNAs from which (i) the SH open reading frame (ORF), (ii) the SH and G ORFs, or (iii) the SH, G, and F ORFs were deleted. Each deleted ORF was replaced as follows: the SH ORF was replaced with that of green fluorescent protein; the G ORF was replaced with that of Gvsv, a chimeric glycoprotein consisting of the vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus (VSIV) G protein ecto- and transmembrane domains coupled to the HRSV F cytoplasmic tail; and the F ORF was replaced with that of marker protein β-glucuronidase. The number of genes and the intergenic junctions in the constructs were kept as found in A2 virus in order to maintain authentic levels of transcription. Infectious viruses were recovered from all three engineered cDNAs and designated RSΔsh, RSΔsh,g/Gvsv, and RSΔsh,g,f/Gvsv, respectively. Low-pH-induced syncytium formation was observed in cells infected with viruses RSΔSH,G/Gvsv and RSΔSH,G,F/Gvsv, indicating that Gvsv was expressed and functional. Neutralization of infectivity by anti-VSIV G antibodies and inhibition of entry by ammonium chloride showed that RSΔSH,G,F/Gvsv infectivity was mediated by Gvsv and that an acidification step was required for entry into the host cell, similar to VSIV virions. All three engineered viruses displayed growth kinetics and virus yields similar to a wild-type A2 virus, both in Vero and HEp-2 cells. Abundant virus-induced filaments were observed at the surface of cells infected with each of the three engineered viruses or with virus A2, indicating that neither the SH and G proteins nor the F protein ecto- and transmembrane domains were required for the formation of these structures. This is the first report of the recovery of an infectious HRSV lacking a fusion protein of the Paramyxoviridae family and of manipulation of the HRSV entry pathway via incorporation of a nonparamyxoviral transmembrane glycoprotein.
Do country-specific shocks matter? Evidence from Australia and high income countries

A stylized fact of global upward trend in domestic-world output ratio for major small open economies is recognized in comparison with Australia's dichotomous experience with the ratio. This fact is used to shed light on the importance of country-specific shocks for small open economies using a simple real business cycle model. While it has been previously found that country-specific shocks are more significant source of business cycle fluctuations than worldwide shocks for Australia before the 1990s, this article suggests that the country-specific shocks may have become an important driver of output growth only in the early 1990s for Australia.
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 6 promotes in vitro proliferation, migration and inflammatory cytokine secretion of synovial fibroblast‑like cells from rheumatoid arthritis via nuclear‑κB, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and extracellular signal regulated 1/2 pathways.

Our previous studies demonstrated that expression of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 6 (PCSK6) is greatly enhanced in rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast‑like synoviocytes (RASFs), and that PCSK6 inhibition decreases cell proliferation, migration and invasion. The present study aimed to investigate the functional role of PCSK6 in the hyperplasia of RASFs. Cultured RASFs from RA patients were stimulated with recombinant human (rh)PCSK6. Subsequent changes in proliferation, invasion, migration and the secretion of inflammatory cytokines were measured in vitro using MTT, wound healing and Transwell assays, and ELISA. Cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. Influence on downstream gene expression levels were analyzed using reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Specific signaling pathways responsible for these effects were analyzed using western blotting and confirmed with pathway‑specific inhibitors. It was demonstrated that rhPCSK6 significantly increased RASF cell invasion, migration and proliferation, which was influenced through both reduced cell cycle arrest and reduced apoptosis. Furthermore, rhPCSK6 stimulated RASFs to secrete the inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)‑1α, IL‑1β and IL‑6, and exhibit altered expression of genes involved in angiogenesis, hypoxia, proliferation and inflammation. These cellular effects were mediated via the nuclear factor (NF)‑κB, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and extracellular signal regulated (ERK)1/2 signaling pathways. The results demonstrated that signaling via NF‑κB and STAT3 mediated cell cycle arrest, and signaling through NF‑κB mediated apoptosis in RASF cells stimulated with PCSK6. PCSK6 can activate NF‑κB, STAT3 and ERK1/2 signaling pathways in vitro to enhance cell proliferation, migration, invasion and inflammation in RASF cells. These findings suggest that PCSK6 may be an important therapeutic target in RA.
Multi-carrier circular-shift division multiple access for multi-user wireless systems

In this paper, a multi-carrier circular-shift division multiple access (MC-CSDMA) scheme is proposed for multiuser wireless communication systems. At the transmitter, each modulated symbol is first spread onto a subset of M subcarriers in the frequency domain through simple repetition codes. The obtained signals are then converted to the time domain, where users circularly shift their respective time domain signals by different numbers of samples. Signals from multiple users are transmitted over the same frequency at the same time. The time domain circular shifting operations render a special signal structure that allows the receiver to extract the signals from different users with zero or a small amount of multiple access interference (MAI). If the number of users is no more than M, which is the number of subcarriers bearing the same modulated symbol, then there are at most L mutually interfering users at any given subcarrier, where L is the length of the equivalent discrete-time frequency selective fading channel. Furthermore, if the number of users is no more than M/L, then MAI-free communications can be achieved. Both analytical and simulation results show that full multipath diversity gain can be achieved by the proposed MC-CSDMA scheme regardless of the presence of MAI, thus it achieves a significant performance gains over conventional orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) with the same spectral efficiency.
Perceived Benefits and E-Commerce Adoption by SME Travel Agents in Developing Countries

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly in developing countries, are regarded as slow adopters of technology, especially e-commerce. Travel agents are a typical category of SMEs, experiencing changes in the travel market structure, caused by the use of e-commerce. E-Commerce adoption is a means of supporting agents’ future survival and competitiveness at a time when many are facing the threat of disintermediation from the global travel market. The investigation of e-commerce adoption by SMEs in developing countries represents an emerging area of research, with only a limited number of studies undertaken to date. This research aims to examine the perceived benefits of an advanced level e-commerce adoption by Egyptian travel agents. Structural equation modeling is used to categorize a set of perceived benefit factors for e-commerce adoption, and establish a relationship with the level of adoption. Results indicate that marketing and competition benefits, essential benefits that support strategy and development, and business efficiency benefits all positively contribute to decisions that lead to an advanced level of e-commerce being adopted.
γ-Glutamylputrescine Synthetase in the Putrescine Utilization Pathway of Escherichia coli K-12*

Glutamate-putrescine ligase (γ-glutamylputrescine synthetase, PuuA, EC 6.3.1.11) catalyzes the γ-glutamylation of putrescine, the first step in a novel putrescine utilization pathway involving γ-glutamylated intermediates, the Puu pathway, in Escherichia coli. In this report, the character and physiological importance of PuuA are described. Purified non-tagged PuuA catalyzed the ATP-dependent γ-glutamylation of putrescine. The Km values for glutamate, ATP, and putrescine are 2.07, 2.35, and 44.6 mm, respectively. There are two putrescine utilization pathways in E. coli: the Puu pathway and the pathway without γ-glutamylation. Gene deletion experiments of puuA, however, indicated that the Puu pathway was more critical in utilizing putrescine as a sole carbon or nitrogen source. The transcription of puuA was induced by putrescine and in a puuR-deleted strain. The amino acid sequences of PuuA and glutamine synthetase (GS) show high similarity. The molecular weights of the monomers of the two enzymes are quite similar, and PuuA exists as a dodecamer as does GS. Moreover the two amino acid residues of E. coli GS that are important for the metal-catalyzed oxidation of the enzyme molecule involved in protein turnover are conserved in PuuA, and it was experimentally shown that the corresponding amino acid residues in PuuA were involved in the metal-catalyzed oxidation similarly to GS. It is suggested that the intracellular concentration of putrescine is optimized by PuuA transcriptionally and posttranslationally and that excess putrescine is converted to a nutrient source by the Puu pathway.
[Amniotic fluid analysis as a screening test in term and post-term pregnancy].

BACKGROUND To verify the hypothesis that isolated oligohydramnios in low-risk term or post-term pregnancy does not increase the risk of trauma to the fetus compared with a control group. METHODS This prospective study compared a group of patients with low-risk pregnancy and oligohydramnios (AFI = or <50) and a control group which on ultrasonography performed 24 hours before delivery had an AFI volume >50 and = or <250 mm. The evaluation criteria included incidence of induction, modality of delivery and neonatal outcome. Statistical analysis was carried out using Student's "t"-test and the data set of categories was compared using the chi square test. RESULTS From January 1997 to April 1999, 105 cases of oligohydramnios were compared with a control group (105 patients) matched for maternal age, gestation period and parity. The incidence of induction, fetal distress and variable deceleration was significantly higher in the group with AFI = or <50. The incidence of vacuum extractor, cesarean section, duration of labor and late deceleration did not differ between the two groups. No significant differences in neonatal outcome were found between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS In patients with oligohydramnios without risk factors, the modality of delivery and neonatal outcome do not differ compared with those with normal amniotic fluid volume.
Accurate evaluation of indoor triplex cable capacitances taking conductor proximity effects into account

Low-voltage indoor triplex cables aimed primarily for residential power circuits are currently being used also for high-frequency applications. The propagation properties of such cables can only be established once cable natural parameters have been determined. However, due to the fact that cable conductors are very closely spaced, such parameters must necessarily be determined by numerical modeling. In this work, cable capacitances are evaluated by taking conductor proximity effects into account. Accurate results, obtained using a harmonic expansion method, are compared with approximations currently in use. Theoretical results are validated experimentally.
The Fundamental Need to Belong

The need for belongingness (the universal need to form and maintain positive, stable interpersonal relationships) has led to much research over the past decade. Although such a need is universal, some qualitative differences exist in its orientation. Specifically, two belongingness need orientations are proposed: a growth orientation (a belongingness need directed toward interpersonal actualization) and a deficit-reduction orientation (a belongingness need directed toward interpersonal deficit reduction or repair). It is hypothesized that a deficit-reduction orientation to the need to belong is associated with lower levels of intrapersonal and interpersonal psychological functioning compared to a growth orientation. The results of a series of four studies supported the proposed hypotheses. Implications of the proposed model for future research on the need to belong are discussed.
The Economics of Codification and the Diffusion of Knowledge

The process by which knowledge or information evolves and spreads through the economy evolves changing its nature between tacit and codified forms. The process of codification includes three aspects: model building, language creation and the writing of messages. Recent technical changes in several technologies have impinged on these three activities and changed the costs and benefits from each of them, generally lowering the costs of codification. Technical changes have also facilitated the diffusion of codified knowledge, which has increased its value. Due to the temporal relations among the three aspects of codification, the ongoing process in which codification takes place may be path-dependent. Copyright 1997 by Oxford University Press.
Structured model of influenza virus replication in MDCK cells

Intracellular events that take place during influenza virus replication in animal cells are well understood qualitatively. However, to better understand the complex interaction of the virus with its host cell and to quantitatively analyze the use of cellular resources for virion formation or the overall dynamic for the entire infection cycle, a mathematical model for influenza virus replication has to be formulated. Here, we present a structured model for the single‐cell reproductive cycle of influenza A virus in animal cells that accounts for the individual steps of the process such as attachment, internalization, genome replication and translation, and progeny virion assembly. The model describes an average cell surrounded by a small quantity of medium and infected by a low number of virus particles. The model allows estimation of the cellular resources consumed by virus replication. Simulation results show that the number of cellular surface receptors and endosomes, as well as other resources, such as the number of free nucleotides or amino acids, is not significantly influenced by influenza virus propagation. A factor that limits the growth rate of progeny viruses and their release is the total amount of matrix proteins (M1) in the nucleus while other newly synthesized viral proteins (e.g., nucleoprotein NP) and viral RNAs accumulate. During budding, synthesis of vRNPs (viral ribonucleoprotein complexes) represents another limiting factor. Based on this model it is also possible to analyze effects of parameter changes on the dynamics of virus replication, to identify possible targets for molecular engineering, or to develop strategies for improving yields in vaccine production processes. Furthermore, a better insight into the interactions of viruses and host cells might help to improve our understanding of virus‐related diseases and to develop therapies. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Biogas Production from Anaerobic Treatment of Agro-Industrial Wastewater

One of the most attractive ways to obtain sources of alternative energy and the pollution control is the recover resource and energy from waste streams through bioconversion processes (Cantrell et al., 2008). In this respect, intensive studies have been conducted in the past few decades and various “green technologies” have been extensively reviewed (Kleerebezemand and Loosdrecht, 2007; Hallenbeck and Ghosh, 2009). For many years, anaerobic digestion has been a prevailing technology for biogas production, in which substrates are converted to methane and other products under a joint effort of several microbial groups in a reaction system (Sterling et al., 2001).
Maternal Smoking and Oral Clefts: The Role of Detoxification Pathway Genes

Background: There is evidence for an effect of cigarette smoking on risk of oral clefts. There are also hypothetical pathways for a biologic effect involving toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke. Methods: We performed a combined case-control and family-triad study of babies born with oral clefts in Norway in the period 1996 to 2001, with 88% participation among cases (n = 573) and 76% participation among controls (n = 763). Mothers completed a questionnaire 4 months after birth of the baby. DNA was collected from parents and children, and assayed for genes related to detoxification of compounds of cigarette smoke (NAT1, NAT2, CYP1A1, GSTP1, GSTT1, and GSTM1). Results: For isolated cleft lip (with or without cleft palate) there was a dose-response effect of smoking in the first trimester. The odds ratio rose from 1.6 (95% confidence interval = 1.0–2.5) for passive smoking to 1.9 (0.9–4.0) for mothers who smoked more than 10 cigarettes per day. There was little evidence of an association with cleft palate. Genetic analyses used both case-control and family-triad data. In case-triads we found an association between a NAT2 haplotype and isolated cleft lip (relative risk of 1.6 with 1 copy of the allele and 2.5 with 2 copies), but with little evidence of interaction with smoking. Other genes did not show associations, and previously described interactions with smoking were not confirmed. Conclusion: First-trimester smoking was clearly associated with risk of cleft lip. This effect was not modified by variants of genes related to detoxification of compounds of cigarette smoke.
Mitochondrial gene mutation, but not large‐scale deletion, is a feature of colorectal carcinomas with mitochondrial microsatellite instability

We have shown that microsatellite instability (MSI) occurs in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of colorectal carcinomas. To determine whether such mitochondrial microsatellite instability (mtMSI) is associated with certain forms of mitochondrial gene alterations, we extended the screening in the same series of 45 carcinomas. Analysis by whole mtDNA amplification (16.5 kb) and digestion revealed no detectable large‐scale change in these carcinomas. In contrast, single‐strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis demonstrated NADH dehydrogense (ND) gene alterations in 7 carcinomas (16%), including 3 mononucleotide repeat alterations, 2 missense mutations and 1 small (15 bp) deletion. Six of these 7 carcinomas also exhibited mtMSI of the (C)n sequence in the displacement‐loop (D‐loop) region. Thus, frameshift or missense mutations rather than large‐scale changes in the mtDNA were more common features in colorectal carcinomas with mtMSI. By analogy to mutational features of nuclear MSI, mtMSI most likely results from certain repair deficiencies in the mtDNA and probably plays a role in the tumor development of certain colorectal carcinomas. Int. J. Cancer, 83:625‐629, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.