Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Productive HIV‐1 infection of normal human mammary epithelial cells

Objective, and designTo determine the susceptibility of mammary epithelial cells (MEC) to HIV-1 as breastfeeding is an established route of HIV transmission, although the origin of virus in breastmilk is unclear. MethodsPrimary epithelial cell cultures were derived from the mammary glands of healthy donors; immortalized MEC lines were also used. HIV infection was followed by detection of infectious particle production, p24 antigen, and viral sequences. ResultsSeven out of 11 primary MEC cultures, and two out of three MEC lines were productively infected by HIV-1. Virus replication significantly reduced cell proliferation, although cell viability was only slightly affected. Cytopathic changes were not observed. MEC cultures expressed low levels of surface CD4, galactosylceramide, and CD26, but essentially no human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR. Infection of HIV-permissive MEC cells was associated with the upregulation of surface HLA-DR, and CD26. In contrast, the expression of CD4, tissue-specific markers, adhesion molecules, and growth-factor receptors was downregulated. To a lesser extent, similar effects were also observed in non-permissive cells. Hormones (triiodothyronine plus β-estradiol, and prolactin) enhanced HIV replication, possibly through the stimulation of cellular DNA synthesis. ConclusionsWe concluded that HIV-1 replication in ductal/alveolar MEC may be, in part, responsible for the presence of HIV-1 in milk; that hormones may stimulate virus replication;, and that infection reduces the growth of epithelial cells. Although in vitro HIV is produced by MEC to a lesser extent than lymphoid cells, MEC-derived HIV might have selective advantages for the infection of mucosal epithelial cells during breastfeeding.
Violence and risk of PTSD, major depression, substance abuse/dependence, and comorbidity: results from the National Survey of Adolescents.

With a national household probability sample of 4,023 telephone-interviewed adolescents ages 12-17, this study provides prevalence, comorbidity, and risk-factor data for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive episode (MDE), and substance abuse/dependence (SA/D). Roughly 16% of boys and 19% of girls met criteria for at least 1 diagnosis. Six-month PTSD prevalence was 3.7% for boys and 6.3% for girls, 6-month MDE prevalence was 7.4% for boys and 13.9% for girls, and 12-month SA/D prevalence was 8.2% for boys and 6.2% for girls. PTSD was more likely to be comorbid than were MDE and SA/D. Results generally support the hypothesis that exposure to interpersonal violence (i.e., physical assault, sexual assault, or witnessed violence) increases the risk of these disorders and of diagnostic comorbidity.
Clinical observations on safety and efficacy of OxyContin® administered by rectal route in treating cancer related pain.

OBJECTIVE To determine the efficacy and adverse reactions of OxyContin® administered by rectal route in advanced cancer patients. METHODS Patients were enrolled into this study in which OxyContin was administered by the rectal route. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was applied to score pain intensity, separated into five degrees. National Cancer Institute-Common Toxicity Criteria (NCI-CTC) were adopted to record the side effects. RESULTS VAS scores were 10 before treatment, and decreased to 5-6 after OxyContin application by the rectal route.The main side effects were constipation, flatulence and fatigue,with no elevation of transaminases and creatinine. CONCLUSION OxyContin admistered by rectal route is safe for advanced cancer patients with satisfactory pain control effects, thus deserving further clinical observation.
Development of novel microsatellite markers to identify the different invasive lineages in the Corbicula complex and to assess androgenesis

Reliable markers are needed to identify the lineages in the invasive clam genus Corbicula. Previous studies have demonstrated that mitochondrial (mt) DNA poorly resolves Corbicula phylogeny, owing to its androgenetic reproductive mode. Moreover, hybridization and mitochondrial/nuclear mismatches occur. We developed the first eleven polymorphic markers to detect these phenomena and to investigate the nuclear identity of Corbicula populations. These microsatellite loci revealed three main lineages in Western Europe. One locus allowed rapid discrimination of these three lineages on agarose gel, saving time and money. Moreover, the eleven markers were successfully cross‐amplified in the invasive Corbicula lineages found in North America.
Modern Political Economy in Bulgaria: Identification Issues

At the beginning of the XXI century in Bulgaria there has been a keen interest in the modern political economy: within the period 2001-2016 there were over a hundred publications from Bulgarian authors in this sphere; and over the last ten years three national scientific conferences were held (in 2007, 2013, 2016). However, both in the country and worldwide, the concepts on many issues, including “What is modern political economy? ” differ, or are even diametrically opposed. Therefore the article addresses these differences, offers and applies an analytical tool, which allows for a better order without controversy in the identification of modern political economy with implied preference for development of the classical line therein.
Barriers to working with African Americans as perceived by Ohio State University extension professionals

The major purpose of the study was to describe the perceived barriers that prevent Ohio State University(OSU) Extension Professionals from working with African Americans. The specific objectives included: (1) To identify barriers perceived by OSU Extension professionals regarding working with African American clientele; (2) To describe the personal characteristic of OSU Extension professionals and the communities were they live; and (3) To determine the relationship between the personal characteristics of the Extension professionals and perceived barrier to working with African American clientele. The population for this descriptive and correlational study consisted of 19 Ohio counties with an African American population of 5 percent or greater as defined by the U.S. Bureau of Census, 1990. A census of Extension professionals in the 19 identified counties was conducted {N=70). Usable data were collected from 55 Ohio State Extension professionals during June-August of 1998. The results indicated that Ohio State University Extension professionals either agreed or strongly agreed that the following items were barriers to working with African Americans clientele: Feeling uncomfortable around; Failure to communicate with; Having racist views about; Not understanding issues that are important to African Americans. Lacking work experiences in impoverished community; Not having worked in a racially diverse community; Having no urban programming experiences; Being unfamiliar with ethnically diverse community needs. Ohio Extension professionals also agreed that the following were barriers to working with African Americans : Having no African American friends; Not attending school with African American students; Not worshiping with African Americans families; Lacking an awareness of cultures other than one's own; Having no formal education on African American related subject matter; Seeing negative portrayals of African Americans communities in the media; Not reading novels/books by African American authors; and Infrequent discussions on race related issues. iii There was a moderate negative association between gender and community barriers. There was also a low negative association between gender and the cultural barriers as well as the educational barriers. There was a low positive correlation between marital status and the educational barriers. There was also a low positive correlation between where the Extension professional resided and the racial barriers.
Is the Shadow Economy a Bane or Boon for Economic Growth?

This paper uses the theoretical framework developed by Feder (1983) and Ram (1986) to examine interactions (i.e. externalities and intersectoral factor productivity differentials) between the official and unofficial sectors of the economy. Results from the empirical analysis, using data on over 100 countries from 1970 to 2008, suggest that the marginal externality effect of growth in the unofficial sector on the official sector is positive. Further, input productivities are higher in the unofficial sector relative to the official sector. These results are robust using alternate measures of the (unobserved) unofficial economy and across level of development.
Estimation of Economic Values for Fertility, Stillbirth and Milk Production Traits in Iranian Holstein Dairy Cows

The objective of present study was to derive the economic values for number of inseminations to conception, calving interval, milk yield and stillbirth, using economic data of 10 Iranian Holstein herds. The economic values were derived by using the profit function methods and differentiating a profit equation with respect to the traits of interest. The cow fertility costs herd amortization or replacement cost and cow feed cost were included in the profit function. The average of feed cost per cow per day was 8.65 USD. The total feed cost comprised 61 percent of milk production, 23 percent of maintenance, 12 percent of pregnancy and 4 percent of growth. In calculation of cow feed cost, the estimated cost for each Mcal and per g protein of feed were 0.0006 and 0.165 USD, respectively. The replacement cost of each heifer per cow herd was 1719 USD. The average cost of each insemination was 30 USD. The estimated economic values for the number of insemination, calving interval, milk yield and one percent unit of stillbirth, were -82, -2.08, 0.193 and -1.27 USD per cow/per year, respectively. The results of the current study suggested that improving the number of inseminations, calving interval, milk yield and stillbirth will have a positive effect on the profitability of Iranian Holstein cows.
Spatial distribution of xylem embolisms in the stems of Pinus thunbergii at the threshold of fatal drought stress.

Although previous studies have suggested that branch dieback and whole-plant death due to drought stress occur at 50-88% loss of stem hydraulic conductivity (P50 and P88, respectively), the dynamics of catastrophic failure in the water-conducting pathways in whole plants subjected to drought remain poorly understood. We examined the dynamics of drought stress tolerance in 3-year-old Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii Parl.). We nondestructively monitored (i) the spatial distribution of drought-induced embolisms in the stem at greater than P50 and (ii) recovery from embolisms following rehydration. Stem water distributions were visualized by cryo-scanning electron microscopy. The percentages of both embolized area and loss of hydraulic conductivity showed similar patterns of increase, although the water loss in xylem increased markedly at -5.0 MPa or less. One seedling that had reached 72% loss of the water-conducting area survived and the xylem water potential recovered to -0.3 MPa. We concluded that Japanese black pines may need to maintain water-filled tracheids within earlywood of the current-year xylem under natural conditions to avoid disconnection of water movement between the stem and the tops of branches. It is necessary to determine the spatial distribution of embolisms around the point of the lethal threshold to gain an improved understanding of plant survival under conditions of drought.
Short- and long-term debt determinants in Swedish SMEs

Purpose - This paper aims to empirically investigate the capital structure determinants of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a particular focus on short- and long-term debt. Design/methodology/approach - Several methods were used to analyse a sample of 15,897 Swedish SMEs for which complete financial information was available for a four-year period following the 2008 financial crisis, i.e. the 2009-2012 period. Findings - The results indicate that eight explanatory variables – i.e. size, age, growth, profitability, liquidity, asset tangibility, non-debt tax shields and industry affiliation – are associated to various extents with SME debt policy. Research limitations/implications - The current study is limited to examining a sample of Swedish SMEs in five industry sectors covering the 2009-2012 period. Further research could examine the generalizability of the present results by considering other countries, industry sectors and periods. Practical implications - As debt policy influences firm performance, value and survival, SME owners and managers, regulators and financial institutions may benefit from studies considering a relatively large number of capital structure determinants, several of which are linked to short- and long-term debt in various ways. Originality/value - This study is one of the few to examine the determinants of short- and long-term debt in SMEs, which play a fundamental role in the economy, using a large-scale cross-sectional database covering a period following the 2008 financial crisis.
Customer relationship management (people, process and technology) and organisational culture in hotels: Which traits matter?

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of four organisational cultural traits of adaptability, consistency, involvement and mission on the three components of customer relationship management (CRM), namely, people, process and technology, in the context of the hotel industry. Design/methodology/approach Required data are collected with a quantitative approach and a questionnaire adapted from the Denison organisational culture survey and the Mendoza CRM model. The questionnaire was distributed among 364 managers of a chain hotel in the UK and gathered data were examined using the structural equation modelling method. Findings The results of this study reveal that the four traits of organisational culture (adaptability, consistency, involvement and mission) have positive and significant impacts on the three components of CRM (people, process and technology). A set of theoretical contributions and practical implications was also discussed. Research limitations/implications The study is conducted with a case study approach; hence, the findings cannot be generalised to a larger population, and the results might be different for other industries. Because of the limitation of access to all employees, only managers were selected as the sample, and future studies with all employees may show different results. Practical implications Current study helps hotel managers to understand the role and importance of organisational cultural traits in successful implementation of their CRM strategy components. Originality/value The position taken in this study recognises the need to enhance the understanding of organisational culture’s impact on implementing CRM components. Organisational cultural traits have different levels of impact on CRM implementation, and this is the first study to investigate the detailed impacts of the four traits of adaptability, consistency, involvement and mission on the three components of CRM, namely, people, process and technology.
The relationship between antidepressant and analgesic responses: findings from six placebo-controlled trials assessing the efficacy of duloxetine in patients with major depressive disorder

Objective: Debate continues regarding whether onset of analgesia is faster than antidepressant effect in antidepressants with both properties. Duloxetine hydrochloride (from here on referred to as duloxetine) is effective in both major depressive disorder and diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain. This post-hoc analysis of six placebo-controlled duloxetine trials in patients with major depressive disorder was designed to compare onset of antidepressant activity to pain relief. Research design and methods: Duloxetine was administered at 40–120 mg/day versus placebo for up to 9 weeks in outpatient clinic settings. The primary depression measure was the HAMD17 and pain severity was measured using visual analog scale (VAS) measuring overall pain, headache, back and shoulder pain, and pain while awake. The time course of improvement was profiled using repeated measures modeling and Kaplan–Meier product limit estimation. Results: In all but one case, significant reductions in HAMD17 and VAS scores were seen within 2 weeks of treatment. Median time to VAS response was consistently shorter across all VAS measures than that to HAMD17 response in both placebo- and duloxetine-treated patients with at least modest levels of pain at study entry. Regression analyses consistently demonstrated little association between analgesic and antidepressant responses. Limitations of these findings include that the studies used in these analyses did not require the patients to enroll with any specific level of pain. Moreover, the type of pain exhibiting at presentation was not routinely identified; therefore, the impact of different pain types on these findings is unknown. Conclusions: Duloxetine's analgesic effect is independent of the drug's antidepressant effect. Additionally, faster onset of the analgesic effect appears to be a population-specific phenomenon that is unmodified in the presence of active agents.
Are Antiphospholipid Antibodies an Essential Requirement for an Effective Immune Response to Infections?

Abstract: Antiphospholipid antibodies show a close association to a variety of infections. Recent data implicate that parvovirus B19 may be used as a model‐system for studying the interaction of viral infection and the development of these autoantibodies. B19‐related diseases commonly associated with the acute infection show flu‐like symptoms, transient arthralgias, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia, and, in pregnant women, spontaneous abortion and hydrops fetalis. Hepatitis, myocarditis, meningitis, encephalitis, as well as pure red cell anemia may occur occasionally. In addition, parvovirus B19 infections have been frequently described as the cause or trigger of various forms of autoimmune diseases affecting all blood cell lines, joints, connective tissue, uvea, and large and small vessels. Molecular mimicry may be one major contribution to the appearance of autoimmune antibodies, for example, antiphospholipid and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies as well as antinuclear antigens. These mechanisms implicated in the pathogenesis of parvovirus B19‐triggered autoimmune diseases, especially focused on the development of antiphospholipid antibodies, will be discussed in this mini review.
Baseline predictors of three types of antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence: A 2-year follow-up

Abstract The purposes of the study were to measure adherence with antiretroviral therapy to dose, schedule, and dietary instructions in a sample of patients with HIV infection in Stockholm, Sweden, over a 2-year period and identify baseline predictors of the three types of adherence. The study cohort consists of 144 patients who completed at least six out of seven follow-up self-reported adherence questionnaires. Baseline self-administrated questionnaire examined socio-demographics, medication-related, psychological, cognitive, and social context factors and self-reported adherence. Biomedical data were obtained through patients’ medical records. Summary dose, schedule, and dietary instructions adherence scores provided outcome measures reflecting 100% adherence across all time points or not 100% adherence during at least one measurement period. A total of 61% maintained consistent full-dose adherence throughout baseline and all follow-up visits and equivalent proportion of 100% schedule adherence was 39%. Among patients with dietary instructions, 37% retained consistent adherence at all visits. Only schedule adherence was predicted by baseline data; perceived pressures from those close to the patient to take HIV medications (OR 0.51, p<.05), life stress (OR 0.13, p 0.009), ART health concerns (OR 0.19, p 0.003), and ART prolongs one's life (OR 0.39, p 0.04) predicted reduced schedule adherence over time. Perceived medication pressures from medical staff (OR 1.76, p<.05), post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms (OR 1.07 p<.01), and adherence self-efficacy (OR 3.50, p<.05) predicted positive schedule adherence over time. These results clearly illustrate difficulties in sustaining ART adherent behaviour, in particular schedule and dietary restrictions, over time and thus emphasizes the importance of multiple periodic assessments of all three types of adherence. Interventions aimed at improving schedule adherence should in particular focus on psychological and cognitive factors.
Transitioning patients to survivorship care: a systematic review.

UNLABELLED Problem Identification: In 2005, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a seminal report on cancer survivorship that discussed the goals and structure of cancer survivorship care with the recommendation to use a survivorship care plan (SCP). However, the manner in which these recommendations are operationalized and their relationship to patient outcomes are unknown. LITERATURE SEARCH A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL®, and the Cochrane Database. Articles were selected if they included a provider-mediated intervention and were published after 2005, for a total of nine articles.Data Evaluation: The studies were evaluated according to the purposes of survivorship care, the use of an SCP, and models of care recommended by the IOM. CONCLUSIONS The outcomes of the studies were not conclusive in supporting a specific model of survivorship care or the use of a SCP. Two of the nine studies adhered to the IOM goals of survivorship care and SCP recommendations in their interventions. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE The design and testing of nurse-led survivorship programs is imperative, as nurses may be effective in ensuring consistent, patient-centered education for cancer survivors.