Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Blood monocyte migration to acute lung inflammation involves both CD11/CD18 and very late activation antigen-4-dependent and independent pathways.

In acute lung inflammation, blood neutrophils and monocytes migrate into the lung parenchyma and bronchoalveolar space. The infiltration of the inflamed lung by monocytes is poorly understood because of difficulties in quantifying these cells in the presence of resident macrophages. Radiolabeled monocytes were used to study monocyte migration into the inflamed rat lung. Monocytes and neutrophils were purified from blood, labeled with 51Cr and (111)In, respectively, and injected i.v. into rats given an intratracheal injection of LPS. The accumulation of 51Cr-labeled monocytes increased > 10-fold in the lung parenchyma and 170-fold in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) 18 h after LPS. (111)In-labeled neutrophils increased > 30-fold in the lung tissue and 500-fold in the BAL. Treatment of rats with a blocking anti-CD18 mAb inhibited monocyte accumulation in the lung and BAL by about 30%, whereas blocking very late activation Ag-4 (VLA-4) had no effect. Combined blockade of VLA-4 and CD18 inhibited approximately 30% of the migration to the lung parenchyma, but decreased the BAL by 80%. Monocyte migration to cutaneous inflammation was completely abolished by the combined mAb treatment. Neutrophil accumulation in the lung and BAL was not decreased by blocking either CD18 or VLA-4 and was only partially reduced by blocking CD18 plus VLA-4. Thus, monocyte migration to the LPS inflamed lung is substantially CD11/CD18 and VLA-4 independent, but accumulation in BAL is mediated by CD18 and VLA-4. Monocytes as well as neutrophils may use a previously unrecognized endothelial adhesion and migration pathway in the lung.
Narrative competence in Spanish-speaking adults with Williams syndrome.

BACKGROUND Williams syndrome (WS) is a genetic disorder associated with intellectual disability and characterised by displaying an atypical neuropsychological profile, with peaks and valleys, where language skills seem better preserved than non-verbal intelligence. METHOD This study researches the narrative competence of nine Spanish-speaking adults with WS. Oral narratives were elicited from a silent film, and narrative coherence was analysed as a function of sequential order of the events narrated at three structure levels, while narrative cohesion was assessed through the frequency of use and type of discourse markers. RESULTS WS subjects were able to remember a significant proportion of the events from the film, but coherence of narratives, i.e., sequential order of events, was more impaired. Consistently with their linguistic abilities, cohesion of narratives was better preserved, as they used discourse markers to introduce a high proportion of events. CONCLUSIONS Construction of mental models of the narratives may be constrained in WS by non-verbal cognitive abilities, but narrative competence is also determined by textual pragmatic abilities to organize discourse, which should be addressed by specific intervention in narrative competence.
Increased mean platelet volume in chronic hepatitis B patients with inactive disease.

BACKGROUND Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major public health problem worldwide, responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality from chronic liver disease. Conflicting findings on the possible association between HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity, indicating inactive HBsAg carrier status, and atherosclerosis have been reported. Platelet activation and aggregation are central processes in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. Mean platelet volume, a determinant of platelet activation, is a newly emerging risk factor for atherothrombosis. Elevated MPV levels have been identified as an independent risk factor for myocardial infarction in patients with coronary heart disease, and for death or recurrent vascular events after myocardial infarction. Moreover, increased platelet size has been reported in patients with vascular risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, in patients with acute ischemic stroke, and essential hypertension. According to our knowledge, there has been no previous study of MPV in inactive HBsAg carriers. Therefore, we have investigated the possible association between HBsAg positivity and MPV. MATERIAL/METHODS We selected 260 inactive HBsAg carriers, and 80 healthy control subjects matched for age, sex, and body mass index. RESULTS The MPV level was significantly higher in the inactive HBsAg carrier group than in the control group (8.8+/-1.2 fl vs 8.1+/-0.9 fl, P=.001). CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that inactive HBsAg carriers tend to have relatively increased platelet activation and an atherothrombotic risk.
The effect of walking aids on balance and weight-bearing patterns of patients with hemiparesis in various stance positions.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Standard and quad canes are often prescribed to patients with hemiparesis, yet their effect on postural control remains unclear. Thus, the objective of this study was to examine the effects of standard and quad canes on postural sway and on weight-bearing patterns in patients with hemiparesis. SUBJECTS Thirty subjects with a diagnosis of unilateral hemiparesis following a stroke (patient group; mean age=71.2 years, SD=7.0) and 20 age-matched, community-dwelling volunteers without hemiparesis (comparison group; mean age=72.1 years, SD=5.2) participated in the study. METHODS Postural sway and percentage of body weight (%BW) borne by each extremity were measured in 3 positions: with the heels aligned with each other (aligned position) and in staggered foot positions with either the affected or unaffected extremity placed forward (affected FW and unaffected FW positions). All subjects were tested in each position with no cane, a standard cane, and a quad cane. The order of tests was randomized, and analysis of data included use of an analysis of variance and adjusted Tukey-Kramer tests. RESULTS In both the aligned and unaffected FW positions, postural sway was reduced only with the quad cane. Both types of canes reduced postural sway in the affected FW position; however, the quad cane had a greater effect. An asymmetrical weight distribution between the lower extremities did not change in the patient group across positions, even with walking aids. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION A quad cane appears to be more effective than a standard cane in decreasing postural sway in patients with moderate impairment secondary to hemiparesis during stance. The greatest effect on postural sway occurred when the assistive device was contralateral to the foot placed forward. The use of a cane does not appear to adversely affect the asymmetrical weight-bearing pattern during stance that is characteristic of patients with hemiparesis, even when balance is challenged by decreasing the base of support.
Menopause as risk factor for oxidative stress

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the influence of menopause (hypoestrogenism) as a risk factor for oxidative stress. MethodsWe carried out a cross-sectional study with 187 perimenopausal women from Mexico City, including 94 premenopausal (mean ± SD age, 44.9 ± 4.0 y; estrogen, 95.8 ± 65.7 pg/mL; follicle-stimulating hormone, 13.6 ± 16.9 mIU/mL) and 93 postmenopausal (mean ± SD age, 52.5 ± 3.3 y; estrogen, 12.8 ± 6.8 pg/mL; follicle-stimulating hormone, 51.4 ± 26.9 mIU/mL) women. We measured lipoperoxides using a thiobarbituric acid–reacting substance assay, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities, and the total antioxidant status with the Randox kit. An alternative cutoff value for lipoperoxide level of 0.320 &mgr;mol/L or higher was defined on the basis of the 90th percentile of young healthy participants. All women answered the Menopause Rating Scale, the Athens Insomnia Scale, and a structured questionnaire about pro-oxidant factors, that is, smoking, consumption of caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, and physical activity. Finally, we measured weight and height and calculated body mass index. ResultsThe lipoperoxide levels were significantly higher in the postmenopausal group than in the premenopausal group (0.357 ± 0.05 vs 0.331 ± 0.05 &mgr;mol/L, P = 0.001). Using logistic regression to control pro-oxidant variables, we found that menopause was the main risk factor for oxidative stress (odds ratio, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.35-5.11; P < 0.01). We also found a positive correlation between menopause rating score, insomnia score, and lipoperoxides, and this relationship was most evident in the postmenopausal group (menopause scale, r = 0.327 [P = 0.001]; insomnia scale, r = 0.209 [P < 0.05]). ConclusionsOur findings suggest that the depletion of estrogen in postmenopause could cause oxidative stress in addition to the known symptoms.
The influence of pacing strategy on VO2 and supramaximal kayak performance.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of manipulating pacing strategy on VO2 and kayak ergometer performance in well-trained paddlers. METHODS Eight well-trained kayak paddlers (500-m time = 115-125 s) first performed a graded exercise test for determination of VO2max and lactate (La-) parameters. On subsequent days and in a random, counterbalanced order, subjects performed a 2-min, kayak ergometer test using either an all-out start or even pacing strategy. RESULTS There was a significantly greater peak power (747.6 +/- 152.0 vs 558.3 +/- 110.1 W) and average power (348.5 +/- 47.6 vs 335.5 +/- 44.8 W) using the all-out start strategy, when compared with the even-paced strategy. There was however, no significant difference between the two pacing strategies for peak VO2, accumulated oxygen deficit (AOD), peak [La-], or posttest pH. Using the all-out start, total VO2 was significantly greater (7.3 +/- 0.8 vs 6.9 +/- 0.8 L). CONCLUSION The results of this study indicate that 2-min kayak ergometer performance is significantly greater following an all-out start strategy when compared with an even-paced strategy. The improved performance appears to be attributable to faster VO2 kinetics, without a significant change in the total AOD (although the AOD distribution was altered).
Journal of Internet Banking and Commerce E-satisfaction and E-loyalty of Consumers Shopping Online

Moez Ltifi is Ph,D, Student in marketing at the Faculty of Economics and Management of Sfax, Tunisia. His research interests include consumer attitudes toward online shopping, the influence of satisfaction, trust and involvement on the acceptance of new technologies and e-loyalty. Dr Jamel-Eddine Gharbi is a professor at Jendouba University. His areas of interests are online consumer behaviour, marketing perception, and Information technology. Abstract The objective of this research is to study the impact of emotional state and perceived risk of remote purchase on e-satisfaction during the Internet shopping. As well, it aims to study the influence of e-satisfaction on e-loyalty. The data gathering was carried out by a laboratory experiment followed by a questionnaire. The results show that three dimensions of the emotional state during Internet shopping (the pleasure, stimulation-2-and dominance) have a significant positive impact on e-satisfaction. Dimensions of the perceived risk of remote purchase, (the total risk, the financial risk, the social risk, the psychological risk, the functional risk, and the physical risk) don't have a significant impact on e-satisfaction, except the risk of loss of time has a negative impact. Finally e-satisfaction influences positively and significantly the e-loyalty of the cyber consumers.
Cortical reorganization induced by task-oriented training in chronic hemiplegic stroke patients

We investigated the effect of task-oriented training (TT) on the cortical activation pattern in four chronic hemiparetic stroke patients. A TT program, consisting of six tasks, which were designed to improve hemiparetic upper extremity function, was performed for 40 min/day, 4 days/week for 4 weeks. The functional status of the affected hand and fMRI were assessed before and after the TT program. fMRI was performed at 1.5 T in parallel with timed finger flexion–extension exercises at a fixed rate. The main cortical activation changes with functional recovery were a decrease in the unaffected and an increase in the affected primary sensorimotor cortex activities. In conclusion, it seems that cortical reorganization was induced by the TT program in chronic hemiparetic stroke patients.
Increasing cloning possibilities using artificial zinc finger nucleases

The ability to accurately digest and ligate DNA molecules of different origins is fundamental to modern recombinant DNA research. Only a handful of enzymes are capable of recognizing and cleaving novel and long DNA sequences, however. The slow evolution and engineering of new restriction enzymes calls for alternative strategies to design novel and unique restriction enzymes capable of binding and digesting specific long DNA sequences. Here we report on the use of zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs)—hybrid synthetic restriction enzymes that can be specifically designed to bind and cleave long DNA sequences—for the purpose of DNA recombination. We show that novel ZFNs can be designed for the digestion of specific sequences and can be expressed and used for cloning purposes. We also demonstrate the power of ZFNs in DNA cloning by custom-cloning a target DNA sequence and assembling dual-expression cassettes on a single target plasmid, a task that rarely can be achieved using type-II restriction enzymes. We demonstrate the flexibility of ZFN design and the ability to shuffle monomers of different ZFNs for the digestion of compatible recognition sites through ligation of compatible ends and their cleavage by heterodimer ZFNs. Of no less importance, we show that ZFNs can be designed to recognize and cleave existing DNA sequences for the custom-cloning of native target DNA molecules.
Service Quality And Customer Satisfaction: An Empirical Investigation In Indian Mobile Telecommunications Services

The Indian mobile telecommunications services market has experienced a tremendous growth over the last few years. This has been bolstered by the influx of the foreign direct investment in this sector. Competition among existing players has also intensified as companies are increasingly focusing both on retaining their existing customers as well as attracting new ones. This study attempts to identify service-related factors in the Indian mobile telecommunications market which influence customer satisfaction (CS), repurchase intention (RI), and customers’ propensity to recommend the service to others. The results of the study will help the mobile service providers to focus on maintaining and enhancing the service leading to enhanced customer satisfaction, repurchase intention and recommendations of services to others.
Critical evaluation of the role of the Toll‐like receptor 18‐Wheeler in the host defense of Drosophila

Essential aspects of innate immune responses to microbial infections appear to be conserved between insects and mammals. In particular, in both groups, transmembrane receptors of the Toll superfamily play a crucial role in activating immune defenses. The Drosophila Toll family member 18‐Wheeler had been proposed to sense Gram‐negative infection and direct selective expression of peptides active against Gram‐negative bacteria. Here we re‐examine the role of 18‐Wheeler and show that in adults it is dispensable for immune responses. In larvae, 18wheeler is required for normal fat body development, and in mutant larvae induction of all antimicrobial peptide genes, and not only of those directed against Gram‐negative bacteria, is compromised. 18‐Wheeler does not qualify as a pattern recognition receptor of Gram‐negative bacteria.
Is Chronic Use of Stimulant Laxatives Harmful to the Colon?

&NA; Although stimulant laxatives cause structural damage to surface epithelial cells that is of uncertain functional significance, there is no convincing evidence that their chronic use causes structural or functional impairment of enteric nerves or intestinal smooth muscle. Nor are there reliable data to link chronic use of stimulant laxatives to colorectal cancer and other tumors. The risks of laxative abuse have been overemphasized, and this has minimized their rational use by physicians. Stimulant laxatives may be used chronically when patients fail to respond adequately to bulk or osmotic laxatives alone. These can be combined with bulk or osmotic laxatives in sufficient amounts to soften the stool, or they can be used alone, according to clinical circumstances. The dose of such agents should be titrated to effect. Bisacodyl may be used if anthraquinone laxatives are unsatisfactory.
Matters of Scale

Recognition of the scale dependence of ecological processes helps explain the distribution and abundance of organisms. In 1687, Newton reported that the same laws could describe Galileo's data on balls rolling down ramps and Brahe's data on planets moving around the Sun (1). This observation implied that a finite list of principles could explain our infinite universe. And it inspired a leap across scales: The rules at human scales are not unique. Newton's laws of motion are still the dominant explanatory tool across scales ranging from a few atoms to solar systems. However, over the past 25 years, ecologists have come to realize that, unlike physics, ecology is scale-dependent (2–4). In a recent paper, Gotelli, Graves, and Rahbek (5) highlight the importance of this scale dependence: They show that a process that occurs at small spatial scales, namely competition between individuals, plays an important role even at the large scale of an entire country.
Measuring E-Readiness among Non-Users of Internet Banking in Pakistan: By TAM with CRM as External Factor

In the recent technological era, ignorance by financial institutes is observed while considering customer focus policies and business offers. In the meanwhile, technological innovation has changed the business nature, where internal customers of financial institutes are engaging with heavy technological trainings, to put it in the core of actions. The triangulated quantitative and qualitative approach is adopted. Specifically, the quantitative survey analyzed to measure path analysis, model fitness and highlight relationships after validating the scales and methodology. In qualitative aspect, 3 interviews with bank's managerial staff to understand the stance of bank clients about the Internet banking adoption. The findings conclude that the non-users of internet banking service have attractive ‘Perceived Usefulness' and ‘Perceived Ease of Use', however the ‘push' from the bank by the effective communication is not been observed. The customers still can have the essence of trial-ability and adoption if the intelligent CRM based strategy is developed. To make it possible and successful adoption of internet banking, the current research suggests to promote Customer Relationship Management, as a tool to boost the morale of end-users. CRM can eliminate the negative impact of social influencing factors which are not current supporting internet banking adoption in Pakistan i.e. subjective norms, peer influence and reputation. Interestingly, only very few research studies highlighted the use of CRM and e-CRM to increase internet adoption globally. Moreover, it is the first initiative of its kind, to address Internet banking adoption while increasing relationship with customers in the focused region. Keywords: Internet banking, Technology Adoption Model (TAM), Pakistan, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Perceived Ease of Use (EASE), Perceived Usefulness (PU).
Sinonasal papillomas: A report of 82 cases in copenhagen county, including a longitudinal epidemiological and clinical study

The present epidemiological and clinical study comprises 82 patients with sinonasal papillomas diagnosed from 1975 to 1993. Histology showed 58 cases of inverted papillomas including 5 cases of associated carcinoma, 19 cases of exophytic papilloma, and 5 cases of columnar cell papilloma. The incidence of sinonasal papillomas in Copenhagen County was 0.74 per 100,000 inhabitants per year. The inverted and columnar cell papillomas were typically located in the middle meatus with a varying degree of involvement of the adjacent sinuses. The exophytic papillomas were predominantly located multicentrically on the nasal septum. Good results of treatment, especially with regard to inverted papillomas, were not correlated to the aggressiveness of surgery. A lateral rhinotomy with medial maxillectomy was performed as primary surgery in 28 patients. In 50% of these patients there were recurrences. The preliminary results of endonasal endoscopic surgery revealed a high success rate, i.e., no recurrences in 5 cases so far. The septal papillomas were typically resected by a simple endonasal procedure. There were recurrences in 66% of these cases. The midfacial degloving procedure may be advocated instead of or as a supplement to the lateral rhinotomy if the tumor cannot be visualized sufficiently by endoscopy. Smoking may dispose to sinonasal papillomas.
Does successful completion of the Perinatal Education Programme result in improved obstetric practice?

OBJECTIVE To determine whether successful completion of the Perinatal Education Programme (PEP) improves obstetric practice. METHOD The three midwife obstetric units (MOUs) in a health district of Mpumalanga were included in the study. Two MOUs enrolled in the PEP and the third did not. A 'before-and-after' study design was used to assess any changes in practice, and to monitor whether any changes occurred in the district during the time of the study; data were also collected at the third MOU. Data were collected by scoring of the obstetric files after the patient had delivered. OUTCOME MEASURES We ascertained whether the obstetric history, syphilis testing, blood group testing, haemoglobin measurement and uterine growth assessment were performed during antenatal care along with whether appropriate action was taken. For intrapartum care, estimation of fetal weight, the performance of pelvimetry, blood pressure monitoring, urine testing, evaluation of head above pelvis, fetal heart rate monitoring, monitoring of contractions and plotting of cervical dilatation, and whether the appropriate actions were taken, were assessed. RESULTS Eight of the 13 midwives at the two MOUs completed the PEP and all demonstrated an improvement in knowledge. Case notes of 303 patients from the various clinics were studied. There was no change in the referral patterns of any of the clinics during the study period. The obstetric history was well documented, but in no group was there a satisfactory response to a detected problem; appropriate action was taken in between 0% and 12% of cases. Syphilis testing was performed in 56-82% of cases, with no difference between the groups. The haemoglobin level was measured in only 4-15% of patients, with no difference before or after completion of the PEP. Where a problem in uterine growth was detected, an appropriate response occurred in 0-8% of patients and no difference before or after completion of the PEP was ascertained. In all groups, estimation of fetal weight and pelvimetry were seldom performed, the urine and fetal heart rate documentation were moderately well done and the blood pressure monitoring, assessment of head above pelvis, monitoring of contractions and plotting of cervical dilatation were usually performed. No differences before or after the PEP were detected. Where problems were detected, appropriate actions taken during labour improved, but not significantly. CONCLUSION Completion of the obstetric manual of the PEP improved the knowledge of the midwives but no alteration in practice was detected.