Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Cytokines in the Early Development of Gastric Secondary Lymphoid Follicles in Helicobacter pylori-Infected BALB/c Mice with Neonatal Thymectomy

ABSTRACT Immunological interaction between the host and Helicobacter pylori seems to play a critical role in follicular formation in gastric mucosa. We reported H. pylori-induced follicular gastritis model using neonatally thymectomized mice. In this study, we investigated the involvement of various cytokines in this model. BALB/c mice were thymectomized on the third day after birth (nTx). At 6 weeks old, these mice were orally infected with H. pylori. Histological studies showed that follicular formation occurred from 8 weeks after the infection and that most of the infiltrating lymphocytes were CD4+ and B cells. Neutrophils increased transiently at 1 week after the infection. Gamma interferon, interleukin-7 (IL-7), and IL-7 receptor were expressed in the stomach of the nTx mice irrespective of the infection. In contrast, expressions of the tumor necrosis factor alpha, IL-4 and lymphotoxin-α genes were remarkably upregulated by the infection. Our findings suggest that follicular formation may require cooperative involvement of a Th2-type immune response, tumor necrosis factor alpha and lymphotoxin-α in addition to the Th1-type immune response in H. pylori-induced gastritis in nTx mice.
Corporate Communication: A Marketing Viewpoint

1.Corporate Communication Framework 2.Corporate Identity 3.Corporate Brand and Branding 4.Employer Branding 5.Ethical Branding and Corporate Social Responsibility 6.Stakeholder Management and Communications 7.Storytelling and Issue Management in Times of Change and Crises 8.Corporate Communications 9.Corporate Associations: Identity Traits and Corporate Image 10.Corporate Associations: Reputation and Trust 11.Organizational Identification 12.Organizational Commitment and Social Acceptability
Mycobacterium tuberculosis EspB binds phospholipids and mediates EsxA‐independent virulence

The type‐VII ESX‐1 secretion apparatus, encoded by the esx‐1 genetic locus, is essential for the export of EsxA and EsxB, two major virulence factors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. ESX‐1 also requires the products of the unlinked espACD operon for optimal function and these proteins are considered integral parts of the secretion apparatus. Here we show that the espACD operon is not necessary for the secretion of EspB, another ESX‐1 substrate, and this unimpeded secretion of EspB is associated with significant residual virulence. Upon further investigation, we found that purified EspB can facilitate M. tb virulence even in the absence of EsxA and EsxB, and may do so by binding the bioactive phospholipids phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylserine, both of which are potent bioactive molecules with prominent roles in eukaryotic cell signalling. Our findings provide new insights into the impact of the espACD operon on the ESX‐1 apparatus and reveal a distinct virulence function for EspB with novel implications in M. tb‐host interactions.
Comparison of Microscopic Determination and Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) in the Detection of Plasmodium Infection

Malaria infection is the most common diagnosis made in Africa. Efficient diagnosis of malaria pa- rasite is very vital for treatment of malaria infection. The efficacy of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) in comparison to microscopy, the gold standard, in the diagnosis of malaria in Nigeria has not been fully ascertained. This study compared the sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of RDTs available in Nigeria market with microscopy. Two RDT kits were used and their results were compared with the gold standard, microscopy using thick and thin blood films (TBF and tBF). TBF had sensitivity of 85%, specificity of 30%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 55.2%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 66.6%; tBF had sensitivity of 80%, specificity of 35%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 55.2%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 63.6%. Among the RDTs, Care Start HRP2 kit had sensitivity of 65%, specificity of 50%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 56.5%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 59% while SD Bioline kit had sensitivity of 55%, specificity of 65%, PPV of 61%, and NPV of 59%. It can thus be inferred that rapid diagnostic test kits are not as sensitive as microscopy in diagnosis of malaria parasite, but they are more accurate and are thus suitable alternatives to microscopy.
Changes in Cardiorespiratory Fitness Predict Changes in Body Composition from Childhood to Adolescence: Findings from the European Youth Heart Study

Abstract Background: Several variables, such as waist circumference (WC) and trunk skinfolds (TS), are indicators ofbody fat. There is interest in evaluating the effect of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) measures on changes in these markers from childhood to adolescence. Purpose: To examine CRF as a potential predictor of changes in body fat over an 8-year follow-up period in a pediatric population. Methods: A cohort study of 86 children (44 girls, 42 boys) with a mean age of 9.8 ± 0.3 years who participated in the Portuguese arm of the European Youth Heart Study in 2000 completed a follow-up evaluation in 2008 at a mean age of 17.0 ± 0.4 years. Cardiorespiratory fitness, expressed as maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) (mLkg-1min-1), was assessed during an incremental multistage bicycle test to exhaustion. Physical activity (PA) was objectively measured by accelerometry at both periods of evaluation. Fat mass (FM) was assessed using anthropometric models, sum of TS, and WC. Changes were expressed as a percentage of the baseline value. Comparison of means and linear regression analysis were used for data analysis. Results: While CRF significantly increased among boys (P < 0.05) and decreased in girls (P < 0.01), the percentage of body fat decreased over time in boys (P < 0.01) and increased among girls. Alone, CRF explained 39%, 26%, and 25% of the total variance in WC, FM, and TS, respectively (P < 0.01). Adjusting for PA, sex, and maturation changes, CRF remained a significant predictor of WC (β = −0.335; P < 0.01), FM (β = −2.084; P < 0.01), and TS (β = −1.500; P < 0.01). Conclusion: Changes in CRF are a significant predictor of changes in body fat percentage from childhood to adolescence. School-based PA interventions are encouraged to maintain or improve CRF from childhood and throughout adolescence to prevent increased percentages of body fat, particularly in the abdominal region.
IMPACTS AND CHANGES IN THE ACCOUNTING POLICIES AFTER THE IAS ADOPTION: A COMPARISON BETWEEN THE MANUFACTURING AND THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR IN GREECE

The present study examines the changes that occurred in the accounting policies of the Greek companies after the adoption of IAS. More precisely, a comparison analysis between the manufacturing and the commercial sector is conducted. In order to achieve that, we analyze the impact of the IAS transition in the net income of the Greek listed manufacturing and commercial companies by applying a new index on the field, we identify the most important changes in accounting policies and we proceed by comparing the differences and similarities between the two sectors. Results suggest that the application of the “fair value” is the accounting policy that affected most significantly both sectors, while the similarities between the two sectors seem to excel their differences.
The Mediated Moderation Model of Interactivity

This paper argues for enhanced consideration of third variables in interactivity research and proposes a “mediated moderation” model to bring increased sophistication to bear on the study of information technology effects. Interactivity, a central phenomenon in new media research, is an elusive concept that has enduringly intrigued and confused scholars. Extant conceptualizations have produced incomplete causal models and have generally ignored the effect of third variables. We conceptualize interactivity as technological attributes of mediated environments that enable reciprocal communication or information exchange, which afford interaction between communication technology and users, or between users through technology. Specifying roles for mediator and moderator variables, this paper proposes a model that incorporates interactive attributes, user perceptions (mediators such as perceived interactivity), individual differences (moderators such as Internet self-efficacy), and media effects measures to systematically examine the definition, process, and consequences of interactivity on users. Lastly, statistical procedures for testing mediated moderation are described.
Serotonin transporter polyadenylation polymorphism modulates the retention of fear extinction memory

Growing evidence suggests serotonin's role in anxiety and depression is mediated by its effects on learned fear associations. Pharmacological and genetic manipulations of serotonin signaling in mice alter the retention of fear extinction learning, which is inversely associated with anxious temperament in mice and humans. Here, we test whether genetic variation in serotonin signaling in the form of a common human serotonin transporter polyadenylation polymorphism (STPP/rs3813034) is associated with spontaneous fear recovery after extinction. We show that the risk allele of this polymorphism is associated with impaired retention of fear extinction memory and heightened anxiety and depressive symptoms. These STPP associations in humans mirror the phenotypic effects of serotonin transporter knockout in mice, highlighting the STPP as a potential genetic locus underlying interindividual differences in serotonin transporter function in humans. Furthermore, we show that the serotonin transporter polyadenylation profile associated with the STPP risk allele is altered through the chronic administration of fluoxetine, a treatment that also facilitates retention of extinction learning. The propensity to form persistent fear associations due to poor extinction recall may be an intermediate phenotype mediating the effects of genetic variation in serotonergic function on anxiety and depression. The consistency and specificity of these data across species provide robust support for this hypothesis and suggest that the little-studied STPP may be an important risk factor for mood and anxiety disorders in humans.
Distress Risk Information in Accruals

Past accruals anomaly studies have documented results that suggest that distress risk increases systematically across decreasing accruals portfolios. I investigate and find a negative relation between accruals and distress risk, evidence that suggests that the accruals trading strategy of buying firms with low accruals and selling firms with high accruals results in exposure to higher distress risk. I show that distress risk is compensated by higher future returns. I then show that the future abnormal returns from the accruals trading strategy decline after controlling for distress risk. This evidence suggests that that at least part of the high abnormal returns to the accruals trading strategy should be reclassified as normal returns for engaging in a trading strategy that involves higher distress risk. In addition, I find that the abnormal returns to the accruals trading strategy are largely driven by trading in firms within high distress risk portfolios.
DOES FINANCIAL MARKET DEVELOPMENT MATTER IN EXPLAINING GROWTH FLUCTUATIONS

This paper explores the link between the level of financial development and growth volatility for a sample of 66 countries covering the period 1960 to 1999. Using tradi tional cross-sectional, simple panel and dynamic panel techniques, we found that financial development reduces growth volatility only in the whole sample and in developed countries. However, for the case of developing countries, financial devel opment does not exert any significant effect on growth variability and this may be explained by, First, high distortions that prevent financial markets to function in an optimal way Second, the delay in implementing financial liberalization policies. Final ly, the absence of a strict control on credit allocation activity by monetary authorities. Moreover, our results show that for developing countries where financial institutions are not strong enough to absorb higher financial shocks; it is rather financial fluctua tions which account for growth volatility.
Lipoprotein abnormalities without hyperlipidaemia in moderate renal insufficiency.

To characterize lipoprotein metabolism during early renal insufficiency, plasma lipid and apolipoprotein profiles were determined in normotriglyceridaemic (NTG, n = 31) and hypertriglyceridaemic (HTG, n = 30) middle-aged patients with primary renal disease and with moderately impaired renal function (GFR 20-55 ml/min, mean: 37.2). Mean GFR was similar in the two patient groups. They were compared with 102 normolipidaemic control subjects. In comparison with controls the NTG patients (plasma triglycerides TG < or = 1.7 mmol/l, mean TG: 1.16 mmol/l) had significantly increased plasma concentrations of apo C-III and apoB. The apoA-I levels tended to be lower and as a consequence the apoA-I/apoC-III ratio, considered to represent the hallmark of the altered apolipoprotein profile in renal dyslipoproteinaemia, was markedly lower in NTG patients (8.7 versus 16.8, P < 0.001). There was also a reduction of the antiatherogenic ratio apoA-I/apoB and an increase of the apoC-III/apoE ratio. The HTG patients (mean TG: 3.22 mmol/l) showed the same, but even more accentuated, qualitative changes as the NTG patients. There was a fourfold increase of apoC-III in VLDL-LDL lipoprotein fractions with little change in HDL in the HTG patients. In NTG patients the increase of apoC-III was found in VLDL-LDL and in HDL. Plasma insulin and PTH levels both correlated with the apoA-I/apoC-III ratio independently of GFR and BMI. This suggests a pathogenetic relationship between PTH-mediated alterations of insulin metabolism and the lipoprotein abnormalities. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial of an Intramedullary Nail Versus Dynamic Screw and Plate for Intertrochanteric Fractures of the Femur

Objectives To compare the surgical complications and functional outcome of the Gamma nail intramedullary fixation device versus the Richards sliding hip screw and plate device in intertrochanteric femoral fractures. Design A prospective, randomised controlled clinical trial with observer blinding. Setting A regional teaching hospital in the United Kingdom. Patients All patients admitted from the local population with intertrochanteric fractured femurs were included. There were 400 patients entered into the study and 399 followed-up to one year or death. Intervention The devices were assigned by randomization to either a short-type Gamma nail (203 patients) or a Richard's-type sliding hip screw and plate (197 patients). Main Outcome Measurements The main surgical outcome measurements were fixation failure and reoperation. A functional outcome of pain, mobility status, and range of movement were assessed until one year. Results The requirement for revision in the Gamma nail group was twelve (6%); for Richard's group, eight (4%). This was not statistically different (p = 0.29; odds ratio, 1.48 [0.59–3.7]). A subcapital femoral fracture occurred in the Richard's group. Femoral shaft fractures occurred with four in the Gamma nail group (2%) and none in the Richard's group (p = 0.13). Three required revision to another implant. Lag-screw cut-out occurred in eight patients in the gamma nail group (4%) and four in the Richard's group (2%). This was not statistically significant (p = 0.37; odds ratio, 2.29 [0.6–9.0]). The development of other postoperative complications was the same in both groups. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of early or long-term functional status at one year. Conclusions The use of an intramedullary device in the treatment of intertrochanteric femoral fractures is still associated with a higher but nonsignificant risk of postoperative complications. Routine use of the Gamma nail in this type of fracture cannot be recommended over the current standard treatment of dynamic hip screw and plate.
The J wave and fragmented QRS complexes in inferior leads associated with sudden cardiac death in patients with chronic heart failure.

AIMS To investigate the relationship between electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters [J wave, fragmented QRS (fQRS), QTc, the peak-to-end interval of T wave (Tp-Te)], and sudden cardiac death (SCD) in chronic heart failure (CHF). METHODS AND RESULTS The ECGs of 1570 CHF patients, 572 cases with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and 998 cases with ischaemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) were analysed with the endpoint being an SCD or non-SCD (NSCD). During a median follow-up period of 36 months (0.40-65 months), 438 (27.89%) patients died, of which 158 (35.84%) were SCD. Overall, the occurrence of J wave, fQRS, and long Tp-Te were greater in SCD patients than that of NSCD patients (all P< 0.01). For DCM cases, more SCD patients had J waves observed in the inferior leads than that in the NSCD group (26.78 vs. 13.07%, P<0.001). However, ICM cases with SCD did have more fQRS in the inferior leads than that with NSCD (42.16 vs. 26.67%, P= 0.01). After adjusting for other risk factors, Cox regression analysis revealed that presence of J wave or fQRS in the inferior leads predicted a higher risk for SCD in DCM [hazard ratio (HR), 4.095; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.132-7.863] and ICM (HR, 2.714; 95% CI, 1.809-4.072) patients. A left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 30% also predicted SCD and NSCD in DCM and ICM patients. In contrast, the predictive value of QTc and Tp-Te for SCD was not significant. CONCLUSIONS Presence of J wave or fQRS in the inferior leads predicted higher risk of SCD in DCM and ICM patients and might serve as independent predictors for SCD in patients with CHF.
Management perception and marketing strategy in export performance

Purpose – This is the second of two papers which examine the Italian and Spanish textile‐clothing sector. The purpose of this paper is to focuse on the key factors in the international performance of textile manufacturing companies.Design/methodology/approach – In order to compare Spanish and Italian cases, the empirical study used a standardized questionnaire for collecting data. The cases analysed are respectively geographical zones with a great tradition in textile‐clothing industry in their country, Catalonian (in the Spanish case) and Lombardian business (in the Italian case). Findings – It was found that international experience is the main factor in the export performance for both cases but investment in R&D and export experience have been the keys for explaining the major export performance of the Italian businesses.Research limitations/implications – The sample is formed basically from small textile‐clothing business (with less than 500 employees). Originality/value – The paper is of value in that .
Low frequency stability of the mixed discretization of the MFIE

Recently, a novel discretization for the magnetic f eld integral equation (MFIE) was presented [1]. This discretization involves both Rao-Wilton-Glisson (RWG) basis functions and Buffa-Christiansen (BC) basis functions and is dubbed ‘mixed’. The scheme conforms to the functional spaces most natural to electromagnetics and thus can be expected to yield more accurate results. In this contribution, this intuition is corroborated by an analysis of the low frequency behavior of the classical and mixed discretizations of the MFIE. It is proved that the mixed discretization of the MFIE yields accurate results at very low frequencies whereas the classical discretization breaks down, as was already discussed extensively in literature [2].
A proposed theoretical model to explain relative age effects in sport

Abstract Exemplary scientific methods describe concepts and provide theories for further testing. For the field of relative age effects (RAEs) in sport, the scientific method appears to be limited to description. The purpose of this paper is to provide a theoretical model to explain RAEs in sport, which researchers can use to test the effects, as well as to generate new hypotheses and recommendations. Herein, we argue that social agents have the largest influence on RAEs. Specifically, we propose that parents influence RAEs through Matthew effects, coaches influence RAEs through Pygmalion effects and athletes influence RAEs through Galatea effects. Integrating these three theories, we propose a model that explains RAEs through these various social agents. This paper provides a theoretical foundation from which researchers can further understand, explain and eventually use to create policies aimed at limiting the negative effect of relative age in sport.
IMMIGRANT ENTREPRENEURSHIP : Case studies of challenges faced by immigrant entrepreneurs in a large and small Swedish city

Title: Immigrant Entrepreneurship - Case studies of challenges faced by immigrant entrepreneurs in a large and small Swedish city. Purpose: The purpose is to investigate if the challenges faced by immigrant entrepreneurs in Sweden differ between large and small cities. Method: Eight case studies, four in Jonkoping and four in Stockholm of seven Asian and one Eastern Europe immigrant entrepreneurs in the restaurant business. Results: The typical Jonkoping case and the typical Stockholm case are similar with respect to some challenges faced: a lack of finance, marketing and sales skills are key challenges, and language is not a strong challenge in either city. The typical cases are different with respect to whether or not working longer hours, high rent and administrative and regulatory requirement are challenges. Keywords: Challenges, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurship, Immigrant Entrepreneurs, Immigrants, Jonkoping and Stockholm
Antecedents and Consequences of Student Satisfaction with University Services: A Longitudinal Analysis

A common understanding among businesses is that a satisfied customer engages in positive word-of-mouth communication that affects the bottomline of the business. It has been shown in various research that word-of-mouth recommendations from past students constitute a major source of influence on students' university choice. In spite of its importance, little work has been done to address student satisfaction issues in the higher education sector. This paper develops a model of student satisfaction with university services using three major theories of consumer satisfaction: expectancy-disconfirmation, equity, and attribution.