Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stress and Inflammatory Disease: Widening Roles for Serotonin and Substance P

Serotonin has been implicated in mediating the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response to stress and is an important therapeutic target for a number of psychiatric disorders including depression. The neurokinin substance P has been shown to inhibit stress-induced HPA axis activity and we have demonstrated that endogenous substance P is able to reduce the duration of the HPA axis response to stress suggesting an important role in the termination of the stress response. This may be important in controlling the transition from acute to chronic stress and substance P has recently attracted attention as a potential antidepressant. In addition to these central effects, serotonin and substance P are considered to be pro-inflammatory agents. Despite being implicated in mediating inflammation there have been few studies investigating the effects of manipulations of serotonergic or substance P systems on chronic inflammatory disease. Treatment of rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA), a model of chronic inflammatory stress, with a substance P antagonist specific for the NK1 receptor subtype resulted in a reduction in hind paw inflammation suggesting substance P may influence inflammation. We have noted that depletion of whole body serotonin and selective central depletion of serotonin results in a decrease in the severity of inflammation in rats with adjuvant arthritis. Furthermore, treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor results in an earlier onset and increased severity of inflammation in adjuvant arthritis, confirming a pro-inflammatory role for serotonin. Serotonin is also present in the immune tissues and concentrations in the spleen fall following the development of inflammation in adjuvant arthritis. Concentrations of serotonin are significantly higher in normal female spleen than in males, and this may underlie the greater predisposition of females to certain autoimmune diseases. There is increasing evidence of a role for transmitters such as serotonin and substance P, both centrally and peripherally, in mediating a wide variety of inflammatory and psychiatric disorders. A better understanding of the mechanisms of action of these transmitters and the development of suitable drugs targeting specific receptor subtypes has great potential to impact on clinical practice in the near future. The purpose of this review is to consider the separate roles of serotonin and substance P in relation to HPA axis stress responses, in the context of a model of chronic inflammatory disease, highlighting novel directions of current research for each of these transmitters.
Theoretical studies of constrained membranes

La these est consacree a l'etude des membranes sous contrainte en mettant l'accent sur les structures biologiques telles que les tissus en croissance et la membrane cellulaire. Elle combine des approches analytiques et numeriques pour etudier le lien entre la geometrie et la mecanique. Elle contient egalement quelques resultats experimentaux mais ce ne sont que peu nombreux et a petite echelle. Apres un chapitre d'introduction, nous explorons trois modeles physiques abordes dans trois chapitres differents. Dans le premier modele, les deformations des tissus mous lors de la croissance sont traitees comme des singularites ponctuelles gaussiennes dans les surfaces bidimensionnelles. Les formes d'equilibre sont calculees pour deux defauts qui forment un dipole. Les predictions du modele sont par ailleurs comparees aux resultats des experiences. Le chapitre suivant etudie les invaginations des membranes fluides auto-evitantes dans des espaces confines. A cette fin, nous avons developpe un code base sur la methode des elements finis et effectue des simulations afin de construire un diagramme de phase (volume/surface) pour des membranes piegees a l'interieur d'une sphere. Nous analysons egalement les effets de la courbure spontanee de la membrane et les deformations de la paroi exterieure sur la forme de l'invagination. Enfin, dans le quatrieme chapitre de la these, en vue de modeliser des tiges biologiques, nous construisons une membrane tubulaire a partir d'elements caracterises par deux etats geometriques. Cette approche nous a permis d'examiner, par le biais des simulations du type dynamique brownienne, comment la forme globale emerge des interactions locales
Impact of Fecal Incontinence and Its Treatment on Quality of Life in Women

Fecal incontinence (FI) is a physically and psychosocially debilitating disorder which negatively impacts quality of life (QOL). It bears a significant burden not only on patients but also on their families, caretakers as well as society as a whole. Even though it is considered a somewhat common condition, especially as women age, the prevalence is often underestimated due to patients' reluctance to report symptoms or seek care. The evaluation and treatment of FI can be also hindered by lack of understanding of the current management options among healthcare providers and how they impact on QOL. This article provides a comprehensive review on the impact of FI and its treatment on QOL in women.
Effects of internal marketing on job satisfaction in the banking sector

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to verify the relationship of job satisfaction in the banking sector with its antecedent constructs (financial rewards and psychological rewards) and the mediating role of internal marketing in this relationship and to verify the relationship between job satisfaction in the banking sector and its consequent constructs (work engagement and the intention to leave) and the moderating effect of internal marketing on this relationship. Design/methodology/approach The paper adopts a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional research methodology. Data are collected through an online questionnaire, which involves 355 bank employees. Partial least squares–structural equation modeling is used to verify the predicted relationships. Findings The results show that internal marketing tends to mediate the relationship between financial rewards and job satisfaction and the relationship between psychological rewards and job satisfaction. Internal marketing presents a moderating effect on the relationship between job satisfaction and work engagement, but internal marketing does not moderate the relationship between job satisfaction and the intention to leave the bank. Originality/value This study expands the understanding of the scope of internal marketing by exploring its mediating and moderating effects on the interactions among the behaviors of banking sector employees.
Analyse expérimentale et numérique d'un jet débouchant dans un écoulement transverse

Le calcul aerothermique des jets debouchants en ecoulement transverse necessite des codes de calcul precis et robustes qui doivent etre valides experimentalement. Le probleme traite dans ce memoire a pour origine l'ecoulement en sortie du systeme de degivrage d’un turboreacteur. Apres une etude bibliographique, la conception d’une forme generique conservant les aspects essentiels du probleme est presentee ainsi que le dispositif experimental et les moyens de mesure utilises (thermographie IR, PIV, LDA, ﬁls chaud et froid). La base de donnees obtenue grâce aux essais en soufflerie regroupe les mesures sur des conﬁgurations variees pour l'etude d’effets parametriques (geometrie des ejecteurs, debit-masse ejecte, repartition de pression parietale) et les mesures detaillees sur un cas particulier pour l'evaluation ﬁne de modeles. Un calcul RANS (k-l de Smith) realise sur cette derniere conﬁguration avec le code elsA de l'ONERA est presente et les resultats sont compares aux mesures.
The Decision of the Supply Chain Executive to Support or Impede Supply Chain Integration: A Multidisciplinary Behavioral Agency Perspective

Applying the behavioral agency model developed by Wiseman and Gomez-Mejia (1998), this paper analyzes human resource factors that induce supply chain executives (SCEs) to make decisions that foster or hinder supply chain integration. We examine two internal sources - compensation and employment risk - and one external source - environmental volatility - of risk bearing that can make SCEs more reluctant to make the decision of promoting supply chain integration. We argue and empirically confirm the notion that an employment and compensation system that increases SCE risk bearing reduces the SCE´s willingness to make risky decisions and thus discourages supply chain integration. We also reveal that this negative relationship becomes stronger under conditions of high environmental volatility. In addressing the “so what? ” question, we find empirical support for the hypothesis that supply chain integration positively influences operational performance. Even though this decision has positive value for the firm, we found that SCEs discourage supply chain integration when they face higher risk bearing. Hypotheses are tested using a combination of primary survey data and archival measures in a sample of 133 Spanish firms.
Firm Value Predictor and the Role of Corporate Social Responsibility

The firm value was an important part of the company to survive in the business world. The right decision to maximize capital had implications for increasing the firm value with the collaboration between management and owners. We examined the effect of managerial ownership, profitability, and firm size toward firm value. Also, we examined the moderation role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) disclosure in strengthening the effect of managerial ownership, profitability, and firm size on firm value. The analytical technique used the analysis of moderation regression. The research population was manufacturing company sub-sector of consumer goods industry listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX), and the sample was selected using purposive sampling technique with the number of samples observation for 14 companies. We found that managerial ownership and firm size had a negative effect on firm value. Profitability gave a significant positive effect on firm value. CSR disclosure proved to strengthen the relationship of profitability to firm value, but CSR weakens the relationship between managerial ownership and firm size toward firm value. JEL Classification : G32, M14 DOI: https://doi.org/10.26905/jkdp.v22i3. 1804
A New Algorithm for Digital Impedance Relays

This paper presents a new algorithm suitable for calculating impedances from digitized voltages and currents sampled at a relay location. Each input is assumed to be composed of a decaying d.c. component and components of the fundamental and harmonic frequencies. Parameters of a digital filter determined by using the least error squares approach are then used to compute the real and imaginary components of the voltage and current phasors. Impedances as seen from a relay location are then calculated. The proposed algorithm was tested using the fault data recorded at the Regina South switching station of the Saskatchewan Power Corporation; some of the test results are included.
Strategies for the safe use of colistin

Colistin has re-emerged as an essential antibiotic for the treatment of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative infections. Unfortunately, its utility is limited by high rates of nephrotoxicity, even at potentially therapeutic concentrations, and an overall lack of understanding on how to optimally administer the agent. In this review, recent advancements in the understanding of the safety and efficacy of colistin are discussed and strategies and suggestions on how to balance the two are described.
Activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase is necessary for gemcitabine-induced cytotoxicity in human pancreatic cancer cells.

BACKGROUND Gemcitabine is a pyrimidine nucleoside analog that is clinically active against pancreatic cancer. We have recently demonstrated that p38 MAPK is specifically activated by gemcitabine and that pharmacological blockade of p38 MAPK signaling prevented gemcitabine-induced apoptosis in human pancreatic cancer cells. In this study, we further investigated the implication of p38 MAPK in the cytotoxic action of gemcitabine. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cells expressing a dominant-negative mutant of p38 MAPK were generated. Clonogenic assays were used to assess the long-term effect on cancer cell viability in the human pancreatic cancer cells, PK1 and PCI43. The p38 MAPK activation level was assessed using an antibody specific to the phosphorylated form. RESULTS Gemcitabine increased the activation level of p38 MAPK in a dose-dependent manner and induced apoptosis in the two tested human pancreatic cancer cell lines. The selective p38 MAPK inhibitors, SB203580 and SB202190, reduced gemcitabine-induced activation of p38 MAPK, prevented the gemcitabine-induced apoptosis and increased long-term clonogenic survival. Overexpression of a dominant-negative p38 mutant in cells resulted in the reduction of gemcitabine-induced p38 MAPK activation and apoptosis, and increases in clonogenic survival. CONCLUSION These results strongly suggest that the activation of p38 MAPK signaling is necessary for gemcitabine-induced cell death in human pancreatic cancer cells. Based upon these results, we suggest that molecules of p38 MAPK signaling pathways should be listed as novel targets for gemcitabine-based therapy.
Performance Analysis of Debit Card Services on Deposit-Taking SACCOs’ Financial Performance: A Case of Kenya

The Co-operative Bank of Kenya has partnered with Deposit-Taking Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs) in Kenya to allow their members access to Co-operative Bank automated teller machines (ATMs) via Saccolink debit cards. However, the adoption and utilization of debit cards has opened financial institutions to fraud associated with the use of debit cards for transactions on automated teller machines and point-of-sale terminals. Given this limitation, this study sought to investigate the effect of Saccolink debit card services on the financial performance of Deposit-Taking SACCOs in Kenya. Through a combination of agency, information systems success models, and task-technology fit theories to explain financial performance, the study found a positive effect of Saccolink debit card services on the financial performance of Deposit-Taking SACCOs in Kenya. The study therefore recommends continued utilization of Saccolink debit cards and an enhancement of their features within the Deposit-Taking SACCOs in Kenya.
Metabolism in pedicled and free TRAM flaps: a comparison using the microdialysis technique.

The most common complication in flap surgery is of a circulatory nature. Impeded blood flow leads to altered metabolism in the tissue. Possible metabolic differences between different zones of the transverse rectus abdominis muscle (TRAM) flap were studied and the metabolism of pedicled and free TRAM flaps was compared intraoperatively and postoperatively. The method used was microdialysis, which is a useful technique for following local metabolic changes continuously in various tissues.Twenty-two patients with a pedicled or free TRAM flap were monitored using the microdialysis technique. Two microdialysis catheters were placed subcutaneously in the flap (zone I and zone II), and a third one was placed subcutaneously in the flank to serve as a control. The flaps were monitored intraoperatively and postoperatively for 3 days with repeated analyses of extracellular glucose, lactate, and glycerol concentrations. An additional analysis of pyruvate was performed in some patients to calculate the lactate-to-pyruvate ratio. This study showed that glucose, lactate, and glycerol change in a characteristic way when complete ischemia (i.e., complete inhibition of the blood circulation) is present. A slower stabilization with prolonged metabolic signs of ischemia, such as lower glucose and higher lactate and glycerol concentrations, was seen in zone II compared with zone I, and more pronounced metabolic signs of ischemia, but with a faster recovery, were detected in the free TRAM flap group than in the pedicled TRAM flap group. The fact that the metabolites returned to normal earlier in free flaps than in pedicled flaps may indicate that free TRAM flaps sustain less ischemic damage because of better and more vigorous perfusion.
Investing in Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience: Roles of Science, Technology, and Education

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 established “Investing in Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience” as Priority Action 3 with 17 actions in national and local levels and 9 actions in global and regional levels. So far, however, the budgets for disaster risk reduction are mainly used for post-disaster emergency response, recovery, and reconstruction in many countries. In the working sessions of Priority Action 3 of the Global Forum on Science and Technology for Disaster Resilience 2017, we discussed the actions that should be taken by the science, technology, and education sectors for an increase in proactive disaster risk reduction investment. This paper highlights the working group discussion, particularly focusing on the roles of science, technology, and education. Seven recommendations for promoting the implementation of the Priority Action 3 were adopted by the Forum as the final output from the working sessions of Priority Action 3.
Comparison of Two PCR-Based Human Papillomavirus Genotyping Methods

ABSTRACT We compared two consensus primer PCR human papillomavirus (HPV) genotyping methods for the detection of individual HPV genotypes and carcinogenic HPV genotypes as a group, using a stratified sample of enrollment cervical specimens from sexually active women participating in the NCI/Costa Rica HPV16/18 Vaccine Efficacy Trial. For the SPF10 method, DNA was extracted from 0.1% of the cervical specimen by using a MagNA Pure LC instrument, a 65-bp region of the HPV L1 gene was targeted for PCR amplification by using SPF10 primers, and 25 genotypes were detected by reverse-line blot hybridization of the amplicons. For the Linear Array (LA) method, DNA was extracted from 0.5% of the cervical specimen by using an MDx robot, a 450-bp region of the HPV L1 gene was targeted for PCR amplification by using PGMY09/11 L1 primers, and 37 genotypes were detected by reverse-line blot hybridization of the amplicons. Specimens (n = 1,427) for testing by the LA method were randomly selected from strata defined on the basis of enrollment test results from the SPF10 method, cytology, and Hybrid Capture 2. LA results were extrapolated to the trial cohort (n = 5,659). The LA and SPF10 methods detected 21 genotypes in common; HPV16, -18, -31, -33, -35, -39, -45, -51, -52, -56, -58, -59, -66, -68, and -73 were considered the carcinogenic HPV genotypes. There was no difference in the overall results for grouped detection of carcinogenic HPV by the SPF10 and LA methods (35.3% versus 35.9%, respectively; P = 0.5), with a 91.8% overall agreement and a kappa value of 0.82. In comparisons of individual HPV genotypes, the LA method detected significantly more HPV16, HPV18, HPV39, HPV58, HPV59, HPV66, and HPV68/73 and less HPV31 and HPV52 than the SPF10 method; inclusion of genotype-specific testing for HPV16 and HPV18 for those specimens testing positive for HPV by the SPF10 method but for which no individual HPV genotype was detected abrogated any differences between the LA and SPF10 methods. The LA method detected more carcinogenic-HPV-genotype infections per specimen than the SPF10 method (P < 0.001). In conclusion, the LA method and the SPF10 method with HPV16 and HPV18 genotype-specific detection among ungenotyped HPV-positive specimens were comparable for detection of HPV16 and HPV18, the two HPV genotypes targeted by current prophylactic HPV vaccines. Both approaches are suitable for monitoring the impact of HPV16/18 vaccines in clinical trials.
Food Hygiene Awareness and Environmental Practices among Food Vendors in Basic Schools at Kintampo Township, Ghana

Cooked food are handled by several individuals, these therefore increases the chances of contamination due to inappropriate handling. Contaminated food can have severe consequences on the health of school children as children have poorly developed immunity compared to adults. The study therefore, assesses food hygiene awareness and environmental practices among food vendors in basic schools at Kintampo Township by specifically determining the level of food hygiene awareness among food vendors and by observing environmental practices among food vendors. The study utilized an institutional based cross sectional survey to collect quantitative data from 100 food vendors in 20 basic schools. The quantitative data were coded and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 20.0. It was found that, 91% was aware of food hygiene practices but poor in practice. There was a statistical association between awareness of food hygiene and age (Chi-square=15.505, P<.05). Selection of foodstuffs was dependent on vendors’ sex (Chi-square= 16.380, P<.01) and income level (Chi-square= 24.313, P<.05). About 91% did not have dustbins for waste collection while 91% of food vendors had no running water, 63% of food vendors use the same hand to serve food and collect money. Majority (71%) were talking while serving food. About 61% had soap for hand washing and 91% did not have many napkins for wiping of hands and cleaning of tables. The study therefore recommends provision of potable water in schools, regular supervision by health officers and intensification of food hygiene education in the schools.
Evidence Suggesting a Point Source Exposure in an Outbreak of Bovine Abortion Due to Neosporosis

A Holstein dairy farm suffered an abortion outbreak due to neosporosis. Abortion losses were > 18%. Cows with the highest Neospora antibody titers were at the greatest risk of aborting. Mummified fetuses were found after the 43rd day of the outbreak. The epidemic curve was suggestive of a point source exposure, which is consistent with the hypothesis that Neospora can be spread by a definitive host.
Prevalence of esophagitis in H. pylori-positive peptic ulcer disease and the impact of eradication therapy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS There have been recent reports of reflux esophagitis apparently occurring de novo after cure of H. pylori in peptic ulcer disease. The possibility that this phenomenon might be explained, at least in part, by unmasking of coexistent disease has not been assessed. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of esophagitis in H. pylori-positive peptic ulcer disease and examine the short-term impact of H. pylori therapy on the esophagus. METHODOLOGY Esophagitis was systematically graded and the presence of hiatal hernia was noted in 244 peptic ulcer patients (duodenal 223; gastric 21) before and at least four weeks after triple therapy. H. pylori status was assessed using CLO test and histology, and esophagitis grade was assigned without knowledge of H. pylori status. RESULTS Of the 244 patients, 49 (20%) had esophagitis which was grade 2 or more in over two-thirds. The prevalence of esophagitis was similar in duodenal and gastric ulcer patients. The presence of hiatal hernia was strongly associated with the finding of esophagitis (P < 0.001). Of 241 patients evaluable after therapy, 215 (89%) were H. pylori-negative and 26 remained H. pylori-positive. Esophagitis tended to improve or remain stable after H. pylori therapy and worsened in only 2 of the 49 patients (4%). Of 192 patients with a normal esophagus at baseline endoscopy, 14 (7%) showed evidence of esophagitis after therapy. The presence of hiatal hernia, but not cure of H. pylori, was significantly associated with the development of esophagitis. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that esophagitis can coexist with peptic ulcer disease and persists after cure of H. pylori. Development of de novo esophagitis seems uncommon in the short-term after H. pylori therapy. Esophagitis in peptic ulcer disease is strongly associated with the presence of hiatal hernia.