Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reduced growth hormone secretion in Turner syndrome: is body weight a key factor?

The age-related decline in spontaneous growth hormone (GH) secretion has been suggested to cause growth failure in girls with Turner syndrome (TS). We studied 23 girls (mean age +/- SD: 11.1 +/- 2.7 years) diagnosed to have TS by karyotype analysis. The control group consisted of 18 prepubertal age-matched subjects (10.7 +/- 2.5 years) with growth retardation due to familial short stature and/or constitutional growth delay. In addition, 18 children (10.9 +/- 3.3 years) diagnosed to have GH deficiency by two different provocative tests were chosen as a further comparison group. Spontaneous 12-hour nocturnal GH secretion was assessed by RIA at 30-min intervals. Plasma insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels were determined by RIA after acid-ethanol extraction. Girls with TS had a percentage of ideal body weight significantly higher than controls (p < 0.0001) and showed spontaneous GH secretion significantly lower than controls (mean +/- SD: 3.2 +/- 1.6 in TS vs. 5.5 +/- 1.3 microgram/l in controls; p < 0.0001) but higher than GH-deficient patients (1.3 +/- 0.8 microgram/l; p < 0.0001). No significant difference was found in IGF-1 levels between TS patients and controls, whereas GH-deficient children showed IGF-1 levels significantly lower than those of TS patients (p < 0.0005). As expected, GH concentrations correlated with bone age in controls (r = 0.51, p < 0.05), whereas no relationship was seen in TS. interestingly, in TS, GH levels were negatively related to the percentage of ideal body weight (r = -0.43, p < 0.05). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Upregulation of Oct4 isoforms in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells from patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension

Firth AL, Yao W, Remillard CV, Ogawa A, Yuan JX. Upregulation of Oct-4 isoforms in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells from patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 298: L548–L557, 2010. First published February 5, 2010; doi:10.1152/ajplung.00314. 2009. —Oct-4 is a transcription factor considered to be one of the defining pluripotency markers in embryonic stem cells. Its expression has also been demonstrated in adult stem cells, tumorigenic cells, and, most recently and controversially, in somatic cells. Oct-4 pseudogenes also contribute to carcinogenesis. Oct-4 may be involved in the excessive proliferation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMC) in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH), contributing to the pathogenesis of IPAH. In this study, we show that Oct-4 isoforms are upregulated in IPAH-PASMC. Human embryonic stem cells (H9 line) and human PASMC from normotensive subjects were used throughout the investigation as positive and negative controls. In addition to significant upregulation of Oct-4 in a population of IPAH-PASMC, HIF-2 , a hypoxia-inducible transcription factor that has been shown to bind to the Oct-4 promoter and induces its expression and transcriptional activity, was also increased. Interestingly, a substantial upregulation of Oct-4 isoforms and HIF-2 was also observed in normal PASMC exposed to chronic hypoxia. In conclusion, the data suggest that both Oct-4 isoforms are upregulated and potentially have a significant role in the development of vascular abnormalities associated with the pathogenesis of IPAH and in pulmonary hypertension triggered by chronic hypoxia.
Relevant factors for successful relationships between professional sporting organisations and their sponsors

Sports sponsorship is an important source of income for professional sporting organisations and an effective marketing tool for companies aiming at commercial objectives through marketing communications. The emphasis on relationships is redefining the marketing domain. The most successful sports sponsorships are based on a good relationship between the sports entity and its sponsor. The paper describes the nature of relationships between a professional sporting organisation and its most important customers with special emphasis on sponsors. Based on recent studies the main factors for successful relationships in the context of sports sponsorship are identified and discussed. Key words: Sports sponsorship, relationship marketing, sports management, sports marketing, sports business, sporting organisation, stakeholders, sponsor, sponsee.
THE CONTEXT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGYAND ELECTRONIC COMMERCE ADOPTIONIN SMALL/MEDIUM ENTERPRISES:A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

The literature that deals with Information Technology (IT) adoption in Small/Medium Enterprises (SMEs) has raised significant issues over recent years. How IT is accepted and used within SMEs is fundamental to this literature. The nature of IT adoption and diffusion has also been mainly dealt with from an ontologically objective, rational, Western, process focused perspective that has been predominantly positivistic in research orientation. For example, academics and practitioners have generally based their opinions about the adoption of IT in SMEs in line with what larger (predominantly Western economic) businesses find important, such as IT utilisation for competitive advantage. Many structuralist frameworks and models have been developed over the years to support and rationalize this view (Porter (1985)). Researchers have also made assumptions as to the cross-cultural suitability of various types of IT such as those utilized within an Electronic Commerce (EC) environment. The validity of these assumptions is especially critical in today’s business climate, given the hype that surrounds the use of EC technologies and approaches for conducting global business transactions. This paper begins by examining the general nature SMEs, as well as some facts about SMEs from around the globe. It then goes on to examine the nature of technology adoption through the Bunker & Dean (1997) disciplinary model that moves away from the objective, rational, Western process oriented view of technology adoption and diffusion by focusing on a more subjective view of business context and resultant skills and business processes. The paper then looks at small business attitudes to the adoption and use of IT and EC technologies through the results of an internationally administered SME web survey. Finally it is argued that data from this survey suggests that IT and EC adoption theories may be based on incorrect assumptions that when critically evaluated, necessitate further research into this area.
A novel lipoate attachment enzyme is shared by Plasmodium and Chlamydia species

Lipoate is an essential cofactor for enzymes that are important for central metabolism and other processes. In malaria parasites, scavenged lipoate from the human host is required for survival. The Plasmodium falciparum mitochondrion contains two enzymes (PfLipL1 and PfLipL2) that are responsible for activating mitochondrial proteins through the covalent attachment of lipoate (lipoylation). Lipoylation occurs via a novel redox‐gated mechanism that remains poorly understood. We show that PfLipL1 functions as a redox switch that determines which downstream proteins will be activated. Based on the lipoate redox state, PfLipL1 either functions as a canonical lipoate ligase or as a lipoate activating enzyme which works in conjunction with PfLipL2. We demonstrate that PfLipL2 is a lipoyltransferase and is a member of a novel clade of lipoate attachment enzymes. We show that a LipL2 enzyme from Chlamydia trachomatis has similar activity, demonstrating conservation between intracellular pathogens from different phylogenetic kingdoms and supporting the hypothesis that an early ancestor of malaria parasites once contained a chlamydial endosymbiont. Redox‐dependent lipoylation may regulate processes such as central metabolism and oxidative defense pathways.
Use of imaging and biomarker tests for posttreatment care of early‐stage breast cancer survivors

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recently released a “Top Five” list of opportunities to improve the quality of cancer care. Item 4 on the list advises against using advanced imaging and biomarkers for surveillance in patients with breast cancer who are treated with curative intent. This study examined concordance with ASCO follow‐up care guidelines for breast cancer survivors treated at an academic medical center.
Detection of point mutations on 23S rRNA of Helicobacter pylori and resistance to clarithromycin with PCR-RFLP in gastric biopsy specimens in Mersin, Turkey.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Helicobacter pylori infection has a high prevalence and is considered an important health problem in Turkey. Unfortunately, an effective treatment has not yet been found for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection, at least in our country. Standard therapies recommended for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori have failed in the province of Mersin, Turkey. The rate of eradication with the standard triple treatment was only 45% in the province of Mersin. It may be that Helicobacter pylori has become resistant to antibiotics. Therefore, we aimed to determine the rate of resistance to clarithromycin in the province of Mersin. METHODS The study included 92 patients presenting with dyspepsia to the Gastroenterology Clinic of Mersin University Medical School and undergoing endoscopy. We obtained gastric biopsy specimens and investigated whether Helicobacter pylori was present and resistant to clarithromycin. We used polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism to determine A2143G and A2144G mutations and resistance to clarithromycin. RESULTS Out of 92 specimens, 37 (40.2%) had Helicobacter pylori DNA. Out of 37 specimens with Helicobacter pylori DNA, 15 (40.5%) had point mutations. Eleven specimens (29.7%) had mutations on nucleotide 2144 and 4 specimens (10.8%) had mutations on 2143. CONCLUSIONS Taking account of the failure of the treatment regimens used to eradicate Helicobacter pylori infection in the province of Mersin, the high rate of point mutations determined in this study was not surprising and the rate of resistance to clarithromycin was an important indicator for the failure in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection.
ASPIRATIONS, PERFORMANCE, AND CHANGES IN PARTNERING BEHAVIOR: EVIDENCE FROM THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY 1990-2006

Building on the prior research on aspiration levels, managerial decision making and partnering routines, we examine the conditions under which pharmaceutical firms change their partnering behavior across time. Using insights drawn from behavioral theory and evolutionary theory of the firm, we suggest that any change in partnering behavior is considered risky, and is triggered by the gap between actual performance (financial and innovative) and aspirational performance (developed on the basis of historical and social comparisons). Testing a sample of 988 pharmaceutical firms from 1990 to 2006, our results suggest that the change partnering behavior depends on the performance type: firms are more likely to change when financial performance equals aspiration, while innovative performance predicts opposite results on the performance discrepancy (both below and above)- change in partnering behavior relationship.
Keeping the wheels turning: Multi-level dynamics in organizing networks of practice

This paper addresses organizing dynamics of intra-firm ‘networks of practice’ (NOPs). It unravels different dimensions that play a role in knowledge sharing within NOPs: (1) practice dimension; (2) social dimension; and (3) organizational dimension. Based on a unique interpretive case study, we ‘unpack’ each dimension and consider them as dynamic based on either positive or negative forces that influence knowledge sharing in NOPs. By introducing the metaphor of a cogwheel, we argue that maintaining continuation of a NOP involves the dynamics of three levels of embeddedness (1) embeddedness of the NOP in local practices; (2) social embeddedness of the network; and (3) organizational embeddedness of the network. This integrative framework of multi-level dynamics helps to further our understanding regarding the success and failures of organizing NOPs.
A new, widely distributed species of the Exocelina ekari-group from West Papua (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae, Copelatinae)

Abstract Exocelina manokwariensis sp. n. from West Papua is placed into the Exocelina ekari-group based on the structure of its male genitalia. The new species is described, including its three subspecies, from the mainland of West Papua, Waigeo Island, Batanta and Salawati Islands, and Bomberai peninsula. An identification key to the subspecies as well as data on species distribution are provided.
The role of Helicobacter pylori infection in the web of gastric cancer causation

The decline in gastric cancer mortality is a major achievement in cancer control. It has been attributed to a set of factors related to the improvement of the populations’ living conditions, namely the increase in the consumption of fruit and vegetables and the decrease in salt intake, and therefore labelled as an ‘unplanned triumph’. In the last decades, however, we witnessed the gradual acceptance of Helicobacter pylori infection as the most important environmental factor contributing to the occurrence of gastric cancer. The potential for further reducing the burden of cancer by acting on a single modifiable exposure, that is, preventing or treating infection, and the extent to which it may be achieved, requires an in-depth knowledge of the contribution of H. pylori infection to the causal mechanisms leading to cancer. We propose a conceptual framework for the interpretation of the role of H. pylori infection in the web of gastric cancer causation, taking into account the nosological heterogeneity of gastric cancer, the induction period for the action of H. pylori infection and its potential role as a necessary component cause.
Fact and Fiction in Cognitive Ability Testing for Admissions and Hiring Decisions

Standardized measures of intelligence, ability, or achievement are all measures of acquired knowledge and skill and have consistent relationships with multiple facets of success in life, including academic and job performance. Five persistent beliefs about ability tests have developed, including: (a) that there is no relationship with important outcomes like creativity or leadership, (b) that there is predictive bias, (c) that there is a lack of predictive independence from socioeconomic status, (d) that there are thresholds beyond which scores cease to matter, and (e) that other characteristics, like personality, matter as well. We present the evidence and conclude that of these five beliefs, only the importance of personality is a fact; the other four are fiction.
Discriminant Analysis of Consumer Interest in Buying Locally Produced Foods

In the wake of Foot and Mouth Disease in the UK, upstream operators in the agrifood sector are being encouraged to undertake more direct marketing of their products. However, little is known about consumer interest in buying local food, and the factors that might influence a positive response. Drawing from the literature on ethical and environmentally responsible consumer behaviour, interest in local food is conceptualised as being related to attitudinal, situational and demographic factors. Discriminant analysis of responses to a survey of shoppers in the north of England finds that attitudinal factors tend to explain variations in local food interest better than demographic factors. In addition, situational factors of urban/rural residency and degree of involvement with farming are also strong discriminators. However, as importance ratings of food choice attributes such as low price and intrinsic quality did not differ significantly according to interest levels in local food, the results imply that even highly interested consumers have pragmatic expectations about local food products that need to be met for marketing strategies to be successful.
Diversity of Human Vaginal Bacterial Communities and Associations with Clinically Defined Bacterial Vaginosis

ABSTRACT Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common syndrome associated with numerous adverse health outcomes in women. Despite its medical importance, the etiology and microbial ecology of BV remain poorly understood. We used broad-range PCR to census the community structure of the healthy and BV-affected vaginal microbial ecosystems and synthesized current publicly available bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequence data from this environment. The community of vaginal bacteria detected in subjects with BV was much more taxon rich and diverse than in subjects without BV. At a 97% sequence similarity cutoff, the number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) per patient in 28 subjects with BV was nearly three times greater than in 13 subjects without BV: 14.8 ± 0.7 versus 5.2 ± 0.75 (mean ± standard error). OTU-based analyses revealed previously hidden diversity for many vaginal bacteria that are currently poorly represented in GenBank. Our sequencing efforts yielded many novel phylotypes (123 of our sequences represented 38 OTUs not previously found in the vaginal ecosystem), including several novel BV-associated OTUs, such as those belonging to the Prevotella species complex, which remain severely underrepresented in the current NCBI database. Community composition was highly variable among subjects at a fine taxonomic scale, but at the phylum level, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes were strongly associated with BV. Our data describe a previously unrecognized extent of bacterial diversity in the vaginal ecosystem. The human vagina hosts many bacteria that are only distantly related to known species, and subjects with BV harbor particularly taxon-rich and diverse bacterial communities.
Prognostic impact of NDRG 2 and NDRG 3 in prostate cancer patients undergoing radical prostatectomy

significance of NDRG2 and NDRG3, and their involvement in recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) of prostate cancer (PCa). Methods: NDRG2 and NDRG3 expression in 206 pairs of primary PCa and corresponding noncancerous prostate tissue samples from the same specimens were detected by immunohistochemistry. The association of NDRG2 and NDRG3 expression with the clinicopathologic features and with the prognosis of PCa was subsequently assessed. Results: In PCa tissues, NDRG2 expression was significantly downregulated, while NDRG3 expression was significantly upregulated (both P<0.001), compared with those in corresponding noncancerous prostate tissues. In addition, the downregulation of NDRG2 in PCa tissues was significantly correlated with advanced pathological stage (P=0.001), positive metastatic status (P=0.001) and high Gleason score (P=0.003), while the upregulation of NDRG3 in PCa tissues was significantly correlated with advanced pathological stage (P=0.006), positive metastatic status (P=0.001) and lymph node status (P=0.002). Furthermore, multivariate survival analysis showed low NDRG2 and high NDRG3 immunoreactivities were both significantly associated with short RFS and short OS in PCa independently of routine clinicopathological predictors. Conclusion: Our data offer convincing evidence for the first time that the aberrant expression of NDRG2 and NDRG3 may contribute to the malignant progression of PCa. More importantly, both the downregulation of NDRG2 and the upregulation of NDRG3 may be efficient prognostic indicators for PCa.
Topical Nerve Growth Factor as a Visual Rescue Strategy in Pediatric Optic Gliomas

Background. To date, no specific therapy is available for optic glioma (OG)–induced visual loss. Objective. To evaluate the effects on visual function of murine nerve growth factor (NGF) eye drop administration in children with severe visual impairment due to low-grade OGs. Methods. Five patients with OGs and advanced optic nerve atrophy were assessed before and after a single 10-day course of 1 mg murine NGF topical administration by clinical evaluation, visual evoked potentials (VEPs), and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). VEPs, the main functional outcome measure, were recorded at baseline and 1, 30, 45, 90, and 180 days posttreatment. MRI examinations were performed at baseline and at 180 days after NGF treatment. Six untreated control patients with OGs also underwent serial VEPs, clinical testing, and MRI assessments. Results. After NGF treatment, median VEPs amplitude showed a progressive increase from the baseline values (P < .01). VEPs reached a maximum amplitude at 90 days (170% increase) and declined at 180 days, still remaining above the baseline level. Perception of spontaneous visual phosphenes was noted in all patients after NGF administration. MRI showed stable tumor size. In controls, clinical findings and VEPs did not show any significant change over the observation period. Conclusions. The findings from the study show that NGF administration may be an effective and safe adjunct therapy in children with optic atrophy due to OGs. The beneficial effect on optic nerve function suggests a visual rescuing mechanism exerted by murine NGF on the residual viable optic pathways.
Success Factors of Product Innovation: An Updated Meta‐Analysis

Assessing factors that predict new product success (NPS) holds critical importance for companies, as research shows that despite considerable new product investment, success rates are generally below 25%. Over the decades, meta-analytical attempts have been made to summarize empirical findings on NPS factors. However, market environment changes such as increased global competition, as well as methodological advancements in meta-analytical research, present a timely opportunity to augment their results. Hence, a key objective of this research is to provide an updated and extended meta-analytic investigation of the factors affecting NPS. Using Henard and Szymanski's meta-analysis as the most comprehensive recent summary of empirical findings, this study updates their findings by analyzing articles published from 1999 through 2011, the period following the original meta-analysis. Based on 233 empirical studies (from 204 manuscripts) on NPS, with a total 2618 effect sizes, this study also takes advantage of more recent methodological developments by re-calculating effects of the meta-analysis employing a random effects model. The study's scope broadens by including overlooked but important additional variables, notably “country culture,” and discusses substantive differences between the updated meta-analysis and its predecessor. Results reveal generally weaker effect sizes than those reported by Henard and Szymanski in 2001, and provide evolutionary evidence of decreased effects of common success factors over time. Moreover, culture emerges as an important moderating factor, weakening effect sizes for individualistic countries and strengthening effects for risk-averse countries, highlighting the importance of further investigating culture's role in product innovation studies, and of tracking changes of success factors of product innovations. Finally, a sharp increase since 1999 in studies investigating product and process characteristics identifies a significant shift in research interest in new product development success factors. The finding that the importance of success factors generally declines over time calls for new theoretical approaches to better capture the nature of new product development (NPD) success factors. One might speculate that the potential to create competitive advantages through an understanding of NPD success factors is reduced as knowledge of these factors becomes more widespread among managers. Results also imply that managers attempting to improve success rates of NPDs need to consider national culture as this factor exhibits a strong moderating effect: Working in varied cultural contexts will result in differing antecedents of successful new product ventures.