Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of Polymorphonuclear Leucocytes and Oxygen‐derived Free Radicals in the Formation of Gastric Lesions Induced by HCl/ethanol, and a Possible Mechanism of Protection by Anti‐ulcer Polysaccharide

Abstract— This study examined the role of oxygen‐derived free radicals in the pathogenesis of gastric mucosal lesions induced by HCl/ethanol. Superoxide dismutase, and catalase, and their combination reduced gastric lesion formation in mice. Gastric lesions were also reduced in mice treated with cyclophosphamide or anti‐neutrophils, but not in mice treated with allopurinol or desulphated‐carrageenan. Cobra venom factor did not reduce lesion formation. These results suggested that oxygen‐free radicals may contribute to the formation of gastric mucosal lesions induced by HCl/ethanol, and that oxygen radicals were generated from neutrophils but not from xanthine oxidase. Anti‐ulcer pectic polysaccharide, bupleuran 2IIc, which was recently isolated from the roots of Bupleurum falcatum L. , showed potent inhibition of HCl/ethanol‐induced gastric lesions in mice. Bupleuran 2IIc seemed to scavenge hydroxyl radical effectively. It was suggested that this anti‐ulcer polysaccharide may provide protection to the gastric mucosa by scavenging oxygen‐free radicals.
The Effect of Oseltamivir on the Disease Progression of Lethal Influenza A Virus Infection: Plasma Cytokine and miRNA Responses in a Mouse Model

Lethal influenza A virus infection leads to acute lung injury and possibly lethal complications. There has been a continuous effort to identify the possible predictors of disease severity. Unlike earlier studies, where biomarkers were analyzed on certain time points or days after infection, in this study biomarkers were evaluated over the entire course of infection. Circulating proinflammatory cytokines and/or miRNAs that track with the onset and progression of lethal A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (PR8) influenza A virus infection and their response to oseltamivir treatment were investigated up to 10 days after infection. Changes in plasma cytokines (IL-1β, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-6, KC, TNF-α, and IFN-γ) and several candidate miRNAs were profiled. Among the cytokines analyzed, IL-6 and KC/GRO cytokines appeared to correlate with peak viral titer. Over the selected 48 miRNAs profiled, certain miRNAs were up- or downregulated in a manner that was dependent on the oseltamivir treatment and disease severity. Our findings suggest that IL-6 and KC/GRO cytokines can be a potential disease severity biomarker and/or marker for the progression/remission of infection. Further studies to explore other cytokines, miRNAs, and lung injury proteins in serum with different subtypes of influenza A viruses with varying disease severity may provide new insight into other unique biomarkers.
A classification of live chat service users in the banking industry

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to classify live chat service users in the banking industry and provide relevant descriptive information on each group to be able to suggest appropriate strategies to managers. Design/methodology/approach A total of 682 panelists from a large Canadian polling firm self-administer a web-based questionnaire. Respondents are users of financial sector live chat services. Two-step cluster analysis was performed. Findings Four groups emerge from the analysis. Young frequent users (Group 1) attach dominant importance to speed of service, whereas computer users (Group 3) and conservative users (Group 4) who avail themselves of live chat services via computer focus on ease of use. Practical implications This study, which details four groups of live chat service users in the banking industry, enables managers to better adapt their strategies to the different market segments with a view to providing customers with better quality service and enhancing their experience. Originality/value The study presents the first live chat service classification to detail user profiles and examine differences at the before, during and after phases of the user experience. Findings enrich the body of academic literature in the service sector, in particular literature focusing on customer service in the banking industry. The paper also provides an interesting managerial framework for the implementation of successful, segment-specific strategies.
Air–Water Transfer of Hydrogen Sulfide: An Approach for Application in Sewer Networks

The emissions process of hydrogen sulfide was studied to quantify air–water transfer of hydrogen sulfide in sewer networks. Hydrogen sulfide transfer across the air–water interface was investigated at different turbulence levels (expressed in terms of the Froude number) and pH using batch experiments. By means of the overall mass–transfer coefficient (KLa), the transfer coefficient of hydrogen sulfide (KLaH2S), referring to total sulfide, was correlated to that of oxygen (KLaO2) (i.e., the reaeration coefficient). Results demonstrate that both turbulence and pH in the water phase play a significant role for KLaH2S. An exponential expression is a suitable representation for the relationship between KLaH2S and the Froude number at all pH values studied (4.5 to 8.0). Because of the dissociation of hydrogen sulfide, KLaH2S increased with decreasing pH at a constant turbulence level. Relative differences in KLaH2S at pH values between 4.5 and 8.0 became larger as the turbulence level increased, whereas those at pH between 4.5 and 7.0 did not statistically show any change. At constant pH, KLaH2S/KLaO2 was observed not to be dependent on the turbulence range studied. KLaH2S/KLaO2 ratio was 0.86, with a 95% confidence interval of 0.08 at low pH, where only molecular hydrogen sulfide was present. This ratio was found to be equal to the ratio between the diffusion coefficient of hydrogen sulfide and that of oxygen, which was determined by empirical equations proposed in the literature. This fact was observed at all the turbulence levels investigated. Based on the findings in this study, an empirical equation describing the pH dependence of KLaH2S/KLaO2 at a pH range of 4.5 to 8.0 is proposed. Theoretical and experimental aspects of hydrogen sulfide emissions and an application are discussed related to in–sewer conditions.
Absence of Confounding Does Not Correspond to Collapsibility of the Rate Ratio or Rate Difference

&NA; Miettinen and Cook (Am J Epidemiol 1981;114:593‐603) showed that absence of confounding does not imply collapsibility of the odds ratio; that is, the crude odds ratio need not equal a common stratum‐specific odds ratio even if the exposed and unexposed study groups have the same distribution of risk factors. Less well known is that absence of confounding does not correspond to collapsibility of the person‐time rate ratio of rate difference. For example, two study groups can have the same distribution of all risk factors and yet the crude rate ratio need not equal a common stratum‐specific rate ratio. The present paper provides an example and explanation of this phenomenon. The discrepancy between nonconfounding and collapsibility in rate comparisons arises when person‐time is a post‐exposure variable whose distribution can be altered by the effects of exposure and other risk factors.
Transfers of N metabolites across the ovine liver in response to short-term infusions of an amino acid mixture into the mesenteric vein

The effect of acute (4.5 h) infusions into the mesenteric vein of an amino acid (AA) mixture, which simulated the composition of rumen microbial protein, on net transfers of NH3, urea and total AA across the portal-drained viscera (PDV) and liver in the ovine has been examined. Four wether sheep were surgically prepared with vascular catheters across the PDV and liver (Lobley et al. 1995) and were offered a basal diet of 1000 g grass pellets/d (approximately 1.4 × energy maintenance). Each animal was infused at weekly intervals with one of four dilutions of the AA mixture. These dilutions provided 0.44, 0.88, 1.32 and 1.84mmol AA-N/min infused, the lowest of which approximately doubled the net absorption of AA-N from the basal diet. Animals were treated with heparin to allow continuous collection of blood by peristaltic pump for 2 h preceding, and between 0.5–2.5 and 2.5–4.5 h after, the start of the AA infusions. Blood flow in the hepatic artery increased (100 v. 208 g/min; P = 0.002) in response to AA infusion, while hepatic portal venous flow decreased (2090 v. 1854 g/min; P = 0.006). The AA infusion also stimulated O2 uptake by the PDV (P < 0.001) and liver (P = 0.016). Absorption across the PDV and hepatic removal of NH3 were unchanged between basal and amino acid infusion conditions. Urea-N removal across the PDV was unaltered, but hepatic production increased (P < 0.001) with level of AA infusion. During infusions, net appearance of AA across the PDV was below the theoretical level. This may have been due to inhibition of AA uptake from the small intestine, and/or increased removal by the digestive tract of AA from the systemic circulation associated with greater arterial concentrations. Hepatic extraction of AA increased with level of infusion, both for total AA and those included in the infusate. Total hepatic urea-N production tended towards a maximum (estimated as 2 μmol N/g liver wet weight per min). The AA removed by the liver and not used for ureagenesis remained similar (170 μmol AA-N/min) between basal and AA infusions. This was presumed available for anabolic purposes (mainly synthesis of export proteins). The proportion of net AA-N appearance (absorption plus infused) across the PDV removed by the liver declined from 0.71 to 0.53 between basal and AA infusions. In contrast to findings from cattle (Wray-Cahen et al. 1997), increased AA infusion did not alter the net removal of glutamine across the liver. This may reflect differences between the studies in NH3: AA-N absorbed. Further differences between the cattle study and the current findings may relate to the different physiological state (pregnancy v. growth), which may alter the partition of AA between anabolic and catabolic fates.
A modification of the thiocholine method for the demonstration of cholinesterases.

A modification of the thiocholine technique for cholinesterases is described, in which mounted sections are dehydrated for 2 min in each ascending grade of alcohol before development of CuS by using alcoholic (NH4)2S. This reagent is prepared by first saturating half-concentrated (NH4)2OH with H2S; 3 ml of this is diluted with 22 ml of ethyl alcohol, then saturated with CuS. With these modifications better definition of sites of cholinesterase activity is achieved.
Strategic Marketing Practices and Environmental Perception of Customer Oriented Service in Nigeria Deposit Money Banks in Lagos State

This paper examines the nature and influence of the relationship between the bank’s strategic marketing practices and its service and seeks to determine the importance of strategic marketing practices in explaining the environmental perception of customers oriented service delivery. The study location was at the five selected Deposit Money Banks in Lagos State, Nigeria. A descriptive research design employing a stratified and convenience sampling techniques selected 74% of the bank staff which were contacted using questionnaires. The data collected were analyzed using the SPSS software version 19.0. Correlation analysis was conducted to establish the nature of the relationship between the bank’s strategic marketing practices and it customers oriented service delivery while regression analysis used to explain its influence on customers oriented service delivery. The finding showed that positive relationship exists between strategic marketing practices and customers oriented service delivery (r=0.749; Fcal=123.859; p<0.000). The researchers recommended that commercial banks should embrace strategic marketing by being focused to adapt to changes, marketing of assets and capabilities and marketing of innovation for the growth and survival of the industry.
The Impact of the Learning Organization on Product Innovation Performance: an Empirical Assessment in the French Biotechnology Industry

This paper examines the role played by the learning organization culture in generating product innovation performance. It also aims at assessing the moderating effects of environmental turbulence, export intensity and public innovation support on the aforementioned relationship. We use structural equations modeling with partial least squares technique to test our hypotheses on a data set from the French biotechnology industry. The results generally support theoretical predictions and emphasize the key role that learning organization has for product innovation performance.
Multiple Adhesive Phenotypes Linked to Rosetting Binding of Erythrocytes in Plasmodium falciparumMalaria

ABSTRACT The cerebral form of severe malaria is associated with excessive intravascular sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes (PRBC). Retention and accumulation of PRBC may lead to occlusion of brain microvessels and direct the triggering of acute pathologic changes. Here we report that by selection, cloning, and subcloning, we have identified rare P. falciparum parasites expressing a pan-adhesive phenotype linked to erythrocyte rosetting, a previously identified correlate of cerebral malaria. Rosetting PRBC not only bound uninfected erythrocytes but also formed autoagglutinates, adhered to endothelial cells, and bound to CD36, immunoglobulins, and the blood group A antigen. The linkage of rosetting, autoagglutination, and cytoadherence involved the coexpression on a single PRBC of ligands with multiple specificities and the binding to two or more receptors on erythrocytes and to at least two other cell adhesion molecules, including a new endothelial cell receptor for P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes. Limited proteolysis that differentially cleaved the rosetting ligand PfEMP1 from the PRBC surface abrogated all the binding phenotypes of these parasites, implicating the variant antigen PfEMP1 as a carrier of multiple ligand specificities. The results encourage the further study of pan-adhesion as a potentially important parasite phenotype in the pathogenesis of severe P. falciparum malaria.
Distribution and organization of peripheral capillaries in dental pulp and their relationship to odontoblasts

Developmental and chronological changes in the peripheral capillaries of the dental pulp and their relationship to odontoblasts during dentin formation has not been sufficiently detailed. This study aims to elucidate the morphological changes of the peripheral capillaries in relation to the life cycle of odontoblasts.
Entry Barriers and the Labor Market Outcomes of Incumbent Workers: Evidence from a Deregulation Reform in the German Crafts Sector

We study the labor market outcomes of a deregulation reform in Germany that removed licensing requirements to become self-employed in some occupations. Using longitudinal social security data, we implement a matched difference-in-differences design with entropy balancing to account for observable characteristics and unobserved individual heterogeneity. The reform tripled the number of businesses within ten years and led to slower earnings growth and higher unemployment for incumbent workers in deregulated occupations. However, the reform effect seems rather small, which we attribute to the relatively low competitiveness of new businesses. Supporting this view, the reform did not lead to overall employment growth.
Effects of Ethnic Targeting on the Perceived Effectiveness of Cancer Prevention Messages Among Latinas and Non-Latina White Women

In general, efforts to target Latinos are made through Spanish-language messages, yet 75% of U.S. Latinos are bilingual or English dominant. Acculturation (adapting mainstream traits) is associated with increased lifestyle-related risk behaviors. Latinos maintain cultural traits and ethnic identification even as they appear to acculturate (e.g., through language). This raises questions about how to communicate health information to more-acculturated Latinos who are not reached by traditional Spanish outreach yet may not identify with general-market messages. This study tested the relative efficacy of English-language messages targeted to Latinas, compared with general-market messages, among highly acculturated Latina women and non-Latina White women. In this pair of online experiments, Latinas (n = 715) and non-Latina White women (n = 704) rated the perceived effectiveness of general-market versus Latina-targeted Pap smear and mammogram public service announcements. In 1 of 2 experiments ethnically targeted messages were rated relatively more effective for the intended audience and equally effective for the general audience. The author discusses implications for how campaigns reach U.S. Latinos across the acculturation spectrum.
Incidence and risk factors of nevirapine-associated severe hepatitis among HIV-infected patients with CD4 cell counts less than 250 cells/microL.

OBJECTIVES To determine incidence and risk factors of nevirapine (NVP)-associated severe hepatitis that led to NVP discontinuation among HIV-infected patients with CD4 < 250 cells/microL. MATERIAL AND METHOD A retrospective cohort study was conducted among antiretroviral-naïve HIV-infected patients who had baseline CD4 < 250 cells/microL and were initiated NVP-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) between January 2003 and October 2005. All patients were categorized to group A: occurred clinical hepatitis and group B: did not occur clinical hepatitis. All were followed until 6 months after ART. RESULTS There were 910 patients with a mean age of 35.4 years, 57% were males and median (IQR) CD4 cell count was 27 (9-80) cells/microL; contributing 5,006 person-months of observations. Ten (1.1%) patients were in group A and 900 (98.9%) patients were in group B. Incidence of clinical hepatitis was 2 per 1,000 person-months. Probabilities of clinical hepatitis at 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 6 months after ART were 0.2%, 0.5%, 0.7%, 0.8% and 1.1%, respectively. By Cox regression analysis, baseline AST > or = 1.5 times of upper limit was associated with higher incidence of clinical hepatitis (p = 0.019, HR = 5.83, 95% CI = 1.33-25.51). CONCLUSION Incidence of NVP-associated severe hepatitis that lead to NVP discontinuation among HIV-infected patients with baseline CD4 < 250 cells/microL is low. The higher baseline AST is also associated with a higher risk of severe hepatitis.
Outcome of barium enema in patients with colorectal symptoms.

BACKGROUND For many years, double contrast barium enema has been an effective way to evaluate the large bowel. With the development of the colonoscope, the role of barium enema has been questioned. However it is still useful in investigating patients with colorectal symptoms especially in the developing world where colonoscopy is widely unavailable and fraught with challenges in completely evaluating the colon. OBJECTIVE This study aimed at reviewing double contrast barium enema investigations in our centre. METHODS This was a retrospective study on patients who underwent double contrast barium enema at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital from May 2003 to April 2007 on account of symptoms referable to the large bowel. RESULTS A total of 362 investigation reports were studied, of which 205 were for males and 154 for females, the mean age of the patients was 55.3 years (S.D 15.3 years). Majority of the investigations, 228 (61.96%), were normal. Diverticular disease diagnosed in 88 (23.91%) cases was the commonest finding, followed by neoplasm 27 (7.34%) cases and Ulcerative colitis 6 (1.63%) cases, non-specific narrowing of the bowel in 4 (1.09%) and in 5 (1.36%) cases their investigations were inconclusive due to poor bowel preparation. Rectal bleeding was the most frequent symptom prompting barium enema studies. CONCLUSION Double contrast barium enema study of the large bowel is an important evaluation of patients with colorectal symptoms.
Linking employer branding and internal branding: establishing perceived employer brand image as an antecedent of favourable employee brand attitudes and behaviours

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to establish the symbolic facet of perceived employer brand image (PEBI) as an antecedent of favourable brand-related identification and employee behaviours, namely, corporate brand identification (CBI) and brand citizenship behaviours (BCB). Design/methodology/approachA standardized questionnaire was used. Data collection occurred at a maximum care hospital in Germany (N= 366). Structural equation modelling was used in the data analysis.FindingsA direct link between PEBI and BCB was theoretically derived from social exchange theory and could be empirically confirmed. In addition to a direct relationship, a mediated relationship based on social identity theory was outlined. PEBI influences BCB via CBI. The mediated pathway accounts for 70 per cent of the variance.Practical implicationsUnderstanding the impact of symbolic job offerings on favourable brand-related employee attitudes and behaviours should lead practitioners to focus on increasing employees’ perceptions of the employer’s prestige and sincerity, for example, by strengthening employee target group-oriented communications about corporate social responsibility or increasing out-group salience when communicating organizational achievements.Originality/valueThis paper transfers the concept of organizational attractiveness, organizational identification and favourable employee behaviours to a corporate brand focus. It is the first integration of the symbolic dimension of the instrumental-symbolic framework in an internal branding context.
Amphetamine‐stimulated dopamine release competes in vivo for [123I]IBZM binding to the D2 receptor in nonhuman primates

We used the reversibly binding D2 dopamine receptor radioligand [123I]IBZM (iodobenzamide) to test whether the endogenous neurotransmitter dopamine competes in vivo for radiotracer binding measured with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). In a series of nonhuman primate experiments (n = 27), the effects of temperature, amphetamine, haloperidol, and reserpine on brain uptake of [123I]IBZM were measured. Specific brain uptake of [123I]IBZM reached a peak by 100 min postinjection of radioligand and demonstrated a gradual, apparent “steady‐state” washout over the next 2 hr. Brain uptake was temperature dependent, with rates of washout of specifically bound radioligand greater under normothermic conditions (26%/hr: core body temperature 35–37°C) than under conditions of controlled hypothermia (11%/hr; 32–34°C). Given the greater retention of radioactivity, low‐temperature conditions were used in all other experiments. Administration of haloperidol (0.02 mg/kg IV) during the period of apparent steady state resulted in a dramatic increase in washout (60%/hr; p < 0.0001), consistent with its potent D2 receptor antagonist properties. d‐Amphetamine (1.0 mg/kg IV), which has negligible affinity for the D2 receptor but mediates the release of endogenous stores of dopamine, also enhanced washout (34%/hr; p < 0.0005). Reserpine pretreatment at doses (1.0 mg/kg) sufficient to cause greater than 90% depletion of striatal dopamine levels blocked this amphetamine‐enhanced washout (10%/hr; p < 0.05). Reserpine did not block the increased washout induced by the direct‐acting D2 receptor antagonist haloperidol. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that endogenous dopamine may effectively compete for radioligand binding in vivo in neuroreceptor imaging studies using PET and SPECT.