Hedonic Values And Utilitarian Values As Predicators Of Social Media Participation

This research proposes a model to investigate the behavior of posting articles and the continued use of social media via Babin’s value perspective. The antecedents of values are web quality and users’ emotions. The model was tested with PLS-Graph software based on its structural equation modeling approach. Data was gained from 310 users. The results revealed that antecedents have a strong impact on user values, which in turn influences users’ intention to post articles and continue to use social media. Several implications for research and practice have been derived from these findings

Impact of interleukin-28B polymorphism on HCV-1 infected patients treated with response-guided therapy

SummaryBackgroundSingle nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of interleukin-28B (IL28B) were associated with sustained virological response (SVR) in hepatitis C virus genotype 1 (HCV-1) infected patients treated with a standard 48-week regimen of peginterferon and ribavirin combination. Whether IL28B SNP genotype would be the influential prognosticator for patients treated with response-guided therapy (RGT) is still not well understood.AimsTo investigate the impact of IL28B rs809917 genotype on HCV-1 infected patients treated with RGT.MethodsA total of 128 consecutive treatment-naïve HCV-1 infected patients between July 2006 and July 2011 were analyzed. For rapid virological response (RVR) patients, we allowed an abbreviated 24-week regimen regardless of baseline viral loads; otherwise, a 48-week regimen was implemented (for patients with early virological response). The IL28B rs8099917 SNP genotypes were determined accordingly.ResultsA total of 117 patients (91.4%) were of rs8099917 TT genotype and 11 (8.6%) were of GT/GG genotype. Eighty-two of the 128 (64.1%) patients achieved SVR, occurring in 54 of 67 RVR patients (80.6%) and 28 of 61 non-RVR patients (45.9%, p < 0.001). Compared to the GT/GG genotype, patients with the TT genotype had significantly higher SVR rates (67.5% vs. 27.3%; p = 0.008) and low relapse rates (28.2% vs. 70.0%; p = 0.006). The multivariate analysis showed that RVR (odds ratio, 4.51; 95% confidence interval, 1.87–10.90; p = 0.001) and rs8099917 TT genotype (odds ratio, 6.91; 95% confidence interval, 1.53–31.17; p = 0.012) were independent factors associated with SVR.ConclusionFor HCV-1 infected patients who were treated with RGT, the IL28B unfavorable genotype predicted a higher relapse rate; RVR and IL28B favorable genotype were independent factors associated with SVR in patients treated with RGT

Electric-field-induced phase transition of <001> oriented Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 single crystals

oriented 0.7Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.3PbTiO3 single crystals were poled under different electric fields, i.e. Epoling=4 kV/cm and Epoling=13 kV/cm. In addition to the temperature-dependent dielectric constant measurement, X-ray diffraction was also used to identify the poling-induced phase transitions. Results showed that the phase transition significantly depends on the poling intensity. A weaker field (Epoling=4 kV/cm) can overcome the effect of random internal field to perform the phase transition from rhombohedral ferroelectric state with short range ordering (microdomain) FESRO to rhombohedral ferroelectric state with long range ordering (macrodomain) FElRO. But the rhombohedral ferroelectric to tetragonal ferroelectric phase transition originating from to polarization rotation can only be induced by a stronger field (Epoling=13 kV/cm). The sample poled at Epoling=4 kV/cm showed higher piezoelectric constant, d33>1500 pC/N, than the sample poled at Epoling=13 kV/cm.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figure

Shikonin enhances efficacy of a gene-based cancer vaccine via induction of RANTES

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Shikonin, a phytochemical purified from <it>Lithospermum erythrorhizon</it>, has been shown to confer diverse pharmacological activities, including accelerating granuloma formation, wound healing, anti-inflammation and others, and is explored for immune-modifier activities for vaccination in this study. Transdermal gene-based vaccine is an attractive approach for delivery of DNA transgenes encoding specific tumor antigens to host skin tissues. Skin dendritic cells (DCs), a potent antigen-presenting cell type, is known to play a critical role in transmitting and orchestrating tumor antigen-specific immunities against cancers. The present study hence employs these various components for experimentation.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>The mRNA and protein expression of RANTES were detected by RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. The regional expression of RANTES and tissue damage in test skin were evaluated via immunohistochemistry assay. Fluorescein isothiocyanate sensitization assay was performed to trace the trafficking of DCs from the skin vaccination site to draining lymph nodes. Adjuvantic effect of shikonin on gene gun-delivered human gp100 (hgp100) DNA cancer vaccine was studied in a human gp100-transfected B16 (B16/hgp100) tumor model.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among various phytochemicals tested, shikonin induced the highest level of expression of RANTES in normal skin tissues. In comparison, mouse RANTES cDNA gene transfection induced a higher level of mRANTES expression for a longer period, but caused more extensive skin damage. Topical application of shikonin onto the immunization site before gene gun-mediated vaccination augmented the population of skin DCs migrating into the draining lymph nodes. A hgp100 cDNA gene vaccination regimen with shikonin pretreatment as an adjuvant in a B16/hgp100 tumor model increased cytotoxic T lymphocyte activities in splenocytes and lymph node cells on target tumor cells.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Together, our findings suggest that shikonin can effectively enhance anti-tumor potency of a gene-based cancer vaccine via the induction of RANTES expression at the skin immunization site.</p

Study of Chlorophyll-related Compounds from Dietary Spinach in Human Blood

Human bioavailability data on chlorophyll (Chl) is very limited. The distribution of Chl-related compounds (CRCs) derived from dietary spinach was investigated in human blood. Eight healthy adults, aged from 21 to 61 year-old, consumed 1.2 kg of just-boiled fresh spinach after an 8-h overnight fast. Before and then 3 h after consuming the spinach, blood samples were taken from each participant. Freeze-dried blood samples were prepared, and 80% acetone was added for grinding. Eight peaks were found in the blood using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the main CRCs in the samples were pheophytin (Phe) and pheophorbide (Pho) derivates. Compared to a fasted state, markedly higher levels of blood CRCs were detected in all subjects, except that Pho metabolites were not found in two subjects. No significant differences were seen in most of the peaks between males and females; however, relatively higher CRCs levels were observed in females, particular of Pho derivates. In addition, the blood contained significantly higher levels of Phe in the 36~61-year-old group than in the 21~35-year-old group. These results suggest that the conversion of Chls to CRCs is a rapid process, and Chls obtained by ingestion can be absorbed by the human body

New Record of the Leopard Gecko Goniurosaurus araneus (Squamata: Eublepharidae) for China and Habitat Partitioning between Geographically and Phylogenetically Close Leopard Geckos

Two specimens of the Leopard Gecko Goniurosaurus araneus (Squamata: Eublepharidae) were collected from Nonggang National Nature Reserve, Chongzuo Prefecture, Guangxi Zhuang Ethnicity Autonomous Region, China, in October 2011. This species is a new record for China and this report is a range extension for the species from northern Vietnam to southern Guangxi. A phylogenetic study demonstrated that Goniurosaurus araneus and G. luii are a species pair. We show for the first time that they coexist broadly but are narrowly allopatric in a small area in southern Guangxi, separated only by a river, similar to what had been reported previously for G. yingdeensis and Goniurosaurus indet. from northwestern Guangdong. A river as a geographical barrier, elevation, and aspect may have contributed to habitat partitioning between G. araneus and G. luii

Food Supplement 20070721-GX May Increase CD34+ Stem Cells and Telomerase Activity

Few rejuvenation and antiaging markers are used to evaluate food supplements. We measured three markers in peripheral blood to evaluate the antiaging effects of a food supplement containing placental extract. Samples were evaluated for CD34+ cells, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), and telomerase activity, which are all markers related to aging. To control the quality of this food supplement, five active components were monitored. In total, we examined 44 individuals who took the food supplement from 1.2 months to 23 months; the average number of CD34+ cells was almost 6-fold higher in the experimental group compared with the control group. Food supplement intake did not change serum IGF1 levels significantly. Finally, the average telomerase activity was 30% higher in the subjects taking this food supplement. In summary, our results suggest that the placental extract in the food supplement might contribute to rejuvenation and antiaging