46 research outputs found
Additional file 3: of ViromeScan: a new tool for metagenomic viral community profiling
List of the genome IDs and microorganisms used to construct the synthetic communities. (XLSX 37Â kb
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<p>Murine colitis models are crucial tools for understanding intestinal homeostasis and inflammation. However, most current models utilize a highly inbred strain of mice, and often only one sex is employed to limit bias. This targeted approach, which in itself is biased, means that murine genetic diversity and sex-related differences are ignored, making it even more difficult to extend findings to humans, who are highly heterogeneous. Furthermore, most models do not examine the chronic form of colitis, an important fact taking into account the chronic nature of the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Here, we attempted to create a more realistic murine colitis model by addressing these three issues. Using chemically induced chronic colon inflammation in an outbred strain of mice (RjOrl:SWISS [CD-1]), we (i) mimicked the relapsing nature of the disease, (ii) better represented normal genetic variability, and (iii) employed both female and male mice. Colitis was induced by intrarectal administration of dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (DNBS). After a recovery period and 3 days before the mice were euthanized, colitis was reactivated by a second administration of DNBS. Protocol length was 24 days. Colitis severity was assessed using body mass, macroscopic scores, and histological scores. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, cytokine levels, and lymphocyte populations were also characterized. Our results show that the intrarectal administration of DNBS effectively causes colitis in both female and male CD-1 mice in a dose-dependent manner, as reflected by loss of body mass, macroscopic scores and histological scores. Furthermore, colon cytokine levels and mesenteric lymph node characteristics indicate that this model involves immune system activation. Although some variables were sex-specific, most of the results support including both females and males in the model. Our ultimate goal is to make this model available to researchers for testing candidate anti-inflammatory agents, such as classical or next-generation probiotics; we also aim for the results to be more easily transferrable to human trials.</p
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A model for improving digital business customer service
Services are highly customisable and the variation of skills of those people responsible for delivering the services adds to the complexity of performance in services. The case com-pany in this study is seeking ways to improve customer service for its digital business cus-tomers. A digital business is a business that transacts with the customer on the internet and uses technology to provide value to the customer.
This study tries to fulfil the needs of the case company by investing ways to improve cus-tomer service. This is a qualitative study which facilitates an action research model.
The current state analysis of the study employs a service analysis methodology and inter-views with management of the case company to manufacture the current customer service model illustration. The current customer service model illustration is presented in inter-views with personnel of the case company. The objectives of the interviews with the per-sonnel are to observe their perception of the customer service model and digital business customer service. The results of the interviews will be used to improve the current cus-tomer service model. The analysed results of the personnel interviews complied with the literary material, the study prescribes a new customer service model outline for the case company to assist for improving customer service. The study also suggests ways to im-prove digital business customer service. Finally, the managerial implications in this study provide methods of measuring and monitoring the performance of the new customer ser-vice model outline.Palveluiden muokkaus asiakkaiden tarpeiden mukaan ja palveluja toimittavan hen-kilöstön erilaiset osaamiset vaikeuttavat palveluiden toimittamisen tehokkuuden ja toimi-vuuden mittaamista. Tämän tutkimuksen esimerkkiyritys etsii tapoja parantaa sen digitaal-isen liiketoiminnan asiakkaiden tyytyväisyyttä. Digitaalinen liiketoiminta on liiketoimintaa, jossa yritys ja asiakas toimivat internetissä ja jossa teknologia tuo lisäarvoa asiakkaalle.
Tämä tutkimus pyrkii vastaamaan esimerkkiyrityksen tarpeeseen etsimällä tapoja parantaa asiakaspalvelua. Tutkimus on luonteeltaan kvalitatiivinen ja hyödyntää action research -mallia.
Nykytila-analyysissä analysoidaan esimerkkiyrityksen nykyistä palvelumallia kirjallisuuden ja yrityksen johdon haastattelujen perusteella, ja kuvataan nykyinen malli. Olemassaoleva malli esitetään yrityksen henkilöstölle haastatteluissa. Haastatteluiden tavoitteena on selvittää henkilökunnan käsitystä asiakaspalvelumallista ja digitaalisen liiketoiminnan asi-akaspalvelusta. Haastattelujen tuloksia käytetään nykyisen mallin parantamiseen.Tutkimus kuvaa uuden palvelumallin ja asiakaspalvelun suuntaviivat. Tutkimus myös tuo esiin tapoja mitata ja seurata uuden palvelumallin toimivuutta
Human intervention study volunteer stratification into groups according to baseline total cholesterol, age and gender in the active (<i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> ECGC 13110402) and placebo treatment groups.
<p>Human intervention study volunteer stratification into groups according to baseline total cholesterol, age and gender in the active (<i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> ECGC 13110402) and placebo treatment groups.</p
A PCA scores plot for serum metabolites at baseline comparing treatments A and B (A: <i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> ECGC 13110402 and B: placebo) (A); A PCA scores plot for serum metabolites at 12 weeks comparing treatments A and B (A: <i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> ECGC 13110402 and B: placebo) (B).
<p>A PCA scores plot for serum metabolites at baseline comparing treatments A and B (A: <i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> ECGC 13110402 and B: placebo) (A); A PCA scores plot for serum metabolites at 12 weeks comparing treatments A and B (A: <i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> ECGC 13110402 and B: placebo) (B).</p
Change in anthropometric measurements and blood pressure in all study participants between baseline and 12 weeks in the active (<i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> ECGC 13110402) and placebo treatment groups.
<p>Change in anthropometric measurements and blood pressure in all study participants between baseline and 12 weeks in the active (<i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> ECGC 13110402) and placebo treatment groups.</p
Lipid parameters expressed in mM in the high total cholesterol group (TC ≥6.0 mmol/L) from baseline to 6 weeks intervention study, in the active (<i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> ECGC 13110402) and placebo treatment groups.
<p>Lipid parameters expressed in mM in the high total cholesterol group (TC ≥6.0 mmol/L) from baseline to 6 weeks intervention study, in the active (<i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> ECGC 13110402) and placebo treatment groups.</p
Change in anthropometric measurements and blood pressure in all study participants between 6 and 12 weeks in the active (<i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> ECGC 13110402) and placebo treatment groups.
<p>Change in anthropometric measurements and blood pressure in all study participants between 6 and 12 weeks in the active (<i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> ECGC 13110402) and placebo treatment groups.</p
Demographic and baseline characteristics of human intervention study participants in the active (<i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> ECGC 13110402) and placebo treatment groups.
<p>Demographic and baseline characteristics of human intervention study participants in the active (<i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> ECGC 13110402) and placebo treatment groups.</p
(A) A PCA scores plot for urinary metabolites for all treatments (A: <i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> ECGC 13110402 and B: placebo) and baseline (V1) and 12 weeks (V3) (n = 91); (B) A PCA scores plot for urinary metabolites for all treatments (A: <i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> ECGC 13110402 and B: placebo) (A and B) and baseline (V1) and 12 weeks (V3) (n = 86).
<p>(A) A PCA scores plot for urinary metabolites for all treatments (A: <i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> ECGC 13110402 and B: placebo) and baseline (V1) and 12 weeks (V3) (n = 91); (B) A PCA scores plot for urinary metabolites for all treatments (A: <i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i> ECGC 13110402 and B: placebo) (A and B) and baseline (V1) and 12 weeks (V3) (n = 86).</p