Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Uniportal-VATS vs. open McKeown esophagectomy: Surgical and long-term oncological outcomes

Background Till now there are very few reports about surgical results of Uniportal-VATS esophagectomy and no one about long-term outcomes. This study is the first comparing surgical and oncological outcomes of Uniportal-VATS with open McKeown esophagectomy, with the largest reported series and longest oncological follow-up. Methods The prospectively collected clinical, surgical and oncological data of 75 patients, undergone McKeown esophagectomy at our Thoracic Surgery Department, from January 2012 to August 2022, were retrospectively analyzed. Nineteen patients underwent esophagectomy by thoracotomy and reconstruction according to McKeown technique while 56 by Uniportal-VATS approach. Gastric tubulization was performed totally laparoscopic or through a mini-laparatomic access and cervical anastomosis was made according to Orringer's technique. Results The mean operative thoracic time was similar in both accesses (102.34 ± 15.21 min in Uniportal-VATS vs. 115.56 ± 23.12 min in open, p: 0.646), with a comparable number of mediastinal nodes retrieved (Uniportal-VATS:13.40 ± 8.12 vs. open:15.00 ± 6.86, p: 0.275). No case needed conversion from VATS to open. The learning curve in Uniportal-VATS was completed after 34 cases, while the Mastery was reached after 40. Both approaches were comparable in terms of minor post-operative complications (like pneumonia, lung atelectasis, anemization, atrial fibrillation, anastomotic-leak, left vocal cord palsy, chylothorax), while the number of re-operation for major complications (bleeding or mediastinitis) was higher in open group (21.0% vs. 3.6%, p: 0.04). Both techniques were also effective in terms of surgical radicality and local recurrence but VATS approach allowed a significantly lower chest tube length (11.89 ± 9.55 vs. 25.82 ± 24.37 days, p: 0.003) and post-operative stay (15.63 ± 11.69 vs. 25.53 ± 23.33, p: 0.018). The 30-day mortality for complications related to surgery was higher in open group (p: 0.002). The 2-, 5- and 8-year survival of the whole series was 72%, 50% and 33%, respectively. Combined 2- and 5-year OS in Uniportal-VATS group was 76% and 47% vs. 62% and 62% in open group, respectively (Log-rank, p: 0.286; Breslow-Wilcoxon: p: 0.036). No difference in DFS was recorded between the two approaches (5 year-DFS in Uniportal-VATS: 86% vs. 72%, p: 0.298). At multivariate analysis, only pathological stage independently affected OS (p: 0.02), not the surgical approach (p: 0.276). Conclusions Uniportal-VATS seems to be a safe, feasible and effective technique for performing McKeown esophagectomy, with equivalent surgical and long-term oncological results to standard thoracotomy, but with a faster and unharmed recovery, and a quite short learning curve.
The Role of Emotional Skills (Competence) and Coping Strategies in Adolescent Depression

Depression is a state of low mood that can lead to several negative outcomes on thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and even physical state. With that in mind, it is important to detect individuals at risk of developing depressive symptoms early and identify protective factors. During the COVID-19 pandemic, adolescents emerged as one of the most vulnerable groups, with deteriorated anxiety and depression due to imposed social isolation, reduced social activities, and concerns over household status, health, and peer support. Distance learning through public service broadcasts and online tools lasted for several months, posing the need for adjustment. This study aimed to assess emotional competence and coping styles as predictors of depression in a sample of adolescents. The study was conducted in-person on a sample of 142 high school students. A high percentage of participants reported above-average levels of depression (21.1% severely depressed). On average, girls reported higher levels of depression than boys (t = 3.86, p < 0.01). Gender differences were also found in emotion-focused coping and avoidance, with girls scoring higher on both (p < 0.05). However, there were no gender differences in problem-focused coping or emotional competence. Hierarchical regression analysis concluded that perceiving and understanding emotions, expressing and naming emotions, regulating emotions, and avoidance were significant predictors of depression. This regression model explained 53% of depression variance, with the regulation of emotions being the most powerful predictor (p < 0.01). No mediating effect of coping styles on the relationship between emotional competence and depression was found in this study.
BRST cohomologies of non-critical RNS strings

The BRST cohomologies of non-critical massive RNS theories are analysed in detail in the range of dimensions 1<d<10. It is shown that the spaces of physical states admit the relative BRST resolutions: the theorems on vanishing of bigraded-Dolbeaut type cohomologies and relative BRST cohomologies are proved. The no-ghost theorem for relative classes guarantees quantum mechanical consistency of these string models. The explicit correspondence between relative cohomology states and the physical states of `old covariant' formalism is established: a light-cone gauge slice is shown to be a local section of relative cohomologies. The problem of reconstruction of absolute BRST cohomologies out of those of the relative complex is also explicitly solved.
The Effect of Cholesterol in SOPC Lipid Bilayers at Low Temperatures

We study the behavior of lipid bilayers composed of SOPC (1-stearoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) with different concentrations of cholesterol, ranging from 10 mol% to 50 mol% at 273 K. To this end, we carry out extensive atomistic molecular dynamic simulations with the aid of the Slipid force field aiming at computing basic bilayer parameters, as well as thermodynamic properties and structural characteristics. The obtained results are compared to available relevant experimental data and the outcome of atomistic simulations performed on bilayers composed of analogous phospholipids. Our results show a good quantitative, as well as qualitative, agreement with the main trends associated with the concentration increase in cholesterol. Moreover, it comes out that a change in the behavior of the bilayer is brought about at a concentration of about 30 mol% cholesterol. At this very concentration, some of the bilayer properties are found to exhibit a saturation and a significant long-range ordering of the lipid molecules in the membrane shows up.
Cross‐Wound Twin Helices for Traveling‐Wave Tubes

This paper describes a structure, namely, a cross‐wound twin helix which overcomes the disadvantages of a conventional helix for high‐voltage traveling‐wave tubes. The disadvantages of a single helix suitable for high voltages are: (1) the impedance for electron interaction is reduced because of the energy content of the noninteracting space harmonics, and (2) the high impedance of some of the space harmonics can result in backward‐wave oscillation. In a structure consisting of two helices wound in opposite directions, the symmetry of the fields results in most of the electric energy being stored in the fundamental component and most of the magnetic energy in the space harmonics. This results in a higher impedance for the fundamental component and a reduced impedance for the space harmonics. Typical numbers for dimensions suitable for 10‐kv operation are an increase of a factor of 2 in the fundamental impedance and a reduction of a factor of about 20 in the −1 space harmonic for the twin helix as compared to the single helix.
Exploring Transfer Potentials of the IMPROVEjob Intervention for Strengthening Workplace Health Management in Micro-, Small-, and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Germany: A Qualitative Study

Micro- and small-sized enterprises (MSE), and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in Germany are often burdened with high levels of psychosocial stressors at work. The IMPROVEjob intervention was originally developed for general practice teams, and aims to promote job satisfaction and reduce psychosocial stressors in the context of workplace health management (WHM). This qualitative study identified challenges and transfer options regarding the transfer of the IMPROVEjob intervention to other MSE/SME settings. Based on previous study results, a comprehensive, qualitative inter- and transdisciplinary approach was developed and conducted between July 2020 and June 2021, also including single interviews and focus group discussion with eleven experts from MSE/SME settings. Data analysis was carried out using a rapid analysis approach. The experts discussed psychosocial topics and didactic formats of the original IMPROVEjob intervention. A lack of access to information on managing work-related psychosocial stressors and inadequate recognition of the importance of psychosocial stressors in the workplace among managers and employees, seemed to be the highest barriers regarding the transfer of the intervention into other MSE/SME settings. The transfer of the IMPROVEjob intervention to other MSE/SME settings requires an adapted intervention format, comprising targeted offers with easy access to information on managing work-related psychosocial stressors and improving WHM in MSE/SME settings.
Berberine-Based Carbon Quantum Dots Improve Intestinal Barrier Injury and Alleviate Oxidative Stress in C57BL/6 Mice with 5-Fluorouracil-Induced Intestinal Mucositis by Enhancing Gut-Derived Short-Chain Fatty Acids Contents

This study aims to evaluate the effect of berberine-based carbon quantum dots (Ber-CDs) on improving 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced intestinal mucositis in C57BL/6 mice, and explored the mechanisms behind this effect. Thirty-two C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups: normal control (NC), 5-FU-induced intestinal mucositis model (5-FU), 5-FU + Ber-CDs intervention (Ber-CDs), and 5-FU + native berberine intervention (Con-CDs). The Ber-CDs improved body weight loss in 5-FU-induced mice with intestinal mucositis compared to the 5-FU group. The expressions of IL-1β and NLRP3 in spleen and serum in Ber-CDs and Con-Ber groups were significantly lower than those in the 5-FU group, and the decrease was more significant in the Ber-CDs group. The expressions of IgA and IL-10 in the Ber-CDs and Con-Ber groups were higher than those in the 5-FU group, but the up-regulation was more significant in the Ber-CDs group. Compared with the 5-FU group, the relative contents of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and the three main SCFAs in the colon contents were significantly increased the Ber-CDs and Con-Ber groups. Compared with the Con-Ber group, the concentrations of the three main short-chain fatty acids in the Ber-CDs group were significantly increased. The expressions of Occludin and ZO-1 in intestinal mucosa in the Ber-CDs and Con-Ber groups were higher than those in the 5-FU group, and the expressions of Occludin and ZO-1 in the Ber-CDs group were more higher than that in the Con-Ber group. In addition, compared with the 5-FU group, the damage of intestinal mucosa tissue in the Ber-CDs and Con-Ber groups were recovered. In conclusion, berberine can attenuate intestinal barrier injury and oxidative stress in mice to mitigate 5-fluorouracil-induced intestinal mucositis, moreover, the above effects of Ber-CDs were more significant than those of native berberine. These results suggest that Ber-CDs may be a highly effective substitute for natural berberine.
Are Green Buildings an Indicator of Sustainable Development?

The world’s population keeps growing together with the construction rate of buildings that need to reduce their environmental footprint in order to mitigate global warming. This paper analyses if the spread of green buildings can be used as an indicator of broader sustainable development. The study is carried out with data taken from Eurostat Database and green buildings directories for 27 EU countries in the 10-year period spanning from 2010 to 2019. The relationship between the indicators is examined through simple linear regressions, and the results confirm the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis: in developed countries, a growing economy (more GDP) is related to an environmental improvement (fewer GHG emissions). In addition, this study proves that the variance of green buildings expresses with a consistent probability the variance of GDP per capita (p-value = 0.0004 and R2 = 0.8475) and the variance of GHG emissions (p-value = 0.0002 and R2 = 0.8825), meaning that green buildings are indeed an indicator of sustainable development. This is due to the upfront cost required to implement advanced construction technologies that ultimately cut GHG emissions during the building lifecycle. This also points out that policy makers should encourage green building implementation through tax relieves and grants.
Characteristics and outcomes of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease admitted to the intensive care unit due to acute hypercapnic respiratory failure

Background The study aimed to describe the clinical course, outcomes, and prognostic factors of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure. Methods This retrospective study involved patients with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure due to COPD of any cause admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for non-invasive or invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) support between December 2015 and February 2020. Results One hundred patients were evaluated. The main causes of acute hypercapnic respiratory failure were bronchitis, pneumonia, and heart failure. The patients’ mean Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score was 23.0±7.2, and their IMV rate was 43%. ICU, in-hospital, and 90-day mortality rates were 21%, 29%, and 39%, respectively. Non-survivors had more pneumonia, shock within the first 24 hours of admission, IMV, vasopressor use, and renal replacement therapy, along with higher APACHE II scores, lower admission albumin levels and PaO2/FiO2 ratios, and longer ICU and hospital stays than survivors. Logistic regression analysis identified APACHE II scores (odds ratio [OR], 1.157; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.017–1.317; P=0.026), admission PaO2/FiO2 ratio (OR, 0.989; 95% CI, 0.978–0.999; P=0.046), and vasopressor use (OR, 8.827; 95% CI, 1.650–47.215; P=0.011) as predictors of ICU mortality. APACHE II scores (OR, 1.099; 95% CI, 1.021–1.182; P=0.011) and admission albumin level (OR, 0.169; 95% CI, 0.056–0.514; P=0.002) emerged as predictors of 90-day mortality. Conclusions APACHE II scores, the PaO2/FiO2 ratio, vasopressor use, and albumin levels are significant short-term mortality predictors in severely ill COPD patients with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure.
New Approaches on the Anti-Inflammatory and Cardioprotective Properties of Taraxacum officinale Tincture

The present research investigated the in vivo anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective activities, as well as the antioxidant potential of Taraxacum officinale tincture (TOT), in relation to the polyphenolic composition. Chromatographic and spectrophotometric techniques were used to determine the polyphenolic profile of TOT and the antioxidant activity was preliminarily assessed in vitro by DPPH• and FRAP spectrophotometric methods. The in vivo anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective activities were studied in rat turpentine-induced inflammation and in rat isoprenaline-induced myocardial infarction (MI) models. The main polyphenolic compound identified in TOT was cichoric acid. The oxidative stress determinations showed the capacity of the dandelion tincture not only to decrease the total oxidative stress (TOS), the oxidative stress index (OSI), and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), but also the malondialdehide (MDA), thiols (SH), and nitrites/nitrates (NOx) levels both in inflammation and MI models. In addition, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatin kinase-MB (CK-MB), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) parameters were decreased by the administration of the tincture. The results show that T. officinale could be considered a valuable source of natural compounds with important benefits in pathologies linked to oxidative stress.
ROBUST STABILIZATION OF A CLASS OF UNCERTAIN TIME DELAY SYSTEMS IN SLIDING MODE

This paper addresses the problem of robust stabilization of a class of uncertain systems subject to internal (i.e., in the state) point delays, external (i.e., in the input) point delays and nonlinear disturbances by using sliding mode control. Methods for the design of sliding mode controllers based on state feedback, static output feedback and dynamic output feedback, respectively, are proposed. Sufficient conditions for the asymptotic stability and robustnesss of the closed–loop systems are given under a wide class of admissible nonlinear disturbances. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Open shells and multi-electron interactions: core level photoionization of the 3d metal atoms

This review covers the outer core level photoionization of the free 3d metal atoms from Sc to Cu. The experimental 3p, 3s and 2p photoemission and photoabsorption spectra are discussed. A comparison emphasizes common features and distinct differences. The interpretation of the data based on ab initio calculations reveals the influence of multi-electron interactions in the 3d metal atoms. We focus on the fundamental effects and main interactions which govern the electronic structure of these open shell atoms.
A Prospective Observational Study to Evaluate the Factors Affecting the Dermatology Life Quality Index in Patients With Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disease that significantly affects the quality of life of patients. Multiple factors affect the disease's course and severity. HS is a debilitating disease and often recalcitrant to treatment, resulting in a deterioration of quality of life; hence, there is a need to evaluate the factors affecting the quality of life in patients with HS. Objectives: The objective of the study was to evaluate the various demographic and disease-related factors that affect the quality of life of patients with HS. Materials and methods: This is a prospectively scored questionnaire-based observational study. Data from 30 patients with HS were analyzed for the association of disease-related factors like Hurley’s staging, site, duration, past history, and comorbidities with the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Results: A statistically significant relationship was found between DLQI and Hurley staging (p=0.000). The most common sites involved were the axilla and inguinal regions. Among the sites involved, the neck (p=0.002), abdomen (p=0.002), back (p=0.002), thighs (p=0.042), and gluteal (p=0.000) regions have a statistically significant association with DLQI. Prior histories of rheumatoid arthritis, scarring, surgery, lymphadenitis, and pilonidal sinus showed a statistically significant association with DLQI. Conclusion: The disease severity significantly hampers the quality of life of patients with HS. The disease site and presence of other comorbidities also influence the outcome. Our study will help healthcare providers better understand and fulfill the needs of patients suffering from HS.
Prognostic markers of ferroptosis-related long non-coding RNA in lung adenocarcinomas

Ferroptosis is a recently established type of iron-dependent programmed cell death. Growing studies have focused on the function of ferroptosis in cancers, including lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). However, the factors involved in the regulation of ferroptosis-related genes are not fully understood. In this study, we collected data from lung adenocarcinoma datasets of the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA-LUAD). The expression profiles of 60 ferroptosis-related genes were screened, and two differentially expressed ferroptosis subtypes were identified. We found the two ferroptosis subtypes can predict clinical outcomes and therapeutic responses in LUAD patients. Furthermore, key long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were screened by single factor Cox and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) based on which co-expressed with the 60 ferroptosis-related genes. We then established a risk score model which included 13 LUAD ferroptosis-related lncRNAs with a multi-factor Cox regression. The risk score model showed a good performance in evaluating the outcome of LUAD. What’s more, we divided TCGA-LUAD tumor samples into two groups with high- and low-risk scores and further explored the differences in clinical characteristics, tumor mutation burden, and tumor immune cell infiltration among different LUAD tumor risk score groups and evaluate the predictive ability of risk score for immunotherapy benefit. Our findings provide good support for immunotherapy in LUAD in the future.
Stimulation of Hepatic Ferritinophagy Mitigates Irp2 Depletion-Induced Anemia

Background: Iron regulatory proteins (IRPs) maintain cellular iron homeostasis. Due to aberrant tissue-iron distribution, Irp2-deficient mice suffer microcytic anemia and neurodegeneration, while iron overload occurs in the liver and intestine. We previously found that Irp2 deficiency-induced Hif2 plays an important role in neurodegeneration. Methods: To test the role of Hif2 in Irp2 deficiency-induced anemia, we used Irp2 global knockout mice. Following Hif2 inhibition, routine blood tests, iron availability in bone marrow, histological assays, and biochemical analysis were performed to assess anemia improvement and tissue iron distribution. Results: We found that Hif2 inhibition improved anemia. The increased iron bioavailability for erythropoiesis was mainly derived from hepatic iron release, and secondly from enhanced intestinal absorption. We further demonstrate that nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (Ncoa4) was upregulated for iron release via the process of ferritinophagy. The released iron was utilized not only for intracellular Fe-S biogenesis but also for erythropoiesis after being exported from the liver to circulation. The hepatic iron export reduced hepcidin expression to further support iron absorption through the hepcidin-ferroportin axis to alleviate intestinal iron overload. Conclusion: Irp2 not only regulates cellular iron homeostasis but also tissue iron distribution by managing the involvement of Hif2-Ncoa4.
Airborne studies of the altitudinal variability of the microphysical structure of small, ice‐free, montanan cumulus clouds

The University of Wyoming's instrumented King Air aeroplane made special multiple-altitude passes through seven non-precipitating, essentially ice-free summertime cumulus clouds, as part of CCOPE, conducted in Montana in 1981. The clouds were found to possess substantial microphysical variability on all detectable scales (down to 2 m) at all levels and distances from cloud boundaries. This was attributed to entrainment of environmental air, and evidence was found for a two-stage process of turbulent mixing of cloudy and entrained air. Evaporation of the cloud drops was found to occur in a manner consistent with the ‘inhomogeneous mixing’ theory. Generally the clouds were negatively buoyant and more turbulent in the upper regions and in near equilibrium with the environment near cloud base. the normalized liquid water content was found to be roughly independent of altitude. Four of the clouds studied were found to contain embryonic raindrops (diameter 40 to 190 μm) in concentrations around 10 to 10001−1. Calculations and analysis showed that these particles could not have been formed in adiabatic clouds of the same base-temperatures and depths, nor could they have been formed on ‘giant nuclei’. Their presence was shown to be explicable in terms of the ‘extreme inhomogeneous mixing’ model of accelerated growth. This mechanism also appears to offer an explanation for the small concentrations (≈0.1 m−3) of millimetric-sized drops, shown in dual-polarization studies often to be initiatory to substantial cloud development.