Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prediction of complications in inflammatory bowel disease using routine blood parameters at diagnosis

Background Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can develop a series of complications over time, including fistulas and perforation, strictures and pseudopolyp formation. Whether there are some effective and economical routine inspection indicators for the early prediction and prevention of complications has clinical significance and is worth exploring. Methods A total of 592 newly diagnosed IBD patients [153 with ulcerative colitis (UC), 439 with Crohn’s disease (CD)] were enrolled in a retrospective study. We compared the baseline characteristics (age at diagnosis, sex, clinical disease location and stage), serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level, serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) level, total white blood cell (WBC), eosinophil (EOS) and platelet (PLT) counts for all IBD patients. And we evaluated the correlation between these routine parameters and the occurrence of clinical complications (including fistula, perforation, stricture, pseudopolyps or cancerous changes) in the course of IBD by univariate and multivariate analyses. Moreover, we constructed a dual parameter prediction system for complication’s verification. Results We demonstrated that higher serum CRP levels and total WBC counts independently indicated a higher hazard for the earlier occurrence of pseudopolyp formation in UC patients. Likewise, higher serum ESR and lower eosinophil count predicted the development of fistulas in CD patients, and higher serum ESR and PLT counts accounted for CD patients’ strictures. Conclusions Novel predictive models including CRP level, ESR, WBC count, PLT and eosinophils were structured to predict complications in IBD, which might enable more aggressive treatment for patients at risk.
A narrative review of the pharmacology of ginsenoside compound K

Background and Objective The ginsenoside compound K [20-o-beta-dglucopyranosyl-20 (S)-protopanaxadiol; CK] is the main deglycosylated metabolite of ginsenoside. As a rare ginsenoside converted from the active substance of ginseng by intestinal bacteria, CK has higher biological activity than other ginsenosides. It has demonstrated diverse and intriguing biological activities, including anti-carcinogenic, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammation, anti-allergy, anti-angiogenesis, anti-aging, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective effects. The purpose of this review was to elucidate the rich pharmacological activities and related mechanisms of ginsenoside CK in vivo and in vitro, as well as the potential therapeutic value of CK as a drug in a variety of systemically related diseases. Methods The PubMed database was searched for articles published in English from February 2008 to December 2021 using related keywords such as “Ginsenoside compound K”, “compound K”, and “CK”. About 140 research papers and reports written in English were identified. These papers mainly concentrated on the pharmacological activities of CK in cancer prevention, immune regulation, diabetic improvement, central nervous system (CNS) protection, cardiovascular protection, skin improvement, and hepatoprotection. Key Content and Findings This paper describes the synthesis, pharmacokinetics, and adverse reactions of CK, as well as great detailed summarized of the relevant pharmacological activities. Such diverse intriguing biological properties of CK have been found. Conclusions On account of CK’s numerous pharmacological activities and anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammation, antiallergic, anti-diabetic, anti-angiogenesis, anti-aging, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective effects, strong evidence is available for CK as a preventive or therapeutic agent for various diseases. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of CK as a drug and its application in the medical field.
Does equity-based compensation motivate executives to build strong brands?

ABSTRACT To defeat myopic brand management, we need to understand better what motivates executives to invest in brand building. Drawing from agency theory, we argue that a better alignment of executivesʻ and shareholdersʻ interests can help. Tests using longitudinal compensation data of chief executive officers (CEO) from 123 public firms suggest that decreasing the sensitivity of CEOʻs Equity-Based Compensation (EBC) to the firmʻs stock price and increasing its sensitivity to the firmʻs stock return volatility are associated with higher brand equity. Weak governance somewhat offsets these effects. Moreover, we find that the impact of EBC on brand equity is partially mediated through the firmʻs strategic emphasis. Our research highlights the importance of understanding managerial incentives as drivers of brand equity.
A Biocompatible Ultrananocrystalline Diamond (UNCD) Coating for a New Generation of Dental Implants

Implant therapy using osseointegratable titanium (Ti) dental implants has revolutionized clinical dental practice and has shown a high rate of success. However, because a metallic implant is in contact with body tissues and fluids in vivo, ions/particles can be released into the biological milieu as a result of corrosion or biotribocorrosion. Ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) coatings possess a synergistic combination of mechanical, tribological, and chemical properties, which makes UNCD highly biocompatible. In addition, because the UNCD coating is made of carbon (C), a component of human DNA, cells, and molecules, it is potentially a highly biocompatible coating for medical implant devices. The aim of the present research was to evaluate tissue response to UNCD-coated titanium micro-implants using a murine model designed to evaluate biocompatibility. Non-coated (n = 10) and UNCD-coated (n = 10) orthodontic Ti micro-implants were placed in the hematopoietic bone marrow of the tibia of male Wistar rats. The animals were euthanized 30 days post implantation. The tibiae were resected, and ground histologic sections were obtained and stained with toluidine blue. Histologically, both groups showed lamellar bone tissue in contact with the implants (osseointegration). No inflammatory or multinucleated giant cells were observed. Histomorphometric evaluation showed no statistically significant differences in the percentage of BIC between groups (C: 53.40 ± 13% vs. UNCD: 58.82 ± 9%, p > 0.05). UNCD showed good biocompatibility properties. Although the percentage of BIC (osseointegration) was similar in UNCD-coated and control Ti micro-implants, the documented tribological properties of UNCD make it a superior implant coating material. Given the current surge in the use of nano-coatings, nanofilms, and nanostructured surfaces to enhance the biocompatibility of biomedical implants, the results of the present study contribute valuable data for the manufacture of UNCD coatings as a new generation of superior dental implants.
Working Conditions, Co-Workers, and Leadership Styles Toward Job Satisfaction Among Local Authority Employees

The local council management faced some issues on their employees concerning their job satisfaction due to working conditions, co-workers, and leadership styles. Moreover, this affects the employees' job satisfaction which in turn would also affect the local council's progress in serving the public. Thus, the objectives of the study are to unearth the relationship and understand the impact between working conditions, co-workers, and leadership styles on job satisfaction among the local council employees. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed among local council employees. Data analysis was conducted on the 121 useable questionnaires received. This study discovered that working conditions and leadership styles had an impact on the local council employees' job satisfaction. Unfortunately, co-workers had no impact on the local council employees' job satisfaction.
Biomagnetic Flow with CoFe2O4 Magnetic Particles through an Unsteady Stretching/Shrinking Cylinder

The study of biomagnetic fluid flow and heat transfer containing magnetic particles through an unsteady stretching/shrinking cylinder was numerically investigated in this manuscript. Biomagnetic fluid namely blood taken as base fluid and CoFe2O4 as magnetic particles. Where blood acts as an electrically conducting fluid along with magnetization/polarization. The main concentration is to study a time-dependent biomagnetic fluid flow with magnetic particles that passed through a two dimensional stretching/shrinking cylinder under the influence of thermal radiation, heat source and partial slip condition which has not been studied yet as far as best knowledge of authors. This model is consistent with the principles of magnetohydrodynamic and ferrohydrodynamic. The flow equations, such as momentum, energy which is described physically by a system of coupled, nonlinear partial differential equation with appropriate boundary conditions and converted into a nonlinear system of ordinary differential equations by using suitable similarity transformations. The resultant ODEs numerically solved by applying by applying an efficient numerical technique based on a common finite differencing method along with central differencing, tridiagonal matrix manipulation and an iterative procedure. The values assigned to the parameters are compatible with human body conditions. The numerous results concerning velocity, temperature and pressure field, as well as the skin friction and the rate of heat transfer, are presented for the parameters exhibiting physical significance, such as ferromagnetic interaction parameter, magnetic field parameter, volume fraction, unsteady parameter, curvature parameter, etc. The main numerical findings are that the fluid velocity is decreased as the ferromagnetic number is enhanced gradually in both stretching or shrinking cases whereas, the opposite behavior is found for the skin friction coefficient. The rate of heat transfer with ferromagnetic interaction parameter was also monitored and found that opposite behavior occurs for stretching and shrinking cases. Comparisons were made to check the accuracy of the present numerical results with published literature and found to be in excellent agreement. Hopefully, this proposed model will control the blood flow rate, as well as the rate of heat transfer, such as magnetic hyperthermia.
miR-96-5p Induces Orbital Fibroblasts Differentiation by Targeting Smad7 and Promotes the Development of Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy

Background Recent evidence shows that adipogenic differentiation of orbital fibroblasts (OFs) promotes the development of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO), an organ-specific immune disease. Furthermore, miR-96-5p has been linked to adipogenic differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts and is significantly correlated with the severity of TAO. The purpose of this study is to look into the role of miR-96-5p in the adipogenesis of OFs with TAO. Methods The orbital tissues from TAO patients and non-TAO participants were collected, and primary OFs were isolated and cultured for further analysis. miR-96-5p expression was examined using qRT-PCR. The adipogenic differentiation of OFs was then studied. Results Orbital fibroblasts isolated from adipose tissues of TAO patients (t-OFs) demonstrated greater adipogenic differentiation ability than OFs isolated from adipose tissues of non-TAO participants. miR-96-5p was found to be overexpressed in the orbital tissues of TAO patients and t-OFs. Further research revealed that miR-96-5p, by targeting Smad7, could exacerbate PPAR-γ/C/EBPα signaling-induced adipogenic differentiation of t-OFs. However, inhibiting miR-96-5p could block t-OFs adipogenic differentiation-mediated adipogenesis via Smad7/PPAR-γ/C/EBPα. Conclusions miR-96-5p plays a critical regulatory role in the development of TAO by targeting Smad7 and promoting adipogenic differentiation of OFs.
Targeting the two-pore channel 2 in cancer progression and metastasis

The importance of Ca2+ signaling, and particularly Ca2+ channels, in key events of cancer cell function such as proliferation, metastasis, autophagy and angiogenesis, has recently begun to be appreciated. Of particular note are two-pore channels (TPCs), a group of recently identified Ca2+-channels, located within the endolysosomal system. TPC2 has recently emerged as an intracellular ion channel of significant pathophysiological relevance, specifically in cancer, and interest in its role as an anti-cancer drug target has begun to be explored. Herein, an overview of the cancer-related functions of TPC2 and a discussion of its potential as a target for therapeutic intervention, including a summary of clinical trials examining the TPC2 inhibitors, naringenin, tetrandrine, and verapamil for the treatment of various cancers is provided.
Corporate editors in OpenStreetMap: Investigating co‐editing patterns

Traditionally, OpenStreetMap (OSM) has been recognized as a volunteered geographic information (VGI) project. In recent years, many corporations have enlisted teams of mappers to edit data on OSM. These teams of corporate editors (CEs) can quickly edit large swaths of data using a variety of methods. Consequently, there are new tensions over possible community bifurcations where editing and map stewardship disagreements may occur between the CEs and non‐CEs. To characterize CE and non‐CE editing interactions, we focused on six locations with varied types of corporate editing activity. We created six temporal (2015–2020) editing networks for each location, resulting in 36 total networks. We found a continual increase in the number of editors, with more growth in places with CEs. There was significant co‐editing between the two groups, with CEs showing more in‐group editing patterns, both in terms of number of edits and time between edits. We conclude that currently the CE and the non‐CE communities continue to co‐exist and co‐produce open geospatial data in apparent harmony, even though the size of the CE community and volume of contributions have grown significantly. Finally, we discuss implications for OSM as a VGI project in light of our corporate editing trends.
Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Tezepelumab and Other Biologics in Patients with Inadequately Controlled Asthma According to Thresholds of Type 2 Inflammatory Biomarkers: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

The anti-thymic stromal lymphopoietin antibody (tezepelumab) has therapeutical potential for inadequately controlled asthma. However, evidence comparing tezepelumab with other biologics is scarce. To address this issue, we performed a network meta-analysis to compare and rank the efficacy of five treatments (tezepelumab, dupilumab, benralizumab, mepolizumab, and placebo) in overall participants and in subgroups stratified by the thresholds of type 2 inflammatory biomarkers, including peripheral blood eosinophil count (PBEC) and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). The primary endpoints were annualized exacerbation rate (AER) and any adverse events (AAEs). In the ranking assessment using surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) of AER, tezepelumab ranked the highest overall and across subgroups (based on PBEC and FeNO level thresholds). A significant difference was observed between tezepelumab and dupilumab in the patient subgroup with PBEC < 150, and between tezepelumab and benralizumab in overall participants and the patient subgroup with PBEC ≥ 300 and ≥150, respectively. There was no significant difference in the incidence of AAEs in the overall participants between each pair of five treatment arms. These results provide a basis for the development of treatment strategies for asthma and may guide basic, clinical, or translational research.
Comparison of hamstring quadriceps strength ratios in different combat sports branches

Background and Study Aim. The hamstring and quadriceps muscles can have strength differences because of the sportive activities. It is known that sportive hamstring quadriceps strength imbalance can cause decreasing sportive performance and injuries. Also, each sports branch can have a specific effect on the hamstring quadriceps strength ratio. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effects of different combat sports branches on the hamstring quadriceps ratio. Material and Methods. Wrestlers (N=10), boxers (N=10), wushu athletes (N=10) voluntarily participated in the study (also university students). Subjects were administered standard warm-up and then a strength measurement test was performed. Subjects performed knee extensor (quadriceps) and flexor (hamstring) isokinetic strength test (concentrically) with his dominant leg at 60° angular velocity with by Cybex device (Cybex NORM®. Humac. CA. USA). Peak and average strength were recorded automatically by the device. The SPSS package program was used in the analysis of the data. The isokinetic strength measurements of three groups were analyzed with one-way ANOVA. Results. There were no significant differences between groups’ peak isokinetic strength ratio (wrestlers 0.58±0.09 boxers 0.56±0.07 and wushu athletes 0.57±0.12). Also, the average isokinetic strength ratio was not significantly different (wrestlers 0.56±0.08. boxers 0.60±0.08 and wushu athletes 0.53±0.11). Conclusions. According to the results, it can be said that combat sports athletes' hamstring quadriceps ratio can be affected by their sports branches, also by characteristics and training levels.
Honeybee Venom Synergistically Enhances the Cytotoxic Effect of CNS Drugs in HT-29 Colon and MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cell Lines

5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and doxorubicin (DOX) are potent anti-tumour agents commonly used for colon and breast cancer therapy, respectively. However, their clinical application is limited by their side effects and the development of drug resistance. Honeybee venom is a complex mixture of substances that has been reported to be effective against different cancer cells. Its active compound is melittin, a positively charged amphipathic peptide that interacts with the phospholipids of the cell membrane, forming pores that enable the internalization of small molecules with cytotoxic activities,. and consequently, causing cell death. Some central nervous system (CNS) drugs have recently demonstrated great anti-cancer potential, both in vitro, in vivo and in clinical trials, being promising candidates for drug repurposing in oncology. The present work evaluated the anti-cancer efficacy of honeybee venom in combination with chemotherapeutic or CNS drugs in HT-29 colon and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. The chemical characterization of a Portuguese sample of honeybee venom was done by LC-DAD-ESI/MSn analysis. For single treatments, cells were incubated with increasing concentrations of bee venom. For combination treatments, increasing concentrations of bee venom were first combined with the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 5-FU and DOX, in HT-29 and MCF-7 cells, respectively. Cells were also treated with increasing concentrations of bee venom in combination with the IC50 value of four CNS drugs (fluphenazine, fluoxetine, sertraline and thioridazine). Cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT and SRB assays. The combination index (CI) value was calculated using CompuSyn software, based on the Chou–Talalay method. Synergy scores of different reference models (HSA, Loewe, ZIP and Bliss) were also calculated using SynergyFinder. The results demonstrate that honeybee venom is active against HT-29 colon and MCF-7 breast cancer cells, having better anti-tumour activity in MCF-7 cells. It was found that bee venom combined with 5-FU and fluphenazine in HT-29 cells resulted in less cytotoxic effects compared to the co-treatment of fluoxetine, sertraline and thioridazine plus bee venom, which resulted in less than 15% of viable cells for the whole range of concentrations. The combination of MCF-7 cells with repurposed drugs plus honeybee venom resulted in better anti-cancer efficacies than with DOX, notably for lower concentrations. A combination of fluoxetine and thioridazine plus honeybee venom resulted in less than 40% of viable cells for all ranges of concentrations. These results support that the combination of honeybee venom with repurposed drugs and chemotherapeutic agents can help improve their anti-cancer activity, especially for lower concentrations, in both cell lines. Overall, the present study corroborates the enormous bioactive potential of honeybee venom for colon and breast cancer treatments, both alone and in combination with chemotherapy or repurposed drugs.
Black Hole and Wormhole Solutions in Einstein–Maxwell Scalar Theory

We classified and studied the charged black hole and wormhole solutions in the Einstein–Maxwell system in the presence of a massless, real scalar field. The possible existence of charged black holes in general scalar–tensor theories was studied in Bronnikov et al., 1999; black holes and wormholes exist for a negative kinetic term for the scalar field. Using a conformal transformation, the static, spherically symmetric possible structures in the minimal coupled system are described. Besides wormholes and naked singularities, only a restricted class of black hole exists, exhibiting a horizon with an infinite surface and a timelike central singularity. The black holes and wormholes defined in the Einstein frame have some specificities with respect to the non-minimal coupling original frame, which are discussed in the text.
Magnetic Blind Beamforming for Battery-Free Wireless Sensor Networks

It is challenging to maintain a large number of wireless sensors in inaccessible media, such as underground and intra-body. Tiny battery-free sensors are desirable since they create negligible impacts on the environment and do not require battery replacement. Battery-free sensors can harvest energy from wireless signals to support their normal operation. However, they cannot cooperate with the charger due to the lack of energy in the initial stages. This paper proposes the Magnetic Blind Beamforming (MagBB) using tri-axis coils to power up battery-free wireless sensors. Battery-free sensors with randomly orientated coils may experience significant misalignment losses and they may not receive any energy from the charger. MagBB uses a set of optimized current vectors to generate rotating magnetic fields which can ensure that coils with arbitrary orientations can receive sufficient voltages for charging. It does not require any information about the battery-free sensor’s coil orientation or location. A proof-of-concept prototype is developed. The numerical simulations and experimental results show that MagBB can efficiently improve the reliability of wireless charging. Sensor coils with arbitrary orientation and location within the operation range can harvest sufficient energy. This technology has the potential of powering ultra-dense wireless sensors with low communication overhead.