Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neutralization of excessive CCL28 improves wound healing in diabetic mice

Introduction: Chronic, non-healing skin wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are common in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and often result in limb amputation and even death. However, mechanisms by which T2DM and inflammation negatively impact skin wound healing remains poorly understood. Here we investigate a mechanism by which an excessive level of chemokine CCL28, through its receptor CCR10, impairs wound healing in patients and mice with T2DM. Methods & Results: Firstly, a higher level of CCL28 was observed in skin and plasma in both patients with T2DM, and in obesity-induced type 2 diabetic db/db mice. Compared with WT mice, adipose tissue from db/db mice released 50% more CCL28, as well as 2- to 3-fold more IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, and less VEGF, as determined by ELISA measurements. Secondly, overexpression of CCL28 with adenovirus (Adv-CCL28) caused elevation of proinflammatory cytokines as well as CCR10 expression and also reduced eNOS expression in the dorsal skin of WT mice as compared with control Adv. Thirdly, topical application of neutralizing anti-CCL28 Ab dose-dependently accelerated wound closure and eNOS expression, and decreased IL-6 level, with an optimal dose of 1 μg/wound. In addition, mRNA levels of eNOS and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4 were increased as shown by real-time RT-PCR. The interaction between eNOS and CCR10 was significantly reduced in diabetic mouse wounds following application of the optimal dose of anti-CCL28 Ab, and eNOS expression increased. Finally, enhanced VEGF production and increased subdermal vessel density as indicated by CD31 immunostaining were also observed with anti-CCL28 Ab. Discussion: Taken together, topical application of neutralizing anti-CCL28 Ab improved dorsal skin wound healing by reducing CCR10 activation and inflammation in part by preventing eNOS downregulation, increasing VEGF production, and restoring angiogenesis. These results indicate anti-CCL28 Ab has significant potential as a therapeutic strategy for treatment of chronic non-healing diabetic skin wounds such as DFUs.
Role of peptidoglycan recycling enzymes AmpD and AnmK in Acinetobacter baumannii virulence features

Acinetobacter baumannii is an important causative agent of hospital acquired infections. In addition to acquired resistance to many currently-available antibiotics, it is intrinsically resistant to fosfomycin. It has previously been shown that AmpD and AnmK contribute to intrinsic fosfomycin resistance in A. baumannii due to their involvement in the peptidoglycan recycling pathway. However, the role that these two enzymes play in the fitness and virulence of A. baumannii has not been studied. The aim of this study was to characterize several virulence-related phenotypic traits in A. baumannii mutants lacking AmpD and AnmK. Specifically, cell morphology, peptidoglycan thickness, membrane permeability, growth under iron-limiting conditions, fitness, resistance to disinfectants and antimicrobial agents, twitching motility and biofilm formation of the mutant strains A. baumannii ATCC 17978 ΔampD::Kan and ΔanmK::Kan were compared to the wild type strain. Our results demonstrate that bacterial growth and fitness of both mutants were compromised, especially in the ΔampD::Kan mutant. In addition, biofilm formation was decreased by up to 69%, whereas twitching movement was reduced by about 80% in both mutants. These results demonstrate that, in addition to increased susceptibility to fosfomycin, alteration of the peptidoglycan recycling pathway affects multiple aspects related to virulence. Inhibition of these enzymes could be explored as a strategy to develop novel treatments for A. baumannii in the future. Furthermore, this study establishes a link between intrinsic fosfomycin resistance mechanisms and bacterial fitness and virulence traits.
Exploring the association between circulating trace elements, metabolic risk factors, and the adherence to a Mediterranean diet among children and adolescents with obesity

Diet is one of the most important modifiable lifestyle factors for preventing and treating obesity. In this respect, the Mediterranean diet (MD) has proven to be a rich source of a myriad of micronutrients with positive repercussions on human health. Herein, we studied an observational cohort of children and adolescents with obesity (N = 26) to explore the association between circulating blood trace elements and the degree of MD adherence, as assessed through the KIDMED questionnaire. Participants with higher MD adherence showed better glycemic/insulinemic control and a healthier lipid profile, as well as raised plasma levels of selenium, zinc, cobalt, molybdenum, and arsenic, and increased erythroid content of selenium. Interestingly, we found that these MD-related mineral alterations were closely correlated with the characteristic metabolic complications behind childhood obesity, namely hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and dyslipidemia (p < 0.05, |r| > 0.35). These findings highlight the pivotal role that dietary trace elements may play in the pathogenesis of obesity and related disorders.
Application of individualized multimodal radiotherapy combined with immunotherapy in metastatic tumors

Radiotherapy is one of the mainstays of cancer treatment. More than half of cancer patients receive radiation therapy. In addition to the well-known direct tumoricidal effect, radiotherapy has immunomodulatory properties. When combined with immunotherapy, radiotherapy, especially high-dose radiotherapy (HDRT), exert superior systemic effects on distal and unirradiated tumors, which is called abscopal effect. However, these effects are not always effective for cancer patients. Therefore, many studies have focused on exploring the optimized radiotherapy regimens to further enhance the antitumor immunity of HDRT and reduce its immunosuppressive effect. Several studies have shown that low-dose radiotherapy (LDRT) can effectively reprogram the tumor microenvironment, thereby potentially overcoming the immunosuppressive stroma induced by HDRT. However, bridging the gap between preclinical commitment and effective clinical delivery is challenging. In this review, we summarized the existing studies supporting the combined use of HDRT and LDRT to synergistically enhance antitumor immunity, and provided ideas for the individualized clinical application of multimodal radiotherapy (HDRT+LDRT) combined with immunotherapy.
Family functioning buffers the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for children’s quality of life and loneliness

COVID-19 resulted in mass quarantine measures early in the pandemic. This disruption of daily life widened inequities and made children one of the most vulnerable populations during the crisis. This national, cross-sectional “COVID-Kids” study collected data from almost 500 parent–child dyads using standardized measures to better understand the effects of COVID exposure and impact on children’s quality of life and loneliness. Data were collected via social media from May to July 2020. According to parent proxy and child self-report, United States children experienced worse quality of life (p < 0.0001; d = 0.45 and 0.53) and greater child-reported loneliness (p < 0.0001) when compared to normative, healthy samples (i.e., children who do not have a chronic medical condition). Older children (r = 0.16, p = 0.001) and female children (r = 0.11, p = 0.02) reported greater loneliness. Higher child-reported family functioning scores were associated with better quality of life (r = 0.36, p < 0.0001) and less loneliness (r = −0.49, p < 0.0001). Moderated mediation analyses indicated the indirect effect of parent COVID impact on the association between COVID exposure and child quality of life was weaker in the context of better family functioning. Results of this study raise concern for the short-and long-term sequelae of the pandemic on the physical and mental health of children. Healthcare providers and researchers must find new and innovative ways to protect the well-being of children. Strengthening family functioning may buffer the effects of the pandemic and improve overall quality of life in our “COVID Kids. ”
Association between cognitive frailty and falls among older community dwellers in China: A Chinese longitudinal healthy longevity survey-based study

Background The combined effect of cognitive impairment (CoI) and frailty on falls is controversial. This study aimed to explore whether older adults with cognitive frailty (CF) were at a higher risk of falls than those with only CoI or frailty and to present a fall prediction model based on CF. Methods A total of 4,067 adults aged ≥ 60 years were included from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey through face-to-face interviews. Cognitive function and frailty were assessed using the mini-mental state examination scale and frailty index, respectively. Logistic regression was used to determine fall-associated risk factors and develop a fall prediction model. A nomogram was then plotted. The model performance was evaluated using the area under the curve (AUC), concordance index (C-index), and calibration curve. All analyses were performed using SPSS and R statistical packages. Results The prevalence of CF and falls were 1.4 and 19.4%, respectively. After adjusting for covariates, the odds ratio of CF, frailty only, and CoI only for falls were 2.27 (95% CI: 1.29–3.97), 1.41 (95% CI: 1.16–1.73), and 0.99 (95% CI: 0.43–2.29), respectively. CF, sex, age, hearing difficulty, depression, anxiety, disability in instrumental activities of daily living, and serious illness in the past 2 years were independently associated with falls. A prediction model based on these factors yielded an AUC of 0.646 and a C-index of 0.641. Conclusion Cognitive frailty (CF) exerted a cumulative effect on falls than did CoI or frailty alone. Joint assessments of cognitive function and frailty status may be beneficial for fall risk screening in community. A prediction model using CF as a factor could be helpful for this process.
Predictive models for the risk and prognosis of bone metastasis in patients with newly-diagnosed esophageal cancer: A retrospective cohort study

Background Esophageal cancer (EC) is a common malignant tumor worldwide, and patients with both EC and bone metastasis (BM) have a poor prognosis. We aimed to determine the risk and prognostic factors for BM in patients with newly diagnosed EC and to conduct two nomograms to predict the probability of BM and overall survival after BM. Methods Data from patients with EC from 2010 to 2015 were reviewed in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. We divided participants into training and validation cohorts using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses and Cox regression models to explore the risk and prognostic factors of BM, respectively. Moreover, two nomograms were developed for predicting the risk and prognosis of BM in patients with EC. Then we used receiver operating characteristic curves, decision curve analysis, and calibration curves to evaluate the nomogram models. The overall survival of patients with EC and BM was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results A total of 10,730 patients with EC were involved, 735 of whom had BM at the time of diagnosis. Histologic type, sex, age, N stage, primary site, liver, lung, and brain metastases, and tumor differentiation grade were identified as independent BM risk factors. Histological type, chemotherapy, brain, liver, and lung metastases were identified as prognostic risk factors for patients with EC and BM. We developed diagnostic and prognostic nomograms according to the results. Receiver operating characteristic curves, calibration, and Kaplan-Meier curves, and decision curve analysis all indicated that both nomograms had great clinical predictive ability and good clinical application potential. Conclusions Two novel nomograms were constructed to predict the risk and prognosis of BM in patients with EC. These prediction models can effectively assist clinicians in clinical decision-making based on their good accuracy and reliability.
Quasiconvex programming with locally starshaped constraint region and applications to quasiconvex MPEC

In this article we prove an existence result, necessary and sufficient conditions for quasiconvex programming problem with a locally starshaped constraint region. Our optimality conditions are different from the usual optimality conditions, in that the subdifferential of the objective function is replaced by a normal cone operator. Such an optimality condition has advantage over the usual one, i.e. it becomes sufficient even when the objective function is only quasiconvex. As a special case we derive the corresponding results for the class of ‘Quasiconvex-quasiaffine’ MPEC which is a class of mathematical programs with complementarity constraints where the objective function is quasiconvex, the inequality constraint is quasiconvex and the rest of constraints are quasiaffine.
Effect of a Suspension of Carica papaya Leaf Extract on the Thrombocytopenia Induced by Carboplatin in Mice

: A low platelet count characterises thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenic disorders (dengue, chikungunya, malaria, etc.) are on the rise in cities. This is now present in over 125 countries. Low platelet counts are caused primarily by decreased platelet generation and increased platelet degradation. It has been shown in several research that papaya leaf extract may increase platelet count. The major objective of the proposed research was to examine the haematology and histopathology of different organs for any adverse effects of Carica papaya leaf extract on raising platelet count in induced thrombocytopenic experimental animals. To test whether a rise in platelet count was present, papaya leaves were macerated in a mixture of n-hexane, acetone, ethanol, and methanol in distilled water for 8 h using a Soxhlet device. Toxicologists may benefit from experimental animal haematological and histopathological studies.
IMPLICATIONS OF REGIONAL SPLIT IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY: EVIDENCE FROM NORTH SUMATRA, INDONESIA

The purposes of this study are to measure the level of the relative efficiency of educational spending in achieving the years of schooling at local governments in North Sumatra Province and to compare the relative efficiency level of per capita educational spending between the parent local government and the local governments resulting from the splitting. The analytical method used is Data Envelopment Analysis with an output-oriented model. The approach used is a variable return to scale. In measuring efficiency, the input used is educational spending per capita, while the output used is the years of schooling. The results showed that the average level of the relative efficiency of 33 local governments in North Sumatra decreased from 2015 to 2018. In 2015, there were three relatively efficient local governments: Medan, Pematang Siantar, and Labuhan Batu. However, in 2018, only Medan is relatively efficient. The efficiency level of Labuhan Batu declined in 2018. All parent local governments and local governments resulting from the splitting experienced a decrease in inefficiency. Thus, a regional splitting has not succeeded in increasing the relative efficiency of local governments in North Sumatra. The local governments resulting from splitting do not have sufficient experience in managing budget spending in education. Meanwhile, the parent local governments still need to adapt after their loss of administrative area and reorganize the management of its government to be efficient
Test of Water Hyacinth Bokashi and Plant Growth Regulator on Black Rice Plants

Water hyacinth is a type of plant that grows in freshwater environments. This plant is an ideal raw material to produce bokashi which increases the availability of soil nutrients. To maximize the function of the water hyacinth bokashi, a growth regulator is used to encourage plant upatake of soil nutrients. This study aimed to examine the single effect and interaction between water hyacinth bokashi (BHW) and plant growth regulators (PGR) on black rice. Data were analyzed with a factorial randomized block design. The first factor is WHB (B) 0 t ha -1 and 2 t ha -1 , while the second factor is PGR (Z) 0 ppm and 1.5 ppm. The results showed that the best effect of grain weight per hectare was treatment with WHB 2 t ha -1 , PGR 1.5 ppm, and their interactions were 10.34 t ha -1 ; 11.09 t ha -1 , and 12.16 t ha -1 harvested dry rice
Conversion of Electrostatic Plasma Waves into Electromagnetic Waves: Numerical Calculation of the Dispersion Relation for All Wavelengths

The dispersion curves have been computed for a wide range of wavelengths from electromagnetic waves to electrostatic waves in a magnetoactive warm plasma with a Maxwellian velocity distribution function. The computation was carried out mainly for the perpendicular propagation mode. The upper hybrid resonance is the connection point of the electrostatic waves and the electromagnetic waves. The electrostatic waves not associated with the upper hybrid resonance are subjected to electron cyclotron damping when the wavelength becomes long. Oblique propagation is allowed for the electrostatic waves in a frequency range from the plasma frequency to the upper hybrid resonance frequency in the long-wavelength region where Landau damping can be neglected and where the electrostatic mode smoothly connects to the electromagnetic X-mode. In a slightly inhomogeneous plasma, the Bernstein-mode electrostatic wave can escape by being converted into the O-mode electromagnetic wave; two reflections take place during this escape process. The frequency range of the escape coincides with the Cerenkov radiation of the electromagnetic waves, but these two mechanisms indicate clear contrast in its origin. The electromagnetic Cerenkov radiation is produced interacting with the high-energy plasma beam with velocity range l00υth < υ < l000υth (for the nonrelativisitic plasma), where υth is the electron thermal velocity, whereas the origin of the electrostatic waves is in the interaction with the low-energy plasma beam.
Gravitational Waves by a Particle in Circular Orbits around a Schwarzschild black hole -5.5 Post-Newtonian Formula-

Using the post-Newtonian (PN) expansion technique of the gravitational wave perturbation around a Schwarzschild black hole, we calculate analytically the energy flux of gravitational waves induced by a particle in circular orbits up to the 5.5PN order, i.e. $O(v^{11})$ beyond Newtonian. By comparing the formula with numerical data, we find that the error of the 5.5PN formula is about 4% when the particle is on the last stable circular orbit. We also estimate the error $\Delta N$ in the total cycle of gravitational waves from coalescing compact binaries in a laser interferometer's band produced by using the post-Newtonian approximations. We find that, as for the neutron star-black hole binaries, the 4.5PN approximation gives $\Delta N\alt1$ for a black hole of mass $M 40M_{\odot}$.
INTRODUCTION OF MODIFIED COMPARISON FUNCTIONS FOR VIBRATION ANALYSIS OF A RECTANGULAR CRACKED PLATE

Abstract In this paper, new functions named “modified comparison functions” are introduced and used for vibration analysis of a simply supported rectangular cracked plate. It is assumed that the crack having an arbitrary length, depth and location is parallel to one side of the plate. Elastic behavior of the plate at crack location is considered as a line spring with a varying stiffness along the crack. Because there is no exact solution for this problem, one has to use some approximate methods. Although among the functions which are used for vibration analysis of a cracked plate, the comparison functions are more accurate, obtaining these functions is very difficult. In spite of this difficulty, a method for obtaining the comparison functions of the above cracked plate satisfying all the geometric and natural boundary conditions as well as the inner boundary conditions at crack location is introduced. The main purpose of this paper is to improve the accuracy of these comparison functions which only satisfy all the boundary conditions and the inner boundary conditions at the crack location, but their accuracy is questionable at a distance away from the boundaries. In order to increase the accuracy of the comparison functions, it is assumed that the crack affects the mode shape functions in its neighborhood, and its maximum influence is at the crack location, and the influence will vanish at a sufficient distance from the crack. The comparison functions obtained in this way are called the “modified comparison functions” and they are more accurate than the comparison functions. Using the Rayliegh–Ritz method, the “modified comparison functions” are used to obtain the natural frequencies of the cracked plate mentioned above. The results are presented by appropriate curves showing the variations of the natural frequencies of the cracked plate in terms of the crack depth, length and location.
An exact solution approach for the order batching problem

In this article, we deal with the Order Batching Problem (OBP) considering traversal, return, and midpoint routing policies. We consider the Set Partitioning Problem formulation of the OBP and develop a specially tailored column generation–based algorithm for this problem. We suggest acceleration techniques such as a column pool strategy and a relaxation of the column generation subproblem. Also, a specially devised upper-bounding procedure and a lower-bounding method based on column generation that is strengthened by adding subset-row inequalities are employed. According to the computational results, the proposed solution approach manages to solve OBP instances with up to 100 orders to optimality.
Band parameters for nitrogen-containing semiconductors

We present a comprehensive and up-to-date compilation of band parameters for all of the nitrogen-containing III–V semiconductors that have been investigated to date. The two main classes are: (1) “conventional” nitrides (wurtzite and zinc-blende GaN, InN, and AlN, along with their alloys) and (2) “dilute” nitrides (zinc-blende ternaries and quaternaries in which a relatively small fraction of N is added to a host III–V material, e.g., GaAsN and GaInAsN). As in our more general review of III–V semiconductor band parameters [I. Vurgaftman et al., J. Appl. Phys. 89, 5815 (2001)], complete and consistent parameter sets are recommended on the basis of a thorough and critical review of the existing literature. We tabulate the direct and indirect energy gaps, spin-orbit and crystal-field splittings, alloy bowing parameters, electron and hole effective masses, deformation potentials, elastic constants, piezoelectric and spontaneous polarization coefficients, as well as heterostructure band offsets. Temperature an.
Adaptive Reachability Analysis to Achieve Mission Objectives in Strongly Non-Keplerian Systems

Adaptive numerical reachability analysis is studied as a tool for coping with sensitive, strongly non-Keplerian dynamics when planning impulsive spacecraft maneuvers in pursuit of mission objectives at small-body systems. The concept of an objective reachability map is developed beginning from analytical results for the Kepler problem and is shown to become intricately structured for the environments of asteroid Itokawa and Martian satellite Phobos. An existing method for efficient map computation via heuristic refinement, originally applied to chart safety outcomes on a planar maneuver domain, is extended for application to spherical domains and two types of non-Boolean science objectives defined for target locations on the body surface: cumulative observation time and surface payload deployment accuracy. In addition to its potential as a tool for preliminary mission design and the general study of small-body dynamics, this reachability analysis method is also examined and discussed as a resource for rec.