Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Theoretical Study of Photofield Emission by Using Kronig-Penney Potential Model

This paper presented a simple model calculation of photofield emission current (PFEC) from tungsten. For evaluation of the matrix element, Kronig-Penney potential model for the crystal is used for deducing the required wavefunctions. Interpolation method is used in the dielectric model for calculations of vector potential of interest.
Hypertensive crisis: diagnosis, presentation, and treatment

Purpose of review Hypertensive crisis (HTN-C) is a condition of increasing prevalence. It carries significant morbidity and mortality, and prompt recognition and treatment are crucial. There is a paucity of controlled trials, so a working knowledge of the most recent literature in the area of HTN-C is helpful. Recent findings Novel serological markers, including serum corin, have been found to aid in the early identification of end-organ damage from severely elevated blood pressure (BP). In the area of BP following thrombolysis for ischemic stroke, lower target BP (130–140 mmHg) is associated with some improved outcomes. Two large trials of lower BP following mechanical thrombectomy in stroke have failed to show improved outcomes; however, observed data show benefits at lower than currently recommended levels. Clevidipine, a calcium channel blocker marketed for unique use in HTN-C, was found to be noninferior to the generic less expensive nicardipine. Oral nifedipine was found to be the most effective agent for sustained BP reduction in preeclampsia. Summary HTN-C remains an area with few prospective randomized trials, but there is active research on identifying lower goals for specific clinical scenarios. Ideal therapeutic agents should be tailored for specific end-organ damage.
Initial boundary value problem of equation u_(tt)- Δu_(tt)- Δu=f( u)

The initial-boundary value problem with first homogeneous boundary condition for a class of multidimensional nonlinear disperive wave equation utt-Δutt-Δu=f (u) is studied.The exis- tence and uniqueness of global strong solution are obtained by means of a prior estimation and the Galerkin method,and the non-existence of global solutions are also proved under certain conditions.
50‐kHz ultrasonic vocalizations do not signal social anhedonia in transgenic DISC1 rats

Patients diagnosed with neuropsychiatric disorders, such as autism and schizophrenia, suffer from disorganized speech. The disrupted‐in‐schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) protein pathway is considered a risk factor for the development of several psychiatric disorders and plays an important role in the dysregulation of dopamine (DA), which in turn plays an important role in the regulation of ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in rats. Moreover, the DISC1 protein pathway has been identified as a cause of social anhedonia, that is, a decrease in the drive for social interactions. USVs transmit specific affective information to other rats, with 50‐kHz calls indicating a positive affective state in rats. Dysregulation of the dopaminergic system impacts the qualitative and quantitative features of USVs, such as duration, peak frequency, and the call rate. In this study, we thus used a well‐established transgenic DISC1 (tgDISC1) rat line to investigate whether the neural (decreased DA levels in the dorsal striatum, amygdala, and hippocampus (HPC)) and behavioral (social anhedonia) features of tgDISC1 rats could be manifested through the modulation of their 50‐kHz USVs. Analyses of three features (call rate, duration, and peak frequency) of all 50‐kHz revealed no significant differences between groups, suggesting decreased DA levels in the dorsal striatum and amygdala, and HPC may affect social interaction but leave 50‐kHz USV production intact.
Kisspeptin as a predictor of miscarriage: a systematic review

Abstract Objective A highly accurate serum marker for predicting viable pregnancy needs to be developed. Recent studies have demonstrated that kisspeptin is a potential biomarker for this purpose. Methods This systematic review evaluated the available data in the literature on the role of kisspeptin as a miscarriage biomarker. A literature search was conducted in the PubMed/Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus databases using the following keywords: (kisspeptin) AND (miscarriage OR pregnancy loss OR spontaneous abortion OR reproductive failure). Results Seven case–control studies were selected for the systematic review. The included papers described the potential role of kisspeptin as a putative biomarker of pregnancy loss. Furthermore, two studies reported that changes in kisspeptin levels may be associated with unexplained infertility and low rates of embryo implantation in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology. Conclusion Kisspeptin might be used as a potential biomarker of pregnancy viability in the near future. However, studies with better evidence are needed to establish the applicability of kisspeptin as a diagnostic and prognostic tool.
U.S. Population Data on Hearing Loss, Trouble Hearing, and Hearing-Device Use in Adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011–12, 2015–16, and 2017–20

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data on audiometric hearing loss, self-reported trouble hearing, and the use of hearing aids and assistive listening devices (ALDs) for the three most recent surveys (2011–12, 2015–16, and 2017–20) were analyzed for adults ranging in age from 20 to 80-plus years. Complete audiograms were available for a total of 8,795 adults. The prevalence of hearing loss, measured audiometrically and self-reported, is provided for males and females by age decade. Logistic-regression analyses identified variables affecting the odds of having an audiometrically defined hearing loss or self-reported trouble hearing. As in previous reports, males were more likely than females to have audiometric hearing loss and the prevalence of hearing loss increased steadily with advancing age. The same trends were observed for self-reported hearing difficulty, although the effects of age and sex were smaller for self-reported trouble hearing compared to audiometric hearing loss. The agreement between the audiometric classification of hearing loss severity and the amount of trouble reported on the self-report measure was moderate (r = 0.61). The prevalence of hearing-aid and ALD use differed for males and females of the same age, females generally using these devices less frequently than males, but both showing increased prevalence of device use with advancing age. Unmet hearing-healthcare need, defined as the percentage of those with identified hearing loss or trouble hearing who were not current hearing-aid users or had never tried hearing aids or ALDs, was about 85%.
MPKin‐YSTR: Interpretation of Y chromosome STR haplotypes for missing persons cases

Y chromosome Short Tandem Repeat (STR) haplotypes have been used in assisting forensic investigations primarily for identification and male lineage determination. The current SWGDAM interpretation guidelines for Y‐STR typing provide helpful guidance on those purposes but do not address the issue of kinship analysis with Y‐STR haplotypes. Because of the high mutation rate of Y‐STRs, there are complex missing person cases in which inconsistent Y‐STR haplotypes between true paternal lineage relatives will arise and cases with two or more male references in the same lineage and yet differ in their haplotypes. Therefore, more useful methods are needed for interpreting the Y‐STR haplotype data. Computational methods and interpretation guidelines have been developed specifically addressing this issue, either using a mismatch‐based counting method or a pedigree likelihood ratio method. In this study, a software program, MPKin‐YSTR, was developed by implementing those more sophisticated methods. This software should be able to improve the interpretation of complex cases with Y‐STR haplotype evidence. Thus, more biological evidence will be interpreted, which in turn will result in more investigation leads to help solve crimes.
Thymol-Decorated Gold Nanoparticles for Curing Clinical Infections Caused by Bacteria Resistant to Last-Resort Antibiotics

Excessive use of antibiotics can lead to bacterial resistance and the development of multidrug-resistant bacteria. Antibiotic misuse can also promote resistance against last-resort antibiotics. ABSTRACT Multidrug-resistant bacteria pose a tremendous challenge to public health worldwide. Many bacteria resistant to last-resort antibiotics due to antibiotic misuse have been recently reported, which may give rise to serious infections without effective treatment. Therefore, it is imperative to develop novel antimicrobial strategies. Natural phenols are known to increase bacterial membrane permeability and are potential candidates for the development of new antimicrobial agents. In this study, gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) carrying natural phenols were synthesized to combat bacteria resistant to last-resort antibiotics. Transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential, and UV-visible spectra were used to characterize the synthesized Au NPs, which showed good monodispersity and uniform particle size. Evaluation of antibacterial activity using the broth microdilution method revealed that thymol-decorated gold nanoparticles (Thymol_Au NPs) had a broad antibacterial spectrum and higher bactericidal effects than last-resort antibiotics against last-resort-antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Considering the underlying antibacterial mechanism, the results showed that Thymol_Au NPs destroyed bacterial cell membranes. Further, Thymol_Au NPs were effective in treating mouse abdominal infections and exhibited acceptable biocompatibility without any significant toxicity in cell viability and histopathological assays, respectively, at most bactericidal concentrations. However, attention should be paid to changes in white blood cells, reticulocyte percentages, and superoxide dismutase activity during Thymol_Au NP treatment. In conclusion, Thymol_Au NPs have the potential for treating clinical infections caused by bacteria resistant to last-resort antibiotics. IMPORTANCE Excessive use of antibiotics can lead to bacterial resistance and the development of multidrug-resistant bacteria. Antibiotic misuse can also promote resistance against last-resort antibiotics. It is thus crucial to develop alternatives to antibiotics to retard the development of multidrug resistance. In recent years, the use of several nanodosage forms of antibacterial drugs has been investigated. These agents kill bacteria through a variety of mechanisms and avoid the problem of resistance. Among them, Au NPs, which are safer to use for medical applications than other metal nanoparticles, have attracted interest as potential antibacterial agents. To combat bacterial resistance to last-resort antibiotics and mitigate the problem of antimicrobial resistance, it is important and meaningful to develop antimicrobial agents based on Au NPs.
Circadian blood pressure variability and asymmetric dimethylarginine in patients with glaucoma: cross-sectional study of The LIGHT cohort

Objective: Glaucoma is reportedly associated with asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and circadian blood pressure (BP) variability, including night-time SBP. We determined whether ADMA level is associated with night-time SBP in patients with glaucoma. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we measured the serum ADMA level and ambulatory BP of 163 patients with glaucoma and 705 participants without glaucoma. Based on the tertiles of serum ADMA level, the patients were divided into three groups: low, intermediate, and high-ADMA. Night-time SBP was determined based on ambulatory BP measured every 30 min for 48 h. The nondipper BP pattern was defined as having a night-time mean SBP decline of less than 10% relative to the mean daytime SBP. Results: In the glaucoma group, the night-time SBP in the high-ADMA group was significantly higher than in the low-ADMA group (123.0 and 114.4 mmHg, respectively; P = 0.003). Multivariable analysis adjusted for the potential confounders showed the night-time SBP, and the odds ratio for nondipper in the high-ADMA group were also significantly higher than in the low-ADMA group (P = 0.030 and P = 0.021, respectively). Significant associations between continuous serum ADMA levels with night-time SBP and nondipper were also found (P = 0.002 and 0.006, respectively). In the control group, however, no significant associations were found between serum ADMA levels and night-time SBP and nondipper. A significant interaction effect of the serum ADMA levels and glaucoma on nondipper was found (P = 0.004). Conclusion: Serum ADMA level was significantly associated with the disturbance of circadian BP variability in patients with glaucoma.
Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis in families with multiple individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia and intellectual disability

Abstract Objectives Schizophrenia (SZ) and intellectual disability (ID) are both included in the continuum of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). DNA methylation is known to be important in the occurrence of NDDs. The family study is conducive to eliminate the effects of relative epigenetic backgrounds, and to screen for differentially methylated positions (DMPs) and regions (DMRs) that are truly associated with NDDs. Methods Four monozygotic twin families were recruited, and both twin individuals suffered from NDDs (either SZ, ID, or SZ plus ID). Genome-wide methylation analysis was performed in all samples and each family. DMPs and DMRs between NDD patients and unaffected individuals were identified. Functional and pathway enrichment analyses were performed on the annotated genes. Results Two significant DMPs annotated to CYP2E1 were found in all samples. In Family One, 1476 DMPs mapped to 880 genes, and 162 DMRs overlapping with 153 unique genes were recognised. Our results suggested that the altered methylation levels of FYN, STAT3, RAC1, and NR4A2 were associated with the development of SZ and ID. Neurodevelopment and the immune system may participate in the occurrence of SZ and ID. Conclusions Our findings suggested that DNA methylation participated in the development of NDDs by affecting neurodevelopment and the immune system.
Reversal of the detrimental effects of social isolation on ischemic cerebral injury and stroke-associated pneumonia by inhibiting small intestinal γδ T-cell migration into the brain and lung

Social isolation (ISO) is associated with an increased risk and poor outcomes of ischemic stroke. However, the roles and mechanisms of ISO in stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) remain unclear. Adult male mice were single- or pair-housed with an ovariectomized female mouse and then subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. Isolated mice were treated with the natriuretic peptide receptor A antagonist A71915 or anti-gamma-delta (γδ) TCR monoclonal antibody, whereas pair-housed mice were treated with recombinant human atrial natriuretic peptide (rhANP). Subdiaphragmatic vagotomy (SDV) was performed 14 days before single- or pair-housed conditions. We found that ISO significantly worsened brain and lung injuries relative to pair housing, which was partially mediated by elevated interleukin (IL)-17A levels and the migration of small intestine-derived inflammatory γδ T-cells into the brain and lung. However, rhANP treatment or SDV could ameliorate ISO-exacerbated post-stroke brain and lung damage by reducing IL-17A levels and inhibiting the migration of inflammatory γδ T-cells into the brain and lung. Our results suggest that rhANP mitigated ISO-induced exacerbation of SAP and ischemic cerebral injury by inhibiting small intestine-derived γδ T-cell migration into the lung and brain, which could be mediated by the subdiaphragmatic vagus nerve.
High prevalence of malaria in pregnancy among women attending antenatal care at a large referral hospital in northwestern Uganda: A cross-sectional study

Background Malaria in pregnancy contributes to substantial morbidity and mortality among women in Uganda. However, there is limited information on the prevalence and factors associated with malaria in pregnancy among women in Arua district, northwestern Uganda. We, therefore, assessed the prevalence and factors associated with malaria in pregnancy among women attending routine antenatal care (ANC) clinics at Arua regional referral hospital in north-western Uganda. Methods We conducted an analytic cross-sectional study between October and December 2021. We used a paper-based structured questionnaire to collect data on maternal socio-demographic and obstetric factors and malaria preventive measures. Malaria in pregnancy was defined as a positive rapid malarial antigen test during ANC visits. We performed a modified Poisson regression analysis with robust standard errors to determine factors independently associated with malaria in pregnancy, reported as adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results We studied 238 pregnant women with a mean age of 25.32±5.79 years that attended the ANC clinic, all without symptomatic malaria. Of the participants, 173 (72.7%) were in their second or third trimester, 117 (49.2%) were first or second-time pregnant women, and 212 (89.1%) reported sleeping under insecticide-treated bednets (ITNs) every day. The prevalence of malaria in pregnancy was 26.1% (62/238) by rapid diagnostic testing (RDT), with the independently associated factors being daily use of insecticide-treated bednets (aPR 0.41, 95% CI 0.28, 0.62), first ANC visit after 12 weeks of gestation (aPR1.78, 95% CI 1.05, 3.03), and being in the second or third trimester (aPR 0.45, 95% CI 0.26, 0.76). Conclusion The prevalence of malaria in pregnancy among women attending ANC in this setting is high. We recommend the provision of insecticide-treated bednets to all pregnant women and early ANC attendance to enable access to malaria preventive therapy and related interventions.
A substitute for the maximum principle for singularly perturbed time-dependent semilinear reaction-diffusion problems - part I

As the maximum principle does not hold true for nonlinear problems unless global, restrictive and often nonphysical assumptions are imposed over the whole domain, we introduce less restrictive, viable assumptions and show that the theory of upper and lower solutions is an appropriate substitute for the maximum principle in the case of singularly perturbed time-dependent semilinear reactiondiffusion problems with Dirichlet boundary conditions. The upper and lower solutions capture the boundary, interior and corner layers and the boundary conditions.
Further Characterization of Multi-Organ DEARE and Protection by 16,16 Dimethyl Prostaglandin E2 in a Mouse Model of the Hematopoietic Acute Radiation Syndrome

Survivors of acute radiation exposure suffer from the delayed effects of acute radiation exposure (DEARE), a chronic condition affecting multiple organs, including lung, kidney, heart, gastrointestinal tract, eyes, and brain, and often causing cancer. While effective medical countermeasures (MCM) for the hematopoietic-acute radiation syndrome (H-ARS) have been identified and approved by the FDA, development of MCM for DEARE has not yet been successful. We previously documented residual bone marrow damage (RBMD) and progressive renal and cardiovascular DEARE in murine survivors of H-ARS, and significant survival efficacy of 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E2 (dmPGE2) given as a radioprotectant or radiomitigator for H-ARS. We now describe additional DEARE (physiological and neural function, progressive fur graying, ocular inflammation, and malignancy) developing after sub-threshold doses in our H-ARS model, and detailed analysis of the effects of dmPGE2 administered before (PGE-pre) or after (PGE-post) lethal total-body irradiation (TBI) on these DEARE. Administration of PGE-pre normalized the twofold reduction of white blood cells (WBC) and lymphocytes seen in vehicle-treated survivors (Veh), and increased the number of bone marrow (BM) cells, splenocytes, thymocytes, and phenotypically defined hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) and hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) to levels equivalent to those in non-irradiated age-matched controls. PGE-pre significantly protected HPC colony formation ex vivo by >twofold, long term-HSC in vivo engraftment potential up to ninefold, and significantly blunted TBI-induced myeloid skewing. Secondary transplantation documented continued production of LT-HSC with normal lineage differentiation. PGE-pre reduced development of DEARE cardiovascular pathologies and renal damage; prevented coronary artery rarefication, blunted progressive loss of coronary artery endothelia, reduced inflammation and coronary early senescence, and blunted radiation-induced increase in blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Ocular monocytes were significantly lower in PGE-pre mice, as was TBI-induced fur graying. Increased body weight and decreased frailty in male mice, and reduced incidence of thymic lymphoma were documented in PGE-pre mice. In assays measuring behavioral and cognitive functions, PGE-pre reduced anxiety in females, significantly blunted shock flinch response, and increased exploratory behavior in males. No effect of TBI was observed on memory in any group. PGE-post, despite significantly increasing 30-day survival in H-ARS and WBC and hematopoietic recovery, was not effective in reducing TBI-induced RBMD or any other DEARE. In summary, dmPGE2 administered as an H-ARS MCM before lethal TBI significantly increased 30-day survival and ameliorated RBMD and multi-organ and cognitive/behavioral DEARE to at least 12 months after TBI, whereas given after TBI, dmPGE2 enhances survival from H-ARS but has little impact on RBMD or other DEARE.
Microsatellite instability in noncolorectal and nonendometrial malignancies in patients with Lynch syndrome

Abstract Background Individuals with Lynch syndrome are at increased hereditary risk of colorectal and endometrial carcinomas with microsatellite instability (MSI-H) and mismatch repair-deficiency (dMMR), which make these tumors vulnerable to therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Our aim is to assess how often other tumor types in these individuals share these characteristics. Methods We retrieved the full tumor history of a historical clinic-based cohort of 1745 individuals with Lynch syndrome and calculated the standardized incidence ratio for all tumor types. MSI status, somatic second hit alterations, and immunohistochemistry-based MMR status were analyzed in 236 noncolorectal and nonendometrial malignant tumors. Results In individuals with Lynch syndrome MSI-H/dMMR occurred both in Lynch-spectrum and in non–Lynch-spectrum malignancies (85% vs 37%, P < .01). MSI-H/dMMR malignancies were found in nearly all non–Lynch-spectrum tumor types. A high percentage (33%) of breast carcinomas with medullary features was observed, and most of them were MSI-H/dMMR. Breast carcinoma with medullary features were shown to be associated with Lynch syndrome (standardized incidence ratio = 38.8, 95% confidence interval = 16.7 to 76.5). Conclusions In individuals with Lynch syndrome, MSI-H/dMMR occurs in more than one-half of the malignancies other than colorectal and endometrial carcinomas, including tumor types without increased incidence. The Lynch-spectrum tumors should be expanded to breast carcinomas with medullary features. All malignancies in patients with Lynch syndrome, independent of subtype, should be tested for MSI-H/dMMR in case therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors is considered. Moreover, Lynch syndrome should be considered an underlying cause of all MSI-H/dMMR malignancies other than colorectal and endometrial carcinomas.