Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Early and dynamic detection of doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity by myocardial contrast echocardiography combined with two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in rats

Background Anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity is well-known as a side effect of chemotherapy. Currently, clinical imaging techniques are not capable to detect doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity before a functional decline. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) can dynamically monitor the cardiac changes in the early stage in the DOX-induced rat model of cardiotoxicity. Methods A weekly injection of 2.5 mg/kg of DOX was used to generate a rat model of cardiotoxicity. All groups underwent ultrasonic examinations including standard echocardiography, 2D speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE), and MCE. Then all rats were sacrificed immediately for histopathological evaluation. Results A total of eight control rats and 32 DOX-treated rats were included in the study and grouped according to their treatment period. Decreased quantitative parameters of myocardial blood flow (MBF) (control vs. group 1: 133.31 ± 20.23 dB/s vs. 103.35 ± 21.60 dB/s, P = 0.048) and β (control vs. group 2: 11.17 ± 1.48/s vs. 7.15 ± 1.23/s, P < 0.001) were observed after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, respectively, while left ventricular global strain (control vs. group 3: −23.67 ± 3.92% vs. −16.01 ± 3.40%, P = 0.002) decreased after 6 weeks of treatment and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (control vs. group 4: 82.41 ± 3.20% vs. 70.89 ± 9.30%, P = 0.008) decreased after 8 weeks of treatment. The main histopathological features are increased myocardial vacuolization and interstitial fibrosis and decreased myocardial microvessel density. Conclusion Compared with standard echocardiography and 2D-STE, MCE can accurately and non-invasively detect changes in early myocardial perfusion, demonstrating the clinical potential of continuous and dynamic monitoring of DOX-induced cardiotoxicity.
Professional literacy that Taiwan’s bag manufacturing industry talents should possess: Analyzing from a practical perspective

Aim This research aimed to explore the professional literacies that should be possessed by Taiwan’s bag manufacturing industry talents. This understanding will also help the technical and vocational education system to cultivate talents in Taiwan’s bag manufacturing industry. Methods A qualitative research design was adopted. The outline of the interview on the professional literacy of Taiwan’s bag manufacturing industry talents was compiled, and seven interviewees were selected by purposive sampling from those who had worked (including supervisors) in Taiwan’s bag manufacturing industry for 21 to 42 years. One-on-one in-depth interviews with semi-structured interview questions were conducted. Using grounded theory, the content of the in-depth interviews was analyzed and discussed. Results and discussion This study discusses what professional literacy of Taiwan’s bag manufacturing industry talents should possess from the practical perspective of Taiwan’s bag manufacturing industry leaders or senior managers. This study shows that bag manufacturing industry talents should possess knowledge, skills, and attitudes and values of common professional literacies. Moreover, bag designers, manufacturing technicians, patternmakers, hand stitchers, and production supervisors should acquire these professional literacies. The results of this study will help Taiwan’s bag manufacturing industry leaders or senior managers to highlight the importance of professional literacy that Taiwan’s bag manufacturing industry talents should possess. Conclusion This study summarized the professional literacy of bag manufacturing industry talents into three major aspects: knowledge, skills, and attitudes and values. Based on this, suggestions are made as a reference for the implementation of curriculum development for talent cultivation in higher education institutions, and a reference for the learning and on-the-job training of bag manufacturing industry practitioners in the workplace.
Association of vitamin and/or nutritional supplements with fall among patients with diabetes: A prospective study based on ACCORD and UK Biobank

Aims To assess the associations of vitamin and/or nutritional supplements (VNS) with falls among patients with diabetes. Methods 9,141 and 21,489 middle-aged participants with diabetes from Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) trial and UK Biobank were included. Use of VNS was collected at baseline, and fall events were recorded using annual questionnaires in ACCORD and electric records in UK Biobank during follow-up. The associations of VNS use with fall risk were analyzed using logistic regression models in ACCORD and Fine-Gray sub-distribution hazard models in UK Biobank. The role of specific supplements was also estimated in UK Biobank, adjusting for confounding factors and multiple comparisons. Results 45.9% (4,193/9,141, 5.5 median follow-up years) patients in ACCORD and 10.5% (2,251/21,489, 11.9 median follow-up years) in UK Biobank experienced fall and in-patient events during follow-up, respectively. In ACCORD, VNS using was associated with an increased risk of fall (full-adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.26, P < 0.05). In UK Biobank, despite no significant association between VNS overall and in-patient fall, vitamin B, calcium, and iron using increased the risk of falls significantly (full-adjusted hazard ratio range: 1.31–1.37, P < 0.05). Conclusions Use of specific VNS increased the risk of fall among patients with diabetes. The non-indicative use of nutritional supplements for patients with diabetes might be inadvisable.
Short-term efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions for global population with elevated blood pressure: A network meta-analysis

Background This study aims to compare the potential short-term effects of non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs) on prehypertensive people, and provide evidence for intervention models with potential in future community-based management. Methods In this Bayesian network meta-analysis, Pubmed, Embase, and Web of science were screened up to 16 October 2021. Prehypertensive patients (systolic blood pressure, SBP 120–139 mmHg/diastolic blood pressure, DBP 80–89 mmHg) with a follow-up period longer than 4 weeks were targeted. Sixteen NPIs were identified during the scope review and categorized into five groups. Reduction in SBP and DBP was selected as outcome variables and the effect sizes were compared using consistency models among interventions and intervention groups. Grade approach was used to assess the certainty of evidence. Results Thirty-nine studies with 8,279 participants were included. For SBP, strengthen exercises were the most advantageous intervention group when compared with usual care (mean difference = −6.02 mmHg, 95% CI −8.16 to −3.87), and combination exercise, isometric exercise, and aerobic exercise were the three most effective specific interventions. For DBP, relaxation was the most advantageous intervention group when compared with usual care (mean difference = −4.99 mmHg, 95% CI −7.03 to −2.96), and acupuncture, meditation, and combination exercise were the three most effective specific interventions. No inconsistency was found between indirect and direct evidence. However, heterogeneity was detected in some studies. Conclusion NPIs can bring short-term BP reduction benefits for prehypertensive patients, especially exercise and relaxation. NPIs could potentially be included in community-based disease management for prehypertensive population once long-term real-world effectiveness and cost-effectiveness are proven. Systematic review registration https://www.crd. york.ac. uk/PROSPERO/display_record. php? RecordID=151518, identifier: CRD42020151518.
Synergistic effect of Bacillus subtilis and Paecilomyces lilacinus in alleviating soil degradation and improving watermelon yield

Continuous cropping of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) may lead to soil degradation. As a soil conditioner, microbial agent has great potential in improving soil function and enhancing plant growth. In this study, we aimed to explore how microbial agent relieves the soil sickness of watermelon by analyzing watermelon performance, soil physicochemical properties and microbial community structures. Results suggested that microbial agent treatments significantly changed the photosynthetic efficiency of upper and lower leaves, which helped improve the growth of watermelon. The single fruit weight, fruit sugar degree and total phosphorus of soil following treatment with a mixture of Paecilomyces lilacinus DZ910 and Bacillus subtilis KC1723 (treatment D_K) were higher than those in single biofertilizer treatments and control. The soil microbial community under microbial agent treatments also changed significantly, indicating the feasibility of using microbial agents as soil remediations. The proportions of Pseudomonas and Flavobacterium, changed significantly after using microbial agents. Pseudomonas increased significantly after B. subtilis KC1723 and D_K treatments, while Flavobacterium increased significantly after using all three kinds of microbial agents compared to control. Increases in these bacteria were positively correlated with agronomic variables of watermelon. The fungi Aspergillus and Neocosmospora in the soil, which create an soil sickness of watermelon, decreased after KC1723 and D_K treatments. Meanwhile, Aspergillus and Neocosmospora were positively related to Myceliophthora incidence and negatively correlated with watermelon growth (single fruit weight and photosynthetic efficiency of upper leaves). Our microbial agent, especially D_K, represents a useful technique for alleviating soil sickness in watermelon.
An integration algorithm and the corresponding consistent tangent operator for fully coupled elastoplastic and damage equations

This paper deals with the implementation in finite element calculations of complex elastoplastic constitutive equations exhibiting non-linear kinematic and isotropic hardening, and fully coupled to a continuous ductile damage evolution model. The Newton method is used to solve the non-linear global equilibrium equations as well as the non-linear local equations obtained by fully implicit integration of the constitutive equations. The consistent local tangent modulus is obtained by exact linearization of the algorithm. The procedure described has been implemented in the general purpose code ABAQUS.
A modifiable universal cotinine-chimeric antigen system of NK cells with multiple targets

Natural killer (NK) cells are immune effector cells with outstanding features for adoptive immunotherapy. Immune effector cells with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are promising targeted therapeutic agents for various diseases. Because tumor cells exhibit heterogeneous antigen expression and lose cell surface antigen expression during malignant progression, many CARs fixed against only one antigen have limited efficacy and are associated with tumor relapse. To expand the utility of CAR-NK cells, we designed a split and universal cotinine-CAR (Cot-CAR) system, comprising a Cot-conjugator and NK92 cells (α-Cot-NK92 cells) engineered with a CAR containing an anti-Cot-specific single-chain variable fragment and intracellular signaling domain. The efficacy of the Cot-CAR system was assessed in vitro using a cytolysis assay against various tumor cells, and its single- or multiple- utility potential was demonstrated using an in vivo lung metastasis model by injecting A549-Red-Fluc cells. The α-Cot-NK92 cells could switch targets, logically respond to multiple antigens, and tune cytolytic activation through the alteration of conjugators without re-engineering. Therefore the universal Cot-CAR system is useful for enhancing specificity and diversity of antigens, combating relapse, and controlling cytolytic activity. In conclusion, this universal Cot-CAR system reveals that multiple availability and controllability can be generated with a single, integrated system.
How does mathematical modeling competency affect the creativity of middle school students? The roles of curiosity and guided inquiry teaching

Introduction Mathematical modeling has become a crucial competence in mathematics education in many countries and regions due to the increasingly complex real-world problems that students face in the 21st century. Previous research has shown that mathematical modeling contributes to the development of students’ creativity, particularly with respect to stimulating and protecting the curiosity of children. However, previous studies have not explored or examined the relationships among middle school students’ mathematical modeling competency, curiosity, and creativity based on data drawn from large-scale assessments and have not investigated the influence of teachers’ teaching methods in this context. Methods This study used convenience sampling to select 4,531 seventh-grade students from eastern and western, urban and rural areas in China. Online tests and questionnaires were used to measure their mathematical modeling competency, curiosity, creativity and guided inquiry teaching, and a moderated mediation model was used to analyze the effect of mathematical modeling competency on creativity. Results The results showed the following. (1) There are statistically significant differences between boys and girls in terms of their mathematical modeling competency, curiosity, and creativity. Specifically, boys score significantly higher than girls on these variables. (2) Creativity exhibits a statistically significant positive correlation with mathematical modeling competency, curiosity, and guided inquiry teaching. (3) Curiosity mediates the relationship between mathematical modeling competency and creativity, and guided inquiry teaching moderates the influence of curiosity. In high-level guided inquiry teaching classes, curiosity has a stronger influence on creativity, and it mediates the relationship between mathematical modeling competency and creativity more strongly. Discussion This study empirically verified the influence of mathematical modeling competency on creativity and provided a possible way to cultivate children’s creativity. Future research should use longitudinal analysis to verify the causal relationship between mathematical modeling competency and creativity and to systematically explore the possible path by which mathematical modeling competency affects creativity.
Molecular distribution in intradermal injection for transfer and delivery of therapeutics

Intradermal (ID) injection is a technique widely used in laboratorial and clinical applications. The boundary of the dome-like bleb formed during injection is assumed to represent the lateral extent of the injected material. This work systematically characterizes cargo molecule distribution (puddle) as a function of injection volume and molecular/particle size in rat skin post ID injection. In general, results indicate that the puddle forms a subdomain laterally contained within the bleb, with an area inversely correlating to the molecular size of the injected material. For 50 μL and 100 µL injections, the average area of the bleb was 40.97 ± 6.30 mm2 and 55.64 ± 8.20 mm2, respectively, regardless of the molecular/particle size. On the other hand, the area of the puddle was dependent on the molecular size and ranged between 45.38 ± 8.29 mm2 and 6.14 ± 4.50 mm2 for 50 µL injections, and 66.64 ± 11.22 mm2 and 11.50 ± 9.67 mm2 for 100 µL injections. The lateral distribution appears to have no time-dependency up to 10 min post injection. The trend in the depth of cargo penetration is also similar, with smaller particles extending deeper into the dermis and subcutaneous fat layers. Because the area of puddle can be significantly less than that of the bleb, establishing base characterization is essential to understand cellular interactions with the injected biological substances.
Clinicopathological characteristics and features of molecular subtypes of breast cancer at high altitudes

Background Breast cancer is one of the major malignancies threatening women’s health worldwide. The incidence of breast cancer at high altitudes increased over the years. But few studies focused on the characteristics of clinicopathology and molecular subtypes among breast cancer at high altitudes, which are still unknown. Tibet, with an average altitude over 4000 meters, is a representative city at high altitudes, lying in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau in southwestern China. This study aimed to identify the clinicopathological characteristics and features of molecular subtypes among Tibetan women with breast cancer, and provide evidence for cancer prevention and personalized therapeutics in high-altitude regions. Methods Between May 2013 and March 2022, 104 Tibetan women from high-altitude regions (Tibetan-group) and 34 Han Chinese women from low-altitude regions (Han-group), consecutively diagnosed with breast cancer in the Hospital of Chengdu Office of People’s Government of Tibetan Autonomous Region, were included in the study. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical character, altitudes of residence, tumor size, lymph nodes metastasis, distant metastasis, pathological type, immunohistochemical index, and molecular subtype. Results In the study, we calculated the patient delay, equal to the period from symptoms onset to hospital visits. The patient delay of Tibetan-group was 7.47 ± 11.53 months, which was significantly longer than that of Han-group, 7.22 ± 22.96 months (p<0.05). Body Mass Index (BMI) was significantly different (p<0.05). Tumors in Tibetan-group were significantly larger than those in Han-group, 4.13 ± 2.98cm and 2.51 ± 0.82cm in diameter, respectively (p<0.05). According to ordinal logistic regression analysis, exposure to high altitudes might result in more advanced T stage (OR=2.45 95%CI 1.10-5.44). 41.3% (43/104) of cases in Tibetan-group had lymph node positive disease, whereas the percentage was found in 38.26% (13/34) in Han-group(p<0.05). The distribution of molecular subtypes was quite significantly different between two groups (p<0.05), according to the comparison of constituent ratios. Conclusion Our study verified that breast cancer at high altitudes possessed its own unique clinicopathological characteristics and distinct features of molecular subtypes. It broadened the understanding of this heterogenous disease and also provided valuable evidence for cancer prevention and personalized therapeutics of breast cancer at high altitudes.
Knowledge, perceived risk, and attitudes towards COVID-19 protective measures amongst ethnic minorities in the UK: A cross-sectional study

Background Minority ethnic groups are at increased risk of COVID-19 related mortality or morbidity yet continue to have a disproportionally lower uptake of the vaccine. The importance of adherence to prevention and control measures to keep vulnerable populations and their families safe therefore remains crucial. This research sought to examine the knowledge, perceived risk, and attitudes toward COVID-19 among an ethnically diverse community. Methods A cross-sectional self-administered questionnaire was implemented to survey ethnic minority participants purposefully recruited from Luton, an ethnically diverse town in the southeast of England. The questionnaire was structured to assess participants knowledge, perceived risk, attitudes toward protective measures as well as the sources of information about COVID-19. The questionnaire was administered online via Qualtrics with the link shared through social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp. Questionnaires were also printed into brochures and disseminated via community researchers and community links to individuals alongside religious, community and outreach organisations. Data were analysed using appropriate statistical techniques, with the significance threshold for all analyses assumed at p = 0.05. Findings 1,058 participants (634; 60% females) with a median age of 38 (IQR, 22) completed the survey. National TV and social networks were the most frequently accessed sources of COVID-19 related information; however, healthcare professionals, whilst not widely accessed, were viewed as the most trusted. Knowledge of transmission routes and perceived susceptibility were significant predictors of attitudes toward health-protective practises. Conclusion/recommendation Improving the local information provision, including using tailored communication strategies that draw on trusted sources, including healthcare professionals, could facilitate understanding of risk and promote adherence to health-protective actions.
Gas-solid fluidization modification of calcium carbonate for high-performance poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) composites

Modifying biodegradable poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) plastic with inorganic fillers is critical for improving its overall performance, lowering the costs, and expanding its application scope. The chemical modification method for the inorganic filler determines the application performance of PBAT composites. In this work, gas—solid fluidization method was developed as a simple, efficient, and scalable strategy for chemically modifying CaCO3 filler. The modified CaCO3 filler was mixed with PBAT and melt extruded to prepare biodegradable PBAT/CaCO3 composites. The characterization results show that gas—solid fluidization method combines the traditional wet modification method’s excellent modification effect with the scalability of the traditional dry modification method. The effects of modification methods and amount of CaCO3 filling on the crystallinity, mechanical, and rheological properties of PBAT/CaCO3 composites were compared. The results demonstrated that PBAT/CaCO3 composites containing 30% gas—solid fluidization modified CaCO3 could still maintain excellent overall performance. As a result, this work provides a simple, efficient, and scalable method for chemically modifying inorganic fillers and preparing biodegradable composites.
Heterodimeric IL-15 (hetIL-15) reduces circulating tumor cells and metastasis formation improving chemotherapy and surgery in 4T1 mouse model of TNBC

Immunotherapy has emerged as a viable approach in cancer therapy, with cytokines being of great interest. Interleukin IL-15 (IL-15), a cytokine that supports cytotoxic immune cells, has been successfully tested as an anti-cancer and anti-metastatic agent, but combinations with conventional chemotherapy and surgery protocols have not been extensively studied. We have produced heterodimeric IL-15 (hetIL-15), which has shown anti-tumor efficacy in several murine cancer models and is being evaluated in clinical trials for metastatic cancers. In this study, we examined the therapeutic effects of hetIL-15 in combination with chemotherapy and surgery in the 4T1 mouse model of metastatic triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). hetIL-15 monotherapy exhibited potent anti-metastatic effects by diminishing the number of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and by controlling tumor cells colonization of the lungs. hetIL-15 treatment in combination with doxorubicin resulted in enhanced anti-metastatic activity and extended animal survival. Systemic immune phenotype analysis showed that the chemoimmunotherapeutic regimen shifted the tumor-induced imbalance of polymorphonuclear myeloid-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSCs) in favor of cytotoxic effector cells, by simultaneously decreasing PMN-MDSCs and increasing the frequency and activation of effector (CD8+T and NK) cells. Tumor resection supported by neoadjuvant and adjuvant administration of hetIL-15, either alone or in combination with doxorubicin, resulted in the cure of approximately half of the treated animals and the development of anti-4T1 tumor immunity. Our findings demonstrate a significant anti-metastatic potential of hetIL-15 in combination with chemotherapy and surgery and suggest exploring the use of this regimen for the treatment of TNBC.