Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serum Levels of Interleukin-1β and Disease Progression in Multiple Myeloma Patients: A Case and Control Study

Objective: Multiple myeloma (MM) is known as an incurable heterogeneous plasma cell malignancy that presents with a variety of clinical manifestations. Inflammation plays an important role in this disease. Cytokines and Chemokines cause the progression of the disease. One of them is interleukin-1β (IL-1β), which may be involved in the pathogenesis of MM. Other markers such as calcium, albumin, creatinine, globulins, and total protein are also used to diagnose and prognosis patients. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the serum level of IL-1β and various forms of calcium (total calcium, ionized calcium, and corrected calcium), albumin, creatinine, globulin, and total protein on stage-I of MM patients and healthy controls. Methods: Serum samples from 30 stage-I MM patients and 30 healthy subjects as controls were examined in this study. The protein concentrations of serum IL-1β was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), total calcium, albumin, creatinine, total protein, and globulin Measured by auto analyzer BT3000, an electrolyte analyzer was used to measure ionized calcium (Ca++) and a special equation was used to calculate the corrected calcium. Result: The mean level of IL-1β was significantly elevated in stage-I MM. The mean levels of IL-1β were 7.04±1.15 ng/ml in stage-I MM and 3.12± 0.90 ng/ml in controls (p<0.001). The mean levels of total calcium (total Ca) were 9.45±0.56 mg/dl in stage-I MM and 9.09±0.43mg/dl in controls (p=0.008). The mean levels of ionized calcium (Ca++) was 4.65±0.28mg/dl in stage-I MM and 4.75±0.33mg/dl in controls (p=0.2). The mean ratio of serum ionized calcium to total calcium (Ca++/ total Ca) was 0.49±0.054 in stage-I MM and 0.52±0.047 in controls (p=0.02). The mean ratio of serum ionized calcium to corrected calcium (Ca++/corrected Ca) was 0.42±0.033 in stage-I MM and the Mean ratio of serum ionized calcium to calcium total (Ca++/ total Ca) was 0.52±0.047 in controls, Comparison of the mean of the two groups shows a significant difference (p<0.001). The mean level of albumin was 1.72±0.35 g/dl in stage-I MM and4.32±0.41g/dl in controls (p<0.001). The mean level of total protein was 12.65±0.81g/dl in stage-I MM and 7.07±0.4 g/dl in controls (p<0.001). The mean level of globulin was 11.00±0.96 mg/dl in stage-I MM and 2.85±0.77 mg/dl in controls (p<0.001). The mean level of creatinine was 1.15±0.25 mg/dl in stage-I MM and 0.96±0.15 mg/dl in controls (p=0.001). Conclusion: The results of the study indicate the possible involvement of IL-1β at stage-I MM and it can indicate the role of chemokines in the disease process, especially in the early stages. Changes in the chemical profiles mentioned can help in the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease.
Probing Neutrino in Muon Decay at Finite Distance

This paper elucidates the anomalous decay of the muon ascribed to extended waves. Due to a large overlap of the parent and daughters, the transition amplitude and probability for the neutrinos are modified from the standard formula. A rigorous probability from the von Neumann's fundamental principle of the quantum mechanics at a large time interval $T$ is, $P=T\Gamma + P^{(d)}$, where $\Gamma$ is derived from the Fermi's golden rule, and $P^{(d)}$ is a correction term. A new term $P^{(d)}$ has origins in the overlapping waves, and influences the determinations of physical parameters. By including $P^{(d)}$, short-baseline neutrino experiments with LSND, KARMEN, and MiniBooNE become consistent each other and with the solar, long-baseline, and reactor experiments within the three neutrinos. Byproduct is that the absolute neutrino mass of the neutrinos can be measured.
The Yamabe problem for Gauss-Bonnet curvatures: a local result around space forms

It is shown in the paper "Variational Properties of the Gauss-Bonnet Curvatures" of M.L. Labbi, that metrics with constant 2k-Gauss-Bonnet curvature on a closed n-dimensional manifold, 1<2k<n, are critical points for a certain Hilbert type functional with respect to volume preserving conformal variations. This motivates the corresponding Yamabe problem: is it true that any metric on a closed manifold is conformal to a metric with constant 2k-Gauss-Bonnet curvature? Using perturbative methods we affirmatively answer this question for small perturbations of certain space forms. More precisely, if (X,g) is a non-flat closed space form not isometric to a round sphere, we show the existence of a neighborhood U, of g, in the space of metrics such that any g' in U is conformal to a metric whose 2k-Gauss-Bonnet curvature is constant.
The pancreatic clock is a key determinant of pancreatic fibrosis progression and exocrine dysfunction

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is characterized by progressive fibrosis and exocrine dysregulation, which have long been considered irreversible. As a peripheral oscillator, the pancreas harbors autonomous and self-sustained timekeeping systems in both its endocrine and exocrine compartments, although the role of the latter remains poorly understood. By using different models of CP established in mice with dysfunctional pancreatic clocks, we found that the local clock played an important role in CP pathology, and genetic or external disruption of the pancreatic clock exacerbated fibrogenesis and exocrine insufficiency. Mechanistically, an impaired retinoic acid receptor–related orphan receptor A (Rora)/nuclear receptor subfamily 1, group D, member 1 (Nr1d1)/aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator-like (Arntl or Bmal1) loop, called the circadian stabilizing loop, resulted in the deficiency of pancreatic Bmal1, which was responsible for controlling the fibrogenic properties of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) and for rewiring the function of acinar cells in a clock–TGF signaling–IL-11/IL-11RA axis–dependent manner. During PSC activation, the antagonistic interaction between Nr1d1 and Rora was unbalanced in response to the loss of cytoplasmic retinoid-containing lipid droplets. Patients with CP also exhibited reduced production of endogenous melatonin. Enhancing the clock through pharmacological restoration of the circadian stabilizing loop using a combination of melatonin and the Rora agonist SR1078 attenuated intrapancreatic pathological changes in mouse models of CP. Collectively, this study identified a protective role of the pancreatic clock against pancreatic fibrosis and exocrine dysfunction. Pancreatic clock–targeted therapy may represent a potential strategy to treat CP. Description Disruption of the pancreatic clock promotes chronic pancreatitis, and restoration of the clock stabilizing loop shows therapeutic potential in mice. Restarting the (pancreatic) clock The pancreas has an autonomous circadian clock, but the effects of the clock on chronic pancreatitis (CP) are not well understood. Here, using human tissues and transgenic mouse models, Jiang and colleagues found that disruption of the pancreatic clock in CP led to worsened fibrogenesis and exocrine insufficiency. They identified a circadian stabilizing loop that, when impaired, resulted in loss of pancreatic Bmal1, which led to pancreatic stellate cell activation and fibrogenesis. The combination of melatonin and the retinoic acid receptor–related orphan receptor A agonist SR1078 attenuated fibrotic changes in mouse models of CP, suggesting that therapies targeting the pancreatic clock could be further investigated as a strategy to treat CP in humans.
Neutralino dark matter as the source of the WMAP haze

Previously, it has been argued that the anomalous emission from the region around the Galactic Center observed by WMAP, known as the 'WMAP Haze', may be the synchrotron emission from relativistic electrons and positrons produced in dark matter annihilations. In particular, the angular distribution, spectrum, and intensity of the observed emission are consistent with the signal expected to result from a weakly interactive massive particle with an electroweak-scale mass and an annihilation cross section near the value predicted for a thermal relic. In this article, we revisit this signal within the context of supersymmetry and evaluate the parameter space of the constrained minimal supersymmetric standard model. We find that, over much of the supersymmetric parameter space, the lightest neutralino is predicted to possess the properties required to generate the WMAP Haze. In particular, the focus point, A-funnel, and bulk regions (in which the neutralino annihilation cross section is of the order of 3x10{sup -26} cm{sup 3}/s) typically predict a neutralino with a mass, annihilation cross section, and dominant annihilation modes which are within the range required to produce the observed features of the WMAP Haze. The stau-coannihilation region (in which the annihilation is suppressed), in contrast, is disfavored as anmore » explanation for the origin of this signal. « less
Electrical Stimulation for Wound Healing: Opportunities for E-Textiles

Ulcers and chronic wounds are a large and expensive problem, costing billions of pounds a year and affecting millions of people. Electrical stimulation has been known to have a positive effect on wound healing since the 1960s and this has been confirmed in numerous studies, reducing the time to heal, and the incidence of adverse events such as infections. However, because each study used different parameters for the treatment, inclusion criteria and metrics for quantifying the success, it is currently hard to combine them statistically and gain a true picture of its efficacy. As such, electrical stimulation has not been universally adopted as a recommended treatment for various types of wound. This paper summarises the biological basis for electrical simulation treatment and reviews the clinical evidence for its effectiveness. Notable is the lack of research focused on the electrodes used to deliver electrostimulation treatment. However, a significant amount of work has been conducted on electrodes for other medical applications in the field of e-textiles. This e-textile work is reviewed with a focus on its potential in electrostimulation and proposals are made for future developments to improve future studies and applications for wound healing via electrical stimulation.
Botulinum toxin A for management of refractory concurrent buccal and inferior alveolar nerve post-traumatic neuropathies: a case report

Painful post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy (PPTTN) can result from iatrogenic injury to one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve during oral surgical procedures such as tooth extractions. Like other chronic neuropathic pain conditions, PPTTN can significantly alter the patient’s quality of life, especially when pharmacological treatment is ineffective or not tolerated. As such, new treatment options have been investigated, including local injections of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A). A 29-year-old woman presented to our tertiary orofacial pain clinic for evaluation of chronic electric shock-like pain attacks and severe allodynia in the territory of the right inferior alveolar nerve and buccal nerve following right mandibular third molar extraction 3 years prior. Following several failed attempts at classic pharmacological management (including carbamazepine, venlafaxine, duloxetine, pregabalin, clonazepam, and amitriptyline), BTX-A injections were administered in the vicinity of the right mental nerve. This treatment provided significant improvement in the patient’s condition and overall quality of life with no significant adverse effects. Because both neuropathies were significantly improved by remote BTX-A injections, this case report provides preliminary clinical evidence supporting spinopetal transport of BTX-A, as shown in animal models, as an underlying pathophysiological mechanism of BTX-A-mediated analgesia.
Randomized control trial of a single-session intervention targeting sociocultural pressures of body image in college sorority women.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of a peer-led single-session intervention targeting the sociocultural pressures of body image. Participants: New members of 13 sororities at one university. Methods: Participants were randomized by sorority into the intervention (n = 207) or wait list control (n = 264). Online surveys were administered at baseline and one month to assess social determinants of body image, body image dissatisfaction (BID), and body appreciation. Multiple logistic and linear regression analyses compared changes over time between groups. Results: We observed significant improvements in overall sociocultural pressures of body image (p = .001) and the subscales of Norms (p < .001) and Perceived Norms (p = .009) of eating and exercise behaviors. Change in BID and body appreciation did not differ between groups. Conclusion: A one-hour peer-led community-level intervention can lead to positive changes in sociocultural pressures in new initiates to a sorority.
Effect of varying iron content on the transport properties of the potassium-intercalated iron selenide KxFe2-ySe2

We report the successful growth of high-quality single crystals of potassium-intercalated iron selenide KxFe2-ySe2 by the Bridgman method. The effect of iron vacancies on transport properties was investigated by electrical resistivity measurement. With varying iron content, the system passes from a semiconducting or insulating state to a superconducting state. Compared with superconductivity, the anomalous "hump" effect in the normal-state resistivity is much more sensitive to the iron deficiency. The electrical resistivity exhibits a perfect metallic behavior (R-300 (K)/ R-35 (K) approximate to 42) for the sample with little iron vacancies. Our results suggest that the anomalous hump effect in the normal-state resistivity may be due to the ordering process of the cation vacancies in this nonstoichiometric compound rather than to a magnetic or structure transition. A trace of superconductivity extending up to near 44 K was also detected in some crystals of KxFe2-ySe2, which has the highest T-c of the reported iron selenides.
In vivo activity and atom pair fingerprint analysis of MMV665941 against the apicomplexan parasite Babesia microti, the causative agent of babesiosis in humans and rodents

ABSTRACT The effect of MMV665941 on the growth of Babesia microti (B. microti) in mice, was investigated in this study using a fluorescence-based SYBR Green I test. Using atom Pair signatures, we investigated the structural similarity between MMV665941 and the commonly used antibabesial medicines diminazene aceturate (DA), imidocarb dipropionate (ID), or atovaquone (AV). In vitro cultures of Babesia bovis (B. bovis) and, Theileria equi (T. equi) were utilized to determine the MMV665941 and AV interaction using combination ratios ranged from 0.75 IC50 MMV665941:0.75 IC50 AV to 0.50 IC50 MMV665941:0.50 IC50 AV. The used combinations were prepared depending on the IC50 of each drug against the in vitro growth of the tested parasite. Every 96 h, the hemolytic anemia in the treated mice was monitored using a Celltac MEK-6450 computerized hematology analyzer. A single dose of 5 mg/kg MMV665941 exhibited inhibition in the B. microti growth from day 4 post-inoculation (p.i.) till day 12 p.i. MMV665941 caused 62.10%, 49.88%, and 74.23% inhibitions in parasite growth at days 4, 6 and 8 p.i. , respectively. Of note, 5 mg/kg MMV665941 resulted in quick recovery of hemolytic anemia caused by babesiosis. The atom pair fingerprint (APfp) analysis revealed that MMV665941 and atovaquone (AV) showed maximum structural similarity. Of note, high concentrations (0.75 IC50) of MMV665941 and AV caused synergistic inhibition on B. bovis growth. These findings suggest that MMV665941 might be a promising drug for babesiosis treatment, particularly when combined with the commonly used antibabesial drug, AV.
Generalized geometry and partial supersymmetry breaking

This review article consists of two parts. In the first part we use the formalism of (exceptional) generalized geometry to derive the scalar field space of SU(2) × SU(2)‐structure compactifications. We show that in contrast to SU(3) × SU(3) structures, there is no dynamical SU(2) × SU(2) structure interpolating between an SU(2) structure and an identity structure. Furthermore, we derive the scalar manifold of the low‐energy effective action for consistent Kaluza‐Klein truncations as expected from 𝒩 = 4 supergravity. In the second part we then determine the general conditions for the existence of stable Minkowski and AdS 𝒩=1 vacua in spontaneously broken gauged 𝒩 = 2 supergravities and construct the general solution under the assumption that two appropriate commuting isometries exist in the hypermultiplet sector. Furthermore, we derive the low‐energy effective action below the scale of partial supersymmetry breaking and show that it satisfies the constraints of 𝒩 = 1 supergravity. We then apply the discussion to special quaternionic‐Kähler geometries which appear in the low‐energy limit of SU(3) × SU(3)‐structure compactifications and construct Killing vectors with the right properties. Finally we discuss the string theory realizations for these solutions.
Gas electron multiplier based on laser-perforated CVD diamond film: First tests

Gas electron multiplier (GEM) is widely used in modern gas detectors of ionizing radiation in experiments on high-energy physics at accelerators and in other fields of science. Typically the GEM devices are based on a dielectric foil with holes and electrodes on both sides. GEMs made by radiation-hard dielectrics or wide band-gap semiconductors are desirable for some applications. The results of the first tests of the gas electron multiplier made of radiation-hard materials, such as polycrystalline CVD diamond with a thickness of 100 microns is described. Here we report on fabrication of GEM based on free-standing polycrystalline CVD diamond film and its first test.
Technical aspects of flap fixation after mastectomy for breast cancer: Guidelines for improving seroma‐related outcome

Previous studies have identified the added value of flap fixation in reducing seroma formation and its sequelae after mastectomy. The seroma reduction after mastectomy (SAM)‐trial proved that sutures were superior to tissue glue. In this article, we will elaborate on the results of the SAM‐trial to provide a clear surgical guideline.
Dissection of the Plant Hormone Signal Transduction Network in Late Blight Resistant Potato Genotype SD20 and Prediction of Key Resistance Genes.

Hormones play an important role in plant disease resistance and defense. Transcriptome data of late blight resistant potato genotype SD20 treated by ethylene (ET), jasmonate (JA), salicylic acid (SA), and Phytophthora infestans CN152 was analyzed to assess the role of the ET/JA/SA regulatory network in plant disease resistance and defense and predict key resistant genes. The results show that there was significant crossover of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between all treatments, and common and specific plant disease interaction genes for the ET, JA, and SA treatments were differentially expressed in the CN152 treatment. The resistance and defense genes of the potato genotype SD20 could be induced to regulate metabolic and hormone signaling pathways by alternative splicing in all treatments. Further analysis found that JA and ET pathways can work together synergistically, JA/ET and SA pathways antagonize each other to initiate the expression of calmodulin-domain protein kinases (CDPK), calmodulin/calmodulin-like (CaM/CML), and RPM1-interacting protein 4 (RIN4) genes, and activate HSP-mediated HR response and defense-related genes. Meanwhile nine defense genes, including wound-responsive AP2 like factor, glutathione-s-transferase, serine/threonine-protein kinase BRI1, and Avr9/Cf-9 rapidly elicited protein genes were obtained using WGCNA, which provided reliable targets for functional verification. This study provides a theoretical reference for the comprehensive application of plant hormones to improve resistance to potato late blight disease.
Laminar Flow Between Two Parallel Rotating Disks

Abstract : The viscous flow between two parallel disks rotating in the same direction with the same velocity is investigated. The fluid enters the space between the disks at a certain in radius in the radial direction. Because of the shear forces, it assumes a rotating motion with about the velocity of the disks. The centrifugal forces then build up a pressure increase in the radial direction. The arrangement corresponds to a centrifugal fluid pump, which may be advantageous if cavitation is a problem. The general equations of viscous flow are simplified by the assumption that the pressure difference normal to the disks is negligible (boundary layer assumptions). One obtains a system of parabolic partial differential equations. For large radii the deviation from rigid body rotation (with the angular velocity of the disks) is small. The linearized equations which then result are solved analytically. The velocity profiles depend upon a parameter containing e kinematic viscosity, the angular velocity and the distance of the disks, but not he radius. The non-linearized parabolic differential equations are approximated by a difference scheme and solved numerically. The results are given in non-dimensional form with the entrance velocity and the distance of the disks as parameters. Furthermore, the efficiency of the pump is computed from the gain of the total pressure and the torque at the shaft of the rotating disks.
GRAVITY Coudé Infrared Adaptive Optics (CIAO) system for the VLT Interferometer

GRAVITY is a second generation instrument for the VLT Interferometer, designed to enhance the near-infrared astrometric and spectro-imaging capabilities of VLTI. Combining beams from four telescopes, GRAVITY will provide an astrometric precision of order 10 micro-arcseconds, imaging resolution of 4 milli-arcseconds, and low and medium resolution spectro-interferometry, pushing its performance far beyond current infrared interferometric capabilities. To maximise the performance of GRAVITY, adaptive optics correction will be implemented at each of the VLT Unit Telescopes to correct for the e_ects of atmospheric turbulence. To achieve this, the GRAVITY project includes a development programme for four new wavefront sensors (WFS) and NIR-optimized real time control system. These devices will enable closed-loop adaptive correction at the four Unit Telescopes in the range 1.4-2.4 μm. This is crucially important for an e_cient adaptive optics implementation in regions where optically bright references sources are scarce, such as the Galactic Centre. We present here the design of the GRAVITY wavefront sensors and give an overview of the expected adaptive optics performance under typical observing conditions. Bene_ting from newly developed SELEX/ESO SAPHIRA electron avalanche photodiode (eAPD) detectors providing fast readout with low noise in the near-infrared, the AO systems are expected to achieve residual wavefront errors of 400 nm at an operating frequency of 500 Hz. ≤