Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trimodal Therapy in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Role of Adjuvant Therapy Following Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation and Surgery

Simple Summary In this work, we aimed to explore the effectiveness of adjuvant therapy after trimodal therapy (neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and esophagectomy) in patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were both compared for adjuvant and non-adjuvant groups. Propensity score matching was used to eliminate the confounding factors between the two groups. Meanwhile, subgroup analysis based on a neoadjuvant-treated node stage (ypN) was performed to precisely stratify the patients and to guide the clinical decision-making at the point of care. As of now, there is no guideline or recommendation on the treatment of ESCC patients with adjuvant therapy after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery. The results of our study indicate that adjuvant therapy after trimodal therapy could shorten OS and DFS in patients with ESCC. Meanwhile, adjuvant therapy is an independently unfavorably prognostic factor for DFS. Therefore, adjuvant therapy is not recommended for ESCC patients after trimodal therapy, especially patients without nodal metastases after neoadjuvant therapy. To our knowledge, this is the first retrospective study using subgroup analysis to examine the effect of adjuvant therapy in ESCC patients after trimodal therapy by comparing overall survival and disease-free survival. The results of our study add useful evidence to recent guidelines. Abstract Background: The aim of this study was to determine the role of adjuvant therapy after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and esophagectomy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods: The study retrospectively reviewed 447 ESCC patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and esophagectomy. Patients were divided into an adjuvant therapy group and no adjuvant therapy group. Propensity score matching was used to adjust the confounding factors. Results: 447 patients with clinical positive lymph nodes and no distant metastasis treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and esophagectomy were eligible for analysis. After propensity score matching, there were 120 patients remaining in each group. Patients receiving adjuvant therapy had a significantly shorter post-resection overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) when compared to patients not receiving adjuvant therapy (log-rank, OS: p = 0.046, DFS: p < 0.001). Receiving adjuvant therapy is not an independently prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio (HR): 1.270, HR: 0.846–1.906, p = 0.249) but a significantly unfavorable independent prognostic factor for DFS (HR: 2.061, HR: 1.436–2.958, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The results of our study indicate that adjuvant therapy after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and surgery could reduce the OS and DFS in patients with ESCC. Therefore, adjuvant therapy is not recommended for ESCC patients after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and esophagectomy, especially patients without nodal metastases after neoadjuvant therapy.
A 10-year overview of chronic orofacial pain in patients at an oral medicine center in Iran

Background Orofacial pain is defined as pain felt in the soft or hard tissues of the head, face, mouth, and neck. Chronic orofacial pain is often challenging to diagnose and difficult to treat. Due to the lack of available information about the prevalence and clinical form of orofacial pain, this study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of chronic orofacial pain in patients presenting at the Department of Oral Medicine of Shahid Beheshti Dental School between 2012 and 2022. Methods In this retrospective study, we evaluated the files of 121 patients at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases of Shahid Beheshti Dental School, which were completed during 2012–2022. We extracted the required information from these files. Results In total, 121 files were included in the study (30 male, 91 female). The mean age of the patients was 43.68 ± 16.79 years. The most common diagnosis in patients with chronic orofacial pain was temporomandibular disorders (TMD) (55.3%). Among pain-related factors, psychological factors showed the highest frequency (30.5%). Opening and closing (43.8%) had the highest frequency among factors that increased pain, and the rest (6.6%) had the highest frequency among the factors that reduced pain. Most patients experienced unilateral pain over the masseter area. Most patients reported their pain intensity to be greater than 7 in the verbal analog scale (VAS). The most common symptom associated with pain was joint noise (37.1%). Conclusion A ten-year retrospective evaluation of patient files showed that more than half of the patients with chronic orofacial pain had TMD.
Evaluation of the health of temporomandibular joint – A novel technique

Case report: This case report aimed to evaluate temporomandibular joint activity in a patient with the temporomandibular disorder before and after disclusion time reduction (DTR) therapy. Results: Positive changes in joint health were observed in the patient after the DTR treatment. Conclusion: The joint vibration analysis objectively showed significant results with the disclusion-time reduction therapy. The measured parameters were closer to the reference values. Thus, DTR is an effective method to treat TMJ disorders, based on Piper’s classification.
PROBABILITAS RISIKO TERKENA PENYAKIT JANTUNG DAN TB BERDASARKAN FAKTOR SOSIO-EKONOMI DAN DEMOGRAFI

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji pengaruh status sosio-ekonomi dan demografi terhadap probabilitas status kesehatan yang direpresentasikan oleh penyakit jantung dan tuberculosis (TB). Penelitian ini menggunakan data dari Survei Aspek Kehidupan Rumah Tangga Indonesia (SAKERTI), sebuah survei longitudinal yang masih berlangsung di indonesia. Terdapat beberapa variabel bebas dalam penelitian ini seperti jumlah konsumsi rokok, status gizi dan juga tekanan darah, dengan efek marginal sebagai ukuran hubungan. Dalam penelitian ini terdapat dua variabel dependen yaitu penyakit jantung dan TB dengan variabel independen yang sama, hal ini dilakukan untuk mengukur dan membandingkan seberapa besar pengaruh variabel independen terhadap kedua model variabel dependen. Jumlah observasi dalam penelitian ini adalah 8.895 individu. Studi ini menemukan bahwa faktor sosial ekonomi seperti jenjang pendidikan memiliki pengaruh positif signifikan terhadap risiko individu terkena penyakit jantung dan TB. Individu yang dikategorikan miskin tidak signifikan memengaruhi probabilitas seseorang risiko terkena penyakit jantung sebesar 0,13 persen dan TB sebesar 0,33 persen. Berbagai faktor lain seperti status gizi dan tekanan darah juga memiliki pengaruh terhadap risiko terkena penyakit jantung dan TB.
Women’s Empowerment through Skill Education and Entrepreneurship Development in the Handloom Sector in Mizoram

Handlooms not only represent the rich cultural heritage of India but are also important from the point of view of their size and employment potential. It is the second-largest provider of employment in India after agriculture. The handloom workforce in India is largely outside the realms of formal education in India, impeding their empowerment. This article probes into the extent of empowerment among students of the Bachelor of Vocation (B.Voc) (Handloom Weaver) and the impact of this unique course conducted at Mizoram University on women’s empowerment. Drawing on Naila Kabeer’s concept, the article examines women’s empowerment among students as an impact of the B.Voc course at Mizoram University. The B.Voc course provides skill-based education as well as prospects of employment through entrepreneurship with the promotion of the ‘Hnatlang Handloom Producer Company Ltd’ by the students. The study revealed that the B.Voc Handloom course provided valuable education and knowledge on hands-on handloom skills, entrepreneurship and leadership experience, exposure to marketing and networking, and fund management. However, students continue to subscribe to some of the stereotypical mindset. There is a need for sensitisation sessions on ‘Women’s Empowerment and Gender Studies’ to enable them to reconstruct structural inequalities and patriarchy.
Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity of Azobenzene-Based Polymeric Nanocarriers for Phototriggered Drug Release and Biomedical Applications

Drug nanoencapsulation increases the availability, pharmacokinetics, and concentration efficiency for therapeutic regimes. Azobenzene light-responsive molecules experience a hydrophobicity change from a polar to an apolar tendency by trans–cis photoisomerization upon UV irradiation. Polymeric photoresponse nanoparticles (PPNPs) based on azobenzene compounds and biopolymers such as chitosan derivatives show prospects of photodelivering drugs into cells with accelerated kinetics, enhancing their therapeutic effect. PPNP biocompatibility studies detect the safe concentrations for their administration and reduce the chance of side effects, improving the effectiveness of a potential treatment. Here, we report on a PPNP biocompatibility evaluation of viability and the first genotoxicity study of azobenzene-based PPNPs. Cell line models from human ventricular cardiomyocytes (RL14), as well as mouse fibroblasts (NIH3T3) as proof of concept, were exposed to different concentrations of azobenzene-based PPNPs and their precursors to evaluate the consequences on mitochondrial metabolism (MTT assay), the number of viable cells (trypan blue exclusion test), and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage (comet assay). Lethal concentrations of 50 (LC50) of the PPNPs and their precursors were higher than the required drug release and synthesis concentrations. The PPNPs affected the cell membrane at concentrations higher than 2 mg/mL, and lower concentrations exhibited lesser damage to cellular genetic material. An azobenzene derivative functionalized with a biopolymer to assemble PPNPs demonstrated biocompatibility with the evaluated cell lines. The PPNPs encapsulated Nile red and dofetilide separately as model and antiarrhythmic drugs, respectively, and delivered upon UV irradiation, proving the phototriggered drug release concept. Biocompatible PPNPs are a promising technology for fast drug release with high cell interaction opening new opportunities for azobenzene biomedical applications.
Effects of Dietary Inclusion of β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate on Growth Performance, Fat Deposition, Bile Acid Metabolism, and Gut Microbiota Function in High-Fat and High-Cholesterol Diet-Challenged Layer Chickens

Excessive lipid deposition in layer chickens due to inappropriate feeding adversely affects egg production; however, nutritional manipulation methods to deal with this issue are still limited. β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB), a metabolite of L-leucine, was recently reported as a lipid-lowering nutrient in mice and pigs, although its role in layers had not been investigated. Here, we employed high-fat and high-cholesterol diet (HFHCD)−challenged growing layers as an obese model to explore HMB function in the regulation of lipid metabolism and the potential mechanisms involved. We found that dietary supplementation with (0.05% or 0.10%) HMB significantly reduced HFHCD−induced bodyweight growth in layers, mainly due to reduction in abdominal fat deposition. Mechanistically, HMB supplementation enhanced hepatic bile acid synthesis from cholesterol through elevating expression of Cyp7a1, a gene coding a key enzyme in bile acid synthesis. Furthermore, 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that HMB supplementation remodeled the diversity and composition of the layers’ cecal microbiota, and the abundance of Bacteroidetes at the phylum level were especially affected. Correlation analysis further indicated a strong negative association between Bacteroidetes abundance and lipid metabolism−related parameters. Taken together, these data suggest that dietary HMB supplementation could improve abdominal fat deposition in layers, probably through modulating hepatic bile acid synthesis and gut microbiota function.
Insights into aggregation dynamics of NACore peptides from coarse‐grained simulations

Alpha(α)‐synuclein is closely related to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). The NACore, a fragment of α‐synuclein, is considered to be the key region of α‐synuclein that causes PD. The aggregation dynamics of NACores are studied via coarse‐grained molecular dynamics simulations. We find that NACores can self‐assemble into a large cluster at high concentrations. The aggregation dynamics can be divided into three stages. The growth kinetics for the first and second stages follows the power law, Smax ~ tγ, with the second stage faster than the first one. The characteristic lifetime for the high concentration is 40 times larger than that for the low concentration, implying the low fluidity. Understanding the aggregation dynamics of NACores is helpful to develop drugs for therapeutic prevention and intervention.
Simulation of off-equatorial ring current ion spectra measured by Polar for a moderate storm

We use our kinetic drift-loss model to study ring current dynamics during moderate geomagnetic activity at the minimum phase of the current solar cycle, on March 20–22, 1996. Interplanetary conditions monitored by Wind during this period show fluctuations about zero in the (GSM) Bz component, which are due to Alfven waves in a stream-stream interaction region. The corresponding Dst index shows general activity punctuated by 2 moderate storms (min Dst ≈−50 nT and ≈−70 nT, respectively) of ∼15 hours duration each. We calculate the off-equatorial ring current proton spectra in the energy range 100 eV to 300 keV and compare them with measurements provided by the HYDRA, TIMAS, and CEPPAD instruments on the Polar spacecraft at MLT≈2 and MLT≈14. We find reasonable overall agreement. An eastward offset of 3 hours in the Kp-dependent Volland-Stern convection electric field with γ=2 is necessary in order to match modeled with observed dips in the energy spectra. Collisional losses have larger effect on the postnoon spectra and reduce significantly the low-energy proton distribution at low L shells and at higher magnetic latitudes. These losses reach maximum values for slowly drifting (∼2–10 keV) particles. Our study suggests that a more realistic magnetospheric electric field and additional diffusion processes should be considered to reduce the overestimated width and depth of the dip in the modeled dayside spectra.
Financial Development, Dependence on External Finance and Firm–Level Volatility in Manufacturing and Construction Sectors ∗

Theoretical and empirical literature so far have failed to establish a robust link between the ﬁnancial development and output volatility at the ﬁrm level. In this paper I test the theoretical predictions of a general equilibrium model of ﬁnancial development, risk–taking, risk–diversiﬁcation and ﬁrm–level volatility. I ﬁnd a signiﬁcant positive eﬀect of ﬁnancial development on ﬁrm–level volatility conﬁrming the relationship predicted by the model. This ﬁnding stands in sharp contrast to a number of recent studies reporting a negative relationship between the ﬁnancial development and the volatility at the ﬁrm level. Furthermore, the eﬀect is stronger for ﬁrms in industries that are relatively more dependent on external ﬁnance. These results imply that ﬁrms requiring more external funds due to technological characteristics of the industry would choose higher risk–taking strategies in countries that are more ﬁnancially developed. The results are very robust to the choice of diﬀerent estimation methods which control for potential outliers and alternative measures of ﬁnancial development.
Impact of Circular Brewer’s Spent Grain Flour after In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion on Human Gut Microbiota

Brewer’s spent grain (BSG) solid residues are constituted by dietary fibre, protein, sugars, and polyphenols, which can have potential effects on human health. In this study, for the first time, the flours obtained from solid residues of solid-liquid extraction (SLE) and ohmic heating extraction (OHE) were applied throughout the gastrointestinal digestion simulation (GID), in order to evaluate their prebiotic potential and in vitro human gut microbiota fermentation. The results showed that the digestion of BSG flours obtained by the different methods lead to an increase throughout the GID of total phenolic compounds (SLE: from 2.27 to 7.20 mg gallic acid/g BSG—60% ethanol:water (v/v); OHE: 2.23 to 8.36 mg gallic acid/g BSG—80% ethanol:water (v/v)) and consequently an increase in antioxidant activity (ABTS—SLE: from 6.26 to 13.07 mg ascorbic acid/g BSG—80% ethanol:water (v/v); OHE: 4.60 to 10.60 mg ascorbic acid/g BSG—80% ethanol:water (v/v)—ORAC—SLE: 3.31 to 14.94 mg Trolox/g BSG—80% ethanol:water (v/v); OHE: from 2.13 to 17.37 mg Trolox/g BSG—60% ethanol:water (v/v)). The main phenolic compounds identified included representative molecules such as vanillic and ferulic acids, vanillin and catechin, among others being identified and quantified in all GID phases. These samples also induced the growth of probiotic bacteria and promoted the positive modulation of beneficial strains (such as Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp.) present in human faeces. Moreover, the fermentation by human faeces microbiota also allowed the production of short chain fatty acids (acetic, propionic, and butyric). Furthermore, previous identified polyphenols were also identified during fecal fermentation. This study demonstrates that BSG flours obtained from the solid residues of SLE and OHE extractions promoted a positive modulation of gut microbiota and related metabolism and antioxidant environment associated to the released phenolic compounds.
THEORY OF QUASI-CATEGORIES AS A THEORETICAL BASE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF BRAIN LIKE COMPUTERS

The article gives a definition of the concept of a modified category and formulates the problem of developing a theory of modified categories that opens the way to building high-performance brain-like computers of parallel action. Analyzing the structure of the category, we discovered in it some abnormality, which gave rise to a correction of the classical category concept. Having developed such an adjustment, we received a modified category, which seems to be better for the theoretical construction starting point role of the parallel action brain-like computers basis creation. We characterize the classical category, after that we will realize its predicate interpretation. As a result, we obtain a predicate category - one of the special cases of classical category. Any algebra, satisfying all the above requirements, will be regarded as an objectless classical category. It is possible to develop a theory of modified categories in parallel with the theory of classical categories. The theory of modified categories will prove to be an interesting object for theoretical research and an important tool for practical applications. It turns out that the diagrams of the theory of modified categories after their predicate interpretation coincide with the logical networks of brain-like computers. This gives us hope that the theory of modified categories will eventually become the theoretical basis for constructing of brain-like computers of parallel action.
The Outcomes and Quality of Pancreatic Islet Cells Isolated from Surgical Specimens for Research on Diabetes Mellitus

Isolating a large quantity of high-quality human islets is a prerequisite for diabetes research. Human islets are typically isolated from the pancreases of brain-dead donors, making research difficult due to low availability. Pancreas tissue discarded after surgical resection may be a good alternative source of islet cells. To test this hypothesis, we isolated islets from discarded surgical specimens and evaluated the islet yield and quality as well as islet cell preparations. Eighty-two segmental pancreases were processed using the Ricordi automated method, and islet yield and quality were investigated. The mean age of patients was 54.6, and the cohort included 32 diabetes patients. After purification, partially resected pancreases yielded an average of 59,593 ± 56,651 islet equivalents (IEQs) and 2546 IEQ/g of digested pancreas, with 71.5 ± 21% purity. Multivariate analysis revealed that diabetes (p = 0.0046) and the lobe used (p = 0.0156) significantly altered islet yield. Islets transplanted into diabetic mice displayed good viability and in vitro glucose responses, DNA/RNA quality, mitochondrial function, and glucose control, even though these results were dependent on islet quality. Isolated cells also maintained high viability and function even after cryopreservation. Our findings indicate that pancreatic tissue discarded after surgery can be a valuable source of islets for diabetes research.
Does the Physiological Response of a Triathlete Change in the Use or Absence of Drafting?

Background: Currently, tactics play an important and decisive role in sprint distance triathlons. One of the most decisive tactical elements is drafting in the cycling sector, depending on whether or not it is allowed by the test regulations. The objective was to analyze the physiological responses in running, in relation to drafting in the cycling sector, according to level and sex. Methods: To do this, a total of n = 44 subjects were divided into two levels (elite: they got a podium in the national championship, 15.68 ± 0.82 years; amateurs: they compete at the regional level, 15.68 ± 1.62 and 37.9 ± 1.74 years), undergoing two training sessions of four cycling-running multitransitions with variability in the permissibility of drafting were analyzed. A descriptive analysis of the variables was carried out, together with an inferential analysis to know the relationships and associations between the dependent and independent variables. Results: The results showed significant differences in the parameters, as related to running technique, heart rate, speed, and displacement (both between levels and sex). Conclusions: This study concludes that drafting in the cycling sector generates decisive physiological responses for the running sector.
A Strong Lyα Emitter at z = 6.33 in the Subaru Deep Field Selected as an i'-Dropout

We report on the discovery of a star-forming galaxy at z = 6.33 in the Subaru Deep Field. This object is selected as a candidate of an i′-dropout high-redshift galaxy around z = 6 because of its red i′ - z′ color in our deep optical imaging survey in the Subaru Deep Field. Our follow-up optical spectroscopy reveals that this object is a strong Lyα emitter with only very faint ultraviolet continuum. The rest-frame equivalent width of the detected Lyα emission is as much as 130 Å. Thus the light detected in our z′ image is largely attributed to the Lyα emission, i.e., ~40% of the z′-band flux is the strong Lyα emission, giving a very red i′ - z′ color. This is consistent with the photometric property of this object because the narrowband data obtained with the NB921 filter show a significant depression, z′ - NB921 = -0.54 mag. By using the photometric data, we show that some other objects among the 48 i′-dropout high-redshift galaxy candidates found in the Subaru Deep Field also show a significant NB921 depression. We briefly discuss the nature of these NB921-depressed objects.