Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Foot and ankle reconstruction using the lateral supramalleolar flap versus the anterolateral thigh flap in the elderly: A comparative study

The purpose of this study was to compare the reconstructive outcomes of soft‐tissue defects around the foot and ankle with anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap or lateral supramalleolar (LSM) flap and attempt to provide an optimal strategy for elderly patients. A retrospective review of all continuous patients with foot and ankle reconstruction using different flaps from October of 2010 and October of 2020 was performed. Based on the flap types, the patients were divided into two groups: ALT flap group (n = 50) and LSM flap group (n = 46). Outcomes were assessed according to the flap survival rate, early complications, general complications, late complications, cosmetic appearance, functional outcomes and Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS). We found that there was no difference in average age, gender, aetiology, size of the defect, debridement times between the two groups; however, a significant difference in operation time, hospitalisation time and cost were noted between them. What's more, the early flap complications between them were not significantly different. The LSM flap group showed less general complications, less flap bulky and lower cosmetic appearance. Moreover, the functional evaluation and VSS seem similar (P > .05). Thus, The ALT flap and LSM flap are both flaps available for foot and ankle reconstruction in elderly patients. However, the LSM flap offers short operation time, short hospitalisation time, and less cost with a lower frequency of postoperative complications. Thus, we advocate the LSM flap for the reconstruction of moderate‐size defects of the foot and ankle region in elderly patients.
Decoding the Mechanism of Specific RNA Targeting by Ribosomal Methytransferases

Methylation of specific nucleotides is integral for ribosomal biogenesis and serves as a common way to confer antibiotic resistance by pathogenic bacteria. Here, by determining the high-resolution structure of 30S-KsgA by cryo-EM, a state was captured, where KsgA juxtaposes between helices h44 and h45, separating them, thereby enabling remodeling of the surrounded rRNA and allowing the cognate site to enter the methylation pocket. With the structure as a guide, factors that direct the enzyme to its cognate site with high fidelity were unearthed by creating several mutant versions of the ribosomes, where interacting bases in the catalytic helix h45 and surrounding helices h44, h24, and h27 were mutated and evaluated for their methylation efficiency. The biochemical studies delineated specificity hotspots that enable KsgA to achieve an induced fit. This study enables the identification of distal exclusive allosteric pocket and other divergent structural elements in each rMTase, which can be exploited to develop strategies to reverse methylation, mediated drug resistance.
Investigating the star formation histories of the brightest cluster galaxies

This article is devoted to the study of the central stellar populations of the brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs). High signal-to-noise ratio, long-slit spectra for a sample of 39 galaxies were fitted against two stellar population models, Pegase.HR (P.HR) and Vazdekis/MILES, to determine the star formation histories of the galaxies using full spectrum fitting, to investigate, in particular, whether a single stellar population (SSP) or composite stellar population model provides the better description. Monte Carlo simulations and χ2 maps were used to check the reliability of the solutions. The ages and [Fe/H] were (i) compared with those derived with the Lick indices and (ii) tested against the internal galaxy properties (the velocity dispersions and absolute K-band magnitudes) and the properties of the host cluster environment (X-ray temperatures, luminosities, offsets and the presence of cooling flows (CFs)), to determine whether any statistically significant correlations existed. The results indicate that 79 per cent of the BCG sample could be represented by an SSP fit, while the remaining 21 per cent likely experienced more than one star formation epoch. The correlations showed that the BCGs hosted in CF clusters are generally found closer to the centre of the clusters, while the BCGs in non-CF clusters are generally found further away. The main results suggested that at least some of the galaxies in the BCG sample had a more complex star formation history than first assumed and that the presence of CFs in the clusters could account for some, but not all, of the star formation activity of BCGs.
High-Resolution Studies of Gas and Dust around Young Intermediate-Mass Stars. II. Observations of an Additional Sample of Herbig Ae Systems

In an earlier paper (Mannings & Sargent; Paper I), we presented evidence for disks of gas and dust associated with seven Herbig Ae stars, based on high-resolution interferometric millimeter-wave observations of continuum and molecular line emission. These systems are simultaneously high-mass analogs of the approximately solar-mass T Tauri stars and the evolutionary precursors of the prototypical main-sequence debris-disk sources β Pic, α Lyr, and α PsA. Here we extend the original survey to include four additional Herbig Ae systems. We have also imaged two of the sources from Paper I at higher resolution. The new data are presented and analyzed, and are combined with the results from the earlier sample in order to address the properties of this class of circumstellar disk. Derived disk masses are indistinguishable from the masses of T Tauri disks. Although the combined sample is small, it seems likely that disk masses are essentially uncorrelated with stellar mass for pre-main-sequence stars of spectral type A0 and later.
A Renormalizable Model for the Galactic Center Gamma Ray Excess from Dark Matter Annihilation

Evidence for an excess of gamma rays with O ( GeV ) energy coming from the center of our galaxy has been steadily accumulating over the past several years. Recent studies of the excess in data from the Fermi telescope have cast doubt on an explanation for the excess arising from unknown astrophysical sources. A potential source of the excess is the annihilation of dark matter into standard model final states, giving rise to gamma ray production. The spectrum of the excess is well fit by 30 GeV dark matter annihilating into a pair of b quarks with a cross section of the same order of magnitude as expected for a thermal relic. Simple models that can lead to this annihilation channel for dark matter are in strong tension with null results from direct detection experiments. We construct a renormalizable model where dark matter-standard model interactions are mediated by a pseudoscalar that mixes with the C P -odd component of a pair of Higgs doublets, allowing for the gamma ray excess to be explained while suppressing the direct detection signal. We consider implications for this scenario from Higgs decays, rare B meson decays and monojet searches and also comment on some difficulties that any dark matter model explaining the gamma ray excess via direct annihilation into quarks will encounter.
A drug profile on selinexor for the treatment of refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

ABSTRACT Introduction The efficacy of selinexor, the first commercially available exportin inhibitor, has been evaluated in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who have received at least 2 lines of therapy. Its role in treatment of DLBCL requires a review of current evidence. Areas covered This review describes the pharmacology of selinexor and the clinical trials of the medication for the treatment of patients with DLBCL. To clarify the role of selinexor in the treatment of DLBCL, a PubMed search was performed for articles on currently available treatments for relapsed/refractory (R/R) DLBCL. Expert opinion Selinexor, which is administered orally, benefits from an advantageous pharmacokinetic profile with toxicity limited to hematological and digestive side effects. It has little or no interaction with other medications and no dose adjustment is required for patients with renal or hepatic impairment. Selinexor has been assessed for treatment of R/R DLBCL in one phase I and one phase II trial. Those studies found a 28% overall response rate, including 12% complete remission, with a median duration of response of 9.3 months. If selinexor’s effectiveness as monotherapy is limited, it remains an option when there are no other therapeutic possibilities and can then give long-lasting responses.
How bacteria utilize sialic acid during interactions with the host: snip, snatch, dispatch, match and attach

N -glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc), and its precursor N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac), commonly referred to as sialic acids, are two of the most common glycans found in mammals. Humans carry a mutation in the enzyme that converts Neu5Ac into Neu5Gc, and as such, expression of Neu5Ac can be thought of as a ‘human specific’ trait. Bacteria can utilize sialic acids as a carbon and energy source and have evolved multiple ways to take up sialic acids. In order to generate free sialic acid, many bacteria produce sialidases that cleave sialic acid residues from complex glycan structures. In addition, sialidases allow escape from innate immune mechanisms, and can synergize with other virulence factors such as toxins. Human-adapted pathogens have evolved a preference for Neu5Ac, with many bacterial adhesins, and major classes of toxin, specifically recognizing Neu5Ac containing glycans as receptors. The preference of human-adapted pathogens for Neu5Ac also occurs during biosynthesis of surface structures such as lipo-oligosaccharide (LOS), lipo-polysaccharide (LPS) and polysaccharide capsules, subverting the human host immune system by mimicking the host. This review aims to provide an update on the advances made in understanding the role of sialic acid in bacteria-host interactions made in the last 5–10 years, and put these findings into context by highlighting key historical discoveries. We provide a particular focus on ‘molecular mimicry’ and incorporation of sialic acid onto the bacterial outer-surface, and the role of sialic acid as a receptor for bacterial adhesins and toxins.
Label‐free enrichment of MCF7 breast cancer cells from leukocytes using continuous flow dielectrophoresis

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) present in the bloodstream are strongly linked to the invasive behavior of cancer; therefore, their detection holds great significance for monitoring disease progression. Currently available CTC isolation tools are often based on tumor‐specific antigen or cell size approaches. However, these techniques are limited due to the lack of a unique and universal marker for CTCs, and the overlapping size between CTCs and regular blood cells. Dielectrophoresis (DEP), governed by the intrinsic dielectric properties of the particles, is a promising marker‐free, accurate, fast, and low‐cost technique that enables the isolation of CTCs from blood cells. This study presents a continuous flow, antibody‐free DEP‐based microfluidic device to concentrate MCF7 breast cancer cells, a well‐established CTC model, in the presence of leukocytes extracted from human blood samples. The enrichment strategy was determined according to the DEP responses of the corresponding cells, obtained in our previously reported DEP spectrum study. It was based on the positive‐DEP integrated with hydrodynamic focusing under continuous flow. In the proposed device, the parylene microchannel with two inlets and outlets was built on top of rectangular and equally spaced isolated planar electrodes rotated certain degree relative to the main flow (13°). The recovery of MCF7 cells mixed with leukocytes was 74%–98% at a frequency of 1 MHz and a magnitude of 10–12 Vpp. Overall, the results revealed that the presented system successfully concentrates MCF7 cancer cells from leukocytes, ultimately verifying our DEP spectrum study, in which the enrichment frequency and separation strategy of the microfluidic system were determined.
Causality Relationship between Crude Oil Variables and Budget Variables in Malaysia

As an oil and gas exporter, Malaysia profited from higher world energy prices. However, the fall in oil prices from highs in 2014 significantly affected Malaysia’s government revenue (GR), hence its expenditure since the Malaysian GR still largely depends on oil revenues. Malaysia also has problems with high spending on energy subsidy, shrinking in its net crude oil export, and narrowing the gap between its crude oil production and consumption. Given this scenario, not only shocks in crude oil price could affect Malaysian GR and expenditure, but also other variables such as crude oil production, export, import, and consumption. However, the long-term impact of these crude oil variables on Malaysia’s GR and expenditure is still empirically unclear. Therefore, the main objective of this paper is to examine the causality relationship between crude oil variables and budget variables in Malaysia. The findings show that crude oil variables studied have no long run causality relationship with government expenditure (GE) but significantly cause the Malaysian GR in the long run. In short run, however, only crude oil consumption was found to Granger causes GE thus indicates the impact of fuel subsidy on the GE. For GR, there is short-run causality running from production, export and import to the GR.
Comparative nutritional and antimicrobial analysis of Himalayan black and yellow soybean and their okara.

BACKGROUND Soybean is believed to have good nutraceutical potential which is important for human health. Yellow soybean is generally used for the production of soymilk and other products, while black soybean is less explored. During the production of soymilk, residue, called okara is generated which is reported to have a good amount of nutrient content. Such study is generally performed with yellow soybean while black soybean is less explored in such aspect. The present work is a comparison of the nutraceutical potential of black and yellow soybean and their okara, mainly in terms of proximate, minerals, antinutrients, and isoflavone content and bioactivity of all types of samples in terms of antioxidant and antimicrobial activity RESULTS: Compared to raw soybean, protein content decreased significantly in both types of okara. Phytochemicals like ascorbic acid, catechin, quercetin, and gallic acid were significantly (p<0.05) high in black soybean residue in comparison to respective raw soybean. Among isoflavones, daidzin and genistin were found significantly varying among all the samples, and glycitin and glycitein were not present in yellow soybean. CONCLUSION The nutraceutical potential and antimicrobial activity were comparative for both the raw beans and their okara, while the phytochemical contents and antioxidant activity were higher in the case of black soybean and its okara. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Motorcycle antilock braking systems and fatal crash rates: updated results

Abstract Objective Antilock braking systems (ABS) prevent wheels from locking during hard braking and have been shown to reduce motorcyclists’ crash risk. ABS has proliferated in the United States fleet, and the objective of the current study was to update the effectiveness estimate for ABS with additional years of data and a broader variety of motorcycle types. Methods Motorcycle drivers involved in fatal crashes per 10,000 registered vehicle years during 2003–19 were examined for 65 motorcycle models offering ABS as an optional feature. Fatal crash rates for motorcycles with ABS were compared with rates for the same models without it. Results ABS was associated with a statistically significant 22% reduction in motorcycle driver fatal crash involvements per 10,000 registered vehicle years. Conclusion This finding adds to the growing literature demonstrating the safety benefits of motorcycle ABS.
Variability in surgical techniques for cochlear implantation: an international survey study

Objective This study aimed to gain insight into current practices regarding the surgical techniques used for positioning and fixation of internal components of the cochlear implant. Methods A questionnaire focused on surgical techniques used for cochlear implantation was distributed among 441 cochlear implant surgeons. Descriptive statistics were reported. Results The questionnaire was completed by 59 surgeons working in 13 different countries. The most preferred incision shapes were the S-shape (41%) and the C-shape (36%). The preferred implantation angle for the receiver/stimulator device was either 45° (64%) or 60° (30%), relative to the Frankfurter Horizontal Plane. Most respondents used a drilled bony well with (42%) or without a subperiosteal pocket (31%) to fixate the receiver/stimulator device. All respondents used the facial recess approach. Most used the round window insertion technique to enter the scala tympani (73%). Approximately half of the respondents preferred the lateral wall electrode array, whereas the other half preferred the perimodiolar electrode array. During their career, most (86%) changed their technique towards structure preservation and minimizing trauma. Conclusion This study indicates variability in the surgical techniques used to position and fixate the internal components of the cochlear implant. Additionally, surgical preference transits towards structure preservation and minimal invasiveness.
Evaluating Micro-Survey Estimates of Wealth and Saving

This paper presents an overview of changes in household wealth accumulation and saving using wealth data from three micro-level surveys: Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF), Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID), and Health and Retirement Study (HRS). We provide comparisons to the macroeconomic estimates of wealth accumulation and saving, explore problems in constructing household-level valuations of wealth, and assess the value of using household-level datasets to examine wealth accumulation and saving behavior in the United States.
CFD simulation of pressure loss in HVDC transformer winding

At Siemens the in-house CFD code UniFlow is used to analyse fluid flow and heat transfer in oilimmersed and dry-type transformers, as well as transformer components like windings, cores, tank walls, and radiators. It can be employed to perform steady state as well as transient analyses. This paper describes its physical models and numerical solution methods. Moreover, it presents an application to a valve winding of a HVDC transformer, cooled by mineral oil. This study is aimed at finding the flow induced pressure loss in the winding and the static ring assembly below and above the winding. The investigation includes isothermal runs with different inlet velocity and a conjugate heat transfer run with a conductor representation. In the isothermal simulations a steady state is established and the pressure loss is an almost linear function of the inlet velocity. In the run involving heat transfer, the high buoyancy forces hamper the development of a steady state and the possibility to calculate a flow induced pressure loss.
Left Atrial Phasic Function in Older Adults Is Associated with Fibrotic and Low-Grade Inflammatory Pathways

Introduction: Concomitant risk factors challenge the mechanistic understanding of cardiac aging. We determined the degree to which the left atrial function could be distinguished by advanced cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in older adults and assessed associations between the left atrial function and the plasma biomarkers related to biological aging and cardiovascular disease [serum monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP1), matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9), B-type natriuretic peptides (BNPs), galectin-3 (Gal-3), high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hsTn1), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (sUPAR)]. Methods: Among a cross-sectional population-based cohort of older adults, longitudinal LA strain including reservoir strain (εs), conduit strain (εe), and booster strain (εa) as well as peak strain rates (SRs, SRe, SRa) were determined using CMR and studied in association with blood biomarkers. Results: We studied 243 community adults (42.8% female, mean age 70.3 ± 9.5 years). In bivariate analysis, εe and SRe were reduced in gradation with increasing risk factors (all p values <0.0001). Corresponding levels of sUPAR (ng/mL) were quantitatively higher in older adults with <2 risk factors (2.5 ± 1.6 vs. 1.7 ± 1.3, p = 0.0005), in those with ≥2 risk factors (3.3 ± 2.4 vs. 1.7 ± 1.3, p < 0.0001), compared to young adults; including between older adults with ≥2 risk factors and older adults with <2 risk factors (3.3 ± 2.4 vs. 2.5 ± 1.6, p = 0.017). Based on multivariate analysis, sUPAR was significantly associated with both εe (OR 1.52, p = 0.006) and SRe decline (OR 1.5, p = 0.019). The associations between Gal-3 and εe reduction (OR 1.2, p = 0.022) and between BNP and SRe decline were generally weaker (OR 1.03, p = 0.027). The addition of sUPAR to a model consisting of age, risk factors, Gal-3, and BNPs increased the area under the curve of εe from 0.72 to 0.77 (p = 0.015). Conclusion: By advanced CMR imaging, a panel of circulating biomarkers comprising galectin, MMP-9 and sUPAR were associated with left atrial dysfunction in older adults. Higher levels of Gal-3 and MMP-9 may be suggestive of fibrotic mechanisms in left atrial aging while impairments in left atrial strain seen in association with circulating sUPAR may be related to immune activation in the left atrium in response to left atrial remodeling and fibrotic processes.
Information Source Information Sink Transmitter Receiver Source Encoder Channel Encoder Modulator Demodulator / Detector Channel Decoder Source Decoder

With much advancement in the field of nanotechnology, bioengineering and synthetic biology over the past decade, microscales and nanoscales devices are becoming a reality. Yet the problem of engineering a reliable communication system between tiny devices is still an open problem. At the same time, despite the prevalence of radio communication, there are still areas where traditional electromagnetic waves find it difficult or expensive to reach. Points of interest in industry, cities, and medical applications often lie in embedded and entrenched areas, accessible only by ventricles at scales too small for conventional radio waves and microwaves, or they are located in such a way that directional high frequency systems are ineffective. Inspired by nature, one solution to these problems is molecular communication (MC), where chemical signals are used to transfer information. Although biologists have studied MC for decades, it has only been researched for roughly 10 year from a communication engineering lens. Significant number of papers have been published to date, but owing to the need for interdisciplinary work, much of the results are preliminary. In this paper, the recent advancements in the field of MC engineering are highlighted. First, the biological, chemical, and physical processes used by an MC system are discussed. This includes different components of the MC transmitter and receiver, as well as the propagation and transport mechanisms. Then, a comprehensive survey of some of the recent works on MC through a communication engineering lens is provided. The paper ends with a technology readiness analysis of MC and future research directions.