Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fibromyalgia Animal Models Using Intermittent Cold and Psychological Stress

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and other frequent symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbance, cognitive impairment, and mood disorder. Based on the view that intermittent stress would be the most probable etiology for FM, intermittent cold- and intermittent psychological stress-induced generalized pain (ICGP and IPGP) models in mice have been developed and validated as FM-like pain models in terms of the patho-physiological and pharmacotherapeutic features that are shared with clinical versions. Both models show long-lasting and generalized pain and female-predominant sex differences after gonadectomy. Like many other neuropathic pain models, ICGP and IPGP were abolished in lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPAR1) knock-out mice or by LPAR1 antagonist treatments, although deciding the clinical importance of this mechanism depends on waiting for the development of a clinically available LPAR1 antagonist. On the other hand, the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac with morphine did not suppress hyperalgesia in these models, and this is consistent with the clinical findings. Pharmacological studies suggest that the lack of morphine analgesia is associated with opioid tolerance upon the stress-induced release of endorphins and subsequent counterbalance through anti-opioid NMDA receptor mechanisms. Regarding pharmacotherapy, hyperalgesia in both models was suppressed by pregabalin and duloxetine, which have been approved for FM treatment in clinic. Notably, repeated treatments with mirtazapine, an α2 adrenergic receptor antagonist-type antidepressant, and donepezil, a drug for treating Alzheimer’s disease, showed potent therapeutic actions in these models. However, the pharmacotherapeutic treatment should be carried out 3 months after stress, which is stated in the FM guideline, and many preclinical studies, such as those analyzing molecular and cellular mechanisms, as well as additional evidence using different animal models, are required. Thus, the ICGP and IPGP models have the potential to help discover and characterize new therapeutic medicines that might be used for the radical treatment of FM, although there are several limitations to be overcome.
Effects of repeated intravitreal bevacizumab administration on anterior segment parameters and limbal stem cells

Background: Macular edema (ME) is fluid accumulation in the macula caused by vascular leakage. Repeated intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injections are extensively used to treat ME of different origins, are well tolerated, and have few side effects. This study evaluated the effects of repeated IVB injections on the anterior segment parameters and limbal stem cells (LSCs) in eyes with ME. Methods: This before–after study involved patients with ME of different causes who underwent repeated IVB injections at the Imam Khomeini Ophthalmology Center in Kermanshah, Iran. Before and after repeated IVB injections, anterior segment parameters were measured using anterior segment optical coherence tomography, and the LSCs were assessed using impression cytology. Results: We enrolled 42 eyes of 42 patients with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of 59.6 (7.6) years, of whom 25 (59.5%) were men and 17 (40.5%) were women. The underlying diseases included diabetic ME in 30 eyes (71.4%), central (5 [11.9%]) or branch (3 [7.1%]) retinal vein occlusion, and choroidal neovascularization in 4 eyes (9.5%). The right eye was affected in 22 (52.4%) participants. The mean (SD) number of IVB injections was 4.3 (1.3). After repeated injections, the mean central corneal thickness (CCT) increased, whereas the mean anterior chamber angle (ACA) and anterior chamber depth (ACD) decreased (all P<0.001). Three patients developed LSC deficiency after repeated IVB injections for diabetic ME. Conclusions: We observed a significant increase in the mean CCT and a decrease in the mean ACA and ACD after repeated IVB injections in our series. Three patients developed LSC deficiency after repeated IVB injections for diabetic ME management. The observed effect on LSC may cast doubt on the safety of repeated IVB injections; however, this finding must be verified in multicenter clinical trials with longer follow-up periods and larger study samples.
Polyethylenimine Grafted onto Nano-NiFe2O4@SiO2 for the Removal of CrO42−, Ni2+, and Pb2+ Ions from Aqueous Solutions

Polyethyleneimine (PEI) has been reported to have good potential for the adsorption of metal ions. In this work, PEI was covalently bound to NiFe2O4@SiO2 nanoparticles to form the new adsorbent NiFe2O4@SiO2–PEI. The material allowed for magnetic separation and was characterized via powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), showing the pattern of the NiFe2O4 core and an amorphous shell. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) showed irregular shaped particles with sizes ranging from 50 to 100 nm, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) showed high C and N contents of 36 and 39%, respectively. This large amount of PEI in the materials was confirmed by thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis (TGA-DTA), showing a mass loss of about 80%. Fourier-transform IR spectroscopy (FT-IR) showed characteristic resonances of PEI dominating the spectrum. The adsorption of CrO42−, Ni2+, and Pb2+ ions from aqueous solutions was studied at different pH, temperatures, metal ion concentrations, and adsorbent dosages. The maximum adsorption capacities of 149.3, 156.7, and 161.3 mg/g were obtained for CrO42−, Ni2+, and Pb2+, respectively, under optimum conditions using 0.075 g of the adsorbent material at a 250 mg/L ion concentration, pH = 6.5, and room temperature.
Smallholders’ Transformation to Business Enterprise in Africa: A Reality or a Mental Illusion?

Africa has a long history of intertwining agriculture and trade. However, despite this history, Garlick (1967) argues that Africa has faced challenges in transitioning from entrepreneurs to entrepreneurial organizations due to various socio-economic and historical factors. The economic efficiency of micro and small enterprises, including agricultural enterprises, is a major concern in Africa’s development process. For example, as Eluhaiwe (2013) points out, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) in Nigeria absorb a similar amount of employment as countries like India and Japan, but they have significantly smaller contribution to GDP.
Inter-Specimen Analysis of Diverse Finite Element Models of the Lumbar Spine

Over the past few decades, there has been a growing popularity in utilizing finite element analysis to study the spine. However, most current studies tend to use one specimen for their models. This research aimed to validate multiple finite element models by comparing them with data from in vivo experiments and other existing finite element studies. Additionally, this study sought to analyze the data based on the gender and age of the specimens. For this study, eight lumbar spine (L2–L5) finite element models were developed. These models were then subjected to finite element analysis to simulate the six fundamental motions. CT scans were obtained from a total of eight individuals, four males and four females, ranging in age from forty-four (44) to seventy-three (73) years old. The CT scans were preprocessed and used to construct finite element models that accurately emulated the motions of flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation. Preloads and moments were applied to the models to replicate physiological loading conditions. This study focused on analyzing various parameters such as vertebral rotation, facet forces, and intradiscal pressure in all loading directions. The obtained data were then compared with the results of other finite element analyses and in vivo experimental measurements found in the existing literature to ensure their validity. This study successfully validated the intervertebral rotation, intradiscal pressure, and facet force results by comparing them with previous research findings. Notably, this study concluded that gender did not have a significant impact on the results. However, the results did highlight the importance of age as a critical variable when modeling the lumbar spine.
Activity of Colocasia esculenta (Taro) Corms against Gastric Adenocarcinoma Cells: Chemical Study and Molecular Characterization

Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott is a tuberous plant, also known as taro, employed as food worldwide for its renowned nutritional properties but also traditionally used in several countries for medical purposes. In this study, methanolic extracts were prepared from the corms and leaves of Colocasia, subsequently fractionated via molecular exclusion chromatography (RP-HPLC) and their anti-tumor activity assessed in an in vitro model of gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS cells). Vorm extract and isolated fractions II and III affected AGS cell vitality in a dose-dependent manner through the modulation of key proteins involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cell cycle processes, such as caspase 3, cyclin A, cdk2, IkBα, and ERK. To identify bioactive molecules responsible for anti-tumoral activity fractions II and III were further purified via RP-HPLC and characterized via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) techniques. The procedure enabled the identification of ten compounds including lignans and neolignans, some isolated for the first time in taro, uncommon megastigmane derivatives, and a gallic acid derivative. However, none of the isolated constituents showed efficacy equivalent to that of the fractions and total extract. This suggests that the whole Colocasia phytocomplex has intriguing anti-tumor activity against gastric cancer.
Specific Patterns in Correlations of Super-Short Tandem Repeats (SSTRs) with G+C Content, Genic and Intergenic Regions, and Retrotransposons on All Human Chromosomes

The specific characteristics of k-mer words (2 ≤ k ≤ 11) regarding genomic distribution and evolutionary conservation were recently found. Among them are, in high abundance, words with a tandem repeat structure (repeat unit length of 1 bp to 3 bp). Furthermore, there seems to be a class of extremely short tandem repeats (≤12 bp), so far overlooked, that are non-random-distributed and, therefore, may play a crucial role in the functioning of the genome. In the following article, the positional distributions of these motifs we call super-short tandem repeats (SSTRs) were compared to other functional elements, like genes and retrotransposons. We found length- and sequence-dependent correlations between the local SSTR density and G+C content, and also between the density of SSTRs and genes, as well as correlations with retrotransposon density. In addition to many general interesting relations, we found that SINE Alu has a strong influence on the local SSTR density. Moreover, the observed connection of SSTR patterns to pseudogenes and -exons might imply a special role of SSTRs in gene expression. In summary, our findings support the idea of a special role and the functional relevance of SSTRs in the genome.
Deaths: final data for 2010.

OBJECTIVE This report presents final 2010 data on U.S. deaths, death rates, life expectancy, infant mortality, and trends by selected characteristics such as age, sex, Hispanic origin, race, state of residence, and cause of death. METHODS Information reported on death certificates, which is completed by funeral directors, attending physicians, medical examiners, and coroners, is presented in descriptive tabulations. The original records are filed in state registration offices. Statistical information is compiled in a national database through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics. Causes of death are processed in accordance with the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision. RESULTS In 2010, a total of 2,468,435 deaths were reported in the United States. The age-adjusted death rate was 747.0 deaths per 100,000 standard population, lower than the 2009 rate (749.6) and a record low rate. Life expectancy at birth rose 0.2 year, from 78.5 years in 2009 to a record high of 78.7 in 2010. Age-specific death rates decreased for each age group under 85, although the decrease for ages 1-4 was not significant. The age-specific rate increased for ages 85 and over. The leading causes of death in 2010 remained the same as in 2009 for all but one of the 15 leading causes. Pneumonitis due to solids and liquids replaced Assault (homicide) as the 15th leading cause of death in 2010. The infant mortality rate decreased 3.8% to a historically low value of 6.15 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2010. CONCLUSIONS The decline of the age-adjusted death rate to a record low value for the United States, and the increase in life expectancy to a record high value of 78.7 years, are consistent with long-term trends in mortality.
Postbiotics: Functional Food Materials and Therapeutic Agents for Cancer, Diabetes, and Inflammatory Diseases

Postbiotics are (i) “soluble factors secreted by live bacteria, or released after bacterial lysis, such as enzymes, peptides, teichoic acids, peptidoglycan-derived muropeptides, polysaccharides, cell-surface proteins and organic acids”; (ii) “non-viable metabolites produced by microorganisms that exert biological effects on the hosts”; and (iii) “compounds produced by microorganisms, released from food components or microbial constituents, including non-viable cells that, when administered in adequate amounts, promote health and wellbeing”. A probiotic- and prebiotic-rich diet ensures an adequate supply of these vital nutrients. During the anaerobic fermentation of organic nutrients, such as prebiotics, postbiotics act as a benevolent bioactive molecule matrix. Postbiotics can be used as functional components in the food industry by offering a number of advantages, such as being added to foods that are harmful to probiotic survival. Postbiotic supplements have grown in popularity in the food, cosmetic, and healthcare industries because of their numerous health advantages. Their classification depends on various factors, including the type of microorganism, structural composition, and physiological functions. This review offers a succinct introduction to postbiotics while discussing their salient features and classification, production, purification, characterization, biological functions, and applications in the food industry. Furthermore, their therapeutic mechanisms as antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory agents are elucidated.
Total Quality Management and Organizational Performance: A Study of Commercial Banks in Bamako, Mali

The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of total quality management on organizational performance among selected banks in Bamako, Mali. This study adopted a cross-sectional survey design. The target population was 160 respondents and the sample size was 114 respondents. The study questionnaire was the main instrument of data collection. Frequency and percentage distribution were used to determine the profile of the respondents. Mean and Standard deviations were used as descriptive statistics for the independent (total quality management constructs) and dependent variables (organizational performance). Linear and multiple regression analyses were used to determine the effect. The study found a significant effect of total quality management on organizational performance (R2=0.832, p<0.01). Specifically, the study found a significant effect of all the measures of total quality management on organizational performance. Lastly, the study found that there was a positive significant correlation between total quality management and organizational performance among banks in Bamako, Mali. The study concluded that the promotion of total quality management principles is relevant in enhancing organizational performance in the Malian Banking Industry. The study recommended that: the management of the banks should enhance human resource focus to increase reliability and timely delivery of the products/services. Moreover, effective human resources focus during the process of total quality management thus enhancing banks' performance. The management of banks should focus on the improvement of market target blend and customer care. The banks should also focus on the provision of quality services to the customer and promoting their brand.
Generation and Characterization of Recombinant Pseudorabies Virus Delivering African Swine Fever Virus CD2v and p54

African swine fever (ASF) leads to high mortality in domestic pigs and wild boar, and it is caused by the African swine fever virus (ASFV). Currently, no commercially available vaccine exists for its prevention in China. In this study, we engineered a pseudorabies recombinant virus (PRV) expressing ASFV CD2v and p54 proteins (PRV-∆TK-(CD2v)-∆gE-(p54)) using CRISPR/Cas9 and homologous recombination technology. PRV-∆TK-(CD2v)-∆gE-(p54) effectively delivers CD2v and p54, and it exhibits reduced virulence. Immunization with PRV-∆TK-(CD2v)-∆gE-(p54) neither induces pruritus nor causes systemic infection and inflammation. Furthermore, a double knockout of the TK and gE genes eliminates the depletion of T, B, and monocytes/macrophages in the blood caused by wild-type viral infection, decreases the proliferation of granulocytes to eliminate T-cell immunosuppression from granulocytes, and enhances the ability of the immune system against PRV infection. An overexpression of CD2v and p54 proteins does not alter the characteristics of PRV-∆TK/∆gE. Moreover, PRV-∆TK-(CD2v)-∆gE-(p54) successfully induces antibody production via intramuscular (IM) vaccination and confers effective protection for vaccinated mice upon challenge. Thus, PRV-∆TK-(CD2v)-∆gE-(p54) demonstrates good immunogenicity and safety, providing highly effective protection against PRV and ASFV. It potentially represents a suitable candidate for the development of a bivalent vaccine against both PRV and ASFV infections.
Evaluation and comparison of satellite-based rainfall products in Burkina Faso, West Africa

ABSTRACT The performance of seven operational high-resolution satellite-based rainfall products – Africa Rainfall Estimate Climatology (ARC 2.0), Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Stations (CHIRPS), Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information using Artificial Neural Networks (PERSIANN), African Rainfall Estimation (RFE 2.0), Tropical Applications of Meteorology using SATellite (TAMSAT), African Rainfall Climatology and Time-series (TARCAT), and Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) daily and monthly estimates – was investigated for Burkina Faso. These were compared to ground data for 2001–2014 on a point-to-pixel basis at daily to annual time steps. Continuous statistics was used to assess their performance in estimating and reproducing rainfall amounts, and categorical statistics to evaluate rain detection capabilities. The north–south gradient of rainfall was captured by all products, which generally detected heavy rainfall events, but showed low correlation for rainfall amounts. At daily scale they performed poorly. As the time step increased, the performance improved. All (except TARCAT) provided excellent scores for Bias and Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency coefficients, and overestimated rainfall amounts at the annual scale. RFE performed the best, whereas TARCAT was the weakest. Choice of product depends on the specific application: ARC, RFE, and TARCAT for drought monitoring, and PERSIANN, CHIRPS, and TRMM daily for flood monitoring in Burkina Faso.
Cosserat Rod-Based Dynamic Modeling of a Hybrid-Actuated Soft Robot for Robot-Assisted Cardiac Ablation

Soft robotics has emerged as a promising field due to the unique characteristics offered by compliant and flexible structures. Overcoming the challenge of precise position control is crucial in the development of such systems that require accurate modeling of soft robots. In response, a hybrid-actuated soft robot employing both air pressure and tendons was proposed, modeled, and validated using the dynamic Cosserat rod theory. This approach comprehensively addresses various aspects of deformation, including bending, torsion, shear, and extension. The designed robot was intended for robot-assisted cardiac ablation, a minimally invasive procedure that is used to treat cardiac arrhythmias. Within the framework of the Cosserat model, dynamic equations were discretized over time, and ordinary differential equations (ODEs) were solved at each time step. These equations of motion facilitated the prediction of the robot’s response to different control inputs, such as the air pressure and tension applied to the tendons. Experimental studies were conducted on a physical prototype to examine the accuracy of the model. The experiments covered a tension range of 0 to 3 N for each tendon and an air pressure range of 0 to 40 kPa for the central chamber. The results confirmed the accuracy of the model, demonstrating that the dynamic equations successfully predicted the robot’s motion in response to diverse control inputs.
The role of walking exercise on axonal regrowth and neuropathic pain markers in dorsal root ganglion after sciatic nerve injury

The aim of this study was to determine whether walking exercise can regulate the expression level of neuropathic pain- and inflammatory response markers in the ipsilateral lumbar 4 to 6 dorsal root ganglion neurons after sciatic nerve injury (SNI). The experimental rats were randomly divided into seven groups: the normal control group, sedentary groups for 3, 7, and, 14 days postinjury (dpi), and walking exercise groups for 3, 7, and 14 dpi. Western blot techniques were used to evaluate specific neuropathic pain- and cytokine markers and mechanical allodynia was confirmed by paw withdrawal test. Mechanical allodynia was significantly improved in the walking exercise group compared to the sedentary group at all 7, 10, and 14 dpi. Furthermore, growth associated protein 43 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels were significantly increased in the walking exercise groups compared to the sedentary group at all 3, 7, and 14 dpi. Conversely, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor α, calcitonin gene-related peptide, and c-Fos expression levels were significantly decreased in the walking exercise groups compared to the sedentary group at all 3, 7, and 14 dpi. These findings suggest meaningful information that aggressive rehabilitation walking exercise applied early after SNI might be improve mechanical allodynia, neuropathic pain and inflammatory response markers following SNI.