Background Genital warts caused by human papillomavirus are common sexually transmitted infections, with no single therapy providing consistent clearance. Garlic extract has antiviral and antiproliferative properties and may offer a low-cost treatment.Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of topical 5% garlic extract with 20% podophyllin solution in women with genital warts.Methods Seventy-four women were randomized to 5% garlic extract (n = 37) or 20% podophyllin (n = 37), applied weekly for four weeks. Wart size and count were assessed using marginal models (generalized estimating equations). The primary outcome was change in mean wart size and the secondary outcome was change in wart count.Results Mean wart size decreased from 1.61 ± 0.81 to 0.60 ± 0.82 mm with garlic extract and from 2.96 ± 7.99 to 0.62 ± 0.73 mm with podophyllin. The between-group p-value at final assessment was 0.756; group × time interaction p values were 0.329 for wart size and 0.583 for count. Among 35 and 37 participants analyzed, complete response occurred in 18 (51.4%) and 19 (51.4%), respectively; complete or partial response occurred in 23 (65.7%) and 25 (67.6%). Itching and burning occurred in 8 (21.6%) garlic-treated participants each.Conclusion Both treatments reduced wart size and count, with similar response rates. Four-week follow-up precluded assessment of durability and recurrence.
To examine the associations between food intakes based on processing level, postoperative outcomes, and eating behaviors in patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy (SG). This cross-sectional study included 146 adults assessed 2–4 years post-SG. Food intake was categorized using the NOVA system into unprocessed/minimally processed foods (MPFs), processed culinary ingredients (PCIs), processed foods (PFs), and ultra-processed foods (UPFs). Eating behaviors were evaluated with the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire. Outcomes included percentage of total weight loss (
Project portfolio selection and scheduling are critical decision-making processes in project-oriented organizations, directly impacting resource allocation, financial performance, and long-term organizational success. In recent years, the emphasis on sustainability has intensified, compelling organizations to balance economic performance with environmental responsibility. This study addresses the need for environmentally conscious project portfolio selection and scheduling by proposing a novel optimization approach. A multi-objective mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model is developed to simultaneously maximize portfolio profit, minimize energy consumption, and reduce environmental pollution. This comprehensive framework enables organizations to optimize project portfolios while aligning with sustainability goals and regulatory requirements. To address the challenge of solving large-scale instances, a new hybrid solution method is proposed, integrating an enhanced Strength Pareto Evolutionary Algorithm with deep learning techniques. This approach boosts computational efficiency, elevates solution quality, and equips decision-makers with more reliable tools to navigate competing objectives. Computational experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, showing significant improvements in environmental impact reduction without sacrificing financial performance. The results validate the model’s practical applicability in real-world scenarios, particularly for organizations adopting green management practices. Ultimately, this study contributes to green project management by offering an innovative decision-making framework that supports sustainable development goals while helping organizations achieve long-term business success with minimal environmental impact.
Hybrid AC/DC microgrids (HMGs) face challenges in global power sharing (GPS), frequency/voltage stability, and communication resilience. This paper proposes a novel consensus-based distributed secondary control (DSC) strategy coordinating interlinking converters (ICs) and distributed generators (DGs) across AC/DC sub-grids. The method eliminates inter-sub-grid communication while achieving: 1) Precise proportional power sharing among all DGs/ICs via modified dynamic consensus algorithms; 2) Restoration of AC frequency/DC voltage to nominal values using distributed secondary layers; 3) Autonomous IC activation triggered only when local DG capacity is exceeded, minimizing losses. Key innovations include: Stabilizing low-pass filters for robust multi-IC coordination, dual-layer consensus (independent sub-grid control plus IC coordination), and plug-and-play operation during DG/IC failures. Stability guarantees are provided through small-signal analysis and Routh–Hurwitz criteria. Validated via a 60-kW HMG prototype and MATLAB/Simulink, the strategy demonstrates: improvement in the responses, reduction in transient deviations, and resilience under communication delays versus prior methods. It maintains seamless operation against overload, and outperforms existing approaches in stability and power-sharing precision. This work enables scalable, communication-efficient HMG operation with enhanced robustness.
Conventional therapeutic approaches against colorectal cancer often face limitations. One of the critical pathways implicated in tumor progression is the adenosinergic signaling pathway, which plays a major role in immune suppression within the tumor microenvironment. This investigation aimed to evaluate the effect of resveratrol on adenosine production and its antitumor potential in colon cancer cell lines (CT26 and SW480) under in vitro conditions. In this experimental investigation, human (SW480) and murine (CT26) colon cancer cell lines were subjected to various concentrations of resveratrol to assess its biological impacts. Apoptosis and MTT assays were performed to evaluate cell viability, while quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure the expression levels of A2AR, A2BR, and 5′-nucleotidase (CD73) genes. AMP hydrolysis was conducted for CD73 activity assay. Additionally, the impact of resveratrol on the migratory capacity of the cells was determined by scratch assay. A distinct decline in cell survival was observed with increasing resveratrol concentrations, accompanied by a corresponding rise in apoptotic activity in both CT26 and SW480 cells with IC50 value of 54.2 and 23.2 μM, respectively. In addition, wound closure rates in the scratch assay were markedly decreased following resveratrol exposure, indicating inhibition of cell migration. CD73 enzymatic activity and expression were significantly downregulated, leading to reduced adenosine production. Furthermore, resveratrol dose-dependently inhibited the expression of A2AR and A2BR, suggesting disruption of the adenosinergic signaling pathway. These findings designate that resveratrol has a strong inhibitory effect on colon cancer cells by inhibiting CD73-mediated adenosine production and downregulating adenosine receptor expression.
