bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epidemiological Situation on Tick-Borne Rickettsioses in the Russian Federation in 2010–2019 and Prognosis for 2020
Authors: Rudakov N. V. , Shpynov S. N. , Pen`evskaya N. A. , Trankvilevsky D. V. , Yatsmenko E. V. , Blokh A. I.
Published: April 2020

Objective of the study was to analyze the incidence of Siberian tick-borne typhus (STBT) in the Russian Federation between 2010 and 2019, Astrakhan spotted fever (ASF) and Mediterranean fever (MF) since official registration, and forecast the development of the epidemic process for endemic rickettsioses for 2020. Materials and methods. The analysis of the incidence of STBT, ASF and MF in the Russian Federation over the period of 2010–2019, 2013–2019 and 2014–2019, respectively, in relation to the results of zoological-entomological monitoring. Results and discussion. The average long-term incidence rate of STBT for 2010–2019 in the Russian Federation on the whole was 1.1 0 /0000 (DI95 1.05÷1.08) without trends towards change. The maximum relative incidence of STBT is typical for the Siberian Federal District (SFD) where the average long-term incidence rate for 2010–2019 amounted to 6.28 per 100 thousand of the population. In the second place is the Far Eastern Federal District (FEFD) – 5.17 0 /0000, in third – the Ural Federal District (UFD) – 0.1 0 /0000. When assessing the 10‑year dynamics of the relative incidence of STBT, we have revealed a significant tendency to increase in the FEFD, a tendency to stabilize in the SFD and a significant downward trend – in the UFD. A reliable increasing trend in STBT incidence was detected in the Altai Republic and in the Khabarovsk Territory. Major decline in STBT incidence was observed in the Trans-Baikal territory, Krasnoyarsk territory, Kurgan Region and the Republic of Khakassia. There is a marked tendency to increase in the incidence of MF in the Republic of Crimea. In the Astrakhan Region and the Republic of Kalmykia, there is an expressed tendency towards the reduction in the ASF morbidity rates.
Dampak Kebijakan Domestik terhadap Ketersediaan Jagung untuk Bahan Baku Industri Pengolahan di Indonesia
Authors: Sebayang Veralianta Br , Sinaga Bonar Marulitua , Harianto NFN , Kariyasa I Ketut
Published: April 2020

English
Maize is a strategic commodity for Indonesia. In line with the consumption pattern, the domestic demand for maize has changed from previously dominated by household consumption to presently dominated by raw material for feed and food processing industries. The maize demand of the processing industry increases rapidly, outpaced   domestic production growth, that makes Indonesia must import maize in an increasing amount. This study aims to determine the impact of government policy on maize production which is the input of the maize processing industry. The analysis was conducted using an econometric simultaneous equation system model which was estimated with the two stages least squares technique using time series data of 1985-2017. The results show that the maize harvest area is negatively related with labor wage and urea price, and is positively related with the maize farm price. Maize productivity is positively related with quantity of urea fertilizer and hybrid seeds. but negatively related with composite seeds. The scenario of subsidizing urea prices and hybrid seed, raising import tariffs can increase the availability maize for processing industries as indicated by increasing domestic production and decreasing maize imports.

Indonesian
Jagung termasuk komoditas strategis untuk Indonesia. Seiring dengan perubahan pola konsumsi, permintaan jagung dalam negeri berubah dari sebelumnya didominasi oleh konsumsi rumah tangga menjadi kini didominasi oleh bahan baku industri pengolahan pakan dan pangan.  Kebutuhan jagung untuk bahan baku industri pengolahan meningkat pesat, bahkan melampaui peningkatan produksi jagung dalam negeri, sehingga Indonesia terpaksa mengimpor jagung dalam jumlah yang terus meningkat. Penelitian bertujuan untuk mengetahui dampak kebijakan pemerintah terhadap produksi jagung yang menjadi input industri pengolahan jagung. Metode analisis yang digunakan ialah model ekonometrika sistem persamaan simultan yang diduga dengan teknik two stages least squares memakai data deret waktu 1985-2017. Hasil analisis menunjukkan bahwa luas areal panen jagung berhubungan negatif dengan upah buruh tani dan harga pupuk urea, sebaliknya, berhubungan positif terhadap harga jagung di tingkat petani. Produktivitas jagung berhubungan positif dengan volume penggunaan pupuk urea dan benih hibrida, namun berhubungan negatif dengan benih komposit. Skenario kebijakan subsidi harga pupuk urea, subsidi harga benih hibrida, dan kenaikan tarif impor dapat meningkatkan ketersediaan bahan baku industri pengolahan dan peternak mandiri sebagaimana ditunjukkan oleh kenaikan produksi dalam negeri dan penurunan impor jagung.
Dampak Pengembangan Biofuels terhadap Volatilitas Harga Beberapa Komoditas Pangan di Pasar Dunia
Authors: Sholihah Fathimah , Kusnadi Nunung
Published: April 2020

English
Agricultural product based biofuels are the connecting points of the linkages between the global agricultural commodity,  energy, and  financial markets. Since the global energy markets and financial markets are volatile in nature, rapid expansion of biofuels industry results in increasing volatility of agricultural commodity prices, particularly food prices. The aims of this research is to review price volatility of some food commodities (wheat, corn and soybean) in in the world markets and to analyze the impact of global biofuels development on the price volatility. The price volatility is analyzed using the ARIMA and ARCH GARCH methods. The results show that prices of food commodities have been more volatile since the United States of America imposed the Renewable Fuel Standard Mandate-2 policy in 2007. The Corn and soybean price volatilities are higher than rice and wheat. The stronger are their linkages with biofuels development, the higher are their price volatilities. Increasing food price volatility and level should be considered as challenges and opportunities for accelerating food production growth through technological innovation and land expansion toward the achievement food self-sufficiency such that the national food security system is resilient against global market disturbances.

Indonesian
Biofuels berbahan baku hasil pertanian menjadi komoditas penghubung antara pasar komoditas pertanian dengan pasar energi, dan selanjutnya dengan pasar finansial dunia. Oleh karena pasar energi dan pasar finansial dunia rentan gejolak maka pengembangan biofuel secara besar-besaran berdampak pada peningkatan volatilitas harga komoditas pertanian, utamanya komoditas pangan pokok. Penelitian bertujuan untuk meninjau volatilitas harga jagung, gandum, beras dan kedelai di pasar dunia  serta untuk menganalisis dampak pengembangan biofuels terhadap volatilitas harga tersebut. Analisis volatilitas harga dilakukan dengan metode ARIMA dan ARCH GARCH. Penelitian menunjukkan bahwa harga komoditas pangan lebih volatil setelah Amerika Serikat menerapkan kebijakan Renewable Fuels Standard Mandate-2 tahun 2007. Volatilitas harga jagung dan kedelai lebih tinggi daripada beras dan gandum. Semakin besar keterkaitan komoditas dengan pengembangan biofuels maka semakin besar pula volatilitas harga komoditas tersebut. Peningkatan volatilitas dan level harga tersebut dapat dipandang sebagai tantangan dan peluang untuk memacu peningkatan produksi pangan melalui pengembangan teknologi dan ekstensifikasi lahan pertanian guna meningkatkan kemandirian pangan  sehingga sistem ketahanan pangan nasional lebih tahan menghadapi gejolak pasar global.
Forensic Accounting and Intelligence Gathering Approaches on The Management of Terrorist Financing in Nigeria
Authors: Mkchael Aruwaji Akinola , Emmanuel Olatunji Toyin
Published: April 2020

The management of terrorism financing involves the ability to achieve control over the source, cash flow and destination of terrorists. This study examined the effects of forensic accounting and the radians of intelligence gathering approaches in the investigation of terrorist financing in Nigeria. The data for this study were sourced through primary and secondary sources. Econometrics (Factor analysis with PCA and Pearson Correlation) were used for the analyses at 0.05 level of significant. The results purview that forensic accounting approaches and intelligence gathering tool are significant in investigating the source, pathway, destination and the utilization of the resources of terrorists. It was concluded that Nigeria government should establish response to terrorism/ terror financing under the presidency to manage the problem of terror financing.
Prediction of Financial Distress in Manufacturing Company: A Comparative Analysis of Springate Model and Fulmer Model
Authors: Shalih Raid Ayasy , Kusumawati Fariyana
Published: April 2020

This research aims to analyze the differences in financial distress predictions between the Springate model and the Fulmer model. The method used in this research is quantitative. The type of data used in this research is secondary data in the form BEI of company financial statements for 2014-2016. The data analysis technique uses the One Way ANOVA test. The results showed that there are significant differences between the Springate model and the Fulmer model in predicting financial distress in manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia stock exchange during 2014-2016. The most relevant model in predicting financial distress in this study is the Springate model.
The Mediating Effect of Budget Pressure on Behavioral Declaration of Audit
Authors: Setiawan Edwin , Andreas Andreas , Indrawati Novita , Hardi Hardi
Published: April 2020

This study aims to test and analyze the behavior of audit quality deterioration by integrating the characteristics of individual auditors (locus of control and organizational commitment) with time budget pressure. The study was conducted by survey method by distributing questionnaires to auditors who worked at KAP in the Provinces of West Sumatra, Riau and Riau Islands. The sampling technique uses the purpose sampling method. The questionnaire that can be used totaling 60 questionnaires. Data analysis using wrapPLS 6.0. The results showed that internal locus of control had a negative effect on time budget pressure and decreased audit quality behavior, external locus of control had a positive effect on time budget pressure and decreased audit quality behavior, organizational commitment negatively affected time budget pressure and decreased audit quality behavior, and time budget pressure has a positive effect on audit quality deterioration behavior, and time budget pressure mediates the influence of locus of control, organizational commitment to audit quality deterioration.
Re-nacimiento: «El nuevo concepto del retail» Experiencias para la formación de emprendedores
Authors: Giraldo Acosta Sadoth , Moreno Ceballos Haidy Johanna , Reyes Páez Jaime Andrés
Published: April 2020

El Departamento de Mercadeo de la Universidad EAN, con el apoyo de sus estudiantes, desarrolló un encuentro de expertos del retail buscando construir puntos de discusión sobre las tendencias de la industria y las diferentes metodologías de gestión estratégica del sector, que contribuyera a la formación de nuestros universitarios emprendedores. Teniendo en cuenta que las grandes empresas han empezado a actuar, Falabella, por ejemplo, inició un proceso de capacitación en transformación digital de la mano de la Universidad EAN. Paralelamente, otro movimiento interesante de esta empresa fue la adquisición de Linio, unos de los e-commerce más reconocidos en el mercado, lo cual es una muestra de cómo los jugadores tradicionales incursionan en el mundo digital. Homecenter, otro
Mortality among children under five years admitted for routine care of severe acute malnutrition: a prospective cohort study from Kampala, Uganda
Authors: Nalwanga Damalie , Musiime Victor , Kizito Samuel , Kiggundu John Baptist , Batte Anthony , Musoke Philippa , Tumwine James K
Published: April 2020

Background Mortality among children under five years of age admitted to malnutrition units in sub-Saharan Africa remains high. The burden of HIV infection, a major risk factor for mortality among patients with severe acute malnutrition (SAM), has reduced due to concerted prevention and treatment strategies. None the less, anecdotal reports from the malnutrition unit at Uganda’s National Referral Hospital (NRH) indicate that there is high mortality among patients with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in routine care. Uganda has recently adopted the revised World Health Organization (WHO) treatment guidelines for SAM to improve outcomes. The mortality among children with SAM in routine care has not been recently elucidated. We report the magnitude and factors associated with mortality among children under five years of age admitted to the NRH for routine care of SAM. Methods This was a cohort study of all severely malnourished children admitted to the NRH between June and October 2017. The primary outcome was two-week mortality. Mortality was calculated using simple proportions and Cox regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with time to mortality. Data was entered into Epidata and analysed using Stata v14. Results: Two-hundred-sixty (98.5%) children: 59.6% male; mean age 14.4 (SD 9.4) months, completed two weeks of follow-up. Of these, 25.2% (95% CI 19.9-30.4%) died. In-hospital mortality was 20.7% (95% CI15.9-25.6%). The prevalence of HIV infection was 12.2%. Factors associated with mortality included: positive HIV status (AHR 2.2, (95% CI; 1.2-4.2), p=0.014), bacteraemia (AHR 9 (95% CI 3.4-23.0), p<0.001, and low glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), AHR 3.2; (95% CI 1.7-6.3), p=0.001). Conclusions A 25% mortality among children with severe malnutrition remains unacceptably high despite significant reduction in HIV prevalence. Children with SAM who are HIV infected, have eGFR below 60 mL/min/1.73m 2 or have bacteraemia, are more likely to die. Further studies to explore the relationship between eGFR and mortality among children with SAM are needed. Studies to establish efficacious antibiotics are urgently required to inform treatment guidelines for children with SAM.
Estimating the number of usability problems affecting medical devices: modelling the discovery matrix
Authors: Vandewalle Vincent , Caron Alexandre , Delettrez Coralie , Périchon Renaud , Pelayo Sylvia , Duhamel Alain , Dervaux Benoit
Published: April 2020

Background . Usability testing of medical devices are mandatory for market access. The testings’ goal is to identify usability problems that could cause harm to the user or limit the device’s effectiveness. In practice, human factor engineers study participants under actual conditions of use and list the problems encountered. This results in a binary discovery matrix in which each row corresponds to a participant, and each column corresponds to a usability problem. One of the main challenges in usability testing is estimating the total number of problems, in order to assess the completeness of the discovery process. Today’s margin-based methods fit the column sums to a binomial model of problem detection. However, the discovery matrix actually observed is truncated because of undiscovered problems, which corresponds to fitting the marginal sums without the zeros. Margin-based methods fail to overcome the bias related to truncation of the matrix. The objective of the present study was to develop and test a matrix-based method for estimating the total number of usability problems. Methods . The matrix-based model was based on the full discovery matrix (including unobserved columns) and not solely on a summary of the data (e.g. the margins). This model also circumvents a drawback of margin-based methods by simultaneously estimating the model’s parameters and the total number of problems. Furthermore, the matrix-based method takes account of a heterogeneous probability of detection, which reflects a real-life setting. Results . We assessed the matrix-based method’s performance in a range of settings reflecting real-life usability testing and with heterogeneous probabilities of problem detection. In our simulations, the matrix-based method improved the estimation of the number of problems (in terms of bias, consistency, and coverage probability) in a wide range of settings. We also applied our method to five real datasets from usability testing. Conclusions . Estimation models (and particularly matrix-based models) are of value in estimating and monitoring the detection process during usability testing. Matrix-based models have a solid mathematical grounding and, with a view to facilitating the decision-making process for both regulators and device manufacturers, should be incorporated into current standards.
Reevaluation of risk factors for time to subsequent events after first stroke occurrence using a new weighted all-cause effect measure
Authors: Ozga Ann-Kathrin , Rauch Bernhard , Palm Frederick , Urbanek Christian , Grau Armin , Becher Heiko , Rauch Geraldine
Published: April 2020

Background: Risk diseases and risk factors for stroke include atrial fibrillation, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, and elevated LDL-cholesterol. Due to modern treatment options, the impact of these risk diseases on subsequent cardiovascular events or death after a first stroke is less clear and needs to be elucidated. We therefore aimed to get insights into the persistence of adverse prognostic effects of these risk diseases and risk factors on subsequent stroke or death events one year after the first stroke by using the new weighted all-cause hazard ratio.Methods: This study evaluates the one year follow-up of 470 first ever stroke cases identified in the area of Ludwigshafen, Germany, with 23 deaths and 34 subsequent stroke events. For this purpose, the recently introduced “weighted all-cause hazard ratio” was used, which allows a weighting of the competing endpoints within a composite endpoint. Moreover, we extended this approach to allow an adjustment for covariates. Results: None of these risk factors and risk diseases, most probably being treated after the first stroke, remained to be associated with a subsequent death or stroke [weighted hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) for diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation, high cholesterol, hypertension, and smoking are 0.4 (0.2 - 0.9), 0.8 (0.4 - 2.2), 1.3 (0.5 - 2.5), 1.2 (0.3 - 2.7), 1.6 (0.8 - 3.6), respectively]. However, when analyzed separately in terms of death and stroke, the risk factors and risk diseases under investigation affect the subsequent event rate to a variable degree.Conclusions: Using the new weighted hazard ratio, established risk factors and risk diseases for the occurrence of a first stroke do not remain to be significant predictors for subsequent events like death or recurrent stroke. It has been demonstrated that the new weighted hazard ratio can be used for a more adequate analysis of cardiovascular risk and disease progress. The results have to be confirmed within a larger study with more events.
Prognostic Value of Sarcopenia in Patients Treated by Radiochemotherapy for Locally Advanced Oesophageal Cancer
Authors: Mallet Romain , Modzelewski Romain , Lequesne Justine , Mihailescu Sorina Dana , Decazes Pierre , Auvray Hugues , Benyoucef Ahmed , Fiore Frederic Di , Vera Pierre , Dubray Bernard , THUREAU SEBASTIEN
Published: April 2020

Background: Sarcopenia is defined by a loss of skeletal muscle mass with or without loss of fat mass. Sarcopenia has been associated to reduced tolerance to treatment and worse prognosis in cancer patients, including patients undergoing surgery for limited oesophageal cancer. Concomitant chemo-radiotherapy is the standard treatment for locally-advanced tumour, not accessible to surgical resection. Using automated delineation of the skeletal muscle, we have investigated the prognostic value of sarcopenia in locally advanced oesophageal cancer (LAOC) patients treated by curative-intent chemo-radiotherapy.Methods: The clinical, nutritional, anthropometric, and functional-imaging (18FDG-PET/CT) data were collected in 97 patients treated between 2006 and 2012 in our institution. The skeletal muscle area was automatically delineated on cross-sectional CT images acquired at the 3rd. lumbar vertebra level and divided by the patient’s squared height (SML3/h²) to obtain the Skeletal Muscle Index (SMI). The primary endpoint was overall survival probability.Results: Seventy-six deaths were reported. The median survival time was 27 [95% Confidence Interval 23 – 40] months for the whole population. Univariate analyses (Cox Proportional Hazard Model) showed decreased survival probabilities in patients with reduced SMI, WHO >0, Body Mass Index ≤21, and Nutritional Risk Index ≤97.5. Multivariate analyses showed that sarcopenia was the only significant prognostic factor (HR 2.32 [1.24-4.34], p=0.008). Using Receiver Operating Characteristics curves, the Area Under the Curve (AUC) was 0.73 in males (p=0.0002], the optimal threshold being 51.5 cm²/m². In women, the AUC was 0.65 (p=0.19).Conclusion: Sarcopenia is a powerful independent prognostic factor, associated with a rise of the overall mortality in patients treated exclusively by radiochemotherapy for a locally advanced oesophageal cancer. L3 CT images are easily gathered from 18FDG-PET/CT acquisitions
Preoperative N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide for prediction of acute kidney injury after non-cardiac surgery: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Zhao Bingcheng , Zhuang Pei-Pei , Lei Shao-Hui , Qiu Shi-Da , Yang Xiao , Li Cai , Liu Wei-Feng , Liu Ke-xuan
Published: April 2020

The authors have withdrawn this preprint due to a need to make corrections.
Meningitis caused by Mycobacterium fortuitum mimicking tuberculous meningitis in an immunocompetent patient: a case report and literature review.
Authors: Lin Siran , Yang Qingluan , Wang Ting , Jia Wen , Chen Shu , Zhang Wenhong , Shao Lingyun
Published: April 2020

Background: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are a large group of microorganisms that mainly affect persons who have immune deficiency. Mycobacterium fortuitum is one of them, which usually cause soft tissue or pulmonary disease. Meningitis caused by M. fortuitum is extremely rare and is often confused with tuberculous meningitis (TBM) due to its low prevalence. Case presentation: A 35-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with a history of headache, followed by fever, chills, cough, and vomiting. The results of mycobacterial culture and TSPOT. TB of her cerebrospinal fluid were positive. Therefore, she was diagnosed with tuberculous meningitis and was given anti-tuberculous chemotherapy. During the observation, the CSF results were not significantly improved. Finally, hsp65 gene PCR revealed that the real pathogen was M. fortuitum . The treatment therapy was changed and the patient recovered after one-year combined chemotherapy. Conclusions: In this case we described a patient with M. fortuitum meningitis who was immunocompetent with no trauma or surgical history. The wrong diagnosis with TBM was made due to positive results of both blood and CSF TSPOT. TB . The pathological evidence and microbiological analysis of hsp65 gene PCR suggested the real pathogen to be M. fortuitum . The diagnostic accuracy of blood and CSF TSPOT. TB in case of TBM is moderate. Infections of NTM cannot be excluded when the patient does not respond to anti-tuberculous therapy and it is of great significance to do molecular identification for clinical isolates of mycobacterium.
Generation and validation of a highly sensitive bioluminescent HIV-1 reporter vector that simplifies measurement of virus release
Authors: Kirui James , Freed Eric
Published: April 2020

Background The continued persistence of HIV-1 as a public health concern due to the lack of a cure calls for the development of new tools for studying replication of the virus. Here, we used NanoLuc, a small and extremely bright luciferase protein, to develop an HIV-1 bioluminescent reporter virus that simplifies functional measurement of virus particle production. Results The reporter virus encodes a Gag protein containing NanoLuc inserted between the matrix (MA) and capsid (CA) domains of Gag, thereby generating virus particles that package high levels of the NanoLuc reporter. We observe that inserting the NanoLuc protein within HIV-1 Gag has minimal impact on Gag expression and virus particle release. We show that the reporter virus recapitulates inhibition of HIV-1 particle release by Gag mutations, the restriction factor tetherin, and the small-molecule inhibitor amphotericin-B methyl ester. Conclusion These results demonstrate that this vector will provide a simple and rapid tool for functional studies of virus particle assembly and release and high-throughput screening for cellular factors and small-molecules that promote or inhibit HIV-1 particle production.
The Correlation between Follow-up MRI Findings and Laboratory Results in Pyogenic Spondylodiscitis
Authors: Ahn Kyung-Sik , Kang Chang Ho , Hong Suk-Joo , Kim Baek Hyun , Shim Euddeum
Published: April 2020

Background Although MRI is the gold-standard imaging method in the diagnosis of spondylodiscitis, role of follow-up imaging is debated and there can be discrepancies with regard to the significance of bony or soft tissue responses to treatment. Purpose of our study is to test whether the MRI changes on follow-up imaging correlate with laboratory findings of treatment response. Methods A total of 48 patients with pyogenic spondylodiscitis who underwent baseline and follow-up MRI were retrospectively reviewed. The extent of bone marrow edema, paravertebral soft tissue inflammation, and disc height were compared on baseline and follow-up MRIs with the C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) levels obtained from the medical records at baseline and on follow-up. Relationships between the MRI and laboratory changes were analyzed using the Spearmann correlation test. Results The mean MRI follow-up period was 42.25 days. Based on the CRP (resolved: n=19, resolving: n=19, and aggravated: n=10), there was significant correlation between the laboratory results and the changes in the bone and soft tissues (p < 0.01, both). The correlation was best with soft tissue changes (rho: 0.48) followed by bony changes (rho: 0.41). Based on the ESR (resolved: n=8, resolving: n=22, and worsened: n=18), the correlation was stronger with bone changes (rho: 0.45, p < 0.01) than it was with soft tissue changes (rho: 0.39, p = 0.01). Conclusion Follow-up MRI findings of pyogenic spondylodiscitis show variable tissue responses. CRP was best correlated with soft tissue changes, while ESR showed the best association with bony changes.
Quantitative Analysis of Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Chronic Hepatitis in Rats
Authors: Huang Mengping , Lu Xin , Wang Xiaofeng , Shu Jian
Published: April 2020

Background
Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is mainly used for detecting white matter fiber in the brain. From this, DTI has been applied to assess fiber in liver disorders by prior studies. But non-sufficient data has been obtained if DTI could be used for exactly staging chronic hepatitis. This study is to assess the value of DTI for staging of liver fibrosis (F), necroinflammatory activity (A), and steatosis (S) of chronic hepatitis in rats.
Methods
Seventy male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control group(n = 10) and experimental group(n = 60). The rat models of chronic hepatitis were established by abdominal subcutaneous injections of 40% CCl4. All rats underwent 3.0T MRI. ROIs were placed on DTI to estimate MR parameters (rADC value and FA value). Histopathology was the reference standard. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the association between MR parameters and pathology. The differences in rADC value and FA value among pathological stages were evaluated by MANOVA or ANOVA. LSD was used to test the differences between each two groups. ROC analysis was performed.
Results
The numbers of each pathology were as follows: F0(n = 15), F1(n = 11), F2(n = 6), F3(n = 9), F4(n = 6); A0(n = 8), A1(n = 16), A2(n = 16), A3(n = 7); S0(n = 10), S1(n = 7), S2(n = 3), S3(n = 11), S4(n = 16). The rADC value had a negative correlation with liver fibrosis (r=-0.392, P = 0.008) and inflammation (r=-0.359, P = 0.015). FA value had a positive correlation with fibrosis (r = 0.409, P = 0.005). Significant differences were found in FA value between F4 and F0 ~ F3 (P = 0.03), while no significant differences among F0 ~ F3 were found (P > 0.05). AUC of FA value in differentiating F4 from F0 ~ F3 was 0.909(p < 0.001) with 83.3% Sensitivity, 85.4% specificity when the FA value was at the cut-off of 588.089(× 10− 6mm2/s).
Conclusion
FA value for DTI can distinguish early cirrhosis from normal, mild and moderate liver fibrosis.
Selected hematological biomarkers to predict acute mortality in emergency department patients: Recent Polish hospital statistics
Authors: Brzeźniakiewicz-Janus Katarzyna , Lancé Marcus Daniel , Tukiendorf Andrzej , Janus Tomasz , Franków Mirosław , Rupa-Matysek Joanna , Walkowiak Zuzanna , Gil Lidia
Published: April 2020

Background
Complete blood count (CBC): red cell distribution width (RDW), mean platelet volume (MPV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean cell hemoglobin (MCH), mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), or platelet (PLT) count are referred as predictors of adverse clinical outcomes in patients. The aim of the research was to identify potential factors of acute mortality in Polish ED patients by using selected hematological biomarkers and routine statistical tools.
Methods
The study presents statistical results on patients who were recently discharged from inpatient facilities within one month prior to the index emergency department (ED) visit. In total, the analysis comprised 14,904 patients with the first RDW, MPV, MCV, MCH, MCHC, or PLT biomarkers’ measurements recorded in the Emergency Department within the years 2016–2019 with a subsequent one month of all-cause mortality observation. The patients were classified with the codes of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems after 10th Revision (ICD10).
Results
Based on the analysis of RDW, MPV, MCV, MCH, MCHC, and PLT on acute deaths in patients, we establish strong linear and quadratic relationships between the risk factors under study and the clinical response (P < 0.05), however, with different mortality courses and threats. In our statistical analysis, (1) gradient linear relationships were found for RDW and MPV along an entire range of the analyzed biomarkers’ measurements, (2) following the quadratic modeling, an increasing risk of death above 95 fL was determined for MCV, and (3) no relation to excess death in ED patients was calculated for MCH, MCHC and PLT.
Conclusion
The study shows that there are likely relationships between blood counts and expected patient mortality at some time interval from measurements. Up to 1 month of observation since the first measurement of an hematological biomarker, RDW and MPV stand for a strong relationship with acute mortality of patients, whereas MCV, MCH, MCHC, and PLT give the U-shaped association, RDW and MPV can be established as the stronger predictors of early deaths of patients, MCV only in the highest levels (> 95 fL), whereas MCH, MCHC, and PLT have no impact on the excess acute mortality in ED patients.
Parvabumin interneuron-mediated hippocampal network activity disruption in a two-hit model with relevance to postintensive care syndrome: prevention by fluoxetine
Authors: Ji Mu-huo , Tong JianHua , Zhou Zhi-qiang , Yang Jian-Jun
Published: April 2020

Background

Postintensive care syndrome (PICS) is defined as a new or worsening impairment in cognition, mental health, and physical function after critical illness, which is associated with reduced quality of life and increased mortality. We recently have developed a clinically relevant animal model of PICS, which can mimic most features of human PICS. However, the underlying mechanism remains largely to be elucidated. Accumulating evidence has suggested that hippocampal GABAergic interneuron dysfunction is implicated in various mood disorders induced by stress.
Methods

We explored the role of hippocampal GABAergic interneurons and relevant neural activities in an animal model of PICS based on two-hit hypothesis. In addition, we tested whether fluoxetine treatment early following combined stress can prevent subsequent anatomical and behavioral pathologies.
Results

Here our study further supported our previous findings that this PICS model displayed reproducible anxiety- and depression like behavior and cognitive impairments, which resembles clinical features of human PICS. This behavioral state is accompanied by hippocampal neuroinflammation, reduced parvalbumin (PV) expression, and decreased theta and gamma power. Importantly, chronic fluoxetine treatment reversed most of these abnormities.
Conclusions

Our study provides additional evidence that PV interneuron-mediated hippocampal network activity disruption might play a key role in the pathological of PICS, while fluoxetine offers protection via modulation of the hippocampal PV interneuron and relevant network activities.
Relationship between neuropsychology, clinical traits, psychopathology and attitudes towards change in eating disorders
Authors: Mata-Saenz Beatriz , Rodríguez-Cano Teresa , Muñoz-Martínez Victoria Eugenia , Beato-Fernández Luis
Published: April 2020

Background:Recent models try to find in eating disorders (ED) a relationship between the neuropsychological dimensions, the psychopathological disturbances and the clinical manifestations. Carrying out an investigation on neuropsychological aspects that may be related with an ED’s characteristic cognitive pattern could contribute to their possible influence towards therapeutic change. The main objective of this paper is to analyse the possible relationship between psychopathological and clinical variables with the neuropsychological characteristics of patients diagnosed with an ED and their possible influence on the attitude towards change. Methods:An observational analytical transversal study was done. Patients were outpatients referred during a 6-month period who signed informed consent. Seventy-four subjects were included. Clinical (Psychiatric Status Rating Scale modified) and neuropsychological tests (Letter Number Sequencing; Stroop’s test; Symbol and Digit Modalities Test; Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test) were administrated and psychopathological self-report questionnaires (Body Shape Questionnaire; Eating Disorders Inventory; The Bulimic Investigatory Test, Edinburgh; Beck’s depression inventory; State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; Dissociative Experiences Scale; Attitudes Towards Change in Eating Disorders Scale) were given (but 23 participants, 31.08%, did not give them back).Results:Nineteen patients (25,68%) were diagnosed with restrictive anorexia nervosa (AN), 19 (25,68%) purgative AN, 14 bulimia nervosa (18,92%), 9 binge eating disorder (12,16%) and 13 ED not otherwise specified (17,57%). There are not any significant differences between the diagnoses with regards to the score of neuropsychological tests. BMI was related to the majority of the neuropsychological scores. “Precontemplation” was related to time of copy (B=3.56; IC 95% (0.82-6.29), p<0,01) and time of memory (B=-2.31; IC 95% (-4.58-(-0.05)); p<0.05). “Contemplation” was related to time of copy (B=1.43; IC 95% (0.42-2.45); p<0.01) and index of style (B= -14.01; IC 95% (-24.98-(-3.04)); p<0.01). “Decision” was related to working memory (SpanLN), quantitative score of copy, index of order and index of style.Conclusions:Neuropsychological alterations could be summarized as the working memory is lowered and the interference is increased, which is associated with a more controlling and less flexible attitude, and scores in inhibitory care are lower. ROCFT shows a visoperceptive deficit in some patients.
Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Satisfaction with Life: Moderating Role of Interpersonal Needs among Undergraduate Students
Authors: Tan Choe Chai , Khor Kuan Siew , Ooi Pei Boon
Published: April 2020

BackgroundDepression, anxiety, and stress are ranked among the top mental health concerns faced by undergraduate students. The transition to higher education coincides with the new social environment and adaptation that has potential to increase mental illness.AimsIn this cross-sectional study, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, Satisfaction with Life Scale and Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire were used to examine depression, anxiety, stress, interpersonal needs, and satisfaction with life among 430 undergraduate students in two private universities in Malaysia.MethodThis study conducted hierarchical regression analysis to show that thwarted belongingness accentuates the negative relationship between stress and satisfaction with life.ResultsThe study also showed that students, who reported higher perceived burdensomeness, appeared to be less than satisfied in life, but there is a positive relationship between (i) depression and (ii) anxiety with satisfaction with life.ConclusionsFindings and suggestions for mental health practitioners, researchers and teaching staff, are put forward.
Safety review of 42 cases of COVID-19 treated with low-dose chloroquine
Authors: Zhou Bo , Zhang Jing , Liu Yanqing , Hong Wenxin , Jian Fengbi , Wang Ming , Tan Jun , Cai Weiping , Zhang Fuchun , Li Linghua
Published: April 2020

BackgroundCoronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a global pandemic and caused over one hundred thousand death. Chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) were recommended for off-label use in the treatment of COVID-19 in some countries despite their unclear benefit. However, the toxicity of these agents has been ignored, so the investigation of their safety in the treatment of COVID-19 is crucial for providing a reference for the rational use. MethodsThe medical records obtained from the information management system of Guangzhou Eighth People’s Hospital were reviewed to extract data about patients who received chloroquine phosphate tablets for COVID-19 treatment from January 20th to March 5th, 2020. The data were assessed to determine the correlation of adverse reaction with chloroquine phosphate based on Chinese CFDA standards as well as the severity of adverse events based on American CTCAE5.0 standard, and evaluate the safety of this medication.ResultsA total of 42 patients (23 males and 19 females, average 42.19±14.29 years old) with COVID-19 were treated with low-dose chloroquine phosphate (oral, 500 mg, once per day). Totally 18 patients（42.86%）experienced 20 adverse events. The mean duration of CQ administration was 6.57 days (SD, 3.16 days; range: 1 day to 16 days) and 52.4% received CQ for 7 to 9 days. The adverse events occurred within 6–8 days of treatment. For the 20 adverse events, 19 were not higher than grade 2 and only one was grade 3 because of the severely limited self-care ability in one patient. The most common adverse events were related to the digestive, circulatory, hepatic, and nervous systems.ConclusionOral chloroquine phosphate tablets resulted in a high incidence of adverse reactions. In the clinical trial of chloroquine phosphate for COVID-19 treatment, it should be used under pharmaceutical care; timely evaluation of the drug safety during the treatment process is necessary and a randomized controlled clinical trial should be conducted.
Oral symptoms and oral health related quality of life in people with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS): a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Hanisch Marcel , Blanck-Lubarsch Moritz , Maus Melanie , Suwelack Dominik , Bohner Lauren , Kleinheinz Johannes , Köppe Jeanette
Published: April 2020

Background: To date, there have only been a few studies on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of people with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS) and the oral symptoms. The aim of this study was, therefore, to analyse the OHRQoL of people with EDS from their own point of view as well as obtain information about their age at the time of the diagnosis, the period of time until diagnosis, and the presence of oral symptoms (if any) and their association with oral health quality.Methods:The study was designed as an anonymous questionnaire-based cross-sectional study. We conducted a descriptive analysis of the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) scores, age of the participants, age at diagnosis, and the time period between the first signs of the disease and the diagnosis of EDS. To verify the differences in OHIP-14 scores between patients with and without oral symptoms, a Mann-Whitney U test was performed.A multivariate quantile (median) regression analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of different general characteristics (gender, age, and the presence of oral symptoms) on the OHIP‑14 scores. Furthermore, using a Mann-Whitney U test, the influence of different oral symptoms was verified by testing the differences between patients without any oral symptoms and patients with a specific diagnosis.Results:A total of 79 evaluable questionnaires from 66 female (83.5%) and 13 male (16.5%) participants were analysed. On average, after the first symptom, it takes 18.36 years before EDS are correctly diagnosed.Oral symptoms were described by 69.6% of the participants. The OHIP-14 score was 8 (10) points for patients without oral symptoms and 19 (15) for patients with oral symptoms. The quantile regression for OHIP-14 scores, depending on oral symptoms, was highly significant (p = 0.0007). OHIP-14 scores for dysgnathia, periodontitis, TMD, a high-arched palate, malocclusion, and the anomaly of tooth formation were significantly different between the participants with and the participants without oral symptoms.Conclusion:Long diagnostic pathways seem to be a typical problem in patients with EDS. Oral symptoms associated with the underlying disease occurred regularly and showed a negative correlation with OHRQoL.
Predictors of Short-Term Mortality after Heart Valve Surgery: A Single-Center Study; Retrospective analysis
Authors: ibrahim Khalid , Kheirallah Khalid , Mayyas Fadia , Alwaqfi Nizar , Alawami Murtaha , AlJarrah Qusai
Published: April 2020

Objective

To investigate predictors of short-term mortality after valve surgery at our center.
Methods

The study cohort included 346 patients who underwent different types of valve surgery, excluding redo and Bentall operations. All operations were performed through a median sternotomy using cardiopulmonary bypass.
Results

Mean patient age was 51.6 ± 16.1 years, and 51% were male. Approximately 21% had diabetes, and 44.6% were hypertensive. Aortic valve replacement (AVR) was performed in 125 patients (37%), mitral valve replacement (MVR) in 95 (28%), combined AVR and MVR in 42 (13%), AVR plus coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in 19 (6%), and MVR plus CABG in 32 (10%). Operative mortality was 5.8% (n = 20). In the bivariate-level analysis, older age, operation type, hypertension, emergency surgery, use of a biological valve in the aortic or mitral position, pump time greater than 120 minutes, and aortic clamp time greater than 60 minutes were significant predictors of 30-day mortality. Use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, digoxin, beta-blockers, statins, and loop diuretics was associated with mortality. Older age, emergency/salvage surgery, use of beta-blockers for less than 1 month preoperatively, and use of a biological valve in the aortic position were significant and independent predictors of 30-day mortality.
Conclusion

Older age, emergency valve surgery, use of a biological valve, and use of beta-blockers for less than 1 month before surgery were all found to be independent predictors of mortality in patients undergoing valve surgery.
Radial versus femoral access percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute myocardial infarction: Experience from a Southeast Asian country PCI registry
Authors: Ismail Muhammad Dzafir , Firdaus Mohd Al-Baqlish Mohd , Hadi Mohd Firdaus , Azhari Zaid , Hafidz Muhammad Imran Abdul , Zuhdi Ahmad Syadi Mahmood , Ahmad Wan Azman Wan
Published: April 2020

IntroductionBleeding complications adversely affect patient’s outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Radial approach PCI was advocated to overcome this complication. The information regarding the safety and feasibility of radial approach PCI in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the Southeast Asian population was limited. Hence, we sought to examine the outcome of radial versus femoral approach in this particular cohort.Materials and MethodsThis is an observational retrospective analysis of the Malaysian National Cardiovascular Disease Database-Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (NCVD – PCI) registry, recruiting patients with AMI from 2007 – 2014. Patients were stratified into radial and femoral groups depending on the PCI access route. The patient's baseline characteristics, lesion, and procedural data, complications, and outcomes are assessed accordingly.ResultsA total of 11,555 (4895 radial and 6660 femoral) cases were included in the analysis. In the radial group, there were predominantly more males (89.2%) with the younger patient (mean age 55.2 ± 10.5 years) as compared to the femoral group. They also had a higher body mass index (BMI) and taller. However, femoral group patients had significantly more premorbid conditions, namely diabetes mellitus, hypertension, previous stroke, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease. Complex lesions were similar in both groups with no difference in fluoroscopy time, although higher contrast load recorded in the femoral group. The adjusted odds ratio of developing in-hospital complications after femoral approach PCI compared to radial approach for death, MACE and vascular complications were OR: 8.21 95% CI 5.38 – 12.54, OR: 3.39 95% CI 2.51 – 4.58, OR: 1.79 95% CI 1.01 – 3.16 respectively. ConclusionPCI via the trans-radial approach has resulted in a significantly lower risk of vascular complications, MACE and death compared to the trans-femoral approach. Our study confirmed the superiority of the trans-radial approach in the setting of primary PCI in the Southeast Asian population and underscores the importance of trans-radial interventions to reduce bleeding complication rates.
Long non-coding RNA FAM83H-AS1 induced by adipose-derived stem cells promotes breast and pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and migration
Authors: Tang Jianing , Cui Qiuxia , Zhang Dan , Liao Xing , Gong Yan , Wu Gaosong
Published: April 2020

Background

Stromal cells recruited to the tumor microenvironment and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the tumor cells regulate cancer progression. However, their relationship is largely unknown.
Methods

In the current study, we identified the effects of lncRNA FAM83H-AS1, induced by adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) during tumor development, and explored the underlying mechanisms using a coculture cell model. Adipose tissues were obtained from healthy female donors, the expression of stromal markers on cell surface of expanded ADSCs were confirmed using immunofluorescence analysis. The breast and pancreatic cancer cells were cultured with or without ADSCs using 24-well transwell chamber systems with 8.0 µm pore size.
Results

Our results showed that FAM83H-AS1 was upregulated in breast and pancreatic cancers and associated with poor prognosis. ADSCs further induced FAM83H-AS1 and increased tumor cell proliferation via promoting G1/S transition through cyclin D1, CDK4 and CDK6. Wound healing, modified Boyden chamber and immunoblotting assays demonstrated that ADSCs induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition and migration of breast and pancreatic cancer cells in a FAM83H-AS1-dependent manner. And ADSC-induced FAM83H-AS1 increased unfolded protein response through AKT/XBP1 pathway.
Conclusion

In conclusion, our results indicated that ADSCs promoted breast and pancreatic cancer development via inducing cell proliferation and migration, as well as unfolded protein response through FAM83H-AS1.