bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Barriers to patient, provider, and caregiver adoption and use of electronic personal health records in chronic care: a systematic review
Authors: Niazkhani Zahra , Toni Esmaeel , Cheshmekaboodi Mojgan , Georgiou Andrew , Pirnejad Habibollah
Published: January 2020

Background Existing evidence shows benefits of electronic personal health records (PHRs) in improving outcomes for chronic disease patients. However, its use has not been as widespread as expected. We aimed to review barriers to patient, provider, and caregiver adoption/use of PHRs in chronic disease care. Methods A systematic search in Medline, PubMed, Science Direct, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) dtabase was performed to find original studies assessing barriers to PHR adoption/use in chronic care till the end of 2018. Two researchers independently screened and extracted data. We used the PHR adoption model and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology to analyze the results. The mixed methods appraisal tool (MMAT) version 2018 was used to assess the quality of evidence in included studies. Results Sixty publications met our inclusion criteria. Issues found hindering PHR adoption/use in chronic disease care were associated with demographic factors (e.g., patient age and gender) along with key variables related to health status, computer literacy, preferences for direct communication, and patient’s strategy for coping with a chronic condition; as well as factors related to medical practice/environment (e.g., providers’ lack of interest or resistance to adopting PHRs due to workload, lack of reimbursement, and lack of user training); technological (e.g., concerns over privacy and security, interoperability with electronic health record systems, and lack of customized features for chronic conditions); and chronic disease characteristics (e.g., multiplicities of co-morbid conditions, settings and providers involved in chronic care). Conclusions PHRs can be meaningfully used in chronic disease care if they are implemented as a component of comprehensive care models specifically developed for this care. Our results provide insight into hurdles and barriers mitigating PHR adoption/use in chronic disease care. Deeper understating of the interplay between these barriers will provide opportunities that can lead to an enhanced PHR adoption/use in chronic disease care.
Performance of the CKD-EPI and MDRD equations to estimate the glomerular filtration rate: a systematic review of Latin American studies
Authors: Brañez-Condorena Ana , Goicochea-Lugo Sergio , Zafra-Tanaka Jessica Hanae , Becerra-Chauca Naysha , Failoc-Rojas Virgilio E , Herrera-Añazco Percy , Taype-Rondan Alvaro
Published: January 2020

BackgroundMost commonly used equations to estimate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) are the CKD-Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) and the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD). However, it is not clear which one shows a better performance in Latin America. Objective To assess the performance of both estimated GFR (eGFR) equations in Latin American countries. Methods In January 2019, we performed a systematic search in PubMed, Scopus, and “Biblioteca Regional de Medicina” (BIREME) to identify studies that reported eGFR using CKD-EPI and MDRD equations and compared them with a measured GFR (mGFR) using exogenous filtration markers, among adults from Latin American countries. Study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias evaluation were performed by two reviewers independently. We performed meta-analyses of P30, bias (using mean difference [MD] and its 95% confidence intervals [95% CI]), sensitivity, and specificity; and evaluated certainty of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. Results We included 12 papers, six of them were meta-analyzed (5 from Brazil and 1 from Mexico). Meta-analyses that compared CKD-EPI using creatinine measured with calibration traceable to isotope dilution mass spectrometry (CKD-EPI-Cr IDMS) and MDRD-4 IDMS did not show statistically significant differences in bias (5 studies, MD: 0.55 mL/min/1.73m 2 , 95% CI: -3.34 to 4.44), P30 (2 studies, MD: 4%, 95% CI: -4% to 13%), sensitivity (2 studies, 76% and 75%), and specificity (2 studies, 91% and 89%), with very low certainty of evidence for bias and P30, and low certainty of evidence for sensitivity and specificity. Conclusions We found that the performance of CKD-EPI-Cr IDMS and MDRD-4 IDMS do not differ significantly, although CKD-EPI-Cr IDMS tends to have a non-significant better performance in terms of P30. However, since most of the meta-analyzed studies were from Brazil, results may not be extrapolated to other Latin American countries. Trial registration CRD42019123434, PROSPERO. Registered 18 February 2019.
Persistent fontanelles in Chihuahuas and inter- and intra-rater reliability of fontanelle area measurement in computed tomography images
Authors: Kiviranta Anna-Mariam , Rusbridge Clare , Lappalainen Anu K. , Junnila Jouni J.T. , Jokinen Tarja S.
Published: January 2020

Background: The Chihuahua dog breed is known for frequent occurrence of a bregmatic fontanelle on the dorsal skull. A common conception is that this skull defect is clinically irrelevant in Chihuahuas. No studies, however, describe the prevalence of this malformation, whether it is accompanied by fontanelles at other locations on the skull or how to assess the severity of these lesions. Our primary aim was, by using computed tomography imaging, to describe the presence, number, and location of persistent fontanelles (PF) at cranial sutures on dorsal, lateral and caudal cranial surfaces in Chihuahuas. The secondary aim was to develop a method to measure the fontanelle area in computed tomography images by using the closed polygon tool of Osirix Medical Imaging Software. Results: Of the 50 dogs evaluated, 46 (92%) had either one or several PFs. The mean ± SD number of affected cranial sutures per dog was 2.4 ± 2.3 (range 0-10), and mean ± SD number of PFs was 2.8 ± 3.0 (range 0-13). Of the 46 dogs with affected sutures, 7 (15%) had no PF at a location typical for a bregmatic fontanelle. The inter-rater reliability of the fontanelle area measurement was almost “perfect”, and intra-rater reliability reached “excellent” agreement. Conclusions: PFs are almost ubiquitous in the examined group of Chihuahuas. They are located at dorsal, lateral, and caudal surfaces of the cranium, and hence are not all recognized reliably by palpation in adult dogs. Though the pathogenesis of the PFs described here is unknown, bone-deficient lesions may occur due to congenital defects in cranial bone ossification, delayed closure of cranial sutures, or bone resorption, as is observable in children with craniosynostosis (premature cranial suture closure). Because the imaging findings described in the Chihuahuas of this study are similar to findings among children with craniosynostosis/premature cranial base synchondrosis closure, this growth disorder may be a predisposing factor for the PFs described here. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the pathogenesis and clinical relevance of these lesions. Due to high inter- and intra-rater reliability of the method of fontanelle area measurement it may be useful in future studies.
Glycan Shedding in both the Blood and CSF: Initial Predictor of Immune Attack in Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis?
Authors: Pei Shanshan , Zhu Jiajia , Zhou Zheyi , Ding Yuewen , Peng Yu , Wang Zhanhang , Chen Jinyu , wang honghao
Published: January 2020

Background Neuromyelitis optica (NMO), multiple sclerosis (MS) and autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy belong to autoimmune diseases incentral nervous system mainly manifestate encephalomyelitis. The glycocalyx (GLX), consists of several membrane-bound macromolecules, is located on the luminal side of the endothelium and mediates the blood and the vessel interaction. Until now, there is still lacking a holistic understanding of the GLX degradation in autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Aim This study aimed to detect the shedding levels of GLX components, heparan sulfate (HS) and hyaluronic acid (HA) in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), correlate them with the severity and assess the diagnostic value of them, and evaluate their correlations with pro-inflammatory cytokines. Methods Serum and CSF samples were obtained from 24 NMO patients, 15 MS patients, 10 autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy patients, and 18 controls without non-inflammatory neurological diseases. Soluble HS, HA and IFN-γ, IL-17A, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay ELISA. Results Besides levels of serum and CSF levels of HS, HA and related cytokines were significantly elevated in these diseases. Notably, HS, HA in NMO, MS patients, and autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy diseases were widely correlated with EDSS scores. Importantly, the ROC curve analysis suggested a potential diagnostic role of HS or HA . Conclusions The results here suggested the GLX degradation and inflammation in NMO, MS and autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy. Moreover, increased shedding of HS or HA may indicate worse clinical situation. Importantly, CSF HS and HA may be informative diagnostic biomarkers for telling autoimmune encephalomyelitis from the non-inflammatory neurological controls. Furthermore, therapeutic strategy for protecting GLX may be effective to these diseases.
A cross-sectional study of ambulatory care services use by multimorbid patients in primary care in the light of the Andersen model
Authors: Messi Mia , Mueller Yolanda , Haller Dagmar M. , Zeller Andreas , Neuner-Jehle Stefan , Streit Sven , Burnand Bernard , Herzig Lilli
Published: January 2020

Background: Multimorbidity is frequently encountered in primary care and is associated with an increasing use of healthcare services. The Andersen Behavioral Model of Health Services Use is a multilevel framework classifying societal, contextual, and individual characteristics about the use of healthcare services into three categories: 1. predisposing factors, 2. enabling factors, and 3. need factors. The present study aimed to explore multimorbid patients’ use of ambulatory healthcare in terms of homecare and other allied health services, visits to GPs, and number of specialists involved. A secondary aim was to apply Andersen’s model to explore factors associated with this use. Method: In a cross-sectional study, 100 Swiss GPs enrolled up to 10 multimorbid patients each. After descriptive analyses, we tested the associations of each determinant and outcome variable of healthcare use, according to the Andersen model’s three categories : predisposing factors ( patient’s age, sex, marital status, educational level), enabling factors (health literacy (HLS EU 6), deprivation (DipCare)), and need factors (patient’s quality of life (EQ-5D-3L), treatment burden (TBQ), severity index (CIRS), number of chronic conditions and number of medications). Logistic regressions (for dichotomous variables) and negative binomial regressions (for count variables) were calculated to identify predictors of multimorbid patients’ healthcare use. Results: Analyses included 843 multimorbid patients; mean age 73.0 (SD 12.0); 48.3% men; 15.1% (127/843) used homecare; 34.9% (294/843) used other health services; median patient–GP contacts (previous year), 11 (IQR 7–16); mean number of specialist’s involved 1.9 (SD 1.4). In the complete Andersen model, not having an informal caregiver (OR 0.50, 95%CI 0.28–0.88), using more medications (OR 1.13, 95%CI 1.05–1.21), and being less independent (OR 2.47, 95%CI 1.36–4.51) were all factors positively associated with homecare services use. Social deprivation was related with a decrease in homecare services use (OR 0.75, 95%CI 0.62–0.89).” Conclusion: Multimorbid patients in primary care reported a high use of ambulatory healthcare services variably associated with the Andersen model’s factors: Healthcare use was associated with objective medical needs, but also on contextual or individual predisposing or enabling factors. These findings emphasize the importance of adapting care coordination to individual patients’ profile
Transtheoretical model-based nutritional interventions in adolescents: a systematic review
Authors: Langamer Jennifer Nakabayashi , Melo Giselle Rha-isa , Toral Natacha
Published: January 2020

Background Literature has shown a tendency of inadequate eating habits among youth, consequently, nutritional interventions are required. The Transtheoretical Model (TTM) classifies individuals based on their readiness to change. This model is widely used for health education interventions and it has been associated with positive results. Purpose This review aimed to describe how the TTM has been applied to nutritional interventions for adolescents. Methods The Adolec, Google Scholar, LILACS, PsycINFO, PubMed, Science Direct and Web of Science databases were searched. Only full original articles written in English, Spanish or Portuguese on randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental designs that applied the TTM to nutritional interventions targeting adolescents were included, with no restrictions on publication date. Results The initial search yielded 3779 results, of which 13 were included. Two more articles were added after a search update, totaling 15 articles. The included adolescents were mostly recruited from schools, and the duration of the studies ranged from one month to three years. The TTM was used alone or combined with other behavior-change theories. Nine interventions had positive results. The participants in six studies progressed through stages of change or improved decisional balance. Conclusion There are some limitations related to the studies included in this review, such as the differences in design and intervention exposure time, as well as using the TTM in association with other behavior-change theories. Nevertheless, the TTM seems to be a successful strategy for nutritional intervention in adolescents. Further studies comparing the TTM with other behavior-change theories should be conducted to better understand its effectiveness.
Youth vaping and smoking and parental vaping: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Green Michael , Gray Linsay , Sweeting Helen
Published: January 2020

Background: Concerns remain about potential negative impacts of e-cigarettes including possibilities that: youth e-cigarette use (vaping) increases risk of youth smoking; and vaping by parents may have impacts on their children’s vaping and smoking behaviour. Methods: With cross-sectional data from 3291 youth aged 10-15 years from the Understanding Society Survey, we estimated effects of youth vaping on youth smoking (ever, current and initiation in the past year), and of parental vaping on youth smoking and vaping, and examined whether the latter differed by parental smoking status. Propensity weighting was used to adjust for measured confounders and estimate effects of vaping under alternative scenarios of no vaping vs universal adoption, and vs observed vaping levels. E-values were calculated to assess the strength of unmeasured confounding influences needed to negate our estimates. Results: Associations between youth vaping and youth smoking were attenuated considerably by adjustment for measured confounders. Estimated effects of youth vaping on youth smoking were stronger comparing no use to universal adoption (e.g. OR for smoking initiation: 32.5; 95% CI: 9.8-107.1) than to observed levels of youth vaping (OR: 4.4; 0.6-30.9). Relatively strong unmeasured confounding would be needed to explain these effects. Associations between parental vaping and youth vaping were explained by measured confounders. However, estimates for parental vaping on youth smoking indicated effects, especially for youth with ex-smoking parents (e.g. OR for smoking initiation: 11.3; 2.7-46.4) rather than youth with currently smoking parents (OR: 1.0; 0.2-6.4). Relatively weak unmeasured confounding could explain these parental vaping effects. Conclusions: While results for youth vaping and youth smoking associations indicated support for underlying propensities, estimated effects still required considerable unmeasured confounding to be explained fully. However, these estimates from cross-sectional data could also be explained by smoking leading to vaping. Stronger estimates for universal vaping adoption vs observed usage, indicated that if youth vaping does increase risk of youth smoking, this effect may be stronger in the general population of youth, than among those youth who typically vape. Associations of parental vaping with youth smoking and vaping were either explained by measured confounding or could be relatively easily explained by unmeasured confounding.
Effect of Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2/Hydroxyapatite on ankle fusion with bone defect in a rabbit model
Authors: Dang Le Hoang Nam , Lee Kwang-Bok
Published: January 2020

Background Revision ankle-fusion surgery after a failure of total ankle arthroplasty has a problem with bone-defect management by implant removal. For the reconstruction of bone defects, autogenous bone often causes minor and major complications. Recombinant human-bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) plays essential roles in bone regeneration strategies and Hydroxyapatite (HA) is beneficial as the rhBMP-2 carrier. In this study, we evaluate whether rhBMP-2/HA can replace autogenous bone in a rabbit ankle-fusion model with distal tibia bone defect. Methods The bone defect was created in the distal tibia. The ankle fusion was performed by a cannulated screw from lateral malleolus and various treatments on bone defect. Thirty male white New Zealand rabbits were divided into three groups of 10 animals on each group dependent on treatment methods as control group (no treatment into defect), auto-bone group (autogenous bone treatment), and rhBMP-2/HA group (40 μL of 1 μg/mL rhBMP-2/ 100 μL HA). Bone formation on defect and the union of the ankle joint were evaluated by X-ray, micro-CT and histological analysis at 8 weeks and 12 weeks, postoperatively. Results Radiographic assessment found the control and auto-bone groups still had the bone defect present, but rhBMP-2/HA group showed complete replacement of the defect with newly formed bone at 12 weeks. Micro-CT showed significantly higher new bone formation within the defect in the rhBMP-2/HA group than in the auto-bone and control groups at 8 weeks ( p > 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) and 12 weeks ( p < 0.05, p < 0.001, respectively). Fusion rate (%) analysis of micro-CT showed a higher percentage of union in the rhBMP-2/HA group than in the auto-bone and control groups at 8 weeks ( p > 0.05, p < 0.001, respectively) and 12 weeks ( p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). The histological showed the highest osteointegration between distal tibia and talus in the rhBMP-2/HA group at 12 weeks. Conclusions This study indicated that rhBMP-2/ HA showed much better bone fusion than did the autogenous bone graft and was effective in promoting fusion rate and improving the quality of the ankle joint fusion.
Recapitulation of Particulate matter Effected Human Alveolus on Chip Inflammatory Responses
Authors: Jabbar Faiza , Kim Young Su , Soomro Afaque Manzoor , Asif Arun , Cho Young Jae , Choi Kyung-Hyun , Ho Lee Sang
Published: January 2020

Background Particulate matter (PM10) pollution around the globe is a major risk factor for inducing respiratory diseases, How-ever such environmental conditions are a challenge to study in trans-well culture system. Micro-physiological system offers potential for mimicking these phenomena for better understanding of possible hazards to human respiratory health. In this study we are introducing an efficient alveolus on a chip for reconstituting this environmental condition in a microfluidic device by in house built TEER sensor, system embedded pH sensor and portable microscope for continuous monitoring of the alveolus on chip. Results Three environmental conditions with respect to particulate matter in air Moderate 7.5 μg/ml , Poor 37.5 μg/ml and very poor 151 μg/ml of particulate matter exposure was executed in our microfluidic system. Our study provides physiological and toxicological data of the stimulated environmental condition by inflammatory markers of respiratory disease which leads to the identification of asthma and COPD, our claims were validated by confocal microscopy and ELISA. Significant increase in IL-13, IL-6 and Mucin advocated the incidence of asthma and COPD like conditions in our organ on chip. Conclusion This study will lead to identification of potential therapeutics to study physiological and pathological conditions and will help in preventing chronic life-threatening toxicities. This device has provided the preliminary information for making this breakthrough in organ-on-chip technology. In future his device would help to make complex tissue mimetics of human for toxicity testing and drug discovery with system integrated pathological sensors for replacing time consuming molecular analysis of pathological conditions.
Use of a Mechanism-based Toxicological Approach to Analyze the Pulmonary Pro-Fibrogenic Effects of Air Pollution PM2.5 Particulates
Authors: Cao Wei , Wang Xiang , Yan Ming , Chang Chong Hyun , Kim Joshua , Jiang Jinhong , Liao Yu-Pei , Han Pengli , Lu Pengju , Xia Tian
Published: January 2020

Background Airborne fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has been known capable of causing acute and chronic respiratory inflammation such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung fibrosis. With incremental experience in the predictive toxicological approach on the potential adverse effects of nanomaterials, it is logical to explore the feasibility of using such a mechanism-based approach on PM2.5-induced lung toxicity. Results In this study, we collected a panel of eight PM2.5 samples for a comparative analysis of their pro-fibrogenic effects in the lung. These samples were collected on filters in November 2017 in Zhengzhou, Henan, China. In vitro screening shows although the PM2.5 particles did not induce significant cytotoxicity, they cause potent TNF-α and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) production in THP-1 cells as well as TGF-β1 in BEAS-2B lung epithelial cells. PM2.5 induced IL-1β production was shown to involve NLRP3 inflammasome activation, which was evidenced by the inhibited IL-1β production in NLRP3- and ASC-deficient cells and use of an inhibitor for cathepsin B, a known activation of the inflammasome through lysosomal damage pathway. Administration of PM2.5 to the lung in mice via oropharyngeal aspiration confirmed that the particles could induce TGF-β1 production in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and collagen deposition in the lung at 21 days post-exposure, suggesting PM2.5 has the potential to induce pulmonary fibrosis. The ranking of the pro-fibrogenic effects by the PM2.5 samples in vivo was consistent with that of the IL-1β production in vitro. Conclusions In summary, we demonstrate that the PM2.5 is capable of inducing NLRP3 inflammasome activation and a series of cellular responses originating from the epithelial–mesenchymal trophic cell unit in the lung to induce fibrosis in vivo.
Genome-wide association studies of ionomic and agronomic traits in USDA minicore collection of rice and comparative analyses of different mapping methods
Authors: Liu Shuai , Zhong Hua , Meng Xiaoxi , Sun Tong , Li Yangsheng , Pinson Shannon R. M. , Chang Sam , Peng Zhaohua
Published: January 2020

Rice is an important human staple food vulnerable to heavy metal contamination due to its unique physiology and growth environment. High yield with low heavy metal contamination is a common but highly challenging goal for rice breeders worldwide due to lack of genetic knowledge. In this report, a comprehensive GWAS analyses for ionomic and agronomic traits based on 3,259,478 SNPs were performed using two univariate methods and two multivariate methods. Under the criterium p-value <1.53×10-8, 106, 47, and 97 QTLs were identified for ionomics in flooded environment, unflooded environment, and agronomic traits, respectively. Detailed analysis of the QTLs revealed that many of the identified QTLs are co-localized with the QTLs reported in prior ionomic and agronomic studies or posited near the genes with known functions in the related traits, suggesting that our GWAS analyses are reliable. Our results further showed that each of the four GWAS methods can identify unique as well as common QTLs. When univariate methods failed to identify QTLs for a trait, the multivariate methods frequently detected QTLs. However, when many QTLs were detected by univariate methods, the number of QTLs detected by multivariate methods were reduced in many cases. These analyses suggest that using multiple GWAS methods can complement each other in QTL identification and some methods may be more powerful with less false discovery rate. In addition, several candidate genes involved in ionomic and agronomic traits control were identified by sequence analysis of the QTL regions. This research provides novel insights into the genetic basis of both ionomic and agronomic variations in rice, establishing an important foundation for further studies on reducing heavy-metal contamination and improving crop yields.
NMR-Based metabolomic analysis of the anticancer effect of metformin on cholangiocarcinoma cells
Authors: Zhang Jin , Hang Caihua , Shao Wei , Li Wengang , Lin Donghai
Published: January 2020

Background Metformin is a widely prescribed anti-diabetes drug with potential utilities for cancer therapies. Several previous studies have related metformin to the reduced risk of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), highlighting its potentialities for the treatments of CCA. Methods In this study, cell viability assay and colony formation assay were used to test the inhibition effect of metformin on Mz-ChA-1 cells. The NMR-based metabonomic analysis was conduct to compare the differences between the metformin-treated (Met) and control (Ctrl) groups of the Mz-ChA-1 cells. Significant metabolites were identified from multivariate statistical analysis of 1D 1 H-NMR spectral data, and differential metabolites were identified from the pair-wise t-test of the metabolite levels. Significantly altered metabolic pathways were identified based on characteristic metabolites which were determined by a combination of the significant metabolites and differential metabolites. Results Here, we demonstrated that metformin treatment could inhibit the proliferation of the CCA cell line Mz-ChA-1 in a dose-dependent manner. The NMR-based metabonomic analysis showed a distinct discrimination between the Met and Ctrl groups of the Mz-ChA-1 cells. Moreover, The Met group exhibited promoted glycolysis and suppressed TCA cycle compared with the Ctrl group. While metformin treatment decreased non-essential amino acids, it also increased essential amino acids and UDP-GlcNAc, implying the occurrence of autophagy and cell cycle arrest in metformin-treated CAA cells . Conclusions This work provides a mechanistic understanding of the anticancer effect of metformin on CAA, and is beneficial to the further development of metformin as an anticancer drug
Blood exosomal miRNA profiling reveals the complexity of hepatocellular carcinoma and identifies potential biomarkers as differential diagnosis
Authors: Sheng Langqing , Li Jiarong , Qin Hao , Liu Ling , Zhang Dadong , Zhang Qi , Huang Mengli , Li Xiaoli , Xu Xiaoya , Wei Yangnian , Chen Zishuo , Luo Hui , Zhang Jiyang , Zhou Chenghui , Chen Hao , Chen Zeguo , Li Fugen , Li Nianfeng
Published: January 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of leading causes of cancer‐related deaths worldwide, but there is a shortage of effective biomarkers for its diagnosis. We aimed to explore exosomal miRNAs as potential biomarkers for HCC diagnosis. After the eliminations, this study included 89 patients from Xiangya Hospital of Central South University between August 2017 and May 2018. The principal component analysis (PCA) analysis suggested that daily alcohol consumption could alter the blood exosomal miRNA profiles of HBV positive non-HCC patients through miR-3168 and miR-223-3p. The miRNA profiles also revealed the tumor stages of HCC patients. High expression of miR-455-5p and miR-30c-5p, which significantly correlated with better overall survival in tumor tissues, could also be detected in blood exosomes. Two pairs of miRNAs (miR-584-5p/miR-106-3p and miR-628-3p/miR-941) showed 94.1% sensitivity and 68.4% specificity to differentiate HCC patients from non-HCC patients. The specificity of the combination was substantially influenced by alcohol consumption habits. This study suggested that blood exosomal miRNAs can be used as new non-invasive diagnostic tools for HCC. However, their accuracy could be affected by tumor stage and alcohol consumption habits.
Establishment and evaluation of specific antibiotic-induced Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) model in rats
Authors: Tong Jun Guo , Qian Hai , Li Dongli , Li Jing , Chen Jing , Li Xiongfeng
Published: January 2020

Background: Physical and chemical methods have been established for rat enteritis model, but antibiotic induction has been relatively rare. This article aims to establish and evaluate rat model of Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) using antibiotics.Methods: Fourteen SD rats were divided into A-G group according to the dosage and method of antibiotics, among which group A was the control group. The drug was stopped on the 7th day, the modeling period was 1-7 days, and the recovery period was 8-15 days. Half of the animals were dissected on 11 th day and the other animals were dissected on 15 th day . Record the food and water intake, body weight, and fecal weight for 2 hours on different days. Nine intestinal flora were analyzed by bacterial culture and three strains were analyzed by quantitative PCR. TNF-α, IL1-β, IL-6 and CRP in abdominal aorta blood were detected and analyzed. Colon and rectal tissues were pathologically examined for inflammation and scored.Results: Rat weight, food intake, water intake, and two-hour feces were significantly different (P = .04, .016, <. 001, .009). Compared with group A, there were significant differences in 9 kinds of flora in the experimental group (all P <.001). Bacteroides , F aecalibacterium prausnitzii , and Dialister invisus concentrations were analyzed by Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) and showed significant differences in groups A, C, and F (p = .033). There were significant differences about TNF-α, IL1-β, IL-6 and CRP between the groups (P = .016, .042, .037, .012). The colonic and rectal pathological inflammation scores of other groups were significantly different from those of the control group (all P <.001).Conclusion : Specific antibiotic-induced IBD model in SD rats is feasible.
Innovation Activity Development of Urban Public Transport Service Providers: Multifactor Economic and Mathematical Model
Authors: Borysova T. , Monastyrskyi G. , Zielinska A. , Barczak M.
Published: January 2020

Systematization literary sources and approaches for solving the problem of ecologists of «smart» city indicates that among factors that probably can affect the innovativeness of Ukrainian providers of urban public transport services have been used environmental factor, marketing expenses, financial potential, wear rate, level of quality of service, level of management skills, market share, tariff for passenger transportation. The purpose of the study is to identify the ways to improve the innovativeness of urban public transport service providers of the regional centres of Ukraine. The main aim of the research is to estimate the impact of several factor variables on the resulting attribute used multivariate regression analysis, which provided an adequate model. A significant contribution to the development of the theory and methodology of management of urban public transport enterprises were made by Nunes, Krasnyanskiy, Umpleby, Walters, Huang, Morchadze. The results of the evaluation of the innovativeness of Ukrainian providers of urban public transport services carried out based on the mathematical multifactor model are presented in the article. In January-March 2018, the authors initiated a study on the current state of urban public transport in regional Ukrainian cities. Methodological tools of the research were multivariate correlation-regression analysis and survey (the requests for public information were submitted by the Law of Ukraine «On Access to Public Information» to all city councils of Ukraine's regions except temporarily occupied territories). The study included a survey of 20 experts (marketers and experienced managers of transport companies) to determine weighting factors and the level of innovativeness through questionnaires. The expert evaluation was carried out using the marks method. The research has shown that the size of the innovativeness of providers of public transport services can be successfully interpreted through functional and statistical dependencies, which reflect the general and individual laws of the development of such entities using multi-factor mathematical models. The econometric model was tested for the adequacy with the Fisher criterion and the presence of autocorrelation. The research empirically confirms and theoretically proves thatsuch controllable factors are an environmental factor, financial potential, level of quality of service, level of management skills, the tariff for passenger transportation. The model can be used to predict the influence of controllable factors at the level of the innovativeness of providers of urban public transport services. The results of the research can be useful for scientific and practical workers, teachers, students of higher educational establishments.
Keywords: econometric model, factors of innovativeness, innovativeness, urban transport, ecologists.
Factors of Demand for Cultural Events in Tourism: the Case of the Czech Republic
Authors: Kmeco L. , Mezulanik J. , Kascakova A. , Civelek M.
Published: January 2020

The main purpose of the research is to examine selected demand factors for cultural events in tourism in the Czech Republic. Eight hypotheses are formulated. The primary research was carried out in the form of a questionnaire. There were 1666 respondents interviewed in various tourist destinations in the Czech Republic. While testing the hypotheses the Friedman test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, the Mann-Whitney U test, and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient are used. We confirm the hypotheses that the residents of the Czech Republic think that cultural events are organized more frequently than sports events, shopping events (e.g. markets, trades), exhibitions and fairs, and religious events in the Czech Republic, the motives for participation in cultural events are mainly experience and entertainment, women more often participate in cultural events than men, men more often attend sports events than women, and people take the greatest pleasure to participate in cultural events and not in the other events (sports events, shopping events, exhibitions and fairs, and religious events). We reject the hypotheses that summer is the best season for organizing events, that families are more likely to participate in cultural events than single people or people with friends, and that advertising in mass media has the greatest influence on the decision to visit cultural events. The benefit of the paper is to focus the research on a new area of tourism development in the Czech Republic – organizing events at tourist destinations and trying to reveal the impact of various factors on demand for cultural events. Organization of events in tourism is a relatively large area, therefore, it opens further possibilities of exploring this issue in terms of the organized events' impact on tourist destinations, the offering of organized events, managing organized events.
Keywords: cultural events, exhibitions, fairs, Friedman test, Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, shopping events, sports events, Wilcoxon signed-rank test.
Efficiency of Management of Loan Funds in the Banking Industry of Ukraine: Data of the Factor Analysis of Credit Turnover
Authors: Andros S. , Melnyk L. , Butenko N. , Zaikina H. , Tykhenko V.
Published: January 2020

The article analyzes the rates of credit turnover by branches of the economy and by types of loans using indicators of the dynamic range, indices of average values and aggregate indicators. The purpose of the article is to provide a business case for efficiently managing credit resources in commercial banks based on a factor analysis of credit turnover by sector of the economy as a condition for optimizing a bank’s activities. The analysis of the literature shows that the management of credit resources in commercial banks is limited to the use of Western methods that are not adapted to the Ukrainian reality. The relevance of the article is the need to use the methods of economic and mathematical modeling to optimize the process of managing borrowed funds in the banking industry of Ukraine. Calculated average balances of credit investments. The article analyzes the hourly repayment of interest on loans by enterprises. Calculations of the volume of credit turnover are based on real indicators of the financial statements of Credit Agricole Bank. The study period was elected 2016-2017. Calculated the share of loans by industry in the portfolio of the bank. Defined one-day turnover on the repayment of bank loans by business entities. Calculated the duration of use of bank loans by business entities. The factors affecting the change in the rate of turnover of credit operations using the index method are analyzed. The index of the average duration of use of the loan of a constant composition is calculated. The average duration of use of bank loans by business entities has been determined. The structural change index, variable composition index, constant composition index, structure influence index are calculated. The article used the methods of factor analysis, probability theory, methods of economic and mathematical statistics. The effectiveness of borrowed funds management in the banking industry of Ukraine (on the example of Credit Agricole Bank) was confirmed by the data of a factor analysis of the loan turnover. The system of tasks solved by the proposed models includes the calculation of reasonable limits for attracting each type of resources and the effective interest rate to ensure increasing returns from the production of bank credit products and an increase in the share of the banking sector in creating the gross domestic product of the country. Keywords: bank, effective, index, credit turnover, position, interest rate, sum, term, manager.
Intangible Assets Accounting and Reporting Issue
Authors: Zadorozhnyi Z.-M. , Yasyshena V.
Published: January 2020

The article examines the views of foreign economists on the importance of the impact of intangible assets (IA) and goodwill on business. The main purpose of this study is to improve and develop approaches of accounting for IA and goodwill, reflecting them in the financial and management reporting. The systematization of literary sources and the study of regulatory documents showed that there were several problematic issues related to the accounting and reporting of IAs and goodwill that needed elaboration and clarification. The urgency of solving this scientific problem lies in the fact that due to the existence of unresolved issues in accounting for IA and goodwill, as well as the formation of indicators in the financial statements, there is a significant gap between the methodology of accounting for these assets and current requirements of the economy. It is proposed to amend the Methodological Provisions № 417 by allocating the IA into a separate group for more detailed state statistical observation of these assets. It is recommended to separate the subaccount for accounting software showing the detailed information for this subaccount in the Notes to the Annual Financial Statements. To reconcile goodwill with the Plan of Accounts and Reporting, it is offered to set out the title of Section 1 of the Notes to the Annual Financial Statement, as follows: «Intangible Assets and Goodwill». It is recommended to keep records of internal goodwill in managerial and financial accounting, with the separation of the subaccount, with amendments to Section 1 of the Notes to the Annual Financial Statements regarding the inclusion of additional line 095 «Internal Goodwill». For management accounting of IA and goodwill, it is proposed to use the form of internal management reporting, which is based on paragraph 5 «Notes to the Annual Financial Statements», which contains additional indicators that allow the management system to identify IA s both at the respective centres of responsibility and their units, for different periods, to control the amount, direction, deviation of the planned and actual expenses at the receipt of IA, etc. It is recommended to open an additional subaccount for accounting for IAs shortages with the disclosure in the Annex to Methodological Recommendations № 1327 of the procedure for accounting for IAs shortages using this subaccount. It is justified that the Management Report should be considered as a supplement to the financial statements. The management report proposes to disclose the information about the IA and, if available, about goodwill (internal goodwill), and to provide information aimed at the development of intellectual capital.
Keywords: brand, internal goodwill, management report, management report, identification, intellectual capital, intangible assets (IA); non-current assets, accounting, managerial reporting, financial reporting.
Global Status of Countries: Determination and Interpretation
Authors: Deyneka T. , Shkurupii O. , Verhal K. , Bazavluk N.
Published: January 2020

The study of the place and role of countries in the system of modern international relations is due to the need to identify asymmetries and contradictions that are inherent in a globalizing society. The paper is aimed at determining the global status of countries and to interpreting the present state of their positioning. Summarizing the scientific principles that form the idea of the state of the global society and options for its possible transformation confirms the relevance of the analysis on this issue. The paper presents an approach to the parametric estimation of the global status of countries, the necessity of which is due to the unresolved problem in the thematic field of these scientific studies. The methodological basis for determining the global status of countries is the synthesis of the effects of the internal factors of the national systems development by the spheres (economic, technological, social, spiritual and cultural, political, as well as the functioning of state institutions, and natural resource management), the synergistic effect of the interdependence of all components of such social and natural complexes (the effects of the aggregated endogenous factor) and the effect of globalization (the exogenous factor). By an aggregate assessment of the situation, the status of countries reflects the current picture of the world and the configuration of forces in the system of modern international relations and is also considered as a functional transformation of the globalized world. The method of scientific analysis is agglomerative clustering, conducted with a software algorithm and implemented in Python. An empirical analysis is based on data from international organizations for 2018. The analysis involves data from 142 countries. The research empirically confirms and theoretically proves the fact of the modern world asymmetry, which is a serious challenge to a globalized society. At the same time, the emergence of asymmetry is a warning; a signal of the existence of a threat of systemic contradictions on a global scale. Therefore, asymmetries contain not only the potential of destruction but also the potential for a qualitatively better restructuring of the world. Taking into account this fact and continuous monitoring of changes based on the assessment of the global status of countries allow to identify the options for the future development of civilization and to prevent such negative phenomena as global problems, risks, crises and others, including the global catastrophe. Keywords: globalization, globalized society, the global status of countries, country positioning, contradiction, asymmetry.
Innovation Management of the Bankruptcy: Case Study of Visegrad Group Countries
Authors: Kovacova M. , Valaskova K. , Durana P. , Kliestikova J.
Published: January 2020

Since the first bankruptcy prediction models developed in the 60th of 20th century numerous different models have been constructed through the world. These individual models for bankruptcy prediction have been created in different time and space using different methods and variables. During this period various statistical methods have been used starting with the most popular univariate, linear and multivariate discriminant analysis, logistic regression, probit regression, decision trees, neural networks, rough sets, linear programming, principal component analysis, data envelopment analysis, survival analysis and so on. Therefore, we aim to provide deep insight and analyse the bankruptcy prediction models developed in countries of Visegrad four, with the emphasis on methods applied and explanatory variables used in these models, and evaluate them through appropriate statistical methods. Specifically, cluster analysis to explore the differences between basic groups of financial indicators and designed clusters of explanatory variables. Based on the analysis of more than one hundred bankruptcy prediction models we can conclude the most used variables, which serves as a basis for further research and development of prediction models in Visegrad group countries. Three clusters were developed which representing various explanatory variables while these clusters differ from basic groups of financial indicators. According to detected clusters we recommend to choose the most frequently used variables from each created cluster. From the cluster one revenues from sales/total assets ratio; from the cluster two the construction of models should contain current ratio, and from the cluster three we recommend to use ROE. Also if we take into consideration the total frequency together with the constructed clusters we advise to use more variables from clusters two and three. Results of the provided study may be used not only by researchers and enterprises but also by investors during the construction of bankruptcy prediction models in conditions of an individual country.
Keywords: bankruptcy, bankruptcy prediction, variables, countries of Visegrad four.