bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geriatric Assessment for Older Adults with Sickle Cell Disease: protocol for a prospective cohort pilot study
Authors: Oyedeji Charity I , Hall Katherine , Luciano Alison , Morey Miriam , Strouse John Joseph
Published: May 2020

Background The life expectancy for people with sickle cell disease (SCD) has improved tremendously over the last 50 years. This population experiences hemolysis and vaso-occlusion in multiple organs that lead to complications such as cardiopulmonary disease, strokes, and avascular necrosis. These complications can limit mobility and aerobic endurance, similar to limitations that often occur in geriatric populations. These sickle-cell and age-related events lead to frequent hospitalization, which further increases the risk of functional decline. We have few tools to measure functional decline in people with SCD. The purpose of this paper is to describe a protocol to evaluate the feasibility of sickle cell disease geriatric assessment (SCD-GA).Methods/Design Forty adults with SCD (20 age 18–49 years and 20 age ≥ 50 years) will be enrolled in a prospective cohort study to assess the feasibility of SCD-GA. We used a validated oncology geriatric assessment and enriched with additional physical and cognitive measures. The SCD-GA will be performed at the first study visit, 10 to 20 days after hospitalization, and at after 12-months (exit visit). With input from a multidisciplinary team of sickle cell specialists, geriatricians, and experts in physical function and physical activity, we selected assessments across 7 domains: functional status (11 measures), comorbid medical conditions (1 measure), psychological state (1 measure), social support (2 measures), weight status (2 measures), cognition (3 measures), and medications (1 measure). We will measure the proportion completing the assessment with feasibility as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes include the proportion consenting and completing all study visits, duration of the assessment, acceptability, and adverse events.Discussion We present the protocol and rationale for selection of the measures included in SCD-GA. We also outline the methods to determine feasibility and subsequently to optimize the SCD-GA in preparation for a larger multicenter validation study of the SCD-GA.
Sorafenib is more effective in the treatment of TACE-refractory hepatocellular carcinoma than hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy: a meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Shufeng , Tang Shasha , Pan Long , Cai XiuJun
Published: May 2020

Background: Currently, several studies have compared the efficacy of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) and sorafenib in the treatment of TACE-refractory hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the conclusion is inconsistent. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to compare the effectiveness of sorafenib and HAIC in patients with TACE-refractory HCC.Methods Multi-databases were searched to identify relevant studies published from inception to March 2020. The quality evaluation and data extraction were carried out for the selected articles meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data was analyzed using STATA16.Results Five studies with 583 patients were included. Although the objective response rate in the HAIC group was significantly higher than that in the sorafenib group (RR = 3.08, 95%CI [1.38, 6.87], p=0.006), the overall survival (OS) was significantly shorter than that in the patients receiving sorafenib treatment (HR = 1.69, 95% CI [1.09, 2.62], p=0.018). Progression-free survival (HR = 1.21, 95% CI [0.76, 1.92], p=0.426) and disease control rate (RR = 0.94, 95% CI [0.60, 1.48], p=0.798) were not significantly different between the two groups.Conclusion Compared with HAIC, patients with TACE- refractory HCC in the sorafenib group can obtain significantly longer OS. Sorafenib may be more suitable for the treatment of patients with TACE-refractory HCC. High-quality evidence is needed.
The average copy number variation (CNVA) of chromosome fragments is a potential surrogate marker for TMB in predicting responses to immunotherapy in Non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Lei Yuan yuan , Zhang Guo chao , Zhang Chao qi , xue li yan , Yang Zhen lin , Lu Zhi liang , Huang Jian bing , Zang Ruo chuan , Che Yun , Mao Shuang shuang , Fang Ling ling , liu cheng ming , Wang Xin feng , Zheng Su fei , Sun Nan , He Jie
Published: May 2020

Background: Genomic instability plays a large role in the process of cancer. Tumor mutational burden (TMB) is closely related to immunotherapy outcome and is an important manifestation of genomic instability. However, the cost of TMB detection is extremely high, which limits the use of TMB in clinical practice. Another new indicator of genome instability, CNVA (the average copy number variation) which calculates the changes of 0.5 Mb chromosomal fragments, requires extremely low sequencing depth, and is expected to replace TMB as a new marker of immune efficacy.Methods: A total of 50 samples (23 of which came from patients who received immunotherapy) were subjected to low-depth (10X) chromosome sequencing on the MGI platform. CNVA was calculated by the formula avg (abs (copy number-2)). Then, we analyzed the relationship between CNVA and immune infiltration or immunotherapy efficacy. In addition, through the analysis of whole genome sequencing data of 509 lung adenocarcinoma in the TCGA database, we compared CNVA with classic marker TMB to evaluate the value of CNVA as an immune evaluation index.Results: Compared with the low CNVA group, the high CNVA group had higher expression of PD-L1, CD39 and CD19, and more infiltration of CD8 + T cells and CD3 + T cells. Among the 23 patients treated with immunotherapy, the average CNVA value of the SD (stable disease)/PR (partial response) group was higher than that of the PD (progressive disease) group (P <0.05). The data of whole genome sequencing data of 509 lung adenocarcinomas from TCGA and real-time quantitative PCR results of 22 frozen specimens found that CNVA was more correlated with CD8 and PD-L1 than TMB. In addition, CNVA showed a specific positive correlation with TMB (r = 0.2728, p < 0.0001).Conclusion: CNVA can be a good indicator of immune infiltration and predicting immunotherapy efficacy. With its low cost and potential clinical application for testing, it is expected to become a substitute for TMB.
Deep Neural Network Based Artificial Intelligence Assisted Diagnosis of Bone Scintigraphy for Cancer Bone Metastasis
Authors: Zhao Zhen , Pi Yong , Jiang Lisha , Xiang Yongzhao , Wei Jianan , Yang Pei , Zhang Wenjie , Zhong Xiao , Zhou Ke , Li Yuhao , Li Lin , Zhang Yi , Cai Huawei
Published: May 2020

Background: Bone scintigraphy (BS) is one of the most frequently utilized diagnostic techniques in detection of cancer bone metastasis, and it occupies great workload for nuclear physicians. So we aim to architecture an automatic image interpreting system to assist physicians for diagnosis.Methods: We developed an artificial intelligence (AI) model based on a deep neural network with 12222 cases of 99mTc-MDP bone scintigraphy, and evaluated its diagnostic performance of bone metastases.Results: This AI model demonstrated diagnostic performance by areas under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) was 0.988 for breast cancer, 0.955 for prostate cancer, 0.957 for lung cancer, and 0.971 for other cancers. Applying this AI model to a new dataset of 400 BS cases, it represented comparable performance to that of human physicians in individually classifying bone metastasis. Further AI-consulting interpretation also improved human diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy.Conclusion: In total, this AI model performed valuable benefit for nuclear physicians in timely and accurate evaluation of cancer bone metastases.
Mortality and its Predictors among children on Antiretroviral treatment in Ethiopia: A systematic review and Meta –analysis
Authors: Aynalem Yared Asmare , Ketema Hilina , Akalu Tadesse Yirga , Gonie Alemayehu , Dessie Getnet , Endalamaw Aklilu , Getaneh Kenean , Beletew Biruk , Yitbarek Getachew Yideg , Shiferaw Wondimeneh Shibabaw
Published: May 2020

Background: It is well known that antiretroviral therapy (ART) decrease the progress of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) related morbidity and mortality and helps the progress towards achieving the United Nations Program on HIV/ AIDS(UNAIDS) treatment goals. Despite this, mortality in Ethiopia becomes public health concern, and variance is observed across studies. With this gap, there is no pooled estimate. Thus, the goal of this study was to assess the pooled mortality and its predictors among antiretroviral treated HIV/AIDS patients.Methods: PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar databases were used to search articles. The quality of studies was assessed using the Newcastle Ottawa quality assessment scale. The funnel plot and Egger's test were performed to confirm the presence of publication bias. Heterogeneity across studies was evaluated using the I2 statistic. The pooled incidence rate and its predictors were estimated using a weighted inverse variance random-effects model. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were also performed. Results: In this review, 12 studies with the cohort size of 4,935 were included. The overall incidence of mortality rate was 6.02 (95% CI: 3.7, 8.2) per 100 person-years. A higher incidence of mortality was observed (12.51% (95%CI: 0.32, 24.7)) in south nation nationality and Peoples (SNNP) on subgroup analysis. Being advanced world health organization(WHO) clinical stage (AHR:5.34( 95% CI: 3.1,9.2.6)), lower CD4 cell count (AHR :2.46 (95 %CI: 1.8, 3.2)), anemia (AHR :2.76 (95% CI: 1.9,3.9)), and nutritional status (AHR :1.9 (95%CI: 1.3, 2.6)) were major predictors of mortality. In contrast, cotrimoxazole preventive therapy (CPT) (AHR: 0.34, (95% CI 0.05, 0.63)) reduced mortality.Conclusions: In Ethiopia, the incidence of mortality was high. Lower CD4 cell count, anemia, WHO clinical staging (III/IV), and undernutrition were the contributing factors. But cotrimoxazole preventive therapy had a high effect on mortality reduction. Therefore, an earlier management would be started before advancing signs of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) regardless of WHO staging, CD4 cell level, and nutritional status.
Management strategy of Corona Virus Disease-2019 in quarantine zones outside hospitals: Analysis of 1232 cases from a district in Wuhan
Authors: Zhu Xiaojian , Wang Jue , Wang Hao , Tang Yutong , Zhou Shu , Zhang Yuxiao , Wang Lianzhen , Liu Shengxin , Zhang Yanmin , Liu Wen , Fu Wenlan , Cai Yuanping , Tao Yu , Liu Fang , Zhou Jun
Published: May 2020

The Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has evolved into a global pandemic in the early 2020. Management strategy outside hospitals of the suspected cases, close contacts and discharged patients might be as important as treatment in hospital. We analyzed information from 1232 cases at 14 hotels (requisitioned as quarantine zones) in Qiaokou district, Wuhan during Feb 8th to Mar 4th 2020. Abide by the unquarantine and hospitalization standard, 603 (48.94%) cases were released from quarantine zones; 540 (43.83%) cases were sent to hospital for further medical care. 89 (7.22%) cases remained on quarantine up to the end of the analysis. The reasons for cases sent to the hospital for treatment were either positive for COVID-19 nucleic acid test, progression in pulmonary CT scan, or aggravation of symptoms. 11/59 patients switched from negative to positive for nucleic acid test during stayed in quarantine zones after being discharged from the hospitals. In total, hospitalization and positive rate for COVID-19 nucleic acid test both decreased over time. The quarantine measures were important and played a pivotal role in identification of cardinal number, cutting off the transmission, reducing the scope of prevention and rehabilitation therapy. This protocol adopted in Wuhan provided countries worldwide with valuable experience.
Risk Factors for Non-invasive Ventilation Failure in Influenza Infection with Acute Respiratory Failure in Emergency Department
Authors: Suttapanit Karn , Boriboon Jeeranun , Sanguanwit Pitsucha
Published: May 2020

BackgroundNon-invasive ventilation (NIV) has been widely used in hypoxemic acute respiratory failure (ARF) due to influenza pneumonia in emergency department (ED). However, the benefit of NIV in decreasing intubation rate remains controversial. Previous studies have reported that prolonged use of NIV was associated with increased mortality. Our study aims to identify risk factors for NIV failure in influenza infection with acute respiratory failure in ED.MethodWe perform a retrospective cohort observational study. Enrolled patients older than 18 years who used NIV due to influenza infection with ARF between 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2018 in Ramathibodi Emergency Department. Patients characteristics, comorbidity, clinical and laboratory outcome, chest imaging, NIV setting and parameter were recorded. We follow the outcome success or failure of the NIV used.Results162 patients were enrolled, 72 (44%) suffered NIV failure in influenza infection with ARF. We used univariate and multivariate logistic analyses to assess risk factors for NIV failure. The ability of risk factor to predict NIV failure was analyzed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC). Risk factors of NIV failure included sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score (P = 0.001), PaO2/FiO2 (PF) ratio (P = 0.001) and quadrant infiltrations in chest x-rays (CXR) (P = 0.001). SOFA score, PF ratio and number quadrant infiltrations in chest radiography have good ability to predict NIV failure, AUROC 0.894 (0.839 - 0.948), 0.828 (0.764 - 0.892) and 0.792 (0.721 – 0.863), respectively and no significant difference in the ability to predict NIV failure between three parameters. Use of PF ratio plus number quadrant infiltrations in chest radiography demonstrated higher predictive ability for NIV failure in influenza infection with ARF.ConclusionsSOFA score, PF ratio and quadrant infiltrations in chest radiography were good predictors of NIV failure in influenza infection with ARF.
Epidemiological,clinical and radiological findings in medical staff with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: a single-centered, retrospective cohort study
Authors: Liu Jie , Ouyang Liu , Guo Pi , Wu Haisheng , Fu Peng , Chen Yuliang , Yang Dan , Han Xiaoyu , Cao Yukun , Alwalid Osamah , Wu Hanping , Shi Heshui , Yang Fan , Hu Yu , Zheng Chuansheng
Published: May 2020

Backgrounds In December 2019, a pneumonia associated with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) emerged in Wuhan city, China. As of 20 Feb 2020, a total of 2,055 medical staff infected with SARS-Cov-2 in China had been reported. The predominant cause of the infection and the failure of protection among medical staff remains unclear. We sought to explore the epidemiological, clinical characteristics and prognosis of novel coronavirus-infected medical staff.Methods Medical staff who infected with SARS-Cov-2 and admitted to Union Hospital, Wuhan between 16 Jan, 2020 to 25 Feb, 2020 were included retrospectively. Epidemiological, clinical and radiological data were compared by occupation and analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression methods.Results A total of 101 medical staff (32 males and 69 females; median age: 33 years old) were included in this study and 74% were nurses. None had an exposure to Huanan seafood wholesale market or wildlife. A small proportion of the cohort had contact with specimens (3%) as well as patients infected with SARS-Cov-2 in fever clinics (15%) and isolation wards (3%). 80% of medical staff showed abnormal IL-6 levels and 33% had lymphocytopenia. Chest CT mainly manifested as bilateral (62%), septal/subpleural (77%) and ground­glass opacities (48%). The major differences between doctors and nurses manifested in laboratory indicators. As of the last observed date, no patient was transferred to intensive care unit or died, and 98 (97%) had been discharged. Fever (HR=0.57; 95% CI 0.36-0.90) and IL-6 levels greater than >2.9 pg/ml (HR=0.50; 95% CI 0.30-0.86) on admission were unfavorable factors for discharge.Conclusions Our findings suggested that the infection of medical staff mainly occurred at the early stages of SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Wuhan, and only a small proportion of infection had an exact mode. Meanwhile, medical staff infected with COVID-19 have relatively milder symptoms and favorable clinical course than other ordinary patients, which may be partly due to their medical expertise, younger age and less underlying diseases. The potential risk factors of presence of fever and IL-6 levels greater than >2.9 pg/ml could help to identify medical staff with poor prognosis at an early stage.
Association of relapse-linked ARID5B single nucleotide polymorphisms with drug resistance in B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines
Authors: TAMAI MINORI , Huang Meixian , Kagami Keiko , Abe Masako , Shinohara Tamao , Harama Daisuke , Watanabe Atsushi , Akahane Koshi , Goi Kumiko , Sugita Kanji , Goto Hiroaki , Minegishi Masayoshi , Iwamoto Shotaro , Inukai Takeshi
Published: May 2020

Background The genetic variants of the ARID5B gene have recently been reported to be associated with disease susceptibility and treatment outcome in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, few studies have explored the association of ARID5B with sensitivities to chemotherapeutic agents. Methods We genotyped susceptibility-linked rs7923074 and rs10821936 as well as relapse-linked rs4948488, rs2893881, and rs6479778 of ARDI5B by direct sequencing of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products in 72 B-cell precursor-ALL (BCP-ALL) cell lines established from Japanese patients. We also quantified their ARID5B expression levels by real-time reverse transcription PCR, and determined their 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values by alamarBlue assays in nine representative chemotherapeutic agents used for ALL treatment. Results No significant associations were observed in genotypes of the susceptibility-linked single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and the relapsed-linked SNPs with ARID5B gene expression levels. Of note, IC50 values of vincristine (VCR) (median IC50: 39.6 ng/ml) in 12 cell lines with homozygous genotype of risk allele (C) in the relapse-linked rs4948488 were significantly higher (p=0.031 in Mann–Whitney U test) than those (1.04 ng/ml) in 60 cell lines with heterozygous or homozygous genotypes of the non-risk allele (T). Furthermore, the IC50 values of mafosfamide [Maf; active metabolite of cyclophosphamide (CY)] and cytarabine (AraC) tended to be associated with the genotype of rs4948488. Similar associations were observed in genotypes of the relapse-linked rs2893881 and rs6479778, but not in those of the susceptibility-linked rs7923074 and rs10821936. In addition, the IC50 values of methotrexate (MTX) were significantly higher (p=0.023) in 36 cell lines with lower ARID5B gene expression (median IC50: 37.1 ng/ml) than those in the other 36 cell lines with higher expression (16.9 ng/ml). Conclusion These observations in 72 BCP-ALL cell lines suggested that the risk allele of the relapse-linked SNPs of ARID5B may be involved in a higher relapse rate because of resistance to chemotherapeutic agents such as VCR, CY, and AraC. In addition, lower ARID5B gene expression may be associated with MTX resistance.
Peptidome Analysis of Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell (hUC-MSC) Conditioned Medium from Preterm and Term Infants
Authors: Wang Yu , Zhang Lin , Wu Yun , Zhu Rongping , Wang Yan , Cao Yan , Long Wei , Ji Chenbo , Wang Huaiyan , You Lianghui
Published: May 2020

Background : The therapeutic role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been widely confirmed in several animal models of premature infant diseases. Micromolecule peptides have shown promise for the treatment of premature infant diseases. However, the potential role of peptides secreted from MSCs has not been studied. The purpose of this study is to broaden the knowledge of the hUC-MSC secretome at the peptide level through peptidomic profile analysis.

Methods : We used tandem mass tag (TMT) labeling technology followed by tandem mass spectrometry to compare the peptidomic profile of preterm and term umbilical cord MSC (hUC-MSC) conditioned medium (CM). Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) were conducted to explore the differentially expressed peptides by predicting the functions of their precursor proteins. And we investigated the effects of differentially expressed peptides on human lung epithelial cells stimulated by hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ).

Results : A total of 131 peptides derived from 106 precursor proteins were differentially expressed in the preterm hUC-MSC CM compared with the term group, comprising 37 up-regulated peptides and 94 down-regulated peptides. Bioinformatics analysis showed that these differentially expressed peptides may be associated with developmental disorders, inflammatory response and organismal injury. We also found that two differentially expressed peptides reduced the levels of TNFα and IL 1β mRNA in H 2 O 2 -treated human lung epithelial cells.

Conclusions : In summary, this study provides further secretomics information on hUC-MSCs and provides a series of peptides that might have roles in premature infant diseases, which may be helpful for prevention and treatment.
A 16-CpG-based Prognostic Signature for Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Chen Shuo , Wang Yan , Zhang Lin , Xu Mingyue , Wang Boxue , Su Yinan , Zhang Xipeng
Published: May 2020

Background: To develop a CpG-based prognostic prediction model to provide survival risk prediction for colorectal cancer. Differential methylation analysis was performed on 309 colorectal cancer and 38 adjacent cancer specimens from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Results: 2113 hypermethylation sites as well as 723 hypomethylation sites were screened out and 16 related CpG methylation loci were further identified. The risk score was calculated based on the methylation sites identified and utilized as an independent prognostic variable for multivariate Cox regression prediction model, which was further optimized by the independent prognostic factors (including stage and risk score). Conclusion: This study has identified several potential prognostic biomarkers and established a CpG-based prognostic prediction model for colorectal cancer, which provides a valuable reference for future clinical research.
Artificial Intelligence for Good Health: A Scoping Review of the Ethics Literature
Authors: Murphy Kathleen , Ruggiero Erica Di , Upshur Ross , Willison Donald J. , Malhotra Neha , Cai Jia Ce , Malhotra Nakul , Lui Vincci , Gibson Jennifer
Published: May 2020

Background Artificial intelligence (AI) has been described as the “fourth industrial revolution” with transformative and global implications, including in healthcare, public health, and global health. AI approaches hold promise for improving health systems worldwide, as well as individual and population health outcomes. While AI may have the potential to advance health equity within and between countries, we must consider the ethical implications of its deployment in order to mitigate its potential harms, particularly for the most vulnerable. This scoping review addresses the following question: What ethical issues have been identified in relation to AI in the field of health, including from a global health perspective? Methods Eight electronic databases were searched for peer reviewed and grey literature using the overarching concepts of health, ethics, and AI, and their related terms. Records were independently screened by two reviewers and were included if they reported on AI in relation to health and ethics and were written in the English language. Data was charted on a piloted data abstraction form, and a descriptive and thematic analysis was performed. Results Upon reviewing 12,722 articles, 103 met the predetermined inclusion criteria. The literature was primarily focused on the ethics of AI in health care, particularly on carer robots, diagnostics, and precision medicine, but was largely silent on ethics of AI in public and population health. The literature highlighted a number of common ethical concerns related to privacy, trust, accountability, and bias. Largely missing from the reviewed literature was the ethics of AI in global health, particularly in the context of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Conclusions The ethical issues surrounding AI in the field of health are both vast and complex. While AI holds the potential to improve health and health systems, our analysis suggests that its introduction should be approached with cautious optimism. The dearth of literature on the ethics of AI within LMICs, as well as in public health, also points to a critical need for further research into the ethical implications of AI within both global and public health, to ensure that its development and implementation is ethical for everyone, everywhere.
Hand Hygiene Improvement or Antibiotic Restriction to Control the Household Transmission of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia Coli: A Mathematical Modelling Study
Authors: Kardas-Sloma Lidia , Yazdanpanah Yazdan , Perozziello Anne , Zahar Jean-Ralph , Lescure François-Xavier , Cousien Anthony , Lucet Jean-Christophe
Published: May 2020

Background The best strategy to control ESBL-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-EC) spread in the community is lacking. Methods We developed an individual-based transmission model to evaluate the impact of hand hygiene (HH) improvement and reduction in antibiotic use on the within-household transmission of ESBL-EC. We used data from the literature and incorporated key elements of ESBL-EC transmission such as the frequency and nature of contacts among household members, antibiotic use in the community and hand hygiene behaviour. We introduced in a household a single ESBL-EC colonised person and simulated the transmission dynamics of ESBL-EC over a one-year time horizon. Results The probability of ESBL-EC acquisition depended on the household composition and the profile of the initial carrier. In the two-person household, the probability of ESBL-EC acquisition by another household member was 5.3% (95% CI 5.0-5.6) and 6.6% (6.3-6.9) when the index person was a woman or a man, respectively. In a four-person household, the probability of acquisition varied from 61.4% (60.9-62.0) to 68.8% (68.3- 69.3) and was the highest when the index patient was the baby. Improving HH by 50% reduced the probability of transmission by 33-62%. Antibiotic restriction by 50% reduced the transmission by 2-6%. Conclusions The acquisition of ESBL-EC is frequent in households and especially those with a baby. Antibiotic reduction had little impact on ESBL-EC. Improvement of hygiene in the community could help prevent transmission of ESBL-EC.
Risk Factors for Mortality in Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19 in Huanggang, China: A Single-Centre Multivariate Pattern Analysis
Authors: Chen Yinyin , Linli Zeqiang , Lei Yuting , Yang Yiya , Liu Zhipeng , Xia Youchun , Liang Yumei , Zhu Huabo , Guo Shuixia
Published: May 2020

To date, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has a worldwide distribution. Risk factors for mortality in critically ill patients, especially detailed self-evaluation indicators and laboratory-examination indicators, have not been well described. In this paper, a total of 192 critically ill patients (142 were discharged and 50 died in the hospital) with COVID-19 were included. Self-evaluation indicators including demographics, baseline characteristics and symptoms and detailed lab-examination indicators were extracted. Data were first compared between survivors and non-survivors. Multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) was performed to identify possible risk factors for mortality of COVID-19 patients. MVPA achieved a relatively high classification accuracy of 93% when using both self-evaluation indicators and laboratory-examination indicators. Several self-evaluation factors related to COVID-19 were highly associated with mortality, including age, duration (time from illness onset to admission), and the Barthel index score. When the duration, age and Barthel index increased by one day, one year and one point, the mortality increased by 3.6%, 2.4% and 0.9% respectively. Laboratory-examination indicators including C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell (WBC) count, platelet count, fibrin degradation products (FDP), oxygenation index (OI), lymphocyte count and D-dimer were also risk factors. Among them, duration was the strongest predictor of all-cause mortality. Several self-evaluation indicators that can simply be obtained by questionnaires and without clinical examination were the risk factors of all-cause mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients. The prediction model can be used by individuals to improve health awareness, and by clinicians to identify high-risk individuals.
Prevalence of the root lesion nematode virus (RLNV1) in populations of Pratylenchus penetrans from North America
Authors: Vieira Paulo , Peetz Amy , Mimee Benjamin , Saikai Kanan , Mollov Dimitre , MacGuidwin Ann , Zasada Inga , Nemchinov Lev G.
Published: May 2020

Root lesion nematode virus 1 (RLNV1) was discovered in the migratory endoparasitic nematode species Pratylenchus penetrans. It was found in a P. penetrans population collected from soil samples in Beltsville, Maryland, USA. In this study, the distribution of the RLNV1 in 31 geographically distinct P. penetrans populations obtained from different crops was examined. The results demonstrate that RLNV1 is widespread in North American populations of P. penetrans and exhibits low genetic variability in the helicase and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase regions of the genome.
H.L.A. HART’IN “TAKDİR” METNİ ÜZERİNE BİR İNCELEME
Authors: İSPİR Zeynep
Published: May 2020

2013 yılında, H.L.A. Hart’ın bugüne kadar elimize ulaşmamış olan “Takdir (Discretion)” başlıklı bir çalışması yayımlandı. Metin, takdir kavramı ve bu kavramın hukuk içerisindeki yerine ilişkin görüşleri içeriyor. Hart, hukukun çeşitli nedenlerle, kaçınılmaz bir belirsizlik alanına sahip olduğunu ileri sürmektedir. Bu bakımdan düşünürün hukuk teorisi içerisinde takdir, özellikle hukuk kurallarının, söz konusu belirsizlikler nedeniyle çözüme götüremediği durumlar açısından faydalı bir hukuk yapma aracı olarak görülmektedir. Bununla birlikte takdir gerekçelendirilmiş olmalı, bu faaliyet rasyonellik ve sorumluluk ilkesi gözetilerek yerine getirilmelidir. Takdir kavramının anlamı, niteliği, kavramın hukuk sistemleri için rolü ve çeşitli görünüm biçimleri ile bir hukuk sistemi içindeki uygun kullanımı için gerektirdikleri, yeni ulaşılan bu metnin temel tartışma konuları olarak belirtilebilir. Bu çalışmada, Hart’ın söz konusu tartışma alanlarındaki temel argümanları, “Takdir” metni aracılığıyla incelenecektir. Ayrıca bu takdir yaklaşımına yönelik bazı temel eleştiriler ve değerlendirmelere de yer verilecektir. Bu vesileyle, okuruyla elli yedi yıl sonra buluşan “Takdir”in, Hart çalışmaları açısından taşıdığı önem değerlendirilmeye çalışılacaktır.
Internal and external determinants of Iraqi bank profitability
Authors: Mohsin Jadah Hamid , Hayder Ali Alghanimi Manar , Sabah Hameed Al-Dahaan Noor , Hashim Mohammed Al-Husainy Noor
Published: May 2020

The determinants of bank profitability are very important, as bank profitability significantly affects the economies of countries. This study aims to examine the internal determinants (bank-specific characteristics) and external determinants (macroeconomic factors and government variables) of bank profitability in Iraq. The study uses unbalanced panel data from 18 banks in Iraq for thirteen years, from 2005 to 2017. The relationship is estimated using a fixed effects approach. The study selected 18 conventional banks considering their data availability in the period from 2005 to 2017. Based on the panel data method, the results show that bank size, the equity to total assets and total loans to total assets ratios, GDP growth, and government effectiveness have a significant and positive impact on the profitability of Iraqi banks. Meanwhile, credit risk, inflation, interest rate, unemployment, and political instability have a significant negative influence on bank profitability. To the authors’ knowledge, this study is considered one of the earliest studies of its kind, in which the main factors affecting Iraqi bank profitability are determined. That said, this paper makes a significant contribution to the theoretical literature, the industry, and policymakers, so that the performance of Iraqi conventional banks can be improved.
Acknowledgments The authors acknowledge the support from Ministry of Higher Education in Iraq, University of Kerbala, AL-Furat AL-Awsat Technical University, and Imam AL-Kadhum College for Islamic Studies. Furthermore, we appreciate the support by Prof. Dr. Sivarajasingham Selliah, Assistant Prof. Dr. Muhammad Abrar Ul Haq, and Dr. Mohammed Hasan.
Daily runoff forecasting based on data-augmented neural network model
Authors: Bi Xiao-ying , Li Bo , Lu Wen-long , Zhou Xin-zhi
Published: May 2020

Accurate daily runoff prediction plays an important role in the management and utilization of water resources. In order to improve the accuracy of prediction, this paper proposes a deep neural network (CAGANet) composed of a convolutional layer, an attention mechanism, a gated recurrent unit (GRU) neural network, and an autoregressive (AR) model. Given that the daily runoff sequence is abrupt and unstable, it is difficult for a single model and combined model to obtain high-precision daily runoff predictions directly. Therefore, this paper uses a linear interpolation method to enhance the stability of hydrological data and apply the augmented data to the CAGANet model, the support vector machine (SVM) model, the long short-term memory (LSTM) neural network and the attention-mechanism-based LSTM model (AM-LSTM). The comparison results show that among the four models based on data augmentation, the CAGANet model proposed in this paper has the best prediction accuracy. Its Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency can reach 0.993. Therefore, the CAGANet model based on data augmentation is a feasible daily runoff forecasting scheme.
The development of statistical downscaling methods for assessing the effects of climate change on the precipitation isotopes concentration
Authors: Mosaffa Maryam , Nazif Sara , Khalaj Amirhosseini Youssef
Published: May 2020

In recent years, stable isotopes of the water molecule (oxygen-18 and deuterium) have become a useful tool for tracking the water cycle. The concentration of these tracers changes with variations of water molecules within the water cycle. Due to this feature of isotopes, global large-scale isotope models have been developed. On the other hand, numerous local and global networks have been created in order to monitor the concentration of precipitation isotopes. The main problem with the simultaneous use of these local stations and the large-scale isotope datasets is their temporal and spatial mismatch. To use both isotope databases for monitoring the hydrological cycle in local scale, it is necessary to downscale the large-scale models' outputs. In this research, a downscaling approach is proposed for isotopes' concentrations using three statistical models, including multiple linear regression, generalized linear and weighting least square regression models. The results indicate that the implementation of the statistical downscaling method in the case of information preprocessing based on the seasonal changes, their spatial variations and a suitable method selection is a useful tool for monitoring the climate changes of a region according to the information on the stable oxygen-18 isotope.
Ecological Water Quality Index associated with factor analysis to classify surface waters
Authors: Boyacıoğlu Hayal , Boyacıoğlu Hülya
Published: May 2020

The object of this study was the development of a new water quality index called the Ecological Water Quality Index (EWQI) which is flexible enough to represent the ecological status of surface waters by assessing chemical quality based on supranational legislation. Eleven variables including nutrients, salts and total parameters were selected as index components. Threshold values were assigned to seven water-quality classes as defined by the legislation and were used to develop mathematical equations to convert observed values to index scores. Depending on the ecological importance of the parameters, weights were assigned to each variable and then a weighted sum method was performed to aggregate sub-indices. The applicability of the method was demonstrated in two basins located in Turkey. Factor analysis was applied to optimize the index component selection process. Several alternatives were tested to comprise at least one variable from each defined factor class (e.g. salinity content) to calculate an index score representing ecological status. Results showed that there were slight differences between index scores of the various tested alternatives. These differences did not cause misclassification of surface waters. The study showed that the EWQI method combined with factor analysis could be a practical and efficient way to represent the ecological status of surface waters.
Synergistic modification of bentonite by acid activation and hydroxyl iron pillaring for enhanced dye adsorption capacity
Authors: Xi Huan , Li Qingqing , Yang Yan , Zhang Jianfeng , Guo Feng , Wang Xiaogang , Xu Shikai , Ruan Shiping
Published: May 2020

Despite the fact of natural abundance, low cost and environmental friendliness, the far-from-sufficient adsorption capacity of natural bentonite (BT) has limited such a promising application to remove dye pollutants. In this paper, we proposed a facile modification strategy to enhance adsorption performance of bentonite utilizing synergistic acid activation and hydroxyl iron pillaring, by which the adsorbent (abbreviated as S-Fe-BT) exhibited the highest adsorption capacity (246.06 mg/g) and a high rapid adsorption rate for a typical organic dye, Rhodamine B (RhB). This could be ascribed to the increased interlayer spacing, the increased specific surface area, and the optimized OH/Fe ratio after the synthetic modification of the pristine BT. The adsorption behavior of RhB onto S-Fe-BT was well described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, indicating a chemical-adsorption-controlled process. Furthermore, its adsorption isotherm matched well with the Langmuir model due to a monolayer adsorption process. This paper opens a promising direction to remove the dye pollution using low cost bentonite adsorbents treated by such a convenient modification strategy.
CYP1A1 and CYP2D6 Polymorphisms and Susceptibility to Chronic Myelocytic Leukaemia
Authors: Idris Hadeil M.E. , Khalil Hiba B. , Mills Jeremy , Elderdery Abozer Y.
Published: May 2020

Background:

CYP1A1 and CYP2D6 are both xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes belonging
to the CYP450 enzyme family. Polymorphisms in these genes vary between individuals, resulting
in dissimilar patterns of susceptibility to the effects of carcinogenic substances and drugs.

Objective:

In a prospective study, the influence of CYP1A1*2C and CYP2D6*4 gene polymorphisms
on the susceptibility to chronic myelocytic leukaemia (CML) were investigated.

Methods:

Prevalence of CYP1A1*2C and CYP2D6*4 was detected in blood specimens from three
hundred participants - two hundred patients and a hundred healthy individuals as a control group, using
PCR-RFLP.

Results:

CYP1A1 Ile/Val and Val/Val genotype frequency in our study population was 82% & 15%
in CML patients and 55% & 8% in controls, respectively. This suggests that carriers had an elevated
risk (OR=18.38, 95% CI=7.364-45.913, p value; =0.000 and OR=23.125,95 % CI=7.228-73.980, p
value=0.000, respectively). Individuals carrying the CYP2D6 heterozygous genotype (IM) were notably
fewer in number within the CML group at 43.5%, as opposed to 93% of the controls. This suggests
that the IM genotype may have a prophylactic function in lowering CML risk (OR=0.036, 95%
CI=0.005-0.271, p value =0.001). In spite of the distribution of the homozygous mutant (PM) genotype
being higher in cases with CML (87% as opposed to 6% in the control), this difference was
deemed non-significant (OR=0.558, 95% CI=0.064-4.845, p value =0.597).

Conclusion:

These findings indicate that polymorphic CYP1A1 and CYP2D6 genes affect the susceptibility
to CML.
Targeting Different Pathways Using Novel Combination Therapy in Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Mir Manzoor A. , Qayoom Hina , Mehraj Umar , Nisar Safura , Bhat Basharat , Wani Nissar A.
Published: May 2020

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive subtypes of breast
cancer accounting for 15-20% of cases and is defined by the lack of hormonal receptors viz., estrogen
receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and expression of human epidermal growth receptor 2
(HER2). Treatment of TNBC is more challenging than other subtypes of breast cancer due to the
lack of markers for the molecularly targeted therapies (ER, PR, and HER-2/ Neu), the conventional
chemotherapeutic agents are still the mainstay of the therapeutic protocols of its patients. Despite,
TNBC being more chemo-responsive than other subtypes, unfortunately, the initial good response to
the chemotherapy eventually turns into a refractory drug-resistance. Using a monotherapy for the
treatment of cancer, especially high-grade tumors like TNBC, is mostly worthless due to the inherent
genetic instability of tumor cells to develop intrinsic and acquired resistance. Thus, a cocktail of two
or more drugs with different mechanisms of action is more effective and could successfully control
the disease. Furthermore, combination therapy reveals more, or at least the same, effectiveness with
lower doses of every single agent and decreases the likelihood of chemoresistance. Herein, we shed
light on the novel combinatorial approaches targeting PARP, EGFR, PI3K pathway, AR, and wnt
signaling, HDAC, MEK pathway for efficient treatment of high-grade tumors like TNBC and decreasing
the onset of resistance.
Literary translation: implantation vs transference
Authors: Khaled AlZu’bi
Published: May 2020

The figurative language employed by authors, which reflects their styles of writing, is one main reason behind the challenges that most literary translators encounter when dealing with literary works. Usually employed for aesthetic and poetic purposes, figures of speech imply connotative meanings. In literary works, words are used only assigns to settle down the flying spirits of meanings and ideas so that the audience can have a thread that could lead them to intended meanings. I believe that literary translators should face the challenges of translating literary works through two main approaches. First, transferring the work of art as it is without trying to find any equivalent in the target language for any piece of text in the source language. The aim of such type of translation would be familiarizing the audience in the target language with the literature and culture of the source language. Second, translating the SL work of art creatively, i.e. using all possible strategies and procedures to find natural equivalents in the TL for any stylistic features in the SLT. This type of translation should aim at pleasing and entertaining the TL audience.
Representation of Iraqi prisoners' abuse in Judith Thompson's palace of the end: a politico-cultural perspective
Authors: Hameed Salih M.
Published: May 2020

The paper is a study in the representation of the systematic abuse inflicted by the American Female Soldier (being an image of American militarism) upon the Iraqi prisoners in the Abu Ghraib jail. The American misconducts exercised are based on political and cultural grounds: it is dramatically evident that the American Female Soldier has prejudicially transformed the stage into a battleground, whereon, post colonially, the Iraqi prisoners are viciously addressed by demeaning terms.
Houses divided? Noble familial and class connections during the Age of Revolution and Napoleon
Authors: Robinson Mary K.
Published: May 2020

As Napoleon prepared for his journey to the island of Elba in the spring of 1814, his young aide-decamp, Anatole de Montesquiou-Fezensac, begged to share in his idol’s exile. Just a week or so prior, Sosthènes de La Rochefoucauld gathered a mob to topple the statue of Napoleon from atop the Colonne Vendôme. Yet, Sosthènes and Anatole, first cousins and three years apart in age, did not let their partisan political identities break their family bond. This paper will use the example of these two men and their relatives to explore the familial and class connections that continued to bind members of the old French nobility. For the Montesquious and La Rochefoucaulds the cataclysmic social and political changes of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries did not sever the pre-existing bonds of blood and class.
Power and beauty. The Arenberg family and its art collection
Authors: Dickinson Janet
Published: May 2020

Review of Mark Derez, Soetkin Vanhauwaert and Anne Verbrugge, eds, Arenberg. Portrait of a family, story of a collection (Turnhout: Brepols, 2018, 400 p., 380 colour ill.).
Haas, Annika/Hock, Jonas/Leyrer, Anna/Ungelenk, Johannes (Hg.): Widerständige Theorie. Kritisches Lesen und Schreiben.
Authors: Wieder Anna
Published: May 2020

Rezension von Haas, Annika/Hock, Jonas/Leyrer, Anna/Ungelenk, Johannes (Hg.): Widerständige Theorie. Kritisches Lesen und Schreiben. Berlin: Neofelis 2018.
Marchart, Oliver/Martinsen, Renate (Hg.): Foucault und das Politische. Transdisziplinäre Impulse für die Politische Theorie der Gegenwart.
Authors: Klein Hannah
Published: May 2020

Eine Rezension zu:

Marchart, Oliver/Martinsen, Renate (Hg.): Foucault und das Politische. Transdisziplinäre Impulse für die Politische Theorie der Gegenwart. Wiesbaden: Springer VS 2019. 384 Seiten. [978-3-658-22789-0]
R. Jay Wallace: The Moral Nexus
Authors: Zahn Jonas
Published: May 2020

Rezension von R. Jay Wallace' Buch The Moral Nexus.
Evaluation of sucrose and GA3 in an in vitro shoot culture of Alpinia purpurata (Zingiberaceae)
Authors: Suarez Padrón Isidro Elías , Pérez Meza Pablo Miguel , Lopez Diaz Claudia Marcela
Published: May 2020

Alpinia purpurata is an ornamental plant species native to the Asia-Pacific with commercial potential due to its red inflorescence adapted to the northern Colombian coast; however, the lack of propagation protocols hinders commercial cultivation. To adjust a micropropagation protocol for clonal plant material production, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sucrose and gibberellic acid (GA3) in the culture medium on the number of new shoots per explant, shoot length, root number, root length and number of leaves. Explants were cultured in semisolid MS (Murashige & Skoog) medium with sucrose (30, 45 and 60 mg/L) and GA3 (0.0; 0.25; 0.5; 0.75 and 1.0 mg/L). A factorial experimental design with two factors was employed, with 15 treatments, 10 replicates per treatment and 150 experimental units distributed with a completely randomized design. Cultures were stored five weeks at 25 °C with a 12 h photoperiod (40 μmol m-2 s-1). Anova and Tukey’s test allowed detecting the statistical effects of sucrose and GA3 supply for all variables. An increase in sucrose concentration resulted in a higher number of shoots, while an increase in GA3 induced longer shoots. Root length and leaf number decreased as GA3 and sucrose increased.