bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self-employment and health inequality of migrant workers
Authors: Zhou Deshui , Wen Xin
Published: July 2022

Background

Self-employment is one of the most common forms of employment for migrant workers in China. However, migrant workers’ lifestyle and behavior, as well as health disparities among them, would be impacted by self-employment. This research aims to explore the mechanism and group differences of the effect of self-employment on health inequality among Chinese migrant workers.

Materials and methods

To explore the effect of self-employment on health inequalities among migrant workers, this research uses the data from the 2018 China Migrant Workers Dynamic Monitoring Survey, and the RIF-I-OLS decomposition method.

Results

We find that self-employment will reduce the health inequality of Chinese migrant workers significantly, especially among migrant workers with low education, low income, and low social integration. A further examination reveals that self-employment can directly promote the self-rated health of migrant workers. Additionally, it indirectly alleviates the health inequality among migrant workers by mediating effect of expanding access to public welfare, such as by establishing health records and strengthening health education.

Conclusion

The government should permit and encourage migrant workers to engage in self-employment. It is necessary to provide public services such as health education, health records, and health rights for migrant workers, and focus on the employment of migrant workers in city, especially those with low income and low education. we believe that measures should be taken to enhance migrant workers’ sense of belonging in urban China Only on this basis can health inequality among migrant workers be truly reduced.
Molecular analysis of internal transcribed spacer 2 of Dicrocoelium dendriticum isolated from cattle, sheep, and goat in Iran
Authors: Javanmard Ehsan , Mohammad Rahimi Hanieh , Nemati Sara , Soleimani Jevinani Sara , Mirjalali Hamed
Published: July 2022

Background

Dicrocoelium dendriticum is a broadly distributed zoonotic helminth, which is mainly reported from domesticated and wild ruminants. There is little data covering the molecular features of this trematode; therefore, current study aimed to molecularly analyze D. dendriticum in livestock.

Methods

Totally, 23 samples of D. dendriticum were collected from cattle, sheep, and goat from Ilam, Lorestan, and Khuzestan, three west and south-west provinces of Iran from February to August 2018. After genomic DNA extraction, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 2 fragment was amplified and sequenced in samples. To investigate genetic variations through the ITS 2 fragment of obtained D. dendriticum, phylogenetic tree and network analysis were employed.

Results

All 23 samples were successfully amplified and sequenced. Phylogenetic tree showed that our samples were clearly grouped in a clade together with reference sequences. There was no grouping based on either geographical regions or hosts. Network analysis confirmed the phylogenetic findings and showed the presence of nine distinct haplotypes, while our samples together most of sequences, which were previously submitted to the GenBank, were grouped in the Hap1.

Conclusions

Our findings indicated that although ITS 2 fragment discriminate D. dendriticum, this fragment is not suitable to study intra-species genetic variations. Therefore, exploring and describing new genetic markers could be more appropriate to provide new data about the genetic distribution of this trematode.
Co-designing an intervention to prevent rheumatic fever in Pacific People in South Auckland: a study protocol
Authors: Tu’akoi Siobhan , Ofanoa Malakai , Ofanoa Samuela , Lutui Hinamaha , Heather Maryann , Jansen Rawiri McKree , van der Werf Bert , Goodyear-Smith Felicity
Published: July 2022

Background

Rheumatic fever is an autoimmune condition that occurs in response to an untreated Group A Streptococcus throat or skin infection. Recurrent episodes of rheumatic fever can cause permanent damage to heart valves, heart failure and even death. Māori and Pacific people in Aotearoa New Zealand experience some of the highest rates globally, with Pacific children 80 times more likely to be hospitalised for rheumatic fever and Māori children 36 times more likely than non-Māori, non-Pacific children. Community members from the Pacific People’s Health Advisory Group, research officers from the Pacific Practice-Based Research Network and University of Auckland researchers identified key health priorities within the South Auckland community that needed to be addressed, one of which was rheumatic fever. The study outlined in this protocol aims to co-design, implement, and evaluate a novel intervention to reduce rheumatic fever rates for Pacific communities in South Auckland.

Methods

This participatory mixed-methods study utilises the Fa’afaletui method and follows a three-phase approach. Phase 1 comprises a quantitative analysis of the rheumatic fever burden within Auckland and across New Zealand over the last five years, including sub-analyses by ethnicity. Phase 2 will include co-design workshops with Pacific community members, families affected by rheumatic fever, health professionals, and other stakeholders in order to develop a novel intervention to reduce rheumatic fever in South Auckland. Phase 3 comprises the implementation and evaluation of the intervention.

Discussion

This study aims to reduce the inequitable rheumatic fever burden faced by Pacific communities in South Auckland via a community-based participatory research approach. The final intervention may guide approaches in other settings or regions that also experience high rates of rheumatic fever. Additionally, Māori have the second-highest incidence rates of rheumatic fever of all ethnic groups, thus community-led approaches ‘by Māori for Māori’ are also necessary.

Trial registration

The Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry has approved the proposed study: ACTRN12622000565741 and ACTRN12622000572763.
MARCKSL1–2 reverses docetaxel-resistance of lung adenocarcinoma cells by recruiting SUZ12 to suppress HDAC1 and elevate miR-200b
Authors: Jiang Min , Qi Feng , Zhang Kai , Zhang Xiaofei , Ma Jingjing , Xia Suhua , Chen Longbang , Yu Zhengyuan , Chen Jing , Chen Dongqin
Published: July 2022

Background

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are implicated in the development of multiple cancers. In our previous study, we demonstrated that HDAC1/4-mediated silencing of microRNA-200b (miR-200b) enhances docetaxel (DTX)-resistance of human lung adenocarcinoma (LAD) cells.

Methods and results

Herein, we probed the function of LncRNA MARCKSL1–2 (MARCKSL1-transcript variant 2, NR_052852.1) in DTX resistance of LAD cells. It was found that MARCKSL1–2 expression was markedly reduced in DTX-resistant LAD cells. Through gain- or loss- of function assays, colony formation assay, EdU assay, TUNEL assay, and flow cytometry analysis, we found that MARCKSL1–2 suppressed the growth and DTX resistance of both parental and DTX-resistant LAD cells. Moreover, we found that MARCKSL1–2 functioned in LAD through increasing miR-200b expression and repressing HDAC1. Mechanistically, MARCKSL1–2 recruited the suppressor of zeste 12 (SUZ12) to the promoter of histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) to strengthen histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) of HDAC1 promoter, thereby reducing HDAC1 expression. MARCKSL1–2 up-regulated miR-200b by blocking the suppressive effect of HDAC1 on the histone acetylation modification at miR-200b promoter. Furthermore, in vivo analysis using mouse xenograft tumor model supported that overexpression of MARCKSL1–2 attenuated the DTX resistance in LAD tumors.

Conclusions

We confirmed that MARCKSL1–2 alleviated DTX resistance in LAD cells by abolishing the inhibitory effect of HDAC1 on miR-200b via the recruitment of SUZ12. MARCKSL1–2 could be a promising target to improve the chemotherapy of LAD.

Graphical abstract
Tracking malaria health disbursements by source in Zambia, 2009–2018: an economic modelling study
Authors: Mtalimanja Michael , Abasse Kassim Said , Abbas Muhammad , Mtalimanja James Lamon , Zhengyuan Xu , DuWenwen  , Cote Andre , Xu Wei
Published: July 2022

Background

Zambia has made profound strides in reducing both the incidence and prevalence of malaria followed by reducing malaria related deaths between 2009 and 2018. The number of partners providing malaria funding has significantly increased in the same period. The increasing number of partners and the subsequent reduction of the number of reported malaria cases in the Ministry of Health main data repository Health Management Information System (HMIS) stimulated this research. The study aimed at (1) identifying major sources of malaria funding in Zambia; (2) describe malaria funding per targeted interventions and (3) relating malaria funding with malaria disease burden.

Methods

Data was collected using extensive literature review of institutional strategic document between the year 2009 to 2018, assuming one-year time lag between investment and the health outcome across all interventions. The National’s Health Management Information System (HMIS) provided information on annual malaria admission cases and outpatient clinic record. The statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) alongside Microsoft excel was used to analyze data in the year 2019.

Results

The investigation observed that about 30% of the funding came from PMI/USAID, 26% from the global funds, the government of Zambia contributed 17% and other partners sharing the remaining 27%. Multivariate regression analysis suggests a positive correlation between reducing reported malaria disease burden in HMIS 2009–2018 and concurrent increasing program/intervention funding towards ITNs, IRS, MDA, and Case Management with r2 = 77% (r2 > 0.77; 95% CI: 0.72–0.81). Furthermore, IRS showed a p-value 0.018 while ITNs, Case Management and MDA having 0.029, 0.030 and 0.040 respectively.

Conclusion

Our findings highlight annual funding towards specific malaria intervention reduced the number of malaria admission cases.
Whole-exome sequencing identified mutational profiles of urothelial carcinoma post kidney transplantation
Authors: Lim Lee-Moay , Chung Wen-Yu , Hwang Daw-Yang , Yu Chih-Chuan , Ke Hung-Lung , Liang Peir-In , Lin Ting-Wei , Cheng Siao Muk , Huang A-Mei , Kuo Hung-Tien
Published: July 2022

Kidney transplantation is a lifesaving option for patients with end-stage kidney disease. In Taiwan, urothelial carcinoma (UC) is the most common de novo cancer after kidney transplantation (KT). UC has a greater degree of molecular heterogeneity than do other solid tumors. Few studies have explored genomic alterations in UC after KT. We performed whole-exome sequencing to compare the genetic alterations in UC developed after kidney transplantation (UCKT) and in UC in patients on hemodialysis (UCHD). After mapping and variant calling, 18,733 and 11,093 variants were identified in patients with UCKT and UCHD, respectively. We excluded known single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and retained genes that were annotated in the Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer (COSMIC), in the Integrative Onco Genomic cancer mutations browser (IntOGen), and in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database of genes associated with bladder cancer. A total of 14 UCKT-specific genes with SNPs identified in more than two patients were included in further analyses. The single-base substitution (SBS) profile and signatures showed a relative high T > A pattern compared to COMSIC UC mutations. Ingenuity pathway analysis was used to explore the connections among these genes.GNAQ,IKZF1, andNTRK3were identified as potentially involved in the signaling network of UCKT. The genetic analysis of posttransplant malignancies may elucidate a fundamental aspect of the molecular pathogenesis of UCKT.
Development of a single device to quantify motor impairments of the elbow: proof of concept
Authors: van der Velden Levinia Lara , Onneweer Bram , Haarman Claudia Josephina Wilhelmina , Benner Joyce Lisanne , Roebroeck Marij Eugenie , Ribbers Gerard Maria , Selles Ruud Willem
Published: July 2022

Background

For patients with post-stroke upper limb impairments, the currently available clinical measurement instruments are inadequate for reliable quantification of multiple impairments, such as muscle weakness, abnormal synergy, changes in elastic joint properties and spasticity. Robotic devices to date have successfully achieved precise and accurate quantification but are often limited to the measurement of one or two impairments. Our primary aim is to develop a robotic device that can effectively quantify four main motor impairments of the elbow.

Methods

 The robotic device, Shoulder Elbow Perturbator, is a one-degree-of-freedom device that can simultaneously manipulate the elbow joint and support the (partial) weight of the human arm. Upper limb impairments of the elbow were quantified based on four experiments on the paretic arm in ten stroke patients (mean age 65 ± 10 yrs, 9 males, post-stroke) and the non-dominant arm in 20 healthy controls (mean age 65 ± 14 yrs, 6 males). The maximum strength of elbow flexor and elbow extensor muscles was measured isometrically at 90-degree elbow flexion. The maximal active extension angle of the elbow was measured under different arm weight support levels to assess abnormal synergy. Torque resistance was analyzed during a slow (6°/s) passive elbow rotation, where the elbow moved from the maximal flexion to maximal extension angle and back, to assess elastic joint properties. The torque profile was evaluated during fast (100°/s) passive extension rotation of the elbow to estimate spasticity.

Results

The ten chronic stroke patients successfully completed the measurement protocol. The results showed impairment values outside the 10thand 90thpercentile reference intervals of healthy controls. Individual patient profiles were determined and illustrated in a radar figure, to support clinicians in developing targeted treatment plans.

Conclusion

The Shoulder Elbow Perturbator can effectively quantify the four most important impairments of the elbow in stroke patients and distinguish impairment scores of patients from healthy controls. These results are promising for objective and complete quantification of motor impairments of the elbow and monitoring patient prognosis. Our newly developed Shoulder Elbow Perturbator can therefore in the future be employed to evaluate treatment effects by comparing pre- and post-treatment assessments.
TGFβ1-transfected tendon stem cells promote tendon fibrosis
Authors: Yu Hong-Bin , Xiong Jing , Zhang Hui-Zhen , Chen Qin , Xie Xu-Yong
Published: July 2022

Background

In aged people, tendon injuries frequently occur during sporting and daily activities. In clinical practice, typical physiotherapeutic, pharmacotherapeutic, and surgical techniques do not result in the full recovery of injured tendons, which may lead to chronic degenerative disease.

Methods

We first isolated tendon stem cells (TSCs) from rats and transfected them with the TGFβ1 gene, resulting in TGFβ1-TSCs. The proliferation of TSCs was detected using the Cell Counting Kit 8, and TSCs were identified by immunofluorescence analysis and differentiation capacity analysis. Aggrecan, COL2A1, alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and p-Smad2 expression levels were detected using western blotting and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Additionally, a tendon injury model was generated to explore the effect of TGFβ1 on the repair of the tendon by TSCs.

Results

Compared with fibrinogen treatment, TSC + fibrinogen or TGFβ1-TSC + fibrinogen treatment significantly promoted the fibrosis of injured tendons, as evidenced by histological analyses, with TGFβ1-TSC + fibrinogen having a greater effect than TSC + fibrinogen. In TGFβ1-TSCs, increased expression levels of aggrecan and COL2A1 indicated that TGFβ1 signaling induced chondrogenic differentiation. Meanwhile, the increased collagen and α-SMA protein levels indicated that TGFβ1 promoted fibrogenesis. Additionally, TGFβ1 stimulated the production of phosphorylated Smad2 in TSCs, which suggested that the chondrogenic and fibrogenic differentiation of TSCs, as well as tissue regeneration, may be associated with the TGFβ1/Smad2 pathway.

Conclusion

TGFβ1-TSC therapy may be a candidate for effective tendon fibrosis.
Synthesis of lanthanide tag and experimental studies on paramagnetically induced residual dipolar couplings
Authors: Yassin Ali , Nehmeh Bilal , Kantar Sally El , Al Kazzaz Yara , Akoury Elias
Published: July 2022

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is an indispensable technique for the structure elucidation of molecules and determination of their characteristic interactions. Residual Dipolar Coupling (RDC) is an NMR parameter that provides global orientation information of molecules but necessitates the use of an anisotropic orientation medium for the partial alignment of the target molecule with respect to the magnetic field. Importantly, anisotropic paramagnetic tags have been successful as orienting media in biomolecular NMR applications but their use in small organic molecules remains imperfect due to challenges in designing functional lanthanide complexes with varying degrees of bonding in the Ln(III) inner coordination sphere. In this study, we propose a strategy for the synthesis of the lanthanide tag 4-mercaptomethylpyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, 4-MMDPA and the measurement of RDCs in a target molecule using several paramagnetic lanthanide complexes.

Graphical Abstract
Metagenomic insights into the microbe-mediated B and K2 vitamin biosynthesis in the gastrointestinal microbiome of ruminants
Authors: Jiang Qian , Lin Limei , Xie Fei , Jin Wei , Zhu Weiyun , Wang Min , Qiu Qiang , Li Zhipeng , Liu Junhua , Mao Shengyong
Published: July 2022

Background

B and K2vitamins, essential nutrients in host metabolism, can be synthesized by the rumen microbiome in ruminants and subsequently absorbed by the host. However, the B and K2vitamin biosynthesis by the whole gastrointestinal microbiome and their abundances in different dietary strategies are largely unknown. Here, we reanalyzed our previous large-scale metagenomic data on the gastrointestinal microbiome of seven ruminant species and recruited 17,425 nonredundant microbial genomes from published datasets to gain a comprehensive understanding of the microbe-mediated B and K2vitamin biosynthesis in ruminants.

Results

We identified 1,135,807 genes and 167 enzymes involved in B and K2vitamin biosynthesis. Our results indicated that the total abundances of B and K2vitamin biosynthesis were dominant in the stomach microbiome, while the biosynthesis of thiamine, niacin, and pyridoxine was more abundant in the large intestine. By examining 17,425 nonredundant genomes, we identified 2366 high-quality genomes that were predicted to de novo biosynthesize at least one vitamin. Genomic analysis suggested that only 2.7% of these genomes can synthesize five or more vitamins, and nearly half of genomes can synthesize only one vitamin. Moreover, we found that most genomes possessed cobalamin transporters or cobalamin-dependent enzymes to consume cobalamin directly, and only a few microbial genomes possessed a complete cobalamin biosynthesis pathway. Based on these genomic data, we examined the effect of the high-grain (HG) diet on the vitamin biosynthesis of the rumen microbiome of dairy cattle. We revealed that most vitamin biosynthesis was enhanced in the HG group, while only cobalamin synthesis was inhibited in the HG group, indicating that dietary fiber is vital for cobalamin biosynthesis.

Conclusions

We primarily provided a gene catalog and 2366 microbial genomes involved in B and K2vitamin biosynthesis in ruminants. Our findings demonstrated the regional heterogeneity and dietary effect of vitamin biosynthetic potential in the ruminant gastrointestinal microbiome and interpreted the biosynthesis mechanisms of these microbes and their physiological adaptability. This study expands our understanding of microbe-mediated vitamin biosynthesis in ruminants and may provide novel targets for manipulation to improve the production of these essential vitamins.
Ozone high dose therapy (OHT) improves mitochondrial bioenergetics in peripheral blood mononuclear cells
Authors: König Brigitte , Lahodny Johann
Published: July 2022

Background

The worldwide increasing number of people with chronic diseases is pushing conventional therapy to its limits. The so-called Major AutoHaemo Therapy (MAH) has been used in many practices for years. Despite suspicions, especially the 10-passes ozone-high-dosis Therapy (OHT) has shown substantial benefits in chronic ailments. However, knowledge of scientifically based effects of high ozone concentrations are still rare. The present investigation focussed on verifying whether OHT may be linked to a beneficial effect on mitochondrial bioenergetics which can be expressed as a bioenergetic health index (BHI).

Methods

We report on six patients which received OHT for preventive purposes twice within one week. The BHI in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) is calculated from parameters of a cellular mitochondrial function assay, which gives insights into different aspects of mitochondrial function: 1) Basal oxygen consumption rate (OCR); 2) ATP-linked OCR and proton leak; 3) Maximal OCR and reserve capacity; 4) Non-mitochondrial OCR.

Results

The results clearly show that the bioenergetic health index in PBMC improves significantly after just 2 OHT applications over a period of 1 week. The overall improvement of the BHI is based primarily on a significant increase in the reserve capacity and the maximum respiration of the mitochondria. The increase in non-mitochondrial oxygen consumption, which has a negative impact on the BHI value, is indicative for the Nrf-2 dependent activation of antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes activated through OHT.

Conclusion

These data demonstrate for the first time the beneficial effect of OHT on mitochondrial parameters. Thus, the results of this study suggest that OHT could be a safe and effective therapeutic option alone or as integrative and complementary support for pharmacological therapy in a variety of chronic and acute diseases where mitochondrial dysfunction plays a central role.
Identification of KRASG12C Mutations in Circulating Tumor DNA in Patients With Cancer
Authors: Thein Kyaw Z. , Biter Amadeo B. , Banks Kimberly C. , Duda Andrew W. , Saam Jennifer , Roszik Jason , Janku Filip , Skoulidis Ferdinandos , Heymach John V. , Kopetz Scott , Meric-Bernstam Funda , Hong David S.
Published: July 2022

PURPOSE

KRAS is the most mutated proto-oncogene that has been identified in cancer, and treatment of patients with KRAS mutations remains an arduous challenge. Recently, KRAS G12C mutation has attracted special interest because it is now considered potentially druggable with recently developed covalent small-molecule KRAS G12C inhibitors. Nevertheless, to date, there have been no large-scale analyses of liquid biopsy that include testing for KRAS G12C. Here, we performed a comprehensive analysis of KRAS G12C mutations in multiple cancer types, as detected by circulating tumor DNA.

METHODS

We conducted a 5-year retrospective review of KRAS G12C mutations in patients with cancer who had undergone Guardant360 testing between July 1, 2014, and June 30, 2019; our study included treatment-naive and previously treated patients with metastatic solid tumors.

RESULTS

KRAS G12C mutations were identified in 2,985 of 80,911 patients (3.7%), across > 40 tumor types. KRAS G12C mutations were detected most frequently in patients with nonsquamous non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC; 7.5%), NSCLC of all subtypes (6.9%), cancer of unknown primary (4.1%), colorectal cancer (3.5%), squamous NSCLC (2.0%), pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors (1.9%), and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (1.2%) and cholangiocarcinoma (1.2%). KRAS G12C mutations were predominantly clonal (clonality > 0.9%) in patients with lung adenocarcinoma, non-NSCLC, cancer of unknown primary, NSCLC, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and patients with colorectal cancer and breast cancer had bimodal distribution of clonal and subclonal KRAS G12C mutations.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrates the feasibility of using circulating tumor DNA to identify KRAS G12C mutations across solid tumors; the highest detection rate was in lung cancer, as previously reported in the literature.
DPYD*7 as a Predictor of Severe Fluoropyrimidine-Related Adverse Events
Authors: de With Mirjam , Brufau Gemma , van den Berg Laila A. , de Man Femke M. , Trajkovic Marija , Thijs Martine F. , Castel Rob , Vermeer Henricus J. , el Bouazzaoui Samira , van Hemel Amber , Matic Maja , Mathijssen Ron H. J. , Bins Sander , van Schaik Ron H. N.
Published: July 2022

PURPOSE

Around 20%-30% of patients treated with fluoropyrimidines develop severe treatment-related adverse events (AEs). These are mainly caused by deficiency of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase, its main metabolizing enzyme. The DPYD*7 variant allele contains a frameshift mutation that leads to absence of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase. Clinical studies on this variant in patients treated with fluoropyrimidines are lacking because of its low minor allelic frequency. However, the DPYD*7 minor allelic frequency is 56-times higher in the Dutch compared with the global population. This allowed us to evaluate fluoropyrimidine tolerability in DPYD*7 variant allele carriers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients treated with standard-of-care fluoropyrimidine who were pretreatment DPYD genotyped for DPYD*2A, *13, 2846A>T, and 1236G>A single-nucleotide polymorphisms were included for analyses. Patients were additionally screened for the DPYD*7 allele (rs72549309, 295-298delTCAT). AEs were graded if they worsened from baseline, according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0. AEs ≥ grade 3 were considered severe.

RESULTS

From 3,748 patients, we found 13 patients carrying heterozygous DPYD*7. Relevant clinical data were available for 11 patients. All patients developed fluoropyrimidine-related AEs, of which five patients developed severe AEs (46%). From these five patients, three patients were started with 65% or 50% of standard dose, but apparently still developed severe toxicity. Because of severe AEs, three patients discontinued treatment prematurely (one patient already started with 50% of standard dose) and one patient who started with 50% of standard dose was further reduced to 35% of standard dose.

CONCLUSION

In this study, the clinical consequences of carrying the DPYD*7 variant allele were confirmed as 46% of the patients developed severe AEs, even in the presence of initial dose reductions. This underlines the need for prospective studies investigating the required fluoropyrimidine dose for DPYD*7 carriers.
TSH and FT4 Reference Intervals in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis
Authors: Osinga Joris A J , Derakhshan Arash , Palomaki Glenn E , Ashoor Ghalia , Männistö Tuija , Maraka Spyridoula , Chen Liangmiao , Bliddal Sofie , Lu Xuemian , Taylor Peter N , Vrijkotte Tanja G M , Tao Fang-Biao , Brown Suzanne J , Ghafoor Farkhanda , Poppe Kris , Veltri Flora , Chatzi Lida , Vaidya Bijay , Broeren Maarten A C , Shields Beverley M , Itoh Sachiko , Mosso Lorena , Popova Polina V , Anopova Anna D , Kishi Reiko , Aminorroaya Ashraf , Kianpour Maryam , López-Bermejo Abel , Oken Emily , Pirzada Amna , Vafeiadi Marina , Bramer Wichor M , Suvanto Eila , Yoshinaga Jun , Huang Kun , Bassols Judit , Boucai Laura , Feldt-Rasmussen Ulla , Grineva Elena N , Pearce Elizabeth N , Alexander Erik K , Pop Victor J M , Nelson Scott M , Walsh John P , Peeters Robin P , Chaker Layal , Nicolaides Kypros H , D’Alton Mary E , Korevaar Tim I M
Published: July 2022

Context

Interpretation of thyroid function tests during pregnancy is limited by the generalizability of reference intervals between cohorts due to inconsistent methodology.

Objective

(1) To provide an overview of published reference intervals for thyrotropin (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) in pregnancy, (2) to assess the consequences of common methodological between-study differences by combining raw data from different cohorts.

Methods

(1) Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched until December 12, 2021. Studies were assessed in duplicate. (2) The individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis was performed in participating cohorts in the Consortium on Thyroid and Pregnancy.

Results

(1) Large between-study methodological differences were identified, 11 of 102 included studies were in accordance with current guidelines; (2) 22 cohorts involving 63 198 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Not excluding thyroid peroxidase antibody–positive participants led to a rise in the upper limits of TSH in all cohorts, especially in the first (mean +17.4%; range +1.6 to +30.3%) and second trimester (mean +9.8%; range +0.6 to +32.3%). The use of the 95th percentile led to considerable changes in upper limits, varying from –10.8% to –21.8% for TSH and –1.2% to –13.2% for FT4. All other additional exclusion criteria changed reference interval cut-offs by a maximum of 3.5%. Applying these findings to the 102 studies included in the systematic review, 48 studies could be used in a clinical setting.

Conclusion

We provide an overview of clinically relevant reference intervals for TSH and FT4 in pregnancy. The results of the meta-analysis indicate that future studies can adopt a simplified study setup without additional exclusion criteria.
Bedside Diagnosis of Pulmonary Embolism Using Electrical Impedance Tomography: A Case Report
Authors: Kuk Won-Jun , Wright Nathan R.
Published: July 2022

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is an emerging imaging modality that can be used to diagnose ventilatory and intrathoracic perfusion mismatches in unstable patients at the bedside. We present a case of a postoperative hypoxic patient in the intensive care unit (ICU) who was too unstable for transport for computed tomography (CT) imaging but was diagnosed and treated for a pulmonary embolism using EIT at the bedside. After the patient clinically improved, CT imaging confirmed the pulmonary embolism diagnosis. EIT is a promising diagnostic tool that may have great utility in ICUs, where it can be safely applied at the bedside.
Research Note: Demographic Change on the United States Coast, 2020–2100
Authors: Hauer Mathew E. , Saunders R. Kyle , Shtob Daniel
Published: July 2022

Prospective demographic information of the United States is limited to national-level analyses and subnational analyses of the total population. With nearly 40% of the U.S. population being residents of coastal areas, understanding the anticipated demographic changes in coastal counties is important for long-range planning purposes. In this research note, we use long-range, county-level population projections based on a simplified cohort-component method to discuss demographic changes by age, sex, and race and ethnicity for coastal counties between 2020 and the end of the century, and we compare these changes to inland counties. Presently, coastal counties are statistically significantly different from inland counties by race and ethnicity (more diverse) and sex (more women) but not by age, yet by 2025, we expect coastal counties to become significantly older than inland counties. We note several important trajectories of predicted demographic outcomes in coastal counties across the remainder of the century: (1) the non-Hispanic White population is expected to decrease, both numerically and as a percentage of the population; (2) the population older than 65 is projected to increase, both numerically and as a percentage of the population; and (3) the ratio of women to men remains constant over the century at 1.03. These trends combine to suggest that the future U.S. coastline will likely be both increasingly diverse racially and ethnically and significantly older than it is today.
Accesibilidad espacio-temporal al transporte público y a los lugares de ocio nocturno: estudio de caso de la juventud en Alcobendas
Authors: Roca-Medina Andrés , Moreno-Jiménez Antonio
Published: July 2022

En el contexto de las investigaciones actuales sobre accesibilidad intraurbana, este trabajo persigue caracterizar el acceso de la población juvenil a la red de transporte público por motivo de ocio nocturno y medir las desigualdades, y posibles inequidades socio-espaciales, existentes en la ciudad de Alcobendas (Comunidad de Madrid, España). Metodológicamente se ha recurrido, entre otros, a los datos General Transit Feed Specification, que ofrecen innovadoras posibilidades analíticas, y al tratamiento con Sistemas de Información Geográfica y técnicas de estadística inferencial. Los resultados permiten desvelar, de forma muy precisa temporal y espacialmente, una cobertura amplia de ese grupo de población y que prioriza las zonas con mayor demanda potencial y de menor renta per cápita, aunque también revelan problemas, particularmente de frecuencia, en determinados periodos nocturnos y zonas.
Andalucía, la red transeuropea de transporte y las políticas públicas de transporte y cohesión territorial. El eje territorial Málaga-Sevilla
Authors: Nuevo-López Abraham , Mérida-Rodríguez Matías Francisco
Published: July 2022

El objetivo de la presente investigación es analizar la evolución que ha tenido la Red Transeuropea de Transporte (RTE-T) en el eje territorial Málaga-Sevilla, así como en lo relativo a las políticas públicas de transporte como en el aspecto de la cohesión territorial, en especial en lo concerniente a la red ferroviaria. La metodología cualitativa utilizada en el artículo se basa en la revisión bibliográfica y documental sistemática. Los resultados del trabajo demuestran que las RTE-T desempeñan una función determinante para el objetivo de la cohesión territorial de Andalucía, pese a que aún se da un desarrollo insuficiente de dichas redes y persiste una cierta incapacidad a nivel político. Se concluye que las RTE-T han sido especialmente importante para las infraestructuras ferroviarias de Andalucía.
Technical Note—Data-Driven Chance Constrained Programs over Wasserstein Balls
Authors: Chen Zhi , Kuhn Daniel , Wiesemann Wolfram
Published: July 2022

In the era of modern business analytics, data-driven optimization has emerged as a popular modeling paradigm to transform data into decisions. By constructing an ambiguity set of the potential data-generating distributions and subsequently hedging against all member distributions within this ambiguity set, data-driven optimization effectively combats the ambiguity with which real-life data sets are plagued. Chen et al. (2022) study data-driven, chance-constrained programs in which a decision has to be feasible with high probability under every distribution within a Wasserstein ball centered at the empirical distribution. The authors show that the problem admits an exact deterministic reformulation as a mixed-integer conic program and demonstrate (in numerical experiments) that the reformulation compares favorably to several state-of-the-art data-driven optimization schemes.
Еcological Approach to Assessing the Sustainability of Economic Growth
Authors:   Baku State University, Abbasova Sh. , Orujova T. ,   Baku State University, Orujova M. ,   Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC)
Published: July 2022

The article considers various approaches to the assessment of national wealth taking into account the environmental factor, namely, the depletion of natural resources and damage to the environment. It describes the "Adjusted net savings" indicator developed by the world Bank and calculated annually for all countries of the world. A comparative analysis of this indicator was conducted for various countries, including Azerbaijan. The negative sign of this indicator before 2008 shows that economic growth was associated with the depletion of natural resources in our country. But the well-chosen strategy of the governments aimed at achieving independence of the economies of these countries from natural resources, led to a further change in the sign of genuine savings in these countries to a positive one, which indicates their sustainable development, accompanied by an increase in welfare.
Improving Cash Flow Management
Authors:   Baku State University, Abbasov S.
Published: July 2022

The article discusses various scientific and theoretical views of famous economists on the essence, purpose and objectives of cash flow as an object of financial management and makes appropriate conclusions. Cash flow has a unique property of financial liquidity and fully implements the economic functions that relate to it. Cash flow management is a financial tool that allows you to achieve high final results of the financial and economic activities of the company, that is, maximize profits. The principles, methods and a comprehensive analysis of cash flow management are considered. The stages of the cash flow management process and their information support are described in detail. The principles and stages of creating an organizational and functional cash flow management mechanism were considered and emphasized that the formation of an excellent cash flow management mechanism will allow the company to attract additional investments to carry out its current activities and enter foreign markets, including the stock market. Issues of disclosing shadow cash flows in financial management and determining its role in increasing the value of the company and the risks associated with macroeconomic regulation have been studied in detail. There are reasonable suggestions and recommendations for improving the cash flow management mechanism.
«Lublin Triangle»: Prospects for the Formation of a Transport and Logistics Cluster (Aspects of Modern Marketing Management)
Authors:   State Institution Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University, Chebotarov Ie.
Published: July 2022

The generalizing analysis of modern pan-European disintegration tendencies, especially against the background of forecasted such new tendencies, necessitates the search for other determinants of reliable international cooperation and the formation of stable international organizations. The new Lublin Triangle platform, consisting of Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine, which was founded in 2020, could be one of the few international organizations. The greatest economic effect and a number of concomitant institutional advantages of cooperation between these countries can give in the transport and logistics sphere with the formation of the transport and logistics cluster "Lublin Triangle". Taking into account a number of institutional and technical-functional factors, Latvia and Estonia can also be full participants in the proposed cluster; in this case, the proposed cluster may be called, for example, the Baltic-Eastern European Transport and Logistics Cluster. The categorical definition of the definition of "transport and logistics cluster" is substantiated. It is a set of spatially defined entities of all types of transport, infrastructure of their modes of transport and engineering industries, as well as related enterprises, institutions and governing bodies, which operates on the basis of a network of hubs. . The innovative nature of the proposal is that in contrast to the existing approaches in domestic and foreign science, according to which transport and logistics clusters are considered only within certain regions of a country, in this case: the understanding of the cluster, provisions and procedures of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) policy on the basis of modern marketing management; the cluster itself is offered in the form of appropriate transport and logistics hubs. The article, in addition to identifying the definition of "transport and logistics cluster" highlights the parameters of the proposed cluster with the disclosure of their content; cluster functions are classified; the structure of the network of geographical location of hubs is given.
Management of Logistics Activities of Enterprises in the Context of Industry 4.0
Authors:   Institute of Industrial Economics of the NAS of Ukraine, Shkrygun Yu.
Published: July 2022

In the modern conditions of digital economy and a large number of force majeure events, both economic and social, the issues of providing production with the necessary material and digital resources and their efficient use become especially relevant; improving the operational and strategic management of warehousing, inventories, differentiated transport flows, sales activities and customer experience. In order to ensure the effective operation of enterprises should organize their activities in such a way as to avoid risk, loss and costs associated with the organization of logistics processes, production, transportation and marketing, customer focus, and maximize revenue. First of all, these goals can be achieved by improving the management of logistics activities of enterprises, taking into account the analysis of the components of the concept, their relationship and taking into account the presence of accelerated and uneven digitization process. It is established that it is expedient to develop and implement management decisions in the following key areas: procurement and supply of material resources (calculation of the optimal volume of the supply of material resources, optimization of procurement strategy, improving procurement management using the method of multicriteria assessment) traffic flow management (introduction of cargo flow management information systems, use of automated document processing in the design of the cargo transportation process, development of proposals for optimizing transport loading, use of Internet technology to automate transport processes); customer experience management (analysis of shipment volumes, forecasting shipment volumes to consumers, development of proposals to increase the level of logistics services, formation of a system of contractual relations with consumers, improvement of customer-oriented approach to service of different categories of consumers in the context of relationship marketing); sales management (justification of the network approach to the organization of sales activities of enterprises; improving the mechanism of public-private partnership in sales management of enterprises based on the organizational and legal form of the syndicate, methodological approach to choosing the optimal sales channel for finished products; commerce as an effective tool for promoting products on the market).
Some Aspects of Improving the Management System of Enterprises of the Baking Industry in Ukraine
Authors:   Academy of Financial Management, Ostrovetskyy V.
Published: July 2022

The article deals with certain issues of improving the management system of the enterprises of the baking industry in Ukraine. It is noted that the baking industry is an important strategic component of the Ukrainian food industry. Problems arising in this industry have a negative impact on the food security of Ukraine, as well as worsen macroeconomic dynamics, stimulating inflation. It is substantiated that the key element in ensuring the sustainable development of the enterprises of the baking industry in Ukraine is the calculation of the cost of manufactured products. Costing allows to monitor and track deviations of actual indicators from those that were taken into account in the planning process of the production period. It is advisable to organize monitoring of changes in the components of the sale price of bread and bakery products and its comparison with price dynamics in commodity markets in the Direct-Costing-System management accounting system, which is gaining popularity due to the expansion of the use of international financial reporting standards.
Political Aspects of Public Administration in the Public Sector of Ukraine
Authors:   Donbass State Engineering Academy, Bolotina Ye. , Shubna O. ,   Donbass State Engineering Academy, Кvasha A. ,   Donbass State Engineering Academy, Melchenko V. ,   Donbass State Engineering Academy
Published: July 2022

The article reveals the basic theoretical principles of public administration. The stages of formation and development of public administration are studied. It was found that public administration, as a system of public administration in Ukraine, needs to be reformed in a market economy and democratization of society. The main problems of formation and development of the system of public administration in terms of compliance with the European political trend of integration of public and personal factors, expanding the sphere of state influence while maximizing rights and freedoms, absolutization of the administrative factor of social transformations are considered. It is established that public administration: provides implements the decisions of the authorities; applies democratic, public, liberal forms and methods of managing the social, social and economic development of the country. The main factors that influenced the emergence in many countries of the world of such a new form of government in the public sector as public administration. Based on the understanding of the peculiarities of the evolution of the management model in the public sector, the need to introduce the concept of "public administration" into scientific circulation is substantiated. Recommendations for decentralization of management in the context of domestic reforms to increase the efficiency of the system of public authorities on an innovative basis are offered. In this context, it is extremely important to implement initiatives on constitutional changes in the decentralization of power, the priorities of the Public Administration Reform Strategy of Ukraine for 2016-2020; development of a new version of the Law of Ukraine "On Civil Service", which regulates the basic principles, legal and organizational principles of public service.
Peculiarities of Innovative Risk Management at Industrial Enterprises of Ukraine
Authors:   Donbass State Engineering Academy, Fomichenko I. , Bashtovyi V. ,   Donbass State Engineering Academy, Barkova S. ,   Donbass State Engineering Academy, Pakhomova O. ,   Donbass State Engineering Academy
Published: July 2022

The article is devoted to the study of enterprise risk management in innovation, which necessitates the study and generalization of innovation experience in Ukraine and other countries. Substantiated and highlighted issues related to improving the process of innovation risk management in the enterprise. The process of innovation risk management at domestic enterprises is studied. Identified existing problems that arise during this process, and identify the main ways to solve them. Important rules that need to be followed in order to increase the effectiveness of innovation risk management in domestic enterprises are highlighted.