bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Construction and evaluation of a prognostic risk model of aging-related genes in bladder cancer
Authors: Wang Delin , Ning Hao , Wu Haihu , Song Yufeng , Chu Yaru , Liu Feifan , Zhao Zhenlin , Lyu Jiaju , Wu Fei
Published: July 2022

Background: Bladder cancer (BLCA) is the most common malignant tumor of the urinary system. With the aging of the population, the incidence of bladder cancer is increasing year by year. Thus, the current research aimed to determine the role of aging-related biomarkers in bladder cancer.Methods: Based on TCGA, we downloaded gene expression data of 410 BLCA samples and 19 control samples. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between BLCA and normal samples were intersected with human aging-related genes (ARGs). TCGA cohort was divided into train set and test set according to the proportion of 7:3. The univariate Cox regression and LASSO Cox regression algorithms were applied to identify prognostic aging-related signatures, followed by the construction of the risk score model and nomogram for predicting the survival of BLCA patients. Kaplan-Meier (K-M) analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were conducted to assess its prognostic power. The CIBERSORT algorithm was used to explore the tumor immune microenvironment characteristics.Results: We identified 6194 DEGs closely related to BLCA. A total of 83 differentially expressed aging-related genes (DEARGs) were found in BLCA. Subsequently, seven genes (IGF1, NGF, GCLM, PYCR1, EFEMP1, APOC3, IFNB1) were determined and used to build a prognostic risk model. In the training and test dataset, survival analysis demonstrated that the overall survival of high-risk patients was worse compared with the patients in the low-risk group (P <0.05). The AUC of the ROC curve reached 0.66, 0.675, and 0.684 at 1, 2, and 3 years in the training dataset. Also, AUC of 1, 2, and 3 years were 0.625, 0.675, and 0.534 in the test dataset. T4, N3 or female BLCA patients had a significantly increased risk score. However, M stage had no significant difference in the risk score. We further found seven immune cells and many immune checkpoints with significant differences between the low- and high-risk groups.Conclusion: The seven aging biomarkers can be used for prognostic prediction in bladder cancer. Additionally, the immune microenvironment and immune checkpoints can provide a potential target for individualized therapy.
Neutrophil-driven CD206hiMHCIIlo macrophages are critical for skin fibrosis during systemic sclerosis
Authors: shi Yufang , Gong Pixia , Ding Yayun , Li Wen , Su Xiao , Tian Ruifeng , Zhou Yipeng , Wang Tingting , Jiang Junjie , Liu Rui , Fang Jiankai , Feng Chao , Shao Changshun , Li Peishan
Published: July 2022

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a recalcitrant autoimmune disease characterized by progressive fibrosis in the skin and internal organs, such as the lungs. A key feature of this disease is the infiltration of innate immune cells, yet, how they contribute to the pathogenesis of SSc is largely unknown. Here, we demonstrated that the CD206hiMHCIIlo macrophages were the dominant immune cell population accumulated in the fibrotic skin of SSc mice, and these cells were found to be critical in mediating the profibrotic response by producing TGF-β1 in a MerTK signaling-dependent manner. Interestingly, the neutrophil infiltration was a prerequisite for the accumulation of CD206hiMHCIIlo macrophages and depletion of neutrophils or inhibition of CXCR1/2 could reduce CD206hiMHCIIlo macrophages and alleviate SSc progression. Detailed investigations revealed that in the fibrotic skin, neutrophils released neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) ensnared macrophages and were responsible for the differentiation of CD206hiMHCIIlo macrophages. Our findings uncovered a key role of the neutrophil-macrophage-fibrosis axis in the pathogenesis of SSc and provide critical information for the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
Performance Analyses of Photonic-Crystal Surface-Emitting Laser: Toward High-Speed Optical Communication
Authors: Peng Chun-Yen , Cheng Hao-Tien , Hong Yu-Heng , Hsu Wen-Cheng , Hsiao Fu-He , Lu Tien Chang , Chang Shu-Wei , Chen Shih-Chen , Wu Chao-Hsin , Kuo Hao-Chung
Published: July 2022

This study conducts comprehensive performance analyses of a commercial photonic-crystal surface-emitting laser (PCSEL) via small-signal measurement and the bit-error-rate test (BERT). Meanwhile, the radio frequency (RF) characteristics of the PCSEL are unveiled for the first time. Compared to the vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs), the PCSEL shows great potential for a broader optical bandwidth that is benefited from the high optical-confinement factor. A maximum bandwidth of around 2.32 GHz is experimentally observed when the PCSEL was biased at 340 mA. Moreover, a theoretical calculation was applied to shed light on the characteristics of the small-signal measurement, providing a deep insight into the corresponding intrinsic response model. The signal transmission capability of the PCSEL was investigated as well. The maximum bit rate and corresponding rise time transmitted at 500 Mbps are 1.2 Gbps and 186.16 ps, respectively. Thus, a high-speed PCSEL can be realized with a shrunk form factor, serving as a promising candidate for the next-generation light sources in high-speed optical communication.
Biodiversity and antimicrobial activity of intestinal fungi from three species of coral reef fishes
Authors: Wu Jin-Ying , Chen Zi-Hui , Zeng E-Na , Mo Li , Sun Zu-Wang , Wang Yi-Zhuo , Zhang Xiao-Yong
Published: July 2022

Although intestinal microbiota plays crucial roles in fish digestion and health, little is known about intestinal fungi in fishes. This study investigated the intestinal fungal diversity of three coral reef fishes (Lates calcarifer, Trachinotus blochii and Lutjanus argentimaculatus) from the South China Sea using a culturable method. A total of 387 isolates were recovered and identified by sequencing their internal transcribed spacer sequences, belonging to 29 known fungal species. The similarity of fungal community in intestines of the three fishes verified the fungal colonization may be influenced by their surrounding environments. Furthermore, the fungal communities in different intestines of some fishes were significantly different, and the number of yeasts in hindgut was less than that in fore- and mid-intestine, suggesting that the distribution of fungi in fishes intestines may be related to the physiological functions of various intestinal segment. In addition, 51.4% tested fungal isolates exhibited antimicrobial activity against at least one marine pathogenic microorganisms. Notably, isolate Aureobasidium pullulans SCAU243 exhibited a strong antifungal activity against Aspergillus versicolor, and isolate Schizophyllum commune SCAU255 displayed extensive antimicrobial activity against four marine pathogenic microorganisms. This study contributed to our understanding of intestinal fungi in coral reef fish and further increasing the library of fungi available for natural bioactive product screening.
Investigation of Defect Behavior in Cylindrical Spur Gears Using Condition Monitoring
Authors: Gonçalves Aparecido Carlos
Published: July 2022

The catastrophic failure of gearboxes results in production losses and maintenance costs. The mechanical component that most fails in gearboxes are the gears. These failures usually occur before the end of useful life projected by criteria of failure standards, due to teeth defects as severe wear and cracking. The condition monitoring of gearboxes evaluates parameters which can indicate the mechanism of failure in process in the gear. The most commonly used monitoring techniques of gearboxes are vibration analysis and lubricant analysis. The experimental analysis consists of the evaluation of an experimental workbench under two conditions: notched gear for crack simulation and; gear with variation of notch for simulation of a crack propagation. The workbench condition was evaluated using vibration signal treatment techniques such as Time Synchronous Averaging, Residual Signal, Demodulation, Statistical Moments, Crest Factor and Statistical Analysis using Beta Probability Density Function .The vibration techniques were adequate to identify the presence of an evolution of the notch. Statistical analysis using Beta PDF was useful to identify the degradation of a tooth as the notch size evolved.
Constructs Influencing Performance of National Examinations Examinees: The Case of Grade Ten Amhara Regional State Students
Authors: Alemu Kidanie Aragaw
Published: July 2022

Examinations are given to certify and select candidates for higher educations. The Ethiopian General Secondary Education Certificate Examination (EGSECE) was administered for the first time at a national level to students who completed grade 10 by the year 2001. It included 9 exams on academic subjects. From 2001 to 2019 it was the national examinations given to grade ten students. This study was done on grade ten students’ results who were taken the EGSECE exams in Amhara region 2001 to 2017. Year to year though the numbers of Ethiopian General Secondary Education Certificate Examination exam sitters were increased, the relative numbers of passers were very low. The purpose of the research was to extract the hidden risk factors affecting passers size in the region and measure correlation between passers size and constructs. To analyze the data, we used factor analysis model. The analysis with varimax and promax rotation methods on passers size separated by zonal area revealed two constructs. The correlation between the numbers of national exam passers and latent variables, and the total influences of the constructs in deteriorating passers size in the different zones of the region were very high. Identifying constructs affect student’s performance in examinations will help education bureaus and offices, policy makers, planners, teachers and supervisors alleviate their influences in the future, and increase efficiency and quality of the education in the region and in the country.
Evaluation of Certain Eighteen-Treatment Efficient Semi-Latin Squares in Blocks of Size Three
Authors: Mba Emmanuel I. , Chigbu Polycarp E. , Ukaegbu Eugene C.
Published: July 2022

Semi-Latin squares with side six and block size three, constructed by superimposing each of the 9408 reduced Latin squares of order six on each of certain semi-Latin squares, are here presented. A Microsoft Excel program was used to facilitate the construction by superposition and the statistical evaluation of the corresponding semi-Latin squares of sides six in blocks of size three by computing their A, D, E and MV statistical efficiency measures. A total of 65856 Semi-Latin squares with side six and blocks of size three where constructed. A semi-Latin square with side six and block size three was identified to be A-optimal, D-optimal, E-optimal and MV-optimal. Also, with respect to the efficiency measures, the same optimal semi-Latin square is the most efficient of the 65856 Semi-Latin squares. This efficient semi-Latin square having canonical efficiency factors, 0.5980 with multiplicity three, 0.6667 with multiplicity ten, 0.8464 with multiplicity three and 1.0 with multiplicity one, is a simple orthogonal multi-array (SOMA) of order six; specifically, SOMA(3, 6). This optimal and efficient semi-Latin square has the same A, D, E and MV statistical efficiency values with the two indecomposable SOMA(3, 6) developed by Soicher and an efficient semi-Latin square of order six by Bailey.
Health Care in Rural Areas in Ukraine: Current Business Processes and Prospects
Authors: Vasiliev Yuriy , Syhyda Liubov , Tambovceva Tatjana , Letunovska Nataliia , Khaba Anna , Honcharova Karolina
Published: July 2022

The pandemic period showed uneven access of the population to quality medical care. The rural population was the most vulnerable. Accordingly, the study’s primary purpose is to determine the level of satisfaction of the rural population with the quality and accessibility of medical services (for example, the rural population of Sumy City Council), establish сausal link, and develop recommendations for improving health care in rural areas. The meta-analysis, as well as patient surveys, were used as methodological tools in the study. The sources of information were the legislative framework in health care and survey results. The study results showed that 79.4% of respondents in the area of residence could receive medical care at a medical assistant and obstetric center or hospital. For most respondents (88.5%), getting to a medical institution is not a problem. After all, they spend no more than 40 minutes on the road. However, some patients need to travel by train, which reduces their satisfaction with the facility’s location. 91.5% of respondents turn to family doctors. 69% of them are satisfied with the quality of medical services. Nevertheless, it is necessary to pay attention to the following problems: 1) the required services were not provided; 2) the doctor was not present; 3) uncomfortable conditions. It will help to increase the level of patient satisfaction. The causal link of the low level of accessibility of the rural population to quality medical care was built using the obtained results. In general, the study results helped highlight the problems in medical services organizations to the people in rural areas. Understanding these issues allows finding the best ways to solve them, which will help strengthen health care in general. Accordingly, the authors identified the most promising areas for forming the regulatory framework for health care. It also reaffirmed the need to focus on the digitalization of health care. As for now, it is a global trend. Digitalization in health care will create more favorable conditions to ensure equal access of all populations to quality health services. The authors’ findings can be used to develop and implement measures to increase the availability of health services for the rural population at the state level.
News Sources Computer analysis of Regional Odesa Mass Media
Authors: Steblyna Nataliia
Published: July 2022

Computer method of human news sources is proposed in the research, it’s implementation is described, efficiency is evaluated. A computer program (Python language) is created. For the program testing content of two regional sites is studied: «Dumskaya» and «Odessa Life». The program and manual processing results comparison shown an insignificant percent of mistakes (7,8% and 11% respectively). With the help of the program the leading news sources of «Dumskaya» and «Odessa Life» sites were defined. The cases of the program mistakes were studied as well. As a rule, the majority of the cases can be explained with the professional standards violations by journalists.
Balance of positive and negative news on ukrainian TV cannels
Authors: Danylenko Volodymyr
Published: July 2022

The article analyzes the balance of positive and negative news on three Ukrainian TV channels «1 + 1», «Inter» and ICTV. The news features of each of the channels and their influence on the mass consciousness are determined. The study of the nature of Ukrainian television news confirms the idea that society has a demand for positive news. And if people are regularly taught the positive news, it can change the moral health of society. At the same time, journalists do not need to varnish reality or conceal important events, but should treat the spiritual and emotional state of the television audience responsibly.
Specifics of functioning of headlines in regional media (on the example of the newspaper «Podolianyn»)
Authors: Livitska Oksana
Published: July 2022

The article testifies to the degree of bias of the rating regional Internet media of the Volyn region such as «VolynPost» and «Volynski Novyny» in terms of coverage of events in the political life of the Ukrainian and international levels: the activities of deputies, the war in Donbass, international terrorism, The Second Karabakh War, the explosion in Beirut, The War in Afghanistan and the like. It was found that national events are covered through the prism of the ideology by the political party of the owner of the media, with elements of using black PR technologies about the activities of opposition communities. International information, as a rule, is reprinted from other media with reference to highquality and balanced expertise. Despite the official ranking data, «Volynski Novyny» agency publishes political information better.
Quark Sivers Function at Small-$x$: Leading contribution from the Spin-Dependent Odderon
Authors: Santiago M Gabriel
Published: July 2022

We present the calculation of the leading contribution to the quark Sivers function at small-Bjorken x as in [1]. This calculation uses the high energy scattering approximation and operator formalism developed in [2,3] to obtain a dominant contribution to the quark Sivers function coming from the spin-dependent odderon, in agreement with the results of [4]. We then calculate this dominant contribution in the diquark model of the proton to obtain a small-x estimate for the Sivers function.
Indebtedness and profitability – A threshold model approach
Authors: Horvathova Jarmila , Mokrisova Martina , Petruška Igor
Published: July 2022

This study seeks to expand upon existing empirical results about the effect of debt on corporate profitability. Indicators Debt ratio (DR) and Return on Equity (ROE) were used to examine the relationship between debt and corporate profitability. The input data for the analysis represented the financial data of companies operating in the construction industry in Slovakia. The total sample included 7,529 companies. After excluding companies with extreme values, the sample consisted of 6,402 companies. Indicators ROE and DR were used in the given research. To determine the debt threshold, a threshold regression model was applied. Using this model, a nonlinear relationship between debt and profitability was found. An indebtedness threshold has also been identified. Once the threshold is exceeded, the positive relationship between indebtedness and ROE changes to negative. The results, in particular those which indicate a significant non-linear relationship between debt and profitability, are particularly useful for all stakeholders (internal and external) interacting with analyzed companies.
AcknowledgmentsThe research was prepared within the grant scheme VEGA 1/0741/20 – The application of variant methods in detecting symptoms of possible bankruptcy of Slovak businesses in order to ensure their sustainable development.
Implementation of Amino Acid as a Natural Feedstock in Production of N-Acylamides as a Biocompatible Surfactants: A Review on Synthesis, Behavioral, Application and Scale-up Process
Authors:   Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Sumatera Utara, Surya Alam Widharta , Gitamara Sabila ,   Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Sumatera Utara, Wartakusumah Riki ,   Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, University of Gadjah Mada, Irfan Nurdin Muhammad ,   Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Mataram University, Masyithah Zuhrina ,   Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Sumatera Utara
Published: July 2022

The use of surfactants is extremely widespread for human life. The development of the use of surfactants has not reached detergents anymore, but for drug delivery, biolubricant, emulsifier, cosmetics, enhanced oil recovery (EOR), dispersants and even virus vectors. Unfortunately, the past history of surfactants had given a bad impression since many surfactants are difficult to decompose in nature, are toxic and are not suitable as biological materials. This article will examine the research development and production, synthesis pathway, classification, behaviour and application of N-Acyl amino acid (NAAAc) surfactants. Amino acid-based N-Acylamides (AAc) or NAAAc surfactants are next-generation biological surfactants. NAAAc can be synthesized by chemical and enzymatic pathway. NAAAc can also be combined with ionic liquids (ILs) to become green surfactants NAAAc ILs which is low in toxicity unlike conventional ILs. The conclusion of this article studied was NAAc production process that had the highest efficiency so far was the production through a catalytic chemical reaction, namely the fatty acid amidation or amino acid acylation process. The application of AAc-based N-Acylamides is so promising that it can be considered for scale-up processes in the future.
Synthesis and Characterization of Complex Compounds from Cadmium(II) Chloride and Cobalt(II) Chloride with N,N'-Diethylthiourea
Authors:   Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Universitas Negeri Malang, Mega Wahyuni Reza , Wahyu Wijaya Husni ,   Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Universitas Negeri Malang,   Centre of Advanced Material for Renewable Energy (CAMRY), Universitas Negeri Malang, Evi Ferama Sari Meyga ,   Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Universitas Negeri Malang, Wayan Dasna I ,   Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Universitas Negeri Malang,   Centre of Advanced Material for Renewable Energy (CAMRY), Universitas Negeri Malang, Farida Nani ,   Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Universitas Negeri Malang
Published: July 2022

The synthesis of ionic complexes of cadmium(II) chloride and cobalt(II) chloride with N,N'-diethylthiourea (detu) ligands has not been previously reported. Therefore, in this research, the synthesis was carried out to study the structure and characterization of the two ionic complex compounds. The cadmium(II)-detu ionic complex was synthesized using the direct reaction method with a ratio between Cd(II) salt and detu ligand of 1:2. Meanwhile, the cobalt(II)-detu ionic complex was synthesized with a ratio between Co(II) salt and detu ligand of 2:4. The cadmium(II)-detu and cobalt(II)-detu ionic complexes have melting points of 105-108 ˚C and 122-125 ˚C, respectively. The electrical conductivity of the cadmium(II)-detu and cobalt(II)-detu complexes showed that the complexes were ionic. The FTIR analysis showed the shifting of the C=S functional group’s band to the smaller wavenumber, which indicates the coordinating detu ligand to the cadmium(II) and cobalt(II) through the S atom. The indirect evidence from 1H-NMR showed that CH3 and CH2 only slightly shifted between the free detu ligand and the Cd-detu and Co-detu complexes.
Study of Hydrogen Sulfide Adsorption on Silica Gel with Triethanolamine layer
Authors:   Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Brawijaya, Wayan Adi Suarya I , Triandi Tjahjanto Rachmat ,   Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Brawijaya, Andayani Ulfa ,   Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Brawijaya
Published: July 2022

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an impurity in gaseous fuels such as biogas, therefore this gas removal method is an interesting topic. The physisorption method is considered to be a simple work to be applied on a small scale. This research studies the impact of the addition of liquid triethanolamine on the porous silica on the adsorption of H2S. The silica substrate is synthesized using two-pore templates namely a mixture of polyethylene glycol (PEG)/ sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and the other one is pure chitosan. The silica surface was coated with triethanolamine (TEA) using the impregnation method. An H2S gas adsorption study was conducted on the synthesized silica with and without TEA. The adsorption test was carried out by flowing H2S from the reaction between FeS and HCl through the sample. The results of this study show that the TEA layer on the silica surface increases the adsorption towards H2S gas, but it is relatively small compared to similar studies. The best result of combining TEA and silica gel is shown by TEA- sil-PS which was 3.8 x 10-5 mol H2S per gram of adsorbent.
La #felicidad en Twitter: ¿qué representa realmente?
Authors: Bel Enguix Gemma , Gómez-Adorno Helena , Mendoza Karla , Sidorov Grigori , Vásquez Juan
Published: July 2022

Existe un gran número de trabajos que tienen por objeto la clasificación de diversos tipos de documentos, desde textos literarios hasta interacciones informales en redes sociales como Twitter, de acuerdo a los sentimientos que pretenden evocar. Se pueden realizar clasificaciones muy variadas con base en los sentimientos que el autor considere. El objetivo de este artículo es clasificar una recopilación de tuits en diferentes contextos en los que la palabra "feliz" o "felicidad" se pueden emplear; por ejemplo publicidad, felicitaciones o como un simple sarcasmo. Para esto se hará uso de sistemas de aprendizaje supervisado y se emplearán varios métodos de procesamiento de lenguaje natural como tokenización, identificación de palabras funcionales y n-gramas.
Thymic stromal lymphopoietin in bronchial asthma patients of different age groups: correlation with other markers, lung function results and disease control
Authors: Kamaev A. V. , Krivskaya S. A. , Lyashenko N. L. , Kamaeva I. A. , Mizernitsky Yu. L. , Shaporova N. L.
Published: July 2022

Objective: to investigate correlation between thymic stromal lymphopoietin and bronchial asthma course and control in patients of different age groups. Materials and methods: one hundred and four patients were included in 1-year long open prospective study. There were three age groups: children (6 –11 y.o., n=38), adolescents (14–17 y.o., n=35) and adults (25 –50 y.o., n=31). we used asthma duration ≥12 months, uncontrolled asthma and acute respiratory infection absence for ≥14 days as inclusion criteria. Clinical history, validated questionnaires, spirometry, common blood count, serum and nasal material to evaluate thymic stromal lymphopoietin were obtained during first visit. Patient were consequently examined twice with 6 months intervals. Statistical analyses included ANOVA (Kruskal-wallis test) and Pearson’s correlation (r). Differences accepted significant with р<0,05. Resuts: prevalence of main risk factors of asthma control lost (poor compliance, obesity, non-atopic phenotype, fixed airway obstruction) was different in age groups. we didn’t find any thymic stromal lymphopoietin in nasal material. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin concentration correlate significantly with duration of uncontrolled asthma in previous 12 months (r=0,74). we have found greater serum thymic stromal lymphopoietin concentration in patients who demonstrated FEV1 below normal at Visit 3. Conclusion. Serum thymic stromal lymphopoietin level can be used as risk factor of asthma future exacerbation and spirometry results decline.
Modern approaches to the management of gender dysphoria from endocrinologist`s viewpoint: clinical case
Authors: Volkova N. I. , Davidenko I. Yu. , Degtyareva Yu. S.
Published: July 2022

Providing medical care to people with gender dysphoria is a complex multidisciplinary task, the success of which is determined by the close cooperation of specialists qualified in helping such patients, such as a psychiatrist, endocrinologist, and surgeon. In addition to diagnostic testing, patients with gender dysphoria require psychotherapy or psychological counseling, hormone replacement therapy, and, if necessary, gender confirmation surgery. Before prescribing hormone therapy, it is necessary to make sure that the patient meets the criteria for the diagnosis of gender dysphoria, to be sure that the patient’s desire to change gender is justified, all the consequences of therapy, including possible physical changes and the timing of their occurrence, are explained. Genital reconstruction procedures are possible only after at least one year of hormone therapy and life in the role of the chosen gender. The algorithms of medical care for persons with gender dysphoria developed to date describe in detail the mechanism of gender reassignment, the contribution of various specialists to this process, as well as possible risks and methods for their prevention. Only careful observance of the stages of diagnosis and treatment without violating their sequence can lead to the successful achievement of the result. while any deviations from the algorithms, due to objective and subjective reasons, entail serious life-threatening consequences, which is clearly demonstrated in the clinical cases presented in this article.
Manageable risk factors for progression of HPV-associated cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
Authors: Anufrieva V. G. , Lebedenko E. Yu. , Gaida O. V. , Mikhelson A. A. , Karnushin T. E. , Evseev P. A.
Published: July 2022

Objective: to identify informative markers of the progression of cervical intraepithelial lesions of low degree.Materials and methods: the dynamics of the results of the cytological study of cervical epithelium, genotyping of human papilloma viruses of high carcinogenic risk (HPV) with an assessment of the viral load, an immunocytochemical study of the expression of protein p16 (p16INK4α), serum folic acid in 90 HPV-positive patients of reproductive age was analyzed. 43 of the 90 patients (47.8%) who made up group I had regression of the disease. Group II included 30 of 90 patients (33.3%) with disease persistence - no significant changes in the results of laboratory and instrumental research methods. Group III was 17 out of 90 patients (18.9%) with disease progression. Statistical processing of the results was carried out using parametric and non-parametric analysis methods using IBM SPSS Statistics 28.0.1.1 (developed by IBM Corporation), STATISTICA 13.5.0.17 (developed by StatSoft.Inc) and MedCalc 20.027. Results: factors that significantly distinguish patients with persistence or progression of low grade cervical intraepithelial lesions from women with regression of the disease are: earlier age of sexual onset, detection of atypical changes in low grade cervical epithelium, clinically significant HPV viral load, detection of p16INK4a protein expression, serum folic acid below 3.1 ng/ml. Conclusions: deficiency of serum folic acid in HPV of positive patients should be considered as a pathogenetically significant risk factor for the implementation of infection into the clinical form of the disease, which is confirmed by its correlation with the cytological detection of LSIL, progressive increase in the copy of HPV, and p16INKα expression. The patient management strategy, which provides a personalized assessment of the risk of progression of cervical intraepithelial lesions, expands the monitoring of patients with cervical neoplasias associated with HPV.
Understanding the Experience of Geriatric Care Professionals in Using Telemedicine to Care for Older Patients in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Chen Wenwen , Flanagan Ashley , Nippak Pria MD , Nicin Michael , Sinha Samir K
Published: July 2022

Background

Geriatric care professionals were forced to rapidly adopt the use of telemedicine technologies to ensure the continuity of care for their older patients in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is little current literature that describes how telemedicine technologies can best be used to meet the needs of geriatric care professionals in providing care to frail older patients, their caregivers, and their families.

Objective

This study aims to identify the benefits and challenges geriatric care professionals face when using telemedicine technologies with frail older patients, their caregivers, and their families and how to maximize the benefits of this method of providing care.

Methods

This was a mixed methods study that recruited geriatric care professionals to complete an online survey regarding their personal demographics and experiences with using telemedicine technologies and participate in a semistructured interview. Interview responses were analyzed using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).

Results

Quantitative and qualitative data were obtained from 30 practicing geriatric care professionals (22, 73%, geriatricians, 5, 17%, geriatric psychiatrists, and 3, 10%, geriatric nurse practitioners) recruited from across the Greater Toronto Area. Analysis of interview data identified 5 CFIR contextual barriers (complexity, design quality and packaging, patient needs and resources, readiness for implementation, and culture) and 13 CFIR contextual facilitators (relative advantage, adaptability, tension for change, available resources, access to knowledge, networks and communications, compatibility, knowledge and beliefs, self-efficacy, champions, external agents, executing, and reflecting and evaluating). The CFIR concept of external policy and incentives was found to be a neutral construct.

Conclusions

This is the first known study to use the CFIR to develop a comprehensive narrative to characterize the experiences of Ontario geriatric care professionals using telemedicine technologies in providing care. Overall, telemedicine can significantly enable most of the geriatric care that is traditionally provided in person but is less useful in providing specific aspects of geriatric care to frail older patients, their caregivers, and their families.
Patients’ Willingness to Provide Their Clinical Data for Research Purposes and Acceptance of Different Consent Models: Findings From a Representative Survey of Patients With Cancer
Authors: Köngeter Anja , Schickhardt Christoph , Jungkunz Martin , Bergbold Susanne , Mehlis Katja , Winkler Eva C
Published: July 2022

Background

Secondary use of clinical data for biomedical research purposes holds great potential for various types of noninterventional, data-driven studies. Patients’ willingness to support research with their clinical data is a crucial prerequisite for research progress.

Objective

The aim of the study was to learn about patients’ attitudes and expectations regarding secondary use of their clinical data. In a next step, our results can inform the development of an appropriate governance framework for secondary use of clinical data for research purposes.

Methods

A questionnaire was developed to assess the willingness of patients with cancer to provide their clinical data for biomedical research purposes, considering different conditions of data sharing and consent models. The Cancer Registry of the German federal state of Baden-Württemberg recruited a proportionally stratified random sample of patients with cancer and survivors of cancer based on a full census.

Results

In total, 838 participants completed the survey. Approximately all participants (810/838, 96.7%) showed general willingness to make clinical data available for biomedical research purposes; however, they expected certain requirements to be met, such as comparable data protection standards for data use abroad and the possibility to renew consent at regular time intervals. Most participants (620/838, 73.9%) supported data use also by researchers in commercial companies. More than half of the participants (503/838, 60%) were willing to give up control over clinical data in favor of research benefits. Most participants expressed acceptance of the broad consent model (494/838, 58.9%), followed by data use by default (with the option to opt out at any time; 419/838, 50%); specific consent for every study showed the lowest acceptance rate (327/838, 39%). Patients expected physicians to share their data (763/838, 91.1%) and their fellow patients to support secondary use with their clinical data (679/838, 81%).

Conclusions

Although patients’ general willingness to make their clinical data available for biomedical research purposes is very high, the willingness of a substantial proportion of patients depends on additional requirements. Taking these perspectives into account is essential for designing trustworthy governance of clinical data reuse and sharing. The willingness to accept the loss of control over clinical data to enhance the benefits of research should be given special consideration.
The Use of Automated Machine Translation to Translate Figurative Language in a Clinical Setting: Analysis of a Convenience Sample of Patients Drawn From a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Tougas Hailee , Chan Steven , Shahrvini Tara , Gonzalez Alvaro , Chun Reyes Ruth , Burke Parish Michelle , Yellowlees Peter
Published: July 2022

Background

Patients with limited English proficiency frequently receive substandard health care. Asynchronous telepsychiatry (ATP) has been established as a clinically valid method for psychiatric assessments. The addition of automated speech recognition (ASR) and automated machine translation (AMT) technologies to asynchronous telepsychiatry may be a viable artificial intelligence (AI)–language interpretation option.

Objective

This project measures the frequency and accuracy of the translation of figurative language devices (FLDs) and patient word count per minute, in a subset of psychiatric interviews from a larger trial, as an approximation to patient speech complexity and quantity in clinical encounters that require interpretation.

Methods

A total of 6 patients were selected from the original trial, where they had undergone 2 assessments, once by an English-speaking psychiatrist through a Spanish-speaking human interpreter and once in Spanish by a trained mental health interviewer-researcher with AI interpretation. 3 (50%) of the 6 selected patients were interviewed via videoconferencing because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Interview transcripts were created by automated speech recognition with manual corrections for transcriptional accuracy and assessment for translational accuracy of FLDs.

Results

AI-interpreted interviews were found to have a significant increase in the use of FLDs and patient word count per minute. Both human and AI-interpreted FLDs were frequently translated inaccurately, however FLD translation may be more accurate on videoconferencing.

Conclusions

AI interpretation is currently not sufficiently accurate for use in clinical settings. However, this study suggests that alternatives to human interpretation are needed to circumvent modifications to patients’ speech. While AI interpretation technologies are being further developed, using videoconferencing for human interpreting may be more accurate than in-person interpreting.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03538860; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03538860
Impacts of Disease Burden on Quality of Working Life in Chinese Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Web-based Survey Study (Preprint)
Authors: Xu Song , Yu Qiao , Li Shuyan , Hu Shurong , Hu Wen , Xu Dingting , Chen Yan
Published: July 2022

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) cause work impairments for working-age patients. Limited data are available concerning impacts of disease burden on quality of working life for patients with IBD in China. This information is important for reducing indirect costs of IBD which are mainly driven by work productivity (WP) loss.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the situation of working life of patients with IBD in China and identify impairing factors predictive for work satisfaction decline and WP loss.

METHODS

This was a web-based cross-sectional cohort study performed through the WeChat public platform of China Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. Patients with IBD completed an 82-item online questionnaire consisted of five sections, including [ⅰ] sociodemographic survey; [ⅱ] disease-related survey including the patient-reported Harvey Bradshaw Index (p-HBI) and the patient-reported Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index (p-SCCAI) questionnaire to assess disease activity; [ⅲ] work-related survey; [ⅳ] the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) questionnaire to assess absenteeism, presenteeism and overall WP loss; and [ⅴ] a 22-item IBD quality-of-life questionnaire (IBDQOL-22) to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Uni- and multivariable regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of work satisfaction decline and WP loss.

RESULTS

A total of 1610 IBD patients were included (67% Crohn’s disease, 71% actively employed). 468 (41%) of 1141 actively employed patients reported IBD-related limitation in working ability and 357 (76%) of 469 previously employed patients stopped work because of IBD. Fatigue and biological therapy were reported to impact working life most. In 1141 actively employed patients, work satisfaction decline, absenteeism, presenteeism, and overall WP loss were reported by 474 (42%), 423 (37%), 947 (83%), and 965 (85%) patients, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that aging over 30 years old (P < .001), working over 40 hours per week (P = .009), anxiety/depression (P < .001) and disease activity (P = .002) were predictive for work satisfaction decline. Low education level (P < .001), anxiety/depression (P < .001), irritability mood (P = .009) and high disease burden presented by relapse frequency ≥ 3 flare-ups per year (P = .026), hospitalizations > 3 times per year (P = .013) and disease activity (P < .001) were predictive for severe WP loss. Moreover, poor HRQOL was associated with WP loss.

CONCLUSIONS

High disease burden significantly impairs quality of working life in Chinese IBD patients. Age, education, working hours and mental health synergistically correlate with work satisfaction decline or WP loss.
Achieving model fairness through distilling knowledge from deep networks: A retrospective cohort study (Preprint)
Authors: Tang Kaichen , Jiang Xiaoqian , Li Can , Zhang Kai
Published: July 2022

BACKGROUND

Sepsis has become one of the leading causes of hospital readmission in the U.S. and puts immense pressure on patients’ costs of hospitalization. Differences in risk score predictions in patients who differ by race/ethnicity or by sex introduce unfairness in decision making and create disparities.

OBJECTIVE

To ensure fairness among different race/gender subgroups while maintaining high prediction accuracy, we propose a prediction model with fairness enhancement to estimate the probability of sepsis-caused readmission for emergency room patients at least 72 hours after admission and mitigate the prediction performances among different gender/race groups.

METHODS

The model is based on a multi-modal encoder-decoder attention mechanism structure and attends to making full use of the temporal characteristics of electronic health records (EHR). Tables of different features and formats (lab test results, vital signals, medications, and demographics) are window-extracted from the EHR database and compose the input. We develop a knowledge-distillation-based approach that utilizes a smaller Machine Learning model to mimic the pre-trained Deep Learning model, to keep the high prediction power while capable of enhancing fairness, and we name this framework KAFENET (Knowledge-distillation Assisted Fairness Enhancing neural NETwork).

RESULTS

The model is evaluated over an emergency sepsis database, and the results show that it manages to keep satisfying prediction performance while successfully mitigating the disparity among minority groups. Compared to both benchmark DL models and ML models, KAFENET reached high accuracy (overall Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve 0.93) while eliminated all disparities, showing its ability to maintain a great balance between prediction and fairness performance.

CONCLUSIONS

This evaluation demonstrates KAFENET’s ability to make hiegh-accuracy predictions with fairness to disadvantaged subgroups in clinical prediction tasks, and has great potential to be generalized to other healthcare prediction tasks.
A comparison of data visualization tools: a case study in health-related research (Preprint)
Authors: Huang Hongtai , Ravi Sreedevi , Warrington Timothy , Cui Howe , Wang Carlson , McCreary Mark , Lauffer Benjamin , Lu Christina
Published: July 2022

BACKGROUND

Different data visualization tools have been compared in previous studies, but very few focused on health-related research and operations in a case study using real-world data.

OBJECTIVE

Our study aims at comparing several visualization tools that are commonly used in health research by applying these tools to visualize two health datasets with different technical aspects. The goal of this study is to provide general suggestions for future visualization efforts in health-related scientific discoveries as well as biomarker operational management.

METHODS

Through a systematic search for the period between 2012-2022, we identified four commonly used visualization tools, including Tableau, Spotfire, PowerBI and R Shiny. We then compared these tools based on different technical aspects such as visualization outcomes (table, scatterplot, correlation plot, treemap, heatmap and geographic map), usability, Cloud compatibility, analytics integration, and other factors.

RESULTS

All four tools can generate very comparable visualization outcomes given standardized settings. Some tools may provide additional features than others. Regarding usability, all tools except R Shiny are considered easy to use based on eight parameters evaluated. Due to its scripting nature, R Shiny is not recommended for users with limited coding experience in developing a visualization platform. However, R Shiny can leverage many cutting-edge technical packages provided by the academic communities and offer great flexibility and customization. The tools evaluated all support connections to common Cloud-based data sources such as PostgreSQL, gSheet and Athena. Most tools support these connections without additional configurations except R Shiny. All four tools support analytics integration with R and Python, which allow for advanced analytics and machine-learning to be used. However, PowerBI requires some configuration for use of these scripting languages. These four tools are all capable of pre-processing data such as data transformation, null detection and outlier detection. As to performance, Tableau was faster than Spotfire and PowerBI to load the dataset and open workbooks, but it was the slowest for publishing a workbook. R Shiny was slower in creating plots because it needed to reload the dataset each time the tool was run.

CONCLUSIONS

The four data visualization tools compared based on the various technical aspects we selected have their own unique advantages and limitations within the context of health-related research and operational management. While some tools are easier to use for certain features, most tools can create similar or comparable visualization outcomes. Users should match their use case against the capabilities of the tools.