bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Machine learning‐based prediction of heart failure readmission or death: implications of choosing the right model and the right metrics
Authors: Awan Saqib Ejaz , Bennamoun Mohammed , Sohel Ferdous , Sanfilippo Frank Mario , Dwivedi Girish 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAimsMachine learning (ML) is widely believed to be able to learn complex hidden interactions from the data and has the potential in predicting events such as heart failure (HF) readmission and death. Recent studies have revealed conflicting results likely due to failure to take into account the class imbalance problem commonly seen with medical data. We developed a new ML approach to predict 30 day HF readmission or death and compared the performance of this model with other commonly used prediction models.Methods and resultsWe identified all Western Australian patients aged above 65 years admitted for HF between 2003 and 2008 in the linked Hospital Morbidity Data Collection. Taking into consideration the class imbalance problem, we developed a multi‐layer perceptron (MLP)‐based approach to predict 30 day HF readmission or death and compared the predictive performances using the performance metrics, that is, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), area under the precision–recall curve (AUPRC), sensitivity and specificity with other ML and regression models. Out of the 10 757 patients with HF, 23.6% were readmitted or died within 30 days of hospital discharge. We observed an AUC of 0.55, 0.53, 0.58, and 0.54 while an AUPRC of 0.39, 0.38, 0.46, and 0.38 for weighted random forest, weighted decision trees, logistic regression, and weighted support vector machines models, respectively. The MLP‐based approach produced the highest AUC (0.62) and AUPRC (0.46) with 48% sensitivity and 70% specificity.ConclusionsWe show that for the medical data with class imbalance, the proposed MLP‐based approach is superior to other ML and regression techniques for the prediction of 30 day HF readmission or death.
How do US options traders “smirk” on China? Evidence from FXI options
Authors: Li Jianhui , Gehricke Sebastian A. , Zhang Jin E. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIn this paper, we study the implied volatility smirk (IVS) of options written on the FXI, the Financial Times Stock Exchange/Xinhua China 50 Index exchange‐traded fund (ETF). Using the methodology of Zhang and Xiang (2008,
Quant Financ, 8, pp. 263–284), we document the empirical characteristics of the level, slope, and curvature of IVS of the FXI options. We find that, on average, IVS becomes steeper and more convex as time to maturity increases. The level and curvature are usually positive, and the slope is negative. We provide evidence that the information in the quantified IV factors has some predictive power for the future monthly FXI ETF returns.
Spatial source phase: A new feature for identifying spatial differences based on complex‐valued resting‐state fMRI data
Authors: Qiu Yue , Lin Qiu‐Hua , Kuang Li‐Dan , Gong Xiao‐Feng , Cong Fengyu , Wang Yu‐Ping , Calhoun Vince D. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractSpatial source phase, the phase information of spatial maps extracted from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data by data‐driven methods such as independent component analysis (ICA), has rarely been studied. While the observed phase has been shown to convey unique brain information, the role of spatial source phase in representing the intrinsic activity of the brain is yet not clear. This study explores the spatial source phase for identifying spatial differences between patients with schizophrenia (SZs) and healthy controls (HCs) using complex‐valued resting‐state fMRI data from 82 individuals. ICA is first applied to preprocess fMRI data, and post‐ICA phase de‐ambiguity and denoising are then performed. The ability of spatial source phase to characterize spatial differences is examined by the homogeneity of variance test (voxel‐wiseF‐test) with false discovery rate correction. Resampling techniques are performed to ensure that the observations are significant and reliable. We focus on two components of interest widely used in analyzing SZs, including the default mode network (DMN) and auditory cortex. Results show that the spatial source phase exhibits more significant variance changes and higher sensitivity to the spatial differences between SZs and HCs in the anterior areas of DMN and the left auditory cortex, compared to the magnitude of spatial activations. Our findings show that the spatial source phase can potentially serve as a new brain imaging biomarker and provide a novel perspective on differences in SZs compared to HCs, consistent with but extending previous work showing increased variability in patient data.
Modified fibula free flap harvesting technique for prevention of heterotopic pedicle ossification
Authors: Kim Beomjune B. , Kaleem Arshad , Alzahrani Shadi , Yeoh Melvyn , Zaid Waleed 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackgroundPedicle ossification is thought to arise from the residual perieosteum left along the pedicle during the fibula free flap (FFF) harvesting. Pedicle ossification in head and neck reconstruction can cause trismus, pain on mastication/turning the neck, or neck swelling.MethodsTwo patients reported in this article developed severe trismus within 6 months after mandibular reconstruction with FFF. CT scans revealed ossification along the vascular pedicle interfering with mouth opening. Both patients underwent surgical debridement of the heterotopic bone.ResultsSurgical debridement of the heterotopic bone led to the resolution of trismus in both patients with pedicle ossification.ConclusionsPedicle ossification is a complication of FFF that can be effectively managed by removal of heterotopic bone. However, it is best prevented at the time of initial surgery. In this article, a new modified FFF harvesting technique is introduced to prevent pedicle ossification and reduce the ischemia time.
Neutrophil Gelatinase‐Associated Lipocalin for Assessment of Acute Kidney Injury in Cirrhosis: A Prospective Study
Authors: Huelin Patricia , Solà Elsa , Elia Chiara , Solé Cristina , Risso Alessandro , Moreira Rebeca , Carol Marta , Fabrellas Núria , Bassegoda Octavi , Juanola Adrià , de Prada Gloria , Albertos Sonia , Piano Salvatore , Graupera Isabel , Ariza Xavier , Napoleone Laura , Pose Elisa , Filella Xavier , Morales‐Ruiz Manuel , Rios José , Fernández Javier , Jiménez Wladimiro , Poch Esteban , Torres Ferran , Ginès Pere 
Published: February 2019

Kidney biomarkers appear to be useful in differential diagnosis between acute tubular necrosis (ATN) and other types of acute kidney injury (AKI) in cirrhosis, particularly hepatorenal syndrome (HRS‐AKI). Distinction is important because treatment is different. However, kidney biomarkers are still not used in clinical practice. The aim of the current study was to investigate the accuracy of several biomarkers in differential diagnosis of AKI and in predicting kidney outcome and patient survival. This was a prospective study of 320 consecutive cases of AKI in patients hospitalized for decompensated cirrhosis. Evaluation of AKI was made with a diagnostic algorithm that included identification and removal/treatment of precipitating factors and albumin administration (1 g/kg for 2 days) to patients with AKI stage 1B or greater. Urinary neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin (NGAL), monomeric NGAL (mNGAL), interleukin‐18, and standard biomarkers were measured at diagnosis and on days 3, 7, and 14. Of the 320 cases, 153 were hypovolemia‐induced AKI (48%), 93 were HRS‐AKI (29%), 39 were ATN (12%), and 35 were due to miscellaneous causes (11%). Among all biomarkers, urinary NGAL measured at day 3 had the greatest accuracy for differential diagnosis between ATN and other types of AKI (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.78‐0.95). The cutoff with the best predictive accuracy for ATN diagnosis was 220 µg/g creatinine. Progression of AKI during hospitalization was associated with persistently high NGAL levels, and NGAL was an independent predictive factor of AKI progression. Likewise, NGAL was also an independent predictive factor of 28‐day mortality together with Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease score. Conclusion: These results support the use of NGAL in clinical practice within the context of a diagnostic algorithm for differential diagnosis of AKI and outcome prediction in cirrhosis.
A system dynamics approach in modeling organizational tradeoffs in safety management
Authors: Boukas Dimitris , Kontogiannis Tom 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe mining industry is still ranked highly amongst the economic sectors with the highest fatality rates. Earlier approaches to safety have attributed this to the lack of a comprehensive safety management system that employs effective safety barriers. A system theoretic approach to safety provides a better basis for looking deeper into the interaction of technical, workplace and organizational factors, their magnitude of effects, and their time characteristics. This study presents a system dynamics model of safety and production that looks deeper into their organizational tradeoffs. A safety model integrates aspects of safety culture, worker motivation, and human reliability in an effort to examine how risk evolves over time. Additional models of task management and human resources are developed to trace the interactions between safety and production as well as to examine alternative job designs that can reduce risk. The simulation model has been tested for a number of step to increase production demands and the impact on safety over the course of 5 years.HIGHLIGHTS

A methodology has been developed for modeling safety management based on system dynamics.
The system dynamics model integrates safety with other organizational processes, such as production and human resources management.
System dynamics allow explicit modeling of decision tradeoffs between organizational processes.
Emphasis has been given on the evolution of risk over a large period of time where hidden problems may materialize later in the future.
A top–down soil moisture and sap flux sampling design of a rain–snow transition mountain watershed
Authors: Kyongho Son , Tague Christina 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThis paper presents a top–down approach for soil moisture and sap flux sampling design with the goal of understanding ecohydrologic response to interannual climate variation in the rain–snow transition watersheds. The design is based on a priori estimates of soil moisture and transpiration patterns using a physical distributed model, Regional Hydro‐Ecologic Simulation System (RHESSys). RHESSys was initially calibrated with existing snow depth and streamflow data. Calibrated model estimates of seasonal trajectories of snowmelt, root‐zone soil moisture storage, and transpiration were used to develop five hydrologic similarity indicators and map these at (30 m) patch scale across the study watershed. The partitioning around medoids‐clustering algorithm was then used to define six distinctive spatially explicit clusters based on the five hydrologic similarity indictors. A representative site within each cluster was identified for sampling. For each site, soil moisture sensors were installed at the 30‐ and 90‐cm depths and at the five soil pits and a sap flux sensor at the averaged‐size white fir tree for each site. The model‐based cluster analysis suggests that the elevation gradient and topographically driven flow drainage patterns are the dominant drivers of spatial patterns of soil moisture and transpiration. The comparison of model‐based calculated hydrological similarity indicators with measured‐data‐based values shows that spatial patterns of field‐sampled soil moisture data typically fell within uncertainty bounds of model‐based estimates for each cluster. There were however several notable exceptions. The model failed to capture the soil moisture and sap flux dynamics in a riparian zone site and in a site where lateral subsurface flow may not follow surface topography. Results highlight the utility of using a hypothesis driven sampling strategy, based on a physically based model, for efficiently providing new information that can drive both future measurements and strategic refinements to model inputs, parameters, or structure that might reduce these errors. Future research will focus on strategies for using of finer scale representations of microclimate, topography, vegetation, and soil properties to improve models.
To profit or not to profit? Assessing financial sustainability outcomes of microfinance institutions
Authors: Leite Rodrigo de Oliveira , Mendes Layla dos Santos , Sacramento Luiz Claudio 
Published: February 2019

AbstractWe used a multilevel approach on comparing for‐profit and not‐for‐profit microfinance institutions (MFIs). The database was composed of 202 MFIs (in 52 countries) from the most widely used microfinance dataset (the Microfnance Information eXchange, Inc. Market), with 669 observations from 2010 to 2014. Four financial sustainability outcomes were considered: yield on gross portfolio; return on assets; portfolio at risk, 30 days; and operational self‐sufficiency (OSS). Although for‐profit MFIs had a higher Yield, there was no significant effect of profit orientation on ROA, PAR30, and OSS. Further analysis shows that although profit orientation has a significant effect on the yield of small MFIs, it does not have any effect on larger MFIs, which is consistent with the theory that larger MFIs can distribute its fixed costs better, requiring lower interest rates and allowing smaller yield on the gross portfolio. In addition, we show that the intrinsic characteristics of the MFIs account for the majority of the variance from the four outcomes.
LncRNA MEG3 suppresses migration and promotes apoptosis by sponging miR‐548d‐3p to modulate JAK–STAT pathway in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Tan Jiawei , Xiang Lixin , Xu Guochao 
Published: February 2019

AbstractOral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a lethal malignancy and its prognosis remains dismal. Thus, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms is needed to provide a new insight for new therapies. It has been reported that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) was downregulated in OSCC tissues, however, its functional mechanism remains uncertain. Here, we found that the overexpression of MEG3 suppressed migration and promoted apoptosis in OSCC cell lines, while inhibition of MEG3 exhibited opposite effect. We also found that MEG3 could effectively sponge miR‐548d‐3p and decrease its expression level. Moreover, miR‐548d‐3p repressed the expression of SOCS5 and SOCS6 through binding their 3’UTR, thereby modulating the JAK–STAT signaling pathway and functioning as an oncogene in OSCC cells. Importantly, overexpression of MEG3 enhanced the expression of SOCS5 and SOCS6 to regulate JAK–STAT pathway, whereas miR‐548d‐3p overexpression decreased the effects of MEG3 on levels of SOCS5/SOCS6. Furthermore, upregulated expression of miR‐548d‐3p could abrogate the effect of MEG3 overexpression on migration and apoptosis in OSCC cell lines. In addition, the overexpression of MEG3 inhibited tumor migration and facilitated apoptosis in vivo. Together, our results revealed that MEG3 could modulate JAK–STAT pathway via miR‐548d‐3p/SOCS5/SOCS6 to suppresses migration and promote apoptosis in OSCC. Our research indexed a new functional mechanism of MEG3 in OSCC, and this mechanism may be a potential prognostic factor and therapeutic target. © 2019 IUBMB Life, 2019
Investigation of the effects of some sulfonamides on acetylcholinesterase and carbonic anhydrase enzymes
Authors: Köksal Zeynep , Alım Zuhal , Bayrak Songül , Gülçin İlhami , Özdemir Hasan 
Published: February 2019

AbstractHuman carbonic anhydrase I and II isoenzymes (hCA I and II) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) are important metabolic enzymes that are closely associated with various physiological and pathological processes. In this study, we investigated the inhibition effects of some sulfonamides on hCA I, hCA II, and AChE enzymes. Both hCA isoenzymes were purified by Sepharose‐4B‐L‐Tyrosine‐5‐amino‐2‐methylbenzenesulfonamide affinity column chromatography with 1393.44 and 1223.09‐folds, respectively. Also, some inhibition parameters including IC50 and Ki values were determined. Sulfonamide compounds showed IC
50 values of in the range of 55.14 to 562.62 nM against hCA I, 55.99 to 261.96 nM against hCA II, and 98.65 to 283.31 nM against AChE. Ki values were in the range of 23.40 ± 9.10 to 365.35 ± 24.42 nM against hCA I, 45.87 ± 5.04 to 230.08 ± 92.23 nM against hCA II, and 16.00 ± 45.53 to 157.00 ± 4.02 nM against AChE. As a result, sulfonamides had potent inhibition effects on these enzymes. Therefore, we believe that these results may contribute to the development of new drugs particularly in the treatment of some disorders.
Synthesis of carbazole bearing pyridopyrimidine‐substituted sulfonamide derivatives and studies their carbonic anhydrase enzyme activity
Authors: Rifati‐Nixha Arleta , Arslan Mustafa , Gençer Nahit , Çıkrıkıçı Kübra , Gökçe Başak , Arslan Oktay 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe synthesis of carbazole containing pyridopyrimidine‐substituted sulfonamide derivatives (3a‐i) and their inhibitory effects on human carbonic anhydrase (hCA) I and II were studied. Spectral data and elemental analysis confirmed the structures of the compounds synthesized. The results show that all the synthesized compounds inhibited the CA I and II activities. Among them, 3a was found to be the most active (
K
i: 14 µM) for hCA I and 3f (
K
i: 126 µM) for hCA II.
Effect of benzo[a]pyrene on the expression of miR‐126, miR‐190a and their target genes EGFL7, TP53INP1 and PHLPP1 in primary endometrial cells
Authors: Chanyshev M. D. , Koval O. A. , Nushtaeva A. A. , Gulyaeva L. F. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe main topic of this study was to investigate the effect of benzo[a]pyrene (BP) on microRNAs and their target genes expression levels in primary cell cultures from normal and malignant endometrial tissue. MicroRNA‐126 (miR‐126) and miR‐190a were most sensitive to BP treatment. The treatment of both cultures with BP was accompanied by a decrease of miR‐126 level and an increase of EGFL7 gene expression level. BP‐induced upregulation of miR‐190a was detected only in normal cells and it was accompanied with decrease of mRNA levels of TP53INP1 and PHLPP1 genes. Taking into account that BP promoted the proliferation of normal cells and amplified apoptosis of cancer cells, it is possible that miR‐190a is involved in general cellular response to BP. The findings of this study indicate that miR‐190a and its target genes may be involved in the regulation of cell fate under BP treatment.
The prognostic value of matrix metalloproteinase‐7 and matrix metalloproteinase‐15 in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Wu Yingjie , Pan Shan , Leng Jun , Xie Tian , Jamal Muhammad , Yin Qian , Li Jingyuan , He Chunjiang , Dong Xin , Shao Liang , Zhang Qiuping 
Published: February 2019

AbstractMatrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a family of zinc‐dependent endopeptidases, are involved in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. We analyzed 11 data sets from Gene Expression Omnibus Database and found that MMP7 and MMP15 were highly expressed in multiple carcinomas. GSE13204 showed that MMP7 and MMP15 were overexpressed in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. The Cancer Genome Atlas data set exhibited that high expression of MMP7 or MMP15 in bone marrow (BM) of AML patients predicted poor overall survival. The χ
2 test results indicated that high expression level of MMP7 and MMP15 were correlated with high‐risk stratification and high BM blast cell percentage in AML patients. To confirm these findings, we performed reverse‐transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) and found that MMP7 and MMP15 were highly expressed in three AML cell lines. Further study showed that MMP7 and MMP15 were highly expressed both in BM and peripheral blood in collected AML samples compared with healthy individuals. Additionally, long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) microarray of BM samples of AML patients revealed that multiple lncRNAs were correlated with MMP7 and MMP15, suggesting that lncRNAs might be involved in the pathogenesis of AML via modulating MMPs. In conclusion, our study uncovers the potential roles of MMP7 and MMP15 in the prognosis of AML.
Preclinical study of the long‐range safety and anti‐inflammatory effects of high‐dose oral meglumine
Authors: Manley Kaylend , Bravo‐Nuevo Arturo , Minton Allyson R. , Sedano Summer , Marcy Alice , Reichman Melvin , Tobia Annette , Artlett Carol M. , Gilmour Susan K. , Laury‐Kleintop Lisa D. , Prendergast George C. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractMeglumine is a methylamino derivative of sorbitol that is an approved drug excipient. Recent preclinical studies suggest that administration of high‐dose oral meglumine can exert beneficial medicinal effects to treat diabetes, obesity, and fatty liver disease (NAFLD/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis [NASH]). Here we address gaps in knowledge about the pharmacology and toxicology of this substance administered at high concentrations to explore its medicinal potential. We observed that high‐dose meglumine limited secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and cell adhesion molecules from activated human THP‐1 or murine RAW264.7 monocytes. Preclinical pharmacokinetic analysis in Swiss mice confirmed that meglumine was orally available. Informed by this data, oral doses of 18 to 75 mM meglumine were administered ad libitum in the drinking water of Sprague‐Dawley rats and two cohorts of C57BL/6 mice housed in different vivariums. In a 32‐week study, urinary isoprostane levels trended lower in subjects consistent with the possibility of anti‐inflammatory effects. In full lifespan studies, there was no detrimental effect on longevity. Heart function evaluated in C57BL/6 mice using an established noninvasive cardiac imaging system showed no detrimental effects on ejection fraction, fractional shortening, left ventricle function or volume, and cardiac output in mice up to 15‐month old, with a potential positive trend in heart function noted in elderly mice consistent with earlier reported benefits on muscle stamina. Finally, in a transgenic model of inflammation‐associated skin carcinogenesis, the incidence, number, and growth of skin tumors trended lower in subjects receiving meglumine. Overall, the evidence obtained illustrating the long‐range safety of high‐dose oral meglumine support the rationale for its evaluation as a low‐cost modality to limit diabetes, hypertriglyceridemia, and NAFLD/NASH.