2494 research outputs found
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A transcriptome profile in hepatocellular carcinomas based on integrated analysis of microarray studies
No full textAbstract
Background
Despite new treatment options for hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) recently, 5-year survival remains poor, ranging from 50 to 70%, which may attribute to the lack of early diagnostic biomarkers. Thus, developing new biomarkers for early diagnosis of HCC, is extremely urgent, aiming to decrease HCC-related deaths.
Methods
In the study, we conducted a comprehensive characterization of gene expression data of HCC based on a bioinformatics method. The results were confirmed by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and TCGA database to prove the credibility of this integrated analysis.
Results
After integrating analysis of seven HCC gene expression datasets, 1167 differential expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. These genes mainly participated in the process of cell cycle, oocyte meiosis, and oocyte maturation mediated by progesterone. The results of experiments and TCGA database validation in 10 genes was in full accordance with findings in integrated analysis, indicating the high credibility of our integrated analysis of different gene expression datasets. ASPM , CCT3 , and NEK2 was showed to be significantly associated with overall survival of HCC patients in TCGA database.
Conclusion
This method of integrated analysis may be a useful tool to minish the heterogeneity of individual microarray, hopefully outputs more accurate HCC transcriptome profiles based on large sample size, and explores some potential biomarkers and therapy targets for HCC
Does the transfer of a poor quality embryo together with a good quality embryo affect the In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) outcome?
No full textAbstract
Background
IVF cycles which result in only one good quality embryo, and a second poor quality embryo present a dilemma when the decision involves transferring two embryos. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a poor quality embryo has a negative effect on a good quality embryo when transferred along with a good quality embryo.
Methods
We retrospectively evaluated in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles involving single embryo transfers (SET) and double embryo transfers (DET). Embryo quality was divided into poor \u201cP\u201d and good \u201cG\u201d quality. The main outcome measures were: live birth, implantation rate, miscarriage rate, clinical pregnancy rate and multiple pregnancy ratio.
Results
Six hundred three women were included. The study group consisted of 180 (29.9%) patients who had a double embryo transfer (DET) with one poor quality embryo and one good quality embryo (P\u2009+\u2009G). Control 1 group included 303 (50.2%) patients who had DET with two good quality embryos (G\u2009+\u2009G), and control 2 group consisted of 120 (19.9%) patients who had a single embryo transfer (SET) with one good quality embryo (G). Live birth rates were not significantly different when compared between study groups: 30.8% in the SET group (G), 27.2% in the (G\u2009+\u2009P) group and 33.7% in the (G\u2009+\u2009G) group. The SET group had the highest implantation rate (33.9%) compared to the DET groups (21.8% (G\u2009+\u2009P), 25.4% (G\u2009+\u2009G)) ( P =0.022). The clinical pregnancy rate was 33.3% in the SET group (G), 33.3% in the (G\u2009+\u2009P) group, and 39.3% in the (G\u2009+\u2009G) group ( P =0.39). The miscarriage rate was comparable in all groups.
Conclusion
A poor quality embryo does not negatively affect a good quality embryo, when transferred together in a double embryo transfer
Using low-cost drones to map malaria vector habitats
No full textAbstract
Background
There is a growing awareness that if we are to achieve the ambitious goal of malaria elimination, we must compliment indoor-based vector control interventions (such as bednets and indoor spraying) with outdoor-based interventions such as larval source management (LSM). The effectiveness of LSM is limited by our capacity to identify and map mosquito aquatic habitats. This study provides a proof of concept for the use of a low-cost (< $1000) drone (DJI Phantom) for mapping water bodies in seven sites across Zanzibar including natural water bodies, irrigated and non-irrigated rice paddies, peri-urban and urban locations.
Results
With flying times of less than 30\ua0min for each site, high-resolution (7\ua0cm) georeferenced images were successfully generated for each of the seven sites, covering areas up to 30\ua0ha. Water bodies were readily identifiable in the imagery, as well as ancillary information for planning LSM activities (access routes to water bodies by road and foot) and public health management (e.g. identification of drinking water sources, mapping individual households and the nature of their construction).
Conclusion
The drone-based surveys carried out in this study provide a low-cost and flexible solution to mapping water bodies for operational dissemination of LSM initiatives in mosquito vector-borne disease elimination campaigns. Generated orthomosaics can also be used to provide vital information for other public health planning activities
Argentine government policies: impacts on the beef sector
No full textAbstract
Beef is a staple food for Argentine consumers, and although the country has been a major exporter, the highest proportion of beef production is consumed in the domestic market. With rising inflation rates in the last 5\ua0years, and given the beef prices\u2019 strong weight on the composition of the Consumer Price Index, the Argentine government began taking measures to control it. They initially forced price agreements with members of the marketing and production chain and ended up with a total ban on exports. The results were not as expected and caused serious distortions at different levels of the beef chain. This study aimed to determine whether the impact on some economic and production variables would have been different without such intervention. A VAR model was estimated in order to compare the observed behavior with intervention measures and estimated predictions with a theoretically free market
Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome in first trimester pregnancy successfully treated with eculizumab
No full textAbstract
Background
Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome is a rare disorder which is known to cause acute thrombotic microangiopathy during pregnancy with poor maternal and fetal outcomes. Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome is caused mostly by dysregulation of alternative complement pathway secondary to genetic mutations. Most of the cases reported have been in the post-partum period. We report a rare case of a patient who presents with thrombotic microangiopathy in the first trimester of her eleventh pregnancy and was successfully treated with eculizumab.
Case presentation
A 30-year-old woman presented at 10\ua0weeks of gestation with hypertension, hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute kidney injury, consistent with thrombotic microangiopathy. She was managed initially with daily plasmapheresis. However, her kidney function did not recover, requiring hemodialysis. ADAMTS13 activity was later found to be within normal limit, hence diagnosis of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome was strongly considered at that time and she was immediately treated with anti-C5 humanized monoclonal antibody (eculizumab). The patient responded well (resolution of thrombotic microangiopathy and recovery of renal function) to eculizumab, with continued remission after discharge and successfully delivered a healthy baby at term without any peripartum complications.
Conclusion
Early recognition of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome is often difficult as several other conditions also manifest as thrombotic microangiopathy during pregnancy, causing delay in initiating appropriate treatment. Our case suggests that treatment of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome in early trimester of pregnancy with eculizumab results in good outcome to mother and fetus
Pathways from school to work in the developing world
No full textAbstract
This paper uses novel micro data from the ILO-STWT surveys to provide evidence on the duration, endpoint, and determinants of the transition from school to work in a sample of 23 low- and middle-income countries around the world. The paper analyzes both transition to the first job and to the first stable job. It also illustrates the effects of several correlates, including age of school leaving, gender, work while attending school, and others on the probability of transition and on its duration. The negative effects of low levels of human capital and high levels of population growth on job finding rates are offset by widespread poverty and lack of unemployment insurance, which lead overall to faster transitions in low-income compared to middle-income economies. By lowering reservation wages and speeding transitions, however, these forces lead to worse matches, as measured by the probability of attaining stable employment in the long run, highlighting the trade-off that policy makers face in developing countries.
JEL Classification: J64, 05
Weighting Criteria and Prioritizing of Heat stress indices in surface mining using a Delphi Technique and Fuzzy AHP-TOPSIS Method
No full textAbstract
Background
Heat stress as a physical harmful agent can increase the risk of health and safety problems in different workplaces such as mining. Although there are different indices to assess the heat stress imposed on workers, choosing the best index for a specific workplace is so important. Since various criteria affect an index applicability, extracting the most effective ones and determining their weights help to prioritize the existing indices and select the optimal index.
Methods
In order to achieve this aim, present study compared some heat stress indices using effective methods. The viewpoints of occupational health experts and the qualitative Delphi methods were used to extract the most important criteria. Then, the weights of 11 selected criteria were determined by Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process. Finally, fuzzy TOPSIS technique was applied for choosing the most suitable heat stress index.
Results
According to result, simplicity, reliability, being low cost, and comprehensiveness were the most determinative criteria for a heat stress index. Based on these criteria and their weights, the existing indices were prioritized. Eventually, wet bulb glob temperature appropriated the first priority and it was proposed as an applicable index for evaluating the heat stress at outdoor hot environments such as surface mines.
Conclusions
The use of these strong methods allows introducing the most simple, precise, and applicable tool for evaluation the heat stress in hot environments. It seems that WBGT acts as an appropriate index for assessing the heat stress in mining activities at outdoors
Addendum guidelines for the prevention of peanut allergy in the United States: Report of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases\u2013sponsored expert panel
No full textAbstract
Background
Food allergy is an important public health problem because it affects children and adults, can be severe and even life-threatening, and may be increasing in prevalence. Beginning in 2008, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, working with other organizations and advocacy groups, led the development of the first clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and management of food allergy. A recent landmark clinical trial and other emerging data suggest that peanut allergy can be prevented through introduction of peanut-containing foods beginning in infancy.
Objectives
Prompted by these findings, along with 25 professional organizations, federal agencies, and patient advocacy groups, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases facilitated development of addendum guidelines to specifically address the prevention of peanut allergy.
Results
The addendum provides 3 separate guidelines for infants at various risk levels for the development of peanut allergy and is intended for use by a wide variety of health care providers. Topics addressed include the definition of risk categories, appropriate use of testing (specific IgE measurement, skin prick tests, and oral food challenges), and the timing and approaches for introduction of peanut-containing foods in the health care provider\u2019s office or at home. The addendum guidelines provide the background, rationale, and strength of evidence for each recommendation.
Conclusions
Guidelines have been developed for early introduction of peanut-containing foods into the diets of infants at ..
A modified approach for solving a fuzzy multi-objective programming problem
No full textAbstract
Based on ranking of fuzzy numbers which deals with fuzzy-valued multi-objective programming problem and the modified crisp model, a modified approach is proposed. Also, two algorithms that play a pivotal role in the proposed method are introduced. The first one returns a ranking function to a given fuzzy number and the second algorithm uses the modified crisp model to deliver a Pareto optimal solution. Moreover, we investigate the stability of the first kind of the solution which is obtained using these algorithms. Finally, a numerical example is given to illustrate our modified approach, using Maple program
Soluble Toll-like receptor 2 is a biomarker for sepsis in critically ill patients with multi-organ failure within 12\ua0h of ICU admission
No full textAbstract
Soluble TLR2 levels are elevated in infective and inflammatory conditions, but its diagnostic value with sepsis-induced multi-organ failure has not been evaluated. 37 patients with a diagnosis of severe sepsis/septic shock (sepsis) and 27 patients with organ failure without infection (SIRS) were studied. Median (IQR) plasma sTLR2 levels were 2.7 ng/ml (1.4\u20136.1) in sepsis and 0.6 ng/ml (0.4\u20130.9) in SIRS p < 0.001. sTLR2 showed good diagnostic value for sepsis at cut-off of 1.0 ng/ml, AUC:0.959. We report the ability of sTLR2 levels to discriminate between sepsis and SIRS within 12 h of ICU admission in patients with multi-organ failure