scholarly journals Comprehensive Analysis of the Systemic Transcriptomic Alternations and Inflammatory Response during the Occurrence and Progress of COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Shaocong Mo ◽  
Leijie Dai ◽  
Yulin Wang ◽  
Biao Song ◽  
Zongcheng Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Response ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Nonnegative Matrix ◽  
Neutrophil Degranulation ◽  
Linear Correlation Analysis ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Coexpression Network Analysis

The pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has posed huge threats to healthcare systems and the global economy. However, the host response towards COVID-19 on the molecular and cellular levels still lacks full understanding and effective therapies are in urgent need. Here, we integrate three datasets, GSE152641, GSE161777, and GSE157103. Compared to healthy people, 314 differentially expressed genes were identified, which were mostly involved in neutrophil degranulation and cell division. The protein-protein network was established and two significant subsets were filtered by MCODE: ssGSEA and CIBERSORT, which comprehensively revealed the alternation of immune cell abundance. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) as well as GO and KEGG analyses unveiled the role of neutrophils and T cells during the progress of the disease. Based on the hospital-free days after 45 days of follow-up and statistical methods such as nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF), submap, and linear correlation analysis, 31 genes were regarded as the signature of the peripheral blood of COVID-19. Various immune cells were identified to be related to the prognosis of the patients. Drugs were predicted for the genes in the signature by DGIdb. Overall, our study comprehensively revealed the relationship between the inflammatory response and the disease course, which provided strategies for the treatment of COVID-19.

External Investigators' Follow-Up Intentions When Whistleblowers Report Healthcare Fraud: The Effects of Report Anonymity and Previous Confrontation

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-101
Author(s):  
Steven E. Kaplan ◽  
Danny Lanier ◽  
Kelly R. Pope ◽  
Janet A. Samuels
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Medical Provider ◽  
Perceived Credibility ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Critical Investigation

ABSTRACT Whistleblowing reports, if properly investigated, facilitate the early detection of fraud. Although critical, investigation-related decisions represent a relatively underexplored component of the whistleblowing process. Investigators are responsible for initially deciding whether to follow-up on reports alleging fraud. We report the results of an experimental study examining the follow-up intentions of highly experienced healthcare investigators. Participants, in the role of an insurance investigator, are asked to review a whistleblowing report alleging billing fraud occurring at a medical provider. Thus, participants are serving as external investigators. In a between-participant design, we manipulate the report type and whether the caller previously confronted the wrongdoer. We find that compared to an anonymous report, a non-anonymous report is perceived as more credible and follow-up intentions stronger. We also find that perceived credibility fully mediates the relationship between report type and follow-up intentions. Previous confrontation is not significantly associated with either perceived credibility or follow-up intentions. Data Availability: Data are available upon request.

Information Systems for the Management of the Organizations

2018 ◽  
pp. 96-116
Author(s):  
José Rascão
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Information Management ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Business Management ◽  
Key Concepts ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Role Of Information

This chapter investigates the key concepts of information systems, as well as the role of information in the information management activities, in terms of supporting decision making by different organizations' managers in the literature of information sciences and business sciences. The information has become, in the global economy, a source of value for organizations, assuming a key role in contributing to the development of the performance of the same. The relationship of information management with business management helps the process of decision making.

scholarly journals Tipranavir (TPV) Genotypic Inhibitory Quotient Predicts Virological Response at 48 Weeks to TPV-Based Salvage Regimens

2007 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 1066-1071 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Gonzalez de Requena ◽  
Stefano Bonora ◽  
Andrea Calcagno ◽  
Antonio D'Avolio ◽  
Marco Siccardi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virological Response ◽  
Protease Gene ◽  
Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors ◽  
Cutoff Value ◽  
Multiple Drugs ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Cell Count Increase ◽  
Better Than

ABSTRACT The virological response (VR) to a tipranavir-ritonavir (TPV-RTV)-based regimen had been shown to be associated with a number of mutations in the protease gene, the use of enfuvirtide (T20), and the TPV phenotypic inhibitory quotient (IQ). The role of the TPV genotypic IQ (gIQ) has not yet been fully investigated. The aim of our study was to evaluate the relationship between the TPV gIQ and the VR at 48 weeks to TPV-based salvage regimens. Patients placed on regimens containing two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors plus TPV-RTV 500/200 mg twice a day with or without T20 were prospectively studied. Regular follow-up was performed over the study period. VR, considered a viral load (VL) decrease of ≥1 log unit and/or the achievement of <50 copies/ml with no VL rebound of >0.5 log unit compared to the maximal VL decrease at week 48, was assessed. Thirty-eight patients who had received multiple drugs were included. At week 48 the VL decrease was −1.48 (interquartile range [IQR], −2.88 to −0.48), 15 patients (39.5%) had VLs of <50 copies/ml, and the CD4+ cell count increase was 37 cells/mm3 (IQR, −30 to +175). Twenty subjects (52.6%) achieved VRs. The TPV gIQ and optimized background score (OBS) were independently associated with higher VL decreases. The TPV gIQ and OBS were also independent predictors of a VR at week 48. TPV gIQ and OBS cutoff values of 14,500 and 2, respectively, were associated with a higher rate of VR. The TPV gIQ was shown to be able to predict the VR at 48 weeks to TPV-containing salvage regimens better than the TPV trough concentration or TPV-associated mutations alone. A possible TPV gIQ cutoff value of 14,500 for reaching a VR at week 48 was suggested. Further studies are needed in order to evaluate the calculation of TPV gIQ as a new tool for the optimization of TPV-based salvage therapy.

Human pregnancy: the role of chemokine networks at the fetal–maternal interface

2004 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristy Red-Horse ◽  
Penelope M. Drake ◽  
Susan J. Fisher
Keyword(s):  
Chemokine Receptors ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Leukocyte Trafficking ◽  
Placental Development ◽  
Effector Cells ◽  
Chemokine Expression ◽  
Multifunctional Molecules ◽  
And Migration ◽  
The Relationship

Chemokines are multifunctional molecules initially described as having a role in leukocyte trafficking and later found to participate in developmental processes such as differentiation and directed migration. Similar events occur in pregnancy during development of the fetal–maternal interface, where there is extensive leukocyte trafficking and tissue morphogenesis, and this is accompanied by abundant chemokine expression. The relationship between chemokines, leukocytes and placental development is beginning to be delineated. During pregnancy a specialised population of maternal leukocytes infiltrates the implantation site. These leukocytes are thought to sustain the delicate balance between protecting the developing embryo/fetus and tolerating its hemiallogeneic tissues. A network of chemokine expression by both fetal and maternal components in the pregnant uterus functions in establishing this leukocyte population. Intriguingly, experiments investigating immune cell recruitment revealed the additional possibility that chemokines influence aspects of placental development. Specifically, cytotrophoblasts, the effector cells of the placenta, express chemokine receptors that can bind ligands found at key locations, implicating chemokines as regulators of cytotrophoblast differentiation and migration. Thus, as in other systems, at the fetal–maternal interface chemokines might regulate multiple functions.

scholarly journals ROLE OF THE BUDGET IN RAISING THE EFFICIENCY OF FINANCIAL ‎ PERFORMANCE IN THE DIRECTORATE OF EDUCATION IN THE NORTHERN ‎GOVERNORATES

2021 ◽  
Vol 03 (06) ◽  
pp. 366-383
Author(s):  
Wafaa Mohammad ASHOUR ◽  
Narmeen Ismat ZATARA
Keyword(s):  
Financial Performance ◽  
Preparation Process ◽  
Ministry Of Education ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Training Courses ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Academic Year

The study aimed to identify the role of the budget in raising the efficiency of financial ‎performance in the Directorate of Education in the northern governorates. The two ‎researchers used: qualitative research.‎ The interview tool was adopted: it consisted of (3) main themes. The first axis: about ‎budget preparation and included (8) questions. The second axis: about the implementation ‎of the budget, and included (7) questions. The third axis: about the relationship between ‎the budget and the efficiency of financial performance. The interview questions included ‎open questions and closed questions.‎ The study population is made up of members of the Finance Committee and is responsible ‎for the budget preparation process. They number (68) in the second semester of the ‎academic year 2020-2021. The sample size is (19) by 28%. The most important results are: ‎ o The budget plays a major role in raising the efficiency of financial performance, as ‎it is one of the activities planning tools, as the revenue amounts are distributed ‎among the budget items.‎ o The budget has a role in raising the efficiency of financial performance in the ‎education directorates through its oversight role on performance.‎ Recommendations: ‎ o Increasing the powers of education directorates in the budget preparation process ‎by the Ministry of Education in order to achieve a higher level of flexibility in it to ‎meet the needs within the priorities.‎ o Conducting training courses on budget preparation, implementation, and follow-‎up by the Ministry of Education in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, and ‎not to be limited to department heads only, but extend to all employees in the ‎directorate's departments and those willing and qualified to prepare budgets‎.

scholarly journals Education and science as a soft power tool in Slovakia and V4 countries

2019 ◽  
pp. 131-148
Author(s):  
Peter Čajka
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
Middle Ages ◽  
Soft Power ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
National Interests ◽  
High Level ◽  
Globalized World ◽  
The Relationship

Already in the Middle Ages, in times of the first universities, education was an important source of knowledge and social status. Nowadays, education, together with its quality and level of teaching, is used as a means of pursuing national interests abroad, as well as influencing local elites, and sometimes even a larger population. High level and good quality of education is one of factors contributing to the relationship between states. The role of education as regards international prestige and the position of individual states has risen in recent years chiefly due to major changes in the global economy and a corresponding shift of values, values which have become important for the modernization of societies. Thus, education has become increasingly important, especially due to the growing significance of knowledge in the globalized world. Education has become an increasingly important factor in international relations and it translates into the soft power of a state.

scholarly journals Concise review: The role of cancer-derived exosomes in tumorigenesis and immune cell modulation

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 4158-4169
Author(s):  
Nhi Thao Huynh ◽  
Khuong Duy Pham ◽  
Nhat Chau Truong
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Vascular System ◽  
Immune Surveillance ◽  
Cell Communication ◽  
Tumor Formation ◽  
Concise Review ◽  
The Relationship

Exosomes are subcellular entities which were first discovered in the 1980s. Over the past decade, scientists have discovered that they carry components of genetic information that allow for cell-cell communication and cell targeting. Exosomes secreted by cancer cells are termed cancer-derived exosomes (CDEs), and play an important role in tumor formation and progression. Specifically, CDEs mediate the communication between cancer cells, as well as between cancer cells and other cells in the tumor microenvironment, including cancer-associated fibroblasts, endothelial cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and effector immune cells. Additionally, through the vascular system and body fluids, CDEs can modulate response to drugs, increase angiogenesis, stimulate proliferation, promote invasion and metastasis, and facilitate escape from immune surveillance. This review will discuss the relationship between cancer cells and other cells (particularly immune cells), as mediated through CDEs, as well as the subsequent impact on tumorigenesis and immunomodulation. Understanding the role of CDEs in tumorigenesis and immune cell modulation will help advance their utilization in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cancer.

scholarly journals ZBTB7A, A Potential Biomarker for Prognosis and Immune Infiltrates, Inhibits Progression of Endometrial Cancer Based on Bioinformatics Analysis and Experiments

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rong Geng ◽  
Yuhua Zheng ◽  
Donghua Zhou ◽  
Qingdong Li ◽  
Ruiman Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Zinc Finger Protein ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Marker Genes ◽  
Potential Biomarker ◽  
And Migration ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Backgroud: ZBTB protein is an important member of the C2H2 zinc finger protein family. As a transcription factor, it is widely involved in the transcriptional regulation of genes, cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. However, the role of ZBTB7A in uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) is unclear.Methods: In our work, we assessed the importance of ZBTB 7A in UCEC. Firstly, Using Oncomine and Tumor Immunoassay Resource (TIMER) databases to evaluate the expression of ZBTB7A. Secondly, we explored the co expression network of ZBTB7A through the cBioPortal online tool, Metascape, and LinkedOmics. TIMER was also used to explore the relationship between ZB TB7A and tumor immu ne invasion, and to detect the correlation between the ZBTB7A and the marker genes related to immune infiltration. Finally, CKK8,migration, ChIP assays were introduced to partly validate ZBTB7A function in endometrialcancer cells.Results: We found t he ZBTB7A expression in TIMER was associated with various cancers, especially UCEC. The decreased expre ssion of ZBTB7A was markedly related to the stage and prognosis of UCEC. Furthermore, ZBTB7A was also related to the expression of various immune markers s uch as Neutrophils, Dendritic cell, T cell (general), Th1, Th2, and Finally, we verified that ZBTB7 A repressed E2F4 transcription and inhibited cell s proliferation and migration . These results indicate that ZBTB7A may play a vital role in regulating immune cellinfiltration in UCEC, and is a valuable prognostic marker.Conclusions:In summary, we demonstrate that ZBTB7A is notably downregulated in UCEC, play s a vital role in regu lating immune cell infiltration, possesses diagnostic and pr ognostic values and attenuated E2F4 transcription and cell proliferation , migration in vitro.

scholarly journals D-Dimer to Fibrinogen Ratio as a Novel Prognostic Marker in Patients After Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Retrospective Cohort Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 107602962094858
Author(s):  
Yan Bai ◽  
Ying-Ying Zheng ◽  
Jun-Nan Tang ◽  
Xu-Ming Yang ◽  
Qian-Qian Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cox Regression ◽  
Coronary Intervention ◽  
Diagnosis And Prognosis ◽  
Kaplan Meier ◽  
Percutaneous Coronary ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
D Dimer

The role of activation of the coagulation and fibrinolysis system in the pathogenesis and prognosis of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) has drawn wide attention. Recently, the D-dimer to fibrinogen ratio (DFR) is considered as a useful biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of ischemic stroke and pulmonary embolism. However, few studies have explored the relationship between DFR and cardiovascular disease. In our study, patients were divided into 2 groups according to DFR value: the lower group (DFR < 0.52, n = 2123) and the higher group (DFR ≥ 0.52, n = 1073). The primary outcome was all-cause mortality (ACM) and cardiac mortality (CM). The average follow-up time was 37.59 ± 22.24 months. We found that there were significant differences between the 2 groups in term of ACM (2.4% vs 6.6%, P < 0.001) and CM (1.5% vs 4.0%, P < 0.001). Kaplan–Meier analyses showed that elevated DFR had higher incidences of ACM (log rank P < 0.001) and CM (log rank P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that DFR was an independent predictor of ACM (HR = 1.743, 95%CI: 1.187-2.559 P = 0.005) and CM (HR = 1.695, 95%CI: 1.033-2.781 P = 0.037). This study indicates that DFR is an independent and novel predictor of long-term ACM and CM in post-PCI patients with CAD.

Outcomes in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC) and high PD-L1 expression treated with immune checkpoint inhibitor monotherapy: An FDA-pooled analysis.

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 9606-9606
Author(s):  
Sujay Yogesh Shah ◽  
Jonathon Joseph Vallejo ◽  
Yutao Gong ◽  
Thomas D. Brown ◽  
Chenan Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Checkpoint ◽  
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitor ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Pooled Analysis ◽  
Cell Staining ◽  
Line Of Therapy ◽  
The Relationship

9606 Background: Higher PD-L1 score ≥ 50% predicts for greater benefit to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy in first line (1L) treatment of aNSCLC. It has recently been reported that PD-L1 score ≥ 90% predicts for even greater benefit to 1L ICI monotherapy (Aguilar et al., 2019). We examined pooled clinical trial databases to examine the relationship between high PD-L1 expression across multiple ICI monotherapies in 1L and second line (2L) treatment of aNSCLC. Methods: Data was pooled from trials (five 1L and five 2L) of ICI for the treatment of patients with aNSCLC. We defined PD-L1 score as the proportion of tumor cell stained by the assay (total of four assays identified) and included patients in the analysis with PD-L1 score ≥ 50%. Tumor-infiltrating immune cell staining was not considered. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) by line of therapy for patients with PD-L1 score ≥ 90% and patients with PD-L1 score 50-89% was analyzed. Results: A total of 1320 patients treated with ICI monotherapy were identified, 873 in 1L and 447 in 2L. Median follow-up was 9.6 months in 2L patients and 13.3 months in 1L patients. Patients receiving 2L ICI therapy with PD-L1 score ≥ 90% (N = 208) had longer PFS and OS compared to patients with PD-L1 score 50-89% (N = 239), with mPFS 7.1 vs. 4.2 months (HR = 0.66 [95% CI: 0.52-0.83]) and mOS NR vs. 15.8 months (HR = 0.66 [95% CI: 0.49-0.89]). 1L ICI therapy analysis revealed similar trends, as patients with PD-L1 score ≥ 90% (N = 405) had longer PFS and OS compared to patients with a PD-L1 score 50-89% (N = 468), with mPFS 8.3 vs. 5.4 months (HR = 0.78 [95% CI: 0.66-0.92]) and mOS 22.9 vs. 16.4 months (HR = 0.74 [95% CI: 0.61-0.90]). Conclusions: This analysis showed the potential of an enhanced clinical benefit in patients with aNSCLC and PD-L1 score ≥90% across ICI monotherapies in both the 1L and 2L treatment setting. These data will be further analyzed in real world populations.

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