Identification of RAGE and OSM as New Prognosis Biomarkers of Severe Pneumonia

Objective. To investigate efficiency of RAGE and OSM as new prognosis biomarkers of severe pneumonia. Methods. Eligible patients were classified into hypoxemia and nonhypoxemia groups. Meanwhile, the same cohort was divided into survival and nonsurvival groups after a post-hospital stay of 30 days. We analyzed risk factors for the hypoxia and death among these patients. Results. Compared with nonsurvival group, significant increase was noticed in PH, lymphocyte, albumin and platelet level in survival group, while significant decline was noticed in neutrophils, RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, creatinine, total bilirubin, CRP, PCT, OSM, RAGE and neutrophils/lymphocyte level. Oxygenation index level was related to APACHE II, LIS, SOFA, NUTRIC score, WBC, neutrophils, lymphocyte, RAGE, and albumin level ( p < 0.05 ). LIS, SOFA, NUTRIC score, lac, lymphocyte, platelet, BUN, total bilirubin, PCT, and OSM levels were associated with mortality rate ( p < 0.05 ). Conclusions. RAGE and OSM may serve as a new biomarker for poor prognosis in pneumonia patients.

Humoral response to SARS-CoV-2 infection among liver transplant recipients

ObjectiveImmunosuppressive agents are known to interfere with T and/or B lymphocytes, which are required to mount an adequate serologic response. Therefore, we aim to investigate the antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 in liver transplant (LT) recipients after COVID-19.DesignProspective multicentre case–control study, analysing antibodies against the nucleocapsid protein, spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 and their neutralising activity in LT recipients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19-LT) compared with immunocompetent patients (COVID-19-immunocompetent) and LT recipients without COVID-19 symptoms (non-COVID-19-LT).ResultsOverall, 35 LT recipients were included in the COVID-19-LT cohort. 35 and 70 subjects fulfilling the matching criteria were assigned to the COVID-19-immunocompetent and non-COVID-19-LT cohorts, respectively. We showed that LT recipients, despite immunosuppression and less symptoms, mounted a detectable antinucleocapsid antibody titre in 80% of the cases, although significantly lower compared with the COVID-19-immunocompetent cohort (3.73 vs 7.36 index level, p<0.001). When analysing anti-S antibody response, no difference in positivity rate was found between the COVID-19-LT and COVID-19-immunocompetent cohorts (97.1% vs 100%, p=0.314). Functional antibody testing showed neutralising activity in 82.9% of LT recipients (vs 100% in COVID-19-immunocompetent cohort, p=0.024).ConclusionsOur findings suggest that the humoral response of LT recipients is only slightly lower than expected, compared with COVID-19 immunocompetent controls. Testing for anti-S antibodies alone can lead to an overestimation of the neutralising ability in LT recipients. Altogether, routine antibody testing against separate SARS-CoV-2 antigens and functional testing show that the far majority of LT patients are capable of mounting an adequate antibody response with neutralising ability.

Signs of long-term adaptation and their relationship with the indicators of reproductive qualities in sows of the universal direction of productivity

The paper presents the results of the study of signs of long-term adaptation and indicators of reproductive qualities of sows of the universal direction of productivity, as well as calculates the economic efficiency of research results. The experimental part of the work was performed in the agricultural formations of the Dnipropetrovsk region and the laboratory of animal husbandry of the State Institution “Institute of Grain Crops of NAAS of Ukraine”. The work was performed in accordance with the research program № 31 “Genetic improvement of farm animals, their reproduction and conservation of biodiversity (Genetics, conservation, and reproduction of bioresources in animal husbandry)”, task – 31.02.01.18. pigs of different genotypes and to develop an integrated system for creating a highly productive population” (№ DR 0121U107903). Evaluation of sows on the indicators of long-term adaptation and reproductive qualities was carried out taking into account the following characteristics: life expectancy, months; duration of breeding use, months; farrowing was obtained; received piglets total, ch.; obtained live piglets, ch.; multiplicity, ch.; nest weight at the time of weaning at the age of 28 days, kg; safety of piglets before weaning, %. The index “level of adaptation” was calculated according to the method of Smirnov (2003), the index of reproductive qualities – according to the method of M. D. Berezovsky. Economic efficiency of research results and biometric processing of the obtained data were carried out according to generally accepted methods. It is established that sows of large white breeds of the controlled herd are characterized by rather high indicators of reproductive qualities and level of adaptation to conditions of intensive technology of operation. The life expectancy of sows in the main herd is 44.1 months, the duration of breeding use – 32.8 months, the index “level of adaptation” – 11.87 points. According to the indicators of fertility and nest weight at the time of weaning, the animals of the main herd belong to the first class and the elite class. Taking into account intra-breed differentiation according to the index “level of adaptation” sows of class M- significantly outperformed peers of class M+ in life expectancy by 54.77 %, duration of breeding use – by 71.48 %, index “level of adaptation” – by 66.09 %. Significant differences between groups of animals of these classes were found by multiplicity (td = 2.22; P < 0.05), nest weight at the time of weaning at the age of 28 days, kg (td = 2.56; P < 0.01) and index MD Berezovsky (td = 2.60; P < 0.01). The coefficients of pair correlation between traits that characterize the level of adaptation and reproductive qualities of sows range from -0.704 (tr = 10.80) to +0.982 (tr = 213.05). The use of sow class M- according to the index “level of adaptation” provides an increase in additional products at the level of +5.71 %, or 140.80 UAH. We propose to select repair young stock from sows of the leading group with the index “level of adaptation” of 6.55–8.08 points in the conditions of breeding plants and breeders, as well as industrial complexes.

Development of Integrated Islamic Finance-Based Index of Financial Inclusion Using Zakat and Cash Waqf: A Preliminary Study in Malaysia

Financial inclusion is a priority agenda in many countries. While the importance of financial inclusion index is widely recognized, the literature lacks a constructive discussion on its measurement in the light of Islamic finance since it is believed that only by the incorporation of the Shariah-based instruments, the level of access to finance can be improved. The study aims to develop a methodology for the computation of an integrated Islamic finance-based index of financial inclusion in Malaysia. Based on the current measurement of financial inclusion index (IFI) in Malaysia, this study employs a self-administered questionnaire and secondary data from Jabatan Waqaf, Zakat dan Haji (JAWHAR) and Yayasan Waqaf Malaysia (YWM), to measure the integrated Islamic finance based financial inclusion index for year 2011 and 2015. Zakat and cash waqf indicators are added in the index computation to represent Islamic finance components. Depending on the value of the index, a country is classified into four categories; high, above average, moderate or low integrated Islamic finance-based of financial inclusion. It is found that the level of financial inclusion using Islamic finance indicator in Malaysia is above average. The overall index level is increased from 0.49 in year 2011 to 0.55 in year 2015. Interestingly, most of the level of zakat and cash waqf indicator indexes are low which indicate that these channels require specific attention to tackle financial inclusion in Malaysia. It is hoped that the findings would be useful for the development of financial inclusion index using Islamic finance approach and monitoring the impact of zakat and waqf to the society.

Radiographic and clinical outcomes in one- and two-level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusions: a comparison of bullet versus banana cages

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine whether cage morphology influences clinical and radiographic outcomes following short-segment transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) procedures. METHODS The authors retrospectively reviewed one- and two-level TLIFs at a single tertiary care center between August 2012 and November 2019 with a minimum 1-year radiographic and clinical follow-up. Two cohorts were compared based on interbody cage morphology: steerable “banana” cage or straight “bullet” cage. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), radiographs, and complications were analyzed. RESULTS A total of 135 patients with 177 interbody levels were identified; 45 patients had 52 straight cages and 90 patients had 125 steerable cages. Segmental lordosis increased with steerable cages, while it decreased with straight cages (+3.8 ± 4.6 vs −1.9 ± 4.3, p < 0.001). Conversely, the mean segmental lordosis of adjacent lumbar levels decreased in the former group, while it increased in the latter group (−0.52 ± 1.9 vs +0.52 ± 2.1, p = 0.004). This reciprocal relationship results in global sagittal parameters, including pelvic incidence minus lumbar lordosis and lumbar distribution index, which did not change after surgery with either cage morphology. Multivariate analysis confirmed that steerable cage morphology, anterior cage positioning, and less preoperative index-level segmental lordosis were associated with greater improvement in index-level segmental lordosis. PROMs were improved after surgery with both cage types, and the degree of improvement did not differ between cohorts (p > 0.05). Perioperative and radiographic complications were similar between cohorts (p > 0.05). Overall reoperation rates, as well as reoperation rates for adjacent-segment disease within 2 years of surgery, were not significantly different between cohorts. CONCLUSIONS Steerable cages are more likely to lie within the anterior disc space, thus increasing index-level segmental lordosis, which is accompanied by a reciprocal change in segmental alignment at the adjacent lumbar levels. The converse relationship occurs for straight cages, with a kyphotic change at the index levels and reciprocal lordosis occurring at adjacent levels.

A survey of biomedical journals to detect editorial bias and nepotistic behavior

Alongside the growing concerns regarding predatory journal growth, other questionable editorial practices have gained visibility recently. Among them, we explored the usefulness of the Percentage of Papers by the Most Prolific author (PPMP) and the Gini index (level of inequality in the distribution of authorship among authors) as tools to identify journals that may show favoritism in accepting articles by specific authors. We examined whether the PPMP, complemented by the Gini index, could be useful for identifying cases of potential editorial bias, using all articles in a sample of 5,468 biomedical journals indexed in the National Library of Medicine. For articles published between 2015 and 2019, the median PPMP was 2.9%, and 5% of journal exhibited a PPMP of 10.6% or more. Among the journals with the highest PPMP or Gini index values, where a few authors were responsible for a disproportionate number of publications, a random sample was manually examined, revealing that the most prolific author was part of the editorial board in 60 cases (61%). The papers by the most prolific authors were more likely to be accepted for publication within 3 weeks of their submission. Results of analysis on a subset of articles, excluding nonresearch articles, were consistent with those of the principal analysis. In most journals, publications are distributed across a large number of authors. Our results reveal a subset of journals where a few authors, often members of the editorial board, were responsible for a disproportionate number of publications. To enhance trust in their practices, journals need to be transparent about their editorial and peer review practices.

Implementation of Technical and Technological Progress in Dairy Production

The involvement of people and technical devices is a characteristic feature of technological processes in agriculture. Human access to modernized and more efficient technical equipment determines the differentiation of the proportions of the contributions of human labor and technical equipment to the implementation of production technology on farms. Taking into account the data on manual and machine work inputs, the methodology of determining the technological index level (TL) was presented. The aim of the present study was to present the scope of use of the technological index level to assess the effects of technological progress in the dairy production system, with particular emphasis on cow milking. For the value range of the technological index level (0–100%), changes in the milkman’s work efficiency were presented based on research carried out on farms equipped with milking equipment at different levels of technical advancement. Moreover, the course of changes in electricity and water consumption per liter of milk was determined in association with the technological index level. The issue of simultaneous implementation of various forms of progress was developed based on the example of milking cows with a milking robot. Five categories (ranges) of cows’ milk yield were distinguished and compared with the current yields of cows in the European Union. On this basis, a discussion was initiated on the factors that facilitate and limit the implementation of technical and technological progress in dairy production.

Autism Symptom Severity and the Structure of Intelligence

Background: There is a substantial base of literature studying the relationship between general intelligence and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the study of this relationship has produced varied results, possibly due to the evolution of diagnostic criteria, measurement, and latent constructs within psychology. We aimed to assess the degree to which core ASD symptom severity relates to aspects of general intellectual functioning, and determine whether this relationship is sensitive to different versions of IQ tests. Method: We conducted a factor analysis on Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, fifth edition (WISC-V) (N=83) and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, fourth edition (WISC-IV) (N=131) data in children with ASD and examined the relationship between factors and Autism Diagnostic Observational Schedule (ADOS) performance. Then, we compared the data-driven factor analysis with the manualized IQ indices. We also examined the WISC-IV in a typically developing (TD) cohort (N=209). Results: Results showed that the data-driven factor analysis in TDs was tightly correlated with the manual-derived indices, ADOS scores in children with ASD were poorly correlated with full-scale IQ and manualized indices in WISC-V but were more strongly correlated with IQ test results in the WISC-IV group, and there was weaker correlation between data-driven factors and manualized IQ index scores in the ASD group than in the TD group. Conclusions: While the most recent version of the WISC is less influenced by symptoms of ASD, index-level scores are impacted to the point that the structure of the hierarchy itself differs between groups, possibly due to working memory.

Longitudinal effects of modified creatinine index on all-cause mortality in individuals receiving hemodialysis treatment

BACKGROUND: The modified creatinine index (mCI), as a surrogate marker of muscle mass, has been associated with poor outcomes in patients undergoing hemodialysis. However, a single assessment may not reflect the clinical significance before an adverse clinical endpoint. OBJECTIVE: Analyze mCI trajectories and their association with all-cause mortality in incident hemodialysis patients. DESIGN: Retrospective observational cohort. SETTING: Outpatient dialysis facility. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We followed a cohort of patients who underwent maintenance hemodialysis treatment at least three times weekly for at least three months from 19 June 2010 to 29 December 2017. Clinical and laboratory features were measured at baseline. Longitudinal changes in the mCI were modeled using a joint longitudinal and survival model adjusted for baseline covariates and body mass index trajectories. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: All-cause mortality. SAMPLE SIZE: 408 with 208 males (50.7%). RESULTS: The mean (SD) age was 62.2 (12.3) years. The mCI changes were evaluated for a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 2.16 (1.13, 3.73) years. Forty-six percent (n=188) of patients reached the endpoint. A steeper slope (per 0.1 unit increase in the decrease rate) in modified creatinine index was associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02–1.07; P =.011). In addition, an annual 1 mg/kg/day decrease in modified creatinine index level increased the hazard of all-cause mortality by 4% (HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02–1.07; P =.001). LIMITATIONS: Residual kidney function was not observed in the data. Setting was single center and thus results may not be generalizable to other populations. CONCLUSION: All-cause death was significantly associated with loss of muscle mass over time. Longitudinal trajectories of nutritional markers may predict the clinical outcomes in patients undergoing hemodialysis. This may also be valuable for individual risk stratification. Furthermore, early management may provide an opportunity to improve patient survival. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

Integrated Evaluations of Resource and Environment Carrying Capacity of the Huaihe River Ecological and Economic Belt in China

The evaluations of resource and environment carrying capacity and territorial development suitability, also referred to as “double evaluations”, have been taken by China as an important direction in territorial space planning. Based on the evaluation of resource and environment carrying capacity, the double evaluations can contribute to protecting ecological safety and territorial safety and promoting regional sustainable development. The focus of this study was to integratedly evaluate the resource and environment carrying capacity of the Huaihe River Ecological and Economic Belt. First, the overall weights of the factors at the dimension level and the index level in the established integration evaluation system were calculated with the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP) method; and then, using the linear weighted function, the overall resource and environment carrying capacities of 25 cities in the belt were calculated. On that basis, the resource and environment carrying capacity evaluation model was established. Through model analysis, this study comprehensively investigated the resource and environment carrying capacity of the Huaihe River Eco-economic Belt and provided a foundation for the future territorial space planning and layout of the Huaihe River Eco-economic Belt.