Joint Inference of Structure and Diffusion in Partially Observed Social Networks

Access to complete data in large scale networks is often infeasible. Therefore, the problem of missing data is a crucial and unavoidable issue in analysis and modeling of real-world social networks. However, most of the research on different aspects of social networks do not consider this limitation. One effective way to solve this problem is to recover the missing data as a pre-processing step. The present paper tries to infer the unobserved data from both diffusion network and network structure by learning a model from the partially observed data. We develop a probabilistic generative model called "DiffStru" to jointly discover the hidden links of network structure and the omitted diffusion activities. The interrelations among links of nodes and cascade processes are utilized in the proposed method via learning coupled low dimensional latent factors. In addition to inferring the unseen data, the learned latent factors may also help network classification problems such as community detection. Simulation results on synthetic and real-world datasets show the excellent performance of the proposed method in terms of link prediction and discovering the identity and infection time of invisible social behaviors

Insight into an Integrated Evaluation of Unmitigated Disposal Options for the Largest Waste Disposal Site in Tehran Using Rapid Impact and Sustainability Assessment Method

This study integrated the rapid impact assessment matrix (RIAM) analysis and the mathematical sustainability modeling to evaluate disposal options so as to find the most appropriate and practical unmitigated option for the main waste disposal site in Tehran, Iran. RIAM analysis was used to assess environmental impacts of five potential disposal options followed by determination of sustainability for each option. RIAM analysis results indicated that option 5 (i.e., composting) had the least negative cumulative impacts on the environmental score value of -481 among the studied options. Incineration of wastes, option 4, was found to be the least favorable option mainly due to the high relevant costs and emission of air pollutants. Option 3, sanitary landfilling, was found to have fewer negative impacts compared to the options 1 (open dumping), 2 (land burial), and 4. It was also found that none of the examined options were sustainable in unmitigated state; however, results indicated that option 5 was the most favorable one in terms of sustainability with an obtained sustainable value of -0.126, which was the lowest value of unsustainability found in the present study. Calculated values of environment for the evaluated options in unmitigated state were not sufficient enough to compensate for the corresponding values of human needs and interests. Finally, option 5 followed by option 3 were suggested as alternative disposal approaches for the current methods in unmitigated state to reduce negative environmental impacts of waste disposal

Burgeoning Polymer Nano Blends for Improved Controlled Drug Release: A Review

With continual rapid developments in the biomedical field and understanding of the important mechanisms and pharmacokinetics of biological molecules, controlled drug delivery systems (CDDSs) have been at the forefront over conventional drug delivery systems. Over the past several years, scientists have placed boundless energy and time into exploiting a wide variety of excipients, particularly diverse polymers, both natural and synthetic. More recently, the development of nano polymer blends has achieved noteworthy attention due to their amazing properties, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability and more importantly, their pivotal role in controlled and sustained drug release in vitro and in vivo. These compounds come with a number of effective benefits for improving problems of targeted or controlled drug and gene delivery systems; thus, they have been extensively used in medical and pharmaceutical applications. Additionally, they are quite attractive for wound dressings, textiles, tissue engineering, and biomedical prostheses. In this sense, some important and workable natural polymers (namely, chitosan (CS), starch and cellulose) and some applicable synthetic ones (such as poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA), poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly-glycolic acid (PGA)) have played an indispensable role over the last two decades for their therapeutic effects owing to their appealing and renewable biological properties. According to our data, this is the first review article highlighting CDDSs composed of diverse natural and synthetic nano biopolymers, blended for biological purposes, mostly over the past five years; other reviews have just briefly mentioned the use of such blended polymers. We, additionally, try to make comparisons between various nano blending systems in terms of improved sustained and controlled drug release behavior

Evaluation of the Potential of the MicroRNAs to Predict Chemotherapy Resistance in Breast Cancer Patients: A Systemic Review with Meta-analysis

Background and aim: Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women. In predicting the survival rate of breast cancer patients, factors such as age, race, spread of the disease, stage of diagnosis, and involvement of lymph nodes are involved. In this study, the potential of the microRNAs to predict chemotherapy resistance in breast cancer patients has been investigated.Material and methods: In the present systematic review and meta-analysis, information about microRNAs to predict chemotherapy resistance in breast cancer patients in all articles published until the end of May 2023 through searching in databases PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, ISI, Web of Knowledge, Elsevier, Wiley, and Embase and Google Scholar search engine were extracted using keywords and their combinations by two trained researchers independently. Data analysis was done using the fixed effects model in the meta-analysis by STATA (version 17); a p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant.Results: Eight studies with a sample size of 509 breast cancer patients were included in the meta-analysis. The chemotherapeutic response of miRNAs in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy was 0.56 (ES, 95% CI: -1.30, 2.42; 0.03. I2 =0(p=1.00)).Conclusions: The meta-analysis of the present study shows that there is a statistical relationship between predicting chemotherapy resistance and miRNA expression in breast cancer patients

Comparison of the Effect of Oestrogen Plus Foeniculum vulgare Seed and Oestrogen alone on Increase in Endometrial Thickness in Infertile Women

Introduction: Foeniculum vulgare seed is used to treat infertility because of phytoestrogenic properties. Aim: The present study was conducted to compare the effects of F. vulgare plus oestrogen and oestrogen alone on Endometrial Thickness (ET) in infertile women. Materials and Methods: In this study, 92 people with infertility were enrolled by convenience sampling and randomly divided into case (45 women) and control (47 women) groups. Both groups were administered with oestradiol valerate 2 mg tablet three times a day since the third day of the menstrual cycle. Treatment group was also administered with F. vulgare tea on a daily basis. Then, ultrasound was conducted once every three days to determine ED. Other data such as serum beta-hCG level and increase in oestrogen dose were recorded in a checklist. The data were analysed by independent t-test and Chi-square in SPSS version 17.0. Results: There were no significant differences in mean age, BMI, number of years of infertility, number of children, cause of infertility, positive beta-hCG, failure to achieve adequate endometrial thickness, and increase in oestradiol dose between the treatment and control groups (p>0.05). The mean number of days to achieve ET of at least 8 mm was 13.1 +/- 3.2 in the treatment group and 14.2 +/- 3.5 in the control group with no significant difference (p>0.05). Conclusion: F. vulgare seed tea was not significantly effective in increasing the ET as compared to oestradiol valerate 6 mg alone

Histopathological, Histomorphometrical, and Radiographical Evaluation of Injectable Glass-Ceramic-Chitosan Nanocomposite in Bone Reconstruction of Rat

Background. Bone defects following tumor resection and osteolysis due to bone lesions, periodontal tissue disorders, and bone reconstruction are challenges that surgeons face. Gass-ceramic-chitosan nanocomposite contains chitosan, a derivative of crustaceans’ exoskeleton. Methods. Thirty-two 6–8-week-old male Wistar rats were chosen. One hole on each right and left tibia was made. The right tibia holes were filled with injectable glass-ceramic-chitosan nanocomposite, and the left tibia holes were left empty. After 7, 14, 28, and 60 days, histopathological, histomorphometrical, and radiographical assessments were performed. Results. Radiographic density on days 7 and 14 was significantly higher in the right tibias than in the left tibias. Trabecular bone thickness, which was higher in the right tibias, increased from day 7 to day 60 in both right and left tibias, although not significantly. Conclusions. Glass-ceramic-chitosan nanocomposite is suggested for use in bone repair in cases of bone loss. More histopathological, histomorphometrical, and radiographical assessments are also recommended

Physicians’ and nurses’ decision making to encounter neonates with poor prognosis in the neonatal intensive care unit

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Sage in Clinical Ethics on 03/06/2020. Available online: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1477750920927173This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Sage in Clinical Ethics on 03/06/2020.Available online: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1477750920927173acceptedVersio

Population health outcomes in South Korea 1990-2019, and projections up to 2040: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

BACKGROUND: South Korea has one of the longest operating universal health coverage (UHC) systems. A comprehensive analysis of long-term trajectories of morbidity and mortality in the South Korean population after the inception of UHC is needed to inform health-care policy and practice. METHODS: We used data from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2019 to present estimates of cause-specific mortality, incidence, prevalence, years of life lost (YLLs), years of life lived with disability, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in South Korea from 1990 to 2019. We also examined forecasted estimates of YLLs up to 2040 to investigate likely future changes in disease burden. Finally, we evaluated GBD estimates from seven comparator countries to place disease burden in South Korea within a broader context. FINDINGS: Age-standardised DALYs related to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) decreased by 43·6% (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 39·4-47·9) and mortality by 58·8% (55·9-60·5) from 1990 to 2019. In 2019, the ratio of male to female age-standardised rates of YLLs in South Korea was higher than the global average for 75·9% (22 of 29 diseases) of leading causes, indicating a disproportional disease burden on males in South Korea. Among risk factors, tobacco use accounted for the highest number of 2019 deaths (44 470 [95% UI 37 432-53 989]) in males and high systolic blood pressure for the highest number (21 014 [15 553-26 723]) in females. Among the top ten leading causes of YLLs forecast in South Korea in 2040, nine were NCDs, for both males and females. INTERPRETATION: Our report shows a positive landscape of population health outcomes in South Korea following the establishment of UHC. However, due in part to the effects of population ageing driving up medical expenditures for NCDs, financial pressures and sustainability challenges associated with UHC are pressing concerns. Policy makers should work to tackle population ageing and allocate resources efficiently by prioritising interventions that address the leading causes of death and disability identified in this study. FUNDING: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

The global, regional, and national burden of stomach cancer in 195 countries, 1990-2017 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease study 2017

Background: Stomach cancer is a major health problem in many countries. Understanding the current burden of stomach cancer and the differential trends across various locations is essential for formulating effective preventive strategies. We report on the incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) due to stomach cancer in 195 countries and territories from 21 regions between 1990 and 2017. Methods: Estimates from GBD 2017 were used to analyse the incidence, mortality, and DALYs due to stomach cancer at the global, regional, and national levels. The rates were standardised to the GBD world population and reported per 100 000 population as age-standardised incidence rates, age-standardised death rates, and age-standardised DALY rates. All estimates were generated with 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). Findings: In 2017, more than 1·22 million (95% UI 1·19–1·25) incident cases of stomach cancer occurred worldwide, and nearly 865 000 people (848 000–885 000) died of stomach cancer, contributing to 19·1 million (18·7–19·6) DALYs. The highest age-standardised incidence rates in 2017 were seen in the high-income Asia Pacific (29·5, 28·2–31·0 per 100 000 population) and east Asia (28·6, 27·3–30·0 per 100 000 population) regions, with nearly half of the global incident cases occurring in China. Compared with 1990, in 2017 more than 356 000 more incident cases of stomach cancer were estimated, leading to nearly 96 000 more deaths. Despite the increase in absolute numbers, the worldwide age-standardised rates of stomach cancer (incidence, deaths, and DALYs) have declined since 1990. The drop in the disease burden was associated with improved Socio-demographic Index. Globally, 38·2% (21·1–57·8) of the age-standardised DALYs were attributable to high-sodium diet in both sexes combined, and 24·5% (20·0–28·9) of the age-standardised DALYs were attributable to smoking in males. Interpretation: Our findings provide insight into the changing burden of stomach cancer, which is useful in planning local strategies and monitoring their progress. To this end, specific local strategies should be tailored to each country's risk factor profile. Beyond the current decline in age-standardised incidence and death rates, a decrease in the absolute number of cases and deaths will be possible if the burden in east Asia, where currently almost half of the incident cases and deaths occur, is further reduced. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation