Artificial neural networks are intelligent systems that have been successfully used for prediction in different medical fields. In this study, efficiency of neural networks for prediction of lupus nephritis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was compared with a logistic regression model and clinicians' diagnosis. Overall accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of the optimal neural network were 68.69, 73.77 and 62.96%, respectively. Overall accuracy of neural network was greater than the other two methods (P-value< 0.05). The neural network was more specific in predicting lupus nephritis (P-value < 0.01), but there was no significant difference between sensitivities of the three methods. Sensitivities of all three methods were greater than their specificities. We concluded that neural networks are efficient in predicting lupus nephritis in SLE patients.
The results of this study demonstrate proper safety of Rituximab in the treatment of chronic ITP. However, the drug had no significant effect on the expected improvement in platelet count of patients. It seems that monotherapy is ineffective in the treatment of chronic ITP and combination with other complementary therapies is recommended.
Background: Beta-thalassemia major is a type of inherited blood disease that results in variable outcomes such as severe anemia due to haemoglobin chains. Recurrent and lifelong blood transfusions as a treatment in beta-thalassemia major disease lead to iron deposition in various organs and cause the failure of multiple organs. Failure of affected organs leads to Body mass index (BMI) abnormality. This study aimed to evaluate the association between BMI and serum ferritin level as a marker for iron overload. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study designed and conducted with total number of 740 paediatrics, with mean age about 14.2±8.7 years old and with beta-thalassemia major requiring recurrent blood transfusion. Patient information, including demographics, serum ferritin level and percentage of BMI, was recorded and analysed by SPSS 25.0 and the statistical significant level, considered as 0.05. Results: A total number of 740 paediatrics with beta-thalassemia major disease (mean age about 14.2±8.7 years) were included to study to examine the association between serum ferritin level and their BMI. The total mean serum level of ferritin calculated about 3326 ± 3859 Nanogram/mililitter (ng/ml). Totally, 447 (60.4%) case of them had BMI percentile less than 5%, 274 (37.02%), 16 (2.16%) and 3 (0.4%) had BMI percentile 5%-85%, 85%-95% and more than 95%. There was no relation between gender and serum ferritin levels. The relationship between age and BMI has been positive (P=0.002). Finally, it resulted that there was a negative relationship between the BMI percentile and mean serum ferritin levels in paediatrics with beta-thalassemia major (P=0.031). Conclusion: Frequent Blood transfusion is associated with elevated serum ferritin level in paediatrics with beta-thalassemia major disease and experiencing lower percentiles of BMI in these patients.
No previous studies were found to examine the effect of soy as a whole food on patients with leukemia. The present randomized controlled clinical trial studied the effect of soy nut on children with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who were in the maintenance phase of chemotherapy. The eligible patients were randomized to receive 30 g/day soy or cowpea nut powder for 12 weeks. Dietary intake, physical activity, anthropometric measurements, complete blood count, serum albumin, serum highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) as well as chemotherapy side effects were assessed at the start and the end of the study. In total 29 and 27 children completed the study (aged 6.34 ± 2.44 and 5.85 ± 2.35 years) in soy and cowpea nut groups, respectively. The total energy and protein intake, and physical activity as well as body weight, body mass index, number of red blood cells, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, and fatigue were significantly improved in the soy nut group compared to patients who consumed cowpea nut (P < 0.05). Soy nut intake might improve the nutritional status, anemia, and fatigue in children with ALL. Studies targeting blood cell fractions and disease recurrence are highly recommended.
Background: Recent studies have demonstrated hematogones (HGs) expansion to be associated with favorable outcomes in hematological diseases, especially in patients with acute myeloid leukemia and patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common form of cancer in children. As of now, minimal residual disease (MRD) remains the most compelling independent prognostic factor in childhood ALL. There is need for more prognostic tools for evaluating relapse risk. Procedure:The goal of this study was to assess the prognostic value of HGs on relapsefree survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in childhood ALL. In this prospective cohort study, a total of 122 subjects with definitive diagnosis of precursor B lymphoblastic leukemia were evaluated. Flow cytometric HG detection was performed in bone marrow aspirates after induction and consolidation therapy. Results:The median follow-up period of patients was 35.5 ± 9.4 (SD) months. Patients who had at least 1.0% HGs had a significantly better RFS (p = .023). Moreover, univariate and multivariate analyses confirmed that positive HGs were independently associated with longer RFS (unadjusted model: hazard ratio = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.12-0.91, p = .031; adjusted model: hazard ratio = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.11-0.82, p = .020). Conclusions:Along with the role of MRD, our study shows the significance of HGs as an independent prognostic factor. The results indicate the independent prognostic value of HGs on RFS after adjustment for other prognostic factors, and can be beneficial for risk stratification and treatment modifications amongst pediatric B-cell ALL patients.
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