bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A clinical study to assess the efficacy and safety of MP-AzeFlu (Azelastine Hydrochloride and Fluticasone Propionate) nasal spray in comparison to commercially available nasal sprays in Chinese volunteers with allergic rhinitis
Authors: Zhou Bing , Cheng Lei , Pan Jing , Wang Huizhong , Jin Yongde , Zhao Changqing , Lin Peng , Tan Guolin , Fang Hongyan , Zhang Hua , Zhou Huifang , Dong Yaowu , Kuhl Hans Christian , R Rajesh Kumar , Nguyen Duc Tung
Published: February 2023

Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of MP-AzeFlu nasal spray in comparison to commercially available azelastine and fluticasone sprays in Chinese patients with moderate-to-severe allergic rhinitis (AR).
Methods: This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, active controlled prospective clinical study in adult and adolescent patients with AR, who had moderate-to-severe symptoms. The primary efficacy endpoint was the change from baseline in combined 12-hour reflective total nasal symptom score (rTNSS) (Morning [AM] + afternoon [PM]). The safety profile of the study medications was assessed through the recording, reporting, and analysis of baseline medical conditions, adverse events (AEs), vital signs, and focused nasal examination. 300 patients per treatment group were randomized which led to a total sample size estimation of 900 patients.
Results: MP-AzeFlu group showed significantly higher symptom reduction for the entire 2-week treatment period in rTNSS when compared with the AZE group (LS mean difference: -1.96; 95% CI: −2.53, −1.39; p < 0.0001), or the FLU group (LS mean difference: -0.98; 95% CI: −1.55, −0.41; p = 0.0007). The results of Adult RQLQ showed improvement in QoL in all treatment groups. Except for dysgeusia (bitter taste) that was reported by more patients (13 [4.3%]) in the MP-AzeFlu group, the incidence of all other TEAEs in the MP-AzeFlu group was comparable or even lower than in other treatment groups.
Conclusion: MP-AzeFlu, when administered as 1 spray per nostril twice daily for 14 days, alleviated AR symptoms in Chinese patients with moderate-to-severe AR.
Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov; NCT03599791, Registered June 29,2018, retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03599791
What are the characteristics of a resilient healthcare system: A Scoping Review
Authors: Emami Seyedeh Gelareh , Lorenzoni Valentina , Pirri Salvatore , Turchetti Giuseppe
Published: February 2023

Background
System resilience has long been studied, and the term is currently being used in various fields. A series of technical failures in dealing with significant health shocks, most notably Ebola in west Africa and the COVID-19 pandemic, prompted health policymakers to focus more on the context of resilience in healthcare systems.
Methods
To identify characteristics of Health Care System Resilience, a scoping literature review was conducted using papers published on PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Scopus between 01/01/2000 and 01/04/2021.
Results
A total of 983 relevant publication was identified. Following the screening process, 47 articles met the inclusion criteria. We summarized and classified the resulting dimensions based on six building blocks according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification and one additional building block we defined.
Conclusion
Currently, most healthcare systems use non-systematic approaches to address resilience issues. According to our findings: Comprehensive characteristics of health system resilience could aid in developing a systematic approach to implementing a reliable strategy to maintain resilience.
Adaptive fuzzy inference system in modeling the alkaline pre-treatment (NaOH) of elephant grass
Authors: Godinho Emmanuel Zullo , Caneppele Fernando de Lima , Siqueira Jair Antonio Cruz , Filho Luís Roberto Almeida Gabriel , Prates Glaucia Aparecida , Hasan Salah Din Mahmud
Published: February 2023

In order to increase its efficiency in the bioethanol production process, the biomass needs to undergo a pre-treatment, which can greatly burden the biochemical process. For this reason, industries are using some mathematical models that optimize internal processes, such as fuzzylogic, as it uses linguistic values ​​instead of numerical ones, which provides the addition of uncertainty to the problem, better understanding by non-specialists, answers faster and lower computational costs. Given the above, the objective of this work was to optimize the independent variables in the alkaline pre-treatment with NaOH in elephant grass to quantify the percentage of cellulose and lignin using fuzzylogic. For the input values ​​of this system, the variables of NaOH concentration and temperature were used, and for the outputs, the percentages of cellulose and lignin. The interpretation of the use of fuzzy logic in this experiment using real laboratory data, managed to optimize the best concentration of NaOH and the best temperature in an alkaline pre-treatment with NaOH to quantify cellulose and lignin, concentrations between 1.15 to 2 .15%, with temperatures between 100.0 to 102.5°C for the highest exposure of cellulose and 0.0 to 1.15% for concentrations and temperatures between 85.5 to 91.5°C for delignification. It was observed that the concentration significantly affects the result of greater exposure of cellulose and biomass delignification in the evaluated parameters, so the mathematical model proved to be efficient for this evaluation.
Serial prophylactic exchange blood transfusion in pregnant women with sickle cell disease (TAPS-2): statistical and qualitative analysis plan for a randomised controlled feasibility trial
Authors: Seed Paul , Brien Sarah , Oakley Laura , Robinson Vicky , Sharif Joseph , Thompson Hilary , Joseph Jeannine , Oteng-Ntim Eugene
Published: February 2023

Background: There are significant knowledge gaps regarding the effectiveness of serial prophylactic exchange blood transfusion (SPEBT) for pregnant women with sickle cell disease (SCD). The protocol for the randomised feasibility trial assessing SPEBT versus usual care in women with SCD (TAPS2 trial) has previously been published. This publication outlines the statistical and qualitative analysis plan for the study.
Methods and design: TAPS2 is a randomised two-arm phase 2 feasibility trial with a nested qualitative study and health economic evaluation. Up to 50 pregnant women with SCD and a singleton pregnancy will be recruited and individually randomised to either SPEBT approximately every 6-10 weeks until delivery (intervention arm) or to usual care (control arm). Information will be collected on a range of feasibility and clinical outcomes.
Results: A summary of the overall study design and qualitative component is presented, along with key updates to the previously published study protocol. The plan for summarising feasibility and outcome data is described, and a set of dummy tables are provided. Further details of the nested qualitative study are provided, alongside proposed methods of analysis.
Conclusion: The publication of this analysis plan is designed to aid transparency and to reduce the potential for reporting bias.
Trial registration: NIH registry (www.clinicaltrials.gov), registration number NCT03975894 (registered 05/06/19); ISRCTN (www.isrctn.com), registration number ISRCTN52684446 (retrospectively registered 02/08/19).
Machine learning approaches for ECG-based models: discrimination and calibration for atrial fibrillation prediction
Authors: Baj Giovanni , Gandin Ilaria , Scagnetto Arjuna , Bortolussi Luca , Cappelletto Chiara , Lenarda Andrea Di , Barbati Giulia
Published: February 2023

Background
Machine learning (ML) methods to build prediction models starting from electrocardiogram (ECG) signals are an emerging research field. The aim of the present study is to investigate the performances of two ML approaches based on ECGs for the prediction of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF), in terms of discrimination, calibration and sample size dependence.
Methods
We trained two models to predict new-onset AF: a convolutional neural network (CNN), that takes as input the raw ECG signals, and an eXtreme Gradient Boosting model (XGB), that uses the signal’s extracted features. A penalized logistic regression model (LR) was used as a benchmark. Discrimination was evaluated with the area under the ROC curve, while calibration with the integrated calibration index. We investigated the dependence of models’ performances on the sample size and on class imbalance corrections introduced with random under-sampling.
Results
CNN's discrimination was the most affected by the sample size, outperforming XGB and LR only above a certain threshold. Calibration showed only a small dependence on the sample size for all the models considered.
Balancing the training set with random undersampling did not improve discrimination in any of the models. Instead, the main effect of imbalance corrections was to worsen the models’ calibration.
The sample size emerged as a fundamental point for developing the CNN model, especially in terms of discrimination. The effect of the sample size on the other two models was weaker. Imbalance corrections led to poorly calibrated models, for all the approaches considered, reducing the clinical utility of the models.
Conclusions
Our results suggest that the choice of approach in the analysis of ECG should be based on the amount of data available, preferring more standard models for small datasets. Moreover, imbalance correction methods should be avoided when developing clinical prediction models, where calibration is crucial.
Congenital anomalies in offspring exposed to gestational diabetes: A register-based cohort study
Authors: Kinnunen Jenni , Nikkinen Hilkka , Keikkala Elina , Mustaniemi Sanna , Gissler Mika , Laivuori Hannele , Eriksson Johan G. , Kaaja Risto , Pouta Anneli , Kajantie Eero , Vääräsmäki Marja
Published: February 2023

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common pregnancy-related disorder and a well-known risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes. There are conflicting findings on the association of GDM with the risk of congenital anomalies (CAs) in offspring. In this study, we aimed to determine study whether maternal GDM is associated with an increased risk of major CAs in offspring.
Methods: This Finnish Gestational Diabetes (FinnGeDi) register-based study included 6,597 women with singleton pregnancies and a diagnosis of GDM and 51,981 singleton controls with no diabetes identified from the Finnish Medical Birth Register (MBR) in 2009. Data from MBR were combined in this study with the Register of Congenital Malformations, which includes the data of CAs. We used logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (OR) for CAs, together with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusting for maternal age, parity, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), and maternal smoking status.
Results: The risk of major CAs was higher in the GDM-exposed (n = 336, 5.1%) than in the non-exposed group (n = 2,269, 4.4%) (OR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.05-1.33, p = 0.005). The adjusted OR (aOR) was 1.13 (95% CI: 1.00-1.29, p = 0.058). There was a higher overall prevalence of CAs, particularly chromosomal abnormalities, in the GDM-exposed group (OR: 2.49, 95% Cl: 1.69-3.66, p < 0.001). The aOR was 1.92 (95% Cl: 1.24-2.98, p = 0.004).
Conclusions: Offspring exposed to GDM have a higher prevalence of major CAs. Of note, risk factors other than GDM, such as older maternal age and a higher pre-pregnancy BMI, diminished the between group differences in the prevalence of major CAs. Nevertheless, our findings suggest that offspring exposed to maternal GDM are more likely to be diagnosed with a chromosomal abnormality, independent of maternal age, parity, pre-pregnancy BMI, and smoking.
Preparation and identification of a novel monoclonal antibody against African swine fever virus p15 protein
Authors: He Jian , Zhang Teng , Luo Mingzhan , Yao Jiale , Zhang Mengyang , Hu Xiaomin , Liu Yangkun , Yao Lunguang
Published: February 2023

Background

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly lethal infectious disease caused by the African swine fever virus (ASFV). Due to the lack of effective vaccines and antiviral drugs was available, slaughter of infected and exposed pigs was the currently prevention and control measures. Therefore, early diagnosis is crucial for the prevention and control of ASFV, and the p15 protein is crucial for the maturation of ASFV particles. In this study, four novel anti-ASFV p15 protein monoclonal antibodies were developed, and two conserved epitopes were reported for the first time, which laid the foundation for the rapid diagnosis of ASFV.

Results

Four monoclonal antibodies (3C, 4B, 5D and 8F) were prepared by hybridoma technology, all of which could specifically recognize exogenously expressed p15 protein. Furthermore, this epitope was originally mapped by six overlapping, truncated p15 proteins. The results showed that the epitopes recognized by 3C, 5D and 8F were located at P49-N65, which were highly conserved among genotypes I, II, VII, IX, X, and XX. In addition, the antigenic epitopes were initially mapped by six overlapping p15 truncated proteins. Results showed epitopes recognized by 3C, 5D and 8F located in P49-N65, which was highly conserved in genotypes I, II, VII, IX, X, and XX. In contrast, 4B identified an epitope located at K105-R132, which is conserved only in genotypes I, II, andXX ASFV.

Conclusions

These findings contribute to further understanding of the protein function of p15 and provide potential support for the development of diagnostic tools for ASFV.
Evaluation of clinical effects of a multidisciplinary-collaborated cancer support team for gastrointestinal cancer chemotherapy: prospective observational study protocol of M-CAST study
Authors: Iimura Yohei , Nakazawa Mitsuko , Tsuru Yukari , Togashi Hitomi , Honda Tomoe , Baba Keisuke , Ishibashi Masaaki , Sasuga Chieko , Furukawa Naoki , Sato Tomoko , Matsubara Yasuo , Kamisato Ayako , Yoshii Eiko , Kuroda Seiichiro , Boku Narikazu
Published: February 2023

Background: Although the multidisciplinary-collaborated team approach in cancer treatment has recently become popular, prospectively evaluated evidence is limited. We started a multidisciplinary-collaborated cancer support team (MCST) to facilitate cooperation across multidisciplinary medical staff in our hospital and established clinical evidence of supportive care. This study aimed to prospectively evaluate the clinical activity and effect of MCST in patients with gastrointestinal cancer receiving chemotherapy.
Methods: This is a single-center, single-arm, observational study. Patients with gastrointestinal cancer scheduled to receive chemotherapy are enrolled and supported by the MCST. The primary endpoints are the number of interventions by medical staff and the number of patients who showed improvement in side effects. The secondary endpoints are the severity of side effects, medical expenses, number of consultations, the acceptance rate of prescription recommendations, adjuvant chemotherapy completion rates, dose intensity, and time required for co-medical intervention. In addition, medical staff and attending physicians evaluate all adverse events.
Discussion: This study is expected to contribute to establishing new cancer-supportive care teams for patients with gastrointestinal cancer receiving chemotherapy and those with cancer receiving chemotherapy.
Trial Registration:
This trial was registered in the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCT) as jRCT1030220495.
Registered November 29, 2022, https://jrct.niph.go.jp/search
Protocol version
V.1.0, October 11, 2022.
All-photonic one-way quantum repeaters
Authors: Shapourian Hassan , Niu Daoheng , Zhang Yuxuan , Shabani Alireza
Published: February 2023

Quantum repeater is the key technology enabler for long-distance quantum communication. To date, most of the existing quantum repeater protocols are designed based on specific quantum codes or graph states. In this paper, we propose a general framework for all-photonic one-way quantum repeaters based on the measurement-based error correction, which can be adapted to any Calderbank-Shor-Steane code including the recently discovered quantum low density parity check (QLDPC) codes. We present a novel decoding scheme, where the error correction process is carried out at the destination based on the accumulated data from the measurements made across the network. This procedure not only outperforms the conventional protocols with independent repeaters but also simplifies the local quantum operations at repeaters. As an example, we numerically show that the [[48,6,8]] generalized bicycle code (as a small but efficient QLDPC code) has an equally good performance while reducing the resources by at least an order of magnitude.
Essential role of momentum-forbidden dark exciton in the energy transfer responses of monolayer transition-metal-dichalcogenides
Authors: Cheng Shun-Jen , Lin Jhen-Dong , Lo Ping-Yuan , Peng Guan-Hao , Li Wei-Hua , Huang Shiang-Yu , Chen Guang-Yin
Published: February 2023

We present a theoretical investigation of exciton-mediated Förster resonant energy transfers (FRET’s) from photoexcited quantum dots (QD’s) to transition-metal-dichalcogenide monolayers (TMD-ML’s), implemented by the quantum theory of FRET on the base of first-principles-calculated exciton fine structures. With the enhanced electron-hole Coulomb interactions, atomically thin TMD-ML’s are shown to serve as an exceptional platform for FRET that are mediated purely by excitons and take full advantage of the superior excitonic properties. Remarkably, the energy-transfer responses of atomically thin TMD-ML’s are shown to be dictated by the momentum-forbidden dark excitons rather than the commonly recognized bright ones. Specifically, the longitudinal dark exciton states following the exchange-driven light-like linear band dispersion play a key role in grading up the efficiency and robustness of FRET of TMDML against the inhomogeneity of QD-donor ensembles. With the essential involvement of dark exciton, the FRET responses of TMD-ML’s no longer follow the distance power law as classically predicted and, notably, cannot manifest the dimensionality of the donor-acceptor system.
Water intake and recurrent urinary tract infections prevention: economic impact analysis in seven countries
Authors: Zemdegs Juliane , Iroz Alison , Vecchio Mariacristina , Roze Stephane , Lotan Yair
Published: February 2023

Background: To estimate the economic impact of preventing urinary tract infections (UTI) by increasing water intake among women with recurrent UTI and low fluid intake across seven countries: France, United Kingdom, Spain, United States of America, Mexico, China and Australia.
Methods: A Markov model was developed to compare costs and outcomes of UTIs associated with low fluid intake in women versus a strategy of primary prevention by increasing water intake. Model inputs were based on randomized controlled trial data which found that increasing water intake by 1.5L/day decreased the risk of developing cystitis by 48% in women with low fluid intake and recurrent UTI. A time horizon of 10 years was used; outcomes were from the payer perspective and included both direct and indirect costs, reported in 2019 United States dollars ($). Discounting rates varied by country. Scenarios of increasing levels of compliance to the increased water intake strategy were evaluated.
Results: The total cost of one UTI episode, including diagnostics, treatment and complications, ranged from $2164 (Mexico) to $7671 (Australia). Assuming 80% compliance with the increased water intake strategy over a 10-year time horizon, the number of UTIs prevented ranged from 337,775 (Australia) to 18,716,462 (China), resulting in total savings of up to $3.4 billion (China). Across all countries, increased water intake resulted in lower cost and fewer UTIs compared with low water intake.
Conclusion: Preventing recurrent UTIs by increasing water intake would reduce both the clinical and economic burden associated with UTI. Public, healthcare professionals and patients should be made aware about the preventive positive impact of appropriate water intake on UTIs.
Recruitment into antibody prevalence studies: a randomized trial of postcards vs. letters as invitations
Authors: Ley Catherine , Duan Heying , Parsonnet Julie
Published: February 2023

Background
In a potential epidemic of an emerging infection, representative population-based serologic studies are required to determine the extent of immunity to the infectious agent, either from natural infection or vaccination. Recruitment strategies need to optimize response rates.
Methods
Within a seroepidemiologic study to determine the true burden of SARS-CoV2 infection in two Bay Area counties, we evaluated whether letter (L) or postcard (P) invitations with reminders were more effective at recruiting participant households. Using geographic, probability-based sampling, 9,999 representative addresses, split between Santa Clara and Solano counties, were randomized to receive an initial invitation (L or P); a randomized reminder mailing sent two weeks later to all non-respondents created four mailing type groups (L/L, L/P, P/L, P/P). Interested households provided contact information via survey to perform blood spot collection at home for testing and then receive SARS-CoV2 serology results. Comparison of demographics among respondents and non-respondents used census tract data.
Results
Receiving any reminder mailing increased household response rates from 4.2% to between 8–13% depending on mailing combination. Response rates from two letters were 71% higher than from two postcards (13.2% vs. 7.7%, OR = 1.83 [95% CI: 1.5–2.2]). Respondents were older, more educated and more likely white than non-respondents. Compared to Solano county, Santa Clara county had different demographics and increased household response rates (L/L: 15.7% vs 10.7%; P/P: 9.2% vs. 6.1%; p < 0.0001); the effect of mailing types, however, was the same (L/L vs. P/P: Santa Clara: OR = 1.83 [95% CI: 1.4–2.3]; Solano: OR = 1.84 [95% CI:1.4–2.5]).
Conclusion
Letters, as both invitations and reminders, are more effective recruitment tools than postcards and should be considered when seeking a representative population-based sample for serological testing.
Application of ultrasound in etiological diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome caused by persistent median artery
Authors: Wang Si Xu , Yang Ying , Wang Di , Jiao Dan
Published: February 2023

Objectives:
To explore the value of ultrasound in the etiological diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome(CTS) caused by persistent median artery(PMA) and the advantage of ultrasound in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome combined with persistent median artery.
Methods:
From May 2017 to May 2022,5 patients with persistent median artery who underwent bilateral carpal tunnel ultrasound examination in our hospital were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent bilateral carpal tunnel ultrasound examination,observed the morphological structure and anatomical relationship of median nerve and persistent median artery.
Results:
Only 1 patient reported numbness and pain in the thumb, index finger, middle finger and ring finger on the right palmar surface,the symptoms worsened at night or in the early morning, and alleviated after activity and hand shaking. Ultrasound results suggested that PMA running in the epineurium of the median nerve,can lead to the formation of median nerve fissure and PMA thrombosis,which resulted in CTS.While PMA running outside the epineurium of the median nerve can not result in CTS.
Conclusions:
The anatomical relationship between PMA and median nerve is the main risk factor for formation of CTS, while ultrasound can precisely meet its diagnostic criteria because of its display of the subtle structure of the nerve, so ultrasound can be used as the main examination method for the diagnosis of PMA with CTS.
Prediction model of in-hospital mortality in intensive care unit patients with cardiac arrest: a retrospective analysis of MIMIC -Ⅳ database based on machine learning
Authors: Sun Yiwu , He Zhaoyi , Ren Jie , Wu Yifan
Published: February 2023

Background: Both in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) have higher incidence and lower survival rates. Predictors of in-hospital mortality for intensive care unit (ICU) admitted cardiac arrest (CA) patients remain unclear.
Methods: The Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care Ⅳ (MIMIC-Ⅳ) database was used to perform a retrospective study. Patients meeting the inclusion criteria were identified from the MIMIC-Ⅳ database and randomly divided into training set (n=1206, 70%) and validation set (n=516, 30%). Candidate predictors consisted of the demographics, comorbidity, vital signs, laboratory test results, scoring systems, and treatment information on the first day of ICU admission. Independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality were screened using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression model and the extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) in the training set. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to build prediction models in training set, and then validated in validation set. Discrimination, calibration and clinical utility of these models were compared using the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves and decision curve analysis (DCA). After pairwise comparison, the best performing model was chosen to build a nomogram.
Results: Among the 1722 patients, in-hospital mortality was 52.43%. In both sets, the LASSO, XGBoost and The National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS 2) models showed acceptable discrimination. In pairwise comparison, the prediction effectiveness was higher with the LASSO and XGBoost models than with the NEWS 2 model (p<0.001). The LASSO and XGBoost models also showed good calibration. The LASSO model was chosen as our final model for its higher net benefit and was presented as the nomogram.
Conclusions: The LASSO model enabled good prediction of in-hospital mortality in ICU admission CA patients, which may be widely used in clinical decision-making.
Extracurricular Activities in Medical Education: An Integrative Literature Review
Authors: Kim Sejin , Jeong Hyeyoon , Cho Hyena , Yu Jihye
Published: February 2023

Background: The importance of extracurricular activities (EAs) has been emphasized in medical education. These activities could enhance medical students’ emotional and physical health and afford them developmental opportunities. Despite the growing amount of research related to this theme, few studies review and synthesize the existing literature. This literature review aims to provide an understanding of the educational implications of EAs in medical colleges and constructs an integrated conceptual framework concerning their types and learning outcomes.Methods: An integrative literature review was conducted following Torraco’s method, which helped generate a new framework for the given topic. The authors utilized Scopus and PubMed as databases, using search terms “extracurricular,” “medical,” and “students.” Initially, titles and abstracts were screened to include relevant studies, and the researchers verified the eligibility of the articles by following the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of the 263 articles identified, 64 empirical studies were selected for further review.Results: EAs in undergraduate medical education can be classified into direct extracurricular activities and indirect extracurricular activities, the latter of which is sorted into nine sub-categories. We identified seven main categories regarding the learning outcomes of EAs. In addition to general activities (e.g., pro-social activities, team sports), some distinctive activities such as research have been largely addressed in previous studies. The results of EAs were discussed in relation to academic growth, career development, and psychological experiences.Conclusions: This review identified the types and learning outcomes of EAs in the context of medical education, thereby suggesting ways to improve the quality of EAs and maximize their educational effects.
Application of extraperitoneal sigmoidostomy in laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection: A single center's 6-year experience
Authors: Wang Feng , Zhu Ying , Hu Xiaofeng , Nie Shuangfa , Fei Jiandong , Wang Daorong
Published: February 2023

Aim
The aim of this study is to explore the safety and function of extraperitoneal sigmoidostomy for patients with rectal cancer who underwent laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection(LAPR).
Methods
In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the data from 37 patients who underwent LAPR with extraperitoneal sigmoidostomy and compared with the data from 46 patients who underwent LAPR with transperitoneal sigmoidostomy from January 2014 to January 2019. They were grouped into the intraperitoneal (Group A) and extraperitoneal sigmoidostomy (Group B) groups. Clinical data were collected and statistically analyzed.
Results
Patient demographics were similar in both groups. For LAPR with extraperitoneal sigmoidostomy group, the mean operation time was 155.8 ± 38.2min (range100-290 min), which is shorter than Group A (158.5 ± 32.4 min, range105-335 min), but with no significant difference. The mean time for the procedure of extraperitoneal sigmoidostomy in Group B was 22.4 ± 2.6 min (range 15–28 min). which is longer than Group A (17.1 ± 2.1 min, range 14–26 min), but with no significant difference. No significant difference was found in postoperative hospitalization between two groups (11.2 ± 3.4 days vs 12.2 ± 3.0 days, p = 0.17). The rate of PSH (2.7% (1/37) vs 19.6% (9/46), p = 0.02), stoma prolapse (0% (0/37) vs 13.0% (6/46), p = 0.03), intra-abdominal hernia (0%(0/37) vs 15.2%(7/46), p = 0.02) were significantly lower in Group B than Group A. The incidence of stoma edema in Group A was 15.2% (7/46). However, 13 of 37 patients in the Group B had stoma edema (35.1%(13/37), p = 0.04). The incidence of stoma stenosis, stoma retraction, and stoma ischemia was no statistically significant difference between two groups. Functions of stoma including stimulation of excrement, stimulating time for excrement, frequency of excrement, self-controlled ability of excrement, and regularity of excrement were better than those of the intraperitoneal sigmoidostomy group, and these differences were statistical significance (p = 0.002,0.001,<0.001,0.004,0.008,respectively), but there was no significant difference in shape (p = 0.062) and duration of excrement (p = 0.179) between two groups.
Conclusion
According to our study, LAPR with extraperitoneal sigmoidostomy procedure is safe and feasible and should be regarded as a standard procedure in LAPR for lower rectal cancer, which significantly reduced incidence of postoperative stoma-related complications, especially parastomal hernia, stoma prolapse and intra-abdominal hernia. In addition, extraperitoneal sigmoidostomy greatly improved patient's postoperative stoma function,especially stimulation of excrement and self-controlled ability of excrement.
Intra-stomachal Magnoliales phytoliths provide definitive evidence for folivory in basal avialans of the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota
Authors: Wu Yan , Ge Yong , Hu Han , Stidham Thomas , Li Zhiheng , Bailleul Alida , Zhou Zhonghe
Published: February 2023

Angiosperms became the dominant plant group in early to middle Cretaceous terrestrial ecosystems, coincident with the timing of the earliest pulse of bird diversification. While birds and angiosperms exhibit strong interactions across pollination/nectivory, seed dispersal/frugivory, and folivory, documentation of the evolutionary origins and construction of that ecological complexity remains scarce in the Mesozoic. Through the first study of preserved in situ dietary derived phytoliths in a nearly complete skeleton of the early diverging avialan clade Jeholornithidae, we provide direct dietary evidence of Jeholornis consuming angiosperm leaves of the clade Magnoliales, and these results lend further support for early ecological connections among the earliest birds and angiosperms. The broad diet of the early diverging avialan Jeholornisincluding fruits, seeds, and leaves marks a clear transition in the early evolution of birds in the establishment of an arboreal (angiosperm) herbivore niche in the early Cretaceous occupied largely by birds today. Morphometric reanalysis of the lower jaw of Jeholornis additionally supports a generalized morphology similar to the living folivore the hoatzin.
Study on geological meaning and application of mine water inflow series after phase space reconstruction
Authors: Li Jianlin , He Qi , Wang Xinyi , Wang Shuwei
Published: February 2023

The conclusion that the column vector of the phase space after reconstruction of the mine water inflow sequence has a clear geological meaning is proposed and verified by an example, and then a prediction model of the mine water inflow coupled with chaos theory and artificial neural network is established. The delay time τ is determined by the mutual information method, and the embedded dimension m is determined by Cao method, and the phase space reconstruction of the water inflow sequence is carried out; Regression analysis and Pearson correlation test are used to analyze the correlation between the elements in each column of phase space and the main controlling factors of water inflow; The chaos theory is coupled with Elman neural network (ENN), and the Chaos-ENN water inflow prediction model is established; The gradient prediction method is used to verify the model; Four evaluation indexes are used to evaluate the prediction results. The results show that the embedding dimension of phase space is equal to the number of main control factors of mine water inflow; The column vector of the phase space is linearly related to the mined out area, the development length and the water level of the three main aquifers; The prediction accuracy of Chaos-ENN model is 97.91% and the root mean square error is 10.81m3/h; The prediction accuracy of this model is equivalent to that of the single ENN model established after the main control factors and their values are determined. The results show that the column vector of phase space after reconstruction of water inflow sequence has clear geological meaning; For different mines, the geological meaning of column vector in phase space will be different, but they all represent a main controlling factor of water inflow; The number of ENN input layers and their values in the water inflow prediction model can be quantified by using chaos theory, so the Chaos-ENN model for mine water inflow prediction can be established only by the sequence value of water inflow. The establishment of the model avoids the difficulty of determining and quantifying the main controlling factors in the prediction of water inflow, and the model has high prediction accuracy, so the Chaos-ENN model has high promotion value.
Quantum loss sensing with two-mode squeezed vacuum state under noisy and lossy environment
Authors: Park Sang-il , Noh Changsuk , Lee Changhyoup
Published: February 2023

We investigate quantum advantages in loss sensing when the two-mode squeezed vacuum state is used as a probe. Following an experimental demonstration in PRX 4, 011049, we consider a quantum scheme in which the signal mode is passed through the target and a thermal noise is introduced to the idler mode before they are measured. We consider two detection strategies of practical relevance: coincidence-counting and intensity-difference measurement, which are widely used in quantum sensing and imaging experiments.By computing the signal-to-noise ratio, we verify that quantum advantages persist even under strong thermal background noise, in comparison with the classical scheme which uses a single-mode coherent state that directly suffers from the thermal noise. In a different setup in which the thermal noise is introduced to the signal mode in the quantum schemes, on the other hand, we show that the quantum advantages are significantly reduced. Remarkably, however, under an optimum measurement scheme associated with the quantum Fisher information, we show that the two-mode squeezed vacuum state does exhibit a quantum advantage over the entire range of the environmental noise and loss. We expect this work to serve as a guide for experimental demonstrations of quantum advantages in loss parameter sensing, which is subject to lossy and noisy environment.
Solving large scale unconstrained optimization problems with an efficient conjugate gradient class
Authors: Bojari Sanaz , Paripour Mahmoud
Published: February 2023

‎The main goal of this paper is to introduce an appropriate conjugate gradient class to solve unconstrained optimization problems‎. ‎The presented class enjoys the benefits of having three free parameters‎, ‎its directions are descent and it can fulfill the Dai-Liao conjugacy condition‎. ‎Global convergence property of the new class is proved under weak-Wolfe-Powell line search technique‎. ‎Numerical efficiency of the proposed class is confirmed in two sets of experiments including 210 test problems and ten disparate conjugate gradient methods‎.
2020 MSC: 90C06, 90C30, 90C26
Association of marital status and all-cause mortality of metastatic breast cancer patients: A population-based study
Authors: Zhu Shouqiang , Lei Chong
Published: February 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Low temperature-induced diapause mechanisms of Coridius chinensis via transcriptomics sequencing
Authors: Li lin , Xiong Keyi , Xu TianTian , Liu Chaobo , Hou Xiaohui
Published: February 2023

Coridius chinensis, a valued species used in traditional Chinese medicine, undergo overwintering diapause. To clarify the mechanisms, we examined how low temperature treatments can affect diapause and cold tolerance in C. chinensis. Using transcriptome analysis, we obtained differently expressed 3225 mRNAs (DEGs) and 177 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). The more down-regulated DEGs and lncRNAs in diapause groups (DP) than low-temperature (LT) stress groups when compared with wild control (WC) groups. From co-expression network, 6 DEGs with 14 corresponding lncRNAs were finally identified and positively correlated to low temperature variation. Among them, 3 DEGs refered insulin signaling pathway as GAD and tdcB were up-regulated trends in WC-LT-DP, while JAK2 was decreaed after low temperature stress but increased at dispause stage. The qPCR test of GAD and JAK2 were obtained the similar results as transcriptome. Additionally, the genes annotated in the juvenile hormone synthesis pathway were almost at down-expression in DP when compared with LT groups, which was consistent with changes in juvenile hormone contents. Our results indicated the differences between cold stress and diapause in C.chinensis were closed related with the insulin metabolism and juvenile hormone synthesis, as well as diversity regulation in DEGs mean the diapause occurrence refer various fields changing in cold stress.
VVC Decoder Intra Prediction Using Approximate Storage: an Error Resilience Evaluation
Authors: Isquierdo Matheus , Soares Renira , Sampaio Felipe , Zatt Bruno , Palomino Daniel
Published: February 2023

This paper presents an error resilience evaluation of the intra prediction step in Versatile Video Coding (VVC) decoders when approximate storage is employed in the Reference Line Buffer (RLB). We present an error injection framework to simulate the use of approximate storage in the RLB buffer with commonly used Bit Error Rate (BER) values from literature for Static Random-Access Memory (SRAM) and Dynamic Random-Access Memory (DRAM) technologies. We perform an error resilience evaluation based on Peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and Structural Similarity (SSIM) for twelve video sequences, considering different decoding settings, with four Quantization Parameters (QPs), two encoding configurations, and seven BERs. We also present a few examples, showing how approximately decoded sequences can look and performing a subjective visual quality analysis. Our analysis characterizes how the impacts of approximation are dependent on video content and configurations. The results show that approximate storage can be used in some of the evaluated scenarios with very low degradation on the final visual quality of the decoded video sequences.
Seasonal olfactory response of Philaenus spumarius (Hemiptera: Aphrophoridae) towards traditional Portuguese olive cultivars
Authors: Rodrigues Isabel , Benhadi-Marín Jacinto , Baptista Paula , Pereira José Alberto
Published: February 2023

In Portugal, the strength of the olive sector relies on the great genetic heritage of traditional olive cultivars. However, this genetic heritage is threatened by the causal agent of olive quick decline syndrome (OQDS), the phytopathogenic bacteria Xylella fastidiosa, reported for the first time in 2019 in the country. This vector-borne pathogen is transmitted by xylem-feeding insects such as Philaenus spumarius which is considered the main European vector. Since there is no cure for this pathogen, the implementation of an integrated approach against the vectors should be considered to prevent and limit the spread of X. fastidiosa. In this sense, an in-depth assessment of the host plant preferences of the main European vector of X. fastidiosa is crucial to understand their seasonal dynamics towards olive cultivars to determine the most susceptible to vector attack. This work aimed to assess the olfactory response of P. spumarius, to five traditional Portuguese olive cultivars: "Cobrançosa," "Negrinha de Freixo," "Santulhana," "Madural," and "Verdeal Transmontana" in two separate seasons (Spring and Autumn). Our results showed that P. spumarius presented significantly different olfactory responses toward the different cultivars under study. In Spring, females and males were significantly attracted to "Negrinha de Feixo"; in Autumn, females were significantly attracted to "Cobrançosa". Also, in general, the olfactory response toward the five cultivars was sex-dependent. Our results suggest that in Spring, the cultivar "Negrinha de Freixo" can be more susceptible to P. spumarius and that the olfactory response towards the olive cultivars can vary throughout the life cycle of the vector. Our results can help future implementation of approaches to manage the vector and the spread of X. fastidiosa.
Death Comes But Why: A Multi-Task Memory-Fused Prediction for Accurate and Explainable Illness Severity in ICUs
Authors: Chen Weitong , Zhang Wei Emma , Yue Lin
Published: February 2023

Predicting the severity of an illness is crucial in intensive care units (ICUs) if a patient‘s life is to be saved. The existing prediction methods often fail to provide sufficient evidence for time-critical decisions required in dynamic and changing ICU environments. In this research, a new method called MM-RNN (multi-task memory-fused recurrent neural network) was developed to predict the severity of illnesses in intensive care units (ICUs). MM-RNN aims to address this issue by not only predicting illness severity but also generating an evidence-based explanation of how the prediction was made. The architecture of MM-RNN consists of task-specific phased LSTMs and a delta memory network that captures asynchronous feature correlations within and between multiple organ systems. The multi-task nature of MM-RNN allows it to provide an evidence-based explanation of its predictions, along with illness severity scores and a heatmap of the patient’s changing condition. The results of comparison with state-of-the-art methods on real-world clinical data show that MM-RNN delivers more accurate predictions of illness severity with the added benefit of providing evidence-based justifications.
Factors related to advance care planning from the perspectives of cancer patients: a systematic review
Authors: Golmohammadi Mobina , Ebadi Abbas , Ashrafizadeh Hadis , Rassouli Maryam , Barasteh Salman
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Advance care planning (ACP) has recently been considered as an important component of palliative care for patients with advanced cancer and is a process through which patients express their preferences and goals regarding end-of-life care and make decisions regarding their future treatment priorities. Therefore, the present systematic review investigated the factors related to ACP from the perspective of cancer patients.
Methods: A systematic review study was searched in four scientific databases: PubMed, Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and ProQuest using with related keywords and without date restrictions. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Hawker criterion. The research papers were analyzed as directed content analysis based on the theory of planned behavior.
Results: Out of 5900 research papers found, 21 were included in the study. The perspectives of 9061 cancer patients were investigated, of whom 4347 were men and 4714 were women. The mean ± SD of the patients' age was 62.04 ±6.44. According to TPB, factors affecting ACP were categorized into four categories, including attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and external factors affecting the model. The attitude category includes two subcategories: "Lack of knowledge of the ACP concept " and " Previous experience of the disease", the subjective norm category includes three subcategories: "Social support and interaction with family", "Respecting the patient's wishes" and "Prioritizing EOL care". Also, the category of perceived control behavior was categorized into three sub-categories: "Decision-making", "Participation in life activities" and " Support from healthcare system ", as well as external factors affecting the model, including "demographic characteristics".
Conclusion: The studies indicate that attention to EOL care and the wishes of patients regarding receiving medical care and preservation of human dignity, the importance of facilitating open communication between patients and their families, and different perspectives on providing information, communicating bad news and making decisions require culturally sensitive approaches. Finally, the training of cancer care professionals in the PC practice, promoting the participation of health care professionals in ACP activities and creating an ACP-positive attitude should be strongly encouraged.