bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transarterial chemoembolization combined donafenib with/without PD-1 for unresectable HCC in a multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Li Hao , Wang Jiacheng , Zhang Guokun , Kuang Donglin , Li Yanliang , He Xiang , Xing Cheng , Wang Yong , Shi Ming , Han Xinwei , Ren Jianzhuang , Duan Xuhua 
Published: November 2023

Background &amp; aimsThis multicenter retrospective study evaluated the efficacy and safety of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with donafenib and a programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitor (TACE+DP) and TACE combined with donafenib (TACE+D) for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC).MethodsThe clinical data of 388 patients with uHCC who received TACE+DP or TACE+D as first-line treatment at six Chinese academic centers from July 2021 to July 2022 were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Patients in the TACE+DP group received an intravenous administration of a PD-1 inhibitor every three weeks and oral donafenib (0.2 g) twice daily until intolerable toxicity or disease progression. Patients in the TACE+D group received the same dose of donafenib for 3–5 days after TACE. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS)were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. The tumor response was compared between the two groups according to modified RECIST criteria. Adverse events were also analyzed between the two groupsResultsThe TACE+D group included 157 patients and the TACE+DP group included 166 patients. Patients in the TACE+DP group had a longer median OS (18.1 vs. 13.2 months, P&lt;0.001) and longer median PFS (10.6 vs. 7.9 months, P&lt;0.001) than those in the TACE+D group. Patients in the TACE+DP group achieved a greater objective response rate (ORR; 50.6% vs. 41.4%, P=0.019) and greater disease control rate (DCR) (89.2% vs. 82.8%, P=0.010) than those in the TACE+D group. No significant differences were found in the incidence or severity of adverse events between the TACE+DP and TACE+D groups (any grade: 92.9% vs. 94.6%, P=0.270; grade 3 or 4: 33.8% vs. 37.3%, P=0.253).ConclusionWith favorable safety and tolerability, TACE combined with donafenib and PD-1 inhibitors significantly improved PFS, OS, and ORR compared to TACE combined with donafenib.
The median effective dose of propofol combined with butorphanol during artificial abortion: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zheng Yuling , Huang Jinping , Mai Ying , Li Xiaoling , Zhang Zhongqi 
Published: November 2023

ObjectivePropofol-opioids are the most common drug combination and can reduce the dose of propofol and the incidence of adverse events in painless artificial abortion. We hypothesized that butorphanol may reduce the median effective dose (ED50) of propofol, propofol injection pain, and postoperative uterine contraction pain.MethodsThis was a randomized, double-blind, controlled study. A total of 54 female patients, who had ASA I or II, aged 18–49 years, undergoing painless artificial abortion, were randomly assigned into two groups, namely, Group P (propofol) and Group PB (propofol plus 10 μg/kg butorphanol). According to the pre-experiment, the initial dose of propofol for the P and PB groups was 3 and 2.5 mg/kg, respectively, with a dose gradient of 0.25 mg/kg. The ED50 of propofol was analyzed using probit regression analysis. The total propofol dose consumed, recovery time, and anesthesia-related adverse events were also recorded.ResultsThere were 25 and 29 patients in the P and PB groups, respectively. The ED50 (95% CI) of propofol for artificial abortion were 2.477 (2.186–2.737) and 1.555 (1.173–1.846) mg/kg in the P and PB groups, respectively. The total propofol dose consumed was (150.7 ± 21.7) mg and (110.4 ± 28.2) mg in the P and PB groups, respectively (P &lt; 0.001). Compared with the P group, injection-site pain (76 vs. 20.7%) and uterine contraction pain (72 vs. 6.9%) in the PB group had a significant decrease (P &lt; 0.001).ConclusionCombination of propofol with 10 μg/kg butorphanol reduced the ED50 of propofol and decreased the incidence of propofol injection-site pain and postoperative uterine contraction pain during painless artificial abortion compared with propofol alone.Clinical trial registrationhttps://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=166610, identifier: ChiCTR2200059795.
Twenty-five-year mortality trends of four major histological subtypes of cervical cancer: a population-based study using the Osaka cancer registry data
Authors: Komura Naoko , Mabuchi Seiji , Sasano Tomoyuki , Kamiura Shoji , Morishima Toshitaka , Miyashiro Isao 
Published: November 2023

ObjectiveTo assess the mortality trends of four major histological subtypes of cervical cancer diagnosed between 1994 and 2018.MethodsThis population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Osaka Cancer Registry data from 1994 to 2018. A total of 12,003 patients with cervical cancer, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), adenocarcinoma (A), adenosquamous cell carcinoma (AS), or small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (SCNEC) were identified. Patients were classified into groups according to the extent of disease (localized, regional, or distant), year of diagnosis (1994–2002, 2003–2010, or 2011–2018), and histological subtype (SCC, A/AS, or SCNEC). Then, their survival rates were assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses.ResultsOverall, improved survival rates were observed according to the year of diagnosis in patients with local, regional, and distant cervical cancers. When examined according to the histological subtypes, improved survival rates according to the year of diagnosis were observed in patients with local, regional, and distant SCCs and in those with local and regional A/AS. In patients with distant A/AS, the survival rates did not improve since 2003. In patients with cervical cancer with SCNEC, the survival rates did not improve since 1994 irrespective of the extent of the disease. In the multivariate analysis, non-SCC histology was found to be an independent prognostic factor for OS.ConclusionIn contrast to SCC histology associated with improved survival between 1994 and 2018, SCNEC histology and advanced (stage IVB) A/AS remain to be the unmet medical needs for the management of cervical cancer.
Analysis of the association between the acetabular morphology and femoral head in children aged 0–3 years with developmental hip dysplasia
Authors: Xu Liukun , Wang Bo , Wang Li , Zhang Zhiqun 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been advocated as a routine examination for preoperative and postoperative assessment of Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH). However, there is limited research regarding the correlation between acetabulum and femoral head morphology using preoperative MRI measurements.ObjectiveTo explore the correlation between acetabulum and femoral head morphology in children with DDH aged 0–3 years, using MRI measurements as indicators.MethodsA Retrospective Analysis of MRI Data from 172 Children Diagnosed with Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) at Nanjing Medical University Affiliated Children's Hospital, spanning from January 2017 to January 2022. Measurements were taken to assess various parameters reflecting hip socket morphology as well as the development status of the femoral head and ossifying nucleus. The correlation between these factors was explored using Pearson correlation analysis and multiple-factor linear regression. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 18.0 software.ResultsPearson correlation analysis revealed statistically significant associations between the length of the ossifying nucleus ratio and age(mo.), BAI, BCAD, CTAD, and CTAD. The height of the ossifying nucleus ratio displayed statistically significant correlations with age(mo.) and BTAD. The length of the femoral head ratio exhibited statistically significant correlations with CAI, BCEA, and BCAD. Furthermore, the height of the femoral head ratio demonstrated a statistically significant correlation with BCEA. After adjusting for age(mo.), BMI, BCEA, and CCEA, BPoAcet and CPoAcet was found to be correlated with the length of the ossifying nucleus ratio. Preoperatively, the CAI, BAxAcet, BPoAcet, CPoAcet, and BTAD were correlated with the height of ossifying nucleus ratio after correcting for age, BMI, BCEA, and CCEA.ConclusionThe measurement parameters of hip socket morphology on MRI are associated with femoral head development, making them potential predictive indicators for femoral head development in DDH patients. These findings offer valuable insights for clinical decisions regarding the timing and approach of surgery in patients with developmental hip dislocation.
Association between antihypertensive drugs and oral cancer: a drug target Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Guo Junfeng , Liu Rongxing , Sheng Fangfang , Wu Qiuxiang , Xu Rufu , He Haitao , Zhang Gang , Huang Junjie , Zhang Zhe , Zhang Rong 
Published: November 2023

Background: Recent reports have suggested that antihypertensive drugs may play an oncogenic role in common cancers, but it is still uncertain whether this could influence the risk of oral cancer. Through two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR), we sought to assess the causal effect of antihypertensive drugs on oral cancer outcomes.Methods: To proxy the exposure of antihypertensive drugs, we utilized two genetic instruments, including expression quantitative trait loci of drug target genes and genetic variants within or around drug target genes related to blood pressure from genome-wide association studies. Inverse-variance-weighted MR (IVW-MR) and summary-data-based MR (SMR) were employed to compute the instrument effect estimates.Results: It was observed through IVW-MR analysis that there is a positive relationship between KCNH2 (target of beta-adrenoceptor blockers)–mediated blood pressure and oral cancer (odds ratio [OR] = 1.197, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.028–1.394). Similarly, SMR analysis demonstrated that a higher expression of KCNH2 (target of beta-adrenoceptor blockers) was linked to a greater risk of oral cancer (OR = 2.223, 95% CI = 1.094–4.516). Both analyses yielded no consistent evidence of other associations.Conclusion: This two-sample MR study proposed a latent causal association between KCNH2 (target of beta-adrenoceptor blockers) inhibition and diminished risk of oral cancer.
Robust oblique Target-rotation for small samples
Authors: Beauducel André , Hilger Norbert 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionOblique Target-rotation in the context of exploratory factor analysis is a relevant method for the investigation of the oblique simple structure. It was argued that minimizing single cross-loadings by means of target rotation may lead to large effects of sampling error on the target rotated factor solutions.MethodIn order to minimize effects of sampling error on results of Target-rotation we propose to compute the mean cross-loadings for each block of salient loadings of the independent clusters model and to perform Target-rotation for the block-wise mean cross-loadings. The resulting transformation-matrix is than applied to the complete unrotated loading matrix in order to produce mean Target-rotated factors.ResultsA simulation study based on correlated independent clusters model and zero-mean cross-loading models revealed that mean oblique Target-rotation resulted in smaller bias of factor inter-correlations than conventional Target-rotation based on single loadings, especially when sample size was small and when the number of factors was large. An empirical example revealed that the similarity of Target-rotated factors computed for small subsamples with Target-rotated factors of the total sample was more pronounced for mean Target-rotation than for conventional Target-rotation.DiscussionMean Target-rotation can be recommended in the context of oblique factor models based on simple structure, especially for small samples. An R-script and an SPSS-script for this form of Target-rotation are provided in the Supplementary Material.
Helicobacter pylori infection prevalence declined among an urban health check-up population in Chengdu, China: a longitudinal analysis of multiple cross-sectional studies
Authors: Zou Jin-Chen , Wen Mao-Yao , Huang Yan , Chen Xin-Zu , Hu Jian-Kun ,   on behalf of the SIGES Research Group
Published: November 2023

ObjectivesThe efficacy of updated health policy in improving the generalization of Helicobacter pylori screening and eradication in southwest China was assessed in a longitudinal analysis of multiple cross-sectional studies from an institution.MethodsIn the periods 2009–2010, 2013–2014, and 2019–2021, 8,365, 16,914, and 18,281 urban observations from health check-ups at West China Hospital were analyzed, respectively. The 14C-urea or 13C-urea breath test was consistently used for H. pylori detection. The protocol has been reported elsewhere (PROSPERO Registration number: CRD42019120764).ResultsThe overall prevalence of H. pylori dramatically decreased from 53.1% to 30.7% over the past decade (OR = 0.39, 95% CI 0.37–0.41), with a similar decline in all sex-specific and age-specific subgroups. The age-specific prevalence consistently increased before 40 years of age and always peaked at 50–59 years. Longitudinal clearance increased along with aging, and prevalence dropped to 22.6%, 25.1%, and 23.6% in the 40–49, 50–59, and 60–69 years initial age groups, respectively.ConclusionThe generalization of H. pylori screening and eradication could greatly contribute to the control of H. pylori infection among urban health check-up populations and lower gastric cancer incidence.
Mapping the value for money of precision medicine: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Wenjia , Wong Nigel Chong Boon , Wang Yi , Zemlyanska Yaroslava , Butani Dimple , Virabhak Suchin , Matchar David Bruce , Prapinvanich Thittaya , Teerawattananon Yot 
Published: November 2023

ObjectiveThis study aimed to quantify heterogeneity in the value for money of precision medicine (PM) by application types across contexts and conditions and to quantify sources of heterogeneity to areas of particular promises or concerns as the field of PM moves forward.MethodsA systemic search was performed in Embase, Medline, EconLit, and CRD databases for studies published between 2011 and 2021 on cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) of PM interventions. Based on a willingness-to-pay threshold of one-time GDP per capita of each study country, the net monetary benefit (NMB) of PM was pooled using random-effects meta-analyses. Sources of heterogeneity and study biases were examined using random-effects meta-regressions, jackknife sensitivity analysis, and the biases in economic studies checklist.ResultsAmong the 275 unique CEAs of PM, publicly sponsored studies found neither genetic testing nor gene therapy cost-effective in general, which was contradictory to studies funded by commercial entities and early stage evaluations. Evidence of PM being cost-effective was concentrated in a genetic test for screening, diagnosis, or as companion diagnostics (pooled NMBs, $48,152, $8,869, $5,693, p &lt; 0.001), in the form of multigene panel testing (pooled NMBs = $31,026, p &lt; 0.001), which only applied to a few disease areas such as cancer and high-income countries. Incremental effectiveness was an essential value driver for varied genetic tests but not gene therapy.ConclusionPrecision medicine’s value for money across application types and contexts was difficult to conclude from published studies, which might be subject to systematic bias. The conducting and reporting of CEA of PM should be locally based and standardized for meaningful comparisons.
Predictors of physical activity in older adults 65 years and older: findings in health survey of the Valencian Community
Authors: Trujillo-Barberá Silvia , García-Martínez Pedro , Sánchez-Martínez Juana María , Rodríguez-Herrera María Ángeles , Ruiz-Hontangas Antonio , Gámez-Paya Javier 
Published: November 2023

BackgroundPhysical activity is part of a healthy lifestyle in the older adult and is related to multiple variables that promote this behavior.ObjectiveTo identify the relationship and predictive power of sociodemographic variables, multimorbidity, severity index, risk of poor mental health, social support, affective support and confidential support with the time devoted to physical activity in the population over 65 years of age in the Valencian Community.MethodsCross-sectional descriptive analytical study of the data collected in the Health Survey of the Valencian Community on a total of 3,199 people over 65 years of age. The study variables were age, sex, educational level, marital status, social class, multimorbidity, severity index collected with the EQ-5D-5L tool, risk of poor mental health collected with the Goldberg general health questionnaire (GHQ-12), and perceived social, affective and confidential support collected with the Duke-Unc social support scale (Duke-UNC-11).ResultsAll variables, except affective support, are significantly related to the time of physical activity performed by people older than 65 years. The severity index has a predictive capacity of 13.7% of physical activity performed and age is able to predict 1.2% of this variable.ConclusionSex, age, education, social class, marital status, multimorbidity, risk of poor mental health or social support and confidentiality are related to the physical activity time of the Valencian population over 65 years of age. On the other hand, the variables severity index and age have been identified as variables capable of predicting up to 14.8% of the variance of the physical activity time variable in our study population.
Predicting VR cybersickness and its impact on visuomotor performance using head rotations and field (in)dependence
Authors: Maneuvrier Arthur , Nguyen Ngoc-Doan-Trang , Renaud Patrice 
Published: November 2023

Introduction: This exploratory study aims to participate in the development of the VR framework by focusing on the issue of cybersickness. The main objective is to explore the possibilities of predicting cybersickness using i) field dependence-independence measures and ii) head rotations data through automatic analyses. The second objective is to assess the impact of cybersickness on visuomotor performance.Methods: 40 participants completed a 13.5-min VR immersion in a first-person shooter game. Head rotations were analyzed in both their spatial (coefficients of variations) and temporal dimensions (detrended fluctuations analyses). Exploratory correlations, linear regressions and clusters comparison (unsupervised machine learning) analyses were performed to explain cybersickness and visuomotor performance. Traditional VR human factors (sense of presence, state of flow, video game experience, age) were also integrated.Results: Results suggest that field dependence-independence measured before exposure to VR explain ¼ of the variance of cybersickness, while the Disorientation scale of the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire predicts 16.3% of the visuomotor performance. In addition, automatic analyses of head rotations during immersion revealed two different clusters of participants, one of them reporting more cybersickness than the other.Discussion: These results are discussed in terms of sensory integration and a diminution of head rotations as an avoidance behavior of negative symptoms. This study suggests that measuring field dependence-independence using the (Virtual) Rod and Frame Test before immersion and tracking head rotations using internal sensors during immersion might serve as powerful tools for VR actors.
Alternative Starter Fertilization Strategies in Maize (Zea mays L.) Cultivation: Agronomic Potential of Microgranular Fertilizer and Plant Growth-Promoting Microorganisms and Their Impact on the Soil Native Microbial Community
Authors: Geist Lena , Wolfer Renate , Thiem Richard , Thielicke Matthias , Eichler-Löbermann Bettina , Eulenstein Frank , Müller Marina E. H. 
Published: November 2023

Phosphorous (P) starter fertilization can increase maize (Zea mays L.) yield. Widespread application in soils with sufficient P availability leads to environmental risks. Subsequently, alternative strategies to support the maize plant’s early development are needed to lower P surpluses. Here, we conducted field experiments comparing standard starter fertilizer diammonium phosphate (DAP) (20.1 kg P ha−1) to microgranular fertilizer (MG) (2.4 kg P ha−1) and combined in-furrow inoculation with Bacillus atrophaeus and mycorrhizal fungi (Rhizoglomus irregulare, Funneliformis mosseae, and Funneliformis caledonium), alone and in combination. The soil microbial community inside and between the maize rows was monitored by quantitative PCR (qPCR)-based quantification of eight fungal and bacterial groups. The yield did not vary between fertilization with DAP or MG and no fertilizer control. The combined microorganism inoculum (MO), however, enhanced the yield by 4.2%. The soil microbial community composition was not affected by the MO application. However, on one field site and inside the rows, it leads to a significant increase in overall microbial gene copy numbers by 9.3% and a significant decrease in the relative abundance of the bacterial phylum of Bacillota (Firmicutes) by 18%. The in-furrow MO application is thus a promising option for starter fertilizer replacement.
Neural Mobilization for Reducing Pain and Disability in Patients with Lumbar Radiculopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Lin Long-Huei , Lin Ting-Yu , Chang Ke-Vin , Wu Wei-Ting , Özçakar Levent 
Published: November 2023

Lumbar radiculopathy causes lower back and lower extremity pain that may be managed with neural mobilization (NM) techniques. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effectiveness of NM in alleviating pain and reducing disability in patients with lumbar radiculopathy. We hypothesized that NM would reduce pain and improve disability in the lumbar radiculopathy population, leveraging the statistical power of multiple studies. Electronic databases from their inception up to October 2023 were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that explored the impact of NM on lumbar radiculopathy. Our primary outcome measure was the alteration in pain intensity, while the secondary one was the improvement of disability, standardized using Hedges’ g. To combine the data, we employed a random-effects model. A total of 20 RCTs comprising 877 participants were included. NM yielded a significant reduction in pain intensity (Hedges’ g = −1.097, 95% CI = −1.482 to −0.712, p < 0.001, I2 = 85.338%). Subgroup analyses indicated that NM effectively reduced pain, whether employed alone or in conjunction with other treatments. Furthermore, NM significantly alleviated disability, with a notable effect size (Hedges’ g = −0.964, 95% CI = −1.475 to −0.453, p < 0.001, I2 = 88.550%), particularly in chronic cases. The findings provide valuable insights for clinicians seeking evidence-based interventions for this patient population. This study has limitations, including heterogeneity, potential publication bias, varied causal factors in lumbar radiculopathy, overall study quality, and the inability to explore the impact of neural pathology on NM treatment effectiveness, suggesting opportunities for future research improvements.
Short Block-length Channel Coded Modulation with Random Linear Codes and QAOA Decoding
Authors: Gulbahar Burhan 
Published: November 2023

<p>Quantum approximate optimization algorithm (QAOA) is used for NP-hard problems on noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) devices. We demonstrate <u>QAOA's</u> near-optimum maximum likelihood (ML) decoding for short block-lengths in Gaussian channels using random linear codes and channel coded modulation. Simulations with a p-layer QAOA decoder for p ∈ [1, 4], coding rates R = k/n ∈ [0.3, 1], signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) ∈ [0, 10] dB and k ∈ [10, 26] show near-optimum bit and block error rates. We conjecture near-optimum performance for p ∈ [1, 10], R = 0.5, SNR = 10 dB and k ≦ 250 indicating <u>QAOA's</u> potential in short block-length decoding.</p>