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PURPOSE Patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma, a rapidly progressing malignancy with a median survival time of 6 to 9 months, have previously responded poorly to chemotherapy. We conducted a phase III trial to determine whether treatment with pemetrexed and cisplatin results in survival time superior to that achieved with cisplatin alone. PATIENTS AND METHODS Chemotherapy-naive patients who were not eligible for curative surgery were randomly assigned to receive pemetrexed 500 mg/m2 and cisplatin 75 mg/m2 on day 1, or cisplatin 75 mg/m2 on day 1. Both regimens were given intravenously every 21 days. RESULTS A total of 456 patients were assigned: 226 received pemetrexed and cisplatin, 222 received cisplatin alone, and eight never received therapy. Median survival time in the pemetrexed/cisplatin arm was 12.1 months versus 9.3 months in the control arm ( P = .020, two-sided log-rank test). The hazard ratio for death of patients in the pemetrexed/cisplatin arm versus those in the control arm was 0.77. Median time to progression was significantly longer in the pemetrexed/cisplatin arm: 5.7 months versus 3.9 months ( P = .001). Response rates were 41.3% in the pemetrexed/cisplatin arm versus 16.7% in the control arm ( P < .0001). After 117 patients had enrolled, folic acid and vitamin B12 were added to reduce toxicity, resulting in a significant reduction in toxicities in the pemetrexed/cisplatin arm. CONCLUSION Treatment with pemetrexed plus cisplatin and vitamin supplementation resulted in superior survival time, time to progression, and response rates compared with treatment with cisplatin alone in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. Addition of folic acid and vitamin B12 significantly reduced toxicity without adversely affecting survival time.

PURPOSE Overexpression of the HER2 protein occurs in 25% to 30% of human breast cancers and leads to a particularly aggressive form of the disease. Efficacy and safety of recombinant humanized anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody as a single agent was evaluated in women with HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer that had progressed after chemotherapy for metastatic disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS Two hundred twenty-two women, with HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer that had progressed after one or two chemotherapy regimens, were enrolled. Patients received a loading dose of 4 mg/kg intravenously, followed by a 2-mg/kg maintenance dose at weekly intervals. RESULTS Study patients had advanced metastatic disease and had received extensive prior therapy. A blinded, independent response evaluation committee identified eight complete and 26 partial responses, for an objective response rate of 15% in the intent-to-treat population (95% confidence interval, 11% to 21%). The median duration of response was 9.1 months; the median duration of survival was 13 months. The most common adverse events, which occurred in approximately 40% of patients, were infusion-associated fever and/or chills that usually occurred only during the first infusion, and were of mild to moderate severity. These symptoms were treated successfully with acetaminophen and/or diphenhydramine. The most clinically significant adverse event was cardiac dysfunction, which occurred in 4.7% of patients. Only 1% of patients discontinued the study because of treatment-related adverse events. CONCLUSION Recombinant humanized anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody, administered as a single agent, produces durable objective responses and is well tolerated by women with HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer that has progressed after chemotherapy for metastatic disease. Side effects that are commonly observed with chemotherapy, such as alopecia, mucositis, and neutropenia, are rarely seen.

To assess the prevalence of myopia and its risk factors in rural school children. Children in classes 4–7 of eight randomly selected schools (five government and three private) in rural Haryana, with unaided vision

Previous research has highlighted the value in parsing unidimensional assessments of children's involvement in interparental conflict into distinct forms for advancing an understanding of children's development; however, little is known about the underlying antecedents of distinct forms of involvement. The present study provides the first systematic analysis of the interparental conflict and parenting predictors of residualized change in maternal reports of three forms of children's involvement in interparental conflict (i.e., cautious, caregiving, coercive). Participants in this multimethod, multi-informant longitudinal study included 243 preschool children (Mage = 4.60 years), mothers, and their partners from racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse backgrounds. Multivariate analyses demonstrated selectivity in links between interparental conflict and parenting and children's involvement in interparental conflict. Findings from the interparental conflict analyses revealed that Wave 1 constructive conflict uniquely predicted lower Wave 2 cautious involvement, and Wave 1 hostile conflict uniquely predicted greater Wave 2 coercive involvement. Findings from the parenting analyses indicated that Wave 1 maternal responsiveness uniquely predicted lower Wave 2 cautious involvement and Wave 1 maternal vulnerability uniquely predicted greater Wave 2 coercive involvement. Although interparental conflict and parenting antecedents did not predict caregiving involvement, a series of follow-up analyses individually examining each form of interparental conflict and parenting as a predictor of children's involvement revealed that greater Wave 2 caregiving involvement was predicted by higher levels of Wave 1 disengaged conflict and lower levels of Wave 1 constructive conflict. Findings are interpreted in the context of developmental psychopathology models that emphasize children's response patterns to family adversity. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Promoting the cessation of smoking in mental healthcare is a priority of international health organizations as it is the most cost-effective intervention in psychiatry.To explore the representations of psychiatrists on their role in active smoking cessation prevention in severe psychiatric disorders.Psychiatrists and residents in psychiatry were recruited at a national level by professional mailings.One thousand four hundred and sixty participants were included in the study, and only 46% reported actively promoting smoking cessation. In multivariate analyses, participants aged35years were more likely to promote cessation of tobacco smoking, as well as the two thirds who believe that psychiatry is a systemic discipline with complex interactions between brain, body and mind. Almost two thirds of those promoting tobacco cessation reported lacking time to combine psychiatric and physical examination during one session. The psychiatrists who reported not promoting tobacco smoking cessation also reported never dealing with physical health in case of the absence of a general practitioner and thinking that physical examination may have a negative impact on the therapeutic relationship. Almost all (96%) reported promoting the need for a general practitioner for their patients. We found no significant difference between the public and private sectors (P0.05).Young psychiatrists are more prone than their elders to promote smoking cessation but report lacking time to include it in their daily practice. Promotion of tobacco smoking cessation should be included in the components for quality evaluation for mental health services and specific sessions dedicated to this intervention.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effectiveness of a circulating tumor cell (CTC)-based classifier in stratifying stage IB lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA Stage IB LUADs have an approximately 70% 5-year survival rate. The clinical application of adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) is controversial due to inconsistent results in a series of trials and few useful guide biomarkers. Thus, there is a pressing need for robust biomarkers to stratify stage IB patients to define which group would most likely benefit from ACT. METHODS 212 stage IB LUAD patients were enrolled and were divided into three independent cohorts. The aptamer-modified NanoVelcro system was used to enrich the CTCs. RESULTS A cutoff of < 4 or ≥ 4 CTCs as the optimal prognostic threshold for stage IB LUAD was generated to stratify the patients in a 70-patient cohort into low-risk and high-risk groups. Patients with ≥ 4 CTCs in the training cohort had shorter progression-free survival (PFS, P < 0.0001) and overall survival (OS, P < 0.0001) than patients with < 4 CTCs. CTC number remained the strongest predictor of PFS and OS even in a multivariate analysis including other clinicopathological parameters. Furthermore, a nomogram based on the CTC count was developed to predict the 3-year and 5-year survival in the training cohort and performed well in the other two validation cohorts (C-index: 0.862, 0.853 and 0.877). CONCLUSION The presence of ≥ 4 CTCs can define a high-risk subgroup, providing a new strategy to make optimal clinical decisions for stage IB LUAD.

ObjetiveTo analyze the effects of the implementation of an ERAS program in patients undergoing pulmonary resection in a tertiary university hospital on the rates of complications and readmission and the length of stay.Methodsambispective cohort study, with a prospective arm of patients undergoing thoracic surgery within an ERAS program versus a retrospective arm of patients before the implementation of the protocol. We recluited 50 patients per arm. The primary outcome was the number of patients with 30-day surgical complications. Secondary outcome included ERAS adherence, no-surgical complications, mortality, readmission, reintervention rates, pain and hospital lenght of stay. We performed a multivariate logistic analysis to study the association of coutcomes with ERAS adherence.ResultsWe found no difference between the two groups in surgical complications [Standard 18 (36%) vs 12 (24%], p =0.19]. ERAS group was significantly lower only in its readmission rate [Standard 15 (30%) vs 6 (12%], p =0.03]. In multivariate analyses, ERAS adherence was the only factor associated with a reduction in surgical complications [OR (95%CI) = 0.02 (0.00, 0.59), p = 0.03] and length of stay [HR (95%CI) = 18.5 (4.39, 78.4), p < 0.001].ConclusionsERAS program was able to decrease the readmission rate at our centre significantly. The adherence to the ERAS protocol influenced the reduction of surgical complications and length of stay.

Background Musculoskeletal diseases are a major public health concern among older adults. There has been an increase in the number of studies on pain between men and women, such as knee and lumbar pain. However, there is a dearth of research on pain between men and women in hand disease. This study compared health-related quality of life (HRQOL) between patients with musculoskeletal disorders of the hand and those with disorders of the knee and the lumbar spine. Methods From 2014 to 2018, 5595 adult patients completed a questionnaire on HRQOL. Among these patients, we identified patients with hand disease (n = 1038), knee disease (n = 680), and lumbar spine disease (n = 2021) resulting in a total sample of 3739 patients (1749 men and 1992 women). Patients’ responses to the EuroQol (EQ-5D), the Short Form 12-item Survey (SF-12), and three visual analogue scales (VAS), as different measures of the HRQOL, were evaluated. Results It was found that the EQ-5D index was lowest in the lumbar spine patients, followed by knee and hand patients. The VAS scores were negatively affected in all groups. The EQ-5D index was significantly lower in women than in men only in the hand disease group. Multivariate analysis revealed that for the EQ-5D index, age, gender, and VAS scores for job and activities of daily living were explanatory factors in the hand disease group. Gender was not a significant predictor in the other groups. Conclusions This study demonstrated that pain negatively affected HRQOL, and gender differences in HRQOL were found only in patients with hand disease. Gender differences in HRQOL in patients with hand disease warrant appropriate clinical attention.

Pikan, aslen Kuzey Amerika orjinli olan ve Türkiye'de genellikle Ege ve Akdeniz bölgelerinde yetiştirilen önemli bir sert kabuklu meyve türüdür. Çalışmada, Türkiye'nin Güneydoğu bölgesinden aynı ekolojik koşullar altında yetiştirilen yirmi bir pikan çeşidinin morfometrik özellikleri belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca, bu ekolojik koşullarda en uygun çeşitlerin belirlenmesi için morfometrik özellikler üzerine çok değişkenli istatiksel analiz uygulanmıştır. Çeşitlerin meyve ağırlığı 3.66 g 'Cherokee' ile 10.35 g 'Shoshoni' arasında değişmiştir. En yüksek iç ağırlığı ve iç oranı 'Choctaw' çeşidinde (5.63 g ve %58.60) en düşük ise "Cherokee" çeşidinde (0.91 g ile 22.84 %) belirlenmiştir. Meyve ağırlığı ile iç oranı arasında anlamlı pozitif bir ilişki bulunmuştur. Ayrıca, iç ağırlığının meyve ağırlığı ve yüksekliği ile yüksek önemli ilişkili olduğu belirlenmiştir. Ward yöntemine göre yapılan kümeleme analizi, pikan çeşitleri arasında ilişkilerin kurulmasına izin vermiş ve çeşitleri dört ana kümeye ayırmıştır. Elde edilen sonuçlar temel bileşen analizi ile desteklenmiş ve çeşitlerden en yakın ilişkisi ‘Big Z’ ile ‘Ideal’ arasında belirlenmiştir. Sonuçlar pikan çeşitlerinin genetik özellikleri ile ilgili niceliksel farklılıkların olduğu ve incelenen çeşitlerin yarısından fazlasının pazar tarafından arzu edilen meyve kalitesi açısından iyi bir performans sergilediğini göstermiştir. Ayrıca çok değişkenli analiz pikan çeşitlerinin ayrımında oldukça etkili olmuş ve ileriki çalışmalarda başarıyla kullanılabileceği değerlendirilmiştir, Pecan is a major horticultural nut tree that originated in North America and, in Turkey, it is generally cultivated in the Aegean and Mediterranean regions. In this study, morphometric traits of twenty-one cultivars grown under equal ecological conditions in the Southeastern region of Turkey were determined. In addition, a multivariate analysis was performed on morphometric traits for determining suitable cultivars that show the best performance in these ecological conditions. The nut weight ranged from 3.66 g for ‘Cherokee’ to 10.35 g for the ‘Shoshoni’ cultivar. The ‘Choctaw’ had the highest kernel weight and kernel ratio ranging from 5.63 g to 58.60%. While the ‘Cherokee’ had the lowest ranging from 0.91 g to 22.84 g, respectively. A significant positive correlation between nut weight and kernel ratio was determined. The kernel weight was also highly correlated with nut weight and height. The use of clustering analysis according to Ward’s method allowed the establishment of relationships between pecan cultivars by separating them into four main clusters. Also, these results were supported by principal component analysis, and ‘Big Z’ and ‘Ideal’ cultivars were determined to be the closest cultivars. Results showed that there are quantitative differences regarding the genetic property of pecan cultivars and more than half of the examined cultivars showed a good performance in terms of nut quality criteria that are crucial in marketing. Furthermore, the multivariate analysis was effective in the differentiation of pecan cultivars and it has been evaluated that it can be used successfully in future studies.

Yam (Dioscorea spp.) is a vegetatively propagated crop that belongs to the family Dioscoreaceae. In Tanzania, yam is mainly grown as a source of food and income generation, especially for smallholder farmers. In this study, an assessment of morphological variations among 74 genotypes of Dioscorea spp. collected from six major growing regions was conducted. Yam genotypes were maintained and planted at Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute-Kibaha for characterization. Data from fifty morphological variables were subjected to multivariate analysis using principal component analysis and cluster analysis. The first nine principal components with Eigenvalues > 1 accounted for 86.28% of the total variations. Some traits that contributed to the variabilities include stem length, leaf margin colour, vein colour, absence/presence of wings, wing colour, hairiness, spines on stem base, aerial tubers, and inner skin colour. The dendrogram separated the 74 yam genotypes into two major clusters with six sub-clusters. Based on the results, four yam species were identified from the collected genotypes, and these included D. alata, D. bulbifera, D. cayenensis, and D. dumetorum. The results revealed high morphological variabilities among the yam genotypes. Information obtained in this study is very useful in yam breeding programs in Tanzania. Keywords: Cluster analysis, multivariate analysis, phenotypic variabilities, yam in Tanzania

PurposeTo evaluate the impact of detailed family history on the severity of disease and age of onset in patients with urolithiasis.MethodsProspectively collected data from a single institution between October 2015 and December 2020 were analyzed. Our primary endpoint was the number of patients experiencing at least one recurrent stone during the follow-up period.ResultsOf 1566 patients analyzed, 603 (39%) reported at least one family member with a history of stones. The percentage of patients experiencing at least one recurrent stone event was higher in patients with a family history of stones (38%) compared to those without a family history of stones (28%) over a median follow-up period of 8months (p = 0.001). On multivariate analysis, the presence of any family history of urolithiasis increased risk of recurrent stone events (odds ratio [OR] 1.62, p

This paper aims to identify performance differences between conventional European equity indices and ESG indices. Conventional European equity indices are tools both institutional and retail investors use to understand the overall state of the market, as well as a benchmark for comparing investment decisions. ESG indices or sustainability indices are different from conventional market indices and can provide information to investors about the firm’s sustainability performance, they are new and constantly developing stock market indices taking into account environmental, social, and governance considerations. The indices were analysed by multivariate analysis. Since we could collect data by country only for conventional indices, cluster analysis based only on those indices was performed. The following variables of conventional indices were analysed: year-to-date price return, annualized 3-year price return, annualized 5-year price return, and annualized 10-year price return. The paper also compares ESG indices and conventional indices, and in most cases, they have no significant performance differences.

Aims To estimate prevalence of anxiety and depression in patients with diabetes mellitus and identify their determinants. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted at Hassan II University-Hospital of Fes in 2019–2020. Anxiety and depression were measured by using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Multivariate analysis by logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with depression and anxiety, adjusting for confounding factors. All statistical analyses were conducted using EPIINFO7. Results A total of 243 diabetics were included in the study. The average age of the participants was 48.07 ± 14.25 years, 58% were females and 72% were diagnosed with diabetes type II. The prevalence of depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms was (18, 1%, CI95% = (13–23)) and (29.6%, CI95% = (24–35)), respectively. The prevalence of depression and anxiety was higher among women than man and increases with increasing duration of the disease. In multivariate analysis, illiterates (OR = 3.19, CI95% = (1.46–6.98)), those with depression (OR = 3.61, CI95% = (1.78–7.32)), and type 1 diabetics (OR = 3.22, CI95% = (1.44–7.21)) are a higher risk of developing anxiety. Depression was associated with older age (OR = 2, 65, CI95% = (1, 14–6, 14)), use of insulin (OR = 3.77 CI95% = (1.50–9.44)) and anxiety symptoms (OR = 4, 27, CI95% = (2, 05–8, 91)). Conclusion High prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in diabetics suggests consideration of psychological aspect in implementation of diabetes managing program.

While the existence of a healthy migrant effect remains controversial, overweight and obesity are considered a global pandemic. Migrants seem to be affected more often, however most of the few existing studies did not differentiate a first-generation from a second-generation migration background and/or did not control common socio-demographic confounders. This study aims at examining the influence of first- and second-generation migration on body mass index (BMI) and obesity in Germany.We conducted a controlled observational study based on a survey of n = 64,089 participants of the German Socio-Economic-Panel. Missing values were multivariate imputed via chained equations (MICE). The influence of migration on BMI and obesity was assessed by comparing first-generation, second-generation and non-migrants to each other. Pairwise statistical testing was done by t tests and Fisher's exact tests. For the multivariate analysis, OLS and logistic regression models and its coefficients (beta, odds ratio) were used. Targeting multiple testing, Holm-correction was utilized.Within the bivariate analysis, all three group-specific mean BMI-values differ significantly from each other (P.001). The pairwise differences regarding the obesity risk are also significant (P.001). Within the multivariate analysis, only second-generation migration reveals an influence on BMI compared to first-generation migration (ß = 0.297; 97.5% CI: 0.127-0.467) and non-migrants (ß = 0.366; 98.33% CI: 0.103-0.628). This is equivalent to its influence on obesity versus first-generation (odds ratios = 1.220; 98.33% CI: 1.045-1.423) and non-migrants (odds ratios = 1.134; 97.5% CI: 1.018-1.262).After controlling socio-demographic confounders, a second-generation migration background but not a first-generation migration background is associated with a higher BMI and obesity.

Aim: Assess the association of health information technology (HIT) on influenza vaccine (IV) uptake among adults with heart disease. Methods: The association of four different uses of HIT – (1) look up health information, (2) schedule medical appointments, (3) refill prescriptions online and (4) communicate with healthcare providers on IV uptake – was analyzed using multiple logistic regression. Results: Adults with heart disease who use the internet to look up information (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.39–1.59; p

The literature on institutional sustainability has largely focused on global-based analysis, and it has generally ignored to examine local-based analyses. The main purpose of this study was to measure the institutional sustainability of local governments. In this research, the intention was to develop an institutional sustainability index based on the district municipalities in the province of Istanbul, which is one of the most significant metropolises in the world. A total of 48 variables were used in the calculation of the General Institutional Sustainability Index (social dimension with 26 variables, economic dimension with 15 variables, and environmental dimension with 7 variables). The index consists of 3 sub-indexes comprising the general institutional sustainability index. The social dimension was examined in 6 sub-dimensions, the economic dimension in 5 sub-dimensions, and the environmental dimension in 4 sub-dimensions. The results indicate that Istanbul municipalities achieved low economic and environmental sustainability index scores. Decision-makers will be able to assess the general institutional sustainability index results for their own municipalities and to observe strong and weak aspects with the sub-indexes. In the process of developing the index, missing value analysis, cluster analysis, principal component analysis, and the composite index calculation methods were applied to data from 39 district municipalities in the province of Istanbul., Kurumsal sürdürülebilirlik literatürü büyük ölçüde küresel temelli analizlere odaklanmış ve genellikle yerel temelli analizleri incelemeyi göz ardı etmiştir. Bu çalışmanın temel amacı, yerel yönetimlerin kurumsal sürdürülebilirliğini ölçmektir. Bu araştırmada, dünyanın en önemli metropollerinden biri olan İstanbul ilindeki ilçe belediyelerine dayalı bir kurumsal sürdürülebilirlik endeksi geliştirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Genel Kurumsal Sürdürülebilirlik Endeksi hesaplamasında toplam 48 değişken kullanılmıştır (sosyal boyut 26 değişken, ekonomik boyut 15 değişken, çevresel boyut 7 değişken). Endeks, genel kurumsal sürdürülebilirlik endeksini içeren 3 alt endeksten (sosyal, ekonomik ve çevresel) oluşmaktadır. Sosyal boyut 6 alt başlıkta, ekonomik boyut 5 alt başlıkta ve çevresel boyut 4 alt başlıkta incelenmiştir. Sonuçlar, İstanbul belediyelerinin düşük ekonomik ve çevresel sürdürülebilirlik endeks skoru elde ettiğini göstermektedir. Karar vericiler, kendi belediyeleri için genel kurumsal sürdürülebilirlik endeksi sonuçlarını değerlendirebilecek ve alt endeksler ile güçlü ve zayıf yönleri gözlemleyebileceklerdir. Endeksin geliştirilme sürecinde, İstanbul ilindeki 39 ilçe belediyesinden alınan verilere Eksik Gözlem Analizi, Kümeleme Analizi, Temel Bileşenler Analizi ve Bileşik Endeks Hesaplama yöntemleri uygulanmıştır.

Resumen A partir de información empírica del sector minero del Perú, se propone un modelo que relaciona el conflicto social, la licencia social para operar, y el valor de las empresas extractivas para contribuir a la comprensión de la dinámica socioempresarial del sector extractivo. Las variables que se utiliza en el modelo son el precio de las acciones mineras, el registro oficial de los conflictos, y las licencias sociales. Por medio de una regresión lineal multivariada, se encuentra que el incremento de los conflictos sociales disminuye el valor de las empresas, y que la licencia social para operar tiene un efecto positivo sobre esta variable; además, modera el impacto del conflicto en el valor de la empresa. El estudio confirma empíricamente las relaciones sociales y económicas entre empresas extractivas y comunidades, y orienta a directivos, políticos y autoridades sobre acciones para prevenir conflictos. También contribuye a cerrar la brecha de estudios empíricos en países con menor nivel de desarrollo. Clasificación JEL: C51; G12; P28. Abstract Based on empirical information from the Peruvian mining sector, a model is proposed that relates social conflict, social license to operate, and the value of extractive companies, in order to contribute to the understanding of socio-entrepreneurial dynamics of the extractive sector. The variables used in the model are the price of mining shares, the official record of conflicts, and social licenses. Using multivariate linear regression, it is found that the increase in social conflicts decreases the value of the companies and that the social license to operate has a positive effect on this variable; moreover, it moderates the impact of the conflict on the value of the company. The study empirically confirms the social and economic relationships between extractive companies and communities, and guides managers, politicians, and authorities to prevent conflicts. It also contributes to closing the gap of empirical studies in less advanced countries. Resumo Com base em informações empíricas do setor de mineração peruano, propõe-se um modelo que relaciona o conflito social, a licença social para operar e o valor das empresas extrativistas para contribuir para a compreensão da dinâmica social empresarial do setor extrativo. As variáveis utilizadas no modelo são o preço das ações de mineração, o registro oficial de conflitos e as licenças sociais. Por meio de uma regressão linear multivariada, verifica-se que o aumento dos conflitos sociais diminui o valor das empresas, e que a licença social para operar tem efeito positivo sobre essa variável; além disso, modera o impacto do conflito no valor da empresa. O estudo confirma empiricamente as relações sociais e econômicas entre empresas extrativistas e comunidades e orienta gestores, políticos e autoridades para prevenir conflitos. Contribui também para fechar a lacuna de estudos empíricos em países menos avançados.

The cultivation of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) is trending in an upward expansion at Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Due this growth, the breeding program has been demanded for the knowledge about the genetic diversity and correlation between morpho-agronomic traits, to start interesting crosses. The objective of this work was to study the genetic diversity and the correlation network between morpho-agronomic traits of cotton genotypes. Two cotton accessions and five commercial cultivars: FM993, FMT701, FM910, DP604 and DP604BG were evaluated for 16 traits. The results revealed divergence between the genotypes. Unweighted pair-group method arithmetic average (UPGMA) analysis allocated the genotypes in three clusters, with DP604 and Accession 2 being the most divergent. The correlation network helped to visualize the association between traits, presenting a negative correlation between anthracnose with plant height (-0.465), plant vigor (-0.486) and main root length (-0.437). Also, even with some genotypes presenting a higher number of reproductive branches, the correlation for this trait with number of bolls showed a high significant value (0.68). Thus, the genotypes showed wide genetic diversity for the composition of future crosses in cotton breeding programs. The correlation network allowed the visualization of a medium to high correlation pattern for the morpho-agronomic traits.

Overall survival of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients significantly increased in recent decades, however, the relative risk of mortality is still high. Long-term survival outcome of pediatric SLE remains unclear. This study aims to explore the long-term survival rate and its predictors in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).A retrospective, hospital-based cohort study was performed between 2004 and 2018 in a tertiary referral medical center in Taiwan. Data on comorbidities, medications, and causes of admission were collected for risk factor analysis using time-dependent multivariate Cox proportional hazards models.A total of 2392 adults and 115 pediatric SLE patients were enrolled (female, n = 2157 and 95, respectively). The 10-year survival rates were 93.2%, 90.2%, 98.9%, and 100% in adult women, adult men, girls, and boys with SLE, respectively. The overall mortality rate was 2.09 case/100 patient-years (PY) for male SLE and 1.39 case/100 PY for female SLE patients. Male SLE patients did not have a statistically significantly higher mortality rate than female SLE patients in each age stratification. Infectious disease (n = 119), heart failure (n = 21), and cerebrovascular accident (n = 14) were the leading causes of death in adult SLE patients. Advanced age (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03-1.05), treatment with mean dosage of systemic glucocorticoid equivalent to10 mg/d of prednisolone (HR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.14-2.57), comorbidities with malignancy (HR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.22-3.09), chronic kidney disease (HR: 1.86, 95% CI: 1.25-2.77), hypertension (HR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.01-1.98), and admission due to bacterial pneumonia (HR: 1.92, 95% CI: 1.12-3.31) and sepsis (HR: 2.78, 95% CI: 1.51-5.13) were independent risk factors for mortality in SLE patients.SLE patients with advanced age, malignancy, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, treated with a higher average dosage of glucocorticoids, and admission due to bacterial pneumonia and sepsis have an increased risk of mortality.

Objective The prognostic importance of minichromosome maintenance complex expression in nasopharyngeal cancer is still unknown. We aimed to find whether minichromosome maintenance complex 2–7 expression may potentially be used to predict the prognosis of nasopharyngeal cancer patients treated with definitive radiotherapy. Methods Between April 2007 and July 2020, patients with nasopharyngeal cancer treated with radiotherapy were identified. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues of cases. A single pathologist analyzed the histologic specimens of all patients. Results Totally, 67 patients were included. The median followup was 75.3 months. Higher tumor (T) stage was correlated with minichromosome maintenance complex 2 overexpression. Minichromosome maintenance complex s expression was also associated with histopathologic subgroups. According to univariate analysis, AJCC stage, histopathological subgroups, tumor response after treatment, minichromosome maintenance complex 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 expression were the prognostic factors that predict overall survival. According to multivariate analysis minichromosome maintenance complex 7 expression was the only prognostic marker for both progression-free survival and overall survival. Conclusion The overexpression of minichromosome maintenance complex 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 indicated bad prognosis. Minichromosome maintenance complex 7 was an independent prognostic factor for survival outcomes in nasopharyngeal cancer and may be a potential therapeutic target for treatment.

We sought to understand the frequency of contraception documentation for women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a large US electronic health record (EHR)-based registry and to identify disparities by teratogen prescription and patient race and ethnicity.Contraception documentation from structured data fields within the Rheumatology Informatics System for Effectiveness (RISE) registry was collected for women of childbearing age (18-45 years) in 2018 who had at least 2 visits with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision or Tenth Revision, diagnosis codes for SLE or RA (at any time). Univariate and multivariate analyses compared the frequency of contraception documentation based on patient characteristics including diagnosis, age, race, and teratogenicity of prescribed antirheumatic medications.In 2018, there were 9,826 women of childbearing age with SLE and 19,009 with RA, of whom 9.1% had any contraception documented. Rates of contraceptive documentation were significantly lower for women with SLE (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.84 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.76-0.92]). Women of Hispanic ethnicity and Black and Asian race were all less likely than White women to have contraception documentation. Teratogen prescription was associated with higher rates of contraception documentation for women with RA but not SLE (RA adjusted OR 1.31 [95% CI 1.16-1.47]; SLE adjusted OR 1.08 [95% CI 0.91-1.28]).There are large gaps in contraception documentation within the RISE registry that are particularly stark among women of color. Although these data likely underestimate contraception use, they highlight that most rheumatologists do not have a systematic approach to collecting and recording this information in the EHR.

Liver resection has a risk of postoperative hepatic dysfunction, including drug metabolism. Since fentanyl is primarily metabolized in the liver, liver resection requires exercising caution against fentanyl overdose in postoperative analgesia. The rationale for dose adjustment of fentanyl in the preoperative prescription for patients undergoing liver resection remains unclear. We examined whether postoperative fentanyl consumption is associated with the future liver remnant after liver resection and investigated factors influencing fentanyl consumption.In this retrospective study, 89 living liver donors undergoing open liver resection received intravenous patient-controlled analgesia with fentanyl 2 mg with thoracic epidural analgesia. The primary outcome was postoperative hourly consumption of intravenous patient-controlled analgesia with fentanyl. Future liver remnant volume (ml) and the ratio of future liver remnant volume to whole liver volume (%) were estimated by computed tomography volumetry and compared to determine which correlated more strongly with fentanyl hourly consumption. Multivariable analysis identified independent factors affecting fentanyl consumption, with adjustments for patient characteristics and intravenous patient-controlled analgesia setting.Future liver remnant volume (ml) was significantly correlated more strongly than the ratio of future liver remnant (%) with postoperative fentanyl consumption (r = 0.53 vs. 0.36, p 0.001). Larger future liver remnant volume (β = 0.25, p = 0.006) and age 45 years (β = 0.24, p = 0.009) were independently associated with higher fentanyl consumption, while sex and weight were not.Future liver remnant volume was significantly associated with postoperative fentanyl consumption. Smaller remnant liver volume and older age (≥ 45 years) were independent factors reducing postoperative fentanyl consumption in patients undergoing open donor hepatectomy.

Cannabis use is prevalent and concerns about cannabis misuse are increasing. A reinforcer pathology approach emphasizes the roles of drug reinforcing value (demand) and overvaluation of immediate rewards (delay discounting [DD]) in drug use but has been applied to a lesser extent to cannabis. The present study investigated the independent and interactive roles of these processes in relation to cannabis misuse in a community sample of adult cannabis users (N = 324; 44.8% female; Mage = 33.25). Participants completed a Marijuana Purchase Task (MPT), the Monetary Choice Questionnaire (MCQ), and the Cannabis Use Disorder Identification Test-Revised (CUDIT-R) to assess demand, DD, and cannabis misuse, respectively. Zero-order correlations revealed significant associations between CUDIT-R scores and both the demand indices (|rs | = .21-.56, p < .01-.001) and DD (r = .21, p < .01). In multivariate analyses, lower elasticity (i.e., price insensitivity) was robustly associated with higher CUDIT-R scores, while other demand indicators did not explain additional unique variance. However, as elasticity, intensity, and Omax exhibited robust zero-order intercorrelations, shared variance appeared to drive the association. An interactive relationship between elasticity and DD was not significant. These findings indicate that cannabis misuse is associated with both cannabis demand, particularly as measured by insensitivity to escalating costs, and immediate reward orientation, but the relationship was not synergistic. These results support a reinforcer pathology approach to cannabis misuse and, although causality cannot be inferred cross-sectionally, suggest that evaluating the longitudinal significance of these indicators is warranted. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Background Although sleep disorder is thought as a risk factor for functional bowel disorders, its impact role in adolescents remains unknown and the contribution of different sleep dimensions may deserve further attention. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between multiple sleep dimensions and functional bowel disorders among Chinese college freshmen. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in college freshmen from Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, China in September 2019 with random cluster sampling method. All participants completed questionnaires about living habits, sleep and digestive symptoms. Diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome and functional constipation were based on the Rome IV criteria. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were applied to assess the association of sleep dimensions with irritable bowel syndrome or functional constipation. Results Based on the 3335 individuals who completed the questionnaire, the overall prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome and functional constipation in college freshmen were 2.5% and 1.7%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that compared with individuals reporting good sleep quality, those reporting poor (OR = 7.269, 95%CI: 2.876–18.370) were associated with increased risk of irritable bowel syndrome. Similarly, those reporting fair (OR = 2.068, 95%CI: 1.010–4.236) and poor (OR = 5.664, 95%CI: 1.864–17.205) were associated with increased risk of functional constipation. There was no statistically significant association between other sleep dimensions (sleep duration, sleep timing, or sleep latency) and irritable bowel syndrome or functional constipation. Conclusion Self-reported poor sleep quality was a stronger independent predictor of functional bowel disorders than other sleep dimensions among Chinese college freshmen. Future intervention studies should consider the role of sleep quality for the prevention of FBDs in adolescents.

Chest drains are placed after surgery to enable lung re-expansion. However, there remains little guidance on optimal placement. This study aims to identify the ideal size and position for chest drain insertion with regards to post-operative outcomes.383 patients undergoing lobectomy in 1-year had their chest drain size and x-ray position noted (1 (apical), 2 (mid-zone) or 3 (basal)). Primary outcome was residual air space on immediate post-operative x-ray. Secondary outcomes were length of drain in situ (72 versus ≥72 h), persisting pleural effusion, surgical emphysema, post-operative pneumonia (POP), and length of hospital stay (5 versus ≥5 days). Fisher's exact analysis for the primary outcome and binary logistic regression analysis for all outcomes were used. Results presented as odds ratios (OR±95%CI).Univariate analysis for residual air space showed increased risk in area 2 (OR = 1.61, p = 0.041) and 3 (OR = 2.59, p = 0.0043) compared with area 1. Multivariate analysis for residual air space showed increased risk in area 2 (OR = 2.39, p 0.001) and 3 (OR = 2.86, p 0.001) compared with area 1. Drain size had no impact on residual air space in univariate or multivariate analysis. Multivariate analysis showed area 2 drains remained in situ for72 h (OR = 1.49, p = 0.017), had persisting effusions (OR = 2.03, p = 0.004) and POP (OR = 2.10, p = 0.023) compared with area 1. This risk is magnified further for drains in area 3. Drains ≥28F had reduced risk of surgical emphysema (OR = 0.23, p = 0.027) in multivariate analysis.A ≥28F, apical chest drain reduces the risk of post-operative complications, allowing early removal and discharge.

This meta-analysis assessed the impact of off-hour hospitalization (weekends, and evenings or nighttime on weekdays) on mortality and morbidity in patients with nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).Electronic databases were systematically searched for studies comparing outcomes between patients with nontraumatic SAH hospitalized during off-hour and on-hour periods (daytime on weekdays). The primary outcome was mortality (in-hospital and at different follow-up periods after hospitalization). Secondary outcomes included delays in treatment, and complications. Sensitivity analysis including only studies in which adjusted multivariate analyses were performed for any of the outcomes, and meta-regression controlling for clinically important patient factors, were also performed.Sixteen studies were included. There was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97-1.09; P = 0.30) and at all follow-up periods (7/14 days and 1/3/6 months) after hospitalization between SAH patients who were admitted during off-hour compared with on-hour periods, despite adjusted multivariate meta-analysis being performed. However, patients who were admitted during off-hour periods experienced greater delays from their initial scan to treatment (mean difference, 42.7, 25.2-60.1 hours; P0.0001) and had higher rates of pneumonia (odds ratio, 1.65, 1.12-2.44; P = 0.011).This meta-analysis has not shown an increased risk of mortality in the short-term and long-term among patients with nontraumatic SAH who were hospitalized during off-hour compared with on-hour periods, despite adjusting for potentially confounding patient factors. The delays to treatment and higher observed rates of pneumonia highlight areas in which hospital services and resources should be targeted during these off-hour periods in patients presenting with nontraumatic SAH.

Tinea pedis is the most common form of dermatophytosis resulting in interdigital infections. All of Us (AoU) is a National Institute of Health initiative with an emphasis on patient populations traditionally underrepresented in biomedical research.Our objective was to evaluate the burden of tinea pedis in underrepresented groups in the United States, utilising the novel AoU research program.We analysed AoU Registered Tier dataset version 5, which includes data collected between 30 May, 2017, and 1 April, 2021. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis linking survey and electronic health record (EHR) data to estimate the prevalence of tinea pedis in underrepresented groups.All of Us data release includes 329,038 participants. Of these, 251,597 (76.5%) had electronic health record data and 6932 had tinea pedis (overall prevalence, 2.76%; 95% CI, 2.69-2.82). Multivariate analyses revealed that compared with White participants, Black and Hispanic participants had a higher adjusted odds of tinea pedis (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.20-1.38 and OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.28-1.48, respectively). Higher adjusted odds of tinea pedis were observed in underrepresented groups defined by: age =75 years (OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.33-1.57), LGBTQ status (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.09-1.27), less than a high school education (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.11-1.34), income$35,000 (OR, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.02-1.16) and physical disability (OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.08-1.24).Our findings are consistent with overall age, and gender-specific prevalence estimates from prior epidemiologic studies, validating the scientific consistency of the new AoU database. Additionally, there may be an increased burden of tinea pedis among Black and Hispanic individuals.

Resumo Os incêndios ocorrem devido às ações antrópicas e causam problemas socioambientais no Nordeste do Brasil (NEB). Portanto, este estudo avaliou a variabilidade espaço-temporal dos focos de calor (FC) nas três mesorregiões climáticas de Alagoas: Sertão, Leste e Agreste Alagoano. Os dados de FC foram obtidos do Banco de Dados de Queimadas (BDQueimadas) entre 1998-2020. A série temporal de FC foi submetida às análises estatísticas descritiva, exploratória e multivariada aplicada aos 102 municípios alagoanos. Com base no agrupamento hierárquico identificaram-se três grupos homogêneos (G1, G2 e G3) no Sertão e dois grupos homogêneos de FC no Agreste e Leste Alagoano (G1 e G2). Alguns municípios não formaram grupos (NA), tais como: Belo Monte (26,83 ± 25,87 focos), Limoeiro de Anadia (54,48 ± 38,65 focos), Penedo (262,83 ± 183,80 focos) e Coruripe (553 ± 369,40 focos). A variabilidade interanual dos FC em Alagoas está associada com atividades agrícolas, desmatamento, novas áreas para a criação de animais e colheita da cana-de-açúcar. Na avaliação espacial via densidade de FC por município utilizou-se o período total (1998-2020) e os anos de destaque na série temporal (2012 e 2019). O maior registro de densidade de FC no período total encontra-se na mesorregião do Leste Alagoano e não se descarta que os anos em destaque sejam influenciados pela ocorrência de seca e períodos de estiagens em Alagoas. Abstract Fires occur due to anthropic actions and cause socio-environmental problems in Northeast Brazil (NEB). Therefore, this study evaluated the spatiotemporal variability of fire focis (FF) in the three climatic mesoregions of Alagoas: Arid Zone, East and Hinterland Alagoano. FF data were obtained from the Queimadas Database (BDQueimadas) between 1998-2020. The FF time series was submitted to descriptive, exploratory, and multivariate statistical analysis applied to 102 municipalities in Alagoas. Based on the hierarchical grouping, three homogeneous groups were identified (G1, G2 and G3) in the Arid Zone and two homogeneous groups of FF in the Hinterland and East Alagoas (G1 and G2). Some municipalities did not form groups (NA), such as: Belo Monte (26.83 ± 25.87 foci), Limoeiro de Anadia (54.48 ± 38.65 foci), Penedo (262.83 ± 183.80 foci) and Coruripe (553 ± 369.40 foci). The interannual FF variability in Alagoas is associated with agricultural activities, deforestation, new areas for animal husbandry and sugarcane harvest. In the spatial evaluation via FF density per municipality, the total period (1998-2020) and the years highlighted in the time series (2012 and 2019) were used. The highest FF density record in the total period is found in the East Alagoas mesoregion and it is not ruled out that the highlighted years are influenced by the occurrence of drought and dry periods in Alagoas.

Rationale and Objectives First, to evaluate and compare three different diffusion sequences (i.e., standard DWI, IVIM, and DKI) for nodal staging. Second, to combine the DWI, and anatomic information to assess metastatic lymph node (LN). Materials and Methods We retrospectively identified 136 patients of rectal adenocarcinoma who met the inclusion criteria. Three diffusion sequences (i.e., standard DWI, IVIM, and DKI) were performed, and quantitative parameters were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the associations between the anatomic and DWI information and LN pathology. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors. A nomogram model was established, and the model performance was evaluated by the concordance index (c-index) and calibration curve. Results There was a statistical difference in variables (LN long diameter, LN short diameter, LN boundary, LN signal, peri-LN signal intensity, ADC-1000, ADC-1400, ADC-2000, Kapp and D) between metastatic and non-metastatic LN for training and validation cohorts (p Conclusion The IVIM and DKI model's diagnostic efficiency was not significantly improved compared to conventional DWI. The diagnostic accuracy of metastatic LN can be enhanced using the nomogram model, leading to a rational therapeutic choice.

Background The delay of percutaneous coronary intervention increases the risk of heart failure and mortality in STEMI. The aim of this study was to examine the time intervals of EMS and the factors associated with the time delay to angiography in patients with STEMI. Methods The present study was conducted in Northern Ostrobothnia, Finland in 2014–2016. All patients transported to the hospital by EMS who were diagnosed with STEMI and underwent a primary angiography within 24 h of arrival were included. Angiography was defined as delayed if it was performed over 120 min of the first medical contact (FMC). Results 310 patients met the inclusion criteria during the study period. Time from the FMC to angiography was less than 120 min in 231 patients (74.5%). In multivariate analysis, the factors associated with delayed angiography were the absence of chest pain (OR 2.46 (1.18–5.13),p = 0.016), dyspnea (OR 3.11 (1.54–6.28),p = 0.002), the treatment protocol violations by EMS (OR 2.41 (0.99–5.80),p = 0.050), treatment initiation at a primary health care center (OR 3.64 (1.39–9.48),p = 0.008), and the distance to hospital of over 100 km (OR 11.87 (6.14–22.93),p Conclusion In our study, treatment protocol violations, non-specific symptoms, and the distance to hospital of over 100 km were associated with primary angiography in patients with STEMI transported to the hospital by EMS.

To estimate the percentage of the general population vaccinated against the COVID-19 and to investigate the factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake.We conducted an online cross-sectional study in Greece during August 2021. We included individuals over 18 years of age. Independent variables included socio-demographic data of the participants and attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccination and pandemic. Our outcome variable was COVID-19 vaccination status, measured through "yes/no" answers.Most participants had been vaccinated against the COVID-19 (87.8%). Multivariate analysis identified that increased age and a higher level of education were associated with an increased likelihood of COVID-19 vaccination. Also, participants working in health services, participants without a previous COVID-19 diagnóstico, and those with previous seasonal influenza vaccination history had a greater probability to take a COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, increased self-perceived severity of COVID-19, knowledge regarding COVID-19, and trust in COVID-19 vaccines and scientists were associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake. On the other hand, the likelihood of vaccination was lower for participants who were more concerned about the side effects of COVID-19 vaccination.Understanding the factors affecting individuals' decision to take a COVID-19 vaccine is essential to improve the COVID-19 vaccination coverage rate. Policymakers and scientists should scale up their efforts to increase the COVID-19 vaccination rate among specific population groups such as young people, people with a low level of education, etc.Calcular el porcentaje de población general vacunada contra la COVID-19 e investigar los factores asociados a la aceptación de dicha vacuna.Realizamos un estudio transversal online en Grecia durante el mes de agosto de 2021, en el que incluimos a individuos mayores de 18 años de edad. Las variables independientes incluyeron los datos sociodemográficos de los participantes y las actitudes hacia la vacunación y la pandemia de COVID-19. Nuestra variable del resultado fue la situación de vacunación contra la COVID-19, medida mediante respuestas “sí/no”.La mayoría de los participantes habían sido vacunados contra la COVID-19 (87,8%). El análisis multivariante identificó que el incremento de la edad y el mayor nivel educativo estaban asociados a un aumento de la probabilidad de vacunarse contra la COVID-19. De igual modo, los participantes que trabajaban en servicios sociales, aquellos participantes sin un diagnóstico previo de COVID-19, y aquellos con historial previo de vacuna contra la gripe estacional tenían una mayor probabilidad de vacunarse contra la COVID-19. Además, el incremento de la gravedad autopercibida de la COVID-19, el conocimiento sobre la enfermedad, y la confianza en las vacunas contra la COVID-19 y en los científicos estuvieron asociados a la aceptación de la vacuna. Por otro lado, la probabilidad de vacunarse fue menor en los participantes más preocupados de los efectos secundarios de la vacuna contra la COVID-19.Comprender los factores que afectan a la decisión de los individuos sobre la vacunación contra la COVID-19 es fundamental para mejorar la tasa de cobertura de dicha vacunación. Los responsables políticos y los científicos deberán redoblar sus esfuerzos para incrementar la tasa de vacunación contra la COVID-19 entre los grupos de población específicos tales como la gente joven, las personas con un bajo nivel educativo, etc.

In many underground mines the excavated ore is produced during the blasting process. Drilling machines that are used to drill the blastholes, where later the explosives will be mounted, are crucial for this task. In order to optimize the currently used techniques, great emphasis is placed on increasing the efficiency and safety of blasthole drilling operations. The natural consequence is the development of monitoring systems and algorithms for processing operational and historical data. In this article, we present the result of the analysis of drilling data carried out as part of the IlluMINEation project. The paper proposes an algorithm for work cycle detection for drilling machines, together with the estimation of general operating parameters and diagnosing the drilling process on the basis of long-term data. Based on the available data, selected components of the drilling cycles have been indicated. Several approaches based on the parameters of the defined cycles are proposed. These approaches can be used in the future to create a full-fledged system for examining the effectiveness and safety of mining drilling rigs., {"references":["Hoseinie, S. H., Al-Chalabi, H., & Ghodrati, B. (2018). Comparison between simulation and analytical methods in reliability data analysis: A case study on face drilling rigs. Data, 3(2), 12.","Liu, H., & Karen Yin, K. (2001). Analysis and interpretation of monitored rotary blasthole drill data. International Journal of Surface Mining, Reclamation and Environment, 15(3), 177-203.","Stefaniak, P., Wodecki, J., Zimroz, R., Śliwiński, P., & Andrzejewski, M. (2016). The multivariate analysis of monitoring system data from mining drilling machine. International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference: SGEM, 2, 913-920.","Wodecki, J., Góralczyk, M., Krot, P., Ziętek, B., Szrek, J., Worsa-Kozak, M., ... & Czajkowski, A. (2020). Process Monitoring in Heavy Duty Drilling Rigs—Data Acquisition System and Cycle Identification Algorithms. Energies, 13(24), 6748.","Ziętek, B., Wodecki, J., Michalak, A., & Śliwiński, P. (2021, November). Drill bit state-oriented drilling process classification with time-series data for wheeled drilling rigs. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (Vol. 942, No. 1, p. 012010). IOP Publishing.","Góralczyk, M., Michalak, A., & Śliwiński, P. (2021, November). Drill bit deterioration estimation with the Random Forest Regressor. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (Vol. 942, No. 1, p. 012013). IOP Publishing.","Thuro, K. (1997). Drillability prediction: geological influences in hard rock drill and blast tunnelling. Geologische Rundschau, 86(2), 426-438.","Ghosh, R., Schunnesson, H., & Kumar, U. (2016). Evaluation of operating life length of rotary tricone bits using Measurement While Drilling data. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 83, 41-48.","Ataei, M., KaKaie, R., Ghavidel, M., & Saeidi, O. (2015). Drilling rate prediction of an open pit mine using the rock mass drillability index. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 73, 130-138.","Plinninger, R. J. (2008). Abrasiveness assessment for hard rock drilling. Geomechanik und Tunnelbau: Geomechanik und Tunnelbau, 1(1), 38-46.","Isheyskiy, V., & Sanchidrián, J. A. (2020). Prospects of applying MWD technology for quality management of drilling and blasting operations at mining enterprises. Minerals, 10(10), 925.","Rai, P., Schunesson, H., Lindqvist, P. A., & Kumar, U. (2015). An overview on measurement-while-drilling technique and its scope in excavation industry. Journal of the Institution of Engineers (India): Series D, 96(1), 57-66.","Ghosh, R., Gustafson, A., & Schunnesson, H. (2018). Development of a geological model for chargeability assessment of borehole using drill monitoring technique. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 109, 9-18.","Segui, J. B., & Higgins, M. (2002). Blast design using measurement while drilling parameters. Fragblast, 6(3-4), 287-299.","Rai, P., Schunnesson, H., Lindqvist, P. A., & Kumar, U. (2016). Measurement-while-drilling technique and its scope in design and prediction of rock blasting. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology, 26(4), 711-719.","Khorzoughi, M. B., & Hall, R. (2016). Processing of measurement while drilling data for rock mass characterization. International journal of mining science and technology, 26(6), 989-994.","Vezhapparambu, V. S., Eidsvik, J., & Ellefmo, S. L. (2018). Rock classification using multivariate analysis of measurement while drilling data: Towards a better sampling strategy. Minerals, 8(9), 384."]}

A recent issue in statistical analysis is modelling data when the effect variable changes at different locations. This can be difficult to accomplish when the dimensions of the covariates are very high, and when the domain of the varying coefficient functions of predictors are not necessarily regular. This research paper will investigate a method to overcome these challenges by approximating the varying coefficient functions using bivariate splines. We do this by splitting the domain of the varying coefficient functions into a number of triangles, and build the bivariate spline functions based on this triangulation. This major paper will outline detailed theoretical results of this method, and provide simulation studies to demonstrate the efficiency of this approach. Finally, to illustrate the application of this method, we analyze heart disease dataset where the given covariates are in spatially varying form.

Efforts to expand hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) in vitro are motivated by their use in the treatment of leukemias and other blood and immune system diseases. The combinations of extrinsic cues within the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) niche that lead to HSC fate decisions remain unknown. New noninvasive and location-specific techniques are needed to enable identification of the differentiation stages of individual hematopoietic cells on biomaterial microarray screening platforms that minimize the usage of rare HSCs. Here, we show that a combination of Raman microspectroscopy and partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) enables the location-specific identification of individual living cells from the six most immature hematopoietic cell populations, HSC, multipotent progenitor (MPP)-1, MPP-2, MPP-3, common myeloid progenitor, and common lymphoid progenitor. Better than 90% accuracy was achieved. We show that the accuracy of this differentiation stage identification was based on spectral features associated with cell biochemistries. This work establishes that PLS-DA can capture the subtle spectral variations between as many as six closely related cell populations in the presence of potentially significant within-population spectral variation. This noninvasive approach can be used to screen HSC fate decisions elicited by extrinsic cues within biomaterial microarray screening platforms.

International audience; One of the main challenges in cancer management relates to the discovery of reliable biomarkers, which could guide decision-making and predict treatment outcome. In particular, the rise and democratization of high-throughput molecular profiling technologies bolstered the discovery of "biomarker signatures" that could maximize the prediction performance. Such an approach was largely employed from diverse OMICs data (i.e., genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) but not from epitranscriptomics, which encompasses more than 100 biochemical modifications driving the post-transcriptional fate of RNA: stability, splicing, storage, and translation. We and others have studied chemical marks in isolation and associated them with cancer evolution, adaptation, as well as the response to conventional therapy. In this study, we have designed a unique pipeline combining multiplex analysis of the epitranscriptomic landscape by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry with statistical multivariate analysis and machine learning approaches in order to identify biomarker signatures that could guide precision medicine and improve disease diagnosis. We applied this approach to analyze a cohort of adult diffuse glioma patients and demonstrate the existence of an "epitranscriptomics-based signature" that permits glioma grades to be discriminated and predicted with unmet accuracy. This study demonstrates that epitranscriptomics (co)evolves along cancer progression and opens new prospects in the field of omics molecular profiling and personalized medicine.

lt;bgt;Background and Objective:lt;/bgt; Water quality in freshwater bodies is involved with multiple aspects such as physical, chemical and biological processes and their interactions. Due to the vulnerability of water resources, quality control of surface water is one of the key issues in environmental conservation programs. The objectives of the present work were to study the water quality in the Anzali Lagoon and to study the classification of water based on the water quality index in different parts of the Anzali Lagoon.lt;bgt;Materials and Methods:lt;/bgt; In this study, we sampled water from January to December, 2015 in the Anzali Lagoon. All physicochemical parameters were sampled and determined according to standard methods.lt;bgt;Results:lt;/bgt; The Water Quality Index results showed the Anzali Lagoon water quality had been "medium" in site 1 and "bad" in sites 2, 3 and 4. The result showed a significant difference between sit 1 and sites 2, 3 and 4 (p0.05). However, there was no significant difference between sit 2, 3 and 4 (p0.05). The result showed a clear spatial separation among parts in the Anzali Lagoon. The Eastern part of the Anzali Lagoon showed lower water quality compared to the central and western stations.lt;bgt;Conclusion:lt;/bgt; This study showed that the level of pollution was different on all of the Anzali Lagoons. The water of the Anzali Lagoon has different quality classes according to the aggregation methods employed. Nutrient loadings from the adjacent agricultural lands combined with high mean salinity values affect all organism conditions. The three primary sources of nutrients, including fertilizers used in agriculture, household waste and livestock waste, reduced the water quality of the Anzali Lagoon.

Colon cancer (CC) is one of the most common gastrointestinal malignant tumors with a high mortality rate. Glycolysis is an important pathway for tumors to obtain energy. However, its role in CC remains largely unknown. In present study, we analyzed glycolysis-related gene expression to depict clinical characteristics and its relationship with tumor immunity in CC to find potential target treatments. A prognostic model based on 13 glycolysis-related genes was established by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. The efficacy of the gene model was tested via survival analysis, receiver operating characteristic analysis, and principal component analysis. Furthermore, our findings revealed and validated 13 glycolysis-related genes (

To assess the stability of the Gross Motor Functional Classification System (GMFCS) in children with cerebral palsy (CP) from time of preliminary diagnosis (~2 years of age) to time of diagnosis (~5 years of age), and to examine factors associated with reclassification.We conducted a longitudinal study using a sample from the Canadian CP Registry. Stability was analysed by using the percentage of agreement between timepoints and a weighted prevalence and bias adjusted kappa statistic. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to identify variables associated with reclassification.The study included 1670 children (857 males, 713 females) with a mean age of 11 years 4 months (SD 4 years, range 3 years 5 months-20 years 1 month) at time of data extraction (3rd September 2019), of which 1435 (85.9%) maintained a stable GMFCS, with a weighted kappa of 0.91 (95% confidence interval 0.89-0.92). Univariate logistic regression showed that initial GMFCS level, CP subtype, and the presence of cognitive impairment were associated with the likelihood of change in the GMFCS level (p 0.1). In the multivariate analysis, however, the likelihood was associated with initial GMFCS level only (odds ratio 7.10-8.88, p 0.00).The GMFCS has good stability in early childhood. For the majority of children, it is predictive of their long-term motor function.The Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) rating in early childhood is stable over time. There is no directionality in the reclassification of the GMFCS. The initial GMFCS level was related to the likelihood of change in follow-up GMFCS level.

This study contributes to the human rights protection literature by using Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) in the analysis of 76 cases composed of European Union and African Union countries. Results indicate that the ratification of treaties, establishment of human rights institutions, and high GDP per capita in the absence of rule of law, play crucial roles in the high rate of protection of human rights in Europe. In Africa, however, the low GDP per capita and absence of rule of law significantly weaken human rights protection. The analysis reveals that the establishment of human rights institutions is essential to protect human rights in Europe, while high GDP per capita and rule of law are paramount to improving human rights protection in Africa in relation to any institutional configuration, approach, or policy.

The primary aim of this study was to develop and validate radiomics models, applied to ultrasound images, capable of differentiating from other cancers high-risk endometrial cancer, as defined jointly by the European Society for Medical Oncology, European Society of Gynaecological Oncology and European Society for RadiotherapyOncology (ESMO-ESGO-ESTRO) in 2016. The secondary aim was to develop and validate radiomics models for differentiating low-risk endometrial cancer from other endometrial cancers.This was a multicenter, retrospective, observational study. From two participating centers, we identified consecutive patients with histologically confirmed diagnosis of endometrial cancer who had undergone preoperative ultrasound examination by an experienced examiner between 2016 and 2019. Patients recruited in Center 1 (Rome) were included as the training set and patients enrolled in Center 2 (Milan) formed the external validation set. Radiomics analysis (extraction of a high number of quantitative features from medical images) was applied to the ultrasound images. Clinical (including preoperative biopsy), ultrasound and radiomics features that were statistically significantly different in the high-risk group vs the other groups and in the low-risk group vs the other groups on univariate analysis in the training set were considered for multivariate analysis and for developing ultrasound-based machine-learning risk-prediction models. For discriminating between the high-risk group and the other groups, a random forest model from the radiomics features (radiomics model), a binary logistic regression model from clinical and ultrasound features (clinical-ultrasound model) and another binary logistic regression model from clinical, ultrasound and previously selected radiomics features (mixed model) were created. Similar models were created for discriminating between the low-risk group and the other groups. The models developed in the training set were tested in the validation set. The performance of the models in discriminating between the high-risk group and the other groups, and between the low-risk group and the other risk groups for both validation and training sets was compared.The training set comprised 396 patients and the validation set 102 patients. In the validation set, for predicting high-risk endometrial cancer, the radiomics model had an area under the receiver-operating-characteristics curve (AUC) of 0.80, sensitivity of 58.7% and specificity of 85.7% (using the optimal risk cut-off of 0.41); the clinical-ultrasound model had an AUC of 0.90, sensitivity of 80.4% and specificity of 83.9% (using the optimal cut-off of 0.32); and the mixed model had an AUC of 0.88, sensitivity of 67.3% and specificity of 91.0% (using the optimal cut-off of 0.42). For the prediction of low-risk endometrial cancer, the radiomics model had an AUC of 0.71, sensitivity of 65.0% and specificity of 64.5% (using the optimal cut-off of 0.38); the clinical-ultrasound model had an AUC of 0.85, sensitivity of 70.0% and specificity of 80.6% (using the optimal cut-off of 0.46); and the mixed model had an AUC of 0.85, sensitivity of 87.5% and specificity of 72.5% (using the optimal cut-off of 0.36).Radiomics seems to have some ability to discriminate between low-risk endometrial cancer and other endometrial cancers and better ability to discriminate between high-risk endometrial cancer and other endometrial cancers. However, the addition of radiomics features to the clinical-ultrasound models did not result in any notable increase in performance. Other efficacy studies and further effectiveness studies are needed to validate the performance of the models. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Background Evidence concerning the influence gender, age, and the time elapsed from the first dislocation to surgery in the outcomes of Medial Patella Femoral Ligament (MPFL) reconstruction are lacking. This systematic review was conducted to investigate whether patient characteristics have an influence in the clinical outcomes of MPFL reconstruction for patients with patellofemoral instability. Material and methods This study followed the PRISMA guidelines. The main databases were accessed in February 2021. All the studies reporting outcomes of primary MPFL reconstruction in patients with recurrent patellofemoral instability were considered for inclusion. A multivariate analysis diagnostic tool was used to analyse the association between age, gender and time from injury to surgery and the surgical outcomes at last follow-up. Results A total of 50 articles (2037 procedures) were included. The mean follow-up was 40.90 ± 24.8 months. The mean age was 23.6 ± 3.9 years. 64.3% (1309 of 2037 patients) were female. The mean time from injury to surgery was 64.5 ± 48.9 months. Women showed no statistically significant association with the Kujala score or complications. Older patients had a reduced risk to incur re-dislocations (P = 0.01) and revisions (P = 0.01). Longer time from injury to surgery was associated with greater risk to incur re-dislocations (P = 0.01), and with lower Kujala score (P Conclusion The time span from the first patellar dislocation to the surgical reconstruction was a negative prognostic factor, while sex had no influence on surgical outcomes. The role of patients age on surgical outcomes remains unclear.

Objectives Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality in the world, and represents an economic, social and psychological burden. Scientific studies have focused on psychosocial coping mechanisms of patients and on factors improving their quality of life. Thus, the aim of the present study is to analyze the influence that spirituality would have on the quality of life of Lebanese cancer patients and to identify whether the influence on quality of life is mediated through a decreased depression. Methods This is a cross-sectional study targeting cancer patients in the hemato-oncology department of the Hotel-Dieu de France Hospital (Beirut, Lebanon). It is based on a questionnaire composed of three parts: EQ-5D-5L, PHQ-9, and FACIT-Sp-12. Likewise, a control group suffering from chronic diseases and treated in the hospital was questioned. Univariate and multivariate analysis were conducted to assess the relationship between the different questionnaires for controls and for cancer patients. Results Thirty-nine cancer patients and eight control patients were questioned. In the univariate analysis, there was no relationship between depression and spirituality nor for spirituality and quality of life. After controlling for depression, an inverse correlation between quality of life and spirituality was shown. Conclusions Our study is a pilot study which for the first time investigates the implication of depression in a “spirituality-quality of life” association. There is no clear association of spirituality with quality of life. In fact, the physical and psychological burden of chronically ill patients could exceed and render insignificant a possible impact of spirituality on quality of life.

Maize is importance in the semiarid region due to its forage potential. However, the large number of hybrids on the market hampers the selection of the hybrid by the producer. Given the above, the objective of this paper is to identify genotypes with productive potential for forage and grain production according to the characteristics of the semiarid region of Brazil. Twenty genotypes with different genotypic classes were evaluated in two years (2018 and 2019) in the municipality of Gracho Cardoso, state of Sergipe. The experiments were carried out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), with two replicates. Genotype characteristics, grain yield, and forage mass were evaluated and the results were estimated using mixed models and GT Biplots. The genotypic classes consisting of topcrosses and intervarietal hybrids showed high average grain yield and the three classes produced equally on average for forage mass. It was observed that the HI, HTC, and V genotypic classes were the most responsive for grain yield, forage mass, and dry matter content, respectively. Therefore, it is concluded that the genetically broad-based hybrids (HTC and HI) were the most promising for the semiarid of region of Sergipe, while interspecific hybrids were the most productive and stable.

Background: Phenytoin is the most commonly reported aromatic Anti-Epileptic Drug (AED) to cause Cutaneous Adverse Drug Reactions (CADRs). Cutaneous adverse drug reactions may be immune or non-immune mediated. It has been observed that predisposition is multifactorial and that gene mutations alone cannot be the cause. Objectives: In this study, we investigated the patient, disease, and drug-related risk factors associated with phenytoin-induced cutaneous adverse drug reactions in South Indian epileptic patients. Methods: This study was conducted as a single-center prospective case-control study over a period of 13 months. The Fisher’s exact test and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis were used to test the association of single and multiple variables, respectively. Results: This study comprised 26 patients with phenytoin-induced cutaneous adverse drug reactions (PHT-CARDs) and 32 phenytoin-tolerant controls with a mean age of 40.60±18.15 and 36.21±14.71 years, respectively. Among 26 phenytoin-induced cutaneous adverse drug reactions, 76.92% cases were mild-moderate reactions and 23.07% were severe. The onset latency period of these reactions ranged from 7-42 days. The multivariate analysis showed that multiple AEDs (OR =18.62, 95% CI 4.28-80.87, p=< .001) and comorbidities (OR= 5.98, 95% CI 1.33-26.78, p=.01) are risk factors for PHT-CADRs. PHT-SCARs were shown to be associated with previous allergy history (OR= 31, % CI 2.40-398.8, p=.008). Conclusion: The risk factors found to be associated with CARDs in South Indian Epileptic patients are multiple AEDs, comorbidities, and past allergic history. Therefore, physicians and other associated health care professionals should closely monitor the patients when phenytoin is employed.

Up to a third of children undergoing partial hepatectomy for primary hepatic malignancies experience at least one perioperative complication, with a presumed deleterious effect on both short- and long-term outcomes. We implemented a multidisciplinary treatment protocol in the management of these patients in order to improve complication rates following partial hepatectomy.A retrospective chart review was completed for all patients 18 years of age who underwent liver resection at our institution between 2002 and 2019 for primary hepatic cancer. Demographic, intraoperative, postoperative, pathologic, and outcome data were analyzed for perioperative complications using the CLASSIC and Clavien-Dindo (CD) scales, event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS).A total of 73 patients were included in the analysis with 33 prior-to and 40 after dedicated provider protocol implementation. Perioperative complication rates decreased from 52% to 20% (p = 0.005) with major complications going from 18% to 10% (p = 0.31). On multivariable logistic regression, protocol implementation was associated with a reduction in any (OR 0.29 [95% CI 0.09 - 0.89]) but not major complications. On multivariate cox models, post protocol implementation was associated with improved event free survival (EFS) (HR 0.19 (0.036 - 0.195). Among patients with a diagnosis of hepatoblastoma (n = 62), the occurrence of a major perioperative complication was associated with a worse EFS (HR=5.45, p = 0.03) on multivariate analysis, however this did not translate into an impact on overall survival.Our results demonstrate that, for children with primary liver malignancies, a dedication of patients to high-volume surgeons can improve rates of complications of liver resections and may improve the oncological outcome of hepatoblastoma.

The construction of a harmonious society requires college students to coordinate their ideological, political, and moral qualities with social development and the needs of the times. Through the investigation and analysis of the ideological, political, and moral qualities of college students, on the one hand, we can see that the ideological, political, and moral qualities of college students are generally positive and healthy. On the other hand, it also exposes the outstanding problems in the ideological and political aspects of college students and the shortcomings of the ideological and political work in colleges and universities. This paper analyzes the dynamic changes of college students’ ideological and political changes and further studies the relationship between various indicators and students’ ideological and moral qualities through multiple linear regression analysis.

Previous studies that describe the negative association between temporary deferrals and donor return rates commonly come from settings where mechanisms are in place to win back lapsing donors. There is little evidence on the size and prevalence of this negative association in settings with no such retention activities.We use data from more than 2 million donation attempts made at a blood collection agency in Brazil over a 26-year period. We describe the distribution of deferrals across donor demographic and behavioral characteristics, and estimate multivariate survival analysis models with matched samples to measure the impact of deferrals on return rates. We control for sex, race, age, education, donation type, number of previous attempts, previous donations, and previous deferrals. We test for heterogeneous effects in interaction models with selected donor demographic and behavioral characteristics.Temporary deferrals were associated with a 50% decrease in the likelihood of return. Although the effect was observed for all population subgroups and across the full length of the dataset, it varied in magnitude. The influence of deferrals was more negative among older donors and those reporting replacement motives, and less negative among more educated donors and those with a previous donation.We found that temporary deferrals meaningfully harm donor careers in a setting where specific retention activities are absent. Although the effects are widespread across the population and persistent in time, there are also heterogeneities, which must be considered when designing interventions targeted at wining-back specific groups of deferred donors.