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This paper investigates the low-carbon city policy on urban environmental pollution and commercial health insurance (CHI) by PSM-DID and DDD methods. The study finds that (1) low-carbon city policy reduces CHI significantly. (2) The mechanism analysis shows that the low-carbon city policy reduces CHI by mitigating environmental pollution in the pilot cities. Further analysis finds that the policy is effective in Tier 1 and 2 cities rather than Tier 3–5 cities. (3) In the heterogeneity analysis, this paper finds that this policy has the most significant disincentive effect on urban CHI density in cities with higher CHI and more serious environmental pollution. This paper, on the one hand, expands upon the extant research on the economic implications of low-carbon urban development from the perspective of environmental pollution, and on the other, furnishes novel evidence on how policy incentives shape the demand for insurance products in response to environmental changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study explores how having pets influences Chinese university students' attitudes and willingness to buy animal welfare certified products. It finds that students from households with pets are more empathetic toward animals and show a greater willingness to support animal welfare certified products, even if it means paying a premium. The research highlights the important role of pet ownership in shaping ethical attitudes toward animals and suggests that this background could be valuable for promoting animal welfare more broadly across society. Additionally, the study emphasizes that policies, businesses, and education should work together to raise awareness about animal welfare and encourage ethical consumption. As global awareness of animal welfare continues to rise, it has become essential to understand the factors that shape individual attitudes and consumption behaviors related to animal welfare. This study empirically investigates how pet ownership influences attitudes towards animal welfare and related consumption intentions among Chinese university students. Findings demonstrate that students from pet-owning households exhibit significantly more favorable attitudes and behaviors concerning animal empathy, awareness of animal welfare, willingness to purchase animal welfare certified products, and the willingness to pay a premium for animal welfare labels. Pet ownership fosters emotional resonance, enhancing empathy and perceptions regarding animal welfare, and influences preferences for animal welfare certified products through simulated consumer choices. By applying propensity score matching (PSM) to mitigate endogeneity concerns, this research advances theoretical discussions surrounding animal welfare attitudes and consumption behaviors. Looking ahead, the promotion of animal welfare should involve coordinated efforts across educational institutions, policy frameworks, and market mechanisms to cultivate a broader understanding and adoption of animal welfare principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Scottish Inflammatory Prognostic Score (SIPS), an innovative scoring system, has emerged as a promising biomarker for predicting patient outcomes following cancer therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the value of SIPS as a prognostic indicator following hepatectomy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: This retrospective study included 693 HCC patients who underwent hepatectomy. Survival outcomes were compared between propensity score-matched groups. Independent prognostic factors were identified through Cox regression analysis. Additionally, both traditional Cox proportional hazards models and machine learning models based on the SIPS were developed and validated. Results: A total of 693 HCC patients who underwent hepatectomy were included, with 102 in the high SIPS group and 591 in the low SIPS group. Following propensity score matching (1:3 ratio), both groups achieved balance, with 82 patients in the high SIPS group and 240 patients in the low SIPS group. The low SIPS group demonstrated significantly superior recurrence-free survival (RFS) (25 months vs. 21 months; P < 0.001) and overall survival (OS) (69 months vs. 58 months; P < 0.001) compared to the high SIPS group. Multivariable analysis identified SIPS as an independent adverse factor affecting both RFS and OS. The calibration curve for overall patient survival diagnosis displayed excellent predictive accuracy. Traditional COX prognostic models and machine learning models incorporating SIPS demonstrated excellent performance both the training and validation set. Conclusion: This study confirms the prognostic significance of SIPS in post-hepatectomy HCC patients, providing a practical tool for risk stratification and clinical decision-making. Further research and validation are needed to consolidate its role in prognostic assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common issue among adult males. The Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index (CDAI) reflects anti-inflammatory levels and has been linked to various diseases, but its relationship with ED is unclear. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study utilised comprehensive data on clinical factors from the 2001–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). To investigate the link between variables and ED, we used multivariate regression analysis, univariate analysis, and subgroup analysis. The linear relationship between CDAI and ED was investigated by dose-response curve analysis. For sensitivity analysis, propensity score matching (PSM) was utilised to exclude the influence of potential confounders. Finally, we investigated the association between CDAI and ED using threshold effects analysis. Results: We included in our research a total of 2896 persons with data on CDAI from NHANES 2001–2004. Among these, 2,098 participants were thought to be free of ED, whereas 798 participants had ED. We found that compared to the ED group, men in the non-ED group had higher levels of CDAI (p < 0.0001 before PSM and p = 0.0145 after PSM). Additionally, after adjusting for covariates, it was found that an elevated CDAI was associated with a reduced incidence of ED [OR = 0.65(p = 0.001) before PSM and OR = 0.62(p = 0.002) after PSM]. Subgroup analysis indicated stronger associations in high-risk groups, and dose-response curves confirmed a linear negative correlation between CDAI and ED. Conclusions: This study revealed a negative linear relationship between CDAI and the incidence of ED. The CDAI can be used as an indicator for assessing ED risk and for ED prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) with radiotherapy (RT) alone for elderly patients (≥ 65 years) with stage IV inoperable head and neck cancer (IV-HNC). Methods: Elderly patients diagnosed with inoperable IV-HNC from 2010 to 2015 were identified using the SEER database. Then, we performed a 1:1 propensity-score matched (PSM) analysis to reduce treatment selection bias, and the prognostic role of CRT was investigated using Kaplan-Meier analysis, log-rank test, and Cox proportional hazard models. The main outcome was overall survival (OS), and the secondary outcome was cancer-specific survival (CSS). Results: A total of 3318 patients were enrolled, of whom 601 received RT alone and 2717 received CRT. Through PSM, 526 patients were successfully matched, and balances between the two treatment groups were reached. In the matched dataset, multivariable Cox analysis revealed that CRT was associated with better OS (HR = 0.580, P < 0.001) and CSS (HR = 0.586, P < 0.001). Meanwhile, subgroups of patients with IV-HNC (younger age, male sex, being married, black race, grade I-II, oral cavity site, T3-T4 stage, N0-N1 stage, M1 stage) were inclined to benefit more from CRT treatment. Furthermore, the survival benefit of CRT was more pronounced in patients aged 65 to 80 years, but was absent in patients aged 80 years or older. Conclusions: This study indicated that CRT resulted in better survival than RT alone in elderly patients with inoperable IV-HNC, especially for those subpopulations that benefit more from CRT treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper is an essential trace element obtained from food. There is a paucity of observational or prospective studies that have investigated the relationship between copper and melanoma risk. Copper serves as a cofactor for pivotal enzymes involved in mitochondrial respiration, antioxidant defense, and neurotransmitter synthesis. Undoubtedly, copper plays an indispensable role in the initiation and progression of tumors, particularly melanoma; however, further investigations are warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms linking copper and melanoma risk. Given the availability of dietary copper and serum copper data in the NHANES database, we conducted an investigation into the association between dietary copper intake and serum copper levels with melanoma risk. We enrolled 26,401 individuals with dietary copper data in the 2007–2018 NHANES database. To mitigate confounding variables, a propensity score matching (PSM) was performed. To assess the association between dietary copper intake and melanoma risk, we employed a multivariate logistic regression analysis before and after PSM. The restricted cubic spline analysis was utilized to determine whether there is a non-linear relationship between dietary copper intake and melanoma risk, with subgroup analysis conducted to determine beneficiaries. Then, those with blood copper data from the enrolled population with dietary copper intake were screened out, and subsequently, multivariate logistic regression models were subsequently constructed to investigate the association between serum copper levels and melanoma risk after PSM. Mendelian analysis was further utilized to validate the results of the NHANES database using serum copper as the exposure factor and melanoma as the outcome variable. The study found that melanoma risk was associated with dietary copper intake before and after PSM, demonstrated by multiple logistic regression. The relationship between dietary copper intake and melanoma risk was non-linear, with a reduced risk observed above approximately 2.5 mg/day, as shown by the RCS. The evidence suggests that an increased intake of copper is linked to a decreased risk of melanoma. To clarify the mechanism behind the increased risk of melanoma due to higher dietary copper intake, we analyzed the population data from the NHANES database on serum copper and dietary copper intake. Our results indicated that there is no causal relationship between serum copper and melanoma risk. Mendelian randomization analysis of multi-database data sources confirmed the conclusion of the NHANES database analysis. Dietary copper is a protective factor against melanoma, and serum copper or blood copper is not associated with melanoma risk. This suggests that serum or blood copper is not responsible for the protective effect of dietary copper intake on melanoma risk, and the mechanisms need to be further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In locally advanced, operable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy (nICT) has shown results that are somewhat comparable to those of standard neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT). The impact of these neoadjuvant treatments on survival outcomes, however, has yet to be elucidated. Methods: This study included 489 patients with locally advanced ESCC who underwent surgery at Sichuan Cancer Hospital after receiving neoadjuvant treatment between June 2017 and September 2023. Patients were categorized into nCRT and nICT groups based on whether they received neoadjuvant treatment. To mitigate potential biases and balance covariates between the two cohorts, 1:2 propensity score matching (PSM) was conducted using a caliper width of 0.05. Results: After PSM, the baseline characteristics of the 360 patients remained balanced between the two groups. The findings indicated a superior pathological response in the nCRT group, as evidenced by significantly greater rates of complete response (32.87% vs 14.58%, P < 0.001) and favorable tumor regression grade (TRG), as well as reduced ypT stages and less perineural and angioinvasion, despite comparable ypN stages. Despite the improvement in complete pathological response (pCR) in the nCRT group, the 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates did not significantly differ between the groups (DFS: 58.32% vs 56.16%, P = 0.67; OS: 69.96% vs 71.99%, P = 0.99). Crucially, The nICT group showed a lower incidence of grade 3 and 4 adverse events in Leukopenia (2.8% vs 29%; P < 0.001) and Neutropenia (2.8% vs 24%; P < 0.001) during neoadjuvant treatment, comparing with nCRT group. Conclusions: Our preliminary findings suggest that nICT followed by surgery offers comparable survival rates to nCRT, despite being less effective in pathologic outcomes. Nonetheless, nICT is a safe and feasible strategy for locally advanced ESCC, warranting further exploration to understand its impact on long-term survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyze the textual management discussion and analysis (MD&A) information of Japanese firms that voluntarily adopted International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and disclosed information in the Japanese language. We conduct a difference-in-differences analysis of firms that voluntarily adopted IFRS and those that continue to use Japanese generally accepted accounting principles. We find that the voluntary adoption of IFRS decreases the textual length but does not change the difficulty of MD&A information. The results indicate that IFRS adoption decreases the level of MD&A disclosure. However, the decrease in textual length is not observed after the 2018 MD&A regulation changes. This suggests that the negative effect of IFRS adoption is offset by the positive effect of the regulation change. This study is unlike previous research as it contributes to international accounting literature by analyzing financial reporting in a non-English language, viz. Japanese, which is, technically, a very difficult language. Data Availability: All financial data and some textual data used in this study are available from commercial providers (NEEDS–FinancialQUEST2.0, NEEDS–MT Executive (Yakuin), and eol), and the other textual data are available from a governmental public source (EDINET). JEL Classifications: M41; M48; G14. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The Scottish Inflammatory Prognostic Score (SIPS), an innovative scoring system, has emerged as a promising biomarker for predicting patient outcomes following cancer therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the value of SIPS as a prognostic indicator following hepatectomy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods This retrospective study included 693 HCC patients who underwent hepatectomy. Survival outcomes were compared between propensity score-matched groups. Independent prognostic factors were identified through Cox regression analysis. Additionally, both traditional Cox proportional hazards models and machine learning models based on the SIPS were developed and validated. Results A total of 693 HCC patients who underwent hepatectomy were included, with 102 in the high SIPS group and 591 in the low SIPS group. Following propensity score matching (1:3 ratio), both groups achieved balance, with 82 patients in the high SIPS group and 240 patients in the low SIPS group. The low SIPS group demonstrated significantly superior recurrence-free survival (RFS) (25 months vs. 21 months; P

Abstract Background Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common issue among adult males. The Composite Dietary Antioxidant Index (CDAI) reflects anti-inflammatory levels and has been linked to various diseases, but its relationship with ED is unclear. Materials and methods This cross-sectional study utilised comprehensive data on clinical factors from the 2001–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). To investigate the link between variables and ED, we used multivariate regression analysis, univariate analysis, and subgroup analysis. The linear relationship between CDAI and ED was investigated by dose-response curve analysis. For sensitivity analysis, propensity score matching (PSM) was utilised to exclude the influence of potential confounders. Finally, we investigated the association between CDAI and ED using threshold effects analysis. Results We included in our research a total of 2896 persons with data on CDAI from NHANES 2001–2004. Among these, 2,098 participants were thought to be free of ED, whereas 798 participants had ED. We found that compared to the ED group, men in the non-ED group had higher levels of CDAI (p

Abstract Background In locally advanced, operable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy (nICT) has shown results that are somewhat comparable to those of standard neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT). The impact of these neoadjuvant treatments on survival outcomes, however, has yet to be elucidated. Methods This study included 489 patients with locally advanced ESCC who underwent surgery at Sichuan Cancer Hospital after receiving neoadjuvant treatment between June 2017 and September 2023. Patients were categorized into nCRT and nICT groups based on whether they received neoadjuvant treatment. To mitigate potential biases and balance covariates between the two cohorts, 1:2 propensity score matching (PSM) was conducted using a caliper width of 0.05. Results After PSM, the baseline characteristics of the 360 patients remained balanced between the two groups. The findings indicated a superior pathological response in the nCRT group, as evidenced by significantly greater rates of complete response (32.87% vs 14.58%, P

Abstract Objective The brachytherapy (BT) and radical prostatectomy (RP) are two methods recommended in current guidelines for the treatment of localized prostate cancer (PCa). It is difficult to compare the oncological results of these two treatments because of differences in baseline characteristics and treatment selection.we sought to compare the efficacy of BT and RP after propensity score matching(PSM)analysis. Methods Between January 2009 and December 2021, our institution treated 657 patients with localized PCa (BT: n = 198; RP: n = 459)and followed up for > 2 years. Biochemical recurrence was defined as prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels of nadir plus 2 ng/ml or higher (Phoenix definition) for BT, and as PSA0.2 ng/ml or greater for RP. PSM was applied based on the age, body mass index, PSA, prostate volume, clinical T-stage, Gleason grade, percentage of positive puncture needles ≥ 1/2, maximum tumor diameter ≥ 5 mm, and follow-up period. Results Median follow-up was 63 months for BT and 52 months for RP. After propensity score adjustment, a total of 294 (147 each) patients remained for further analysis.Kaplan–Meier curves showed no statistically significant difference in clinical relapse-free survivals (cRFS) (p = 0.637),overall survival (OS) (p = 0.726),and cancer-specific survival (CSS) (p = 0.505).BT was associated with improved biochemical relapse-free survivals (bRFS) compared to RP (p = 0.022), Logistic multivariate analysis based on the whole cohort revealed that clinical T stage ≥ T2b (p = 0.043) and tumor maximum diameter ≥ 5 mm (p = 0.044) were associated with significantly bRFS. Conclusion The BT and RP group patients exhibited similar cRFS, OS, and CSS. However, patients in the BT groups exhibited better bRFS than those in the RP group.Clinical T stage ≥ T2b and a maximum tumor diameter ≥ 5 mm were independent prognostic factors.

Objective: The brachytherapy (BT) and radical prostatectomy (RP) are two methods recommended in current guidelines for the treatment of localized prostate cancer (PCa). It is difficult to compare the oncological results of these two treatments because of differences in baseline characteristics and treatment selection.we sought to compare the efficacy of BT and RP after propensity score matching(PSM)analysis. Methods: Between January 2009 and December 2021, our institution treated 657 patients with localized PCa (BT: n = 198; RP: n = 459)and followed up for > 2 years. Biochemical recurrence was defined as prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels of nadir plus 2 ng/ml or higher (Phoenix definition) for BT, and as PSA0.2 ng/ml or greater for RP. PSM was applied based on the age, body mass index, PSA, prostate volume, clinical T-stage, Gleason grade, percentage of positive puncture needles ≥ 1/2, maximum tumor diameter ≥ 5 mm, and follow-up period. Results: Median follow-up was 63 months for BT and 52 months for RP. After propensity score adjustment, a total of 294 (147 each) patients remained for further analysis.Kaplan–Meier curves showed no statistically significant difference in clinical relapse-free survivals (cRFS) (p = 0.637),overall survival (OS) (p = 0.726),and cancer-specific survival (CSS) (p = 0.505).BT was associated with improved biochemical relapse-free survivals (bRFS) compared to RP (p = 0.022), Logistic multivariate analysis based on the whole cohort revealed that clinical T stage ≥ T2b (p = 0.043) and tumor maximum diameter ≥ 5 mm (p = 0.044) were associated with significantly bRFS. Conclusion: The BT and RP group patients exhibited similar cRFS, OS, and CSS. However, patients in the BT groups exhibited better bRFS than those in the RP group.Clinical T stage ≥ T2b and a maximum tumor diameter ≥ 5 mm were independent prognostic factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The necessity and therapeutic value of lymph node dissection (LND) in early stage T1 MTC patients remain controversial. Methods: Patients with T1MTC were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Poisson regression analysis was utilized to investigate promotive factors for lymph node metastasis in T1MTC patients. Fisher's exact test was employed to calculate baseline differences between non-LND and LND groups. Propensity score match (PSM) was used to control baseline bias. Survival outcomes were calculated by KaplanMeier method and log-rank test. Multivariable Cox regression assessed the prognostic impact of LND across subgroups. Results: Of 3298 MTC cases, 50.4% were T1MTC. The lymph node metastasis rate increased along with the T stage (from 22.2% to 90.5%). Among 1231 T1MTC patients included after exclusion criteria, 72.0% underwent LND and 22.0% had lymph node metastasis. Patients aged younger than 44 years (RR=1.700, p<0.001), male (RR=1.832, p<0.001), and with tumor larger than 10mm (RR=2.361, p<0.001) were more likely to have lymph node metastasis, while elderly patients (p<0.001) and those with microcarcinoma (p<0.001) were more likely to undergo non-LND procedures. LND provided no OS or DSS benefit over non-LND before and after propensity score match (matched 10-year OS/DSS: LND 83.8/96.2% vs non-LND 81.9/99.3%, p>0.05). Subgroup analyses revealed no prognostic gain with LND in any subgroup (p>0.05). Conclusion: Nearly half of MTC patients were diagnosed at T1 stage and had low lymph node risk. Different from ATA guidelines, avoiding routine LND conferred similar prognosis to standard procedures while potentially improving quality of life. Large-scale prospective multi-center studies should be conducted to further validate these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidence concerning long-term outcome of robotic liver resection (RLR) and laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients is scarce. Methods: This study enrolled all patients who underwent RLR and LLR for resectable HCC between July 2016 and July 2021. Propensity score matching (PSM) was employed to create a 1:3 match between the RLR and LLR groups. A comprehensive collection and analysis of patient data regarding efficacy and safety have been conducted, along with the evaluation of the learning curve for RLR. Results: Following PSM, a total of 341 patients were included, with 97 in the RLR group and 244 in the LLR group. RLR group demonstrated a significantly longer operative time (median [IQR], 210 [152.0–298.0] min vs. 183.5 [132.3–263.5] min; p = 0.04), with no significant differences in other perioperative and short-term postoperative outcomes. Overall survival (OS) was similar between the two groups (p = 0.43), but RLR group exhibited improved recurrence-free survival (RFS) (median of 65 months vs. 56 months, p = 0.006). The estimated 5-year OS for RLR and LLR were 74.8% (95% CI: 65.4–85.6%) and 80.7% (95% CI: 74.0–88.1%), respectively. The estimated 5-year RFS for RLR and LLR were 58.6% (95% CI: 48.6–70.6%) and 38.3% (95% CI: 26.4–55.9%), respectively. In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, RLR (HR: 0.586, 95% CI (0.393–0.874), p = 0.008) emerged as an independent predictor of reducing recurrence rates and enhanced RFS. The operative learning curve indicates that approximately after the 11th case, the learning curve of RLR stabilized and entered a proficient phase. Conclusions: OS was comparable between RLR and LLR, and while RFS was improved in the RLR group. RLR demonstrates oncological effectiveness and safety for resectable HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to test the "double-edged sword" effect of hosting major sporting events. This paper took 18 major sports events held in China from 2007 to 2021 as subjects of quasi-natural experiment, and adopted a Propensity Score Matching - Differences in Differences (PSM-DID) method to study the influence of hosting these events on the performance of listed companies in host place based on the panel data of these companies from 2010 to 2021, thereby figuring out the "double-edged sword" effect of hosting major sports events. Our research findings suggest that, hosting major sports events is significantly negatively correlated with the performance of listed companies in host place, and such correlation has passed multiple robustness tests; heterogeneous analysis shows that, hosting major sports events has a negative influence on the performance of state-owned companies and a slight positive influence on the performance of private-owned companies; in terms of companies engaging in different industries, the influence on the performance of listed companies in tourism, real estate, and industry is significantly negative; overall speaking, regardless of internationallevel or national-level events, hosting such events will pull down the performance of listed companies; in loss-reporting companies, such negative influence on their performance will be amplified, which might worsen their situations further. Therefore, the host place should allocate resources reasonably and effectively and give full play to the role of major sports events in promoting the development of its industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Shallots are a commodity that is exceptionally strategic and economical regarding farming profits. One way that farmers can increase production results is by adopting technology, such as using superior seeds. Purpose: This research aims to describe the implementation of the SOP for SS Sakato red onion farming, identify factors that influence farmers using superior SS Sakato seeds, and analyze differences in performance between shallot farmers who use SS Sakato seeds and Non SS Sakato seeds. Design/methodology/approach: The methods used are qualitative and quantitative analysis, logit regression analysis, and propensity score matching (PSM) analysis. Findings/Result: The results show that the SOP adoption rate for shallots is 82%, with the highest SOP adoption being plant maintenance and the lowest SOP adoption rate determining when to plant. Factors significantly influencing farmers' decisions to use superior SS Sakato seeds in Sungai Nanam are farmer education, farmer income, access to production facilities, agricultural extension, land area, and seed resistance to pests and diseases. The use of superior SS Sakato seeds significantly positively impacts shallot production and farmer profit in shallot farming. The use of superior SS Sakato seeds can increase the income of shallot farmers even though the costs of farming are higher. The use of superior seeds should be able to reduce the costs that farmers have to pay, but in this study, the costs incurred by farmers remained high. Conclusion: Increasing the productivity of shallots can be achieved by using quality seeds, using shallot varieties that are highly productive, adaptive, and resistant to pests and diseases, and improving cultivation techniques according to SOP. Farmers who use superior SS Sakato seeds should comply with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to maximize shallot production. With an emphasis on increasing production, there should be support for farmers from seed breeding institutions to innovate in order to be able to provide superior seeds, support from technology-producing institutions, and support from extension services both from the government and the private sector. Originality/value (State of the art): This study describes that the use of superior seeds will impact the production and productivity of shallots, costs incurred by farmers, and farmer profits. Technology is an essential factor in influencing the production function; utilizing technology will have implications for increasing efficiency. Superior seeds are a technology that can have a long-term impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The World Health Organization (WHO) published the Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) framework to help healthcare providers cope with the population aging crisis. However, the relevant evidence on the demands of older people and the compensatory capacity of the environment is limited. This study reports for the first time the level of the ICOPE demand in Western China that includes the impact of geographic accessibility of medical resources (GAMR) on ICOPE demand and the potential mechanism of health status. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among 1200 adults aged 60 years and older selected through multi-stage stratified cluster sampling to obtain relevant data, including ICOPE demand, health status, and GAMR. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to analyze the impact of GAMR on ICOPE demand among older people and those with different health statuses. Results Among the prospective research participants, 1043 were eligible for the study. The mean score of ICOPE demand among all participants was 3.68 (standard deviation [SD] = 0.78). After adjusting for covariates between high and low GAMR groups (1:1 match), ICOPE demand was significantly higher in the low GAMR group than in the high GAMR group (average treatment effect on the treated [ATT] = 0.270, p

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of intravenous anesthetic drugs on fertilization rate in subjects receiving oocyte retrieval by assisted reproduction technology (ART). Methods A retrospective cohort study was designed. The clinical information of subjects who received oocyte retrieval procedure was collected. The subjects were divided into two groups based on the type of anesthesia used: the no-anesthesia group and the intravenous anesthesia group. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted. Fertilization rate was compared between the two groups before and after PSM. Results A total of 765 subjects were divided into two groups: the no-anesthesia group (n = 482) and the intravenous anesthesia group (n = 283). According to propensity scores, 258 pairs of subjects were well matched, and the baseline data between the two groups were not significantly different (P > 0.05). Fertilization rate was 77% in the intravenous anesthesia group, and 76% in the no-anesthesia group, without significant between-group difference (P = 0.685). Before matching, Poisson regression analysis showed no effect of intravenous anesthetic drugs on fertilization rate (RR = 0.859, 95%CI: 0.59 to 1.25, P = 0.422). After matching, no difference was found either (RR = 0.935, 95%CI: 0.67 to 1.29, P = 0.618). Conclusion Intravenous anesthetic drugs may exert no effects on fertilization rate in subjects receiving ART.

Background: Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is associated with high case fatality and significant healthcare costs. Recent studies emphasize the critical role of nutritional status in affecting outcomes in neurological disorders. This study investigates the relationship between the Prognostic Nutrition Index (PNI) and in-hospital complications and case fatality among patients with ICH. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed using data from the Changhua Christian Hospital Clinical Research Database between January 2015 and December 2022. Patients under 20 or over 100 years of age or with incomplete medical data were excluded. We utilized restricted cubic spline models, Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, and ROC analysis to assess the association between PNI and clinical outcomes. Propensity score matching analysis was performed to balance these clinical variables between groups. Results: In this study, 2402 patients with spontaneous ICH were assessed using the median PNI value of 42.77. The cohort was evenly divided between low and high PNI groups, predominantly male (59.1%), with an average age of 64 years. Patients with lower PNI scores at admission had higher in-hospital complications and increased 28- and 90-day case fatality rates. Conclusions: Our study suggests that PNI could serve as a valuable marker for predicting medical complications and case fatality in patients with spontaneous ICH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficacy of surgical intervention in ameliorating long-term prognosis for moderate volume of cerebral hemorrhage in the thalamus-internal capsule region remains unsubstantiated by clinical investigations. Consequently, the acquisition of credible evidence is imperative to authenticate the effectiveness of these methodologies. One hundred and three eligible patients with moderate-volume thalamus-internal capsule region cerebral hemorrhage. Twenty-seven pairs of successful matches after using the 1:1 propensity score matching method, totaling 54 patients, were analyzed. The short- and long-term treatment outcomes of patients in the stereotactic surgery and conservative treatment groups were compared. The prognosis of the 2 groups of patients was analyzed by logistic regression analysis and model comparison. The primary outcome of this study was to assess the assessment of daily living scores after 6 months of treatment. Based on the analysis of this study, the assessment of daily living of the surgical group were significantly higher than those of the conservative treatment group after 6 months of treatment (P < 0.001), and the difference was statistically significant. The amount of residual hematoma was significantly lower in the stereotactic surgery group than in the conservative treatment group at 3 days, 7 days, and 2 weeks after the onset of the disease (P < 0.001), and the complication rate was lower than the conservative treatment group (P < 0.05). Univariate logistic regression showed that the risk of severe neurological dysfunction for patients in the surgery group was (odds ratio -0.27, 95% confidence interval: 0.08–0.86, P < 0.05). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio was 0.29 (95% confidence interval: 0.09–0.96, P < 0.05) after adjusting for all covariates. For moderate-volume thalamus-internal capsule region cerebral hemorrhage, stereotactic paracentesis has the advantage of a shorter hospital stay and a lower complication rate than conservative treatment. Moreover, it yields superior outcomes in terms of daily living assessment scores after six months of treatment and enhanced neurological recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the survey data of 4,739 infants and young children (IYC) under 3 years old, the study uses the propensity score matching (PSM) method to examine the role of family migration in infant and young child development (IYCD). The study finds that the development of migrant IYC is significantly behind that of non-migrant IYC in the realworld situation. After controlling for confounders at the individual and family levels, there is no significant statistical difference in early development between migrant IYC and non-migrant IYC. Moreover, family migration does not play a significant role in IYCD in different subgroups after PSM. To protect the rights of migrant families and IYC in accessing public services, the Chinese government should build a social security policy system for migrant families and ensure starting point fairness for migrant IYC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The incidence of perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PND) is high, especially after cardiac surgeries, and the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we conducted a prospective observational study to observe serum proteomics differences in PND patients after cardiac valve replacement surgery. Methods: Two hundred and twenty-six patients who underwent cardiac valve surgery were included. They were categorized based on scoring into non-PND group (group non-P) and PND group (group P'). The risk factors associated with PND were analyzed. These patients were further divided into group C and group P by propensity score matching (PSM) to investigate the serum proteome related to the PND by serum proteomics. Results: The postoperative 6-week incidence of PND was 16.8%. Risk factors for PND include age, chronic illness, sufentanil dosage, and time of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Proteomics identified 31 down-regulated proteins and six up-regulated proteins. Finally, GSTO1, IDH1, CAT, and PFN1 were found to be associated with PND. Conclusion: The occurrence of PND can impact some oxidative stress proteins. This study provided data for future studies about PND to general anaesthesia and surgeries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small-scale aquaculture is a major source of food in Myanmar. Beyond its importance for food security and nutrition, small-scale aquaculture contributes to the livelihoods of many rural households and is a potentially valuable strategy for rural development. However, small-scale aquaculture producers have limited access to improved production technologies and information, which hampers the productivity and socioeconomic performance of small-scale aquaculture systems. In this study we assessed the impact of the adoption of better management practices and exposure to nutrition-sensitive training by 379 small-scale aquaculture producers in the Sagaing and Shan regions of Myanmar. We focused on whether and how the exposure to these interventions affected household food security through improvements in productivity and livelihoods. We used Propensity Score Matching to compare the performance of groups that were exposed to the intervention for one or two years, for seven impact variables. Exposure to the intervention had a positive effect for most impact variables, with differentiated effects among variables, group comparisons and regions. In terms of food security, beneficiaries had significantly higher dietary diversity (measured as the Food Consumption Score, FCS), but there were no significant differences for fish self-consumption (measured in kg/week). Longer exposure to the interventions produced significantly higher positive effects across most impact variables for the 2-year beneficiaries compared to 1-year beneficiaries and control groups. Our study suggests that the length of exposure to such interventions can be important in mediating the actual impact of small-scale aquaculture systems on household food security and livelihoods. Sustained help to small-scale producers should be considered in initiatives and development projects seeking to enhance the food security and rural development of small-scale aquaculture systems in Myanmar, and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) published the Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) framework to help healthcare providers cope with the population aging crisis. However, the relevant evidence on the demands of older people and the compensatory capacity of the environment is limited. This study reports for the first time the level of the ICOPE demand in Western China that includes the impact of geographic accessibility of medical resources (GAMR) on ICOPE demand and the potential mechanism of health status. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among 1200 adults aged 60 years and older selected through multi-stage stratified cluster sampling to obtain relevant data, including ICOPE demand, health status, and GAMR. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to analyze the impact of GAMR on ICOPE demand among older people and those with different health statuses. Results: Among the prospective research participants, 1043 were eligible for the study. The mean score of ICOPE demand among all participants was 3.68 (standard deviation [SD] = 0.78). After adjusting for covariates between high and low GAMR groups (1:1 match), ICOPE demand was significantly higher in the low GAMR group than in the high GAMR group (average treatment effect on the treated [ATT] = 0.270, p < 0.05). For both good and poor self-rated health status, the ICOPE demand of the low GAMR group was significantly higher than that in the high GAMR group (ATT = 0.345, p < 0.05; ATT = 0.190, p < 0.05). For chronic diseases, the ICOPE demand of older people with multimorbidity in the low GAMR group was significantly higher than that in the high GAMR group (ATT = 0.318, p < 0.01). Conclusions: The older population in Western China has a relatively high demand for ICOPE. Low GAMR is a key factor in ICOPE demand growth in this region. It accelerates demand release for both older people with multimorbidity and self-perceptions of health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of intravenous anesthetic drugs on fertilization rate in subjects receiving oocyte retrieval by assisted reproduction technology (ART). Methods: A retrospective cohort study was designed. The clinical information of subjects who received oocyte retrieval procedure was collected. The subjects were divided into two groups based on the type of anesthesia used: the no-anesthesia group and the intravenous anesthesia group. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted. Fertilization rate was compared between the two groups before and after PSM. Results: A total of 765 subjects were divided into two groups: the no-anesthesia group (n = 482) and the intravenous anesthesia group (n = 283). According to propensity scores, 258 pairs of subjects were well matched, and the baseline data between the two groups were not significantly different (P > 0.05). Fertilization rate was 77% in the intravenous anesthesia group, and 76% in the no-anesthesia group, without significant between-group difference (P = 0.685). Before matching, Poisson regression analysis showed no effect of intravenous anesthetic drugs on fertilization rate (RR = 0.859, 95%CI: 0.59 to 1.25, P = 0.422). After matching, no difference was found either (RR = 0.935, 95%CI: 0.67 to 1.29, P = 0.618). Conclusion: Intravenous anesthetic drugs may exert no effects on fertilization rate in subjects receiving ART. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Bangladesh Social Safety Net (SSN) interventions are intended to achieve specific goals, e.g., reduction in poverty, decrease in early school dropout, and nutrition supplementation. This study investigates the effectiveness of SSN participation on less explored goals of child labor reduction and school retention in Bangladesh. Empirical evidence is provided to evaluate the success of existing programs to combat child labor and early school dropout. This study utilizes the Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES), 2016 of Bangladesh. We employ the Propensity Score Matching (PSM) framework to show the causal relationship between SSN participation and its impact on the use of child labor and school retention. Given the nature and availability of data, the matching method provides us an estimate of the impact of SSN based on a quasi-experimental setting. We estimate counterfactuals based on observed characteristics of the household that affect both SSN participation and our outcome variables. Our results suggest that households that receive SSN tend to employ less child labor domestic or paid compared to their counterparts. Our Propensity Score Matching (PSM) results show that SSN participation reduces child labor prevalence in Bangladesh by 2.4% to 2.9%. This is an indication that families essentially substitute SSN income with child labor earnings. Thus, SSN programs in Bangladesh are effective in reducing child labor though the magnitude is not overwhelming. On the contrary, our results show that children from SSN-participating families have a higher incidence of early school dropout. This may be due to inefficiency or poorly designed programs that effectively keep the children in school. We estimate early school dropout is higher by 3.6% to 6.6% for households that receive SSN compared to the control group. Our findings are important for policymakers to redesign the programs that retain children in school. We suggest targeted interventions that will help to keep these children in school, which is conducive to human capital accrual and increasing lifetime earnings. Additionally, our insights will assist policymakers in rethinking SSN coverage, efficient selection of beneficiaries, and initiation of the correct intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farmers' participation in ecological tourism management in nature reserves is an important way to increase income. Based on 921 pieces of household survey data from 44 villages in six nature reserves in Liaoning Province, this paper uses multiple linear regression (OLS) and propensity score matching (PSM) to explore the impact of ecotourism on rural household income. The research results show that (1) a total of 90 rural households participated in ecotourism management, accounting for 9.78% of the total, and 831 rural households did not participate in ecotourism management, accounting for 90.22% of the total. The participation rate of farmers around the nature reserves was not high; (2) the participation in ecotourism management of farmers around the nature reserve has a positive and significant impact on the per capita annual net income of their households; and (3) multiple linear regression analysis will overestimate the income effect of ecotourism. This article provides inspiration for the government to propose relevant policies to encourage farmers to participate in ecotourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aims to ascertain the predictive value of platelet and inflammation markers in severe cases of COVID-19. Methods: A retrospective real-world cohort study was conducted using propensity score matching (PSM). Patients were classified into severe and non-severe COVID-19 groups based on the severity of the disease, and the correlation between severe COVID-19 and laboratory parameters at admission was analyzed. Results: The study included 397 adult patients, comprising 212 (53%) males and 185 (47%) females. Among these, 309 were non-severe and 88 were severe cases. The severe group had a higher median age than the non-severe group (60 vs. 42 years, p < 0.001). Independent risk factors for severe COVID-19 included age, diabetes comorbidity, fever, respiratory symptoms, platelet count, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and the ratio of arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2) to the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) (P/F ratio). After one-to-one PSM, adjusted for age, diabetes comorbidities, fever, and respiratory symptoms, significant differences in laboratory parameters at admission were observed. Compared to the non-severe group (n = 71), in the severe group (n = 71), elevated levels of hsCRP (median: 27.1 mg/L vs. 14.6 mg/L, p = 0.005) and IL-6 (median: 16.2 pg/mL vs. 15.3 pg/mL, p = 0.005) were observed, while platelet count (164 ± 36 × 109 vs. 180 ± 50 × 109, p = 0.02) and P/F ratio (median: 351 vs. 397, p = 0.001) were reduced. Conclusions: Elevated levels of hsCRP and IL-6, along with reduced platelet count and P/F ratio at admission, were significantly associated with severe COVID-19 and may serve as predictive indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The severity and prognosis of an array of inflammatory diseases have been predicted using systemic inflammatory indices, such as the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (dNLR), and systemic immune inflammation index (SII). The purpose of this study was to examine the association between systemic inflammatory markers and postoperative arrhythmias (PA) in esophageal cancer patients. Methods In the study, laboratory-related parameters were gathered and examined in 278 patients (non-PA = 221, PA = 57). Fit separate propensity score matching (PSM) within subgroup strata (surgery approaches); match within strata, and aggregate for main analysis. Finally, we established a 1:1(57:57) model. The ability of inflammatory makers on the first post-esophagectomy day to distinguish PA from postoperative non-arrhythmia (non-PA) by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results On the first post-esophagectomy day, there was a greater difference between PA and non-PA in terms of white blood cell (WBC) and neutrophil (NE), Neutrophil percentage (NE%), NLR, dNLR, LMR, and SII. After PSM, the following variables were substantially different between non-PA and PA: NE%, NLR, dNLR, and SII. It was found that WBC, NE, NE%, NLR, dNLR, LMR, and SII had the area under the curve (AUC) that was higher than 0.500 in ROC analysis, with NLR and SII having the highest AUC (AUC = 0.661). The indicators were subjected to binary logistic regression analysis, which increased the indicators' predictive ability (AUC = 0.707, sensitivity = 0.877). Conclusion On the first post-esophagectomy day, systemic inflammatory indicators were significantly correlated with both PA and non-PA, and high SII and NLR are reliable markers of PA.

Abstract Background There is a paucity of Chinese studies evaluating the quality of life (QoL) in young acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) patients with Marfan syndrome. Methods Young adult AAAD patients (younger than 45 years old) underwent surgical treatment at our institution from January 2017 to December 2020 were consecutive enrolled. The hospital survivors completed 1 year of follow up. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of Marfan syndrome (MFS). A 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) with a caliper 0.2 was conducted to balance potential bias in baseline. The follow-up data were analyzed primarily for change in quality of life and anxiety status. Results After PSM, 32 comparable pairs were matched. The baseline data were comparable and postoperative complications were similar between groups. In terms of SF-36 scale, the role physical, bodily pain, role emotional and mental health subscales were no significantly improved in MFS patients over time. At 1 year after discharged, the subscale of mental health and bodily pain were significantly lower in the MFS group than in the non-MFS group. In terms of HADS assessments, the level of anxiety in MFS patients was significantly higher than in non-MFS patients at 1 year after discharged. Conclusions The QoL in young AAAD patients with MFS is lower than those without MFS after surgery. This may be associated with the uncontrollable persistent chronic pain and the uncertainty and concerns for the disease’s progression.

Abstract Objective There is no scientific consensus about the treatment of perforated gastric cancer (PGC). Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate which is the better treatment option for PGC between the single-stage and two-stage strategies. Methods All 81 PGC patients from 13 medical institutions were retrospectively enrolled in this study. The PGC patients who underwent R0 gastrectomy were divided into one-stage surgery and two-stage surgery groups. The clinicopathological characteristics of the two groups were compared, and 415 regular gastric cancer patients without perforation were randomly selected as a control. The propensity score matching (PSM) method was used to find matched regular GC patients with similar clinicopathological parameters. The OS (overall survival) and the number harvested lymph nodes from PGC patients and regular GC patients were compared. Results Compared with PGC patients who underwent one-stage surgery, those who underwent two-stage surgery harvested significantly more lymph nodes [31(27, 38) vs 17 (12, 24), P

Abstract Background Increasing attention has been raised on the surgical option for lung cancer patients aged ≥75 years, however, few studies have focused on whether uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is safe and feasible for these patients. This study aimed to evaluate short-term results of uniportal versus three-port VATS for the treatment of lung cancer patients aged ≥75 years. Methods We retrospectively evaluated 582 lung cancer patients (≥75 years) who underwent uniportal or three-port VATS from August 2007 to August 2021 based on the Western China Lung Cancer Database. The baseline and perioperative outcomes between uniportal and three-port VATS were compared in the whole cohort (WC) and the patients undergoing lobectomy (lobectomy cohort, LC) respectively. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to minimize confounding bias between the uniportal and three-port cohorts in WC and LC. Results Intraoperative blood loss was significantly less in the uniportal than three-port LC (50 mL vs. 83 mL, P = 0.007) before PSM and relatively less in the uniportal than three-port LC (50 mL vs. 83 mL, P = 0.05) after PSM. Significantly more lymph nodes harvested (13 vs. 9, P = 0.007) were found in the uniportal than three-port LC after PSM. In addition, in WC and LC, there were no significant differences between uniportal and three-port cohorts in terms of operation time, the rate of conversion to thoracotomy during surgery, nodal treatments (dissection or sampling or not), the overall number of lymph node stations dissected, postoperative complications, volume and duration of postoperative thoracic drainage, hospital stay after operation and hospitalization expenses before and after PSM (P > 0.05). Conclusions There were no significant differences in short-term outcomes between uniportal and three-port VATS for lung cancer patients (≥75 years), except relatively less intraoperative blood loss (P

As global awareness of animal welfare continues to rise, it has become essential to understand the factors that shape individual attitudes and consumption behaviors related to animal welfare. This study empirically investigates how pet ownership influences attitudes towards animal welfare and related consumption intentions among Chinese university students. Findings demonstrate that students from pet-owning households exhibit significantly more favorable attitudes and behaviors concerning animal empathy, awareness of animal welfare, willingness to purchase animal welfare certified products, and the willingness to pay a premium for animal welfare labels. Pet ownership fosters emotional resonance, enhancing empathy and perceptions regarding animal welfare, and influences preferences for animal welfare certified products through simulated consumer choices. By applying propensity score matching (PSM) to mitigate endogeneity concerns, this research advances theoretical discussions surrounding animal welfare attitudes and consumption behaviors. Looking ahead, the promotion of animal welfare should involve coordinated efforts across educational institutions, policy frameworks, and market mechanisms to cultivate a broader understanding and adoption of animal welfare principles.

Background: Patients with Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) face a poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options. Current data on eribulin usage to treat TNBC is scarce. Therefore, we sought to compare the feasibility and tolerability of eribulin-based regimens with other chemotherapy regimens in patients with TNBC. Method: This retrospective study was conducted at Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital and included 159 patients with TNBC enrolled between October 2011 and January 2023. Patients underwent treatment with eribulin-based and other chemotherapy regimens. The study's primary endpoints were progressionfree survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), while its secondary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and safety. Tumour response was assessed using RECIST V.1.1 criteria. Results: Of the 159 participants in the study, 42 individuals (26.4%) received treatment with eribulin, whereas 117 participants (73.6%) were administered alternative chemotherapy regimens, which included nab-paclitaxel-based therapy (n = 45) and platinum-based therapy (n = 51). The follow-up period for all patients ended on 31 December 2022, and the median follow-up time was 18.3 months (range:0.7-27.5). Following propensity score matching (PSM), eribulin-based treatment resulted in longer median progression-free survival compared to platinum-based (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.41, p = 0.006), nabpaclitaxel- based (hazard ratio = 0.36, p = 0.001) and other chemotherapy (HR = 0.39, p < 0.001). Also, eribulin induced a remarkable prolongation of the median overall survival duration in all three comparative groups. The group receiving eribulin treatment showed significantly reduced incidences of any grade of anaemia, peripheral neuropathy, nausea and vomiting, and hair loss compared to other chemotherapy groups. Conclusion: For the salvage treatment of advanced TNBC, treatment with eribulin produced longer median PFS and OS than other chemotherapy regimens, with a well-tolerated safety profile. Therefore, further investigation of eribulin-based treatment in larger randomized trials for patients with advanced TNBC is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long-term prosperity of a business depends heavily on innovation. Although many businesses have in-house R&D departments, the contribution of non-executive technical directors to innovation is often disregarded. The purpose of this study is to understand better the contribution of non-executive technical directors to corporate innovation. Semi-structured interviews with non-executive technical directors of different organizations were employed as a qualitative study strategy to collect data. The data was analyzed using a thematic approach to isolate common threads. According to the report, non-executive technical directors encourage creativity and new business ideas. The insights and technical knowledge they bring to the boardroom support the company's innovation strategy. Non-executive technical directors also serve as a link between the company's technical personnel and the board, ensuring that innovation projects are in line with the company's overall strategy. A company's innovation ecosystem must include non-executive technical directors. Their capacity to bridge the gap between the technical and business sides of the organization, as well as their technical experience and strategic thinking, make them invaluable to the company's innovation initiatives. Businesses that place a high priority on the position of non-executive technical directors in their strategic plan are more likely to have long-term success and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper is an essential trace element for the human body. The epidemiological evidence for the association of dietary intake of copper with the risk of Parkinson's disease (PD) is limited. We conducted an evaluation of the cross-sectional data gathered from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys spanning from 2007 to 2018, which comprised a total of 17,948 participants. To discern the distinct characteristics of the participants, we performed a univariate analysis and utilized a 1:2 ratio propensity score matching method to minimize the effects of selection bias. We employed weighted univariate as well as three multivariate logistic regression models both prior to and following matching, with the aim of examining the association between dietary copper intake and PD risk. Finally, we used the restricted cubic spline (RCS) methodology in order to investigate possible non-linear relationships. Furthermore, subgroup analysis was undertaken to elicit further understanding concerning the association between copper intake and PD. A negative correlation resulted between dietary copper intake and PD risk in both univariate and multivariate logistic regression models, prior to and following matching. Our findings demonstrate that there is a nonlinear, dose-dependent relationship between copper intake and PD, according to our RCS analysis. In subgroup analysis, copper intake was identified as an important protective factor for individuals who were non-Hispanic White, unmarried, and had completed higher education. Dietary copper intake was associated with the risk of PD. Supplementation of dietary copper may have potentially beneficial effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the relationship between firm innovation and firm productivity in five Central American countries, namely, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, through the estimation technique of propensity score matching (PSM). Firm innovation is defined based on the introduction of a significantly new product or a significant new technology. Following the literature, the study adopted two measurements of productivity: (i) natural logarithm of annual sales divided by the number of permanent employees and (ii) by estimating total factor productivity (TFP). Using the natural logarithm of annual sales divided by the number of permanent employees' measure of productivity, the study established that firms that did not introduce significantly new products in the last 3 years are 23.3% less productive than firms that introduce significantly new products. Similarly, firms that did not introduce new technology in the past 3 years are 25.2% less productive than firms that introduced significantly improved technology. From the TFP measure of productivity, the study further confirms that firms that introduced significantly new products in the last 3 years are 32.3% more productive. Furthermore, the study identified that firm productivity is positively and significantly affected by the availability of a line of credit to firms through its interaction with firm innovation. Our key policy recommendation is that firm innovation (product or methods) should be the fundamental basis for extending credit or financial support to the firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objectives: This study aimed to gather evidence for the survival benefit of cancer‐directed surgery (CDS) in metastatic head and neck cancer (M1 HNC) and identify which patients will benefit most from CDS. Methods: Patients with M1 HNC were identified within the SEER database. According to whether received CDS, patients were divided into the CDS and non‐CDS groups. The bias between the two groups was minimized using Propensity Score Matching (PSM), and the prognostic role of CDS was investigated using Kaplan–Meier analysis, log‐rank test, and Cox proportional hazard models. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), and the secondary endpoint was cancer‐specific survival (CSS). Results: A total of 3215 patients with M1 HNC were extracted, including 566 patients who received CDS that were 1:1 propensity score‐matched with patients who did not receive CDS. In the matched dataset, the median OS and CSS in CDS groups were significantly higher than in non‐CDS groups (OS: 19.0 vs. 9.0 months, p < 0.001; CSS: 21.0 vs. 9.0 months, p < 0.001). Meanwhile, multivariable Cox regression analysis also revealed that CDS was a favorable prognostic factor for both OS and CSS. Furthermore, subgroups of patients with M1 HNC (younger age, being married, grade I–II, oropharynx site, earlier T/N stage, radiotherapy) were inclined to benefit from CDS, while those patients who received chemotherapy failed to benefit from CDS. Conclusions: This study indicated that CDS was associated with improved survival in M1 HNC, especially for those subpopulations that benefit more from CDS treatment. Level of Evidence: 3 Laryngoscope, 134:1288–1298, 2024 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban shrinkage has emerged as a widespread phenomenon globally and has a significant impact on land, particularly in terms of land use and price. This study focuses on 2851 county-level cities in China in 2005–2018 (excluding Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and 'no data' areas in Qinhai-Tibet Plateau) as the fundamental units of analysis. By employing nighttime light (NTL) data to identify shrinking cities, the propensity score matching (PSM) model was used to quantitatively examine the impact of shrinking cities on land prices, and evaluate the magnitude of this influence. The findings demonstrate the following: 1) there were 613 shrinking cities in China, with moderate shrinkage being the most prevalent and severe shrinkage being the least. 2) Regional disparities are evident in the spatial distribution of shrinking cities, especially in areas with diverse terrain. 3) The spatial pattern of land price exhibits a significant correlated to the economic and administrative levels. 4) Shrinking cities significantly negatively impact on the overall land price (ATT = −0.1241, P < 0.05). However, the extent of the effect varies significantly among different spatial regions. This study contributes novel insights into the investigation of land prices and shrinking cities, ultimately serving as a foundation for government efforts to promote the sustainable development of urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Erectile dysfunction is a condition with a high incidence among adult men. Lycopene has been shown to lower blood glucose and reduce weight in diabetic patients because of its antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties. However, the association between lycopene and the incidence of erectile dysfunction is unclear. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the dietary lycopene intake and its association with erectile dysfunction risk in the US population. Materials and methods: We investigated the lycopene intake of adult participants with complete information on clinical variables from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2001 and 2004. Dose–response curve analysis was applied to explore the association between lycopene intake and erectile dysfunction. Logistic regression models were used to adjust for confounders. Different ethnicities, body mass index level, hypertension status, diabetes status, and smoking status were analyzed as subgroups. Propensity score matching was employed to eliminate the effects of potential confounders to confirm the reliability of the results. Results: A total of 3265 participants with lycopene consumption data were included in our study, including 931 individuals with erectile dysfunction and 2334 without erectile dysfunction during National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001–2004. We found more consumption of lycopene in the non‐erectile dysfunction group than in the erectile dysfunction group. Dose–response curve analysis revealed a significant negative association between lycopene intake and erectile dysfunction prevalence. After adjusting for age, race, cigarette smoking, body mass index, annual family income, education, physical activity, hypertension, diabetes, depression, and testosterone level, we found that increased lycopene intake reduced the odds ratio of erectile dysfunction. Low lycopene intake was positively related to erectile dysfunction in almost all subgroups, especially in Mexican American, non‐Hispanic white, body mass index <25, hypertension positive, diabetes mellitus negative, and smoke negative. Furthermore, the results were confirmed in the 1:1 matched group. Conclusion: Our national data suggest that lower dietary lycopene intake is positively associated with an increased risk of erectile dysfunction in US men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundSome occupational and environmental exposures could increase the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and hypertension in various work and living environments. However, the effect of exposure to multiple exogenous harmful substances on COPD and hypertension co-morbidities remains unclear.MethodsParticipants were selected from eight hospitals in five provinces in China using a multistage cluster sampling procedure. Participants' demographic, exposure, and disease information were collected through questionnaires, spirometry, and blood pressure examinations. Demographic data were used as matching factors, and 1:1 matching between the exposed and non-exposed groups was performed by employing propensity score matching (PSM) to minimize the influence on the results. A one-way chi-squared analysis and multifactorial logistic regression were used to analyze the association between the exposure to exogenous harmful substances (metals and their compound dust, inorganic mineral dust, organic chemicals, and livestock by-products) and the co-morbidity of COPD and hypertension.ResultsThere were 6,610 eligible participants in the final analysis, of whom 2,045 (30.9%) were exposed to exogenous harmful substances. The prevalence of co-morbidities of COPD and hypertension (6.0%) in the exposure group was higher than their prevalence in the total population (4.6%). After PSM, exogenous harmful substance exposure was found to be a risk factor for the co-morbidity of COPD and hypertension [odds ratio (OR) = 1.347, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.011–1.794], which was not statistically significant before PSM (OR = 1.094, 95% CI: 0.852–1.405). Meanwhile, the results of different outcomes showed that the association between hypertension and exogenous harmful substance exposure was not statistically significant (OR = 0.965, 95% CI: 0.846–1.101). Smoking (OR = 4.702, 95% CI: 3.321–6.656), history of a respiratory disease during childhood (OR = 2.830, 95% CI: 1.600–5.006), and history of respiratory symptoms (OR = 1.897, 95% CI: 1.331–2.704) were also identified as risk factors for the co-morbidity of COPD and hypertension.ConclusionThe distribution of exogenous harmful substance exposure varies in the population, and the prevalence of co-morbidities is generally higher in susceptible populations. Exposure to exogenous harmful substances was found to be a key risk factor after adjusting for demographic confounders.

Objective The incidence of perioperative neurocognitive disorders (PND) is high, especially after cardiac surgeries, and the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we conducted a prospective observational study to observe serum proteomics differences in PND patients after cardiac valve replacement surgery. Methods Two hundred and twenty-six patients who underwent cardiac valve surgery were included. They were categorized based on scoring into non-PND group (group non-P) and PND group (group P’). The risk factors associated with PND were analyzed. These patients were further divided into group C and group P by propensity score matching (PSM) to investigate the serum proteome related to the PND by serum proteomics. Results The postoperative 6-week incidence of PND was 16.8%. Risk factors for PND include age, chronic illness, sufentanil dosage, and time of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Proteomics identified 31 down-regulated proteins and six up-regulated proteins. Finally, GSTO1, IDH1, CAT, and PFN1 were found to be associated with PND. Conclusion The occurrence of PND can impact some oxidative stress proteins. This study provided data for future studies about PND to general anaesthesia and surgeries.