Higher Survival Research Articles

Standard modifiable risk factors (SMuRF) paradox for the prognosis in the patients with acute myocardial infarction

Abstract Background Hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia and smoking are recognized as standard modifiable risk factors (SMuRFs) for adverse cardiovascular events such as acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Recent studies have shown that AMI patients without SMuRFs are associated with increased mortality compared to those with SMuRFs. However, the relationship between the number of SMuRFs in patients with AMI and mortality has not been well evaluated. Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of AMI patients stratified by the number of SMuRFs. Methods We studied 6,706 AMI patients between 2013 and 2021 using data from the Mie ACS registry, a retrospective and multicenter registry. For the purpose of this study, only AMI patients as their first cardiovascular events were included in this analysis. Therefore, after excluding patients with a known history of coronary artery disease (n=982), 5724 AMI patients were included in the current analysis. All-cause mortality was compared with 30-day and after 30-day mortality in AMI patients stratified by the number of SMuRFs as the primary outcome. In addition, all-cause mortality rate was compared in AMI patients without and with SMuRFs after propensity score matching on age, sex, body mass index, Killip classification, cardiac arrest before presentation, multivessel disease, left main truck disease, hemoglobin and emergent percutaneous coronary intervention. Results Among 5,724 AMI patients, 672 patients (11.7%) did not have SMuRFs. The median age of patients without SMuRFs was higher than that of patients with any SMuRFs (73 y.o. vs. 70 y.o, P<0.001), and higher prevalence of female and severe Killip class was observed in patients without SMuRFs compared with those with any SMuRFs (P<0.001, respectively). According to the KM survival curves stratified by number of SMURFs, an increased number of SMURFs was associated with higher 30-day survival rates (P=0.035), and the 30-day landmark analysis showed a trend toward higher survival in patients with the highest number of SMURFs, although not statistically significant (Figure1). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that 0 SMuRF was an independent prognostic factor for 30-day mortality with hazard ratio of 1.55 (95%CI; 1.13-2.13, P<0.001). In addition, KM survival curves after propensity score matched analysis showed the poor 30-day mortality in 0 SMuRF group (P=0.036), there was no significant difference in after 30-day mortality between the two groups (Figure 2). Conclusions Patients without SMuRFs had a high 30-day mortality rate, but once they survived the acute phase, their prognosis was comparable to patients with SMuRFs. Moreover, the SMuRF paradox was recognized in the acute phase. This finding highlights the need for early identification of the individuals at risk of developing MI despite the absence of SMuRFs and strict acute management regardless of the number of SMuRFs.

Habitat and density effects on the demography of an expanding wolf population in Central Europe

Demographic parameters are key to understanding population dynamics. Here, we analyse the survival and reproduction of the German wolf population in the 20 years following recolonization. Specifically, we analysed the effects of environmental, ecological and individual characteristics on 1) survival probability of the population; 2) annual survival rates of age classes; 3) reproduction probability; and 4) reproductive output, measured as the number of detected pups/juveniles. Using Cox proportional hazards model, we estimated a median survival time of circa three years for wolves. Annual survival probabilities were found to be 0.75 for juveniles, 0.75 for subadults and 0.88 for adults. Survival was lower for juveniles in winter and for subadult males in summer, probably associated with dispersal events. Low habitat suitability was clearly associated with lower survival in juveniles and subadults, but not in adults. Local territory density was related to increased survival. Reproduction probability within a territory was 0.88, but explanatory variables had no effect. Reproductive output was four pups/juveniles on average, positively related to habitat suitability and female experience, but negatively related to territory density. Survival values were very high for the species when compared to other regions. We hypothesize that carrying capacity has not been reached in the study area, thus the survival may decrease in the future if the landscape becomes saturated. Furthermore, our results highlight a spatial pattern in survival and reproduction, with area of better habitat suitability favouring faster population growth. Thus, targeting conservation measures to low habitat suitability areas will have a strong population effect on the short term by boosting survival and reproduction of the individuals, while long‐term viability should be carefully planned with high suitability areas in mind, as those contain the territories with higher survival and reproduction potential.

Antithrombotic treatment in univentricular heart

Abstract Background Univentricular heart (UVH) corrected with Fontan surgery may be associated with an increased risk of thrombosis. Data regarding optimal thrombotic prevention strategy after Fontan surgery in patients with UVH is scarce, and guidelines for antithrombotic treatment are not yet available. Purpose The aim was to evaluate the prevalence of antithrombotic treatments and their relation to mortality in patients with Fontan circulation. Methods A total of 5,075 patients with UVH were identified using data from the Swedish National Patient Register, the Cause of Death Register, and the National Prescribed Drug Register. Patients with UVH born in Sweden between 1970 and 2017 who underwent Fontan surgery were included. The study population was divided into three groups based on medication: anticoagulation therapy, antiplatelet therapy, and no therapy. Incidence rate (IR) was reported per 1000 person-years and calculated as the total number of deaths divided by total follow-up time. Confidence interval (CIs) for IR was estimated with Poisson regression. Kaplain-Meier was used to estimate the survival probability of 95% for UVH. The Stratified Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) with 95% CI. Results The total cohort consisted of 864 patients of which 280 individuals (32%) had hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). The median follow-up time was 14.4 (IQR 3.9;24.9) years, maximum follow-up time was 47 years. Out of all the patients, 36% received no anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy. Among those who did receive therapy, 75% were treated with antiplatelets. The patients who had no therapy had a higher mortality rate. During long-term follow-up, patients with UVH had higher survival rates when treated with antiplatelets. Conclusion Antithrombotic therapy, in particular antiplatelet therapy, was associated with the highest survival in patients with UVH as compared to no treatment. Our data suggest that antithrombotic treatment, and in particular antiplatelet treatment, could be considered in patients with UVH.Survival with Antithrombotic treatment

Bioprinting PDLSC-Laden Collagen Scaffolds for Periodontal Ligament Regeneration.

Periodontitis and severe trauma are major causes of damage to the periodontal ligament (PDL). Repairing the native conditions of the PDL is essential for the stability of the tissue and its interfaces. Bioprinting periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) is an interesting approach to guide the regeneration of PDL and interfacial integration. Herein, a collagen-based bioink mimicking the native extracellular matrix conditions and carrying PDLSCs was tested to guide the periodontal ligament organization. The bioink was tested at two different concentrations (10 and 15 mg/mL) and characterized by swelling and degradation, microstructural organization, and rheological properties. The biological properties were assessed after loading PDLSCs into bioinks for bioprinting. The characterization was performed through cell viability, alizarin red assay, and expression for ALP, COL1A1, RUNX2, and OCN. The in vivo biocompatibility of the PDLSC-laden bioinks was verified using subcutaneous implantation in mice. Later, the ability of the bioprinted PDLSC-laden bioinks on dental root fragments to form PDL was also investigated in vivo in mice for 4 and 10 weeks. The bioinks demonstrated typical shear-thinning behavior, a porous microstructure, and stable swelling and degradation characteristics. Both concentrations were printable and provided suitable conditions for a high cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation. PDLSC-laden bioinks demonstrated biocompatibility in vivo, and the bioprinted scaffolds on the root surface evidenced PDLSC alignment, organization, and PDLSC migration to the root surface. The versatility of collagen-based bioinks provides native ECM conditions for PDLSC proliferation, alignment, organization, and differentiation, with translational applications in bioprinting scaffolds for PDL regeneration.

Possibilities of competitive displacement of Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) by Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) (Tephritidae: Diptera) in guava Psidium guajava ecosystem in Sudan

Oriental fruit fly (OFF) Bactrocera dorsalis and peach fruit fly (PFF) Bactrocera zonata are the most notorious pests that invaded Sudan in 2005 and 2012, respectively, causing severe losses and hindering horticultural production and exports. Prior to 2012, OFF was the most abundant fly in guava orchards in Gezira State. Monitoring fruit flies to determine species composition, seasonality, and possibilities of competitive displacement was conducted in two guava (Psidium guajava) orchards in Gezira State; Fadasi and Gezirat Elfil, using food bait attractant and rearing flies from infested fruits..Longevity and survival percentages of developmental stages of the two species were also determined. Monitoring fly populations using Torula yeast and rearing of fruit flies from guava fruits revealed that OFF and PFF were the most prevalent species in guava ecosystem at both sites. At the Fadasi site, PFF was the predominant species representing (99.3%) of the guild of the trapped flies with an infestation level of 99.6%) flies/kg of guava fruits. At G. Elfil, OFF comprised 80.8% of the trapped flies with infestation level ca 53.6% while 19.2% of trapped flies were B. zonata with 46.4% infestation level. The high percentage of trapped OFF at G. Elfil might be attributed to multi-cropping system in the area. Developmental stages of PFF were shorter than that of OFF by 9.2 days, while its survival percentage was higher than that of OFF for all developmental stages. Competitive displacement of OFF by PFF in guava orchards at Fadasi site may have occurred as a result of the mono-cropping system, short developmental period, and high survival percentage of developmental stages of PFF on guava compared to that of OFF.

Clinical Outcomes of Bulk-Fill Resin Composite Restorations: A 10-Year Mapping Review and Evidence Gap Map.

To map the evidence regarding the clinical performance of posterior restorations with bulk-fill resin composites and identify research gaps. This mapping review was conducted following PRISMA-ScR guidelines for scoping reviews, and its protocol was registered on the Open Science Framework platform. Systematic searches were conducted, considering studies published between 2013 and February 2024 in the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases. Clinical studies investigating the performance of bulk-fill resin composite restorations in class I and/or class II preparations with increments of 4 to 5 mm were included. A total of 147 articles were identified, and based on the eligibility criteria, 26 studies were selected for descriptive analysis. Of the reviewed studies, 73% (n = 19) investigated high-viscosity bulk-fill composites, while 30% (n = 8) focused on low-viscosity bulk-fill composites. Evaluation periods ranged from 1 week to 10 years. Reported annual failure rates varied from 0% to 3%, with survival rates between 78.9% and 100%. Bulk-fill resin composites of high viscosity were the most analyzed in the published studies, with evaluation periods of up to 10 years. The review of available scientific evidence showed clinically acceptable performance for composite bulk-fill restorations, with high survival rates and minimal annual failure rates. There is a need for long-term clinical studies on bulk-fill resin composites. This review demonstrates that both high and low-viscosity bulk-fill resin composites exhibit satisfactory clinical performance, which can help clinicians optimize chairside time. However, it is important to highlight the need for further studies with longer follow-up periods.

REPORT OF PRACTICAL CLASS IN AGRICULTURAL AREA WITH THE BACHELOR CLASS IN AGRONOMY IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF TRACUATEUA-PA

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a highly consumed root and a significant source of carbohydrates in Brazil and around the world. In the state of Pará, cassava is vital to the local economy, especially in the municipality of Tracuateua. The culture involves family farmers and serves as an important source of income and subsistence. Different cultivars are used, such as BRS Tapioqueira and BRS Verdinha, which exceed 70 thousand kg/ha with good management. Adequate fertilization, pest control and weed management are essential for high productivity. Irrigation can significantly increase production. On the property of Mr. Benedito Dutra, member of the RENIVA project, the production of seed cassava and cowpea is highlighted. It uses cultivars developed by Embrapa, such as BRS Kiriris, BRS Formosa and BRS Novo Horizonte, which are recommended for industrial use. Dutra also grows cowpeas, using varieties such as BRS Guirá and BRS Natalina, which are highly productive and adapted to local conditions. The property has an irrigated area of ​​23 hectares per central pivot, ensuring crop hydration during dry periods. During the field visit, several areas of experimentation were observed. The experimental plots of cassava and cowpea showed good performance, with a high survival rate and resistance to pests. The integration of advanced soil management, pest control and irrigation practices highlighted the property as an example of innovative agriculture. The experience on Mr. Dutra’s property demonstrated the importance of innovation and adoption of advanced agricultural practices for sustainable and productive agricultural production.

Splicing dysregulation in glioblastoma alters the function of cell migration-related genes.

Glioblastoma (GBM) has a poor prognosis with a high recurrence and low survival rate. Previous RNA-seq analyses have revealed that alternative splicing (AS) plays a role in GBM progression. Here, we present a novel AS analysis method (Semi-Q) and describe its use to identify GBM-specific AS events. We analyzed RNA-seq data from normal brain (NB), normal human astrocytes (NHAs) and GBM samples, and found that comparison between NHA and GBM was especially informative. Importantly, this analysis revealed that genes encoding cell migration-related proteins, including filamins (FLNs) and actinins (ACTNs), were among those most affected by differential AS. Functional assays revealed that dysregulated AS of FLNA, B and C transcripts produced protein isoforms that not only altered transcription of cell proliferation-related genes but also led to enhanced cell migration, resistance to cell death and/or mitochondrial respiratory function, while a dysregulated AS isoform of ACTN4 enhanced cell migration. Together, our results indicate that cell migration and actin cytoskeleton-related genes are differentially regulated by AS in GBM, supporting a role for AS in facilitating tumor growth and invasiveness.

Comparing PD-L1 with PD-1 antibodies combined with lenvatinib and hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma

BackgroundA combination of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC), lenvatinib, and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) yields a high tumor response rate and survival benefit in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC). However, the selection criteria for different ICIs remain unclear. This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies combined with HAIC and lenvatinib.MethodsThis retrospective study included 184 patients with uHCC treated with HAIC+lenvatinib+PD-1/PD-L1 antibody from June 2019 to January 2022. We utilized propensity score matching (PSM) to select and match 60 patients treated with HAIC + durvalumab + lenvatinib (HDL) against 60 patients treated with HAIC + PD-1 antibodies + lenvatinib (HPL) to compare the efficacy and safety profiles of these two groups.ResultsAfter PSM, the baseline characteristics were well-balanced between the HDL and HPL groups. The overall survival (p = 0.293) and progression-free survival (p = 0.146) showed no significant difference. The objective response rate (ORR) was higher in the HDL group compared to the HPL group according to modified RECIST (74.1% vs. 53.6%, p = 0.022) and RECIST 1.1 (60.3% vs. 41.1%, p = 0.040), respectively. The incidence of grade 3 or 4 adverse events (AEs) was 10.0% and 18.3% (p = 0.191) in the HDL and HPL groups, respectively.ConclusionsPD-L1 antibody appears to be a preferable companion in the combination therapy of HAIC + ICIs + lenvatinib compared to PD-1 antibody, showing higher ORR and relatively lower incidence of severe AEs. Further prospective studies involving a larger patient population are warranted.

Surprisingly wide climatic niche breadth of a relict mountain species raises hope for survival under climate change

AbstractAimsWe assessed the juvenile climatic niche breadth of a relict mountain species by comparing field observations and transplant experiments within and beyond the elevational limits of its distribution range.LocationLebanon – Near East – Mediterranean region.MethodsWe studied the survival and growth of the Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani) to determine the lower and upper elevational range limits of its juvenile stage through an experimental setup with and without water supplementation and with potentially competing species as a control. The experiment included eight common gardens at elevations ranging from 110 to 2330 m, within and far beyond the warm and cold limits of Cedar distribution observed under natural conditions.ResultsWe observed unexpectedly high survival and growth rates of Cedar at elevations well below the range of its natural distribution in Lebanon. Below the observed warm limit, water stress at very low elevations and competition at low and medium elevations limited juvenile survival. In contrast, cold temperature and water stress limited survival at elevations slightly above the observed upper natural limit. The experimental setup demonstrated that the elevation range suitable for Cedar growth and survival was twice as wide as the range within which Cedar is observed under natural conditions.Main ConclusionsHigh survival rates experimentally observed beyond the warm limit of the natural distribution range of the Cedar of Lebanon raise hope for its resilience to ongoing climate warming. If this pattern were frequent among montane species, it would challenge predictions of massive extinction with climate change and pave the way for promoting adaptive actions such as competition management to improve their survival.

The evolving role of checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma

Since their initial approval as single agent therapy for multiply relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), the PD-1 inhibitors nivolumab and pembrolizumab have been incorporated into second-line salvage regimens, and they are being investigated in upfront therapy of newly diagnosed patients. As second-line therapy in combination with brentuximab vedotin or multi-agent chemotherapy, nivolumab and pembrolizumab provide high complete remission rates and durable progression-free survival after consolidative autologous stem cell transplant. Incorporation of these agents into frontline chemotherapy regimens is feasible, and early results from a Phase III trial of nivolumab-AVD compare favorably with the existing standard for advanced stage HL, brentuximab vedotin plus AVD. As nivolumab and pembrolizumab move into earlier lines of HL therapy, open research questions include the efficacy of checkpoint inhibitor regimens in patients who relapse after frontline exposure to nivolumab or pembrolizumab; the selection of patients with relapsed HL who can achieve durable remissions without autologous stem cell transplant; and the efficacy of the PD-1 inhibitors in the frontline therapy of patients with early stage Hodgkin lymphoma.

Evaluating the Effect of Maggot Flour Protein as a Substitute for Fishmeal on the Growth Performance and Survival Rate of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio)

This research aims to know the role of maggot flour protein as a fishmeal protein source replacement on growth performance and survival of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and the optimum dose from artificial maggot flour feed. This research take a place at Aquaculture Laboratorium of Diponegoro University in 23 January – 6 March 2023. The experimental method using complete randomized design (RAL) consisting of 4 treatments 3 repetitions. The treatment is applied with percentage maggot flour substitution 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% per gram of feed. The substitution set according to carp protein sufficient (30 – 35%), so that carp does not having excess protein that can effect on growth performance. The test fish used was common carp with an average size of 4.54 ± 0.23 cm with an average weight of 0.75 ± 0.03 gr/head. The experimental containers using a aquarium tank with size of 45cm x 30cm x 22.5cm. Stocking density per aquarium is 0.5 fish/liter with a maintenance period of 42 days. The experimental using feeding methods 5% of biomass with a frequency 3 times/day. The experimental results showing that substitution of artificial maggot flour feed for common carp is significantly influential (P<0.05) on specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and survival rate (SR) of common carp. Based on experimental, the best dose substitution artificial maggot flour feed has been shown in treatments C (20%) and D (30%). Treatment C produced SGR 1.93 ± 0.04 and FCR 2.41 ± 0.07 and treatment D produced SGR 1.97 ± 0.09% and FCR 2.34 ± 0.12. The results of observations during the research showed that common carp fed with the experimental feed (substitution of maggot flour for artificial feed 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%) had a high survival rate with an average survival rate above 90%.

Outcome of childhood ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma relapses: Real-life experience of the French Society of Pediatric Oncology (SFCE) cohort of 75 French children.

To describe treatments and outcomes of French children treated for relapsed/refractory anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALK+ ALCL). We conducted the analysis of a series of 75 French children treated for a first relapsed/refractory ALK+ ALCL between 1999 and 2017. The median time to first relapse was 8.1months from initial diagnosis (2.9 after end of treatment), with 12 relapses during frontline treatment or within 1month of the end of treatment. Treatment of the first relapse varied according to the period of time and risk factors: 48 received multiagent chemotherapy, including 21 and 19 consolidated with allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) and autologous-SCT, respectively. Twenty-one patients received weekly vinblastine, and six received ALK inhibitors (ALKi). Overall, 64/75 patients reached a second complete remission (CR2). Eight out of 11 patients who did not reach CR2 died and the other three were rescued with ALKi, vinblastine, and nivolumab. With a median follow-up of 8.2years, 60 patients are alive, 43 in CR2, 15 in CR3, two in CR4; and 15 patients died, six from toxicity and nine from disease progression. The 5-year event-free survival and overall survival after first relapse were 51.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 39.6%-62.6%) and 80.7% (95% CI: 69.6%-88.1%), respectively. Time to relapse greater than 12months from initial diagnosis was proven to be a prognostic factor in relapsed/refractory ALK+ ALCL. In relapsed ALK+ ALCL, high survival rate can be reached with various therapeutic strategies. The main challenge remains to prevent subsequent relapses, and to lower long-term morbidity.

Emergence and development of Chihuahuan Desert grasses under simulated wet-dry sequences

We evaluated the response (emergence, speed of germination, survival) of nine grasses (six native, three introduced) commonly occurring in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico to four irrigation “wet-dry” sequences that simulate sequences of days with and without rainfall, under greenhouse conditions. The sequences provide a total of 120, 100, 80 and 60 mm (high, medium, low, and very low) of water for 40 days. The native species were Bouteloua curtipendula, B. dactyloides, B. eriopoda, B. gracilis, Digitaria californica, and Leptochloa dubia. The introduced grasses were Cynodon dactylon, Eragrostis curvula, and E. superba. A decrease in water, resulting from the drier sequences, delayed the emergence from 4 to 7 days in most species. The native B. dactyloides displayed the best potential for growth with high emergence (18%) and high survival (44%) under low or very low water sequences. In general, survival for native species was higher than for introduced species under water restrictions. The native species showed high survival and high root:shoot ratio (RSR) under drought, which was not observed in introduced species. As expected, we found that plant species responded differently to modeled rainfall sequences, providing insight into plant adaptations to drought and potential for survival under environmental variation.

Comparison of predictors of survival among fulminant myocarditis patients undergoing veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in the adult and pediatric populations

Background: Fulminant myocarditis (FM) is a potentially life-threatening disease that requires emergency care. Our study aims to explore clinical outcomes and predictors of survival when using veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) support for the treatment of FM in adult and pediatric patients to analyze differences between both populations. Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were searched for studies reporting the effect of VA-ECMO on patients diagnosed with fulminant myocarditis. Statistical analysis was performed using R version 4.2.2. Results: Forty-three studies were included in our analysis with a total of 1,268 patients. Survival rates were 65% and 71% among adult and pediatric patients, respectively. Patients who didn’t suffer from cardiac arrest prior to VA-ECMO had better chances of survival in both populations; adults (OR 0.44; P<0.01) and pediatric (OR = 0.32; P= 0.006). Younger age was associated with higher survival among the adults (MD= -8.81; P<0.01). Additionally, pre-ECMO LVEF was higher among survivors in the pediatric group (MD= 8.23; P<0.01). Furthermore, no significant association was detected between sex, VA-ECMO duration, systolic blood pressure, lactate levels, and survival rates among both groups. Conclusion: Using VA-ECMO in patients with fulminant myocarditis can significantly improve survival outcomes, with improved prognosis observed with younger age among adults and absence of prior history of cardiac arrest in both groups.

Longitudinal study of root resorption on incisors caused by impacted maxillary canines-a clinical and cone beam CT assessment.

To evaluate the long-term status of incisors with canine-induced root resorption (CIRR). Subjects with impacted maxillary canines (IMC) and persisting incisors with CIRR examined with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), diagnosed ≥ 5 years earlier, were recalled. The resorption grade in the horizontal and vertical plane was assessed on CBCT images at baseline (T0) and follow-up (T1). Clinical examination was done at T1 which included probing depth, gingival retraction, mobility, ankylosis, discoloration and vitality test. In addition, patients completed a questionnaire regarding symptoms from the incisors. Forty subjects (mean age 13.7 ± 2.1 years) with 43 IMC and 47 incisors with CIRR were recruited. The IMC either spontaneously erupted, were surgically exposed or surgically removed. Thirty-four of the patients were treated with a fixed appliance and six had no orthodontic treatment. The follow-up range was 5.5-14.6 years. None of the incisors were lost or endodontically treated at T1. The horizontal resorption grade was unchanged in 38, improved in 7, and worsened in 2 teeth. The corresponding results for the vertical resorption grade were unchanged in 20 and worsened in 27 teeth. Three incisors with severe horizontal resorption at T0 were significantly more obliterated at T1 (P = .01). No significant differences were found in clinical parameters or patient-reported outcomes between incisors with CIRR and non-resorbed contralateral incisors at T1. The extent of root resorption during active orthodontic treatment was not possible to assess as only CBCT images from T0 and T1 were available. Incisors with CIRR caused by IMC have a high survival rate in a long-term perspective and do not cause more symptoms or exhibit more signs of pathology than non-resorbed contralateral incisors. Extraction of asymptomatic incisors based solely on root resorption should not be performed routinely.

A Novel Feature Selection Method for Ultra High Dimensional Survival Data

Finding relevant features in ultra-high dimensional survival data is one of the most important and fundamental objectives in biology discovery and statistical acquisition. Conventional survival regression algorithms are challenged by the exponential increase in raw data. In real-world scenarios, data processing with ultra-high dimensionality has an impact, particularly on two-component structures like the kidneys, lungs, and eyes. Future system stability and the frequency of illness are both affected by gene interactions between two components. The traditional statistical procedures employed for the survival system are restricted to single component. To date, for ultra-high-dimensional survival data with two compartments, no feature selection method is available. Thus, with the goal to determine the optimal methods in this situation, this study suggested and contrasted the performance of ten variable selection approaches for ultra-high dimensional Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) survival data containing two compartments. The study attempted to combine Freund’s baseline hazard function as the baseline hazard of Cox model (Lasso Freund, Robust Lasso Freund, Elastic Net Freund) and integrated with sure independence screening (SIS) and iterative sure independence screening (ISIS) (i.e., LF-SIS, RLF-SIS, ENF-SIS, LF-ISIS, RLF-ISIS, ENF-ISIS) in an attempt to tackle this issue. Additionally, two basic approaches, LASSO and EN, were taken into consideration and EN is combined with SIS and ISIS (EN-SIS, EN-ISIS). Result shows that based on the validating model measures, including MSE (340.000), SSE (25300.0) and RMSE (16.490) suggest, the Robust Lasso Freund-Iterative Sure Independence Screening (RLF-ISIS) and Robust Lasso Freund-Sure Independence Screening (RLF-SIS) strategy performs superior to the other suggested approaches in terms of greater precision in picking variables. Though both methods showed lower R2 (0.71) which advocates the presence of the outliers in the dataset. Additionally, the box-plot of some selected predictive genes confirms the presence of outliers. Furthermore, two methods, RLF-ISIS and RLF-SIS, have been used to identify 49 and 68 genes that have both direct and indirect effects on patients with RCC. Finally, it can be concluded that although RLF-SIS and RLF-ISIS outperform other proposed approaches, they may, however, be regarded as a variable selection strategy but they might not be the optimal choice for ultra-high dimensional survival data with outliers. Nevertheless, the study can be expanded in the future by applying competitive risk theory to a sequential and parallel structure, which serves as the basis for most complex mechanical systems found in manufacturing facilities. Notably, no feature selection method is available for ultra-high-dimensional survival data with outliers and two-compartments. Therefore, to address this particular issue, further research should focus on developing an advanced hybrid feature selection approach, with a particular emphasis on deep learning strategies.

Chronic oral toxicity protocol for adult solitary bees (Osmia bicornis L.): Reduced survival under long-term exposure to a “bee-safe” insecticide

Pollinators are essential for crop productivity. Yet, in agricultural areas, they may be threatened by pesticide exposure. Current pesticide risk assessments predominantly focus on honey bees, with a lack of standardized protocols for solitary bees. This study addresses this gap by developing a long-term oral exposure protocol tailored for O. bicornis. We conducted initial trials to determine optimal container sizes and feeding methods, ensuring high survival rates and accurate syrup consumption measurements. A validation test involving five laboratories was then conducted with the insecticide Flupyradifurone (FPF). Control mortality thresholds were set at ≤ 15% at 10 days. Three laboratories achieved ≤10%, demonstrating the protocol's effectiveness in maintaining healthy test populations. The seasonal timing of experiments influenced control mortality, underscoring the importance of aligning tests with the natural flight period of the population used. Our findings revealed dose-dependent effects of FPF on syrup consumption, showing stimulatory effects at lower concentrations and inhibitory effects at higher ones. The 10-day median lethal daily dose (LDD50) of FPF for O. bicornis (531.92 ng/bee/day) was 3.4-fold lower than that reported for Apis mellifera (1830 ng/bee/day), indicating Osmia's higher susceptibility. Unlike other insecticides, FPF did not exhibit time-reinforced toxicity. This study introduces a robust protocol for chronic pesticide exposure in solitary bees, addressing a critical gap in current risk assessment. Based on its low risk to honey bees and bumblebees, FPF is approved for application during flowering. However, our results suggest that it may threaten Osmia populations under realistic field conditions. Our findings underscore the need for comparative toxicity studies to ensure comprehensive protection of all pollinators and the importance of accounting for long term exposure scenarios in risk assessment. By enhancing our understanding of chronic pesticide effects in solitary bees, our study should contribute to the development of more effective conservation strategies and sustainable agricultural practices.

Dysgerminomas: germ cell tumors exhibit high expression of PD-L1 and associated with high TILs and good prognosis

Ovarian germ cell tumors (OVGCTs) account for 28% of all diagnosed ovarian cancers, and malignant germ cell tumors specifically account for approximately 13% of diagnosed ovarian cancers in Saudi Arabia. Although most germ cell tumor patients have a high survival rate, patients who experience tumor recurrence have a poor prognosis and present with more aggressive and chemoresistant tumors. The use of immunotherapeutic agents such as PD-L1/PD-1 inhibitors for OVGCTs remains very limited because few studies have described the immunological characteristics of these tumors. This study is the first to investigate PD-L1 expression in ovarian germ cell tumors and explore the role of PD-L1 expression in tumor microenvironment cells and genetic alterations. A total of 34 ovarian germ cell tumors were collected from pathology archives. The collected tumor tissues included ten dysgerminomas, five yolk sac tumors, five immature teratomas, and one mature teratoma, and the remaining samples were mixed germ cell tumors. The tumors were analyzed using immunohistochemical analysis to determine PD-L1 expression, immune cell infiltration and cancer stem cell populations and their correlation with clinical outcome. Furthermore, the genetic alterations in different subtypes of germ cell tumors were correlated with PD-L1 expression and clinical outcome. Datasets for testicular germ cells (TGCTs) were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and analyzed using cBioPortal (cbioportal.org) and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA). Compared with yolk sac tumors, dysgerminomas highly express PD-L1 and are associated with high levels of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and stem cell markers. In addition, compared with PD-L1-negative yolk sac tissue, dysgerminomas/seminomas with high PD-L1 expression are associated with more genetic alterations and a better prognosis. Our findings will contribute to the knowledge about the potential benefits of ovarian cancer immunotherapy in specific subsets of germ cell tumor patients and the risk factors for resistance mediated by tumor microenvironment cells.

Management considerations of moose life‐history characteristics in Colorado, USA

Wildlife management agencies are obliged to provide evidence‐based management recommendations to stakeholders. However, allocation of resources towards the management of species is rarely uniform. The consideration of life‐history characteristics of moose offers wildlife managers a more robust understanding of population ecology, while also providing insight into potential limiting factors for long‐term management. From 2014–2020 we simultaneously measured survival of adult female moose, as well as calf productivity, in relation to the nutritional condition of adult females, in Colorado. Mean annual adult survival was high (93% and 95% confidence interval: 91–95%). Human hunter harvest was the leading source of mortality and lowered annual adult survival to 88%. Malnutrition was the leading source of natural mortality. Mean annual pregnancy rates were relatively low (77%) and highly variable (95% confidence interval: 65–88%). However, low pregnancy rates were compensated for by high apparent calf survival. The best predictor of moose pregnancy was nutritional condition. Our data suggest that bottom‐up ecological processes were affecting moose population growth, but populations were likely increasing during our study, with a simulated population growth rate of 1.04 (95% confidence interval: 0.94–1.17).