Solo Group Research Articles

Franchise Potential in Food Industry Expansion Strategies in East Kalimantan

This study investigates the franchise potential in the food industry as part of expansion strategies in East Kalimantan, with a focus on the Wong Solo Group amid Indonesia’s capital relocation. Utilizing qualitative methods, including SWOT, PESTLE, Porter’s Five Forces, and the VRIO framework, the research provides a comprehensive analysis of strategic positions and opportunities for business expansion. The study reveals significant opportunities for growth driven by demographic changes, economic development, and increased consumer spending. Key findings indicate that Wong Solo Group’s established brand and operational expertise offer a strong foundation for expansion. However, challenges such as regulatory changes and intense competition need to be addressed. The SWOT analysis highlights internal strengths such as brand reputation and product innovation, while the PESTLE analysis underscores external opportunities and threats. Porter’s Five Forces analysis identifies competitive pressures within the food industry, and the VRIO framework assesses the group’s resources and capabilities. The study concludes with strategic recommendations for Wong Solo Group to leverage its strengths, address its weaknesses, capitalize on opportunities, and mitigate threats. These recommendations aim to ensure successful franchise expansion in the dynamic market environment of East Kalimantan, providing a roadmap for sustained growth and competitive advantage.

A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Study Comparing Patient-Reported Outcomes in People With Type 1 Diabetes Using Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion or Multiple Daily Injections.

The aim of this study was to compare patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in people with type 1 diabetes using either continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) with two different insulin patch pumps or multiple daily injections (MDIs). In this randomized three-arm study, people with type 1 diabetes on MDI therapy were included and used either MDI, the Accu-Chek Solo micropump system (Solo) or Omnipod for 26 weeks. From weeks 26 to 39, all participants used CSII with Solo. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed using the diabetes technology questionnaire (DTQ); in addition, HbA1c values were measured. Overall, 181 participants were randomized (61 MDI arm, 62 Solo arm, 58 Omnipod arm) and 142 completed the study. After 26 weeks in the study, the DTQ "change" score in the Solo group (105.9 [100.6-111.2]; baseline-adjusted mean [95% confidence interval]) was significantly higher than in the MDI group (94.8 [89.6-100.0]) (P = .001). The comparison between the Solo group (105.1 [99.1-111.1]) and the Omnipod group (108.7 [103.1-114.4]) showed no significant differences (P = .382). HbA1c increased by 0.2% ± 0.7% in the MDI group and decreased in both pump groups (Solo group -0.2% ± 0.8% and Omnipod group -0.1% ± 0.8%). Differences in HbA1c between the Solo group and the MDI group were significant (P = .009), but not between the Solo group and the Omnipod group (P = .896). This study showed that switching from MDI to CSII improves both psychosocial well-being and physiological outcomes. Furthermore, there were no substantial differences between the established and the recently released patch pump. Trial registration at www.clinicaltrials.gov is NCT03478969.

(008) Are Vibrators Equally Effective among Women Engaged in Partnered and Solo Sexually Activity?

Abstract Introduction Solo sexual activity is a solo stimulation of one’s genitals and other body areas for sexual pleasure. Treatment methods for Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD), developed to date are usually assessed in the context of partnered sexual activity. There is a growing need to compare the effect of therapeutic interventions, like vibrators, among women engaged in only solo sexual activity and partnered sexual activity. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the effect of routine vibrator use on sexual health among women engaged in only solo and partnered sexual activity. Methods This was a prospectively pilot study of sexually active women aged 18 and 99 who presented for consultation to our urogynecological clinic with pelvic floor and/or sexual health concerns. Women were offered a bullet vibrator and instructed to use it according to the protocol. Participants’ demographics, health data, sexual practices, frequency of solo and partnered sexual activity, as well as Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) were assessed at the initial visit and after three months of intervention. We used descriptive statistics and a paired-sample t-test to determine the effect of vibrator use on sexual function. Results Among 61 women enrolled in this study, 60.6% (n=37) were engaged in partnered sexual activity and 39.3% (n=24) were only solo sexually active. Participants were predominantly white (80.3%), with a mean age of 54.7 ± 16.3. There were no significant differences in demographics and pelvic floor disorders (prolapse, urinary incontinence) between the two groups. Vibrator use among women in a solo group did not show significant improvement in sexual response cycle domains (p>0.05). However, the score statistical trend was noted across all the domains. Women engaged in partnered sexual activity had significant improvement in desire (p=0.03), arousal (p=0.03), orgasm (p=0.05), and the total score (p=0.03) with vibrator use. The study completion was higher among women involved in partnered sexual activity 94.6% (n=35) than women who only engaged in solo sexual activity 58.3%(n=14). Conclusions No significant differences in demographics and pelvic health were noted between women engaged in solo sexual activity and women engaged in partnered sexual activity. Vibrator therapy produces significant improvement in desire, arousal, and orgasm domains, as well as total score among women in partnered sexual activities, also more represented in this pilot study. Disclosure No.

Análise multirresíduos de pesticidas para determinar a influência do manuseio pós-colheita sobre os níveis de resíduos em mamão

Abstract The objective of this work was to adapt and validate a multiresidue method for pesticide analysis, to determine the influence of the current postharvest handling steps on the degradation of pesticide residues in papaya. 'THB' papaya of the Solo group were sampled at each postharvest handling step in the packinghouse. For the validation of the multiresidue analysis in papaya, the technique used for extraction was the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method, with modifications. Pesticide quantification was carried out using an ultra-high performance liquid chromatograph coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with electrospray ionization (UHPLC-MS/MS). Fruit were analyzed before and after the handling procedures and were evaluated after ripening. The used methodology was successfully validated to detect the azoxystrobin, carbendazim, carbofuran, difenoconazole, imazalil, imidacloprid, flutriafol, prochloraz, pyraclostrobin, tebuconazole, thiabendazole, and thiacloprid pesticides in papaya. Fruit washing reduces azoxystrobin and difenoconazole residue levels in 78 to 90% and in 47 to 90% on fruit surface, respectively. Although the postharvest handling steps are ineffective in reducing the levels of thiabendazole, if this fungicide is applied at the appropriate rate, the residue levels will remain below the limits permitted by law.

Short-Term Outcomes of XEN45 Standalone versus Combined with Phacoemulsification in Open-Angle Glaucoma Patients: A Retrospective Study.

The XEN45 is a minimally invasive glaucoma surgery device commonly used in clinical practice. This retrospective study included consecutive patients with open-angle glaucoma who underwent a XEN45 implant with mitomycin C, either alone or in combination with phacoemulsification, between June 2015 and March 2021. The primary end point was the mean change in intraocular pressure (IOP) from the baseline to month 6. A total of 677 eyes, 395 (58.3%) in the XEN alone group and 282 (41.7%) in the XEN+Phaco group, were included in this study. The preoperative IOP was significantly lowered from 28.7 ± 8.6 mmHg and 25.4 ± 6.9 mmHg to 13.5 ± 5.0 mmHg and 13.5 ± 4.1 mmHg at month 6 in the XEN solo and XEN+Phaco groups, respectively, with p < 0.0001 each. The mean (95% confidence interval) number of ocular hypotensive medications was significantly reduced from 3.3 (3.2-3.4) to 0.2 (0.1-0.2) and from 3.1 (2.9-3.2) to 0.2 (0.1-0.2) in the XEN solo and XEN+Phaco groups, respectively, with p < 0.0001 each. Needling was performed in 228 (33.7%) eyes. Conclusions: the XEN implant significantly reduces both IOP and the number of ocular hypotensive medications. IOP lowering was higher in the XEN solo group than in the XEN+Phaco one, although such a difference was only evident during the first month after surgery.

Effectiveness of a Decision Aid Plus Standard Care in Surgical Management Among Patients With Early Breast Cancer

Patients with early breast cancer must choose between undergoing breast conservation surgery or mastectomy. This decision is often difficult as there are trade-offs between breast conservation and adverse effects, and women with higher decisional conflict have a harder time choosing the therapy that suits their preferences. To study the impact of a decision aid with a patient preference assessment tool for surgical decision-making on patients' decisional conflict scale (DCS) score. This 3-group randomized clinical trial was conducted between June 2017 and December 2019 at a single high-volume tertiary care cancer center in Mumbai, India. A research questionnaire comprising 16 questions answered on a Likert scale (from 1, strongly agree, to 5, strongly disagree) was used to measure DCS scores and other secondary psychological variables, with higher scores indicating more decisional conflict. The Navya Patient Preference Tool (Navya-PPT) was developed as a survey-based presentation of evidence in an adaptive, conjoint analysis-based module for and trade-offs between cosmesis, adverse effects of radiotherapy, and cost of mandatory radiation following breast-conserving surgery. Adult patients with histologically proven early breast cancer (cT1-2, N0-1) who were eligible for breast-conserving surgery as per clinicoradiological assessment were included. Those who were pregnant or unable to read the research questionnaire or who had bilateral breast cancer were excluded. Data were analyzed from January to June 2020. Patients were randomized 1:1:1 to study groups: standard care including clinical explanation about surgery (control), standard care plus the Navya-PPT provided to the patient alone (solo group), and standard care plus the Navya-PPT provided to the patient and a caregiver (joint group). The primary end point of the study was DCS score. The study was 80% powered with 2-sided α = .01 to detect an effect size of 0.25 measured by Cohen d, F test analysis of variance, and fixed effects. A total of 245 female patients (median [range] age, 48 [23-76] years) were randomized (82 to control, 83 to the solo group, and 80 to the joint group). The median (range) pathological tumor size was 2.5 (0-6) cm. A total of 153 participants (62.4%) had pN0 disease, 185 (75.5%) were hormone receptor positive, 197 (80.4%) were human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative, 144 (58.6%) were of middle or lower socioeconomic status, and 114 (46.5%) had an education level lower than a college degree. DCS score was significantly reduced in the solo group compared with control (1.34 vs 1.66, respectively; Cohen d, 0.50; SD, 0.31; P < .001) and the joint group compared with control (1.31 vs 1.66, respectively; Cohen d, 0.54; SD, 0.31; P < .001). The results of this study demonstrated lower decisional conflict as measured by DCS score following use of the online, self-administered Navya-PPT among patients with early breast cancer choosing between breast-conserving surgery vs mastectomy. Clinical Trials Registry of India Identifier: CTRI/2017/11/010480.

Magnetic resonance imaging-guided focused ultrasound thalamotomy launch with remote telemedicine international proctorship.

COVID-19 limitations have hindered the implementation of new technologies by preventing proctors from coming to the site. We share our first experience of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) treatment with an international remote online proctorship, and develop and evaluate the methodology of remote MRgFUS proctorship. This single-center, nonrandomized controlled prospective study included 94 patients: 27 with essential tremor (ET) and 67 with tremor-dominant Parkinson's disease (PD). The coming of proctors was impossible, so we arranged for the remote participation of proctors from the United Kingdom, Spain, and Israel. A total of 38 patients (40.4%) received telemedicine-proctored treatment (proctor group) and 56 received their treatment independently (solo group). We used the Clinical Rating Scale for Tremor (CRST) for ET patients and the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) Part III for PD patients. In patients with ET, success rates were 81.8% (proctor group) and 100% (solo group) (p = 0.22). CRST reduction on the treated side was 71.43% [65.83%; 80.56%] (proctor group) versus 60.87% [53.99; 79.58] (solo group) (p = 0.19). None of the patients showed worsening of tremors within 1 year. In patients with PD, the success rates were 92.6% (proctor group) and 100% (solo group) (p = 0.08). The UPDRS Part III improvement was 30.1% (proctor group) versus 39.9% (solo group) (p = 0.003). The 1-year recurrence rate was 40% (proctor group) and 17.5% (solo group) (p = 0.04). No complications were observed at 6 months. We developed a feasible and safe methodology for telemedicine remote online-proctored MRgFUS treatment. No significant difference was observed between the solo and developed remote proctor protocols in terms of complication rate, effect, and long-term results; however, UPDRS Part III improvement was better in the PD solo group. This study demonstrated that the MRgFUS international proctorship can be performed successfully remotely.

A randomized, open-label, controlled, parallel-group comparative study of two varieties of Carica papaya leaves in dengue-induced thrombocytopenia

Background: Dengue-induced thrombocytopenia can be life-threatening. However, supportive and symptomatic treatment is the current management protocol. The leaf extract of papaya has shown promising results in improving the platelet count. There are many varieties of Carica papaya such as Washington, Honeydew, Coorg honeydew, Solo, Surya, Red lady, C0-1, CO-3, CO-5, C0-6. Aims and Objectives: The aim is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two varieties (“Red Lady” and “Solo”) of C. papaya fresh leaf extract in patients diagnosed with dengue-induced thrombocytopenia. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted for 2 months, and 18 dengue-confirmed inpatients with thrombocytopenia (platelet count &lt;1,50,000/μL) were enrolled. The study participants were grouped into the standard “Control” group, “Solo” group who received fresh papaya leaf extract “Solo” and “Red Lady” group who received fresh papaya leaf extract of “Red Lady.” About 30 mL of leaf extract was given thrice daily for 5 days. Results: The mean change from the baseline value of platelets was found to be 59,168/µL for the control group and 57,000/µL for Red Lady, and 93,167/µL for the solo group. The study showed a positive trend with improvement in platelet count in “Solo” Variety group when compared to “Red Lady” group and the control group. The safety results showed that both the papaya leaf extracts have a favorable safety profile. Conclusion: There was an improvement in platelet count in “Solo” variety group when compared to “Red Lady” and the control group. However, the results were not statistically significant. No adverse events were observed during the study.

(052) Are Vibrators Equally Effective Among Women Engaged in Partnered Versus Solo Sexual Activity?

Abstract Introduction Solo sexual activity is solo stimulation of one’s genitals and other body areas for sexual pleasure. Treatment methods for Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD), developed to date are usually assessed in the context of partnered sexual activity. There is a growing need to compare the effect of therapeutic interventions, like vibrators, among women engaged in only solo sexual activity versus partnered sexual activity. Objective The aim of this study was to assess the effect of routine vibrator use on sexual health among women engaged in solo only versus partnered sexual activity. Methods This was a prospective pilot study of sexually active women aged 18 to 99 years who presented for consultation in our urogynecology clinic with pelvic floor and/or sexual health concerns. Women were offered a bullet vibrator and instructed to use it according to the protocol. Participants’ demographics, health data, sexual practices, frequency of solo and partnered sexual activity, as well as Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) were assessed at the initial visit and after three months of intervention. We used descriptive statistics and a paired-sample t-test to determine the effect of vibrator use on sexual function. Results Among 61 women enrolled in this study, 60.6% (n=37) were engaged in partnered sexual activity and 39.3% (n=24) were only solo sexually active. Participants were predominantly Caucasian (80.3%), with a mean age of 54.7 ± 16.3. There were no significant differences in demographics and pelvic floor disorders (prolapse, urinary incontinence) between the two groups. Vibrator use among women in a solo group did not show significant improvement in sexual response cycle domains (p&amp;gt;0.05). However, the score statistical trend was noted across all the domains. Women engaged in partnered sexual activity had significant improvement in desire (p=0.03), arousal (p=0.03), orgasm (p=0.05), and the total score (p=0.03) with vibrator use. The study completion was higher among women involved in partnered sexual activity 94.6% (n=35) than women who only engaged in solo sexual activity 58.3%(n=14). Conclusions Vibrator therapy results in significant improvement in desire, arousal, and orgasm domains, as well as total score among women in partnered sexual activity when compared to women with only solo sexual activity. Solo sexual activity needs to be considered when recommending treatments, such as vibrators, for sexual health. Disclosure Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: Abbvie, Coloplast.

1019 Collaborative Surgical Team Training in Virtual Reality Is Superior to Individual Learning: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Abstract Aim This study aimed to assess if multiplayer virtual reality training was superior to single player training for acquisition of both technical and non-technical skills in learning complex open surgery. Method 40 participants (20 novice surgeons and 20 novice scrub nurses) were enrolled in this study and randomised to solo or team virtual reality training learning anterior approach total hip arthroplasty. Solo participants trained with virtual avatar counterparts, whilst teams trained in pairs (surgeon and scrub nurse). Both groups underwent 5 VR training sessions over 6 weeks. Subsequently, they underwent a real-life assessment in which they performed AA-THA on a high-fidelity model with real equipment in a simulated operating theatre. Teams performed together and solo participants were randomly paired up with a solo player of the opposite role. Videos of the assessment were marked by two blinded expert assessors. The primary outcome was team performance as graded by the NOTECHs II score. Secondary outcomes were procedure time, technical errors from an expert pre-defined protocol and acetabular component positioning. Results Teams outperformed solo trained participants in non-technical skills in the real-world assessment (NOTECHS-II score 50.3 ± 6.04 vs 43.90 ± 5.90, p=0.0275). They completed the assessment 28.11% faster than solos (31.22 minutes ±2.02 vs 43.43 ±2.71, p=0.01), and made close to half the number of technical errors when compared to the solo group (12.9 ± 8.3 vs 25.6 ± 6.1, p=0.001). Conclusions Multiplayer training appears to lead to faster surgery with fewer technical errors and the development of superior non-technical skills.

Sex type determination in papaya seeds and leaves using near infrared spectroscopy combined with multivariate techniques and machine learning

Papaya trees (Carica papaya L.) can bear female, hermaphrodite, and male flowers. However, only the hermaphrodite type produces elongate fruit required and appreciated by the consumer market. Sex type determination is carried out based on the plant phenotype after planting the seedlings, increasing the production costs. In this regard, the objective of this study was to verify the feasibility of using near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) as a non-destructive method for sexing papaya trees. The NIR spectra were collected using seeds and leaves of the respective seedlings of the cultivars ‘T2′, ‘Formosa’, and ‘Calimosa’ (Formosa group), and ‘THB’ and ‘Ouro’ (Solo group). By using the seeds, it was possible to obtain a F-score value of 0.81 for the external validation set applying the principal component analysis and quadratic discriminant analysis (PCA-QDA). By using the leaves, the F-score values was slightly lower (0.79) applying PCA and linear discriminant analysis (PCA-LDA). It was possible to use NIR spectroscopy associated with multivariate techniques as a non-destructive method to determine the sex types in papaya trees using both seeds and leaves of the seedlings.

Musical novices perform with equal accuracy when learning to drum alone or with a peer

The capacity of expert musicians to coordinate with each other when playing in ensembles or rehearsing has been widely investigated. However, little is known about the ability of novices to achieve satisfactory coordinated behaviour when making music together. We tested whether performance accuracy differs when novices play a newly learned drumming pattern with another musically untrained individual (duo group) or alone (solo group). A comparison between musical outcomes of the two groups revealed no significant differences concerning performative accuracy. An additional, exploratory examination of the degree of mutual influence between members of the duos suggested that they reciprocally affected each other when playing together. These findings indicate that a responsive auditory feedback involving surprises introduced by human errors could be part of pedagogical settings that employ repetition or imitation, thereby facilitating coordination among novices in a less prescribed fashion.

Varda's Third Life

Abstract In 2003, following an invitation to participate in the fiftieth Venice Biennale, Agnès Varda started at the age of seventy-five her “third life as a young visual artist,” as she liked to say. During some fifteen years, Varda created over twenty large-scale video installations, numerous smaller ones, and new photographic works, which have been shown in over twenty solo exhibitions and countless group exhibitions in museums, galleries, and art biennials all over the world. This article gives an overview of her installation art and examines how Varda's installations take up and expand on her lifelong passion for still and moving images, painting, photography, and cinema. The author also shows how Varda has rethought and reworked certain subjects that mattered to her throughout her career, by means proper to this new medium. Varda always had the gift to give us the opportunity to reframe our perception of overlooked population groups or objects and to reorient our attention away from the spectacular and extraordinary toward what Georges Perec called the “infraordinary.” If we regard her installations as sites for “active reverie,” we can also comprehend their political dimension as a possible antidote to the current state of the world.

Alberto Spadolini's Box: Dance, Silence and the Archive

The Italian dancer and painter Alberto Spadolini was rediscovered when a box containing numerous documents relating to his artistic life was recovered in 1978 by his nephew, Marco Travaglini. This box forms the core of the archive assembled by Travaglini since 2004, containing valuable information about his uncle who had been largely-neglected. Spadolini (1907–1972) was born in Ancona, Italy, studied in Rome during the 1920s and moved to France in the 1930s. In 1932, he became a famous music-hall dancer performing in solo numbers and group works with Josephine Baker and Mistinguett, among others. Throughout the decade he came to be known as ‘the nude dancer’, possibly owing to the skimpy costumes he usually wore and his statuesque body. From the 1940s he began painting a series of works featuring ballerinas in tutus. He never spoke to his nephew about his life as dancer, so that when Travaglini found the box, he was amazed at what he discovered. The box constitutes a precious archive, containing photographs, posters, articles, and reviews relating to Spadolini's career as a dancer and painter. I intend to analyse Spadolini's box using methodological tools from archive studies and from dance and cultural history, with particular attention to the concept of cultural hegemony, in order to establish the fundamental importance of such archives to the recovery of neglected figures like Spadolini.

Learning Music From Each Other: Synchronization, Turn-taking, or Imitation?

In an experimental study, we investigated how well novices can learn from each other in situations of technology-aided musical skill acquisition, comparing joint and solo learning, and learning through imitation, synchronization, and turn-taking. Fifty-four participants became familiar, either solo or in pairs, with three short musical melodies and then individually performed each from memory. Each melody was learned in a different way: participants from the solo group were asked via an instructional video to: 1) play in synchrony with the video, 2) take turns with the video, or 3) imitate the video. Participants from the duo group engaged in the same learning trials, but with a partner. Novices in both groups performed more accurately in pitch and time when learning in synchrony and turn-taking than in imitation. No differences were found between solo and joint learning. These results suggest that musical learning benefits from a shared, in-the-moment, musical experience, where responsibilities and cognitive resources are distributed between biological (i.e., peers) and hybrid (i.e., participant(s) and computer) assemblies.

Molecular sexing in papaya (Carica papaya L.) seeds based on endosperm DNA

Sex determination in papaya plants is a practice of great importance, given the greater commercial interest in hermaphrodite plants. This process is laborious, requiring plant three to five seedlings per hill since the sex types are identified by the flowers four months after planting. The objective of the present study was to perform sexing on papaya seeds through molecular markers by collecting a tissue sample for DNA extraction, without compromising seed germination. Two genotypes were used for the experiment: one of the Solo group (Golden) and another of the Formosa group (UC-01). Germination tests were performed to determine the best type of section (transverse and longitudinal) to remove the endosperm tissue associated with the best disinfestation treatment (fungicide or sodium hypochlorite) which would allow subsequent embryo development. For molecular sexing, six DNA extraction methods were tested in association with two amplification protocols. The association between the longitudinal section and the fungicide treatment provided a high germination percentage (81%) for the genotype of the Formosa group, which did not differ statistically from control (88%). The genotype of the Golden group also exhibited better germination in the longitudinal section treated with fungicide (32%), but the section led to a lower germination percentage than control treatment (82%). The PS2 primer was efficient in sexing the samples, as confirmed by phenotypic sexing. The present study unprecedently demonstrates sexing in Formosa standard papaya seeds via molecular markers, maintaining its germinative potential. For Solo seeds, which are smaller, adjustments should be made to the protocol.

Topcross hybrids in papaya: Genes derived from backcrossing provide resistance to multiple diseases

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is widely cultivated and consumed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. However, a number of diseases prevent the expansion of the crop, the two most prominent of which are ‘black spot’ and ‘phoma spot’. Considering the increasing market demand for fruits free of agrochemical residues, genetic resistance emerges a promising control measure. Our study proposes to estimate the specific combining ability and its interactions with the environment to identify genotypes with genetic resistance to black spot and phoma spot in topcross hybrids. This paper describes an experimental trial implemented in a randomized-block design with six replicates, involving 10 superior lines obtained by backcrossing; four elite lines (‘SS-72/12’, ‘JS-12’, ‘Sekati’ and ‘41/7’), used as parents of already registered genotypes; 20 topcross F1 hybrids (crosses between the 10 lines and the elite hybrids); and two commercial controls. The result related to non-additive interactions resulting from genetic complementation between parents. The SS 72/12 × 4 genotype, a hybrid of the Solo group, was identified as potentially resistant to both diseases. The Sekati × 1 and JS-12 × 17 genotypes, hybrids of the Formosa group, were also promising, given their negative estimates for incidence of black spot on the leaves and fruits and incidence and severity of phoma spot on the leaves, showing less damage when affected by diseases. These results enable the registration of potentially resistant cultivars with high-quality agronomic attributes, which can broaden the range of papaya cultivars sold in Brazil.

Effectiveness of Cooperative Treatment Using Community Medical Systems and Healthcare Services for Second-Line Therapy in Advanced Urothelial Cancer Patients : Impact on Survival

Chemotherapy and immune-checkpoint inhibitors, used as second-line treatments for advanced urothelial cancer (UC), can have adverse effects in some patients, such as decreased organ function. We investigated the effectiveness of cooperation with medical/welfare services, so-called cooperative medicine, in these cases. A total of 137 UC patients who had undergone second-line therapy were analyzed. Of these 137 patients, 49 were categorized in the "cooperative"treatment group, in which a general practitioner performed blood tests and transfusions ; and, administered medication, while nurses and case workers from a community health care institution provided mental and social support. There were 50 in the "joint" treatment group, who were treated jointly by a urologist and general practitioner ; and, 38 in the "solo" treatment group who were treated by a urologist only. The Short Form Health Survey, SF-36, was used to evaluate quality of life (QoL). We observed that the overall survival after the second-line treatment was significantly longer in the cooperative group than in the other two groups, with multivariate analyses confirming cooperative treatment as a significant factor for better prognosis (P=0.005). The period of second-line treatment in the cooperative group was significantly longer (P=0.003) than that in the solo group, whereas the proportion of patients who subsequently received third-line treatment was higher in the cooperative group, 58. 5%, than in the solo and joint groups, 26. 5% and 25. 5%, respectively. Posttreatment QoL measurements in the joint and solo groups were significantly lower for 3 and 6 items, respectively, whereas there was no appreciable decrease in post-treatment QoL measurements in the cooperative group. Multivariate analysis showed that cooperative treatment was particularly beneficial for female patients ≥75 years of age, and patients with status 2 performance.

Intravenous Combined with Topical Tranexamic Acid Administration Has No Additional Benefits Compared with Intravenous Administration Alone in High Tibial Osteotomy: A Retrospective Case‐Control Study

ObjectiveTo investigate whether intravenous combined with topical administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) is superior to intravenous administration alone in terms of blood loss, incision complications, functional recovery, and pain relief in high tibial osteotomy (HTO).MethodsClinical data of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) treated with unilateral HTO were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were grouped according to the TXA administration method, with 24 patients in the combined group and 21 in the solo group. In the combined group, 100 mL saline containing 1 g TXA was intravenously administered before application of a tourniquet, and 20 mL saline containing 2 g TXA was injected through a drainage tube after closure of the incision. Alternatively, 100 mL of saline containing 1 g TXA was intravenously administered before application of a tourniquet in the solo group. The blood loss and adverse events were compared between the two groups.ResultsAll patients were followed for more than half a year. The drainage volume on the first day and total blood loss on the second day after surgery in the combined and single treatment groups were 130.06 ± 29.22 and 165.35 ± 43.08 mL (P < 0.05), respectively, and 327.17 ± 64.26 and 385.45 ± 63.31 mL (P < 0.05). There were no blood transfusions in either group. One case of delayed incision healing was observed in the solo group, and no such event occurred in the combined group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of the following factors: the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT); levels of fibrinogen (FIB) and D‐dimer on the second day after surgery; numbers of hospitalization days and thromboembolism events; and knee joint function and visual analog score 6 months after surgery.ConclusionIntravenous combined with topical TXA administration in HTO is superior to intravenous administration alone for reducing postoperative blood loss and drainage volume without thromboembolic complications. However, even with only intravenous TXA administration, no cases of blood transfusion and only 1 case of incision complication occurred. At the same time, the combined use of TXA did not improve the recovery of knee joint function and pain relief after HTO.

Physicochemical and sensory properties of papaya fruits of elite lines and hybrids

This study aimed to evaluate papaya elite lines and hybrids as to fruit physicochemical and sensory characteristics, thus identifying the most promising ones for the market. Fruits from improved genotypes of the Solo group (CMF H10.60, CMF L78, and UC 14) and Formosa group (CMF L10, UC 10, and UC 12) were evaluated, and the commercial cultivars Golden and Tainung nº 1 were used as controls. The following physical and physicochemical evaluations were performed: fruit length and diameter, fruit inner cavity diameter, fruit weight, fruit and pulp firmness, soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, Ratio (soluble solids and titratable acidit relation), and firmness of peeled and unpeeled ripe fruits. Sensory tests were performed with 50 papaya consumers. In general, the improved genotypes of the Solo and Formosa groups showed similar physical and physicochemical characteristics to the Golden and Tainung n° 1 controls. The CMF L78 line of the Solo group and the UC10 hybrid of the Formosa group showed similar fruit firmness and ratio characteristics compared to both commercial cultivars. The three new genotypes in the Solo group showed superior sensory characteristics to the commercial cultivar Golden. The internal preference mapping of this group revealed a higher preference for the genotypes UC 14 and CMF L78, for having fruits with more intense color, stronger flavor, and firmer texture than the others. In the Formosa group, the UC 10 genotype outperformed the cultivar Tainung nº 1, with a global acceptance percentage of 96.15%, due to a more intense aroma, color, and flavor. The CMF L78 line of the Solo group and the UC 10 hybrid of the Formosa group have excellent physicochemical and sensory characteristics and are therefore promising alternatives to replace both commercial cultivars (Golden and Tainung nº 1).