Sequential biologic therapy in the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis in China: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

Objective: Compared with conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs), biologics are more effective and are recommended to be included in the sequential treatment for psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients. However, biologics are expensive and the cost-effectiveness of sequential biologic therapy in China remains unknown. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of different sequential treatment option for PsA patients who have not responded to csDMARDs from the perspective of Chinese healthcare system.

Metatranscriptomic time series insight into antibiotic resistance genes and mobile genetic elements in wastewater systems under antibiotic selective pressure.

Background: Wastewater systems are usually considered antibiotic resistance hubs connecting human society and the natural environment. Antibiotic usage can increase the abundance of both ARGs (antibiotic resistance genes) and MGEs (mobile gene elements). Understanding the transcriptomic profiles of ARGs and MGEs remains a major research goal.

Biologics in the treatment of active Psoriatic arthritis in China: a network meta-analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis.

Background: Biologics are recommended for use in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) after the failure of conventional systemic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDs). However, compared to csDMARDs, biologics are significantly more expensive. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of biologic treatments for active PsA patients who have failed treatment with csDMARDs, from the perspective of the Chinese healthcare system.

Unlocking Solid-State Sodium-Metal Batteries at -15 °C by Electrolyte Optimization and Interface Regulation.

Beta-AlO-based solid-state sodium metal batteries are some of the best options for large-scale energy storage systems because of their high energy density, high-level safety, and low cost. Nevertheless, their room-/low-temperature operation remains challenging due to low ionic conductivity of Beta-AlO electrolyte and weak solid-solid contact of the Na/Beta-AlO interface. Herein, an integrated strategy was developed via electrolyte optimization and interface regulation, in which Cu as a stabilizing agent was incorporated into Beta-AlO to improve density and ionic conductivity and the InS interface layer was introduced between the Na anode and solid electrolyte to induce the in situ formation of a mixed conductive layer (Na-In alloy and NaS).

Association between hemoglobin and in-hospital mortality in critically ill patients with sepsis: evidence from two large databases.

Background: The relationship between baseline hemoglobin levels and in-hospital mortality in septic patients remains unclear. This study aimed to clarify this association in critically ill patients with sepsis.

Methods: Patients with sepsis were retrospectively identified from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-IV (MIMIC-IV 2.

Cost-effectiveness and return on investment of hepatitis C virus elimination in China: A modelling study.

Background: The WHO set the goal of eliminating hepatitis C virus (HCV) by 2030, with 80% and 65% reductions in HCV incidence and mortality rates, respectively. We aimed to evaluate the health benefits, cost-effectiveness and return on investment (ROI) of HCV elimination.

Methods: Using an HCV transmission compartmental model, we evaluated the benefits and costs of different strategies combining screening and treatment for Chinese populations.

Neuroticism and asthma: Mendelian randomization analysis reveals causal link with mood swings and BMI mediation.

Background: Neuroticism has been associated with asthma, but the nature of this relationship remains unclear due to limited understanding of the impact of psychological factors on asthma risk. While Neuroticism is known to affect various health outcomes, its specific role in respiratory conditions like asthma is not fully understood.

Methods: We conducted Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses using genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to explore the causal link between 12 Neuroticism traits and asthma.

Evaluating nivolumab plus gemcitabine-cisplatin's cost-effectiveness for aUC in China.

Aims: Assessing the cost-effectiveness of Nivolumab with Gemcitabine-Cisplatin for Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma (aUC) treatment from the perspective of Chinese payers.

Methods: A Markov model assessed economic outcomes, estimating health outcomes in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the impact of uncertainties on the results.

Factors and machine learning models for predicting successful discontinuation of continuous renal replacement therapy in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury: a retrospective cohort study based on MIMIC-IV database.

Background: For critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI), there remains controversy regarding the predictive factors affecting the discontinuation of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). This study aims to explore factors associated with successful CRRT discontinuation in AKI patients and to develop predictive models for successful discontinuation.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on adult patients with AKI who received CRRT, sourced from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC-IV) database.

Cost-effectiveness of first-line enfortumab vedotin in addition to pembrolizumab for metastatic urothelial carcinoma in the United States.

Background And Objective: The EV-302 trial found that the combination of enfortumab vedotin (EV) with pembrolizumab significantly improved survival for patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC). However, given the high cost of the drugs, there is a need to assess its value by considering both efficacy and cost. This study assessed the cost-effectiveness of EV plus pembrolizumab as a first-line treatment for patients with mUC from the perspective of U.

Effects and Costs of Hepatitis C Virus Elimination for the Whole Population in China: A Modelling Study.

Background And Objective: China has the highest number of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in the world. However, it is unclear what levels of screening and treatment are needed to achieve the WHO 2030 hepatitis C elimination targets. We aimed to evaluate the impact of scaling up interventions on the hepatitis C epidemic and determine how and at what cost these elimination targets could be achieved for the whole population in China.

Silencing of CPNE1-TRAF2 Axis Restrains the Development of Pancreatic Cancer.

Background: Copine 1 (CPNE1) acts as a promoter in the progression of many kinds of cancers with the exception of pancreatic cancer (PC). This research is designed to probe the function of the CPNE1-tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) axis in PC.

Methods: and models of PC were constructed, and a series of biological function tests, including MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide], colony formation, flow cytometry, and immunohistochemistry, were performed.

Sixty Years of Frequency-Domain Monaural Speech Enhancement: From Traditional to Deep Learning Methods.

Frequency-domain monaural speech enhancement has been extensively studied for over 60 years, and a great number of methods have been proposed and applied to many devices. In the last decade, monaural speech enhancement has made tremendous progress with the advent and development of deep learning, and performance using such methods has been greatly improved relative to traditional methods. This survey paper first provides a comprehensive overview of traditional and deep-learning methods for monaural speech enhancement in the frequency domain.

A Flexible Wearable Supernumerary Robotic Limb for Chronic Stroke Patients.

In this study, we present a flexible wearable supernumerary robotic limb that helps chronic stroke patients with finger rehabilitation and grasping movements. The design of this innovative limb draws inspiration from bending pneumatic muscles and the unique characteristics of an elephant's trunk tip. It places a strong emphasis on crucial factors such as lightweight construction, safety, compliance, waterproofing, and achieving a high output-to-weight/pressure ratio.

Efficacy and safety of Xiao-ai-ping injection add-on therapy to chemotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Xiao-ai-ping injection (XAPI) combined with chemotherapy has potential efficacy and less side effects in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). At present, there are many clinical studies on XAPI combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of NSCLC, but the results are different. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of XAPI combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of NSCLC by meta-analysis system.

Efficacy of "Dihuang pill prescriptions" combined with conventional treatment for diabetic kidney disease: A network meta-analysis and systematic review.

Background: With the increasing incidence of diabetic nephropathy, there is currently no means to completely cure the disease. However, a large number of clinical data proved that traditional Chinese medicine combined with modern medical conventional treatment of diabetic kidney disease has achieved better efficacy than simple Western medicine conventional treatment.

Methods: Based on the mesh meta-analysis method, the objective evaluation of clinical efficacy of conventional treatment of diabetic kidney disease and comparison provided more evidence-based basis for the treatment of diabetic kidney disease and further select effective intervention measures to delay the process of diabetic kidney disease.

Calcineurin inhibitors or cyclophosphamide in the treatment of membranous nephropathy superimposed with FSGS lesions: a retrospective study from China.

Background: Cyclophosphamide (CTX) and calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) based regimens are recommended as immunosuppressive therapies for patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN). Focal and segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS) lesions, which are common in membranous nephropathy (MN), are poor predictors of outcome. This study compared the differences of prognosis between two regimens in patients with IMN combined with FSGS lesions.

Comparing the efficacy and safety of different thread-drawing surgery method for treating high complex anal fistula: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of different surgical methods in the treatment of high complex anal fistula by systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Methods: Randomized controlled trials that met the inclusion criteria in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, CBM, CNKI, WANFANG DATA, VIP were searched from the date of database construction to May 23, 2023.

Results: Among the 48 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 4205 patients were included in the network meta-analysis.

The efficacy of Chinese herbal ointment in treating perianal eczema: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Traditional Chinese herbal ointment has significant curative effect and few side effects in the treatment of perianal eczema (PE). Currently, there is no systematic evaluation on the treatment of PE with traditional Chinese medicine ointment. The current aim is to systematically evaluate the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine ointment in the treatment of PE through meta-analysis.

Modeling individual head-related transfer functions from sparse measurements using a convolutional neural network.

Individual head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) are usually measured with high spatial resolution or modeled with anthropometric parameters. This study proposed an HRTF individualization method using only spatially sparse measurements using a convolutional neural network (CNN). The HRTFs were represented by two-dimensional images, in which the horizontal and vertical ordinates indicated direction and frequency, respectively.

Demonstrating a Comprehensive Wastewater-Based Surveillance Approach That Differentiates Globally Sourced Resistomes.

Wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) for disease monitoring is highly promising but requires consistent methodologies that incorporate predetermined objectives, targets, and metrics. Herein, we describe a comprehensive metagenomics-based approach for global surveillance of antibiotic resistance in sewage that enables assessment of 1) which antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are shared across regions/communities; 2) which ARGs are discriminatory; and 3) factors associated with overall trends in ARGs, such as antibiotic concentrations. Across an internationally sourced transect of sewage samples collected using a centralized, standardized protocol, ARG relative abundances (16S rRNA gene-normalized) were highest in Hong Kong and India and lowest in Sweden and Switzerland, reflecting national policy, measured antibiotic concentrations, and metal resistance genes.

Low-latency monaural speech enhancement with deep filter-bank equalizer.

It is highly desirable that speech enhancement algorithms can achieve good performance while keeping low latency for many applications, such as digital hearing aids, mobile phones, acoustically transparent hearing devices, and public address systems. To improve the performance of traditional low-latency speech enhancement algorithms, a deep filter-bank equalizer (FBE) framework was proposed that integrated a deep learning-based subband noise reduction network with a deep learning-based shortened digital filter mapping network. In the first network, a deep learning model was trained with a controllable small frame shift to satisfy the low-latency demand, i.

Comparison of efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese patent medicines for diabetic nephropathy: A protocol for Bayesian network meta-analysis.

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most serious complications of diabetes. It has become a global public health problem among humans. DN is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease.