Comparative analysis of breast and lung cancer survival rates and clinical trial enrollments among rural and urban patients in Georgia

Objectives:Rural patients have poor cancer outcomes and clinical trial(CT)enrollment compared to urban patients due to attitudinal,awareness,and healthcare access differential.Knowledge of cancer survival disparities and CT enrollment is important for designing interventions and innovative approaches to address the stated barriers.The study explores the potential disparities in cancer survival rates and clinical trial enrollments in rural and urban breast and lung cancer patients.Our hypotheses are that for both cancer types,urban cancer patients will have longer 5-year survival rates and higher enrollment rates in clinical trials than those in rural counties.Methods:We compared breast and lung cancer patients’survival rates and enrollment ratios in clinical trials between rural(RUCC 4-9)and urban counties in Georgia at a Comprehensive Cancer Center(CCC).To assess these differences,we carried out a series of independent samples t-tests and Chi-Square tests.Results:The outcomes indicate comparable 5-year survival rates across rural and urban counties for breast and lung cancer patients,failing to substantiate our hypothesis.While clinical trial enrollment rates demonstrated a significant difference between breast and lung cancer patients at CCC,no significant variation was observed based on rural or urban classification.Conclusion:These findings underscore the need for further research into the representation of rural patients with diverse cancer types at CCC and other cancer centers.Further,the findings have considerable implications for the initiation of positive social change to improve CT participation and reduce cancer survival disparities.

Transcriptome Analysis of Heterosis in Survival in the Hybrid Progenies of‘Haida No.1’and Orange-Shelled Lines of the Pacific Oyster Crassostrea gigas

Heterosis has been exploited to enhance the yield and adaptability in various shellfish species;however,the molecular basis of it remains unclear.The Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas is one of the most economically important aquaculture species,and its productive traits can be improved by hybridization.Here,an intraspecific cross between orange shell(O,10th generation)and‘Haida No.1’(H,13th generation)of C.gigas was performed to assess the heterosis of survival trait.Survival rates of hybrid family(OH)and inbred families(HH and OO)were compared at larval stage,and eyed-pediveliger larvae of three families were subjected to transcriptome analysis.The analysis results of best-parent heterosis and mid-parent heterosis showed that the hybrid family exhi-bited a high heterosis in survival relative to the parental families.The OH-M(OH vs.OO)and OH-P(OH vs.HH)had 425 and 512 dif-ferentially expressed genes(DEGs),respectively.Functional enrichment analysis of these DEGs revealed that the significantly enrich-ed genes function in virion binding,C-type lectin receptor signaling pathway,cellular defense response and other immune-related pro-cesses,which involves perlucin-like protein,CD209 antigen-like protein,ZNFX1,caspase-3 and acan genes.These differentially ex-pressed genes in OH-M and OH-P,together with the immune-related processes mentioned above may play an important role in the larval survival of C.gigas.In addition,three genes(CYP450,fucolectin and perlucin-like)are associated with the orange shell and low survival of maternal oyster OO.These findings provide support for the application of hybrid with superior survival and will facilitate the understanding of heterosis formation in the Pacific oyster.

Impact of Relative Dose Intensity (RDI) on Survival in Non-Metastatic Breast Cancer: Nigerian Experience

Background: This study was initiated to determine practices patterns in adjuvant chemotherapy for non-metastatic breast cancer and to examine the relationship between received dose intensity (RDI) and survival in patients with breast cancer Nigeria. Methods: Our study was a retrospective analysis of patients with breast cancer recruited from 2012 and 2015. A total of 204 patients were initially entered into the study, 102 were lost to follow-up leaving 102 patients who were suitable for the survival analysis. Survival time was calculated from 106 days, the scheduled end of chemotherapy. Results: The total average RDI for patients was 74%. Over the 204 patients that were reviewed, 144 (70.6%) had some reduction of RDI. This subgroup had an average RDI of 63%. On average, 79% of the intended dose of chemotherapy was given. The time to completion of chemotherapy was 1.33 times that specified by the protocol. Dose delays an overall reduction was mainly attributed to intolerability and financial constraints. Survival by RDI showed a significant decrease in survival rate for patients with RDI of >49% (Hazard Ratio = 3.473, 95% CI 1.21 - 9.91, P = 0.020);RDI of 50% - 59% (Hazard Ratio = 3.916, 95% CI 1.01 - 15.18, P = 0.048);RDI of 60% - 69% (Hazard Ratio = 4.462, 95% CI 1.65 - 12.03, P = 0.003) compared with patients who received an RDI of 100%. Although associated with poorer prognosis, there were no significant changes in the survival rate for patients with RDI of 70% - 79% (Hazard Ratio = 1.667, 95% CI 0.56 - 4.96, P = 0.359);RDI of 80% - 89% (Hazard Ratio = 1.620, 95% CI 0.47 - 5.53, P = 0.441);RDI 90% - 99% (Hazard Ratio = 1.590, 95% CI 0.53 - 4.73, P = 0.405) compared with patients who received an RDI of 100%. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that decreased RDI of <70% in non-metastatic breast cancer patients is strongly associated with decreased overall survival.

Effects of polyamines on the early development of cystocarps,spore release,survival,and germination rate of Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis

Three polyamines(PAs)(spermidine(Spd),spermine(Spm),and putrescine(Put))were used as growth regulators to the marine macroalgae Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis and to female gametophyte and reproductive tissues(cystocarps were constructed),which led to early maturation of cystocarps and spore release.Laboratory cultivation revealed that exogenous PA application accelerated the development of cystocarps,and the mean sporeling growth rate was 20%–50%/d during the initial week of cultivation.The spore count(SC),survival rate(SR),and germination rate(GR)of G.lemaneiformis showed different responses to PA(10-6 mol/L and 10-3 mol/L)treatments under different temperatures(18,26,and 34℃),light intensities(30,60,and 90μmol photons/(m^(2)·s)),salinities(25,30,and 35),and nutrient levels(25꞉2.5,50꞉5.0,and 75꞉7.5μmol/L NH4Cl꞉K2HPO4),and the optimal conditions were 26℃,light intensity of 60μmol/(m^(2)·s),salinity of 35,and nutrient level of 50꞉5.0μmol/L NH4Cl꞉K2HPO4.Under the optimum conditions,the SC per cystocarp increased by 82.38%,and the spore SR and GR increased by 33.07%and 46.44%,respectively.Each experiment lasted for 7 days,with the highest SC on Day 4 and plateauing on Day 7.The results indicate that PAs could promote the early maturation,spore release,survival,and germination of G.lemaneiformis under laboratory conditions.

The Effect of Modified Postoperative Treatment on Finger Replantation Survival Rate

Objective:To explore the clinical effect of modified treatment after finger replantation and its impact on the survival rate of replantation.Methods:The research was conducted from March 2022 to March 2023.A total of 58 patients who underwent finger replantation at our hospital were selected.These patients were divided into two groups using the digital table grouping method:the research group(n=29)and the control group(n=29).Patients in the control group received standard treatment following finger replantation,while patients in the study group received modified treatment after the procedure.The incidence of vascular crisis and the survival rate of replantation were compared between the two groups.Results:The incidence of vascular crisis in the study group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.05);the replantation survival rate in the study group was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Modified treatment after replantation of severed fingers can reduce the incidence of vascular crisis replantation and improve the survival rate of replantation,so it should be popularized and applied in medical institutions.

Effect of biological agents on survival rate and root growth of Scots Pine seedlings

Two-year-old Scots pine (Pinus sylvstris var.mongolica) seedlings were treated with Pt mycorrhiza powder, ABT root-growing powder, HRC water-absorbing agent and high-yield powder, and planted on the sandy land in Balinyouqi, Inner Mongolia (180°12′13″E and 43°13′05″N). The effect and function of these biological agents on survival rate of seedlings were tested and analyzed by measuring the fine root growth and gross root growth. The results showed that the survival rates of the seedlings treated with Pt3, ABT, and HRC biological agents increased by 29.3%, 23.6%, and 16%, respectively. The regression analysis revealed that the length of fine roots (<2 mm) was positively correlated with seedling survival rate, which means that the Pt3 powder, ABT foot-growing powder and HRC water-absorbing powder increased the survival rates of the seedlings by promoting the growth of fine roots. Keywords Biological agents - Pinus sylvstris var.mongolica - Sandy soil - Roots - Survival rate CLC number S723.1 - S791.253 Document code A Foundation item: This article was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 39970627).Biography: TANG Feng-de (1967-), male, Ph. Doctor in Institute of Applied Ecology. Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, P. R. China.Responsible editor: Zhu Hong

Effects of Different Types of Pecan(Carya illinoensis) Seedlings on Forestation Survival Rate in Yunnan

In order to explore the forestation technique of pecan in Yunan, different types of pecan seedlings, bare-rooted seedlings and container seedlings were plant- ed in Yunnan, and their survival rates were investigated. This study will provide im- portant guidance for development of pecan industry in Yunnan Province.

Analysis on Survival Rate and Economic Benefit of Apostichopus japonicus Larvae Reared by Raising Water Temperature

In order to control the spawning quality and improve the economic benefit of Apostichopus japonicus Selenka, the indoor temperature and light control methods were employed for artificial maturation, spawning and hatching of A. japonicus, and the larval survival rate, disease incidence rate and economic benefit were analyzed. The results showed that compared with those of conventional temperature-reared larvae, the survival rate of raised temperature-reared larvae was increased by 15.8%, the disease incidence rate was reduced by 10.2%, and the economic benefit was improved by 21.6%. These results will provide theoretical basis and technical support for the artificial breeding of A. japonicus.

Effects of indole-3-butyric acid and age of stem cuttings on root morphology,growth,and survival of Cornus sericea

Red osier dogwood(Cornus sericea L.),widely distributed throughout North America,is essential for wildlife,thus biodiversity.It is recommended for reclamation or revegetation of sites disturbed by oil and gas extraction because it tolerates a wide range of soil types and high pH levels.Since germination of this species is extremely difficult with long stratification requirements and poor germination,cuttings facilitate propagation.In this study,to develop techniques to propagate the species from stem cuttings,four concentrations of indole-3-butyric acid(IBA)and two cutting ages previous year’s growth(PYG)and current year’s growth(CYG)were investigated for survival and growth.After 4 months,survival rate,height growth,and shoot biomass from PYG cuttings were enhanced with IB A.In contrast,IB A did not affect these parameters in CYG cuttings.Root morphology was significantly affected by IB A concentration and cutting age.IBA,at higher concentrations,increased root surface and length.Total root surface area and length of PYG cuttings were increased,which may facilitate the absorption of essential resources and consequently increase growth.The results indicate that increasing the concentration of IB A may be an effective way to have better plant survival and growth of previous year’s cuttings in red osier dogwood.

An overview of colorectal cancer survival rates and prognosis in Asia

Colorectal cancer is a rapidly rising trend in Asia.The incidence in many Asian countries is on par with the West.Several studies have provided data regarding the survival of patients with colorectal cancer.In Asia,the overall cure rate of colorectal cancer has not improved dramatically in the last decade,5-year survival remaining at approximately 60%.Colorectal cancer survival time has increased in recent years,but mortality rate remains high.Although studies have determined a number of factors that can predict survival of patients after diagnosis,life expectancy has not been increased dramatically.It seems that among the prognostic factors explored so far,the most important are those that relate to early diagnosis of cancer.Primary detection is feasible since efficient screening modalities are available.Colonoscopic surveillance is needed,especially in subjects at higher risk.

Cancer incidence and patient survival rates among the residents in the Pudong New Area of Shanghai between 2002 and 2006

With the growing threat of malignancy to health,it is necessary to analyze cancer incidence and patient survival rates among the residents in Pudong New Area of Shanghai to formulate better cancer prevention strategies.A total of 43,613 cancer patients diagnosed between 2002 and 2006 were recruited from the Pudong New Area Cancer Registry.The incidence,observed survival rate,and relative survival rate of patients grouped by sex,age,geographic area,and TNM stage were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier,life table,and Ederer II methods,respectively.Between 2002 and 2006,cancer incidence in Pudong New Area was 349.99 per 100,000 person-years,and the 10 most frequently diseased sites were the lung,stomach,colon and rectum,liver,breast,esophagus,pancreas,brain and central nervous system,thyroid,and bladder.For patients with cancers of the colon and rectum,breast,thyroid,brain and central nervous system,and bladder,the 5-year relative survival rate was greater than 40%,whereas patients with cancers of the liver and pancreas had a 5-year relative survival rate of less than 10%.The 1-year to 5-year survival rates for patients grouped by sex,age,geographic area,and TNM stage differed significantly(all P<0.001).Our results indicate that cancer incidence and patient survival in Pudong New Area vary by tumor type,sex,age,geographic area,and TNM stage.

Arthroscopy Assisted Lesion Clearance and Bone Graft, Titanium Rod Support Treatment of Early Stage Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head of the Postoperative Survival Rate Analysis

Objective: To assess the curative effect of the stage II femoral head necrosis treated by arthroscopy assisted lesion clearance, bone graft and titanium rod support. Methods: All the patients (including 58 patients 74 hips) were diagnosed as stage II femoral head necrosis according to the ARCO staging system during 2003-2013. In these patients, 15 hips were stage IIA, 34 hips were stage IIB and 25 hips were stage IIC. Located by C-arm and assisted by arthroscopy, minimally-invasive percutaneous pulp core decompression and lesion clearance within the femoral head were accurately performed, and then, the OAM composite of autologous bone marrow was implanted and the femoral head was supported using the titanium rod. Follow-up including the pain score, the Harris hip score and X-ray observation for disease progression were achieved at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months postoperatively, Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used for the survival analysis. Result: The VAS score and the Harris score after operation were better THRAn THRAt of before the surgery, the difference had statistical significance (p Conclusion: Arthroscopy assisted lesion clearance, bone graft and titanium rod support to treat the stage II osteonecrosis of the femoral head are effective and can prevent the femoral head from collapsing. But for stage IIC patients who had a history of the use of hormone, this surgery should be chosen carefully because the outcome is always very poor.

Effects of acute kidney injury on acute pancreatitis patients’ survival rate in intensive care unit: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND Acute kidney injury(AKI)is one of the most common acute pancreatitis(AP)-associated complications that has a significant effect on AP,but the factors affecting the AP patients’survival rate remains unclear.AIM To assess the influences of AKI on the survival rate in AP patients.METHODS A total of 139 AP patients were included in this retrospective study.Patients were divided into AKI group(n=72)and non-AKI group(n=67)according to the occurrence of AKI.Data were collected from medical records of hospitalized patients.Then,these data were compared between the two groups and further analysis was performed.RESULTS AKI is more likely to occur in male AP patients(P=0.009).AP patients in AKI group exhibited a significantly higher acute physiologic assessment and chronic health evaluation II score,higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score,lower Glasgow Coma Scale score,and higher demand for mechanical ventilation,infusion of vasopressors,and renal replacement therapy than AP patients in non-AKI group(P<0.01,P<0.01,P=0.01,P=0.001,P<0.01,P<0.01,respectively).Significant differences were noted in dose of norepinephrine and adrenaline,duration of mechanical ventilation,maximum and mean values of intra-peritoneal pressure(IPP),maximum and mean values of procalcitonin,maximum and mean serum levels of creatinine,minimum platelet count,and length of hospitalization.Among AP patients with AKI,the survival rate of surgical intensive care unit and in-hospital were only 23%and 21%of the corresponding rates in AP patients without AKI,respectively.The factors that influenced the AP patients’survival rate included body mass index(BMI),mean values of IPP,minimum platelet count,and hospital day,of which mean values of IPP showed the greatest impact.CONCLUSION AP patients with AKI had a lower survival rate and worse relevant clinical outcomes than AP patients without AKI,which necessitates further attention to AP patients with AKI in surgical intensive care unit.

Nest survival rate of Reeves＇s pheasant(Syrmaticus reevesii) based on artificial nest experiments

To explore the nest survival rate of Reeves＇ s pheasant（Syrmaticus reevesii） and the nest-site factors that affect it, we conducted artificial nest experiments with reference to natural nests at Dongzhai National Nature Reserve（DNNR）, Henan Province and Pingjingguan, Hubei Province from April to June 2014 simulating the situation in its early and later breeding season. We also determined distance characteristics of the nest sites by Arc GIS 10.0. Nest survival models were constructed in Program MARK for data analysis. Results indicated that in the early breeding season, the apparent survival rate（ASR） in DNNR（52.4%） was significantly greater than that in Pingjingguan（13.5%）, and the ASR in the later breeding season in DNNR（26.7%） was not indistinctively correlated with Pingjingguan（3.2%）. The daily survival rate（DSR） in the later breeding season was 93.8% in DNNR and 92.0% in Pingjingguan, respectively. The DSRs were both negatively correlated with nest distance to forest edges and settlements. The DSR in Pingjingguan was positively correlated with nest distance to paths and negatively correlated with nest distance to water sources. However, the DSR in DNNR was negatively correlated with nest distance to paths but positively correlated with nest distance to water sources.

Mathematical Modeling and Evaluation of Reliability Parameters Based on Survival Possibilities under Uncertain Environment

In this article,mathematical modeling for the evaluation of reliability is studied using two methods.One of the methods,is developed based on possibility theory.The performance of the reliability of the system is of prime concern.In view of this,the outcomes for the failure are required to evaluate with utmost care.In possibility theory,the reliability information data determined from decision-making experts are subjective.The samemethod is also related to the survival possibilities as against the survival probabilities.The other method is the one that is developed using the concept of approximation of closed interval including the piecewise quadratic fuzzy numbers.In this method,a decision-making expert is not sure of his/her estimates of the reliability parameters.Numerical experiments are performed to illustrate the efficiency of the suggested methods in this research.In the end,the paper is concluded with some future research directions to be explored for the proposed approach.

The Influence of Shock Treatment on Survival Rate of Intestinal Probiotics during Freezing

Probiotics which can provide potential health benefits for consumers and prevent disease, is the most important research field for functional food in the future. It is the key point that how much the count of bacteria and how long it can preserve. Freeze-drying skill is one of the best preservation methods, but it＇s defect that damage to biological systems can be attributed to changes in the physical state of membrane lipids or/and changes in the structure of sensitive proteins and the decreased survival rate. This work used pretreatment methods-cold shock and hot shock to reduce the damage to bacteria during freeze-drying. Using unpretreated samples as control, aspects of cold shock or heat shock. The response of Enterococcous faecalis A31 was investigated during lag phase, the middle of exponential growth phase and the terminal of exponential growth phase. The results suggested that when cold shock, the shock protein concentration produced by treated sample within 2 h during the middle of exponential growth phase was higher than 4, 8, 24 h, The concentration of shock protein produced by treated sample at 10 ℃ was higher than 20℃, The concentration of sample protein at the middle of exponential growth phase was higher than that at the terminal of exponential growth phase. After one-month storage, the survival rate at 10℃ was better than 20 ℃ and 4 ℃comparatively. The survival rate at （6 h） 4 ℃/24 h （lag period） was higher than （10 h） 4 ℃/24 h （the middle of exponential growth phase）, and the effect of 10℃/8 h shock treatments was best during the middle of exponential growth phase, when hot shock, The concentration of heat shock proteins produced was not obvious, and survival rate was higher at 45 ℃, 30 min than at 45 ℃, 60 min.

Influence of hyperbaric oxygenation treatment (HBOT) on clinical outcomes (recurrent myocardial infarction and survival rate) during five-year monitoring period after acute myocardial infarction

Surgical treatments of acute myocardial infarction (MI) possess a high clinical effectiveness, but there are fixed limitations, related to the patient’s state, which are limited by medical resources and organizational problems. The development of new medical technologies provides a better and effective non-surgical treatment of acute MI and increases long-term prognosis in this category of patients. The study aims to investigate the influence of hyperbaric oxygenation treatment on clinical outcomes (survival rate and recurrent myocardial infarction (rMI)) during the five-year period of monitoring. The study involved 697 patients who suffered from acute MI, having undergone the standard treatment. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: Group 1 (reference, n = 363);Group 2 (test, n = 334). Patients of Group 2 were given the traditional treatment, accompanied with HBOT (isopression for forty minutes at a working pressure of 0.03 MPa). HBOT was applied first through the fifth day following MI. The treatment course included six cycles, once per day. The clinical assessment was focused on clinical outcome: rMI and mortality related to cardiovascular events. HBOT application that accompanied the acute MI with traditional pharmacotherapy has been proved to reduce rMI within five years following inpatient discharge (rMI rate was 14% in the reference group and 5.4% in the test group, χ2 = 13.3, р < 0.05). The combination of HBOT with traditional methods in treating acute MI makes it possible to raise the five-year survival rate from 84.4% up to 95.9%.

Comparing post-release survival and habitat use by captive-bred Cabot's Tragopan(Tragopan caboti) in an experimental test of soft-release reintroduction strategies

Background: Restoring a viable population by reintroduction is the ultimate goal of a large number of ex situ conservation projects for endangered animals. However, many reintroductions fail to establish a population in the wild, partly because released animals cannot acclimate to the native environment of the release site, resulting in very low survival rates. Acclimation training is a technique to resolve this problem, although it does not have positive results in all species. We tested whether acclimation training and soft-release could improve the reintroduction success for captive-bred Cabot's Tragopan(Tragopan caboti), an endangered pheasant in southern China.Methods: Reintroduction of captive-bred Cabot's Tragopan was carried out in the Taoyuandong National Nature Reserve, China from 2010 to 2011. We built a soft-release enclosure for acclimation training in the typical montane habitat of this pheasant. Nine birds were acclimated to the environment of this release site in this cage for more than 50 days before release("trained birds"), while 11 birds remained only in the cage for 3 days prior to release("untrained birds"). Released birds were tagged with a collar radio-transmitter.Results: Post-release monitoring revealed that the survival rate of trained birds was higher than that of untrained birds after 50 days(trained: 85.7%; untrained: 20.0%). Cox regression analysis showed that there was a significant difference in the mortality rates between the trained and untrained birds. In addition, a survey of the habitat of the experimental and the control groups showed significant differences in habitat selection between the groups.Conclusion: Our study suggests that pre-release acclimatization training is an important factor that can lead to improved survival and habitat selection of captive-bred reintroduced tragopans.

Survival rate among tuberculosis patients identified in south of Iran,2005-2016

Objective:To determine the survival rate of tuberculosis (TB) patients and to identify the important factors associated with the survival of these patients in southern Iran.Methods:The present retrospective cohort study extracted and reviewed available medical records of 134 TB patients undergoing TB treatment centre,during 2005 to 2016.The Survival rate of patients for the outcome of the interval from diagnosis until death was plotted using life table and Kaplan-Meier survival curve.Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to examine the simultaneous effect of variables on survival rate.The significance level was considered to be 0.05.Results:In this study,64.2% of the participants were male,73.1% had pulmonary TB and 5.22% had HIV.The survival rate of one,five and thirteen years after diagnosis were 93%.78% and 69%,respectively.The risk of death in patients with extrapulmonary TB (95% CI=1.96-15.83,P=0.001) was 5.58 times higher than in patients with pulmonary TB.The risk of death in smokers with TB (95% CI=1.74-2.46,P<0.001) was 2.07 times higher than in nonsmoker patients,and also the risk of death increased to 1.1 0 times more for a one-year increase in patient age (95% CI=1.06-1.14,P<0.001).Conclusions:The risk of death in patients with extrapulmonary TB and TB smokers was higher than other patients.Therefore,timely diagnosis and proper treatment of patients with extrapulmonary TB as well as the development and integration of smoking cessation programs are underlined and emphasized in the formulation and implementation of the National Tuberculosis Control Program.

The Grey-backed Shrike parents adopt brood survival strategy in both the egg and nestling phases

Background:Great diversity exists in the parenting pattern of altricial birds,which has long been considered as an adaptive response to specific environmental conditions but not to their life-history style.Methods:We examined the egg-laying and nestling-raising pattern of the Grey-backed Shrike(Lanius tephronotus)that breeds only once a year on the Tibetan Plateau.We compared the dietary composition to that of its sympatric competitor,the Brown-cheeked Laughing Thrush(Trochalopteron henrici)that breeds twice a year.Results:Female Grey-backed Shrikes produced a fixed clutch size of five,with increasing egg size by their laying sequence.The last offspring in the brood is disadvantageous in the size hierarchy because it hatches later.However,they had the largest fledgling body mass.These findings indicate that Grey-backed Shrikes adopt the brood survival strategy in both the egg and nestling phases.Moreover,males and females exhibit no sexual division in providing parental care as they made an equal contribution to the total amount of food delivered to their brood.This parenting pattern of Grey-backed Shrikes,as well as their dietary items,differ significantly from those of the Brown-cheeked Laughing Thrush.Conclusions:We suggest that the differentiation in life-history style between sympatric competitors,rather than a behavioral response to specific environmental conditions,plays a decisive role in driving avian parenting strategy diversification.