Systemic Inflammation Response Index and weight loss as prognostic factors in metastatic pancreatic cancer: A concept study from the PANTHEIA-SEOM trial

BACKGROUND The prognostic value of the Systemic Inflammation Response Index(SIRI)in advanced pancreatic cancer is recognized,but its correlation with patients´nutritional status and outcomes remains unexplored.AIM To study the prognostic significance of SIRI and weight loss in metastatic pancreatic cancer.METHODS The PANTHEIA-Spanish Society of Medical Oncology(SEOM)study is a multicentric(16 Spanish hospitals),observational,longitudinal,non-interventional initiative,promoted by the SEOM Real World-Evidence work group.This pilot study sought to analyze the association between weight loss and inflammatory status as defined by SIRI.The cohort stems from a proof-of-concept pilot study conducted at one of the coordinating centers.Patients with pathologically confirmed metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma,treated from January 2020 to January 2023,were included.The index was calculated using the product of neutrophil and monocyte counts,divided by lymphocyte counts,obtained within 15 days before initiation chemotherapy.This study evaluated associations between overall survival(OS),SIRI and weight loss.RESULTS A total of 50 patients were included.66%of these patients were male and the median age was 66 years.Metastasis sites:36%liver,12%peritoneal carcinomatosis,10%lung,and 42%multiple locations.Regarding the first line palliative chemotherapy treatments:50%received gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel;28%,modified fluorouracil,leucovorin,irinotecan and oxaliplatin,and 16%were administered gemcitabine.42%had a weight loss>5%in the three months(mo)preceding diagnosis.21 patients with a SIRI≥2.3×10^(3)/L exhibited a trend towards a lower median OS compared to those with a SIRI<2.3×10^(3)/L(4 vs 18 mo;P<0.000).Among 21 patients with>5%weight loss before diagnosis,the median OS was 6 mo,in contrast to 19 mo for those who did not experience such weight loss(P=0.003).Patients with a weight loss>5%showed higher SIRI levels.This difference was statistically significant(P<0.000).For patients with a SIRI<2.3×10^(3)/L,those who did not lose>5%of their weight had an OS of 20 mo,compared to 11 mo for those who did(P<0.001).No association was found between carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels≥1000 U/mL and weight loss.CONCLUSION A higher SIRI was correlated with decreased survival rates in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer and associated with weight loss.An elevated SIRI is suggested as a predictor of survival,emphasizing the need for prospective validation in the upcoming PANTHEIA-SEOM study.

Preoperative systemic inflammatory response index as a prognostic marker for distal cholangiocarcinoma after pancreatoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND The relationship between preoperative inflammation status and tumorigenesis as well as tumor progression is widely acknowledged.AIM To assess the prognostic significance of preoperative inflammatory biomarkers in patients with distal cholangiocarcinoma(dCCA)who underwent pancreat-oduodenectomy(PD).METHODS This single-center study included 216 patients with dCCA after PD between January 1,2011,and December 31,2022.The individuals were categorized into two sets based on their systemic inflammatory response index(SIRI)levels:A low SIRI group(SIRI<1.5,n=123)and a high SIRI group(SIRI≥1.5,n=93).Inflam-matory biomarkers were evaluated for predictive accuracy using receiver operating characteristic curves.Both univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses were performed to estimate SIRI for overall survival(OS)and recurrence-free survival(RFS).RESULTS The study included a total of 216 patients,with 58.3%being male and a mean age of 65.6±9.6 years.123 patients were in the low SIRI group and 93 were in the high SIRI group after PD for dCCA.SIRI had an area under the curve value of 0.674 for diagnosing dCCA,showing better performance than other inflammatory biomarkers.Multivariate analysis indicated that having a SIRI greater than 1.5 independently increased the risk of dCCA following PD,leading to lower OS[hazard ratios(HR)=1.868,P=0.006]and RFS(HR=0.949,P<0.001).Additionally,survival analysis indicated a significantly better prognosis for patients in the low SIRI group(P<0.001).CONCLUSION It is determined that a high SIRI before surgery is a significant risk factor for dCCA after PD.

Systemic inflammatory response index is a predictor of prognosis in gastric cancer patients: Retrospective cohort and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND The systemic inflammatory response index(SIRI)has been demonstrated to make a significant difference in assessing the prognosis of patients with different solid neoplasms.However,research is needed to ascertain the accuracy and reliability of applying the SIRI to patients who undergo robotic radical gastric cancer sur-gery.AIM To validate the applicability of the SIRI in assessing the survival of gastric cancer patients and evaluate the clinical contribution of preoperative SIRI levels to predicting long-term tumor outcomes in patients,who received robotic radical gastric cancer surgery.METHODS Initially,an exhaustive retrieval was performed in the PubMed,the Cochrane Library,EMBASE,Web of Science,and Scopus databases to identify relevant studies.Subsequently,a meta-analysis was executed on 6 cohort studies iden-tifying the value of the SIRI in assessing the survival of gastric cancer patients.Additionally,the clinical data of 161 patients undergoing robotic radical gastric cancer surgery were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate their clinicopathological characteristics and relevant laboratory indicators.The association between preoperative SIRI levels and 5-year overall survival(OS)and disease-free survival(DFS)was assessed.RESULTS The findings demonstrated an extensive connection between SIRI values and the outcome of patients with gastric cancer.Preoperative SIRI levels were identified as an independent hazard feature for both OS and DFS among those who received robotic surgery for gastric cancer.SIRI levels in gastric cancer patients were observed to be associated with the presence of comorbidities,T-stage,carcinoembryonic antigen levels,the development of early serious postoperative complications,and the rate of lymph node metastasis.CONCLUSION SIRI values are correlated with adverse in the gastric cancer population and have the potential to be utilized in predicting long-term oncological survival in patients who undergo robotic radical gastric cancer surgery.

Effects of ovarian response prediction index and follicle-oocyte index on pregnancy outcomes:a retrospective cohort study of 12,218 fresh transfer cycles

Objective:To investigate the potential relationships among the ovarian response prediction index(ORPI),follicle-oocyte index(FOI),and clinical pregnancy rate(CPR)in women undergoing their first in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injectionembryo transfer(IVF/ICSI-ET)fresh cycle transfer.Methods:In this retrospective cohort study,we included 12,218 women who underwent their first IVF/ICSI-ET cycle between December 2014 and January 2021.The primary and secondary outcomes of our study were CPR and cumulative live birth rate(CLBR),respectively.The data were divided into three groups according to the ORPI and FOI tertiles.Multivariate logistic regression analyses,stratification analyses,interaction,restricted cubic splines,and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were constructed to identify the relationships among ORPI,FOI,and CPR.Results:A statistically significant increase in CPR was detected from the lowest to the highest tertile group(ORPI:48.12%,54.07%,and 53.47%,P<0.001;FOI:49.99%,52.95%,and 52.71%,P=0.012).A higher CLBR was observed in the high group(ORPI:38.63%,44.62%,and 44.19%,P<0.001;FOI:41.02%,43.78%,and 42.59%,P=0.039).Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed no statistically significant differences between ORPI,FOI,and neither CPR(odds ratio[OR][95%confidence interval{CI}],0.99[0.97–1.00]vs.[1.02{0.84–1.24}])nor CLBR(OR[95%CI],0.99[0.97–1.01]vs.0.99[0.81–1.20]).No significant association was found among FOI,ORPI,and CPR,even in the subgroups.Restricted cubic spline analyses indicated the existence of a non-linear relationship across the entire range of FOI and ORPI.The ORPI and FOI variables had poor predictive ability(AUC<0.60)for CPR.Conclusions:Both ORPI and FOI are not reliable predictors of clinical pregnancy or live birth outcomes in fresh ETs.Clinicians and researchers should avoid using FOI and ORPI to assess pregnancy outcomes after fresh ET because of their limited relevance and predictive value.

Physiological and Biochemical Response of Artificial Wetland Plant under Electric Field

By measuring wetland plants chlorophyll content,malondialdehyde(MDA) content and superoxide dismutase(SOD) enzyme activity,the changes of wetland plant physiological characeristics under different power strength were studied,and the mechanism of electric field on plant physiological characteristics was analyzed to provide a theoretical basis for the pollutant removal ability strengthening of artificial wetland under electricfield.The results showed that compared with the control plants,low-intensity-voltage(1 V and 3 V) had no significant effect on the normal physiological and biochemical indexes of the plants,and the growth trend was better than the control group;with the voltage increasing,plant chlorophyll content,MDA content and SOD activity were greatly affected,indicating that plants were under strong oxidative stress,and the growth was damaged.Therefore,a suitable electric field could enhance the sewage treatment effect of constructed wetland.

Influential Intensity of Urban Agglomeration on Evolution of Ecoenvironmental Pressure:A Case Study of Changchun,China

In this paper,we study the interactive relationship between the agglomeration of urban elements and the evolution of eco-environmental pressure.We build an index system for evaluating the agglomeration of urban elements and eco-environmental pressure.Using the entropy method and response intensity model,we analyze how urban elements agglomeration influenced eco-environmental pressure in Changchun from 1990 to 2012,eliciting the changing features and influential factors.Ultimately,we conclude there is a significant interactive relationship between the agglomeration of urban elements and the evolution of eco-environmental pressure in Changchun.This is inferred from the degree of this agglomeration in Changchun having increased since 1990,with the degree of eco-environmental pressure first decreasing and then increasing.Alongside this,the impact of urban elements agglomeration on eco-environmental pressure has changed from negative to positive.The main reasons behind this shift are arguably the rapid growth of urban investment and ongoing urbanization.

Damping modification factors for acceleration response spectra

DMF （Damping modification factors） are used to modify elastic response spectral values corresponding to damping ratio 5% to other damping levels. The influence of seismological parameters （magnitude, epicentral distances and site conditions） on DMF for acceleration spectra was analysed. The results show that for a given period as the magnitude or distance increase, the effect of damping on the seismic response will also increase, which indicates the response reduction from the structural damping will become more efficient. In the near-field of small earthquakes, the influence of site conditions on DMF is obvious, but it does not show a consistent rule. Furthermore, the DMF corresponding to different site conditions gradually close to unity with increasing magnitude and distance. The influence of the above mentioned parameters is related to the relative attenuation of the frequency components of the ground motion. The attenuation index alone is sufficient to take into account the influence. Based on these features, this paper roDoses a formula of DMF for acceleration response spectra.

Rural households’livelihood responses to industry-based poverty alleviation as a sustainable route out of poverty

Industrialization is one way to achieve a sustainable route out of poverty.During the implementation of industry-based poverty alleviation projects,rural households’livelihood responses to change are crucial.A stronger livelihood response is conducive to multidimensional poverty relief due to industry-based poverty alleviation projects.Effective poverty alleviation can also stimulate stronger household responses.There is a positive cycle between livelihood response and multidimensional poverty relief effects that can help achieve sustainable poverty alleviation goals.Using a synergistic perspective on the relationship between“people–industry–land”,this paper explains the poverty alleviation logic connecting livelihood response,multidimensional poverty relief,and sustainable routes out of poverty by constructing a four-dimensional livelihood response measurement system with three elements of intensity.We analyzed survey data collected from 2363 households from 4 sample counties in 4 contiguous poverty-stricken areas,and measured and compared the characteristics of rural households’livelihood responses and the factors influencing poverty alleviation projects.Rural households’livelihood responses in four sample counties were moderate.The four dimensions of responses were ranked as livelihood strategy response,livelihood space response,livelihood output response,and livelihood capital response.The three intensities indicated that the perception and willingness elements of livelihood response were very similar,but there was a big gap between those elements and livelihood response actions.At the group level,poor households had higher and more consistent livelihood response than non-poor households.External environment factors(such as location,industry type,village organizational ability,and village atmosphere)and internal family factors(such as resource endowment,income sources,health,education,labor quantity,policy trust,credit availability,and social networks)had a significant impact on households’livelihood response.However,this impact varied across different dimensions and had different intensities.This paper proposes a multidimensional poverty relief mechanism and suggests sustainable routes out of poverty.

The characteristics of multi-source mobility datasets and how they reveal the luxury nature of social distancing in the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic

This study reveals the human mobility from various sources and the luxury nature of social distancing in the U.S during the COVID-19 pandemic by highlighting the disparities in mobility dynamics from lower-income and upper-income counties.We collect,process,and compute mobility data from four different sources.We further design a Responsive Index(RI)based on the time series of mobility change percentages to quantify the general degree of mobility-based responsiveness to COVID-19 at the U.S.county level.We find statistically significant positive correlations in the RI between either two data sources,revealing their general similarity,albeit with varying Pearson’s r coefficients.Despite the similarity,however,mobility from each source presents unique and even contrasting characteristics,in part demonstrating the multifaceted nature of human mobility.The results suggest that counties with higher income tend to react more aggressively in terms of reducing more mobility in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.Most states present a positive difference in RI between their upper-income and lower-income counties,where diverging patterns in time series of mobility changes percentages can be found.The findings shed light on not only the characteristics of multi-source mobility data but also the mobility patterns in tandem with the economic disparity.

Screening for Drought Resistance of Rice Recombinant Inbred Populations in the Field

In a 2-year experiment, 187 genotypes were grown under well-watered and drought stress conditions, imposed at panicle initiation stage. The relationship of genotypic variation in yield under drought conditions to potential yield, heading date and flowering delay, reduction in plant height, and to a drought response index （DRI） was detected. Grain yield under drought stress conditions was associated with yield under well-watered conditions （r= 0.47^＊＊, and r= 0.61^＊＊ during 2 years of tests）. The delay of heading date ranged from -1 （no delay） to 24days, and was negatively associated with grain yield （r =-0.40^＊）, spikelet fertility percentage （r =-0.40^＊＊）, harvest index （r =-0.58^＊＊）, but positively associated with yield reduction percentage （r = 0.60^＊＊）. The reduction in plant height was negatively associated with grain yield （r =-0.24^＊＊, and r=-0.29^＊＊）, spikelet fertility percentage （r = -0.23^＊＊, and r= -0.21^＊）, harvest index （r = -0.37^＊＊, and r= -0.54^＊＊）, and positively associated with yield reduction percentage （r = 0.58^＊＊, and r= 0.58^＊＊） in 2003 and 2004, respectively. The DRI of genotypes was strongly associated with grain yield （r = 0.87^＊＊, and r= 0.77^＊＊）, fertility percentage （r = 0.66^＊＊ and r= 0.54^＊＊）, harvest index （r= 0.67^＊＊ and r= 0.61^＊＊）, and negatively associated with grain reduction percentage （r=-0.70^＊＊, and r=-0.73^＊＊） under drought stress. The results indicate that genotypes with drought resistance can be identified by measuring yield potential, delay in flowering, reduction in plant height, or DRI under test environments of well-watered and drought stress.

The Relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility and Firm Performance： An Application of Quantile Regression

This study empirically examines the relationship between a firm＇s fulfilling of corporate social responsibility （CSR） and performance. We developed a CSR index （CSRI） to quantitatively evaluate CSR, which consists of four dimensions measuring a firm＇s contributions to the economy, society, environment, and corporate governance, respectively. With data from publicly-listed firms in Taiwan during the period of 2004--2009, results of quantile regression show that fulfilling CSR has a significantly positive impact on firm performance, and that the impact in a more profitable firm tends to be significantly greater than that in a less profitable firm. Specifically, when a firm is more profitable, its management would be more willing to implement CSR. The implication is that a firm could pursue better performance while serving as a good corporate citizen.