Understanding the Relationship Between Shrinking Cities and Land Prices:Spatial Pattern,Effectiveness,and Policy Implications

Urban shrinkage has emerged as a widespread phenomenon globally and has a significant impact on land,particularly in terms of land use and price.This study focuses on 2851 county-level cities in China in 2005–2018(excluding Hong Kong,Macao,Taiwan,and‘no data’areas in Qinhai-Tibet Plateau)as the fundamental units of analysis.By employing nighttime light(NTL)data to identify shrinking cities,the propensity score matching(PSM)model was used to quantitatively examine the impact of shrinking cities on land prices,and evaluate the magnitude of this influence.The findings demonstrate the following:1)there were 613 shrinking cities in China,with moderate shrinkage being the most prevalent and severe shrinkage being the least.2)Regional disparities are evident in the spatial distribution of shrinking cities,especially in areas with diverse terrain.3)The spatial pattern of land price exhibits a significant correlated to the economic and administrative levels.4)Shrinking cities significantly negatively impact on the overall land price(ATT=–0.1241,P<0.05).However,the extent of the effect varies significantly among different spatial regions.This study contributes novel insights into the investigation of land prices and shrinking cities,ultimately serving as a foundation for government efforts to promote the sustainable development of urban areas.

Review on Hydroxyurea Usage in Young Children with Sickle Cell Disease: Examining Hemoglobin Induction, Potential Benefits, Responses, Safety, and Effectiveness

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a prevalent condition, particularly in the countries of sub-Saharan Africa, where the presence of specific genes associated with Malaria contributes to its high prevalence. Patients with sickle cell disease frequently experience painful episodes necessitating hospitalization, and their hemoglobin levels are typically lower than those of the general population. There are different treatment options available to manage complications, such as transfusing blood, hydroxyurea, and strong anti-pains. However, with all these treatments, patients still commonly experience pain crises and suffer from organ damage. Hydroxyurea, the sole approved medication for sickle cell anemia in developed and developing countries, is widely used in children despite being primarily indicated for adults. Multiple studies have demonstrated the efficacy of hydroxyurea in inducing HbF production in young children with SCD. Elevated HbF levels have been associated with improved clinical outcomes, including a reduction in vaso-occlusive crises, acute chest syndrome, and the need for blood transfusions. Furthermore, increased HbF levels have been shown to ameliorate disease-related organ damage, such as pulmonary hypertension and sickle cell retinopathy. The response to hydroxyurea treatment in young children with SCD is variable. Some patients achieve substantial increases in HbF levels and experience significant clinical benefits, while others may have a more modest response. Factors influencing the response include baseline HbF levels, genetic modifiers, treatment adherence, and dose optimization. Safety is a crucial consideration when using hydroxyurea in young children. Studies have shown that hydroxyurea is generally well-tolerated, with the most common adverse effects being myelosuppression, gastrointestinal symptoms, and dermatological manifestations. However,long-term effects and potential risks, such as renal dysfunction and reproductive impacts, require further investigation. The effectiveness of hydroxyurea in young children with SCD has been demonstrated in various clinical trials and observational studies. These studies have shown a significant reduction in disease-related complications and improved quality of life. However, optimal dosing, treatment duration, and long-term outcomes are still areas of ongoing research. This review focuses on recent studies investigating the benefits, effectiveness, responses, and safety of hydroxyurea in pediatric individuals diagnosed with sickle cell disease.

Prevention and Control Strategies of Nosocomial Infection and Effectiveness Evaluation in a Tertiary Teaching Hospital during the Epidemic of COVID-19

Objective: To evaluate the role of prevention and control strategies for nosocomial infection in a tertiary teaching hospital during the sudden outbreak of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: The hospital initiated an emergency plan involving multi-departmental defense and control. It adopted a series of nosocomial infection prevention and control measures, including strengthening pre-examination and triage, optimizing the consultation process, improving the hospital’s architectural composition, implementing graded risk management, enhancing personal protection, and implementing staff training and supervision. Descriptive research was used to evaluate the short-term effects of these in-hospital prevention and control strategies. The analysis compared changes in related evaluation indicators between January 24, 2020 and February 12, 2020 (Chinese Lunar New Year’s Eve 2020 to lunar January 19) and the corresponding lunar period of the previous year. Results: Compared to the same period last year, the outpatient fever rate increased by 1.85-fold (P P Conclusion: The nosocomial infection prevention and control strategies implemented during this specific period improved the detection and control abilities for the COVID-19 source of infection and enhanced the compliance with measures. This likely contributed significantly to avoiding the occurrence of nosocomial infection.

Double-Blind, Parallel Group Study to Compare the Clinical Effectiveness of Calcium Dobesilate 500 mg BID vs. Calcium Dobesilate LP 1 g OD, in Patients with Chronic Venous Insufficiency of the Lower Limbs

Background: Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) describes a condition that affects the venous system of the lower extremities due to venous hypertension (VH. The prevalence is between 5% - 30%. CVI is associated with older age, smoking, lower extremity trauma, presence of an arteriovenous shunt, and elevated estrogen levels. All patients should be initially treated with conservative management. Venoactive drugs like calcium dobesilate are useful. Objectives: The primary objective compared the clinical improvement in patients with CVI, grades 0 - 3 of the CEAP classification of chronic venous disease, produced by two formulations of calcium dobesilate: calcium dobesilate LP 1 g OD vs calcium dobesilate 500 mg BID, immediate release. The secondary objective assessed the side effects of both formulations. Method: All patients took one tablet and one capsule at 7 am, and one capsule at 7 pm, for 8 weeks. One group received dobesilate 1 g OD and the other group received dobesilate 500 md BID. They were evaluated after 15, 30 and 60 days of treatment, using the symptom evaluation scale. Results: In both groups, there was a significant decrease in the symptom score after 15 days. Four patients in the Dobesilate OD group: had adverse effects, which did not require suspension of treatment. In the BID dobesilate group, there was one therapeutic failure, and one case of gastric discomfort. Conclusions: Prolonged-release Calcium dobesilate 1 g OD is as effective as calcium dobesilate 500 mg BID for the treatment of patients with chronic venous insufficiency.

Opportunities to Improve the Quality of Environmental Reports and the Effectiveness of Environmental Impact Assessment: A Case of Electric Power Transmission Systems in Brazil

A good quality Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is key for the effectiveness of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) processes and consequently to the acceptability of projects subject to EIA. The international literature has contributed to the understanding of the essential aspects to be verified regarding the quality of EIS, offering a wide spectrum of good practice examples related to the content of the studies. Even so, there is a need for empirical studies that allow the identification of specific aspects related to the context of application of the EIS, which could lead to the identification of opportunities to improve both the quality of the reports and also the effectiveness of EIA. Therefore, the present paper is focused on the quality review of a number of EIS submitted to the Brazilian Federal Environmental Agency (Ibama) to instruct the assessment of electric power transmission systems. Based on the application of the EIS quality review package as proposed by Lee and Colley (1992), the outcomes reveal opportunities for improving the scope of EIA, analysis of alternatives, prediction of magnitude and the assessment of impact significance. Finally, the development and/or adaptation of a similar tool for the systematic review of the quality of EIA reports is recommended.

Comparative observation of the effectiveness and safety of remimazolam besylate versus dexmedetomidine in gastrointestinal surgery in obese patients

BACKGROUND Surgery for obese patients carries a higher risk of anesthesia complications compared with surgery for nonobese patients.Thus,a safe and effective anesthesia strategy is necessary to improve the medical experience of such patients and ensure their safety.AIM To compared the effectiveness and safety of remimazolam besylate versus dexmedetomidine(DEX)in gastrointestinal surgery in obese patients.METHODS The study cohort included 60 obese patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery between July 2021 and April 2023,comprising 30 patients who received DEX intervention(control group)and 30 patients who received remimazolam besylate intervention(research group).Heart rate(HR),respiratory rate(RR),mean arterial pressure(MAP),blood oxygen saturation(SpO_(2)),safety(nausea and vomiting,bradycardia,hypotension,and apnea),anesthesia and examination indices[induction time,anesthesia recovery time,and postanesthesia care unit(PACU)discharge time],sedation effect(Ramsay Sedation Scale),and postoperative pain visual analog scale were comparatively analyzed before anesthesia(T0),during anesthesia(T1),and after anesthesia(T2).RESULTS At T1,the research group showed significantly smaller changes in HR,RR,MAP,and SpO_(2) than the control group,with a significantly lower adverse reaction rate and shorter induction,anesthesia recovery,and PACU discharge times.Additionally,the intra-and postoperative Ramsay Sedation Scale scores were statistically higher in the research group than in the control group.CONCLUSION Remimazolam besylate was significantly more effective than DEX in gastrointestinal surgery in obese patients and had a higher safety profile and value in clinical promotion.

Seismic effectiveness evaluation and optimized design of tie up method for securing museum collections

To quantify the seismic effectiveness of the most commonly used fishing line tie up method for securing museum collections and optimize fixed strategies for exhibitions,shaking table tests of the seismic systems used for typical museum collection replicas have been carried out.The influence of body shape and fixed measure parameters on the seismic responses of replicas and the interaction behavior between replicas and fixed measures have been explored.Based on the results,seismic effectiveness evaluation indexes of the tie up method are proposed.Reasonable suggestions for fixed strategies are given,which provide a basis for the exhibition of delicate museum collections considering the principle of minimizing seismic responses and intervention.The analysis results show that a larger ratio of height of mass center to bottom diameter led to more intense rocking responses.Increasing the initial pretension of fishing lines was conducive to reducing the seismic responses and stress variation of the lines.Through comprehensive consideration of the interaction forces and effective securement,it is recommended to apply 20%of breaking stress as the initial pretension.For specific museum collections that cannot be effectively protected by the independent tie up method,an optimized strategy of a combination of fishing lines and fasteners is recommended.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Efficiency of the Combination of Levamlodipine Besylate and Valsartan in the Treatment of Hypertension

Objective:To investigate the effectiveness and efficiency of combining levamlodipine besylate and valsartan in the treatment of hypertension.Methods:This study selected 28 patients with hypertension as observation subjects.The treatment duration ranged from January 2020 to June 2023.Using the random number table method,patients were divided into two groups.The control group received treatment with valsartan,while the observation group received a combination of valsartan and levamlodipine besylate.Therapeutic effects and safety were compared between the groups,and changes in the patient’s blood pressure and renal function index levels were assessed.Results:The total clinical effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).The observation group demonstrated better diastolic blood pressure,systolic blood pressure,and renal function indicators compared to the control group(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:The combined treatment of levamlodipine besylate and valsartan in patients with hypertension showed significant clinical efficacy and holds broad application value.

Evaluation of the Efficacy and Effectiveness of Hysteroscopic Electroresection in the Treatment of Submucosal Uterine Fibroids

Objective:To evaluate the effect of hysteroscopic electroresection in treating submucosal uterine fibroids.Methods:Using the random number table method,70 patients with submucosal uterine fibroids were divided into two groups,35 cases/group.The control group underwent laparoscopic myomectomy,and the observation group underwent hysteroscopic electroresection.Surgical indicators,sex hormone indicators,inflammation indicators,and treatment effects were compared between the two groups.Results:The surgical indicators,sex hormone indicators,and inflammatory indicators three months after operation in the observation group were all more ideal than those of the control group.The total effective rate of the observation group(97.14%)was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Hysteroscopic electroresection for the treatment of submucosal uterine fibroids was less invasive,accelerates recovery,and is more effective.

Analysis of the Effectiveness of Modified Non- Traumatic Filling Technology in the Treatment of Pediatric Dental Caries

Objective:To analyze the effectiveness of modified non-traumatic filling technology in the treatment of pediatric dental caries.Methods:Ninety-seven children with dental caries who were treated in our hospital(Panyu Maternal and Child Care Service Center of Guangzhou)from January 2022 to December 2023 were selected and randomly divided into two groups,with 48 cases in the experimental group and 49 in the control group.The experimental group was treated with modified non-traumatic filling techniques,while the control group was treated with conventional filling techniques.Observation indicators such as the total effectiveness of the treatment,incidence of adverse events,treatment compliance,and pain scores were analyzed after the intervention.Result:After intervention,the total effectiveness of the treatment in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05).The incidence of adverse events in the experimental group was lower than that of the control group(P<0.05).The treatment compliance of patients in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05).The pain score of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The application of modified non-traumatic filling technology in the treatment of pediatric dental caries showed good therapeutic outcomes.After the intervention,the child’s symptoms were significantly alleviated,the incidence of adverse events such as filling material falling off was reduced,their compliance was improved,and the pain was relieved.This procedure is worth to be promoted for clinical application.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Efficiency of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Combined with Rehabilitation Training in the Treatment of Muscle Articulation Chronic Pain

Objective: To analyze the effect of combined extracorporeal shock wave and rehabilitation training treatment in patients with muscle articulation chronic pain (MACP). Methods: Ninety-seven MACP patients admitted to our hospital from September 2021 to September 2023 were randomly selected and were divided into Group A (control group, 46 cases, rehabilitation training treatment) and Group B (observation group, 51 cases, extracorporeal shock wave with rehabilitation training treatment), and outcomes of the two groups were compared. Results: The treatment efficiency, post-treatment clinical indexes (upper and lower limb function scores, activities of daily living (ADL) scores, visual analog scale (VAS) scores), and short-form 36 (SF-36) scores of Group B were better than those of Group A (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Combined extracorporeal shock wave and rehabilitation training treatment for MACP patients improved their limb function, daily activities, quality of life, and reduced pain.

Research on Training Needs,Training Transfer,and Training Effectiveness of In-Service Teachers in Local Normal Colleges

This study aims to understand the in-service training needs,training transfer,and training effectiveness of teachers in local normal universities in China,while also proposing a continuous professional development plan for teachers.Descriptive research methods were employed,with questionnaires serving as the primary data collection tool.The survey revealed that the educational background of teachers in local normal universities is characterized by an unreasonable distribution of academic qualifications,with a shortage of teachers holding postgraduate and higher degrees.Additionally,the training effectiveness for female teachers was found to be lower than that of male teachers.There is a lack of personalization in training needs,which tends to be more generalized.The transfer effect of training is moderate,and there is a need for further enhancement at the behavioral level of training effectiveness.A continuous professional development plan for teachers has been formulated to improve training effectiveness and promote professional development.

The Effectiveness of Group Cooperative Learning Method in Badminton Teaching in Colleges and Universities

In college badminton teaching,teachers utilize the group cooperative learning method,which not only helps to improve students’badminton skill level but also cultivates their teamwork spirit,communication skills,and self-management ability unconsciously.In view of this,this paper mainly describes the significance of applying the group cooperative learning method in college badminton teaching,analyzes the current problems in college badminton teaching,and aims to discover effective development strategies for group cooperative learning method in college badminton teaching in order to improve the effectiveness of college badminton teaching.

Clinical Effectiveness of the Plate Screw Internal Fixation Technique in the Treatment of Patients with Traumatic Fractures of Long Bones in the Lower Extremities

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of the plate screw internal fixation technique on the clinical outcomes of patients with traumatic fractures of long bones in the lower extremities. Methods: From January 2022 to December 2023, 70 patients with traumatic fractures of long bones in the lower extremities were admitted to the hospital and randomly divided into two groups: the control group and the observation group, each consisting of 35 cases. The control group underwent traditional closed interlocking intramedullary nailing, while the observation group received internal fixation with steel plates and screws. Relevant surgical indicators, treatment effectiveness, and postoperative complication rates were compared between the two groups. Results: The observation group exhibited significantly short surgical duration (80.65 ± 5.01 vs. 88.36 ± 5.26 minutes), fracture healing time (13.27 ± 0.32 vs. 15.52 ± 0.48 weeks), and hospitalization days (10.49 ± 1.13 vs. 16.57 ± 1.15 days) compared to the control group (P = 0.000). The effective treatment rate was significantly higher in the observation group (29/82.86%) than in the control group (21/60.00%), with a significant difference observed (χ2 = 4.480, P = 0.034). Additionally, the complication rate in the observation group (2/5.71%) was significantly lower than that in the control group (8/22.86%), with a correlated difference (χ2 = 4.200, P = 0.040). Conclusion: The plate screw internal fixation technique demonstrates significant clinical efficacy in treating traumatic fractures of long bones in the lower extremities. It improves the healing rate, reduces complications, and represents a safe and effective treatment strategy worthy of widespread use and application.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of treatments for metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer

Objective:Treatment options for metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer(mCRPC)have expanded rapidly in recent years.Given the significant economic burden,we sought perform a cost-effectiveness analysis(CEA)of the contemporary treatment paradigm for mCRPC.Methods:We devised a treatment protocol consisting of sipuleucel-T,enzalutamide,abiraterone,docetaxel,radium-223,and cabazitaxel.We estimated number and length of treatments for each therapy using dosing schedules or progression free survival data from published clinical trials.We estimated treatment cost using billing data and Medicare reimbursement values and performed a CEA.Our analysis assumed US$100,000 per life year saved(LYS)as the threshold societal willingness to pay.Results:Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios(ICER)for strategies incorporating sipuleucel-T that were not eliminated by extended dominance exceeded the societal threshold willingnessto-pay of US$100,000 per LYS,the lowest of which was sipuleucel-T+enzalutamide+abiraterone+docetaxel at US$207,714 per LYS.Enzalutamide+abiraterone+docetaxel exhibited the most favorable ICER among strategies without sipuleucel-T at US$165,460 per LYS.Conclusion:Based on the available survival data and current costs of treatment,all treatment strategies greatly exceed a commonly assumed societal willingness-to-pay threshold of US$100,000 per LYS.Improvements in this regard can only comewith a reduction in pricing,better tailoring of treatment or significant enhancements in survival with clinical use of treatment combinations or sequences.

Modeling Anthrax with Optimal Control and Cost Effectiveness Analysis

Anthrax is an infection caused by bacteria and it affects both human and animal populations. The disease can be categorized under zoonotic diseases and humans can contract infections through contact with infected animals, ingest contaminated dairy and animal products. In this paper, we developed a mathematical model for anthrax transmission dynamics in both human and animal populations with optimal control. The qualitative solution of the model behaviour was analyzed by determining Rhv, equilibrium points and sensitivity analysis. A vaccination class was incorporated into the model with waning immunity. Local and global stability of the model’s equilibria was found to be locally asymptotically stable whenever Rhv Rhv. It was revealed that reducing animal and human interaction rate, would decrease Rhv. We extended the model to optimal control in order to find the best control strategy in reducing anthrax infections. It showed that the effective strategy in combating the anthrax epidemics is vaccination of animals and prevention of humans.

Long-term effectiveness,outcomes and complications of bariatric surgery

Dietary imbalance and overeating can lead to an increasingly widespread disease-obesity.Aesthetic considerations aside,obesity is defined as an excess of adipose tissue that can lead to serious health problems and can predispose to a number of pathological changes and clinical diseases,including diabetes;hypertension;atherosclerosis;coronary artery disease and stroke;obstructive sleep apnea;depression;weight-related arthropathies and endometrial and breast cancer.A body weight 20%above ideal for age,gender and height is a severe health risk.Bariatric surgery is a set of surgical methods to treat morbid obesity when other treatments such as diet,increased physical activity,behavioral changes and drugs have failed.The two most common procedures currently used are sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass.This procedure has gained popularity recently and is generally considered safe and effective.Although current data show that perioperative mortality is low and better control of comorbidities and short-term complications is achieved,more randomized trials are needed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of bariatric procedures.This review aims to synthesize and summarize the growing evidence on the long-term effectiveness,outcomes and complications of bariatric surgery.

Real-world cost-effectiveness associated with infliximab maintenance therapy for moderate to severe Crohn's disease in China

BACKGROUND Infliximab was the first approved biologic treatment for moderate to severe Crohn's disease(MS-CD) in China. However, the cost-effectiveness of infliximab maintenance therapy(IMT) for MS-CD relative to conventional maintenance therapy remained unclarified.AIM To assess the cost-effectiveness of IMT for MS-CD in Chinese patients from the perspective of Chinese public insurance payer.METHODS A cohort of MS-CD patients managed in a Chinese tertiary care hospital was created to compare IMT with conventional maintenance therapy(CMT) for clinical outcomes and direct medical costs over a 1-year observation time using conventional regression analyses. A decision-analytic model with the generated evidence was constructed to assess the cost-effectiveness of IMT relative to CMT using reimbursed medical costs.RESULTS Based on the included 389 patients, IMT was associated with significantly higher disease remission chance [odds ratio: 4.060, P = 0.003], lower risk of developing new complications(odds ratio: 0.527, P = 0.010), higher utility value for quality of life(coefficient 0.822, P = 0.008), and lower total hospital costs related to disease management(coefficient-0.378, P = 0.008) than CMT. Base-case cost-effectiveness analysis estimated that IMT could cost Chinese health insurance payers $55260 to gain one quality-adjusted life year(QALY). The cost-effectiveness of IMT was mainly driven by the estimate of quality of life, treatment efficacy of maintenance therapy, mortality risk associated with active disease, and unit price of infliximab. The probability that IMT was cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of three times gross domestic product [2018 Chinese gross domestic product per capita(GDPPC)] was 86.4%.CONCLUSION IMT significantly improved real-world health outcomes and cost the Chinese public health insurance payers less than one GDPPC to gain one QALY in Chinese MS-CD patients.

Cost-effectiveness of Crohn's disease post-operative care

AIM: To define the cost-effectiveness of strategies, including endoscopy and immunosuppression, to prevent endoscopic recurrence of Crohn's disease following intestinal resection.METHODS: In the "POCER" study patients undergoing intestinal resection were treated with post-operative drug therapy. Two thirds were randomized to active care(6 mo colonoscopy and drug intensification for endoscopic recurrence) and one third to drug therapy without early endoscopy. Colonoscopy at 18 mo and faecal calprotectin(FC) measurement were used to assess disease recurrence. Administrative data, chart review and patient questionnaires were collected prospectively over 18 mo.RESULTS: Sixty patients(active care n = 43, standardcare n = 17) were included from one health service. Median total health care cost was $6440 per patient. Active care cost $4824 more than standard care over 18 mo. Medication accounted for 78% of total cost, of which 90% was for adalimumab. Median health care cost was higher for those with endoscopic recurrence compared to those inremission [ $ 26347( IQR 25045-27485) vs $2729(IQR 1182-5215), P < 0.001]. FC to select patients for colonoscopy could reduce cost by $1010 per patient over 18 mo. Active care was associated with 18% decreased endoscopic recurrence, costing $861 for each recurrence prevented. CONCLUSION: Post-operative management strategies are associated with high cost, primarily medication related. Calprotectin use reduces costs. The long term cost-benefit of these strategies remains to be evaluated.

Experimental study on the effect of water absorption level on rockburst occurrence of sandstone

To investigate the mechanism of rockburst prevention by spraying water onto the surrounding rocks,15 experiments are performed considering different water absorption levels on a single face.High-speed photography and acoustic emission(AE)system are used to monitor the rockburst process.The effect of water on sandstone rockburst and the prevention mechanism of water on sandstone rockburst are analyzed from the perspective of energy and failure mode.The results show that the higher the ab-sorption degree,the lower the intensity of the rockburst after absorbing water on single side of sand-stone.This is reflected in the fact that with the increase in the water absorption level,the ejection velocity of rockburst fragments is smaller,the depth of the rockburst pit is shallower,and the AE energy is smaller.Under the water absorption level of 100%,the magnitude of rockburst intensity changes from medium to slight.The prevention mechanism of water on sandstone rockburst is that water reduces the capacity of sandstone to store strain energy and accelerates the expansion of shear cracks,which is not conducive to the occurrence of plate cracking before rockburst,and destroys the conditions for rockburst incubation.