CITIC Group (China)

Cure models are a class of survival models used to analyze time-to-event data that allow the possibility that the event never occurs for a certain percentage , of the population. These methods allow for direct modelling of the cure rate and the influence of covariates on this rate. A common goal is to test whether the cure rate depends on a specific covariate or a set of covariates. The availability of methods to test the effect of covariates on the cure rate is limited in the literature. This paper proposes nonparametric hypothesis tests for the effect of covariates on the cure probability based on the martingale difference correlation. Two methods are used to approximate the null distribution of the test statistic: A permutation test and a chi-square test. The methodology is further extended to the case of two covariates using the partial martingale difference correlation. The performance of the proposed tests is evaluated through a simulation study under various scenarios, and the method is applied to a dataset on rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Definitive cleft rhinoplasty is performed at or near skeletal maturity to improve nasal breathing, symmetry, and shape, with surgeons performing a variety of techniques depending on patient goals. This study explores the relationship between specific surgical maneuvers and resulting anthropometric changes to the nose and adjacent structures. The authors performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with cleft lip and/or palate who underwent definitive or revision rhinoplasty, defined as surgery performed at age 12 or above, at our institution between 2006 and 2023. Two hundred fifty-nine patients, spanning 308 definitive rhinoplasties, were included in our cohort. Use of 24 different surgical maneuvers during rhinoplasty was collected and correlated with preoperative and postoperative anthropometric measurements. The mean age at definitive rhinoplasty in our cohort was 16.9±4.4 years. Older age at first operation and use of both internal and external splints were associated with decreased need for subsequent rhinoplasty. Use of rib cartilage grafting was significantly associated with need for additional revision rhinoplasty (P=0.0058) and 90-day complications (OR: 5.672, P=0.018). Rib cartilage grafting was independently associated with an increase in nasolabial angle (β: 18.8671, P=0.029), and the columellar strut was independently associated with decreases in nasal base asymmetry (β: -0.0793, P=0.0238) and nostril shape irregularity (β: -0.1685, P=0.0142). Numerous surgical techniques are used in definitive cleft rhinoplasty to optimize aesthetic and functional outcomes. Understanding of both the intended primary and often unintended secondary effects of each maneuver is critical in planning the optimal operation for patients with cleft nasal deformities.

Background and Objectives: Pulmonary and mediastinal masses are diagnostic challenges for digestive endosonographers, and patients with these conditions are usually managed in thoracic or pulmonology units. EUS with tissue acquisition can result in adequate samples for histological examination and molecular analysis. Its spread among digestive endosonographers is limited; thus, we aimed to investigate the current management practices among the EUS Italian centers for those patients with mediastinal or pulmonary lesions to identify the principal areas of disagreement and help guide future research towards useful standardization. Methods: A 44‑question survey was sent during a temporal trend of 3 months to the endosonographers in Italian centers performing EUS. The survey includes questions with either a single answer choice or with multiple options exploring different aspects of the EUS done for the evaluation of thoracic lesions. The questions were grouped into specific sections: expertise of the center, periprocedural management, procedural aspects, and future perspectives. Results: Thirty-nine centers completed the survey, 27 (69.2%) from the north of Italy. Only 2 centers among the responders did not perform any mediastinal EUS (5.13%). The majority of centers (22, 59.5%) performed between 0 and 30 mediastinal EUS yearly, and only 3 centers did more than 100 mediastinal EUS per year. Responders were mainly gastroenterologists (34, 87.2%) versus surgeons (5, 12.8%). Only 5 centers performed mediastinal EUS in a shared room with bronchoscopy and endobronchial ultrasound (13.5%). The procedure was considered simple for 20 (54.1%) responders, complex for 5 (13.5%), and needed to be performed in a tertiary thoracic center for 12 (32.4%). Franseen and Fork tips were the most used tips (67.6% and 27%, respectively), and the most common needle diameter was 22 gauge (86.5%). Fifteen centers (40.5%) preferred deep sedation with an anesthesiologist without endotracheal intubation. The main growing indications appear to be local EUS-guided treatments (tumors or collections). Conclusions: This is the first survey assessing an evaluation on mediastinal/pulmonary EUS, which is well represented in Italy. Nonetheless, centers largely have low volumes of these procedures. Our results show heterogeneity in the management of patients affected with mediastinal/pulmonary lesions needing tissue acquisition. More studies also involving pulmonologists, thoracic surgeons, and oncologists are needed to increase data and understanding regarding this procedure.

Mixed phenotype acute leukemia (MPAL) represents an uncommon but heterogenous disease, often posing both a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The purpose of this retrospective study was to analyze the overall survival, event-free survival, and severity of associated complications after allo-HSCT in children with MPAL, and provide feasible recommendations for the treatment of MPAL patients. We retrospectively analyzed a total of 14 pediatric patients with MPAL who received allo-HSCT at our center between January 2010 and June 2024. In terms of immunophenotype, coexpression of myeloid and B-lymphoid antigens was observed in 10 patients (71.4%), and myeloid and T-lymphoid antigens in 4 (28.6%). Chromosomal abnormalities were found in 8 patients (57.1%) and BCR/ABL(+) was the most common fusion gene (3/14; 21.4%). All 14 patients underwent allo-HSCT after achieving the CR1 (78.6% with MRD-negative status pretransplantation). Among the 14 transplanted children, the OS rate was 92.9% and the EFS rate was 85.7%. No significant difference in OS, EFS, and CIR rates between children with Haplo-HSCT and those with MSD-HSCT (P>0.05). The rate of acute GVHD was 57.1% (8/14), and the rate of chronic GVHD was 71.4%, of which 90% were assessed as mild cGVHD, with the skin being the most common organ involved in cGVHD. Only one patient developed TA-TMA and died from transplant-related complications. The children with MPAL who received allo-HSCT after MRD-negative CR often had a favorable disease control. Compared with patients receiving conventional chemotherapy, pediatric patients who received allo-HSCT showed a significant improvement in OS, EFS, and CIR rates. Although the incidence of cGVHD was relatively high, most of them were assessed as mild with no significant impact on daily activities.

Vibrating screen is a filter unit that plays an important role in clarification stations because it functions to separate coarse impurities from crude oil so that the quality of the oil is improved and the oil loss can be minimized. The data used in this study is in the form of bait composition consisting of oil, water, and NOS in several observation periods. The data was then evaluated to determine the relationship between the variation in the composition of the feed and the effectiveness of the resulting filtering. The results of the study show that the effectiveness of vibrating screen tend to fluctuate in each observation period. Effectiveness increases when the oil content in the feed is higher, as the oil is more easily separated from impurities.

A significant amount of frictional heat is generated during the braking process of mine-used monorail cranes under heavy-load and low-speed creeping (or reciprocating speed regulation) conditions, causing thermal softening and performance degradation of the brake pads. Thus, investigating the tribological evolution mechanism is necessary to ensure reliable braking in deep underground environments. In this paper, full-scale tribological testing technology is applied to the brake system, and the friction and wear characteristics of copper-based powder metallurgy (P/M) brake pads under complex hygrothermal environments are studied. A physical experimental model coupling normal load, sliding speed, and humidity is established using a custom-designed open-structure reciprocating tester, revealing the “load weakening effect” under dry conditions and the “dual regulation mechanism” of mixed lubrication and cooling flushing under high humidity. Then, a surrogate prediction model of friction coefficient and wear rate, with respect to the operating parameters, is constructed based on Central Composite Design (CCD) and Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The reliability of the model under non-linear working conditions is estimated based on Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and blind tests. The results indicate that the model possesses high prediction accuracy (relative error < 5%), and the feasibility of utilizing the high-humidity environment to enhance wear resistance and stability is verified.