Perturbation parameters tuning of multi-objective optimization differential evolution and its application to dynamic system modeling

This paper presents perturbation parameters for tuning of multi-objective optimization differential evolution and its application to dynamic system modeling. The perturbation of the proposed algorithm was composed of crossover and mutation operators. Initially, a set of parameter values was tuned vigorously by executing multiple runs of algorithm for each proposed parameter variation. A set of values for crossover and mutation rates were proposed in executing the algorithm for model structure selection in dynamic system modeling. The model structure selection was one of the procedures in the system identification technique. Most researchers focused on the problem in selecting the parsimony model as the best represented the dynamic systems. Therefore, this problem needed two objective functions to overcome it, i.e. minimum predictive error and model complexity. One of the main problems in identification of dynamic systems is to select the minimal model from the huge possible models that need to be considered. Hence, the important concepts in selecting good and adequate model used in the proposed algorithm were elaborated, including the implementation of the algorithm for modeling dynamic systems. Besides, the results showed that multi-objective optimization differential evolution performed better with tuned perturbation parameters

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P < 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely

Signature of micro RNA 146a/215 and IL-6/TGF-β levels in a cross-link axis between obesity and colorectal cancer

Numerous malignancies, including colorectal and liver cancers, are ultimately more likely to occur in obese people, and chronic inflammatory conditions have been linked to this association. We are attempting to determine the clinical relevance of the mechanisms controlling the microRNA (miR-215 and miR-146a) expression and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/interleukin-6 (IL-6) in a cross-link axis between obesity and colorectal cancer (CRC). Study participants were divided into four groups: healthy controls; obese without colorectal cancer; non-obese colorectal cancer; and obese with colorectal cancer. Obese and CRC patients had markedly higher expression of IL-6 and TGF-β, as well as tumor biomarkers, such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen 19.9 (CA19.9), and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels. The relative expression of microRNAs (miR-215 and miR-146a) was significantly lower in obese patients with colorectal cancer. BMI and the microRNAs(miR-215 and miR-146a) showed a substantial negative correlation. TGF-β was favorably linked with IL-6, cholesterol, triglyceride levels, and BMI. High levels of TGF-β and IL-6 in the blood indicate how intensely inflammation develops in obesity, which could increase the risk of colorectal cancer

Comparative evaluation of cardiac health in patients with chronic liver disease secondary to HCV, HBV, and NASH

Background: There is a documented relationship between chronic liver disease and cardiac dysfunction. The current investigation aims to compare the cardiac health in patients with chronic liver disease secondary to HCV, HBV, and NASH. Patients and Methods: This prospective study included 150 patients divided into three groups; Group I (50 HCV cases), Group II (50 HBV cases), and Group III (50 NASH cases). Each group was subdivided into two equal subgroups; the A subgroup included patients without liver cirrhosis, and the B subgroup included patients with liver cirrhosis. The assessment included laboratory biomarkers, transabdominal ultrasound, fibroscan, echocardiography, and carotid doppler. Results: EF had mean values of 62.58, 62.8, and 64.14%, whereas prolonged QT interval was noted in 30%, 40%, and 37% of patients in the three groups, respectively. E/A ratios > 1 were detected in 70%, 66%, and 72% of patients, while carotid atherosclerosis was detected in 28%, 28%, and 32% in the same three groups, respectively. All of the previous parameters were comparable between the three main groups. On comparing subgroups A to B, prolonged QT intervals, carotid atherosclerosis, and decreased EF were more noticed in the latter.&nbsp

Systematic Electrophysiological Study Prior to Pulmonary Valve Replacement in Tetralogy of Fallot: A Prospective Multicenter Study

International audienceBackground: Ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death are recognized complications in tetralogy of Fallot. Electrophysiological studies (EPS) before pulmonary valve replacement (PVR), the most common reintervention in tetralogy of Fallot, could potentially inform therapy to improve arrhythmic outcomes. Methods: A prospective multicenter study was conducted to systematically assess EPS with programmed ventricular stimulation in patients with tetralogy of Fallot referred for PVR from January 2020 to December 2021. A standardized stimulation protocol was used across all centers. Results: A total of 120 patients were enrolled, mean age 39.2±14.5 years, 53.3% males. Sustained ventricular tachycardia was induced in 27 (22.5%) patients. When identifiable, the critical isthmus most commonly implicated (ie, in 90.0%) was between the ventricular septal defect patch and pulmonary annulus. Factors independently associated with inducible ventricular tachycardia were history of atrial arrhythmia (odds ratio, 8.56 [95% CI, 2.43-34.73]) and pulmonary annulus diameter >26 mm (odds ratio, 5.05 [95% CI, 1.47-21.69]). The EPS led to a substantial change in management in 23 (19.2%) cases: 18 (15.0%) had catheter ablation, 3 (2.5%) surgical cryoablation during PVR, and 9 (7.5%) defibrillator implantation. Repeat EPS 5.1 (4.8-6.2) months after PVR was negative in 8 of 9 (88.9%) patients. No patient experienced a sustained ventricular arrhythmia during 13 (6.1-20.1) months of follow-up. Conclusions: Systematically performing programmed ventricular stimulation in patients with tetralogy of Fallot referred for PVR yields a high rate of inducible ventricular tachycardia and carries the potential to alter management. It remains to be determined whether a standardized treatment approach based on the results of EPS will translate into improved outcomes. Registration: URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04205461; Unique identifier: NCT04205461