Fast clustering algorithm based on MST of representative points.

Minimum spanning tree (MST)-based clustering algorithms are widely used to detect clusters with diverse densities and irregular shapes. However, most algorithms require the entire dataset to construct an MST, which leads to significant computational overhead. To alleviate this issue, our proposed algorithm R-MST utilizes representative points instead of all sample points for constructing MST. Additionally, based on the density and nearest neighbor distance, we improved the representative point selection strategy to enhance the uniform distribution of representative points in sparse areas, enabling the algorithm to perform well on datasets with varying densities. Furthermore, traditional methods for eliminating inconsistent edges generally require prior knowledge about the number of clusters, which is not always readily available in practical applications. Therefore, we propose an adaptive method that employs mutual neighbors to identify inconsistent edges and determine the optimal number of clusters automatically. The experimental results indicate that the R-MST algorithm not only improves the efficiency of clustering but also enhances its accuracy.

Influence of concomitant gastric acid suppressants use on the survival of patients with non-small cell lung cancer treated with programmed death-1/ligand-1 inhibitors: A meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Influence of concomitant use of gastric acid suppressants (GAS) on survival of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving programmed death-1/ligand-1 (PD-1/PD-L1) inhibitors has rarely been comprehensively evaluated. A meta-analysis was performed to systematically evaluate the effect of concomitant GAS in NSCLC patients receiving PD-1/PD-L1inhibitors. METHODS: Relevant observational studies were identified by search of Medline, Embase, and Web of Science databases from inception to May 26, 2022. A random-effect model which incorporates the possible between-study heterogeneity was used to combine the results. RESULTS: Ten retrospective and one prospective cohort studies including 5892 patients were patients were included. Influence of concomitant proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) was evaluated in ten studies, and influence of GAS, including PPIs or histamine type-2 receptor antagonists were evaluated in one study. Pooled results showed that concomitant use of GAS was associated with worse progression-free survival (PFS, adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20 to 1.45, P < 0.001; I2 = 0%) and overall survival (OS, adjusted HR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.26 to 1.48, P < 0.001; I2 = 0%) in NSCLC patients taking PD-1/PD-L1inhibitors. Subgroup analyses indicated that the association between concomitant use of GAS and poor survival in NSCLC patients taking PD-L1inhibitors was consistent in univariate and multivariate studies (P values for subgroup difference both > 0.05 for PFS and OS). CONCLUSIONS: The meta-analysis by summarizing the up-to-date literatures showed that use of GAS, primarily PPIs, may be associated with poor survival outcomes in patients with NSCLC receiving PD-1/PD-L1inhibitors.

Association Between H. pylori Infection and Colorectal Polyps: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is associated with hypergastrinemia and proliferation of colorectal mucosa via direct stimulation, dysbiosis of the gut microbiome, and changes in the gut microbiome, all of which may lead to the formation of colorectal polyps. However, the consensus remains lacking regarding whether H. pylori infection is independently associated with colorectal polyps and whether the association differs according to histological type of colorectal polyps. To summarize the current evidence regarding the relationship between H. pylori infection and colorectal polyps, we conducted a meta-analysis of related observational studies according to the histological types of colorectal polyps. METHODS: Observational studies investigating the association between H. pylori infection and colorectal polyps using multivariate analyses were included by search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. A random-effects model was adopted to combine the results. RESULTS: Seventeen studies that include 322,395 participants were analyzed. It was shown that H. pylori infection was independently associated with overall colorectal polyps (odds ratio [OR]: 1.67, 95% CI: 1.24-2.24, p < 0.001; I 2 = 73%). According to the histological type of colorectal polyps, H. pylori infection was independently associated with adenomatous polyps (APs; OR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.47-1.99, p < 0.001; I 2 = 86%), advanced APs (OR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.56-2.73, p < 0.001; I 2 = 0%), and hyperplastic polyps (HPs; OR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.02-2.30, p = 0.04; I 2 = 78%). Evidence based on only one study showed that H. pylori infection was not associated with sessile serrated polyps (SSPs; OR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.93-1.07, p = 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence from case-control and cross-sectional studies suggested that H. pylori infection was independently associated with colorectal APs, advanced APs, and HPs, but not with SSPs. These findings suggested H. pylori infection may be a possible risk factor of colorectal polyp, which is important for the prevention of colorectal polyp in the adult population.