bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trends in dental school faculty: An analysis of the results of the 2021‒2022 ADEA Dental School Faculty Demographic Census and 2018‒2019 ADEA Survey of Dental School Faculty
Authors: Istrate Emilia C. , Cooper Betsy L. , Gül Gülsün , Booker Carolyn L. , West Karen P.
Published: September 2024

Purpose/objectives

Each year, American Dental Education Association (ADEA) collects data on U.S. dental school faculty demographics, compensation, and vacant and lost positions. One of the purposes of the reports associated with this project is to provide information to U.S. dental schools on national trends on dental school faculty. This report examines the landscape of faculty workforce at U.S.‐accredited dental schools in 2021‒2022 and changes relative to the 2018‒2019 academic year. The information contained within this report includes faculty position information, new and separated faculty, open or vacant faculty positions, lost faculty positions, and faculty demographics.

Methods

The report analyzes data from the 2018‒2019 ADEA Survey of Dental School Faculty (representing an estimated 91% of the full‐time and part‐time faculty) and 2021‒2022 ADEA Dental School Faculty Salary and Demographic Census (an estimated 84% of the faculty).

Results

The analysis revealed that more than half of dental school faculty was in the south and northeast in 2021‒2022. Among responding schools, 85% of the faculty concentrated on teaching, research, and training in 2021‒2022, a proportion similar with 2018‒2019. One in five faculty was tenured or on tenure track, similar with 2018‒2019. More than three‐quarters of full‐time and part‐time faculty were clinical faculty in 2021‒2022. There was a 62% increase in open faculty positions between 2018‒2019 and 2021‒2022. Women accounted for four in 10 faculty members in 2021‒2022—more than 3 years before. The median age of dental school faculty declined from 56 to 54 years old between 2019 and 2022.

Conclusions

This study found that dental school faculty was increasingly younger, with more women members and more open positions in 2021‒2022 than in 2018‒2019.
Phosphorus distributions in alluvial soils of the Lower Mississippi River Basin: A case of dual legacies
Authors: Witthaus Lindsey , Pawlowski Ethan D. , Stevens Eric , Chatterjee Amitava , Locke Martin A. , McNamara Sarah , Moore Matthew T.
Published: September 2024

Legacies can become intertwined, none more so than the body of work of Dr. Andrew Sharpley examining agricultural nutrient delivery to waterbodies and the phosphorus (P) accumulation in agricultural soils, or “legacy P.” Although Sharpley's work focused on the anthropogenic influence on soil P, our study suggests soils of the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Plain (MAP) represent a natural legacy with moderate levels of available P resulting from minimal anthropogenic input. In 2019, we collected surface (0–5 cm) soil samples from four regionally dominant soil series in either cropland or forested land uses, spanning 76 locations within the MAP. Soil chemical and physical properties were measured utilizing a suite of extractions and texture analysis to correlate properties with soil P values. Total soil P did not vary between land uses. Mehlich‐3 extractable P was slightly higher in cropland soils due to higher concentrations in Forestdale and Sharkey soils. Dundee, Forestdale, and Sharkey cropland soils showed significant associations between Mehlich‐3‐extractable iron (Fe) and P. Ratios of total carbon (TC) to total nitrogen (C:N) and TC to P (C:P) were consistent across all sampled soil series but differed between forest and cropland soils. These ratios are critical for establishing baseline soil nutrient values in simulation models and can be used to improve water quality model simulations that help guide P management in the MAP. As Sharpley routinely demonstrated, understanding sources of P is critical for developing an appropriate management strategy. This study provides critical knowledge on soil P dynamics in the MAP region.
Long‐term continuous cropping reduces greenhouse gas emissions while sustaining crop yields
Authors: Sainju Upendra M. , Allen Brett L. , Jabro Jalal D.
Published: September 2024

Information is needed on the effect of long‐term cropping systems on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in dryland conditions. The effect of 34 years of dryland cropping system was examined on N2O and CH4 emissions, greenhouse gas balance (GHGB), crop yield, and yield‐scaled GHG balance (YSGB) from 2016–2017 to 2017–2018 in the US northern Great Plains. Cropping systems were no‐till continuous spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (NTCW), no‐till spring wheat‐pea (Pisum sativum L.) (NTWP), and conventional till spring wheat‐fallow (CTWF). Gases were sampled twice a week to once a month throughout the year using a static chamber and flux determined. Soil C sequestration rate at 0–10 cm was determined from samples taken in 2012 and 2019. The N2O emissions occurred immediately after planting, fertilization, and intense rainfall from May to September in both years when the emissions greater for NTCW and NTWP than CTWF. The CH4 emissions were minimal and mostly negative throughout the year. Carbon sequestration rate was positive for NTCW and NTWP due to greater C input, but negative for CTWF due to rapid C mineralization. As a result, GHGB was 170%–362% lower for NTCW than NTWP and CTWF. Annualized crop yield was 23%–60% greater for NTWP than NTCW and CTWF in 2016–2017, but not different among cropping systems in 2017–2018. The YSGB was also 129%–132% lower for NTCW and NTWP than CTWF in both years. Because of greater annualized crop yield, but lower GHG emissions, NTWP is recommended for reducing GHG emissions while sustaining long‐term dryland crop yields in the northern Great Plains.
Variants of the Gyárfás–Sumner conjecture: Oriented trees and rainbow paths
Authors: Basavaraju Manu , Chandran L. Sunil , Francis Mathew C. , Murali Karthik
Published: September 2024

Given a finite family of graphs, we say that a graph is “‐free” if does not contain any graph in as a subgraph. We abbreviate ‐free to just “‐free” when . A vertex‐colored graph is called “rainbow” if no two vertices of have the same color. Given an integer and a finite family of graphs , let denote the smallest integer such that any properly vertex‐colored ‐free graph having contains an induced rainbow path on vertices. Scott and Seymour showed that exists for every complete graph . A conjecture of N. R. Aravind states that . The upper bound on that can be obtained using the methods of Scott and Seymour setting are, however, super‐exponential. Gyárfás and Sárközy showed that . For , we show that and therefore, . This significantly improves Gyárfás and Sárközy's bound and also covers a bigger class of graphs. We adapt our proof to achieve much stronger upper bounds for graphs of higher girth: we prove that , where . Moreover, in each case, our results imply the existence of at least distinct induced rainbow paths on vertices. Along the way, we obtain some new results on an oriented variant of the Gyárfás–Sumner conjecture. For , let denote the orientations of in which one vertex has out‐degree or in‐degree . We show that every ‐free oriented graph having a chromatic number at least and every bikernel‐perfect oriented graph with girth having a chromatic number at least contains every oriented tree on at most vertices as an induced subgraph.
Beyond error: A qualitative study of human factors in serious adverse events
Authors: Mujuru Chenjerai , Peisah Carmelle
Published: September 2024

The field of healthcare quality and safety has been informed by the study of Human Factors contributing to adverse events. Hitherto, much of the study of Human Factors has been focused on a narrow lens of human error, identifying cognitive‐based or knowledge‐based errors and cognitive processes such as loss of situational awareness contributing to error. While these factors are important, this narrow approach fails to consider the complexity of relational and systemic factors that also contribute to adverse events. We aimed to explore the relational and systemic human factors, including shared clinician attitudes and behavior, that contribute to serious adverse patient events in a public health setting. The study, set in a metropolitan local health district in New South Wales, Australia, was conducted using a retrospective qualitative multi‐incident content analysis design. Serious adverse event reviews (SAER) over 6 months (2022–2023) were subject to qualitative content analysis until data saturation was reached. Data saturation reached at 20 reports. Emergent themes related to human factors in serious adverse events included: (i) delays and inertia—with a subtheme of inertia of ageism; (ii) “All‐or‐nothing” approach to end‐of‐life care and planning; (iii) communication lapses; and (iv) implementation gap between standards and practice. Error‐based incidents accounted for only 35% of the serious adverse events examined. The sample studied involved mostly (65%) male patients, with a mean age of 69 (70% aged >65), managed across the gamut of specialties, with the most common incident being the management of acutely deteriorating patients. In conclusion, there is more to Human Factors in adverse events than cognitive or knowledge‐based error. While identifying and correcting errors is absolutely essential, we need adjunctive “soft measures” to address clinical attitudes, behaviors, and relationships in health care, particularly in increasingly complex, fraught, and stressful health care environments.
Postnatal Skull Development Reveals a Conservative Pattern in Living and Fossil Vizcachas Genus Lagostomus (Rodentia, Chinchillidae)
Authors: Segura Valentina , Rasia Luciano L. , Candela Adriana M. , Flores David A.
Published: September 2024

The plains vizcacha, Lagostomus maximus, is the only living species in the genus, being notably larger than fossil congeneric species, such as Lagostomus incisus, from the Pliocene of Argentina and Uruguay. Here, we compare the skull growth allometric pattern and sexual dimorphism of L. maximus and L. incisus, relating shape and size changes with skull function. We also test whether the ontogenetic trajectories and allometric trends between both sexes of L. maximus follow the same pattern. A common allometric pattern between both species was the elongation of the skull, a product of the lengthening of rostrum, and chondrogenesis on the spheno‐occipitalis synchondrosis and coronalis suture. We also detected a low proportion of skull suture fusion. In some variables, older male specimens did not represent a simple linear extension of female trajectory, and all dimorphic traits were related to the development of the masticatory muscles. Sexual dimorphism previously attributed to L. incisus would indicate that this phenomenon was present in the genus since the early Pliocene and suggests social behaviors such as polygyny and male‐male competition. Ontogenetic changes in L. incisus were similar to L. maximus, showing a conservative condition of the genus. Only two changes were different in the ontogeny of both species, which appeared earlier in L. incisus compared to L. maximus: the development of the frontal process of the nasals in a square shape, and the straight shape of the occipital bone in lateral view. Juveniles of L. maximus were close to adult L. incisus in the morphospace, suggesting a peramorphic process. The sequence of suture and synchondroses fusion showed minor differences in temporozygomatica and frontonasalis sutures, indicating major mechanical stress in L. maximus related to size. We suggest a generalized growth path in Chinchillidae, but further analyses are necessary at an evolutionary level, including Lagidium and Chinchilla.
Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) MRI in Evaluating Pancreatic Blood Perfusion in Subjects With Different Glucose Tolerances
Authors: Zhang Yuling , Tao Zhengzheng , Ji Qian
Published: September 2024

Background

The pancreas plays a central role in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and its blood flow is usually associated with insulin release demand.

Purpose

To noninvasively assess pancreatic blood flow (PBF) changes and modulation in people with different glucose tolerance following a glucose challenge using ASL MRI.

Study Type

Prospective.

Subjects

Fourteen prediabetes, 22 T2DM, and 40 normal.

Field Strength/Sequence

Pseudo‐continuous ASL with a turbo gradient spin echo sequence at 3.0 T.

Assessment

All normal and subjects (diagnosed by oral glucose tolerance test) underwent ASL after fasting for at least 6 hours. The normal and prediabetes groups additionally had ASL scans at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 minutes following oral glucose (50 mL, 5%). PBF maps were generated from the ASL data and measured at body and tail. The ability of baseline PBF (BL‐PBF) of body, tail (BL‐PBFtail), and their average to determine abnormal glucose tolerance and stage was assessed.

Statistical Tests

ANOVA, Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis H test, paired sample t‐test, intra‐class correlation coefficient, repeated measures ANOVA, correlation analysis, receiver operating characteristic analysis, and logistic regression analysis. A P value <0.05 was considered significant.

Results

There were significant differences in BL‐PBF among the three groups. The prediabetes group exhibited significantly lower PBF than the normal group at all time points; Both groups showed similar changing trends in PBF (peaking at the 15th minute and subsequently declining). The BL‐PBFtail had the highest diagnostic performance when evaluating abnormal glucose tolerance or stage (area under the curves = 0.800, 0.584, respectively) and was an independent risk factor for glucose tolerance status.

Data Conclusion

ASL can noninvasively assess changes in PBF among individuals with varying glucose tolerance and in response to glucose challenge, which could be linked to insulin release demand and might help characterize changes in pancreatic endocrine function.

Evidence Level

2

Technical Efficacy

Stage 1
Differential regulation of viral entry‐associated genes modulated by inflammatory cytokines in the nasal epithelium
Authors: Noh Hae Eun , Rha Min‐Seok , Jeong Yeonsu , Kim Dachan , Seo Ju Hee , Kang Miran , Moon Uk yeol , Kim Chang‐Hoon , Cho Hyung‐Ju
Published: September 2024

This study aimed to investigate the impact of different types of nasal inflammation on the regulation of entry‐associated genes of respiratory viruses, including severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV‐2), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV), human coronavirus 229E (HCoV‐229E), and influenza virus, in the nasal epithelium. Subjects were classified into three groups: control, eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS), and noneosinophilic CRS (NECRS) groups. Angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane protease serine subtype 2 (TMPRSS2), alanyl aminopeptidase (ANPEP), dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4), and beta‐galactoside alpha‐2,6‐sialyltransferase 1 (ST6GAL1), and beta‐galactoside alpha‐2,3‐sialyltransferase 4 (ST3GAL4) were selected as key entry‐associated genes for SARS‐CoV‐2, HCoV‐229E, MERS‐CoV, and influenza, respectively, and were evaluated. Brushing samples obtained from each group and human nasal epithelial cells cultured using an air–liquid interface system were treated for 7 days with typical inflammatory cytokines and analyzed using real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Western blot analysis and confocal microscopy were performed. The entry‐associated genes showed distinct regulation patterns in response to each interleukin‐4 (IL‐4), interleukin‐13 (IL‐13), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), and interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ). Specifically, ACE2 significantly decreased in type 2 cytokines (IL‐4 and IL‐13), while TMPRSS2 significantly decreased in type 1 cytokines (TNF‐α and IFN‐γ). ANPEP significantly decreased in both types of cytokines. Remarkably, DPP4 significantly increased in type 2 cytokines and decreased in type 1 cytokines. Moreover, ST6GAL1 and ST3GAL4 significantly increased in type 2 cytokines and decreased in type 1 cytokines, particularly IFN‐γ. These findings were supported by western blot analysis and confocal imaging results, especially for ACE2 and DPP4. The findings regarding differential regulation suggest that patients with ECRS, primarily mediated by type 2 inflammation, may have lower susceptibility to SARS‐CoV‐2 and HCoV‐229E infections but higher susceptibility to MERS‐CoV and influenza infections.
Anaphylaxis to cow's milk protein in a probiotic not detected by the electronic medical record
Authors: Teitelbaum Jonathan E. , Dallessio Joseph , Brunetto Jacqueline , Ross Jacqueline A.
Published: September 2024

A 13‐year‐old female with a history of congenital left lower leg lymphedema, multiple food allergies, including an immunoglobulin E mediated severe cow's milk allergy, and well‐controlled moderate persistent asthma was hospitalized with left lower leg erysipelas and Group A Streptococcus septicemia. While hospitalized, immediately after exposure to cow's milk protein as an inactive ingredient within a probiotic, she developed anaphylaxis with respiratory failure requiring intubation. This is only the third reported case of anaphylaxis due to a probiotic. Additionally, it raises issues inherent to the electronic medical record with respect to its inability to identify allergens in supplements as opposed to medications.
Enzymatic preparation of diacylglycerols: lipase screening, immobilization, characterization and glycerolysis performance
Authors: Xie Rui , Peng Xianwu , Lee Yee‐Ying , Xie Pengkai , Tan Chin‐Ping , Wang Yong , Zhang Zhen
Published: September 2024

Backgrounds

Glycerolysis, with its advantages of readily available raw materials, simple operation, and mild reaction conditions, is a primary method for producing diacylglycerol (DAG). However, enzymatic glycerolysis faces challenges such as high enzyme costs, low reuse efficiency, and poor stability. The study aims to develop a cost‐effective immobilized enzyme by covalently binding lipase to pre‐activated carriers through the selection of suitable lipases, carriers, and activating agents. The optimization is intended to improve the glycerolysis reaction for efficient DAG production.

Results

Lipase CN‐TL (from Thermomyces lanuginosus) was selected through glycerolysis reaction and molecular docking to catalyze the glycerolysis reaction. Optimizing the immobilization method by covalently binding CN‐TL to poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PEGDGE)‐preactivated resin LX‐201A resulted in the preparation of the immobilized enzyme TL‐PEGDGE‐LX. The immobilized enzyme retained over 90% of its initial activity after five consecutive reactions, demonstrating excellent reusability. The DAG content in the product remained at 84.8% of its initial level, further highlighting the enzyme's potential for reusability and its promising applications in the food and oil industries.

Conclusions

The immobilized lipase TL‐PEGDGE‐LX, created by covalently immobilizing lipase CN‐TL on PEGDGE‐preactivated carriers, demonstrated broad applicability and excellent reusability. This approach offers an economical and convenient immobilization strategy for the enzymatic glycerolysis production of DAG. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Systemic chemotherapy in addition to CRS‐HIPEC for colorectal peritoneal metastases: A critical systematic review on the impact on overall survival
Authors: van den Heuvel Teun B. M. , Lurvink Robin J. , Rovers Koen P. B. , van Hellemond Irene E. G. , de Hingh Ignace H. J. T.
Published: September 2024

In patients with resectable colorectal peritoneal metastases, it is unclear whether systemic chemotherapy, in addition to cytoreductive surgery‐hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS‐HIPEC), improves overall survival (OS). This systematic review of 12 retrospective studies involving 3721 patients aimed to summarize the available evidence. Contradictory results were found regarding the effectiveness of neoadjuvant, adjuvant, and perioperative systemic therapies on OS, with a high risk of bias. Available evidence remains inconclusive, stressing the need for prospective, randomized trials, like the ongoing Dutch CAIRO6‐trial.
Comparison of Prognostic Performance of 8th and 7th Edition of AJCC Staging System for Patients With Gallbladder Cancer Undergoing Curative Intent Surgery
Authors: Gupta Sameer , Verma Abhishek , Chaturvedi Arun , Prakash Puneet , Kumar Vijay , Misra Sanjeev , Akhtar Naseem , Rajan Shiv , Agarwal Preeti , Smith Lynette , Schissel Makayla , Are Chandrakanth
Published: September 2024

Background

We compared the predictive performance of the 7th and 8th editions of the AJCC staging systems in stratifying disease‐related survival outcomes in patients with GBC undergoing curative intent surgery.

Methods

Patients that underwent curative intent surgery for GBC at our institution (2014 and 2021) were included in the study. Various clinico‐pathological data were extracted to perform Kaplan–Meier survival analysis.

Results

A total of 240 patients were included in the study. Both, TNM‐7, and TNM‐8 staging systems can stratify patients into stages with statistically significant differences in disease‐free and overall survival. Survival rates drop with stage progression. Using TNM‐8, 8/240 (3.33%) patients were upstaged from Stage IIIB (TNM‐7) to IVB (TNM‐8) and 12/240 (5%) were down‐staged from Stage IVB(TNM‐7) to IIIB(TNM‐8). Survival curves of the re‐classified patients matched those of the corresponding TNM‐8 stage. Additionally, there was statistically significant difference in their survival (p < 0.001) compared to their corresponding TNM‐7 stage. There was no statistically significant difference in survival rates between stages IIA, IIB (TNM‐8), and stage II (TNM‐7). However, stage IIA had a slightly better survival than stage IIB.

Conclusion

Though both TNM‐7 and TNM‐8 are useful for stratifying patients with GBC, TNM‐8 has a better prognostic performance than TNM‐7.
Perfusion Strategies for Cytoreductive Surgery With Heated Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma
Authors: Drigotas Claire , Loftus Alexander W. , Ammori John B. , Rothermel Luke D. , Hoehn Richard S.
Published: September 2024

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with heated intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has been shown to improve survival for patients with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM). Presently, there is no standardized HIPEC protocol with respect to chemotherapeutic agent, dose, administration temperature, or duration and limited literature comparing outcomes in different regimens. In this study, we analyze common practices and outcomes of published HIPEC regimens to gain insight into current practice to inform future directions of study. We conducted a literature search for investigational studies of CRS and HIPEC for MPM treatment in adults and identified 35 such articles. These studies were analyzed for institution type and location, drug regimens, perfusion temperatures and time, and study outcomes including median survival, complication rates, and perioperative mortality rates. On review, there is significant heterogeneity in HIPEC regimens and outcome reporting metrics, suggesting a need for multi‐institutional standardized study protocols to better determine the safest and most efficacious treatment regimen.
The reliability of multi‐source data linkage for population‐based cancer survival estimates: A study in a metropolitan cancer registry of China
Authors: Shen Yubing , Fu Ruiying , Wang Xiaofeng , Zhang Xinyu , Zhou Ying , Zhou Yiheng , Liu Jue , Mei Dan , Han Bingfeng , Li Li , Wang Shaoming , Chen Ru , Sun Kexin , Lin Hong , Mu Huijuan , Sun Ke , Zeng Hongmei , Wei Wenqiang
Published: September 2024

Background

Population‐based cancer survival is a key metric in evaluating the overall effectiveness of health services and cancer control activities. Advancement in information technology enables accurate vital status tracking through multi‐source data linkage. However, its reliability for survival estimates in China is unclear.

Methods

We analyzed data from Dalian Cancer Registry to evaluate the reliability of multi‐source data linkage for population‐based cancer survival estimates in China. Newly diagnosed cancer patients in 2015 were included and followed until June 2021. We conducted single‐source data linkage by linking patients to Dalian Vital Statistics System, and multi‐source data linkage by further linking to Dalian Household Registration System and the hospital medical records. Patient vital status was subsequently determined through active follow‐up via telephone calls, referred to as comprehensive follow‐up, which served as the gold standard. Using the cohort method, we calculated 5‐year observed survival and age‐standardized relative survival for 20 cancer types and all cancers combined.

Results

Compared to comprehensive follow‐up, single‐source data linkage overestimated 5‐year observed survival by 3.2% for all cancers combined, ranging from 0.1% to 8.6% across 20 cancer types. Multi‐source data linkage provided a relatively complete patient vital status, with an observed survival estimate of only 0.3% higher for all cancers, ranging from 0% to 1.5% across 20 cancer types.

Conclusion

Multi‐source data linkage contributes to reliable population‐based cancer survival estimates in China. Linkage of multiple databases might be of great value in improving the efficiency of follow‐up and the quality of survival data for cancer patients in developing countries.
Success Rate and Predicting Factors for Repeated High‐Dose Intradetrusor Dysport Injections in Children With Neurogenic Bladder: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Ventura Yossi , Morag Roy , May Tal , Khunovitz Dmitry , Ben Meir David
Published: September 2024

Objectives

Evaluating the effectiveness and safety of repeated high‐dose intradetrusor abobotulinumtoxin A (Dysport®) injections for the treatment of pediatric neurogenic bladders refractory to medications.

Design

Retrospective interventional study.

Participants

The cohort included 37 children (22 boys and 15 girls) of median age 9.2 years. Inclusion criteria were diagnosis of neurogenic bladder and failure to respond to medical treatment. Exclusion criteria were augmented bladder, insufficient data, and interval of > 11 months between video‐urodynamic study and Dysport injection.

Interventions

All participants were treated with an intra‐detrusor injection of Dysport 30 IU/kg (up to 1000 IU) under general anesthesia. Repeated (second and third) injections were scheduled (6–12 months) in patients who demonstrated an improvement in cystometric parameters. All participants underwent video urodynamic testing before onset of treatment and 4–5 months after subsequent injection.

Main Outcome Measures

Success of treatment was defined as a decrease in end filling pressure (EFP) to < 40 cm H2O and/or a 20% increase in maximal cystometric capacity (MCC). These parameters along with initial bladder features were evaluated for ability to predict treatment success.

Results

No side effects of Dysport were observed or reported. The overall success rate was 62%. MCC increased by a median of 30% (IQR 200–300, p < 0.001), 37% (IQR 197–310, p = 0.001) and 45% (IQR 245–300, p = 0.025) after the first, second and third injections, respectively. Median EFP decreased from 45 cm H2O to 34 cm H2O (IQR 20–45, p = 0.029), 23 cm H2O (IQR 20–37, p = 0.004), and 20 cm H2O (IQR 12–32, p = 0.049) after the first, second, and third injections, respectively. No predicting factor of success of treatment were found; However, three of five cases of “end stage” bladder showed improvement.

Conclusions

High‐dose Dysport injection is safe and effective for the treatment of neurogenic bladder. Studies with larger cohort and a control group would further elucidate which bladders would benefit most. At present, we recommend treating also bladders with “end stage” features with botulinum toxin before considering augmentation.
A Family of Inertial Three‐Term CGPMs for Large‐Scale Nonlinear Pseudo‐Monotone Equations With Convex Constraints
Authors: Jian Jinbao , Huang Qiongxuan , Yin Jianghua , Ma Guodong
Published: September 2024

This article presents and analyzes a family of three‐term conjugate gradient projection methods with the inertial technique for solving large‐scale nonlinear pseudo‐monotone equations with convex constraints. The generated search direction exhibits good properties independent of line searches. The global convergence of the family is proved without the Lipschitz continuity of the underlying mapping. Furthermore, under the locally Lipschitz continuity assumption, we conduct a thorough analysis related to the asymptotic and non‐asymptotic global convergence rates in terms of iteration complexity. To our knowledge, this is the first iteration‐complexity analysis for inertial gradient‐type projection methods, in the literature, under such a assumption. Numerical experiments demonstrate the computational efficiency of the family, showing its superiority over three existing inertial methods. Finally, we apply the proposed family to solve practical problems such as ‐regularized logistic regression, sparse signal restoration and image restoration problems, highlighting its effectiveness and potential for real‐world applications.
Clinical effectiveness of paliperidone palmitate 3‐monthly and 1‐monthly as monotherapy in patients with schizophrenia: A retrospective cohort study based on the Medicaid claims database
Authors: Chiang Chih‐Lin , Chinen Madoka , Daskiran Mehmet , Wakamatsu Akihide , Turkoz Ibrahim
Published: September 2024

Aim

Real‐world data (RWD) for paliperidone palmitate (PP) three‐monthly (PP3M) is lacking based on Japan label requirements. This study evaluated the clinical effectiveness of PP3M versus PP once‐monthly (PP1M) in patients with schizophrenia administered according to Japan label requirements.

Methods

Retrospective analyses were conducted using RWD from Merative™ MarketScan® Multi‐State Medicaid (MDCD) claims database (June 2015–December 2022). Adult patients with schizophrenia switching from PP1M to PP3M were included. Patients transitioning to PP3M were matched with patients who continued with PP1M using propensity score matching (PSM) at 1:1 ratio. Primary hypothesis aimed to investigate non‐inferiority of PP3M versus PP1M in terms of relapse‐free status at 24 months from index PP injection. Outcome measures were proportions of relapse‐free patients at 24 months, time to relapse, treatment persistence, and adherence.

Results

Total 4252 eligible adult schizophrenia patients on PP (PP3M:582; PP1M:3670) were identified. After PSM, each PP cohort comprised 562 matched individuals. Estimated proportion of relapse‐free patients was higher in PP3M (85.7%) versus PP1M (77.9%), per Japan PP label. PP3M demonstrated superiority to PP1M after testing for non‐inferiority in terms of achieving relapse‐free status at 24 months, with an estimated difference of 7.8% (95% CI: 1.7%–13.9%). PP3M cohort had lower risk of relapse (HR: 0.605; CI: 0.427–0.856), longer treatment persistence, and higher treatment adherence versus PP1M cohort.

Conclusions

Findings suggests that patients who switched to PP3M might be able to reduce risk of relapse compared to those who continued PP1M after aligning particularly with Japan's label requirements.
Hybrid modeling of multibody systems: Comparison of two discrepancy models for trajectory prediction
Authors: Wohlleben Meike , Röder Benedict , Ebel Henrik , Muth Lars , Sextro Walter , Eberhard Peter
Published: September 2024

This study focuses on hybrid modeling approaches that combine physical and data‐driven methods to create more effective dynamical system models. In particular, it examines discrepancy models, a type of hybrid model that integrates a physical system model with data‐driven compensation for inaccuracies. The study applies two discrepancy modeling methods to a multibody system using discrepancies in the state vector and its time derivative, respectively. As an application example, a four‐bar linkage with nonlinear damping is investigated, using a simplified conservative system as a physical model. The comparative analysis of the two methods shows that the continuous approach generally outperforms the discrete method in terms of accuracy and computational efficiency, especially for velocity prediction and prediction horizon. However, scenarios, where input signals for training and testing differ, present nuanced findings. When the continuous method is trained on complex signals (sine) and tested on simpler ones (stair), it struggles to deliver satisfactory results, exhibiting notably higher root mean square error (RMSE) values, particularly in angular velocity prediction. Conversely, training on simple signals (stair) and testing on complex ones (sine) surprisingly yields low RMSE values, indicating the continuous method's adaptability. While the discrete method aligns more closely with expectations and performs better in certain scenarios, its results are consistently moderate, neither exceptional nor particularly poor. The study also introduces a selection framework for choosing the most suitable algorithm based on the specific characteristics of the modeling task. This framework provides guidance for researchers and practitioners in leveraging hybrid modeling effectively. Finally, the study concludes with an outlook on future research directions.
The effect of active leg swing on walking template model dynamics
Authors: Renjewski Daniel
Published: September 2024

Some reductionist models match human walking dynamics surprisingly well. For reasons of simplicity, the swing leg and its dynamics have been neglected in the past. A dynamic effect would, however, be expected of the high acceleration and deceleration required to recirculate approximately 15% of the entire body mass during the very short swing phase. This paper documents the investigation of the effect of a simplified swing leg on the dynamics of a reductionist walking model. The findings suggest the dynamic decoupling of the swing leg and the remaining body.
Analysis and simulation of curved hoses under internal pressure—3D continuum models
Authors: Hoesch Quirin , Roller Michael , Schneider‐Jung Fabio , Linn Joachim , Müller Ralf
Published: September 2024

This contribution aims to model and characterize the nonlinear elastic behavior of hoses under internal pressure. A highly resolved 3D continuum model is used to identify relevant effects of preformed hoses under internal pressure. The focus of this work is on the Bourdon effect, which is illustrated by simulating two simplified models, a full torus and a quarter torus. For a full torus, the Bourdon effect can be observed by the fact that the radius of curvature increases in addition to the expansion of the cross‐sectional radius. For a quarter torus, which is a simplified example of a curved hose, the Bourdon effect can be observed by the tendency of the hose to straighten under internal pressure. Furthermore it is detected for both examples that the non‐constant distribution of the poloidal (hoop) stress over the cross‐section leads to an ovalization behavior. In addition, the model of a quarter torus is extended to a more complex model with straight hose sections at both ends.
SNPscan Combined With CNVplex as a High‐Performance Diagnostic Method for Thalassemia
Authors: Wei Xiaofeng , Wang Xingmin , Xiong Fu , Zhang Xinhua , Liu Dun , Zhou Wanjun , He Fei , Shang Xuan
Published: September 2024

Objective

Thalassemia is a Mendelian‐inherited blood disorder with severe consequences, including disability and mortality, making it a significant public health concern. Therefore, there is an urgent need for precise diagnostic technologies. We introduce two innovative diagnostic techniques for thalassemia, SNPscan and CNVplex, designed to enhance molecular diagnostics of thalassemia.

Methods

The SNPscan and CNVplex assays utilize variations in PCR product length and fluorescence to identify multiple mutations. In the SNPscan method, we designed three probes per locus: two 5′ and one 3′, and incorporated allele identification link sequences into one of the 5′ probes to distinguish the alleles. The detection system was designed for 67 previously reported loci in the Chinese population for a specific genetic condition. CNVplex identifies deletion types by analyzing the specific positions of probes within the globin gene. This innovative approach enables the detection of six distinct deletional mutations, enhancing the precision of thalassemia diagnostics. We evaluated and refined the methodologies in a training cohort of 100 individuals with confirmed HBA and HBB genotypes. The validation cohort, consisting of 1647 thalassemia patients and 100 healthy controls, underwent a double‐blind study. Traditional diagnostic techniques served as the control methods.

Results

In the training set of 100 samples, 10 mutations (Hb QS, Hb CS, Hb Westmead, CD17, CD26, CD41‐42, IVS‐II‐654, ‐‐SEA, −α3.7 and −α4.2) were identified, consistent with those identified by traditional methods. The validation study showed that SNPscan/CNVplex offered superior molecular diagnostic capabilities for thalassemia, with 100% accuracy compared to 99.43% for traditional methods. Notably, the assay identified three previously undetected mutations in 10 cases, including two deletion mutations (Chinese Gγ(Aγδβ)0 del and SEA‐HPFH), and one non‐deletion mutation (Hb Q‐Thailand).

Conclusions

The SNPscan/CNVplex assay is a cost‐effective and user‐friendly tool for diagnosing thalassemia, demonstrating high accuracy and reliability, and showing great potential as a primary diagnostic method in clinical practice.
Understanding anxiety‐related problems of children with ASD in school settings
Authors: Perihan Celal , Bicer Ali , Bocanegra Joel
Published: September 2024

The primary purpose of this current study was to identify knowledge of special education and mental health professionals in anxiety‐related problems of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in four Different Categories: Separation Anxiety (SA), Uncertainty (U), Performance Anxiety (PA), and anxiety Arousal (AA). Three hundred eighteen participants across the United States (199 special education teachers, 97 school counselors, and 22 school psychologists) participated. The finding indicated that special education teachers and school counselors have significantly less training and expertise to identify anxiety symptoms in typically developing children and children with ASD than school psychologists (p < .05). Moreover, school counselors have significantly limited knowledge in identifying and treating anxiety issues in children with ASD (p < .05). Findings showed that school counselors could not determine precisely whether symptoms of uncertainty events existed because of anxiety issues or ASD characteristics. School psychologists and special education teachers identified the uncertainty of children with ASD as characteristics of children with ASD, not anxiety symptoms. Implications were discussed.
Parkinson's and Lewy Body Dementia: Can It Be Something Else?
Authors: Andonova Dilyana , Doukova Ekaterina
Published: September 2024

Unexplained psychopathologies, although intriguing for the inquisitive clinician, pose significant diagnostic and treatment challenges. In such cases, looking beyond what is evident and logical might just be the answer. This case report reflects on a patient with a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia, with an unusual set of symptoms and disease progression. It also explores the possibility of an overlap of clinical features associated with recent exposure to gadolinium contrast agent and its possible implications in the brain tissue and the subsequent neuropsychiatric symptoms.
Pharmacokinetics, disposition, and biotransformation of the cardiac myosin inhibitor aficamten in humans
Authors: Xu Donghong , Divanji Punag , Griffith Adrienne , Sukhun Rajaa , Cheplo Kathleen , Li Jianlin , German Polina
Published: September 2024

Aficamten, a cardiac myosin inhibitor, is being developed for the treatment of patients with symptomatic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The purpose of this study was to determine the absorption, metabolism, and excretion of aficamten. Eight healthy male participants received a single oral dose of 20 mg aficamten (containing approximately 100 μCi of radiocarbon). Blood, urine, and feces samples were collected up to a maximum of Day 26. The pharmacokinetics of aficamten were characterized by moderate absorption, with a median tmax of 2.0 h postdose. The median t1/2 of aficamten was 99.6 h with similar t1/2 observed for metabolites and total radioactivity in plasma and whole blood. The overall total recovery of administered total radioactivity was 89.7% with 57.7% of the dose recovered in feces and 32.0% in urine. The main circulating metabolites in plasma included monohydroxylated metabolites M1a (CK‐3834282) and M1b (CK‐3834283) accounting for 10.5% and 36.4% of the total radioactivity AUC both with a median tmax of 5 h. The other major plasma metabolite was M5 (an oxygen‐linked glucuronide conjugate of M1a), which accounted for 10.3% of the total plasma radioactivity exposure, with a tmax of 24 h. In urine, M5 was the most abundant metabolite with 8.02% total radioactive dose (TRD), followed by M1a and M1b with 6.16% and 2.85% TRD, respectively; however, there were no metabolites in urine observed at >10% of dose. The major metabolite in feces was M18 representing 44.1% of the radioactive dose. These findings indicated that aficamten was eliminated by metabolism, and to a minor extent, by fecal excretion of unchanged aficamten with renal excretion playing a minor role. Feces were the principal route of excretion of the radioactive dose.
Back Cover Image
Authors: Wang Zhicheng , Deng Yanan , Kang Yukun , Wang Yan , Bao Duanhong , Tan Yuchen , An Kang , Su Junhu
Published: September 2024

Back Cover: The cover image is based on the article Impacts of climate change and human activities on three Glires pests of the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau by Zhicheng Wang et al., https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.8250. Image Credit: Junhu Su.

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First trial for the assimilation of radiance data from MTVZA‐GY on board the new Russian satellite meteor‐M N2‐2 in the CMA‐GFS 4D‐VAR system
Authors: Xiao Hongyi , Han Wei , Han Yang , Hu Hao , Shi Yining , Bai Yihong , Liu Yuanyuan
Published: September 2024

The Imaging/Sounding Microwave Radiometer–Improved (MTVZA‐GY) on board the Russian meteorological satellite, Meteor‐M N2‐2, launched in 2019, provides daily observations of Earth's atmosphere and surface from a polar orbit. Here, its performance in a numerical prediction model – the Global/Regional Assimilation and Prediction System–Global Forecast System (CMA_GFS), which involves the Advanced Radiative Transfer Modeling System (ARMS) – was evaluated. After supplementing some lacking information during data preprocessing, the characteristics of all available channels (24 in total) were evaluated by comparison among channels, with background fields, and with similar active instruments in CMA‐GFS, as well as between different radiative transfer models. Failed calibration was found in all window channels. Scan position biases, ascending/descending biases, and striping noises were widely discovered in temperature‐sounding channels, as well as larger biases in humidity‐sounding channels. Following quality control and bias correction, only two temperature‐sounding channels were feasible for assimilation into CMA‐GFS within the observational errors calculated by the a posteriori verification scheme. A one‐month experiment confirmed that these two channels have positive impacts on the analysis of both thermal and dynamic fields, as well as short‐term weather forecasting in the Northern Hemisphere and tropics. Short‐term global forecasting of moderate rainfall was also improved. This work is a pioneering attempt at examining the potential and impacts of assimilating MTVZA‐GY in a numerical weather prediction model system. It also provides guidance for the manufacture and usage of the instruments that will be on board the three satellites planned for launch by the Russian Federation in the next three years.
The spike‐and‐slab quantile LASSO for robust variable selection in cancer genomics studies
Authors: Liu Yuwen , Ren Jie , Ma Shuangge , Wu Cen
Published: September 2024

Data irregularity in cancer genomics studies has been widely observed in the form of outliers and heavy‐tailed distributions in the complex traits. In the past decade, robust variable selection methods have emerged as powerful alternatives to the nonrobust ones to identify important genes associated with heterogeneous disease traits and build superior predictive models. In this study, to keep the remarkable features of the quantile LASSO and fully Bayesian regularized quantile regression while overcoming their disadvantage in the analysis of high‐dimensional genomics data, we propose the spike‐and‐slab quantile LASSO through a fully Bayesian spike‐and‐slab formulation under the robust likelihood by adopting the asymmetric Laplace distribution (ALD). The proposed robust method has inherited the prominent properties of selective shrinkage and self‐adaptivity to the sparsity pattern from the spike‐and‐slab LASSO (Roc̆ková and George, J Am Stat Associat, 2018, 113(521): 431–444). Furthermore, the spike‐and‐slab quantile LASSO has a computational advantage to locate the posterior modes via soft‐thresholding rule guided Expectation‐Maximization (EM) steps in the coordinate descent framework, a phenomenon rarely observed for robust regularization with nondifferentiable loss functions. We have conducted comprehensive simulation studies with a variety of heavy‐tailed errors in both homogeneous and heterogeneous model settings to demonstrate the superiority of the spike‐and‐slab quantile LASSO over its competing methods. The advantage of the proposed method has been further demonstrated in case studies of the lung adenocarcinomas (LUAD) and skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).
Practicing mindfulness can foster monitoring and acceptance after experiencing negative affect
Authors: Wenzel Mario , Schumacher David , Rowland Zarah
Published: September 2024

Although being mindful, that is, monitoring and accepting one's present feelings, has been shown to be associated with less current negative affect than distraction, acceptance is less endorsed after experiencing negative affect. Thus, acceptance, although effective, may not be endorsed when it is most needed, leading people to endorse other strategies such as distraction instead. In the present study, we examined whether a monitoring and acceptance induction in a laboratory setting (N = 258) and a monitoring and acceptance training in daily life (N = 125) increased acceptance (Study 1) and monitoring (Study 2) after experiencing negative affect. We found this to be the case: While participants in the control condition showed a significant negative association between prior negative affect and subsequent monitoring and acceptance, participants in the monitor and acceptance condition did not. Thus, even brief monitor and acceptance training is well suited to increasing the likelihood that individuals can monitor and accept their thoughts and feelings when confronted with strong emotions.