bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maintenance Costs, Time, and Efforts Following Implant Therapy With Fixed Restorations Over an Observation Period of 10 Years: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Pirc Miha , Gadzo Naida , Balmer Marc , Naenni Nadja , Jung Ronald E. , Thoma Daniel S. 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo assess the costs and efforts of maintenance therapy following implant treatment with fixed restoration over an observation period of 10 years.Material and MethodsThis randomized controlled clinical trial included 64 patients who were randomly assigned to receive one of two implant systems (AST or STM) and fixed restoration. Patients were included in a regular maintenance program and were examined at loading, 1, 3, 5, 8, and 10 years. Outcome measures included technical and biological complications, time, efforts, and costs to resolve them.ResultsA total of 97 implants were placed in 64 patients (AST: 54, STM: 43). Patient recall rates at 5 and 10 years were 89% and 67%. In general, technical complications were resolved within one to two appointments (mean = 1.5), and biological complications required a mean of 1.3 appointments. The overall regular maintenance time for the period of 10 years amounted to 77 min per year. Technical complications occurred in 39.5% of the patients, with screw‐loosening being the most common one (43.4% of all complications). The most time‐consuming technical complication was abutment fracture (94 min ± 68), followed by screw fracture (84 min ± 38). The prevalence of peri‐implant mucositis on the patient level was 30.2%, and it was 9.3% for peri‐implantitis. The average annual maintenance costs amounted to 9% of the initial cost of the implant treatment over the period of 10 years.ConclusionsAdditional regular maintenance costs and costs due to the treatment of potential complications have to be taken into consideration when placing dental implants. The majority of technical complications could be resolved within one appointment, whereas the time needed to treat biological complications varied between one and three appointments for peri‐implantitis.
Evaluation of validity, reliability and ability to detect change for the Hand Eczema Severity Index (HECSI) and evaluation of HECSI‐75 and HECSI‐90 as within‐patient responder definitions
Authors: Yüksel Yasemin Topal , Thoning Henrik , Larsen Lotte Seiding , Lehmann Lucine , Arbuckle Rob , Grant Laura , Agner Tove 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe Hand Eczema Severity Index (HECSI) is a Clinician‐Reported Outcome measure of the severity of hand eczema (HE).ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the validity, reliability and ability to detect change of the HECSI, and the HECSI‐75 and HECSI‐90 as responder definitions.MethodsAnalyses were performed using data from a sample of n = 258 patients with Chronic Hand Eczema (CHE) from a Phase 2b, randomised, double‐blind, vehicle‐controlled trial of delgocitinib cream, pooled across treatment groups. The measurement properties of the HECSI were assessed and the adequacy of the HECSI‐75 and HECSI‐90 as responder definitions was explored through cross‐tabulation.ResultsInter‐item correlations provided support for the scoring, whereby items are grouped by areas of the hand. HECSI demonstrated good test–retest reliability with intra‐class correlations >0.70. Construct validity was supported by a logical pattern of correlations with concurrent measures and significant differences in HECSI scores across severity groups (p < 0.001). HECSI was responsive with statistically significant improvements over time and with significant differences (p < 0.001) between improved and stable groups. Data provided support for both HECSI‐75 and HECSI‐90 as within‐patient responder definitions.ConclusionsHECSI has strong validity, reliability and ability to detect change as a measure of CHE severity. HECSI‐75 and HECSI‐90 are appropriate responder definitions.
Inadvertent climate refugia
Authors: Hayes Forest P. , Berger Joel 
Published: October 2024

AbstractFor centuries, humans have intentionally moved species around the world, and such actions have rarely been laudable from conservation perspectives. The notion that introduced populations of cold‐adapted species hold conservation value despite their non‐native status remains controversial. Many such populations exist as a legacy of humans moving wildlife to novel environments with little true consideration of species conservation. Herein, we identify cases in which individuals from inadvertent climate refugia (ICR) are returned to formerly occupied ranges or used to augment declining native populations. While conservation benefits have been infrequently realized, the global distribution of ICR offers a potentially untapped resource. Lessening biodiversity loss under increasing climate challenges will likely require assisted migration of many species and necessitate novel valuation of extant introduced populations—such as those within ICR. While ecological costs of translocated species are widely known, we highlight how species moved generations ago to ICR offer a reservoir for reintroductions and a buffer against rapidly changing climates.
Identification of the Prognostic Factors for Synchronous Multiple Primary Lung Cancer Treated With Staged Bilateral Surgery
Authors: Zhang Hui , Liu Qiang , Chen Lian , Song Liwei , Mao Feng , Zhou Wenyong , Li Jiantao , Song Zuodong , Miao Wang , Shentu Yang 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTIntroductionStaged bilateral surgery is widely used to treat synchronous multiple primary lung cancer (SMPLC); however, the prognostic factors for survival outcomes remain unclear. This study aimed to identify prognostic factors and construct a predictive model for overall survival (OS) and recurrence‐free survival (RFS) in patients with SMPLC who underwent staged bilateral surgery.MethodsThe study included 256 patients diagnosed with SMPLC and treated with staged bilateral surgery at our hospital between January 2010 and July 2017. Multivariate Cox proportional‐hazard regression was used to identify prognostic factors for OS and RFS. Additionally, a predictive model was constructed using time‐dependent receiver operating characteristic curves.ResultsAmong the 256 patients, 10 (3.95%) succumbed to the disease and 24 (9.41%) experienced recurrence. Smoking (hazard ratio [HR]: 5.128; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.442–18.233; p = 0.012) and most advanced pathological TNM (pTNM) stage (II + III) (HR: 12.938; 95% CI: 2.650–63.176; p = 0.002) were identified as significant predictors of poor OS. A prognostic model was developed for predicting OS, with a 5‐year area under the curve (AUC) of 0.854. Furthermore, most advanced pTNM stage (II + III) was associated with poor RFS (HR: 5.964; 95% CI: 2.669–13.327; p < 0.001), and the predictive model exhibited a 5‐year AUC of 0.718 for RFS.ConclusionThis study revealed that smoking and most advanced pTNM stage were independent prognostic factors associated with poor OS in patients with bilateral SMPLC. Moreover, most advanced pTNM stage was also linked to unfavorable RFS. The developed predictive model demonstrated moderate prognostic performance for both OS and RFS.
Dependence, power imbalance, and value gains in business process outsourcing
Authors: Suresh Sukruth , Ravichandran T. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractWe examine the impact of interdependencies in business process outsourcing (BPO) relationships on client and vendor firm values both in the short term and over a longer time horizon. Drawing from recent research incorporating the resource dependence theory, which appertains the interdependence to both mutual dependence and power imbalance in interfirm relationships, we posit the value proposition of BPO to be greater for mutually dependent engagements, and more so for the vendor than for the client. In addition, we posit the power imbalance in BPO relationships to be detrimental for clients and vendors, and thus, the value proposition of such BPO is expected to be lower for both. We empirically examine these issues through an event study of 285 publicly announced BPO engagements and find that mutually dependent BPO relationships, which were difficult to decouple, are value enhancing for both clients and vendors, and more so for vendors. In addition, although the power imbalances were expected to be detrimental to both, we find this power imbalance to negatively affect only the vendors but had a positive effect on clients.
Natural history of gait patterns in untreated children with bilateral cerebral palsy in a low‐income country setting
Authors: Stebbins Julie , Wicks Laurence , Nunn Tim , Gardner Richard , Zerfu Tewodros T. , Kassahun Mesfin , Theologis Tim 
Published: October 2024

AbstractAimTo assess a group of ambulant, untreated children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy, in a resource‐poor setting, who had never been assessed by a health care professional or received any treatment, to help establish the natural history of gait patterns in this condition.MethodAt CURE Children's Hospital of Ethiopia, 46 children with no prior health care contact were assessed in a cross‐sectional cohort study, through a detailed history, clinical examination, and instrumented gait analysis using a motion capture system.ResultsThere was a large spread in the data reflecting the high natural heterogeneity in this population. The severity of gait pathology did not correlate with age; however, a small but significant reduction in sagittal hip and knee range of motion with increasing age was observed. There was also a trend towards reduced passive knee extension with age.InterpretationImproved understanding of the aspects of gait that are likely to naturally improve, deteriorate, or remain stable over time helps guide treatment decisions in this population.
Pacritinib Response Is Associated With Overall Survival in Myelofibrosis: PERSIST‐2 Landmark Analysis of Survival
Authors: Ajufo Helen , Bewersdorf Jan Philipp , Harrison Claire , Palandri Francesca , Mascarenhas John , Palmer Jeanne , Gerds Aaron , Kiladjian Jean‐Jacques , Buckley Sarah , Derkach Andriy , Roman‐Torres Karisse , Rampal Raajit K. 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTSpleen volume reduction (SVR) is a key endpoint in inhibitors of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor studies. Retrospective analyses have demonstrated an association between SVR and improved overall survival (OS) among patients treated with ruxolitinib with a platelet count > 100 × 109/L. Whether this association occurs in patients with thrombocytopenia is unclear. Pacritinib, a JAK2/IRAK1/ACVR1 inhibitor, demonstrated improved SVR versus best available therapy (BAT [best available therapy]; including ruxolitinib) in patients with myelofibrosis and platelet counts ≤ 100 × 109/L in the PERSIST‐2 study. Patients on study at the start of the 12‐week SVR window on pacritinib 200 mg twice daily or BAT were included. OS was evaluated among SVR responders versus non‐responders using different SVR thresholds (≥ 35%, ≥ 20%, ≥ 10%, and > 0%). Among patients on pacritinib (n = 89), SVR ≥ 10% demonstrated the greatest separation in OS curves between responders and non‐responders (HR, 0.00; 95% CI, 0.00–0.14; p < 0.01), though SVR ≥ 0% and SVR ≥ 20% were also associated with improved OS. No SVR threshold conferred OS benefit on BAT (n = 84), including ruxolitinib (n = 39). In patients with myelofibrosis and platelets ≤ 100 × 109/L, achieving SVR on pacritinib, but not BAT (including ruxolitinib), was associated with significant OS benefit, suggesting that pacritinib may offer a unique survival advantage in patients with myelofibrosis and thrombocytopenia who achieve any SVR.
Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT02055781
Plasma neurofilament heavy chain is a prognostic biomarker for the development of severe epilepsy after experimental traumatic brain injury
Authors: Heiskanen Mette , Banuelos Ivette , Manninen Eppu , Andrade Pedro , Hämäläinen Elina , Puhakka Noora , Pitkänen Asla 
Published: October 2024

AbstractObjectiveThis study was undertaken to test whether the postinjury plasma concentration of phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain (pNF‐H), a marker of axonal injury, is a prognostic biomarker for the development of posttraumatic epilepsy.MethodsTail vein plasma was sampled 48 h after traumatic brain injury (TBI) from 143 rats (10 naïve, 21 controls, 112 with lateral fluid percussion injury) to quantify pNF‐H by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. During the 6th postinjury month, rats underwent 30 days of continuous video‐electroencephalographic monitoring to detect unprovoked seizures and evaluate epilepsy severity. Somatomotor (composite neuroscore) and spatial memory (Morris water maze) testing and quantitative T2 magnetic resonance imaging were performed to assess comorbidities and lesion severity.ResultsOf the 112 TBI rats, 25% (28/112) developed epilepsy (TBI+) and 75% (84/112) did not (TBI−). Plasma pNF‐H concentrations were higher in TBI+ rats than in TBI− rats (p < .05). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that plasma pNF‐H concentration distinguished TBI+ rats from TBI− rats (area under the curve [AUC] = .647, p < .05). Differentiation was stronger when comparing TBI+ rats exhibiting severe epilepsy (≥3 seizures/month) with all other TBI rats (AUC = .732, p < .01). Plasma pNF‐H concentration on day 2 (D2) distinguished TBI+ rats with seizure clusters from other TBI rats (AUC = .732, p < .05). Higher plasma pNF‐H concentration on D2 after TBI correlated with lower neuroscores on D2 (p < .001), D6 (p < .001), and D14 (p < .01). Higher pNF‐H concentration on D2 correlated with greater T2 signal abnormality volume on D2 (p < .001) and D7 (p < .01) and larger cortical lesion area on D182 (p < .01). Plasma pNF‐H concentration on D2 did not correlate with Morris water maze performance on D37–D39.SignificancePlasma pNF‐H is a promising clinically translatable prognostic biomarker for the development of posttraumatic epilepsy with frequent seizures or seizure clusters.
A Deep Feature Driven Expert System to Estimate the Postmortem Interval From Corneal Opacity Development
Authors: Cantürk İsmail , Özyılmaz Lale 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTPostmortem interval (PMI) estimation remains an unresolved challenge in forensic science, necessitating practical, reliable and more accurate tools. This study aimed to develop a quantitative PMI estimation tool that effectively meets these needs. Focusing on the postmortem opacity development of the eye as a key marker for determining time since death, we propose an artificial intelligence‐based clinical PMI prediction system utilising computer vision, deep learning and machine learning methods. The AlexNet algorithm was utilised to extract deep features from the postmortem eye images. Extracted features were then processed by machine learning algorithms. For feature selection, Lasso and Relief techniques were employed, while SVM and KNN were applied for classifications. The results were validated using the leave‐one‐subject‐out method. The system was tested across different postmortem ranges, providing multi‐label predictions. The performance was evaluated using various metrics. The deep features exhibited effective performance in grading postmortem opacity development, achieving state‐of‐the‐art results. The accuracy scores were 0.96 and 0.97 for 3‐h intervals (i.e., 5‐class) and 5‐h intervals (i.e., 3‐class) experiments, respectively. The experimental results indicate that the proposed system represents a promising tool for PMI estimation.
Unraveling the Genetic Legacy of Commercial Whaling and Population Dynamics in Arctic Bowhead Whales and Narwhals
Authors: de Greef Evelien , Müller Claudio , Thorstensen Matt J. , Ferguson Steven H. , Watt Cortney A. , Marcoux Marianne , Petersen Stephen D. , Garroway Colin J. 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTAssessing genetic structure and diversity in wildlife is particularly important in the context of climate change. The Arctic is rapidly warming, and endemic species must adapt quickly or face significant threats to persistence. Bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) and narwhals (Monodon monoceros) are two long‐lived Arctic species with similar habitat requirements and are often seen together in the Canadian Arctic. Although their ranges overlap extensively, bowhead whales experienced significantly greater commercial whaling mortality than narwhals over several centuries. The similar habitat requirements but different harvest histories of these two species provide an opportunity to examine present‐day genetic diversity and the demographic and genetic consequences of commercial whaling. We whole‐genome resequenced contemporary Canadian Arctic bowhead whales and narwhals to delineate population structure and reconstruct demographic history. We found higher genetic diversity in bowhead whales compared to narwhals. However, bowhead whale effective population size sharply declined contemporaneously with the intense commercial whaling period. Narwhals, in contrast, exhibited recent growth in effective population size, likely reflecting exposure to limited opportunistic commercial harvest. Bowhead whales will likely continue to experience significant genetic drift in the future, leading to the erosion of genetic diversity. In contrast, narwhals do not seem to be at imminent risk of losing their current levels of genetic variation due to their long‐term low effective population size and lack of evidence for a recent decline. This work highlights the importance of considering population trajectories in addition to genetic diversity when assessing the genetics of populations for conservation and management purposes.
Interactive Effects of Climate Change and Pathogens on Plant Performance: A Global Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Gallego‐Tévar Blanca , Gil‐Martínez Marta , Perea Antonio , Pérez‐Ramos Ignacio M. , Gómez‐Aparicio Lorena 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTPlant health is increasingly threatened by abiotic and biotic stressors linked to anthropogenic global change. These stressors are frequently studied in isolation. However, they might have non‐additive (antagonistic or synergistic) interactive effects that affect plant communities in unexpected ways. We conducted a global meta‐analysis to summarize existing evidence on the joint effects of climate change (drought and warming) and biotic attack (pathogens) on plant performance. We also investigated the effect of drought and warming on pathogen performance, as this information is crucial for a mechanistic interpretation of potential indirect effects of climate change on plant performance mediated by pathogens. The final databases included 1230 pairwise cases extracted from 117 recently published scientific articles (from 2006) on a global scale. We found that the combined negative effects of drought and pathogens on plant growth were lower than expected based on their main effects, supporting the existence of antagonistic interactions. Thus, the larger the magnitude of the drought, the lower the pathogen capacity to limit plant growth. On the other hand, the combination of warming and pathogens caused larger plant damage than expected, supporting the existence of synergistic interactions. Our results on the effects of drought and warming on pathogens revealed a limitation of their growth rates and abundance in vitro but an improvement under natural conditions, where multiple factors operate across the microbiome. Further research on the impact of climate change on traits explicitly defining the infective ability of pathogens would enhance the assessment of its indirect effects on plants. The evaluated plant and pathogen responses were conditioned by the intensity of drought or warming and by moderator categorical variables defining the pathosystems. Overall, our findings reveal the need to incorporate the joint effect of climatic and biotic components of global change into predictive models of plant performance to identify non‐additive interactions.
Chinese English‐as‐a‐foreign‐language learners’ directed motivational currents for high‐stakes English exam preparation
Authors: Shen Bin , Lin Ziqian , Xing Weili 
Published: October 2024

AbstractA directed motivational current (DMC) is an intense motivational drive that sustains long‐term behavior toward a valued goal. The quantitative study investigated the DMCs of English‐as‐a‐foreign‐language learners and their predictive role on learning performance in a high‐stakes English exam preparation context. The DMC dimension scale was distributed to Chinese English‐as‐a‐foreign‐language learners who experienced the National Postgraduate Entrance Examination, and data from 323 participants were retained for analysis. Independent T‐tests, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and regression analyses were performed to report findings on DMC levels, and influencing factors and impacts of DMCs. Results suggest a high DMC level during exam preparation, with female learners showing more goal‐oriented salient facilitative structure, and clear perception of progress than males, while high‐proficiency learners demonstrated greater participant ownership and “perceived behavioral control” than medium‐ and low‐proficiency learners. No differences were found between learners majoring in humanities/social sciences and those studying science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. The five DMC dimensions collectively predicted English performance. Following self‐determination theory, the predictive role is explained. Theoretically, DMC components and their impacts on academic outcomes were reconfirmed in the Chinese English‐as‐a‐foreign‐language context; practically, educators and students are advised to use the DMC framework to enhance English performance in high‐stakes exam preparation.
Cost‐effectiveness analysis of the geko™ device (an NMES technology) in managing venous leg ulcers in UK healthcare settings
Authors: Tuson Richard , Metry Andrew , Harding Keith 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThis study evaluates the cost‐effectiveness of the geko device a neuromuscular electro‐stimulator technology with standard of care (SoC) versus SoC alone for venous leg ulcer (VLU) treatment, from the UK National Health Service (NHS) perspective over 12 months. Research was conducted across NHS UK facilities, primarily within community services and outpatient leg ulcer clinics, encompassing a total of 51 patients. A partitioned survival model, based on a two‐arm randomised controlled trial, assessed wound healing rates using Kaplan–Meier curves and parametric extrapolations over a 12‐month time horizon. Costs were derived from UK reference costs the British National Formulary, and the Personal Social Services Research Unit (2021/22). The primary outcome measured was the incremental cost per quality‐adjusted life‐year gained. The geko device provides additional benefits by stimulating the lateral popliteal nerve, augmenting venous, arterial, and microvascular flow. The addition of the geko device to SoC significantly enhanced outcomes, increasing healing probability by 68% compared to SoC. This integration would result in a cost saving of £774.14 per patient when compared to the SoC alone across the NHS. Economic analyses indicate that integrating the geko device into SoC protocols would reduce the overall NHS expenditure on VLU wound management by as much as 15%. The approach also positively impacted health‐related quality of life. The geko™ device when used adjunctively with SoC would be a cost‐effective method for managing chronic VLUs within the NHS, improving healing rates and offering economic benefits.