Nevin Manimala

J Oral Rehabil. 2025 Jan 22. doi: 10.1111/joor.13937. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: For restorative demands, increased vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) is sometimes necessary, as facial changes can be perceptible.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the perception of facial change due to increased VDO and associated soft tissue changes using 3D-scanned facial images.

METHODS: Forty participants with healthy dentition and no loss of VDO were recruited. The VDO was increased by 2, 4, 6 and 8 mm on a semi-adjustable articulator after maxillomandibular impressions. Facebow transfers were taken for each participant to create a personalised device. 3D facial scans were taken with the mandibular occlusal device in place, creating facial capture files from frontal, lateral and anteroposterior views for each scanned data. Sixty evaluators were recruited to consecutively cross-compare maximal intercuspal captures with increased VDO. To evaluate soft tissue changes with increased VDO, facial measurements, total face height, lower face height, lip width, lip height and nasolabial angle were measured thrice in 3D scan images using computer-aided design software. Statistical analysis entailed one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (α = 0.05).

RESULTS: A 4-mm increase in the VDO showed the highest perceptibility for facial change, varying among evaluator groups. Total face height, lower face height and nasolabial angle increased with VDO, while lip width and height decreased. Each soft tissue measurement differed significantly (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: For 3D-scanned facial changes, a 4-mm increase in VDO was the most perceptible difference. Increased VDO affects facial changes.

PMID:39840459 | DOI:10.1111/joor.13937

Radiol Oncol. 2025 Jan 22. doi: 10.2478/raon-2025-0004. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to investigate the reduction of hematoma risk during MRI-guided breast biopsies by evaluating position-dependent intervention parameters and characteristics of the target lesion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 252 percutaneous MRI-guided breast biopsies performed at a single center between January 2013 and December 2023. Two groups were built depending on the severity of relative hematoma formation (using a cut-off ≤ 7.62 cm³ or > 7.62 cm³). Potential influencing variables were assessed, such as patient demographics, interventional parameters related to anatomical landmarks, and lesion characteristics. Fisher’s exact test and Mann-Whitney-U-Test were used to calculate the statistical difference between groups of categorical, dichotomous, and continuous variables. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the strongest association with relative hematoma formation.

RESULTS: The univariate analysis showed that relatively larger hematoma occurred significantly more frequently when the patients were younger (P = 0.002), the relative distances from the target lesion to the nipple (P = 0.001) as well as alongside the access path (P = 0.001) were greater and when the vacuum-assisted biopsy system was used in contrast to the Spirotome® (P = 0.035). Multivariable logistic regression analysis also showed that these were independently associated with the occurrence of relatively larger hematomas. Epinephrine in the local anesthetic, lesion location classified by specific quadrant, and pathological findings did not influence the extent of the hematoma.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings underscore the importance of strategic procedural planning to minimize hematoma occurrence and enhance patient safety during MRI-guided breast biopsy procedures.

PMID:39840427 | DOI:10.2478/raon-2025-0004

World J Pediatr Congenit Heart Surg. 2025 Jan 22:21501351241305129. doi: 10.1177/21501351241305129. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Double outlet right ventricle (DORV) is a challenging congenital cardiac lesion to surgically master. We utilize computed tomography-guided-three-dimensional (3D) modeling/printing and novel in-house software to delineate anatomical relationships providing operative insight into the surgical approach. Our intent is to highlight this and showcase our technology.

METHODS: We have created a repository of 3D heart reconstructions allowing for review of DORV patients. 3D intraoperative software anatomical manipulation and physical 3D prints were used to gain insight into DORV anatomy with the assistance of an on-site 3D Lab. The software used (Arc 3D Model Viewer) was designed in-house by our 3D Lab, tested and refined through ongoing use by our cardiothoracic surgery team. It allows for the subtraction and addition of anatomical structures and rotation in all axes. Clinicians can pan into the heart and determine specific anatomical boundaries and relationships.

RESULTS: From 2010 to 2023, our program operated on 71 patients with DORV and our 3D lab has reconstructed 29 3D-hearts. Reconstructions were analyzed using Arc 3D Model Viewer. 3D reconstructions were viewed in our care conferences and intraoperatively allowing for discussion and determination of the optimal operative approach. Overall survival for DORV patients was 96% (68/71) with two mortalities in patients who did not receive 3D reconstructions.

CONCLUSION: 3D reconstruction has allowed decision-making to be moved out of the operating room into the preoperative planning phase. 3D reconstruction is now standard for all DORV patients in our surgical service. We hope to demonstrate this technology with our newly developed Arc 3D Model Viewer and summarize our clinical results.

PMID:39840424 | DOI:10.1177/21501351241305129

JMIR Public Health Surveill. 2025 Jan 21;11:e53549. doi: 10.2196/53549.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Women and sexual minority individuals have been found to be at higher risk for experiencing poor sleep health compared to their counterparts. However, research on the sleep health of sexual minority women (SMW) is lacking in China.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine sleep quality and social support for Chinese women with varied sexual identities, and then investigate the in-depth relationships between sexual identity and sleep.

METHODS: This was a cross-sectional web-based survey. All participants completed a structured questionnaire containing a set of sociodemographic items referring to the social-ecological model of sleep health, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Social Support Rating Scale, and social relationships and environment domains of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-abbreviated short version. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to examine the relationship between sleep quality and social support as well as the two domains of quality of life. Structural equation modeling analysis was used to explore the social-ecological relationships.

RESULTS: A total of 250 cisgender heterosexual women (CHW) and 259 SMW were recruited from July to September 2021. A total of 241 (47.3%) women experienced poor sleep quality and the rate was significantly higher in SMW than in CHW (55.2% vs 39.2%, P<.001). Around one-fifth of SMW reported low levels of social support, which was significantly higher than that of CHW (21.6% vs 5.6%, P<.001). Pearson correlations showed that overall sleep quality was significantly negatively associated with social support with weak correlations (r=-0.26, P<.001). The final structural equation modeling analysis with satisfactory fit indices identified 6 social-ecological pathways, showing that alcohol use, objective support, utilization of support, and perceived social relationship and environment quality of life played important roles in the sleep quality of individuals from their sexual identity.

CONCLUSIONS: SMW experienced poorer sleep quality compared to CHW. Further research is recommended to address the modifiable factors affecting sleep and then implement tailored sleep improvement programs.

PMID:39840408 | DOI:10.2196/53549

ScientificWorldJournal. 2025 Jan 10;2025:7232779. doi: 10.1155/tswj/7232779. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Background: While polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) is widely used in orthodontic appliances such as clear aligners and retainers, there is limited experimental data assessing its performance under functional stresses, such as those encountered during dental movements and palatal expansion. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the ability of PETG thermoplastic material to withstand deformation under functional and expansion forces, specifically within the context of orthodontic applications. Subjects and Methods: To estimate the firmness of the screw within the appliance, a universal Instron testing machine was used to record the forces released by each activation of the expander within the upper part of 10 clear modified twin blocks (MTBs) made from PETG and compare it with that released by 10 conventional twin blocks (CTBs). On the other hand, to determine the ability of the thermoplastic appliance to withstand the deformation during functional forces, a three-point bending test was used to investigate the response of both appliances under static loading. Independent samples t-test was used to compare the differences between groups. Results: Both CTB and MTB groups follow the same pattern of increase and decrease in the amount of mean load with the CTB group line showing a considerably higher amount of mean load reaching the peak (334.5 N) at turn 25 of screw activation while the peak of mean load for MTB group was equal to 252.6 N at turn 23. There was a statistically significant difference between the CTB and MTB groups in the three-point bending test (p=0.001). However, both appliances did not deform at the required force. Conclusions: The MTB can withstand both required expansion and functional load without deformation. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06116500.

PMID:39840371 | PMC:PMC11748742 | DOI:10.1155/tswj/7232779

Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2025 Jan 21. doi: 10.1039/d4cp04056b. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Mesoporous silica exhibits a diverse range of applications owing to its pore structure and inter-pore correlation. Consequently, quantitative characterization of its mesoscopic structure is extremely crucial to reciprocate its potential applications. In this work, we utilized the chemical and aerosol routes to successfully synthesize granular, porous silica with an average pore size in the range of ∼5-10 nm and different degrees of structural correlation among its pores. To delve into their structural morphology, we employed complementary characterization techniques, including X-ray scattering, electron microscopy, and gas adsorption. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) was used to obtain statistically averaged quantitative information about their porous network. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) were used to identify their morphology and positional ordering. The information from these three different techniques was indeed complementary in nature. Thus, combining the comparative results from the detailed analyses using scattering, imaging and gas adsorption techniques is effective in providing an overall quantitative understanding about the morphology and pore correlations in this type of porous material with diverse pore structures.

PMID:39836466 | DOI:10.1039/d4cp04056b

Ecol Lett. 2025 Jan;28(1):e70023. doi: 10.1111/ele.70023.

ABSTRACT

Experiments have long been the gold standard for causal inference in Ecology. As Ecology tackles progressively larger problems, however, we are moving beyond the scales at which randomised controlled experiments are feasible. To answer causal questions at scale, we need to also use observational data -something Ecologists tend to view with great scepticism. The major challenge using observational data for causal inference is confounding variables: variables affecting both a causal variable and response of interest. Unmeasured confounders-known or unknown-lead to statistical bias, creating spurious correlations and masking true causal relationships. To combat this omitted variable bias, other disciplines have developed rigorous approaches for causal inference from observational data that flexibly control for broad suites of confounding variables. We show how ecologists can harness some of these methods-causal diagrams to identify confounders coupled with nested sampling and statistical designs-to reduce risks of omitted variable bias. Using an example of estimating warming effects on snails, we show how current methods in Ecology (e.g., mixed models) produce incorrect inferences due to omitted variable bias and how alternative methods can eliminate it, improving causal inferences with weaker assumptions. Our goal is to expand tools for causal inference using observational and imperfect experimental data in Ecology.

PMID:39836442 | DOI:10.1111/ele.70023

Clin Cancer Res. 2025 Jan 21. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-24-2753. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Orvacabtagene autoleucel (orva-cel; JCARH125), a CAR T-cell therapy targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), was evaluated in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) patients in the EVOLVE phase 1/2 study (NCT03430011). We applied a modified piecewise model to characterize orva-cel transgene kinetics and assessed the impact of various covariates on its pharmacokinetics (PK).

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The population PK analysis included 159 patients from the EVOLVE study. Traditional piecewise models, employing a first-order expansion rate with or without lag time followed by a bi-exponential contraction phase, were compared with a modified model incorporating a cell number-dependent expansion phase aligned with cellular physiology. Covariates assessed encompassed baseline demographics, dose levels (50 to 600 × 106 CD3+ CAR+ T cells), prior/concomitant medications, baseline disease burden, and anti-therapeutic antibody (ATA) status.

RESULTS: Traditional piecewise models failed to accurately describe maximum orva-cel transgene level (Cmax) and underestimated the time to Cmax (Tmax). Our modified model incorporating a cell number-dependent expansion rate outperformed traditional models by 1) more accurately capturing the cellular expansion phase, and 2) yielding a Tmax that closely matches observed values. Additionally, dose level, percentage of plasma cells in bone marrow, and treatment-induced ATA were identified as statistically significant covariates and associated with orva-cel expansion and/or persistence.

CONCLUSIONS: Orva-cel PK were adequately described by the modified piecewise model incorporating a cell number-dependent expansion phase, which aligns closely with T cell biology.

PMID:39836430 | DOI:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-24-2753

Phys Ther. 2025 Jan 21:pzaf006. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzaf006. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: Rotator cuff tendinopathy represents the most prevalent cause of shoulder pain, the third most common musculoskeletal disorder after low back pain and knee pain.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of corticosteroid injection(s), alone or in combination with anesthetic injection or any other physical therapist interventions, compared to physical therapist interventions alone in adults with rotator cuff tendinopathy.

DESIGN: This study was a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PubMed, EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Scopus, Web of Science, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) were searched from inception to March 2023. Meta-analysis using a random-effects model was performed. Risk of bias and certainty of the evidence for the primary outcomes were assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach, respectively. The protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (CRD42021240882).

PARTICIPANTS: Participants were adults with rotator cuff tendinopathy.

INTERVENTIONS: Corticosteroid injection(s), alone or in combination with anesthetic injection or with any other physical therapist interventions, was compared to physical therapist interventions alone.

MAIN OUTCOMES: Pain, function, quality of life, patient-rated overall improvement, and adverse events were the main outcomes.

RESULTS: Fifteen randomized controlled trials (1785 participants) met the inclusion criteria. At short term, corticosteroid injection coupled with physical therapist interventions and compared to the same interventions alone might have resulted in some small to moderate improvements in pain and function. Conversely, corticosteroid injection alone seemed not to be more effective than physical therapist interventions in improving pain and function in most of the studies included. At mid- and long-term follow-up assessments corticosteroid injection seemed not to be more effective than any physical therapist interventions.

CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the potential effectiveness of corticosteroid injection(s) in rotator cuff tendinopathy for pain and function at short term at best, especially in combination with physical therapist interventions. However, the evidence is of moderate to mostly very low certainty. Additional high-quality research considering core outcomes is therefore needed.

RELEVANCE: Corticosteroid injection(s) seems not to be superior to physical therapist interventions, other than resulting in some transient improvements at short term if provided together with other physical therapist interventions, in adults with rotator cuff tendinopathy. Furthermore, considering the potential adverse events associated with the injections, physical therapist interventions may be an important stand-alone treatment option.

PMID:39836429 | DOI:10.1093/ptj/pzaf006

JAMA Netw Open. 2025 Jan 2;8(1):e2455251. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.55251.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: Using albumin-adjusted calcium is commonly recommended for for measuring calcium, but with little empirical evidence to support the practice.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the correlation between total calcium measurements (with or without adjustment) vs the ionized calcium level as a reference standard.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This was a population-based cross-sectional study in the province of Alberta, Canada, including adults tested for serum total calcium and ionized calcium simultaneously between January 1, 2013, and October 31, 2019. Statistical analysis was performed from March 2023 to October 2024.

MAIN MEASURES AND OUTCOMES: The correlation between unadjusted and adjusted total calcium measurements (using 10 formulas) and the ionized calcium level was evaluated, along with the potential association with the classification of calcium status.

RESULTS: Among 22 658 patients included, 11 889 (52.5%) were female and 10 769 (47.5%) were male; the median (IQR) age was 60 (47-72) years. The unadjusted total calcium (R2 = 71.7%; 95% CI, 71.1%-72.2%) had a stronger correlation with ionized calcium than the commonly used simplified Payne formula (ie, total calcium [mmol/L] + 0.02 [40 – albumin (g/L)]) (R2 = 68.9%; 95% CI, 68.0%-69.6%) and correlated similarly to other formulas (Payne: lowest R2 = 60.3%; 95% CI, 59.3%-61.3%; and James: highest R2 = 76.7%; 95% CI, 76.1%-77.3%). When classifying patients into categories of hypocalcemia, normocalcemia, or hypercalcemia, unadjusted total calcium had the best overall agreement (74.5%) with ionized calcium compared with albumin-adjusted calcium using the original Payne and simplified Payne formulas (agreement 63.0% and 58.7%, respectively). Misclassification using the adjustment formulas was worse in the presence of hypoalbuminemia (albumin level <30 g/L).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this cross-sectional study drawn from a contemporaneous population, there appeared to be heavy reliance on adjustment formulas for calcium in clinical practice with little gain but considerable risk of misclassification of true calcium status, especially in the presence of hypoalbuminemia. These results suggest that unadjusted total calcium was the best and most practical alternative to ionized calcium.

PMID:39836424 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.55251