Tag: pubmed

J Assoc Res Otolaryngol. 2025 Mar 6. doi: 10.1007/s10162-025-00978-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Cochlear implants (CI) are a highly successful neural prosthesis that can restore hearing in individuals with sensorineural hearing loss. However, the extent of hearing restoration varies widely. Two major factors likely contribute to poor performance: (1) the distances between electrodes and surviving spiral ganglion neurons and (2) the density of those neurons. Reprogramming the CI at a poor electrode-neuron interface, using focused tripolar stimulation or remapping the electrodes, would benefit from understanding the cause of the poor interface.

METHODS: We used a cochlear model with simplified geometry and neuronal composition to investigate how the interface affects stimulation thresholds. We then inverted the model to infer electrode distance and neuronal density from monopolar and tripolar threshold values obtained behaviorally. We validated this inverted model for known scenarios of electrode distance and neuronal density. Finally, we assessed the model using data from 18 CI users whose electrode distances were measured from CT imaging.

RESULTS: The inverted model accurately inferred electrode distance and neuronal density for known scenarios. It also reliably reproduced behavioral monopolar and tripolar threshold profiles for CI users, with mean prediction errors within 1 dB for 17/18 subjects. Fits of electrode distance were more variable; accuracy depended on the assumed value of temporal bone resistivity. Twelve subjects had minimum distance error (0.31 mm) using low resistivity (70 Ω-cm) while the others had better fits (0.30 mm) with higher resistivity (250 Ω-cm).

CONCLUSION: This inverted model shows promise as a simple, practical tool to better assess and understand the electrode-neuron interface.

PMID:40048122 | DOI:10.1007/s10162-025-00978-1

Neurol Sci. 2025 Mar 6. doi: 10.1007/s10072-025-08074-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: We investigated the risk of ischemic stroke in ALS and analyzed the effect of ALS-related physical disability using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database.

METHODS: A total of 2,251 ALS patients diagnosed between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2015, and 1:10 age- and sex-matched control populations were included. Cases that participated in the national health check-up programs were selected. A Cox hazard regression model was used to examine the hazard ratios (HRs) for ischemic stroke in ALS after adjusting for potential confounders.

RESULTS: A total of 681 ALS patients and 10,934 non-ALS participants were selected. ALS patients were slightly younger than the control group (60.3 ± 10.1 years vs. 61.0 ± 10.5 years, p = 0.105), and the proportion of male patients was similar between the two groups (61.6% vs. 60.9%, p = 0.722). ALS patients were more likely to have a lower body mass index (23.1 ± 2.92 vs. 24.0 ± 3.1, p < 0.001) and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (0.59% vs. 0.06%, p < 0.001) than the controls. In ALS patients, the incidence rate of ischemic stroke was 6.32 per 1,000 person-years, and the adjusted HR of ischemic stroke was 2.58 (95% confidence interval 1.38 – 4.82) compared with the matched group. The risk of ischemic stroke did not differ by the presence of disability in ALS patients.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that ALS patients have an increased risk of ischemic stroke compared with controls, but the risk did not differ by the presence of disability in ALS.

PMID:40048117 | DOI:10.1007/s10072-025-08074-1

3D Print Med. 2025 Mar 6;11(1):10. doi: 10.1186/s41205-025-00259-w.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The maturation of 3D printing technologies has opened up a new space for patient advancements in healthcare from trainee education to patient specific medical devices. Point-of-care (POC) manufacturing, where model production is done on-site, includes multiple benefits such as enhanced communication, reduced lead time, and lower costs. However, the small scale of many POC manufacturing operations complicates their ability to establish quality assurance practices. This study presents a novel low-cost quality assurance protocol for POC 3D printing.

METHODS: Four hundred specially designed quality assurance cubes were printed across four material jetting printers (J5 Medijet, Stratasys, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, USA) at two large medical centers. Three inner dimension and three outer dimension measurements as well as edge angles were measured for every cube by trained research personnel. The delta and absolute error was calculated for each cube and then compared across variables (axis, material, inner vs. outer dimension, swath and machine/site/personnel) using ANOVA analysis.

RESULTS: Print axis and inner vs. outer dimension of the model produced statistically significant differences in error while there was no statistically significant difference in the error for material, print swath, or machine/site/personnel. For the print axes, the printers produced an average error of 26, 53, and 57 μm and the error at three sigma was found to be 100, 158, and 198 μm for the Z, R, and Theta axes, respectively.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that this novel protocol is both feasible and reliable for quality assurance in POC 3D printing across multiple sites. This protocol offers an adaptable framework that allows users to tailor the QA process to their specific needs. Through the comprehensive method, users can measure and identify all relevant factors that might introduce error into their printed product and then follow the most critical aspects for their situation across every print. The QA cubes produced via this protocol can provide guidance on print quality and alert users to unsatisfactory machine operation which could cause prints to fall outside of engineering and clinical tolerances.

PMID:40048107 | DOI:10.1186/s41205-025-00259-w

Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2025 Mar 6. doi: 10.1002/bcp.70025. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: This review aimed to synthesise the evidence related to the incidence of serious and non-serious adverse events with the use of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) among COVID-19 patients.

METHODS: Databases were searched from January 2020 to September 2023 for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that used mAbs for the treatment of COVID-19 regardless of disease severity. Study screening, data extraction and data analysis were performed independently by two reviewers. The Cochrane risk of bias 1.0 tool was used for methodological quality assessment.

RESULTS: Sixteen studies were identified for analysis with 9682 participants in the intervention arm and 10 115 participants in the control arm. Seven trials reported hepatoxicity and there was a statistically significant increase in the chance of hepatoxicity among patients treated with mAbs compared to those given standard of care (SoC) or placebo with risk ratio (RR) = 1.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.29-2.24. Five trials reported for neutropenia and there was a statistically significant association of neutropenia with the use of mAbs compared to SoC or placebo with RR = 4.03, 95% CI 1.74-9.34. Ten trials reported any disease-related serious adverse events related to the disease and there was a reduction of risk compared to SoC/placebo, although this reduction was not statistically significant (RR = 0.88, 95% CI 0.70-1.11).

CONCLUSIONS: The use of mAbs was found to be associated with an increased risk of hepatoxicity and neutropenia compared to SoC/placebo among COVID-19 patients with moderate certainty of evidence. Long-term observational studies are recommended to observe post-COVID adverse events related to the use of mAbs.

PMID:40047167 | DOI:10.1002/bcp.70025

Vet Med Sci. 2025 Mar;11(2):e70265. doi: 10.1002/vms3.70265.

ABSTRACT

The skull is a very important structure, and it is the centre of many vital functions. There have been many studies on the skulls of mammals, but not many studies on the prenatal period. The aim of this study is to examine developmental sheep foetal skulls from the last two trimesters of pregnancy. A total of 40 sheep foetuses, 20 in the 2nd trimester (10 females and 10 males) and 20 in the 3rd trimester (10 females and 10 males), were examined. On the basis of CT scans of foetal skulls, morphometric measurements were performed by creating a three-dimensional (3D) model. Total skull length was statistically significant between males and females in the third trimester (p < 0.01). In the second trimester, the tooth length parameter was statistically significant between males and females (p < 0.01). In the second trimester, M3 was found to be statistically significant in the sheep foetus mandible (p < 0.01). It was determined that there was developmental sexual dimorphism between males and females.

PMID:40047137 | DOI:10.1002/vms3.70265

Eur J Neurol. 2025 Mar;32(3):e70091. doi: 10.1111/ene.70091.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Iatrogenic cerebral amyloid angiopathy (iCAA) is a recently identified clinico-neuroradiological syndrome associated with medical procedures, particularly neurosurgical treatments involving cadaveric dura mater (e.g., Lyodura). iCAA can manifest as intracerebral hemorrhages, focal seizures, and cognitive impairment, with the risk following exposure currently unknown. We aim to evaluate the risk of developing iCAA in patients who underwent childhood neurosurgical treatment with Lyodura compared to those who did not.

METHODS: This retrospective cohort study analyzed hospital records from the Christian-Doppler University Hospital in Salzburg, along with mortality data provided by the Austrian Federal Institute of Statistics (Statistik Austria). The study included all patients aged 0-18 who underwent neurosurgical procedures between January 1970 and January 1996. The primary endpoint was the diagnosis of iCAA and iCAA-related death.

RESULTS: Of 569 pediatric neurosurgical patients, 388 (68%) were further analyzed. Four patients (1%) were diagnosed with probable iCAA at a median age of 42 years (IQR 40-47), with a median latency from surgery to symptom onset of 38 years (IQR 36-41). Only Lyodura recipients developed iCAA, with an incidence rate of 12% (OR 56, 95% CI: 6-2667). The overall incidence of symptomatic iCAA among recipients of any dura material was 5% (OR 19, 95% CI: 2-903).

CONCLUSIONS: Cadaveric dura mater, especially Lyodura, poses a long-term risk for developing iCAA. Further research is needed to determine susceptibility factors in Lyodura-exposed individuals.

PMID:40047134 | DOI:10.1111/ene.70091

Investig Clin Urol. 2025 Mar;66(2):137-143. doi: 10.4111/icu.20240410.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare encrustation resistance between silicon- and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-covered metallic ureteral stents (MUS) in an in vitro infection model and to determine the most effective material for reducing biofilm formation and encrustation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 52 MUS were prepared: 26 silicon-covered and 26 PTFE-covered stents. Each sample was immersed in artificial urine inoculated with Proteus mirabilis in a biofilm reactor for 48 hours. After immersion, the stents were weighed to measure their encrustation level. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were used to assess the surface morphology and elemental composition of the encrustation deposits.

RESULTS: Silicon-covered stents showed a statistically significant reduction in weight gain due to encrustation compared to PTFE-covered stents (9.50±5.77 mg vs. 16.75±10.61 mg; p=0.004). Additionally, encrustation per unit length was lower in silicon-covered stents (0.76±0.45 mg/mm vs. 1.30±0.81 mg/mm; p=0.004). SEM and EDS analyses demonstrated lower calcium salt deposition on the silicon-covered stents, indicating greater resistance to encrustation.

CONCLUSIONS: Silicon-covered MUS demonstrated superior resistance to encrustation compared to PTFE-covered stents, supporting silicon as a more suitable covering material for long-term MUS applications. This finding may lead to extended stent lifespans and a reduced frequency of stent replacements, benefiting both patients and healthcare systems.

PMID:40047127 | DOI:10.4111/icu.20240410

J Insur Med. 2025 Jul 1;52(1):3-5. doi: 10.17849/insm-52-1-3-5.1.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE.—: To analyze a published study on all-cause mortality between psoriatic arthritis and matched population comparator-subjects to derive comparative mortality statistics applicable to life insurance underwriting.

METHOD.—: The pixel method was employed for extracting cumulative survivals. It was chosen for its capability to extract data from published graphs despite potential precision and reliability limitations.

RESULTS.—: The mortality analysis indicated an increase in mortality starting in year 4, aligning with the Table rating for Psoriatic arthritis. Pharmacological treatment data from the study revealed only 28% were on advanced therapies such as targeted synthetic or biologic DMARDs. This low percentage suggests most of the cohort had milder PsA, as advanced treatments are generally reserved for moderate to severe psoriatic arthritis. The distribution of treatment regimens provides essential insights into disease severity and its implications for mortality assessment.

CONCLUSION.—: The comparative mortality findings correspond to Table rating for psoriatic arthritis. This finding underscores the importance of understanding treatment profiles and disease severity in life insurance underwriting to accurately assess risk.

PMID:40047113 | DOI:10.17849/insm-52-1-3-5.1

J Esthet Restor Dent. 2025 Mar 6. doi: 10.1111/jerd.13449. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: (1) Describe and categorize the scores obtained by the study sample for the PIGAQ as a whole and each of its subscales; (2) compare the psychosocial impact of self-perceived gingival aesthetics shown by the results for each subscale, determining which subscale shows the greatest impact, in relation to each of the following variables: gender, age, educational level, and involvement with the dentistry profession (non-professionals/professionals).

METHODS: This observational and cross-sectional study is based on in-person interviews conducted by 10 trained operators, who administered the PIGAQ and collected data on gender, age, educational level, and connections to the dental profession in an adult (18-85 years) Spanish population. The data were collected over a 6-month period in 2024 in several regions of Spain. The main research outcome was the PIGAQ questionnaire (Likert scale) comprising 20 items in four subscales: gingival self-confidence (GSC), social impact (SI), psychological impact (PI), and aesthetic concern (AC), with a total score of 0-80 points. Data were analyzed using SPSS (v.28).

RESULTS: In the sample, the subscale where self-perceived gingival aesthetics showed the highest negative impact was GSC, whereas the lowest negative impact was recorded for the SI subscale (with 36.5% and 1.0% of participants’ scores representing a large negative impact, respectively). Significant psychosocial engagement with their gingival aesthetics was recorded for 5% of the study population (41-80). Total PIGAQ scores were significantly (p < 0.05) higher (a greater negative psychosocial impact) in participants who were male (21.23), aged 60 or over (23.83), not involved with the dental profession (19.90) and had only completed compulsory education (25.08). A significantly higher negative impact (p < 0.05) was recorded for participants aged 60 or over in the GSC (13.13), PI (4.88), and AC (2.96) subscales than for other age groups.

CONCLUSIONS: The negative psychosocial impact of self-perceived gingival aesthetics is low, with the highest impact recorded for the GSC subscale, and lower impacts experienced by participants who were female, aged under 26, had university-level education, and were involved with the dental profession.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Data are lacking on the psychological and social impacts suffered by patients who are dissatisfied with their gingival aesthetics, and how these impacts relate to sociodemographic variables. To date, no research has been published addressing this issue in the Spanish population. Only 5% of the population gained high scores on the PIGAQ, with most negative impacts related to self-confidence in their gingival aesthetics. The variable that most negatively affected PIGAQ scores was age, although this effect was limited. Particular attention should be paid to male patients over 60 years with compulsory-level education only, as this group has a greater tendency to present with psychosocial distress caused by a negative self-assessment of gingival aesthetics.

PMID:40047106 | DOI:10.1111/jerd.13449

Drug Dev Ind Pharm. 2025 Mar 6:1-17. doi: 10.1080/03639045.2025.2476651. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The propose of the present study was to apply the design of experiments (DoE) to develop an omeprazole enteric pellets suspension for use in the paediatric population.

METHODOLOGY: This experimental study employed a Full Factorial Design for drug development, encompassing three factors (Aerosil® R972, cetostearyl alcohol, and Span 80) at two levels (2% and 6% for factor A (Aerosil® R972) and 2% and 4% for factors B and C (cetostearyl alcohol and Span 80, respectively)).

RESULTS: Following the statistical optimization, the suspension F10 was formulated and subjected to a stability study for one month. The dissolution test results were suboptimal, achieving only an 22% release. Subsequently, eight additional suspensions were devised using hydrophilic oily vehicles (Labraphac Hydrophile WL 1219, Labrafil M2125 CS and Labrafil M 1944 CS) and excipients (Gelucire 44/14 and Aerosil® 200) to enhance the dissolution profile. Suspension F17 showed over 75% within 30 minutes, displaying superior sedimentation time when compared to all other formulations, along with effortless resuspension.

CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that the optimal vehicle for the administration of omeprazole enteric pellets in suspension is the formulation comprising Labrafil M 1944 CS, Span 80, and Aerosil® 200. This study has paved the way for an oily suspension vehicle, opening new avenues of research for developing paediatric omeprazole formulations that fulfil gastro-resistance requirements.

PMID:40047104 | DOI:10.1080/03639045.2025.2476651