Extended Observation Period Research Articles

Reprocessed NOAA SMOPS Blended Soil Moisture Product as a Climate Data Record

Abstract Soil Moisture is a vital state variable influencing land surface dynamics across hydrological, meteorological, and climatological contexts. The Soil Moisture Operational Product System (SMOPS), developed by the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has been operationally providing satellite soil moisture observational data products for scientific studies and numerical weather and water predictions. However, the lack of a high-quality long-term SMOPS product has led to pronounced fluctuations in data quality across distinct versions and notable uncertainties for climatological studies and prolonged data assimilation operations. To address these issues, NESDIS has reprocessed SMOPS with all available satellite soil moisture observations to generate a Climate Data Record (SMOPScdr). SMOPScdr incorporates advancements of using machine learning approaches, satellite radiances calibration, inter-satellite bias correction, and observation-driven quality control. The reprocessed product offers improved accuracy, expanded spatial coverage, and an extended observation period from 2002 to present. The advancement makes this product valuable for both meteorological and climatological studies. SMOPScdr has been compared to in situ observations and Soil Moisture Active and Passive data, demonstrating consistent performance and superior spatiotemporal coverage. We showcase a range of successful scientific and operational applications of this new product in climate change research, flood and drought monitoring. The initial release of the SMOPScdr data is now available to the public and will undergo further refinement based on feedback from the scientific, operational and industrial communities. This paper outlines the development and evaluation of the SMOPScdr product, highlights its potential applications, and invites users to shape future directions for its improvement.

Application of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Observation for Estimating City-Scale Anthropogenic CO2 Emissions: A Case Study in Chengdu, Southwestern China

The accurate quantification of urban anthropogenic CO2 emissions is of paramount importance for comprehending regional carbon fluxes and supporting climate change mitigation strategies. This study explores the applicability of a cost-effective unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based mass balance method for independent urban-scale emission assessments. An integrated air–ground–satellite observation framework was established by combining UAV-based vertical CO2 profiles, ground-based observations, and ERA5 reanalysis data, and applied to quantify CO2 emissions in Chengdu, a major city in southwestern China. The UAV-derived CO2 concentration profiles were coupled with meteorological parameters to compute cross-sectional fluxes, yielding an annual emission estimate of 48.4 MtCO2, which aligns well with census-based estimations. The primary uncertainty, approximately 23.61%, stems from meteorological parameter variations, highlighting the need for improved data resolution and extended observation periods. This study demonstrates that UAV-based mass balance observations can serve as an independent and verifiable approach for urban emission estimation. Beyond supplementing existing inventories, it provides a robust reference for cross-validation, contributing to the development of more accurate and adaptive emission monitoring systems for urban climate governance.

The Physiopsychological Impact of Smartphone Use on Cognitive Load, Emotional Regulation, and Brain Connectivity: An EEG Study

This study utilizes electroencephalography (EEG) to examine the neurocognitive effects of typical smartphone activities—video watching, social interaction, and gaming—on brainwave activity, cognitive load, and emotional engagement. Findings reveal: High cognitive-load tasks (e.g., strategy games) significantly increase β and γ wave activity and delay post-task neural recovery. Social tasks elevate θ wave activity, indicating heightened emotional involvement. Video watching induces α wave enhancement, reflecting a more relaxed mental state. Significant differences in EEG frequency bands were observed across task types, though no strong correlation was found with Internet Addiction Test (IAT) scores. The results offer valuable insights for sectors such as education, corporate focus management, digital health development, and user interface optimization. Further research is recommended using multimodal physiological data and extended observation periods.

Two- Versus Four-Narrow-Implant-Retained Dentures With Immediate-Loaded Anterior Implants: 9 Years Randomized Clinical Trial.

In many clinical cases, anatomical conditions such as an atrophied alveolar ridge do not allow insertion of normal diameter implants. At this point, narrow dental implants may provide an effective option to avoid complex surgical treatments. The aim of this trial was to evaluate long-term survival, prosthetic and biological complications, and OHRQoL for two-piece narrow dental implants supporting overdentures with Locator-attachments. Twenty-five patients with edentulous mandibles received four narrow dental implants and retained dentures with Locator attachments. Following successful implantation, immediate loading of anterior implants with Locator attachments was performed, while posterior implants underwent a conventional healing procedure. Follow-up examinations included documentation of implant and denture-related complications, modified gingiva index, modified plaque index, OHIP-G, and radiographic measurements of bone loss. Up to 9 years after restoration, 18 patients with 72 implants were available for the follow-up. During the observation period, one implant was lost in the immediate loading group. Implant survival was 98% and 100%. The outcomes of mPI and mGI for the 18 patients hardly differed between the groups. During the observation period, 136 prosthetic complications occurred. Scores for the different OHIP-G domains at the last follow-ups were stable over the years. Throughout an extended period of observation, we found stable implant survival rates, good maintenance of oral hygiene, and manageable prosthetic complications. The OHRQoL was satisfying over the years, suggesting that this treatment option could be favorable for older individuals. https://drks.de/search/en/trial/DRKS00005497.

Outcome of Ossiculoplasty with Using Autologous Cartilage Graft and Artificial Prosthesis - A Comparative Study

Background: The surgical practice of ossiculoplasty rebuilds the ossicular chain for hearing improvement in sufferers with conductive hearing loss caused by ossicular damage. Objective: The purpose of this prospective comparative study is to study the performance outcomes between autologous cartilage grafts and artificial prostheses within ossiculoplasty surgery. Methodology: During the period from July 2014 through June 2016 at Sir Salimullah Medical College and Mitford Hospital in Dhaka the study selected 100 patients before dividing them into two equivalent groups. The patients in Group A received ossiculoplasty with autologous cartilage grafts yet Group B recipients received Teflon (PORP, TORP) artificial prostheses. Results: The assessed air-bone gap decreased substantially following surgery according to both pre- and post-operative audiometric tests among the study groups. The hearing improvement measured 13.8±2.1 dB for Group A and Group B reached 11.4±1.4 dB as their average hearing gain. Research confirmed that Group A achieved 84% success while Group B reached 76% success. These results included minimal discomfort as well as ear discharge in both groups. Conclusion: This research shows that autologous cartilages produce slightly superior hearing results than cavities made with artificial prostheses. The selection of surgical procedures requires evaluation of endurance patient choice and practitioner skill level. The research team should conduct additional studies involving bigger participant groups and extended observation periods.

Enhancing psychological health and cognitive inhibition in college students: insights from mindfulness training and high-intensity interval training.

This study aimed to examine the effects of mindfulness training (MT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on enhancing psychological health and cognitive inhibition in college students. A total of 132 undergraduates were recruited and randomly assigned to three groups: MT group, HIIT group, and control group. Both the MT and HIIT groups received training twice a week for 6 weeks, with each session lasting 1 h. The control group did not undergo MT or HIIT training during the experimental period. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Stop Signal tasks, and Flanker tasks were assessed at baseline, at 6 weeks (post-test), and 6 weeks after the end of the intervention (follow-up). Both MT and HIIT were effective in alleviating depression and anxiety in college students, with MT showing a significant improvement in psychological health after intervention. Both MT and HIIT effectively improved the response inhibition accuracy of college students, with similar effects. However, neither MT nor HIIT affected the response inhibition reaction time. MT was more effective than HIIT in improving interference inhibition accuracy, but neither MT nor HIIT had an effect on the interference inhibition reaction time. Within-group analyses demonstrated significant pre-post reductions in depression and anxiety scores following both MT and HIIT interventions. While between-group comparisons suggested a trend toward greater symptom improvement in the MT group at post-test, the differences did not reach statistical significance at follow-up, possibly due to the limited sample size and intervention duration. These preliminary findings warrant replication in larger-scale trials with extended observation periods.

Histomorphometric and microtomographic evaluation of hydroxyapatite coated implants and L-PRF in over drilled bone sites in sheep

Hydroxyapatite used as a coating for titanium dental implants reduces the time required for osseointegration. Platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) releases growth factors and cytokines, enhancing tissue healing and bone regeneration. This study aimed to evaluate histologically, histomorphometrically, and by microcomputed tomography an implant surface coated with nanostructured hydroxyapatite (HAnano), in comparison with a double acid-etched (DAA) surface, both with and without peri-implant grafting with L-PRF, installed in over-instrumented sites in a low-density bone. Five adult sheep (2–4 years old) received twenty 3.5 × 10 mm implants in the iliac crest. Bone-to-implant contact (BIC) and bone-occupied area fraction (BAFo) were evaluated histomorphometrically after an 8-week experimental period. Brown-Forsyth analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Welch’s ANOVA test did not identify significant differences between the experimental groups. On average, BIC ranged from 44% (HAnano + L-PRF) to 63% (DAA + L-PRF). µCT analysis revealed that bone volume density in the peri-implant region ranged from 26% (HAnano + L-PRF) to 39% (DAA). No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups. Both implant surfaces studied allowed osseointegration in low bone density sites, independently of peri-implant grafting with L-PRF, after 8 weeks of implantation. While this model provided controlled conditions for evaluating early-stage osseointegration, the absence of functional loading and the relatively short follow-up period should be considered when extrapolating the findings to clinical applications. Future studies should assess these variables under load-bearing conditions with extended observation periods. All the sheep in this study remained alive.

Abstract CT219: Phase II trial of grape seed extract for localized prostate cancer with PSA progression after local therapy

Abstract Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in American men. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is often used for patients with rising prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels after local treatment but is associated with morbidity and decreased quality of life. Patients with non-metastatic PSA progression after local therapy and a long PSA doubling time (PSADT) may have an extended observation period when monitoring PSA levels prior to starting ADT and other systemic therapies. This observation period provides an opportunity to investigate low-impact interventions. Grape seed extract (GSE) is a phytochemical which has shown promise given its tolerability and potential effect on PCa growth and progression. Herein, we report the results of a completed Phase II clinical trial (CT.gov-NCT03087903) which investigated the effect of oral GSE in patients with PSA-only recurrence after maximum local therapy for PCa. GSE was administered as a Leucoselect Phytosome-Indena S.p.A. formulation which contained ∼100% proanthocyanidins, enriched in lower procyanidin oligomers complexed with soy phospholipids, in the ratio 1:2.6 w/w (to increase GSE bioavailability). Eligible patients had a PSA ≥ 0.2 ng/mL and evidence of rising PSA, on 2 separate occasions, at least one week apart. Study endpoints included PSA response (defined as a ≥ 30% increase in PSADT) and change in PSA velocity. PSA levels were checked at baseline, 6 weeks and 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after starting GSE. Forty-one patients were given 150mg of GSE orally twice daily for 12 months or until PSADT ≤3 months. PSADT increased with GSE intervention from 5.71 months at screening to 6.86 months post treatment (p <0.001). Notably, 32 patients of 41 (78%) had an increase in their PSADT, with 15 (37%) of those patients meeting the primary endpoint of a ≥ 30% increase. Nine (22%) patients showed a decrease in PSADT. Interestingly, patients with increased PSADT had higher baseline PSA (average ∼1.9 vs. 0.7 ng/mL) and testosterone levels (average ∼3.73 vs. 2.28 ng/mL), at screening, compared to patients in the decreased PSADT response group. GSE was well tolerated with only one patient discontinuing treatment due to hypertension and rash. In conclusion, GSE may delay progression of prostate cancer based on impact of PSADT; PCa patients with increased baseline PSA and testosterone levels may be more responsive to GSE intervention. Confirmation of its benefits are necessary in larger patient cohorts (placebo-controlled trials). This work was supported by NCI P30 CA046934 Cancer Center Support Grant, Cancer League of Colorado, the Diane D. Writer Foundation, and the Barbara and Richard Gardner Fund for Prostate Cancer Research. Citation Format: Paul Maroni, Tad Manalo, Elizabeth R. Kessler, Andrew Nicklawsky, Victor Trevisanut, Thomas W. Flaig, Elaine T. Lam, Dexiang Gao, Komal Raina, Rajesh Agarwal. Phase II trial of grape seed extract for localized prostate cancer with PSA progression after local therapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 2 (Late-Breaking, Clinical Trial, and Invited Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_2):Abstract nr CT219.

Real-World Effectiveness and Safety of Upadacitinib and Abrocitinib in Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis: A 52-Week Retrospective Study.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic pruritic inflammatory disease affecting children and adults. Upadacitinib and abrocitinib are selective Janus kinase 1 inhibitors approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe AD. Although their efficacy and safety are described in phase 3 clinical trials, real-world data are limited. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of upadacitinib and abrocitinib treatment in a real-life adult population with moderate-to-severe AD throughout an extended observation period. Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted by analyzing data from the electronic records of IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital from January 2023 to December 2024. Patients were administered either upadacitinib (15 or 30 mg) or abrocitinib (100 or 200 mg). Effectiveness was evaluated by using clinician-reported scores (Investigator Global Assessment [IGA] and Eczema Area and Severity Index [EASI]) and patient-reported outcomes (peak pruritus numerical rating scale [PP-NRS]) at weeks 8, 16, 32 and 52. Statistical significance was set at a probability value (p-value) < 0.05. Adverse events were also collected. Results: In total, 129 patients were included in the study, and 84 of them reached 52 weeks. At week 52, the EASI 75, 90, and 100 responses were 88.9%, 70.8%, and 54.2% for upadacitinib, and 100%, 91.7%, and 75% for abrocitinib. An IGA score equal to 0 or 1 at 52 weeks was achieved by 84.7% of patients treated with upadacitinib and 100% of those receiving abrocitinib. A four-point reduction from baseline PP-NRS was reported by 86.1% for upadacitinib and by 83.3% of patients for abrocitinib after one year of follow-up. Conclusions: Our study showed comparable or even higher effectiveness outcomes in terms of EASI 75, EASI 90, and EASI 100 at week 52 compared to phase-3 clinical trials, with no new safety concerns, supporting the real-world effectiveness of abrocitinib and upadacitinib in moderate-to-severe AD.

Effect of Huatuo Zaizao Pill on Neurological Function and Limb Motor Recovery in Ischemic Stroke Patients During Convalescence: An Open-Labelled, Randomized Controlled Trial.

To evaluate the effects of Chinese patent medicine Huatuo Zaizao Pill (HTZZ) on neurological function and limb motor in ischemic stroke (IS) patients during convalescence. This is a prospective, open-labelled, randomized controlled trial. Patients with IS were recruited from the Neurology Department of Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from May 2021 to June 2023. Eligible participants were randomly assigned to the HTZZ (40 cases) or control group (40 cases) at a ratio of 1:1. The HTZZ group was treated with oral HTZZ (8 g, thrice daily) combined with conventional treatment, while the control group received only conventional treatment. The treatment duration was 12 weeks. The primary outcome was the change in Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) score from baseline to week 6 and 12. Secondary outcomes included changes in scores of National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FM), and Barthel Index (BI) from baseline to week 6 and 12, as well as lipid indices after 12 weeks. All adverse events (AEs) were recorded and liver and kidney indices were evaluated. A total of 72 patients completed the study (38 in the HTZZ group and 34 in the control group). Compared with the control group, the HTZZ group demonstrated significant improvements in MAS, NIHSS, FM, and BI scores following 6 and 12 weeks of treatment in both intent-to-treat and per-protocol analyses (all P<0.05). No significant differences were noted between groups in lipid indices, AEs, and liver and kidney dysfunction after 12 weeks (P>0.05). HTZZ alleviated spasticity and enhanced neurological function and prognosis of IS patients during convalescence. However, further evaluation of HTZZ's effect on IS outcomes is warranted in clinical trials with larger sample sizes and extended observation periods. (Trial registration No. NCT04910256).

Towards Operational Dam Monitoring with PS-InSAR and Electronic Corner Reflectors

Dams are crucial for ensuring water and electricity supply, while also providing significant flood protection. Regular monitoring of dam deformations is of vital socio-economic and ecological significance. In Germany, dams must be constructed and operated according to generally accepted rules of engineering. The safety concept for dams based on these rules relies on structural safety, professional operation and maintenance, safety monitoring, and precautionary measures. Rather time-consuming in situ techniques have been employed for these measurements, which permit monitoring deformations with either high spatial or temporal resolution, but not both. As a means of measuring large-scale deformations in the millimeter range, the Differential Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (DInSAR) technique of Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI) is already being applied in various fields. However, when considering the operational monitoring of dams using PSI, specific characteristics need to be considered. For example, the geographical location of the dam in space, as well as its shape, size, and land cover. All these factors can affect the visibility of the structure for the use with PSI and, in certain cases, limit the applicability of SAR data. The visibility of dams for PSI monitoring is often limited, particularly in cases where observation is typically not feasible due to factors such as geographical and structural characteristics. While corner reflectors can improve visibility, their large size often makes them unsuitable for dam infrastructure and may raise concerns with heritage protection for listed dams. Addressing these challenges, electronic corner reflectors (ECRs) offer an effective alternative due to their small and compact size. In this study, we analyzed the strategic placement of ECRs on dam structures. We developed a new CR Index, which identifies areas where PSI alone is insufficient due to unfavorable geometric or land use conditions. This index categorizes visibility potential into three classes, presented in a ‘traffic light’ map, and is instrumental in selecting optimal installation sites. We furthermore investigated the signal stability of ECRs over an extended observation period, considering the Amplitude Dispersion Index (ADI). It showed values between 0.1 and 0.4 for many dam structures, which is comparable to normal corner reflectors (CRs), confirming the reliability of these signals for PSI analysis. This work underscores the feasibility of using ECRs to enhance monitoring capabilities at dam infrastructure.

A machine learning-based nomogram for predicting graft survival in allograft kidney transplant recipients: a 20-year follow-up study.

Kidney transplantation is the optimal form of renal replacement therapy, but the long-term survival rate of kidney graft has not improved significantly. Currently, no well-validated model exists for predicting long-term kidney graft survival over an extended observation period. Recipients undergoing allograft kidney transplantation at the Organ Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University from 1 August 2003 to 31 July 2023 were selected as study subjects. A nomogram model was constructed based on least absolute selection and shrinkage operator (LASSO) regression, random survival forest, and Cox regression analysis. Model performance was assessed by the C-index, area under the curve of the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve, and calibration curve. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was utilized to estimate the net clinical benefit. The machine learning-based nomogram included cardiovascular disease in recipients, delayed graft function in recipients, serum phosphorus in recipients, age of donors, serum creatinine in donors, and donation after cardiac death for kidney donation. It demonstrated excellent discrimination with a consistency index of 0.827. The calibration curves demonstrated that the model calibrated well. The DCA indicated a good clinical applicability of the model. This study constructed a nomogram for predicting the 20-year survival rate of kidney graft after allograft kidney transplantation using six factors, which may help clinicians assess kidney transplant recipients individually and intervene.

TWO-YEAR RESULTS OF SUBCUTANEOUS INFLIXIMAB (CT-P13 SC) DOSE ESCALATION THERAPY - FROM LIBERTY-CD AND LIBERTY-UC

Abstract INTRODUCTION Dose escalation (DE) of subcutaneous (SC) infliximab from 120 mg to 240 mg every 2 weeks (Q2W) showed restoring efficacy in the 54-week LIBERTY-CD and LIBERTY-UC studies, and safety profiles were generally comparable between patients with or without DE. Both two studies included an extension phase through Week (W) 102, and we present post-hoc long-term efficacy and safety results of DE in patients who treated in extension phase in two studies. AIMS &amp; METHODS Patients with moderately to severely active CD and UC were treated with 3 doses of infliximab IV 5 mg/kg as induction therapy (Weeks 0, 2 and 6). Clinical responders at W10 were randomized (2:1) to receive either CT-P13 SC 120 mg or placebo Q2W as maintenance therapy up to W54. Patients who would benefit from continued treatment entered open-label extension study from W56 to W102 by the opinion of the investigator received CT-P13 SC 120 mg regardless of previously assigned arm. From W22, the patients who met loss of response criteria were permitted to escalate the dose to CT-P13 SC 240 mg Q2W through W102 for both arms. The results from CT-P13 SC arm treated in extension phase are analyzed. RESULTS A total of 192 and 237 patients were analyzed in CD and UC study, each. Among them, DE from CT-P13 SC 120 mg to CT-P13 SC 240 mg prior to W102 was more common in UC than CD (30.0% [71/237] vs 21.9% [42/192]). Patients showed improvement in clinical remission at W102 (both CD and UC) or endoscopic response at W102 (CD) after DE. Also, patients showed improvement in other efficacy endpoints after DE (Table 1). Most patients with DE regained clinical remission and clinical response within 8 weeks after DE (Table 2). For UC, endpoints were defined by modified Mayo score in Table 1, partial Mayo score in Table 2, respectively. The incidence rate of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and &amp;#x2028;treatment-emergent serious adverse events (TESAEs) in the pooled safety data (CD+UC) across maintenance and extension phase were comparable between patients with and without DE (85.2% [98/115] vs 78.8% [256/325] for TEAEs, 13.0% [15/115] vs 10.5% [34/325] for TESAEs). The incidence rate of TEAEs of infection for patients with and without DE was 45.2% [52/115] vs 43.4% [141/325]. The incidence rate of TEAEs of systemic injection reaction for patients with and without DE was 4.3% [5/115] vs 2.8% [9/325]. CONCLUSION DE of CT-P13 SC from 120 mg to 240 mg Q2W in patients who initially respond but subsequently lose response, shows improving clinical efficacy over an extended observation period of 102 weeks. Most patients with DE regained response promptly within 8 weeks after DE. Safety profiles were generally comparable between patients with or without DE, and no new safety concerns were found after DE as well in long term treatment.

Participant-Centered Engagement for Sustained Adherence to Smartwatches: A 12-Month Prospective Decentralized Digital Health Study.

Adherence in digital health studies with extended observation periods (≥ 12 months) is limited, and participant retention considerably reduces with time. The US Food and Drug Administration has issued guidelines for improving participant engagement, adherence, and diversity in digital health studies combined with decentralized procedures. A decentralized digital health study on well-being was designed with protocolized procedures to study the feasibility of participant engagement and technology support to facilitate adherence (wearing the smartwatch ≥ 70% of time) sustained over a 12-month period. At the end of the study, participants were asked about their ease of participation and free-response questions about how wearing the smartwatches impacted their physical wellness. An inductive thematic analysis (ITA) was performed to assess themes of those responses and association with adherence. A total of 298 participants were recruited between 2022 and 2023 (n = 129 in Cohort A in October 22, n = 169 in Cohort B in April 23), with 23% non-white participants accrued. Among the 298 participants accrued, 273 (92% of accrued participants) completed the 12-month study with an average overall adherence of 77.4% (SD = 32.64) wear-time across 12 months. Median adherence of participants whose responses exemplified an ITA theme encompassing perceived behavior changes in sleep and physical activity was higher than those who did not have a response exemplifying that theme. Conversely, those expressing perceived discomfort or intrusiveness of the smartwatch had a statistically lower adherence. These results highlight the crucial roles of technology support and robust engagement efforts to enable sustained adherence over extended follow-up periods in decentralized digital health studies.

Exploring the impact of xenobiotic drugs on forensic entomology for accurate post-mortem interval estimation.

Forensic entomotoxicology is an emerging field within forensic entomology that investigates the effects of chemicals, drugs, and toxins on insect development and their implications for postmortem interval (PMI) estimation. This systematic overview delves into the influence of drugs such as Morphine, heroin, Opiates, and cocaine on the variables affecting the use of forensically significant insects as evidence tools. Notably, it has been observed that the presence of drugs does not appear to alter the progression of the lifecycle from the first instar to the emergence of flies, indicating that PMI estimations based on fly emergence remain unaffected by drugs. However, larvae treated with drugs frequently show delayed pupation, suggesting the need for further research into the impact of different compounds on various insect species over more extended observation periods. Additionally, conflicting results have been noted regarding how toxins can influence the developmental process in larvae, underscoring the necessity to assess the effect of different classes of compounds on other insect species. The study also recommends exploring factors such as the samples' collection site and the drugs' pathological implications to inspire future research. Furthermore, the paper underscores the potential for varying drug effects across insect species, emphasizing the complexity of interpreting drug impacts on PMI estimations. This systematic review was conducted by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Positive impact of cladribine tablets on reducing brain atrophy in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: A longitudinal study

Background: Measuring brain volume changes over time is an objective and dependable surrogate marker for the pathological processes that damage the brain in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). These measures are particularly valuable for monitoring the long-term impact of immunomodulatory treatments such as cladribine. Objectives: To evaluate the long-term impact of oral cladribine treatment on brain volume loss in patients with RRMS. Methods: This real-world study processed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans using FreeSurfer’s recon-all-clinical pipeline leveraging SynthSeg for brain segmentation. Piecewise linear regression was used to analyze brain atrophy changes over 4.5 years before and after cladribine treatment and estimate the time breakpoint of atrophy rate change. Results: A total of 448 MRI exams from 102 RRMS patients were analyzed. Before the initiation of cladribine treatment, brain atrophy rates were significantly steep with an α1 slope between −1.27 and −0.62 for the Thalamus, DGM, Subcortical GM, Cerebral WM, and BP. Over 2 years after treatment, breakpoints marked a shift in atrophy rates, with post-breakpoint slopes (α2) becoming non-significant, reflecting stabilization of brain atrophy. Conclusions: Cladribine treatment in highly active RRMS patients protects the brain from atrophy, with stabilization occurring over 2 years after initiation. The extended observation period highlights its sustained benefits compared with shorter clinical trials.

Evaluation of cardiac function in patients with SMA after treatment with onasemnogene abeparvovec.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a recessively inherited neurological disease resulting in motor neuron disorder. Onasemnogene abeparvovec is a gene replacement therapy used to treat patients with SMA. Cardiac toxicity was observed in animal studies on this therapy, and elevated cardiac troponin I levels were observed in clinical trials; however, the clinical importance of these findings is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to reveal the cardiac toxicity of onasemnogene abeparvovec through careful investigation of cardiac function using cardiac strain analysis, which can detect early subtle abnormalities. This study included patients with SMA treated with onasemnogene abeparvovec between June 2020 and November 2020. Echocardiography, including peak global longitudinal strain (GLS), and other laboratory test results were evaluated. Case 1 showed a relative GLS decrease of 14.5% compared with that at the baseline (GLS reduction from -22.1% to -18.9%), elevation of N-terminal prohormone B-type natriuretic peptide levels from 227 pg/mL to 494 pg/mL, and elevated liver enzyme concentrations after gene replacement therapy without reduction of the left ventricular ejection fraction. Subclinical myocardial dysfunction after infusion of onasemnogene abeparvovec was suggested by careful investigation of cardiac function. Cardiac toxicity may correlate with liver impairment following gene replacement therapy. Long-term studies that allow for a higher number of patients and more extended observation periods should be conducted to confirm the cardiac toxicity of onasemnogene abeparvovec.

Incidence of rheumatoid arthritis in Austria: a prospective population-based cohort study in a federal province

ObjectiveWhen it comes to prospective studies on the incidence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the Norfolk study from 1994 is still frequently cited as prospective incidence data by many countries lacking...

No‐Touch Harvesting Technique of the Great Saphenous Vein Graft Affects Graft Flow Velocity During Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Objectives: We aimed to investigate whether the no‐touch (NT) harvesting technique for the great saphenous vein graft (SVG) affects graft flow velocity during coronary artery bypass grafting.Methods: The study included 132 and 138 conduits that underwent NT and conventional (CV) harvesting techniques, respectively (NT and CV groups, respectively). Transit‐time flow measurements and contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CT) were performed to assess graft flow velocity and patency.Results: Intraoperative graft flows, assessed using a transit‐time flowmeter, were 40 ± 19 and 48 ± 27 mL/min/anastomosis in the NT and CV groups, respectively. Preoperative SVG diameters, assessed via vascular ultrasound, were 2.8 ± 0.7 and 2.8 ± 0.8 mm in the NT and CV groups, respectively. However, postoperative SVG diameters, measured using contrast‐enhanced CT, were 2.7 ± 0.5 and 3.5 ± 0.6 mm in the NT and CV groups, respectively, indicating a significant reduction in the NT group (p &lt; 0.01). Graft flow velocities, calculated from graft flow and vascular diameter, were 7.3 ± 4.2 and 5.4 ± 3.2 cm/s/anastomosis in the NT and CV groups, respectively, being significantly higher in the NT group (p &lt; 0.01). The incidence of postoperative occlusion was significantly lower in the NT group (two conduits, 1.5%) than in the CV group (10 conduits, 7.3%) (p = 0.02). Significant differences were found in the 5‐year patency rates between the two groups (NT group, 98.4%; CV group, 92.9%; p = 0.04).Conclusions: The NT SVG harvesting technique prevents postoperative graft diameter expansion and significantly increases graft flow velocity and patency. Further randomized studies are needed to determine whether differences in blood flow velocity are essential for graft patency over an extended observation period.

Precise Orbit Determination of Mars-crossing Asteroids

This study investigates the orbit determination of the Mars-crossing asteroids (MCAs) with a focus on the possibility of detecting their Yarkovsky signals. We analyze the influences of force model uncertainties on MCA orbits, including the uncertainty of the main asteroid belt, and the uncertainty of the major planets’ ephemeris. The main asteroid belt is modeled using 343 asteroids and a ring structure. The Yarkovsky effect’s quadratic nature allows it to dominate over extended observation periods. To address dynamical errors and potential interactions with the main asteroid belt, we employ not only a traditional seven-dimensional differential corrector but also a nine-dimensional differential corrector that considers radial, vertical, and transversal forces. Comparison shows that the latter approach enhances the fit to observational data. However, the reliability of the Yarkovsky parameter is not enhanced because the estimation of the radial component is physically unacceptable. Despite incorporating precise Gaia data, our analysis does not conclusively detect a Yarkovsky effect on MCAs due to uncertainties in the force model. Nevertheless, our research advances our understanding of MCA dynamics, identifying five potential candidates whose Yarkovsky effect may be observable.