Long-term Advantage Research Articles

Социальное и экономические развитие Монголии и Туркменистана после распада социалистического лагеря

Following the dissolution of the socialist camp, both laypersons and researchers closely monitored the processes of reintegration of these countries into the global community, the transition to market-based economies, and the adoption of more democratic and liberal values. However, less prominent representatives of the former socialist camp, such as Mongolia and Turkmenistan – countries that share significant historical and geographical similarities – have often been overlooked as they embarked on divergent paths following their departure from socialism. The article examines and compares the consequences of the transition of these two states from a planned economic system to a market-oriented one. The author analyzes the common historical features of the countries under study, their socio-economic indicators, and identifies the causes and factors influencing the formation of these indicators. Additionally, the article presents brief recommendations for improving these metrics. In conclusion, it is posited that due to inclusive state institutions, Mongolia is likely to have long-term advantages in social and economic indicators compared to Turkmenistan, which is characterized by extractive institutions.

From Physiology to Psychology: A Multidimensional Analysis of Recovery Strategies for Young Athletes

Young athletes are often at risk of physical fatigue and injury during intense competition and training, making post-competition rehabilitation particularly important. Effective rehabilitation not only helps them regain strength and reduce the likelihood of injury, but also improves overall athletic performance. Science-based post-competition rehabilitation can help young-athletes maintain good physical condition, extend their athletic careers, and enhance their academic and athletic performance. This paper analyzes the effectiveness of post-competition recovery strategies in improving the athletic performance of young athletes, focusing on physiological, physical, and psychological recovery methods. It emphasizes the importance of proper nutrition and rest for physiological recovery, highlighting their role in muscle repair and energy replenishment. Physical recovery strategies such as stretching, massage, and low-intensity activities were examined to understand the benefits of these strategies in relieving muscle tension and improving flexibility. The study also explored mental recovery techniques, including relaxation exercises and psychological support, to understand their impact on stress management and mental resilience. This research highlights the significance of employing a multifaceted approach to recovery techniques in order to enhance overall performance. By adopting efficient recovery protocols, athletes are able to attain superior recovery outcomes, boost their competitive advantage, and potentially prolong their athletic careers. The manuscript advocates for additional investigations to fine-tune these strategies and assess their long-term advantages for sustained athletic success.

Making a Difference from Day One: The Urgent Need for Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening

Neonatal hearing screening (NHS) is a critical public health measure for early identification of hearing loss, ensuring timely access to interventions that can dramatically improve a child’s language development, cognitive abilities, and social inclusion. Beyond clinical benefits, NHS provides long-term advantages in education and quality of life. Given that congenital hearing loss affects approximately 1–2 in every 1000 newborns worldwide, the case for universal screening is clear. Countries like the United States and Australia have successfully implemented NHS, leading to earlier diagnoses, improved language development, and better educational outcomes. In Europe, while many nations have adopted NHS, consistency remains a challenge. Countries such as Norway and the United Kingdom stand out for their well-established systems, whereas others, like Greece, have made notable progress but have yet to mandate NHS nationwide. This highlights the need for cohesive national policies across Europe to ensure universal coverage. Screening methods such as Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (TEOAE) and Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) are established tools for detecting hearing impairments in neonates. Despite their demonstrated efficacy, NHS remains inconsistent globally, particularly in low- and middle-income regions that lack mandatory policies or access to reliable screening technologies. This perspective advocates for the urgent need to make NHS mandatory in all countries, emphasizing its societal benefits and cost-effectiveness. Early diagnosis supports prompt intervention, like hearing aids or cochlear implants, which are most effective when implemented before six months. It also empowers families to make informed decisions, fosters educational inclusion, and mitigates the social and emotional challenges of undiagnosed hearing loss. Policymakers, healthcare providers, and international organizations must prioritize universal NHS to ensure no child is left behind due to unaddressed hearing loss.

A Study on Impact of Implementation of GST among Selected Retailers of Chhattisgarh

An important change to the indirect tax system was made in 2017 when India introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST). This study examines the advantages and disadvantages of implementing the GST as it relates to retailers. The study looks at changes in tax burden, compliance practices, and operational efficiency through a survey of retailers and secondary data analysis. The results show that the GST has simplified the tax code, lessened cascading effects, and made interstate transactions simpler. But there are drawbacks as well, like the difficulty of initial compliance, the expense of adopting new technology, and possible disruptions for smaller retailers. The study comes to the conclusion that the effects of GST on retailers are complex, presenting both immediate challenges and long-term advantages. Keywords: GST

Impact of medicaid expansion on screenable versus non-screenable gastrointestinal cancers

BackgroundMedicaid expansion afforded increased healthcare access to low-income Americans contributing to a positive impact on cancer outcomes. However, it is unclear if these benefits were mainly due to enhanced access to cancer screening and earlier diagnosis versus access to cancer treatment MethodsThe National Cancer Database (NCDB) was queried between 2010 and 2021 for Medicaid and uninsured patients with GI malignancies. Patients were stratified by screenable (SGI) and non-screenable (NGI) cancers and expansion state (ES) categories: early (EES) and late (LES) adopters, and non-expansion state (NES) cohorts. Statistical analyses, including difference-in-difference (DiD) and adjusted models, assessed the impact of Medicaid expansion on stage at diagnosis. ResultsThere were 230,159 pre-expansion and 539,028 post-expansion patients. There was an increase in Medicaid coverage (14.8 % vs. 11.1 %) and a concomitant decline in the uninsured population (5.3 % vs. 8.2 %) in the post-expansion era. For SGI cancers, Medicaid expansion was associated with significantly lower mean stage at diagnosis (DiD Coef. −0.12; p < 0.01). For NGI cancers, Medicaid expansion was associated with a lower mean stage at diagnosis but with much smaller coefficient (DiD Coef. −0.015; p < 0.01). Comparing EES and LES to NES, EES had more impact on lower mean stage at diagnosis (vs NES DiD Coef. −0.16; p < 0.01) compared to LES (vs NES DiD Coef. −0.02; p = 0.04) for SGI cancers. For NGI cancers, there was a modest reduction in mean stage at diagnosis only for EES (vs NES DiD Coef. −0.04; p < 0.01). ConclusionMedicaid expansion, particularly for SGI cancers and early adopters, had a profound impact in lowering the mean stage at diagnosis. This emphasizes that long-term advantages of providing access to preventive care and screening, and thus earlier treatment, may be one of the main mechanisms of Medicaid expansion on improving cancer outcomes for GI malignancies. Policy summaryTo establish the benefits of Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act 2010 for gastrointestinal cancer patients particularly in screening.

Unveiling the Role of Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Kinase (MTOR) Signaling in Cancer Progression and the Emergence of MTOR Inhibitors as Therapeutic Strategies.

The mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase (MTOR) is pivotal for cell growth, metabolism, and survival. It functions through two distinct complexes, mechanistic TORC1 and mechanistic TORC2 (mTORC1 and mTORC2). These complexes function in the development and progression of cancer by regulating different cellular processes, such as protein synthesis, lipid metabolism, and glucose homeostasis. The mTORC1 complex senses nutrients and initiates proliferative signals, and mTORC2 is crucial for cell survival and cytoskeletal rearrangements. mTORC1 and mTORC2 have therefore emerged as potential targets for cancer treatment. Several mTOR inhibitors, including rapamycin and its analogs (rapalogs), primarily target mTORC1 and are effective for specific cancer types. However, these inhibitors often lead to resistance and limited long-term advantages due to the activation of survival pathways through feedback mechanisms. Researchers have created next-generation inhibitors targeting mTORC1 and mTORC2 and dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors to address these difficulties. These inhibitors demonstrate enhanced anti-tumor effects by simultaneously disrupting multiple signaling pathways and show promise for improved and long-lasting therapies. However, development of resistance and adverse side effects remain a significant obstacle. Recent additions known as RapaLinks have emerged as a boon to counter drug-resistant cancer cells, as they are more potent and provide a more comprehensive blockade of mTOR signaling pathways. This Review combines current research findings and clinical insights to enhance our understanding of the crucial role of mTOR signaling in cancer biology and highlights the evolution of mTOR inhibitors as promising therapeutic approaches.

Enhancing urban sustainability: a study on lightweight and pervious concrete incorporating recycled plastic

Increasing of plastic waste threatening ecosystems globally, this experimental work investigates recycled plastics as sustainable aggregate replacements in pervious concrete. Pervious concrete allows water passage but has installation/maintenance difficulty due to high weight. This research addresses the lack of eco-friendly lightweight pervious solutions by assessing physical and mechanical performance of mixes with 100% recycled plastic and traditional aggregate percentages. Density reduced 12% using a 100% plastic aggregate mix, achieving 1358 kg/m3 with compressive strength of 3.92 MPa, adequate for non-structural applications. A 7.8% decrease in water absorption versus conventional pervious concrete signifies retained porosity and permeability despite the plastic aggregates. Though early material limitations increase costs over 199.32%, recycled plastics show viability as effective, sustainable substitutes for natural aggregates in lightweight pervious concrete. With further availability and affordability improvements, these recyclable mixes can enable significantly greener construction practices. Findings provide key insights on balancing structural requirements, eco-friendliness and water infiltration capacity in plastic-based lightweight pervious concrete for broader adoption. The research examines the mechanical and durability characteristics of Light-Weight Pervious Concrete (LWPC) composed entirely of plastic aggregate. It also investigates the economic viability and potential for sustainable urban applications. The cost assessment reveals long-term environmental advantages, even though the initial expenses are higher. Additionally, the study considers an eco-friendly approach that combines plant growth with pervious concrete to promote greater sustainability.

Recent Research Advances and Challenges in Supply Chain Resilience Management

This paper explores recent research advances and challenges in supply chain resilience management, aiming to provide a comprehensive overview of current supply chain resilience theory and practice. Firstly, this paper defines the core concepts of supply chain resilience management and describes related theories, including supply chain risk management theory, dynamic capability theory and complexity theory. Next, the paper discusses in detail the latest research progress in supply chain resilience management, analysing it from strategic perspectives, technical support and digital development, enterprise case studies, and indicator systems. Supply chain vulnerability, complexity and uncertainty brought about by globalisation, challenges brought about by technological development and problems in business management are explored. In response to these challenges, the paper proposes future research directions, including dynamic capability enhancement, application of artificial intelligence and machine learning, integrated risk management, cross-industry comparative studies, and sustainable development. Ultimately, the paper summarises the key findings and proposes strategies to address them, such as risk assessment, information transparency, supplier optimisation, inventory management and technological innovation. Through these measures, companies can improve the resilience of their supply chains, ensure that they maintain stable operations in complex and uncertain environments, and achieve long-term competitive advantage.

Genomic prediction of heterosis, inbreeding control, and mate allocation in outbred diploid and tetraploid populations

Abstract Breeders have long appreciated the need to balance selection for short-term genetic gain with maintaining genetic variance for long-term gain. For outbred populations, the method called Optimum Contribution Selection (OCS) chooses parental contributions to maximize the average breeding value at a prescribed inbreeding rate. With Optimum Mate Allocation (OMA), the contribution of each mating is optimized, which allows for specific combining ability due to dominance. To enable OCS and OMA in polyploid species, new theoretical results were derived to (1) predict mid-parent heterosis due to dominance and (2) control inbreeding in a population of arbitrary ploidy. A new Convex optimization framework for OMA, named COMA, was developed and released as public software. Under stochastic simulation of a genomic selection program, COMA maintained a target inbreeding rate of 0.5% using either pedigree or genomic IBD kinship. Significantly more genetic gain was realized with pedigree kinship, which is consistent with previous studies showing the selective advantage of an individual under OCS is dominated by its Mendelian sampling term. Despite the higher accuracy (+0.2–0.3) when predicting mate performance with OMA compared to OCS, there was little long-term gain advantage. The sparsity of the COMA mating design and flexibility to incorporate mating constraints offer practical incentives over OCS. In a potato breeding case study with 170 candidates, the optimal solution at 0.5% inbreeding involved 43 parents but only 43 of the 903 possible matings.

Current status of evaluation and treatment of early-stage remnant gastric cancer.

Because of early diagnosis and improved prognosis, patients with gastric cancer are now surviving longer and remnant gastric cancer after gastrectomy is becoming more common. Remnant gastric cancer is traditionally considered a malignancy with a dismal outcome. However, recent advances in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies have improved outcomes. In recent years, the development of endoscopic therapy has provided us with new therapeutic ideas. Although with some drawbacks, such as limited working space, gastric fibrosis and staples under the suture line, endoscopic management is still an effective treatment option with potential long-term survival advantage. For gastrectomy patients, endoscopic surveillance should also be recommended, for prompt surveillance and detection in the early remnant gastric cancer. This review aims to provide an overview of remnant gastric cancer, especially focusing on its pathogenesis as well as new advances in the diagnosis and endoscopic treatment of early-stage remnant gastric cancer.

Dual Benefits of Tirzepatide: Anti-Obesity and Antidiabetic Efficacy: A Mini review

Background: Diabetes mellitus and obesity are two linked conditions that have reached epidemic proportions globally. According to a study published in 2023 by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) , India has 10.1 crore people with diabetes. The prevalence of obesity, especially abdominal obesity is increasing continuously due to the intake of foods that are high in carbohydrates and processed foods. Obesity can cause inflammation, insulin resistance, and pancreas overload which lead to diabetes mellitus. Main Body: The present - review focuses on the medicinal chemistry, organic chemistry and pharmacological aspects of trizepatide. Trizepatide is a new chemical moiety that shows dual agonist activity of glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1) receptors and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide(GIP).Trizepatide is a synthetic peptide that constitutes 39 amino acids. Trizepatide has a potent hypoglycemic effect , and it has antiobesity effects because of its adverse effect. Conclusion : Trizepatide's capacity to lower blood sugar and promote weight loss makes it an effective treatment for these conditions. Further research will confirm its safety and long-term advantages. Keywords : Trizepatide , Diabetes mellitus , Obesity, Hypoglycaemia

Enhancing Green Bean Production on Acid Oxisols Using Basalt Fines in the Cameroon Western Highlands

Rock fines have been proposed as alternative to chemical fertilizers, but their application rates and performances on various crops are still poorly understood. This work aims to test the fertilizing potential of basalt fines for Green beans production on acid Oxisols. A field experiment using a completely randomized block design (CRBD) was conducted on a 60 m² plot.". Treatments were: T0(0), T1(5 t ha₋1 basalt fines), T2(10 t ha₋1 basalt fines), T3(15 t ha₋1), T4(20 t ha₋1 basalt fines), T5(5 t ha₋1 poultry manure), T6 (110 Kg. ha₋1 NPK 14₋23₋14). Fieldwork was followed by laboratory analysis of soils before and after treatment of the experimental units. The main results revealed that T0 was very acidic, but basalt and poultry manure (PM) application reduced acidity while NPK further increased soil acidity. The exchangeable bases and base saturation also increased after treatment with basalt and PM. The yield of green beans was such that T4&gt;T1&gt;T6&gt;T3&gt;T5&gt;T0 &gt;T2. Economically, all treatments were negative except T1 (Benefit-to-cost ratio, BCR=1.35&lt;2), suggesting that none of the treatments can be popularized for green beans production. Nevertheless, production could be increased based on appropriate farming and chemical techniques aimed at reducing soil acidity and boosting nutrient capital reserves. This study addresses a critical need for environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical fertilizers, aligning with sustainable agriculture goals. To increase its applicability and impact, more focus should be placed on the long-term environmental advantages and real-world uses.

Application and evaluation of minimally invasive surgical treatment options for early endometrial cancer.

Laparoscopic and robotic-assisted techniques have gained popularity, and endometrial cancer (EC) remains a significant health problem among women. Minimally invasive surgical (MIS) therapy options for early endometrial cancer will be evaluated for their effectiveness and safety is the aim of this paper. We also investigate the differences in oncologic outcomes between MIS and open surgery (OS) for individuals with early-stage EC. The patient was diagnosed with early-stage EC and treated with laparoscopic surgery and was the focus of a retrospective analysis. 162 patients with early EC were analyzed, with diagnoses occurring between 2002 and 2022. The patients were fragmented into two groups, one for OS and another for laparoscopic procedures. The total tumor excision and recurrence rates were identical across the two methods, indicating similar oncologic results. Rates of complications were likewise comparable across the two groups. The quality of life ratings of patients with robotic-assisted surgery was higher than those with laparoscopic surgery. Sixty-two (62.2%) of the 162 patients in this research had OS, whereas Fifty-six (57.8%) had MIS. The probability of recurrence of EC from stages III to IV was significanitly higher in women who had OS. Minimally invasive procedures were shown to be effective in treating early-stage EC, and while these findings provide support for their usage, larger multicenter randomized controlled studies are required to verify these results and further examine possible long-term advantages. Patients with early-stage EC, regardless of histologic type, had superior survival rates with MIS compared to OS.

Enhancing Ex Vivo Limbal Epithelial Cell Expansion on Amniotic Membrane: A Comparative Study of Monolayer (2D) Versus Sandwich (3D) Culture Configurations.

This study compared two-dimensional (monolayer) and three-dimensional (sandwich) systems for expanding ex vivo limbal epithelial cells on amniotic membrane and evaluated the outcomes after transplantation into rabbits with experimentally induced limbal stem cell deficiency. Evaluations included markers for progenitor cells, proliferation, apoptosis, and clinical monitoring for up to 63 days. In the monolayer culture, epithelial cells derived from limbal explants were expanded on amniotic membrane as the substrate. In the sandwich culture, the cells were cultured between 2 layers of amniotic membrane. Evaluations included markers for progenitor cells, proliferation, and apoptosis, along with clinical monitoring for up to 63 days. Sandwich cultures demonstrated increased cellular proliferation and fewer progenitor cells compared with monolayer cultures. In treating limbal stem cell deficiency, the group receiving transplantation from sandwich cultures exhibited reduced neovascularization and decreased corneal ulceration compared with those treated with monolayer cultures, with similar clinical outcomes in corneal opacity. The configuration of the culture system did not affect the presence of apoptotic cells. Corneas treated with sandwich cultures showed a higher presence of progenitor cells compared with the monolayer group, suggesting a potential long-term viability advantage for these transplants. In conclusion, although the sandwich culture system enhanced cellular proliferation, it also resulted in a decrease in progenitor cells within the cultures. Nevertheless, both systems demonstrated comparable therapeutic efficacy in treating limbal stem cell deficiency, with the sandwich approach potentially offering long-term benefits because of the increased presence of progenitor cells in the transplanted cornea.

Precision in Total Knee Replacement: A Technical Note on the VELYS Robotic-Assisted Tibial-Femoral Approach.

The VELYS robotic-assisted system (DePuy Synthes, Warsaw, IN, USA) in total knee replacement (TKR) enables precise bone registration and resection, reducing manual errors and minimizing soft tissue injury compared to conventional methods. This method will provide a more accurate implant position with a better postoperative range of motion (ROM). This technical note describes the steps in performing robotic-assisted TKR using the VELYS with a tibial-femoral approach. In more detail, this article will discuss surgical exposure and creating bone checkpoints and landmark acquisitions, tibial-femoral resection, and implant placement. Despite the existing benefits, the long-term advantages still need further investigation.

An Experimental Study on the Effect of Nano Zinc Oxide on Reflective Coatings and Building Roof Temperatures

Most roofs on Earth are made of dark materials. Dark roof surfaces can retain heat better than light ones; in Iraq, summer time temperatures on the roofs of dark buildings reached 70–80 degrees Celsius in July and August. The effects of this temperature rise are detrimental to cooling and energy consumption. To lessen heat transfer into the building, use reflective surfaces that can reflect infrared radiation waves. Cool roofs have both short-term and long-term advantages. They can reduce a building's annual air conditioning energy consumption by up to 15%, extend the life of the roof and its service life, improve the energy efficiency of roofs particularly those with inadequate insulation at the front of the roof improve thermal comfort in buildings without air conditioning, and lower greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. Solar heat is one of the main factors affecting the durability of roofing membranes, according to research and real-world experience with the deterioration of these materials over time. High solar reflectance materials can reflect more sunlight and maintain their coolness in the sun. This study examines a low-cost composite cool coating that uses 60% calcium carbonate and demonstrates a 15°C drop in surface concrete temperature for roof buildings when compared to an uncoated surface. Additionally, compared to 30%wt CaCO3, the effect of 60%CaCO3 in composite coating reduces adhesion strength. According to the study, the weight of CaCO3 in the composite coating increases while adhesion strength, surface roughness, and particle homogeneity distribution decrease. Conversely, the maximum weight of CaCO360% weight percent exhibits good IR reflectance and less tribological properties. While preserving good infrared reflectance, adding 10% ZnO to the coating solution (60% CaCO3/PVac) improves tribological properties. The adhesion strength of the 60% calcium carbonate polymer composite paint increased from 10.9 MPa to 40.2 MPa when the nanomaterial was present, while this material maintained the superior optical qualities of infrared reflection. The coefficient of thermal expansion varies between concrete and coating solutions. For instance, the coating that has 10% weight added ZnO has a peel resistance coefficient of 8*10-6 1/K. The 60%CaCO3/10%ZnO/PVac coating effectively lowers the temperature by 15–12 °C when applied to a building roof.

The Sustainable Growth of Korean Listed Firms in the lens of Pay Disparity and Managerial Overconfidence

This study aims to assess the impact of pay disparity on the sustainable growth of listed firms in Korea, and to explore how this relationship is influenced by the presence of managerial overconfidence. Employing a fixed-effects regression model, the analysis draws on 10,244 firm-year observations from Korean-listed firms between 2012 and 2022. The findings reveal a significant positive association between pay disparity and the sustainable growth of firms, supporting the tournament theory, Moreover, this effect is more pronounced in companies led by overconfident management. The robustness tests also confirm the main regression results. This study highlights how pay disparity together with the presence of managerial overconfidence can drive sustainable growth. It recommends tailored compensation strategies that consider management dynamics and organizational context, helping firms navigate compensation challenges and enhance long-term success and competitive advantage. The study provides valuable insights for policymakers, investors, and other stakeholders in crafting equitable compensation practices that promote resilient and sustainable business environments. This study’s originality lies in its consideration of managerial overconfidence, setting it apart from prior research that primarily examines the direct link between pay disparity and sustainable growth.

Does the interval between melanoma diagnosis and surgery have an impact on outcomes? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Studies report conflicting effects of the time interval between cutaneous melanoma excision and subsequent sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). We conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the effects of time interval from diagnosis to SLNB on overall survival (OS), melanoma-specific survival (MSS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). MethodsWe screened public databases for relevant studies published from January 1997 to April 2024. The study followed PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO CRD42021240045). Risk of Bias for individual studies (Cochrane Collaboration ROBINS-E), and heterogeneity between studies (RevMan Web v7.4.0) were assessed. Pooled relative hazard ratios (HR) were calculated, and summaries of evidence were presented with GRADE. Results19,741 articles were identified. 13 studies had data for quantitative analysis including 66,283 patients. The cutoff for “early” SLNB was ≤43 days.MSS and RFS was worse in patients who underwent early SLNB with HR 0.75 (95 %CI 0.62–0.92) and 0.87 (95 %CI 0.77–0.98) respectively, but with significant cohort biases. The early and late groups had similar OS (HR 0.88 (95 %CI 0.76–1.02)). Where SLN positive patients were reported, there was no difference in MSS (HR 1.11 (95 %CI 0.75–1.66)) and RFS (HR 0.99 (95 %CI 0.88–1.11)). Some studies had significant confounding biases, with high-risk melanomas being over-represented in early SLNB cohorts. ConclusionsPatients undergoing SLNB for melanoma do not have demonstrable long-term advantages when performed <6 weeks compared to those between 6 and 12 weeks after primary excision biopsy. Clinicians and patients should gain confidence that SLNB performed up to 12 weeks does not negatively influence their long-term outcomes.

Teprotumumab's Impact on Proptosis in Long-duration Thyroid Eye Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Long-duration thyroid eye disease (TED) may present with persistent proptosis despite the absence of inflammatory symptoms, and treatment options have been limited to surgical intervention. Recently, teprotumumab, a monoclonal antibody, has garnered interest as a non-surgical option to reduce proptosis in such cases. This systematic review investigates the impact of teprotumumab on reducing proptosis in long-duration TED. Methods: A search was conducted across major online databases, and data were aggregated from observational studies, clinical trials and case series. Nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Cumulative and weighted effect measures were synthesized. The biases and limitations of each study were assessed. Results: Existing evidence shows teprotumumab to be highly efficacious in reducing proptosis in chronic TED; however, there are significant limitations in the quality of existing evidence. The cumulative meta-analysis reveals a mean proptosis reduction of 3.05 ± 0.54 mm across 182 orbits from nine studies, and the weighted meta-analysis shows a mean reduction of 2.69 ± 0.53 mm across 172 orbits from eight studies. Discussion: While existing clinical studies are open to bias and intrinsically limited, the meta-analysis dilutes the risk of bias by weighting more precise evidence, providing the highest quality evidence to date. Further research is essential to understand teprotumumab's long-term efficacy and comparative advantages over surgical options. These findings have significant implications for treating persistent proptosis in patients with long-duration TED, potentially offering a non-surgical alternative where options were previously limited.

The Application of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Technology in Digital Marketing

This study investigates the utilization of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies in digital marketing, particularly their impacts on user engagement, brand awareness, conversion rates, and customer experience. With the progression of digital marketing, VR and AR have emerged as significant tools that create immersive and interactive experiences, aiding brands in distinguishing themselves within a competitive market. By analyzing applications such as virtual product demonstrations, interactive advertising campaigns, virtual showrooms, and AR shopping applications, this research underscores the substantial advantages these technologies confer. The findings reveal that VR and AR not only improve user engagement, brand visibility, but also boost customer satisfaction and drive sales. Despite obstacles such as high development costs and technical challenges, the outlook for VR and AR in digital marketing remains promising. This study provides strategic insights for businesses on effectively incorporating these technologies into their marketing frameworks to ensure long-term success and competitive advantage.