Maintenance Rate Research Articles

Durability of doravirine with dolutegravir dual regimen compared with other dolutegravir-based dual combinations.

The availability of doravirine (DOR) allowed clinicians to prescribe a dolutegravir (DTG)-based two-drug regimen (2DR) in individuals not eligible to receive lamivudine (3TC) or rilpivirine (RPV). The aims of this study were to describe the durability of DTG + DOR compared with DTG/3TC and DTG/RPV and the rate of virological failure and target not-detected maintenance over time. This retrospective, monocentric analysis included all subjects who started a DTG-based 2DR from 2018 to 2022 as a simplification. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests to describe and compare the groups were applied. Kaplan-Meier probability curves and Cox regression models for regimens durability were used. The study enrolled 710 individuals: 499 treated with DTG/3TC, 140 with DTG/RPV, and 71 with DTG + DOR. A 2DR with DOR was prescribed to older subjects who had a longer infection, greater exposure to different antiretroviral regimens, a higher proportion of resistance-associated mutations, and a worse immune-virologic status. Over a cumulative follow-up of 68 152 weeks, 42 discontinuations were registered (5.9%). DTG + DOR had a risk of treatment interruption of 7.8% at 48 weeks and 9.8% at 96 weeks, significantly higher than the other 2DRs. In the multivariate Cox model, DTG + DOR and DTG/RPV were significantly associated with discontinuation. The maintenance of target not detected during follow-up was similar among groups. The rate of virological failure was higher for DTG + DOR through different event definitions. DTG + DOR durability was high over a long follow-up albeit lower than for other 2DRs. This combination might be an effective option in people with HIV that has proven difficult to treat.

Laryngeal mask airway versus endotracheal intubation as general anesthesia airway managements for atrial fibrillation catheter ablation: a comparative analysis based on propensity score matching.

The current evidence on the use of laryngeal mask airway (LMA) as an airway management technique for general anesthesia (GA) during atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation (CA) is insufficient. This study aims to compare the feasibility, safety, and clinical benefits of LMA and endotracheal intubation (ETI) for airway management in AF CA. One hundred fifty-two consecutive patients with AF who underwent CA under GA were included and divided into two groups based on different airway management methods (66 in the LMA group, 86 in the ETI group). After propensity score matching, a final analysis cohort of 132 patients was obtained to compare procedural parameters, adverse events, and prognosis between the two groups. The LMA group exhibited significantly shorter total procedural time (p = 0.039), anesthesia induction time (p = 0.015), and recovery time (p = 0.006) compared to the ETI group. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate were significantly lower in the LMA group during extubation and 1-min post-extubation (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the LMA group demonstrated lower MAP levels during intubation (p = 0.029). The incidences of intraoperative hypotension (p = 0.017) and bradycardia (p = 0.032) were significantly lower in the LMA group. The incidences of delayed recovery or delirium (p = 0.027), laryngeal or airway injury (p = 0.016), cough or bucking (p = 0.001), and sore throat (p < 0.001) were significantly lower in the LMA group. There were no statistically significant differences in catheter stability parameters and sinus rhythm maintenance rates between the two groups (p > 0.05). LMA is feasible, safe, and effective in AF CA as an optimized airway management technique for GA.

Analysis of distinct blaKPC-encoding plasmids in an Enterobacter kobei strain recovered from recreational coastal water

In this study we present an in-depth characterization of two blaKPC-2 encoding plasmids found in the Enterobacter kobei FL23 strain recovered from recreational coastal water. The plasmids belong to distinct incompatibility groups and carry a diverse collection of resistance genes. Furthermore, the genetic context of the blaKPC-2 gene was different in each of them. While pEkFL23-IncX3 presents a new Tn4401k, a new isoform, similar to Tn4401b but with a truncated tnpA and a deleted tnpR; pEkFL23-IncU/P6 carries a new isoform of a non-Tn4401 element (NTEKPC), named NTEKPC-IIh. Its difference from NTEKPC-IId is the truncated Tn3 resolvase upstream blaKPC-2. Capacity of conjugation, maintenance rates and fitness cost of both replicons were also assessed. Both were transferred after mating assays, whereas only pEkFL23-IncX3 was transferred under the adverse conditions of Marine broth at 25 °C as a mating platform. A remarkable stability of both plasmids was observed in the parental and transconjugant strains. Finally, both replicons did not impose a significant fitness cost to their transformant hosts, with pEkFL23-IncU/P6 conferring a statistically significant (p < 0.05) advantage in head-to-head competitions. Our findings show that E. kobei FL23 is a disquieting case of a carbapenem-resistant bacteria identified in a community setting, being a possible silent disseminator of two seemingly stable and metabolic weightless multidrug resistance plasmids.

Additional cement augmentation reduces cage subsidence and improves clinical outcomes in oblique lumbar interbody fusion combined with anterolateral screw fixation: A retrospective cohort study

PURPOSE: Although OLIF has been well established as a successful surgical treatment for lumbar spondylosis, cage subsidence is one of the troublesome complications. Avoiding risk factors and improving surgical techniques are generally passive ways for cage subsidence prevention. To our knowledge, there has been no active way reported to decrease cage subsidence following OLIF. METHODS: From 2018 to 2021, 63 patients were enrolled and divided into two groups, OLIF group (37 patients) and OLIF with cement augmentation (OLIF-C) group (26 patients). The patients’ characteristics, age, sex, BMI, lesion level, days of hospitalization, visual analogue scale (VAS), surgical data and radiological parameters were recorded and compared. RESULTS: The demographic and surgical data showed no statistical significance between OLIF and OLIF-C groups. OLIF-C group had better pain relief in postoperative 3 months (p = 0.015) and at the last follow-up (p = 0.030), less rate of cage subsidence (p <0.001) with better disc height restoration, segmental lordotic angle maintenance and interbody fusion rate. CONCLUSIONS: Additional cement augmentation for OLIF could minimize the rate of postoperative cage subsidence and the whole procedure was completed through the anterolateral approach without posterior laminectomy and instrumentation, avoiding the damage of posterior back muscle and facet joints.

A Randomized, Multi-Center, Open Label Study to Compare the Safety and Efficacy between Afatinib Monotherapy and Combination Therapy with HAD-B1 for the Locally Advanced or Metastatic NSCLC Patients with EGFR Mutations.

Lung cancer, especially non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), poses a significant health challenge globally due to its high mortality. Afatinib, a second-generation epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI), has shown superior efficacy over traditional chemotherapy in NSCLC treatment. However, issues like secondary resistance and adverse effects call for alternative therapies. HAD-B1, comprising 4 herbal medicines, has shown promise in lung cancer treatment in both preclinical and clinical settings. This study assesses the combination of HAD-B1 and Afatinib in advanced NSCLC patients to potentially improve outcomes by addressing the limitations of current EGFR-TKI therapies. A randomized, open-label trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of HAD-B1 with Afatinib in 90 EGFR-mutation-positive NSCLC patients. Participants were divided into treatment and control groups, receiving Afatinib with or without HAD-B1. The study focused on the initial dose maintenance rate and disease control rate (DCR) of Afatinib, alongside secondary outcomes like survival rates and quality of life, under continuous safety monitoring. Among the 90 participants, no significant difference was found in initial dose maintenance (60.98% in the treatment group vs 52.50% in the control, P = .4414) or DCR (80.49% vs 90.00%, P = .2283). Secondary outcomes like PFS, TTP, and OS showed no notable differences. However, physical functioning significantly improved in the treatment group (P = .0475, PPS group). The control group experienced higher rates of adverse events of special interest and adverse drug reactions (P = .01), suggesting HAD-B1 with Afatinib might enhance physical function without increasing adverse effects. Combining HAD-B1 with Afatinib potentially improves quality of life and reduces adverse events in advanced NSCLC patients. Further research is necessary to confirm the long-term benefits of this combination therapy, aiming to advance NSCLC treatment outcomes. Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS) of the Republic of Korea, https://cris.nih.go.kr/ (ID: KCT0005414).

The metabolic interpretation of the von Bertalanffy growth rate

The von Bertalanffy Growth Rate (vBGR) has a clear physiological interpretation and is proportional to the volume-specific somatic maintenance rate. This links high maintenance to fast growth, as is exploited by the waste-to-hurry strategists, which experience high food availability peaks during short periods. For different, but constant, food availability’s, the inverse vBGR is linear in the ultimate (structural) length that an individual can reach. The slope of the line is inverse to the energy conductance, which controls the reserve mobilization rate. The intercept is inverse to the somatic maintenance rate, which is the ratio of the volume-specific somatic maintenance rate and the cost per unit of structural volume. Size differences between genders work out similar to differences in food availability. We give examples from the Add_my_pet collection for different taxa to illustrate these concepts. In the case of gender dimorphy, the gender with the largest size is also heavier for the same length. We discuss why this supports the weak homeostasis requirement imposed by the Dynamic Energy Budget theory. The geometric interpretation of the vBGR as the slope of the tangent line at zero length, divided by the ultimate length, is well-known, but that the weight-specific growth rate at maximum weight growth equals 1.5 times the vBGR, is perhaps less widely recognized. We briefly discuss the problem of estimating two DEB parameters in the vBGR, the specific somatic maintenance rate and the energy conductance, from a growth curve and argue why these parameters can only be estimated in combination with other data sets, such as an incubation time, or a set of growth curves at different food levels. The vBGR varies with maximum ultimate length across species in a hyperbolic way according to the physical co-variation rule of DEB theory. We support this with data from the AmP collection for molluscs, crustaceans and fish.

Postoperative volume maintenance rate of microvascular free flap in oral and maxillofacial region: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and objectivesThe resorption of flap's volume can be frequently observed in the transplantation of microvascular free flaps, which could significantly affect postoperative function. Therefore, it's essential to comprehend the postoperative flap volume and the mechanisms behind before making clinical decisions. MethodsLiterature search was conducted from database on PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Chinese database and Google Scholar. A random effects model meta-analyses and descriptive systematic review were performed. ResultsThe search identified 420 articles, of which 9 studies included in meta-analysis and 14 studies included in descriptive systematic review. Postoperative flap volume maintenance rate is used to represent the volume change. The pooled mean postoperative flap volume maintenance rate was 62.82 % for soft tissue flap (95 %CI: 58.83 to 66.82, p = 0.076, I2=56.3 %) and 85.96 % for bone flap (95 %CI: 84.19 to 87.73, p = 0.274, I2=20.4 %). Weight loss, muscle atrophy, and decreased serum albumin levels are risk factors for postoperative volume reduction of soft tissue flaps. The bone resorption rate of bone flaps in women is higher than that in men. ConclusionWhen designing microvascular free flaps for oral and maxillofacial surgery, soft tissue flaps should consider an anticipated postoperative shrinkage of 37 %, while bone flaps should consider an anticipated postoperative shrinkage of 14 %.

Minimally Invasive Surgery for Posterior Spinal Instrumentation and Fusion in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Current Status and Future Application.

The posterior minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) approach-or the paraspinal muscle approach-for posterior spinal fusion and segmental instrumentation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) was first reported in 2011. It is less invasive than the traditionally used open posterior midline approach, which is associated with significant morbidity, including denervation of the paraspinal muscles, significant blood loss, and a large midline skin incision. The literature suggests that the MISS approach, though technically challenging and with a longer operative time, provides similar levels of deformity correction, lower intraoperative blood loss, shorter hospital stays, better pain outcomes, and a faster return to sports than the open posterior midline approach. Correction maintenance and fusion rates also seem to be equivalent for both approaches. This narrative review presents the results of relevant publications reporting on spinal segmental instrumentation using pedicle screws and posterior spinal fusion as part of an MISS approach. It then compares them with the results of the traditional open posterior midline approach for treating AIS. It specifically examines perioperative morbidity and radiological and clinical outcomes with a minimal follow-up length of 2 years (range 2-9 years).

Markov-chain-driven optimization of inspection-based maintenance, Part I: Models and methods

System reliability and life-cycle cost are significantly influenced by preventive maintenance (PM). PM is commonly classified into two categories: time-based maintenance (TBM) and condition-based maintenance. Another PM approach referred to as inspection-based maintenance (IBM) incorporates condition-based activities within periodic inspections and tests. Determining the optimal maintenance rate for both TBM and IBM plans, and scheduling them effectively, poses a crucial challenge. Traditional methods assess equipment importance and condition within a reliability-centered maintenance framework. Mathematical models are commonly employed to devise robust plans, but accurate modeling based on practical conditions of the system equipment remains a key challenge. This two-part paper series introduces a novel model based on the Markov chain theory, that establishes the relationship between equipment status transition rates and the risk indices. The proposed model can be used alone or in combination with risk analysis outcomes to overcome data and budget limitations. To demonstrate its efficacy, the proposed method is implemented to optimize the PM rate of high-voltage equipment within a real-world sub-transmission substation, where the results can aid in cost estimation, equipment replacement decisions, and inventory management.

Maintenance IV Ketamine Therapy in the Fibromyalgia Patient: A Case Report.

Fibromyalgia is a complex disorder characterized by distributed and persistent pain often associated with fatigue and depression. The underlying causal agents of this dysfunction are not clear. Ketamine has been used to treat chronic pain in a variety of pain syndromes, including fibromyalgia, but the dosing protocols used are neither standardized nor consistent across cases. The current case presents an opportunity to contribute to a progression towards a consensus on ketamine dosing for fibromyalgia. A 60-year-old female presented with indications of fibromyalgia and was administered a 9-session IV ketamine treatment for pain. The initial dosing was 50 mg, with a concentration of 1.0 mg/ml at an infusion rate of 0.8 mg/kg/hr. This was increased to 200 mg and eventually to 240 mg, maintaining a ketamine concentration 4.0-4.8 mg/ml at an infusion rate of 1.5 mg/kg/hr. Following the first 9-session therapy, the patient reported >50% pain relief from pre-infusion levels and was placed on a maintenance regimen in perpetuity. This regimen involves two monthly IV ketamine infusions, one day apart for two hours at a maintenance rate of 4.8 mg/kg/hr. Ketamine by IV is an effective option for pain management in patients with fibromyalgia. Compared to previous case studies, it is recommended that increased total dose, frequent administration, and longer duration of infusions all may be necessary for ketamine to maximize its beneficial effects.

Association of health information technology-driven multidisciplinary approaches with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol target achievement in patients with an acute coronary syndrome

ObjectiveControlling of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains a challenge. Health information technology (HIT) is increasingly being applied to close quality gaps in chronic illness care. The aim of this study was to perform a qualitative review of the association of implementing HIT on lipid management processes of care and LDL-C goal attainment in patients with ACS. MethodEligible patients with a discharge diagnosis of ACS from January 2018 to December 2021 at a tertiary medical center were retrospectively reviewed. An HIT system with a multidisciplinary approach including initiating high-intensity statin therapy, periodic laboratory follow-up, titration of lipid-lowering agents, patient education, patient-level and system-level interventions involving database monitoring and outreach by centralized care teams was introduced in October 2018. Electronical medical records including data on medications and laboratory findings at discharge and within 1 year were compared before and after implementing the HIT system. ResultsA total of 2001 ACS patients (average age 63 ± 12.7 years, 79.66 % men) were analyzed. The LDL-C < 70 mg/dL goal attainment rates (36.52 %, 53.57 %, 59.22 %, 62.18 % in 2018–2021) and medium serum LDL-C levels (80.5 mg/dL, 68 mg/dL, 65 mg/dL, 64 mg/dL in 2018–2021) significantly improved within 6 months (2018 as the reference, all p<0.001). The LDL-C attainment rate at 12 months also steadily increased (53.80 %, 61.82 %, 64.21 % in 2019–2021, p = 0.019). Most of the patients switched to a high-intensity statins regimen at discharge (0.57 %, 63.67 %, 72.41 %, 84.44 %, in 2018–2021, p<0.001 with 2018 as the reference), with low adverse event rates. The maintenance rates of high-intensity statin regimens at 12 months continued to improve (41.36 %, 49.04 %, 61.39 % in 2019–2021, p<0.001). ConclusionsEfforts to control LDL-C should be increased in ACS patients by initiating and intensifying statin treatment earlier. Our results confirmed that a team-based strategy with HIT improved LDL-C target achievement for most patients with ACS.

Field-scale evaluation of struvite phosphorus and nitrogen leaching relative to monoammonium phosphate.

Struvite (MgNH4 PO4 ·6H2 O) is a wastewater-derived phosphorus (P) fertilizer with potential to reduce P as well as nitrogen (N) losses due to its low water solubility. To test hypothesized lower P and N losses from struvite relative to monoammonium phosphate (MAP), field experiments with a randomized-complete block design were conducted in central (Urbana) Illinois on an Endoaquoll-Argiudoll complex and in southern (Ewing) Illinois on a Fragiudalf-Hapludalf complex. Fertilizer was broadcast applied in the fall prior to spring planting of soybean (Glycine max L.) at a maintenance rate of 29.5kg P ha-1 (Urbana) and 22.0kg P ha-1 (Ewing). In the spring, soil extractable N and Mehlich 3-P at 0- to 15-cm and 15- to 35-cm depths were determined, and leached N and P were estimated using fall-installed ion-exchangeable resin (IER) lysimeters. At Urbana, soil extractable nitrate-N was higher under MAP than struvite at 0- to 15-cm depth. At Ewing, soil Mehlich 3-P under struvite was lower than MAP at both depths. At Urbana, leached P was 10-fold lower, and leached N was twofold lower under struvite than MAP. Soybean yields were similar between MAP and struvite at Urbana (4.1-4.3 Mg ha-1 ) and Ewing (3.2-3.5 Mg ha-1 ), but at Ewing yields were 23% higher under struvite compared to the P-unfertilized control. Off-season yield-scaled P and N losses under struvite were lower than MAP by 51% at Urbana and by 10% at Ewing. Our results support the hypothesized potential of struvite to reduce nutrient losses while meeting crop P needs. Additionally, we identify disproportionally greater reductions in N leaching and yield-scaled N losses by substituting struvite for MAP in fall applications, indicating that struvite can offer greater relative benefits for N loss reduction than P loss reduction.

Markov-chain-driven optimization of inspection-based maintenance, Part II: Numerical analysis and practical insights

These two-part paper series aim to optimize the rates of inspection-based maintenance or routine-test on power system equipment. Part I introduced a novel probabilistic model using Markov chains for the inspection-based maintenance and derived the relationships between the transition rates. Part II demonstrates how the proposed method can effectively address budget and data availability constraints. It also presents the derived relationships between the optimal preventive maintenance rate and risk indices. The results presented in this paper are based on an industrial project conducted to optimize the preventive maintenance period of high-voltage equipment in Iran. Additionally, this companion paper provides practical insights, including implementation remarks, and a comprehensive dataset for failure and defect analysis, which proves useful for future research and applications.

What maintains low-carbon consumption behaviors: Evidence from China

Promoting the adoption and maintenance of low-carbon consumption behaviors (LCBs) is a global climate action. Most prior studies have considered only the adoption of LCBs and not explored how behavioral characteristics and emotions influence individual behaviors. To address these limitations, this study builds a dual-level integrated model to detect the maintenance rate of various LCBs and identify what factors affect behavioral maintenance. Using data collected from 2052 residents in China, generalized linear mixed models are employed to examine the effects of behavioral and individual-level factors and of social interaction on the maintenance of LCBs. Robustness is checked using the instrumental variable method, least-squares dummy variable method, and Probit approach. The estimated maintenance rate for different LCBs ranges between 29.02 % and 83.49 %, while the estimated cessation rate ranges between 2.31 % and 6.58 %. Maintenance of LCBs is positively affected by context stability but negatively influenced by effort expectancy. Anticipated guilt is identified as the strongest driver (positive) of maintenance of LCBs for all tested variables, followed by symbol expectancy. However, neither behavior routinization nor anticipated pride is found to be significantly associated with behavioral maintenance. The effects of anticipated guilt, effort expectancy, and symbol expectancy on behavioral maintenance are moderated by social interaction. Regarding demographics, family size is positively associated with behavioral maintenance, while females are more likely than males to maintain LCBs. These findings address the under-studied effects of behavioral characteristics and emotions on behavioral maintenance, and provide new insights for redefining target interventions to engage the public in maintaining LCBs.

Measuring in-service traction elevator reliability based on orthogonal defect classification and Markov analysis

To solve the challenge of accurate in-service traction elevator failure prediction, maintenance cycle and steady availability, a novel reliability model is proposed which combines orthogonal defect classification (ODC) and Markov analysis (MA). The elevator failure data are classified by the ODC method. Then, the failure rate and maintenance rate of the elevator parts are obtained based on triangular fuzzy theory. By analyzing the maintenance function of each part, the optimum maintenance cycle of the elevator is determined. Finally, the transient state and steady state equations are established by MA to determine the steady availability of elevators. A case study on elevator accidents and failure data is used to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The results show that the system steady state availability of elevators in the study was 0.9002.

Home and social role as factors leading to health maintenance among the elderly living in rural Japan: A longitudinal study

PurposeOur study aimed to clarify home and social factors by gender that lead to maintenance of health in the elderly, such as taking care of others and having social activities. MethodsA total of 14,712 and 14,799 respondents to the “Survey of Needs in the Spheres of Daily Life” conducted in Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture in 2017 and 2020, respectively, who were aged 65 years or older (recovery rate was 78.5 %) were enrolled. Of these, 4,322 people who answered that they did not receive long-term care in 2017 survey and who also responded to the 2020 survey or were confirmed dead by the time of the survey were included in the analysis. The status of health maintenance was the outcome and those who answered the 2020 survey saying they did not receive long-term care were defined as health maintained. Those who answered that they did receive long-term and those who died were defined as health lost. ResultsAfter adjusting for variables such as basic attributes, health status, and functional capacity, the elderly who had persons whom to they provided care (excluding long-term care) had health maintenance rate higher at 3 years than those who did not provide care or long-term care. In addition, the results showed that men who had job with income and women who participated in neighborhood associations had higher rates of health maintenance. ConclusionThis study showed that older adults who take on roles at home and in society are more likely to maintain their health.

Research on imperfect condition-based maintenance strategy based on accelerated degradation process

To address the situation that the degraded system cannot be repaired as new and the degradation is accelerated after repair in engineering practice, an imperfect condition-based maintenance model is proposed based on the Gamma process by introducing the maintenance improvement factor and the accelerated degradation factor. The maintenance improvement factor describes the recovery degree of the degradation amount after imperfect maintenance, then gives a quantitative representation method of the system maintenance improvement effect and the determination method of the maximum number of imperfect maintenance. The accelerated degradation factor is combined with the geometric process to describe the accelerated degradation process of the system after imperfect maintenance. The Monte Carlo method is used to determine the optimal number of imperfect preventive maintenance decisions. Through the demonstration of calculation examples, the influence of accelerated degradation factor and maintenance improvement factor on the long-term operation maintenance rate and the optimal number of imperfect maintenance is analyzed. The results show that the model can more comprehensively describe the degradation and maintenance process of degraded systems, and it can effectively reduce maintenance cost ratio under long-term operation. It provides a certain theoretical support for formulating an economical and reasonable maintenance strategy that is more in line with the actual degradation and maintenance process in engineering practice.

Matching-Adjusted Indirect Comparison of the Long-Term Efficacy Maintenance and Adverse Event Rates of Lebrikizumab versus Dupilumab in Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis.

Lebrikizumab and dupilumab are monoclonal antibodies approved for treating moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD). Both have demonstrated efficacy and safety over the 16-week SOLOs and ADvocate trials. However, AD is a chronic and relapsing inflammatory disease, and the long-term maintenance of efficacy is critical for achieving disease control from the perspective of patients, physicians, and regulatory agencies. This study aims to compare the long-term efficacy and safety of lebrikizumab every 4weeks (Q4W) and dupilumab every week or every 2weeks (QW/Q2W) among adult patients who have achieved treatment efficacy following the induction period of 16weeks. Lebrikizumab's efficacy was assessed using individual patient data (IPD) from the ADvocate 1 and 2 monotherapy trials. Dupilumab's efficacy was evaluated using aggregate data from the adult-exclusive SOLO-CONTINUE trial. Due to the absence of a common comparator trial arm, we employed an unanchored matching-adjusted indirect comparison (MAIC), a robust methodology widely accepted by health technology assessment (HTA) agencies. This re-weights ADvocate IPD to align with SOLO-CONTINUE's prognostic factors and effect modifiers. We compared lebrikizumab's adjusted outcomes with dupilumab outcomes at week52, focusing on 75% improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index from baseline (EASI-75), Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) score of 0 or 1, and overall adverse event (AE) rates. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to test various combinations of matching variables. Adults on lebrikizumab Q4W were more likely to maintain IGA 0/1 through the 36-week maintenance period (weeks16-52) compared with those on dupilumab QW/Q2W [risk ratio (RR) 1.334; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.74; p = 0.035]. Both treatments demonstrated comparable efficacy in terms of EASI-75 maintenance (RR 0.937; 95% CI 0.78-1.13; p = 0.490) and similar AE rates (RR 1.052; 95% CI 0.90-1.23; p = 0.526). Sensitivity analyses substantiated these findings. Our findings suggest that lebrikizumab Q4W may provide equal or superior long-term maintenance of efficacy measured with EASI-75 and IGA 0/1 compared with dupilumab QW/Q2W, with the advantage of requiring less frequent doses.

CoS2 confined into N-doped coal-based carbon fiber as flexible anode for high performance potassium-ion capacitor

Potassium-ion capacitors (PICs), skillfully combining the features of batteries and capacitors, hold promise in energy conversion and storage. Cobalt sulfide (CoS2) anode are promising alternatives due to its high theoretical capacity and excellent potassium storage capacity. However, severe volume changes of CoS2 anode leads to capacity decline and poor cycle stability, hindering its application in PICs. Herein, we successfully confine CoS2 nanoparticles in N-doped coal-based carbon fibers (CoS2/CF). Coal-based carbon fibers with flexible characteristic elevate the conductivity and relieve the volume expansion of CoS2. Moreover, the high content of edge nitrogen as active sites further enhances the electrochemical properties. The PICs with flexible CoS2/CF-0.8 as anode exhibits superior specific capacity (331.1 mA h g−1 after 150 cycles at 0.1 A g−1) and long cycling (214.1 mA h g−1 after 900 cycles at 1.0 A g−1). Ex-situ X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) reveal that the mechanism of CoS2/CF-0.8 anode is based on reversible intercalation and conversion reaction. Importantly, CoS2/CF-0.8||activated carbon (AC) devices shows excellent energy density (101.9 W h kg−1) and long cycling (82.23% capacity maintenance rate after 1000 cycles). This work offers insights for other materials with high theoretical capacity but volume expansion problem.

Efficacy of Switching to Adalimumab for Maintenance of Remission Following Induction Therapy with Tacrolimus in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis.

Tacrolimus (TAC) effectively induces remission in refractory ulcerative colitis (UC). However, TAC therapy usually lasts for 3 months. Although azathioprine (AZA) is often used in maintenance therapy, the relapse rate remains high. Herein, we evaluated the efficacy of adalimumab (ADA) for remission maintenance in patients with UC after induction therapy with TAC. We prospectively enrolled patients with moderate-to-severe UC who achieved clinical remission after 3 months of TAC therapy with endoscopic non-mucosal healing (Cohort A). After TAC discontinuation, the remission maintenance rate up to 1 year after starting ADA therapy was examined. We retrospectively enrolled patients with UC treated with TAC (Cohort B). Among patients in clinical remission after TAC treatment for 3 months, those who received AZA as remission maintenance therapy after TAC discontinuation constituted the AZA group. Patients in Cohort A who received ADA and AZA as remission maintenance therapy after TAC discontinuation constituted the ADA + AZA group. We compared the remission maintenance rates in the AZA and ADA + AZA groups for up to 5 years after TAC discontinuation. In Cohort A, of the 46 patients with UC treated with TAC, 17 were eligible for analysis after receiving ADA as remission maintenance therapy. A notable 88.2% (15/17) were still in remission 1 year after starting ADA. The ADA + AZA group (n = 16) exhibited a significantly higher relapse-free rate than the AZA group (n = 26) (p < 0.05; log-rank test). switching to ADA for remission maintenance in patients with refractory UC who achieved clinical remission with TAC is clinically useful.