The effect of a reduction in irrational beliefs on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety symptoms in a group treatment for post-9/11 Veterans.

Previous research has indicated that a Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)-Informed Group focused on changing irrational beliefs to address comorbid depression and anxiety (as well as anger and guilt) in a combat Veteran population diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) demonstrated significant reductions in depression and PTSD symptoms at posttreatment. However, mechanisms of change associated with improvement have not been evaluated. REBT theory suggests that a decline in irrational beliefs predicts a decrease in PTSD, depression, and anxiety symptoms.

Effect of pegbelfermin on NASH and fibrosis-related biomarkers and correlation with histological response in the FALCON 1 trial.

Background & Aims: FALCON 1 was a phase IIb study of pegbelfermin in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and stage 3 fibrosis. This FALCON 1 analysis aimed to further assess the effect of pegbelfermin on NASH-related biomarkers, correlations between histological assessments and non-invasive biomarkers, and concordance between the week 24 histologically assessed primary endpoint response and biomarkers.

Methods: Blood-based composite fibrosis scores, blood-based biomarkers, and imaging biomarkers were evaluated for patients with available data from FALCON 1 at baseline through week 24.

Origin of high thermal conductivity in disentangled ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene films: ballistic phonons within enlarged crystals.

The thermal transport properties of oriented polymers are of fundamental and practical interest. High thermal conductivities ( ≳ 50 WmK) have recently been reported in disentangled ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) films, considerably exceeding prior reported values for oriented films. However, conflicting explanations have been proposed for the microscopic origin of the high thermal conductivity.

LPA antagonist BMS-986020 changes collagen dynamics and exerts antifibrotic effects in vitro and in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a debilitating lung disease with limited treatment options. A phase 2 trial (NCT01766817) showed that twice-daily treatment with BMS-986020, a lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPA) antagonist, significantly decreased the slope of forced vital capacity (FVC) decline over 26 weeks compared with placebo in patients with IPF. This analysis aimed to better understand the impact of LPA antagonism on extracellular matrix (ECM)-neoepitope biomarkers and lung function through a post hoc analysis of the phase 2 study, along with an in vitro fibrogenesis model.