Design of and Early Insights From a Generalized Myasthenia Gravis Patient Engagement Research Council.

Background And Aims: An exploratory focus group study was conducted to better understand the needs of patients living with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG).

Methods: US-based adults with gMG and caregivers of patients with gMG participated in a Patient Engagement Research Council between August 2022 and January 2023. The study consisted of a 15-min prework survey, followed by virtual focus groups facilitated using a semi-structured interview guide.

Economic and clinical burden of major depressive disorder with insomnia symptoms in commercially and Medicaid-insured adults in the United States: A retrospective matched cohort study.

Background: Insomnia is a common symptom of major depressive disorder (MDD). Presence of insomnia symptoms in MDD (MDDIS) has been associated with worse depression severity and outcomes. This study assessed the economic and clinical burden of MDDIS in the United States.

Trained innate immunity in response to nuclear antigens in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease directed against nuclear antigens, including those derived from apoptotic microparticles (MPs) and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Here we investigated whether nuclear autoantigens can induce trained immunity in SLE patients. Trained immunity is a de facto innate immune memory elicited by an initial stimulus that induces a more vigorous long-term inflammatory response to subsequent stimuli.

Patient and care partner perspectives and preferences related to myasthenia gravis treatment: A qualitative study.

Background And Aims: Due to the high symptom and treatment burden in myasthenia gravis (MG), understanding patient and care partner perspectives and preferences is crucial.

Methods: This study used voice analysis and virtual focus groups to understand patient and care partner experiences with MG-related symptoms, treatments, and preferences. The voice analysis via social media listening used artificial intelligence-powered tools to gather and structure public digital conversations on MG.

Characterizing Myasthenia Gravis Symptoms, Exacerbations, and Crises From Neurologist's Clinical Notes Using Natural Language Processing.

Background Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a rare, autoantibody neuromuscular disorder characterized by fatigable weakness. Real-world evidence based on administrative and structured datasets regarding MG may miss important details related to the clinical encounter. Examination of free-text clinical progress notes has the potential to illuminate aspects of MG care.

Predictors of High Healthcare Cost Among Patients with Generalized Myasthenia Gravis: A Combined Machine Learning and Regression Approach from a US Payer Perspective.

Background: High healthcare costs could arise from unmet needs. This study used random forest (RF) and regression methods to identify predictors of high costs from a US payer perspective in patients newly diagnosed with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG).

Methods: Adults with gMG (first diagnosis = index) were selected from the IQVIA PharMetrics Plus database (2017-2021).

Economic burden of generalized myasthenia gravis (MG) in the United States and the impact of common comorbidities and acute MG-events.

Background: This study assessed the incremental healthcare costs and resource utilization (HRU) associated with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), as well as variability in these outcomes among patients with gMG and common comorbidities and acute MG-related events.

Methods: Adults with gMG and without MG were identified from a large US database (2017-2021). The index date was the first MG diagnosis (gMG cohort) or random date (non-MG cohort).

Patient perceptions of disease burden and treatment of myasthenia gravis based on sentiment analysis of digital conversations.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a rare, autoimmune, antibody-mediated, neuromuscular disease. This study analyzed digital conversations about MG to explore unprovoked perspectives. Advanced search, data extraction, and artificial intelligence-powered algorithms were used to harvest, mine, and structure public domain digital conversations about MG from US Internet Protocol addresses (August 2021 to August 2022).

A multicenter chart review of patient characteristics, treatment, and outcomes in hereditary angioedema: unmet need for more effective long-term prophylaxis.

Background: Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare disease characterized by unpredictable, recurring subcutaneous or submucosal swelling. Without effective therapy, HAE can negatively impact patients' quality of life. Management of HAE includes on-demand treatment of attacks and short- and long-term prophylaxis (LTP) to prevent attacks.

Correlation of index finger length to vertical dimensions of occlusion for edentulous patients and their satisfaction: a randomized controlled trial.

The prevalence of edentulism is pandemic and people resort to complete dentures for the restoration of missing teeth and esthetics. However, the determination of the correct occlusal vertical dimensions (OVD) constitutes to play an important role in overall patient satisfaction. The objective of this study was to apply anthropometric methods to correlate the length of index finger (2D) to measure the OVD from base of the nose to the base of the chin (Sn-Me) and to assess satisfaction by comparing both the methods.

Influence of Sapindus mukorossi extract in comparison to 17% EDTA as final root canal irrigant on the sealer penetration and microleakage of dentinal tubules.

Objective: The study evaluated the effect of Sapindus mukorossi (SM) extract as a final root canal irrigant on sealer penetration (SP) in dentinal tubules and microleakage.

Materials And Methods: Samples were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. An access opening in all samples was performed and the working length was decided using pro taper for canal finishing along with constant irrigation.

Efficacy of Smear Layer Removal at the Apical One-Third of the Root Using Different Protocols of Erbium-Doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet (Er:YAG) Laser.

Smear layer forms during cleaning and shaping can obstruct the entry of both irrigant and sealant into the dentinal tubules, resulting in the accumulation of the bacteria and their byproducts. To ensure effective adhesion and better periapical healing, it is strongly advised to remove the smear layer before proceeding with root canal obturation. This study was designed to compare the efficiency of laser-activated irrigation (LAI) in removing the smear layer and debriding the most apical third of the root canal.

Reduced Mortality among COVID-19 ICU Patients after Treatment with HemoClear Convalescent Plasma in Suriname.

Convalescent plasma is a promising therapy for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but its efficacy in intensive care unit (ICU) patients in low- and middle-income country settings such as Suriname is unknown. Bedside plasma separation using the HemoClear device made convalescent plasma therapy accessible as a treatment option in Suriname. Two hundred patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection requiring intensive care were recruited.

Alemtuzumab outcomes by age: Post hoc analysis from the randomized CARE-MS studies over 8 years.

Background: Alemtuzumab significantly improved clinical and MRI outcomes vs. subcutaneous interferon beta-1a (SC IFNB-1a) in the CARE-MS trials (NCT00530348, NCT00548405), with sustained efficacy in 2 consecutive extensions (NCT00930553, NCT02255656 [TOPAZ]).

Methods: Post hoc analysis of 8-year alemtuzumab efficacy and safety in pooled CARE-MS patients (N=811) stratified by baseline age (≥18 to ≤25, >25 to ≤35, >35 to ≤45, >45 to ≤55 years).

Efficacy and Safety of Alemtuzumab Through 9 Years of Follow-up in Patients with Highly Active Disease: Post Hoc Analysis of CARE-MS I and II Patients in the TOPAZ Extension Study.

Background: Alemtuzumab efficacy versus subcutaneous interferon-β-1a (SC IFNB-1a) was demonstrated over 2 years in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, with continued efficacy over 7 additional years. Alemtuzumab is included as a recommended treatment for patients with highly active disease (HAD) by the American Academy of Neurology Practice Guidelines, and the label indication in Europe was recently restricted to the treatment of HAD patients. There is currently no consensus definition for HAD, and alemtuzumab efficacy across various HAD definitions has not been explored previously.

Long-term efficacy and safety of alemtuzumab in patients with RRMS: 12-year follow-up of CAMMS223.

Background: In the phase 2 CAMMS223 trial (NCT00050778), alemtuzumab significantly improved clinical and MRI outcomes versus subcutaneous interferon beta-1a over 3 years in treatment-naive patients with relapsing-remitting MS. Here, we assess efficacy and safety of alemtuzumab over 12 years in CAMMS223 patients who enrolled in the CAMMS03409 extension (NCT00930553), with available follow-up through the subsequent TOPAZ extension (NCT02255656).

Methods: In CAMMS223, patients received 2 alemtuzumab courses (12 mg/day; baseline: 5 days; 12 months later: 3 days); 22% received a third course.

Impact of genetic polymorphisms on opioid misuse: a scoping review.

We conducted a scoping review on genetic polymorphisms associated with opioid intake-related adverse patient outcomes including behavioral, physiological and clinical outcomes. We searched for studies on Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, Psychinfo and SNPedia from January 2006 to January 2018. Our study identified 33 genes and 71 SNPs associated with opioid-intake related adverse patient outcomes: four studies showing associations of nine SNPs with clinical events (e.

Evaluation Of Loosely Bound Water Loss From Different Compositions Of Glass Ionomer Cement.

Background: Water is an essential component of glass ionomer cement. Water balance is probably the most important and least understood mechanism with the glass ionomer cement. Excessive water in glass ionomer produce weak cement while less amount of water produce cement which is relatively stronger initially but later results in the weakening of the cement.

Fluoride Release From Glass Ionomer Cement Containing Fluoroapatite And Hydroxyapatite.

Background: Many investigators reported the amount of fluoride release from glass ionomer cement. However, the work on fluoride release from GIC containing fluoroapatite and hydroxyapatite is scarce. Therefore, this study was conducted to find out the amount of fluoride release from Glass ionomer cement containing fluoroapatite and hydroxyapatite.

Perceptions Of Health Professional Students Regarding Waterpipe Smoking And Its Effects On Oral Health.

Background: Globally approximately 100 million people are waterpipe smokers and this trend also prevails in Pakistan. It has detrimental effects on general health and oral health. The objective of the study was to determine the perception of health professional students regarding waterpipe smoking (WPS) and to assess their awareness about adverse effects of WPS on oral health.

Placebo response and its determinants in children with ADHD across multiple observers and settings: A randomized clinical trial.

This study aims to quantify placebo response (PR) in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as assessed by parents and teachers and to explore some of its determinants. Five hundred and forty children with ADHD (ages 6-12) were recruited to a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial with methylphenidate. The main outcome variable was Conners' Global Index (CGI), based on assessment of behaviour by parents (CGI-P) and teacher (CGI-T).