The Positive Effect of Psychotherapy in the Treatment of an Erosive Oral and Dermal Lichen Planus Case

ABSTRACT Lichen planus (LP) is an autoimmune disease that may affect the oral cavity and the skin, and it has the potential to change to malignancy. In this paper we report a LP case in a 42‐year‐old male patient in which anxiety and depression were apparently the only possible risk factors of LP. Due to this apparent comorbidity and the risk of not responding well to conventional medication (topical and systemic corticosteroids) or the risk of relapse in the case of ongoing stress, we decided to integrate psychotherapy (without psychotropic drugs) as an adjunct into the management strategy. Psychotherapy sessions, reassuring the patient and stress alleviation, proved to be a very useful alongside the standard corticosteroid medication.

Empirical prediction on boilover onset and impact for liquid hydrocarbon fire in atmospheric storage tank

Abstract Boilover can occur several hours after the fuel in a storage tank caught fire. The delayed occurrence is an unknown strong parameter when managing the emergency response operations. Those managing response operations must be aware of the boilover potential and take the precautions to ensure safety. Modelling the phenomenon enables predicting crucial event features and assists in highlighting safety measures, with a key focus on the ignition‐to‐boilover time interval. This study focused on the predictive empirical tool development aimed at estimating the boilover onset time and consequences. This was achieved through series of small‐scale boilover experiments, followed by validation using cases of boilover incidents. The results revealed a linear relationship between the boilover onset time and the initial depth of fuel. Consequently, an empirical correlation was derived to predict the time to boilover. The developed correlation has demonstrated its ability to offer conservative predictions while also exhibiting agreement with both the observed onset time and consequences of boilover events. The reported time to boilover for the Czechowice‐Dziedzice incident is 1050 min, while the predicted time is 1413.2 min. The model showed reasonable agreement with the Amoco Refinery incident. The predicted boilover time of 811.3 min aligns with the boilover incident, reported as 790 and 925 min, respectively. It is evident that the empirical model can predict the time to boilover to a similar order of magnitude. Certain considerations in the development of effective strategies in handling fire scenario with boilover potentials can be assessed using the predictive tool developed.

Prevalence and Determinants of Coronary Artery Calcification in Adults With Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis

ABSTRACT Background Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a recognized risk factor for coronary artery calcification (CAC), a subclinical marker of atherosclerosis associated with elevated cardiovascular risk. However, the prevalence and determinants of CAC in individuals with MetS have not been comprehensively synthesized. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of CAC and identify associated factors among adults with MetS. Methods A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, LILACS, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, AJOL, and gray literature through December 2024, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Eligible studies included adults (≥ 18 years) with MetS, defined by established criteria, and reported CAC scores via validated CT imaging techniques. Observational studies and RCTs were included. Study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. Pooled estimates were derived using a random‐effects model, and heterogeneity was assessed with the I 2 statistic. Results In total, 17 studies comprising 20 745 individuals were included. The pooled prevalence of CAC in adults with MetS was 39.8% (95% CI: 28.4%–52.5%), with wide variation across study design, geography, and imaging modality. Males had a higher CAC prevalence (RR: 2.00), and MetS was linked to increased CAC scores (SMD: 0.10) and odds of calcification (OR: 1.34–1.50). Subgroup analyses showed variability by region and CT modality. High CAC scores were associated with elevated cardiovascular event rates. Conclusion CAC affects ~40% of adults with MetS and is associated with higher cardiovascular risk. These findings support the integration of CAC screening in MetS management strategies.

Do Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome Face Higher Mortality on Weekends Versus Weekdays? A Comprehensive Analysis of Demographic, Geographic, and Temporal Trends in the United States

ABSTRACT Background The impact of a “weekend effect” on US acute coronary syndrome (ACS) mortality remains uncertain. We compared weekend and weekday age‐adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) and analyzed demographic, geographic, and temporal trends from 1999 to 2020. Methods We conducted a national analysis of ACS deaths (age ≥ 25 years) using CDC WONDER (ICD‐10: I20.0; I21.0–I21.4; I21.9; I22.0–I22.9; I24.8; I24.9). Crude and AAMRs (per 100 000; 2000 U.S. standard) were calculated, and trends were assessed by joinpoint regression to estimate annual percent changes (APCs) and average APCs (AAPCs). Results From 1999 to 2020, there were 3, 101, 451 ACS deaths: 2, 222, 468 on weekdays (AAMR 46.4; 95% CI 46.39–46.51) and 878, 983 on weekends (AAMR 18.4), a 2.5:1 ratio. Both periods saw two‐phase declines—APCs of ≈ –6.4%/year before 2009–2010 and –3.3 to –3.7%/year thereafter (all p  <  0.001). Disparities persisted: Black adults had the highest AAMRs (20.9 weekend; 53.2 weekday), rural rates exceeded urban (28.7 vs. 15.8; 72.0 vs. 40.2), men exceeded women (23.8 vs. 14.0; 60.2 vs. 35.4), and rates rose steeply with age (weekend 0.3–223.0; weekday 0.7–561.0). After 2009, declines slowed, and weekday deaths in Black adults rose after 2018. Conclusions The weekend effect on ACS mortality is minimal, with weekday deaths far outnumbering weekend deaths. Persistent—and sometimes widening—disparities by race, rurality, sex, and age highlight the need for equity‐focused interventions, strengthened rural cardiac care, and targeted prevention.

Advancing Equity in Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Outcomes for Hispanic/Latino Patients

Periodontitis and Tooth Loss Are Associated With Higher Risks of Cognitive Disorders: A Systematic Umbrella Meta‐Analysis

ABSTRACT Objective Periodontal disease (PD) and cognitive disorders (CDs) are common in older people, and these variables appear to be linked. The aim of this article was to assess this association using an umbrella meta‐analysis. Methods PubMed and MEDLINE were searched for records until June 2025. The groups were compared using odds ratio (OR) and relative risk (RR). Results A total of 20 meta‐analyses were included. Individuals with PD and its consequences had higher chances of having/developing all‐type CDs: periodontitis (OR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.37–1.97, p  = < 0.0001), tooth loss (OR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.32–1.71, p  = < 0.0001). The risk was much higher for patients with severe periodontitis: (OR = 2.69, 95% CI: 2.26–3.20, p  = < 0.0001). Pooled analysis for cohort studies was (RR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.20–1.32, p  = < 0.0001). Conclusion PD is associated with CDs with low to moderate certainty of evidence measured by GRADE.

Comparative Effectiveness of Bariatric Surgery Versus GLP‐1 Receptor Agonists in Reducing the Risk of New‐Onset of NASH : A Retrospective Multinational Cohort Study From North America and Europe

ABSTRACT Background Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a severe form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Obesity is a major risk factor for NASH, and metabolic interventions such as bariatric surgery (BS) and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1 RAs) have been explored for their impact on liver‐related outcomes. This study evaluates the comparative effectiveness of BS and GLP‐1 RAs in reducing the incidence of new‐onset NASH and related hepatic complications. Methods This was a large, population‐based, retrospective cohort using data from the TriNetX platform. Adult patients with a body mass index (BMI, of 35 or greater and without a history of NAFLD/NASH (without cirrhosis) who underwent BS versus GLP‐1RA between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2019, were included. Patients in the BS group were matched with patients in the GLP‐1RA group according to age, demographics, comorbidities and medication by using 1:1 propensity matching. Results Among 180,022 eligible adults, 143,404 underwent BS, while 36,618 received GLP‐1 RA therapy. Following propensity score matching, 33,594 patients in the BS group (mean age 49.1 ± 13.2 years; 72.73% female) were matched to an equal number of individuals in the GLP‐1 RA group (mean age 48.9 ± 14.0 years; 72.41% female). Compared to those receiving GLP‐1 RA therapy, patients who underwent BS had a significantly lower risk of HCC (HR, 0.304; 95% CI, 0.099–0.931), which showed the strongest protective effect, followed by a substantial reduction in NASH (HR, 0.509; 95% CI, 0.469–0.551). The reduction in liver cirrhosis risk was not statistically significant (HR, 0.865; 95% CI, 0.696–1.075). These associations remained across follow‐up periods of 1, 3, 5 and 7 years. Conclusions These findings suggest that BS was significantly associated with lower risk of new onset of NASH/NAFLD.

Development of a Highly Sensitive Gold and Bismuth Nanoparticle‐Modified Amperometric Sensor for Ceftriaxone Detection: Experimental and Density Functional Theory Insights

The detection of pharmaceutical contaminants, such as Ceftriaxone (CTRX), in water sources is a critical environmental and public health concern. Conventional detection methods often suffer from limited sensitivity and stability, making the accurate quantification of low CTRX concentrations challenging. To overcome these limitations, a novel amperometric sensor was developed using a carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified with gold and bismuth nanoparticles (Au‐BiNPs). The synergistic electrocatalytic properties of these nanoparticles significantly enhance the sensitivity and stability of CTRX detection in complex environments. The Au‐BiNPs‐modified CPE (Au‐BiNPs/CPE) exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of CTRX, achieving a low detection limit of 0.267 µM and a high sensitivity of 25.9 μA/μM cm 2 . The sensor was optimized to operate at pH 4.0 using Britton–Robinson buffer, following a mixed adsorption–diffusion reaction mechanism. Furthermore, the electrode demonstrated remarkable reproducibility (relative standard deviation [RSD] = 3.0%) and repeatability (RSD = 1.5%). Stability and corrosion resistance were confirmed through Tafel polarization studies, underscoring the sensor's durability and long‐term performance. Additionally, density functional theory calculations provided molecular‐level insights into the CTRX oxidation mechanism, complementing the experimental findings and further validating the sensor's design. This study presents the first Au‐BiNPs‐modified CPE for the sensitive detection of CTRX, integrating experimental optimization with theoretical insights. The significant outcomes of this work lay the foundation for advanced sensor development, offering a reliable and efficient platform for the detection of antibiotics in environmental and clinical settings.

Selection of Optimized Diagnostic Approach for Cardiovascular Diseases Leveraging Dynamic Linguistic Intuitionistic Fuzzy Decision‐Making Technique

ABSTRACT Fuzzy mathematical operations play an important role in the field of decision‐making. Decision‐making tools are being used in every field of life. Fuzzy operators are the building blocks for making a decision in the realm of uncertain information. The information is often in qualitative form which needs a qualitative approach for decision‐making rather than a quantitative one. The linguistic term sets are the mathematical tools to collect the qualitative data from experts of the fields and the conversion of linguistic data in the form linguistic intuitionistic fuzzy data is the more efficient and reliable for the process of decision making. The fuzzy aggregation operators are the best tools for the aggregation of uncertain and vague data. This work addresses a real‐world decision‐making problem of choosing the best diagnostic approach for the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases by introducing a novel decision‐making technique with fuzzy aggregation operators in the domain of linguistic intuitionistic fuzzy (LIF) sets. Two new operators are used in this method: the Dynamic Linguistic Intuitionistic Fuzzy Dombi Weighted Averaging (DLIFDWA) operator and the Dynamic Linguistic Intuitionistic Fuzzy Dombi Weighted Geometric (DLIFDWG) operator. This work aims to identify an optimal technique for diagnosing cardiovascular illness using Dombi operations in the Linguistic Intuitionistic Fuzzy environment. The Dombi Operations are highly versatile and successful in addressing vagueness and uncertainty, making them crucial in our methodology. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the offered strategies, we have implemented the recommended operators for the selection of optimized diagnostic approach for cardiovascular diseases. This showcases the significance of these strategies in facilitating decision‐making. Ultimately, we perform a thorough analysis to showcase the reliability and uniformity of the produced procedures, comparing the provided operators with various current counterparts.

Analysis of Double‐Diffusive Transport and Entropy Generation in a Wavy Cylindrical Enclosure With Inner Heated Core: Effects of MHD and Radiation on Casson Cu─H 2 O Nanofluid

ABSTRACT This study investigates double‐diffusive transport and entropy generation in a wavy cylindrical enclosure containing Cu─H 2 O Casson nanofluid under magnetic field and thermal radiation effects. The governing equations were solved numerically using the finite element method with Galerkin formulation. The investigation covered parametric ranges including Rayleigh number (10³ ≤  Ra  ≤ 10⁶), Hartmann number (0 ≤  Ha  ≤ 40), magnetic field inclination (0° ≤  γ  ≤ 90°), nanoparticle volume fraction (0 ≤  φ  ≤ 0.15), Casson parameter (0.1 ≤  η  ≤ 1), radiation parameter (0 ≤  Rd  ≤ 4), thermal conductivity parameter (0 ≤  λ  ≤ 4), Lewis number (0.5 ≤  Le  ≤ 5), and buoyancy ratio (0.25 ≤  Nz  ≤ 1.5). Results demonstrated that increasing Ra from 10³ to 10⁶ enhanced heat transfer by 60%, while increasing Ha to 40 reduced fluid circulation by 75%. The Casson parameter significantly influenced flow characteristics, with stream function values increasing by 75% as η approached Newtonian behavior. Thermal radiation parameters jointly moderated temperature gradients, with Rd causing a 15%–20% reduction in thermal stratification. The Lewis number and buoyancy ratio showed strong coupled effects, with the Sherwood number increasing by 150% as Le increased from 0.5 to 5. These findings have practical applications in advanced heat exchanger design, thermal energy storage systems, electronic cooling technologies, and biomedical devices, where controlled heat and mass transfer of non‐Newtonian fluids is crucial.