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The development of materials that repel water, known as superhydrophobic materials, has been hindered by their vulnerability to mechanical abrasion. This issue is particularly pronounced for superhydrophobic nanocomposite coatings fabricated using a simple blend of resin and nanoparticles (NPs) through uncomplicated methods such as spraying or brushing, where an excessive amount of NPs can deteriorate the mechanical property. Moreover, the limitation of thickness puts forward a request for a high retention rate of the coatings. In response to these challenges, this study presents an innovative approach aimed at enhancing the robustness of superhydrophobic nanocomposite coatings through the utilization of a straightforward dual spraying technique. The results demonstrate that the particles with hierarchical micro/nanostructures fabricated by the primary spraying process provide abundant roughness feedstocks for the secondary‐sprayed coatings, in which superhydrophobicity properties can be achieved with less NP content. Additionally, the mechanical durability of the coatings can be reinforced by the addition of appropriate amounts of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) NPs and the continuous‐distributed particles fabricated by the primary‐spraying process, exhibiting a longer abrasion distance and a higher retention rate. Also, the prepared sample shows comprehensive robustness in adhesion, abrasion, and dynamic impact tests. By offering insights into material selection and process optimization, this study paves the way for creating resilient superhydrophobic coatings using a streamlined and convenient approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Gardenia fruit pomace (GFP) is an industrial by‐product containing abundant bioactive components. Incorporating GFP into wheat flour improves the exterior quality of food and enhances healthy functions. This study developed a suitable GFP‐fortified wheat product by applying different cooking methods (steaming, boiling and baking). The fate of bioactive crocin derivatives, physical properties and in vitro digestion of GFP‐fortified wheat products was evaluated. The results showed that the steaming, boiling and baking treatments reduced the trans‐crocin‐4 content by 14.41%, 27.54% and 35.17%, respectively, but had no significant effect on geniposide. Combined with the colour change, the steaming treatment was suitable for developing GFP‐fortified steamed bread. With increasing GFP concentration, the increasing b* value indicated that the steamed bread developed a yellow hue. Meanwhile, GFP enrichment of steamed bread could retain most crocins and slow starch digestion by decreasing rapidly digestible starch content. Furthermore, the steamed bread with 1% GFP showed good overall sensory acceptance (flavour, taste, and mouthfeel). Therefore, GFP is a promising option for improving steamed bread's appearance and nutritional quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water sources carry chemicals that can have a significant impact on the water environment of a river network, and understanding the contribution of different water sources to the river network can help to manage the pollution of the river network at its source. The hydrological connectivity of a river network affects the self‐purification capacity and flood prevention capacity of the river. Therefore, an isotope tracer approach was applied to determine the contribution rate of different water bodies to a river network and hydrological connectivity was quantified by introducing the retention rate. Changzhou city was selected as the study area because it is an urbanized city with the characteristics of a plain river network and it is faced with poor hydrological connectivity due to artificial constructions (dams and pumps) and human activity (urbanization). River water, well water (shallow groundwater), lake water and rainfall were collected during the flood season and nonflood season, and hydrogen and oxygen isotopes were determined. The temporal and spatial variations in hydrogen and oxygen isotopes in different water bodies and the state of the water cycle in different water bodies were analysed. IsoSource and MixSIAR models were established to analyse the contribution rate of river network water sources in the study area, and their effectiveness was compared. The results of the MixSIAR model were selected to evaluate the hydrological connectivity of the river network in the study area, providing a method to quantify the hydrological connectivity of specific rivers of the river network in Changzhou city. This method could also be applied to other urban plain river network areas to study river connectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We determined retention on open‐label cenobamate therapy in the clinical development program to assess the long‐term efficacy and tolerability of adjunctive cenobamate in individuals with uncontrolled focal seizures. Methods: Data from two randomized, controlled cenobamate studies and one open‐label safety and pharmacokinetic study were pooled. Based on the percentage of participants remaining on treatment, retention rates were estimated using Kaplan‐Meier survival analyses. We performed two additional analyses to assess factors contributing to retention, stratifying a robust data set (through 2 years) by cenobamate modal dose and frequently used concomitant anti‐seizure medications. Cenobamate discontinuations and treatment‐emergent adverse events were summarized. Results: Data from 1844 participants were pooled: 149 from a single‐dose randomized trial, 355 from a multi‐dose randomized trial, and 1340 from an open‐label safety and pharmacokinetic study. Most participants from randomized trials continued in open‐label extensions, and pooled data represent >95% of participants exposed to cenobamate. Baseline characteristics and disease and treatment histories were similar across studies. Median duration of cenobamate exposure was 34 months, with a median modal dose of 200 mg/day. Kaplan‐Meier estimates of cumulative cenobamate retention rates were 80% at 1 year and 72% at 2 years. Once participants reached the maintenance phase, retention rates were consistently high in participants receiving ≥100 mg/day cenobamate, and concomitant anti‐seizure medications did not affect long‐term retention. By 2 years, 535 (29%) had actually discontinued cenobamate; the most common reasons for discontinuation were adverse events (37.6%), withdrawal of consent (21.1%), and other (16.8%). Significance: Treatment retention rates provide a proxy measure for long‐term efficacy, safety, tolerability, and adherence. The consistently high retention rates we found suggest that cenobamate may be an effective and well‐tolerated new treatment option for people with drug‐resistant focal seizures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is known that marine cable is responsible for the transmission of electric energy and electrical signals of the ship. In order to predict the residual life of cable under discontinuous operation, a non-destructive online life prediction model is established based on retention rate of hardness (RRH). This study takes the marine ethylene propylene rubber (EPR) cable as the research object. Using time temperature superposition principle, the optimal time temperature shift factor is calculated using particle swarm optimisation and steepest descent method. After that the main curve was fitted exponentially to acquire the relationship between RRH and ageing time. Compared with the existing model, the results indicate that the proposed model has higher prediction accuracy. On this basis, the residual life prediction model based on RRH of marine EPR under discontinuous operation is presented by adding time parameters. The effectiveness of the method is verified by simulation. Thus, it provides theoretical guidance for solving the problem of marine cable replacement time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a mental metronome on chest compression rate at the point of training and 10 weeks later. Methods: A prospective observational study was performed using veterinary students without training in CPR. Students received a lecture and demonstration of CPR. The "Song group" (SG) listened to "Stayin' Alive" performed by the Bee Gees and were asked to think about the tempo during chest compressions. The "No Song group" (NSG) was given no guidance on achieving the correct chest compression rate. After the demonstration, both groups were instructed to perform chest compressions at a rate of 100 compressions per minute on a canine manikin, and the actual rate of compressions administered was calculated (Assessment 1). This task was repeated approximately 10 weeks later (Assessment 2). Results: Eighteen students were in the SG and 12 in the NSG. Seventy‐eight percent of the SG performed chest compressions between 90 and 110 per minute during Assessment 1, compared with 50% during Assessment 2. The NSG had an 8% success rate at both assessments. Compression rate variance did not change in in either group over time. Conclusion: Mental metronomes are valuable teaching tools that can help students to perform chest compressions at the recommended rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Older workers make up a growing proportion of the workforce, and research on how best to manage them is being conducted accordingly. Here, we explored the employee retention payoff of high‐performance work systems (HPWS) and flexible work programmes (FWPs) when used with an older workforce. Drawing from the job demands‐resources model, we hypothesised that HPWS retention outcomes decrease as the workforce ages, whereas the retention capacity of FWPs increases. We also explored how the parallel provision of HPWS and FWPs affects workforce retention in more ageing workplaces. The results suggest that workforce age composition affects the HPWS‐retention relationship. However, the value of FWPs as retention tools does not vary significantly with workforce ageing. Furthermore, the provision of FWPs alongside HPWS appears to be a less‐than‐optimal approach to this retention. These findings may contribute to a better understanding of the HRM‐performance relationship, while inspiring further research into successful age‐differentiated HR strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background and Aim: There are few studies on the long‐term efficacy of adalimumab treatment for patients with Crohn's disease. We have conducted a large, multicenter, retrospective cohort study to evaluate the long‐term retention rate and prognostic factors associated with the discontinuation of adalimumab treatment in patients with Crohn's disease. Methods: Data were collected from all patients with Crohn's disease who had received at least one induction dose of 160 mg of adalimumab between October 2010 and December 2013 at 41 institutions. The cumulative retention rates of adalimumab treatment following the first administration were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Prognostic factors related to the cumulative retention rates were evaluated by log‐rank tests and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Results: A total of 1189 patients were included in the study. The 1‐, 2‐, 3‐, and 4‐year cumulative retention rates of adalimumab were 81%, 72%, 65%, and 62%, respectively. The multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed female sex, previous infliximab use, perianal disease, concomitant treatment with prednisolone at baseline, higher C‐reactive protein levels, and lower albumin levels as significant independent predictors of poor retention rate of adalimumab treatment. Significantly, more female patients than male patients discontinued adalimumab because of adverse events, especially skin reactions, infections, and arthralgia. Conclusions: Our data demonstrated a good retention rate of adalimumab in patients with Crohn's disease over a 4‐year period. Female sex, perianal disease, concomitant treatment with prednisolone at baseline, previous infliximab use, higher C‐reactive protein levels, and lower albumin levels were associated with poor retention of adalimumab treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective This study aimed to analyze the retention rate of lacosamide ( LCM) in patients with epilepsy and intellectual disabilities ( IDs), to identify factors influencing retention rate, and to investigate the LCM retention rate with and without concomitant sodium channel blocker ( SCB). We hypothesized that the retention rate of LCM with concomitant SCB would be lower than without SCB. Methods Using the Kaplan-Meier estimator, we conducted a monocentric, retrospective, observational, open-label study to evaluate LCM retention rates in patients with IDs and drug-resistant epilepsy. In addition, the impact of therapy-related variables on the long-term retention of LCM was evaluated. Results One hundred thirty-six subjects with IDs and drug-resistant epilepsy were included (age 2-66 years); most patients had focal epilepsy. Long-term retention rates were 62.0% at 1 year, 43.7% at 2 years, and 29.1% at 3 and 4 years. Reasons for LCM discontinuation included insufficient therapeutic benefits (69%), adverse events (11%), or a combination of both factors (8%). The LCM retention rate was influenced by the number of background antiepileptic drugs ( AEDs). An additional and independent influence of concomitant therapy with SCB on retention rate could not be confirmed. Significance One of the major challenges in medically caring for patients with epilepsy and IDs is the high rate of drug resistance. However, there is a lack of evidence-based information about the efficacy and tolerability of AEDs in this population. It has been shown that concomitant SCB use is a key factor in increasing the risk of LCM failure in children with epilepsy. This finding has not been replicated in our predominantly adult sample of patients with IDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Reports of studies evaluating rufinamide as an add-on therapy in children and adolescents with refractory epilepsy are restricted to a few publications. Prospective multicenter studies including children and adults have yielded important information about several types of epilepsies and syndromes. We evaluated the use of rufinamide in a single pediatric center with a large cohort and long-term follow-up period. Methods We retrospectively included patients taking rufinamide from November 2008 to March 2013. Response was defined by a seizure reduction of ≥50% compared to baseline. Results Three hundred patients with a median age of 9.1 years (range 0.4-29.6 years) were reviewed. Median follow-up was 9 months (range 1-37 months). Epilepsy etiology was classified as genetic (23.7%), structural/metabolic (41%), and unknown cause (35.3%). Overall, rufinamide treatment led to a median seizure frequency reduction of 59.2% from responders to baseline. Seizure reduction was greater in patients with genetic etiology compared to structural/metabolic (66.2% vs. 45.5% responders, p = 0.005). Rufinamide was discontinued in 110 (36.7%) of 300 patients: 63 (21%) due to unsatisfactory response, 47 (15.7%) due to side effects, and in 18 (6%) of those due to both. Most common adverse effects were sleepiness, vomiting, mood changes, nausea, and loss of appetite. Median time to loss of efficacy was 11.6 months (range 3-28 months). Significance Rufinamide provides satisfactory seizure reduction as an adjunctive treatment in refractory epilepsy. Results need to be interpreted in the setting of data acquisition, including inherent biases of retrospective studies. Patients with a known genetic etiology may have better responses than patients with structural/metabolic etiology. A PowerPoint slide summarizing this article is available for download in the Supporting Information section . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To compare the efficacy of slow-release oral morphine ( SROM) and methadone as maintenance medication for opioid dependence in patients previously treated with methadone. Design Prospective, multiple-dose, open label, randomized, non-inferiority, cross-over study over two 11-week periods. Methadone treatment was switched to SROM with flexible dosing and vice versa according to period and sequence of treatment. Setting Fourteen out-patient addiction treatment centres in Switzerland and Germany. Participants Adults with opioid dependence in methadone maintenance programmes (dose ≥50 mg/day) for ≥26 weeks. Measurements The efficacy end-point was the proportion of heroin-positive urine samples per patient and period of treatment. Each week, two urine samples were collected, randomly selected and analysed for 6-monoacetyl-morphine and 6-acetylcodeine. Non-inferiority was concluded if the two-sided 95% confidence interval ( CI) in the difference of proportions of positive urine samples was below the predefined boundary of 10%. Findings One hundred and fifty-seven patients fulfilled criteria to form the per protocol population. The proportion of heroin-positive urine samples under SROM treatment (0.20) was non-inferior to the proportion under methadone treatment (0.15) (least-squares mean difference 0.05; 95% CI = 0.02, 0.08; P > 0.01). The 95% CI fell within the 10% non-inferiority margin, confirming the non-inferiority of SROM to methadone. A dose-dependent effect was shown for SROM (i.e. decreasing proportions of heroin-positive urine samples with increasing SROM doses). Retention in treatment showed no significant differences between treatments (period 1/period 2: SROM: 88.7%/82.1%, methadone: 91.1%/88.0%; period 1: P = 0.50, period 2: P = 0.19). Overall, safety outcomes were similar between the two groups. Conclusions Slow-release oral morphine appears to be at least as effective as methadone in treating people with opioid use disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The question addressed in this paper is whether there are signs that students' progression through high school to graduation has been affected by the efforts to increase school accountability, including high-stakes exit exams. If such accountability systems were able to raise student academic performance significantly in elementary and middle school, these same students should be more likely to succeed academically in high school and graduate with their cohort. If state accountability systems also attempt to raise minimum standards for high school graduation by requiring exit tests, as many do, this could have the opposite effect of lowering high school graduation rates by putting yet one more barrier in the way of lower-performing students completing requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perampanel ( PER) has been approved for adjunctive treatment of partial-onset seizures in patients age 12 years and older. In Germany, PER was licensed and marketed in September of 2012. At our tertiary referral epilepsy center, a couple of difficult-to-treat patients were awaiting this introduction of PER; therefore, we were able to initiate treatment in many patients within a short period of time. For this report we collected and analyzed the data of the first patients who had been started on add-on PER between September and December of 2012, so that we were able to evaluate at least 6 months of treatment when we made this analysis. At cutoff in June of 2013, 74 patients could be analyzed. Mean age was 38.4 years (range 15-71 years). PER doses ranged from 4 to 14 mg (mean 8.8 mg). All patients took PER once daily at bedtime. Seventy-one patients had focal epileptic seizures; the remaining four patients had Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Considering the last 3 months of observation compared with baseline, 34 patients (46%) were responders with a reduction of seizure frequency of at least 50%. Ten patients of these (14% of all) were seizure-free. Adverse events were reported in 40 patients (54%). Leading side effects were somnolence (n = 31, 42%) and dizziness (n = 13, 18%), followed by ataxia, irritability, falls, cognitive slowing, and depression in single cases. Six-month retention rate was 70%. Our first clinical experiences with add-on PER in a highly selected group of difficult-to-treat epilepsies are promising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past decades, numerous preclinical studies and several clinical trials have evidenced the feasibility of cell transplantation in treating heart diseases. Over the years, different delivery routes of cell therapy have emerged and broadened the width of the field. However, a common hurdle is shared by all current delivery routes: low cell retention. A myriad of studies confirm that cell retention plays a crucial role in the success of cell-mediated cardiac repair. It is important for any delivery route to maintain donor cells in the recipient heart for enough time to not only proliferate by themselves, but also to send paracrine signals to surrounding damaged heart cells and repair them. In this review, we first undertake an in-depth study of primary theories of cell loss, including low efficiency in cell injection, "washout" effects, and cell death, and then organize the literature from the past decade that focuses on cell transplantation to the heart using various cell delivery routes, including intracoronary injection, systemic intravenous injection, retrograde coronary venous injection, and intramyocardial injection. In addition to a recapitulation of these approaches, we also clearly evaluate their strengths and weaknesses. Furthermore, we conduct comparative research on the cell retention rate and functional outcomes of these delivery routes. Finally, we extend our discussion to state-of-the-art bioengineering techniques that enhance cell retention, as well as alternative delivery routes, such as intrapericardial delivery. A combination of these novel strategies and more accurate assessment methods will help to address the hurdle of low cell retention and boost the efficacy of cell transplantation to the heart.

There have been a number of investigations of the efficacy and safety of etanercept. This study was performed to obtain long-term drug survival data (ie, time to drug discontinuation) for etanercept, and the reasons for its discontinuation. The study population consisted of patients with psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis followed up by our clinic, registered in the Turkish Psoriasis Registry (PSR-TR) and treated with etanercept for at least 4 weeks between January 1, 2005, and January 31, 2020. The efficacy of etanercept was evaluated in terms of the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 75, PASI 90 and PASI 100 response rates at 12, 24, 36, and 48 weeks, and annually thereafter. The behaviors of the patients with respect to the use of etanercept, and the outcomes of those who continued to use it during the COVID-19 pandemic, were also investigated., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Objective: To assess seizure control and tolerability of eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) as adjunctive therapy to one baseline antiepileptic drug (AED), in adults with partial-onset seizures (POS) with or without secondary generalization., Methods: Multicenter, non-interventional, prospective cohort study conducted between March 2012 and September 2014 at 12 neurology departments in Portugal. Adults with POS not controlled with one AED who had initiated ESL as adjunctive treatment were enrolled. Retention rate was defined at the final visit (Vfinal) 6-9 months of follow-up. Proportion of responders, seizure-free, changes in seizure frequency were evaluated using patients' diaries. Clinical Global Impression of Change (CGI-C) and Clinical Global Impression of Severity (CGI-S) were assessed by the neurologist., Results: Fifty-two patients (48.1% male) were included with mean age 41.5±13.3 years. Mean epilepsy duration was 18.5±14.8 years; mean seizure frequency in the four previous weeks to baseline was 7.5±12.7. At Vfinal, retention rate was 73.0%; responder rate and seizure-free rates were 71.1% and 39.5%, respectively. The median relative reduction in seizure frequency between baseline and Vfinal was 82.2%. A reduction in epilepsy severity (CGI-S) was observed in 42.1%. According to CGI-C, 73.6% patients had their epilepsy "much improved" or "very much improved". Twelve patients (23.1%) had at least one adverse event (AE), two (3.9%) had one serious AE, and five (9.6%) discontinued due to AE., Conclusions: Eslicarbazepine acetate showed good retention rates, elicited a significant reduction in seizure frequency, and was well tolerated when used in the clinical practice., (© 2017 The Authors. Acta Neurologica Scandinavica Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

A letter to the editor is presented regarding the treatment of Parkinson's disease using entacapone.