Digital Commons Network^™

Integrated Analysis Of Single-Cell And Bulk Rna-Sequence Data Reveal Plasma Dendritic Cell-Related Diagnostic Model For Sjögren's Syndrome Based On Machine Learning,, Jinhao Zhang, Chunye Zhang

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

Rigorous Validation Of Machine Learning Models For Orthodontic Extraction Prediction Using Nested Cross-Validation And Smotenc-Integrated Pipelines., Anh Thi-Ngoc Do, Hung Trong Hoang, Thuy-Trang Thi Ho, Hieu Ngoc Le

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Machine learning (ML) in orthodontics often suffers from optimistic bias due to data leakage and improper handling of class imbalance. This study implemented and evaluated a production-grade validation framework - nested cross-validation (CV) - for three distinct algorithm classes (logistic regression, random forest, and gradient boosting) using a consensus-labeled orthodontic dataset.

Materials and methods: A retrospective dataset of 500 patients (334 non-extraction/166 extraction) was curated with 41 processed features. Two stratified split protocols (70/30 and 80/20) were evaluated to assess model robustness. To ensure methodological rigor, a 5-fold outer/3-fold inner nested cross-validation was implemented. Crucially, SMOTENC (synthetic minority over-sampling …

Development Of A Risk Scoring System For Predicting Post-Extraction Medication-Related Osteonecrosis Of Jaws: A Derivation And Validation Cohort Study, Ling-Ying Wei, Ching-Ming Chiu, Sang-Heng Kok, Hung-Ying Lin, Wei-Yih Chiu, Hao-Hong Chang, Shih-Jung Cheng, Jang-Jaer Lee

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Although risk factors for medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) are known, clinical assessment prior to dental extraction remains largely subjective. We aimed to develop and externally validate a simple clinical risk scoring system to predict post-extraction MRONJ in osteoporotic patients receiving antiresorptive therapy (ART) and support evidence-based clinical decision-making.

Materials and methods: This retrospective cohort study used a derivation cohort (N = 1,067 extractions, 2003‒2022) to develop a 5- to 16-point risk score system based on five predictors (age ≥ 75, ART duration ≥ 24 months, bisphosphonate use, drug interruption < 3 months, and extraction site). The model was validated in an independent cohort (N = 928 extractions, 2022–2024) using a pre-defined ≥12 cut-off. Performance metrics included the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV).

Results: MRONJ prevalence was lower in the validation …

Craniofacial And Airway Changes After Skeletal Class Iii Orthognathic Surgery: A Machine Learning Study, Zay Yar Linn, Johnson Hsin-Chung Cheng

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

Clinical Red Flags And Referral Strategies For Odontogenic Deep Neck Space Infections: The Primary Care Dentist’S Role As The First Line Of Defense, Sih-Yi Wu

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

Current Orthognathic Surgery Practices In Taiwan: A Questionnaire Survey Among Board-Certified Oral And Maxillofacial Surgeons, Chia-Wei Nien, Bo-Jun Chen, Ryoji Yoshida, Yoichi Ohiro, Chih-Yuan Fang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Orthognathic surgery (OgS) has substantially evolved in Taiwan; however, few comprehensive surveys have been conducted. This study investigated the contemporary clinical landscape and practice patterns of Taiwanese oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMSs).

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional anonymous questionnaire study, consisting of 48 questions covering 5 major domains, was conducted in Taiwanese OMSs between August 22 and September 8, 2024.

Results: A total of 94 valid responses were collected. 71.28% respondents practiced in medical centers and 52.13% were located in northern Taiwan. Whereas 51.06% of active surgeons performed 1–5 cases annually, a distinct high-volume subgroup (9.0%) performed over …

The Bridge To Practice: A Regulatory Analysis Of Pre-Licensure Dental Training In Taiwan, Wei-Chia Su, Hsin-Hu Chen, Ching-Yu Yen, Hsun-Yu Liu, Yuan-Der Huang, Jian-Hong Yu

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Pre-licensure dental clinical training in Taiwan is commonly viewed as an educational issue, yet it is also shaped by regulation. Eligibility for the dentist licensing examination still requires graduation, completion of internship, and possession of a diploma, whereas lawful practice requires separate practice registration and a practice license. This study examined whether the current training framework is aligned with the legal status and clinical responsibility assigned to dental students.

Materials and methods: A qualitative regulatory analysis was conducted using current official legal and policy documents in Taiwan, including the Physicians Act, the Medical Care Act, staged examination rules, the …

Active Learning-Assisted Deep Learning For Automated Maxillary Sinus Segmentation In Dental Cone-Beam Computed Tomography, Hsuan Chen, Khoa Dang Nguyen, Chih-Ling Chang, Hong Thi-Phuong Doan, Ya-Chu Chang, Thantrira Porntaveetus, Guang Hong, Wen-Liang Lo, Ding-Han Wang, Ming-Lun Hsu

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Accurate automated segmentation of the maxillary sinus in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans is crucial for dental implant planning, sinus lift procedures, and pathological assessment, yet there remains a notable lack of publicly available models and datasets for this task. This study developed and evaluated a deep learning model for automated maxillary sinus segmentation using an active learning approach to minimize annotation effort while achieving high accuracy.

Materials and methods: We utilized 249 CBCT scans from the publicly available CTooth+ and STS-Tooth datasets. Ground truth annotations were generated through semi-automated segmentation in 3D Slicer with validation by five expert …

Significantly Higher Frequencies Of Anemia, Vitamin B12 Deficiency, And Hyperhomocysteinemia In Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis Patients With Macrocytosis, Yu-Hsueh Wu, Yi-Ping Wang, Yi-Pang Lee, Julia Yu-Fong Chang, Andy Sun, Chun-Pin Chiang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Macrocytosis is defined as having the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) ≥ 100 fL. This study evaluated whether 14 recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) patients with macrocytosis (macrocytosis/RAS patients) had significantly higher frequencies of anemia, hematinic deficiencies, hyperhomocysteinemia, and serum gastric parietal cell antibody (GPCA) positivity than 430 healthy control subjects or 430 RAS patients.

Materials and methods: Complete blood count, serum iron, vitamin B12, folic acid, homocysteine, and GPCA levels in 14 macrocytosis/RAS patients, 430 RAS patients, and 430 healthy control subjects were measured and compared.

Results: We found that 92.9%, 14.3%, 85.7%, 0.0%, 85.7%, and 35.7% of 14 macrocytosis/RAS …

Submicron Diamond-Assisted Irrigation Enhances Apical Biofilm Removal Under Sonic And Ultrasonic Activation: An Ex Vivo Study, Yung-Szu Hsu, Nai-Chia Teng, Sin-Yu Chen, Huan-Cheng Chang, Haw-Ming Huang, Sung-Chih Hsieh

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose:

Residual apical biofilm often persists despite sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) irrigation with sonic or ultrasonic activation. Submicron diamond particles (SMD) have shown promise as a particle-assisted adjunct for root canal cleaning, but their effects on mature intracanal biofilm remain unclear. This study evaluated whether 500-nm SMD particles (10 mg/mL) improve the antibacterial and antibiofilm efficacy of saline or NaOCl irrigation against mature Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) biofilms.

Materials and methods:

One hundred single-rooted human premolars infected with E. faecalis for 21 days were randomly allocated to ten irrigation protocols (n = 10). Antibacterial efficacy was assessed by …

Biphasic Remodeling And Trabecular-Cortical Uncoupling In The Jawbone During Antiresorptive Therapy And Medication-Related Osteonecrosis: A Quantitative Imaging Analysis, Ling-Ying Wei, Jun-Ching Lee, Ching-Ming Chiu, Sang-Heng Kok, Hung-Ying Lin, Wei-Yih Chiu, Hao-Hueng Chang, Shih-Jung Cheng, Jang-Jaer Lee

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Although antiresorptive therapy (ART) is crucial for managing oncology-related skeletal complications, it carries a risk of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). Because conventional radiography relies on subjective interpretation, detecting early necrotic transition remains challenging. This study aimed to establish objective, quantitative imaging criteria for jawbone remodeling and MRONJ onset by evaluating 2D fractal dimension (FD) and 3D CBCT cortical thickness under zoledronic acid or denosumab therapy.

Materials and methods: Panoramic radiographs and CBCT scans of cancer patients receiving zoledronic acid (ZA, n = 155) or denosumab (Dmab, n = 168), and healthy controls (n = 95) were analyzed. …

Keratin 18 As A Cytoskeletal Regulator Of Epithelial–Mesenchymal Plasticity And Prognostic Risk In Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Tuan-Yu Kao, Hsuan-Chao Lin, Chien-Wei Lai, Julia Yu-Fong Chang, Feng-Chiao Tsai, Jang-Jaer Lee, Jean-San Chia

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) shows poor survival, and conventional staging does not fully capture biologic aggressiveness. Keratin 18 (KRT18) has been linked to malignant progression in epithelial cancers, but its prognostic and biologic significance in OSCC remains unclear. This study investigated whether KRT18 expression is associated with aggressive invasion patterns and adverse outcomes in OSCC, and whether KRT18 contributes to epithelial–mesenchymal plasticity-related malignant phenotypes.

Materials and methods: Eighty-eight non-irradiated OSCC specimens obtained after primary surgical resection at National Taiwan University Hospital were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Associations between KRT18 expression and clinicopathological variables were assessed, and survival was evaluated …

Digital Impression Workflows And Mucosal Considerations In Removable Complete Dentures, Fu-Chuan Tsai, Hsin-Hua Chou, Takashi Saito, Wei-Chun Lin

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

Roles And Functions Of The Dental Division At The National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Feng-Chou Cheng, Yu-Jie Shen, Shu-Yu Liu, Chun-Pin Chiang

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

Exploring Exhibited Works On Dentistry-Related Topics At The Student Science Fair Projects In Taiwan From 1970 To 2025, Mei-Huei Li, Feng-Chou Cheng, Kun-Ming Lien, Chun-Pin Chiang

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

Immunoembolization In Liver-Predominant Metastatic Uveal Melanoma: A Single-Center Retrospective Analysis, Renee Morecroft, Jordan Phillipps, Amrat Kumar, Jacob Strelnikov, George Nassief, Naganathan Mani, Jennifer Gould, Tanner Johanns, George Ansstas

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: Approximately 50% of patients with uveal melanoma develop metastatic disease, most commonly involving the liver, and prognosis remains poor. Immunoembolization (IE) is an established liver-directed therapy for patients with liver-dominant metastatic uveal melanoma (mUM), though comparative data with other regional therapies remain limited. We present a single-center retrospective analysis of IE in hepatic mUM and compare outcomes with those reported in the Phase 3 FOCUS trial evaluating melphalan via percutaneous hepatic perfusion.

METHODS: All patients with liver-dominant mUM treated with IE between 2010 and 2023 at our institution were included. Clinical records were reviewed for demographics, tumor characteristics, treatment …

Hiv-2 Infection As A Comparative Lens For Functional Hiv-1 Remission, Sabastine Eugene Arthur, John Atanniba, Prince Adom Nartey, Yeena Abla Tay, Dzidzor Aku Attoh, Christopher Zaab-Yen Abana, Evelyn Yayra Bonney, George Boateng Kyei

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Four decades into the HIV pandemic, HIV-2 infection remains an underutilized comparative resource for HIV-1 cure research. HIV-2 is associated with lower plasma viral loads, slower CD4

Application Of Machine Learning To Blood-Based Biomarkers Of Alzheimer's Disease In Down Syndrome, Patrick H Luckett, Melissa Petersen, Sid O'Bryant, Mark Mapstone, Brad T Christian, Benjamin Handen, Elizabeth Head, Beau M Ances, Alzheimer's Biomarker Consortium‐Down Syndrome

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: Blood-based biomarkers can improve Alzheimer's disease (AD) characterization in Down syndrome (DS). This study applied hierarchical clustering and machine learning-based feature selection to identify biomarkers associated with disease progression.

METHODS: Cross-sectional blood-based biomarkers were analyzed from 211 DS participants (

RESULTS: The strongest predictors overall were neurofilament light chain (NfL), tau/amyloid beta (Aβ)40, Aβ42/Aβ40, alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M), and interleukin (IL)-10. Within the CS group, NfL, tau/Aβ40, A2M, and IL-10 were strong predictors. In MCI, Aβ42/Aβ40, NfL, A2M, and IL-10 were strong predictors. In DS-AD, Aβ42/Aβ40, NfL, and tau/Aβ40 were the top predictors. Cluster membership varied based on disease stage.

DISCUSSION: …

Novel Insights Into Early Alzheimer's Disease: Quantitative Gradient Recalled Echo Mri Reveals Preatrophic Neuronal And Myelin Injury Concurrent With Emerging Amyloid Pathology, Satya V V N Kothapalli, Tammie L S Benzinger, Randall J Bateman, Melody Li, Cihat Eldeniz, John C Morris, Dmitriy A Yablonskiy

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Brain amyloid accumulation is considered an early sign of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology, appearing decades before manifestation of clinical symptoms. However, very little is known about neurodegeneration during this early AD stage. Herein we use quantitative gradient recalled echo (qGRE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to reveal preatrophic microstructural neuronal and myelin damage concurrent with amyloid pathology.

METHODS: qGRE MRI and positron emission tomography (PET) amyloid [

RESULTS: qGRE detected significantly lower gray matter neuronal density and white matter myelination in the group of participants with amyloid level below the conventional amyloid-positive threshold (mean cortical standardized uptake value ratio of …

Biological Aging Acceleration In Major Depressive Disorder: A Multi-Omics Analysis, Breno Satler Diniz, Shangshu Zhao, Gabin Drouard, Eero Vuoksimaa, Miina Ollikainen, Eric J Lenze, Ming Xu, Richard H Fortinsky, George A Kuchel, Jaakko Kaprio, Chia-Ling Kuo

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is linked to a higher risk of premature aging, but the mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. Using data from two population cohorts (UK Biobank and Finnish Twin Cohort), we evaluate the relationship between systemic and organ-specific proteomic and epigenetic aging acceleration and MDD. A lifetime history of MDD was associated with accelerated proteomic aging at both systemic and organ-specific levels-including the brain-in both cohorts, with stronger associations than those observed with systemic epigenetic aging. Systemic and brain-specific proteomic aging acceleration were linked to higher risks of incident MDD and a greater risk of Alzheimer's disease, …

Comparison Of Positive Dysphotopsia Rates Between Au00t0, Mx60e, Pcb00/Zcb00, And Sn60wf Intraocular Lenses, Jonathan L. Tong, Maggie J. Xing, Arsham Sheybani

2020-Current year OA Pubs

No abstract provided.

Reliability Of Remote Self-Administered Web-Based Digital Cognitive Measures And Comparison To In-Person Neuropsychological Tests: Stricker Learning Span, Symbols Test, And The Mayo Test Drive Screening Battery Composite, Morgan A Hughes, Jason Hassenstab, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: We describe the reliability of remote self-administered digital cognitive measures completed via the Mayo Test Drive (MTD) web-based platform.

METHODS: A total of 1846 participants (mean age = 70, SD = 12, range 31-101; 48% male; 96% White; 99% non-Hispanic; 97% cognitively unimpaired) with two to four complete MTD sessions at ∼7.5-month intervals were included. Test-retest reliability was assessed using single-rating, absolute-agreement, and two-way mixed intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) with 95% confidence intervals. ICCs for in-person-administered traditional neuropsychological measures were compared to MTD for a subset of 244 participants. Analyses also compared reliability across demographic, residential, and session context …

Eligibility For Anti-Amyloid Treatment In A Multiethnic Community-Based Study, Lydia Trudel, Joseph Therriault, Arthur C Macedo, Karin L Meeker, Meredith N Braskie, Arthur W Toga, Serge Gauthier, Paolo Vitali, Suzanne E Schindler, Sid E O'Bryant, Pedro Rosa-Neto

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: The approval of anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), including lecanemab and donanemab, represents a significant advance in disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for early Alzheimer's disease (AD). While appropriate use recommendations (AURs) have been established to guide clinical decision-making, the proportion of individuals with cognitive impairment in real-world, multiethnic populations meeting eligibility criteria remains unknown, as do potential differences in treatment-related risks across ethnic groups.

METHODS: We included 513 cognitively impaired individuals from the Health and Aging Brain Study-Health Disparities study, a multiethnic community-based cohort. Eligibility for lecanemab and donanemab was determined using published AUR criteria. Counts of amyloid-related imaging abnormalities were …

Plasma P-Tau217 And Apoe Genotype: Prodromal Alzheimer's Disease Staging, Ann M Stowe, Ellen Binder, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

INTRODUCTION: Plasma phosphorylated tau (p-tau)217 levels and apolipoprotein E (

METHODS: We measured

RESULTS: Plasma p-tau217 was 57% higher in subjects with at least one

DISCUSSION: Plasma p-tau217 demonstrated elevation in the

Rationale And Trial Design Of Ribolaris: A Phase Ii Trial Of Neoadjuvant And Adjuvant Ribociclib Plus Endocrine Therapy For Clinically High-Risk Hr+/Her2-Negative Breast Cancer, Paul Cottu, Cynthia X Ma, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in endocrine therapy, patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) early breast cancer (eBC) remain at risk of recurrence (ROR). Chemotherapy is often used in high-risk cases, but not all patients benefit.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether chemotherapy can be safely omitted in patients with stage II, grade 2/3 HR+/HER2- eBC who convert to low genomic risk (ROR-low) following neoadjuvant ribociclib plus letrozole.

METHODS: RIBOLARIS (NCT05296746) is an open-label, multicenter phase II trial in patients with stage II, grade 2 or 3, HR+/HER2- eBC defined as high risk based on a Ki-67 index ⩾20% …

The Role Of Home Visiting In Addressing Postpartum Care Gaps: Evidence From A Large Community Sample, Aishwarya Vijay, Allison Kemner, Karen Hoerchler, Abigail Edwards, Jeannie C Kelly, Rachel G Tabak, Mark D Huffman, Zainab Mahmoud

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BackgroundMaternal mortality in the United States has doubled over the last two decades, primarily due to cardiovascular disease, with more than half of deaths occurring postpartum. Despite national calls to action, attendance at postpartum clinic visits remains low. The role of alternative care delivery strategies, such as home visiting, remains insufficiently studied.ObjectiveTo describe postpartum clinic visit attendance among participants in a large national home visiting program, identify sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with attendance, and examine how timing and duration of enrollment relate to postpartum follow-up.DesignWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of pregnancy episodes among mothers enrolled in the Parents …

Strategies To Optimize Skill Acquisition And Prevent Skill Decay For The Air Transport Clinician, Mckayley Green, Aaron J Lacy, James L Li, John E Schneider

2020-Current year OA Pubs

No abstract provided.

Immortalization And Characterization Of Schwann Cell Lines Derived From Nf1-Associated Cutaneous Neurofibromas, Hua Li, Angela Hirbe, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant condition in which patients are heterozygous for a disruptive pathogenic variant in the NF1 gene. The most characteristic feature of the condition NF1 is the neurofibroma, a benign, multi-cellular tumor which initiates when a cell of the Schwann cell lineage gains a somatic pathogenic variant of the other NF1 allele. Neurofibromas developing at nerve termini in the skin are termed "cutaneous" neurofibromas (cNFs), while those developing within larger nerves are termed "plexiform." Most patients develop cNFs beginning in late childhood or early adulthood, continuing throughout life at variable rates. Some patients may …

Mathematical Modeling And Characterization Of A Variable Stiffness Ankle-Foot-Orthosis, David E.L. Richards

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Conventional ankle–foot orthoses (AFOs) typically employ static stiffness profiles that do not replicate the dynamic quasi-stiffness of the human ankle during gait. Variable stiffness mechanisms (VSMs) offer a promising alternative solution for gait pathologies, such as foot drop and post-stroke hemiparesis; however, their implementation is limited by the lack of accurate mathematical models capable of predicting force and stiffness characteristics. The objective of this thesis is to develop and validate comprehensive mathematical models describing the kinematics and kinetics of a novel variable stiffness ankle–foot orthosis (VS-AFO). This study derives governing equations to characterize how mechanical adjustments influence the force transmission …

An Integrated Framework For Last-Mile Delivery Optimization Using Reinforcement Learning And Social Media-Based Traffic Prediction In Underdeveloped Megacities, Vasanth Bhat

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Supply chain management has become increasingly critical as transportation costs rise and urban delivery systems place additional pressure on already congested networks. Last-mile delivery—the movement of goods from distribution centers to end users—represents the most expensive and operationally complex segment of the logistics process, particularly in underdeveloped megacities characterized by unpredictable traffic, limited infrastructure, and sparse real-time data. This dissertation proposes an integrated framework for optimizing last-mile delivery in such environments by combining social media–based traffic intelligence, machine learning, and deep reinforcement learning. The framework leverages unstructured, real-time data from social media platforms to enhance traffic prediction and incorporates these …