Faculty Bibliography

While studies have documented neural correlates of language delay in toddlers with developmental conditions, those at genetic risk for language delay, and those born premature, no studies have examined neural correlates in toddlers exhibiting early language delay without known etiology. This study examines brain morphometry in toddlers with and without early language delay. To do so, we collected magnetic resonance imaging on toddlers with language delay (LD; n=7, M_age=19.67 months, 3 female, 2 Hispanic, 4 non-caucasian) and a typically developing (TD; n=17, M_age=22.73 months, 8 female, 2 Hispanic, 3 non-caucasian) comparison group. Exploratory analyses examined group differences in total brain volume, cortical thickness, and cortical surface area using both a whole-brain and region of interest (Broca's and Wernicke's areas) approach. Results showed no gross brain anatomical differences between groups. However, there were group differences in cortical surface area in the temporal cortex (including Wernicke's area and left middle temporal gyrus, hedges' g= -.35) and Broca's area thickness. Results are reported using multiple analytic methods, age matching, and exclusion of children later diagnosed with autism. While this exploratory study has a limited sample size, it provides novel findings that can be utilized to guide hypothesis-driven imaging studies on toddler language delay.

Various adhesive techniques and ceramic materials can be incorporated to create a biological, functional, and esthetic smile and occlusion. In this case report, a 37-year-old woman presented to a dental school clinic seeking treatment for missing teeth. She also was dissatisfied with the color of her existing teeth and desired a broader smile (buccal corridor). In addition, tooth No. 9 had external resorption and needed to be extracted and replaced. With a previous history of unsatisfactory orthodontic treatment, the patient declined orthodontics despite the benefits it could have provided. A multidisciplinary approach was taken to replace defective restorations, address missing mandibular teeth, and improve esthetics. Treatment involved at-home bleaching, implant placement, porcelain veneers, ceramic onlays, ceramic crowns, and bonded cantilever ceramic fixed dental prostheses (FDPs). Posterior occlusion would be established through the placement of ceramic onlays and crowns and posterior cantilever ceramic FDPs to restore her missing mandibular first premolars. Anterior esthetics were then enhanced by placing ceramic veneers and an implant-supported ceramic crown (No. 9). This article demonstrates the selection and use of various ceramic materials, the proper sequencing of the placement of each restoration, and appropriate adhesive application to achieve an esthetic, long-term result. It highlights the importance of proper planning for implant crowns in the esthetic zone, as the contouring of the provisional crown provides guidance to the laboratory for fabrication of the final restoration.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:This study sought to investigate the prevalence and sociodemographic determinants related to breast and cervical cancer screening among ever-married women aged 15 to 49 years in Jordan. METHODS:This research employed secondary data from the 2023 Jordan Population and Family Health Survey (JPFHS), which included 12,547 ever-married women aged 15 to 49. Weighted multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to quantify screening prevalence and identify related covariates, presented as adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS:The prevalence of screening for breast and cervical cancer was 15.2% and 16.2%, respectively. Increased screening participation was substantially correlated with advanced age, larger home affluence, higher parity, previous sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and exposure to radio communications. Women aged 35-49 were more likely to receive breast (AOR: 4.0; 95% CI: 2.6-6.0) and cervical cancer screening (AOR: 5.5; 95% CI: 3.3-9.2) compared to those aged 15-24 years. Women in the highest wealth quintile had a greater likelihood of being screened for breast cancer (AOR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.6-2.8) and cervical cancer (AOR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.9-3.5). Moreover, breast cancer screening correlated with recent healthcare service consumption (AOR: 1.3; 95% CI: 1.1-1.6), while cervical cancer screening had a favorable association with elevated educational attainment (AOR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.2-2.3). Living in rural areas was inversely correlated with cervical screening participation (AOR: 0.7; 95% CI: 0.6-1.0).  CONCLUSION: Screening rates for breast and cervical cancer among Jordanian women are inadequate. Interventions that facilitate equitable access-especially aimed at younger, less educated, rural, and low-income women-are crucial for enhancing participation and diminishing inequities in early cancer detection.

AIMS/UNASSIGNED:Myocardial infarction size is associated with mortality in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). With advances in primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) and medical therapy, whether this relationship has changed over time is unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS/UNASSIGNED:= 0.180). CONCLUSION/UNASSIGNED:We observed an independent relationship between infarct size and STEMI mortality, strongest between 2005 and 2009, which reduced over time, becoming non-significant in the 2015-19 period. This association diminished more rapidly for patients with anterior STEMIs. These findings underscore the potential role of contemporary revascularization, systems of care, and guideline-directed medical therapy in reducing STEMI-related mortality.

PURPOSE/UNASSIGNED:The goal of this study is to report the feasibility and outcomes of hypofractionated proton reirradiation in patients with recurrent thoracic tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS/UNASSIGNED:Data were retrospectively collected for patients who received hypofractionated proton therapy for recurrent lung cancer at a single facility. Proton reirradiation was delivered using a total of 15 fractions. Patient and tumor characteristics, adverse events, and dose-volume histogram parameters were collected and analyzed descriptively. Tumor control and patient survival were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier statistics. Univariate logistic regression was performed to analyze the relationship between dose-volume histogram parameters and acute and late toxicity. RESULTS/UNASSIGNED: = .041). CONCLUSION/UNASSIGNED:This study demonstrates the feasibility and efficacy of a hypofractionated course of proton reirradiation for recurrent thoracic tumors. DATA AVAILABILITY/UNASSIGNED:The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author.

BACKGROUND:Cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) are widely used for the assessment of coronary artery disease. While SPECT remains more available, workforce shortages and training demands contribute to geographic disparities in PET availability, impacting patient access to advanced imaging. Therefore, we assessed trends in the U.S. cardiac nuclear imaging workforce. METHODS:Data from Medicare Part B (2013-2022), provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, were analyzed to assess trends in cardiac nuclear imaging services billed by physicians. The analysis focused on the number of readers, their gender, specialty, geographic distribution, and workload. RESULTS:From 2013 to 2022, the proportion of SPECT procedures declined from 95.8% (2,303,194 scans; 4393 per 100,000 Medicare beneficiaries) to 86.3% (1,386,358 scans; 2130 per 100,000 Medicare beneficiaries) of total nuclear cardiology procedures, while the proportion of PET procedures increased from 4.2% (99,861 scans; 190 per 100,000 Medicare beneficiaries) to 13.7% (220,366 scans; 339 per 100,000 Medicare beneficiaries). The majority of studies were interpreted by readers performing 50 or more studies annually. From 2013 to 2022, the number of SPECT-only readers declined from 17,013 to 13,491, while PET-only readers increased from 66 to 386. Readers interpreting both SPECT and PET doubled from 822 to 1643. Only 1 in 10 nuclear imaging readers were women and the majority were cardiologists. The median (interquartile range) number of studies per reader was higher for cardiologists compared to those of other specialties. Geographic disparities were evident, with most nuclear imaging readers practicing in Texas, Florida, and California, while the fewest were in Wyoming, Alaska, Vermont, and Washington, D.C. CONCLUSIONS:While SPECT remained the most commonly used modality in 2022, its use has declined, whereas PET use has increased, accompanied by similar trends in the number of readers. Gender and geographic disparities persist in the distribution of nuclear cardiology imaging specialists. Addressing these gaps is essential to ensuring equitable access to nuclear imaging expertise.