Southern California University for Professional Studies

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the knee joint are two of the most frequently used joints in the body, with the mandibular condylar cartilage (MCC) and the articular cartilage (AC) covering the joint bone surfaces, respectively. Compromised MCC functions lead to various temporomandibular disorders (TMD), including TMJ osteoarthritis (TMJ OA); however, the mechanisms governing MCC homeostasis and its biomechanical properties are still poorly understood. In this study, we comprehensively compared the biological and biomechanical features of the MCC and AC in mice. Histological analysis on P1, P21, 3-month, and 10-month mice revealed the most drastic structural differences between MCC and AC at occlusion establishment (P21), with MCC found to be more susceptible to age-associated cartilage degeneration. Immunostaining revealed differentially distributed cartilage extracellular matrix components in MCC and AC, including collagen type I, II, and X, and highly enriched expression of several key transcriptional factors at the posterior region of the MCC, including sex determining region Y-box 9 (SOX9), runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), and scleraxis (SCX). The posterior MCC also houses a group of long-lasting, slow-proliferative cells, as evidenced by the BrdU/EdU incorporation assay, suggesting the presence of a potential stem/progenitor cell niche at the posterior TMJ. Unbiased nanoindentation analysis revealed distinct biomechanical features between these joint cartilages. MCC exhibits a significantly lower elastic modulus (E IT ) than AC, with the highest E IT observed at the anterior TMJ, which is oppositely associated with the fibrous layer thickness, but positively correlated with the ratio of the collagen type X-positive matrix in the cartilaginous layer. Altogether, this study provides a basic understanding of the biological and biomechanical features of the cartilaginous tissues in two important joints, which may facilitate our understanding of the physiology in the TMJ and knee joint, and support the applications of mouse models to study TMJ dysfunctions.

Preliminary evidence suggests that the stressors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the entire family system, necessitating a family-wide and culturally sensitive approach to understanding its impact. Little is known regarding the nuanced associations between pandemic stressors and the mental health of parents and youth, particularly among ethnic minority communities. In this study, we examine low income Latine families, who were adversely affected by the pandemic, exploring within-dyad associations between subtypes of pandemic stressors with mental health. Youth (ages 8-17) and their mothers (M age=41.03 years) were followed from pre-pandemic to during the pandemic, completing measures of mental health (e.g., anxiety, depression) and pandemic stress. Findings revealed domain specificity of associations, suggesting that the pandemic was differentially linked with depression and anxiety for youth and mothers. Further, our data revealed evidence of partner effects of mothers' pandemic stressors (previous COVID-19 infection, risk of contracting COVID-19, financial and physical impact) on youth depression, as well as partner effects of youth's and mother's pandemic stressors. Findings reveal a complex pattern of interrelations between youth and mother stress exposure and mental health during this time, providing directions for prevention/intervention efforts for underserved populations during global crises.

Abstract The syntactic analysis of the element được in Vietnamese presents an interesting puzzle due to được ’s odd position and varied contribution to interpretation. In many occurrences, được has the interpretation of a modal verb, but is regularly positioned following the main verb, rather than preceding it, unlike other TAM elements in head-initial Vietnamese. In other instances, được may appear to have an aspectual interpretation. This chapter argues for a uniform analysis of VP-raising in được clauses which informs the general cross-linguistic typology of VP-fronting described in van Urk (2024) , connecting SVO Vietnamese with VOS Malagasy and OVS Hixkaryana, where VP-fronting regularly pied pipes VP-internal phrasal constituents. Such a patterning contrasts with VP-fronting in other ‘stranding’ languages analyzed in van Urk (2024) where only the V head of VP is spelled out within raised VPs, with such differences being attributed (by van Urk) to variation in the ranking of two OT constraints: Realize Goal and Contiguity.

Background Avoidable emergency department (ED) visits—non-emergent care that could be managed in primary care—remain strikingly common, with an estimated 40% of ED visits classified as avoidable in 2024. These visits contribute to ED overcrowding, higher costs, workforce strain, and longer wait times that can worsen outcomes for time-sensitive conditions. Barriers to timely primary care, which vary by insurance type, may drive these patterns of avoidable ED use. In this study, we examined the association between insurance type and avoidable ED visits in the State of New York, hypothesizing that such visits are more common among patients with public insurance or who are uninsured than among those with private coverage. Methods We analyzed de-identified 2022 inpatient discharge data from Health Data New York’s Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative Systems (SPARCS) dataset, “Hospital Inpatient Discharges (SPARCS De-Identified): 2022,” (n=430,772), which includes hospital discharge information (e.g., diagnoses, services, charges) across New York State’s districts, ethnicities, and age groups. Key variables included Avoidable ED visits, which were based on severity of illness (minor = avoidable vs. non-minor = non-avoidable), and the predictor, insurance provider type (private, public, and uninsured [self-pay/miscellaneous/other]). Using SPSS, we calculated multinomial logistic regressions to examine the associations between patient demographics and admission type. Results We found that publicly insured patients had 14% lower odds of avoidable ED visits compared to privately insured patients (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 0.86; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.84–0.87; p<.001). Uninsured patients classified as miscellaneous or other also were significantly less likely than those who are privately insured to engage in an avoidable ED visit (AOR = 0.88; 95% CI: 0.81–0.95; p<.001). These findings suggest that public insurance holders and the uninsured may defer care until there is an emergency or they can no longer defer issues normally addressable through preventive and primary care. Conclusion Examining avoidable ED visits can inform targeted policy reforms and technological interventions to reduce emergency department overcrowding, mitigate workforce burnout, and improve patient health outcomes. Our findings suggest that avoidable ED use is most common among privately insured patients, whereas publicly insured patients have lower odds of avoidable ED use. This pattern may reflect differences in care-seeking behavior and access to primary care, whereby publicly insured and uninsured individuals may defer care until conditions become severe and no longer avoidable. These findings underscore the importance of continuity of care and expanded safety net services.

Many studies have examined the acute effects of chemotherapies and radiation on the ovary; however, few address the impact of long-term chemotherapeutic agents on future reproduction for cancer survivors. The purpose of our study was to determine the effect of long-term tamoxifen (TAM) treatment on follicle development, ovarian reserve, and embryogenesis in a murine model. Adult female mice were treated with TAM (250 mg/kg fed ad libitum in mouse chow) or control chow for three weeks, followed by 0-, 1-, or 3-weeks of TAM washout. Mice were then superovulated, mated, and their oviducts flushed to determine ovulation, fertilization, and in vitro embryo development rates. At specific timepoints, one ovary from each animal was harvested, sectioned, and stained with H&E, while the other ovary was evaluated for gene expression of targeted genes. Ovarian size was calculated based on average surface area over six slices. Follicles (primordial, primary, secondary, antral / pre-ovulatory), and corpora lutea (CL) were counted and averaged for each slice. All data were analyzed using mixed-effects analysis of variance (ANOVA), with treatment group as the fixed effect and ovary treated as a random effect nested within treatment. Ovaries of TAM treated mice were 36% smaller on average than control ovaries (P = 0.01). Primordial follicle counts were 35% lower than control ovaries (P = 0.007) and there were 3.4x more atretic follicles in the ovaries of TAM treated mice (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the number of primary, secondary, antral or pre-ovulatory follicles. The number of oocytes and embryos flushed from control mice (total ovulated) was 1.65x greater than TAM treated mice. However, fertilization rates and in vitro embryo blastulation rates were not significantly different between controls and TAM groups. In summary, for this murine model, long-term TAM negatively impacted ovarian reserve (primordial follicle number) without overtly affecting the in vitro embryo development to the blastocyst.

This bibliometric analysis examines the evolving trends of digital transformation (DT) and information systems (IS) in U.S. businesses. It explores how technology—focused on strategy, efficiency, innovation, and customer engagement—is reshaping organizations and workplaces. Using a PRISMA-based systematic review and data from Scopus (2016–2026), the study applies the Bibliometrix R package to assess publication patterns. Results show significant growth, with 2,692 documents reflecting a 43.58% annual increase and 18.39% involving international collaboration. Key themes include AI/ML integration in business processes, digital sustainability, and IS as a strategic driver for business model evolution. U.S. businesses are increasingly aligning digital transformation with sustainability goals. This study addresses a key research gap by offering detailed insights into DT and IS impacts on operations and sustainability practices. It underscores the need for integrated socio-technical strategies, responsible data governance, and global collaboration to foster innovation and bridge digital divides.