Salivary cardiac troponin does not correlate with serum levels.

Introduction: Several studies suggest a potential correlation between troponin levels detected in serum and saliva. However, prior investigations have not adequately addressed the critical aspect of collecting samples upon admission, which is essential for timely troponin level determination. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between troponin levels in serum and saliva among patients admitted for chest pain evaluation.

Framing a Global Pandemic: Journalism Cultures and Media Coverage of COVID-19 in China, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Using a computational approach, this study analyzes and compares news coverage of the novel coronavirus in six major newspapers (i.e. , , , , , and ) from four countries (i.

Optimized synthesis of biphasic calcium phosphate: enhancing bone regeneration with a tailored β-tricalcium phosphate/hydroxyapatite ratio.

Biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) is a bioceramic widely used in hard tissue engineering for bone replacement. BCP consists of β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) - a highly soluble and resorbable phase - and hydroxyapatite (HA) - a highly stable phase, creating a balance between solubility and resorption, optimally supporting cell interactions and tissue growth. The β-TCP/HA ratio significantly affects the resorption, solubility, and cellular response, with a higher β-TCP ratio increasing resorption due to its solubility.

Efficacy of Split-Thickness Thin Amniotic Membrane Graft for Closure of Refractory or Large Macular Holes.

Purpose: To assess the effectiveness of split-thickness amniotic membrane (SAM) grafts in achieving closure of refractory or large macular holes (MH).

Methods: This retrospective study reviewed data from patients who underwent surgical repair of MHs using SAM grafts between January 2019 and December 2023. Key parameters, including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and MH size, were evaluated both preoperatively and postoperatively.

Portrait of a Cerebral Killer.

: Primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) caused by is a rare and devastating infection of the central nervous system, often diagnosed late, due to its rapid progression and nonspecific symptoms. We report one of the youngest documented pediatric Vietnamese cases of PAM in a 10-month-old girl from the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. The diagnosis was confirmed through multiplex real-time PCR (MPL-rPCR), microscopy, and sequencing.