Development and Clinical Evaluation of a Contrast Optimizer for Contrast-Enhanced CT Imaging of the Liver.

Objective: Patient characteristics, iodine injection, and scanning parameters can impact the quality and consistency of contrast enhancement of hepatic parenchyma in CT imaging. Improving the consistency and adequacy of contrast enhancement can enhance diagnostic accuracy and reduce clinical practice variability, with added positive implications for safety and cost-effectiveness in the use of contrast medium. We developed a clinical tool that uses patient attributes (height, weight, sex, age) to predict hepatic enhancement and suggest alternative injection/scanning parameters to optimize the procedure.

A systems biology approach unveils different gene expression control mechanisms governing the immune response genetic program in peripheral blood mononuclear cells exposed to SARS-CoV-2.

COVID-19 and other pandemic viruses continue being important for public health and the global economy. Therefore, it is essential to explore the pathogenesis of COVID-19 more deeply, particularly its association with inflammatory and antiviral processes. In this study, we used the RNA-seq technique to analyze mRNA and non-coding RNA profiles of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy individuals after SARS-CoV-2 in vitro exposure, to identify pathways related to immune response and the regulatory post-transcriptional mechanisms triggered that can serve as possible complementary therapeutic targets.

Synthesis of Calcium Phosphate by Microwave Hydrothermal Method: Physicochemical and Morphological Characterization.

Bone loss in the alveolar ridge is a factor widely studied by dentists in implant surgeries, as it poses a major challenge for aesthetic and functional recovery in patients with large maxillary bone defects. Synthetic biomaterials function as grafts designed to replace and remodel bone tissue. Calcium phosphate is a biomaterial that has good properties such as biocompatibility and bioactivity, making it a reference in bone replacement treatments.

Promoting Resilience in Healthcare Workers: A Preventative Mental Health Education Program.

Healthcare workers face greater risks for mental health conditions and chronic stress due to the demanding nature of their roles. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges and increased vulnerabilities to long-term mental health conditions. The present study adapts an existing resilience-based educational workshop program to address the time constraints and unique needs of the healthcare workforce in a post-COVID-19 world.