Occurrence and enrichment mechanisms of groundwater hexavalent chromium in typical loess area of China.

Understanding the geochemical mechanisms governing hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) in groundwater is essential for mitigating health risks. However, the processes driving Cr(VI) accumulation and migration in loess regions remain insufficiently understood. This study investigated the occurrence, release, and migration mechanisms of Cr(VI) across different groundwater environmental units (GEUs) in the south-central Loess Plateau, China.

A cross-sectional study to correlate nasal profile and chin position with cephalometric lip profile.

Objective: To determine the effect of the nose and chin on the cephalometric lip profile.

Methods And Material: The pre-treatment lateral cephalograms of 177 adult patients with no history of orthodontic treatment were manually traced. The sample size was divided into three vertical and horizontal groups using angle ANB and MMA to assess the difference in nose and chin forms.

Self -reported bruxism in patients undergoing Orthodontic treatment - a cross-sectional study.

Background: Orthodontic treatment involves manipulation of tooth position that can temporarily lead to occlusal interferences capable of inducing bruxism. The objectives of this study were to determine the self-reported incidence of bruxism and its association with factors such as facial type, divergence, skeletal and dental malocclusions in orthodontic patients.

Materials And Methods: 80 patients who underwent a minimum of six months of orthodontic treatment were surveyed using a validated self-reported bruxism questionnaire for the presence or absence of bruxism.

The influence of orthodontist change on treatment duration and outcomes in patients treated with Clark's twin block appliance followed by non-extraction fixed mechanotherapy - a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Post-graduate resident turnover in public and teaching hospital orthodontic clinics often leads to challenges in maintaining the same level of efficacy when a care provider changes during orthodontic treatment. This retrospective cohort study aimed to compare the duration and quality of treatment outcomes between two patient groups: the transfer group, who underwent orthodontic care from multiple residents, and the non-transfer group, whose entire treatment was overseen by a single resident.

Methods: Sixty-six patients were enrolled and equally divided into transfer and non-transfer groups.

Retrospective analysis of antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of non- species from a tertiary hospital and reference laboratory, 2012-2023.

A total of 1,925 isolates were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility at the Mayo Clinic Microbiology laboratory (Rochester, Minnesota) from January 2012 to March 2023, with (35.6%) and (24.4%) identified as the predominant species.

Lichen planus-the role of age and gender in clinical appearance and treatment : A narrative review.

Lichen planus is a common pruritic inflammatory disorder of the skin with an autoimmune background. It affects < 1% of the general population. The disease has significant comorbidities that must be considered in a holistic approach.

Effect of probiotic toothpaste and regular toothpaste on gingival health and plaque levels of adult orthodontic patients - An open label randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Probiotics are living micro-organisms that are likely to influence oral health by modulating the oral microbiota and offer a promising preventive approach to gum and dental disease. This approach is particularly relevant for orthodontic patients, who are more susceptible to gingival inflammation and plaque accumulation. The aim of this randomized controlled study was to compare the effects of a probiotic toothpaste versus a regular toothpaste on gingival health and plaque levels in orthodontic patients.

Management of human epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors-related acneiform rash: A position paper based on the first Europe/USA Delphi consensus process.

Background: There is a need for unified guidance in the management of acneiform rash induced by epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRi) among dermatologists.

Objective: To establish unified international guidelines for the management of acneiform rash caused by EGFR inhibitors, based on an experts' Delphi consensus.

Methods: The initiative was led by five members of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Task Force 'Dermatology for Cancer Patients' who developed a questionnaire that was circulated to a group of 32 supportive oncodermatology experts in Europe, Canada, Argentina, the US States and Asia.

Rapid multiplex PCR panel for pneumonia in hospitalised patients with suspected pneumonia in the USA: a single-centre, open-label, pragmatic, randomised controlled trial.

Background: The clinical utility of rapid multiplex respiratory specimen PCR panels for pneumonia for patients with suspected pneumonia is undefined. We aimed to compare the effect of the BioFire FilmArray pneumonia panel (bioMérieux, Salt Lake City, UT, USA) with standard of care testing on antibiotic use in a real-world hospital setting.

Methods: We conducted a single-centre, open-label, pragmatic, randomised controlled trial at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.

Comparison of bond failure with resin-modified glass ionomer cement and visible light-cured composite bonding systems in orthodontic patients: A split-mouth randomized controlled trial.

Background: Resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) is considered a fluoride-releasing bonding agent.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the rate of bracket bond failure with light-cured composite (LCC) and RMGIC, and to evaluate factors that contribute to the rate of bracket failure with both bonding agents.

Material And Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted on a sample size of 33 patients.

Machine learning for adverse event prediction in outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy: a scoping review.

Objective: This study aimed to conduct a scoping review of machine learning (ML) techniques in outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) for predicting adverse outcomes and to evaluate their validation, implementation and potential barriers to adoption.

Materials And Methods: This scoping review included studies applying ML algorithms to adult OPAT patients, covering techniques from logistic regression to neural networks. Outcomes considered were medication intolerance, toxicity, catheter complications, hospital readmission and patient deterioration.

State-of-the-Art Metagenomic Sequencing and Its Role in the Diagnosis of Periprosthetic Joint Infections.

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) is increasingly being recognized as a valuable diagnostic tool for periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs). This study reviews the diagnostic utility of mNGS, highlighting its improved sensitivity in detecting pathogens, particularly in culture-negative and polymicrobial infections. However, the clinical application of this method is hindered by challenges such as the prevalence of host DNA, the necessity for extensive bioinformatic analysis, and the potential for contamination, which can lead to misinterpretation of results.

Outcome of Corynebacterial Bloodstream Infection in Patients With Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices: A Brief Report and Systematic Review.

Cardiac implantable electronic device infection in the context of corynebacterial bloodstream infection (BSI) remains poorly understood. From 2012 to 2023 at Mayo Clinic, 4 of 12 patients with corynebacterial BSI had cardiac implantable electronic device infection: 1 patient was diagnosed during a relapsing BSI episode. Undefined source, persistent BSI, and the presence of a prosthetic cardiac valve were common characteristics.

Evaluation of user experience and satisfaction with workplace-based assessments (WPBAs) in dental postgraduate programmes.

Objectives: To explore the experience of and satisfaction with workplace-based assessment tools among dental postgraduate trainees.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted from March to October 2022 at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised all Operative Dentistry, Prosthodontics and Orthodontics postgraduate trainees. A questionnaire with both open-ended and closed-ended questions was used to record the experiences and satisfaction level of the dental residents who had earlier been subjected to workplace-based assessment.

Influence of dental midline deviation with respect to facial flow line on smile esthetics-A cross-sectional study.

Background/objective: A contemporary concept states that dental midline deviation towards the direction of facial flow line (FFL) can mask the compromised smile esthetics. This study aimed to identify a range of midline deviations that can be perceived towards or away from the FFL influencing smile esthetics.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a frontal smile photograph of an adult female.

Knowledge and Awareness of the orthodontic triage and its uses among dental healthcare professionals - a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: In orthodontics, the triage system is used to assess the preadolescents to rule out interventions needed earlier and to assess the nature of orthodontic problems as complex or moderate. The objective of this study was to determine the knowledge and awareness of orthodontic triage and its uses among dental healthcare professionals (DHCP).

Materials And Methods: A triage awareness questionnaire (TAQ) was formulated and validated as reliable by a panel of five orthodontic specialists which was then circulated online among 400 DHCP.

Improvement in Diagnosis and Management of Nosocomial Pneumonias in a Cardiovascular Surgery Intensive Care Unit: A Multidisciplinary Approach.

Background: While criteria for the diagnosis of nosocomial pneumonias exist, objective definitions are a challenge and there is no gold standard for diagnosis. We analyzed the impact of the implementation of a logical, consensus-based diagnostic and treatment protocol for managing nosocomial pneumonias in the cardiovascular surgery intensive care unit (CVS-ICU).

Methods: We conducted a quasi-experimental, interrupted time series analysis to evaluate the impact of a diagnostic and treatment protocol for nosocomial pneumonias in the CVS-ICU.

Plasma Microbial Cell-free DNA Next-generation Sequencing Can Be a Useful Diagnostic Tool in Patients With Osteoarticular Infections.

Background: Recent advances in shotgun metagenomic sequencing (sMGS) for detecting microbial cell-free DNA (mcfDNA) in peripheral blood have shown promise across various patient populations. This study evaluates the application of sMGS for diagnosing osteoarticular infections (OAIs), a condition with significant diagnostic challenges.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis on 73 patients suspected of OAIs at the Mayo Clinic from 2019 to 2023, incorporating mcfDNA sMGS (Karius test [KT]) into their diagnostic evaluation.

The application of virtual reality and augmented reality in dentistry - a literature review.

In recent times, dentistry has seen significant technological advancements that have transformed various specialized areas within the field. Developed into applications for mobile devices, augmented reality (AR) seamlessly merges digital components with the physical world, enhancing both realms while maintaining their individual separateness. On the other hand, virtual reality (VR) relies on advanced, tailored software to visualize a digital 3D environment stimulating the operator's senses through computer generated sensations and feedback.

Dental robotics: a groundbreaking technology with disruptive potential - review article.

Dental Robotics represent a groundbreaking technological frontier with the potential to disrupt traditional paradigms in oral healthcare. This abstract explores the transformative impact of robotic applications in dentistry, focussing on precision, reproducibility, and reliability. A comprehensive search was conducted on the PubMed database, Dental and Oral Science, and CINAHL to identify pertinent studies exploring the implications of robotics in dentistry.

Exploring the knowledge and awareness on applications of virtual reality and augmented reality technology among dental healthcare professionals - a crosssectional survey.

Objective: To assess the knowledge and awareness of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technology in dentistry.

Methods: A questionnaire survey-based study was conducted using Google forms on a sample of 273 dental healthcare professionals (DHCP) from October- November 2023, after obtaining ethical approval. A validated questionnaire, divided into three sections, was used to assess the knowledge and awareness of dental healthcare professionals on virtual and augmented reality.