Background: Inhalation injuries, caused by exposure to extreme heat and chemical irritants, lead to complications with speaking, swallowing, and breathing. This study investigates the effects of thermal injury and endotracheal tube (ETT) placement on the airway microbiome and inflammatory response. A secondary aim is to assess the impact of localized dexamethasone delivery via a drug-eluting ETT to reduce laryngeal scarring.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlants cope with the environment by displaying large phenotypic variation. Two spectra of global plant form and function have been identified: a size spectrum from small to tall species with increasing stem tissue density, leaf size, and seed mass; a leaf economics spectrum reflecting slow to fast returns on investments in leaf nutrients and carbon. When species assemble to communities it is assumed that these spectra are filtered by the environment to produce community level functional composition.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPeyronie's disease (PD) is characterized by the formation of fibrotic plaques within the penile connective tissue, leading to abnormal curvature, pain, and erectile dysfunction, profoundly affecting patients' physical and psychological well-being. The Peyronie's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ) is a validated instrument designed to assess key aspects of the disease, including pain, sexual function, and psychosocial impact. This narrative review underscores the importance of translating and culturally adapting the PDQ into Portuguese to enhance its applicability for Portuguese-speaking populations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSevere Acute Malnutrition (SAM) is a critical global health issue, contributing to approximately one-half of all child mortality worldwide. SAM management guidelines recommend the use of appetite assessment determined by an "appetite test" to distinguish between complicated and uncomplicated SAM, subsequently guiding clinical decisions regarding outpatient versus inpatient care and discharge from hospital. Despite the widespread utilization of this recommendation, its validity lacks substantial evidence within the existing literature.
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