Chitosan's Ability to Remove the Smear Layer-A Systematic Review of Ex Vivo Studies.

: This systematic review aimed to compare the effect of chitosan in smear layer removal with other commonly used chelators during root canal treatment. : The PRISMA guidelines were followed. Ex vivo studies performed in non-endodontically treated extracted human permanent teeth with a fully formed apex, in which sodium hypochlorite was the main irrigant and chitosan was used as final irrigation to observe its capacity to remove the smear layer using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), were included.

Prevalence of Lp(a) in a real-world Portuguese cohort: implications for cardiovascular risk assessment.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of mortality worldwide, necessitating more refined strategies for risk assessment. Recently, lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] has gained attention for its distinctive role in atherosclerosis, yet its prevalence and impact for cardiovascular risk assessment are not well-documented in the Portuguese population. This study aimed to characterize Lp(a) levels in a real-world Portuguese cohort, investigating its prevalence and association with CVD risk.

Anti-melanoma Differentiation-Associated Protein 5 (MDA5)-Positive Dermatomyositis With Rapidly Progressive Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD): A Rare and Lethal Entity to Recognize Early.

Anti-melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (anti-MDA5) clinically linked amyopathic dermatomyositis (CADM) is a rare autoimmune condition strongly linked to rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD), a life-threatening complication. We present a 63-year-old female patient with anti-MDA5-positive CADM, who developed RP-ILD with an imaging pattern consistent with organizing pneumonia. She presented with Gottron's papules, periungual erythema, progressive dyspnea, and anorexia.

Acute Coronary Syndrome in Brazil: Registration of Predisposing Factors and Population Profile in a National Public Reference Cardiological Institute.

Background: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Knowing the predisposing factors is essential for preventing it.

Objectives: To describe the etiological and epidemiological characteristics of the population with ACS admitted to an emergency room in the State of São Paulo.