The Case for Telemedicine-Enhanced Nighttime Staffing in a Neuro-ICU.

Importance: This study compares the health outcomes and healthcare utilization of two staffing models for specialized neuro-ICU (NICU): a 24/7 intensive staffing (IS) model and a daytime 12-hour intensivist model with 12-hour nocturnal telemedicine-enhanced (TE) coverage. The IS model was studied from July 2016 to June 2017. The TE model was studied during the implementation period from July 2017 to June 2018.

Comparison of scanning depth in widened root canals: An analysis of three intraoral scanners and two scanning techniques.

Statement Of Problem: Although intraoral scanners have been increasingly utilized as alternatives to conventional impression techniques, their precision in capturing the complex anatomy of prepared widened root canals, essential for post placement after endodontic treatment, remains underexplored.

Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study was to assess the efficacy of different intraoral scanners in scanning widened root canals. The study analyzed the depth (mm) and surface area scanned (mm) and compared 2 scanning techniques.

Newborn Screening for Sickle Cell Disease: Results from a Pilot Study in the Portuguese Population.

The Portuguese Newborn Screening Program currently includes 28 pathologies: congenital hypothyroidism, cystic fibrosis, 24 inborn errors of metabolism, sickle cell disease and spinal muscular atrophy. This pilot study for sickle cell disease newborn screening, including 188,217 samples, was performed between May 2021 and December 2023, with phase I, including 24,130 newborns, in the Lisbon and Setubal districts and phase II, including 164,087 newborns, in the whole country. DBS samples were analyzed through capillary electrophoresis.

Surveying genetic markers of antibiotic resistance and genomic background in Chlamydia trachomatis: insights from a multiplex NGS-based approach in clinical strains from Portugal.

Objectives: To survey genetic markers of potential antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to macrolides and fluoroquinolones among Chlamydia trachomatis-positive samples from the collection of the Portuguese National Reference Laboratory for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), and explore a multiplex PCR approach coupled with NGS to provide complementary information regarding a strain's genomic backbone.

Methods: A total of 502 C. trachomatis-positive samples, mostly anorectal exudates, were subjected to PCR and sequencing of five targets, including loci potentially driving AMR (23S rRNA, gyrA and parC) and loci potentially informative about a strain's genomic backbone with emphasis on differentiation of lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV)/non-LGV and L2/L2b (a 9 bp insertion in pmpH, a 74 bp insertion upstream from CT105 and the polymorphic CT442).

Quantitative Volumetric Computed Tomography Density Predicts Basal Ganglia Hemorrhage Expansion and Enhances Spot Sign Diagnostic Accuracy.

Background And Objectives: Identifying patients with basal ganglia intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) at risk of hematoma expansion (HE) may better define selection criteria for early surgical evacuation. The aim of this study was to use automated radiographic feature extraction to improve risk stratification for basal ganglia ICH expansion.

Methods: A single-center retrospective review was performed to identify patients with basal ganglia ICH between 2013 and 2024.

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) -subvariants of the Portuguese collection of , 2007-2023.

Background: Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a sexually transmitted infection caused by -genotypes L1-L3, with increasing numbers of detected cases across Europe. Here, we analysed diversity and temporal distribution of the LGV -subvariants detected in Portugal between 2007 and 2023, in order to better understand the dissemination and diversification landscape of LGV strains.

Methods: The collection of the Portuguese National Reference Laboratory includes 1188 LGV -genotyped samples between 2007 and 2023.

Effect of sleep deprivation on gait complexity.

Gait complexity is considered an indicator of adaptability, reflecting the complex interaction between multiple components of the neuromuscular system. Previous research provided evidence that chronobiology, which reflects the individual expression of circadian rhythms, affects the regulation of gait dynamics. The literature also suggests the disruption of these circadian rhythms affects multiple human physiological systems.

Assessing postoperative maxillary advancement stability in patients with cleft lip and palate.

This study aims to evaluate the post-surgical stability of patients with cleft lip and palate that underwent maxillary advancement surgery. The study was conducted by means of cephalometric analysis of the soft tissues in digital radiographs acquired preoperatively, immediate postoperatively and six months after surgery using Dolphin Imaging 11.5 software.

Virus Removal from Real Wastewater as an Environmental Management Approach.

The increased presence of resistant microorganisms in water promotes the need for supplementary measures to mitigate the water source's contamination. Traditional treatments are inefficient in wastewater management at removing some emerging contaminants. an invasive species, can be used in the treatment due to their resistance and biofiltration capacity, working as a pest management strategy.

Pharmacist Impact in a Post Neuro Intensive Care Virtual Clinic (PREVAIL).

Traditional Post-Intensive Care Recovery Clinics (PIRCs) often exclude neurocritical care patients. In 2020, a multidisciplinary team started Post Neuro Intensive Care Virtual Clinic (PREVAIL) that uses telemedicine to provide consultative care for patients with a primary neurologic injury who are at risk for post-intensive care syndrome. During clinic, critical care pharmacists perform medication reconciliations and provide drug therapy recommendations.

An Overview of Monkeypox Virus Detection in Different Clinical Samples and Analysis of Temporal Viral Load Dynamics.

Mpox is a zoonotic disease caused by the Monkeypox virus (MPXV), and since May 2022, tens of thousands of cases have been reported in non-endemic countries. We aimed to evaluate the suitability of different sample types for mpox diagnostic and assess the temporal dynamics of viral load. We evaluated 1914 samples from 953 laboratory-confirmed cases.

Computational modeling of basal ganglia hemorrhage morphology improves functional outcome prognostication after minimally invasive surgical evacuation.

Introduction: Anatomic factors that predict outcomes following basal ganglia intracranial hemorrhage (bgICH) evacuation are poorly understood. Given the compact neuroanatomic organization of the basal ganglia, we hypothesized that bgICH spatial representation could predict postoperative functional outcomes.

Methods: Patients undergoing minimally invasive surgical bgICH evacuation between 2013 and 2024 at one center were retrospectively reviewed.

Design, modeling and cost analysis of 8.79 MW solar photovoltaic power plant at National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan.

Climate change, as a critical global concern, has fueled our efforts to address it through different strategies. In response to the critical worldwide issue of climate change, we suggested a Photovoltaic (PV) system at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) in Islamabad, Pakistan (latitude: 33.724530 N, longitude: 73.

miRNA-21, an oncomiR that regulates cell proliferation, migration, invasion and therapy response in lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death globally, with poor survival rates due mostly to a lack of early detection. The usual diagnostic technique includes a biopsy, which is frequently performed later in the disease's progression. In order to uncover processes that improve illness detection and prognosis, miRNA-21 emerges as a major miRNA identified in a variety of cancer types, including lung cancer.

Micro-osteoperforation for enhancement of orthodontic movement: A mechanical analysis using the finite element method.

Background: Micro-osteoperforation is a minimally invasive technique aimed at accelerating tooth movement. The goal of this novel experimental study was to assess tooth movement and stress distribution produced by the force of orthodontic movement on the tooth structure, periodontal ligament, and maxillary bone structure, with and without micro-osteoperforation, using the finite element method.

Materials And Methods: Cone-beam computed tomography was used to obtain a virtual model of the maxilla and simulate the extraction of right and left first premolars.

Estimated number of lives directly saved by COVID-19 vaccination programmes in the WHO European Region from December, 2020, to March, 2023: a retrospective surveillance study.

Background: By March, 2023, 54 countries, areas, and territories (hereafter CAT) in the WHO European Region had reported more than 2·2 million COVID-19-related deaths to the WHO Regional Office for Europe. Here, we estimated how many lives were directly saved by vaccinating adults in the WHO European Region from December, 2020, to March, 2023.

Methods: In this retrospective surveillance study, we estimated the number of lives directly saved by age group, vaccine dose, and circulating variant-of-concern (VOC) period, regionally and nationally, using weekly data on COVID-19 mortality and infection, COVID-19 vaccination uptake, and SARS-CoV-2 virus characterisations by lineage downloaded from The European Surveillance System on June 11, 2023, as well as vaccine effectiveness data from the literature.

Recurrence of fusocellular subtype GIST with SDHB mutation: A case of SDHB-loss and therapeutic challenges.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are sarcomas affecting the stomach and small intestine, with a rare subtype characterized by succinate dehydrogenase B (SDHB)-loss posing significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. A 62-year-old man with weight loss and abdominal pain was diagnosed with a gastric GIST showing SDHB-loss. Initial treatment with Imatinib reduced the tumor size, but surgery revealed no residual tumor.

Enhanced Diagnostic Precision: Assessing Tumor Differentiation in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Using Multi-Slice Spiral CT Texture Analysis.

This study explores the efficacy of texture analysis by using preoperative multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) to non-invasively determine the grade of cellular differentiation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In a retrospective study, MSCT scans of patients with HNSCC were analyzed and classified based on its histological grade as moderately differentiated, well-differentiated, or poorly differentiated. The location of the tumor was categorized as either in the bone or in soft tissues.

Effects of passive cycling on cerebrovascular reactivity in acute brain injured patients: A pilot study.

Introduction: Early mobilization benefits critically ill patients, but concerns persist, especially in neurologic intensive care unit patients with acute brain injuries. This study assesses early mobility's impact on cerebrovascular autoregulation (CA) and systemic hemodynamics.

Methods: This single-center retrospective study focused on adult neurologic intensive care unit patients undergoing passive cycle ergometry.

Mitigation of Subsequent Ovariectomy Responses through Prior Exercise Training in Rats.

It is well known that cardiometabolic dysfunction gradually increases after menopause, and the sedentary lifestyle can aggravate this condition. Therefore, we compared the effects of aerobic exercise training during the premenopausal period and after ovariectomy (OVX) on metabolic, hemodynamic, and autonomic parameters in an experimental rat model of menopause. The female rats were divided into four groups: control (C), sedentary OVX (SO), trained OVX (TO), and previously trained OVX (PTO).