Properties of New Partially Crystallized Lithium Disilicate CAD-CAM Materials.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the optical, mechanical, and biological properties of two new, inexpensive lithium disilicate (LS2) materials (Lodden (LOD), LD Medical Technology; and BeautyZir (BZ), BeautyZir Technology) to a clinically established LS2 material (IPS e.max CAD (EMAX), Ivoclar Vivadent).

Methods And Materials: The optical properties of the translucency parameter (TP) and opalescence parameter (OP) were obtained with a dental spectrophotometer.

How to enhance the novices' learning in ultrasound-guided procedures utilizing handmade phantoms?

Introduction: This prospective study aims to evaluate the learning effect of US-guided thoracocentesis and pericardiocentesis in novices through simulation training using handmade phantoms.

Methods: The novices included undergraduate-year (UGY) students and first postgraduate-year (PGY-1) residents. Handmade phantoms were utilized for training and immediate assessment.

Comparison of clinical and laboratory data between hantavirus infection and leptospirosis: a retrospective case series study in southern Taiwan.

Background: Leptospirosis (LS) and hantavirus (HV) are rodent-borne diseases and share similar clinical manifestations, posing diagnostic challenges.

Methods: This retrospective study compared clinical characteristics, laboratory data, complications and outcomes of 33 LS and nine HV cases in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, from 2006 to 2021.

Results: Both LS and HV diseases had high rates of acute kidney injury (84.

An In Vivo Assessment of Different Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Tissue Types and Their Differentiation State on a Shape Memory Polymer Scaffold for Bone Regeneration.

A combined biomaterial and cell-based solution to heal critical size bone defects in the craniomaxillofacial area is a promising alternative therapeutic option to improve upon autografting, the current gold standard. A shape memory polymer (SMP) scaffold, composed of biodegradable poly(ε-caprolactone) and coated with bioactive polydopamine, was evaluated with mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) derived from adipose (ADSC), bone marrow (BMSC), or umbilical cord (UCSC) tissue in their undifferentiated state or pre-differentiated toward osteoblasts for bone healing in a rat calvarial defect model. Pre-differentiating ADSCs and UCSCs resulted in higher new bone volume fraction (15.

Development and Evaluation of a Novel Resuscitation Teamwork Model for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in the Emergency Department.

Study Objective: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is critical for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients but is prone to rapid changes and errors. Effective teamwork and leadership are essential for high-quality CPR. We aimed to introduce the Airway-Circulation-Leadership-Support (A-C-L-S) teamwork model in the emergency department (ED) to address these challenges.

Comparison of flexural strength, marginal gap, and internal fit of milled and 3D-printed crown materials.

The purpose of this study was to compare the flexural strength, Weibull modulus (reliability), marginal gap, and internal fit (internal gap) of 4 materials for milling or 3-dimensional (3D) printing of definitive and provisional crowns: IPS e.max CAD (IEC), Paradigm MZ100 Block (PMB), Permanent Crown Resin (PCR), and Temporary CB Resin (TCR). Flexural strength was tested by subjecting sectioned milling blocks (IEC and PMB) or 3D-printed bars (PCR and TCR) to a 3-point bending test in a universal testing machine (n = 15 per material).

Presence of Flazin in Miso and Identification of Four Tryptophan-Derived ß-Carbolines Formed during Fermentation.

In miso, due to the substantial presence of genistein, flazin is often overlapped and masked by genistein in HPLC analysis. Flazin in the miso extracts could be resolved with genistein through medium-pressure liquid chromatography run under a nonacidified methanol-water system and subsequently fractionated by semipreparative HPLC and identified by NMR spectroscopic analysis. As referenced, flazin was detected in all 11 locally marketed miso products, with contents ranging from 3.

Submandibular Sialolithiasis Mimicking Ludwig's Angina: A Case Report and Brief Clinical Review.

The "double tongue sign" is a characteristic finding in patients with Ludwig's angina, a potentially life-threatening infection due to airway compromise. Management primarily focuses on early airway protection and antibiotic administration. Submandibular sialolithiasis, on the other hand, could present with the double tongue sign without symptoms suggestive of airway involvement.

High-Affinity Superantigen-Based Trifunctional Immune Cell Engager Synergizes NK and T Cell Activation for Tumor Suppression.

The development of immune cell engagers (ICEs) can be limited by logistical and functional restrictions associated with fusion protein designs, thus limiting immune cell recruitment to solid tumors. Herein, a high affinity superantigen-based multivalent ICE is developed for simultaneous activation and recruitment of NK and T cells for tumor treatment. Yeast library-based directed evolution is adopted to identify superantigen variants possessing enhanced binding affinity to immunoreceptors expressed on human T cells and NK cells.

Structural equation modeling of dispositional mindfulness, internal environmental factors, external environmental factors, and self-care behaviors in people with type 2 diabetes.

Background: To achieve suitable diabetes care, understanding the factors that affect self-care behaviors is necessary.

Objective: To construct a model of dispositional mindfulness, internal environmental factors, external environmental factors, and self-care behaviors in people with diabetes.

Design And Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed a convenience sample of 311 people with type 2 diabetes in Taiwan.

Overcoming the nutritional immunity by engineering iron-scavenging bacteria for cancer therapy.

Certain bacteria demonstrate the ability to target and colonize the tumor microenvironment, a characteristic that positions them as innovative carriers for delivering various therapeutic agents in cancer therapy. Nevertheless, our understanding of how bacteria adapt their physiological condition to the tumor microenvironment remains elusive. In this work, we employed liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to examine the proteome of colonized in murine tumors.

A feasibility study of a handmade ultrasound-guided phantom for paracentesis.

Background: Simulation-based training is effective for ultrasound (US)-guided procedures. However, commercially developed simulators are costly. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of a hand-made phantom for US-guided paracentesis.

Ultrasound during Advanced Life Support-Help or Harm?

Ultrasound is used in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and advanced life support (ALS). However, there is divergence between the recommendations of many emergency and critical care societies who support its use and the recommendations of many international resuscitation organizations who either recommend against its use or recommend it only in limited circumstances. Ultrasound offers potential benefits of detecting reversable causes of cardiac arrest, allowing specific interventions.

Microleakage and Fracture Resistance of "Infinity Edge" and Cusp Reduction Preparation Designs for Moderate-sized Class II Composites.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the marginal microleakage and maximum occlusal fracture loads and fracture modes of two novel class II preparation designs, "infinity edge" and the "2.5 mm cusp reduction" preparations as compared to a traditional class II preparation without cuspal involvement.

Materials And Methods: Thirty extracted human mandibular molars were prepared for moderate-sized class II restorations with extensions into all occlusal grooves.

Embryonic NIPP1 Depletion in Keratinocytes Triggers a Cell Cycle Arrest and Premature Senescence in Adult Mice.

NIPP1 is a ubiquitously expressed regulatory subunit of PP1. Its embryonic deletion in keratinocytes causes chronic sterile skin inflammation, epidermal hyperproliferation, and resistance to mutagens in adult mice. To explore the primary effects of NIPP1 deletion, we first examined hair cycle progression of NIPP1 skin knockouts (SKOs).

Characterization of the Newborn Epidermis and Adult Hair Follicles Using Whole-Mount Immunofluorescent Staining of Mouse Dorsal Skin.

The mammalian integumentary system, including skin and its appendages, serves as a protective barrier for the body. During development, skin epidermis undergoes rapid cell division and differentiation to form multiple stratified layers of keratinocytes. Concurrently the epidermis also gives rise to hair follicles that invaginate into the dermis.

Effect of Milling Speed on the Properties of Zirconia Restorations.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of milling speed on the surface roughness, marginal gap, marginal gap volume, marginal offset, and fracture load of zirconia restorations.

Material And Methods: A mandibular molar #30 typodont tooth was digitally scanned and an ideal crown preparation for a zirconia restoration was digitally created. A single master model die of the crown preparation was milled out of a resin material.

Entrapment neuropathy of common peroneal nerve by fabella: A case report.

Background: Neuropathy of the common peroneal nerve caused by compression by a fabella is an extremely rare form of compression neuropathy. Involving both the superficial and deep peroneal nerves, it usually manifests as either impaired sensation from the lower lateral leg to the top of the foot or drop foot, or as a combination of both.

Case Summary: We report the case of a 58-year-old Asian female who presented with inversion of the right foot during the stance phase of gait without sensory complaints related to the lower leg.