Effect of an experimental desensitizer with a hydroxyapatite-capsaicin composite applied before in-office dental bleaching on hydrogen peroxide diffusion, color and surface changes.

Objective: To evaluate a prior application of an experimental desensitizer containing a hydroxyapatite-capsaicin composite (HAp-CAP) in different concentrations on hydrogen peroxide (HP) diffusion into the pulp chamber, bleaching efficacy (BE) and on physical and chemical alterations of the enamel surface after in-office bleaching.

Materials And Methods: Forty sound premolars were randomized in five groups according to each experimental condition (n = 8): no bleaching (negative control), only bleaching (positive control), 0.1%, 1% and 5% of HAp-CAP.

Fontan circulation and systemic disease - a retrospective cohort analysis over 35 years of follow-up.

Background: The Fontan operation provides lifesaving palliation for individuals with single ventricle (SV) physiology. Given recent concerns of systemic disease (SD) for patients with a Fontan circulation, we sought to (1) quantify the increase in SD incidence associated with the Fontan circulation; (2) identify the risk factor of SD; (3) assess the association between SD and mortality in patients with a Fontan circulation.

Methods: A matched retrospective cohort study design was adopted.

Intubation and Lower Saturation in the Delivery Room are Associated with Balloon Atrial Septostomy in Neonates with Transposition of the Great Arteries.

Objective: To identify delivery room (DR) characteristics of patients with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) who underwent preoperative balloon atrial septostomy (BAS).

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study of all patients with prenatally diagnosed TGA delivered at our center between 2013 and 2023 who underwent arterial switch operation during the newborn admission.

Results: A total of 168 patients were included (median gestational age 39.

Diverse Xylaria in the Ecuadorian Amazon and their mode of wood degradation.

Background: Xylaria is a diverse and ecologically important genus in the Ascomycota. This paper describes the xylariaceous fungi present in an Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest and investigates the decay potential of selected Xylaria species. Fungi were collected at Yasuní National Park, Ecuador during two collection trips to a single hectare plot divided into a 10-m by 10-m grid, providing 121 collection points.

Assessment of post-infarct ventricular septal defects through 3D printing and statistical shape analysis.

Background: Post-infarct ventricular septal defect (PIVSD) is a serious complication of myocardial infarction. We evaluated 3D-printing models in PIVSD clinical assessment and the feasibility of statistical shape modeling for morphological analysis of the defects.

Methods: Models (n = 15) reconstructed from computed tomography data were evaluated by clinicians (n = 8).

Correlative tomography and authentication features of a shrunken head (tsantsa).

Museum personnel and the general public have become quite familiar with the presence of shrunken heads in museum collections, but the procedures to authenticate the history and origin of these unique cultural items are not yet reliable. These shrunken heads, called tsantsas, are meant to be the cultural material remains of ceremonies conducted by the Shuar and Achuar Peoples of South America. This project seeks to integrate the use of micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scanning with methods used in previous studies (clinical computed tomography (CT) and visual inspections) to examine authentication procedures of shrunken heads (tsantsas) held in contemporary museum collections.

Isolating the Effect of Arch Architecture on Aortic Hemodynamics Late After Coarctation Repair: A Computational Study.

Objectives: Effective management of aortic coarctation (CoA) affects long-term cardiovascular outcomes. Full appreciation of CoA hemodynamics is important. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between aortic shape and hemodynamic parameters by means of computational simulations, purposely isolating the morphological variable.

Ureteroscopy with thulium fiber laser lithotripsy results in shorter operating times and large cost savings.

Purpose: Prolonged ureteroscopy (URS) is associated with complications including ureteral perforation, stricture, and urosepsis. As laser lithotripsy is one of the most common urologic procedures, small cost savings per case can have a large financial impact. This retrospective study was designed to determine if Thulium fiber laser (TFL) lithotripsy decreases operative time and costs compared to standard Holmium:YAG (Ho:YAG) lithotripsy without pulse modulation.

Ecuadorian beetles harbor and fungi previously associated with ambrosia beetles.

Ambrosia beetles from the scolytine tribe Xyleborini (Curculionidae) are important to the decomposition of woody plant material on every continent except Antarctica. These insects farm fungi on the walls of tunnels they build inside recently dead trees and rely on the fungi for nutrition during all stages of their lives. Such ambrosia fungi rely on the beetles to provide appropriate substrates and environmental conditions for growth.

The use of 3D-printed models in patient communication: a scoping review.

3D models have been used as an asset in many clinical applications and a variety of disciplines, and yet the available literature studying the use of 3D models in communication is limited. This scoping review has been conducted to draw conclusions on the current evidence and learn from previous studies, using this knowledge to inform future work. Our search strategy revealed 269 papers, 19 of which were selected for final inclusion and analysis.

New Findings on the Biology and Ecology of the Ecuadorian Amazon Fungus var. .

var is a prolific wood-decay fungus inhabiting the forest floor of one of the most biodiverse places on earth, the Yasuní National Park in Ecuador. Basidiocarps and aerial rhizomorphs are commonly found growing on woody debris distributed along the floor of this forest ecosystem. Because of the extraordinary abundance of this fungus in the tropical rainforest, we carried out investigations to better understand the biological and ecological aspects contributing to its prolific distribution.

Taxonomy of the major rhizomorphic species of the "Melanopus group" within Polyporaceae in Yasuní National Park, Ecuador.

Yasuní National Park in Ecuador is one of the most biodiverse places on earth. The fungi in this tropical rainforest are also diverse but have received little research attention. This research paper focuses on an important group of fungi in the family Polyporaceae and examines the genera Polyporus, Atroporus, and Neodictyopus that form aerial melanized cord-like structures called rhizomorphs.

Genetic characterization of a collection of Tsantsas from Ecuadorian museums.

Tsantsas are shrunken human heads originally made for ceremonial purposes by Amazonian indigenous groups of the Shuar and Achuar family, previously called Jivaroan tribes. A significant demand of these objects during the first half of the 20th century led to the manufacture of counterfeit shrunken heads for commercial purposes. For museums where these collections are held, as well as for the indigenous groups who claim their ownership, it is important to identify the origin and authenticity of these tsantsas.

How does milk fat replacement influence cheese analogue microstructure, rheology, and texture profile?

Over the past few years, the market for cheese substitutes has been growing on account of the simple and cost-effective production of these cheese-like products. It is well established that the functional properties of cheeses are directly related to their composition. Therefore, the variation of fat in cheese substitutes certainly affects the characteristics of the cheeses.

Sleep in Persons Living with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias.

Over a typical lifespan, the amount of time people spend each day sleeping decreases. Sleep patterns also change as people age. Sleep disorders are common among persons of all ages, and older adults are particularly vulnerable.

Routine surveillance of patients post Fontan palliation: lessons learnt from cardiac catheterisation.

Background: There is no consensus on the clinical utility of 'routine' diagnostic cardiac catheterisation in patients with Fontan palliation in the absence of symptoms or haemodynamic lesions.

Objective: We sought to evaluate whether diagnostic cardiac catheterisation for a variety of indications led to a change in the clinical management of patients with a Fontan circulation.

Methods: All adult patients (≥16 years) with Fontan palliation undergoing diagnostic cardiac catheterisation at our institution from 2016 to 2019 were included retrospectively.

Feasibility of Wave Intensity Analysis in Patients With Conotruncal Anomalies Before and After Pregnancy: New Physiological Insights?

Conotruncal anomalies (CTA) are associated with ongoing dilation of the aortic root, as well as increased aortic stiffness, which may relate to intrinsic properties of the aorta. Pregnancy hormones lead to hemodynamic changes and remodeling of the , resulting in the opposite effect, i.e.

Case of placental insufficiency and premature delivery in a Fontan pregnancy: physiological insights and considerations on risk stratification.

Objectives: The coexistence of two complex physiologies such as Fontan and pregnancy is still not fully understood. We aim to add a unique and essential knowledge to help our colleagues in the management of Fontan patients that undergo pregnancy as well as the fetus and the placenta perfusion.

Methods And Results: We analyse the coexistence of Fontan and pregnancy physiology on a complex case of a woman with hypoplastic left heart syndrome palliated with a univentricular repair who became pregnant, delivered very prematurely and had atypical placental findings.

Evaluating the Perceived Importance of Male Ejaculatory Function.

Objective: To assess the perceived importance of male ejaculatory function (EjF) from the perspective of adult men and their sexual partners.

Methods: In a large survey study, men were asked about the importance of their own EjF. Sexual partners of men were asked about the general importance their partner's EjF, and whether they would support a partner's decision to pursue BPH treatment despite ejaculatory dysfunction.

Left heart matters in Ebstein's anomaly: the importance of a closer follow up-a case report.

Background: Ebstein's anomaly (EA) is mainly thought of as a right heart condition, however, congenital left-sided lesions can co-exist. Therefore, it is paramount to include the left side of the heart as part of a routine investigation in these patients. We present a 57-year-old symptomatic patient with EA and progressive tricuspid regurgitation (TR) associated with acquired left ventricular outflow obstruction (LVOTO).

Reducing Postoperative Opioids for Outpatient Endoscopic Urological Surgery: A Resident Driven Quality Improvement Initiative.

Introduction: Opioid dependency has become a public health crisis in the United States and surplus prescriptions of opioids after surgery may be contributing to this problem. This resident driven quality improvement initiative sought to study the prescribing patterns of opioids for patients undergoing outpatient urological surgery at our institution, reduce prescriptions where possible and monitor patient outcomes.

Methods: A chart review and telephone survey were conducted of patients undergoing outpatient endourological surgery.

Echography analysis of musculoskeletal, heart and liver alterations associated with endothelial dysfunction in obese rats.

Background: Modern imaging plays a central role in the care of obese patients, and there is an integral focus on its use and accessibility in individuals who have alterations of various in various organs. The objective in this study was to perform an echographic analysis of musculoskeletal system disorders, endothelial dysfunction and the left ventricle (LV) in obese rats.

Methods: Sprague Dawley rats (250 ± 5 g) were obtained and divided into two groups: the control (C) group was fed with a standard diet, and the obese (Ob) group was fed hyper caloric diet with a high fructose-fat content for 4 months.