PreK-12 school and citywide wastewater monitoring of the enteric viruses astrovirus, rotavirus, and sapovirus.

Wastewater monitoring is an efficient and effective way to surveil for various pathogens in communities. This is especially beneficial in areas of high transmission, such as preK-12 schools, where infections may otherwise go unreported. In this work, we apply wastewater disease surveillance using school and community wastewater from across Houston, Texas to monitor three major enteric viruses: astrovirus, sapovirus genogroup GI, and group A rotavirus.

A phase II dose evaluation pilot feasibility randomized controlled trial of cholecalciferol in critically ill children with vitamin D deficiency (VITdAL-PICU study).

Background: Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is highly prevalent in the pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) and associated with worse clinical course. Trials in adult ICU demonstrate rapid restoration of vitamin D status using an enteral loading dose is safe and may improve outcomes. There have been no published trials of rapid normalization of VDD in the pediatric ICU.

Suspicion Is Key: Diagnosing Elusive Cytoplasmic Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (c-ANCA)-Positive Vasculitis.

We present a case of a 53-year-old black male with a past medical history of type 2 diabetes presenting with fatigue, generalized myalgias, and unintentional weight loss developed over several months. The patient was diagnosed with cytoplasmic antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (c-ANCA)-positive vasculitis. Renal biopsy confirmed antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) crescentic necrotizing glomerulonephritis.

Patients' understanding of "informed consent" in plastic surgery.

Objective: To assess the patient's understanding of the informed consent form before and after plastic surgery.

Methods: This was a prospective analytical descriptive study that utilized a questionnaire on informed consent before and after plastic surgery procedures.

Results: Comprehension of informed consent was higher before surgery than after surgery (p=0.

The HEART score in the era of the European Society of Cardiology 0/1-hour algorithm.

Background: The European Society of Cardiology's 0/1-hour algorithm improves the early triage of patients towards "rule-out" or "rule-in" of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. The HEART score is a risk stratification tool for patients with undifferentiated chest pain. We sought to evaluate the performance of the European Society of Cardiology 0/1-hour algorithm and the HEART score to evaluate chest pain patients in the emergency department.

Outcome of Applying the ESC 0/1-hour Algorithm in Patients With Suspected Myocardial Infarction.

Background: The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) recommends the 0/1-h algorithm for rapid triage of patients with suspected non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (MI). However, its impact on patient management and safety when routinely applied is unknown.

Objectives: This study sought to determine these important real-world outcome data.

Comparative evaluation of 3 microbond strength tests using 4 adhesive systems: Mechanical, finite element, and failure analysis.

Statement Of Problem: Bond strength (BS) values from in vitro studies are useful when dentists are selecting an adhesive system, but there is no ideal measuring method.

Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate the influence of the evaluation method in the BS between dentin and composite resin.

Material And Methods: Molars with exposed superficial dentin (N=240) were divided into 3 groups according to the test: microtensile (μTBS), microshear (μSBS), and micropush-out (μPBS).

High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin Levels in Supraventricular Tachyarrhythmias.

Background: High-sensitivity cardiac troponin assays have provided a significant contribution for the early diagnosis of cardiovascular events. However, elevated cardiac troponin levels may occur in other clinical situations as supraventricular tachyarrhythmias with concerns about the mechanism of this elevation.

Objectives And Methods: The goal of this study was to describe the performance of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) assay in patients presenting to the emergency department with a primary diagnosis of supraventricular tachyarrhythmia and to evaluate its relation with cardiovascular events during follow-up.

High-sensitivity troponin is associated with high risk clinical profile and outcome in acute heart failure.

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the value of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) for identifying high-risk patients.

Methods And Results: One hundred and eighty-seven patients admitted with acute heart failure (HF) (without myocardial infarction) were consecutively included; hs-cTn was measured at admission; the relation between elevated hs-cTn and the clinical outcome during hospitalization and at 90 days was analyzed; 93% (n = 174) had hs-cTn above the maximal normal value (14 ng/L); median hs-cTn was 42 ng/L (IQR 24-81). Patients with ejection fraction (EF) ≤ 45% had higher hs-cTn values (p = 0.

Crown fracture: Failure load, stress distribution, and fractographic analysis.

Statement Of Problem: The outcomes from load-to-failure tests may not be applicable to clinical situations.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to critically evaluate the efficacy of load-to-failure tests in the investigation of the fracture load and pattern of metal-free crowns.

Material And Methods: Four groups were formed from 128 bovine roots restored with metal posts, resin cores, and feldspathic, leucite, or lithium disilicate ceramic systems or polymer crowns.

Predictors of conversion of recent-onset atrial fibrillation treated with vernakalant.

Background: Vernakalant is an available drug for the treatment of recent-onset atrial fibrillation, producing conversion between 55% and 87% of the patients treated. In this sense, little is known about the predictors of conversion with this agent. The aim of our study was to analyze the predictors of conversion in our 2-year experience using vernakalant for the treatment of recent-onset atrial fibrillation.

Conservative treatment for amelogenesis imperfecta: a case report.

Amelogenesis imperfecta is a hereditary condition that can alter the thickness, color, and shape of tooth enamel. Recent adhesive materials and techniques have provided less invasive treatment options. This case report presents the treatment of a patient whose anterior teeth had color alterations, white spots, pits, and shape defects.

In vitro study of fracture load and fracture pattern of ceramic crowns: a finite element and fractography analysis.

Purpose: This in vitro study investigated the null hypothesis that metal-free crowns induce fracture loads and mechanical behavior similar to metal ceramic systems and to study the fracture pattern of ceramic crowns under compressive loads using finite element and fractography analyses.

Materials And Methods: Six groups (n = 8) with crowns from different systems were compared: conventional metal ceramic (Noritake) (CMC); modified metal ceramic (Noritake) (MMC); lithium disilicate-reinforced ceramic (IPS Empress II) (EMP); leucite-reinforced ceramic (Cergogold) (CERG); leucite fluoride-apatite reinforced ceramic (IPS d.Sign) (SIGN); and polymer crowns (Targis) (TARG).

How light sources and distance of the light tip influence water sorption, solubility, and biaxial flexural strength of a composite resin.

This study evaluated the water sorption (WS), solubility (SL), and biaxial flexural strength (BFS) of a resin composite based on different polymerization units, storage permeants (distilled water and 75% ethanol), and distances between the light's tip and the composite resin. Using a stainless steel mold, 80 specimens were made and separated in two independent groups, according to the duration of storage (7 days or 60 days). The specimens were photocured using either a QTH or LED light (both used at 600 mW/cm2 for 40 seconds), with the light's tip guide either 0 mm or 2 mm from the surface of the resin.

Finite element analysis of weakened roots restored with composite resin and posts.

Finite element analysis (FEA) was used to investigate the influence of different post systems on the stress distribution of weakened teeth under oblique-load application. A maxillary central incisor root obtained from a sound tooth was weakened by partial removal of dentin inside the root canal. Seven two-dimensional numerical models, one from the sound tooth and six from the weakened root restored with composite resin and post systems were created as follows - ST: sound tooth; CPC: cast CuAl post and core; SSP: stainless steel post + composite core; GP: fiberglass + composite core; CP: carbon fiber + composite core; ZP: zirconium dioxide post + composite core; TP: titanium post + composite core.

Influence of different post design and composition on stress distribution in maxillary central incisor: Finite element analysis.

Background: Post design and material has very important effects on dentinal stress distribution since the post placement can create stresses that lead to root fracture.

Materials And Methods: In this study we use finite element analysis (FEA) to evaluate stress distribution on endodontically treated maxillary central incisors that have been restored with different prefabricated posts. Six models were generated from the image of anatomical plate: Four metallic posts (ParaPost XH, ParaPost XT, ParaPost XP, and Flexi-Flange) and one fiberglass post (ParaPost Fiber Lux).

Multiparameter analysis of intracellular phosphoepitopes in immunophenotyped cell populations by flow cytometry.

This unit presents protocols for measuring intracellular phosphoepitopes by flow cytometry for biochemical investigations in both human and murine primary cells as well as in cell lines. Conventional methods that require cellular lysis cannot discriminate between proteins from different cellular subsets. Intracellular detection of phosphorylated and nonphosphorylated signaling molecules, on the other hand, has recently exposed the heterogeneity that can be observed upon signal transduction.

Fracture resistance and stress distribution in endodontically treated maxillary premolars restored with composite resin.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of endodontic and restorative treatment on the fracture resistance of posterior teeth.

Materials And Methods: Fifty intact premolars were selected and randomly placed into five groups (n = 10): G1, intact teeth (control); G2, mesial-occlusal-distal (MOD) preparation; G3, MOD preparation restored with composite resin (Z-250, 3M ESPE); G4, MOD preparation and endodontic treatment; and G5, MOD preparation, endodontic treatment, and composite resin restoration. The specimens were submitted to an axial compression load in a mechanical test machine (EMIC), at a speed of 0.

Effect of a bonding resin layer associated with a self-etching adhesive system on the bond strength of indirect restorations.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of a low-viscosity bonding resin applied over a self-etching adhesive system on the microtensile bond strength (microTBS) of indirect restorations. Comparisons were made using One Up Bond F (OB) self-etching adhesive system, Single Bond (SB) one-bottle adhesive system and Scotchbond Multi Purpose Plus (SMP) bonding component. Thirty bovine incisors were extracted and decoronated at the cementoenamel junction.

Laser therapy in the treatment of dentine hypersensitivity.

Cervical dentine hypersensitivity is the most frequent complaint among reported odontalgias. Thus, this study evaluated the effectiveness of two types of lasers (660 nm wavelength red, and 830 nm wavelength infrared) as dentine desensitizers, as well as both the immediate and late therapeutic effects in individuals 25 to 45 years of age. A total of 40 teeth with cervical exposure were treated in 4 sessions.

Cytometric bead array: a multiplexed assay platform with applications in various areas of biology.

The introduction of flow cytometric bead-based technology has added a new approach for investigators to simultaneously measure multiple analytes in biological and environmental samples. This new technology allows for (1) evaluation of multiple analytes in a single sample; (2) utilization of minimal sample volumes to glean data; (3) reproducibility and results comparative with previous experiments; (4) direct comparison with existing assays; and (5) a more rapid evaluation of multiple samples in a single platform. The cytometric bead array (CBA) system enables simultaneous measurement of multiple analytes in sample volumes too small for traditional immunoassays.