Health differences between rural and non-rural Texas counties based on 2023 County Health Rankings.

Background: Place matters for health. In Texas, growing rural populations face a variety of structural, social, and economic disparities that position them for potentially worse health outcomes. The current study contributes to understanding rural health disparities in a state-specific context.

Evaluation of the Mechanical Properties of Provisional 3DPrinted Resin After Repair with Different Materials: An In-Vitro Study.

Purpose: To evaluate the mechanical properties of the 3D printed provisional restoration material that was repaired using different materials.

Material And Methods: The bar specimens have been manufactured using three-dimensional printing technology in accordance with the ISO 10477:2020 standards and divided into 5 groups randomly. For repair material application and replacement on the standardized silicone mold, the test specimens were ground at the center by 1x2x2 mm.

Investigation of the Impact of Antibiotic Administration on the Preterm Infants' Gut Microbiome Using Next-Generation Sequencing-Based 16S rRNA Gene Analysis.

The human gut microbiota is an extensive population of microorganisms, and it shows significant variations between periods of optimal health and periods of illness. Vancomycin-resistant (VRE) and carbapenem-resistant (CRKP) are both pathogenic agents (BPAs) that can colonize in the gut after dysbiosis of microbiotal composition following antibiotic treatment. This study aimed to investigate the impact of antibiotics on the microbiotal composition of the gut.

NK cells with adhesion defects and reduced cytotoxic functions are associated with a poor prognosis in multiple myeloma.

The promising results obtained with immunotherapeutic approaches for multiple myeloma (MM) call for a better stratification of patients based on immune components. The most pressing being cytotoxic lymphocytes such as natural killer (NK) cells that are mandatory for MM surveillance and therapy. Here, we performed a single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of NK cells from 10 patients with MM and 10 age/sex-matched healthy donors that revealed important transcriptomic changes in the NK cell landscape affecting both the bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood compartment.

Whey protein-loaded 3D-printed poly (lactic) acid scaffolds for wound dressing applications.

Chronic skin wounds pose a global clinical challenge, necessitating effective treatment strategies. This study explores the potential of 3D printed Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) scaffolds, enhanced with Whey Protein Concentrate (WPC) at varying concentrations (25, 35, and 50% wt), for wound healing applications. PLA's biocompatibility, biodegradability, and thermal stability make it an ideal material for medical applications.

The Effects of Reusing Cobalt-Chromium Alloy Powder on Its Mechanical Properties and Grain Size: An In Vitro Study.

Purpose: To characterize material changes that may occur in virgin cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) alloy powder when it is blended with alloy powders that have been reused multiple times.

Materials And Methods: Initially, 20 kg of virgin Co-Cr powder was loaded into a laser-sintering device. The tensile test specimens were fabricated in the first (Group 1), fourth (Group 2), seventh (Group 3), tenth (Group 4), and thirteenth (Group 5) production cycles (N = 15).

Evaluation of the Mechanical Properties of 3D-Printed Post and Core Systems.

Purpose: To evaluate and compare the fracture resistance and elastic modulus of 3D-printed post and core systems and fiber posts and composite cores.

Materials And Methods: Endodontic treatment was performed on 30 mandibular premolars, and post space preparation was performed. The teeth were then randomly divided into two groups (n = 15 per group): the 3D-printed (3DP) group and the fiber post and composite core (FPC) group.

Effect of Food-Simulating Liquids on the Mechanical Properties of 3D-Printed Provisional Restoration Materials.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of food-simulating liquids (FSLs) on the mechanical properties of provisional restoration materials fabricated by 3D printing, milling, and traditional fabricating methods.

Materials And Methods: The bar specimens were fabricated with traditional, milling, and 3D-printing methods according to ISO 10477 specifications. Each group of specimens was randomly subdivided into four groups to be immersed in various FSLs: distilled water (control group), n-heptane, 50% ethyl alcohol, and 0.

Mapping Access to Children's Hospitals in Texas.

Vehicle access, travel time, and distance to hospitals and emergency rooms with sufficient patient beds are critical healthcare accessibility measures, especially for children who require specific pediatric services. In a large state like Texas with vast rural areas and limited public transit infrastructure, 75% of the children live over an hour from the closest facility that provides pediatric emergency services or specialty care. In view of this challenge, this study first sought to map the prevailing geographical accessibility to children's hospitals and, second, to model the hospital beds per capita for each hospital's service area within the state of Texas.

Effects of biochar treatments on the elemental composition of tobacco ( L.) leaves based on the priming period.

This study determined the effects of different doses of biochars (B) on Virginia tobacco ( L.) cultivar, on first and second harvest dependent change in plant nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Cl, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, and B), leaf color parameters (L*, a*, and b*), chlorophyll value (SPAD), electrolyte leakage (EL), crude ash, number of leaves, and plant height. Pot experiments were conducted with biochar treatments of 10 tons ha (B1), 20 tons ha (B2), 40 tons ha (B3), and 80 tons ha (B4).

The Predictive Value of the Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index for the Progression of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Men.

Introduction: This retrospective cross-sectional observational study aimed to investigate the predictive value of the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) for the progression of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Material And Method: A total of 280 patients diagnosed with LUTS were analyzed, and their demographic characteristics, laboratory results, urological parameters, and SII levels were recorded retrospectively.

Results: Clinical progression of LUTS was observed in 43.

European Network for ICU-Related Respiratory Infections (ENIRRIs): a multinational, prospective, cohort study of nosocomial LRTI.

Purpose: Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) are the most frequent infectious complication in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). We aim to report the clinical characteristics of ICU-admitted patients due to nosocomial LRTI and to describe their microbiology and clinical outcomes.

Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in 13 countries over two continents from 9th May 2016 until 16th August 2019.

Clinical Evaluation of Mandibular Posterior Three-Unit Combined Tooth-/Implant-Supported Fixed Partial Dentures: Controlled Prospective Clinical Study.

Purpose: The aims of the study were to evaluate the clinical performance and the complications of combined tooth-/ implant-supported three-unit fixed partial dentures (FPDs) in the posterior mandible.

Materials And Methods: A total of 78 partially edentulous patients in the posterior mandible were recruited for the study (n = 26/group). Group 1 served as the control group and received two dental implants to support a three-unit FPD.

Effects of Ramadan intermittent fasting on gut microbiome: is the diet key?

Much research has been conducted regarding the impact of diet on the gut microbiota. However, the effects of dietary habits such as intermittent fasting are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of intermittent fasting during Ramadan on the gut microbiota.

Identification of Molecular and Genetic Resistance Mechanisms in a Candida auris Isolate in a Tertiary Care Center in Türkiye.

Background: Candida auris is a multidrug-resistant pathogen that causes nosocomial outbreaks and high mortality. We conducted this study to investigate the molecular mechanisms of antifungal resistance in our clinical isolate of C. auris with a high level of resistance to three main classes of antifungals.

Nosocomial infection of C. auris in COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit in Türkiye and Phylogenetic Analysis of Isolates.

Background: The difficulties in the identification of C. auris and the delays in the implementation of infection control precautions contribute to outbreaks. This study analyzed 10 patients with COVID-19 and C.

TCR-independent CD137 (4-1BB) signaling promotes CD8-exhausted T cell proliferation and terminal differentiation.

CD137 (4-1BB)-activating receptor represents a promising cancer immunotherapeutic target. Yet, the cellular program driven by CD137 and its role in cancer immune surveillance remain unresolved. Using T cell-specific deletion and agonist antibodies, we found that CD137 modulates tumor infiltration of CD8-exhausted T (Tex) cells expressing PD1, Lag-3, and Tim-3 inhibitory receptors.

A Case Report of Lung Transplantation After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Literature Review.

Pulmonary complications may occur after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for hematologic malignancies. Lung transplantation is the only treatment option for end-stage lung failure. We presented a case of acute myeloid leukemia who received a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and underwent bilateral lung transplantation with end-stage usual interstitial pneumonia and chronic obstructive lung disease.

Corneal bacterial microbiome in patients with keratoconus using next-generation sequencing-based 16S rRNA gene analysis.

Purpose: To investigate the corneal bacterial microbiome in patients with keratoconus using next-generation sequencing and develop a new perspective on the pathogenesis of the disease.

Methods: This prospective observational study included 10 patients with keratoconus who underwent corneal crosslinking procedure and 10 healthy controls who underwent photorefractive keratectomy. Patients included in the study were aged 18 years or older.

Controlling the Thermoelectric Behavior of La-Doped SrTiO through Processing and Addition of Graphene Oxide.

The addition of graphene has been reported as a potential route to enhance the thermoelectric performance of SrTiO. However, the interplay between processing parameters and graphene addition complicates understanding this enhancement. Herein, we examine the effects of processing parameters and graphene addition on the thermoelectric performance of La-doped SrTiO (LSTO).

Clinicopathological Features and Prognosis of Invasive Micropapillary Carcinoma Compared to Invasive Ductal Carcinoma-NOS: Worse or Better?

Objective: To evaluate whether there are differences in invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) and invasive ductal carcinoma-NOS (IDC-NOS) according to the clinicopathological features and prognosis including molecular subtypes.

Study Design: Descriptive study.

Place And Duration Of Study: Department of Pathology, University of Health Sciences, Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey, from 2003 to 2016.

Evaluation of the flexural strength of metal frameworks fabricated by sintering-based computer-aided manufacturing methods.

Statement Of Problem: Sintering-based computer-aided metal manufacturing strategies have been proposed as an alternative to hard metal milling. While these fabrication methods have been evaluated in terms of marginal and internal discrepancies and bond strength to porcelain, limited information on metal frameworks is available regarding their flexural yield strength.

Purpose: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the flexural yield strength of 3-unit cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) metal frameworks fabricated by hard metal milling (HMM), presintered soft metal milling (PSMM), and direct metal laser melting (DMLM) with 25-μm and 50-μm layer thicknesses.