Synthesis and Characterization of Microcapsules as Fillers for Self-Healing Dental Composites.

This article proposes the synthesis and characterization of (triethylene glycol dimethacrylate-N,N-dihydroxyethyl-p-toluidine) TEGDMA-DHEPT self-healing microcapsules for their inclusion in dental composite formulations. The obtaining method is the in situ emulsion polymerization of the (poly urea-formaldehyde) (PUF) coatings. The microcapsules were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques.

Comparison between Conventional and Simple Measuring Methods of Mean Nocturnal Baseline Impedance in Pediatric Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.

(1) Background: Multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (MII-pH) monitoring is commonly used to diagnose gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI) is an important parameter, reflecting the esophageal mucosal integrity and improvement in GERD. This study aims to evaluate the correlation between conventionally measured MNBI and a recently described simple MNBI measurement method in diagnosing pediatric GERD.

Utility of the Post-Reflux Swallow-Induced Peristaltic Wave Index and Mean Nocturnal Baseline Impedance for the Diagnosis of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Phenotypes in Children.

(1) Objectives: Assessment of novel impedance parameters such as the post-reflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave (PSPW) index and mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI) have been proposed to enhance the accuracy of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) diagnosis. We aimed to evaluate the clinical value of MNBI and the PSPW index in discerning different phenotypes of GERD in children. (2) Methods: We conducted a prospective, observational study that included 49 children aged 5-18 years, referred for MII-pH monitoring due to negative endoscopy and persisting gastroesophageal reflux symptoms despite acid-suppressant treatment.

Acceptability of compounded preparations - A Romanian pediatric hospital perspective.

Compounded medicines are widely used, especially for pediatric patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate children's acceptability of compounded preparations and to provide information regarding compounding practices' characteristics in a Romanian hospital setting. An observational, cross-sectional, and retrospective study was conducted in three Clinical Pediatric Departments (Emergency Clinical Hospital for Children, Cluj-Napoca).

Breath Prints for Diagnosing Asthma in Children.

Electronic nose (e-nose) is a new technology applied for the identification of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in breath air. Measuring VOC in exhaled breath can adequately identify airway inflammation, especially in asthma. Its noninvasive character makes e-nose an attractive technology applicable in pediatrics.

Mechanical Properties of Orthodontic Cements and Their Behavior in Acidic Environments.

The present research is focused on three different classes of orthodontic cements: resin composites (e.g., BracePaste); resin-modified glass ionomer RMGIC (e.

The value of abdominal ultrasonography compared to colonoscopy and faecal calprotectin in following up paediatric patients with ulcerative colitis.

Aim: To evaluate the value of abdominal ultrasonography (US) in the follow-up of paediatric patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) compared to faecal calprotectin (FC) and colonoscopy.

Material And Method: In this retrospective study we enrolled 30 paediatric patients previously diagnosed with UC, examined by abdominal US and colonoscopy within the same week. FC was also determined during the same week.

B cell-activating factor (BAFF) in children with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Assessing the inflammation is important in the follow-up of paediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aim to evaluate the value of B cell-activating factor (BAFF) in paediatric IBD as a potential biomarker for follow-up.

Method: We determined BAFF in serum and faeces and faecal calprotectin (CP) in 32 IBD children-16 Crohn's disease (CD) and 16 ulcerative colitis (UC).

Suboptimal Serum 25-Hydroxy-Vitamin D Is Associated with a History of Recent Disease Exacerbation in Pediatric Patients with Bronchial Asthma or Asthma-Suggestive Recurrent Wheezing.

Even though vitamin D is widely acknowledged as having a potential immunomodulatory role in asthma, its exact beneficial mechanisms are yet to be clarified. An optimal serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25-OH-VitD) level in pediatric asthma patients might not rely solely on the effect of dose-dependent vitamin D intake, but might also be influenced by factors related to insufficient asthma control. We aimed to survey the prevalence of serum 25-OH-VitD deficiency and analyze whether suboptimal levels were associated with asthma severity factors.

Low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols diet in children.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a lifelong condition with a high prevalence among children and adults. As the diet is a frequent factor that triggers the symptoms, it has been assumed that by avoiding the consumption of fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP), the symptoms might be improved. Therefore, in the past decade, low FODMAP diet has been intensively investigated in the management of IBS.

The role of novel atherosclerosis markers in peripheral artery disease: is there a gender difference?

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) represents a major public health problem due to its high and increasing prevalence, worldwide distribution, and significant morbidity and mortality rate. Female gender is a risk factor for PAD globally and especially in low-income countries. In this review, we summarise the present knowledge regarding the role of novel atherosclerosis markers in the development of PAD in women.

Antibiotic treatment in childhood community-acquired pneumonia - clinical practice versus guidelines: results from two university hospitals.

Background And Aims: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a both common and serious childhood infection. Antibiotic treatment guidelines help to reduce inadequate antibiotics prescriptions.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study at the Clinical Emergency Hospital for Children, 3rd Pediatric Clinic, Cluj-Napoca and Dr.

Echocardiography as the first diagnostic clue to rapidly progressive systemic AL amyloidosis associated with multiple site thrombosis. A case report.

AL-amyloidosis is a rare, but complex disease, with a severe prognosis, cardiac involvement being found in half of the patients. The rapid increase of the LV wall thickness predicts an unfavorable evolution. We report the case of a 63-year-old man diagnosed with AL-amyloidosis, with cardiac involvement, associated with multiple site thrombosis.

Performance of lung ultrasonography for the diagnosis of communityacquired pneumonia in hospitalized children.

Aims: The objective of the study was to assess the performance of lung ultrasonography (LUS) as compared to chest radiography and the clinical criteria for the diagnosis of pneumonia in children.

Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective study in which data were collected from medical files of 81 children admitted with a clinical suspicion of pneumonia in which both an LUS and a chest radiograph during the hospitalization were performed. Reference standard used for the diagnosis of pneumonia were chest radiographs (consolidation, parenchymal infiltrates, and interstitial infiltrate) and clinical criteria.

Fatal hypersensitivity pneumonitis after chemical occupational exposure.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP; extrinsic allergic alveolitis) is a rare non-immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated inflammatory lung disease caused by inhalation exposure (occupational, recreational or ordinary home exposure). A 36-year-old female patient, without significant medical history, is referred to an outpatient pulmonology clinic for dry cough, shortness of breath, fever, fatigue and weight loss. Chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) was performed, and significant lung fibrosis (especially centrilobular and interlobular in bilateral "thick lines"), traction bronchiectasis and alveolitis in both superior lobes are described.

Autoimmune hepatitis with sclerosing cholangitis in a patient with thiopurine methyltransferase deficiency: case presentation.

The association between two autoimmune diseases is known in the literature as overlap syndrome. We present the case of an 18-year-old boy, diagnosed at the age of 13 with an overlap syndrome between type I autoimmune hepatitis and sclerosing cholangitis. The response to immunosuppressant therapy was hampered by azathioprine-induced toxicity causing severe pancytopenia, as a result of thiopurine methyltransferase enzyme genetic deficiency.

Myositis ossificans traumatica of the neck - a pediatric case.

Myositis ossificans circumscripta (MOC) is an extra-osseous non- neoplastic growth of a new bone. It occurs most commonly in the second and the third decade of life, while it is rare in children. The etiology of MOC is unknown and the quadriceps and brachials are the most affected.

Immunogenicity and safety of human papillomavirus-16/18 AS04-adjuvanted vaccine administered according to an alternative dosing schedule compared with the standard dosing schedule in healthy women aged 15 to 25 years: results from a randomized study.

Background: The human papillomavirus (HPV)-16/18 AS04-adjuvanted vaccine is immunogenic, has a clinically acceptable safety profile, and prevents incident and persistent HPV-16/18 infection and cervical precancerous lesions. This study (NCT00552279) evaluated the vaccine when administered according to an alternative dosing schedule (0-1-12 months) compared with the standard dosing schedule (0-1-6 months).

Methods: The study was of randomized open design and was conducted at multiple centers in Europe.

The interrupter technique: feasibility in children in acute asthma.

Background: Asthma exacerbation's severity is difficult to evaluate, as it is mainly assessed by clinical parameters. Evaluation of lung function during the acute asthma might provide an objective assessment on the severity of respiratory function impairment.

Objective: To determine feasibility of interrupter technique in evaluating respiratory resistance (Rocc) on children with acute asthmaMethods: The study included 30 children aged 3 to 14 years, diagnosed with asthma, during an exacerbation; severity of acute asthma has been assessed according to the GINA classification 2007, evaluating individual parameters like intercostals retractions, wheezing, air entry intensity, as well as their association in a clinical score.