Guiding Evidence-Based Classification in Para Sporting Populations: A Systematic Review of Impairment Measures and Activity Limitations.

Background: As the focus of classification shifts towards an evidence-based approach, it is crucial to establish a robust system that relies on valid and reliable measures of impairment to ensure legitimate and competitive opportunities for all Para athletes. However, the lack of methods that possess the necessary measurement properties for assessing impairments in Para sporting populations presents significant challenges to developing an evidence-based classification system.

Objective: This review aimed to identify and evaluate measures of impairment and activity limitation measures that have been used to assess eligible impairments in Para sport athletes for potential use in evidence-based classification.

Effect of Cangrelor on Infarct Size in ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Treated by Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial (The PITRI Trial).

Background: The administration of intravenous cangrelor at reperfusion achieves faster onset of platelet P2Y12 inhibition than oral ticagrelor and has been shown to reduce myocardial infarction (MI) size in the preclinical setting. We hypothesized that the administration of cangrelor at reperfusion will reduce MI size and prevent microvascular obstruction in patients with ST-segment-elevation MI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Methods: This was a phase 2, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted between November 2017 to November 2021 in 6 cardiac centers in Singapore.

Meeting report: Advancing accelerated regulatory review with Real-Time Oncology Review (RTOR), Project Orbis, and the Product Quality Assessment Aid.

The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) Community hosted two virtual panel discussions focusing on several novel regulatory review pathways for innovative oncology products: Real-Time Oncology Review (RTOR), Project Orbis, and the Product Quality Assessment Aid (PQAAid). The panel sessions were held on August 27, 2021, for the discussion of RTOR, and January 21, 2022, for the discussion of Project Orbis and the PQAAid. Both panel sessions included representatives from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and subject matter experts from the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, with the aim of facilitating knowledge sharing on CMC-specific advantages, challenges, eligibility criteria for participation, and operational modifications instituted through the utilization of these acceleration initiatives.

Glass-ionomer and calcium silicate-based cements interactions with human dentine in health and disease: Two-photon fluorescence microscopy and Raman spectroscopy analysis.

Objectives: To investigate the potential mineralising effects of calcium silicate-based dentine replacement material (Biodentine™) in comparison with glass-ionomer cement (GIC) (Fuji IX™) on different human dentine substrates using a multimodal non-invasive optical assessment.

Methods: Cements were applied on artificially demineralised or naturally carious dentine and stored for 4 weeks in phosphate-rich media +/- tetracycline used for mineralisation labelling. Interfacial dentine was examined from the same sample and location before and after aging using two-photon fluorescence microscopy, fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) and second harmonic generation (SHG) imaging.

Methacrylic monomer derived from cardanol incorporated in dental adhesive as a polymerizable collagen crosslinker.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence on MMP inhibition, dentin adhesion and physicochemical properties of an adhesive system incorporated with polymerizable collagen crosslinker monomer derived from cardanol.

Methods: The intermediary cardanol epoxy (CNE) was synthesized through cardanol epoxidation, followed by synthesis of cardanol methacrylate through methacrylic acid solvent-free esterification. Zymographic analysis was performed to evaluate the substances' ability to inhibit gelatinolytic enzymes.

Hysteresis and fiscal stimulus in a recession.

The COVID-19 pandemic initiated a deep global recession, and with interest rates at very low levels, warrants consideration of the efficacy of different forms of fiscal stimulus in response. History reveals that deep recessions may cause output and total factor productivity (TFP) hysteresis, a permanent or highly persistent fall in the levels of output and TFP relative to pre-recession trends. This article analyses the output and welfare multipliers of fiscal stimulus during a recession using a macro model with TFP and output hysteresis.

Outcomes of patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction in the era of second-generation drug eluting stents; five-year follow-up.

Aim: The second-generation everolimus and zotarolimus drug eluting stents (DES) have shown superiority for repeat revascularisation and safety to the first-generation devices for stable patients. However, the benefit of those devices in the setting of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has remained questionable due to concern regarding stent thrombosis (ST) seen with the first-generation devices. We review the outcomes of patients with STEMI treated in our centre at a time when the second-generation DES became the standard of care.

Chitosan-bioglass complexes promote subsurface remineralisation of incipient human carious enamel lesions.

Objectives: To test the in vitro subsurface remineralisation efficacy of chitosan-bioglass complex on artificial white spot lesions.

Methods: 64 artificial enamel white spot lesions were created by acidic gel and equally separated for static and 7d pH-cycling models. In each model, samples were assigned to 4 groups: (1) bioglass application on chitosan pre-treated lesions (CB); (2) chitosan-bioglass slurry (CBS); (3) "standard" remineralisation solution (RS - positive control); (4) deionised water (NC - negative control).

Platelet inhibition to target reperfusion injury trial: Rationale and study design.

Background: In ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI), current oral P2Y12 platelet inhibitors do not provide maximal platelet inhibition at the time of reperfusion. Furthermore, administration of cangrelor prior to reperfusion has been shown in pre-clinical studies to reduce myocardial infarct (MI) size. Therefore, we hypothesize that cangrelor administered prior to reperfusion in STEMI patients will reduce the incidence of microvascular obstruction (MVO) and limit MI size in STEMI patients treated with PPCI.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of South-East Asian patients with Takotsubo (stress-induced) cardiomyopathy.

Background: There is limited data on the natural history of Takotsubo (stress-induced) cardiomyopathy in South-East Asian patients. We aim to evaluate the clinical characteristics, predisposing factors and outcomes of patients diagnosed with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in our region.

Methods: From January 2010 to March 2017, 98 patients were diagnosed with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in our institution.

Evaluation of the efficacy of calcium silicate vs. glass ionomer cement indirect pulp capping and restoration assessment criteria: a randomised controlled clinical trial-2-year results.

Objectives: Assess calcium silicate cement (Biodentine™) vs. glass ionomer cement (Fuji IX™, control) as indirect pulp capping (IPC) materials in patients with reversible pulpitis after a 2-year follow-up. Evaluate the integrity of the overlying resin composite restorations using modified USPHS criteria and FDI criteria.

In-vitro subsurface remineralisation of artificial enamel white spot lesions pre-treated with chitosan.

Objective: To test the null hypothesis that chitosan application has no impact on the remineralisation of artificial incipient enamel white spot lesions (WSLs).

Methods: 66 artificial enamel WSLs were assigned to 6 experimental groups (n=11): (1) bioactive glass slurry, (2) bioactive glass containing polyacrylic acid (BG+PAA) slurry, (3) chitosan pre-treated WSLs with BG slurry (CS-BG), (4) chitosan pre-treated WSLs with BG+PAA slurry (CS-BG+PAA), (5) remineralisation solution (RS) and (6) de-ionised water (negative control, NC). Surface and cross-sectional Raman intensity mapping (960cm) were performed on 5 samples/group to assess mineral content.

The effect of dentine pre-treatment using bioglass and/or polyacrylic acid on the interfacial characteristics of resin-modified glass ionomer cements.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of load-cycle aging and/or 6 months artificial saliva (AS) storage on bond durability and interfacial ultramorphology of resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) applied onto dentine air-abraded using Bioglass 45S5 (BAG) with/without polyacrylic acid (PAA) conditioning.

Methods: RMGIC (Ionolux, VOCO) was applied onto human dentine specimens prepared with silicon-carbide abrasive paper or air-abraded with BAG with or without the use of PAA conditioning. Half of bonded-teeth were submitted to load cycling (150,000 cycles) and half immersed in deionised water for 24 h.

Cellular differentiation, bioactive and mechanical properties of experimental light-curing pulp protection materials.

Objective: Materials for pulp protection should have therapeutic properties in order to stimulate remineralization and pulp reparative processes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the mechanical properties, biocompatibility, cell differentiation and bioactivity of experimental light-curable resin-based materials containing bioactive micro-fillers.

Methods: Four calcium-phosphosilicate micro-fillers were prepared and incorporated into a resin blend: 1) Bioglass 45S5 (BAG); 2) zinc-doped bioglass (BAG-Zn); 3) βTCP-modified calcium silicate (β-CS); 4) zinc-doped β-CS (β-CS-Zn).

Remineralisation of enamel white spot lesions pre-treated with chitosan in the presence of salivary pellicle.

Objective: To investigate the remineralisation of chitosan pre-treated enamel white spot lesions (WSLs) by bioglass in the presence of the pellicle layer.

Methods: 50 artificial enamel white spot lesions were created by acidic gel. Two lesions were used to investigate the formation of the pellicle layer by treating with human whole saliva for 3 min.

Long and short of optimal stent design.

The ideal stent must fulfil a broad range of technical requirements. Stents must be securely crimped onto the delivery balloon and, in this form, must have a low profile and be sufficiently flexible to facilitate deliverability to the lesion site without distortion or displacement. Following expansion, stents must exert sufficient radial force on the vessel wall to overcome lesion resistance and elastic recoil.

Clinical characteristics, risk factors and outcomes of South-East Asian patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

Background: The clinical features of acute PE have not been well studied in South-East Asia. We therefore sought to evaluate the clinical characteristics, risk factors and outcomes of patients diagnosed with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) in our region.

Methods: From January 2008 to March 2013, 343 patients were admitted to our tertiary institution with acute PE.

Causes of delay in door-to-balloon time in south-east Asian patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Objective: To evaluate causes and impact of delay in the door-to-balloon (D2B) time for patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI).

Subjects And Methods: From January 2009 to December 2012, 1268 patients (86% male, mean age of 58 ± 12 years) presented to our hospital for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and underwent PPCI. They were divided into two groups: Non-delay defined as D2B time ≤ 90 mins and delay group defined as D2B time > 90 mins.

An in vitro investigation of pre-treatment effects before fissure sealing.

Background: Fissure sealants prevent occlusal caries in permanent molars. Enamel preparation methods are used before fissure sealing.

Aims: To investigate effects of bioglass air-abrasion pre-treatment with and without an adhesive, on fissure enamel of permanent teeth, with respect to etchability, microleakage and microtensile bond strength.

Influence of bioactive particles on the chemical-mechanical properties of experimental enamel resin infiltrants.

Objective: This study aimed at evaluating the chemophysical properties of experimental resin infiltrants (ERIs) doped with different bioactive particles.

Methods: A control resin infiltrant (CR) was formulated using triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) and ethoxylated bisphenol A dimethacrylate (BisEMA). Moreover, five experimental ERIs were also created by incorporating the following bioactive fillers (10 wt%) into the CR: hydroxyapatite (Hap), amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP), zinc-polycarboxylated bioactive glass (BAG-Zn), bioactive glass 45S5 (BAG 45S5), and calcium silicate modified with beta tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP).

Drug-Coated Balloons: A Safe and Effective Alternative to Drug-Eluting Stents in Small Vessel Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: Drug-coated balloons (DCB) have been used to treat de novo small vessel coronary disease (SVD), with promising results and shorter dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) duration compared to drug-eluting stents (DES). We compared safety and effectiveness of the two treatments at 1 year.

Methods: We reviewed 3,613 angioplasty cases retrospectively from 2011 to 2013 and identified 335 patients with SVD treated with device diameter of ≤2.