Guidance on the assessment of the functionality of biomaterials for periodontal tissue regeneration: Methodologies and testing procedures.

Innovative biomaterials and tissue engineering strategies show great promise in regenerating periodontal tissues. This guidance provides an overview and detailed recommendations for evaluating the biological functionality of these new biomaterials in vitro, focusing on mineralization, immunomodulatory effects, cellular differentiation, and angiogenesis. Additionally, it discusses the use of in vivo experimental models that mimic periodontitis and scrutinizes methods such as osteogenic differentiation, immunomodulation, and anti-inflammatory responses to assess the effectiveness of these biomaterials in promoting periodontal tissue reconstruction.

Risk of sarcopenia: A red flag for cognitive decline in postmenopause?

Objective: To determine if the SARC-F tool, used to screen for sarcopenia risk, can also predict mild cognitive impairment (MCI) diagnosed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) tool.

Methods: This is a sub-analysis of data from a cross-sectional study carried out in postmenopausal women from Latin America (nine countries) in which sociodemographic, clinical, and anthropometric data were collected, and the SARC-F and MoCA tools administered. From the original sample of 1185 women, analysis was performed only among the 772 with natural menopause.

Experimental setup for labyrinth seals: Pressure, temperature, mass flow rate, rotation velocity, and pressure drop simultaneous measurement.

Labyrinth seals (LSs) in turbomachinery are used to minimize leaks. This study presents an experimental setup designed to test and validate LS designs. The test bench (TB) described in this paper can evaluate different LS designs obtained through various methods to find better solutions to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Single and multilevel decompression alone in patients with multilevel lumbar spinal stenosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Multilevel lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a prevalent degenerative condition characterized by lower back pain, intermittent claudication, and radicular leg pain. It ranks as one of the primary indications of spinal surgery in patients aged 65 and older. In this study, we aim to compare single-level and multilevel approaches for decompression alone in LSS considering the incidence of complications, reduction in pain score, and rates of surgical revisions.

Situational Analysis of the Medication Practices in Brazilian Hospitals: A Multicenter Study.

Objective: To carry out a situational analysis of the medication practices in Brazilian hospitals through the Medication Safety Self-Assessment for Hospitals and the factors associated with better performance in the evaluation.

Methods: This is a multicenter cross-sectional study in which the results of the application of the Medication Safety Self-Assessment for Hospitals, between 2015 and 2020, in 30 Brazilian hospitals were described. In addition, whether the institutional profile was associated with higher self-assessment scores (better performance in the evaluation) was also evaluated.

Whole-Cell Thermal Sensor for the Detection of -Infected Erythrocytes: Imprinted Polymers as Synthetic Receptors for the Detection of Malaria.

Malaria is a major public healthcare concern worldwide, representing a leading cause of death in specific regions. The gold standard for diagnosis is microscopic analysis, but this requires a laboratory setting, trained staff, and infrastructure and is therefore typically slow and dependent on the experience of the technician. This study introduces, for the first time, a biomimetic sensing platform for the direct detection of the disease.

Pyrazinyl-Substituted Aminoazoles as Covalent Inhibitors of Thrombin: Synthesis, Structure, and Anticoagulant Properties.

This study presents a novel series of -acylated 1,2,4-triazol-5-amines and 1-pyrazol-5-amines, featuring a pyrazin-2-yl moiety, developed as covalent inhibitors of thrombin. These compounds demonstrated potent inhibitory activity, with derivatives and achieving IC values as low as 0.7 and 0.

Are YouTube™ and TikTok™ videos useful as educational tool for patients with cleft lip and palate?

Objective: To evaluate the quality of YouTube™ and TikTok™ videos as educational tools for patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP) as regards their care, and multidisciplinary treatment.

Methods: Videos were searched on YouTube™ and TikTok™ using four keywords. The reliability and quality of the first 60 videos for each keyword and platform were analyzed.

Design, Synthesis, and Unprecedented Interactions of Covalent Dipeptide-Based Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease and Its Variants Displaying Potent Antiviral Activity.

The main protease (M) of SARS-CoV-2 is a key drug target for the development of antiviral therapeutics. Here, we designed and synthesized a series of small-molecule peptidomimetics with various cysteine-reactive electrophiles. Several compounds were identified as potent SARS-CoV-2 M inhibitors, including compounds (IC = 0.

Clinical management of hereditary gingival fibromatosis: Case report with 13 years follow-up.

Background: Hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) is one of the categories of non-plaque-induced gingival diseases of genetic origin. Current studies show high genetic heterogeneity and suggest that not all forms of HGF are the same and that more than one biological mechanism may result in gingival growth. This report presents a case of syndromic HGF with generalized and complex clinical manifestations associated with other conditions such as body hypertrichosis and hearing deficit.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of optic nerve sheath diameter in patients severe traumatic brain injury: a comparison with intraparenchymal pressure monitoring.

Objective: Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) can worsen the clinical condition of traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. One non-invasive and easily bedside-performed technique to estimate ICP is ultrasonographic measurement of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD). This study aimed to analyze ONSD and correlate it with ICP values obtained by intraparenchymal monitoring to establish the ONSD threshold value for elevated ICP and reference range of ONSD in severe TBI patients.

Prevalence of complications of buccal fat removal: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Removal of the buccal fat pad can be considered safe as long as there is a detailed analysis of anatomical landmarks. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of intra- and postoperative complications resulting from buccal fat pad removal through a systematic review. The search strategy involved observational and/or interventional studies in humans that included at least one case of buccal fat pad removal with a description of the surgery, postoperative progress, and complications.

Educational interventions improve disparities in patient access to kidney transplantation: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Transplantation significantly improves the quality of life for patients with chronic kidney disease. Despite various educational strategies being assessed, the optimal approach to overcome barriers to kidney transplantation remains unclear.

Materials And Methods: The authors conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing educational interventions to improve kidney transplantation access.

Comparison of the adequacies of the OSCE and vOSCE to assess the competencies required under Brazilian medical curriculum guidelines: a multicenter study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the popularization of information and communication technology in medical education. This study aimed to compare the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) and the virtual objective structured clinical examination (vOSCE), based on expert opinion, as tools for assessing the competencies needed under medical curriculum guidelines in Brazil.

Methods: In this multicenter study, the suitability levels of the OSCE and vOSCE for assessing the competencies needed under the Brazilian National Curriculum Guidelines (DCNs) were compared.

Dysregulated autoantibodies targeting AGTR1 are associated with the accumulation of COVID-19 symptoms.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents a wide spectrum of symptoms, the causes of which remain poorly understood. This study explored the associations between autoantibodies (AABs), particularly those targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and renin‒angiotensin system (RAS) molecules, and the clinical manifestations of COVID-19. Using a cross-sectional analysis of 244 individuals, we applied multivariate analysis of variance, principal component analysis, and multinomial regression to examine the relationships between AAB levels and key symptoms.

Trastuzumab deruxtecan in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer brain metastases: A systematic review and updated meta-analysis.

Background: Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) has shown promising activity in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer (BC) and central nervous system (CNS) involvement. In this updated meta-analysis, we explore the effectiveness of T-DXd in a large subset of patients with HER2-positive BC and CNS disease.

Methods: A systematic search was made on September 16th, 2024, for studies investigating T-DXd in the scenario of HER2-positive BC and brain metastases (BMs) and/or leptomeningeal disease (LMD).

Family Perspectives on Functional Priorities for Brazilian Children and Adolescents with Cerebral Palsy.

This study aimed to identify the functional priorities of parents/guardians of Brazilian children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) and to examine possible variations in priorities concerning different age groups and functional classifications. This cross-sectional study included 171 children with CP (mean age: 7.68 ± 3.

Respiratory muscle training in people with cervical spinal cord injury - A systematic review.

Introduction: Spinal cord injury is a physiological disruption often caused by trauma, leading to severe physical and psychological effects, including irreversible impairment and disability. Cervical injuries, particularly between C1 and C8, are the most severe, potentially causing diaphragm paralysis and requiring mechanical ventilation. Reduced respiratory muscle strength not only affects respiratory function but also significantly impacts voice, speech, and communication, which are crucial for quality of life.

Anti-M2-pyruvate kinase autoantibodies are correlated with digestive damage in human Chagas disease.

Background: Determining esophageal and colon involvement in patients with Chagas disease occurs through invasive and uncomfortable examinations, which in most cases are not performed. The objective of this study was to assess the involvement of anti-M2-pyruvate kinase (M2-PK) autoantibodies in the development of digestive alterations and/or in the diagnosis of the digestive form of human Chagas disease.

Methods: The total IgG and isotype (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4) production was quantified using the antigen of Trypanosoma cruzi and the human M2-PK recombinant protein via the ELISA technique.

Chronic fat consumption affects metabolic aspects of murine physiology and influences ovarian follicle atresia.

Saturated fat has been linked to cardiovascular diseases, leading to an increase in polyunsaturated fat consumption. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of three fat sources (coconut oil, lard and soybean oil) on metabolic and reproductive parameters in heterogenic mice. Female Swiss mice (5-6 weeks old; n=9/group) were divided into four experimental groups: control (CC), coconut oil (CO), lard (LA), and soybean oil (SO), and were orally given 0.

Global Insights into Cultured Meat: Uncovering Production Processes, Potential Hazards, Regulatory Frameworks, and Key Challenges-A Scoping Review.

This scoping review aims to understand the cell-based meat production process, including the regulations, potential hazards, and critical points of this production. This review includes studies on cultured meat production processes, health hazards, and regulatory guidelines, excluding those without hazard analysis, incomplete texts, or studies published before 2013. The search was performed in eight electronic databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus, LILACS, and Google Scholar) using MeSH terms and adaptations for each database.

Guidance on biomaterials for periodontal tissue regeneration: Fabrication methods, materials and biological considerations.

Regeneration of the multiple tissues and interfaces in the periodontal complex necessitates multidisciplinary evaluation to establish structure/function relationships. This article, an initiative of the Academy of Dental Materials, provides guidance for performing chemical, structural, and mechanical characterization of materials for periodontal tissue regeneration, and outlines important recommendations on methods of testing bioactivity, biocompatibility, and antimicrobial properties of biomaterials/scaffolds for periodontal tissue engineering. First, we briefly summarize periodontal tissue engineering fabrication methods.