A Comparative Evaluation of Different Irrigation Activation Techniques on Root Canal Cleanliness: A Scanning Electron Microscope Study.

Objective:  This article compares the effect of ultrasonic, sonic activation of intracanal heated 3% sodium hypochlorite and laser-activated 3% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) on root canal cleanliness using scanning electron microscope.

Materials And Methods:  Eighty-eight permanent mandibular premolars were extracted and decoronated to obtain 14 mm of standardized root length. Working length was calculated and canals were prepared till size 25/0.

4-meter walk test in patients with Parkinson's disease: A reliability and validity study.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to examine the test-retest reliability of the 4-Meter Walk Test (4-MWT), the minimum detectable change (MDC) in the 4-MWT, and the concurrent and known-group validity of the 4-MWT in patients with Parkinson Disease (PwPD).

Design: A total of 42 PwPD and 33 healthy people participated in this study. Reliability was quantified using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and the MDC.

Postoperative outcomes in normotensive and hypertensive pheochromocytomas: an international study.

Introduction: Postoperative outcomes of patients with normotensive pheochromocytomas are poorly documented. We aimed to evaluate the impact of preoperative hypertension on post-operative outcomes following adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma.

Methods: An international retrospective study of patients undergoing adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma in 46 centers between 2012-2022 was performed.

Factors Associated With Parental Stress in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Background: Parents having infants treated in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) may experience negative psychosocial effects if they perceive high levels of stress.

Purpose: To investigate associations between perceived stress among parents with infants treated in the NICU and sociodemographic characteristics (educational level), clinical factors (labor week, birthweight, previous miscarriage), dyadic adjustment, illness perception, and healthcare satisfaction.

Methods: In this descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional study, parents ( N = 259) of infants treated in the NICU were recruited by convenience sampling.

Indications of the SERPINE 1 variant rs1799768's role in anti-VEGF therapy resistance in neovascular age-related macular degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a retinal disease prevalent in the elderly population, with two main subtypes: dry (non-exudative) and neovascular (wet or exudative). Neovascular AMD (nAMD) has a more debilitating prognosis than dry AMD, making it the third leading cause of blindness. Intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (IV anti-VEGF) are the most effective and widely accepted treatment for nAMD.

Screening for PTSD in first responders: Turkish adaptation and psychometric validation of the primary care PTSD screen for DSM-5.

Objective: Like other first responders, many firefighters show signs of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that often go undiagnosed. Developing accessible, brief, and efficient screening tools may improve identification and service utilization. The most recent adaptation of the Primary Care PTSD Checklist for the -Fifth Edition (PCL-5; PC-PTSD-5 [0-20]) demonstrates promising screening performance among firefighters.

Poor Oral Health in Adults and Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Studies.

To identify oral health variables associated with laryngotracheal aspiration-related outcomes as determined by swallowing during videofluoroscopy in adults and older adults. This cross-sectional study included 225 persons aged 18 years or older who were referred for clinical evaluation and videofluoroscopy examination due to suspected dysphagia. Oral health status assessment comprised self-reported the number of teeth, use and fit of dentures, xerostomia and satisfaction with chewing.

Innovative treatment of diabetic ulcers: combining chemical debridement and xenograft applications: a case study.

Lower extremity diabetic ulcers (LEDUs) are a common, high-morbidity complication of diabetes, frequently leading to infections, hospitalisations and emergency department visits. This case study examines the treatment effectiveness of a novel wound care approach in a 57-year-old female patient with a hard-to-heal LEDU (a diabetic foot ulcer of the left lower extremity) complicated by poorly controlled diabetes (glycated haemoglobin A1c: 13%). Initially, standard of care (SoC) practices, including alginate dressings, hypochlorous acid gel and sharp debridement, were ineffective in promoting significant healing.

SPP1 macrophages across diseases: A call for reclassification?

SPP1+ macrophages, characterized by elevated expression of the osteopontin gene (secreted phosphoprotein 1, SPP1), have emerged as key players in various pathological contexts, including aging, chronic inflammatory diseases, and cancer. While frequently classified as a subclass of tumor-associated macrophages in oncological settings, their presence in noncancer conditions, such as aging-related disorders and muscular diseases, suggests a broader role beyond tumors. These macrophages share conserved traits, including fibrosis promotion, extracellular matrix remodeling, and immune modulation, often linked to poor clinical outcomes.

Mapping malaria in Thailand: A Bayesian spatio-temporal analysis of national surveillance data.

Objectives: Malaria, caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium, remains prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions. This study employed Bayesian spatio-temporal analysis to assess malaria incidence patterns and identify environmental and climatic correlates across Thailand at the district level.

Methods: We analysed national malaria surveillance data using Bayesian hierarchical models to examine spatio-temporal patterns in malaria incidence.

Expanding the Genetic Spectrum of PPM1K-Related Maple Syrup Urine Disease: A Novel Mutation.

Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is a rare inborn error of metabolism caused by impaired catabolism of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). The genes BCKDHA, BCKDHB, DBT, and DLD encode the subunits of the branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase (BCKDH) complex, which is essential for BCAA metabolism. Catalytic subunits are BCKDHA, BCKDHB, DBT, and DLD, whereas the regulator subunits are PPM1K and BCKDK.

Emerging hybrid techniques in aortic valve interventions: A systematic review of integrating surgical and transcatheter approaches.

Objective: This systematic review examines the development and clinical application of hybrid aortic valve interventions that integrate surgical and transcatheter techniques. It focuses on the efficacy, outcomes, and innovations of these procedures, particularly for patients at moderate-to-high surgical risk.

Methods: A comprehensive database search (PubMed, Ovid, Web of Science, Cochrane, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus) was conducted from August 20 to October 10, 2024.

Unilateral Madarosis Revealing Blepharitis Caused by Microsporum audouinii: A Case Report.

Madarosis, defined as partial or total loss of eyelashes, is an unusual symptom that can reveal a variety of underlying conditions. We report a rare case of unilateral madarosis associated with blepharitis caused by Microsporum audouinii, a dermatophyte responsible for ringworms. An eight-year-old boy presented with ocular pruritus with erythematous squamous lesions of the right eyelid evolving for four days.

Primary Cough Headache Responded to Ultrasound Guided Greater Occipital Nerve Block: A Case Report.

Introduction: Primary Cough Headache (PCH) is a rare type of headache and needs to be evaluated after exlusion of secondary reasons. There are limited number of case reports in the literature about treatment modalities.

Case: Herein, we report that a 42-year-old female patient with PCH who could not use the oral medication because of side effects.

Investigation of the relationship between helicobacter pylori positivity and colon polyps in simultaneous oesophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy procedures.

Introduction: Colorectal polyps evolve into colorectal cancer with genetic mutations. Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection, which is classified as carcinogen, is thought to affect 50% of the world population.

Patients And Methods: Retrospectively, demographic data, HP positivity status, the size, location and number of polyps in patients over 18 years of age who underwent simultaneous sedated oesophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy procedures between January 2023 and December 2023 were analysed and documented through file records.

The Relationship Between Restless Legs Syndrome and Overactive Bladder: A Cross-Sectional, Controlled Study.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the common mechanisms in restless legs syndrome (RLS) and overactive bladder (OAB), the prevalence of OAB in RLS, and the effects of RLS treatment on OAB.

Methods: Sixty patients newly diagnosed with RLS and 60 healthy individuals in the control group were included in the study. The patients completed the RLS-Severity Rating Scale and were started on pramipexole for treatment.

The Next Pandemic? Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome on the Rise.

The emergence of Streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome (STSS) poses a global health challenge after the COVID-19 pandemic. As of June 2024, the number of STSS cases in Japan has risen to 977, surpassing the previous year's total. Streptococcus pyogenes (group A strep) can cause superficial infections as well as more severe conditions, including necrotizing fasciitis and STSS.

Cathepsin K inhibition promotes efficient differentiation of human embryonic stem cells to mature cardiomyocytes by mediating glucolipid metabolism and cellular energy homeostasis.

Background And Aim: Generation of functional cardiomyocytes from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) offers promising applications for cardiac regenerative medicine. Proper control of pluripotency and differentiation is vital for generating high-quality cardiomyocytes and repairing damaged myocardium. Cathepsin K, a lysosomal cysteine protease, is a potential target for cardiovascular disease treatment; however, its role in cardiomyocyte differentiation and regeneration is unclear.

Multicentre, real-world data of next-generation computer-assisted vacuum aspiration thrombectomy in acute pulmonary embolism.

Background: Data on interventional treatment of intermediate-high (and high-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) are limited. The authors sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of catheter-directed mechanical aspiration thrombectomy (CDMT) in a real-world PE patient population.

Methods: This multicenter, prospective registry enrolled PE patients treated with CDMT using the Lightning 12 System.

A cryptic pocket in CB1 drives peripheral and functional selectivity.

The current opioid overdose epidemic highlights the urgent need to develop safer and more effective treatments for chronic pain. Cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) is a promising non-opioid target for pain relief, but its clinical use has been limited by centrally mediated psychoactivity and tolerance. We overcame both issues by designing peripherally restricted CB1 agonists that minimize arrestin recruitment.

Unexplained Fever in a Hemodialysis Patient Possibly due to Cat Scratch Disease Opportunistic Infection.

Introduction: Cat Scratch Disease, caused by the bacterium Bartonella henselae, typically manifests with fever, headache, anorexia, weight loss, tender lymphadenopathy, and other systemic symptoms. Transmission commonly occurs through a cat scratch or bite. The clinical course varies depending on the patient's immune status, notably in individuals with conditions such as renal failure.

Autoantibody development is associated with clinical severity of COVID-19: A cohort study.

Viral infections, including respiratory diseases such as Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), are hypothesized to contribute to the onset of autoimmune disorders. Although elevated levels of autoantibodies have been observed following COVID-19, the role of specific autoantibodies linked to autoimmune diseases and their correlation with disease severity remains poorly defined. In this study, we used a comprehensive autoantibody panel to assess the autoantibody production across different cohorts of COVID-19 patients, categorized by disease severity.

Impact of frailty on outcomes and biliary drainage strategies in acute cholangitis: A retrospective cohort analysis.

Background: Acute cholangitis (AC) is a potentially fatal infection of the biliary tract characterized by varying degrees of severity, with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) serving as the primary drainage modality. Though frailty is linked to poor outcomes in general, its implications for AC patients remain unexplored.

Methods: Using the National Inpatient Sample Database 2017-2020, we identified adult AC hospitalizations, which were further stratified based on frailty.