Medicina
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Background and Objectives: Successful root canal treatment depends on the thorough removal of biofilms through chemomechanical preparation. This study aimed to investigate and compare the cleaning and disinfecting efficiency of oval-shaped root canals using XP-endo Shaper (XPS), ProTaper Next (PTN), and HyFlex CM (HCM) in combination with passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI). Materials and Methods: Ninety extracted teeth were contaminated and randomly divided into three groups: XPS, PTN, and HCM. ⋯ Furthermore, XPS reduced hard tissue debris more effectively in the middle third of canals than in the apical third (p < 0.05). Conclusions: XPS outperforms PTN and HCM in disinfecting oval-shaped root canals. Despite the fact that combining XPS and PUI improves cleaning and disinfecting, removing hard tissue debris from the critical apical area remains challenging.
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Background. The most important anthracycline side effect is cardiotoxicity, resulting in congestive heart failure (HF). Early detection of cardiac dysfunction and appropriate treatment can improve outcomes and reduce the progression of HF. ⋯ A relative decrease in GLS ≤ -18.0% (sensitivity: 72.73%; specificity: 92.06%; AUC, 0.94; p < 0.001) and a relative increase in NT-proBNP > 125 ng/L (sensitivity: 90.0%; specificity: 56.9%; AUC, 0.78; p < 0.001) from baseline to T1 predicted subsequent LV cardiotoxicity at T2. Conclusions. Decrease in GLS and elevation in NT-proBNP were significantly associated with AIC, and these could potentially be used to predict subsequent declines in LVEF with anthracycline-based chemotherapy.
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Background and Objectives: Gender differences are poorly investigated in patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD), although they could be useful in determining the most appropriate pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment. The aim of the present study was to compare sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and the emotional and behavioral dimensions (such as coping, alexithymia, and sensory profile) between males and females with BPD. Material and Methods: Two hundred seven participants were recruited. ⋯ Finally, females with BPD had higher scores in the Sensory Sensitivity and Sensation Avoiding categories at the AASP. Conclusions: Our study highlights gender differences in substance use, emotion expression, future vision, sensory perception, and coping strategies in patients with BPD. Further gender studies may clarify these differences and guide the development of specific and differential treatments in males and females with BPD.
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Background and Objectives: Developing effective treatment outcomes for multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MRAB) infections, with colistin and tigecycline the current frontline therapies, is challenging, because of the risk of renal toxicity and low blood concentrations of active ingredients when administered intravenously. This study aimed to identify the effect of combination therapy using conventional antimicrobial agents that are used for treating drug-resistant bacteria and the additional synergistic effect of four probiotic culture extracts isolated from the human body and Lactobacillus preparations. Materials and Methods: The antimicrobial combination and synergistic effect of adding Lactobacillus extract against 33 strains of A. baumannii isolated from pus, urine, and other specimens submitted to the Department of Laboratory Medicine of a university hospital, located in Gyeonggi-do, Korea, was investigated over a 3-year period between January 2017 and December 2019. ⋯ Checkerboard test results demonstrated that combination therapy using meropenem and colistin had the highest synergistic effect (fractional inhibitory concentration index = 0.5), while the time-kill assay test using Lactobacillus spp. culture extract exhibited an inhibitory effect within 1 h and complete inhibition of MRAB within 3 h. Lactobacillus paracasei exhibited the fastest antimicrobial reactivity and longest sustained antimicrobial activity. Conclusion: These findings provide useful foundational data for an appropriate combination of colistin with other antimicrobial agents for treating MRAB infection in clinical settings, and the use of various probiotic culture extracts to reduce the required dosage, and therefore toxicity of colistin.