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Purpose: Homogeneous calcium aluminate cement–based (CH) materials hold potential as biomaterials, while bioactive glass (BG-58S) is a promising bone regeneration material with excellent bioactivity. Strontium, known for stimulating bone tissue regeneration, was incorporated into CH-BG-58S blends to enhance bioactivity, osteogenesis, and bone tissue repair. Methods: Blends with only BG-58S were evaluated for viscosity, injectability, and workability. In vitro tests were performed using MG63 cells and in vivo tests utilized blends CH-7.5BG-58S and CH-7.5BG-58S/Sr to fill monocortical critical bone defects. Bactericidal capacity against Escherichia coliand Staphylococcus aureuswas also evaluated. The addition of BG to CH increased viscosity, decreased injectability, and improved workability. Results: All blends were non-cytotoxic, and CH-7.5BG-58S and CH-10BG-58S blends exhibited bactericidal capacity against E. coli. Osteogenic activity, confirmed by mineralization nodule formation, was observed in all blends. Histomorphometric and histological analyses revealed bone neoformation, with emphasis on SrO-containing groups, but without statistical significance among groups (p> 0.05). Conclusion: This research highlights the potential of CH-BG-58S blends, particularly those with strontium, as bioactive materials for bone tissue engineering.

Abstract: The importance of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) database lies in its critical role in improving the quality of care for very preterm neonates and other high-risk newborns. These databases contain extensive information regarding maternal exposures, pregnancy complications, and neonatal care. They support quality improvement (QI) initiatives, facilitate clinical research, and track health outcomes in order to identify best practices and improve clinical guidelines. The Parkland Memorial Hospital NICU database was originally part of the Maternal and Neonatal Data Acquisition, Transmission and Evaluation project funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to assess perinatal-neonatal care in Dallas County Texas, 1977–1982. Clinical data points were defined, transcribed and validated in 1977; revalidation has occurred multiple times. Data are prospectively extracted from health records of high-risk neonates among >11,000 births annually. The database contains clinical information on >50,000 neonates, including all initially admitted to the NICU regardless of gestational age or birthweight and since 10/03/2011, all neonates admitted for observation and transferred to the term newborn nursery. The database has provided the basis for QI studies and research designed to assess and improve neonatal care. We discuss the history, evolution, administration, impact on neonatal outcomes, and future directions of our database. Impact:

A single neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) database was designed for prospective data collection, validated and maintained for 46yrs.

This database has supported quality improvement assessment, original clinical research, education and administrative requirements and impacted clinical neonatal care.

Background: Histoplasmosis is the most common endemic mycosis among people living with advanced HIV infection.Purpose: Describe general aspects and challenges of this disease and its association with HIV.Research Design: Review of literature.Study Sample: Articles found using different combinations of terms including “disseminated histoplasmosis” and AIDS/HIV or immunosuppression in PubMed, Scopus, WHO Global health library, and Scielo database.Analysis: We look for information on epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of histoplasmosis in AIDS patients.Results: Histoplasmosis is caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, a dimorphic fungus encountered throughout the world, mainly in soil enriched with bat and bird excreta. Progressive disseminated histoplasmosis is the main presentation of this mycosis in people living with advanced HIV and is fatal if left untreated. Symptoms include a systemic disease characterized by fever, weight loss, night sweats, skin manifestations, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and septic shock. Diagnostic tests include culture, visualization of H. capsulatumby direct and histopathological examination, serology, antigen, molecular, and skin testing. Patients with disseminated disease require aggressive and prolonged treatment to eradicate the pathogen and include amphotericin B and itraconazole. In many low income countries of endemic regions, histoplasmosis in HIV-positive patients is often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as another opportunistic infection, due to the similarity in clinical manifestations and to the paucity of better diagnostic tests.Conclusion: Histoplasmosis remains a neglected disease. Few studies about the disease and expensive treatments make it difficult to reduce the morbidity and mortality of this condition. Public health services and physicians must be aware of histoplasmosis' burden among the HIV-positive population.

A method based on ultrasound-assisted emulsification liquid–liquid microextraction (USAEME) for cadmium determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) was developed in this work. USAEME is based on the use of the mixture of 1,2-dichloroethane and trichloroethylene as an acceptor phase, 2-(2-bromo-5-pyridylazo)-5(diethylamino)phenol (Br-PADAP) as a chelating reagent, and ethanol as a dispersive solvent. The composition of the extraction and dispersive solvents, the volume of the extraction solvent, pH, and the sonication time were optimized using the multivariate strategy. The limits of detection and quantification calculated under optimum conditions were, respectively, 0.39 and 1.33 μg L−1,and the obtained enrichment factor was 21. The accuracy was tested by the analysis of certified reference materials. The method was applied to cadmium determination in bivalve mollusks, water, and urban wastewater from Pontal Bay, Bahia, Brazil. The proposed method is simple, fast, and efficient, and uses small amounts of organic solvents for the determination of cadmium.

The cochlear implant device has the capacity to measure the electrically evoked compound action potential of the auditory nerve. The neural response telemetry is used in order to measure the electrically evoked compound action potential of the auditory nerve.

Alström Syndrome is a rare disease caused by mutations in ALMS1 gene. It is characterized by a progressive degeneration of sensory functions, resulting in visual and audiological impairment, as well as metabolic disturbances such as childhood obesity, hyperinsulinemia, and diabetes mellitus type 2.