Disparity in the Influence of Implant Provisional Materials on Human Gingival Fibroblasts with Different Phases of Cell Settlement: An In Vitro Study.

The development of healthy peri-implant soft tissues is critical to achieving the esthetic and biological success of implant restorations throughout all stages of healing and tissue maturation, starting with provisionalization. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of eight different implant provisional materials on human gingival fibroblasts at various stages of cell settlement by examining initial cell attachment, growth, and function. Eight different specimens-bis-acrylic 1 and 2, flowable and bulk-fill composites, self-curing acrylic 1 and 2, milled acrylic, and titanium (Ti) alloy as a control-were fabricated in rectangular plates (n = 3). The condition of human gingival fibroblasts was divided into two groups: those in direct contact with test materials (contact experiment) and those in close proximity to test materials (proximity experiment). The proximity experiment was further divided into three phases: pre-settlement, early settlement, and late settlement. A cell culture insert containing each test plate was placed into a well where the cells were pre-cultured. The number of attached cells, cell proliferation, resistance to detachment, and collagen production were evaluated. In the contact experiment, bis-acrylics and composites showed detrimental effects on cells. The number of cells attached to milled acrylic and self-curing acrylic was relatively high, being approximately 70% and 20-30%, respectively, of that on Ti alloy. There was a significant difference between self-curing acrylic 1 and 2, even with the same curing modality. The cell retention ability also varied considerably among the materials. Although the detrimental effects were mitigated in the proximity experiment compared to the contact experiment, adverse effects on cell growth and collagen production remained significant during all phases of cell settlement for bis-acrylics and flowable composite. Specifically, the early settlement phase was not sufficient to significantly mitigate the material cytotoxicity. The flowable composite was consistently more cytotoxic than the bulk-fill composite. The harmful effects of the provisional materials on gingival fibroblasts vary considerably depending on the curing modality and compositions. Pre-settlement of cells mitigated the harmful effects, implying the susceptibility to material toxicity varies depending on the progress of wound healing and tissue condition. However, cell pre-settlement was not sufficient to fully restore the fibroblastic function to the normal level. Particularly, the adverse effects of bis-acrylics and flowable composite remained significant. Milled and self-curing acrylic exhibited excellent and acceptable biocompatibility, respectively, compared to other materials.

A patient with simultaneous anterior and inferior ST-segment elevation after percutaneous coronary intervention.

A patient who presented with acute inferior-right ventricular (RV) ST-segment elevation (STE) myocardial infarction (MI) is described. Coronary angiography showed a mid-right coronary artery (RCA) occlusion and high-grade proximal left anterior descending (LAD) artery stenoses. Electrocardiography (ECG) after stent angioplasty to the RCA showed new STE in leads V1-V6. Whereas STE pattern recognition was misleading, ECG analysis using vector concepts enabled exclusion of anterior MI due to proximal LAD artery occlusion and recognition of the RV origin of this ECG picture. The ability of the ECG to "capture" RV dilation that enabled the manifestation of this ECG picture is highlighted.

United through leadership: survey results from the Medic Mentor scholarship programme for medical, dental and veterinary students.

BACKGROUND: Effective leadership is essential for practising within increasingly complex healthcare systems. It is recognised that early leadership training is key for medical and other healthcare students; however, integration into curricula and providing 'hands-on' opportunities can be challenging. OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to assess their perspectives and achievements while undertaking a national scholarship programme designed to develop leadership skills for medical, dental and veterinary students. METHODS: An online questionnaire was designed based on the clinical leadership framework competencies and distributed to students currently enrolled on the programme. Data were collected on student perspectives and achievements gained during the programme. RESULTS: The survey was distributed to 78 enrolled students. 39 responses were received. The majority of students either agreed or strongly agreed that the programme improved leadership skills across three domains of 'personal qualities', 'working with others' and 'managing services', and over 80% reported that the scheme had enhanced their professional development. Several students reported an academic achievement, including presentation of project work at a national level. CONCLUSION: Responses indicate that this programme is an effective adjunct to traditional university leadership training. We suggest that extracurricular schemes provide additional educational and practical opportunities to help shape the healthcare leaders of tomorrow.

Repeatability of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound to Determine Renal Cortical Perfusion.

Alterations in renal perfusion play a major role in the pathogenesis of renal diseases. Renal contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is increasingly applied to quantify renal cortical perfusion and to assess its change over time, but comprehensive assessment of the technique's repeatability is lacking. Ten adults attended two renal CEUS scans within 14 days. In each session, five destruction/reperfusion sequences were captured. One-phase association was performed to derive the following parameters: acoustic index (AI), mean transit time (mTT), perfusion index (PI), and wash-in rate (WiR). Intra-individual and inter-operator (image analysis) repeatability for the perfusion variables were assessed using intra-class correlation (ICC), with the agreement assessed using a Bland-Altman analysis. The 10 adults had a median (IQR) age of 39 years (30-46). Good intra-individual repeatability was found for mTT (ICC: 0.71) and PI (ICC: 0.65). Lower repeatability was found for AI (ICC: 0.50) and WiR (ICC: 0.56). The correlation between the two operators was excellent for all variables: the ICCs were 0.99 for PI, 0.98 for AI, 0.87 for mTT, and 0.83 for WiR. The Bland-Altman analysis showed that the mean biases (± SD) between the two operators were 0.03 ± 0.16 for mTT, 0.005 ± 0.09 for PI, 0.04 ± 0.19 for AI, and -0.02 ± 0.11 for WiR.