Straumann (Switzerland)

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of iodine density map (IDM) using dual-energy CT (DECT) in differentiating colorectal cancer from benign colorectal wall thickening. This IRB-approved dual-center retrospective exploratory study included 71 consecutive patients with colorectal wall thickening due to tumoral or non-tumoral origin, confirmed by colonoscopy and assessed with DECT. Thirty-eight had pathology-proven colorectal adenocarcinoma, and 33 had non-neoplastic thickening (inflammation, physiologic collapse, or post-radiotherapy change). Iodine density values were measured from regions of interest on three consecutive CT slices on portal venous phase, normalized to aortic iodine concentration. Diagnostic performance was determined by ROC analysis, and inter-reader agreement was evaluated with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and limits of agreement (LOA). Mean IDM value was significantly higher in tumors than in benign thickening (2.31±0.42 vs 1.43±0.24mg/mL; p<0.001). Mean normalized iodine density map (NIDM) value was likewise elevated in tumors (0.46±0.10 vs 0.31±0.07; p<0.001). ROC analysis demonstrated excellent performance for both IDM (AUC 0.98; optimal cutoff 1.72mg/mL; sensitivity 92.1%, specificity 90.9%, NPV 90.9%) and NIDM (AUC 0.88; cutoff 0.35; sensitivity 92.1%, specificity 69.7%, NPV 88.7%). There was no significant difference between the inflammatory and collapsed-wall subgroups. Inter-reader agreement was excellent (ICC: 0.93 for IDM; 0.92 for NIDM). IDM and NIDM on DECT provide robust, reproducible markers that differentiate colorectal carcinoma from benign wall thickening with high diagnostic accuracy. These quantitative parameters may improve diagnostic confidence and reduce unnecessary colonoscopies, supporting their integration into colorectal cancer evaluation.

Recent advances in sequencing technologies have increasingly enabled the identification of genetic causes for human monogenic diseases. However, systematic understanding remains limited due to the rarity, genetic heterogeneity, and complex genotype–phenotype relationships of these diseases. Primary ciliopathies are a diverse group of rare disorders caused by variants in genes associated with the cilium, a cellular organelle involved in signaling during development and cell homeostasis. These genetic variants result in a wide spectrum of clinical phenotypes involving the brain, eye, kidney, and skeleton. It remains unclear to what extent this phenotypic diversity can be attributed to the disease-causing genes and their specific roles in ciliary function. Here, we systematically compared human primary ciliopathies with each other and with mouse phenotypes by propagating known disease genes through a network of protein interactions. Network propagation improved the clustering of primary ciliopathies with shared clinical phenotypes and facilitated the identification of mouse phenotypes closely related to primary ciliopathies, due to shared groups of proteins in the interaction network. By leveraging this phenotype-specific approach, we prioritized candidate genes for specific ciliopathies and identified likely pathogenic variants in CEP43, a previously unrecognized ciliopathy gene, in three previously unsolved cases. This study demonstrates that network propagation enhances the genetic and phenotypic understanding of primary ciliopathies, aiding in the prioritization of candidate genes and providing a framework for unraveling shared underlying mechanisms for other rare genetic diseases.

Vision Zero (VZ) is a road safety initiative that seeks to address the problem of road fatalities using a Safe System approach, a holistic endeavor embedded in public health principles that seeks to build layers of protection across transportation systems to eliminate road fatalities and serious injuries. Since 2020, a multidisciplinary research team established a statewide collaborative to support communities pursuing VZ initiatives across North Carolina. The North Carolina VZ collaborative "support model" was created to meet the need for community-based, multisector efforts using a Safe System approach. The support model aims to increase community capacity to more effectively build cross-disciplinary coalitions, pool needed resources, and strengthen adaptive leadership skills to reduce roadway fatalities. The support model approach is used to engage communities in building skills in cross-sector collaboration, adaptive leadership, and evidence-based safety procedures. This is accomplished through structured monthly touchpoint meetings with small groups of community partners for peer learning, quarterly "all-hands" meetings to coordinate efforts across the state and provide resources, and an annual team-based multiday Leadership Institute. From 2020 to 2025, there was notable growth in community participation, from 7 to 33 communities. Of communities with more than 1 year of participation (n=19), more than half advanced VZ implementation with communities moving from an exploration stage to an installation (n=8) or initial implementation (n=2) stage. In 2023, interviews with partner community leads (n=15) indicated that partners utilized resources provided, applied skills they learned at the Leadership Institute, benefited from the peer network, and identified opportunities for increasing the benefits of the support model. The support model demonstrates a promising practice for increasing capacity building and cross-sector collaboration for road safety initiatives requiring complex systems change such as VZ.

Background/Objectives: Formation of tight contacts between oral soft tissue and dental implants is a significant challenge in contemporary implantology. An essential role in this process is played by oral epithelial cells. In the present study, we investigated how titanium and zirconia surfaces with different roughness influence various parameters of oral epithelial cells in vitro. Methods: We used the human oral squamous carcinoma Ca9-22 cell line and cultured them on the following surfaces: machined smooth titanium (TiM) and zirconia (ZrM) surfaces, as well as sandblasted and acid-etched titanium moderately rough (SLA) and zirconia (ZLA) surfaces. Cell proliferation/viability was measured by CCK-8 assay, and cell morphology was analyzed by fluorescent microscopy. The gene expression of interleukin (IL)-8, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, E-cadherin, integrin (ITG)-α6, and ITG-β4 was measured by qPCR, and the content of IL-8 in conditioned media by ELISA. Results: At the initial culture phase, cell proliferation was promoted by rougher surfaces. Differences in cell attachment were observed between machined and moderately rough surfaces. Machined surfaces were associated with slightly higher IL-8 levels (p < 0.05). Furthermore, both ZLA and SLA surfaces promoted the expression of (ITG)-α, ITG-β4, and ICAM-1 in Ca9-22 cells (p < 0.05). Surface material had no impact on the investigated parameters. Conclusions: Under the limitations of this in vitro study, some properties of oral epithelial cells, particularly the immunological and barrier function, are moderately modified by roughness but not by material. Hence, the roughness of the implant surface might play a role in the quality of the peri-implant epithelium.

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengeksplorasi efektivitas sosialisasi pelaksanaan triase di Instalasi Gawat Darurat (IGD) Rumah Sakit Horex Baucau, Timor Leste, terhadap peningkatan pengetahuan tenaga kesehatan. Sosialisasi ini dilakukan dengan memberikan materi berupa diskusi dan tanya jawab, serta media pendukung seperti leaflet dan SOP triase. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ada peningkatan signifikan dalam pengetahuan tenaga kesehatan, dengan rata-rata skor tes pengetahuan yang meningkat dari 5,5 menjadi 8,5 setelah sosialisasi. Peningkatan ini menunjukkan bahwa sosialisasi triase berperan penting dalam memperbaiki pemahaman tenaga kesehatan tentang prosedur triase dan meningkatkan keterampilan mereka dalam penanganan pasien gawat darurat. Meskipun demikian, terdapat beberapa tantangan dalam pelaksanaan, seperti keterbatasan fasilitas dan alat tulis. Penelitian ini menyarankan agar Rumah Sakit Horex Baucau melanjutkan program sosialisasi triase secara berkala dan meningkatkan fasilitas pelatihan untuk mendukung peningkatan kualitas pelayanan IGD di masa depan.

Systematic reviews of the global prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) have shown an underrepresentation of the South American population. The objective of this study was (i) to determine the prevalence and associated factors of UI among older Chilean community-dwelling older adultsand (ii) to analyze the differences between older adults with and without UI. This is an analytical cross-sectional study. A total of 144 community-dwelling older adults aged 60 years and above were eligible to participate in the study. Participants were asked to provide a range of data, including demographic data and anthropometric and self-reported measures. The prevalence of UI was estimated using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQ-SF). The analyzed factors included age, sex, weight, height, residence comorbidities, polypharmacy, cognitive function, and activityof daily living (ADL) functionality. One hundred eight older adults were included in the study. The median age of the participants was 69.0 ± 8.0 years, 84 (77.8%) were women, and 71 (65.7%) lived in an urban residence. The prevalence of UI in the total sample was 48.1% (n = 52). Stress, urge, and mixed types of UI were present in 75 (69.4%), 15 (14.3%), and 18 (16.3%) participants, respectively. Female sex, rheumatoid arthritis, and hypothyroidism were significantly more frequent in older adults with UI (P < 0.05). Correlations ranging from negligible to weak were observed between the presence of UI and the female sex (r = 0.25; P < 0.05), rheumatoid arthritis (r = 0.23; P < 0.05), and hypothyroidism (r = 0.35; P < 0.01). In a sample of community-dwelling older adults, UI was present in 48.1% of the participants. The prevalence of UI was correlated with the female sex, rheumatoid arthritis, and hypothyroidism.