Cell viability of novel composite hydrogels loaded with hydroxyapatite for oral and maxillofacial bone regeneration

Odontology - The development of hydrogels for maxillofacial bone regeneration holds vast potential. However, some challenges need to be addressed to further their application in clinical settings....     

Cytomegalovirus diseases after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A mini-review

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection remains a significant complication after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and may have a deleterious impact on the overall outcome after transplantation. In addition to the direct effects of CMV infection, tissue-invasive CMV diseases may be associated with increased risk of graft versus host disease, myelosuppression, and invasive bacterial and fungal infections. Because of these direct and indirect adverse effects, prevention of CMV infection, mostly through pre-emptive therapy, is one of the essential strategies that may improve outcomes of HSCT recipients. Management of CMV infection relies mainly on intravenous (IV) antiviral therapy with ganciclovir and foscarnet, with or without IV polyclonal immunoglobulins. Although viral resistance remains rare, better tolerated antiviral agents with less serious side effects are needed, and a few will be evaluated in phase III clinical trials in the near future.     

Tropical dermatology: Venomous arthropods and human skin: Part I. Insecta

Although many tropical insects carry infectious diseases, cutaneous injury can occur by other mechanisms, for example erucism (envenomation by caterpillars) or lepidopterism (dermatitis from moths). Pararama is a unique form of erucism seen in workers in contact with rubber trees in the Amazon, and it is caused by Premolis larvae, resulting in progressive periarticular fibrosis, ankylosis, and the loss of articulation. Ants and aquatic insects of the Belostomatidae family can cause painful bites and stings. Anaphylactic shock and death can result from the venom of bees and wasps. Beetles can cause vesicular dermatitis via cantharidin or paederin. Myiasis results from fly larvae (maggots) feeding on live or necrotic tissue of humans or other hosts, while New World screwworm fly larvae feed only on living tissue and burrow (ie, screw) more deeply when attempts are made to remove them. Tungiasis is characterized by very pruritic and painful papules and ulcers resulting from a Tunga flea penetrating the host's skin. Dermatologists should be able to diagnose and treat the cutaneous manifestations of these tropical insects and educate their patients on prevention.     

Prolonged Sinoatrial Block in an Infant With Respiratory Syncytial Viral Bronchiolitis

Complete heart block in children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit with respiratory syncytial viral (RSV) infections has been described. This report describes a prolonged sinoatrial block exceeding 4?s in an infant with RSV, which, to the authors' knowledge, is the longest such event described in the published literature. This block was followed by shorter episodes within the next 24?h. An extensive workup showed no other known cause of bradycardia or sinoatrial block. The infant was discharged home with 48?h Holter monitoring, which was normal. At this writing, the infant has remained asymptomatic since discharge. Respiratory syncytial viral infections may cause prolonged sinoatrial block in an otherwise healthy child.