Introduction: Dentin hypersensitivity associated with molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a significant clinical challenge that can adversely affect children’s quality of life. Aim: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of treatment modalities for reducing hypersensitivity in children with MIH. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CENTRAL, and EMBASE was conducted between May 5 and 15, 2025, in accordance with PRISMA 2020. After duplicate removal, 179 records were screened. Twenty-one full-text reports were sought, 11 were assessed for eligibility, and 3 were excluded, including 1 study lacking an eligible comparator/control group for inclusion in the review. Eight randomized controlled trials were included in the qualitative synthesis, of which five randomized controlled trials ( n = 246 participants) were included in the meta-analysis. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated, and heterogeneity was assessed using I ². Subgroup analyses were performed according to intervention category and follow-up duration. Results: The pooled estimate demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in hypersensitivity in favor of intervention groups (SMD = −0.39; 95% confidence interval − 0.71 to − 0.06; P = 0.022), with moderate heterogeneity ( I ² = 56.4%). This estimate was derived from five randomized controlled trials with mixed analytical units and should therefore be interpreted cautiously. Subgroup analyses did not identify a clearly superior treatment modality. Conclusion: Available treatments may reduce MIH-related hypersensitivity; however, no modality demonstrated clear superiority. Further randomized trials with standardized outcomes and longer follow-up are needed.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major contributor to morbidity and healthcare costs worldwide. Aim: We aimed to evaluate the direct treatment charges associated with CKD across different stages and to estimate the overall direct healthcare costs of CKD in Jordan. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at two major university-affiliated hospitals in Jordan, King Abdullah University Hospital in Irbid and Jordan University Hospital in Amman, for both inpatients and outpatients from 2013 to 2023. Charges were analyzed across the first and second years of follow-up, CKD stages, kidney replacement therapy, kidney function tests, and overall treatment charges per patient. The annual direct healthcare costs of CKD were then calculated. Results: A total of 23,017 CKD patients were included. Median charges increased with disease severity: For stages 1, 2, 3a, 3b, 4, and 5, they were 462.33 JOD, 578.45 JOD, 576.11 JOD, 755.43 JOD, 1,058 JOD, and 1,307 JOD, respectively. Hemodialysis and comorbidities such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases significantly increased charges. The Charlson Comorbidity Index, dialysis status, and CKD stage were strong predictors of higher expenditures. Conclusion: CKD imposes significant clinical and economic burdens in Jordan, with increasing severity across disease stages and a rise in associated healthcare utilization and costs.

Sympathetic ophthalmia (SO) is a rare bilateral granulomatous uveitis that typically occurs after penetrating ocular trauma or intraocular surgery. We report a 68-year-old man who developed SO in the left eye 40 years after a perforating injury to the right eye with a retained metallic intraorbital foreign body. Before the onset of left-eye symptoms, he underwent a cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination. Several months later, he presented with uveitic symptoms and a complicated cataract in the left eye. After excluding other noninfectious and infectious causes of granulomatous uveitis, SO was considered the most likely diagnosis. The exciting eye was subsequently enucleated, with removal of the metallic foreign body. After 1 year of inflammatory quiescence, phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation was performed, achieving a favorable visual recovery. This case highlights the potential risk of MRI-related migration of retained metallic intraorbital foreign bodies and suggests the feasibility of appropriately timed cataract surgery in quiescent SO.

Globally, over 37.9 million people are living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWHA), with significant proportion developing cutaneous manifestations. Fungal dermatoses are common in PLWHA; their prevalence largely influenced by the immunosuppression caused by the virus. The introduction of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) has changed the epidemiology of these infections. However, there is limited data on how HAART impacts the prevalence and patterns of fungal dermatoses in PLWHA. This study investigates the effect of HAART on the prevalence and severity of fungal dermatoses in PLWHA. This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin city, Nigeria, involving 150 HAART-experienced and 150 HAART-naïve patients. Prevalence and severity of fungal dermatoses were assessed through clinical examination and laboratory investigations. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25, with significance set at P < 0.05. Mean age of HAART-experienced group was 45.02 ± 11.23 years, while the HAART-naïve group had 42.62 ± 12.22 years. There was statistically significant difference in the CD4 count ( χ ² = 77.99, P < 0.0001) and prevalence of fungal dermatoses ( χ ² = 5.47, P < 0.02) between the two groups; with 14% of the HAART-experienced group and 24.6% of the HAART-naïve group affected. Additionally, severity of fungal dermatoses was significantly lower in the HAART-experienced group, with fewer cases of severe infection (23.8% vs. 54.1%, P < 0.02). HAART reduces the prevalence and severity of fungal dermatoses in HIV-infected patients, likely due to improved immune function. This highlights the benefits of HAART in managing HIV-related fungal infections and underscores the importance of early initiation of therapy.

Prefabricated zirconia crowns (PZCs) and prefabricated fiber crowns (PFCs) are increasingly used as esthetic restorative options for extensively carious primary teeth, driven by rising esthetic demands. This study aimed to compare the surface roughness, topography, and biofilm formation of PZCs and PFCs before and after polishing procedures. Sixty anterior crowns (24 PZCs, 36 PFCs) were sectioned into 5 mm × 5 mm samples, divided into five groups. Group 1: PFCs with no surface treatment; Group 2: PFCs roughened with a bur and polished using a one-step system; Group 3: PFCs polished with a multi-step disc system; Group 4: PZCs with no surface treatment; Group 5: PZCs polished using zirconia polishing rubbers. Surface roughness was evaluated using a profilometer, surface topography with an atomic force microscope, and micro-surface morphology with scanning electron microscopy. Polymicrobial biofilms were developed on the sample surfaces, and colony counts were performed for total bacteria, Streptococcus mutans , and Streptococcus mitis . PZCs exhibited significantly lower surface roughness values than PFCs ( P < 0.05). Roughness decreased after polishing in all groups. Bacterial adhesion correlated with roughness, with the lowest colony counts observed in polished PZCs. Polishing did not significantly alter PZCs, whereas PFCs showed a marked reduction in surface roughness. PZCs may provide clinical advantages due to their smoother surfaces and lower bacterial adhesion. Appropriate polishing protocols for PFCs can also reduce surface roughness and bacterial colonization, improving their clinical performance.

Cardiovascular disease is a significant global health concern, yet there is still a dearth of region-specific data on cardiovascular risk factors connected to the workplace, especially among sawmill workers in low- and middle-income environments. This study aims to evaluate cardiovascular risk factors in sawmill workers in Enugu Metropolis. This analytical cross-sectional study recruited 80 age and sex-matched respondents (40 sawmill workers exposed to wood dust and 40 administrative staff used as controls). Anthropometric and hemodynamic indices were measured according to WHO-standardized protocols. Five millilitres of venous blood were drawn per participant for biochemical analysis, which was analyzed using standard laboratory procedures. Correlation and multivariate regression analyses were used to examine the relationship between the duration of wood dust exposure and cardiometabolic parameters. Lifestyle and sociodemographic variables were accounted for using four models. After adjusting for confounding variables, multivariate analysis confirmed a negative correlation between exposure duration and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Years of wood dust exposure were positively correlated with blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, and total cholesterol among the exposed respondents. In addition, exposed respondents exhibited elevated blood pressure compared with the unexposed. Only 31.7% of workers exposed to hazards consistently utilized personal protective equipment. Prolonged wood dust exposure among sawmill workers in Enugu City is strongly associated with adverse cardiovascular risk markers. Regular health screenings, comprehensive health education and awareness programs, and consistent use of personal protective equipment are recommended.

Hypothyroidism is a common condition, and thyroid hormones play a key role in metabolism and fat regulation. We examined how levothyroxine affects visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and body composition using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in newly diagnosed hypothyroid patients. In this prospective observational study, we enrolled 70 adult patients newly diagnosed with either overt hypothyroidism (OH) or subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH). Levothyroxine was started at 1.6 µg/kg/day for OH and 25 µg/day for SCH, with doses adjusted every 2 months to reach euthyroidism. Body composition and VAT were assessed at baseline and 2 months after achieving euthyroidism. Results were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods, and a P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. The study participants (51 F; 19 M) had a mean age of 36.6 ± 10.7 years, body weight of 63.5 ± 13.6 kg, and a body mass index (BMI) of 25.5 ± 4.2 kg/m 2 . A total of 46 (66%) patients had OH, and 24 (34%) patients had SCH. The mean duration of levothyroxine therapy to achieve euthyroidism in both groups was 7.3 ± 2.2 months. The VAT (gm) did not show a significant change (before 584.7 ± 266.6 and after 596.8 ± 265.3) after achieving euthyroidism ( P = 0.1283). No significant difference was seen in either fat mass or lean mass. Levothyroxine did not significantly alter body composition or VAT during this short observation period. Additional studies with a larger sample size and longer-term follow-up are needed to confirm our findings.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive and life-threatening disease characterized by increased pulmonary vascular resistance, right ventricular failure, and systemic inflammation. Novel biomarkers reflecting disease severity and prognosis are needed for improved risk stratification in PAH. To evaluate the relationship between neutrophil percentage-to-albumin ratio (NPAR) and disease severity in patients with Group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension, and to determine its prognostic value as an inflammatory biomarker. This was a retrospective cohort study conducted on patients with Group 1 PAH. The study included 50 PAH patients (30 New York Heart Association [NYHA] class I-II, 20 class III-IV) and 25 healthy controls without cardiovascular or inflammatory disease for biomarker analysis. Clinical characteristics, laboratory parameters, and echocardiographic data were collected. NPAR was calculated, and its correlation with disease severity and other inflammatory markers was assessed. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) ( P = 0.02), N-Terminal Pro-Brain Natriüretic Peptid (NT-proBNP) ( P = 0.03), NPAR ( P = 0.01), white blood cell (WBC) ( P = 0.03), neutrophil ( P = 0.02), and albumin ( P = 0.02) levels were significantly elevated in PAH patients compared to healthy controls. There was a strong correlation between NPAR and established markers of disease severity, specifically systolic pulmonary artery pressure (sPAP), right atrial (RA) area, NT-proBNP, and 6-min walk distance. According to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, an NPAR threshold exceeding 18.2 proved to be a significant predictor for PAH ( P < 0.05) and yielded a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 71%, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.966 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.95-0.98). NPAR emerged as an independent predictor of PAH and high-risk PAH in multivariate analysis [1.029 (1.018-1.039), P < 0.01]. The study demonstrates that NPAR is a promising biomarker for assessing disease severity and predicting prognosis in PAH. Elevated NPAR levels may reflect systemic inflammation and contribute to the pathogenesis of PAH. Further research is needed to explore the potential therapeutic implications of targeting inflammation in PAH.

Prostasin is a serine protease implicated in inflammation, vascular health, insulin sensitivity, metabolic homeostasis, and diabetes-related complications. However, human studies on prostasin remain limited, especially in Middle Eastern countries where the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is high. To assess plasma prostasin levels in T2DM patients, and evaluate their biomarker potential and relationship with disease outcomes of metabolic control and complications. This cross-sectional study enrolled 294 adults with T2DM and 50 healthy controls. Clinical, demographic, anthropometric, and metabolic data were also collected. Plasma prostasin levels were quantified by ELISA. Prostasin performance was assessed using group differences, correlations, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve performance, and multivariable logistic regression. Patients with T2DM showed a significantly lower levels of prostasin levels compared to controls (67.9 ± 34.1 vs. 170.8 ± 128.8 ng/mL; P < 0.001), with a strong discriminating ability (area under the ROC curve [AUC] = 0.925; optimal cutoff ≤98.1 ng/mL; sensitivity 86.05%; specificity 84%). Levels were even lower in those with complications than those without complications (61.3 ± 25.6 vs. 71.2 ± 37.3 ng/mL; P = 0.018). Prostasin was negatively correlated with HbA1c ( r = -0.173; P = 0.003) and independently predicted lower odds of complications (OR = 0.991; P = 0.031). Plasma prostasin levels are low in patients with T2DM, especially in those with complications. It revealed a strong biomarker discriminatory ability, and an inverse relationship with glycemic burden.