BACKGROUND: Soft tissue integration (STI) around dental implant abutments is a prerequisite to prevent bacterial invasion and achieve successful dental implant rehabilitation. However, peri-implant STI is a major challenge after dental abutment placement due to alterations in the immune microenvironment upon surgical dental implant installation. METHODS: Based on known immunomodulatory effects of zinc, we herein deposited zinc/chitosan/gelatin (Zn/CS/Gel) coatings onto titanium substrates to study their effect on macrophages. First, we exposed macrophages to cell culture media containing different zinc ion (Zn2+) concentrations. Next, we explored the immunomodulatory effect of Zn/CS/Gel coatings prepared via facile electrophoretic deposition (EPD). RESULTS: We found that Zn2+ effectively altered the secretome by reducing the secretion of pro-inflammatory and enhancing pro-regenerative cytokine secretion, particularly at a Zn2+ supplementation of approximately 37.5 μM. Zn/CS/Gel coatings released Zn2+ in a concentration range which effectively stimulated pro-regenerative macrophage polarization as demonstrated by M2 macrophage polarization. Additionally, the impact of these Zn2+-exposed macrophages on gingival fibroblasts incubated in conditioned medium showed stimulated adhesion, proliferation, and collagen secretion. CONCLUSION Our promising results suggest that controlled release of Zn2+ from Zn/CS/Gel coatings could be applied to immunomodulate peri-implant STI, and to enhance dental implant survival.

Background: To assess the alterations in exacerbation rates, other clinical outcomes, and to identify persistent challenges in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Vietnamese COPD management units (CMUs). Methods: A multi-center, prospective cohort study was conducted on COPD within the CMUs of three study sites. The primary endpoint was exacerbation frequency. Data on demographic and clinical characteristics were collected at the initiation of the study. Participants were followed for 12 to 15 months after enrollment. Results: Throughout the follow-up period, a decrease was noted in the prevalence of patients requiring hospitalization (from 42.3% to 34.4%) and intensive care unit/emergency department admissions (from 5.7% to 0.6%). The annual rates of exacerbation and hospitalization were 0.75±0.89 and 0.56±0.70, respectively. Factors such as symptom severity, degree of airflow obstruction, and body mass index were associated with increased exacerbation frequency and elevated annual exacerbation rates. Our findings underscore the complexities and obstacles encountered in managing COPD during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, including the rise in smoking prevalence, inadequate testing rates, and non-compliance with established treatment guidelines. Conclusion Our study elucidates the challenges and difficulties in managing COPD amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting issues such as increased smoking rates, insufficient testing, and deviations from established therapeutic guidelines. These insights lay the groundwork for future intervention strategies and policy enhancements.

Background: Neutrophil elastase (NE) has been proposed as a potential biomarker for evaluating the severity and prognosis of bronchiectasis. This study aimed to compare bronchial lavage quantification of NE levels and activities with those of sputum. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which 24 Vietnamese adults with bronchiectasis were enrolled from June 2023 to August 2023. All participants underwent bronchoscopy to collect bronchial lavage fluid (BLF) from two bronchial locations: one in the region with the greatest bronchial dilatation and one in the normal bronchi or in patients with all lobes affected, the least abnormal lobe (abnormal BLF [ABLF] and normal BLF [NBLF], respectively). Spontaneously expectorated sputum was also collected. Results: Out of 24 cases, the prevalence of mild, moderate and severe bronchiectasis was 14/24 (58.4%), 5/24 (20.8%), and 5/24 (20.8%), respectively. NE concentration and activity were significantly higher in sputum and ABLF than in NBLF (p<0.001). Sputum and ABLF were highly correlated (r=0.841, p<0.001) with no significant difference in NE activity between sputum and ABLF. Higher levels of NE activity were seen in more severe bronchiectasis than in mild bronchiectasis in all samples but were only statistically significant for NE activity in sputum (r=0.418, p=0.042). Conclusion NE activity and concentration are elevated in areas of the lung most affected by bronchiectasis. Sputum is a valid surrogate of pulmonary NE levels, as they correlate strongly with ABLF and confirm in a Vietnamese population the relationship between NE activity and disease severity.

Purpose: The KidZ Health Castle Formula (KHC-F) was developed to improve the positioning of multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH probes (MII-pH). We hypothesized that the updated formula KHC-Fv2 would performs better than the original formula. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability of KHC-Fv2. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted to assess MII-pH probe positioning in patients aged 1 month to 18 years. Margins of error within 1 cm above or below the target position, as determined using KHC-Fv2 and compared with fluoroscopy, were accepted. Results: Eighty-four children were included in the study. The mean difference between the KHC-Fv2 and target positions was +0.25 cm cranially. The KHC-Fv2 insertion length fell within the accepted difference of ±1 cm of the target position in 67.9% of the children.This percentage increased in infants under 1 year of age (79.5%) or shorter than 100 cm (74.0%) in height. Conclusion KHC-Fv2 demonstrated strong agreement with correct positioning and significantly reduced the need for a second radiologic control after probe repositioning, particularly in infants or children shorter than 100 cm.

BACKGROUND: Soft tissue integration (STI) around dental implant abutments is a prerequisite to prevent bacterial invasion and achieve successful dental implant rehabilitation. However, peri-implant STI is a major challenge after dental abutment placement due to alterations in the immune microenvironment upon surgical dental implant installation. METHODS: Based on known immunomodulatory effects of zinc, we herein deposited zinc/chitosan/gelatin (Zn/CS/Gel) coatings onto titanium substrates to study their effect on macrophages. First, we exposed macrophages to cell culture media containing different zinc ion (Zn2+) concentrations. Next, we explored the immunomodulatory effect of Zn/CS/Gel coatings prepared via facile electrophoretic deposition (EPD). RESULTS: We found that Zn2+ effectively altered the secretome by reducing the secretion of pro-inflammatory and enhancing pro-regenerative cytokine secretion, particularly at a Zn2+ supplementation of approximately 37.5 μM. Zn/CS/Gel coatings released Zn2+ in a concentration range which effectively stimulated pro-regenerative macrophage polarization as demonstrated by M2 macrophage polarization. Additionally, the impact of these Zn2+-exposed macrophages on gingival fibroblasts incubated in conditioned medium showed stimulated adhesion, proliferation, and collagen secretion. CONCLUSION Our promising results suggest that controlled release of Zn2+ from Zn/CS/Gel coatings could be applied to immunomodulate peri-implant STI, and to enhance dental implant survival.

Background: To assess the alterations in exacerbation rates, other clinical outcomes, and to identify persistent challenges in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Vietnamese COPD management units (CMUs). Methods: A multi-center, prospective cohort study was conducted on COPD within the CMUs of three study sites. The primary endpoint was exacerbation frequency. Data on demographic and clinical characteristics were collected at the initiation of the study. Participants were followed for 12 to 15 months after enrollment. Results: Throughout the follow-up period, a decrease was noted in the prevalence of patients requiring hospitalization (from 42.3% to 34.4%) and intensive care unit/emergency department admissions (from 5.7% to 0.6%). The annual rates of exacerbation and hospitalization were 0.75±0.89 and 0.56±0.70, respectively. Factors such as symptom severity, degree of airflow obstruction, and body mass index were associated with increased exacerbation frequency and elevated annual exacerbation rates. Our findings underscore the complexities and obstacles encountered in managing COPD during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, including the rise in smoking prevalence, inadequate testing rates, and non-compliance with established treatment guidelines. Conclusion Our study elucidates the challenges and difficulties in managing COPD amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting issues such as increased smoking rates, insufficient testing, and deviations from established therapeutic guidelines. These insights lay the groundwork for future intervention strategies and policy enhancements.

Background: Neutrophil elastase (NE) has been proposed as a potential biomarker for evaluating the severity and prognosis of bronchiectasis. This study aimed to compare bronchial lavage quantification of NE levels and activities with those of sputum. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which 24 Vietnamese adults with bronchiectasis were enrolled from June 2023 to August 2023. All participants underwent bronchoscopy to collect bronchial lavage fluid (BLF) from two bronchial locations: one in the region with the greatest bronchial dilatation and one in the normal bronchi or in patients with all lobes affected, the least abnormal lobe (abnormal BLF [ABLF] and normal BLF [NBLF], respectively). Spontaneously expectorated sputum was also collected. Results: Out of 24 cases, the prevalence of mild, moderate and severe bronchiectasis was 14/24 (58.4%), 5/24 (20.8%), and 5/24 (20.8%), respectively. NE concentration and activity were significantly higher in sputum and ABLF than in NBLF (p<0.001). Sputum and ABLF were highly correlated (r=0.841, p<0.001) with no significant difference in NE activity between sputum and ABLF. Higher levels of NE activity were seen in more severe bronchiectasis than in mild bronchiectasis in all samples but were only statistically significant for NE activity in sputum (r=0.418, p=0.042). Conclusion NE activity and concentration are elevated in areas of the lung most affected by bronchiectasis. Sputum is a valid surrogate of pulmonary NE levels, as they correlate strongly with ABLF and confirm in a Vietnamese population the relationship between NE activity and disease severity.

BACKGROUND: Soft tissue integration (STI) around dental implant abutments is a prerequisite to prevent bacterial invasion and achieve successful dental implant rehabilitation. However, peri-implant STI is a major challenge after dental abutment placement due to alterations in the immune microenvironment upon surgical dental implant installation. METHODS: Based on known immunomodulatory effects of zinc, we herein deposited zinc/chitosan/gelatin (Zn/CS/Gel) coatings onto titanium substrates to study their effect on macrophages. First, we exposed macrophages to cell culture media containing different zinc ion (Zn2+) concentrations. Next, we explored the immunomodulatory effect of Zn/CS/Gel coatings prepared via facile electrophoretic deposition (EPD). RESULTS: We found that Zn2+ effectively altered the secretome by reducing the secretion of pro-inflammatory and enhancing pro-regenerative cytokine secretion, particularly at a Zn2+ supplementation of approximately 37.5 μM. Zn/CS/Gel coatings released Zn2+ in a concentration range which effectively stimulated pro-regenerative macrophage polarization as demonstrated by M2 macrophage polarization. Additionally, the impact of these Zn2+-exposed macrophages on gingival fibroblasts incubated in conditioned medium showed stimulated adhesion, proliferation, and collagen secretion. CONCLUSION Our promising results suggest that controlled release of Zn2+ from Zn/CS/Gel coatings could be applied to immunomodulate peri-implant STI, and to enhance dental implant survival.

Background: To assess the alterations in exacerbation rates, other clinical outcomes, and to identify persistent challenges in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Vietnamese COPD management units (CMUs). Methods: A multi-center, prospective cohort study was conducted on COPD within the CMUs of three study sites. The primary endpoint was exacerbation frequency. Data on demographic and clinical characteristics were collected at the initiation of the study. Participants were followed for 12 to 15 months after enrollment. Results: Throughout the follow-up period, a decrease was noted in the prevalence of patients requiring hospitalization (from 42.3% to 34.4%) and intensive care unit/emergency department admissions (from 5.7% to 0.6%). The annual rates of exacerbation and hospitalization were 0.75±0.89 and 0.56±0.70, respectively. Factors such as symptom severity, degree of airflow obstruction, and body mass index were associated with increased exacerbation frequency and elevated annual exacerbation rates. Our findings underscore the complexities and obstacles encountered in managing COPD during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, including the rise in smoking prevalence, inadequate testing rates, and non-compliance with established treatment guidelines. Conclusion Our study elucidates the challenges and difficulties in managing COPD amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting issues such as increased smoking rates, insufficient testing, and deviations from established therapeutic guidelines. These insights lay the groundwork for future intervention strategies and policy enhancements.

Background: Neutrophil elastase (NE) has been proposed as a potential biomarker for evaluating the severity and prognosis of bronchiectasis. This study aimed to compare bronchial lavage quantification of NE levels and activities with those of sputum. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which 24 Vietnamese adults with bronchiectasis were enrolled from June 2023 to August 2023. All participants underwent bronchoscopy to collect bronchial lavage fluid (BLF) from two bronchial locations: one in the region with the greatest bronchial dilatation and one in the normal bronchi or in patients with all lobes affected, the least abnormal lobe (abnormal BLF [ABLF] and normal BLF [NBLF], respectively). Spontaneously expectorated sputum was also collected. Results: Out of 24 cases, the prevalence of mild, moderate and severe bronchiectasis was 14/24 (58.4%), 5/24 (20.8%), and 5/24 (20.8%), respectively. NE concentration and activity were significantly higher in sputum and ABLF than in NBLF (p<0.001). Sputum and ABLF were highly correlated (r=0.841, p<0.001) with no significant difference in NE activity between sputum and ABLF. Higher levels of NE activity were seen in more severe bronchiectasis than in mild bronchiectasis in all samples but were only statistically significant for NE activity in sputum (r=0.418, p=0.042). Conclusion NE activity and concentration are elevated in areas of the lung most affected by bronchiectasis. Sputum is a valid surrogate of pulmonary NE levels, as they correlate strongly with ABLF and confirm in a Vietnamese population the relationship between NE activity and disease severity.