Accurate Age Determination for Adolescents Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Hand and Wrist with an Artificial Neural Network-Based Approach

Abstract

This study proposes an accurate method in assessing chronological age of the adolescents using a machine learning approach using MRI images. We also examined the value of MRI with Tanner-Whitehouse 3 (TW3) method in assessing skeletal maturity. Seventy-nine 12–17-year-old healthy Hong Kong Chinese adolescents were recruited. The left hand and wrist region were scanned by a dedicated skeletal MRI scanner. T1-weighted three-dimensional coronal view images for the left hand and wrist region were acquired. Independent maturity indicators such as subject body height, body weight, bone marrow composition intensity quantified by MRI, and TW3 skeletal age were included for artificial neural network (ANN) analysis. Our results indicated that the skeletal age was generally underestimated using TW3 method, and significant difference (p < 0.05) was noted for skeletal age with chronological age for female category and at later stage of adolescence (15 to 17 years old) in both genders. In our proposed machine learning approach, ages determined by ANN method agreed well with chronological age (p > 0.05).The machine learning approach using ANN method was about 10-fold more accurate than the TW3 method using MRI alone. It offers a more objective and accurate solution for prospective chronological maturity assessment for adolescents.

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“Sodium bicarbonate”: an adjunct to painless palatal anesthesia

Abstract

Purpose

It is believed that whenever we inject local anesthesia into the palate it is a painful experience for the patients. The aim of this study was to make palatal anesthesia painless by adding 7.4% sodium bicarbonate as an adjunct in local anesthesia.

Methods

Fifty subjects requiring extraction of maxillary bilateral premolar teeth for orthodontic purpose free from periapical infections. These extractions were divided in such a way that all right-sided extractions were done under 2% lignocaine with 1:80,000 adrenaline; and all left-sided extractions were done under 2% lignocaine with 1:80,000 adrenaline with 7.4% sodium bicarbonate added. All extractions were performed using a consistent intra-alveolar technique by a single operator. Both the patient and the operator were blinded to the contents of the local anesthetic solution. Data records of these patients were procured on the basis of VAS and VRS, requirement of repeated injection, and onset and duration of anesthesia.

Results

Clinical and statistical data confirmed that the addition of sodium bicarbonate in local anesthetics reduces pain and decreased the onset and increased duration of local anesthesia in the palatal site, as compared to injection of local anesthetic without sodium bicarbonate.

Conclusion

Effect of sodium bicarbonate on reducing pain while injecting into the palatal aspect was noted in this study.

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Influence of static forces on the expression of selected parameters of inflammation in periodontal ligament cells and alveolar bone cells in a co-culture in vitro model

Abstract

Objective

Aim of this study was to investigate the impact of human PDL-derived fibroblasts (HPDF) and human alveolar bone-derived osteoblasts (HABO) co-culture on the expression of cytokines involved in tissue remodeling using an in vitro compressive force (CF) model.

Materials and methods

Static compressive force (CF) of 47.4 g/cm² was applied on mono- and co-cultured HPDFs and HABOs for 1, 2, or 4 h at 30 °C. TNFA, PTGS2, and IL6 gene expressions were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. TNF, PGE₂, and IL6 concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

In mono-culture, TNFA, PTGS2, and IL6 gene expressions were upregulated under CF as compared to controls for each time period in both cell types. PGE₂ increased at 1 and 2 h in both cell types, and IL6 increased only at 2 and 4 h in HPDFs. Co-culture alleviated the force-induced increase of the expression of TNFA, PTGS2, IL6, PGE2, and IL6 in HPDFs at any time point. In HABOs, co-cultivation decreased the expression of PGE₂ after 1 h and 4 h, and that of IL6 after 1 h compared to mono-culture.

Conclusions

CF application on co-cultures of HPDFs and HABOs causes significant changes of TNFA, PTGS2, and IL6 gene expressions and PGE₂ and IL6 production in comparison to mono-culture indicating intercellular communication.

Clinical relevance

Mechanical stimulation of HPDFs and HABOs in co-culture induces a different gene expression pattern than stimulation of individual cell types alone. Co-culture might therefore be a relevant method to elucidate periodontal regeneration during orthodontic therapy.

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Review of Human Hair Follicle Biology: Dynamics of Niches and Stem Cell Regulation for Possible Therapeutic Hair Stimulation for Plastic Surgeons

Abstract

Plastic surgeons are frequently asked to manage male- and female-pattern hair loss in their practice. This article discusses the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and current management of androgenetic alopecia and emphasizes more recent knowledge of stem cell niches in hair follicles that drive hair cycling, alopecia, and its treatment. The many treatment programs available for hair loss include newer strategies that involve the usage of growth factors, platelet-rich plasma, and fat to stimulate follicle growth. Future research may clarify novel biomolecular mechanisms that target specific cells that promote hair regeneration.

Level of Evidence V This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

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Review of Human Hair Follicle Biology: Dynamics of Niches and Stem Cell Regulation for Possible Therapeutic Hair Stimulation for Plastic Surgeons

Abstract

Plastic surgeons are frequently asked to manage male- and female-pattern hair loss in their practice. This article discusses the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and current management of androgenetic alopecia and emphasizes more recent knowledge of stem cell niches in hair follicles that drive hair cycling, alopecia, and its treatment. The many treatment programs available for hair loss include newer strategies that involve the usage of growth factors, platelet-rich plasma, and fat to stimulate follicle growth. Future research may clarify novel biomolecular mechanisms that target specific cells that promote hair regeneration.

Level of Evidence V This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

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Review of Human Hair Follicle Biology: Dynamics of Niches and Stem Cell Regulation for Possible Therapeutic Hair Stimulation for Plastic Surgeons

Abstract

Plastic surgeons are frequently asked to manage male- and female-pattern hair loss in their practice. This article discusses the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and current management of androgenetic alopecia and emphasizes more recent knowledge of stem cell niches in hair follicles that drive hair cycling, alopecia, and its treatment. The many treatment programs available for hair loss include newer strategies that involve the usage of growth factors, platelet-rich plasma, and fat to stimulate follicle growth. Future research may clarify novel biomolecular mechanisms that target specific cells that promote hair regeneration.

Level of Evidence V This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

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Trajectories of childhood immune development and respiratory health relevant to asthma and allergy

Events in early life contribute to subsequent risk of asthma; however, the causes and trajectories of childhood wheeze are heterogeneous and do not always result in asthma. Similarly, not all atopic individuals develop wheeze, and vice versa. The reasons for these differences are unclear. Using unsupervised model-based cluster analysis, we identified latent clusters within a prospective birth cohort with deep immunological and respiratory phenotyping. We characterised each cluster in terms of immunological profile and disease risk, and replicated our results in external cohorts from the UK and USA. We discovered three distinct trajectories, one of which is a high-risk 'atopic' cluster with increased propensity for allergic diseases throughout childhood. Atopy contributes varyingly to later...

from #Head and Neck by Sfakianakis via simeraentaxei on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2CKbqDW

Trajectories of childhood immune development and respiratory health relevant to asthma and allergy

Events in early life contribute to subsequent risk of asthma; however, the causes and trajectories of childhood wheeze are heterogeneous and do not always result in asthma. Similarly, not all atopic individuals develop wheeze, and vice versa. The reasons for these differences are unclear. Using unsupervised model-based cluster analysis, we identified latent clusters within a prospective birth cohort with deep immunological and respiratory phenotyping. We characterised each cluster in terms of immunological profile and disease risk, and replicated our results in external cohorts from the UK and USA. We discovered three distinct trajectories, one of which is a high-risk 'atopic' cluster with increased propensity for allergic diseases throughout childhood. Atopy contributes varyingly to later...

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Oral treatment may not be far off for head and neck cancer patients

Source: app.secure.griffith.edu.au Author: staff, Griffith University A highly promising approach to treating HPV-driven head and neck cancer is on the way, […]

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Recovery of positional nystagmus after benign paroxysmal positional vertigo fatigue

Abstract

Purpose

In benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), positional nystagmus is generally weaker when the Dix–Hallpike test is repeated. This phenomenon is known as BPPV fatigue. The positional nystagmus induced by the Dix–Hallpike test can be observed again when time has passed. There has been no study regarding the length of time required to recover the positional nystagmus. The purpose of this study was to examine whether positional nystagmus recovers within 30 min after the disappearance of the nystagmus by BPPV fatigue.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study. Twenty patients with posterior canal type of BPPV (canalolithiasis of the posterior canal) were included. Dix–Hallpike tests were performed three times for each patient. A second Dix–Hallpike test was performed immediately after the first Dix–Hallpike test. A third Dix–Hallpike test was performed 30 min after the second Dix–Hallpike test. We recorded positional nystagmus induced by the Dix–Hallpike tests and analyzed maximum slow-phase eye velocity (SPEV) of the positional nystagmus.

Results

The average maximum SPEV of positional nystagmus induced by the second Dix–Hallpike test (4.8°/s) was statistically lower than that induced by the first Dix–Hallpike test (48.0°/s); this decrease was caused by BPPV fatigue. There was no statistical difference between average maximum SPEV of positional nystagmus induced by the first Dix–Hallpike test and that induced by the third Dix–Hallpike test (41.6°/s); this indicates that the effect of BPPV fatigue disappeared. The effect of BPPV fatigue disappears within 30 min.

Conclusions

A second Dix–Hallpike test should be performed at least 30 min after the first.

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Oral treatment may not be far off for head and neck cancer patients

Source: app.secure.griffith.edu.au Author: staff, Griffith University A highly promising approach to treating HPV-driven head and neck cancer is on the way, […]

from #Head and Neck by Sfakianakis via simeraentaxei on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2NEFSjS

Recovery of positional nystagmus after benign paroxysmal positional vertigo fatigue

Abstract

Purpose

In benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), positional nystagmus is generally weaker when the Dix–Hallpike test is repeated. This phenomenon is known as BPPV fatigue. The positional nystagmus induced by the Dix–Hallpike test can be observed again when time has passed. There has been no study regarding the length of time required to recover the positional nystagmus. The purpose of this study was to examine whether positional nystagmus recovers within 30 min after the disappearance of the nystagmus by BPPV fatigue.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study. Twenty patients with posterior canal type of BPPV (canalolithiasis of the posterior canal) were included. Dix–Hallpike tests were performed three times for each patient. A second Dix–Hallpike test was performed immediately after the first Dix–Hallpike test. A third Dix–Hallpike test was performed 30 min after the second Dix–Hallpike test. We recorded positional nystagmus induced by the Dix–Hallpike tests and analyzed maximum slow-phase eye velocity (SPEV) of the positional nystagmus.

Results

The average maximum SPEV of positional nystagmus induced by the second Dix–Hallpike test (4.8°/s) was statistically lower than that induced by the first Dix–Hallpike test (48.0°/s); this decrease was caused by BPPV fatigue. There was no statistical difference between average maximum SPEV of positional nystagmus induced by the first Dix–Hallpike test and that induced by the third Dix–Hallpike test (41.6°/s); this indicates that the effect of BPPV fatigue disappeared. The effect of BPPV fatigue disappears within 30 min.

Conclusions

A second Dix–Hallpike test should be performed at least 30 min after the first.

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Oral treatment may not be far off for head and neck cancer patients

Source: app.secure.griffith.edu.au Author: staff, Griffith University A highly promising approach to treating HPV-driven head and neck cancer is on the way, […]

from #Head and Neck by Sfakianakis via simeraentaxei on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2NEFSjS

Oral treatment may not be far off for head and neck cancer patients

Source: app.secure.griffith.edu.au Author: staff, Griffith University A highly promising approach to treating HPV-driven head and neck cancer is on the way, […]

from #Head and Neck by Sfakianakis via simeraentaxei on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2NEFSjS

Multi-photon patterning of photoactive o-nitrobenzyl ligands bound to gold surfaces

Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2018, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/C8PP00346G, Paper

Brenden Magill, Xi Guo, Cheryl L Peck, Roberto L Reyes, Erich M See, Webster Santos, Hans Daniel Robinson
We quantitatively investigate lithographic patterning of a thiol-anchored self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of photocleavable o-nitrobenzyl ligands on gold through a multi-photon absorption process at 1.7 eV (730 nm wavelength). The photocleaving...
The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry

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Multi-photon patterning of photoactive o-nitrobenzyl ligands bound to gold surfaces

Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2018, Accepted Manuscript
DOI: 10.1039/C8PP00346G, Paper

Brenden Magill, Xi Guo, Cheryl L Peck, Roberto L Reyes, Erich M See, Webster Santos, Hans Daniel Robinson
We quantitatively investigate lithographic patterning of a thiol-anchored self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of photocleavable o-nitrobenzyl ligands on gold through a multi-photon absorption process at 1.7 eV (730 nm wavelength). The photocleaving...
The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry

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The influence of chronic kidney disease on the duration of hospitalisation and transfusion rate after elective hip and knee arthroplasty

ConclusionChronic kidney disease, defined as an eGFR level of 15 –45 ml/min/1.73 m2 BSA, was a risk factor for a prolonged hospital stay after elective hip and knee arthroplasty. Further studies are necessary to better define the effect of reduced kidney function on relevant clinical and socioeconomic outcome parameters. (Source: International Urology and Nephrology)

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Determining Mhc - DRB profiles in wild populations of three congeneric true lemur species by noninvasive methods

AbstractThe major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a highly polymorphic and polygenic genomic region that plays a crucial role in immune-related diseases. Given the need for comparative studies on the variability of immunologically important genes among wild populations and species, we investigated the allelic variation of MHC class IIDRB among three congeneric true lemur species: the red-fronted lemur (Eulemur rufifrons), red-bellied lemur (Eulemur rubriventer), and black lemur (Eulemur macaco). We noninvasively collected hair and faecal samples from these species across different regions in Madagascar. We assessedDRB exon 2 polymorphism with a newly developed primer set, amplifying nearly all non-synonymous codons of the antigen-binding sites. We defined 26DRB alleles from 45 individu...

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The influence of chronic kidney disease on the duration of hospitalisation and transfusion rate after elective hip and knee arthroplasty

ConclusionChronic kidney disease, defined as an eGFR level of 15 –45 ml/min/1.73 m2 BSA, was a risk factor for a prolonged hospital stay after elective hip and knee arthroplasty. Further studies are necessary to better define the effect of reduced kidney function on relevant clinical and socioeconomic outcome parameters. (Source: International Urology and Nephrology)

from #Head and Neck by Sfakianakis via simeraentaxei on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2IYzT8P

Determining Mhc - DRB profiles in wild populations of three congeneric true lemur species by noninvasive methods

AbstractThe major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a highly polymorphic and polygenic genomic region that plays a crucial role in immune-related diseases. Given the need for comparative studies on the variability of immunologically important genes among wild populations and species, we investigated the allelic variation of MHC class IIDRB among three congeneric true lemur species: the red-fronted lemur (Eulemur rufifrons), red-bellied lemur (Eulemur rubriventer), and black lemur (Eulemur macaco). We noninvasively collected hair and faecal samples from these species across different regions in Madagascar. We assessedDRB exon 2 polymorphism with a newly developed primer set, amplifying nearly all non-synonymous codons of the antigen-binding sites. We defined 26DRB alleles from 45 individu...

from #Head and Neck by Sfakianakis via simeraentaxei on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2OqNFab