Sunday, October 9, 2022

Automated Detection of Smiles as Discrete Episodes

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Abstract

Background

Patients seeking restorative and orthodontic treatment expect an improvement in their smiles and oral health-related quality of life. Nonetheless, the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of dynamic smiles are yet to be understood.

Objective

To develop, validate, and introduce open-access software for automated analysis of smiles in terms of their frequency, genuineness, duration, and intensity.

Materials and Methods

A software script was developed using the Facial Action Coding System (FACS) and artificial intelligence to assess activations of (1) cheek raiser, a marker of smile genuineness; (2) lip corner puller, a marker of smile intensity; and (3) perioral lip muscles, a marker of lips apart. Thirty study participants were asked to view a series of amusing videos. A full-face video was recorded using a webcam. The onset and cessation of smile episodes were identified by two examiners trained with FACS coding. A Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve was then used to assess detection accuracy and optimise thresholding. The videos of participants were then analysed off-line to automatedly assess the features of smiles.

Results

The area under the ROC curve for smile detection was 0.94, with a sensitivity of 82.9% and a specificity of 89.7%. The software correctly identified 90.0% of smile episodes. While watching the amusing videos, study participants smiled 1.6 (±0.8) times per minute.

Conclusions

Features of smiles such as frequency, duration, genuineness, and intensity can be automatedly assessed with an acceptable level of accuracy. The software can be used to investigate the impact of oral conditions and their rehabilitation on smiles.

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Effect of Ceftriaxone on Intestinal Transit Time

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Abstract

Background

Ceftriaxone reduces gallbladder and ileal contractility. Many studies have shown that ceftriaxone causes biliary sludge and pseudolithiasis. However, its effect on intestinal transit time has not been investigated. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ceftriaxone on intestinal transit time.

Material and Method

Sixteen rats were examined in two groups: The study group (GroupA, n=8) was administered 100mg/kg ceftriaxone intramuscularly for 7 days. The control group (GroupB, n=8) was administered intramuscular distilled water for 7 days. On the 7th day, amixture of 2 cc barium and saline was given orally to both groups. Barium transit was evaluated using serial digital X-ray images.

Results

The stomach was full and transition into the small intestine loop was observed in all rats at 45 min in both groups. At the 2nd hour, colonic transition was observed in two rats in group A (2/8, 25%) and in seven in group B (7/8, 87.5%). At the 4th hour, five (62.5%) rats in group A had transverse colonic transition, and all rats in group B (8/8, 100%) had transverse and/or left colonic transition. At the 6th hour, no rat in group A had rectal transition, and all rats in group B (8/8, 100%) had complete passage of colonic contrast material.

Conclusion

Ceftriaxone significantly prolongs the small intestine transit time, large intestine transit time, and total intestinal transit times.

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Hybrid mandibular Bologna midline distractor  in combination with surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion for transverse facial expansion: clinical and cephalometric results

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Transverse maxillomandibular hypoplasia can be treated with surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME) in association with mandibular symphyseal distraction (MSD). This paper introduces a hybrid mandibular Bologna midline distractor (BMD); the effectiveness of the distractor in combination with SARME for the treatment of transverse skeletal deficiency was evaluated. This two-centre study included 10 patients with a transverse arch width deficit>7  mm and dental crowding, in both the maxilla and mandible, treated with SARME and MSD. (Source: International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery)
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Effectiveness of pulpotomy compared with root canal treatment in managing non‐traumatic pulpitis associated with spontaneous pain: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

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Abstract

Abstract

Background

Pulpitis characterized by spontaneous pain can result in debilitating pain. Dogma has existed to offer only have two treatment options, namely, root canal treatment (RCT) or extraction although, pulpotomy has always remained a potential treatment modality.

Objective

This review aimed to answer the following research question: "Does pulpotomy (partial or full)(I) result in better patient and clinical reported outcomes (O), compared to RCT (C) in permanent teeth with pulpitis characterized by spontaneous pain (P) evaluated at various time intervals? (T).

Methods

Two authors independently performed study selection, data extraction and risk of bias assessment. The literature search was conducted in the following electronic databases: Clarivate Analytics' Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. English language clinical trials comparing the patient and clinical reported outcomes between RCT and pulpotomy were included. The meta-analysis was performed on a fixed-effect model and the quality of evidence assessed by the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach.

Results

Two randomised clinical trials, were included. Among two trials, one has published four reports at different time points involving same cohorts. The meta-analysis revealed no difference in postoperative pain (Day 7) between RCT and pulpotomy (OR= 0.99,95% CI 0.63 – 1.55,I2=0%) and quality of evidence was graded as "High". Clinical success was high at year 1, 98% for both interventions, however decreased over time to 78.1% (pulpotomy) and 75.3% (RCT) at 5 years.

Discussion

Pulpotomy is a definitive treatment modality that is as effective as RCT . This could have a significant impact on treatment of such patients affording the advantages of retaining a vital pulp and preventing the need for RCT.

Conclusion

This review could only include two trials, hence there is insufficient evidence to draw robust conclusions. The clinical data accumulated so far suggests no difference in pain between RCT and pulpotomy at day 7 postoperatively and a single randomised control trial suggests that the clinical success rate for both treatment modalities is similar long term. There is a need for more well-designed trials by different research groups to develop a stronger evidence base in this area.

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Thursday, October 6, 2022

Single‐rooted extraction socket classification: A systematic review and proposal of a new classification system based on morphologic and patient‐related factors

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Abstract

Taxonomy and classification of a disease contributes to facilitating the diagnosis and treatment planning process and simplifies communication between clinicians. The aim of this study was to provide a critical appraisal based on a systematic review of the single-rooted extraction socket (ES) classifications and subsequently, introduce a new classification system combining the cornerstones of the previously proposed systems and based on the latest consensus in implant dentistry. Following the systematic search process in PubMed, EMBASE, and SCOPUS databases 13 ES classifications were detected. The most repeated hard and soft tissue factors in the previous classifications were buccal bone dehiscence, interproximal bone, gingival recession, and soft tissue phenotype. However, there was minimal attention to patient-related factors such as systemic conditions and smoking. Therefore, a new classification system based on the combination of patient-related factors, clinical and radiograp hical parameters was proposed. This divides an ES into three types. Class I and II sockets are candidates for receiving immediate implant placement and conversely, a class III socket includes a compromised condition that requires multiple-stage reconstruction mostly suitable for standard delayed implant placement with alveolar ridge preservation. Within the limitations of this study, the new classification system not only provides comprehensive inclusion of various crucial parameters in implant placement (such as prediction of future implant position and osteotomy difficulty, etc.) but also, in contrast to the previously introduced systems, is able to classify the ES prior to extraction and also, takes into the account the patient-related factors as the class modifiers following the extraction.

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Less is More: A 7-day course of antibiotics is the evidence-based treatment for Pseudomonas aeruginosa Ventilator-associated Pneumonia

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Clinical, Virologic, and Immunologic Evaluation of Symptomatic Coronavirus Disease 2019 Rebound Following Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir Treatment

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Abstract
BackgroundNirmatrelvir/ritonavir, the first severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) protease inhibitor, reduces the risk of hospitalization and death by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) but has been associated with symptomatic rebound after therapy completion.
Methods
Six individuals with relapse of COVID-19 symptoms after treatment with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir, 2 individuals with rebound symptoms without prior antiviral therapy and 7 patients with acute Omicron infection (controls) were studied. Soluble biomarkers and serum SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein were measured. Nasal swabs positive for SARS-CoV-2 underwent viral isolation and targeted viral sequencing. SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike, anti–receptor-binding domain, and anti-nucleocapsid antibodies were measured. Surrogate viral neutralization tests against wild-type and Omicron spike protein, as well as T-cell stimulation assays, were performed.
Results
High levels of SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike immunoglo bulin G (IgG) antibodies were found in all participants. Anti-nucleocapsid IgG and Omicron-specific neutralizing antibodies increased in patients with rebound. Robust SARS-CoV-2–specific T-cell responses were observed, higher in rebound compared with early acute COVID-19 patients. Inflammatory markers mostly decreased during rebound. Two patients sampled longitudinally demonstrated an increase in activated cytokine-producing CD4+ T cells against viral proteins. No characteristic resistance mutations were identified. SARS-CoV-2 was isolated by culture from 1 of 8 rebound patients; Polybrene addition increased this to 5 of 8.
Conclusions
Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir treatment does not impede adaptive immune responses to SARS-CoV-2. Clinical rebound corresponds to development of a robust antibody and T-cell immune response, arguing against a high risk of disease progression. The presence of infectious virus supports the need for isolation and assessment of longer treatm ent courses.Clinical trials registration. NCT04401436.
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Acinetobacter baumannii: Pathogenesis, virulence factors, novel therapeutic options and mechanisms of resistance to antimicrobial agents with emphasis on tigecycline

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Acinetobacter baumannii: Pathogenesis, virulence factors, novel therapeutic options and mechanisms of resistance to antimicrobial agents with emphasis on tigecycline

This article summarizes the microbiological and virulence traits in A.baumannii. In addition, in this study, the mechanisms of resistance to tigecycline have been comprehensively investigated and novel therapeutic strategies have been expressed.


Abstract

What is known and objective

Acinetobacter baumannii is one of the most important nosocomial pathogens with the ability to cause infections such as meningitis, pneumonia, urinary tract, septicaemia and wound infections. A wide range of virulence factors are responsible for pathogenesis and high mortality of A. baumannii including outer membrane proteins, lipopolysaccharide, capsule, phospholipase, nutrient- acquisition systems, efflux pumps, protein secretion systems, quarom sensing and biofilm production. These virulence factors contribute in pathogen survival in stressful conditions and antimicrobial resistance.

Comment

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), A. baumannii is one of the most resistant pathogens of ESKAPE group (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, A. baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter spp.). In recent years, resistance to a wide range of antibiotics in A. baumannii has significantly increased and the high emergence of extensively drug resistant (XDR) isolates is challenging. Among therapeutic antibiotics, resistance to tigecycline as a last resort antibiotic has become a global concern. Several mechanisms are involved in tigecycline resistance, the most important of which is RND (Resistance-Nodulation-Division) family efflux pumps overexpression. The development of new therapeutic strategies to confront A. baumannii infections has been very promising in recent years.

What is new and conclusion

In the present review we highlight microbiological and virulence traits in A. baumannii and peruse the tigecycline resistance mechanisms and novel therapeutic options. Among the novel therapeutic strategies we focus on combination therapy, drug repurposing, novel antibiotics, bacteriophage therapy, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), human monoclonal antibodies (Hu-mAbs), nanoparticles and gene editing.

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Pediatric vs Adult Septoplasty Revision Rates

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This cohort study used data from the IBM MarketScan Commercial Database to compare rates of revision surgery among pediatric vs adult patients undergoing septoplasty.
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BMI and Venous VTE Rates in Patients on Standard Chemoprophylaxis Regimens After H&N Surgery

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This cohort study assesses whether there is an association bet ween body mass index (BMI) and postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) and hematoma rates in patients treated with prophylactic enoxaparin 30 mg twice daily.
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