Volumetric analysis of artifacts from fiducial markers under cone beam computed tomography.

Abstract Background/purpose: Computer aided implant surgery has been widely adopted in modern implant dentistry. However, absence of reliable anatomic landmarks for superimposing digital data sets for patients with terminal dentition or complete edentulism remained challenging. Utilization of additional fiducial markers intraorally as the reference points for the improvement of accuracy became crucial in implant digital workflow. Nevertheless, the choice of the material for fiducial markers should present the least radiographic artifacts under cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) for better accuracy. The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the volume of radiographic artifacts generated through different materials under the image of CBCT. Materials and methods: Fifteen dental materials were selected and configured into cubic shape. All the materials were scanned initially with the laboratory scanner as the control groups. The samples were scanned by CBCT machine as test groups and the volume of artifact generated under CBCT images were compared and analyzed using 3D modeling software. Results: Eleven out of fifteen materials could be recognized under CBCT images. Volumetric analysis reported that statistically significant differences among the materials could be noted, and the flowable composite resin presented the least volumetric difference. Lithium disilicate glass-ceramic, flowable composite resin, and gutta-percha presented the least deformation and maintained their cubic shapes. Conclusion: The results of the present study may imply that flowable composite resin compared to all ceramic materials, amalgam and gutta-percha may be a preferable choice when utilized as fiducial markers under CBCT images.

An uncommon cause of vertigo: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an uncommon antibody-mediated disease of the central nervous system. Its classic presentation includes long segments of spinal cord inflammation, optic neuritis with or without intractable vomiting, and hiccups. Here, we described a case of a 39-year-old woman with an atypical presentation of vertigo, which was finally diagnosed as NMOSD by a positive serum aquaporin-4 antibody.

Mental Health Impact of COVID-19 on Quarantine Hotel Employees in China.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a far-reaching and unprecedented influence on economies worldwide. It has also impacted on the global population's mental health and caused negative psychosocial effects, which may lead to psychological crises. During the pandemic, the challenges for quarantine hotel employees are not only the increased workloads created by operating a quarantine hotel but also high psychological stress associated with job insecurity, risk of exposure and contagion for themselves, their friends and families. This research attempts to explore COVID-19-related depression, anxiety, and stress among quarantine hotel employees in China. The mental health of quarantine hotel employees, who have faced unprecedented changes, is paramount while they provide hospitality and care for healthcare workers and quarantine guests during mandatory quarantine periods. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study that applied convenience sampling to collect questionnaire samples from 170 quarantine hotel employees in Xiamen, Fujian Province, China, during the COVID-19 pandemic, from May 20 to June 10, 2020. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used to collect data. The study uses descriptive analysis, chi-square test and binary logistic regression to examine the sociodemographic factors associated with depression, anxiety and stress levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: The results reveal that 43.5% of respondents report moderate to extremely severe symptoms of depression; 68.2% have moderate to extremely severe anxiety symptoms; and 8.2% indicated moderate to extremely severe stress symptoms. Quarantine hotel employees who have a higher level of education are less likely to experience anxiety, and those with higher incomes are less likely to experience depression. DISCUSSION: In order to mitigate the increasing levels of anxiety and depression among their staff, quarantine hoteliers or managers urgently need to implement mental health assistance programs, such as providing extra training in hygiene and knowledge about COVID-19, offering online counseling and psychological support services, training in positive thinking, encouraging staff to keep in touch with their personal support networks, and constructing a resilience model.

The natural course of congenital nasal pyriform aperture stenosis.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Patients with congenital nasal pyriform aperture stenosis (CNPAS) may become less symptomatic with age. Therefore, we aimed to develop a growth curve of the pyriform aperture so that a more comprehensive plan can be designed for CNPAS patients who show little response to conservative treatment. STUDY DESIGN: A single-institution study, retrospective review of CNPAS patients during the period November 1997 to December 2014. METHODS: We measured the distances between the bilateral nasal processes of the maxilla (interprocess distance [IPD]) on three-dimensional computed tomography images and then divided the patients into five different age groups. A growth curve of the pyriform aperture was then constructed based on the distance-age relationship. RESULTS: Fifty-four IPD measurements were included. The mean IPD was 3.57 mm in neonates < 1 month old, 4.08 mm in infants aged 1 to 3 months, 5.19 mm in the 4-month to 11-month age group, 6.61 mm in the 12-month to 36-month age group, and 9.20 mm in children > 36 months of age. We found that the cubic curve was the most appropriate growth curve, and that growth tended to be slower from 3.5 years to 6 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: The growth curve of the pyriform aperture in children with CNPAS developed in this study can aid in treatment planning and predict clinical outcome of CNPAS patients. Although CNPAS patients may become less symptomatic with age, when the observed IPD falls progressively farther from the curve, more aggressive intervention should be considered, such as changing the management strategy from observation to conservative treatment or from conservative treatment to surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 126:2399-2402, 2016.

Effects of hot-water extracts from Ganoderma lucidum residues and solid-state fermentation residues on prebiotic and immune-stimulatory activities in vitro and the powdered residues used as broiler feed additives in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Large amounts of Ganoderma lucidum (GL) commercial products are provided in the worldwide market such as powders, tea bags, or capsules as dietary supplements which contained triterpenoids and/or polysaccharides. Therefore, it was estimated that several thousand tons of GL residues (GLR) are produced and discarded. For recycling uses, the aim of this study was to evaluate the benefits of two hot-water extracts from GLR (HWP_GLR) and solid-state fermentation GLR inoculated with GL mycelia (HWP_GLRF) on the growths of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium longum. The RAW264.7 cells were used to investigate the effects of HWP_GLR and HWP_GLRF on nitric oxide productions, phagocytic activities against FITC-labeled E. coli, and to lower lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-binding capacities. The powders of GLR and GLRF were used as additives in the commercial feeds for feeding broiler chicks in vivo to evaluate the immune-stimulatory and prebiotic activities. RESULTS: HWP_GLR and HWP_GLRF with molecular size 5 to 8 kDa were showed to stimulate growths of L. rhamnosus and B. longum. It was found that in the presence of polymyxin B HWP_GLR and HWP_GLRF could stimulate nitric oxide productions, elevate phagocytic activities against FITC-labeled E. coli, and to lower lipopolysaccharide-binding capacities in RAW264.7 cells. The broiler chicks were selected for feedings in vivo. The 1-day-old chicks were fed commercial feeds for 1 week, and then were fed without or with 4 or 8 % of GLR and GLRF additives for 3 weeks. There was no significant weight difference among feeding groups. However, the phagocytosis and natural killer cytotoxicity in the peripheral bloods, and prebiotic activities of bifidobacteria in feces of GLR and/or GLRF groups were significantly different compared to the control (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The GLR, GLRF, and their hot-water extracts with beneficial activities could be processed as feed additives which could increase the waste-recycling.

Peripheral facial palsy after adenotonsillectomy in children.

Transient facial palsy is a rare complication after adenotonsillectomy. In this study, we report two cases who developed unilateral peripheral facial palsy immediately after adenotonsillectomy. The facial palsy in both cases completely recovered in 6 and 3h respectively without any treatment. We assumed the possible mechanism was deep infiltration of the local anesthetics into parapharyngeal space and then the direct action on the facial nerve. Therefore, we suggest three policies to avoid this complication: (1) inject the local anesthetics exactly into peritonsillar space, (2) avoid repeated injections or overdose, (3) slowly and gently inject the local anesthetics.