Open-Source 3D Morphing Software for Facial Plastic Surgery and Facial Landmark Detection Research and Open Access Face Data Set Based on Deep Learning (Artificial Intelligence) Generated Synthetic 3D Models.

Background: The scarcity of 3D facial models presents a significant hurdle for researchers and educators. Gathering such data demands substantial resources. Objective: To introduce an open-source 3D morphing software to generate 3D facial data sets for research and to provide a large sample data set that is based on synthetically generated 3D models. Methods: Software is developed to morph 3D facial models in bulk by altering landmark locations. Twenty synthetic 3D facial models are generated utilizing deep learning tools and 28 landmarks located on each. The measurements of synthetic models are confirmed to be realistic by comparing them with facial statistics. Several facial deformities and types are simulated at various magnitudes on 3D models to generate a large data set. Results: An open-source software and an open-access data set of 980 3D facial models, each with 28 landmark locations, are provided. Since the data set is based on synthetically generated 3D models, no institutional review board approval is required. Conclusion: The 3D morphing software and the large 3D data set are expected to benefit researchers and educators in the field of facial surgery and facial landmark detection.

Facial Surface Anthropometric Features and Measurements With an Emphasis on Rhinoplasty.

BACKGROUND: Facial features and measurements are utilized to analyze patients' faces for various reasons, including surgical planning, scientific communications, patient-surgeon communications, and post-surgery evaluations. OBJECTIVES: There are numerous descriptions regarding these features and measurements scattered throughout the literature, and the authors did not encounter a current compilation of these parameters in the medical literature. METHODS: A narrative literature review of the published medical literature for facial measurements used for facial analysis in rhinoplasty was conducted through the electronic databases MEDLINE/PubMed and Google Scholar, along with a citation search. RESULTS: A total of 61 facial features were identified: 45 points (25 bilateral, 20 unilateral), 5 lines (3 bilateral, 2 unilateral), 8 planes, and 3 areas.A total of 122 measurements were identified: 48 distances (6 bilateral, 42 unilateral), 57 angles (13 bilateral, 44 unilateral), and 17 ratios. Supplemental figures were created to depict all features and measurements utilizing a frontal, lateral, or basal view of the face. CONCLUSIONS: This paper provides the most comprehensive and current compilation of facial measurements to date. The authors believe this compilation will guide further developments (methodologies and software tools) for analyzing nasal structures and assessing the objective outcomes of facial surgeries, in particular rhinoplasty. Moreover, it will improve communication as a reference for facial measurements of facial surface anthropometry, in particular rhinoplasty.

Combining co-culturing of Paenibacillus strains and Vitreoscilla hemoglobin expression as a strategy to improve biodesulfurization.

Enhancement of the desulfurization activities of Paenibacillus strains 32O-W and 32O-Y were investigated using dibenzothiophene (DBT) and DBT sulfone (DBTS) as sources of sulphur in growth experiments. Strains 32O-W, 32O-Y and their co-culture (32O-W plus 32O-Y), and Vitreoscilla hemoglobin (VHb) expressing recombinant strain 32O-Yvgb and its co-culture with strain 32O-W were grown at varying concentrations (0·1-2 mmol l-1 ) of DBT or DBTS for 96 h, and desulfurization measured by production of 2-hydroxybiphenyl (2-HBP) and disappearance of DBT or DBTS. Of the four cultures grown with DBT as sulphur source, the best growth occurred for the 32O-Yvgb plus 32O-W co-culture at 0·1 and 0·5 mmol l-1 DBT. Although the presence of vgb provided no consistent advantage regarding growth on DBTS, strain 32O-W, as predicted by previous work, was shown to contain a partial 4S desulfurization pathway allowing it to metabolize this 4S pathway intermediate.

Effect of Alprazolam as a Preoperative Adjuvant Analgesic on Postoperative Pain in Laparoscopic Donor Nephrectomy Patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of alprazolam, administered at different doses, for the control of adjuvant analgesia in laparoscopic donor nephrectomy patients preoperatively in the Akdeniz University Organ Transplantation Center, using various pain scales. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Only patients with a body mass index ≤28 kg/m2, aged between 18 and 65 years old, and with an American Society of Anesthesiologists score of 1 to 2 were included in the study. The patients were studied in 3 groups, which were given 0.5 mg alprazolam (group 1), 1 mg alprazolam (group 2), or no alprazolam (group 3) in the preoperative period. Collected data were evaluated for preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative periods. RESULTS: There were 75 patients (31 men, 44 women). Mean age was 43.1 years. Twenty-five patients were evaluated in all 3 groups. Mean operation time was 137.8 minutes. There was no statistical difference among the groups in the duration of administered alprazolam before the operation, on the Ramsey sedation score, verbal pain score, or numeric pain score, and duration of administered first analgesic in the postoperative period. Additional dose of analgesics were administered in 7, 7, and 11 of the patients in group 1, group 2, and group 3, respectively. We found a significant difference between groups 1 and 2 in blood pressure (P = .017 and P = .014). We found a significant difference in group 1 in heart rate (P = .002). CONCLUSION: More effective analgesia protocols need to be identified for pain control in patients of laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. It is thought that the effectiveness of pain control may increase the number of donors and progress in the treatment of patients with renal failure.

Comparison of Serum Vitamin D Levels Among Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease, Patients in Dialysis, and Renal Transplant Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Vitamin D is a hormone with a variety of functions, and its deficiency and insufficiency are commonly seen both in the general population and in patients with chronic renal disease. The aim of this study was to compare vitamin D levels in patients with chronic renal disease who are on hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or no renal replacement therapy and patients who underwent renal transplantation. METHODS: A total of 169 patients who had not used vitamin D for ≥ 1 year and who had no diabetes mellitus or proteinuria were included in the study. These included: 40 patients with renal transplantation, 40 patients on hemodialysis, 49 patients on peritoneal dialysis, and 40 patients with chronic renal failure stage 1, 2, 3, or 4. 25-Hydroxy vitamin D levels were evaluated in the sera of the patients. RESULTS: 25-Hydroxy vitamin D levels in patients with renal transplantation and in predialysis patients were 12.74 ± 10.24 ng/mL and 11.16 ± 12.25 ng/mL, respectively. The levels were 7.77 ± 6.71 ng/mL and 5.96 ± 4.87 ng/mL in patients on hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D levels are lower in patients on hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis compared with the patients with renal transplantation for a variety of reasons. In this study, objective results were obtained supporting the administration of vitamin D supplements without glomerular filtration rate measurement in all patient groups with the diagnosis of chronic renal failure in accordance with the guidelines.

Enhancement of ethanol production from potato-processing wastewater by engineering Escherichia coli using Vitreoscilla haemoglobin.

UNLABELLED: Ethanologenic Escherichia coli strain FBR5 was transformed with the Vitreoscilla haemoglobin (VHb) gene (vgb) in two constructs (resulting in strains TS3 and TS4). Strains FBR5, TS3 and TS4 were grown at two scales in LB medium supplemented with potato-processing wastewater hydrolysate. Aeration was varied by changes in the medium volume to flask volume ratio. Parameters measured included culture pH, cell growth, VHb levels and ethanol production. VHb expression in strains TS3 and TS4 was consistently correlated with increases in ethanol production (5-18%) under conditions of low aeration, but rarely did this occur with normal aeration. The increase in ethanol yields under low aeration conditions was the result of enhancement of ethanol produced per unit of biomass rather than enhancement of growth. 'VHb technology' may be a useful adjunct in the production of biofuels from food-processing wastewater. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY: Genetic engineering using Vitreoscilla haemoglobin (VHb) has been shown previously to increase ethanol production by Escherichia coli from fermentation of the sugars in corn fibre hydrolysate. The study reported here demonstrates a similar VHb enhancement of ethanol production by fermentation of the glucose from potato waste water hydrolysate and thus extends the list of sugar containing waste products from which ethanol production may be enhanced by this strategy.

Inactivation of Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes on iceberg lettuce by dip wash treatments with organic acids.

AIMS: To study and compare the efficacy of organic acids and chlorine dipping in inactivation of Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes on fresh-cut iceberg lettuce. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fresh-cut iceberg lettuce leaves were inoculated with E. coli or L. monocytogenes. After inoculation, samples were stored at 4 degrees C for 24 h and dipped in organic acid or chlorine solutions for 2 and 5 min. E. coli and L. monocytogenes were enumerated on selective media. Treatment of fresh-cut iceberg lettuce with chlorine solution caused 1.0 and 2.0 log(10) CFU g(-1) reductions in the number of L. monocytogenes and E. coli, respectively. Maximum reduction for E. coli (about 2.0 log(10) CFU g(-1)) was obtained for samples dipped in lactic or citric acids while maximum reduction for L. monocytogenes (about 1.5 log(10) CFU g(-1)) was attained for samples dipped in lactic acid. CONCLUSIONS: Dipping of iceberg lettuce in 0.5% citric acid or 0.5% lactic acid solution for 2 min could be as effective as chlorine for reducing microbial populations on fresh-cut iceberg lettuce. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Dipping in solutions containing organic acids is shown to be effective to reduce E. coli and L. monocytogenes on fresh-cut iceberg lettuce.

Relation of C-2 monitoring with serum lipid profile in stable renal transplant patients.

C-2 monitoring has been proposed as a more effective strategy than C-0 to predict the risk of acute rejection in the early stages posttransplantation. However, cyclosporine (CsA) is associated with posttransplant dyslipidemia. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the correlations of C-0 and C-2 levels with atherogenic risk factors in the first 6 months versus after 6 months posttransplantation. We evaluated the data from 127 stable renal transplant recipients (89 males, 38 females) of mean age 38.10 +/- 12.79 years who received Neoral-based immunosuppression to investigate the relation of C-2 levels to serum lipid profile compared with C-0 values in the early and late posttransplantation periods. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed to define a C-2 cutoff level that identified subjects with hypercholesterolemia, defined as a total cholesterol (TC) >200 mg/dL. There were significant positive correlations between both C-0 and C-2 levels and TC as well as the ratio of total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol (TC/HDL) in the late period. When the C-2 levels in the late posttransplantation period were stratified, serum TC concentrations showed statistically significant differences between the groups. Whole blood C-2 levels above 850 ng/mL were associated with increased serum TC concentrations; the C-2 cutoff level leading to hypercholesterolemia was 888 ng/mL. Maintenance immunosuppressive therapy under the proposed whole blood C-2 level of 888 ng/mL seemed to preserve graft function while preventing atherogenic risks for cardiovascular diseases in the late posttransplantation period.

Pain relief for children after adenotonsillectomy.

Effective pain relief following adenotonsillectomy in children remains a challenge. This study evaluated the effects of intramuscular 0.5 mg/kg ketamine, 1 mg/kg tramadol or 1 mg/kg meperidine on post-operative pain and recovery in 45 children aged 1-7 years undergoing adenotonsillectomy. Anaesthesia was induced with thiopental or sevoflurane (with succinylcholine for intubation) and was maintained with sevoflurane in oxygen and nitrous oxide. Post-operative pain was scored blind using a modified Toddler-Preschooler Post-Operative Pain Scale 30, 60, 120 and 240 min after tracheal extubation. Post-operative agitation scores were also recorded. Mean post-operative pain score was significantly higher in the tramadol-treated group compared with the meperidine-treated group 120 min after extubation. At all other time-points after extubation, mean post-operative pain scores were similar for the three treatment groups. Ketamine was associated with a significantly higher mean agitation score compared with tramadol and meperidine. We conclude that the effects of ketamine, meperidine and tramadol on post-operative pain following adenotonsillectomy in children were similar.

Comparison of the effect of ketamine added to bupivacaine and ropivacaine, on stress hormone levels and the duration of caudal analgesia.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare bupivacaine 0.25% and ropivacaine 0.2%, singly and in combination with ketamine, for caudal administration in children. Duration of analgesia, the need for other analgesics and the stress response were measured. METHODS: Eighty children were randomized into four groups of twenty. The bupivacaine group received bupivacaine 0.25% and the ketamine/bupivacaine group received bupivacaine 0.25% plus 0.5 mg/kg ketamine. The ropivacaine group received ropivacaine 0.2%, and the ketamine/ropivacaine group received ropivacaine 0.2% plus 0.5 mg/kg ketamine. The duration of analgesia and analgesic requirements were recorded for each group, as were peri-operative and post-operative concentrations of the stress hormones insulin, glucose and cortisol. RESULTS: Ketamine, added to either bupivacaine or ropivacaine for caudal analgesia, gave a longer duration of analgesia (P < 0.05) than bupivacaine or ropivacaine alone. In all groups, blood insulin concentration was increased, and cortisol concentration reduced. Glucose concentration was significantly increased in all groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Ketamine can safely be added to ropivacaine 0.2% or bupivacaine 0.25% for caudal anesthesia in order to prolong duration of analgesia and reduce the need for additional analgesics. Stress hormone levels are partially attenuated.

Intrathecal fentanyl added to hyperbaric ropivacaine for transurethral resection of the prostate.

BACKGROUND: Our purpose was to evaluate the effect of intrathecal fentanyl 25 microg added to 18 mg of 6 mg ml(-1) hyperbaric ropivacaine on the characteristics of subarachnoid block and postoperative pain relief in patients undergoing TURP surgery. METHODS: The patients were randomly assigned into two groups: Group S (saline group, n=16) received 3 ml of 18 mg hyperbaric ropivacaine + 0.5 ml saline--in total, a 3.5-ml volume intrathecally; and Group F (fentanyl group, n=15) received 3 ml of 18 mg hyperbaric ropivacaine + 0.5 ml of 25 microg fentanyl--in total, a 3.5-ml volume intrathecally. In both groups the onset and recovery times of the sensory block, degree and recovery times of the motor block and side-effects were recorded and statistically compared. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the groups in achieving the highest level of sensory block, and in the times taken to reach the peak level. Regression to L1 was significantly prolonged in the fentanyl group compared with the saline group (P=0.004). Times to the first feeling of pain and the first analgesic requirement were significantly prolonged in the fentanyl group compared with the saline group (P=0.011 and P=0.016, respectively). The frequency of pruritus was significantly higher in the fentanyl group compared with the saline group (P=0.022). CONCLUSION: Addition of fentanyl 25 microg to hyperbaric ropivacaine 18 mg for spinal anesthesia in patients undergoing TURP may significantly improve the quality and prolong the duration of analgesia, without causing a substantial increase in the frequency of major side-effects.

The analgesic and sedative effects of intrathecal midazolam in perianal surgery.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate the analgesic and sedative effects of intrathecal midazolam when added to spinal bupivacaine in patients undergoing perianal surgery under spinal anaesthesia. METHODS: Forty-four patients were randomly allocated into two equal groups: Group I (B) received hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% 2 mL + saline 0.9% 1 mL in a total volume of 3 mL intrathecally; Group II (BM) received hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% 2 mL + 1 mL of 2mg preservative-free midazolam in a total volume of 3 mL intrathecally. In both groups, the onset and recovery times of sensory block, the degree and recovery times of motor block as well as the sedation and visual analogue pain scores were recorded, and statistically compared. RESULTS: In Group BM, the postoperative visual analogue pain scores were significantly lower at the first 4 h (P < 0.05), the average time until the first dose of additional analgesic requirement was significantly longer (P < 0.05), and sedation scales were significantly higher (P < 0.05), compared to Group B. There were no statistically significant differences in the onset and the full recovery times of sensory and motor blocks in the two groups. CONCLUSION: The use of intrathecal midazolam combined with intrathecal bupivacaine produces a more effective and longer analgesia with a mild sedative effect in perianal surgery.

Effects of culture conditions on enhancement of 2,4-dinitrotoluene degradation by Burkholderia engineered with the Vitreoscilla hemoglobin gene.

Growth and degradation of 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT) were compared in liquid cultures in shake flasks for Burkholderia sp. strain DNT and strain DNT engineered to produce Vitreoscilla (bacterial) hemoglobin (strain YV1). Parameters varied included aeration rate, initial 2,4-DNT concentration (50 and 200 ppm), and concentration and type of cosubstrate (yeast extract, succinate, casamino acids, and tryptic soy broth). 2,4-DNT degradation increased with increasing cosubstrate concentration and was greater for strain YV1 than strain DNT under most conditions tested; the greatest advantages of YV1 (up to 3.5-fold) occurred under limited aeration. A third strain (YV1m), derived from YV1 by repeated growth on 2,4-DNT-containing medium, demonstrated increased 2,4-DNT degradation (up to 1.3-fold compared to YV1) at 200 ppm 2,4-DNT. The growth profiles of the three strains with respect to each other were in general similar to those of the degradation patterns of 2,4-DNT.