Ultrasound imaging of the phrenic nerve at the scalene muscle level.

The aim of this study is to utilize ultrasound to evaluate the normal cross-sectional area (CSA) of the phrenic nerve (PN), at the level of the anterior scalene muscle. The study included 62 PNs in 31 healthy subjects (13 men, 18 women); mean age, 36.6 years; mean height, 161.1 cm; mean weight, 69.6 kg; and mean body mass index 25.8 kg/m2. High-resolution ultrasound images of the bilateral PNs were obtained by a radiologist with 15 years of experience in neuromusculoskeletal ultrasound. Three separate CSA measurements for the bilateral PNs bilaterally were obtained. Images were also reviewed by an experienced neurologist to evaluate for inter-rater variability. The mean CSA of the right PN was 0.54 mm2 ± 0.16. The mean CSA of the left PN was 0.53 mm2 ± 0.18. We believe that the reference values for the normal CSA of the PNs obtained in our study could help in the sonographic evaluation of PN enlargement, as it relates to the diagnosis of various diseases affecting the PN. Furthermore, knowledge of its location and size, at the level of the scalene muscle, could help prevent PN-related complications during interventional procedures in that area. Additionally, for each participant, demographic information of age and gender as well as body mass index, weight, and height were documented.

Ultrasound of the normal vagus nerve cross-sectional area in the carotid sheath.

The aim of this article is to utilize ultrasound to evaluate the normal cross-sectional area (CSA)of the vagus nerve (VN) in the carotid sheath. This study included 86 VNs in 43 healthy subjects (15 men, 28 women); mean age 42.1 years and mean body mass index 26.2 kg/m2. For each subject, the bilateral VNs were identified by US at the anterolateral neck within the common carotid sheaths. One radiologist obtained 3 separate CSA measurements for each of the bilateral VNs with complete transducer removal between each measurement. Additionally, for each participant, demographic information of age and gender as well as body mass index, weight, and height were documented. The mean CSA of the right VN in the carotid sheath was 2.1 and 1.9 mm2 for the left VN. The right VN CSA was significantly larger than the left VN (P < .012). No statistically significant correlation was noted in relation to height, weight, and age. We believe that the reference values for the normal CSA of the VN obtained in our study, could help in the sonographic evaluation of VN enlargement, as it relates to the diagnosis of various diseases affecting the VN.

Fracture Resistance of Primary Zirconia Crowns: An In Vitro Study.

In this study, we evaluated the fracture resistance of three commercially available prefabricated primary zirconia crowns and their correlation with dimensional variance. METHODS: a total of 42 zirconia crowns were selected from three companies, (1) NuSmile primary zirconia crowns, (2) Cheng Crowns zirconia, and (3) Sprig EZ crowns. The crowns were divided into two groups based on their location in the oral cavity and further divided into subgroups based on the brand. All of the samples were subjected to fracture tests using a universal testing machine. RESULTS: the mean load observed was highest with Cheng Crowns zirconia anterior crowns (1355 ± 484) and the least load was seen with Sprig EZ anterior crowns with a mean load of 339 ± 94. The mean load observed was highest with Cheng Crowns zirconia posterior crowns (1990 ± 485) followed by NuSmile posterior crowns and the least load was seen with Sprig EZ posterior crowns with a mean load of 661 ± 184. CONCLUSION: the Cheng crowns showed the highest fracture resistance amongst all three groups. Overall, the zirconia crowns (anterior and posterior) tested showed optimum mechanical properties to withstand the masticatory forces.

Knowledge and Attitude Regarding COVID-19 among Students from Multiple Professional Background in Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 is abbreviated as "COVID-19" caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome-corona virus 2 first emerged in Wuhan, China, on December 2019. On 15th of March, this disease has been classified by the World Health Organization as a pandemic and a global public health emergency. OBJECTIVE: The study's aim was to evaluate the knowledge and behavior toward the virus among professional students of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study done on 753 students which were invited to complete a Google document using a 20-item electronic questionnaire that was design to gauge knowledge and attitude toward COVID-19. The study was conducted from February 20 to March 18, 2020 in Alkharj and Riyadh region. RESULTS: The predominant sex is male (73%), the common age is <25 years old, more medical students were involved in the study than any other specialty and the predominant educational degree of the participants was bachelors. The awareness of mode of transmission of novel coronavirus infection is less in business administration participants compare to others and is highly significant (P ˂ 0.001). Most of the participants (588 [98%]) were aware of coronavirus but only 302 (50%) of respondents are aware of COVID-19 which is highly significant (P ˂ 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results are mostly uniform among different professional students with the exception of some knowledge-related questions. The Internet was the main source of information, so there is a need to create more awareness about COVID-19 through social media.

Awareness and Knowledge about Sugar Substitutes among Population in Riyadh Region.

BACKGROUND: The food we consume will have sugar in one or the other form, which is not ideal for our teeth. This can be replaced by the use of sugar substitutes available in the market. Sugar substitutes have beneficial and adverse effects on health. In spite of their beneficial effects, long-term use of sugar substitutes is not recommended because of their health-related complications. Therefore, before consuming any sugar substitutes, everyone needs to know about both health benefits and their health hazards; hence, the present study was designed to assess the awareness, knowledge, and utilization of sugar substitutes among the general population in Riyadh Region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. OBJECTIVES: The aim is to assess the awareness and knowledge about sugar substitutes. METHODOLOGY: Questionnaire consisting of demographic details, awareness, and knowledge about sugar substitutes were sent through social media and it was in the Arabic and English Language. After completing the questionnaire, participants are requested to send the link to their friends and relatives. RESULTS: About 60.20% of participants were aware of sugar substitutes. Statistically significant difference was observed for gender and awareness of sugar substitutes (P < 0.05). About 31.5% of the participants are of the view that sugar substitutes have got side effects. About 61.9% of participants are of the view that Sugar substitute reduces the chance of occurrence of dental caries. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, 60.2% of study participants were aware of sugar substitutes, but the controversy on most of the artificial sweeteners cannot be ignored. Hence, the safety of these sweeteners is of prime importance for scientists. Any usage of sugar substitutes should be weighed against the adverse effects.

Shearwave elastography of the Sartorius muscle.

ABSTRACT: The aim of the study was to study sonoelastographic features of thesartorius muscle, and its relation to the demographic factors.The study included 70 muscles in 35 healthy subjects. High-resolution ultrasound and shearwave elastography were used to evaluate the sartorius muscle. Stiffness values were measured.The mean shear elastic modulus of the sartorius muscle was 21.96 ±â€Š5.1 kPa. Demographic factors showed no relation to the elastic modulus of the left sartorius muscle. Positive statistical correlation was noted between the elastic modulus of the right sartorius muscle, weight, and body mass index.Our results could be a reference point for evaluating sartorius muscle stiffness in future research considering different pathologies.

Shear wave elastography of the tibial nerve in healthy subjects.

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to investigate sonoelastographic features of the tibial nerve.The study included 72 tibial nerves in 36 healthy subjects. High resolution ultrasound and Shear wave elastography were used to evaluate the tibial nerve. Cross sectional area and stiffness were measured.The mean cross sectional area of the tibial nerve was 13.4 mm2. The mean shear elastic modulus of the tibial nerve in the short axis was 23.3 kPa. The mean shear elastic modulus of the tibial nerve in long axis was 26.1 kPa. The tibial nerve elastic modulus also showed no correlation with cross sectional area neither in the long axis nor short axis. Age, height, weight, and body mass index showed no correlation with tibial nerve elastic modulus in short or long axes.The elastic modulus of the tibial nerve has been determined in healthy subjects and can serve as a reference for future assessment of polyneuropathy.

Shear wave elastography of the knee menisci.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the ability of shear wave elastography to measure the stiffness of the knee menisci in healthy adults. METHODS: This observational cross-sectional study evaluated knee joints in healthy adults. Shear wave elastography was used to evaluate the anterior horn of the medial menisci bilaterally. The correlations between the mean elasticity bilaterally and age, weight, height and body mass index (BMI) were calculated using Pearson's correlation coefficient test. RESULTS: A total of 34 knee joints in 17 healthy subjects were evaluated. The mean ± SD shear elastic modulus of the anterior horn of the right medial meniscus was 24.86 ± 6.35 kPa and of the anterior horn of the left medial meniscus was 23.86 ± 4.49 kPa. A significant inverse correlation was observed between the right medial meniscus elasticity and height. Other demographic factors showed no significant relationship to the anterior horn of the right medial meniscus elasticity. A significant inverse correlation was observed between the anterior horn of the left medial meniscus elasticity and age, while a significant positive correlation was observed between left medial meniscus elasticity and BMI. CONCLUSION: These preliminary results suggest that shear wave elastography could be a potential tool to aid in studying the stiffness of the knee menisci.