Avaliação tomográfica das dimensões verticais dos tecidos periodontais supracrestais em dentes anteriores da maxila / Tomographic evaluation of the vertical dimensions of periodontal supracrestal tissues in maxillary anterior teeth

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar em tomografias computadorizadas as dimensões dos tecidos periodontais supracrestais (TPSC). Cem pacientes, 600 dentes anteriores da maxila (200 incisivos centrais, 200 incisivos laterais e 200 caninos), foram avaliados. A distância média da margem gengival até a crista óssea alveolar (COA) foi de 3.25mm (95% IC: 3.20-3.30), enquanto que da junção cemento-esmalte até a COA foi de 1.77mm (95% IC: 1.72-182mm). As medidas foram significativamente diferentes entre os grupos de dentes (ANOVA, p < 0.001). A tomografia, pode representar uma importante ferramenta para a avaliação das dimensões dos TPSC.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the dimensions of the supracrestal periodontal tissues (SPT) on tomographic scans. One hundred patients, 600 maxillary anterior teeth (200 central incisors, 200 lateral incisors and 200 canines), were evaluated. The average distance from the gingival margin to the alveolar bone crest (ABC) was 3.25mm (95% CI: 3.20-3.30), while the distance from the cemento-enamel junction to ABC was 1.77mm (95% CI: 1.72-182mm). The measurements were significantly different between the tooth groups (ANOVA, p < 0.001). When properly indicated, tomography can be an important tool for assessing the dimensions of TPSCs on a case-by-case basis.

Sexual dimorphism in the mandible in a portugese population - predicting the gender for forensic purpose: a pilot study / Dimorfismo sexual mandibular da população Portuguesa ­ Predição do gêne-ro para análise forense: Um estudo piloto

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o dimorfismo sexual em uma coleção de mandíbulas portuguesas através de uma metodologia métrica digital, utilizando análise estatística descritiva, inferencial e multivariada para identificar quais parâmetros são mais dimórficos e quais são os melhores preditores de sexo. Trinta e três mandíbulas (14 mulheres e 19 homens) e pertences pessoais foram fotograficamente registrados com código e sexo. Os dados foram coletados por tomografia e as medidas foram feitas pelo software Simplant Pro. Foram registrados a largura máxima e mínima do ramo mandibular, altura condilar, altura do processo coronoide, altura da sínfise mandibular, ângulo mandibular, distâncias bimentual, biantegonial, bigonial e bicondilar e comprimento máximo mandibular. A análise estatística foi realizada utilizando IBM® SPSS. Os resultados mostraram diferenças estatisticamente significativas para os seguintes parâmetros: altura do processo coronoide, altura do côndilo, comprimento máximo da mandíbula e largura mínima do ramo mandibular. Na análise estatística multivariada foi possível identificar a altura do processo coronoide como melhor preditor de sexo com precisão em 72,2% dos casos. Isto permite uma diferenciação mais fácil entre mandíbulas femininas e masculinas com uma precisão de 64,3% e 78,9%, respectivamente. Foi possível concluir que a altura do processo coronoide é o parâmetro mais dimórfico e o melhor preditor de sexo na amostra.

This study aimed to assess sex dimorphism in a collection of Portuguese mandibles through a digital metric methodology by using descriptive, inferential, and multivariate statistical analysis to identify which parameters are the most dimorphic and which are the best sex predictors. Thirty-three mandibles (14 females and 19 males) and personal belongings were photographically registered with code and sex. Data was collected using tomography, and measurements were made using the Simplant Pro software. The maximum and minimum width of the mandibular ramus, condylar height, coronoid process height, mandibular symphysis height, mandibular angle, bi-mental, bi-antegonial, bi-gonial and bi-condylar distances, and maximal mandibular length were registered. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM® SPSS. The results showed statistically significant differences for the following parameters: coronoid process height, condyle height, the maximum length of the mandible, and the minimum width of the mandibular ramus. In the multivariate statistical analysis, it was possible to identify the coronoid process height as the best sex predictor accurately in 72.2% of cases. This allows for easier differentiation between female and male mandibles with an accuracy of 64.3% and 78.9%, respectively. It was possible to conclude that the coronoid process height is the most dimorphic parameter and the best sex predictor in the sample.

In vivo assessment of cone loss and macular perfusion in children with myopia.

This study evaluated cone density (CD) in the macular region and assess macular perfusion in children with varying degrees of myopia. This was a prospective, cross-sectional, observational study. Children underwent confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (cSLO), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and OCT angiography (OCTA) imaging. A built-in software was used to measure mean CD (cells/mm2), retinal vessel density, choriocapillaris perfusion area, and choroidal thickness (CT). The study included 140 eyes from children categorized into four groups: emmetropia (31 eyes), low myopia (44 eyes), moderate myopia (31 eyes), and high myopia (34 eyes). The high myopia group exhibited significantly lower macular CD than the emmetropia group (P < 0.05). Additionally, the high myopia group showed thinner CT and higher choriocapillaris perfusion area in the macular region than the emmetropia group (all P < 0.01). Macular CD was significantly correlated with age, spherical equivalent, axial length, and CT (all P < 0.05). Generalized linear models revealed CT as the independent factor associated with macular CD (Wald χ2 = 9.265, P = 0.002). Children with high myopia demonstrate reduced CD in the macular region, accompanied by reduced CT. These findings may have important implications for future myopia prevention and management strategies.

Genetic Screening Reveals Cone Cell-Specific Factors as Common Genetic Targets Modulating Rival-Induced Prolonged Mating in male Drosophila melanogaster.

Male-male social interactions exert a substantial impact on the transcriptional regulation of genes associated with aggression and mating behavior in male Drosophila melanogaster. Throughout our comprehensive genetic screening of aggression-related genes, we identified that the majority of mutants for these genes are associated with rival-induced and visually-oriented mating behavior, longer-mating-duration (LMD). The majority of mutants with upregulated genes in single-housed males significantly altered LMD behavior but not copulation latency, suggesting a primary regulation of mating duration. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that LMD-related genes are predominantly co-expressed with male-specific genes like dsx and Cyp6a20 in specific cell populations, especially in cone cells. Functional validation confirmed the roles of these genes in mediating LMD. Expression of LMD genes like Cyp6a20, Cyp4d21, and CrzR was enriched in cone cells, with disruptions in cone cell-specific expression of CrzR and Cyp4d21 leading to disrupted LMD. We also identified a novel gene, CG10026/Macewindu, that reversed LMD when overexpressed in cone cells. These findings underscore the critical role of cone cells as a pivotal site for the expression of genes involved in the regulation of LMD behavior. This study provides valuable insights into the intricate mechanisms underlying complex sexual behaviors in Drosophila.

CT-Guided Adaptive Radiotherapy for the Treatment of Technically Challenging Oligometastatic Disease: A Case Report.

There is a growing interest in the application of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for the treatment of oligometastatic cancers. This increasing appeal of SBRT has highlighted the need for more sophisticated radiotherapy techniques that allow high doses of radiation to be delivered to multiple sites while limiting the exposure of neighboring healthy tissue. A major obstacle to achieving this aim has been the occurrence of interfraction target variability: the tendency of both the tumor and the surrounding tissue to undergo day-to-day non-synchronous shifts in position. Such changes in the conformation of the tumor field often compromise the effectiveness of conventional SBRT prescribed for a fixed target. We report a case of oligometastatic pelvic disease where the challenge of an unusually mobile tumor was overcome with the use of a novel technique employing cone beam CT (CBCT)-based online adaptive radiotherapy (OART). The Phase I "Adaptive Radiation for Abdominopelvic Metastases (ARAM)" clinical trial was designed to determine if OART can achieve dosing targets superior to those attained using conventional radiotherapy techniques. In this case, CT adaptive planning enabled the treatment of a pelvic target prescribed per protocol to 45Gy that would otherwise have not been amenable to treatment with conventional SBRT planning. Adaptive plans showed significant improvements in target coverage while respecting critical organ constraints, resulting in a total treatment V35Gy of 89.3% and V45Gy of 52.8%, whereas the scheduled plan would have achieved V35Gy of 67.4% and V45Gy of 13.6%. Treatment times were variable (38.1-96.7 mins), and correlated with the magnitude of daily translation which ranged from 4 to 7 cm of total linear translation. The patient tolerated treatment without any adverse events. These results demonstrate a novel application of CBCT-guided OART that allowed for the administration of ablative treatment to an unexpectedly mobile target unamenable to conventional SBRT. CBCT-guided OART currently requires increased treatment time, a need which might be reduced by optimization of daily contouring. The phase 1 clinical trial NCT05880667 is ongoing and may provide further evidence that CBCT-guided OART can meet the technical challenges posed by radiotherapy for oligometastatic abdominal and pelvic disease.

Asymmetric outcomes in bilateral maxillary impacted tooth extractions: A case report.

BACKGROUND: The extraction of maxillary impacted teeth is a common procedure in oral surgery, frequently complicated by oroantral communications. For less-experienced clinicians, accurately assessing the difficulty and associated risks of maxillary third molar extractions remain a significant challenge. CASE SUMMARY: We present a case involving disparate outcomes following bilateral extraction of maxillary third molars. Using cone-beam computed tomography and three-dimensional software, we conducted a digital assessment of the factors contributing to extraction difficulty and risk, controlling for potential confounders. Key variables analyzed included alveolar bone volume, bone quality, crown-root angulation, and maxillary sinus mucosal thickness. Additionally, we introduce the novel concept of "tegmen bone" to quantitatively evaluate the bone mass between the teeth and the maxillary sinus. This unique case, with differing outcomes on opposite sides of the same patient, provided an opportunity to minimize extraneous variables and focus on the local anatomical factors influencing the procedures, thereby improving the precision of our analysis. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the potential utility of predictive analysis in guiding the management of complex tooth extractions.

The missed chapter on midfoot: Chopart injuries.

PURPOSE: Midtarsal injuries are often missed at initial presentation which may lead to long-term complications. Nonetheless, radiographs (XR) are used as a primary imaging method. The place of cone beam computer tomography (CBCT) remains unclear in the management of midfoot injuries. The aim of this study was to update imaging findings on traumatic ankle and foot injuries (TAAFI) with CBCT and to assess the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of XR compared to CBCT for midfoot injuries detections. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All CBCT studies performed due to (TAAFI) that had previous XR were collected for a period of 5 years. They were retrospectively anonymized and analyzed by a radiologist. A second blinded study of XR was made by a second radiologist as a control. RESULTS: A total of 754 cases were included. Lisfranc and Chopart injuries were detected in 153 (20.2%) and 154 (20.4%) patients, respectively. Lisfranc and Chopart's lesions combined together were seen in 33 cases (10.7%). A blinded retrospective analysis of XR compared to CBCT shows a sensitivity of 64.9% (56.8-72.4%; 95% CI), a specificity of 95.0% (92.9-96.6%; 95% CI) and an accuracy of 88.9% (86.4-91.0%; 95% CI) for Chopart's injuries. Regarding Lisfranc, the sensitivity was 62.1% (53.9-69.8%; 95% CI), specificity 99.0% (97.8-99.6%; 95% CI) and accuracy 91.5% (89.3-93.4%; 95% CI). CONCLUSION: This cohort study highlights the missed injuries of Chopart on XR and the low association with Lisfranc avulsions. The use of CBCT helps in detecting and assessing midfoot injury.

Low-Dose Cone-Beam Computed Tomography in Swedish Pediatric Patients With Alveolar Clefts Following Alveolar Bone Grafting-A Clinical Study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate whether a low-dose cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) protocol provides diagnostically acceptable image quality for assessing bone healing after alveolar bone grafting. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study cohort comprised 11 patients (aged 7-14 years) with orofacial clefts who had undergone alveolar bone grafting at Skåne University Hospital in Malmö, Sweden. During the postsurgical follow-up at 6 months, each patient was assessed twice: once with a standard-dose CBCT protocol and once with a low-dose CBCT protocol, which in total corresponds to one CBCT examination made with the exposure settings recommended by the manufacturer. Among others, the assessed parameters included subjective image quality, as well as bone graft height, thickness, and integration. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the standard- and low-dose protocols for most parameters (p > 0.05). Exceptions included subjective image quality (one observer, p = 0.05) and confidence levels during the assessment (three observers, p = 0.01, 0.01, 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The low-dose protocol yielded adequate image quality for postoperative CBCT healing assessment in patients who have undergone alveolar bone grafting. However, the confidence level of observers during the assessment with the low-dose protocol was reduced. This study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06395077). CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06395077).

Can ultrasonography be used to detect root perforation? An in vitro study.

This study assessed the usability of ultrasonography in detecting root canal perforations. The buccal side of incisor root were perforated. The actual lengths up to the perforation site were measured by visualisation of the tip of a file. Specimens were embedded in gypsum, and it was scraped to simulate bone resorption. Resorption cavities were filled with ultrasound gel. Measurements were taken by advancing a file through the canal until the tip became visible in the ultrasound image. 3D scans were obtained using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and the distance between the coronal point of the resorption cavity and the reference point was measured. The actual distance of the resorption cavity from the reference point varied 6-10.6 mm. The same distances were measured via ultrasound as 5.7-10.9 mm, while measured using CBCT 6-10.5 mm. No significant differences were found. Ultrasonography shows promise for detecting root perforations, however further research is needed.

A New Approach for Analyzing Root Development in Autogenous Tooth Transplants Using Computed Tomography.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate root development in autotransplanted teeth using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. METHODS: Twelve premolars with incomplete root formation, which were selected to replace prematurely lost upper central incisors, were analyzed by CBCT on two different occasions. The first CBCT examination (T1) was conducted before tooth autotransplantation. The second CBCT examination (T2) was performed over a follow-up period of at least 12 months and < 5 years. Three previously calibrated evaluators assessed root development. The positions of the tomographic planes were standardized. The mean root length in sagittal and coronal tomographic sections was used to validate the root length at T1 and T2. Longitudinal root development of the transplanted tooth was determined by calculating the difference in root length between T2 and T1. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), paired t-test, and Pearson test were applied, with significance set at 5%. RESULTS: The mean time elapsed between T1 and T2 was 962 days/2.6 years. The ICC was > 0.75. The measurements obtained at T2 were significantly greater than at T1 (p = 0.001). The mean increase in root length was 2.83 mm. There was no significant correlation (p = 0.413; r = 0.261) between root length increase and the time elapsed between T1 and T2. CONCLUSION: Premolar teeth with incompletely formed roots transplanted to the upper central incisor region showed continued root development during postoperative follow-up.

Immediate implant placement in the premolar maxillary area: a cone-beam computed tomography study.

PURPOSE: This research aimed to investigate potential factors associated with the risk of perforation of the labial bone plate, nasal floor, or maxillary sinus floor during immediate implant placement (IIP) in the maxillary premolar area, utilizing a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) virtual study. METHODS: CBCT exams from 179 eligible participants, encompassing 716 teeth, were included. Implants were virtually positioned in 2 orientations: along the long axis of the tooth (the prosthetically-driven position) and in an optimal position relative to adjacent anatomical structures (the bone-driven position). Binary logistic regression analysis was employed to assess potential associations between perforation or invasion and various covariates, including sex, age, tooth region, the distance from the tooth apex to the nasal floor or maxillary sinus floor, the angle between the prosthetically- and bone-driven positions (implant-line A angle [ILAA]), and the labial concavity angle (LCA). RESULTS: The mean ILAA was 18.3°±8.0°, and the angle was significantly larger for the second premolar compared to the first premolar. The mean minimum implant length was 13.0±2.1 mm, with a bone anchorage of 4 mm. The incidence of perforation was 84.1% for the prosthetically-driven position and 40.5% for the bone-driven position. Factors associated with a higher risk of cortical bone wall perforation or invasion of the 2-mm safety margin from surrounding anatomical structures (in the bone-driven position) included female sex, older age, shorter distance from the tooth apex to the nasal cavity/maxillary sinus, and smaller LCA. CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of cortical bone wall perforation or invasion of the 2-mm safety margin is anticipated when performing IIP in the maxillary premolar region.

Cone-beam computed tomography-guided shape-sensing robotic bronchoscopy vs. electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy for pulmonary nodules.

Background: Electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB) and shape-sensing robotic-assisted bronchoscopy (ssRAB) are minimally invasive technologies for the diagnosis of pulmonary nodules. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has shown to increase diagnostic yield by allowing real-time confirmation of position of lesion and biopsy tool. There is a lack of comparative studies of such platforms using CBCT guidance to overcome computed tomography to body divergence. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic yield of ENB- and ssRAB-guided CBCT for biopsy of pulmonary nodules. Methods: We conducted a retrospective comparative study of consecutive patients undergoing ENB-CBCT and ssRAB-CBCT. Navigational success was defined as biopsy tool within lesion confirmed during CBCT. Diagnostic yield was assessed using two methods: (I) presence of malignancy or benign histological findings that lead to a specific diagnosis at the time of bronchoscopy, and (II) longitudinal follow-up of patients with nonspecific benign finding during bronchoscopy. Results: ENB-CBCT was used to biopsy 97 nodules and ssRAB-CBCT was used to biopsy 111 nodules. Median size of the lesion for the ENB-CBCT group was 16.5 mm [interquartile range (IQR), 12-22 mm] as compared to 12 mm (IQR, 9-16 mm) in the ssRAB-CBCT group (P<0.001). Navigational success was 70.1% in ENB-CBCT arm as compared to 83% in ssRAB-CBCT arm respectively (P=0.03). Diagnostic yield was 66% for ENB-CBCT and 89.2% for ssRAB-CBCT (P<0.001) following bronchoscopy; 79.4% for ENB-CBCT and 95.4% for ssRAB-CBCT (P<0.001) with longitudinal follow-up data respectively. Following multivariate regression analysis adjusting for the size of the lesion, distance from the pleura, presence of bronchus sign, number of CBCT spins, and number of nodules, the odds ratio for the diagnostic yield was 4.72 [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.05-10.85; P<0.001] in the ssRAB-CBCT group as compared with ENB-CBCT. The overall rate of adverse events was similar in both groups (P=0.77). Conclusions: ssRAB-CBCT showed increased navigational success and diagnostic yield as compared to ENB-CBCT for pulmonary nodule biopsies.

Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy for Oligometastatic Pericolonic Soft Tissue Metastases Using Daily Cone-Beam Computed Tomography-Guided Online Adaptive Radiotherapy.

A 74-year-old woman with pathologic T4a N1 M0 adenocarcinoma of the cecum, initially treated with right hemicolectomy, developed rising serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels while receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. Re-staging investigations demonstrated two soft tissue metastases in the right abdomen comprised of a retrocolic lesion immediately posterior to the colon and a retroperitoneal lesion with no other sites of metastases. The patient was treated with stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) to a dose of 40 Gy in five daily fractions to both pericolonic soft tissue metastases simultaneously. A standard volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plan had suboptimal dose coverage of the retrocolic metastasis adjacent to the colon, so cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)-guided online adaptive radiotherapy (ART) was employed to maximize radiation dose to the tumors due to the radioresistant histology. An intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plan was created using artificial intelligence tools integrated with the treatment unit. Median contouring and plan creation for each fraction was 21.5 minutes (range 14.9-28.1). For the retrocolic metastasis, compared to the standard VMAT plan, the CBCT-guided online ART plan improved coverage of the gross target volume by the prescription dose from 80.0% to 99.7%. SABR to pericolonic soft tissue metastases was feasible using CBCT-guided online ART and can significantly improve target volume coverage when targets are adjacent to mobile normal organs, which may be particularly important for radioresistant histologies for local control.

Application of Cone-beam Computed Tomography in Interventional Therapies for Liver Malignancy: A Consensus Statement by the Chinese College of Interventionalists.

Despite its crucial role in interventional therapies for liver malignancy, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has not yet been fully integrated into clinical practice due to several complicating factors, including nonstandardized operations and limited recognition of CBCT among interventional radiologists. In response, the Chinese College of Interventionalists has released a consensus statement aimed at standardizing and promoting the application of CBCT in the interventional therapies for liver malignancy. This statement summarizes CBCT scanning techniques, and operational standards, and highlights its potential applications in clinical practice.

Outcomes and prognostic factors of endodontically treated teeth filled with calcium silicate- or epoxy resin-based root canal sealers: A retrospective cohort study.

AIM: The objectives of this study were to compare the clinical outcomes of root canal treatment between calcium silicate-based sealer using the cold hydraulic condensation technique and epoxy resin-based sealer using warm vertical compaction and to identify the prognostic factors affecting the outcomes of both obturation techniques. METHODOLOGY: Dental records and radiographs of the teeth that received root canal treatment with calcium silicate-based sealer using the cold hydraulic condensation technique or epoxy resin-based sealer using warm vertical compaction during 2015-2021 were selected using inclusion and exclusion criteria. The cases were matched between the two groups based on four factors: primary root canal treatment or retreatment, tooth type, periapical lesion and its size and extension of root canal filling. The success rates of root canal treatment between two sealers/obturation techniques were analysed. The incidence and resorption of extruded sealer were evaluated using the McNemar's test. Generalized estimated equations were used to evaluate any prognostic factors. RESULTS: The median recall period of this study was 15 months. A total of 234 teeth, comprising 117 cases in each sealer/obturation group, were included. No significant difference was found in the success rates between the calcium silicate-based sealer using the cold hydraulic condensation technique group (91.5%) and the epoxy resin-based sealer using the warm vertical compaction group (94.9%). The incidence of sealer extrusion for the calcium silicate-based sealer (27.6%) did not significantly differ from that of the epoxy resin-based sealer (36.2%), with both sealers typically demonstrating no resorption at recalls. No prognostic factors related to the success rate of either technique were detected. CONCLUSION: The study findings suggest no difference in the success rate between calcium silicate-based sealer and epoxy resin-based sealer. The study did not identify any prognostic factors that significantly influenced the outcomes of the endodontic treatments.

Tooth segmentation by low-dose CBCT for orthodontic treatment planning : Explorative ex vivo validation.

PURPOSE: Three-dimensional imaging has become an increasingly important component of orthodontics. Associated with this, however, is a higher radiation exposure for patients. New cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) devices have been developed that can provide low-dose CBCT (LD-CBCT). We hypothesized that LD-CBCT is as precise and reproducible as standard high-dose CBCT (HD-CBCT) in segmenting roots and crowns as well as measuring tooth length. METHODS: HD-CBCT and LD-CBCT scans were taken of four human cadaveric heads. Thirty single-rooted teeth were segmented twice by one investigator. The length of each tooth was also measured. Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) was calculated to assess the agreement of HD-CBCT and LD-CBCT measurements and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated to assess intrarater reliability. Analyses were supported by Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: Volume measurements obtained using HD-CBCT were significantly higher than those obtained using LD-CBCT (p < 0.001). CCC was 0.975 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.956-0.986) indicating excellent agreement between the two modalities. Intrarater reliability between the two sets of LD-CBCT and HD-CBCT volume measurements was excellent (ICC = 0.998, 95%CI = 0.995-0.999 [HD-CBCT], ICC = 0.997, 95%CI = 0.992-0.998 [LD-CBCT]). CCC for tooth length measurements was 0.991 (95% CI = 0.983-0.995), indicating excellent agreement between HD-CBCT and LD-CBCT. Intrarater reliabilities between the two sets of tooth length measurements were also excellent for both methods (ICC = 0.998, 95%CI = 0.995-0.999 [HD-CBCT], ICC = 0.997, 95%CI = 0.992-0.998 [LD-CBCT]). CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this experimental setting, LD-CBCT is as valid as HD-CBCT for measuring tooth length. Regarding the volume differences, in vivo studies are required to determine their clinical relevance.

Dietary Supplementation for Retinitis Pigmentosa: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

PURPOSE: To review the evidence on the effectiveness of dietary supplementation for retinitis pigmentosa (RP). METHODS: A literature search of the PubMed database was last conducted in January 2024 to identify published English-language original research on dietary supplementation for RP. Eligible compounds included products ingested orally containing nutrients intended to supplement the diet. Studies meeting eligibility criteria were assigned a level of evidence rating by the panel methodologist. RESULTS: The search identified 283 citations, 15 of which met the assessment criteria. Two studies were rated level I, 11 studies were rated level II, and 2 studies were rated level III. All were single-center studies and were published between 1993 and 2022. The products evaluated included vitamin A, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), lutein, vitamin E, goji berry (Lycium barbarum fruit) extract, and chlorogenic acid. Primary outcome measures were most commonly based on electroretinography (n = 7) or perimetry (n = 2) testing. Numerous studies highlighted data suggestive of possible efficacy for vitamin A, DHA, and lutein, yet these findings typically derived from secondary outcomes, evaluations of participant subsets, post hoc analyses, problematic interpretations of the data, or a combination thereof. Additionally, it was often unclear if the study findings represented clinically meaningful outcomes. No prominent safety concerns were reported in any study. CONCLUSIONS: No high-quality evidence was found to support the effectiveness of any form of dietary supplementation for RP. The findings underscore the challenges of studying this rare and slowly progressive retinal disease. Future studies should leverage the enhanced recruitment abilities from collaborative research networks to refine eligibility criteria while using novel, clinically meaningful endpoints. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Assessment of Volumetric Changes Using Megavoltage-Cone Beam Computed Tomography (MV-CBCT) for Adaptive Radiotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer: A Case Series.

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has brought about interest in adaptive radiotherapy (ART) due to its benefit of accurately prescribing doses to tumors and sparing normal critical organs. Critical dosimetric errors and geometrical misses can occur due to anatomical changes during radiotherapy. In the present study, five patients with head and neck malignancies undergoing radiation therapy were assessed for changes in primary gross tumor volume (GTVp), nodal gross tumor volume (GTVn), and clinical target volume-high risk (CTV-HR) using weekly megavoltage-cone beam computed tomography (MV-CBCT) scans. All patients had a reduction in GTV and lateral neck diameter (LND). There were reductions in tumor volumes leading to re-planning in the 20th fraction. Daily CBCT can guide the decision on the need for adaptation in patients with tumor volume reduction and with volumes going outside the body.

Non-aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Due to an Aplastic or Twig-Like Middle Cerebral Artery Diagnosed by Cone Beam CT and M1 Selective Angiography: A Case Report.

A non-aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to an aplastic or twig-like middle cerebral artery (Ap/T-MCA) is extremely rare. We describe a case of a non-aneurysmal SAH due to an Ap/T-MCA. A 38-year-old female patient experienced a sudden severe headache and was admitted to our hospital. A head CT scan revealed an SAH. Cerebral angiography revealed a non-aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage due to an Ap/T-MCA. The patient was treated conservatively and had a good recovery. Because of the complexity of the vascular structure, we had difficulty in making a diagnosis of our case. Cone beam CT and M1 selective angiography using a microcatheter were useful for the diagnosis of an Ap/T-MCA. An extracranial-intracranial bypass (EC-IC) may effectively treat a non-aneurysmal SAH due to an Ap/T-MCA. However, the evidence of the effectiveness of EC-IC bypass surgeries for non-aneurysmal SAHs due to Ap/T-MCAs is insufficient, and further case accumulation is needed.

Evaluation of bio-efficacy of field-aged novel long-lasting insecticidal nets (PBO, chlorfenapyr or pyriproxyfen combined with pyrethroid) against Anopheles gambiae (s.s.) in Tanzania.

Next-generation insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) combining two insecticides or an insecticide with a synergist are vital in combating malaria, especially in areas with pyrethroid-resistant mosquitoes where standard pyrethroid long-lasting insecticidal net (LLIN) may be less effective. A community durability study was conducted in Misungwi, Tanzania, during a cluster randomised controlled trial. This study assessed the bio-efficacy of three net brands combining a pyrethroid insecticide and either a synergist PBO for Olyset Plus, or a second insecticide pyriproxyfen for Royal Guard, and chlorfenapyr for Interceptor G2 over three years. These nets were compared to Interceptor, a standard pyrethroid-only net. A total of 1950 nets were enrolled across 10 clusters in each treatment arm. Thirty nets per type were collected every 6 months up to 30 months, with 50 nets sampled at 36 months. WHO cone bioassays and tunnel tests were performed at 0, 12, 24, 30 and 36 months. Both susceptible An. gambiae (s.s.) Kisumu strain and resistant An. gambiae (s.s.) Muleba-Kis strain were exposed. Over 80% of nets tested against the susceptible Kisumu strain met the WHO criteria after three years of community use. In tunnel tests, mortality (72 h) of the resistant Anopheles varied between 52% and 20%, in Interceptor G2 and was higher than standard Interceptor net up to 24 months. Olyset Plus mortality (24 h) ranged between 84% and 33% in tunnel tests with superior efficacy compared to Interceptor at 0, 24 and 36 months. Sterility effects in Royal Guard were higher when these nets were new and at six months but decreased to less than 10% after 12 months. Royal Guard consistently induced higher mortality compared to Interceptor up to 30 months while next-generation ITNs demonstrated higher efficacy in terms of mortality compared to standard LLINs against resistant strains; this superior bio-efficacy did not persist for the full three years. The impact of active ingredient (dual-AI) and PBO diminished relatively quickly. Aside from the initial period when the nets were new, the differences in mortality for Interceptor G2 and Olyset Plus and in sterility for Royal Guard, compared to the standard LLINs, were relatively small thereafter.