Reliability of Friedman Staging System and Modified Mallampati Scoring as clinical assessment methods for Obstructive Sleep Apnea - A cross sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the utility of oropharyngeal crowding indicators as predictors of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). METHODS: STOP-BANG Questionnaire was administered to 145 adults. Of the 95 with high OSA risk, 42 underwent polysomnography. Intraoral space was assessed using modified Mallampati (MMP) and Friedman Scoring (FS) System. RESULTS: Twenty-four were found to have OSA by polysomnography. Most with low risk (86%) had only Class I MMP. Whereas Class III and IV were seen in 37.9% and 17.9% patients with high risk (p < .001) and 50% and 20.8% patients with OSA (p < .831), respectively. All with low risk had Stage 1 FS. Stages 3 and 4 were observed in 27.4% and 1.1% in the high-risk group (p < .001) and in 29.2% and 4.2% with OSA (p < .092), respectively. CONCLUSION: In limited settings, either MMP or FS scores along with the STOP-BANG questionnaire can be used to diagnose OSA.

Security and Privacy of Cloud- and IoT-Based Medical Image Diagnosis Using Fuzzy Convolutional Neural Network.

In recent times, security in cloud computing has become a significant part in healthcare services specifically in medical data storage and disease prediction. A large volume of data are produced in the healthcare environment day by day due to the development in the medical devices. Thus, cloud computing technology is utilised for storing, processing, and handling these large volumes of data in a highly secured manner from various attacks. This paper focuses on disease classification by utilising image processing with secured cloud computing environment using an extended zigzag image encryption scheme possessing a greater tolerance to different data attacks. Secondly, a fuzzy convolutional neural network (FCNN) algorithm is proposed for effective classification of images. The decrypted images are used for classification of cancer levels with different layers of training. After classification, the results are transferred to the concern doctors and patients for further treatment process. Here, the experimental process is carried out by utilising the standard dataset. The results from the experiment concluded that the proposed algorithm shows better performance than the other existing algorithms and can be effectively utilised for the medical image diagnosis.

A ruthenium(IV) disulfide based non-enzymatic sensor for selective and sensitive amperometric determination of dopamine.

An electrochemical dopamine (DA) sensor has been fabricated by modifying a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with ruthenium disulfide (RuS2) nanoparticles (NPs). FESEM and TEM micrographs show the NPs to have an average size of ~45 nm. XRD, Raman and EDS, in turn, confirm the successful formation of cubic phased RuS2 NPs. The modified GCE displays has attractive features of merit that include (a) an ultra-low detection limit (73.8 nM), (b) fast response time (< 4 s), (c) a low oxidation potential (0.25 V vs. Ag|AgCl), (d) excellent reproducibility and stability, (e) an electrochemical sensitivity of 18.4 µA µM-1 cm-2 and 1.8 µA.µM-1.cm-2 in the linear ranges from 0.1-10 µM of DA (R2 = 0.97) and 10-80 µM of DA (R2 = 0.99), respectively. The sensor exhibits excellent specificity over potential interferents like ascorbic acid, glucose and uric acid. The superior performance of the sensor is attributed to its high electrical conductivity, large electro-active surface, and large numbers of exposed catalytically active sites resulting from the presence of unreacted sulfur atoms. Graphical abstract A ruthenium disulfide modified electrochemical sensor material was obtained by single-step hydrothermal synthesis. Sensitive and highly selective detection of dopamine is demonstrated.

Effectiveness of Three Different Irrigants - 17% Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid, Q-MIX, and Phytic Acid in Smear Layer Removal: A Comparative Scanning Electron Microscope Study.

BACKGROUND: Removal of smear layer from the root canal walls is important for long-standing endodontic success. AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare smear layer removing ability among 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), Q-MIX, and phytic acid by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This in-vitro experimental study assessed smear layer removal using three different irrigants. Thirty single-rooted freshly extracted human permanent premolars were collected, disinfected, and decoronated to a standardized root length of 13 mm. Root canals were cleaned and shaped till F2 universal rotary protaper at working length 1 mm short of the apex. They were randomly divided into three groups, and final irrigation was done accordingly. Group 1 (n = 10): with 1 ml of 17% EDTA, Group 2 (n = 10): with 1 ml of Q-MIX, Group 3 (n = 10): with 1 ml of phytic acid. Samples were then longitudinally sectioned and evaluated under SEM at coronal, middle, and apical levels. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Two-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test were performed. The level of significance was set at 0.05. RESULTS: Smear layer removing ability among irrigants and sections in descending order: 17 EDTA > Q-MIX > phytic acid; coronal > middle > apical. CONCLUSION: 17% EDTA showed better and promising results followed by Q-MIX and then phytic acid.

Spectrophotometric analysis of crown discoloration induced by two different sealers: An In vitro study.

CONTEXT: Endodontic materials have been assessed with regards to their potential for dental staining. AIMS: To evaluate the coronal discoloration effect of Apexit Plus and Resino Seal in mandibular premolars using spectrophotometer. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The study design was original research. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty human single-rooted mandibular first premolar teeth were selected for the study. They were divided into four groups of ten specimens each. Group 1 - Apexit Plus sealer, Group 2 - Resino Seal sealer, Group 3 - positive control (Blood), and Group 4 - negative control (distilled water). Teeth were resected 3 mm below at cementoenamel junction. In all samples, access cavities were prepared, instrumented, and irrigated. Sealers were mixed and placed into the pulp chamber through cervical access and control groups were filled with blood and distilled water. Coronal orifices were sealed using self-cure glass ionomer cement. Samples were analyzed using spectrophotometer to determine the discoloration in each group at 10, 17, and 24 days interval. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Statistical analysis used Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: All sealers used in the present study caused a progressive coronal discoloration over a time period of 17-24 days. There was statistically significant difference between resino seal sealer and apexit plus sealer , with resino seal showing greater coronal discoloration. CONCLUSION: Resino seal sealer has greater potential to cause discoloration of crown as compared to apexit plus sealer over a period of time.

Quantitative thermal sensory testing in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using reaction time exclusive method of levels (MLE).

OBJECTIVES: Quantitative thermal sensory testing (QST) systems are used for the noninvasive quantification of sensory nerve function including the small myelinated and unmyelinated fibres which is not provided by classical sensory nerve conduction studies. Although Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a pure motor disorder, nevetheless involvement of the sensory fires has been reported occasionally by various techniques. In the present study Reaction Time Exclusive Method of Levels (MLE) was used to detect somatic small fibre involvement in ALS patients with no sensory abnomalities on routine NCS. MATERIAL & METHOD: Twenty patients of clinically definite ALS, were evaluated with QST using the reaction time exclusive method of Levels (MLE) for detecting the thresholds of cold sensation (CS) and warm sensation (WS). They were compared with 20 age matched controls. RESULTS: No abnormalities were detected in the thresholds for CS and WS in patients with ALS as compared to the controls. CONCLUSION: Thus ALS is essentially a pure motor disorder with normal thermal thresholds as revealed by QST.