Does the Levasseur-Merrill Retractor Provide Reliable In Vivo Guidance for the Intraoral Vertical Ramus Osteotomy?

PURPOSE: Levasseur-Merrill retractor (LMR) utilization during the intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (IVRO) helps initiate the osteotomy approximately 7 mm from the posterior border of the mandible, preventing damage to the inferior alveolar nerve. The purpose of this in vivo study is to evaluate the IVRO placement and the risk of neurosensory deficit (NSD) while using the LMR. METHODS: This prospective case series was conducted at a single tertiary care center. Medical records were reviewed for medical and demographic information. Inclusion criteria were as follows: underwent the IVRO procedure by a single provider from June 2020 to June 2022 and postoperative cone beam computed tomography images. Exclusion criteria were as follows: age less than 16 years, previous mandibular osteotomies, inadequate clinical documentation, or follow-up. The primary outcome variables included the proximal segment width and proximity of the IVRO to the inferior alveolar foramen. The secondary outcome variable was NSD as measured subjectively by 2-point discrimination, sharp versus dull touch, and light touch with von Frey filaments. RESULTS: The 26 subjects (42 operated sides) were 96% female, with an average age of 30.1 years (range 17-54 years). The mean proximal segment width was 10.3 ± 1.7 mm (95% confidence interval: 9.77, 10.83). The mean distance from the posterior border of the inferior alveolar foramen (IAF) to the osteotomy was -0.89 ± 1.7 mm (95% confidence interval: -1.43, -0.35), with negative numbers indicating violation of the IAF. IAF and full bony canal violation occurred in 61.9% and 4.8% of operated sides, respectively. NSD at 6 months postoperatively occurred in the 2 sides that experienced full bony canal violation. CONCLUSIONS: The LMR did not consistently guide the IVRO position within 7 mm from the posterior border of the mandible as previously thought and allows for frequent violation of the IAF. Long-term NSD of the inferior alveolar nerve was infrequent and correlated with violation of the full bony canal.

Adsorption Behavior and Mechanism of Antibiotic Sulfamethoxazole on Carboxylic-Functionalized Carbon Nanofibers-Encapsulated Ni Magnetic Nanoparticles.

In this work we developed a one-step process for synthesizing carboxylic-functionalized carbon nanofibers (CNFs)-encapsulated Ni magnetic nanoparticles (Ni@CNFs) that exhibit an excellent magnetic response and a large content of hydrophilic carboxylate groups with a negative charge (RCOO(-)) on the carbon surface. The carbon-encapsulated magnetic Ni nanoparticles could be rapidly separated from water, and they showed high efficiency for adsorption of the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole (SMX) in aqueous solution. The adsorption of SMX on Ni@CNFs as a function of pH was investigated, and the greatest adsorption occurred at pH 7.0. The adsorption isotherms for SMX on Ni@CNFs depended on different pH values. A Monte Carlo simulation was used to probe the relationship between molecular conformation and π-π interaction. The high adsorption of SMX on Ni@CNFs at pH 7.0 could be ascribed to deprotonated SMX being easily converted to a planar-like conformation, thereby resulting in the formation of π rings that were approximately parallel to the graphite surface and that enhanced strong π-π interaction. Electrostatic and π-π interactions both contributed to deprotonated SMX adsorption at pH 7.0, and they influenced the adsorption isotherm toward the Freundlich model. However, in weakly acidic environments (pH 2.0 and 4.0), the electrostatic interaction alone could induce an adsorption pattern that was similar to the Langmuir model.

Quantum efficiency enhancement in selectively transparent silicon thin film solar cells by distributed Bragg reflectors.

This work demonstrated a-Si:H thin-film solar cells with backside TiO(2)/ SiO(2) distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs) for applications involving building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs). Selectively transparent solar cells are formed by adjusting the positions of the DBR stop bands to allow the transmission of certain parts of light through the solar cells. Measurement and simulation results indicate that the transmission of blue light (430 ~500 nm) with the combination of three DBR mirrors has the highest increase in conversion efficiency.

Quantum efficiency enhancement in selectively transparent silicon thin film solar cells by distributed Bragg reflectors.

This work demonstrated a-Si:H thin-film solar cells with backside TiO(2) / SiO(2) distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs) for applications involving building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs). Selectively transparent solar cells are formed by adjusting the positions of the DBR stop bands to allow the transmission of certain parts of light through the solar cells. Measurement and simulation results indicate that the transmission of blue light (430 ~500 nm) with the combination of three DBR mirrors has the highest increase in conversion efficiency.

Glomerulocystic kidney disease: MRI findings.

Glomerulocystic kidney disease (GCKD) is a rare form of renal cystic disease characterized by cystic dilation of Bowman's capsule. The imaging findings of small renal cysts with a predominant cortical and subcapsular distribution allows for distinction from other, more common, polycystic kidney diseases. The appearance and distribution of the renal cysts by magnetic resonance imaging allow for a definitive diagnosis of GCKD.