Automated Detection of Smiles as Discrete Episodes

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Automated Detection of Smiles as Discrete Episodes via Journal of Oral Rehabilitation Abstract Background Patients seeking restorative and orthodontic treatment expect an improvement in their smiles and oral health-related quality of life. Nonetheless, the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of dynamic smiles are yet to be understood. Objective To develop, validate, and introduce open-access software for automated analysis of smiles in terms of their frequency, genuineness, duration, and intensity. Materials and Methods A software script was developed using the Facial Action Coding System (FACS) and artificial intelligence to assess activations of (1) cheek raiser, a marker of smile genuineness; (2) lip corner puller, a marker of smile intensity; and (3) perioral lip muscles, a marker of lips apart. Thirty study participants were asked to view a series of amusing videos. A full-face video was recorded using a webcam. The onset and cessation of smile episodes were identified by two examiners trained with FACS coding. A Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve was then used to assess detection accuracy and optimise thresholding. The videos of participants were then analysed off-line to automatedly assess the features of smiles. Results The area under the ROC curve for smile detection was 0.94, with a sensitivity of 82.9% and a specificity of 89.7%. The software correctly identified 90.0% of smile episodes. While watching the amusing videos, study participants smiled 1.6 (±0.8) times per minute. Conclusions Features of smiles such as frequency, duration, genuineness, and intensity can be automatedly assessed with an acceptable level of accuracy. The software can be used to investigate the impact of oral conditions and their rehabilitation on smiles. View on Web

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Effect of Ceftriaxone on Intestinal Transit Time

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Effect of Ceftriaxone on Intestinal Transit Time via Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology Abstract Background Ceftriaxone reduces gallbladder and ileal contractility. Many studies have shown that ceftriaxone causes biliary sludge and pseudolithiasis. However, its effect on intestinal transit time has not been investigated. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ceftriaxone on intestinal transit time. Material and Method Sixteen rats were examined in two groups: The study group (GroupA, n=8) was administered 100mg/kg ceftriaxone intramuscularly for 7 days. The control group (GroupB, n=8) was administered intramuscular distilled water for 7 days. On the 7th day, amixture of 2 cc barium and saline was given orally to both groups. Barium transit was evaluated using serial digital X-ray images. Results The stomach was full and transition into the small intestine loop was observed in all rats at 45 min in both groups. At the 2nd hour, colonic transition was observed in two rats in group A (2/8, 25%) and in seven in group B (7/8, 87.5%). At the 4th hour, five (62.5%) rats in group A had transverse colonic transition, and all rats in group B (8/8, 100%) had transverse and/or left colonic transition. At the 6th hour, no rat in group A had rectal transition, and all rats in group B (8/8, 100%) had complete passage of colonic contrast material. Conclusion Ceftriaxone significantly prolongs the small intestine transit time, large intestine transit time, and total intestinal transit times. View on Web

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Hybrid mandibular Bologna midline distractor in combination with surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion for transverse facial expansion: clinical and cephalometric results

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Hybrid mandibular Bologna midline distractor  in combination with surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion for transverse facial expansion: clinical and cephalometric results via International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery via MedWorm.com Transverse maxillomandibular hypoplasia can be treated with surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion (SARME) in association with mandibular symphyseal distraction (MSD). This paper introduces a hybrid mandibular Bologna midline distractor (BMD); the effectiveness of the distractor in combination with SARME for the treatment of transverse skeletal deficiency was evaluated. This two-centre study included 10 patients with a transverse arch width deficit>7  mm and dental crowding, in both the maxilla and mandible, treated with SARME and MSD. (Source: International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery) View on Web

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The impact of operability status on outcomes in patients with T4 larynx cancer undergoing larynx preservation

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader The impact of operability status on outcomes in patients with T4 larynx cancer undergoing larynx preservation via Head & Neck Abstract Background Large analyses of T4 larynx cancer (LC) have raised concerns that larynx preservation (LP) contributes to reduced survival compared with laryngectomy (LGX). The role of operability has not been previously considered as a confounder. Methods We queried the National Cancer Database for T4M0 LC diagnosed 2004–2015. Patients were categorized as undergoing LGX, chemoradiotherapy but operable (LP-operable), and chemoradiotherapy inoperable (LP-inoperable). Overall survival (OS) was estimated by Kaplan–Meier. Cox multivariate analysis (MVA) identified variables associated with OS. Results We identified 1405 LGX, 164 LP-operable and 1969 LP-inoperable patients. Compared with LGX, MVA demonstrated worse OS among LP-inoperable (HR 1.28 95%CI 1.17–1.40, p < 0.01) but not LP-operable patients (HR 1.12 95%CI 0.91–1.39, p = 0.28). Conclusions LP-operable patients did not have significantly worse OS than those undergoing LGX. View on Web

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Less is More: A 7-day course of antibiotics is the evidence-based treatment for Pseudomonas aeruginosa Ventilator-associated Pneumonia

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Less is More: A 7-day course of antibiotics is the evidence-based treatment for Pseudomonas aeruginosa Ventilator-associated Pneumonia via Clinical Infectious Diseases Advance Access View on Web

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Acinetobacter baumannii: Pathogenesis, virulence factors, novel therapeutic options and mechanisms of resistance to antimicrobial agents with emphasis on tigecycline

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Acinetobacter baumannii: Pathogenesis, virulence factors, novel therapeutic options and mechanisms of resistance to antimicrobial agents with emphasis on tigecycline via Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics This article summarizes the microbiological and virulence traits in A.baumannii. In addition, in this study, the mechanisms of resistance to tigecycline have been comprehensively investigated and novel therapeutic strategies have been expressed. Abstract What is known and objective Acinetobacter baumannii is one of the most important nosocomial pathogens with the ability to cause infections such as meningitis, pneumonia, urinary tract, septicaemia and wound infections. A wide range of virulence factors are responsible for pathogenesis and high mortality of A. baumannii including outer membrane proteins, lipopolysaccharide, capsule, phospholipase, nutrient- acquisition systems, efflux pumps, protein secretion systems, quarom sensing and biofilm production. These virulence factors contribute in pathogen survival in stressful conditions and antimicrobial resistance. Comment According to the World Health Organization (WHO), A. baumannii is one of the most resistant pathogens of ESKAPE group (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, A. baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter spp.). In recent years, resistance to a wide range of antibiotics in A. baumannii has significantly increased and the high emergence of extensively drug resistant (XDR) isolates is challenging. Among therapeutic antibiotics, resistance to tigecycline as a last resort antibiotic has become a global concern. Several mechanisms are involved in tigecycline resistance, the most important of which is RND (Resistance-Nodulation-Division) family efflux pumps overexpression. The development of new therapeutic strategies to confront A. baumannii infections has been very promising in recent years. What is new and conclusion In the present review we highlight microbiological and virulence traits in A. baumannii and peruse the tigecycline resistance mechanisms and novel therapeutic options. Among the novel therapeutic strategies we focus on combination therapy, drug repurposing, novel antibiotics, bacteriophage therapy, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), human monoclonal antibodies (Hu-mAbs), nanoparticles and gene editing. View on Web

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BMI and Venous VTE Rates in Patients on Standard Chemoprophylaxis Regimens After H&N Surgery

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader BMI and Venous VTE Rates in Patients on Standard Chemoprophylaxis Regimens After H&N Surgery via JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery Online First This cohort study assesses whether there is an association bet ween body mass index (BMI) and postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) and hematoma rates in patients treated with prophylactic enoxaparin 30 mg twice daily. View on Web

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Rapid selection of sotrovimab escape variants in SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infected immunocompromised patients

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Rapid selection of sotrovimab escape variants in SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infected immunocompromised patients via Clinical Infectious Diseases Advance Access Abstract Background Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) targeting SARS-CoV-2 are predominantly less effective against Omicron variants. Immunocompromised patients often experience prolonged viral shedding and are therefore at increased risk for viral escape mutations, when mAbs are used as monotherapy. Methods In an observational, prospective cohort, 57 patients infected with Omicron variants receiving sotrovimab alone or in combination with remdesivir were followed. The study endpoints were a decrease in SARS-CoV-2-RNA <106 copies/ml in nasopharyngeal swabs at day 21 and the emergence of resistance mutations at days 7, 14, and 21 after sotrovimab administration. All SARS-CoV-2 samples were analyzed by whole-genome sequencing, individual variants within the quasispecies were subsequently quantified and further characterized by a pseudovirus neutralization assay. Results 47/57 patients (82.5%) were infected with Omicron/BA .1 and 10/57 (17.5%) with Omicron/BA.2. The vast majority of patients (43/57, 75.4%) were immunodeficient, predominantly due to immunosuppression after organ transplantation or hematologic malignancies. 21 days after sotrovimab administration, 12/43 (27.9%) of immunodeficient patients had prolonged viral shedding compared to 1/14 (7.1%) immunocompetent patients (p = 0.011). Longitudinal sequencing revealed that 14/43 (32.6%) immunodeficient patients had in part Omicron-specific viral spike protein mutations (e.g., P337S and/or E340D/V) that substantially reduced susceptibility to sotrovimab in a pseudovirus neutralization assay. Combination therapy with remdesivir significantly reduced the selection of escape variants. Conclusions Immunocompromised patients face a considerable risk of prolonged viral shedding and emergence of escape mutations after early therapy with sotrovimab. These findings underscore the importance of careful monitoring and the need to conduct dedic ated clinical trials for this patient population. View on Web

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Characterizing the biology of primary brain tumors and their microenvironment via single-cell profiling methods

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Characterizing the biology of primary brain tumors and their microenvironment via single-cell profiling methods via Neuro-Oncology Advance Access Abstract Genomic and transcriptional heterogeneity is prevalent among the most common and aggressive primary brain tumors in children and adults. Over the past 20 years, advances in bioengineering, biochemistry and bioinformatics have enabled the development of an array of techniques to study tumor biology at single-cell resolution. The application of these techniques to study primary brain tumors has helped advance our understanding of their intra-tumoral heterogeneity and uncover new insights regarding their co-option of developmental programs and signaling from their microenvironment to promote tumor proliferation and invasion. These insights are currently being harnessed to develop new therapeutic approaches. Here we provide an overview of current single-cell techniques and discuss relevant biology and therapeutic insights uncovered by their application to primary brain tumors in children and adults. View on Web

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Oral biofilm dysbiosis during experimental periodontitis

alexandrossfakianakis shared this article with you from Inoreader Oral biofilm dysbiosis during experimental periodontitis via Molecular Oral Microbiology Abstract Objectives We have previously characterized the main osteoimmunological events that occur during ligature periodontitis. This study aims to determine the polymicrobial community shifts that occur during disease development. Methods Periodontitis was induced in C57BL/6 mice using the ligature-induced periodontitis model. Healthy oral mucosa swabs and ligatures were collected every 3-days from 0 to 18 days post-ligature placement. Biofilm samples were evaluated by 16SrRNA gene sequencing (Illumina MiSeq) and QIIME. Timecourse changes were determined by relative abundance, diversity, and rank analyses (PERMANOVA, Bonferroni-adjusted). Results Microbial differences between health and periodontal inflammation were observed at all phylogenic levels. An evident microbial community shift occurred in 25 genera during the advancement of "gingivitis" (3-6d) to periodontitis (9-18d). From day 0–18, dramatic changes were identified Streptococcus levels, with an overall decrease (54.04-0.02%) as well an overall increase of Enterococcus and Lactobacillus (23.7-73.1% and 10.1%-70.2%, respectively). Alpha-diversity decreased to its lowest at 3d, followed by an increase in diversity as disease advancement. Beta-diversity increased after ligature placement, indicating that bone loss develops in response to a greater microbial variability (p = 0.001). Levels of facultative and strict anaerobic bacteria augmented over the course of disease progression, with a total of 8 species significantly different during the 18-day period. Conclusion The data supports that murine gingival inflammation and alveolar bone loss develop in response to microbiome shifts. Bacterial diversity increased during progression to bone loss. These findings further support the utilization of the periodontitis ligature model for microbial shift analysis under different experimental conditions. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved View on Web

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