Subjects Age Range Research Articles

Complication After Bichectomy Surgery

Purpose: The partial buccal lipectomy is presented as a technique to sculpt facial angles and enhance aesthetics. The study aimed to investigate the prevalence of complications following bichectomy. Materials and Methods: Subjects with chubby faces indicated for the correction of facial shape by bilateral bichectomy were studied. Buccal fat pad excision was performed via intraoral upper gingivobuccal sulcus incision opposite the first and second molar teeth, preserving a cuff of mucosa for closure. All subjects were followed up for six months after surgery. The prevalence of complications after the surgery was assessed. Result: One hundred subjects underwent bilateral bichectomy. The age range of subjects was from 25 to 60 years old. Forty subjects were male, and 60 subjects were female. Among 100 bilateral buccal fat pad excision cases, seven patients complained of trismus; two patients had a hematoma. The post-operation infection rate was 2%. Conclusion: According to the study’s findings, the possible complications resulting from the bichectomy consist of trismus, edema, hematoma, and infection. It seems that bichectomy is a safe procedure, and trismus is the most complication after bichectomy.

Establishment of Reference Intervals of Cytokeratin 19 Fragment Antigen 21-1 in Korean Adults.

Cytokeratin 19 fragment antigen 21-1 (CYFRA 21-1) is useful for predicting and monitoring non-small cell lung cancer prognosis. We established reference intervals (RIs) of CYFRA 21-1 in Korean adults, including those older than 60 years. Data of 4,098 apparently healthy subjects (age range, 20-87 years) were analyzed after excluding those with a history of malignancy, high tumor marker concentrations (except CYFRA 21-1), and/or abnormal findings on a chest computed tomography scan through medical chart review. After removing two outliers, RIs of CYFRA 21-1 were determined using data of 4,096 subjects based on the non-parametric method (2.5th and 97.5th percentiles) according to CLSI guidelines EP28-A3c. The subjects were divided into two and four groups according to sex and age (20-40, 41-50, 51-60, and >60 years), respectively, and the median CYFRA 21-1 concentration was compared between the groups. The RI of CYFRA 21-1 was 0.66-3.84 ng/mL, applicable to both men and women. Regardless of sex, the CYFRA 21-1 concentration increased with age, suggesting that age-dependent RIs of CYFRA 21-1 should be applied. Rather than using a single RI provided by the manufacturer, the RI of CYFRA 21-1 should be continually verified and established in each clinical laboratory.

Screening For Phenylthiocarbamide Taste Sensitivity Response Status On Apparently Healthy Subjects: A Pilot Study

The dynamics of studying genetic variation in human population using phenylthiocarbamide has contributed immensely in influencing our knowledge of variations and diversity globally. The pilot study aims to screen for the taste sensitivity response status using different concentrations of a stock solution of 0.10% phenylthiocarbamide. 232 subjects were randomly recruited using a drawn questionnaire. 84.9% were tasters while 15.1 % were non-tasters. Of the 133 males, 52.3% were Tasters while 85.7% were non-Tasters. The 99 females, constituted 47.7% Tasters and 14.3% non-tasters. The Chi-Square analysis on gender was significant p-<0.000. The result of the different age range showed a decrease in the population of tasters with increase in age and a reverse among non-tasters. The phenotypic status of the age range of subjects was not significant p> 0.433. The combined allelic frequency of tasters and non - tasters was 0.61 and 0.39. Similarly, the individual allelic frequencies of male and female tasters were 0.52 and 0.78 while male and female non-tasters were 0.48 and 0.22, respectively. The pooled homozygous and heterozygous outcome for males was the same (0.50), but females were 0.66 and 0.34. The homozygous and heterozygous outcome of the combined population was 0.52 and 0.48. The highest cases of tasters were recorded at a threshold of 0.025 and 0.50 with female subjects responding most. The study provides insight to the distribution of the Phenylthiocarbamide phenotype, the heterozygous, homozygous and allelic frequencies of the population, which may serve as an index for directing dietary choice or diagnoses by health care professionals.

Is Ocular Accommodation Influenced by Dynamic Ambient Illumination and Pupil Size?

Purpose: We investigated ocular accommodative responses and pupil diameters under different light intensities in order to explore whether changes in light intensity aid effective accommodation function training. Methods:A total of 29 emmetropic and myopic subjects (age range: 12–18 years) viewed a target in dynamic ambient light (luminance: 5, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000 and 3000 lux) and static ambient light (luminance: 1000 lux) at a 40 cm distance with refractive correction. Accommodation and pupil diameter were recorded using an open-field infrared autorefractor and an ultrasound biological microscope, respectively. Results: The changes in the amplitude of accommodative response and pupil diameter under dynamic lighting were 1.01 ± 0.53 D and 2.80 ± 0.75 mm, respectively, whereas in static lighting, those values were 0.43 ± 0.24 D and 0.77 ± 0.27 mm, respectively. The amplitude of accommodation and pupil diameter change in dynamic lighting (t = 6.097, p < 0.001) was significantly larger than that under static lighting (t = 16.115, p < 0.001).The effects of light level on both accommodation and pupil diameter were significant (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Accommodation was positively correlated with light intensity. The difference was about 1.0 D in the range of 0–3000 lux, which may lay the foundation for accommodative training through light intervention.

Microbiota profiles on the surface of non-woven fabric masks after wearing

This study aimed to characterize commensal microbiota on the skin before and after wearing masks, and to characterize the microbiota on the surface of used masks after 1 week of drying. From the 13 human subjects (age range, 19–26 years), mean bacterial concentrations of (6.1 ± 11.0) × 105 and (1.0 ± 1.4) × 106 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL were recovered from the skin of the buccal areas wiped with a sterile cotton swab before and after wearing non-woven fabric masks for 8 h, respectively. Furthermore (3.4 ± 4.9) × 104 CFU/mL of bacteria were recovered from the mask surfaces. The bacteria contained in the masks, which consisted mainly of Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis/aureus, virtually disappeared after drying the masks indoors for 1 week.

Toxicological Investigation of a Case Series Involving the Synthetic Cathinone α-Pyrrolidinohexiophenone (α-PHP) and Identification of Phase I and II Metabolites in Human Urine.

α-Pyrrolidinohexiophenone (α-PHP) is a derivative of the class of α-pyrrolidinophenones, a subgroup of synthetic cathinones. These substances are the second most abused drugs of new psychoactive substances. Here, we report the toxicological investigation of a series of 29 authentic forensic and clinical cases with analytically confirmed intake of α-PHP including two cases of drug testing in newborns using meconium. The age range of subjects where serum samples were available was 23-51 years (median 39.5), and 90% were male. Serum α-PHP concentrations, determined by a validated LC-MS-MS method, showed a high variability ranging from 1 to 83 ng/mL (mean, 40 ng/mL; median, 36 ng/mL). Comprehensive toxicological analysis revealed co-consumption of other psychotropic drugs in almost all cases with frequent occurrence of opiates (60%), benzodiazepines (35%), cannabinoids (30%), and cocaine (20%). Hence, forensic and clinical symptoms like aggressive behavior, sweating, delayed physical response, and impaired balance could not be explained by the abuse of α-PHP alone but rather by poly-intoxications. Liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were used to investigate the metabolism of α-PHP in vivo using authentic human urine samples. Altogether, 11 phase I metabolites and 5 phase II glucuronides could be identified by this approach. Apart from the parent drug, most abundant findings in urine were the metabolites dihydroxy-pyrrolidinyl-α-PHP and dihydro-α-PHP and, to a lesser extent, 2'-oxo-dihydro-α-PHP and 2'-oxo-α-PHP. Monitoring of these metabolites along with the parent drug in forensic and clinical toxicology could unambiguously prove the abuse of the novel designer drug α-PHP.

Comparison of the Efficacy of TNO and Titmus Fly in Myopic Anisometropes

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the stereo acuity in anisometropic myopes and to compare efficacy of TNO and Titmus fly test. Methodology: The cross sectional study design was carried out from September 2021 to May 2022 at eye departments of different teaching hospitals of Punjab. A total study sample of 150 subjects age range between 11-33 years of both gender (male and female) having myopic anisometropia (with moderate and severe degree of anisometopia) were included in this study. All other types of refractive error except myopic anisometropes, all ocular pathologies and systemic pathologies were excluded from the study. After taking informed consent from the individual’s subject to undergo routine ophthalmological examinations, including slit lamp examination of the inner and posterior chamber of the eye and best corrected visual acuity of both eyes (BCVA). Steroacuity test TNO and Titmus were performed to evaluate the stereopsis of myopic anisometropes. Data analysis was done by SPSS version 20. Independent sample t test was used for statistically analysis. Results: Results showed that stereopsis gets reduced by myopic anisometropia. As the level of anisometropia increase from 1D and above, the stereopsis deteriorates in case of myopic anisometropia Conclusion: TNO is considered more reliable as compared to Titmus fly test as the level of difficulty is more in TNO and is independent of monocular clues. Keywords: Depth perception, Myopic anisometropes, TNO test, Titmus stereoacuity test.

Near Elimination of In Vitro Predicted Extrathoracic Aerosol Deposition in Children Using a Spray-Dried Antibiotic Formulation and Pediatric Air-Jet DPI.

This study evaluated the in vitro aerosol performance of a dry powder antibiotic product that combined a highly dispersible tobramycin powder with a previously optimized pediatric air-jet dry powder inhaler (DPI) across a subject age range of 2-10years. An excipient enhanced growth (EEG) formulation of the antibiotic tobramycin (Tobi) was prepared using a small particle spray drying technique that included mannitol as the hygroscopic excipient and trileucine as the dispersion enhancer. The Tobi-EEG formulation was aerosolized using a positive-pressure pediatric air-jet DPI that included a 3D rod array. Realistic in vitro experiments were conducted in representative airway models consistent with children in the age ranges of 2-3, 5-6 and 9-10years using oral or nose-to-lung administration, non-humidified or humidified airway conditions, and constant or age-specific air volumes. Across all conditions tested, mouth-throat depositional loss was < 1% and nose-throat depositional loss was < 3% of loaded dose. Lung delivery efficiency was in the range of 77.3-85.1% of loaded dose with minor variations based on subject age (~ 8% absolute difference), oral or nasal administration (< 2%), and delivered air volume (< 2%). Humidified airway conditions had an insignificant impact on extrathoracic depositional loss and significantly increased aerosol size at the exit of a representative lung chamber. In conclusion, the inhaled antibiotic product nearly eliminated extrathoracic depositional loss, demonstrated high efficiency nose-to-lung antibiotic aerosol delivery in pediatric airway models for the first time, and provided ~ 80% lung delivery efficiency with little variability across subject age and administered air volume.

Shift work and the risk for metabolic syndrome among healthcare workers: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

SummaryShift work, defined as work occurring outside typical daytime working hours, is associated with an increased risk for metabolic syndrome (MetS) due to several biological and environmental changes. The MetS refers to the clustering of several known cardiovascular risk factors, including insulin resistance, obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. This systematic review aims to evaluate the literature on the association between shift work and the risk of MetS in employees of the health sector. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases using appropriate keywords for studies published before September 1, 2021. Eligible studies were those that compared the prevalence of MetS between day and shift healthcare workers; had a cross‐sectional, case–control, or cohort study design; provided sufficient data for calculating odds ratios or relative risks with 95% confidence intervals; and articles in English. The Joanna Briggs Institute prevalence critical appraisal tool was used for quality analysis. Risk for MetS and related measures of effect size were retrieved from studies for meta‐analysis. Twelve studies met the criteria for inclusion in the review and meta‐analysis. Sample sizes ranged from 42 to 738, and the age range of subjects was between 18 and 65 years. Ten studies demonstrated high methodological quality, while two studies were of average quality. Ten out of 12 studies in the review demonstrated a higher risk in shift workers for developing MetS than day workers. The pooled OR of MetS in shift workers based on 12 studies was 2.17 (95% CI = 1.31–3.60, P = 0.003; I 2 = 82%, P < 0.001). Shift workers exhibited more than a twofold increase in the chance of developing MetS in comparison with day workers.

Immuno-senescence and elevated central carbon metabolism in hematopoietic stem cell compartment upon aging.

e24030 Background: Aging is associated with decline of hematopoiesis, compromised innate immunity, and propensity for malignancies. Aging of the hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) compartment is caused by accumulation of senescent cells and elimination of the latter rejuvenates innate immunity in animal models. Methods: HSC (CD34+) were isolated from the bone marrow of healthy human subjects (age range 20 – 74 years; n = 18) and separated by FACS in 3 distinct subsets with high, intermediate, and low glucose uptake (GU) capacity (GUhigh, GUinter, GUlow). Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNAseq) studies, followed by gene ontology (GO) analysis of biological processes, analysis of cell cycle, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were performed. Results: While the percentages of GUinter and GUlow subpopulations remain relatively constant with age, the proportion of GUhigh subset increases continuously with age (from 0.2% in adults &lt; 30 years to 6,7% in &gt; 60 years). GO analysis revealed that the GUhigh subset showed a significantly higher expression of genes involved in myeloid development, cell cycle arrest, inflammation and stress response, apoptosis, and significantly lower expressions of genes involved in lymphoid development. GSEA confirmed that the gene sets for cell cycle arrest, senescence associated secretory phenotype (SASP), anti-apoptosis/survival and P53 pathways are significantly up-regulated in the GUhigh subset. The latter shows therefore all deregulations that are inherent hallmarks of senescence. Most of the molecular deregulations are similar to those found in murine models of aging, but there are significant differences. In addition, cell cycle analysis revealed that the proportion of cells in the G1 phase was significantly reduced in the GUhigh subset. Comparing the frequencies of old to young GUhigh, GUlow cells along the cell cycle progression ranks showed a significant depletion of cells in late G1 phase among GUhigh cells but not in the other subsets. The frequencies of non-cycling cells in the GUlowsubset have remained high (&gt; 70%) irrespective of age, thus providing evidence for the quiescence status of the GUlow subset, as well as for persistence of HSPC with “young phenotype”. Conclusions: Our series of proteome and single cell transcriptome analyses have shown that the GUhigh subpopulation is highly enriched in senescent HSPCs. This property may be exploited to enrich, visualize, and trace senescence in human bone marrow. Cell cycle analysis has revealed a significantly shortened G1 phase that is linked to dedifferentiated state in the senescent HSPC. Our results indicate a dependency of senescent HSPCs on elevated glucose metabolism as well as on anti-apoptotic factors for survival. These may represent ideal targets for elimination of senescent HSPC to restore innate immunity as demonstrated in murine models.

Depression And Quality of Life Among Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Case Control Study

Background: Diabetes is accompanied by a distinct decreased in subject’s quality of life (QOL) and it shows to elevated disability-adjusted life years than most diseases. Depression shows the degrade QOL and is associated with wretched treatment outcomes and lesser the glycaemic control in diabetes. Objective of this study is to study the association between Quality of Life (QoL) and depression among type2 diabetes mellitus in Andhra Pradesh. Methodology: The present study is a case control study. There were 300 participants including 150 type2 diabetes mellitus patients, &amp; 150 healthy individuals (age and gender matched) were also selected as a control to meet the purpose of the study. Subjects age range was set between 35-65 years. Beck depression inventory (BDI-II) and WHO quality of life scale (QOL BREF) were used for data collection, SPSS-26(v). Results: The study findings showed that significant but negative relation between depression scores and quality of life. 65% have Poor Quality of life &amp; 57% have high depression in Diabetes Patients. 54% have good Quality of life &amp; 78% have Mild Depression in Healthy Individuals. Conclusion: It is concluded that association between depression and sub-scales of quality of life indicating that high depression scores may lead to lower physical and psychological health impacting social relationship and environmental health.

Relationship of Various Anatomic Landmarks with the Midline of Face and Oral Commissure

Introduction: Currently, there are no exact guidelines which to choose specific anatomic landmarks while determining the midline of the face or midline of the mouth. The purpose of this study was to determine the hierarchy of facial anatomic landmarks closest to the midline of the face as well as midline of the oral commissure mouth. Methods: Anatomical landmarks Nasion, tip of the nose, and tip of the philtrum, were marked clinically on 100 subjects (age range: 20-35 years). Frontal full-face digital images of the subjects in smiling position were then made under standardized conditions. A total of 97 subjects met the inclusion criteria. Upon applying exclusion criteria, images of 73 subjects were used for midline analysis using a concept called the Esthetic Frame. One sample t tests were conducted at alpha values of .005.Results: The results indicated that anatomic landmarks soft tissue nasion, tip of nose, tip of papillae and dental midline deviated uniquely and significantly (P &lt;.005) from the midlines of the face as well as the mouth (oral commissure). Conclusions: Within the limitations of the study, the hierarchy of anatomic landmarks closest to the midline of the face in smile was as follows: the midline of the oral commissures, natural dental midline, tip of philtrum, nasion, and tip of the nose. The hierarchy of anatomic landmarks closest to the midline of the oral commissures was: natural dental midline, tip of philtrum, nasion and tip of nose.

Mitochondrial DNA Profiling by Fractal Lacunarity to Characterize the Senescent Phenotype as Normal Aging or Pathological Aging

Biocomplexity, chaos, and fractality can explain the heterogeneity of aging individuals by regarding longevity as a “secondary product” of the evolution of a dynamic nonlinear system. Genetic-environmental interactions drive the individual senescent phenotype toward normal, pathological, or successful aging. Mitochondrial dysfunctions and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations represent a possible mechanism shared by disease(s) and the aging process. This study aims to characterize the senescent phenotype and discriminate between normal (nA) and pathological (pA) aging by mtDNA mutation profiling. MtDNA sequences from hospitalized and non-hospitalized subjects (age-range: 65–89 years) were analyzed and compared to the revised Cambridge Reference Sequence (rCRS). Fractal properties of mtDNA sequences were displayed by chaos game representation (CGR) method, previously modified to deal with heteroplasmy. Fractal lacunarity analysis was applied to characterize the senescent phenotype on the basis of mtDNA sequence mutations. Lacunarity parameter β, from our hyperbola model function, was statistically different (p &lt; 0.01) between the nA and pA groups. Parameter β cut-off value at 1.26 × 10−3 identifies 78% nA and 80% pA subjects. This also agrees with the presence of MT-CO gene variants, peculiar to nA (C9546m, 83%) and pA (T9900w, 80%) mtDNA, respectively. Fractal lacunarity can discriminate the senescent phenotype evolving as normal or pathological aging by individual mtDNA mutation profile.

The diagnostic ability of the Fränkel manoeuvre in detecting mandibular versus maxillary involvement in subjects with a class II discrepancy

Abstract Objective This study aimed to evaluate the ability of the Fränkel manoeuvre to identify the contributing jaw to a class II malocclusion. Methods This cross-sectional study examined 37 subjects (age range 9–13 years) who presented with a class II malocclusion and an overjet greater than 6 mm. Two profile photographs were taken of each patient, one in centric relation, and the other after executing the Fränkel manoeuvre to generate a canine and molar class I relationship. The photographs were distributed to two groups of judges who included 20 general dentists and 20 orthodontists. The level of profile aesthetics before (T0) and after (T1) the manoeuvre was determined using a 100-mm visual analogue scale, and a score of “profile improvement” was determined as T1 minus T0. The diagnostic ability of the Fränkel manoeuvre was calculated against lateral cephalometry as the reference standard, using the receiver operative characteristics (ROC) analysis. Results Twenty-six subjects had mandibular retrusion and 11 showed mandibular retrusion combined with maxillary prominence. The improvement score after the manoeuvre was significantly greater in subjects who showed a one-jaw than those with a two-jaw involvement (P &lt; 0.05). In cases that showed an improvement score ≥ 9 as judged by general dentists, or ≥ 17 as judged by orthodontists, the class II discrepancy mainly resulted from mandibular retrusion. The correspondingly lower improvement scores indicated that maxillary prognathism was involved in the class II discrepancy. Conclusion The Fränkel manoeuvre was an effective clinical method for diagnosing the contributing jaw in class II malocclusion patients.

Associations of zinc-\u03b1-2-glycoprotein with metabolic syndrome and its components among adult Arabs

Epidemiological studies suggest that the Zinc-α-2-glycoprotein (ZAG) plays significant physiological roles. In this study we investigate whether ZAG could be considered as a clinical biomarker in the diagnosis and prognosis of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Saudi population. As such insights urgently required for management of MetS. Thus, we have determined serum levels of ZAG in patients with MetS and normal individuals. We have also assessed the correlation between ZAG and different components of MetS. In this case–control study, clinical information of 200 Saudi male and female subjects (age range 30–65) with MetS (n = 100) and healthy controls (n = 100) were extracted from the database of the Chair of Biomarkers of Chronic Disease (CBCD) in King Saud University (KSU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. MetS was screened according to NCEP ATP III criteria (National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III). Fasting glucose and lipid profile levels were measured using Konelab. Serum TNF-α, IL- 6, CRP and ZAG levels were measured using commercially available assays. There was an age-dependent significant increase in ZAG level among MetS subjects than controls (43.8 ± 19.5 vs 48.1 ± 14.8; P = 0.04). A significant inverse correlation between ZAG and serum HDL-cholesterol (r = − 0.20, P < 0.05) was observed. Whereas, triglycerides (r = 0.25, P < 0.01), waist circumference (WHR) (r = 0.17, P < 0.05) and CRP (r = 0.24, P < 0.01) were all significantly and positively associated with ZAG. Circulating ZAG is associated with MetS in an age-dependent manner. Serum ZAG is a potential biomarker for MetS.

The Association between Baseline, Changes in Uric Acid, and Renal Failure in the Elderly Chinese Individuals: A Prospective Study with a 3-Year Follow-Up.

Objective The objective is to find whether serum uric acid (SUA) levels are associated with the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains uncertain, and follow-up data among the elderly population are relatively lacking, especially in China. The aim of the present study was to reveal the association between baseline SUA levels, changes in SUA levels, and renal failure in Chinese elderly adults. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, 425 subjects (age range 71–100 years) were analyzed and divided into quartiles based on baseline SUA levels (Q1: <4.8; Q2: <5.7; Q3: <6.5; and Q4: ≥6.5 mg/dl). CKD was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2. We used multiple linear and logistic regressions to compare the risk of renal dysfunction among the different SUA level groups. Results The prevalence of hyperuricemia was 24.24% in the elderly subjects. In the multivariable analysis, the odds ratio (OR) for the development of CKD increased with the increase in SUA quartiles at baseline (1.00 vs. 1.79 (95% CI, 1.00–3.22), 3.4 (95% CI, 1.79–6.47), and 6.79 (95% CI, 3.45–13.75), respectively; P for linear trend <0.001), and a per unit increase in baseline SUA levels gave an OR of 1.76 (95% CI, 1.45–2.14) for renal failure. At the same time, a change in SUA levels had a stronger inverse correlation with a change in eGFR in females (r = −0.318, P < 0.001) than in males (r = −0.187, P < 0.01). In a linear regression analysis, a 1 mg/dl increase in SUA levels was associated with an additional 1.25 (95% CI, −1.83 to −0.67) ml/min/1.73 m2 decrease in eGFR over a 3-year period. Conclusion Elevated baseline SUA levels and changes in SUA levels were associated with a decline in eGFR and an increased risk of CKD in an elderly Chinese population.

Antimicrobial efficacy of grape seed extract in terminating the ramifications of plaque microorganisms: a randomized control study.

BackgroundGrape seed extract contains Proanthocyanin, which reduces collagen degradation by inhibiting interstitial and extracellular collagenase, thus having the potential to reduce the progression of periodontitis. Here we compare and evaluate the aerobic and anaerobic microorganism’s CFUs (colony forming units) in plaque samples of Group A, Group B, Group C and severity of periodontal disease on day 0 and 7.MethodsForty-five subjects in age range 18–30 years were selected among undergraduate students and randomly divided into Group A: 15, 2% grape seed extract mouthwash (GSE), Group B: 15, 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash (CHX) and Group C: 15, distilled water (control). The supragingival plaque was collected into transport media. Kruskal Wallis test followed by Mann Whitney test was used to compare the mean CFUs (×103) of microorganisms and severity of periodontal disease was compared, by clinical parameters among all groups on day 0 and 7.ResultsThere was a significant difference concerning mean scores of all clinical parameters (P<0.001) and mean CFUs of microorganisms between 3 study groups (P=0.005) at 7 days post-intervention period. Intragroup comparison, mean scores were significantly reduced on day 7 as compared to day 0 at (P<0.001) in Group A and B, but no significant difference was noted with Group C.ConclusionIntervention with GSE mouthwash showed a positive effect on reducing CFUs in the plaque when compared with the control group. GSE group also showed similar results in reducing CFUs in plaque when compared to CHX group, thereby demonstrating the agent’s antimicrobial efficacy, therapeutic effect and its potential usefulness in controlling plaque and periodontal diseases.

Population-specific age estimation in Black Americans and Chinese people based on pulp chamber volume of first molars from cone beam computed tomography.

To validate the fitness of the age estimation model in Black Americans, which was previously and solely established for the Chinese population based on pulp chamber volume of the first molars from cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), and to establish a new age estimation model for Black Americans. A total of 203 subjects with CBCT scans, including 119 Chinese and 84 Black Americans, were retrospectively identified. The age range of subjects was between 11 and 87years. For both populations, automated 3D pulp chamber segmentation of the first molars was performed by deep learning, followed by volume calculation and age estimation by a logarithmic regression model, which was established in a prior study solely on Chinese population. Additionally, a separate logarithmic regression analysis was carried out on Black Americans. The performance of age estimation was assessed by the mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), Wilcoxon signed rank test, and coefficient of determination (R2) between the actual and estimated human ages. When applying the age estimation model established in the prior study, MAE = 7.994years and RMSE = 10.065years were observed in the Chinese population, while MAE = 14.049years and RMSE = 17.866years were observed in Black Americans. The new age estimation model established for Black Americans was AGE = 89.752 - 21.176 × lnV (V = pulp chamber volume), with MAE = 7.930years, RMSE = 10.664years, and coefficient of determination (R2) = 0.600. Population-specific age estimation is needed when applied in Black Americans and Chinese people based on pulp chamber volume of the first molars from CBCT.

Relationship between lumbar disc degeneration on MRI and low back pain: A cross-sectional community study.

Purpose: Although an association has been suggested between disc degeneration (DD) and low back pain (LBP), some DD is thought to be an age-related change unrelated to symptoms. Age-inappropriate DD, however, may be associated with LBP. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there is a difference in LBP and LBP-related quality of life between age-appropriate and age-inappropriate DD, as assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Participants and methods: In this cross-sectional study, degenerative change in the lumbar intervertebral discs of 382 subjects (age range, 27-82 years) was evaluated by MRI. Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) scores were assigned using the Schneiderman classification, as the sum of grades for all intervertebral levels (0-15). We classified subjects into three groups according to age and DDD score: Low DD (mild DD relative to age), Appropriate (age-appropriate DD), and High DD (severe DD relative to age). We compared the three groups in terms of LBP prevalence, LBP intensity, LBP-specific quality of life (QOL) according to the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ), and the Short Form-36 Item Health Survey (SF-36). Results: Of 382 subjects, there were 35% in the Low DD group, 54% in the Appropriate group, and 11% in the High DD group. There were no significant differences among the groups in terms of prevalence of LBP, LBP intensity, RDQ score, or SF-36 score. Conclusion: No association was found between age-inappropriate DD (Low or High DD group) and age-appropriate DD (Appropriate group) in terms of prevalence of LBP, LBP intensity, RDQ, or SF-36.

Quality of life in Barth syndrome.

Barth syndrome (BTHS) is a rare X-linked disorder characterized by cardiomyopathy, neutropenia, growth abnormalities, and skeletal myopathy. There have been few studies investigating health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in this population. This study investigated the impact of BTHS on HRQoL and select physiologic measures in affected boys and men. In this study, we characterize HRQoL in boys and men with BTHS through cross-sectional analysis of a variety of outcome measures including the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQLTM) Version 4.0 Generic Core Scales, PedsQLTM Multidimensional Fatigue Scale, Barth Syndrome Symptom Assessment, the PROMISTM Fatigue Short Form, the EuroQol Group EQ-5DTM, the Patient Global Impression of Symptoms (PGIS), and the Caregiver Global Impression of Symptoms (CaGIS). For a specific subset of participants, physiologic data were available in addition to HRQoL data. For the PedsQLTM questionnaires, 18 unique child and parent reports were analyzed for children aged 5-18 years, and nine unique parent reports were analyzed for children aged 2-4 years. For the other HRQoL outcome measures and physiologic measurements, the data from 12 subjects (age range 12-35 years) were analyzed. Based on parent and child reports, HRQoL is significantly impaired in boys and men with BTHS, especially in school functioning and physical functioning. Parent and child reports of more severe fatigue are significantly correlated with more impaired HRQoL. When exploring the potential relationship between physiology and HRQoL, the CaGIS as a whole for pediatric subjects and individual questionnaire items from the PGIS and CaGIS for pediatric subjects assessing tiredness, muscle weakness, and muscle pain showed the strongest correlations. This study provides a unique characterization of the HRQoL in boys and men with BTHS using a variety of outcome measures, and it highlights the negative impact of fatigue and muscle weakness on HRQoL in BTHS. A Trial to Evaluate Safety, Tolerability and Efficacy of Elamipretide in Subjects with Barth Syndrome (TAZPOWER). https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03098797.Registration Number: NCT03098797.