Mean Gray Value Research Articles

Combining different metal artifact reduction levels with sharpening filters and slice thickness for the visualization of mandibular canals perforated by implants.

To investigate the influence of combining levels of metal artifact reduction (MAR) tool with different filters and slice-thickness in the detection of mandibular canals perforated by implants on CBCT scans and to objectively assess the impact of the aforementioned combinations. Implants were placed above (8 implants) and inside (10 implants) mandibular canals of dried-mandibles. CBCT scans were obtained with the Eagle 3D unit (85 kVp, 8mA, 5 × 5cm FOV, 130μm voxel size, and off/medium/high MAR levels). Examiners evaluated the scans under each MAR level and across different conditions: no filter, Sharpen 1×, Sharpen 2×; 0mm, 1mm, and 2mm slice-thickness. The gray values on axial reconstructions were assessed. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, mean and standard deviation (SD) for gray values were calculated and compared by multi-way Analysis of Variance. Overall, the AUC and sensitivity decreased with high-level MAR (p < 0.0001), regardless other variables tested. Enabling MAR tool decreased mean gray values (p < 0.01) and increasing MAR levels reduced the SD values on scans with Sharpen 2× (p < 0.012). High-level MAR impairs the visualization of mandibular canals perforated by implants. Moreover, enabling MAR tool decreases the mean gray values. MAR tool, filters, and slice thickness influence the image quality of CBCT scans. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the impact of these parameters on the diagnosis of mandibular canals perforated by implants.

Diluted Indocyanine Green Angiography: A Novel Approach to Free Flap Perfusion Evaluation in Reconstructive Microsurgery.

Assessing perfusion in free flaps is crucial in clinical practice. Indocyanine green (ICG) angiography offers a more objective and reproducible method, utilizing near-infrared imaging to monitor flap vascularization. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of diluted ICG as a tool for assessing free flap perfusion. This pilot randomized clinical trial compares the fluorescence concentrations of ICG at 3 different dilutions: 5 mg/mL (standard concentration), 2.5 mg/mL (half the standard concentration), and 0.5 mg/mL (one-tenth of the standard concentration). Inclusion criteria required participants to have serum albumin levels above 3 g/dL, hemoglobin levels over 10 g/dL, and no comorbidities. Participants were randomized into 3 groups based on ICG concentration. Fluorescence analysis was performed using ImageJ software to determine mean gray values. Both surgeons and data analysts were blinded to the ICG concentrations administered, ensuring unbiased evaluation. Forty-five patients undergoing free flap surgery, predominantly male (60%) with a mean age of 37.76 ± 19.79 years and a mean body mass index of 21.23 ± 4.49 kg/m², primarily received osteoseptocutaneous fibular free flaps (46.67%), with an average skin flap area of 66.07 ± 46.94 cm². The primary etiology was underlying tumors (84.4%), with the head and neck as the most common reconstruction site (82.2%). The superior thyroid artery was the most frequently used recipient vessel (37.78%). Analysis revealed mean gray values of 64.10 ± 8.27 (5 mg/mL), 79.03 ± 2.7 (2.5 mg/mL), and 33.56 ± 3.47 (0.5 mg/mL), with 2.5 mg/mL yielding the highest value (P < 0.001). Findings suggest using 2.5 mg/mL concentration enhances fluorescence emission, offering a dosage alternative in clinical practice.

The Use of Grayscale Muscle Ultrasound to Indicate Muscle Recovery After Peripheral Nerve Reconstruction.

This study aimed to validate the use of grayscale muscle ultrasound by measuring echo intensity to longitudinally evaluate functional muscle reinnervation in a rabbit peroneal nerve defect model. Eighteen New Zealand White rabbits underwent a 30-mm peroneal nerve reconstruction with autografts or decellularized allografts. Ultrasound measurements of tibialis anterior muscles were performed before surgery and at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks postoperatively and included cross-sectional muscle area, mean gray value (MGV), and mean gray value normalized for area (MGVA). At 24 weeks, functional motor recovery was evaluated with isometric tetanic force (ITF) and compound muscle action potential (CMAP). MGVA data was compared with ITF and CMAP measurements by calculating the Spearman correlation coefficient. Muscle area (Left/Right Ratio (L/R)) of autografts was superior to allografts at 4, 12, 16, 20 and 24 weeks (p<0.03 for all comparisons). MGVs of the operated side were significantly higher for autografts at 4, 8, and 12 weeks and at 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks for allografts (p<0.01 for all comparisons), compared to their unoperated sides. Similar patterns were seen in both groups for MGVA (operated versus control side). MGVA (L/R) demonstrated a strong correlation with ITF (L/R) for autografts (ρ = -0.7) and allografts (ρ = -0.87), but inconsistent with CMAPs (L/R). Quantitative muscle ultrasound demonstrated a reliable, non-invasive tool for evaluating motor recovery in a rabbit peroneal nerve reconstruction model. Clinical translation could provide valuable insights into muscle health and structural changes following nerve reconstruction.

Assessment of the Radiopacity of Different Fissure Sealants Compared to Dental Hard Tissues

Aim: The radiopacity of dental materials is crucial for assessing the radiographic success of restorations and can significantly influence clinicians' choice of materials. The objective of our study is to compare the radiopacity of five fissure sealants with that of compomer, composite, glass ionomer filling, and dental hard tissues using digital imaging techniques. Material and Method: Five different fissure sealants (Fuji Triage, BeautiSealant, Grandio Seal, Helioseal F Plus, Embrace Wetbond), compomer (Compoglass F), composite (Solare X), and glass ionomer filling (Equa Forte) materials were prepared as 5 samples each in disk form with a thickness of 2 mm. As controls, sections of primary and permanent teeth with a thickness of 2 mm, along with an aluminum step wedge were utilized. The mean gray values of the samples were measured using Image J software, and the equivalent aluminum thickness was subsequently determined. Statistics analysis using Kruskal-Wallis test at p&lt;0.05. Results: The equivalent aluminum thicknesses related to the radiopacity of fissure sealants are ranked as follows: Fuji Triage (5.2±0.2) &gt; Grandio Seal (3.9±0.2) = permanent tooth enamel (3.7±0.2) = Embrace Wetbond (3.6±0.6) = primary tooth enamel (3.6±0.3) = BeautiSealent (2.1±0.3) &gt; Helioseal F Plus (1.1±0) (p&lt;0.05). The radiopacity equivalent aluminum thicknesses of restorative materials are ranked as follows: Compoglass F (7.3±0.4) &gt; Solare X (4.7±0.3) = Equa Forte (4.4±0.4) = permanent tooth enamel (3.7±0.2) = primary tooth enamel (3.6±0.3) (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Materials like Fuji Triage and Compoglass F exhibit high radiopacity values, which can significantly aid clinical monitoring and restoration success.

Ultrasonographic quantification of the endometrium echogenicity and heterogeneity in canine physiological and pathological conditions using computer-assisted analysis

The aims of this study were: To ultrasonographically describe and compare endometrial echogenicity and heterogeneity using digital analysis in normal and bitches suffering from pyometra, cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) and endometritis; and to evaluate the effect of clinical, bacteriological and histopathological uterine parameters on endometrial echogenicity and heterogeneity. Forty-one post pubertal intact bitches were included. According to clinical, ultrasonographic, anatomopathological and histopathological uterine evaluation, the animals were classified as: Pyometra (PYO; n=6); CEH (n=8); Endometritis (END; n=13); Normal group (NG; n=14). Endometrial images were analyzed with ImageJ software to obtain echogenicity and heterogeneity, represented as the mean gray value (MGV) and standard deviation of gray (SDG), respectively. The effect of the group, clinical, bacteriological, ultrasonographic and histological variables on MGV and SDG were analyzed by a generalized linear model. PYO exhibited higher MGV (P<0.01) and SDG (P<0.01) than the other groups. No differences were found among CEH, END and NG for both parameters (P>0.1). Body weight decreased MGV (P<0.01), while increasing degrees of inflammatory reaction (P<0.01), edema (P<0.01), hemorrhages (P<0.01) and vascular congestion (P<0.01) were associated with higher MGV. Inflammatory reaction (P<0.01) and ulceration (P<0.01) increased SDG. Ultrasonographic images evaluated using computer assisted image analysis were useful to differentiate pyometra from other uterine conditions in dogs. However, this technique could not differentiate among CEH, END and NG. Uterine echogenicity and echotexture, which clearly represent the different histopathological patterns, contribute to the diagnosis of the definite diagnosis of some canine uterine diseases.

Effect of experimental parameters on X-ray Micro-CT imaging for Spectral CT applications

Computed tomography (CT) is recognized as a reliable method for structural characterization of different materials. Recently, Spectral CT methods have emerged as a tool to describe the sample composition through assessment of mass density (ρ) and effective atomic number (Zeff) assessment from CT results. These techniques depend on measuring the linear attenuation of a set of standards samples. However, besides ρ and Zeff, these results are influenced by factors such as X-ray energy and may be affected by experimental factors not accounted for in the foundational equation. Thus, in this study, we propose to quantify the effects of two factors: uniaxial compression and image pixel size on measurements of linear attenuation assessed through the registered mean gray value and its standard deviation. Initially, a group of metallic oxides pellets were compressed under different pressures and scanned at various magnification factors. Subsequently, based on factorial design theory, Yates’ method was applied to evaluate the significant effects of the factors. In a second phase, using a group of known samples, a Dual-Energy CT (DECT) measurement of a validation sample was conducted to verify the quantified effects. As expected initially, we observed that uniaxial compression positively influences attenuation, as it directly affects mass density. However, we found that an increase in image pixel size leads to a decrease in registered attenuation as it reduces the relationship between radiation attenuation and detected photons. Indeed, for the leveraged variation, the linear effect of pixel size variation proved to be the most influential on the registered mean gray value. When considering these effects in DECT application, no statistical difference was observed between loose powder and pellet measurements. Furthermore, no trend was observed in the results regarding image pixel size. However, it is possible that more significant changes in these factors may yield different results, and therefore, operators applying Spectral CT methods must ensure that the same experimental conditions are applied to both the standard sample set and the sample under investigation.

Discrimination of healthy oral tissue from oral cancer based on the mean grey value determined by optical coherence tomography

ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify a quantitative index for optical coherence tomography (OCT) images to discriminate tumours from surrounding tissues.Subjects and methodsBased on OCT measurements, mean grey values were determined from 432 locations on fifty-four human tissue specimens (eighteen cancerous, para-cancerous, and normal tissues each). These results were histologically evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining (H&E).ResultsThe mean grey values of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) measurements were significantly different from those of the surrounding healthy tissue (p value < 0.0001), with the former being higher. The sensitivity and specificity of detecting tumourous tissue using this approach were 93 and 94%, respectively.ConclusionsOCT as a non-invasive, real-time imaging method, correlates well with H&E pathological images. It can effectively distinguish squamous cell carcinoma from normal tissues with high sensitivity and specificity and is thus expected to assist and guide tumour margin evaluation.Clinical relevanceThis discovery highlights the potential of OCT in the objective evaluation of tumour margin during surgery.

Radiopacity and Microleakage Evaluation of Different Intermediate Materials

Objective: The aim of this study is to compare the radiopacities of different types of materials with indications for application as a base under restorations and the microleakage of the final restorations with these materials applied as bases. Methods: Standart Class I cavities were prepared in 90 caries-free molar teeth. The cavities were randomly divided into 9 groups according to the type of intermediate material to be applied (n=10): 1. High flowable composite, 2. Low flowable composite, 3. Fiber reinforced composite, 4. Giomer, 5. Ormocer, 6. Alkasite, 7. Bioactive composite, 8. High viscosity glass ionomer, 9. Glass carbomer. The base materials in each group were applied to the cavity floor and restoration was completed using a nanohybrid composite resin and an universal adhesive system. To evaluate radiopacity, radiographic images were taken using direct digital system and mean gray values were measured with ImageJ software. To analyse microleakage, specimens were subjected to thermocycling, immersed in 2% methylene blue solution for 24 hours, sectioned buccolingually and leakage values observed on the half-piece surfaces were examined under a stereomicroscope and recorded. Data were analysed using One-way Analysis of Variance, Tukey HSD Test and Pearson Chi-Square with Bonferroni-corrected Z Test (p˂0.05). Results: In terms of radiopacity, while alkasite and low flowable composite showed the highest radiopacity, glass carbomer gave the lowest (p

Expression of artefacts from different orthodontic brackets and wires in cone beam computed tomography scans-an in vitro study.

To investigate artefacts produced by different orthodontic brackets and wires in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. Two dental arches were made using extracted human teeth and plaster. Three pairs of acetate plates containing different brackets - metallic, ceramic, and self-ligating ceramic with NiTi clip - along with a control plate (i.e., without brackets) were prepared. Wire changes (NiTi and steel) were made during CBCT acquisitions, performed with a fixed exposure protocol. Axial slices were selected for mean gray values and standard deviation measurement in three regions of interest (buccal, lingual, and tooth). Noise and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were calculated and compared among the different brackets and wires by ANOVA with a significance level of 5%. Overall, the buccal and tooth region were mostly affected by the metallic and self-ligating brackets, showing higher noise, and lower CNR (p < 0.05). On the other hand, less impact of ceramic brackets in the image quality was observed (p ≥ 0.05). The lingual region did not show expressive differences among the brackets and wire combinations (p ≥ 0.05). The presence of wire associated with the brackets did not worsen image quality (p ≥ 0.05). In conclusion, metallic and self-ligating brackets have greater artefact expression than ceramic brackets. The wire did not influence image quality. One should pay attention to the type of brackets when requesting a CBCT scan during treatment, as metallic and self-ligating brackets may express greater artefacts than ceramic brackets.

Associations between diffusion kurtosis imaging metrics and neurodevelopmental outcomes in neonates with low-grade germinal matrix and intraventricular hemorrhage

Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging (DKI)-derived metrics are recognized as indicators of maturation in neonates with low-grade germinal matrix and intraventricular hemorrhage (GMH-IVH). However, it is not yet known if these factors are associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes. The objective of this study was to acquire DKI-derived metrics in neonates with low-grade GMH-IVH, and to demonstrate their association with later neurodevelopmental outcomes. In this prospective study, neonates with low-grade GMH-IVH and control neonates were recruited, and DKI were performed between January 2020 and March 2021. These neonates underwent the Bayley Scales of Infant Development test at 18 months of age. Mean kurtosis (MK), radial kurtosis (RK) and gray matter values were measured. Spearman correlation analyses were conducted for the measured values and neurodevelopmental outcome scores. Forty controls (18 males, average gestational age (GA) 30 weeks ± 1.3, corrected GA at MRI scan 38 weeks ± 1) and thirty neonates with low-grade GMH-IVH (13 males, average GA 30 weeks ± 1.5, corrected GA at MRI scan 38 weeks ± 1). Neonates with low-grade GMH-IVH exhibited lower MK and RK values in the PLIC and the thalamus (P < 0.05). The MK value in the thalamus was associated with Mental Development Index (MDI) (r = 0.810, 95% CI 0.695–0.13; P < 0.001) and Psychomotor Development Index (PDI) (r = 0.852, 95% CI 0.722–0.912; P < 0.001) scores. RK value in the caudate nucleus significantly and positively correlated with MDI (r = 0.496, 95% CI 0.657–0.933; P < 0.001) and PDI (r = 0.545, 95% CI 0.712–0.942; P < 0.001) scores. The area under the curve (AUC) were used to assess diagnostic performance of MK and RK in thalamus (AUC = 0.866, 0.787) and caudate nucleus (AUC = 0.833, 0.671) for predicting neurodevelopmental outcomes. As quantitative neuroimaging markers, MK in thalamus and RK in caudate nucleus may help predict neurodevelopmental outcomes in neonates with low-grade GMH-IVH.

A voxel-based magnetic resonance study of cortical gray matter structures in intermittent exotropia

Objective: To explore the changes in gray matter volume of the cerebral cortex in patients with intermittent exotropia (IXT) using the voxel-based analysis and to analyze the correlation between these changes and clinical manifestations. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. A collection of 15 consecutive patients diagnosed with IXT at Tianjin Eye Hospital from March 2021 to May 2022 formed the exotropia group, which comprised 8 males and 7 females, with an average age of (23.5±5.2) years. Ten healthy individuals, 3 males and 7 females, with an average age of (27.0±7.5) years, were selected as the control group. All participants underwent assessments of exotropia severity and Titmus stereoacuity. Three-dimensional high-resolution brain images were obtained through MRI scans. Voxel-based morphometry was employed to preprocess the MRI data, and the SPM toolbox in MATLAB was utilized to analyze differences of images between the two groups. Regions of interest (ROI) with structural abnormalities in the gray matter volume analysis were selected, and the ratio of gray matter voxel values in the ROI to the mean gray matter voxel values of the whole brain for each participant was calculated using the MarsBaR software. The correlation between this ratio and exotropia severity as well as the common logarithm of Titmus stereoacuity was analyzed. Results: The differences in age, gender distribution, and refractive error between the two groups were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). However, there were statistically significant differences in the degree of strabismus and Titmus stereoacuity (both P<0.001). Compared to the control group, patients in the strabismus group exhibited decreased gray matter volume in several brain regions, including the wedges of the medial surface of the cerebral hemisphere (decreased by 89 voxels), the left lingual gyrus (decreased by 176 voxels), the left calcarine sulcus V3 area (decreased by 30 voxels), the central anterior gyrus of the right frontal lobe (decreased by 192 voxels), the gray matter of the left hippocampal gyrus (decreased by 20 voxels), and the bilateral lateral geniculate nuclei (decreased by 100 and 40 voxels on the left and right sides, respectively). These differences were all statistically significant (all P<0.001). Additionally, there was an increase in gray matter volume in several brain regions, including the bilateral caudate nuclei (increased by 60 and 76 voxels on the left and right sides, respectively) and the left precentral gyrus (increased by 36 voxels). These differences were also statistically significant (all P<0.001). A group-level analysis identified 10 brain regions with structural differences between the two groups, which were used as ROI. The gray matter volume ratio was negatively correlated with the degree of exotropia (all P<0.05) in the ROI of the left wedges (r=-0.670), left calcarine sulcus V3 area (r=-0.610), and left lingual gyrus (r=-0.684). The gray matter volume ratio was negatively correlated with lgTS (all P<0.05) in the ROI of the left wedges (r=-0.568) and the central anterior gyrus of the right frontal lobe (r=-0.563). Conclusions: Patients with IXT exhibit decreased gray matter volume in the horizontal connection areas between the primary visual cortices V1 and V2. The reduction in gray matter volume of the lingual gyrus and the dorsal visual pathway V3 area becomes more pronounced with increasing exotropia severity, while the gray matter volume of the precentral gyrus (BA6 area) decreases with worsening stereoacuity.

Evaluation of CHD5, H3K9me3, and H4K12ac in Human Testes with Spermatogenic Maturation Arrest: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Spermatogenic maturation arrest is thought to be caused by epigenetic defects, specifically in chromatin remodeling and histone modification. This study evaluated the status of chromatin remodeling chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 5 (CHD5) and histone modifications histone 4 lys-12 acetylation (H4K12ac) and histone 3 lys-9 trimethylation (H3K9me3) in human testicular biopsies, based on maturation arrest type. The cross-sectional study utilized 18 Bouin-fixed paraffin-embedded (BFPE) specimens prepared from residual tissue from routine laboratory tests of infertile patients. The expression of CHD5, H4K12ac, and H3K9me3 was examined through immunohistochemistry (IHC). The intensity was measured using ImageJ with IHC Profiler and StarDist plugins. Statistical analysis was performed using Python with Scipy.Stats module. The data were tested with Shapiro- Wilk for normality and Levene test for homogeneity. The differences in the intensity of spermatogenic cells were assessed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. A difference was considered statistically significant if P<0.05. We found three types of maturation arrest, including Sertoli cell only (n=5), spermatocyte arrest (n=4), and spermatid arrest (n=9). CHD5 was positive in spermatogonia and round spermatids but absent in spermatocytes. The mean grey value (MGV) of CHD5 in spermatogonia was generally weak in spermatocyte arrest (157.4 ± 16.6) and spermatid arrest (155.3 ± 16.8), and there was no significant difference between them [P=0.49, 95% confidence interval (CI): (-4.3, 6), effect size (r): 0.02]. Although there was a significant difference in the expression of H3K9me3 and H4K12ac (P<0.001), both histone modifications were found in all observed spermatogenic cells. The expressions of CHD5, H3K9me3, and H4K12ac in different spermatogenic cell types produce similar results, indicating that they cannot be used as markers to determine the type of spermatogenic maturation arrest in humans. The significant finding in this research is the expression of CHD5 in human spermatogonia cells, which requires further study for elaboration.

Comparison of quantitative radiomorphometric predictors of healthy and MRONJ-affected bone using panoramic radiography and cone-beam CT.

To determine the most distinctive quantitative radiomorphometric parameter(s) for the detection of MRONJ-affected bone changes in panoramic radiography (PR) and cone-beam CT (CBCT). PR and sagittal CBCT slices of 24 MRONJ patients and 22 healthy controls were used for the measurements of mandibular cortical thickness (MCT), fractal dimension (FD), lacunarity, mean gray value (MGV), bone area fraction (BA/TA), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), trabecular number (Tb.N). MCT was measured in the mental foramen region. While FD and lacunarity were measured on mandibular trabecular and cortical regions-of-interest (ROIs), the remaining parameters were measured on trabecular ROIs. The independent samples t-test was used to compare the measurements between the MRONJ and control groups for both imaging modalities (P = .05). MCT was the only parameter that differentiated MRONJ-affected bone in both PR and CBCT (P < .05). None of the remaining parameters revealed any difference for MRONJ-affected bone in CBCT (P > .05). FD, lacunarity, MGV, BA/TA, and Tb.Sp could distinguish MRONJ-affected trabecular bone in PR (P < .05). The correspondent ROI for both imaging methods that was reliable for detecting MRONJ-affected bone was the trabecular bone distal to the mental foramen above the inferior alveolar canal (ROI-3). MCT is a reliable parameter for the discrimination of MRONJ-affected bone in both PR and CBCT images. PR may be used to detect MRONJ-affected trabecular bone using FD, lacunarity, MGV, BA/TA, and Tb.Sp measurements as well.

Risk assessment for pancreatic fistula by intraoperative image analysis of laparoscopic and robotic gastrectomy.

Pancreatic fistula (PF) is one of the most serious postoperative complications of gastrectomy. Misidentification of the boundary between the pancreas and the dissected fat is a primary concern. In this study, we focused on differences in the appearance of the pancreas and the dissected fat in actual surgical images and statistically analyzed the relationship between the pancreas and the dissected fat. We analyzed data from 109 gastric cancer patients who underwent curative gastrectomy between November 2018 and March 2023. Intraoperative images were taken from videos of lymph node dissections of Nos.6 and 8a regions, and the mean gray value of the areas was measured using ImageJ software for analysis. The visceral fat area (VFA) was evaluated by preoperative axial CT at the umbilical level using Ziostation software. A significant correlation was observed between the fat/pancreas gray value ratio in the No.8a lymph node region and the drain/serum amylase ratio (P < 0.001). The fat/pancreas gray value ratio in the No.6 lymph node region correlated with VFA (P < 0.001). The VFA and drain/serum amylase ratio were significantly higher in the group with intra-abdominal complications (P = 0.004). We revealed significant relationships between the fat/pancreas gray value ratio with drain/serum amylase and VFA. Detecting differences in gray values between the pancreas and the dissected fat may lead to a decrease in the drain/serum amylase ratio and PF.

Exploring the Potential of a Novel Iodine-Based Material as an Alternative Contrast Agent in X-ray Imaging Studies.

Contrast-enhanced mammography is one of the new emerging imaging techniques used for detecting breast tissue lesions. Optimization of imaging protocols and reconstruction techniques for this modality, however, requires the involvement of physical phantoms. Their development is related to the use of radiocontrast agents. This study assesses the X-ray properties of a novel contrast material in clinical settings. This material is intended for experimental use with physical phantoms, offering an alternative to commonly available radiocontrast agents. The water-soluble sodium salt of the newly synthesized diiodine-substituted natural eudesmic acid, Sodium 2,6-DiIodo-3,4,5-TriMethoxyBenzoate [NaDITMB], has been investigated with respect to one of the most commonly applied radiocontrast medium in medical practice-Omnipaque®. For this purpose, simulation and experimental studies were carried out with a computational phantom and a physical counterpart, respectively. Synthetic and experimental X-ray images were subsequently produced under varying beam kilovoltage peaks (kVps), and the proposed contrast material was evaluated. Simulation results revealed equivalent absorptions between the two simulated radiocontrast agents. Experimental findings supported these simulations, showing a maximum deviation of 3.7% between the image gray values of contrast materials for NaDITMB and Omnipaque solutions for a 46 kVp X-ray beam. Higher kVp X-ray beams show even smaller deviations in the mean grey values of the imaged contrast agents, with the NaDITMB solution demonstrating less than a 2% deviation compared to Omnipaque. The proposed contrast agent is a suitable candidate for use in experimental work related to contrast-enhanced imaging by utilizing phantoms. It boasts the advantages of easy synthesis and is recognized for its safety, ensuring a secure environment for both the experimenter and the environment.

Intelligent MRI diagnosis of neurological alterations in infants from 4 to 12 months

AbstractMagnetic resonance imaging is an essential tool for the identification of neurological problems since it provides relevant information on brain development. The aim of the present work was the detection of neurological alterations in newborns from 4 to 12 months of age by segmentation and analysis of lateral ventricles in magnetic resonance images. For this purpose, an automated deep approach based on U‐net is proposed to segment the cerebral ventricles of the newborn. Subsequently, for these regions, features were extracted based on the patient's clinical history and on the shape (area, roundness, normalized central moment, among others) and pixel intensity (mean gray value, contrast level, among others). Once the features were extracted, different types of intelligent models (Logistic Regression, k‐Nearest Neighbors (kNN), and a Convolutional Neural Network) were assessed to detect the presence of neurological alterations. The segmentation phase of the system was tested on 50 patients and the classification phase on 28 patients (11 healthy, 17 with neurological changes). The results show a DICE similarity coefficient of 0.89 and a volume ratio of 1.05 for the segmentation stage and an accuracy of 98%, precision of 100%, sensitivity of 92%, and specificity of 100% for the classification stage using kNN. The last one proved to be the most computationally feasible model, due to the time required for training and inference (0.36 s and 35.2e‐4 s, respectively), as well as the consumption of computational resources (0.1 GB RAM CPU). In conclusion, it is possible to detect neurological alterations in newborns aged 4 to 12 months by segmenting and classifying the lateral ventricles in magnetic resonance images, using image processing techniques, the U‐net, as well as the kNN algorithm. This proposed methodology could play an important role in the early diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders.

Impact of Potassium Iodide Solution on Silver Diamine Fluoride Black Staining - In Vitro Investigation

Dental caries is a prevalent global oral health issue, necessitating effective preventive and treatment strategies. Silver diamine fluoride has emerged as a valuable tool for arresting carious lesions, but its drawback of causing permanent black staining raises concerns. This study explores the potential of potassium iodide to mitigate silver diamine fluoride -induced staining through repeated applications at different intervals. Sixty carious permanent teeth were divided into three groups: silver diamine fluoride alone, silver diamine fluoride with daily potassium iodide application, and silver diamine fluoride with weekly potassium iodide application. Color assessments were conducted using mean grey values at baseline, immediately post-application, and at 2 and 4 weeks. Results demonstrated that potassium iodide significantly reduced black staining when applied immediately after silver diamine fluoride. Daily potassium iodide application yielded the whitest color, surpassing weekly application. The findings suggest that integrating potassium iodide with silver diamine fluoride, particularly through daily application, offers a promising approach to minimize staining associated with silver diamine fluoride treatment, enhancing its acceptability and clinical utility.

Radiopacity evaluations of the novel calcium-silicate and glass-Ionomer-based materials

Aims: Radiopacity is a crucial property for a liner or base material, and these materials should provide an optimal contrast for detecting secondary caries in radiographic examinations. The purpose of this study was to assess the radiopacity characteristics of four calcium-silicate-based and two glass-ionomer-based materials used as a liner or base in direct or indirect vital pulp therapy.&#x0D; Methods: A total of 60 cylindrical-shaped and 1 mm thick specimens were prepared from a calcium-silicate (Biodentine, Septodont), a calcium-silicate (MTA, Angelus), a light-cured resin-modified calcium silicate (TheraCal LC, Bisco), a dual-cured resin-modified calcium silicate (TheraCal PT, Bisco), a glass hybrid glass-ionomer (Equia Forte HT, GC), and a resin-modified glass ionomer (Glass Liner, Wp Dental) material (n=10). Digital radiographic images of the specimens, a molar tooth section with 1 mm thickness, and an aluminum step wedge were obtained by a digital radiography system (Heliodent Plus, &#x0D; Dentsply Sirona) with 60 kV voltage, 7 mA current, and 0.25 seconds exposure time. The mean gray values (MGV) of digital images were determined using the ImageJ software program (National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA). Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (pBiodentine&gt;Equia Forte HT&gt;Theracal PT&gt;Theracal LC&gt;Glass Liner, respectively. All the tested liner or base materials exhibited significantly greater radiopacity values when compared to those of dentin (p

Anti-Biofilm Activity of Ethanol Extract of Citrus hystrix Dc. Against Opportunistic Pathogenic Microbes In-Vitro

Opportunistic pathogenic microbes are often a problem in the treatment of infections because of their ability to form biofilms. The structure of the irreversible components of the glycocalyx or microbial capsule plays a role in protecting it from antimicrobial exposure and disinfection. The effectiveness of antibiofilms needs to be evaluated, including those from natural preparations. Citrus hystrix DC. (C.hystrix) contains antimicrobial compounds and its activity as an antibiofilm needs to be known. This experimental research aims to test the anti-biofilm effect of C.hystrix extract against standard microbial isolates. The dilution method with tube-test was used to analyze the antibiofilm effect of a combination of C. hystrix leaf and peel extracts (6.25%, 12.5%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) with 70% ethanol control. Antibiofilm observations are qualitatively based on the Minimum Biofilm Inhibitory Concentration (MBIC) and quantitatively based on the Mean Gray Value (MGV) of biofilm intensity. The results of observations in 3 experiments showed that the MBIC of C.hystix extract was 6.25% for gram-positive bacteria and 12.5% for gram-negative bacteria and Candida. The average MGV of C.hystrix extract was 75%, equivalent to 70% ethanol for all test microbes (p.0.05). The highest average MGV was produced by 100% combination extracts for S.epidermidis (138,09±0,36), S.aureus (135,69±2,01), E.coli (134,75±0,89), P.aeruginosa (130,76±0,24), and C.albicans (130,41±0,41). In conclusion, hystrix orange leaf and peel extracts produce anti-biofilm activity against test microbes in-vitro.

Sex dependent differences of temporomandibular condylar bone mineral density distribution

ABSTRACT Objective The objective of this study was to examine whether bone mineral density (BMD) distribution in the mandibular condyle and facial morphology are associated with temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ OA) using clinical cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Methods CBCT images of 35 adults (16 male and 19 female) were examined to obtain TMJ OA counts, cephalometric analyses, and histograms of gray values that are proportional to BMD. Mean, standard deviation (SD), and low and high gray values at the 5th and 95th percentiles (Low5 and High5) of the histograms were measured. Results The female group had significantly higher values of TMJ OA counts, mean, and SD on the right mandibular condyle, High5 on both sides, and all gray value parameters for total (right + left) than the male group. Conclusion Comprehensive analysis of BMD distribution in the mandibular condyle can provide useful information for prognosis of TMJ OA.