Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Facial Artery in the Nasolabial Fold for Gender Differences and Symmetry Between Hemifaces.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to establish the relationship of facial artery with nasolabial fold by color Doppler sonography and to determine facial artery variations and their relationship with age, gender, or hemifaces. METHODS: The study included 188 patients (94 women, 94 men) aged 18-60 years. Overall, 376 facial arteries in both hemifaces were evaluated for the course within nasolabial fold, symmetry, and relationship with gender. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 39.29 ± 12.81 years. Type A (55.7%) was the most common type in both hemifaces. There was no significant relationship between the course of facial artery and age (P > .05). Asymmetrical course of facial artery was more common in females (54.3%). In both genders, type A was the type with highest symmetry detected. CONCLUSIONS: Nasolabial fold is one of the important facial regions for filler injection. To prevent vascular injection, course of facial artery should be identified within the nasolabial fold. Type A was the most common type in both hemifaces and genders. Although the rates were close to each other, asymmetry in the course of the facial artery was observed in most of the patients. Ultrasonographic examination which is non-invasive and non-ionizing imaging method can be performed carefully before filler injection to determine vascular tissues.

Evaluation of Maxillary Sinus Volume of Class III Individuals with Different Jaw Positions by Cone-Beam Computed Tomography.

Objective: To compare maxillary sinus volumes and surface areas among individuals with Class III skeletal patterns, with different sagittal positions of maxilla and Class I patients with normal jaw positions using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods: CBCT images of 168 patients were analyzed retrospectively. The calculated surface areas and sinus volumes of 58 patients with Class I, normal mandibular and maxillary position (0SNA>80, 82>SNB>78) were compared with 61 patients with Class III retrognathic maxillary and normal mandibular positions (MRs) (ANB<0, SNA<80, 82>SNB>78) and 49 patients with Class III normal maxillary and prognathic mandibular positions (MP) (ANB<0, 84>SNA>80, SNB>82). Also, volume differences between genders and sides were investigated. One-way ANOVA and t-test were used to compare age, gender, skeletal patterns, and maxillary sinus measurements. Results: CBCT images of 94 females and 74 males were examined. There was no statistically significant difference in the right and left maxillary sinus volume and surface area measurements among Class I, Class III MR, and Class III MP groups (p>0.05). When the maxillary sinus volume and surface area were evaluated according to gender, the right maxillary sinus surface area and volume of males were found to be statistically significantly higher than those of females (p=0.012 and p=0.024). Similarly, the left maxillary sinus surface areas and volumes of males were also found to be significantly higher than those of females (p=0.000 and p=0.002). Conclusion: Different sagittal positions of the maxilla do not appear to affect maxillary sinus volume, and males tend to have greater maxillary sinus volume than females. CBCT images can be used to calculate intrabony air spaces.

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Soft Tissue Calcifications in the Head and Neck Region Detected on Panoramic Radiographs.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to present a comparison between panoramic radiographs and USG imaging with a focus on revealing the advantages of USG over radiographs, and to show the distribution of calcifications detected in USG by considering the age and gender. METHODS: A total of 148 patients with soft tissue calcifications as seen on panoramic radiographs were examined with USG imaging. Sialoliths, carotid artery calcifications, tonsilloliths, phleboliths and lymph node calcifications were examined in terms of anatomical localization, distribution and shape. RESULTS: In the USG evaluation of these 148 patients, soft tissue calcifications were observed in 113 (76.4%) patients. The mean age of the patients with calcification was 55.6 ± 13.1 (min: 22-max: 77). Bilateral calcifications were detected in 25 (22.1%) patients, whereas unilateral calcifications were found in 88 (77.9%) patients. While the rates of tonsilloliths, sialoliths, phleboliths, and lymph node calcifications were statistically similar in male and female patients, the rate of carotid artery calcifications was found to be higher in men than in women (P = 0.017). No statistical significance was found between age groups in terms of the formation of soft tissue calcifications (P = 0.117). CONCLUSIONS: Panoramic radiographs may mislead clinicians in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of soft tissue calcifications in the head and neck region due to the presence of distortion, superpositions, metal artefacts, and ghost images. USG is an important diagnostic tool in determining the localization of soft tissue calcifications that can be confused on two-dimensional radiographs, their relationship with neighboring structures, and defining calcification. It can be used safely in the detection of soft tissue calcifications as it provides dynamic imaging without the use of radiation or contrast material compared to other advanced imaging methods.

Deep learning as a new tool in the diagnosis of mycosis fungoides.

Mycosis Fungoides (MF) makes up the most of the cutaneous lymphomas. As a malignant disease, the greatest diagnostical challenge is to timely differentiate MF from inflammatory diseases. Contemporary computational methods successfully identify cell nuclei in histological specimens. Deep learning methods are especially favored for such tasks. A deep learning model was used to detect nuclei Hematoxylin-Eosin(H-E) stained micrographs. Nuclear properties are extracted after detection. A multi-layer perceptron classifier is used to detect lymphocytes specifically among the detected nuclei. The comparisons for each property between MF and non-MF were carried out using statistical tests the results are compared with the findings in the literature to provide a descriptive analysis as well. Random forest classifier method is used to build a model to classify MF and non-MF lymphocytes. 10 nuclear properties were statistically significantly different between MF and non-MF specimens. MF nuclei were smaller, darker and more heterogenous. Lymphocyte detection algorithm had an average 90.5% prediction power and MF detection algorithm had an average 94.2% prediction power. This project aims to fill the gap between computational advancement and medical practice. The models could make MF diagnoses easier, more accurate and earlier. The results also challenge the manually examined and defined nuclear properties of MF with the help of data abundance and computer objectivity.

Assessment of the relationship between fractal analysis of mandibular bone and orthodontic treatment duration : A retrospective study.

PURPOSE: This retrospective study aimed to determine whether a correlation exists between the fractal dimension value and overall orthodontic treatment duration in children and young adults. METHODS: The study included a total of 643 patients (age: 10-25 years) who received orthodontic treatment between January 2015 and March 2020. Patient records and pretreatment panoramic radiographs were evaluated. The regions of interest selected for calculating fractal dimension were the bilateral mental foramen regions of the mandible. Fractal dimension was set in relation to orthodontic treatment duration using a linear regression model which was also adjusted for potential confounding variables. Total treatment duration was the outcome variable of interest used as a continuous variable. The predictor variables of interest included age, gender, type of dental and skeletal malocclusion, vertical growth pattern, extraction type, and fractal dimension. RESULTS: The mean age, treatment duration, and fractal dimension were 14.56 years, 27.01 months, and 1.23 mm, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the fractal dimension had a significant influence on overall treatment duration (P < 0.001). From the other variables, Angle class II malocclusion significantly influenced treatment duration (P < 0.01), age showed a significant negative correlation with treatment duration (P < 0.01), and treatment duration significantly increased for patients with tooth extractions (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: There was a negative correlation between fractal dimensions at the mandibular mental region and total orthodontic treatment duration. Fractal dimension analysis may help to understand physiologic features of alveolar bone and predict orthodontic tooth movement.

The Assessment of Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Patients Receiving Orthodontic Treatment.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the difficulties experienced by patients receiving orthodontic treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic and to evaluate the problems experienced by orthodontic patients, along with their attitudes toward these problems. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey study including a total of 502 patients (291 female; 211 male) receiving orthodontic treatment at a public or private clinic was conducted via a web-based questionnaire. RESULTS: Of all participants, 70.1% (352) were between the ages of 12 and 18 and 77.1% (387) were treated in a public clinic. According to the results, 97.3% (372) of the patients in the public clinic and 71.1% (79) of the patients in the private clinics had not been able to continue their treatment for 2 months or longer. Most of the participants were concerned about extended treatment duration (349, 69.5%) during this period. While the most common problems in patients with fixed appliances were soft tissue irritation (230, 52.5%), bracket failure (142, 32.4%), gingival swelling (88, 20.1%), and pain (88, 20.1%); there were issues of new spaces between teeth (41, 64.1%), pain (37, 57.8%), and gingival swelling (29, 45.3%) among patients with removable appliances. CONCLUSION: Most patient appointments were delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients experienced various problems with their treatment, and as a result, concerns about extended treatment duration increased. Therefore, orthodontists should pay more attention to teleorthodontics during the pandemic process.

The role of COL6A1and PD-1 expressions in renal cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The COL6A1 is a gene encoding the alpha 1 polypeptide subunit of collagen 6 (COL6A1), an extracellular matrix protein subunit. Programmed cell death receptor-1 (PD-1) and its ligand, programmed cell death receptor ligand-1 (PD-L1) have been shown to have a prognostic significance in clear cell renal cell carcinomas (RCCs). In this study, we evaluated the expressions of COL6A1 and PD-1 in four different RCC subtypes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 161 radical nephrectomy and nephron-sparing surgery cases with RCCs from five different health care centers were included in this study. Clinical data of the cases were taken from electronic records of the institutions. The pathological data were collected by an expert uropathologist and re-evaluated with slides obtained from paraffin blocks of the cases. The correlation of COL6A1 and PD-1 expression with sex, age, tumor type, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), World Health Organization/International Society of Urological Pathology (WHO/ISUP) grade, and tumor stage (pT) was analyzed with the Pearson chi-squared test. RESULTS: Patients with sarcomatoid RCC and clear cell RCC had significantly higher COL6A1 scores and intensities than in other types of RCC (p=0.004 and p=0.002, respectively). WHO/ISUP grade and, COL6A1 and PD-1 staining scores also showed positive correlation (r=0.230, p=0.004 and r=0.277, p=0.001, respectively for COL6A1 and r=0.191, p=0.018 and r=0.166, p=0.041, respectively for PD-1). The staining scores and intensities of COL6A1 and PD-1 were not different between the patients with positive and negative LVI (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: In high-grade RCCs, we found the relationship between immunohistochemical staining scores of COL6A1 and PD-1 proteins and clinical, demographic, and histopathological parameters. Our results proved that COL6A1 and PD-1 are really promising proteins as prognostic parameters and for targeted immunotherapy.

Algorithmic quantum heat engines.

We suggest alternative quantum Otto engines, using heat bath algorithmic cooling with a partner pairing algorithm instead of isochoric cooling and using quantum swap operations instead of quantum adiabatic processes. Liquid state nuclear magnetic resonance systems in a single entropy sink are treated as working fluids. The extractable work and thermal efficiency are analyzed in detail for four-stroke and two-stroke types of alternative quantum Otto engines. The role of the heat bath algorithmic cooling in these cycles is to use a single entropy sink instead of two so that a single incoherent energy resource can be harvested and processed using an algorithmic quantum heat engine. Our results indicate a path to programmable quantum heat engines as analogs of quantum computers beyond traditional heat engine cycles. We find that for our NMR system example implementation of quantum algorithmic heat engine stages yields more power due to increased cycle speeds.

First report of lateral nasal wall pneumatization.

Pneumatization is defined as air-filled cavities inside bone tissue. It is an anatomic variation such asymptomatic radiolucent defects that can be unilateral and multilocular in healthy individuals. The skull contains numerous pneumatized regions including paranasal sinuses, nasal cavity, zygomatic arch and temporal bone. 38-year-old female patient was referred to our clinic with a complaint of upper third molar pain. A radiolucent area was observed in left nasal region during panoramic radiograph examination. In cone beam computed tomography images, a pneumatization within mucosal thickening was diagnosed in left nasal wall. This case report describes anatomic and morphologic features of lateral nasal wall pneumatization with cone beam computed tomographic images.

Available bone morphology and status of neural structures in the mandibular interforaminal region: three-dimensional analysis of anatomical structures.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to clarify the size and morphology of the mandible and to determine state of neural structures for the planning of the dental implantation using cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT). METHODS: Of the 252 patients, CBCT images of 48 selected patients were evaluated. The bone height and width were measured and the type of the mental portion of the inferior alveolar canal, the anterior loop length (ALL), the location of the incisive canal and lingual foramen were identified with cross-sectional and multiplane reformatted CBCT images. According to buccal and lingual concavities, the shape of the mandible is classified as type A, B and C. RESULTS: Bone widths of males were significantly higher than female (p < 0.05). The thickest part of the alveolar bone was measured in the middle triple zone (d line) and the thinnest part was measured in the area near the alveolar crest (b line). The most seen type of mandible was type B (45.8%) that mandible was concave on the buccal side. Bone heights had a tendency to increase towards to the anterior mandible, and bone height in male patients was slightly but not significantly greater than that in female patients. ALL was 4.2 ± 1.2 mm and visible incisive canal length on CBCT was 9.7 ± 3.8 mm. CONCLUSION: CBCT assessment of morphological features of the alveolar bone and locations of nerve canals and foramina in the anterior-premolar region of mandible represent useful practical anatomical information about the interforaminal region. This information is the guide to the dentist before implant surgery.

Cone beam computed tomographic analysis of maxillary premolars and molars to detect the relationship between periapical and marginal bone loss and mucosal thickness of maxillary sinus

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the relationship between mucosal thickness (MT) of the maxillary sinus and periodontal bone loss (PBL) and periapical condition of related teeth. We also aimed to identify the association between root apices and the inferior wall of the maxillary sinus using Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, CBCT images of 205 patients with 410 maxillary sinuses were examined, retrospectively. A total of 582 maxillary molars and 587 premolars were observed. The relationship of each root with maxillary sinus and apical lesions of these roots were classified, PBL was examined and the situations of adjacent teeth were estimated. The effect of these conditions on sinus mucosal thickness (MT) was evaluated. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between MT of maxillary sinus and both PBL and age (r = 0.52, p = 0.000 and r = 0.111, p= 0.002, respectively). The frequency of MT increased as the severity of apical lesion enlarged. A positive correlation was found between MT and degree of PBL and periapical lesions. To reveal the association between MT and pulpoperiapical condition bivariate correlation was done and a significant relationship between the pulpoperiapical condition and MT was found (r = 0.17, p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study showed that MT of the maxillary sinus was common among patients with PBL and MT was significantly associated with PBL and apical lesions. The relationship of maxillary sinus to adjacent teeth had also positive correlation with MT. CBCT imaging enabled better evaluation of maxillary sinus, posterior teeth and surrounding structures compared to other imaging tolos

Cone beam computed tomographic analysis of maxillary premolars and molars to detect the relationship between periapical and marginal bone loss and mucosal thickness of maxillary sinus.

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the relationship between mucosal thickness (MT) of the maxillary sinus and periodontal bone loss (PBL) and periapical condition of related teeth. We also aimed to identify the association between root apices and the inferior wall of the maxillary sinus using Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, CBCT images of 205 patients with 410 maxillary sinuses were examined, retrospectively. A total of 582 maxillary molars and 587 premolars were observed. The relationship of each root with maxillary sinus and apical lesions of these roots were classified, PBL was examined and the situations of adjacent teeth were estimated. The effect of these conditions on sinus mucosal thickness (MT) was evaluated. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between MT of maxillary sinus and both PBL and age (r = 0.52, p=0.000 and r = 0.111, p= 0.002, respectively). The frequency of MT increased as the severity of apical lesion enlarged. A positive correlation was found between MT and degree of PBL and periapical lesions. To reveal the association between MT and pulpoperiapical condition bivariate correlation was done and a significant relationship between the pulpoperiapical condition and MT was found (r = 0.17, p=0.000). CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study showed that MT of the maxillary sinus was common among patients with PBL and MT was significantly associated with PBL and apical lesions. The relationship of maxillary sinus to adjacent teeth had also positive correlation with MT. CBCT imaging enabled better evaluation of maxillary sinus, posterior teeth and surrounding structures compared to other imaging tools.

Evaluation of root morphology and root canal configuration of premolars in the Turkish individuals using cone beam computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to assess the root and root canal morphology of maxillary and mandibular premolars in a Turkish population by using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, CBCT images of 2134 premolars (987 maxillary, 1147 mandibular) were obtained from 404 patients. Details of gender, age, number of roots and canals, and canal configuration in each root were recorded. The canal configuration was classified and evaluated according to Vertucci's criteria. RESULTS: The majority of maxillary premolars had two separate roots; although, three roots were identified in 1% of maxillary first premolars. However, most of the mandibular premolars had a single root. The two canals (69.9%) and type I (62.6%) and type II (34.1%) configuration for upper first premolar, one canal (82.1%) and type I (77.6%) canal configuration for second premolar was the most prevalent root canal frequency. The most prevalent root canal frequency was the one canal (96.2%) and type I (94.2%) and type V (3.2%) configuration for mandibular first premolar, one canal (98.9%) and type I (98.9%) canal configuration for second premolar. There was no difference in the root canal configurations and the numbers of canals between the left and the right side of both females and males (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Recognition of morphology and anatomy of the root canal system is one of the most important factors for successful endodontic treatment. Preoperative CBCT examination allows determination of root canal configuration of premolar teeth and helps clinicians in root canal treatment.