Factors influencing the cruisers in recommending onshore excursions in Gran Canaria.

This paper investigates which elements are the ones that most influence the cruise passenger to recommend the onshore excursions, offering relevant information that could help all stakeholders (cruise firms, local operators, politicians, etc.) to better design/adapt shore excursions to the expectations of the cruise passengers, increasing the positive impact of this activity in the destination. The latter is essential for the existence of a good harmony between the cruise ships visiting a destination and the population living there. To this aim, an ordered logit model was estimated using a sample of 1,059 questionnaires obtained during the period 2018-2020. The results have shown that cruise passengers are more likely to recommend the onshore excursions if their expectations regarding the excursion have been covered, they have perceived a good quality/price ratio and have had a satisfactory tour guide service. Moreover, the fact that the cruisers aged between 45 and 55 are less likely to recommend excursions could suggest that the design of existing excursions could be improved by being tailored by demographic characteristics (i.e., aged-oriented) or even by offering different alternatives for each group during the shore excursion when possible. The results could be useful to all stakeholders when designing excursions to increase the positive impact of this activity on the destination.

An evidence based immunohistochemical panel for diagnosing oral lymphoma along with a case series.

Oral lymphomas are rare and present a diagnostic challenge. Immunophenotyping is essential to decipher their biology and identify therapeutic targets. Histopathology can prove to be diagnostically difficult to type these lesions, and hence, immunohistochemistry (IHC) proves useful in deciphering their biology. Here, we present an evidence-based approach using a novel immunohistochemical marker panel to diagnose oral lymphomas by discussing four unique cases.

Epidemiological investigation of foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in a Vietnamese bear rescue centre.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks affecting Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) and a Malayan sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) were previously reported in 2011 in two housing facilities at a Vietnamese bear rescue centre. In this study, demographic data of all animals housed in the centre at the time of the outbreaks (n = 79) were collected. Blood samples drawn from 23 bears at different timepoints were tested for FMDV-specific antibodies targeting using a non-structural protein (NSP) ELISA and by virus neutralisation test (VNT). The relationship between seroconversion and clinical signs was explored and epidemic curves and transmission diagrams were generated for each outbreak, where FMD cases were defined as animals showing FMD clinical signs. Outbreak-specific attack rates were 18.75 and 77.77%, with corresponding basic reproduction numbers of 1.11 and 1.92, for the first and second outbreaks, respectively. Analyses of risk factors showed that after adjusting for sex there was strong evidence for a decrease in odds of showing clinical signs per year of age. All samples collected from bears before the outbreak tested negative to NSP and VNT. All cases tested positive to VNT following onset of clinical signs and remained positive during the rest of the follow up period, while only 6 out of 17 cases tested positive to NSP after developing clinical signs. Six animals without clinical signs were tested post outbreaks; five seroconverted using VNT and three animals were seropositive using NSP ELISA. This study provides initial epidemiological parameters of FMD in captive bears, showing that FMDV is easily spread between bears in close proximity and can cause clinical and subclinical disease, both of which appear to induce rapid and long-lasting immunity.

Capturing the smile: Exploring embodied and social acts of smiling.

Smiling is an embodied and complex social act. Smiling is presented as facilitating individual health and wellbeing, but the value placed on smiling raises questions about structural conditions acting on the body. While smiling has been considered sociologically, psychologically and historically, we argue that further exploration of the embodied smile offers fruitful avenues for future research. This article attempts to advance understanding of the smile and its importance by: (I) Bringing together literature on smiling as a social act and smiling as embodied. (II) Systematically identifying key themes, which recognise sociological insights and the relevance of oral health. (III) Pointing to useful directions for future sociological research into smiling. In this article, we review literature on body techniques; impression management and social interaction; gender, race and smiling; and emotional, aesthetic and affective labour. We move on to embodiment, considering the mouth as a body project and in relation to the ageing body, before reflecting on the significance of oral health and dentistry. We highlight future directions for sociological research on smiling, building on eight interrelated and cross-cutting themes: norms and expectations, aesthetic ideals, self and identity, health and wellbeing, body work, commodification and labour, inclusion and exclusion and resistance.

Analysis of Oxygen Concentration in the Oral Cavity During Intravenous Sedation with Intranasal Oxygen Administration for Dental Treatment.

Purpose: Intravenous sedation (IVS) with propofol (PPF) is commonly performed in dental treatment, particular in patients with dentophobia, with gag reflex, or undergoing implant surgeries, as PPF has the advantages of rapid induction and recovery. However, PPF and other intravenous sedatives may cause respiratory depression. Thus, IVS with PPF requires oxygen administration. But airway burn may occur when high-concentration oxygen is stored in the oral cavity and catches fire. For these reasons, the present study aimed to elucidate the changes in oxygen concentration (OC) under IVS with PPF and oxygen administration. Patients and methods: Nineteen healthy male volunteers participated in the study. None of them had missing teeth, nasal congestion, or temporomandibular joint dysfunction. They were sedated with a continuous PPF infusion dose of 6 mg/kg/hr for 25 min, followed by administration of 3 L/min oxygen via a nasal cannula. The OC was measured at two sites, namely, the median maxillary anterior teeth (MMAT) and median maxillary soft palate (MMSP), before PPF infusion (baseline) and 14, 15-18 (Term 1), 19, and 20-23 (Term 2) min after the start of infusion. Results: Compared with the values at baseline, the OC in the MMSP significantly increased at each time point, whereas the OC in the MMAT significantly increased at Term 2. Furthermore, in the comparison of the OC before and after the use of a mouth prop, the OC exhibited an upward trend, but no statistically significant differences were observed between the two time points in the MMAT and MMSP. In IVS with PPF and oxygen administration, the OC in the pharynx increases as the sedative level deepens. Conclusion: Oxygen administration should be temporarily discontinued, and suction should be performed to decrease the OC in the oral cavity when sparking procedures during IVS with PPF and oxygen administration are performed.

State of art of micronuclei assay in exfoliative cytology as a clinical biomarker of genetic damage in oral carcinogenesis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common oral malignancy, often preceded by oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). Currently, no clinical biomarker exists to predict malignancy, necessitating OPMD follow-up. Habits and environmental factors, such as smoking, and alcohol consumption, influence OSCC onset. Increased micronuclei (MNs) formation has been observed in the development of OSCC. Non-invasive diagnostic tests like exfoliative cytology offer painless and regular monitoring options. This study evaluates the impact of tobacco, alcohol, and pesticide exposure on MNs occurrence in exfoliative cytology-collected oral mucosal cells, assessing their potential as non-invasive biomarker for OSCC development prediction and monitoring in high-risk patients. Despite results from this meta-analysis supporting the existence of a stepwise increase from controls to patients with OPMD to OSCC, the translation of these findings into clinical practice is limited due to intra- and inter-individual heterogeneity, as well as methodological variability in MNs quantification. Various factors contribute to this heterogeneity, including demographic variables, methodological variability of different laboratories, staining techniques, sample collection location, and patient characteristics. All these points were discussed to provide further insights and improve standardization for future studies.

Atypical cellular neurothekeoma of the oral mucosa: A rare case report and literature review.

Cellular neurothekeoma (CN) is a benign dermal neoplasm that most often affects the head and neck region and rarely occurs in the oral mucosa. We report a rare case of CN with atypical features on the floor of the mouth and summarize the reported cases of oral CN in English-language literature. A 62-year-old woman presented with a 6-month history of a painless mass on the floor of the mouth. Histopathological analysis of the excised specimen revealed a proliferation of neoplastic cells with oval to spindle morphology arranged in a vaguely nested and multinodular architecture separated by scarce hyaline collagen within a predominantly myxoid-rich stroma. The tumor cells were positive for NSE, and CD63 (NKI/C3), and negative for S100 protein, CD34, and SMA. Thus, the final diagnosis was CN. In addition, we summarized all clinicopathological data on oral CNs reported in the English-language literature. Nineteen cases were reviewed. Among them, only one case affected the floor of the mouth of a young girl, in contrast to the present case that occurred in an elderly woman. CN is particularly rare in this location and may be a diagnostic challenge for oral pathologists due to its rarity and morphological similarity with other lesions.

Sicca syndrome as complication of COVID-19 infection: A case report.

Several reports of suspected oral and ocular manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has prompted investigations into ocular signs, symptoms, and transmission (5).11.2% of patients with COV19 infection had ocular symptoms, including ocular pain, conjunctivitis, dry eye, and floaters, meanwhile, many studies had documented oral symptoms such as dry mouth and dysgeusia in these patients. Our case reported a 39-year-old male, presented with symptoms of dry mouth and dry eye lasting more than 3 months. The patient had recovered from (PCR-confirmed) COVID-19 which lasted 10 days, 4 months ago. The physical examination was normal. Ocular findings include conjunctival hyperemia and superficial punctate keratitis. The anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) was weekly positive at 1/80. Schirmer test considered positive. He continued on 200 mg/day of hydroxychloroquine, along with tear drops until now with remission. Sicca symptoms may be a sequel of COVID-19 infection, and physicians should be aware of this sequel. The sequela of this infection is not understood, with limited data in the literature. Future prospective cohort studies are needed to reveal the impact of these features on oral health.

Detection of antibodies against structural proteins of foot-and-mouth disease virus in bovines of western Uttar Pradesh, India.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is considered as one of the most important contagious viral diseases affecting cloven-footed animals. For effective control of FMD, immunization along with herd immunity is essential in the field conditions. To assure and track the coverage and effectiveness of the vaccination program, the serological studies are very much required after the vaccination program. The present study was aimed to investigate the prevalence of antibodies against structural proteins of FMD virus (FMDV) serotypes of O, A and Asia-1 in seven districts of western Uttar Pradesh, India, and assure the efficacy of vaccination under National Animal Disease Control Program. A total of 308 sera samples were collected from apparent healthy vaccinated cattle and buffaloes from seven districts including Amroha, Baghpat, Bareilly, Bulandsahar, Gautam Budh Nagar, Meerut and Muzaffarnagar of western Uttar Pradesh, India. Determination of antibodies against structural proteins of FMDV was carried out using solid-phase blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The protective level of the FMDV serotypes O, A and Asia-1 included in the inactivated trivalent vaccine was 66.55, 48.05 and 47.08% in bovines, respectively. To provide the higher level of protection against the circulating FMDV, the present study recommended the thorough investigation of the immunogenic interaction between the vaccine strains and the field strains. Further investigations should also be conducted with larger sample size and across diverse geographical regions to gain a more comprehensive understanding of herd immunity.

Direct RNA Sequencing of Foot-and-mouth Disease Virus Genome Using a Flongle on MinION.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a severe and extremely contagious viral disease of cloven-hoofed domestic and wild animals, which leads to serious economic losses to the livestock industry globally. FMD is caused by the FMD virus (FMDV), a positive-strand RNA virus that belongs to the genus Aphthovirus, within the family Picornaviridae. Early detection and characterization of FMDV strains are key factors to control new outbreaks and prevent the spread of the disease. Here, we describe a direct RNA sequencing method using Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) Flongle flow cells on MinION Mk1C (or GridION) to characterize FMDV. This is a rapid, low cost, and easily deployed point of care (POC) method for a near real-time characterization of FMDV in endemic areas or outbreak investigation sites. Key features • Saves ~35 min of the original protocol time by omitting the reverse transcription step and lowers the costs of reagents and consumables. • Replaces the GridION flow cell from the original protocol with the Flongle, which saves ~90% on the flow cell cost. • Combines the NGS benchwork with a modified version of our African swine fever virus (ASFV) fast analysis pipeline to achieve FMDV characterization within minutes. Graphical overview Schematic of direct RNA sequencing of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) process, which takes ~50 min from extracted RNA to final loading, modified from the ONT SQK-RNA002 protocol (Version: DRS_9080_v2_revO_14Aug2019).

Evaluation of commercial ELISA kits' diagnostic specificity for FAST diseases in wild animals.

Wild animals, sharing pathogens with domestic animals, play a crucial role in the epidemiology of infectious diseases. Sampling from wild animals poses significant challenges, yet it is vital for inclusion in disease surveillance and monitoring programmes. Often, mass surveillance involves serological screenings using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests, typically validated only for domestic animals. This study assessed the diagnostic specificity of commercially available ELISA tests on 342 wild ruminant serum samples and 100 from wild boars. We evaluated three tests for foot-and-mouth disease: two for Peste des petits ruminants, two for Rift Valley fever and one for Capripox virus. Diagnostic specificity was calculated using the formula True Negative/(False Positive + True Negative). Cohen's kappa coefficient measured agreement between tests. Results showed high specificity and agreement across all tests. Specificity for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) ranged from 93.89% for Prionics to 100% for IDEXX, with IDvet showing 99.6%. The highest agreement was between FMD IDvet and IDEXX at 97.1%. Rift Valley fever (RVF) tests, Ingezim and IDvet, achieved specificities of 100% and 98.83%, respectively. The optimal specificity was attained by retesting single reactors and inactivating the complement.Contribution: Commercially available ELISA kits are specific for foot-and-mouth disease and similar transboundary animal diseases and can be used for highly specific wild animal testing.

Risk factors of postoperative airway obstruction complications in children with oral floor mass.

The aim of the present study was to explore the risk factors of postoperative airway complications in children with oral floor mass. The first choice of auxiliary examination method for children with oral floor mass is also proposed. This retrospective study included 50 children with floor-of-mouth (FOM) masses. Medical records were reviewed, and information on age of onset, functional impacts present, age at consultation, imaging findings, history of preoperative aspiration, pathology findings, properties of biopsied fluid, treatment modality, postoperative outcomes, and operation were recorded. A total of 20 patients exhibited functional impacts such as difficulty in breathing and feeding. Ultrasound examination was performed in 28 cases; and magnetic resonance imaging, in 38 cases. The diagnosis was lymphatic malformation in 12 cases, developmental cyst in 29 cases, and solid mass in 7 cases. There were 28 cases of surgical resection, 9 cases underwent multiple puncture volume reduction followed by surgery, 11 cases treated using sclerotherapy injection, and 1 case treated using sclerotherapy injection and surgical resection. Young age, functional impact, and high grade of lymphatic duct malformation increased the risk of surgical treatment. B-scan ultrasound is the first choice for the diagnosis of FOM masses in children.

The hidden link: How oral and respiratory microbiomes affect multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Extensive research has explored the role of gut microbiota in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the impact of microbial communities in the oral cavity and respiratory tract on MS is an emerging area of investigation. PURPOSE: We aimed to review the current literature related to the nasal, oral, and lung microbiota in people with MS (PwMS). METHODS: We conducted a narrative review of clinical and preclinical original studies on PubMed that explored the relationship between the bacterial or viral composition of the nasal, lung, and oral microbiota and MS. Additionally, to find relevant studies not retrieved initially, we also searched for references in related review papers, as well as the references cited within the included studies. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Thirteen studies were meticulously reviewed in three sections; oral microbiota (n = 8), nasal microbiota (n = 3), and lung microbiota (n = 2), highlighting considerable alterations in the oral and respiratory microbiome of PwMS compared to healthy controls (HCs). Genera like Aggregatibacter and Streptococcus were less abundant in the oral microbiota of PwMS compared to HCs, while Staphylococcus, Leptotrichia, Fusobacterium, and Bacteroides showed increased abundance in PwMS. Additionally, the presence of specific bacteria, including Streptococcus sanguinis, within the oral microbiota was suggested to influence Epstein-Barr virus reactivation, a well-established risk factor for MS. Studies related to the nasal microbiome indicated elevated levels of specific Staphylococcus aureus toxins, as well as nasal glial cell infection with human herpes virus (HHV)-6 in PwMS. Emerging research on lung microbiome in animal models demonstrated that manipulating the lung microbiome towards lipopolysaccharide-producing bacteria might suppress MS symptoms. These findings open avenues for potential therapeutic strategies. However, further research is crucial to fully understand the complex interactions between the microbiome and MS. This will help identify the most effective timing, bacterial strains, and modulation techniques.

Oral mucosal lesions triage via YOLOv7 models.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The global incidence of lip and oral cavity cancer continues to rise, necessitating improved early detection methods. This study leverages the capabilities of computer vision and deep learning to enhance the early detection and classification of oral mucosal lesions. METHODS: A dataset initially consisting of 6903 white-light macroscopic images collected from 2006 to 2013 was expanded to over 50,000 images to train the YOLOv7 deep learning model. Lesions were categorized into three referral grades: benign (green), potentially malignant (yellow), and malignant (red), facilitating efficient triage. RESULTS: The YOLOv7 models, particularly the YOLOv7-E6, demonstrated high precision and recall across all lesion categories. The YOLOv7-D6 model excelled at identifying malignant lesions with notable precision, recall, and F1 scores. Enhancements, including the integration of coordinate attention in the YOLOv7-D6-CA model, significantly improved the accuracy of lesion classification. CONCLUSION: The study underscores the robust comparison of various YOLOv7 model configurations in the classification to triage oral lesions. The overall results highlight the potential of deep learning models to contribute to the early detection of oral cancers, offering valuable tools for both clinical settings and remote screening applications.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Bone and Dental Lesions in Neotropical Deer.

Bone and dental lesions have been documented in various deer species globally, affecting the efficiency of ingestion and digestion, consequently influencing their general health and leading to a decline in survival and reproductive performance. The present study aimed to characterize bone and dental lesions in the dry skulls of individual deer, estimate the prevalence of these lesions, and assess potential risk factors associated with the development of bone and dental alterations. This study assessed bone and dental lesions in 180 dry skulls of eleven neotropical deer species, originating from both captivity and wildlife conditions, through direct visual inspection. A high prevalence of bone and dental lesions was observed in all analyzed species. Dental calculus was the most common alteration (96.7%), followed by dental wear (71.1%). Animal age positively correlated with most bone and dental alterations, indicating that older animals showed more lesions. Additionally, the prevalence of these alterations was similar between sexes. Moreover, all lesions were more common in captive-bred animals, likely attributed to their older age and a less diverse diet. Blastocerus dichotomus and Mazama americana were most affected by bone resorption and dental trauma and had the highest dental calculus prevalence, along with Subulo gouazoubira and Passalites nemorivagus. All eleven species evaluated in the present study were susceptible to the occurrence of bone and dental lesions. Therefore, monitoring oral health and diet in captivity are fundamental practices for the conservation of these species.

Accuracy and time efficiency of conventional and digital outlining of extensions of denture foundation on preliminary casts.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this diagnostic study was to assess the accuracy and time efficiency of a digital method to draw the denture foundation extension outline on preliminary casts compared with the conventional technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 28 preliminary edentulous casts with no anatomical landmarks were digitized using a laboratory scanner. The outlining of the entire basal seat of the denture was performed on preliminary casts and digitized. Casts with no extension outline were digitized and outlines were drawn using software (DWOS, Straumann). The accuracy of the extension outlined between both techniques was evaluated in the software (GOM Inspect; GOM GmbH) by file superimposition. Specificity and sensitivity tests were applied to measure accuracy. The paired t-test (95% CI) was used to compare the mean total area and the working time. RESULTS: The accuracy ranged from 0.57 to 0.92. The buccal and labial frenulum showed a lower value in the maxilla (0.57); while the area between the retromolar pad and buccal frenulum (0.64) showed a lower score in the mandible. The maxillary denture foundation and the working time for both arches were significantly longer for the digital method (P < .001). CONCLUSION: The denture foundation extension outline exhibited a sufficiently excellent accuracy for the digital method, except for the maxillary anterior region. However, the digital method required a longer working time.

A Rare Case of Sublingual Lipoma.

Lipomas are benign soft tissue tumors that are ubiquitous in nature. Available literature suggests that benign tumors are harmless unless they increase in size, resulting in compression of vital structures. This case report discusses the case of a 52-year-old man who presented to the clinic with a painless, growing lump on the right side of his mouth. The patient's symptoms included difficulty swallowing and speaking, which led the doctors to recommend surgical excision of the mass. There were no issues during the mass removal surgery, and the incision healed without compromising the lingual or hypoglossal nerves or Wharton's duct, as observed during follow-up visits. Patient history, symptoms, preoperative examination, treatment strategy, and surgical technique are all included in this case study, which focuses on the extremely unusual development of lipomas in the oral cavity, particularly on the floor of the mouth.

When Trustworthiness Meets Face: Facial Design for Social Robots.

As a technical application in artificial intelligence, a social robot is one of the branches of robotic studies that emphasizes socially communicating and interacting with human beings. Although both robot and behavior research have realized the significance of social robot design for its market success and related emotional benefit to users, the specific design of the eye and mouth shape of a social robot in eliciting trustworthiness has received only limited attention. In order to address this research gap, our study conducted a 2 (eye shape) × 3 (mouth shape) full factorial between-subject experiment. A total of 211 participants were recruited and randomly assigned to the six scenarios in the study. After exposure to the stimuli, perceived trustworthiness and robot attitude were measured accordingly. The results showed that round eyes (vs. narrow eyes) and an upturned-shape mouth or neutral mouth (vs. downturned-shape mouth) for social robots could significantly improve people's trustworthiness and attitude towards social robots. The effect of eye and mouth shape on robot attitude are all mediated by the perceived trustworthiness. Trustworthy human facial features could be applied to the robot's face, eliciting a similar trustworthiness perception and attitude. In addition to empirical contributions to HRI, this finding could shed light on the design practice for a trustworthy-looking social robot.

Assessing farmers' willingness to pay for FMD vaccines and factors influencing payment: a contingent valuation study in central Oromia, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Foot and mouth disease is a contagious, transboundary, and economically devastating viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals. The disease can cause many consequences, including decreased productivity, limited market access, and elimination of flocks or herds. This study aimed to assess farmers' willingness to pay (WTP) for foot and mouth disease (FMD) vaccines and identify factors influencing their WTP. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted on 396 randomly selected livestock-owning farmers from three districts in the central Oromia region (Ambo, Dendi, and Holeta districts. The study utilized the contingent valuation method, specifically employing dichotomous choice bids with double bounds, to evaluate the willingness to pay (WTP) for the FMD vaccine. Mean WTP was assessed using interval regression, and influential factors were identified. RESULTS: The study revealed that the farmer's mean willingness to pay for a hypothetical foot and mouth disease vaccine was 37.5 Ethiopian Birr (ETB) [95% confidence interval [CI]: 34.5 40.58] in all data, while it was 23.84 (95% CI: 21.47-26.28) in the mixed farming system and 64.87 Ethiopian Birr (95% CI: 58.68 71.15) in the market-oriented farming system. We identified main livelihood, management system, sales income, breed, keeping animals for profit, and foot and mouth disease impact perception score as significant variables (p ≤ 0.05) determining the farmers' WTP for the FMD vaccine. CONCLUSION: Farmers demonstrated a high computed willingness to pay, which can be considered an advantage in the foot and mouth disease vaccination program in central Oromia. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure sufficient vaccine supply services to meet the high demand revealed.