Physicochemical properties as a function of lomefloxacin biological activity.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: The goal is to discover QSAR of Lomefloxacin as antibacterial activity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: A number of lomefloxacins analogs activities were studied by program Windows Chem SW. The analogues were obtained and energy minimization was carried out through Molecular Modeling Program, the calculations were performed using General Atomic and Molecular Electronic Structure System (GAMESS) software. RESULTS: Results: There were six descriptions (N-quinoline more (-) ev charge, Kinetic Energy, Potential Energy, Log p, Log S, F6 charge) results have highly compatible of physicochemical properties with lomefloxacin analogs activities. It can be used to estimate the activities depending on QSAR equation of lomefloxacin analogs. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The parameters used for calculation were depending on the quantum chemical was employed in deriving from computational study of properties and can used to predict the activities of certain analogs of Lomefloxacins as antibacterial compounds.

A novel solution to optimal power flow problems using composite differential evolution integrating effective constrained handling techniques.

Optimal power flow is a complex and highly non-linear problem in which steady-state parameters are needed to find a network's efficient and economical operation. In addition, the difficulty of the Optimal power flow problem becomes enlarged when new constraints are added, and it is also a challenging task for the power system operator to solve the constrained Optimal power flow problems efficiently. Therefore, this paper presents a constrained composite differential evolution optimization algorithm to search for the optimum solution to Optimal power flow problems. In the last few decades, numerous evolutionary algorithm implementations have emerged due to their superiority in solving Optimal power flow problems while considering various objectives such as cost, emission, power loss, etc. evolutionary algorithms effectively explore the solution space unconstrainedly, often employing the static penalty function approach to address the constraints and find solutions for constrained Optimal power flow problems. It is a drawback that combining evolutionary algorithms and the penalty function approach requires several penalty parameters to search the feasible space and discard the infeasible solutions. The proposed a constrained composite differential evolution algorithm combines two effective constraint handling techniques, such as feasibility rule and ɛ constraint methods, to search in the feasible space. The proposed approaches are recognized on IEEE 30, 57, and 118-bus standard test systems considering 16 study events of single and multi-objective optimization functions. Ultimately, simulation results are examined and compared with the many recently published techniques of Optimal power flow solutions owing to show the usefulness and performance of the proposed a constrained composite differential evolution algorithm.

Systematic review on intentional non-medical fentanyl use among people who use drugs.

Objectives: Fentanyl is a highly potent opioid and has, until recently, been considered an unwanted contaminant in the street drug supply among people who use drugs (PWUD). However, it has become a drug of choice for an increasing number of individuals. This systematic review evaluated intentional non-medical fentanyl use among PWUD, specifically by summarizing demographic variance, reasons for use, and resulting patterns of use. Methods: The search strategy was developed with a combination of free text keywords and MeSH and non-MeSH keywords, and adapted with database-specific filters to Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and PsychINFO. Studies included were human studies with intentional use of non-medical fentanyl or analogues in individuals older than 13. Only peer-reviewed original articles available in English were included. Results: The search resulted in 4437 studies after de-duplication, of which 132 were selected for full-text review. Out of 41 papers included, it was found that individuals who use fentanyl intentionally were more likely to be young, male, and White. They were also more likely to have experienced overdoses, and report injection drug use. There is evidence that fentanyl seeking behaviours are motivated by greater potency, delay of withdrawal, lower cost, and greater availability. Conclusions: Among PWUD, individuals who intentionally use fentanyl have severe substance use patterns, precarious living situations, and extensive overdose history. In response to the increasing number of individuals who use fentanyl, alternative treatment approaches need to be developed for more effective management of withdrawal and opioid use disorder. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42021272111.

Systematic review of the association between short-chain fatty acids and allergic diseases.

We performed a systematic review to investigate the current evidence on the association between allergic diseases and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are microbially produced and suggested as one mechanism on how gut microbiome affects the risk of allergic diseases. Medline, Embase and Web of Science were searched from data inception until September 2022. We identified 37 papers, of which 17 investigated prenatal or early childhood SCFAs and the development of allergic diseases in childhood, and 20 assessed SCFAs in patients with pre-existing allergic diseases. Study design, study populations, outcome definition, analysis method and reporting of the results varied between papers. Overall, there was some evidence showing that the three main SCFAs (acetate, propionate and butyrate) in the first few years of life had a protective effect against allergic diseases, especially for atopic dermatitis, wheeze or asthma and IgE-mediated food allergy in childhood. The association between each SCFA and allergic disease appeared to be different by disease and the age of assessment. Further research that can determine the potentially timing specific effect of each SCFA will be useful to investigate how SCFAs can be used in treatment or in prevention against allergic diseases.

Patients satisfaction with the dental treatment provided at the University of Jordan's student clinics.

INTRODUCTION: To assess patients' satisfaction with the dental care provided to them by the undergraduate students at Jordan University Hospital. In addition, to investigate whether the age or gender of patients had any correlation with the level of satisfaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Dental Satisfaction Questionnaire (DSQ) developed by the RAND Corporation was used to measure patient satisfaction. The questionnaire was translated to Arabic the native language of the country and it consisted of 14 questions, which measure the overall satisfaction and the subscales of access, convenience and availability, continuity of treatment and quality of dental care provided. RESULTS: A total of 94 patients (58.5% female, 41.5% male) answered the DSQ, the Overall Dental Satisfaction Index (DSI) was found to be 86.2%, and there was no correlation between gender or age groups and the DSI (p < .05). All 14 questions scored above 4/5 except the question about whether the schools' building and dental units being modern and well equipped (3.7/5), and the general satisfaction question (3.2/5). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who were treated at the student clinics at the University of Jordan, School of Dentistry were found to be satisfied about both the quality of treatment and the dental environment, while reporting some negative aspects related mainly to the clinics building which they found to be very old and crowded. This study found no correlation between patients' satisfaction and the age or gender of the participants.

Growing Up in Singapore with allergies - Lessons learnt from the GUSTO & S-PRESTO cohorts.

Healthcare systems across the world face major challenges due to allergic diseases, known to affect people of all ages. In Singapore, two prominent cohort studies, Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) and the Singapore PREconception Study of long-Term maternal and child Outcomes (S-PRESTO), have made notable advancements to our knowledge and understanding of allergic diseases. These cohorts, which comprised of healthy mother-infant dyads recruited from the healthy Singapore population, have shed light on the complex connections between factors influencing health in early life, preconception and pregnancy, on the pathogenesis of allergic disorders in offspring. GUSTO highlighted significant risk factors in antenatal and early life, such as maternal diet, health and lifestyle choices, as well as infant environmental influences, that contributed to the risk of allergic diseases in the Asian Singaporean population. It also identified differential patterns of allergic disease in comparison to other populations, particularly the role of the microbiome in predicting atopic outcomes. Meanwhile, S-PRESTO further explores the long-term maternal and child outcomes associated with preconception health. Findings seem to suggest that prevention of offspring allergic conditions can be achieved through optimizing maternal health and lifestyle choices before conception. Both studies underscore the significance of early life interventions, preconception health, and personalized approaches to effectively manage and prevent allergies. By leveraging the insights and promising findings from GUSTO and S-PRESTO, future work can drive development of preventative strategies and personalized interventions to reduce burden of allergic diseases in the Singapore population.

IN SILICO STUDY OF NOVEL SULFONAMIDE DERIVATIVES BEARING A 1, 2, 4-TRIAZOLE MOIETY ACT AS CARBONIC ANHYDRASE INHIBITORS WITH PROMISING ANTI-CANCER ACTIVITY.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To evaluate the theoretical binding affinities of four synthetic compounds that target the carbonic anhydrase IX enzyme in solid tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: To accurately depict the molecular structure, we utilized the Chem Draw Professional 12.0 program. We downloaded the carbonic anhydrase IX enzyme (29.25 KDa) (PDB code: 4YWP) from the Protein Data Bank into the Molecular Operating Environment software. Then, the S-score and rmsd were calculated for the proposed compounds. RESULTS: Results: The theoretically synthesized compounds demonstrated good binding affinities with the receptor active pockets Sa, Sb, and Sd, with S-scores of -7.6491, -8.3789, and -8.3218, respectively. Substitutions improve compound orientation. The substituted triazoles ring increases flexibility and receptor interaction. In addition, the benzyl chloride derivatives play an important role in the interaction, with varying effects dependent on the groups substituted at position 4 of the benzene ring. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The synthesized compounds Sb with para Br substitution (S-score = -8.37) and Sd with para Cl substitution (S-score = -8.32) are considered the best ones as they exhibit a high affinity for the receptor.

Understanding the Radiation Dose Variability in Nasopharyngeal Cancer: An Organs-at-Risk Approach.

Objective This study aims to thoroughly assess the radiation dose distribution to critical organs in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, focusing on the correlation between the radiation dosages for the various organs at risk (OARs) in nasopharyngeal cancer patients. Methods We meticulously analysed a dataset comprising 38 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients, focusing on radiation dosages measured in Gray (Gy) and volumetric data in cubic centimetres (cc) of critical organs, including the lens, brainstem, spinal cord, optic nerve, optic chiasm, and cochlea. A detailed exploratory data analysis approach encompassed univariate, bivariate, and multivariate techniques. Results Our analysis revealed several key findings. The mean and median values across various dose measurements were closely aligned, indicating symmetrical distributions with minimal skewness. The histograms further corroborated this, showing evenly distributed dose values across different anatomical regions. The correlation matrix highlighted varying degrees of interrelationships between the doses, with some showing strong correlations while others exhibited minimal or no correlation. The 3D scatter plot provided a view of the multi-dimensional dose relationships, with a specific focus on the spinal cord, lens, and brainstem doses. The bivariate scatter plots revealed symmetrical distributions between the right and left lens doses and more complex relationships involving the brainstem and spinal cord, illustrating the intricacies of dose distribution in radiation therapy. Conclusion Our findings reveal distinct radiation exposure patterns to OARs of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. This research emphasises the need for tailored radiation therapy planning to achieve optimal clinical outcomes while safeguarding vital organs.

Blended Learning with Video Demonstrations Enhances Dental Students' Achievements in Tooth Carving.

Background: Learning fine motor skill is central to preclinical dental education. Dental students are introduced to anatomical tooth carving to facilitate the development of their fine motor skill and manual dexterity. Various carving technique exists, such as wax build-up, and geometric (block carving technique). Since substantial laboratory Time and instructors' effort are required to teach students the desired techniques, blended learning approach via pre-recorded demonstration may improve the teaching and learning efficiency of anatomical tooth carving. For years, we used the Geometric method to teach preclinical dental students to carve down tooth sculptures after performing live demonstrations for them. Multiple practical laboratory demonstrations are necessary to deepen the student's comprehensive understanding of dental anatomical features and teach them correct instrumentation; this is time-consuming and challenging due to limited laboratory hours and limited view field. Accordingly, in 2016 the teaching staff created videos for tooth drawing, carving, and identification, and uploaded them to the students' university platform. Years later, we decided to perform this retrospective study. Objective: To assess the enhancement in students' tooth carving skills after implementing blended learning with video demonstrations. Methods: The student's total grades were used for comparative purposes. The students' total grades between 2010 and 2019 were collected and categorized into two groups: Group 1 (n=858), which learned tooth carving by the Geometric method after live demonstrations, and Group 2 (972), which benefited from blended learning with video demonstrations in learning. The two groups' mean, median, mode, Percentile 75, and Percentile 90 were compared. Results: Group 2 showed higher grades than group 1, and the differences between the two groups' mean and median were statistically significant p<0.001. Moreover, the mode, P75 and P90 favored group 2. Conclusion: Results show that blended learning with video demonstrations enhanced the achievements of dental students in tooth carving.

Sex-specific biobehavioral regulation of persistent inflammatory pain by alcohol.

BACKGROUND: Although a large percentage of chronic pain patients consume alcohol to manage their pain, there is a significant gap in knowledge regarding the mechanisms underlying the antinociceptive effects of alcohol. METHODS: To determine the longitudinal analgesic effects of alcohol, we utilized the complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) model of inflammatory pain in adult female and male Wistar rats. Both somatic and negative motivational aspects of pain were measured using the electronic von Frey (mechanical nociception) system, thermal probe test (thermal nociception), and mechanical conflict avoidance task (pain avoidance-like behavior). Tests were conducted at baseline and 1 and 3 weeks following intraplantar CFA or saline administration. At both time points post-CFA, animals were treated with each of three doses of alcohol (intraperitoneal; 0, 0.5, and 1.0 g/kg) over separate days in a Latin square design. RESULTS: Alcohol produced dose-dependent mechanical analgesia and antihyperalgesia in females but only antihyperalgesia in males. Although alcohol continued to attenuate CFA-induced decreases in both thermal and mechanical nociceptive thresholds between 1 and 3 weeks post-CFA, it appeared less effective at increasing thresholds 3 weeks after CFA induction. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that individuals may develop tolerance to alcohol's ability to alleviate both somatic and negative motivational symptoms of chronic pain over time. We also discovered sex-specific neuroadaptations in protein kinase A-dependent phosphorylation of GluR1 subunits and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK 1/2) phosphorylation in nociceptive brain centers of animals receiving an alcohol challenge 1 week post-CFA. Together, these findings illustrate a sex-specific regulation of behavioral and neurobiological indices of persistent pain by alcohol.

Clinical evaluation of reasons for replacement of amalgam vs composite posterior restorations.

Background: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the most common reasons for replacing posterior amalgam and resin composite restorations in patients attending the university dental restorative clinics. Methods: A total of 318 restorations which needed to be replaced were clinically and radiographically evaluated in a period of nine months. The frequencies of reasons for replacing posterior amalgam and resin composite restorations were calculated; secondary caries, restoration/tooth fracture, marginal discoloration/ditching, proximal overhang/open margin, loss of anatomy, pain/sensitivity, and esthetics. Results: The sample population comprised of 191 females and 106 males. The majority of the sample population fell in the age group of 40-50 years (n = 110). 318 restorations (n = 318) were examined in this study. 82% of examined teeth were restored with amalgam (n = 261), while posterior composite restorations comprised 18% of the examined teeth (n = 57). Among all restorations demanded to be replaced by the patients (n = 318), aesthetic need was the most common reason (n = 98), followed by Ditching or discoloration (n = 64), secondary caries (n = 57), and fracture (n = 44). Loss of anatomy was the least common cause to replace both amalgam and resin composite restorations (n = 5). The different reasons of failure were all significant between amalgam and resin composite restorations as shown in (Fig. 1) (p < 0.005). The most common reason for amalgam replacement was aesthetic. The most common reason for composite replacement was secondary caries and marginal ditching. Conclusion: Both amalgam and composite had different reasons for replacement. Amalgam had lesser risk of developing secondary caries and higher longevity than composite.

Modifications in Macular Perfusion and Neuronal Loss After Acute Traumatic Brain Injury.

Purpose: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes structural damage and functional impairment in the visual system, often with retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration occurring without visual symptoms. RGC degeneration is associated with reduced retinal blood-flow, however, it is not known whether reductions in perfusion precede or are secondary to neurodegeneration. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational single-center case series. Patients were included if they were admitted to the hospital after acute TBI and underwent ophthalmic clinical examination, including optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) acutely and at follow-up. Ganglion cell layer thickness (GCL) thickness, vascular density in the superficial vascular plexus (SVP), and intermediate capillary plexus (ICP) were quantified. Results: Twenty-one patients aged 20 to 65 years (mean = 38 years) including 16 men and 5 women were examined less than 14 days after moderate to severe TBI, and again after 2 to 6 months. Macular structure and perfusion were normal at baseline in all patients. Visual function was abnormal at baseline in three patients and subsequent neurodegeneration and loss of perfusion corresponded to baseline visual function abnormalities. Nine patients (43%) had reduced macular GCL thickness at follow up. Perfusion in the SVP strongly associated with local GCL thickness. The strongest association of the SVP metrics was the sum of vessel density (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: In cases of reduced visual function after TBI, macular perfusion remained normal until reductions in GCL thickness occurred, indicating that perfusion changes were secondary to local GCL loss.

Dreaming during the COVID-19 pandemic: Support for the threat simulation function of dreams.

Evolutionary theories suggest that dreams function as a world simulator of events that maximizes our ability to surmount social and threat-related challenges critical to survivorship and reproduction. Here, in contrast to the incorporation continuity hypothesis, we test the (1) social bias hypothesis, which states that dreams will overrepresent positive social interactions relative to waking life, (2) the mutually exclusive threat bias hypothesis, the idea that dream content will be negative relative to waking life, (3) the strengthening hypothesis, which states that dreams will rehearse more positive interactions with individuals the self is familiar with relative to waking life, and (4) the compensation hypothesis, which states that social contents in dreams increases during periods of social seclusion. Dream (n = 168) and wake (n = 184) reports were collected through a standardized online survey from 24 undergraduate students. Recalls were analyzed using the Social Content Scale. Generalized linear mixed effects models were used, and the following fixed-effects were considered for the study; the number of reports contributed, report state, biological sex, stress, social support, and media exposures. Results showed support for the threat bias hypothesis, we found that dreams were more negative and featured more unfamiliar individuals in contrast to waking life. Additionally, we found partial support for the social bias and the strengthening hypotheses, however no support was shown for the compensation hypothesis. Overall, these results demonstrate support for the threat simulation function of dreams.

Assessment of patients' satisfaction with the postanesthesia care unit service at University Hospital in Al Khobar, KSA.

Objectives: The quality of health care is individually and subjectively reflected through patients' level of satisfaction, as well as the optimality and effectiveness of the provided postoperative pain management. The provision of postanesthesia care unit (PACU) service in hospitals has led to overall positive outcomes, in addition to the enhancement of patients' satisfaction with the provided pain management service. This study assessed patients' level of satisfaction with PACU service at a university hospital and discussed different factors that might have contributed to the level of satisfaction. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out among patients after being discharged from PACU. The study took place at King Fahad Hospital of the University in Al Khobar, KSA between November 2021 and February 2022. The data were collected using a three-section predesigned questionnaire. Results: Two hundred patients were included in this study. Nearly all patients (95.5%) were satisfied with the provided pain management service. Almost all patients (99.5%) indicated that the PACU staff was courteous and professional during the entire pain management service. More patients complained about pain before using analgesia and this difference was statistically significant (Z = 8.642; p < 0.001). The satisfaction rate was significantly higher in the older age group (>45 years) (Z = 2.114; p = 0.035), in patients with American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) 3 physical status (H = 13.130; p = 0.001), and those with a previous surgical history (Z = 2.139; p = 0.032). Conclusion: This study concluded that the level of patients' satisfaction with PACU service was high, and established a statistically significant association with age, ASA score, and previous surgical history. Healthcare providers should consider patient education and effective communication to increase patients' satisfaction level and improve the overall quality of care.

Trade-off between breast dose and image quality using composite bismuth shields in computed tomography: A phantom study.

INTRODUCTION: Many researchers have suggested that bismuth composite shields (BCS) reduce breast dose remarkably; however, the level of this reduction and its impact on image quality has not been assessed. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of nano- and micro- BCS in reducing the dose and image quality during chest computed tomography (CT) scans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bismuth shields composed of 15 weighting percentage (wt%) and 20 wt% bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) nano- and micro-particles mixed in silicon rubber polymer were constructed in 1 and 1.5 mm thicknesses. The physical properties of nanoparticles were assessed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX). Breast radiation doses were measured experimentally during chest CT using PMMA standard dosimetry phantom (body phantom, 76-419-4150, Fluke Biomedical) in the presence of the shields. The image quality was assessed by calculating signal and noise values in different regions. RESULTS: The SEM images showed that the average size of Bi2O3 nano- and micro-particles was about 70 nm and 150 µm, respectively. The breast doses were reduced by increasing the shield thickness/bismuth weight percentage. The maximum dose reduction was related to the 20% weight of Bi2O3 nano-particles and a thickness of 1.5 mm. The minimum dose reduction was related to the 15% weight of Bi2O3 micro-particles with a thickness of 1 mm. The mean noise was higher in nano-particle bismuth shields than in micro-particles. CONCLUSION: Composite shields containing bismuth nano- and micro-particles can reduce the breast dose during chest CT examinations while negatively impacting diagnostic image quality. Several critical factors, such as bismuth concentration, particle size, and shield thickness, directly affect the efficiency.

Epidemiology and prevalence of somatic symptom disorder at the primary care level in Muscat, Oman: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: Somatic symptom disorder (SSD) is a diagnostic classification to describe the occurrence of physical symptoms without organic cause. This study aimed to identify prevalence rates and associated characteristics of SSD among adults in primary care settings. METHODS: This cross-sectional study took place between July 2020 and March 2021 and included a random selection of 3383 Omani adults attending 12 primary healthcare centres in Muscat Governorate. Screening was conducted using an Arabic version of the Somatic Symptom Scale-8 (SSS-8). RESULTS: A total of 2000 adults participated in the study (response rate: 67.3%), of which most were female (71.7%) and under 50 years old (86.2%). Based on their SSS-8 scores, 602 participants (17.8%) had SSD, resulting in an overall prevalence estimate of 30.1% (95% confidence interval: 28.13-32.15). Significant associations were observed between SSD and age (p = 0.002), gender (p < 0.001), marital status (p = 0.030) and chronic comorbidities (p = 0.001). In addition, adjusted odds ratio estimates revealed SSD to be significantly associated with gender (p < 0.001), education level (p < 0.001) and chronic comorbidities (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The estimated prevalence of SSD in primary care settings is high compared to reports from elsewhere in the Gulf region. There is an urgent need to enhance the diagnosis of SSD at the primary care level in order to reduce healthcare service overutilisation and patient dissatisfaction. Moreover, healthcare practitioners should be aware of the effect of age, gender, educational status and chronic comorbidities on somatic symptoms.

Case report of a rare fungal infection Kodamaea ohmeri in COVID-19 patient in North Malaysian hospital.

ABSTRACT: Kodamaea ohmeri is a rare opportunistic pathogen belonging to Saccharomycetes family. This yeast was also formerly known as Yamadazyma ohmeri or Pichia ohmeri. This opportunistic pathogen causes illness that typically affects people with impaired immune system. In this report, we discuss a fatal case involving a woman in her late 30s who was admitted to the hospital on the sixth day of her sickness after being given a COVID-19 Category 5A diagnosis. For COVID-19, she received subcutaneous heparin, cefuroxime, and intravenous corticosteroids. She was diagnosed with secondary bacterial and fungal infections in the ICU. Multiple antibiotics and antifungal were given to treat bacterial and fungal infections. An unusual fungus, Kodamaea ohmeri, was isolated from the clinical sample. On day 36, she succumbed to her infection in the ICU. The cause of death was multidrug-resistant sepsis with multiple organ failures due to COVID-19 infection, worsened by an embolism and trachea damage during a tracheostomy. To effectively manage K. ohmeri, clinicians and microbiologists must identify and be aware of this emerging human opportunistic pathogen, which can co-infect debilitated patients such as COVID-19 patients, for effective management.

The Preoperative Management of Oral Contraceptive Pills in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Practice in Saudi Arabia.

INTRODUCTION: Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) are the most popular contraception method in Saudi Arabia due to their accessibility and reversibility. However, there is no recommendation to stop OCP medication before or after elective aesthetic surgery. The study involves identifying plastic surgeons' behaviors and current practices in perioperative OCPs management in aesthetic surgery in Saudi Arabia, which is the first of its kind. METHODS: A validated self-administered survey was distributed in February 2022 among all board-certified plastic surgeons in Saudi Arabia via social media. The questionnaire was developed to gather information on the perioperative management of OCPs in aesthetic surgery. RESULTS: A total of 46 board-certified plastic surgeons participated (overall response rate of 48.4%). Among the participants, 32 surgeons (69.6%) indicated that they instruct their patients to discontinue OCPs preoperatively. More than half of surgeons have instructed their patients to stop OCPs after plastic surgery (52.2%). Based on the three occupational characteristics of the surgeons, we found no significant associations between surgeons' practice patterns regarding OCP discontinuation preoperatively or postoperatively. CONCLUSION: In light of the fact that OCPs are reported to pose a risk for venous thromboembolic events, our survey found that most aesthetic surgeons cease their use both preoperatively and postoperatively. There is a need for a guideline regarding perioperative measures for OCPs.

Prevalence of periapical lesions in non-endodontically and endodontically treated teeth in an urban Iraqi adult subpopulation: A retrospective CBCT analysis.

Background: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of apical periodontitis (AP) and its association with the presence/quality of root canal filling (RCF) and coronal restoration (CR) in Iraqi population. Material and Methods: A total of 385 CBCT scans of patients (18-45) yrs. old with 9250 teeth were examined. The teeth were grouped according to the presence/absence of apical radiolucency, presence/radiographic quality of RCF, and CR. Chi-square and Kappa were used to assess associations and intra-consensus reliability. Logistic regression was used to predict risk factors associated with AP. The significant level was set at p<0.05. Results: AP was prevalent in 17.7 and 80.2% of teeth without RCT and with RCT (p<0.05), respectively. AP in root canal-treated teeth with missed canals (93.2%) was higher than that in root canal-treated teeth with no missing canal (78.3%) (p<0.05). AP in teeth with inadequate RCF (87%) was higher than that in teeth with adequate RCF (63%) (P<0.05). No difference in the prevalence of AP in teeth with adequate vs inadequate CR ((79.7%) vs (81%), respectively) (p>0.05). The presence of AP was significantly associated with inadequate RCF (vs adequate RCF) (OR=4.16, CI 95% 2.29-7.56, P<0.05), and was not associated with inadequate CR (vs adequate CR) (OR=-0.71, CI 95% 0.35-1.42, P>0.05). Intra-consensus reliability was (0.9) for AP and (0.82) for RCF and CR quality. Conclusions: AP was highly prevalent in teeth with previous root canal filling compared to non-treated teeth. AP was significantly associated with inadequacy of root canal filling but not with the inadequacy of coronal restoration. Key words:Apical periodontitis, cone beam computed tomography, root canal treatment, endodontics.