Factores de riesgo asociados a infección periprotésica en el paciente con fractura del cuello femoral: estudio de casos y controles / Risk factors associated with periprosthetic infection in patients with femoral neck fracture: A case-control study

Antecedentes y objetivo: La infección es una de las complicaciones locales más importantes en el paciente con fractura del cuello femoral tratada con una artroplastia. El objetivo del presente estudio es describir y analizar posibles factores de riesgo que podrían estar implicados en la infección periprotésica del paciente con fractura del cuello femoral. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio de casos y controles retrospectivo que incluye a pacientes con fractura del cuello femoral tratada con una artroplastia en el periodo comprendido entre enero de 2015 y diciembre de 2017. Se definieron como casos a los pacientes con fractura del cuello femoral que tras someterse a una artroplastia (hemiartroplastia o artroplastia total de cadera) tuvieron como desenlace una infección periprotésica, cuyo diagnóstico se llevó a cabo atendiendo a los criterios mayores y menores descritos en el Consenso Internacional de Infecciones Musculoesqueléticas (Philadelphia 2018). Con la intención de atenuar la influencia de variables que podrían considerarse confusoras, se realizó un análisis multivariante. Resultados: Se apreció una asociación estadísticamente significativa entre infección periprotésica y determinadas variables presentes en el momento del ingreso, entre las que se encuentran la presencia de anemia moderada o severa (OR: 10,91; IC95%: 1,07-111,50; p=0,007), trombocitopenia (OR: 27,72; IC95%: 3,48-221,01; p=0,002), el antecedente tromboembólico (OR: 8,80; IC95%: 1,31-59,38; p=0,026), el trastorno ansioso-depresivo en tratamiento con 2 o 3 fármacos (OR: 21,36; IC95%: 3,65-125,12; p=0,001) y la hepatopatía (OR: 32,04; IC95%: 2,59-396,29; p=0,007). Conclusiones: La infección periprotésica en el paciente con fractura del cuello femoral tratado con una artroplastia podría relacionarse con la presencia de determinadas variables en el momento del ingreso hospitalario, entre las que se encuentran la anemia moderada o severa...(AU)

Background: Infection is one of the most important local complications in the patient with femoral neck fracture treated with arthroplasty. The aim of the present study is to describe and analyze possible risk factors that could be involved in periprosthetic infection in the patient with femoral neck fracture. Methods: A retrospective case-control study was performed including patients with femoral neck fractures treated with arthroplasty in the period between January 2015 and December 2017. Cases were defined as patients with femoral neck fracture who after undergoing arthroplasty (hemiarthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty) had a periprosthetic infection, whose diagnosis was carried out according to the major and minor criteria described in the International Consensus on Musculoskeletal Infections (Philadelphia 2018). In order to mitigate the influence of variables that could be considered confounding variables, a multivariate analysis was carried out. Outcomes: A statistically significant association was found between periprosthetic infection and certain variables present at the time of admission, including the presence of moderate or severe anaemia (OR: 10.91; 95%CI: 1.07-111.50; P=.007), thrombocytopenia (OR: 27.72; 95%CI: 3.48-221.01; P=.002), history of thromboembolism event (OR: 8.80; 95%CI: 1.31-59.38; P=.026), anxious-depressive disorder in treatment with two or three drugs (OR: 21.36; 95%CI: 3.65-125.12; P=.001) and liver disease (OR: 32.04; 95%CI: 2.59-396.29; P=.007). Conclusions: Periprosthetic infection in the patient with femoral neck fracture treated with arthroplasty could be related to the presence of certain variables at the time of hospital admission, including moderate or severe anaemia, thrombocytopenia, history of thromboembolic event, anxious-depressive disorder in treatment with two or three drugs or liver disease.(AU)

[Translated article] Risk factors associated with periprosthetic infection in patients with femoral neck fracture: A case–control study / Factores de riesgo asociados a infección periprotésica en el paciente con fractura del cuello femoral: estudio de casos y controles

Antecedentes y objetivo: La infección es una de las complicaciones locales más importantes en el paciente con fractura del cuello femoral tratada con una artroplastia. El objetivo del presente estudio es describir y analizar posibles factores de riesgo que podrían estar implicados en la infección periprotésica del paciente con fractura del cuello femoral. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio de casos y controles retrospectivo que incluye a pacientes con fractura del cuello femoral tratada con una artroplastia en el periodo comprendido entre enero de 2015 y diciembre de 2017. Se definieron como casos a los pacientes con fractura del cuello femoral que tras someterse a una artroplastia (hemiartroplastia o artroplastia total de cadera) tuvieron como desenlace una infección periprotésica, cuyo diagnóstico se llevó a cabo atendiendo a los criterios mayores y menores descritos en el Consenso Internacional de Infecciones Musculoesqueléticas (Philadelphia 2018). Con la intención de atenuar la influencia de variables que podrían considerarse confusoras, se realizó un análisis multivariante. Resultados: Se apreció una asociación estadísticamente significativa entre infección periprotésica y determinadas variables presentes en el momento del ingreso, entre las que se encuentran la presencia de anemia moderada o severa (OR: 10,91; IC95%: 1,07-111,50; p=0,007), trombocitopenia (OR: 27,72; IC95%: 3,48-221,01; p=0,002), el antecedente tromboembólico (OR: 8,80; IC95%: 1,31-59,38; p=0,026), el trastorno ansioso-depresivo en tratamiento con 2 o 3 fármacos (OR: 21,36; IC95%: 3,65-125,12; p=0,001) y la hepatopatía (OR: 32,04; IC95%: 2,59-396,29; p=0,007). Conclusiones: La infección periprotésica en el paciente con fractura del cuello femoral tratado con una artroplastia podría relacionarse con la presencia de determinadas variables en el momento del ingreso hospitalario, entre las que se encuentran la anemia moderada o severa...(AU)

Background: Infection is one of the most important local complications in the patient with femoral neck fracture treated with arthroplasty. The aim of the present study is to describe and analyze possible risk factors that could be involved in periprosthetic infection in the patient with femoral neck fracture. Methods: A retrospective case-control study was performed including patients with femoral neck fractures treated with arthroplasty in the period between January 2015 and December 2017. Cases were defined as patients with femoral neck fracture who after undergoing arthroplasty (hemiarthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty) had a periprosthetic infection, whose diagnosis was carried out according to the major and minor criteria described in the International Consensus on Musculoskeletal Infections (Philadelphia 2018). In order to mitigate the influence of variables that could be considered confounding variables, a multivariate analysis was carried out. Outcomes: A statistically significant association was found between periprosthetic infection and certain variables present at the time of admission, including the presence of moderate or severe anaemia (OR: 10.91; 95%CI: 1.07-111.50; P=.007), thrombocytopenia (OR: 27.72; 95%CI: 3.48-221.01; P=.002), history of thromboembolism event (OR: 8.80; 95%CI: 1.31-59.38; P=.026), anxious-depressive disorder in treatment with two or three drugs (OR: 21.36; 95%CI: 3.65-125.12; P=.001) and liver disease (OR: 32.04; 95%CI: 2.59-396.29; P=.007). Conclusions: Periprosthetic infection in the patient with femoral neck fracture treated with arthroplasty could be related to the presence of certain variables at the time of hospital admission, including moderate or severe anaemia, thrombocytopenia, history of thromboembolic event, anxious-depressive disorder in treatment with two or three drugs or liver disease.(AU)

Validez clínica de la histología intraoperatoria en el diagnóstico de la infección protésica / Clinical validity of the intraoperative histology in the diagnosis of prosthetic joint infection

Antecedentes y objetivo: Diferentes autores han puesto de manifiesto la utilidad del análisis histológico en el diagnóstico de la infección protésica; sin embargo, todavía hoy, su validez clínica es motivo de controversia. El objetivo del presente manuscrito es describir y analizar la validez clínica del análisis histológico en el diagnóstico de infección protésica en el paciente sometido a un recambio protésico de cadera o rodilla. Material y métodos: Se presenta un estudio retrospectivo que incluye 133 recambios protésicos de cadera y rodilla realizados en nuestro centro entre 2008 y 2020. Se realizó un análisis estadístico descriptivo, bivariado y se determinó la validez clínica del análisis histológico. Resultados: La validez clínica del análisis histológico ofreció una sensibilidad del 48%, una especificidad del 91%, un valor predictivo positivo del 55% y un valor predictivo negativo del 88%. Conclusiones: La determinación de la validez clínica del análisis histológico pone de manifiesto una especificidad elevada. Dicho análisis supone una herramienta diagnóstica apropiada para detectar pacientes sanos, con ausencia de infección.(AU)

Background and aim: Different authors have demonstrated the usefulness of the histological analysis in the diagnosis of prosthetic joint infection; however, its clinical validity is still controversial. The aim of this article is to describe and analyze the clinical validity of histological analysis in the diagnosis of prosthetic infection in patients undergoing hip or knee prosthetic replacement. Material and methods: We present a retrospective study including 133 hip and knee prosthetic replacements performed in our center between 2008 and 2020. A descriptive, bivariate statistical analysis was performed and the clinical validity of the histological analysis was determined. Outcomes: The clinical validity of the intraoperative histology offered a sensitivity of 48%, a specificity of 91%, a positive predictive value of 55% and a negative predictive value of 88%. Conclusions: The determination of the clinical validity of histological analysis shows a high specificity. This analysis is an appropriate diagnostic tool for detecting healthy patients, with no infection.(AU)

[Translated article] Clinical validity of the intraoperative histology in the diagnosis of prosthetic joint infection / Validez clínica de la histología intraoperatoria en el diagnóstico de la infección protésica

Background and aim: Different authors have demonstrated the usefulness of the histological analysis in the diagnosis of prosthetic joint infection; however, its clinical validity is still controversial. The aim of this article is to describe and analyze the clinical validity of histological analysis in the diagnosis of prosthetic infection in patients undergoing hip or knee prosthetic replacement. Material and methods: We present a retrospective study including 133 hip and knee prosthetic replacements performed in our center between 2008 and 2020. A descriptive, bivariate statistical analysis was performed and the clinical validity of the histological analysis was determined. Outcomes: The clinical validity of the intraoperative histology offered a sensitivity of 48%, a specificity of 91%, a positive predictive value of 55% and a negative predictive value of 88%. Conclusions: The determination of the clinical validity of histological analysis shows a high specificity. This analysis is an appropriate diagnostic tool for detecting healthy patients, with no infection.(AU)

Antecedentes y objetivo: Diferentes autores han puesto de manifiesto la utilidad del análisis histológico en el diagnóstico de la infección protésica; sin embargo, todavía hoy, su validez clínica es motivo de controversia. El objetivo del presente manuscrito es describir y analizar la validez clínica del análisis histológico en el diagnóstico de infección protésica en el paciente sometido a un recambio protésico de cadera o rodilla. Material y métodos: Se presenta un estudio retrospectivo que incluye 133 recambios protésicos de cadera y rodilla realizados en nuestro centro entre 2008 y 2020. Se realizó un análisis estadístico descriptivo, bivariado y se determinó la validez clínica del análisis histológico. Resultados: La validez clínica del análisis histológico ofreció una sensibilidad del 48%, una especificidad del 91%, un valor predictivo positivo del 55% y un valor predictivo negativo del 88%. Conclusiones: La determinación de la validez clínica del análisis histológico pone de manifiesto una especificidad elevada. Dicho análisis supone una herramienta diagnóstica apropiada para detectar pacientes sanos, con ausencia de infección.(AU)

Clinical validity of the intraoperative histology in the diagnosis of prosthetic joint infection. / Validez clínica de la histología intraoperatoria en el diagnóstico de la infección protésica.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Different authors have demonstrated the usefulness of the histological analysis in the diagnosis of prosthetic joint infection; however, its clinical validity is still controversial. The aim of this article is to describe and analyze the clinical validity of histological analysis in the diagnosis of prosthetic infection in patients undergoing hip or knee prosthetic replacement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present a retrospective study including 133 hip and knee prosthetic replacements performed in our center between 2008 and 2020. A descriptive, bivariate statistical analysis was performed and the clinical validity of the histological analysis was determined. OUTCOMES: The clinical validity of the intraoperative histology offered a sensitivity of 48%, a specificity of 91%, a positive predictive value of 55% and a negative predictive value of 88%. CONCLUSIONS: The determination of the clinical validity of histological analysis shows a high specificity. This analysis is an appropriate diagnostic tool for detecting healthy patients, with no infection.

[Translated article] Risk factors associated with periprosthetic infection in patients with femoral neck fracture: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Infection is one of the most important local complications in the patient with femoral neck fracture treated with arthroplasty. The aim of the present study is to describe and analyze possible risk factors that could be involved in periprosthetic infection in the patient with femoral neck fracture. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was performed including patients with femoral neck fractures treated with arthroplasty in the period between January 2015 and December 2017. Cases were defined as patients with femoral neck fracture who after undergoing arthroplasty (hemiarthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty) had a periprosthetic infection, whose diagnosis was carried out according to the major and minor criteria described in the International Consensus on Musculoskeletal Infections (Philadelphia 2018). In order to mitigate the influence of variables that could be considered confounding variables, a multivariate analysis was carried out. OUTCOMES: A statistically significant association was found between periprosthetic infection and certain variables present at the time of admission, including the presence of moderate or severe anaemia (OR: 10.91; 95% CI: 1.07-111.50; P = .007), thrombocytopenia (OR: 27.72;95% CI: 3.48-221.01; P = .002), history of thromboembolism event (OR: 8.80; 95% CI: 1.31-59.38; P = .026), anxious-depressive disorder in treatment with two or three drugs (OR: 21.36; 95% CI: 3.65-125.12; P = .001) and liver disease (OR: 32.04; 95% CI: 2.59-396.29; P = .007). CONCLUSIONS: Periprosthetic infection in the patient with femoral neck fracture treated with arthroplasty could be related to the presence of certain variables at the time of hospital admission, including moderate or severe anaemia, thrombocytopenia, history of thromboembolic event, anxious-depressive disorder in treatment with two or three drugs or liver disease.

[Translated article] Clinical validity of the intraoperative histology in the diagnosis of prosthetic joint infection.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Different authors have demonstrated the usefulness of the histological analysis in the diagnosis of prosthetic joint infection; however, its clinical validity is still controversial. The aim of this article is to describe and analyse the clinical validity of histological analysis in the diagnosis of prosthetic infection in patients undergoing hip or knee prosthetic replacement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present a retrospective study including 133 hip and knee prosthetic replacements performed in our centre between 2008 and 2020. A descriptive, bivariate statistical analysis was performed and the clinical validity of the histological analysis was determined. OUTCOMES: The clinical validity of the intraoperative histology offered a sensitivity of 48%, a specificity of 91%, a positive predictive value of 55% and a negative predictive value of 88%. CONCLUSIONS: The determination of the clinical validity of histological analysis shows a high specificity. This analysis is an appropriate diagnostic tool for detecting healthy patients, with no infection.

Risk factors associated with periprosthetic infection in patients with femoral neck fracture: A case-control study. / Factores de riesgo asociados a infección periprotésica en el paciente con fractura del cuello femoral: estudio de casos y controles.

BACKGROUND: Infection is one of the most important local complications in the patient with femoral neck fracture treated with arthroplasty. The aim of the present study is to describe and analyze possible risk factors that could be involved in periprosthetic infection in the patient with femoral neck fracture. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was performed including patients with femoral neck fractures treated with arthroplasty in the period between January 2015 and December 2017. Cases were defined as patients with femoral neck fracture who after undergoing arthroplasty (hemiarthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty) had a periprosthetic infection, whose diagnosis was carried out according to the major and minor criteria described in the International Consensus on Musculoskeletal Infections (Philadelphia 2018). In order to mitigate the influence of variables that could be considered confounding variables, a multivariate analysis was carried out. OUTCOMES: A statistically significant association was found between periprosthetic infection and certain variables present at the time of admission, including the presence of moderate or severe anaemia (OR: 10.91; 95%CI: 1.07-111.50; P=.007), thrombocytopenia (OR: 27.72; 95%CI: 3.48-221.01; P=.002), history of thromboembolism event (OR: 8.80; 95%CI: 1.31-59.38; P=.026), anxious-depressive disorder in treatment with two or three drugs (OR: 21.36; 95%CI: 3.65-125.12; P=.001) and liver disease (OR: 32.04; 95%CI: 2.59-396.29; P=.007). CONCLUSIONS: Periprosthetic infection in the patient with femoral neck fracture treated with arthroplasty could be related to the presence of certain variables at the time of hospital admission, including moderate or severe anaemia, thrombocytopenia, history of thromboembolic event, anxious-depressive disorder in treatment with two or three drugs or liver disease.

Artificial Intelligence as an Aid in CBCT Airway Analysis: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in health sciences is becoming increasingly popular among doctors nowadays. This study evaluated the literature regarding the use of AI for CBCT airway analysis. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review that examines the performance of artificial intelligence in CBCT airway analysis. METHODS: Electronic databases and the reference lists of the relevant research papers were searched for published and unpublished literature. Study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias evaluation were all carried out independently and twice. Finally, five articles were chosen. RESULTS: The results suggested a high correlation between the automatic and manual airway measurements indicating that the airway measurements may be automatically and accurately calculated from CBCT images. CONCLUSIONS: According to the present literature, automatic airway segmentation can be used for clinical purposes. The main key findings of this systematic review are that the automatic airway segmentation is accurate in the measurement of the airway and, at the same time, appears to be fast and easy to use. However, the present literature is really limited, and more studies in the future providing high-quality evidence are needed.

Comparing a Fully Automated Cephalometric Tracing Method to a Manual Tracing Method for Orthodontic Diagnosis.

Background: This study aims to compare an automated cephalometric analysis based on the latest deep learning method of automatically identifying cephalometric landmarks with a manual tracing method using broadly accepted cephalometric software. Methods: A total of 100 cephalometric X-rays taken using a CS8100SC cephalostat were collected from a private practice. The X-rays were taken in maximum image size (18 × 24 cm lateral image). All cephalometric X-rays were first manually traced using the Dolphin 3D Imaging program version 11.0 and then automatically, using the Artificial Intelligence CS imaging V8 software. The American Board of Orthodontics analysis and the European Board of Orthodontics analysis were used for the cephalometric measurements. This resulted in the identification of 16 cephalometric landmarks, used for 16 angular and 2 linear measurements. Results: All measurements showed great reproducibility with high intra-class reliability (>0.97). The two methods showed great agreement, with an ICC range of 0.70−0.92. Mean values of SNA, SNB, ANB, SN-MP, U1-SN, L1-NB, SNPg, ANPg, SN/ANS-PNS, SN/GoGn, U1/ANS-PNS, L1-APg, U1-NA, and L1-GoGn landmarks had no significant differences between the two methods (p > 0.0027), while the mean values of FMA, L1-MP, ANS-PNS/GoGn, and U1-L1 were statistically significantly different (p < 0.0027). Conclusions: The automatic cephalometric tracing method using CS imaging V8 software is reliable and accurate for all cephalometric measurements.

[Influence of medical outliers in patients with femoral neck fracture]. / Influencia del ingreso hospitalario ectópico en pacientes con fractura del cuello femoral.

OBJECTIVES: The objective is to describe and analyze how outlier admission influences hospital stay and the appearance of complications in patients with a femoral neck fracture treated with arthroplasty. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A historical cohort study was carried out in which the group of patients with a displaced fracture of the femoral neck who had an outlier admission was defined as an exposed cohort, that is, they were admitted to a hospitalization area not belonging to the Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology department, unlike the unexposed cohort, that included patients admitted to a hospitalization area assigned to the Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology department. RESULTS: Outlier admission was a risk factor for requiring a postoperative transfusion (RR 1.52, 95% CI 1.05-2.21; P=.035), to have a postoperative stay longer than 5 days (RR 1.35, 95% CI 1.04-1.74; P=.038) and to suffer general postoperative complications (RR 1.35, 95% CI 1.02-1.78; P=.048). CONCLUSIONS: Outlier admission is a threat to the quality and safety of health care. In patients over 80 years of age, medical outliers is a risk factor for postoperative transfusion and systemic postoperative complications.

Effect of clay and guishe-ash as substrate on Lycopersicon esculentum germination and production.

The effect of biomass ash and clay on tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum) in greenhouse conditions from germination to production was studied. Biomass ash is a waste obtained from thermal treatment of guishe (a by-product of natural fiber), and clay is collected from local soils. Several trials were performed to assess the influence of the addition of clay and guishe-ash on seeds germination, seedling growth, and production yield. The decrease in the values of these variables was considered an indicator of toxicity. The obtained results showed that based clay/ash materials positively affect germination (average ∼90% and six materials allow obtaining 90%) and seedlings growth (an increase of ∼20% in height and more than 50% in fresh air corpuscular weight). However, applying these materials on the production stage induces minor positive effects on fruit diameter, locule number, pericarp thickness, and the number of seeds per fruit. Also, adverse effects (first harvest yield, number of fruits, fresh mass of ripe fruits, lycopene content) were observed. To valorize biomass ash, its combination with other materials such as clay could be an alternative to improve tomato production.

The concern to attend the growing demand for food has promoted the use of different kinds of materials as enhancers of plant growth and crop productivity. Among the materials that have been applied in crops are the wastes of biomass thermochemical processes, such as biochar and ashes. This work highlights the importance of evaluating the effect of applying a residue (guishe-ash) to a crop before promoting its use.

Correlation of spheno-occipital synchondrosis fusion stages with a hand-wrist skeletal maturity index: A cone beam computed tomography study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the correlation between spheno-occipital synchondrosis fusion stages and the hand-wrist skeletal maturity index. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Digital records of 164 individuals (77 males, 87 females) aged 10 to 18 years old were examined. Three-dimensional CBCT scans and hand-wrist two-dimensional radiographs were scored for the spheno-occipital synchondrosis fusion stages and hand-wrist skeletal maturity index, respectively. Statistical analyses were performed for associations using R software with a significance threshold of P< .01. RESULTS: A significant positive relationship was demonstrated between spheno-occipital synchondrosis fusion stages and hand-wrist skeletal maturity in both sexes. The Kendall's rank correlation τ between hand-wrist skeletal maturity index and spheno-occipital synchondrosis fusion percentage were high and positive in males and females (r = .74 and r = .71, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The significant, positive relationship between the hand-wrist skeletal maturity index and spheno-occipital synchondrosis fusion stages support the idea of using spheno-occipital synchondrosis fusion as a biological indicator for craniofacial and mandibular growth spurt prediction.

Result of the implementation of telematic consultations in orthopaedic surgery and traumatology during COVID-19 laparoscopic surgery. / Resultado de la implantación de consultas telemáticas en cirugía ortopédica y traumatología durante la pandemia COVID-19.

The COVID pandemic has made telematic consultations a basic tool in daily practice. AIMS: The main objective of the study is to assess the results of the application of telematic consultations to limit the mobility of patients. The operational objectives are; to propose a consultation plan, to know how attendance limits consultations and to define which pathologies benefit the most from this plan. METHODS: A scheme is proposed with the creation of pre-scheduled clinic to assess suitability and the possibility of carrying them out in a single non face-to-face act. RESULTS: Phone call to 5,619 patients were made with a lack of response of 19%. The cases of 74% of the patients that answered were resolved virtually. There is a difference between units, obtaining a higher answering rate from patients appointed to specific clinic units, OR = 0.60, or to general trauma ones, OR = 0.67. The lowest answering rate was obtained from those derived from the emergency department. Twenty per cent of the consultations were not accompanied by complementary tests that would have favored the resolution in a single act. The general trauma consultations, OR = 0.34, postoperative control, OR = 0.49, and specific unit ones, OR = 0.40, were the ones that better met this requirement. Out of the remaining patients, the general trauma consultations, OR = 0.50, and those referred to units, OR = 0.54, were the ones that had a higher resolution rate without in- person consultation. CONCLUSIONS: The cases of 74% of the patients who answered the phone call were resolved virtually. Cases of 20% of the patients cannot be solved in a single act because they are derived without complementary tests. Osteosynthesis and postoperative arthroscopic follow-up consultations are the ones that need to be carried out in person the most.

A prospective cohort study on the effects of RME in the mandibular dentition of cleft subjects.

PURPOSE: Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) is the most frequent orthopedic procedure in cleft subjects. However, little is known about its effects on the mandible. The aim of this study was to investigate the spontaneous response of the mandibular teeth following RME. METHODS: This prospective cohort study was carried out with a sample of thirty participants with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), 8-15 years old, who had transverse maxillary deficiency. Two participants were excluded. They were allocated into three groups: G1 (n = 10), G2 (n = 10), and G3 (n = 8). G1 was treated with a Fan-type expander; G2 with an iMini expander; and G3 with a Hyrax expander. Measurements were performed in Cone Beam CT scans obtained before treatment (T1) and 3 months post-expansion (T2). The primary outcomes were buccolingual inclination of mandibular first molars and canines, and intercanine and intermolar width at different levels. RESULTS: Dental changes were significant (P < 0.05) for intercanine width, increasing in G1 and G2, and for intermolar width, increasing in G2 and G3. There were no significant differences among groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: RME in UCLP subjects performed with these expanders may lead to significant spontaneous changes in both anterior and posterior region of the mandible.

Author Correction: Diffraction-limited ultrabroadband terahertz spectroscopy.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Psychosocial Adjustments Among Adolescents With Craniofacial Conditions and the Influence of Social Factors: A Multi-Informant Study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have investigated psychosocial adjustments among adolescents with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P), but our understanding of other craniofacial conditions remains limited. The objective of this study is to compare psychosocial adjustments among 3 groups of adolescents: craniofacial conditions other than cleft lip and/or palate (craniofacial anomaly [CFA]), CL/P, and controls (CON). Our secondary objective is to examine how social factors may predict the adjustments levels. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, multi-informant, controlled survey study. PARTICIPANTS: Aged 11- to 17-year olds. Craniofacial anomaly (n = 49), isolated CL/P (n = 42), and 55 CON. Total = 146. OUTCOME MEASURES: The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (self-report, parent report, and teacher report). RESULTS: All 3 informant groups displayed similar patterns, where CFA reported the highest difficulties, followed by CL/P, while CON scored the lowest. Parent reports demonstrated significant differences among the 3 groups for most subscales and were emphasized for peer problems. Self-reports showed significant differences between CFA and CON for total scores and peer problems, while teacher reports showed significant differences for peer problems only. Craniofacial anomaly displayed the highest frequency of abnormal psychosocial adjustments, followed by CL/P. Experiencing bullying or teasing predicted increased difficulties, while having a good friend predicted decreased difficulties. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents with CFA, and to a lesser extent CL/P, may be at a higher risk of having psychosocial problems. Peer problems may constitute the biggest challenge that CFA and CL/P confront. Social factors, especially being bullied or having a good friend, may predict the psychosocial well-being of adolescents with craniofacial conditions.

High-speed THz spectroscopic imaging at ten kilohertz pixel rate with amplitude and phase contrast.

By combining the advantages of the high-speed ASOPS technology and efficient THz generation, we have realized a high-speed laser-based spectroscopic THz imaging system with more than 10,000 pixels per second acquisition speed and an excellent signal-to-noise ratio of more than 100. Unlike THz line cameras or mm-wave intensity detectors, the present device allows for a much higher spatial resolution and attributes each imaging pixel with phase and amplitude information up to several THz while simultaneously maintaining a very high scanning speed unmatched by any other technique presented so far. The high-speed acquisition allows for samples to be scanned even at sample velocities of 5 m/s or higher while preserving the fundamental resolution limit of the THz radiation, which is on the order of 500 µm in the present case.

Precision and reliability of Dolphin 3-dimensional voxel-based superimposition.

INTRODUCTION: Superimposition of 2 cone-beam computed tomography images is possible by using landmarks, surfaces, or density information (voxel-based). Voxel-based superimposition is automated and uses the most image content, providing accurate results. Until recently, this superimposition was extremely laborious, but a user-friendly voxel-based superimposition has recently been introduced. Our aim was to evaluate the precision and reliability of Dolphin 3-dimensional voxel-based superimposition (Dolphin Imaging, Chatsworth, Calif). METHODS: This was a retrospective study using existing scans of 31 surgical orthodontic patients with a mean age of 21 ± 8 years (range, 15-47 years). Each patient had a presurgical and a postsurgical scan taken within 12 months. Surgical patients were used since the reference area for superimposition was not affected by growth or surgical procedures. The volumes were superimposed using voxel-based methods from Dolphin Imaging and a tested method used previously. This method uses 2 open-source programs and takes about 3 hours to complete, whereas the Dolphin method takes under 5 minutes. The postsurgical scan was superimposed on the presurgical scan at the cranial base. Postsurgical registrations for both methods were compared with each other using the absolute closest point color map, with emphasis on 7 regions (nasion, A-point, B-point, bilateral zygomatic arches, and bilateral gonions). RESULTS: Intraclass correlations showed excellent reliability (0.96). The mean differences between the 2 methods were less than 0.21 mm (voxel size, 0.38). The smallst difference was in the left zygomatic area at 0.09 ± 0.07 mm, and the largest was in the right gonial region at 0.21 ± 0.13 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Dolphin 3-dimensional voxel-based superimposition, a fast and user-friendly method, is precise and reliable.

Correction: Timing and rate of spheno-occipital synchondrosis closure and its relationship to puberty.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0183305.].