Comparison of three different types of splints and templates for maxilla repositioning in bimaxillary orthognathic surgery: a randomized controlled trial

The selection and implementation of a plan for maxillary surgery is of the utmost importance in achieving the desired outcome for the patient undergoing two-jaw orthognathic surgery. Some splint-based and splintless methods, accompanied by computer-assisted techniques, are helpful in improving surgical plan implementation. However, randomized controlled trials focused on this procedure are lacking. This study included 61 patients who underwent bimaxillary surgeries. The patients were randomly assigned to a conventional resin occlusal splint (CROS) group, a digital occlusal splint (DOS) group, or a digital templates (DT) group, in a 1:1:1 ratio. The mean linear distance between the planned and actual postoperative positions of eight selected points on the surfaces of the maxillary teeth was selected as the outcome measure. The distance was significantly smaller in the DT group (1.17 ± 0.66 mm) when compared to both the CROS group (2.55 ± 0.95 mm, P < 0.05) and DOS group (2.15 ± 1.12 mm, P < 0.05). However, the difference between the CROS group and DOS group was not statistically significant. These findings indicate that using digital templates results in the best performance in transferring the surgical plan to the operation environment as compared to the other two types of splints. This suggests that the application of digital templates could provide a reliable treatment option.     

Applications of geospatial analyses in health research among homeless people: A systematic scoping review of available evidence

BackgroundUnequal housing access resulted in more than 150 million homeless people worldwide, with millions more expected to be added every year due to the ongoing climate-related crises. Homeless population has a counterproductive effect on the social, psychological integration efforts by the community and exposure to other severe health-related issues. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have long been applied in urban planning and policy, housing and homelessness, and health-related research.MethodsWe used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method to systematically review 24 articles collected from multiple databases (n = 10) that focused on health-related issues among homeless people and used geospatial analysis techniques in their research.ResultsOur findings indicated a geographic clustering of case study locations– 26 out of the 31 case study sites are from the USA and Canada. Studies used spatial analysis techniques to identify hotspots, clusters and patterns of patient location and population distribution. Studies also reported relationships among the location of homeless shelters and substance use, discarded needles, different infectious and non-infectious disease clusters.ConclusionMost studies were restricted in analyzing and visualizing the patterns and disease clusters; however, geospatial analyses techniques are useful and offer diverse techniques for a more sophisticated understanding of the spatial characteristics of the health issues among homeless people. Better integration of GIS in health research among the homeless would help formulate sensible policies to counter health inequities among this vulnerable population group.     

Lateral Lymph Nodes in Rectal Cancer: Do we all Think the Same? A Review of Multidisciplinary Obstacles and Treatment Recommendations

Lateral lymph nodes in low, locally advanced, rectal cancer have proven implications for local recurrence rates, which increase drastically in the presence of persistently enlarged lateral lymph nodes. These clinical implications warrant a thorough understanding of lateral nodal disease with awareness and knowledge from all three specialties involved – radiology, radiation oncology, and surgery – to ensure proper treatment. Relevant literature for each specialty, including all current guidelines and perspectives, were examined. Variations in definitions and treatment paradigms were evaluated. There is still no consensus for the standardized treatment of lateral nodal disease. Each discipline works according to their own available evidence, but relevant data are scarce. Current international guidelines and standard recommendations for the diagnostics and treatment of lateral lymph nodes are lacking. This results in differing perspectives and interpretations between the disciplines which can lead to challenging communication in an area where multidisciplinary collaboration is essential. This review addresses this by presenting the current evidence, perspectives and practices of each specialty and makes suggestions for each phase of the diagnostic and treatment process for patients with lateral nodal disease. By doing this, steps are taken toward achieving international consensus, and multidisciplinary collaboration.     

3D打印可拆卸垂体瘤切除模型的真实性评估

目的探究可拆卸经鼻垂体腺瘤切除操作模型的真实性,并初步探讨了模型的教学性。方法利用患者CT建模、精细优化及3D打印技术构建可拆卸垂体腺瘤切除模型。评估者为19名来自北京协和医院的本院及进修医师,其中年资<10分入"低年资组";年资≥10分入"高年资组"。每位医师分别对3D打印垂体腺瘤切除模型进行操作,并于操作前后分别填写调查问卷、评估量表。结果高年资组的探查经验均高于低年资组。真实度项目的得分均在4附近,各评分项间无明显差异;"切除垂体腺瘤"步骤的真实性评分相对较低;高年资组评分普遍低于低年资组。操作前低年资组信心评分显著低于高年资组,操作后两组评分趋于一致;低年资组的垂体腺瘤切除信心评分变化显著高于高年资组(P<0.05)。结论该模型具有较高的真实性,可用于教学试验进一步评估教学效果。     

Diagnostic approach to well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma

Well-differentiated hepatocellular mass-lesions in non-cirrhotic livers have a differential diagnosis of focal nodular hyperplasia, regenerative hepatic pseudotumors, hepatic adenoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and fibrolamellar carcinoma. Despite significant advances in characterizing these pseudotumors and tumors, they remain a diagnostic challenge, especially on needle biopsy. This review focuses on a systematic diagnostic approach, one that allows confident diagnosis of these lesions.     

Redox active or thiol reactive? Optimization of rapid screens to identify less evident nuisance compounds

Compounds that exhibit assay interference or undesirable mechanisms of bioactivity are routinely encountered in assays at various stages of drug discovery. We observed that assays for the investigation of thiol-reactive and redox-active compounds have not been collected in a comprehensive review. Here, we review these assays and subject them to experimental optimization to improve their reliability. We demonstrate the usefulness of our assay cascade by assaying a library of bioactive compounds, chemical probes, and a set of approved drugs. These high-throughput assays should complement the array of wet-lab and in silico assays during the initial stages of hit discovery campaigns to pursue only hit compounds with tractable mechanisms of action.     

Effect of Preclinical Simulation on Family Nurse Practitioner Student’s Readiness for Practice

This project aimed to enhance clinical education preparation in a family nurse practitioner graduate program in rural central Appalachian by providing a psychomotor skills-based simulation with the use of the defusing, discovering, and deepening (3D) debriefing method. The students were surveyed after graduation to determine effectiveness. Program outcomes to measure readiness to practice were graduation, employment, and certification rates. The postgraduation surveys indicated the simulation contributed to an increase in psychomotor skill performance, practicing safe patient care, and making independent decisions in practice. Common themes emerged of feeling “prepared for practice” and being “more marketable” with the procedural skills learned in the simulation.     

Clinico-hematological and Outcome Profile of Pediatric B-other-ALL and BCR::ABL1-like pre-B-ALL: An Integrated Genomic Study From North India

PurposeBCR::ABL1-like pre-B-ALL comprises a myriad of genetic lesions making molecular diagnosis challenging and expensive. Its frequency and outcome are less studied in resource-constraint settings.Methods154 pre-B-ALL cases (0-12 years) were enrolled as group 1 (37 cases of B-other-ALL) and group 2 (117 patients with recurrent translocations/ hyperdiploidy). Group 1 was evaluated for BCR::ABL1-like genetic lesions and copy-number abnormalities (CNAs) as per our published PACE approach supplemented with targeted RNA sequencing.ResultsBCR::ABL1-like frequency was 5.2% (8 of 154) and 22% (8 of 37) with the PACE approach alone in the whole and B-other-ALL cohort, respectively. The addition of targeted RNA-sequencing had led to the frequency increasing to 9% (14 of 154) and 38% (14 of 37) in the whole and B-other-ALL cohort, respectively. P2RY8::CRLF2, IGH::CRLF2, and RCSD1::ABL1 were noted in 8 (57.1%), 4 (28.6%), and 2 (14.3%) patients, respectively. CNAs were noted in 56.7% (21 of 37) of patients. The BCR::ABL1-like group had a significantly higher initial WBC count of ≥ 50,000/mm³ (71.4%; P < .001) than group 2. The 4-year OS, EFS, RFS of group 1 was not statistically different from group 2, though RFS was borderline poor (84.2%, 51.7%, 56.9% Vs. 82.6%, 62.9%, 78% [P - .42, P - .53, P - .059]). The 4-year EFS and RFS for BCR::ABL1-like cases was 70.7% and 76.6%, respectively.ConclusionsThe sensitivity of detecting BCR::ABL1-like lesions had increased significantly from 22% using the PACE approach alone to 38% in B-other-ALLs with the integrated approach. Although outcomes were not statistically different, a higher percentage of relapses were noted in the B-other-ALL group.