A deep joint sparse non-negative matrix factorization framework for identifying the common and subject-specific functional units of tongue motion during speech

Intelligible speech is produced by creating varying internal local muscle groupings—i.e., functional units—that are generated in a systematic and coordinated manner. There are two major challenges in characterizing and analyzing functional units. First, due to the complex and convoluted nature of tongue structure and function, it is of great importance to develop a method that can accurately decode complex muscle coordination patterns during speech. Second, it is challenging to keep identified functional units across subjects comparable due to their substantial variability. In this work, to address these challenges, we develop a new deep learning framework to identify common and subject-specific functional units of tongue motion during speech. Our framework hinges on joint deep graph-regularized sparse non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) using motion quantities derived from displacements by tagged Magnetic Resonance Imaging. More specifically, we transform NMF with sparse and graph regularizations into modular architectures akin to deep neural networks by means of unfolding the Iterative Shrinkage-Thresholding Algorithm to learn interpretable building blocks and associated weighting map. We then apply spectral clustering to common and subject-specific weighting maps from which we jointly determine the common and subject-specific functional units. Experiments carried out with simulated datasets show that the proposed method achieved on par or better clustering performance over the comparison methods.Experiments carried out with in vivo tongue motion data show that the proposed method can determine the common and subject-specific functional units with increased interpretability and decreased size variability.     

A novel extraoral registration method for a dynamic navigation system guiding zygomatic implant placement in patients with maxillectomy defects

Zygomatic implants (ZIs) are used for the oral rehabilitation of patients with maxillectomy defects as an alternative to extensive bone grafting surgeries. New technologies such as computer-assisted navigation systems can improve the accuracy and safety of ZI placement. The intraoral anchorage of fiducial markers necessary for navigation registration is not possible in the case of a severe maxillary defect and lack of residual bone. This technical note presents a novel extraoral registration method for a dynamic navigation system guiding ZI placement in patients with maxillectomy defects. Titanium microscrews were inserted in the mastoid process, supraorbital ridge, and posterior zygomatic arch as registration markers. The mean fiducial registration error (FRE) was 0.53 ± 0.20 and the deviations between the planned and placed ZIs were 1.56 ± 0.54 mm (entry point), 1.87 ± 0.63 mm (exit point), and 2.52 ± 0.84° (angulation). The study results indicate that the placement of fiducial markers at extraoral sites can be used as a registration technique to overcome anatomical limitations in patients after maxillectomy, with a clinically acceptable registration accuracy.     

Rhinoplasty in China: A review of the most important events in its history of development

A review of the literature in commonly used retrieval systems generally yields minimal or no pertinent information on the early works of Chinese doctors. Herein, the early works in rhinoplasty by pioneers Dr. Maolian Hu (胡懋廉) and Dr. PC Nyi (倪葆春) were retrieved from the database of Chinese Medical Journal published before 1949 that overseas doctors could not gain access to online possibly due to the language barrier in collecting and processing those old professional data by main retrieval systyems. They published original articles on costal cartilage applications for correction of saddle noses in as early as 1939 and 1949, respectively, which represent the earliest attempts of treating nasal deformities with costal cartilages in China as well as in Asia. The private cosmetic surgical practices in rhinoplasty from the 1930s to the 1940s were recovered and briefly reviewed, and some of the most important clinical cases were presented. Other important events related to rhinoplasty, such as the establishment of the first national society of rhinoplasty in Chengdu, China in 2011 and the successful performance of the first national congress on rhinoplasty in Shanghai, China in 2012, were included.     

Tongue cancer treatment and oncological outcomes: The role of glossectomy classification

BackgroundNowadays surgery remains the gold standard of treatment for tongue cancer. Via a more clear and precise terminology, the glossectomy classification by Ansarin et al. facilitates shared communication between surgeons, allowing comparison between published research and improving surgical practice and patient care. To establish the association of glossectomies, according to their classification by Ansarin et al. with overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DSF), and cause-specific survival (CSS) in tongue cancer, we conducted a systemic retrospective study on 300 consecutive patients affected by primary oral tongue cancer and treated with surgery at the European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS (IEO).MethodsThree hundred patients with tongue squamous cell carcinoma and treated at the Division of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery of the European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS were cataloged according to the glossectomy classification. OS, DFS, and CSS were compared by surgical treatments.ResultsOS-5yrs was 80% for the type I glossectomy group, 75% for type II, 65% for type III, and 35% for type IV-V. DFS-5yrs was 74%, 60%, 55%, and 27%, respectively for I, II, III, and IV-V glossectomy group; CSS-5yrs was 82%, 80%, 72%, and 48%, respectively for I, II, III, and IV-V glossectomy group (p < 0.01).ConclusionsThis study confirmed that the application of the glossectomy classification was statistically correlated with patients' oncological outcomes.     

Age-dependent copy number variations of TP53 tumour suppressor gene associated with altered phosphorylation status of p53 protein in sporadic schwannomas

Journal of Neuro-Oncology - Point mutations of TP53 tumour suppressor are very rare in schwannomas. We aim to characterize the frequency of exonic copy-number changes of the gene in the tumour and...