Two independent sources of anisotropy in the visual representation of direction in 2-D space

It is known that visual direction representation is more accurate for cardinal directions compared to oblique, a phenomenon named the “oblique effect”. It has been hypothesized that there are two sources of oblique effect, a low level one confined to vision and a high level one extending to different modalities and corresponding to higher cognitive processes. In this study directional error (DE) was measured when normal individuals tried to align the direction of an arrow presented in the center of a computer monitor to the direction of a peripheral target located in one of 32 directions equally spaced on an imaginary circle of 60 mm radius. Task difficulty was manipulated by varying arrow length (15, 30, 45 and 60 mm). By measuring mean DE and its variance we identified two independent sources of the oblique effect. A low level oblique effect was manifested in higher accuracy or equivalently lower variance of DE in the alignment for cardinal orientations compared to oblique. A second oblique effect was manifested measuring mean DE resulting in space expansion in the vicinity of cardinal directions and space contraction in the vicinity of oblique directions. Only this latter source of oblique effect was modulated by arrow length as predicted from a theoretical model postulating that this oblique effect is produced by a cognitive process of 2-D space categorization.     

Diagnosis and non‐surgical treatment of peri‐implant diseases and maintenance care of patients with dental implants – Consensus report of working group 3

The following consensus report is based on four background reviews. The frequency of maintenance visits is based on patient risk indicators, homecare compliance and prosthetic design. Generally, a 6‐month visit interval or shorter is preferred. At these visits, peri‐implant probing, assessment of bleeding on probing and, if warranted, a radiographic examination is performed. Diagnosis of peri‐implant mucositis requires: (i) bleeding or suppuration on gentle probing with or without increased probing depth compared with previous examinations; and (ii) no bone loss beyond crestal bone level changes resulting from initial bone remodelling. Diagnosis of peri‐implantitis requires: (i) bleeding and/or suppuration on gentle probing; (ii) an increased probing depth compared with previous examinations; and (iii) bone loss beyond crestal bone level changes resulting from initial bone remodelling. If diagnosis of disease is established, the inflammation should be resolved. Non‐surgical therapy is always the first choice. Access and motivation for optimal oral hygiene are key. The patient should have a course of mechanical therapy and, if a smoker, be encouraged not to smoke. Non‐surgical mechanical therapy and oral hygiene reinforcement are useful in treating peri‐implant mucositis. Power‐driven subgingival air‐polishing devices, Er: YAG lasers, metal curettes or ultrasonic curettes with or without plastic sleeves can be used to treat peri‐implantitis. Such treatment usually provides clinical improvements such as reduced bleeding tendency, and in some cases a pocket‐depth reduction of ≤ 1 mm. In advanced cases, however, complete resolution of the disease is unlikely.     

The prognostic role of serum uric acid levels in preeclampsia: A meta‐analysis

This meta‐analysis aims to compare serum uric acid levels among preeclamptic and healthy pregnant women across the various trimesters and provide a summary of the effect size of this biomarker in predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes. MEDLINE, Scopus, CENTRAL, Clinicaltrials.gov, and Google Scholar databases were systematically searched from inception. Observational studies were held eligible if they reported serum uric acid among preeclamptic and healthy pregnant women. Meta‐analysis was conducted regarding uric acid concentration, diagnostic accuracy, and association with perinatal outcomes. The credibility of evidence was appraised using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) framework. The analysis included 196 studies, comprising 39 540 women. Preeclampsia was associated with significantly elevated uric acid levels during the 1st (mean difference [MD]: 0.21 mg/dL, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.06‐0.35) trimester, 2nd (MD: 1.41 mg/dL, 95% CI: 0.78‐2.05) trimester, and 3rd (MD: 2.26 mg/dL, 95% CI: 2.12‐2.40) trimester. Higher uric acid was estimated for severe preeclampsia, eclampsia, and hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet syndrome. The sensitivity for adverse perinatal outcome prediction ranged from 67.3% to 82.7% and the specificity from 47.7% to 70.7%. In conclusion, it is suggested that serum uric acid levels are increased in preeclampsia and can be used to predict disease severity and pregnancy complications. Future prospective studies should verify these outcomes, assess the optimal cutoffs, and incorporate uric acid to combined predicting models.     

Melan-A/Mart-1- or HMB-45-positive melanocytes are not present in calcifying cystic odontogenic tumors (calcifying odontogenic cysts): a study in 13 Caucasian patients

Melanin pigment and melanocytes may be found in odontogenic cysts and tumors, particularly calcifying cystic odontogenic tumor (CCOT). In the present study we investigated the immunohistochemical expression of the Melan-A/Mart-1 and HMB-45 antigens in 13 Caucasians patients with CCOT. Melan-A/Mart-1- and HMB-45-positive melanocytes were not seen in any of the cases. Our findings are in agreement with the assumption that pigmentation in odontogenic lesions may be a racial phenomenon.