Displaying publications 2661 - 2680 of 9866 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Unsplinted Attachment Systems and Peri-implant Outcomes in Two-implant-retained Mandibular Overdentures: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
    Patil PG, Seow LL, Kweh TJ, Nimbalkar S
    J Contemp Dent Pract, 2021 Nov 01;22(11):1346-1354.
    PMID: 35343463
    AIM: The purpose of this review is to compare randomized clinical trials evaluating the peri-implant tissue outcomes using different unsplinted attachment systems in two implant-retained mandibular overdentures.

    BACKGROUND: Literature lacks information on various unsplinted attachment systems and their effect on peri-implant tissue health. A focus question (as per PICOS) was set as follows: Does one particular unsplinted attachment system (I) compared with another (C) results in better peri-implant outcomes (O) in two implant-retained mandibular overdentures (P) using randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (S)? The literature search was conducted in the PubMed, MEDLINE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases between January 2011 and December 2021. The keywords used were "denture, overlay," "denture," "overlay" AND "dental prosthesis, implant supported," "dental implants," "dental implant abutment design" AND "jaw, edentulous," "mouth, edentulous" AND "mandible." Only RCTs on two implant-retained mandibular overdentures using unsplinted attachment systems measuring peri-implant tissue outcomes with minimum 1-year follow-up were selected. In total, 224 studies were identified in initial search, and 25 were shortlisted for full-text evaluation. Four studies were included for systematic review upon considering inclusion and exclusion criteria. The risk of bias was evaluated using Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2.0 (RoB 2.0).

    REVIEW RESULTS: A total of 41 patients received ball attachments (in 3 studies), 36 patients received low-profile attachments (in 3 studies), 16 patients received magnet attachments (in 1 study), and 13 patients received telescopic attachments (in 1 study). All four studies used standard sized implants, however, differed in implant manufacturers. Two studies which compared ball attachments low-profile attachments revealed-similar peri-implant tissue health parameters but differed in crestal bone-level changes. One study compared ball with telescopic attachments and revealed similar results in crestal bone-level changes and all four peri-implant tissue health parameters. Single study compared magnets with low-profile attachments and shown lesser bone loss with magnet attachments. Single study was judged to have low risk of bias, single with some concerns, and remaining two to have high risk of bias.

    CONCLUSION: Gingival index and bleeding index of the patients were not influenced by any of the unsplinted overdenture attachment (stud, magnet, telescopic) system. Inconclusive results found among the studies evaluated comparing crestal bone loss and plaque index.

    CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This review manuscript has simplified comparative analysis of different unsplinted attachment systems used in two implant mandibular overdentures to help clinicians choose correct system in such situation.

    Matched MeSH terms: Denture Retention/methods
  2. Fulltext MRFGRO: a hybrid meta-heuristic feature selection method for screening COVID-19 using deep features
    Dey A, Chattopadhyay S, Singh PK, Ahmadian A, Ferrara M, Senu N, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2021 Dec 15;11(1):24065.
    PMID: 34911977 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02731-z
    COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that causes infection in both lungs and the upper respiratory tract. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared it a global pandemic because of its rapid spread across the globe. The most common way for COVID-19 diagnosis is real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) which takes a significant amount of time to get the result. Computer based medical image analysis is more beneficial for the diagnosis of such disease as it can give better results in less time. Computed Tomography (CT) scans are used to monitor lung diseases including COVID-19. In this work, a hybrid model for COVID-19 detection has developed which has two key stages. In the first stage, we have fine-tuned the parameters of the pre-trained convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to extract some features from the COVID-19 affected lungs. As pre-trained CNNs, we have used two standard CNNs namely, GoogleNet and ResNet18. Then, we have proposed a hybrid meta-heuristic feature selection (FS) algorithm, named as Manta Ray Foraging based Golden Ratio Optimizer (MRFGRO) to select the most significant feature subset. The proposed model is implemented over three publicly available datasets, namely, COVID-CT dataset, SARS-COV-2 dataset, and MOSMED dataset, and attains state-of-the-art classification accuracies of 99.15%, 99.42% and 95.57% respectively. Obtained results confirm that the proposed approach is quite efficient when compared to the local texture descriptors used for COVID-19 detection from chest CT-scan images.
    Matched MeSH terms: Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted/methods*
  3. Neuromuscular ultrasound standardized scanning techniques and protocols: Expert panel recommendations
    Tawfik EA, Cartwright MS, van Alfen N, Axer H, Boon AJ, Crump N, et al.
    Muscle Nerve, 2023 Oct;68(4):375-379.
    PMID: 37074101 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27830
    Neuromuscular ultrasound has become an integral part of the diagnostic workup of neuromuscular disorders at many centers. Despite its growing utility, uniform standard scanning techniques do not currently exist. Scanning approaches for similar diseases vary in the literature creating heterogeneity in the studies as reported in several meta-analysis. Moreover, neuromuscular ultrasound experts including the group in this study have different views with regards to technical aspects, scanning protocols, and the parameters that should be assessed. Establishing standardized neuromuscular scanning protocols is essential for the development of the subspeciality to ensure uniform clinical and research practices. Therefore, we aimed to recommend consensus-based standardized scanning techniques and protocols for common neuromuscular disorders using the Delphi approach. A panel of 17 experts participated in the study, which consisted of three consecutive electronic surveys. The first survey included voting on six scanning protocols addressing the general scanning technique and five common categories of suspected neuromuscular disorders. The subsequent surveys focused on refining the protocols and voting on new steps, rephrased statements, or areas of non-agreement. A high degree of consensus was achieved on the general neuromuscular ultrasound scanning technique and the scanning protocols for focal mononeuropathies, brachial plexopathies, polyneuropathies, amyotophic lateral sclerosis, and muscle diseases. In this study, a group of neuromuscular ultrasound experts developed six consensus-based neuromuscular ultrasound scanning protocols that may serve as references for clinicians and researchers. The standardized protocols could also aid in achieving high-quality uniform neuromuscular ultrasound practices.
    Matched MeSH terms: Ultrasonography/methods
  4. Characterization and determination of casein glycomacropeptide in dairy products by UHPLC-MS/MS based on its characteristic peptide
    Chen Q, Lai S, Dong L, Liu Y, Pan D, Wu Z, et al.
    Food Chem, 2024 Jan 01;430:137049.
    PMID: 37544157 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.137049
    The ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) method was built to quantify the casein glycomacropeptide (CGMP) in bovine dairy products accurately based on targeted proteomics. Qualitative analysis of theoretical peptides was carried out using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and protein software. Isotope-labeled characteristic peptides were acquired via the labeled amino acid condensation method to correct the matrix effects. Peptide MAIPPK was the representative characteristic peptide for distinguishing the CGMP from κ-casein through trypsin digestion. After optimizing the pre-treatment conditions, the final 8% oxidant concentration was selected and the 10% formic acid concentration with 2.5 h oxidation time. Moreover, the results of methodological verification showed that the recovery rate was 103.7%, meanwhile the precision of inter-day and intra-day was less than 5%. In conclusion, the research demonstrated the characteristic peptide MAIPPK could quantitatively applied to detect CGMP in dairy products.
    Matched MeSH terms: Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods
  5. Fulltext New pharmacovigilance course at the International Islamic University Malaysia-IIUM
    Al-lela OQ, Elkalmi RM, Jamshed SQ
    Am J Pharm Educ, 2013 Jun 12;77(5):106.
    PMID: 23788817 DOI: 10.5688/ajpe775106
    Matched MeSH terms: Education, Pharmacy/methods*
  6. Fulltext Perceptions of Australian and Malaysian Educators in an Undergraduate Pharmacy Program on Case-based Learning
    Jacob SA, Dhing OH, Malone D
    Am J Pharm Educ, 2019 Apr;83(3):6597.
    PMID: 31065163 DOI: 10.5688/ajpe6597
    Objective. To determine the perceptions of lecturers toward case-based learning (CBL) and to elicit their feedback and opinions regarding the design of CBL sessions within the pharmacy curricula. Methods. One-on-one interviews were conducted with 10 academic staff members involved in teaching an undergraduate Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) program. All sessions were audio-recorded and field notes were compiled. The recordings were transcribed, and thematic analysis of responses was performed. Results. Four key themes were identified: perceived benefits of CBL, challenges in implementing CBL within the curricula, characteristics of effective and engaging CBL, and relevance and implementation of CBL within the curriculum. Some of the specific benefits of CBL identified by participants included the applicability of knowledge learned to students' future role as pharmacists. Participants also identified challenges such as the design of CBL cases and course time constraints. Respondents also emphasized the need for more training for facilitators in how to design cases and facilitate sessions. Conclusion. While participants identified numerous benefits of CBL, they also identified challenges to implementing this learning method within the pharmacy school curriculum. Paying careful attention to selecting facilitators and providing appropriate facilitator training, in terms of facilitation and case design, is paramount in effectively implementing CBL sessions.
    Matched MeSH terms: Problem-Based Learning/methods*
  7. The control of fungi and mycotoxins by food active packaging: a review
    Jafarzadeh S, Hadidi M, Forough M, Nafchi AM, Mousavi Khaneghah A
    Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr, 2023;63(23):6393-6411.
    PMID: 35089844 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2031099
    Conventionally used petrochemical-based plastics are poorly degradable and cause severe environmental pollution. Alternatively, biopolymers (e.g., polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, and their blends) are biodegradable and environment-friendly, and thus their use in packaging technologies has been on the rise. Spoilage of food by mycotoxigenic fungi poses a severe threat to human and animal health. Hence, because of the adverse effects of synthetic preservatives, active packaging as an effective technique for controlling and decontaminating fungi and related mycotoxins has attracted considerable interest. The current review aims to provide an overview of the prevention of fungi and mycotoxins through active packaging. The impact of different additives on the antifungal and anti-mycotoxigenic functionality of packaging incorporating active films/coatings is also investigated. In addition, active packaging applications to control and decontaminate common fungi and mycotoxins in bakery products, cereal grains, fruits, nuts, and dairy products are also introduced. The results of recent studies have confirmed that biopolymer films and coatings incorporating antimicrobial agents provide great potential for controlling common fungi and mycotoxins and enhancing food quality and safety.
    Matched MeSH terms: Food Packaging/methods
  8. Fulltext Mathematical epidemiologic and simulation modelling of first wave COVID-19 in Malaysia
    Ariffin MRK, Gopal K, Krishnarajah I, Che Ilias IS, Adam MB, Arasan J, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2021 Oct 20;11(1):20739.
    PMID: 34671103 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-99541-0
    Since the first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak appeared in Wuhan, mainland China on December 31, 2019, the geographical spread of the epidemic was swift. Malaysia is one of the countries that were hit substantially by the outbreak, particularly in the second wave. This study aims to simulate the infectious trend and trajectory of COVID-19 to understand the severity of the disease and determine the approximate number of days required for the trend to decline. The number of confirmed positive infectious cases [as reported by Ministry of Health, Malaysia (MOH)] were used from January 25, 2020 to March 31, 2020. This study simulated the infectious count for the same duration to assess the predictive capability of the Susceptible-Infectious-Recovered (SIR) model. The same model was used to project the simulation trajectory of confirmed positive infectious cases for 80 days from the beginning of the outbreak and extended the trajectory for another 30 days to obtain an overall picture of the severity of the disease in Malaysia. The transmission rate, β also been utilized to predict the cumulative number of infectious individuals. Using the SIR model, the simulated infectious cases count obtained was not far from the actual count. The simulated trend was able to mimic the actual count and capture the actual spikes approximately. The infectious trajectory simulation for 80 days and the extended trajectory for 110 days depicts that the inclining trend has peaked and ended and will decline towards late April 2020. Furthermore, the predicted cumulative number of infectious individuals tallies with the preparations undertaken by the MOH. The simulation indicates the severity of COVID-19 disease in Malaysia, suggesting a peak of infectiousness in mid-March 2020 and a probable decline in late April 2020. Overall, the study findings indicate that outbreak control measures such as the Movement Control Order (MCO), social distancing and increased hygienic awareness is needed to control the transmission of the outbreak in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Public Health Informatics/methods*
  9. Fulltext Engineered Nanomaterials: The Challenges and Opportunities for Nanomedicines
    Albalawi F, Hussein MZ, Fakurazi S, Masarudin MJ
    Int J Nanomedicine, 2021;16:161-184.
    PMID: 33447033 DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S288236
    The emergence of nanotechnology as a key enabling technology over the past years has opened avenues for new and innovative applications in nanomedicine. From the business aspect, the nanomedicine market was estimated to worth USD 293.1 billion by 2022 with a perception of market growth to USD 350.8 billion in 2025. Despite these opportunities, the underlying challenges for the future of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) in nanomedicine research became a significant obstacle in bringing ENMs into clinical stages. These challenges include the capability to design bias-free methods in evaluating ENMs' toxicity due to the lack of suitable detection and inconsistent characterization techniques. Therefore, in this literature review, the state-of-the-art of engineered nanomaterials in nanomedicine, their toxicology issues, the working framework in developing a toxicology benchmark and technical characterization techniques in determining the toxicity of ENMs from the reported literature are explored.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nanotechnology/methods*
  10. Fulltext 3D printing in medical imaging and healthcare services
    Abdullah KA, Reed W
    J Med Radiat Sci, 2018 Sep;65(3):237-239.
    PMID: 29971971 DOI: 10.1002/jmrs.292
    Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology has demonstrated a huge potential for the future of medicine. Since its introduction, it has been used in various areas, for example building anatomical models, personalising medical devices and implants, aiding in precision medical interventions and the latest development, 3D bioprinting. This commentary is provided to outline the current use of 3D printing in medical imaging and its future directions for advancing the healthcare services.
    Matched MeSH terms: Diagnostic Imaging/methods*
  11. Fulltext Effect of Forearm Postures and Elbow Joint Angles on Elbow Flexion Torque and Mechanomyography in Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation of the Biceps Brachii
    Uwamahoro R, Sundaraj K, Feroz FS
    Sensors (Basel), 2023 Sep 29;23(19).
    PMID: 37836995 DOI: 10.3390/s23198165
    Neuromuscular electrical stimulation plays a pivotal role in rehabilitating muscle function among individuals with neurological impairment. However, there remains uncertainty regarding whether the muscle's response to electrical excitation is affected by forearm posture, joint angle, or a combination of both factors. This study aimed to investigate the effects of forearm postures and elbow joint angles on the muscle torque and MMG signals. Measurements of the torque around the elbow and MMG of the biceps brachii (BB) muscle were conducted in 36 healthy subjects (age, 22.24 ± 2.94 years; height, 172 ± 0.5 cm; and weight, 67.01 ± 7.22 kg) using an in-house elbow flexion testbed and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) of the BB muscle. The BB muscle was stimulated while the forearm was positioned in the neutral, pronation, or supination positions. The elbow was flexed at angles of 10°, 30°, 60°, and 90°. The study analyzed the impact of the forearm posture(s) and elbow joint angle(s) on the root-mean-square value of the torque (TQRMS). Subsequently, various MMG parameters, such as the root-mean-square value (MMGRMS), the mean power frequency (MMGMPF), and the median frequency (MMGMDF), were analyzed along the longitudinal, lateral, and transverse axes of the BB muscle fibers. The test-retest interclass correlation coefficient (ICC21) for the torque and MMG ranged from 0.522 to 0.828. Repeated-measure ANOVAs showed that the forearm posture and elbow flexion angle significantly influenced the TQRMS (p < 0.05). Similarly, the MMGRMS, MMGMPF, and MMGMDF showed significant differences among all the postures and angles (p < 0.05). However, the combined main effect of the forearm posture and elbow joint angle was insignificant along the longitudinal axis (p > 0.05). The study also found that the MMGRMS and TQRMS increased with increases in the joint angle from 10° to 60° and decreased at greater angles. However, during this investigation, the MMGMPF and MMGMDF exhibited a consistent decrease in response to increases in the joint angle for the lateral and transverse axes of the BB muscle. These findings suggest that the muscle contraction evoked by NMES may be influenced by the interplay between actin and myosin filaments, which are responsible for muscle contraction and are, in turn, influenced by the muscle length. Because restoring the function of limbs is a common goal in rehabilitation services, the use of MMG in the development of methods that may enable the real-time tracking of exact muscle dimensional changes and activation levels is imperative.
    Matched MeSH terms: Electromyography/methods
  12. Fulltext Integration of agronomic practices with herbicides for sustainable weed management in aerobic rice
    Anwar MP, Juraimi AS, Mohamed MT, Uddin MK, Samedani B, Puteh A, et al.
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2013;2013:916408.
    PMID: 24223513 DOI: 10.1155/2013/916408
    Till now, herbicide seems to be a cost effective tool from an agronomic view point to control weeds. But long term efficacy and sustainability issues are the driving forces behind the reconsideration of herbicide dependent weed management strategy in rice. This demands reappearance of physical and cultural management options combined with judicious herbicide application in a more comprehensive and integrated way. Keeping those in mind, some agronomic tools along with different manual weeding and herbicides combinations were evaluated for their weed control efficacy in rice under aerobic soil conditions. Combination of competitive variety, higher seeding rate, and seed priming resulted in more competitive cropping system in favor of rice, which was reflected in lower weed pressure, higher weed control efficiency, and better yield. Most of the herbicides exhibited excellent weed control efficiency. Treatments comprising only herbicides required less cost involvement but produced higher net benefit. On the contrary, treatments comprising both herbicide and manual weeding required high cost involvement and thus produced lower net benefit. Therefore, adoption of competitive rice variety, higher seed rate, and seed priming along with spraying different early-postemergence herbicides in rotation at 10 days after seeding (DAS) followed by a manual weeding at 30 DAS may be recommended from sustainability view point.
    Matched MeSH terms: Weed Control/methods*
  13. Fulltext Augmented Reality Interface for Complex Anatomy Learning in the Central Nervous System: A Systematic Review
    Wirza R, Nazir S, Khan HU, García-Magariño I, Amin R
    J Healthc Eng, 2020;2020:8835544.
    PMID: 32963749 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8835544
    The medical system is facing the transformations with augmentation in the use of medical information systems, electronic records, smart, wearable devices, and handheld. The central nervous system function is to control the activities of the mind and the human body. Modern speedy development in medical and computational growth in the field of the central nervous system enables practitioners and researchers to extract and visualize insight from these systems. The function of augmented reality is to incorporate virtual and real objects, interactively running in a real-time and real environment. The role of augmented reality in the central nervous system becomes a thought-provoking task. Gesture interaction approach-based augmented reality in the central nervous system has enormous impending for reducing the care cost, quality refining of care, and waste and error reducing. To make this process smooth, it would be effective to present a comprehensive study report of the available state-of-the-art-work for enabling doctors and practitioners to easily use it in the decision making process. This comprehensive study will finally summarise the outputs of the published materials associate to gesture interaction-based augmented reality approach in the central nervous system. This research uses the protocol of systematic literature which systematically collects, analyses, and derives facts from the collected papers. The data collected range from the published materials for 10 years. 78 papers were selected and included papers based on the predefined inclusion, exclusion, and quality criteria. The study supports to identify the studies related to augmented reality in the nervous system, application of augmented reality in the nervous system, technique of augmented reality in the nervous system, and the gesture interaction approaches in the nervous system. The derivations from the studies show that there is certain amount of rise-up in yearly wise articles, and numerous studies exist, related to augmented reality and gestures interaction approaches to different systems of the human body, specifically to the nervous system. This research organises and summarises the existing associated work, which is in the form of published materials, and are related to augmented reality. This research will help the practitioners and researchers to sight most of the existing studies subjected to augmented reality-based gestures interaction approaches for the nervous system and then can eventually be followed as support in future for complex anatomy learning.
    Matched MeSH terms: Neuroimaging/methods*
  14. Fulltext Bioinformatics in Malaysia: hope, initiative, effort, reality, and challenges
    Zeti AM, Shamsir MS, Tajul-Arifin K, Merican AF, Mohamed R, Nathan S, et al.
    PLoS Comput Biol, 2009 Aug;5(8):e1000457.
    PMID: 19714208 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1000457
    Matched MeSH terms: Computational Biology/methods*
  15. Polyvinyl alcohol as a viable membrane in artificial tissue design and development
    Kadri NA, Raha MG, Pingguan-Murphy B
    Clinics (Sao Paulo), 2011;66(8):1489-94.
    PMID: 21915506
    Matched MeSH terms: Tissue Engineering/methods*
  16. Fulltext Cardiorespiratory parameters before and after acupuncture: observations in a healthy and diseased state
    Mohan V, Das S
    Clinics (Sao Paulo), 2012;67(6):673-4.
    PMID: 22760909
    Comment on: Nascimento RC, Hossri CA, Berwanger O, Carvalho VO. Acupuncture and exercise capacity: a case report. Clinics. 2012;67(2):193–4
    Matched MeSH terms: Acupuncture Therapy/methods*
  17. Fulltext An Overview of Deep Learning Methods for Left Ventricle Segmentation
    Shoaib MA, Chuah JH, Ali R, Hasikin K, Khalil A, Hum YC, et al.
    Comput Intell Neurosci, 2023;2023:4208231.
    PMID: 36756163 DOI: 10.1155/2023/4208231
    Cardiac health diseases are one of the key causes of death around the globe. The number of heart patients has considerably increased during the pandemic. Therefore, it is crucial to assess and analyze the medical and cardiac images. Deep learning architectures, specifically convolutional neural networks have profoundly become the primary choice for the assessment of cardiac medical images. The left ventricle is a vital part of the cardiovascular system where the boundary and size perform a significant role in the evaluation of cardiac function. Due to automatic segmentation and good promising results, the left ventricle segmentation using deep learning has attracted a lot of attention. This article presents a critical review of deep learning methods used for the left ventricle segmentation from frequently used imaging modalities including magnetic resonance images, ultrasound, and computer tomography. This study also demonstrates the details of the network architecture, software, and hardware used for training along with publicly available cardiac image datasets and self-prepared dataset details incorporated. The summary of the evaluation matrices with results used by different researchers is also presented in this study. Finally, all this information is summarized and comprehended in order to assist the readers to understand the motivation and methodology of various deep learning models, as well as exploring potential solutions to future challenges in LV segmentation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods
  18. Implications of root, pulp chamber, and canal anatomy on pulpotomy and revitalization procedures
    Ahmed HMA, El-Karim I, Duncan HF, Krastl G, Galler K
    Clin Oral Investig, 2023 Nov;27(11):6357-6369.
    PMID: 37870593 DOI: 10.1007/s00784-023-05284-9
    OBJECTIVES: This review aims to discuss the implications of anatomy of the root, pulp chamber, and canals on pulpotomy and revitalization procedures (RPs) as treatment alternatives to root canal treatment procedures.

    METHODS: This narrative review was undertaken to address two main questions - why remove vital pulp tissue in teeth with complex canal anatomy when it can be preserved? And why replace the necrotic pulp in teeth with mature roots with a synthetic material when we can revitalize? This review also aims to discuss anatomical challenges with pulpotomy and revitalization procedures.

    RESULTS: Maintaining the vitality of the pulp via partial or full pulpotomy procedures avoids the multiple potential challenges faced by clinicians during root canal treatment. However, carrying out pulpotomy procedures requires a meticulous understanding of the pulp chamber anatomy, which varies from tooth to tooth. Literature shows an increased interest in the application of RPs in teeth with mature roots; however, to date, the relation between the complexity of the root canal system and outcomes of RPs in necrotic multi-rooted teeth with mature roots is unclear and requires further robust comparative research and long-term follow-up.

    CONCLUSIONS: Whenever indicated, pulpotomy procedures are viable treatment options for vital teeth with mature roots; however, comparative, adequately powered studies with long-term follow-up are needed as a priority in this area. RPs show promising outcomes for necrotic teeth with mature roots that warrant more evidence in different tooth types with long-term follow-ups.  CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Clinicians should be aware of the pulp chamber anatomy, which is subject to morphological changes by age or as a defensive mechanism against microbial irritation, before practicing partial and full pulpotomy procedures. RP is a promising treatment option for teeth with immature roots, but more evidence is needed for its applications in teeth with mature roots. A universal consensus and considerably more robust evidence are needed for the standardization of RPs in teeth with mature roots.

    Matched MeSH terms: Root Canal Therapy/methods
  19. Fulltext Graphene-based 3D scaffolds in tissue engineering: fabrication, applications, and future scope in liver tissue engineering
    Geetha Bai R, Muthoosamy K, Manickam S, Hilal-Alnaqbi A
    Int J Nanomedicine, 2019;14:5753-5783.
    PMID: 31413573 DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S192779
    Tissue engineering embraces the potential of recreating and replacing defective body parts by advancements in the medical field. Being a biocompatible nanomaterial with outstanding physical, chemical, optical, and biological properties, graphene-based materials were successfully employed in creating the perfect scaffold for a range of organs, starting from the skin through to the brain. Investigations on 2D and 3D tissue culture scaffolds incorporated with graphene or its derivatives have revealed the capability of this carbon material in mimicking in vivo environment. The porous morphology, great surface area, selective permeability of gases, excellent mechanical strength, good thermal and electrical conductivity, good optical properties, and biodegradability enable graphene materials to be the best component for scaffold engineering. Along with the apt microenvironment, this material was found to be efficient in differentiating stem cells into specific cell types. Furthermore, the scope of graphene nanomaterials in liver tissue engineering as a promising biomaterial is also discussed. This review critically looks into the unlimited potential of graphene-based nanomaterials in future tissue engineering and regenerative therapy.
    Matched MeSH terms: Tissue Engineering/methods*
  20. Fulltext Identifying priority landscapes for conservation of snow leopards in Pakistan
    Hameed S, Din JU, Ali H, Kabir M, Younas M, Ur Rehman E, et al.
    PLoS One, 2020;15(11):e0228832.
    PMID: 33151925 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228832
    Pakistan's total estimated snow leopard habitat is about 80,000 km2 of which about half is considered prime habitat. However, this preliminary demarcation was not always in close agreement with the actual distribution-the discrepancy may be huge at the local and regional level. Recent technological developments like camera trapping and molecular genetics allow for collecting reliable presence records that could be used to construct realistic species distribution based on empirical data and advanced mathematical approaches like MaxEnt. The current study followed this approach to construct an accurate distribution of the species in Pakistan. Moreover, movement corridors, among different landscapes, were also identified through circuit theory. The probability of habitat suitability, generated from 98 presence points and 11 environmental variables, scored the snow leopard's assumed range in Pakistan, from 0 to 0.97. A large portion of the known range represented low-quality habitat, including areas in lower Chitral, Swat, Astore, and Kashmir. Conversely, Khunjerab, Misgar, Chapursan, Qurumber, Broghil, and Central Karakoram represented high-quality habitats. Variables with higher contributions in the MaxEnt model were precipitation during the driest month (34%), annual mean temperature (19.5%), mean diurnal range of temperature (9.8%), annual precipitation (9.4%), and river density (9.2). The model was validated through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) plots and defined thresholds. The average test AUC in Maxent for the replicate runs was 0.933 while the value of AUC by ROC curve calculated at 0.15 threshold was 1.00. These validation tests suggested a good model fit and strong predictive power. The connectivity analysis revealed that the population in the Hindukush landscape appears to be more connected with the population in Afghanistan as compared to other populations in Pakistan. Similarly, the Pamir-Karakoram population is better connected with China and Tajikistan, while the Himalayan population was connected with the population in India. Based on our findings we propose three model landscapes to be considered under the Global Snow Leopard Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP) agenda as regional priority areas, to safeguard the future of the snow leopard in Pakistan and the region. These landscapes fall within mountain ranges of the Himalaya, Hindu Kush and Karakoram-Pamir, respectively. We also identified gaps in the existing protected areas network and suggest new protected areas in Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan to protect critical habitats of snow leopard in Pakistan.
    Matched MeSH terms: Conservation of Natural Resources/methods
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links