Retrospective evaluation of dento-alveolar morphology after fixed orthodontic treatment at HUSM: laser scanning 3D model

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of orthodontic measurements made on laser scanned 3D models created with NextEngine laser scanner and ScanStudioHD software and to evaluate arch dimensional changes in subjects treated with extraction and non-extraction after conventional orthodontic treatment using laser scanned 3D models. Dental models of 104 patients (416 dental models) were randomly selected from the archives of School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia. Scanning, imaging and measuring were completed to achieve objectives. A total of 100 set were measured by Mitutoyo digital caliper (DC) and ScanStudio HD software to achieve first objective and 416 dental models were used to achieve the second objective. Statistical comparisons were performed using paired t-test, independent t-test and RM ANCOVA. The validity (accuracy) of the digital measurements showed no statistical differences in any of the measurements performed. The reliability coefficient values were comparable between laser scanned 3D models and measurements using DC and the values of coefficient were in the range of strong correlation. The results showed that linear measurements of dental models using laser scanned 3D models are valid and reliable and can be used for various clinical orthodontic procedures. Significant differences were found in pre-treatment groups for 1-PMD and LII in maxillary arch whereas there were significant changes in all parameters except for ICD, 1-PMD, LII and OB in post-treatment group. Significant differences were observed in all parameters except for ICD and 1-PMD in XLA group. In non-extraction group, significant changes were observed in all parameters except in IMD, MCF and OJ. There were significant changes in all parameters of mandibular arch except for ICD, 1- PMD and A/L in pretreatment group whereas there were significant changes in all parameters except for ICD, 1-PMD and LII in post-treatment group. For pre and posttreatment differences, the changes of mandibular dental arch were significant in all variables except A/P in non-extraction group whereas all parameters except for 2-PMD, IMD and MCF were changed significantly in extraction group. The results of the present study showed conventional orthodontic treatment with extraction and non-extraction pattern potentially producing statistically significant changes of the dental arches. Thus, this finding would be beneficial for orthodontic patients at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) as 3D record for comprehensive diagnosis and consequently successful orthodontic treatment planning

Does the type and size of Amplatzer vascular plug affect the occlusion time of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations?

PURPOSE:Occlusion time (OT) is an important factor in the treatment of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) since it can lead to serious complications. The purpose of our study is to calculate the OT of Amplatzer vascular plug (AVP, St Jude Medical), and correlate it to the type of the device used (AVP or AVP 2) and the percent of device oversizing. Technical success rates and complications were also recorded.METHODS:We retrospectively studied a total of 19 patients with 47 PAVMs who received percutaneous transcatheter embolization therapy using either AVP or AVP 2. We recorded the location, type, feeding artery diameter, AVP device used, and OT of each PAVM. We correlated the percent of device oversizing and the type of AVP with the OT. We also studied the rate of persistence of PAVM for both devices.RESULTS:Forty-six (98%) of the PAVMs were simple. Device diameters ranged from 4.0–16.0 mm with device oversizing ranging between 14% and 120%. There was a statistically significant difference in the OT of AVP and AVP 2 (3 min 54 s vs. 5 min 30 s, P = 0.030). There was a weak positive correlation between OT and device oversizing for AVP (r=0.246, P = 0.324) and AVP 2 (r=0.261, P = 0.240). No major complications were identified. Immediate technical success rate was 100%CONCLUSION:The use of AVP 2, and increase in device oversizing were not associated with reduction in the OT of PAVMs. There was no reported difference in safety between the two devices, and no major complications were noted

Regulating E-Cigarettes: Why Policies Diverge

This paper, part of a festschrift in honor of Professor Malcolm Feeley, explores the landscape of e-cigarette policy globally by looking at three jurisdictions that have taken starkly different approaches to regulating e-cigarettes—the US, Japan, and China. Each of those countries has a robust tobacco industry, government agencies entrusted with protecting public health, an active and sophisticated scientific and medical community, and a regulatory structure for managing new pharmaceutical, tobacco, and consumer products. All three are signatories of the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, all are signatories of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, and all are members of the World Trade Organization. Which legal, economic, social and political differences between the three countries explain their diverse approaches to regulating e-cigarettes? Why have they embraced such dramatically different postures toward e-cigarettes? In seeking to answer those questions, the paper builds on Feeley\u27s legacy of comparative scholarship, policy analysis, and focus on law in action

Validation of the Malay version of the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale and the prevalence of dental anxiety in a Malaysian population

Aim: The aims of the present study were to evaluate the reliability and validityof the Malay version of the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS), and todetermine the prevalence of dental anxiety and associated factors in a Malaysianpopulation.Methods: A Malay-language questionnaire with questions to elicit demographicand dental care-related information, and the Malay version of the MDAS, wereadministered to 455 patients at the dental outpatient clinics of the HospitalUniversiti Sains Malaysia. Factor analysis and internal consistency statisticswere generated. A test–retest of the questionnaire was performed with 30 participants.Results: Cronbach’s alpha was 0.854, indicating good internal consistency. Factoranalysis yielded results showing good validity. Approximately 3.5% of theparticipants expressed the highest levels of anxiety. Dental anxiety was significantlyhigher among females than males. Age correlated inversely with dentalanxiety. Individuals seeking dental care only if a problem appeared had significantlymore anxiety than regular attendees. Patients who postponed treatmentbecause of fear had significantly higher anxiety levels than those who delayedtreatment for other reasons. Past adverse dental experience exacerbated dentalanxiety.Conclusion: The Malay version of the MDAS had good reliability and validity.Anxiety levels found in the Malaysians studied were comparable to participantsfrom other countries

Urgent-Start Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Placement: Comparative Study between Percutaneous Image-Guided versus Laparoscopic Techniques

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes and complications of percutaneous image-guided versus laparoscopic peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter placement techniques in the urgent-start setting. Materials and Methods: The medical records of 273 patients who had their first PD catheter between November 2012 and May 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into radiologic group (n = 26) and laparoscopic group (n = 16). Descriptive and Kaplan–Meier (KM) analysis were used to compare time to first complication, time to catheter removal, and patient survival between the two groups. Complication-free and catheter removal rates at 1, 3, and 12 months were estimated from KM analysis. Results: A total of 42 patients were included in the study. The baseline demographics were similar between the two groups. In the radiologic group, the estimated 1, 3, and 12 months' complication-free rate were 100%, 94%, and 67%, respectively, which was not significantly different from 93%, 85%, and 45%, respectively, in the laparoscopic group (P = 0.543). The rate of catheter complications was not significantly different between the radiologic group (50%) and the laparoscopic group (31%) (P = 0.3382). The catheter removal rate in the radiologic group was 8, 18%, and 38% at 1, 3, and 12 months, respectively, versus 0%, 8%, and 20%, respectively, in the laparoscopic group (P = 0.298). The overall patient survival between two groups was not significantly different (P = 0.116) with estimated patient mortality of 15.4% at 12 months in the radiologic group and no deaths in the laparoscopic group. Conclusion: Image-guided percutaneously placed PD catheters have a similar complication and removal rates compared to laparoscopically placed catheters in the urgent-start setting