Design and development of opto-neural processors for simulation of neural networks trained in image detection for potential implementation in hybrid robotics

Neural networks have been employed for a wide range of processing applications like image processing, motor control, object detection and many others. Living neural networks offer advantages of lower power consumption, faster processing, and biological realism. Optogenetics offers high spatial and temporal control over biological neurons and presents potential in training live neural networks. This work proposes a simulated living neural network trained indirectly by backpropagating STDP based algorithms using precision activation by optogenetics achieving accuracy comparable to traditional neural network training algorithms

Convolutional Neural Network Based Analysis - An Aid to Diagnose Bacterial and Fungal Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis may be classified as Bacterial (Actinomycotic), Fungal (Mucormycotic), or combined based on the etiological agent. During histopathological examination, there is a high chance that bacterial colonies or fungal hyphae may be missed by the human eye, especially when there is a paucity of organisms. This may lead to a faulty diagnosis of the type of osteomyelitis which along with an improper treatment plan would cause further progression of the disease and various other complications. Therefore, the diagnosis of the exact etiological variant of osteomyelitis is of prime importance to design an appropriate treatment plan. In the present study, bone parameters based on the osseous changes, were used to diagnose Osteomyelitis by employing Machine Learning through Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN). No studies in literature have utilized a CNN based analysis to differentiate between Bacterial and Fungal Osteomyelitis based on the osseous changes which would help in designing an appropriate treatment plan

Automated Micronuclei Detection in Exfoliated Oral Epithelial Cells of Smokers using Image Analysing Softwares

Micronuclei assay yields an excellent path to monitor individuals or populations exposed to mutagenic, genotoxic or teratogenic events. Micronuclei are small nucleic structures formed due to the deposition of nuclear envelopes around lagging chromosomes that persist in the interphase. Mutagenic and carcinogenic compounds, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and N-nitrosamines are believed to be responsible for the formation of micronuclei. Hence, micronuclei detection in exfoliated oral epithelial cells of smokers is a significant biomarker for genotoxicity and to identify cellular changes of biological importance to carcinogenesis. While studies have been conducted for the detection of micronuclei in smokers, they may easily be missed in regular histopathological sections when viewed under the microscope. Automation of micronuclei detection can prove to be a relatively convenient, accurate and time saving process. An artificial intelligence-based software, MATLAB, is a more refined and precise tool used in recent times for image analysis. This study aimed at employing MATLAB for micronuclei detection in exfoliated cells of smokers

Convolutional Neural Network based Machine Learning for Ameloglyphics: A Forensic Analysis

Convolutional Neural Network based Machine Learning for Ameloglyphics: A Forensic Analysis Sanjana Shetty, Sowmya SV , Dominic Augustine, Saiprasad Alva, Mukul Saini Author Affiliations: Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology and Oral Microbiology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, MS Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, MSR Nagar, Bengaluru-560054, Karnataka, India. Purpose: Tooth prints, considered to be the hard tissue analogues of finger prints have been studied extensively over the years by manual and in some cases, digital methods. While Artificial intelligence and Machine Learning have witnessed a steady rise in their applications in various fields with promising results, its utility in ameloglyphics has not been tried and tested. This study employed Machine learning through Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to analyse enamel prints. The aim of this study was to analyse tooth prints through Convolutional Neural Network based technology and correlate the patterns with gender and age. Methods: The study was done on a sample size of 39 extracted deciduous teeth and 51 extracted permanent teeth. The surface of the teeth were acid etched and the enamel prints were taken by means of cellulose acetate strips. The obtained prints were photographed, subjected to manual analysis and classified into three patterns. CNN was then used for training and testing the data sets. Results: CNN was successfully trained and tested for its ability to identify and differentiate ameloglyphic patterns. Significant differences were observed between the enamel prints of the two genders and between the analysed age groups. Ameloglyphic patterns, being unique to individuals, act as aids in personal identification and hold immense value in mass disaster situations where soft tissues being friable are seldom preserved. Enamel being highly resilient and resistant to various degrading actions such as heat and acid, can be a crucial tool for human identification in such circumstances. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning based CNN for the analysis of these enamel prints can simplify and potentially replace the conventional methods. Conclusions: Ameloglyphics for personal identification is a significant forensic tool. Ameloglyphic analysis via CNN based machine learning was found to be accurate, cost effective and time efficient. The analysis of tooth prints by manual means can be a cumbersome process and the incorporation of AI and ML for the same, as observed in this study, can overcome this drawback. Hence, CNN for ameloglyphic analysis is a reliable tool

OCCLUSION IN IMPLANT-AT A GLANCE

Objectives: Occlusion is a critical and very important component for the clinical success and longevity of dental implants. This review article focuses on the various aspects of implant protective occlusion. Our scientific literature regarding implant occlusion, particularly in implant-supported fixed dental prostheses remains controversial.Materials and methods: A search strategy was performed in MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar with keywords – ‘implants’ and ‘occlusion’, ‘implants’ and ‘fixed prosthesis, ‘implants’ and ‘fixed dental prostheses’, ‘implants’ and ‘partial edentulism’, ‘implants’ and ‘complications’, ‘implants’ and ‘failures’, ‘implants’ and ‘cantilever’, ‘implants’ and ‘occlusal load’.Results: 135 articles were retrieved. After hand search a total of 290 articles were identified. Ultimately, 30 articles were selected and summarized and discussed as they met the selection criteria.Conclusion: Most of the available clinical data are controversial. Implant-protected occlusion can be accomplished by decreasing the width of the occlusal table and improving the direction of force. By doing these things, we can minimize overload on bone-implant interfaces and implant prostheses, to maintain an implant load within the physiological limits of individualized occlusion, and ultimately provide long-term stability of implants and implant prostheses. Current clinical practices rely heavily on principles extracted from the natural dentition or removable dental prostheses on complete edentulous patients and on expert opinions

Torque Control During Intrusion on Upper Central Incisor in Labial and Lingual bracket System - A 3D Finite Element Study

The aim of present study was to investigate the difference of torque control during intrusive force on upper central incisors with normal, under and high torque in lingual and labial orthodontic systems through 3D finite element analysis. Six 3D models of an upper right central incisor with different torque were designed in Solid Works 2006. Software ANSYS Version 16.0 was used to evaluate intrusive force on upper central incisor model . An intrusive force of 0.15 N was applied to the bracket slot in different torque models and the displacements along a path of nodes in the upper central incisor was assessed. On application of Intrusive force on under torqued upper central incisor in Labial system produce labial crown movement but in Lingual system caused lingual movement in the apical and incisal parts. The same intrusive force in normal-torqued central incisor led to a palatal movement in apical and labial displacement of incisal edge in Lingual system and a palatal displacement in apical area and a labial movement in the incisal edge in Labial systemin. In overtorqued upper central incisor, the labial crown displacement in Labial system is more than Lingual system. In labial and lingual system on application of the same forces in upper central incisor with different inclinations showed different responses. The magnitudes of torque Loss during intrusive loads in incisors with normal, under and over-torque were higher in Labial system than Lingual orthodontic appliances

Survival in Patients with Primary Parotid Gland Carcinoma after Surgery—Results of a Single-Centre Study

This study aims to analyse a single-centre cohort series of patients who underwent parotidectomy for primary malignant parotid tumours. A retrospective chart review of 64 consecutive patients treated from November 2010 to March 2022 was performed. Outcomes were analysed by Kaplan-Meier curves. Sixty-four patients with a primary parotid malignancy were included in the study, with one bilateral case in this cohort. Patients were classified as stage I–II in 39 cases and stage III–IV in 26 cases. The five-year overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), local relapse-free survival (LRFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rates were 78.4%, 89%, 92.5%, and 87.1%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that high-risk histology, stage IV disease, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, node metastasis, skin involvement, facial nerve involvement, and positive or close margins were risk factors associated with poorer outcomes. At present, the best evidence suggests that radical surgery should be the standard approach, and adjuvant therapy, in terms of radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy, is recommended in patients with risk factors

Task-shifting HIV counselling and testing services in Zambia: the role of lay counsellors

BACKGROUND: The human resource shortage in Zambia is placing a heavy burden on the few health care workers available at health facilities. The Zambia Prevention, Care and Treatment Partnership began training and placing community volunteers as lay counsellors in order to complement the efforts of the health care workers in providing HIV counselling and testing services. These volunteers are trained using the standard national counselling and testing curriculum. This study was conducted to review the effectiveness of lay counsellors in addressing staff shortages and the provision of HIV counselling and testing services.METHODS: Quantitative and qualitative data were collected by means of semistructured interviews from all active lay counsellors in each of the facilities and a facility manager or counselling supervisor overseeing counseling and testing services and clients. At each of the 10 selected facilities, all counselling and testing record books for the month of May 2007 were examined and any recordkeeping errors were tallied by cadre. Qualitative data were collected through focus group discussions with health care workers at each facility.RESULTS: Lay counsellors provide counselling and testing services of quality and relieve the workload of overstretched health care workers. Facility managers recognize and appreciate the services provided by lay counsellors. Lay counsellors provide up to 70% of counselling and testing services at health facilities. The data review revealed lower error rates for lay counsellors, compared to health care workers, in completing the counselling and testing registers.CONCLUSION: Community volunteers, with approved training and ongoing supervision, can play a major role at health facilities to provide counselling and testing services of quality, and relieve the burden on already overstretched health care workers