scholarly journals http://www.iqnjm.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Unmet-health-care-work-s-2-No..pdf

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arwa Almajidy ◽  
Sabah Naji

Background: Clinodactyly or inclination of the digits, particularly the fifth digit, is a congenital anomaly of the hand that occurs in 1% to 19.5% of the population. This deformity requires reconstruction of both the functional and the aesthetic appearance of the finger, if it is severe, to avoid future growth deformity. Objective: The study aims to review the outcomes and the complications associated with closing and reverse wedge osteotomy techniques for treating clinodactyly. Patients and Methods: Ten patients’ ten fingers with clinodactyly were submitted for reconstruction from March 2014 to May 2016 in the Al Wasity teaching hospital in Baghdad. They were treated using the closing and reverse wedge osteotomy techniques. In the closing wedge procedure, a wedge was removed from the most convex part of the middle phalanx. Subsequently, the finger is aligned in the midaxial plane and repaired with 2 K-wires. In the reverse wedge osteotomy, the wedge was rotated 180 degrees and reinserted into the bone gap with the wide end first. This buttressed the osteotomy open. Subsequently, the K-wires were inserted in retrograde fashion, maintaining the graft’s position. Then, dressing was applied with the small splint from the PIP to the tip of the finger. Results: After a 15-month follow-up, all the patients showed satisfactory results aesthetically and the functionally—with full range of motion. There was no recurrence in any case. Only one case had residual angulation and no major complications were encountered. Conclusion: The closing and reverse wedge osteotomy was proven effective in treating clinodactyly. The closing wedge is simpler than the reverse wedge. The technical difficulty of reverse wedge osteotomy may make it a less appealing option to surgeons but the outcomes we had were rewarding, both techniques provided good overall correction of angulation in one stage, and straightforward procedure, with few complications, good aesthetic outcome and patient satisfaction with improved function. Keywords: clinodactyly, closing wedge, reverse wedge

2010 ◽  
pp. 52-72
Author(s):  
Serena Zacchigna ◽  
Mauro Giacca

Since the early days of gene therapy, both the scientific community and the public have perceived the ethical challenges intrinsic to this discipline. First, the technology exploited by gene therapy is still experimental and burdened by important safety issues. Second, in several instances gene therapy aims at stably modifying the genetic characteristics of individuals. Third, the same modifications could in principle be applied also to embryos, foetuses or germ cells. Finally, while gene therapy applications are generally accepted for therapeutic purposes, the same gene transfer technologies could also be exploited to improve the aesthetic appearance, or the physical and intellectual performance of people. The definition of suitable guidelines for a controlled, ethically accepted translation of gene therapy to the clinics remains a major challenge for the near future.


PeerJ ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. e1390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas F. Haas ◽  
Marine Guibert ◽  
Anja Foerschner ◽  
Tim Co ◽  
Sandi Calhoun ◽  
...  

The natural beauty of coral reefs attracts millions of tourists worldwide resulting in substantial revenues for the adjoining economies. Although their visual appearance is a pivotal factor attracting humans to coral reefs current monitoring protocols exclusively target biogeochemical parameters, neglecting changes in their aesthetic appearance. Here we introduce a standardized computational approach to assess coral reef environments based on 109 visual features designed to evaluate the aesthetic appearance of art. The main feature groups include color intensity and diversity of the image, relative size, color, and distribution of discernable objects within the image, and texture. Specific coral reef aesthetic values combining all 109 features were calibrated against an established biogeochemical assessment (NCEAS) using machine learning algorithms. These values were generated for ∼2,100 random photographic images collected from 9 coral reef locations exposed to varying levels of anthropogenic influence across 2 ocean systems. Aesthetic values proved accurate predictors of the NCEAS scores (root mean square error < 5 forN≥ 3) and significantly correlated to microbial abundance at each site. This shows that mathematical approaches designed to assess the aesthetic appearance of photographic images can be used as an inexpensive monitoring tool for coral reef ecosystems. It further suggests that human perception of aesthetics is not purely subjective but influenced by inherent reactions towards measurable visual cues. By quantifying aesthetic features of coral reef systems this method provides a cost efficient monitoring tool that targets one of the most important socioeconomic values of coral reefs directly tied to revenue for its local population.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (8) ◽  
pp. 964-971 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian M. Foran ◽  
Nasima Mehraban ◽  
Stephen K. Jacobsen ◽  
Daniel D. Bohl ◽  
Johnny Lin ◽  
...  

Background: Shortening and dorsiflexion of the first metatarsal are known potential side effects of metatarsal osteotomies for hallux valgus (HV) with the potential to cause transfer metatarsalgia. We compared the effect of the first tarsometatarsal joint arthrodesis (Lapidus procedure), proximal lateral closing wedge osteotomy (PLCWO), and intermetatarsal suture button fixation procedures on the length and dorsiflexion of the first ray. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 105 feet in 99 patients with 30 weeks of follow-up. The average age was 54 years. Seventy-four feet had a Lapidus procedure, 12 had a PLCWO, and 19 had intermetatarsal suture button fixation. Digital radiographic measurements were made for the pre- and postoperative hallux valgus angle (HVA) and intermetatarsal angle (IMA), absolute and relative shortening of the first ray, and dorsiflexion. Results: Preoperative HVA and IMA did not differ between treatment groups ( P > .05 for each). Similar corrections of HVA (30.5-13.5 degrees) were achieved between all groups ( P > .05). The IMA was improved more in the Lapidus group (14.3-6.5 degrees) compared with the suture button fixation group (14.2-8.1 degrees) ( P = .045). There were significant differences in the change in absolute first cuneiform–metatarsal length (FCML) between the Lapidus (–1.6 mm), PLCWO (–2.3 mm), and intermetatarsal suture button fixation (+1.9 mm) procedure ( P = .004). There were also significant differences in relative first metatarsal shortening between the Lapidus (0.1 mm relative shortening), PLCWO (1.1 mm relative shortening), and intermetatarsal suture button fixation (1.3 mm lengthening) procedure ( P < .001). The average dorsiflexion differed between the Lapidus (1.8 degrees) and suture button fixation (0.4 degrees) groups ( P = .004). Conclusion: Intermetatarsal suture button fixation relatively lengthened the first ray, the Lapidus procedure maintained length, and the PLCWO relatively and absolutely shortened it. Dorsiflexion may be higher with the Lapidus and osteotomy procedures. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative series.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisa Mussi ◽  
Rocco Furferi ◽  
Yary Volpe ◽  
Flavio Facchini ◽  
Kathleen S. McGreevy ◽  
...  

Microtia is a congenital malformation affecting one in 5000 individuals and is characterized by physical deformity or absence of the outer ear. Nowadays, surgical reconstruction with autologous tissue is the most common clinical practice. The procedure requires a high level of manual and artistic techniques of a surgeon in carving and sculpting of harvested costal cartilage of the patient to recreate an auricular framework to insert within a skin pocket obtained at the malformed ear region. The aesthetic outcomes of the surgery are highly dependent on the experience of the surgeon performing the surgery. For this reason, surgeons need simulators to acquire adequate technical skills out of the surgery room without compromising the aesthetic appearance of the patient. The current paper aims to describe and analyze the different materials and methods adopted during the history of autologous ear reconstruction (AER) simulation to train surgeons by practice on geometrically and mechanically accurate physical replicas. Recent advances in 3D modelling software and manufacturing technologies to increase the effectiveness of AER simulators are particularly described to provide more recent outcomes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. E14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Velz ◽  
Flavio Vasella ◽  
Kevin Akeret ◽  
Sandra F. Dias ◽  
Elisabeth Jehli ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVESkin depressions may appear as undesired effects after burr-hole trepanation for the evacuation of chronic subdural hematomas (cSDH). Placement of burr-hole covers to reconstruct skull defects can prevent skin depressions, with the potential to improve the aesthetic result and patient satisfaction. The perception of the relevance of this practice, however, appears to vary substantially among neurosurgeons. The authors aimed to identify current practice variations with regard to the application of burr-hole covers after trepanation for cSDH.METHODSAn electronic survey containing 12 questions was sent to resident and faculty neurosurgeons practicing in different parts of the world, as identified by an Internet search. All responses completed between September 2018 and December 2018 were considered. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to analyze the data.RESULTSA total of 604 responses were obtained, of which 576 (95.4%) provided complete data. The respondents’ mean age was 42.4 years (SD 10.5), and 86.5% were male. The sample consisted of residents, fellows, junior/senior consultants, and department chairs from 79 countries (77.4% Europe, 11.8% Asia, 5.4% America, 3.5% Africa, and 1.9% Australasia). Skin depressions were considered a relevant issue by 31.6%, and 76.0% indicated that patients complain about skin depressions more or less frequently. Burr-hole covers are placed by 28.1% in the context of cSDH evacuation more or less frequently. The most frequent reasons for not placing a burr-hole cover were the lack of proven benefit (34.8%), followed by additional costs (21.9%), technical difficulty (19.9%), and fear of increased complications (4.9%). Most respondents (77.5%) stated that they would consider placing burr-hole covers in the future if there was evidence for superiority of the practice. The use of burr-hole covers varied substantially across countries, but a country’s gross domestic product per capita was not associated with their placement.CONCLUSIONSOnly a minority of neurosurgeons place burr-hole covers after trepanation for cSDH on a regular basis, even though the majority of participants reported complaints from patients regarding postoperative skin depressions. There are significant differences in the patterns of care among countries. Class I evidence with regard to patient satisfaction and safety of burr-hole cover placement is likely to have an impact on future cSDH management.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 1-2
Author(s):  
Kohei Otsuka

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> Historical maps rich in historical information play an important role in fields such as tourism and history education. However, for ordinary people without knowledge of historical studies, it is difficult to understand inaccurate old maps that have not undergone surveying and to comprehend them in comparison with the current city townscape. Therefore, conventionally in GIS, a large number of corresponding points are prepared between an inaccurate historical map and an accurate map, the coordinates of the historical map are converted by forming a triangular mesh and conducting coordinate complement calculation, and the entire historical map image is re-represented by coordinate conversion. However, as shown in Figure 1, with this method there is a serious problem that causes distortion in the aesthetic appearance of the historical map, and remarkable impairment. It can be said that this problem has greatly damaged opportunities to use historical maps for tourism and historical education.</p><p>In this paper, we introduce our technology to solve this problem. Our technology has been implemented in the historical map viewer named Maplat, which is available at https://github.com/code4nara/Maplat as MIT-licensed open source.</p>


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurent Guénégo ◽  
Aldo Vezzoni ◽  
Luca Vezzoni

Abstract Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate tibial anatomical-mechanical axis angles (AMA-angles) and proximodistal and craniocaudal patellar positions following tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) and AMA-based modified cranial closing wedge osteotomy (CCWO) in large dogs with tibial plateau angle (TPA) >30°, to compare these postoperative positions with those of a control group of healthy normal dogs, and to assess which procedure yields postoperative morphology of the tibiae and stifles that is most consistent with that of the unaffected group. This study also investigated whether the occurrence of patellar ligament thickening (PLT), which is commonly observed two months postoperatively after TPLO, is associated with misplacement of the osteotomy. A total of 120 dogs weighing more than 20 kg, 40 of which were control animals, were enrolled in this retrospective study. Stifles were radiographically evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively on the side with CCLR and on the healthy contralateral side and compared with clinically normal stifles. PLT was reassessed after two months.Results: Significant decreases in median patellar height ratio were found after both procedures (TPLO 0.24 (0.05–0.8); CCWO 0.22 (0.05–0.4)). The postoperative craniocaudal patellar position and the median AMA angle differed significantly among the groups (P=0.000) (TPLO 87.5% caudal to the AA and 3.12° (0.76–6.98°); CCWO 100% cranial to the AA and 0° (-1.34–0.65°); control group 5% caudal to the AA and 0.99° (0–3.39°)).At 8 weeks, PLT grade differed significantly in the two operated groups (P=0.000) (TPLO 40% 0–2, 20% 2–4, 40% >4; CCWO 98.8% 0).Conclusions: TPLO and AMA-based CCWO are associated with significant decreases in patellar height; however, the PLT results two months postoperatively differed between the two groups; the decrease in patellar height and PLT were independent of osteotomy position in the TPLO group. Compared to TPLO, CCWO results in reduced postoperative AMA angles and craniocaudal patellar positions that more closely resemble those of unaffected dogs, suggesting that the CCWO procedure allows us to better correct the caudal bowing of the proximal tibia that is often associated with deficient stifles in large dogs with TPA >30°.


2021 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 262-273
Author(s):  
Mohd Qadafie Ibrahim ◽  
Fairuz Izzuddin Romli ◽  
Hassan Alli ◽  
Eris Elianddy Supeni ◽  
Hambali Arep

One of the primary issues with many product design and development processes today is having a good balance between the elements of form and function. While all products must be able to perform their intended functions, considerations of aesthetic features are also necessary for them to be accepted as a good quality design. However, most available design and development processes of consumer products have been more focused on achieving the functional aspects and have tended to treat the aesthetic aspects as less crucial features. This approach has led to many failed functional products in the market, as their physical design lacks appealing factors to targeted users. To improve the situation, a new product design and development framework is proposed in this study to better facilitate designers or engineers in creating an all-rounded quality product design. This new method is developed based on the findings from a survey conducted among engineering students, who are future product design engineers, in order to identify and also resolve issues with the current methods that they typically apply for their design tasks. All in all, the new proposed method is fundamentally tailored to offer a structured guide for developing beautiful and useful products based on a semantic design approach.


RSBO ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 66
Author(s):  
Raisa Carolina Hintz ◽  
Rafaela Caramori Saab ◽  
Eugenio Garcia ◽  
Sergio Paulo Hilgenberg ◽  
Leonardo Fernandes da Cunha ◽  
...  

Introdução: A aparência estética é uma das preocupações do ser humano, o que leva a uma busca constante por uma estética que expresse harmonia, naturalidade e expressividade. Sendo assim, os procedimentos restauradores têm contribuído positivamente para a resolução dos desafios odontológicos estéticos. Objetivo e relato de caso: Relatar um caso clínico com associação de clareamento dental, confecção de pino intrarradicular e coroa indireta em dissilicato de lítio em que foi devolvida ao paciente a estética desejada. Pacientede 23 anos de idade fraturou o incisivo central superior direito na infância; insatisfeito com a instabilidade de cor do dente, buscou novas alternativas de tratamento. Conclusão: A associação de diferentes tratamentos na Odontologia estética pode apresentar resultados satisfatórios para o restabelecimento estético e funcional de dentes anteriores.Introduction: The aesthetic appearance is one of the human being concerns, leading to constant search for an aesthetic that expresses harmony, naturalness and expressiveness. So, the restorative procedures have contributed positively to overcome the aesthetic dentistry challenges. Objective and case report: Report a clinical case in association to dental whitening, making of intraradicular pin and indirect crown of lithium disilicate when it was returned to the patient the desired aesthetic. A 23 years old patient fractured the right central incisor in the childhood, dissatisfied with the tooth color instability, he looked for new treatment alternatives. Conclusion: The association of different treatments in the aesthetic dentistry might present satisfactory results to the aesthetic and functional reestablishment of anterior teeth.


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