Shape analysis of the craniofacial skeleton in children prenatally exposed to anticonvulsant medications using geometric morphometrics.

Children exposed prenatally to antiepileptic drugs may have a typical facies characterized by midfacial retrusion, a short nose, and anteverted nares. Our aim was to determine whether the shape of the maxilla was altered in its sagittal displacement, or whether the defect in the underlying articulation with the cranial base was responsible for the appearance of midface retrusion. Our hypothesis was that the sphenoid bone as well as the maxilla and other bones in the cranial base were affected by the anticonvulsant medication.

A probability model for estimating age in young individuals relative to key legal thresholds: 15, 18 or 21-year.

Age estimations are relevant for pre-trial detention, sentencing in criminal cases and as part of the evaluation in asylum processes to protect the rights and privileges of minors. No current method can determine an exact chronological age due to individual variations in biological development. This study seeks to develop a validated statistical model for estimating an age relative to key legal thresholds (15, 18, and 21 years) based on a skeletal (CT-clavicle, radiography-hand/wrist or MR-knee) and tooth (radiography-third molar) developmental stages.

A machine learning approach for age prediction based on trigeminal landmarks.

Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate the chronological age (CA) of a growing individual using a new machine learning approach on Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT).

Materials And Methods: The dataset included 48 CBCT and hand-wrist radiographs of growing individuals. 12 landmarks related to trigeminal trajectories were plotted on each CBCT and principal component analysis was applied for dimensionality reduction.

Effect of Sleeping Disorders on the Growth Parameters of Lebanese Children.

Background: Sleep is a vital physiological function for the maintenance of health and quality of life by ensuring body rest and restoring its energy levels. Remarkably, some children have sleep disordered breathing (SDB) that can disturb their normal sleep and affect the quality of their lives.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between SDB and growth impairments and wether the growth parameters vary among genders.

Maxillary dimensions and arch shape with palatally displaced canines.

Background/objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the effect of palatally displaced canines on maxillary dimensions and arch shape.

Methods: Occlusal and skeletal landmarks were plotted on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 156 orthodontic patients: 78 with palatally displaced canines (PDC) (27 left, 28 right, and 23 bilateral) and 78 controls using Mimics™ (Materialise, Belgium). Arch forms were created, and arch width, depth, and skeletal dimensions were measured.

Effect of septal deviation on nasomaxillary shape: A geometric morphometric study.

Nasal cavities in their primitive stage communicate with the oral cavity until the 8th week of intrauterine life where the posterior palate initiates its development. Hence, starting from the initial growth phases, a significant connection lays between the nasal structures and the maxillary bone and witnessing key functional roles, among which the respiration. Proper nasal breathing has been proven to be a crucial factor for the maturity of the craniofacial complex, and obstruction of the respiratory airway due to nasal septum deviation can generate clinically significant reduction of the nasal airflow.

Spoligotyping of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates using Luminex®-based method in Lebanon.

Introduction: Data about the genotypes of circulating Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates (MTB) in Lebanon are scarce. This study was undertaken to reveal the spoligotypes of MTB isolates recovered from patients in Lebanon.

Methodology: MTB isolates from 49 patients living in Lebanon were recovered and identified.

Predictability of Craniofacial Skeletal Age with Geometric Morphometries.

Aim: This study aims to estimate skeletal age of craniofacial shape obtained from cone beam computed tomography (CBCT)-defined facial and basicranial landmarks using geometric morphometrics method in a random sample of growing patients, and explore the correlation between craniofacial shape and skeletal age as determined from hand and wrist radiograph.

Materials And Methods: Generalized Procrustes analysis (GPA) of craniofacial shape with estimation of centroid size was performed on CBCTs of 48 growing patients (mean age 11.7 ± 1.

BioAlder: a tool for assessing chronological age based on two radiological methods.

We have created the tool BioAlder as an age prediction model based on the systems Greulich and Pyle (hand) and the Demirjian's grading of the third molar tooth. The model compiles information from studies representing a total of 17,151 individuals from several parts of the world. The model offers a solution where issues as group-wise data format and age mimicry bias are bypassed.

Genotyping of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Lebanon using a novel rapid spoligotyping multiplex luminex method.

Introduction: Incidence of Tuberculosis (TB) in Lebanon, according to the WHO, is estimated to be 35 cases per 100,000 people. However, data about the genotypes of circulating Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates (MTB) in this country is lacking. This study aims to reveal the genotypes of TB isolates recovered from patients in Lebanon.

Dental and Skeletal Age Estimations in Lebanese Children: A Retrospective Cross-sectional Study.

Aims And Objectives: Assessing dental and bone ages is frequently required in a wide range of fields such as odontology, forensic science, as well as orthopedics. The aim of this study was to evaluate applicability of two methods of bone age assessment and two methods of dental age (DA) assessment for Lebanese children.

Materials And Methods: Skeletal age (SA) of 260 orthodontic patients (124 males, 136 females divided into four groups each) was consecutively assessed using Greulich and Pyle and Fishman's SMI methods.

TUBERCULOSIS BURDEN IN LEBANON: EVOLUTION AND CURRENT STATUS.

Background: In the absence of surveillance data and consolidated information about tuberculosis (TB) and its drug resistance burden in Lebanon, this retrospective study was conducted to shed light on TB and its other relevant aspects over the last 15 years in this country.

Methods: To generate the TB data for this retrospective study, two main sources were used: 1) the records of patients in the National Tuberculosis Program (NTP); 2) the results of the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory (CML) at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC). The TB data review pertained to its epidemiological aspect, implementation of the directly observed therapy strategy (DOTS) all over, the gender distribution, the impact of high risk groups (non-national population, Syrian refugees, patients with multi-drug resistance-TB [MDR-TB] and the inmate population) on the trend of TB in Lebanon between 1999 and 2013.