Enhanced Diagnostic Precision: Assessing Tumor Differentiation in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Using Multi-Slice Spiral CT Texture Analysis.

This study explores the efficacy of texture analysis by using preoperative multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) to non-invasively determine the grade of cellular differentiation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In a retrospective study, MSCT scans of patients with HNSCC were analyzed and classified based on its histological grade as moderately differentiated, well-differentiated, or poorly differentiated. The location of the tumor was categorized as either in the bone or in soft tissues.

Women's Empowerment and Associated Factors in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo: A Secondary Data Analysis of the Performance Monitoring Assessment Survey.

Empowering women and promoting gender equality is crucial for accelerating sustainable development in fragile countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). However, there is scarce existing knowledge or understanding of the factors determining women's empowerment in these contexts. We aimed to assess women's empowerment and determine its associated factors in Kinshasa, DRC.

Current evidence for hypopressive exercises in healthy women: A systematic review.

Background: Hypopressive exercises have been mainly used in the treatment of pelvic floor dysfunctions. Recently it has started to spread among healthy women. However, no comprehensive review is available in this population.

Texture Analysis of Temporomandibular Joint Disc Changes Associated with Effusion Using Magnetic Resonance Images.

Unlabelled: The purpose of this study was to identify changes in the temporomandibular joint disc affected by effusion by using texture analysis of magnetic resonance images (MRIs).

Methods: A total of 223 images of the TMJ, 42 with joint effusion and 181 without, were analyzed. Three consecutive slices were then exported to MaZda software, in which two oval ROIs (one in the anterior band and another in the intermediate zone of the joint disc) were determined in each slice and eleven texture parameters were calculated by using a gray-level co-occurrence matrix.

Women's voices and meanings of empowerment for reproductive decisions: a qualitative study in Mozambique.

Background: Women in Mozambique are often disempowered when it comes to making decisions concerning their lives, including their bodies and reproductive options. This study aimed to explore the views of women in Mozambique about key elements of empowerment for reproductive decisions and the meanings they attach to these elements.

Methods: Qualitative in-depth interviews were undertaken with 64 women of reproductive age (18-49 years) in two provinces in Mozambique.

Green Synthesis of Er-Doped ZnO Nanoparticles: An Investigation on the Methylene Blue, Eosin, and Ibuprofen Removal by Photodegradation.

We present a study on the green synthesis of undoped and Er-doped ZnO compounds using gum (MI). A set of tests were conducted to assess the structure of the material. The tests included X-ray diffraction, Raman, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy.

Evaluation of a Decision Support System Developed with Deep Learning Approach for Detecting Dental Caries with Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Imaging.

This study aims to investigate the effect of using an artificial intelligence (AI) system (Diagnocat, Inc., San Francisco, CA, USA) for caries detection by comparing cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) evaluation results with and without the software. 500 CBCT volumes are scored by three dentomaxillofacial radiologists for the presence of caries separately on a five-point confidence scale without and with the aid of the AI system.

Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of the disc morphology of temporomandibular joint in patients with severe hemophilia.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the morphological differences in the articular disc (AD) between hemophilic patients and healthy individuals of the control group for further association with signs and symptoms.

Methods: Fourteen severe hemophilic patients had their AD evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The morphological findings were compared to those of a control group consisting of 14 healthy individuals.

Conductive carbon paint: An efficient way to electrodeposit metallic nanowires by using porous membranes.

The present work demonstrates that conductive carbon paint, used for sample preparation in electron microscopy, can be a more straightforward and as-effective substitute for the metallic layer deposition usually used for the electrodeposition of metallic nanowires within porous membranes. AFM images demonstrated the good surface quality of the carbon layer. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the high crystallinity of carbon and high density of π-electrons.

Cone-beam computed tomography texture analysis can help differentiate odontogenic and non-odontogenic maxillary sinusitis.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess texture analysis (TA) of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images as a quantitative tool for the differential diagnosis of odontogenic and non-odontogenic maxillary sinusitis (OS and NOS, respectively).

Materials And Methods: CBCT images of 40 patients diagnosed with OS (N=20) and NOS (N=20) were evaluated. The gray level co-occurrence (GLCM) matrix parameters, and gray level run length matrix texture (GLRLM) parameters were extracted using manually placed regions of interest on lesion images.

How women's empowerment influences fertility-related outcomes and contraceptive practices: A cross-sectional study in Mozambique.

Women's empowerment could be a crucial step for tackling gender inequality and improve women's reproductive health and rights in Mozambique. This study aims to examine how different domains of women's empowerment influence fertility-related outcomes and contraceptive practices in Mozambique. We used the 2015 Demographic Health Survey (DHS) conducted in Mozambique from which a sample of 2072 women aged 15 to 49 years were selected and included in this analysis.

Biological and chemical properties of five mineral oxides and of mineral trioxide aggregate repair high plasticity: an in vitro study.

Calcium silicate-based cements have diverse applications in endodontics. This study aimed to evaluate the antibiofilm action, biocompatibility, morphological structure, chemical composition and radiopacity of Five Mineral Oxides (5MO), Mineral Trioxide Aggregate Repair High Plasticity (MTA Repair HP), and Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) cements. MTT analysis was used to test the antibiofilm action of these cements against five anaerobic microorganisms, and test their biocompatibility with mouse macrophage (RAW 264.

Patients and healthcare professionals perspectives on creating a chronic pain support line in Portugal: A qualitative study protocol.

Chronic pain affects almost 38% of the Portuguese adult population, with high costs for both patients and society. Those who suffer with chronic pain frequently complain of feeling misunderstood and of lack of support. These complaints are the main reason why support telephone lines for chronic pain were created in some countries.

Acceptance and Adherence to COVID-19 Vaccination-The Role of Cognitive and Emotional Representations.

Vaccine hesitation is a topic of utmost importance, with the COVID-19 pandemic serving as a clear reminder of its timeliness. Besides evaluating COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in a sample of Portuguese people, this study aims at understanding cognitive and emotional representations related to vaccination, and their influence on vaccination hesitation. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between 27 December 2020 and 27 January 2021.

Magnetic resonance imaging texture analysis for quantitative evaluation of the mandibular condyle in juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Objectives: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the joints and other organs, including the development of the former in a growing child. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of texture analysis (TA) based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to provide biomarkers that serve to identify patients likely to progress to temporomandibular joint damage by associating JIA with age, gender and disease onset age.

Methods: The radiological database was retrospectively reviewed.

Fracture resistance and biomechanical behavior of different access cavities of maxillary central incisors restored with different composite resins.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of three different access cavities on the tissue removal, deflection, fracture resistance, and stress distribution of extracted maxillary central incisors.

Materials And Methods: Forty human maxillary central incisors were randomly assigned in four experimental group (n = 10) including conservative access cavity "CAC," traditional access cavity "TAC," invasive access cavity "IAC," and without access cavity (control group). Cone-beam computed tomography "CBCT" scans were used to evaluate the tissue removal during the different access cavities.

In vivo study of cone beam computed tomography texture analysis of mandibular condyle and its correlation with gender and age.

Objective: Texture analysis is an image processing method that aims to assess the distribution of gray-level intensity and spatial organization of the pixels in the image. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the texture analysis applied to cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images could detect variation in the condyle trabecular bone of individuals from different age groups and genders.

Methods: The sample consisted of imaging exams from 63 individuals divided into three groups according to age groups of 03-13, 14-24 and 25-34.

"There Are Things We Can Do and There Are Things We Cannot Do." A Qualitative Study About Women's Perceptions on Empowerment in Relation to Fertility Intentions and Family Planning Practices in Mozambique.

Introduction: The restrictive socio-cultural norms in Mozambique limit the power of women to decide, voice, and act on their reproductive choices. This study aimed to explore women's perceptions and experiences of empowerment relating to fertility intentions and family planning practices in Mozambique, focusing on facilitators and barriers toward reproductive empowerment.

Methods: Qualitative in-depth interviews were undertaken with women of reproductive age (18-49 years) in Nampula and Maputo provinces and Maputo city, Mozambique.

Quantitative Evaluation of Postprocessing Filter for Metal Artifact Reduction in Cone Beam Computed Tomography Images of Titanium and Zirconium Dioxide Implants.

Objective: To evaluate a postprocessing filter of a new imaging-processing software for analysis of metal artifact reduction.

Methods: Eight artificial edentulous mandibles (phantoms), where titanium and zirconium dioxide implants had been installed in four different regions (i.e.

Temporomandibular joint in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: magnetic resonance imaging measurements and their correlation with imaging findings.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the TMJ components in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and to compare them with a control group based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements.

Methods: This study comprised an assessment of MRI measurements of 96 temporomandibular joints (TMJ) following classification criteria set by the International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR). Three measurements were considered for study: condyle excursion angle (CEA), height of articular eminence (HAE) and inclination of articular eminence (IAE).

Pain as the fifth vital sign-A comparison between public and private healthcare systems.

Background: The assessment of pain as the fifth vital sign (P5VS) is of paramount importance since it leads to the management of undertreated pain, consequently reducing suffering, readmissions and emergency department visits after hospital discharge.

Objective: To evaluate the implementation of P5VS in public and private hospitals.

Methods: Data analysis on validated questionnaires was sent to all 171 Portuguese hospitals via an official letter.

Enzyme activities in a sandy soil of Western Bahia under cotton production systems: short-term effects, temporal variability, and the FERTBIO sample concept.

Enzyme activities (EAs) and the FERTBIO sample concept have been increasingly adopted as a novel approach to estimate the soil quality in Brazil. However, the performance of this strategy in sandy soils of the Cerrado biome remains unclear. During 2 years, in a Cerrado's sandy soil, the short-term effects of ten different cropping systems (conventional tillage or no-tillage associated with monoculture, rotations, and/or successions) on the activities of β-glucosidase, acid phosphatase, and arylsulfatase were studied.

TLR4 Antagonism Reduces Movement-Induced Nociception and ATF-3 Expression in Experimental Osteoarthritis.

Introduction: Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is a pattern recognition receptor involved in the detection of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), but also a "danger-sensing" receptor that recognizes host-derived endogenous molecules called damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). The involvement of TLR4 in rheumatic diseases is becoming evident, as well as its potential role as a target for therapeutic intervention. Moreover, increasing evidence also suggests that TLR4 is implicated in chronic pain states.

Portuguese Version of the Intentional Non-Adherence Scale: Validation in a Population of Chronic Pain Patients.

Despite the effectiveness of pain medicines, nonadherence to prescribed medication remains a major problem faced by healthcare systems. The aim of present study was to perform the translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of the Intentional Non-Adherence Scale (INAS) for the European Portuguese language in a sample of chronic pain patients. A Portuguese version of the INAS scale was constructed through a process of translation, back translation, and expert's panel evaluation.

Is age rating enough to investigate changes in breathing motion pattern associated with aging of physically active women?

The most common way to analyze the effect of aging on breathing is to divide subjects into age groups. However, in addition to the fact that there is no consensus in the literature regarding age group division, such design critically influences the interpretation of the effects attributed to aging. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the feasibility to distinguish different age groups from the 3D kinematic variables of breathing motion (i.