Gabor-modulated depth separable convolution for retinal vessel segmentation in fundus images.

Background: In diabetic retinopathy, precise segmentation of retinal vessels is essential for accurate diagnosis and effective disease management. This task is particularly challenging due to the varying sizes of vessels, their bifurcations, and the presence of highly curved segments. While numerous automated segmentation techniques have demonstrated strong performance, deep neural networks have struggled to effectively model the geometric transformations of retinal vessels without extensive training datasets.

Assessment of smartphone-based active distraction in association with audioanalgesia for overcoming airotor-related anxiety in children: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Most children experience distress while visiting a dentist, above which the sound of the airotor and suction machine results in fear and difficulty in performing further procedures.

Methods: This was a randomized controlled parallel-group study of 40 children aged 6-13 years who required cavity preparation via the airotor. The children were randomly allocated to either Group 1 (Piano music app; active distraction combined with audio analgesia) or Group 2 (basic behavioural guidance alone).

An ensemble deep learning model for medical image fusion with Siamese neural networks and VGG-19.

Multimodal medical image fusion methods, which combine complementary information from many multi-modality medical images, are among the most important and practical approaches in numerous clinical applications. Various conventional image fusion techniques have been developed for multimodality image fusion. Complex procedures for weight map computing, fixed fusion strategy and lack of contextual understanding remain difficult in conventional and machine learning approaches, usually resulting in artefacts that degrade the image quality.

A novel approach to brain tumor detection using K-Means++, SGLDM, ResNet50, and synthetic data augmentation.

Brain tumors are abnormal cell growths in the brain, posing significant treatment challenges. Accurate early detection using non-invasive methods is crucial for effective treatment. This research focuses on improving the early detection of brain tumors in MRI images through advanced deep-learning techniques.

A deep learning model for the localization and extraction of brain tumors from MR images using YOLOv7 and grab cut algorithm.

Introduction: Brain tumors are a common disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Considering the severity of brain tumors (BT), it is important to diagnose the disease in its early stages. With advancements in the diagnostic process, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has been extensively used in disease detection.

Efficacy of Glutathione Biomolecule in Reducing the Tooth Discoloration Associated with Silver Diamine Fluoride: A Split-mouth Study.

Background: The necessity to modify silver diamine fluoride (SDF) to make it esthetically acceptable without affecting its beneficial properties keeps the research in this field pertinent.

Aim: This study aims to comparatively evaluate the efficacy of Glutathione (GSH) in reducing tooth discoloration associated with SDF.

Materials And Methods: This split-mouth study was conducted on 20 children aged 3-8 years having a minimum of 3 active carious primary teeth.

Reliability of the electric pulp tester as an indicator of pulpal anesthesia in primary maxillary posterior teeth to assess the need for supplemental injections: An observational clinical study.

Background: The primary maxillary molars occasionally remain sensitive during operative procedures even post the buccal supraperiosteal injection. This could be due to the widely flared palatal roots receiving accessory innervation from the palatal nerves. Identifying inadequate anesthesia upfront using the electric pulp test (EPT) would give vital information to the clinician on the need of a supplemental palatal injection.

Evaluation of Anxiety Levels in Children While Using Rubber Dam and OptraDam Isolation Techniques.

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the anxiety levels in children while using rubber dam and OptraDam isolation techniques.

Materials And Methods: This study was a crossover trial conducted on 27 selected 6-12-year-old children. The procedure of placement of either of the isolation techniques was told and demonstrated using audiovisual aid.

Pre-trained deep learning models for brain MRI image classification.

Brain tumors are serious conditions caused by uncontrolled and abnormal cell division. Tumors can have devastating implications if not accurately and promptly detected. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the methods frequently used to detect brain tumors owing to its excellent resolution.

Evaluation of pain response in children to the SoftClamp™ as an alternative to the metal rubber dam clamp: A randomized clinical trial.

Background: The use of a rubber dam is more important than ever in today's COVID-19 era to limit cross infections. In children, the placement of the metal clamp to retain the rubber dam is perceived to be painful and often requiring a local anesthetic injection. This dissuades many clinicians from placing the rubber dam.

Comparative Evaluation of the Sealing Ability of an Alkasite Restorative Material and Resin-Modified Glass Ionomer Cement in Primary Molars: An Study.

Background: Cention N is relatively new and an "alkasite" restorative material, indicated for direct restorations.

Aim: The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate the sealing ability of Cention N and resin-modified glass ionomer cement (GIC) when used to restore primary molars.

Methods And Materials: It is a split-mouth study.

Evaluation of the Antibacterial Activity of Triclosan-incorporated Root Canal Filling Materials for Primary Teeth against .

Aim And Objective: To compare the antibacterial activity of root canal filling materials namely zinc oxide eugenol and Endoflas FS with or without the incorporation of Triclosan.

Materials And Methods: The study consisted of four groups, with 15 samples in each group: group I (zinc oxide eugenol paste), group Ia (zinc oxide eugenol paste + 2.5% Triclosan), group II (Endoflas FS), and group IIa (Endoflas FS + 2.

Early childhood caries and parents' challenges in implementing oral hygiene practices: a qualitative study.

Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) is highly prevalent with significant long-term consequences. Parents are primarily responsible for the oral health practices of their children. Parents' health beliefs, attitudes, and cultural factors influence oral health practices.

Evaluation of Changes in the Occlusion and Occlusal Vertical Dimension in Children Following the Placement of Preformed Metal Crowns Using the Hall Technique.

To evaluate the time taken and the mechanism through which the occlusion settles following the placement of a preformed metal crown (PMC) using the Hall technique. The secondary objective was to assess any temporo mandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) resulting from the Hall technique through a questionnaire. 44 children fulfilling the inclusion criteria were evaluated for changes in overbite and occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) following the placement of preformed metal crowns (PMCs) using the Hall technique.

Assessing the behavior management problems during the first dental visit of preschool children using a doll placement test.

Context: Assessing dental anxiety as a predictor of the likely behavior of the child in the dental operatory is of paramount importance for a clinician to render quality care.

Aim: This study aims to correlate the dental anxiety of preschool children as shown during the doll placement test with that of their behavioral patterns during the first dental visit.

Settings And Design: This cross-sectional study was conducted between the ages of 3-7 years.

Comparison of Patient Comfort During the First Stage of Conventional Versus Modified Two-Stage Inferior Alveolar Nerve Blocks in Pediatric Patients.

Our aim was to compare the comfort of pediatric patients during the first stage of the conventional 2-stage inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) versus the modified 2-stage IANB. This was a parallel group, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Pediatric patients meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated to 1 of the 2 groups receiving IANB, group 1 (31 subjects) utilized a conventional 2-stage technique, and group 2 (33 subjects) utilized a modified 2-stage approach.

evaluation of probiotic strains for lactic acid production.

Background: The growing interest on usage of probiotic lactobacilli in maintaining oral health has posed number of questions on its probable side effects. One such consideration could be an increased acid production in dental plaque, in turn leading to dental caries. Thus, the aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate the lactic acid producing ability of and with and without dental plaque.

Surgical Management of Complex Odontoma Associated with Agenesis of a Molar.

Odontomas are mixed odontogenic tumors composed of mineralized tissue of ectomesenchymal origin. These are usually detected in routine radiographs and may have a variable etiology such as local trauma, genetic mutation, or infection. They are classified into two main types: complex and compound.

Evaluation of Plaque pH Changes Following Consumption of Health Drinks by Children: A Pilot Study.

Introduction: With increased trend among people to choose a healthy diet, there is an increased consumption of health drinks by children. Thus, it is important to know their cariogenicity.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of consumption of health drinks viz.

Presurgical nasoalveolar molding: A boon to facilitate the surgical repair in infants with cleft lip and palate.

Cleft lip and palate (CLP) is the most common congenital craniofacial anomaly. Rehabilitation of CLP generally requires a team approach. Alveolar and nasal reconstruction for these patients is a challenge for the reconstructive surgeon.

Cavity disinfection in minimally invasive dentistry - comparative evaluation of Aloe vera and propolis: A randomized clinical trial.

Context: The survival of atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) restorations would probably increase if near total elimination of cariogenic microorganisms could be done in the process of cavity cleaning before going ahead with the restoration. Thus, use of naturally occurring disinfecting agents for achieving this goal could herald a new beginning in the field of contemporary minimum intervention dentistry.

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of hand instruments in excavating dental caries and comparatively evaluate the roles of Aloe vera and propolis as potential cavity disinfecting agents after minimally invasive hand excavation of dental caries.

[THE CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF ENDOSCOPIC MANOMETROGRAPHY OF UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC PANCREATITIS].

The Purpose Of The Research: To study the cavitary esophagogastroduodenal pressure in patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) depending on the dominant clinical symptoms--gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and abdominal pancreatic pain.

Material And Methods: By esophagogastroduodenoscopy that included manometrography and acid-perfusion test--were examined 86 patients with CP and 25 healthy individuals.

Results: 63% of patients with CP detected changes of the esophagus and the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) based on the endoscopy, or manometrography, or test with 0.