Artificial intelligence in triage of COVID-19 patients.

In 2019, COVID-19 began one of the greatest public health challenges in history, reaching pandemic status the following year. Systems capable of predicting individuals at higher risk of progressing to severe forms of the disease could optimize the allocation and direction of resources. In this work, we evaluated the performance of different Machine Learning algorithms when predicting clinical outcomes of patients hospitalized with COVID-19, using clinical data from hospital admission alone.

Simulation of the Time Needed for Long-Term Asphalt Ageing in the Rolling Thin Film Oven Relative to That of the Pressure Ageing Vessel.

Rheological test standards require asphalt samples, both original and under ageing conditions. The most common laboratory equipment in specifications for short-term and long-term ageing simulation tests are the rolling thin film oven (RTFO) and the pressure ageing vessel (PAV). However, the cost of acquiring PAV and the duration of long-term ageing tests can be a limiting factor.

Apert Syndrome Outcomes: Comparison of Posterior Vault Distraction Osteogenesis Versus Fronto Orbital Advancement.

Background: Presenting a wide clinical spectrum and large variety of clinical features, successful treatment of Apert syndrome necessitates performance of sequential multiple surgeries before a patient's facial skeleton growth is complete.The objective of this study is to compare forehead contour asymmetry and clinical outcomes between Apert patients who underwent either fronto-orbital advancement (FOA) or posterior vault distraction osteogenesis (PVDO).

Methods: A retrospective study was performed on consecutive patients with Apert syndrome who underwent either FOA or PVDO between 2007 and 2019, and participated in at least 6 months of follow-up care.

Syndrome-related outcomes following posterior vault distraction osteogenesis.

Purpose: The most commonly occurring syndromic craniosynostoses are Apert syndrome, Crouzon syndrome, Pfeiffer syndrome, and Saethre-Chotzen syndrome. There is insufficient data regarding postoperative syndrome-related outcomes following the posterior vault distraction osteogenesis (PVDO) procedure, as well as data addressing whether or not additional procedures will be subsequently necessary to comprehensively treat children who undergo PVDO. Thus, the objective of this study is to describe and compare syndrome-related potential complications and outcomes associated with the PVDO procedure.

An Extended 45-year Long-term Follow-up on a 1-13 Rare Facial Cleft Patient.

We present here the unique case of a patient with a Tessier 1-13 rare facial cleft accompanied by cleft lip and palate and Tessier grade 2 hypertelorism. The patient described in this article has a twin brother who shares a number of genetic traits and physical features but does not present facial cleft or hypertelorism. The 45-year follow-up in this case is believed to be the longest follow-up to date to have been reported in the literature, and sheds significant light on the importance of extended longitudinal follow-up to maximize patient outcomes.

Severe craniolacunae and upper and lower extremity anomalies resulting from Crouzon syndrome, FGFR2 mutation, and Ser347Cys variant.

Crouzon syndrome is a rare form of syndromic craniosynostosis (SC) characterized by premature fusion of the cranial and facial sutures, elevated intracranial pressure, varying degrees of ocular exposure due to exorbitism, and airway compromise caused by midface retrusion. Craniolacunae and upper and lower extremity anomalies are not frequently found in Crouzon syndrome. We present a girl with Crouzon syndrome caused by c.

Apert Hand Reconstruction: Do Partial-Thickness Skin Grafts Result in Flexion Scar Contracture?

Background: Hand reconstruction for patients with Apert syndrome is a critical step in comprehensive care and enables this population to gain significant hand function. Digit separation for Apert syndrome, as described in most algorithms, is finalized using local flaps and full-thickness skin grafts. The objective of this study is to report our experience using local flaps and partial-thickness skin grafts after digit separation for Apert hand reconstruction.

Apert Syndrome Management: Changing Treatment Algorithm.

Background: The purpose of this study is to review 10 years of surgical experience in the management of Apert syndrome, focusing on an updated algorithm which includes hand reconstruction and posterior vault distraction osteogenesis (PVDO). Additionally, the authors compare PVDO, which is currently used, with fronto-orbital advancement (FOA), which was utilized in a previous algorithm.

Methods: An observational retrospective study was performed on consecutive patients with Apert syndrome who underwent upper and lower limb reconstruction and craniofacial surgery between 2007 and 2017.

Hand Function in Apert Syndrome.

Background: The Michigan Hand Questionnaire is widely used to assess hand outcomes in congenital hand deformities. The purpose of the present study is to compare Apert syndrome hand outcomes according to Upton hand type and age stratification with age-matched unaffected controls.

Methods: The Brief Michigan Hand Questionnaire was administered to 39 Apert patients after completion of the digit separation surgical regimen, and 140 age-matched unaffected controls.

Production of interferon-gamma, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1β by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with novel lys-gingipain synthetic peptides.

Background: Periodontitis is a progressive inflammatory process, and its pathogenesis is related to the presence of a dysbiotic subgingival biofilm that elicits the immune response. Porphyromonas gingivalis is a keystone pathogen, and its Lys-gingipain (Kgp) virulence factor is involved in the pathogen-host interaction through the production of cytokines by host cells, but the specific mechanisms of this interaction have not been elucidated. The present study evaluated the in vitro production of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β cytokines in response to antigenic stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with novel Kgp synthetic peptides.

In silico analysis as a strategy to identify candidate epitopes with human IgG reactivity to study Porphyromonas gingivalis virulence factors.

Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) is one of the main pathogens in chronic periodontitis (CP). Studies on the immunogenicity of its virulence factors may contribute to understanding the host response to infection. The present study aimed to use in silico analysis as a tool to identify epitopes from Lys-gingipain (Kgp) and neuraminidase virulence factors of the Pg ATCC 33277 strain.