Search Results (26)

Background/Objectives: Growth prediction may be used by the clinical orthodontist in growing individuals for diagnostic purposes and for treatment planning. This process appraises chronological age and determines the degree of skeletal maturity to calculate residual growth. In developmental deviations, overlooking such diagnostic details might culminate in erroneous conclusions, unstable outcomes, recurrence, and treatment failure. The present review aims to systematically present and explain the available means for predicting growth in humans. Traditional, long-known, popular methods are discussed, and modern digital applications are described. Materials and methods: A search on PubMed and the gray literature up to May 2025 produced 69 eligible studies on future maxillofacial growth prediction without any orthodontic intervention. Results: Substantial variability exists in the studies on growth prediction. In young orthodontic patients, the study of the lateral cephalometric radiography and the subsequent calculation of planes and angles remain questionable for diagnosis and treatment planning. Skeletal age assessment is readily accomplished with X-rays of the cervical vertebrae and the hand–wrist region. Computer software is being implemented to improve the reliability of classic methodologies. Metal implants have been used in seminal growth studies. Biochemical methods and electromyography have been suggested for clinical prediction and for research purposes. Conclusions: In young patients, it would be of importance to reach conclusions on future growth with minimal distress to the individual and, also, reduced exposure to ionizing radiation. Nevertheless, the potential for comprehensive prediction is still largely lacking. It could be accomplished in the future by combining established methods with digital technology. Full article

The ageing population and the resulting number of physical and health problems are now a major social and economic challenge around the world. Osteoarthritis is a common disease among older people. It can affect any joint, but it most often affects the knee, hip, and hand joints. Osteoarthritis of the knee joint significantly affects everyday life, limiting daily activities. Patients affected by this disease face many ailments, such as pain, stiffness, and a reduced of range of joint motion. In order to implement quick and effective treatment and prevent the development of the disease, accurate and early diagnosis is important. This will contribute to prolonging the health of the joints. Available methods for diagnosing osteoarthritis include conventional radiography, MRI, and ultrasound, but these methods are not suitable for screening. Over the years, there have been proposals to use vibroarthrography as a new, cheap, and noninvasive screening method for cartilage damage. The paper reviews recent studies on vibroarthrography as a diagnostic method for knee osteoarthritis. The aim of the study is to organise the current knowledge regarding the diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the knee joint and vibroarthrography as a proposal for a new diagnostic method. Full article

Dynamic digital radiography (DDR) is a recent imaging technique that allows for real-time visualization of thoracic and pulmonary movement in synchronization with the breathing cycle, providing useful clinical information. A 46-year-old male, a former smoker, was evaluated for unexplained dyspnea and reduced exercise tolerance. His medical history included a SARS-CoV-2 infection in 2021. On physical examination, decreased breath sounds were noted at the right-lung base. Spirometry showed results below predicted values. A standard chest radiograph revealed an elevated right hemidiaphragm, a finding not present in a previous CT scan performed during his SARS-CoV-2 infection. To better assess the diaphragmatic function, a posteroanterior DDR study was performed in the standing position with X-ray equipment (AeroDR TX, Konica Minolta Inc., Tokyo, Japan) during forced breath, with the following acquisition parameters: tube voltage, 100 kV; tube current, 50 mA; pulse duration of pulsed X-ray, 1.6 ms; source-to-image distance, 2 m; additional filter, 0.5 mm Al + 0.1 mm Cu. The exposure time was 12 s. The pixel size was 388 × 388 μm, the matrix size was 1024 × 768, and the overall image area was 40 × 30 cm. The dynamic imaging, captured at 15 frames/s, was then assessed on a dedicated workstation (Konica Minolta Inc., Tokyo, Japan). The dynamic acquisition showed a markedly reduced motion of the right diaphragm. The diagnosis of diaphragm dysfunction can be challenging due to its range of symptoms, which can vary from mild to severe dyspnea. The standard chest X-ray is usually the first exam to detect an elevated hemidiaphragm, which may suggest motion impairment or paralysis but fails to predict diaphragm function. Ultrasound (US) allows for the direct visualization of the diaphragm and its motion. Still, its effectiveness depends highly on the operator’s experience and could be limited by gas and abdominal fat. Moreover, ultrasound offers limited information regarding the lung parenchyma. On the other hand, high-resolution CT can be useful in identifying causes of diaphragmatic dysfunction, such as atrophy or eventration. However, it does not allow for the quantitative assessment of diaphragmatic movement and the differentiation between paralysis and dysfunction, especially in bilateral dysfunction, which is often overlooked due to the elevation of both hemidiaphragms. Dynamic Digital Radiography (DDR) has emerged as a valuable and innovative imaging technique due to its unique ability to evaluate diaphragm movement in real time, integrating dynamic functional information with static anatomical data. DDR provides both visual and quantitative analysis of the diaphragm’s motion, including excursion and speed, which leads to a definitive diagnosis. Additionally, DDR offers a range of post-processing techniques that provide information on lung movement and pulmonary ventilation. Based on these findings, the patient was referred to a thoracic surgeon and deemed a candidate for surgical plication of the right diaphragm. Full article

Malunion of thumb and finger fractures causes problems in the cosmetic and functional aspects of the hand. Malunion of phalangeal fractures usually manifests as a combination of rotational deformities in the coronal, sagittal, and transverse planes, and corrective osteotomy is performed on the planes that cause these problems. Quantification of the deformity is essential for precise osteotomy and is difficult to perform in the transverse plane, even with radiography or computed tomography. Thus, we developed a technique called linkage simulation for the quantitative measurement of rotational deformities for surgical planning. In this procedure, finger extension and flexion can be simulated based on the predicted rotational axis of the joint, which is useful for determining the appropriate correction. Furthermore, by performing a reduction simulation in the software, it is possible to simulate the surgery and predict the postoperative results. This paper reports the details of this technique. Full article

Chronic kidney disease–mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) frequently occurs in hemodialysis patients and is a common cause of osteoporosis. Regular dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans are used to monitor these patients, but frequent, cost-effective, and low-dose alternatives are needed. This study proposes an automatic CKD-MBD assessment model using histogram equalization and a squeeze-and-excitation block-based residual U-Net (SER-U-Net) with hand diagnostic radiography for preliminary classification. The process involves enhancing image contrast with histogram equalization, extracting features with the SE-ResNet model, and segmenting metacarpal bones using U-Net. Ultimately, a correlation analysis is carried out between the calculated dual metacarpal cortical percentage (dMCP) and DXA T-scores. The model’s performance was validated by analyzing clinical data from 30 individuals, achieving a 93.33% accuracy in classifying bone density compared to DXA results. This automated method provides a rapid, effective tool for CKD-MBD assessment in clinical settings. Full article

Both bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) and abaloparatide are used to promote bone formation. However, there is no consensus about their optimal administration. We investigated the optimal administration theory for the pairing of BMP-2 and abaloparatide in a rat spinal fusion model. Group I was only implanted in carriers and saline. Carriers with 3 µg of recombinant human BMP-2 (rhBMP-2) were implanted in other groups. Abaloparatide injections were administered three times a week for group III (for a total amount of 120 µg/kg in a week) and six times a week for group IV (for a total amount of 120 µg/kg in a week) after surgery. They were euthanized 8 weeks after the surgery, and we explanted their spines at that time. We assessed them using manual palpation tests, radiography, high-resolution micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), and histological analysis. We also analyzed serum bone metabolism markers. The fusion rate in Groups III and IV was higher than in Group I, referring to the manual palpation tests. Groups III and IV recorded greater radiographic scores than those in Groups I and II, too. Micro-CT analysis showed that Tbs. Sp in Groups III and IV was significantly lower than in Group I. Tb. N in Group IV was significantly higher than in Group I. Serum marker analysis showed that bone formation markers were higher in Groups III and IV than in Group I. On the other hand, bone resorption markers were lower in Group IV than in Group I. A histological analysis showed enhanced trabecular bone osteogenesis in Group IV. Frequent administration of abaloparatide may be suitable for the thickening of trabecular bone structure and the enhancement of osteogenesis in a rat spinal fusion model using BMP-2 in insufficient doses. Full article

During puberty, the biological maturity of children of the same chronological age differs. To generate equal opportunities for talent selection in youth sports, the athlete’s biological maturity should be considered. This is often assessed with a left hand and wrist radiography. Alternatively, ultrasound (US) could be advantageous, especially by avoiding ionizing radiation. This pilot study aimed to assess intrarater and interrater reliability of an experienced and a non-experienced examiner in an US-based examination of the knee in 20 healthy females (10–17 years). Epiphyseal closure at five anatomical landmarks was staged (stages 1–3) and its interrater and intrarater reliabilities were analyzed using Cohen’s kappa (k). Interrater reliability of the calculation of the ossification ratio (OssR) was analyzed using the Bland-Altman method and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Interrater reliability for the stages was almost perfect for four landmarks. Interrater reliability ranged from k = 0.69 to k = 0.90. Intrarater reliability for the stages was almost perfect for four landmarks. Intrarater reliability ranged from k = 0.70 to k = 1.0. For the OssR, ICC was 0.930 and a minimal detectable change of 0.030 was determined. To conclude, experienced and non-experienced examiners can reliably assign individuals to different ossification stages and calculate an OssR using US-based imaging of the knee. Full article

Agenesis and hypoplasia affecting multiple flexor tendons within the same hand represent an exceedingly uncommon occurrence, with no previous studies addressing this condition. This report details a 4-year-old girl with agenesis of the right third and fourth fingers, who sought consultation due to the inability to flex her seemingly unaffected second and fifth fingers. Ultrasound examination revealed substantial thinning of the flexor tendons in the second to fifth digits, with a notable absence of attachment to the middle phalanx. In addition to flexor tendon hypoplasia, hypoplasia of the third and fourth middle phalanges was observed. Hand deformities featuring both finger agenesis and flexor tendon hypoplasia across multiple fingers were exceptionally rare. In such instances, ultrasound, in conjunction with radiography, emerges as the recommended initial imaging tool for comprehensive evaluation of both the phalangeal bones and flexor tendons. Full article

Musculoskeletal disorders, standing as the fifth leading cause of disability-adjusted life years globally, present significant challenges in orthopedics. Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) and avascular necrosis (AVN) are distinct but closely related conditions within this spectrum, impacting patients’ quality of life with pain, limited mobility, and dysfunction. OCD, involving cartilage and bone detachment in joints, predominantly affects young athletes, but its exact etiology and optimal management remain subjects of ongoing research. Conversely, AVN, marked by bone tissue death due to compromised blood supply, is linked to systemic factors like corticosteroid use and traumatic injuries. Diagnosis for both conditions relies on radiography and magnetic resonance imaging. Conservative treatment for AVN includes the use of a cane or crutches, pharmacological therapy, or physical therapy. On the other hand, in OCD, the primary approach is activity/sports restriction. Surgical treatment options for AVN patients encompass core decompression, bone grafting, or, in the most advanced cases, total hip arthroplasty. OCD may be surgically treated through subchondral drilling or fixation of unstable lesions. Advanced cases of OCD involve cartilage salvage with resurfacing techniques. The presentation of differences between these conditions enhances our understanding, facilitating improved diagnosis and management strategies. Full article

The hand and wrist are among the most common anatomical areas involved in rheumatic diseases, especially seropositive and seronegative rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The purpose of this study was to identify the most differentiating radiographic characteristics of PsA, seropositive RA, and seronegative RA, particularly in the early stages. A retrospective analysis of radiographic hand findings was performed on 180 seropositive RA patients (29 males, 151 females, mean age at the point of acquisition of the analyzed radiograph of 53.4 y/o, SD 12.6), 154 PsA patients (45 males, 109 females, age median of 48.1 y/o, SD 12.4), and 36 seronegative RA patients (4 males, 32 females, age median of 53.1 y/o, SD 17.1) acquired during the period 2005–2020. Posterior–anterior and Nørgaard views were analyzed in all patients. The radiographs were evaluated for three radiographic findings: type of symmetry (asymmetric/bilateral/changes in corresponding joint compartments/‘mirror-image’ symmetry), anatomic location (e.g., wrist, metacarpophalangeal (MCP), proximal interphalangeal (PIP), distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints), and type of lesions (e.g., juxta-articular osteoporosis, bone cysts, erosions, proliferative bone changes). The study showed that symmetric distribution of lesions defined as ‘lesions present in corresponding compartments’ was more suggestive of seropositive or seronegative RA than PsA. Lesions affecting the PIP joints, wrist, or styloid process of the radius; juxta-articular osteoporosis, joint space narrowing, joint subluxations, or dislocations were more common in patients with seropositive RA than in those with PsA, whereas DIP joints’ involvement and proliferative bone changes were more likely to suggest PsA than seropositive RA. Lesions in PIP, MCP, and wrist joints, as well as erosions, advanced bone damage, joint subluxations, dislocations, and joint space narrowing, were more common in seropositive RA patients than in seronegative RA patients. The ulnar styloid was more commonly affected in seronegative RA patients than in PsA patients. The study confirmed that types of bone lesions and their distribution in the hands and wrists can be useful in differentiating seropositive RA from PsA and suggests that seronegative RA varies in radiological presentation from seropositive RA and PsA. Full article

The early and objective detection of hand pathologies is a field that still requires more research. One of the main signs of hand osteoarthritis (HOA) is joint degeneration, which causes loss of strength, among other symptoms. HOA is usually diagnosed with imaging and radiography, but the disease is in an advanced stage when HOA is observable by these methods. Some authors suggest that muscle tissue changes seem to occur before joint degeneration. We propose recording muscular activity to look for indicators of these changes that might help in early diagnosis. Muscular activity is often measured using electromyography (EMG), which consists of recording electrical muscle activity. The aim of this study is to study whether different EMG characteristics (zero crossing, wavelength, mean absolute value, muscle activity) via collection of forearm and hand EMG signals are feasible alternatives to the existing methods of detecting HOA patients’ hand function. We used surface EMG to measure the electrical activity of the dominant hand’s forearm muscles with 22 healthy subjects and 20 HOA patients performing maximum force during six representative grasp types (the most commonly used in ADLs). The EMG characteristics were used to identify discriminant functions to detect HOA. The results show that forearm muscles are significantly affected by HOA in EMG terms, with very high success rates (between 93.3% and 100%) in the discriminant analyses, which suggest that EMG can be used as a preliminary step towards confirmation with current HOA diagnostic techniques. Digit flexors during cylindrical grasp, thumb muscles during oblique palmar grasp, and wrist extensors and radial deviators during the intermediate power–precision grasp are good candidates to help detect HOA. Full article

Background: This study investigated the effect of using different agents for protecting enamel proximal surfaces against acidic attack after interproximal reduction (IPR) using the trans micro radiography technique. Methods: Seventy-five sound-proximal surfaces were obtained from extracted premolars for orthodontic reasons. All teeth were measured miso-distally and mounted before being stripped. The proximal surfaces of all teeth were hand stripped with single-sided diamond strips (OrthoTechnology, West Columbia, SC, USA) followed by polishing via Sof-Lex polishing strips (3M, Maplewood, MN, USA). Three-hundred micrometers of enamel thickness was reduced from each proximal surface. The teeth were randomly divided into 5 groups: group 1 (control un-demineralized) received no treatment, group 2 (control demineralized) had their surfaces demineralized after the IPR procedure, group 3 (fluoride) specimens were treated with fluoride gel (NUPRO, DENTSPLY, Charlotte, NC, USA) after the IPR, group 4 (Icon) resin infiltration material (Icon Proximal Mini Kit, DMG, Bielefeld, Germany) was applied after IPR, group 5 (MI varnish) specimens were treated with Casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) containing varnish (MI Varnish, G.C, USA, St. Alsip, IL, USA) after the IPR. The specimens in (groups 2–5) were stored in a 4.5 pH demineralization solution for 4 days. The trans-micro-radiography (TMR) technique was conducted to evaluate the mineral loss (∆Z) and lesion depth of all specimens after the acid challenge. The obtained results were analyzed statistically using a one-way ANOVA at a significance level of α = 0.05. Results: The MI varnish recorded significant ∆Z and lesion depth values compared to the other groups p > 0.05. There was no significant difference in ∆Z and lesion depth between the control demineralized, Icon, and fluoride groups p < 0.05. Conclusion: The MI varnish increased the enamel resistance to acidic attack, and thus can be considered an agent capable of protecting the proximal enamel surface after IPR. Full article

Bone maturity is an indicator for estimating the biological maturity of an individual. During adolescence, individuals show heterogeneous growth rates, and thus, differences in biological maturity should be considered in talent identification and development. Radiography of the left hand and wrist is considered the gold standard of biological maturity estimation. The use of ultrasound imaging (US) may be advantageous; however, its validity and reliability are under discussion. The aims of this scoping review are (1) to summarize the different methods for estimating biological maturity by US imaging in adolescents, (2) to obtain an overview of the level of validity and reliability of the methods, and (3) to point out the practicability and usefulness of ultrasound imaging in the field of youth sports. The search included articles published up to November 2022. The inclusion criteria stipulated that participants had to fall within the age range of 8 to 23 years and be free of bone disease and fractures in the region of interest. Nine body regions were investigated, while the hand and wrist were most commonly analyzed. US assessment methods were usually based on the estimation of a bone maturity stage, rather than a decimal bone age. Furthermore, 70% of the assessments were evaluated as applicable, 10% expressed restraint about implementation, and 20% were evaluated as not applicable. When tested, inter- and intra-rater reliability was high to excellent. Despite the absence of ionization, low costs, fast assessment, and accessibility, none of the US assessments could be referred to as a gold standard. If further development succeeds, its application has the potential to incorporate biological age into selection processes. This would allow for more equal opportunities in talent selection and thus make talent development fairer and more efficient. Full article

University-industry cooperation is associated with the transfer of knowledge and technology. This collaboration is an extremely important field of study for the world’s economies, helping companies to become more competitive. The present research aims to explore and analyze the literature related to university-industry cooperation, using a bibliometric analysis as a methodology. This study intends to use an unlike approach to conduct the literature review and map the most relevant research studies, using a rigorous research protocol based on scientific documents published in the Web of Science database, using the keyword “University-Industry Cooperation”. The 256 articles collected are situated in a time base between 1970 and 2020 and were submitted to content analysis in R Bibliometrix. This systematic literature review revealed that companies are increasingly focusing on cooperation with universities. The research of these publications points to a growing trend in publications of articles with the topic “University-Industry Cooperation”. From the bibliometric analysis of the global research results, we highlight the most cited authors and the authors’ publications over time, and we also highlight the main research topics and countries where studies were conducted. On the other hand, we also highlight the collaboration network between institutions, authors, and countries over time. The University-Industry cooperation is explored here as an added value for advancing scientific knowledge on the relationship between these two important stakeholders, opening the way for future research in this area. With this article, we hope to contribute to the evolution of scientific knowledge in this area, providing future researchers with a detailed radiography overview of the literature related to University-Industry cooperation, contributing to filling an existing gap related to the scarcity of SLR studies that focus on this scientific theme. Full article

Background and Objectives: Although distal interphalangeal (DIP) arthrodesis is an effective surgical method for end-stage osteoarthritis of the phalangeal joint, the nonunion rate of DIP arthrodesis has been reported to range from 15% to 20%. To this end, we devised an inlay technique with a cortico-cancellous olecranon bone graft for failed DIP arthrodesis. This study aimed to introduce the inlay bone grafting technique for failed arthrodesis of the DIP joint and demonstrate its advantages. Materials and Methods: We reviewed consecutive 19 digits (15 patients) who had undergone DIP revision arthrodesis using the technique at our institution between January 2010 and December 2020. The observed outcome measures were the bone union rate, and related complications. Bone union was evaluated using follow-up radiography. The quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, and VAS for satisfaction assessed patient function and perceived clinical outcomes. Results: No major complications were observed at the recipient site. The average VAS for pain and satisfaction and DASH score improved from preoperatively to 6 months after surgery (both, p = 0.001). Conclusions: The inlay technique with cortico-cancellous olecranon bone grafts showed excellent bone union rates and functional scores with nonunion of the DIP joint. This technique may be an adequate surgical option for patients with confirmed nonunion of the DIP joint and persistent symptoms. Full article