Purpose: Physiological dentin sclerosis is a distinctive phenomenon observed in transverse sections of the tooth root as a tooth ages. Since this effect has only been visualized 2-dimensionally, this pilot proof-of-concept study aimed to propose a novel method to visualize and quantify physiological sclerotic dentin 3-dimensionally using density-based micro-computed tomography (CT)-generated gray values. Materials and Methods: Forty single-rooted premolars of known chronological age from the Malay male population were scanned with a micro-CT scanner. The X-ray source was operated at 160 kV, 100 μA, and a voxel size of 48.8 μm.Three-dimensional volume datasets for each tooth were reconstructed, and volumetric analysis was performed on the root dentin region using the open-source software FIJI (ImageJ) (ver. 1.54k, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA). Results: Micro-CT imaging enabled the selection, isolation, and quantification of high-density areas in the tooth rootthat correspond to physiological sclerotic dentin. The generated gray value profile also reflected the characteristicbutterfly-shaped pattern seen in transverse root sections. A comparison of premolars from different age groups revealedthat individuals aged 31-60 years exhibited a larger butterfly-shaped area, reflecting the increase in high-density sclerotic dentin, compared with younger premolars. Conclusion In this pilot proof-of-concept study, visualization and measurement of physiological sclerotic dentin were shown to be feasible using micro-CT. However, the method is highly dependent on the capability of the micro-CT scanner and the performance of the image-processing software. Further research is needed to improve image quality using advanced micro-CT scanning techniques.

Facial Anthropometry and Aesthetic Preferences in Malay Women: A Comparative Study The study aimed to explore the relationship between Malay females’ facial attractiveness with golden ratio, neoclassical canons, “ideal” ratios and “ideal” angles; and to compare self-perceived facial attractiveness and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among Malay females with different skeletal patterns. Sixty-four young Malay female participants each completed a set of self-administered questionnaires and have five facial photographs taken. The self-assessed satisfaction with facial appearance and HRQoL were compared between participants with different dentoskeletal patterns. Seventy-seven facial anthropometry parameters related to the golden ratio, neoclassical canons, ideal ratios and ideal angles were measured. Subsequently, 15 sets of photographs representing different skeletal patterns were randomly selected. A panel of juries evaluated facial attractiveness using a 7-point Likert scale. The correlation between facial attractiveness and measured parameters was studied. Results indicated that mean rank FACE-Q Rasch scores of participants’ self-rated satisfaction on their facial appearance and HRQoL were not significantly different statistically (p = 0.06–0.81) between Class I, II and III. One hundred and eighty juries (mean 24.33±3.82 years old) were recruited. No statistically significant correlations found between facial attractiveness rated by juries and measured parameters related to the golden ratio (r = –0.47 to 0.36; p = 0.08 to 0.98), neoclassical canons (r = –0.27 to 0.43; p = 0.11 to 0.96), ideal ratios (r = –0.32 to 0.47; p = 0.08 to 0.96) and ideal angles (r = –0.23 to 0.28; p = 0.31 to 0.92). In conclusion, the study found that the golden ratio, neoclassical canons, ideal ratios, and ideal angles were not found to be correlated with the facial attractiveness of Malay females. Therefore, these guidelines should be used with discretion during treatment planning and outcome assessment for this specific ethnic group.

Background: The established recommendations and guidelines regarding ideal measurements for an attractive face are mostly based on data gathered among Caucasian population. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between perception of 3-dimensional facial attractiveness and golden ratio, neoclassical canons, ‘ideal’ ratios and ‘ideal’ angles in Hong Kong Chinese. Methods: Thirty 3-D photographs (15 males and 15 females) were shown to 101 laypersons and 60 patients seeking orthognathic treatment. The photographs were rated based on a 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS) from 0 (very unattractive) to 100 (very attractive). Results: More than half of the measurements (42/77) in females and thirty-two measurements in males were found to be significantly different from the ideal target value (p < 0.05) upon the comparison of the attractive faces with golden ratio, neoclassical canons, ‘ideal’ ratios and ‘ideal’ angles. Meanwhile, correlation tests between VAS scores and the parameters detected significant results (p < 0.05) in only six ratios, eight angles, one neoclassical canon and one proportion. Conclusions Despite several renowned ‘ideal’ parameters of attractive faces that have been recommended in the literature, only a few of them were found to be significantly correlated with attractive faces in Hong Kong Chinese.

INTRODUCTIONThe level of participation is an important factor influencing rehabilitation outcome. However, few studies have evaluated rehabilitation participation and its clinical predictors in patients with stroke. This study aimed to establish the level of participation in patients with stroke undergoing inpatient rehabilitation, and define the clinical predictors for participation.

METHODSThis was a prospective observational study of first-time patients with stroke admitted to a rehabilitation centre over a 12-month period. The primary outcome measure was the level of rehabilitation participation as measured on the Pittsburgh Rehabilitation Participation Scale (PRPS). PRPS measurements were made one week after admission and one week before planned discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. Other outcome measures evaluated were the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale, Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Elderly Cognitive Assessment Questionnaire (ECAQ), Centre for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Lubben Social Network Scale-Revised, and Multidimensional Health Questionnaire.

RESULTSA total of 122 patients with stroke were studied. The mean PRPS score on admission was relatively high at 4.30 ± 0.90, and this improved to 4.65 ± 0.79 before planned discharge (p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, the mean PRPS score on admission was predicted by FIM, EACQ and FSS scores on admission, but not by variables such as age, gender, depression, social support, or health attitudes and beliefs.

CONCLUSIONPatients with lower levels of participation were more likely to be functionally dependent, cognitively impaired and have more fatigue. We suggest that in addition to cognition, fatigue should be routinely screened in patients with stroke undergoing rehabilitation.

Cognition ; physiology ; Disability Evaluation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inpatients ; Length of Stay ; trends ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; methods ; Patient Compliance ; statistics & numerical data ; Prospective Studies ; Recovery of Function ; physiology ; Rehabilitation Centers ; statistics & numerical data ; Singapore ; epidemiology ; Stroke ; epidemiology ; physiopathology ; Stroke Rehabilitation ; Treatment Outcome