Faculty Bibliography

BACKGROUND: Microgenia resulting from congenital deficiency or aging can significantly affect the facial profile and render it less attractive. This study assessed the effectiveness of treatment with incobotulinumtoxinA (Inco) and calcium hydroxylapatite with integral lidocaine (CaHA[+]) for improving chin profile. METHODS: Subjects with a hyperactive mentalis and at least moderate chin retrusion according to the Asian Chin Projection Scale (ACPS) were recruited. At Visit 1, subjects received Inco injection into the mentalis, followed by deep, pre-periosteal injections of CaHA(+) into the pogonion. The primary endpoint was an ACPS improvement of one point at one and six months. Photographs at baseline and each follow-up visit were rated by physicians using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS). All subjects completed a satisfaction questionnaire. RESULTS: Ten female subjects were recruited. Mean age was 42.5 years and all had moderate-to-severe chin retrusion at baseline (ACPS score ≥2). All subjects demonstrated at least a one-point improvement in ACPS compared with baseline at both the one-month and six-month posttreatment visits. Physician GAIS ratings of subject appearance confirmed that 100 percent of subjects experienced improved chin projection at each follow-up visit compared to baseline. All 10 subjects were pleased with their chin profile after treatment, with 90 percent noting that it was still "very much improved" at six months. CONCLUSION: Based on our results, combined treatment with CaHA and Inco appears to be effective and well tolerated for improving the facial profile of subjects with chin retrusion. Treatment was associated with a high degree of patient satisfaction and was well tolerated.

OBJECTIVE:This systematic review aimed to describe the method followed during physical examination and the anatomical structures of the head and neck assessed in screening for oral cancer and oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). STUDY DESIGN/METHODS:An extensive literature search was carried out using MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, LILACS, Web of Science, Cochrane databases, and gray literature. The risk of bias was available in all papers included. RESULTS:Of 9,688 records identified, 27 were included in this review, reporting data from 356,250 individuals screened and distributed across 11 countries. Most of these (n = 19) were based on 1 round of screening conducted by a dental professional or other health care workers. Most screening programs included visual inspection and palpation of the lips, oral cavity, and the most visible oropharyngeal sites, but the descriptions reported were imprecise. Additional inspection and palpation of the neck (submental, submandibular, cervical, and supraclavicular regions) to assess for the presence of swellings and any palpable neck nodes were also performed in 15 programs. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:In conclusion, there was considerable heterogeneity in the method of physical examination in screening programs for oral cancer and OPMDs among the included studies.

Oral cytology is a non-invasive adjunctive diagnostic tool with a number of potential applications in the practice of dentistry. This brief review begins with a history of cytology in medicine and how cytology was initially applied in oral medicine. A description of the different technical aspects of oral cytology is provided, including the collection and processing of oral cytological samples, and the microscopic interpretation and reporting, along with their advantages and limitations. Applications for oral cytology are listed with a focus on the triage of patients presenting with oral potentially malignant disorders and oral mucosal infections. Furthermore, the utility of oral cytology roles across both expert (for example, secondary oral medicine or tertiary head and neck oncology services) and non-expert (for example, primary care general dental practice) clinical settings is explored. A detailed section covers the evidence-base for oral cytology as a diagnostic adjunctive technique in both the early detection and monitoring of patients with oral cancer and oral epithelial dysplasia. The review concludes with an exploration of future directions, including the integration of artificial intelligence for automated analysis and point of care 'smart diagnostics', thereby offering some insight into future opportunities for a wider application of oral cytology in dentistry.

BACKGROUND/UNASSIGNED:Microgenia resulting from congenital deficiency or aging can significantly affect the facial profile and render it less attractive. This study assessed the effectiveness of treatment with incobotulinumtoxinA (Inco) and calcium hydroxylapatite with integral lidocaine (CaHA[+]) for improving chin profile. METHODS/UNASSIGNED:Subjects with a hyperactive mentalis and at least moderate chin retrusion according to the Asian Chin Projection Scale (ACPS) were recruited. At Visit 1, subjects received Inco injection into the mentalis, followed by deep, pre-periosteal injections of CaHA(+) into the pogonion. The primary endpoint was an ACPS improvement of one point at one and six months. Photographs at baseline and each follow-up visit were rated by physicians using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS). All subjects completed a satisfaction questionnaire. RESULTS/UNASSIGNED:Ten female subjects were recruited. Mean age was 42.5 years and all had moderate-to-severe chin retrusion at baseline (ACPS score ≥2). All subjects demonstrated at least a one-point improvement in ACPS compared with baseline at both the one-month and six-month posttreatment visits. Physician GAIS ratings of subject appearance confirmed that 100 percent of subjects experienced improved chin projection at each follow-up visit compared to baseline. All 10 subjects were pleased with their chin profile after treatment, with 90 percent noting that it was still "very much improved" at six months. CONCLUSION/UNASSIGNED:Based on our results, combined treatment with CaHA and Inco appears to be effective and well tolerated for improving the facial profile of subjects with chin retrusion. Treatment was associated with a high degree of patient satisfaction and was well tolerated.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVE:This study assessed the vocal health of performers returning to full-time performance after the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown and investigated how differences in voice usage, exposure to voice care professionals, and vocal pathology before and during the pandemic contributed to variability in self-perceived and instrumental vocal outcome measures. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS:This was a prospective, case-control observational study conducted at a single outpatient site. METHODS:Twenty-two patients, 11 cases and 11 controls, were enrolled for the study. All participants were full-time singing professionals prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cases were recruited from patients presenting to a tertiary care voice center for vocal or pharyngeal complaints. Controls were healthy volunteers recruited from the general population of professional singers in the surrounding metropolitan area. All participants provided responses to the Voice Handicap Index-10, Evaluation of Ability to Sing Easily, and Laryngopharyngeal Measure of Perceived Sensation validated questionnaires as well as a study survey with questions regarding vocal use and history prior to and during the pandemic. All participants underwent instrumental acoustic and videostroboscopic voice evaluations. RESULTS:Cases had poorer outcome measures overall and were more likely to report their voices were worse at study enrollment when compared to their prepandemic perception (P = 0.027). Cases tended to be older and less likely to have pursued alternative employment during the pandemic that involved increased speaking voice use (27% vs 55%), but these differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS:There was a variable response among performers to the prolonged hiatus from performing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those with poorer outcomes tended to be older and may have used their voice less during the pandemic. These findings are consistent with detraining periods in the exercise physiology literature and support the construct of treating vocal performers as vocal athletes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE/UNASSIGNED:Thyroid nodules are frequently incidentally found on physical exam or imaging for an unrelated work-up. Although surgery remains the gold standard for treating symptomatic benign and/or malignant thyroid nodules, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has emerged as a minimally invasive treatment option for high risk patients and those who decline surgery. The novel application of RFA to treat thyroid disease was originally described for symptomatic, benign thyroid nodules. Since then, several studies have tried to expand its indication to treat primary and recurrent well-differentiated thyroid cancer. The high success rates and the low complication profile, has allowed for quick adoption of RFA as a treatment option for well-selected patients with benign thyroid nodules and locoregional recurrent thyroid malignancy. As such, multidisciplinary guidelines and consensus statements were developed to standardize indications, techniques, outcome measures, and follow-up to ensure the best patient care. This article summarizes the current indications and recommendations to help guide clinicians on how best to effectively and safely utilize RFA to treat thyroid disease. METHODS/UNASSIGNED:A PubMed/MEDLINE search between 2000-2022 using a combination of "radiofrequency ablation", "RFA", "thyroid nodule", and "guidelines" was conducted. The inclusion criteria were articles published in English which offered recommendations on RFA use for thyroid nodules. KEY CONTENT AND FINDINGS/UNASSIGNED:For symptomatic, benign thyroid nodules, RFA is effective at significantly reducing nodule volume. For large nodules, multiple RFA sessions may be needed to achieve clinically significant volume reduction. Patients undergoing RFA for autonomously functioning thyroid nodules may see symptomatic relief but success rates are variable. RFA may serve a curative or palliative role in recurrent well-differentiated thyroid cancers. There is little data describing the use of RFA for primary well-differentiated thyroid cancer >1 cm and the role of RFA for thyroid microcarcinomas remains controversial. CONCLUSIONS/UNASSIGNED:RFA is a safe minimally invasive technique and may be considered, in appropriate circumstances, a first-line treatment option for benign thyroid nodules. Practices adopting RFA will likely increase as more clinicians become familiar with this technique, highlighting the importance of developing standardized guidelines.

OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:Single-sided deafness (SSD) can have consequences for a child's language, educational, and social development. A cochlear implant (CI) is the only device which can restore true binaural hearing, yet they are only approved for children with (SSD) over the age of five in the United States. Reports on speech perception outcomes for children implanted at a younger age are limited. The present study aims to examine the effects of age at implantation, duration of deafness, hearing loss etiology, and presence of additional disabilities on device usage and speech perception outcomes. METHODS:A retrospective chart review was used to examine demographics and speech perception outcomes for 18 children implanted at age five or younger. RESULTS:Speech perception results were highly variable, with some children deriving significant benefit and others demonstrating no sound awareness through the implant alone. Age at implantation and duration of deafness did not have a clear impact on outcomes. Device usage was low in many children, often those with anatomical abnormalities such as a hypoplastic cochlear nerve. There are challenges to assessing speech perception in young children with SSD, leading to a lack of standardized outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS:Early CI for children with SSD may improve speech perception, but benefit is not guaranteed. Candidacy evaluation should consider both medical and audiological factors, in addition to the degree of family support and realistic expectations. Caution is especially warranted in children with significant anatomical anomalies.

Astrocytes play crucial roles in regulating neural circuit function by forming a dense network of synapse-associated membrane specializations, but signaling pathways regulating astrocyte morphogenesis remain poorly defined. Here, we show the Drosophila lipid-binding G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) Tre1 is required for astrocytes to establish their intricate morphology in vivo. The lipid phosphate phosphatases Wunen/Wunen2 also regulate astrocyte morphology and, via Tre1, mediate astrocyte-astrocyte competition for growth-promoting lipids. Loss of s1pr1, the functional analog of Tre1 in zebrafish, disrupts astrocyte process elaboration, and live imaging and pharmacology demonstrate that S1pr1 balances proper astrocyte process extension/retraction dynamics during growth. Loss of Tre1 in flies or S1pr1 in zebrafish results in defects in simple assays of motor behavior. Tre1 and S1pr1 are thus potent evolutionarily conserved regulators of the elaboration of astrocyte morphological complexity and, ultimately, astrocyte control of behavior.

UNLABELLED:DNA methylation is an essential molecular assay for central nervous system (CNS) tumor diagnostics. While some fusions define specific brain tumors, others occur across many different diagnoses. We performed a retrospective analysis of 219 primary CNS tumors with whole genome DNA methylation and RNA next-generation sequencing. DNA methylation profiling results were compared with RNAseq detected gene fusions. We detected 105 rare fusions involving 31 driver genes, including 23 fusions previously not implicated in brain tumors. In addition, we identified 6 multi-fusion tumors. Rare fusions and multi-fusion events can impact the diagnostic accuracy of DNA methylation by decreasing confidence in the result, such as BRAF, RAF, or FGFR1 fusions, or result in a complete mismatch, such as NTRK, EWSR1, FGFR, and ALK fusions. IMPLICATIONS/UNASSIGNED:DNA methylation signatures need to be interpreted in the context of pathology and discordant results warrant testing for novel and rare gene fusions.