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Multi-band elastic optical networks are a promising alternative to meet the bandwidth demand of the ever-growing Internet traffic. In this letter, we propose a family of band allocation algorithms for multi-band elastic optical networks. Employing simulation, we evaluate the blocking performance of 3 algorithms of such a family and compare their performance with the only heuristic proposed to date. Results show that the three new algorithms outperform the previous proposal, with up to one order of magnitude improvement. We expect these results to help advance the area of dynamic resource allocation in multi-band elastic optical networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The management of wavelength routed optical mesh networks is complex with many potential light path routes and numerous physical layer impairments to transmission performance. This complexity can be reduced by applying the ideas of abstraction from computer science where different equipment is described in the same basic terms. The noise-to-signal ratio can be used as a metric to describe the quality of transmission performance of a signal propagated through a network element and accumulates additively through a sequence of such elements allowing the estimation of end-to-end performance. This study aims to explore the robustness of the noise-to-signal ratio metric in an installed fibre infrastructure. We show that the abstracted noise-to-signal ratio is independent of the observers and their location. We confirm that the abstracted noise-to-signal ratio can reasonably predict the performance of light-paths subsequently set in our network. Having a robust network element abstraction that can be incorporated into routeing engines allows the network management controller to make decisions on the most effective way to use the network resources in terms of the routeing and data coding format. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the durability of adhesion between acrylic teeth and denture base acrylic resin. The base surfaces of 24 acrylic teeth were flatted and submitted to 4 surface treatment methods: SM1 (control): No SM; SM2: application of a methyl methacrylate-based bonding agent (Vitacol); SM3: air abrasion with 30-microm silicone oxide plus silane; SM4: SM3 plus SM2. A heat-polymerized acrylic resin was applied to the teeth. Thereafter, bar specimens were produced for the microtensile test at dry and thermocyled conditions (60 days water storage followed by 12,000 cycles). The results showed that bond strength was significantly affected by the SM (P < .0001) (SM4 = SM2 > SM3 > SM1) and storage regimens (P < .0001) (dry > thermocycled). The methyl methacrylate--based adhesive showed the highest bond strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-scanning, single-shot, 3D integral microscopy with optical sectioning is presented. The method is based on the combination of Fourier-mode integral microscopy with a 3D deconvolution technique. Specifically, the refocused volume provided by a regular back-projection algorithm is 3D deconvolved with a synthetic 3D impulse response function that takes into account the number and positions of the elemental images. The use of this hybrid technique provides a stack of true-color depth-refocused images with significant gain of optical sectioning. The stack can be used, among other applications, to inspect inside the thick microscope specimen, to calculate collections of perspective views with fine angular resolution and extended full parallax, and also to display 3D images in an integral monitor. The method here presented is validated with both simulation and experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: What is known and objective: Chemotherapy (CT)‐associated oral mucositis (OM) is one of the most debilitating and painful side effects in oncology patients, with limited effective management options. During CT, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are upregulated, causing damage in mucosal and submucosal tissues, and playing a key role in OM; therefore, the use of subantimicrobial doxycycline as a MMP inhibitor may represent a potential approach for OM management. The aim of this clinical trial was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of low doses of doxycycline in OM development in individuals with acute leukaemia (AL) during CT. Methods: Randomized controlled clinical trial (Registration No. NCT01087476) performed in adult AL patients scheduled to receive CT (September 2010‐October 2014). Individuals were stratified by leukaemia type and assigned randomly to receive doxycycline hyclate (50 mg/d) (doxycycline group: DG) or placebo (placebo group: PG) before and during CT. Included subjects had a baseline oral examination and thereafter 3 times a week during 21 days. The primary outcome was OM development. Results and discussion: One hundred and forty‐seven AL subjects were enrolled: 74 in DG and 73 in PG; baseline characteristics between groups were comparable. During follow‐up, 15 (10.2%) individuals developed OM; no differences between treatment groups were found (DG:8.1%, PG:12.3%; P = .59). The mean OM Assessment Scale score was 2.51, without differences between groups (DG:2.7, PG:2.4; P = .65). Low baseline blood albumin levels in the OM‐affected individuals were identified, revealing the effect of systemic deterioration as a predisposing factor for OM development. No adverse effects were observed. What is new and conclusion: Subantimicrobial doses of doxycycline did not reduce the incidence, onset, duration or severity of OM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although HPV emerged as a crucial carcinogenic and prognostic biomarker in head and neck cancer, and considering the increase in HPV‐associated oral lesions (HPV‐OLs) in HIV individuals, molecular information about HPV‐OLs is scarce; thus, our aim was to determine viral loads in HPV‐OLs from HIV/AIDS individuals. Methods: HIV/AIDS subjects with HPV‐OL were included in this cross‐sectional study. Following informed consent, biopsies were obtained. HPV detection and typing were carried out by PCR and sequencing (MY09/11, GP5+/6+). HPV‐13 and HPV‐32 loads were determined by a high‐resolution melting assay. For statistical analysis, X2, Fisher's exact, and Mann‐Whitney U tests were applied, using SPSS software (v.23). Results: Twenty‐nine HIV subjects (median age 38 years, 93% males) were included. Most were AIDS individuals (72.4%) under HAART (89.7%). Twenty‐two (75.9%) participants had more than one HPV‐OL (four with florid presentations), mostly multifocal epithelial hyperplasia (62%), being HPV‐13 (26%) and HPV‐32 (31%) the most frequent types. HPV load was higher in individuals with multiple HPV‐OLs than in solitary lesions (4.9 vs. 3.2 Log10 copies/ml, p = .090) and in HPV‐32+ than in HPV‐13+ (8.3 vs. 6.4 Log10 copies/ml, p = .014). Conclusions: Multiple HPV‐OLs showed high HPV loads, possibly indicating transcriptional activity of the virus; however, in the HIV setting, the individual and local immunological response could be the key process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To assess changes in the salivary expression of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, and TNF in acute leukemia ( AL) patients before and during chemotherapy, and its association with HSV infection, oral candidiasis ( OC), and oral mucositis ( OM) onset. Methods Cohort study in AL patients >15 years starting induction chemotherapy at a Mexican oncological center (2013-2014). Onset of oral lesions ( OLs) was assessed during follow-up, and saliva was obtained at baseline, at visit 2 (days 4-12), and at visit 3 (days 13-21) after chemotherapy, treated with a protease inhibitor and stored at −70°C. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed. Cox proportional hazards regression models were constructed to estimate hazard ratios and its 95% CI ( HR, 95% CI) for OL development. Results Forty-one patients were followed up, and 17 (41.5%) developed OLs. OL patients had higher baseline salivary IL-1α than those without lesions ( p = 0.040). During visit 2, OL patients had higher levels of IL-1α ( p = 0.033), IL-1β ( p = 0.016), IL-6 ( p = 0.035), and TNF ( p = 0.019) than those who did not develop OLs. Patients with HSV infection, OC, and OM showed higher salivary TNF levels during follow-up ( HR: 3.52, 95% CI: 1.35-9.14, p = 0.010). Conclusion AL patients undergoing chemotherapy with high salivary TNF levels were more likely to develop HSV infection, OC, and OM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To achieve a comprehensive understanding about the global burden of oral diseases in HIV-infected children and to identify research needs. Materials and methods A literature search was conducted in PubMed (2009-2014) to address five questions: (i) prevalence of oral diseases in HIV-infected compared with uninfected children, (ii) impact of oral diseases on quality of life, (iii) effect of antiretroviral exposure in utero on craniofacial and dental development, (iv) important co-infections and antiretroviral complications, and (v) value of atraumatic restorative treatment. Results Studies showed a high prevalence of dental caries in HIV-infected children but the relationship between HIV infection and dental caries remains unclear. Also quality of life needs further investigation supported by better study designs and improvement of the instruments used. Up-to-date evidence suggested long-term harms associated with in utero antiretroviral exposure were minor but would require long-term follow-up through National Registries. The reviews also revealed the wide spectrum of metabolic disease due to antiretroviral therapy and co-infections such as tuberculosis. Finally, atraumatic restorative technique appears to be a simple and safe technique to treat dental caries but outcomes need further evaluation. Conclusions The impact of antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected children has raised novel challenging questions in the field of oral health warranting future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In this paper, we present a quantitative analysis of the error in the reconstruction of a 3D scene which has been captured with Synthetic Aperture Integral Imaging system. The 3D information is obtained from 2D images for which the camera parameters are unknown. The model used for calibrating the Integral Imaging camera setup is based on fuzzy systems. These systems provide the opportunity for modeling of conditions which are inherently imprecisely defined. We demonstrate that the error in the 3D reconstruction not only depends on the number of cameras, but also to their relative positions. Our model is applied to a set of images captured experimentally from a real object. A true-color real scale 3D reconstruction is successfully achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Human immunodeficiency virus-related oral lesions ( HIV- OLs), such as oral candidiasis ( OC) and oral hairy leukoplakia ( OHL), have been recognized as indicators of immune suppression since the beginning of the global HIV epidemic. The diagnosis and management of HIV disease and spectrum of opportunistic infection has changed over the past 30 years as our understanding of the infection has evolved. We investigated the following controversial topics: (i) Are oral manifestations of HIV still relevant after the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy ( HAART)? (ii) Can we nowadays still diagnose HIV infection through oral lesions? (iii) Is the actual classification of oral manifestations of HIV adequate or does it need to be reviewed and updated? (iv) Is there any novelty in the treatment of oral manifestations of HIV infection? Results from extensive literature review suggested the following: (i) While HAART has resulted in significant reductions in HIV- OLs, many are still seen in patients with HIV infection, with OC remaining the most common lesion. While the relationship between oral warts and the immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome is less clear, the malignant potential of oral human papillomavirus infection is gaining increasing attention. (ii) Effective antiretroviral therapy has transformed HIV from a fatal illness to a chronic manageable condition and as a result expanded screening policies for HIV are being advocated both in developed and in developing countries. Affordable, reliable, and easy-to-use diagnostic techniques have been recently introduced likely restricting the importance of HIV- OLs in diagnosis. (iii) The 1993 EC-Clearinghouse classification of HIV- OLs is still globally used despite controversy on the relevance of periodontal diseases today. HIV- OL case definitions were updated in 2009 to facilitate the accuracy of HIV- OL diagnoses by non-dental healthcare workers in large-scale epidemiologic studies and clinical trials. (iv) Research over the last 6 years on novel modalities for the treatment of HIV- OLs has been reported for OC and OHL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Knowledge of oral mucositis (OM) in patients with acute leukemia (AL) and chemotherapy (CT) has remained limited. Thus, a prospective, longitudinal study was undertaken to characterize clinical features, associated risk factors, and behavior of OM in a cohort of AL patients starting CT.Methods: Prospective and longitudinal study. A cohort of patients, older than 15 years of age with AL, scheduled to receive CT, was followed from March 2006 to October 2007. At baseline and three times per week, for 21 days, patients had an oral examination performed using the Oral Mucositis Assessment Scale (OMAS); also, oral pain and difficulty to swallow were recorded using a visual analog scale. Weekly, salivary flow measurements (Schirmer's test modified version) were done.Results: A cohort of 29 AL patients was followed for a median time of 21 (range, 14-53) days; 12 (41.4%) developed OM, with a mean OMAS score of 0.181 (SD +/- 0.56) and a mean peak OMAS score of 1.8 (SD +/- 0.56). The OM onset mean time was 9.8 (range, 2-20, SD +/- 6.09) days, with a mean duration of 7 (range, 3-14, SD +/- 4.15) days. OM was significantly correlated with salivary flow [rs = 0.420 (P = 0.0051)], oral pain [rs = 0.47 (P < 0.0001)], ability to swallow [rs = 0.36 (P = 0.0001)], and type of food intake [rs = 0.38 (P < 0.0001)].Conclusions: OM is a frequent and early side effect of CT closely correlated with oral pain, difficulty to swallow, and impairment in food intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The origin of spindle cells (SC) in oral Kaposi’s sarcoma (OKS) is still an intriguing aspect. Thus the aim of the present study was to compare the clinical, histological and immunohistochemical characteristics of OKS and oral pyogenic granuloma (OPG), in order to contribute to the knowledge of the cells involved in Kaposi′s sarcoma pathogenesis. Methods: In this retrospective, observational and comparative study, 39 OKS and 30 OPG cases were included. Immunohistochemical studies were performed for vimentin, αSMA, desmin, C-kit, CD34, D2-40 and LANA-1 [human herpesvirus-8(HHV-8)]. Statistical comparisons were done using the chi-square and Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney rank sum tests. Results: Fourteen (35.9%) OKS cases also affected the skin, and 83.8% involved the palate. All OKS and OPG were positive for vimentin and CD34. OKS samples were positive for αSMA, and 25.6% expressed C-kit. All OKS cases were positive for HHV-8, and the number of positive cells increased significantly from early / intermediate to late histological stage. D2-40 was expressed in the cellular component and vascular walls of all OKS cases, but it was negative in OPG. HHV-8 expression was increased in late histological stages of OKS lesions. Conclusions: The expression of D2-40 marker in the vascular walls and SC supports the view of a lymphatic differentiation in neoplastic cells of OKS. Desmin, αSMA , D2-40, C-kit and HHV-8 were the main markers differently expressed in OKS and OPG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Mexico, information on oral and pharyngeal cancer (OPC) is scarce. The purpose of this study was to explore the trends in OPC mortality rates in Mexico from 1979 through 2003 and to describe the distribution of OPC deaths for selected socio-demographic variables for the period of 2001-2003. Material and methods: Annual crude and age-adjusted mortality rates were obtained by gender and site of lesion, using the 2003 WHO World standard million population. The Poisson regression model was used to detect a trend in the mortality rates, testing the hypothesis beta(1) = 0. Also, the annual percentage change (APC) was computed over the age-adjusted rates. Results: The total number of OPC deaths during the period 1979-2003 was 15 576. The age-adjusted mortality rate was 1.13/100 000 in 1979 and 1.08/100 000 in 2003. Oral cancer was more frequently found than salivary gland and pharyngeal cancer (41.5% vs. 13.4% and 17.1%). The tongue (19%) was the most frequent oral affected site. The Poisson regression analysis indicated a stationary trend in cancer mortality rate; also, the APC regression model showed no increase or decrease in OPC from 1979 to 2003. Conclusions: Oral and pharyngeal cancer mortality rates in Mexico were low compared to most countries, and remained stable in the past two decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integral imaging is a promising technology for 3-D TV and 3-D display. In this paper, a theoretical analysis of 3-D integral imaging systems is performed in the frame of the Wigner distribution formalism. It is shown that the entire intensity distribution in the pick-up image plane of these systems can be obtained from a single 2-D Wigner distribution function of a single lenslet pupil. This result reveals the Wigner distribution function as a powerful tool for analysis of 3-D integral imaging systems with different pupil functions. As an example, the extension of the depth of field of an integral imaging system with lenslets having amplitude modulation (central obscuration) is proposed [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

One of the main challenges in 3-D display and visualization is to overcome its limited depth of field. Such limitation is due to the fast deterioration of lateral resolution for out-of-focus object positions. Here we propose a new method to significantly extend the depth of field. The method is based on the combined benefits of a proper amplitude modulation of the microlenses, and the application of deconvolution tools. Numerical tests are presented to verify the theoretical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Single-photon fluorescence confocal microscopy techniques can be combined with the use of specific binary filters in order to increase their optical sectioning capability. We present a novel class of axially super-resolving binary pupil filters specially designed to reach this aim. These filters let us to obtain a relevant compression of the z-response together with the reduction of the photo-bleaching effect typically inherent to apodization techniques. The fact of joining both the three-ring filters we propose in the illumination path, and the confocal detection gives rise to an important effective increase of lenses of effective numerical aperture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral lesions such as candidosis, hairy leukoplakia (HL) and oral ulcers are strikingly absent in the numerous reports of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). To document oral manifestations attributable to immune reconstitution, we conducted a longitudinal follow-up of a cohort of HIV+ individuals starting highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and completing oral pathology follow-up up to 12 weeks after treatment initiation. HIV-infected patients had oral examinations, CD4+ T-cell count and viral load determinations performed at baseline, and at weeks 4, 8 and 12 after HAART initiation. Among individuals with satisfactory viral response and recovery of ≥50 CD4+ T-cell/mL, eight patients complied with strict IRIS criteria: two developed clinical signs of oral candidosis (OC), two oral ulcers, three HL and one Kaposi's sarcoma. CD4+ T-cell counts at symptom onset suggested no remaining immune suppression. Our findings show that cases of OC, HL and recurrent ulcers can be instances of IRIS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electromagnetic theory predicts that when a linearly polarized collimated field is focused by a high-angle focusing system, components perpendicular to the initial polarization are generated. The use of annular masks to reduce the area of the focal spot usually increases the magnitude of this phenomenon, known as depolarization. We present a class of masks, the three-ring masks, which are important because they narrow the central lobe of the focal intensity distribution without increasing the depolarization. This can be very useful in modern optical applications, such as confocal microscopy or multiphoton scanning microscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study focusing on the Antiretroviral treatment of plasma HIV-1 RNA Patients. It suggests that HIV treated patients need to continue their therapy to prevent plasma virus because HIV-1 patients continue to replicate in viral reservoirs. Topics discussed include Oral Mucosal Epithelial Cells, HIV-1 DNA and Viral Evolution.