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In this study, ZnFe2O4 and ZnO-ZnFe2O4 catalysts were prepared using the glycine–nitrate process (GNP). The prepared ZnFe2O4 and ZnO-ZnFe2O4 catalyst powders were characterized using a scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, XRD diffraction studies, and selected area diffraction pattern studies. In addition, the specific surface area was measured using a Brunauer–Emmett–Teller specific surface area analysis. The hydrogen reduction in different temperature ranges was analyzed using the H2 temperature-programmed reduction technique. The specific surface area of the ZnFe2O4 was 5.66 m2/g, and the specific surface area of the ZnO-ZnFe2O4 was 8.20 m2/g at a G/N ratio of 1.5 and at a G/N ratio of 1.7, respectively. The specific surface area of the ZnFe2O4 was 6.03 m2/g, and the specific surface area of the ZnO-ZnFe2O4 was 11.67 m2/g. The ZnFe2O4 and ZnO-ZnFe2O4 were found to have the best catalytic effect at 500 °C. In particular, the highest H2 generation rate of the ZnO-ZnFe2O4 (GN = 1.7) at 500 °C was 7745 mL STP min−1 g-cat−1. Moreover, the ZnO-ZnFe2 O4 catalyst demonstrated good H2 selectivity and stability during the process of steam reforming methanol. Therefore, the ZnO-ZnFe2O4 catalyst powder exhibited high catalytic activity due to the good dispersibility of the ZnO, which increased the specific surface area of the catalyst. In the future, the catalyst can be applied to the steam reforming of methanol for industrial purposes.

Supplementary Figures 1-6 from Oct-3/4 Expression Reflects Tumor Progression and Regulates Motility of Bladder Cancer Cells

Supplementary Materials and Methods from Oct-3/4 Expression Reflects Tumor Progression and Regulates Motility of Bladder Cancer Cells

Cancer and embryonic stem cells exhibit similar behavior, including immortal, undifferentiated, and invasive activities. Here, we show that in clinical samples bladder tumors with intense expression of stem cell marker Oct-3/4 (also known as POU5F1) are associated with further disease progression, greater metastasis, and shorter cancer-related survival compared with those with moderate and low expressions. Expression of Oct-3/4 is detected in human bladder transitional cell carcinoma samples and cell lines. Overexpression of Oct-3/4 enhances, whereas knockdown of Oct-3/4 expression by RNA interference reduces, migration and invasion of bladder cancer cells. Oct-3/4 can up-regulate fibroblast growth factor-4 and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), MMP-9, and MMP-13 production, which may contribute to tumor metastasis. Finally, we show that Ad5WS4, an E1B-55 kD–deleted adenovirus driven by the Oct-3/4 promoter, exerts potent antitumor activity against bladder cancer in a syngeneic murine tumor model. Therefore, our results implicate that Oct-3/4 may be useful as a novel tumor biological and prognostic marker and probably as a potential therapeutic target for bladder cancer. [Cancer Res 2008;68(15):6281–91]

Supplementary Tables 1-3 from Oct-3/4 Expression Reflects Tumor Progression and Regulates Motility of Bladder Cancer Cells

Supplementary Figure Legends 1-6 from Oct-3/4 Expression Reflects Tumor Progression and Regulates Motility of Bladder Cancer Cells

Hydrogen is the alternative renewable energy source for addressing the energy crisis, global warming, and climate change. Hydrogen is mostly obtained in the industrial process by steam reforming of natural gas. In the present work, CuCrO2 particles were attached to the surfaces of electrospun CeO2 nanofibers to form CeO2-CuCrO2 nanofibers. However, the CuCrO2 particles did not readily adhere to the surfaces of the CeO2 nanofibers, so a trace amount of SiO2 was added to the surfaces to make them hydrophilic. After the SiO2 modification, the CeO2 nanofibers were immersed in Cu-Cr-O precursor and annealed in a vacuum atmosphere to form CeO2-CuCrO2 nanofibers. The CuCrO2, CeO2, and CeO2-CuCrO2 nanofibers were examined by X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscope, thermogravimetric analysis, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller studies (BET). The BET surface area of the CeO2-CuCrO2 nanofibers was 15.06 m2/g. The CeO2-CuCrO2 nanofibers exhibited hydrogen generation rates of up to 1335.16 mL min−1 g-cat−1 at 773 K. Furthermore, the CeO2-CuCrO2 nanofibers produced more hydrogen at lower temperatures. The hydrogen generation performance of these CeO2-CuCrO2 nanofibers could be of great importance in industry and have an economic impact.

Fall prevention is critical for older adults. Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries (STEADI) is a fall prevention initiative, promoted by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). The purpose of this review aims to discuss the predictive validity, improve the predictive validity of STEADI, and apply STEADI in clinical settings.

Vertex epidural hematoma (VEDH) is a relatively uncommon type of intracranial hematoma. Because of its unique location and the potential of massive intraoperative bleeding, diagnosis and surgical intervention of VEDH may be challenging.A retrospective analysis of 32 patients with VEDH was undertaken to investigate the prognostic factor and therapeutic strategy of VEDH. Special attention was paid to the relationship between fracture pattern, surgical method, intraoperative blood loss and outcome.Patients treated surgically had a higher percentage of consciousness disturbance and a significantly larger size of VEDH compared with patients treated conservatively (p = 0.029 and p0.0001, respectively). Bleeding from the injured superior sagittal sinus (SSS) was noted in six of nine patients (67%) with a linear fracture parallel to the SSS. Only one patient (20%) with a linear fracture crossing the SSS had bleeding from the injured SSS. Five of eight patients (63%) with sagittal suture diastasis experienced bleeding from the SSS. All patients with massive blood loss and six of seven patients developing intraoperative shock had copious bleeding from the injured SSS. All patients with intraoperative massive bleeding and shock underwent traditional "simple craniotomy". No patients undergoing "strip craniotomy" experienced massive bleeding. Thrombocytopenia (p = 0.008), headache (p = 0.015), consciousness disturbance (p = 0.043), pupil reactivity (p = 0.010), GCS score (p0.0001) and the relationship between skull fracture and the SSS (p = 0.037) were significant prognostic factors.Our study demonstrated GCS score may be a significant prognostic factor in patients with VEDH. Bleeding from the injured SSS occurred frequently in VEDH patients with a linear skull fracture parallel to the SSS or sagittal suture diastasis and could cause devastating hemorrhage. When operating on such patients, the surgical team should prepare for the possibility of massive blood loss and intraoperative shock. Bilateral parasagittal craniotomies with preservation of a central bone strip containing the sagittal suture (strip craniotomy) to allow application of tack-up sutures from the dura to the bone strip may be more suitable for VEDH evacuation.

Background: Concussion is a common injury among children and adolescents, with a growing body of literature supporting a variety of diagnostic and treatment modalities. Recovery is variable and depends on multiple factors that can be evaluated through a clinic visit: a thorough history, physical examination, and use of the Post-concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS). Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to evaluate factors associated with overall recovery from concussion in children and adolescents in the clinical setting. It was hypothesized that the presence of 1 of a number of pre- or postinjury characteristics will be associated with poor concussion recovery. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of adolescents and children aged 6 to 17 years with a diagnosis of concussion who were evaluated at a single sports medicine center between January 2015 and December 2019. Cases were categorized into recovered (PCSS Results: Of the 162 charts reviewed, 110 cases met inclusion criteria. Significant statistical differences were found between the recovered and poorly recovered cohorts regarding mean days from injury to last clinic visit, previous migraine diagnosis, and emergency room (ER) visit before the first clinic visit ( P < .01 for all). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that the most predictive factors associated with poorer recovery were having an ER visit before the first clinic evaluation ( P = .01) and previous migraine diagnosis ( P = .04). Conclusion: While many factors may contribute to overall recovery from concussion in pediatric populations, our study suggested that a history of migraine and an ER visit before clinic evaluation may be associated with poor recovery of concussive symptoms.

Vanadium-doped cobalt oxide materials have emerged as a promising class of catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction. Previous studies suggest vanadium doping in crystalline Co spinel materials tunes the electronic structure and stabilizes surface intermediates. We report a CoV2O4 material that shows good activity for the oxygen evolution reaction. However, postmortem characterization of the catalyst material shows dissolution of vanadium resulting in an amorphous CoOx material, suggesting that this vanadium-free material, and not CoV2O4, is the active catalyst. This study highlights the importance of postmortem characterization prior to mechanistic and computational analysis for this class of materials.

To address climate change, the energy crisis, and global warming, hydrogen (H

Interprofessional practice and education (IPE) is incorporated into pre-licensure healthcare programs to prepare students for collaboration in clinical practice and to improve patient outcomes. The use of interprofessional simulation as a teaching strategy is increasing, but most literature involves medical and nursing students, and outcomes measure students' knowledge, perceptions, or attitudes. The purpose of this study was to compare allied health students' self-assessment of their team's interprofessional collaborative care (IPCC) skills and behaviors with an independent observer's perception during an interprofessional simulation discharge planning event with standardized patients. Students (n = 177) were recruited from the Departments of Occupational Therapy (OT), Physical Therapy (PT), and Physician Assistant Studies (PA). Students reflected on their team's performance, and an independent observer assessed each team's IPCC skills and behaviors with a valid and reliable tool developed from the IPEC Core Competencies. The results showed that students' assessments of their teams' IPCC were significantly greater than the independent observer's ratings. Additionally, the observer found that the students demonstrated higher levels of interprofessional collaboration during a team huddle without a standardized patient present. This study suggests that IPE program evaluation should include observations of interprofessional skills and behaviors and that students involved in interprofessional simulation may benefit from a team huddle prior to team interactions with a standardized patient.

Early recognition and prevention comprise the first ring of the Chain of Survival for in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA). We previously developed and internally validated an emergency department (ED) triage tool, Emergency Department In-hospital Cardiac Arrest Score (EDICAS), for predicting ED-based IHCA. We aimed to externally validate this novel tool in another ED population. This retrospective cohort study used electronic clinical warehouse data from a tertiary medical center with approximately 130,000 ED visits per year. We retrieved data from 268,208 ED visits over a 2-year period. We selected one ED visit per person and excluded out-of-hospital cardiac arrest or children. Patient demographics and computerized triage information were retrieved, and the EDICAS was calculated to predict the ED-based IHCA. A total of 145,557 adult ED patients were included. Of them, 240 (0.16%) developed IHCA. The EDICAS showed excellent discrimination with an area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) of 0.88. The AUROC of the EDICAS outperformed those of other early warning scores (0.80 for Modified Early Warning Score [MEWS] and 0.83 for Rapid Emergency Medicine Score [REMS]) in the same ED population. An EDICAS of 6 or above (i.e., high-risk patients) corresponded to a sensitivity of 33%, a specificity of 97%, and a positive likelihood ratio of 12.2. In conclusion, we externally validated a tool for predicting imminent IHCA in the ED and demonstrated its superior performance over other early warning scores. The real-world impact of the EDICAS warning system with appropriate interventions would require a future prospective study.

This study compared the accuracy of static computer-assisted implant surgery (sCAIS) planned through dental surface image registration and fiducial marker registration. Stone models of 30 patients were converted into digital dental casts by using a desktop scanner. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was performed and superimposed to the digital dental casts with two methods: matching the dental surface images or matching the fiducial markers on a stereolithographic radiographic template. Following the implant planning, stereolithographic surgical guides were fabricated, and 56 fully guided implants were inserted by the same doctor. Deviations between planned and inserted implants were measured and compared using postoperative CBCT images. After adjustment for other potential influencing factors, compared with the fiducial marker registration group, significantly larger mean lateral deviations were noted in the dental surface registration group at both the implant platform and apex (p = 0.0188 and 0.0371, respectively). However, the mean lateral deviations for the dental surface registration (0.83 ± 0.51 mm at implant platform and 1.24 ± 0.68 mm at implant apex) were comparable to the literature. In conclusion, our findings indicate that although sCAIS planned using dental surface image registration was not statistically as accurate as that using fiducial marker registration, its accuracy was satisfactory for clinical use.

Introduction: Emergency department (ED) revisits are traditionally used to measure potential lapses in emergency care. However, recent studies on in-hospital outcomes following ED revisits have begun to challenge this notion. We aimed to examine inpatient outcomes and resource use among patients who were hospitalized following a return visit to the ED using a national database. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study using the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. One-third of ED visits from 2012–2013 were randomly selected and their subsequent hospitalizations included. We analyzed the inpatient outcomes (mortality and intensive care unit [ICU] admission) and resource use (length of stay [LOS] and costs). Comparisons were made between patients who were hospitalized after a return visit to the ED and those who were hospitalized during the index ED visit. Results: Of the 3,019,416 index ED visits, 477,326 patients (16%) were directly admitted to the hospital. Among the 2,504,972 patients who were discharged during the index ED visit, 229,059 (9.1%) returned to the ED within three days. Of them, 37,118 (16%) were hospitalized. In multivariable analyses, the inpatient mortality rates and hospital LOS were similar between the two groups. Compared with the direct-admission group, the return-admission group had a lower ICU admission rate (adjusted odds ratio, 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.72-0.84), and lower costs (adjusted difference, -5,198 New Taiwan dollars, 95% CI, -6,224 to -4,172). Conclusion: Patients who were hospitalized after a return visit to the ED had a lower ICU admission rate and lower costs, compared to those who were directly admitted. Our findings suggest that ED revisits do not necessarily translate to poor initial care and that subsequent inpatient outcomes should also be considered for better assessment.

This study was completed to validate a virtual reality (VR) headset (HTC ViveTM, Taiwan) as a tool to measure postural sway using the position and orientation tracking capabilities built into the VR system. If validated, the headset could be a cost-effective tool for balance assessments. Unity was used to develop an optical flow environment for VR. Study participants were able to experience three different speeds of optical flow displayed through the HTC Vive headset. However, for this study, participants were shown a scene in the virtual environment that did not move, causing no optical flow for the participant. A force plate and VR headset recorded position measurements during each trial. The Pearson correlation coefficients between the headset and the force plate data measurements were calculated in MATLAB, along with the root-mean-squared and peak-to-peak values for each trial. Results show that correlations in the AP plane tended to be greater than 0.4 and correlation in the ML plane tended to be greater than 0.6. The VR headset may be used for postural control measurements in clinic. However, further development of software and testing protocols for balance assessments is needed.

Background/purpose: Dysregulation of cell cycle checkpoint control may lead to the independence of growth regulating signals. Checkpoint protein such as the PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint involving tumor cells and host immune defense lymphocytes is a well-studied therapeutic target in oncology. Acting at a cell surface receptor on plasma membrane integrin αvβ3, thyroxine stimulates intracellular accumulation of PD-L1 in cancer cells. Although resveratrol also binds to integrin αvβ3, it reduces PD-L1 expression. Materials and methods: In current studies, we investigated the roles of resveratrol and thyroxine in regulating expression of proliferation-related genes and checkpoint genes, PD-L1, BTLA in two oral cancer cell lines. Results: Thyroxine suppressed the expression of pro-apoptotic BAD but induced proliferative CCND1 expression in SSC-25 cells and OEC-M1 cells. It activated expression of PD-L1 and BTLA in both cell lines. On the other hand, resveratrol suppressed the expression of all. Alternatively, it activated BAD expression. Thus thyroxine induces checkpoint gene expression which may promote proliferation in cancer cells. Alternatively, resveratrol reverses the stimulatory effects of thyroid hormone to induce anti-proliferation. Conclusion: These findings provide new insights into the antagonizing effect of resveratrol on the thyroxine-induced expression of checkpoint genes and proliferative genes in oral cancers. Keywords: L-thyroxine, Resveratrol, Checkpoint genes, Oral cancer

Cranioplasty can improve a patient's psychosocial and cognitive functions after decompressive craniectomy, however seizures are a common complication after cranioplasty. The risk factors for early and late seizures after cranioplasty are unclear. This study is to evaluate the risk factors for early and late seizure after cranioplasty.Two hundred and thirty-eight patients who received cranioplasty following craniectomy between January 2012 and December 2014 were included in this study. The risk factors of the patients with early and late post-cranioplasty seizures were compared to those with no post-cranioplasty seizures.Seizures (73/238, 30.3%) were the most common complication after cranioplasty. Of these 73 patients, 17 (7.1%) had early post-cranioplasty seizures and 56 (23.5%) had late post-cranioplasty seizures. Early post-cranioplasty seizures were related to a longer interval between craniectomy and cranioplasty (P = 0.006), artificial materials (P 0.001), and patients with late post-craniectomy seizures (P = 0.001). Late post-cranioplasty seizures were related to the presence of neurological deficits (P = 0.042). After stepwise logistic regression analysis, a longer interval between craniectomy and cranioplasty (P = 0.012; OR: 1.004, 95% CI: 1.001-1.007) and late post-craniectomy seizures (P = 0.033; OR: 4.335, 95% CI: 1.127-16.675) were independently associated with early post-cranioplasty seizures.Delayed cranioplasty procedures and seizures before cranioplasty were significantly associated with early post-cranioplasty seizures. Further studies are warranted to investigate whether early surgery after craniectomy can reduce the risk of early post-cranioplasty seizures.

This study aimed to examine the feasibility of using time-to-contact measures during the perturbation protocol in people with diabetes mellitus. Three-dimension motion capture and force data were collected during 0.5-s perturbations in four directions (forward, backward, right, and left) and at two accelerations (20 and 40 cm/s2) to compute the time-to-contact. Time-to-contact analysis was divided into three phases: perturbation, initial recovery, and final recovery. The statistical analysis showed the main effects of Direction and Phase (p p

Vanadium-doped cobalt oxide materials have emerged as a promising class of catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction. Previous studies suggest vanadium doping in crystalline Co spinel materials tunes the electronic structure and stabilizes surface intermediates. We report a CoV2O4 material that shows good activity for the oxygen evolution reaction. However, postmortem characterization of the catalyst material shows dissolution of vanadium resulting in an amorphous CoOx material, suggesting that this vanadium-free material, and not CoV2O4, is the active catalyst. This study highlights the importance of postmortem characterization prior to mechanistic and computational analysis for this class of materials.

BACKGROUND Accurately measuring postural sway is an important part of balance assessment and rehabilitation. Although force plates give accurate measurements, their costs and space requirements make their use impractical in many situations. OBJECTIVE The work presented in this paper aimed to address this issue by validating a virtual reality (VR) headset as a relatively low-cost alternative to force plates for postural sway measurement. The HTC Vive (HTC Corporation) VR headset has built-in sensors that allow for position and orientation tracking, making it a potentially effective tool for balance assessments. METHODS Participants in this study were asked to stand upright on a force plate (NeuroCom; Natus Medical Incorporated) while wearing the HTC Vive. Position data were collected from the headset and force plate simultaneously as participants experienced a custom-built VR environment that covered their entire field of view. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to examine the test-retest reliability of the postural control variables, which included the normalized path length, root mean square (RMS), and peak-to-peak (P2P) value. These were computed from the VR position output data and the center of pressure (COP) data from the force plate. Linear regression was used to investigate the correlations between the VR and force plate measurements. RESULTS Our results showed that the test-retest reliability of the RMS and P2P value of VR headset outputs (ICC: range 0.285-0.636) was similar to that of the RMS and P2P value of COP outputs (ICC: range 0.228-0.759). The linear regression between VR and COP measures showed significant correlations in RMSs and P2P values. CONCLUSIONS Based on our results, the VR headset has the potential to be used for postural control measurements. However, the further development of software and testing protocols for balance assessments is needed.

Background Accurately measuring postural sway is an important part of balance assessment and rehabilitation. Although force plates give accurate measurements, their costs and space requirements make their use impractical in many situations. Objective The work presented in this paper aimed to address this issue by validating a virtual reality (VR) headset as a relatively low-cost alternative to force plates for postural sway measurement. The HTC Vive (HTC Corporation) VR headset has built-in sensors that allow for position and orientation tracking, making it a potentially effective tool for balance assessments. Methods Participants in this study were asked to stand upright on a force plate (NeuroCom; Natus Medical Incorporated) while wearing the HTC Vive. Position data were collected from the headset and force plate simultaneously as participants experienced a custom-built VR environment that covered their entire field of view. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to examine the test-retest reliability of the postural control variables, which included the normalized path length, root mean square (RMS), and peak-to-peak (P2P) value. These were computed from the VR position output data and the center of pressure (COP) data from the force plate. Linear regression was used to investigate the correlations between the VR and force plate measurements. Results Our results showed that the test-retest reliability of the RMS and P2P value of VR headset outputs (ICC: range 0.285-0.636) was similar to that of the RMS and P2P value of COP outputs (ICC: range 0.228-0.759). The linear regression between VR and COP measures showed significant correlations in RMSs and P2P values. Conclusions Based on our results, the VR headset has the potential to be used for postural control measurements. However, the further development of software and testing protocols for balance assessments is needed.

When walking on a treadmill, people can experience a sensory mismatch resulting from the lack of visual flow. In this study, functional Near‐Infrared Spectrometry (fNIRS) was used to investigate hemodynamic changes in the brain during overground and treadmill walking. Nine healthy right-handed subjects (25 ± 3 years) were recruited in this study. The test conditions included walking overground, on a split‐belt treadmill, and on a standard treadmill. Results showed significantly increased activity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the temporoparietal junction (Vestibular Cortex-VEST) on both treadmills compared with overground walking. Walking on the standard treadmill significantly increased activation in the PFC and both the left and right VEST compared with the split‐belt treadmill. Our results suggest that walking on the treadmill provokes increased PFC and VEST activation. This finding may explain the fleeting sensation of dizziness after stopping walking on a treadmill.

Functional Near-Infrared Spectrometry (fNIRS) is a novel neuroimaging method that can detect brain activity during functional activities. The prefrontal cortex and supplemental motor area (SMA) are active during normal and fast speed walking. However, it is unclear how age difference affects brain activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and SMA when walking at different speeds. The purpose of this study was to investigate the age differences in DLPFC and SMA activation during different walking speeds.10 younger (5F; 25 ± 8 y.o.) and 10 older adults (5F; 73 ± 6 y.o.) completed three visits in this study. Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy was used to detect hemodynamic changes on right and left hemispheres over the DLPFC and SMA during self-selected slow, preferred, and fast walking speeds.The results showed significantly increased DLPFC and SMA activity in older adults compared to younger adults when walking at preferred normal, fast, and slow speeds. Older adults also had a higher left DLPFC activation during preferred fast walking speed than younger adults.The results suggest that there are age differences in the DLPFC and SMA activation, with older adults demonstrating increased DLPFC and SMA activity across all walk conditions compared to younger adults. This may indicate older adults require higher cognitive demand and need to recruit indirect motor pathways when changing gait speed by increasing SMA activation.

The accuracy of static guided implant surgery (sGIS) using conventional planning workflow has been extensively examined, however, more information is required to justify the application of fully digital planning protocol. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical accuracy of sGIS with a fully digital planning workflow. Twenty-one partially edentulous patients were enrolled in this prospective study. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and intraoral scans were taken and superimposed by matching the dental surface images directly (surface registration protocol) or by matching fiducial markers on a stereolithographic (SLA) radiographic template fabricated from the digital data of the intraoral scan (fiducial marker registration protocol). Virtual implant treatment plans were then determined, and tooth-supported SLA surgical guides were fabricated according to the plans. Twenty-six implant surgeries were performed via the surgical guide by one surgeon. Pre- and post-operative CBCT images were superimposed, and the positional and angular deviations between placed and planned implants were measured with metrology software. A total of 43 fully guided implants were placed, in which 25 implants were planned with the surface registration protocol. Implants planned based on the surface registration protocol had a larger mean angular deviation than the fiducial marker registration protocol. No significant differences were found for any deviations of the examined variables. Within the limits of this study, we concluded that the clinical accuracy of the sGIS planned with a fully digital workflow was consistent with the conventional workflow for partially edentulous patients.

Studies examining the effect of operator experience on the accuracy of static guided implant surgery have used postoperative computed tomography (CT) images to measure the error, with inconsistent results. The purpose of this study was to try to clarify this issue by using a measurement method based on the postoperative optical scan. Thirty dentists were divided into an experienced group and an inexperienced group. On a partially edentulous mandibular model in the manikin head, each dentist placed three implants via the stereolithographic (SLA) surgical guide. The implant positions were identified by a desktop scanner and compared with the planned positions using a metrology software program. No statistically significant differences were observed for any of the measured positional and angular deviations of the three implant sites between experienced and inexperienced operators (p &gt, 0.01). All the mean values of deviations of the inexperienced group, except the depth deviation, were less than the experienced group. Implants inserted by dentists under 40 years old had significantly better accuracy than senior doctors in the global deviation at implant apex (p = 0.006). Within the limits of this study, we concluded that operator experience is not a critical factor in achieving the accuracy of guided implant surgery via the tooth-supported SLA surgical guide. Large deviations could occur even with the aid of the SLA surgical guide, and care must be taken to avoid errors for both experienced and inexperienced operators.

Studies suggest that aging affects the sensory re-weighting process, but the neuroimaging evidence is minimal. Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a novel neuroimaging tool that can detect brain activities during dynamic movement condition. In this study, fNIRS was used to investigate the hemodynamic changes in the frontal-lateral, temporal-parietal, and occipital regions of interest (ROIs) during four sensory integration conditions that manipulated visual and somatosensory feedback in 15 middle-aged and 15 older adults. The results showed that the temporal-parietal ROI was activated more when somatosensory and visual information were absent in both groups, which indicated the sole use of vestibular input for maintaining balance. While both older adults and middle-aged adults had greater activity in most brain ROIs during changes in the sensory conditions, the older adults had greater increases in the occipital ROI and frontal-lateral ROIs. These findings suggest a cortical component to sensory re-weighting that is more distributed and requires greater attention in older adults.