Comparative evaluation of remaining dentin thickness, canal centering ability and apical deformity between ProFit S3 and Protaper gold - A nano CT study

Purpose

For the root canal treatment to be successful, the root canal system must be cleaned and shaped, and must be gradually widened from the apical to the coronal region in order to preserve dentin thickness. ProFit S3 (Profit Dental, India) patented rotary file with variable taper design preserves dentin. The study employs ultra-high-resolution nano-computed tomography to assess the volumetric changes of two new rotary files in permanent mandibular premolars.

Materials and methods

Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, this in-vitro investigation used extracted premolars. Before the pre-operative scan, samples were made and the working length was determined using a high-precision nano-CT (SkyScan 2214, Bruker, Kontich, Belgium). A single skilled pediatric dentist used ProFit S3 (Profit Dental, India) and Protaper Gold (PTG; Dentsply, Tulsa Dental Specialties, Tulsa, OK, USA) to prepare the canals. Post-op scans were similar to pre-ops. For 3D root canal visualization and analysis, NRecon software was used to rebuild images.

Results

Profit S3 has a mean value of 0.65500 and Protaper gold 1.38800, indicating a significant range. Protaper gold followed Profit S3 in canal volume differential. The two rotating file systems differed significantly (p 0.05). ProFit S3 maintained mesiodistal and buccolingual dentin thickness at 4 mm, 8 mm, and 12 mm, followed by Protaper Gold.

Conclusions

ProFit S3 exhibited the lowest mean canal volume difference compared to Protaper gold. Unlike Protaper Gold, ProFit S3 offers a variable taper design that preserves root canal anatomy, peri cervical dentin, and dentin thickness.

Dry eye among medical students before and during COVID-19

Purpose

Dry eye is a multifactorial disease of the ocular surface. It showed an increased incidence during the pandemic situation, which may be due to long hours of exposure to electronic gadgets. We aimed to find the prevalence of dry eye disease among medical students during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and pre-pandemic periods.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary care teaching institute. This was an institution-based, cross-sectional study conducted among medical students. A modified Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire was used to find the severity and prevalence of dry eye disease. Considering 95% confidence interval (CI) and prevalence as 50%, the calculated sample size was 271. Online responses were collected and entered in an Excel sheet. The Chi-square test, univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used for statistical analysis.

Results

Data were collected from 271 medical students; the prevalence of dry eye disease was 41.5 and 55.19 during the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods, respectively. There was a significant rise in dry eye disease cases during the pandemic when compared to pre-pandemic period (P < 0.05). The odds of getting dry eye disease were 1.7 times more during the pandemic than pre-pandemic.

Conclusion

The lockdown situation during the pandemic forced people to use electronic gadgets for work, recreation, and academics. Prolonged screen time predisposes to the development of dry eye disease.

Venous malformation of the conjunctiva and orbit

A 28-year-old male presented with a large conjunctival lobulated, nonpulsatile, red vascular lesion involving a large part of the temporal quadrant of the left globe. There was no proptosis or globe displacement, but the left eye abduction was limited. T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scan of the brain and orbit revealed an extensive contrast-enhancing lobulated lesion in the left half of the face involving the upper lip, cheek, oral cavity, extraconal space of left orbit, and nasal cavity. He underwent surgical excision of the conjunctival lesion with amniotic membrane reconstruction.

Atypical corneal clouding in mucopolysaccharidoses

The etiology for corneal clouding from the birth is varied and includes conditions such as sclerocornea, birth trauma, corneal ulcer, Peters anomaly, and rare causes like mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS). The lysosomal storage disorders are associated with a varied ocular manifestation including bilateral corneal clouding which is often mild and stippled except in few cases like Hunter syndrome where cornea is often clear. We report a case of MPS Type I S (MPS 1) with near-normal visual acuity and bilateral dense corneal clouding with sparing of central 3 mm of cornea. The patient also had typical facial and skeletal abnormalities of lysosomal storage disorder. To our best knowledge, MPS 1 with marked corneal clouding with sparing of central cornea is very rare and has not been reported. This case report emphasizes on the atypical ocular presentation of MPS and the need for ophthalmological screening in the storage disorders.

Rare earth metal (Sm)-doped NiMnO3 nanostructures for highly competent alkaline oxygen evolution reaction

In the present work, samarium-doped nickel manganese oxide was produced by employing a straightforward co-precipitation method. A peak with a 2θ of 36° corresponded to the (110) plane confirming the formation of the rhombohedral crystal structure of NiMnO₃. The existence of Mn-O and Ni-O stretching vibration modes was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. FTIR spectra confirmed the existence of the metal-oxygen bond of NiMnO₃. The synthesized ternary Ni-based material was found to be spherical nanoparticles with an average diameter of 0.81 μm. The electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance was explored on 0.02 M samarium (Sm)-doped NiMnO₃ demonstrating outstanding OER action with low 321 mV, a low Tafel slope value (109 mV dec^-1), and low charge-transfer resistance (0.19 Ω). Moreover, the BET results suggest that the 0.02 M Sm-doped NiMnO₃ exhibited elevated surface area (78.78 m² g^-1) with a mesoporous character. Therefore, NiMnO₃ doped with high concentrations of a rare earth metal, Sm, is proposed as a suitable material for next-generation water splitting applications.

Comparative de novo transcriptome analysis identifies salinity stress responsive genes and metabolic pathways in sugarcane and its wild relative Erianthus arundinaceus [Retzius] Jeswiet

Erianthus arundinaceus [Retzius] Jeswiet, a wild relative of sugarcane has a high biomass production potential and a reservoir of many genes for superior agronomic traits and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. A comparative physiological, anatomical and root transcriptome analysis were carried out to identify the salt-responsive genes and metabolic pathways associated with salt-tolerant E. arundinaceus genotype IND99-907 and salinity-sensitive sugarcane genotype Co 97010. IND99-907 recorded growth of young leaves, higher proline content, higher relative water content, intact root anatomical structures and lower Na+/K+, Ca2+/K+ and Mg2+/K+ ratio as compared to the sugarcane genotype Co 97010. We have generated four de novo transcriptome assemblies between stressed and control root samples of IND99-907 and Co 97010. A total of 649 and 501 differentially expressed genes (FDR<0.01) were identified from the stressed and control libraries of IND99-907 and Co 97010 respectively. Genes and pathways related to early stress-responsive signal transduction, hormone signalling, cytoskeleton organization, cellular membrane stabilization, plasma membrane-bound calcium and proton transport, sodium extrusion, secondary metabolite biosynthesis, cellular transporters related to plasma membrane-bound trafficking, nucleobase transporter, clathrin-mediated endocytosis were highly enriched in IND99-907. Whereas in Co 97010, genes related to late stress-responsive signal transduction, electron transport system, senescence, protein degradation and programmed cell death, transport-related genes associated with cellular respiration and mitochondrial respiratory chain, vesicular trafficking, nitrate transporter and fewer secondary metabolite biosynthetic genes were highly enriched. A total of 27 pathways, 24 biological processes, three molecular functions and one cellular component were significantly enriched (FDR≤ 0.05) in IND99-907 as compared to 20 pathways, two biological processes without any significant molecular function and cellular components in Co 97010, indicates the unique and distinct expression pattern of genes and metabolic pathways in both genotypes. The genomic resources developed from this study is useful for sugarcane crop improvement through development of genic SSR markers and genetic engineering approaches.

Investigation of electrochemical performance of an efficient Ti2O3-CeO2 nanocomposite for enhanced pollution-free energy conversion applications

The development of an economical, abundant, stable, and greatly active electrocatalyst for water oxidation is extremely important for future energy conversion system. Electrochemical water splitting is a new move toward H₂ and O₂ gas production. It can be used in sustainable and pollution-free energy conversion applications. In this work, Ti₂O₃-CeO₂ nanocomposites were successfully synthesized with different molar ratios by facile hydrothermal method for electrochemical water oxidation. Mixed phase structure of Ti₂O₃-CeO₂ nanocomposites was confirmed by X-ray diffraction spectra and well identified by highest peak of Ti₂O₃ in 2θ values of 33.0 and CeO₂ in 2θ values of 28.5. The characteristic peaks from Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy further confirmed Ti₂O₃-CeO₂ nanocomposite formation. Existence of multidimensional nanostructures such as nanoparticles and small nanocubes of Ti₂O₃-CeO₂ nanocomposites were investigated by scanning electron microscope images. Mesoporous nature of Ti₂O₃-CeO₂ nanocomposites was further analyzed by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis. The high surface area could benefit the Ti₂O₃-CeO₂ nanocomposites with greatly improved oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance. In three molar ratios, 1:3 M ratios of Ti₂O₃-CeO₂ nanocomposites showed high catalytic action at overpotential of 244 mV. The best OER electrocatalyst was obtained by 1:3 M ratios of Ti₂O₃-CeO₂ nanocomposites, which exhibited high current density and high specific capacitance values of 238 mA/g and 517 F/g, respectively. Therefore, Ti/Ce molar ratio played a crucial role in enhancing the OER performance.

Annealing temperature effect on cobalt ferrite nanoparticles for photocatalytic degradation

In this work, cobalt ferrite nanomaterials was prepared employing simple co-precipitation technique and annealed at 300, 400 and 600 °C. XRD study revealed the formation of cubic structure of CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles and confirmed by high intense peak at 2θ value of 35.3°. The creation of ferrite phase was further confirmed by the studies such as FTIR, Raman and PL spectra. FTIR spectra confirmed the occurrence of Fe-O and Co-O metal oxygen vibrations and the lattice defects and oxygen vacancies of the CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were explored by PL spectra. No other signals were detected in Raman spectra, which explored pure spinal ferrites. The energy band gap values are obtained by using Tauc plot and the obtained band gap values for all the cobalt ferrite nanoparticles were 2.84, 2.75 and 2.89 eV respectively. The morphology of synthesized cobalt ferrite nanomaterials were observed from the SEM and TEM images. The product annealed at 400 °C showed the better morphology with least amount of agglomeration in comparison to other SEM images. In addition, SAED pattern of magnetic nanoparticles confirmed the existence of polycrystalline nature of the CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles. The obtained surface area of CF2 sample was 5.082 m² g^-1 and pore volume and diameter of CF2 sample was found to be 0.013 cc/g and 3.937 nm respectively. Then, the product annealed at 400 °C exhibited most excellent activity and degraded 74% of cationic dye in 80 min, and it also exhibited excellent stability even maintain in three cycles.

Neonatal Severe Primary Hyperparathyroidism: A Series of Four Cases and their Long-term Management in India

CONTEXT

Neonatal severe primary hyperparathyroidism (NSPHPT) is an extremely rare autosomal recessive disorder, requiring a high index of suspicion. Infants affected with this disorder present with severe life-threatening hypercalcemia early in life, requiring adequate preoperative medical management followed by surgery.

AIMS

We report four newborns with NSPHPT who were managed over 10 years.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Demography, clinical presentation, treatment, and follow-up data were retrospectively studied with descriptive analysis to highlight the utility of long-term medical management, surgery, and genetic testing reported in the literature.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

Descriptive Analysis.

RESULTS

We had three males and one female infant with a mean age of diagnosis at 28.7 days, calcium 29.2+/-2.8 mg/dL, and parathormone (PTH) 1963+/-270.4 pg/mL. All four infants presented with failure to thrive, hypotonia, and respiratory distress. All infants were treated medically followed by total parathyroidectomy plus transcervical thymectomy, with an additional hemithyroidectomy in one of them. Imaging was negative in all four cases. Three babies became hypocalcemic while the fourth infant had a drop in PTH and is on the tab. cinacalcet 30 mg/day. CaSR mutation was positive in three infants.

CONCLUSIONS

Diagnosing NSPHPT needs expert clinical acumen. It requires emergency medical management to control calcium levels. The crisis may present later, necessitating parathyroidectomy in these cases once the child is fit for surgery. Surgery offers a cure for this unusual lethal hypercalcemia while the role of cinacalcet needs a special mention. Sound knowledge in endocrinology with parathyroid embryology and morphology is of paramount importance. Our case series might add a few insights into managing this unusual genetic disorder.

Comparative evaluation of shear bond strength of two different chairside soft liners to heat processed acrylic denture base resin: An in vitro study

BACKGROUND

Chairside softliners are used more frequently than is reported and studies regarding the bond strength of chairside softliners to heat-polymerized denture base resin are few and limited. Hence, this study was conducted to comparatively evaluate the shear bond strength of two chairside soft relining materials viz., autopolymerizing plasticized acrylic resin liner and a silicone-based liner bonded to heat polymerized polymethyl methacrylate denture base resin and to analyze the mode of interfacial bond failure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty test specimens (n = 40) were prepared by bonding plasticized acrylic- and silicone-based soft liner to heat polymerized acrylic resin blocks. Twenty specimens, ten from each group, were subjected to thermal cycling and later to shear bond strength testing. The debonded specimens were then qualitatively analyzed for the mode of failure using scanning electron microscopy. The results obtained were tabulated and statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean shear bond strength values obtained for acrylic-based soft liner before and after thermal cycling were 0.3365 ± 0.025 MPa and 0.3164 ± 0.04 MPa, respectively. The mean shear bond strength values obtained for silicone-based soft liner before and after thermal cycling were 0.4159 ± 0.025 MPa and 0.4335 ± 0.02 MPa, respectively. Silicone-based soft liner showed higher shear bond strength than the acrylic-based both before and after thermal cycling (P = 0.0001). Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed a predominantly mixed mode of failure with silicone-based liner and predominantly adhesive mode of failure with acrylic-based soft liner.

CONCLUSION

The silicone-based soft liner showed higher shear bond strength to heat polymerized acrylic resin than acrylic-based soft liner both before and after thermal cycling.

A comparative study on serum lipoprotein (a) and lipid profile between rheumatoid arthritis patients and normal subjects

BACKGROUND

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic and systemic inflammatory disorder, in which Lipoprotein (a) [Lp (a)] increases plaque formation and thus promotes atherosclerosis. Coronary artery disease is one of the co-morbidity in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

AIM

The aim of this study is to evaluate Lp (a) as a cardiovascular risk factor in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This was a comparative study in which Lp (a) and lipid profile were compared in rheumatoid arthritis patients and controls.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 30 sero-positive rheumatoid arthritis patients and 30 normal healthy subjects with an age and sex matched group of 25-80 years. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 17.

RESULTS

Serum Lp (a) concentration was significantly increased (P < 0.001) in rheumatoid arthritis patients compared with controls. Serum high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol was significantly lowered (P < 0.05) in patients as compared to controls. There was no significant difference in serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol between patients and controls.

CONCLUSION

The findings indicate that the patients with rheumatoid arthritis are at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease in future due to the increased level of Lp (a). In addition to conventional lipid profile, estimation of Lp (a) can prove to be a valuable tool in risk assessment of population in general and management of disease in particular.

Antioxidant status in neonatal jaundice before and after phototherapy

Background:

Neonatal jaundice refers to yellow coloration of the skin and the sclera (whites of the eyes) of newborn babies that result from the accumulation of bilirubin in the skin and mucous membranes. Because bilirubin is potentially toxic to the central nervous system. Genetic disorders of bilirubin conjugation, particularly the common Gilbert's syndrome, can also contribute to neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the lipid per-oxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities in patients with neonatal jaundice before and after phototherapy.

Materials and Methods:

The study includes 50 neonatal jaundice patients with average age 2-15 days. All patients of neonatal jaundice receiving phototherapy except feeding, cleaning. Subjects selected were from the patients attending Pediatrics Department. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase and catalase (CAT) to monitor the bilirubin level.

Results:

The results show increased levels of bilirubin compared with controls (P < 0.001) shows the level of plasma MDA in control, before and after phototherapy. Represents the level of GPX was significantly increased in after the phototherapy group when compared with before phototherapy and control SPSS soft ware: (P < 0.001). Shows the reduced glutathione (GSH) level in plasma was significantly decreased in the after phototherapy group when compared with before phototherapy and control (P < 0.001). And finally with ascorbic acid and CAT.

Conclusion:

It is evident from the study that increased oxidative stress in neonatal jaundice babies leads to decrease in the levels of antioxidants like GSH and ascorbic acid and disturb their metabolism, that weaken their ability to fight the growing stress. Intense oxidative stress and decreased antioxidants may contribute to neural cell death and alter the erythrocytomembrane structure processing in neonatal jaundice.

Macrolide resistance in Streptococcus species

Background:

The Streptococci are Gram-positive spherical bacteria (cocci) that characteristically form pairs and chains during growth. Some macrolide-resistant bacteria lack the proper receptor on the ribosome (through methylation of the rRNA). This may be under plasmid or chromosomal control.

Aim and Objectives:

The aim was to study the prevalence of macrolide resistance among the isolate and evaluate the degree of resistance by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method. And also to detect the phenotypic pattern of macrolide resistance.

Materials and Methods:

All age group attending general medicine OPD and pediatric OPD with symptoms of respiratory and pyogenic infections are included in the study. Various samples are collected with detailed case history and processed for macrolide resistance among beta hemolytic Streptococci MIC method and D-test.

Results:

According to our studies resistance pattern in Group A Streptococci by D-test, cMLS was 27.85%, iMLS was 13.92%, M-type was 55.69%, in GCS, cMLS was 17.6%, M-type was 82.35% In GGS, cMLS was 31.58%, iMLS was 10.53% and M-type was 57.89%.

Conclusions:

Therefore by this study, we would like to highlight the necessity to do antibiotic sensitivity testing for all isolates, and limit the usage of antibiotics, whenever necessary and select the appropriate antibiotics for resistant strains.

Sustaining a "culture of silence" in the neonatal intensive care unit during nonemergency situations: a grounded theory on ensuring adherence to behavioral modification to reduce noise levels

The aim of this study was to generate a substantive theory explaining how the staff in a resource-limited neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a developing nation manage to ensure adherence to behavioral modification components of a noise reduction protocol (NsRP) during nonemergency situations. The study was conducted after implementation of an NsRP in a level III NICU of south India. The normal routine of the NICU is highly dynamic because of various categories of staff conducting clinical rounds followed by care-giving activities. This is unpredictably interspersed with very noisy emergency management of neonates who suddenly fall sick. In-depth interviews were conducted with 36 staff members of the NICU (20 staff nurses, six nursing aides, and 10 physicians). Group discussions were conducted with 20 staff nurses and six nursing aides. Data analysis was done in line with the reformulated grounded theory approach, which was based on inductive examination of textual information. The results of the analysis showed that the main concern was to ensure adherence to behavioral modification components of the NsRP. This was addressed by using strategies to “sustain a culture of silence in NICU during nonemergency situations” (core category). The main strategies employed were building awareness momentum, causing awareness percolation, developing a sense of ownership, expansion of caring practices, evolution of adherence, and displaying performance indicators. The “culture of silence” reconditions the existing staff and conditions new staff members joining the NICU. During emergency situations, a “noisy culture” prevailed because of pragmatic neglect of behavioral modification when life support overrode all other concerns. In addition to this, the process of operant conditioning should be formally conducted once every 18 months. The results of this study may be adapted to create similar strategies and establish context specific NsRPs in NICUs with resource constraints.

Seckel syndrome: a report of a case

Seckel syndrome, first defined by Seckel in 1960, is a rare (incidence 1:10,000), genetically heterogeneous autosomal recessive disorder presenting at birth. This syndrome is characterized by a proportionate dwarfism of prenatal onset, a severe microcephaly with a "bird-headed" like appearance (beaked nose, receding forehead, prominent eyes, and micrognathia), and mental retardation. The significance of dental alterations in this syndrome resides in the defect, hypoplastic enamel, being limited to the primary dentition; in most instances the second primary molar tooth is not affected. A case of the Seckel syndrome is presented.

Dental and anesthetic management of a child with epidermolysis bullosa

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a wide spectrum of rare genetic disorders characterized by marked fragility of the skin and mucous membranes in which vesculobullous lesions occur in response to trauma, heat, or no apparent cause. This case report deals with the dental and anesthetic management of a 10-year-old girl with dystrophic EB.

Oviposition deterrent activity from the ethanolic extract of Pongamia pinnata, Coleus forskohlii, and Datura stramonium leaves against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefaciatus

Mosquitoes are responsible for spread of many diseases than any other group of arthropods. Diseases such as malaria, filariasis, dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), and chikunguinya are real threat to mankind. In the present study, ethanolic extracts of leaves of Pongamia pinnata, Coleus forskohlii, and Datura stramonium were evaluated for oviposition deterrent activity against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. The oviposition deterrent tests of ethanolic extract of Pongamia pinnata, Coleus forskohlii, and Datura stramonium leaves reduced egg laying by 97.62%, 77.3%, 100% against Aedes aegypti and 59.10%, 39.22%, 82% against Culex quinquefasciatus at higher concentration (0.1%).