Making of a “dental surgeon” in COVID-19 pandemic; a qualitative study exploring undergraduate dental students perspective

Background: The closure of educational institutes in Pakistan due to COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a spontaneous shift from traditional to digital teaching and learning. The present study explores the perception of undergraduate dental students regarding its advantages and limitations. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted from December 2020 to February 2021. Utilizing non-probability sampling technique 12 students from three dental colleges of Rawalpindi participated in the study. Three focus group interviews, each with four students were carried out. Data was transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis done. Result: The advantages include becoming a self-directed learner, ease and accessibility.  The online teaching was perceived well and participants agreed it saved their time and enhanced time utility. However the challenges included technical issues, behavioral issues and learning compromised clinical skills. Students in their preclinical years were more satisfied with online teaching as compared to those in their clinical years. Conclusion: The present study support the use of online teaching and learning. This mode of teaching allowed the continuation of medical and dental education during these uncertain times. Hence rigorous effects be made to maximize the promising potential benefits of online teaching. Reevaluating the dental curriculum, by incorporating online teaching within traditional dental education will strengthen the curricula and enable future dentist to have an impact in the community. Keywords: COVID-19, Dental education, Dental students, Online teaching, Undergraduat

Electro-Catalytic process for the Synthesis of Organic Compounds and their Biological Applications.

In fact, electrochemical method (EC) is a specific and eco-friendly technique with several advantages over common organic synthesis methods. During EC no as such external catalysts are required to initiate the reaction, the current potential in itself acts as a catalyst. Most of the inactive organic compounds can be converted to active species by EC method. This method results in the synthesis of compounds with high yield and purity. This method is also good to be applied for the synthesis of thermally sensitive organic compounds. Such synthesis has significant selectivity and reactivity which enable the synthesis of such compounds that are not feasible while using the conventional methods. This review provides insight into the utilization of EC method in the synthesis of organic compounds and their derivatives. Various prerequisites for such synthesis have been highlighted. The EC method application for preparation of derivatives of benzofuran, and benzoxazole, oxidation of N, N, N\u27, N\u27tetramethyl-1,4-phenylenediamine, 5-diethoxy-4-morpholinoaniline, organic compounds containing C=N, benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde and tetratomic Thioethers have been discussed in detail. In addition, the electrochemical synthesis of biomedical important compounds has been presented. The compounds synthesized through EC methods shows potential antimicrobial activity. Deferent researchers work to study the potential biological application of organic compounds synthesized through EC process. The anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and other important biological activities has been investigated

Biomedical and photocatalytic applications of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles: Ecotoxicology study of brilliant green dye and its mechanistic degradation pathways

© 2020 Elsevier B.V. The preparation of nanoparticles from biological materials is an economic and environmentally friendly strategy with several advantages. The current study is focused to synthesize silver nanoparticles using Petroselinum crispum plant extract. Various characteristics of biologically synthesized AgNPs were determined with UV–Visible (UV/Vis) Spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, and High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM). The plasmonic resonance peak at 425 nm ensured the formation of AgNPs. The FTIR analysis showed that the as-synthesized particles contain alcoholic and polyphenolic constituents, which are responsible for their capping and reduction. The HRTEM results revealed spherical shape of AgNPs with size ranging from 25 to 90 nm. The as-synthesized particles demonstrated excellent antibacterial properties against Gram positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The antioxidant applications of the particles were determined with 2,2-diphenyle-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Moreover, the photocatalytic application of the synthesized AgNPs was evaluated for brilliant green dye (BG). The results demonstrated high degradation of BG due to small size and well-dispersed nature of AgNPs. Degradation products of BG were identified to suggest degradation pathways. The eco-toxicity of the BG and constituents derived from the dye were studied with Ecological Structure Activity Relationship (ECOSAR) software

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population