Seroprevalence of hepatitis B antigenemia among dental students in a private South Indian dental institution

Background: Hepatitis B is the most important infectious occupational disease for the dental health care workers (DHCWs). DHCWs frequently come in contact with blood and saliva and hence are at risk for Hepatitis B virus (HBV) exposure. Studies indicate that DHCWs, through occupational exposure, may have a 10 times greater risk of becoming a chronic hepatitis B carrier than the average citizen.The study was conducted to estimate the seroprevalence of HBV infection among dental students enrolled at a private dental institution in Mysuru, Karnataka, India.Methods: A cross sectional seroprevalencestudy was conducted which included dental students who were enrolled in the dental institution. Data were collected by administering a standard questionnaire to every student regarding their personal health information. Their blood samples were collected and tested by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for Hepatitis B surface antigen.Results: 352 dental students who gave consent were screened out of a total of 453 dental students. Out of 352 students, 163 (46%) were vaccinated and 189 (54%) were non-vaccinated. All the dental students were found to be seronegative for HBV infection.Conclusions: Though a low rate of HBV infection was observed among dental students, a significant number of dental students were non-vaccinated which suggests a need for proactive implementation of HBV vaccination programme.

Ayurvedic management of Diabetic Foot Ulcer - A Case Study

There are 424.9 million adults estimated to currently have diabetes globally.[1] Diabetic patients have an inherent risk of foot problems. Globally every 30 seconds, a major amputation occurs; 85% of which are preceded by trivial foot lesions.[2] In Ayurvedic literature, it is explained that Pidakas are formed in Adhoshaka in patients with Prameha due to the weakness of Rasayanis of lower limbs.[3] Such Pidakas if neglected over a period of time, without treatment will undergo Paaka and form a Vrana. Acharya Sushruta has described Shashti Upakramas (60 modalities) for the successful management of Vranas. Among them this article highlights the use of Shodhana, Kshara Varma, Chedana, Ropana and Bandhana Upakramas in the management of Diabetic Foot Ulcer/ Madhumehajanya Dushtavrana and also the need of Shastrakarma (surgical intervention) at the right time. In this study, Triphala Kashaya Avagaha and Pratisaraneeya kshara Karma for Vranashodhana, Chedana Karma followed by Ropana with Jatyaditaila was carried out. The course of treatment carried out brought about Dushtavranaavastha to Shuddhavranaavastha

Development and Validation of Clinical Whole-Exome and Whole-Genome Sequencing for Detection of Germline Variants in Inherited Disease

Context.-With the decrease in the cost of sequencing, the clinical testing paradigm has shifted from single gene to gene panel and now whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing. Clinical laboratories are rapidly implementing next-generation sequencing-based whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing. Because a large number of targets are covered by whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing, it is critical that a laboratory perform appropriate validation studies, develop a quality assurance and quality control program, and participate in proficiency testing. Objective.-To provide recommendations for wholeexome and whole-genome sequencing assay design, validation, and implementation for the detection of germline variants associated in inherited disorders. Data Sources.-An example of trio sequencing, filtration and annotation of variants, and phenotypic consideration to arrive at clinical diagnosis is discussed. Conclusions.-It is critical that clinical laboratories planning to implement whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing design and validate the assay to specifications and ensure adequate performance prior to implementation. Test design specifications, including variant filtering and annotation, phenotypic consideration, guidance on consenting options, and reporting of incidental findings, are provided. These are important steps a laboratory must take to validate and implement whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing in a clinical setting for germline variants in inherited disorders

Comparison of chewing ability, oral health related quality of life and nutritional status before and after insertion of complete denture amongst edentulous patients in a Dental College of Pune

BACKGROUND: The relationship between tooth loss and nutritional intake is important. As people age, their diminished physical capacity and  decreased income adversely affect their ability to maintain their teeth. The aim of the study was to assess and compare the chewing ability, oral health related quality of life and nutritional status before and after  fabrication and insertion of complete denture amongst edentulous participants in a dental college.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Non Randomized Intervention study. The study population consisted of 42 participants (16 females and 26 males), aged 50 years and above. Prior to commencement of the study, informed consent was obtained and validation and reliability test of the  questionnaire were done. The data for chewing ability, GOHAI and  nutritional status assessment was recorded at baseline, 3rd, 6th and12th month after denture fabrication and insertion. The statistical  comparisons were performed by repeated measure ANOVA and Chi-square test. P value<0.05 was considered as statistically significant.RESULTS: Chewing ability, GOHAI, BMI (Body Mass Index) and data from Food-intake questionnaire showed statistically significant improvement from baseline to 6th month but no statistically significant improvement was observed from 6th month to 12th month. Nutritive value of food (protein, energy and fat) showed no significant difference over a period of 12 months (p<0.05).Conclusion: Thus, it was concluded that the intervention (denture insertion) was effective in increasing the chewing ability, body weight, food-intake, and oral health related quality of life.KEYWORDS: nutrition, edentulousness, OHQoL, GOHAI, chewing abilit

Development and Validation of Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing Panels for Detection of Germline Variants in Inherited Diseases.

Context.-The number of targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) panels for genetic diseases offered by clinical laboratories is rapidly increasing. Before an NGS-based test is implemented in a clinical laboratory, appropriate validation studies are needed to determine the performance characteristics of the test. Objective.-To provide examples of assay design and validation of targeted NGS gene panels for the detection of germline variants associated with inherited disorders. Data Sources.-The approaches used by 2 clinical laboratories for the development and validation of targeted NGS gene panels are described. Important design and validation considerations are examined. Conclusions.-Clinical laboratories must validate performance specifications of each test prior to implementation. Test design specifications and validation data are provided, outlining important steps in validation of targeted NGS panels by clinical diagnostic laboratories

Empirical Evaluation of Oligonucleotide Probe Selection for DNA Microarrays

DNA-based microarrays are increasingly central to biomedical research. Selecting oligonucleotide sequences that will behave consistently across experiments is essential to the design, production and performance of DNA microarrays. Here our aim was to improve on probe design parameters by empirically and systematically evaluating probe performance in a multivariate context. We used experimental data from 19 array CGH hybridizations to assess the probe performance of 385,474 probes tiled in the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) region of the X chromosome. Our results demonstrate that probe melting temperature, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and homocytosine motifs all have a strong effect on probe behavior. These findings, when incorporated into future microarray probe selection algorithms, may improve microarray performance for a wide variety of applications

Peripheral motor neuropathy is associated with defective kinase regulation of the KCC3 cotransporter

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from American Association for the Advancement of Science via the DOI in this record.Using exome sequencing, we identified a de novo mutation (c.2971A>G; T991A) in SLC12A6, the gene encoding the K(+)-Cl(-) cotransporter KCC3, in a patient with an early-onset, progressive, and severe peripheral neuropathy primarily affecting motor neurons. Normally, the WNK kinase-dependent phosphorylation of T(991) tonically inhibits KCC3; however, cell swelling triggers Thr(991) dephosphorylation to activate the transporter and restore cell volume. KCC3 T991A mutation in patient cells abolished Thr(991) phosphorylation, resulted in constitutive KCC3 activity, and compromised cell volume homeostasis. KCC3(T991A/T991A) mutant mice exhibited constitutive KCC3 activity and recapitulated aspects of the clinical, electrophysiological, and histopathological findings of the patient. These results suggest that the function of the peripheral nervous system depends on finely tuned, kinase-regulated KCC3 activity and implicate abnormal cell volume homeostasis as a previously unreported mechanism of axonal degeneration in humans.This work was supported by NIH research grant GM74771 (E.D.). K.T.K. was supported by a Harvard-MIT Neuroscience Grant, the Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research at Harvard Medical School, and the March of Dimes. C.G.B. is supported by intramural funds of the NINDS. B.F. and D.B.G. received support from NIH grants 2T32MH064913-11A1 and T32-AR056993, respectively

Proposal of RT-PCReBased Mass Population Screening for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (Coronavirus Disease 2019)

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing has lagged in many countries because of test kit shortages and analytical process bottlenecks. This study investigated the feasibility and accuracy of a sample pooling approach for wide-scale population screening for coronavirus disease 2019. A total of 940 nasopharyngeal swab samples (934 negative and 6 positive) previously tested for SARS-CoV-2 were deidentified and assigned random numbers for analysis, and 94 pools of 10 samples each were generated. Automated RNA extraction, followed by RT-PCR, was performed in a 96-well plate. Positive pools were identified, and the individual samples were reanalyzed. Of the 94 pools/wells, four were positive [Ct values: N (22.7 to 28.3), ORF1ab (23.3 to 27.2), and internal control (34.4 to 35.4)]. The 40 samples comprising the four pools were identified and reanalyzed individually; six samples were positive, with Ct values of N gene, ORF1ab, and internal control comparable to their respective wells. Additional experiments were performed on samples with high Ct values, and overall results showed 91.6% positive and 100% negative agreement compared with individual testing approach. Thus, 940 samples were tested in 148 reactions compared with 940 reactions in routine screening. The sample pooling strategy may help catch up with testing needs and minimal turnaround times and facilitate enormous savings on laboratory supplies, extraction, and PCR kits currently in short supply