To Implant or not to Implant?: The Role of Imaging

Missing teeth are best replaced by implants, provided the implant is placed in a way that it fulfills esthetic, functional and biomechanical requirements. The assessment of the proposedimplant site requires a very specific and accurate data. This could be accomplished by various imaging modalities starting from two-dimensional traditional radiographs to three-dimensional computed tomography and cone beam computed tomography. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of different imaging modalities, the type of imaging best suited at different time frames of implant placement and effective radiation dose to the patient in these imaging modalities

Chemoselective hydrogenation of aromatic nitro compounds using diammonium hydrogen phosphite and commercial zinc dust

The aromatic nitro compounds are reduced to their corresponding amines at room temperature in good yields by employing diammonium hydrogen phosphite as hydrogen donor and zinc as catalyst. The hydrogenation is fast and selective in the presence of the other sensitive functionalities such as halogens, -OH, -NH2, -OCH3, -CN, -COCH3, -COOH, -COOR etc. It was observed that, this system is equally competitive with existing methods

Injectable local anaesthetic agents for dental anaesthesia

Background: Pain during dental treatment, which is a common fear of patients, can be controlled successfully by local anaesthetic. Several different local anaesthetic formulations and techniques are available to dentists. / Objectives: Our primary objectives were to compare the success of anaesthesia, the speed of onset and duration of anaesthesia, and systemic and local adverse effects amongst different local anaesthetic formulations for dental anaesthesia. We define success of anaesthesia as absence of pain during a dental procedure, or a negative response to electric pulp testing or other simulated scenario tests. We define dental anaesthesia as anaesthesia given at the time of any dental intervention. Our secondary objective was to report on patients' experience of the procedures carried out. / Search methods: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; the Cochrane Library; 2018, Issue 1), MEDLINE (OVID SP), Embase, CINAHL PLUS, WEB OF SCIENCE, and other resources up to 31 January 2018. Other resources included trial registries, handsearched journals, conference proceedings, bibliographies/reference lists, and unpublished research. / Selection criteria: We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) testing different formulations of local anaesthetic used for clinical procedures or simulated scenarios. Studies could apply a parallel or cross‐over design. / Data collection and analysis: We used standard Cochrane methodological approaches for data collection and analysis. / Main results: We included 123 studies (19,223 participants) in the review. We pooled data from 68 studies (6615 participants) for meta‐analysis, yielding 23 comparisons of local anaesthetic and 57 outcomes with 14 different formulations. Only 10 outcomes from eight comparisons involved clinical testing. We assessed the included studies as having low risk of bias in most domains. Seventy‐three studies had at least one domain with unclear risk of bias. Fifteen studies had at least one domain with high risk of bias due to inadequate sequence generation, allocation concealment, masking of local anaesthetic cartridges for administrators or outcome assessors, or participant dropout or exclusion. We reported results for the eight most important comparisons. / Success of anaesthesia: When the success of anaesthesia in posterior teeth with irreversible pulpitis requiring root canal treatment is tested, 4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine, may be superior to 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine (31% with 2% lidocaine vs 49% with 4% articaine; risk ratio (RR) 1.60, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10 to 2.32; 4 parallel studies; 203 participants; low‐quality evidence). When the success of anaesthesia for teeth/dental tissues requiring surgical procedures and surgical procedures/periodontal treatment, respectively, was tested, 3% prilocaine, 0.03 IU felypressin (66% with 3% prilocaine vs 76% with 2% lidocaine; RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.79 to 0.95; 2 parallel studies; 907 participants; moderate‐quality evidence), and 4% prilocaine plain (71% with 4% prilocaine vs 83% with 2% lidocaine; RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.75 to 0.99; 2 parallel studies; 228 participants; low‐quality evidence) were inferior to 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine. Comparative effects of 4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine and 4% articaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine on success of anaesthesia for teeth/dental tissues requiring surgical procedures are uncertain (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.71 to 1.02; 3 parallel studies; 930 participants; very low‐quality evidence). Comparative effects of 0.5% bupivacaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine and both 4% articaine, 1:200,000 epinephrine (odds ratio (OR) 0.87, 95% CI 0.27 to 2.83; 2 cross‐over studies; 37 participants; low‐quality evidence) and 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.07 to 5.12; 2 cross‐over studies; 31 participants; low‐quality evidence) on success of anaesthesia for teeth requiring extraction are uncertain. Comparative effects of 2% mepivacaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine and both 4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine (OR 3.82, 95% CI 0.61 to 23.82; 1 parallel and 1 cross‐over study; 110 participants; low‐quality evidence) and 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine (RR 1.16, 95% CI 0.25 to 5.45; 2 parallel studies; 68 participants; low‐quality evidence) on success of anaesthesia for teeth requiring extraction and teeth with irreversible pulpitis requiring endodontic access and instrumentation, respectively, are uncertain. For remaining outcomes, assessing success of dental local anaesthesia via meta‐analyses was not possible. / Onset and duration of anaesthesia: For comparisons assessing onset and duration, no clinical studies met our outcome definitions. Adverse effects (continuous pain measured on 170‐mm Heft‐Parker visual analogue scale (VAS)) Differences in post‐injection pain between 4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine and 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine are small, as measured on a VAS (mean difference (MD) 4.74 mm, 95% CI ‐1.98 to 11.46 mm; 3 cross‐over studies; 314 interventions; moderate‐quality evidence). Lidocaine probably resulted in slightly less post‐injection pain than articaine (MD 6.41 mm, 95% CI 1.01 to 11.80 mm; 3 cross‐over studies; 309 interventions; moderate‐quality evidence) on the same VAS. For remaining comparisons assessing local and systemic adverse effects, meta‐analyses were not possible. Other adverse effects were rare and minor. / Patients' experience: Patients' experience of procedures was not assessed owing to lack of data. / Authors' conclusions: For success (absence of pain), low‐quality evidence suggests that 4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine was superior to 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine for root treating of posterior teeth with irreversible pulpitis, and 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine was superior to 4% prilocaine plain when surgical procedures/periodontal treatment was provided. Moderate‐quality evidence shows that 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine was superior to 3% prilocaine, 0.03 IU felypressin when surgical procedures were performed. Adverse events were rare. Moderate‐quality evidence shows no difference in pain on injection when 4% articaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine and 2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine were compared, although lidocaine resulted in slightly less pain following injection. Many outcomes tested our primary objectives in simulated scenarios, although clinical alternatives may not be possible. Further studies are needed to increase the strength of the evidence. These studies should be clearly reported, have low risk of bias with adequate sample size, and provide data in a format that will allow meta‐analysis. Once assessed, results of the 34 ‘Studies awaiting classification (full text unavailable)’ may alter the conclusions of the review

Experiences of Dispute Resolution in Non-Court Forums: Justice Sans Rule Of Law?

Dispute resolution in India involves several actors and institutions – not only courts but also various other forums for alternative means of dispute resolution. While the judiciary is the sole authority responsible for redressing rights’ violations, the problems plaguing the judicial system contribute significantly to parties opting to settle disputes out of court. In this paper, we examine the functioning of some non-court forums, with a special focus on the question of women’s rights, autonomy, and agency in dispute resolution processes. We ask whether the working of such non-court forums is in consonance with the values of the Indian Constitution, especially the rule of law. In the context of women’s rights, we ask whether these forums take a legally neutral or gendered approach, and whether they speak they give primacy to rights or prioritise community and conciliation. To find answers, we analyse data from surveys and interviews undertaken by DAKSH to review the attitudes and approaches of such noncourt forums. We argue that valorising non-court forums as ‘quick, flexible, and effective’ while disregarding their subjectivity, arbitrariness, and lack of accountability – both to the individuals who approach them and to the society in which they function – amounts to a betrayal of constitutional values. We also argue that while all citizens, women included, must have the autonomy to choose any forum to resolve their disputes, that choice must not be governed by tradition, nor be influenced by lack of awareness of rights, or worse, failure of the state in ensuring speedy and effective dispute resolution

Robotics in dentistry: Fiction or reality

Robots, the most wonderful invention of human being, have made its way into dentistry. The necessary technologies have been developed and experimented which would help it to be adapted in dentistry. With unmatched precision and ability to work without fatigue, robots are the most useful applications of robotic technology. The main aim of this paper is to review the application of robotics in dentistry

Potent systemic therapy of Multiple Myeloma utilizing Oncolytic Vesicular stomatitis virus coding for Interferon-beta

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable malignancy of plasma secreting B-cells disseminated in the bone marrow. Successful utilization of oncolytic virotherapy for myeloma treatment requires a systemically administered virus that selectively destroys disseminated myeloma cells in an immune-competent host. Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) expressing Interferon-β (IFNβ) is a promising new oncolytic agent that exploits tumor-associated defects in innate immune signaling pathways to specifically destroy cancer cells. We demonstrate here that a single, intravenous dose of VSV-IFNβ specifically destroys subcutaneous and disseminated 5TGM1 myeloma in an immune competent myeloma model. VSV-IFN treatment significantly prolonged survival in mice bearing orthotopic myeloma. Viral murine IFNβ expression further delayed myeloma progression and significantly enhanced survival compared to VSV expressing human IFNβ. Evaluation of VSV-IFNβ oncolytic activity in human myeloma cell lines and primary patient samples confirmed myeloma specific oncolytic activity but revealed variable susceptibility to VSV-IFNβ oncolysis. The results indicate that VSV-IFNβ is a potent, safe oncolytic agent that can be systemically administered to effectively target and destroy disseminated myeloma in immune competent mice. IFNβ expression improves cancer specificity and enhances VSV therapeutic efficacy against disseminated myeloma. These data show VSV-IFNβ to be a promising vector for further development as a potential therapy for treatment of Multiple myeloma

Chemoselective hydrogenation of aromatic nitro compounds using diammonium hydrogen phosphite and commercial zinc dust

The aromatic nitro compounds are reduced to their corresponding amines at room temperature in good yields by employing diammonium hydrogen phosphite as hydrogen donor and zinc as catalyst. The hydrogenation is fast and selective in the presence of the other sensitive functionalities such as halogens, -OH, -NH2, -OCH3, -CN, -COCH3, -COOH, -COOR etc. It was observed that, this system is equally competitive with existing methods

Prevalence of self-care practices and assessment of their sociodemographic risk factors among diabetes in the urban slums of Bengaluru

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of self-care practices in the urban slums of Bengaluru among diabetes and also to assess their sociodemographic risk factors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was done in the two slums of Bengaluru comprising 163 diabetes patients. The prevalence of self-care practices and their sociodemographic risk was analyzed. Results: Maximum adherence was seen for blood sugar testing (77.91%), and least adherence was seen for diet (12.26%). Adherence to exercise was 30.67%, adherence to foot care was 48.46%, and adherence to medication was 60.73%. Some of the sociodemographic factors associated with good self-care practices are young age, gender, formal education, occupation, and religion. Good adherence to medication is associated with better control of blood sugars. Conclusion: A clinician should be able to identify these risk factors and give special attention to these groups of patients and make realistic recommendations for self-care activities

Expression profile of Ki-67 in OSMF and its possible correlation with clinical and histological features

Background: Oral submucous fibrosis(OSMF) is a potentially malignant disorder (PMDs) with characteristic epithelial and connective tissue changes and regarded as possessing a high degree of malignant potential. Epithelial dysplasia is an important marker of malignant development from PMDs. Because agreement among oral pathologists is poor regarding lesional diagnosis, Ki-67 as a proliferative marker may have a place in objectively characterizing dysplasia in tissue specimens. Material & Methods: The study groups included 60 patients diagnosed with OSMF based on history and clinical examination. After obtaining the details in regard to habits and clinical manifestations, the subjects were divided into Group IA and Group IB (very early and early stages-Group I A, moderate and advanced stages-Group I B). 30 subjects without an OSMF-negative control group and 30 patients of SCC-positive control. Biopsy was taken and subjected for H&E staining and IHC analysis of Ki-67. Results: The mean count of Ki-67 was determined in OSMF cases with dysplasia and without dysplasia by using t test, mean value of Ki-67 in with dysplasia (37.41) was higher than that of without dysplasia (28.41) with no significant difference (p value = 0.0810)

An Analysis of Sponsors/Collaborators of 69,160 Drug Trials Registered with ClinicalTrials.gov

<div><p>Background</p><p>Clinical trials have been criticized on various counts. Any attempt to improve how trials are conducted or reported requires—amongst other things—an understanding of the number, the nature and the location of those that sponsor them or collaborate on them. Here we sought to identify the nature and location of each sponsor/collaborator.</p><p>Methods and Findings</p><p>We examined the 'sponsor/collaborator' field for the 69,160 drug trials that were registered with ClinicalTrials.gov over a 9-year period (2005–2014). Of the 12,823 unique sponsors, 56% had sponsored only one and 27% had sponsored 2–5 trials each. Just 18% were involved with six or more trials each, and we have (arbitrarily) labeled these organizations as 'more experienced' in sponsoring/collaborating on trials. These 18% (2,266 sponsors/collaborators) were analyzed further: (a) 951 were corporate organizations and (b) 1,145 were non-corporates (including 31 individuals) with (c) 170 unclassified. Further, we identified the location of each organization in (a) and (b).</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Clinical trials are an important part of a nation's research endeavors, and ultimately contribute to the health of its people. Thus, understanding the clinical trial landscape—including the number and nature of sponsors, and how active they are—is important for every country. We believe that policy makers in particular should be interested in this study to understand the current situation, and to use the numbers as a baseline for the evolving landscape, to assess the impact of their strategies in future.</p></div