Evaluation of the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on whole salivary flow rate

Background: Saliva plays a critical role in maintaining oral homeostasis; it modulates the ecosystem through lubrication of the alimentary bolus, protection against microorganisms, buffer and repair of the oral mucosa, and helps in dental re-mineralization. Various local and systemic factors such as medications, radiation therapy, systemic conditions, etc. can lead to reduction in salivary flow. A decrease in salivary function, known as Xerostomia, increases a patient's risk for caries and other oral infections. Palliative management of Xerostomia includes wetting agents such as ice chips, drugs and saliva substitutes. Systemic agents stimulate salivary flow but often have unfavorable side effects. Newer modalities like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), which has fewer side effects, have been used to stimulate salivary flow. The aim of the present study was to assess and evaluate the effect of TENS on whole salivary flow rates in healthy adult subjects. Study Design: A total of 80 healthy adult subjects were enrolled in the study. Unstimulated and stimulated saliva (using TENS) was collected for 5 minutes and the mean salivary flow rates were calculated. Data obtained was analyzed using the SPSS (Statistical package for social sciences) version 15. Students "t" test was employed for comparative analysis. Results: Sixty-five of the 80 subjects demonstrated an increase in the salivary flow rate on application of TENS. Twelve subjects demonstrated a mild reduction in the salivary flow rates. Seven subjects experienced transient mild twitching of facial musculature as side effects. Conclusions: Significant increase in salivary flow rates was observed on application of TENS with minimal or no side effects

Highly stable AgNPs prepared via a novel green approach for catalytic and photocatalytic removal of biological and non-biological pollutants

Increases in biological and non-biological pollutants pose a significant threat to environmental systems. In an effort to develop an effective means to treat such pollutants, the use of Phaseolus vulgaris (kidney beans) as reducing and capping agents is proposed for the green synthesis of highly stable silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with a face-centered cubic (fcc) crystalline structure (size range: 10–20 nm). The potent role of the resulting AgNPs was found as triple platforms (photocatalyst, catalyst, and antimicrobial disinfectant). AgNPs were able to photocatalytically degrade approximately 97% of reactive red-141 (RR-141) dye within 150 min of exposure (quantum efficiency of 3.68 × 10-6 molecule.photon-1 and a removal reaction kinetic rate of 1.13 × 10-2 mmol g−1 h−1). The role of specific reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the photocatalytic process and complete mineralization of dye was also explored through scavenger and chemical oxygen demand (COD) experiments, respectively. As an catalyst, AgNPs were also capable of reducing 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol within 15 min. Overall, AgNPs showed excellent stability as catalyst and photocatalyst even after five test cycles. As an antimicrobial agent, the AgNPs are effective against both gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis) and -negative bacteria (Escherichia coli), with the zones of clearance as 15 and 18 mm, respectively. Thus, the results of this study validate the triple role of AgNPs derived via green synthesis as a photocatalyst, catalyst, and antimicrobial agent for effective environmental remediation

Role of diffusion weighted MR imaging in differentiating benign from malignant prostate lesions

Background: The purpose of the study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of diffusion weighted MR imaging and to propose a cut off ADC value in differentiating benign from malignant prostatic lesions considering histopathology as gold standard.Methods: It is a descriptive type of observational study done on 40 patients with clinical suspicion of prostate carcinoma and elevated PSA level more than 4ng/ml. The patients underwent Multiparametric prostate MRI and ADC values were calculated using ADC maps.Results: Of the 40 cases included in the study histopathology revealed a diagnosis of abscess (1), chronic prostatitis (2), BPH with chronic prostatitis (4), BPH (12), and malignancy (21). The mean and standard deviation (SD) of ADC values for the abscess (0.59), CP (0.83+0.16), BPH with CP (0.94+0.22), BPH (1.14+0.14) and malignancy (0.72+0.15) (x10-3mm2/s) were found in our study. The mean ADC value of malignant lesion was lower (0.727+0.149) as compare to benign lesion (1.034+0.216) and this difference was found to be statistically significant with p<0.001. By using ROC curve, ADC cut off value was calculated as 0.92 x 10-3mm2/s and sensitivity, specificity at this cut off value of ADC were 95.24% and 73.68% respectively. The PPV, NPV, diagnostic accuracy of at this cut off value of ADC were 80%, 93.33%, 85% respectively.Conclusions: Our study shows that DWI with ADC calculation helps in differentiation of Benign from Malignant prostatic lesions with high accuracy and this quantitative analysis should be incorporated in routine MRI evaluation of prostatic lesion

The global response: How cities and provinces around the globe tackled Covid-19 outbreaks in 2021

Background: Tackling the spread of COVID-19 remains a crucial part of ending the pandemic. Its highly contagious nature and constant evolution coupled with a relative lack of immunity make the virus difficult to control. For this, various strategies have been proposed and adopted including limiting contact, social isolation, vaccination, contact tracing, etc. However, given the heterogeneity in the enforcement of these strategies and constant fluctuations in the strictness levels of these strategies, it becomes challenging to assess the true impact of these strategies in controlling the spread of COVID-19.Methods: In the present study, we evaluated various transmission control measures that were imposed in 10 global urban cities and provinces in 2021 Bangkok, Gauteng, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, London, Manila City, New Delhi, New York City, Singapore, and Tokyo.Findings: Based on our analysis, we herein propose the population-level Swiss cheese model for the failures and pit-falls in various strategies that each of these cities and provinces had. Furthermore, whilst all the evaluated cities and provinces took a different personalized approach to managing the pandemic, what remained common was dynamic enforcement and monitoring of breaches of each barrier of protection. The measures taken to reinforce the barriers were adjusted continuously based on the evolving epidemiological situation.Interpretation: How an individual city or province handled the pandemic profoundly affected and determined how the entire country handled the pandemic since the chain of transmission needs to be broken at the very grassroot level to achieve nationwide control

Saliva as a diagnostic tool for evaluating oxidative stress in periodontitis and its correlation with tobacco habits: A cross sectional study

Aims: The aim of this study was to assess oxidative stress (OS) caused by tobacco habits in the initiation and progression of periodontitis by evaluating the salivary uric acid (UA) and albumin (ALB) levels, which are indicators of antioxidant activity, and to compare their values with normal and healthy individuals with no tobacco habits. Settings and Design: A total of 75 subjects were divided into three study groups and were asked to collect unstimulated whole saliva in sterile plastic containers. Subjects and Methods: Groups A, B, and C comprised 25 subjects each, according to their respective inclusion and exclusion criteria. Subjects from all the three groups were asked to collect unstimulated whole saliva in sterile plastic containers, which were then sent for laboratory assessment of UA and ALB levels to determine the levels of OS in the saliva samples of each subject. Statistical Analysis Used: Independent student's t-test was used for statistical evaluation of the results of the present study. Results: Levels of salivary AOs, UA, and ALB were remarkably reduced in subjects having periodontitis, thereby exhibiting higher levels of OS. The levels of these AOs were further reduced with the use of tobacco in subjects already diagnosed with periodontitis. Conclusions: Significant OS occurs in periodontitis with tobacco being a probable risk factor. Thus, saliva can be used as a noninvasive diagnostic fluid with UA and ALB being promising biomarkers in monitoring periodontal disease and OS

Predicting pathology in impacted mandibular third molars

Introduction: The rising incidence of the impacted mandibular third molars and their association with pathologies is now considered a public health problem. Aims and Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the position of impacted mandibular third molars that are prone to developing pathologies and to determine the frequency and type of pathological conditions associated with these impacted teeth to facilitate planning for their prophylactic removal. Materials and Methods: Consecutive panoramic radiographs and clinical examination of 300 patients with impacted mandibular third molars were collected. They were segregated according to Pell and Gregory’s classification, Winter’s classification, and according to their state of eruption. These were correlated with associated pathologies based on clinical and radiological criteria. Statistical Analysis Used: Descriptive statistics included computation of percentages, mean, and standard deviations. The statistical test applied for the analysis was Pearson’s Chi-square test (χ2). For this test, confidence interval and P value were set at 93% and ≤0.03, respectively. Results: The pathology most commonly associated with impacted third molars was pericoronitis, which had the highest frequency of occurrence in partially erupted, distoangular, and IA positioned (as per Pell and Gregory classification) impacted teeth. Impacted mandibular third molars, which were in IA position, placed mesially, and partially erupted, were prone to develop pathologies such as dental caries and periodontitis. Conclusion: The clinical and radiographical features of impacted third molar may be correlated to the development of their pathological complications. The partially impacted mandibular third molars with mesioangularly aligned in IA position have the highest potential to cause pathological complications