Predoctoral Dental Students’ Perceptions of Dental Implant Training: Effect of Preclinical Simulation and Clinical Experience

The aims of this study were to assess 1) differences in perceptions of dental implant training between dental students who received didactic training alone (control group) and those who received didactic plus simulation training (test group); 2) differences in response between students with and without clinical experience in implant dentistry; and 3) the interaction effect of simulation training and clinical experience on students’ satisfaction. A survey was distributed to the control group in 2014 and to the test group in 2015; both groups were at the same U.S. dental school. Data were collected on confidence levels with various implant restorative procedures along with overall satisfaction and number of implant restorations performed by each student. The response rate was 78.7% in the control group and 81.3% in the test group. In the control group, 85.7% of students reported being satisfied with implant training compared to 90.8% of students in the test group. The interaction effect of simulation training and clinical experience on overall student satisfaction was OR=1.5 at 95% CI: 0.8, 3.0. The students who had clinical experience with implant restorative procedures had significantly greater satisfaction than those who did not (OR=4.8, 95% CI: 2.1, 11.1,

Extraction of Capsaicin from Black and White Pepper

Capsaicin has general impressive health benefits such as anticancer, stimulates digestion and enables weight loss. The aim of this study is to extract capsaicin from black pepper and white pepper by using polar (Ethanol) and nonpolar (Acetone) solvents and to maximize the percentage yield of capsaicin. The effect of temperature and solid to solvent ratio on percentage yield is investigated for extraction of capsaicin from black pepper and white pepper. The percentage yield of capsaicin is higher for acetone than ethanol for both black and white pepper at the temperature and solid to solvent ratio of 50 oC and 1:10, respectively. Also, the percentage yield of capsaicin is higher for ethanol than acetone for both black and white pepper at the temperature and solid to solvent ratio of 70 oC and 1:10, respectively. Hence, black and white pepper could be the potential substrates for the extraction of capsaicin

Implant Treatment in the Predoctoral Clinic: A Retrospective Database Study of 1091 Patients

Purpose: This retrospective study was conducted at the Marquette University School of Dentistry to (1) characterize the implant patient population in a predoctoral clinic, (2) describe the implants inserted, and (3) provide information on implant failures. Materials and Methods: The study cohort included 1091 patients who received 1918 dental implants between 2004 and 2012, and had their implants restored by a crown or a fixed dental prosthesis. Data were collected from patient records, entered in a database, and summarized in tables and figures. Contingency tables were prepared and analyzed by a chi-squared test. The cumulative survival probability of implants was described using a Kaplan-Meier survival curve. Univariate and multivariate frailty Cox regression models for clustered observations were computed to identify factors associated with implant failure. Results: Mean patient age (±1 SD) at implantation was 59.7 ± 15.3 years; 53.9% of patients were females, 73.5% were Caucasians. Noble Biocare was the most frequently used implant brand (65.0%). Most implants had a regular-size diameter (59.3%). More implants were inserted in posterior (79.0%) than in anterior jaw regions. Mandibular posterior was the most frequently restored site (43%); 87.8% of implants were restored using single implant crowns. The overall implant-based cumulative survival rate was 96.4%. The patient-based implant survival rate was 94.6%. Implant failure risk was greater among patients than within patients (p \u3c 0.05). Age (\u3e65 years; hazard ratio [HR] = 3.2, p = 0.02), implant staging (two-stage; HR = 4.0, p \u3c 0.001), and implant diameter (wide; HR = 0.4, p = 0.04) were statistically associated with implant failure. Conclusions: Treatment with dental implants in a supervised predoctoral clinic environment resulted in survival rates similar to published results obtained in private practice or research clinics. Older age and implant staging increased failure risk, while the selection of a wide implant diameter was associated with a lower failure risk

Factors determining poor prognosis in scorpion sting in coastal Andhra Pradesh

Introduction: Scorpion stings are a major public health problem and a common emergency in India and other tropical countries. In India, red scorpions are more prevalent, and their venom is more likely to cause cardiovascular complications and mortality. Objective: There are very few studies regarding predictors of poor prognosis. Hence, this study was designed which aimed to identify these factors. Materials and Methods: In this hospital-based, prospective study, children admitted to scorpion sting between December 2009 and November 2010 were included. Relevant information was collected and analyzed. Results: Scorpion stings account for 1 in every 36 admissions. Maximum cases were in 0-3 and 7-9 years age groups with mean of 6.78 years. Red scorpion stings were more common and are associated with more severe presentations. There was considerable variation in sting-prazosin interval (SPI) ranging from 2 to 28 h. If the child’s age was below 6 years, red scorpion sting and SPI >8 h were very significantly associated with a higher incidence of complications such as peripheral circulatory failure, congestive cardiac failure, myocarditis, and acute pulmonary edema. Conclusion: Younger age, red scorpion, and delay in administration of prazosin are predictors of poor prognosis in scorpion stings in children, a common and fatal medical emergency in India

Free-standing Cu-based NanoZymes for colorimetric sensing of glucose in human urine

Glucose is one of the most critical metabolites in our body, and the abnormality in its concentration range is associated with a variety of diseases and disorders. Therefore, accurate sensing of glucose in different body fluids is of high biomedical significance. A commonly known such disease is Diabetes mellitus, which is increasing globally with an alarming rate. An important aspect of diabetes management is to regularly monitor glucose levels. Although glucose detection in blood is rather easy by using low-cost commercial devices, renal glycosuria is another important condition that is commonly observed in patients with extended period of high glucose levels or in Type I juvenile diabetes. This condition leads to the excretion of glucose in urine. This is also a common occurrence in patients with Fanconi syndrome, and many other disorders. As such, the urine glucose levels can be considered as reliable indicators for screening patients with high glucose levels. Urine glucose test strips are commercially-available, however, they suffer from limited sensitivity in the human body-relevant glucose concentration range. Further, these urine test strips are time-sensitive i.e. the color response varies even if the strip is read within 1 min error interval of the recommended time. This tends to lead to false-positives. As such, the glucose monitoring tools typically employ a combination of glucose oxidase (GOx) and Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzymes for glucose detection. In this reaction, GOx oxidises glucose to produce gluconic acid and H2O2. The H2O2 is then either detected electrochemically (in commercial blood glucose monitoring strips) or it serves as a substrate for HRP to catalyse the conversion of a non-colored substrate to a colored product (in pathological tests). A potential drawback of this system is that the HRP can be easily inactivated by H2O2. A viable alternative to using HRP is more robust artificial enzymes. A recent discovery that certain nanoparticles can show enzyme-mimic activity (commonly referred to as NanoZymes) can offer a potential solution, wherein HRP is replaced with nanoparticles with peroxidase-mimic activity. While such solution-based NanoZymes have shown promise in glucose sensing, they are limited to detecting pM to µM concentrations of the analyte, while the concentration of glucose in urine is in the mM range. Keeping this aspect in mind, this thesis attempts to develop a sensing system that can detect glucose in the biologically-relevant range. This is achieved by loading catalytically active copper nanoparticles as NanoZymes on high surface area templates such as cotton fabric (Chapter 3), and subsequently further improving the ability to detect glucose colorimetrically by creating free-standing bimetallic NanoZymes on the surface of cotton fabric (Chapter 4). In the first working chapter of this thesis (Chapter 3), the outstanding catalytic properties of copper nanoparticles embedded within the 3D matrix of cotton fabric (Cu@Fabric) is established. This is the first time that the catalytic activity of a NanoZyme is observed to result in the generation of the second oxidation product of the peroxidase substrate, TMB (3,3',5,5' tetramethylbenzidine) at mildly acidic conditions. Notably, this process typically requires highly acidic conditions (pH 1). The absorbent and porous nature of the template in combination with the inherent high catalytic activity of copper nanoparticles appears to be responsible for this outstanding catalytic performance. Considering the high catalytic activity, the HRP in the typical glucose sensing system is subsequently replaced with the Cu@Fabric NanoZyme to effectively quantify glucose in the biologically-relevant concentrations even in the presence of complex biological matrix of urine. To further improve the colorimetric response and stability of the Copper@Fabric (decrease the leaching of the copper during assay), in Chapter 4 of this thesis, the copper is galvanically replaced with small quantities of noble metals to create bimetallic fabrics. Considering that bimetallic nanomaterials display enhanced catalytic properties over their individual counterparts, the bimetallic fabrics obtained after the galvanic replacement reactions showed improved peroxidase-mimicking catalytic activity. Among the four bimetallic systems (Cu-Au, Cu-Ag, Cu-Pd and Cu-Pt), the Cu-Pt@Fabric NanoZyme showed the highest initial rate of the reaction. The formation of the bimetal also reduced the surface oxidation of copper as well as the leaching of Cu ions during glucose sensing assays. The improved stability resulted in higher recovery and reduced standard deviation of the glucose sensing system in comparison to the pristine Cu@Fabric used in Chapter 3. The bimetal system also showed a more intense colorimetric response which is attributed to the fact that the bimetallic NanoZyme system did not favour the double oxidation of TMB. Overall, this thesis makes an important contribution towards highly accurate, user-friendly colorimetric sensing of glucose in urine in biologically-relevant range, which is likely to be of high clinical and commercial interest

Anatomic Variation of Subclavian Artery Visualized on Ultrasound-Guided Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block

Use of ultrasonography for performance of nerve and plexus blocks has made the process simpler and safer. However, at times, variant anatomy of the visualized structures can lead to failure of blocks or complications such as intravascular injections. This is especially true in case of novice operators. We report a case of a variant branch of subclavian artery, possibly the dorsal scapular artery passing through the brachial plexus nerve bundles in the supraclavicular area. Since this variation in anatomy was visualized in the scout scan prior to the performance of the block, it was possible to avoid any accidental puncture. Hence, a thorough knowledge of the ultrasound anatomy is important in order to identify various aberrations and variations. It is also prudent to perform a preliminary scan, prior to performance of the block to localize the target area and avoid any inadvertent complications

Intelligent Hybrid Cloud Data Hosting Services with Effective Cost and High Availability

In this Paper the major concentration is an efficient and user based data hosting service for hybrid cloud. It provides friendly transaction scheme with the features of cost effective and high availability to all users. This framework intelligently puts data into cloud with effective cost and high availability. This gives a plan of proof of information respectability in which the client has utilize to check the rightness of his information. In this study the major cloud storage vendors in India are considered and the parameters like storage space, cost of storage, outgoing bandwidth and type of transition mode. Based on available knowledge on all parameters of existing cloud service providers in India, the intelligent hybrid cloud data hosting framework are assured to customers for low cost and high availability with mode of transition. It guarantees that the ability at the customer side is negligible and which will be helpful for customers

Monitoring of Heavy Metal Contamination in Fodders, Feeds and Milk in Gulbarga District of Karnataka

Xenobiotics like heavy metals are increasing in environment due to industrialization, urbanization and agricultural practices which pose threat to animal health and quality animal products. Safe animal feeds are important for health of animals, environment and for the safety of foods of animal origin especially milk (Prasad et al., 2012). To address the issue, monitoring of xenobiotics especially heavy metals in the fodder, feeds and animal products is necessary. The aim of the present study is to find out the status of heavy metals in feeds and milk of Gulbarga district in Karnataka

Digital Payment Continuance Intention Using Mecm: The Role of Perceived Experience

Purpose:  The purpose of this paper is to examine the determinants of digital payment continuance intention, which is essential for long term success.   Theoretical framework:  Expectancy confirmation theory developed by Oliver (1980) and then expectancy confirmation model by Bhattacherjee (2001) examined the need of continuance intention. Looking at the significance of digital payment through Mobile phones, Mobile expectation confirmation model and role of perceived experience need to be examined for continuance intention.   Design/methodology/approach:  Empirical data from 400 Indian users, who had prior experience with digital payment were analysed by using Confirmed factor analysis and structural equation modelling.   Findings:  The results confirmed that Mobile expectancy confirmation had exploratory power in explaining continuance intention, perceived usefulness, perceived experience and satisfaction of digital payment. Furthermore, perceived experience has moderating role in explaining the relationship between confirmation and continuance intention towards digital payment.   Research, Practical & Social implications:  The findings help financial service providers to understand the significance of meeting customer expectation and satisfying their need by enhancing perceived experience and usefulness, leading to favourable attitude towards digital payment and continuance intention.   Originality/value:  This study was based on MECM and contributing to the limited body of research on continuance intention towards digital payment. Furthermore, the role perceived experience was examined to establish the relationship between confirmation and continuance intention along with other variables like perceived usefulness and satisfaction

Comparative study of quality of life in breast cancer patients receiving two different chemotherapy regimens using European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Questionnaire-Core 30 questionnaire module; for tolerability and safety

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most frequent occurring cancers in women and burgeoning worldwide. It is the second most common malignancy in India after carcinoma of the uterine cervix. In clinical trials, quality of life (QOL) outcome measurements is an important as endpoints with improving subjects physical, emotional, and social well-being.Methods: In this study, we were evaluated the comparison of the QOL in breast cancer patients on anthracycline-based regimen (six cycles of 5-fluorouracil, adriamycin, and cyclophosphamide [FAC] for a period of 18 weeks) and taxane-containing regimen (four cycles of adriamycin and cyclophosphamide [AC] followed by four cycles of paclitaxel [PTX] for a period of 24 weeks) using European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Questionnaire-Core 30.Results: During first 3 months of therapy, both treatment groups exhibited a reduction in health-related QOL (HRQOL) with no clinically significant difference between them. The effect on HRQOL was less evident 3 weeks after completing chemotherapy with HRQOL of both groups returning to near baseline scores.Conclusions: Both treatment regimens (FAC and AC → PTX [AC followed by PTX]) were equally tolerated in patients