The relationship between personality traits, dental anxiety, and self-reported bruxism among health professional students: A cross-sectional study

Introduction: Dental anxiety proves to be the hurdle for dental care, making self-awareness among the population more crucial. Similarly, bruxism has also been reported to be due to stress, but the pathophysiology has not been clearly understood. The current research aims to explore the association of personality traits with bruxism and dental anxiety among health professional students. Methods: A total of 120 dental and medical students were included in our study. All the participants received three different questionnaires: The “modified dental anxiety scale” questionnaire to measure dental anxiety, the “modified bruxism assessment questionnaire” to assess the presence of bruxism, and “the big five inventory” to identify the personality trait. The collected data were statistically evaluated with significance at p < 0.05. Results: Comparison of dental anxiety among professional students showed significantly (p < 0.001) higher anxiety among medical than dental students. Analyzing the prevalence of bruxism revealed awake bruxism to be significantly (p < 0.05) higher in males than females. On analyzing the relation between personality traits and dental anxiety, a positive correlation was seen between the neuroticism type of personality (r = 0.193, p < 0.05) and dental anxiety, especially in females. Conclusion: The prevalence of self-reported awake bruxism was higher among male students, indicating the necessity for more investigation to ascertain the influence of various psychological factors. The correlation between dental anxiety and neuroticism type of personality trait points out the importance of identifying these individuals in a clinical setting and implementing strategies to reduce anxiety and enhance motivation for treatment

Keratinization and its Disorders

Keratins are a diverse group of structural proteins that form thei ntermediate filament network responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of keratinocytes. In humans, there are around 30 keratin families divided into two groups, namely, acidic and basic keratins, which are arranged in pairs. They are expressed in a highly specific pattern related to the epithelial type and stage of cellular differentiation. A total of 54 functional genes exist which codes for these keratin families. The expression of specific keratin genes is regulated by the differentiation of epithelial cells within the stratifying squamous epithelium. Mutations in most of these genes are now associated with specific tissue fragility disorders which may manifest both in skin and mucosa depending on the expression pattern. The keratins and keratin-associated proteins are useful as differentiation markers because their expression is both region specific and differentiation specific. Antibodies to keratin are considered as important tissue differentiation markers and therefore are an integral aid in diagnostic pathology. The present review discusses the structure of keratin, the various types of keratin and their distribution and the disorders associated with keratinization with special emphasis on the disorders of the oralcavity. A brief note on the clinical significance of keratin is also mentioned

Smart science: How artificial intelligence is revolutionizing pharmaceutical medicine

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a discipline within the field of computer science that encompasses the development and utilization of machines capable of emulating human behavior, particularly regarding the astute examination and interpretation of data. AI operates through the utilization of specialized algorithms, and it includes techniques such as deep (DL), and machine learning (ML), and natural language processing (NLP). As a result, AI has found its application in the study of pharmaceutical chemistry and healthcare. The AI models employed encompass a spectrum of methodologies, including unsupervised clustering techniques applied to drugs or patients to discern potential drug compounds or appropriate patient cohorts. Additionally, supervised ML methodologies are utilized to enhance the efficacy of therapeutic drug monitoring. Further, AI-aided prediction of the clinical outcomes of clinical trials can improve efficiency by prioritizing therapeutic intervention that are likely to succeed, hence benefiting the patient. AI may also help create personalized treatments by locating potential intervention targets and assessing their efficacy. Hence, this review provides insights into recent advances in the application of AI and different tools used in the field of pharmaceutical medicine

Evaluation of oral lesions in HIV seropositive individuals and its correlation with CD4 + T-lymphocytic count

Background and Objectives: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is characterized by a gradual reduction in the counts of cluster of differentiation (CD)4 + T-lymphocytes that in turn leads to opportunistic infections and specific neoplastic processes. The introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART)/highly active ART (HAART) has led to a decrease in the morbidity and mortality associated with HIV infection. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of HIV-related oral lesions and to correlate these lesions with laboratory parameter such as CD4 + T-lymphocyte count before and after the administration of ART. Materials and Methods: In the present study, a total of 120 patients were evaluated, out of which 79 patients who presented with oral lesions were further assessed for oral lesions and respective CD4 + T-lymphocyte counts. The oral examination was carried out using presumptive criteria by European Community (EC) Clearinghouse and CD4 + T- lymphocyte counts was assessed by flow cytometry. Same group of patients were followed up for next 6 months to determine the changes in the CD4 + T-lymphocyte counts and oral lesions. Results: HIV-related oral lesions were found to be more prevalent in the age group of 31-40 years, with a relatively high frequency of occurrence in male patients. The CD4 + T-lymphocyte count was significantly increased after the administration of ART when compared to that before the administration of ART in all the patients. However, the lesions did not subside completely even after the increase in of CD4 + T-lymphocyte counts. Interpretation and Conclusion: The difference in the prevalence of oral manifestations may be the result of variations in data of the study population such as race, socioeconomic status, sex, drug therapy, genetics, oral habits, and degree of immune suppression and variation in diagnostic criteria

Efficacy of ozonated water, 2% chlorhexidine and 5.25% sodium hypochlorite on five microorganisms of endodontic infection: In vitro study

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the antimicrobial efficacy of ozonated water (4 mg/l), 2% chlorhexidine solution, 5.25% sodium hypochlorite solution on five common endodontic microorganisms. Methods: The organisms chosen in the study were Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Kocuria rhizophila. Agar well diffusion test direct contact test were used as methods to assess antimicrobial effectiveness. In agar well diffusion test, the maximum zone of inhibition formed around the well in an agar plate after incubation of test materials against each microorganism for 24 h and 48 h were measured. In direct contact test, the colonies of E. faecalis formed on agar plates with each test material were calculated. Results: The results showed that 2% chlorhexidine showed highest zone size and minimum colony forming units indicating its highest potency and ozonated water was showed the least efficacy with a significant difference between both groups. The colony forming units showed an increase in number when ozonated water was used against E. faecali

Radicular Cyst in Deciduous Maxillary Molars: A Rarity

Radicular cyst arising from deciduous teeth is exceedingly rare accounting for <1% of all radicular cysts. A total of 122 cases have been reported to date in the English language literature. We present a rare case of a radicular cyst associated with a decayed deciduous maxillary molar tooth without any history of prior pulp therapy. Our aim is to emphasize the recognition of inflammatory radicular lesions associated with deciduous teeth which may adversely impact underlying permanent successor

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.The aim of this study was to inform vaccination prioritization by modelling the impact of vaccination on elective inpatient surgery. The study found that patients aged at least 70 years needing elective surgery should be prioritized alongside other high-risk groups during early vaccination programmes. Once vaccines are rolled out to younger populations, prioritizing surgical patients is advantageous