NMR Structure of Lipoprotein YxeF from Bacillus subtilis Reveals a Calycin Fold and Distant Homology with the Lipocalin Blc from Escherichia coli

The soluble monomeric domain of lipoprotein YxeF from the Gram positive bacterium B. subtilis was selected by the Northeast Structural Genomics Consortium (NESG) as a target of a biomedical theme project focusing on the structure determination of the soluble domains of bacterial lipoproteins. The solution NMR structure of YxeF reveals a calycin fold and distant homology with the lipocalin Blc from the Gram-negative bacterium E.coli. In particular, the characteristic β-barrel, which is open to the solvent at one end, is extremely well conserved in YxeF with respect to Blc. The identification of YxeF as the first lipocalin homologue occurring in a Gram-positive bacterium suggests that lipocalins emerged before the evolutionary divergence of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Since YxeF is devoid of the α-helix that packs in all lipocalins with known structure against the β-barrel to form a second hydrophobic core, we propose to introduce a new lipocalin sub-family named ‘slim lipocalins’, with YxeF and the other members of Pfam family PF11631 to which YxeF belongs constituting the first representatives. The results presented here exemplify the impact of structural genomics to enhance our understanding of biology and to generate new biological hypotheses

Prevalence of oral health status among the general population in Kallakurichi District, Tamil Nadu, India. A cross-sectional study

Aim: The aim of this study is to analyze the prevalence of oral health status among the general population in Kallakurichi district, Tamil Nadu, India. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among the general public in the Kallakurichi district. A total number of 176 samples were selected and equally divided among urban (88 samples) and rural areas (88 samples). The samples were obtained from various parts of urban and rural areas in the Kallakurichi district based on the multistage random sampling method. The data regarding oral health status was recorded using the World Health Organization (WHO) Proformas 2013 and 1997. The collected data were tabulated and analyzed using the Chi-square test. Results: The prevalence of dental caries (74.1%) was found to be the highest in the Kallakurichi district, followed by malocclusion (71.7%) and periodontal diseases (66.7%). A significant result was found in dental caries, dental fluorosis, dental trauma, and dental erosion between the index age groups. Conclusion: The government of Tamil Nadu should take proper preventive measures and also provide oral health knowledge and awareness among the public to overcome these dental problems

Effect of fluoride on oral health status among general population residing in high- and low-level fluoride blocks in Erode District, Tamil Nadu, India: A cross-sectional study

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the fluoride levels in groundwater and their effect on oral health status among the general population of Erode district, Tamil Nadu, India. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among the general population of index age groups 5, 12, 15, 35–44, and 65–74 years. A total of 540 subjects participated in the study. High fluoride blocks of Erode district were selected based on the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India, 2010, and the low fluoride were taken from the Groundwater Year Book (GWYB) of Tamil Nadu and UT of Puducherry, 2018. The Oral Health Assessment Form 2013 (adult and children) of the World Health Organization (WHO) was used to assess dental caries and enamel fluorosis. Clinical examination was performed using a mouth mirror and explorer under natural illumination by a single examiner. Data obtained were processed and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 26. A Chi-squared test was employed to analyze the difference between the high and low fluoride blocks. A P value of 0.05 was set to be statistically significant. Results: The current study had a contrary finding with the CGWB on water quality analysis of fluoride levels in drinking water for high fluoride block, Ammapet (1.12 ppm) and Anthiyur (1.08 ppm). The prevalence of enamel fluorosis in high fluoride block Ammapet was 44.4% and Anthiyur was 54.8%. The prevalence of dental caries in high fluoride block Ammapet was 45.9% and in Anthiyur was 43%. The prevalence of enamel fluorosis in low fluoride block Bhavanisagar was 27.4% and in Gobichettipalayam was 28.2%. The prevalence of dental caries in low fluoride block Bhavanisagar was 61.5%, and in Gobichettipalayam was 54.8%. Conclusion: This study's contradictory finding emphasizes the importance of drinking water; sanitation staff should monitor and report water fluoridation data on a monthly basis in accordance with the Water Fluoridation Reporting System, and CGWB should plan and organize a team for the upgradation of water quality in India. The National Program for Prevention and Control of Dental Diseases should look on to the endemic areas for the prevention of dental fluorosis, which should be assessed, implemented, and monitored by the public health dentist who should be recruited as oral health program officers in both central and state governments

Assessing the effect of iron on oral health status among the general population residing in high and low levels of iron blocks in Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu, India: A cross-sectional study

Aim: This study aims to assess the effect of iron on oral health status among the general population residing in high and low levels of iron blocks in the Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu, India. Materials and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the impact of iron on oral health among people in the Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu, India. The sample size was estimated to be 600, which were equally divided into two groups based on the high and low levels of iron (300 samples) content of water in the Namakkal district based on the multistage random sampling method. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect the demographic data and oral hygiene practices of the people. Dental stains were recorded using a modified Lobene stain index. P value < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: The area and intensity of the dental stains were not significant with age, gender, and blocks. There was no statistically significant difference between the high iron and low iron blocks for the area (A), intensity (I), and I × A of stains. Conclusion: The study concludes that the water samples with both high and low levels of iron had a strong impact on the oral health of the people

Influence of body mass index on oral health among equines in Tamilnadu, India: A cross sectional study

Aim: The aim of this study is to analyze the association of body mass index and oral health status among equines in Tamilnadu, India Materials And Methods: A descriptive study was conducted among 108 horses from blue cross of Tamilnadu and various veterinary colleges based on simple random sampling method. The body mass index of horses were recorded Henneke Body Condition Scoring and their oral health status were examined. The collected data was analyzed and tabulated using chi-square test. P value &lt;0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: There was a statistically significant relation was found between gingivitis (P&lt;0.001), calculus (P=0.004), dental caries (P=0.004), plaque (P=0.007), dental erosion (P&lt;0.001) and BMI. Conclusion: The body mass index have a strong impact on the oral health of horses. Proper nutritional measures should be taken to overcome the problem

Cognizance about potential cancer risks due to cone-beam computed tomography systems among dental professionals

Background: There is an increase in the number of Cone Beam Computed Tomography users, and it comes to the risk of developing cancer and mutations of genes in children below 18 years of age and the foetus of pregnant women. Knowing such conditions is necessary among dentists to prevent these conditions in the future. Aim: To determine the knowledge and familiarity about Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) and its side effects among dental professionals. Methodology: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study is done among 202 dentists. The results were validated using Chi-square values. In addition, the criterion-based purpose sampling technique was used to select the participants. Results: Out of 202 individuals, less than 30% were only familiar with CBCT and its side effects. The majority of the dental professionals were aware of the risk of suggesting a CBCT scan to children below 18 years (p value=0.003). Conclusion: The study result shows the lack of knowledge of CBCT and its side effects among dentists

Prevalence of dental calculus, dental caries, attrition rate among Indian breeds of buffaloes in Tamilnadu : A comparative analysis

Aim: To assess the prevalence of dental caries, Attrition, Gingivitis, periodontitis and dental recession in various breeds of buffaloes. Materials and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among Buffaloes to evaluate the prevalence of oral health status among various breeds of buffaloes in Tamilnadu. The study took place for two months, from February 2021 to March 2021, until the desired sample of subjects were recruited for the study. A total of 122 buffaloes were recruited from the blue cross, nanganallur buffalo farm and various Veterinary colleges in Tamilnadu based on the simple random sampling method. Results: The association of various breeds of buffaloes and gingivitis, periodontitis, dental recession, dental Attrition. Buffalo breeds showed a statistically significant association with gingivitis, periodontitis, dental recession, or dental Attrition. (P&lt;0.01). Conclusion: The present study reported that the breed of buffaloes had a significant association with the dental recession, periodontal diseases and attrited teeth. In the modern era, oral health is a reflection of overall health

Systematic review on copper calcium hydroxide nanoparticles in the treatment of apical periodontitis

Apical periodontitis is an inflammation and destruction of the periradicular tissues due to various insults to the pulp in the form of infection, trauma, and faulty dental procedures. Conditions regarding this are treated employing root canal therapy. Recent innovations show that copper calcium hydroxide nanoparticles and their electrophoresis can be used to treat apical periodontitis effectively. To evaluate the effectiveness of copper calcium hydroxide nanoparticles in the treatment of apical periodontitis, a literature search was done using PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Science Direct, and Lilacs using the MeSH (Medical Subject Heading) terms Copper calcium hydroxide, apical periodontitis, nanoparticles, and electrophoresis. Of a total of 167 articles screened, 44 were full-text articles assessed for eligibility and four articles were taken for the qualitative analysis. This review was recorded according to the PRISMA GUIDELINES. Four randomized controlled trials were included in the review process. The copper calcium hydroxide particles were compared with other root canal medicament materials. It was found that copper calcium hydroxide and its electrophoresis were used in the treatment of apical periodontitis and were found to be one of the effective methods. Copper calcium hydroxide nanoparticles were effective against the destruction of the periradicular tissues

Evaluation of the relationship with quality and disability adjusted life years, pertaining to road traffic injuries and maxillofacial trauma associated with risky driving behavior among adult population in trichy district: A hospital-based cross-sectional

To determine the influence of risky driving behaviour on road traffic injuries and maxillofacial injuries. In addition, to assess the quality-adjusted life years (QALY) among the adult population. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 504 patients using a multiphase random sampling technique to determine road traffic accident cases among the adult population across different government hospitals in Trichy. The Manchester driving behaviour questionnaire were used to collect the data for risky driving behaviour. The quality-adjusted life years was evaluated with 15D questionnaire. Based on the formula for calculating the QALY, it is obtained from the scores. Principal component analysis was used for the reduction factor for the questionnaire, and it was reduced to a 15-D questionnaire. &nbsp;Chisquare test and Pearson correlation test were used to found out the statistical analysis between the variables. The correlation between quality-adjusted life-years questionnaire among the two and four-wheeler riders. P-value was found to be statistically significant for maximum variables recorded in the study, which includes hearing (0.025), breathing (0.015), sleeping (0.035), discomfort and symptoms (0.023), distress (0.012), depression (0.034), vitality (0.031). The present study concluded that subjects with maxillofacial injuries and other bodily injuries were affected the patient’s quality of life.&nbsp

Investigating the severity of dentin hypersentivity among patients aged 18-35 years with gastro- esophageal reflux disease (GERD): A cross sectional study

Aim: This study aims to evaluate the severity of dentin hypersensitivity among patients of aged 18-35 years with Gastro-esophageal reflux disease. Materials and Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the dentine hypersensitivity severity GERD patients. A total number of 734 patients were recruited from medical-gastro clinic and are equally divided into two groups GERD and non-GERD based on the GERD questionnaire using simple random sampling method. The dentin hypersensitivity was recorded using Schiff sensitivity score and their salivary pH level was recorded using pH strip. The severity of dentin hypersensitivity was recorded using cumulative hypersensitivity index. The collected data was analyzed and tabulated using unpaired t test and one way ANOVA. P value &lt;0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: The salivary pH level and dentin hypersensitivity was found to be statistically significant among GERD and non-GERD patients (P&lt;0.01). Conclusion:&nbsp; The dentine hypersensitivity was found to be higher among GERD patients compared to non-GERD. This study concluded that GERD patients had a higher chance of developing dentin hypersensitivity compared to non-GERD patients