Bone Characterization Analysis

Bone has a complex hierarchical structure that is not yet fully understood, and the material properties of human bone during early ages of development are still not well researched. Our aim is to study the structure, composition, and various properties of demineralized, deproteinized, and untreated bone samples at different age groups though mechanical testing, imaging and Raman spectroscopy analysis. Since acquiring human bones for study is difficult due to limited availability, bones from young pigs were studied in order to gain insight into human bones. The material characteristics of bone of various ages can be quantified with Raman microscopy by mapping the spectra of pig femur. Spectral readings from four quadrants of the pig femur of ages 0 week, 12 weeks, 24 weeks are collected and analysed. The differences between bones across ages are characterized by comparing the ratios of spectra intensities. Bone samples are also tested by micro-CT imaging and acoustic emissions studies. To gain a more fundamental understanding of bone, it will be separated into the mineral phase and the protein phase by deproteinization and demineralization for each test as well.Ope

Bifid mandibular canal: An unusual presentation

Bifid mandibular canal could be an interesting variation in the mandible. This condition can pose complications during surgical procedures in the mandible, such as extraction of lower molars, placement of implants, and surgery. Therefore, identification of this variation is sometimes very crucial and can assist in minimizing postoperative complications. Hereby, we report the presence of bifid mandibular canal in the first molar region, an unusual presentation. The patient was evaluated for implant prosthesis using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) that confirmed the bifid canal which was seen as an unusual radiolucency on intraoral periapical radiograph

Assessing the Impact of Precancerous Lesions on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life: A Study at Tertiary Care Hospital

Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in a cohort of 500 patients diagnosed with precancerous lesions and conditions at a tertiary care hospital in Central India. Methods: 500 patients with confirmed precancerous oral lesions and conditions were recruited for the study. The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) questionnaire, a validated instrument consisting of 14 items, was used to assess the OHRQoL of the participants. The OHIP-14 questionnaire scores were statistically analyzed using appropriate methods. Results: The majority of the participants were with a mean age of 48 years. The mean OHIP-14 score was calculated to be 45.1, indicating the overall impact of oral health on the quality of life of patients with precancerous lesions and conditions. The individual domains most affected were functional limitations and physical pain. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that promoting oral health awareness and regular screenings in the community is needed to prevent the progression of oral precancerous conditions and ultimately reduce the burden of oral cancer

Designing Thinner Broadband Multilayer Radar Absorbing Material Through Novel Formulation of Cost Function

Modern military and civic applications require broadband microwave multilayer radar absorbing material (MRAM), which typically consists of multiple layers that increase the thickness of platforms like aircraft, ships, and vehicles, thereby adding to their weight. To address this, MRAM design methods strive to optimize layer parameters to reduce thickness. In this article, we emphasize the importance of the cost function used in the optimization process, which can significantly affect the outcomes. This article investigates the impact of common cost function formulations on achieving global optima and proposes a new cost function that produces thinner MRAM designs without increasing algorithmic complexity. The new formulation works as a two-step optimizer and yields thinner results. The article compares the results for twelve different MRAMs with those of previous literature, and achieves maximum and minimum thickness reductions of 22.9562% and 0.009%, respectively. The findings highlight that the cost function formulation significantly impacts the design outcome and can be used to obtain thinner designs. Additionally, the proposed approach is more effective than other commonly used formulations for finding the optimal layer sequence and minimizing thickness using a given search algorithm

Correlation of Radiographic and Chronological Age in Human by using Demirjian′s Method: A Radiographic Study

The age of the individual can be assessed ac skeletal age, morphological age, secondary sex character age and dental age and these maybe applied singly or in conjunction to assess the degree of physical maturity of a child. The determination of physiological age is based on the various degree of maturation of the different tissue systems. Dental age is one of the important factor taken into account when formulating treatment plans and having particular relevance to the timing of treatment. Aim: The study was designed to determine dental age from orthopantomograph using Demirjian method and to investigate applicability of Demirjian method for estimation of chronological age in Central Indian (Indore, Madhya Pradesh) population. Materials and methods: The sample for the study consisted of 210 individuals between 72-156 months (6-13 years) of age randomly selected from various schools. Panoramic radiographs of all individuals were studied and dental age was calculated by using Demirjian′s method. Results and conclusion: When Demirjian method was applied to Indore children mean difference between true and assessed age for males showed overestimation of 1.34 months, i e. overestimation by 40 days and females showed overestimation of 1.97 months, i.e overestimation by 59 days. The mean difference between true age and assessed age for total sample was 1-66 months, i.e overestimation by 49 days. Positive correlation showed in total male and female sample along with male and female combined sample. Age estimation using Demirjiani′s method was found to be accurate when applied to Central Indian (Indore, Madhya Pradesh) population

Role of soft occlusal splint therapy in the management of temporomandibular disorders: A 6-month follow-up study

Objective: To analyze the effectiveness of soft occlusal splint therapy in patients presenting with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) in each diagnostic category based on Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) criteria. Materials and Methods: In this study, 50 consecutive patients (20 males and 30 females) with TMDs received soft occlusal splint therapy. All the patients were evaluated for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain on visual analog scale (VAS), maximum comfortable mouth opening or interincisal distance (IID), and joint sounds at the time of diagnosis and after every month for the next 6-month period. Pre- and post-treatment clinical parameters were compared using paired and unpaired t-tests, and Kruskal–Wallis test. Results: At 6 months' follow-up examinations, there was a progressive decrease in pain and tenderness as indicated by VAS scores and significant improvement in mouth opening (mean IID) after treatment with soft occlusal splint therapy. The joint sounds were either ceased completely or reduced in intensity. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, we can conclude that soft occlusal splint therapy is a simple, minimally invasive procedure with a relatively low risk of complications and significant clinical benefits in patients with TMJ disorders

Indian Perspective of Strengthening Priorities in Cancer Prevention: Connecting the Missing Links

It will not be incorrect to say that everything in India is or will be on a boom, be it economy, be it population, be it aging of the citizens. and hence longevity, or for that matter even health care facilities- Thus, it is imperative that national policies should be reformed in such a fashion that we take lessons from the west and correct ourselves when we have time in hand, well almost. Increase in globalization, and therefore travel, changing habits and lifestyles, all come with a price and the least desired of all is the globalized disease incidences and disease process. Population growth and aging are the largest contributors to the increasing total number of cancer cases and the shift in the burden of cancer and other chronic diseases toward economically developing countries. Cancer is now the third leading cause of death worldwide. This paper identifies several preventive measures that offer the most feasible approach to mitigate the anticipated global increase in cancer in countries that can least afford it

Incidence of elongated styloid process: A radiographic study

Many studies revealed that the styloid process and the stylohyoid chain presented considerable anatomic variability. Many times this elongated styloid process has also been attributed as a cause of pain and discomfort in the neck and throat region which was known as Eagle′s syndrome or styloid syndrome or stylohyoid syndrome. Hence, a study was designed to determine the length of styloid process on the orthopantomograph and review the selected related literature. A total of 200 healthy subjects of both the sexes in the age group of 5 to 75 years were radiographed. Each styloid process form both sides was classified to its morphologic appearance and measured. The data was subjected to statistical analysis which revealed elongation of styloid process increases as the age advances, when the incidence of elongation is compared on the right and left side no statistically significant difference is found. Pain is not associated with length or incidence of elongation

Career satisfaction among medical and dental graduates in a private institution in Indore city, Madhya Pradesh

Introduction: Career is the progress and actions taken by a person throughout lifetime, especially those related to that person′s occupation and are often composed of the jobs held, titles earned and work accomplished over a long period of time. It plays a very important role in the success of once life. Aim: The aim was to compare the career satisfaction among medical and dental graduates in a private institution in Indore city, Madhya Pradesh. Materials and Methods: The study included a total of 100 medical graduates and 100 dental graduates and was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire. Chi-square test was performed for statistical analysis. Results: In medical profession, it was found that majority (87%) of the graduates were satisfied with their career. Majority (88%) of the graduates believed that their profession had a bright future 10 years from now and majority (74%) recommended joining medical profession as a safe and bright career alternative. On the contrary, in dental profession, it was found that more than half (53%) of the graduates were unsatisfied with their career. More than 50% of graduates believed that dental profession did not have a bright future 10 years from now and majority (66%) of the graduates recommended not to join dental profession. The differences were found to be significantly associated between the two groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The dental graduates were found to be dissatisfied with their career compared with medical graduates. Better job perspectives and better placements needs to be created. Endorsement of effective policies is required

In vitro activity of ethanolic and water extract of guava leaves at various concentrations against Lactobacillus acidophilus

Introduction: Chemical substances used for prevention of dental caries are known to have many side-effects. Thus, natural products should be explored for their anticaries action. Objectives: To prepare 5% and 20% concentrations of ethanolic and water extracts of guava leaves and to assess their activity against Lactobacillus acidophilus. Materials and Methods: In vitro experimental study was conducted in Department of Biosciences. Ethanolic and water extracts of guava leaves were prepared using Soxhlet extractor. Two concentrations 5% and 20% weight/volume of both extracts were prepared. Test organism L. acidophilus Microbial Type Culture Collection 447 was obtained in lyophillized form. After revival in nutrient broth, bacteria were grown on Lactobacilli de Man, Rogosa, Sharpe agar for further experiment. Antimicrobial testing of extracts was done using Agar well-diffusion method. Ten plates each were prepared for both extracts. Chlorhexidine (0.2%) served as a positive control and distilled water as a negative control. Results: Mean zone of inhibition produced by 5% and 20% ethanolic extract was 11.2 mm and 14.1 mm respectively and by 5% and 20% water extract was 1.6 mm and 5.1 mm respectively. Statistical analysis of results using one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey′s test revealed that activity of 5% ethanolic extract and 5%, 20% water extract was significantly less than that of 0.2% chlorhexidine. There was no statistical difference in efficacy of 20% ethanolic extract of guava and 0.2% chlorhexidine (P = 0.270). Conclusion: Ethanolic and water extracts of guava leaves possess antibacterial activity against L. acidophilus with 20% ethanolic extract being as efficacious as 0.2% chlorhexidine