An Overview of Targeted Genome Editing Strategies for Reducing the Biosynthesis of Phytic Acid: an Anti-nutrient in Crop Plants.

Anti-nutrients are substances either found naturally or are of synthetic origin, which leads to the inactivation of nutrients and limits their utilization in metabolic processes. Phytic acid is classified as an anti-nutrient, as it has a strong binding affinity with most minerals like Fe, Zn, Mg, Ca, Mn, and Cd and impairs their proper metabolism. Removing anti-nutrients from cereal grains may enable the bioavailability of both macro- and micronutrients which is the desired goal of genetic engineering tools for the betterment of agronomic traits. Several strategies have been adopted to minimize phytic acid content in plants. Pursuing the molecular strategies, there are several studies, which result in the decrement of the total phytic acid content in grains of major as well as minor crops. Biosynthesis of phytic acid mainly takes place in the seed comprising lipid-dependent and lipid-independent pathways, involving various enzymes. Furthermore, some studies show that interruption of these enzymes may involve the pleiotropic effect. However, using modern biotechnological approaches, undesirable agronomic traits can be removed. This review presents an overview of different genes encoding the various enzymes involved in the biosynthetic pathway of phytic acid which is being targeted for its reduction. It also, highlights and enumerates the variety of potential applications of genome editing tools such as TALEN, ZFN, and CRISPR/Cas9 to knock out the desired genes, and RNAi for their silencing.

A comparative evaluation of nickel-titanium wires and clear aligners in the management of mandibular incisor crowding.

OBJECTIVES: To compare nickel-titanium (NiTi) wires and clear aligners in the management of mandibular incisor crowding. METHODS: Seventy-two participants were arbitrarily alienated into two groups with 36 samples in each. Group I participants were treated with NiTi arch wires and group II participants with clear aligners. Malocclusion was evaluated using Little's irregularity index. A questionnaire was applied to record the discomfort levels. Patients were recalled regularly at four weeks, eight weeks, and twelve weeks. RESULTS: At baseline, the mean score was 2.91 mm and 2.72 mm; at 4 weeks, it was 1.64 mm and1.48 mm; at 8 weeks, it was 0.98 mm and1.0 mm; and at 12 weeks, it was 0.68 mm and 0.52 mm in groups I and II, respectively. The mean change in Little's irregularity index score at 4 weeks was 1.27 mm and 1.24 mm; at 8 weeks, it was 0.66 mm and 0.48 mm; and at 12 weeks, it was 0.30 mm and 0.48 mm in groups I and II, respectively. The disparity was not-considerable (p > 0.05). The mean discomfort score at baseline was 2.8 and 2.5; at 4 weeks, it was 2.4 and 2.0; at 8 weeks, it was 1.8 and 1.4; and at 12 weeks, it was 1.3 and 1.0 for groups I and II correspondingly. The disparity was non-significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: From the present study, it was found that both NiTi wires and clear aligners were equally effective in managing mandibular anterior crowding cases.

Effect of Mini-implant assisted Micro-osteoperforation on the rate of orthodontic tooth movement-A randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of micro-osteoperforation (MOP) over a 56-day period and to determine the influence of number of perforations on the rate of canine retraction. In addition, the amount of pain and discomfort caused by the MOP was evaluated. TRIAL DESIGN: A single-center, split-mouth, triple-blind, randomized, controlled trial. METHODS: 22 patients (18-30 years) who need fixed orthodontic treatment were recruited and randomly assigned to MOP1 and MOP2 groups. The recruited patients were divided into two groups with 1:1 allocation ratio. Randomization for the determination of experimental side and number of perforations was done using sealed envelopes. On each patient, the other side of mouth worked as control side with no MOPs. 4 months after first premolar extraction, patients in MOP1 received 3MOPs on the buccal surface of alveolar bone, whereas patients in MOP2 received three buccal and three palatal MOPs in the experimental side. The amount of canine retraction was measured every 28 days at two intervals on both sides of mouth. Pain perception was measured after 1 hr, 24 hr, 72 hr, 7 days, and 28 days of procedure. RESULTS: Result of the intra-examiner reliability using ICC is more than 0.97 (P < 0.001), indicating excellent repeatability and reliability of the measurements. The baseline characteristics between groups were similar (P > 0.05). A statistically significant difference in the rate of canine retraction on the MOP side was observed at the end of 56 days, amounting to two folds more than that of the control side. No significant difference was seen between MOP1 and MOP2 groups (P > 0.05). Mild-to-moderate pain was experienced only in first 72 hours of procedure. CONCLUSION: The study recommends that MOP procedure has substantial potential to be used as an adjunct to the routine mechanotherapy for accelerating tooth movement, as it may reduce treatment time by half in the first four weeks after the MOP procedure. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical trial registry of India (CTRI/2022/12/048181).

Awareness, perception and practice regarding orthodontic practice and principles among non orthodontic specialists- An exploratory research.

BACKGROUND: Non-orthodontics specialist should have the responsibility of taking care of the smiles of the patients. This also has the implications on the oral health of the patient. The present study was done to determine awareness, perception, and practice regarding orthodontic practice and principles among non-orthodontic specialists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study is a cross-sectional descriptive questionnaire study conducted among non-orthodontic specialists working in private clinics. The survey was conducted in among 212 non-orthodontic specialists. In the present study a close ended interview schedule was prepared to perception and practice of Dental specialists. After entry of data in Microsoft excel 2007. SPSS version 19.0 is used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Dental specialists have moderate awareness, positive perception and poor practice regarding Orthodontic practice and principles. Awareness regarding, Orthodontic was significantly (P = 0.02*) associated with practice while Perception was significantly associated (P = 0.00*) with Awareness. Age group was significantly (P = 0.01**) associated with awareness of study participants. Specialty and year of practice of dental professional was significantly (P = 0.05*), (P = 0.00***) associated with perception regarding Orthodontic practice and principles. Number of Orthodontic patients treating per months was significantly associated (P = 0.00***) with Practice of study participants of Orthodontic practice and principles. CONCLUSION: From above it has been concluded that dental specialists has moderate awareness, positive perception and poor practice regarding Orthodontic practice and principles. Age group, type of Specialty, Year of practice and number of Orthodontic cases treated per month significantly associated with awareness, perception, and practice of dental professionals regarding Orthodontic practice and principles.

Evaluation of Various Sterilization Processes of Orthodontic Instruments using Biological Indicators and Conventional Swab Test Method: A Comparative Study.

AIM: This study aimed to compare the efficiency of various sterilization procedures using conventional spore monitoring method, i.e., by using swab test and biological indicators and to determine the efficiency of cold sterilization by using Bioclenz-G (2% glutaraldehyde) solution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Each group was divided into medium load (containing 15 sets of instruments) and heavy load (containing 30 sets of instruments). Each group was tested 15 times for medium and heavy loads. Two groups are swab tested control group and experimental group with three different methods of sterilization: hot air oven, cold sterilization, and ethylene dioxide sterilization. RESULTS: Spores were present in all the groups tested for 10 minutes cycle, in comparison with no spore growth in any of the groups tested for a 10-hour cycle. CONCLUSION: All methods of sterilization showed complete sterilization of instruments when monitored with biological indicators. One group of heavy load in steam autoclave and one group each of medium load and heavy load in hot air oven sterilizer showed sterilization failure when monitored with the conventional swab test method. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study proves the efficacy and durability of various sterilization procedures.

Comparative Assessment of Facial Asymmetry in Malocclusion using Posteroanterior View.

AIM: The study was conducted to assess facial asymmetry in various dental malocclusions and to determine asymmetry in lower, mid, and upper face and jaws using posteroanterior cephalometric analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Overall, 120 posteroanterior cepha-lograms were taken of individuals between 12 and 25 years of both sexes, and were divided into four groups: Angle's class I excellent occlusion, Angle's class I malocclusion, Angle's class II malocclusion, and Angle's class III malocclusion. These cepha-lograms were traced and Grummon's analysis was performed. RESULTS: In Angle's class I occlusion and Angle's class II malocclusion, the results obtained showed asymmetry present in the upper face. Correlation was found between occlusion, maloc-clusion, and facial asymmetry. CONCLUSION: Facial asymmetry was found in all dental occlusions whether excellent or malocclusion group, with maximum asymmetry having upward trend toward upper face starting from lower. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: For the success of the orthodontic treatments in various types of malocclusion and to determine the facial asymmetry, posteroanterior view can be very helpful, as it gives additional information which can be utilized to augment treatment planning and improve prognosis in terms of relapse prevention.

In vitro Comparison of Impact of Different Bleaching Agents on the Microhardness of Enamel.

BACKGROUND: Various agents are used these days for increasing the esthetics. One such procedure is bleaching that offers various advantages, as it is minimal invasive and cheap option to color the teeth and remove stain. The altered enamel after the bleaching process shows surface demineralization and porosities. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of different bleaching agents on the microhardness of enamel. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 freshly human extracted maxillary premolar teeth were selected for the study. Teeth with sound tooth structure were included for the study. All the specimens were randomly divided into four groups with 25 specimens in each group depending upon the type of bleaching agent used: Group A, artificial saliva (Control group); Group B, 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP); Group C, 25% HP; Group D, 10% carbamide peroxide (CP). Knoop Hardness Number (KHN) was calculated at 24, 48-hour, and 7-week interval. RESULTS: Results showed no statistical significant differences between the microhardness of enamel of different groups (p < 0.005). A slight fall in the value of KHN was seen in all the groups, except for the control group, although the results were statistically nonsignificant (p > 0.005). CONCLUSION: Although nonsignificantly, all the bleaching solutions produced some amount of alterations in the microstructure of enamel. More studies with higher study groups and more advanced estimation technologies are required to minimize microstructure alterations and promote for better outcome of bleaching procedures.