Unlocking Dietary Strategies to Combat Neurological Disorders.

The acquisition of novel insights derived from the biological and genetic profiles of patients will pave the way for tailored interventions and guidance, facilitated by pioneering methodologies and investigations in research. Such advancements will lead to shifts in dietary patterns and proactively mitigate the onset of neurological disorders.

Role of artificial intelligence in behavior management of pediatric dental patients-a mini review.

The influence of behavioral science on various organizations has been experiencing remarkable growth worldwide. With the integration of recent technological advancements, behavioral science's impact has expanded into diverse fields such as finance and policy. The term "artificial intelligence" (AI) has become increasingly prevalent, but it is essential to provide clarity before proceeding. AI pertains to the theory and creation of systems capable of executing tasks that typically necessitate human intelligence. Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) in pediatric dentistry has emerged as a promising avenue to enhance patient care, improve diagnostic accuracy, streamline treatment planning, and augment patient engagement. AI-driven tools such as image analysis, natural language processing, and machine learning algorithms assist in early caries detection, orthodontic treatment planning, behavior management, and personalized oral hygiene education for pediatric patients. This paper presents an overview of AI's applications in pediatric dentistry, particularly behavior management, highlighting its potential to revolutionize traditional pediatric dental practices.

Role of Artificial Intelligence in Multinomial Decisions and Preventative Nutrition in Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects 50 million people worldwide, an increase of 35 million since 2015, and it is known for memory loss and cognitive decline. Considering the morbidity associated with AD, it is important to explore lifestyle elements influencing the chances of developing AD, with special emphasis on nutritional aspects. This review will first discuss how dietary factors have an impact in AD development and the possible role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in preventative care of AD patients through nutrition. The Mediterranean-DASH diets provide individuals with many nutrient benefits which assists the prevention of neurodegeneration by having neuroprotective roles. Lack of micronutrients, protein-energy, and polyunsaturated fatty acids increase the chance of cognitive decline, loss of memory, and synaptic dysfunction among others. ML software has the ability to design models of algorithms from data introduced to present practical solutions that are accessible and easy to use. It can give predictions for a precise medicine approach to evaluate individuals as a whole. There is no doubt the future of nutritional science lies on customizing diets for individuals to reduce dementia risk factors, maintain overall health and brain function.

Assessment of Oral Health Status and Treatment Needs of School Teachers in Indore City, Madhya Pradesh, India: A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Teachers are central to the well-being of a community. Being an influential part of society, their role can be broadened to promote oral health and healthy oral hygiene habits. This study was aimed at the assessment of the oral health status and treatment needs of school teachers in Indore City. METHOD: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out over a period of five months on 470 school teachers working in various government schools of Indore city selected through random sampling technique. The modified WHO Oral Health Assessment Form for Adults 2013 was used to record oral health status and treatment needs, while the WHO Questionnaire for Adults 2013 was used to document oral hygiene practices, dietary habits, and deleterious habits. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS Version 25 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Chi-square test, independent t-test, and one-way ANOVA were used. RESULTS: The gender distribution of the representative sample showed female predominance. The prevalence of smokeless tobacco consumption was 5.1% among the study subjects. The mean number of Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) was 3.45 ± 3.10, and the mean number of 1.52 ± 2.40 teeth showed the presence of bleeding. Around 37.2% had shallow pockets of 4-5 mm. A mean number of 4.26 ± 1.97 sextants showed 0-3 mm attachment loss. There was a significant association between the frequency and technique of toothbrushing with a decayed number of teeth (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: High proportion of dental caries and periodontal disease was seen which could be related to their oral health care-seeking behavior and the impairment related to age changes.

Relationship of obstructive sleep apnea with major depressive disorder and development of metabolic syndrome.

Objective: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is often linked with a number of coexisting disorders with a relation that is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to find out the role of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in metabolic syndrome (MS) in subjects with MDD and to develop a model for factors leading to MS. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted on 119 subjects. They were evaluated on sociodemographic and clinical parameters, Berlin questionnaire, and Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology. Comparisons were made using appropriate statistics. Binary logistic regression was used to find out the role of clinical parameters in the development of MS. Results: A total of 34% with MDD had a high risk of developing OSA while 19% had metabolic syndrome. Among all clinical variables, antidepressant exposure in terms of total fluoxetine units, duration of treatment, and risk of developing OSA was found to be significantly more in patients with MS. A higher risk of OSA was found to have a higher likelihood to cause MS in patients with MDD. Conclusion: There is a high risk of MS and OSA in subjects with MDD. The increased risk of MS is contributed by an increased risk of developing OSA among patients with MDD. Cross-sectional design and limited generalizability are the major limitations of this study.

Comparison of Tensile Bond Strength of Fixed-Fixed Versus Cantilever Single- and Double-Abutted Resin-Bonded Bridges Dental Prosthesis.

Resin-bonded fixed dental prostheses (RBFDP) are minimally invasive alternatives to traditional full-coverage fixed partial dentures as they rely on resin cements for retention. This study compared and evaluated the tensile bond strength of three different resin-bonded bridge designs, namely, three-unit fixed-fixed, two-unit cantilever single abutment, and three-unit cantilever double-abutted resin-bonded bridge. Furthermore, the study attempted to compare the tensile bond strengths of the Maryland and Rochette types of resin-bonded bridges. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of seventy-five extracted maxillary incisors were collected and later were mounted on the acrylic blocks. Three distinct resin-bonded metal frameworks were designed: three-unit fixed-fixed (n = 30), two-unit cantilever single abutment (n = 30), and a three-unit cantilever double abutment (n = 30). The main groups were further divided into two subgroups based on the retainer design such as Rochette and Maryland. The different prosthesis designs were cemented to the prepared teeth. Later, abutment preparations were made on all specimens keeping the preparation as minimally invasive and esthetic oriented. Impression of the preparations were made using polyvinyl siloxane impression material, followed by pouring cast using die stone. A U-shaped handle of 1.5 mm diameter sprue wax with a 3 mm hole in between was attached to the occlusal surface of each pattern. The wax patterns were sprued and cast in a cobalt-chromium alloy. The castings were cleaned by sandblasting, followed by finishing and polishing. Lastly, based on the study group, specimens for Rochette bridge were perforated to provide mechanical retention between resin cement and metal, whereas the remaining 15 specimens were sandblasted on the palatal side to provide mechanical retention (Maryland bridge). In order to evaluate the tensile bond strength, the specimens were subjected to tensile forces on a universal testing machine with a uniform crosshead speed. The fixed-fixed partial prosthesis proved superior to both cantilever designs, whereas the single abutment cantilever design showed the lowest tensile bond strength. Maryland bridges uniformly showed higher bond strengths across all framework designs. Within the limitations of this study, the three-unit fixed-fixed design and Maryland bridges had greater bond strengths, implying that they may demonstrate lower clinical failure than cantilever designs and Rochette bridges.

Analysis of Denture Base Displacement between Conventional Acrylic Removable Partial Dentures and Click Fit Partials for Kennedy's Class I and II Situations: An In Vitro Study.

AIM/OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the displacement of the denture base of conventional acrylic dentures and Click Fit partials in Kennedy's class I and II situations in the mandibular arch. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four removable partial dentures-two conventional clasp dentures and two attachment dentures (Click Fit)-were designed. The two conventional clasp dentures were retained by C (conventional) clasps, and the two attachment dentures were retained by rigid precision attachments. The displacement of denture bases and the movements of denture bases were investigated, and the influences of denture design were studied. RESULT: The values obtained were statistically analyzed by using independent t-tests. For all statistical purposes, a p-value of ≤0.001 was considered significant. The results showed that mean vertical displacements (mm) of the conventional acrylic removable partial denture base for Kennedy's class I mandibular arch under 50, 75, and 100 N forces were 0.0317, 0.04377, and 0.06392, respectively, and those for Kennedy's class II mandibular arch under 50, 75, and 100 N forces were 0.04922, 0.09849, and 0.1522, respectively. Vertical displacements (mm) of the Click Fit removable partial denture base for Kennedy's class I mandibular arch under 50, 75, and 100 N forces were 0.02185, 0.03436, and 0.005365, respectively, and those for Kennedy's class II mandibular arch under 50N, 75N, and 100N forces were 0.0445, 0.07851, and 0.14457, respectively. The difference between the groups was statistically significant (p ≤0.001). CONCLUSION: The vertical displacement of the denture base retained by conventional C clasps was more than that of the denture base retained by rigid precision attachment. The displacement of the denture base tended to be less when the denture was designed with a rigid connection for the retainer and with cross-arch stabilization as in Kennedy's class I case. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: This research evaluated the vertical denture base displacement using different designs and retention types. Hence, it helped predict the prognosis of different removable partial denture base designs in various clinical conditions.

Role of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in the Management of Alzheimer's Disease: A Meta-analysis of Effects, Adherence and Adverse Effects.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a form of novel brain stimulating method that has attracted interest owing to its relative inexpensiveness and ease of administration. It has been evaluated in many studies for its effectiveness in improving cognitive symptoms in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, our understanding regarding its efficacy and the most effective way of administering tDCS (in terms of lead placement to achieve response and prevent harmful consequences) is still evolving. The current meta-analysis was conducted to resolve the above issues. A search using appropriate keywords and medical subject headings was conducted on PubMed, Scopus and DOAJ database. Studies were analysed on pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Finally 11 studies were included for quantitative analysis from 1,021 obtained from initial search. All the studies included were methodologically of high quality, though an asymmetrical funnel plot raised the possibility of publication bias. tDCS was found to significantly improve the scores on cognition as compared to sham. Anodal tDCS was found to be significantly beneficial in this regards, whereas cathodal and dual stimulation were not. There were no significant difference in the number of drop-outs and adverse reaction in tDCS and sham group. The quality of evidence that we have reviewed in this study is robust. tDCS, particularly anodal tDCS is an effective treatment modality in AD. It is well tolerated in patients with AD. However, further studies are warranted to probe the role of tDCS in other domains of AD.

Stigma in Bipolar Affective Disorder: A Systematic Quantitative Literature Review of Indian Studies.

BACKGROUND: Bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) is one of the most common severe mental illnesses that cause morbidity. Stigma can negatively influence the disease experience in patients with BPAD. Significant differences are observed in the attributes of stigma across the various sociocultural milieus. The current review was thus conducted to compile the evidence regarding the burden and correlates of various forms of stigma in BPAD in India. METHODS: An exhaustive literature review was conducted in PubMed, MedIND, and Google Scholar to identify Indian studies conducted on stigma in BPAD. The broad themes in various forms of stigma were identified (qualitative analysis). Quantitative analysis of measures of stigma was done, calculating the effect size in BPAD and comparator groups (schizophrenia and anxiety disorders) using standardized mean difference. RESULTS: Overall, 12 studies could be identified for qualitative analysis, and 5 were used for quantitative analysis. Overall, the current evidence points out that the stigma in BPAD is less than that in schizophrenia but more than that in anxiety disorders. Internalized stigma in BPAD is correlated with poor self-esteem, reduced community participation, and low quality of life. Caregivers of patients with BPAD also experience significant stigma. CONCLUSIONS: The review shows that stigma in BPAD is substantial. It also draws attention to the fact that the research regarding stigma in BPAD is lagging behind. This review also provides a platform to develop an intervention in the Indian scenario, where further research should be carried out.

The credibility of dental pulp in human blood group identification.

BACKGROUND: The identification of unknown individual has always been of paramount importance to the society. Blood groups are excellent aids to these pursuits. Dental tissue acts beneficial because tooth is the hardest of all human tissues, and they can be preserved intact for a long period of time after the death of the individual. Hence, this study is conducted to evaluate the role of dental pulp in identification of human blood group. AIM: To determine the ABO blood grouping from the pulpal tissue of an extracted tooth and to correlate the same with blood group details obtained from the study subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a double-blinded randomized controlled trial conducted on a sample of thirty extracted teeth. The teeth were stored dry for 2 months. An attempt to establish the blood group from pulp was made by absorption-elution method. The collected data were coded, and statistical analysis was carried out using Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS Version 20). Cronbach's alpha was applied to check the reliability of the absorption-elusion method in the detection of blood group from dental pulp. RESULTS: Blood groups obtained from the pulp were compared with those obtained from the study subjects. Blood group establishment from dental pulp using absorption-elusion method had a good internal consistency in comparison with the conventional Karl Landsteiner's blood typing method. This study showed that pulp tissue is a reliable method to detect blood groups of individuals. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that dental pulp can be used to establish identity, where teeth happen to be the only remnants available for personal identification.

The Impact of Body Mass Index on Oral Hygiene Practices of Adolescents in Bhopal City, India.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of Body Mass Index (BMI) on oral hygiene practices of adolescents in Bhopal City, India. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Arts College, Bhopal, from February to March 2014. METHODOLOGY: Aconvenience sample of 17 - 23 years college-going adolescents from Arts College, Bhopal city was selected for the study. Self-reported questionnaire for adolescents to assess BMI and oral hygiene attitude, knowledge and practices was used. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were applied. RESULTS: Out of the total study population, 53.54% (n=166) were males and 46.45% (n=144) were females. Two hundred and six (66.45%) were of optimal weight, 27.74% (n=86) were underweight and only 4.52% (n=14) were overweight. There was a significant association between BMI and oral hygiene practice of toothbrushing (p < 0.001) and mouth rinsing (p=0.001) among both male and female subjects. CONCLUSION: Hence, BMI is significantly associated with the oral hygiene practices of adolescent population. There is growing interest in the relationship between BMI and oral health because both are significant public health concerns. These public health problems are related to common lifestyle factors such as unhealthy eating habits and smoking among children. These maladapted habits track into later life as predictors of increased BMI and oral health problems. Hence, it is required that the dentists are aware of the influence of body mass Index and lifestyle on oral health practices among children and adolescents.

Assessment of Dental Caries and Periodontal Disease Status among Elderly Residing in Old Age Homes of Madhya Pradesh.

BACKGROUND: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the dental caries and periodontal disease status of elderly residing in old age homes of Madhya Pradesh, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out on 599 elderly people residing in old age homes of Madhya Pradesh, India using cluster sampling methodology. The clinical findings were recorded using modified WHO Oral Health Assessment form (1997) to assess periodontal status as per community periodontal index, loss of attachment, WHO dentition status, and treatment needs. RESULTS: In the present study, the caries prevalence among dentate subjects was found among 41.9% of the dentate subjects and the mean decayed, missed, and filled teeth was found to be 8.28 ± 4.779 with the mean number of decayed being 1.51. In the dentate population, 0% had healthy periodontal tissue, 0.26% had bleeding, and 24.5% had calculus, 52.1% had shallow pockets and 23.1% had deep pockets as their highest score and this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In the current study, 37.9% inmates were completely edentulous. This study also showed that as age advanced the prevalence increased from 23.1% to 55.4%. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The oral health status of elderly people was found to be poor. Hence, it is concluded from this study that tooth loss is higher among the geriatric group residing in old age homes and is associated with many demographic and behavioral risk indicators.

Comparison of Opinion Referendum of Medical and Dental Postgraduates Towards Plagiarism in Bhopal - Central India.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate awareness and attitude towards plagiarism of postgraduates of health fraternity in Bhopal, Central India. STUDY DESIGN: Across-sectional survey. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: People's University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India, from January to March 2014. METHODOLOGY: A total of 164 postgraduates, medical (n = 80) and dental postgraduates (n = 84) were included in the study. A standard pre-tested self-administered questionnaire assessing positive, negative and subjective norms towards plagiarism was the assessing tool. Data was captured through distribution of the instrument and collected as scheduled from the study participants. The distribution of scores based on the responses to the individual questions in each dimension between the groups were compared using Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: Among dental and medical postgraduates the median values for the questions under positive attitude was 34.0 and 32.0, negative attitude was 21.5 and 19, subjective norms was 29.0 and 27.5 respectively. The difference in the opinion regarding positive attitude was found to be statistically significant in between the groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Overall plagiarism was favored more by dental students as compared to medical students. Moreover, inadequate level of knowledge and awareness was observed in both the streams. Efforts should be undertaken to motivate health professionals to instill honest behavior in order to preserve the intellectual property right.

Assessment of oral mucosal lesions among eunuchs residing in Bhopal city, Madhya Pradesh, India: a cross-sectional study.

AIM: The present cross-sectional study following the STROBE guidelines was conducted to assess the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions among males, females, and eunuchs residing in Bhopal city, Madhya Pradesh India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Based on convenient non-probability snowball sampling technique, all the self-identified eunuchs residing in the city of Bhopal who were present at the time of examination and who fulfilled the selection criteria were examined. A cross section of the general population (males and females) residing in the same locality where these eunuchs live was also examined. The World Health Organization (WHO) oral health assessment proforma (1997) was used to collect the information on oral mucosal lesions. All the obtained data were analyzed by using a Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of oral mucosal lesions was 127 (19.9%) among the study subjects. Fifty-nine (28.5%) eunuchs, 56 (25.7%) males, and 12 (5.6%) females were observed to have some oral mucosal lesions. Oral submucous fibrosis (6.4%), leukoplakia (5.5%), and traumatic ulceration (4.2%) were the major oral mucosal conditions observed. CONCLUSION: The information presented in this study adds to our understanding of the common oral mucosal lesions occurring in the eunuch population. Efforts to increase patient awareness of the oral effects of tobacco use and to eliminate the habit are needed to improve the oral and general health of eunuchs.

Self-medication Practice Amongst Patients Visiting a Tertiary-care Dental Hospital in Central India.

PURPOSE: To assess self-medication practice-related awareness for correct usage and its association with demographic factors among patients reporting to a dental college. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among 300 patients reporting to the People's College of Dental Sciences and Research Centre, Bhopal, India. Only patients ≥ 18 years of age were included and consenting participants anonymously completed the questionnaire, with incomplete questionnaires being excluded from the study. The semi-structured questionnaire containing both open- and closedended questions was prepared in the local language and included demographic data, name of self-medication, frequency of self-medication, periods of illness, duration, dose, frequency of drug administration, symptoms for which drugs were used, satisfaction with healthcare facilities, source of information for self-medication, presence of chronic illness, adverse effects to self-medication seen in patients and drug interactions. The unpaired t-test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. p-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A significant association was seen between education and self-medication. It was observed that the subjects who fell ill more frequently consumed medications on their own more often. Medications were most commonly taken for cough, cold and fever. The most preferred medicine was paracetamol. Most of the subjects found the medicines effective in helping them relieve their symptoms. However, not even half of the subjects were aware of the dose, duration, side-effects or interactions of medicines. There was a significant association between knowledge about side-effects and side-effects experienced from medication. A significant association was also seen between knowledge about side-effects and frequency of self-medication. CONCLUSION: Self-medication and non-doctor prescribing are relatively common in Bhopal. Knowledge regarding the appropriate usage of medication is inadequate. Education to help patients decide on the appropriateness of selfmedication is required.

Dental trauma and mouthguard awareness and use among contact and noncontact athletes in central India.

We investigated the associations of mouthguard awareness and use with the rate and type of orofacial trauma during sports activities among professional athletes. In this cross-sectional study of athletes aged 12 to 22 years who trained for participation in national and international competitions, data were collected by using a questionnaire and a clinical examination that included an index of dental injury. There were significant differences in mouthguard awareness and use and injury rates, i.e., athletes who did not wear mouthguards had more injuries. Traumatic injuries to teeth were significantly more frequent among contact athletes (15; 9%) than among noncontact athletes (4; 2.5%). Limited mouthguard awareness could be due to lack of information and education on dental injuries and their prevention.

Evaluating sanitization of toothbrushes using ultra violet rays and 0.2% chlorhexidine solution: A comparative clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Toothbrushes may play a significant role in plaque control. Toothbrushes should be correctly stored, disinfected and changed at regular intervals. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX) gluconate solution and ultra violet (UV) toothbrush-sanitizer for toothbrush disinfection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fresh tooth brushes were distributed to fifteen study subjects, who were selected randomly and who met the study criteria. All the study participants were asked to brush their teeth with the tooth brush provided. No special instructions were given regarding the brushing techniques. Toothbrushes were collected after 7 days. All tooth brushes were randomly allocated to three groups. Tooth brushes were subjected to microbial analysis and total bacterial count was assessed. Tooth brushes allocated to Group I were soaked in 2% CHX mouthwash for 12 h, Group II were kept in UV-light toothbrush holder for 7 min, and Group III were soaked in normal saline for 12 h. All the toothbrushes were subjected for microbial analysis and mean bacterial count was determined. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between mean colony-forming unit count pre-sanitization and post-sanitization in all the groups, using 0.2% CHX gluconate, UV rays and normal saline (P < 0.007). However, the mean bacterial count reduced drastically after the treatment with UV rays (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: CHX, UV rays and normal saline are effective in a reduction of bacterial count on toothbrushes. UV rays treatment was more effective, when compared to CHX and normal saline.