Performance evaluation of carbon quantum dots impregnated glass ionomer cement to avoid peri-implant disease.

Dental cement residues exacerbate peri-implant tissue irritation and peri-implantitis. The present study aims to evaluate the cytotoxicity, physiochemical, optical, and rheological properties of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) impregnated glass ionomer cement (GIC). Surface passivated fluorescent CQDs were synthesized using citric acid via thermal decomposition and blended with GIC. Characterization studies and rheological measurements were made to evaluate their performance. 3D-printed dental implant models cemented with GIC and GIC-CQD were compared to analyze excess cement residues. MTT assay was performed with human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) and statistically analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's test. CQDs with a particle dimension of ∼2 nm were synthesized. The amorphous property of GIC-CQD was confirmed through XRD. The fluorescence properties of GIC-CQD showed three times higher emission intensity than conventional GIC. GIC-CQD attained maturation with a setting time extended by 64 s than GIC. Cement residue of size 2 mm was detected with a UV light excitation at a distance between 5 to 10 cm. Biocompatibility at 0.125 mg ml-1dilution concentrations of GIC-CQD showed viability greater than 80% to hDPSCs. For the first time, we report that CQDs-impregnated GIC is a unique and cost-effective strategy for in-situ detection of excess cement rapidly using a hand-held device. A novel in-situ rapid detection method enables the dentist to identify residual cement of size less than 2 mm during the implantation. Therefore, GIC-CQD would replace conventional GIC and help in the prevention of peri-implant diseases.

Prediction of excess cement residues using a regression model to avoid peri-implant diseases: An in vitro study.

Dental implant restorations attached to cement can potentially result in peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis if cement residues are present. Effectively predicting and eliminating such dental cement residues is crucial for preventing complications. This study focuses on creating a regression model using the pixel values to predict the Excess Cement Residues (ECR) by employing an octagonal surface imaging approach. A model featuring gingival imitation, ten abutments, and ten crowns was created, and the cemented implants underwent thorough photographic and analytical assessment. The ECR was determined through two distinct approaches: the Computerized Planimetric Method (CPM) and the weighing method. Across ten implants in this in vitro study, ECR varied from 0.3 to 21 mg, with an average of 5.69 mg. The findings reveal a higher amount of ECR on the distal, mesiobuccal, and mesial sides. Utilizing Pearson's correlation, a coefficient value of r = 0.786 signifies a strong correlation between CPM and the weighing method. The regression model further aids in predicting ECR based on pixel values. The octagonal surface imaging approach not only vividly captures information about ECR in the implant cementation region but also emphasizes the feasibility of ImageJ as an effective tool for detecting ECR. The congruence between CPM and the weighing method results supports the application of the regression model for precise ECR prediction.

Design and Performance Analysis of a Mecanum-Built Perturbation-Based Balance Training Device.

This study proposes a mecanum-built perturbation-based balance training device aimed at improving motor adaptive skills for fall prevention in individuals with neurological disorders or the elderly. Incorporating multidirectional fall simulations in line with modified constraint-induced movement therapy, the device's efficacy was evaluated by measuring the distance traveled and peak acceleration under different static loads (20, 30, and 40 kg) and input accelerations (1, 2, and 3 m/s2). A pilot study with 10 subjects was conducted to assess device performance, utilizing repeated measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni's post hoc analysis. Results indicated a load-dependent reduction in distance traveled, with an average mean difference of 0.74-1.23 cm between the 20 and 40 kg loads for trials of 9 and 18 cm, respectively. Despite varying loads, the device consistently achieved near-anticipated peak accelerations, suggesting its capability to induce effective perturbations. The study also observed a significant lateral movement preference, suggesting adjustments to pulse width modulation and time period may optimize lateral movement performance.

Hand assistive device with suction cup (HADS) technology for poststroke patients.

A stroke is a neurological disease that primarily causes paralysis. Besides paraplegia, all other types of paralysis affect the upper extremity. Advanced technologies, such as wearable devices and rehabilitation regimens, are also being developed to enhance the functional ability of a stroke person to grasp and release daily living objects. In this research, we developed a rehabilitation functional assist device combining a flexion and extension mechanism with suction cup technology (hybrid technology) to help post-stroke patients improve their hand grip strength in day-to-day grasping activities. Ten poststroke hemiplegia patients were studied to test the functional ability of the impaired hand by wearing and not wearing the device. The outcomes were validated by three standard clinical tests, such as the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute - Hand Functional Test (TRI-HFT), the Chedoke Arm Hand Activity Inventory (CAHAI-9), and the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) with overall score improvements of 14.5 ± 3.8-25 ± 2.2 (p = 0.005), 5.4 ± 2.8-10 ± 1.6 (p = 0.008), and 9.6 ± 2.6-17 ± 2.4 (p = 0.005) respectively. The p-value for each of the three evaluations was less than 0.05, indicating significantly improved results and the average feedback score of the participants was 3.8 out of 5. The proposed device significantly increased impaired hand functionality in post-stroke patients. The subjects could complete some of the grasping tasks that they could not grasp without the device.Clinical trial registrationThe Clinical Trial Registry of India approved the work CTRI/2022/02/040495 described in this manuscript.

A Cross-Sectional Study on Fall Direction and Lower Limb Loading in Response to a Perturbation on Laterally Inclined Platform.

Perturbation-based balance training (PBT) improves reactive stepping in older adults and people with neurological disorders. Slip-induced falls are a threat to older adults, leading to hip fractures. Fall-prone individuals must be trained to regain balance during a fall in the posterolateral direction. This study aims to analyze the characteristics of the reactive step induced by a laterally inclined platform. This cross-sectional study included 46 healthy participants who performed a "lean and release" backward fall using a platform with two inclined angles on each side. Kinovea software was used to analyze the step width. Reactive steps, characterized by crossover or medial foot placement, are preventive measures against posterolateral falls. The first objective was on the narrowed step width that was subjected to analysis using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's post hoc assessment, indicating a tendency toward posterolateral falls. As part of our second objective, the inclined platform resulted in uneven loading between the legs, with a preference for the unloaded leg as the reactive leg (p < 0.001), as determined by Fisher's exact test and Cramer's V. These characteristics align closely with those observed in modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT). The angled platform had a significant effect on selecting the reactive leg, particularly at higher angles (p < 0.001). Thus, the study suggested that the device is capable of inducing posterolateral falls and exhibited mCIMT characteristics.

Microfluidic paper-based device coupled with 3D printed imaging box for colorimetric detection in resource-limited settings.

Rapid and effective methods for the detection of analytes such as water contaminants, food adulterants and biomolecules are essential for the protection of public health and environmental protection. Most of the currently established analytical techniques need sophisticated equipment, centralized testing facilities, costly operations, and trained personnel. Such limitations make them inaccessible to the general populace, particularly in regions with limited resources. The emergence of microfluidic devices offers a promising alternative to overcome several such constraints. This work describes a protocol for fabricating a low-cost, open-source paper-based microfluidic device using easily available tools and materials for colorimetric detection of analytes. The ease and simplicity of fabrication allow users to design customized devices. The device is coupled with an imaging box assembled from 3D printed parts to maintain uniform lighting conditions during analytical testing. The platform allows digital imaging using smartphones or cameras to instantaneously capture images of reaction zones on the device for quantitative analysis. The system is demonstrated for detecting hexavalent chromium, a toxic water contaminant. The image analysis is performed using open-source ImageJ for quantification of results. The approach demonstrated in this work can be readily adopted for a wide range of sensing applications.

A scoping review on recent trends in wearable sensors to analyze gait in people with stroke: From sensor placement to validation against gold-standard equipment.

The purpose of the review is to evaluate wearable sensor placement, their impact and validation of wearable sensors on analyzing gait, primarily the postural instability in people with stroke. Databases, namely PubMed, Cochrane, SpringerLink, and IEEE Xplore were searched to identify related articles published since January 2005. The authors have selected the articles by considering patient characteristics, intervention details, and outcome measurements by following the priorly set inclusion and exclusion criteria. From a total of 1077 articles, 142 were included in this study and classified into functional fields, namely postural stability (PS) assessments, physical activity monitoring (PA), gait pattern classification (GPC), and foot drop correction (FDC). The review covers the types of wearable sensors, their placement, and their performance in terms of reliability and validity. When employing a single wearable sensor, the pelvis and foot were the most used locations for detecting gait asymmetry and kinetic parameters, respectively. Multiple Inertial Measurement Units placed at different body parts were effectively used to estimate postural stability and gait pattern. This review article has compared results of placement of sensors at different locations helping researchers and clinicians to identify the best possible placement for sensors to measure specific kinematic and kinetic parameters in persons with stroke.

Microtubule modification defects underlie cilium degeneration in cell models of retinitis pigmentosa associated with pre-mRNA splicing factor mutations.

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the most common cause of hereditary blindness, and may occur in isolation as a non-syndromic condition or alongside other features in a syndromic presentation. Biallelic or monoallelic mutations in one of eight genes encoding pre-mRNA splicing factors are associated with non-syndromic RP. The molecular mechanism of disease remains incompletely understood, limiting opportunities for targeted treatment. Here we use CRISPR and base edited PRPF6 and PRPF31 mutant cell lines, and publicly-available data from human PRPF31 +/- patient derived retinal organoids and PRPF31 siRNA-treated organotypic retinal cultures to confirm an enrichment of differential splicing of microtubule, centrosomal, cilium and DNA damage response pathway genes in these cells. We show that genes with microtubule/centrosome/centriole/cilium gene ontology terms are enriched for weak 3' and 5' splice sites, and that subtle defects in spliceosome activity predominantly affect efficiency of splicing of these exons. We suggest that the primary defect in PRPF6 or PRPF31 mutant cells is microtubule and centrosomal defects, leading to defects in cilium and mitotic spindle stability, with the latter leading to DNA damage, triggering differential splicing of DNA damage response genes to activate this pathway. Finally, we expand understanding of "splicing factor RP" by investigating the function of TTLL3, one of the most statistically differentially expressed genes in PRPF6 and PRPF31 mutant cells. We identify that TTLL3 is the only tubulin glycylase expressed in the human retina, essential for monoglycylation of microtubules of the cilium, including the retinal photoreceptor cilium, to prevent cilium degeneration and retinal degeneration. Our preliminary data suggest that rescue of tubulin glycylation through overexpression of TTLL3 is sufficient to rescue cilium number in PRPF6 and PRPF31 mutant cells, suggesting that this defect underlies the cellular defect and may represent a potential target for therapeutic intervention in this group of disorders.

SAR investigations on the exposure compliance of wearable wireless devices using infrared thermography.

Wearable electronics have become the norm over the last few years. Extensive use of wearable wireless devices (WWD) in greater proximity to the body has increased concern about potential biological effects due to the interaction of human tissues with electromagnetic (EM) fields. Human tissues absorb radiofrequency (RF) waves that are capable of affecting energy states at a molecular level, leading to unsafe effects. Remarkably, thermal effect due to the absorption of RF waves is a better biological manifestation than traditional specific absorption rate (SAR) values. In this study, we investigated the application of infrared thermography (IRT) to obtain temperature dynamics and reconstructed average SAR to evaluate the exposure compliance of WWDs. A microstrip-based monopole antenna was used to determine the biological effects of the interaction of EM waves with the body. SAR was obtained using EM field simulations and through reconstruction from thermal measurements with the use of bio-heat equations. The maximum average SAR on the skin was 50 mWkg-1 for the simulations and 54 mWkg-1 from reconstruction after IRT experiments. The maximum temperature change in both cases was observed to be less than 1 °C. The difference between the average SAR obtained through IRT and simulation tools was 8.9% on average. SAR determination from the information acquired using IR temperature dynamics can assess bio-compliance of modern wearable devices for various wireless applications. Bioelectromagnetics. 39:451-459, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.