Cohort Profile: Real-Time Insights of COVID-19 in India (RTI COVID-India).

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease (COVID) pandemic caused disruption globally and was particularly distressing in low- and middle-income countries such as India. This study aimed to provide population representative estimates of COVID-related outcomes in India over time and characterize how COVID-related changes and impacts differ by key socioeconomic groups across the life course. METHODS: The sample was leveraged from an existing nationally representative study on cognition and dementia in India: Harmonized Diagnostic Assessment of Dementia for the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI-DAD). The wave-1 of LASI-DAD enrolled 4096 older adults aged 60 years and older in 3316 households from 18 states and union territories of India. Out of the 3316 LASI-DAD households, 2704 with valid phone numbers were contacted and invited to participate in the Real-Time Insights COVID-19 in India (RTI COVID-India) study. RTI COVID-India was a bi-monthly phone survey that provided insight into the individual's knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour towards COVID-19 and changes in the household's economic and health conditions throughout the pandemic. The survey was started in May 2020 and 9 rounds of data have been collected. FINDINGS TILL DATE: Out of the 2704 LASI-DAD households with valid phone numbers, 1766 households participated in the RTI COVID-India survey at least once. Participants were in the age range of 18-102 years, 49% were female, 66% resided in rural area. Across all rounds, there was a higher report of infection among respondents aged 60-69 years. There was a greater prevalence of COVID-19 diagnosis reported in urban (23.0%) compared to rural areas (9.8%). Respondents with higher education had a greater prevalence of COVID-19 diagnosis compared to those with lower or no formal education. Highest prevalence of COVID-19 diagnosis was reported from high economic status compared to middle and low economic status households. Comparing education gradients in experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and being diagnosed, we observe an opposite pattern: respondents with no formal schooling reported the highest level of experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, whereas the greatest proportion of the respondents with secondary school or higher education reported being diagnosed with COVID-19. FUTURE PLANS: The study group will analyse the data collected showing the real-time changes throughout the pandemic and will make the data widely available for researchers to conduct further studies.

Differential immune responses of 3D gingival and periodontal connective tissue equivalents to microbial colonization.

Gingival and periodontal ligament fibroblasts are functionally distinct cell types within the dento-gingival unit that participate in host immune response. Their microenvironment influences the behavior and immune response to microbial challenge. We developed three-dimensional gingival and periodontal connective tissue equivalents (CTEs) using human fibrin-based matrix. The CTEs were characterized, and the heterogeneity in their innate immune response was investigated. The CTEs demonstrated no to minimal response to planktonic Streptococcus mitis and Streptococcus oralis, while their biofilms elicited a moderate increase in IL-6 and IL-8 production. In contrast, Fusobacterium nucleatum provoked a substantial increase in IL-6 and IL-8 production. Interestingly, the gingival CTEs secreted significantly higher IL-6, while periodontal counterparts produced higher IL-8. In conclusion, the gingival and periodontal CTEs exhibited differential responses to various bacterial challenges. This gives insights into the contribution of tissue topography and fibroblast heterogeneity in rendering protective and specific immune responses toward early biofilm colonizers.

Cutting Efficiency of Welded Diamond and Vacuum Diffusion Technology Burs and Conventional Electroplated Burs on the Surface Changes of the Teeth - An In vitro Study.

CONTEXT: Welded diamond and vacuum diffusion technology (WDVDT) burs in comparison to electroplated burs claim to approach the solution of dental hard tissues by increased cutting efficiency, decreasing the overheating of oral tissues and thus reducing the microcracks on the prepared tooth surface. AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the cutting efficiency of two different rotary diamond burs used for tooth preparation with their repeated usage on the surface changes of the prepared tooth. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This in vitro comparative study evaluated the cutting efficiency and surface changes of the teeth prepared with conventional electroplated burs and WDVDT burs. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty freshly extracted, healthy, noncarious human premolars were divided into Group A and Group B with 15 each, and were further subdivided into three subgroups depending on the different usage intervals as first, fifth, and tenth (A1-A3 and B1-B3). The surface of each prepared specimen was evaluated quantitatively using a surface profilometer, and qualitative analysis was done using a scanning electron microscope. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Two-way ANOVA and Turkey's multiple post hoc tests were used. RESULTS: The mean surface roughness of Groups A1, A2, and A3 was 1.50 ± 0.40, 2.39 ± 0.39, and 2.65 ± 0.65 Ra, respectively. The mean surface roughness of Groups B1, B2, and B3 was 0.76 ± 0.23, 0.92 ± 0.10, and 1.24 ± 0.07 Ra, respectively. The mean surface roughness of the prepared tooth surface was significantly higher in Group A and its subgroups when compared to that of Group B and its subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: The study results showed that surface roughness was considerably lesser and also had less wear and increased cutting efficiency of tooth preparations using burs made with WDVDT compared to the preparations using conventional electroplated burs.