Prevalence and patterns of workplace cyberbullying among dental and medical undergraduate students. A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Cyberbullying is an act of bullying that is conducted through the use of technology in an online mode such as over social media platforms or via text-based messages. It is an intentionally repeated aggressive activity in which harm is inflicted on a person using electronic media. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and pattern of workplace cyberbullying in undergraduate students inmedical and dental streams. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study used a mixed explanatory cross-sectional study design by making use of a structured questionnaire for the survey. This "two-phase" mixed design utilized qualitative data for the explanation of quantitative observations. The selected study subjects were three hundred undergraduate medical and dental students. To obtain data, an electronically fabricated questionnaire (i.e. Google Form) consisting of open- and closed-ended questions was distributed. All questions were designed for studying prevalence and patterns of cyberbullying that had been experienced by the victims. Obtained data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science software version 20.0 (SPSS v20.0) based on a Likert-based questionnaire scale in which responses were recorded in "yes" or "no" format. The statistical tool employed was the "Chi-square" test. RESULTS: On analysis of the level of knowledge, 92% of the study sample was aware of cyberbullying as different from the physical form of bullying. The most commonly employed tools for handling cyberbullying were conferencing (0.66% of cases) and disciplinary tools (5% of cases). 14.33% of cases involved the use of investigations, and 2.66% made use of victim counseling. Most of the students, along with their parents (89%), were of the opinion that teachers must have active participation in cyberbullying cases. On statistical comparison, the P-value was found to be less than 0.05. CONCLUSION: In the present study, cases of cyberbullying were found to be less prevalent in medical and dental undergraduate students although there was knowledge regarding this form of bullying in studied participants.

Estimation of Crestal Bone Loss with Flap and Flapless Methods for the Position of Implant.

Introduction: The current research was conducted to estimate the loss of crestal bone using the flap and flapless method for implant placement. Materials and Methods: Forty participants who fulfilled the addition criteria were chosen for this research. All participants were then categorized equally into two study groups, that is, with and without undergoing flap surgery. Statistical evaluation was performed using the Mann-Whitney U-test. Results: Flapless implant placement showed lesser crestal bone loss. Conclusion: Compared to flap surgery, seamless implant implantation showed less loss of crestal bone.

Evaluation of Turmeric, Ashwagandha, and Aloe Vera in the Management of Oral Lichen Planus Lesion.

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of turmeric, ashwagandha, and aloe vera in the management of oral lichen planus (OLP) lesion. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients with histologically confirmed symptomatic OLP with gingival presentation were included in this comparative investigation. Three groups of participants were created: Group I consisted of turmeric; group II included ashwagandha; and group III included aloe vera. For 3 weeks in a row, they were told to apply topical treatments twice a day. The patients were recalled for 4 to evaluate the cessation of symptoms. Result: The participants in all the groups showed a considerable improvement in the burning lesion size and pain after 4 months of follow-up. Conclusion: For the treatment of OLP, turmeric, ashwagandha, and aloe vera can be useful as substitute topical medications, particularly for those who are not responsive to topical corticosteroids.

Evaluation of Antimicrobial Effect of Ginger, Apple Cider Vinegar against Streptococcus Mutans, Enterococcus Faecalis and Candida Albicans.

Introduction: Oral infections are most frequently caused by three oral microorganisms: Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis), and Candida albicans (C. albicans). Objectives: To evaluate antimicrobial potential of 10% ginger extract (GE) and apple vinegar against S. Mutans, E. faecalis, and C. albicans. Materials and Method: The GE and apple cider vinegar (ACV) were tested for microbiological evaluation to identify the inhibitory zone using the agar disk diffusion test against S. mutans, C. albicans, and E. faecalis. Result: The 10% ethanolic GE and ACV showed a maximum zone of inhibition zone against S. mutans, E. Faecalis, and C. albicans. The intragroup comparison was insignificant. Conclusion: Apple vinegar and 10% ethanolic GE were shown to have good antimicrobial properties against all three tested pathogens.

Assessment of Role of Bisphosphonates on Dental Implant Treatment in Post-menopausal Ladies.

Objectives: To examine the impact of bisphosphonates (BPs) on dental implant treatment and alveolar bone in post-menopausal ladies. Materials and Methods: Twenty post-menopausal ladies who had at least one dental implant within the previous 5 years participated in the current study. Ten subjects were categorized into two groups: Group A had BP medication for 1.5 years, and group B received parathyroid hormone (PTH). Both groups' bone thickness and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured. Result: Group A had 5%, and group B had 5% of dental implants failures. BMD of cortical bone was 1468 ± 136 mg/mL and 1008 ± 84 mg/mL in groups A and B, correspondingly. The cortical and cancellous bone densities in both the groups were statically significant. Cortical bone thickness was insignificant in comparison. Conclusion: Both cortical and cancellous bones' bone mineral density decreased in both groups. With continued usage of BPs, the cortical bone thickness increased.

Human papillomavirus, tobacco, and poor oral hygiene can act synergetically, modulate the expression of the nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathway for the development and progression of head and neck cancer in the Pakistani population.

BACKGROUND: Head and neck cancers (HNCs) are a heterogeneous group of tumors that progress owing to varied enviromental and genetic risk factors. Viral infections are threatening and adept at altering the expression of cellular transcription factors such as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and deregulation of other cellular proteins like NF kappa B inhibitor alpha (IκBα). The present study was conducted to detect high-risk genotypes of human papillomavirus (HPV) and protein expression of NF-κB signaling pathway in HNC patients with HPV infection. METHODS: For HPV detection, genomic DNA from 152 HNC tumors was extracted formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue DNA kit. For genotyping, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using a general primer, HPV type-specific primers and agarose gel electrophoresis were performed. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was also performed on 4-µm thick tissue sections using HPV E6 monoclonal antibody. Protein expression analysis of NF-κB signaling pathway including p50, p65, and IκBα was performed using IHC. RESULTS: PCR analysis showed that 24.3% (37/152) of HNC cases were HPV positive. Among HPV positive, 86.5% (32/37) were tobacco users, while among HPV negative, 66.9% (77/115) were tobacco users. A significant association of HPV positivity and tobacco user was observed by univariate analysis [ P   <  0.01; odds ratio (OR): 0.310, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.110 to 0.870]. More HPV positive patients were with poor oral hygiene (78.3%) when compared with patients with good oral hygiene (21.6%) [ P  < 0.03, OR: 2.440, 95% CI: 1.650 to 3.600]. The results of the logistic regression analysis showed that age, tobacco use and oral hygiene are significant predictors ( P  < 0.02). PCR and IHC staining results confirmed that HPV16 was predominant among HNC cases (64.8%) when compared with HPV18 (35.2%). Expression of NF-κB proteins (p50, p65, and IκBα inhibitor) were also observed in HPV and non-HPV infected HNC tissues. IHC expression of p50, and p65 showed nuclear staining, while IκBα inhibitor showed cytoplasmic staining. Protein expression in HPV cases was higher as compared to HPV naive cases ( P  < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: From the study, it can be established that the use of tobacco, oral hygiene, and HPV infection may be synergistically involved in modulating the expression of NF-κB signaling pathway for the development and progression of HNC in the Pakistani population.

In vitro assessment of the effect of probiotic lactobacillus reuteri on peri-implantitis microflora.

BACKGROUND: Probiotics affect both the development and stability of microbiota by altering the colonization of pathogens and thus helps in stimulating the immune system of the individual. The aim of the present study is to assess the effect of probiotics on peri-implantitis microflora, by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Lactobacillus reuteri, that can be effectively administered as an antimicrobial agent on specific peri-implantitis pathogens. Hence, this study will be helpful in finding the MIC of L. Reuteri that can be effectively administered as an antimicrobial agent on specific peri-implantitis pathogens. METHODS: This experimental research was conducted on patients visiting the periodontology department in M. A. Rangoonwala college of dental sciences and research centre. Sub-gingival plaque samples were collected from peri-implantitis patients to identify various peri-implantitis microorganisms. The identified microorganisms were compared to each other and Chi-Square test was used to calculate statistical significance. The isolated microorganisms were subjected to the effect of probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri in-vitro. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was assessed using serial dilution method. RESULTS: The research results showed the presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Prevotella intermedia, Streptococcus salivaris and Staphylococcus aureus in the subgingival samples from peri-implantitis patients. Statistically, significantly higher proportion of samples had Porphyromonas gingivalis. When subjected to the effect of L. reuteri, all the microorganisms were affected by L.reuteri except Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. CONCLUSION: This study provides the various MIC value for each isolated pathogen against L.reuteri. The authors recommend to avoid using standard guidelines for probiotic dose in the treatment of peri-implant infections as the antimicrobial profile is different for each periodontal pathogen.

Effect of Probiotic Lactobacillus salivarius on Peri-Implantitis Pathogenic Bacteria: An In Vitro Study.

Background Varied treatment modalities have been described in the past for the management of peri-implant diseases but the evidence of the use of probiotics for the treatment of peri-implantitis is limited. The aim of this study was to determine the antagonistic growth effects of Lactobacillus salivarius on the growth of peri-implantitis pathogens. Material and method Anin vitroassessment of probiotic L. salivarius on peri-implantitis pathogens was done using the serial tube dilution method. Minimum inhibitory concentration was calculated for five subgingival pathogens namely Porphyromonas gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Prevotella intermedia, Streptococcus salivarius, and Staphylococcus aureus. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) is defined as the lowermost concentration of any drug that prevents the noticeable growth of the test organism. In vitro assessment to determine the MIC is necessary for an in vivo application. The MIC value will also help to find the drug's accurate dosage. Results Peri-implantitis pathogens were cultured from individuals diagnosed with peri-implantitis. Except for A. actinomycetemcomitans, all other pathogens were susceptible to the probiotic. S. salivarius had the lowest MIC (0.8mg/mL). Conclusion The MIC value for pathogens will help to determine the effective mode and form of probiotic that can be used for the treatment of peri-implantitis.