Homeopathic Medicines in Second Wave of COVID-19: Prognostic Factor Research.

BACKGROUND: The clinical profile and course of COVID-19 evolved perilously in a second wave, leading to the use of various treatment modalities that included homeopathy. This prognostic factor research (PFR) study aimed to identify clinically useful homeopathic medicines in this second wave. METHODS: This was a retrospective, multi-centred observational study performed from March 2021 to May 2021 on confirmed COVID-19 cases who were either in home isolation or at COVID Care Centres in Delhi, India. The data were collected from integrated COVID Care Centres where homeopathic medicines were prescribed along with conventional treatment. Only those cases that met a set of selection criteria were considered for analysis. The likelihood ratio (LR) was calculated for the frequently occurring symptoms of the prescribed medicines. An LR of 1.3 or greater was considered meaningful. RESULTS: Out of 769 confirmed COVID-19 cases reported, 514 cases were selected for analysis, including 467 in home isolation. The most common complaints were cough, fever, myalgia, sore throat, loss of taste and/or smell, and anxiety. Most cases improved and there was no adverse reaction. Certain new symptoms, e.g., headache, dryness of mouth and conjunctivitis, were also seen. Thirty-nine medicines were prescribed, the most frequent being Bryonia alba followed by Arsenicum album, Pulsatilla nigricans, Belladonna, Gelsemium sempervirens, Hepar sulphuris, Phosphorus, Rhus toxicodendron and Mercurius solubilis. By calculating LR, the prescribing indications of these nine medicines were ascertained. CONCLUSION: Add-on use of homeopathic medicines has shown encouraging results in the second wave of COVID-19 in integrated care facilities. Further COVID-related research is required to be undertaken on the most commonly prescribed medicines.

Clinical evaluation of three new gingival retraction systems: a research report.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of 3 new gingival retraction systems; Stay-put, Magic foam cord and expasyl, on the basis of their relative ease of handling, time taken for placement, hemorrhage control and the amount of gingival retraction. Thirty subjects were selected requiring fixed prosthesis. The 3 gingival retraction systems were used on the prepared abutments randomly. The time taken for placement of each retraction system was recorded. The vertical gingival retraction was measured before and after retraction using flexible measuring strip with 0.5 mm grading. The horizontal retraction was measured on polyether impressions made before the retraction and after retraction. Based on the results, magic foam cord retraction system can be considered more effective gingival retraction system among the three retraction systems used in the study.

Material extrusion of thermoplastic acrylic for intraoral devices: Technical feasibility and evaluation.

With global demand for 3D printed medical devices on the rise, the search for safer, inexpensive, and sustainable methods is timely. Herein, we assessed the practicality of the material extrusion process for acrylic denture bases of which successful outcomes can be extended to implant surgical guides, orthodontic splints, impression trays, record bases and obturators for cleft palates or other maxillary defects. Representative materials comprising denture prototypes and test samples were designed and built with in-house polymethylmethacrylate filaments using varying print directions (PDs), layer heights (LHs) and reinforcements (RFs) with short glass fiber. The study undertook a comprehensive evaluation of the materials to determine their flexural, fracture, and thermal properties. Additional analyses for tensile and compressive properties, chemical composition, residual monomer, and surface roughness (Ra) were completed for parts with optimum parameters. Micrographic analysis of the acrylic composites revealed adequate fiber-matrix compatibility and predictably, their mechanical properties improved simultaneously with RFs and decreased LHs. Fiber reinforcement also improved the overall thermal conductivity of the materials. Ra, on the other hand, improved visibly with decreased RFs and LHs and the prototypes were effortlessly polished and characterized with veneering composites to mimic gingival tissues. In terms of chemical stability, the residual methyl methacrylate monomer contents are well below standards threshold for biological reactions. Notably, 5 vol% acrylic composites built with 0.05 mm LH in 0° on z-axis produced optimum properties that are superior to those of conventional acrylic, milled acrylic and 3D printed photopolymers. Finite element modeling successfully replicated the tensile properties of the prototypes. It may well be argued that the material extrusion process is cost-effective; however, the speed of manufacturing could be longer than that of established methods. Although the mean Ra is within an acceptable range, mandatory manual finishing and aesthetic pigmentation are required for long-term intraoral use. At a proof-of-concept level, it is evident that the material extrusion process can be applied to build inexpensive, safe, and robust thermoplastic acrylic devices. The broad outcomes of this novel study are equally worthy of academic reflection, and further translation to the clinic.

Study of electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of metal oxide polymer composite in their bulk and layered forms.

In this paper, we present the studies on electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) of K2CrO4-PMMA composites developed by two different methods: one in bulk form of thickness 1.2 mm and another by stacking twelve layers of thin films each of thickness 100 µm. The EMI SE of stacked twelve layers of 1.2-mm-thick composite films has been achieved until 23.2 dB in the frequency range 8.0-12.0 GHz. This is remarkably higher than the 17 dB achieved for the bulk composites of 1.2 mm thickness. The characteristic EMI SE graphs obtained using Agilent E82B Vector Network Analyzer in the X band frequency range have been depicted, and the shielding mechanism in these composites has been analyzed. It is found that the SE in this frequency range is dominated by absorption. The study suggests these composites to be a potentially promising material for EMI shielding purpose.

Effect of different irrigating solutions with surfactants on the microhardness and smear layer removal of root canal dentin: An in vitro study.

AIM: The present in vitro study was undertaken to check the effect of the different irrigating solutions with surfactants, i.e., sodium hypochlorite-(Naocl)-Extra, chlorhexidine (CHX)-Ultra, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), QMix, and BioPure MTAD on the microhardness and smear layer removal of root canal dentin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 120 straight rooted lower premolars were collected and were randomly divided into 2 equal groups of 60 each (n = 60). The microhardness of the samples was evaluated by Vickers hardness tester and the removal of smear layer by scanning electron microscope after irrigation of the samples with the tested solutions. RESULTS: CHX-Ultra showed the least microhardness reduction, and EDTA showed the maximum microhardness reduction in all the tested groups. BioPure MTAD showed the maximum removal of smear layer in the apical third, and CHX-Ultra showed the minimal smear layer removal in the apical third. CONCLUSION: During smear layer removal, irrigating solutions cause alterations in the chemical composition of dentin, which may decrease the microhardness of the root dentin causing erosion and affecting the clinical performance of the endodontically treated teeth. Irrigating solution with maximum smear layer removal with minimum changes in microhardness should be used.

Comparative evaluation of laser-microtextured implant versus machined collar implant for soft and hard tissue attachment: A clinical and radiological study.

BACKGROUND: Various mechanical modifications in the collar region of endosseous implants is a challenge for better performance and osseointegration. Here is a comparative evaluation being carried out to find out the effect of the machined collar (MC) and Laser-Lok (LL)-modified titanium implants on the success of implants being commonly advocated in partially edentulous among serving personnel and their families. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four patients with appropriate inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected for placement of Biohorizons MC and LL implants in 12 cases each. Aseptic surgical procedure was followed for implant surgery, and clinical parameters such as clinical attachment loss, pocket depth (PD), bleeding on probing, and plaque index (PI), mobility parameters estimated by Periotest value, and radiographic assessment of crestal bone loss (CBL) at interval of 6 months and 1 year were recorded and compared by statistical analysis. RESULTS: Intragroup comparison at 6 and 12 months period for all the parameters were nonsignificant except CBL in Group A (CBL-MC) with 12 cases shows a mean of 0.917 and 1.500, respectively, standard deviation difference = 0.477 (significant) with P < 0.05. Similar significant difference in CBL was observed with superior result in LL implants. CONCLUSION: The presence of LASER textured with microgrooves on the collar of the implants did not increase the PI and sulcular bleeding index. The probing PD was much less as observed in the group of LASER-treated implants in comparison with that of MC group. LL implant had an edge over MC proving success of the laser treatment on collars of implants.

Health and Socioeconomic Status of the Elderly People Living in Hilly Areas of Pakhribas, Kosi Zone, Nepal.

BACKGROUND: The rising geriatric population is facing significant health and social problems in the developing world that are impacting the quality of their lives. OBJECTIVE: The study describes the general health status and the socioeconomic characteristics of the elderly people of Pakhribas village development committee (VDC) of Eastern Nepal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out targeting the people aged 60 years and above in the sample area using a semi-structured questionnaire and convenient sampling to get the required sample size. A total of 189 elderly people who consented were interviewed in May 2010. RESULT: The major part of the elderly population was in the age group of 60-69 years. Seventy-two percent were illiterate and 75% were still earning with the majority involved in farming. Nine out of ten were living with their families and still made decisions for the household, Eighty-two percent did not feel lonely and 88.4% did not report any misbehavior by the house members. Regarding health, 69% had some diagnosed health issue with 36% suffering from gastritis and 20.4% from chronic lung disease. Using the ICD 10 criteria, depression was found among 18%. The most prevalent geriatric problem was a dental problem as found in 61% even though 87% claimed to brush their teeth regularly. More than half were suffering from visual difficulty and the proportions suffering from memory and hearing issues were also substantive. Smoking habit was found in 60%, and the relation between smoking and chronic respiratory diseases had a statistical association (P = <0.05). The geriatric cases who were misbehaved with felt depressed or neglected in the family (P = <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study show that employment, family support, and pension schemes have a positive impact on the social status of the elderly. Health screening clinics should be established in the community to detect health-related disorders. Elderly populations need health education to emphasize the importance of personal and dental hygiene and to abstain from smoking and alcohol.