A Mixed-Method Analytical Cross-Sectional Research of Person-Centered Learning Behaviors Among Adolescent and Adult Learners.

Background In their academic lives, students progress from the stage of primary learning to the stage of adolescent learning and then to the stage of adult learning. At every step of learning, learners display particular learning habits, which must be mapped out to maximize learning. Objectives The objective of the present study is to evaluate the person-centered behaviors that influence learning among learners in adolescent and adult age groups by employing a learning behavior questionnaire that has been previously validated. Material and methods A cross-sectional study in which 944 participants were enrolled, including 456 adolescents from English-medium schools (aged 11 to 16 years) and 488 adults from a health professional institute (aged 18 to 23 years). The validated learning behavior questionnaire, which study participants rated on a scale of 0, 1, and 2, served as the study's quantitative component. The focus group discussion that was held for a group of adult and teenage students comprised the study's qualitative component. Using STATA-14 software (StataCorp LLC, College Station, USA), all of the responses were tallied and statistically examined. Results  The mean scores of person-centered learning behaviors were significantly higher for learners in the adult age group than for learners in the adolescent age group. The findings of the component, which was qualitative in nature, were consistent with the findings of the learning behavior questionnaire analysis. For both adults and adolescents, the difference in mean person-centered learning scores was statistically negligible at a 5% level of significance (p=0.415 and p=0.368, respectively). Conclusion The study's checklist, which is self-monitoring in nature, may aid in the evaluation of learning behaviors and make it simpler for adult and adolescent learners to establish excellent learning habits.

Role of Polyetheretherketone in Prosthodontics: A Literature Review.

Implant prostheses and other fixed and removable metal prostheses have led to an increase in demand for the development of new and efficient materials such as high-performance polymers polyetheretherketone (PEEK) over titanium and other metals because of their further complications in the human body. PEEK is a polymer that is nontoxic and has a modulus of elasticity that is comparable to that of human bone. PEEK implants provide benefits over metal implants, such as reducing the stress shielding effect, simple processing, and color resemblance to natural teeth. And it is a fantastic alternative to titanium for dental and orthopedic implants. The current review is undertaken to understand the properties of this PEEK material to weigh its benefits and drawbacks for potential use in dental implants and other prostheses.

A Mixed-Method Analytical Cross-Sectional Research on Participation-Centered Learning Behaviors for Adolescent and Adult Learners Utilizing a Validated Learning Behavior Questionnaire.

Background In their academic lives, students progress from the stage of primary learning to the stage of adolescent learning and then to the stage of adult learning. At every step of learning, learners display particular learning habits, which must be mapped out to maximize learning. Objectives The objective of the present study is the evaluation of the participation-centered learning behaviors among adolescent and adult learners employing a validated learning behavior questionnaire. Material and methods This was a cross-sectional research. A total of 944 participants were in the study, including 456 adolescents from English-medium schools (aged 11 to 16) and 488 adults from a health professional institute ( aged 18 to 23 years). The validated learning behavior questionnaire, which study participants rated on a scale of 0, 1, and 2, served as the quantitative component. The focus group discussion that was held for a group of adult and teenage students comprised the study's qualitative component. Using STATA-14 software (StataCorp, College Station, United States), all of the responses were tallied and statistically examined. Results The mean scores of participation-centered learning behaviors were significantly higher in adult learners than in teenage learners. The findings of the qualitative component analyzed were consistent with the findings of the learning behavior questionnaire analysis. Conclusion The study's self-monitoring checklist may aid in the evaluation of learning behaviors and make it simpler for adult and adolescent learners to establish excellent learning habits.

A Ring for a Ring Finger: A Case Report on Finger Prosthesis.

The primary use of the hand is to grasp, hold, and manipulate objects. Perhaps the most obvious kind of non-verbal communication is the hand gesture. The most common types of partial hand loss are finger and partial finger amputations. Traumatic injuries, congenital absences, or abnormalities are frequent causes, and they create significant treatment issues. In addition to the acute loss of grab power, the disappearance of fingers may result in significant psychological harm. People who want their fingers replaced frequently have high expectations for how a prosthesis will look. This clinical report illustrates an easy way to keep an acrylic finger prosthetic in place.

Assessment of emotional stress among patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder in which the upper airway is partially or completely blocked during sleep. As a result, sleep arousal and arterial oxygen saturation are reduced. According to the epidemiological survey, OAS is relatively common among people that may be associated with psychiatric illnesses. Objectives: The primary objective was to evaluate the stress level among patients suffering from OSA. The secondary objective was to compare the gender preference for stress among patients suffering from OSA. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study, approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee, was performed to assess emotional stress among patients suffering from OSA. The study involved 20 participants diagnosed with OSA and reported to the Respiratory Department. The stress levels of the study participants were evaluated with a validated, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) questionnaire given by the American Sociological Association (ASA). Result: The stress levels presented by the study participants showed that 40% (n = 8) subjects had moderate stress and 60% (n = 12) had severe stress and 30.3% of females depicted emotional stress and 26.2% of males for the same. Conclusion: There is a high psychological stress level among patients suffering from OSA. The females had higher predictions when compared to males. Such patients should be offered an intervention program aimed at stress management to enhance their quality of life.

Comparative evaluation of the efficacy of customized maxillary oral appliance with mandibular advancement appliance as a treatment modality for moderate obstructive sleep apnea patients-a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is quite common among the adult population, according to recent epidemiological studies. The most frequently suggested alternate treatment for mild to moderate OSA is oral appliances (OA). The purpose of the present study was to assess as well as compare the effectiveness of custom-made maxillary oral appliances against mandibular advancement appliances in the care of individuals suffering from moderate obstructive sleep apnea. METHODS: A prospective interventional research was carried out with 40 participants. Polysomnography (PSG) was done and the participants with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) >15-30 were involved in the research. Study participants were randomly split up into two test groups: group I was the "Control Group" (group treated with a mandibular advancement device (MAD), n=20), while group II was exposed to a "customized maxillary oral appliance" (CMOA, n=20). Both groups had reference measures for AHI, blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), oro-nasal airflow via respiratory disturbance index (RDI), and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Appliances were fabricated and delivered to the respective study group participants. PSG was again conducted after a period of 1 and 3 months of appliance delivery and re-evaluation was done for all the parameters and was compared with reference measurements. The facts were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistical methods. The statistical program utilized in the study was "SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) Version 20.1." After 1 and 3 months, the statistical significance between the two study groups was assessed at P<0.05. RESULTS: The analysis of mean AHI, SPO2, RDI, and ESS for both test groups manifested statistically significant measures (P<0.001). The study results revealed a statistically significant depletion in mean AHI scores, improvement in mean SPO2 scores, and reduction in mean RDI scores and ESS scores when compared with reference measurements to 1 month, 1 to 3 months, and between reference measurements and 3 months. CONCLUSION: The CMOA was effective in managing moderate OSA and has great therapeutic potential. It can be an option for the MAD for treating patients suffering from moderate obstructive sleep apnea. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered under Clinical Trials Registry-India and the registration number is CTRI/2020/07/026936 . Registered on 31 July 2020.

A narrative review on techniques of iris replication in an ocular prosthesis.

The disfigurement associated due to the loss of an eye can cause a significant physical and psychological disturbance. Psychological distress among such unfortunate patients can be reduced by providing an artificial eye. Rehabilitating such patients with an ocular defects is the most challenging task for a prosthodontist. The custom-made ocular prostheses are preferred over the prefabricated stock eye shells as it provides intimate contact with the tissue bed, enabling an ideal fit. For an esthetic ocular prosthesis, the precise positioning of an iris is a primary requirement to avoid the squint eye appearance. Various case reports are documented in the literature for centralizing the iris in the prosthetic eye. This review article explores the established methods and techniques for positioning the iris in a custom-made ocular prosthesis.

Quantifying the Selection of Maxillary Anterior Teeth Using Extraoral Anatomical Landmarks.

BACKGROUND:  Regardless of skin color, age, sex, or other factors, all beautiful faces follow the divine proportion. Proportions of face components appear to play a role in facial attractiveness. AIM:  The study determines the correlation between the mesiodistal width of anterior maxillary teeth, inter-canthal distance, inter-alar distance, and inter-commissural distance as a criterion for selecting anterior maxillary teeth. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out at the institutional level with a sample size of 200 participants with 100 male and 100 female participants. Inter-canthal distance, inter-alar distance, and inter-commissural distance were measured using the digital caliper and a customized silver scale to measure the mesiodistal width of anterior maxillary teeth. The data obtained were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24.0 (IBM Corporation, Chicago, USA). Pearson's correlation test calculated the correlation coefficient, and the level of significance was kept at p<0.05. RESULT: The width of the maxillary anterior and the inter-canthal gap showed a strong positive correlation, the inter-alar difference and the mesiodistal width of anterior teeth showed a moderately positive correlation, and the estimated inter-commissural width and the mesiodistal width of anterior teeth showed a strong positive correlation (p<0.05). CONCLUSION:  These parameters are correlated to the dimensions of the tooth size and can act as a guide while selecting the teeth for future rehabilitation treatment when the natural teeth are lost.

The Correlation of Mineral Density of Jaws With Skeletal Bone and Its Effect on Implant Stability in Osteoporotic Patients: A Review of Patient-Based Studies.

Osteoporosis has been an enigma in terms of the administration of implant therapy. It has been implicated as a cause of implant failure as it directly affects the quality of the bone. The diagnosis of osteoporosis is mainly done by measuring skeletal bone mineral density (BMD). During implant therapy, the BMD of jaws can be evaluated on routine orthopantomogram (OPG) or cone beam CT (CBCT). The various advantages of CBCT include establishing a correlation between skeletal bone density and bone density of jaws and estimating its effect on implant stability in osteoporotic patients, which in turn will help in determining the prognosis of the implant in osteoporotic patients. This review is a summary of all patient-related studies conducted in the mentioned context of implant placement in patients with osteoporosis, treatment modalities, and prognosis. We performed a search of relevant articles on Google Scholar, PubMed, and Cochrane, which yielded a total of 25 articles for full-text reviews. After excluding some articles based on the exclusion criteria, a review was conducted along with a pilot study on implant placement in osteoporotic patients. Regional bone density can be a helpful parameter in predicting primary implant stability and it can be a useful indicator of skeletal BMD. With a careful evaluation of BMD, dental implants can be placed in patients with osteoporosis with a better prognosis for the treatment.

Effect of Rehabilitation of Completely Edentulous Patients With Complete Dentures on Temporomandibular Disorders: A Systematic Review.

The present study evaluates the effect of rehabilitating completely edentulous patients with complete denture prosthesis on temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) standards were used to perform this systematic review, primarily to describe the technique. Manuscripts published between 1965 and December 31, 2021, were searched in the two most common electronic databases, PubMed and Cochrane Library. To find relevant scientific papers on the influence of complete dentures on temporomandibular disorders, an electronic pursuit of peer-reviewed articles confined to the English language and a dental survey were undertaken. Two observers reviewed the abstracts separately and chose five full-text papers that met the inclusion requirements. Due to the heterogeneity of the data provided, a meta-analysis could not be performed. The result of complete dentures on temporomandibular problems was studied in detail in five peer-reviewed papers. The result of the present study concluded that the complete denture could act as a conducive treatment option to the revocation of TMD for elderly edentulous patients.

Evaluation of a Product-Centered Learning Behaviors for Adolescent and Adult Learners Using a Validated Learning Behavior Questionnaire: A Mixed-Method Analytical Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND:  A learner transitions from being a primary learner to an adolescent learner and further to an adult learner in his/her academic life. The learners exhibit specific learning behaviors at all stages of learning, the mapping of which is required for optimization of learning. PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:  To assess the product-centered learning behaviors in adolescent and adult learners using a validated learning behavior questionnaire. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:  To develop a self-monitoring checklist and a Set, Train Your Mind, Apply, and Reinforce (STAR) matrix from the learning behavior questionnaire. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It was a mixed-method analytical cross-sectional study. A total of 944 learners participated in the study, out of which 456 were adolescent learners (11-16 years) from an English-medium school (Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)) and 488 were adult learners (18-23 years) from a health professional institute. The quantitative component of the study was the validated learning behavior questionnaire, in which the study participants had to rate listed items on a scale of 0, 1, and 2. The qualitative component of the study was the focus group discussions (FGDs), which were conducted each for group of adolescent and adult learners. All the responses were tabulated and statistically analyzed using STATA-14 software. RESULTS: The mean scores of product-centered learning behaviors was significantly higher in adult learners as compared to adolescent learners. The findings of the qualitative component evaluated were in tune with the findings of the analysis of the learning behavior questionnaire. The self-monitoring checklist and STAR matrix were generated from the validated learning behavior questionnaire. CONCLUSION:  The evolved self-monitoring checklist and STAR matrix may aid in the assessment of learning behaviors and facilitate the inculcation of learning behaviors amongst adolescent and adult learners.

The Effect of Structured Education Training Program on Oral Health Awareness Among School-Going Children of Central India: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background In order to curb the ever-increasing load of diseases related to the oral cavity, there is a call for generating organized school-based oral health education and training programs. It is proposed that there will be an emphasis on the primary care of oral health of school-going children proven, which is often neglected. This will be beneficial for the early detection, intervention and thus prevention of further debilitating conditions of the pathologies pertaining to the oral cavity with the assistance of the structured program suggested in this article. Aim The aim of the study was the evaluation of oral health programs for oral health awareness and knowledge among school-going children in the Central India region. Settings and design This is a cross-sectional study with measurements before and after the implementation of the oral care program.  Materials and methods This cross-sectional study, approved by the Institutional Ethical Committee, Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha, has been done according to the STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology) checklist. A study based on certain questions was carried out amongst the school-going children of Central India, especially the Vidarbha region. A total of 250 school-going children were enrolled in the study. A survey based on a questionnaire was carried out among the study participants in the age group of 12-16 years of age, which consisted of questions pertaining to knowledge of oral health and hygiene maintenance. The program consisted of presentation slides, role-plays, and demonstrations for inculcating the knowledge. Result A total of 200 study participants responded to the questionnaire. Overall, the baseline mean score of knowledge with scale was 2.80 ± 1.73 SD, which after the intervention was observed to be 10.70 ± 0.54 SD, which showed an increase. There was an aptly 60.4% increase in test scores related to oral health after the specific oral health inculcation program based on questionnaire execution which was statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusion A properly constructed school children-based oral health education and training program induces better results in the oral health-related comprehension of students.

Comparative evaluation of the efficacy of customized maxillary oral appliance with mandibular advancement appliance as a treatment modality for moderate obstructive sleep apnea patients-protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is due to the obstruction of the upper airway during sleep. This condition is often associated with multiple symptoms and co-morbidities. There are many treatment options mentioned in the literature to manage OSA, among which interventional option of continuous positive airflow (CPAP) and non-interventional option, i.e., mandibular advancement device (MAD), which is an oral appliance (OA), are the most preferred ones. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of customized maxillary oral appliances with mandibular advancement devices in moderate OSA patients. METHODS: A prospective interventional study with a randomized controlled trial will be carried out involving 40 participants (sample size), with an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) > 15-30, recorded on polysomnography (PSG). Study participants will be randomly divided into the following treatment groups: control group or group subjected to mandibular advancement device (MAD, n=20) and second group subjected to customized maxillary oral appliance (CMOA, n=20). Baseline assessment of apnea/hypopnea index (AHI), oxygen saturation in blood, percentage of rapid eye movement, electroencephalogram, electrocardiogram, oro-nasal airflow via a pressure transducer, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale will be done. Then both study group participants will receive their respective appliances. And after one month and three months of delivery of the appliance, all the parameters, i.e., AHI, oxygen saturation in blood, percentage of rapid eye movement, electroencephalogram, electrocardiogram, oro-nasal airflow via a pressure transducer, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale will be re-evaluated and compared with the baseline measurements. Descriptive and analytical statistics will be done. SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) Version 20.1 will be used as statistical software. The statistical significance between the two groups after one month and three months will be evaluated at p< 0.05. DISCUSSION: We expect, customized maxillary oral appliance to be more efficient in managing moderate OSA, in comparison with MAD. If the hypothesis of the present study is confirmed, then this customized maxillary appliance will be quoted as a "gold standard" for managing moderate OSA. TRIAL REGISTRATION: CTRI/2020/07/026936 Registered 31 July 2020.

Oral appliances for obstructive sleep apnea: Emerging issues, upcoming challenges, and possible solutions.

BACKGROUND: As per the current epidemiological studies, the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among the adult population is very high. Oral appliances (OAs) have emerged as the most recommended alternative treatment option for mild to moderate OSA. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this article is to propose or develop a new design of OA named "customized maxillary oral appliance (CMOA)," for managing moderate OSA syndrome. METHODS: The design proposed in this article is first of its kind that is fabricated on the maxillary arch. CMOA is developed by combining the principles of the three most popular OAs used in OSA, namely, soft palate lifters, tongue retaining devices, and mandibular advancement devices. CONCLUSIONS: Given the potential impact of OSA on general and mental health and the side effects of existing appliances, there is a need for a new remedy to be introduced in the field of sleep medicine. This novel design can provide a new therapeutic option for patients with moderate OSA.

Hollow vaginal stent for a case of Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome: a case report.

Congenital vaginal agenesis is a common condition with an instance of 1 in 5000 females. It is usually associated with Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster Hauser syndrome. Such anomalies have a high impact on the physiology and psychology of patients. A simple approach for the hollowing of the customized vaginal stent prosthesis has been described for the case of Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome.

A method of hollowing the obturator prosthesis and an overview on the pros and cons of the various materials used for hollowing.

Prosthetic rehabilitation of a partial or total maxillectomy with an obturator is the most acceptable treatment option. The hollowing of the obturator prosthesis is beneficial as it reduces the stresses over the underlying and surrounding tissues. A simple technique of fabricating a hollow bulb obturator has been discussed in this article. At the step of the packing of a denture, the hollow wax pattern of the defect area is formed with modeling wax. This hollow wax pattern is filled with water and is allowed to freeze to form an ice block. This ice block is removed from the wax pattern and is interposed between two layers for heat-cured acrylic resin and is then cured. After processing the denture, the water is retrieved by making a small hole in denture base, which is packed after hollowing with a cold cure acrylic resin. A lightweight prosthesis with a uniform thickness was achieved with a readily available and easily retrievable material, i.e., ice.

An Innovative Method for Iris Positioning in a Prosthetic Eye.

AIM: An apparatus named "laser pointer apparatus" is proposed for accurate iris positioning in a prosthetic eye. BACKGROUND: Loss of an eye leads to significant psychological stress due to functional disability and societal response to the facial disablement. Custom-made eye prosthesis is a good option to rehabilitate such defects. Inaccurately positioned iris in a prosthetic eye results in squint eye appearance leading to poor esthetics and poor psychological impact among such unfortunate patients. TECHNIQUE: A new apparatus called a laser pointer apparatus, which is an assembly of an occlusal plane analyzer, web camera, laser pointer, and software, has been introduced for iris positioning in a prosthetic eye. CONCLUSION: Iris positioning is one of the key steps in fabricating an eye prosthesis. Laser pointer apparatus is a reliable method for iris positioning in a prosthetic eye. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Positioning the iris to the ideal symmetrical position is a cardinal step in the fabrication of an ocular prosthesis. This article aims to introduce a "laser pointer apparatus" to orient iris in a prosthetic eye objectively to overcome the subjective errors.

To evaluate the status and need for dental prosthesis among the geriatric population of Central India reporting to the dental colleges.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The study aimed at evaluating the dental prosthetic status and its need among the geriatric population of Central India reporting to the dental colleges. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate prosthetic status and needs among geriatric individuals in Wardha city, Maharashtra reporting to dental colleges. A detailed inspection of the oral cavity of the study subjects was done using Basic Oral Health Surveys, World Health Organization (WHO) 1997. RESULTS: A total of 110 individuals were evaluated for the study. A total of 26.36% study participants had some prosthesis at the time of examination, whereas 79.99% needed prosthesis. A total of 51.82% needed complete dentures. About 12.71% of the participants needed combination prosthesis. CONCLUSIONS: The result of this study concluded that the prosthetic status of the geriatric individuals in Wardha city (MH) of Central India is poor and needs prosthetic rehabilitation. A well-structured approach is required to fulfill these needs.

CD4 cells count as a prognostic marker in HIV patients with comparative analysis of various studies in Asia Pacific region.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the correlation between CD4+ cells count with orofacial and systemic manifestations in newly diagnosed HIV seropositive patients and comparison of results with the previous studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hundred (100; 57 males and 43 females) newly diagnosed HIV seropositive patients, before starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) were included in the study. These patients were clustered according to CD4+ cells count into three groups: 0-200 cells/mm3, 201-499 cells/mm3, and more than 500 cells/mm3. Orofacial and systemic manifestations of these patients were recorded and correlated with CD4 cells count values. RESULTS: There was no significant correlation found between CD4+ cells count values of males and females using independent t-test. Chi-square test showed significant correlation between the systemic manifestations and CD4+ cells count categories. Tuberculosis was found to be the most common systemic manifestation in both the genders. In addition, a significant correlation was between the CD4+ cells count and orofacial manifestations, where oral candidiasis was found to be the most common manifestation in both the genders. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of systemic and orofacial manifestations increases with decrease in the CD4+ cells count of HIV seropositive patients. Hence, it can be used as diagnostic and prognostic marker for immune suppression in HIV positive patients.