Malocclusion: Prevalence and Determinants among Adolescents of Karachi, Pakistan.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of malocclusion and its associated demographic and clinical factors in young adolescents (13-15 years) of Karachi, Pakistan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An epidemiological survey included 500 young adolescents of registered schools, madrassas (Islamic education system), and shop workers of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town. It was a cross-sectional analytical study design. Multistage random sampling technique was used to enroll participants. The pattern of occlusion was recorded with other related features using Angle's classification. Health status was recorded through World Health Organization-guided indices (decayed, missing, and filled permanent teeth [DMFT], community periodontal index of treatment needs [CPITN], and body mass index [BMI]). The information, thus, obtained was analyzed through SPSS using the chi-squared test and regression models. RESULTS: Forty four percent of the participants were female, while overall estimated prevalence of malocclusion in young adolescents of Karachi was 57.4%. After adjustments, participants going to any kind of education system had less malocclusion in comparison to those who were not going to any education system (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.305, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.12-0.73); mother's education especially higher level (aOR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.08-3.75) and presence of periodontal disease (aOR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.06-2.33) were significantly associated with malocclusion. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the class I malocclusion is prevalent in the local community. Demographic factors like gender, age, self-reported ethnicity, and BMI did not show any significant role. Education or knowledge of parents and young adolescents does play an influential role in decreasing malocclusion. Young adolescents, who are more prone to oral health problems at an early age, would have more chances to develop occlusal discrepancies.

Acute kidney injury in birth asphyxiated patients: A cross sectional study at Bahawal Victoria Hospital.

BACKGROUND: The presence of perinatal asphyxia and its severity appear to correlate with increasing incidence of Acute kidney injury (AKI). The objective of this study is to determine the frequency of AKI and its outcome in birth asphyxia. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Pediatric Medicine from March 2019 to September 2019. A total of 111 newborns with birth asphyxia of gestational age 37-41 weeks were included. Neonates born to mothers having hypertension and diabetes mellitus, patients with congenital kidney anomalies like polycystic kidney disease and renal agenesis, and mothers taking nephrotoxic drugs or any other known cause of AKI like hypovolemic shock were excluded. Urine output (UOP) and final outcome of the patient were also noted. AKI was noted. RESULTS: The mean gestational age was 38.29 ± 1.07 weeks. The mean weight of neonates was 3.08 ± 0.31 kg. The frequency of AKI in birth asphyxia was 20 (18.02%) neonates. Complete recovery in AKI patients was seen in 07 (35.0%) and death in 13 (65.0%) patients. CONCLUSION: This study has shown that the frequency of AKI in birth asphyxia was found in 18.02% neonates with complete recovery seen in 35.0% and death in 65.0% patients.

Anti-bacterial efficacy of Aloe vera against E. Faecalis in comparison to other intracanal medicaments: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: This review article aims to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of Aloe vera against Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) in comparison to other intracanal medicaments by assessing experimental in-vitro studies associated with the objective, many of which performed bacterial inoculation on extracted human teeth or directly on laboratory petri dishes. Materials & Methods: Publications from 2012 to 2022 were retrieved from databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library, and they were screened against our inclusion criteria, leading to the incorporation of 18 studies into the systematic review and nine into the meta-analysis. Colony-forming units (CFUs) in the Aloe vera group were compared with saline, sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), chlorhexidine (CHX), and calcium hydroxide (CaOH) using a meta-analysis (Stata software version 16.0), and forest plots were computed to record the sample size, mean and standard deviation value of the outcome CFU, and 95% confidence intervals. Results: This systematic review indicates that Aloe vera demonstrates bactericidal properties that are higher than or similar to those of saline and CaOH, but CHX, NaOCl, and propolis exhibited higher antibacterial properties against E. faecalis than Aloe vera. In a meta-analysis, Aloe vera showed a non-significantly lower CFU count than CaOH and saline (p > 0.05), while Aloe vera had a higher CFU count than CHX and NaOCl (p > 0.05). Conclusion: In summary, Aloe vera exhibits antibacterial capabilities against E. faecalis that are superior or equal to those of saline and CaOH, respectively, while CHX and NaOCl showed greater antibacterial efficacy against E. faecalis than Aloe vera (PROSPERO registration no. CRD42022314790).

Efficient detoxification of textile wastewater by applying Chenopodium album nanoparticles and its application in simulated metal-bearing effluents removal.

Large-scale pollution of water and soils bodies is associated with the discharge of the untreated textile industry effluents. Halophytes grows on saline lands and accumulate secondary metabolites and other stress protective compounds. Utilization of Chenopodium album (halophytes) to synthesize zinc oxide (ZnO) and their efficiency to treat different concentrations of textile industry waste water is proposed in this study. Potential of nanoparticles textile industry waste water effluents was also analyzed by exposing different concentrations of nanoparticles (0 (control), 0.2, 0.5, 1 mg) and time intervals of 5, 10, and 15 days. The absorption peaks by UV region, FTIR and SEM analysis were used characterized on ZnO NPs for the first time. FTIR analysis showed the preens of various functional groups and vital phytochemicals that can play its role in the formation of nanoparticles that can be used for trace elements removal and bioremediation. SEM analysis indicated that the pure ZnO NPs synthesis ranged from 30 to 57 nm. Results shows that the green synthesis of halophytic nanoparticles presents maximum removal capacity after 15 days exposure to 1 mg of ZnO NPs. Hence, the prepared ZnO Nps from halophytes can be a viable solution for treating the textile industry effluents before they are discharged into water bodies for sustainable environmental growth and environmental safety.

The role of information technology in enhancing psychological factors in sports performance: a review / El papel de la tecnología de la información en la mejora de los factores psicológicos en el rendimiento deportivo: una revisión

The essential purpose of this research study is to determine the role of information technology in enhancing psychological factors in sports performance. This research study is based on the primary research data to determine the research study used questions related to information technology and psychological factors in sports. Information technology is the main independent variable, and the psychological factor includes attention, perception, motivation, learning, and beliefs & benefits. These are all considered mediator variables. Sports performance is the main dependent variable. These questions were fulfilled by different research participants related to sports. For measuring, the research study used SPSS software and generated informative results, including descriptive, one-way ANOVA, the control chart, chi-squares, and variance analysis also explains the regression analysis between them. A successful sporting performance is the result of perseverance, talent, and the capacity to successfully combine all of these elements. In order to maximize performance, athletes, coaches, and support personnel collaborate. They are always looking to get better and push the envelope of what is possible for humans in the world of sports. The overall research found that information technology shows a positive and significant link for enhancing the psychological factors in sports performance.(AU)

Literature search strategies in dental education and research.

A well-organized literature search is a fundamental requirement for research-based dental education. The execution of a literature search is not beneficial unless researchers possess basic knowledge about it. In this article, all basic strategies and research tools essentially required for a literature search, including Boolean operators, correct use of keywords, database selection, and the evaluation of filtered data and limitations, are discussed. The present article offers vital information and literature search guidelines for early career dental researchers and dental students. In addition, it contains a collection of all the essential information related to the generally used electronic databases in dentistry research. This will be helpful for dental students, residents, consultants, and allied science researchers.

Common misconceptions regarding COVID-19 among health care professionals: an online global cross-sectional survey / Conceptos erróneos comunes sobre COVID-19 entre los profesionales de la salud: una encuesta transversal global en línea

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has taken the world by storm, with cases continuously increasing by the hour and with a shortage of information regarding the virus available to the general public. Despite the availability of trusted online sources, there are still misconceptions relating to the virus floating around. This study aimed to find out the level of misconceptions among healthcare professionals (HCPs) worldwide about the ensuing COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted through a global online survey. The self-administered questionnaire was designed and registered at an online website (Kwiksurveys). A total of 652 participants from 35 different countries across the world responded. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23. Socio-demographic and discipline characteristics were compared with the help of the chi-square test and univariate and multivariate logistic regression to find significant relationships. Results: Among all HCPs, general physicians (61.2%) were the most common respondents. The responses from females (63.3%) almost doubled those of men, and nearly half of the participants were working in private institutes (49.2%). Additionally, the major source of information used by HCPs about COVID-19 was social media (55.4%). Regarding misconception assessment, 71.6% of participants had correct concepts regarding COVID-19. However, 28.4% had incorrect information. Female HCPs were 1.49 times more likely to have correct concepts compared to males (OR=1.49, 95% CI=1.04-2.14). Conclusions: The majority of the HCPs were keeping themselves up-to-date with current information concerning the knowledge, prevention, and hygiene practices of COVID-19 infection. However, some misconceptions are deeply rooted in the mindsets of HCPs worldwide and need to be addressed by the continuous professional development of HCPs. The availability of reliable sources of information on the pandemic should be encouraged, with adequate explanations also available to the general public in simple terms.

Antecedentes: la pandemia de COVID-19 ha asolado al mundo, con casos que aumentan continuamente y con una escasez de información sobre el virus disponible para el público en general. A pesar de la disponibilidad de fuentes confiables en línea, todavía hay conceptos erróneos relacionados con el virus. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo dilucidar el nivel de ideas erróneas entre los profesionales de la salud (PS) en todo el mundo sobre la pandemia de COVID-19. Material y Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal a través de una encuesta global en línea. El cuestionario autoadministrado fue diseñado y registrado en un sitio web en línea (Kwiksurveys). Respondieron un total de 652 participantes de 35 países. El análisis estadístico se realizó con el programa SPSS versión 23. Las características sociodemográficas y disciplinarias se compararon con la ayuda de la prueba de chi-cuadrado y la regresión logística univariada y multivariada para encontrar relaciones significativas. Resultado: Entre todos los profesionales de la salud, los médicos generales (61,2%) fueron los que más respondieron. Las respuestas de las mujeres (63,3%) casi duplicaron las de los hombres, y casi la mitad de los participantes trabajaban en institutos privados (49,2%). Además, la principal fuente de información utilizada por los profesionales de la salud sobre COVID-19 fueron las redes sociales (55,4%). En cuanto a los conceptos erróneos, el 71,6% de los participantes tenían conceptos correctos con respecto a COVID-19. Sin embargo, el 28.4% poseía información incorrecta. Los profesionales de la salud mujeres tenían 1.49 veces más probabilidades de tener conceptos correctos en comparación con los hombres (OR = 1.49, IC 95% = 1.04 2.14). conclusión: La mayoría de los profesionales de la salud se mantuvieron actualizados con la información actual sobre el conocimiento, la prevención y las prácticas de higiene de la infección por COVID-19. Sin embargo, algunos conceptos erróneos están profundamente arraigados en la mentalidad de los PS en todo el mundo y deben abordarse mediante el continuo desarrollo profesional de los PS. Se debe alentar la disponibilidad de fuentes confiables de información sobre la pandemia, con explicaciones adecuadas también disponibles para el público en general en términos simples.