Sensitivity and Specificity of Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Detection Using Different Sampling Methods: A Clinical Unicentral Study.

Rapid antigen detection of SARS-CoV-2 has been widely used. However, there is no consensus on the best sampling method. This study aimed to determine the level of agreement between SARS-CoV-2 fluorescent detection and a real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR), using different swab methods. Fifty COVID-19 and twenty-six healthy patients were confirmed via rRT-PCR, and each patient was sampled via four swab methods: oropharyngeal (O), nasal (N), spit saliva (S), and combined O/N/S swabs. Each swab was analyzed using an immunofluorescent Quidel system. The combined O/N/S swab provided the highest sensitivity (86%; Kappa = 0.8), followed by nasal (76%; Kappa = 0.68), whereas the saliva revealed the lowest sensitivity (66%; kappa = 0.57). Further, when considering positive detection in any of the O, N, and S samples, excellent agreements with rRT-PCR were achieved (Kappa = 0.91 and 0.97, respectively). Finally, among multiple factors, only patient age revealed a significant negative association with antigenic detection in the saliva. It is concluded that immunofluorescent detection of SARS-CoV-2 antigen is a reliable method for rapid diagnosis under circumstances where at least two swabs, one nasal and one oropharyngeal, are analyzed. Alternatively, a single combined O/N/S swab would improve the sensitivity in contrast to each site swabbed alone.

Impact of Sugar Tax on Sugar-sweetened Beverage Consumption among Saudi Schoolchildren.

PURPOSE: In 2017, Saudi Arabia introduced a 120% tax on energy drinks and a 50% tax on soft drinks. The impact of this policy on the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) among schoolchildren is not known in this country. The present study evaluated the impact of the excise tax on SSB consumption in the tri-city metropolitan area of Dammam-Khobar-Dhahran, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A repeated cross-sectional design was used to examine the difference between pre- and post-tax SSBs consumption among schoolchildren (12-14 years old) in Dammam-Khobar-Dhahran cities. A beverage-consumption frequency questionnaire was completed by 453 participants before the tax implementation and 334 participants after the tax implementation. The tax on soft drinks was increased by 50% and on energy drinks by 120%. Pre-tax data were collected in May 2017 and post-tax data in April 2018. RESULTS: The proportion of participants who consumed energy drinks was 46.1% (95% CI: 42-51) before tax implementation, decreasing to 38.4% (95% CI: 33-44) after tax implementation, a reduction of nearly 8%. 92.5% (95% CI: 90-95) of the participants consumed soft drinks before tax implementation and 94.6% (95% CI: 92-97) did so after tax implementation, an increase of about 2%. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed no statistically significant impact of tax implementation on the consumption of energy drinks and soft drinks in this sample of children.

Effect of a Vibration System on Pain Reduction during Injection of Dental Anesthesia in Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: The ''gate control" theory suggests pain can be reduced by simultaneous activation of larger diameter nerve fibers using appropriate coldness, warmth, rubbing, pressure, or vibration. This study investigated the efficacy of a device combining cold and vibration, for needle-related procedural pain in children. Methodology. A total of 51 children aged 5-12 years participated in this randomized controlled clinical trial. Half of the children were in the control group and received maxillary buccal infiltration, by injecting 1.8 ml of 2% lidocaine with 1 : 100,000 adrenaline using topical anesthesia 20% benzocaine gel for 15 seconds, while the other half were in the test group and received the same anesthesia using a commercially available external cold and a vibrating device. A face version of Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used as a subjective measure to assess the child's pain experience. The parents were requested to evaluate the child's ability to tolerate pain using a behavioral/observational pain scale. Sound, Eyes, and Motor (SEM) scale and Faces, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability (FLACC) scale were used to record the child's pain as perceived by the external evaluator. T-test or Mann-Whitney U-test was used for scale variables, paired sample T-test or Wilcoxon rank t-test was used for before and after data, and chi-square was used for categorical variable, based on the results of normality test. RESULTS: The results showed a statistically significant reduction in pain after the injection for the test group compared with control using VAS scale (mean = 6.68 (1.09) and 8.42 (0.50); p=0.001) and FLACC scale (mean = 5.92 (1.05) and 8.16 (0.54); p=0.002), but not when using SEM scale (mean 3.22 (0.42) and 4.24 (2.74);p=0.08). CONCLUSIONS: Combined external cold and vibrating devices can be an effective alternative in reducing experienced pain and fear in children undergoing infiltration dental anesthesia. This study was registered with clinical trial registry of the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH) at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03953001).

A novel Nanoformulation Development of Eugenol and their treatment in inflammation and periodontitis.

OBJECTIVE: To prepare a novel nanoemulsion- Carbopol® 934 gel for Eugenol, in order to prevent the periodontitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Spontaneous emulsification method was used for the preparation of nanoemulsion in which it contain Eugenol (oil phase), Tween-80 (surfactant), and PEG (co-surfactant). To the development of best nanoemulsion, three-factor three-level central composite design was used in which %oil; %Smix and % water were optimized as independent variables. An optimized-nanoemulsion were converted to nanoemulsion-Carbopol® 934 gel. RESULTS: 5.5% oil, 35.5% Smix and 59.0% water were optimized as independent and dependent variables. Finally dependent variables optimized as a particle size (nm), PDI and %transmittance were observed 79.92 ±â€¯6.33 nm, 0.229 ±â€¯0.019, and 98.88 ±â€¯1.31% respectively. The values of final results for dependent variables like particle size (nm), PDI and % transmittance were evaluated as 79.92 ±â€¯6.33 nm, 0.229 ±â€¯0.019, and 98.88 ±â€¯1.31%, respectively. TEM and SEM showed a spherical shape of developed nanoemulsion with refractive index (1.63 ±â€¯0.038), zeta potential (-19.16 ±â€¯0.11), pH (7.4 ±â€¯0.06), viscosity (34.28 ±â€¯6 cp), and drug content of 98.8 ±â€¯0.09%. After that a final optimized EUG-NE-Gel was assessed on the basis of their pH measurement, drug content, syringeability, and mucoadhesion on the goat buccal mucosa. Optimized EUG-NE-Gel (Tween-80 and Carbopol® 934 used) showed the results, to improve the periodontal drug delivery of EUG in future. CONCLUSION: EUG-NE-Gel showed a significant role in anti-inflammatory activity, analgesic, and anesthetic, antibacterial, and treatment of periodontal disease.

The Effect of Er,Cr:YSGG and Diode Laser Applications on Dental Implant Surfaces Contaminated with Acinetobacter Baumannii and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa.

Treatment of peri-implantitis through several implant surface decontamination techniques have been reported, however, some of them can negatively alter the implant surface or enhance more bacterial resistance. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate implant surface decontamination by means of Er,Cr:YSGG and diode lasers. Fifty micro-textured (MTX) dental implants were contaminated with Acinetobacter baumannii (n = 25) and with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 25). All implants were then divided into five groups for the decontamination procedure. In group I (GI), decontamination was done with an Er,Cr:YSGG laser (2780 nm), while in group II (GII) decontamination was performed using photodynamic therapy (a 650 nm diode laser). In Group III (GIII) decontamination was performed with photodynamic therapy (an 808 nm diode laser), and in group IV (GIV) decontamination was performed with 0.12% chlorhexidine. Group V (GV) was the control group with no decontamination. After decontamination, colony forming units (CFU) were counted and implants were prepared for SEM analysis. A significant difference (p < 0.001) was observed for GI compared to the other groups, and also for GIV compared to both GII and GIII. The Er,Cr:YSGG laser (GI) showed the best results in decontaminating the implant surface. Chlorhexidine (GIV), proved to be better in decontaminating the implant surface than photodynamic therapy GII and diode laser GIII. No significant difference was found between group GII and GIII. The SEM analysis showed no significant change in the implant surface topography. The results of this study suggest that the Er,Cr:YSGG laser can be considered as an effective technique for reducing bacteria contamination on implant surfaces.

Effect of Erbium Laser on Microtensile Bond Strength of Fissure Sealant in Primary Teeth: An in vitro Study.

BACKGROUND: Laser etching has several advantages as compared with conventional acid etching. However, results of earlier studies on conditioning surfaces with erbium, chromium:yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (Er, Cr:YSGG) before application of the fissure sealant have been inconclusive. AIM: The study aimed to evaluate the microtensile strength of resin-based fissure sealant bonded to primary enamel conditioned by Er, Cr:YSGG laser with varying power outputs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty sound primary first molars were randomized into the following five groups based on pretreatment choice: Group 1: 3.5 W laser etching + acid etching; Group 2: 2.5 W laser etching + acid etching; Group 3: 3.5 W laser etching with no acid; Group 4: 2.5 W laser etching with no acid and Group 5: acid etching with no laser. Acid etch was performed with 35% orthophosphoric acid for 30 s. Laser etching was performed with Er, Cr:YSGG (2780 nm) laser using G6 tips and 600 µm diameter, 2.5 W or 3.5 W power outputs, pulse duration of 140 µs and a repetition rate of 20 Hz. Sealant was applied on the buccal surface followed by an incremental buildup with composite resin. Microtensile bond strength was assessed and compared among the five groups using one- and two-way ANOVA. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in the mean bond strength between groups except in Group 4 (9.66 MPa) (Group 1: 15.57 MPa; Group 2: 14.18 MPa; Group 3: 14.78 MPa; Group 5: 14.63 MPa). CONCLUSION: Pretreatment with 3.5 W Er, Cr:YSGG laser alone results in microtensile bond strengths similar to that produced by acid etching, indicating that enamel etching using 3.5 W Er, Cr:YSGG laser would result in the long-term success of pit and fissure sealants in primary teeth.

Use of platelet-rich plasma for regeneration in non-vital immature permanent teeth: Clinical and cone-beam computed tomography evaluation.

Objective This study was performed to assess the clinical and radiological outcomes of a revascularization procedure in immature teeth with apical periodontitis using platelet-rich plasma (PRP). The PRP protocol and conventional revascularization protocol, which used a blood clot as the scaffold, were compared. Methods Thirty non-vital immature permanent teeth were randomly categorized into two groups. After disinfecting the root canal space with triple antibiotic paste (1:1:1 ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, and cefaclor), a tissue scaffold was created using either PRP or a blood clot (control) and covered with white mineral trioxide aggregate. All cases were followed up clinically and radiographically for 12 months. Differences in bone density, root length, and lesion size were calculated using preoperative and postoperative computed tomography images. The means of the differences in individual parameters in the blood clot and PRP groups were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results After 5 months, sensitivity tests (cold and electric pulp tests) elicited a delayed positive response in 23 sites. At 12 months, cone-beam computed tomography revealed resolution or a decrease in lesion size and an increase in bone density in all 30 (100%) teeth. Additionally, continued root development was observed in 22 (73%) teeth and early root growth was observed in the test group (mineral trioxide aggregate with PRP). Conclusions The results of this study suggest that PRP can serve as a successful scaffold for regenerative endodontic treatment. With the exception of a significant increase in root length, the results of treatment with PRP were not significantly different from those of the conventional protocol using a blood clot as the scaffold.

Odontometric sexual dimorphism: a sibling correlation.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Teeth form an excellent material for anthropological, genetic, odontologic and forensic investigations. The aim of this study was to establish the genetic control of sexual dimorphism in tooth size amongst siblings of Goan children in age range of 14-22 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two sibling pairs were selected (22 males and 22 females) to assess genetic control of sexual dimorphism in tooth size. Alginate impressions were obtained for maxillary and mandibular arches and study models were prepared. Measurements were done using Zoom Digimatic Vernier Calipers with a resolution of 0.01 mm. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Correlation between mesiodistal and buccolingual tooth sizes amongst siblings was calculated using Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: A statistically significant association was found between Mesiodistal Widths of Permanent Maxillary Right and Left Second Molars and between Maxillary Right and Left First Premolars amongst sibling pairs. A statistically significant association was also found between Buccolingual Widths of Mandibular Right and Left First Premolars amongst sibling pairs. This statistically significant correlation found amongst siblings establishes a genetic control over sexual dimorphism in these teeth. CONCLUSION: The genetic basis of sexual dimorphism in human dentition was ascertained as a significant correlation was found between mesio-distal and bucco-lingual widths of premolars between sibling pairs.

Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa associated with non-syndromic hypodontia.

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a genetic disease associated with fragility and bullous lesions of the skin and mucous membranes. There are various patterns of inheritance and histopathology. The disease is associated with systemic and oral manifestations, among which may be dental decay necessitating oral rehabilitation. The aim of this article is to present the course of the condition in a child with dystrophic EB and also to report an association between EB, hypodontia, and supernumerary teeth which has not been reported earlier in literature.

Management of congenital bilateral temporomandibular joint ankylosis with secondary mandibular hypoplasia.

The aim of this article is to present the course of the condition in a case of congenital temporomandibular joint ankylosis that caused facial disfigurement, significant reduction of mouth opening, difficulty in feeding and breathing, and general interference with physical development.