Effect of Smoking Cessation Programs on Periodontal Disease Progression.

Background: In this research study, we delve into the effects of smoking cessation programs on the progression of periodontal disease, particularly focusing on the potential benefits experienced by individuals who successfully quit smoking. Materials And Methods: The research involved the participation of 200 individuals, all of whom were active smokers and exhibited varying degrees of periodontal disease. These participants enrolled in a comprehensive smoking cessation program that included regular counseling sessions and, when necessary, the provision of nicotine replacement therapy to facilitate smoking cessation. Over a 12-month period, the progression of their periodontal disease was systematically monitored through a series of dental check-ups and measurements of critical clinical parameters. These parameters included probing depth (PD), which assesses the spaces between teeth and gums, and clinical attachment level (CAL), which evaluates the attachment of gum tissue to tooth surfaces. Results: After 12 months of active participation in the smoking cessation program, several noteworthy results were observed among the participants. On average, participants experienced a reduction in PD by approximately 1.5 mm, indicating a shallower space between the teeth and gums and, thus, healthier periodontal tissues. In addition, the CAL improved by an average of 1.2 mm, signifying enhanced attachment of gum tissue to the tooth surface, which is essential for dental stability. Participants also exhibited a significant reduction in plaque accumulation on tooth surfaces, indicative of improved oral hygiene practices. Furthermore, gingival inflammation, a common symptom of periodontal disease, notably decreased among participants, suggesting an overall improvement in gum health. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study provides compelling evidence supporting the positive impact of smoking cessation programs on the progression of periodontal disease.

Effectiveness of Online vs. In-Person Periodontal Health Workshops for Public Awareness.

Background: Periodontal health is a critical aspect of overall oral health, yet public awareness and education on this topic remain limited. With the increasing prevalence of online health education platforms, it is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of online periodontal health workshops compared with traditional in-person workshops on improving public awareness. Materials and Methods: Study Design: This randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed to assess the impact of online and in-person periodontal health workshops on public awareness. Participants (N = 500) were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the online workshop group or the in-person workshop group. Online Workshop: Participants in this group accessed an interactive online periodontal health workshop, consisting of video presentations, animations, and quizzes. The workshop covered topics, such as gum disease prevention, oral hygiene, and the importance of regular dental checkups. In-Person Workshop: Participants in this group attended a traditional in-person periodontal health workshop conducted by dental professionals. The content and duration of this workshop mirrored the online version. Pre- and Postworkshop Assessments: Both groups completed pre-workshop and postworkshop assessments, including a knowledge questionnaire and a self-assessment of oral health habits. Arbitrary scores were assigned to quantify knowledge gain (0-100%). Results: Participants in the online workshop group showed a mean knowledge gain of 30% (standard deviation (SD) = 5.2), while those in the in-person workshop group exhibited a mean knowledge gain of 35% (SD = 4.7). The self-assessment of oral health habits indicated an improvement in both groups, with 60% of participants reporting better oral hygiene practices. Conclusion: Both online and in-person periodontal health workshops demonstrated effectiveness in improving public awareness and promoting better oral health habits. Combining both modalities could be an effective strategy for comprehensive public education on periodontal health.

Biophotonics in Dentistry-An Overview.

Biophotonics, an interdisciplinary field merging biology with photonics, has transformed dentistry by offering innovative techniques and tools for diagnosis, treatment, and research. This overview explores the applications and benefits of biophotonics in dentistry, including early disease detection, precision in procedures, restorative dentistry assessment, real-time monitoring, and teeth whitening. We discuss how biophotonics improves patient care and the potential for future developments in personalized treatment, targeted therapy, enhanced imaging, and pain management. Biophotonics promises to continue revolutionizing oral healthcare, leading to better patient outcomes worldwide.

Enhancement and segmentation of medical images through pythagorean fuzzy sets-An innovative approach.

Image segmentation has attracted a lot of attention due to its potential biomedical applications. Based on these, in the current research, an attempt has been made to explore object enhancement and segmentation for CT images of lungs infected with COVID-19. By implementing Pythagorean fuzzy entropy, the considered images were enhanced. Further, by constructing Pythagorean fuzzy measures and utilizing the thresholding technique, the required values of thresholds for the segmentation of the proposed scheme are assessed. The object extraction ability of the five segmentation algorithms including current sophisticated, and proposed schemes are evaluated by applying the quality measurement factors. Ultimately, the proposed scheme has the best effect on object separation as well as the quality measurement values.

Effect of deflocculation on photo induced thin layer titanium dioxide disintegration of dairy waste activated sludge for cost and energy efficient methane production.

In the present study, the deflocculated sludge was disintegrated through thin layer immobilized titanium dioxide (TiO2) as photocatalyst under solar irradiation. The deflocculation of sludge was carried out by 0.05g/g SS of sodium citrate aiming to facilitate more surface area for subsequent TiO2 mediated disintegration. The proposed mode of disintegration was investigated by varying TiO2 dosage, pH and time. The maximum COD solubilization of 18.4% was obtained in the optimum 0.4g/L of TiO2 dosage with 5.5 pH and exposure time of 40min. Anaerobic assay of disintegrated samples confirms the role of deflocculation as methane yield was found to be higher in deflocculated (235.6mL/gVS) than the flocculated sludge (146.8mL/gVS). Moreover, the proposed method (Net cost for control - Net cost for deflocculation) saves sludge management cost of about $132 with 53.8% of suspended solids (SS) reduction.

Synthesis of stable nanosilver particles (AgNPs) by the proteins of seagrass Syringodium isoetifolium and its biomedicinal properties.

A simple eco-friendly approach for the hasty synthesis of stable, potent and benign silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using seagrass, Syringodium isoetifolium was proposed and described here. The UV-Vis, DLS, XRD, AFM, FESEM, EDX and HRTEM analysis highly characterized and confirmed the presence of polydispersed (2-50nm) spherical and stable AgNPs. FT-IR and phytochemical analysis suggested that the proteins act as reducing and also as capping agent. A hypothetical approach using bioinformatics tools revealed that the Phytochrome B protein of S. isoetifolium might be responsible for the biosynthesis of NPs. Furthermore, biosynthesized AgNPs showed magnificent antibacterial activity against thirteen clinical bacterial pathogens with maximum zone of inhibition of 14.3±0.12mm due to their smaller size and longer stability even at minimal nanomolar (nM) concentration. In addition, the MIC and MBC values also suggested the same. Moreover, the percentage of haemolysis (8.49±3.10 to 73.34±1.79%) and haemolytic index revealed the satisfactory biocompatibility of AgNPs that showed less/no haemolysis up to 3nM concentration. Further, the toxicity effect of biosynthesized AgNPs against the brine shrimp, Artemia salina exhibited significantly increasing mortality (13±4.7 to 100%) with LC50 value at 4nM concentration. Thus, the optical property, crystal structure, size, shape, stability, bactericidal activity, cytotoxicity, and biocompatibility apparently proved that the biologically synthesized AgNPs have typical properties of nanomaterials.

Epidemiology, outcomes and validation of RIFLE and AKIN criteria in acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically ill patients: Indian perspective.

Although the epidemiology and the impact of Acute Kidney Injury on outcomes are well-known in the Western literature, good data is lacking from India. Most studies published from India have not evaluated epidemiology of Acute Kidney Injury in the Intensive Care Unit setting and/or have not used validated criteria. In our observational study of 250 patients, admitted to a tertiary level ICU, we have explored the epidemiology of Acute Kidney Injury using both RIFLE and AKIN criteria and have validated them. We have also demonstrated that the severity of AKI is an independent predictor of mortality in critically ill patients. Our results are very much comparable to other studies and we feel that this study will remain as an epidemiological reference point for Indian clinicians dealing with AKI.

Tracers in vascular casting resins enhance backscattering brightness.

Studying cast microvasculature with scanning electron microscopy has expanded our knowledge of many circulations, but need arises to determine the blood source of vascular beds that are supplied by two circulations. One way to do this is to mark the casting resin by adding a tracer compound that can be detected in the scanning electron microscope. A potential method of distinguishing different substances is to detect the backscattered electrons that are emitted from the tracer if the tracer is a heavier element, because heavier elements backscatter more electrons. To explore different tracers, we tested lead, titanium, iron, osmium, and uranium as solutions of different polarity and powders. The tracers were added to 1 ml of methyl methacrylate in log concentrations. Shrinkage, hardness, cast quality, and change in brightness from the tracer were compared with multivariate analysis at scanning electron microscopic working distances of 15 and 39 mm on carbon-coated and uncoated specimens. Several concentrations caused sedimentation of the tracer and prevented the resin from solidifying. Tetraethyl lead shortened the hardening time: uranyl acetate and osmium tetroxide prolonged it. Most tracers decreased shrinkage. When lead citrate and Reynolds solutions were removed, the brightness correlated with increasing atomic number, concentration of the tracer, and mean atomic number of the specimen (p <0.0001). The substances that increased contrast most were tetraethyl lead and uranium. Backscattering electron detection can distinguish methacrylate casts that have small amounts of heavier elements added to them, but an optimal tracer has not yet been established.