Community Water Fluoridation and its Influence on Periodontal Health in Different Age Groups.

Background: Community water fluoridation is a well-recognized public health initiative known for its efficacy in preventing dental cavities. The positive effects of fluoride on tooth enamel have led to widespread implementation of water fluoridation programs. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 1,000 participants from diverse age groups, spanning children, adolescents, adults, and older adults, residing in both fluoridated and non-fluoridated communities. Comprehensive periodontal assessments included measurements of probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and the presence of gingival inflammation. Participants were categorized into "fluoridated" or "non-fluoridated" groups based on their residential history. Results: Fluoridated communities consistently displayed lower mean PDs, CALs, and rates of gingival inflammation across all age groups. Notably, the reduction in PD and CAL reached approximately 0.5 millimeters and 0.3 millimeters, respectively, while the decrease in gingival inflammation ranged from 3% to 5. Conclusion: This study suggests a potential link between community water fluoridation and enhanced periodontal health, as evidenced by improved PDs, CALs, and reduced gingival inflammation.

Assessment of middle ear function after conventional or endoscopic microdebrider assisted adenoidectomy.

Objectives: To compare pre- and post-operative pure tone audiometric and impedance audiometric analysis following conventional and endoscopic microdebrider assisted adenoidectomy and compare the outcomes. Methods: Patients diagnosed with chronic adenoiditis were divided in groups of 25 each. Patients in the first group underwent conventional curettage adenoidectomy, while those in second group underwent endoscopic microdebrider assisted adenoidectomy. Pre- and post-operative pure tone and impedance audiometry were performed for all patients and outcomes were compared. Results: The endoscopic microdebrider assisted method resulted in significantly better outcomes compared to conventional curettage. Criteria such as hearing threshold (p value 0.004 at second follow-up), peak pressure (p value 0.045 at first follow-up) and tympanogram (p value 0.016) showed that the endoscopic method was better, while peak compliance (p value 0.340 at first follow-up) did not show any significant difference between groups. Conclusions: The endoscopic microdebrider assisted method for adenoidectomy has a definite advantage of better visualisation resulting in better clearance of tissue, leading to enhanced middle ear function compared to conventional curettage.

Uremic pruritus: prevalence, determinants, and its impact on health-related quality of life and sleep in Indian patients undergoing hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: Uremic pruritus has an impact on the quality of life and sleep of hemodialysis patients, but the majority of cases go unreported and untreated unless severe, due to a lack of awareness. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence, associated factors, and impact on health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) and sleep in hemodialysis patients. METHODOLOGY: A single-center observational study of 3 months wherein 120 adults on maintenance hemodialysis were included. Baseline characteristics, dialysis-related factors, and lab parameters influencing uremic pruritus were recorded. Those with uremic pruritus completed "12-item pruritus severity scale (12-PSS)", "SKINDEX10", and "Itch-MOS" questionnaires to evaluate severity, impact on HR-QOL, and sleep respectively. RESULTS: Sixty seven over one hundred twenty (55.83%) patients had pruritus and majority were mild (40.83%) as per 12-PSS. Those with pruritus (n=67) had a mean age of 56.5±11.3 years, most were males (82%), chronic glomerulonephritis (29.1%) was the commonest cause of end-stage kidney disease, 3 active smokers, and 4 seropositive. 65(97%) patients were on twice-weekly dialysis, 36/67 had <5 years' dialysis vintage and acceptable adequacy. There was no significant association between uremic pruritus and dialysis-related/laboratory parameters. Patients with uremic pruritus demonstrated significantly worse "HR-QOL" (p<0.001) on the "SKINDEX-10", and patients' "Itch-MOS" scores demonstrated a significant decline in sleep quality with increasing pruritus severity (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The majority of patients on maintenance hemodialysis experience uremic pruritus. None of the clinical characteristics, dialysis-related factors, and laboratory parameters affected uremic pruritus. Uremic pruritus patients had the worst HR-QOL & their sleep quality significantly declined as pruritus severity escalated. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER AND DATE OF REGISTRATION: Study approval was obtained from Institutional Research Committee and Institutional Ethical Committee (IEC 642/2021). Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI) registration (CTRI/2022/01/039143) was also obtained.

Abnormal Biologic Distribution Related to Normal Saline Among 99mTc-Dimercaptosuccinic Acid Scans.

The primary aim was to describe the incidence and causes of abnormal distribution of 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid (99mTc-DMSA) among patients who underwent renal scans in Royal Hospital (Oman) in 2020. The secondary aim was to assess the effect of a specific batch of normal saline A (batch 132129) compared with another normal saline, B (batches 132589 and 133325), used in the preparation of 99mTc-DMSA on the abnormal biodistribution of 99mTc-DMSA. Methods: This was an ambidirectional cohort study that included all patients who underwent 99mTc-DMSA renal scanning between January and December 2020. Both prospective and retrospective data collection was used. The collected data included possible causes of abnormal biodistribution, quality of 99mTc-DMSA and normal saline, and time of 99mTc-DMSA injection. Results: The total incidence of abnormal biodistribution was 26.5%, with the most common cause being a high creatinine level (29%). Normal saline batch A was significantly associated with abnormal biodistribution (49.7%), compared with batch B (6.6%) (P < 0.001). This association was more prominent among patients injected with the 99mTc-DMSA preparation after 2 h (83.0%) compared with before 2 h (13.3%). Conclusion: A high incidence of abnormal biodistribution of 99mTc-DMSA was detected and-for what is the first time, to our knowledge, in the literature-a specific preservative-free, normal saline that is up to standard has been identified as a significant cause of abnormal biodistribution. Nuclear medicine professionals and pharmaceutical companies should take note of this possible cause of abnormal 99mTc-DMSA biodistribution.

Toxoflavin secreted by Pseudomonas alcaliphila inhibits the growth of Legionella pneumophila and Vermamoeba vermiformis.

Legionella pneumophila is a natural inhabitant of water systems. From there, it can be transmitted to humans by aerosolization resulting in severe pneumonia. Most large outbreaks are caused by cooling towers colonized with L. pneumophila. The resident microbiota of the cooling tower is a key determinant for the colonization and growth of L. pneumophila. In our preceding study, the genus Pseudomonas correlated negatively with the presence of L. pneumophila in cooling towers, but it was not clear which species was responsible. Therefore, we identified the Pseudomonas species inhabiting 14 cooling towers using a Pseudomonas-specific 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing strategy. We found that cooling towers that are free of L. pneumophila contained a high relative abundance of members from the Pseudomonas alcaliphila/oleovorans phylogenetic cluster. P. alcaliphila JCM 10630 inhibited the growth of L. pneumophila on agar plates. Analysis of the P. alcaliphila genome revealed the presence of a gene cluster predicted to produce toxoflavin. L. pneumophila growth was inhibited by pure toxoflavin and by extracts from P. alcaliphila culture found to contain toxoflavin by liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. In addition, toxoflavin inhibits the growth of Vermameoba vermiformis, a host cell of L. pneumophila. Our study indicates that P. alcaliphila may be important to restrict growth of L. pneumophila in water systems through the production of toxoflavin. A sufficiently high concentration of toxoflavin is likely not achieved in the bulk water but might have a local inhibitory effect such as near or in biofilms.

Draft Genome Sequence of Polaromonas eurypsychrophila AER18D-145, Isolated from a Uranium Tailings Management Facility in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada.

The 4.8-Mbp draft genome sequence of Polaromonas eurypsychrophila AER18D-145, isolated from a uranium tailings management facility, is reported. The sequence may provide insights into the mechanisms of the hypertolerance of this strain to extreme conditions and help determine its potential for bioremediation applications.

Draft Genome Sequence of Arthrobacter sp. Strain 260, Isolated from a Uranium Tailings Management Facility in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada.

The 3.9-Mbp draft genome sequence of Arthrobacter sp. strain 260, which was isolated from a uranium tailings management facility, is reported. The sequence may help determine the bioremediation potential of this strain and facilitate further research aimed at a better understanding of the hypertolerance of this genus to extreme conditions.

Unravelling the importance of the eukaryotic and bacterial communities and their relationship with Legionella spp. ecology in cooling towers: a complex network.

BACKGROUND: Cooling towers are a major source of large community-associated outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease, a severe pneumonia. This disease is contracted when inhaling aerosols that are contaminated with bacteria from the genus Legionella, most importantly Legionella pneumophila. How cooling towers support the growth of this bacterium is still not well understood. As Legionella species are intracellular parasites of protozoa, it is assumed that protozoan community in cooling towers play an important role in Legionella ecology and outbreaks. However, the exact mechanism of how the eukaryotic community contributes to Legionella ecology is still unclear. Therefore, we used 18S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to characterize the eukaryotic communities of 18 different cooling towers. The data from the eukaryotic community was then analysed with the bacterial community of the same towers in order to understand how each community could affect Legionella spp. ecology in cooling towers. RESULTS: We identified several microbial groups in the cooling tower ecosystem associated with Legionella spp. that suggest the presence of a microbial loop in these systems. Dissolved organic carbon was shown to be a major factor in shaping the eukaryotic community and may be an important factor for Legionella ecology. Network analysis, based on co-occurrence, revealed that Legionella was correlated with a number of different organisms. Out of these, the bacterial genus Brevundimonas and the ciliate class Oligohymenophorea were shown, through in vitro experiments, to stimulate the growth of L. pneumophila through direct and indirect mechanisms. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that Legionella ecology depends on the host community, including ciliates and on several groups of organisms that contribute to its survival and growth in the cooling tower ecosystem. These findings further support the idea that some cooling tower microbiomes may promote the survival and growth of Legionella better than others. Video Abstract.

"Read" and 'Tailor' Your Treatment.

INTRODUCTION: The sinonasal tract is an area that may be affected by various types of neoplastic lesions with more variety than what is encountered in other parts of the upper airway and food passage. CASE REPORT: An elderly gentleman of 65 years complained of nose block on both sides for 3 months. On examination, he had firm polypoidal masses arising from the middle meatus and septum on both sides. Computed tomography scan of the sinuses revealed polypoidal mucosal thickening in bilateral sinuses with bilateral concha bullosa. The patient underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery with the complete excision of the masses from the lateral wall and septum under general anesthesia. The results of the histopathological examination showed inflammatory changes in polypoidal tissues from the right maxillary, bilateral ethmoidal sinuses, and bilateral septal masses. The lesion in the left middle meatus showed the features of respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartoma (READ). The case had no evidence of residual or recurrent lesion during 6 months after the surgery. CONCLUSION: The READ is a rare lesion observed in the sinonasal tract. It is a diagnostic dilemma for clinicians as it can be misdiagnosed as neoplastic lesions, such as inverted papilloma or adenocarcinoma, which would warrant radical surgery or sinonasal polyposis and be treated inadequately.

Role of CpxR in Biofilm Development: Expression of Key Fimbrial, O-Antigen and Virulence Operons of Salmonella Enteritidis.

Salmonella Enteritidis is a non-typhoidal serovar of great public health significance worldwide. The RpoE sigma factor and CpxRA two-component system are the major regulators of the extracytoplasmic stress response. In this study, we found that the CpxR has highly significant, but opposite effects on the auto-aggregation and swarming motility of S. Enteritidis. Auto-aggregation was negatively affected in the ∆cpxR mutant, whereas the same mutant significantly out-performed its wild-type counterpart with respect to swarming motility, indicating that the CpxR plays a role in biofilm-associated phenotypes. Indeed, biofilm-related assays showed that the CpxR is of critical importance in biofilm development under both static (microtiter plate) and dynamic (flow cell) media flow conditions. In contrast, the RpoE sigma factor showed no significant role in biofilm development under dynamic conditions. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the cpxR mutation negatively affected the constitutive expression of the operons critical for biosynthesis of O-antigen and adherence, but positively affected the expression of virulence genes critical for Salmonella-mediated endocytosis. Conversely, CpxR induced the expression of curli csgAB and fimbrial stdAC operons only during biofilm development and flagellar motAB and fliL operons exclusively during the planktonic phase, indicating a responsive biofilm-associated loop of the CpxR regulator.

Importance of the RpoE Regulon in Maintaining the Lipid Bilayer during Antimicrobial Treatment with the Polycationic Agent, Chlorhexidine.

The emergence of multidrug resistance in bacteria has reached alarming levels. To solve this growing problem, discovery of novel cellular targets or pathways important for antimicrobial resistance is urgently needed. In this study, we explored how the alternative sigma factor, RpoE, protects Escherichia coli O157 against the toxic effects of the polycationic antimicrobial agent, chlorhexidine (CHX). Susceptibility of this organism to CHX was found to directly correlate to the growth rate, with the faster replicating wild-type being more susceptible to CHX than its more slowly replicating ΔrpoE O157 mutant. Once the wild-type and rpoE mutant strains had undergone growth arrest (entered the stationary growth phase), their resistance to CHX became entirely dependent on the functionality of RpoE. The RpoE regulon plays a critical role in maintaining the integrity of the asymmetric lipid bilayer of E. coli, thereby preventing the intracellular accumulation of CHX. Finally, using a single-cell, high-resolution, synchrotron-based approach, we discovered a subpopulation of the rpoE mutant strain with no detectable intracellular CHX, a predominant characteristic of the wild-type CHX-resistant population. This finding reveals a role of phenotypic heterogeneity in antimicrobial resistance.

Draft Genome Sequences of Biofilm-Forming and Non-Biofilm-Forming Nontyphoidal Salmonella enterica Serovars.

The genetic basis for biofilm formation among nontyphoidal salmonellae (NTS) remains poorly understood. This draft genome submission provides initial insights on the genetic differences between biofilm-forming and non-biofilm-forming clinical and environmental NTS serovars.

Palatal Rugae Patterns as a Bioindicator for Forensic Identification in Kodava and Tibetan Populations of India.

BACKGROUND: Palatal rugae are distinct to each individual and are highly specific to each individual as their fingerprints. Rugae pattern are specific to different racial groups making it convenient for population identification. Palatal rugae retain their shape throughout life and hence can be useful as an identification tool. The present study aimed at analyzing the differences in rugae pattern among Kodavas and Tibetan populations of Coorg, India and to examine if there was a difference in the rugae pattern between males and females within each group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised of 30 participants between 18 and 30 years of age, equally distributed between genders from each group. Examination of maxillary cast after tracing the rugae patterns was carried out. Rugae pattern was classified as "straight," "wavy," "curved," "circular" and "unification." Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 16 software. Non-parametric Mann-Whitney test was used for pairwise comparison of two populations. Mann-Whitney two-tailed test was used to test the difference between males and females. RESULTS: Results showed that wavy pattern was highest for both the groups. Circular rugae were totally absent in both the groups. There was a significant difference between Kodavas (mean = 1.000) and Tibetans (mean = 0.13) for unification pattern (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Palatal rugae patterns can be used as a bioindicator for human identification.

Electronic cigarettes: ambiguity and controversies of usage.

Electronic cigarettes (EC), a proxy to conventional cigarettes, gained popularity on the basis of its own advocacy, marketing and large scale publicity. Sometimes marketed as an adjunct to quitting or a substitute for cigarettes, its popularity rose. However, its sale in the global markets was subjected to prejudice. Reasons cited by the regulatory bodies for its ouster were the toxic contents it contained. Some countries preferred to ban them while some have legalised them. However, the manufacturers have claimed that it does have the potential to help smokers quit or at least replace the conventional cigarettes which cause millions of death globally. Research is hence needed to prove the efficacy and utility of this device for welfare of people who are looking for better options than puffing cigarettes.

Cyclic AMP receptor protein regulates cspD, a bacterial toxin gene, in Escherichia coli.

cspD, a member of cspA family of cold shock genes in Escherichia coli, is not induced during cold shock. Its expression is induced during stationary phase. CspD inhibits DNA replication, and a high level of the protein is toxic to cells. Recently, CspD was proposed to be associated with persister cell formation in E. coli. Here, we show that cyclic AMP receptor protein (CRP) upregulates cspD transcription. Sequence analysis of the cspD upstream region revealed two tandem CRP target sites, CRP site-I (the proximal site centered at -83.5 with respect to the transcription start) and CRP site-II (the distal site centered at -112.5). The results from electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that CRP indeed binds to these two target sites in PcspD. The promoter-proximal CRP target site was found to play a major role in PcspD activation by CRP, as studied by transcriptional fusions carrying mutations in the target sites. The results from in vitro transcription assays demonstrated that CRP activates PcspD transcription in the absence of additional factors other than RNA polymerase. The requirement for activating region 1 of CRP in PcspD activation, along with the involvement of the 287, 265, and 261 determinants of the α-CTD, suggest that CRP activates by a class I-type mechanism. However, only moderate activation in vitro was observed compared to high activation in vivo, suggesting there might be additional activators of PcspD. Overall, our findings show that CRP, a global metabolic regulator in E. coli, activates a gene potentially related to persistence.

Comparison of palatal rugae patterns in Kodava and Malayalee populations of South India.

INTRODUCTION: The palatal rugae pattern is unique to humans and may be specific to ethnic groups hence useful in population identification in forensic dentistry. The present study has been carried out to analyze the rugae pattern in two populations in and around Coorg, with objectives to analyze the palatal rugae pattern among Kodavas and Malayalees and to analyze the rugae pattern between sexes within each group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample comprised two population groups in Coorg namely Kodavas and Malayalees, (n = 30) from each group, age-range of 18-30 years, equally distributed between the sexes. The rugae pattern were categorized as 'straight,' 'wavy,' 'curved' 'circular', and 'unification'. Pairwise comparison for two populations was done using non-parametric Mann-Whitney test. Mann-Whitney two-tailed test was used to test the difference between sexes. RESULTS: Wavy pattern (100%) was highest among Kodavas. There was a significant difference between Malayalees and Kodavas for wavy (Mean = 5.867 and 8.400) and unification patterns (Mean = 2.267and 1.000). Significant difference between sexes for straight rugae pattern (Mean, males = 2.267, females = 1.200) among Malayalees was seen. CONCLUSION: The differences in rugae shape between the two populations (wavy and unification patterns) may be attributed to genetic factors and recent shared ancestry has probably rendered their differences to moderate levels.

Effectiveness of individual and group counseling for cessation of tobacco habit amongst industrial workers in pimpri, pune--an interventional study.

BACKGROUND: In India, tobacco consumption is responsible for one of the highest rates of oral cancer in the world, the annual oral cancer incidence is steadily increasing among young tobacco users. Studies have documented efforts taken by physicians, doctors and even dentists, in the form of individual or group counseling to curb tobacco use in smoke or smokeless form. However, which one is more effective, still remains an unanswered question. The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of individual and group counseling for cessation of the tobacco habit amongst industrial workers in Pune and to compare quit rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An interventional study design was selected for 150 industrial workers which were stratified randomly into three groups (control, individual and group counseling groups) and interventions were provided to individual and group counseling groups over a period of six months, which were then compared with the control group that received brief intervention at the start of the study. RESULTS: There was significant difference in the quit rates of the participants in the individual counseling group (ICG) and group counseling group (GCG) when compared at 6 months with the control counseling group (CCG). In the individual counseling group was 6% while in group counseling group it was 7.5% after six months of counseling. CONCLUSIONS: No conclusion could be drawn whether individual or group counseling were better interms of quit rates. Individual and group counseling groups were definitely better than the control group when compared at 3 and 6 months, respectively.