Quality of life and associating factors in pulmonary tuberculosis patients.

BACKGROUND: Quality of life is a significant issue among patients with tuberculosis and is used for evaluating treatment responses and therapeutic outcome. This study aimed to assess the quality of life in tuberculosis patients receiving anti-tuberculosis therapy for a short duration in the Vellore district of Tamil Nadu and its associated variables. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate pulmonary tuberculosis patients receiving treatment under category -1 registered in the NIKSHAY portal at Vellore. A total of 165 pulmonary tuberculosis patients were recruited from March 2021 to the third week of June 2021. On obtaining informed consent, the data were collected through the telephone interview by administering WHOQOL- BREF structured questionnaire. The data were examined with descriptive and analytical statistics. Multiple regression analysis for independent quality of life variables was done. RESULTS: The lowest median scores, 31(25,38) & 38(25,44) was, related to psychological and environmental domains, respectively. In addition, the Man-Whitney & Kruskal Wallis showed a statistically significant variation in the mean quality of life for gender, employment status, duration of treatment, persistent symptoms, the location of residence of patients, and the stage of therapy. Age, gender, marital status, and persistent symptoms were the main associating factor. CONCLUSION: Tuberculosis and its treatment influence psychological, physical functioning, and the environmental domain of patient quality of life. Attention is required in the follow-up and treatment of patients by monitoring their quality of life.

Effects of silver nanoparticle-based antimicrobial formulations on the properties of denture polymer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of in vitro studies.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Denture stomatitis and other oral infections are prevalent in denture wearers and can be treated effectively with an antimicrobial agent such as a silver nanoparticle-based polymer. However, the physical properties of the denture should not be adversely affected by the addition. PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis of in vitro studies was to analyze the effects of a silver nanoparticle-based antimicrobial resin on the properties of polymethyl methacrylate(PMMA)-based denture resin. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Full-length English language articles reporting silver nanoparticle-based PMMA resin were included in the review, with no limitation on the year till May 2020. Scopus, Web of Sciences, and PubMed databases were accessed for the literature survey. The review was formulated based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and used the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) guidelines and risk of bias Cochrane tool for quality assessment. A meta-analysis of flexural strength was performed by using a random-effects model at a 95% confidence interval. The other properties were analyzed descriptively. RESULTS: Silver nanoparticle reinforcement caused considerable differences in the inherent physical material properties of PMMA. CONCLUSIONS: An antimicrobial polymer nanocomposite formulation can either negatively affect or bring no improvement to the physical properties of denture resin.

Influence of presence or absence of posts on the failure rates of post endodontic restorations: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim: The study was designed to evaluate the existing evidence on the failure rates of post-endodontic restorations retained with and without post in endodontically treated teeth (ETT). Settings and Design: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses- Protocol (PRISMA-P) guidelines were used to formulate the review. Materials and Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCT's) and prospective clinical studies comparing post endodontic restorations retained with and without post were included. PubMed/Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library and Scopus databases were searched to recognize relevant full-text articles in English language. The quality of the RCT's were evaluated using the Cochrane collaboration tool to assess the risk of bias and reported as having high, low or unclear risk. Random-effects model at a 95% confidence interval was used for the meta-analysis. Statistical Analysis Used: Meta-analyses was performed using the Mantel -Haenszel method31 and risk ratio, with a 95% confidence interval (CI), was estimated for dichotomous data. Random effects model32 was used as the pooling method and 95% confident interval (α = .05 for RR values) in Review Manager (RevMan) [Computer program]. Version 5.4. The Cochrane Collaboration, 2020). Results: Four studies comparing post retained and post free restorations in ETT with a total of 916 restorations were included in the analysis. The total risk ratio was 2.16, (95% CI:1.25 to 3.72). Conclusion: ETT with post retained restorations exhibited significantly lower failure rates compared to restorations without post. Well-designed RCT's are warranted to develop a clinical protocol with respect to post-retained restorations.

A Confocal Microscopic Study on Percentage Penetration of Different Sealers into Dentin.

CONTEXT: Three-dimensional seal of the root canal space has always been challenging. The incorporation of gutta-percha and sealer prevents microleakage by bacteria, ensuring a shielded root canal space. However, the penetration of sealer to various depths within the root canal has always been looked with curiosity. AIMS: Thus, the present in vitro study was undertaken to evaluate the percentage and average depth of penetration of Endoflas F. S., AH Plus, and Epiphany sealers into dentinal tubules among the coronal, middle, and apical thirds of the roots following obturation with a lateral compaction technique using Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The study is an in vitro randomized control trial. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty sound central incisors were decoronated at the level of the cementoenamel junction. Working length determination was done followed by a meticulous cleaning, shaping, and under copious irrigation. The teeth were then randomly divided into three groups: Endoflas FS sealer, AH Plus sealer, and Epiphany sealer. On fluorescence treatment, the teeth were sectioned at the midpoint of coronal, middle, and apical third of each root and viewed under confocal laser scanning microscope. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, and the significant difference between groups was analyzed with post hoc Tukey test. RESULTS: Epiphany sealer provided with better percentage and depth penetration in comparison to Endoflas FS and AH Plus sealers. Furthermore, the coronal third of the root had better percentage and sealer penetration than the middle and apical thirds. CONCLUSIONS: Sealers tend to provide a firm bond between the tooth and the gutta-percha. They bind, lubricate, and seal the gutta-percha cones to fill the accessory canals. Within the limitations of this study, the superior flow and enhanced setting time Epihany sealers provide better percentage and depth of penetration than AH Plus and Endoflas FS.

A 5-year Follow-up of Projector System-Based Endodontic Treatment: Case Series.

Endodontic rehabilitation of grossly mutilated teeth is challenging. It requires reconstruction of the tooth under proper isolation before the commencement of the endodontic procedure. The study was designed to assess the 5-year performance of projector system-based endodontic restoration. Two patients diagnosed with pulpal necrosis and chronic periradicular periodontitis were provided with "Projector Endodontic Instrument Guidance System-" (PEIGS) based endodontic treatment. After access cavity preparation, the canals were cleaned, shaped, and further enlarged to receive the projectors with a snug fit after effective etching. The incremental composite buildup was performed in a standardized manner. On successful curing, the files and the projectors were retracted sequentially. This was followed by a conventional root canal therapy. A 5-year follow-up showed an intact tooth structure and patient compliance in both cases. Although a technique sensitive procedure, the PEIGS provides promising results.

Effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticle reinforcement on flexural strength of denture base resin: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The study was designed to assess the change in flexural strength of unmodified heat cure denture base polymer resin on reinforcement with titanium dioxide nanoparticles in different concentrations. In vitro, randomized control trials reporting flexural strength of titanium dioxide nanoparticle reinforced resin were selected. The review was formulated based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses- Protocol (PRISMA-P) guidelines. Quality assessment was performed according to Consolidated Standards Of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) guidelines and risk of bias Cochrane tool. Six articles in the category of 1%, 3%, 5% weight fractions of titanium dioxide nanoparticles were subjected to a meta-analysis. A meta-analysis was performed using random-effects at a 95% confidence interval. Within the limitations of the study, it can be assumed that there is no precise conformity on the ideal titanium dioxide nanoparticle concentration required to improve the flexural strength of the polymer. Stringent use of standard ISO guidelines may help in obtaining consistent results.

An In vitro Comparison of Coconut Water, Milk, and Saline in Maintaining Periodontal Ligament Cell Viability.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Two of the most critical factors affecting the prognosis of an avulsed tooth after replantation are extraoral dry time and the storage media in which the tooth is placed before treatment is rendered. The present study is undertaken to evaluate the periodontal ligament (PDL) cell viability after storage of teeth in different storage media, namely, coconut water, milk, and saline. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty sound human premolars undergoing extraction for orthodontic purpose were selected. The teeth were allowed to lie dry on sand/mud for 30 min followed by which they were randomly divided and stored in three different media, i.e., coconut water, milk, and saline. After 45-min storage in their respective media, the root surface was then scraped for PDL tissue. RESULTS: The ANOVA and Newman-Keuls post hoc procedure for statistical analysis of viable cell count under a light microscope using hemocytometer demonstrated that coconut water preserved significantly more PDL cells viable (P < 0.05) compared with milk and saline. CONCLUSION: Storage media help in preserving the viability of PDL cells when immediate replantation is not possible. This study evaluated the posttraumatic PDL cells' viability following storage in three different storage media. Within the parameters of this study, it was found that coconut water is the most effective media for maintaining the viability of PDL.