A global research agenda on public health and social measures during emergencies.

The importance of strong coordination for research on public health and social measures was highlighted at the Seventy-fourth World Health Assembly in 2021. This article describes efforts undertaken by the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop a global research agenda on the use of public health and social measures during health emergencies. This work includes a multistep process that started with a global technical consultation convened by WHO in September 2021. The consultation included experts from around the world and from a wide range of disciplines, such as public health, education, tourism, finance and social sciences, and aimed to identify research and implementation approaches based on lessons learnt during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. To prepare for future epidemics and pandemics, it is essential to adopt a more robust, comparable and systematic research approach to public health and social measures. Such comprehensive approach will better inform agile, balanced and context-specific implementation decisions during future emergencies. This article describes the methods used to develop global research priorities for public health and social measures and the next steps needed.

La soixante-quatorzième Assemblée mondiale de la Santé en 2021 a souligné l'importance d'une coordination solide pour la recherche sur la santé publique et les mesures sociales. Le présent article décrit les efforts entrepris par l'Organisation mondiale de la santé (OMS) pour élaborer un programme de recherche mondial sur l'utilisation des mesures de santé publique et des mesures sociales lors de situations d'urgence sanitaire. Ce travail comprend un processus en plusieurs étapes qui a commencé par une consultation technique mondiale organisée par l'OMS en septembre 2021. La consultation a réuni des experts du monde entier issus d'un large éventail de disciplines telles que la santé publique, l'éducation, le tourisme, la finance et les sciences sociales. Elle visait à identifier des approches de recherche et de mise en œuvre fondées sur les enseignements tirés de la pandémie de maladie à coronavirus de 2019. Pour se préparer aux futures épidémies et pandémies, il est essentiel d'adopter une approche de recherche plus solide, comparable et systématique en matière de santé publique et de mesures sociales. Cette approche globale permettra de mieux éclairer les décisions de mise en œuvre agiles, équilibrées et adaptées au contexte lors des futures situations d'urgence. Le présent article décrit les méthodes appliquées pour définir les priorités mondiales de recherche en matière de santé publique et de mesures sociales, ainsi que les prochaines étapes à franchir.

En la 74.ª Asamblea Mundial de la Salud, celebrada en 2021, se destacó la importancia de una sólida coordinación en la investigación sobre salud pública y medidas sociales. Este artículo describe los esfuerzos que ha emprendido la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) para desarrollar un programa mundial de investigación sobre el uso de medidas sociales y de salud pública durante las emergencias sanitarias. Este trabajo incluye un proceso de varios pasos que comenzó con una consulta técnica mundial que convocó la OMS en septiembre de 2021. La consulta incluyó a expertos de todo el mundo y de una gran variedad de disciplinas, como la salud pública, la educación, el turismo, las finanzas y las ciencias sociales, y tuvo como objetivo identificar enfoques de investigación y aplicación basados en las lecciones aprendidas durante la pandemia de la enfermedad por coronavirus de 2019. Para prepararse ante futuras epidemias y pandemias, es esencial adoptar un enfoque de investigación más sólido, comparable y sistemático en materia de salud pública y medidas sociales. Este enfoque integral informará mejor las decisiones de aplicación ágiles, equilibradas y adaptadas al contexto durante futuras emergencias. En este artículo se describen los métodos utilizados para elaborar las prioridades mundiales de investigación sobre salud pública y medidas sociales, así como los próximos pasos necesarios.

VirulentPred 2.0: An improved method for prediction of virulent proteins in bacterial pathogens.

Virulence proteins in pathogens are essential for causing disease in a host. They enable the pathogen to invade, survive and multiply within the host, thus enhancing its potential to cause disease while also causing evasion of host defense mechanisms. Identifying these factors, especially potential vaccine candidates or drug targets, is critical for vaccine or drug development research. In this context, we present an improved version of VirulentPred 1.0 for rapidly identifying virulent proteins. The VirulentPred 2.0 is based on training machine learning models with experimentally validated virulent protein sequences. VirulentPred 2.0 achieved 84.71% accuracy with the validation dataset and 85.18% on an independent test dataset. The models are trained and evaluated with the latest sequence datasets of virulent proteins, which are three times greater in number than the proteins used in the earlier version of VirulentPred. Moreover, a significant improvement of 11% in the prediction accuracy over the earlier version is achieved with the best position-specific scoring matrix (PSSM)-based model for the latest test dataset. VirulentPred 2.0 is available as a user-friendly web interface at https://bioinfo.icgeb.res.in/virulent2/ and a standalone application suitable for bulk predictions. With higher efficiency and availability as a standalone tool, VirulentPred 2.0 holds immense potential for high throughput yet efficient identification of virulent proteins in bacterial pathogens.

Influence of plant extracts mixed with endodontic sealers on the growth of oral pathogens in root canal: An in vitro study.

INTRODUCTION: Microbes are considered as the primary etiological agents in endodontic diseases. Ways of reducing these agents are root canal debridement and antibacterial filling materials. One of the factors in determining the success of endodontic treatment previously was sealing root canals with materials possessing potent bactericidal effect. Due to cytotoxic reactions of sealers and their inability to eliminate bacteria completely from dentinal tubules, trend to use natural plants extracts have been introduced. AIM: To compare antimicrobial activity of endodontic sealers added to herbal extracts. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Three sealers mixed with three herbal extracts were evaluated against seven strains of bacteria at various time intervals using Agar Diffusion Test. The mean zones of inhibition were measured. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: All statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 15 statistical software version, Chicago. Intergroup comparison was evaluated using Kruskal Walls test along with Mann Whitney U test. The Intragroup comparison was evaluatd using Friedman test along with Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: Statistically significant zones of bacterial growth inhibition were observed largest with Zinc Oxide Eugenol based sealer when mixed with Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) followed in descending order by zinc oxide eugenol based sealer mixed with Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi) and Mimusops elengi (Bakul) respectively. CONCLUSION: Zinc Oxide Eugenol based sealer with herbal extracts produced largest inhibitory zones followed in descending order by Resin based sealer and Calcium hydroxide along with three herbal extracts respectively.

Successes and challenges of expansion of environmental poliovirus surveillance in the WHO South-East Asia Region.

The last decade has witnessed an exponential expansion of environmental surveillance (ES) of poliovirus in sewage samples in the World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Region. This has grown from only three sites in Mumbai, India in 2001 to 56 sites in 2017 in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal and Thailand. ES is critical to the region in providing evidence of silent transmission of vaccine-derived poliovirus and Sabin-like poliovirus type 2 - especially since the global "switch" to cease use of oral polio vaccine type 2 - and for monitoring the effectiveness of containment activities. This targeted expansion of ES to supplement surveillance for acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) required quality assurance in ES procedures, improvements in the sensitivity of the laboratory-based surveillance system, and establishment of real-time data analysis for evidence-based programmes. ES in the region has provided documentary evidence for the absence of indigenous wild poliovirus in circulation and no importations via international travellers. Post-switch, while no vaccine-derived poliovirus was detected from AFP cases, ES identified five ambiguous vaccine-derived polioviruses in 2016 and early 2017, with no evidence of circulation. Future challenges include monitoring for vaccine-derived poliovirus strains shed for a prolonged time by immunodeficient individuals, and expanding ES to areas lacking sewage networks. To maintain the polio-free status of the WHO South-East Asia Region and achieve a world free of poliomyelitis, critical evaluation of immunization coverage, continued performance of surveillance for acute flaccid paralysis, and enhanced analysis of sewage samples to detect any breach in containment are essential.

Test Tube Tooth: The Next Big Thing.

Unlike some vertebrates and fishes, humans do not have the capacity for tooth regeneration after the loss of permanent teeth. Although artificial replacement with removable dentures, fixed prosthesis and implants is possible through advances in the field of prosthetic dentistry, it would be ideal to recreate a third set of natural teeth to replace lost dentition. For many years now, researchers in the field of tissue engineering have been trying to bioengineer dental tissues as well as whole teeth. In order to attain a whole tooth through dental engineering, that has the same or nearly same biological, mechanical and physical properties of a natural tooth, it's necessary to deal with all the cells and tissues which are concerned with the formation, maintenance and repair of the tooth. In this article we review the steps involved in odontogenesis or organogenesis of a tooth and progress in the bioengineering of a whole tooth.

Oral Health Status of Rural and Urban Population of Gurgaon Block, Gurgaon District Using WHO Assessment Form through Multistage Sampling Technique.

INTRODUCTION: Oral health is an integral part of general health and well being. Poor oral health can affect a person physiologically and psychologically irrespective of age group. AIM: To assess the oral health status and treatment needs of urban and rural population of Gurgaon Block, Gurgaon District, Haryana, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 810 urban and rural subjects belonging to index age groups of 5, 12, 15, 35-44 and 65-74 years as recommended by WHO, in the city of Gurgaon, Haryana. The World Health Organization Oral Health Assessment Form (1997) was used for data collection in which clinical examination, soft and hard tissue findings as well as dentofacial anomalies were recorded. The subjects were selected by multistage random sampling and examined throughout the area by a house to house survey. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The data was collected and subjected to analysis through SPSS 21. Chi-square was used for compilation of results. RESULTS: Of the total population 44.9% had dental caries with a mean DMFT of 1.61. Prevalence of periodontal diseases was 65%; 46% of the population suffered from malocclusions of which 21.19 % had the severe type. Dental fluorosis was found to be highly prevalent (46%) out of which 11.23% had moderate and 9.6% had severe type of fluorosis. Treatment was found to be required among 83% of population. CONCLUSION: The dental health care needs are very high both in rural and urban areas in spite of basic facilities available in urban areas. Hence professional and administrative attention is required both in urban and rural areas. Gurgaon Block can be used as a model district to find the effectiveness of programs in bringing down the oral diseases and maintenance of the oral health of the people on a long term basis.

Diagnostic Methods for Detection of Cotinine Level in Tobacco Users: A Review.

The greatest disease-producing product known to man is tobacco. It is a cause of many oral diseases and adverse oral conditions. In India, tobacco is available in smokeless and smoking form. Tobacco contains nicotine which metabolises to form a toxic alkaloid i.e. cotinine. It stimulates autonomic ganglia and central nervous system. Cotinine is the best indicator of tobacco smoke exposure. Various methods are used to measure cotinine level in blood, saliva and urine such as high performance liquid chromatography, colorimetric assay, gas chromatography, NicAlert saliva test, etc. Thus such wide range of methods for cotinine detection in tobacco users requires a detailed discussion regarding their utility. This review will help readers to compare various methods for cotinine detection and enable them to make scientifically informative decision.

Periodontal Intervention in Speedy Orthodontics-A Case Report.

The use of orthodontic treatment in adult patients is becoming more common and these patients have more specific objectives and concerns related to facial and dental aesthetics, specially regarding duration of treatment. Dentists are on the lookout for techniques for increased efficiency in orthodontic treatment. Alveolar Corticotomy-assisted orthodontic treatment is a recent orthodontic technique that is recently gaining wide acceptance and is recorded as effective means of accelerating orthodontic treatment. A 17-year-old female patient was undergoing orthodontic treatment for the past one year but during her space closure, a visual examination confirmed a buccal thickening that was encountered in the buccal plate between premolars and canine. Periodontal intervention involved elective alveolar decortication in the form of dots performed around the teeth that were to be moved. This was carried out to induce a state of increased tissue turnover and a transient osteopenia, which further helps in faster rate of orthodontic tooth movement. Its main advantages are reduction of treatment time and post-orthodontic stability.

"Why We Say No! A Look Through the Editor's Eye".

BACKGROUND: The rapidly flourishing health science has provided a ground to perform research work and contribute to the field of science. On the other hand, reporting the research is equally important as carrying out research. Many such researches and their ground breaking work remain unreported or do not reach the guild, because of poor drafting skills. In nine years since Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (JCDR) inception, editorial have come across many manuscripts which are clinically and socially relevant in their message, but lack legible drafting. It was felt that an objective analysis of the reasons for rejection, of manuscripts, is required. AIM: The present study was conducted with the aim to determine the reasons for rejection of medical and dental manuscript submitted in JCDR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 1000 consecutive medical and dental articles submitted to JCDR since 1(st) August 2014 was done. Only those articles (902) that reached the end point on decision were considered. The reasons of rejection for medical and dental articles were enlisted and analyzed. When there were multiple reasons of rejection and all of them were critical, then they were counted in all the categories. RESULTS: Out of the 902 consecutive articles 522 articles underwent rejection. Among the rejected ones, dental specialty comprised of 43.5% and medical articles contributed 56.5%. The most frequent reasons for rejection were commonality (44.6%), non compliance by authors (17.8%), methodological issues (17.3%), plagiarism (11.1%), received same topic and published (7.66%), poor draft (6.70%), data inconsistency (5.77%), mismanagement (1.72%), blacklisted author (1.14%), ethical and out of scope were 0.57% each. CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, it can be concluded that manuscript rejection can be avoided by the authors, if the topic is well choosen and communication is maintained with the journal editorial.

Effect of Saliva on the Tensile Bond Strength of Different Generation Adhesive Systems: An In-Vitro Study.

BACKGROUND: Newer development of bonding agents have gained a better understanding of factors affecting adhesion of interface between composite and dentin surface to improve longevity of restorations. OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the influence of salivary contamination on the tensile bond strength of different generation adhesive systems (two-step etch-and-rinse, two-step self-etch and one-step self-etch) during different bonding stages to dentin where isolation is not maintained. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Superficial dentin surfaces of 90 extracted human molars were randomly divided into three study Groups (Group A: Two-step etch-and-rinse adhesive system; Group B: Two-step self-etch adhesive system and Group C: One-step self-etch adhesive system) according to the different generation of adhesives used. According to treatment conditions in different bonding steps, each Group was further divided into three Subgroups containing ten teeth in each. After adhesive application, resin composite blocks were built on dentin and light cured subsequently. The teeth were then stored in water for 24 hours before sending for testing of tensile bond strength by Universal Testing Machine. The collected data were then statistically analysed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD test. RESULTS: One-step self-etch adhesive system revealed maximum mean tensile bond strength followed in descending order by Two-step self-etch adhesive system and Two-step etch-and-rinse adhesive system both in uncontaminated and saliva contaminated conditions respectively. CONCLUSION: Unlike One-step self-etch adhesive system, saliva contamination could reduce tensile bond strength of the two-step self-etch and two-step etch-and-rinse adhesive system. Furthermore, the step of bonding procedures and the type of adhesive seems to be effective on the bond strength of adhesives contaminated with saliva.

Recent vs Conventional Methods of Caries Removal: A Comparative in vivo Study in Pediatric Patients.

AIMS: To compare the three different methods of caries removal, conventional method using Airotor and chemomechanical method using Carisolv and Papacarie. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The patients with multiple carious teeth were selected either in the deciduous dentition or mixed dentition. Ninety primary molars were selected from 30 children (10 males and 20 females) between the age group 6 and 9 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After caries excavation, cavities were evaluated for caries removal or clinical efficacy by the tactile and visual criteria, microbiological efficacy, time taken for the procedure. Patient acceptability toward the treatment was also checked with the help of a visual analog scale (VAS). The observations thus obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using analysis of variance (ANOVA), Mann-Whitney U-test and Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: The clinical efficacy of caries removal was highest with Airotor while the microbiological efficacy of caries removal was almost comparable with Airotor, Carisolv and Papacarie caries removal methods. The time taken to remove caries by Airotor method was observed to be least while the patient acceptance was found to be highest with Papacarie method. How to cite this article: Chowdhry S, Saha S, Samadi F, Jaiswal JN, Garg A, Chowdhry P. Recent vs Conventional Methods of Caries Removal: A Comparative in vivo Study in Pediatric Patients. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2015;8(1):6-11.

Aerosols how dangerous they are in clinical practice.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to determine the microbial atmospheric contamination during initial periodontal treatment using a modern piezoelectric scaler and to evaluate the efficacy of two commercially available mouth rinses (0.2% Chlorhexidine mouth rinse and Listerine) in reducing bacterial contamination when used as a pre-procedural rinse, with and without high volume evacuation (Aerosol reduction device). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects for the study were selected from the outpatient Department of Periodontics, Sri Siddhartha Dental College and Hospital, Tumkur, India. Total 60 patients were taken for the study and on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria's they were divided into three groups. The sampling was carried out in two stages before and after implementing a set protocol. Total duration of study was four months. MICROBIOLOGICAL EVALUATION: The samples (blood agar plates) were transported immediately to the Department of Microbiology, Sri Siddhartha Medical College, Tumkur for: Identification of microorganisms as per standard procedures (Gram stain, Biochemical Test, Species Identification).Counting the number of colonies formed on blood agar plates using colony counter unit. RESULTS: Out of all the three pre-procedural rinses 0.2% w/v Chlorhexidine is the best in reducing aerobic bacteria (CFU) followed by Listerine and then Water. CONCLUSION: The following conclusion was drawn that the use of pre-procedural rinses along with the use of high volume suction apparatus significantly reduced the aerosol contamination and hence chances of cross-infection in the dental units.

Localization of impacted canines.

Impaction of maxillary canines is a frequently encountered clinical problem. The impaction of canine can be prevented in some situationsif the canine displacement is diagnosed in the early mixed dentition period and this would be extremely useful for the clinician. Hence,it is very important to focus on the means of early diagnosis and interception of this clinical situation. In the present article, the differentmodalities used to diagnose the impacted canine are reviewed with an insight into current 3-D modalities.

Hirudotherapy in Medicine and Dentistry.

The concept of Unani medicine is based on balancing body humours, the imbalance of which causes diseases. The application of leech therapy in medical and dental science is well recognized. Although easy and non-invasive, complications also exist. The article aims to presents a brief review on the applications of leech therapy. The physiological effect, along with its therapeutic role in cancer, diabetes and dentistry have been underlined. Complications of leech therapy have also been dealt with.

Prevalence of Malocclusion and its Psycho-Social Impact among 12 To 15-Year-old School Children in Lucknow City.

BACKGROUND: Facial aesthetics affects how people are perceived by society and how they perceive themselves. Anterior malocclusion can have an impact on the overall facial appearance. AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of malocclusion and its psycho-social impact among 12 to 15 yrs old school children in Lucknow city. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study consisted of collection of information for psychosocial assessment using a questionnaire and clinical examination of malocclusion. Data regarding psychosocial impact of dental aesthetics was collected using a Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ) given by Klages et al., (2006). RESULTS: 15.57% children belonged to the definite malocclusion category and 5.41% to the handicapped malocclusion category. The mean Dental self confidence score differed significantly among both male (p≤0.001) and female children (p≤0.001) across the age groups. The mean Social impact score did not differ significantly among both male (p≤0.31) and female children (p≤0.12) across the age groups. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study imply that dental aesthetics had a significant impact on the psychosocial aspects of human life irrespective of the gender.

Cryosurgery: painless and fearless management of mucocele in young patient.

A mucocele is a common benign lesion of the minor salivary gland mucosa that most frequently affects children and young adults. A 6-year-old male patient reported to the Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, with the chief complaint of a painless swelling on floor of the mouth on his left side. The purpose of this case report is to present the treatment of mucocele present in floor of the mouth in a child patient using liquid nitrogen cryosurgery. Also, discussed are the mechanism of action, current protocol of cryosurgery recommended in the management of mucoceles, clinical advantages and disadvantages together with the clinical outcomes.

Pediatric cervicofacial actinomycosis disclosing an underlying congenital dermoid cyst.

Pediatric cervicofacial actinomycosis is a rare occurrence consequent to dental infections and manipulations or maxillofacial trauma. The clinical presentation ranges from multiple draining sinuses to swellings resembling tumors and cysts. The present unusual case had congenital dermoid cyst of mid upper lip with Actinomyces israelii infection identified on microscopy, culture, and histopathology. A successful outcome in the present case was obtained using combination of medical and surgical treatment.