Evaluation of Orthodontic Retention Protocol among Orthodontist and General Dentist-A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Aim: The current study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the retention protocol followed by orthodontists in India. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional web-based questionnaire survey was carried out to evaluate the retention protocol. To determine the sample size, a pilot study was carried out, and the final sample arrived was 250 subjects. The current study's inclusion criteria took into account those who had finished their BDS&MDS (Orthodontist). Results: The data were statistically examined when the surveys were received and completed. The choice for fixed retainers was 67.4%. Retainer wear time preferences ranged widely, with 60% preferring 12-18 hours. The initial post-retention check appointment was planned by the majority of orthodontists (47.6%) within the next three months. Recall appointments for retention checks were only planned by the majority of orthodontists (56.3%) once every three months. Regular involvement by patients at their retention check appointments was (38%). Conclusion: The most commonly used and preferred type of retainer is fixed retainer, and dentist preferences range around 12-18 hours of wear time. Furthermore, the duration of the retainer wear preferred by most orthodontists/dentists is 10 months to 2 years.

Dentists' Perception of Mysmartalign Clear Aligner Treatment.

Aim and Objective: To assess the dentist perception of efficiency, treatment outcome, and stability of the tooth movement treated with mysmartalign clear aligner therapy (MSA CAT). Materials and Method: A cross-sectional web-based questionnaire survey was carried out to evaluate the dentist perception of MYSMARTALIGN (MSA). To determine the sample size, a pilot study has been carried out and the final sample arrived was 4990 subjects. The current study's inclusion criteria took into account those who had finished their BDS and MDS as well as dentists and orthodontists who had been using the MSA CAT system on their patients for the previous 7 years. Results: The result of the study showed that most research participants (3650) used MSA to treat mild to moderate malocclusion, and 3996 participants said that initial digital treatment plans have been authorised with no revisions. In view of efficiency, 3894 doctors were satisfied with the final outcome. Conclusions: Finally concluded that recent survey showed that dentists were very satisfied with the effectiveness and treatment results of the MSA clear aligner procedure.

Assessment of Role of PPE in Preventing the Spread of Infection among the Dental Surgeons: A Prospective Study.

Although there is easy accessibility of infection control measures and recommendation regarding the PPE, most of the dentists failed to practice appropriate infection control measures. The aim of the current survey was conducted to assess the knowledge, perception, and attitude regarding the role of PPE among the dental care professionals in COVID-19. This is cross-sectional web-based questionnaire survey conducted among dental care professionals in Tamil Nadu. The self-administered questions related to the PPE infection control measures were collected from 500 subjects. The statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences SPSS (V 22.0). The frequency distribution was computed. This survey revealed that all the 500 (100%) respondents had awareness about the role of PPE in COVID-19 pandemic. Among the 500 study subjects, 93.2% had well-known knowledge about PPE, 60.4% of dentist strictly adheres to the use of PPE in routine dental practice, 80.2% of dentist mentioned PPE is safe and effective against spread of infection, and 93.4% of dentist had awareness about donning and doffing. Conclusion: From the beginning of this COVID-19, information provided by the health organization like CDC and WHO regarding the role of PPE had positive impact among the dental care professionals.

In vitro Study - Comparative Evaluation of Bond Strengths of Stainless Steel Brackets and Ceramic Brackets after Curing with the Argon Laser and the Conventional Visible Light.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to compare the bond strengths of stainless steel brackets and ceramic brackets after treated with conventional visible light and argon laser. Methodology: Extracted 80 human premolar teeth were collected and stored in distilled water. They are classified into four groups. All teeth were placed in acrylic block where long axis of the tooth should be perpendicular to the mold's bottom. Teeth were subjected to ×10 magnification after debonding. Results: There is no statistically significant difference was found between the shear bond strength of argon laser and conventional visible light for stainless steel and ceramic bracket. Ceramic brackets had significantly increased bond strength than stainless steel brackets. Conclusion: Argon laser can be used for bonding orthodontic brackets using a visible light-cure orthodontic adhesive system, and ceramic brackets had significantly increased bond strength than stainless steel.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Awareness of Orthognathic Surgery among Orthodontic Patient-Prospective Study.

AIM: The aim of the current survey was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude, and awareness regarding orthognathic surgery among orthodontic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is cross-sectional web-based questionnaire survey conducted among orthodontic patients in Tamil Nadu. The self-administered questions related to awareness of orthognathic surgery were collected from 500 subjects. The statistical analysis was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (V 22.0). The frequency distribution was computed. RESULTS: This survey revealed that 466 (93.2%) respondents had awareness about the role of orthognathic surgery. 332 (66.4%) had given the correct responses related to differentiating skeletal and dental malocclusion, 454 (90.6%) had the awareness of risk factors associated with orthognathic surgery and 40 (7.0%) were experienced regarding the procedure. CONCLUSION: The result of the current study showed that it clearly implies that the population was aware of orthognathic surgery as a treatment modality for correcting skeletal deformities.

Percutaneous Antegrade and Retrograde Endovascular approach to Symptomatic High-Grade Subclavian Artery Stenosis: Technique and Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Angioplasty and stenting of the subclavian artery have been reported with high technical and clinical success rates, low complication rates, and good midterm patency rates. Different antegrade or retrograde endovascular catheter-based approaches are used. Nowadays, endovascular therapy has taken over open surgical techniques in subclavian artery disease. The purpose of this study was to determine safety, efficacy, and midterm clinical and radiological outcome of the endovascular treatment with special focus on the different technical approaches in subclavian artery disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2014 and 2017, 11 patients (10 men, 1 woman) with symptomatic high-grade stenosis (90%-100%) of the subclavian artery were treated with endovascular treatment. Their mean age was 51.3 years (range, 32-61 years). Mean angiographic and clinical follow-up was 22.5 months (range, 5-44 months). Clinical follow-up was performed at hospital discharge and routine follow-up was performed at 1, 3, 12 months, and 6 monthly thereafter. In all 11 patients, a percutaneous approach was used successfully. In eight patients, the lesions were accessed retrogradely through a brachial artery puncture. RESULTS: Acute success rate was 100%. There were no significant peri-procedure complications. At the latest clinical follow-up (mean of 22.5 months), all patients showed a good outcome with a restenosis rate of 18.2% including a patient with Takayasu arteritis. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous antegrade and retrograde stenting of high-grade subclavian artery stenosis is a viable less invasive alternative to open bypass surgery with good midterm clinical results and patency rates.

Expression analysis of Cell wall invertase under abiotic stress conditions influencing specialized metabolism in Catharanthus roseus.

Catharanthus roseus is a commercial source for anti-cancer terpenoid indole alkaloids (TIAs: vincristine and vinblastine). Inherent levels of these TIAs are very low, hence research studies need to focus on enhancing their levels in planta. Since primary metabolism provides precursors for specialized-metabolism, elevating the former can achieve higher amounts of the latter. Cell Wall Invertase (CWIN), a key enzyme in sucrose-metabolism catalyses the breakdown of sucrose into glucose and fructose, which serve as carbon-skeleton for specialized-metabolites. Understanding CWIN regulation could unravel metabolic-engineering approaches towards enhancing the levels of TIAs in planta. Our study is the first to characterize CWIN at gene-expression level in the medicinal plant, C. roseus. The CWINs and their inter-relationship with sucrose and TIA metabolism was studied at gene and metabolite levels. It was found that sucrose-supplementation to C. roseus leaves significantly elevated the monomeric TIAs (vindoline, catharanthine) and their corresponding genes. This was further confirmed in cross-species, wherein Nicotiana benthamiana leaves transiently-overexpressing CrCWIN2 showed significant upregulation of specialized-metabolism genes: NbPAL2, Nb4CL, NbCHS, NbF3H, NbANS, NbHCT and NbG10H. The specialized metabolites- cinnamic acid, coumarin, and fisetin were significantly upregulated. Thus, the present study provides a valuable insight into metabolic-engineering approaches towards augmenting the levels of therapeutic TIAs.

Comparitive angiographic profile in diabetic and non-diabetic patients with acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac adversity is by far the commonest cause of mortality in patients with diabetes. Cardiac involvement in diabetes commonly manifest as coronary artery disease (CAD). Definitive diagnosis,precise assessment and anatomic severity of CAD requires invasive diagnostic modality like coronary angiography. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To study angiographic extents, type of vessels, number of vessels, severity involving coronary artery and its branches in patients with acute coronary syndrome(ACS).Compare the same in diabetics and non diabetics with ACS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hundred patients with ACS,50 diabetics and 50 nondiabetics admitted in Bapuji Hospital ICCU attached to J.J.M. Medical College were selected randomly during a period of approximately one and half years formed the study group. RBS, FBS was done in all 100 pateints, HbA1c in all diabetics. All subjects with ACS were taken up for coronary angiography. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Chi-square test was used to determine any significant difference between two groups. p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: In our study 22 (44%) out of 50 diabetic patients had triple or multi-vessel disease compared to 8 (16%) out of 50 non diabetics. Hundred patients with ACS, number of vessels involved were 199, of which 61.3% in diabetics and 38.6% in non diabetics, 23(46%) of 50 diabetic patients required CABG as treatment outcome. HbA1c levels of >8.5%, 69.2% had triple / multi vessel disease and 19 (73.1%) of 23 patients who had to undergo CABG had HbA1c levels >8.5%, 24% of diabetics were in third decade, 40% were in fourth decade as compared to 10% and 26% of non-diabetics of similar age group. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: This study showed that ACS in diabetic patients presented much earlier in life, the severity and extent of CAD and incidence of triple/multi vessel disease was significantly high in diabetics when compared to nondiabetics with ACS. Diabetics with high HbA1c had more number of coronary vessel involvement and the mode of treatment required in them was CABG.