Biomarker discovery and validation for gastrointestinal tumors: A comprehensive review of colorectal, gastric, and liver cancers.

Gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies, encompassing gastric, hepatic, colonic, and rectal cancers, are prevalent forms of cancer globally and contribute substantially to cancer-related mortality. Although there have been improvements in methods for diagnosing and treating GI cancers, the chances of survival for these types of cancers are still extremely low. According to the World Cancer Research International Fund's most recent figures, stomach cancer was responsible for roughly one million deaths worldwide in 2020. This emphasizes the importance of developing more effective tools for detecting, diagnosing, and predicting the outcome of these cancers at an early stage. Biomarkers, quantitative indications of biological processes or disease states, have emerged as promising techniques for enhancing the diagnosis and prognosis of GI malignancies. Recently, there has been a considerable endeavor to discover and authenticate biomarkers for various GI cancers by the utilization of diverse methodologies, including genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. This review provides a thorough examination of the current state of biomarker research in the field of gastrointestinal malignancies, with a specific emphasis on colorectal, stomach, and liver cancers. A thorough literature search was performed on prominent databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to find pertinent papers published until November, 2023 for the purpose of compiling this review. The diverse categories of biomarkers, encompassing genetic, epigenetic, and protein-based biomarkers, and their potential utility in the fields of diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment selection, are explored. Recent progress in identifying and confirming biomarkers, as well as the obstacles that persist in employing biomarkers in clinical settings are emphasized. The utilization of biomarkers in GI cancers has significant potential in enhancing patient outcomes. Ongoing research is expected to uncover more efficient biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of these cancers.

Comparison of sleep quality between clear aligner and fixed appliance orthodontic therapies.

BACKGROUND: Although available evidence suggests that orthodontic appliances can impact quality of life, there is limited information on the impact of orthodontic appliances on sleep quality. This study aimed to compare sleep quality between patients undergoing orthodontic treatments using conventional fixed appliances and clear aligners. METHODS: Adult patients attending clinics in Saudi Arabia participated in this cross-sectional study. Sleep quality was assessed using the validated Arabic version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Statistical significance was determined using inferential analysis, with a P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: There were 69 patients included in the study. The average age of a patient (33.12 ± 8.1) who received the clear aligner was significantly higher than those who received the fixed appliance (27.7 ± 5.9) (P < 0.05). The variation in the average score of ESS because of the education level was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed between the mean average ESS and PSQI global scores across the two orthodontic treatment groups. The average sleep latency scores were significantly higher in females than males when analyzing the PSQI component score across sex (P < 0.05). In education, ESS, PSQI global, habitual sleep efficiency, the use of sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction had a positive, weak, but significant correlation. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this study concluded that regardless of the orthodontic appliances used, there was no statistically significant difference in sleep quality during the treatment.

Comparison of Tooth Color and Enamel and Dentinal Thickness between Orthodontically Treated and Untreated Individuals.

This study compared tooth color and enamel and dentinal thickness between orthodontically treated and untreated individuals. (1) Methods: A matched case-control study was conducted. The sample included 26 patients who had received orthodontic treatment and 31 matched controls. The color assessment was performed subjectively using the VITA 3D-Master (VM) shade guide and objectively using the VITA Easyshade (VE) spectrophotometer. Differences in L*, a*, and b* (lightness, red/green, and blue/yellow) were calculated. The color change was evaluated using ΔE*ab and the whiteness index (WID). Tooth structure thickness (labiolingual, labial enamel, and labial dentin) was evaluated using cone-beam computerized tomography. The correlations between overall tooth color and tooth structure thickness were evaluated. (2) Results: A total of 228 teeth were evaluated. Color assessment using VM showed significant differences between orthodontically treated and untreated teeth (p < 0.001), while VE revealed no significant differences. Both groups showed no difference in tooth enamel and dentinal thickness. Significant differences in tooth color (p < 0.05) were observed between genders. Both VM and VE showed weak to moderate correlations with tooth color and enamel and dentinal thickness (p < 0.05). (3) Conclusions: Orthodontic treatment may demonstrate visually perceptible but acceptable and clinically undetectable tooth color alteration.

Prevalence of Dental Anomalies and Its Role in Sex Estimation among Children of Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to ascertain the prevalence of dental anomalies and their ability to estimate sex status. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional radiographic study was based on the evaluation of dental anomalies of Saudi children aged between 5 and 17 years. A total of 1940 orthopantomograms (OPG) were screened, of which 1442 were included. All the OPGs were digitally evaluated with ImageJ software. The demographic variables and dental anomaly findings were subjected to descriptive and comparative statistical analysis. Discriminant function analysis was conducted for sex estimation. p value < 0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: The mean age of the children in this study was 11.35 ± 0.28 years. At least one dental anomaly was detected in 161 children (11.17%), including 71 males and 90 females. Only 13 children (8.07%) presented with more than one anomaly. The most common dental anomaly detected was root dilaceration (47.83%) followed by hypodontia (31.68%). The least common dental anomaly was infraocclusion (1.86%). The sex prediction accuracy using discriminant function analysis was 62.9% (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of dental anomalies was 11.17% with root dilaceration and hypodontia being the most common. The role of dental anomalies in sex estimation was found to be ineffective.

Unilateral vs Bilateral Maxillary Canine Impaction: A Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Study of Patterns and Associations.

AIM: This retrospective study aimed to compare and evaluate the pattern of maxillary canine impaction and its association with other anomalies using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODS: A total of 59 CBCT records of patients (ages 12 and up) were divided into two groups: A total of 35 subjects with unilateral canine impactions and 24 subjects with bilateral canine impactions. The CBCT data were analyzed for the measurement of qualitative and quantitative variables. RESULTS: In unilateral canine impaction, the mesiodistal (MD) width of the central incisors and the nasal cavity (NC) width were wider (p < 0.05). The canine-palatal plane (U3-PP) distance was significantly longer in bilateral canine impaction (p < 0.05). The distance of the impacted canines from the palatal and mid-sagittal planes, the anterior dental arch width, and the maxillary skeletal width changed significantly with the position of the impacted canines (p < 0.05). Males had 0.185 odds of presenting with a bilateral canine impaction as compared to females (p = 0.025). The odds of having bilateral canine impaction with a longer canine-midsagittal plane (U3-MSP) distance was 1.30 (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: The findings indicate a gender predilection with females showing a greater prevalence of bilateral canine impaction. Supernumerary teeth were associated with unilateral impacted canines and lower canine impaction with bilaterally impacted canines. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Anomalies in the form of the maxillary central and lateral incisors, distance from the maxillary canine to the palatal plane and the mid-sagittal plane, NC width, maxillary skeletal width, and gender, are the best discriminating parameters between unilateral and bilateral canine impactions.

Prognostic Values of Gene Copy Number Alterations in Prostate Cancer.

Whilst risk prediction for individual prostate cancer (PCa) cases is of a high priority, the current risk stratification indices for PCa management have severe limitations. This study aimed to identify gene copy number alterations (CNAs) with prognostic values and to determine if any combination of gene CNAs could have risk stratification potentials. Clinical and genomic data of 500 PCa cases from the Cancer Genome Atlas stable were retrieved from the Genomic Data Commons and cBioPortal databases. The CNA statuses of a total of 52 genetic markers, including 21 novel markers and 31 previously identified potential prognostic markers, were tested for prognostic significance. The CNA statuses of a total of 51/52 genetic markers were significantly associated with advanced disease at an odds ratio threshold of ≥1.5 or ≤0.667. Moreover, a Kaplan-Meier test identified 27/52 marker CNAs which correlated with disease progression. A Cox Regression analysis showed that the amplification of MIR602 and deletions of MIR602, ZNF267, MROH1, PARP8, and HCN1 correlated with a progression-free survival independent of the disease stage and Gleason prognostic group grade. Furthermore, a binary logistic regression analysis identified twenty-two panels of markers with risk stratification potentials. The best model of 7/52 genetic CNAs, which included the SPOP alteration, SPP1 alteration, CCND1 amplification, PTEN deletion, CDKN1B deletion, PARP8 deletion, and NKX3.1 deletion, stratified the PCa cases into a localised and advanced disease with an accuracy of 70.0%, sensitivity of 85.4%, specificity of 44.9%, positive predictive value of 71.67%, and negative predictive value of 65.35%. This study validated prognostic gene level CNAs identified in previous studies, as well as identified new genetic markers with CNAs that could potentially impact risk stratification in PCa.

Betulin prevents high fat diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by mitigating oxidative stress and upregulating Nrf2 and SIRT1 in rats.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common chronic hepatic disorder characterized by hepatic lipid accumulation. This study explored the effect of betulin (BE), a terpenoid with promising antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and insulin sensitizing effects, on NAFLD induced by high fat diet (HFD). Rats received HFD and BE (15 and 30 mg/kg) for 12 weeks and blood and liver samples were collected for analyses. HFD caused hyperlipidemia, cholesterol and triglycerides accumulation in the liver, hepatocellular ballooning, fibrosis, insulin resistance (IR), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and NF-kB p65 upregulation. BE ameliorated serum and liver lipids, blood glucose and insulin, liver LPO, prevented steatosis and fibrosis, suppressed NF-kB p65 and enhanced antioxidants in HFD-fed rats. BE downregulated acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC1) and fatty acid synthase (FAS), and upregulated Nrf2, HO-1 and SIRT1 in the liver of HFD-fed rats. In silico investigations revealed the binding affinity of BE towards FAS, NF-kB, Keap1, HO-1 and SIRT1. In conclusion, BE attenuated HFD-induced NAFLD by ameliorating hyperlipidemia, IR, lipogenesis, liver lipid accumulation, and oxidative stress. The protective effect of BE was associated with enhanced Nrf2/HO-1 signaling and SIRT1.

Esculentoside A Inhibits Proliferation, Colony Formation, Migration, and Invasion of Human Colorectal Cancer Cells.

Esculentosides include a group of plant-derived compounds with tremendous pharmacological potential. The antiproliferative effects of esculentoside A against different colorectal cancer cells were evaluated. We found that the proliferation of all the colorectal cancer cells was halted by esculentoside A. The IC50 of esculentoside A ranged from 16 to 24 µM against different colorectal cancer cells. Investigation of the underlying molecular mechanism revealed that esculentoside A caused an increase in the colorectal cancer cells at the G1 phase of the cell cycle, indicative of G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. The percentage of G1 cells increased from 22.68% in control to 54.23% at 16 µM esculentoside A. We also found that the colony formation of HT-29 cells was inhibited by 59% at 24 µM esculentoside A. Finally, effects of esculentoside A on the motility of HT-29 colorectal cancer cells were investigated, and it was found that esculentoside A caused a significant decline in HT-29 colorectal cancer cell migration and invasion. The migration and invasion of esculentoside A-treated HT-29 cells were 45% and 51% higher, respectively, than those of untreated cells. Summing up, these results suggest that esculentoside A exhibits antiproliferative effects against human colorectal cancer cells.

A Potential Link Between Visceral Obesity and Risk of Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia characterized by the deposition of amyloid beta (Aß) plaques and tau-neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. Visceral obesity (VO) is usually associated with low-grade inflammation due to higher expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines by adipose tissue. The objective of the present review was to evaluate the potential link between VO and the development of AD. Tissue hypoxia in obesity promotes tissue injury, production of adipocytokines, and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines leading to an oxidative-inflammatory loop with induction of insulin resistance. Importantly, brain insulin signaling is involved in the pathogenesis of AD and lower cognitive function. Obesity and enlargement of visceral adipose tissue are associated with the deposition of Aß. All of this is consonant with VO increasing the risk of AD through the dysregulation of adipocytokines which affect the development of AD. The activated nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway in VO might be a potential link in the development of AD. Likewise, the higher concentration of advanced glycation end-products in VO could be implicated in the pathogenesis of AD. Taken together, different inflammatory signaling pathways are activated in VO that all have a negative impact on the cognitive function and progression of AD except hypoxia-inducible factor 1 which has beneficial and neuroprotective effects in mitigating the progression of AD. In addition, VO-mediated hypoadiponectinemia and leptin resistance may promote the progression of Aß formation and tau phosphorylation with the development of AD. In conclusion, VO-induced AD is mainly mediated through the induction of oxidative stress, inflammatory changes, leptin resistance, and hypoadiponectinemia that collectively trigger Aß formation and neuroinflammation. Thus, early recognition of VO by visceral adiposity index with appropriate management could be a preventive measure against the development of AD in patients with VO.

The Potential Role of MUC16 (CA125) Biomarker in Lung Cancer: A Magic Biomarker but with Adversity.

Lung cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world. In terms of the diagnosis of lung cancer, combination carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cancer antigen 125 (CA125) detection had higher sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratios than CEA detection alone. Most individuals with elevated serum CA125 levels had lung cancer that was either in stage 3 or stage 4. Serum CA125 levels were similarly elevated in lung cancer patients who also had pleural effusions or ascites. Furthermore, there is strong evidence that human lung cancer produces CA125 in vitro, which suggests that other clinical illnesses outside of ovarian cancer could also be responsible for the rise of CA125. MUC16 (CA125) is a natural killer cell inhibitor. As a screening test for lung and ovarian cancer diagnosis and prognosis in the early stages, CA125 has been widely used as a marker in three different clinical settings. MUC16 mRNA levels in lung cancer are increased regardless of gender. As well, increased expression of mutated MUC16 enhances lung cancer cells proliferation and growth. Additionally, the CA125 serum level is thought to be a key indicator for lung cancer metastasis to the liver. Further, CA125 could be a useful biomarker in other cancer types diagnoses like ovarian, breast, and pancreatic cancers. One of the important limitations of CA125 as a first step in such a screening technique is that up to 20% of ovarian tumors lack antigen expression. Each of the 10 possible serum markers was expressed in 29-100% of ovarian tumors with minimal or no CA125 expression. Therefore, there is a controversy regarding CA125 in the diagnosis and prognosis of lung cancer and other cancer types. In this state, preclinical and clinical studies are warranted to elucidate the clinical benefit of CA125 in the diagnosis and prognosis of lung cancer.

Does Social Media have any Influence during the COVID-19 Pandemic? An Update.

AIM: The study aimed to explore the role, impact, and influence of social media on the population during the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19)pandemic. BACKGROUND: During pandemics, communication is an important factor to disseminate the information, create awareness and provide timely updates from authorized personnel to the masses. Social media progressed to function as a mediator of transmission of information between the government and authorities and the public during the COVID-19. REVIEW RESULTS: Though several strengths were observed yet liabilities did not go unnoticed regarding the role essayed by social media during this pandemic period. When used responsibly, these technologies can aid in the rapid dissemination of crucial facts, important scientific discoveries, and information regarding diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up as well as comparing different strategies across the world. It is recommended to follow certain fundamental standards while exchanging information on social media networks during the COVID-19 era in order to utilize these technologies responsibly and effectively. CONCLUSION: In this research, we have made an attempt to synthesize the vital facts regarding the impact, benefits, and drawbacks of using social media during COVID-19. Eventually, the decision of evaluation, acceptance, and denial of the information received rests with the individual. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Social media use has become intangible with health care. Instead of venturing out the negative effects, we need to focus on utilizing social media for the betterment of the public and to the advantage of the public to increase awareness levels, spread knowledge, and cooperate to tap the benefits to the maximum extent possible to prevent the disease spread.

Antimicrobial efficacy, optical properties and flexural strength following antimicrobial photodynamic therapy over vacuum-formed orthodontic retainers.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Vacuum-formed retainers (VFRs) are widely used in dental practices because of their superior esthetics. However, simultaneous maintenance of their hygiene, mechanical and optical properties is challenging. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the disinfection efficacy of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT), chlorhexidine (CHX), sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and water over VFRs specimens, along with their effect on flexural strength and color stability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fabricated VFRs of thicknesses 1 mm and 2 mm were contaminated with S. mutans and C. albicans. Brain Heart Infusion agar was used to seed Streptococcus Mutans whereas Candida Albicans was seeded in Sabourand Dextrose Agar. The contaminated retainers were divided into four groups and decontaminated using four different treatment protocols: aPDT, CHX, NaOCl and water, with 10 specimens per group. Microbial viability following decontamination, was assayed using MTT. To assess the color stability, pre and post decontamination color difference of 10 specimens was recorded using a spectrophotometer by blinding technique. The flexural strength of 10 specimens was measured using a universal testing machine by a standardized 3-point flexural strength (FS) test. RESULT: aPDT showed the highest reduction in the viability of S. mutans (28%) and C. albicans (20%) species in 1 mm thickness group while the second highest reduction following disinfection with CHX (40%) in followed by NaOCl disinfection (50%). On comparison between 1 mm and 2 mm, a statistically significant difference was noted for S. mutans in aPDT (p = 0.033) and NaOCl (p = 0.028) groups, and for C. albicans, a significant difference was noted within NaOCl (p = 0.001) and CHX (p = 0.043) groups. For FS, a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed between aPDT and the rest of the groups, whereas there was no statistically significant difference in the flexural strength between the CHX, NaOCl and water groups (p > 0.05) in both 1 mm and 2 mm specimens. Between 1 mm and 2 mm specimens, no statistically significant difference in the mean color difference was noted after any disinfection protocol (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy showed a remarkable reduction in candidal and bacterial viability over VFRs. aPDT treated VFR specimens showed increased flexural strength and a higher color difference post treatment compared to other reagents.

Reliability of Educational Content Videos in YouTubeTM about Stainless Steel Crowns.

The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the quality and educational information provided on YouTubeTM about stainless steel crowns (SSC). Videos were searched for on YouTube TM using keywords related to stainless steel crowns in pediatric dentistry in the Google Trends application. A total of 52 videos were available. After exclusion criteria application, 22 videos were selected for the study for analysis. To classify the video content as high or low quality, a scoring system formed of seven parameters was used. For a global evaluation of the video quality, the video information and quality index were applied. Data obtained were analyzed statistically. Only a few videos explained the importance of SSCs. Most of the videos uploaded with a high number of likes were of low quality. Very few videos were of high quality. The content quality and educational quality of videos is poor and incomplete. None of the videos explained the need for the SSC and its benefits in pediatric dentistry.

Thumb-Sucking Habits and Oral Health: An Analysis of YouTube Content.

This study aims to investigate the content and usefulness of YouTube videos on** thumb-sucking habits. METHODS: YouTube was systematically searched for all relevant videos on thumb sucking using primary keywords, such as thumb, finger, and digit sucking. Video information was assessed, such as the type of video, number of likes or dislikes, number of views, and duration of upload. The usefulness of videos was analyzed, and information about treatment modalities was evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 331 YouTube videos (314 educational offerings and 17 testimonials) were included in the analysis. Individual users uploaded (36.6%), followed by healthcare professionals (30.5%). Only 4.83% of the videos were classified as having "very useful" general information content, whereas 51.1% were rated as "slightly useful." There was no significant correlation between the usefulness score and the interaction rate, video length, or viewing rate. The videos advised a psychosocial approach and mechanical or reminder therapy in 32.33% and 25.07% of videos, respectively. Preventive methods accounted for 7.26%, and chemical treatments were discussed in 5.44% of the videos. CONCLUSION: Information on YouTube about thumb-sucking habits was unsatisfactory and should be improved by oral healthcare professionals and organizations.

The Attitude, Perception, and Mental Health of Patients Receiving Orthodontic Treatment During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia.

PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic has forced dental clinics to shut down indefinitely, leaving thousands of orthodontic patients in unending fear and dismay. The study aimed to assess the attitude, perceptions and mental health status of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment in Saudi Arabia during the lockdown. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among orthodontic patients of different clinics across Saudi Arabia and selected using two-stage clustered sampling. A validated Arabic questionnaire comprising four sections including demographic data, patients' interactions, attitude and perception, and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale was sent via digital means. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied with the level of significance set to p<0.05. RESULTS: A total of 512 orthodontic patients voluntarily participated in the study. Eighty-four percent of the patients contacted their orthodontist once or twice during this period, 22% percent did not receive any communication from their orthodontist, 18% were very worried about not being able to continue their treatment, 72% were concerned about the treatment duration increasing post lockdown, 18% suffered cuts or lacerations due to their appliance, and 32% had poking wires. Seventy-six percent of patients were willing to visit a clinic post lockdown only with proper preventive measures in place. A mild level of mental distress (22.76 ± 8.69) was reported using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. Female orthodontic patients >25 years of age with >1 year of ongoing treatment were associated with higher levels of mental distress. CONCLUSION: The current pandemic has impacted the mental health status of orthodontic patients in some form or another. Older females with longer treatment times were more affected by the lockdown. The lack of effective communication from the orthodontist led to some negative perceptions about their treatment.

Comparison between Virtual and Traditional Learning Methods for Orthodontic Knowledge and Skills in Dental Students: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

A gradual transition from traditional face-to-face learning to online learning has been observed globally following the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the study was to compare online and traditional learning methods in relation to orthodontic knowledge and skills acquired in undergraduate courses. A quasi-experimental design was used with two consecutive year classes of 198 dental students at Jazan University, Saudi Arabia. The experimental (virtual) group of 92 students received the content of a clinical orthodontic course virtually using the Blackboard Collaborate™ platform. The control (traditional) group consisted of a previous cohort of 106 students who enrolled in the same course but received traditional classroom education. The students were evaluated through a semester, and both groups obtained the same content and exam questions. The students in the virtual group scored higher in the final theory exam than the traditional group (p-value < 0.05). However, no significant difference in the overall orthodontic knowledge and skills was observed between the groups at the end of the course. Both learning methods showed moderate positive correlation between orthodontic knowledge and skills. In conclusion, virtual learning can serve as an effective alternative to traditional face-to-face learning for teaching orthodontic knowledge and skills to the dental students.

Effects of COVID-19 lockdown on the mental health of dental students: A longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVES: Many countries have enforced lockdowns on their populations due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aimed to assess the effects of the lockdown on dental students. METHODS: A longitudinal, repeated cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate psychological problems experienced by dental students during the COVID-19 lockdown in Saudi Arabia. The dental students were selected from different universities using 2-stage cluster sampling. The validated Arabic version of the 21-item depression, anxiety, and stress scale questionnaire was distributed at the beginning and end of the lockdown. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used as appropriate. Chi-square test was used to compare the proportions between the sociodemographic data, and logistic regression analysis was used to identify variables associated with the students' responses. RESULTS: A total of 1287 respondents participated in this study (695 first-survey respondents, 592 second-survey respondents). There were longitudinally significant differences in the students' mental health outcomes based on gender, university, class year, and survey time during the COVID-19 lockdown. The lockdown increased the likelihood of female, single, and junior students experiencing stress. The students who lived alone recorded a high chance of elevated levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, which showed a significant longitudinal reduction during the lockdown. Moreover, the lockdown increased the likelihood of mental health problems among the students staying in households of two persons or two-five persons. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates the importance of considering the detrimental mental health consequences on dental students in the event of future pandemics.

Impact of Silver Diamine Fluoride Therapy on Oral Health-related Quality of Life of Uncooperative Preschool Children: A Prospective Study.

PURPOSE: Preschool children with early childhood caries (ECC) frequently exhibit extreme dental anxiety and fear, posing a considerable challenge to paediatric dentists for their treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) treatment on the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of uncooperative preschool children using an Arabic version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (A-ECOHIS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A pre-validated A-ECOHIS was used to assess the sensitivity and responsiveness. Fiftyone children, uncooperative with conventional dental care, underwent SDF treatment; their mothers answered the A-ECOHIS before and 4 weeks after treatment. Based on the global transition rating (GTR), the mothers rated their child's oral health condition following SDF treatment. RESULTS: SDF effectively arrested caries after 4 weeks in all children. There was a statistically significant reduction in mean scores of the total A-ECOHIS, child impact scale and family impact scores at follow-up (Wilcoxon signedrank test; p ˂ 0.001). There were statistically significant changes in the mean GTR of children's oral health. CONCLUSIONS: A-ECOHIS was sensitive and responsive to SDF treatment. SDF statistically significantly improved the OHRQoL of uncooperative preschool children.

Psychological impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on dental students: A nationwide study.

OBJECTIVES: Public mental health concerns have been raised during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of this study was to assess the psychological impact of the pandemic on dental students in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among dental students from different universities in Saudi Arabia selected using 2-stage cluster sampling. The psychological impact was assessed using the validated Arabic version of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 Item questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS software. The Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used as appropriate. A chi-squared test was used to compare the proportions between the sociodemographic data and logistic regression analysis to identify variables associated with the student's responses. RESULTS: The internal consistency of the scale was excellent (0.954). A total of 697 dental students participated voluntarily in the study; their mean age was 21.76 ± 1.859 years, and 54.7% were female. The majority (96.1%) were single, and 69.4% lived in a household of > 5 persons. Significant differences in mental health outcomes were evident for gender, university, and survey time. Elevated levels of depression, anxiety, and stress were recorded among 60.64%, 37.02%, and 34.92%, respectively, of the students. Females, students who lived alone, and junior students were more likely to experience psychological problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of elevated levels of depression, anxiety and stress among dental students highlights the need for psychological empowerment strategies involving institutional counseling services.