Acceptability and effect of ShishuPoshan mHealth application on knowledge, attitudes and practice of breastfeeding among primi mothers availing postnatal care at a rural tertiary hospital.

Introduction: ShishuPoshan is a free Android application for mothers that provides scientific guidance on breastfeeding and baby care issues in the local language. We aimed to assess its effect and acceptability in primi mothers in a rural area of Maharashtra, India. Material and Methods: A before and after study was conducted in 50 primi mothers to study the acceptability and effect of ShishuPoshan mHealth application on knowledge, attitude and practice about breastfeeding in primi mothers in a rural tertiary care hospital. Results: Most participants (84%) downloaded the application, and 60% used it regularly. Major reason for not using the app was discomfort with mobile phone (7%) and not having anyone to read the content in the house (7%). The application was easy to use by 48%, and 10% did not find time to use it. Enablers were regional language, easy-to-understand content, simple interface, and frequently asked question (FAQ) format to give information. Barriers to adoption were that women preferred tips from family members, were uncomfortable with mobile phones, and did not have anyone to help them use them. Conclusion: It successfully delivered key messages like exclusive breastfeeding, colostrum use, proper maternal nutrition, and demand to feed, but it needs to further emphasise early initiation of feeding. Incorporation of feedback like adding videos, myth busters, and making app more interactive may further improve its effectiveness. mHealth interventions like ShishuPoshan are promising modalities for the dissemination of appropriate information.

A comparative study of demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft alone and with 1% metformin in the treatment of intrabony defects in patients with chronic periodontitis: A randomized clinical trial.

Background: Periodontal disease is ubiquitous and its treatment requires a detailed treatment plan. Biomaterials are often used along with demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA) for periodontal regeneration. One percent metformin has evolved as a regeneration material. This study was initiated to assess and compare the regenerative potential of DFDBA alone and with 1% metformin in the treatment of intrabony defects in subjects with chronic periodontitis. Materials and Methods: 20 sites with intrabony defects were diagnosed of which 10 were assigned to Group A (1% Metformin + DFDBA) and 10 to Group B (DFDBA alone). Clinical parameters were measured at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months postoperatively, whereas radiographic parameters were measured at baseline and 9 months postoperatively, and data were statistically analyzed. Results: Both the groups showed a statistically significant improvement in probing pocket depth and relative attachment level at 9 months. Radiographically, a statistically significant reduction in defect depth was seen in both the groups at 9 months. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups as far as crestal bone loss is concerned. No statistically significant difference was seen for clinical and radiographic parameters between the test and control groups. Conclusions: The addition of 1% metformin to DFDBA did not have any additional benefits in the treatment of subjects with defects which are intrabony.

Evaluation of the efficacy of sticky bone and concentrated growth factor membrane along with a coronally advanced flap as compared to coronally advanced flap alone in the treatment of Miller's Class I and Class II gingival recession defects.

Context: Gingival recessions are commonly seen in the dentally cognizant population as well as those with limited access to dental attention. When root coverage is planned, the ultimate goal is to obtain complete root coverage, thus restoring the lost gingival unit covering the root. Aims: To determine the efficacy of sticky bone and concentrated growth factor (CGF) membrane along with a coronally advanced flap (CAF) as compared to CAF alone in treating Miller's Class I and Class II gingival recessions (Cairo RT1). Settings and Design: The current study was a randomized double-blind controlled trial on 15 subjects using a split-mouth design. Materials and Methods: Fifteen subjects who were systemically healthy and had recession sites (30 sites) were randomly assigned to two groups: Group A (test group = CAF + CGF + sticky bone) and Group B (control group = CAF alone). Clinical outcome was assessed with parameters such as recession depth, recession width, keratinized gingival width, gingival mucosal thickness, and relative attachment level (RAL), and these were assessed at baseline and 1, 3, and 6 months. Results: A distinct improvement was observed in the depth and width of recession, RAL, keratinized gingival width, and mucosal thickness of the gingiva in the two groups from baseline to 6 months. Statistical significance was not seen on intergroup comparisons. Conclusions: Thus, clinical outcomes revealed noticeable improvement for both the groups. However, statistically, the efficacy of CGF and sticky bone was not perceived to be superior to that of CAF alone.

Comparative study using autologous platelet-rich fibrin and titanium prepared platelet-rich fibrin in the treatment of infrabony defects: An in vitro and in vivo study.

BACKGROUND: The platelet concentrates had been pioneered to be used in regenerative medicine since above a decade. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To compare the autologous platelet rich fibrin (PRF) and titanium prepared platelet rich fibrin (T-PRF) in the treatment of infrabony defects, clinically and radiographically and to compare the histologic difference between PRF and T-PRF by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study is a split mouth randomised controlled trial study in which 20 sites were selected and randomly assigned equally into 10 sites each in group A [Test group=T-PRF] and group B [Control group=PRF]. Clinical parameters were evaluated at baseline,3 months and 9 months. Radiographic parameters were evaluated at baseline and 9 months. Histologic differences between light microscopy and SEM for both PRF and T-PRF was studied after sequential processing. RESULTS: There was marked reduction in Probing Pocket depth and gain in Clinical Attachment Level in both the T-PRF and PRF groups from baseline to 9 months in intragroup comparisons. However, on intergroup comparisons, no statistical significance was seen. Radiographically, mean defect depths for both the groups showed statistically significant reduction from baseline values to 9 months on intragroup comparisons but not on intergroup comparisons. In-vitro evaluation, on both light and scanning electron microscopy, T-PRF showed denser fibril meshwork as compared to PRF. CONCLUSION: The clinical parameters and radiographic outcomes showed marked improvement at 9 months with both PRF and T-PRF in the treatment of infrabony defects from baseline values in intragroup comparison. However, statistically efficacy of T-PRF was not seen to be superior to that of PRF both clinically and radiographically. Histologic evaluation showed T-PRF had denser fibrils as compared to PRF in both light and scanning electron microscopy.