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Objectives The psychological and physiological distress and social isolation could adversely affect sleep. As sleep disturbances may persist and deteriorate health, it is important to assess prevalence and related factors of sleep disturbances among the residents of Karnataka state during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Methods In this study, 250 responders across the state of Karnataka accessed the survey voluntarily during September 2021 and January 2022. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Insomnia Severity Index scales, features that are related to sleep quality, and some hypothesized risk factors of sleep disturbances in context of COVID-19 infection are employed to format a self-reported questionnaire. Results In this study, females 27(19.1%) experienced more sleep disturbances than males 9 (8.3%). The study revealed the participants who received both the doses of vaccination (126; 54.3%) had better sleep. The participants who reported themselves to be stressed (182; 72.8%) had more disturbances in sleep. A total number of 45 participants (18.4%) experienced difficulty in breathing and out of all the responders 11 (47.8%) were actually worried about their current sleep problem. Conclusion COVID-19 infection and changes imposed during the pandemic have led to a surge in individuals reporting sleep problems across the globe. The findings raise the need to screen for worsening sleep patterns to create more awareness about the secondary consequences of COVID-19 infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Asian nations, the spice curcuma longa (often known as turmeric) is utilised in traditional medicine. Curcumin, which is the most active component, has a lot of therapeutic potential. Turmeric, a rhizome of the Curcuma longa plant, is a more palatable and practical alternative for the average person. It has been proven to have hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, antibacterial, and antimutagenic effects. These characteristics make it highly valuable in dentistry, particularly for the treatment of periodontal disease and oral cancer. It aids in the local delivery of medication when used in the gel form. Additionally, it can be utilised in various mouthwash formulations, subgingival irrigants, and pit and fissure sealants. This article looks at its medical uses in dentistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A plethora of changes in the concept and the techniques in dental sciences and an increase in patient awareness have spawned demand in advanced dental treatment encompassing elimination of disease with more precision and less discomfort. The use of magnification systems like microscopes is widespread in the medical field, and now it has successfully spread its wings in dentistry. Visual enhancement by using loupes or surgical microscopes can render refinement in the basic surgical procedures. Magnification periodontics refers to the wide range of procedures performed by the use of magnification systems like loupes and microscopes that allow convergence of ideas and efforts, which can make a huge impact on patients. Periodontal procedures are being increasingly performed nowadays that have enabled enhanced outcomes, which were difficult to achieve with the macrosurgery procedures when wound healing and tissue trauma are in consideration. The surgical operating microscope works within the microsurgical triad that includes illumination increased precision and magnification. The incorporation of smaller instruments and sutures and better visualization of the operating site enhance the surgical skills of the clinician. In the past decade, various periodontal procedures from the removal of calculus to the placement of dental implants have been performed using the surgical microscope, which have invariably provided favorable results. It is a topic of interest in the future of periodontal therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral disease represents a major concern among all populations. Despite great efforts that have been made in the past few decades to overcome these diseases; a large part of the world population still suffers from oral diseases which are considered a major reason for the loss of a tooth. Different bacterial species colonizes the oral cavity, some of the bacteria are found to be associated with the cause of one of the most common disease called periodontitis. The infectious nature of periodontopathogens has been studied extensively. Currently, treatment of various oral diseases includes supragingival as well as subgingival debridement, root canal treatment and in severe cases, extraction along with antibiotic therapy to help achieve a pathogen-free environment. Continued research and development in the field of dentistry have brought new approaches in treatment modalities. The use of ozone is one of the latest therapies that has gained the interest of researchers in thepast few decades. Ozone is a pale blue colour gas and is the natural constituent of the atmospheric layer of Earth. It is a modern pharmacological approach that is biocompatible and has shown its effectiveness against bacteria (gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria), viruses, and fungi. The beneficial biological effect of ozone has made its usage at all stages of disease propitious. The explication of the mechanism of ozone at the molecular level has proved to be beneficial in different medical and dental treatments. The use of ozone in clinical practice can be advantageous to the patient in terms of pain relief and treatment time. Therefore, this article briefly reviews the chemical nature of ozone, its therapeutic uses, and the benefits it can provide in the treatment of various oral diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), a second-generation platelet concentrate, comprises a fibrin matrix containing numerous growth factors. These growth factors are involved with the cells responsible for the processes of tissue repair, regeneration, and growth. The applications of PRF have surpassed those of other platelet concentrates such as platelet-rich plasma due to the ease and economical method of its preparation, as well the elimination of the need for supplemental exogenous compounds like bovine thrombin and calcium chloride during preparation. This brief communication highlights the applications of PRF in dentistry and medicine and focuses on its preparation method, as it involves low risks and satisfactory results with minimally invasive techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes mellitus is a common systemic disease whose incidence is currently rising in our contemporary world. In recent years, it has been well-known that chronic periodontitis is listed as an important segment of the complications of diabetes mellitus. Along with chronic periodontitis several other oral manifestations such as increased incidence of dental caries, aphthous ulcers, xerostomia, burning mouth syndrome, etc. It has also been seen that those with diabetes mellitus are more prone to such oral conditions when compared to healthy individuals. Awareness regarding the bidirectional relationship between diabetes mellitus and general oral health, which is bidirectional in nature has shown to be unsatisfactory among the general public and those with diabetes whereas there is satisfactory awareness among physicians and dental practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Surgical lasers have been used in periodontal therapy. The anti-pain mechanism of low-level laser is not yet clear however, numerous studies have pointed out the physiological changes from light interference with various cells as the cause. Low-level laser can also modify the inflammatory process in a dose-related mechanism; and thus, it can reduce the inflammatory pain.2 Methodology: A sample of 10 systemically healthy subjects aged 30-60 years diagnosed with chronic periodontitis having a probing pocket depth ≥5mm and clinical attachment loss ≥4mm bilaterally in the region of the maxillary first premolar, second premolar and first molar were recruited from the out-patient, Department of Periodontics, A.B.Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences. The subjects were blinded as to which surgical site received the laser therapy following conventional periodontal flap surgery (Test Group). The subjects were recalled one week after scaling and root planing for the periodontal flap surgery. At the baseline visit, the contralateral surgical sites were randomly assigned to the control group or the test groups using a coin-flip. In the test group, following the removal of soft deposits through scaling and root planing, the laser probe of 0.8W CW diode was used in a light contact, sweeping mode to cover the entire inner surface of the flap. Ablation was carried out from base of the flap to its coronal portion. Results-Median pain score did not differ significantly between the test and the control at 0 day, 1day, 2day and 5 day (P>0.05),day7 (P=0.087). Friedman test showed overall there was significant difference in pain score from o day to day7 test. Pain score differs significantly from day 0 to day7 (P<0.05), day1 to day7 (P<0.05), day2 to day7 (P<0.05) except day5 to day7 (P>0.05) within test group. Conclusion-Lasers currently have a variety of uses in dentistry, although low-level lasers have been found beneficial in reducing the pain response after periodontal surgery in present study, but studies with larger sample are required to see significant association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background-Recent studies indicate that there is more than a causal relationship between serum lipid level, systemic health, and infectious oral disease like periodontitis. Periodontal disease is a destructive inflammatory disease inducing catabolic state characterized by altered lipid metabolism and hypertriglyceridemia. Objective-The aim of present study was to investigate the association between periodontal status, cholesterol levels and Body Mass Index in normal and obese group. Material & Method: A sample of 60 subjects; 30 subjects with normal BMI and 30 subjects with obese BMI with an age range of 30 to 65 years were included in the study. After clinical measurement of periodontium was done the serum samples of the both groups were drawn to estimate levels of High-density Lipoprotein, Low-density Lipoprotein, and Triglycerides. Results-There was no statistically significant association observed in relation to Mean age, LDL and HDL cholesterols and TG in subjects with healthy periodontium and periodontitis (p>0.05). Our study did not find significant association between periodontal status, normal and obese body mass index. Conclusions: In our study, we did not observe, significant association between the periodontal status, cholesterol levels and body mass Index in normal and obese group [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Preeclampsia is a challenging disease of human pregnancy that affects the mother and her foetus. It is a common obstetric syndrome of undefined aetiology affecting 7-10% of pregnant women. This study aimed to investigate the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, malondialdehyde levels, uric acid, vitamin C, and vitamin E levels in serum and saliva of preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women with and without periodontitis. Methods: Sixty pregnant women, divided into four groups, preeclamptic women with and without periodontitis, and normotensive pregnant women with and without periodontitis, were recruited between 26 and 36 weeks of gestation from the Outpatient Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, KS Hedge Hospital, Mangalore. Pocket depth, clinical attachment loss, and gingival index were measured in all subjects. Saliva and serum levels of TAC, SOD, and GPx activities, malondialdehyde levels, vitamin C, vitamin E, uric acid were determined using spectrophotometer. Results: Comparison of sociodemographic variables among the study groups showed no significant differences. Salivary malondialdehyde levels were highest ( p = 0.025), levels of antioxidants vitamin C ( p = 0.027) and uric acid ( p = 0.013) being significantly lower in preeclamptic women with periodontitis. This group also had significantly lower serum levels of vitamin C ( p = 0.041) and SOD ( p = 0.004). Conclusions: The results of our study show that periodontal disease may be potential risk factor for severity, progression, and even initiation of preeclampsia because of reduced antioxidant capacity or increased oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background-Oral hygiene is highly personalised concept and major public health concern that relies on an individual's culture and socio-economic status. Hence, it is imperative that health services should be made available to all rural/semi urban areas as well. Thus it is important to create awareness through various public health programs regarding oral hygiene and its effects on general health in order to change the total perspective of the patients towards dental problems to lead a healthy quality life. Objective-Thus the aim of this study is to assess the oral hygiene awareness and their knowledge on different oral hygiene practices. Materials and Methods- A total of 369 patients participated in the study. The patients were interviewed on questionnaire basis. A self-reported questionnaire consisting of 26 multiple choice questions written in English were given to the patients. Statistical analysis-Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage was used to assess the oral health awareness and oral hygiene practice among the subjects who are attending A.B Shetty Memorial Institute Of Dental Sciences, Derlakatte, Mangalore. Results- The result of this study showed an acute lack of oral hygiene awareness and limited knowledge of oral hygiene practices. Most of the patients were not aware of the relationship between systemic and general health. Conclusion- Hence there is an urgent need to educate and motivate the patients for better oral hygiene awareness and practisesand conduct various health programsforthesame. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human being ingests a large number of livingmicroorganisms, predominantly bacteria. Although these organisms are naturally present ( 1) in food and water, they can also be deliberately added during the processing of foods . For several decades now, bacteria called Probiotics have been added to some foods because of their beneficial effects on human health. Several clinical studies have already demonstrated the effectiveness of certain probiotics in the treatment of systemic and infectious disease such as diarrhea, crohns (2) disease, cardiovascular diseases, oropharyngeal infections and cancers . Potential application of probiotics for oral health has recently attracted attention of several teams of researchers. The concept of probiotics therapy has been considered for application in oral health. Dental caries, periodontal diseases and halitosis are among the oral disorders that have been targeted.Hence, this section gives a brief idea of probiotics and its application in oral health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To assess the outcomes of drug therapy (DT) followed by pancreatic endotherapy for continuing painful episodes in recurrent acute pancreatitis., Methods: DT comprised of pancreatic enzymes and anti-oxidants failing which, endotherapy (ET; pancreatic sphincterotomy and stent placement) was done. The frequency of pain, its visual analogue score (VAS), quality of life (QoL), serum C peptide and faecal elastase were compared between baseline and after 1 year of follow up in all patients and in the two subgroups on DT and ET. Response was defined as at least 50% reduction in the severity of pain to below a score of 5., Results: Of the thirty nine patients analysed, 21 (53.9%) responded to DT and 18 (46.1%) underwent ET. The VAS for pain (7.0 ± 2.0 vs 1.3 ± 2.5, P < 0.001) and the number of days with pain per month decreased [1.0 (1.0, 2.0) vs 1.0 (0.0, 1.0), P < 0.001], and the QoL scores [55.0 (44.0, 66.0) vs 38.0 (32.00, 51.00), P < 0.01] improved significantly during follow up. Similar significant improvements were seen in patients in the subgroups of DT and ET except for QoL in ET. The serum C-peptide ( P = 0.001) and FE ( P < 0.001) levels improved significantly in the entire group and in the two subgroups of patients except for the C peptide levels in patients on DT., Conclusion: A standardised protocol of DT, followed by ET decreased the intensity and frequency of pain in recurrent acute pancreatitis, enhanced QoL and improved pancreatic function., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.