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Background: The invisibility of the transgender population within official records, combined with other socio‐economic factors, impacts oral health status among transgender people. Hence, our systematic review and meta‐analysis aim to generate a pooled estimate of the oral health status of the transgender community in India. Material and methods: A systematic search was performed across four databases. The studies included a quantitative research design conducted in India and involved self‐identified transgender individuals. The pooled prevalence was determined at a 95% confidence interval (CI). Q‐statistics and the I2 test were utilized to evaluate the source of heterogeneity. Leave‐one‐out analysis and Baujat plots were used to detect outliers within the studies. A Doi plot and LFK index were employed to assess the publication bias. Results: A total of 12 studies comprising 1566 transgender participants were included. The pooled prevalence of toothbrush use among transgenders in India was found at 83% (95% CI: 0.73–0.91), smoking = 12% (CI: 0.03–0.26), smokeless tobacco = 53% (CI = 0.38–0.68), dental caries = 78% (CI: 67%–88%), calculus = 65% (CI: 0.4–0.86), and bleeding 18% (CI:0.08–0.32). Conclusion: Oral health disparities among Indian transgender individuals are evident in the low toothbrush usage, an elevated prevalence of tobacco use, and dental disorders such as calculus, cavities, and bleeding. Tailored dental health programs that include inclusive healthcare services and awareness are essential. Prospero registration: CRD42023468872 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The adoption and successful implementation of digital health solutions heavily depend on digital health literacy, which is particularly critical in the current COVID-19 era. Low levels of digital health literacy are associated with poor preventative practices, the spread of inaccurate information, vaccine hesitancy, and reduced subjective well-being. Thus, the aim of this review was to highlight areas of current scholarly interest and identify any gaps in the literature regarding conceptual and methodological advancements in digital disruption. Methods: The authors conducted a literature search using the databases Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar, focusing on papers released between 2003 and October 2023. The following keywords were used to conduct a thorough literature search: ((digital health OR digital disruption OR digital dental health)) AND (medical health OR telemedicine)), ((online doctor OR online consultation OR online health app)) AND (COVID-19 OR pandemic)). A total of 1,244 studies were screened, including duplicates and non-English research. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 72 articles were selected for the review. Results: A total of 72 articles were included in this review. The studies discussed the potential reasons for disrupted access to healthcare, which is linked to avoidable hospital admissions. Delayed care due to disruptions can lead to disease progression, the exacerbation of existing conditions, and chronic ambulatory care-sensitive conditions. Digital health innovations were presented as solutions to enhance care, reduce clinical workload, and promote independent living. Conclusions: In conclusion, this narrative review provides a comprehensive overview of the conceptual and methodological advancements in digital technology related to healthcare. It demonstrates the potential of digital technology to revolutionize both medical and dental education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Dental caries is largely preventable, yet an important global health issue. Numerous systematic reviews have summarized the efficacy of artificial intelligence (AI) models for the diagnosis and detection of dental caries. Therefore, this umbrella review aimed to synthesize the results of systematic reviews on the application and effectiveness of AI models in diagnosing and detecting dental caries. Methods: MEDLINE/PubMed, IEEE Explore, Embase, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched to retrieve studies. Two authors independently screened the articles based on eligibility criteria and then, appraised the included articles. The findings are summarized in tabulation form and discussed using the narrative method. Result: A total of 1249 entries were identified out of which 7 were finally included. The most often employed AI algorithms were the multilayer perceptron, support vector machine (SVM), and neural networks. The algorithms were built to perform the segmentation, classification, caries detection, diagnosis, and caries prediction from several sources, including periapical radiographs, panoramic radiographs, smartphone images, bitewing radiographs, near‐infrared light transillumination images, and so forth. Convoluted neural networks (CNN) demonstrated high sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve in the caries detection, segmentation, and classification tests. Notably, AI in conjunction with periapical and panoramic radiography images yielded better accuracy in detecting and diagnosing dental caries. Conclusion: AI models, especially convolutional neural network (CNN)‐based models, have an enormous amount of potential for accurate, objective dental caries diagnosis and detection. However, ethical considerations and cautious adoption remain critical to its successful integration into routine practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Key Clinical Message: The main objective of root canal therapy is to locate all the canals, cleaning, and shaping, and obturation to obtain fluid tight seal and to heal the periapical lesion if present. The proper cleaning, shaping, and disinfection of the pulp chambers, as well as the filling of the canals, are critical to the efficacy of treatment with root canals. The success of an endodontically treated tooth is dependent on the accuracy of the diagnosis, disinfection, cleaning and shaping, obturation, and finally, the prosthetic rehabilitation management. Root canal therapy should provide a hermatic as well as fluid impenetrable seal which prevents the progression of periapical infection. There are two ways to treat such lesions: surgical and nonsurgical methods. If the root canal is cleaned, shaped, and sealed properly and adequately without the use of a surgical procedure, these lesions will recover during nonsurgical root canal therapy. This case series focuses primarily on the nonsurgical treatment of an enormous periapical lesion and provides evidence that these lesions respond well without surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives A comparable performance between bulk-fill composites (BFCs) and progressively inserted conventional resin composite (CRC) has been observed in previous studies. However, a significant number of dental institutions in India continue to employ incremental techniques for RC restorations during preclinical studies. But as BFCs are gaining popularity, they may soon be a part of the curriculum for dental students. The aim of this study was to assess the microhardness and the polymerization efficiency of bulk-fill composites versus CRC in class II slot preparations restored by second-year dental students on ivorine mandibular first molar teeth with high-intensity (HI) and low-intensity (LI) light-curing units using the standard mesial slot preparation technique. Material and Methods Fifty preclinical dental students of second year of a dental college were recruited for the study on a voluntary basis. During their preclinical instructions, all participants were taught and made to practice the handling and curing techniques for two-surface RC restorations for 4 months. Each student was asked to perform four RC restorations: CRC-HI, CRC-LI, BFC-HI, and BFC LI. Assessment of microhardness was done using the Vickers microhardness (VMH) test. Statistical analysis One-way and multivariate analysis of variance and Bonferroni 's post hoc test tests were used for data analysis. Results The results showed a significant decrease in the VMH readings in the horizontal axis, progressing from the uppermost to the lowermost positions (p > 0.05). In all the examined groups, the VMH values at the deepest reading locations were found to be higher than 80% of the values observed at the occlusal surface reading locations. Statistically significant associations were seen between the RC type and the light source used in the VMH readings conducted (p > 0.05). However, no significant correlation was identified between the type of light source and the vertical VMH readings (p > 0.05). Conclusion Instructing dental students to place RC restorations using CRC or BFC materials together with both HI and LI light-curing protocols is safe and can be considered for preclinical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halitosis, commonly known as oral malodor, is a multifactorial health concern that significantly impacts the psychological and social well-being of individuals. It is the third most frequent reason for individuals to seek dental treatment, after dental caries and periodontal diseases. For an in-depth exploration of the topic of halitosis, an extensive literature review was conducted. The review focused on articles published in peer-reviewed journals and only those written in the English language were considered. The search for relevant literature began by employing subject headings such as 'halitosis, oral malodor, volatile sulfur compounds, artificial intelligence, and olfaction' in databases such as PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and EMBASE. Additionally, a thorough hand search of references was conducted to ensure the comprehensiveness of the review. After amalgamating the search outcomes, a comprehensive analysis revealed the existence of precisely 134 full-text articles that bore relevance to the study. Abstracts and editorial letters were excluded from this study, and almost 50% of the full-text articles were deemed immaterial to dental practice. Out of the remaining articles, precisely 54 full-text articles were employed in this review. As primary healthcare providers, dentists are responsible for diagnosing and treating oral issues that may contribute to the development of halitosis. To effectively manage this condition, dentists must educate their patients about the underlying causes of halitosis, as well as proper oral hygiene practices such as tongue cleaning, flossing, and selecting appropriate mouthwash and toothpaste. This narrative review summarises all possible AI olfaction in halitosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of oral health for overall health makes it critical to establish proper oral hygiene practices in children early on. The traditional approaches to teaching children about dental health may not be successful since they may not be able to keep their interest. Metaverse technology offers a promising alternative, allowing for the design of engaging and immersive worlds that can effectively educate children about oral health. Despite the growing interest in the use of metaverse technology in healthcare, there is a lack of comprehensive reviews on its potential for oral health promotion in children. This review aims to fill this gap by providing an overview of the current state of metaverse-based oral health promotion for children, discussing its benefits and challenges, and highlighting its potential for improving children's oral health. By conducting this review, the authors hope to provide new information on the potential of metaverse-based oral health promotion for children and to contribute to the ongoing discussion on the use of metaverse technology in healthcare. This review may also provide valuable insights for dental organizations and practitioners interested in using metaverse technology to promote oral health and healthy living among children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adipokine is a huge family of cytokines which are cell-signaling proteins secreted by adipose tissue released by white adipose tissue (WAT), and adipolin (FAM132A/CTRP12 gene) is the newest member added to the adipokine family. This research marks the first attempt to estimate and compare the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum levels of adipolin in healthy subjects and periodontitis patients with and without type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: The study population consisted of 10 patients each with healthy subjects and periodontitis with and without T2DM. GCF and serum samples were collected from each patient before non-surgical periodontal therapy. All the samples underwent an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test with an antibody specific to adipolin. Results: The mean GCF and serum adipolin levels were high in Groups I and III compared with Groups II and IV. Comparison of adipolin levels between the groups showed no statistically significant difference either in GCF (p = 0.68) or serum (p = 0.85). The comparison between GCF and serum adipolin levels in Group IV showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.031). The mean values showed a decrease in adipolin values as the disease rate progressed. A negative correlation was seen in serum and GCF adipolin with HbA1C. Conclusion: As the GCF and serum concentration of adipolin show a gradual positive relation with disease severity, within the limitations of the current study, it can be postulated adipolin could be a possible anti-inflammatory biomarker of periodontal disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the advances in electrochemical biosensors for the detection of common oral cancers. Oral cancer is a significant health risk, particularly in resource-poor countries, and early diagnosis is crucial for improving patient outcomes. Electrochemical biosensors have emerged as promising devices for point-of-care testing, as they can identify biomarkers associated with oral cancer, such as DNA mutations and specific metabolites, using electrochemical processes. These biosensors can be classified into three types: DNA biosensors, RNA biosensors, and protein biosensors, each focusing on specific biomarkers. While electrochemical biosensors have great potential, there are challenges that need to be addressed, such as standardization, integration into clinical procedures, and mass production. However, with continued developments, electrochemical biosensors have the potential to become important tools in clinical settings for early and accurate oral cancer diagnosis. [Extracted from the article]

Resveratrol is a polyphenolic phytoalexin, whose main natural sources are red grapes, red wine, berries, and peanuts. When applied to the skin, resveratrol evidences a good penetrating capacity and low degradation compared to the oral route, allowing for a longer and improved topical effect. This bioactive molecule has been gaining interest in dermo-pharmacy and cosmetics for the prevention and treatment of skin alterations. Its inherent meritorious biomedical potentials, including anti-aging, photoprotective, estrogen-like, skin-whitening, anti-acne, wound healing, anti-scarring, antimicrobial, and anti-skin cancer properties are the most evident. However, resveratrol evidences stability hurdles, becoming an unstable molecule when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Several technological strategies have been developed to improve its stability, efficacy, and safety. We have described the main topical properties of resveratrol, and the involved mechanisms of action, and a great focus was placed on the technological strategies for the efficient application of resveratrol in dermatological and cosmetic formulations, including nanotechnology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hesitancy about receiving vaccines has been deemed a global danger to public health by WHO. The sociocultural backgrounds of the people have an impact on vaccine acceptance. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of sociodemographic factors on COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy as well as to identify the factors that contributed to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the primary variables causing COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy among residents of Pune. The general population was sampled through simple random sampling. The minimum sample size was determined to be 1246. The questionnaire inquired about the individuals' sociodemographic information, vaccination status, and reasons for vaccine hesitancy. Results: In total, there were 5381 subjects, 1669 of whom were unvaccinated and 3712 of whom were partially vaccinated. Fear of adverse effects (51.71%), fear of losing a few days of work (43.02%), and inability to secure a vaccine slot online (33.01%) were the most frequently cited reasons. An older population (>60 years, p = 0.004), males (p = 0.032), those who were literate (p = 0.011), those of lower middle socioeconomic status (p = 0.001), and smokers were significantly associated with fear and mistrust of the COVID-19 vaccine, while mistrust of the vaccine was greatest among individuals from the upper and lower middle classes (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Vaccine hesitancy due to concerns about the side effects and long-term complications was prevalent among the elderly, males, those from the lower middle class, and smokers. This study emphasizes the importance of communicating effectively about the vaccine's efficacy, its distribution, and vaccination sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the results of the studies that have compared the physical and mechanical properties of lithium disilicate (LDS) endocrowns constructed for posterior teeth to those retained by post-and-core retention systems. The review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. The electronic search process was conducted on PubMed-Medline, Scopus, Embase and ISI Web of Knowledge (WoS) from the earliest available date till 31 January 2023. Additionally, the studies were assessed for their overall quality and risk of bias using the Quality Assessment Tool For In Vitro Studies (the QUIN). The initial search resulted in 291 articles, out of which, only 10 studies met the eligibility criteria. In all studies LDS endocrowns were compared with various kinds of endodontic posts and crowns made from other materials. There were no definite pattern or trends observed in the fracture strengths of tested specimens. There was no predilection observed in failure patters among the experimental specimens. No predilection was observed in the fracture strengths of LDS endocrowns when compared to post-and-core crowns. Furthermore, no differences in failure patterns could be observed when both types of restorations were compared. The authors propose standardized testing of endocrowns against post-and-core crowns in future studies. In conclusion, long-term clinical trials are advocated to compare the survival, failure and complication rates of LDS endocrowns and post-and-core restorations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alveolar bone and gingiva are components of the periodontium that house the tooth. It constantly adapts itself to the masticatory forces and position of the tooth. However, localized diseases like chronic periodontitis and certain systemic diseases destroy periodontal tissues, which include the alveolar bone. Various pharmacological agents are being explored for their pleiotropic properties to combat the destruction of alveolar bone. This review focuses on the role of pharmacological agents in alveolar bone regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Healthcare is an imperative sector for India, considering the huge population in the country and the sub-par health facilities available to a majority of the country’s people. In this scenario, and given the havoc wreaked by the COVID-19 pandemic, owing to India’s lack of optimal healthcare infrastructure, a large part of the healthcare industry expected that India’s Union Budget 2023 would provide significant outlays for the sector. However, with the budgetary outlay for healthcare coming in at the 10th position from the top, this hope was severely dashed, leading to questions about the country’s interest in providing healthcare facilities to its people. This article discusses the various facets of the Union Budget, and the lack of focus on healthcare, while also delineating the reasons why budgetary focus on healthcare is imperative for a developing country like India. It has also brought forth potential solutions, such as a public–private partnership in healthcare, which could ensure increased access to healthcare, improved quality of healthcare, reduced costs, and enhanced innovation and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internal iliac artery ligation is a highly effective method of stemming blood loss whose use needs to be judicious and specific in the field of obstetrics. In this case a 35-year-old, primigravida at 38 weeks gestation was referred for gestational hypertension with thrombocytopenia and large subserosal fibroid occupying lower uterine segment. Patient underwent caesarean section which was complicated by postpartum haemorrhage. Bilateral internal iliac artery ligation was performed following which caesarean myomectomy was conducted. The patient remained uneventful post-procedure. Follow-up was done at six weeks and six months. At the 6-month sonographic checkup, no fibroid was seen, the patient was asymptomatic, and no new complications were present. The procedure was an effective life and uterus saving method to control obstetric haemorrhage as well as removing the myoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nano-formulated drugs have the potential to revolutionize the treatment of oral carcinomas. These drugs, which utilize nanoparticles, offer targeted delivery of medications, increased therapeutic effectiveness, and reduced side effects. However, there are challenges that need to be addressed, such as long-term impact, biocompatibility, and scaling up production. Clinical trials are needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of nano-formulated drugs in oral cancer patients. Overall, nano-formulated drugs hold promise for more effective and personalized approaches to oral cancer treatment. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the potential benefits and challenges of using artificial intelligence (AI) neural networks in the field of oral pathology. Neural networks, a type of AI algorithm inspired by the human brain, have the ability to analyze large and complex datasets to detect patterns and make accurate diagnoses. They can identify subtle nuances and traits that human pathologists may miss, leading to improved diagnostic accuracy and early intervention. However, integrating neural networks into oral pathology faces challenges such as the need for large and diverse datasets, the lack of interpretability of neural network judgments, and ethical and legal concerns. Despite these challenges, the future of neural networks in oral pathology shows promise for improving patient care and outcomes. [Extracted from the article]

Nanomaterials use in cosmetics is markedly enhancing, so their exposure and toxicity are important parameters to consider for their risk assessment. This review article provides an overview of the active cosmetic ingredients used for cosmetic application, including dermal cosmetics and also hair dye cosmetics, as well as their safety assessment, enriched with a compilation of the safety assessment tests available to evaluate the different types of toxicity. In fact, despite the increase in research and the number of papers published in the field of nanotechnology, the related safety assessment is still insufficient. To elucidate the possible effects that nanosized particles can have on living systems, more studies reproducing similar conditions to what happens in vivo should be conducted, particularly considering the complex interactions of the biological systems and active cosmetic ingredients to achieve newer, safer, and more efficient nanomaterials. Toward this end, ecological issues and the toxicological pattern should also be a study target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The felicitous electrolyte with advance electrodes (cathode and anode) results in the development of an improved and efficacious battery/fuel cell. Perovskite based zinc‐air batteries with biological gel electrolyte prove to outperform the aqueous batteries. In this research, a zinc‐air battery was developed using a novel biocompatible electrolyte, Guar‐gum employing LaMnO3 (LMO) perovskite as a bi‐functional electro‐catalyst. The performance of the developed perovskite catalyst in guar‐gum electrolyte was obtained and compared with the performance of the material in both polymer gel (polyvinyl alcohol‐KOH) and aqueous medium. The bi‐functional catalyst shows enhanced catalytic activity, endurance and durability in alkaline medium with an open circuit voltage of 1.40 V, power density of 9.77 mW cm−2 at the current density of 11.12 mA cm−2 and a specific capacity of 2624 mAh g−1 comparatively competent with respect to the PVA‐based battery with the specific capacitance of 753 mAh g−1. Also, the rechargeable LMO zinc‐air battery exhibited excellent cycling stability at a current density of 10 mA cm−2. Thus, the results obtained proved the competent performance of the guar‐gum electrolyte compared to the previous developed polymer electrolyte. This is how the combination of LMO in the guar‐gum electrolyte is seen to be successful for commercial use in metal‐air batteries and fuel cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]