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Introduction: Kidney transplantation is the preferred treatment for end-stage kidney disease, offering improved outcomes compared to dialysis. However, factors such as immunological rejection, drug toxicity, and infections limit its success. Incorporating protocol biopsies (PBs) into standard care for kidney transplant recipients varies widely. This study aims to review the literature on the practice, histopathological findings, and benefits of performing PB on allograft function. Materials and Methods: A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, ScienceDirect, and other databases from 2000 to 2023. Studies describing findings of PBs within 2 years posttransplant were included. Data extraction covered study design, immunosuppression, biopsy timing, incidence of subclinical rejection (SCR), clinical rejection, and allograft function measures. Statistical analysis was performed using R and RevMan software. Results: Among 25 studies (3384 patients) included, 8 were randomized controlled studies. Protocol biopsy timing varied, with the highest number performed at 1 year (44.84%). The pooled incidence of SCR was 13%, with heterogeneity across estimates. Subgroup analysis did not reveal significant differences in SCR rates between high- and low-immunologic risk patients. Patients who underwent PBs had lower clinical rejection rates (12.64% vs. 20.17%) and better allograft function. Incidence of calcineurin inhibitor toxicity ranged from 1.2% to 63.4%, and BK virus nephropathy ranged from 0% to 5.9% in included studies. Conclusion: Performing PB at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years posttransplant can reveal SCR and potentially improve long-term graft outcomes. Treatment of SCR may reduce clinical rejection episodes. However, further research, particularly comparing PB with noninvasive methods, is needed to better understand their efficacy and complications in the modern transplant landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic globally caused depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress. Mental health was affected by social separation, curfews, school and business closures, economic deterioration, and government objectives. This study intends to assess the influence of the post-COVID-19 lockdown period on the psychological health of students enrolled in health colleges at King Saud University, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among students of healthcare colleges at King Saud University. We used a validated questionnaire of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). The questionnaire was sent to participants via google forms link through WhatsApp, e-mail, and other social media platforms. A total of 311 participants responded to the questionnaire. Descriptive analysis and a Chi-square test were performed for qualitative data analysis. Results: Among study participants, males were 50.4% and females were 49.6%. About 63% of the students attended a training session on COVID-19 prevention strategies. About 37% of the participants were from the College of Medicine, 27% were from the College of Dentistry, 21% from the College of Pharmacy, 5% from the College of Applied Medical Sciences, and 10% from the College of Nursing. The average anxiety score was 9.84, and the perceived stress score (PSS) was 23.95. 44.1% of students reported mild anxiety, and 1.6% suffered severe anxiety. High stress was perceived by 24.1% of the students, and 75.2% perceived a moderate stress level. No significant association was reported between gender, stress, and anxiety. Similarly, no association was found between stress and the year of study. However, a significant association was found between the year of study and anxiety (P = 0.015). Conclusion: To the limitation of the study, the analysis revealed that COVID significantly influences students' psychological health. Such findings can be used to develop psychological interventions and susceptible populations and execute appropriate mental health policies and programs targeting student communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the radicular dentin defect during retreatment employed diverse NiTi hand and rotary retreatment file systems. Materials and Methods: Eighty mandibular premolars with a single root and root canal that were recently extracted were gathered and stored. The premolars were subject to decoronation at cementoenamel junction (CEJ) beneath irrigation with water to attain a uniform radicular length of 16 mm. Gutta-percha cones were covered with sealer and introduced into the root canal up to the working length. Eighty teeth were allocated at random into four groups with each group consisting of 20 samples. Group I: Control, Group II: EdgeFile XR retreatment rotary files, Group III: ProTaper Universal retreatment files, and Group IV: MTwo retreatment files. Under constant water cooling, the roots were cut flat with a diamond disc at apical third (3 mm), middle third (6 mm), and cervical third (9 mm) points. Stereomicroscope was employed to visualize the sections below × 20 magnification. Results: A statistically significant difference was noted among the groups with respect to the formation of radicular dentinal defects at 3 mm (P < 0.01) and 6 mm (P < 0.001), while the sections at 9 mm did not exhibit any statistically significant difference (P > 0.598). Conclusion: Despite the limitations in this study, it was concluded that all the evaluated file systems efficiently eliminated root canal filling during the retreatment. In addition, it was noted that the EdgeFile XR group exhibited fewer root dentin defects in comparison with the MTwo and ProTaper Universal group of files. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the implant stability in immediate implant placement using different bone grafting materials. Materials and Methods: Twelve patients (5 males, 7 females, range of 40-58 years) were included in the study. All patients were divided into two groups based on the graft material used. For Group 1, Xenograft bone grafting material was used, and for Group 2, Freeze-dried bone allograft was used. The patients were suggested to rinse with 0.2% chlorhexidine mouth wash for 1 min. Periotome was used for atraumatic tooth extraction, and necessary care was taken to avoid fracture of socket wall. The implant was placed with respective bone grafting materials. An Orthopantomogram (OPG) radiograph is taken at the day of the operation to serve as baseline data for the marginal bone level. Clinical and radiological parameters were evaluated at baseline, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months to assess the mean marginal bone level changes. Periotest was used for the measurement of implant stability. Results: The mean marginal bone level in Group 1 at baseline (13.58 ± 1.09), 3 months (12.64 ± 0.88), 6 months (12.02 ± 1.42), and 12 months (11.20 ± 1.26), respectively. In Group 2, the marginal bone level was at baseline (14.22 ± 0.26), 3 months (13.52 ± 1.28), 6 months (13.10 ± 0.32), and 12 months (12.12 ± 1.26), respectively. There was a statistically significant difference found in both the groups. Moreover, there was no statistically significant differences found between the groups at all the duration on intergroup comparison of the mean marginal bone level. The mean difference of implant stability in Group 1 the implant stability was 188.6 ± 22.5 and in Group 2 was 191.5 ± 18.2, and there was no statistically significant difference found between the groups. Conclusion: Both bone grafting materials used in the study showed improvement in implant stability and marginal bone levels after immediate placement of implant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study was undertaken to assess the association between periodontitis and metabolic syndrome. Materials and Methods: A case-control study was designed among 100 cases as patients with metabolic syndrome aged 35-74 years, and age- and sex-matched 100 controls as apparently healthy relatives or friends accompanying the cases visiting the diabetic outpatient department at Victoria Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, using convenience sampling method. Information related to diabetes, hypertension, and oral hygiene practices was collected. Periodontal health status was measured using community periodontal index. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed based on the criteria of National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used for analysis. Results: Significantly more number of cases had shallow pockets 4-5 mm, deep pockets ≥ 6 mm, and also more number of loss of attachment code 1, code 2, code 3, and code 4 compared to controls. Bivariate analysis showed significant association between metabolic syndrome and body mass index, smoking, and tobacco chewing. The association between periodontitis and metabolic syndrome was significant with increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome among the subjects with community periodontal index code 3 and code 4 (odds ratio [OR] = 17) and among the subjects having loss of attachment code 1, code 2, code 3, and code 4 (OR = 12). Association remained significant even after adjustment with other variables (adjusted OR = 6). Conclusion: This study showed significant association between periodontitis and metabolic syndrome. Further prospective and randomized control trials are recommended to assess causal association between these two diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of using the dental operating microscope (DOM) and ultrasonics for the detection of second mesiobuccal (MB2) canal orifice in maxillary first molars. Materials and Methods: Sixty subjects seeking root canal therapy for maxillary first molar were assessed for the presence of MB2 canal using endodontic explorer without magnification. Teeth in which the MB2 canal orifice could not be located were examined under magnification using DOM. If the MB2 canal orifice could not be found even after using DOM, ultrasonic tips were used to prepare 3-mm-long trough from the mesiobuccal canal orifice toward the palatal canal and examined under DOM for location of the canal. Results: With naked eye, the MB2 canal was located in 12 teeth; with the use of the DOM, the MB2 canal was located in 21 additional teeth; and with the combined use of ultrasonic tip and DOM, the MB2 canal was located in 9 more teeth. Statistical comparisons between the tested techniques were done by analyzing the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves; a statistically significant difference was found ( P < 0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the DOM and ultrasonics provide increased opportunity for the dentist to detect canal orifices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tobacco smoking is an integral part of prison life and an established part of the culture. Little attention has been paid to prevention of smoking in prison. Approximately 70-80% of prisoners have been identifi ed as current smokers. Aim: To assess the effectiveness of smoking cessation intervention among male prisoners at Central Jail, Bangalore city. Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled trial was planned among male prisoners in Central Jail, Bangalore city. There were 1600 convicted prisoners. A self-administered questionnaire was given to the prisoners to assess their smoking behavior by which prevalence of tobacco smoking was found. Exactly 1352 tobacco users were studied. Among them, there were 1252 smokers. Based on inclusion criteria and informed consent given by the prisoners, a sample of 600 was chosen for the study by systematic random sampling. Among the 600 prisoners, 300 were randomly selected for the study group and 300 for the control group. Results: Prevalence of tobacco smoking among the prisoners was 92.60%. In the present study, after smoking cessation intervention, 17% showed no change in smoking, 21.66% reduced smoking, 16% stopped smoking, and 45.33% relapsed (P < 0.0001) at the end of 6-month follow-up in the study group. Conclusion: Tobacco use was high among the prisoners. Tobacco reduction is possible in the prison even if the living conditions are not favorable. Relatively high rate of relapse in our study indicates that some policies should be adopted to improve smokers' information on consequences of tobacco on health and motivational intervention should be added to prisoners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hand hygiene in dental practice is one of the most important parts of the infection control process to reduce the risk of transmitting microorganisms from provider to patient. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Hand Hygiene (HH) guidelines were published more than 5 years ago. The extent to which dental practitioners are aware of it and the extent to which alcohol-based hand sanitizers are used by dental practitioners are unknown. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the present study was to assess the practice of HH among dentists in Bangalore city. The objectives of the study were to assess knowledge and attitudes among dentists with regard to HH in Bangalore city. Materials and Methods: A total of 204 dentists from the registry of dental care facility, Bangalore, were selected for this study. The data were collected by administering a specially designed proforma. Results: 51% of the dental practitioners use soap and water for HH frequently and 44.6% use alcohol-based hand sanitizers for HH frequently. Also, 53.4% were aware of the CDC HH guideline. One-third of the dental practitioners indicated that they have limited/moderate knowledge of the CDC HH guideline. Conclusion: Most dental practitioners use soap and water for HH frequently, and a smaller number of dental practitioners use alcohol-based hand sanitizers for HH frequently. The knowledge of the CDC HH guidelines needs to be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim and Objectives: The study aimed at assessment of microwave assisted tissue fixation, processing and staining and to determine if it can replace standard formalin fixed paraffin embedded processing in tissues of different thickness. Materials and Methods: Specimens from buccal mucosa and gingiva was used in the study and were divided into three different thickness and was fixed, processed and stained according to conventional method and with a use of kitchen microwave oven respectively. The present study is the first of its kind where oral tissues was fixed, processed and stained with a kitchen microwave in three different thickness. The results obtained was statistically analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 21.0 software. Results: The new technique of fixation, tissue processing and staining using a microwave employed in the present study represented a major change from conventional method and achieved significant reduction in time taken. Conclusion: The ease of application and speed of this technique significantly reduced turnaround time in diagnostic labs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]