Search

Dentistry has undergone significant improvement with a lot of changing concepts involving novel surgical tools over the past two decades. Piezoelectric surgery, also popularly called as piezosurgery (PS), is a rapidly evolving technique of bone surgery which is gaining importance because of its ability to place osteotomy cuts with absolute precision and confidence, especially near the vital structures. Piezosurgical device functions with an ultrasonic frequency (25–29 KHz) resulting in microvibrations in the range of 60–200 µm/s enabling bone cutting that is secured and accurate preserving the underlying neurovascular elements along with improved visibility through bloodless surgical site and thorough debridement using internal irrigation system. Till date, PS has seen wide applications in various disciplines of medicine. In the field of dentistry, PS has emerged as a promising technical modality in bone graft harvesting, alveolar ridge expansion, sinus lift procedures, osteogenic distraction, and endodontic and periodontal surgeries. The present review addresses the efficiency of PS comparing it with the traditional dental surgical equipment. The advantages, limitations, and biological effects of PS as well its various applications in dentistry have also been discussed.

Poster session 3, September 23, 2022, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Objectives To identify cryptic species of the genus Aspergillus using Beta-tubulin gene by sequence typing. Methods Aspergillus grown from various clinical samples (Ear swab, Bronchial wash, Endotracheal Aspiration, Paranasal sinus, BAL, Sputum) was subcultured on Sabouraud's Dextrose Agar/Oatmeal Agar. Tease mount/Slide culture was done to study the morphological features of the hyphae, size, shape, and arrangement of the conidia. DNA Extraction using phenol-chloroform method: DNA was extracted and purified directly from 4-day-old culture and used as a template for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. DNA Amplification: A fragment of the target gene were amplified using PCR. The primer pairs used for Beta-tubulin gene was Bt2a (Forward primer) and Bt2b (Reverse primer). Beta-tubulin. DNA Purification: The PCR product was purified with multi-screen filter plates. Gel electrophoresis: The amplified DNA product was subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis and specific band formation was to be observed for the species of Aspergillus. DNA Sequencing: The purified product will be used as a template for sequencing. An applied biosystem 3730 sequencer will be used to obtain DNA sequences. Phylogenetic Analysis: Parsimony analysis of individual and combined matrices will be conducted using PAUP version 4.0b10 software/free software at phylogeny.fr by the maximum parsimony (MP) and Neighbor-joining methods. The results will be represented using a dendrogram. Results A total of 30 Aspergillus isolates were collected and identified using Phenotypic methods. The DNA extraction and PCR amplification were done and sent for Sequencing. The results of Sequence typing are awaited. Conclusion Cryptic species are morphologically indistinguishable forms of Aspergillus and their identifications can be confirmed exclusively by using molecular techniques which have led to the description of previously unknown or rare species among different Aspergillus species complex. According to studies, the frequency of such species was found to be 10% in TRANSNET study U.S and 12% in FILPOP study Spain. Most of these species are less susceptible and certain species are multidrug-resistant (azoles and amphotericin B) and the emergence of antifungal-resistance among the Aspergillus species forms the importance in identifying Cryptic species.

Hyperthyroidism directly affects the cardiovascular system, altering the heart's normal function and leading to high cardiovascular mortality. Excess thyroid hormones are associated with significantly increased risk and prevalence of cardiac arrhythmias, particularly atrial fibrillation (AF). This article reviewed the hemodynamic changes and the risk of cardiac arrhythmias, including atrial and ventricular arrhythmias associated with hyperthyroidism. It has also discussed the multi-level pathophysiology of thyrotoxic AF, sinus tachycardia, and different treatment modalities such as anti-thyroid drugs, beta-blockers, and the role of cardioversion and catheter ablation. This article has explored different studies that have concluded that AF and sinus tachycardia are the most common arrhythmias associated with thyrotoxicosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune inflammatory illness that affects the central nervous system (CNS) when the body's immune system attacks its tissue. It is characterized by demyelination and varying degrees of axonal loss. This article has compiled various studies elaborating MS and other autoimmune diseases (ADs) co-occurrence. Several conditions that fall into this category, including type 1 diabetes (T1D), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), myasthenia gravis (MG), and many others, are found in MS patients and their relatives, suggesting one or more common etiologic mechanisms, including genetic, environmental, and immunological factors, supporting the concept of a possible influence of poly-autoimmunity on MS and the rest of ADs, as well as providing a significant feature for early detection of the disease and also a potential treatment option by clinical neurologists.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic collection of symptoms and lowers the quality of life. The management of such patients has always involved mitigating the symptoms produced by this disorder. This article reviews the role of probiotics in IBS by compiling various studies to deduce the possible symptomatic relief that probiotics may provide to IBS patients. Given the encouraging part of probiotics in abundant other gastrointestinal conditions, this article focuses on understanding the specific functional effects (if any) that are brought about by adding probiotics in patients with different types of IBS such as IBS with predominant constipation, IBS with predominant diarrhea, and even the unclassified type of IBS. The purpose of analyzing the role of probiotics is to study the changes brought about by them at the level of the gut microbiota in patients suffering from IBS, as this may prove to be of prime importance in managing such conditions with time. This article has also furnished an overview of the pathogenesis, diagnostic criteria, treatment modalities, sources of probiotics, and their therapeutic significance in IBS patients.

Cancer is an immunosuppressive disorder with characteristic features of unchecked cell growth, invasion, and sometimes thromboembolism leading to multiple systemic sequelae, including infective endocarditis. This article has compiled some of the crucial mechanisms by which infective endocarditis occurs in cancer patients, its risk factors, and the existing treatment interventions. It has focused on the necessity of being aware that these multiple pathogeneses are involved in the development of infective endocarditis (IE) in cancer patients, which would help delineate the risk factors associated with the condition and help physicians screen better for specific red flags. Identifying these risk factors and patient-oriented therapy, targeting the necessary elements such as causative organism, patient immune status, type of cancer, choosing evidence-based treatment modalities, and to improve the outcome of the disease in an already exasperating condition called cancer.

Breast cancer (BC) is defined as an uncontrolled growth of breast cells that affected 2.3 million women in 2020 alone. Until a few years earlier, radiotherapy and chemotherapy were the most commonly used treatments in treating BC; however, many trials and studies were conducted to test the competence of cyclin-dependent kinases 4/6 (CDK4/6) in arresting the cell cycle, and it was found that they were highly influential in halting the disease from progressing. Palbociclib, ribociclib, and abemaciclib are the three drugs that have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are even more efficient when used in combination with aromatase inhibitors and fulvestrant. This article aimed to explain the effect of CDK4/6 inhibitors on tumor cells and their efficacy in combination with other drugs. We further explored the development of resistance to these treatments and future possibilities.

Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome resulting from structural cardiac remodeling and altered function that impairs tissue perfusion. This article aimed to highlight the current diagnostic and prognostic value of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in the management of HF and prospective future applications. Reviewed are the physics associated with CMR, its use in ischemic and non-ischemic causes of HF, and its role in quantifying left ventricular ejection fraction. It also emphasized that CMR allows for noninvasive morphologic and functional assessment, tissue characterization, blood flow, and perfusion evaluation in patients with suspected or diagnosed HF. CMR has become a crucial instrument for the diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy planning in patients with HF and cardiomyopathy due to its accuracy in quantifying cardiac volumes and ejection fraction (considered the gold standard) as well as native and post-contrast myocardial tissue characterization.

Invasive infections due to Streptococcus dysgalactiae are uncommon in the adult population, and sternoclavicular joint septic arthritis (SCSA) is usually caused by other organisms such as Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We hereby report a case of SCSA caused by this organism. The patient responded well to intravenous antibiotics and recovered fully without any surgical intervention.

The review discusses, how the COVID-19 virus evolved to the present form, genome organization and genetic variation of SARS- CoV-2 prevalent globally with special emphasis on Indian strains, a comparison of the first vs. second wave in terms of infectivity and transmission patterns. The population impacted, importance of surveillance, study of genetic variants of COVID-19 virus, development of diagnostics developed in First and second waves of infection and preventive measures like physical means, vaccine administration and treatment strategies using different classes of anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and corticosteroid drugs. The study used the detailed and qualitative online research. The literature studies were conducted to explore the havoc of the COVID-19 Pandemic from the very beginning era to current and future repercussions in worldwide with special context to India. The idea of our work is to be on a high alert and vigilant in the constant studying of the varying characteristics of the pandemic and to produce resources and be able to modify treatment methodologies quickly, if needed, and disseminate our work to the scientific world and community as soon as possible for coordinating a global action to cut off the inevitable future waves of this pandemic. Securing vaccine is the most concern, along with the strategies that could be forward to strengthen the health care system. This paper gives insight by warning the third wave, unless taken utmost care by each individual, national as well international organization could be catastrophic to the entire World.

Background & objectives: Genital Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infections are one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections across the world. In pregnant women, if not detected and treated early, these may result in poor pregnancy outcomes and complications. The present study was aimed to screen CT infections from first void urine (FVU) samples of asymptomatic pregnant women using molecular methods. The secondary objective was to evaluate cost-effectiveness in pooling FVU samples for their diagnostic application. Methods: FVU samples were collected from 1000 asymptomatic pregnant women over a period of three years. Pooling was done by including five specimens in one pool in the amount of 10 μl and subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and further confirmed by direct fluorescent antibody assay (DFA). Results: The age of study participants ranged from 18 to 43 yr with the median±standard deviation of 26±3.84 yr. Majority of positive participants were younger than 25 years. A total of 200 pools were prepared and 20 of these were PCR positive. When individual specimen in 20 positive pools was tested, 20 PCR-positive specimens were identified from 19 pools, of which 16 were positive by DFA. Thus, CT was detected in 1.6 per cent asymptomatic pregnant women in India and pooling strategy resulted in 70 per cent reduction in a number of tests performed. Interpretation & conclusions: Our study detected C. trachomatis infection in 1.6 per cent asymptomatic pregnant women, and pooling of FVU specimens for PCR testing was found to be a cost-saving strategy in comparison to testing individual samples. Further evaluation and studies on the bigger sample size are warranted to validate these results.

Background & objectives: Genital Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infections are one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections across the world. In pregnant women, if not detected and treated early, these may result in poor pregnancy outcomes and complications. The present study was aimed to screen CT infections from first void urine (FVU) samples of asymptomatic pregnant women using molecular methods. The secondary objective was to evaluate cost-effectiveness in pooling FVU samples for their diagnostic application. Methods: FVU samples were collected from 1000 asymptomatic pregnant women over a period of three years. Pooling was done by including five specimens in one pool in the amount of 10 µl and subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and further confirmed by direct fluorescent antibody assay (DFA). Results: The age of study participants ranged from 18 to 43 yr with the median±standard deviation of 26±3.84 yr. Majority of positive participants were younger than 25 years. A total of 200 pools were prepared and 20 of these were PCR positive. When individual specimen in 20 positive pools was tested, 20 PCR-positive specimens were identified from 19 pools, of which 16 were positive by DFA. Thus, CT was detected in 1.6 per cent asymptomatic pregnant women in India and pooling strategy resulted in 70 per cent reduction in a number of tests performed. Interpretation & conclusions: Our study detected C. trachomatis infection in 1.6 per cent asymptomatic pregnant women, and pooling of FVU specimens for PCR testing was found to be a cost-saving strategy in comparison to testing individual samples. Further evaluation and studies on the bigger sample size are warranted to validate these results.

Saprochaete capitata (formerly known as Geotrichum capitatum and Blastoschizomyces capitatus) is a fungus found in soil, water, air, plants and dairy products [1]. It is a rare opportunistic pathog...

Vitamin D has been shown to regulate musculoskeletal health by mediating calcium absorption and mineral homeostasis. Studies have shown an association between alveolar bone density, osteoporosis, and tooth loss suggesting that low bone mass may be a risk factor for periodontal disease. An emerging hypothesis is that Vitamin D may be beneficial for oral health, not only because of its direct effect on bone metabolism but also due to its ability to function as an anti-inflammatory agent stimulating the production of antimicrobial peptides, thereby protecting the periodontium. Several recent reports demonstrate a significant association between periodontal health and the intake of Vitamin D. This review discusses the pharmacology behind Vitamin D supplementation, current literature concerning Vitamin D supplementation, and various supplementation options in the treatment of periodontal disease.