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BackgroundProgressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a rare neurodegenerative disease characterized by the accumulation of aggregated tau proteins in astrocytes, neurons, and oligodendrocytes. Previous genome-wide association studies for PSP were based on genotype array, therefore, were inadequate for the analysis of rare variants as well as larger mutations, such as small insertions/deletions (indels) and structural variants (SVs).MethodIn this study, we performed whole genome sequencing (WGS) and conducted association analysis for single nucleotide variants (SNVs), indels, and SVs, in a cohort of 1,718 cases and 2,944 controls of European ancestry. Of the 1,718 PSP individuals, 1,441 were autopsy-confirmed and 277 were clinically diagnosed.ResultsOur analysis of common SNVs and indels confirmed known genetic loci at MAPT, MOBP, STX6, SLCO1A2, DUSP10, and SP1, and further uncovered novel signals in APOE, FCHO1/MAP1S, KIF13A, TRIM24, TNXB, and ELOVL1. Notably, in contrast to Alzheimer's disease (AD), we observed the APOE ε2 allele to be the risk allele in PSP. Analysis of rare SNVs and indels identified significant association in ZNF592 and further gene network analysis identified a module of neuronal genes dysregulated in PSP. Moreover, seven common SVs associated with PSP were observed in the H1/H2 haplotype region (17q21.31) and other loci, including IGH, PCMT1, CYP2A13, and SMCP. In the H1/H2 haplotype region, there is a burden of rare deletions and duplications (P = 6.73 × 10-3) in PSP.ConclusionsThrough WGS, we significantly enhanced our understanding of the genetic basis of PSP, providing new targets for exploring disease mechanisms and therapeutic interventions.

Introduction: Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory infectious disease that increases the host’s overall inflammatory burden by inducing a persistent systemic inflammation. This burden has been linked to insulin resistance, the development of diabetes, and its complications. Periodontal therapy plays a vital role in controlling diabetes and its potentially fatal complications. Medical and dental professionals should be aware of this interrelationship between the two diseases to facilitate proper diagnosis and predict better treatment outcomes. Aim: To assess the knowledge of medical practitioners regarding periodontal disease and its inter-relationship with diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods: This was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study conducted by using google forms between May 2022 and October 2022 among 150 medical practitioners. The questionnaire consisted of 15 questions divided into two parts. The first part gathered personal data, while the second part focused on their knowledge about disease awareness. The collected data were analysed using percentages. Results: Out of 149 participants, who sent completed questionnaires, only 8 practitioners (5.4%) referred all while 99 (66.4%) referred only a few of their patients for dental check-ups. Among them, only 39 participants (26.2%) referred patients for regular general dental check-ups without any complaints or findings. Although 112 (75.2%) had knowledge about the association, only 59 participants (39.6%) knew that it is bidirectional. A total of 80 (53.7%) responses understood that periodontal bacterial load and associated inflammation caused alterations in sugar levels. However, 68 (45.6%) were unaware that periodontal treatment can help improve glycaemic status. Conclusion: It can be inferred that medical practitioners were not aware of the connection between periodontal disease and diabetes mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Surprising how a small part of our body, the mouth, can alter and result in a variety of systemic complications if not taken care of. The primary factor for maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality is thought to be periodontitis. Gynecologists have a crucial role in educating their patients about the need of keeping good dental health because it can improve the success of pregnancies and reduce mouth pain. Objective: The objective of this study was to understand the awareness of gynecologists practicing in Pune, Maharashtra, about periodontal status and its outcome in pregnant women. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based study was conducted on 60 gynecologists. We evaluated people's knowledge of the negative effects of female sex hormones on periodontal health. Results: Eighty percent were aware of the correlation between periodontal health and female sex hormones. 56.7% agreed that periodontal microorganisms can pass through the placenta and harm the fetus. 76.7% were unaware that the possibility of prenatal growth restriction has increased. Most participants did not motivate pregnant women for an oral health checkup. Conclusion: It can be inferred that gynecologists are not aware of the connection between mouth findings and worse pregnancy outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exergames is a new arena of mental health intervention in the elderly. The present article is a clinical review on various areas where exergaming has been used to enhance mental health in the elderly. The review looks at the use of exergames in dementia, geriatric depression, as a tool for movement and to improve memory and cognition. The role of exergames in improving intellectual function, instability and falls in the elderly is also discussed. The role of exergames to improve fragility is mentioned. The review looks at the advantages and disadvantages of exergames in the elderly and the limitations of various studies done so far from a clinical and scientific rigor standpoint. The future research needs are also discussed. Exergames is a mental health intervention area in geriatric mental health that will be used more in the years to come. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study an interesting variant of the stochastic multi-armed bandit problem, which we call the Fair-MAB problem, where, in addition to the objective of maximizing the sum of expected rewards, the algorithm also needs to ensure that at any time, each arm is pulled at least a pre-specified fraction of times. We investigate the interplay between learning and fairness in terms of a pre-specified vector denoting the fractions of guaranteed pulls. We define a fairness-aware regret, which we call r-Regret, that takes into account the above fairness constraints and extends the conventional notion of regret in a natural way. Our primary contribution is to obtain a complete characterization of a class of Fair-MAB algorithms via two parameters: the unfairness tolerance and the learning algorithm used as a black-box. For this class of algorithms, we provide a fairness guarantee that holds uniformly over time, irrespective of the chosen learning algorithm. Further, when the learning algorithm is UCB1, we show that our algorithm achieves constant r-Regret for a large enough time horizon. Finally, we analyze the cost of fairness in terms of the conventional notion of regret. We conclude by experimentally validating our theoretical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vitamin D, an important hormone required by the body, exerts its biological effects through Vitamin D receptors (VDRs) present on target cells. Vitamin D is ineffective in tissues which lack VDR. Various tissues show the presence of VDRs. However, evidence for the presence of VDRs in human periodontal ligament tissue in fully erupted teeth in adults is lacking. The present study intends to evaluate the presence of VDRs in periodontal ligament (PDL) tissue and assess their response to serum Vitamin D3 levels in chronic periodontic patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 19 chronic periodontitis patients were enrolled in the study and tested for serum 25(OH)D3 levels. Deficient patients were supplemented with Vitamin D3. PDL tissue of these patients was isolated after tooth extraction before and after supplementation of Vitamin D3 and analyzed for the presence of VDR in PDL tissue by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: All the chronic periodontitis patients were found to be deficient in Vitamin D3. The mean serum 25(OH)D3 level before supplementation was 13.96 ng/mL which significantly increased to 35.12 ng/mL after supplementation of Vitamin D3 for 6 weeks. VDR analysis determined mean VDR conc. in PDL tissue to be -1.443 ng/mL, which increased to 2.38 ng/mL after supplementation. A concentration dependent correlation was seen between serum 25(OH)D3 levels and VDR conc. in PDL tissue after supplementation. Conclusions: The study determined Vitamin D Receptors (VDR) in PDL tissue after supplementation of Vitamin D. Thus in addition to the standard treatment modalities, Vitamin D3 supplementation would be an important factor for generation of adequate immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Periodontal tissues form the foundation for proper esthetics, function, and comfort of the dentition. The concept of crown lengthening was first introduced by D.W. Cohen (1962) a procedure that often employs some combination of tissue reduction or removal, osseous surgery, and / or orthodontics for tooth exposure. The rationale for crown lengthening procedures has progressively become more aesthetic-driven due to the increasing popularity of smile enhancement therapy. Gingival melanin hyperpigmentation is also a major esthetic concern for many people in India. Melanin pigmentation is known to be caused by melanin granules within the gingival epithelium. Though it is not a medical pathology, many people complain that their black gums are unesthetic. The present case report, describes a simple and effective surgical aesthetic crown lengthening with help of gingivoplasty and gingival depigmentation technique that does not require sophisticated instruments or apparatus yet yields esthetically acceptable results along with patient's satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Objectives: Ergonomics is an integral part of rehabilitation. However, few therapists implement it themselves, hence suffering from various musculoskeletal disorders -- the most common being low back pain. Taking a community of physiotherapy students, the prevalence of mechanical low back pain was investigated to illuminate the possible risk factors faced by the students in question. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of mechanical low back pain and disability in physiotherapy students. Methods: The study was conducted in the physiotherapy department of a tertiary health care centre in Mumbai. A self-constructed, semi-structured proformawas handed over to the students, who were made to fill out the "Modified Oswestry Low Back Pain and Disability Questionnaire". Pain Intensity was recorded on the Visual Analogue Scale. The data was compared and analysed. Results: 352 per1000 students suffered from mechanical low back pain. Majority suffered from mild disability. Standing was the most affected activity. Interpretation & Conclusion: Physiotherapy students should bemade aware of the potential causes of mechanical low back pain, which could stem from the practice of this occupation. Primary prevention will lead to a better state of health for the students and future therapists, enhancing patient rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of hyaluronic acid (HA) gel injections in deficient papillae and record the effects for four weeks., Materials and Methods: Fifteen deficient class 1 papilla sites according to Nordland and Tarnow classification were included. After scaling and root planing, 0.5 ml HA gel was injected into the papillae. Measurements of black triangle height (BTH) and black triangle area (BTA) from the contact point to the most coronal level of the visible papilla tip were done on the clinical photographs using ImageJ software at baseline, one week, and four weeks postoperatively, and a comparison was made. Descriptive data were examined using the mean and standard deviation (SD). Paired t-test was used for intragroup comparisons, with p-values <0.05 considered significant. All the data analysis was done using SPSS software version 25.0., Results: There was a mean decrease in the BTA from baseline (0.54 mm 2 ), one week (0.13 mm 2 ), to four weeks (0.26 mm 2 ) with a slight loss of papilla volume from the first week to the fourthweek, and this decrease in area was statistically significant. A mean decrease in the BTH throughout the follow-ups from baseline (1.36 mm) to the first week (0.30 mm) to the fourth week (0.73) was recorded with a slight loss of papilla volume from the first week to the fourthweek, and this decrease in height was also statistically significant (p < 0.05). However, the decrease in the BTA and BTH recorded was more from baseline to the first week as compared to baseline to the fourth week postoperatively., Conclusion: HA gel is an effective treatment for minimally invasive papilla augmentation, particularly in class I Nordland and Tarnow papilla deficits., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Institutional Ethics Committee of Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University) Dental College and Hospital, Pune issued approval EC/NEW/INST/2021/MH/0029. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work., (Copyright © 2024, Kaur et al.)