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In the present scenario, the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is responsible for simple upper respiratory infection to fatal pneumonia and multi-organ failure has become a major public health challenge and a public health emergency of international concern. Apart from secondary and tertiary care, it is very much essential to provide primary care, prevention, and early detection. To prevent the virus from the human-human transmission and to control the situation, the protocols vary at various setups. Due to the uniqueness of dental settings and practice, the risk of cross-infection can be high between patients and dental practitioners. Establishment of strict and effective infection control protocol is necessary owing to the varying sustainability of the virus on different surfaces. The area of concern for a dental professional is the oral cavity and upper respiratory region where the host recipient cell receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme receptor 2, is present abundantly acts as the host cell entry route for the coronavirus. Dental professionals play an important role in preventing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2; we aim to review the infection control measures in dental practice.

Background: Despite being an important aspect of health and quality of life, individuals tend to suppress natural sexual urge (‘Shukra vega’) due to a variety of factors. Unless managed appropriately through self-regulatory mechanisms, suppressed sexual urge (‘Shukra vega dharana’, SVD) not only causes psychological suffering but may also put other basic needs at risk. Adult, married, males who are either living away from their spouse for long durations or separated or divorced are at a considerably higher risk of developing SVD as compared to others. Considering the recent rise of sexual diseases and sexual violence, it is critical to understand the extent and epidemiology of SVD in this sub-population of India. Objective: The study was attempted to understand the extent and epidemiology of SVD in this sub-population of India. Materials and methods: To determine the prevalence of SVD in adult married, male individuals located in Nashik, Ahmadnagar and Thane cities of India who are either living away from their spouse or separated or divorced, a crosssectional, anonymous survey will be conducted among a sample of male individuals meeting eligibility criteria. A multi-stage sampling approach will be used to identify cities/organizations (where the study will be conducted) and participants for the study. Post informed consent, eligible individuals will respond to a survey questionnaire. Responses will be populated in a spreadsheet, analyzed and reported. Understanding extent and epidemiology of SVD in an Indian sub-population will not only facilitate design of future research studies but will also inform health, social and educational policy associated with sex education (training individuals in the appropriate management of sexual urge). Keywords: Shukra-vega, Survey, Cross-sectional, Survey protocol, Shukra-vega-dharana

Mutations in the MCPH1 (microcephalin 1) gene, located at chromosome 8p23.1, result in two autosomal recessive disorders: primary microcephaly and premature chromosome condensation syndrome. MCPH1 has also been shown to be downregulated in breast, prostate and ovarian cancers, and mutated in 1/10 breast and 5/41 endometrial tumors, suggesting that it could also function as a tumor suppressor (TS) gene. To test the possibility of MCPH1 as a TS gene, we first performed LOH study in a panel of 81 matched normal oral tissues and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) samples, and observed that 14/71 (19.72%) informative samples showed LOH, a hallmark of TS genes. Three protein truncating mutations were identified in 1/15 OSCC samples and 2/5 cancer cell lines. MCPH1 was downregulated at both the transcript and protein levels in 21/41 (51.22%) and 19/25 (76%) OSCC samples respectively. A low level of MCPH1 promoter methylation was also observed in 4/40 (10%) tumor samples. We further observed that overexpression of MCPH1 decreased cellular proliferation, anchorage-independent growth in soft agar, cell invasion and tumor size in nude mice, indicating its tumor suppressive function. Using bioinformatic approaches and luciferase assay, we showed that the 3'-UTR of MCPH1 harbors two non-overlapping functional seed regions for miR-27a which negatively regulated its level. The expression level of miR-27a negatively correlated with the MCPH1 protein level in OSCC. Our study indicates for the first time that, in addition to its role in brain development, MCPH1 also functions as a tumor suppressor gene and is regulated by miR-27a.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to examine the anticonvulsant properties of an ethanolic extract derived from the leaves of Harpagophytum procumbens (commonly known as devil's claw) in Swiss albino mice. Materials and Methods: The ethanolic extract of H. procumbens leaves (EHPL) was administered orally at doses of 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight, and two animal models were used to assess its anticonvulsant activity: the maximal electroshock (MES) and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) models of convulsions. The duration of tonic phase of hind limb extension and extended seizure latency period were recorded. Results: The results showed that the EHPL at a dosage of 400 mg/kg significantly reduced the duration of tonic convulsions in the hind limbs in the MES-induced seizures model, while EHPL at 800 mg/kg significantly increased the latency period of clonic convulsions in the PTZ-induced seizures model. Conclusion: These findings suggest that EHPL may be useful in managing grand mal epilepsy and absence seizures as it displayed significant antiepileptic activity in both models at 400 and 800 mg/kg p.o. The study is important as it will help to identify new sources of anticonvulsant drugs and contribute to the development of alternative treatment options for seizure disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spilanthes acmella, which is commonly known as the toothache plant, has been used as ayurvedic medicine in dentistry for a long time. It is found to have anti-microbial, analgesic, and local anesthetic action. This medicinal plant has been studied for its local anesthetic applications in humans and animals. In this review paper, we have discussed the merits, limitations, safety, and potential future applications of using S. acmella as a local anesthetic drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is a non-neoplastic, rapidly expanding pathologic bone lesion that mostly affects the mandible and is most commonly found in the first to third decade of life. The most of the ABC cases are locally aggressive osteolytic lesion with a high recurrence rate. As a result, we present a swelling with pus discharge at the maxillary alveolus in a 68-year-old female who was diagnosed with ABC after a computed tomography scan and histological analysis. The conservative surgical excision was performed without considerable bleeding, and no recurrence was observed even after a five-year follow-up period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, immunization practices of all age groups, especially routine childhood vaccines, have been interrupted. Immunization is considered an essential health activity, which needs to be resumed as early as possible. This pandemic has created several unique issues related to routine immunization of individual children at clinics, which needs to be addressed. In this communication, the Advisory Committee on Vaccines and Immunization Practices (ACVIP) of Indian Academy of Pediatrics addresses the common questions and issues related to SARS-CoV-2 and routine immunization services. This also includes the recommendations for routine immunization of SARS-CoV-2 suspect and positive children, and for the logistics to be followed for immunization services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]