Search

The current advances and innovations in material technology and armamentaria help to negate the difficulties faced by clinicians in diagnosing and treating patients. Oral healthcare contributes much to the wellbeing of a person. However, the oral cavity is a small and difficult area in which to work since it is filled with vascularized mobile tissues and various shaped teeth, and connected to sinuses, nerve canals, lungs and the gastrointestinal tract via the trachea and pharynx. Moreover, each tooth has a complex root canal system that must be explored if it is infected or inflamed. Root canal treatment can be compared to entering a blind tunnel and treating something unseen. Endodontics is a field in dentistry where a clinician must use their tactile sense and correlate it with clinical knowledge, as well as skill, to treat dental infections. Digital evolution has simplified diagnosis, treatment planning, documentation and communication with patients, rendering more predictable outcomes and providing evidence for the healing or non-healing of disease. The evolution of digital radiography has offered us the best technology available. The present review discusses various helpful digital tools that are currently available, and future technologies that may guide clinicians in better diagnosis.CPD/Clinical Relevance:Advances in diagnostic tools have improved accuracy in identifying and treating dental pathologies, thereby achieving more predictable outcomes and enhancing patient care.

ABSTRACTIntroductionChronic wounds require more sophisticated care than standard wound care because they are becoming more severe as a result of diseases like diabetes. By resolving shortcomings in existing methods, 3D-bioprinting offers a viable path toward personalized, mechanically strong, and cell-stimulating wound dressings.Areas CoveredThis review highlights the drawbacks of traditional approaches while navigating the difficulties of managing chronic wounds. The conversation revolves around employing natural biomaterials for customized dressings, with a particular emphasis on 3D-bioprinting. A thorough understanding of the uses of 3D-printed dressings in a range of chronic wound scenarios is provided by insights into recent research and patents.Expert OpinionThe expert view recognizes wounds as a historical human ailment and emphasizes the growing difficulties and expenses related to wound treatment. The expert acknowledges that 3D printing is revolutionary, but also points out that it is still in its infancy and has the potential to enhance mass production rather than replace it. The review highlights the benefits of 3D printing for wound dressings by providing instances of smart materials that improve treatment results by stimulating angiogenesis, reducing pain, and targeting particular enzymes. The expert advises taking action to convert the technology’s prospective advantages into real benefits for patients, even in the face of resistance to change in the healthcare industry. It is believed that the increasing evidence from in-vivo studies is promising and represents a positive change in the treatment of chronic wounds toward sophisticated 3D-printed dressings.

Often, one’s gait needs to be quantified to evaluate functional status and overall health. Given the difficulties associated with observation-based methods, researchers have been using technology-assisted systems, e.g., motion capture and pressure-mat systems. Despite offering high accuracy, these systems entail high cost, reduced portability, and confinement to controlled settings. To overcome such challenges, wearable solutions are being explored. Specifically, currently existing systems with only inertial measurement units (IMUs) have been used to quantify gait. Alternately, researchers have used instrumented shoes with insoles impregnated with varying force sensors to quantify one’s gait. This offers a direct measure of temporal parameters of gait, while spatial and spatiotemporal parameters of gait are derived from the temporal measures and information on the pathway being traversed. Augmenting instrumented shoes with IMUs can offer an avenue to get a direct measure of the spatial, temporal, and spatiotemporal parameters of gait. Motivated by this alternate approach, we present an integrated system (GaitWEAR) comprising of instrumented shoes and IMUs. Subsequently, we evaluated the performance of GaitWEAR and that of the currently existing system having only IMUs (only IMU-based system) while comparing their performances (in terms of gait parameters) with state-of-the-art pressure-mat-based system. Results of our evaluation study involving 32 participants (healthy young, elderly with and without gait abnormality) suggest that GaitWEAR demonstrated superior performance through improved agreement with the state-of-the-art system (irrespective of age and gait health) and better clinical relevance than the only IMU-based system, particularly in the case of gait abnormality.

ABSTRACTMicronutrient deficiency conditions, such as anemia, are the most prevalent global health problem due to inadequate iron and folate in dietary sources. Biofortification advancements can propel the rapid amelioration of nutritionally beneficial components in crops that are required to combat the adverse effects of micronutrient deficiencies on human health. To date, several strategies have been proposed to increase micronutrients in plants to improve food quality, but very few approaches have intrigued `clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats’ (CRISPR) modules for the enhancement of iron and folate concentration in the edible parts of plants. In this review, we discuss two important approaches to simultaneously enhance the bioavailability of iron and folate concentrations in rice endosperms by utilizing advanced CRISPR-Cas9-based technology. This includes the ‘tuning of cis-elements’ and ‘enhancer re-shuffling’ in the regulatory components of genes that play a vital role in iron and folate biosynthesis/transportation pathways. In particular, base-editing and enhancer re-installation in native promoters of selected genes can lead to enhanced accumulation of iron and folate levels in the rice endosperm. The re-distribution of micronutrients in specific plant organs can be made possible using the above-mentioned contemporary approaches. Overall, the present review discusses the possible approaches for synchronized iron and folate biofortification through modification in regulatory gene circuits employing CRISPR-Cas9 technology.

Pure erythroid leukemia (AML-M6) is a rare variant of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with predominant erythroid lineage proliferation. The incidence of AIDS defining cancers including Kaposi sarcoma and non-Hodgkins lymphoma are on declining trends due to effective use of HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy). Correspondingly, there have been increasing cases of leukemia in persons living with HIV. Our case is a 43 years old male living with HIV who was admitted with high grade fever and mucosal bleeds. On examination, he had periorbital swelling and ecchymosis with hepatosplenomegaly. The laboratory investigations revealed bicytopenia with high ferritin, low fibrinogen and hypertriglyceridemia. A diagnosis of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) with H score of 222 was made. Bone marrow examination revealed hypercellular marrow with more than 80% cells of erythroid lineage with 47% proerythroblasts. Suggesting pure erythroid leukemia (AML-M6). This diagnosis with secondary HLH carries a very poor prognosis in persons living with HIV.

Three new low-dimensional quaternary sulfides, namely, Tl2Cu2GeS4(1), Tl2Ag2GeS4(2), and Tl2Ag2SnS4(3) were synthesized by solid-state reactions and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, spectroscopic, thermal, and photocatalytic studies. The compounds 1, 2, and 3, respectively, have centrosymmetric layered, noncentrosymmetric layered, and noncentrosymmetric one-dimensional structures, in which Cu+, Ge4+, and Sn4+ions have tetrahedral coordination and Ag+ion has linear, trigonal planar and tetrahedral coordinations. The monovalent thallium cations have TlS8dodecahedral coordination and TlS7and TlS6coordination polyhedra of irregular shape. The compounds 1, 2, and 3are semiconductors with the respective energy band gap values of 1.68, 2.02, and 1.90 eV. Compared to compounds 1and 2, compound 3has a higher efficiency value of 22.9% for the photodegradation of aqueous solution of methylene blue. Band structures and projected density of states of all three compounds were computed using density functional theory, and these results are in good agreement with experiments.

Heparan sulfate (HS) is a non-immunogenic antigen, and developing antibodies against specific sulfated patterns in HS poses significant challenges. Herein, we employed an innovative immunization strategy that exploits the molecular mimicry of HS to generate antibodies against HS sequences. Mice were immunized with synthetic sulfated oligo-l-idose (ID49) that mimics optimum 67% of the conserved structure of HS ligands. This immunization of ID49@CRM197with alum and Freund’s adjuvant resulted in the production of robust IgG antibody responses targeting ID49and cross-reactivity with the N-sulfated HS ligands compared to N-unsubstituted and N-acetate domain synthetic HS ligands. Such a pharmacological agent exhibited distinct staining of tissue sections and cell lines and induced complement-dependent cell cytotoxicity against SK-BR-3 cancer cells. Moreover, these antibodies inhibited heparin-mediated anticoagulation activity similar to that of protamine. These findings highlight the biomarker and possible therapeutic capability of the antibodies.

A sustainable photocatalytic approach has been established for trifluoroalkylation of isoquinoline via a three-component Minisci-type reaction using a green solvent. The polarity reversal radical cascade strategy renders the selective addition of an electrophilic CF3radical to an olefin to forge a nucleophilic C-centered radical. This multicomponent approach is operationally simple and environmentally benign with various functional groups, viz. aldehydes, acetals, amides, and halides. Mechanistic investigations were carried out to elaborate the reductive quenching catalytic pathway.

This research focuses on the study of structural, ferroelectric traits, and atypical magnetism in Bi2/3Sr1.5Ba1.5Ti4O12 (BSBT) ceramic and testifies a diffuse ferroelectric phase transition with the mechanisms responsible for such a diffuse phase transition (DPT) in BSBT ceramic. This ceramic possesses cubic crystal structure (space group: Pm $\overline {{3}}$ m). Diffuse peak temperature ( ${T}_{m}$ ) at frequencies above 0.1 kHz lies in the range $360.5~\pm ~5$ K, confirming the weak relaxor characteristic in BSBT ceramic. The value of Curie-Weiss constant (C) is of the order of ${{10}}^{{6}}$ signifying displacive ferroelectricity in the studied ceramic, and the magnitude of diffuseness coefficient ( $\gamma $ ) at all frequencies for the BSBT sample is greater than or equal to 1.9 (i.e., very close to 2), signifying near complete (Gaussian model) DPT in the studied frequency range. The magnitude of degree of diffuseness (D) signifies the steepness of the asymmetric double well zones attained at frequencies 0.1 kHz, 1 kHz, 10 kHz, 100 kHz, and 1 MHz. The asymmetric double well zone obtained at these frequencies lies between 373 and 473 K. The magnetism study at 1000 Oe displays a weak antiferromagnetic (AFM) peak at 60 K ( ${T}_{N}$ ) with a peak magnetization of about $8\times 10^{-{5}}~\mu _{\text {B}}$ /f.u. as well as negative magnetization (after 60 K in ZFC and after 75 K in FC) up to 303 K, describing the diamagnetic (DM) nature of the studied BSBT sample.

AbstractThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic has evolved into an international public health concern. Its causing agent was SARS-CoV-2(severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), a lipid bilayer encapsulated virus. Lipids have relevance in the host’s viral cycle; additionally; viruses have been speculated to manipulate lipid signalingand production to influence the lipidome of host cells. SARS-CoV-2 engages the host lipid pathways for replication, like fatty acid synthesis activation viaupregulation of AKT and SREBP pathway and inhibiting lipid catabolism by AMPK and PPAR deactivation. Consequently, lipoprotein levels are altered in most cases, i.e., raised LDL, TG, VLDL levels and reduced HDL levels like a hyperlipidemic state. Apo lipoproteins, a subsiding structural part of lipoproteins, may also impact viral spike protein binding to host cell receptors. In a few studies conducted on COVID-19 patients, maintaining Apo lipoprotein levels has also shown antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 infection. It was speculated that several potent hypolipidemic drugs, such as statins, hydroxychloroquine, and metformin, could be used as add-on treatment in COVID-19 management. Nutraceuticals like Garlic, Fenugreek, and vinegar have the potency to lower the lipid capability acting viathese pathways. A link between COVID-19 and post-COVID alteration in lipoprotein levels has not yet been fully understood. In this review, we try to look over the possible modifications in lipid metabolism due to SARS-CoV-2 viral exposure, besides the prospect of focusing on the potential of lipid metabolic processes to interrupt the viral cycle.

Abstract: We develop a materials informatics workflow to build an interpretable surrogate model for micromagnetic simulations. Our goal is to predict the energy barrier of a moving isolated skyrmion in rare-earth-free ${\text{Mn}}_4$\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$\hbox {Mn}_4$$\end{document}N. Our approach integrates adaptive learning with post hoc model explanation and symbolic regression methods. We discuss an unexplored acquisition function (information condensing active learning) within the adaptive learning loop and compare it with the known standard deviation function for efficient navigation of the search space. Model-agnostic post hoc explanation techniques then uncover trends learned by the trained model, which we then leverage to constrain the expressions used for symbolic regression. Graphical abstract:

This study aimed to develop honey fillings for cookies using a variety of hydrocolloids, including xanthan gum (XG), guar gum (GG), and gelatin. The optimization of hydrocolloids concentration in honey for developing honey fillings was successfully achieved through a Box-Behnken design, involving three independent variables: XG (5–10% w/w), GG (0.1–1.5% w/w), and gelatin (8–12% w/w). The effects of these variables were assessed in terms of the honey filling’s baking stability, antioxidant capacity, firmness, and water activity. The ideal concentrations for the honey filling were identified as 5.23% XG, 1.4% GG, and 10.46% gelatin. The physicochemical, antioxidant, and rheological characteristics of the optimized honey filling (OHF) were analyzed and compared to a commercial chocolate filling (CCF) as a reference. OHF displayed slightly lower viscoelastic properties but higher structural stability across all entire strain. OHF demonstrated 24.29% enhancement in antioxidant activity and 29.15% reduction in fat content relative to CCF. Subsequently, OHF was employed as a filling ingredient in cookies and compared to non-filled cookies and CCF-based cookies. The OHF-based cookies exhibited comparable textural attributes and sensory appeal to the CCF-based cookies. However, they displayed 29.37 and 19.89% increase in TPC, 129.89 and 29.93% increase in antioxidant activity, and 35.82 and 120.31% decrease in fat content as compared to non-filled and CCF-based cookies, respectively.

A missile engaging a moving target requires an estimate of the missile target sight line rate for generating appropriate guidance signal to steer the missile towards the target. The estimated missile target sight line rate, which is often called the guidance signal, is obtained from an onboard seeker after signal processing and due isolation/filtering of the missile body rate. Instead of electromechanical motion of the sensing element of the seeker, modern radio frequency seekers use electronic beam steering and such seekers are strapped down with the body of the missile. As there is no mechanical isolation in a strapdown seeker, filtering of the body motion needs special techniques, which use signals from the missile mounted rate gyro. Conventionally the rate gyro signal is injected invasively in the signal processing loop for compensating the body motion. A non-invasive configuration is proposed in this work where the body motion compensation is carried out outside the signal processing loop. Additional filtering using disturbance observer is further proposed to improve the performance of the seeker. To mitigate the effects of finite resolution in the beam shifter, a digital noise mitigation scheme is also incorporated in the proposed seeker configuration. The performance of the proposed seeker configuration is evaluated for nominal and off-nominal conditions.

Sunlight, an inexhaustible source of energy, suffers from the drawback of intermittency. To ensure a consistent supply of renewable energy, the exploration of materials displaying robust postillumination activity or persistent photoconductivity (PPC) becomes imperative. This study delves into the realm of persistent photoconductivity within heterojunction nanocomposites of TiO2. In this work, a p–n heterojunction was established between Er-TiO2and Mn3O4, facilitating efficient charge separation and enabling the broad solar spectrum to be harvested. The synergistic combination of TiO2with other photoactive materials leads to a remarkable enhancement in catalytic efficiency. Intriguingly, transient photocurrent and photoluminescence investigations illuminate the pivotal role played by trapped electrons in defective Mn3O4, driving the persistent photoconductivity mechanism. Consequently, harnessed solar energy undertakes water treatment, even after the cessation of light. In contrast to the nonilluminated catalyst, the illuminated catalyst showcases a striking 3-fold surge in activity, achieved with merely 10 min of light exposure. Impressively, the catalyst demonstrates exceptional degradation efficacy across various real-world water systems, encompassing static water, river water, and sewage treatment plant wastewater. This discovery demonstrates a new way to utilize materials with persistent photoconductivity for solar-assisted water treatment plants.

AbstractThe novel coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outburst is still threatening global health. This highly contagious viral disease is caused by the infection of SARS-CoV-2 virus. Covid-19 and post-Covid-19 complications induce noteworthy mortality. Potential chemical hits and leads against SARS-CoV-2 for combating Covid-19 are urgently required. In the present study, a virtual-screening protocol was executed on potential Amaryllidaceae alkaloids from a pool of natural compound library against SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) and transmembrane serine protease (TMPRSS2). For the collected 1016 alkaloids from the curated library, initially, molecular docking using AutoDock Vina (ADV), and thereafter 100 ns molecular-dynamic (MD) simulation has been executed for the best top-ranked binding affinity compounds for both the viral and host proteins. Comprehensive intermolecular-binding interactions profile of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids suggested that phyto-compounds Galantamine, Lycorenine, and Neronine as potent modulators of SARS-CoV-2 Mproand host TMPRSS2 protein. All atomistic long range 100 ns MD simulation studies of each top ranked complex in triplicates also illustrated strong binding affinity of three compounds towards Mproand TMPRSS2. Identified compounds might be recommended as prospective anti-viral agents for future drug development selectively targeting the SARS-CoV-2 Mproor blocking host TMPRSS2 receptor, subjected to pre-clinical and clinical assessment for a better understanding of in-vitromolecular interaction and in-vivovalidation.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

The development of tailor-made electrochromic (EC) materials requires a large variety of available substances with properties that precisely match the task. Since the inception of electrochromic metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), the field relies only on a limited set of building blocks, providing the desired electrochromic effect. Herein, we demonstrate for the first time the implementation of a Piccard-type system (N,N,N′,N′-benzidinetetrabenzoate) into Zr-MOFs to obtain electrochromic materials. With fast switching rates, high contrast ratio, long-life stability, and exceptional chemical and physical stability, the novel material is on par with inorganic EC material. The new EC system exhibits an ultrahigh contrast from the bleaching state, with transmittance in the visible region >53%, to the colored state with a transmittance of ca. 3%. The 5 μm thick film attained up to 90% of the coloring in 12.5 s and exhibited high electrochemical reversibility. Moreover, the conformational lability of the electrochromic ligand chosen is locked via the topology design of the framework, which is not attainable in the solution. Locked conformations of the redox active linker in distinct polymorphous frameworks (DUT-65 and DUT-66) feature different redox characteristics and opens the door to the overarching control of the oxidation pathway in the Piccard-type systems.

Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) primarily occurs via consumption of contaminated drinking water and food; however, individuals can also be exposed dermally and via inhalation indoors. This study developed an analytical method for measuring volatile PFASs in silicone wristbands and used them to assess personal exposure in a Midwestern community (n= 87). Paired samples of blood and wristbands were analyzed for PFASs using LC–MS/MS and GC-HRMS to monitor both non-volatile and volatile PFASs. The most frequently detected PFASs in wristbands were: 6:2 diPAP, 6:2 FTOH, MeFOSE and EtFOSE. Females had a 4-fold higher exposure to 6:2 diPAP compared to males and age-dependent differences in exposure to 6:2 FTOH, MeFOSE and EtFOSE were observed. Exposure to MeFOSE and EtFOSE differed based on the average time spent in the home. Frequently detected PFASs in blood were: PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFHpS, and N-MeFOSAA. A strong correlation was found between MeFOSE in the wristbands and N-MeFOSAA in serum (rs= 0.90, p-value <0.001), suggesting exposure to this PFAS was primarily via inhalation and dermal exposure. These results demonstrate that wristbands can provide individual level data on exposure to some polyfluoroalkyl precursors present indoors that reflect serum levels of their suspected biotransformation products.

The destructive assay of bulk uranium and plutonium, a cornerstone for chemical quality control and nuclear material accounting of fuel matrices, mandates robust and precise methodologies. Despite ongoing research, simultaneous, matrix independent determination of U and Pu has eluded solution owing to inherent limitations in aqueous acid medium, viz., coexistence of multiple oxidation states, coupled electrochemical reactions, smaller potential window, and requirement for multistep sample preconditioning and tedious electrode modification. The present study addresses this challenge wherein non-aqueous methanesulfonic acid (MSA) served the dual role of solvent and analyte media with a bare glassy carbon (GC) electrode. Fuel matrices, viz., (U, Pu)C, (U, Pu)O2, PuO2, UO3, UO2, and U3O8, were quantitatively dissolved in biodegradable MSA, without using any additives. Redox speciation of the analytes, U and Pu, in MSA was probed by ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry and electrometry, revealing the absence of electrocatalytic regeneration and stabilization of single oxidation state, viz., U(VI) and Pu(IV), along with relevant redox-energetic (electron transfer and reversibility) and kinetic data. Bidentate coordination of MSA with the U analyte was indicated by X-ray absorption spectroscopy studies and was corroborated by density functional theory-based investigations, providing the optimized structure, viz., [UO2(MSA)2] and [Pu(MSA)4], binding modes and energy, partial charges, and molecular orbital diagrams. Based on these insights, the feasibility of differential pulse voltammetry (DPV)-based assay method development for U and Pu separately and in different U/Pu ratios, representing assorted fuel matrices, was probed. Analytical figures of merit for both U and Pu (detection limit of ∼10–5M, precision of ∼0.2%, accuracy of ∼0.2%, high sensitivity, repeatability, and non-influence of relevant interferences) were determined, method validated employing actual fuel samples, and compared with the established, multi-step biamperometry method. Hence, a universal, simultaneous U and Pu destructive assay method in non-aqueous MSA media based on DPV with a commercial GC electrode was demonstrated.

Self-assembly of amphiphilic molecules is a simple and effective method for creating various nanoscale shapes such as spheres, rods, cylinders, and vesicles. The arrangement of amphiphilic molecules during self-assembly is influenced by various factors. These factors include the balance between hydrophobic and hydrophilic components, length of solvophobic segments, amphiphile structure, temperature, and concentration. This study explores how the sequence of grafted solvophobic segments influences the self-assembled morphology and stimuli-responsive behavior. Herein, the desired amphiphiles were prepared by reacting the peripheral alkyne-terminated hyperbranched polyester core with two distinct azide-functionalized amphiphiles using Cu-catalyzed click transformations. The solvophobic sequences of these two amphiphiles differed by azide functionality positioning. For the Set-1 amphiphile, the azide group presented at the hydrophilic chain ends, while for the Set-2 amphiphile, it was the opposite. Furthermore, the solvophobic segments of these two amphiphiles were connected via a photoresponsive azobenzene spacer. Despite the similar hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance, the self-assembly of these two HBP-amphiphiles exhibited disparities in morphologies and photoresponsive behavior. HBP-1 amphiphile (HBP-OEG-Azo-C12) is self-assembled into a vesicular structure, whereas the HBP-2 amphiphile (HBP-C12-Azo-OEG) is self-assembled into spherical micelles. The photoresponsiveness of these two amphiphiles was investigated by assessing the release of guest molecules. A photophysical study revealed that the vesicular morphology of HBP-1 exhibits controlled release of guest molecules, while self-assembled HBP-2 initiates burst releases. Spectroscopic and microscopic imaging techniques were employed to gain insight into the mechanism for these differences. The sequence of grafted solvophobic units appears to influence the geometry of the self-segregated segments and the stability of the self-assembled structure, resulting in different morphologies and responsive functions.

The spectral response of the S-20 streak camera ranges from 350 to 850 nanometers. The streak camera consists of a streak tube and an image intensifier tube followed by a CCD camera. The optical streak camera can be operated in three modes viz. static mode, gated mode, and dynamic mode. In static mode, various electrodes are checked by applying suitable DC voltages For this purpose, a high-voltage biasing network is developed. Gated mode operation is introduced to improve signal-to-noise ratio. So, the Micro Channel Plate (MCP) of the image intensifier tube will be activated with the gated signal.

Background: The purpose of the study was to compare the efficacy of the use of 0.2% chlorhexidine irrigation and the oral antibiotics for the prevention of postoperative complication like pain, trismus, swelling and infection after the surgical extraction of IMTM. Material and Methods: A randomised, double blinded clinical trial was planned with two equal groups. Patients were randomly divided into two groups using computer-generated codes with an allocation ratio of 1:1. Group I (Control): Standard preoperative and postoperative systemic oral antibiotics and Group II (Study): No systemic antibiotics and Chlorhexidine irrigation local delivery. The primary outcomes evaluated were postoperative pain, mouth opening, swelling and infection. The secondary outcome variables were the number of analgesics and antibiotics taken by the patient in the postoperative period, the satisfaction of the patient and adverse events, were followed up regulary for 7 days postoperatively. Results: A total of 84 patients, divided into two equal groups participated in the study. In intergroup comparison of swelling, the difference was non-significant on postoperative day (POD) 1 and 7, except for POD 3, where it showed significantly lower results in the antibiotic group (p = 0.012). However, there was no significant difference in pain found between both groups at any of the postoperative time points, and the study group had a lesser need for rescue analgesics than the control group. A statistically significant difference in incidence of dry socket was observed (p = 0.03) and gastrointestinal adverse symptoms, but it showed insignificant results for wound dehiscence and pus discharge. Also, patient satisfaction was higher in the study group. Conclusions: Both antibiotics and localised delivery demonstrated comparable results in terms of swelling, pain and trismus. However, with lesser adverse events, the localised chlorhexidine delivery with curved tips outperformed the antibiotic group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a condition associated with nearly 123 risk factors. Among all the risk factors, enamel defects or enamel hypoplasia (ED/EH) has been shown to be the primary risk factor. ED/EH comprises the earliest changes that manifest on newly erupted primary tooth surfaces soon after its eruption. ED/EH appears as white lines or patches, either as demarcated or diffuse opacities on the enamel surface. It is often observed on the labial and buccal surfaces of the newly erupted primary maxillary incisors. A simple self-report tool for mothers/caretakers, healthcare professionals, and primary care workers to diagnose early changes in ECC may facilitate early diagnosis. The MAAC chart was developed to prevent ECC in children with cleft lip and palate. These charts, primarily developed to educate parents, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and primary health care providers, illustrate the variations in ED/EH on the enamel surface (demarcated and diffuse opacities on various maxillary teeth) as a collage of pictures organized as incisors and canines. This paper describes a novel and simple, tool called ‘MAAC charts’ providing guidance on early signs of Early childhood caries (ECC) for health professionals, parents and caretakers. MAAC charts can be useful for Pediatric dentists while providing anticipatory guidance during early first dental visits in their office. Pediatric dentists can suggest paediatricians to use these MAAC charts, in vaccinations clinics and various in/out patient settings to provide oral health related anticipatory guidance. Pediatric dentists can use these MAAC charts in large scale public health campaigns focused on preventing ECC.

In the short note, we theoretically analyze a one-dimensional photonic crystal (1D PC) with a double defect structure for potential use in dual-channel optical filtering. Using the transfer matrix method, we calculate the transmission spectrum and identify two distinct peaks within the photonic band gap region, each corresponding to one of the defects. We also explore the impact of varying the number of unit cells between these defects. Our results suggest that this 1D PC with a double defect structure can serve as an effective tuned dual-channel optical filter.