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Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is one of the most common precancerous conditions of the oral mucosa involving any part of the oral cavity resulting in tissue scarring, dysphagia, and trismus. Habits of chewing areca nut, tobacco, and pan masala and smoking have revealed a strong association with the occurrence of OSMF. Due to its high morbidity and high malignant transformation rate (MTR), continuous efforts have been made to develop effective treatment options. Based on the stage of the disease, various treatment modalities such as medical and surgical therapies are available, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Photobiomodulation (PBM) is an emerging minimally invasive therapy that can be utilized to treat OSMF through its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. With the advent of dual-wavelength diode lasers, the current case report focuses on a novel treatment strategy for managing OSMF in combination with pharmacological and oral physiotherapy to achieve optimal results., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. 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, Varma et al.)

Introduction Periodontitis is a complex interplay of bacterial infection and host response. Non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) is effective but limited in thoroughly debriding challenging areas, often leading to recurrent bacterial colonization. Photobiomodulation (PBM), involving precise doses of laser photonic energy, has shown potential in modulating inflammation and promoting healing. This study investigates the impact of NSPT alone and NSPT combined with PBM on clinical parameters and salivary macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α) levels in periodontitis patients. Methods Ethical approval was obtained, and informed consent was secured from all participants. Sixty periodontitis patients aged 30-60 were selected and divided into two groups: Group 1 (NSPT alone) and Group 2 (NSPT with PBM). Clinical parameters including the plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were assessed at baseline and 21 days post-treatment. Salivary MIP-1α levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Both groups showed significant improvements in the PI, GI, PPD, and CAL from baseline to 21 days post-treatment. Group 2 exhibited greater reductions in the GI, PPD, and CAL compared to Group 1. Salivary MIP-1α levels post-intervention showed reduction in both groups but were not statistically significant between the groups. Conclusion NSPT combined with PBM demonstrates greater clinical improvements than NSPT alone, highlighting PBM as an effective adjunctive therapy. Both groups showed a reduction in MIP-1α levels post-intervention, suggesting the potential of MIP-1α as a biomarker for periodontal disease activity., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Ethics Review Committee of Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth issued approval Protocol No. 012/2022-2023. 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, Mujawar et al.)

Introduction Periodontal diseases arise from host-microbial interactions influenced by tobacco products. Salivary antimicrobial peptides such as salivary cathelicidin and prostaglandins such as 8-isoprostane are part of the inflammatory cascade affecting periodontal disease pathogenesis. Methodology A total of 93 patients, 31 in each group that is healthy, periodontitis, and periodontitis with smokeless tobacco habit patients, were enrolled. The case history was recorded, and clinical examination was performed using periodontal parameter analysis of oral hygiene index simplified (OHIS), Russell's index, periodontal pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment level (CAL). The saliva samples were collected and subjected to an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to evaluate cathelicidin and 8-isoprostane. The results were analysed and compared statistically. Results The OHIS, Russell's index, pocket probing depth, and CAL were high in patients with periodontitis and tobacco habit (p<0.001). The cathelicidin levels were the highest in patients with periodontitis and the tobacco habit (1.6 g/mL). The level of 8-isoprostane was the highest in patients with periodontitis with tobacco habit (1.8 pg/mL). Smokeless tobacco users showed higher levels of cathelicidin and 8-isoprostane in periodontitis with tobacco than in the healthy group. Conclusion Increased cathelicidin and 8-isoprostane levels in smokeless tobacco users with periodontitis suggest risk biomarkers for tobacco-influenced periodontitis., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth issued approval KIMSDU/IEC/08/2022. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Ethical Committee of Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Karad (Ethical number: KIMSDU/IEC/08/2022). 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, Karambelkar et al.)

Introduction Periodontitis is a multifactorial oral disease causing destruction of the periodontium. Systemic diseases can exacerbate periodontal inflammation through immune dysregulation. N-terminal-probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) a prohormone, released by myocardial cells is a known biomarker for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Existing literature discloses a bidirectional relationship between periodontitis and CVD. NT-proBNP release can be regulated by mediators of the systemic inflammation. Cardiocyte NT-proBNP release might get stimulated through proinflammatory cytokines. NT-proBNP levels can also be influenced by systemic inflammation in the absence of cardiac dysfunction. Accordingly, we postulated that the inflammation of periodontium could aid in increased levels of NT-proBNP in serum and saliva in participants without cardiovascular disorders. Saliva is said to be the mirror of the body. Assessing NT-pro BNP in saliva allows for a non-invasive method. The present research evaluated the salivary and serum concentrations of NT-proBNP in a healthy group, patients suffering from periodontal disease and periodontal disease along with myocardial infarction (MI). Material and method A total of 90 patients, 30 in each group i.e., healthy group, periodontitis patients and patients suffering from periodontitis with myocardial infarction, were enrolled. The periodontitis patients were selected according to the Classification of Periodontal and Peri-implant Diseases and Conditions 2017. Patients clinically diagnosed with MI by the physician were selected following World Health Organization criteria for detection of MI. Case history was recorded and periodontal parameter analysis like plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL) were measured. Salivary and serum samples were collected from the participants after obtaining informed consent. The samples were subjected to human NT-proBNP sandwich type enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for quantitative evaluation. The obtained data was analysed and compared using ANOVA, Tukey's post hoc test and Pearson's correlation. The p-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result PI and GI were highest in subjects with periodontitis only (p<0.05). Patients suffering from periodontitis with MI exhibited significantly higher PPD and CAL values (p<0.05). Salivary and serum concentrations of NT-proBNP were significantly higher with p-value=0.000 in subjects suffering from periodontitis with MI. The salivary NT-proBNP levels were significantly higher than serum NT-proBNP levels in periodontitis and periodontitis with MI patients. The levels of NT-proBNP in periodontitis along with MI patients were 1.570 pg/mL in serum and 1.694 pg/mL in saliva. Conclusion Salivary NT-proBNP levels were highest in subjects affected from periodontitis along with MI. Elevated salivary NT-proBNP levels can be due to systemic inflammation and cardiovascular stress linking periodontitis to MI. The positive correlation between periodontal parameters and NT-proBNP levels validates the biomarker's role in reflecting the extent of periodontal destruction and its association with cardiovascular stress. Salivary NT-proBNP can be used as a non-invasive diagnostic marker for diagnosing periodontitis and MI. Future research could explore targeted therapies for the shared inflammatory pathways between periodontitis and MI., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University) issued approval 014/2022-2023. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Periodontology, School of Dental Sciences, Karad, following approval from the Ethical Committee of Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Karad (Protocol number: 014/2022-2023, dated: 09/08/2022). Informed consent was obtained from all the subjects before commencing the study. 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, Mohite et al.)

Introduction Periodontal diseases, encompassing gingivitis and periodontitis, are prevalent and complex conditions with significant implications for overall health, particularly in India. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding periodontal diseases among first-year undergraduate students across various faculties at Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth Deemed to be University, Karad. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 200 students from the medical, dental, physiotherapy, pharmacy, and nursing faculties. Descriptive statistics and Pearson's chi-squared test were utilized for data analysis. Results They revealed suboptimal oral hygiene practices among participants, with only 30% reporting twice-daily tooth cleaning. Additionally, less than half of the participants used soft toothbrushes and fluoridated toothpaste. Notably, 40% had never visited a dentist. While 86% recognized the correlation between gum and systemic health, significant proportions had experienced symptoms of gum disease. Dental first-year undergraduate students have a better understanding, attitude, and practices toward periodontal diseases, while nursing first-year undergraduate students displayed the lowest KAP scores compared to other faculties. Conclusion The first-year dental students demonstrated a better understanding, attitude, and behavior towards periodontal diseases compared to students in other faculties. Our study emphasizes the necessity of incorporating oral and periodontal health education into both healthcare professional curricula and those of higher secondary school students. Such educational programs will empower individuals to enhance their oral and systemic health. Moreover, equipping medical and paramedical practitioners with proper knowledge of periodontal health will ultimately lead to improved oral health outcomes for the general population., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth issued approval 200/2022-2023. 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, Jadhav et al.)

Introduction Ultrasonic bone surgery, or piezosurgery, is a novel technique utilizing ultrasonic vibrations to cut bone while minimizing damage to adjacent soft tissues. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of ultrasonic bone surgery among periodontology and oral surgery postgraduate students in Maharashtra, India. Methods A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among 180 postgraduate students (84 in periodontology and 96 in oral surgery). A Google Form questionnaire (Google LLC, Mountain View, CA, United States) with 15 close-ended questions was distributed via email. Data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics version 25 (IBM Corp. Released 2017. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 25.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.) employing frequency percentages and Pearson Chi-square tests for intergroup comparisons. Results Of the participants, 80 (95.3%) of periodontology and 91 (94.7%) of oral surgery postgraduates were aware of ultrasonic bone surgery. Significant differences were found in the knowledge of critical bone damage temperature (p=0.009) and postoperative complications (p=0.037), with periodontology postgraduates showing higher awareness. Both groups recognized ultrasonic bone surgery's precision, safety, and reduced trauma advantages. Overall knowledge and awareness were higher among periodontology postgraduates (n=84, 87.5%) than oral surgery postgraduates (n=96, 78.3%). Conclusion Both groups demonstrated a good understanding of ultrasonic bone surgery, with periodontology postgraduates showing notably higher awareness. These findings underscore the importance of integrating ultrasonic bone surgical techniques into dental education to enhance patient care and keep pace with technological advancements. Further studies with larger sample sizes across India are recommended., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Ethics Review Committee of Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth issued approval 201/2022-202. 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, Dongare et al.)

Introduction Cancer is a major health problem and a devastating disease. People living with cancer experience a variety of signs and symptoms. Cancer patients undergo physical, psychological, social, and financial implications due to the disease and its treatment. Cancer harshly affects the individual's health and deteriorates the quality of life (QoL). This study assesses the QoL determinants among various cancer patient groups in western Maharashtra, India. Materials and methods This hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the oncology center, Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth, Karad, India. The study consisted of 270 cancer patients selected by purposive sampling technique. The data regarding the QoL was collected using a structured and validated questionnaire consisting of 50 questions elicited through one-to-one interviews. Data were analyzed using statistical software. Results Of 270 cancer patients, 135 (50%) were males and 135 (50%) were females aged between 22 and 66 years. Maximum patients (N = 89, 32.9%) were in the age group of 41-50 years, and the majority of patients (N = 34, 12.6%) suffered from breast cancer. The QoL among our patients was very low in 104 (38.5%) and 127 (47.0%), average in 36 (13.3%), and high only in 3 (1.1%) patients. Conclusion QoL among cancer patients was influenced by their symptoms, treatment, and the financial strain they experienced. There is a need to develop interventions to effectively manage symptoms that will help patients gain a greater sense of control over their illness and treatment, thereby improving their QoL., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University) issued approval 202/2022-2023 dated: 17.1.2023. The study was carried out according to the Modified Helsinki Declaration (2000). 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, Patil et al.)

Bell's palsy is an idiopathic and uncommon peripheral nerve palsy that affects the facial nerve, leading to an inability to control the muscles of facial expression on the affected side. This paper presents two cases of unilateral Bell's palsy in female patients treated with systemic steroids, antiviral drugs, and artificial tear substitutes. The treatment outcomes, clinical course, and recovery timelines are discussed in detail. A review of the current literature on the etiology, diagnosis, and management of Bell's palsy is also provided to contextualize these cases within broader clinical practice., Competing Interests: Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. 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, Suragimath et al.)