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Introduction: Fluoride agents to prevent white spot lesions are used often during orthodontic treatment. The beneficial effects of fluoride, when consumed within permissible limits on dental structures, are well known. Their implications on underlying biological tissues, however, are unknown. Mouthwashes and dentifrices with fluorides are associated with metal ion release into the mouth with possible cell genotoxicity. Since these cariostatic agents are frequently used during orthodontic therapy, a deeper understanding of the effects of fluoride on oral tissues was considered necessary. Methodology: Three groups of patients (30 each)—group 1 (untreated controls), group 2 (non-fluoridated), and group 3 (Fluoridated) were analyzed. Patients in groups 2 and 3 were bonded with the same bracket prescription and treated with similar archwire sequences. Buccal mucosal cells at 4 specific time periods (before treatment, 1 week, 30 days, and 6 months) were collected, using a wooden tongue depressor, and assessed for any nuclear abnormalities. Comparisons of changes were made with an untreated control group and also between the non-fluoridated and fluoridated groups. Relevant conclusions were drawn after analysis of the results. Results: Greater number of nuclei were observed at the 30-day time interval in the fluoridated group, which was statistically significant at P < .001. Conclusion: Use of fluoridated oral hygiene products in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment with NiTi archwires could increase the risk of micronuclei formation in buccal mucosal cells.

Rectovaginal group B streptococcal (GBS) colonisation affects approximately 30% of pregnant women, which significantly increases the use of antibiotics in mothers and babies. In this review, we aim to answer two questions: (i) In pregnant women, does the use of probiotics prevent GBS colonisation prior to delivery when compared with placebo; and (ii) In GBS positive pregnant women, does the use of probiotics reduce the risk of GBS colonisation prior to delivery when compared with standard treatment. Pubmed, Cochrane library, EMBASE, OVID, clinical trials.gov, grey literature and conference proceedings were systematically searched to identify eligible trials. References of included trials were also reviewed. A total of four studies (n = 402) were included in the final review. Two studies reported on the prevention of GBS colonisation in healthy pregnant women, and two studies reported on the rate of GBS clearance after probiotic administration. Meta-analysis of the two studies using random effects model indicated that GBS clearance with probiotics was not statistically significant with odds ratio 2.12 (95% confidence interval 0.60-7.50, P = 0.17). Collection of adverse events data was not a primary or secondary aim in any of the studies. We conclude that there is limited evidence to recommend the regular use of probiotics to minimise the risk of GBS colonisation. Results from ongoing studies are likely to add to the current existing evidence.

Respiratory diseases are an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although conventional histopathology is the gold standard for their diagnosis, cytology is a useful adjunctive diagnostic test. In the present study we evaluated the efficacy of cytology in providing a rapid diagnosis. We included lesions which were both visible and not visible on bronchoscopy. We evaluated the role of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), brush cytology and imprint smears both separately and in combination, and compared them with the histopathological findings of transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB). Among 100 cases the highest concordance was seen between imprint cytology (77.78%) and biopsy for malignancy, followed by bronchoalveolar lavage (40.91%) and brush cytology (40.00%). The concordance and level of agreement between cytology and biopsy was very poor in general for non-neoplastic lesions. However, it increased when BAL and imprint smears (42.50%) were performed together, compared to other combinations. We recommend a combination of cytological techniques in suspected cases of malignancy, as more useful than a single test, and to include imprint smears in all cases. However, biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosis in non-neoplastic lung disease.

Context: The rapid spread of COVID-19 globally continues to be a threat for healthcare professionals. Dental students and practitioners remain at the risk of having this disease. Aim: The aim of this survey was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and perception of dental students across India toward COVID-19. Settings and Design: A survey with 51 questions to obtain knowledge, attitude, and perception of dental students toward COVID-19 was formulated, pretested via a pilot study and then validated. Subjects and Methods: The final questionnaire was circulated through a link to Google forms, making participation voluntary. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis was carried out using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test and independent t-test. Results: A total of 610 undergraduate dental students (3rd year, 4th year and students undergoing internship) from various dental colleges across the country responded. On intergroup comparison using One-way ANOVA test, between knowledge, attitude, and perception of dental undergraduate students, attitude toward COVID-19 was found be of statistical significance with P = 0.008. Conclusion: Knowledge, awareness, and perception toward COVID-19 will help contain the spread of this infectious disease that can be caused during dental procedures. There lies a strong call to conduct educational programs on COVID-19 regarding the infection control practices for all healthcare professions, especially dental school students.

A Pound reflection locking method is used to tune to a desired frequency high-Q microwave resonant cavities to be used for axion detection. A phase-modulated RF signal is fed to the cavity and the reflected RF signal is detected with a zero-bias Schottky diode detector. The detected signal is analyzed using a lock-in amplifier synchronized to the phase modulation frequency. The lock-in output is integrated and amplified to provide the feedback signal to a servomechanism to lock the resonant cavity to the desired frequency.

Dengue viral infection with unusual presentations has been described in literature, but autopsy is rarely done and is only limited to some cases, based on the literature review. Here, we present the autopsy findings in three cases of dengue encephalitis. All the three patients clinically presented with signs of meningoencephalitis and were positive for dengue non-structural (NS) 1 antigen (Ag) in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid. The postmortem findings revealed cerebral edema, inflammation, hemorrhage, and microinfarcts in all the three cases with herniation of the brain in one case. Sub-massive hepatocellular necrosis was seen in one case. The renal findings included hemorrhage into the Bowman's capsule with red cell cast in two of three cases. The pulmonary findings included a diffuse destruction of the alveoli and hemorrhage into the alveolar spaces in all the three cases.

This research work discusses a file-type-independent cryptosystem using the conversion of Cartesian and Polar coordinate systems in three dimensions. This is an advancement to PythoCrypt (IJESM, Vol-3,Issue-2, 48-51,2013) where a new algorithm was discussed that can be effectively used to provide security to medical images (IEEE, Proceedings of ICe-HNAS-9, 244 – 247, 2007) or files that have a small region or block of interest (JMBE, Vol- 27, Issue-3,144-149, 2007)(Springer.Link, FAW-1 proceedings, 62-73,2007). The usage of geometrical objects for encryption is still young and an attempt was made to employ an enhanced method of PythoCrypt to encrypt different file types. The present research work explores the inter-operability of the two coordinate systems as a basis for a cryptosystem. The work proposes a crypto-system with considerable security with one requirement; the use of a secure channel for key exchange.

The quasi-random model of molecular band absorption is used to study the interaction of a dye laser beam, tuned to 575 nm, with the absorption lines of nitrogen. Values of transmittance, averaged over intervals of 0.2 cm−1, are obtained for absorber thickness 0.2 and 10 atmosphere centimeters in the frequency interval 17,386–17,397 cm−1. From these values, intensities of the absorption lines in the first positive system of N2 are simulated.

Background: Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) is considered to be associated with numerous systemic conditions one of which includes Chronic Liver Disease (CLD). Hepatitis virus B and C (HBV and HCV) have known to be important causative agents of CLD and can be prevalent in asymptomatic carriers that can make them difficult to identify. Off late, the association of viral hepatitis with OLP has been a subject of controversy due to conflicting reports. Indian studies on this regard are sparse to evaluate the same. Association between the hepatitis virus and OLP, if present and established, can be of great help to format a protocol for identifying carrier states of viral hepatitis due to HBV and HCV. Methodology: Forty five cases of clinically and histologically confirmed OLP were subjected to a serological screening of hepatitis B and C viruses by detection of hepatitis B surface antigen and anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies. Results: None of OLP cases were seropositive for the hepatitis viruses. Conclusion: We could not demonstrate any association between OLP and viral hepatitis. This could be attributed to lower prevalence of hepatitis viruses compared to the countries hyper endemic for these viruses or genotypic variation of the viruses or other etiological factors contributing for the present group of patients.

Propagation of a dye laser beam of wavelength 5700 A through nitrogen is considered. Values of transmittance, averaged over intervals of 0.5 cm(-1), are obtained for absorber thicknesses of 0.1, 1, and 10 atm-cm, using the quasi-random model of molecular band absorption. From these values, intensities of the absorption lines in the first positive system of N(2) are simulated in the frequency interval of 17,540-17,548 cm(-1).