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Comparative Evaluation of Push-out Bond Strength of Conventional Mineral Trioxide Aggregate, Biodentine, and Two Novel Antibacterial-enhanced Mineral Trioxide Aggregates

J Contemp Dent Pract. 2024 Feb 1;25(2):168-173. doi: 10.5005/jp-journals-10024-3638.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To evaluate the push-out bond strength of two newly modified mineral trioxide aggregates (MTAs) with conventional MTA and biodentine.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Material preparation: Two commercially available bioactive bioceramics: Group I: Mineral trioxide aggregate; Group II: Biodentine; and two newly formulated modified MTAs: Group III: Doxycycline incorporated MTA formulation; Group IV: Metronidazole incorporated MTA formulation was used in the present study. All the test materials were then carried using a plastic instrument to the desired experimental design. Teeth sample preparation: A total of 120 teeth samples were collected and divided into four groups of test materials with 30 teeth samples per group. Single-rooted permanent teeth, that is, incisors were collected and stored in saline until the study was performed. Sectioning of the teeth into 2.0 ± 0.05-mm thick slices was performed perpendicular to the long axis of the tooth. The canal space was instrumented using Gates Glidden burs to achieve a diameter of 1.5 mm. All four prepared materials were mixed and placed in the lumen of the slices and placed in an incubator at 37°C for 72 hours. Push-out test and bond failure pattern evaluation: The push-out test was performed using a universal testing machine. The slices were examined under a scanning electron microscope (SEM) at 40× magnification to determine the nature of bond failure. All the collected data were recorded and statistically analyzed.

RESULTS: The mean push-out bond strength was found to be the highest for group II (37.38 ± 1.94 MPa) followed by group III (28.04 ± 2.22 MPa) and group IV (27.83 ± 1.34 MPa). The lowest mean push-out bond strength was noticed with group I (22.89 ± 2.49 MPa). This difference was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.000). Group I samples had the predominantly adhesive type of failure (86.4%), while group II samples showed the cohesive type of failure (94.2%). Both the modified MTAs (groups III and IV) primarily showed mixed types of failures.

CONCLUSION: Both the antibacterial-enhanced MTAs had better pushout bond strength compared to conventional MTA but did not outperform biodentine. Hence, it could serve as a substitute for conventional MTA due to its augmented physical properties.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Carious pulp exposure and nonvital open apices pose a critical challenge to pediatric dental practitioners. In such circumstances, maintaining the vitality of pulp and faster healing would help in a better prognosis. Novel MTAs without any cytotoxic components, and enhanced antibacterial contents with augmented physical properties can help in treating such clinical conditions. How to cite this article: Merlin ARS, Ravindran V, Jeevanandan G, et al. Comparative Evaluation of Push-out Bond Strength of Conventional Mineral Trioxide Aggregate, Biodentine, and Two Novel Antibacterial-enhanced Mineral Trioxide Aggregates. J Contemp Dent Pract 2024;25(2):168-173.

PMID:38514415 | DOI:10.5005/jp-journals-10024-3638

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Evaluation of Regenerative Efficacy of Amnion and Chorion Membrane in Treatment of Mandibular Molar Furcation Defects: A Clinico-radiographic Study

J Contemp Dent Pract. 2024 Feb 1;25(2):160-167. doi: 10.5005/jp-journals-10024-3640.

ABSTRACT

AIM: Amnion and chorion membranes possess unique inherited biological properties that enhance wound healing and may accelerate periodontal regeneration. The present study aims to evaluate and compare the efficacy of amnion and chorion membranes in the treatment of furcation defects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 patients were selected and were randomly allocated to group I and group II with 10 subjects in each group. Amnion and chorion membranes are placental-derived membranes that accelerate regeneration by having natural growth factors with their antimicrobial and inflammation reduction properties. Group I was treated using bone grafting with decalcified freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA) and placement of amnion as a membrane for guided tissue regeneration (GTR) whereas group II was treated using bone grafting with DFDBA and placement of chorion as a membrane for GTR. The patients were followed for clinical and radiographic parameters and were evaluated between 3 and 6 months after surgery.

RESULT: In intragroup comparison, a significant difference was evident in both the groups for all the clinical and radiographic parameters within the groups. (p = 0.01) This means both amnion and chorion membranes showed statistically significant regenerative efficacy. In intergroup comparison, the results show that all the clinical parameters and radiographic parameters show no significant difference between the groups.

CONCLUSION: The amnion and chorion membranes had similar regenerative efficacy in combination with DFDBA in patients with buccal degree II furcation defects in mandibular molars.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The amnion and chorion membranes have shown significant improvement in clinical and radiographic parameters when used for the treatment of buccal degree II furcation defects in mandibular molars. How to cite this article: Mallapragda S, Gupta R, Gupta S, et al. Evaluation of Regenerative Efficacy of Amnion and Chorion Membrane in Treatment of Mandibular Molar Furcation Defects: A Clinico-radiographic Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2024;25(2):160-167.

PMID:38514414 | DOI:10.5005/jp-journals-10024-3640

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Assessment of the Smear Layer Removal Efficacy of Three Different Agents on Periodontally Compromised Tooth: An In Vitro Study

J Contemp Dent Pract. 2024 Feb 1;25(2):156-159. doi: 10.5005/jp-journals-10024-3618.

ABSTRACT

AIM: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the smear layer removal efficacy of three various agents on periodontally compromised tooth.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The current study included 75 molar teeth that were extracted due to periodontal disease. After that, 25 samples were randomly assigned using a simple random technique to the three different agent groups, group A: Scaling and root planing (SRP) and application of SofScale agent, group B: SRP and application of QMix agent, group C: SRP and application of MTAD agent. Using a diamond circular saw, the treated portions were divided into horizontal and vertical halves. All samples were viewed under Scanning Electron Microscope. Every tooth was focused at the coronal third, middle third, and apical third portion with a magnification of 1000×. Data were recorded and statistically analyzed.

RESULTS: The smear layer removal efficacy was more in the QMix agent (3.06 ± 0.04) group followed by MTAD agent (3.28 ± 0.09) and SofScale agent (4.14 ± 0.10) group on the root surface. On intra group comparison, there was a statistically significant difference found in all the intra group agents with all the three levels. On inter group evaluation, at coronal third, there was no significant difference found between the different agents. There was a significant difference found between the different agents at middle and coronal third.

CONCLUSION: On conclusion, the current investigation found that, the root surfaces treated with QMix shown a greater ability to remove smear layers compared to tooth surfaces treated with MTAD and SofScale agent.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Conventional therapies such as SRP effectively eliminate calculus, plaque, and necrosed cementum; nevertheless, they leave behind a smear layer that could impede normal healing. In an effort to overcome this, root conditioning agents were applied on the root surface to remove the smear layer. The traditional root conditioning agents such as citric acid have certain disadvantages, though, such as an acidic pH that could harm the root surface. As a result, researchers have been looking for biocompatible root conditioning treatments that are more effective. How to cite this article: Singh DK, BS Raj H, Soans CR, et al. Assessment of the Smear Layer Removal Efficacy of Three Different Agents on Periodontally Compromised Tooth: An In Vitro Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2024;25(2):156-159.

PMID:38514413 | DOI:10.5005/jp-journals-10024-3618

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Perceptions and Knowledge of Undergraduate Dental Students about Artificial Intelligence in Dental Schools: A Cross-sectional Study

J Contemp Dent Pract. 2024 Feb 1;25(2):148-155. doi: 10.5005/jp-journals-10024-3633.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the perceptions and knowledge of undergraduate dental students about artificial intelligence (AI) in dental schools through a cross-sectional study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a multicenter, cross-sectional study. Participant recruitment was achieved by sending an online questionnaire to the undergraduate students at the assigned universities. The questionnaire consisted of two parts. The first seven questions record general information about participants and their perceptions of AI. The remaining questions are about the knowledge of participants about the applications of AI. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.

RESULTS: About 165 undergraduate students from 20 universities related to the dental sciences responded to the questionnaire. And 80.6% of participants found the use of AI in dentistry exciting. I have a basic knowledge of the working principles of AI. About 80.6% of participants believe that applications of AI should be part of undergraduate dental training. And 66.6% of students are aware of the opportunities and threats that AI can create. The results show that 75% of the students indicated that they got their information about AI through social media. Regarding the association of years of studies with AI applications used in periodontics, the knowledge about AI applications in “aggressive periodontics,” “compromised teeth,” and “success in rate of dental implant” was significantly higher in senior students than junior students (p < 0.05). Concerning applications of AI used in restorative dentistry and prosthodontics, only “computer color matching,” “tooth surface losses,” and “I do not know” showed statistical significance (p < 0.05) with the year of study of participants. Senior students show significantly better knowledge in “success in retreatment” and “working length determinant.”

CONCLUSION: Although undergraduates are enthusiastic about AI and aware of its threats and benefits, their knowledge is limited. In addition, undergraduate programs must exert more effort to prepare students for the era of AI. How to cite this article: Aldowah O, Almakrami A, Alghuwaynim Y, et al. Perceptions and Knowledge of Undergraduate Dental Students about Artificial Intelligence in Dental Schools: A Cross-sectional Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2024;25(2):148-155.

PMID:38514412 | DOI:10.5005/jp-journals-10024-3633

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Effects of an increased financial incentive on follow-up in an online, automated smoking cessation trial: A randomised controlled Study Within a Trial (SWAT)

Nicotine Tob Res. 2024 Mar 21:ntae068. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntae068. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Poor retention in clinical trials can impact on statistical power, reliability, validity and generalisability of findings and is a particular challenge in smoking cessation studies. In online trials with automated follow up mechanisms, poor response also increases resource-need for manual follow up. This study compared two financial incentives on response rates at 6 months follow up, in an online, automated smoking cessation feasibility trial of a cessation smartphone app (Quit Sense).

METHODS: A study within a trial (SWAT), embedded within a host randomised controlled trial. Host trial participants were randomised 1:1 to receive either a £10 or £20 voucher incentive, for completing the 6-month questionnaire. Stratification for randomisation to the SWAT was by minimisation to ensure an even split of host trial arm participants, and by 6-week response rate. Outcome measures were: questionnaire completion rate, time to completion, number of completers requiring manual follow up and completeness of responses.

RESULTS: 204 participants were randomised to the SWAT. The £20 and £10 incentives did not differ in completion rate at 6 months (79% versus 74%; p=0.362) but did reduce the proportion of participants requiring manual follow up (46% versus 62%; p=0.018) and the median completion time (7 days versus 15 days; p=0.008). Measure response completeness rates were higher among £20 incentive participants, though differences were small for the host trial’s primary smoking outcome.

CONCLUSIONS: Benefits to using relatively modest increases in incentive for online smoking cessation trials include more rapid completion of follow up questionnaires and reduced manual follow up.

IMPLICATIONS: A modest increase in incentive (from £10 to £20) to promote the completion of follow up questionnaires in online smoking cessation trials may not increase overall response rates but could lead to more rapid data collection, a reduced need for manual follow-up and reduced missing data among those who initiate completing a questionnaire. Such an improvement may help to reduce bias, increase validity and generalisability, and improve statistical power in smoking cessation trials.

PMID:38513087 | DOI:10.1093/ntr/ntae068

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How Does the Breastfeeding Environment Affect Satisfaction? A Scale Development Study

HERD. 2024 Mar 21:19375867241238467. doi: 10.1177/19375867241238467. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Women need a safe and comfortable environment to breastfeed their babies. The quality of breastfeeding environments in social areas is important for women’s breastfeeding satisfaction.

AIM: The aim of this study was to develop a measurement tool for the evaluation of breastfeeding environments and to examine the impact of the quality of breastfeeding environments in social areas on breastfeeding satisfaction.

METHOD: The first phase of the study was conducted in methodological design and the second phase in cross-sectional design. The draft scale was applied to 365 women who had breastfeeding experiences in social environments during the postpartum 6 months-3 years period. In the first stage, scale development analyses were applied. In the second stage, the developed scale was applied to 255 women. Frequency, percentage, Cronbach’s α coefficient, and correlation analysis were used in the analysis of the data.

RESULTS: The Ideal Breastfeeding Environment Assessment Scale, consisting of 23 items and four subdimensions, was obtained in the study. As a result of the application of the scale in the second stage, the mean score of the breastfeeding environments evaluated by the women was 23.43 ± 8.36. A statistically significant moderate-weak correlation was found between the ideality of breastfeeding environments and the satisfaction levels of women (p < .001).

CONCLUSION: It was determined that the developed scale is a valid and reliable measurement tool that can be used to evaluate breastfeeding environments. As the quality of breastfeeding environments increases, women’s breastfeeding satisfaction increases.

PMID:38512991 | DOI:10.1177/19375867241238467

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Nursing applicants’ desire to work in nursing and related factors: a cross-sectional study

Contemp Nurse. 2024 Mar 21:1-12. doi: 10.1080/10376178.2024.2327355. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The desire to work in the nursing profession has recently been identified as an important aspect to consider in the selection process of nursing students but very little is known about nursing applicants’ or students’ desire to work in nursing.

AIMS: The study aimed to describe and explain the desire of undergraduate nursing applicants to work in nursing.

DESIGN: A cross-sectional study design.

METHODS: The Desire to Work in Nursing Instrument was used to collect the data. All nursing applicants (N = 974) who took part in an entrance examination organised in six Universities in October 2018 were eligible to participate. Eight Hundred and Forty-one applicants (response rate 86%, 102 males) participated in the study. Statistical analysis included the use of descriptive statistics and linear regression was used to assess if dependent variables explained the observed outcomes.

RESULTS: A strong desire to work in nursing was demonstrated in all the four areas. The most common reason to desire this work was suitability to nursing and the nature of work, and the least common was the career opportunities. Gender, previous education, and a realistic image best explain the desire.

CONCLUSIONS: The assessment of desire to work in nursing may assist career choice of nursing applicants, and may enhance recruitment and retention in nursing education. Applicants need to be more aware of the career development possibilities. Further studies are needed to investigate if the desire to work in nursing is different to men than to women to inform recruitment strategies.

PMID:38512986 | DOI:10.1080/10376178.2024.2327355

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Predictors to Intensive Care Unit admission among patient with coronavirus disease in Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, Nepal: A case-control study

PLOS Glob Public Health. 2024 Mar 21;4(3):e0002516. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002516. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

The clinical features of COVID-19 are vary widely, ranging from asymptomatic states or mild upper respiratory tract infections to severe pneumonia. Previous studies have shown that 20.0% of COVID-19 patients are hospitalized, out of which 10.0-20.0% are admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. The present study aims to assess predictors associated with COVID-19 leading to Intensive Care Unit admission among reverse transcriptase- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) positive patients in Sukraraj Tropical and infectious disease hospital, Nepal. A case-control study was conducted from June 2022 to July 2022 among patients admitted to Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital. A hospital-based age (± 2 years) and sex-matched case-control study design were adopted in which ICU admitted (case group, n = 33) and general ward admitted (control group, n = 66) were included. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire comprising of socio-demographic, clinical, and preventive predictors. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science version 11.5. The Chi-square test and conditional logistic regression to determine the predictors associated with ICU admission. High blood pressure, high C-reactive protein and poor application of preventive practices were found to be the predictors of ICU admission. Conditional logistics regression analyses revealed that independent risk factors associated with ICU admission were elevated blood pressure (AOR = 2.22; 95% CI 1.05-4.71, p = 0.015) and abnormal C-Reactive Protein (AOR = 2.92; 95% CI 1.24-6.84, p = 0.012) at the time of hospital admission were more likely to get admitted to ICU. Likewise, patients with poor preventive practice (AOR = 3.34; 95% CI 1.19-9.31, p = 0.02) more likely to get admitted to ICU than patient with good preventive practices.These research findings hold potential significance for facilitating early triage and risk assessment in COVID-19 patients.

PMID:38512971 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pgph.0002516

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Analysis of protected species observer data: Strengths, weaknesses, and application in the assessment of marine mammal responses to seismic surveys in the northern Gulf of Mexico 2002-2015

PLoS One. 2024 Mar 21;19(3):e0300658. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300658. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

Visual observation data collected by protected species observers (PSOs) is required per regulations stipulated in Notices to Lessees (NTLs) and geophysical survey Permits (Form BOEM-0328) issued to seismic operators in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Here, data collected by certified and trained PSOs during seismic surveys conducted between 2002-2015 were compiled and analyzed to assess utility in assessing marine mammal responses to seismic noise and effectiveness of required mitigation measures. A total of 3,886 agency-required bi-weekly PSO Effort and Sightings reports were analyzed comprising 598,319 hours of PSO visual effort and 15,117 visual sighting records of marine mammals. The observed closest point of approach (CPA) distance was statistically compared across five species groupings for four airgun activity levels (full, minimum source, ramp up, silent). Whale and dolphin detections were significantly farther from airgun array locations during full power operations versus silence, indicating some avoidance response to full-power operations. Dolphin CPA distances were also significantly farther from airguns operating at minimum source than silence. Blackfish were observed significantly farther from the airgun array during ramp up versus both full and minimum source activities. Blackfish were observed significantly closer to the airgun array during silent activities versus at full, minimum source, and ramp up activities. Beaked whales had the largest mean CPA for detection distance compared to all other species groups. Detection distances for beaked whales were not significantly differences between full and silent operations; however, the sample size was very low. Overall results are consistent with other studies indicating that marine mammals may avoid exposure to airgun sounds based on observed distance from the seismic source during specified source activities. There was geographic variability in sighting rates associated with specific areas of interest within the GOM. This study demonstrates that agency required PSO reports provide a robust and useful data set applicable to impact assessments; management, policy and regulatory decision making; and qualitative input for regional scientific, stock assessment and abundance studies. However, several improvements in content and consistency would facilitate finer-scale analysis of some topics (e.g., effort associated with specific activities, observer biases, sound field estimation) and support statistical comparisons that could provide further insight into marine mammal responses and mitigation efficacy.

PMID:38512955 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0300658

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Differential impact of environmental factors on airborne live bacteria and inorganic particles in an underground walkway

PLoS One. 2024 Mar 21;19(3):e0300920. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300920. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

We previously reported that variations in the number and type of bacteria found in public spaces are influenced by environmental factors. However, based on field survey data alone, whether the dynamics of bacteria in the air change as a result of a single environmental factor or multiple factors working together remains unclear. To address this, mathematical modeling may be applied. We therefore conducted a reanalysis of the previously acquired data using principal component analysis (PCA) in conjunction with a generalized linear model (Glm2) and a statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) test employing the χ2 distribution. The data used for the analysis were reused from a previous public environmental survey conducted at 8:00-20:00 on May 2, June 1, and July 5, 2016 (regular sampling) and at 5:50-7:50 and 20:15-24:15 on July 17, 2017 (baseline sampling) in the Sapporo underground walking space, a 520-meter-long underground walkway. The dataset consisted of 60 samples (22 samples for “bacterial flora”), including variables such as “temperature (T),” “humidity (H),” “atmospheric pressure (A),” “traffic pedestrians (TP),” “number of inorganic particles (Δ5: 1-5 μm),” “number of live airborne bacteria,” and “bacterial flora.” Our PCA with these environmental factors (T, H, A, and TP) revealed that the 60 samples could be categorized into four groups (G1 to G4), primarily based on variations in PC1 [Loadings: T(-0.62), H(-0.647), TP(0.399), A(0.196)] and PC2 [Loadings: A(-0.825), TP(0.501), H(0.209), T(-0.155)]. Notably, the number of inorganic particles significantly increased from G4 to G1, but the count of live bacteria was highest in G2, with no other clear pattern. Further analysis with Glm2 indicated that changes in inorganic particles could largely be explained by two variables (H/TP), while live bacteria levels were influenced by all explanatory variables (TP/A/H/T). ANOVA tests confirmed that inorganic particles and live bacteria were influenced by different factors. Moreover, there were minimal changes in bacterial flora observed among the groups (G1-G4). In conclusion, our findings suggest that the dynamics of live bacteria in the underground walkway differ from those of inorganic particles and are regulated in a complex manner by multiple environmental factors. This discovery may contribute to improving public health in urban settings.

PMID:38512950 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0300920