COVID-19-associated Neurological Manifestations and Complications: An Observational Study

Background: Coronavirus disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), led to one of the deadliest pandemics faced by mankind. The typical manifestation of COVID-19 infection includes respiratory distress. However, we know that the characteristic immunologic pathways of SARS-CoV-2 infection inflict systemic disorders and eventually multi-organ dysfunction in a subgroup of patients. The disease can affect both central and peripheral nervous systems. Objective: The aim of our study was to describe the wide spectrum of neurological manifestations associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and its clinical characteristics. Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective, single-center, observational study to analyze neurologic manifestations associated with COVID-19 patients from May 2020 to September 2021 at a tertiary care hospital in Chennai, South India. Results: A total of 80 COVID-19-confirmed patients with neurological disorders were included in our study. The most reported neurological manifestation was altered sensorium (29.6%). Twenty-nine (34.4%) patients were on noninvasive ventilation and a significant number of patients (22) (26.8%) needed invasive ventilation. The mortality rate was 34.1% and the large vessel involvement in stroke patients was 10%. Conclusion: Neurological issues in COVID-19 patients are relatively common and have the propensity to manifest later as post-acute COVID-19 syndrome.

Large-scale Isolation, Expansion and Characterization of Human Amniotic Epithelial Cells

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The human Amniotic epithelial cells (AME) derived from amniotic membrane of placenta have been considered as the potential fetal stem cell source with minimal or no ethical concerns and are important therapeutic tool for anti-fibrotic and regenerative therapies. METHODS AND RESULTS: Here, we evaluated the isolation, media screening, scale-up and characterization of AME cells. The isolation, expansion of AMEs were performed by sequential passaging and growth kinetics studies. The AMEs were characterized using immunocytochemistry, immunophenotyping, In-vitro differentiation, and anti-fibrotic assays. The growth kinetics study revealed that the AME cultured in Ultraculture (UC) and DMEM knockout (DMEM-KO) have prominently higher growth rate compared to others. Overall, the AMEs cultured from 5 different media retained basic morphological characteristics and the functional characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Our result suggests that the AMEs can be successfully cultured in UC based complete media without losing its epithelial cell characteristics even after passaging for passage 2 (P2). However, a careful and methodical pre-clinical and clinical translation studies need to be conducted to show its safety and efficacy.

Comparative study to evaluate the accuracy of polyether occlusal bite registration material and occlusal registration wax as a guide for occlusal reduction during tooth preparation.

Introduction: The use of different materials and techniques has been studied to decide the safest quantum of reduction of the occlusal surfaces. However, these methods provide limited information as to the actual amount of reduction with limitations in accuracy, accessibility and complexity. Objective: The objective of this study was to compare and evaluate the reliability of the most commonly used occlusal registration wax that with polyether bite registration material as a guide for occlusal reduction required during tooth preparations. Materials and Methods: For the purpose of this study, 25 abutment teeth requiring tooth preparation for fixed prosthesis were selected and tooth preparations carried out. Modeling wax strips of specific dimensions were placed onto the cast of prepared tooth, which was mounted on maximum intercuspation on the articulator and the articulator was closed. The thickness of the wax registration was measured at three zones namely two functional cusps and central fossa. Similar measurements were made using the polyether bite registration material and prosthesis at the same zones. The data was tabulated and was subjected to statistical analysis using anova test and Tukey honestly significant difference test. Results: The differences in thickness between wax record and prosthesis by 0.1346 mm, whereas the difference between polyether and prosthesis was 0.02 mm with a P value of 0.042, which is statistically significant. This means that the wax record was 8.25% larger than the prosthesis while polyether was just 1.27% larger than the prosthesis. Conclusion: The clinical significance of the above analysis is that Ramitec polyether bite registration material is most suitable material when compared with commonly used modeling wax during the tooth preparation.

ESBL production: Resistance pattern in escherichia coli and klebsiella pneumoniae, a study by DDST method.

Objectives: Resistance to third generation cephalosporins in E. coli and K. pneumoniae are due to various factors. The present study was undertaken to detect resistance mediated by ESBL’s. Multidrug resistance in isolates producing ESBL was also studied. Methods: The study included a total of 200 clinical specimens which include 95 urine, 45 pus, 32 sputum, 11 blood, 9 throat swabs, 6 suction tips and 2 vaginal swabs. The E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates which were screen positive were studied for ESBL production by DDST method. Results: Culture of 200 samples yielded 200 isolates (117 E. coli and 83 K. pneumoniae). Out of these, 98 (49%) were screen positive for ESBL. Among them 79 (53 E. coli and 26 K. pneumoniae) were found to produce ESBL. Among them, 4 (7.6%) isolates of E. coli and 4 (15.3%) isolates of K. pneumoniae were positive by DDST method. The prevalence of 39.5% of ESBL production was noted in the present study. Among ESBL positive isolates, 98.1% were resistant to cefoxitin, however all of them were susceptible to imipenem. Conclusion: The prevalence of ESBL producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae was found to be high and routine screening of ESBL should be preformed on all isolates showing decreased susceptibility to one or more of third generation cephalosporins.

Study of bacterial, fungal, and parasitic contaminaiton of currency notes in circulation.

A total of 100 currency notes of various denominations in circulation were randomly studied for bacterial, fungal and protozoal contamination. All except four notes yielded one or more bacteria. Bacterial culture yielded single isolate in 33 notes, two in 44 notes, three in 12 notes and four in 7 notes. The predominant bacterial isolate was Bacillus sps followed by Coagulase negative Staphylococci and Micrococcus sps. Other bacteria that are either potential or confirmed pathogens included K. pneumoniae, E. coli, S. aureus, Pseudomonas sps and S. typhi. Only two notes were positive for Acid fast bacilli. 28 samples did not yield any fungal growth. Overall 118 fungal isolates were isolated, of which 34 could not be identified. All the fungi isolated were saprophytes. Saline and Iodine wet mount did not reveal any parasitic forms. We recommend that currency notes must be handled with caution.

The effect of 0.5% sodium hypochlorite and 2% glutaraldehyde spray disenfectants on irreversible hydrocolloid impression material.

Infection control has assumed prime importance in dentistry. It is a prime concern in prosthodontics as well, where impressions materials are most commonly used. Impression materials can act as a medium for cross infection. To prevent cross infection many products are being developed. Among them 0.5% Sodium hypochlorite and 2% Glutaraldehyde are considered effective. This study was done to asses the efficacy of 0.5% Sodium hypochlorite and 2% Glutaraldehyde on irreversible hydrocolloid impression material. The result of the study indicated that they are effective against both Gram positive and Gram negative organisms and their use is recommended.