Burnout among Dental Students of Private and Public Dental Colleges in Pakistan - A Cross-Sectional Study

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the prevalence of burnout among dental students of public and private institutions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, Pakistan. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted at five public and private dental institutions from June 2021 to May 2022. A validated twelve-item closed-ended Burnout Clinical Subtype Questionnaire was distributed among the dental students of two private and two public institutes in Pakistan. The research questions focused on demographic information and students' academic experiences. Data analysis is presented through tables and descriptive methods. Results: A total of 274 dental undergraduate students - second (42.3%), third (35.4%), and final (22.3%) academic year participated in this study. The mean age of the respondents was 21.9, with the range of 20-26 years. Most participants were females (74.1%) compared to the males (25.9%). The findings for burnout syndrome among dentistry students and students in the private and public sectors were not significant. Conclusion: In the current study, burnout levels among dental undergraduates, both private and public, were low.

Factors Affecting Clinical Performance among Pakistani Dental Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Objective: To identify the factors affecting clinical performance among dental students and to help addressing these problems. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study in which students of third and final year of dentistry participated. Data was collected from June 2022 till September 2022. Data was collected from the third and final year dental students of both public and private dental colleges within the Pakistan using a purposive sampling technique. Results: A total of 372 dental students participated in this study. Thirty eight (31.9%) students belonged to third year while 81 (68.1%) were final year students from government college. For the private dental college, 121 (47.8%) were third year students while 132 (52.2%) were final year students. Majority of the participants were males from both the colleges. 42.9% of government dental students and 26.5% of private dental students agreed on well-preparedness of clinical instructors. 5.5% from private and 21.0% from government dental colleges agreed that adequate personal protective equipment were present in clinical departments. Conclusion: From this study, it is concluded that there should be focus more focus on the factors to enhance clinical skills, supervision of students in clinical practice to help addressing the problems faced during learning and performance in a clinical environment, to produce self-confident, motivated, knowledgeable, skillful and a professional dental graduates.

Cone Beam Computed Tomography Evaluation of Root Morphology of the Premolars in Saudi Arabian Subpopulation

Abstract Objective: To evaluate root canal configuration and morphology of premolar teeth among Saudi subpopulations using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Material and Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, CBCT images of 314 patients comprising 346 maxillary and 412 mandibular first premolar (FPM) teeth, 298 maxillary and 387 mandibular second premolar (SPM) teeth were analyzed to evaluate the number of roots, root canal morphology, and configuration based on the Vertucci's classification. The average intra-class correlation coefficient value was 0.931. Results: In the maxillary first premolar, 52.6% were two separate rooted and single rooted teeth, with one canal in 81.2% of the maxillary second premolar. Among the mandibular FPM, 96.6% of the teeth had one root and canal, and 97.9% of mandibular SPM had one root and canal. Type 1 canal configuration was seen as most common in all premolars. The number of roots in mandibular premolars did not reveal the difference among gender. Conclusion: Wide variations in root canal morphology and canal configuration system exists among maxillary and mandibular premolar teeth (AU).

Evaluation Of The Co-Relation Between The Vertical Dimension Of Occlusion And The Length Of The Right-Hand Palm- An Anthropometric Study

CONTEXT: The accurate determination of vertical jaw relation is extremely important for successfully achieving comfort, function and esthetics for an edentulous patient.AIM:The aim of this study was to find a correlation between vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) and length of right hand palm.METHODS AND MATERIAL:The study was conducted on 60 dentate subjects (30 Males and 30 Females) who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Anthropometric measurements of vertical dimension of occlusion and length of right hand palm were recorded. Correlation between VDO and length of right hand palm was studied using Pearson's correlation test and unpaired t test used to find correlation among males and females VDO & right palm.RESULTS:Pearson's correlation test showed that VDO in both males (r=0.8001, p value=000) and females (r= 0.9556, p value=000) has strong coefficient correlation with the length of right hand palm. The study also suggested by unpaired t test that there is no statistical correlation between the males and females VDO (t= -0.3366, p value=0.7377) and length of right palm (t= -0.1046, p value=0.9170)CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this study, it was concluded that for males and female subjects VDO and length of right hand palm was highly correlated and this anthropometric measurement can be used to determine VDO in edentulous patient.

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Piper nigrum L

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate and compare the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of pure compound, piperine along with hexane and ethanol extracts of Piper nigrum L. fruit in mice and rats.@*METHODS@#The analgesic activity was determined by tail immersion method, analgesy-meter, hot plate and acetic acid induced writhing test. While the anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by carrageenan-induced paw inflammation in rats.@*RESULTS@#Piperine at a dose of 5 mg/kg and ethanol extract at a dose of 15 mg/kg after 120 min and hexane extract at a dose of 10 mg/kg after 60 min exhibited significant (P<0.05) analgesic activity by tail immersion method, in comparison to ethanol extract at a dose of 10 mg/kg using analgesy-meter in rats. However, with hotplate method, piperine produced significant (P<0.05) analgesic activity at lower doses (5 and 10 mg/kg) after 120 min. A similar analgesic activity was noted with hexane extract at 15 mg/kg. However, in writhing test, ethanol extract significantly (P<0.05) stopped the number of writhes at a dose of 15 mg/kg, while piperine at a dose of 10 mg/kg completely terminated the writhes in mice. In the evaluation of anti-inflammatory effect using plethysmometer, piperine at doses of 10 and 15 mg/kg started producing anti-inflammatory effect after 30 min, which lasted till 60 min, whereas hexane and ethanol extracts also produced a similar activity at a slightly low dose (10 mg/kg) but lasted for 120 min.@*CONCLUSIONS@#It is concluded from the present study that Piper nigrum L possesses potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities.

In vitro xanthine oxidase inhibitory and in vivo hypouricemic activity of herbal coded formulation [Gouticin]

Currently, natural products have been used in treating gouty arthritis and are recognized as xanthine oxidase inhibitors. Current study was designed to evaluate in vitro xanthine oxidase inhibitory potential of Gouticin and its ingredients extracts and in vivo hypouricemic activity of gouticin tablet 500 mg twice daily. Ethanol extracts of Gouticin and its ingredients were evaluated in vitro, at 200, 100, 50, 25 microg/ml concentrations for xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity. IC[50] values of Gouticin and its ingredients were estimated. Further, in vivo therapeutic effect of Gouticin was investigated in comparison with allopathic medicine [Allopurinol] to treat gout. Total patients were 200 that were divided into test and control group. Herbal coded medicine [Gouticin] was given to test group and allopathic medicine allopurinol was administered to control group. In vitro, Gouticin has the highest percent inhibition at 96% followed by Allopurinol with 93% inhibition. In vivo study, mean serum uric acid level of patients was 4.62 mg/dl and 5.21mg/dl by use of Gouticin and Allopurinol at end of therapy. The study showed that herbal coded formulation gouticin and its ingredients are potential sources of natural xanthine oxidase inhibitors. Gouticin 500 mg twice daily is more effective than the allopurinol 300mg once daily in the management of gout.

Antipyretic activity of hydro-alcoholic extracts of Moringa oleifera in rabbits

Pyrexia and inflammation are indicatives of various disorders. Modern medicines are available for treatment of pyrexia, but they have few side effects. Several studies are ongoing Worldwide to search natural antipyretic agents with better efficacy and fewer or no side effects. This study was aimed at evaluating the antipyretic activity of Moringa oleifera bark in rabbits against E. coli induced pyrexia. Rectal temperature was recorded with digital thermometer at 0 h and E.coli suspension was injected. After 1 h again rectal temperature of the animals was recorded and hydro-alcoholic extract were administered to the treatment groups and paracetamol hydro-alcoholic 50 mg/kg orally to the positive control group. Then rectal temperature was recorded at the interval of one h for 4 h. After the drug administration [at h 1], the decrease in body temperature with the dose of 25mg/kg[-1] during next four h ranged between 1.9-2.6 [degree sign]F as compared to the negative control. At the dose of 50mg/kg[-1] the decrease in temperature was 1.9-3.0 [degree sign]F. The decrease in body temperature at the dose of 100mg/kg[-1] was high, which ranged from 2.3-3.1oF as compared to negative control. Paracetamol, a standard drug, also significantly lowered the temperature but Moringa oleifera at the concentration of 100mg/kg[-1] lowered the body temperature significantly as compared to the negative as well as positive control. Moringa oleifera bark has marked antipyretic activity in animal models and this strongly supports the ethnopharmacological uses of Moringa oleifera bark as an antipyretic plant

Comprehensive review on therapeutic strategies of gouty arthritis

Traditional medicines are practiced worldwide for treatment of gouty arthritis since ancient times. Herbs and plants always have been used in the treatment of different diseases such as gout. The present article deals with the therapeutic strategies and options for the cure of gouty arthritis. Bibliographic investigation was carried out by analyzing classical textbooks and peer reviewed papers, consulting worldwide accepted scientific databases

In this article a detailed introduction, classification, epidemiology, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of gout with reference to modem and Unani system of medicines have been discussed

It is also tried to provide a list of plants used in the treatment of gout along with their formulations used in Unani system of medicine

The herbs and formulations have been used in different systems of medicine particularly Unani system of medicines exhibit their powerful role in the management and cure of gout and arthritis. Most of herbs and plants have been chemically evaluated and some of them are in clinical trials

Their results are magnificent and considerable. However their mechanisms of actions are still on the way

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Piper nigrum L

Objective: To evaluate and compare the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of pure compound, piperine along with hexane and ethanol extracts of Piper nigrum L. fruit in mice and rats. Methods: The analgesic activity was determined by tail immersion method, analgesy-meter, hot plate and acetic acid induced writhing test. While the anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by carrageenan-induced paw inflammation in rats. Results: Piperine at a dose of 5 mg/kg and ethanol extract at a dose of 15 mg/kg after 120 min and hexane extract at a dose of 10 mg/kg after 60 min exhibited significant (P<0.05) analgesic activity by tail immersion method, in comparison to ethanol extract at a dose of 10 mg/kg using analgesy-meter in rats. However, with hotplate method, piperine produced significant (P<0.05) analgesic activity at lower doses (5 and 10 mg/kg) after 120 min. A similar analgesic activity was noted with hexane extract at 15 mg/kg. However, in writhing test, ethanol extract significantly (P<0.05) stopped the number of writhes at a dose of 15 mg/kg, while piperine at a dose of 10 mg/kg completely terminated the writhes in mice. In the evaluation of anti-inflammatory effect using plethysmometer, piperine at doses of 10 and 15 mg/kg started producing anti-inflammatory effect after 30 min, which lasted till 60 min, whereas hexane and ethanol extracts also produced a similar activity at a slightly low dose (10 mg/kg) but lasted for 120 min. Conclusions: It is concluded from the present study that Piper nigrum L possesses potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities.

Studies on antibacterial activity of some traditional medicinal plants used in folk medicine

Ethanolic extracts of eight medicinal plants commonly used in folk medicine were tested for their antibacterial activity against four Gram positive strains [Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and, Streptococcus pneumoniae] and six Gram negative strains [Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Proteus mirabilis. Salmonella typhi para A, Salmonella typhi para B and Shigella dysenteriae] that were obtained from different pathological laboratories located in Karachi, Pakistan. Disc diffusion method was used to analyze antibacterial activity. Out of eight, five medicinal plants showed antibacterial activity against two or more than two microbial species. The most effective antimicrobial plant found to be Punica granatum followed by Curcuma zedoaria Rosc, Grewia asiatica L and Carissa carandas L, Curcuma caesia Roxb respectively. From these results, it is evident that medicinal plants could be used as a potential source of new antibacterial agents

Evaluation of Centella asiatica for its neuropharmacology

To determine the effect of Centella Asiatica on Neuro pharmacological activities as memory, behavior [anxiety, depression]. Experimental Study. This study was conducted in the department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Karachi, Karachi from 15[th] March 2011 to 30[th] April, 2011. Albino mice and albino rats were used. Animals were divided into control and treated groups [10 animals each]. Neuro pharmacological parameters were assessed using standard techniques as Stationary rod activity, Swimming induced depression [FST], Open field, Light and dark box test and water maze model. Control group was maintained on distilled water and treated group was fed with 8.3 mg/kg Centella asiatica for 10 days. Observations were taken on 1[st], 5[th] and 10[th] days. The results showed decline in the elapsed time taken by animal to reach the platform in Stationary rod and water maze model, significantly enhanced struggling time in FST, decreased number of peripheral square crosses but relatively increased central square crosses on 10[th] day in open field test and increased time spent in light box in Light and dark box mode. It can be concluded that Centella asiatica enhances memory and show antidepressant activity on acute administration while chronic use results in anxiolytic behavior

Phytoconstituents isolated from phoenixsylvestris roxb

Five compounds were isolated from the chloroform and butanol extracts of the male flower inflorescence of Phoenix sylvestris Roxb. The structures of isolated compounds were established as cholesterol [1], beta-sitosterol [2], beta-amyrin [3], quercetin [4] and quercitrin [5] by modern spectroscopic techniques. This is the first report of occurrence of these compounds from Phoenix sylvestris

Bioactive alkaloids produced by fungi I. updates on alkaloids from the species of the genera boletus, fusarium and psilocybe

Fungi, in particular, are able in common with the higher plants and bacteria, to produce metabolites, including alkaloids. Alkaloids, along with other metabolites are the most important fungal metabolites from pharmaceutical and industrial point of view. Based on this observation, the authors of this review article have tried to provide an information on the alkaloids produced by the species of genera: Boletus, Fusarium and Psilocybef from 1981-2009. Thus the review would be helpful and provides valuable information for the researchers of the same field

review on tamarindus indica

Tamarind natural products including, leaves, fruits and seeds have been extensively used in traditional Indian and African medicine. The plant is a natural source of protein, valuable amino acids, polysaccharides, volatile oil, cardenolides, and lipids. The plant has been studied for antifungal, antibacterial, immunostimulant activity and cytotoxicity. Tamarindus indica is one of the important component of many formulations used in skin care

Some biological evaluations on samanea saman

Samanea saman [Jacq.] Merr. Was subjected to bioactivity analysis. The records of these investigations are described in this communication. A battery of assays was performed on hexane and methanol extracts of Samanea saman leaves, which include antibacterial activity, antifungal activity, brine shrimp bioassay, Lemna bioassay and insecticidal activity. Both the extracts showed moderate antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa where as moderate antifungal activity of hexane extract against Fusarium solani and of methanol extract against Trichophyton longifusus was observed. In brine shrimp bioassay the methanol extract exhibited cytotoxicity with LD[50] value of 757.3672 micro g/ml. In Lemna bioassay the methanol extract in concentration of 1000 micro g/ml significantly inhibited the growth of Lemna. The results of insecticidal activity showed that the hexane extract of Samanea saman exhibited 505 mortality against Rhyzopertha dominica and Tribolium granarium where as methanol extract remained inactive against all the tested insects

Two triterpenes lupanone and lupeol isolated and identified from tamarindus indica linn

Tamarindus indica, a useful medicinal plant was subjected to phytochemical investigation. Two triterpenes [lupanone and lupeol] have been isolated from the leaves of this plant. Their structures were elucidated with the help of physico-chemical methods and spectroscopic techniques. The lupanone and lupeol from this plant are being reported for the first time

Analgesic and antitussive activities on methanol extract of Vigna trilobata[L] Verdc

The crude methanol extract of Vigna trilobata [Fabaceae] was evaluated for its analgesic and anti-tussive activity. Analgesic effect was determined by tail flick method and anti-tussive effect was evaluated by inducing cough with sulfur dioxide. It exhibited significant analgesic and anti-tussive activities as compared to control and standard drugs

Biological activity and phytochernistry of Phoenix Species

Phoenix species are considered as important plants in traditional system of medicine and are used extensively as remedy for various ailments. Exploitation of Phoenix species by the researchers, focused the scientific facts behind their usage in traditional system of medicine. The authors present a comprehensive review of their utility in the light of contemporary research

Colorimetric determination of indolic drugs

A colorimetric method has been developed for the quantitative determination of the rescinnamine, reserpine upto [-10-4M], Yohimbine on complexation with bromothymol blue. The coloured complexes exhibit absorption maxima in the region 415-416 nm. The RSD [Relative Standard Deviation] of the method is 2.02%. The method is simple, easy, rapid and convenient for routine analysis of the indolic drugs

Acute systemic toxicity test on lotus garcinii D.C.

The different extracts of Lotus garcinii was subjected to the toxicological investigation with special reference to acute systemic toxicity in experimental animals displayed that it elicit sever toxicity. The symptoms of toxicity were breathing problem with idleness, mild erection of hairs. Lotus garcinii extracts are capable of producing toxic reactions