Assessment of changes in enamel colour following fixed orthodontic therapy using an advanced spectrophotometer: An in vivo study.

BACKGROUND: Any manipulation of the surface of natural teeth may result in a variation of their colour. The fixed orthodontic treatment (FOT) is one such procedure which alters the enamel surface during the procedure. OBJECTIVE: To clinically evaluate the colour changes in teeth associated with comprehensive FOT (to compare the changes in test and control groups) and to determine the relationship of age and gender on enamel colour due to FOT by using an advanced spectrophotometer. METHODS: The selection of sixty patients for the study was done randomly and among these thirty patients who underwent the FOT as the case group, the other thirty patients who did not need FOT, were the control group. The recordings of spectrophotometric data were done in a standardized manner for all patients in the labial circular region of every anterior tooth, following debonding and cleaning operations, and before bracket bonding. The Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage's L*, a*, and b* (lightness, red/green, and blue/yellow) tooth-type characteristics were used to measure color, and the associated color differences (DE) between the groups were computed. One-way ANOVA (a < 0.05) and the paired t-test were used to evaluate any changes in these color characteristics. RESULTS: Fixed orthodontic treatment is associated with changes in colour parameters. L* values decreased (P< 0.001), while a* and b* values increased (P< 0.001) at the end of treatment. All measured tooth types showed significant colour change (DE); their mean differences ranged from 1.64 to 2.96 DE units. CONCLUSIONS: Fixed orthodontics can change the natural colour of teeth. The CIE colour parameters L*, a*, and b* of natural teeth showed statistically significant differences after debonding the orthodontic appliances. The L* values decreased making the teeth look darker. The adolescent and male patients had more tooth colour changes than the adult and female groups.

A comparison of port-site infiltration with bupivacaine alone vs. bupivacaine plus dexemedetomidine after diagnostic staging laparoscopy.

Objectives: To compare the effects of bupivacaine alone and in combination with dexmedetomidine following staging laparoscopies. METHODS: This triple-blinded, prospective study was conducted from June to September 2021 at a tertiary care cancer hospital in Lahore, Pakistan, and comprised adult patients having American Society of Anaesthesiologists grade I-III, weighing >30kg and undergoing diagnostic staging laparoscopy. The subjects were randomised into two equal groups. Group A received 6ml of 2mg/kg bupivacaine at each of the four laparoscopic port sites before skin closure, while group B additionally received 2µg/kg dexmedetomidine. The presence and severity of pain were recorded and assessed at 15 min, 1, 2 and 4 hours as well as at the time of discharge from the post-anaesthesia care unit. The time to first request for rescue analgesia, total morphine consumption, and the occurrence of any side effects during their stay were also recorded. Data was analysed using SPSS 23. RESULTS: Of the 30 patients, 15(50%) were in group A; 10(66.6%) males and 5(33.3%) females with mean age 43.27±7.59 years. There were 15(50%) patients in group B; 12(80%) males and 3(20%) females with mean age 41.36±12.42 years (p>0.05). Of the total, 29(96.66%) patients were classified as American Society of Anaesthesiologists grade II, and 1(3.33%) patient in group A was grade III. There was no significant difference between the groups in any of the outcome measures assessed (p>0.05), and none of the patients experienced any side effect throughout the post-operative stay. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of dexmedetomidine and bupivacaine had no significant improvement in pain relief compared to bupivacaine alone.

Effect of pulmonary rehabilitation on functional status dyspnea and quality of life among post COVID-19 patients.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the Effect of pulmonary rehabilitation on functional status dyspnea and quality of life among post-COVID-19 patients. METHODS: The study utilized an experimental study design with a total of 120 participants to examine the effects of pulmonary rehabilitation. The participants were divided into two groups: Group A (experimental group) and Group B (control group). Demographic variables such as age, weight, and height were collected. Health-related quality of life (HRQL), post-COVID-19 functional status, and perceived exertion were assessed before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Group A demonstrated a higher mean age than Group B, indicating a significant age difference between the two groups, with no significant difference observed in weight and height. Following the intervention, Group A exhibited significant improvement in HRQL, post-COVID-19 functional status, and perceived exertion compared to Group B. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary rehabilitation had positive effects on health-related quality of life, post-COVID-19 functional status, and perceived exertion. The experimental group benefited from improved HRQL, suggesting an overall enhancement in their well-being. The study provides preliminary evidence supporting the effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation as an intervention for improving outcomes in individuals post-COVID-19.

Predictors of Successful First-Line Helicobacter pylori Eradication with Fluoroquinolones in Pakistan: A Prospective Exploration of Demographic and Clinical Factors.

Growing antibiotic resistance complicates H. pylori eradication, posing a public health challenge. Inconclusive research on sociodemographic and clinical factors emphasizes the necessity for further investigations. Hence, this study aims to evaluate the correlation between demographic and clinical factors and the success rates of H. pylori eradication. A group of 162 H. pylori-positive patients were allocated randomly to receive either a ten-day moxifloxacin-based triple therapy or a levofloxacin-based sequential therapy. Eradication success was determined through the stool antigen test. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to figure out potential factors that contribute to H. pylori eradication success. Significantly higher H. pylori eradication rates were observed in the middle age group (COR: 3.671, p = 0.007), among females (p = 0.035), those with BMI ≥ 25 (COR: 2.011, p = 0.045), and non-smokers (COR: 2.718, p = 0.018). In multivariate analysis, age and smoking emerged as significant predictors (p < 0.05). Patients with comorbidities, excluding diabetes and hypertension (COR: 4.432, p = 0.019), dyspepsia (COR: 0.178, p < 0.001), and moxifloxacin triple therapy (COR: 0.194, p = 0.000), exhibited higher chances of eradication (p < 0.05). Further research is vital for tailored approaches to enhance eradication success.

Integrated computational and experimental evaluation of phenolic constituents of Apricot fruit L. for antiqourum sensing, antibiofilm, antioxidant, and 15-lox inhibitory properties.

The present study investigated the antioxidant profile together with the antibacterial potential of Apricot L. with the aim to find a functional food based anti-infective lead. Additionally the study evaluated the biofilm and QS inhibitory potential of the plant using Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442) and Chromo bacterium Violaceum (DSM 30191) respectively. Several fractions of the peel of Apricot were subjected to initial antimicrobial and antibiofilm screening. Among all the fractions, methanol and ethyl acetate fractions displayed significant antimicrobial activity against the strains selected with MIC values 1.25 mg/dL and 1.68 mg/dL respectively. Similarly, while evaluating antiqourum-sensing potential, methanol extract showed remarkable zone of inhibition (14mm) with Violaceum inhibition (58%) while aqueous part presented moderately good inhibition (32%) with zone of inhibition of (4mm). N-hexane fraction was least active in this regard. In case of free radicals scavenging aptitudes, Ethanolic fraction displayed the highest free radicals scavenging potential (IC50µg/mL 13.76 ± 23.61) while Aqueous and ethyl acetate part exhibited moderate to good antioxidant behaviors with IC50µg/mL of 26.74 ± 22.00 and 19.49 ± 2.91 respectively. Then the selected compounds were screened for putative binding sites and molecular docking studies followed by enzyme inhibition assays. The negative binding energies and close proximity to residues in the binding pocket of selected targets including human α- soybean lox (PDB ID 1IK3), quorum sensing regulators LasR (2UV0) were observed which indicated high affinity and tight binding capacity of compounds 1 and 5 towards the active sites of LasR 2UV0 and 15-lipoxygenase. The physicochemical characteristics and toxicity expectation were computationally accomplished. Bioactivity prediction study revealed that all of the selected Phytoconstituents displayed incredible Bioactivity score. None of the selected chemical compound was found to be toxic as discovered by toxicity studies. Compound 4 exhibited the highest inhibition of 15-lipoxygenase in vitro (69%, at 0.037 mM final concentration) and that is accompanied by compound 5 (60%) whereas in the biofilm inhibition assay, compound 1 was most active (IC50 0.05 mM), followed by compound 3 (IC50 0.07 mM). It was therefore determined that compounds 1 and 3 had the highest biofilm inhibitory activity, whereas compounds 4 and 5 were potent 15-lipoxygenase inhibitors with potentially anti-inflammatory properties. Future investigations are suggested for the characterization and formulation development.

Pectin/sodium alginate films tailored with Acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid for active packaging.

The present study aimed to develop food packaging films by using a combination of pectin (PE) and sodium alginate (SA) enriched with Acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA) as a functional or active ingredient. The fabricated films underwent comprehensive evaluation of their morphological, chemical, mechanical, barrier, optical, thermal, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. SEM and FTIR analysis showed that AKBA had good compatibility with film-forming components. The AKBA-loaded film samples exhibited a decrease in their barrier properties and tensile strength, but enhancements in both elongation at break and thickness values was observed. With the addition of AKBA, a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the ultraviolet barrier properties of the films and total colour variation (ΔE) was observed. TGA analysis of the films unveiled an improvement in thermal resistance with the incorporation of AKBA. Moreover, the films loaded with AKBA exhibited potent antioxidant activity in the ABTS and DPPH assay methods. Disk diffusion analysis showed the antimicrobial activity of AKBA-loaded films against P. aeruginosa, highlighting the potential of AKBA as a natural antimicrobial agent for the safety of food products. The results demonstrate the practical application of PE and SA active films loaded with AKBA, particularly within the food packaging industry.

Lepromatous Leprosy Manifesting As Chronic Macrocheilia: Report of a Rare Case.

Leprosy is a chronic debilitating disorder caused by the acid-fast bacilli Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) and Mycobacterium lepromatosis. These bacilli exhibit a distinctive predilection for the skin and peripheral nerves, although they can potentially impact any system in the body. Lately, there has been a notable reduction in mucosal symptoms, largely attributed to the timely diagnosis and treatment of leprosy. Nonetheless, oral lesions continue to hold significant epidemiological importance due to their crucial role in disease transmission. Oral manifestations, although rare, are frequently encountered in individuals afflicted with multi-bacillary leprosy. Chronic macrocheilia is an exceedingly rare manifestation of the disease, with only a few documented case reports and case studies. This article aims to document an exceptionally uncommon case of lepromatous leprosy with chronic macrocheilia as the sole presenting feature.

A Novel Experience Of Ultrasound-Guided Erector Spinae Plane Block With Sedation In Breast Cancer Surgery: A Case Report.

We report the anaesthetic management of a breast cancer patient, at a high risk for undergoing general anaesthesia, using a single-shot ultrasound-guided Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESPB) with monitored sedation. Targetted at T4, 20 mL of 0.375% bupivacaine provided complete surgical anaesthesia in 15 minutes. Concurrent sedation was administered with target controlled infusion of propofol with entropy monitoring throughout the procedure. The surgery lasted 90 minutes and the patient remained pain free and haemodynamically stable throughout. At the end of the surgery, the patient received 1 g of paracetamol intravenously, and did not require any further analgesics other than routinely administered paracetamol until her discharge from the hospital. On top of the successful execution of our plan, this case was especially interesting as her postoperative analgesia remained completely opioid-free.

Discovery of New Boswellic Acid Hybrid 1H-1,2,3-Triazoles for Diabetic Management: In Vitro and In Silico Studies.

A series of 24 new 1H-1,2,3-triazole hybrids of 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-ß-boswellic acid (ß-AKBA (1)) and 11-keto-ß-boswellic acid (ß-KBA (2)) was designed and synthesized by employing "click" chemistry in a highly efficient manner. The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction between ß-AKBA-propargyl ester intermediate 3 or ß-KBA-propargyl ester intermediate 4 with substituted aromatic azides 5a-5k in the presence of copper iodide (CuI) and Hünig's base furnished the desired products-1H-1,2,3-triazole hybrids of ß-AKBA (6a-6k) and ß-KBA (7a-7k)-in high yields. All new synthesized compounds were characterized by 1H-, 13C-NMR spectroscopy, and HR-ESI-MS spectrometry. Furthermore, their α-glucosidase-inhibitory activity was evaluated in vitro. Interestingly, the results obtained from the α-glucosidase-inhibitory assay revealed that all the synthesized derivatives are highly potent inhibitors, with IC50 values ranging from 0.22 to 5.32 µM. Among all the compounds, 6f, 7h, 6j, 6h, 6g, 6c, 6k, 7g, and 7k exhibited exceptional inhibitory potency and were found to be several times more potent than the parent compounds 1 and 2, as well as standard acarbose. Kinetic studies of compounds 6g and 7h exhibited competitive and mixed types of inhibition, with ki values of 0.84 ± 0.007 and 1.18 ± 0.0012 µM, respectively. Molecular docking was carried out to investigate the binding modes of these compounds with α-glucosidase. The molecular docking interactions indicated that that all compounds are well fitted in the active site of α-glucosidase, where His280, Gln279, Asp215, His351, Arg442, and Arg315 mainly stabilize the binding of these compounds. The current study demonstrates the usefulness of incorporating a 1H-1,2,3-triazole moiety into the medicinally fascinating boswellic acids skeleton.

Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy in Oral Lichen Planus: A Systematic Review.

Background and Objectives: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is an autoimmune, mucocutaneous, oral potentially malignant disorder (OPMD), which characteristically manifests with chronic, recalcitrant lesions, with frequent flare-ups and remissions. The precise etiopathogenesis of OLP is still debatable, although it is believed to be a T-cell-mediated disorder of an unidentified antigen. Despite the availability of various treatments, no cure for OLP exists due to its recalcitrant nature and idiopathic etiology. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties, in addition to its regulatory action on keratinocyte differentiation and proliferation. These salient properties substantiate the possible role of PRP in the treatment of OLP. Our systematic review focuses on assessing the therapeutic potential of PRP as a treatment modality in OLP. Materials and Methods: We conducted a detailed literature search for studies assessing PRP as a therapeutic regimen in OLP, using the Google Scholar and PubMed/MEDLINE search engines. The search was limited to studies published from January 2000 to January 2023 and included a combination of Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms. ROBVIS analysis was carried out for the assessment of publication bias. Descriptive statistics were performed using Microsoft Excel. Results: This systematic review included five articles that met the inclusion criteria. Most of the included studies demonstrated that PRP treatment considerably ameliorated both objective and subjective symptoms in OLP subjects, with comparable efficacy to the standard corticosteroid treatment. Further, PRP therapy offers the added benefit of minimal adverse effects and recurrences. Conclusion: This systematic review suggests that PRP has significant therapeutic potential for treating OLP. However, further research with larger sample sizes is imperative to corroborate these findings.

GC-MS Profiling and Biomedical Applications of Essential Oil of Euphorbia larica Boiss.: A New Report.

The present study explored Euphorbia larica essential oil (ELEO) constituents for the first time, obtained via hydro-distillation by means of Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) profiling. The essential oil was screened in vitro against breast cancer cells, normal cell lines, α-glucosidase, carbonic anhydrase-II (CA-II), free radical scavenging and in vivo analgesic and anti-inflammatory capabilities. The GC-MS screening revealed that the ELEO comprises sixty compounds (95.25%) with the dominant constituents being camphene (16.41%), thunbergol (15.33%), limonene (4.29%), eremophilene (3.77%), and ß-eudesmol (3.51%). A promising antidiabetic capacity was noticed with an IC50 of 9.63 ± 0.22 µg/mL by the ELEO as equated to acarbose with an IC50 = 377.71 ± 1.34 µg/mL, while a 162.82 ± 1.24 µg/mL inhibition was observed against CA-II. Regarding breast cancer, the ELEO offered considerable cytotoxic capabilities against the triple-negative breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cell lines, having an IC50 = 183.8 ± 1.6 µg/mL. Furthermore, the ELEO was also tested with the human breast epithelial (MCF-10A) cell line, and the findings also presumed that the ELEO did not produce any damage to the tested normal cell lines. The ELEO was effective against the Gram-positive bacteria and offered a 19.8 ± 0.02 mm zone of inhibition (ZOI) against B. atrophaeus. At the same time, the maximum resistance with 18.03 ± 0.01 mm ZOI against the fungal strain Aspergillus parasiticus was observed among the tested fungal strains. An appreciable free radical significance was observed via the DPPH assay with an IC50 = 133.53 ± 0.19 µg/mL as equated to the ABTS assay having an IC50 = 154.93 ± 0.17 µg/mL. The ELEO also offered a substantial analgesic capacity and produced 58.33% inhibition in comparison with aspirin, a 68.47% decrease in writhes, and an anti-inflammatory capability of 65.54% inhibition, as equated to the standard diclofenac sodium having 73.64% inhibition. Hence, it was concluded that the ELEO might be a natural source for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, breast cancer, analgesic, inflammatory, and antimicrobial-related diseases. Moreover, additional phytochemical and pharmacological studies are needed to isolate responsible chemical ingredients to formulate new drugs for the examined activities.

Vitamin D in the Treatment of Oral Lichen Planus: A Systematic Review.

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic mucocutaneous condition that affects up to 2% of the general population, and typically presents with long-standing, non-responsive lesions, with episodes of exacerbation and remissions. The etiopathogenesis of OLP is still unclear, although, it has been postulated that it is most likely a T-cell-mediated condition of an unknown antigen. The treatment remains a challenge with no defined treatment strategy. Vitamin D has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, along with its regulatory effect on keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation; thus, suggesting its possible role in the treatment of OLP. This systematic review aims to evaluate the therapeutic role of vitamin D in OLP treatment. We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, and Google scholar search engines for studies evaluating vitamin D as a treatment modality in OLP from January 2000 to August 2022. Articles were searched with the combination of Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms. A web platform for visualizing risk-of-bias assessment was used in this review, and descriptive statistics were calculated. Out of the seventeen retrieved studies, five articles meeting the inclusion criteria were considered in this systematic review. All the included studies demonstrated significant amelioration in the OLP symptoms in patients who were given vitamin D supplements as an adjuvant to the conventional steroid therapy and or placebo. This systematic review signifies the role of vitamin D as adjuvant therapy for OLP. However, more studies with larger sample size are required to validate these results.

Pain experienced by patients during epidural insertion using 16-gauge versus 18-gauge epidural needles.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the intensity of insertion-site pain between epidural catheterisation with 16-gauge needle and with 18-gauge needle at various time points, and the number of attempts taken to locate the epidural space while using either of the needles. METHODS: This single-blind prospective study was conducted from August 2019 to January 2020 at the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore, Pakistan, and comprised of adult patients of either gender with American Society of Anaesthesiologist grade I-III requiring thoracic epidural for elective abdominal procedures. The patients were divided into two groups using simple randomised sampling with group A receiving 16-gauge and group B receiving 18-gauge epidural. The intensity of insertion-site pain was noted at the time of insertion, at 24 hours and one week after the insertion. The number of attempts taken to locate the epidural space was also noted for the two groups. Data was analysed using SPSS 23. RESULTS: Of the 135 patients enrolled, 126(93.3%) completed the study. There were 63(50%) subjects in group A; 30(47.6%) males, 33(52.3%) females, overall mean age 46.81±10.94. The remaining 63(50%) subjects were in group B; 22(34.9%) males, 41(65%) females, overall mean age was 44.89±11.10 (p>0.05). Pain scores did not differ significantly on comparative analysis between groups (p>0.05). Similarly, number of patients requiring 2 or more attempts for successful epidural catheter insertion was not significantly different between the groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The difference in pain scores or number of attempts for 16-guage or 18-guage groups were not significant.

Bridging the Chemical Profile and Biomedical Effects of Scutellaria edelbergii Essential Oils.

The present study explored chemical constituents of Scutellaria edelbergii essential oils (SEEO) for the first time, extracted through hydro-distillation, and screened them against the microbes and free radicals scavenging effect, pain-relieving, and anti-inflammatory potential employing standard techniques. The SEEO ingredients were noticed via Gas Chromatography-Mass-Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis and presented fifty-two bioactive compounds contributed (89.52%) with dominant volatile constituent; 3-oxomanoyl oxide (10.09%), 24-norursa-3,12-diene (8.05%), and methyl 7-abieten-18-oate (7.02%). The MTT assay via 96 well-plate and agar-well diffusion techniques against various microbes was determined for minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), IC50, and zone of inhibitions (ZOIs). The SEEO indicated considerable antimicrobial significance against tested bacterial strains viz. Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterococcus faecalis and the fungal strains Fusarium oxysporum and Candida albicans. The free radicals scavenging potential was noticed to be significant in 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) as compared to 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzotiazolin-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) assays with IC50 = 125.0 ± 0.19 µg/mL and IC50 = 153.0 ± 0.31 µg/mL correspondingly; similarly, the antioxidant standard in the DPPH assay was found efficient as compared to ABTS assay. The SEEO also offered an appreciable analgesic significance and presented 54.71% in comparison with standard aspirin, 64.49% reduction in writhes, and an anti-inflammatory potential of 64.13%, as compared to the standard diclofenac sodium inhibition of 71.72%. The SEEO contain bioactive volatile ingredients with antimicrobial, free radical scavenging, pain, and inflammation relieving potentials. Computational analysis validated the anti-inflammatory potential of selected hit "methyl 7-abieten-18-oate" as a COX-2 enzyme inhibitor. Docking results were very good in terms of docked score (-7.8704 kcal/mol) and binding interactions with the functional residues; furthermore, MD simulation for 100 ns has presented a correlation with docking results with minor fluctuations. In silico, ADMET characteristics supported that methyl 7-abieten-18-oate could be recommended for further investigations in clinical tests and could prove its medicinal status as an anti-inflammatory drug.

Aroma Profile and Biological Effects of Ochradenus arabicus Essential Oils: A Comparative Study of Stem, Flowers, and Leaves.

The present analysis explores the chemical constituents and determines the in vitro antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and antioxidant significance of the essential oils (EOs) of the stem, leaves, and flowers of Ochradenus arabicus for the first time. The EOs of the flowers presented seventy-four constituents contributing to 81.46% of the total EOs, with the major compounds being 24-norursa-3,12-diene (13.06%), 24-norursa-3,12-dien-11-one (6.61%), and 24-noroleana-3,12-diene (6.25%). The stem EOs with sixty-one compounds contributed 95.95% of the total oil, whose main bioactive compounds were (+)-camphene (21.50%), eremophilene (5.87%), and δ-selinene (5.03%), while a minimum of fifty-one compounds in the leaves' EOs (98.75%) were found, with the main constituents being n-hexadecanoic acid (12.32%), octacosane (8.62%), tetradecanoic acid (8.54%), and prehydro fersenyl acetone (7.27%). The antimicrobial activity of the EOs of O. arabicus stem, leaves, and flowers was assessed against two bacterial strains (Escherichia coli and Streptococcus aureus) and two fungal strains (Penicillium simplicissimum and Rhizoctonia solani) via the disc diffusion assay. However, the EOs extracted from the stem were found effective against one bacterial strain, E. coli, and one fungal strain, R. Solani, among the examined microbes in comparison to the standard and negative control. The tested EOs samples of the O. arabicus stem displayed a maximum potential to cure diabetes with an IC50 = 0.40 ± 0.10 µg/mL, followed by leaves and flowers with an IC50 = 0.71 ± 0.11 µg/mL and IC50 = 10.57 ± 0.18 µg/mL, respectively, as compared to the standard acarbose (IC50 = 377.26 ± 1.20 µg/mL). In addition, the EOs of O. arabicus flowers had the highest antioxidant activity (IC50 = 106.40 ± 0.19 µg/mL) as compared to the standard ascorbic acid (IC50 = 73.20 ± 0.17 µg/mL) using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. In the ABTS assay, the EOs of the same sample (flower) depicted the utmost potential to scavenge the free radicals with an IC50 = 178.0 ± 0.14 µg/mL as compared with the ascorbic acid, having an IC50 of 87.34 ± 0.10 µg/mL the using 2,2-Azino-Bis-3-Ethylbenzothiazoline-6-Sulfonic acid (ABTS) assay. The EOs of all parts of O. arabicus have useful bioactive components due to which they present antidiabetic and antioxidant significance. Furthermore, additional investigations are considered necessary to expose the responsible components of the examined biological capabilities, which would be effective in the production of innovative drugs.

Systemic evaluation of patients with central serous chorioretinopathy: A case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the systemic associations of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) with help of clinical and biochemical investigations. DESIGN: Case-control study. PARTICIPANTS: Eighty seven CSCR patients (case) and 82 Asian-Indian patients with primary non-traumatic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (control) were recruited between July 2017 and December 2018 at a tertiary eye-care center in North India. METHODS: The patients underwent ophthalmological examination and systemic evaluation based on history and biochemical investigations. Logistic regression was performed to identify the associations of CSCR. RESULTS: The age was similar between cases and controls (36.9 ± 7.8 years vs 35.7 ± 10.8 years, p = 0.38). On univariate analysis, the significant factors with higher odds of CSCR were alcohol use (odds ratio, OR: 3.4; 95% confidence interval: 1.36-8.53), sleep disturbance (OR: 5.44; 1.76-16.8), gastroesophageal reflux (OR: 9.34; 1.15-75.50), psychological disorder (OR: 5.78; 1.24-26.97), tuberculosis history (OR: 8.2; 1.0-67.10), serum albumin: globulin ratio (AGR) > 2 (OR: 10.43; 2.33-46.57), and serum hemoglobin (per unit increase; OR: 1.35; 1.14-1.61). Although the mean blood pressure was significantly higher in cases, the distribution among various hypertension categories was not significantly different. Exogenous steroid use and morning 8 am serum cortisol levels were not significantly different between the groups. On multivariable analysis, alcohol use (OR: 4.72; 1.33-16.76), sleep disturbances (OR: 5.04; 1.36-18.70), dysthyroid state (OR: 3.02; 1.04-8.74), serum AGR > 2 (OR: 14.28; 2.33-87.28), and serum hemoglobin (per unit increase; OR: 1.43; 1.13-1.81) were significant independent associations. CONCLUSION: Other than the previously described associations of CSCR like alcohol use and sleep disturbances, this study reports possible association with deranged serum protein and thyroid hormone profile. Further large-scale prospective studies need to validate these results.

Ergonomic Considerations in the Incidence of CTS in College of Dentistry, King Khalid University, Abha - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

PURPOSE: Ergonomics in dentistry poses some challenges to dentists and may require considerable concentration and attention to detail. This research enables early recognition and prevention of common ergonomic-related conditions, such as carpel tunnel syndrome, back pain and neck pain. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of ergonomic-related problems concerning carpel tunnel syndrome (CTS) and to know the efficacy of independent and combined clinical tests used in diagnosing it. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Initially the participants were instructed to complete a self-administered questionnaire regarding the severity of symptoms of their hands on a hand-wrist diagram and a visual analogue scale. The principle investigator evaluated all questionnaires independently and four clinical tests were used on both hands in a systematic (non-randomised) order for subjects who had symptoms. Those with residual symptoms that exceeded beyond 1 min interval were identified and controlled for the statistical analyses. RESULTS: The most common symptom noted in the study group was tingling and numbness of fingers (66.46%) followed by neck pain (66.34%). 29.26% of subjects reported moderate difficulty in typing and driving vehicles, whereas 26.82% subjects felt moderate difficulty in grasping and carrying shopping bags. 61.94% of subjects with symptoms spent more than 1 h daily of their free time on mobile phones or other smart devices. Individually, in our study the Tinsel's sign stood out as ineffective in ruling out CTS when compared with Phalen's test. Combination tests like Phalen's test and compression tests are confirmatory to CTS diagnosis and 66.34 % of the research group were hence diagnosed for CTS. CONCLUSIONS: A positive criteria for CTS, neck and shoulder pain is identified in our study as being due to long-term use of mobile devices. Further, combination tests like Phalen's with pressure provocation tests proved accurate in conforming CTS. Future research is needed to confirm the diagnostic utility of these independent and combined clinical tests in less prevalent settings, including general dental practitioners and occupational worksites. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The current study is registered in King Khalid University, College of dentistry ethical committee SRC/REG/2016-17/107.

Evaluation of Clinical and Radiographic Parameters as Dental Indicators for Postmenopausal Osteoporosis.

PURPOSE: In the early stages, osteoporosis is relatively a silent disease characterised by low bone density with microarchitectural deterioration of the bone tissue leading to enhanced bone fragility. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between age, body mass index, oral signs, and osteoporosis among postmenopausal women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included postmenopausal women who were divided into two groups of subjects. The osteoporotic group comprised 30 patients with osteoporosis who were diagnosed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and the non-osteoporotic group (control group) comprised 30 subjects with no evidence of osteoporosis. Panoramic radiography was performed, followed by the acquisition of two direct digital intraoral periapical radiographs from the mandibular premolar-molar region. RESULTS: Chi-square test revealed a statistically significant difference (p = 0.001) in the mandibular cortical shape index between the two groups. However, a statistically non-significant difference in cortical width, the panoramic mandibular index, mandibular alveolar bone resorption degree, fractal dimension, and mean number of teeth was found between the two groups. A statistically significant difference was observed in the mean age between the osteoporotic and non-osteoporotic groups. CONCLUSION: The mandibular cortical index findings (MCI) on panoramic radiograph are effective indicators of osseous changes in postmenopausal osteoporosis, thereby determining early prediction of osteoporotic fracture risk and reducing its related morbidity.

Synthesis and Characterization of Zero-Valent Iron Nanoparticles, and the Study of Their Effect against the Degradation of DDT in Soil and Assessment of Their Toxicity against Collembola and Ostracods.

Of late, novel magnetic nanomaterials have drawn worldwide attention because of the uniqueness in their properties and uses. In our studies, we have prepared nearly monodisperse zero-valent iron nanoparticles (nZVIs) of diameter of less than 60 nm in aqueous medium by a reductive precipitation process and pectin as stabilizing agent. The characterization of these nanoparticles was done by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The TEM images confirmed that the average size of the nZVIs was about 25 nm. The resultant nZVIs were then employed to degrade DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) in spiked soil, and their toxicity toward Collembola (Folsomia candida) and Ostracods (Heterocypris incongruens) was measured. The fabricated nZVIs degraded DDT in soil quite effectively. Further, the effects of nZVIs on Collembola and Ostracods were found to be negative. This was due to the oxidation of nZVIs and creation of anoxic conditions thereupon, and the generation of excess Fe(II) in soil. In addition, the negative effects of DDT on ostracod development and Collembola reproduction were found to be quite weak.

Ocular auto-stimulation and its morbidity in stage 5 retinopathy of prematurity.

Purpose: To evaluate the characteristics and morbidity due to ocular auto-stimulation (OAS) in stage 5 Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP). Methods: Stage 5 ROP cases presenting to ROP clinic of a tertiary care centre from January 2017 to December 2017 were recruited. Eye-pressing was elicited on history from parents and categorized as infrequent (performed <50% of waking time) or frequent (≥50% of time). B-scan ultrasonography was performed for configuration of retinal detachment (open or closed funnel). Keratometry was performed in eyes undergoing vitrectomy under general anaesthesia using automated hand-held keratometer. The outcome measures were the presence and characteristics of OAS, enophthalmos, corneal opacity and keratometry values. Results: Out of 93 eyes of 49 babies, 78.5% (n = 73) had OAS. Gestational age, birth weight, sex, retinal funnel configuration, and visual function did not significantly affect OAS. However, post-conceptional age was significantly greater in eyes with OAS (95% CI: 63.1 to 69.9 weeks) than those without OAS (95% CI: 52.4 to 63.4 weeks) (P = 0.018). OAS occurred frequently in 32.8% (n = 24/73) eyes, more commonly in eyes with light followability. Keratometry did not differ significantly with the presence of OAS (P = 0.88). Enophthalmos, corneal opacity, posterior synechiae were noted in 79.5% (58/73), 21.9% (16/73), and 28.8% (21/73) eyes with OAS, respectively. Enophthalmos occurred significantly in eyes with OAS (P = 0.001), while corneal opacity and posterior synechiae did not (P = 0.071 and 0.91, respectively). Conclusion: OAS and its resultant morbidity are common occurrences in stage 5 ROP. The post-conceptional age and residual visual function may govern the characteristics of OAS.