Impacts, Tolerance, Adaptation, and Mitigation of Heat Stress on Wheat under Changing Climates.

Heat stress (HS) is one of the major abiotic stresses affecting the production and quality of wheat. Rising temperatures are particularly threatening to wheat production. A detailed overview of morpho-physio-biochemical responses of wheat to HS is critical to identify various tolerance mechanisms and their use in identifying strategies to safeguard wheat production under changing climates. The development of thermotolerant wheat cultivars using conventional or molecular breeding and transgenic approaches is promising. Over the last decade, different omics approaches have revolutionized the way plant breeders and biotechnologists investigate underlying stress tolerance mechanisms and cellular homeostasis. Therefore, developing genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics data sets and a deeper understanding of HS tolerance mechanisms of different wheat cultivars are needed. The most reliable method to improve plant resilience to HS must include agronomic management strategies, such as the adoption of climate-smart cultivation practices and use of osmoprotectants and cultured soil microbes. However, looking at the complex nature of HS, the adoption of a holistic approach integrating outcomes of breeding, physiological, agronomical, and biotechnological options is required. Our review aims to provide insights concerning morpho-physiological and molecular impacts, tolerance mechanisms, and adaptation strategies of HS in wheat. This review will help scientific communities in the identification, development, and promotion of thermotolerant wheat cultivars and management strategies to minimize negative impacts of HS.

Incidence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Elderly Edentulous Patients and the Possible Correlation of Serum Serotonin and Apnea-Hypopnea Index.

PURPOSE: To estimate the incidence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in elderly edentulous patients (aged 60-65 years) and investigate a correlation of serum serotonin levels with the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), respiratory effort-related arousal (RERA), and respiratory disturbance index (RDI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 381 elderly completely edentulous patients (307 male, 74 female) aged 60 to 65 years with a history of edentulism of 12 to 15 months, seeking oral rehabilitation at the prosthodontic clinic at Saraswati Dental College & Hospital, Lucknow, India, between January 2014 and January 2016 were enrolled for the present study. After application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria of this study, 183 patients (162 male, 21 female) who were found susceptible, were subjected to the BERLIN questionnaire and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) to assess sleep disordered breathing (SDB) and then put through all-night polysomnography (PSG). On the basis of AHI, RERA, and RDI scores, 156 patients (143 male, 13 female) who tested positive for OSA were classified according to its intensity. All 156 patients underwent body-mass index (BMI) estimation, cephalometry, and intraoral examination for skeletal and soft tissue profile record. Serum serotonin was estimated from whole blood samples for the 156 OSA and the 27 normal patients. The 156 (147 nonobese, 9 obese) OSA-positive patients were provided with complete dentures and were trained to use the same as a modified mandibular advancement device (MAD) during sleep at night. These patients were kept on a quarterly follow-up for 9 months. Data collected was subjected to statistical analysis, and inferences drawn. RESULTS: The incidence of OSA in elderly edentulous subjects was found to be 32.03% in males and 8.91% in females. A mere 9 out of 156 (5.76%) elderly edentulous OSA patients were found to be obese (Class I) on the basis of BMI estimation. Cephalometry of the patients showed that they had a skeletal class I maxillomandibular relationship. AHI scores of nonobese patients revealed that most of the patients had moderate OSA, followed by mild OSA and severe OSA. Serum serotonin levels ranged from 53 to 83 ng/dL. AHI score of the 9 obese patients were in the moderate to severe range, and their serum serotonin levels were 60 to 70 ng/dL. A correlation between severity of OSA and serum serotonin level was validated in this study. CONCLUSION: OSA was found to be prevalent in edentulous subjects due to pharyngeal collapse and decreased neuromuscular control. An inverse relationship of serum serotonin levels and AHI scores was established.

Lifestyle and Occupational Stress: A Potential Risk Factor for Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Nonobese Male Subjects.

PURPOSE: To record the incidence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in nonobese male subjects and investigate the coexistence of lifestyle stress, sleep deprivation, and upper airway inflammation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 552 patients were assessed during a survey of banks, government and corporate offices, recruitment agencies, and schools between January 2012 and January 2016. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria designed for this study, the number of patients tapered down to 120 patients who underwent diagnostic tests, viz. polysomnography, chemiluminiscence immunoassay, nephelometry, and upper airway endoscopy. This revealed the presence of OSA coexistent with elevated serum cortisol, C-reactive protein (CRP), and upper airway inflammation. RESULTS: Polysomnography showed that 57 of 120 patients suffered from OSA. Objective evaluation of these patients exposed an undercurrent of lifestyle stress in 39 patients. CRP and serum cortisol were found to be significantly high (1.60 ± 0.52 and 7.20 ± 0.76 µg/dL, respectively) in 30 patients. Endoscopy revealed 18 patients with moderate, 7 with severe, and 5 with no upper airway inflammation. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated that OSA was found to be prevalent in the cohort of nonobese male patients studied. Coexistence of lifestyle stress, sleep deprivation, and upper airway inflammation was revealed.

Comparative evaluation of pressure generated on a simulated maxillary oral analog by impression materials in custom trays of different spacer designs: An in vitro study.

INTRODUCTION: Literature reveals that masticatory load on denture bearing tissues through complete dentures should be maximum on primary stress bearing areas and least on relief area in accordance with the histology of underlying tissues. A study to validate the existing beliefs was planned to compare the pressure on mucosa using selective pressure technique and minimal pressure technique, with the incorporation of two different impression materials utilizing the pressure sensors during secondary impression procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed using a maxillary analog. Three pressure sensors were imbedded in the oral analog, one in the mid palatine area and the other two in the right and left ridge crest. Custom trays of two different configurations were fabricated. The two impression materials tested were light body and zinc oxide eugenol. A total of 40 impressions were made. A constant weight of 1 kg was placed, and the pressure was recorded as initial and end pressures. RESULTS: A significant difference in the pressure produced using different impression materials was found (P < 0.001). Light body vinyl polysiloxane produced significantly lesser pressure than zinc oxide eugenol impression materials. The presence of relief did affect the magnitude of pressure at various locations. CONCLUSION: All impression materials produced pressure during maxillary edentulous impression making. Tray modification is an important factor in changing the amount of pressure produced. The impression materials used also had a significant role to play on the pressures acting on the tissues during impression procedure. CLINICAL IMPLICATION: Light body VPS impression material may be recommended to achieve minimal pressure on the denture bearing tissues in both selective as well as minimal pressure techniques.

Corpus alienum on hard palate - An unusual "misdiagnosis" of foreign body: A case report.

Corpus alienum or foreign body on hard palate is a rare presentation and often associated with a scare secondary to misdiagnosis. The potential dangers of respiratory obstruction, mucosal tear, nasopharyngeal inflammation and gastro-intestinal bleeding make these non-invasive foreign bodies, life threatening. A case report of a three year old girl with a 2.5cm×2cm plastic sticker lodged on hard palate for four months and misdiagnosed as salivary gland tumor has been reported along with a literature review.

Relationship of the lingual frenum to the mandibular central incisors.

CLINICAL IMPLICATION: The purpose of this study is to record the vertical distance between anterior attachment of lingual frenum and incisal edge of mandibular central incisors in dentulous subjects and then determine the mean vertical distance and to suggest guidelines for positioning of mandibular central incisors in complete dentures. METHOD: In this study, 150 dentulous subjects (75 males and 75 females) were chosen based on predecided inclusion criteria. A mandibular cast was obtained from irreversible hydrocolloid impression in modified stock trays for each subject. All subjects were instructed to elevate the tongue while the impressions were made. The vertical distance between the anterior attachment of the lingual frenum and incisal edges of mandibular central incisors was measured on the casts and then the values were statistically analyzed. RESULT: The distance between anterior attachment of lingual frenum (AALF) mesioincisal edge of mandibular central incisor (CI) in male, female and total (male + female) subjects was measured. In males it ranged from 7.3 to 8.9 mm with mean (±SD) 8.29 ± 0.36 mm while in females it ranged from 7.1 to 9.0 mm with mean (±SD) 8.21 ± 0.38 mm. CONCLUSION: It is believed that the application of this anatomic relation can provide a reliable point for arranging and checking the position of the mandibular central incisors for complete dentures in patients with class I ridge relationship.

Sickle cell anemia with malaria: a rare case report.

Sickle cell disease is the prototype of hereditary hemoglobinopathies, characterized by the production of structurally abnormal hemoglobin. Sickle cell anemia results from a point mutation that leads to substitution of valine for glutamic acid at the sixth position of the ß globin chain. We report a young male admitted with fever and weakness for 3 days. Hematological test reveals Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasite and sickle cell anemia. Patient was treated and get cured from malaria and discharged.

Study of thrombocytopenia in patients of malaria.

BACKGROUND: Malaria is a Protozoal disease caused by infection with parasites of the genus Plasmodium and transmitted to man by certain species of infected female Anopheline mosquito. In 2008 there were 1.52 million cases of malaria in India, out of which 0.76 million case of Plasmodium falciparum, comprising 50% of total malaria cases. There were 924 deaths from malaria. Hematological abnormalities have been observed in patients with malaria, with anemia, and thrombocytopenia being the most common. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted this study to find out the frequency and the degree of thrombocytopenia in patients with malaria. In our study, 230 patients with malaria positive were investigated with platelet count. RESULTS: In the study group of 230 patients: 130 (56.51%) were positive for Plasmodium vivax, 90 (39.13%) were positive for P. falciparum and 10 (4.34%) had mixed infection with both P. vivax and P. falciparum. Out of 130 cases detected with vivax malaria, 100 cases had thrombocytopenia. Out of 90 cases detected with falciparum malaria, 70 cases had thrombocytopenia. Among 10 cases of mixed infection, 9 cases had thrombocytopenia. CONCLUSIONS: Presence of thrombocytopenia in a patient with acute febrile illness in the tropics increases the possibility of malaria. The above finding can have therapeutic implications in context of avoiding unnecessary platelet infusion in malaria patients.

Comment on "Evaluation of Manual and Two-Rotary NiTi Retreatment Systems in Removing Gutta-Percha Obturated with Two Root Canal Sealers".

Proper research design, appropriate evaluation and measurement methods, use of correct statistical tests, interpretation, and inference are the essentials without which any scientific research reporting is incomplete and does not serve its proposed purpose. In this communication, some common flaws in research designing, evaluation, analysis, and inference have been explained using a published article as a reference. The purpose of the paper is to help the scientific community recognize the significance of proper research designing and planning in order to achieve the results which are worthwhile.

Comment on "dental prosthetic status and prosthetic need of the institutionalized elderly living in geriatric homes in mangalore: a pilot study".

Public Health Dentistry is a speciality which is targeted towards the larger benefit of community and society. Dental health surveys in specific population groups should be planned adequately and the data should be analyzed in such a way so that it may help in making strategies for the intervention to improve the existing status. This could be only done with the help of proper planning, analysis and interpretation of a sample survey. The present study highlights the research design, statistical and inferential errors in a published work of public health dentistry in order to bring about the common mistakes and errors made. The renewed suggested approach helps in interpreting the results in a better way and makes them objective-oriented.

Comment on "Computed Tomography Evaluation of Craniomandibular Articulation in Class II Division 1 Malocclusion and Class I Normal Occlusion Subjects in North Indian Population".

Clear statement of objective, appropriate location of landmarks and removal of subjective bias in measurement is essential in all kinds of research, especially, orthodontics. The research design should be rationalistic, purposeful, and in accordance with the objectives of the study. In this communication, we highlight the errors in research design, measurement, analysis, and inferences drawn with the help of a published article as the primary source to explain these simple but useful points.

Comparative evaluation of fracture resistance of various post systems using different luting agents under tangential loading.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the fracture resistance of various post system using different luting agents under tangential loading after wet thermocycling. MATERIAL & METHODS: Seventy freshly extracted maxillary central incisors were endodontically treated and post-spaces were prepared to receive different post system. They were assigned to 7 groups. Composite resin was used as core material in all the groups. Three type of post system: prefabricated post system (ParaPost(®) XP™), fibre post (ParaPost(®) fiber Lux™), cast nickel-chromium alloy post and two type of luting cements dual cure resin cement (ParaCem(®), Whaledent) and glass ionomer cement (Fuji I, GC) were used. The specimens were thermocycled and subjected to tangential loading at a crosshead speed of 1.5 mm/min. The failure loads were recorded and data were statistically analyzed with one-way ANOVA (p < 0.05) and Student's t tests (p < 0.001). RESULTS: Significant differences of fracture resistance were detected among groups (p < 0.001). The greatest number of repairable fracture mode was recorded in fibre posts and resin cement system. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this in vitro study, it can be stated that fibre posts can be recommended as a better alternative to the cast post and cores and prefabricated metallic posts in the anterior region and resin cement might give additional fracture resistance when used for post and crown cementation.

Cysticercosis of breast.

Human cysticercosis, a parasitic infection caused by cysticercus cellulosae. This results from ova being swallowed or getting asses to human stomach by regurgitation from own adult worm. The larvae are liberated in stomach, penetrate the intestinal mucosa and carried to many parts of the body where they form cysterci, 0.5-1 cm cyst that contain the head of young worm. They do not grow further or migrate. The common sites are skeletal muscle, subcutaneous tissue, brain and eye. Breast is an uncommon site.

Comments on: Cardoso, C.F.; Drummond, A.F.; Lages, E.M.B.; Pretti, H.; Ferreira, E.F.; Abreu, M.H.N.G. The Dental Aesthetic Index and Dental Health Component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need as Tools in Epidemiological Studies. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2011, 8, 3277-3286.

In regard to the article entitled "The Dental Aesthetic Index and Dental Health Component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need as Tools in Epidemiological Studies" by Cardoso et al. [1] which checks the validity and agreement of two scales for orthodontic treatment need, we would like to draw your attention to a number of discrepancies in the design and methodology which have affected the results. [...].