Effect of Surface Treatment of Zirconia on the Shear Bond Strength of Resin Cement: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of different surface treatments on the shear bond strength (SBS) values between zirconia and resin cement compared to untreated specimens. The effects of various surface treatments on the bond strength between zirconia and resin cement were investigated by searching relevant articles on PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases. A total of 13 studies that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and addressed the research question were selected for statistical analysis. The studies were evaluated for heterogeneity, and a meta-analysis was performed. In total, 13 in vitro studies were included in accordance with the eligibility criteria. All 13 studies consistently demonstrated that silica coating yielded the highest SBS, followed by sandblasting and laser treatments. The meta-analysis using a random-effect model indicated a significant intergroup comparison, except for a few studies. Among the three treatments examined, the silica coating of zirconia was identified as the most effective in enhancing the bond strength between zirconia and resin cement. Further controlled laboratory and clinical studies are necessary to validate these findings and explore additional factors that may influence the effects of these surface treatments.

DNA barcoding and nutritional profiling of underutilized native indigenous plant species of Karnataka, India.

BACKGROUND: Locally adapted native indigenous plant species (NIPS) could restore the crop diversity in sustainable agriculture. METHODS: Here, we report the molecular identification and nutritional profiling of some five NIPS of Karnataka; Musa paradisiaca cv. Nanjangud rasabale, Piper betle L. cv. Mysore betel leaf, Jasminum grandiflorum cv Mysore mallige, Solanum melongena L. cv. Udupi Mattu Gulla and S. melongena L. cv. Erangere badane of which the first four are Geographical Indication (GI) tagged. The samples were procured, authenticated and sequenced using two standard DNA barcodes: nuclear ITS2 and plastid rbcl. RESULTS: The phylogenetic analysis using Neighborhood joining method revealed all the ITS2 tree topologies with higher genetic divergence than rbcl. All the rbcl tree topologies were monophyletic indicating sequence conservation. Though the concatenated ITS2 + rbcl trees had higher bootstrap support (> 98% except Solanum sp.) differences were observed because of the lack of available sequence deposition at species level. The proximate and nutritional profiling of the NIPS displayed superiority in terms of their nutritional profile and their potential application in phytopharmaceutical sector as nutritional supplements. CONCLUSION: To our best knowledge this is the first study reporting the screening of five NIPS plant species of Karnataka for phylogeny and nutritional analysis. We also anticipate that if research towards the identification of NIPS species is accelerated, these nutritionally enhanced crops could be used as a safe and sustainable food in changing global climatic conditions.

Comparative Evaluation of the Clinical Efficacy of Four Different Gingival Retraction Systems: An In Vivo Study.

INTRODUCTION: There are numerous gingival retraction systems available on the market. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of four gingival retraction systems, namely, impregnated retraction cord, gingival retraction capsule, retraction paste, and polyvinyl acetate strips. METHODS: A total of 20 people were chosen for the study, and 100 specimens were collected. The specimens were classified into five groups based on the materials used for gingival displacement. On the first day, a baseline impression without gingival displacement was made. Afterward, impressions were made with any of the following four gingival retraction systems: impregnated retraction cord (SURE-Cord® Plus; Sure Dent Corporation, Jungwon-gu, South Korea), retraction capsule (3M ESPE astringent retraction paste capsule; 3M Corporation, St. Paul, MN), retraction paste (Traxodent® Hemodent® Paste Retraction System; Premier Dental Co., Plymouth Meeting, PA) and polyvinylacetate strips (Merocel; Merocel Co., Mystic, CT), with a 14-day interval between each system. The amount of gingival displacement was measured using an optical microscope as the distance from the tooth to the gingiva crest in a horizontal plane. RESULTS:  All experimental groups had higher gingival displacement than the control group (P < 0.01). Among the experimental groups, polyvinyl acetate strips had the highest gingival displacement value (541.65 µm), followed by impregnated retraction cord (505.37 µm), retraction capsule (333.57 µm), and retraction paste (230.63 µm). CONCLUSION:  Within the limits of this in vivo study, significant differences in horizontal gingival displacement were discovered among the four evaluated systems. The horizontal displacement requirements of 200 µm were exceeded by all four systems. The maximum value for gingival displacement was found in polyvinyl acetate strips (Merocel), followed by impregnated retraction cord (SURE-Cord), and retraction capsule (3M ESPE), and the lowest value was found in retraction paste (Traxodent).

Computational investigation of phytoalexins as potential antiviral RAP-1 and RAP-2 (Replication Associated Proteins) inhibitor for the management of cucumber mosaic virus (CMV): a molecular modeling, in silico docking and MM-GBSA study.

The Replication Associated Proteins (RAP-1 and RAP-2) encoded by CMV ORF 1a and ORF 2a are required for the different stages of the viral replication cycle; being multi-functional, they are good inhibitory targets for anti-CMV compounds. As a new perspective for sustainable crop improvement, we investigated the natural plant-based antimicrobial phytoalexins for their anti-CMV potential. Here, we modeled and predicted the functional domains of RAP-1 and RAP-2, docked with a ligand library comprising 128 phytoalexins reported with broad-spectrum activity, determined their binding energies (BEs), molecular interactions, and inhibition constant (Ki), and compared with the reference plant antiviral compounds ribavirin, ningnanmycin, and benzothiadiazole (BTH). Further, the change in Gibb's free energy of binding (ΔG) and the per residue contribution of the selected top-scored ligand molecules was assessed by the prime MM-GBSA approach. Our results revealed RAP-1 as a discontinuous two-domain and RAP-2 as a multi-domain protein. The compounds glyceollidin (9.8 kcal/mol) and moracin D (7.8 kcal/mol) topped the list for RAP-1 and RAP-2 protein targets respectively and also, the lead molecules had energetically more favorable and comparative ΔG values than the top-scored plant antiviral agent ningnanmycin. The evaluation of in vitro toxicity and agrochemical-like properties showed the least toxicity of these anti-CMV compounds. Taken together, our results provide new insights in understanding the inhibitory effects of phytoalexins towards the RAP proteins and could be employed as new promising anti-CMV candidate compounds for their application in agriculture as biopesticides to combat the CMV disease incidence.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Evaluation of Disocclusion During Protrusive and Laterotrusive Movements.

Introduction The importance of disocclusion in maintaining the health of the stomatognathic system is well established. However, the quantification of the same is limited. This study aimed to determine the amount of posterior teeth disocclusion in protrusive and laterotrusive movements to establish the desired disocclusion in occlusal treatments. Materials and methods Twenty dentate subjects with Angles Class I occlusion, 18-30 years, were included in the study. Direct and indirect techniques measured disocclusion at the mesiobuccal cusp tip of the mandibular first molar. In the direct technique, the protrusive and working and nonworking records were made intraorally at the edge-to-edge position of maxillary and mandibular central incisors and canines, respectively. For the indirect technique, putty indices were made on a semi-adjustable articulator at 2 millimeters (mm) eccentric movements and the disocclusion records were then made intraorally using indices at the predetermined excursions. The records were trimmed, and the disocclusion was measured using an optical microscope (ZEISS Axio Imager 2; Carl Zeiss Microscopy Deutschland GmbH, Oberkochen, Germany). The comparison of disocclusion by both techniques was done by paired t-test. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to analyze the statistical correlation between the disocclusion obtained during different excursive movements. Results The mean disocclusion obtained by direct technique was 1.72 ± .49 mm in protrusion, 1.19 ± .50 mm for the working side, and 2.54 ± .70 mm for the nonworking side. For the indirect technique, the disocclusion obtained was 1.22 ± .37 mm in protrusion, 8.57 ± .33 mm for the working side, and 1.71 ± .61 mm for the nonworking side. On comparison, there was a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) seen for the values between the groups for direct and indirect subgroups except for the left working subgroup (p>0.05) with higher values in the direct group. Conclusions The disocclusion obtained by the direct technique was higher than that obtained by the indirect technique. For both techniques, as the working side disocclusion increased, the nonworking side disocclusion also increased.

Intravenous immunoglobulin as adjuvant therapy for COVID-19: A case report and literature review.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has infected and caused the death of an alarming number of individuals worldwide. No specific treatment has been internationally standardized for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); however, in some cases, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has been used as adjuvant treatment in critically ill patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. We report a case of a 50-year-old man with severe COVID-19 pneumonia who received 5 days course of IVIG as adjuvant therapy. Invasive respiratory support was avoided. The patient had a successful recovery and was discharged without supplemental oxygen. A high dose of IVIG may improve survival in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. In the current report, we reviewed literature on how IVIG use may improve the early stages of the disease.