ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to assess and compare the masticatory performance in children receiving preformed metal crown by Hall technique and conventional technique. METHODS: Children having teeth indicated for restorative/endodontic therapy and belonging to the age group of six to ten years were invited to participate in the study. Eighteen children received preformed metal crowns (PMCs) by Hall technique. Meanwhile, nineteen children received preformed metal crowns by the conventional technique. Their masticatory performance (MP) was assessed at T0 (pre-intervention), T1 (day 1 post-intervention), T2 (1 week), T3 (2 weeks), T4 (1 month) and T5 (3 months) using Hue-check Gum® (University of Bern, Switzerland). The chewing gum samples were scanned within 24 h of their collection and processed in the ViewGum Software©. The software calculated the hue value (VOH) which indicated the masticatory performance of the individual. A questionnaire was given to the parents at T4 and T5 to assess any discomfort or pain associated with PMCs placed in both groups. RESULTS: The evaluation of masticatory performance using the two-color chewing method revealed reduction in MP on day 1 post-intervention (p < 0.001) for both groups. However, the MP values recorded at T5 were comparable to the baseline values at T0 (p = 0.009). No significant discomfort or pain was reported in both groups. CONCLUSION: The findings of the current clinical study indicate that placement of PMCs by both conventional and Hall technique in children deteriorates their MP which equilibrates within 1 month. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY OF INDIA NUMBER: CTRI/2021/02/031532 [Registered on: 25/02/2021]-Trial Registered Prospectively.
ABSTRACT
UNLABELLED: Measles virus (MV) infection is undergoing resurgence and remains one of the leading causes of death among young children worldwide despite the availability of an effective measles vaccine. MV infects its target cells by coordinated action of the MV H and the fusion (F) envelope glycoprotein; upon receptor engagement by H, the prefusion F undergoes a structural transition, extending and inserting into the target cell membrane and then refolding into a postfusion structure that fuses the viral and cell membranes. By interfering with this structural transition of F, peptides derived from the heptad-repeat (HR) regions of F can potently inhibit MV infection at the entry stage. We show here that specific features of H's interaction with its receptors modulate the susceptibility of MV F to peptide fusion inhibitors. A higher concentration of inhibitory peptides is required to inhibit F-mediated fusion when H is engaged to its nectin-4 receptor than when H is engaged to its CD150 receptor. Peptide inhibition of F may be subverted by continued engagement of receptor by H, a finding that highlights the ongoing role of H-receptor interaction after F has been activated and that helps guide the design of more potent inhibitory peptides. Intranasal administration of these peptides results in peptide accumulation in the airway epithelium with minimal systemic levels of peptide and efficiently prevents MV infection in vivo in animal models. The results suggest an antiviral strategy for prophylaxis in vulnerable and/or immunocompromised hosts. IMPORTANCE: Measles virus (MV) infection causes an acute illness that may be associated with infection of the central nervous system (CNS) and severe neurological disease. No specific treatment is available. We have shown that parenterally delivered fusion-inhibitory peptides protect mice from lethal CNS MV disease. Here we show, using established small-animal models of MV infection, that fusion-inhibitory peptides delivered intranasally provide effective prophylaxis against MV infection. Since the fusion inhibitors are stable at room temperature, this intranasal strategy is feasible even outside health care settings, could be used to protect individuals and communities in case of MV outbreaks, and could complement global efforts to control measles.
