Comparative Evaluation of the Surface Area of the Maxillary and Mandibular Denture Bearing Area According to Arch Shapes Obtained Through A Manually Molded Impression.

Objective: This study was done to compare the surface area of the maxillary and mandibular denture bearing area obtained through a manually molded impression in an open mouth selective pressure technique. Methodology: Final impression was made in 60 patients with zinc oxide eugenol impression paste, poured in dental stone to get master cast. Denture bearing area was marked with an indelible pencil. The number of squares were calculated which constituted the denture bearing area. Results: Square arch form provides more surface area than ovoid and tapering which in turn increases the retention and support. Conclusion: The variance and standard deviation of the surface area of square, ovoid, and tapering arch shapes of maxillary dentures were very much significant and in case of Mandibular dentures were less significant.

Assessment of White Spots with Quantitative Light-Induced Fluorescence in Patients Undergoing Fixed Orthodontics.

BACKGROUND: The present study determined white spots with the help of quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) in patients undergoing fixed orthodontics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-four patients undergoing fixed orthodontics above 12 years underwent debonding, and the presence of carious lesion was assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks, 6 months, and 2 years. QLF images were taken with intraoral fluorescence camera. QLF images were examined visually for signs of demineralization, and scoring system was used. RESULTS: It is found that there was fluorescence loss over a period of time. The median sum of fluorescence loss per patient was 55.6% and 29.2% and 101.4% at quartiles at baseline which changed to 51.2% and 26.5% at the first quartile and 101.4% at the second quartile. At 2 years, it was 43.7% and at the first quartile was 22.1% and at the second quartile was 99.1%. There was significant improvement at T2 (P < 0.05), however, between baseline and F1 and between F1 and F2, there was nonsignificant improvement (P > 0.05). The median value for total lesion area per patient was 3.6 mm2 with quartiles 1.2 mm2 and 8.2 mm2 at baseline, 2.6 mm2 with quartiles 0.7 mm2 and 6.3 mm2 at 6 weeks, 2.3 mm2 with quartiles 0.7 mm2 and 6.3 mm2 at 6 months, and 1.8 mm2 with quartiles 0.5 mm2 and 5.8 mm2 at 2 years which was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The authors found that white spots during fixed orthodontic treatment and after debonding is a common phenomenon. Although there was improvement in disappearance of these lesions, complete removal cannot be ensured.

Understanding the molecular evolution of tiger diversity through DNA barcoding marker ND4 and NADH dehydrogenase complex using computational biology.

BACKGROUND: Currently, Tigers (the top predator of an ecosystem) are on the list of endangered species. Thus the need is to understand the tiger's population genomics to design their conservation strategies. OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the molecular evolution of tiger diversity using NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 (ND4), a significant electron transport chain component. METHODS: We have analyzed nucleotide composition and distribution pattern of ND genes, molecular evolution, evolutionary conservation pattern and conserved blocks of NADH, phylogenomics of ND4, and estimating species divergence, etc., using different bioinformatics tools and software, and MATLAB programming and computing environment. RESULTS: The nucleotide composition and distribution pattern of ND genes in the tiger genome demonstrated an increase in the number of adenine (A) and a lower trend of A+T content in some place of the distribution analysis. However, the observed distributions were not significant (P > 0.05). Evolutionary conservation analysis showed three highly align blocks (186 to 198, 406 to 416, and 527 to 545). On mapping the molecular evolution of ND4 among model species (n = 30), we observed its presence in a broader range of species. ND4 based molecular evolution of tiger diversity and time divergence for a tiger (20 different other species) shows that genus Panthera originated more or less at a similar time. CONCLUSIONS: The nucleotide composition and nucleotide distribution pattern of tiger ND genes showed the evolutionary pattern and origin of tiger and Panthera lineage concerning the molecular clock, which will help to understand their adaptive evolution.

Denture hygiene awareness, attitude and practice among complete denture wearers during COVID-19 lockdown Pandemic: A questionnaire based survey.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the denture hygiene habits in complete denture wearers during Covid-19 lockdown in Assam state. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, a self-administered structured questionnaire was developed to know the attitude of the patients regarding denture hygiene. The study sample consisted of 150 subjects, which included 63 (42%) males and 87 (58%) females. RESULTS: 50.7% of individuals said that they have knowledge about denture cleansing methods, while only 40% individuals clean their dentures once daily. After education through an online survey, most individuals started practicing three times or at least two times. After educating two members in the same family, all subjects were cleaning either twice or thrice. All subjects were either using brushing or combination methods. CONCLUSION: Poor condition of complete dentures seen in the population is mainly due to lack of knowledge and irregular cleansing habits. Dentists must give proper instructions and do regular follow-up regarding maintenance of denture hygiene.