Parental perception of oral health-related quality of life in children with autism. An observational study.

BACKGROUND: Autism is reportedly the most severe neuropsychiatric disorder affecting children. Autistic subjects can be characterized by impairments in social interactive behavior along with restricted interests and quite frequently, are seen exhibiting repetitive behavior patterns in stereotyped manner. The inability to perform routine tasks can widely impact the oral health and also, the constant care and sense of helplessness might drastically affect quality of life. AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the oral health status and perceptions regarding an autistic child's oral health among parents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Parental perception regarding the quality of life among the afflicted autistic children was done using a self-assessment questionnaire that included eight questions which were replied to in an affirmation or negative answer. 300 parents of autism affected children formed the study participants. Recorded responses were evaluated and percentage of each response was derived. Oral health status was measured by determination of dental caries prevalence and OHI-S index using chair light illumination, mouth mirror, diagnostic probe and a standard WHO periodontal probe. For statistical analysis, the calculations were performed by using the paired t test. Statistical significance, which was fixed at P < 0.05, which is statistically significant. RESULTS: Approximately 18.33% of parents showed were aware that oral health can influence general health; 15% did have exhibit awareness. 15% of parents did not consider that primary teeth were important; 59.1% visited any dentist only when suffering from pain; 5% went for an annual dental examination; 15% and 24.6% parents visited dental practitioners at intervals of 3 and 6 months, respectively. 30%, 25% and 51.66% parents considered obtaining consultation and getting treatment from pediatric dentist; general dentist and general physician. 41.6% parents had taken their children for restorations. 52% reported constant stress whereas 48% reported with constant distressed emotions. No significant difference was determined between the parameters. 75% of autistic children suffered from dental caries whereas oral hygiene scores demonstrated high mean value of 4. CONCLUSION: Autism is a severely distressing condition wherein oral health along with general physical health is affected. Since parents are directly involved in upbringing of these individuals, they also subsequently show a reduction in quality of life.

Role of Hematological and Immunological Parameters in COVID-19 Patients.

BACKGROUND: The ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) which was caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to efforts from the medical and scientific community in understanding the biological basis of COVID-19 pathophysiological mechanisms. Thus, analysis of various hematological and immunological parameters may be helpful for COVID-19 infection evaluation for risks involved and effectiveness in management. AIM: The aim of this study was to analyze the role of various hematological and immunological parameters in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective analysis was performed on 300 patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. All participants of the study were divided into - (a) Group I: patients with mild symptoms and normal chest radiographic findings; (b) patients with moderate disease presenting with fever and cough along with other respiratory symptoms, and (c) patients suffering from severe disease. Data collection was done from all patients at the time of hospital admission for hematological and immunological parameters - (a) total leukocyte count, (b) lymphocyte count, (c) lymphocytic subset count, (d) lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, (e) D-dimer, (f) C-reactive protein (CRP), and (g) ferritin levels. SPSS 22.0 software was used for determining P values by independent t-test and Chi-square test. RESULTS: The median age was 65 years (interquartile range -57-71 years). While comparing white blood cell and lymphocyte counts, extremely significant P values were obtained. D-dimers and ferritin levels demonstrated extremely significant P values while both LDH and CRPs showed statistical significance. Correlation of lymphocytic subsets showed extreme significance in total lymphocyte counts in mild-to-moderate as compared to severely infected patients while both CD4+ and CD8+ counts demonstrated statistical significance in mild-moderate infected cases. Statistical significance was noted in D-dimer, CRP, and LDH levels also. CONCLUSION: Assessment of hematological and immunological parameters can be used to plan the management of COVID-19 patients.

Prevalence of anxiety, stress, and depression among health care and nonhealth-care professionals in India.

BACKGROUND: The psychological impact of anxiety, stress, and depression among health care and nonhealth-care professionals in India contribute significantly to the global burden of mental illness in the world. Impaired mental health and stress influence the efficiency and productivity of work. Long-term professional stress among individuals can lead to chronic illness, increased blood pressure, and many systemic disorders. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of anxiety, stress, and depression among the health care and nonhealth-care professionals in India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective survey-based study included 200 study participants (80 nonhealth care and 120 health-care workers) who were asked to submit their feedback and opinion on a questionnaire survey. Depression, stress, and anxiety were scored as per patient health questionnaire-4 and UCLA scale. The reliability of questionnaires was assessed using the Cronbach's alpha (r = 0.90). The statistical analysis was done using the Chi-square test. RESULTS: Higher prevalence ratio of anxiety, depression, and stress was observed among nonhealth care compared to health-care professionals. CONCLUSION: Psychological disturbances were found to be higher among nonmedical when compared to health-care workers or professionals. Thus, psychological counseling is required to manage the stress levels in both health care and nonhealth-care professionals.

Quantitative Evaluation of Apically Extruded Debris in Root Canals prepared by Single-file Reciprocating and Single File Rotary Instrumentation Systems: A Comparative In vitro Study.

BACKGROUND: Prevention of the debris from extruding to the periapical region is an important aspect to be taken care of as its extrusion can result in pain, periapical inflammation, and delayed healing owing to the presence of highly infective components in the debris. AIM: The present trial was aimed to compare and assess the amount of debris extruded apically using the single-file reciprocating system - WaveOne GOLD and single file rotary system - OneShape in root canal preparations in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty mandibular premolars were divided into two groups (15 samples each) prepared with a single-file reciprocating system - WaveOne GOLD and single-file rotary system - OneShape. Debris extruded was collected and then stored in an incubator. The final weight was calculated after obtaining the mean of three consecutive weights obtained for each tooth. The data were compared using the ANOVA and Turkey's post hoc analysis. RESULTS: Debris extrusions were recorded in both groups and analysis revealed statistical differences in weight before and after the instrumentation procedures in both groups. When compared, reciprocating single file - WaveOne GOLD extruded more debris than rotary single file system - OneShape with a P < 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: The rotary instrumentation systems extrude lesser debris apically than the reciprocating instrumentation system. The difference found was statistically significant.

Analytical Study of Etiopathological Factors Responsible for Oral Squamous Cell Cancer in Bihar Population.

BACKGROUND: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of maxillofacial region is the most usual form of neoplasia causing malignancies in India and Asian continent. An increased prevalence of mortality rate by cancer of maxillofacial region was observed in various parts of the world. OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to correlate age and gender with etiopathological factors contributing to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in the urban population of Patna in 2 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were extracted from hospital records. A total of 236 cases of histologically confirmed mild to advance stage of OSCC in either gender of 15-80 years of age range were evaluated. RESULTS: Out of 236 histopathologically confirmed patients with OSCC, 172 were male and 64 were female. Insignificant difference was found in all age-groups and in all locations. Most common site was found to be buccal mucosa in both genders. Bony invasion was found to be least common. In our study, it was found that habits of chewing areca nuts, nicotine smoke addiction, consumption of alcohol, combination of chewing nuts and nicotine smoke addiction, and combination of alcohol and nicotine smoke addiction are significantly related to the development of OSCC. No significant association was found between histopathological conclusion and gender in all the four groups, and the prevalence was directly proportional to advancement of age. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the OSCC do not have any significant relation with the age and gender. The habit of nicotine and areca nut chewing, nicotine smoke addiction, and combination of nicotine smoke addiction and alcohol and chewing nut and nicotine smoke addiction has significant relationship in the development of OSCC.

Salivary and Serum Glucose Levels in Diabetes Mellitus Patients versus Control - A Randomised Control Trial.

Oral fluids provide a readily available and non-invasive medium for the diagnosis of a wide range of diseases and clinical situations. Diabetes mellitus is a common chronic metabolic disorder that affects millions of people. Our objective was to compare the salivary and serum glucose levels in patients with diabetes mellitus and healthy individuals. Two ml of unstimulated whole saliva was collected by the spitting method. Also, 2 ml of the patient's intravenous blood was obtained from the forearm's median cephalic vein. Both the samples were centrifuged at 2000 rpm for 2-3 minutes. Ten µl of both saliva and serum were taken out and added to glucose reagent. These were kept in a temperature-controlled water bath at 37°C for 10 minutes. The color change was noted, and the optical density was measured in a semi-auto analyzer. The presence of glucose was detected in both groups; however, the levels were raised in people with diabetes compared to healthy individuals. The present study indicated a substantial increase in salivary and serum glucose levels in diabetic patients compared to healthy controls. The concentration of glucose in saliva increases with the increase in serum glucose concentration.

Cariostatic Efficacy of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of Liquorice in the Schoolchildren: In Vivo Comparative Study.

AIM: The present study was done to evaluate the in vivo cariostatic efficacy of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of liquorice to ascertain whether it could be developed into a caries-preventive regimen basically targeted for use in the pediatric population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty schoolchildren of 6-12-year-old were selected for the study. Powder of Glycyrrhiza glabra is used to prepare the gel with various concentration of aqueous and ethanolic liquorice gel. The preweighed dose was delivered through the vials. The drug concentrations were based on their respective minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values against Streptococcus mutans, which were calculated earlier. And it is divided into three groups, i.e., group I: aqueous liquorice extract 1.75 g/10 mL saline, group II: ethanolic liquorice extract 350 mg/10 mL, and group III: hexidine (0.2% chlorhexidine, CHX). For statistical analysis, Tukey's post hoc with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t test were applied. RESULTS: It was found that hexigel has a potential antibacterial activity against S. mutans, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 3.14 ± 2.02. Ethanolic liquorice shows MIC of 2.15 ± 0.91 and aqueous liquorice shows MIC of 1.30 ± 1.08. Tukey's post hoc test showed statistically nonsignificant difference between hexigel and ethanolic liquorice against S. mutans. CONCLUSION: On conclusion, the present study found that hexigel was better than both the ethanolic and aqueous solutions of liquorice. And ethanolic liquorice was found to be better than aqueous solution, but it was not statistically significant, which could be due to the small sample size. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Dental caries is one of the most common infectious microbial diseases. Various steps have been taken to prevent dental caries, fluoride being the most common among them. Nowadays, G. glabra, commonly known as liquorice (mulethi), is one such medicinal plant used by various cultures for thousands of years to relieve coughs, sore throats, and gastric inflammation. This drug in our study demonstrated inhibitory effect on the growth of S. mutans.