Publications by authors named "Ekambaram M"

Article Synopsis
  • - Bartonella quintana can lead to serious health issues, including endocarditis and chronic infections, and is mainly spread by body lice, particularly in homeless populations.
  • - A case study in the U.S. highlighted two kidney transplant recipients who contracted the infection from an organ donor who was homeless; one case was atypical while the other showed mild symptoms.
  • - Timely detection and treatment allowed both recipients to recover, emphasizing the importance of assessing organ donors' living conditions, specifically those with a history of homelessness or lice infestations, for potential B. quintana infections in transplant recipients.
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Background: Dental caries remains a significant global health problem. One of the fundamental mechanisms underlying the development and progression of dental caries is the dynamic process of demineralisation/remineralisation. In vitro models have played a critical role in advancing our understanding of this process and identifying potential interventions to prevent or arrest dental caries.

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Article Synopsis
  • Hydroxyapatite (HA) is a key component of human teeth and bones, valuable for its bioactivity and ability to support bone growth, making it suitable for use as an implant coating in dental and maxillofacial surgeries.
  • However, its low fracture toughness and brittleness limit HA's use in areas subjected to heavy stress.
  • Research into substituting HA with external ions shows potential for enhancing its properties, leading to improved remineralization, antimicrobial activity, and hardness, indicating a promising direction for future dental materials and therapies.
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Objective: To investigate the effect of decontamination procedures on the microshear bond strength (μSBS) of blood-contaminated resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) bonded to resin composite (RC).

Methods: Eighty RMGIC disc specimens were allocated into 5 groups (n=16). All groups except Group 2 were contaminated with blood.

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Objective: Clinical contamination during direct adhesive restorative procedures can affect various adhesive interfaces differently and contribute to bulk failure of the restorations. This review aims to summarise the current knowledge on the influence of a variety of clinical contaminants on the bond strength at various adhesive interfaces during adhesive restorative procedures and identify gaps in the literature for future research.

Data And Sources: An electronic database search was performed in PubMed and EMBASE to identify articles that investigated the influence of contaminants on direct restorative bonding procedures.

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Objectives: This study evaluated the remineralization potential of calcium sodium phosphosilicate and functionalized tri-calcium phosphate (f-TCP) dentifrices in deeper incipient carious lesions (ICLs).

Materials And Methods: Artificial ICLs were created by placing premolars into demineralizing solutions. Teeth were randomly assigned into four groups: calcium sodium phosphosilicate (Group 1), f-TCP (Group 2), 1450 ppm fluoride (Group 3), and distilled water (Group 4), which were subjected to 10-day pH cycling.

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Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the remineralisation effect of combined use of a bioinspired self-assembling peptide (P26) and fluoride varnish on artificial early enamel caries lesions.

Methods: Bovine enamel blocks with artificial early enamel caries lesions were prepared. The blocks were randomly allocated to four experimental groups to receive the following treatments: A = P26 + fluoride varnish, B = P26, C = fluoride varnish, and D.

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Background: The aim of this research was to compare the efficacy of the remineralising potential of self-assembling peptides (SAPs): Curodont Repair (P11-4), P26, and leucine-rich amelogenin peptides (LRAP) with the standard 5% NaF varnish (Duraphat) on early enamel caries lesions (EECLs).

Methods: A demineralising solution (DS) was used to create artificial EECLs in human dental enamel specimens, which were randomly allocated to treatment groups: P11-4; P26 solution; LRAP solution; 5% NaF varnish; and deionised water (DIW). Each specimen was subjected to 8 days of pH cycling.

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Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is a leading cause of infant mortality in the US. The American Academy of Pediatrics has provided recommendations for infant sleeping position and environment to decrease SIDS rates. These recommendations reinforce the importance of modeling safe sleep practices in the newborn nursery.

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Dental caries is one of the most common human diseases which can occur in both primary and permanent dentitions throughout the life of an individual. Hydroxyapatite is the major inorganic component of human teeth, consequently, nanosized hydroxyapatite (nHAP) has recently attracted researchers' attention due to its unique properties and potential for caries management. This article provides a contemporary review of the potential beneficial effects of nHAP on caries lesions demonstrated in in vitro studies.

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Objective: To investigate the influence of blood and saliva contamination on the microshear bond strength (μSBS) between resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) and resin composite (RC).

Methods And Materials: Eighty RMGIC discs were allocated into four groups (n=20). Group 1 received universal dental adhesive application in a self-etch mode followed by a build-up with RC.

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Purpose: To investigate the mineral density and lesion depth of artificial caries lesions on aprismatic enamel and prismatic enamel created by lactic acid and acetic acid buffers.

Methods: Forty bovine enamel blocks were allocated to: aprismatic enamel (Group A) and prismatic enamel (Group C) in acetic acid buffer for 192 h and aprismatic enamel (Group B) and prismatic enamel (Group D) in lactic acid buffer for 96 h. The mineral loss and lesion depth were measured using micro-computed tomography.

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Background: The Meningitis/Encephalitis FilmArray® Panel (ME panel) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2015 and provides rapid results when assessing patients with suspected meningitis or encephalitis.

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The aim of this paper is to systematically review the literature to determine whether early childhood caries (ECC) is significantly associated with caries development in permanent teeth among school children and adolescents, and to identify the association of other risk factors over 24 months. A systematic literature search was performed in four electronic databases and via a manual search from inception to 28 July 2022. Independent study selection and screening, data extraction, evaluation of risk of bias using ROBINS-I tool and certainty of evidence with GRADE were performed.

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This systematic review aimed to investigate the risk predictors of caries in primary teeth and evaluate their association with the increment of Early Childhood Caries (ECC) among preschool children. This systematic review included only cohort or case-control studies of at least 2 years duration, over 300 participants and with English full-text. Potentially eligible studies were retrieved from 4 electronic databases (Ovid Embase, Ovid MEDLINE; PubMed, Web of Science) from inception to March 1, 2021.

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Purpose: To investigate the impact of sleep on the development of early childhood caries (ECC).

Methods: Seven electronic databases and grey literature were searched with various keyword combinations. Two reviewers independently selected studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

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Background: Patients with multi-bracketed fixed orthodontic appliances are at a higher risk of developing enamel demineralisation.

Aim: To compare the efficacy of the quarterly application of two varnishes in preventing white spot lesions (WSLs) during multi-bracketed fixed orthodontic treatment.

Design: Ninety-nine patients were randomly allocated into three intervention groups: Group A-standard oral hygiene instructions (OHI); Group B-5% sodium fluoride (NaF) varnish with standard OHI; and Group C-NaF plus tricalcium phosphate varnish with standard OHI.

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Aim: To compare the validity of DIAGNOdent pen™ 2190 and clinical photographs in the diagnosis (presence or absence) and assessment of white spot lesions (WSLs) during multi-bracketed fixed orthodontic treatment.

Methods: A total of 1607 readings from 99 patients were obtained using DIAGNOdent pen™ 2190, clinical photographs, and visual assessment criteria to assess WSLs at 6 -, 12- and 18 months after bonding of brackets. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed, and areas under the curve (AUC) were calculated to assess the presence or absence of WSLs and distinguish the severity of WSLs as slight or severe.

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Laboratory results include the following: white blood cell count, 21,600/μL (21.6 × 109/L; reference range, 9,000-30,000/μL [9-30 × 109/L]); hemoglobin, 18.2 g/dL (182 g/L; reference range, 14.

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Background: The FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis panel (MEP) has an 11% false-positive and 2.2% false-negative rate compared with conventional testing. We describe clinical characteristics, treatment decisions, and outcomes in children with discordant results between MEP and conventional testing.

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Purpose: To investigate the effect of pretreatment protocols involving Papacarie Duo gel and Scotchbond Universal (SU) on the microshear bond strength (µSBS) of resin composite (RC) to hypomineralised enamel (HE).

Materials And Methods: Specimens of normal enamel (NE) and HE were derived from extracted hypomineralised first permanent molars (FPMs). Based on the colour of demarcated opacities, HE specimens were classified as creamy/white (CW) or yellow/brown (YB).

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Purpose: This study aimed at investigating the surface morphology and nanotopography of normal enamel (NE) and developmentally hypomineralised enamel (HE) when subjected to various pretreatment protocols under scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM).

Methods: Sixteen NE, 16 creamy/white (CW) HE and 16 yellow/brown (YB) HE specimens sectioned from extracted hypomineralised first permanent molars (FPMs) were included in this study. They were randomly distributed into 12 experimental groups (n = 4).

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Background: Demineralization during multi-bracketed fixed orthodontic treatment is a well-known problem.

Aim: To systematically evaluate the evidence for the prevention of enamel demineralization during multi-bracketed fixed orthodontic treatment.

Design: Systematic reviews (with or without meta-analysis) that have appraised the primary studies on the prevention of demineralization during multi-bracketed fixed orthodontic treatment were searched systematically and included as per pre-defined eligibility criteria.

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Fissure sealant is a recommended preventive measure on permanent molars, but its efficacy on primary molars in preschool children is still in doubt. Sodium fluoride varnish (NaFV) enhances remineralization and is effective in preventing caries in smooth surfaces, but limited information is available regarding its use on occlusal surfaces of primary molars. The present study aimed to compare the efficacy of glass ionomer sealant (GIS) versus topical application of 5% NaFV in preventing and arresting occlusal caries in primary second molars among preschool children.

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Background: Conventional methods of oral health education (OHE) are not suitable for children with visual impairment, as these methods usually involve visual demonstration with models or plaque-disclosing dyes.

Aim: To systematically review the literature to support the best approach for providing OHE to children and adolescents with visual impairment.

Design: A systematic search of five electronic databases and grey literature was conducted.

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