Mifepristone's Efficacy for Symptomatic Relief and Size Reduction in Uterine Fibroids: A 2023 Prospective Observational Study at Rabia Balkhi Hospital, Afghanistan.

Background Uterine fibroids (leiomyomas) are common benign tumors, affecting 70-80% of women by age 50, and can cause symptoms such as heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, and pressure, significantly impacting the quality of life. In severe cases, fibroids may lead to infertility or miscarriage, making their management a key healthcare challenge. Traditional treatments, including hysterectomy, may not be suitable for women wishing to preserve fertility or avoid surgery.

Dentinal Tubule Occlusion and Dentin Permeability Efficacy of Silver Diamine Fluoride Solutions.

Aim: This in vitro study compared the effect of two commercially available silver diamine fluoride (SDF) products on dentinal tubule (DT) occlusion and dentin permeability.

Methods: Sixty-six dentin discs (1.0 mm thick) were divided equally into six groups: acid-etched with no treatment (negative control-NC), etched and sealed with nail varnish (positive control-PC), non-etched and treated with Advantage Arrest (AA), non-etched and treated with Topamine (TP), etched and treated with AA, and etched and treated with TP.

Influence of Carnatic Vocal Training on Voice Measures in Males.

Introduction: Training is an integral part of learning any skill. The vocal training helps singers attain proficiency as they are the most demanding vocal group of all professional voice users. Hence, it is necessary to evaluate the influence of training on the singer's voice.

Investigating the influence of titanium particle size and concentration on osteogenic response of human osteoblasts - in vitro study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between the size and concentration of titanium particles and the osteogenic response of human osteoblasts (HOB).

Materials And Methods: Different concentrations of titanium dioxide nano- and micro-particles were prepared and their biocompatibility on HOBs was analyzed using XTT assay. The changes in the actin cytoskeletal organization were studied by confocal laser scanning microscopy.

Development and validation of interprofessional health education module for the management of gestational diabetes mellitus.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a glucose intolerance that shows its first onset during pregnancy. In India, GDM affects as many as 5 million women annually. The interprofessional collaborative educational intervention is crucial for GDM management.

Correlation between the size of released titanium particles and changes in the surface of dental implants during insertion into bone blocks: an study.

Purpose: This study investigated the size and amount of titanium particles immediately released following dental implant insertion into bovine bone blocks and aimed to correlate them with the surface roughness of the implants.

Methods: Twelve bone blocks were prepared from bovine mandibles. Six tapered (group A) and 6 cylindrical (group B) dental implants were inserted into the bone blocks under water irrigation, following the standard drilling protocol.

A Randomized Controlled Trial on Pranayama and Yoga Nidra for Anxiety and Depression in Patients With Cervical Cancer Undergoing Standard of Care.

Introduction Cervical cancer might intensify the psychological distress among patients with cervical cancer and the distress caused by the diagnosis and treatment. So, depression and anxiety are at higher levels in patients with cervical cancer. Yoga Nidra and Pranayama are thought to reduce the aftereffects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy potentially.

Assessing the Global Impact of Ambient Air Pollution on Cancer Incidence and Mortality: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: This study aims to examine the association between exposure to major ambient air pollutants and the incidence and mortality of lung cancer and some nonlung cancers.

Methods: This meta-analysis used PubMed and EMBASE databases to access published studies that met the eligibility criteria. Primary analysis investigated the association between exposure to air pollutants and cancer incidence and mortality.

In vitro immunomodulatory effect of solid versus porous phosphate-based glass microspheres using macrophages.

This study aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory effect of two different forms of phosphate-based glass microspheres (solid and porous), on human macrophages. Human THP-1 monocytes were converted to M0 macrophages after being treated with 100 ng/mL phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate for 48 h. The differentiated cells were analysed for the CD14 marker using flow cytometry.

Real-World Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccine and Identification of SARS-CoV-2 Variants among People Living with HIV on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in Central Kerala of India-An Ambi-Directional Cohort Study.

Background: Vaccine effectiveness for first-generation coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines among People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in India remains unexplored. This study entails the estimation of the real-world effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines (AZD1222/Covishield, BBV152/Covaxin) among PLHIV and the identification of variants of SARS-CoV-2 among those infected with COVID-19.

Methods: An ambi-directional cohort study was conducted among 925 PLHIV above 18 years of age in two districts of central Kerala, India, from February 2022 to March 2023.

Titanium Particles Modulate Lymphocyte and Macrophage Polarization in Peri-Implant Gingival Tissues.

Titanium dental implants are one of the modalities to replace missing teeth. The release of titanium particles from the implant's surface may modulate the immune cells, resulting in implant failure. However, little is known about the immune microenvironment that plays a role in peri-implant inflammation as a consequence of titanium particles.

Role of Ultrasonography and Color Doppler in the Assessment of High-Risk Pregnancies and Their Accuracy in Predicting Fetal Outcome.

Introduction Various methods are employed to evaluate the well-being of the fetus in high-risk pregnancies which consists of a biophysical profile (BPP), a non-stress test (NST), and daily fetal movements. Detection of aberrant blood flow in fetoplacental beds has been revolutionized by recent developments in ultrasound technology, such as color Doppler flow velocimetry. The cornerstone of maternal and fetal care is lowering maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity is antepartum fetal surveillance.

Association of P16, Ki-67, and CD44 expression in high-grade squamous intraepithelial neoplasia and squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix.

Background: Stem cells exist in niches in the cervical tissue at squamocolumnar junction, which when infected with HR-Human Papilloma Virus undergo malignant transformation to cancer stem cells and have a role in carcinogenesis and metastasis. The expression of CD44, P16, and Ki67 in high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is assessed in this study.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-six cases each of normal cervix, HSIL, and SCC of cervix cases were subjected to immunohistochemistry markers; p16, Ki-67, and CD44.

Synthesis and Biocompatibility Evaluation of PCL Electrospun Membranes Coated with MTA/HA for Potential Application in Dental Pulp Capping.

This study aimed to develop polycaprolactone (PCL) electrospun membranes coated with mineral trioxide aggregate/hydroxyapatite (MTA/HA) as a potential material for dental pulp capping. Initially, the PCL membrane was prepared by an electrospinning process, which was further surface coated with MTA (labeled as PCLMTA) and HA (labeled as PCLHA). The physico-chemical characterization of the fabricated membranes was carried out using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM)/Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and contact angle analysis.

In Vitro Cytotoxicity and Mineralization Potential of an Endodontic Bioceramic Material.

Objective:  The interest in bioceramic materials has been steadily growing for different applications in endodontics. With the continued introduction of new bioceramic-based materials into the market, it is of great importance to assess the biocompatibility before providing recommendations on their clinical use. This study evaluated the cytotoxicity and mineralization potential of two consistencies of unset premixed bioceramic material (TotalFill BC RRM putty and TotalFill BC sealer) compared with an epoxy resin-based sealer (AH Plus) on osteoblast cells.

Immunomodulatory effect of IL-1RA in LPS-activated macrophage/dental pulp stem cells co-culture.

Aims: Lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-activated human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) and macrophage co-cultures showed downregulated TNF-α secretion that is modulated by hDPSCs through IDO axis, whereas the secretory levels of IL-1β remained unchanged. Therefore, sustained production of IL-1β could contribute to progressive dental pulp inflammation. However, the role of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) in downregulating the secretion of IL-1β and TNF-α in LPS-activated M0/M1/M2 macrophage and hDPSCs co-culture has not been studied yet.

Studies on the subfamily Exothecinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) with the description of a new genus and a new species from India.

A new genus of the subfamily Exothecinae, Occipitotus Singh van Achterberg gen. nov. is proposed.

Effect of Thickness and Bonding Technique on Fatigue and Fracture Resistance of Feldspathic Ultra-Thin Laminate Veneers.

Objectives:  To evaluate the fatigue and fracture resistance of ultra-thin laminate veneers (UTLV) with two different thicknesses and two different bonding protocols.

Materials And Methods:  A total of 64 flat enamel surfaces were assigned to either 0.2 or 0.

Impact of Immediate and Delayed Photo-activation of Self-adhesive Resin Cements on Bonding Efficacy and Water Uptake Under Simulated Pulpal Pressure.

This study investigated the effect of immediate versus delayed photo-activation on the bonding performance and water uptake of self-adhesive (SA) resin cements under simulated pulpal pressure (SPP). The occlusal dentin surface was exposed in 66 extracted third molars. Resin composite cylinders were cemented to dentin under SPP, with either RelyX Unicem 2 (RU) (3M Oral Care, St Paul, MN, USA) or Maxcem Elite (MC) (Kerr, Orange, CA, USA).

An Evaluation of Effectiveness of a Texture Feature Based Computerized Diagnostic Model in Classifying the Ovarian Cyst as Benign and Malignant from Static 2D B-Mode Ultrasound Images.

Objective: To develop a computerized diagnostic model to characterize the ovarian cyst at its early stage in order to avoid unnecessary biopsy and patient anxiety.

Background: The main cause of mortality and infertility in women is ovarian cancer. It is very difficult to diagnose ovarian cancer using ultrasonography as benign and malignant ovarian masses or cysts exhibit similar characteristics.

Effect Of Calcium Silicate, Sodium Phosphate, and Fluoride on Dentinal Tubule Occlusion and Permeability in Comparison to Desensitizing Toothpaste: An In Vitro Study.

This study compared the ability of a calcium silicate-, sodium phosphate-, and fluoride-based (CSSPF) toothpaste (TP) in promoting dentinal tubule occlusion and reducing dentin permeability with that of other commercially available antisensitivity TPs. Seventy-eight dentin discs (1.0±0.

Evaluation of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay plasma p16INK4a protein in squamous cell carcinoma in uterine cervix: A case-control study.

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the common cancers in females. The common method of screening is Pap test which has low sensitivity. Hence, better methods are explored with different biomarkers, of which estimation of P16 protein can be opted in early detection of cervical cancer.

In Vitro Enamel Remineralization Efficacy of Calcium Silicate-Sodium Phosphate-Fluoride Salts versus NovaMin Bioactive Glass, Following Tooth Whitening.

Objectives:  This study aimed to evaluate the effect of in-office bleaching on the enamel surface and the efficacy of calcium silicate-sodium phosphate-fluoride salt (CS) and NovaMin bioactive glass (NM) dentifrice in remineralizing bleached enamel.

Materials And Methods:  Forty extracted premolars were sectioned mesio-distally, and the facial and lingual enamel were flattened and polished. The samples were equally divided into nonbleached and bleached with 38% hydrogen peroxide (HP).

Maternal serum Apelin 13 and gene promoter variant -1860T > C in preeclampsia.

Objective: To evaluate the apelin () -1860 T > C (rs56204867) polymorphism and maternal serum apelin 13 levels in preeclampsia and its association with blood pressure.

Methods: This case-control study was conducted in department of Biochemistry, Sri Devaraj Urs Medical College, Karnataka, India. A total of 181 subjects were enrolled in the study from department of Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.