The physiological function and molecular regulation of plasma membrane potential have been extensively studied, but how intracellular organelles sense and control membrane potential is not well understood. Using whole-organelle patch clamp recording, we show that endosomes and lysosomes are electrically excitable organelles. In a subpopulation of endolysosomes, a brief electrical stimulus elicits a prolonged membrane potential depolarization spike. The organelles have a previously uncharacterized, depolarization-activated, noninactivating Na(+) channel (lysoNaV). The channel is formed by a two-repeat six-transmembrane-spanning (2×6TM) protein, TPC1, which represents the evolutionary transition between 6TM and 4×6TM voltage-gated channels. Luminal alkalization also opens lysoNaV by markedly shifting the channel's voltage dependence of activation toward hyperpolarization. Thus, TPC1 is a member of a new family of voltage-gated Na(+) channels that senses pH changes and confers electrical excitability to organelles.

Purpose Information on periodontal disease and its predictors in sub-Saharan Africa is sparse. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of periodontal disease and assess the relationship with associated factors in patients who attended the University of Gondar comprehensive hospital. Patients and Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from October 1, 2019, to March 10, 2020, at the University of Gondar comprehensive Hospital. Participants were recruited with a systematic random sampling technique, and interviewed for sociodemographic and medical information through a structured questionnaire. Two examiners evaluated the periodontal status of the study participants using the community periodontal index (CPI). Results Four hundred twenty participants were involved in the study. The mean age of the study participants was 29.87 (±7. 76). The majority of the study participants had a habit of tooth brushing (72.1%) and almost half of them did not have a fixed time to brush their teeth. Periodontal change (CPI>0) was noted in 42.4% of the participants and among that 21.7% had shallow pocket (pocket depth of 4–5 mm) and 5.95% had a deep periodontal pocket (≥6 mm). The prevalence was higher in 20–34 years (57.3%), females (58.98%), monthly income of <2500 ETB (82.02%), and frequent carbohydrate intakes (65.17%). Age (AOR=9.61, 95% CI: 6.42, 13.04), gender (AOR=2.00, 95% CI: 136, 2.97), educational status (AOR=3.25), residency (AOR= 1.66), monthly income (AOR=2.13), oral hygiene habit (AOR=4.85) and systemic disease (AOR=1.96) were significantly associated with periodontitis. Conclusion In the present study, 42.4% of the study participants encountered periodontal disease. The study confirmed that various sociodemographic risk factors/indicators are associated with an increased risk of periodontitis.

Background: Dental professions are at high risk of contracting novel corona virus (COVID-19) infections during the dental procedure due to the droplets and aerosols generated during various dental procedures on infected patients. To prevent and avoid the cross-infection of the infection to dental professionals or the patients attending the dental clinic, good knowledge of the infection and its prevention mechanisms is mandatory among the professionals. Until to date, there is no pooled estimate on the knowledge,attitude and practice (KAP) of dental professionals to COVID-19 in the globe. Hence, this study aimed to determine the pooled estimate of KAP of dental professionals in this pandemic disease. Methods: Article search was done electronically using Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, SciELO and Google Scholar from June 1, 2020 to August 20, 2020. All studies that assessed the KAP of dental professionals to COVID-19 were searched and included in this review after passing the inclusion criteria. The pooled analysis of their knowledge (sign and symptom, mode of transmission and prevention mechanisms), attitude (their concern, intention to treat suspected patients) and practice (face mask usage, hand washing and alcohol based hand rub usage, handshaking practice, deferred procedures and checkup of patients temperature) was computed using RevMan 5.3 and random effect model was used. The presence of publication bias was assessed using the funnel plot. Results: Twelve articles with a total of 5,362 study participants were included in this study. The pooled estimate revealed that 59.91% of the dental professionals had good knowledge of the signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Two-third of dental professionals know the prevention mechanisms of the infection, and 70.13% had enough knowledge of the transmission modalities of the infection. The professional attitude revealed that only 36.43% of the participants had intention to treat a patient with cough or suspected COVID-19 (36.43%, 95%CI: 8.57, 64.29). Moreover, 47.85% of the dentists were concerned about their life, and the fate of their profession due to this pandemic disease (47.85%, 95%CI: 26.74, 68.97). The pooled analysis showed only 50.86% (95%CI: 18.64, 83.09) of the study participants worn face mask and 52.63% (95%CI: 10.54, 94.71) had avoided handshaking practice during this pandemic period. Non-emergency dental procedures were canceled by 83.98%. Conclusion: The dental professional KAP is not optimal. Thus, dental professionals should be aware of the recently updated knowledge about COVID-19 and practice according to the standards of treatment guidelines, and the recommended infection control measures in dental settings. Moreover, as saliva and droplets are the major sources of infection, dentists should follow essential protocols to regulate droplet and aerosol contamination in the dental practice

Background Unfortunately, despite an increase in medical knowledge, the treatment need of head and neck cancers (HNCs) have not been improved in Ethiopia. In addition, there is no published evidence in the epidemiology of head and neck cancer patients in the country. The present study aimed to describe the prevalence and pattern of HNCs among patients seen at Black Lion Hospital oncology center.

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