Gitelman syndrome is an inherited renal disorder characterized by hypomagnesemia, hypokalemia, hypocalciuria and metabolic alkalosis linked to the genes encoding the thiazide sensitive NaCl cotransporter (NCCT) located on the distal convoluted tubule of the kidney. It usually presents in late childhood or early adulthood with electrolyte abnormalities resembling chronic thiazide diuretic use. Acquired Gitelman syndrome is a very rare disorder mostly associated with Sjogren’s syndrome.

Aim:The purpose of the study was to evaluate the fracture strength of provisional fixed partial dentures made of autopolymerizing polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) resin using different types of reinforcement materials to determine the best among them.Materials and Methods:Fifty samples were made (10 samples for each group) with autopolymerizing PMMA resin using reinforcement materials (stainless steel wire: looped and unlooped and glass fiber: loose and unidirectional) as 3-unit posterior bridge. The test specimens were divided into five groups depending on the reinforcing material as Group I, II, III, IV, and V; Group I: PMMA unreinforced (control group), Group II: PMMA reinforced with stainless steel wire (straight ends), Group III: PMMA reinforced with stainless steel wire (looped ends), Group IV: PMMA reinforced with unidirectional glass fibers, and Group V: PMMA reinforced with randomly distributed glass fibers. Universal testing machine was used to evaluate and compare the fracture strength of samples. Comparison of mean ultimate force and ultimate stress was done employing one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc tests.Results:The highest and lowest mean ultimate force and mean ultimate stress were of Group IV and I, respectively. Tukey's post hoc honestly significant difference multiple comparison for mean ultimate force and stress shows the increase in strength to be statistically significant (P < 0.05) except for the samples reinforced with randomly distributed glass fibers (P > 0.05).Conclusion:Unidirectional glass fibers showed the maximum strength, which was comparable to mean values of both stainless steel wire groups. Low cost and easy technique of using stainless steel wire make it the material of choice over the unidirectional glass fiber for reinforcement in nonesthetic areas where high strength is required.

Aim: The purpose of our study was to analyze the knowledge and attitude of conservative as well as endodontic practice among dental professionals during coronavirus pandemic situation. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of 3 months among 1256 dental surgeons, which included 400 MDS and 856 BDS dentists. Questionnaire assessed knowledge of the participants about COVID-19, risk assessment about the pandemic, preparedness of the participants, as well as specific precautions in cases which require conservative and endodontic treatment strategies against COVID-19. Results: It was observed that around 83% of the study participants felt that rubber dams are a useful tool to prevent cross-infections, even COVID-19. However, COVID-19 prevention techniques such as use of low-speed handpiece and chemicomechanical techniques were preferred by a smaller number of participants: 25% of participants by former, only 12% for the latter. To prevent aerosol splatter, use of high-volume suction was preferred by 49% of dental surgeons. Conclusion: In our study, we concluded that dental surgeons, who come under high risk category; had good basic knowledge about COVID-19 disease process as well as transmission. However, it is imperative that these clinicians need to be extra cautious in handling cases during this pandemic time and limit the disease spread as well.

Introduction: Association between oral health and rheumatoid arthritis is well established. Oral health-related quality of life was determined in patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Materials and Methods: This study was conducted among 45 patients (males 25 and female 20) (Group I) of RA and 45 healthy participants as control (Group II). Disease activity score 28 test, health assessment questionnaire (HAQ), and general oral health assessment index (GOHAI) questionnaire were applied. Results: The mean HAQ score in Group I was 1.14 and in Group II was 0.36. The mean GOHAI score in Group I was 36.4 and in Group II was 52.8. The mean HAQ in males was 0.94 and in females was 34.6. The mean GOHAI in males was 12.6 and in females was 38.2. In Group I, there were 15 patients with HAQ level 1 and 30 with HAQ level 2 and in Group II was 40 with HAQ levels 1 and 5 with HAQ level 2. In Group I, 42 had Dt GOHAI = 0 and 3 had Dt GOHAI = 1 and in Group II, 10 had Dt GOHAI = 0 and 35 had Dt GOHAI = 1. The difference was statistically significant ( P < 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the mean value of HAQ and GOHAI in degree of disease activity ( P < 0.05). There was an increase in HAQ and decreases GOHAI scores with the deterioration of disease. There was a correlation between age and involved joints with HAQ and inverse relationship between age and involved joints with GOHAI. Conclusion: Authors found that RA patients had poor oral health quality of life. It was found that aging and with the deterioration of disease, GOHAI, and the oral health quality of life of patients decreased.