Molar bands for 'precision' bonding of lingual retainers

Bonded retainers have been used principally for long-term retention of treated cases. Various methods of bonding lingual retainers have been described in the literature over the past two decades. However, accurate and passive placement of retainers has always been a matter of concern. This report presents a simple and economical method for accurate and passive placement of bonded lingual retainers that enables the operator to save considerable chair time.     

External fixators in the treatment of midshaft clavicle non-unions: a systematic review

Non- or mal-union of the clavicle is reported to occur in up to 15 % of conservatively treated fractures: the purpose of this systematic review is to examine the evidence for the use of external fixation in the treatment of clavicular non-union. We performed a search of MEDLINE and Embase, including all papers using external fixators for the treatment of clavicular non-union. Four papers satisfied our eligibility criteria: three case series and one case–control study. Level of evidence and quality assessment scoring were performed using published methods. Due to the heterogeneity of the study populations and interventions, no attempt at meta-analysis was made. External fixation in hypertrophic non-union of the clavicle, but not atrophic non-union, appears to be a reasonable treatment option. A pragmatic, multicentre, randomised controlled trial comparing external fixation and open reduction internal fixation in the treatment of hypertrophic non-union of the clavicle would be valuable.     

Development and validation of a questionnaire to assess socio-behavioural impact of COVID-19 on the general population

Background and aimThe aim of the study is to develop a valid and reliable tool to assess sociobehavioural changes due to COVID among the general population.MethodsThis mixed method study has two phases. Phase I for questionnaire development (literature review, focus group discussion, expert evaluation and pilot testing). Phase II for establishing construct validity via factor analysis and internal consistency via Cronbach’s ɑ by administering the questionnaire on 179 participants.ResultsA questionnaire comprising 33 questions and five domains was developed having Cronbach’s α of 0·82.ConclusionThe developed questionnaire is a concise, easy to administer and valid tool to assess socio-behavioural changes.     

Diversity Assessment Among Alternaria solani Isolates Causing Early Blight of Tomato in India

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - Early blight (EB), caused by the fungus, Alternaria solani, is one of the most destructive diseases of...