Browsing by Author "Ankita Singh"

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A comparative evaluation of neurophysiological activity, active tactile sensibility and stereognostic ability of complete denture prosthesis, and implant-supported prosthesis wearer—A pilot study
(John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2022) Bappaditya Bhattacharjee; Ritu Saneja; Atul Bhatnagar; Ashish Verma; Romesh Soni; Ankita Singh; Pavan Dubey
Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the effect of implant-supported prosthesis in completely edentulous participants in terms of osseoperception ability, neural activity, and stereognostic ability in comparison to removable prosthetic options. Materials and Methods: A total sample of 18 patients, irrespective of gender and age were allocated into three groups according to the three-treatment protocol (upper and lower complete denture, upper complete denture opposing lower implant-retained overdenture, implant-supported fixed prosthesis in both arches). Four weeks after completion of the treatment procedure active tactile sensibility (ATS) was checked by using varying thicknesses (12, 40, 80, 100, 200 μ) of articulating foils and papers. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was performed to record neurophysiological activity in cerebral cortex in all the participants. Various forms of test pieces (heat cure acrylic resin) were used to evaluate stereognostic ability. Data regarding the neurophysiological activity were analyzed by using Krushkal–Wallis test and p ≤ 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Data from stereognostic ability test procedure and ATS were compared by using chi-squared test and p ≤ 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: Statistically significant difference was found in between the articulating foils in terms of true negative responses as the foil thickness increased in participants wearing complete denture in both the arches (p = 0.004) and implant-supported fixed prosthesis in both the arches (p = 0.010). Participants in implant-supported fixed prosthesis group showed significantly more activation in primary motor cortex (right side), somatosensory cortex (left side), angular gyrus (both sides), temporal lobe (left) compared to other groups. No significant difference found in thalamus and premotor cortex region in between the participants of different groups. No statistically significant difference found in between the groups in terms of true responses identifying correct shapes. Mean number of correct responses in stereognostic ability test were 4.16 (83.33%), 3.5 (70%), 3.83 (76.66%) for participants of complete denture group, upper complete denture opposing lower implant retained overdenture group, and implant-supported fixed prosthesis group, respectively. Conclusion: Primary motor cortex, somatosensory cortex, and other regions of brain were diffusely activated in participants wearing implant-supported fixed prosthesis in both the arches. Less number of false responses were recorded in participants of implant-supported fixed prosthesis group and upper complete denture opposing lower implant-retained overdenture group in ATS test compared to participants wearing complete denture in both the arches. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
A comparison of TG-43 and TG-186 dose calculation algorithms for treatment planning of intra-cavitary brachytherapy using tandem and ovoid applicator
(Termedia Publishing House Ltd., 2024) Syed Mohamed Shajid; Lalit Mohan Aggarwal; Ankur Mourya; Sunil Choudhary; V. Gogul Priean; Ankita Singh; Saji Oommen
Purpose: The present study evaluated the dosimetric impact and compared the dose variations between the advanced collapsed cone engine (Task Group 186) and Task Group 43 plans for cervical cancer using tandem and ovoid applicators. Material and methods: Thirty cervical cancer patients underwent iridium-192 (192Ir) high-dose-rate (HDR) intra-cavitary brachytherapy using tandem and ovoid applicator. Original treatment plans for all patients were created using TG-43 dose calculation formalism. Subsequently, these plans were re-calculated using ACE (TG-186) algorithm and were not re-optimized, so that dwell time and dwell positions were identical in both plans. High-risk clinical target volume and organs at risk were contoured in each dataset. Significant air gaps within region of interest and use of high density applicator materials were also considered. The assessment encompassed a point-based evaluation, extraction of dosimetric parameters from dose-volume histogram (DVH), and plan evaluation indices for each algorithm. Results: Compared with ACE (TG-186) plans, TG-43 plans predicted higher doses for point A, point B, D90, D100, V100, V150, V200, and V300for HR-CTV (p < 0.05). Similarly, TG-43 plans indicated higher doses for bladder point, rectum point, D0.1cm3, D10cm3, and D2cm3 for bladder, rectum, and sigmoid (p < 0.05). Additionally, overall plan quality score (PQS) was significantly greater in plans calculated with ACE (TG-186) formalism than in TG-43 plans (p < 0.05). In TG-186 (ACE) plans, gradient index (GI) was found to be lower than that in TG-43 plans (p < 0.05). Conclusions: TG-43 tends to overestimate doses compared with ACE (TG-186); nonetheless, both methods meet clinical standards. Material differences in the applicator are notable, and dose overestimations by TG-43 are within 5%. © 2024 Termedia Publishing House Ltd.. All rights reserved.
A dosimetric study to evaluate the inverse planning simulated annealing (IPSA) and hybrid inverse planning optimization (HIPO) algorithms in HDR brachytherapy of cervical cancer
(Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications, 2025) V. Gogul Priean; Lalit Mohan Mohan Aggarwal; Ankur Mourya; Sunil Choudhary; Syed Mohamed Shajid; Abhijit Mandal; Ankita Singh
Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of the inverse planning simulated annealing (IPSA) and hybrid inverse planning optimization (HIPO) algorithms in interstitial HDR brachytherapy for treatment of cervical cancer. Methods and Materials: A dosimetric study was conducted on 46 cervical cancer patients who underwent multi catheter interstitial cervical HDR brachytherapy using the Martinez Universal Perineal Interstitial Template (MUPIT). Dosimetric parameters, plan evaluation indices, and mean treatment time were assessed for each algorithm. All the parameters were compared using statistical analysis. Results: With HIPO, significant improvements were observed in D90, D100, V100, and V200 (P < 0.05). Additionally, HIPO plans demonstrated lower doses to the bladder (B2cc) as compared to IPSA plans, whereas IPSA plans exhibited lower rectum (R2cc) and sigmoid (S2cc) doses, with statistical significance observed only for sigmoid doses. HIPO plans had better results in the plan evaluation indices such as CI, COIN, DHI, DNR, ODI, EI, NV100, GFB, GFR, GF, PQI1, PQI2, and PQS with statistical significance (P < 0.05) except for GFS. Moreover, HIPO plans had shorter mean treatment time compared to IPSA plans by 5.52 seconds, although this difference did not reach statistical significance. It was found that HIPO plans demonstrated superior dose-volumetric parameters for the high-risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV). Conclusions: In conclusion, HIPO emerged as the preferred algorithm for interstitial cervical HDR brachytherapy due to improved dose distribution in HR-CTV and plan quality as well. © 2025 Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics | Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow.
A prospective randomized comparison of simultaneous integrated boost with sequential boost intensity-modulated radiotherapy in locally advanced head and neck cancer
(Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications, 2022) Nilesh Mani; Sushil K. Aggarwal; Ishan Kumar; Abhijit Mandal; Garima Jaiswal; Rakesh Ranjan; Anil K. Jaiswal; Neha Gupta; Ankita Singh; Ankur Mourya; Lalit M. Aggarwal; Sunil Choudhary
Purpose: A comparison of simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) with sequential boost (SEQ) using intensity-modulated radiotherapy along with concurrent cisplatin in locally advanced head and neck cancer (HNC) was made with regard to their survival outcomes and toxicity profile. Materials and Methods: A total of 34 patients were enrolled between October 2016 and March 2019. They were randomized into two arms, SIB and SEQB. All patients were treated with 6 MV photon beam on Linear Accelerator with weekly concurrent cisplatin at 35 mg/m 2. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were the primary end points and acute and late toxicities were the secondary end points. Results: The median follow-up period was 40.6 and 37.3 months for SIB and SEQB, respectively. At the end of 5 years, the median OS was 40.6 and 37.3 months (P = 0.947) and the median DFS was 35.1 and 37.3 months in the SIB and SEQB arms, respectively (P = 0.991).complete response at 3 months was 64.7% and 76.5% and partial response was 23.5% and 17.6%, whereas progressive disease was 11.8% and 5.9% in SIB and SEQB arms, respectively. Acute dermatitis, mucositis, dysphagia, and salivary gland toxicities were higher in the SIB arm compared to the SEQB arm. Conclusion: SIB and SEQ arms were comparable in terms of OS and DFS. However, the acute toxicities were higher in the SIB arm, although the difference was not significant, compared to the SEQB arm. © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.
Accelerated hypofractionated chemoradiation for locally advanced head and neck cancer during COVID 19 pandemic: A tertiary care experience
(Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications, 2024) Sumit Agarwal; Isha Jaiswal; Uday P. Shahi; Abhijit Mandal; Lalit M. Aggarwal; Ankita Singh; Anil Jaiswal; Nandlal Yadawa
Purpose: To assess the role of Accelerated Hypofractionated Chemoradiation for Locally Advanced Head & Neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) during COVID 19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: Previously untreated 20 patients with locally advanced HNSCC (Oral cavity/oropharynx/larynx/hypopharynx) were treated with definitive hypofractionated radiotherapy of 60Gy in 25 fractions with concurrent cisplatin @35 mg/m2 once weekly for 5 weeks from March 2020 to November 2021. The patients were treated on 6MV LINAC with Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) by the Sequential boost technique and concurrent chemotherapy @35 mg/m2. All the patients received 48Gy in 20 fractions to low-risk volume (CTV LR) in Phase I followed by 12Gy in 5 fractions boost to High-risk volume (CTV HR) in Phase II. The organs at risk (OARs) were contoured and appropriate constraints were given considering the hypofractionated regimen. Results: Out of 20 patients, most of the patients were Stage IV (15;75%) & stage III 20%, out of which (55%) 11 were of the oral cavity, (40%) 8 were of the oropharynx, and (5%) 1 of larynx. All patients were treated with 60Gy/25#/5 weeks with the majority of the patients (17;85%) completing their treatment in less than 45 days. The Median follow-up was of 214 days. The locoregional control at 6 Months was 55%. Maximum acute toxicity was grade 3 mucositis which was observed in 18 (90%) patients. Ryle’s tube feeding was needed in 11 (55%) patient. Out of 20 patients, 5 patients did not receive concurrent chemotherapy, and 8 (40%) patients received all 5 cycles of chemotherapy. 7, 35% of the patients could not complete all 5 cycles of concurrent chemotherapy due to grade 3 mucositis. Conclusion: During a pandemic crisis with limited manpower & technical resources accelerated hypofractionated radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy can be considered a feasible therapeutic option for HNSCC which can significantly reduce the overall Treatment Time (OTT) with comparable local control and manageable toxicities. © 2023 Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics.
An Overview of Carbon and Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Nanostructures
(World Scientific Publishing Co., 2024) Bishnu Pada Majee; Ankita Singh; Ashish Kumar Mishra
Industrialization, technological advancement, and rapid population growth have placed immense pressure on energy resources. Rapidly diminishing fossil fuels and the unfavorable environmental impacts associated with their use have further emphasized the necessity for alternate energy sources. Researchers have been continuously seeking trustworthy, secure, and environmentally friendly energy sources, and found that carbon and two-dimensional (2D) materials such as transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are suitable for energy generation (hydrogen production, fuel cells, and solar cells) and storage (supercapacitor and battery) applications. This chapter introduces the basic structure of carbon-based materials (graphene and carbon nanotubes), TMD nanomaterials (mainly MoS2 and MoSe2), and their applications. Carbon and TMDs materials show various electronic properties, such as conducting, semiconducting, and metallic, depending on the atomic arrangement of the atoms in the lattice. © 2024 World Scientific Publishing Company.
Anthropogenic Stress and Phenolic Compounds: An Environmental Robustness Diagnostics Compound Family in Stress Ameliorations
(Springer Nature, 2023) Vivek Kumar; Rajesh Kumar Singhal; Akash Hidangmayum; Ankita Singh; Bhayyalal Aanjna; Jyoti Chauhan; Bandana Bose
Natural ecosystems are progressively vulnerable to a number of multiple anthropogenic stressors, particularly with water, ozone, air pollutants, pesticides, heavy metals (HMs), deforestation, artificial lightening, agriculture intensification, and land use pattern changes. All of them have risen in ecosystem imbalance, climate change, global warming, and many other natural disasters as abiotic stresses. These stressors cause imbalance in physiological, biochemical, and molecular traits at different levels and under different environmental components, which they are subjected. Therefore, to diminish the catastrophic consequences on ecological sustainability, the present chapter focuses on the role and mechanisms of secondary metabolites (SMs) especially phenolic compounds (PCs) for environmental robustness diagnostics via adaption or avoidance from these stressors. The prime objective of this chapter tends to explore the functions and responses of PCs in respect to elevated CO2 (eCO2), heavy metal (HM) stress, salinity, pollutant translocations, and transformations in ecosystem. For instance, it will help in understanding the different anthropogenic stressors, their impact on environmental components, PC response, and pathway or mechanisms by which these PCs nullify the drastic consequences of anthropogenic stressors. © Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2023.
Antibiotic prescribing knowledge, awareness, and attitude of dental surgeons practicing in the urban Indian population
(Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications, 2021) Rathi Rela; Aarti Sejao; Ankita Singh; Prabhat Singh; Mukesh Kumar; Shweta Gupta; Priyadarshini Rangari
Background: Studies have reported that dental procedures may serve as a portal of entry for bacteria into the blood circulation, commonly termed as bacteremia which may inhabitate the heart and joints subjected to repair and replacement by prosthesis and may lead to complications in immunocompromised patients. Dental procedure may play a pivotal role in the development of infective endocarditis and infection around the prosthetic joint. Antibiotic use is suggested for all dental procedures requiring gingival manipulation or of the periapical region of teeth or mucosal incision in these patients. Objective: The present study has been conducted to inspect the antibiotic prescribing practices of general dentists among 250 dental practitioners. Methods: The study was conducted on 250 dental surgeons practicing in the urban Indian population of various parts of the country. A validated questionnaire was developed by a multidisciplinary dental and medical team and was circulated on the subject of the basic knowledge and awareness about antibiotic prophylaxis in susceptible patients. The data from the participants were collected, collated, and statistically analyzed. Results: The present study comprised 250 dental surgeons; 178 out of 250 were male, whereas 72 were female. Antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines were followed by 169 practitioners (67.60%), whereas 81 (32.40%) dentists did not follow any guidelines. Out of 169, 67 followed the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) guidelines (39.64%), 58 followed American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines (34.30%), whereas 44 followed general physician's guidelines (26.03%). On screening the underlying conditions for which antibiotic cover was prescribed, it was shown that majority of the dental surgeons did the same for patients with cardiac valve repair or replacement (230; 92%), followed by infective endocarditis (212; 84.80%); organ transplant (212; 84.405); diabetes (189; 75.60%); prosthetic joint replacement (150; 60%); and congenital heart defect (110; 44%). Conclusion: Patients should then be trained to perform meticulous oral hygiene and advised to schedule regular dental checkups to maintain optimal dental health. Dentists should use antibiotic prophylaxis in only conditions associated with a valid scientific basis and should follow the standard protocols recommended by the American Dental Association, AHA, or AAOS. © 2021 Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences. All rights reserved.
APDDM mixed with i-PRF as a graft material for bone regeneration - A case report
(Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications, 2023) Ankita Singh; Pinki Gupta; Abhishek Sarkar
Demineralized dentine matrix (DDM) has both osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties, and has porous structure which helps in cell and blood vessel penetration and the release of various growth factors from the dentinal tubules. The first human dentine autograft case was done in 2002 in Japan for maxillary sinus lifting. In this clinical report, we use a hand-operated order made stainless steel apparatus to crush the tooth and prepare the DDM chair side. Chemical treatment of DDM particulate was done for demineralization and sterilisation purpose, and used immediately as a graft material for socket preservation. Dentascan after 4 month showed remarkable bone at the site of grafting and implant was placed. The patient was restored successfully with their own DDM and implant-supported prosthesis. © 2023 National Journal of Maxillofacial Surgery.
Assessment of Nursing Staff’s Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Oral Hygiene Care in Intensive Care Unit Patients: A Multicenter Cross-sectional Study
(Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd, 2024) Surender Kumar; Bishnupati Singh; Amit Vasant Mahuli; Sanjay Kumar; Ankita Singh; Awanindra Kumar Jha
Background: Oral care is one of the fundamental nursing care procedures used to decrease oral colonization, dental plaque, respiratory infections, patient stay, and cost. The importance of good oral hygiene for patients in intensive care units (ICUs) is well recognized, however, the most effective way to achieve good oral care in the ICU is unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of nursing professionals regarding oral healthcare in ICUs among various medical institutes across India.Materials and methods: A questionnaire-based multicentric cross-sectional survey was conducted among registered nursing professionals employed at ICUs of three government tertiary healthcare centers (THC) of India: THC-I, THC-II, and THC-III located in the eastern and northern parts of India between February 2022 and July 2022.Results: A total of 150 nurses completed the questionnaire form (response rate: 62.5%) comprised of 49 (32.7%) males and 101 (67.3%) females with a mean age of 35.69 ± 7.7 years. Nursing officers’ knowledge surpassed that of staff nurses regarding the duration of toothbrushing (p = 0.033). Among interinstitutional comparisons, THC-I nurses showed the greatest knowledge regarding the duration of toothbrushing and the mechanism of preventing saliva accumulation to reduce microbial growth (p = 0.013 and p = 0.003, respectively). Based on total work experience, participants were segregated into three groups: Group I (<7 years), group II (7.1–13.9 years), and group III (>14 years). Group II surpassed the knowledge of denture removal during sleep, cleaning after every meal, and storing in personalized air-tight containers (p = 0.001 and p = 0.036, respectively). The majority from group II recommended plain saline as the material for oral hygiene maintenance in ICU patients (p = 0.008). Group III predominantly practiced the ideal handwashing technique pre-and post-patient contact which was statistically significant (p = 0.001). Conclusion: This study observed that a knowledge gap exists among the nurses of the three institutes across India pertaining to the oral hygiene care of ICU patients. Nurse’s education and implementation of the proper oral hygiene measures for intubated patients in ICU setup is an essential need. © The Author(s).
Brassinosteroids and their analogs: Feedback in plants under in vitro condition
(Elsevier B.V., 2021) Ankita Singh; Padmanabh Dwivedi; Vijay Kumar; Devendra Kumar Pandey
Brassinosteroids (BRs) are the sixth important plant hormones that induce their effect at micro-level concentration. The importance of its analogous under in vitro condition for many studies includes the study of response in plants aimed at improving various developmental, physiological, morphological, biochemical processes without the involvement of climatic factors, nutrients and diseases. BR improves and increases regeneration and multiplication rate by induction of callus growth, somatic embryos, tracheary elements, shoot elongation, formation of 2embryogenic tissue, stimulation of branch elongation, etc. These provide rapid disease-free clonal propagation of improved varieties within less time and space. BRs improve photosynthetic processes, antioxidant enzymes activities, synthetic seed production and elicitation of secondary metabolites production. Most importantly, it provides resistance from abiotic stresses, for example, oxidative and salinity stress. This review summarizes role of brassinosteroid and its various analogs in improving different morphological, physiological and biochemical attributes in various crop plants grown in vitro, both under normal as well as abiotic stress conditions. © 2021 SAAB
Comparison of intravaginal and interstitial brachytherapy in cervical cancer after inadvertent hysterectomy: a retrospective study
(Nature Research, 2025) Sunil Choudhary; Ankita Pandey; Ankita Singh; Ankur Mourya; Neha Gupta; Syed Mohamed Shajid; Gogul Priean Venkatachalam; Sangita Rai; Sakshi Agarwal; P. Venkatraman; Lalit Mohan Mohan Aggarwal
The purpose of this study was to compare intravaginal brachytherapy (IVBT) with interstitial brachytherapy (ISBT) in patients presenting with residual or recurrent disease after inadvertent hysterectomy for cervical cancer. Records of consecutive patients with cervical cancer, registered in the Radiotherapy Outpatient Department (RTOPD) between March 2018 and March 2021, who had inadvertent hysterectomy followed by external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and IVBT (n = 15) or ISBT (n = 15) were analyzed retrospectively. All the patients received a dose of 45–50 Gy/25 fractions in 5 weeks by EBRT with concurrent cisplatin. A dose of 6 Gy/fraction/week for two consecutive weeks was prescribed at 5 mm from the surface of the vaginal cylinder in the IVBT arm. Patients in the ISBT arm were treated with 6 Gy/fraction for four fractions over two days with Martinez Universal Perineal Interstitial Template (MUPIT). Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were the primary endpoints. Acute and late toxicities were the secondary endpoints. Median follow-up (FU) was 24.3 months and 32.8 months in the IVBT and ISBT arms respectively. Most of the patients failed within 12–18 months after brachytherapy. The 3-year OS for IVBT and ISBT arms were 54% and 93% respectively (p = 0.011). The 3-year DFS for IVBT and ISBT arms were 42% and 93% respectively(p = 0.023). Both the arms had similar acute & late toxicities. ISBT had significantly better survival outcomes in terms of OS, and DFS with similar toxicity as compared to IVBT in patients with residual or recurrent disease after inadvertent hysterectomy for cervical cancer. © The Author(s) 2025.
Deltex interacts with Eiger and consequently influences the cell death in Drosophila melanogaster
(Elsevier Inc., 2018) Debdeep Dutta; Ankita Singh; Maimuna Sali Paul; Vartika Sharma; Mousumi Mutsuddi; Ashim Mukherjee
TNF-JNK signaling is one of the highly conserved signaling pathways that regulate a broad spectrum of cellular processes including proliferation and apoptosis. Eiger, the sole homologue of TNF in Drosophila, initiates the TNF-JNK pathway to induce cell death. Previously, Deltex (Dx) has been identified as a Notch signaling component that regulates vesicular trafficking of Notch. In the present study, we have investigated the interaction between these two proteins in order to identify how Dx influences the activity of Eiger. Dx is found to act as a novel modulator of JNK-mediated cell death inducing activity of Eiger. Additionally, we observe that dx genetically interacts with eiger during wing development, and these two proteins, Dx and Eiger, colocalize in the cytoplasm. Our analysis reveals that Dx is involved in the cytoplasmic relocalization of Eiger from the cell membrane, thereby influencing Eiger-mediated JNK-activation process. Moreover, we demonstrate that Dx potentiates the activity of Eiger to downregulate Notch signaling pathway by retaining the Notch protein in the cytoplasm. Together, our findings reveal a novel role of Dx to modulate the signaling activity of Eiger and subsequent JNK-mediated cell death. © 2018
Dose at posterior-inferior border of symphysis point: A predictor for vaginal stricture in cervical cancer
(Elsevier Inc., 2023) Ankita Singh; Nilesh Mani; Lalit M. Aggarwal; Sumit Agarwal; Ankur Mourya; Ashish Verma; Antara Bagchi; Neha Gupta; Sunil Choudhary
PURPOSE: To study the effect of various dose-volume parameters on the severity of vaginal stricture (VS) and the correlation of the latter with the posterior-inferior border of symphysis (PIBS) points in locally advanced cervical cancer patients treated with concurrent chemoradiation and brachytherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A prospective study was done on 45 histologically proven locally advanced cervical cancer patients between January 2020 and March 2021. All of them were treated with concurrent chemoradiation with 6 MV photon linear accelerator to a dose of 45 Gy/25 fractions in 5 weeks. Twenty-three patients were treated with intracavitary brachytherapy with a dose of 7 Gy/fraction/week for three fractions. Twenty-two patients were treated with interstitial brachytherapy, with 6 Gy/fraction for four fractions, each fraction 6 h apart. Grading of VS was done as per Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5. RESULTS: The median followup was 21.5 months. About 37.8% of patients had VS with a median duration of 8.0 months (4.0–12 months). About 22.2% had Grade 1, 6.7% had Grade 2, and 8.9% had Grade 3 toxicity. Doses at PIBS and PIBS−2 points had no correlation with vaginal toxicity, however, the dose at PIBS+2 was significantly associated with VS (p = 0.004). The treated length of the vagina at the time of brachytherapy (p = 0.001), initial tumor volume (p = 0.009), and vaginal involvement after completion of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) (p = 0.01) were also statistically significant with the development of VS of Grade 2 or more. CONCLUSIONS: Dose at PIBS + 2, treated length of the vagina with brachytherapy, initial tumor volume, and post-EBRT vaginal involvement are strong predictors for the severity of VS. © 2023 American Brachytherapy Society
Drainage network characteristics of the Ghaghghar River Basin (GRB), Son Valley, India
(UBM Exhibition Singapore PTE LTD, 2019) S. Singh; S. Kanhaiya; Ankita Singh; K. Chaubey
The present study helps to understand the relation between the different morphometric parameters to delineate the drainage characteristics of the Ghaghghar River Basin (GRB), Son Valley, India. Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) data were used to prepare the Digital Elevation Model (DEM), Aspect, Drainage, and Slope maps by using ArcGIS 10 software. The Ghaghghar River is third-order stream that exhibits dendritic to sub-dendritic pattern. The trails drainage patterns are also observed in some areas of the basin which may be due to the effect of regional tectonics. The mean bifurcation ratio is 5.1 showing normal basin which is somehow controlled by structural disturbances. High bifurcation ratio (>10) determines that the region is subjected to strong structural control on the drainage. Drainage density (0.36) shows very coarse drainage texture also having positive correlation with stream frequency. The elongation ratio is 0.64 along with circulatory ratio (0.6) shows elongated nature of the basin. The low values of drainage density and stream frequency imply that surface run-off is not quickly removed from the basin, making it susceptible to flooding and gully have very little effect on the extent to which the surface has been lowered by agents of denudation. © 2018 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
E-learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Various Healthcare Institutes of India
(Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications, 2022) Surender Kumar; Bishnupati Singh; Amit Vasant Mahuli; Ankita Singh; Vallabh Mahadevan; Madhu Ranjan
Introduction: A multicentric study on the benefits and outcomes of e-learning was lacking during the pandemic. This study aimed to find out the participation, satisfaction, and insights of dental and medical undergraduate learners toward digital learning during the COVID-19 pandemic in various healthcare institutes of India. Material and Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted using Google Forms online on e-learning among students from the first to the final year of MBBS and BDS courses in five healthcare institutions. Results: Most participants (72.7%) reported cellular data as their mode of internet connection. Seventy point eight percent of participants stated online classes did not affect health. Eyestrain (54.6%) was the most common, followed by headache and fatigue, whereas only 21.2% chose obesity and disturbed sleep as a consequence of e-learning. Conclusion: Most students had experience in digital learning, in which the use of smart phones with cellular data was the most common mode of digital learning during the pandemic. © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.
Effect of Two Different Impression Techniques on Masticatory Performance of Complete Denture Wearers: A Systematic Review
(Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd, 2021) Nachammai Nagarajan; Bappaditya Bhattacharjee; Ankita Singh; Atul Bhatnagar
Aim and objective: The aim of this review was to evaluate the efficacy of the masticatory performance of the complete dentures. The objective of this review was to evaluate scientific evidence of the impact of simplified impression technique versus conventional impression technique on masticatory performance of complete denture wearers. Materials and methods: Three electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane library) were searched until 30th October 2020, without any publication year limit. Manual search of the references cited in the included studies and gray literature were also included. Randomized clinical trials that assessed objectively the masticatory performance between complete dentures fabricated from two different impression techniques were included. Results: A total of 398 studies were obtained through search in 3 electronic databases (PubMed- 229, Web of Science- 155, and Cochrane library- 14). Qualities of randomized controlled clinical trials were assessed by Cochrane's tool for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Heterogeneity of data and measurement methods between the studies limited the scope of their meta-analysis. Nine studies remained after the removal of duplicates and screening of titles and abstracts. Applying eligibility criteria remainder three randomized controlled clinical trials were included after removing six studies. Conclusion: No significant difference was found objectively in masticatory performance of individuals wearing complete dentures fabricated either by simplified impression technique or conventional impression technique. © 2021 International Journal of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry. All rights reserved.
Evaluation of active tactile sensibility in a single-tooth implant opposing a natural tooth with either an immediate or delayed functional loading protocol: A parallel design clinical study
(Elsevier Inc., 2024) Kumari Deepika; Atul Bhatnagar; Ankita Singh; Romesh Soni
Statement of problem: High primary stability makes immediate loading more predictable, but immediately loaded implants are subjected to higher stresses and strains during the healing phase than implants that are left to heal for 3 months. Whether an earlier sensory-motor phenomenon with an immediate loading protocol helps to reduce the risk of overloading at the implant-bone interface is unclear. Purpose: The purpose of this concurrent parallel design clinical study was to evaluate and compare active tactile sensibility for a single-tooth implant opposing a natural tooth in the mandibular posterior region with either a delayed or immediate functional loading -protocol. Material and methods: In this parallel group randomized trial, 2 test groups were formed: the DL group comprised 20 participants with the delayed loading protocol (loading after 3 months), and the IL group comprised 20 participants with the immediate loading protocol (loading within 2 days). Natural tooth-to-tooth contact on the side contralateral to the implant site (split mouth) in both test groups was used as a control to evaluate active tactile sensibility, which was evaluated in the test and control sites of both groups by using interocclusal articulating foils of varying thickness in maximum intercuspation. Active tactile sensibility was compared between the DL and IL groups at 3 and 6 months of follow-up. The nonparametric Mann-Whitney test was used for intergroup comparisons (P=.05). Results: A significant difference was found for 8-μm- and 12-μm-thick articulating foil at 3 months and for 8-μm-thick foil at 6 months (P<.05), indicating a difference in active tactile sensibility between the DL and IL groups. No implant failure was recorded in this short clinical study. Conclusions: An immediate loading protocol can be performed in implants with sufficient primary stability. Upon loading, the IL group has shown more active tactile perception than the DL group. © 2022 Editorial Council for the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry
Evaluation of survival outcomes and prognostic factors of carcinoma anal canal at a tertiary cancer center
(Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications, 2023) Himanshu Mishra; Ritusha Mishra; Ankita Singh; Abhijit Mandal; Tej B. Singh; Anupam K. Asthana
Context: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy is considered a standard of care for patients with carcinoma anal canal. Being an unusual malignancy, there is limited Indian data regarding survival outcomes and prognostic factors. Aim: To evaluate survival outcomes and associated prognostic factors in patients with carcinoma anal canal treated with radical intent. Methods and Material: Patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal, treated with radical intent between 2015 and 2019 were included in the study. Data regarding the baseline characteristics of the patients and treatment outcomes were collected and analyzed. Survival rates were estimated using Kaplan-Meier method. To determine survival difference between the groups, log-rank test was used. Multivariate analyses were performed with Cox proportional hazard models and P value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Forty-two patients were identified after applying suitable eligibility criteria. The median age was 55 years (range: 26-80 years).The median follow-up duration was 23.5 months (range: 1.9-51.9 months). The 3-year overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and locoregional (LRC) were 78.5%, 53.1%, and 66.4%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, inferior DFS was significantly affected by lack of concurrent chemotherapy (CT) (hazard ratio [HR], 11.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.92-68.78; P = 0.007) and radiotherapy (RT) dose of 45 Gy or less (HR, 35.96; 95% CI, 6.32-204.56; P = 0.000). Conclusion: For patients of carcinoma anal canal, concurrent CT and RT dose are independent prognostic factors influencing DFS. © 2023 Copyright:
Exogenous Melatonin Counteracts Salinity and Cadmium Stress via Photosynthetic Machinery and Antioxidant Modulation in Solanum lycopersicum L
(Springer, 2023) Kritika Bhardwaj; Meenakshi Raina; Giovanni Marco Sanfratello; Prashasti Pandey; Ankita Singh; Ravi Rajwanshi; Neelam Prabha Negi; Anjana Rustagi; Khushboo; Deepak Kumar
Being sessile, plants’ exposure to various environmental stresses during their life cycle is inevitable which can affect their yield and productivity. This study investigates the protective effect of exogenous application of melatonin on 30-day-old tomato plants under NaCl and cadmium stress treatments. Plant growth, photosynthetic pigment, and antioxidant enzymes of plants exposed to NaCl, cadmium (Cd), and NaCl + Cd stress and melatonin treatment on them were analysed. The plants under NaCl- and Cd-induced stress produced an increased amount of ROS and lipid peroxidation, which were significantly reduced upon melatonin application. The maximum quantum energy (FV/FM) and performance index (PIABS) significantly improved in melatonin-treated plants under stress conditions. Redox homeostasis was maintained with a significant increase in superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase. This study suggests that exogenous melatonin improves plants’ ability to overcome the combination stress caused by NaCl and Cd by increasing overall photosynthetic capacity and modulating redox balance. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.