Current Issue

The Growing Importance of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) in Modern Clinical Research

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Biological Control of White Root Rot Disease Caused by Rosellinia necatrix: Harnessing Microbial Strategies for Sustainable Crop Protection

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Prosthodontic Management of a Diabetic Patient Using BPS Denture: A Case Report

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Introduction: Diabetes mellitus affects oral health, wound healing, and the success of prosthodontic treatment, necessitating careful planning and execution of denture therapy. Biofunctional Prosthetic System dentures are designed to provide precision, improved fit, and enhanced esthetics, making them particularly suitable for medically compromised patients. Case Report: A 62-year-old male patient with type II diabetes mellitus underwent prosthodontic rehabilitation using Biofunctional Prosthetic System dentures. The treatment approach prioritized systemic considerations, material biocompatibility, and atraumatic fabrication techniques to achieve optimal results. Discussion: This case illustrates how Biofunctional Prosthetic System dentures can enhance retention, stability, and patient comfort while minimizing trauma to compromised oral tissues in diabetic individuals. Conclusion: Biofunctional Prosthetic System dentures represent an effective and patient-friendly option for the prosthodontic management of diabetic patients, offering improved functional and esthetic outcomes with reduced risk to oral tissues. Keywords: Biofunctional Prosthetic System, Complete denture, Diabetes mellitus, Geriatric dentistry, Prosthodontics.

Analysis of Soybean Products Utilization in Abakaliki Metropolis of Ebonyi State, Nigeria

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This study assessed the utilization of soybean products in Abakaliki Metropolis, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select a total of 100 respondents. With the aid of a structured questionnaire, primary data were sourced from the sampled markets. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed in analysing the survey data. The results revealed a mean age of consumers as 41 years, who were mostly females and married, with an average household size of 4 persons. The primary occupations of the consumers are trading, civil service, and artisan. Soybean products were marketed and consumed as soy-ogi (fortified pap), soy liquid milk, soy flour, and soy fortified soup in Abakaliki metropolis. The study identified health, economic, and organoleptic factors to influence consumers’ utilization of soybean products. Meanwhile, both extrinsic and intrinsic factors were identified as significant constraints to soybean products consumption and utilization among consumers in the study area. The study recommended that marketers and producers should employ intensive advertising for marketing soybean products; producers should improve the organoleptic features of soybean products to enhance acceptability among consumers; Government institutions like NAFDAC should organize a training programme for processors on how to improve the processing hygiene of the products. Highlights Soybean products were marketed and consumed as soy-ogi (fortified pap), soy liquid milk, soy flour, and soy fortified soup in Abakaliki metropolis. Health, economic, and organoleptic factors influenced consumers’ utilization of soybean products. Both extrinsic and intrinsic factors were major constraints to soybean products consumption. Keywords: Soybean, Consumption, Consumers, Constraints, Metropolis.

An Unusual Odontome – The Silent Tormentor – A Physical Obstacle to Central Incisor Eruption – Report of a Rarest Case

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Various developmental dental malformations can occur in the oral cavity leading to plethora of complications. Dental anomalies pertaining to tooth number, size, shape, structure and composition can form when environmental or genetic insult occurs during tooth organogenesis. Dental anomaly like supernumerary tooth or odontome are type of dental malformations when present can cause plethora of complications in children decreasing self-esteem of the patient. The aim of this research paper is to present a case showing an unusual occurrence of odontome associated with another dental anomaly causing impaction of the maxillary central incisor in an 11-year-old female Indian patient. Therefore, the present paper is first of its kind showing an uncommon development of odontome not reported so far in the dental literature representing a rarest dental entity. Keywords: Cone-beam computed tomography scan, Impacted maxillary central incisor, Odontome, Radiographic examination, Supernumerary tooth, Tooth eruption disturbance.

Salt Tolerance in Rice Cultivars under Indian Soil Conditions: Current Insights and Future Prospects

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Soil salinity is a critical abiotic stress limiting rice production in India, particularly in coastal belts and irrigated landscapes prone to secondary salinization. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is among the most salt-sensitive cereals, with salinity causing osmotic and ionic stress, oxidative damage, and large yield penalties. This case study synthesizes advances in understanding physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms of salt tolerance [22,23,29]; summarizes Indian breeding achievements including Saltol-introgressed lines and CSR series [3,13,18,30]; and outlines agronomic and microbiome-based strategies suited to Indian soils [5, 28]. We highlight future prospects in genome editing, high-throughput phenotyping, and climate-smart breeding [9,14,27] to ensure resilient rice production in salt-affected areas. Keywords: Rice (Oryza sativa), Soil salinity, Salt tolerance, Marker-assisted selection, CSR rice varieties.

Reframing Oral Health as a Quality-of-Life Issue: An Epidemiological Perspective

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Oral health has traditionally been viewed through a biomedical lens, focusing on prevention and treatment of dental diseases. However, contemporary research demonstrates that oral health is deeply connected to overall well-being, social participation, and functional capacity. Oral diseases affect nearly 3.5 billion people worldwide and contribute substantially to years lived with disability. They are strongly associated with systemic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and frailty in older adults. Vulnerable populations in low- and middle-income countries experience the highest burden due to inequities in access to care and preventive measures. This review highlights the multidimensional impacts of oral health on daily functioning, psychological well-being, and social participation. Epidemiological evidence underscores the need for population-level preventive strategies, integration with non-communicable disease frameworks, and advocacy to position oral health as a central component of public health policy. Recognizing oral health as a determinant of quality of life is essential to reducing inequities, improving population health, and addressing the global burden of oral disease. Keywords: Oral health, Quality of life, Epidemiology, Non-communicable diseases, Preventive dentistry.

Utilizing Biotechnology for Plant Disease Management: A Comprehensive Review

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Threat to agriculture economy from pests and diseases are increasing constantly. Global food crops are lost from 20% to 40% due to pests and diseases, with damage reaching 14.1% by plant diseases, accounting for $ 220 billion in annual agricultural trade losses. Traditional methods like chemical control have a great detrimental effect on environment. Thus, an alternative concept of Molecular detection techniques and biotechnology sets diagnostic tools, techniques can generate accurate results rapidly enough to be useful for disease management decisions. Biotechnology is the genetic manipulation, and multiplication of any living organism through novel techniques and technologies such as tissue culture and genetic engineering resulting in the production of improved or new organism and products that can be used in variety of ways. The various applications of biotechnology in plant pathology includes, Genetic Resistance, Marker Assisted Breeding, Genetic Engineering, RNA Interference, Gene Pyramiding and tagging of resistant genes. Keywords: Agriculture, Biotechnology, Disease Management, Genetic Resistance, Molecular Detection, RNA Interference.

Three-Dimensional Digital Workflows in Interceptive Pediatric Orthodontics: A Comprehensive Review and Clinical Protocol

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Background: Interceptive orthodontics during mixed dentition (ages 6-12 years) prevents malocclusion progression, but traditional 2D diagnostics limit growth prediction accuracy and appliance customization. Methods: This comprehensive review synthesizes 2020–2025 evidence on intraoral scanning (IOS), cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), and 3D printing in pediatric orthodontics, proposing a structured clinical protocol for implementation. Results: Digital workflows improve diagnostic precision by 20–50%, enable patient-specific appliances, and reduce comprehensive treatment duration. IOS achieves trueness <50 μm; CBCT predicts ectopic eruption 6–12 months earlier; 3D printing supports space maintainers, expanders, and early aligners with 70% faster fabrication. Conclusions: Digital interceptive orthodontics establishes precision medicine standards through objective diagnostics and customized appliances, transforming early orthodontic intervention. Keywords: Interceptive orthodontics, Intraoral scanning, CBCT, 3D printing, Pediatric orthodontics, Digital workflow.

Assessment of Pesticides’ Impact on Hematological Parameters in Aquatic Organisms

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Apart from their ecological significance, aquatic organisms constitute a vital component of economic resources and the food chain. Exposure to agricultural pesticides in natural environments induces alterations in hematological parameters and tissues such as the intestine, kidney, liver, and gills, which in some cases may lead to mortality. Furthermore, human consumption of contaminated fish can result in poisoning and other health complications. Given the circulation of blood throughout the fish’s body, hematological analysis is considered a common method for assessing the physiological status of these aquatic species. Additionally, in various studies, blood parameters have been employed as indicators for monitoring environmental pollution levels. Hematological factors such as hemoglobin, hematocrit, red and white blood cell counts, as well as indices like mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), have been widely used to evaluate stress induced by environmental contaminants. Keywords: Pesticide, Hematology, Ecological.

The Context of Truth, Time, and Dentistry

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Mitigating Salinity Stress: The Crucial Role of Phosphorus in Plant Adaptation and Productivity

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Salinity is one of the most serious abiotic stresses limiting global agricultural productivity, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions where soil phosphorus (P) availability is already low. Phosphorus is an essential macronutrient involved in energy transfer, root development, membrane stability, and metabolic regulation, yet its availability is severely constrained under saline conditions due to ionic competition, altered soil chemistry, and reduced mobility. Salinity disrupts P uptake by interfering with phosphate transporter activity, inducing nutrient imbalance, and enhancing P fixation in insoluble forms. Adequate phosphorus supply, however, mitigates the adverse effects of salinity by improving root proliferation, enhancing photosynthetic efficiency, maintaining a favorable K⁺/Na⁺ ratio, strengthening antioxidant defenses, and stabilizing cellular structures. Recent studies highlight strong interactions between P nutrition, ion homeostasis, and stress-responsive gene networks, underscoring the importance of integrated nutrient and stress-management strategies. Sustainable approaches such as P-efficient cultivars, phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms, nano-P fertilizers, soil amendments, and precision fertilization offer promising solutions to enhance P use efficiency and plant resilience in salt-affected soils. This chapter synthesizes current advances in understanding P–salinity interactions and outlines future directions for improving crop productivity under salinity stress. Keywords: Salinity, Phosphorus, Antioxidant defense, Nano- P fertilizers, Phosphate transporter activity.