Department of Public

Abstract Tobacco use remains a leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality worldwide, with India facing a particularly high burden. Traditional tobacco cessation methods often encounter limitations, such as high relapse rates and a lack of user engagement. Virtual reality (VR) emerges as a novel, immersive tool that addresses these challenges by simulating real-world smoking scenarios, enabling users to build coping mechanisms, manage cravings, and experience the physiological impact of tobacco. VR enhances behavioural therapies, such as the 5A’s and 5R’s, through interactive exposure, education, and real-time feedback. It is especially effective for adolescents and tech-savvy users, offering personalised, scalable, and engaging interventions. By visualising the consequences of tobacco use and the benefits of quitting, VR motivates sustained behavioural change. As digital health becomes more integrated into public wellness programs, VR has the potential to revolutionise tobacco cessation strategies, making them more impactful and widely accessible.

Introduction: Portable listening devices (PLDs) have transformed audio exposure among youth. Prolonged/high-volume PLD use may contribute to hearing impairment and affect academic performance. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 108 dental undergraduates (age 18–27). Questionnaire assessed PLD usage and academics; five non-invasive audiological tests were performed. Associations analysed using Kendall’s Tau-b and eta coefficients. Results: 29.6% reported regular exposure at 100–120 dB. Over 20% reported hearing issues. Moderate associations (η = 0.23–0.33) were found between years of PLD use and PTA, immittance, high-frequency tests and academic percentiles; OAE showed a stronger association (η = 0.44). Higher frequency of use associated with lower academic percentiles. Conclusions: There is a weak-to-moderate link between PLD use and hearing loss; long-term/frequent use may negatively impact hearing and academic performance in dental undergraduates.

Progastrin, is over-expressed in human colorectal tumor cells and also directly targets the ß-catenin/Tcf4 oncogenic pathway, The association between Wnt/ß-catenin pathway and cancer is not merely restricted to colorectal cancer as disruption of this pathway results in epithelial mesenchymal transition in oral carcinogenesis. As therole of progastrin in subjects with Oral cancer(OC) is less explored, this study was contemplated to assess the role of plasma progastrin levels in subjects with various stages of oral squamous cell carcinoma. The present study was a cross-sectional study done among 60 subjects who were divided into two study groups: Group OC (n=30) who have histologically confirmed oral squamous cell carcinomaand Group C (n=30) who were healthy controls. 10ml of blood samples were drawn from the study subjects and plasma was analysed for progastrin peptide. The present study demonstrated that the mean plasma progastrin levels (hPG80) were significantly elevated in Group OC (20.51 pM/L) when compared to the control (9.9 pM/L). No significant difference in Plasma level of progastrin between well, moderate and poorly differentiated OC and withincreasing staging of OC. The present study showed increased levels of plasma progastrin in subject with oral squamous cell carcinoma when compared to the control, highlighting the potential of using plasma progastrin levels as a biomarker for early detection of oral malignancies.

On-Demand Thermal Pain Block In their Research Article (10.1002/adfm.202530035), Raudel Avila, Geumbee Lee, John A. Rogers, and co-workers present a bioresorbable implantable neural electronics platform that enables on-demand, spatially precise thermal nerve block. A soft cuff integrates a microscale heater and temperature sensor with feedback-guided regulation to ensure safe, localized heating. Wireless inductive power eliminates external connections. In vivo studies demonstrate reversible suppression and recovery of nerve conduction, establishing a minimally invasive and nonpharmacological approach for effective pain management.

Background: Seafarers face unique occupational stressors that increase tobacco use, adversely affecting oral health and quality of life. Limited data exist from Indian ports, particularly Chennai. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 seafarers using a structured questionnaire. Data on sociodemographics, tobacco use, and oral health behaviours were collected. Oral Health-related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) was assessed using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14). Nicotine dependence was measured using the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND). Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied; P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The prevalence rate of smoking tobacco use among seafarers was 79%, with moderate nicotine dependence being the most common (38%). Smokeless tobacco use was reported by 15%, all with low to moderate dependence. Age showed no significant correlation with smoking FTND scores (ρ = 0.08, P = 0.42) but was positively correlated with smokeless FTND-ST scores (ρ = 0.21, P = 0.03). Associations between tobacco use (both smoking and smokeless) and self-assessed oral health were not statistically significant ( P > 0.05). The mean OHIP-14 score was 8.01 ± 3.0, suggesting a low impact on daily life and generally good OHRQoL. Conclusion: The study found high tobacco use among seafarers, with moderate nicotine dependence being common. However, no significant associations were observed between tobacco use and self-assessed oral health. These findings highlight the need for targeted preventive strategies and workplace policies in the shipping industry to reduce tobacco consumption and promote better oral health.

The increase in the infection caused by Acinetobacter baumannii is sustained by the selection of distinct epidemic clonal lineages, which are frequently resistant to a broad range of antimicrobials and possess virulence traits responsible for their persistence in the contaminated environment and spread among patients. The present study aimed to perform an integrated genomic and phenotypic analysis to assess the virulence features of ST25 isolates. A. baumannii isolates assigned to the ST25 epidemic clonal lineage shared high genomic similarity and clustered in four clades (I, II, III, and IV), with clade IV further subdivided into CIVa, CIVb, CIVc, and CIVd. Capsular locus (KL) KL14 was the predominant KL type (47%). Accessory genome analysis showed the presence of tartrate metabolism genes only in CII genomes. CIVb and CIVd ST25 A. baumannii isolates showed higher ability to infect Galleria mellonella larvae than CI, CII, CIII, and CIVc isolates. Hydrogen peroxide resistance was higher in CI, CII, CIVb, and CIVd isolates compared with CIII and CIVc isolates. In desiccation survival tests, CIII, CIVb, and CIVd isolates exhibited prolonged survival. In addition, CI, CII, CIII, CIVb, and CIVd isolates showed higher serum resistance than CIVc isolates. Also, KL14 type and lipooligosaccharide outer core locus (OCL) OCL6 type isolates were significantly more resistant to oxidative stress, to desiccation, and possessed a high ability to kill G. mellonella larvae. A positive and significant correlation was found between AdeB and AdeJ efflux pump expression and hydrogen peroxide resistance.IMPORTANCEIn this study, we characterized the genotypic and phenotypic features of A. baumannii strains assigned to the ST25 epidemic clonal lineage, which were isolated from humans, animals, and the environment. We found that ST25 A. baumannii isolates, irrespective of their antimicrobial resistance, showed peculiar virulence features among clades, isolates assigned to clade IVb and IVd showing the highest virulence and elevated resistance to serum and desiccation. Also, a positive significant correlation was found between the presence of KL14 and outer core locus 6 genotypes and resistance to oxidative stress, resistance to desiccation, and the ability to kill G. mellonella larvae. Phenotypic differences reflected clade identity rather than isolate origin, suggesting that specific virulence traits contribute to the environmental persistence and pathogenic potential of A. baumannii ST25 isolates.

ABSTRACT This review reconceptualizes emotional labor, moving beyond its micro‐level psychological dimensions to theorize it as a core mechanism of affective governance. Integrating theories of gender, organizational control, and political economy, the article argues that emotional labor is institutionalized through a multi‐layered system that culturally codes, structurally embeds, and politically governs affect. Drawing on the illustrative case of nursing in South Korea, the analysis shows how this system operates via four intersecting mechanisms: gendered moralization, cultural affective ideals, neo‐normative control, and quantified metrics. The result is not merely individual strain but a form of structural affective injustice. In response, this review proposes a normative framework of affective justice, built on the principles of recognition, equitable redistribution, and institutional support. This framework offers a new agenda for the sociology of emotional labor, shifting the analytical focus from individual resilience to the institutional conditions that sustain inequality in the affective workplace.

Objective:This prospective cohort study evaluated the interrelationship between pain alleviation, chewing efficiency, and anxiety reduction following root canal treatment (RCT) to establish a comprehensive “triad of success” framework for patient-centered outcomes.Materials and Methods:In total, 150 patients undergoing single-rooted RCT were assessed preoperatively and at 24 h, 48 h, 7 days, and 30 days post-treatment. Pain was measured using a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS), chewing efficiency via VAS, and anxiety using the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS). Statistical analysis included repeated-measures ANOVA, paired t-tests, and multivariate regression.Results:Pain scores demonstrated significant reduction from 42.3 mm (±12.1) at 24 h to 3.1 mm (±2.8) at 30 days (F = 286.4, P < 0.001), with 92% achieving mild/no pain by 30 days. Chewing efficiency improved from 4.2 to 8.1 (mean - 3.9, P < 0.001; d = 1.2), while anxiety decreased from 14.7 to 8.3 MDAS (mean - 6.4, P < 0.001; d = 1.8). Regression analysis (R2 = 0.61) identified chewing improvement as the strongest satisfaction predictor (β = 0.42, P < 0.001), followed by negative associations with preoperative anxiety (β = −0.38, P < 0.001) and 48 h pain (β = −0.29, P < 0.001).Conclusion:Successful RCT achieves significant, clinically meaningful improvements across pain, function, and psychological domains. The identified “triad of success” provides clinicians with evidence-based targets for optimizing patient care, emphasizing the importance of addressing both biological and psychosocial aspects of endodontic treatment.