Super Floss® most effective for fastest SDF delivery to interproximal caries compared to dental floss and microbrush: Study

Super Floss® is most effective for the fastest SDF delivery to interproximal caries compared to dental floss and microbrush, suggests a study published in the Journal of Dentistry.

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is an effective treatment for arresting caries, though its success for interproximal caries varies. This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the delivery of SDF to initial interproximal caries with three delivery methods using a tooth-to-tooth interproximal contact model. Extracted permanent premolars were randomly allocated to one of three experimental groups: microbrush, dental floss, Super Floss®, and two control groups. Randomly paired premolars were mounted on a tooth-to-tooth interproximal contact model and artificial carious lesions induced. SDF was delivered with the three delivery methods. The amount and successful delivery of SDF was evaluated with three proxy measures: percentage white spot lesion (WSL) area and depth stained with SDF, and percentage change in mineral density after remineralization. Results: Forty-two premolar pairs were included. The percentage of WSL area stained with SDF in the Super Floss® (93.05 ± 6.52) and dental floss (81.92 ± 20.15) groups were significantly (p < 0.001) higher than the microbrush (33.24 ± 39.01) group; the percentage of WSL depth stained with SDF in the Super Floss® (185.75 ± 51.61) group was significantly (p = 0.007) higher than the microbrush (52.07 ± 81.11) group. There was no difference in the mineral density percentage change between the three groups. Effectiveness of SDF delivery to interproximal caries was greatest with Super Floss®, followed by dental floss and then microbrush, with no significant differences between the floss groups. This study serves as a proof of concept prior to validating these methods in clinical settings. In this in vitro study, SDF was delivered to initial interproximal caries most effectively using Super Floss®, followed by dental floss and then microbrush. Clinical studies are required to validate the results in clinical settings.

Reference:

Vanessa Yan Xiu Kwek, Catherine Hsu Ling Hong, Vinicius Rosa, Jing Li Lum, Kanglun Hong, Shijia Hu. Comparing silver diamine fluoride delivery methods using microbrush, dental floss and Super Floss® on a tooth-to-tooth interproximal contact model, Journal of Dentistry, 2025, 105653, ISSN 0300-5712, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2025.105653.

(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0300571225000983)

Keywords:

Super Floss®, effective, fastest, SDF, delivery, interproximal, caries, compared, dental, floss, microbrush, study, Vanessa Yan Xiu Kwek, Catherine Hsu Ling Hong, Vinicius Rosa, Jing Li Lum, Kanglun Hong, Shijia Hu

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Among COVID-19 patients with Asthma: Paxlovid recipients had lower Hospitalization Risk compared to Molnupiravir

Researchers have found in a new study that among COVID-19 patients with asthma, those who received Paxlovid had a significantly lower risk of all-cause hospitalization compared to those treated with molnupiravir. Although COVID-19 antiviral drugs have been extensively researched, their efficacy among asthma patients is uncertain.

Based on real-world data from Hong Kong health officials, the results indicate that nirmatrelvir/ritonavir reduces mortality, hospitalization, and asthma exacerbations, in patients with asthma. The study was conducted by Guozhang and colleagues published in BMC Respiratory Research.

This study consisted of 1,745 adults with asthma diagnosed with COVID-19 from March 16, 2022, to October 30, 2023. Patients included in the research had a past history of asthma and were taking asthma medications. The research was between nirmatrelvir/ritonavir and molnupiravir treatment groups and assessed acute and post-acute mortality, all-cause hospitalization, and cause-specific hospitalizations. Median follow-up duration was 365 days (IQR: 335–365 days).

Key Findings

  • Patients who received nirmatrelvir/ritonavir had a 73% reduced risk of acute inpatient death (HR 0.27; 95% CI, 0.12 to 0.59; p = 0.0011).

  • Risk of post-acute inpatient death was 51% reduced in the nirmatrelvir/ritonavir group (HR 0.49; 95% CI, 0.28 to 0.85; p = 0.011).

  • All-cause hospitalization was reduced significantly in the nirmatrelvir/ritonavir group (HR 0.72; 95% CI, 0.58 to 0.89; p = 0.0020).

  • Risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack) was 90% less in the nirmatrelvir/ritonavir arm (HR 0.10; 95% CI, 0.01 to 0.92; p = 0.042).

  • In head-to-head comparisons with molnupiravir, risk of all-cause hospitalization was 35% less in the nirmatrelvir/ritonavir arm (HR 0.65; 95% CI, 0.52 to 0.81; p = 0.00012).

  • In patients on medium-/high-dose inhaled corticosteroids, the nirmatrelvir/ritonavir arm had a 42% reduction in risk of asthma exacerbation compared with the molnupiravir group (HR 0.58; 95% CI, 0.35 to 0.95; p = 0.030).

The study authors concluded that nirmatrelvir/ritonavir decreases post-acute COVID-19 complications among asthma patients, decreasing mortality, hospitalization, and rates of asthma exacerbation when compared to molnupiravir. These results indicate that clinical guidelines need to expand antiviral treatment indications to mild asthma patients, who have not yet been well acknowledged as priority patients for COVID-19 antiviral therapy.

Reference:

Lin, G., Wei, Y., Guo, Z. et al. Short- and long-term comparative effectiveness of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir and molnupiravir in asthma patients: a cohort study. Respir Res 26, 75 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12931-025-03156-2

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High intake of dietary saturated fats and triglycerides linked to poorer memory performance: Study

High intake of dietary saturated fats and triglycerides linked to poorer memory performance suggests a new study published in the Nutrition and Dietary Supplements.

With Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias projected to triple by 2050, addressing modifiable health and lifestyle factors is crucial to prevention and reducing the associated public health burden. This study investigates the interaction between triglyceride levels and dietary fat intake and diet quality on memory performance in middle-aged adults at heightened risk for metabolic health issues. Community-dwelling adults aged 40– 65 with cardiometabolic health risks participated in this cross-sectional study. Participants with a history of neurological or psychiatric conditions were excluded. Dietary intake was self-reported through a 3-day food record, and serum triglyceride levels were measured. Neuropsychological testing assessed memory performance. Cross-sectional regression analyses examined how dietary fat intake and quality interact with triglyceride levels to affect memory performance in 146 adults. Results: The analysis revealed a significant interaction between triglyceride levels and the ratio of dietary saturated fat to total caloric intake on memory performance (β = − 0.087, p = 0.022). The relationship between triglyceride levels and memory performance was modified by the ratio of saturated fat to total caloric intake. At higher levels of saturated fat intake, higher triglycerides were associated with worse memory performance. However, at lower levels of saturated fat intake, the association between triglycerides and memory performance was not statistically significant. Better adherence to USDA dietary guidelines, reflected by higher Healthy Eating Index 2020 scores, was associated with better memory performance (β = 0.018, p < 0.002), regardless of triglyceride levels. Diet quality, as indicated by adherence to dietary guidelines, supports cognitive health. Elevated triglycerides combined with a high ratio of dietary saturated fat intake were associated with poorer memory performance. Precision nutrition strategies aimed at reducing saturated fat intake in midlife adults with elevated triglyceride levels may help mitigate memory-related cognitive decline and enhance brain health.

Reference:

Gallagher I, Li Y, Youn C, Tanaka H, Davis JN, Haley AP. Dietary Saturated Fat Intake Moderates the Effect of Plasma Triglycerides on Memory Performance in Middle-Aged Adults. Nutrition and Dietary Supplements. 2025;17:29-41

https://doi.org/10.2147/NDS.S496926

Keywords:

High intake, dietary, saturated fats, triglycerides, linked, poorer, memory, performance, study, Gallagher I, Li Y, Youn C, Tanaka H, Davis JN, Haley AP

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Health minister visits Gandhi Hospital, directs action against absent doctors

During a surprise visit to Gandhi Hospital on Tuesday, Health Minister C Damodar Raja Narasimha raised serious concerns over staff attendance and service inefficiencies. Several doctors, including professors and associate professors, were found absent during the visit.

The unapproved absenteeism prompted the minister to direct senior officials to investigate and hold those responsible accountable for neglecting their duties. Rajanarsimha ordered the hospital superintendent and the Director of Medical Education (DME) to issue show-cause notices to the absent medical professionals, demanding an explanation for their unauthorized absence.

For more information, click on the link below:

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Ayushman Card Scam: Khyati Hospital Chairman sent to 6 days police remand

Ahmedabad: The chairman of Khyati Hospital in Ahmedabad, Kartik Patel, who is currently in Sabarmati Central Jail following his arrest for the deaths of two PMJAY beneficiaries after a botched angioplasty in November last year, has been placed under a six-day custodial remand for interrogation by the Crime Branch in connection with a PMJAY card racket. 

This development comes after the Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) of Ahmedabad City Police approached a magisterial court to request Patel’s custody for 14 days. Their investigation revealed his alleged role in issuing Ayushman cards to ineligible individuals, enabling fraudulent claims under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).

Also read- PMJAY Angioplasty Deaths Case: Khyati Hospital Chairman arrested

This year, the crime branch busted a racket where Ayushman cards were issued to ineligible persons. The investigation allegedly revealed the involvement of office-bearers of Khyati Hospital, which also included Patel in the list. Previously, Chirag Rajput, CEO of Khyati Multispecialty Hospital, was arrested in this regard. 

During the probe, police recovered between 1,200 and 1,500 cards issued to ineligible candidates at a nominal price, enabling them to illegally get access to the scheme benefits. While the crime branch requested 14 days of custody of him, the court granted only six days for interrogation.

As per the Indian Express news report, Patel was arrested on Tuesday from Sabarmati Central Jail in connection with the case and was interrogated before being presented in court. The court approved his custodial interrogation until March 11.

He has been in jail since his arrest on January 18 in three cases related to the deaths of two PMJAY beneficiaries from Borisana village of Kadi in Mehsana district.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that Kartik Patel was arrested after evading arrest for more than two months in connection with the deaths of two PMJAY beneficiaries. He was arrested after he landed at the Ahmedabad airport from Dubai late on Friday night.

Seven persons underwent angioplasty, a procedure that widens blocked or narrowed coronary arteries to improve blood flow to the heart, at Khyati Multispeciality Hospital on November 11 last year, following which two of them died, prompting Vastrapur police to register three FIRs the next day.

The probe showed the hospital organised free check-up camps in villages to convince Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) cardholders to undergo angioplasty despite no medical necessity. They were shown in the “emergency” category to expedite government approval, after which the hospital claimed payments under the Central scheme.

With Kartik Patel’s arrest, the police have apprehended all nine accused in the case, including the hospital’s CEO and the marketing director.

Also read- Gujarat Medical Council suspends 2 doctors over Angioplasty deaths case

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Cases of Parkinson’s disease set to reach 25 million worldwide by 2050, study suggests

By 2050, there will be 25.2 million people living with Parkinson’s disease worldwide (a 112% increase from 2021), largely due to population aging, suggests a modeling study published by The BMJ.

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Anti-obesity drugs found to benefit kidney transplant recipients with type 2 diabetes

Kidney transplant recipients with type 2 diabetes treated with a new class of anti-obesity drugs were less likely to experience organ failure and survived longer, a new study shows. Not only is obesity a known risk factor for diabetes, but it also increases risk of postsurgical complications, such as inflammation, organ rejection, and early death.

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Are robotic hernia repairs still in the ‘learning curve’ phase?

For an abdominal wall hernia repair, also known as a ventral hernia repair, the most common surgical approaches have been laparoscopic and open techniques. But a new approach for repairing hernias has been steadily growing in popularity: the surgical robot.

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The ‘silent’ X chromosome gives the aging female brain a boost

UCSF researchers may have discovered how the female brain remains resilient in aging, answering an age-old question of how most women outlive men and retain their cognitive abilities longer.

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New STI impacts 1 in 3 women: Study reveals men are the missing link

A study reveals that bacterial vaginosis (BV), a condition affecting nearly a third of women worldwide and causing infertility, premature births and newborn deaths, is in fact a sexually transmitted infection (STI), paving the way for a revolution in how it is treated.

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