Immediate Dentin Sealing may Improve Adhesion and Restoration Durability in both healthy and eroded dentin: Study

Researchers have found in a new study that immediate dentin sealing (IDS) enhances bond strength and surface wettability in both healthy and eroded dentin. This technique is especially valuable in cases with compromised dentin, contributing to improved adhesion, durability, and overall success of restorative dental procedures.

A study was done to investigate the influence of immediate dentin sealing (IDS) on the shear bond strength (SBS) and wettability of both sound and eroded dentin. Dentin specimens were divided into four groups (n= 21): sound dentin with and without IDS and eroded dentin with and without IDS. Erosive cycling was performed using 1% citric acid solution, and lithium disilicate discs were cemented onto the dentin. The samples underwent thermocycling and SBS testing (n= 10), with failure modes analyzed by stereomicroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) (n= 3) was used to examine the hybrid layer and resin tags, while wettability (n= 8) was measured by contact angle analysis. Results: Erosion significantly reduced the SBS (P< 0.001), while IDS increased it for both sound and eroded dentin (P< 0.001). The most common failure mode was adhesive. SEM revealed a thicker hybrid layer and more resin tags in eroded dentin with IDS. Erosion did not affect wettability (P= 0.186), but IDS increased it (P< 0.001). IDS improved both SBS and wettability in sound and eroded dentin, suggesting it may be an effective technique for enhancing adhesion in restorative dentistry. Immediate dentin sealing (IDS) improves bond strength and wettability in both sound and eroded dentin, making it a valuable technique for enhancing adhesion in restorative procedures, especially in cases with compromised dentin. This could contribute to the durability and success of restorations.

Reference:

Dos Santos Neto OM, Souto ICC, de Almeida RP. Effect of immediate dentin sealing on bond strength and wettability in sound and eroded dentin: A laboratory study. Am J Dent. 2025 Jun;38(3):129-134. PMID: 40455951.

Keywords:

Immediate, Dentin, Sealing may, Improve, Adhesion, Restoration Durability, healthyerode, dentin, study, Dos Santos Neto OM, Souto ICC, de Almeida RP.

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Which mesh is best? Outcomes for abdominal ventral hernia repair patients projected by new research model

Repair of ventral hernias-hernias of the abdominal wall-is among the most commonly performed operations, but not all meshes used in these procedures are created equal, with varying outcomes and costs for each option, according to researchers from the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. The researchers developed a new model to project the performance of different mesh types for patients undergoing ventral hernia repair (VHR). Their findings are published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons (JACS).

Three different mesh types were evaluated. Biologic meshes have properties similar to human tissues, whereas synthetic meshes are composed of artificial materials. The third type, long-acting resorbable meshes, combines characteristics of biologic and synthetic meshes.

Key Findings:

• At 5 years, about 41% of VHRs with biologic meshes, 27% with synthetic meshes, and 22% with long-acting resorbable meshes are expected to fail due to recurrence of the hernia.

• At 10 years, these rates will rise to 65%, 47%, and 39%, respectively.

“Even in contaminated surgical settings, synthetic meshes performed better than biologic ones—despite being made of foreign materials.” said first author Abdulaziz Elemosho, MD, plastic surgery postdoctoral research fellow at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

Long-Term Data Hard to Find

Studying the performance of meshes for VHRs presents a challenge for researchers. Logistically, it can be complicated to follow the same patients for more than a decade to measure outcomes. The authors conducted an extensive literature review to find high-quality data on mesh performance.

That data was then used to create a model that could accurately project 5-year outcomes suggested by current research and then projected outcomes for 10 and 15 years.

The approach, called “population survival kinetics,” is a first for surgical research, according to the authors.

“Standard meta-analyses can’t truly depict time-dependent outcomes like hernia recurrence,” said coauthor Jeffrey E. Janis, MD, FACS, clinical professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. “That’s why we turned to population survival kinetics — an approach never before applied to surgical outcomes.”

Population survival kinetics has typically been used in oncology to project outcomes, such as proportions of who are going to relapse or be cured and their response to chemotherapy.

Data-Driven Future Decisions

Previously, if a surgical site was contaminated, biologic mesh was preferred. The reasoning was that biologic-based materials would resist infection better, but this did not play out in the data. Biologic mesh performed the worst, with the shortest time-to-recurrence and the highest proportion of “at-risk” repairs. This specialized material also comes at a cost, with biologic and long-acting resorbable meshes ranging between $20,000 to $30,000 per operation.

“If cost is a consideration, synthetic mesh remains a good fit for patients undergoing a VHR,” said Dr. Elemosho, “When cost isn’t a factor, preference should shift to long-acting resorbable meshes since they outperformed all other meshes.”

The data also showed that if a recurrence had not occurred by 15 years after surgery, 99% of the meshes would remain intact beyond that timepoint, meaning that risk levels taper off over time.

Without current national guidelines, the authors hope these data can inform best practices moving forward in mesh type and follow up schedule. They suggest that patients who had VHR with biologic and synthetic mesh should be evaluated for recurrence every 6 months for 2 years, then yearly for up to 15 years. Patients repaired with long-acting resorbable meshes should be evaluated for recurrence starting at 12-18 months post-repair, then yearly.

Reference:

Elemosho, Abdulaziz MDa; Janis, Jeffrey E. MD FACSa. Comparative Long-Term Performance of Biologic, Synthetic, and Long-Acting Resorbable Meshes in Ventral Hernia Repair: Population Survival Kinetics Approach. Journal of the American College of Surgeons ():10.1097/XCS.0000000000001412, May 29, 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/XCS.0000000000001412

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NEET 2025: NTA Opposes Re-Exam Plea, Says Performance Not Affected due to Power Outage

Indore: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has submitted that the one-hour power outage during the National Eligibility-Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET-UG) 2025 examination at the examination centres in Indore did not affect the performance of the candidates, who had approached the Madhya Pradesh High Court seeking relief.

Filing pleas before the HC bench, medical aspirants alleged that the power outage at the NEET exam centres across Indore affected their performance, and they had to complete their NEET UG 2025 exam using emergency lamps or candles. 

However, during the hearing of the case on Monday (June 23), the counsel for NTA presented before the Court a report drafted by an independent committee, which showed that despite the one-hour power outage at the 18 affected centers, the candidates had sufficient natural light to complete the exam.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who represented the NTA, informed the HC bench, “If there had truly been insufficient lighting, the first indication would have been a significantly lower number of attempted questions. The broader outcome would not have reflected such high performance, yet, 11 candidates from the concerned centres have scored over 600 out of 720 marks.”

The HC bench comprising Justice Subodh Abhayankar has now listed the pleas for further hearing on June 30, 2025.

Also Read: Power Outage disrupted NEET 2025- MP HC Stays Result Declaration for Complainant Candidates

NEET UG examination, which was held on May 4 this year, is the gateway for medical aspirants to get admitted to undergraduate medical courses across the country. However, this year, on the day of the exam, several exam centres in Indore faced a power outage because of the weather conditions.

Around 27,000 students appeared for the NEET UG exam in 2025 in Indore, for which 49 centres were set up. Earlier, in its reply submitted before the HC bench, NTA had clarified that the NEET exam was disrupted at 18 centres in Indore and 6 centres in Ujjain, affecting more than 2,000 students in total. Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that more than 60 petitions had been filed from Indore and Ujjain in connection with this issue.

In one of the pleas, the petitioner alleged purported mismanagement and lack of power backup for around 1 to 2 hours while organising NEET exam at some of the centres in Indore. The petitioner alleged that the exam was conducted at various centres across the country and abroad on May 4 from 2 PM to 5 PM. Further, the petitioner stated that the Meteorological Department had issued a red alert and an advisory on 03.05.2025 highlighting chances of severe thunderstorm and gusty winds along with rainfall.

The petitioner had further submitted that despite the red alert, the authorities failed making proper arrangements for a power backup and due to this, the candidates had to face complete mismanagement for 1 to 2 hours because of which students at the centres were forced to write their exam in the poorly lit areas. This caused extreme stress to them, alleged the petition.

On the other hand, NTA in its affidavit dated 19.05.2025 stated that field reports obtained from the City Coordinator, Center Supervisor and Observers as well as report from the District Collector, Indore suggested that there was no obstruction in proper completion of exam. However, as a measure of abundant caution a response analysis of the questions attempted by the candidates on their respective OMR Answer sheets has been carried out by a team of Statistical Experts engaged by NTA. According to NTA, this body said that the Committee carried out a detailed statistical analysis and according to NTA findings of Committee suggests that there was no major deviation amongst the centres which are purportedly affected due to the weather and the centres which were unaffected.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that while considering these pleas, the Madhya Pradesh HC had previously stayed the publication of NEET-UG exam results at 11 centres in Indore, which had faced the power outage during the exam on May 4, 2025. Even though at first the HC bench had stayed the NEET UG results for the entire country, later it modified the order after noting that the problem of power outage was limited to 11 centres only.

Earlier this month, again modifying its earlier order, the Madhya Pradesh High Court clarified that the stay imposed on the declaration of NEET results for candidates affected by the power outage would be limited to only those who filed petitions before the Court. Therefore, the Court granted liberty to the National Testing Agency (NTA) to declare the results of all other candidates except the petitioners.

As per the latest media report by Live Law, during the hearing of the case on Monday (June 23), Solicitor General Tushar Mehtra informed the Court that NEET exam was conducted at 5,466 centres across India, including 49 centres in Indore. Among these, 18 centres reportedly faced power outages. He informed the bench that while around 22.9 lakh candidates appeared in the exam, only 27,064 were from Indore and only 75 candidates from the city had approached the Court and it remained uncertain which centres these candidates had attended.

Proposing a non-adversarial approach, the SG highlighted that a committee of three independent experts had been constituted to examine the issue. Referring to the committee’s report, he pointed out that 11 candidates from Indore had scored more than 600 marks- placing them among the 1,300 top scorers nationwide.

He further claimed that the data showed consistency in the average number of questions attempted across Indore centres, whether or not they experienced power outages. The average ranged between 119 and 127 questions out of 170, indicating that performance was not materially affected.

On the other hand, the counsel for the petitioners argued that the district administration had failed to ensure basic power backup arrangements at the exam centres. Therefore, he claimed that more than 100 petitioners were now before the Court from 24 centres in Indore and six more students were from two centres in Ujjain. According to the petitioners, the examination observer acknowledged that a power failure occurred and reported that visibility had dropped significantly from 4 to 1.

The petitioners also questioned the impartiality of the committee as it had been formed by NTA itself, the body responsible for conducting the NEET UG exam.

Meanwhile, addressing the petitioners’ concerns regarding the impartiality of the committee, SG Mehta clarified that independent experts were part of the committee and they were not affiliated with the NTA.

SG Mehta also submitted a report detailing the power conditions at 49 exam centres in Indore. The report highlighted that there was either adequate natural light or a DG backup to ensure the smooth conduct of the examination. The SG submitted that while the power was disrupted at 18 centres for one hour, sufficient natural light was reportedly available to allow candidates to continue writing the exam without interruption.

The NTA’s counsel also read the conclusion of the report, stating, “With 99% confidence, there is no evidence to suggest that the power outage at the centres had any significant adverse effect on candidates’ performance as measured by the number of questions attempted. Then there is no significant difference between candidates who appeared at the affected and non-affected centres in Indore and neighbouring cities.”

Referring to this, he argued, “If the petitioners’ prayer (for reconducting the exam) is granted, it would raise the issue of differential difficulty levels across question papers and it would force about 27,000 candidates who will be sitting in the exam centre without their consent.”

Arguing that the pleas stemmed largely from apprehensions and a natural desire among candidates to have performed better, SH Mehta submitted before the Court, “Many of the candidates from the concerned centres have scored very good marks. But out of just fear, which every student would have and with the wish that they could do better, they are before the court.”

However, he also emphasized that the interests of the remaining 27,000 candidates from Indore must also be considered.

At this outset, the Court sought to know if there was any case where a number of candidates or a limited number of candidates were allowed to re-appear in an examination. 

After taking instructions, SG Mehta informed the bench that last year there were some questions with 2 correct answers, so, based on the NTA’s report, the Supreme Court had directed the affected candidates to re-appear in the examination.

Questioning the facts submitted by SG Mehta, the counsel for the petitioners pointed out that no verifiable evidence was presented by the NTA, including a lack of CCTV footage. He argued that the statistical data was just showing the number of questions attempted.

Therefore, the petitioners’ counsel asked, “But how will we record the fear and anxiety of the candidates facing such power outages?”

When the counsel argued that NTA denied access to CCTV footage, SG Mehta argued, “There is no dispute that there was a power outage; this is an accepted fact. But the question is, did the power outage impact the candidates?”

In response, the counsel for the petitioners argued, “it is not that every student has to give the examination, there must be an option.”

However, SG Mehta opposed this submission, contending that it would lead to ‘unlevelled playing field’.

The matter has now been listed for a further hearing on June 30, 2025.

Also Read: Power Outage Disrupts NEET 2025 in Indore, HC stays results for 11 Exam Centres

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How to Improve Adherence in Hypertensive Patients? Bridging the Gap with CONNECT Tool

The Hidden Crisis: Uncontrolled Hypertension in India

Hypertension significantly contributes to a wide spectrum of cardiovascular and metabolic complications. It is associated with a 71% higher risk of heart failure (1) and an approximately 60% increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. (2) Hypertension increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 77% for every 20 mm Hg rise in systolic blood pressure. (3) Hypertension also increases the risk of stroke seven times. (4)

Educational Empowerment in Hypertension: Evidence is Promising

An RCT involving 42 physicians and 420 hypertensive patients evaluated the effect of clinician education. After a 3-month follow-up, BP control improved in 181 patients (face-to-face 3-hour session by a cardiologist: 84; printed=guideline-based handouts: 97), and treatment adherence rose significantly [53.3% vs. 39%; p=0.001]. (5)

Driving Meaningful Educational Interventions in Hypertension: Introducing CONNECT Tool

The Concordance (connect) Tools for Diabetes, Heart Failure, Heart Attack, and Stroke are patient-centered communication aids that foster shared decision-making between clinicians and patients. Each tool guides discussions on symptoms, medication adherence, and lifestyle changes, promoting individualized care, emotional support, and goal-setting to improve long-term outcomes in chronic disease management.

Each Concordance Tool addresses condition-specific barriers by promoting empathetic, patient-informed care plans.

In diabetes, patients may feel overwhelmed by treatment demands, fear insulin or hypoglycemia, and struggle with motivation or cost. The tool explores readiness for change, addresses beliefs about medication and complications, and supports goal-setting across diet, physical activity, and glucose control. It also emphasizes that coexisting hypertension increases the risk of heart disease sixfold—strengthening the case for integrated BP and glycemic control.

For heart attack survivors, fear of recurrence, uncertainty around lifestyle change, and poor medication understanding often limit recovery. The tool helps explore patient knowledge of the heart event, builds trust around medications like statins and antiplatelets, and introduces structured conversations on rehabilitation, smoking cessation, and emotional health. It highlights that even modest blood pressure reductions can reduce future heart attack risk by 9%, reinforcing the importance of BP control in secondary prevention.

In heart failure, patients often face fatigue, shortness of breath, and confusion about long-term care. The tool enables clinicians to check understanding of heart failure, address adherence challenges, and personalize lifestyle advice on fluid balance, salt intake, and daily weighing of body weight. It reinforces that lowering blood pressure can reduce heart failure risk by up to 64%, giving patients a clear and motivating rationale for treatment adherence.

After stroke, patients and families may struggle with communication, recovery expectations, and medication adherence. This tool supports discussion on residual disability, emotional well-being, caregiver involvement, and functional goals. It highlights that effective BP management can lower stroke recurrence risk by 41%, aligning lifestyle and therapeutic interventions with tangible preventive benefits.

These tools are integral to the United for BP Control initiative.

The United for BP Control initiative, launched by USV, an Indian multinational healthcare company, in collaboration with the World Hypertension League(WHL) and the Indian Society of Hypertension(ISH), is a nationwide program with an endeavor to reduce hypertension burden in India. This initiative is aimed at increasing awareness, facilitating screening by conducting 25,000+ BP, ECG & CV risk assessment camps, aiming to reach over 2 lakh patients, and fostering better management of hypertension by introducing first-of-its-kind patient education strips to reinforce lifestyle and medication adherence. The patient education strip is based on insights from 1,500+ doctors and 200+ patients.

Takeaway

Managing hypertension effectively goes beyond prescriptions—it requires ongoing education, shared decision-making, and patient-centered communication. The Concordance (Connect) Tools translate complex cardiovascular risks into simple, actionable messages across major comorbidities. As part of India’s United for BP Control initiative, they empower clinicians to drive better adherence, prevention, and long-term outcomes through structured, empathetic care.

Reference:

1. Baffour, Priscilla Kyei et al. “Blood pressure, hypertension, and the risk of heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies.” European journal of preventive cardiology vol. 31,5 (2024): 529-556. doi:10.1093/eurjpc/zwad344

2. Wise, Jacqui. “High Blood Pressure Is Linked to Increased Risk of Diabetes.” The BMJ, vol. 351, 30 Sept. 2015, https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.h5167. Accessed 13 June 2025.

3. Nazarzadeh, Milad et al. “Blood pressure lowering and risk of new-onset type 2 diabetes: an individual participant data meta-analysis.” Lancet (London, England) vol. 398,10313 (2021): 1803-1810. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01920-6

4. Li, Al., Ji, Y., Zhu, S. et al. Risk probability and influencing factors of stroke in followed-up hypertension patients. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 22, 328 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-022-02780-w

5. Ashraf, Tariq et al. “Impact of educational intervention on hypertension management by primary care physician: A randomized control trial.” PEC innovation vol. 4 100285. 28 Apr. 2024, doi:10.1016/j.pecinn.2024.100285

Abbreviations: BP – Blood Pressure, SBP – Systolic Blood Pressure, DBP – Diastolic Blood Pressure, RCT – Randomized Controlled Trial, CV – Cardiovascular, ECG – Electrocardiogram, MI – Myocardial Infarction

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Aurobindo Pharma arm gets marketing authorization in UK for Dyrupeg

Hyderabad: Aurobindo Pharma Ltd wholly owned step-down subsidiary CuraTeQ Biologics has obtained
marketing authorization from the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for
Dyrupeg, its pegylated filgrastim biosimilar version.

Earlier in April 2025, Dyrupeg received marketing
authorization in the European Union from the European Commission (EC).

This is CuraTeQ’s third
biosimilar to be approved by MHRA after the approval of Bevqolva in December 2024 and Zefylti in May
2025.

Aurobindo Pharma Limited, is an integrated global pharmaceutical company headquartered in Hyderabad, India. The Company develops, manufactures, and commercializes a wide range of generic pharmaceuticals, branded specialty pharmaceuticals and active pharmaceutical ingredients globally in over 150 countries. The company has 30+ manufacturing and packaging facilities that are approved by leading regulatory agencies including USFDA, UK MHRA, EDQM, Japan PMDA, WHO, Health Canada, South Africa MCC, Brazil ANVISA. The Company’s product portfolio is spread over seven major therapeutic/product areas encompassing CNS, Anti-Retroviral, CVS, Antibiotics, Gastroenterological, Anti-Diabetics and AntiAllergic, supported by a strong R&D set-up.

Read also: Aurobindo Pharma arm Curateq Biologics incorporates new wholly owned subsidiary in Netherlands

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Common pregnancy complications may be signals of future stroke risk

Women who experience complications during pregnancy face a higher risk of stroke in the following decades, according to research published in the European Heart Journal.

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Phase III trial shows gene therapy skin grafts help heal chronic wounds in blistering skin disease

Skin grafts genetically engineered from a patient’s own cells can heal persistent wounds in people with an extremely painful dermatologic disease, a Stanford Medicine-led clinical trial has shown. The grafts treat severe dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, or EB, a genetic condition in which the skin is so fragile the slightest touch can cause blistering and wounds, eventually leading to large, open lesions that never heal and are immensely painful.

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‘Pill-on-a-thread’ could replace endoscopies for half of all patients being monitored for esophageal cancer risk

Endoscopies could be replaced by far less invasive capsule sponge tests for half of all patients with Barrett’s esophagus, a known precursor to esophageal cancer, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke’s Hospital and Queen Mary University of London. The research was published in The Lancet.

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Zoning out could be beneficial—and may actually help us learn faster

Aimlessly wandering around a city or exploring the new mall may seem unproductive, but new research from HHMI’s Janelia Research Campus suggests it could play an important role in how our brains learn.

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Heart valve for young children shines in early-stage preclinical testing

Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have successfully performed preclinical laboratory testing of a replacement heart valve intended for toddlers and young children with congenital cardiac defects, a key step toward obtaining approval for human use. The results of their study were published recently in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

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