Revisiting the cytotoxicity of quantum dots: an in-depth overview.

Recently, medical research has been shifting its focus to nanomedicine and nanotherapeutics in the pursuit of drug development research. Quantum dots (QDs) are a critical class of nanomaterials due to their unique properties, which include optical, electronic, and engineered biocompatibility in physiological environments. These properties have made QDs an attractive biomedical resource such that they have found application as both in vitro labeling and in vivo theranostic (therapy-diagnostic) agents. Considerable research has been conducted exploring the suitability of QDs in theranostic applications, but the cytotoxicity of QDs remains an obstacle. Several types of QDs have been investigated over the past decades, which may be suitable for use in biomedical applications if the barrier of cytotoxicity can be resolved. This review attempts to report and analyze the cytotoxicity of the major QDs along with relevant related aspects.

Silicon Quantum Dots: Promising Theranostic Probes for the Future.

Nanotechnology has emerged as one of the leading research areas involving nanoscale manipulation of atoms and molecules. During the past decade, the growth of nanotechnology has been one of the most important developments that have taken place in the biomedical field. The new generation nanomaterials like Quantum dots are gaining much importance. Also, there is a growing interest in the development of nano-theranostics platforms in medical diagnostics, biomedical imaging, drug delivery, etc. Quantum dots are also known as nanoscale semiconductor crystals, with unique electronic and optical properties. Recently, silicon quantum dots are being studied extensively due to their less-toxic, inert nature and ease of surface modification. The silicon quantum dots (2-10nm) are comparatively stable, having optical properties of silicon nanocrystals. This review focuses on silicon quantum dots and their various biomedical applications like drug delivery regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Also, the processes involved in their modification for various biomedical applications along with future aspects are discussed.

Cone beam computed tomography - know its secrets.

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is an advanced imaging modality that has high clinical applications in the field of dentistry. CBCT proved to be a successful investigative modality that has been used for dental and maxillofacial imaging. Radiation exposure dose from CBCT is 10 times less than from conventional CT scans during maxillofacial exposure. Furthermore, CBCT is highly accurate and can provide a three-dimensional volumetric data in axial, sagittal and coronal planes. This article describes the basic technique, difference in CBCT from CT and main clinical applications of CBCT.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy: An adjuvant pain controlling modality in TMD patients - A clinical study.

BACKGROUND: The use of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in dentistry was first described in 1967, by Shane and Kessler, but it has yet to gain widespread acceptance in dentistry. A study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of TENS therapy as an adjuvant modality and to compare it with the conventional medication in controlling pain in temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out in the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Yenepoya Dental College and Hospital, Mangalore. A total of 40 patients with the clinical symptom of pain associated with TMDs were randomly divided into two groups. Group A (control) patients were treated with medication (analgesics and muscle relaxants) alone, while group B patients were treated with TENS therapy in combination with medication. The intensity of the pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The results were analyzed with the student's 't' test. A P-value < 0.05 was considered as significant. RESULTS: A significant improvement was observed in both the TENS and the control group in terms of pain control. On comparative analysis, adjuvant TENS therapy was found to be more effective than medication alone, in controlling pain. (P value = 0.019). CONCLUSION: The observed data suggest that TENS therapy can be used as an adjuvant modality in the management of pain associated with TMDs. This study justifies the use of TENS therapy in the management of TMD.

Partial expression of the Papillon-Lefevre syndrome.

Papillon-Lefevre Syndrome (PLS) is a rare autosomal recessive genodermatosis characterized by palmar-plantar hyperkeratosis, and destructive periodontitis. It is transmitted with an estimated frequency of one to four per million individuals. The two hallmarks of the syndrome, dermatological lesions and destructive periodontitis, are known to occur as an independent diseases. We present a unique case of Papillon-Lefevre syndrome in a 28 years old woman with its pathognomonic dermatological features without oral features.