Oral Candidal Load and Oral Health Status in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Patients: A Case-Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the candidal load of the patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and evaluate the oral health status of subjects with COPD. Material and Methods. N = 112 COPD subjects and N = 100 control subjects were included in the study. The selection of COPD cases was confirmed based on the set criteria from the American College of Physicians. The oral health status was assessed as per WHO criteria to determine the score of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT), significant caries index (SiC), community periodontal index and treatment needs (CPITN), and oral hygiene index-simplified (OHI-S). Gram staining was performed to identify Candida using the whole saliva. Quantitative evaluation of the candidal load was carried out using Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA). Chrome agar was used to differentiate between the commensal carriages. A statistical analysis paired t-test and 95% confidence interval (CI) for proportions was carried out using STATA software. RESULTS: Candidal growth was found in 21.42% (n = 24) of COPD cases and 1.1% (n = 11) of control cases (p < 0.05) (95% CI 0.45, 0.59). The DMFT score was 8.26 in COPD subjects and 4.6 in controls, the SiC score was 16.42 in COPD subjects and 10.25 in controls, and the CPITN score for both COPD and control cases was score 2. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, there was a higher candidal load among subjects suffering from COPD. Theophylline medication can be a risk factor for increased candidal load in COPD patients.

Radionuclide activity concentration in soil, granites and water in a fluorosis endemic area of India: An oral health perspective.

BACKGROUND: The idea that hilly areas have a high background radiation which in turn is linked to dental fluorosis is widely held by many in India. There is little evidence to confirm this. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to investigate the level of environmental radionuclide in order to determine any interrelationship between radionuclide and dental fluorosis in Pavagada, a fluorosis endemic area of Karnataka, India. METHODS: Gamma radionuclides (Th232, Ra226 and K40) were determined by high purity germanium (HPGe) gamma-ray spectrometer (Bq Kg-1) using a 50% relative efficiency p-type broad energy HPGe detector. Fluoride was estimated using fluoride Ion-selective electrode (ISE). Fluorosis was assessed using WHO diagnostic criteria. RESULTS: The average mean +_SD activity concentration in soil for K40 was detected between 416.6 ± 9.3 and 769.1 ± 15.0. Th232 was estimated between 13.6 ± 0.6 and 57.6 ± 1.3; and Ra226 was found between 6.4 ± 0.4 and 21.6 ± 0.7. Similarly, the mean activity concentration detected (Bq kg-1) in granite for K40 ranged between 259.8 ± 6.9 and 1608.5 ± 26.9. The activity concentration of Th232 ranged between 26.4 ± 0.8 and 57.6 ± 1.3: and that of Ra226 was between 6.6 ± 0.3 and 21.6 ± 07. Drinking water contains 2.98 ppm of fluoride. Dental fluorosis was diagnosed as mild to moderate. CONCLUSION: The radionuclide activity in water, soil and granites were below the detection limit. Hence, the study revealed no association of fluorosis and radionuclide level in Pavagada, Karnataka, India. This helps resolve an ambiguity.

Dental anxiety in first- and final-year Indian dental students.

OBJECTIVES: The study aims to investigate dental anxiety in first- and final-year undergraduate dental students in India. DESIGN: Questionnaire Study Setting: BDS Students in four University dental colleges in India carried-out during 2013 and 2014. SUBJECTS MATERIALS AND METHODS: The students (n = 614) were assessed using a pre-tested questionnaire. We estimated the level of dental anxiety by using the Modified-Dental-Anxiety-Scale (MDAS). ANCOVA and Mann-Whitney U, and Chi-squared contingency tests were employed to analyze the extensive dataset acquired. Univariate clustering analysis and principal component regression were also applied. Students had similar demographic and lifestyle patterns. INTERVENTIONS: Assessments of the level of dental anxiety amongst undergraduate dental students. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mean ± SD MDAS scores for first- and final-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) students were 12.96 ± 4.00 and 10.54 ± 3.41, respectively. RESULTS: Six hundred and fourteen (n = 614) students from four dental colleges were included in this study. In total 77% were female (n = 478) and 23% were male (n = 136). The mean age of the first- and final-year students were 18.31 and 21.54 years, respectively. First-year BDS students had dental anxiety score (Mean ± SD 12.96 ± 4.00) compared to that of the final year (10.54 ± 3.41), a difference which was very highly statistically significant (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Dental anxiety was moderately higher amongst first year BDS students over that of final-year students but it is lesser than the dental phobic threshold level.

Antibacterial activity of new atraumatic restorative treatment materials incorporated with Azadirachta indica (Neem) against Streptococcus mutans.

BACKGROUND: The antibacterial property of new atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) materials incorporated with Azadirachta indica (Neem) on Streptococcus mutans was carried out. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out by using the agar diffusion method to determine the antibacterial property of ART materials (ART-I and ART-II). The zone of inhibition was tabulated, and the data was statistically analyzed using the student t-test. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of the ethanolic extract of Neem were recorded. RESULTS: The MIC and MBC of the mixture of the ethanolic extract of Neem was 3.13% and 12.5% respectively. The zone of inhibition of ART-I and ART-II was 11.81 mm and 11.97 mm respectively. Significant differences were observed between these two ART materials (P = 0,08). CONCLUSION: Both the new ART materials i.e. ART-I and ART-II have considerable antibacterial activity against S. mutans.

Factors influencing fluoride release in atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) materials: A review.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this article was to review the fluoride release and uptake ability of some restorative materials which are used for minimally invasive procedures. METHODS: The literature search on published researches and review articles were carried out by using PubMed, Trip and Cochrane library databases. The search terms used were fluoride, restorative materials, atraumatic restorative treatment or ART, glass ionomer or GIC, resin modified glass ionomer cement or RMGIC. The articles included were between 2000 and 2015. CONCLUSION: Fluoride release varies with m factors including the type of restorative materials used and also the media in which it is stored. Fluoride uptake is dependent on the type of the cement and the availability of fluoride including fluoride releasing capacity in the material.

Mutagenicity potential (affect) of new atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) material incorporated with Azadirachta indica (Neem) against Salmonella typhimurium.

BACKGROUND: The mutagenicity potential of a new atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) material against Salmonella typhimurium without metabolic activity using the Ames test (genotoxicity) was carried out. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The potential mutagenicity of new atraumatic restorative treatment materials (ART-I and ART-II) was analyzed using the Ames test. The materials were eluted in dimethyl sulphoxide, 0.9% NaCl solution and sterilized de-ionized water and the aliquots were used after an incubation period of 24 h at 37 °C. Mutagenic effects of the materials were tested on Salmonella typhimurium strains TA 98 and TA 100 using the standard assay, and in absence of S9 fraction from rat liver. RESULT: No mutagenic effects were detected for these new ART materials on S. typhimurium TA100. The incubated DMSO extract and 0.9% NaCl extract (50 µl/plate) of the ART-I exhibited a weak mutagenic potential on S. typhimurium TA 98. In particular, Aqua extract (50 µl/plate) of ART-II, was associated with a weak mutagenic potential on S. typhimurium TA98. CONCLUSION: Both ART materials (ART-I and II) exhibited weak mutagenic effects on S. typhimurium TA98 whereas no mutagenic effect was detected on S. typhimurium TA100. ART-II is safer than ART-I.

Fluoride in fish flesh, fish bone and regular diet in south-coastal area of Karnataka state of India.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the study was to estimate the fluoride content in regular food items available, including fish, in a coastal area of the South Karnataka state of India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fish and food samples were collected from a local market, i.e., Deralakatte, Mangalore of Karnataka State, India. Commonly consumed different species of fish (eight types are included in the study) and popular food items (twelve types) were collected through a random sampling strategy and then processed for the study. The flesh and bones of fish were separated from individual fish. Samples of flesh, bones, and food (nonfish, vegetarian food consumed by a proportion of Karnataka population) were homogenized separately, dried, and the pH of the processed samples was adjusted to neutrality (pH 7.0). Fluoride anion was determined using a fluoride ion selective electrode (ISE, Nico2000 Ltd., UK). Although the ingredients of the different fish and food items explored differed, the same processing technique and analytical laboratory bench-work procedure were performed for each sample, i.e., as per published research elsewhere. This ensured the accurate estimation of fluoride for each food item. RESULTS: Concentrations of fluoride in foods (Nonfish, vegetarian food) was estimated to ranging from 0.85 to 7.09 ppm and that in fish samples ranged from 1.45 to 2.30 ppm. The highest concentration was estimated 3.16 ppm in Rohu fish flesh, and 7 ppm in rava dosa (a vegetarian food). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the Rohu (Labeo rohita) fish species were found to contain higher concentrations of bone fluoride. Fluoride determined in fish flesh was also high in concentration 2.28 ppm. Among the regular food items, rava dosa (a thin and crispy crepe made from rava and rice flour) preparation has a higher level of fluoride. These values would provide valid information regarding the future development of recommended dietary allowance strategy for a population.

Spatial distribution mapping of drinking water fluoride levels in Karnataka, India: fluoride-related health effects.

OBJECTIVES: (1) To estimate the concentrations of fluoride in drinking water throughout different zones and districts of the state of Karnataka. (2) To investigate the variation of fluoride concentration in drinking water from different sources, and its relationships to daily temperature and rainfall status in the regional districts. (3) To develop an updated fluoride concentration intensity map of the state of Karnataka, and to evaluate these data in the context of fluoride-related health effects such as fluorosis and their prevalence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Aqueous standard solutions of 10, 100 and 1,000 ppm fluoride (F-) were prepared with analytical grade Na+/F- and a buffer; TISAB II was incorporated in both calibration standard and analysis solutions in order to remove the potentially interfering effects of trace metal ions. This analysis was performed using an ion-selective electrode (ISE), and mean determination readings for n = 5 samples collected at each Karnataka water source were recorded. RESULTS: The F- concentration in drinking water in Karnataka state was found to vary substantially, with the highest mean values recorded being in the north-eastern zone (1.61 ppm), and the lowest in the south-western one (only 0.41 ppm). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) demonstrated that there were very highly significant 'between-zone' and 'between-districts-within-zones' sources of variation (p < 10-5-10-9), results consistent with a substantial spatial variance of water source F- levels within this state. CONCLUSIONS: The southern part of Karnataka has low levels of F- in its drinking water, and may require fluoridation treatment in order to mitigate for dental caries and further ailments related to fluoride deficiency. However, districts within the north-eastern region have contrastingly high levels of fluoride, an observation which has been linked to dental and skeletal fluorosis. This highlights a major requirement for interventional actions in order to ensure maintenance of the recommended range of fluoride concentrations (0.8-1.5 ppm) in Karnataka's drinking water sources.

Phytoestrogens and prevention of breast cancer: The contentious debate.

Phytoestrogens have multiple actions within target cells, including the epigenome, which could be beneficial to the development and progression of breast cancer. In this brief review the action of phytoestrogens on oestrogen receptors, cell signalling pathways, regulation of the cell cycle, apoptosis, steroid synthesis and epigenetic events in relation to breast cancer are discussed. Phytoestrogens can bind weakly to oestrogen receptors (ERs) and some have a preferential affinity for ERß which can inhibit the transcriptional growth-promoting activity of ERα. However only saturating doses of phytoestrogens, stimulating both ERα and ß, exert growth inhibitory effects. Such effects on growth may be through phytoestrogens inhibiting cell signalling pathways. Phytoestrogens have also been shown to inhibit cyclin D1 expression but increase the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (p21 and p27) and the tumour suppressor gene p53. Again these effects are only observed at high (> 10) µmol/L doses of phytoestrogens. Finally the effects of phytoestrogens on breast cancer may be mediated by their ability to inhibit local oestrogen synthesis and induce epigenetic changes. There are, though, difficulties in reconciling epidemiological and experimental data due to the fact experimental doses, both in vivo and in vitro, far exceed the circulating concentrations of "free" unbound phytoestrogens measured in women on a high phytoestrogen diet or those taking phytoestrogen supplements.

Khaini chewing damages chromosomes 2q, 3p and 21q: occurrence in a South Asian population.

Chewing Khaini damages chromosomes, in the form of loss of heterozygosity (LOH), identified on the long arm of chromosome 2 (2q), the short arm of chromosome 3 (3p) and the long arm of chromosome 21 (21q) of oral cancer cases who had quid chewing habit of more than 10 years duration, and chewed 10-15 times a day.