Design of Highly Selective Zn-Coordinated Polyampholyte for Cancer Treatment and Inhibition of Tumor Metastasis.

Developing anticancer agents with negligible cytotoxicity against normal cells while mitigating multidrug resistance and metastasis is challenging. Previously reported cationic polymers have effectively eradicated cancers but are clinically unsuitable due to their limited selectivity. Herein, a series of poly(l-lysine)- and nicotinic acid-based polymers were synthesized using varying amounts of dodecylsuccinic anhydride. Zn-coordinating polymers concealed their cationic charge and enhanced selectivity. These Zn-bound polymers were highly effective against liver and colon cancer cells (HepG2 and Colon 26, respectively) and prevented cancer cell migration. They also displayed potent anticancer activity against drug-resistant cell lines (COR-L23/R): their cationic structure facilitated cancer cell membrane disruption. Compared to these polymers, doxorubicin was less selective and less efficacious against drug-resistant cell lines and was unable to prevent cell migration. These polymers are potential cancer treatment agents, offering a promising solution for mitigating drug resistance and tumor metastasis and representing a novel approach to designing cancer therapeutics.

Design of an Ice Recrystallization-Inhibiting Polyampholyte-Containing Graft Polymer for Inhibition of Protein Aggregation.

Freezing-induced damage to proteins, through osmotic stress and ice recrystallization, during protein processing and long-term storage is a serious concern and may lead to loss of protein activity owing to denaturation. In this study, graft copolymers composed of a cryoprotective polymer (capable of preventing osmotic stress) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA; known for its high ice recrystallization inhibition (IRI) property) were developed. The polymers had high IRI activity, albeit slightly lower than that of PVA alone, but substantially higher than that of succinylated ε-poly-l-lysine (PLLSA) alone. The graft polymers showed an efficiency higher than that of PVA or PLLSA alone in protecting proteins from multiple freeze-thaw cycles, as well as during prolonged freezing, indicating a synergy between PVA and PLLSA. The PLLSA-based graft polymer is a promising material for use in protein biopharmaceutics for the long-term storage of proteins under freezing conditions.

Addition of clonidine to bupivacaine in transversus abdominis plane block prolongs postoperative analgesia after cesarean section.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The aim was to compare duration of postoperative analgesia with addition of clonidine to bupivacaine in bilateral transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block after lower segment cesarean section (LSCS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade I and II pregnant patients undergoing LSCS under spinal anesthesia were randomly divided to receive either 20 ml bupivacaine 0.25% (Group B; n = 50) or 20 ml bupivacaine+1ug/kg clonidine bilaterally (Group BC; n = 50) in TAP block in a double-blind fashion. The total duration of analgesia, patient satisfaction score, total requirement of analgesics in the first 24 h, and the side effects of clonidine such as sedation, dryness of mouth, hypotension, and bradycardia were observed. P < 0.05 was taken as significant. RESULTS: In 99 patients analyzed, TAP block failed in five patients. Duration of analgesia was significantly longer in Group BC (17.8 ± 3.7 h) compared to Group B (7.3 ± 1.2 h; P < 0.01). Mean consumption of diclofenac was 150 mg and 65.4 mg in Groups B and BC (P < 0.01), respectively. All patients in Group BC were extremely satisfied (P < 0.01) while those in Group B were satisfied. Thirteen patients (28%) in Group BC were sedated but arousable (P = 0.01) compared to none in Group B. In Group BC, 19 patients complained of dry mouth compared to 13 in Group B (P = 0.121). None of the patients experienced hypotension or bradycardia. CONCLUSION: Addition of clonidine 1 µg/kg to 20 ml bupivacaine 0.25% in TAP block bilaterally for cesarean section significantly increases the duration of postoperative analgesia, decreases postoperative analgesic requirement, and increases maternal comfort compared to 20 ml of bupivacaine 0.25% alone.

Gout Arthritis of Temporomandibular Joint - A Rare Case Report and Review of Literature.

ABSTRACT: Gout is a metabolic disorder that leads to elevated serum uric acid levels and deposition of urate crystals in the joints. The disease is usually confined to the joint space and leads to pain and limitation of jaw opening. The case describes a 45-year-old female patient with a chief complaint of 'occasional pain in the left temporal muscle region'. The case disclosed a gout manifestation in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) after physical and radiographic findings. Gout manifestation in the TMJ is an unusual presentation and a few reports in the English literature address the subject. Gout in the TMJ should be included as a differential diagnosis for joint disorders because of its rarity. A clinician may overlook gout involving the TMJ in the differential diagnosis of facial pain even when the patient has received a diagnosis of gout in other joints.

Enhanced terahertz emission by coherent optical absorption in ultrathin semiconductor films on metals.

We report on the surprisingly strong, broadband emission of coherent terahertz pulses from ultrathin layers of semiconductors such as amorphous silicon, germanium and polycrystalline cuprous oxide deposited on gold, upon illumination with femtosecond laser pulses. The strength of the emission is surprising because the materials are considered to be bad (amorphous silicon and polycrystalline cuprous oxide) or fair (amorphous germanium) terahertz emitters at best. We show that the strength of the emission is partly explained by cavity-enhanced optical absorption. This forces most of the light to be absorbed in the depletion region of the semiconductor/metal interface where terahertz generation occurs. For an excitation wavelength of 800 nm, the strongest terahertz emission is found for a 25 nm thick layer of amorphous germanium, a 40 nm thick layer of amorphous silicon and a 420 nm thick layer of cuprous oxide, all on gold. The emission from cuprous oxide is similar in strength to that obtained with optical rectification from a 300 µm thick gallium phosphide crystal. As an application of our findings we demonstrate how such thin films can be used to turn standard optical components, such as paraboloidal mirrors, into self-focusing terahertz emitters.

Polyampholyte-Based Polymer Hydrogels for the Long-Term Storage, Protection and Delivery of Therapeutic Proteins.

Protein storage and delivery are crucial for biomedical applications such as protein therapeutics and recombinant proteins. Lack of proper protocols results in the denaturation of proteins, rendering them inactive and manifesting undesired side effects. In this study, polyampholyte-based (succinylated ε-poly-l-lysine) hydrogels containing polyvinyl alcohol and polyethylene glycol polymer matrices to stabilize proteins are developed. These hydrogels facilitated the loading and release of therapeutic amounts of proteins and withstood thermal and freezing stress (15 freeze-thaw cycles and temperatures of -80 °C and 37 °C), without resulting in protein denaturation and aggregation. To the best of our knowledge, this strategy has not been applied to the design of hydrogels constituting polymers, (in particular, polyampholyte-based polymers) which have inherent efficiency to stabilize proteins and protect them from denaturation. Our findings can open up new avenues in protein biopharmaceutics for the design of materials that can store therapeutic proteins long-term under severe stress and safely deliver them.

Palatal rugae as an unique and stable marker in personal identification-An interracial pilot study.

Background: In post-mortem scenarios, often it is a very difficult process to establish a person's identity. Rugae are unique in that they are protected from trauma as they are insulated from heat by tongue and buccal pad of fat unlike fingerprint or lip print that is prone to destruction. Aim and Objectives: This study was aimed to compare the palatal rugae among people of different races. The sole objectives of the study were to assess the predominant pattern in the selected groups, reliability of rugae pattern in personal identification, to evaluate reliability of sex determination and to compare the total number of rugae on right and left sides of the palate among the males and females. Study Design: A total of 90 subjects were enrolled into the study and divided into three groups that are African, Dravidian and Mongoloid population. Shapes of rugae present were analyzed according to the classification given by Kapali et al. (1997) and Thomas & Kotze (1983). Result: The predominant rugae shape in African and Dravidian population was wavy pattern, whereas Mongoloid race was predominant in curve pattern. African and Dravidian males were predominant in wavy pattern when compared to Mongoloid males where unification type was more predominant. Conclusion: A statistically significant association between the rugae shape in three populations exists, although subtle yet definite.

Assessment of Morphological Variations of the Coronoid Process, Condyle, and Sigmoid Notch as an Adjunct in Personal Identification Using Orthopantomograms Among the North Indian Population.

AIM: The aim of this study is to assess morphological variations of the coronoid process, condyle, and sigmoid notch as an adjunct in personal identification using orthopantomograms among the North Indian population. METHODOLOGY: The study sample (n=240) was distributed into four age groups: Group I: 30 males and 30 females aged 10-19 years, Group II: 30 males and 30 females aged 20-29 years, Group III: 30 males and 30 females aged 30-39 years, and Group IV: 30 males and 30 females aged 40-59 years. All were subjected to panoramic radiographs. The different morphological forms of the coronoid process, condyle, and sigmoid notch were evaluated. RESULTS: The results showed that across all age groups, angular condyles were the most common kind of condyle in males, followed by round and convex types. The present study found that the coronoid process typically takes on a triangle shape across all ages and sexes. Additionally, the vast majority of cases were triangular on both sides, and this was true across both sexes. It was found in this study that the sigmoid notch most commonly took the form of a larger notch, followed by a rounder notch. CONCLUSION: Using panoramic photos to portray the different morphologies of the coronoid process, condyle, and sigmoid notch can be a much simpler and faster method of identifying an individual, especially in the event of a mass disaster, so long as antemortem data are kept. The method of radiographic identification of individuals has recently gained prominence due to its efficacy. Radiographs like these can be invaluable in forensic dentistry, where they can help unearth previously hidden evidence if premortem records are retained. As a potential approach for individual identification among our population, panoramic radiographs were used to investigate the varying morphological forms of the coronoid process, condyle, and sigmoid notch.

Mechanistic insights and importance of hydrophobicity in cationic polymers for cancer therapy.

Development of molecules that can be effectively used for killing cancer cells remains a research topic of interest in drug discovery. However, various limitations of small molecules and nanotechnology-based drug-delivery systems hinder the development of chemotherapeutics. To resolve this issue, this study describes the potential application of polymeric molecules as anticancer drug candidates. We describe the design and synthesis of novel anticancer polymers containing hydrophobic groups. We established the fact that the cationic homopolymer (PAMPTMA) does not show any anticancer activity on its own; however, the insertion of hydrophobic moieties in copolymers (PAMPTMA-r-BuMA, PAMPTMA-r-HexMA, and PAMPTMA-r-OctMA) enhances their anticancer activity with a very low IC50 value (60 µg mL-1 for HepG2 cells). Mechanistic investigations were carried out using LDH leakage assay, cellular uptake, DOSY NMR and molecular dynamics to study the interaction between the polymer and the cell membrane as well as the role of hydrophobicity in enhancing this interaction. The results demonstrated that polymers are attracted by the anionic cancer cell membrane, which then leads to the insertion of hydrophobic groups inside the cell membrane, causing its disruption and ultimate lysis of the cell. This study demonstrates a novel and better approach for the rational design and discovery of new polymeric anticancer agents with improved efficacy.

A Rare Case of Central Odontogenic Fibroma of the Mandible.

The benign tumor central odontogenic fibroma (COF) accounts for less than 1% of all the existing odontogenic tumors. The mandibular or maxillary cortical plate is seen to show asymptotic diversification. It has been characterized as a benign jaw neoplasm. Radiographically, it primarily manifests as a multilocular radiolucency. Histologically, it comprises fibroblasts and mature collagen fibers. The popular choice for the management of COFs is enucleation, followed by the extraction of associated teeth. COFs have maintained a track record of showing rare chances of recurrence following surgery. COF was detected in a 38-year-old female who had edema in the lower right front tooth region. The lesion was surgically removed, and a histopathological examination was performed. Many case reports of COF have been stated in the literature. This indicates that cases of COF are not a rare appearance.

Radio-Morphometric Analysis of Sella Turcica in Relation to Age and Gender in Sri Ganganagar Population: A Prospective Cephalometric Study.

Background Sella turcica (ST) is a crucial structure that is morphologically situated in the median position and is well-utilised in cephalometrics. This saddle-shaped sella constitutes a significant radiographic landmark for various related analyses. Therefore, studying its varying dimensions in different populations is of utmost importance. This paper evaluates and compares the linear dimensions and morphological variations of ST in different facial skeletal classes in relation to age and gender using lateral cephalograms in the Sri Ganganagar population. Methodology The study population was selected through simple random sampling from the accessible population of the Sri Ganganagar district. A total of 180 participants of both genders were selected from patients who visited the outpatient clinic of the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology of Surendra Dental College and Research Institute in Sri Ganganagar. These samples were equally divided into three age groups. Apart from typical morphology, five possible variations of ST were determined. The area of ST on the lateral cephalogram was also evaluated. The extent of ST was calculated from the tubercle portion to the top of the dorsal side. The relative deepness of the sella was assessed by making a tangent across the innermost point of the sella. SPSS software was utilised for statistical analysis and related inferences. Results In the study sample (n = 180), 50% were men and 50% were women. The sample was divided into three equal groups based on age: Group I (n = 60; 33.33%) consisted of participants aged 15-20; Group II (n = 60; 33.33%) consisted of participants aged 21-25; and Group III (n = 60; 33.33%) consisted of participants aged 26-30. Conclusions The anteroposterior diameter of the sella structure is strongly related to age progression with no significant gender correlation. The most common shape of ST other than the normal one was oblique. Additionally, skeletal relationships showed a significant relationship with the shape of ST in the study population.

Evaluation of Oral Hygiene Status among 12-14-Year-Old School Children.

BACKGROUND: Oral diseases such as dental caries, gingivitis, and periodontitis are common among population. The present study was conducted to assess dental caries status and oral hygiene practice among school children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This school-based study was conducted on 520 children of age group of 12-14 years of both genders. Location, education, and employment status of parents, use of toothbrush, frequency of brushing, dental floss, total number of meals in a day, number of snacks between meals and sugar consumption, and decayed, missing, filled teeth were recorded. RESULTS: There were 266 males and 254 females. Age group 12 years had 80 males and 90 females, 13 years had 70 males and 60 females, and 14 years had 116 males and 104 females. Ninety-six males and 110 females were from urban and 170 males and 144 females were from rural. The mean plaque score in 12-year male children was 0.61 ± 0.32, in 13-year children was 0.68 ± 0.45, and in 14 years was 0.74 ± 0.48. In males, the mean plaque score was 0.70 ± 0.38 and in females was 0.66 ± 0.42. In children from urban area, the mean plaque score was 0.62 ± 0.34 and from rural area was 0.74 ± 0.40. Four hundred and eighteen children were using toothpaste and they had plaque score of 0.76 and 102 children were using floss and they had plaque score of 0.89. Three hundred and twenty children were brushing once, 90 twice, and 110 irregular and there mean plaque score was 0.70, 0.61, and 0.76, respectively. The difference was significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Authors found that oral health status of children consuming high sugar, more snacks per day, and brushing occasionally was poor.

Intraoperative mandibular nerve block with peripheral nerve stimulator for temporomandibular joint ankylosis.

We describe the use of peripheral nerve stimulator for mandibular nerve block intraoperatively in a 4.5year old child with complete temporomandibular joint ankyloses. The block was not possible preoperatively, therefore, it was administered after release of ankyloses. The use of peripheral nerve stimulator increased the chances of a successful block. No intraoperative analgesics and muscle relaxants were required. Postoperative pain relief was excellent. Peripheral nerve stimulator is an easy way of for accurate needle tip placement for mandibular nerve block in patients with distorted anatomy.

Primary chronic osteomyelitis in the mandible: a conservative approach.

Primary chronic osteomyelitis of the jaw is an uncommon non-suppurative, chronic inflammatory disease of unknown origin. It can manifest as early or adult onset and is characterised by lack of pus formation, fistula or bony sequestra formation. A 28-year-old woman presented with swelling on the left side of her mandible. On the basis of clinical, radiological and histological findings, primary chronic osteomyelitis was diagnosed. Surgical decortication and contouring of the affected bone was performed and no signs of recurrence were seen at 2-year follow-up. Hence we emphasise the importance of decortication over peripheral or segmental resection of the jaw for the treatment of primary chronic osteomyelitis since this procedure is less aggressive and more functionally and aesthetically acceptable.

Lateral sliding bridge flap technique along with platelet rich fibrin and guided tissue regeneration for root coverage.

Gingival recession is defined as the apical migration of the gingival margin with exposure of root surfaces. The etiology of the condition is multifactorial. Given the high rate of gingival recession defects among the general population, it is imperative that dental practitioners have an understanding of the etiology, complications and management of the condition. A recent innovation in dentistry is the preparation and use of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) for recession defects. The article presents a case report, which highlights the use of lateral sliding bridge flap along with PRF in a collagen membrane carrier (guided tissue regeneration) for the treatment of multiple recession defects.

Deep-neck space infections - a diagnostic dilemma!

Deep Neck Space Infections (DNI) are a potentially life threatening condition. This paper highlights the importance of their early diagnosis and early intervention. The deep-neck space infections may be odontogenic in origin. The severe airway compromise caused by them may make diagnosis difficult. Suspicion of simultaneous occurrence of tetanus and retropharyngeal space infection in a child can further increase the dilemma.