Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy in Management of Temporomandibular Joint Pain: A Double Blind and Placebo Controlled Trial.

Background: Stomatognathic system is an interaction of the muscles of mastication, dentition, neural component, and temporomandibular joint. Any dysfunction in this system may lead to temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). Various non-surgical modalities have been employed for treating TMDs. Aim and objectives: The aim of the study was to objectively evaluate the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in treatment of patients with TMDs. Materials and Methods: Sixty individuals diagnosed with TMDs were divided randomly into two groups (Group I-placebo and Group II -LLLT). A series of 20 sessions of LLLT applied both in closed mouth and maximum mouth opening position were given over a period of 08 weeks. Assessment was done in terms of improvement in mouth opening, pain, clicking, and deviation of mandible. The data collected were analyzed statistically. Results: The results showed improvement in the pain reduction, improvement in the maximum mouth opening, reduction in deviation, and clicking in both groups but better treatment outcome in the low-level laser group. Conclusion: Though conservative measures improved the symptoms in TMD but LLLT has shown better results in comparison with the placebo group. Being non-surgical can be employed in combination with other modes for effectively treating such disorders. Keywords: Pain, Dysfunction, Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs), Low-level laser therapy (LLLT).

Effect of conducting polymer poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) nanotubes on electro-optical and dielectric properties of a ferroelectric liquid crystal.

A detailed comparative study of the dielectric and electro-optical properties of a ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) and FLC after having doped with conducting polymer Poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) nanotubes is done. The electro-optic study reveals a lower electrical response time, rotational viscosity and spontaneous polarization in the FLC/PEDOT nanocomposite system. By fitting the capacitance with voltage in a Preisach model, four dipolar species in both FLC and composites system have been obtained. The orientation of the four dipolar species in the composites system is such that the effective dipole moment in the transverse direction of the FLC molecule is less than that in FLC compound.

Changes in posterior airway space and mandibular plane hyoid distance following mandibular advancement DO.

AIM: To study the changes in posterior airway space (PAS) and mandibular plane hyoid (MPH) distance following mandibular advancement using distraction osteogenesis (DO). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted at a tertiary care dental center from May 2009 to May 2014. Twenty-five consecutively operated patients of mandibular hypoplasia who underwent mandibular advancement using distraction with at least 12 months follow-up were included in the study. The study group comprised 15 males and 10 females with an age range of 15-30 years (mean 22 years). Presurgical and postsurgical cephalometric changes were compared to determine the changes in PAS and MPH distance. RESULTS: The mean distraction achieved was 14.50 mm. The mean preoperative MPH was 18.88 mm and mean postoperative MPH was 13.16 mm with a resultant reduction by 32%. Mean preoperative PAS was 6.48 mm and mean postoperative PAS was 11.08 mm. Mean increase in PAS was 75%. Mean preoperative and postoperative SNB values were 75.4° and 79.52°, respectively. The results were statistically analyzed using paired "Student's t-test." CONCLUSION: From this study, it is concluded that statistically significant changes were achieved in MPH and SNB. Although change in PAS was statistically insignificant, it may have clinical applications, especially in the field of Phase II surgical management of obstructive sleep apnea.

Effect of a copper intrauterine contraceptive device and nylon suture on the estradiol 17beta-6, 7-H3 and progesterone 1, 2-H3 in the rat uterus.

PIP: Copper wire or nylon suture was inserted in 1 horn of rats and their uterin were subsequently studied to determined the effect of these IUDs on in vitro estradiol-17beta, 6,7-tritiated and progesterone 1,2-tritiated. Control horns took up significancy more (p .01) estradiol than either copper or nylon IUD-fitted horns. The copper IUD horn showed an increase (p .01) in progesterone uptake while the nylon IUD horn showed a decrease (p .01) in progesterone uptake. The estrogen to progesterone ratio in uptake of the control and IUD horn of the nylon IUD-fitted rats had significantly less (p .01) uptake of both progesterone and estradiol compared to either copper or nylon IUD-fitted rats.^ieng

Characterization of anti-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine antibodies elicited through haptenated liposomes.

Antiserum was raised in rabbits against p-aminophenyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucoside covalently coupled to phosphatidylaminoethanol-containing lecithin liposomes. The affinity-purified antibodies were found to be IgM. The properties of the antibodies were studied by ligand inhibition of quantitative precipitation, fluorescence titration with 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose, and complement lysis of haptenated liposomes.

Stability of Cleft maxilla in Le Fort I Maxillary advancement.

CONTEXT: Le Fort 1 maxillary osteotomy in operated patients of cleft lip and cleft palate (CLCP). AIMS: To study stability of Le Fort 1 maxillary osteotomy in operated patients of CLCP by two-dimensional evaluation using cephalometric analysis. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Prospective study conducted at Army Dental Centre (Research and Referral) from May 2009-May 2012. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects included nine consecutively operated patients of CLCP with maxillary hypoplasia. Maxillary advancement by Le Fort 1 maxillary step osteotomy was performed. There were four males and five females with an age range of 16-18 years and follow-up range was 12-36 months. Presurgical and postsurgical changes were compared using cephalometrics for orthognathic surgery (COGS) system to determine stability of maxillary movement and quantify amount of relapse at 15 days and 12 months. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Student's t-test. RESULTS: Mean linear horizontal advancement achieved along nasion (N) to anterior nasal spine (ANS) with reference to true vertical plane at 15 days and 12 months was 5.17 and 3.91 mm, respectively. The mean relapse in anteroposterior dimension was 21.63%. The mean vertical displacement observed along nasion and ANS with reference to true horizontal plane at 15 days and 12 months was 5.21 mm and 3.2, respectively with a resultant relapse of 41.54%. CONCLUSIONS: Based on clinical and COGS analysis, it is evident that Le Fort 1 advancement in operated cases of CLCP has inherent potential for relapse.

Purification and characterization of the 16-kDa heat-shock-responsive protein from the thermophilic cyanobacterium Synechococcus vulcanus, which is an alpha-crystallin-related, small heat shock protein.

A 16-kDa protein, one of the major proteins that accumulates upon heat-shock treatment in the thermophilic cyanobacterium Synechococcus vulcanus, was purified to apparent homogeneity. The N-terminal and internal amino acid sequences of the protein exhibited a homology to the alpha-crystallin-related, small heat shock proteins from other organisms. The protein was designated HspA. Size-exclusion chromatography and nondenaturing gel electrophoresis demonstrated that HspA formed a large homo-oligomer consisting of 24 subunits. It prevented the aggregation of porcine malic dehydrogenase at 45 degrees C and 50 degrees C and citrate synthase at 50 degrees C. The activity of the malic dehydrogenase, however, was not protected under these heat-shock conditions or reactivated after a shift in temperature from 45 or 50 degrees C to 21 degrees C. HspA was able to enhance the refolding of chemically denatured rabbit muscle lactate dehydrogenase in an ATP-independent manner. A homologue to the 16-kDa protein was also found to be induced upon heat-shock treatment in the mesophilic cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803.

Unusual presentation of schwannoma.

Schwannomas are slow growing benign tumours arising from the nerve sheath. Two cases of schwannoma arising from the vagus nerve are presented here. One case was found in a 6-year-old boy and another one in a 30-year-old man. In the first case the tumour was detected on the left side of the neck just below the angle of the mandible, and in the second case it was found on the lower part of the right side of the neck. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis as first one to be of Antoni-A type and the second one to be of Antoni-B type. Both the tumours were excised and on follow-up the patients were doing well.

Environmental pollution in rural areas of Orissa state due to industrial emissions--with special reference to fluoride.

Angul - Talcher belt in Central Orissa, having a number of industries contributing to a great extent to deteriorate the air quality of the surrounding villages. Previous reports showed higher SPM, SO2, NO, levels in air and prevalence of respiratory illness, skin and teeth disorders among village population. Higher ground water fluoride, urine and serum fluoride among the cattle were also reported in some villages. Present study reports SPM, SO2, NOx and Fluorides (gaseous and Particulate) in ambient air around aluminium smelter during February and August 1996. High volume sampling technique for SPM and the standard colorimetric methods (BIS) for analyses of SO2 and NOx were adopted. Fluoride in air and water were estimated by standard fluoride ion selective electrode method. Higher SPM, SO2 and NOx values than prescribed CPCB standard were obtained in February. Gaseous fluoride in village air were varied between, 1.66 - 7.64 mg/m3 in February and 1.11 - 22.75 mg/m3 in August, whereas particulate fluoride ranged between, 0.054 - 19.61 mg/m3. Water sources of the villages near the smelter showed fluoride values above permissible limit. The study indicated higher fluoride pollution in air and water of the surrounding villages.