Valuation of Knowledge, Attitude, Practices of Tuberculosis among the Health Care Workers from Islamabad Pakistan.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) as a foremost infectious disease adds massive burden to morbidity and mortality rate, despite of well-structured TB control programs around the globe. Inappropriate health care management system and poor implementation on standard in relevance to TB, remain some reasons causative to TB prevalence and its rising antimicrobial resistance. Health Care Workers (HCWs) laboring as a part of TB control system, are the vital warriors in achieving the goals of TB End Strategy by 2035. Their performance is influenced by their knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) toward this infectious disease. This study aimed to signify the role of KAP score of health care Workers in the better control and prevention of TB in the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), Pakistan. METHODS: A cross-sectional study on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice study of Tuberculosis (TB) among health care Workers, was done in ICT, which is the capital of Pakistan. The KAP of TB was collected for the 306 Health Care Workers from all the Islamabad TB referring health facilities which refer the TB patients for testing to the National Reference Laboratory, Islamabad Pakistan. Eligible health care workers were requested to respond on KAP questionnaire after informed consent. KAP questionnaire comprised of knowledge, attitude, and practices section including demographic information. All the data was analyzed using IBM SPSS statistics 21. One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was applied to calculate KAP mean score against different variables. On the significant data sets of ANOVA output, Tukey's Multiple Comparison Test was applied for pairwise comparison. Pearson correlation coefficient was utilized to explore the association between two qualitative variables. The non-parametric tests were applied to evaluate difference of KAP score in relation to demographic covariates individually. RESULTS: From June to July 2023, we conducted TB KAP study among Health Care Workers of ICT, Pakistan. The average age was 33 years (range 26-30 years). Majority of the recruited subjects were not being trained for dealing with TB infection. The results demonstrated that Health Care Workers working were lacking their knowledge about mode of TB transmission, best diagnostic technique, and contraction of TB infections. The mean knowledge, attitude and practices mean scores were 15.05 (SD =3.96), 83.68 (SD =15.74) and 6.31 (SD =2.21) respectively. Mean knowledge score of Health Care Workers were significantly related to their educational level and occupation while no significant association was declared with working experience as TB staff. Pearson coefficient of attitude score with knowledge of Health Care Workers was of weak level (0.28). Practice mean score was correlated to knowledge mean score at a moderate level (r =0.40). On the other hand, practice score was r =0.29 with attitude mean score had shown weak level correlation. A number of demographic factors were strongly linked to each of the mean score of knowledge, attitude, and practices. CONCLUSION: These findings highlighted the significant involvement of education, profession, and professional trainings in the better knowledge, attitude, and practices of the TB related health care Workers. For a better management system of infectious diseases like TB, a well-trained and professionally competent staff of Health Care Workers is important so as to achieve the goal of TB-End strategy by 2035 from Pakistan, which is the 5th highest burden country for TB.

Circular RNAs in tuberculosis and lung cancer.

This review signifies the role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in tuberculosis (TB) and lung cancer (LC), focusing on pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment. CircRNAs, a newly discovered type of non-coding RNA, have emerged as key regulators of gene expression and promising biomarkers in various bodily fluids due to their stability. The current review discusses circRNA biogenesis, highlighting their RNase-R resistance due to their loop forming structure, making them effective biomarkers. It details their roles in gene regulation, including splicing, transcription control, and miRNA interactions, and their impact on cellular processes and diseases. For LC, the review identifies circRNA dysregulation affecting cell growth, motility, and survival, and their potential as therapeutic targets and biomarkers. In TB, it addresses circRNAs' influence on host anti-TB immune responses, proposing their use as early diagnostic markers. The paper also explores the interplay between TB and LC, emphasizing circRNAs as dual biosignatures, and the necessity for differential diagnosis. It concludes that no single circRNA biomarker is universally applicable for both TB and LC. Ultimately, the review highlights the pivotal role of circRNAs in TB and LC, encouraging further research in biomarker identification and therapeutic development concomitant for both diseases.

Effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy on salivary and gingival crevicular fluid concentration of visfatin in periodontal health and disease.

Background and objective: Visfatin, a pleotropic mediator mostly produced by visceral fat, is crucial in controlling the immunological and defensive systems. It serves the roles of a cytokine, an enzyme involved in energy metabolism, and a growth factor. The objective of the present study was to assess the impact of non-surgical periodontal therapy (scaling and root planing) on visfatin concentrations in saliva and gingival crevicular fluid in individuals with Periodontitis (stage-II grade-A). Materials and methods: 54 individuals were divided into Group A (Periodontally Healthy) and Group B1(Periodontitis baseline) based on periodontal parameters including plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and radiographic parameters. After NSPT (SRP), Group B1 patients were recalled after 4 weeks, constituting Group B2 (post NSPT group B1). At baseline and 4 weeks after non-surgical periodontal therapy (SRP), all clinical parameters, salivary and GCF samples were recorded. An ELISA kit was used to measure the levels of visfatin. Using the paired t-test, unpaired t-test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient, data were analysed using SPSS 15. Results: After non-surgical periodontal treatment (SRP), the mean salivary and gingival crevicular fluid concentration of visfatin considerably decreased to a level comparable to periodontal health. In all groups, GCF visfatin concentration was higher than salivary concentration of visfatin. In periodontitis patients, visfatin concentration in GCF was 1.5 times higher than in saliva. Conclusion: The results of this investigation suggest a direct correlation between salivary and gingival crevicular fluid visfatin concentration and periodontal tissue inflammation and disease activity.

Allylsilane as a versatile handle in photoredox catalysis.

Organosilanes have secured a special place in the synthetic world for several decades. However, among them, allylsilanes are a choice reagent for organic chemists to develop novel organic transformations. In recent years researchers have proved that visible-light photoredox catalysis has emerged as one of the most mild, sustainable, straightforward, and efficient strategies to construct simple to complex molecules with or without enantioselectivity. This review provides an in-depth analysis of recent advances and strategies employed in visible-light photoredox catalysis for allylsilane and its analogues for the development of various organic transformations. The review is divided into sections, each focused on a specific reactivity of allylsilane under light irradiation with C(sp2) center arene or alkene, C(sp2) center carbonyl, and C(sp3) center carbon functionality. In this review, we present optimization data, reaction scope, and mechanistic aspects to bring forward specific reactivity and selectivity trends of allylsilane in photoredox conditions.

Dual Oxytocin Receptor-G Protein Signaling in the Autoregulation of Activities of Oxytocin Neurons.

Oxytocin (OT), a hypothalamic nonaneuropeptide, can extensively modulate mental and physical activities; however, the regulation of its secretion from hypothalamic OT neurons remains poorly understood. OT neuronal activity is generally modulated by neurochemical environment, synaptic inputs, astrocytic plasticity, and interneuronal interactions. By changing intracellular signals and ion channel activity, these extracellular factors dynamically regulate OT neuronal activity and OT release in a microdomain-specific manner. In this process, OT receptor (OTR) and OTR-coupled G proteins are pivotal, typically observed during lactation. Suckling-elicited somatodendritic release of OT causes sequential activation of Gq and Gs proteins to increase the firing rate gradually and trigger burst firing transiently, and then of Gi/o protein to cause post-burst inhibition as a result of potential bolus somatodendritic release of OT during the burst-like discharges. Under chronic social stress like mother-baby separation and cesarean section, excessive somatodendritic secretion of OT and over-excitation of OT neurons cause post-excitation inhibition of OT neuronal activity and reduction of OT secretion. In this process, dominance of G protein that couples to OTR is switched from Gq to Gi/o type because of inhibition of OTR-Gq signaling following negative feedback of downstream Gq signaling or crosstalk of Gq with Gs and Gi signals. This review summarizes our current understandings of OT/OTR signaling in the autoregulation of OT neuronal activity under physiological and pathological conditions.

Alopecia and Periodontitis: Exploring the connecting dots.

Alopecia areata is a systemic disease with nonscarring hair loss from the scalp, face, or any part of the body. The disease with undetermined etiology and pathogenesis has a considerable impact on the social life of patients which gradually builds up stress and expedites further deterioration of their condition. Interestingly, in such patients, besides stress-relieving exercises and immunomodulators, well-timed dental assessment and prompt treatment have contributed to improving the prognosis of alopecia. This depicts an interrelationship between alopecia and oral foci of infections. Over the past few decades, periodontitis has remained to be one of the predominant forms of oral focus of infection for systemic diseases. The present review throws light on the role of stress and autoimmunity in establishing a possible correlation between alopecia and periodontitis. It is augmented with documented case reports, demanding a complete oral examination in patients with the unexplained origin of alopecia. An interdisciplinary approach is the need of the hour which can prevent the progression of both the diseases as well as other oral infections.

COVID-19 outbreak journey of dental care workers: A systematic review.

The conditions of health-care professionals including dental fraternity have been extremely affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dental care workers have suspended all routine dental activities with the fear of transmission of the virus from aerosol-generating dental procedures. They have also stood with medical care professionals as frontline warriors because of the exponentially overburdened of the COVID-19-positive patients worldwide. With the available literature, the aim of this article is to address the trajectories of the life of oral health workers during the outbreak of COVID-19 as well as to analyze what measures shall be taken to improve their overall physical, mental, social, and economic health and precautions while working in dental environment.

Mitochondrial mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease: Quest for therapeutics.

Mitochondrial function is essential for maintaining neuronal integrity, because neurons have a high energy demand. Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), are exacerbated by mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondrial autophagy (mitophagy) attenuates neurodegenerative diseases by eradicating dysfunctional mitochondria. In neurodegenerative disorders, there is disruption of the mitophagy process. High levels of iron also interfere with the mitophagy process and the mtDNA released after mitophagy is proinflammatory and triggers the cGAS-STING pathway that aids AD pathology. In this review, we critically discuss the factors that affect mitochondrial impairment and different mitophagy processes in AD. Furthermore, we discuss the molecules used in mouse studies as well as clinical trials that could result in potential therapeutics in the future.

A retrospective correlative profiling of lung functions, microbiological, radiological, periodontal, hematological parameters in noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis patients of North India.

Introduction: Noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) is a neglected debilitating condition with scarce epidemiological literature explaining its geographical heterogeneity, especially in lower and middle-income countries. This study aimed to assess and correlate the functional profile of NCFB patients and evaluate the correlation of body mass index (BMI) with several disease variables. Methods: This mixed-method retrospective research study was conducted on 124 radiologically confirmed NCFB patients in terms of various qualitative and quantitative variables. Results: Restrictive ventilatory defect was the most common type with the preponderance of male former smokers. Mean platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR; 104.08 ± 73.59) revealed certain degree of systemic inflammatory burden with a slightly higher mean peripheral leukocyte count (10665.19 ± 4268.81 cell/mm3) and eosinophilia of >2%. Almost all patients had periodontal disease with a higher prevalence of chronic periodontitis (54.83%). Moderately severe and predominantly cystic radiological type was encountered with 61.2% patients positive for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Bronchiectasis aetiology comorbidity index (BACI) i.e., 2.34 ± 2.37 represented an intermediate mortality risk in our patients. On basis of BMI, majority were young underweights with poor pulmonary functions while PLR skewed toward overweight patients (nonsignificant P > 0.05). Forced expiratory volume/forced vital capacity displayed a negative weak moderately significant correlation with BACI (r = -0.24; P = 0.008). Peripheral lymphocyte count demonstrated a weak negative but significant correlation with modified Reiff score (r = -0.20; P = 0.023) while serum neutrophil count had a weak negative moderately significant correlation with hemoglobin (r = -0.20; P = 0.023). Conclusions: NCFB bears great heterogeneity with distinct geographical phenotypes and should be correlated thoroughly in terms of peripheral leukocytes count, pulmonary functions, radiology, BMI, and coexisting comorbidities for adequate management.

Localized probiotic-guided pocket recolonization in the treatment of chronic periodontitis: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

PURPOSE: This randomized clinical placebo-controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Lactobacillus reuteri as a probiotic in guided pocket recolonization (GPR) for the treatment of chronic periodontitis (CP) adjunctive to scaling and root planing (SRP). METHODS: Forty-eight CP patients were randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups: group 1 (SRP+placebo), group 2 (SRP+single application of probiotic), and group 3 (SRP+incremental application of probiotic). Clinical parameters were evaluated at baseline and at 8, 12, and 24 weeks, whereas biochemical parameters were measured at baseline and 12 weeks. RESULTS: At 24 weeks, the probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level improved in all 3 groups from baseline with no significant intergroup differences; however, a statistically significant difference was observed in localized plaque and gingival scores between groups 1 and 3 (P<0.05). At 12 weeks, matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8), nitric oxide (NO), and gingipains-R (Rgps) levels improved in all 3 groups, with statistically significant differences between groups 1 and 3 for MMP-8 and NO (P<0.05), but no difference for Rgps levels. CONCLUSIONS: Within its limitations, the results of this study show that incremental 3-time application of L. reuteri as a probiotic led to improvements in clinical and biochemical parameters. This protocol can be a useful adjunct to SRP in the non-surgical management of CP. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials Registry - India Identifier: CTRI/2017/03/008231.

Impact of Non-surgical Periodontal Therapy on Pulmonary functions, Periodontal Health and Salivary Matrix Metalloproteinase-8 of COPD Patients with Chronic Periodontitis: A Clinico-biochemical Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess the impact of non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) on periodontal clinical parameters, spirometric indices, and salivary MMP-8 levels in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with concurrence of chronic periodontitis (CP) compared with systemically healthy CP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this prospective clinico-biochemical study, a total of 75 patients belonging to various socioeconomic strata were randomly divided into cases, that is, COPD patients as per the Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria with concurrence of CP [at least ≥ 20 teeth with ≥ 2 tooth sites having pocket probing depth (PPD) or clinical attachment loss (CAL) ≥ 4mm and bleeding on probing (BOP)] and controls (systemically healthy CP). Both groups underwent NSPT and were evaluated for plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), PPD, CAL, and BOP and spirometry (FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC)) values at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months and for salivary MMP-8 levels at baseline and 3 months. RESULTS: Statistical results showed that cases (COPD with CP; n = 37) were significantly older (mean age 56.16 ± 9.01 years), ex-smokers (48.6%) with male preponderance (78.4%), and belonged to the upper middle class (40.5%) as compared to controls (systemically healthy CP; n = 38). After NSPT, significant improvement in mean PI, GI, PPD, CAL, and BOP was observed in both groups at 3, 6, and 12 months with better results in controls. FEV1/FVC was significantly improved (P < .001) in cases with insignificant change in controls at 12 months. After 3 months, MMP-8 levels were significantly reduced in cases (P = .002) and controls (P < .001). CONCLUSION: The present study provided substantial evidence that COPD patients have poorer periodontal health as compared to systemically healthy counterparts. Further, these patients showed improvement in FEV1/FVC, however, with higher salivary MMP-8 levels despite NSPT at the end of the study, indicating a possible role of systemic inflammatory overburden of pulmonary disease.

Differential expression of inflammatory responsive genes between chronic periodontitis and periodontally affected bronchiectasis patients.

The study aimed to investigate differential expression of targeted inflammatory-immune responsive genes [LTA, LTB, TNFSF4, TNFSF11/RANKL, TNFSF13, TNFSF13B, TNFRSF11B/ Osteoprotegerin; OPG and GFPT1/GFA ] in gingival tissues of bronchiectasis patients having chronic periodontitis in North central Indian population. Gingival tissues were collected from 30 systemically healthy chronic periodontitis patients (CP), 30 bronchiectasis patients with chronic periodontitis (B+CP), 3 systemically healthy with healthy gingiva (healthy control; HC) and 3 bronchiectasis with healthy gingiva (bronchiectasis control; BC). Statistical analysis revealed 7 genes to be significantly upregulated on comparing CP with B+CP i.e LTA (P<0.0001) in B+CP while LTB (P<0.0001), TNFSF4 (P=0.0003), TNFSF11 (P<0.0001), TNFSF13 (P=0.0003), TNFSF13B (P<0.0001) and TNFRSF11B (P=0.0004) in CP group. LTA (Lymphotoxin A) gene could be a potential genetic marker in bronchiectasis patients with chronic periodontitis.

Awareness About Ebola Virus Disease Among the Health Care Professionals in Karachi, Pakistan.

Background: Ebola virus disease is an acute and life-threatening illness, which, if untreated, is fatal. It was first discovered in 1976, which aware the world with sporadic outbreaks of Ebola in some parts of Africa. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the natural reservoir for Ebola virus remains unknown; however, it is yet to be affirmed that the natural habitat is animal-borne where bats are most likely to carry over this virus. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate awareness of health care professionals as they serve as the integral part of our health care system. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 149 health care workers (HCWs) in Civil Hospital of Karachi from June 2015 to August 2015. The study participants were randomly selected individuals who were students of and/or were working in the university's affiliated tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Results: Baseline characteristics of the study participants are shown in Table 1. Median age of the participants is 21 (range: 17-24) years. Female preponderance was found to be higher (104; 69.8%) as compared with the males (45; 30.2%). Discipline of majority of the study participants was medical technology (80; 53.7%), followed by nurses (38; 25.5%) and doctors (31; 20.8%). Majority of the study respondents were undergraduate medical students (60; 75%) as compared with medical technologist and the nurses (17; 24.6%) with a P value < .001 as shown in Figure 1. The mean for correct responses was 8.43 ± 4.08 (range: 3-17). Appropriate knowledge was observed in 84 (56.4%) responders and inappropriate knowledge was observed in 65 (43.6%) of the study respondents. Conclusion: Our study concludes that there is an unsatisfactory knowledge about Ebola virus disease among health care professionals. Moreover, public health authorities should signify the importance of prevention against Ebola virus disease not only among the health care professionals but also into the communities through mass media and awareness campaigns which can thus halt the panic and incidence of Ebola virus outbreaks in coming decades.

Relationship between VITAMIN D and chronic periodontitis.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic periodontitis is a multifactorial disease primarily caused by plaque microorganisms, modified from the immune inflammatory response to chronic infection, which leads to the destruction of periodontal tissues in a susceptible host. It is very well known that vitamin D plays a vital role in bone homeostasis and immunity. There can be a biologic rationale to suspect that Vitamin D deficiency could negatively affect the periodontium. Present study was conducted to investigate any relationship between periodontitis and vitamin D. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The clinico-biochemical relationship study was carried out in 168 subjects with Chronic Periodontitis. Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), Probing Pocket Depth (PPD), Clinical Attachment Level (CAL) are correlated with serum level of Vitamin D. RESULTS: Statistically significant relationship between serum 25(OH) D level and periodontal parameters namely GI, PPD and CAL were observed.No relationship between 25(OH) D levels and PI was observed.This study also revealed overall low levels of serum Vitamin D in patients with chronic periodontitis but the levels of Vitamin D did not decrease with the increase in the severity of periodontitis. CONCLUSION: A statistically significant relationship between serum 25(OH) D level and periodontal parameters namely GI, PPD and CAL were observed. No relationship between 25(OH) D levels and PI was observed.

Dysbiosis and Variation in Predicted Functions of the Granulation Tissue Microbiome in HPV Positive and Negative Severe Chronic Periodontitis.

Retrospective analysis has already shown correlation between severe Chronic Periodontitis (CP) cases with human papiloma virus (HPV). Hence, we aimed to explore deep-seated infected granulation tissue removed during periodontal flap surgery procedures for residential bacterial species between HPV+ and HVP- CP cases, which may serve as good predisposition marker for oral cancer. All CP-granulation samples showed the prominence of Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes phyla with an abundance of gram negative anaerobes, except Streptococcus. In Beta diversity nonmetric multidimensional scaling plot, the random distribution of species was observed between HPV+ and HPV- CP granulation-samples. However, an abundance of Capnocytophaga ochracea was observed in HPV+ CP samples (p<0.05), while Porphyromonas endodontalis, Macellibacteroides fermentas, Treponema phagedenis, and Campylobacter rectus species were highly abundant in HPV- CP samples (p<0.05). The differential species richness leads altered functions related to mismatch-repair and nucleotide excision-repair and cytoskeleton-proteins. Hence, differential abundance of gram negative bacterial species between HPV+ and HPV- granulation-samples under anaerobic conditions may release virulence factors which may alter pathways favouring carcinogenesis. Hence, these species may serve as good predisposition marker for oral-cancer.

Effect of periodontal therapy on disease activity in patients of rheumatoid arthritis with chronic periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: Evidence have been proposed a positive association between severity of Periodontitis and Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) activity, individuals with advanced RA are more likely to develop periodontal problems compared to their non-RA counterparts, and vice versa. Studies have been suggested that RA manifest as a result of an inflammatory imbalance and autoimmunity. In this perspective, treatment modalities that lead to inhibition of proinflammatory mediators, may prove beneficial for reducing the severity of RA. This study examined the effects of non surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) on disease activity of RA. METHODS: Diagnosed patients of active rheumatoid arthritis with chronic periodontitis were recruited in this study and divided in to treatment and controls groups, both groups were similar in all demographics assessed. Treatment group (n = 20) and controls group (n = 20) underwent assessment for periodontal clinical parameters (plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth, clinical attachment level), Rheumatologic clinical (simplified disease activity index) and biochemical parameters(C-reactive protein, Rheumatoid factor, Anti-cyclic citrullinated protein) at baseline and 8 weeks. Serum levels of biochemical parameters were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The statistically significant (p < 0.001) reduction observed in mean values of PI, GI, PPD, CAL, SDAI in treatment group at 8weeks after NSPT as compare to control group. However serum level of ACCPA, CRP and RF did not show statistically significant (p > 0.05) changes from baseline to reassessment (8 weeks) in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The improvement in RA disease activity may occurs after non surgical periodontal therapy.

16S rRNA Long-Read Sequencing of the Granulation Tissue from Nonsmokers and Smokers-Severe Chronic Periodontitis Patients.

Smoking has been associated with increased risk of periodontitis. The aim of the present study was to compare the periodontal disease severity among smokers and nonsmokers which may help in better understanding of predisposition to this chronic inflammation mediated diseases. We selected deep-seated infected granulation tissue removed during periodontal flap surgery procedures for identification and differential abundance of residential bacterial species among smokers and nonsmokers through long-read sequencing technology targeting full-length 16S rRNA gene. A total of 8 phyla were identified among which Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were most dominating. Differential abundance analysis of OTUs through PICRUST showed significant (p>0.05) abundance of Phyla-Fusobacteria (Streptobacillus moniliformis); Phyla-Firmicutes (Streptococcus equi), and Phyla Proteobacteria (Enhydrobacter aerosaccus) in nonsmokers compared to smokers. The differential abundance of oral metagenomes in smokers showed significant enrichment of host genes modulating pathways involving primary immunodeficiency, citrate cycle, streptomycin biosynthesis, vitamin B6 metabolism, butanoate metabolism, glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism pathways. While thiamine metabolism, amino acid metabolism, homologous recombination, epithelial cell signaling, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, phosphonate/phosphinate metabolism, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon degradation, synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies, translation factors, Ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, and DNA replication pathways were significantly enriched in nonsmokers, modulation of these pathways in oral cavities due to differential enrichment of metagenomes in smokers may lead to an increased susceptibility to infections and/or higher formation of DNA adducts, which may increase the risk of carcinogenesis.

Homopiperazine Derived Female Controlled Vaginal Trichomonacidal Contraceptive: An Addition to Structure-Activity Relationship.

BACKGROUND: In our previous work, several piperazine derived bis(dialkylaminethiocarbonyl) disulfides and disulfide esters of dithiocarbamic acid have been synthesized and evaluated for their spermicidal and microbicidal efficacy. These studies have provided some promising compounds for developing a dually active vaginal microbicidal contraceptive which is under pre-clinical stage. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study was the design synthesis and biological evaluation of bis(dialkylaminethiocarbonyl) disulfides (4-15) and 2,2'-disulfanediylbis (3-(substituted-1-yl) propane-2,1-diyl) disubstituted-1-carbodithioates (19-28) as non-surfactant molecules capable of eliminating Trichomonas vaginalis as well as irreversibly immobilizing 100% human sperm promptly. METHOD: Spermicidal, anti-trichomonas, cytotoxicity and biocompatibility study of the synthesized compounds was done as per the reported methodologies. RESULT: Among bis(dialkylaminethiocarbonyl) disulfides (4-15, Table 1), compound 4 (MEC 0.02 mM) was found to be the most desirable for spermicidal activity as it was 40 times more active than Nonoxynol-9 (N-9), and also active against Trichomonas vaginalis (MIC 0.02 &1.10 mM). 2, 2'-disulfanediylbis (3-(substituted- 1-yl) propane-2, 1-diyl) disubstituted-1-carbodithioates (19-28, Table 2), and compounds (19, 22, 23, and 24 MEC 0.05 mM) were sixteen times more active than N-9 with promising Trichomonacidal activity. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that the disulfide linkage alone and dithiocarbamate along with disulfide group within the same chemical entity impart the desired multiple activities of compounds.

Antioxidant enzymes in periodontitis.

Periodontitis is basically an inflammatory disease initiated by the subgingival biofilm and modified by the individual's aberrant inflammatory/immune response. Various studies have pointed toward the role of oxidative stress in periodontitis. As the reactive oxygen species and antioxidants are in dynamic equilibrium, any disturbance in one would lead to changes in the other. As studying, individual antioxidants is a vast field, this review focuses on the role of antioxidant enzymes in periodontitis and in other related systemic conditions. It is highlighted that oxidative stress may be the missing link in these associations of periodontitis and other conditions. Also, the antioxidant enzymes may be considered a useful biomarker for periodontal diseases and antioxidant supplementation may be of help to reduce the burden of periodontal destruction without having much extra effort.

Dentascan an excellent tool for assessment of variations in the management of periodontal defects.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to envisage the effectiveness of demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA) and bovine bone graft (BBG) for promoting defect fill in periodontal intrabony defects using dentascan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 13 subjects (15 intrabony defects) aged between 24 and 56 years affected by moderate to severe periodontitis were randomly divided into Control (CG) and Test groups (TG1 and TG2). In CG only debridement, TG1 debridement plus DFDBA, and TG2 debridement plus BBG were performed. The clinical parameters probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL) was used. The radiological analysis was done by dentascan, which is a single-slice spiral computed tomographic scanner. Six months after, regenerative treatment clinical measurements were recorded. The bone fill was assessed using Dentascan as previously mentioned. RESULTS: PPD reduction and CAL gain were significant in all the groups after 6 months whereas, on intergroup comparisons, insignificant finding was observed both at baseline and after 6 months. Coronoapical bone status decreased significantly in all groups, buccolingual measurements decreased significantly in TG1 and TG2, but no such trend was seen in CG. Significant reduction in mesiodistal bone status was noticed only in TG1 whereas insignificant on intergroup comparisons. CONCLUSION: Dentascan-based analysis attested that DFDBA was superior to BBG.