Correlation of serum cornitine levels with bone mineral density among Indian male tobacco users.

It is of interest to assess levels of serum cornitine in male tobacco users and also find its correlation with bone mineral density. Assessment for serum cotinine levels was done using commercially available Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA Kit). While bone mineral density was measured using bone densitometry through ultrasound in the wrist region. Karl Pearson's coefficient was used to assess correlation between BMD values and serum cotinine (ng/ml) levels. Inter group BMD association was measured using Chi square test. The present study showed that the first 3 groups had a low BMD level compared to control group, indicative of osteopenia. BMD values were lesser for chewers from group II as compared to smokers from group I and individuals using both smoked and smokeless form of tobacco from Group III. In group III (both forms of tobacco), osteopenic individuals were more. Thus, data shows effect of tobacco usage on bone mineral density. Smokeless form of tobacco has relatively serious effects on bone density.

Assessment of basal implants in compromised ridges.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate clinically, radiographically, and functionally the outcomes of immediately loaded basal implants when placed in patients with compromised bone/alveolar ridges. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 18 systemically healthy (9 male and 9 female) subjects with compromised bone with poor quantity or quality were included in the study. A total number of 57 implants was placed, out of which 26 implants were placed in maxilla and 31 implants in mandible. There were 6 patients in which single implants were placed and in rest of the 12 patients, multiple implants were placed, out of which full mouth rehabilitation was done in one patient. In 10 patients, implants were placed immediately in fresh extraction socket and in 7 patients, implants were placed in healed edentulous site. In all the patients, loading was done immediately within 72 h of implant placement. All patients were evaluated for primary and secondary stability, pain, periimplant bone levels using IOPA with grid and CBCT, bleeding, suppuration, sulcular bleeding index, prosthetic complications, and patient satisfaction at specified time intervals. RESULT: All the values obtained during the study were expressed in the form of mean, standard deviation, and standard error of the mean. The parameters were compared between groups using Paired t-test for intragroup comparison at a similar time, i.e., baseline, 1 month, and 3 months. The data collected was comprehensively analyzed using SPSS software. All implants were successful, with no incidence of infection, nil mobility at the end of the study period of 6 months. CONCLUSION: Thus, it can be concluded from the present study, that Basal implants can play a vital role in the rehabilitation of patients, where compromised quality and/or quantity of bone is present and additional augmentation procedures would be required for the placement of conventional root form implants.

Crosslinking of agar by diisocyanates.

In the present study, crosslinking of agar using diisocyanate (DI) was demonstrated to limit the high water absorption property of agar. In addition, the efficacy of aromatic diisocyanate, DDI (4, 4 diphenyl diisocyanate) and aliphatic diisocyanate, HDI (1, 6 hexamethylene diisocyanate) on crosslinked agar properties was compared. The water uptake was successfully reduced by crosslinking and its minimum values observed for DDI and HDI crosslinked agar was 33.6% and 43.6%, respectively in comparison to agar (206%). The maximum tensile strength was observed for DDI crosslinked agar (45.3 MPa) which was higher than HDI crosslinked agar (30.6 MPa) and agar (31.7 MPa). The aromatic diisocyanates crosslinked agar showed better thermal resistance at higher temperature. It was observed that aromatic diisocyanate crosslinked agar more effectively than the aliphatic diisocyanate due to the higher reactivity. The crosslinked agar samples were hemocompatible and show non-toxic nature for cell proliferation.

Apical surgery as cystic lesion treatment for barodontalgia prevention: a case report / Cirugía apical como tratamiento de lesión quística para prevenir la barodontalgia: informe de caso

ABSTRACT Barodontalgia is not a pathology but a symptom of a subclinical oral problem that, although rare, may affect patients subjected to atmospheric pressure changes and have an influence on flights. This paper aims to discuss the clinical characteristics of pathologies related to the etiology of barodontalgia, as well as differential diagnoses, treatments, and prevention. This paper reports a case of a Brazilian air force officer who went to the Santos Dumont Air Force Dental Clinic reporting pain in the anterior maxillary during a flight. An endodontic treatment followed by periradicular surgery was performed, in order to quickly seal the bone lesion and to avoid new cases of barodontalgia. This work demonstrated a successful approach of a periradicular lesion solved by surgical treatment in order to avoid new cases of barodontalgia during flights. In addition, this paper highlights the importance of deepening knowledge on this event and the need for periodic oral and dental assessment, as well as conclusive treatment in aircrew members in order to prevent aircraft accidents.

ABSTRACT La barodontalgia no es una patología en sí misma, sino un síntoma de un problema oral subclínico que, si bien es poco frecuente, puede afectar a pacientes sometidos a cambios en la presión atmosférica y afectar la seguridad de los vuelos. Este artículo pretende analizar las características clínicas de las patologías relacionadas con la etiología de la barodontalgia, así como los diagnósticos diferenciales, los tratamientos y la prevención. Se presenta el caso de un agente de la fuerza aérea brasileña que acudió a la Clínica Dental de la Fuerza Aérea Santos-Dumont reportando dolor en el maxilar anterior durante un vuelo. Se realizó un tratamiento de endodoncia seguido de cirugía perirradicular, con el fin de sellar rápidamente la lesión del hueso y evitar nuevos casos de barodontalgia. Este trabajo describe un procedimiento acertado para una lesión perirradicular resuelta por tratamiento quirúrgico para evitar nuevos casos de barodontalgia durante los vuelos. Además, destaca la importancia de profundizar en el conocimiento sobre este evento y la necesidad de llevar a cabo no solo una evaluación bucodental periódica de los miembros de las tripulaciones, además de ofrecerles tratamientos definitivos, con el fin de prevenir los accidentes aéreos.

Lithographic patterning of antibodies by direct lift-off and improved surface adhesion.

The inherent property of antibodies binding to their antigen with high specificity makes them a strong candidate for sensing and detection applications. Microscale patterning of antibodies is desired for the miniaturization of sensors and fundamental cell biology studies. However, existing methodologies to pattern antibodies at the microscale are multi-step. In this work, we demonstrate microscale patterning of antibodies on a glass coverslip in a single step photolithography process. The microscale features of the photoresist were generated on the coverslip using photolithography, and the antibody solution was incubated. Acetone lift-off of the antibody incubated photoresist, and subsequent washing by isopropanol (IPA), produced a micro-array of antibodies. The functionality of patterned primary antibody was confirmed using the corresponding antigen and strict controls. One of the striking features of this method of patterning is that the process steps and chemicals inherently improve the adhesion between the antibodies and glass without the need to functionalize the glass surface. We performed an ultrasonication test, detergent washing test, and Scotch tape test to show improved adhesion. Using appropriate controls, we show that the interaction taking place between the antibodies and the glass surface, after our process, is stronger than the simple physisorption taking place between the antibodies and the glass surface, without any treatment.

Role of paclitaxel on critical nucleation concentration of tubulin and its effects thereof.

Paclitaxel is an anticancer drug that stabilizes microtubules by suppressing their dynamic instability. It binds to the lumen of the microtubules and enhances subunit interaction. In the present work, we show that the critical concentration of tubulins required to polymerize microtubules follows an inverse power law relation with the amount of paclitaxel added during polymerization. With an increase in paclitaxel concentration from 0.1 µM to 10 µM, the critical nucleation concentration decreases by 89%. We propose stabilization of microtubule nuclei in the presence of taxol for this observation. In addition, lowering in the critical nucleation concentration left fewer tubulins for growth, which resulted in shorter microtubules. Addition of 10 µM taxol resulted in reduced steady state length of microtubules by 37.5%. These observations are explained based on microtubule nuclei stabilization and subsequent depletion of tubulin pool. We also show mathematically, that taxol reduces the rate constant of shortening more prominently (by 100 folds), compared to the rate constant of elongation.

Single step neutravidin patterning: a lithographic approach for patterning proteins.

Protein patterning on surfaces is studied extensively for its potential use in proteomic, nanostructures, drug delivery and sensing. Patterning of proteins at micro and nano scales is especially important not only to understand the function of patterned protein but also to study its interaction with subsequent layers of bio-molecules/cells. Micro scale protein patterning is especially difficult due to the fragile nature of proteins. The already available methods either involve complex chemistries or are specific to a few proteins. Thus, in this regard, a versatile approach to pattern proteins using neutravidin is developed. With this approach of lithography and subsequent lift-off of the photoresist, any biotinylated moiety can be patterned at micron scale resolution. Functionality of patterned neutravidin is confirmed by showing binding of biotinylated polystyrene beads and biotinylated antibodies. In addition, stronger physisorption of neutravidin on bare glass surface, as a result of acetone lift-off, helps sustain the protein layers onto the glass surface without the need of chemical immobilization.

Supplemental tooth in primary dentition.

An extra tooth causing numerical excess in dentition is described as supernumerary tooth, and the resultant condition is termed as hyperdontia. Hyperdontia is more commonly seen in the permanent dentition than primary one. Supernumerary tooth which resembles tooth shape and supplements for occlusion is called as supplemental tooth. We present a case with supplemental tooth in primary dentition.

A multilocular radiolucency of mandible as the first evidence of multiple myeloma: A clinico-radiographic case report.

The incidence of multiple myeloma (MM) affecting the jaws is 30% and on rare occasions the oral involvement can be the first indication of the disease. Authors report a case of MM in a 40-year-old woman who presented with a multilocular radiolucent lesion in the left mandible initially mistaken as an ameloblastoma. Conventional radiographs revealed a multilocular lesion on the molar region. Computed tomography (CT) and 3 dimensional CT revealed lytic, space occupying lesion perforating the inferior cortex. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a hypointense lesion on T1 weighted image and hyperintense lesion on T2 weighted image. Histopathological and lab investigations lead to the diagnosis of MM. MRI is superior in depicting the size of the lesion as compared to CT and conventional radiographs.

Unilateral segmental odontomaxillary dysplasia: a rare entity of 3 cases and review.

Segmental odontomaxillary dysplasia (SOD) is an uncommon, nonhereditary, rare developmental disorder primarily involving the posterior part of the maxilla and related dental components. It is a rare condition of uncertain etiology that results in painless unilateral expansion of the posterior dentoalveolar complex, gingival hyperplasia, lack of one or both premolars in the affected area, delayed eruption of adjacent teeth and malformations of the primary molars. Radiographically, the affected bone is thickened and irregular in outline, with a coarse trabecular pattern that is vertically oriented resulting in a relatively radioopaque granular appearance. The treatment is focused on extraction of the involved teeth, while in some milder cases the teeth may be retained for a long period. The treatment plan should be based on the degree of involvement as well as the functional and esthetic needs in each case. Considering the rarity of the condition, we report three cases of SOD with variable presentations in a 45-year-old, 24-year-old and 23-year-old individual.

The radiological versatility of fibrous dysplasia: An 8-year retrospective radiographic analysis in a north Indian population.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the clinical and radiographic presentation of fibrous dysplasia through an 8-year retrospective study in patients who reported to the outpatient unit of the Kothiwal Dental College and Research Centre, Moradabad. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical file records and radiographs of the patients who reported to the outpatient clinic in the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology were retrospectively reviewed for histopathologically diagnosed fibrous dysplasia. A detailed analysis of the clinical and radiographic features of the 14 cases retrieved was carried out. RESULTS: Almost all the patients presented with a complaint of swelling on the side of the face. The maxilla was more frequently involved than the mandible. The most common radiographic pattern observed was the ground-glass appearance, followed by orange peel, cotton wool, sunray and thumb print appearance, which leads to a perplex differential diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Awareness of the versatile features of fibrous dysplasia evident through this study is essential in the accurate diagnosis and proper treatment planning of such lesions.

Meteorological influences on the incidence of lichen planus in a north Indian population.

Lichen planus is a chronic, autoimmune, mucocutaneous disease that shows differences in clinical presentation at different times of the year. The present retrospective study was conducted to clarify the meteorological factors that influence the incidence of lichen planus, as well as the general features and clinical presentation of this condition during three consecutive years, 2008, 2009, and 2010, in Moradabad district (Western Uttar Pradesh, India). The study group comprised 1,355 patients extracted from the records of the outpatient department of Kothiwal Dental College Research Centre and Hospital, who were clinically diagnosed as having lichen planus during this three-year period. The highest number of patients (735) were recorded in summer, and the lowest (56) in winter. Females were affected more often, and psychosocial influences were also evident. There were significant differences in the incidence of lichen planus in different seasons, and the summer peak was attributable to the intensity of sun exposure (actinic lichen planus and summertime lichen planus).

Non-syndromic hereditary gingival fibromatosis.

Hereditary gingival fibromatosis is a rare condition characterised by severe gingival hyperplasia that can occur as an isolated disease or as part of a syndrome or chromosomal abnormality. In severe cases, the gingival enlargement may cover the crowns of teeth and cause severe aesthetic, emotional and functional impairment. This case report gives an overview of gingival fibromatosis in a 22-year-old male patient who presented with generalised gingival enlargement.

Primary oral tuberculosis.

Persistent oral ulcers and erosions can be the final common manifestation, sometimes clinically distinguishable, of a diverse spectrum of conditions ranging from traumatic lesions, infectious diseases, systemic and local immune-mediated lesions up to neoplasms. A case with oral tuberculosis and absence of any systemic manifestations is reported. The location and clinical presentation of the lesion is unusual and underlines the importance of considering tuberculosis in the differential diagnosis of oral lesions that affect the mucosa and the gingiva.

Oral manifestations of lipoid proteinosis: A case report and literature review.

Lipoid proteinosis is an uncommon autosomal recessive metabolic disorder that presents in early life with hoarseness and pox-like acneiform scars involving the skin and mucous membranes. Previous studies have attributed the prevalence of lipoid proteinosis to consanguineous parents. This paper reports a classical case of lipoid proteinosis with oral manifestations but without a history of consanguinity.

Bilateral macrostomia.

Macrostomia as a rare facial deformity is classified among facial clefts. It is a rare congenital anomaly which affects the aesthetics and function of the oral cavity. It is usually associated with deformities of other structures developed from the first and second branchial arches. Bilateral transverse cleft occurring alone is uncommon. Here we report a case of bilateral macrostomia (bilateral lip cleft) in a 5-year-old girl as a sole entity without other skeletal and facial deformities.

Central giant cell granuloma: a case report.

Central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) is a relatively uncommon benign bony lesion of a variably aggressive nature. Thought to represent a reparative response to intrabony haemorrhage and inflammation, CGCG was once regarded as a reactive lesion. It is actually an asymptomatic lesion which becomes evident during routine radiographic examination or as a result of painless but visible expansion of the affected jaw. This paper presents the case of a 4-year-old boy with  CGCG in the right mandibular region.

Non-syndromic non-familial agenesis of major salivary glands: a report of two cases with review of literature.

Agenesis of the major salivary glands is a rare and unusual condition, with only a few cases documented in the literature. The anomaly can be total or partial, unilateral or bilateral, and involve the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands. The resultant xerostomia leads to extensive dental demineralization. The authors report two cases with decreased saliva volume, impaired dental condition with extensive loss of tooth structure, and an astonishing pattern of dental destruction most notable on the facial and lingual surfaces of incisors and canines that can be best described as "chipping." After detailed review of patient history, clinical examination, ultrasonography, contrast enhanced computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging a diagnosis of congenital absence of major salivary glands in both the patients was made. Dentists should be aware that salivary gland aplasia is an uncommon cause of dental deterioration. It may manifest itself not by extensive caries but as dental chipping effect. Early recognition and a therapeutic strategy can prevent further dental damage.

Gorlin-Goltz syndrome: a rare case report.

Gorlin-Goltz syndrome (GS), also known as nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome, is an infrequent multisystem disease inherited in a dominant autosomal way, which shows a high level of penetrance and variable expressiveness. It is characterised by keratocystic odontogenic tumours (KCOT) in the jaw, multiple basal cell nevi carcinomas and skeletal abnormalities. This syndrome may be diagnosed early by a dentist by routine radiographical examinations in the first decade of life, since the KCOTs are usually one of the first manifestations of the syndrome. This article describes an 11-year-old boy with GS.