Rothia aeria vertebral discitis/osteomyelitis in an immunocompetent adult: Case report and literature review.

Rothia aeria is a gram-positive, pleomorphic bacteria forming part of human oral microflora usually only causing periodontal and dental infections. We describe the case of a 68-year-old immunocompetent male with lumbar vertebral discitis/osteomyelitis caused by R. aeria. A review of the literature demonstrated seventeen cases of non-dental R. aeria infection of which only six were in immunocompetent individuals. This is the first reported case of R. aeria vertebral discitis/osteomyelitis.

Whole-mount Immunohistochemistry to Visualize Mouse Embryonic Dermal Lymphatic Vasculature.

Lymphatic vessels are abundant in the skin where they regulate interstitial fluid uptake and immune surveillance. Defects in dermal lymphatic vessels, such as fewer vessels and abnormal lymphatic vessel coverage with mural cells, are frequently associated with lymphedema and other lymphatic disorders. Whole-mount immunohistochemistry allows the visualization of dermal lymphatic vessels and identifies morphogenetic defects. Most dermal lymphatic vessels start growing during embryogenesis from lymph sacs that are located close to the axilla towards the dorsal and ventral midlines. Here, we present an approach that we have developed to permeabilize, immunolabel, clear, and visualize the lymphatic vessels. These simple and inexpensive techniques reproducibly generate images of dermal lymphatic vessels with great clarity.

A Radiological Evaluation of Bone Healing in Postextraction Sockets Following Bone Grafting Using Beta-Tricalcium Phosphate and Calcium Phosphosilicate: A Controlled Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: Healing unbinds a well choreographed array of cellular, physiologic, biochemical, and molecular processes directed toward restoring the integrity and functional capacity of the damaged structures. The rate and degree of healing vary among individuals but is greatest during the first few months or years after tooth loss. Evidence suggests that alveolar bone ridge resorption may be prevented, initially by reconstructive surgical techniques using several materials which are employed at the time of extraction. This droves to the development of bone substitutes materials such as hydroxyapatite, beta tricalcium phosphate (ß TCP), and bioactive glasses. These regenerative materials not only act as an osteoconductive scaffold but also interact with the surrounding tissues and impart an osseostimulatory effect. METHODS: Twenty adult patients who required bilateral removal of homologous tooth, were informed and described regarding post extraction socket grafting using ß TCP and CPS followed by covering with Collagen Membrane. Radiographic densitometry evaluation of postoperative visits of immediate; 1st month; 3rd month; and 6th month using orthopantomograph was done. RESULTS: The Karl Pearson's Correlation coefficient was used to determine the degree of bone density with adjacent bone preoperatively and postoperatively. The statistical evaluation, CPS was more superior to ß TCP, with a difference of 58.75 and P value showed more significance (<0.0001). CONCLUSION: This article evaluates radiographically quality and quantity of bone formation in the socket, following extraction and bone grafting using Calcium Phosphosilicate (CPS) and ß TCP, it is concluded that the two modalities of treatment were efficient in improving the clinical outcome parameters as well as showed comparable regenerative effects when used in the treatment of "socket grafting" while between them CPS more superior to ß TCP biomaterials by Osteogenic properties.

Evaluation of the Sensitivity of the Flow Through Assay for detection of White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) using a cocktail of monoclonal antibodies.

A panel of four monoclonal antibodies (C-05, C-14, C-38 and C-56) specific to VP28 of White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) were evaluated individually and in cocktail to increase sensitivity of the Flow Through Assay (FTA) for detection of the virus. Recombinant VP28 and semi purified WSSV was used as antigen for evaluation. Out of the total 11 cocktails and four individual of MAbs, 2 MAb cocktails C-05 + C-56 and C-14 + C-56 exhibited highest sensitivity in the FTA. The two MAb cocktail were 100 times more sensitive than 1-step PCR and nearly equivalent to 2-step PCR for the detection of WSSV. The detection limit of WSSV by MAb cocktail increased by two fold compared to the single MAb C-05 currently being used in (FTA).

Concentrating white spot syndrome virus by alum for field detection using a monoclonal antibody based flow-through assay.

A simple and easy method of concentrating white spot syndrome virus by employing aluminium sulphate, alum as a flocculant was developed and evaluated for field detection. The concentrated virus was detected by a monoclonal antibody based flow-through assay, RapiDot and compared its performance with polymerase chain reaction. The semi-purified virus that was flocculated by 15 and 30 ppm alum in a 50 ml cylinder can be detected successfully by both RapiDot and I step PCR. In addition, alum could also flocculate the virus that is detectable by II step PCR and the concentration of virus was similar to the one observed in water from an infected pond. Furthermore, experimental infection studies validated the successful concentration of virus by alum flocculation followed by rapid detection of virus using monoclonal antibody based RapiDot. Overall, the results obtained in this study indicate that the white spot syndrome virus in water could be easily flocculated by alum for sensitive field detection by monoclonal antibody based RapiDot.

Changes in quality of life during orthodontic correction of midline diastema.

AIM: The aim of our study is to evaluate the changes in quality of life among patients treated for maxillary midline diastema by fixed orthodontic appliances. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective longitudinal study consists of 40 patients of age group 20-30 years who underwent orthodontic correction of midline diastema. The patient's quality of life is evaluated using 22-item orthognathic quality of life questionnaire. They were evaluated prior to appliance therapy, 1 month after appliance fixation, 4(th) and 8(th) month during treatment and 1 month after treatment. RESULTS: Our results showed moderate improvement in quality of life as early as at the start of orthodontic therapy. The response was equal among both sexes. The quality of life experience improved only mildly during the orthodontic treatment. However, the condition specific quality of life at the end of appliance therapy improved by nearly 50% when compared with prior to treatment. CONCLUSION: Our study has concluded that the correction of midline diastema has improved the quality of life among young people by nearly 50%. The acceptance to orthodontic therapy and patient perception toward fixed appliance has demonstrated remarkable improvement in quality of life during the treatment. Our study calls for additional patient counseling and motivation during the course of fixed appliance therapy.

Embedded toothbrush foreign body in cheek - report of an unusual case.

BACKGROUND: Toothbrush injuries are common in children, and those of impalement and embedded injuries are the more serious. CASE REPORT: A five-year-old girl presented with a complaint of a swelling affecting the left side of her face and with difficulty in opening her mouth for the previous 15 days. She gave a history of a fall while brushing her teeth. A foreign body (head of a toothbrush) located adjacent to the mandibular ramus was identified with the help of a CT scan. TREATMENT: The foreign body was located by surgical exploration and retrieved. An extra-oral sinus that was present was excised and the resulting defect was reconstructed using a Limberg flap. FOLLOW-UP: Healing was uneventful during the follow-up period. After 18 months the child's mouth had completely healed although some extra-oral scarring was present. CONCLUSION: When dealing with children reporting for evaluation following trauma while tooth brushing, a thorough evaluation is essential for embedded foreign bodies.

Antiulcer and antioxidant activity of ethanolic extract of Passiflora foetida L.

Passiflora foetida L. (Passifloraceae), a widely growing perennial climber, has been used in traditional medicine for treating many ailments. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of ethanolic extract of P. foetida (EEPF) whole plant on gastric ulcer. The antiulcer effects of EEPF at 100 and 200 mg/kg doses were evaluated on ethanol and aspirin-induced gastric ulcer models. The antioxidant parameters and histological changes in gastric tissue of ulcer rats were also determined in both the models. P. foetida treatment significantly (P < 0.01) reduced the ulcer index and significantly (P < 0.01) increased the gastric pH of both ethanol and aspirin-induced ulcer rats. P. foetida showed significant (P < 0.01) reduction in lipid peroxidation and increase in reduced glutathione levels. The observations confirm that EEPF whole plant has antiulcer and antioxidant activities.

Antiulcerogenic activity of Lantana camara leaves on gastric and duodenal ulcers in experimental rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae), a widely growing shrub has been used in the traditional medicine for treating many ailments. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of methanolic extract of Lantana camara leaves on gastric and duodenal ulcers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antiulcerogenic effect of methanolic extract of Lantana camara was evaluated in aspirin induced gastric ulcerogenesis in pyloric ligated rats, ethanol induced gastric ulcer, and cysteamine induced duodenal ulcer models. The extract was administered orally at two different doses of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg. The lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione levels of ethanol induced gastric ulcer model and inhibition zone in diameter against Helicobacter pylori also determined. RESULTS: The L. camara extract significantly (P<0.01) reduced ulcer index, total acidity and significantly (P<0.01) increased the gastric pH of aspirin+pylorus-ligation induced ulcerogenesis and ethanol induced gastric ulcer models. The extract also significantly (P<0.01) reduced the ulcer index of cysteamine induced duodenal ulcer. The L. camara showed significant (P<0.01) reduction in lipid peroxidation and increase in reduced glutathione levels. The inhibition zone in diameter of extract against H. pylori was 20mm. CONCLUSION: The methanolic extract of Lantana camara leaves shown healing of gastric ulcers and also prevents development of duodenal ulcers in rats.

A fluorescent fluoride ion probe based on a self-organized ensemble of 5-hydroxyflavone-Al(III) complex.

In the presence of Al(III) ions, 5-hydroxyflavone (5HF) through a complexation reaction in MeOH, shows dual fluorescence, characterized by a newly developed peak at 554nm upon excitation at 363nm. In this communication, the subsequent ligand exchange reaction of the complex with fluoride ion causing a fluorescence enhancement followed by a decrease in fluorescence intensity involving an intermediate mechanistic pathway, delivering a quantitative estimation route for fluoride ion in the concentration range from 5x10(-5) to 7x10(-4)M, has been reported. The ligand exchange reaction, without interference from other common anions, has been investigated by UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopies combined with the AM1 semi-empirical self-consistent field quantum chemical calculations within UHF formalism in their ground state.

A water-soluble fluorescent fluoride ion probe based on Alizarin Red S-Al(III) complex.

A new water-soluble fluorescent fluoride ion signaling system has been developed based on the ligand exchange mechanism in aqueous medium. This procedure is based on the exchange of two Alizarin Red S (ARS) molecules coordinated to Al(III) by fluoride ion without interference from other common anions. The binary complex of ARS with Al(III) provides a sensitive signaling system for fluoride ion in the concentration range from 5x10(-6) to 3x10(-4) M. The ligand exchange reaction of ARS-Al(III) complex with fluoride ion has been investigated by UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopies combined with the AM1 semi-empirical quantum chemical calculations. The pale orange fluorescence (lambdamax=575 nm) exhibited by the complex upon excitation at 435 nm decreases in intensity with fluoride addition with a detection limit of 0.1 mg L-1.

Fluoride ion detection by 8-hydroxyquinoline-Zr(IV)-EDTA complex.

A simple fluorescent detection based on the ligand exchange mechanism is proposed for the fluoride ion in aqueous media. This procedure is based on the exchange of 8-hydroxyquinoline (oxine) coordinated to Zr(IV) by fluoride ion without interference from other common anions. The ternary complex of oxine with [Zr(H(2)O)(2)EDTA].2H(2)O formed by replacing two water molecules in aqueous solution provides a sensitive signalling system for fluoride ion in the concentration range from 6 x 10(-7)M to 8 x 10(-4)M. The green fluorescence (lambda(max)=532 nm) exhibited by the complex upon excitation at 247 nm decreases in intensity with fluoride addition with a detection limit of 12 ppb. The complexation reaction between oxine and Zr(IV)-EDTA and the ligand exchange reaction with fluoride ion has been investigated by UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopies combined with the PM3 semi-empirical quantum chemical calculations. Job's method of continuous variation and the molar ratio method ascertain a 1:1 stoichiometry composition of the chelate in aqueous media.

Purification, crystallisation and preliminary X-ray study of haemoglobin from Crocodilis palustris and Crocodilis porosus.

The unsolved three-dimensional structure of crocodile haemoglobin and its prospects as a blood substitute have led us to initiate the purification and crystallisation of haemoglobin molecules from crocodile species (Crocodilis palustris or mugger and Crocodilis porosus or salt water crocodile). The work has resulted in the prevention of polymerisation of naked haemoglobin molecules using N-ethylmaleimide or iodoacetamide. The purified monomeric haemoglobin molecule of C. porosus was crystallised in two different forms and X-ray diffraction data were collected up to 2 A resolution for both forms. Form I: a=53.62, b=53.55, c=103.77 A; beta=93.35 degrees, space group P2(1), Z=2. Form II: a=71.30, b=54.70, c=80.00 A; beta=106.4 degrees, space group P2(1), Z=2. Structure solution and rigid body refinement of form I data resulted in a model with R(free)=0.42 and R=0.35.