Use of Optical Coherence Tomography in Dentistry.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an optics-based imaging technique, which may be called an "optical biopsy." It can be used to acquire structural information about a tissue at a resolution comparable to histopathology. OCT is based on the principle of low-coherence interferometry where near-infrared (NIR) light is shown on a tissue sample and then cross-sectional images are obtained based on backscattered light and echo time delay. Two main types of OCT are characterized as time-domain OCT (TD-OCT) and Fourier-domain OCT (FD-OCT). The applications of OCT in dentistry can be broadly divided into two groups, i.e., assessment of pathologies and assessment of surfaces and interfaces. Lately, OCT has made its transition from experimental laboratories to mainstream clinical applications. Starting from the short-term training courses, clinicians working in specialities like oral pathology, oral medicine, and oral implantology may find it a useful tool for their practices. It is now clear that OCT will be considered a gold standard diagnostic tool for the detection and characterization of several conditions and lesions of the orofacial region. However, the next challenge will be to incorporate it into the undergraduate and postgraduate curriculum and train dental healthcare staff in the use of these devices.

Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Current Literature and Role in Periodontal Regeneration.

Periodontal disease can cause irreversible damage to tooth-supporting tissues such as the root cementum, periodontal ligament, and alveolar bone, eventually leading to tooth loss. While standard periodontal treatments are usually helpful in reducing disease progression, they cannot repair or replace lost periodontal tissue. Periodontal regeneration has been demonstrated to be beneficial in treating intraosseous and furcation defects to varied degrees. Cell-based treatment for periodontal regeneration will become more efficient and predictable as tissue engineering and progenitor cell biology advance, surpassing the limitations of present therapeutic techniques. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells with the ability to self-renew and differentiate into several cell types when stimulated. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been tested for periodontal regeneration in vitro and in humans, with promising results. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) possess a great regenerative and therapeutic potential. Their added benefits comprise ease of collection, endless source of stem cells, less immunorejection, and affordability. Further, their collection does not include the concerns associated with human embryonic stem cells. The purpose of this review is to address the most recent findings about periodontal regenerative mechanisms, different stem cells accessible for periodontal regeneration, and UC-MSCs and their involvement in periodontal regeneration.

Salt Stress Alleviation in Triticum aestivum Through Primary and Secondary Metabolites Modulation by Aspergillus terreus BTK-1.

We report the growth promoting potential in wheat under saline conditions by an endophytic fungus Aspergillus terreus BTK-1. The isolated BTK-1 from the root of Chenopodium album was identified as Aspergillus terreus through 18S rDNA sequence analysis. BTK-1 secreted indole acetic acid (IAA), exhibited 1- aminocyclopropane-1- carboxylate deaminase (ACC) and siderophores activity, and solubilized phosphate. Wheat seedlings were exposed to a saline environment (0, 60, 120, and 180 mM) with or without BKT-1 inoculation. Seedlings inoculated with BTK-1 showed higher concentrations of IAA and gibberellins, whereas they showed low concentrations of abscisic acid compared to the BTK-1 non-inoculated plants. Also, BTK-1 inoculated wheat plants revealed significantly (P = 0.05) longer shoots and roots, biomass, and chlorophyll contents. On the contrary, plants without BTK-1 inoculation indicated significantly (P = 0.05) low amounts of carbohydrates, phenolics, prolines, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, with high amounts of Na and malonaldehyde under salt stress. Likewise, BTK-1 inoculated wheat plants showed high activity of reduced glutathione, and low activity of ascorbate, catalase, and peroxidase under salt stress. The mitigation of salinity stress by BTK-1 inoculated wheat plants suggested its use as a bio-stimulator in salt affected soils.

Dental and Oral Manifestations of COVID-19 Related Mucormycosis: Diagnoses, Management Strategies and Outcomes.

It has been nearly two years since the pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has affected the world. Several innovations and discoveries related to COVID-19 are surfacing every day and new problems associated with the COVID-19 virus are also coming to light. A similar situation is with the emergence of deep invasive fungal infections associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Recent literature reported the cases of pulmonary and rhino-cerebral fungal infections appearing in patients previously infected by COVID-19. Histopathological analysis of these cases has shown that most of such infections are diagnosed as mucormycosis or aspergillosis. Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis usually affects the maxillary sinus with involvement of maxillary teeth, orbits, and ethmoidal sinuses. Diabetes mellitus is an independent risk factor for both COVID-19 as well as mucormycosis. At this point, there is scanty data on the subject and most of the published literature comprises of either case reports or case series with no long-term data available. The aim of this review paper is to present the characteristics of COVID-19 related mucormycosis and associated clinical features, outcome, diagnostic and management strategies. A prompt diagnosis and aggressive treatment planning can surely benefit these patients.

Spontaneous fulminant gangrene of distal colon and rectum.

A case of a young female is reported who presented with acute abdomen and peritonitis. Emergency laparotomy revealed fulminant gangrene of descending colon and upper third of rectum. Two-stage procedure was carried out as transverse colostomy and subsequent colorectal anastomosis two months later.

Squamous cell carcinoma lower lip - an experience with Karapandzic technique.

Carcinoma of the lip is a common cancer of head and neck area. It occurs frequently on the lower lip of middle-aged and elderly males who have a history of chronic sun exposure. Surgical excision and radiotherapy are regarded as equally effective treatment options, but preferred method is surgical excision. Karapandzic technique provides myoneurovascular pedicled advancement flap for reconstruction of the defect after surgical excision. It is a simple and safe technique, functionally and esthetically, sacrifices little tissue, heals rapidly and is effective for repair of defects covering 1/3 to 4/5 of the lower lip. We report a 62 years male who presented with a large, fungating, pus-discharging and tender mass of lower lip. Biopsy confirmed squamous cell carcinoma. Tumor was excised and defect was reconstructed using Karapandzic technique. Patient remained asymptomatic during follow-up visits.