Effects of child formula dentifrices on artificial caries like lesions using in vitro pH-cycling: preliminary results

AIM: To compare the remineralisation effects of different child dentifrices on primary teeth. DESIGN: In vitro single-section technique and pH-cycling model. METHODS: Primary teeth were painted with nail varnish, leaving a 1 mm wide window before placing in demineralising solution for 96hr to produce artificial carious lesions 150-200 microm deep. Teeth were longitudinally cut into approximately 100-150 microm thick sections and assigned to three groups (n = 7). Sections in Group A were exposed to Perioe Children's Toothpaste (LG, Korea), Group B to Colgate Pokemon (Colgate-Palmolive, Thailand) and Group C to Vicco (Vicco Laboratories, India). Polarised light microscopy and microradiography was used to evaluate lesion depth, before and after 7 days pH cycle. RESULTS: Mean lesion depths in Groups A and C increased by 11% and 14% respectively, while Group B demonstrated a lesion reduction of 3%. Comparisons using ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls tests showed that Groups A and C were significantly different from Group B (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between Groups A and C. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the data obtained, Colgate Pokemon remineralised initial carious lesions. In addition, when compared to Colgate Pokemon, Perioe Children's Toothpaste failed to show 'healing' efficacy even though it is claimed to contain fluoride.     

Comparative Evaluation of Local Anaesthesia with Adrenaline and Without Adrenaline on Blood Glucose Concentration in Patients Undergoing Tooth Extractions

Background  

Lignocaine hydrochloride is the most widely used and easily available local anaesthetic agent. Adrenaline is frequently combined with lignocaine to enhance the duration of anaesthesia, decrease toxicity, to achieve vasoconstriction and to provide a bloodless field.     

Unusual Presentation of Caustic Ingestion and its Surgical Treatment: A Case Report

Treatment and reconstruction of oral scar contracture, is always a challenging procedure to restore structure and functions of the oral cavity. We present a case of a patient with limited mouth opening who sustained extensive oral scar contracture with complete adhesion of tongue to floor of mouth following ingestion of caustic soda without his knowledge 4 years back. We performed a surgical release of the scar contractures from buccal mucosa on both sides, along with a release of the tongue from the floor of the mouth, followed by reconstruction of all sites using split skin grafts. Adequate mouth opening and tongue movement was achieved. There was a follow up period of 1 month with excellent mouth opening and tongue function.     

A Longitudinal Survey for Genome-based Identification of SARS-CoV-2 in Sewage Water in Selected Lockdown Areas of Lahore City,Pakistan: A Potential Approach for Future Smart Lockdown Strategy

In 2019, the newly emerged SARS-CoV-2 virus caused pneumonia-like illness. The disease rapidly spread globally, leading to a worldwide outbreak referred to as the COVID-19 pandemic. The affected patients show symptoms of fever, dry cough, respiratory distress, myalgia, and gastrointestinal disturbance. As of April 5, 2021, 132,083,022 people worldwide were affected by COVID-19, while 2,868,454 people died due to the disease[1]. SARS-CoV-2-positive patients may remain asymptomatic or start showing symptoms in 2?14 days after exposure to the virus[2]. The viral infection can be diagnosed from nasopharyngeal, throat, alveolar lavage, lacrimal, blood, and stool samples. The patient starts shedding the virus in stool regardless of being symptomatic or asymptomatic, which makes sewage-based detection of the virus to be more beneficial in the early infection stage.     

Porcelain laminate veneers: Clinical survey for evaluation of failure

ObjectiveTo investigate the association of the failure of porcelain laminate veneers with factors related to the patient, material, and operator.MethodsThis clinical survey involved 29 patients (19 women and 10 men) and their dentists, including undergraduate and postgraduate dental students and dental interns. Two questionnaires were distributed to collect information from participants. All patients were clinically examined. Criteria for failure of the porcelain laminate veneers included color change, cracking, fracture, and/or debonding.ResultsA total of 205 porcelain laminate veneers were evaluated. All of the restorations were fabricated from IPS e.max Press and cemented with Variolink Veneer (Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Principality of Liechtenstein) or RelyX veneer cement (3M ESPE, St. Paul, MN, USA). The preparations were generally located in enamel (58.6%), and most veneers had an overlapped design (89.7%). Ten patients (34.48%) showed veneer failure, most often in terms of color change (60%). Overall, 82.8% of patients were satisfied with their restorations.ConclusionInsufficient clinical skills or operator experience resulted in restoration failure in one-third of patients.     

Inhibition of Cathepsin K Increases Modeling‐Based Bone Formation,and Improves Cortical Dimension and Strength in Adult Ovariectomized Monkeys

Treatment with the cathepsin K (CatK) inhibitor odanacatib (ODN) protects against bone loss and maintains normal biomechanical properties in the spine and hip of ovariectomized (OVX) preclinical models. Here, we characterized the effects of ODN on the dynamics of cortical modeling and remodeling, and dimension and strength of the central femur in adult OVX‐rhesus monkeys. Animals were treated with vehicle or ODN (6 or 30 mg/kg, once per day [q.d., p.o.]) in prevention mode for 21 months. Calcein and tetracycline double‐labeling were given at 12 and 21 months, and the femoral cross‐sections were subjected to dynamic histomorphometric and cement line analyses. ODN treatment significantly increased periosteal and endocortical bone formation (BFR/BS), accompanied with an increase in endocortical mineralizing surface (102%, p < 0.01) with the 6 mg/kg dose. ODN at both doses reduced remodeling hemiosteon numbers by 51% and 66% (p < 0.05), respectively, and ODN 30 mg/kg numerically reduced activation frequency without affecting wall thickness. On the same endocortical surface, ODN increased all modeling‐based parameters, while reducing intracortical remodeling, consistent with the observed no treatment effects on cortical porosity. ODN 30 mg/kg markedly increased cortical thickness (CtTh, p < 0.001) and reduced marrow area (p < 0.01). Lastly, ODN treatment increased femoral structural strength (p < 0.001). Peak load was positively correlated with the increases in bone mineral content (BMC) (r² = 0.9057, p < 0.0001) and CtTh (r² = 0.6866, p < 0.0001). Taken together, by reducing cortical remodeling‐based and stimulating modeling‐based bone formation, ODN significantly improved cortical dimension and strength in OVX monkeys. This novel mechanism of CatK inhibition in stimulating cortical formation suggests that ODN represents a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of osteoporosis. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.     

Guiding mothers' management of health problems of very low birth-weight infants

OBJECTIVE: Explore the feasibility, usefulness, and outcomes of a pilot program to support mothers in developing competencies for managing health problems of their very low birth-weight (VLBW) infants in partnership with the primary care clinician (PCC). DESIGN: In a randomized study, mothers who received guided participation (GP) and printed guidelines for managing VLBW infant health problems were compared with mothers who received only the guidelines and standard care (GL group). SAMPLE: All mothers (GP = 20; GL = 11) were at least 18 years old and English speaking. Infants were all VLBW (< or =1,500 g). INTERVENTION: GP began during the infant's neonatal intensive care unit stay and continued with public health nurses (PHNs) and a family service clinician through the infant's first 4 postterm months. Measurements: Intervention feasibility and usefulness were assessed with maternal and clinician feedback. Outcomes included maternal and clinician appraisal of mothers' use of clinical resources and mothers' perceptions of primary-care quality and the family-PCC relationship. RESULTS: Intervention feasibility and usefulness were supported. GP and GL groups did not differ significantly on outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate a longer intervention period, GP organized by infant problem episodes, and enhancement of the PHN role in the context of interdisciplinary and interagency collaboration.     

Effects of Denosumab,Alendronate, or Denosumab Following Alendronate on Bone Turnover,Calcium Homeostasis,Bone Mass and Bone Strength in Ovariectomized Cynomolgus Monkeys

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a chronic disease wherein increased bone remodeling reduces bone mass and bone strength. Antiresorptive agents including bisphosphonates are commonly used to mitigate bone loss and fracture risk. Osteoclast inhibition via denosumab (DMAb), a RANKL inhibitor, is a newer approach for reducing fracture risk in patients at increased risk for fracture. The safety of transitioning from bisphosphonate therapy (alendronate; ALN) to DMAb was examined in mature ovariectomized (OVX) cynomolgus monkeys (cynos). One day after OVX, cynos (7–10/group) were treated with vehicle (VEH, s.c.), ALN (50 μg/kg, i.v., twice monthly) or DMAb (25 mg/kg/month, s.c.) for 12 months. Other animals received VEH or ALN for 6 months and then transitioned to 6 months of DMAb. DMAb caused significantly greater reductions in serum CTx than ALN, and transition from ALN to DMAb caused further reductions relative to continued ALN. DMAb and ALN decreased serum calcium (Ca), and transition from ALN to DMAb resulted in a lesser decline in Ca relative to DMAb or to VEH‐DMAb transition. Bone histomorphometry indicated significantly reduced trabecular and cortical remodeling with DMAb or ALN. Compared with ALN, DMAb caused greater reductions in osteoclast surface, eroded surface, cortical porosity and fluorochrome labeling, and transition from ALN to DMAb reduced these parameters relative to continued ALN. Bone mineral density increased in all active treatment groups relative to VEH controls. Destructive biomechanical testing revealed significantly greater vertebral strength in all three groups receiving DMAb, including those receiving DMAb after ALN, relative to VEH controls. Bone mass and strength remained highly correlated in all groups at all tested skeletal sites, consistent with normal bone quality. These data indicate that cynos transitioned from ALN to DMAb exhibited reduced bone resorption and cortical porosity, and increased BMD and bone strength, without deleterious effects on Ca homeostasis or bone quality. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.     

Nucleic acid testing for viral burden and viral genotyping

BACKGROUND: Molecular diagnostics plays an important role in the diagnosis and clinical management of a wide array of infectious diseases. METHODS: Advances in molecular technology and methods of detecting nucleic acid sequences have revolutionized the field of virology. These developments are reflected by the rapid diagnosis and monitoring of viral agents as well as assessment of clinical disease associated with viral infections. In addition to many commercially available molecular based assays, many laboratories offer in-house developed assays for a variety of viral targets. The introduction of real-time PCR technology has made a large impact on virology testing. CONCLUSIONS: The role of real-time PCR for the diagnosis of viral infections is enhanced by the accuracy, rapidity and ability to quantitate viral target sequences.     

Oxidative stress in a novel model of chronic acidosis in LLC-PK1 cells

Chronic metabolic acidosis occurs commonly in chronic renal failure (CRF). The proximal renal tubular cell is the site in the kidney of high oxidative metabolic activity and in CRF is associated with adaptive hypertrophy and hypermetabolism. We hypothesised that chronic acidosis may lead to increased generation of reactive oxygen species due to increased oxidative activity. We developed a novel model of chronic acidosis in LLC-PK1 cells and measured markers of oxidative stress and metabolism. Acidosis led to a reduction in cellular total glutathione and protein thiol content and an increase in glutathione peroxidase activity and NH3 generation. The expression of constitutively expressed heat stress protein (HSP) HSC70 and HSP60 increased at pH 7.0.