Non Calcifying Type of Calcifying Epithelial Odontogenic Tumor: An Unusual Case Report with Special Emphasis on Histogenesis of Calcifications

Calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumour also known as Pindborg tumour, is a rare benign odontogenic neoplasm of locally aggressive behavior. It is thought to arise from the epithelial element of the enamel origin which are reminiscent of the cells in the stratum intermedium layer of enamel organ in tooth development. The tumour is characterized histologically by the presence of polygonal epithelial cells, calcifications and eosinophilic deposits resembling amyloid. Non-calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumours are very rare and unusual. Only five cases have been reported in the English literature till date. Here, we present an additional case of non calcifying type along with a review of previously reported cases. It has a much lower recurrence and malignant transformation rate.     

Role played by serum, a biological cue, in the adherence of Enterococcus faecalis to extracellular matrix proteins, collagen, fibrinogen, and fibronectin

BACKGROUND: Most previous studies have found that Enterococcus faecalis isolates do not show significant adherence to fibronectin and fibrinogen. METHODS: The influence of various conditions on E. faecalis adherence to extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins was evaluated using a radiolabeled-cell adherence assay. RESULTS: Among the conditions studied, growth in 40% horse serum (a biological cue with potential clinical relevance) elicited adherence of all 46 E. faecalis strains tested to fibronectin and fibrinogen but not to elastin; adherence levels were independent of strain source, and adherence was eliminated by treating cells with trypsin. As previously reported, serum also elicited adherence to collagen. Although prolonged exposure to serum during growth was needed for enhancement of adherence to fibrinogen, brief exposure (<5 min) to serum had an immediate, although partial, enhancing effect on adherence to fibronectin and, to a lesser extent, collagen; pretreatment of bacteria with chloramphenicol did not decrease this enhanced adherence to fibronectin and collagen, indicating that protein synthesis is not required for the latter effect. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these data suggest that serum components may serve (1) as host environmental stimuli to induce the production of ECM protein-binding adhesin(s), as previously seen with collagen adherence, and also (2) as activators of adherence, perhaps by forming bridges between ECM proteins and adhesins.     

Zygomaticomaxillary Complex Fractures: A Review of 101 Cases

Aim

ZMC fractures are the common facial injuries. The main causes of fractures are trauma due to RTAs, assaults, falls, sports related injuries, and the civilian warfares. This study is to evaluate and review the etiology, incidence, clinical findings and treatment of ZMC fractures. A sincere effort has been put forward in the management of ZMC fractures and their efficacy is evaluated in the larger interest of the patients.

Materials and methods

In this study 101 patients having displaced ZMC fractures with insignificant medical history were reviewed to evaluate the versatility of its management, with the main emphasis on post operative stability, restoration of mouth opening, wound healing, esthetic restoration of the prominence of cheek and the complications encountered.

Results

A total of 101 patients were reviewed for the management of ZMC fractures. All the cases included were managed during the period from August 2007 to August 2009 in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Mamata Dental College and Hospital, Khammam. The extremes of ages in this study ranged from 17 to 60 years with the mean of 43. RTA was the most common cause of injury. Seventy-eight patients (77 %) were managed with surgical treatment.

Conclusion

Attention should be paid to improvement in automobile safety devices and compliance by motor vehicle occupants in addition to the improvement of the rules and regulations in sporting activities.

     

Inhibition of tumor angiogenesis by Brahma Rasayana (BR)

The current therapy for prostate cancer includes radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy and hormonal ablation. Chemotherapy also provides beneficial results for some patients with advanced prostate cancer but with several harmful side effects. Hence there is a need to identify and develop alternate therapies, which can reduce the disease progression with minimal or few side effects. Earlier studies from our laboratory have shown that a Polyherbal mixture, Brahma Rasayna (BR) rich in anti-oxidant principles has a potential to be an anti-tumor agent. BR treatment of MAT-LyLu cell inoculated Copenhagen rats resulted in a decrease of palpable tumor incidence, delay in tumor occurrence and lower mean tumor volumes. Also, a significant reduction in tumor weight and lung metastasis was observed in BR treated animals in comparison to untreated controls. In the present study, we focused to examine the effect of BR on angiogenesis and regulation of molecular markers involved in angiogenesis using in-vivo and in-vitro models. BR treatment showed a significant reduction in Factor VIII expression compared to control indicating reduced angiogenesis. BR treated tumor specimens showed a decrease in the pro-angiogenic factors like VEGF, MMP-9 and MMP-2. Methanolic extract of BR was found to inhibit the proliferation, tube formation, cell migration and attachment of HUVEC on matrigel in a dose dependant manner. These findings suggest the possible mechanism(s) of action of BR in the reduction of tumor growth and metastatic spread.     

Homeopathic medicines do not alter growth and gene expression in prostate and breast cancer cells in vitro

BACKGROUND: Homeopathy is an alternative medical system practiced in all parts of the world. Although several theories are proposed to explain the mechanisms of action, none are scientifically verified. In this study, the authors investigate the effect of selected homeopathic remedies often used to treat prostate and breast cancer. Materials and METHODS: The authors investigated the effect of the homeopathic medicines Conium maculatum, Sabal serrulata, Thuja occidentalis, Asterias, Phytolacca, and Carcinosin on prostate and breast cancer cell (DU-145, LNCaP, MAT-LyLu, MDA-MB-231) growth and on gene expression that regulates apoptosis, using MTT and multiprobe ribonuclease protection assay. RESULTS: None of the homeopathic remedies tested in different potencies produced significant inhibitory or growth-promoting activity in either prostate or breast cancer cells. Also, gene expression studies by ribonuclease protection assay produced no significant changes in mRNA levels of bax, bcl-2, bcl-x, caspase-1, caspase-2, caspase-3, Fas, or FasL after treatment with homeopathic medicines. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate that the highly diluted homeopathic remedies used by homeopathic practitioners for cancer show no measurable effects on cell growth or gene expression in vitro using currently available methodologies.     

Reduction of spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis in mice after fentin and fenbutatin administration

The present study was designed to assess potential reproductive toxicity caused by fentin and fenbutatin in the mice. Adult male mice received i.p. injections of fentin hydroxide and fenbutatin oxide at a dose of 0, 10 or 25 microg/kg body weight on 1st, 3rd and 5th day of experimentation. Mice were sacrificed on day 25 and analyzed for spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis. A significant decrease in epididymal sperm count, sperm motility, sperm viability and sperm function (HOS coiling) were observed in experimental mice when compared with controls. The decrease in sperm quantity and quality was significant in the 25 microg/kg group than that in the control group. The activity levels of testicular steroidogenic enzymes, 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17beta-HSD) were significantly decreased in treated mice indicating decreased steroidogenesis after organotin compounds administration. The levels of serum testosterone decreased with an increase in follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone in experimental mice when compared to control mice. The results suggest that fentin and fenbutatin cause impairment of spermatogenesis through the inhibition of testosterone production.     

Prospective evaluation of combined upper and lower extremity DVT

The clinical importance of upper extremity deep venous thrombosis (UEDVT) has been increasingly demonstrated in recent literature. Not only has the risk of pulmonary embolism from isolated upper extremity DVT been demonstrated, but a significant associated mortality has been encountered. Examination of this group of patients has demonstrated the existence of combined upper and lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in some patients who exhibit an even higher associated mortality. As a result of this information, it has become the standard practice at this institution to search for lower extremity DVTs in patients found to have acute thrombosis of upper extremity veins. Since January 1999, there have been a total of 227 patients diagnosed with acute UEDVT. Within this group, 211 (93%) patients had lower extremity studies; 45 of these 211 (21%) had acute lower extremity DVTs by duplex examination in addition to the upper extremity DVTs. Overall, there were 145 women, 66 men, and the average age was 70 +/-1.2 (SEM); 22 of these patients had bilateral lower extremity thrombosis (LEDVT), and 8 patients were found to have chronic thrombosis of lower extremity veins. Of the patients with bilateral upper extremity DVTs, there were 3 with bilateral LE acute DVTs. Finally, 8 of the remaining 166 patients (5%) with originally negative lower extremity studies were found to develop a thrombosis at a later date. These data serve to confirm previous studies, on a larger scale, that there should be a high index of suspicion in patients with UEDVT of a coexistent LEDVT.     

Intrapartum management of twins: truths and controversies

Twin gestations pose a challenge in management, and the intrapartum phase of care is not exempt. Despite increasing numbers of twin gestations, the literature does not adequately answer several basic questions regarding appropriate intrapartum management. This article provides an overview of the available literature supporting appropriate intrapartum actions in twin gestations and highlights areas that are still awaiting further study, with the eventual goal of optimizing intrapartum conditions, leading to an improved neonatal outcome.