Ethnic variation in certain hematological and biochemical reference intervals in a south Indian healthy adult population

BACKGROUND: We established the biochemical and hematological reference intervals among a south Indian healthy adult population attending an HIV referral centre in Chennai, southern India. METHODS: In a cross sectional study, 213 study subjects (129 male and 84 female) were studied between March and August 2005. All of the parameters were analyzed using standard hematological and biochemical techniques. RESULTS: Certain biochemical (viz. total bilirubin, alanine transaminase, albumin, creatinine, total protein, lipid profile, creatine phosphokinase, uric acid and lactate) and hematological (mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and lymphocyte levels) parameters presented higher upper limits. In addition, the upper limits of white blood cell count, platelet count, hematocrit, red blood cell count and hemoglobin level were low in comparison to the currently reported ranges. CONCLUSION: Ethnic variation in reference intervals was observed in certain biochemical and hematological analytes in a south Indian adult population.     

Parkin cooperates with GDNF/RET signaling to prevent dopaminergic neuron degeneration

Parkin and the glial cell line–derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) receptor RET have both been independently linked to the dopaminergic neuron degeneration that underlies Parkinson’s disease (PD). In the present study, we demonstrate that there is genetic crosstalk between parkin and the receptor tyrosine kinase RET in two different mouse models of PD. Mice lacking both parkin and RET exhibited accelerated dopaminergic cell and axonal loss compared with parkin-deficient animals, which showed none, and RET-deficient mice, in which we found moderate degeneration. Transgenic expression of parkin protected the dopaminergic systems of aged RET-deficient mice. Downregulation of either parkin or RET in neuronal cells impaired mitochondrial function and morphology. Parkin expression restored mitochondrial function in GDNF/RET-deficient cells, while GDNF stimulation rescued mitochondrial defects in parkin-deficient cells. In both cases, improved mitochondrial function was the result of activation of the prosurvival NF-κB pathway, which was mediated by RET through the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway. Taken together, these observations indicate that parkin and the RET signaling cascade converge to control mitochondrial integrity and thereby properly maintain substantia nigra pars compacta dopaminergic neurons and their innervation in the striatum. The demonstration of crosstalk between parkin and RET highlights the interplay in the protein network that is altered in PD and suggests potential therapeutic targets and strategies to treat PD.     

Changing Guidelines of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Basic Life Support for General Dental Practitioners and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Introduction

Every general dental practitioner and oral and maxillofacial surgeon needs a thorough knowledge of the diagnosis and management of medical emergencies. Cardiopulmonary arrest is the most urgent of emergencies and diagnosis must be done as soon as possible.

Purpose

This paper discusses the importance of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation which forms the guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), highlighting the important changes in the guidelines of CPR from the year 2000 to 2010, the basic sequence of performing CPR and also the role of defibrillation and the use of automated external defibrillators. Finally the five part chain of survival which is of utmost importance to dental health care professionals and oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

Conclusion

All dental health care personnel and oral & maxillofacial surgeons should recognize the importance of the changes in the guidelines of CPR, be trained and allowed to use a properly maintained defibrillator, to respond to cardiac arrest victims.     

A Study to Evaluate and Compare the Shear Bond Strength of Resilient Liners with Heat Cure Denture Base Resins, with and without the Effect of Saliva: An in vitro Study

Aim: To evaluate and compare the shear bond strength of resilient liners with heat cure denture base resins in the presence or absence of saliva. Materials and methods: Two commercially available heat polymerized acrylics and three commercially available denture liners were immersed in artificial saliva for 7 days and 14 days, respectively. A total of 180 (Acralyn-H, No.90 and Lucitone - 199, No.90) specimens were prepared. Total of 90 overlapping joint specimens were prepared, 45 of them using Acralyn H (AGroup) and rest 45 using Lucitone-199 (L-Group). The specimens were tested for flexural strength with a 3-point bending test on an Instron universal testing machine. The results were analyzed with a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: The mean difference in shear bond strength (SBS) at different time intervals was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.001). Lucitone-199 recorded a significantly higher mean SBS compared to Acralyn H (p < 0.001). Further, significant differences between GC and Densply, GC and Aswin liners, and between Dentsply and Aswin were noted (p < 0.001). Difference between baseline and 7 days time interval, as well as, between baseline and 14 days time interval with respect to the mean SBS of these materials were significant (p < 0.001). Also, the mean difference in SBS between 7 days time interval and 14 days time interval was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Among the three different liners, GC yielded a higher mean SBS compared to Aswin and Dentsply at all the three time intervals. The mean SBS recorded in Dentsply and Aswin was almost same at 14 days time interval, but at baseline and 7 days, it was higher in Aswin compared to Dentsply. Conclusion: Lucitone-199 recorded a higher mean SBS compared to Acralyn H. As the time interval increases, the mean SBS recorded in both the denture base materials decrease. Among the three different liners, GC yields a higher mean SBS compared to Aswin and Dentsply at all the three time intervals. Clinical significance: The most common reason for failures of resilient linings in removable dentures is the separation of these linings from the denture base. Therefore, poor adhesive bond properties are one of the serious defects of the material in clinical practice. Keywords: Heat cure resins, Methyl methacrylacte, Polymethylmethacrylate, Percentage of cohesive, Failure, Shear bond strength. How to cite this article: Rao CS, Reddy SS, Prasad GM, Reddy KS, Rao NV, Naik MS. A Study to Evaluate and Compare the Shear Bond Strength of Resilient Liners with Heat Cure Denture Base Resins, with and without the Effect of Saliva: An in vitro Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2012;13(3):394-400. Source of support: Nil Conflict of interest: None declared.     

Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHQoL) among Adolescents Seeking Orthodontic Treatment

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of different orthodontic treatment needs on the OHQoL of adolescents. Materials and methods: 200 subjects (100 males and 100 females), 11 to 15 years of age were recruited for the study. OHQoL was assessed with the short form of the oral health impact profile (OHIP-14), and malocclusion severity was assessed with the index of orthodontic treatment need (IOTN). The Chi-square test was used to analyse the qualitative data. The level of significance was 0.05. Results: The more severe the malocclusion the worse was the impact on the OHQoL. Orthodontic treatment need had almost similar impact on the daily activities of both males and females. Pronunciation and taste was not significantly affected by the need for orthodontic treatment in either males or females. The proportions of orthodontic patients who found it uncomfortable to eat any food and had to interrupt their meals were significantly correlated with orthodontic treatment needs in both males and females. Conclusion: Orthodontic treatment need had an impact on OHQoL of adolescents with no significant difference between males and females. Clinical significance: Orthodontists should be aware of the impact caused by malocclusion and orthodontic treatment on the quality of life of the patients and should provide regular positive reinforcements to them. Keywords: Oral health-related qualtiy of life, Orthodontic treatment need, Malocclusion. How to cite this article: Manjith CM, Karnam SK, Manglam S, Praveen MN, Mathur A. Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHQoL) among Adolescents Seeking Orthodontic Treatment. J Contemp Dent Pract 2012;13(3):294-298. Source of support: Nil Conflict of interest: None declared.