Influence of cigarette smoking on blood and salivary super oxide dismutase levels among smokers and non‐smokers

Aim: To determine the influence of smoking on the blood and salivary superoxide dismutase levels among smokers, and to demonstrate the significance in alterations in the levels of superoxide dismutase in association with patient age, periodontal disease status, and duration and smoking frequency. Methods: Sixty healthy male patients (aged 20–60 years) constituted the target population. Blood and saliva samples were collected, and the periodontal index was measured using a Community Periodontal Index probe. Blood and salivary superoxide dismutase levels were calculated with the reagents prepared, and values were measured in a UV spectrophotometer. Results: There was a significant decrease in mean superoxide dismutase levels with an increase in age and smoking duration and frequency (0.23–0.05 U/mL). There was a range of 0.31–0.06 U/mL variation in the mean superoxide dismutase levels as the periodontal disease condition deteriorated. Conclusions: There was a significant reduction in the superoxide dismutase levels in the blood and saliva of smokers with increased duration and frequency of smoking, and as the periodontal disease condition worsened. Thus, this study emphasizes the importance of saliva as an easy, non‐invasive procedure in the diagnosis of patients who are more prone to precancerous lesions and conditions, and its importance in patient education and motivation programs for smoking cessation.     

Spatial distribution and molecular characterization of Anopheles nivipes and Anopheles philippinensis (Diptera: Culicidae) in north-east India

Anopheles philippinensis-nivipes species of mosquitoes are considered secondary malaria vectors in the north-east India. However, difficulty in separating An. philippinensis and An. nivipes accurately on the basis of morphological identification, due to the overlapping female wing characters, has led to the paucity of information on their spatial distribution and vectorial importance, essential for understanding malaria disease epidemiology in areas under their influence. In view of this a study was undertaken to generate authentic information on distribution of An. philippinensis and An. nivipes in the north-east India using molecular tools. Between the two, An. nivipes was recorded as the dominant species in Assam, and Nagaland states whereas An. philippinensis was found predominant in the state of Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh. Species differentiation based on female wing characters proved wrong in about 74% specimens of An. philippinensis but found accurate in case of An. nivipes. No intra-specific variation in second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) region of ribosomal DNA(r-DNA) in either An. nivipes or An. philippinensis from different geographical areas of north-east India was noted.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">PTEN</Emphasis>-mediated AKT activation contributes to the reduced apoptosis among Indian oral squamous cell carcinoma patients

Purpose  

The tumor suppressor gene PTEN negatively regulates Akt, a downstream mediator phosphoinositol 3-kinase. Several studies have reported the role of PTEN gene in Akt downregulation and apoptosis induction in different cancers and cell lines. However, the role of loss of PTEN expression in Akt activation and spontaneous apoptosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma clinical specimens is not well established.     

Autograft mitral valve replacement: a new technique

We describe a new technique wherein we have used the Ionescu Ross Wooler stent for housing the pulmonary autograft. We believe that this technique is easy and reproducible and offers many advantages over the previously described techniques.