Comparison of Biocompatibility of Calcium Silicate-Based Sealers and Epoxy Resin-Based Sealer on Human Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells

The aim of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of calcium silicate-based sealers (CeraSeal and EndoSeal TCS) and epoxy resin-based sealer (AH-Plus) in terms of cell viability, inflammatory response, expression of mesenchymal phenotype, osteogenic potential, cell attachment, and morphology, of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs). hPDLSCs were acquired from the premolars (n = 4) of four subjects, whose ages extended from 16 to 24 years of age. Flow cytometry analysis showed stemness of hPDLSCs was maintained in all materials. In cell viability test, AH-Plus showed the lowest cell viability, and CeraSeal showed significantly higher cell viability than others. In ELISA test, AH-Plus showed higher expression of IL-6 and IL-8 than calcium silicate-based sealers. In an osteogenic potential test, AH-Plus showed a lower expression level than other material; however, EndoSeal TCS showed a better expression level than others. All experiments were repeated at least three times per cell line. Scanning electronic microscopy studies showed low degree of cell proliferation on AH-Plus, and high degree of cell proliferation on calcium silicate-based sealers. In this study, calcium silicate-based sealers appear to be more biocompatible and less cytotoxic than epoxy-resin based sealers.     

Permissive hypercapnia: Is there any upper limit?

A 19-year-old male presented with history of massive hemoptysis. The patient was kept on mechanical ventilation because of severe hypoxia. Lung protective ventilation with low tidal volume was given in view of very poor pulmonary compliance. During the course of treatment, the patient developed a very high CO₂ level of 373 mmHg. The patient was successfully weaned off on the 9^th day without any obvious adverse consequences.     

Neonatal Diabetes Mellitus Due to a Novel ABCC8 Gene Mutation Mimicking an Organic Acidemia

Neonatal diabetes mellitus and organic acidemias, may present with similar features like hyperglycemia, ketoacidosis and failure to thrive. A four-mo-old girl presented with diabetic ketoacidosis following a febrile respiratory illness during which high anion gap metabolic acidosis and hyperglycemia were detected. She also had hyperammonemia, which led to diagnostic uncertainty. Euglycemia was achieved with insulin injections. Genotyping revealed a homozygous novel mutation of the ABCC8 gene coding for the SUR1 subunit of the pancreatic beta cell potassium channel. Subsequently, the child was successfully transitioned to oral glibenclamide therapy. Developmental delay was noted on follow-up which raised the possibility of intermediate DEND syndrome. A possible cause for hyperammonemia in neonatal diabetes mellitus has been postulated in the discussion.     

Screw-worm myiasis of prolapsed rectum

Background

Wound myiasis in the Indian subcontinent is most commonly caused by old world screw-worm (Chrysomya bezziana).

Case Report and management

A 4-yearold malnourished girl presented with full thickness rectal prolapse following acute diarrhea with a large wound and screwworm myiasis of the rectum. Turpentine oil was applied to immobilize the maggots followed by manual extraction. Prolapse was successfully treated by manual reduction followed by strapping of the buttocks.

Outcome

Child was thriving well and gained 2 kg weight in follow up after two weeks.

Message

Parents should be educated about taking care of prolapsed rectum.     

Enhanced anti-psoriatic efficacy and regulation of oxidative stress of a novel topical babchi oil (Psoralea corylifolia) cyclodextrin-based nanogel in a mouse tail model

Psoriasis is a proliferative inflammatory skin disorder with relapsing episodes. Herein, the efficacy of babchi oil (BO) loaded nanostructure gel was evaluated for antipsoriatic activity and oxidative stress biomarkers assessment using mouse tail model. BO was entrapped into cyclodextrin-based nanocarriers (360.9?±?19.55?nm), followed by incorporation into Carbopol gel and characterised for viscosity, spreadability, and texture analysis. The gels were topically applied on mouse-tails once daily for fourteen days. Evaluation of antipsoriatic activity as determined by histopathological observations of orthokeratotic epidermis revealed two times higher efficacy of BO nanogel in comparison to the native BO gel. Further, significantly enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, and diminished malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitrite (NO) levels revealed that prepared nanogels played a major role in the management of reactive oxygen species (ROS) associated in psoriasis pathogenesis. Hence, this study provides strong evidence for use of cyclodextrin-based nanogels as a safe and better delivery carrier of BO for management of psoriasis.