Hydroxyapatite nanorods loaded with parathyroid hormone (PTH) synergistically enhance the net formative effect of PTH anabolic therapy

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) has been a major contributor to the anabolic therapy for osteoporosis, but its delivery to bone without losing activity and avoiding adverse local effects remain a challenge. Being the natural component of bone, use of hydroxyapatite for this purpose brings a major breakthrough in synergistic anabolism. This study focuses on synthesis, characterization and evaluation of in vitro and in vivo efficacy of PTH (1-34) adsorbed hydroxyapatite nanocarrier for synergistic enhancement in the anabolic activity of PTH for bone regeneration. The negative zeta potential of this nanocarrier facilitated its affinity to the Ca²⁺ rich bone tissue and solubilization at low pH enhanced specific delivery of PTH to the resorption pits in osteoporotic bone. In this process, PTH retained its anabolic effect and at the same time an increase in bone mineral content indicated enhancement of the net formative effect of the PTH anabolic therapy.     

Chronic brain stimulation rewarding experience ameliorates depression-induced cognitive deficits and restores aberrant plasticity in the prefrontal cortex

Background

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a multifactorial disease which often coexists with cognitive deficits. Depression-induced cognitive deficits are known to be associated with aberrant reward processing, neurochemical and structural alterations. Recent studies have shown that chronic electrical stimulation of brain reward areas induces a robust antidepressant effect. However, the effects of repeated electrical self-stimulation of lateral hypothalamus - medial forebrain bundle (LH-MFB) on depression-induced cognitive deficits and associated neurochemical and structural alterations in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) are unknown.

Immunomodulatory effects of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum L.) extract in mice

Immunomodulatory activity of aqueous extract of Trigonella foenum graecum L., a widely used medicinal and dietary herb, was evaluated in male Swiss albino mice. Mice were treated with three doses of extract (50, 100 and 250 mg/kg body weight per os) for 10 days. Body weight, relative organ weight, cellularity of lymphoid organs, delayed type of hypersensitivity (DTH) response, plaque-forming cell (PFC) assay, haemagglutination titre (HT), quantitative haemolysis of SRBC (QHS) assay, phagocytosis, and lymphoproliferation were studied in various groups of animals. At doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg, a significant increase (p < 0.05) in relative organ weight of thymus was observed but there was no effect on kidney and spleen weights. Liver weight also increased significantly at doses of 100 and 250 mg/kg. However, no elevation in the levels of liver function test (LFT) enzymes was observed. As regards lymphoid organ cellularity, spleen recorded no significant increase at any dose, whereas cellularities of thymus and bone marrow were significantly increased. T. foenum graecum extract elicited a significant (p < 0.001) increase in the DTH response at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg, but the change at higher dose of 250 mg/kg was not statistically significant. Humoral immunity as measured by PFC showed an elevated response at a dose of 100 mg/kg, but at 50 and 250 mg/kg, no significant effect was observed. In the HT test, plant extract also showed modulatory effect at all the doses. Plant extract elicited a significant increase in phagocytic index and phagocytic capacity of macrophages. Stimulatory response of plant extract was also observed in lymphoproliferation assay but the response was weak. Overall, T. foenum graecum showed a stimulatory effect on immune functions in mice. As it is used for a variety of medicinal purposes, its immunostimulatory effect, as reported in this study, strengthens the rationale of its use in several Ayurvedic and Unani drugs.     

Evaluation of correlation of serum lipid profile in patients with oral cancer and precancer and its association with tobacco abuse

J Oral Pathol Med (2010) 39 141–148 Background: Cholesterol at either higher/lower level can be troublesome. Health issues related to higher than normal levels have received much public attention because of their relationship to incidence of heart disease, whereas implications of decreased cholesterol levels remain unclear. Present study tried to evaluate and correlate the decreased cholesterol levels in Oral cancer, Oral precancer and in tobacco abuse. Methods: Total Cholesterol ( TC), High Density Lipoproteins (HDL), Very Low Density Lipoproteins (VLDL), Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL) and Triglyceride (Tri) were estimated in 210 subjects. Out of these 210 subjects, 70 subjects were histopathologically confirmed Oral Cancer, 70 subjects were histopathologically confirmed Oral precancer (OPC) and 70, age and sex matched, healthy subjects who are not having Oral Cancer, Oral precancer and who had no history of any major illness in the past. These groups were subdivided into: Subjects with No Habit of Tobacco (NHT) and Subjects With Habit of Tobacco (WHT). Results: There was significant decrease in TC, HDL, VLDL, and triglyceride in Oral Cancer group; and significant decrease in TC, and HDL in Oral precancer group as compared to Control. Mean serum lipid profile levels were not significantly different in subjects between NHT and WHT. Conclusions: There is an inverse relationship between serum lipid profile and Oral Cancer and Oral precancer. There was no overall significant correlation of serum lipid profile with tobacco abuse.     

Oxidative stress biomarkers of exposure to deltamethrin in freshwater fish,Channa punctatus Bloch

The pyrethroid class of insecticides, including deltamethrin, are being used as substitutes for organochlorines and organophosphates in pest-control programs because of their low environmental persistence and toxicity. Ecotoxicological consequences of deltamethrin, particularly its effects on antioxidants in fish and other aquatic organisms, are not well understood. We investigated the effect of deltamethrin (0.75 microg/L) on antioxidants in a freshwater fish, Channa punctatus Bloch, using standard laboratory conditions. A single exposure for 48 h caused induction of various antioxidant enzymes and nonenzymatic antioxidants in kidney and liver. The induction of these antioxidants was not very prominent in gills. In fact, certain antioxidants were found to be depleted in gills. Catalase activity was decreased in all the tissues. Deltamethrin also induced lipid peroxidation in all the tissues, gills showing the highest levels. Glutathione, which is an established nonenzymatic antioxidant in fish, was significantly (P<0.001) increased in all the tissues. Ascorbic acid content increased in kidney and liver while it decreased in gills. The findings of the present investigation show that deltamethrin has oxidative-stress-inducing potential in fish, and gills are the most sensitive organs. It is also interesting to note that gills are the primary sites of deltamethrin absorption and their antioxidant potential is also very poor. The various parameters studied in this investigation can also be used as biomarkers of exposure to deltamethrin. It is suggested that appropriate ecotoxicological risk assessment should be made in the areas where deltamethrin is proposed to be used in pest control activities.     

Unusual aggressive behavior of central giant cell granuloma following tooth extraction

Central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) is found exclusively in jaws. Its etiopathogenesis is unclear; however it is suggested that it can arise as a reactive response to trauma. This report describes an aggressive variety of CGCG which raises a question; can extraction of tooth modify the behavior of CGCG? A 46 years old male had reported with a rapidly increasing intraoral and extraoral swelling of lower jaw following tooth extraction. Radiographic examination revealed a large multilocular lesion involving the body and ramus of mandible which had been proved to be aggressive CGCG on histopathological examination. The importance of radiographic examination prior to extraction of teeth and importance of inclusion of CGCG in jaw swellings associated with mobility of teeth or failure of healing sockets is emphasized.     

Cervical lymphadenopathy in a dental patient: An eye opener case report

Cervical lymphadenopathy, a condition with multifactorial etiology is one of the common presentations in patients reporting to dental clinic. It is thus imperative that oral physicians have to be well versed with the causes of cervical lymphadenopathy. The present article describes a case of 24‐year‐old male who reported to his dentist with complaint of painless swelling of 4 months duration on right side of neck. Oral examination revealed missing mandibular third molars on both sides, which was confirmed on radiograph. Considering reactive lymphadenitis secondary to inflamed impacted molar as a reason for neck swelling, the surgical removal of third molar of right side was performed under antibiotic coverage which was uneventful. As the neck swelling persisted even after removal of molar, patient had undergone fine needle aspiration cytology and then the swelling was diagnosed as tubercular lymphadenitis. He was treated by antitubercular therapy for 6 months regimen, after then he was perfectly alright. The present report aims to highlight contemplative role of oral physician in early diagnosis of neck swellings that can result in on‐time management.     

Prevalence of oral mucosal disorders in institutionalized and non-institutionalized psychiatric patients: a study from AVBR Hospital in central India

Dental treatment is reported to be the greatest unattended health need of people with a disability. The aim of the present study was therefore to quantify the prevalence of oral diseases with a psychosomatic component (recurrent aphthous stomatitis, burning mouth syndrome, and oral lichen planus) in psychiatric patients and to screen these patients for any other oral disorders, so that better care could be provided. In this cross-sectional, single-assessment study, 150 psychiatric patients were evaluated for presence of oral disorders. They were screened based on their socio-demographic profiles, clinical profile, and standardized psychiatric scales. The prevalence of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), burning mouth syndrome (BMS), and oral lichen planus (OLP) was 19.33%(29 patients), 20.66% (31 patients) and 5.33% (8 patients), respectively, amongst all psychiatric patients. The prevalence of burning mouth syndrome was much higher in patients taking psychiatric medications (25%) than in drug-na?ve patients. On screening for other oral disorders, 35.33% of psychiatric patients had at least one other such disorder. We concluded that this patient group experiences a considerable burden of occult oral disorders necessitating thorough oral care. We also described the possible causes of the higher prevalence of oral disorders in psychiatric patients.