Methylene Blue as a Diagnostic Aid in the Early Detection of Potentially Malignant and Malignant Lesions of Oral Mucosa

BACKGROUND: In vivo stains are the prompt resources, which have emerged in recent years to aid as clinical diagnostic tools in detecting early potentially malignant and malignant lesions. Toluidine blue, by its property of retaining in the increased DNA and RNA cellular activity areas, aids in delineating the suspicious areas. However, it is hazardous if swallowed, and has been shown to have toxicity to fibroblasts. Methylene blue has a similar chemical structure and exhibits similar physicochemical properties as toluidine blue. It is less toxic to the human body and has recently been proposed for screening some gastrointestinal or prostate tumors. The application of this material in detecting oral lesions has so far not been addressed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and reliability of in vivo staining with methylene blue as a diagnostic adjunct in screening for oral malignant or potentially malignant lesions.METHODS: The present study involved the examination of 75 patients suspected of having oral malignant or potentially malignant lesions by methylene blue staining. The results of methylene blue uptake were compared with a simultaneous biopsy of these lesions.RESULTS: The overall sensitivity was 95% (100% for malignancy and 92% for potentially malignant lesions) and specificity was 70%. The positive predictive value was 91% and negative predictive value of 80% was observed in the study.CONCLUSION: We consider that methylene blue staining is a useful diagnostic adjunct in a large, community-based oral cancer screening program for high-risk individuals.KEYWORDS: Methylene blue, Oral malignant, Potentially malignan

CURCUMIN IN ORAL MUCOSAL LESIONS: AN UPDATE

The phytopharmaceutical curcumin - the Indian golden spice has been widely researched for its pharmaceutical properties. It exhibits a big promise as a therapeutic agent due to its properties such as antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic activity, anticarcinogenic activity, chemopreventive, chemotherapeutic activity, antitumor, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal and is currently in human trials for a variety of conditions. The applications of curcumin in dentistry include its use as pit and fissure sealant, dental plaque detection system, subgingival irrigant, and intracanal medicament. The aim of the present paper is to review the current literature for the use of curcumin in oral mucosal lesions. A thorough review of the existing literature encompassing PubMed, Ovid, Embase, and Google scholar was made using the keywords curcumin, turmeric, oral, mucosal, oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF), oral lichen planus (OLP), aphthous, recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS), leukoplakia, mucositis, reverse smoking, tobacco-associated lesions, and premalignant. No filters in relation to language or publication year were used and only in vivo studies on humans were selected. Reference lists of retrieved journal articles were searched for publications missed during the primary search. Finally, the Google search engine was used to do a comprehensive search of the World Wide Web to ensure completeness of the search. The review of the literature revealed evidence of the use of curcumin in tobacco-associated conditions of the oral cavity-OSMF, oral leukoplakia, oral lesions associated with reverse smoking and ulcerative conditions of the oral cavity- OLP, RAS, and oral mucositis has been studied. Curcumin provides the basis for a simple, safe, acceptable, and cost-effective intervention for oral mucosal disorders

Prevalence of computer vision syndrome and associated ocular morbidity in a tertiary care hospital

Background: This study was done to determine the prevalence of computer vision syndrome and associated ocular morbidity in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: A cross sectional observational study was conducted on  673 patients based on the inclusion criteria. The patients were asked to fulfil the computer vision syndrome survey form 3 and OSDI questionnaire. Spontaneous eye blink rate, Schirmer’s test 1, tear break up time, refraction were performed for these patients. Data was collected and analysed by SPSS software. Results: The prevalence of computer vision syndrome was 73% with 294 males and 206 females. The mean age of the patients was 30.29 years. Most of the participants were between 21-30 years. The screen time for most of the study participants (59.80%) came out to be >6 hours/day on average. The chief complaint of majority patients was blurred vision and asthenopia whereas the secondary complaint was watering and headache. Maximum patients (38.20%) from our study were students and competitive exam aspirants followed by teachers and software engineers. The screen modality used by 34.20 % patients was mobile phones > laptops. The mean SEBR was 13.50 minutes. The mean OSDI was 17.44. The screen time was significantly correlated to SEBR (p<0.0001). Also the screen time and OSDI correlation came out to be significant (p<0.0001). Conclusions: The present study revealed a significantly high prevalence of CVS among our patients. The ocular symptoms are predominantly affecting the convergence power of eyes and tear film instability causing blurred vision and dryness

Role of Herbal Medication in Tobacco Cessation Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background: Literature reports randomized trials have examined herbal drugs and other smoking cessation therapies such as aromatherapy acupuncture but no comprehensive overview of the overall results has been provided. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to describe the overall effectiveness and safety of herbal medicines. Methods: This study was conducted from December 2020 to April 2021 by searching seven databases. Herbal drugs have been shown to help people quit smoking in randomized controlled studies. Two teams of researchers independently extracted the data. Findings: A total of 12 trials with 762 smokers were included in this study. The heterogeneity I2 was 43.6% with P=0.03 (Cochrane Q test) and χ2=15.77. The overall odds ratio (OR) at 95% confidence interval (CI) was 0.91 (0.68- 1.20) which shows a protective factor of herbal preparations and very low heterogeneity. The herbal treatments such as Vernonia cinerea, St. John’s Wort, and lavender essential oil were significantly related to a higher continuous abstinence rate (CAR) compared to the controls with risk ratio (RR): 2.13 (0.57-4.61) at week 8; RR: 2.72 (0.77-5.3) at week 12; and RR: 2.77 (0.37-1.13) at week 24. A 7-day point abstinence rate (PAR) at week 8 was RR: 1.24 (0.81-6.34) with 95% CI; RR: 2.09 (0.93-8.29) at week 12, and RR: 2.11 (0.3-3.08) at week 24.Black pepper and lime were better in craving reduction than the placebo group. This study found no significant difference between the treatment and control groups in adverse effects, despite some minor side effects with herbal drugs.  Conclusion: The results of this study showed herbal treatments have the potential to help smokers quit the habit. Further well designed trials comparing standardized herbal medicines with conventional therapy and placebo are recommended to reinforce this data

The Science Performance of JWST as Characterized in Commissioning

This paper characterizes the actual science performance of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), as determined from the six month commissioning period. We summarize the performance of the spacecraft, telescope, science instruments, and ground system, with an emphasis on differences from pre-launch expectations. Commissioning has made clear that JWST is fully capable of achieving the discoveries for which it was built. Moreover, almost across the board, the science performance of JWST is better than expected; in most cases, JWST will go deeper faster than expected. The telescope and instrument suite have demonstrated the sensitivity, stability, image quality, and spectral range that are necessary to transform our understanding of the cosmos through observations spanning from near-earth asteroids to the most distant galaxies.Comment: 5th version as accepted to PASP; 31 pages, 18 figures; https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1538-3873/acb29

The James Webb Space Telescope Mission

Twenty-six years ago a small committee report, building on earlier studies, expounded a compelling and poetic vision for the future of astronomy, calling for an infrared-optimized space telescope with an aperture of at least $4m$. With the support of their governments in the US, Europe, and Canada, 20,000 people realized that vision as the $6.5m$ James Webb Space Telescope. A generation of astronomers will celebrate their accomplishments for the life of the mission, potentially as long as 20 years, and beyond. This report and the scientific discoveries that follow are extended thank-you notes to the 20,000 team members. The telescope is working perfectly, with much better image quality than expected. In this and accompanying papers, we give a brief history, describe the observatory, outline its objectives and current observing program, and discuss the inventions and people who made it possible. We cite detailed reports on the design and the measured performance on orbit.Comment: Accepted by PASP for the special issue on The James Webb Space Telescope Overview, 29 pages, 4 figure

Oral Health Status, Health Behaviour and Treatment Needs of Patients Undergoing Cardiovascular Surgery

Abstract Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the oral health status and treatment needs of cardiovascular surgery patients. Second, the awareness of cardiovascular surgery patients regarding the association between oral health and heart disease was considered. Methods: Assessment of oral health status, oral hygiene practices and treatment needs of 106 hospitalized patients in preparation for cardiovascular surgery. Patients were interviewed using a structured questionnaire designed for this study and oral examination was carried out by a dentist. Results: The oral hygiene practices of the study cohort were not up to the standard. Patients' awareness of infective endocarditis was poor. Approximately 68% patients experienced dental caries as decayed teeth or missing teeth due to caries and filled teeth. The mean plaque index in the study group was 1.25. In this study cohort, the mean probing depth of periodontal pockets was 5.7±1.3, whereas the mean number of teeth with periodontal pockets > 6 mm was 0.5±0.9. A total of 84 (74.2%) of the patients required dental treatment. Conclusion: The principal finding in this study was that patients with heart disease had poor oral health. This study also highlights the importance of better interaction among all healthcare professionals to integrate oral health as part of comprehensive inpatient healthcare

Oral Health Status, Health Behaviour and Treatment Needs of Patients Undergoing Cardiovascular Surgery

<div><p>Abstract Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the oral health status and treatment needs of cardiovascular surgery patients. Second, the awareness of cardiovascular surgery patients regarding the association between oral health and heart disease was considered. Methods: Assessment of oral health status, oral hygiene practices and treatment needs of 106 hospitalized patients in preparation for cardiovascular surgery. Patients were interviewed using a structured questionnaire designed for this study and oral examination was carried out by a dentist. Results: The oral hygiene practices of the study cohort were not up to the standard. Patients' awareness of infective endocarditis was poor. Approximately 68% patients experienced dental caries as decayed teeth or missing teeth due to caries and filled teeth. The mean plaque index in the study group was 1.25. In this study cohort, the mean probing depth of periodontal pockets was 5.7±1.3, whereas the mean number of teeth with periodontal pockets > 6 mm was 0.5±0.9. A total of 84 (74.2%) of the patients required dental treatment. Conclusion: The principal finding in this study was that patients with heart disease had poor oral health. This study also highlights the importance of better interaction among all healthcare professionals to integrate oral health as part of comprehensive inpatient healthcare.</p></div

Comparison between cone-beam computed tomography and direct digital intraoral imaging for the diagnosis of periapical pathology

Purpose: Early precise evaluation of periapical inflammatory lesions is necessary not only for diagnosis but also for treatment and follow-up. This study was performed to compare direct digital intraoral periapical images with three-dimensional (3D) images acquired from cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) for the diagnosis and treatment planning of periapical pathology. Materials and Methods: Sixty teeth with clinical and/or radiographic evidence of periapical pathology were examined with direct digital imaging (DDI) and CBCT technique. Both the image dataset were evaluated by three oral radiologists. Numbers of roots and root canals, presence and location of periapical lesions, size of the lesion, root resorption and root fracture, and relation of the lesion to cortical bone and neighboring structures were studied. Cone-beam computed tomography periapical Index (CBCTPAI) was used and the values were compared using Wilcoxon-matched pairs test. The scores obtained for the 5-point scale for presence/absence of periapical lesion were also compared using Wilcoxon-matched pairs test. Results: Among 60 teeth, both the techniques demonstrated periapical lesions in 52 teeth, and an additional 5 teeth were found to have periapical lesions in the CBCT images. In regards to individual roots, 67 lesions were found in both the techniques, and 33 more roots were found to have lesions in CBCT images. Statistical analysis showed significant difference in both the imaging modalities for ascertaining the presence or absence of lesion on the 5-point scale and significant difference between DDI and CBCT in relation to the CBPAI scores. Conclusions: A high-resolution 3D technique can be of value for diagnosis of periapical problems, especially for multirooted teeth. CBCT is a promising technology for the diagnosis and management of periapical pathology

Sensitivity Studies for the search of Fractional Charge Particles in DUNE Near Detector using ProtoDUNE data experience

This project studies the sensitivity of the Near DUNE Detector for fractional charges. As suggested by the BC3 model of the Vector Portal Model in Beyond standard model there is existence of Milli-Charged Particle(mCP) reflecting the evidence from Dark Matter, which motivated and made the searches of fractional charges very interesting. Also, as the fractional charges have interaction similar to Neutrinos, they both are weak interactive particles. We are searching for them in DUNE Near Detector, which is highest sensitive detector proposed so far. It is a very massive at the same time. As these particles don’t stop inside the detector, more the mass inside detector more the interaction hits and more chances to observe them. It’s sensitivity enable us to differentiate even very low energy interactions from the noise. Having motivation to detect mCP we are studying this fractional charge sensitivity of the DUNE Near Detector. For studying the performance of DUNE Near Detector and DUNE far Detector coming up at Fermilab, a prototype model is made at CERN. We are using the ProtoDUNE data experience to search for the fractional charges in DUNE Near Detector. DUNE software will differ from the ProtoDUNE in terms of noise response and other technical matters but the basic idea will remain same. So these studies can be very useful and interesting to search fractional charges and New Physics at DUNE Near Detector in the future