Rhinocerebral mucormycosis: report of a rare case

Background: Mucormycosis is one of the rapidly progressing and lethal form of fungal infection which involves the nose and paranasal sinuses of the head and the neck regions. Mucormycosis also remains a threat to patients with uncontrolled diabetes or other predisposing systemic conditions. It manifests as rhinocerebral, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, cutaneous or disseminated form. The underlying conditions can influence clinical presentation and often delay diagnosis, with resultant poor outcomes.Case Details: We report a case of rhinocerebral mucormycosis in a 75 year-old diabetic patient with emphasise on diagnosis, treatment and survival options of patient from this potentially fatal fungal infection. Extra oral examination revealed mild non-tender swelling on the face, unable to see from left eye, impaired sense of smell, difficulty in speech and nasal stuffiness. Intra-oral examination showed necrosis of mucosa and underlying bone in relation to canine to the tuberosity area of the left vestibular region of the maxilla.Conclusion: Timely diagnosis is critical to survival and minimization of morbidity. Institution of surgical and medical therapy is critical in maximizing the likelihood of good outcome.Keywords: Mucormycosis, fungal, systemic, maxillary sinu

Smart Cities in Nepal: The concept, evolution and emerging patterns

Nepal is the least urbanized country in South Asia with approximately 28% of Nepalese living in urban areas, while it is also the fastest urbanizing country in with an annual urban population growth of 6%. Urban areas suffer from municipal physical and information infrastructure deficits and are at high risk from earthquakes, floods, fires, and landslides. Development and transformation into Smart Cities would be a new avenue in Nepali development trend. However, this is relatively new and is still in its early stages of development. The objective of this research is to assess the evolution, the emerging trends and future prospects of Smart City in Nepal. A literature review with qualitative method along with structured key informant interviews were conducted to obtain data. This study revealed that the concept of Smart Cities in Nepal is centered around the integration of technology and innovative solutions to address the challenges facing urban areas and improve the quality of life for citizens. The concept is driven by the rapid pace of urbanization, the increasing need for sustainable and resilient cities, and the growing recognition of the role that technology can play in addressing these challenges. Nepal has emphasized on sustainability, the integration of Smart City initiatives, and the use of smart technologies with the country's broader development goals. Smart City indicators have been developed to track the progress, yet they are not flexible. This study recommends that i) the indicators need to be kept flexible with adequate room for revision of resilience-related indicators, ii) appropriate focus should be given to interconnected components of Smart Cities and iii) development of a more transparent and accountable approach to Smart City thereby providing better opportunities to enhance quality of life and unlock economic growth potential

Incidence of Helicobacter Pylori in oral aphthous stomatitis

Background/Aims: The aim of this study was to determine probable HP infection in oral aphthous samples by RUT in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Materials and Methods: This in vivo cross-sectional study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Swami Devi Dayal Dental College and Hospital according to the ethical standards. A total of 30 patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis and 20 healthy control groups were included in the study. Results: Out of 30 patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, including 17 male and 13 female patients, with mean age of 47 and 38 years respectively, 21 patients (70%) were RUT (positive). Out of 20 healthy control groups, 12 males and 8 females, 2 (10%) were RUT (positive) [Table 1]. Conclusion: HP may play a role in the etiology of RAS; also it is likely that RUT may be rapid and reliable for investigation of HP in RAS lesions

Efficacy of ozonized olive oil in the management of oral lesions and conditions: A clinical trial

The oral cavity is an open ecosystem that shows a dynamic balance between the entrance of microorganisms (bacterial, viral or fungal), colonization modalities, nutritional balance, and host defenses against their removal. The oral lesions including aphthous ulcerations, herpes labialis, oral candidiasis, oral lichen planus, and angular cheilitis some of the common entities encountered in the clinical practice. A variety of treatment options is available in the literature for all of these lesions and conditions. Topical ozone therapy is a minimally invasive technique that can be used for these conditions without any side effects. Aim and Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of ozonized olive oil in the treatment of oral lesions and conditions. Materials and Methods: A longitudinal study was carried out on 50 patients (aphthous ulcerations, herpes labialis, oral candidiasis, oral lichen planus, and angular cheilitis). The ozonized olive oil was applied twice daily until the lesion regresses for a maximum of 6 months. Results: All the lesions regress in patients with aphthous ulcerations, herpes labialis, oral candidiasis and angular cheilitis or showed improvement in the signs and symptoms in oral lichen planus patients. No toxicity or side effect was observed in any of the patients. Conclusion: Ozone therapy though requires a gaseous form to be more effective, but topical form can also bring out the positive results without any toxicity or side effect. Hence, it can be considered as a minimally invasive therapy for the oral infective and immunological conditions

Immunosuppressants in Oral Medicine: A Review

Immunologically mediated mucocutaneous diseases constitute a large group of oral mucosal disorders that compromise the quality of life of patients due to their chronicity. The treatment of these disorders should not only be directed to bring relief from symptoms but also towards treating the underlying immune dysregulation, prevent recurrences, and preserve organ integrity and function. These disorders are largely treated by immunosuppressants. Challenge in treating these disorders lies in existing comorbidities, frequent relapses or short disease-free intervals, and long-term use of medication and their complications. This review focusses on newer immunosuppressants and their role in oral mucosal disorders

Psychological appraisal in temporomandibular disorders: A cross-sectional study

Aims and Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of stress and depression within temporomandibular disorder (TMD) patient subgroups with chronic facial pain (cfp) and healthy controls and to assess possible relationships among the different subgroups. It also evaluated the correlation among pain, stress, and depression scores. Materials and Methods: A total number of 120 patients, 60 cases and 60 controls aged 20-40 years were included in the study. The study group after clinical examination was assigned into subgroups depending on the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD). Age- and sex-matched patients with no complaints of TMD formed the control group. Both the groups were administered the Beck′s inventory of depression (BDI) and stress symptom rating scale (SSRS) questionnaires. Pain intensity was measured by the visual analogue scale. All the scores were statistically analyzed. Results: Depression and stress scores were seen more in the myofascial pain group. Depression was prevalent in 53.3% and stress in 60% of the study group. Positive correlation was seen among pain scores, depression, and stress scores (P < .001). Conclusion: The findings are consistent with previous research indicating a link among depression, stress, and TMD. Screening for such symptoms should be an integral part of the evaluation for effective cognitive behavioural therapy