Microscopic Analysis of The Variations of The Cemento-Enamel Junction in Himachali Population

Cemento-Enamel junction is an anatomical point where the enamel of the crown surface connects to the cementum of the root. It lies in a region covered with the gingivalsoft tissue, but with the increasing age and due to many pathological conditions this junction may be exposed to the external environment and sometimes may provide a path for bacterial infection into the tooth. Aim: To analyze different types of Cemento-Enamel Junctions in thepopulation of Himachal Pradesh. Methodology: 40 extracted teeth were obtained from various regions of Himachal Pradesh. Ground sections of the tooth were made and analyzed for the type of Cemento-Enamel Junction under a Binocular Microscope. Result: Sharp junction was most frequent type of inter-relation between the two hard tissues in our study followed by Gap junction and Overlap type junction. Though we found cementum overlapping enamel in few cases but we could notfind any sample in which enamel was overlapped by cementum. Conclusion: Cemento-Enamel Junction presents different morphological patterns so a study of this region is necessary to avoid complications during various dental procedures such as sensitivity after bleaching or cervical caries after placement of crown or clamps

Additional Muscle Slip of Bicipital Aponeurosis and its Anomalous Relationship with the Median Cubital Vein

The cubital region of the arm is a common site for recording blood pressure, taking blood for analysis and administering intravenous therapy and blood transfusions. During the routine dissection of a 70-year-old male cadaver at the Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Karnataka, India, in 2015, it was observed that the aponeurotic insertion of the biceps brachii muscle divided into two slips. The medial slip fused normally with the deep fascia of the forearm, while flexor carpi radialis muscle fibres originated from the lateral slip. There was also a single vein in the forearm, the cephalic vein, which bifurcated to form the median cubital vein and the cephalic vein proper. The median cubital vein, further reinforced by the radial vein, passed deep to the two slips of the bicipital aponeurosis and then continued as the basilic vein. During venepuncture, medical practitioners should be aware of potential cubital fossa variations which could lead to nerve entrapment syndromes

Estimation of serum cortisol levels and its correlation with salivary cortisol levels in coronary artery disease patients with and without periodontitis: a cross sectional study

Background: Atherosclerosis refers to combination of changes in the intima of arteries, consisting of focal accumulation of lipids, complex carbohydrates, blood and blood products, fibrous tissue, calcium deposits and associated medical changes. Ischemic heart disease (IHD) refers to a group of closely related syndromes that is caused by an imbalance between myocardial oxygen demand and blood supply.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 63 patients, aged 30-65 years, with known coronary artery disease. Estimation of serum and salivary cortisol levels were assessed with specific ELISA kit for cortisol (R&D Systems) and their comparison was performed in patients with and without periodontitis. Statistical analysis was done using Mann-Whitney U test and Pearson Correlation test.Results: The clinical parameters showed statistically significant association (p<0.001) between coronary artery disease and periodontitis and comparative levels of serum and salivary cortisol displayed varying degrees of positive correlation.Conclusions:Saliva along with serum has great potential as a diagnostic fluid and it showed good correlation with cortisol levels in coronary artery disease patients with and without periodontitis.

A comparative assessment of caries risk using cariogram among smokers and smokeless tobacco users in india – a cross-sectional study

Background: A dearth of literature exists concerning utilization of the unique cariogram model for caries risk assessment in tobacco users.Objective: To assess &amp; compare caries risk among smokers &amp; smokeless tobacco users using Cariogram model. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among smokers and smokeless tobacco users of Udaipur for 3 months. Caries risk assessment was done by employing a survey proforma based on the Cariogram model. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, Chi-square test followed by Marascuilo procedure and Stepwise multiple linear regression with 95% confidence interval and 5% significance level. Results: Majority of the smokers (56%) portrayed high caries risk (less chance to avoid new caries) followed by smokeless Tobacco users (34%). Only 40% smokeless tobacco users had relatively high chances (&gt;60%) of avoiding future new caries. The susceptibility sector of the cariogram model contributed primarily to caries risk in the study population. Conclusion: The study findings from the different cariogram elements converged to indicate that smokers were at maximum caries risk, followed by smokeless tobacco users and therefore Cariogram model could be a useful tool to represent caries risk among smokers and smokeless tobacco users. Keywords: Smokers, cariogram, smokeless tobacco, dental caries, sugar

Estimation of salivary glycoconjugates and salivary ros levels in chronic periodontitis: a clinico-biochemical study

Background: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of periodontal tissue, characterized by persistent inflammation of the connective tissue and alveolar bone destruction. Patients with periodontal disease show the differences in the composition of saliva. Newer diagnostic tools based on analysis of body fluids such as saliva, GCF and serum are found to be useful for diagnosis as well as monitoring the disease activity. Thus, aim of the study was to estimate the concentration of salivary glycoconjugates (sialic acid, total protein) and salivary ROS in unstimulated whole saliva of subjects with chronic periodontitis and to compare the concentration with healthy/gingivitis subjects.Methods: The study sample consisted of 60 subjects (33 males and 27 females) with age ranging from 30-60 years. A detailed case history was taken from all the subjects and periodontal disease parameters (bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth and clinical attachment levels) were recorded at baseline and subjects were divided into 2 groups. Group I- control group (healthy/gingivitis subjects) and Group II -test group (chronic periodontitis). Saliva samples were collected from the subjects and stored at -700 ºC.  Periodate Resorcinol Assay was done to estimate the levels of sialic acid, Biuret test was done to assess the levels of total protein and  d-ROMs test was done to assess the level of ROS. Statistical analysis was done using students unpaired ‘t’ test and Pearsons correlation test. Results: It was found that the levels of salivary glycoconjugates and ROS are increased in subjects with chronic periodontitis when compared to healthy/gingivitis subjects. Thus it can reflect the clinical status of gingival and periodontal tissues.Conclusions: Estimation of the levels of glycoconjugates and ROS may be used as one of the reliable biomarkers to assess the severity of periodontal disease and to monitor the disease progression

A comparative assessment of caries risk using cariogram among smokers and smokeless tobacco users in india \u2013 a cross-sectional study

Background: A dearth of literature exists concerning utilization of the unique cariogram model for caries risk assessment in tobacco users. Objective: To assess &amp; compare caries risk among smokers &amp; smokeless tobacco users using Cariogram model. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among smokers and smokeless tobacco users of Udaipur for 3 months. Caries risk assessment was done by employing a survey proforma based on the Cariogram model. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, Chi-square test followed by Marascuilo procedure and Stepwise multiple linear regression with 95% confidence interval and 5% significance level. Results: Majority of the smokers (56%) portrayed high caries risk (less chance to avoid new caries) followed by smokeless Tobacco users (34%). Only 40% smokeless tobacco users had relatively high chances (&gt;60%) of avoiding future new caries. The susceptibility sector of the cariogram model contributed primarily to caries risk in the study population. Conclusion: The study findings from the different cariogram elements converged to indicate that smokers were at maximum caries risk, followed by smokeless tobacco users and therefore Cariogram model could be a useful tool to represent caries risk among smokers and smokeless tobacco users

Variability and trait‐specific accessions for grain yield and nutritional traits in germplasm of little millet ( Panicum sumatrense Roth. Ex. Roem. & Schult.)

Little millet (Panicum sumatrense Roth. Ex. Roem. & Schult.), a member of the grass family Poaceae, is native to India. It is nutritionally superior to major cereals, grows well on marginal lands, and can withstand drought and waterlogging conditions. Two-hundred diverse little millet landraces were characterized to assess variability for agronomic and nutritional traits and identify promising accessions. Highly significant variabilitywas found for all the agronomic and grain nutrient traits. Accessions of robusta were high yielding whereas those of nana were rich in grain nutrients. About 80% of the accessions showed consistent protein and zinc (Zn) contents whereas iron (Fe) and calcium (Ca) contents were less consistent (29.5 and 63.5%, respectively) over 2 yr. Promising trait-specific accessions were identified for greater seed weight (10 accessions), high grain yield (15), high biomass yield (15), and consistently high grain nutrients (30) over 2 yr (R2 = .69–.74, P ≤ .0001). A few accessions showed consistently high for two or more nutrients (IPmr 449 for Fe, Zn, Ca, and protein; IPmr 981 for Zn and protein). Five accessions (IPmr 855, 974, 877, 897, 767) were high yielding and also rich in Ca. Consumption of 100 g of little millet grains can potentially contribute to the recommended dietary allowance of up to 28% Fe, 37% Zn, and 27% protein. Multilocation evaluation of the promising accessions across different soil types, fertility levels, and climatic conditions would help to identify valuable accessions for direct release as a cultivar or use in little millet improvement

Toxic Effects of Different Doses of Cyclophosphamide on Liver and Kidney Tissue in Swiss Albino Mice: A Histopathological Study

BACKGROUND: Cyclophosphamide (CPA) is an anti- cancer drug, used in chemotherapy. This is a toxic drug which targets the cancer cells and also the normal cells of the body. The original compound is inactive in vitro and exercises its biologic action through metabolites, chiefly phosphoramide mustard. The objective is to study the harmful effects of this drug on liver and kidney tissues.METHODS: To study the effect of cyclophosphamide on histology of liver and kidney, 40 adult male mice were taken and divided into two groups: control and test. Those in the test group were injected with the drug at doses of 100, 200, 250 mg/kg body weight. They were then sacrificed on day 7, 28 and 42. The liver and kidney tissue was processed, sectioned and stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin.RESULTS: Pathological changes were seen in the tissue within 7 days in high doses and after 28 days in low doses. As the dosage and the days administered increased, the changes were prominently seen and widespread. Pathology ranging from mild infiltration to necrosis and finally cytolysis were seen in liver and kidney tissue.CONCLUSION: Our study has demonstrated the effect of a progressive increase in dosage of cyclophosphamide in albino mice, and pathological alterations were observed in histology of liver and kidney by sequentially increasing both the dosage and duration of treatment. Subsequently, regular monitoring of liver and kidney function tests in patients undergoing chemotherapeutic regimen with administration of ahepato and nephroprotective agent becomes vital.&nbsp

Comparison of Use of Concentrated Saliva with Serial Dilution Method in Determination of Candida Colonies in Oral Samples

Fungal infections have been commonly observed in the oral cavity with the most common being Candida albicans but with time, new species of candida have been observed and isolated from the oral cavity. Identification of new strains is necessary not only because of their ability to cause infection but also due to their susceptibility toward antifungal agents. The use of concentrated saliva or serial dilution method has been used for these culture tests, with each method having its own advantage and disadvantage. Hence, the aim of the study was to quantitatively analyze effectiveness of both these methods on samples from the oral cavity