Physiological Gingival Melanin Hyperpigmentation Treatment with Injectable Vitamin C and Scalpel Technique: A Randomised Controlled Clinical Trial

Harmony between facial complexion and gingival health goes hand in hand. Gingival depigmentation is an aesthetic correction of hyperactive melanocytes in gingival tissues that lead to hyperpigmentation. Current study compares depigmentation, pain scores, and itching with scalpel technique and nonsurgical intramucosal Vitamin C injection. 30 individuals in the age range of 18–40 years conscious of dark gums were randomly allocated to test and control group by lottery method. Torough Phase I therapy was performed one week before the procedure. Area and intensity of depigmentation were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively; pain score, itching, and repigmentation percentage were the postoperative parameters. After 24 hrs, test group showed signifcantly lesser VAS score for pain as compared to control group. Tere was no statistically signifcant diference in preoperative area of pigmentation between the test and control group (p = 0.936). Postoperatively also, there was no statistically signifcant diference in area of pigmentation between the test and control group (p = 0.932). For comparing area of pigmentation, an independent t-test was applied and Mann–Whitney test was used for diferentiating the intensity of pigmentation, repigmentation, and VAS score between the groups. Te study concluded that Vitamin C mesotherapy and scalpel technique showed comparable results in reduction of areas and intensity of gingival hyperpigmentation. Copyright © 2023 Dhanashree S. Chaudhary et al

Zika virus – emergence, evolution, pathology, diagnosis, and control: current global scenario and future perspectives – a comprehensive review

This review converses the Zika virus which has attained global concern due to its rapid pandemic potential and impact on humans. Though Zika virus was first isolated in 1947, till the recent large-scale outbreak which occurred in Micronesia, in 2007, the virus was placed into the innocuous pathogen category. The World Health Organization on 1 February 2016 declared it as a 'Public Health Emergency of International Concern.' Of the note, American as well as Pacific Island strains/isolates is relatively closer to Asian lineage strains. The African and American strains share more than 87.5% and 95% homologies with Asian strains/isolates, respectively. Asian strains form independent clusters, except those isolated from China, suggesting relatively more diversity than African strains. Prevention and control are mainly aimed at the vector population (mosquitoes) with Aedes aegypti being the main species. Surveys in Africa and Asia indicated seropositivity in various animal species. However, so far its natural reservoir is unknown. There is an urgent need to understand why Zika virus has shifted from being a virus that caused mild illness to unforeseen birth defects as well as autoimmune-neurological problems. Unfortunately, an effective vaccine is not available yet. Availability of cryo-electron microscopy based on 3.8 Å resolution revealing mature Zika virus structure and the probable virus attachment site to host cell would provide critical insights into the development of antiviral treatments and vaccines