Streamlined Description of Pontics

Advances in the field of restorative materials allow a lost tooth to be replaced by artificial tooth structure that is virtually indiscernible from the original. Pontics are the artificial teeth ina fixed partial prosthesis that replace the lost natural teeth, and restore function and appearance. A wide variety of names have been attributed to pontics by different authors. Classification systems were devised based on the nomenclature. Other than the definition there is no universality of the nomenclature, classification and indications. This greatly confuses the professionals in the decision making process of fixed prosthodontic treatment. The aim of this review is to evaluate the descriptions given in the literature and comprehend them under a common heading.&nbsp

Late Morbidity Among Survivors of Childhood Cancers; Experience at Tertiary Care Cancer Hospital

Background: Long-term survivors of childhood malignancies are at increased risk of experiencing treatment-related morbidities. Survival into late adulthood in these children provides ample time for the acquisition of long-term sequelae. This study aimed to determine late adverse effects among long-term survivors of childhood cancer from a low-income country perspective. Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from review of charts of patients aged under 18 years at the time of their primary diagnosis between January 1, 1995, to December 31, 2008, and who survived for at least 5 years after completion of their treatment. Analyzed data included demographics, cancer type, treatment modality, types of chemotherapy agents administered and specific late morbidities including frequency of azoospermia, oligospermia, endocrine abnormalities, hearing and pulmonary function impairment, and cardiac dysfunction among the long-term survivors of cancer. Results: The total number of patients was 300 with a mean age of 18 ± 2 years. The male to female ratio was 2.7:1. Median follow up duration was 18 years (range: 5-25 years). Seventy-seven percent of patients were from Punjab, 20% were from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 3% were from other provinces. Fifty percent had a diagnosis of Hodgkin Lymphoma, 17% Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, 13% Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, 10% Germ cell tumors and 10% had other tumors. Fifty-seven percent received chemotherapy, 23% chemotherapy and radiotherapy, 15% chemotherapy and surgery, 3% chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy and 2% had only surgery. Notable long-term documented sequelae were; azoospermia/oligospermia in 64%, endocrine abnormalities in 25% with hypothyroidism in 13.5% and follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone abnormalities in 11.5%, ototoxicity in 6.5%, impaired pulmonary function tests in 4.6%, cardiotoxicity in 2.4% and second malignancies (acute myeloid Leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome)  in 1%. Conclusion: Childhood cancer survivors are at increased risk of adverse treatment-related sequelae and a long-term follow-up plan should be in place in centers where they receive treatment for their primary disease

Indigenous Plants Based Biodiesel Resources in Pakistan

Biodiesel is an emerging solution for the present day concerns about rising oil prices and depletion of fossil fuel resources throughout the world. In current scenario due to shortage of energy resources, biodiesel is very good option for energy security in Pakistan. There are large arable lands with good climatic conditions for large biomass production of biodiesel yielding species. In this study data is compiled to identify plant species bearing seeds rich in oil for biodiesel production. Among them the most important are Pongamia pinnata, Brassica spp. and Ricinus communis. Bio fuel reduce dependence on imported petroleum with associated political and economic vulnerability, reduce green house gas emissions and other pollutants, and revitalize the economy by increasing demand and prices for agricultural products. This paper suggests decision makers in government of Pakistan to take initiative to develop project for commercial production of biodiesel by using indigenous plants based resources

Aquatic Plants of District Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan

In this taxonomic account 18 aquatic plants, which are reported for the first time from Dera Ismail Khan District are presented. The species were Alternanthera sessilis (Linn.) DC., Azolla pinnata R. Br., Bacopa moneiri (Linn.) Pennell., Ceratophyllum demersum Linn., Eleocharis palustris (Linn.) R. Brown., Hydrilla verticillata Royle., Marselia quadrifolia Linn., Nelumbium nelumbo (Linn.) Druce., Nymphoide cristata Roxb.) O.Ketze., Phragmites karka (Retz.) Trin., Pistia stratiotes Linn., Polygonum barbatum Linn; Polygonum flaccidum Meissn., Potammogeton crispus Linn., Potamogeton nodosus Poiret, Spirodela polyrrhiza (Linn.) Schield, Typha domenginsis Pers., Typha elephantia Roxb

Comparison of Fracture Resistance of Cast Post and Core using Different Alloys: An Unexplored Frontier

Aim: To evaluate and compare the failure threshold of custom cast post and core using different alloys available in Indian market. Materials and methods: A maxillary typodont central incisor was reduced to a height of 2 mm above CEJ and post space of 10 mm was prepared leaving 4 mm from apex. This was castin stainless steel (SS) and 24 samples were prepared using auto-polymerizing acrylic resin which was divided in four groups of 6 each. Each group was cast using separate alloy. Group 1: Gold alloy, groups 2 and 3: Commonly marketed technique alloys-noble gold dental alloy and kesho alloy and group 4: Base metal alloy. The samples were loaded at 135º using universal testing machine and failure thresholds were recorded and their means were calculated. Statistical analysis used: Analysis of variance and student t-test. Results: The mean values recorded were highest for group D followed by groups A, C and lowest for B. All the groups showed significant differences for the failure threshold tested. Groups B and C showed less failure threshold than the other two groups but much higher than the average masticatory load. Conclusion: Technique alloys can be used as a cheap alternative to the conventional alloys when used for fabrication ofcustom cast posts in terms of failure threshold.&nbsp

Application of Lasers in Prosthodontics

In clinical dentistry lasers were introduced with the hope of overcoming some of the drawbacks posed by the conventional methods of dental procedures. Since its first experiment for dental application in the 1960s, the use of laser has increased rapidly in the last couple of decades. The specialty of Prosthodontics takes all concepts of dentistry and integrates effective comprehensive treatment planning. The practice will necessarily include a wide variety of patients seeking a diverse range of care. These include individuals who are highly fearful of dentistry and have long-term neglected care and those who have complex medical histories and require more specialized, advanced procedures. Some also have phobias and/or allergies to anesthetics. Lasers have become an integral part of treatment for these patients. The aim of this review is to describe the current and emerging applications for lasers in prosthetic dentistry. Used in conjunction with or as a replacement for traditional methods, it is observed that specific laser technologies are becoming an essential component of contemporary dental practice over a decade

The Selection of Maxillary Anterior Teeth Width in Kashmiri Population

Introduction: Determining the width of maxillary anterior teeth is a difficult aspect in complete denture fabrication. The width of maxillary anterior teeth is determined by taking various anatomical landmarks on the face as a guide, such as the interpupillary, interalar, intercommissure and interzygomatic distance, etc. The present clinical study was carried out to evaluate the relationships between maxillary anterior teeth measurements (canine to canine and central incisor width) and various horizontal facial parameters. Materials and methods: The facial and dental measurements were obtained directly from 60 Kashmiri  undergraduate dental students by using vernier calliper and dental floss. Result: Correlation analysis was done using Pearson’s correlation analysis and it was determined that the incisor width and canine to canine distance show positive correlation with some of the facial measurements. Conclusion: This study inferred that while most of the measurements showed a positive correlation with the incisor width and canine width in the different face forms none of them were found to be significant.&nbsp

Integrating Immunotherapy with Chemotherapy: A New Approach to Drug Repurposing

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive breast cancer subtype lacking the three hormonal receptors namely estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and HER2 receptor, and the only treatment option available for TNBC is chemotherapy. Chemotherapy lacks specificity since it acts on normal healthy cells as well resulting into secondary diseases in TNBC patients. In addition chemotherapy poses recurrence and relapse issues due to the development of chemoresistance among TNBC patients. Immunotherapy remarkably immune checkpoint inhibitors show a great therapeutic potential in TNBC. As TNBC contain an increased TILs (tumor infiltrating lymphocytes) infiltration making it more suitable as a therapeutic target anti-tumor immune strategy. Moreover, evidences have indicated that chemotherapy upregulates the anti-tumor immune response in TNBC. As a result, a combination of immunotherapy with chemotherapy may increase the overall relapse and recurrence free survival of TNBC patients. Therefore, in this chapter we will focus on how the immunotherapy works in TNBC, their effects and consequences. We will further be discussing the clinical studies and the importance of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in combination with various therapeutic agents and target. Further, we will explore the processes involved