It's World Smile Day– So Make Someone Happy!

World Smile Day (Celebrated on 4th October) Guest  Comment  by Dr. Nisha Garg, Professor and Head, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Bhojia Dental College and Hospital, Bhud, Himachal Prades

Sirtuin Control of Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation in Chagas Disease Models

Trypanosoma cruzi is a digenetic parasite that requires triatomines and mammalian host to complete its life cycle. T. cruzi replication in mammalian host induces immune-mediated cytotoxic proinflammatory reactions and cellular injuries, which are the common source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) during the acute parasitemic phase. Mitochondrial dysfunction of electron transport chain has been proposed as a major source of superoxide release in the chronic phase of infection, which renders myocardium exposed to sustained oxidative stress and contributes to Chagas disease pathology. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is a class III histone deacetylase that acts as a sensor of redox changes and shapes the mitochondrial metabolism and inflammatory response in the host. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms by which SIRT1 can potentially improve mitochondrial function and control oxidative and inflammatory stress in Chagas disease

Role of aspiration cytology in splenic lesions

Background: Splenic fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) as a diagnostic procedure has been used since beginning of last century and was first reported in 1916. The objective of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic role of aspiration cytology in splenic lesions.Methods: In our retrospective study Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of spleen was done in a total 34 cases, out of which 28 cases were aspirated under ultrasonological guidance and 6 cases were aspirated blindly. There were 23 male and 11 female patients and the age range of the patients was from 2 to 69 years with 8 patients from paediatric group. Before commencing the procedure all the necessary precautions and investigations including coagulation profile were done.Results: Out of 34 FNAC cases, 5 were bloody aspirate while 2 cases showed normal splenic aspirate. In 27 cases definite diagnostic opinion was possible. Amongst non-neoplastic group maximum patients (8 cases) were showing features of extra medullary hematopoeisis followed by 4 cases of tuberculosis, then 3 cases each of kala azar and storage disorder and 2 cases showed granulomas. In the neoplastic group, we had 2 cases of non-Hodgkins lymphoma, one case of Hodgkin lympoma with 2 cases of hairy cell leukemia and one case of histiocytosis. No major difference in the cellularity noticed when the aspiration done blindly or under ultrasound guidance No procedural complications were seen in our study.Conclusion: Hence when done with full precautions FNAC spleen is a safe, cheap, rapid and highly diagnostic procedure as a primary investigation.

Ultrasonography: a diagnostic choice to localise intra uterine contraceptive devices

Background: Intrauterine devices are important method of contraception. They are more effective than oral contraceptives. They are also reversible forms of contraception. They provide contraception for years. Sonography is very useful in localization of intra uterine contraceptive devices. Before insertion, it tells us about uterine anomalies, tumours and shape of uterus. After IUCD insertion, it is helpful for locating IUCD and confirming the place where required and also tells us its relative position at follow up also.Methods: In this study, sonography is used for localization of Cu-T, IUCD by its four very important features namely, type-specific morphology, posterior acoustic shadowing, entrance-exit reflection, anechoic halo around the IUCD.Results: In this study, it was observed that 100 % localization of IUCD is possible by these parameters.Conclusions: It was concluded that ultrasonography acts as diagnostic tool for localization of Copper T IUCD

ICDS in India: Policy, Design and Delivery Issues

India's excellent economic growth in the last two decades has made little impact on the nutrition levels of its children. Its main intervention, the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) programme, has not yet succeeded in reducing child malnutrition. The programme is reaching less than one?third of all children. ICDS also faces substantial operational challenges, such as lack of monitoring. The article discusses the flaws in the design of ICDS, and suggests practical measures to improve its implementation. It argues that the basic nature of the ICDS scheme should be changed from centre?based to outreach?based, with a focus on children under two years old. The emphasis should be on the difficult tasks of changing child?rearing practices, and the control and treatment of infectious diseases. The article argues against provision of packaged food, as this is unpopular with young children and has led to corruption

Forensic Osteology and Identification

Every human corpse is unique. There are different religions in different parts of the world which adopt a variety of ways to dispose of corpses. Dead bodies can be found unattended, dug up, mutilated by the perpetrators of crimes, and eaten by wild animals in lonely unattended places. In these situations, forensic anthropologists or anatomists are consulted by the state authorities to help them to provide justice to the deceased person. The first and foremost scientific information desired by authorities is identification of the corpse, cause of death of the human body and weapon used, if applicable. Identification can be done by studying the bones of the human corpse during autopsy examination and if unknown skeletal remains are all that is available, examination of each bone is required. Forensic anthropologists or pathologists are asked to identify race, sex and age as important parameters of the identification. In this chapter, we will enumerate various parameters for identification. We will discuss race, age and sex from various bones as part of forensic oesteology

Redox balance keepers and possible cell functions managed by redox homeostasis in Trypanosoma cruzi

The toxicity of oxygen and nitrogen reactive species appears to be merely the tip of the iceberg in the world of redox homeostasis. Now, oxidative stress can be seen as a two-sided process; at high concentrations, it causes damage to biomolecules, and thus, trypanosomes have evolved a strong antioxidant defense system to cope with these stressors. At low concentrations, oxidants are essential for cell signaling, and in fact, the oxidants/antioxidants balance may be able to trigger different cell fates. In this comprehensive review, we discuss the current knowledge of the oxidant environment experienced by T. cruzi along the different phases of its life cycle, and the molecular tools exploited by this pathogen to deal with oxidative stress, for better or worse. Further, we discuss the possible redox-regulated processes that could be governed by this oxidative context. Most of the current research has addressed the importance of the trypanosomes’ antioxidant network based on its detox activity of harmful species; however, new efforts are necessary to highlight other functions of this network and the mechanisms underlying the fine regulation of the defense machinery, as this represents a master key to hinder crucial pathogen functions. Understanding the relevance of this balance keeper program in parasite biology will give us new perspectives to delineate improved treatment strategies.Fil: Mesias, Andrea Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Patología Experimental. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud. Instituto de Patología Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Garg, Nisha Jain. University Of Texas Medical Branch; Estados UnidosFil: Zago, María Paola. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Patología Experimental. Universidad Nacional de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud. Instituto de Patología Experimental; Argentin

Comparative Evaluation of Smear Layer Removal Using Four Different Irrigation Techniques: An in-vitro Study

INTRODUCTION: Irrigation is the vital part of root canal debridement. Usually post biomechanical preparation, the canal walls are covered by smear layer. It is important to remove this layer before obturation for better bond between the filling and walls. Conventional needle irrigation doesn’t give us adequate cleaning, therefore, new irrigation techniques are being tried to facilitate better smear layer removal. AIM: The aim was to evaluate and compare the smear layer removal by PATS,  EndoActivator device, Passive ultrasonic irrigation and side vent needle irrigation from canal walls. MATERIALS AND METHODS:  60 extracted mandibular premolars were instrumented up to 35/.04 with Heroshaper files. Samples were divided into 4 groups randomly before final irrigation as follows: Group I (n=15): Irrigation with side vent needles (Nexus ltd.,India), Group II (n=15): Irrigation with EndoActivator (Advanced Endodontics, Santa Barbara, CA ) Group III (n=15): Irrigation with PATS ( InnovationsEndo,India), Group IV (n=15): Irrigation with ultrasonic tips (Mani inc.). Teeth were split and one-half of each tooth was chosen for SEM examination.  The images were taken at apical third and scoring was done according to criteria by Torabinejad et al in 2003. Data obtained were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance followed by Mann–Whitney U-test for individual comparison. RESULTS: All irrigating systems remove smear layer but PUI has better cleaning ability as compared to other groups. CONCLUSION: Passive ultrasonic irrigation shows better smear layer removal as compared to other technique

Clinical significance of accessory foramina in adult human mandible

Background: The mandible is the strongest and largest bone of facial skeleton. It consists of one horseshoe-shaped body and a pair of rami. On external surface of body in the midline there is a faint ridge i.e. symphysis menti indicating the line of fusion of two halves of mandible during development. The aim of this study is to describe the position and incidence of accessory foramina on the inner surface of the body and rami of both sides of mandible to provide simple important reliable surgical landmarks.Methods: The present study was conducted on 100 dried adult human mandibles. Bones which had deformities, asymmetries, external pathological changes and fractures were excluded from the present study.Results: In 97% cases at least one accessory foramen was observed on inner surface of mandible. The accessory lingual foramen was found to be constant finding with incidence of 81%. Frequency of infraspinous or sublingual foramen was 58%, of lateral foramen was 50% and that of accessory mandibular foramen was 39%.Conclusions: The anatomical knowledge about the common location and incidence of accessory foramina in mandible are important for surgeons and anaesthetists performing surgeries in the area around mandible. These accessory foramina transmit neurovascular bundles which provide accessory innervations to the roots of teeth.  Thus proper knowledge of accessory foramina are important in relation to achieving complete inferior alveolar nerve block and for avoiding injury to neurovascular bundle passing through them

To Study The Efficacy Of Reciprocating Single File System And Multifile Rotary Systems In Elimination Of Root Canal Bacteria And Endotoxins

AIM: To study the efficacy of reciprocating single file system and multifile rotary systems in elimination of root canal bacteria and endotoxins. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Forty permanent single rooted mandibular premolars with straight canals inoculated with Escherichia Coli suspension for 21 days were selected for the study. Teeth were randomly divided into four groups (n=10) according to instrumentation system: Grp. A–Reciproc (VDW); Grp. B–WaveOne (Dentsply Maillefer); Grp. C–MTwo (VDW); and Grp. D–K3( Sybron Endo); Bacterial and endotoxin samples were collected with a sterile paper point before instrumentation  and after instrumentation. Culture methods estimated the colony-forming units (CFU) and the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate test was used for quantification of endotoxins. Results so obtained were calculated and statistically analysed.  RESULT: Results at S1 concluded that bacteria and endotoxins were found in all of the investigated root canals. After instrumentation all systems were associated with the significant reduction of the bacterial load and endotoxins respectively: Grp. A– Reciproc (88.25% and 89.10%); Grp. B– WaveOne (83.53% and 80.59%); Grp. C– MTwo(79.41% and 75.84%) and Grp. D– K3 (67% and 74.4%). Statistically no difference was found amongst the instrumentation systems regarding bacteria and endotoxin elimination (P <0.05).  CONCLUSION: The reciprocating single file, Reciproc and WaveOne were as effective as the multifile rotary systems for the eradication of bacteria and endotoxins from root canals