Non-methane volatile organic compounds emitted from domestic fuels in Delhi: Emission factors and total city-wide emissions

In controlled laboratory conditions, 62 samples of domestic fuels collected from 56 grids of Delhi were burnt to quantify the emissions of 23 non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs), i.e., alkanes (11), alkenes (6), alkynes (1) and aromatic compounds (5). The domestic fuels used for residential activities were comprised of 20 unique types of fuel woods, 3 species of crop residue, dung cakes and coal. These fuels are primarily used for cooking and water/space heating during winters. The current study reports the total emission budget of NMVOCs from domestic burning over Delhi. Furthermore, this study also compares the differences in EFs of NMVOCs which are calculated for different burning cycles and sample collection methods. The EFs of NMVOCs calculated from the samples collected during the flaming stage using canisters were analysed for 23 NMVOCs and then compared with same species emitted from complete burning cycle. In addition to this, 10 consumption and emission hotspot grids were also identified in Delhi; based on the ground survey and laboratory simulated results. The total annual usage of domestic fuels for the year 2019 was found to be 0.415 Mt/yr (million tonnes) in Delhi. 12.01 Gg/yr of annual NMVOC emissions was calculated from domestic fuel burning in which the emissions from dung cake and fuel wood dominated with 6.6 Gg/yr and 5.4 Gg/yr, respectively. The EFs of NMVOCs calculated using canister and online collection method differ significantly from each other. The flaming stage presented enhanced emissions compared to the complete burning cycle by ~7 times which suggests that the method of data analysis and the period of sample collection play a pivotal role in the preparation of an emission inventory and estimating the budget

Complementary Medicine − A Novel Therapeutic Approach for Oral Diseases

With the increasing concern among patients about the adverse effects of conventional medicines’ increased resistance by bacteria to antibiotics and challenges faced by the medical personnel in managing chronic disease and their symptoms, it is becoming essential for the health professionals to have a sound knowledge of complementary and alternative modalities for the treatment of these chronic ailments. Oral physicians and dental health care professionals also face challenges in the management of few dental conditions as a result of resistance of oral microflora due to drug tolerance leading to persistence of symptoms and emergence of other side effects of conventional therapies. Therefore, it is often necessary for the dentists to be aware of complementary and alternative modalities which are popular, safe, effective, and economical alternative treatment regimen. Complementary medicine comprises treatment modalities such as herbal medicines, traditional Chinese medicine, naturopathy, Ayurveda, aromatherapy, homeopathy, acupuncture, magnetic field therapy, ozone therapy, Mora therapy, and many more

Cone-beam computed tomographic illustration of an unusual position of keratocystic odontogenic tumor mimicking a dentigerous cyst: A case report

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is an advanced imaging modality, with its application in all branches of dentistry. Of all the imaging modalities available, CBCT, with minimum required exposure, provides the best image quality and helps in arriving at a correct diagnosis and in treatment planning. An odontogenic keratocyst, reclassified as a keratocystic odontogenic tumor (KCOT), has an aggressive behavior, is prone to recur, and thus, has been classified as a tumor. Here, we discuss a rare case of a keratocystic odontogenic tumor occurring in the maxilla, with an ectopic tooth position mimicking a dentigerous cyst

Unfolding the Mysterious Path of Forensic Facial Reconstruction: Review of Different Imaging Modalities

Forensic facial reconstruction (FFR) is the technique that combines art and science to recreate the antemortem appearance of an individual in order to recognize and identify the decedent. Over the years, many techniques of FFR and imaging modalities that provide the basic data for FFR have evolved. There is always a considerable debate and confusion regarding the advantages and limitations of these techniques. The aim of this review is to summarize the different techniques of FFR and emphasize the role of radiological techniques including cone beam computed tomography in it

Herbinaturals: A new paradigm in dentistry

Danta Swasthya (oral health) is important for the general kausalya (well being) and relates to the quality of Jivana (life) that extends beyond the functions of the craniofacial complex. Danta Amivacatana (oral diseases) continues to be a major health problem worldwide. In mainstream Ausadha (medicine), new medical treatments are assumed to be ineffective, until they are proved to be useful. In addition, the adverse effects associated with mainstream medicine makes their use less desirable and less reliable by the population. Traditional medicine is a socioeconomic and sociocultural heritage, serving approximately 80% of the population of developing countries. Heterogeneity, easy availability, enduring recognition, popularity and fewer adverse side effects are some of the key lineaments of traditional Ausadha. This review attempts to introduce several widely used traditional medicines and plant extracts for treating oral diseases, with a highlight on tooth soap, one of the most unrevealed herbal alternative to tooth paste

Characteristics and Sources of Trace Elements in Fine Mode Aerosols in Delhi: A Long-Term Trend Analysis (2013–2021)

On the basis of a long-term analysis (2013–2021), we report the inter-annual and seasonal concentrations and possible sources of trace elements (TEs) in PM2.5 over Delhi, India. In all the PM2.5 samples, 19 major and trace elements were extracted: Na, Al, Fe, Ti, Mg, Cu, Zn, Cr, Mn, Ni, As, Mo, Cl, P, S, Ca, K, Pb, and Br. The total annual mean concentration (∑El in PM2.5) of major and trace elements was 17.4 ± 3.1 µg m−3, accounting for 13.9% of PM2.5. The enrichment factor (EF) and IMPROVE model analysis indicate the seasonal abundance of mineral/soil dust (Fe, Al, Ti, Na, Ca, and Mg) at the sampling location of Delhi. During the sampling period, the highest loading of trace elements was recorded in 2015 (19% of PM2.5) and the lowest in 2020 (9% of PM2.5), possibly due to limited activity during COVID-19 lockdown/unlock times. The major sources of elements (in PM2.5) were extracted by a principal component analysis (PCA) as crustal/soil/road dust, vehicular traffic/industrial emissions, combustion (solid + fossil fuels), and sodium magnesium salts in Delhi

Palatal mucormycosis masquerading as bacterial and fungal osteomyelitis: A rare case report

Mucormycosis is an acute, fulminating, fungal disease that frequently involves oral, cranial, and facial structures. It is an opportunistic fatal infection which occurs in debilitating and immunosuppressive states. This report documents a rare case of localized maxillary mucormycosis in a patient with uncontrolled diabetes, with emphasis on early and prompt diagnosis of the same

Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis of Micronuclei in the Buccal Mucosal Cells of Individuals Associated with Tobacco

Introduction: Micronucleus/micronuclei) have the potential to serve as an important biomarker in exfoliated cell. Exfoliated buccal mucosal cells can be evaluated using MN assay which can be applied to individuals practicing tobacco habits and are at risk of developing oral cancer. Material and Methods: 80 tobacco users and 20 non tobacco users as control were included in the study. Smears were taken and stained with H&E, feulgen, acridine orange. MN was counted using criteria given by Tolbert et al. Data was analyzed using SPSS software. Results: MN higher in tobacco users. The values obtained for the MN count in tobacco chewers using these stains were statistically significant (P<0.05). The values obtained for the MN count in tobacco smokers using these stains were statistically significant (P<0.05). Qualitatively a good score for staining intensity; MN outline and nuclear outline was obtained for acridine orange, followed by H&E and feulgen stain. Discussion: In our study quantitatively, MN was counted in maximum number using H&E stain, followed by acridine orange and feulgen. Qualitatively, MN count was best viewed using acridine orange stain under a fluorescence microscope, followed by H&E and feulgen under a light microscope. Conclusion: Assessment of MN in exfoliated cells is a promising tool to study epithelial carcinogens in the oral cavity

Long-Term (2012&ndash;2021) Variation in Carbonaceous Aerosols of PM2.5 at an Urban Site of Megacity Delhi Situated over Indo-Gangetic Plain of India

A long-term (January 2012 to December 2021) study on carbonaceous aerosols of fine particulates (PM2.5) was conducted over the megacity of Delhi, India, to evaluate their seasonal and yearly variations. During the entire study period, the observed annual mean levels (&micro;g m&minus;3) of PM2.5 and its carbonaceous components (OC, POC, SOC, EM, EC, TCM, and TC) were recorded as 126 &plusmn; 72, 15.6 &plusmn; 11.6, 9.3 &plusmn; 6.3, 6.4 &plusmn; 5.1, 8.2 &plusmn; 5.6, 7.3 &plusmn; 5.1, 33.2 &plusmn; 21.9, and 23.1 &plusmn; 16.5, respectively. On average, the CAs/TCM ratio accounts for 26% of PM2.5 concentrations. During the monsoon (minimum) and post-monsoon (maximum) season, significant seasonal variability in PM2.5 and its carbonaceous species (OC, EC, POC, SOC, and TCM) was observed. Based on the linear association (OC vs. EC) and ratios (OC/EC as well as EC/TC) of species, three significant sources of CAs (vehicular emissions (VE), fossil fuel combustion (FFC), and biomass burning (BB)) were identified

Human urinary metabolomics as biomarkers in tobacco users: A systematic review

Aim: Urine as a biofluid has been rarely used as a diagnostic fluid in oral diseases. The article aims to systematically review the utility of human urinary carcinogen metabolites as an approach for obtaining important information about tobacco and cancer. Materials and Methods: The following article reviews the use of urine and its metabolites as biomarkers in various lesions of the oral cavity including oral squamous cell carcinoma and as a screening method in evaluating tobacco and its components. A bibliographic comprehensive search was carried out in the main databases: PUBMED, SciELO, Google Scholar, VHL, and LILACS for articles that were published from 1985 to 2020. The inclusion criteria were “urinary metabolites,” “oral cancer/HNSCC,” “body fluids,” “tobacco,” and “metabolomics.” A total of 55 articles were collected which included laboratory studies, systematic reviews, and literature of urinary metabolites in tobacco users. Results: Most of the studies carried out show accurate results with high sensitivity of urinary metabolite biomarkers in individuals with tobacco-based habits and lesions caused by them. Conclusion: The review indicates that urinary metabolite analysis demonstrates its applicability for the diagnosis and prognosis of disease. Urine is a remarkable and useful biofluid for routine testing and provides an excellent resource for the discovery of novel biomarkers, with an advantage over tissue biopsy samples due to the ease and less invasive nature of collection