Anti-Cancer Properties of Heterotrigona itama sp. Honey Via Induction of Apoptosis in Malignant Glioma Cells

@#Background: There has been increasing evidence showing that stingless bee honey exhibits anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Pharmacologically-active components in honey such as flavonoids and phenolic constituents are known to contribute to its medicinal benefits. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on evaluating anticancer effects of locally-produced Malaysian stingless bee honey from Heterotrigona itama sp. on malignant glioma cells. Methods: Proliferation and apoptosis studies of U-87 MG cells following stingless bee honey treatment were carried out using MTS assay and acridine orange/propidium iodide dual staining, respectively. Results: Results demonstrated time and dose-dependent cytotoxicity using 0.625%, 1.25% and 10% stingless bee honey (P < 0.05). IC50 values were calculated using cells treated with 10% stingless bee honey. It was also observed that 10% stingless bee honey induced nuclear shrinkage, chromatin condensation and nucleus fragmentation, indicating that cellular changes were consistent with the apoptotic characteristics of the cells. Conclusion: These data provide a good basis for further evaluation of the medicinal properties of stingless bee honey from Heterotrigona itama sp. This source of honey may serve as a potential therapy for malignant glioma.

Effect of Alox-15 Polymorphism on GCF Levels of Lipoxin-A4 in Chronic Periodontitis: A Preliminary Study

Lipoxins play an important role in periodontal resolution, hence, investigation of genetic polymorphism of lipoxin gene may provide important information on the role of lipoxins in periodontal disease pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate a polymorphism of C-to-T substitution at position c.-292 in ALOX15 (reticulocyte-type 15 lipoxygenase 1) gene in patients with chronic periodontitis and to associate the polymorphism with gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) lipoxin A4 (LXA4) levels. Forty-five chronic periodontitis and 45 periodontally healthy patients were included in this case-control study. Plaque index, calculus index, sulcus bleeding index, full mouth probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL) were recorded. GCF and blood samples were collected. GCF was analyzed for LXA4 levels by enzyme linked immunosorbant assay. Genotyping of ALOX15 polymorphism was studied using PCR. Mean LXA4 was lower in periodontitis group compared to the periodontally healthy group. There was a negative correlation between CAL and LXA4. The CC genotype was higher in the study group than in the control group. In the study group, mean CAL was significantly lower among individuals with the CT genotype. Mean LXA4 was significantly lower in CC genotype (45.0±7.11 ng/mL) compared to CT genotype (50.81±5.81 ng/mL) among the patients with periodontitis. The results suggest that LXA4 and c.-292T allele are associated with periodontal health. Polymorphisms in the ALOX15 gene may influence periodontal disease pathogenesis. Hence, investigation of such polymorphisms could benefit the evaluation of lipoxins role in periodontal disease.

Resumo Lipoxinas desempenham um papel importante na recuperação periodonta, portanto, a investigação do polimorfismo genético do gene da lipoxina pode fornecer informações importantes sobre o papel das lipoxinas na patogênese da doença periodontal. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar um polimorfismo de substituição C-to-T na posição c-292 no gene ALOX15 (reticulócito-tipo 15 lipoxigenase 1) em pacientes com periodontite crônica e associar o polimorfismo com a lipoxina A4 (LXA4) do fluido gengival crevicular (FGC). Quarenta e cinco pacientes com periodontite crônica e 45 pacientes periodonalmente saudáveis foram incluídos neste estudo caso-controle. Índice de placa, índice de cálculo, índice de sangramento do sulco, profundidade de sondagem (PS) da boca toda e perda de inserção clínica (PIC) foram registrados. Amostras do FGC e de sangue foram coletadas. O FGC foi analisado quanto aos níveis de LXA4 por ensaio imunoadsorvente ligado à enzima (ELISA). A genotipagem do polimorfismo ALOX15 foi estudada por PCR. A média de LXA4 foi menor no grupo de periodontite em comparação com o grupo periodontalmente saudável. Houve uma correlação negativa entre PIC e LXA4. O genótipo CC foi maior no grupo de estudo do que no grupo controle. No grupo de estudo, a média de PIC foi significativamente menor entre os indivíduos com o genótipo CT. A média de LXA4 foi significativamente menor no genótipo CC (45,0 ± 7,11 ng / mL) em comparação com o genótipo CT (50,81 ± 5,81 ng / mL) entre os pacientes com periodontite. Os resultados sugerem que o alelo LXA4 e o alelo c-292T estão associados à saúde periodontal. Polimorfismos no gene ALOX15 podem influenciar a patogênese da doença periodontal. Assim, a investigação de tais polimorfismos pode beneficiar a avaliação do papel das lipoxinas na doença periodontal.

Response to: Computed Tomography-Guided Biopsy for Potts Disease: An Institutional Experience from an Endemic Developing Country

No abstract available.

Evaluation of the efficacy of a probiotic drink containing Lactobacillus casei on the levels of periodontopathic bacteria in periodontitis: A clinico‑microbiologic study.

Background and Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate whether the oral administration of lactobacilli could change the bacterial population in subgingival plaque. Subjects and Methods: Forty‑two healthy volunteers with chronic generalized mild to moderate periodontitis were given a probiotic drink containing Lactobacillus casei for 1 month. Subgingival plaque samples were collected at baseline, after which the patients were asked to consume the probiotic drink once daily for 1 month. At the 1 month interval, plaque samples were collected, and the drink discontinued. The patients were recalled at 2 months interval for collection of the final samples. The bacterial amounts in the plaque samples were analyzed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction procedure. Results: Of the three periodontopathic bacteria selected, Porphyromonas gingivalis showed highly significant reductions in the bacterial levels at 1‑month and 2 months intervals. In comparison, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, when present higher than 10 × 103 at baseline, and Prevotella intermedia present higher than 2 × 103 at baseline, showed moderately significant reduction in their numbers. Interpretation and Conclusion: Oral administration of the probiotic lactobacilli reduced the numerical sum of the three selected periodontopathic bacteria and could contribute to the beneficial effects on periodontal conditions.

Analysis of the rate of maturogenesis of a traumatized Cvek’s stage 3 anterior tooth treated with platelet‑rich fibrinas a regenerative tool using three‑dimensional cone‑beam computed tomography: An original case report.

Regenerative endodontic procedures are biologically based procedures which deal with the regeneration of pulp‑like tissue, more idealistically the pulp‑dentin complex. The regeneration of this pulp‑dentin complex in an infected necrotic tooth with an open apex is possible only when the canal is effectively disinfected. Though there are various procedures for treating open apex ranging from Ca(OH) 2 apexification, mineral trioxide aggregate apexification and surgical approach, regeneration of tissues has always taken superior hand over the repair of tissues. The mechanics behind the regenerative endodontic procedures is that despite the tooth being necrotic, some pulp tissue can survive apically which under favorable conditions proliferate to aid in the process of regeneration. In the past 2 decades, an increased understanding of the physiological roles of platelets in wound healing and after tissue injury has led to the idea of using platelets as therapeutic tools in the field regenerative endodontics. In the present case report with an open apex, high sterilization protocol is followed using triple antibiotic paste as intra‑canal medicament, followed which platelet rich fibrin is used as the regenerative material of choice. Over an 18‑month follow‑up period, clinically patient is asymptomatic and radiographically there is complete regression of the periapical lesion and initiation of the root end closure.

Computed Tomography-Guided Biopsy for Potts Disease: An Institutional Experience from an Endemic Developing Country

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective chart review. PURPOSE: In endemic resource poor countries like Pakistan, most patients are diagnosed and treated for Potts disease on clinical and radiological grounds without a routine biopsy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use and effect of computed tomography (CT)-guided biopsy in the management of Potts disease since the technique is becoming increasingly available. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: CT-guided biopsy of spinal lesions is routinely performed. Literature on the utility of the technique in endemic resource poor countries is little. METHODS: This study was conducted at the Neurosurgery section of Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi. All the patients with suspected Potts disease who underwent CT-guided biopsy during the 7 year period from 2007 to 2013 were included in this study. Details of the procedure, histopathology and microbiology were recorded. RESULTS: One hundred and seventy-eight patients were treated for suspected Potts disease during the study period. CT-guided biopsies of the spinal lesions were performed in 91 patients (51.12%). Of the 91 procedures, 22 (24.2%) were inconclusive because of inadequate sample (10), normal tissue (6) or reactive tissue (6). Sixty-nine biopsies were positive (75.8%). Granulomatous inflammation was seen in 58 patients (84.05%), positive acid-fast bacillus (AFB) smear in 4 (5.7%) and positive AFB culture in 12 patients (17.3%). All 91 cases in which CT-guided biopsy was performed responded positively to antituberculosis therapy (ATT). CONCLUSIONS: 75.8% of the specimens yielded positive diagnoses. Granulomatous inflammation on histopathology was the commonest diagnostic feature. In this series, the rates of positive AFB smear and culture were low compared to previous literature.

Awareness of the association between periodontal disease and pre-term births among general dentists, general medical practitioners and gynecologists.

In the recent decades, periodontal disease has been identified as a risk factor for pre-term deliveries. Hence, it is important to evaluate the awareness of health-care providers of the association between periodontal diseases and pre-term birth. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to random samples representing general medical practitioners (GMPs), general dental practitioners (GDPs) and Gynecologists for this study. A knowledge score was calculated for correct answers to 11 survey questions related to oral health effects during pregnancy and compared among the three groups. In this study, 133 physicians, 135 dentists and 100 Gynecologists completed the questionnaire. More GDPs (67.4%) than GMPs (56.4%) and Gynecologists (63%) reported there was an association between periodontal disease and pre-term low birth weight. Efforts to increase this awareness may prove valuable in improving preventive care during pregnancy.

Maternal periodontal status and risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes a case control study on Indian mothers.

Objective: This study was conducted to - a) Determine the association, if any between maternal periodontal infection and Preterm Birth low birth weight (PLBW) in Indian population b) Evaluate the correlation ,if any, between the severity of maternal periodontal infection and the birth weight of the neonate. Methods: This Case control study was conducted on 100 mothers. Cases (n=50) were mothers who delivered preterm low birth weight infants (PLBW). Controls were mothers with normal pregnancy outcomes. Periodontal status of the mothers and PGE2 level in the GCF was recorded postpartum. . Multivariate regression models were fitted controlling for common covariates. Results: Multivariate logistic regression models controlling for other risk factors and covariates, demonstrated that maternal localized moderate periodontitis is significantly associated with preterm low birth weight, with an adjusted odds ratio of 3.16 PLBW cases. GCF–PGE² level provided further evidence for the association and there was negative correlation between the GCF-PGE² level and birth weight of the infant. Conclusion: The data support the notion that maternal periodontitis is independently associated with preterm low birth weight in Indian population.

Effect of smoking on neutrophil apoptosis in chronic periodontitis: An immunohistochemical study.

Context: Periodontal disease is caused by chronic infection inducing an inflammatory reaction leading to breakdown of tooth-supporting tissues. There are various risk factors for the disease, and smoking is one of them. Apoptosis plays a critical role in the regulation of inflammation and host immune response which helps in tissue homeostasis, and a disturbance in this is often associated with disease. The imbalance between the apoptosis and proliferation in the periodontal tissue results in periodontal disease. Neutrophils play an important role in the defense mechanism and are the most abundant immune cells in gingival inflammatory infiltrate in patients suffering from periodontal disease. Neutrophil disorders are associated with rapid destruction of periodontal tissues. Aim: To study the influence of smoking on apoptosis of neutrophils by quantifying them in the gingival connective tissue of smoking and nonsmoking subjects suffering from chronic periodontitis. Materials and Methods: Thirty gingival biopsies were harvested from 15 smoking and 15 nonsmoking subjects who suffered from chronic periodontitis. The apoptosis of neutrophils was assessed and quantified using p53 monoclonal mouse antihuman antibody. Statistical Analysis Used: Chi-square/Fisher'sexact test was used to find the significance of study parameters on a categorical scale between the two groups. Results: Neutrophil apoptosis was significantly more in the group of nonsmokers. There was no statistical difference between plaque and bleeding index, but there was a significant increase in clinical attachment loss among smokers. Conclusions: The study reveals that smoking plays a significant role in the inhibition of neutrophil apoptosis, thereby contributing to the destruction of periodontal tissues in periodontitis.

Association between gingival crevicular fluid prostaglandin E 2 level and preterm low birth weight.

Background: Periodontal infections, which serve as a reservoir of inflammatory mediators such prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ), may pose a threat to the fetal-placental unit and cause preterm delivery. Aim: This study was conducted to estimate the PGE 2 levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and to explore the association between GCF-PGE 2 levels and preterm low birth weight (PLBW). Materials and Methods: Twenty-two pregnant patients were selected for the study. GCF samples were collected from these patients before delivery and again at 1 month after delivery. PGE 2 level was estimated using a commercially available ELISA kit (Neogen™). Results: The mean GCF-PGE 2 level was 5.8 ng/ml before parturition and 5.5 ng/ml after parturition, but the difference was not statistically significant. There was negative correlation between PGE 2 levels and gestational age at birth. Conclusion: The study provides weak evidence that there is correlation between GCF-PGE 2 levels and birth outcome. Further clinical trials with large samples are required to confirm the association between GCF-PGE 2 levels and PLBW.

Effect of gene polymorphisms on periodontal diseases.

Periodontal diseases are inflammatory diseases of supporting structures of the tooth. It results in the destruction of the supporting structures and most of the destructive processes involved are host derived. The processes leading to destruction and regeneration of the destroyed tissues are of great interest to both researchers and clinicians. The selective susceptibility of subjects for periodontitis has remained an enigma and wide varieties of risk factors have been implicated for the manifestation and progression of periodontitis. Genetic factors have been a new addition to the list of risk factors for periodontal diseases. With the availability of human genome sequence and the knowledge of the complement of the genes, it should be possible to identify the metabolic pathways involved in periodontal destruction and regeneration. Most forms of periodontitis represent a life-long account of interactions between the genome, behaviour, and environment. The current practical utility of genetic knowledge in periodontitis is limited. The information contained within the human genome can potentially lead to a better understanding of the control mechanisms modulating the production of inflammatory mediators as well as provides potential therapeutic targets for periodontal disease. Allelic variants at multiple gene loci probably influence periodontitis susceptibility.

Clinicomycological study in Karachi

To find out frequency of dermatophytosis in Karachi and correlation between clinical types and strain isolated. This prospective study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi from September 2000 to August, 2001.Three hundreds seventy-three patients having skin, hair and nail infection [clinically suspected cases of dermatophytosis] were examined. The skin scraping, hair plucking and nail clipping were taken and subjected to direct microscopy and culture on mycobiotic agar [Difco] for isolation of dermatophytes. Various special media were used for species identification. Dermatophytosis was predominantly found among adults 246 [66.8%] population. Most common clinical pattern was of tinea corporis [26.9], followed by tinea cruris [25.8],tinea unguium [19.3], tinea capitis [17.4], tinea pedis [7.9], tinea faciei [4.6] tinea manuum [2.2] and tinea barbae [0.8] respectively. Tinea cruris was significantly found more in males 83 [36.9%] than females 12 [8.4%] [P<0.001]. Species of dermatophytes were recovered from 184 cases, out of which 95 [51.6%] strains of Trichophyton rubrum, 43 [23.4%] strains of Trichophyton violaceum, 25 [13.7%] strains of Epidermophyton floccosum,15 [8.2%] strains of Trichophyton mentagrophytes and 06 [3.2%] strains of Trichophyton tonsurans respectively. Trichophyton rubrum was found to be commonest etiological agent in different clinical types. Dermatophytosis is found to be more common in adult population. Tinea cruris being more common in miles while tinea corporis and tinea unguium relatively common in females Trichophyton rubrum was found to be commonest etiological agent in different clinical types

Diagnostic value of Ki-67 antigen in human thyroid tumors

To determine frequency of Ki-67-antigen over-expression in thyroid tumours. A retrospective study of 50 patients suffering form thyroid tumours. Was carried out in BMSI, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi frornl993-2001. Maximum numbers of tumour among total cases were is age group ranging from 20-39 years. This age group 18 [72%] papillary Carcinoma, 04 [80%] medullary carcinoma, 03 [30%] follicular carcinoma, 04 [57%] follicular adenoma. The mean+ SD of follicular adenoma, follicular carcinoma, papillary carcinoma, medullary carcinoma and anaplastic carcinoma are 12.96 + 54.44, 49 + 8.90, 45.5 + 7.3, 44.62 + 4.7 and 5 1.7 + 2.2 respectively. The p value between benign and malignancy condition is 0.001 which is highly significant. The result and observation of study show that immunohistochemical study using Ki-67 antibody suggest that positive reaction for Ki-67 antigen could be used as a tool for distinguishing malignant tumour from benign tumors. Ki-67 proliferative activity has been shown to have a diagnostic value, further evaluation as prognostic indicator in the study of tumour pathology is warranted in hope that this parameter will allow clinicians to provide more appropriate treatment

HER 2/NEU oncoprotein: a biomacker in human prostate cancer

To determine the frequencies of HER-2/neu overexpression in prostate adenocarcinoma. A retrospective study of 50 patients suffering from prostate adenocarcinoma. BMSI, Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre Karachi 1999-2001. Fifty patients between the ages of 50-80 years were selected during period 1990-2001 having prostate carcinoma. Maximum numbers of tumour among total cases were in age group ranging from 51-60 years i.e.13 tumours [26% of total cases]. Frequency of HER/2neu expression was found to be 12%. All the positive cases were poorly differentiated with Gleason score 8-10. HER-2/neu overexpression was present in 12% of prostatic adenocarcinoma cases. Specific therapeutic targeting of these neoplasms may be accomplished with [Herceptin], which may reveal a new treatment option

Clinical evaluation of guided tissue regeneration procedure in the treatment of grade II mandibular molar furcations.

The management of furcation defects remains a challenge in periodontal therapy, Traditionally, furcation therapy involved scaling, rootplaning, furcation plasty and resective techniques. The purpose of this study was to clinically evaluate the potential of guided tissue regeneration in the treatment of mandibular molar grade II furcations using a nonresorbable barrier, TefGen-GTR and compare it with open flap debridement alone. Ten patients with similar bilateral grade II furcation lesions participated in the study. TefGen-GTR was placed in the experimental sites while the contralateral sites served as controls. Treatment effects were evaluated at six months reentry. Both groups showed gain in vertical and horizontal open probing attachment and defect depth reduction when compared to baseline values, with experimental sites showing statistically significant improvement over the controls. The results suggest that the nonresorbable Teflon barrier, TefGen-GTR, may be used as an alternative for treatment of grade II furcation invasions.