Evaluation and Comparison of Mechanical Properties of Platelet-Rich Fibrin Membrane, Fish Collagen Membrane, Bovine Collagen Membrane and Chorionic Membrane – An SEM Study

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the mechanical properties of platelet?rich fibrin (PRF) membrane with that of commercially available collagen membranes and chorionic membranes. Materials and Methods: The modulus of elasticity and hardness of PRF membrane, bovine collagen membrane, fish collagen membrane, and chorionic membrane were assessed using a universal testing machine. The in vitro degradation rate was assessed by placing these membranes on a temperature?controlled shaker set for one week. The degradation profiles were expressed as the accumulated weight loss of the membrane. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) evaluation of these membranes was done under both low and high magnification. One?way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s post hoc tests were performed for statistical analysis. Results: A statistically significant difference in the tensile strength and hardness of membranes was observed. Bovine collagen membrane had the highest strength (84.11 MPa and 16.46 MPa) followed by fish collagen membrane, chorionic membrane, and least for PRF membranes observed. The degradation rate at one week was highest for the PRF membrane (55.6%), followed by the fish collagen membrane (32.5%). SEM evaluation showed that the bovine collagen membrane had significantly higher numbers of collagen fibres compared to the fish collagen membrane and chorionic membrane. Conclusion: Bovine collagen membrane had the highest mechanical properties with the maximum amount of collagen fibre meshwork. Only the PRF membrane had cellular distribution in its composition, while the commercially available membrane had significantly higher numbers of collagen fibres with the total absence of cellular components

Caries experience scores revisited for caries risk assessment using cariogram model – A cross-sectional study

Context: The widely accepted caries risk assessment tools such as the Cariogram model needs modifications in the scoring of different factors for reliable results. Aims: The study was aimed to report the caries experience in 3?60 years of the Rajasthan population and to apply the newly derived average decayed exfoliated filled teeth/Decayed Missing Filled Teeth (deft/DMFT) scores in the Cariogram model to assess the caries risk. Settings and Design: The cross?sectional study was planned in the Department of Dentistry and a total of 500 participants were equally divided into five groups (3?6, 7?12, 13?30, 31?44, and 45?60 years) were included. Methods and Material: All participants were examined for caries detection using deft/DMFT, ICDAS, and CAST indices according to the predefined protocol. A single examiner evaluated the participants in a dental operatory and data was recorded. Statistical Analysis Used: One?Way ANOVA and Tukey’s Post?Hoc tests were used to evaluate the significant difference between the groups of each caries index. Results: A statistically significant difference was observed between the mean deft/ DMFT and CAST scores of 3?6, 7?12, and 13?30 age groups with the 45?60 years age group. Caries prevalence was highest (83%) in 31?44 and 45?60 year age groups and lowest (51%) in the 3?6 year age group. Conclusions: Caries experience scores increase as the age increases and the highest scores were observed in 31?44 and 45?60 year age groups and the lowest were observed in the 3?6 year age group. The average ICDAS and CAST scores were higher when compared to the deft/DMFT index

The Clinical Efficacy of Minocycline Mouth Rinse on Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis—A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is one of the most common ulcerative diseases affecting the general population. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficiency of 0.5% minocycline mouth rinse prescribed along with the topical anesthetic gel and vitamin supplement over the topical anesthetic gel and vitamin supplement prescribed alone for treating RAS. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 participants were randomly divided into two groups—experimental group: 0.5% minocycline mouth rinse prescribed along with vitamin supplement and topical anesthetic gel; and control group: vitamin supplement and topical anesthetic gel alone. The pain symptoms were evaluated using the VAS scores at baseline and first follow?up visits. The data were analyzed using Student’s t test. Results: A significant reduction in the pain scores was observed in participants using the 0.5% minocycline mouth rinse prescribed along with vitamin supplement and topical anesthetic gel on the first follow?up visit (P = < 0.001). Conclusion: The 0.5% minocycline mouth rinse prescribed along with vitamin supplement and topical anesthetic gel had shown more reduction in the pain symptoms when compared to topical anesthetic gel and vitamin supplement prescribed alone for the treatment of RAS.

Evaluation of the role of cyanoacrylate glue in the management of fistula-in-ano

Background: Fistula in ano is a common problem in patients presenting to surgical OPD. Various procedures have been described for the treatment of anal fistula, including fistulectomy, fistulotomy and use of a cutting seton. Surgical treatment of anal fistula is associated with a significant risk of recurrence and faecal incontinence due to damage to anal sphincter. The introduction of cyanoacrylate glue to close fistula tracts using an occlusive material and with no risk of incontinence (as there is no sphincter damage). The study was designed to evaluate the role of cyanoacrylate glue in the management of fistula in ano.Methods: Here, 40 patients were enrolled in study as day cases. Patients were examined clinically and subjected to MRI pelvis where internal opening couldn’t be palpated on digital rectal examination (DRE). Fistula tract was mapped using fistula probe and washed with diluted hydrogen peroxide and normal saline. The excess granulation tissue at the external opening was curetted. The glue was then injected slowly into fistulous tract through 8 F infant feeding tube. Patients were further examined in the OPD until 6-months.Results: Here, 32 patients got healed after first instillation of glue with stoppage of discharge from the fistulous tract. The other 2 patients required second instillation of glue and showed no signs of discharge thereafter. While 6/40 continued to discharge even after instillation of glue.Conclusions: Cyanoacrylate glue can be offered as a sphincter sparing alternative to conventional procedure in patients with anal fistula.

Pattern of hemoglobinopathies and thalassemia in Manipur, India

Background: Hemoglobinopathies are the commonest genetic disorders worldwide. Thalassemia Major, Thalassemia Intermedia and Sickle Cell Disease are the major disorders that require lifelong management and are to be considered for prevention. In India, Beta-Thalassemia is prevalent across the country, with an average frequency of carriers being 3-4%.Methods: This is a cross sectional study conducted between June 2016 - May 2017 in the Department of Medicine, RIMS Imphal in 453 patients as a workup for anemia and clinically suspected cases of Hemoglobinopathy or beta thalassemia. Blood samples were collected and sent for Haemoglobin Electrophoresis using cellulose alkaline technique.Results: Among the 453 cases of the population surveyed, 35% showed the presence of abnormal hemoglobin. 16% were found to be beta thalassemia carrier, 11.69% HbE trait, 6.62% Homozygous HbE, 0.4% beta thalassemia and 0.7% had Hereditary persistence of HbF.Conclusions: High prevalence of Beta Thalassemia trait occurred more frequently than other Hemoglobinopathies. The study concludes that it is immensely important epidemiologically to explore the haemoglobin variants in Manipur so that the carriers can be detected for prevention of more serious disorder in the future generations.

Alleviation of metabolic abnormalities induced by excessive fructose administration in Wistar rats by Spirulina maxima.

Background & objectives: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycaemia. Several natural products have been isolated and identified to restore the complications of diabetes. Spirulina maxima is naturally occurring fresh water cyanobacterium, enriched with proteins and essential nutrients. The aim of the study was to determine whether S. maxima could serve as a therapeutic agent to correct metabolic abnormalities induced by excessive fructose administration in Wistar rats. Methods: Oral administration of 10 per cent fructose solution to Wistar rats (n=5 in each group) for 30 days resulted in hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia. Aqueous suspension of S. maxima (5 or 10%) was also administered orally once daily for 30 days. The therapeutic potential of the preparation with reference to metformin (500 mg/kg) was assessed by monitoring various biochemical parameters at 10 day intervals during the course of therapy and at the end of 30 days S. maxima administration. Results: Significant (P<0.001) reductions in blood glucose, lipid profile (triglycerides, cholesterol and LDL, VLDL) and liver function markers (SGPT and SGOT) were recorded along with elevated level of HDL-C at the end of 30 days therapy of 5 or 10 per cent S. maxima aquous extract. Co-administration of S. maxima extract (5 or 10% aqueous) with 10 per cent fructose solution offered a significant protection against fructose induced metabolic abnormalities in Wistar rats. Interpretation & Conclusions: The present findings showed that S. maxima exhibited anti-hyperglycaemic, anti-hyperlipidaemic and hepatoprotective activity in rats fed with fructose. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms.

Acute and sub-acute toxicity of an insect pheromone, N-heneicosane and combination with insect growth regulator, diflubenzuron, for establishing no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL).

Aedes aegypti mosquito is one of the most notorious vectors of dangerous diseases like dengue hemorrhagic fever and chikangunya. One method of control of the vectors is by the use of semiochemicals or pheromones. The pheromone n-heneicosane (C21) has been proved to be effective in attracting the female Aedes aegypti to lay eggs in the treated water and the growth of the larva is controlled by insect growth regulator diflubenzuron (DB). This study was planned to assess the safety of C21 alone and the combination with DB. Acute toxicity tests were carried out using two doses, viz., 1600 and 3200 mg/kg and two routes of exposure oral and intra-peritoneal. Dermal toxicity test was carried out in both male and female rats at the dose of 3200 mg/kg. Primary skin irritation test was carried out in rabbits. Sub-acute (90 days) dermal toxicity studies in male and female rats at the dose of 1 and 2 mg/kg via the per-cutaneous route were also studied. Sub-acute (90 days) toxicity test through the oral route was carried out, at doses 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg in male and female rats. The calculated LD50 by ip route and dermal route was more than 5 g/kg in mouse and rats of both the sexes. In the primary skin irritation test no significant changes were noted. In the sub-acute toxicity studies even 500 mg/kg dose was not able to produce toxic response in rats when they were dosed daily for 90 days. The established no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) was more than 500 mg/kg.