Effectiveness of Electrophysical Modalities in the Management of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders: A Review.

This review was conducted by three investigators to assess the scientific evidence and eff ectiveness of various electro physical modalities in the treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. This review was conducted by three investigators. The databases of PubMed, Science direct, Cochrane clinical trials register (June 1994-Jan 2013) were electronically searched for the key terms TMJ disorders with low-level laser therapy (LLLT), iontophoresis, phonophoresis, therapeutic ultrasound, transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation, microcurrent electrical nerve stimulation. The retrieved titles were thoroughly evaluated, and full text was obtained. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria the selected studies were assessed for the quality evidence of the trails using the Grade Pro 3.6 version software and summary of finding table was generated. Of 1544 titles, 28 full text publications, which were eligible for this review were included, and 15 randomized placebo controlled trials that were fulfilling the set criteria. Out of 15 studies 10 are performed on LLLT, 2 on iontophoresis, 1 on pulsed radiofrequency energy, 1 on cathodal high voltage electric stimulation and 1 on laser acupuncture. LLLT is the extensively practiced electrophysical treatment modality with the moderate quality of evidence. Electrophysical modalities are helpful as adjuvant in the treatment of TMJ symptoms. However, there are no evidences to conclude that a single electrophysical modality is beneficial over the other in the temporomandibular disorders management.

Low Intensity Laser Therapy in Disc Derangement Disorders of Temporomandibular Joint: A Review Article / Terapia con Láser de Baja Intensidad en Trastornos de Alteración Discal de la Articulación Temporomandibular: Un Artículo de Revisión

Temporomandibular disorders embrace a number of clinical conditions that involves the masticatory musculature, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and associated structures. The most frequent cause of TMJ disorders are disc derangement disorders which involve progressive slipping or displacement of articular disc. Various conservative treatment strategies for disc derangement disorders includes pharmacologic therapy, psychological counselling, treatment of parafunctional habits, use of occlusal splints and acupuncture which gives short term relief only. Recently, a non traumatic introduction to dentistry can be represented by low level laser therapy or soft laser therapy. It has proved to be an effective treatment modality in management of disc derangement disorders through its analgesic and anti- inflammatory effect. Therefore, the goal of this review article is to explore the use of low level laser therapy as an emerging trend in the management of disc derangement disorders of TMJ.

Los trastornos temporomandibulares abarcan una serie de condiciones clínicas que involucran la musculatura masticatoria, la articulación temporomandibular (ATM) y estructuras asociadas. La causa más frecuente de trastornos de la ATM es la alteración discal que implica el deslizamiento o desplazamiento progresivo del disco articular. Diversas estrategias de tratamiento conservador para los trastornos de alteración discal incluyen el tratamiento farmacológico, la terapia psicológica, el tratamiento de los hábitos parafuncionales, uso de férulas oclusales y acupuntura, que solamente dan un alivio a corto plazo. Recientemente, una introducción no traumática para la odontología puede ser representada por la terapia con láser de baja frecuencia o terapia de láser blando. Esta ha demostrado ser una modalidad de tratamiento eficaz en el manejo de los trastornos de alteración discal a través de su efecto analgésico y antiinflamatorio. El objetivo de este artículo es explorar el uso de la terapia con láser de baja frecuencia como una tendencia emergente en el tratamiento de los trastornos de alteración del disco de la ATM.

Comparative assessment in enzyme activities and microbial populations during normal and vermicomposting.

Changes in extracellular enzyme activities and microbial populations were studied during the normal composting and vermicomposting of fruitpulp, vegetable waste, groundnut husk and cowdung. The microbial numbers and their extracellular enzyme profiles showed relative variation and were found increasingly more abundant in vermicompost than in normal compost leading to the conversion of agricultural waste into value added product. In vermicompost, the maximum enzyme activities (cellulase, amylase, invertase, protease and urease) were observed during 21-35 days. The cellulase, amylase and protease activities of vermicompost reached the maximum values by 28th day of 1175, 825 µg reducing sugar g-1 hr-1 and 28 µ mol of aminoacid g-1 hr-1 of vermicompost samples respectively. Similarly the invertase and urease activities reached to peak values of 876 µg reducing sugar g-1 hr-1 and 197 µg -N g-1 ha-1 sample on 35th day respectively. Most of the enzymes showed correlation with change in number and types of different microbial groups like bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes during vermicomposting with maximum number of 126 x 106, 28 x 104 and 93 x 105 CFU g-1 sample respectively. In contrast delayed greatest enzyme activities were observed on 42-49th day i.e., last days of normal composting. Earthworms stimulated biochemical activity and nutrient cycling by 40-45% contributing to the reduction of period of degradation of agricultural wastes resulting in maturation of vermicompost by 28th day.

Radiation-induced spindle cell sarcoma: A rare case report.

Ionizing radiation has been known to induce malignant transformation in human beings. Radiation-induced sarcomas are a late sequel of radiation therapy. Most sarcomas have been reported to occur after exposure to a radiation dose of 55 Gray (Gy) and above, with a dose ranging from 16 to 112 Gys. Spindle cell sarcomas, arising after radiotherapy given to treat the carcinoma of head and neck region is a very uncommon sequel. This is a rare case report of spindle cell sarcoma of left maxilla, in a 24-year-old male, occurring as a late complication of radiotherapy with Cobalt-60 given for the treatment of retinoblastoma of the left eye 21 years back.

XRCC1 and XPD gene polymorphisms in a South Indian population.

DNA repair systems play an important role in maintaining the integrity of the human genome. Deficiency in the repair capacity due to either mutations or inherited polymorphisms in DNA repair genes may contribute to variations in the DNA repair capacity and subsequently susceptibility to cancer. The interindividual variability as well as ethnic differences in DNA repair polymorphisms, stress the importance to establish genotype profiles unique to a population. Hence the present study aimed to determine the frequencies of XRCC1 and XPD gene polymorphisms in 255 healthy random unrelated individuals from South India. DNA was isolated from the peripheral blood sample of these individuals and the XRCC1 and XPD genotypes were determined by PCR- RFLP with Msp1 and Pst1 enzymes respectively. The XRCC1 genotype frequencies revealed 36% Arg/Arg, 47% Arg/Gln and 17% Gln/Gln with Gln allele frequency of 0.41. Analysis of XPD genotypes revealed 51% Lys/Lys, 41% Lys/Gln and 8% Gln/Gln with Gln allele frequency of 0.29. No significant difference in the distribution of genotypes was seen based on gender. Comparison of the frequencies of XRCC1 and XPD polymorphisms observed in the present study with other populations revealed a distinctive nature of the South Indian population. An understanding of DNA repair gene polymorphisms might not only enable risk assessment of humans exposed to environmental carcinogens but also response to therapy, which target the DNA repair pathway.

Polymorphisms at GSTM1 and GSTP1 gene loci and risk of prostate cancer in a South Indian population.

Inter-individual differences in cancer susceptibility may be mediated in part through polymorphic variability in the bioactivation and detoxification of carcinogens. The glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), which are active in detoxification of wide variety of carcinogens, have been consistently implicated as cancer susceptibility genes in this context. We here assessed the association of GSTM1 and GSTP1 polymorphisms with susceptibility to prostate cancer in a case-control study of 75 patients and 100 age-matched controls in a South Indian population. The GSTM1 null polymorphism was detected by PCR and the GSTP1 Ile105Val polymorphism by PCR-RFLP using peripheral blood DNA.There was no significant link between the null genotype of GSTM1 and risk of prostate cancer (OR-1.79; 95% CI-0.78-4.11; P-0.18). However, the GSTP1 Ile/Val genotype was significantly associated with a decreased risk for prostate cancer (OR-0.36; 95% CI-0.18-0.73; P<0.001). Analysis of the variant GSTM1 and GSTP1 genotypes in combination did not reveal any significant difference between cases and controls, even with a stratified analysis tumor grades. Thus our study indicates that the GSTP1 Ile/Val genotype may decrease risk of prostate cancer in the South Indian population.

Lipid metabolic changes in experimentally induced leptospiral infection with serovars australis, canicola and icterohaemorrhagiae.

Changes in lipid fractions were evaluated in young guinea pigs when infected with 1 ml of 7 day old live cultures of leptospira interrogans serovars australis, canicola and icterohaemorrhagiae. Statistically significant elevation in triglycerides, very low density lipoprotein and phospholipid and a significant reduction in high density lipoprotein (HDL) in all the groups was observed. Cholesterol and low density lipoprotein showed ascending trend in icterohaemorrhagiae group, whereas they were normal in other groups. The results suggest that increase in triglycerides, phospholipid and decrease in HDL in a suspected case of leptospirosis may be considered as markers.

Effect of perchlorate on mitochondrial function.

Administration of sodium perchlorate to rats for 45 days leads to decreased activities of citric acid cycle enzymes. The oxidation of succinate both in state 3 and state 4 conditions and endogenous ATP content of mitochondria decreased during perchlorate toxicity. The significant decrease in cytochrome aa3 in perchlorate-treated rats may be one of the prime factors involved in the decreased rate of respiration. The permeability of mitochondria of perchlorate-treated rats is altered as indicated by increased oxidation of NADH and low respiratory control ratio (RCR).

Lipoprotein profile during perchlorate toxicity.

Perchlorate administration to rats for 45 days alters the lipoprotein profile in plasma. The levels of cholesterol, phospholipids and triglycerides in HDL, LDL and VLDL fractions are significantly increased in perchlorate-treated rats. Post-heparin lipolytic activity of plasma of sodium perchlorate-treated rats is decreased. The risk factor, i.e. the total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol, increases in the experimental animals, indicating that the treatment of rats with perchlorate may develop the susceptibility of the animals to cardiac heart disease.

Reactivity of glycoconjugate in membrane system II: can a neutral glycolipid function as lectin receptor in the presence of gangliosides in plasma membrane.

To examine how surface potential controls the reactivity of glycoconjugates at cell surface, the interaction of galactose-specific lectins e.g. peanut agglutinin, Ricinus cummunis agglutinin with liposomes bearing asialo GM1 were studied in the presence of varying amount of ganglioside mixture, GMn. The presence of 5% GMn causes complete slowing down of precipitin reaction and thereby make carbohydrate moiety of asialo GM1 completely inaccessible i.e. ‘cryptic’. In contrast the presence of 1–2% GMn enhances the apparent rate and amplitude of the precipitin reaction as surface potential becomes more negative. The relevance of the findings has been discussed in relation to the expression and involvement of the cell-surface sialic acid residues during development and differentiation.