Assaying of p53 Autoantibodies in saliva for the detection of oral squamous cell carcinoma. A road not taken.

BACKGROUND: Autoantibody detection is a promising approach to cancer screening. Serum p53 antibodies have been time tested in various cancers, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This study is aimed to detect and determine the level of p53 autoantibodies (p53-AAbs) in saliva. The association of clinicopathological features among patients with and without OSCC was also explored as a novel method for the detection of autoantibodies. METHODS: One hundred preoperative saliva samples from patients with histologically confirmed OSCC and a hundred from normal healthy individuals were collected. Anti p53 detection kit assessed levels of salivary p53-AAbs. The cut-off value was 1.3 U/mL by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The p53-AAb levels were expressed in terms of the median and interquartile range (IQR). Fischer's exact test and Chi-square test were used to determine the association with clinicopathological features among patients with OSCC and healthy controls with tobacco consumption habits. RESULTS: Median level of p53-AAb is 0.234 U/mL (IQR 0.18-0.37U/mL) in healthy controls and 0.285U/mL (IQR 0.16-0.58U/mL) in OSCC. p53-AAbs was positive in 15% of 100 patients with OSCC, which was statistically higher ( P < 0.001) among OSCC, and controls were negative for p53-AAb. No significant correlation of p53-AAbs with the patient's age, gender, site, clinical staging (TNM), and pathologic grade was observed. However, a significant association was seen between the node involvement and salivary p53-AAbs. CONCLUSION: Salivary p53-AAb positivity was seen in a higher proportion in OSCC patients than in healthy controls with tobacco consumption, and the levels did differ significantly among OSCC and healthy controls.

Level of oral cancer awareness among Indian rural population: A possible research model using knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) intervention and its utilisation in low resource settings of LMICs.

A study was conducted to establish levels of awareness of oral cancer and its causes among an Indian population.A pre-tested structured questionnaire on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice [KAP] (open and closed ended questionnaire) was used to estimate the KAP score, followed by clinical examination of the oral mucosal lesions. The subjects were counselled immediately after completion of KAP scoring using a structured protocol of regarding tobacco cession, and given advice about intake of natural sources of anti-oxidants in the diet, of tomato, carrot and green leafy vegetables (GLV).Subjects who had a KAP score 50% or less were counselled using a structured protocol. Subjects who had a KAP score greater than 50% were also counselled and given the correct information to their incorrect answers.In the group of people with a KAP score 50% or less, continual behavioural therapy was given to remain tobacco free for life. The subjects were monitored weekly for between 30 and 40 days. Clinically suspect lesions of hyperplasic candidiasis, lichen planus, and all varieties of Leucoplakia were confirmed histopathologically and routine treatment (conservative or surgical) was started without delay for the group. Those cases with dysplastic changes (of all different grades) were also counselled. Regular follow-up was maintained over several months and re-assessment carried out at intervals and any improvement noted. CONCLUSION: This is a cost-effective and simple method for estimation of the score on knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP), and determinants of the ill-effect of tobacco habit(s) and engaging the popolation-in-need for their appropriate understanding about oral cancer screening and education for prevention and control.

Antibacterial activity of new atraumatic restorative treatment materials incorporated with Azadirachta indica (Neem) against Streptococcus mutans.

BACKGROUND: The antibacterial property of new atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) materials incorporated with Azadirachta indica (Neem) on Streptococcus mutans was carried out. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out by using the agar diffusion method to determine the antibacterial property of ART materials (ART-I and ART-II). The zone of inhibition was tabulated, and the data was statistically analyzed using the student t-test. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of the ethanolic extract of Neem were recorded. RESULTS: The MIC and MBC of the mixture of the ethanolic extract of Neem was 3.13% and 12.5% respectively. The zone of inhibition of ART-I and ART-II was 11.81 mm and 11.97 mm respectively. Significant differences were observed between these two ART materials (P = 0,08). CONCLUSION: Both the new ART materials i.e. ART-I and ART-II have considerable antibacterial activity against S. mutans.

Factors influencing fluoride release in atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) materials: A review.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this article was to review the fluoride release and uptake ability of some restorative materials which are used for minimally invasive procedures. METHODS: The literature search on published researches and review articles were carried out by using PubMed, Trip and Cochrane library databases. The search terms used were fluoride, restorative materials, atraumatic restorative treatment or ART, glass ionomer or GIC, resin modified glass ionomer cement or RMGIC. The articles included were between 2000 and 2015. CONCLUSION: Fluoride release varies with m factors including the type of restorative materials used and also the media in which it is stored. Fluoride uptake is dependent on the type of the cement and the availability of fluoride including fluoride releasing capacity in the material.

Mutagenicity potential (affect) of new atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) material incorporated with Azadirachta indica (Neem) against Salmonella typhimurium.

BACKGROUND: The mutagenicity potential of a new atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) material against Salmonella typhimurium without metabolic activity using the Ames test (genotoxicity) was carried out. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The potential mutagenicity of new atraumatic restorative treatment materials (ART-I and ART-II) was analyzed using the Ames test. The materials were eluted in dimethyl sulphoxide, 0.9% NaCl solution and sterilized de-ionized water and the aliquots were used after an incubation period of 24 h at 37 °C. Mutagenic effects of the materials were tested on Salmonella typhimurium strains TA 98 and TA 100 using the standard assay, and in absence of S9 fraction from rat liver. RESULT: No mutagenic effects were detected for these new ART materials on S. typhimurium TA100. The incubated DMSO extract and 0.9% NaCl extract (50 µl/plate) of the ART-I exhibited a weak mutagenic potential on S. typhimurium TA 98. In particular, Aqua extract (50 µl/plate) of ART-II, was associated with a weak mutagenic potential on S. typhimurium TA98. CONCLUSION: Both ART materials (ART-I and II) exhibited weak mutagenic effects on S. typhimurium TA98 whereas no mutagenic effect was detected on S. typhimurium TA100. ART-II is safer than ART-I.

Sodium fluoride induced skeletal muscle changes: Degradation of proteins and signaling mechanism.

Fluoride is a well-known compound for its usefulness in healing dental caries. Similarly, fluoride is also known for its toxicity to various tissues in animals and humans. It causes skeletal fluorosis leading to osteoporosis of the bones. We hypothesized that when bones are affected by fluoride, the skeletal muscles are also likely to be affected by underlying molecular events involving myogenic differentiation. Murine myoblasts C2C12 were cultured in differentiation media with or without NaF (1 ppm-5 ppm) for four days. The effects of NaF on myoblasts and myotubes when exposed to low (1.5 ppm) and high concentration (5 ppm) were assessed based on the proliferation, alteration in gene expression, ROS production, and production of inflammatory cytokines. Changes based on morphology, multinucleated myotube formation, expression of MyHC1 and signaling pathways were also investigated. Concentrations of NaF tested had no effects on cell viability. NaF at low concentration (1.5 ppm) caused myoblast proliferation and when subjected to myogenic differentiation it induced hypertrophy of the myotubes by activating the IGF-1/AKT pathway. NaF at higher concentration (5 ppm), significantly inhibited myotube formation, increased skeletal muscle catabolism, generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) in C2C12 cells. NaF also enhanced the production of muscle atrophy-related genes, myostatin, and atrogin-1. The data suggest that NaF at low concentration can be used as muscle enhancing factor (hypertrophy), and at higher concentration, it accelerates skeletal muscle atrophy by activating the ubiquitin-proteosome pathway.

Spatial distribution mapping of drinking water fluoride levels in Karnataka, India: fluoride-related health effects.

OBJECTIVES: (1) To estimate the concentrations of fluoride in drinking water throughout different zones and districts of the state of Karnataka. (2) To investigate the variation of fluoride concentration in drinking water from different sources, and its relationships to daily temperature and rainfall status in the regional districts. (3) To develop an updated fluoride concentration intensity map of the state of Karnataka, and to evaluate these data in the context of fluoride-related health effects such as fluorosis and their prevalence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Aqueous standard solutions of 10, 100 and 1,000 ppm fluoride (F-) were prepared with analytical grade Na+/F- and a buffer; TISAB II was incorporated in both calibration standard and analysis solutions in order to remove the potentially interfering effects of trace metal ions. This analysis was performed using an ion-selective electrode (ISE), and mean determination readings for n = 5 samples collected at each Karnataka water source were recorded. RESULTS: The F- concentration in drinking water in Karnataka state was found to vary substantially, with the highest mean values recorded being in the north-eastern zone (1.61 ppm), and the lowest in the south-western one (only 0.41 ppm). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) demonstrated that there were very highly significant 'between-zone' and 'between-districts-within-zones' sources of variation (p < 10-5-10-9), results consistent with a substantial spatial variance of water source F- levels within this state. CONCLUSIONS: The southern part of Karnataka has low levels of F- in its drinking water, and may require fluoridation treatment in order to mitigate for dental caries and further ailments related to fluoride deficiency. However, districts within the north-eastern region have contrastingly high levels of fluoride, an observation which has been linked to dental and skeletal fluorosis. This highlights a major requirement for interventional actions in order to ensure maintenance of the recommended range of fluoride concentrations (0.8-1.5 ppm) in Karnataka's drinking water sources.