Periorbital squamous cell carcinoma with simultaneous adenocarcinoma in the right orbit.

INTRODUCTION: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is an invasive and malignant tumour that is common in the orbital region. However, adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal gland has an incidence of less than one case per million per year. We present a patient who experienced a cSCC and adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal gland, which is unusual for both these cancers to present in the same patient in such close proximity. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 47-year old male patient was referred for management of a cSCC of the right upper eyelid. This was treated surgically by means of wide local excision and orbital exenteration. Histological analysis of the resection specimen found an incidental synchronous lacrimal gland adenocarcinoma. To our knowledge this is the first case report to describe this phenomenon. DISCUSSION: Although SCC is the most common secondary epithelial neoplasms of the orbit region, adenocarcinomas are rare in this same region. Currently, when performing a literature search, there has been no cases found that documents a poorly differentiated cSCC with a synchronous adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal gland. This is mainly because there are improved facilities and accessible healthcare. This report will mainly focus on the presentation and management of this patient case. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge this is the first case report documenting a poorly differentiated cSCC and a synchronous adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal gland. Our case report raises the awareness of the possibility of patients with synchronous tumours and is a valuable addition to the literature.

Comparative Evaluation of the Efficacy of Probiotic, Herbal and Chlorhexidine Mouthwash on Gingival Health: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Due to inherent limitations of Chlorhexidine (CHX), search for an effective and potentially safe anti-plaque agent has led to emergence of alternative products. AIM: The present study evaluated the comparative efficacy of probiotic, herbal and CHX mouthwashes on gingival health of healthy individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was randomized parallel group controlled trial. A group of 45 healthy subjects in the age group of 18-21 years received complete supragingival scaling at baseline and study variables viz., Oral Hygiene Index - Simplified (OHI-S), Plaque Index (PI) and Gingival Index (GI) were recorded. Subjects were then randomly divided into three groups (15 in each group) and were randomly intervened with three different mouthwashes i.e., HiOra mouthwash, CHX mouthwash and Probiotic mouthwash. Variables were again recorded on the seventh and 14th day after use of mouthwashes and data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the efficacy of CHX, HiOra regular and probiotic mouthwashes on plaque accumulation, gingival health and oral hygiene status. CONCLUSION: Herbal and probiotic mouthwashes can prove to be effective alternatives to CHX with minimal side effects.

Level of Fluoride in Soil, Grain and Water in Jalgaon District, Maharashtra, India.

INTRODUCTION: Fluoride has an influence on both oral as well as systemic health. The major source of fluoride to body is through drinking water as well as through diet. Staple diet mainly depends on local environmental factors, food grains grown locally, its availability etc. Determination of fluoride level in these food grains is important. So, estimation of the amount of fluoride in grains and its relation to the sources of fluoride used for their cultivation viz., soil and water is important. AIM: To estimate the relation of fluoride concentration in grains (Jowar) with respect to that of soil and water used for their cultivation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen samples each of soil, water and grains were collected using standardized method from the same farm fields of randomly selected villages of Jalgaon district. Fluoride ion concentration was determined in laboratory using SPADNS technique. Mean difference in fluoride levels in between the groups were analyzed using ANOVA and Post-Hoc Tukey test. Linear regression method was applied to analyse the association of the fluoride content of grain with water and soil. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in between mean fluoride levels of soil and water (p<0.001) and in between soil and grain (p<0.001); however, difference in between mean fluoride levels of water and grain was found to be non significant (p=0.591). Also fluoride levels in all the three groups showed significant association with each other. CONCLUSION: Fluoride level of soil, grains and water should be adjusted to an optimum level. Soil has positive correlation with respect to uptake of fluoride by Jowar grains. So, Jowar grains with optimum fluoride content should be made available in the commercial markets so that oral and general health can be benefitted.

Efficacy of herbal toothpastes on salivary pH and salivary glucose - A preliminary study.

Due to dearth of literature on the effect of herbal toothpaste on saliva and salivary constituents, the present study was undertaken to evaluate and compare the effect of three different herbal toothpastes with the focus on on salivary pH and salivary glucose. Forty five subjects in the age group of 19-21 years were randomly divided into 3 groups (15 in each group) and were randomly intervened with three different herbal toothpastes (Dant Kanti, Himalaya Complete Care and Vicco Vajradanti). Unstimulated saliva samples were collected before and after brushing and salivary glucose and pH levels were assessed at an interval of one week each for a period of 4 weeks starting from day 1. All the three toothpastes were effective in reducing the overall (p < 0.05) levels as well as levels of salivary glucose from pre-brushing to post-brushing at each interval (p < 0.05) and in increasing the overall levels as well as levels of salivary pH (p < 0.05) from pre-brushing to post-brushing at each interval. Herbal toothpastes were effective in reducing salivary levels of glucose and improving pH of the saliva.

Research misconduct: A neglected plague.

Truthfulness and honesty are absolute essentials of research. But to sustain in the not-so-pleasant "publish-or-perish" environment and "cut-throat" competition to increase the credibility associated with one's name, many individual researchers as well as research groups are turning towards research misconduct and this plague is gradually reaching epidemic and pandemic proportions. This overview highlights the various types and means of research misconduct and gives suggestions aiming to curb this academic menace so that research sanctity and integrity can be preserved and scientific research does not get polluted by the dirt of misreported or fabricated data.

Comparative assessment of antibacterial activity of different glass ionomer cements on cariogenic bacteria.

OBJECTIVES: Glass ionomer cements (GICs), which are biocompatible and adhesive to the tooth surface, are widely used nowadays for tooth restoration. They inhibit the demineralization and promote the remineralization of the tooth structure adjacent to the restoration, as well as interfere with bacterial growth. Hence, the present study was conducted to assess and compare the antimicrobial activity of three commercially available GICs against two cariogenic bacteria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An agar plate diffusion test was used for evaluating the antimicrobial effect of three different GICs (Fuji IX, Ketac Molar, and d-tech) on Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus). Thirty plates were prepared and divided into two groups. The first group was inoculated with S. mutans, and the second group was inoculated with L. acidophilus. These plates were then incubated at 37℃ for 24 hours. Zones of bacterial growth inhibition that formed around each well were recorded in millimeters (mm). RESULTS: The zones of inhibition for Fuji IX, Ketac Molar, and d-tech on S. mutans were found to be 10.84 ± 0.22 mm, 10.23 ± 0.15 mm, and 15.65 ± 0.31 mm, respectively, whereas those for L. acidophilus were found to be 10.43 ± 0.12 mm, 10.16 ± 0.11 mm, and 15.57 ± 0.13 mm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: D-tech cement performed better in terms of the zone of bacterial inhibition against the two test bacteria, than the other two tested glass ionomers.

Comparative Evaluation of Efficacy of Three Different Herbal Toothpastes on Salivary Alkaline Phosphatase and Salivary Acid Phosphatase - A Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Very few researches in the past have tried to evaluate the effect of herbal toothpaste on saliva and salivary constituents like alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase which play an important role in maintaining oral health. AIM: To evaluate and compare the effect of three different herbal toothpastes on Salivary Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) and salivary Acid Phosphatase (ACP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present study was a preliminary study conducted among 45 dental students (15 subjects in each group) in the age group of 19-21 years. Subjects in each group were randomly intervened with three different herbal toothpastes respectively (Group A - Patanjali Dant Kanti, Group B - Himalaya Complete Care and Group C - Vicco Vajradanti). Unstimulated saliva sample were collected before and after brushing and salivary ACP and salivary ALP levels were assessed at an interval of one week each for a period of four weeks starting from day one. Compiled data was analyzed using chi square test, paired t-test and ANOVA based on the nature of the obtained data. RESULTS: All the three toothpastes showed significant (p<0.001) reduction in ACP and ALP levels at each interval. For patanjali toothpaste, the mean reduction was in the range of 2.55 - 2.62 IU/L for ACP and 2.94 - 2.99 IU/L for ALP. For Himalaya toothpaste, the mean reduction was in the range of 1.39 - 1.47 IU/L for ACP and 1.55 - 1.61 IU/L for ALP. For Vicco toothpaste, the mean reduction was in the range of 2.46 - 2.50 IU/L for ACP and 2.64 - 2.77 IU/L for ALP. Patanjali and Vicco toothpaste were significantly effective in reducing the levels of salivary ACP and ALP more than Himalaya toothpaste (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Herbal toothpastes, especially Dant Kanti and Vicco Vajradanti, showed significant reduction in levels of ACP and ALP resulting in overall improvement towards the oral health.

Effect of Reinforcement of Oral Health Education Message through Short Messaging Service in Mobile Phones: A Quasi-Experimental Trial.

Objective. This paper aims to assess the effectiveness of reinforcement of oral health education message through short messaging service (SMS) in mobile phones. Material and Methods. 400 subjects from two colleges (200 from each college) belonging to 18-20 years age group possessing mobile phones were randomly selected and baseline examination of oral hygiene and gingival status was carried out using Oral Hygiene Index (OHI) and Gingival Index (GI). Oral health education was provided to all the subjects. Oral health education message was reinforced through short messaging service (SMS) in mobile phones for the subjects belonging to the intervention group. There was no such reinforcement for the control group. Follow-up examinations were done at the end of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 6th month. After the 3rd month, subjects of the intervention group did not receive oral health education message through short messaging service (SMS) and were followed up after next three months. Compiled data was analyzed using SPSS version 16 statistical software. Result. Mean OHI and GI scores in intervention group were significantly (p < 0.01) less than those of control group after the 2nd, 3rd, and 6th month. Conclusion. Reinforcement of oral health education message through short messaging service (SMS) is effective media to improve oral health.

Mitigation of Fluorosis - A Review.

Fluoride is required for normal development and growth of the body. It is found in plentiful quantity in environment and fluoride content in drinking water is largest contributor to the daily fluoride intake. The behaviour of fluoride ions in the human organism can be regarded as that of "double-edged sword". Fluoride is beneficial in small amounts but toxic in large amounts. Excessive consumption of fluorides in various forms leads to development of fluorosis. Fluorosis is major health problem in 24 countries, including India, which lies in the geographical fluoride belt. Various technologies are being used to remove fluoride from water but still the problem has not been rooted out. The purpose of this paper is to review the available treatment modalities for fluorosis, available technologies for fluoride removal from water and ongoing fluorosis mitigation programs based on literature survey. Medline was the primary database used in the literature search. Other databases included: PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, WHO, Ebscohost, Science Direct, Google Search Engine, etc.

Comparative assessment of Cranberry and Chlorhexidine mouthwash on streptococcal colonization among dental students: A randomized parallel clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash has earned an eponym of the gold standard against oral infections, but with certain limitations. There is no effective alternative to Chlorhexidine. Cranberry is known to inhibit bacterial adhesion in various systemic infections and acts as a strong antioxidant. However, it is less explored for its dental use. Hence, there is a need to evaluate its effect against oral infections. AIM: The aim was to compare the efficacy of 0.2% Chlorhexidine mouthwash with 0.6% Cranberry mouthwash on Streptococcus mutans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a double-blind, randomized parallel group clinical trial. Total sample of 50 subjects, aged 18-20 years, were randomly divided into two groups, Group A (25) and Group B (25) were given 10 mL of Chlorhexidine mouthwash and Cranberry mouthwash twice daily, respectively, for 14 days each. The plaque samples, which were taken from the subjects on 1(st) day and 14(th) day, were inoculated on blood agar plates and incubated at 37°C for 24-48 h. Number of streptococcal colony forming units were calculated using digital colony counter. The data were subjected to paired t-test and unpaired t-test at a 5% significance level. RESULTS: (1) Chlorhexidine mouthwash showed 69% reduction whereas Cranberry mouthwash showed 68% reduction in S. mutans count. (2) No significant difference was seen between Chlorhexidine and Cranberry mouthwash on streptococci. CONCLUSION: Cranberry mouthwash is equally effective as Chlorhexidine mouthwash with beneficial local and systemic effect. Hence, it can be used effectively as an alternative to Chlorhexidine mouthwash.

Refining the diagnosis and EGFR status of non-small cell lung carcinoma in biopsy and cytologic material, using a panel of mucin staining, TTF-1, cytokeratin 5/6, and P63, and EGFR mutation analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The dichotomization of non-small cell carcinoma (NSCLC) subtype into squamous (SQCC) and adenocarcinoma (ADC) has become important in recent years and is increasingly required with regard to management. The aim of this study was to determine the utility of a panel of commercially available antibodies in refining the diagnosis on small biopsies and also to determine whether cytologic material is suitable for somatic EGFR genotyping in a prospectively analyzed series of patients undergoing investigation for suspected lung cancer. METHODS: Thirty-two consecutive cases of NSCLC were first tested using a panel comprising cytokeratin 5/6, P63, thyroid transcription factor-1, 34betaE12, and a D-PAS stain for mucin, to determine their value in refining diagnosis of NSCLC. After this test phase, two further pathologists independently reviewed the cases using a refined panel that excluded 34betaE12 because of its low specificity for SQCC, and refinement of diagnosis and concordance were assessed. Ten cases of ADC, including eight derived from cytologic samples, were sent for EGFR mutation analysis. RESULTS: There was refinement of diagnosis in 65% of cases of NSCLC to either SQCC or ADC in the test phase. This included 10 of 13 cases where cell pellets had been prepared from transbronchial needle aspirates. Validation by two further pathologists with varying expertise in lung pathology confirmed increased refinement and concordance of diagnosis. All samples were adequate for analysis, and they all showed a wild-type EGFR genotype. CONCLUSION: A panel comprising cytokeratin 5/6, P63, thyroid transcription factor-1, and a D-PAS stain for mucin increases diagnostic accuracy and agreement between pathologists when faced with refining a diagnosis of NSCLC to SQCC or ADC. These small samples, even cell pellets derived from transbronchial needle aspirates, seem to be adequate for EGFR mutation analysis.