The significance of anti-phospholipase receptor antibodies in a patient with membranous nephropathy.

Membranous nephropathy (MN) is the major cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults and may be secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus or malignancy in 25% of patients. Without any etiology, it is called primary MN, which is usually associated with phospholipase A2 (PLA2) receptor antibodies. Secondary MN can appear months before a secondary cause is identified. Here, we report a case of MN, that was found to be secondary to pancreatic adenocarcinoma and positive for PLA2 receptor antibodies.

Comparative evaluation of effects of natural antioxidants on the shear bond strength of composite resin to bleached enamel.

CONTEXT: The use of antioxidants immediately after bleaching showed increased bond strength. AIMS: This study aimed to compare the effects of natural antioxidants on the shear bond strength of composite resin to bleached enamel. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty extracted single-rooted upper incisors were decoronated by sectioning the roots 2 mm below the cementoenamel junction, and then, crowns were embedded in autopolymerizing acrylic resin block (3.0 cm × 3.0 cm × 3.0 cm) with the labial surface exposed. They were randomly divided into five groups, depending on the type of antioxidant used (n = 10): (i) Group 1: control (no bleaching), (ii) Group 2: bleaching only, (iii) Group 3: bleaching + 10% sodium ascorbate (antioxidant), (iv) Group 4: bleaching + green tea, and (v) Group 5: bleaching + white tea. Labial surfaces of 40 teeth were bleached with 38% hydrogen peroxide for 20 min following manufacturer's instructions. After that, the experimental groups (Groups 3, 4, and 5) were treated with respective antioxidant solutions before composite restorations were done using a cylindrical plastic mold (3 mm × 5 mm). Shear bond strength of the specimens was tested under universal testing machine. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Data were analyzed with ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between shear bond strength of control groups (Groups 1 and 2) and experimental groups (P < 0.05), but no significant difference in bond strength was observed among the antioxidants used. CONCLUSION: Application of antioxidants immediately after bleaching showed increased bond strength. Green tea and white tea extract can be used as alternative antioxidants in improving the bond strength of enamel.

Effect of different periodontal ligament simulating materials on the incidence of dentinal cracks during root canal preparation.

Background. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the incidence of dentinal cracks during root canal preparation with different periodontal ligament simulating materials in vitro. Methods. Seventy freshly extracted human mandibular first premolars were selected and divided into 7 groups in terms of simulating material: group 1: polyether impression material; group 2: polyvinyl acetate adhesive; group 3: polyvinyl siloxane impression material; group 4: cyanoacrylate adhesive; group 5: epoxy resin adhesive; group 6: positive control, without any periodontal ligament simulation; and group 7: negative control, where neither a periodontal ligament simulating material was used nor canal preparation was carried out. Root canal preparation was carried out in all the groups followed by sectioning of roots at 3 mm, 6 mm and 9 mm. The sections were evaluated under a stereomicroscope at ×2.5 for the presence or absence of cracks. Chi-squared test was used to compare the appearance of defective roots between the different experimental groups. Results. The least number of cracks were found in the negative control group, followed by group 1 where polyether impression material was used for periodontal ligament simulation. The difference was significant with a P-value of 0.002 for coronal sections. Conclusion. Under the limitation of the present study, polyether and polyvinyl siloxane (light body) can both be used for simulation of periodontal ligament.

Management of a permanent maxillary first molar with unusual crown and root anatomy: a case report.

The aim of this article was to showcase the endodontic management of a maxillary first molar with an unusual crown and root anatomy. Clinical diagnosis of the roots and root canal configuration was confirmed by a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and the detection of the canals was made using a dental operating microscope. CBCT images revealed the presence of 5 roots with Vertucci type I canal configuration in all, except, in the middle root which had 2 canals with type IV configuration. The 6 canal orifices were clinically visualized under the dental operating microscope. Clinicians should familiarize themselves with the latest technologies to get additional information in endodontic practice in order to enhance the outcomes of endodontic therapy.

Effect of Green Coffee Bean Extract on Streptococcus mutans Count: A Randomised Control Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Mouth rinses have been popularly used as a supplementary oral hygiene aid. A lot of commercially available mouth rinses possess few adverse effects, which has necessitated the search for alternative and herbal mouth rinses. AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of rinsing with green coffee bean extract in comparison with chlorhexidine mouthwash and sterile water on salivary Streptococcus mutans count. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized parallel controlled clinical trial was planned and 45 subjects aged between 18-22 years were selected. The subjects were divided into three groups (n=15 in each group): Group A: Study group: 2% Green coffee bean extract, Group B: Positive control: 0.2% Chlorhexidine (CHX), Group C: Negative control: Sterile water. Group A subjects rinsed mouth with 5 ml of 2% Green coffee bean extract for one minute. Group B subjects rinsed mouth with 5 ml 0.2% CHX mouthwash for one minute. Group C subjects rinsed mouth with 5 ml of Sterile water for one minute twice daily for two weeks. Baseline samples (Pre rinse) were collected on day 1 and post rinsing saliva samples were collected after 14 days. The samples were cultured using Mitis Salivarius Agar enriched with Bacitracin and colonies were counted using a hand held digital colony counter. The statistical analysis was done using paired t-test, One-way variance ANOVA and Post-Hoc tests. RESULTS: The Green coffee bean extract group showed a statistical significant reduction in Streptococcus mutans colony count before and after intervention which was comparable with CHX group. CONCLUSION: Green coffee bean extract as a mouthwash can be explored as a safe and effective alternative to CHX mouthwash.

The Effect of Coconut Oil pulling on Streptococcus mutans Count in Saliva in Comparison with Chlorhexidine Mouthwash.

OBJECTIVES: Oil pulling is an age-old practice that has gained modern popularity in promoting oral and systemic health. The scientific verification for this practice is insufficient. Thus, this study evaluated the effect of coconut oil pulling on the count of Streptococcus mutans in saliva and to compare its efficacy with that of Chlorhexidine mouthwash: in vivo. The null hypothesis was that coconut oil pulling has no effect on the bacterial count in saliva. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized controlled study was planned and 60 subjects were selected. The subjects were divided into three groups, Group A: STUDY GROUP: Oil pulling, Group B: STUDY GROUP: Chlorhexidine, and Group C: CONTROL GROUP: Distilled water. Group A subjects rinsed mouth with 10 ml of coconut oil for 10 minutes. Group B subjects rinsed mouth with 5 ml Chlorhexidine mouthwash for 1 minute and Group C with 5 ml distilled water for 1 minute in the morning before brushing. Saliva samples were collected and cultured on 1st day and after 2 weeks from all subjects. Colonies were counted to compare the efficacy of coconut oil and Chlorhexidine with distilled water. RESULTS: Statistically significant reduction in S. mutans count was seen in both the coconut oil pulling and Chlorhexidine group. CONCLUSION: Oil pulling can be explored as a safe and effective alternative to Chlorhexidine. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Edible oil-pulling therapy is natural, safe and has no side effects. Hence, it can be considered as a preventive therapy at home to maintain oral hygiene.

Cyclic fatigue of two different single files with varying kinematics in a simulated double-curved canal.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the cyclic fatigue of a rotary (One Shape) and reciprocating (Reciproc) single file system in a simulated S-shaped canal in static and dynamic models. METHODS: The instruments (n = 50 per instrument) were tested in a custom-made device under static (n = 25) and dynamic loads (n = 25) to determine the number of cycles to fracture (NCF). The length of the fractured segments was also measured. Cyclic fatigue data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey honestly significantly different tests, while the data recorded for the fractured fragment lengths were compared using Student's t-test with the level of significance set at 0.05. RESULTS: The fatigue life of Reciproc was significantly higher in the static (coronal curvature: 717.60 ± 45.32 NCF; apical curvature: 621.80 ± 60.15 NCF) and dynamic models (coronal curvature: 972.40 ± 54.30 NCF, apical curvature: 897.70 ± 47.10 NCF) as compared with One Shape (P < 0.05). The fatigue life was significantly prolonged in the dynamic model for Reciproc (P < 0.05) as compared to One Shape (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study showed that the single file reciprocating system (Reciproc) had a longer fatigue life than the single file rotary system (One Shape).

Comparative evaluation of voids present in conventional and capsulated glass ionomer cements using two different conditioners: an in vitro study.

This in vitro study evaluated the presence of voids in powder-liquid and capsulated glass ionomer cement. 40 cavities were prepared on root surfaces of maxillary incisors and divided into four groups. Cavities were conditioned with glass ionomer cement liquid (GC Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) in Groups 1 and 3 and with dentin conditioner (GC Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) in Groups 2 and 4. Conventional powder-liquid glass ionomer cement (GC Fuji II, GC Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) was used as a restorative material in Groups 1 and 2. Capsulated glass ionomer cement (GC Fuji II, GC Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) was used in Groups 3 and 4. Samples were sectioned and viewed under stereomicroscope to check for the presence of voids within the cement and at the cement-tooth junction. Data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests. Group 4 showed statistically significant results (P < 0.05) when compared to Groups 1 and 2 for voids within the cement. However, for voids at the margins, the results were statistically insignificant.

Disseminated superficial and warty type of porokeratosis: a rare coexistence.

A 60-year-old male presented with hyperpigmented annular plaques with raised keratotic wall and central groove along with warty plaque involving the trunk and the extremities, respectively. A provisional diagnosis of porokeratosis was made which was confirmed histopathologically. Herein, we report a case of rare coexistence of disseminated superficial and warty porokeratosis.

Pseudoepitheliomatous, keratotic, and micaceous balanitis.

A 51-year-old circumcised male presented with hard, thick, keratotic, nail-like covering of the skin of his glans penis of 2 year duration. Histology showed acanthosis, papillomatosis, and elongated rete ridges into the dermis suggestive of pseudoepitheliomatous, keratotic, and micaceous balanitis with features of cellular atypia. Partial penile amputation was done. There was no recurrence after 6 months of follow up.