Comparative study of different distraction rates in separate retractions of canine: Randomized control trial.

Introduction: Orthodontic treatment typically lasts 18-24 months, but depending on the conditions, it can take a longer duration. In recent years, accelerated orthodontics has been the subject of extensive research to shorten the duration of treatment. In distraction osteogenesis (DO), the surgically created joints are slowly and controllably displaced over time by gradual traction. This results in simultaneous growth of soft tissues and bone volumes at the osteotomy site. The DO field is currently experiencing a modern surge of research and development that has been able to implement numerous innovative and revolutionary distraction systems. In this study, we are comparing two different rates of dentoalveolar distraction. Materials and Methods: With the use of custom-made distractors, we will compare the different ranges of activation of distractors and their dental effects. Participants are separated into two groups based on 0.4 mm/day activation and 0.5 mm/day activation. Results: During the study period, the average tooth movement rate for Group 1 was 0.52 mm and for Group 2 was 0.58 mm. Group 1 completed canine distraction in 11.42 ± 1.81 days and Group 2 in 10.05 ± 1.68 days. Conclusions: Retraction days decreased in Group 2, due to increased activation of the distractor. The anchorage loss in Group 2 was higher than that in Group 1, which was 1.39 mm lower. Unlike decreased activation, the mean tooth movement of Group 1 is higher than Group 2.

Assessment of Oxidative DNA Damage by Alkaline Comet Assay in Human Essential Hypertension.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the antioxidant status and the extent of oxidative DNA damage in lymphocytes and their relation with essential hypertension (EHT). A total of 100 South Indian subjects aged 30-65 were included for the study. Of these 50 were normotensive controls (group-1) with blood pressure ≥120/80 mm Hg, 50 were newly diagnosed (group-2) and were not on any antihypertensive drugs, but had systolic blood pressure ranging between 140 and 160 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure 95-100 mmHg and 50 newly diagnosed essential hypertensive patients underwent drug therapy for 1 year was considered as group-3. Enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants significantly decreased and lymphocyte DNA damage was significantly increased in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients compared with control group. The major decrease in DNA damage and significant improvement in enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants were observed after 1 year of antihypertensive therapy in treated group compared with newly diagnosed hypertensive patients. Total antioxidant status and lymphocyte DNA damage showed a strong negative correlation in all the three groups. Essential hypertension associated with oxidative stress which in turn causes genotoxic susceptibility to variety of disease including cancer. In the absence of DNA repair process and DNA checkpoint mechanisms, the genomic integrity is susceptible to extensive damage. In our study, increased oxidative DNA damage and decreased antioxidant levels were frequently observed in the newly diagnosed essential hypertensive patients, suggesting that oxidative stress is important in the pathogenesis of EHT. Therefore, the present study has additional clinical implication. Further investigations with large number of patients along with antioxidant supplement are highly warranted.

Comparison of pterygomaxillary dysjunction with tuberosity separation in isolated Le Fort I osteotomies: a prospective, multi-centre, triple-blind, randomized controlled trial.

The aim of this trial was to compare two techniques of maxillary dysjunction, with 10mg/kg tranexamic acid as an adjuvant, in isolated non-segmented Le Fort I procedures. Two hundred patients were randomized to one of four groups: group A, pterygomaxillary dysjunction+saline; group B, tuberosity separation+saline; group C, pterygomaxillary dysjunction+tranexamic acid; and group D, tuberosity separation+tranexamic acid. Primary outcome measures were intraoperative blood loss and operating time, while the secondary outcome measures were surgical field assessment, need for blood transfusion, and duration of hospitalization. The data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (SPSS v. 17.0), and the level of significance was set at P<0.05. Results revealed that group D (tuberosity separation+tranexamic acid) had the least blood loss (mean 172 ml) and shortest operating times (mean 49 min), with the best surgical field. This group also exhibited the lowest drop in postoperative haemoglobin concentration (Hbgm/dl) and packed cell volume (PCV). Five patients, all in group A, required a blood transfusion and had an extra 24h of hospitalization. This trial revealed that the tuberosity separation technique with the use of tranexamic acid was the best protocol in producing the least blood loss, minimizing the operating time, and providing the best surgical field.

A 350 mK, 9 T scanning tunneling microscope for the study of superconducting thin films on insulating substrates and single crystals.

We report the construction and performance of a low temperature, high field scanning tunneling microscope (STM) operating down to 350 mK and in magnetic fields up to 9 T, with thin film deposition and in situ single crystal cleaving capabilities. The main focus lies on the simple design of STM head and a sample holder design that allows us to get spectroscopic data on superconducting thin films grown in situ on insulating substrates. Other design details on sample transport, sample preparation chamber, and vibration isolation schemes are also described. We demonstrate the capability of our instrument through the atomic resolution imaging and spectroscopy on NbSe2 single crystal and spectroscopic maps obtained on homogeneously disordered NbN thin film.

Total antioxidant status and oxidative DNA damage in a South Indian population of essential hypertensives.

To investigate the total antioxidant status (TAS) and the extent of oxidative DNA damage in total lymphocytes and their relation with essential hypertension. A total of 130 South Indian subjects aged 30-65 were recruited for the study. Of these hypertensive subjects investigated, 30 were newly diagnosed and were not on any antihypertensive drugs, but had systolic blood pressure (BP) ranging between 140 and 160 mm Hg and diastolic BP between 95 and 100 mm Hg; 50 hypertensive patients who were already on drug therapy for 1 year and 50 were normotensive controls with BP < or =120/80 mm Hg. DNA damage was significantly increased in hypertensive patients (both newly diagnosed and who were already on drug therapy) compared with control group. The major increase in DNA damage was observed in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients compared with hypertensive patients who were already on drug therapy. There was a significant decrease in plasma TAS value in essential hypertensive groups as compared to normotensive controls. Lymphocyte DNA damage was independently correlated with only TAS. Lymphocyte DNA damage was increased in hypertensive patients. The major increase in lymphocyte DNA damage was observed in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients compared with hypertensive patients who already on drug therapy. Decreased TAS levels, which reflect to increased oxidative stress, may be the reason of increased total lymphocyte DNA damage in South Indian hypertensive patients.

Antioxidant effect of caffeic Acid on oxytetracycline induced lipid peroxidation in albino rats.

Caffeic acid is a well-known phenolic compound widely present in plant kingdom. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible protective effect of caffeic acid (CA) against oxytetracycline (OXT) induced hepatotoxicity in male Albino Wistar rats. A total of 30 rats weighing 150-170 g were randomly divided into five groups of six rats in each group. Oral administration of OXT (200 mg/kg body weight/day) for 15 days produced hepatic damage as manifested by a significant increase in serum hepatic markers namely aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), bilirubin and increased plasma and hepatic lipid peroxidation indices (TBARS and hydroperoxide). The present finding shows that the levels of enzymatic antioxidants namely superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were significantly decreased in OXT intoxicated rats. Upon oral administration of caffeic acid (40 mg/kg body weight/day) there were decreased hepatic marker activities, bilirubin and lipid peroxidation and increased enzymatic antioxidants in OXT + Caffeic acid group compared to Normal + OXT group(P < 0.05). Our study suggests that caffeic acid has antioxidant property and hepatoprotective ability against OXT induced toxicity.

Urinary 8-OHdG: A marker of oxidative stress to DNA and total antioxidant status in essential hypertension with South Indian population.

Establishment of non-invasive urinary biomarker for the early prediction of essential hypertension (EH) is important. We evaluated whether estimation of urinary DNA, serves as a marker to predict the extent of cellular oxidative stress in essential hypertension. A total of 180 South Indian subjects aged 30-65 were recruited for the study. Of these hypertensive subjects investigated, 30 were newly diagnosed and were not on any antihypertensive drugs, but had systolic blood pressure 140-160 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure 95-100 mmHg and 75 hypertensive patients who already on drug therapy for one year and 75 were South Indian normotensive healthy controls with blood pressure ≤ 120/80 mmHg. The 8-OHdG level in urine was significantly increased in hypertensive patients (both newly diagnosed and who already on drug therapy) compared with control group. The significant increase in 8-OHdG was observed in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients compared with hypertensive patients who already on drug therapy. There was a significant decrease in serum TAS value in essential hypertensive group when compared to control group. The urinary 8-OHdG was independently correlated with serum TAS. Decreased TAS levels, which reflect to increased oxidative stress, may be the reason of increased urinary 8-OHdG in South Indian hypertensive patients. Our preliminary data suggest that the competitive ELISA for 8-OHdG appears to be a simple method for quantifying the extent of oxidative stress.

Rectal augmentation: short- and mid-term evaluation of a novel procedure for severe fecal urgency with associated incontinence.

BACKGROUND: Rectal augmentation (RA) with or without electrically stimulated gracilis neosphincter (ESGN) was developed to address the physiologic and anatomic abnormalities present in a subset of patients with incapacitating fecal urgency and associated urge fecal incontinence (UFI). This study evaluated the short- and medium-term clinical and physiologic results. METHODS: Eleven patients with fecal urgency and UFI underwent RA, 6 with concomitant ESGN formation. Patients were evaluated preoperatively, and at a median of 12.5 and 54 months after surgery. RESULTS: At 4.5 years, 7/11 patients had avoided stoma construction. Symptoms recurred leading to permanent stoma formation in 1 patient, whereas one other developed evacuatory difficulty with overflow incontinence. Median ability to defer defecation improved from seconds preoperatively to 10 minutes at 1 year (P = 0.0002), and 15 minutes at 4.5 years (P = 0.002). Median Wexner incontinence scores improved from 15 preoperatively to 3 at 1 year (P = 0.002), and 4 at 4.5 years (P = 0.02). At 1 year, 2 of the rectal sensory thresholds (DDV: P = 0.008; MTV: P = 0.008) and compliance were normalized (P = 0.008), whereas at 4.5 years, all sensation thresholds improved (FCS: P = 0.002; DDV: P = 0.002; MTV: P = 0.002), but changes in compliance were not significant. CONCLUSION: RA with or without ESGN improved reported symptoms and normalized rectal sensation. Improvements were sustained in the medium term. The procedure had no associated morbidity or mortality, and should be considered in the surgical management of a select group of patients presenting with severe urgency and UFI.

Bovine leukocyte antigen major histocompatibility complex class II DRB3*2703 and DRB3*1501 alleles are associated with variation in levels of protection against Theileria parva challenge following immunization with the sporozoite p67 antigen.

Initial laboratory trials of an experimental subunit vaccine against Theileria parva based on the 67-kDa major sporozoite surface antigen revealed a range of responses to challenge. We have analyzed convergence in seven sets of monozygotic twins which suggests that genetic factors may have an influence in determining the degree of protection provided by p67 immunization. In addition, we have examined whether allelic diversity at major histocompatibility complex class II loci influences protection. Analysis of bovine leukocyte antigen DRB3 diversity in 201 animals identified significant associations with vaccine success (DRB3*2703; P = 0.027) and vaccine failure (DRB3*1501; P = 0.013). Furthermore, DRB3*2703 was associated with the likelihood of immunized animals showing little to no clinical signs of disease following challenge. We discuss the acquired and innate immune mechanisms that may be behind the associations described here.

Other uses of tube changer.

Traditionally major surgical procedures are contemplated in tracheobronchial pathology as the first line of management. Efficient and skillful use of airway equipment can help in the management and prevention of significant perioperative morbidity. Three cases of airway pathology (tracheal stenosis, bronchial stenosis and tracheal tumour) which were managed with the help of airway equipment such as fibreoptic bronchoscope, Cook's and Patil tube changers are presented. The techniques are simple and safe and may help the surgeons to 'buy' time to plan definitive treatment.