Systemic effect of arecoline on the gastrointestinal system in oral submucous fibrosis affected wistar rats.

Background: The intestine plays an important role in the digestion and absorption of ingested food and the elimination of undigested food, microbes, and microbial products. The functional reliability of the intestinal mucosal epithelial cells depends on the organised regulation of the epithelial cells, mucus layer, the intercellular tight junction, host innate and acquired immune response. The mucus layer of the gastrointestinal tract is the first line of innate host defense, essentially because of the secretory products of intestinal cells. Aim: Present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of arecoline on the gastrointestinal system due to systemic absorption of the drug during the induction period of oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) in Wistar rats. Methods: Oral submucous fibrosis was induced by submucosal injection of arecoline in the buccal mucosa. Arecoline hydrochloride at a dosage of 10 mg/kg was injected into the submucosa of right buccal mucosa in experimental animals over a period of 3 months on every alternate day. After which, right buccal mucosa, gastrointestinal tract organs like stomach, large intestine, small intestine and liver were dissected, subjected to histopathological evaluation of the healthy and experimental Wistar rats were subjected to histopathological evaluation. Results: On histological evaluation, OSMF was seen to affect Wistar rats showed significant changes in oral mucosa, decrease number of goblet cells in the small intestine as well in the large intestine and deranged hepatocytes. These marked changes indicated a definite effect on the gastro intestinal system by arecoline. Conclusion: The study has highlighted the effect of arecoline due to systemic absorption during the induction process of OSMF in Wistar rats.

Orbital aperture morphometry in Indian population: A digital radiographic study.

BACKGROUND: Morphological variations of the orbital aperture measurements may be used in forensic medicine as a parameter for determining sexual and ethnic identity of an individual. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The aim and objective of this study was to evaluate the orbital aperture dimensions in Indian individuals and verify their relationship with gender. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted using digital posteroanterior view radiographs of 50 males and 51 females, which were taken using NEWTOM GIANO-CEFLA SC machine (81 kVp, 10 mA, and 6.6 s). The orbital aperture measurements were carried out using NEWTOM software NNT version 5.5. The maximum width and height of the orbits and the inter-orbital distance were measured. The obtained data were subjected to t-test and discriminant function analysis. RESULTS: In the t-test, significant differences in orbital width and inter-orbital distance were obtained between the genders. On subjecting the data to discriminant function analysis, result was obtained with 86.1% accuracy rate in gender determination. CONCLUSION: If the discriminant score is >1.0365, the skull is likely to be of a male, and if it is <1.0365, it is likely to be of a female. Therefore, orbital aperture measurements can be used for gender determination in human identification.

Craniofacial ciliopathies: An expanding oral disease spectrum - a review of literature and a case report.

For all intents and purposes, craniofacial development is initiated as soon as the anteroposterior axis of an embryo is established. Although the neural crest receives a significant amount of attention, craniofacial tissue has more patterning information than other tissues of the body. New studies have further clarifi ed the contribution of ciliary epithelia as a source of patterning information for the face. In this paper, we review the craniofacial anomalies in patients with ciliopathies, in which orofacial region is a pivotal recognition of the disorder. Also, a case report of a patient with suspected ciliopathy has been presented along with a logical approach for diagnosis of such disorders.

Dosimetry in dentistry.

AIM: The purpose of this paper was to review various dosimeters used in dentistry and the cumulative results of various studies done with various dosimeters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Several relevant PubMed indexed articles from 1999 to 2013 were electronically searched by typing "dosimeters", "dosimeters in dentistry", "properties of dosimeters", "thermoluminescent and optically stimulated dosimeters", "recent advancements in dosimetry in dentistry." The searches were limited to articles in English to prepare a concise review on dental dosimetry. Titles and abstracts were screened, and articles that fulfilled the criteria of use of dosimeters in dental applications were selected for a full-text reading. Article was divided into four groups: (1) Biological effects of radiation, (2) properties of dosimeters, (3) types of dosimeters and (4) results of various studies using different dosimeters. CONCLUSION: The present review on dosimetry based on various studies done with dosimeters revealed that, with the advent of radiographic technique the effective dose delivered is low. Therefore, selection of radiological technique plays an important role in dental dose delivery.

Prospective phase II study of the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in post-radiation patients.

AIMS: To evaluate the effectiveness of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) delivered using an extra-oral device in patients with radiation-induced xerostomia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer patients post-adjuvant (n = 26) or definitive radiotherapy (n = 4) were enrolled in this study. The TENS electrode pads were placed externally on the skin overlying the parotid glands. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected for 5 min into graduated tubes using the low forced spitting method. The TENS unit was then activated and stimulated saliva was collected for an additional 5 min. The difference between unstimulated and stimulated saliva output was measured using the paired t-test. Linear regression was used to determine factors significantly influencing the improvement in salivary output. RESULTS: Twenty-nine of 30 patients showed increased saliva flow during stimulation. A statistically significant improvement in saliva production (P < 0.05) during stimulation was noted. The mean unstimulated saliva flow was 0.056 ml/min and the mean stimulated saliva flow was 0.12 ml/min with a median increase of 0.06 ml/min. The interval to the application of TENS after radiotherapy significantly influenced the improvement in salivary flow. CONCLUSION: Extra-oral application of TENS is effective in increasing the whole salivary flow in most of the post-radiated oral cavity/oropharyngeal cancer patients with xerostomia. TENS therapy may be useful as an effective supportive treatment modality in post-radiated oral cancer patients.