Comparative Evaluation of the Inhibitory Effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus on Halitosis-Causing Bacteria: An Invitro Microbiological Study.

AIM:  To determine the effectiveness of Lactobacillus rhamnosus in inhibiting halitosis-causing bacteria relative to other possible inhibitors, such as mouthwashes. MATERIALS AND METHODS:  This in vitro study was done using a diffusion test with three groups with 11 samples in each group: group A, Porphyromonas gingivalis; group B, Tannerella forsythia; and group C, Prevotella intermedia. At 24, 48, and 72 hours, the inhibitory effect of L. rhamnosus was tested. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was seen for halo formation in group A, where all 11 samples showed an inhibitory effect after 72 hours. After 48 hours, seven of the 11 samples in group B and nine of the 11 samples in group C showed inhibitory effects. CONCLUSION:  The study found that L. rhamnosus had an inhibitory effect on halitosis-causing bacteria like P. gingivalis after 72 hours, which was statistically significant. The same was true for T. forsythia and P. intermedia after 48 hours. This means that L. rhamnosus has an inhibitory effect on halitosis-causing bacteria like P. gingivalis.

Molecular docking, QSAR, pharmacophore modeling, and dynamics studies of some chromone derivatives for the discovery of anti-breast cancer agents against hormone-dependent breast cancer.

In search of new anti-breast cancer agents, the present study envisaged the design and synthesis of a series of benzopyran-chalcones. All the synthesized compounds were assayed for their in-vitro anticancer activity against ER + MCF-7 and triple-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines using SRB assay. The synthesized compounds were found active against ER + MCF-7 cell lines. Based on the in-vitro data, in-silico analysis was performed using hormone-dependent breast cancer targets such as hER-α and aromatase because the compounds showed activity against MCF-7 cells and none was active against MDA-MB-231. The in-silico results supported the in-vitro anticancer activity suggesting the affinity of compounds toward hormone-dependant breast cancer. Compounds 4A1 to 4A3 were found to be most cytotoxic to MCF-7 cells with IC50 values of 31.87, 22.95, and 20.34 µg/ml, respectively (Doxorubicin IC50: <10 µg/ml). In addition, they showed the interactions with the amino acid residues of a binding cavity of an hER-α. Furthermore, quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) studies were performed to reveal the vital structural features required for anticancer activity against breast cancer. Molecular dynamic simulation studies of hER-α and 4A3 in comparison with the raloxifene complex ensure the appropriate refinement of compounds in the dynamic system. Additionally, a generated pharmacophore model explored the essential pharmacophoric features of the synthesized scaffolds with respect to clinically used drug molecules for optimal hormone-dependant anti-breast cancer activity.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

A Cross-Sectional Study to Assess Sub-clinical Atherosclerosis in Patients of Psoriasis Independent of Metabolic Syndrome.

Background: A sustained inflammatory state of psoriasis causes comorbidities such as psoriatic arthritis, metabolic syndrome (MetS), and cardiovascular disease. Aims: To note the duration and severity of psoriasis, assess prevalence of MetS, and correlate these with indicators of sub-clinical atherosclerosis. Methodology: Thirty-two patients of chronic plaque psoriasis were enrolled in the study. Their demographic particulars, clinical details, results of investigations to assess MetS, and indicators of sub-clinical atherosclerosis, namely, carotid intimal media thickness (CIMT) measured using B-mode USG and epicardial fat thickness (EFT) using 2-D ECHO, were recorded. Results: The study participants were predominantly male (2.5:1); their mean age was 40.45 ± 12.42 years, the median disease duration (DD) was 2 years, and the mean psoriatic area severity index (PASI) score was 8.62 ± 7.49. Mild disease (PASI <5) was present in 12 participants (37.5%), and shorter DD (<5 years) was present in 16 (50%) participants. MetS, detected in 11 (37.5%) study participants, was not significantly associated with CIMT, EFT, DD, and PASI. CIMT and EFT too did not correlate significantly with DD, PASI, or measures of MetS. Neither did there exist any significant correlation between CIMT and EFT. Conclusion: Sub-clinical atherosclerosis in our study participants was not significantly associated with either measures of MetS or duration/severity of psoriasis.

Cemental annulation: An approach to age estimation in transverse and longitudinal sections using three different microscopes.

Background: Estimation of age is an important aspect in determining a person's identity. Since teeth are resistant to decay and degradation, estimation of age using dental structures may be a valuable tool in human identification. Recent research suggests that tooth cemental annulation could be used as an effective method for age estimation than other morphologic or histological parameters. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 extracted teeth were chosen. Using a hard tissue microtome (SP 1600) longitudinal and transverse ground sections of 100 µm thickness of each tooth were prepared. It is further examined under light microscopy, polarized microscopy and phase-contrast microscopy. The images of longitudinal and transverse were magnified on a computer and the cemental lines were counted. Results: The present study showed is a strong positive correlation for cemental annulation between the calculated age and estimated age when phase-contrast microscopy was used in both longitudinal and transverse sections when compared with other microscopes. The correlation coefficient value was found more significant in the longitudinal section which implies that the phase-contrast microscope was highly reliable and had a significant correlation (P < 0.001) with the actual age compared to other microscopes. Conclusion: Cemental annulation by various microscopes improves accuracy in the prediction of age and also it allows for age estimation in cases where skeletal fragments are poorly preserved.

Association of Vitamin D Deficiency with Psoriasis and Metabolic Syndrome: A Case-Control Study in Indian Patients.

Background: Substantial evidence suggests a higher risk of metabolic syndrome as a result of persistent inflammation in patients with psoriasis. Psoriasis may also be associated with vitamin D deficiency. Aim: To correlate vitamin D deficiency with psoriasis and metabolic syndrome. Materials and Methods: Serum vitamin D levels were quantified, and metabolic syndrome was assessed in 42 cases whose psoriasis severity had been measured by PASI and in an equal number of age/gender-matched controls. The resultant data were analyzed statistically. The odds ratio was calculated wherever applicable and a two-tailed P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/ml) occurred in 43 subjects [(51.19%); 26 (62%), patients and 17 (40.4%), controls] and was statistically significant in patients (OR: 2.39, P = 0.044) though lacking correlation with disease severity. Metabolic syndrome seen in 25 (30%) subjects-15 (36%) patients and 10 (24%) controls-emerged to be significant (OR: 3.71, P = 0.047) in cases with vitamin D deficiency. Hypertension-observed in 31 (37%) subjects; 18 (43%) cases, 9 each (21.4%) with/without metabolic syndrome and 13 (31%) controls, 7 (16.6%) with and 6 (14.3%) without metabolic syndrome (P = 0.25)-correlated independently with vitamin D deficiency in patients (P = 0.009). Conclusions: Despite limitations of small sample size and observational nature, our study-probably the first such hereto from India-showed statistically significant associations between vitamin D deficiency, metabolic syndrome, and hypertension in patients with psoriasis. Future larger studies are needed for strengthening this evidence prior to the recommendation of its clinical application in the optimum management of patients.

Disseminated Congenital Tuberculosis in Neonates: A Case Series.

Congenital tuberculosis (CTB) is an uncommon yet, well-defined condition. CTB has a non-specific clinical presentation, making the diagnosis difficult. The rarity of CTB in neonates is due to the difficulty in distinguishing between congenital and postnatally acquired infection, and non-specific symptoms in the newborn, which are often misdiagnosed. Though it has a low incidence, it has significant mortality if the diagnosis is delayed. We are presenting two cases of CTB in newborns who showed signs of disease in the first few days of life. The diagnosis was suspected based on chest computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging brain, cerebrospinal fluid studies, intrauterine growth restriction, non-response to standard treatment and a maternal history of active tuberculosis. These cases highlight the significance of having a high suspicion of CTB and timely treatment for better outcomes.