Spherical 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) based melt-cast compositions: heralding a new era of shock insensitive energetic materials

Spherical NTO based less hazardous, thermally stable, shock insensitive melt cast composition is developed by replacing sensitive RDX in existing composition B.

Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the paranasal sinus

Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (SNEC) is an uncommon tumor. This tumor usually occurs in the lungs, the extra-pulmonary form accounts for only about 4% of all cases. Primary SNEC of the paranasal sinuses is extremely rare; only about 76 cases have been reported in literature. Unfortunately due to the rarity of this neoplasm, there are no specific recommendations pertaining to the management, treatment options are generally extrapolated from similar tumors of pulmonary origin. While Surgery was used in the past, upfront chemoradiation now seems to be evolving as the treatment of choice. We report a case of sinonasal SNEC who had undergone definitive concurrent chemoradiation and is currently disease-free for close to 2 years. The clinical presentation, imaging studies, histopathological diagnosis with immunohistochemistry correlation, management protocols, and a brief review of literature of this rare tumor is discussed.

Osteogenesis imperfecta/lobstein syndrome associated with dentinogenesis imperfecta

Osteogenesis imperfecta is a collagen related disorder characterized by increased bone fragility and low bone mass. The important oral finding in osteogenesis imperfect is the presence of dentinogenesis imperfecta. This article presents a case of osteogenesis imperfecta (type IV B) with dentinogenesis imperfecta where a 7-year-old girl had opalacent primary teeth associated with severe bone deformity, scoliosis, barrel shaped rib cage, and short stature. The clinical, radiographic ad histologic features are reviewed along with management aspects.

Use of platelet rich fibrin in a fenestration defect around an implant

Guided bone regeneration (GBR) in implant therapy is especially useful for implant placement with dehiscence defects or fenestration defects. In alveolar ridges with marked facial/buccal depressions or in knifeedge alveolar crests, the position and direction of fixture placement is restricted. Improvement of alveolar ridge morphology becomes possible with GBR. This article describes a case in which the fenestration defect around an implant was treated by the application of platelet rich fibrin, a second generation platelet concentrate along with bone graft, and guided tissue regeneration membrane.

Broken tracheostomy tube: A fractured mandate

Tracheostomy is a common airway procedure for life support. This procedure is safe, although occasional early and late complications are known to occur. Fracture and hence aspiration of a tracheostomy tube in the tracheobronchial tree is a rare late complication, which can be potentially life threatening. Published reports of a fractured tracheostomy tube presenting as a foreign body in the tracheobronchial tree are few. The most common dislodged sites reported were the trachea and the right main bronchus, the inner flange in our patient was lodged in the trachea and the left main bronchus. Foreign-body aspiration is a serious medical emergency demanding timely recognition and prompt action as was successfully done in our patient. Therapeutic rigid bronchoscopic removal is the mainstay of treatment. A periodic review of the techniques of tracheostomy care including timely check-ups for signs of wear and tear can possibly eliminate such avoidable late complications.

Targetable "driver" mutations in non small cell lung cancer

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the world despite advances in the field of cancer therapeutics. Traditional treatment with empirically chosen cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents, have given small, but real survival benefits. Recent advances and insights into molecular pathogenesis of lung cancers have provided some novel molecular targets, offering newer strategies and agents that are tumor specific. Studies have identified mutations in specific genes that are involved in driving the development of lung cancer and so it is important to subsequently target them with specific drugs thus changing paradigms of management of this type of cancer. Recently, Lung Cancer Mutation Consortium (LCMC) has identified at least one of the many recognized "driver mutations" in nearly two thirds of the patients with advanced cancer. This study suggests that identification of driver mutations can help in molecular targeted therapeutics and in addition supplant tumor histology in guiding treatment decisions, identifying subset of patients who may benefit therapy. This review focuses on these mutations identified in specific genes serving as "drivers" of lung tumorigenesis and suggests that clear promise for the future of lung cancer treatment is indeed personalized therapy with drugs chosen according to the patient mutation profile. Most clinically relevant translational advances made in genes involved in lung tumorigenesis namely EML4-ALK fusions, HER2, PIK3CA, AKT, BRAF, MAP2K1, MET mutations and amplifications along with the well established EGFR and KRAS mutations are discussed in the context of NSCLCs. These studies emphasize the need for treatment management based on mutation profile along with routine histology based classification of these tumors in future for a directed therapy and thus a better therapeutic outcome.

Platelet-rich-fibrin: A novel root coverage approach

Treatment of gingival recession has become an important therapeutic issue due to increasing cosmetic demand. Multiple surgical procedures have been developed to obtain predictable esthetic root coverage. More specifically, after periodontal regenerative surgery, the aim is to achieve complete wound healing and regeneration of the periodontal unit. A recent innovation in dentistry is the preparation and use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a concentrated suspension of the growth factors, found in platelets. These growth factors are involved in wound healing and postulated as promoters of tissue regeneration. This paper reports the use of PRF membrane for root coverage on the labial surfaces of the mandibular anterior teeth. This was accomplished using laterally displaced flap technique with platelet rich fibrin (PRF) membrane at the recipient site.

Cyclo-hexane-1-spiro-2'-imidazolidine-5'-spiro-1''-cyclo-hexan-4'-one

In the title compound, C₁₃H₂₂N₂O, the central imidazolidine ring is in an envelope conformation and the two cyclo­hexane rings adopt chair conformations. In the crystal structure, the mol­ecules are linked into centrosymmetric R₂²(8) dimers by pairs of N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds.

Surgical exposure of an impacted maxillary canine and increasing a band of keratinized gingiva

An adequate amount of keratinized gingival tissue that is under proper plaque control, is a fundamental requirement for periodontal health. When the teeth erupt uneventfully in the center of the alveolar ridge, an adequate amount of keratinized tissue will surround the erupted permanent tooth. Labially or buccally erupting teeth show reduced dimensions of the gingiva as abnormal eruption of permanent teeth restricts or eliminates the keratinized tissue between the erupting cusp and the deciduous tooth. A lack of attached gingiva poses a potential risk for gingival recession in labially or buccally erupted teeth due to the possibility of accumulation of plaque and/or traumatic tooth-brushing during subsequent orthodontic treatment. A good understanding between the orthodontist and periodontist along with proper management of periodontal tissues, can prevent these problems. Various surgical techniques can be employed to uncover impacted teeth. This paper discusses the validity of utilizing periodontal surgery to increase a band of keratinized tissue in a case of an impacted canine erupting from the alveolar mucosa.

1-Dichloro-acetyl-r-2,c-6-bis-(4-methoxy-phen-yl)-c-3,t-3-dimethyl-piperidin-4-one

In the title compound, C₂₃H₂₅Cl₂NO₄, the piperidine ring adopts a distorted boat conformation. Inversion-related mol­ecules are linked into centrosymmetric R₂²(16) dimers by paired C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, and the dimers are connected via C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds into a chain running along [101].

Evidence-based periodontal therapy: An overview

Dentists need to make clinical decisions based on limited scientific evidence. In clinical practice, a clinician must weigh a myriad of evidences every day. The goal of evidence-based dentistry is to help practitioners provide their patients with optimal care. This is achieved by integrating sound research evidence with personal clinical expertise and patient values to determine the best course of treatment. Periodontology has a rich background of research and scholarship. Therefore, efficient use of this wealth of research data needs to be a part of periodontal practice. Evidence-based periodontology aims to facilitate such an approach and it offers a bridge from science to clinical practice. The clinician must integrate the evidence with patient preference, scientific knowledge, and personal experience. Most important, it allows us to care for our patients. Therefore, evidence-based periodontology is a tool to support decision-making and integrating the best evidence available with clinical practice.

Isolation of Helicobacter pylori from dental plaque: A microbiological study

AIM

The aim of our study was to isolate H. pylori from dental plaque in gastric and duodenal ulcer patients and compare it with dental plaque of healthy subjects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty patients in the age range of 25-50 years who were endoscopically proven cases of duodenal and gastric ulcer were chosen. H. pylorus was isolated from the dental plaque of these patients using culture method and rapid urease test (RUT). It was compared with the dental plaque from control group (25 students). The specificity and sensitivity of RUT was compared with culture method. The oral hygiene index (OHI) score and plaque index were assessed.

RESULTS

Ten percent positivity was observed in the study group by culture. Though RUT showed 70% positive isolation it is neither a specific test nor a conclusive test as compared to culture. The result correlates with oral hygiene in study population.

CONCLUSION

Further, more studies are needed to compare RUT and culture, with serology and polymerase chain reactions. The ability to detect H. pylori from dental plaque using these methods offer the potential for the noninvasive test for infection and would aid in support of oral transmission of H. pylori.

Effect of three commercial mouth rinses on cultured human gingival fibroblast: an in vitro study

AIM

To examine the effect of three commercial mouth rinses (Hexidine 0.2%, Listerine Cool Mint, Betadine 1%) upon cultured human gingival fibroblast proliferation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human gingival fibroblasts were cultured and incubated in Dulbecco's Minimum Eagle's Medium containing Chlorhexidine, Listerine, Povidone-Iodine at varying concentrations (1%, 2%, 5%, 10%, 20% and 100% of the given solution) at 37 degrees C for 1, 5 and 15 min. Control cells received an equal volume of Dulbecco's Minimum Eagle's Medium without adding mouth rinses, for similar duration of exposure at 37 degrees C. Following incubation the media were removed, cells were washed twice with medium, supplemented with 10% Fetal Bovine Serum, and fibroblasts in the test and control group were allowed to recover in the same media for 24 h.

RESULTS

In all the three groups, the proliferation inhibition was dependent on the concentration of solublized mouth rinses in the cell culture but independent of the duration of exposure to all three mouth rinses. The results showed that all three solutions were toxic to cultured human gingival fibroblasts, Chlorhexidine being the most cytotoxic. It was seen that at dilute concentrations (1% and 2% of given solutions) Listerine was more cytotoxic than Chlorhexidine and Povidone-Iodine.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that Chlorhexidine, Listerine and Povidone-Iodine are capable of inducing a dose-dependent reduction in cellular proliferation of fibroblasts. The results presented are interesting, but to know the clinical significance, further studies are needed.