Glutathione as a photo-stabilizer of avobenzone: an evaluation under glass-filtered sunlight using UV-spectroscopy

Avobenzone is the most widely used UVA filter in sunscreen lotion and it is prone to degradation in the presence of sunlight/UV radiation. To overcome the photo-instability of avobenzone, various photostabilizers have been used as additives, including antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and ubiquinone. In the present study, the well known antioxidant, glutathione, was evaluated for protecting avobenzone from photodegradation in the presence of glass-filtered sunlight. The features of glutathione as a skin whitener and a radical scavenger in cells have prompted the assessment of the photostabilzing activity of glutathione on avobenzone. Glutathione significantly attenuated the glass-filtered sunlight-induced degradation of avobenzone at equimolar or higher ratios of glutathione and avobenzone. Mutational studies have been undertaken to investigate the role of the thiol group and the isopeptide bond of glutathione on its photoprotection activity towards avobenzone. The thiol group of glutathione plays a vital role in exhibiting the photoprotection activity, which was further supported by the studies on photodegradation of avobonzone in the presence of β-mercaptoethanol. The dual role of glutathione as a skin whitening agent and a photostabilizer of avobenzone may be useful for the development of multipurpose cosmetic lotions.

Oral health status and treatment needs of hearing impaired children attending a special school in Bhimavaram, India

BACKGROUND

Children with hearing impairment (CHI) have special accessibility issues to meet their health care needs. Their oral health status is deprived and has wide ranging treatment needs to attend.

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate the oral health status and treatment needs of CHI attending a special school in Bhimavaram Town, India.

STUDY DESIGN

The study design was a descriptive cross-sectional study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was conducted in November 2012 at SVS special school for deaf, Bhimavaram, India. This study involved 180 CHI of both genders, aged 6-16 years, divided into Group-I (6-8 years), Group-II (9-12 years), and Group-III (13-16 years). Oral health status and treatment needs were recorded using methods and standards recommended by the WHO for Oral Health Surveys, 1997. Dental caries prevalence (decayed, missing, and filled teeth [DMFT/dmft]), gingivitis levels (Lφe, Silness Gingival Index), plaque levels (Silness, Lφe Plaque index), and treatment needs were the parameters recorded and analyzed.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Z-test for proportion, one-way analysis of variance, and Chi-square test were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Prevalence of dental caries in the sample was found to be 65% with a mean level of caries prevalence (DMFT) of 1.6 ± 1.3 in Group-I, 1.9 ± 1.2 in Group-II, and 2.2 ± 1.2 in Group-III. About 91.7% of the total children examined needs treatment. The mean plaque and gingivitis scores of the sample were 1.70 ± 0.61 and 1.59 ± 0.58, respectively.

CONCLUSION

These findings imply the overwhelming situation of CHI in oral health perspective. Hence, prevention-based educational and motivational programs should be targeted to this vital group to achieve adequate oral hygiene levels.

Comparative clinical and radiographic evaluation of mineralized cancellous bone allograft (puros®) and autogenous bone in the treatment of human periodontal intraosseous defects: 6-months follow-up study

AIMS

Several materials have been introduced as bone grafts, i.e., autografts, allograft, xenografts, and alloplastic grafts, and studies have shown them to produce greater clinical bone defect fill than open flap debridement alone. The aim of this clinical and radiological 6-month study was to compare and evaluate the clinical outcome of deep intraosseous defects following reconstructive surgery with the use of mineralized cancellous bone allograft (Puros®) or autogenous bone.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ten patients with 12 sites exhibiting signs of moderate generalized chronic periodontitis were enrolled in the study. The investigations were confined to two and three-walled intra bony defects with a preoperative probing depth of ≥5 mm. Six of these defects were treated with Puros® (group A) the remaining six were treated with autogenous bone graft (group B). Allocation to the two groups was randomized. The clinical parameters, plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and bone fill, were recorded at different time intervals at the baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. Intraoral radiographs were taken using standardized paralleling cone technique at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months. Statistical analysis was done by using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey highly significant difference.

RESULTS

Both groups resulted in decrease in probing depth (group A, 3.0 mm; group B, 2.83 mm) and gain in clinical attachment level (group A, 3.33 mm; group B, 3.0 mm) over a period of 6 months, which was statistically insignificant.

CONCLUSION

Within the limitations of the present study, it can be concluded that both mineralized cancellous bone allograft (Puros®) or autogenous bone result in significant clinical improvements.

Modified quad helix appliance for thumb sucking and cross bite correction

Digit sucking habit is a learned pattern of behavior commonly seen in children of preschool age. Prolonged digit sucking beyond the preschool age, lead to the development of malocclusion such as anterior open bite, maxillary constriction and posterior crossbite. Treatment strategies include interception of habit and correction of the malocclusion. The present case report describes a modified quad helix appliance used successfully in a 9-year-old child to intercept thumb sucking habit and simultaneous correction of posterior crossbite. The appliance has the advantage of easy fabrication, being versatile and more patients compliant.

Impact of visual instruction on oral hygiene status of children with hearing impairment

BACKGROUND

Children with hearing impairment (CHI) have poor oral health and extensive unmet treatment needs. This could be attributed to their inability to cooperate with dental treatment and lack of oral health awareness due to communication barriers.

AIM

The aim of this study was to verify the impact of visual instruction on oral hygiene status of CHI.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective triple blind interventional study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Oral hygiene status of 372 institutionalized CHI aged 6-16 years, divided into study (180) and control groups (192) was evaluated using Loe and Silness Gingival index and Silness and Loe Plaque index. Motivation in the form of visual instruction was done in the study group every weekend for 12 weeks and control group was followed without motivation. Oral hygiene status was re-assessed and analyzed.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Paired t-test was used to compare the scores before and after the instructions. Unpaired t-test was used for intergroup comparison between the study and control groups.

RESULTS

There was a significant mean reduction of plaque (0.37) and gingival scores (0.39) in the study group, but only marginal reduction of plaque (0.08) and gingival scores (0.1) observed in the control group. Significant gender and age variations were observed.

CONCLUSION

Visual instruction was found to be an effective oral health education tool in CHI.

Fast Dissolving Sublingual Films of Ondansetron Hydrochloride: Effect of Additives on in vitro Drug Release and Mucosal Permeation

Ondansetron hydrochloride, a 5 HT3 antagonist is a powerful antiemetic drug which has oral bioavailability of 60% due to hepatic first pass metabolism and has a short half-life of 5 h. To overcome the above draw back, the present study was carried out to formulate and evaluate fast dissolving films of ondansetron hydrochloride for sublingual administration. The films were prepared from polymers such as polyvinylalcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, Carbopol 934P in different ratios by solvent casting method. Propylene glycol or PEG 400 as plasticizers and mannitol or sodium saccharin as sweeteners were also included. The IR spectral studies showed no interaction between drug and polymer or with other additives. Satisfactory results were obtained when subjected to physico-chemical tests such as uniformity of weight, thickness, surface pH, folding endurance, uniformity of drug content, swelling index, bioadhesive strength, and tensile strength. Films were also subjected to in vitro drug release studies by using USP dissolution apparatus. Ex vivo drug permeation studies were carried out using porcine membrane model. In vitro release studies indicated 81–96% release within 7 min and 66–80% within 7 min during ex vivo studies. Drug permeation of 66–77% was observed through porcine mucosa within 40 min. Higher percentage of drug release was observed from films containing the sweeteners. The stability studies conducted for a period of 8 weeks showed no appreciable change in drug content, surface pH, and in vitro drug release.