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Antihypertensives such as amlodipine, which is a family of calcium channel blockers (CCBs), possess a limitation by causing gingival enlargement on long-term use. Gingival enlargement hinders the patient's oral hygiene maintenance and causes more plaque accumulation and inflammation. The severity of the condition is dependent on dose and duration. When untreated, this leads to functional and esthetic disabilities. This is a case report of amlodipine-induced gingival enlargement in a young, chronic periodontitis patient who was under 5 mg of amlodipine for six months. Upon diagnosis, the patient underwent periodontal surgery and supportive periodontal therapy, which significantly improved her periodontal health in a one-year follow-up period., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024, Alanija et al.)

Introduction Breast lumps in any age group are addressed cautiously to exclude the possibility of breast cancer. The clinical approach to breast lumps involves the "triple test" for cancer screening. The triple test includes clinical examination, imaging (mammogram or ultrasonogram), and tissue sampling (fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and core needle biopsy). These tests happen in a sequential process, and it is important that their findings support the final diagnosis for accurate management of the patient. Aims and objectives This study aims to determine the correlation between the histopathological and radiological findings among the various breast lesions and describe the spectrum of breast lesions received in our center. Methods This is a retrospective observational study for a period of three years, from January 2020 to December 2022. The study included 400 patients who had undergone ultrasonography or mammograms for breast lumps, FNAC, core needle biopsy, or surgical resection. The data collected was analyzed for concordance and discordance status. Results A total of 400 cases were reviewed. There were 238 (59.5%) histologically confirmed benign breast lesions and 162 (40.5%) malignant lesions with their corresponding BI-RADS (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System) scores. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy for the imaging modalities (ultrasonogram and mammogram) in diagnosing breast lesions were 95.06%, 94.96%, 92.77%, 96.58%, and 95%, respectively, which were comparable with other similar studies. The biological and immunohistochemical factors of all the invasive carcinomas were studied in detail. Conclusions Imaging modalities (ultrasonogram or mammogram) have good sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing breast lesions and can be reliably used as a preliminary test in breast lump evaluation. The BI-RADS score is a reliable indicator and can be considered for the effective follow-up or intervention of the breast lesion. In discordant cases, a repeated core needle biopsy or excision has to be recommended, as pathological diagnosis is the cornerstone of effective management. A good rapport between the surgeon, radiologist, and pathologist aids in effective feedback and learning for achieving diagnostic accuracy., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024, Mohan et al.)

Background The Sapindus mukorossi (SM) extract has been reported to possess antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant characteristics. However, there is limited research demonstrating the effectiveness of SM in dissolving dental pulp tissue. Methods In an in vitro investigation, pulp tissue samples were extracted from human teeth, collectively weighing 144 mg. These samples were divided equally and activated by manual digital agitation (MDA) or ultrasonic (US) irrigation for three 30-second cycles with a resting period of 45 seconds between each activation. The samples in each group were sub-categorized into a set of three groups based on the treatment received as normal saline (NS), 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (Hypo), or Sapindus mukorossi (SM). Statistical tests, including the student t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), were employed to compare the mean weight differences among the groups, with a significance level set at p ≤ 0.05 for all comparisons. Results The one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and independent t-test revealed significant intergroup differences (p<0.05). Turkey's post hoc analysis indicated significant distinctions, particularly when comparing Hypo with the other two irrigants, namely Hypo-NS (p<0.05) and Hypo-SM (p<0.05) when the MDA method was employed. Considering only the method adopted, the US technique was significantly superior (p=0.04) to the MDA. Conclusion Sapindus mukorossi (SM) demonstrated efficacy in dissolving pulp tissue but was not as effective as sodium hypochlorite (Hypo) which is the standard agent for root canal irrigation. SM to be used as an alternative to Hypo on clinical grounds needs further validation from research., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024, Kaliamoorthy et al.)

Background Fusobacterium nucleatum ( F. nucleatum )   has been increasingly linked to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), prompting this study to explore its presence using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and evaluate its clinical significance. Methods In this pilot case-control study, 12 OSCC tissue samples and 12 non-cancerous oral mucosal tissue samples were analyzed. Total RNA extraction and complementary DNA (cDNA) synthesis were performed using Trizol-based methods, followed by PCR amplification and gel electrophoresis. The clinical characteristics of participants and PCR results were recorded. Results Among the OSCC tissue samples, three out of 12 tested positive for  F. nucleatum,  while none of the control samples showed its presence. The detection rate of  F. nucleatum  in OSCC was 25%. Gel analysis confirmed specific amplicon amplification, and ImageJ software enabled copy number quantification. Discussion Our findings support previous research indicating a potential association between  F. nucleatum  and OSCC. Understanding the etiological significance of  F. nucleatum  in OSCC has clinical implications, including early detection, risk stratification, and prognostication. However, the limited sample size and the need for further research to elucidate underlying mechanisms are acknowledged. Conclusion This pilot study provides initial evidence of  F. nucleatum ' s  presence in a subset of OSCC samples, supporting its potential association with oral cancer. Detecting  F. nucleatum  in OSCC tissues holds promise for future research and clinical applications as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker. Understanding its role in oral carcinogenesis will facilitate the development of targeted therapeutic strategies. Larger studies are warranted to validate these findings and investigate the precise mechanisms involved., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2023, Kaliamoorthy et al.)

Introduction: By a variety of pathogenic pathways, kidney diseases can have a direct negative impact on the lungs and worsen the prognosis for those with chronic renal disease. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a public health concern throughout the world. The relationship between the kidneys and lungs is crucial for maintaining acid-base balance, fluid homeostasis, and blood pressure control. These patients have a higher prevalence of lung dysfunction regardless of the disease's stage, including sleep apnea syndrome, pulmonary hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The chance of getting a pulmonary consequence increases with the severity of kidney disease. In individuals with chronic renal disease, this study looked at the prevalence of several respiratory disorders., Materials and Methods: From February 2021 to October 2021, 70 CKD patients who were receiving care at the Saveetha Medical College and Hospital were taken into consideration for the study. Clinical assessment and pertinent tests, such as a pulmonary function test, chest radiography, CT chest, sputum analysis, and pleural fluid analysis were performed. To evaluate left ventricular function, echocardiography was performed. Selected patients underwent polysomnography., Results: The study's population had a mean age of 50 years. There was a 20:50 sex ratio (M:F). Seventy percent of them had respiratory conditions, the most frequent of which was pleural effusion (70%), followed by pulmonary edema (52%). The pleural effusion was primarily transudative and right sided. Both tuberculous pleural effusion and pulmonary tuberculosis were detected in 2% of the population. Seven percent of them developed pneumonia. 10% of patients had thickening of the pleura. Using chest CT and x-ray, 3% of patients had pulmonary calcification visible. In 12 (60%) out of the 20 patients who were studied, sleep apnea was observed. Two patients with tuberculosis and pneumonia lacked the typical signs., Conclusions: In our research study, CKD patients have a much higher preponderance of respiratory illnesses, which has negative effects on patient care., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2023, Parivakkam Mani et al.)

Background: Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes tuberculosis (TB), an infectious lung disease. There is mounting evidence linking low lipid levels to a variety of human diseases, including TB. Cholesterol, mainly due to its involvement in heart disease, gets more attention in recent years. The objectives of the study were to look into the link that connects hypolipidemia to the existence of pulmonary/extrapulmonary TB; we have tried to find the link in relation to patients who have been recently diagnosed with TB as well as in those who are having TB in the long term., Materials and Methods: An observational study was performed on TB patients attending respiratory medicine at the Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, from February 2021 to January 2022, and their lipid levels were tested from patients with consent and correlated. Student's t-test was applied to the obtained data. To convey quantitative data, measurements such as mean along with standard deviation were applied, and a p-value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant., Results: This research included 80 subjects, 40 of whom were diagnosed with TB, and the rest (40 controls) were deemed healthy. The age group with the highest low lipid levels in pulmonary TB was 40-50 years. A chi-square test of association was conducted; this test revealed that the fraction of TB patients having lower than normal levels of total cholesterol (p = 0.0001), triglyceride level (p = 0.006), high-density lipoprotein (p = 0.009), low-density lipoprotein (p = 0.006), and body mass index (p = 0.000) was statistically significantly higher in contrast to the control group. Thus, there was a significant correlation between a higher prevalence of hypolipidemia in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and normal healthy individuals., Conclusions: We observed a strong relationship between hypolipidemia and TB, indicating that patients with low lipid levels tend to have severe inflammation as compared to patients with normal lipid levels., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2023, Parivakkam Mani et al.)

Social media, leveraging Web 2.0 technologies, plays a vital role in healthcare, medical education, and research by fostering collaboration and enabling research dissemination. Healthcare professionals use these platforms to improve public health literacy, but concerns about misinformation and content accuracy persist. In 2023, platforms like Facebook (Meta Platforms, Inc., Menlo Park, California, United States), YouTube (Google LLC, Mountain View, California, United States), Instagram (Meta Platforms, Inc.), TikTok (ByteDance Ltd, Beijing, China), and Twitter (X Corp., Carson City, Nevada, United States) have become essential in healthcare, offering patient communication, professional development, and knowledge-sharing opportunities. However, challenges such as breaches of patient confidentiality and unprofessional conduct remain. Social media has transformed medical education, providing unique networking and professional development opportunities. Further studies are needed to determine its educational value. Healthcare professionals must follow ethical and professional guidelines, particularly regarding patient privacy, confidentiality, disclosure rules, and copyright laws. Social media significantly impacts patient education and healthcare research. Platforms like WhatsApp (Meta Platforms, Inc.) effectively improve patient compliance and outcomes. Yet, the rapid dissemination of false news and misinformation on social media platforms presents risks. Researchers must consider potential biases and content quality when extracting data. Quality control and regulation are crucial in addressing potential dangers and misinformation in social media and healthcare. Stricter regulations and monitoring are needed due to cases of deaths resulting from social media trends and false news spread. Ethical frameworks, informed consent practices, risk assessments, and appropriate data management strategies are essential for responsible research using social media technologies. Healthcare professionals and researchers must judiciously use social media, considering its risks to maximize benefits and mitigate potential drawbacks. By striking the right balance, healthcare professionals can enhance patient outcomes, medical education, research, and the overall healthcare experience., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2023, Jeyaraman et al.)

Background and objective Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a highly contagious infectious disease that has affected many countries globally. Attangaogam, known in Sanskrit as "Ashtanga yoga", is a practice associated with the spiritual and cultural heritage of India whose origins can be traced back to the very dawn of civilization; the practice of yoga promotes health, healing, and longevity. This study aimed to analyze the effects of Attangaogam (Athanam) yoga asana-Pranayamam practice on biochemical, inflammatory, and hematological markers in the management of COVID-19. Materials and methods A prospective observational study was conducted from August 2021 to February 2022 among hospitalized adult patients of both sexes who consented to participate and tested positive for COVID-19 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Convenience sampling was employed and the study was approved by Institutional Ethics Committee (VMCIEC/74/2021). Clinical details, inflammatory markers, D-dimer, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), ferritin, procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and complete blood count (CBC) were analyzed for all the volunteering patients on admission and before commencing yoga-pranayamam practices. Also, the parameters were recorded after practicing the scheduled protocol: on the day of discharge, and after the first and third months of discharge. Microsoft Excel 2013 was used for statistical analysis. Results Of the 76 patients, 32 were followed up regularly; the mean age of the cohort was 50.6 ± 4.95 years, and 62% were males. All the patients attained normal oxygen saturation and got discharged in 7-14 days. The comparison of clinical, hematological, inflammatory, and biochemical investigations between pre- and post-Attangaogam yoga-Pranayamam practice sessions showed statistically significant differences and the patients attained normal levels for all variables within three months except for serum albumin. Conclusion Based on our findings, the practice of Attangaogam yoga-Pranayamam contributed to the successful treatment of COVID-19 with the early restoration of protracted hypermetabolic and hyperinflammatory markers to normal status. The evidence related to biomarkers revealed that the patients attained metabolic normalcy of cell health with the aid of personalized physical rehabilitation counteracting inflammation and promoting tissue repair thanks to holistic natural and innate immunity provided by Attangaogam yoga-pranayamam practices., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2023, K et al.)