Search

Oral healthcare providers work near the face of the patients and are at an increased risk of being infected or transmitting the infection to the patients. Standard practice guidelines have to be modified to reorganize Oral Medicine care in the new normality of the COVID-19 pandemic to minimize the negative impacts of the infection on oral and systemic health. This scoping review aims to assess the guidelines for the safe practice of Oral Medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic. The literature search was done using Medline and Pubmed as the database and 23 articles were identified related to 8 domains. Utilization of teledentistry, efficient triaging of the patients with strict adherence to the infection control protocols, knowledge of the possible oral manifestations, and management of patients based on their presenting symptoms can help for the safe practice of Oral Medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pediatric TB poses challenge in diagnosis due to the paucibacillary nature of the disease. We conducted a prospective diagnostic study to identify immune biomarkers of pediatric TB and controls (discovery cohort) and obtained a separate “validation” cohort of confirmed cases of pediatric TB and controls. Multiplex ELISA was performed to examine the plasma levels of cytokines. Discovery and validation cohorts revealed that baseline plasma levels of IFNγ, TNFα, IL-2, and IL-17A were significantly higher in active TB (confirmed TB and unconfirmed TB) in comparison to unlikely TB children. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis revealed that IFNγ, IL-2, TNFα, and IL-17A (in the discovery cohort) and TNFα and IL-17A (in the validation cohort) could act as biomarkers distinguishing confirmed or unconfirmed TB from unlikely TB with the sensitivity and specificity of more than 90%. In the discovery cohort, cytokines levels were significantly diminished following anti-tuberculosis treatment. In both the cohorts, combiROC models offered 100% sensitivity and 98% to 100% specificity for a three-cytokine signature of TNFα, IL-2, and IL-17A, which can distinguish confirmed or unconfirmed TB children from unlikely TB. Thus, a baseline cytokine signature of TNFα, IL-2, and IL-17A could serve as an accurate biomarker for the diagnosis of pediatric tuberculosis.

Allergic contact stomatitis (stomatitis venenata) might resemble oral lichen planus or oral lichenoid lesion clinically which can be acute or chronic in nature. Many offending agents have been attributed to their development and the most common being dental restorative materials, lipstick or flavouring agents in toothpaste or chewing gums. Allergic reactions can be in mild form to life-threatening anaphylaxis. The identification of the exact cause for allergy is difficult. Here, we report the case of a 37-year-old patient who presented with allergic contact stomatitis to a conventional daily routine product. Importance of history taking and awareness by the clinician about the contents of any new products being prescribed to the patient are emphasized by this case report.

Objective: Assessment of clinical symptoms and condylar position of TMD patients using CBCT imaging with deprogramming splint therapy and occlusal equilibration. The hypothesis tested was the allev...

Substituted phenylthiazolyl benzamide and pyrrolyl benzamide derivatives were developed using molecular hybridization technique to create novel lead antimycobacterial molecules used to fight against Mycobacteriumtuberculosis. The newly synthesized molecules have inhibited InhA, the enoyl-ACP reductase enzyme from the mycobacterial type II fatty acid biosynthetic pathway. Of these, compound 3b showed H-bonding interactions with Tyr158 and co-factor NAD+ that binds the active site of InhA. All the molecules were screened for in vitro antitubercular activity against M. tuberculosis H37Rv, as well as some representative molecules as the inhibitors of InhA. Thirteen compounds exhibited good anti-TB activities (MIC = 1.6 μg/mL), but only few representative molecules showed the moderate InhA enzyme inhibition activity.

Ever since the introduction of fixed appliance, a constant search is in progress to develop an appliance which can effectively control the anterior teeth during orthodontic treatment. As it is difficult to meet the requisites of all cases with a standard appliance, several biomechanical principles are being thought of, to overcome the difficulties. Controlling the torque is one of the toughest challenges a clinician faces during lingual sliding mechanics. The challenge posed may be attributed to the moment generated in the maxillary anterior teeth during lingual retraction, considering the biomechanical correlation between the center of resistance of maxillary anterior teeth and the resultant retraction force vector in lingual orthodontics. There are several ways to counteract the torque loss and at the same time effectively retract the maxillary anterior teeth. This can be achieved either by customizing the lingual bracket base or biomechanically by optimizing the retraction force vector. This article is an effort to emphasize the role of lever arms in optimizing retraction mechanics and torque control in lingual sliding mechanics.

INTRODUCTON: Bilateral thalamic infarcts are rare presentations of stroke. They are the result of a complex combination of risk factors and a predisposing vessel distribution. An Artery of Percheron is a rare anatomic variation in the brain vascularization seen in one third of population. It was described by French medical scientist Gerard Percheron in 1973. The artery of Percheron, characterized by a single arterial trunk that irrigates both paramedian thalamic regions, can be occluded as a result of thrombo embolic diseases leading to bilateral paramedian thalamic infarcts. The main symptoms are vertical gaze palsy (65%), memory impairment (58%), confusion (53%), and coma (42%). Clinical and image findings of this uncommon form of posterior circulation infarct are presented along with their anatomic and pathophysiologic correlates. CASE PRESENTATION: A 75yrs old right handed female, known diabetic and hypertensive presented with sudden loss of consiousness 6 hrs prior to admission. MRI Brain showed restricted diffusion involving bilateral thalamus and midbrain-Artery of percheron infarct and chronic lacunar infarcts.MR-AngiogramSubacute infarcts in bilateral thalamic region and periaqueductal region of midbrain. The posterior circulation was patent including the tip of the basilar artery and both posterior cerebral arteries, making the case compatible with occlusion of the artery of Percheron. CONCLUSION: Bilateral thalamic infarcts are unusual presentations of posterior circulation stroke. In patients presenting with loss of consciousness, neuropsychiatric involvement bilateral paramedian thalamic infarction, the possibility of artery of percheron infarct should be considered. In addition, periaqueductal grey matter of midbrain can also be involved.

The present study details the synthesis, characterization and pharmaceutical application of hydrolysed polyacrylamide grafted maize starch (HPam-g-MS) as promising polymeric material for the development of pH responsive microbeads. Different grades of graft copolymer were synthesized by changing the net microwave irradiation time, while keeping all other factors constant. Acute oral toxicity study performed in rodents ensured the bio-safety of graft copolymer for clinical application. Various batches of aceclofenac loaded microbeads were prepared by ionic gelation method using synthesized graft copolymers and evaluated for formulation parameters. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the chemical compatibility between drug and graft copolymer. Results of in vitro release study (USP type-II) carried out in two different pH media (pH 1.2 acid buffer and pH 7.4 phosphate buffer) showed that release rate of drug from developed microbeads was a function of both: (a) surrounding pH and (b) the matrix composition. The drug release was relatively higher at alkaline pH as compared to acidic pH and this feature is desirable from viewpoint of site specific drug delivery. A direct correlation was observed between percentage grafting and microbeads performance and it presents a scope for further research on application and optimization of HPam-g-MS based microbeads as drug delivery carriers.

A new series of pyrrole derivatives have been designed, synthesized, and their structures have been elucidated along with the evaluation of antitubercular activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv using the microplate alamar blue assay method and antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli by broth micro-dilution assay method. Structural activity relationships and 3D-QSAR analysis have been carried out by Topomer Comparative Molecular Field Analysis (CoMFA). Training set of 42 and test set of 8 active compounds were used to develop the method that showed cross-validated correlation coefficient (q 2) of 0.815, standard error of prediction of 0.36, non-cross-validated correlation coefficient (r 2) of 0.973, and standard error of estimate of 0.14 with six components. Synthesis; spectral and 3D-QSAR studies; and antibacterial, antitubercular, and cytotoxic activities of a novel series of pyrrole derivatives are described.

Designing compounds having good anti-tubercular activity is gaining much importance in the area of tuberculosis research due to the reemergence of antibiotic resistance strains. In this study, quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) of a group of 55 anti-tubercular agents with varying structures and potencies, CoMFA, Topomer CoMFA, and HQSAR studies have been performed on a series of antimycobacterial pyrroles. A training set containing 46 compounds served to establish the model and CoMFA was assessed by r 2 value of 0.852 and cross-validated the q 2 value of 0.614. In the Topomer CoMFA, r 2 was 0.805, whole cross-validated q 2 was 0.535. The predictive ability of CoMFA and Topomer CoMFA models was determined using a test set of 9 compounds, which gave the predictive correlation coefficients (r pred 2 ) of 0.623 and 0.458, respectively. HQSAR was also carried out as a complementary study, and the best HQSAR model was generated using atoms, bond, connectivity, and hydrogen atoms as fragment distinction, 7–10 as fragment size and three components showing the cross-validated q 2 value of 0.710 and conventional r 2 value of 0.795. CoMFA, Topomer CoMFA steric, electrostatic, and HQSAR atomic contribution maps were generated to analyze the structural features of the datasets on that govern their inhibitory potency. 3D and 2D-QSAR studies (CoMFA, Topomer CoMFA, HQSAR) of antimycobacterial pyrroles are described.

A series of 2,5,6-trisubstituted imidazo[2,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazoles were synthesized, structures of the compounds were elucidated and evaluated for antitubercular activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv using microplate alamar blue assay (MABA) method, antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Vibrio cholera, and Escherichia coli by broth micro dilution assay method. Some compounds exhibited significant antibacterial and antitubercular activities. Compounds 10, 14, and 15 emerged as the most active molecules, showed significant antimicrobial activity and may serve as leads for further optimization. Synthesis, spectral studies, and antibacterial and antitubercular activities of a novel series of imidazo[2,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazole derivatives are described .

The present study investigates the pharmaceutical application of hydrolyzed polyacrylamide grafted carboxymethylxyloglucan (HPam-g-CMXG), as promising polymeric material for the development of pH responsive microbeads. The graft copolymer was synthesized by conventional free radical polymerization method and saponified to enhance its functionality and characterized. An acute oral toxicity study ensured the bio-safety of developed copolymer for clinical application. Various batches of pH responsive spherical microbeads were developed and evaluated for the effect of process parameters on their overall performance. Result of in vitro drug release study (USP Type-II, paddle method) carried out in two different pH media (pH 1.2 and pH 7.4) showed a triphasic drug release pattern in all the formulations. Both the drug release and swelling of microbeads were significantly higher in simulated intestinal (alkaline) pH compared to simulated gastric (acidic) pH and this nature is desirable for targeted drug delivery. A strong correlation was observed between the process parameters and matrix composition and it directly influenced the drug transport mechanism. In conclusion, the hydrolyzed polyacrylamide grafted carboxymethylxyloglucan holds an immense potential to be explored pharmaceutically as new matrix material for the design of targeted drug delivery system.