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Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common intra-ocular tumor in Caucasian adults and may derive from melanocytes. Historically, the first therapeutic approach to treat UM has been surgical removal of the eye, with obvious consequences in terms of function, cosmesis, and psychological impact on patients. Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study (COMS) introduced the first uniform approach to perform interventional radiotherapy (IRT – brachytherapy) procedure in a standardized way that allowed to demonstrate equivalence of IRT with enucleation in terms of overall survival. Since this milestone, several international guidelines have been issued with regard to several technical aspects of this procedure, which has become the mainstream therapy worldwide. However, nowadays, there is still a lack of consensus about the criteria to definitively assess UM response after IRT. We present a collection of paradigmatic cases treated in our institution, and then discuss in detail the latest available evidence on the topic.

Plak adalah pembentukan komunitas bakteri yang terorganisir pada permukaan gigi yang berupa lapisan tipis tidak berwarna. Pseudomonas aeruginosa adalah salah satu bakteri yang sangat berperan pada pembentukan plak. Metabolit sekunder yang terkandung dalam tanaman Kalanchoe tomentosa dapat digunakan sebagai antibakteri. Tahapan penelitian diawali dengan maserasi menggunakan pelarut n-heksan dan diklorometana. Ekstrak diklorometana dipisahkan menggunakan Kromatografi Cair Vakum (KCV) dengan n-heksana dan etil asetat sebagai pelarut bergradien selanjutnya direkristalisasi dengan n-heksan, hasil rekristalisasi didapatkan isolat 1. Isolat 1 dikarakterisasi dengan spektroskopi infra-red (IR), ultraviolet (UV) dan nuclear magnetic resonance hydrogen (1H NMR) serta dibandingkan dengan literatur. Isolat 1 diketahui merupakan stigmast-5-en-3ꞵ-ol atau ꞵ-sitosterol. Pada ekstrak diklorometana dan senyawa ꞵ-sitosterol kemudian ditentukan aktivitas antibakteri secara mikrodilusi didapatkan hasil bahwa ekstrak diklorometana dan senyawa ꞵ-sitosterol bukan hanya menunjukan sifat bakteriostatik tetapi juga bakterisid kuat terhadap bakteri Pseudomonas aeruginosadengan nilai Konsentrasi Hambat Minimum (KHM)

Backgrounds: Lactococcus lactis (L. lactis) is one of the most important microorganisms used in dairy industry for production of fermented milk products. Bacteriophages which attack L. lactis are a serious threat to the dairy industry because of their negative effects on fermentation processes. Methods: Samples of raw milk were examined for the presence of lactococcal bacteriophages. Samples were centrifuged and then filtered through 0.45µm pore size filters. The filtrates were added to early-exponential cultures of Lactococcus lactis subspp. Lactis (PTCC 1336). Overlay method was used to detect the formation of plaques. After isolation and concentration of phages, serial dilutions of phage stock were used to determine titer of phage in concentrated sample. Electron Microscopy was used for observation and characterization of structural details of bacteriophages. Results: Two phages were isolated; one of them had a hexagonal head of 45×30 nm in diameter and a flexible non-contractile tail of 70nm long which belonged to Siphoviridae. The other had a short tail and a hexagonal head of 53×60 nm in diameter which was a member of Podoviridae family. Conclusion: In this study, for the first time, two phages were isolated from milk. This does not reduce the significance of phage control in different stages of the production. The spread of the phages in the production plant can be very harmful.

Introduction: Studies (Loesche et al 19(7) have demonstrated that the hydrolysis of the trypsin substrate N benzyl-Dl-arginase- 2- naphthalamide (BANA) by sub-gingival plaque correlates best with the numbers and proportions of periodontopathogens in plaque samples and may serve as an indicator of clinical disease.Micro-organisms associated with chronic periodontitis such as P.gingivalis (Slots, Loesche et al 1985) T.denticola (Laughan et al 1982) and T (Bacteroid).forsythia (Tanner et al ) possess a trypsin like enzyme which can be detected by a biochemical chromogenic reaction.This indicates that the detection of BANA enzyme in plaque samples could serve as a marker of periodontal disease. Aim of the study: 1. To determine the efficacy of BANA hydrolysis by sub-gingival plaque micro-organisms as a diagnostic tool in periodontal disease. 2. To correlate the test reaction with the clinical diagnosis in healthy patients and patients suffering from chronic periodontitis. Methodology: 55 Subjects from a periodontally defined population were evaluated for the ability of their sub-gingival plaque samples to hydrolyze a 0.67 mmol solution of BANA and correlate it with its clinical diagnosis. They were divided into 2 groups.25 periodontally healthy patients were placed under group I (control) and 30 periodontally diseased patients were placed under group II(diseased).After the clinical assessments were made and the findings recorded, 4 to 6 subgingival plaque samples were obtained from the buccal interdental areas around the first molar tooth in each quadrant. After dispersion in 0.6 ml of Sorensen phosphate buffer, 50 microlitres were incubated with 0.1 ml of BANA solution at 370C for 18 hrs. The outcome of the hydrolysis was recorded with the help of a colour reaction Results obtained were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis. Conclusion: The outcome of BANA test was highly significant in periodontally diseased subjects. It can be used as a reliable indicator of BANApositive species in sub-gingival plaque. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a blind, randomised, 4-cell, cross-over study, the effect of rinsing with a perborate solution (1.9 g sodiumperborate-monohydrate dissolved in 30 ml water/bocasan, Oral-B®) on the in vivo plaque-inhibiting effect of 0.12% chlorhexidine (Oral-B®) was examined. After a thorough professional prophylaxis including interdental cleaning, 12 subjects started to rinse according to 4 different regimens: regimen (C-P-C): chlorhexidine in the morning, perborate at noon and chlorhexidine in the evening; regimen (CP-CP): chlorhexidine immediately followed by perborate in the morning and in the evening; regimen (PC-PC): perborate immediately followed by chlorhexidine in the morning and in the evening; regimen (C-C): chlorhexidine in the morning and in the evening. No further oral hygiene measures were allowed for the next 72 h. After 72 h, the subjects were scored for plaque, and a washout period of 4 days followed; cross-over was randomly assigned according to a Latin square design. Following this procedure, all subjects went through all 4 regimens. The regimens C-P-C and PC-PC resulted in significantly lower plaque-scores, 0.27 and 0.28 respectively, than regimen C-C (0.40). For the regimen CP-CP, the plaque-score was 0.28, which was not significantly different from the C-C regimen. The results suggest a positive interaction between chlorhexidine and hydrogen peroxide. Rinsing with a combination of 0.12% chlorhexidine (Oral-B®) and a perborate solution (Bocasan Oral-B®) can result in more effective short-term plaque growth inhibition than rinsing with chlorhexidine alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many treatments for dentine hypersensitivity are formulated to directly or indirectly occlude the open dentinal tubules associated with the condition. Combining solutions of calcium chloride and potassium phosphate can result in the precipitation of amorphous calcium phosphate. Such a system applied to exposed dentine could occlude dentinal tubules and reduce sensitivity. The aims of this study using a placebo control were to assess the therapeutic value of amorphous calcium phosphate in define hypersensitivity and provide further information on the apparently natural improvement in the condition frequently observed in clinical trials. 38 subjects with dentine hypersensitivity affecting I tooth in each left and right sides of the jaws were recruited into this split mouth, randomised. double-blind study. At baseline, sensitivity was scored by the subjects on a 0-10 visual apologue scale after tactile, coot and cold water and evaporative stimulation of the test teeth. Active and control, water, solutions were then applied by a 2nd clinician. After 24 h. subjects returned for rescoring. On days 7 and 14. subjects were again rescored and the treatments reapplied Further follow-up appointments for rescoring were on days 21,28, 56 and 84. Plaque scores also were recorded from test teeth at each visit. Overall sensitivity decreased considerably and to a similar degree in test and control teeth with no consistent significant treatment difference. Plaque scores also decreased through the study period. It is concluded that either the amorphous calcium phosphate was without therapeutic effect or the activity was masked by the placebo response in the control teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study was to establish in vitro the inhibiting effect of u herbal extract mixture on a selected number of micro-organisms and to test in vivo the effect of a mouthwash containing 6.3 mg/ml herbal extract mixture on plaque and gingivitis as compared to a minus active control mouthrinse. The herbal extract was a mixture of: Juniperus communis (juniper). Urtica dioca (nettle). Achillaea millefolium (yarrow); 1:1:1. In the study, in-vitro, the effect of pure herbal extract mixture on acid production of Streptococcus mutans was tested and the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the following micro-organisms were tested: Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus mitis, Actynomyces viscosus. Actynomyces aeshondii, Actinobaillus actinomycetemcomitans. Prevotella intermedia. Campylobacter rectus. fusobacterium nucleatum. Veillonellaparvula. the MIC-values for A. Viscosts and P. gingivalis were 100 mg/ml. the MIC-values for A. naeshundii and a. actinomycetemcomitans were 100 mg/ml. the MIC-values for A. naeslundii and A. actinomycetemcomitans were considerably lower (10 mg/ml). S. mitis was the most susceptible of the tested organisms to the extract with a MIC value of 1 mg/ml. S. mutans, C. rectus, V. parvula and F. nucleatum were not influenced by the extracts. No inhibitory effect of the 6.3 mg/ml herbal extract mixture was observed on the acid production of S. mutans. For the study in-viva 45 volunteers were selected on the basis of having moderate gingival inflammation. As efficacy parameters the plaque index, modified gingival index and angulated bleeding index were assessed. The subjects were randomly divided among 3 experimental groups 2× test and 1 'minus active' control). The participants were requested to rinse with 10 ml of mouthwash twice a day for a period of three months. After 6 weeks and 3 months. the same clinical indices as at baseline were recorded. The results show no difference between the two test groups and the control group. In conclusion, the results of the present study have shown that the mixture of the 3 herbal extracts. Juniperus communis, Urtica dioca and Achillaea millefolium when used in a mouthrinse has no effect on plaque growth and gingival health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gingival hyperplasia caused by the use of nifedipine has been extensively reported. In this paper, the gingiva of 18 patients suffering from cardiopathy and treated with nifedipine were compared with those of 10 patients with cardiac disorders who had not been treated with calcium antagonists and with a no-treatment group of 12 patients. Nifedipine produced gingival hyperplasia, although patients who had not been treated with calcium antagonists also had mild hyperplasia. Hyperplasia first appeared in the interproximal areas, an observation which may be important for early detection. There was a direct correlation between the degree of hyperplasia and the bacterial plaque score. When we studied the influence of administration time and dose of nifedipine with the degree of hyperplasia, no statistically significant differences were found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experimental gingivitis study design is a frequently used clinical model for the evaluation of the effects of antimicrobial agents on developing plaque and gingivitis. In individuals who at the start of the experiment have clean teeth and healthy gingivae and who use a mouthrinse containing the test agent as the only tooth cleaning measure during a period of 14-21 days, the anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis potential of the agent can be properly evaluated. The present paper describes different designs of experimental gingivitis studies for the evaluation of chemotherapeutic agents used to control supragingival plaque formation. Findings reported in the literature with respect to the effects obtained by various antimicrobial compounds are also reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Controversy exists concerning the mode of action of chlorhexidine in plaque inhibition. This study attempted to determine whether an oral reservoir of chlorhexidine was necessary for plaque inhibition. Plaque growth on enamel under the influence of topically applied or rinsed chlorhexidine was closely monitored by clinical scoring, bacterial culturing and scanning electron microscopy. Thus, 3 subjects wore removable acrylic appliances containing enamel inserts. In the first regimen, inserts on one side of the appliances were exposed to 0.2% chlorhexidine and on the other, water for 1 min twice a day for 14 days. In the second regimen, subjects rinsed with 0.2% chlorhexidine for 1 min twice a day for 14 days with the appliances in situ. Results demonstrated that plaque growth assessed by the 3 study methods was very small on chlorhexidine-treated inserts by comparison with water-treated specimens. Importantly, inserts treated with chlorhexidine topically or by rinsing could not be distinguished by any method of evaluation. It is concluded that chlorhexidine achieves plaque inhibition as a result of an immedaite bactericidal action during the time of application and a prolonged bacteriostatic action as a result of adsorption to the pellicle coated enamel surface. Consistent with other clinical studies, it is apparent that a progressively desorbing oral reservoir of antiseptic is not the mechanism by which chlorhexidine achieves plaque inhibition on teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The host immune response to dental plaque products leads to altered levels of activity by several types of cells involved in host defence. Cells of the periodontium which contribute to the supporting tissues of the teeth may be directly damaged by cellular attack, or their activity may be modulated by a range of soluble mediators released by host immune cells. These changes contribute to the modification of the tooth-supporting tissue which is seen in chronic inflammatory periodontal disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiments have been performed in beagle dogs in attempts to evaluate the effect of orthodontic- and jiggling-type trauma on the supporting structures of premolars. The results reported have unanimously demonstrated that in situations where orthodontic or jiggling forces were inflicted on teeth with a normal periodontium, or on teeth with overt signs of gingivitis, the periodontal ligament tissue reacted by transitory signs of inflammation. These phenomena occurred without a concomitant loss of connective tissue attachment and development of pathologically deepened periodontal pockets. If the jiggling trauma was inflicted on teeth with an ongoing plaque-associated. destructive periodontitis, the resulting inflammatory reactions caused enhanced loss of attachment and angular bony defects. Furthermore, orthodontic tilting movements of teeth (in- trusion) in a plaque-infected dentition may shift a supragingivally located plaque into a subgingival position resulting in periodontal tissue breakdown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A combination of blotting of bacterial colonies on nitrocellulose paper discs and immunoenzymatic detection of bound antigens with specific monoclonal antibodies was used to detect and serotype Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans directly off the initial agar culture dish. The A. actinomycetemcomitans antigens, representative of specific colonies, were identified immunoenzymatically using monoclonal antibody specific for a species-specific antigen. The serotype of the bacteria in colonies was identified by dividing the blotting paper into sections and immunoenzymatically identifying the serotype antigens with serotype-specific monoclonal antibodies. This procedure provides for simple, rapid, sensitive and accurate identification and characterization of A. actinomycetemcomitans isolates from the initial isolation agar plates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper on the design of clinical trials of periodontal therapy first addresses the issue of the etiology of periodontal disease. It is suggested that most if not all forms of destructive periodontal disease are caused by micro-organisms and that there are different forms of disease with different microbial etiologies. The progressive nature of destructive periodontal disease is subsequently discussed and it is emphasized that, in a given patient, periodontal sites which show signs of inflammation and attachment loss may not over a period of several months and years show further sign of attachment loss. The present methods of assessing periodontal disease do not allow us to discriminate between potentially active and inactive sites in untreated patients. The significance and variability of indicators of periodontal disease such as bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth and probing attachment level measurements are discussed. The errors inherent in the various measurements are analyzed and suggestions are presented describing how alterations in any of the above parameters could be identified and presented in a clinical trial. Of concern for the statistical analysis of clinical data of periodontal disease is the definition of the "experimental unit". For a number of years, the "experimental unit" in periodontal trials was the patient. It is clear, however, that different sites within the same individual show different patterns of disease progression and lesion morphology and often respond differently to periodontal therapy. Statistical analyses must consequently be designed which recognize differences in site-to-site infection and lesion morphology within a common host: Until such analyses are available, the investigator should be wary of pooling data within the same individual, since such pooling may obscure meaningful alternatives which may take place in individual periodontal sites. Some goals of periodontal therapy are subsequently identified. 4 goals are discussed more in detail, namely: (i) to establish conditions which will allow the patient to maintain a dentition without further breakdown of the periodontium; (ii) to reduce pocket depth to establish an anatomy in the dentogingival region which with proper maintainance care will prevent the re-establishment of the subgingival infection; (iii) to gain attachment as a result of treatment; (iv) to assess the effect of a certain chemotherapeutic agent on periodontal disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An investigation was conducted to test the hypothesis that age and wear of toothbrushes do not affect plaque removal. 40 preclinical dental students between the ages of 19 and 26 years were assigned randomly to 2 groups, 1 group of 19 subjects used a toothbrush for 10 weeks while the 21 subjects in the other group were given new toothbrushes every 2 weeks for 10 weeks. A baseline of zero plaque and calculus was obtained on the first visit. On subsequent visits, 2 weeks apart, the gingival status of each group was evaluated using the gingival index, and plaque levels were scored using the patient hygiene performance index. The brushing surface area of the toothbrushes was measured with a caliper as well as being graded subjectively according to their condition (good, fair or poor). Results were statistically analysed at the end of the 10-week period. It was found that after 10 weeks, the subjects using the same toothbrush for the whole period had significantly more plaque than those who replaced their brushes every 2 weeks. As brushes deteriorated, they became less effective. No differences in gingival state were detected. There was appreciable variation in toothbrush wear among subjects, some reducing their brush to a poor state in 2 weeks whereas with others the brush was rated as "good" after 10 weeks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This survey aimed to find the oral hygiene status and practices of both government and private school students of Lahore. Sample size was 677 students as a whole. significant difference between both groups of students with regards to the usage of brushing instruments such as tooth brush, miswak, finger and none (X2=20.906, P<.001) was found. Significant difference was present between two groups with regards to the teeth brushing frequency (X2=10.925, P=.012). Most of the students of private as well as public sectors schools, brush their teeth once a day, that is, Public sector schools' students (71.8%) and private sector schools' students (59.6%). Majority of students do brushing in the morning, 92.4% public sector students and 93% students of private sector. Overall oral hygiene practices was found higher in private school students as compared to the public school students. But practicing of dental care were found satisfactory among both groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The diagnosis of solitary cutaneous mastocytoma is mainly clinical, based on lesion morphology, the presence of a positive Darier sign, and the absence of systemic involvement. Knowledge of this condition is important so that an accurate diagnosis can be made., Objective: To familiarize physicians with the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, evaluation, and management of a solitary cutaneous mastocytoma., Methods: A PubMed search was completed in Clinical Queries using the key term "solitary cutaneous mastocytoma". The search strategy included meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, clinical trials, observational studies, and reviews. Only papers published in English language were included. The information retrieved from the above search was used in the compilation of the present article., Results: Typically, a solitary cutaneous mastocytoma presents as an indurated, erythematous, yellow- brown or reddish-brown macule, papule, plaque or nodule, usually measuring up to 5 cm in diameter. The lesion often has a peau d'orange appearance and a leathery or rubbery consistency. A solitary cutaneous mastocytoma may urticate spontaneously or when stroked or rubbed (Darier sign). Organomegaly and lymphadenopathy are characteristically absent. The majority of patients with skin lesions that erupt within the first two years of life have spontaneous resolution of the lesions before puberty. Treatment is mainly symptomatic. Reassurance and avoidance of triggering factors suffice in most cases., Conclusion: The diagnosis is mainly clinical, based on the morphology of the lesion, the presence of a positive Darier sign, and the absence of systemic involvement. A skin biopsy is usually not necessary unless the diagnosis is in doubt., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background: Although several clinical and numerical studies have been conducted on plaque vulnerability assessment, it still remains a critical target for investigation. The stresses whether because of the blood pressure or stenting induce within plaque and arterial layers inside an atherosclerotic artery might exceed from their yield stresses and trigger plaque rupture or arterial layer injury. This study is aimed at conducting a comparative study to understand the vulnerability of the plaques, i.e., calcified, cellular, and hypocellular, as well as the coronary arterial layers, i.e., intima, media, and adventitia, during the stent expansion inside a patient-specific atherosclerotic coronary-artery model., Methods: To do that, a three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) model of the atherosclerotic coronary artery is established on a basis of CT/MRI data of a patient. The stent is then expanded inside the atherosclerotic artery and the resulted stresses and strains in the plaque components, i.e., the fibrotic capsule (FC) and necrotic core (NC), and arterial layers are computed., Results: The results revealed that the distribution and magnitude of the von Mises stresses in each component involved in stenting are different according to the plaque types and arterial layers. The stress in the calcified plaque is the highest as compared to the cellular and hypocellular. Lower stresses are observed in the adjacent medial and adventitial layers while the stress in the intima is high enough to invoke injury. The results suggest FC and plaque rupture may occur at localized regions as well as plaque shoulders. Eventually, the dogboning and foreshortening parameters found to be independent on that of the plaque types., Conclusions: The results may have implications not only for understanding the vulnerable plaques and arterial layers to rupture during the stenting, but also for providing a comprehensive information for the medical and biomechanical experts in interventions and surgeries, including balloon-angioplasty, bypass, and stenting., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

It is widely accepted that all foods containing "fermentable carbohydrates" have the potential to contribute to caries formation. Fermentable carbohydrates are present in most starches and all sugars, including those that occur naturally in foods and those added in processed foods. The relative cariogenicity of chocolates is dependent on their composition, texture, solubility, retentiveness and ability to stimulate salivary flow. The composition of the chocolates has profound impact on its cariogenic potential. There are a wide range of chocolates available in the market and very few studies have compared the chocolates available in the Indian market. This study was an in vivo study done on 30 dental volunteers where the cariogenicity between filled and unfilled chocolates were compared by evaluating the pH of plaque at different time intervals taken at baseline and at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30 minutes using a pH meter. In unfilled group, milk chocolate had maximum pH drop at 20 minutes (5.895) and diet chocolate had minimum pH drop at 10 minutes (6.143). In filled group, fruit and nut had maximum pH drop at 20 minutes (5.713) and caramel had minimum pH drop at 15 minutes (5.817). The results between unfilled and filled chocolate were found to be statistically significant between 15-30 minutes (p < 0.0005) and suggestive that filled chocolates were more cariogenic than unfilled chocolates.