Background: Most documents review decrease in the prevalence of HIV related oral lesions to the tune of 10-50% following the advent of HAART. However long term use of HAART on oral health status of HIV infected subjects is poorly documented. Also antifungal agents can effectively treat mucosal candidiasis. However their use can lead to colonization with less susceptible strains among normal susceptible strains. Aims and Objectives: To know the candidal carriage rate (i.e. presence/absence of candidal growth), candidal density(CFUs/ml) & species variations (species diversity) in HIV positive individuals with and without highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART), attending the regional voluntary Counselling and Confidential Testing Centre (VCCTC). Materials and Methods: The study population were categorized into 3 groups. Method followed were Germ tube test, Chlamydospore formation test, CHROM-Agar test. Results: Quantification comparison study of candidal carriage rate, density with detection of various candidal species in the oral cavity of HIV-positive individuals with and without HAART therapy was conducted. Conclusion: HIV positive individuals with HAART therapy treatment prooved higher candidal carriage rate and lower density than Non-HAART category.

Background/Purpose: Root dentin is vulnerable to a higher risk of demineralization than coronal enamel. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of miswak extract on the dentinal tubules of sound root dentin. Materials and Methods: Twenty bovine root dentin blocks, approximately 2 mm × 3 mm × 3 mm (width × length × depth) in dimensions, were prepared from freshly extracted sound bovine incisors. The sample was divided into two groups: control and miswak group. The control group had sound root dentin block and the miswak test group was treated with miswak extract 20% for 24 h. The two groups of all specimens were subjected to ultrasonication for 10 min. Scanning electron microscope images were analyzed for surface typography. Results: Fifty percent of the control group had surface particles (SPs), while the other 50% had no SPs. For the dentinal tubules, all (100%) the control group had a mixture of opened and partially opened dentinal tubules. On the other hand, for the miswak group, all (100%) the sample had SPs and blocked dentinal tubules. Conclusion: Miswak showed total blocking of the dentinal tubules compared to the control group. This might indicate that miswak has a role in reducing dentinal hypersensitivity of exposed root dentin.

Background: Telocytes (TCs) are networking cells with enigmatic functions. Placenta is a noninnervated organ with the TCs could have function of signal transmission to placental myofibroblasts, being likely a regulator for maternal blood flow. Preeclampsia (PE) is a disease complicating the second half of pregnancy associated with hypoxia probably due to failure of vascular remodeling of spiral arteries resulting in poor placental perfusion. We hypothesized that disturbance in the morphology of TCs may have a role in the pathogenesis of PE. Materials and Methods: Women with normal or physiological pregnancy (Group I; 15 women) and with PE (Group II; 15 women) participated in this study. Specimens were obtained from the central cotyledons and the superficial myometrium beneath the implantation sites processed for light microscopy and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin, toluidine blue, masson trichrome, and CD117. Results: The villi of group II has thick-walled blood vessels with increased peri-villous fibrinoid deposition, reduced areas of vasculosyncytial membrane and apparent increase in connective tissue density. Morphometric study and statistical analysis revealed a significant increase in the mean number of syncytial knots and significant decrease in placental (villous and decidual) and myometrial TCs and extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) beneath the placental implantation site in Group II (P < 0.011) in comparison with group I. Conclusions: PE is associated with significantly low number of placental TCs interestingly with low number of EVTs. Further studies are needed to support our findings.

Background: Prostate gland is an exocrine gland that could be affected by various pathological conditions. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an age-dependent medical condition caused by increased activity of 5α-reductase enzyme (5α-R). Medical treatment by finasteride is considered during treatment, but it has unavoidable side effects. Hence, there is an increasing need to use natural ingredients for BPH treatment. Gingerol oil (ginger extract) is transferred by heating into zingerone. Recent studies reported the effect of zingerone on prostate cancer cells. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the present research is to investigate the protective effect of zingerone against BPH. Materials and Methods: Sixty male Albino Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control group, prostatic hyperplasia group treated with saline, and prostatic hyperplasia group treated with zingerone (PH-Z-G). At day 28, all rats were sacrificed, epididymis and prostate samples were collected for histopathological examination and Western blotting for androgen receptors (ARs) proteins and steroid 5 alpha-reductase 1 (SRD5A1). Human RWPE-1 prostatic cell line was assessed for viability and cycle after treated with zingerone 500 μg/day for 10 days. Results: PH-S group showed significant (P < 0.05) thickening of connective tissue septa associated with narrowing of acinar lumen. PH-Z group showed regain of the normal histological feature. SRD5A1 and AR expression was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in PH-Z group in comparison with PH-S group. Cell line proliferation was significantly reduced after application of zingerone with G2/M cell cycle arrest. Conclusion: Our results showed that natural herbal zingerone decreased the prostatic tissue levels of (5α reductase and AR) in rat BPH model, which could be a promising herbal medicine for BPH treatment. Further human clinical trials are required.

Background: In a light microscope, image acquisition with different component depths is difficult, and there are various approaches for solving this problem. One of the common approaches is Camera Lucida (CL). This method has some disadvantages such as time-consuming, handed problems in painting, causing user boring, and produce gray scale output images. Aims and Objectives: In this study, we purposed a novel-combined hardware and software method. In this article, we try to present an automated method for our designed microscope. Materials and Methods: We have done a project with designed code number 377,694 to design and implement an upgraded light microscope. That project was about automatic movement of a stage with closed-looped control of a servomotor. Furthermore, automated camera catches images in predefined positions. That project has acceptable results in different parts, which encourage us to work on this study. This study help specialist have good fixative of all components in a sample. It is about trying to have useful Lucida Camera (drawing tube) in an automated scheme. Results: This method is an acceptable usual way for microscopic specialists, but with some disadvantages. It is time-consuming and boring that effect on the accuracy of results. Hence, how can be good if automated similar method could be implemented is exciting and affective. This studies idea comes from the basis of manual drawing tube (CL) method. In this experimental study, we have taken 400 handed an image of microorganisms. Captured images are from its whole body or various organs. They have been captured in different z-axis positions of stage, and hence components with different depths could be focused. Each patch checked for its edge strength to choose highest resolutions sub image and reconstruct focused image like a puzzle. This process has been continued for all areas to merge and complete reconstructed image as output. Conclusion: Comparing edge strength with other images and mean square error with manual focused on confirm our method with pleasure outcomes. Furthermore, independent focusing of an internal component in a sample body has been surveyed. It helps to have better resolution in internal selected component for more analysis and replace in its primitive image. This article presents efficient consequences with good accuracy and saving time in process period, which could be useful in different microscopes types and various samples type.

Introduction: Immunofluorescence (IF) microscopy is an essential tool for the analysis of glomerular diseases. In this study, we studied the significance of the IF technique together with light microscopy (LM) and clinical details in the diagnosis of different types of diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis (GN). We intended to evaluate the spectrum of Diffuse Proliferative Glomerulonephritis (DPGN) in our institute. Materials and Methods: We evaluated a total of 95 kidney biopsies received in the past 10 years. All biopsies were scrutinized by LM and IF techniques. Clinical details were documented in a predesigned form. Results: The predominant clinical presentation in this study was nephrotic syndrome (49.4%) followed by systemic lupus erythromatosus with suspected renal involvement (24.2%). On microscopy, lupus nephritis (LN) was the most common DPGN in the study (35.7%), followed by immunoglobulin (Ig) A nephropathy (25.2%) and postinfectious GN (PIGN) (16.8%). The majority of patients were in the <30 years age group (72.6%), with the average age of patients being 24.4 years. The dominant deposit on IF in LN was C3 and IgG (100%). A high deposit of IgA (100%) in IgA nephropathy and of IgG and C3 (100%) in membranoproliferative GN was seen. PIGN showed dominant positive staining of IgG (92.8%). Conclusion: The predominant clinical presentation was of nephrotic syndrome and on LM LN was the most commonly diagnosed DPGN in this study. Direct IF is vital for classifying DPGN, followed by electron microscopy, which is an essential tool. This article describes a rational evaluation of kidney biopsies with DPGN pattern on LM in a way that guides toward the logical assessment to reach the diagnosis. Using the IF technique and comparing it with LM and clinical details, we evaluated the spectrum DPGN in our center.

Background: A variety of colorectal lesions are surgically treated encompassing both benign and malignant polyps and colorectal cancer (CRC). CRC is the third most common cause of death in developed countries. Over the last decade, CDX2 has been linked to CRC progression, with reduced expression of the protein associated with more advanced tumor stage, vessel invasion, and metastasis. Aims and Objectives: To analyze the histopathology and immunohistochemistry (IHC) of CDX2 and Ki67 with their expression pattern; in different lesions of colon and rectum with special reference to various grade/stage/histological variants of CRC and to find out whether they can be used as possible predictive marker. Materials and Methods: The study conducted was hospital based, both retrospective and perspective type comprising colorectal samples of total 367 cases (N) within a period of 2½ years. Surgical samples were collected, then grossed, processed, stained with routine hematoxylin and eosin stain in our department followed by IHC of CDX2 and Ki67 in only 60 randomly selected cases (n = 60). Results: Out of total 367 cases, 265 cases were prospective study and 102 cases were retrospective study (240 cases were colonic lesions, and 127 are rectal lesions). The samples included were both from colonoscopy biopsy (small) 319 cases and 48 colectomy specimen (large). Mean age of the study participants was 49.62 years with a standard deviation of 17.34 years and predominantly male, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Colon (238 cases, 64.9%) as a whole affected more than rectum and left sided tumors more than the right side. All 60 cases were found to be positive for CDX2 expression (i.e., 100%); majority (n = 38) being carcinoma cases possessing high score and was statistically significant (P = 0.008, using Chi-square test) indicating strong association, whereas Ki-67 showed an increased index from noneoplastic to neoplastic cases. Conclusion: These markers can be used as future predictive biomarkers which will precisely evaluate risk group, prognosis, and response to therapy hence can be used as target therapy reducing irrational treatment.

Context and Aim: A plethora of studies have revealed that there is a lack of general consensus in the precise anatomic detailing of the canals and the major foramen in both the maxillary and mandibular teeth while emphasizing the significance of the same for a successful endodontic treatment. The aim of the present study was to determine the variations in canal morphology, shapes, and positions of major foramen in maxillary and mandibular teeth. Materials and Methods: In the present study, 420 extracted human maxillary and mandibular teeth with completely formed apices were included. The specimens were cleaned for surface debris including remnants of periodontal tissue and were stored in saline. Examination of the apices was performed with the help of stereomicroscope for their exact shapes and configurations and precise anatomic location. Comparison of different parameters within the group was done using Chi-square test while P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The results of the present study indicated that apical foramen in mandibular teeth showed higher degree of deviation with a prevalence of 70.2% while flat shape of apical foramen was observed only in maxillary teeth. Furthermore, maximum deviation in maxillary teeth was recorded in the canines with a prevalence of 90% while, in mandibular teeth, maximum deviation was recorded with mandibular second premolars with a prevalence of 79.12%. Conclusions: The results of the present study revealed that deviation of apical foramen from the root apex was seen in 68.2% of the specimens. Furthermore, deviation was greater in the mandibular than the maxillary teeth.