Jyoti Sharma

Abstract

Blood vessels are composed of two types of interacting cells. Endothelial cells form the inner lining of the vessel wall, and perivascular cells referred to as pericytes, vascular smooth muscle cells or mural cells which envelop the surface of the vascular tube. They are also called Rouget cells after their discoverer, Charles Rouget. Electron-microscope analyses first revealed the morphological character of pericytes. In general, pericytes possess a cell body with a prominent nucleus and a small content of cytoplasm with several long processes embracing the abluminal endothelium wall. They are embedded within the basement membrane of microvessels, which is formed by pericytes and endothelial cells. Pericytes play an integral role in the maintenance of the blood–brain barrier as well as several other homeostatic and hemostatic functions of the brain. These cells are also a key component of the neurovascular unit, which includes endothelial cells, astrocytes, and neurons. Pericytes provide a variety of functions such as capillary blood flow regulation, clearance and phagocytosis of cellular debris, angiogenesis formation of new blood vessels and regulating blood–brain barrier permeability. Recently, pericytes have gained new attention as functional and critical involvement to tumor angiogenesis and progression. Therefore as potential new targets for antiangiogenic therapies. Pericytes are complex. Their ontogeny is not completely understood, and they perform various functions throughout the body. This review article describes the current knowledge about the nature of pericytes and their functions during blood vessel growth, vessel maintenance, and pathological angiogenesis. Keywords: Endothelial Cells, Pericytes, Angiogenesis, Astrocytes

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Teeth are among the hardest human tissues, because they are composed of large amounts of inorganic compounds. Teeth are very difficult to prepare for microscopic examination. Chemical Acids and chelating agents traditionally have been used to remove inorganic contents. We compared various decalcifying agents including strong acids, weak acids, chelating agents. Freshly extracted teeth were fixed and decalcified using formic nitric acid, formic acid, nitric acid, EDTA, trichloracetic acid and Perenyi’s fluid. Decalcified teeth were evaluated histologically for tissue preservation and staining characteristics. Aim: The study aimed at analyzing the rapidity and affects the tissue integrity and staining properties of decalcification of tooth with various decalcifying agents. Materials and Methods: 60 freshly extracted human teeth were divided into 6 different groups and each was treated with varying concentrations of decalcification solution until they were completely decalcified. Result and Conclusion: Teeth decalcified with nitric acid solution resulted in rapid decalcification compared to other acids. Teeth treated with EDTA showed very minimal removal of inorganic content over a very long period of time. In routine practice 5% nitric acid can be effectively used for rapid decalcification of teeth in the histopathology laboratory however best staining qualities were noted among the teeth decalcified with formic acid and EDTA.   Keywords : Decalcifcation, Chelating agents, EDTA, Trichloracetic acid.

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Introduction: A new type of coronavirus that causes pneumonia was first detected in December 2019, in Wuhan. It was first denoted as the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses, Wuhan in December 2019, referred to a new coronavirus capable of infecting humans as SARS-CoV-2. At the same time, the World Health Organization declared the official name of the disease caused by this virus as COVID-19. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional questionnaire survey, 180 participants out of 190 participants were included to evaluate the knowledge and attitude about the pediatric dental treatment during covid-19 pandemic among parents, who visited the department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, of Universal College of Medical Sciences, during covid-19 pandemic for three months (February 2021 to April 2021), in Bhairahawa, Nepal. Result: In this study out of 180 participants, 105(58.33%) were male and 75(41.66%) were female. All parents were concerned and aware of COVID-19. Every child was explained about covid-19 viruses by their parents. Conclusion: Even though the parents were aware of the Covid-19 pandemic and had discussed it with their children, still they do not prefer any kind of dental treatment even in severe pain. As they thought that other places are less infectious than a pediatric dental clinic. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of pediatric dental patients’ parents’ towards COVID-1 9 in Bhairahawa, Nepal. Keywords: Pediatric dentistry, Coronavirus -19, Pandemic

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Introduction: Early childhood caries (ECC) is a significant worldwide oral health problem that needs to be looked after by parents. Some parents do not care about the oral health of their children, and they more frequently visit pediatricians. So, pediatricians are one of the most reliable profession for preventing children’s oral diseases, and promoting awareness. Objective: The aim of the study was to know the knowledge and awareness of pediatricians’ about early childhood caries (ECC) in lumbini province, Nepal. Materials and Methods: A total of 40 pediatricians were selected by using census sampling method and were requested to fill out an objective questionnaire pertaining to individual’s knowledge about ECC, without providing any oral health information taking duration of the study from March 2021 to September 2021. Results: About 23(56.5%) of pediatricians understood the importance of pediatric dentistry. About 34(86.2%) of pediatricians performed oral examination regularly. Around 17% of pediatricians had knowledge of the ECC. Only 14(33.3%) of pediatricians acknowledged the cariogenicity of sugar containing medical syrups. Conclusions: The study shows poor knowledge regarding ECC, oral health, and dental treatment need in children among the surveyed pediatricians although having good knowledge about pediatric speciality and importance of primary dentition. Thus, there is a need to update the Pediatricians on recent recommendations about ECC and its early screening.   Keywords: Early childhood caries, First dental visit, Oral health, Pediatricians, Pediatric dentistry

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