Genetic Implications of HLA-DR and HLA-DQ Genotype on Tobacco Smoking and Oral Submucous Fibrosis.

Purpose: Integration of genetic information into our understanding of oral diseases has fostered the hope to intervene the disease process among genetically susceptible individuals. Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) (mainly in the Southeast Asia region) and tobacco smoking are two of the major public health problems the world is facing today. With more and more diseases being associated with alleles of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA), the objective of the study was to explore any genetic association of OSF and smoking behaviour with specific HLA Class II DQB1*0503 and HLA DRB1*0301 alleles.

Quantification of circulating plasma cell free DNA fragments in patients with oral cancer and precancer.

Purpose: Study was aimed to quantify plasma level of total, short and long fragmented cell-free DNA (cfDNA) along with DNA integrity in patients with oral cancer, oral precancer and tobacco users without lesions and normal controls. In addition, study evaluated the correlation of cfDNA with clinicopathologic parameters of oral cancer.

Methodology: Plasma samples were collected preoperatively from 44 patients with oral cancer, 40 patients with oral precancer, 40 tobacco users without any oral lesion and 40 healthy controls without any tobacco habit.

Why the Jan Aushadhi Scheme Has Lost Its Steam in India?

The Jan Aushadhi Scheme (JAS) initiated by the Government of India is a powerful intervention against the unjustifiable pricing of medicines by private pharmaceutical industry, to make the generic medicines available at affordable prices. The marginalized populations of India are not able to afford many branded medicines; hence, there is an urgent need for making the cheaper generics available to Indians in the best interest of populations. It has been observed that lack of awareness in the public, distribution of free medicines by state governments, lack of support for JAS, poor supply chain, and doctors not prescribing generic medicines are the major constraints faced by the JAS leading to its poor success.

Total Protein Profile and Drug Resistance in Candida albicans Isolated from Clinical Samples.

This study was done to assess the antifungal susceptibility of clinical isolates of Candida albicans and to evaluate its total protein profile based on morphological difference on drug resistance. Hundred and twenty clinical isolates of C. albicans from various clinical specimens were tested for susceptibility against four antifungal agents, namely, fluconazole, itraconazole, amphotericin B, and ketoconazole.

Evaluation of antibacterial activity of Prosopis juliflora (SW.) DC. leaves.

Background: The ethnobotanical importance of Prosopis juliflora is well-known in the folkloric system of medicine for the treatment of various ailments. Although, the study related to the antibacterial potential of this plant, from Central India is scanty.

Material And Methods: The in vitro antibacterial activity of Prosopis juliflora leaves collected from the local area was evaluated against ten bacterial type cultures by agar well diffusion assay.