Addition of L-dopa to HBSS in enhancing the maintenance of cell viability of Periodontal Ligament (PDL) cells: An In-Vitro Study.

Aim: To investigate the viability of PDL cells in an avulsed tooth using a storage medium with and without L-dopa.

Materials And Methods: Twenty freshly extracted non-impacted human teeth with closed apices and no caries beyond the CEJ were obtained for this study. The teeth were then randomly divided into 1 of the 4 experimental storage solution groups, namely group 1: deionized water; group 2: deionized water with L-dopa (1μg/μl); group 3: HBSS; and group 4: HBSS with L-dopa (1μg/μl).

Zolpidem induced hyponatremia: a case report.

Zolpidem is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic that acts by binding to (GABAA) receptor. This is a case report of a patient with chronic insomnia for which he had initially been receiving benzodiazepine hypnotic alprazolam and for the past three years, he had switched himself to non-benzodiazepine hypnotic, zolpidem and had progressively increased the dose to 20 mg. The patient presented with history of drowsiness, nausea and vomiting of short duration.

Slug is associated with poor survival in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.

We investigated the expression of slug in a large set of lung squamous and adenocarcinomas to determine common or dissimilar features in its expression in these two most common forms of lung cancer. To investigate slug related tumor spread we studied the expression of vimentin, claudin 1, MMP2 and MMP9 in these tumors and their relation to slug. Addition, cell invasion assays, mRNA analysis and zymographic tests were performed to study epitheliomesenchymal transition (EMT) related changes in slug blocked lung cell lines.

Immunization practices of pediatricians for children younger than five years in coastal South India.

Context: Immunization helps in controlling infectious diseases. Child immunization is an important component of child survival programs in India, which mainly follows the National Immunization Schedule. Also, many of the injection practices followed are not safe.

Genome wide association study of cholesterol and poly- and monounsaturated fatty acids, protein, and mineral content of beef from crossbred cattle.

The objectives were to determine the variation explained by the BovineSNP50v2 BeadChip for cholesterol (CH), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), protein, and minerals in beef cattle, and to identify chromosomal regions that harbor major allelic variants underlying the variation of these traits. Crossbred steers and heifers (n=236) segregating at the inactive myostatin allele on BTA2 were harvested and steaks were sampled from the M. semitendinosus and the M.

Localized multiple cemental excrescences: a rare presentation of hypercementosis.

Hypercementosis is an abnormal thickening of cementum which may be generalized or localized. Localized hypercementosis is usually characterized by nodular enlargement of apical third of root. Hypercementosis in the form of multiple cemental spikes distributed throughout the entire length of root is a very rare finding.

Unicystic ameloblastoma of the mandible- report of two cases with review of literature.

Ameloblastoma is classified into solid/multicystic, extraosseous/peripheral, desmoplastic and unicystic types based on the clinical appearance by WHO (2003). Unicystic ameloblastoma is the 2(nd) and far less frequent growth pattern seen in intra-osseous ameloblastoma. It tends to occur in younger population and constitutes approximately 6% of ameloblastomas with no sexual or racial predilection.

Self Care and Medication Adherence among Type 2 Diabetics in Puducherry, Southern India: A Hospital Based Study.

Background: Micro and macro-vascular complications of Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (DM) could be decreased by maintaining a good glycaemic control, which is dependent on adherence to medication and self care.

Aim: (1) To assess medication adherence and adherence to self care among type 2 diabetics who were admitted to a tertiary care hospital (2) To identify factors which were associated with medication adherence.

Materials And Methods: This descriptive study involved 150 in-patients of Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital (SMVMCH), a teaching hospital in Puducherry, southern India.

Reconstruction of Hyaline Cartilage Deep Layer Properties in 3-Dimensional Cultures of Human Articular Chondrocytes.

Background: Articular cartilage (AC) injuries and malformations are commonly noticed because of trauma or age-related degeneration. Many methods have been adopted for replacing or repairing the damaged tissue. Currently available AC repair methods, in several cases, fail to yield good-quality long-lasting results, perhaps because the reconstructed tissue lacks the cellular and matrix properties seen in hyaline cartilage (HC).

Hidden regularity and universal classification of fast side chain motions in proteins.

Proteins display characteristic dynamical signatures that appear to be universal across all proteins regardless of topology and size. Here, we systematically characterize the universal features of fast side chain motions in proteins by examining the conformational energy surfaces of individual residues obtained using enhanced sampling molecular dynamics simulation (618 free energy surfaces obtained from 0.94 μs MD simulation).

Survey of ethical issues reported by Indian medical students: basis for design of a new curriculum.

Education in ethics is now a formal part of the undergraduate medical curriculum. However, most courses are structured around principles and case studies more appropriate to western countries. The cultures and practices of countries like India differ from those of western countries.

Interaction of NPSR1 genotypes and probiotics in the manifestation of atopic eczema in early childhood.

Background: Neuropeptide S Receptor (NPSR1) gene has been associated with multiple allergic phenotypes in several patient populations.

Objective: We analysed the effect of the NPSR1 genotypes in the development of asthma, rhinitis, eczema, or food allergy in children randomly receiving either probiotic or placebo treatment.

Methods: 796 children born to families at high risk for allergic diseases were examined by a paediatrician at the age of three months, six months, two years, and five years.

Immunohistochemical Expression of PCNA in Epithelial Linings of Selected Odontogenic Lesions.

Aim: Though odontogenic lesions have in common origin from the primitive odontogenic epithelium , there is a diversity in their initiation behavior and growth. The aggressive nature of odontogenic keratocyst similar to ameloblastoma in comparision with the other common odontogenic (dentigerous and radicular) cyst could be due to possible differences in their epithelial linings. PCNA (Proliferating cell nuclear antigen) is a cell cycle related antigen, used in the study of cell kinetics of these epithelial linings, to corelate the biological behaviour among these common odontogenic lesions.

Diabetic foot ulcer due to scedosporium apiospermum.

We report a case of diabetic foot ulcer caused by Scedosporium apiospermum in a seventy year old male patient with uncontrolled diabetes. Scedosporium apiospermum, the asexual phase of Pseudallescheria boydii a fungus isolated from a variety of natural substrates throughout the world including soil, polluted water, sewage and manure of poultry and cattle. P.

Liver function tests in viremic and nonviremic chronic hepatitis B virus-infected pregnant women: importance of alanine aminotransferase/sodium ratio.

The major risk factor of perinatal transmission of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the level of maternal HBV-deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) during the third trimester of pregnancy. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the hematological and biochemical status in Hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic HBV-infected pregnant women and to correlate the findings with the presence or absence of viremia. Ninety-five consecutive chronic HBV-infected pregnant women were evaluated between the 28th and 32nd week of gestation.

A novel mutation c.1048A>T at codon 350(Lys>Stop) in PROC gene causing neonatal purpura fulminans.

Purpura fulminans in the neonatal period due to severe congenital protein C deficiency (protein C activity <1 IU/dl) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder. If untreated, it is fatal. Early identification of such patients may be lifesaving.

Chronic inflammatory gingival overgrowths: laser gingivectomy & gingivoplasty.

It is quite common to note chronic inflammatory Gingival overgrowths during and/or post orthodontic treatment. Sometimes the overgrowths may even potentially complicate and/or interrupt orthodontic treatment. With the introduction of soft tissue lasers these problems can now be addressed more easily.

Prevalence, severity and associated factors of dental caries in 3-6 year old children.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and the severity of dental caries in 3-6 year old children in Chennai and to elucidate the factors which affect the dental caries in 3-6 year old children.

Methods: This study was a cross-sectional survey which was done on 527 children who were in the age group of 3 to 6 years, who were from 6 private and 6 corporation schools in Chennai, India. Two instruments were developed, pre-tested and validated for the study.

Isolated cutaneous sarcoidosis: a new insight into the old entity.

Cutaneous lesions are a part of common manifestation in multi-systemic sarcoidosis and skin involvement occurs in 20% to 35% of the patients with systemic disease. An exclusive cutaneous involvement is rare and it is reported in about 4%-5% of the patients of sarcoidosis. These lesions have been classified into specific and non-specific, depending on the presence of non- caseating granulomas, on histopathologic studies.

To compare standard incision and comma shaped incision and its influence on post-operative complications in surgical removal of impacted third molars.

Objectives: To compare standard incision and comma shaped incision and its influence on post operative complications in surgical removal of impacted third molar.

Methods: This was a cross-over trial. Twenty subjects with bilateral impacted mandibular third molars were recruited for the study.

A ruputured left cornual pregnancy: a case report.

A cornual gestation is one of the most hazardous types of ectopic gestations, which accounts for 2 - 4% of all the ectopic pregnancies and it has a mortality rate which is 6 - 7 times higher than that of the ectopics in general. The diagnosis and the treatment of such a pregnancy is challenging and it constitutes an urgent medical situation. Because of the myometrial stretch ability, they tend to present relatively late, at 7 - 12 weeks of gestation.

A pure epidural spinal cavernous hemangioma - with an innocuous face but a perilous behaviour!!

Cavernous hemangiomas occur frequently in the intracranial structures but they are rare in the spine, with an incidence of 0.22 cases/million/year, which account for 5 - 12% of the spinal vascular lesions, 51% of which are extradural. Most of the epidural hemangiomas are secondary extensions from the vertebral lesions.

Dental considerations in pregnancy-a critical review on the oral care.

Pregnancy is a dynamic physiological state which is evidenced by several transient changes. These can develop as various physical signs and symptoms that can affect the patients health, perceptions and interactions with others in the environment. The patients may not always understand the relevance of the adaptations of their bodies to the health of their foetuses.

Inhibition of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation by Gentiana lutea root extracts.

Gentiana lutea belonging to the Gentianaceae family of flowering plants are routinely used in traditional Serbian medicine for their beneficial gastro-intestinal and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of the study was to determine whether aqueous root extracts of Gentiana lutea consisting of gentiopicroside, gentisin, bellidifolin-8-O-glucoside, demethylbellidifolin-8-O-glucoside, isovitexin, swertiamarin and amarogentin prevents proliferation of aortic smooth muscle cells in response to PDGF-BB. Cell proliferation and cell cycle analysis were performed based on alamar blue assay and propidium iodide labeling respectively.

External Ophthalmomyiasis which was Caused by Sheep Botfly (Oestrus ovis) Larva: A Report of 10 Cases.

Myiasis is the infestation of the tissues and organs of animals or man by fly larvae. Ophthalmic myiasis has been reported from various world regions. In this study, we are presenting the clinical manifestations of external ophthalmomyiasis which was caused by the larvae of the sheep nasal botfly, Oestrus ovis, in 10 patients in the Tirunelveli and the Tuticorin districts of Tamil Nadu state India.