Effect of video- assisted teaching on knowledge regarding early detection and prevention of cervical cancer among women

Introduction: Cancer is the second most common disease in India responsible for maximum mortality with about 0.3 million deaths per year. This is owing to the poor availability of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Almost 9 out of 10 deaths occur from cervical cancer in less developed countries. Cancer of the cervix is largely preventable. The risk can be minimized by promotion of sexual risk reduction behavior and genital hygiene. Further prevention can be achieved by screening, using Visual Inspection with Acidic Acid (VIA) or Pap smear test, which can detect precancerous lesions early so as to prevent progress towards invasive cancer by timely treatment. Materials and Methods: A pre-experimental, One-group pre-test post-test design was undertaken for the study. 300 women were selected as the sample, Non- probability convenient sampling technique was utilized to select the sample from the population. After assessing knowledge video assisted teaching was implemented. After intervention on 7th day the post-test knowledge was assessed. Chi-square was used to measure the association of background variables of patients. ‘t’ test was used to assess the effectiveness of structured interventional programme of the patients. In the comparison between mean pretest and posttest knowledge score it is clear that during the pretest the knowledge score was poor (40%), fair ( 10%), good ( 40%) and excellent ( 10%), and after the administration of video assisted teaching, posttest was done and there was an improvement in the knowledge score of the female by poor (0%), fair (16.7%), good (23.3%) and excellent was( 60%), so there was a great difference in the knowledge score between the pre-test and posttest. Result: The mean pretest knowledge score was 13.67 ± 7.66, while the posttest knowledge score was 23.80 ± 5.53 and the computed t value was found to be 19.105, The difference was found to be statistically significant. There will be significant association between the pretest knowledge score and selected demographic variables at the level of P? 0.05. is accepted as there is significant association between pretest knowledge score and selected demographic variables like religion, marital status, Age of women at marriage, no. of times they have conceived, methods of contraception’s, educational status, occupation, kinds of addiction, recurrent infections, history of cancer in family, previous information regarding cancer, history of pap test. Conclusion: The study recommended the utilization of video assisted teaching programme by community health nurses, nurse researchers, nurse administrators, nurse educators and health care professionals to improve knowledge of early detection of cervical cancer.

Salivary flow rate, pH and buffering capacity in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment – A prospective study

Background: Human saliva has got many important functions like lubrication of the oral tissues, making oral functions like speech, mastication and deglutition possible and also protecting teeth and oral mucosal surfaces in different ways. Dental Caries is one of the common complications in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment. Subjects with impaired saliva flow rate often show high caries incidence. A low flow rate combined with a low or moderate buffer effect clearly indicates poor salivary resistance against microbial attack. Aim: To investigate the changes in stimulated and unstimulated salivary flow rate, pH and buffer capacity in patients undergoing therapy with fixed orthodontic appliances. Materials and Methods: Salivary flow rate, pH and buffering capacity of 20 patients who underwent fixed orthodontic treatment at Department of Orthodontics, Ragas Dental College and Hospital, Chennai were examined using GC saliva check buffer kit. The procedure was carried out during the initiation of orthodontic treatment and subsequently, one month and six months after the placement of appliance. Results: Results showed there was a significant increase in the salivary flow rate one month and six months after placement of fixed appliance while pH and buffering capacity showed no significant changes. Conclusion: Salivary flow rate increases significantly during fixed orthodontic treatment. Salivary pH and buffering capacity showed no significant changes suggesting that they are not sole factors for demineralization in orthodontic patients.

Structural studies on Mycobacterium tuberculosis RecA: Molecular plasticity and interspecies variability.

Structures of crystals of Mycobacterium tuberculosis RecA, grown and analysed under different conditions, provide insights into hitherto underappreciated details of molecular structure and plasticity. In particular, they yield information on the invariant and variable features of the geometry of the P-loop, whose binding to ATP is central for all the biochemical activities of RecA. The strengths of interaction of the ligands with the P-loop reveal significant differences. This in turn affects the magnitude of the motion of the ‘switch’ residue, Gln195 in M. tuberculosis RecA, which triggers the transmission of ATP-mediated allosteric information to the DNA binding region. M. tuberculosis RecA is substantially rigid compared with its counterparts from M. smegmatis and E. coli, which exhibit concerted internal molecular mobility. The interspecies variability in the plasticity of the two mycobacterial proteins is particularly surprising as they have similar sequence and 3D structure. Details of the interactions of ligands with the protein, characterized in the structures reported here, could be useful for design of inhibitors against M. tuberculosis RecA.

Martin-Gruber anastomoses in the forearm with an anomalous course: a case report and review of literature

To report an anomalous communication of the median nerve with the ulnar nerve in the right upper limb of formalin-fixed adult male cadaver and compare it to those reported in similar studies that were retrieved after a wide review of the literature. During a routine cadaveric dissection of a formalin-fixed cadaver in our laboratory, we encountered a neuro-anatomical variation. The forearm was exposed and carefully dissected and examined for any further anatomical variations. The Martin-Gruber branch originated from the median nerve close to the cubital fossa approximately at the junction between the upper one fourth and the lower three fourth of the forearm. The nerve which was related lateral to the ulnar artery then descended downwards deep to the ulnar artery and emerged on its medial border before it communicated with the ulnar nerve. The anastomoses between median and ulnar nerves are clinically relevant. By identifying the existence of different types of anastomoses, mistakes in the diagnosis of peripheral nerve lesions or compression neuropathies in the forearm can be avoided

Variation in the method of innervation of the brachialis muscle of the arm with special reference to accessory branches from the musculocutaneous nerve and the median nerve

To report a variation in the innervation of the brachialis muscle along with the anomalous communication of the musculocutaneous nerve [MCN] with the median nerve [MN] in the left upper limb of formalin fixed adult male cadaver. During the educational gross anatomy dissections of the left brachium of a formalin fixed cadaver in our laboratory, we encountered a neuro-anatomical variation. The limb was carefully dissected and examined for any further anatomical variations. The accessory branch of the musculocutaneous nerve and the median nerve originated approximately at the midpoint level of the brachial region. The nerves then coursed inferiorly between the biceps and brachialis muscles and communicated with each other forming a plexus. Two separate branches from the plexus innervated the brachialis muscle. However, the brachialis muscle received and additional radix from the accessory branch of median nerve. Another unusual radix was seen arising from the nerve plexus, had a very oblique course and merged with the musculocutaneous nerve to form the lateral cutaneous nerve of the forearm. The knowledge of the communicating branches between the median nerve and the musculocutaneous nerves is important as these communicating branches are more liable to be injured during surgical and clinical investigations

The scalenus accessorious muscle / El músculo escaleno accesorio

Many of the anatomical variations that are inadequately described or quantified are actually more clinically and surgically significant than being just anatomical curiosities. We report about such a variation where an aberrant slip existed in the scalene group, in a 56 year old embalmed female cadaver. This kind of variation may affect the size of the scalene triangle, and thus, may potentially result in varied signs and symptoms in patients vulnerable to thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). Proximity of the scalene muscles to the brachial plexus, subclavian artery and vein, coexisting with aberrant slips or bundles may also predispose to compression syndromes.

Muchas de las variaciones anatómicas no están suficientemente descritas o cuantificadas y son actualmente clínica y quirúrgicamente significativas más que curiosidades anatómicas. Reportamos una variación anatómica en el grupo de los músculos escalenos, presente en un cadáver de una mujer de 56 años. Este tipo de variación puede afectar el tamaño del triángulo escalénico y por lo tanto, puede potencialmente resultar en variados signos y síntomas en pacientes vulnerables al síndrome de salida torácica. La proximidad de los músculos escalenos con el plexo braquial, arteria y vena suclavias, coexistiendo con fascículos aberrantes pueden predisponer a síndromes de compresión.

Unilateral pectoralis minimus muscle: a case report / Músculo pectoralis minimus unilateral: reporte de caso

Presence of additional muscles in the pectoral region has often been reported. We report about the presence of Pectoralis Minimus muscle, in a male cadaver. It was present deep to the pectoralis major muscle and superomedial to the pectoralis minor muscle. The variant was closely related to the branches of thoracoacromial vessels where one of the branches was passing between the pectoralis minor muscle and the variant muscle. Hyperabduction of the arm may compress these vessels giving rise to certain vascular symptoms. Also these variations should be borne in mind during certain surgical procedures in the pectoral region

Presencia de músculos supernumerarios en la región pectoral han sido reportados. En un cadáver de un hombre se describe la presencia de un músculo Pectoralis Minimus. El músculo se localizaba profundo al músculo pectoral mayor y superomedial al músculo pectoral menor. La variación se relacionaba con las ramas de los vasos toracoacromiales donde una de las ramas pasaba entre el músculo pectoral menor y la variación muscular. La hiperabducción del brazo puede comprimir estos vasos provocando síntomas vasculares. Estas variaciones se deben tener en cuenta durante los procedimientos quirúrgicos en la región pectoral

Morfometría de los pedículos vertebrales: un exhautivo estudio anatómico en la región lumbar / Morphometry of vertebral pedicles: a comprehensive anatomical study in the lumbar region

This comprehensive anatomical study on bones and X-rays regarding pedicles of lumbar vertebrae was performed in two parts. In the first part of the present work direct gross measurements of 3 different diameters (v, d, and 1) of both the pedicles of LI to L5 vertebrae (200 male and 200 female) were recorded through sliding vernier caliper. In the second part plain anteroposterior radiographs of the lumbar spine from 500 individuals (250 males and 250 females) were collected, and divided in 6 age groups and 2 different diameters (t and h) were recorded. The minimum horizontal diameter (d) of both the pedicles increased from LI to L5. Whereas, the vertical height (v) of both the pedicles increased from LI to L2, decreased from L2 to L3 and increased from L3 to L5. The anteroposterior length (1) increased bilaterally from LI to L2 and decreased from L2 to L5. All the aforementioned parameters were greater in male than corresponding vertebrae of female. Same trends were confirmed by the radiological study. The maximum horizontal diameter (t) of pedicles on both sides of vertebrae was significantly greater in females in less than 20 years of subjects, due to early pubertal growth spurt, whereas it was significantly greater in males in rest of all the age groups at all segments of vertebral spine. The maximum vertical height (h) of both the pedicles was significantly greater in males of age groups greater than 30 years from LI to L5.

Este estudio sobre huesos y radiografías del pedículo de las vértebras lumbares fue realizado en dos partes. En la primera se midieron directamente con un caliper, 3 parámetros (v, d, y 1) en los pedículos de Ll a L5 (200 casos de sexo femenino y 200 de sexo masculino). En la segunda parte, se recolectaron 500 radiografías anteroposteriores (250 de hombres y 250 de mujeres) y se dividieron en 6 grupos etarios, registrándose dos diferentes diámetros (t y h). El diámetro horizontal menor se incrementó de Ll a L5 mientras que la altura vertical (v) de ambos pedículos de Ll a L2, decreció de L2 a L3 y se incrementó de L3 a L5. La longitud anteroposterior (1) se incrementó bilateralmente de Ll a L2 y decreció de L2 a L5. Todos los parámetros mencionados fueron mayores en el hombre que en la mujer. Los mismos se confirmaron en el estudio radiográfico. El diámetro horizontal máximo (t) de los pedículos de ambos lados fue significativamente mayor en mujeres con menos de 20 años debido a un temprano crecimiento acelerado en la pubertad mientras que, fue significativamente mayor en los hombres en todos los grupos etarios, en la totalidad de las vértebras. La altura vertical máxima de ambos pedículos fue significativamente mayor en los hombres del grupo mayor de 30 años desde Ll a L5.