Awareness and perception of health insurance among rural population in Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu

Background: Health insurance awareness and perception is most preliminary and people are getting familiar of it. Still the utilization of health insurance has not reached the rural areas due to lack of awareness among rural population. The present study was done with an aim of assessing individual’s awareness and perception of the health insurance.Methods: The study was a community based cross sectional study conducted for a period of 6 months among villages which is field practice area of a medical college in Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu. 310 houses were interviewed. Line listing of the houses was done and data collected through semi structured questionnaire either from the head of the family or the family member who was available in the house. Data collected was statistically analyzed by SPSS version 21.Results: In this study, among 310 participants majority were females (62%), middle class (31%), nuclear family (83%). 51% were aware about health insurance, source of awareness was mostly from television (38.3%). 48% of study participants were aware of Chief Minister Health Scheme.Conclusions: Majority of the people who were aware about the Chief Minister Health Scheme were not aware about the complete benefits and details of the scheme, which emphasis on the need for creating more awareness about health insurance to avoid unpredictable health expenses in case of illness and injuries.

Ultrasound Anatomy of the Thyroid Gland in Dogs

Ultrasonography is a method of choice for imaging visceral organs in animals. The aim of the study was to determine the ultrasonographic characteristics of the thyroid gland in healthy dogs and to correlate the relationships of thyroid gland size and volume with body weight. A total of 24 apparently healthy dogs of different breeds were grouped into four groups (each with 6 animals) based on their body weight viz., less than 7 Kgs, 7-15 kgs, 15-30 kgs and more than 30 kgs. Each thyroid lobe was ultrasonographically observed in both transverse and longitudinal planes. The maximal length, width and height of each lobe and thyroid volume were measured. The data were analyzed statistically. In all the groups, thyroid lobes were round to oval in transverse images and fusiform or elliptical in longitudinal images with the smooth capsule. The parenchyma of the thyroid lobes had a homogenous echogenic pattern. There was no significant difference observed between the mean height, length, width and volume of both the lobes of the thyroid gland with body weight among the four groups at 5% level of significance (p< 0.05)

Reconstruction Of Auricular Defects In A Tertiary Care Center– A Long Term Prospective Study

Reconstruction of human ear is one of the greatest technical and aesthetic challenges, facing the plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon. The three dimensional nature of the ear with many curls, peaks, and valleys makes this one of the most elegant body parts. The rigid nature of cartilage along with its elastic nature is a testament to its unique properties which makes it very difficult to reproduce. In this study we are presenting the ear deformities resulting from trauma and the methods of reconstruction followed in our department over a three year period. We have treated 43 patients with various types of flap cover. Ear lobule was the commonest part affected in our study. Primary reconstruction of ear deformities achieved better results than delayed or secondary reconstruction.

Clinical efficacy of four interventions in the reduction of dentinal hypersensitivity: A 2-month study.

Background and Aim: Dentinal hypersensitivity is a relatively common problem experienced in clinical dental practice and is characterized by short, sharp pain in response to stimuli such as tactile, thermal, evaporative, osmotic, or chemical. Several agents and treatment modalities have been used in the treatment of this condition. This study was conducted to compare the efficacy of four commercially available toothpastes in the reduction of dentinal hypersensitivity (DH), based on the hypothesis that calcium sodium phosphosilicate (CSPS) group had a better efficacy of the four. Settings and Design: This study design was a prospective, single-blind, randomized, parallel clinical design. Subjects and Methods: A total of 160 cases (93 males and 67 females; aged 20-60 years) were randomly divided into four groups: Group 1 - toothpaste containing 5% potassium nitrate; Group 2 - toothpaste containing 5% CSPS (NovaMin); Group 3 - toothpaste containing 10% strontium chloride; and Group 4 - a herbal formulation. The patients' DH scores for tactile, thermal, and evaporative stimuli were recorded on a visual analog scale at baseline, 2 weeks, 1 month, and 2 months. Statistical Analysis Used: The data were analyzed with Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Mann-Whitney U-test (P < 0.05). Results: The four desensitizing kinds of toothpaste containing different active agents were effective in relieving dentinal hypersensitivity. However, CSPS group showed a better clinical response at the end of 2 months. Conclusions: The CSPS group showed a better reduction in the symptoms of DH.

Self‑reported musculoskeletal pain among dentists in Visakhapatnam: A 12‑month prevalence study.

Background: Of the occupational hazards experienced by dental professional worldwide, work‑related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are quite common. Research in the past has recognized that musculoskeletal disorders in dentistry contribute considerably to sick leave, reduced productivity, and dentist attrition. Considering the magnitude of these disorders, an attempt has been made to determine the prevalence and associated factors of various WRMSD. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of self‑reported, work‑related musculoskeletal problems regarding the perception of pain, over the preceding 12 months and also to identify associated factors which might influence pain among dentists. Subjects and Methods: A self‑administered questionnaire was personally handed over to a select sample of practicing dentists in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The survey was performed using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Results: This study revealed musculoskeletal pain with a frequency of 56% in the neck, 39% in the hand, 32% in the lower back, and 18% in the shoulder regions. Chi‑square test showed a significant association between pain in the neck and gender, age, height, and weight (P < 0.05). Pain in lower back was associated with gender, body mass index (BMI), height, and experience (P < 0.05). Pain in the hand was only related to the experience of the dentist (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Within the limits of the study, the prevalence of WRMSD among dentists in Visakhapatnam, especially involving the neck, hand, lower back, and shoulders, is high. Gender, age, height, and weight, BMI and experience were found to be related with musculoskeletal pain.

Periodontal status in infertile women attending in vitro fertilization clinics.

Background and Aim: Throughout a woman's life, hormonal influences affect therapeutic decision making in periodontics. A woman undergoing infertility treatment is given drugs to stimulate the ovaries, which lead to sustained higher levels of female sex hormones. The differing levels of these hormones, either in infertile women or in women undergoing therapy for infertility or in women who have conceived and delivered naturally could suggest a differing periodontal status amongst these three groups. Hence, this cross-sectional study was undertaken to assess and compare the periodontal status in the above three groups. Materials and Methods: 180 women including 60 women undergoing treatment for infertility (Group I), 60 women in whom infertility treatment had not yet been initiated (Group II) and 60 women who had conceived and delivered naturally (Group III-control group), of age range 25-35 years, were included. Clinical parameters including oral hygiene index simplified (OHI-S), gingival index, sulcus bleeding index (SBI) and clinical attachment loss (CAL) were assessed by a single examiner. Results: Despite similar OHI-S scores (P > 0.05) in all groups, women of Group I had significantly higher gingival inflammation and SBI (P < 0.05) as compared to women of Group II and Group III. Furthermore, the women in Group I and Group II had statistically higher CAL (P < 0.05) as compared with the control group. Conclusion: Within the limits of this study, it can be concluded that altered hormonal levels in infertile women undergoing assisted reproductive therapy and infertile women not undergoing this treatment can lead to increased attachment loss, suggesting that these women may require constant periodontal monitoring.

Inheritance studies of plant height, pod and seed attributes in F2 genertion of certain groundnut (arachis hypogaea l.) crosses.

Inheritance of plant height, pod length, pod width, seed length and seed width was studied in a set of crosses grown during rabi 2007-08. F2 phenotypic data for plant height was a good fit to a phenotypic ratio of 1:4:6:4:1 and 1:2:1 respectively in two crosses studied indicating the involvement of more than two genes. Segregation of pod length in F2 generation of the cross ICGV 00350 x K 1340, was a good fit to a phenotypic ratio of 45 medium short : 19 long pods while in the cross ICGV 00350 x TG 37A segregation of pod length was a good fit to a phenotypic ratio of 1 long : 2 medium : 1 short pod length. Segregation of pod width in the crosses ICGV 00350 x K 1340 and ICGV 00350 x TG 37A presented a good fit to a phenotypic ratio of 3 high width: 1 medium width pods, while in the cross ICGV 00350 x Jyothi, F2 segregation data was a good fit to a phenotypic ratio of 1 high width: 2 medium width: 1 low width pods. F2 segregation of seed length in the cross ICGV 00350 x K 1340 was a good fit to a phenotypic ratio of 13 long medium: 3 short. Segregation of seed width in F2 generation of the crosses K 1340 x TCGS 888 and K 1340 x Narayani was a good fit to a phenotypic ratio of 15 medium low : 1 high width and 3 low : 1 medium width seeds.

Comparision of cluster formation by mahalanobis’ D2 and metroglyph analyses in groundnut (Arachis Hypogaea L.).

Fifty genotypes of groundnut were classified into five and seven clusters in D2 and Metroglyph methods of analyses respectively. Harvest Index and 100-seed weight were the main contributors to total divergence as per metroglyph analysis. The characters on X and Y axes in scattered metroglyph diagram determine the grouping of genotypes, hence it poses a problem for judicious selection of these characters. The comparative study of these methods indicated that metroglyph analysis would be suitable for preliminary grouping when large number of genotypes are considered at a time. The differences between the two methods, the number of clusters formed, inter cluster distance, characters considered for grouping and superimposition of genotypes within the cluster indicated that D2 analysis was more effective compared to metroglyph analysis.

Character association and path analysis in groundnut (arachis hypogaea l.).

Correlation and path co-efficient analysis were carried out for pod yield and its component characters in 50 genotypes of groundnut. The genotypic correlation co-efficients were found to be of relatively higher magnitude than the corresponding phenotypic correlation co-efficients, indicating strong inherent association between the characters. Pod yield displayed significant positive association with kernel yield per plant, mature pods per plant, total pods per plant, harvest index, 100-seed weight, root weight, plant height and shoot weight. Path co-efficient analysis revealed high direct effects of kernel yield per plant and harvest index on pod yield. Hence, it would be rewarding to give due importance on the selection of these characters for rapid improvement in pod yield of groundnut.

Variability, heritability and genetic advances in F2 generation of 15 crosses involving bold-seeded genotypes in groundnut (arachis hypogaea l.).

Significant differences were observed among F2 population of fifteen single crosses and parents for all characters. Plant height, number of primary branches, number of secondary branches, pod yield/plant showed higher values of Genotypic Co-efficient of Variation (GCV) and Phenotypic Coefficient of Variation (PCV), heritability (broad sense) and Genetic Advance as per cent of Mean (GAM). The role of additive gene action seems to be significant in the inheritance of these traits. Thus phenotypic selection is early generations would help to make improvement in these characters. Number of mature pods and number of immature pods showed low to moderate values of GCV, PCV, heritability (broad sense) and GAM. The role of non-additive gene action seems to be significant in the inheritance of these traits. In these characters, early generation selection followed by biparental matings and selection in later generations would help to isolate lines with improvement in these traits. Shelling out-turn and sound mature kernel percentage were found to be governed by both additive and non-additive gene action.

Inhibition of Aspergillus flavus colonization and aflatoxin (AfB1) in peanut by methyleugenol.

Methyleugenol is naturally occurring substance in oils and fruits and in various foods as flavoring agent. Effect of this methyleugenol in inhibiting A. flavus colonization and aflatoxin production on peanut pods and kernels has been studied. Spray of methyleugenol (0.5%) on peanut pods and kernels checked the colonization of A. flavus and aflatoxin synthesis. This chemical can be used as both prophylactic or post infection spray on peanut pods before storage. It is the first report on the inhibition of A. flavus by methyleugenol on peanut.