Diagnostic Accuracy of the Government of India Mother and Child Protection Card for Developmental Screening of Indian Children Aged 2-36 Months: A Hospital-based Mixed Method Study

Background: Universal developmental screening is recommended at 9, 18, 24 and 36 months. The Government of India Mother and Child Protection (MCP) card is an immunization record that is used to monitor child development, and identify children requiring further evaluation. Objectives: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of the MCP card for developmental screening, and perform its item analysis. Study design: Mixed-method study (prospective study of diagnostic accuracy and qualitative study). Participants: Mother-child dyads of children between 2-36 months of age were recruited from the outpatient department or wards of a tertiary level children’s hospital from November, 2019 to October, 2021. Children with confirmed neurodevelopmental disorders/disability, and mothers with less than 6th standard education were excluded. Intervention: Each mother was given a MCP card, and taught how to mark the items. This was followed by the researcher’s evaluation (index tool). The reference tool was a comprehensive clinical assessment (CCA) by the researcher and an expert. The CCA included clinical examination of hearing, vision, and neurodevelopment; and psychometric assessment of development and adaptive function. Each mother underwent an in-depth interview. Overall and group wise psychometric properties of diagnostic accuracy were computed. The interview transcripts were analyzed thematically. Outcomes: The proportion of children with ‘fail’ and ‘delay’ by the evaluation of the researcher with the MCP card and the expert by the CCA, respectively. Results: The study population included 213 children (40.4% females). Fifty-two (24.4%) children were identified as ‘Fail’ by the MCP card and 43 (20.2%) as ‘delay’ by the expert’s CCA. The overall sensitivity and specificity was 83.7% (95% CI 69.3-93.2) and 90.6% (95% CI 85.2-94.5), respectively. Acceptable diagnostic accuracy was found in the age-group 7-9 months, 13-18 months, and 25-36 months. Conclusions: The MCP card may be used for developmental screening at 9, 18, and 36 months.

Morphometry and Sexual Dimorphism of the Human Clavicle in South Indian Population

Background: In forensic anthropology, determining an individual’s sex is the fundamental criteria of identification, but this is a tough task that gets considerably more difficult when only a single bone, such as the clavicle, is available. In physical anthropology, determining the sex of a deceased individual is a fundamental prerequisite. Physical anthropologists have gotten more concerned about the difficulties of human identity in recent years. Traditional techniques of sexing bone are subjective and ineffective when absolute sexing precision is desired, hence this study. Methods: Measurement of clavicular length and circumference using an Osteometric board or sliding and Vernier Callipers product from 1128 dry clavicles of unknown sex and age procured from various medical institutions and departments of anthropology in south India. Length, inner angle, outer angle, the sum of angles, inner segment, middle segment, outside segment, width at the inner end at an inner angle, least width at conoid tubercle, at the outer end, and mid circumference have all been measured. Results and Discussion: The male mid-shaft circumference is 38.0±0.5mm on the right side and 36.5±0.5mm on the left side, whereas the female mid-shaft circumference is 31.4±0.3mm on the right side and 31.4±0.6mm on the left side. The length of the left clavicle is greater than the length of the right collarbone. The curvature of the right collarbone is higher than that of the left, resulting in a shorter right bone than the left. The clavicle of males has a higher mean across all parameters than females. Male clavicle length is more than female clavicle length, midshaft circumference is less in females than males, and breadth at an inner angle is shorter in females than men, all of which are statistically significant. The Mid-shaft Circumference as a sex-determination metric is statistically significant in differentiating the clavicle’s sex. This delivers a better result than clavicle weight since clavicle weight fluctuates with age and the health state of the individual. Male clavicles have a larger Midshaft Circumference than female clavicles.

Extra note of music in anaesthesia

Role of music has been identified since ancient times for alleviating anxiety. Music has been known for its potential to produce a sense of wellbeing and peace. Anaesthesia and surgery are major stress factors for any person. Preoperative anxiety is a usual phenomenon in patients posted for various surgical interventions as well as those admitted to intensive care units (ICU). Literature shows ample evidence regarding neurohormonal disturbances related to stressful situations like preoperative, intraoperative and post-operative periods. Music has been shown to attenuate release of various biochemical molecules leading to relaxing and sedative effects on the brain. Not only patients under regional anaesthesia who are awake have a positive impact, even patients under general anaesthesia have also been shown to benefit from listening to music intraoperatively. Music is a hazard free intervention which can be added to various drug combinations used by anaesthesiologists.

A Comprehensive Review on Ethosomes.

Ethosomes are noninvasive delivery carriers that enable drugs to reach the deep skin layers and the systemic circulation. Although ethosomal systems are conceptually sophisticated, they are simple in their preparation, safe for use a combination that can highly expand their application. Ethosomes are soft, malleable vesicles tailored for enhanced delivery of active agents. Because of their unique structure, ethosomes are able to encapsulate and deliver through the skin highly lipophilic molecules such as cannabinoids, testosterone, and minoxidil, as well as cationic drugs such as propranolol, trihexaphenidyl, Cyclosporine, insulin, salbutamol etc. Enhanced delivery of bioactive molecules through the skin and cellular membranes by means of an ethosomal carrier opens numerous challenges and opportunities for the research and future development of novel improved therapies. Ethosomes are gaining popularity in designing drug delivery systems for topical and transdermal use for their capability to reach deep skin layers and systemic circulation. Although ethosomes are conceptually sophisticated, they are simple in preparation and safe for use. Although with their high efficiency, the ethosomes show potential for expansion of their applications. The aim of the review to make a comprehensive account on properties and preparation of ethosomes followed by the characterization and the list of drugs encapsulated in ethosomes in last 15 years.

Primary Double Tooth: A Case Report And Review of Literature.

A number of developmental anomalies can be encountered in clinical situations, which directly or indirectly can affect the treatment plan. These anomalies in the primary dentition can be of immense clinical significance since they can have a bearing on the permanent dentition. Here we report a case of fusion of a deciduous maxillary central incisor with its adjacent supernumerary tooth, presenting with the complication of dentoalvelolar abscess. Clinical observation along with periapical radiographs were used to arrive at a diagnosis. This case report emphasizes the need to attempt simple, esthetic conservative procedures before complex treatment alternatives are contemplated. Also, a review of literature is presented.

Cysticercosis of masseter.

Cysticercosis is a parasitic infestation caused by the larval stage of Taenia solium, a cestodic paratise. It is a common disease in developing countries where it is also endemic. The most commonly infested body organs include subcutaneous tissues, brain and skeletal muscles. It is interesting to note that oral lesion of cysticercosis is a rare event. Here we report an isolated lesion of cysticercosis in the masseter muscle.

Concommitant occurance of dens invaginatus and talon cusp: A case report / Ocorrência simultânea de dens invaginatus e cúspide talon: relato de caso

PURPOSE: Morphological dental anomalies of the maxillary lateral incisors are relatively common. However, their simultaneous occurrence is a relatively rare event. We report a case of dens invaginatus and talon cusp concurrently affecting maxillary lateral incisors. The etiology, pathophysiology, association with other dental anomalies, as well as various treatment modalities of these anomalies are discussed. CASE DESCRIPTION: An 18-year-old male patient reported with a complaint of crowding of maxillary front teeth. On intraoral examination, permanent dentition with Class I malocclusion with anterior crowding was observed. Tooth 12 showed a radiopaque invagination from a lingual pit but confined to the crown of the tooth. This invagination was approximately circular with a central core of radiolucency, which was consistent with the diagnosis of a dens invaginatus type I. Tooth 22 showed the talon cusp as a typical inverted cone with enamel and dentine layers and a pulp horn extending only into the base of the cusp. Talon cusp was treated by prophylactic enameloplasty to avoid plaque accumulation, the deep lingual pit was sealed using composite resin and regular clinical and radiographic follow-up was advised. Patient was scheduled for orthodontic treatment to correct crowding of maxillary anterior teeth. CONCLUSION: We emphasize the fact that detailed clinical and radiographic examination of the maxillary lateral incisors is vital in avoiding complications.

OBJETIVO: Anomalias morfológicas dentárias dos incisivos laterais superiores são relativamente comuns. No entanto, a sua ocorrência simultânea é um evento relativamente raro. Relatamos um caso de dens invaginatus e cúspide talon simultaneamente afetando incisivos laterais superiores. A etiologia, fisiopatologia, associação com outras anomalias dentárias, bem como várias modalidades de tratamento destas anomalias são discutidas. DESCRIÇÃO DO CASO: Um paciente de 18 anos, sexo masculino, relatou com queixa de apinhamento dos dentes anteriores superiores. Ao exame intraoral observou-se dentição permanente com má oclusão Classe I com apinhamento anterior. O dente 12 mostrou uma invaginação radiopaca lingual, confinada à coroa do dente. Esta invaginação era aproximadamente circular, com um núcleo central de radioluscência, que foi compatível com o diagnóstico de dens invaginatus tipo I. O dente 22 apresentou uma cúspide talon como um cone invertido típico com esmalte e dentina em camadas. A cúspide talon foi tratada por ameloplastia profilática para evitar acúmulo de placa, a fissura lingual foi selada com resina composta e foram aconselhados controles clínicos e radiográficos. O paciente foi encaminhado para tratamento ortodôntico para corrigir o apinhamento dos dentes anteriores superiores. CONCLUSÃO: Enfatizamos o fato de que o exame clínico e radiográfico detalhado dos incisivos laterais superiores é vital para evitar complicações.