Radiographic evaluation of aetiology of mandibular third molar impactions

To determine the role of various factors in the etiology of lower third molar impaction by using measurements on conventional panoramic radiograph. Orthopantomograms of 100 patients having full dentition with bilateral mandibular third molars were included in the study ranging between ages of 18-39 years. All the patients were divided into erupted and impacted groups on the basis of status of lower thirdmolar on Orthopantomogram. All Radiographs were traced on overlying acetate paper and analyzed by measuring retromolar eruption space [from Xi-7 and AER-7] mesiodistal width of lower third molar, space width ratio and angulations of lower third molar, In erupted group, retromolar eruption space measured from Xi-7 was 31.79 +/- 3.38 where as in the impacted group, it was 26.93 +/- 4.11. Retromolar space measured from AER-7 was I 6.09 +/- 2.35 mm among erupted group whereas for impacted group, it was 11.06 +/- 3.64 mm. Mesiodistal width of mandibular third molar among erupted group was 13.29 +/- 1.41 mm while among impacted group, it was 13.70 +/- 1.72 mm. Space width ratio among impacted group was 0.83 +/- 0.36 whereas among erupted group, it was 1.22 +/- 0.20. Mean angulations of lower third molars was 7.79° +/- 9.15 among erupted group, where as among impacted group, mean angulations of lower third molars was 34.68° +/- 27.68. Both the groups were statistically different in all the tested variables except mesiodistal width of lower third molar

Prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis in Karachi juvenile jail, Pakistan

Jail inmates may be at increased risk of contracting tuberculosis [TB]. We studied 386 detainees [mean age 17.7 years] in Karachi juvenile jail to determine the prevalence of TB and possible risk factors for contracting TB. We found a 3.9% prevalence of TB among the inmates, significantly higher than the estimated 1.1% prevalence in the general population of Pakistan. Positive family history of TB was a significant risk factor for TB. Poor adherence of previously diagnosed patients to anti-TB treatment was found. Our study highlights the vulnerability of inmates to TB owing to the presence of highly infectious cases, along with environmental conditions such as overcrowding and poor ventilation. This study strongly indicates the need for an effective treatment programme in the jails as well in the general community

role of vitamin A in enhancing humoral immunity produced by antirabies vaccine

We tested the effects of vitamin A supplementation on the antibody titre of 40 healthy volunteers [age range: 10-35 years], who had received a complete course of antirabies vaccine [5 injections over 30 days]. After determining the baseline serum vitamin A status of 80 volunteers, 20 pairs were matched for serum vitamin A level, body mass index, age, sex and socioeconomic status. One person from each pair was randomly assigned to an experimental or control group. The experimental group received vitamin A and antirabies vaccine. Controls received only the vaccine. The experimental group had significantly greater [2.1 times] serum antirabies titre than controls. This finding is an important step towards improving the economy of dosage of antirabies vaccines

Binding of cardiac glycoside ouabain to dystrophic erythrocyte membranes

Attempts have been made to evaluate the abnormal response of the cardiac glycoside, ouabain to the erythrocytes of Duchenne dystrophy patients. Effects of altering the cation composition of the incubation medium for 3H-ouabain binding to erythrocytes were studied and the results of 3H-ouabain binding to the dystrophic and normal erythrocytes are presented

Electrocardiographic studies in the patients of Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Electrocardiographic [ECG] data from twenty Duchenne dystrophic patients aged 6 - 18 years were examined and compared with normal standards to explore the characteristic ECG abnormalities in these patients. Pathological electrocardiographic patterns were seen in 13 cases whereas 7 electrocardiograms were found normal. Amongst these 13 cases, the ECG of seven patients showed right ventricular hypertrophy [RVH] with strain. The ECG changes of asymmetric septal hypertrophy [ASH] were also observed in these patients. Four patients showed a pattern indicating combined ventricular hypertrophy [CVH] and one had typical low voltage changes

Osmotic fragility of erythrocytes in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Osmotic fragility of erythrocytes was studied in ten Duchenne dystrophic patients and eight healthy controls. Lysis strated in Duchenne erythrocytes at a concentration of 6.5 g/1 NaC1 and in the control erythrocytes at a concentration of 5.5 g/1 NaC1. At all concentrations of sodium chloride [from 6.5 g/1 to 4.5 g/1] significantly greater lysis was observed in the erythrocytes of dystrophic patients. The median corpuscular fragility [MCF] was also significantly greater in Duchenne patients as compared to their controls [P< 0.001]. The increased osmotic fragility in Duchenne erythrocytes provides an evidence in support of the probable generalized membrane defect that manifest the disease