The Role of Rasaja Bhava (Nourishing Factors) in Development of Garbha (Embryo/Foetus)

Archaic scholars of Ayurveda lay great emphasize on intake of Ahara (food) as best source for nourishment and has a prime role in growth and development of foetus during pregnancy. In order to achieve a healthy progeny, Ayurveda classics have elucidated wholesome regimen to be followed by the parents before and after conception. There are specific procreating factors which help for the growth of embryo known as Matrujadi shad bhava (maternal and other 5 factors). Shadbhava (six factors) consist of Matruja, pitruja, Atmaja, Rasaja, Satmyaja and Satwaja in which Rasaja bhava plays an important role in providing nutrition to the foetus. The concept of Upasneha, Upasweda, Ambu, Apara and Nabhinadi are involved in nourishment of embryo/foetus at different stages of development. Acharya have drawn attention to certain food habits, to be avoided by the pregnant woman to refrain from abnormalities in the offspring. The concept of nutrition in Garbhini (Gravid Women) explained in classics has similarity with contemporary science.

A cone-beam computed tomographic study of root and root canal morphology of primary maxillary and mandibular second molars in Indian Children An in vitro study

Introduction: The root canal system in primary molars is considered to be complex. The aim of the present study was to assess the morphology of roots and root canals of primary maxillary and mandibular second molars using the cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: From a total of 104 collected primary maxillary and mandibular molars (51 maxillary second molars and 53 mandibular second molars), 60 teeth (30 each of maxillary and mandibular second molars) were selected randomly and accordingly assigned into two groups: MAX2M (primary maxillary second molars) and MAN2M (primary mandibular second molars). CBCT was used to assess the number of roots and root canals, length of root, mesiodistal and buccolingual width of the canal, shape of the canal, and intercanal communications. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS software version 17.0. Results: The mandibular second molars showed the presence of two roots in 27 sample molars while the presence of three roots was observed in three MAN2M group. In these molars, all three roots exhibited Type I root canal configuration. The maxillary second molars exhibited three roots. A total of nine intercanal communications were seen in MAX2M group, whereas two communications were seen in MAN2M group. The palatal root in MAX2M group was more angulated (mean value: 127.21 ± 9.10) as compared to mesial (mean value: 95.39 ± 8.64) and distal roots (114 ± 11.24). Conclusion: The comprehensive knowledge of root and canal morphology of primary molars and anatomic variations is essential for successful endodontic therapy.

Does maternal tooth brushing-related sef-efficacy predict child's brushing adherence?

Background: Dental plaque is a root cause of dental caries. Effective plaque control in young children can be achieved with twice-daily assisted tooth brushing. Self-efficacy relates to one's confidence in performing a task. Self-efficacy is shown to facilitate the behavior change in treatments for lifestyle diseases. The influence of maternal self-efficacy in children's oral health behaviors is less studied. Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate an association between maternal tooth brushing-related self-efficacy (MTBSE) and child's brushing adherence. Settings and Design: This cross-sectional study was conducted in schools and included 781 mother-child dyads with children between the age group of 2 and 6 years. Methods: Selected mothers were asked to complete the questionnaires on sociodemographic data, mother's oral health knowledge (MOHK), tooth-brushing practices, and MTBSE. Brushing adherence was evaluated as complete adherence if the child followed twice daily assisted brushing using the toothbrush and toothpaste. Statistical Analysis: Nonparametric tests were used to compare the variables. Binary logistic regression was used to evaluate the predictors of brushing adherence. Results: Complete brushing adherence (assisted brushing with toothbrush and toothpaste at least twice per day) was seen only in 26.9% children. More children with complete brushing adherence were single children (P < 0.001). Children with complete brushing adherence had mothers with significantly higher MTBSE (P < 0.001). The presence/absence of siblings, MOHK, and MTBSE were found to be strong and significant predictors of brushing adherence in children. Conclusions: MTBSE plays a significant role in complete adherence to toothbrushing in children aged 2–6 years.

An Observational Study Of Anencephalous Fetuses Mounted As Museum Specimen

Neural tube defects (NTDs) constitute the most frequently encountered congenital anomalies of the centralnervous system. Neural tube defects result from the defective closure of the neural tube during embryogenesis.Most defects of the brain and spinal cord result from abnormal closure of the neural folds in the third and fifthweeks of development. Anencephaly and Spina bifida are two most common types of neural tube defects.Anencephaly also known as exencephaly results due to failure of the anterior neuropore to close. Spina bifidaresults from defective neural tube closure along some or the entire length of the vertebral column. Antenataldiagnosis of the condition can be made by ultrasonography in later part of pregnancy, since the vault of the skullis absent and estimation of á fetoprotein level of the amniotic fluid. It is advisable to terminate the pregnancywhen anomalous condition is diagnosed. Better knowledge of unexpected foetal loss is the promise for betterparental counselling and for prevention of recurrences. .To prevents NTD, dietary supplements should be providedto low socioeconomic pregnant females. Periconceptional and 1st trimester folic acid supplementation is ofprime importance.

Salivary cortisol response to psychological stress in children with early childhood caries.

Aims and Objectives: Early Childhood Caries (ECC) is a multi-factorial disease and has numerous biological, psychological, and behavioral risk factors. In this study, we have attempted to study psychological stress as a risk factor for early childhood caries by investigating and comparing the response of event-related stress on salivary cortisol level in children with ECC and those without ECC and also compared the adaptability to various dental procedures in children with early childhood caries and without early childhood caries. Materials and Methods: One hundred children aged between four and five years were examined in the school and 16 pairs of children with caries and without caries were selected after cross-matching them on various risk factors for Early Childhood Caries. Oral prophylaxis and topical fluoride treatment procedures were used as stressors and salivary samples were collected at the time of arrival for the treatment, after Oral Prophylaxis and Fluoride treatment. The salivary samples were analyzed by radioimmunoassay for an unbound plasma cortisol level. Results: Statistical analysis was performed using a paired t-test, on the collected data, to compare the mean values of the salivary cortisol across the group and within the groups to evaluate the cortisol response to stress. No significant differences were found between the salivary cortisol levels prior to treatment, post oral prophylaxis, or post fluoride treatment at the first and second appointments of both groups. At the first appointment, the fluoride treatment caused a significant increase in the salivary cortisol level over the pretreatment level, in both the groups, but it was not evident in either of the two groups studied at the second appointment. Conclusion: We have concluded that the stress produced by different dental procedures was similar in children from the two groups studied, and the coping ability of the children was also similar in both the groups. Small sample size may be one of the reasons why no significant differences were found between the groups. Similar study needs to be repeated with a larger sample size.

Deletional mutations of dystrophin gene and carrier detection in eastern India.

Objective. To determine the pattern of deletions of the dystrophin gene, the major class of mutations among the Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy patients of eastern India and to analyze the carrier frequency of the female members of the proband’s family. Methods. Deletional mutations occurring in patients have been characterized by multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Carrier state of mothers and sisters of probands were analyzed by either of two methods: 1) typing polymorphic short tandem repeat markers in or around the regions of deletion, by radioactive polymerase chain reaction and 2) quantitative real time amplification of the region of deletion. Results. Deletions were detected in 67 (62.04%) out of 108 male patients, about 76.12% of these being localized in the central hot spot region of the gene, i.e., between exon 42 to exon 53 and 17.91% at the proximal hot spot i.e., between exon 1 to exon 20. In the present study were found 43 types of deletions, out of which 25 (58%) were new deletions, which were not described earlier among the Indian patients. Distribution pattern of deletions in different hot spot regions has been compared with that of other countries and statistical analysis reveals significant difference between countries (p<0.001). Correlation of the pattern of deletion with clinical phenotype of patients has been discussed. Interesting case of germline mosaicism and its implications in counseling has also been discussed. Conclusion. About half the mothers of affected probands were not carriers of the deletion, underscoring the need to use real time techniques for carrier detection.

Analysis of dystrophin gene deletions by multiplex PCR in eastern India.

The most common genetic neuromuscular disease of childhood, Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD/BMD) is caused by deletion, duplication or point mutation of the dystrophin gene located at Xp 21.2. In the present study DNA from seventy unrelated patients clinically diagnosed as having DMD/BMD referred from different parts of West Bengal, a few other states and Bangladesh are analyzed using the multiplex polymerase chain reaction (m-PCR) to screen for exon deletions and its distribution within the dystrophin gene. Out of seventy patients forty six (63%) showed large intragenic deletion in the dystrophin gene. About 79% of these deletions are located in the hot spot region i.e, between exon 42 to 53. This is the first report of frequency and distribution of deletion in dystrophin gene in eastern Indian DMD/BMD population.