In vitro and in vivo anticancer potential and molecular targets of the new colchicine analog IIIM-067 / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#The current study evaluated various new colchicine analogs for their anticancer activity and to study the primary mechanism of apoptosis and in vivo antitumor activity of the analogs with selective anticancer properties and minimal toxicity to normal cells.@*METHODS@#Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay was used to screen various colchicine analogs for their in vitro cytotoxicity. The effect of N-[(7S)-1,2,3-trimethoxy-9-oxo-10-(pyrrolidine-1-yl)5,6,7,9-tetrahydrobenzo[a] heptalene-7-yl] acetamide (IIIM-067) on clonogenicity, apoptotic induction, and invasiveness of A549 cells was determined using a clonogenic assay, scratch assay, and staining with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) and annexin V/propidium iodide. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were observed using fluorescence microscopy. Western blot analysis was used to quantify expression of proteins involved in apoptosis, cell cycle, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling. Pharmacokinetic and in vivo efficacy studies against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) and Ehrlich solid tumor models were conducted using Swiss albino mice.@*RESULTS@#IIIM-067 showed potent cytotoxicity and better selectivity than all other colchicine analogs screened in this study. The selective activity of IIIM-067 toward A549 cells was higher among other cancer cell lines, with a selectivity index (SI) value of 2.28. IIIM-067 demonstrated concentration- and time-dependent cytotoxicity against A549 cells with half-maximal inhibitory concentration values of 0.207, 0.150 and 0.106 μmol/L at 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. It also had reduced toxicity to normal cells (SI > 1) than the parent compound colchicine (SI = 1). IIIM-067 reduced the clonogenic ability of A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner. IIIM-067 enhanced ROS production from 24.6% at 0.05 μmol/L to 82.1% at 0.4 μmol/L and substantially decreased the MMP (100% in control to 5.6% at 0.4 μmol/L). The annexin V-FITC assay demonstrated 78% apoptosis at 0.4 μmol/L. IIIM-067 significantly (P < 0.5) induced the expression of various intrinsic apoptotic pathway proteins, and it differentially regulated the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Furthermore, IIIM-067 exhibited remarkable in vivo anticancer activity against the murine EAC model, with tumor growth inhibition (TGI) of 67.0% at a dose of 6 mg/kg (i.p.) and a reduced mortality compared to colchicine. IIIM-067 also effectively inhibited the tumor growth in the murine solid tumor model with TGI rates of 48.10%, 55.68% and 44.00% at doses of 5 mg/kg (i.p.), 6 mg/kg (i.p.) and 7 mg/kg (p.o.), respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#IIIM-067 exhibited significant anticancer activity with reduced toxicity both in vitro and in vivo and is a promising anticancer candidate. However, further studies are required in clinical settings to fully understand its potential.

Evaluating the Effect of Dextrose Prolotherapy on Temporomandibular Disorders by Choosing Different Injection Sites- A Comparative Clinical Study

Introduction: Prolotherapy is a minimally invasive techniqueused in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders.Prolotherapy agent induces an inflammatory process in thejoint, stimulates fibroblast proliferation, hence facilitatesthe healing process and strengthens the joint and associatedligaments and tendons. The main aim of this article wasto study the effect of 25% dextrose prolotherapy ontemporomandibular joint pain, clicking and maximum mouthopening by using different injection sites.Material and methods: Sixty patients with establisheddiagnosis of unilateral disc displacement with reduction whocomplained of unilateral symptoms (pain and clicking) wereincluded in the study. They were randomly allocated to threegroups (Group A, Group B and Group C) of 20 patients each.Group A patients received intra-articular injections into thesuperior joint space, Group B patients received injections intothe inferior joint space where as Group C patients were giveninjections into the retrodiscal tissues. Each group receivedsubsequent injections at first, second and third weeks at therespective sites. Pain, clicking and maximum mouth opening(MMO) was recorded pre-operatively, post-operatively at 3weeks and 2 months.Results: Group B and Group C patients showed a significantdecrease in the pain score at 3 weeks and 2 months postoperatively while as no significant pain relief was observed inGroup A. Maximum mouth opening improved significantly inGroup B and Group C patients at 3 weeks and 2 months andwas highest in Group C. Reduction in clicking was best seenin Group C.Conclusion: Prolotherapy is more effective when injectionsite is selected as per the type of symptoms of the patientswith temporomandibular disorders.

Group B Streptococcus Colonization, Antibiotic Susceptibility, and Serotype Distribution among Saudi Pregnant Women

Background@#Group B Streptococcus (GBS) comprises the normal flora of the female urogenital tract and can be transferred to neonates during delivery, causing invasive diseases.This study was performed to investigate the colonization rate, antibiotic susceptibility, and serotype of GBS among Saudi pregnant women. @*Materials and Methods@#In this cross-sectional study, vagino-rectal swabs from 400 pregnant women were collected over a period of one year. Identification of GBS isolates and determination of their antibiotic susceptibility were performed using the Microscan Walk Away system. The isolates were then typed using both latex agglutination and capsular genebased multiplex polymerase chain reaction assays. @*Results@#Sixty (15.0%) subjects were colonized by GBS, with serotype Ia as the dominant type (30.0%) followed by serotype III and V (25.0%, each). Only 43 (71.7%) isolates were typed by latex agglutination, whereas the remaining isolates were not typable or were non-specifically typed as compared to the genotyping assay, which revealed the specific type of each GBS isolate. The highest resistance rates were observed for erythromycin and clindamycin (16.7%, each), which were mainly restricted to the prevalent serotypes. @*Conclusion@#This study is the first to report the distribution of GBS serotypes based on molecular genotyping in Saudi Arabia. GBS colonization was evident among pregnant women, and resistance to erythromycin and clindamycin was predominant among serotypes Ia, III, and V. Molecular genotyping using capsular gene-based multiplex PCR provided reliable typing of the investigated GBS isolates in terms of sensitivity and specificity as compared to conventional serotyping using latex agglutination.

Evaluation of Root Dentin Cracks Caused by Three Single File Systems Versus Pro Taper System – An In Vitro Study

Introduction: Biomechanical preparation of root canals isone of the main steps in achieving endodontic success dueto enabling bacterial elimination, removal of debris, andfacilitating obturation. The aim of this study was to comparethe incidence of dentinal cracks observed in the canal wallafter canal instrumentation with 3 single-file systems and theProTaper system (Dentsply Maillefer, Switzerland).Material and Methods: Eighty mandibular premolars withsingle root canal were selected. Teeth were decoronated andmounted in resin blocks with simulated periodontal ligaments.They were divided into 4 experimental groups (n = 20); theninstrumented to the full working length with the ProTaper,OneShape (MicroMega, Besancon, France), Reciproc (VDW,Munich, Germany), and WaveOne Gold (Dentsply Malliefer)was performed. The roots were sectioned perpendicular to thelong axis at 3, 6, and 9 mm from the apex and were observedunder a stereomicroscope. The presence of cracks was noted.The chi-square test was performed to compare the appearanceof cracked roots between the experimental groups.Results: Cracks found after canal instrumentation with theProTaper, OneShape, and Reciproc and WaveOne Goldfiles, were 46.6%, 23.3%, 13.6%, 11.6% respectively. Thedifference between the experimental groups was statisticallysignificant (P < .001).Conclusion: Nickel-titanium instruments cause cracks in rootsurface or in the canal wall; Reciproc and WaveOne Gold filescaused less cracks than the ProTaper and OneShape files.

Incidence of thrombocytopenia in neonates receiving phototherapy for indirect hyperbilirubinemia: a prospective cohort study

Background: Thrombocytopenia as a side effect of phototherapy has not been mentioned in the standard literature but was described briefly as isolated case reports after the phototherapy came in vogue in 1958. The purpose of this study was to find the incidence of thrombocytopenia in neonates with uncomplicated indirect hyperbilirubinemia receiving phototherapy in a referral hospital.Methods: This was a prospective cohort study conducted in a referral hospital over a period of 18 months from June 1, 2013 to November 1, 2014.Results: A total of 103 babies were enrolled. The overall incidence of post-phototherapy thrombocytopenia was 45.6% while mild, moderate and severe thrombocytopenia was present in 66%, 21.3% and 12.8% of babies respectively. The lowest platelet count observed was 31,000/mm3 but none of the neonates showed bleeding manifestations. The incidence of thrombocytopenia following phototherapy was significantly higher in preterm babies, infants who received double surface phototherapy, babies who received phototherapy for >72 hours and in babies who received phototherapy on day 2 or 3 of life.Conclusions: Neonates requiring phototherapy for hyperbilirubinemia are at risk of developing thrombocytopenia, hence the treatment should be initiated based on the standard guidelines. Unnecessary use and prolongation of phototherapy should be avoided considering the possible side effects. Platelet count should be monitored particularly in pre-term neonates receiving phototherapy. Neonates receiving double surface phototherapy and those requiring phototherapy for longer duration require more frequent platelet count monitoring.

Neurohistological Changes in the Spinal Cord of Albino Rats after Inhalational Exposure to Pyrethroid Based Mosquito Repellent

Background: The use of liquid vaporizers as residential insecticides to control the problem of mosquito bites and to prevent adult, newborns and children from deadly vector borne diseases like Malaria, Dengue and chikungunya etc. is ever increasing. These products contain pyrethroid and emit parallethrin vapours when put to use at home. There are numerous side effects of these vapours like allergic sinusitis, difficulty in respiration, sleep disturbance, giddiness, headache, body ache and lethargy but the market for these product decides the outcome of all the research concerned with its safety. Histological studies can establish their toxic effects on Spinal Cord, cervical and lumbar enlargements in the White and Grey matter that forms structural continuity with the CNS. Accordingly the present  study was planned to assess the safety of  pyrethroid based mosquito repellent inhalational use and the histological insult to the spinal cord of  Albino rats. Methods: Total of twenty albino rats were equally divided into control and experimental group. The experimental group was exposed  to 3.2% w/v prallethrin vapours for total of 12 hours per day for 180 days. The control group rats was exposed to identical situation but without any exposure. The albino rats  were sacrificed after the study period of exposure of 180 days. Spinal cord dissected., tissue processed, sectioned and stained with  haematoxylin, eosin and thionin. Results: Grey matter of the spinal cord at cervical and lumbar enlargement showed numerous vacuoles with lightly stained cell body of neurons and Nissl’s dissolution with occasional inflammatory cells. Conclusions: Neurohistological study, inhalational route, neurotoxicity, adult albino rats, prallethrin vapours, spinal cord.

Survey on Pesticides Used by Farmers in Belagavi Taluka and Analysis of Pesticide Residues in Commonly Used Vegetables

Background: Fruits and vegetables are important components of the human diet since they provide essential nutrients that are required for most of the reactions occurring in the body. However, indiscriminate and overuse of pesticides damage agriculture and environment, but the pesticide residues on food products affect the health. Aim and Objective: The present study aimed to assess the Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) among the farmers of Belagavi taluka, regarding the pesticide use and to determine pesticide residues in commonly used vegetables. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study included a total of 200 farmers selected randomly from 4 divisions of Belagavi taluka. Questionnaire was developed to assess the KAP. Fresh tomatoes and chilies were used as samples, fine homogenized sample (200 g) was extracted with ethyl acetate and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: Most of them were aware of the precautions to be taken during pesticide use. However, not all armers followed the measures. Maximum of them used pesticides (n=150), followed recommended method (n=130) and concentration (n=152). Pesticide residues found in chili and tomato samples exceeded the maximum residue limit. Conclusion: Chlorpyrifos and ethion in tomato sample, and chlorpyrifos and cypermethrin in chillies sample were the pesticide residues. Protective measures followed by the farmers was poor. Therefore, the knowledge of the farmers should be upgraded and, camps should be conducted periodically to monitor pesticide residues and health of the farmers.

Safety of aggressive nutrition bundle-aggressive parenteral nutrition, standardized feeding policy, human milk fortification and probiotics in babies born less than 34 weeks of gestation: a prospective analytical cohort study

Background: Despite changes in nutritional interventions in neonatal intensive care units worldwide, significant proportion of preterm babies are growth restricted at discharge. Authors intended to look at the feasibility of aggressive nutrition bundle (aggressive parenteral nutrition, standardized feeding policy, fortification and probiotics) in preterm neonates.Methods: This single centre prospective analytical cohort study, involving babies born before 34 weeks of gestation, was conducted in a tertiary hospital. Aggressive parenteral nutrition and enteral nutrition bundle intervention was started within 24 hours of birth. Clinical, laboratory and anthropometrical parameters were monitored longitudinally to ensure safety of this intervention.Results: Mean gestational age and birth weight of the cohort (n=107) was 30.6 weeks (SD'2.6) and 1147 grams (SD'287) respectively. Out of 107 babies, 67.3% (n=72) have extra uterine growth retardation (EUGR) at discharge and was more in small for gestational age neonates (p=0.001). With this aggressive parenteral and enteral nutrition bundle intervention, medical necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) developed in 7.4 % (n=8) babies while surgical NEC was seen in 1.9%. (n=2). Early onset and late-onset sepsis occurred in 1.8% and 5.4% of babies respectively while mild hyperammonemia, mild hypertriglyceridemia, raised creatinine and urea developed in 12.4%, 4.6%, 7.4% and 11.7% respectively. Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia were present in 8.8% and 5.6% babies respectively.Conclusions: Aggressive nutrition bundle (aggressive parenteral nutrition, standardized feeding policy, fortification and probiotics) can be safely employed in preterm babies. There is an urgent need to design a study to see the impact of this approach on incidence of EUGR in preterm babies.

Intraoperative Parathyroid Hormone Monitoring In Primary Hyperparathyroidism Patients Undergoing Surgery

Background: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is anendocrine disorder characterized by autonomous production ofparathyroid hormone (PTH). We planned the present study toevaluate the level of PTH intraoperatively and postoperativelyand determine the outcome of the surgery.Materials & Methods: A total of 36 patients scheduled toundergo parathyroidectomy for hyperparathyroidism wereinvolved in the present study. Complete physical examinationof all the subjects was carried out. Pre-surgical assessment ofall the subjects was done. Minimally invasiveparathyroidectomy (MIP) was done in all the patients. A 50%reduction in PTH level from baseline was used as an indicationthat the exploration was successful. If a parathyroid adenomawas not found or if the PTH did not drop sufficiently after theremoval of the gland, the incision was extended and bilateralneck exploration was done.Results: MIP was carried out in 33 patients, while bilateralneck exploration was required in 3 patients. A significantdecline in the mean PTH concentration was seen duringsurgery and postoperatively. Also we observed a significant fallin the postoperative calcium levels in comparison to thepreoperative calcium levels.Conclusion: Intraoperative PTH monitoring plays a significantand crucial role in assessing the surgical treatment of primaryhyperparathyroidism.

Comparision Between Open And Laparoscopic Splenectomy For Haematological Disorder

Introduction: Splenectomy addresses the role of the spleen in hematological disorders particularly those ofcellular sequestration and destruction and antibody production. Splenectomy is indicated in specific cases ofanemia.Material and methods: The study was conducted in the department of General and Minimal Invasive Surgery incollaboration with the department of Clinical Hematology, Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagarfrom Jan 2012 to Jan 2016.The study included 33 patients The patients were studied in regards to thevariables1.clinical and demographic information. 2.surgical findings.3.preoperative and post operativehaematological profile.4.immediate and late complications.5.hospital stay6.persistence of disease.Result: In our study, out of 33 patients, laparascopic splenectomy(LS) was performed on 19 patients(57.6%) and14 underwent open splenectomy(OS).. Mean age was 28.89 years in LS group.and 36 years in OS group. Malefemale ratio was 4/15 in LS and 3/11 in OS. Mean operation time was 107.5 minutes in LS and 80.7 minutes in OS(pvalue <.001). Mean intraoperative blood loss was significantly lower for LS vs OS (76.43 mL vs 133.57 mL; P =.003). There was no statistical significant difference in complications between the two groups. Also, There wasno significant difference between LS and OS in terms of remission rates.Conclusion: Laparoscopic splenectomy is a safe and effective procedure in experienced hands. It is superior withregard to hospital stay, operative blood loss, postoperative pain and cosmesis as compared to Open Splenectomy.

Utilization of Maternal Health Care Services in India: A Community Based Cross-sectional Study in Rural Belgaum

Introduction:Sub Centre(SC) is the peripheral unit of the existing health care delivery system under the allopathic system of medicine in India. These basically provide preventive, promotive and the curativeservices and are facilitated by Female Health Workers (ANM) and Male Health Workers (MHW). They are the integral part of health care delivery system. Also, key to achieve a goal of health for all and to promote the community people for their overall development. Methods:A community based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2011 to February 2013 in all 9 sub centers of Kinaye PHCof Belgaum district, all 14 maternal health care workers were selected and 272 beneficiaries were selected from catchments area of these sub-centers were interviewed by administering structured, pretested interview schedule. Data were analyzed by SPSS (20 Version).Results:Study revealed that (85%) of the workers had correct knowledge but could not transform it into practice completely. This is due to multiple problems that encounter such as include lack of equipments(85.71%), transport facilities (77.78%), delay in decision-makingby community to seek care (77.78%), lack of supportive supervision (>20%). Besides these, they were lacking in career development opportunities. There are no promotional avenues and low remuneration and benefits. The acceptanceof service provided through sub centers was satisfactory (>90%) among beneficiaries and ANMs (98%) were most accepted than MHW. Beneficiaries faced many problems to access services such as lack of need based services (60%), poor attention by health service provider towards the need of consumers (5.2%) and difficulty in reaching to sub health post (21%).Conclusion:The regular supply of necessary equipments and medicines needs to be ensured at the sub centre and frequent in-service trainings and career development opportunities to be given to health workers to maintain the enthusiasm and devotion towards the profession. Also there is a need to provide skill development opportunities and ensure the convenience of service at all sub centers and communication between health workers and beneficiaries to be emphasized

Assessment of Medical Officers Regarding Knowledge on Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness in Belagavi District

Background: To decrease morbidity and mortality in under-5 children and also to improve their growth and development, integrated management of neonatal and childhood illness (IMNCI) strategy was adopted in India in 2005.Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the knowledge of medical officers regarding IMNCI in five talukas of Belagavi district.Materials and Methods: Across-sectional study was conducted on 50 medical officers who have undergone IMNCI training. Participants were selected across five talukas of Belagavi district by convenience sampling. Ethical clearance was obtained. Data were collected from each participant using a pretested questionnaire after obtaining informed consent. All the questions were based on IMNCI guidelines. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 22.Results: Median score of knowledge was 13.2% of medical officers had inadequate knowledge, 54% had moderate knowledge, and 22% had adequate knowledge.Conclusion: The overall knowledge score of medical officers regarding IMNCI was good, but periodic refresher training workshops should be conducted to reaffirm and update the existing knowledge.

Learning Styles and Approaches among Medical Education Participants

Purpose: There are different learning styles adopted by medical education participants. The aim of this study was to investigate which learning styles and approaches prefer to be learning by medical students.Materials and Methods: It is a cross-sectional study, 320 students were selected through stratified random sampling. Visual, auditory, read/write, and kinesthetic (VARK) questionnaire was used which measures dimension of learning styles and approaches.Results: Among 320 participants, most of the first, second, third, fourth, and final year students had 31.93%, 32.27%, 31.83%, 32.09%, and 31.26% were in favor of kinesthetic learning, respectively, and 69% of all year students prefer multimodal approaches.Conclusion: Medical education participants commonly used kinesthetic styles and there is no difference among different years of study, but in learning approach, multimodal has increased as year of studying increased. It suggests that curriculum of medical education should be revised according to the result of research

Study of erythrocytes as a novel drug carrier for the delivery of artemether

Resealed erythrocytes have been explored in various dimensions of drug delivery, owing to their high biocompatibility and inability to initiate immune response. The present research was designed to evaluate the drug delivery potential of erythrocytes by loading a hydrophobic anti-malarial drug, Artemether. Three different loading techniques were applied to achieve maximum optimized drug loading. A HPLC method was validated for drug quantification in erythrocytes. The relatively high loading was achieved using hypotonic treatment was 31.39% as compared to other two methods. These, drug loaded erythrocytes were characterized for membrane integrity via ESR showing higher ESR values for drug loaded cells as compared to normal cells. Moreover, microscopic evaluation was done to observe morphological changes in erythrocytes after successful loading which showed swollen cells with slight rough surface as compared to smooth surface of normal cells. Drug release was studied for 8 h which showed more than 80% release within 3-7 h from erythrocytes treated with different hypotonic methods. Overall, the study revealed a potential application of erythrocytes in delivery of hydrophobic drugs using hypotonic treatment as compared to other methods.

Safety and efficacy of ketamine xylazine along with atropine anesthesia in BALB/c mice

Anesthetics are an indispensable prerequisite for surgical intervention and pharmacological animal studies. The objective of present study was to optimize the dose of ketamine (K) and xylazine (X) along with atropine sulfate (A) in order to achieve surgical tolerance in BALB/c mice. Several doses of ketamine (100, 150, 200 mg/kg) and xylazine (10, 15, 20 mg/kg) were mixed and combination of nine doses (K/X: 100/10, 100/15, 100/20, 150/10, 150/15, 150/20, 200/10,200/15,200/20) were evaluated (n=9 per combination). A constant dose of atropine (0.05 mg/kg) was also used to counter side effect. Time-related parameters were evaluated on the basis of reflexes. KX at dose 200/20 mg/kg produced surgical tolerance in all nine mice with duration 55.00±6.87 minutes. The induction time 0.97±0.09 minutes, sleeping time 90.67±5.81 minutes and immobilization time (102.23±6.83 minutes) were significantly higher than all combination. However, this combination was considered unsafe due to 11 % mortality. While, KX at dose 200/15 mg/kg results in none of the mortality, so was considered as safe. Moreover, this combination produces surgical tolerance in 89 % mice with duration (30.00±7.45 minutes). It was concluded that KX at dose 200/15 mg/kg along with atropine 0.05 mg/kg is safe for performing surgical interventions in BALB/c mice.

Design of a combined cartilage graft crusher, morselizer and holder for use in rhinoplasty

A combined cartilage holder and crusher is described that allows the surgeon to hold, crush, morselize, and suture a single piece or stack of cartilage graft without letting it slip. The customized slit-shaped jaws allow adequate room for the suture needle, while the serrated surfaces hold the cartilage firmly. The use of this instrument is advocated primarily in rhinoplasty for manipulating and suturing a small cartilage graft or a stack of grafts. The use of this instrument may be extended to aesthetic or reconstructive cases where cartilage grafts need to be sutured or shaped, as in eyelid, ear, and nipple reconstruction.

Prevalence and Distribution of Odontogenic Cysts in Kashmiri Population: A Retrospective Clinical Study of 152 Cases

Background: The main purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of odontogenic cysts in Kashmiri population. Methods:The data on odontogenic cysts (OCs) treated in the department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Government Dental College Srinagar from January 2011 to December 2016 was collected retrospectively. The information regarding patient’s age, sex, location of the cyst and the type of the odontogenic cyst was recorded and analysis was done using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 152 OCs were identified out of which 87 were male and 65 female with male to female ratio of 1.3:1. The OCs were seen to predominate in the second, third and fourth decades of life, the most common anatomic location being the mandibular posterior region (40.8%). Radicular cyst dominated among the OCs (50.6 %) followed by dentigerous cyst (23%), odontogenic keratocyst (10.5%), residual cyst (8.6 %), lateral periodontal cyst (5.3 %) and paradental cyst (1.9 %). Radicular cysts most frequently involved the maxillary anterior region (33.8%) while as dentigerous cysts and odontogenic keratocysts were more common in the man-dibular posterior region (54.3% and 56.3% respectively). Conclusion: Radicular cyst and dentigerous cyst are the most prevalent odontogenic cysts in Kashmiri population; etiology being the dental decay (pulpal necrosis) and impacted teeth. In order to decrease the prevalence of radicular and dentigerous cysts, preventive measures need to be taken to diminish dental decay and programs of prophylactic extractions of impacted teeth need to be established

Molecular detection of Leishmania species in human and animals from cutaneous leishmaniasis endemic areas of Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Objectives: To detect Leishmania species in human patients, animal reservoirs and Phlebotomus sandflies in Waziristan, Pakistan. Methods: Tissue smears and aspirates from 448 cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) suspected patients were analyzed. To sort out role of the reservoir hosts, skin scrapings, spleen and liver samples from 104 rodents were collected. Furthermore, buffy coat samples were obtained from 60 domestic animals. Sandflies were also trapped. All human, animals and sandfly samples were tested by microscopy, kinetoplastic PCR and internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) PCR followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism for detection of Leishmania species. Results: An overall prevalence of 3.83% and 5.21% through microscopy and ITS1 PCR respectively was found. However, the statistically non-significant correlation was found between area, gender, and number of lesions. The presence of rodents, sandflies, domestic animals and internally displaced people increased the risk of CL. Using ITS1-PCR-RFLP, Leishmania tropica (L. tropica) was confirmed in 106 samples while 25 of the isolates were diagnosed as Leishmania major (L. major). Similarly, 3/104 rodents were positive for L. major and 14 pools of DNA samples containing Phlebotomus sergenti sandflies were positive for L. tropica. None of samples from domestic animals were positive for leishmaniasis. Conclusions: In the present study, L. tropica and L. major are found to be the main causative agents of CL in study area. Movement of internally displaced people from CL endemic areas presents a risk for nearby CL free areas. To the best of our knowledge, we report for the first time L. major infection in rodents (Rattus rattus) and L. tropica in Phlebotomus sergenti sandflies trapped in Waziristan, Pakistan.

Molecular detection of Leishmania species in human and animals from cutaneous leishmaniasis endemic areas of Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Objectives:To detect Leishmania species in human patients, animal reservoirs and Phlebotomus sandflies in Waziristan, Pakistan.Methods:Tissue smears and aspirates from 448 cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) suspected patients were analyzed. To sort out role of the reservoir hosts, skin scrapings, spleen and liver samples from 104 rodents were collected. Furthermore, buffy coat samples were obtained from 60 domestic animals. Sandflies were also trapped. All human, animals and sandfly samples were tested by microscopy, kinetoplastic PCR and internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) PCR followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism for detection of Leishmania species.Results:An overall prevalence of 3.83% and 5.21% through microscopy and ITS1 PCR respectively was found. However, the statistically non-significant correlation was found between area, gender, and number of lesions. The presence of rodents, sandflies, domestic animals and internally displaced people increased the risk of CL. Using ITS1-PCR-RFLP, Leishmania tropica (L. tropica) was confirmed in 106 samples while 25 of the isolates were diagnosed as Leishmania major (L. major). Similarly, 3/104 rodents were positive for L. major and 14 pools of DNA samples containing Phlebotomus sergenti sandflies were positive for L. tropica. None of samples from domestic animals were positive for leishmaniasis.Conclusions:In the present study, L. tropica and L. major are found to be the main causative agents of CL in study area. Movement of internally displaced people from CL endemic areas presents a risk for nearby CL free areas. To the best of our knowledge, we report for the first time L. major infection in rodents (Rattus rattus) and L. tropica in Phlebotomus sergenti sandflies trapped in Waziristan, Pakistan.

Prevalence of different types of temporomandibular disorders seen at armed forces institute of dentistry

The temporomandibular joint [TMJ] is a synovial joint that connects the mandible to the skull. Each joint is composed of condyle of the mandible, an articulating disc and an articular fossa of the temporal bone. Temporomandibular joint disorders [TMD's] are characterized by decreased mandibular range of movements, inadequate mouth opening and TMJ sounds such as click, pop, crepitations. TMD's can be classified as masticatory muscle disorders, Temporomandibular joint disorders, chronic mandibular hypomobility disorders and growth disorders. This cross sectional study was carried out in the Prosthodontics department at Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi. A total of 140 subjects were evaluated both clinically and radiographically to estimate the prevalence of symptoms of TMDs as a function of age and gender. The most common disorder in the age frame, less than 20 years was found to be disc dislocation with reduction, while disc displacement was the most common disorder in older age groups. Inferior head of lateral pterygoid muscle was most commonly found to be involved in 88.6% individuals, followed by Medial pterygoid muscle that was tender in 82.9% individuals