Evaluation of shear bond strength of three different types of artificial teeth to heat cure denture base resin: An in vitro study.

Context: Bonding of artificial teeth and denture base material remained a significant problem for successful prosthetic treatment. Aim: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate shear bond strength of three different artificial teeth with heat cure denture base material after various surface conditioning methods and thermocycling. Materials and Methods: Ninety mandibular first molar denture teeth were selected. They were divided into three groups, Group I: Nanocomposite resin (Veracia), Group II: Composite teeth (Endura), and Group III: Cross-linked acrylic denture teeth (Acry rock). All groups were further subdivided into subgroups based on surface conditioning methods. Subgroup A: No surface conditioning (control group), Subgroup B: Surface conditioning with methyl methacrylate-based bonding agent (Vitacoll), and Subgroup C: Air abrasion with 50 μm aluminum oxide powder particles plus silane-coupling agent (Monobond-S) and Vitacoll bonding agent. Evaluation of shear bond strength of all the specimens was done using universal testing machine. Results: Mean shear bond strength of Group I, Subgroup B (6.87 ± 0.934) showed higher value when compared with Group II, Subgroup B (6.76 ± 1.84) and Group III, Subgroup B (5.66 ± 2.18). The control group (untreated surface) of all three types of artificial teeth used in this study showed significantly lower shear bond strength values than experimental groups (surface conditioning methods; P < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that there were significant differences in shear bond strength among control group and surface treatment groups of denture teeth bonded to heat cure denture base resin.

Gastric antiulcer and antiinflammatory activities of Calotropis procera stem bark

In recent years, a widespread search has been launched to identify new antiinflammatory and antiulcer-drugs from natural sources. The study was aimed at evaluating the antiinflammatory and antiulcer activity of chloroform extract (CH) and hydroalcoholic extract (HE) of the stem bark of Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T. Aiton, Apocynaceae, obtained successively by cold maceration. The antiinflammatory effect of the CH and HE extracts of the stem bark of the C. procera against carrageenan-induced paw oedema and also its antiulcer activity by using two acute models: Aspirin (100 mg/kg, p.o.) and ethanol (96 percent, 1 mL/200 g) in albino rats have been studied and found to be significant at 200 and 400 mg/kg when compared to the standard drugs. As a part of investigations to obtain compounds with antiinflammatory and antiulcer activity in this work, a bioassay was carried out with fractions obtained from chloroform extract with n-hexane (NF1), 1-butanol (BF1), ethyl acetate (EF1) and chloroform (CF1). The hydroalcoholic extract (HE) of the stem bark was fractionated with n-hexane (NF2), 1-butanol (BF2), ethyl acetate (EF2), chloroform (CF2) and water (WF2). The fractions were freeze-dried and evaluated for its antiinflammatory and antiulcer activity. Fractions NF1, CF1, BF2 and EF2 (20 mg/kg) showed significant antiinflammatory and antiulcer activity. The results obtained for antiulcer activity were also supported well by the histopathological examination of the open excised rat stomach. Further experiments are underway to determine which phytoconstituents are involved in antiinflammatory and antiulcer activities as well as mechanisms involved in gastroprotection.

Role of rehabilitation centres in reducing drug abuse problem in a town of Eastern Nepal.

OBJECTIVES: This paper focuses to describe the role and activities of Drug Rehabilitation Centres (DRCs) in reducing the drug-abuse problem in Dharan. It also offers suggestions for increasing the effectiveness of prevention programs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records of three DRCs working in Dharan for the past 9 years were analyzed using appropriate statistical tools. RESULTS: The yearly clean rate is significantly higher in these centres. Harm reduction program was currently available only in one centre. Pharmacotherapy along with short-term rehabilitation was available at de-addiction unit of B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences whereas long-term rehabilitation was at others centres. CONCLUSION: Thus, there should be a strong coordination and network with each other to increase the effectiveness of the treatment program for drug abuse. The treatment centres should be increased in number as well as in quality. BPKIHS should take initiation to start long-term management with repeated booster programs.

Alcohol use among physicians in a medical school in Nepal.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to know about the use of alcohol among physicians and factors that were related to it. METHODS: This was a cross sectional study conducted among the physicians in a medical school of eastern Nepal. A semi structured questionnaire was used to collect information. RESULTS: There were 55 subjects in the study. Half of them were between 35-45 years age group and one fourth among them were female. There were more than 88% physicians consuming alcohol for more than 10 years. One third used to preferred whisky as their favorites drink. Use of alcohol among them was due to peer pressure and to become a social human being. Most of them drink alcohol occasionally with an average amount 30-60 ml in a sitting and usually in the evening. Most of the time, they use alcohol either in parties or at home. CONCLUSION: Alcohol use in Nepal is very much prevalent. The use of alcohol is socially accepted in many communities. Uses of alcohol by physicians have direct effect on their health as well as the health of many people because they are role model for many people. They are also in direct contact with the patients. Steps to council the physicians may reduce the consumption of alcohol.

Association of obesity and physical activity in adult males of Dharan, Nepal.

OBJECTIVES: Obesity is one of the most apparent-yet most neglected public health problems. Physical activity is a crucial element in the development of obesity but still its importance in the occurrence of obesity varies in different populations. This paper aims to study the burden of obesity and its association with physical activity was carried out in a rapidly urbanizing town. METHODS: A cross-sectional study to investigate the prevalence of obesity and its association with physical activity was carried out in one thousand adult males of Dharan municipality. Tools of data collection included interview and physical measurements such as blood pressure, height and weight measurements, and waist and hip circumferences. Odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals for obesity were computed across various demographic and other variables without adjusting and then adjusting for physical activity. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in the population was 32.9% and 7.2% respectively. The study showed that physical inactivity is more importantly associated with obesity in the older population. The trend of young being more obese is reversed after adjusting for physical activity so that those in the older age were more obese than the younger ones. Similarly, those in to the business, vocational and clerical works, those who were more literate and those in the higher socio-economic status were significantly associated with obesity even after correcting for physical activity. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of overweight and obesity is high in the males of Dharan. The value and effect of physical activity seem to vary across different age-groups and socio-economic status and occupations. The young, the technical persons or businessmen and the more prosperous ones probably need to bring down their calorie intake along with emphasis on physical activity in order to bring down their weight and cardiovascular risk.

Prevalence and determinants of unmet need for family planning in a district of eastern region of Nepal.

OBJECTIVES: The unmet need for family planning is defined as the discrepancy between individual's contraceptive behaviors and their stated fertility preferences--The extent of which is very high in developing countries like Nepal. This study explores the unmet need and its determinants. METHODS: Among the teaching district of B.P. Koirala institute of Health Sciences, in the Eastern Region of Nepal, a district was selected randomly to conduct a cross-sectional study. A total of 1079 women were selected using systematic random sampling. We compared different demographic variables and sex-ration to unmet need by using means, percentage and applied chi-squared test where applicable. RESULT: The extent of unmet need is 25 percent with 9.5 percent for spacing and 15.5 percent for limiting. The mean age at marriage is 16(+/-3.2) years. A strong association of gender preferences towards male child and unmet need exist, which is highly significant. CONCLUSION: Unmet need is high despite extensive family planning program in Nepal. Mean age at marriage below legal age, low female education and gender discrimination are the factors responsible for unmet need.

Histoplasmosis masquerading as tuberculosis: a case report.

Histoplasmosis is not reported very commonly from India. We report a patient in whom the presenting feature was persistent leucopenia and hepatosplenomegaly and was treated as a case of disseminated tuberculosis. At autopsy, this patient showed all features of progressive disseminated histoplasmosis.

Patterns of various modes of delivery in relation to presence of different risk factors in term pregnant mothers--a case-control study.

A case-control study, was carried out, which aimed to determine whether a relation exists between risk factors present in mother and the mode of delivery i.e., outcome. Cases were those mothers who had one or more risk factors present during pregnancy (namely, short stature, malpresentation, antepartum haemorrhage, pre-eclamptic toxaemia/eclampsia, anaemia-haemoglobin less than 10 g/dl, twins, bad obstetric history, prolonged pregnancy, history of previous caesarean section and instrumental delivery, pregnancy associated with general diseases, prolonged difficult labour and RH-iso-immunisation). Controls were those mothers who did not have any of the above mentioned risk factors. Total of 250 cases and 250 controls were taken. Results showed that surgical and instrumental deliveries were strongly associated with presence of risk factors (odd's ratio: 5.94; attributable risks: 72%). Out of risk factors among cases, most common indication of caesarean section, was previous caesarean section followed by malpresentation, prolonged difficult labour and short statured mothers in descending order.