ABSTRACT
Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of curcumin preparation on the palatal changes associated with reversesmoking. Materials and methods: The study sample was divided into two groups with ten reverse smokingpatients each. Group A patients were advised to use curcumin oral gel on an acrylic palatal plate whereasgroup B patients were instructed about the benefits of smoking cessation. Clinical and cytological smearexaminations were performed at the first visit and at the end of the third visit. Data obtained was subjectedto statistical analysis. Results: Evident improvement with reduction in size and severity of the clinical lesionwas observed among the study group at both first and third visits (p < 0.001, significant). However, thecytological appearances remained the same in all the cases, except for three cases from the study group,which demonstrated a transition from moderate dysplastic features to milder dysplastic features (p = 0.28,not significant). Conclusion: Due to its diverse array of molecular targets, curcumin affords great potentialas a therapeutic agent for precancerous and cancerous conditions. Results from our pilot study have clearlyshown that curcumin is effective in the treatment of the palatal changes associated with reverse smoking.
Objetivos: Avaliar a eficácia da curcumina sobre as alterações palatais associadas ao fumo reverso. Materiaise métodos: A amostra foi dividida em dois grupos com dez pacientes fumantes cada. No grupo A os pacientesforam aconselhados a usar o gel de curcumina oral em uma placa de acrílico palatina, enquanto os pacientesdo grupo B foram instruídos sobre os benefícios da cessação tabágica. Exames de esfregaço citológico e examesclínicos foram realizados na primeira visita e no fim da terceira visita. Os dados obtidos foram submetidosà análise estatística. Resultados: Observou-se evidente melhora na redução do tamanho e na gravidadeda lesão clínica no grupo de estudo em ambas as visitas (p < 0,001, significativo). No entanto, a aparênciacitológica permaneceu a mesma em todos os casos, exceto em três casos do grupo de estudo, os quais demonstraramuma transição de características displásicas moderadas para leves (p = 0,28; não significativo).Conclusão: A curcumina, em virtude de seu conjunto diversificado de alvos moleculares, proporciona umgrande potencial como agente terapêutico para as condições cancerosas e pré-cancerosas. Os resultados donosso estudo piloto mostraram claramente que a curcumina é eficaz no tratamento das alterações palataisassociadas ao fumo reverso.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use , Curcumin/therapeutic use , Palate/drug effects , Palate/pathology , Smoking/adverse effects , Reproducibility of Results , Severity of Illness Index , Time Factors , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Aim: To obtain comprehensive information about the knowledge, attitude and practices towardshepatitis B infection by dental health care professionals, and their effort to prevent the transmissionamong the patients. Methods: A cross sectional survey conducted among 540 dental health careworkers in a dental college and private practitioners in and around Bhimavarm, India. A selfassessmentquestionnaire with queries on levels, namely knowledge and practices, and protectivemeasures to prevent transmission of hepatitis B was recorded and statistically analyzed. Results:Frequency distribution scores of knowledge, attitude and practice in relation to hepatitis B infectionrevealed that the faculty members, the students under training along with, nurses, hygienists andlab technicians were relatively aware of hepatitis B vaccination, precautions and principles dropletisolation procedures to prevent transmission of hepatitis B infection. Conclusions: The resultsshowed that the dental professionals had good knowledge and attitude regarding hepatitis B andits transmission, but that the infection control measures among the health care professionals aremoderately poor and an educational program on isolation precautions can further enhance theselevels and thereby, reducing the risk of infection transmission.