Root coverage by modified coronally advanced flap with and without platelet-rich fibrin: A clinical study

Marginal gingival recession can cause major functional and esthetic problems. Advanced flaps are the simplest, yet unpredictable procedures for managing these conditions. The predictability of root coverage can be increased by combining coronally advanced flap (CAF) or its modified approach with other regenerative techniques. Objective: To ascertain the potential benefits of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) on modified CAF for the treatment of gingival recession. Materials and Methods: Study comprised of 12 patients with Millers' class I and class II gingival recession in two non-adjacent anterior teeth having a minimum 3 mm width of attached gingiva. Following split-mouth design, one tooth with gingival recession was subjected to modified CAF, while another was treated by CAF with PRF. The clinical parameters, i.e., plaque index, modified sulcular bleeding index, vertical gingival recession depth (VGRD), gingival recession width (GRW), clinical attachment level (CAL), and gingival thickness (GT) were recorded at baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. Results: VGRD, GRW, CAL, and GT improved significantly from baseline to 1 month in both test and control groups. However, change in these parameters from 1 month to 3 months and 3 months to 6 months were statistically nonsignificant in both groups. On intergroup comparison, only the change in GT was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05) at all three post-treatment visits. Conclusion: Benefits of the combined technique in terms of increased GT appear to justify the use of PRF along with modified CAF for the treatment of mild to moderate gingival recessions.

Hypobaric hypoxia-mediated protein expression in plasma of susceptible & tolerant rats.

Background & objectives: Low availability of oxygen at high altitudes has a great impact on the human life processes. There is a widespread interest and need to find out protein(s) that are possibly involved in mediating tolerance to hypobaric hypoxia. We undertook this study to identify and characterize protein expression in plasma of hypoxia susceptible and tolerant rats. Methods: Male albino Sprague Dawley rats were segregated into susceptible and tolerant groups on the basis of their gasping time when exposed to simulated hypobaric hypoxia of 32,000 ft (9,754 m) at 32ºC. Comparative proteome profiling of blood plasma of hypoxia susceptible and tolerant individuals was performed using 2-dimentional (2-D) gel electrophoresis. Results: Three proteins with higher expression levels were selected separately from tolerant and susceptible samples. Characterization of these proteins from tolerant sample using MALDI-TOF/TOF and MASCOT search indicated their homology with two different super-families viz. NADB-Rossmann superfamily (Rab GDP dissociation inhibitor β) and Transferrin superfamily (two Serotransferrins), having potential role in imparting tolerance against hypoxia. Three high level upregulated proteins were characterized from blood plasma of hypoxia susceptible animals showing similarity with threonine tRNA ligase (mitochondrial), carbohydrate sulphotransferase 7 and aspartate tRNA ligase (cytoplasmic) that play a role in ATP binding, carbohydrate metabolism and protein biosynthesis, respectively. Interpretation & conclusions: Our results indicated that rats segregated into hypoxia sensitive and tolerant based on their gasping time showed differential expression of proteins in blood plasma. Characterization of these differentially expressed proteins will lead to better understanding of molecular responses occurring during hypoxia and subsequently development of biomarkers for categorization of hypoxia susceptible and tolerant individuals.

Giant Condyloma Acuminatum of the Anorectum : Surgical or Topical Treatment.

Giant condyloma (Buschke-Loewenstein tumour) is a rare disease that commonly affects the urogenital area. We encountered an eighteen year old, nonhomosexual, HIV negative, male, who presented with a cauliflower like warty mass around perianal region. The mass was 8×6 cm in size, circumferential, soft and papillary in nature. Wide excision of mass was carried out with anoplasty reconstruction. Post-operatively, wound healing was uneventful. After wound healing, the topical applications of five percent imiquimod were done regularly under the care of dermatologist for three months. At six months of follow-up, patient is free from tumour, and is having neither signs of anal stenosis nor incontinence.

Angiokeratoma Circumscriptum of the Tongue.

Angiokeratoma circumscriptum is rare cutaneous disorder. It usually presents as multiple,red, blue or black asymptomatic papules on lower extremities. Oral involvement, common in systemic form, is rare in localized forms. We report a case of angiokeratoma circumscriptum of tongue, involving both dorsal and ventral aspects.

Congenital lymphangioma circumscriptum of the vulva.

Lymphangioma circumscriptum of the vulva is a disorder of lymphatic channels involving deep dermal tissues. Most of these cases are confused with genital warts leading to improper diagnosis and treatment. We present a three years young female child who had multiple skin colored papular lesions over the genitals. Skin biopsy revealed features of lymphangioma circumscriptum.

Parameatal urethral cyst.

Cyst formation in the parameatal area of the urethra is an uncommon entity. It was first reported in two male cases as recently as 1956 by Thompson and Lantin. Further reports have been rare. Herein, we report a case of a 21 year-old male having a spherical, cystic swelling 1 cm in size at the external urethral meatus. The diagnosis of parameatal urethral cyst was made and the cyst was excised. Histopathological examination revealed a monolocular cyst lined with transitional cells. The postoperative period was uneventful.

Late onset isotretinoin resistant acne conglobata in a patient with acromegaly.

A 55 year-old male presented with multiple pus-discharging abscesses and sinuses and mutilating scarring on the gluteal region and back prevalent for the last ten years with exacerbations and remissions. Physical examination revealed acromegaly with frontal bossing, prognathism, a barrel chest and acral hypertrophy. Dermatological examination revealed cutis verticis gyrata, thick eyelids, a large triangular nose, a thickened lower lip, macroglossia, widely spaced teeth and widened skin pores with wet and oily skin. Hair was fine and nails were flat and wide. There were multiple inflammatory papules, tender nodules, draining sinuses, and grouped, polyporous comedones as well as multiple and extensive depressed and keloidal scars localized predominantly over the gluteal region with a few scattered lesions over the back. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed widened sella turcica. His basal fasting growth hormone (GH) levels were markedly raised (230 ng/mL; normal 1-5 ng/mL) while the prolactin levels were moderately raised (87 ng/mL; normal 2-5 ng/mL). These findings were consistent with a diagnosis of acromegaly. The patient was put on antibiotics, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and isotretinoin at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day, which was increased to 1.5 mg/kg/day. Except for an initial mildly beneficial response, the skin lesions were largely resistant to high doses of isotretinoin at the end of four months.

Lupus erythematosus profundus.

A case of lupus erythematosus profundus, with associated mastitis, but without any lesions of discoid lupus erythematosus or systemic lupus erythematosus is being reported.

Inguinal syndrome with penoscrotal elephantiasis.

Bilateral inguinal adenitis and penoscrotal elephantiasis are uncommonly encountered presentations of Lymphogranuloma venereum. Herein, we report a male who presented with bilateral inguinal bubos along with penoscrotal elephantiasis that developed within 6 months of the primary lesion.

Study of operational aspects of pulse polio booths during Intensified Pulse Polio Immunisation Campaign in assembly segments of East Delhi.

The study was undertaken with the objective of observing operational aspects of 609 pulse polio booths established during Intensified Pulse Polio Campaign in East Delhi on National Immunisation Days (NID) during 2001-2002 through well designed format. The average number of persons present on duty at polio booths was 3.73 against a recommendation of 4 per booth. All the booths had vaccine carriers but some of them were not following the guidelines laid for maintaining the cold chain. One sixth "(15.4%)" of the booths needed fresh supplies of vaccine carrier. There is need for deployment of motivated trained manpower at polio booths to ensure the success of Pulse Polio Campaign. Maintenance of cold chain and quality assurance of vaccine administered to children in the field remain a challenge. More than half (55.7%) booths did not have any volunteer. Absence of volunteers from the community in more than half of the booths warrant for strengthening the linkages between the governmental agencies and the community.

Knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices regarding measles in a rural area of Delhi.

387 mothers in Mehrauli block of Delhi were interviewed regarding their knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices regarding measles. 98.4% enumerated one or the other symptoms, fever being the commonest. 77.5% were aware of the infectious nature and 97% had favourable attitude regarding feeding the child during measles. The commonest foodstuff given was cowmilk and khichdi. 95.1% of the respondents intended to apply local herbs on eruptions. There was a variety of local medicines for home treatment and Laung, Tulsi leaves and Kishmish being the practice in descending order of preference. 98.4% respondents favoured giving special nutritional care during the attack of measles to their children.