Physical and Mental Health Status of Women whose Spouses Inject Drugs – A Cross-Sectional, Multisite Study

Substance use disorder impacts the lives of significant others, more especially the wives of individuals using substances. However, the physical and mental health issues among wives of people who inject drugs(PWID) are less studied. The current cross?sectional, multisite study assessed the physical and mental health of wives of 433 PWID across six sites in Delhi. The mean age of the participants was 32.7 years (standard deviation: 9.7). More than 50% of the participants reported menstrual problems, most commonly dysmenorrhea. Around 55.9% had adverse pregnancy outcomes(abortion, miscarriage, or stillbirth). Around one out of four participants reported at least one specific sexually transmitted infection symptom. Around 11% were diagnosed with tuberculosis and 35% with a major medical illness in their lifetime. More than 90% of the participants had depressive and anxiety symptoms. The study showed that there is a huge burden of physical and mental health issues among the wives of PWID.

Ectodermal dysplasia: A case report

Ectodermal dysplasia (ED) is a rare group of inherited disorders with defects in the development of one or more tissues derived from primary embryonic ectodermal derivatives. The inclusion of ED does not include all ectodermal derivatives and is manifested with a defect in skin, hair, teeth, and eccrine glands. Dry skin, frontal bossing, scanty eyebrows, and hair follicles are common features seen in these patients. The patient may suffer from high fever due to the absence of eccrine glands. Intraoral findings include a partial or complete absence of teeth with generalized spacing. It can be inherited or caused by a genetic mutation, and it can also happen without a family history. This case report presents a 12-year-old female child with hypohidrotic ED involving a multidisciplinary approach in ED that was beneficial both physiologically and psychologically is discussed in this case report.

Maternal hypothyroidism and neonatal outcome

Background: Hypothyroidism is widely prevalent in pregnant women but rate of detection is very low in developing countries. Hypothyroidism is easily treated, timely detection and treatment of the disorder could reduce the burden of adverse fetal and maternal outcomes. Objective of the study was to determine the immediate outcome in neonates born to mother with hypothyroidism.Methods: Prospective descriptive study.110 babies were observed for neonatal outcome.55 babies were born to hypothyroid mothers and 55 babies were born to mothers without thyroid abnormalities. These babies were observed for type of delivery, Gestational age, need for intensive care unit, growth parameters, Interventions required during the stay, sepsis was compared with those born to mothers without hypothyroidism.Results: Both the groups were similar in terms of type of delivery. No association between maternal hypothyroidism and Hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes. Cases with prematurity are almost same in both groups. Most of babies were term gestation. The birth weight of babies was similar. Majority from both the group did not require any oxygen support. Majority of babies were in appropriate for age category. Both the groups were similar in incidence of small for gestational age and large of gestational age babies.Conclusions: Babies born to well treated hypothyroid mothers were similar in all aspects to babies born to non-hypothyroid mothers. These signify the importance of screening all antenatal mothers for hypothyroidism and prompt treatment to prevent adverse consequences on neonatal outcome.

Selfie addiction: the prodigious self-portraits

Background: Selfie’s are self-portrait taken to admire the excessive pride in one’s own appearance. When these selfies are taken persistently in increased numbers with futile efforts to stop taking them is called as “SELFIE ADDICTION”. There is an uncontrollable craving for taking selfie’s which has a great impact on the life style modifications substantially in the adolescent age group. This problem has just commenced but it has disseminated rapidly to a greater magnitude.Methods: This study was done as a community based cross sectional study at Pondicherry, Chennai and Kadaloor district during November 2015 and February 2016 with the objectives of assessing the prevalence and its risk factors of the Selfie addiction among adolescents. Individuals of adolescent age group were randomly selected and the data were collected using direct questionnaire method with proper informed consent. The data was entered in MS excel sheet and analysis was done using SPSS software.Results: A total of 766 college students were interviewed of which 53% were males with the mean age of 19 years. The purposes of taking selfies were time pass (46%), to admire themselves (14.5%), to post in social network sites (23.7%). Among the study participants 87% of them had the habit of taking selfies regularly using mobile phones and the number of selfies per minute varied from 2 to 10 per minute. The prevalence of selfie addiction was present among 111 (14.5%) and it was significantly associated with gender, higher version mobile phone users, early morning selfie takers, chronic mobile users.Conclusions: The prevalence of selfie addiction among adolescent population in our study was moderately high and hence interventions should be made to create cognizance among the general population about the risk factors and its consequences.

Calcifying Cystic Odontogenic Tumor: A Case Report and Review.

Calcifying cystic odontogenic tumor (CCOT) are uncommon benign slow-growing cysts of developmental origin partly exhibiting characteristics of a neoplasm. Until date, the exact behavior of CCOT had been enigmatic and still the lesion portrays a platform to be debatable. The lesion has been reviewed and readdressed from the date first reported about its diverse clinical and histopathological features. The name of the lesion itself has undergone extensive review for the same reason. We report a case of calcifying odontogenic cyst in the mandible with a review of the literature. This paper also highlights the update on nomenclature and classification.

Oral Atrophic Lichen Planus: Diagnosis and Management.

Lichen planus is a chronic T-cell mediated autoimmune disease, which affects the oral mucosa, skin, genital mucosa, scalp and nails. Oral lichen planus, the mucosal counterpart affects 0.5-2.0% of the general population and often seen in the fifth to sixth decades of life. The lesion is frequently seen in women. Since it is considered a potentially malignant disorder, early diagnosis with timely management and regular follow-up is very important to avoid further complications. This paper reports a case of atrophic lichen planus, highlights the classic picture of atrophic lichen planus, discusses the differential diagnoses and timely management and follow-up.

Successful transportation of human corneal endothelial tissues without cool preservation in varying Indian tropical climatic conditions and in vitro cell expansion using a novel polymer.

Background: Though the transplantation of human corneal endothelial tissue (CET) separated from cadaver cornea is in practice, its transportation has not been reported. We report the successful transportation of CET in varying Indian climatic conditions without cool preservation and the in vitro expansion of Human Corneal Endothelial Precursor Cells (HCEPCs) using a novel Thermo‑reversible gelation polymer (TGP). Materials and Methods: CET from cadaver corneas (n = 67), unsuitable for transplantation, were used. In phase I, CET was transported in Basal Culture Medium (Group I) and TGP (Group II) and in Phase II, in TGP cocktail alone, from three hospitals 250‑2500 km away, to a central laboratory. The transportation time ranged from 6 h to 72 h and the outdoor temperature between 20°C and 41°C. On arrival, CET were processed, cells were expanded upto 30 days in basal culture medium (Group A) and TGP scaffold (Group B). Cell viability and morphology were documented and Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‑PCR) characterization undertaken. Results: In Phase I, TGP yielded more viable cells (0.11 × 106 cells) than Group I (0.04 × 106 cells). In Phase II, the average cell count was 5.44 × 104 cells. During expansion, viability of HCEPCs spheres in TGP was maintained for a longer duration. The cells from both the groups tested positive for B‑3 tubulin and negative for cytokeratins K3 and K12, thereby proving them to be HCEPCs. Conclusion: TGP preserves the CET during transportation without cool preservation and supports in vitro expansion, with a higher yield of HCEPCs, similar to that reported in clinical studies.

Evidence-Based Practice Knowledge, attitudes, practice and perceived barriers among nurses in Oman

The aim of this study was to describe nurses' practices, attitudes, knowledge/skills and perceived barriers in relation to evidence-based practice [EBP] in Oman. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between February and November 2012. A self-reported 24-item questionnaire was used to measure EBP practices, attitudes and knowledge/skills among a convenience sample of 600 nurses working in four governmental hospitals in Muscat, Oman. Responses were scored on a one to seven rating scale. Barriers to EBP were measured on a five-point Likert scale using two subscales. Descriptive statistics and general linear regression were used to analyse the data. A total of 414 nurses were included in the study. The greatest barriers to developing EBP among nurses were insufficient time for research [3.51 +/- 0.97] and insufficient resources to change practices [3.64 +/- 0.99]. Nurses with more years of experience reported increased use of EBP [P <0.01], more positive attitudes towards EBP [P <0.001] and fewer barriers to research [P <0.01]. Significant positive correlations were found between years of experience and practice [r = 0.16] and attitudes [r = 0.20]. Nurses with a baccalaureate degree reported fewer barriers to research than those qualified at a diploma level [P <0.001]. Nurses who perceived more barriers to research reported less use of EBP [P <0.001], less positive attitudes towards EBP [P <0.001] and limited EBP knowledge/skills [P <0.001]. These findings provide a basis for enhancing nursing practices, knowledge and skills. Continuing education for nurses and minimising barriers is crucial to increasing the use of EBP in Oman

The impact of chimerism in DNA-based forensic sex determination analysis

Sex determination is the most important step in personal identification in forensic investigations. DNA-based sex determination analysis is comparatively more reliable than the other conventional methods of sex determination analysis. Advanced technology like real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) offers accurate and reproducible results and is at the level of legal acceptance. But still there are situations like chimerism where an individual possess both male and female specific factors together in their body. Sex determination analysis in such cases can give erroneous results. This paper discusses the phenomenon of chimerism and its impact on sex determination analysis in forensic investigations.

Idiopathic central diabetes Insipidus.

Idiopathic central diabetes insipidus (CDI) is a rare disorder characterized clinically by polyuria and polydipsia, and an abnormal urinary concentration without any identified etiology. We report a case of central diabetes insipidus in a 60-year-old lady in the absence of secondary causes like trauma, infection, and infiltrative disorders of brain.

Predictors of Intubation in Children.

Objective To estimate the relation of mentohyoid, thyromental and sternomental distances to height, weight and age of children with normal airway. Methods We carried out a prospective, double blind pilot study in 400 children posted for elective surgery to measure mentohyoid, thyromental and sternomental distances preoperatively followed by intra-op evaluation of intubation using Cormack and Lehane grading. Results On assessing the contribution of age, height and weight to predict mentohyoid, thyromental and sternomental distances in children, the best predictor was found to be height (p=0.001)followed by age (p=0.04)of the patient. Conclusion We have derived simple formulae to predict mentohyoid, thyromental and sternomental distances relevant to airway based on height and age of children.

Skin testing in allergic rhinitis: Experience in Oman

Two hundred and thirty nine Omani patients of perennial and seasonal allergic rhinitis were investigated for the prevalent patterns of allergens by prick testing. They were tested with 31 commonly encountered allergens. The results were analyzed with respect to age and sex incidence and patterns of prevalence of allergens. The commonest allergens were found to be house dust mite. Followed by cat fur, hay dust and mixed threshings