Maxillofacial Injuries in Children: A 10 year Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVES: Fractures of facial bones in children are relatively uncommon although both children and adults are subjected to similar types of injuries. This study aims to evaluate the epidemiology of facial bone fractures among children under 14 years, their management and outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included maxillofacial injuries treated in 112 children under 14 years admitted due to maxillofacial injuries during the period from 2001 to 2011. RESULTS: Of them ten (8.93 %) were below 5 years, 44 (39.29 %) between 6 and 10 years and 58 (51.78 %) between 11 and 14 years of age. Male to female ratio was 1.8:1. Fall from a height was the most common etiology. The most common jaw involved in the fracture was the mandible. Conservative management was done in 83.04 % of cases and open reduction and internal fixation was performed in 16.96 % of cases. Five (4.46 %) cases accounted for post-operative wound infection. CONCLUSION: Fracture of the mandible is the most common maxillofacial injury in children, most often caused by fall from a height. The osteogenic potential of the mandible in children leads to conservative management of these fractures. Opportunities for prevention of maxillofacial trauma should be taken into consideration by parents and care takers.

Educational program for patients with type-1 diabetes mellitus receiving free monthly supplies of insulin improves knowledge and attitude, but not adherence.

BACKGROUND: Though patients attending a diabetic clinic in a tertiary care hospital were given free monthly supplies of insulin, it was found that their glycemic control was poor. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A prospective interventional study was carried out at the outpatient clinic in a tertiary care hospital. AIMS: To evaluate the effectiveness of a six month educational interventional program on the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of type-1 diabetic patients receiving free monthly supplies of human insulin and to assess their adherence. METHODOLOGY: Sixty-seven type-1 diabetics, receiving free insulin vials each month, were recruited. The patients' baseline glycemic index, plasma insulin and KAP scores were determined using a validated questionnaire. The patients were educated about the disease and use of insulin for the next six months. In the seventh month, the KAP questionnaire was readministered and blood parameters measured. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin and plasma insulin were compared by paired t tests. Mean KAP scores by Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks test. Difference in the proportion of patients answering the items was compared using test of proportions for dependant groups. RESULTS: The overall mean scores (+/- SE) increased from 30.8 +/- 0.5 to 42.2 +/- 0.4 (P < 0.001). The improvement in practice scores, though significant, was marginal, that is, from 17.7 +/- 0.3 to 18.8 +/- 0.3. In three out of the ten items under practice domain, only the manner in which vials were being stored at home showed significant improvement (P < 0.0001). The adherence to the insulin regimen increased from 82 to 86%, but was not significant. Patients cited financial reasons for nonadherence. CONCLUSION: The study showed that a planned educational intervention in type-1 diabetics, receiving monthly supplies of insulin free of charge, did not improve the key aspects of the practice component, even though the knowledge and attitude improved.

Koro in an industrial setting.

This case of classical koro in a 52 year old male describes three essential characteristics, i.e., acute exacerbation of chronic anxiety, fear of genital retraction and fear that the complete disappearance of the organ into the abdomen will result in death. Various etiological, developmental and personality factors in the genesis of anxiety have been discussed. The patient was treated with anxiolytics, antidepressants and dual sex therapy and was followed up for five years.

Time dependent effects of hormones on rate of protein synthesis in lymphoid organs of chickens.

Total protein content in blood serum and different lymphoid organs, such as bursa, spleen and thymus was investigated in chickens at two different circadian stages (0800 or 1600 hrs; early or late photophase) following administration of either saline or hormones (thyroxine or hydrocortisone or epinephrine). The results suggest that the lymphoid organs may respond differently to the exogenous administration of different hormones depending on the time of their administration.

Meal scheduling modulation of circadian rhythm of phototactic behaviour in cave dwelling fish.

Phototactic responses of three groups, each of 16 cave fishes, were observed at 4-hr intervals beginning at 0900, following 5 days of acclimation inside specially designed aquaria. The latter consisted of two parts, a photic zone and an aphotic zone. The first group of fishes were fed ad libitum, while the second and third group of fishes were fed with minced mutton and/or liver delivered in the photic zone between 0700-1100, and in the aphotic zone between 1900-2100. The percentage of fishes present in the photic zone at a given time was used as a measure of their phototactic responses. Single cosinor analysis of these data has revealed, for the first time, a circadian rhythmicity in the phototactic behaviour of a cavernicolous organism. However, imposition of restricted feeding schedules shifted the peak time of the circadian rhythm in phototactic responses. Meal scheduling may thus be an effective synchronizer for this behavioural rhythm.

Experimental ancylostomiasis in chickens: effect of various dose of infective Ancylostoma caninum larvae on their migration and distribution.

White leghorn chickens, when infected with repeated doses of Ancylostoma caninum larvae, expel the larvae at a faster rate than when infected with a single dose. This suggests that the initial dose induces some resistance in the host. An initial dose of 1000 and 2000 larvae, followed by a 2nd dose of the same order, induces resistance in the alimentary tract causing the entire larval burden either to migrate to other tissues (organs) or to be expelled in 24 h.