Assessment of Impact of Various Root Canal Irrigants on the Adherence of the Gelatinase-producing and the Gelatinase-deficient E. faecalis Strains to Dentin.

AIM: Present study was planned to assess the impact of various root canal irrigants on the adhesion of different Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) strains to the dentinal surface. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 80 freshly extracted first and second molars were used in the present study. Preparation of dentin discs was done followed by a random division into four study groups and one control group. Four study groups included; 2.5 % sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 2 % chlorhexidine (CHX), 2.5 % NaOCl + saline + 2 percent CHX and 2.5 % NaOCl + 17 % ethylene diamine tetra-acetate (EDTA) + 2.5 % NaOCl group respectively. In the control group (E), sterilized dentin discs were incubated with sterile TSB solution. Division of all the groups into two subgroups were done depending upon the type of strain of E. faecalis used. Incubation of all the specimens was done followed by assessment with XTT assay and measurement of Optical density (OD). All the results were compiled and analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. RESULTS: Among the groups containing gelatinase producing strains; maximum score was exhibited by 2.5 percent sodium hypochlorite solution followed by 2.5 % NaOCl + 17 % Ethylene Diamine tetra-acetate (EDTA) + 2.5 % NaOCl group (group D). On comparing the OD values among various study groups incubated with Gelatinase producing strain, significant results were obtained. Gelatinase-producing E. faecalis showed a significantly higher amount of adherence to dentin, in comparison to the gelatinase-deficient E. faecalis strains. CONCLUSION: Lesser quantity of bacteria is recovered from specimens in whom CHX was added to the irrigation protocol. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Production of gelatinase by E. faecalis might lead to an increase in adhesiveness of E. faecalis to the dentin.

Comparative Evaluation of Different Bone Markers in Peri-implant Crevicular Fluid of Immediate Loaded and Nonloaded Dental Implants.

AIM: The present study was conducted to determine different bone markers in immediate loaded and nonloaded dental implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It comprised of 60 patients (males-30, females-30) which were divided into two groups of 30 each. Group I received immediate loaded dental implants, and group II received non-loaded dental implants. Modified bleeding on probing index, peri-implant sulcus depth was assessed in both groups at 1 month, 2 months, 3 months and 4 months. The crevicular fluid was obtained to determine bone markers levels such as transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-a), osteocalcin (OCN), osteopontin (OPN), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and osteoprotegerin (OPG). RESULTS: Both groups revealed non-significant difference in modified bleeding on probing index and peri-implant sulcus depth (p > 0.05). Bone markers found to be elevated more in group I as compared to group II. However, the difference was non- significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-a), OCN, OPN, OPG and PTH and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were higher in immediate loaded dental implants as compared to nonloaded dental implants. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Immediate loaded dental implants showed an increase in expression of bone markers such as TNF-a, OCN, OPN, PTH and OPG which may be useful in deciding future of immediate loaded dental implants.

The Socio-Demographic Characteristics of the Clients of Female Sex Workers and their Perspectives, Behaviours and Attitude on HIV and AIDS: A Questionnaire Based Survey from Pokhara, Nepal.

BACKGROUND: The clients of Female Sex Workers (FSWs) have been represented from different socio-demographic backgrounds and their risk behaviour depends upon their learning skills and attitudes and its impacts on practice. OBJECTIVE: The general objective of this study was to find the socio-demographic characteristics, background, knowledge, behaviour, and the attitude on STIs, HIV and AIDS of the clients of female sex workers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This questionnaire based, cross sectional study was conducted on 109 clients of FSWs during the time period from January 2010 to July 2010 in Pokhara (submetropolitan city of the Kaski district), Nepal. The locations were the Baglung Bus Park, Lakeside and Mahendrapool. RESULT: Among the 109 respondents, the mininum and the maximum age were 18 and 50 years. According to the religion-wise distribution, 77.1% of the respondents were Hindus, 10.1% were Buddhists, 8.3% were Christians, 1% were Muslims and 3.7% were from other religions. 67.9% of the respondents were tested for HIV at least once, whereas nearly one third (32.1%) of the respondents were never tested for HIV. 49.5% of the respondents answered that there was no difference between HIV and AIDS. Among the respondents, 89.9% respondents knew how to be safe from STIs and the HIV infections and 99.1% knew about HIV and AIDS. CONCLUSION: HIV and AIDS is a cross cutting issue in the present situation rather than a health issue. One of the most at risk groups is the clients of female workers who frequently have risk behaviours like having sex with female sex workers. The sexual behaviour among these clients depends upon their attitude, knowledge and perception, which also influence several internal and external factors. In our study, the clients of the female sex workers had some extent of knowledge about the condom, sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS. They were made aware on these by different organizations who were working in the field of HIV and AIDS, but still they intended to practise unsafe sex with the female sex workers.

Pattern and trend of deliberate self-harm in western Nepal.

Acts of deliberate self-harm (DSH) not only affect the people directly involved, but also have grave psychological and social impact on the family and community. In the present study, a cohort of 173 cases of DSH reported from April 2002 to March 2005 was retrospectively analyzed, by perusing the medicolegal register maintained by the Emergency Department at the Western Regional Hospital, Pokhara in the Western Development Region of Nepal. The data were entered and analyzed using SPSS Version 10.1. More than two-thirds of total cases were females. About 60% of cases were observed in the age group of 15-24 years. Poisoning (89.6%) was the most preferred method of deliberate self-harm. Organophosphate pesticides were consumed in nearly two-thirds of the poisoning cases. The majority of cases were reported during the months of May to July and had occurred during the last quarter of the day. More than a twofold increase was observed in the frequency of cases during the 3-year study period. The said observations were compared and contrasted with the available literature across the globe. The presentation is concluded by highlighting the limitations encountered in Nepal and the scope to overcome the same.

Morbidity profile, prescribing patterns and working of the community drug programme in a health post in Western Nepal.

The study was carried out at the Naudanda Health Post over a two-month period (July 15, 2000, to September 15, 2000). The objectives were to obtain information on the demography of patients, morbidity, drug-prescribing patterns and the working of the Community Drug Programme. Acute respiratory infections were the most common illness. Paracetamol was most commonly prescribed and 80.6% of the drugs prescribed were essential drugs.

A comparative study of drug utilisation at different levels of the primary healthcare system in Kaski district, Western Nepal.

AIMS: Studies that compare prescribing patterns at different levels of the primary healthcare system are lacking in Western Nepal. The present study was undertaken to obtain information on age, sex distribution, and morbidity profiles of patients, prescribing patterns and defined daily dose of commonly used drugs. METHODS: The study was carried out over a three-month period (1 June 2000 to 31 August 2000) at four centres in the Kaski district, Western Nepal. Chi-square test was used to compare differences in morbidity profiles and prescribing patterns (p <0.01). RESULTS: There were significant differences in the average number of drugs per prescription across different levels. The morbidity profiles were also different. Vitamins were more commonly prescribed at the primary health centre level. Antibiotics were prescribed in 67% of encounters at the level of primary health centre, but the prescribing decreased at the levels of health post and sub-health post. CONCLUSIONS: The average number of drugs per prescription and the average cost were higher at the primary health centre level and this may be due to the increased prescribing frequency of vitamins and tonics. Comparisons of prescribing patterns at different levels of healthcare, and between government and private healthcare institutions, are urgently required.