Efficacy of curcumin in treating palatal changes associated with reverse smoking / Eficácia da curcumina no tratamento de alterações do palato associadas ao fumo reverso

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.

Knowledge, attitude and practice on hepatitis B prevention among dental professionals in India

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.

Rare case of fetal gastroschisis with aplasia of the foot and external genital organs.

Gastroschisis is a rare anomaly and is usually not associated with any other congenital anomalies. The embryology of gastroschisis and omphalocele remains a matter of speculation. Incidences of gastroschisis are particularly high among pregnancies in very young women. The present case is reported because of its rare association with the condition of gastroschisis, disrupted omphalocele, with aplasia of the foot and external genital organs, as well as imperforate anus with distal rectal atresia.

Abnormal branching pattern of the axillary artery and its clinical significance.

SUMMARY: The increasing use of invasive diagnostic and interventional procedures in cardiovascular diseases makes it importantthat the type and frequency of vascular variations are well documented and understood. Sound knowledge of neurovascular variations isimportant for surgeons who remove axillary lymph nodes, to anesthesiologists, and orthopedic surgeons, considering the frequency ofprocedures done in this region. An unusual variation in the branching pattern of axillary artery was observed on the left side of a 60 year oldfemale cadaver. In the present case the course and distribution of the first and second part of the axillary artery were normal. But a rare caseof unusual origin of subscapular, anterior and posterior circumflex humeral, profunda brachii artery and ulnar collateral arteries from acommon trunk were found on the left side during routine dissection. This common trunk was found arising from the third part of the axillaryartery and at its commencement it was found passing between the two roots of the median nerve. Cases with this kind of variations shouldbe examined or operated carefully during surgical or electrophysiological procedures.