Animal models - Mimicking the pain of trigeminal neuralgia.

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is an episodic facial pain which feels like an electric shock of unilateral origin. This neuropathic disorder is an intensely stressful to bear for patient and impacts the quality of life. Most of the cases of TN arise when the root of fifth cranial nerve, i.e., trigeminal nerve is compressed after a few millimeters of its entry into the pons. This article describes various animal models and the role of biomarkers to study the underlying mechanisms of neuropathic pain in animal models as well as different modes of management of TN.

Analyzability of newly developed/commercially promoted drugs among young medical and dental doctors.

INTRODUCTION: The development of a new chemical entity into a drug is of indispensable importance for the progression of health care. As physicians play the main and important part of any clinical trial, it is necessary to know about their awareness about clinical research, drug development, good clinical practices, and regulatory authorities. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to assess and compare the knowledge and awareness toward drug development process among medical interns, dental interns, and postgraduates (PGs). METHODOLOGY: This was a cross-sectional study enrolling 186 professionals of medical college and 110 professionals of dental college in Punjab who were given a prevalidated questionnaire that included 27 questions related to knowledge regarding drug development process. Data were analyzed for percentage correct responses, mean values, and intergroup comparison by applying t-test using SPSS version 20, IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0. IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA. RESULTS: It was found that medical and dental college professionals had a very poor awareness and knowledge about drug development process to the tune of 33%. Professionals of dental college had 53.7% knowledge of clinical research in comparison to 43.2% of medical college. A statistically significant (P < 0.05) difference for sections on drug development, clinical research, and regulatory authority among interns and PGs was found with interns possessing better knowledge. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that regulatory authorities such as Board of Studies of various medical universities, Dental Council of India, and Medical Council of India must take necessary steps to increase the knowledge of drug development process among dental and medical professionals. Incorporation of this topic in educational curriculum in the initial stages of graduation and postgraduation would be beneficial.

Curricular adequacy on basics of clinical trials.

INTRODUCTION: Clinical trials are integral to innovation in the treatment modalities and are conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of novel drugs. Clinical trials of modern era have evolved through stern consequences and tragedies in the past. This study was designed to know knowledge on ethics, adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and tragedies in clinical trials among interns and postgraduates (PGs). METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional study was carried out on graduates undergoing internship (interns) and PG residents of a medical college and a dental college from Punjab. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 151 professionals of medical college and 100 professionals of dental colleges in Punjab with the help of a prevalidated questionnaire. The data were then analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between dental and medical doctors regarding ethics and ADRs, but a significant difference was observed among interns and PG residents, with interns having higher awareness regarding ethics and ADRs. There was no significant difference (P = 0.941) in knowledge among dental and medical doctors as well as among interns and PG residents, with P = 0.264 about tragedies in clinical trials. CONCLUSION: From the study, it can be concluded that interns and PGs do not get enough exposure to basics in clinic research such as research ethics, ADRs, and tragedies in clinical trials. It is suggested that there is a requirement for suitable modifications in the teaching curriculum at undergraduate level and regular training must be provided to professionals.

An idiosyncratic post-traumatic tetrad: compound odontome, dentigerous cyst, impaction, and double-dilaceration.

OBJECTIVE: This report describes the case of a 13-year-old patient who experienced traumatic intrusion of the primary maxillary right central incisor and subsequently suffered an atypical tetrad, comprising of an unerupted compound odontoma associated with a dentigerous cyst, and an impacted, doubly dilacerated permanent maxillary right central incisor; however, the high interconnectivity of the occurrence of four pathologies together is unusual has not previously been reported. SUMMARY: The pathologies were detected 7 years after trauma; surgical removal of odontome along with the dentigerous cyst was performed, followed by orthodontic extrusion of the impacted double-dilacerated permanent central incisor. The 18-month follow-up shows no pathology, no gingival recession, and normal probing depth.