Journal of clinical and diagnostic research https://www.jcdr.net/back_issues.asp JCDR Current Scenario and Crisis Facing Dental College Graduates in India Hemant Jain, Aparna Agarwal https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=1-4&id=1892 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1892 Knowledge Towards ATOD (Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs): A Study Kalpana L., Kavya H.G. <b>Aim:</b> Drug abuse has led to a detrimental impact on the society worldwide. In India, drug use and related problems are of major interest and concern, but research on awareness has received less attention. The present study was conducted to assess the knowledge of students towards ATOD. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> A cross sectional, observational study was conducted on 300 students in 3 different colleges in Bangalore. The survey module was developed using an anonymous self administered questionnaire. <b>Results:</b> Out of 293 subjects assessed 159 were males and 134 were females. Males had better knowledge about the risks involved in alcohol and tobacco consumption where as in other drugs females had better knowledge. Students from rural background had less knowledge towards alcohol and tobacco’s harmful effects, in other drugs they had better knowledge. <b>Conclusions:</b> Knowledge about the risk involved in using ATOD is inadequate and if knowledge is inculcated among youths about the risk involved in drug abuse it will go a long way towards winning the battle against drug abuse. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=2&page=38-41&id=2076 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.2076 Effect of Yoga and Meditation on Mild to Moderate Essential Hypertensives Deepa T., Gowri Sethu, N. Thirrunavukkarasu <b>Introduction:</b> Hypertension is the most common cardiovascular disease affecting more than one billion people throughout the world. More than 95% of hypertensives belong to essential type, having no particular cause. By treating hypertension and factors contributing to it, both mortality and morbidity can be reduced. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of yoga and meditation on mild to moderate essential hypertensive patients. <b>Methods:</b> These patients were divided in to two groups: (a)15 patients treated with antihypertensive drugs along with yoganidra, (b)15 patients on antihypertensive drugs alone. Yoganidra practiced for 45min daily in the morning and evening. Parameters were recorded at the beginning and again at the end of 3 months. <b>Results and Conclusion:</b> The study showed a significant fall of mean blood pressure after 3 months of yoganidra.(P< .01,significant). Results of this study suggest that yoganidra can be used as adjunctive treatment with drug therapy on mild and moderate essential hypertensives. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=21-26&id=1885 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1885 Factors Influencing the Career Choices of Medical Graduates Smitha Bhat, Landric D’souza, Jeffrey Fernandez <b>Objectives:</b> To find subjects preferred by medical graduates for post-graduate specialization; And to find what factors determine these preferences. <b>Methods:</b> The study was a cross sectional observational analytic study of 250 interns from 5 medical colleges in Mangalore, Karnataka. Participants were chosen randomly from the intern’s registers of these colleges after obtaining IEC approval and permission from the administration of the respective colleges. Questionnaires were administered by interviewers and the data was collected and later analyzed by SPSS 13. <b>Results:</b> 130 males and 120 female interns responded to the questionnaire. 78.2% (n = 250) felt post-graduation was essential. 95.3% (n = 250) wanted to pursue a clinical specialty with the most preferred specialty being Medicine, Surgery, OBG and Paediatrics. Gender significantly influenced specialty choice with males choosing medicine and surgery (p value <0.005) and females choosing obstetrics and paediatrics (p value <0.005) Factors which influenced specialty choice included job satisfaction (p value <0.005), income, lifestyle friendliness and career prospects. <b>Conclusion:</b> Post-graduation is an important part of a doctor’s career path. Our study showed that interns predominantly chose clinical specialties like medicine surgery and paediatrics, while very few chose to specialize in pre-clinical and para-clinical subjects. Research and general practiced were among the less preferred options too. Choice of specialty was influenced by factors such as income and future career prospects. Knowing these factors may help in modifying policy in a way that would encourage junior doctors to pursue fields that are under represention, yet essential for medical colleges and for the community. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=61-64&id=1887 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1887 Vitamin D and the Metabolic Syndrome in Indian Sub-population Manuj Sharma, V.K. Sharma, R.K. Jain, Prayank Jain <b>Introduction:</b>Low serum 5-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels have been related to insulin resistance, the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components. The aim of our analysis was to investigate the association of 25(OH)D with IDF-defined MetS. <b>Design:</b> This was a cross-sectional study of 50 participants aged 15–65 years. <b>Results:</b> Mean age of the participants was 42.14 years. 25(OH)D levels were inversely associated with BMI, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), triglycerides, and fasting blood glucose (P<0.05). The percentage of subjects with MetS decreased across increasing quintiles of 25(OH)D (P<0.001). <b>Conclusions:</b> Our results demonstrate an inverse relationship between 25(OH)D levels and MetS in the Indian sub-population studied. Further investigations are required to clarify the clinical significance of these findings. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=89-91&id=1828 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1828 Health of Coconut Tree Climbers of Rural South India – Medical Emergencies, Body Mass Index and Occupational Marks: A Quantitative and Survey Study Bincy M. George, Muddanna S. Rao, Arunachalam Kumar, Niveditha Suvarna, Jessica Sushma D’Souza <b>Introduction: </b>Coconut plucking, a profession of a few communities in south India, is an arduous calling now. Permanent cosmetic defects to the skin, apart from medical emergencies, have forced many to abandon this time honoured profession. The objective of the present study was to explore the health status and the casualties in traditional coconut tree climbers in south India. <b> Method: </b>A total of 240 male volunteers, all below 55 years, who were engaged in the profession, were interviewed between January 2006 and December 2008. A survey on the history of the falls, injuries, changes in the skin or body parts and the incidence rate of the withdrawal from the occupation were collected. The anthropometric data of 220 participants and their body mass index (BMI) was calculated. The parts which were afflicted due to occupational dermatosis were photographed and measured by using the scion image software. <b>Results: </b>15% volunteers from group1 (<10 years of experience), 26.6% from group 2 (10-20 years of experience), 44% from group 3 (20-30 years of experience), and 41.3% from group 4 (>30 years of experience) fell down from trees, resulting in injuries. The histories of accidental cuts/lacerations from special knives which were used and those of skids/slips during the monsoon season in groups1, 2, 3, and 4 were 7.7, 15.0, 16.9, 12.0% respectively. The body weight and the BMI of the climbers in groups 2, 3 and 4 showed significant declines as compared to those of the non-climbers. Colles, vertebral and maxillary fractures, tendocalcaneus lesions and severe allergies, were among the medical emergencies which were listed. <b>Conclusion:</b> This study establishes a decline in the BMI with a progress in the tree-climbing experience, with marked falls being noted in groups 3 and 4. We suggest that this type of data should be taken into consideration in the plantation industry that depends on physical attributes, pesticides and lethal farm implements as the routine requirements. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=57-60&id=1829 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1829 Music and Anxiety in Hospitalized Children Shida Kazemi, Shima Kazemi, Koosha Ghazimoghaddam, Sima Besharat, Leila Kashani <b>Purpose:</b> Music is a method of stress reduction and could be used as a non-invasive therapeutic tool to relieve the pain and anxiety of patient. This study is designed to evaluate the role of music therapy on the level of anxiety in children aged 912 yearsold, in an academic hospital in Gorgan, northeast of Iran. <b>Methods:</b> Sixty hospitalized children were categorized into the intervention (case=30) and the control groups (N=30) by using a simple randomized method. The data gathering instruments were questionnaires which included demographic information and a trait anxiety inventory for children, the Spielberger test (STAIC). For the intervention group, for 2 days, 20 minutes (3 am-6 pm), the soothing rhythmic music of Johann Sebastian Bach was released through a tape recorder which was equipped with a headphone and then, the Spielberger questionnaires were refilled by each patient. The control group did not receive any intervention. <b>Results:</b> The results showed that the anxiety scores between the control and the intervention groups had no significant difference before the application of the music. The mean anxiety after the application of music in the control group was 49.4±7.2 and in the intervention group, it was 30.7±7.5. The results showed a significant difference between the mean anxiety in the control and the intervention groups (p<0.05). <b>Conclusions:</b> Our results showed that in hospitalized children, music therapy reduced the anxiety level. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=94-96&id=1831 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1831 Fixation of Subtrochanteric Fracture of the Femur: Our Experience Chakraborty M.K., Thapa P. <b>Introduction:</b> Subtrochanteric fracture of the femur is a variant of the peritrochanteric fracture of the femur. It extends upto 5 cm below the lesser trochanter. The incidence is relatively much lower (3.9% of all the proximal femoral fractures). It is common in the older population with low energy trauma along with osteoporosis and in younger patients with high energy trauma. This is also the commonest site for a pathological fracture. Pathophysiological and biomechanical studies have shown that the subtrochanteric region is the most stressed area which concentrates stress on the implant and this is difficult to treat due to complications. With the improved knowledge and understanding of the fracture pattern, specific treatment options with successful results of improved quality may be obtained. <b>Material and Methods:</b> A total of 12 cases of subtrochanteric fracture of the femur which were admitted in the Orthopaedic Dept, Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal, from Jan, 2010 to July, 2011, were selected in our study. The classification of the fracture was done by using the Russell and Taylor’s classification for simplicity and it is the one which is currently mostly used for clinical use. Various implants like locking plate, proximal femoral nail (PFN), dynamic hip screw (DHS) and K-nail were used for fracture fixation. Clinical and radiographic analyses were done at a follow up of 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year. <b>Results: </b>Out of 12 cases, 9 were males and 3 were female.s K-nail fixation was done in one case of pathological fracture. Three locking plates, 4 DHS and 4 PFN were done. All the fractures united with good to excellent results, with few complications like mild restriction of the hip range of motion, mild varus deformity and a shortening of 2 cm. <b>Conclusion:</b> With the various choices of implants for the fixation of subtrochanteric fracture of the femur, PFN, in our opinion, gave the best fixation with excellent results. We recommend PFN as a reliable cephalomedullary implant for the fixation of subtrochanteric fracture of the femur. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=76-80&id=1826 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1826 Response of Tuberculosis to DOTS Therapy in People Living with HIV/AIDS: A Prospective Clinical Study B. Bhargav Prasad, V.A. Narasimha Raju, P. Jayakar Babu <b>Background: </b> In the patients with HIV and concomitant tuberculosis (TB), the response to directly observed therapyshort course (DOTS) is variable because of immunosupression, opportunistic infections and intolerance due to drugs including anti-retroviral treatment (ART). <b> Aim: </b>To study the response of TB to DOTS in immunosupressed patients with HIV. <b>Material and Methods:</b> Patients who attended our department during 2009-2010 with respiratory symptoms were screened. Study group comprised patients diagnosed with HIV with TB. Study group was further divided in A-CD4 count <150/ cmm, receiving DOTS with ART and B- CD4 count >150/cmm, receiving DOTS alone. Control group comprised patients with TB alone, on DOTS. <b>Results: </b>Three hundred and forty three patients were diagnosed with TB of which 37, diagnosed with HIV with TB, were included in study (7 with CD4 count <150/cmm, receiving DOTS with ART and 30 with CD4 count >150/cmm, receiving DOTS alone). Control group comprised of 306 patients with TB alone, on DOTS. In the study group, of 7 patients in subgroup A, 2 patients died and 5 patients defaulted. All 30 patients in subgroup B were improved. Improvement was observed in all patients in control group. <b> Conclusions:</b>Concomitant use of DOTS and ART increase in the incidence of therapy default to DOTS otherwise six months of therapy is enough to cure TB in HIV cases. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=92-93&id=1839 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1839 Pre-Donation Deferral of Whole Blood Donors in District Transfusion Centre Girish C.J., Chandrashekhar T.N., Ramesh B.K., Kantikar S.M. <b>Background: </b>Blood transfusion saves lives and improves health, but millions of patients who need transfusion do not have timely access to safe blood. Pre-donation donor selection is done for the safety of the blood donor and recipient. <b>Aims:</b> Primary objective of this study was to record and document the current rate and reasons for donor deferral in our District Transfusion Centre. <b>Methods and Material:</b> Study was conducted on whole blood donors (voluntary/replacement), arrived for donating blood at our blood bank, during 1st January 2009 to 31st December 2010. The donor selection was done by pre-donation screening tests like questionnaire followed by physical examination and haemoglobin estimation. The deferred donor’s data was analysed. <b>Results: </b>Out of 9113 blood donors who came to donate blood, 94.81% were eligible for donation and 5.19% blood donors were deferred. The deferral rate among male population (401/8870 cases, 4.52%) and female population (72/243 cases, 29.63%) were observed. Most common cause of deferral in our study was hypertension (189, 39.95%), followed by anaemia (92, 19.45%), low body weight (43, 9.09%). <b>Conclusions:</b> Hence studying the profile of blood donors will help to identify sections of the population which could be targeted, to increase the pool of voluntary blood donors and also to guide and provide the necessary essential database for the policy design and programme implementation. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=47-50&id=1841 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1841 Midazolam Pre-medication in Paediatrics: Comparison of the Intranasal and Sublingual Routes by Using an Atomizer Spray Narendra kumar, Rohit Sharma, Mamta Sharma, Indu Verma, Meenaxi Sharma <b>Introduction:</b> Most of the children suffer from severe anxiety and apprehension when they are separated from their parents or family members for the induction of anaesthesia. <b> Materials and Methods:</b> In a prospective randomized double blind study, the intra-nasal and sub-lingual administration of midazolam in paediatric patients who were undergoing root canal procedures which required general anaesthesia was evaluated in 60 children who were aged between 2-6 years, with ASA physical status I and II by using a new midazolam atomiser spray. The patients were divided into two groups of 30 patients each and they received midazolam 0.3mgkg-1 either intranasally or sub-lingually in a randomized manner. The heart rate, oxygen saturation (spo2), respiratory rate and the degree of sedation before and at 5 min, 10 min and 15 min (separation score) after the drug administration, during the mask application (mask acceptance score), before induction (induction score) and during the recovery at 10 min, 20min and 30mins (recovery score) were recorded and compared. <b> Results: </b> In our study, 60% of the paediatric patients cried during the administration of midazolam by the intra-nasal route, while only 16% of the paediatric patients cried during its administration by the sub-lingual route. A bitter taste was observed in 45% (14/30) of the patients who received midazolam by the sublingual route. Although there was a slight increase in the heart rate in the intra-nasal group, no statistically significant variation in the heart rate, the respiratory rate and the oxygen saturation was found from the baseline in both the groups (P>0.05). A sedation score of >3(approx) was achieved in both the groups within 10 minutes of the drug administration. The response to the child parent separation, the mask application score , the induction score and the recovery score did not differ significantly between the two groups ( P >0.05). <b>Conclusion:</b> Both the intra-nasal and sub-lingual administration of midazolam as a Pre-medication is safe and equally effective in paediatric patients. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=65-68&id=1845 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1845 Efficacy of Fluticasone and Oxymetazoline as the Treatment for Allergic Rhinitis Prithpal S. Matreja, Vipan Gupta, Jaspreet Kaur, Sunder Singh <b>Background:</b> The intranasal steroids remain the most effective treatment as all major symptoms of allergic rhinitis are effectively attenuated. However, addition of decongestant increases the response obtained along with intranasal steroids. The data on effect of addition of Oxymetazoline to fluticasone is limited. Hence, this study was done to compare the efficacy of fluticasone combined with oxymetazoline and fluticasone alone for a 4-week treatment course of allergic rhinitis. <b>Methodology:</b> In this randomized, open, parallel study, out of 123 patients randomly assigned to receive fluticasone with oxymetazoline (Group 1) or fluticasone alone (Group 2), 91 patients completed the entire 4 weeks of study. The primary outcome measure was mean change of the daytime nasal symptom score (PDTS) and secondary outcome measure was mean change of nighttime nasal symptom score (PNTS) and composite symptom score (PCS). <b>Results:</b> The change in total daytime nasal symptom, composite symptom, nightime nasal symptom score was significantly (p<0.05) greater in Group 1 as compared to Group 2. Sub-group analysis showed a significantly (p<0.05) greater improvement in congestion score from 2nd week onwards in Group 1. <b>Conclusion:</b> Oxymetazoline combined with fluticasone was effective in reducing daytime, night time, and composite symptom score as compared to fluticasone alone. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=85-88&id=1846 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1846 Electrosurgery VS 40% Salicylic Acid in the Treatment of Warts Sudhakar Rao K.M., Ankad B.S., Varna Naidu, Sampaghavi V.V., Unni M.M., Aruna M.S. <b>Context: </b> Verruca Vulgaris is the common skin disease in dermatology practice. The clinical management of Verruca vulgaris is often challenging. Multiple modalities of treatment are currently existing, but none of them is singularly effective. <b>Aim:</b>Comparative study between electrosurgery and 40% salicylic acid in the treatment of warts. <b>Settings and Design:</b> This is a randomized single blind prospective study. <b> Methods and Materials:</b> The study was carried out for 12 months and it included 60 patients. Patients with genital warts, immuno compromised patients and pregnant females were excluded from the study. <b> Statistical Analysis Used:</b>chi square test. <b>Results:</b> There were 60 cases of warts. Electrosurgery was used in 30 cases with complete clearance in 27 cases. 40% salicylic acid was used in 30 cases with complete clearance in 5 patients. <b>Conclusions:</b> Electrosurgery treatment in warts is the best when compared to 40% salicylic acid. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=81-84&id=1849 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1849 ADR Monitoring of NSAIDs among the In-Patients of the Orthopaedic Ward in a Tertiary Care Centre: A Prospective Observational Study Sivasankari Venkatachalam, Ramachandra Bhat <b>Background: </b>The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most widely used of all the drugs. Despite their wide clinical use, their gastro-intestinal toxicity is a major limitation. A number of studies describe NASIDs as the leading causes of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). To augment an adverse drug reaction monitoring system, an active surveillance was planned and a pilot study was started in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Chennai. <b>Objectives:</b> The main aim of this study was to identify the incidence of the ADRs of the NSAIDs among the in - patients of the orthopaedic ward. It also aimed to assess the causality and the severity of the adverse effects with the monitoring of rational prescribing. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> This prospective, observational study was conducted among 200 in-patients of the orthopaedic ward over a period of 6 months. The incidences of the ADRs were collected and analyzed. The causality was analyzed by using Naranjo’s Algorithm and the severity was analyzed by using the Hartwing and Siegel scale. <b> Result:</b> Totally, 200 in- patients were studied, among which 5.5% (n=11) reported the occurrence of ADRs. Nearly 63.64% (n=7) of the ADRs were reported by men and 36.36% (n=4) were reported by females. The reactions which were observed were nausea, vomiting, gastritis, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, headache, rashes and oliguria. The most commonly reported ADR was gastritis and the system which was involved was the gastro-intestinal system. With the given drugs, Tablet (Tab) Diclofenac accounted for 72.73% (n=7) and Tab.Ibuprofen for 27.27 %( n=3) of all the ADRs. As per Naranjo’s Algorithm, 63.63% of the adverse reactions were “possible” and 36.37% were “Probable”. The severity assessment showed that 72.73% of the adverse effects were mild and that 27.27% were moderate. <b>Conclusion:</b> The incidence rate of the ADRs in the orthopaedic ward was found to be 5.5% and the ADRs were mild in nature. This shows that rational drug therapy and better prescription practices had brought down the ADRs to minimal in our tertiary care teaching hospital in Chennai. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=42-46&id=1857 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1857 Significance of the Glutathione-STransferase Activity and the Total Thiols Status in Chronic Alcoholics Mamta Singh, Hari Krishan Aggarwal, Surinder Kumar Aggarwal <b>Objectives: </b>The present study was conducted to assess the activity of glutathione -S-transferase (GST) and its relationship with total thiols (T-SH) in patients with alcohol liver disease (ALD). <b> Methods: </b>Twenty male chronic alcoholics who had a history of alcohol abuse for more than five years were included in the present study and twenty healthy male volunteers who matched in age and socio-economic status, served as the controls. The plasma GST activity and the T-SH concentration were assayed. <b> Results: </b>The activity of plasma GST was significantly higher in the chronic alcoholics as compared to that in the healthy controls. There was a significant decrease in the T-SH concentration and an increase in the aminotransferase (AST and ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities. Moreover, there was a significant negative correlation of the GST activity with the T-SH concentration (r = 0.45; p< 0.001). <b>Conclusions: </b>The findings of the present study indicated that GST was a sensitive marker in the diagnosis of ALD. A significantly low concentration of T-SH was observed in the alcoholics as compared to that in the controls. Both these parameters (plasma GST activity and total thiols) showed a significantly negative correlation, indicating that there was an increase in the activity of GST with a decrease in the concentration of T-SH. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=31-33&id=1859 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1859 The Influence of Violent Crimes on Health in Jamaica: A Spurious Correlation and an Alternative Paradigm Paul A. Bourne, Collin Pinnock, Damion K. Blake <b>Background: </b>The discourse on crime and health in Jamaica is devoid of the influence of violent crimes on the nature of the health. The discourse on health recognizes that violent crime is a cause of mortality; however, health researchers have paid limited attention to this area, despite the fact that annually murders have taken more lives than HIV/AIDS. <b>Objectives: </b>The objectives of this study were to test the hypotheses that 1) violent crime directly influenced the health status, 2) the correlation between violent crime and health was a spurious one, 3) other selected macroeconomic variables influenced the health status of Jamaica, 4) explained the model illness rate 5) established a number of violent crime equations, and 6) explained the cyclical distribution of the illness rates. <b>Methods:</b> By using 21 years of data which were collected from different publications of the government departments in Jamaica, this study utilized different econometric techniques to carry out the data analyses. <b> Findings: </b>On seeking to reduce the specification errors, this work found that there existed no real relationship between violent crime and the illness rate, and that the illness rate was a function of 1) health care utilization, 2) unemployment and 3) GDP. <b> Conclusion:</b> The positive correlation between GDP and the illness rate in Jamaica suggested that health policies should be planned differently in the periods of growth as against the economic downturn. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=5-12&id=1860 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1860 The Short Term Effect of Pranayama on the Lung Parameters Shankarappa V., Prashanth P., Nachal Annamalai, Varunmalhotra <b>Introduction:</b> Yoga is a science which has been practised in India from over thousands of years. Besides its spiritual achievements, the practice of yoga is accompanied by a number of beneficial physiological effects in the body. Pranayama is an art of controlling the life force of breath. It produces many systemic psycho-physical effects in the body, besides its specific effects on the respiratory functions. This study is designed to study the effects of short- term pranayama (6 weeks) on the pulmonary function parameters. <b> Methods: </b>The study group consisted of 50 young adults (26 males and 24 females) who were newly recruited for yoga training at the Patanjali Yoga Center, Kolar. They were motivated to undergo pranava, Nadishuddi and Savitri Pranayama training for 1 hour daily, for 6 days a week. The first phase of the recording of the pulmonary parameters was done at the beginning of their course. The second phase of the recording was done after 6 weeks of the regular pranayama practice. <b>Results: </b>The FVC - before pranayama showed a value of 2.60±0.40 and after pranayama, it showed a value of 3.20±0.43. The FEV1- before pranayama showed a value of 2.36±0.36 and after pranayama, it showed a value of 2.96±0.42. The PEFR - before pranayama showed a value of 6.09±1.03 and after pranayama, it showed a value of 7.38±1.12. The FEF (25%- 75%) - before pranayama showed a value of 2.93±0.47 and after pranayama, it showed a value of 3.74±0.45. The BHT – before pranayama showed a value of 38.34 ±4.34 and after pranayama, it showed a value of 56.62±9.01. For all the parameters, a P value of <0.001 was considered as statistically significant. <b>Conclusion:</b> There was a statistically significant increase in all the above lung parameters in the regular yoga practitioners. Pranayama is a type of yogic breathing exercise. This resultant effect of pranayama can be used as a lung strengthening tool to treat many lung diseases like asthma, allergic bronchitis, post pneumonia and tuberculosis recoveries, and many occupational diseases. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=27-30&id=1861 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1861 Tuberculosis of the Breast: A Review of 16 Cases Suresh I. Basarkod, Yamanur P. Lamani, Shaileshkumar M. Emmi, Eshwar B.Kalburgi, Vijay Dombale, Vishwanath G., Chetan V.N <b>Aim:</b> To evaluate the clinico-pathological profile of the patients with tuberculosis of the breast. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> The clinico-pathological data of the patients with tuberculosis of the breast, who were reviewed from June 2004 to June 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. <b> Results: </b>Sixteen patients (2.01%) had tuberculosis of the breast out of 796 patients with breast lesions. A breast lump was the presenting symptom in 6 patients and a lump with a sinus was the symptom in 5 patients. Fine needle aspiration (FNAC) and biopsy were the diagnostic methods which were used. All the patients were treated with antitubercular treatment (ATT). Three patients needed additional surgical procedures. <b> Conclusion: </b>Tuberculosis of the breast is a rare disease, which presents most commonly as a lump. As it mimics carcinoma of the breast, it can be a diagnostic dilemma. FNAC and biopsy are the mainstay of the diagnosis and imaging also offers little benefit. ATT is an effective line of management, along with a limited role of surgery. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=69-71&id=1862 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1862 IgM ELISA: A Better Choice for the Detection of Active Chlamydia trachomatis Infection among HIV Patients Kesavaram Padmavathy, Susethira Aruppukottai R., Padma Krishnan, Rajasekaran Shikamani, Kailapuri A. Murugavel., Uma Shanmugasundaram <b>Context:</b> Co-morbid STIs are documented to serve as risk factors that facilitate the acquisition and transmission of HIV. The cryptic plasmid has been linked to Chlamydial virulence and serves as a key target of diagnostic PCR assays. Reports on the higher incidence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection and the emergence of plasmid-less isolates in developing countries have raised concern. <b>Aim: </b>The study was aimed to determine the prevalence of active C. trachomatis infection among high risk subjects in South India. <b>Materials and Methods: </b>Serum and first-void urine samples were screened for C. trachomatis using IgM ELISA and COBAS AMPLICOR PCR respectively. <b> Results:</b> The study participants include, 100 HIV seropositive patients, 51 Non-HIV-subjects attending STI clinic and 25 healthy adults. The incidence of C. trachomatis infection among HIV patients (n= 100) as measured by positive IgM ELISA result was 3%, while 0% positivity was observed among the cohort II and III. However, PCR analysis revealed that the cryptic plasmid was not detected in the three EIA positive patient samples. <b> Conclusions: </b>We report here of low incidence of C. trachomatis infection among HIV patients in south India. Discrepancies were noted between the results of IgM ELISA and plasmid- PCR. Our results suggested the existence of plasmid-less/natural variant strains of C. trachomatis in South India. Thus, IgM ELISA still remains the method of choice in the laboratory diagnosis and obviates the use of plasmid based NAATs which could only under estimate the incidence of C. trachomatis infection among the HIV patients. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=34-37&id=1863 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1863 Study of the Correlation of Serum Leptin with BMI (A Nutritional Marker) in Patients of End Stage Renal Disease, Who were on Maintenance Haemodialysis Simran Kaur, Narinder Pal Singh, Ajay Kumar Jain, Archana Thakur <b>Introduction:</b> Leptin is a small peptide hormone which is produced mainly, but not exclusively by adipocytes. In the general population, it is believed to be an “appetite inhibitor”. It is partly cleared by the kidney and is increased in the patients of endstage renal disease, who are undergoing haemodialysis. There are conflicting reports in the literature about the relationship of serum leptin with the nutritional marker, body mass index (BMI) and studies which are available in the Indian population, which have explored such a relationship, are sparse. <b>Objective:</b> This study was planned to assess the level of serum leptin and to explore its relationship with body mass index (BMI) in patients of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), who were on maintenance haemodialysis. <b>Methods: </b>Eighty subjects (forty controls and forty ESRD patients who were on maintenance haemodialysis) were taken for this case-control study. A thorough history was taken and relevant clinical examinations including anthropometric measurements were done. All the subjects were subjected to routine haematological investigations and the evaluation of serum leptin. <b>Statistical Analysis:</b> The data which was thus collected was subjected to the Student’s t-test for studying the significance. A correlation was found between the serum leptin levels and the body mass index by using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. <b> Observations and Result:</b> Patients of ESRD, who were on maintenance haemodialysis, had significantly higher fasting blood sugar, blood urea, serum creatinine and serum leptin levels; and significantly lower haemoglobin levels vis-à-vis the healthy subjects. Serum leptin and body mass index were found to have a positive correlation (r=0.350), with a p value 0.027. <b> Conclusion:</b> We observed a positive correlation between serum leptin and BMI in patients of end-stage renal disease who were on maintenance haemodialysis, which supported the theory of a reverse epidemiological role of serum leptin in the maintenance of haemodialysis patients. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=17-20&id=1865 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1865 A Clinical Trial to Assess the Efficacy of Hydrocolloid versus Paraffin Gauze Dressing for Split Thickness Skin Graft Donor Site Treatment Shaileshkumar M.E., Pramod Mirji, Vishwanath G., S.I. Basarkod, Chhaya Joshi, Rajani Patil <b>Introduction: </b>In spite of newer advances, split thickness skin grafts (STSG) still have an important place in many areas of general and plastic surgery. Though the technique of skin grafting is more or less standardized, the treatment of the donor site differs greatly and has been a topic of debate. The management of split-thickness skin graft donor site is targeted towards promoting the healing process, while minimizing adverse effects and complications. <b>Objective: </b>To compare the percentage of epithelialization achieved by Hydrocolloid in comparison to Standard meshed Paraffin gauze on the Split thickness donor site on 12th post operative day. <b> Design: </b>Clinical control trial <b> Setting:</b> H S K hospital, Bagalkot <b>Population:</b> 30 adult patients requiring STSG for various etiologies between April 2011 to August 2011. <b>Materials and Methods: </b>The study included 30 adult patients. Half of the skin graft donor site in the proximal thigh was dressed with Hydrocolloid dressings and the rest with Standard paraffin Gauze dressing. The extent of epithelialization achieved by each of these dressings was assessed on 12th post op day after skin grafting. <b>Results:</b> The number of donor areas that achieved complete (100%) epithelialization on the 12th post operative day by Paraffin gauze dressing was 7 (23.3%), whereas Hydrocolloid dressing achieved complete epithelialization in 18 donor sites (60%) (P = 0.016). <b>Conclusion:</b> Hydrocolloid dressings are superior to Standard meshed Paraffin gauze dressings in the treatment of Split thickness skin graft donor areas. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=72-75&id=1873 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1873 Variations in the Nerve Supply to the Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis Meenakshi Khullar, Gurdeep Kalsey, Vijay Laxmi, Sachin Khullar <b>Introduction:</b> An area of variability has been noted in the origin of the nerve to extensor carpi radialis brevis, with previous studies attesting variably that it arises more commonly from the radial, deep radial or the superficial radial nerve. This study was undertaken to confirm or refute our impression that the superficial radial nerve is purely a sensory nerve as has been often reported in literature. <b>Methods:</b> The nerve supply to Extensor carpi radialis brevis was studied in 60 adult cadaveric upper extremities. <b>Results:</b> In only 50% of the limbs, this branch had the usual origin from deep branch of radial nerve. In the remaining 50% limbs, it arose from the angle of bifurcation of radial nerve in 20% and from the superficial branch of radial nerve in 30%. However, there was no corelation between the site of division of radial nerve and the source of nerve to this muscle. <b>Conclusions:</b> The present data emphasizes that the nerve supply to extensor carpi radialis brevis from superficial branch of radial nerve is not a rare occurrence, but that it holds a significant variability which is worth considering while planning for surgeries. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=13-16&id=1879 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1879 Health Effects of Modern Temporary Female Hormonal Contraceptives among the Women in the Pokhara Sub-Metropolitan City of Western Nepal Manu S.S. Rana, Madhav Thapaliya, Ram Prasad Aryal, Brijesh Sathian <b>Introduction: </b>Prior studies in Nepal which observed the contraceptive behaviour of women have shown that most of the women who wanted to have either birth space or who limited their births primarily, do not use contraceptives because of health concerns, particularly from hormonal methods. <b>Objective: </b>To study the use of modern female temporary hormonal contraceptives and their health effects. <b>Materials and Methods: </b>This study was conducted in the institutionalized family planning centre of the government and non government organizations of Pokhara, Nepal. The data which were collected were the health effects of modern temporary female hormonal contraceptives and the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics from the interviews of 120 respondents. <b>Result:</b> Depo clients were found to be more in number than others. The contraceptive acceptor age was highest among the 20 -34 year old females. The marriage and first child birth age was highest among 15-19 year old females and most of the temporary family planning contraceptive acceptors adopted the method after their first child birth. A majority of them had one boy and one girl as children. Though illiterate women were a majority, fifty percent knew all the four methods of female temporary contraceptives. Economically, most of the families annually earned Rs. 50001-100000, which was 43.3 percent. The side effects of the female temporary hormonal contraceptives were prevalent, but the warning effects were not indicated in this study. The warning effects such as lower abdominal or pelvic pain, severe headache, eye problems, vision loss or blurring, chest pain, cough, shortness of breath and severe leg pain (calf/ thigh) due to bone damage were not found. <b>Conclusion:</b> This study revealed that during long term use, nearly hundred percent of the women didn’t feel any bad warning health effects due to use of hormonal contraceptives. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=51-56&id=1881 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1881 Clinical and Functional Significance of the Anomalous Insertion of the Brachialis into the Radial Tuberosity: A Case Report Muthu kumar T. Srimathi, Ananda Rani V.S., Azhagiri R. The brachialis is a muscle of the front of the arm. It is a powerful flexor of the elbow. It gets originated from the lower half of the shaft of the humerus, becomes tendinous and gets inserted into the ulnar tuberosity and the coronoid process of the ulna. In an adult male cadaver, we found an accessory brachialis muscle which originated from the lateral intermuscular septa, blended with the main bulk of the muscle and both got inserted into the radial tuberosity. The insertion of the brachialis into the radial tuberosity has been minimally reported in the Indian literature. Because of it’s insertion into the radial tuberosity, the ulnar component of the flexion of the elbow joint is minimal. The accessory muscle and it’s insertion narrows the space in the cubital fossa, they compress the median nerve, the brachial artery and the radial artery and they can cause neuro-vascular symptoms. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=116-117&id=1883 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1883 Acute Aortic Thrombosis with Massive Intestinal and Lower Limbs Ischaemia in a Girl with Down Syndrome Hamdi Hameed Almaramhy Patients with Down syndrome may have an increased risk of venous and arterial thrombotic events. Despite these, some argued that there is no increased risk of prothrombotic conditions in trisomy 21 and the thrombosis is usually due to other associated risk factor. Here a report of a 3-year-old girl, known case of Down syndrome, with a past history of atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) repair at the age of 4 months developed acute aortic thrombosis with massive intestinal and lower limbs ischemia without obvious cause. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=113-115&id=1884 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1884 Thyroid Abscess in Immuno Compromised Patient: A Case Report Yamanur P. Lamani, S.I. Basarkod, S.R. Telkar, B.V. Goudar, Uday Ambi Thyroid abscess is a rare condition of the thyroid gland. The ability of thyroid gland is to resist infection which is well known and the infection in thyroid gland is rare, particularly so with the advent of widespread usage of antibiotics. Thyroid abscess represents only 0.1 to 0.7% of surgically treated thyroid pathologies. We report here a case of adult female with HIV infection who presented with thyroid abscess. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=106-107&id=1880 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1880 Rhino-Orbital-Cerebral Zygomycosis in a Young Boy: Case Report Ragini Tilak, Vikas Kumar, Vijai Tilak, Vivek Sharma Rhino-orbital-cerebral zygomycosis is a rare opportunistic infection of sinuses, orbit and brain which is caused by saprophytic fungi which belongs to the order of Mucorales. It is one of the fulminant and fatal mycotic infections known to human beings with a high mortality rate. An increased incidence of zygomycosis has been observed in immuno-compromised patients such as poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, blood dyscrasias, malnutrition, neutropenia, iron overload, organ transplant and immuno-suppressive therapy but they can also occur in normal hosts rarely. We report here a case of 21-year old diabetic young boy presented with a history of non-specific headache, pain abdomen, vomiting and progressive swelling of left eye and altered sensorium. On the basis of MRI findings and microbiological investigations, he was diagnosed as a case of rhino-orbital-cerebral zygomycosis. He was treated successfully with a combination of surgical debridement and systemic amphotericin B administration. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=126-127&id=1871 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1871 Papillary Carcinoma Which Arises in the Thyroglossal Duct Cyst: A Rare Case Report Hanumanthappa M.B., Gopinathan S., Sheetal D., Ashok Hegde, Guruprasad Rai D. Carcinoma which arises in the thyroglossal duct cyst is a very rare; about 215 cases have been reported worldwide <a href=#fr6 name=ft6>(6)</a>. We wish to report one such case of papillary carcinoma of the thyroglossal duct cyst in a 20 year old female. In a majority of the cases, the diagnosis can be established only after the excision and the histopathological evaluation of the clinically benign thyroglossal duct cyst, as it happened in our case. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=108-109&id=1872 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1872 Rhodutorula Meningitis in a HIV-2 Seropositive Patient: A Case Report Ashish Khanna, Menka Khanna, Aruna Aggarwa l Rodutorula, a common saprophyte has recently emerged as an opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised patients. Meningitis caused by Rodurorula species in HIV-1 infected patients have been reported rarely but rodutorula infection in HIV-2 infected patient has not been reported till date. We present a case of meningitis caused by Rodutorula rubra in a patient infected with HIV-2 virus. The diagnosis of the patient was confirmed by cell cytology, gram staining and culture of the CSF. Contamintion was ruled out by repeated culturing from different samples from the same patient. Therapy with Amphotericin B showed good results and the patient was discharged after recovery. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=123-125&id=1856 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1856 Giant Epidermoid Inclusion Cyst in the Ischiorectal Fossa: A Case Report Bharati V.H, Bharathi Raja, Nitin Rao Epidermoid inclusion cysts though common in occurrence are uncommon in the perineal region, more so in the ischiorectal fossa. In this region clinically it may mimic lipoma / neurofibroma, or tail giant cysts. They may rarely be malignant. This case report is being presented as it is an uncommon site of presentation and also unusually large in size. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=103-105&id=1864 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1864 Giant pseudocyst of spleen D’Souza C, Rajashekar, Bhagavan K R False cysts of spleen or the pseudocysts accounts for about 75% of the non-parasitic splenic cysts and are usually traumatic in origin. These cysts are differentiated from the true cysts of the spleen by a absence of a epithelial layer on histology. We present here a case of a giant splenic pseudocyst in a young female with no previous history of trauma. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=110-112&id=1850 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1850 Fresh Right Bundle Branch Block (RBBB) by Serial Electrocardiography Identifying Fatal Pulmonary Embolism Peter George, Ibrahim Khalandar Shafeel Considering the grave situation of the patient, in pulmonary embolism, imaging is often difficult and impractical. We identified pulmonary embolism with the presence of a new right bundle branch block in serial electrocardiographs which were taken of a 65-year old critically ill woman, who was on DVT prophylaxis. Even with the improvement in the hospital practice over the decades, pulmonary embolisms still remain a silent and fatal threat to the critically ill, post surgical and bed bound patients the world over. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=97-98&id=1842 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1842 Role of Diffusion Weighted Imaging in the Detection of the Initial Phase of the Hemiplegia Hemiconvulsion Epilepsy Syndrome: A Case Report Rudresh Hiremath, Ramesh Pattar, Manswini Pol, T.J. Anegundi, K. Rudrappa The hemiplegia hemiconvulsion epilepsy syndrome is a unique and rare epileptic syndrome. We are reporting here, a case of a 7 month old female child who presented with right sided hemiconvulsions, followed by ipsilateral hemiplegia. MRI of the brain was done, which showed the classical findings of the hemiplegia hemiconvulsion epilepsy syndrome. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=101-102&id=1840 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1840 Mitral Regurgitation: A Rare Cause of Ortner’s Syndrome Sibes Kumar Das, Indranath Ghosh, Anirban Das, Subir Kumar Dey Ortner’s syndrome (Cadriovocal syndrome) is characterized by left recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy due to cardiovascular diseases. Very rarely, it can be caused by mitral regurgitation. We are reporting here, a case of a 32-years old male who presented with a history of hoarseness of voice for the past 3 months. His physical examination revealed a pansystolic murmur in the apical area. Laryngoscopy revealed left vocal cord palsy. Echocardiography confirmed mitral regurgitation, left atrial enlargement and pulmonary arterial hypertension. He was offered surgical correction of the mitral regurgitation, but he refused it and was lost from the follow up. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=99-100&id=1827 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1827 Successful Pregnancies Following Hormone Replacement Therapy in a Patient with Premature Ovarian Failure: A Case Report Sunilkumar K.S., Laxmi V. Yaliwal, Rathnamala M. Desai Premature ovarian failure is a serious life-changing condition that affects young women, remains an enigma and the researcher’s challenge. Spontaneous pregnancy in a patient with POF is uncommon. If fertility is a concern, treatment usually consists of estrogen therapy as hormone replacement and oocyte donation. We report here a case of a 27-year old woman, who was diagnosed to have premature ovarian failure, started ovulating after 26 months of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). She conceived spontaneously and delivered successfully. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=118-119&id=1835 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1835 Failure of treatment of Coxa Vara in Gauchers Disease: A Case Report Sachin Khullar, Atul Rajeshwar Bhasker, Mohamed Habeeb, Boragam Gangaraju Gaucher’s disease (GD) is an autosomal recessive storage disorder which occurs due to the deficient functioning of the lysosomal hydrolase enzyme <a href=#fr1 name=ft1>(1)</a>, <a href=#fr2 name=ft2>(2)</a>. In this case report, coxa vara occurred after the union of a stress fracture in the basicervical and the intertrochanteric region of the left femur of a male child who had Gaucher’s disease. Femoral Valgus osteotomy and fixation with cannulated screws was done. The disease showed a progressive course even after the surgery, resulting in refracture, increase in the coxa vara and shortening of the limb. An incidental association of Perthe’s disease in the contralateral hip was seen. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=120-122&id=1832 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1832 Eagle- Barrett Syndrome: A Case Report Chapay Soren, Paramananda Pujhari, P.V. Subbarao Eagle-Barrett syndrome is a rare congenital anomaly of uncertain aetiology almost exclusive to males. It is characterized by the triad of absent or incomplete abdominal musculature, undescended testes, and urinary tract abnormalities. A male baby with above characteristics triad was born in our hospital. A diagnosis of Eagle-Barrett Syndrome was made. This was undertaken in order to highlight the occurrence of this rare syndrome in our environment and to review its pathogenesis, presentation and management approach. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=128-129&id=1878 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1878 Therapeutic Applications of Almonds (Prunus amygdalus L): A Review Hari Jagannadha Rao, Lakshmi Almond trees are a source of beauty, inspiration, food and medicine. They are native to the region which extends from India to Persia; the almond tree had spread to east and west of its native region thousands of years before Christ. Almonds are good sources of anti-oxidant nutrients. Almonds contain proteins and certain minerals such as calcium and magnesium. They are a rich source of vitamin E, dietary fiber, B-vitamins, essential minerals mono-unsaturated fats and phytosterols which have cholesterol lowering properties. Almonds are a useful food remedy for anaemia. They are beneficial in the treatment of constipation and various skin diseases like eczema, pimples. Almonds are also useful in treating gastro-enteritis, kidney pains, diabetes, head lice, facial neuralgia and gastric ulcers. This review focuses on the phytochemical composition and the medicinal uses, along with the pharmacological properties of almonds. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=130-135&id=1836 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1836 Proteinuria in Primary and Secondary Renal Diseases Anuradha B. Patil, C.V. B. Prasad, Shivap rasad S. Proteinuria is a strong indicator of kidney disease. Various pathological conditions such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and hypertension have been shown to provoke secondary kidney problems and significant proteinuria. Studies have demonstrated that the normal glomerulus filters substantial amounts of albumin and, This filtered albumin is then processed by proximal tubular cells by two distinct pathways; a retrieval pathway and degradation pathway. Dysfunction in either one of these pathways gives rise to discrete forms of albuminuria. Different proteinuric factors (PF) and glomerular permeability factors appears to be involved in the abnormal glomerular permeability and are responsible for the development of proteinuria in primary nephritic syndrome. Transforming Growth Factor-&#946;1 (TGF-&#946;1) has prosclerotic property, can induce nephrosclerosis and is implicated in proteinuria of hypertension. Proteinuria is an important marker in renal disease, and an useful prognostic marker for cardiovascular disease. Microalbuminuria is the earliest clue of renal complications of metabolic syndrome. Renal insufficiency was an independent risk factor for death in elderly patients after myocardial infarction. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=136-138&id=1874 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1874 Stem Cell Therapy – A Newhope For Dentist K.Saraswathi Gopal, Arathy Manohar Lankupalli While the regeneration of a lost tissue is known to mankind for several years, it is only in the recent past that research on regenerative medicine/dentistry has gained momentum and eluded the dramatic yet scientific advancements in the field of molecular biology. The growing understanding of biological concepts in the regeneration of oral/dental tissues coupled with experiments on stem cells is likely to result in a paradigm shift in the therapeutic armamentarium of dental and oral diseases culminating in an intense search for “biological solutions to biological problems.” Stem cells have been successfully isolated from variety of human tissues including orofacial tissues. Initial evidence from pioneering studies has documented the likely breakthrough that stem cells offer for various life-threatening diseases that have so far defeated modern medical care. The evidence gathered so far has propelled many elegant studies exploring the role of stem cells and their manifold dental applications. This review takes you on a sojourn of the origin of stem cells, their properties, characteristics, current research, and their potential applications. It also focuses on the various challenges and barriers that we have to surmount before translating laboratory results to successful clinical applications heralding the dawn of moderan dentistry. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=142-144&id=1855 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1855 Biological Restoration of a Grossly Decayed Deciduous Mandibular Molar Shivani Mathur, Rahul Chopra, I.K. Pandit, Nikhil Srivastava, Neeraj Gugnani This article reports a case of 7-year old child, in whom a severely damaged primary molar was biologically restored using a tooth obtained from another patient. After clinical evaluation, extracted tooth was adjusted to the prepared primary molar, it was autoclaved and bonded to the primary molar with dual cure resin cement. Occlusal adjustment was performed and periodic clinical follow up was carried out at 6 month and 12 month interval. In this case report, the use of biological restorations as a possible alternative treatment for rehabilitation of severely destroyed primary teeth is discussed. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=139-141&id=1851 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1851 Evaluation of the Haematological Responses to High Nitrate Exposure in Rabbits Manoj Kumar Sharma, Hemlata Sharma <b>Introduction:</b> Nitrate is a common pollutant in the drinking water of Rajasthan as well as in the rest of India. The maximum permissible limit for the nitrate ion in drinking water has been set at 50 mg/l by the WHO and at 45 mg/ l by the Bureau of Indian Standards. In the body, nitrate is reduced to nitrite and the absorption of nitrite leads to methemoglobinaemia. Nitrate toxicity has been observed frequently in ruminants which has been fed on a variety of plant materials which had high nitrate content. <b> Aim: </b>The present study examined a possible correlation between the nitrate concentration in drinking water and the blood profile changes in rabbits. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Rabbits were selected for the study because the pH of their stomachs was similar to that of human beings. We included 5 groups of rabbits, with 2 rabbits in each group. The groups were named A, B, C, D and E respectively. The nitrate concentrations in the drinking water were 45 mg/l, 100 mg/ l,200 mg / l,400 mg / l and 500 mg/ l in the groups A to E respectively. The group A was considered as the control group. After 120 days of the ingestion of sodium nitrate in drinking water, blood samples were collected from the rabbits of each group and were observed. <b>Results and Conclusion:</b> The maximum haematological parameters such as WBC, lymphocytes, MCHC, RBC, Hb and basophills showed decreased values in the higher groups as compared to the values of the control group. The PCV and MCV showed increased values in the higher groups as compared to the values of the control group. The present study indicated that the symptoms of nitrate toxicity were associated with the low oxygen carrying capacity of blood in the affected animals. Nitrate toxicity is a potential health hazard and the scarcity of data on the nitrate toxicity in blood created an interest in attempting the present study. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=145-149&id=1844 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1844 The Scope Of Social And Preventive Medicine Bharatwaj Resiure Srinivasan, P. Rajaram https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=150-151&id=1870 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1870 Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Mohammad R. Mohebbi, George J. Madera, Gerald J. McGowan https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=152-&id=1854 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1854 Increased Risk of Haematuria and Urinary Tract Infection in Sickle Cell Traits Pandey S., Seth T., Mishra R.M., Saxena R. https://jcdr.net/article_fulltext.asp?issn=0973-709x&year=2012&month=February&volume=6&issue=1&page=153-&id=1834 https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2012/.1834