Novel Borna Virus in Psittacine Birds with Proventricular Dilatation Disease

Pyrosequencing of cDNA from brains of parrots with proventricular dilatation disease (PDD), an unexplained fatal inflammatory central, autonomic, and peripheral nervous system disease, showed 2 strains of a novel Borna virus. Real-time PCR confirmed virus presence in brain, proventriculus, and adrenal gland of 3 birds with PDD but not in 4 unaffected birds.     

Iatrogenic Cushing��s Syndrome Following Short-Term Intranasal Steroid Use

Cushing’s syndrome (CS) is common after oral steroid use and has also been reported following topical or inhaled use, but it is extremely uncommon after intranasal administration. In this paper, we present the case of a child who developed CS after intranasal application of combined moxifloxacin-dexamethasone eye drops for epistaxis for a period of 3 months. CS caused by ocular preparations of steroids has not been reported previously. This case report highlights the fact that even eye drops can contain high doses of steroids and can lead to CS especially in children and especially if used intranasally. Ocular steroid drops should not be used intranasally. To minimize gastrointestinal absorption and therefore the risk of CS, nasal sprays should be preferred over nasal drops for intranasal steroid application.Key words: Cushing’s syndrome, eye drops, dexamethasone, epistaxisConflict of interest:None declared.     

Membrane Stabilization by Modified Steroid Offers a Potential Therapy for Muscular Dystrophy Due to Dysferlin Deficit

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Does periodical department audit really works to make things fall in place: A Geriatric/General Oral Health Assessment Index based audit in prosthodontics

Purpose:

The purpose was to assess the outcome of improved staff supervision on the efficiency and quality of complete dentures delivered by clinical students.

Materials and Methods:

The audit was performed in two parts. In the first cycle, retrospective analysis for complete dentures delivered by clinical students was undertaken, and patient''s satisfaction was graded using Geriatric/General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). All the impeding factors encountered in the first cycle were identified, and corrective measures were implemented. Subsequently, a prospective analysis for the dentures delivered under strict staff supervision was undertaken in the second cycle. Patient satisfaction was graded again using GOHAI.

Results:

Improved staff supervision increased the patient satisfaction significantly.

Conclusions:

The quality of care had improved in leaps and bounds compared to the first cycle due to increased level of supervision and strict adherence to the recommendations made at the end of the first cycle.     

Interleukin-6 promoter polymorphism (-174 G/C) in Indian patients with chronic periodontitis

Recent studies have focused on genetic polymorphism of the interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene, which has led to a better understanding of the intricate interactions between host response, microorganisms, and genetics. Genotype prevalence appears to vary by the race and ethnicity of the population studied. We used a polymerase chain reaction technique to determine the prevalence of single nucleotide polymorphism in IL-6 at position -174 G>C in a population of 30 South Indians. Blood samples were collected from 15 chronic periodontitis patients and 15 healthy controls. The results showed that the G/G genotype was significantly more frequent in the chronic periodontitis group and that the C/C genotype was significantly more frequent in the control group (P = 0.0069 for both). The G allele was more frequent in chronic periodontitis patients (76.67%), whereas the C allele was more frequent in the control group (73.33%). Among chronic periodontitis patients, the odds ratio for having the G allele, as compared with the controls, was 9.04. In this population, the presence of the G/G genotype of IL-6 (-174) might increase susceptibility to chronic periodontitis, whereas the C/C genotype may have a protective effect.     

A Novel Conduit-Lengthening Technique to Facilitate the Arterial Switch Operation in an Infant with a Problematic Combination of Coronary Anomolies

We report the technical aspects of the arterial switch operation as we performed it in a 5-month-old infant who had situs inversus, dextrocardia, transposition of the great arteries, and inverted origin of the circumflex and right coronary arteries. The successful performance of this procedure required the use of a conduit-lengthening technique due to the much longer distance to the proposed site of coronary artery transfer.Key words: Abnormalities, multiple/surgery; cardiovascular surgical procedures/methods; coronary vessel anomalies/surgery; dextrocardia; heart defects, congenital/surgery; situs inversus; transposition of great vessels/surgeryThe arterial switch operation is the currently preferred management option for patients who have a diagnosis of d-transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA) with or without a ventricular septal defect (VSD), provided that left and right ventricular size and function are normal. The techniques of this operation are fairly standard, particularly in patients who have atrial and visceral situs solitus. However, there are few data about the intraoperative problems and available surgical approaches in patients who have d-TGA, dextrocardia, and situs inversus.^1,2 We describe the technical considerations of the arterial switch operation in one such patient.