Detection of human herpesvirus-8 DNA in oral ulcer tissues of HIV-infected individuals

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of detection of human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) in HIV-related oral ulcers. DESIGN: Analysis of archived biopsy material. METHODS: Nested polymerase chain reaction of DNA extracts. RESULTS: HHV-8 DNA was detected in six of 10 oral ulcers of HIV-positive patients without oral Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) lesions and five of 11 oral KS lesions. The positive non-KS samples were derived from various oral sites. CONCLUSIONS: In HIV-positive people, HHV-8 can infect oral tissues that are not affected by KS.     

Cross-infection compliance of UK dental staff and students

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the study were to determine the compliance of a group of dental health care workers and students in aspects of cross-infection control.
DESIGN: The dentists and dental students working in a dental clinic were observed by a 'hidden' ceiling-mounted video camera. Procedures were recorded onto videotape and the actions of the observed clinicians and students assessed by two suitably qualified assessors.
SETTING: An emergency Oral Medicine clinic in a dental hospital.
SUBJECTS Seventy nine dentists and 35 dental undergraduates.
METHODS: The action of staff and students were recorded on videotape and assessed retrospectively.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Degree of compliance with recognised infection control policies.
RESULTS: Compliance with recommended guidelines for control of cross-infection was poor. In only 56% of health care worker-patient contacts were protective gloves changed between patients. Facemasks and protective eyewear were only worn in 38% and 29% of such contacts respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: Compliance with cross-infection control measures are poor in dentistry - even when clinicians are provided with appropriate facilities.     

Serum Zinc Levels in Cutaneous Disorders

Serum zinc levels were studied in 75 patients of different cutaneous disorders and 24 healthy controls. It was found to be significantly lower in acne vulgaris (71.5 ± 21.5µgm/100ml), leprosy(85.9 ± 26.9µgm/100ml) and psoriasis (93.3 ± 25.9µgm/100ml) as compared to healthy controls (105.3 ± 30.1µgm/100ml). No significant correlation was found in other cutaneous disorders studied i.e. vitiligo and aphthous ulcers where serum zinc levels were found to be 97.3 ± 26.6 µgm/100ml and 105.2 ± 23.5 µgm/100ml respectively.Key Words: Acne vulgaris, Aphthous ulcers, Leprosy, Psoriasis, Vitiligo, Zinc     

Synthesis and anti-inflammatory activity of novel pyridazine and pyridazinone derivatives as non-ulcerogenic agents

Herein, we report the synthesis and pharmacological properties of several series of pyridazine and pyridazinone derivatives. All the synthesized compounds were tested, in vivo, for their anti-inflammatory and ulcerogenic properties against indomethacin, as a reference compound. Compounds 4a and 9d have shown a potent anti-inflammatory activity more than indomethacin with rapid onset of action and safe gastric profile. The latter compounds were then selected for further investigation. In the MTT assay in vitro, both compounds were identified as potent and selective COX-2 inhibitors.     

Potential oral manifestations of cardiovascular drugs

Oral Diseases (2010) 16 , 769–773 Objective: The aim of this work was to determine the frequency and nature of oral manifestations secondary to use of cardiovascular drugs. Methods: Five hundred and thirty one patients attending an adult cardiology clinic in Saudi Arabia were questioned about the occurrence of oral dryness, dysgeusia, or burning sensation and were clinically evaluated for the presence of oral mucosal or gingival disease. Data were statistically analyzed with chi‐squared tests, odds ratios and Student’s t‐test. Results: Oral symptoms and/or signs were recorded in 75 (14.1%) patients with xerostomia being the most common (7.5%), followed by lichenoid (lichen planus‐like) lesions (3.6%) and dysgeusia (1.9%). Xerostomia was significantly more frequent in patients with a history of diabetes mellitus and in female patients (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) between patients with or without oral manifestations when age, gender, cardiovascular risk factor, cardiac disease, type of cardiac drug used or the number of medications were assessed. There was a trend for xerostomia to be less frequent in patients receiving therapy with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and a slight trend of xerostomia to be more likely with increased number of non‐cardiac and total number of agents per subject. The number of non‐cardiac and total medications taken by patients with potential oral manifestations tended to be greater than that of patients without oral manifestations. Conclusions: The frequency of potential oral manifestations in patients receiving cardiovascular agents was 14.1%. The occurrence and character of the oral manifestations had no significant relation with individual cardiac drugs, although there was a trend for oral manifestations to be likely with increasing number of drugs.     

Psychosocial impact of the summer 2007 floods in England

Background  

The summer of 2007 was the wettest in the UK since records began in 1914 and resulted in severe flooding in several regions. We carried out a health impact assessment using population-based surveys to assess the prevalence of and risk factors for the psychosocial consequences of this flooding in the United Kingdom.     

Common extensor origin release in recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis - role justified?

The aim of our study was to analyse the efficacy of operative management in recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis of elbow. Forty patients included in this study were referred by general practitioners with a diagnosis of tennis elbow to the orthopaedic department at a district general hospital over a five year period. All had two or more steroid injections at the tender spot, without permanent relief of pain. All subsequently underwent simple fasciotomy of the extensor origin. Of forty patients thirty five had improvement in pain and function, two had persistent symptoms and three did not perceive any improvement. Twenty five had excellent, ten had well, two had fair and three had poor outcomes (recurrent problem; pain at rest and night). Two patients underwent revision surgery. Majority of the patients had improvement in pain and function following operative treatment. In this study, an extensor fasciotomy was demonstrated to be an effective treatment for refractory chronic lateral epicondylitis; however, further studies are warranted.     

Radiotherapy: Basic concepts and recent advances

Radiation therapy (RT) is a clinical modality dealing with the use of ionizing radiations to treat malignant neoplasias (and occasionally benign diseases). Since its inception, the goal of RT has been to cure cancer locally without excessive side effects. The most important factors affecting the results of RT are the tumor type, its location and regional extent, the anatomic area of involvement and the geometric accuracy with which a calculated radiation dose is delivered. Although higher doses of radiation can produce better tumor control, the dosage which can be given is limited by the possibility of normal tissue damage. Approximately 60-65% of all cancer patients require RT as the sole treatment modality and / or in combination with surgery or chemotherapeutic drugs. There is a huge gap between demand and supply of radiotherapy facilities and infrastructure. Most of the oncocentres are located in urban areas in private sector and are beyond the reach of the common man.