Effect of chewing a mixture of areca nut and tobacco on periodontal tissues and oral hygiene status

The present study was conducted to clarify the effects of chewing a quid containing areca nut and tobacco on periodontal tissue and oral hygiene status. A total of 365 subjects (168 chewers and 197 non-chewers with a mean age of 32.5 +/- 0.7 and 30.4 +/- 0.8 years, respectively) were enrolled. Clinical data on periodontal tissues, oral hygiene status, as well as information on bleeding from gums, ulcers in the oral cavity, or a burning sensation in the soft tissues, were collected as indicators of the possible presence and extent of periodontal lesions. The results indicated that a significantly higher number of quid-chewers suffered bleeding from the gums, halitosis, difficulty in opening the mouth and swallowing solid food, a burning sensation in the soft tissues, and ulcers in the oral cavity than non-chewers. There was no significant difference between quid-chewers and non-chewers with respect to oral hygiene measures adopted. However, clinical examination using the oral hygiene index score indicated that the oral hygiene status of quid-chewers was significantly deteriorated. The effect of quid-chewing on the periodontium, i.e. the occurrence of periodontal pockets, gingival lesions and gum recession, were significantly higher in quid-chewers than in non-chewers. Age, sex and smoking adjusted odds ratios for quid-chewers against non-chewers using logistic regression analysis indicated that, in general, chewers were at significantly higher risk for various oral complaints and periodontium status. The present data indicate that chewing quid comprising areca nut and tobacco has adverse effects on periodontal tissues, oral hygiene and incidence of oral lesions.     

Non-familial multiple keratoacanthomas in a 70 year-old long-term non-progressor HIV-seropositive man

We describe here multiple keratoacanthomas in an Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-seropositive 70 year-old man. The patient had multiple epithelial tumors of the skin showing rapid growth, histopathological features of a keratoacanthoma and a conspicuous tendency toward spontaneous remission. A diagnosis of nonfamilial multiple keratoacanthoma was established. The patient had a CD4 count of 633 cells/microL. The HIV disease in our patient was of a nonprogressive nature with CCR5-positive T cells.     

Congenital cytomegalovirus infection in a highly seropositive semi-urban population in India

To determine the incidence and natural history of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in a population of women with near universal serologic reactivity for CMV, a prospective study of 423 women attending the antenatal clinic of the Comprehensive Rural Health Center in northern India was conducted. All 9 (2.1%) CMV positive infants were born to mothers who were CMV seropositive at the first antenatal visit. One child had hepatosplenomegaly at birth and another child had mild unilateral hearing loss at 4 months of age.     

Immediate respiratory management of the preterm infant

Infants born prematurely have underdeveloped lungs characterised by both morphological and biochemical abnormalities. Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in this population. Both surfactant replacement therapy with mechanical ventilation and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) have been shown to be of benefit. However, considerable controversy exists about how best to use these therapies. This paper will review the pathophysiology of RDS and the evidence supporting each of these treatments.     

Synthesis and in vitro antibacterial activities of novel oxazolidinones

Design and synthesis of novel piperazinylaryloxazolidinones possessing heteroaryl groups are described and their in vitro antibacterial activities have been evaluated by MIC assay. Compounds (S)-N-[3-{3-fluoro-4-[4-[3-(5-nitrofuran-2-yl)-acryloyl]-piperazin-1-yl]-phenyl}-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-yl-methyl] acetamide (6o), (S)-N-[3-{3-fluoro-4-[4-[3-(5-nitrothien-2-yl)-acryloyl]-piperazin-1-yl]-phenyl}-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-yl-methyl] acetamide (6p) and N-oxide of (S)-N-[3-{3-fluoro-4-[4-[3-(5-nitrofuran-2-yl)-acryloyl]-piperazin-1-yl]-phenyl}-2-oxo-oxazolidin-5-yl-methyl] acetamide (9) showed superior antibacterial activities than linezolid and also active against the linezolid resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains.     

Low incidences of human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus infection and declining risk behaviors in a cohort of injection drug users in Chennai, India

The authors characterized human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) incidence and prospective changes in self-reported risk behavior over 2 years among 1,158 injection drug users (IDUs) recruited in Chennai, India, in 2005-2006. At baseline, HIV prevalence was 25.3%, and HCV prevalence was 54.5%. Seropositive persons with prevalent HIV infection were used to estimate baseline HIV incidence by means of the Calypte HIV-1 BED Incidence EIA (Calypte Biomedical Corporation, Portland, Oregon). Longitudinal HIV and HCV incidence were measured among 865 HIV-negative IDUs and 519 HCV antibody-negative IDUs followed semiannually for 2 years. Participants received pre- and posttest risk reduction counseling at each visit. Estimated HIV incidence at baseline was 2.95 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.21, 4.69) by BED assay; observed HIV incidence over 1,262 person-years was 0.48 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 0.17, 1.03). HCV incidence over 645 person-years was 1.71 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 0.85, 3.03). Self-reported risk behaviors declined significantly over time, from 100% of participants reporting drug injection at baseline to 11% at 24 months. In this cohort with high HIV and HCV prevalence at enrollment, the authors observed low incidence and declining self-reported risk behavior over time. While no formal intervention was administered, these findings highlight the potential impact of voluntary counseling and testing in a high-risk cohort.     

Phacoemulsification in posterior polar cataract: does size of lens opacity affect surgical outcome?

Background: To study the effect of size of the posterior polar opacity on surgical and visual outcome of phacoemulsification in posterior polar cataract. Setting: Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. Methods: Consecutive patients with posterior polar cataract who underwent phacoemulsification were analysed for intraoperative complications and postoperative outcome. The continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis size was kept approximately 5.5 mm, and hydrodelineation was done instead of hydrodissection. Results: There were 58 eyes of 51 patients who underwent phacoemulsification for posterior polar cataract. The mean follow‐up time was 15.4 months (range 12–40 months). Twenty‐three eyes had size of polar opacities 4 mm or more in diameter whereas 35 eyes had less than 4 mm. Posterior capsule rupture occurred in nine eyes (15.51%). In eyes with polar opacities 4 mm or more, seven (30.43%) had posterior capsule rupture whereas in eyes with less than 4 mm size, only two (5.71%) had posterior capsule rupture. Capsular bag placement of intraocular lens (IOL) was achieved in 50 eyes and sulcus‐sulcus in eight eyes. Three‐piece hydrophobic acrylic IOL was implanted in 47 eyes and all polymethylmethacrylate IOL in 11 eyes. Postoperatively best‐corrected visual acuity of 6/12 or better was achieved in 55 eyes (94.8%) and three eyes achieved 6/24 or less. Conclusion: Phacoemulsification in eyes with larger size of polar opacity has significant risk of posterior capsule rupture.