Sodium trimetaphosphate enhances the effect of 250 p.p.m. fluoride toothpaste against enamel demineralization in vitro

This in vitro study investigated the effect of sodium trimetaphosphate (TMP), added to toothpaste containing 250 p.p.m. fluoride, on enamel demineralization. Bovine enamel blocks (n = 96) were subjected to five pH cycles over a 7‐d period and treatment with suspensions of toothpastes containing 0, 250, 500, and 1,100 p.p.m. fluoride (as sodium fluoride), as well as with 250 p.p.m. fluoride containing TMP at 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 3.0%. Treatment with toothpaste suspensions was performed under agitation twice a day, for 1 min. Surface and cross‐sectional hardness, and fluoride firmly bound to enamel, were quantified. Data were subjected to one‐way anova , followed by Tukey's test. Low‐fluoride toothpastes containing TMP at 0.25–1.0% resulted in enamel mineral loss similar to that seen for the toothpaste containing 1,100 p.p.m. fluoride. Also, the addition of TMP to the toothpaste containing 250 p.p.m. fluoride promoted enamel fluoride concentrations similar to those obtained for the 500 p.p.m. fluoride group. The toothpaste containing 250 p.p.m. fluoride and 0.25% TMP led to the lowest mineral loss among all groups. It was concluded that the addition of as little as 0.25% TMP to a toothpaste containing 250 p.p.m. fluoride can reduce enamel demineralization to levels similar to those seen for a conventional toothpaste containing 1,100 p.p.m. fluoride, in vitro.     

Conditional cash transfer policies in maternal health service utilization in Nepal: Analysis of safe delivery incentive program (Aama Surakshya Karyakram) using Kingdon's multiple streams framework

Various factors limit access to and utilization of health services even when provided at subsidized cost. This results in poor utilization of services that contributes to further economic impoverishment and health care disparity. Many countries are experimenting with various approaches to tackle the poor utilization of health care services including demand‐side financing policy. This paper explains the policymaking process during the formulation of safe delivery incentive program, a conditional cash transfer program in Nepal using Kindgon's multiple streams framework. Analysis of earlier policies and programs around safe motherhood concludes that high transportation cost was a major cause for poor utilization of institutional obstetric care, despite being provided at free of cost. Health was recognized as fundamental constitutional right in 2007. This assured societal support and political commitments for protecting health constitutionally. Furthermore, there was commitment from external development partners (EDPs) for investment in maternal health. Together, these problem, policy, and politics opened Kingdon's “windows of opportunity” for formulation of conditional cash transfer policy. This paper presents evolution of Aama Surakshya Karyakram and uses Kingdon's multiple streams framework to explain how problem, policy, and politics streams converged together to allow this program to be introduced in Nepal.     

Folie a deux and delusional disorder by proxy: an atypical presentation

Delusion of parasitosis is a rare condition characterised by an individual harbouring the delusion of being infested with insects or parasites. We report a rare and interesting case of delusion of parasitosis presenting as folie a deux, that is, the delusion is shared by both the parents of an 18‐month‐old child, with proxy projection of parental delusion on the child. The case highlights the rare concomitant occurrence of two psychocutaneous disorders and emphasizes the importance of early recognition and appropriate intervention to safeguard the well‐being of the child.     

Immunoglobulin level in donor blood reactive for antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus.

Blood samples from 98 asymptomatic volunteer blood donors, including 55 that were reactive for antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Western blot (WB) assay, were tested for levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgM, and titer of antibodies to HIV, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex virus. Levels of IgG were significantly elevated (P less than or equal to 0.001) in donors with specific anti-HIV reactivity. A total of 69% of donors with anti-HIV had IgG levels of greater than or equal to 12 mg/ml, and 44% had IgG levels of greater than or equal to 14.5 mg/ml. Levels of IgM were not significantly different among WB-reactive and nonreactive donors. The titer of anti-HIV was significantly (P less than 0.02) correlated with IgG levels among donors reactive in the WB assay. Elevation of IgG, however, was not significantly associated with the presence of anticytomegalovirus or anti-herpes simplex virus antibodies. The data show that elevation of IgG may represent an early manifestation of HIV infection before the development of clinical symptoms of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.     

Lipopolysaccharide induces and activates the Nalp3 inflammasome in the liver

AIM:To examine the activation of the Nalp3 inflammasome and its downstream targets following lipopolysaccharide(LPS) -induced stimulation in the liver. METHODS:Six-to-eight-week-old C57BL/6 chow fed mice were injected intraperitoneally with 0.5μg/g bodyweight LPS and sacrificed 2,4,6,18 or 24 h later. LPS-induced liver damage was confirmed by a biochemical assay to detect alanine aminotransferase(ALT) levels.To determine if LPS stimulation in the liver led to activation of the inflammasome,real-time quantit...     

Use of nanotechnology for the development of novel cancer biomarkers

Novel nanotechnologies can complement and augment existing genomic and proteomic techniques employed to analyze variations across different tumor types, thus offering the potential to distinguish between normal and malignant cells. Sensitive biosensors constructed out of nanoscale components (e.g., nanocantilevers, nanowires and nanochannels) can recognize genetic and molecular events and have reporting capabilities, thereby offering the potential to detect rare molecular signals associated with malignancy. Such signals may then be collected for analysis by nanoscale harvesters that selectively isolate cancer-related molecules from tissues. Another area with near-term potential for the early detection of cancer is the identification of mutations and genomic instability.