Evaluation of Antioxidant Enzymes Activity and Malondialdehyde Levels in Patients With Chronic Periodontitis and Diabetes Mellitus

Background: The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of diabetes, a known risk factor for periodontitis, on activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR), and catalase (CAT) as well as levels of free radical damage marker malondialdehyde (MDA) in blood and saliva of individuals with chronic periodontitis (CP). Methods: Sixty patients with CP (30 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus [DMCP] and 30 systemically healthy patients [CP]) and 60 periodontally healthy individuals (30 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 30 systemically healthy patients [PH]) were included in this study. After clinical measurements, blood and saliva samples were collected. SOD, GR, and CAT activities in red blood cell lysate and saliva and MDA levels in plasma and saliva samples were spectrophotometrically assayed. An analysis of variance test followed by a post hoc test was used to compare the intragroup and intergroup variances among the study groups. Results: MDA levels in both the periodontitis groups were higher than in the periodontally healthy groups, but the difference between the CP and DMCP groups did not reach statistical significance (P >0.05). There was a highly significant difference between the CP and PH groups for all the enzymes studied except for SOD in blood. Only salivary SOD and GR activities were significantly different in the CP and DMCP groups. Conclusions: This study favors the role of oxidative stress in both diabetes and periodontitis. It shows that the compensatory mechanism of the body is partially collapsed because of excessive production of free radicals during periodontitis and is not able to cope with increased free radical generation attributable to diabetes, thereby worsening the situation.     

Assessment of changing patterns of Le fort fracture lines using computed tomography scan: an observational study

Objectives. To assess the changing mid-face fracture patterns using a computed tomography scan. Methodology: Fifty patients with mid-face trauma requiring open reduction and fixation were studied using 1.6 mm axial, sagittal, coronal and 3D images. Images were evaluated clinically, intra-operatively and finally were compared with standard Le Fort lines. Results. The male population dominated the female at a ratio of 11.5:1. The majority of the mid-face fractures were seen in the age group of 21–30 years. Road traffic accident (78%) was the major etiological factor followed by work-related accidents (12%) and assaults (10%). The CT scan analysis included categorizing the patients into three groups: (1) Fracture patterns resembling Le Fort lines (24%); (2) Fracture patterns partially resembling Le Fort lines (56%); and (3) Fracture patterns that do not resemble Le Fort lines (20%). Conclusion. With the change in the velocity of wounding object, there is a change in the mid-face fracture patterns. The majority of the cases present as a variant of classical Le Fort fractures. Computed tomography is a valuable diagnostic tool in assessing the fractures of the mid-face. 2D images are more sensitive than 3D images. However, both the images are required in delivery of an optimal treatment plan.     

Coronavirus disease (COVID‐19): An updated review based on current knowledge and existing literature for dermatologists

The world entered the year 2020 with reports of the emergence of a new viral illness in Wuhan city, Hubei province, China. In January 2020, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) was identified to be the causative novel coronavirus for the cluster of patients suffering from pneumonia in China. The disease was later named as coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) and was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. Several studies, since then, have tried to study and explain the origin of SARS‐CoV‐2, its structure and pathogenicity, epidemiology, modes of transmission, spectrum of illness and causes of mortality and morbidity. The current management strategies focus on supportive care and prevention of complications. With no definite treatment, as of now, encouraging reports of some anti‐viral and anti‐malarial drugs in the management of COVID‐19 generate some hope. This review intends to cover the current known aspects of COVID‐19 and SARS‐CoV‐19, based on the available literature.     

Women’s Experiences with Intimate Partner Violence and Their Mental Health Status in India: A Qualitative Study of Sambalpur City

The intimate partner violence (IPV) against women has been identified as a violation of human rights and a serious public health concern. There is not only the immediate consequence of partner violence, such as injury or death but also the other long-term health consequences. IPV can be associated with psychological effects such as depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and substance abuse. The study aims to explore the nature and causes of IPV on women’s life and their personal experiences to deal with. This is an NGO-based study. For better understanding of the issues, Purposive sampling was used in selecting women with clinically diagnosed mental illness who experienced IPV. The qualitative research methodology was employed to explore the experiences and impact of IPV on the mental health status of women. For analysis, we used a phenomenological approach and conducted in-depth interviews. Findings show the participating women were suffering from IPV in physical, psychological, and sexual forms. Majority of respondents felt that wife-beating and abusing was fairly common. Most of the women had to face violence on a frequent and occasional basis. IPV experienced women were facing a mental illness like anxiety, depression and sleeping-disorder. The women, who were facing mental illness due to IPV, have been and continue to be exposed to such violence. Despite being employed and suffering from IPV deeply, women choose to stay with their abusive partner because of their children future, lack of support, and social security. The mental health of victims’ was clinically diagnosed, including self-assessed symptoms. It means participants were aware that they are mentally ill because of IPV. The healthy and quick recovery treatment should be given according to the need of women, rather than providing comprehensive standardised treatment for all.     

Inhibitory milieu at the multiple sclerosis lesion site and the challenges for remyelination

Regeneration of myelin, following injury, can occur within the central nervous system to reinstate proper axonal conductance and provide trophic support. Failure to do so renders the axons vulnerable, leading to eventual degeneration, and neuronal loss. Thus, it is essential to understand the mechanisms by which remyelination or failure to remyelinate occur, particularly in the context of demyelinating and neurodegenerative disorders. In multiple sclerosis, oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) migrate to lesion sites to repair myelin. However, during disease progression, the ability of OPCs to participate in remyelination diminishes coincident with worsening of the symptoms. Remyelination is affected by a broad range of cues from intrinsic programming of OPCs and extrinsic local factors to the immune system and other systemic elements including diet and exercise. Here we review the literature on these diverse inhibitory factors and the challenges they pose to remyelination. Results spanning several disciplines from fundamental preclinical studies to knowledge gained in the clinic will be discussed.     

Transverse Aortic Arch to Descending Aorta Ratio: A New Echocardiographic Parameter for Management of Coarctation of the Aorta in the Infant

Objective. The purpose of this study was to establish an objective criterion to help assess adequacy of the transverse arch in newborns with coarctation and thereby optimize preoperative surgical decision making. Methods. Echocardiograms of 47 patients <6 months of age who underwent coarctation repair from September 2005 to November 2008 and 47 age‐matched healthy infants were reviewed. The proximal and distal transverse aortic arch to descending aorta ratios (TAA : DAO ratio) were calculated from the end‐systolic proximal and distal transverse aortic arch diameters and diameter of the descending aorta at the diaphragm. Results. Both the proximal and distal TAA : DAO ratios were significantly lower in the study vs. control group (P= .001) and in patients who underwent patch reconstruction of the aorta vs. extended end‐to‐end anastomosis (P= .014; P= .015). All patients who underwent patch reconstruction had a proximal and/or distal TAA : DAO <0.65. A cutoff of 0.65 was derived based on our analyses and an algorithm was developed to guide decision making. Forty‐six out of 47 patients were free from reintervention. Conclusion. The TAA : DAO ratio appears to be an accurate parameter by which the adequacy of the transverse arch can be assessed preoperatively using the proposed algorithm, and thus help determine the type of surgical intervention and approach.