Arshdeep Singh

PCR-RFLP analysis of IL-2Rγ and IL-15Rα genes in Specialized Layer Chicken Lines

Abstract Singh, A.P., Kumar, S. and Gupta, T. 2008. PCR-RFLP analysis of IL-2Rγ and IL-15Rα genes in specialized layer chicken lines. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 33: 29–31. DNA polymorphism of IL-2Rγ and IL-15Rα was studied in 70 birds belonging to third generation of specialized White Leghorn chicken lines, divergently selected for humoral immune response to sheep erythrocytes by PCR-RFLP technique using specific primers. Amplification revealed product of 600bp for IL-2Rγ and 246bp for IL-15Rα genes. These amplicons digested with Hph I and Alu I revealed similar and monomorphic patterns in specialized layer chicken lines. It may be inferred that although specific primers amplified the target gene sequence but the PCR-RFLP pattern varied under different genetic backgrounds.

Dental public health in India: An insight

Oral diseases are a major public health problem, and their burden is on increase in many low- and middle-income countries. Dental public health (DPH) aims to improve the oral health of the population through preventive and curative services. However, its achievements in India are being questioned probably because of lack of proficiency and skill among DPH personnel. The literature search for the present study was conducted utilizing various search engines and electronic databases such as PubMed and MEDLINE. Documents related to the Central and State Governments of India were also considered. Finally, 26 articles were selected for the present study from which relevant information can be extracted. The present study focuses on some of the important aspects relating to DPH in India such as priority for oral health, DPH workforce and curriculum, utilization of DPH personnel in providing primary oral health care, role of mobile dental vans, and research in DPH. It was concluded that more attention should be given toward preventive oral health care by employing more number of public health dentists in public sector, strengthening DPH education and research, and combining oral health programs with general health-care programs.

A case report of a spontaneous oesophageal pleural fistula.

We are reporting a case of an asthmatic patient who presented to us with retrosternal chest pain, constipation, and shortness of breath, with features which were suggestive of a hydropneumothorax and shock. On recovery from the shock, the patient was found to have increased chest tube drainage, which was suggestive of an oesophageal rupture. The Computerized Tomography (CT) scan showed a fistulous track. The patient was diagnosed as a case of a spontaneous oesophageal pleural fistula (Spontaneous EPF) on the basis of her clinical and radiological findings.

Hepatitis C: Knowledge and awareness of private dental practitioners of a tricity in India

BACKGROUND: Dental health-care personnel are at an increased risk toward infections caused by various microorganisms including hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses (HCV). A dentist can play an important role in the prevention of HCV by considering every patient as a potential carrier for hepatitis. Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess the knowledge and awareness of dental health-care professionals regarding various aspects of HCV. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 247 private dental practitioners of tricity. A close-ended self-structured questionnaire was administered which contained 12 questions on knowledge and awareness regarding HCV infection keeping in view the time constraints. Categorization of knowledge scores was done at three levels - poor, moderate, and good. Statistical analysis was done using ANOVA and Students t-test. RESULTS: Nearly 96% (102) of postgraduates and 84% (117) of graduates had heard about HCV. 45.5% (112) had poor knowledge scores, 33.6% (83) had moderate knowledge scores, and only 21% (52) of participants had good knowledge scores. On the opinion of treating an HCV-infected patient by a dentist, only 61% (65) of postgraduates and 46% (64) of graduates agreed. There was statistically significant association of mean knowledge scores with gender, education level, and experience (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Majority of the dental professionals lacked knowledge regarding HCV infection and were not fully aware regarding certain aspects. Therefore, there is an urgent need for modification of the existing dental curriculum so that knowledge regarding these diseases can be imparted during graduation.

Significance of mandibular canine index in sexual dimorphism and aid in personal identification in forensic odontology

Background: Forensic odontology is basically the science dealing with establishing identity by teeth and has played an important, often crucial, role in the identification of victims of mass disasters. Among all teeth, the mandibular canines are found to exhibit greatest sexual dimorphism. Hence, this study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of mandibular canine index (MCI) in the determination of sex. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 62 subjects (31 males, 31 females). Mesiodistal diameter of mandibular canines was measured with the help of digital Vernier calipers. Intercanine distance was measured with the help of a divider. The standard MCI value is used as a cut off point to differentiate males from females. Statistical analysis was done using t-test. Results: The width of mandibular canine was higher in males than in females, which was statistically significant. The left canine is found to exhibit greater sexual dimorphism, i.e., 7.62% as compared with right canine, i.e., 6.85%. The calculated standard MCI for both male and female was 0.247. With these calculations, the overall percentage of sex determination was 79.03%. Conclusion: The ability to determine gender using Standard MCI was estimated to be 73.33% in males and 80% in females. It was concluded that with standard MCI, it was possible to detect sex for forensic purposes.

Assessment of satisfaction levels of patients during dental outreach programs in rural part of Udaipur, India.

Background: The community-based dental outreach programs play a very crucial role in declining discovery-delivery disconnect by introducing awareness through health education and dental adumbrating services to the community members. However, the success of any oral health programme depends largely on how it meets the needs and expectations of the target community. Therefore, the present study was designed for the assessment of patient satisfaction at various rural outreach dental camps conducted over a period of 2 months. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted on patients visiting weekly and monthly outreach dental programmes organised by the Department of Public Health Dentistry. Data were obtained from a total of 298 patients using a pre-tested questionnaire as a survey instrument. The questionnaire consisted of nine questions, measuring the patient satisfaction levels on a five-point Likert scale. Results: The highest mean satisfaction score (4.97 ± 0.59) was observed for the question on the overall performance of camp, whereas waiting time for treatment, quality of the treatment and explanation of need for referral exhibited lowest mean scores. The mean satisfaction scores for the monthly camp (4.55 ± 0.52) were significantly higher as compared to the weekly camps (4.38 ± 0.55) (P = 0.013). Conclusion: The results of the study showed that the patient satisfaction scores were satisfactory to good for various aspects of the weekly and monthly dental outreach programmes. Such programmes should be conducted on regular basis, and comprehensive oral care should be provided.

Prevalence and Characteristic of Headache in Dental Professionals: A Questionnaire Based Survey.

INTRODUCTION Medical and dental streams in todays date are considered highly demanding and stressful educational environments. Dental professionals, students and faculty, encounter great deal of stress in form of academic stress and job performance. Headache is a major and common neurological problem and is the main reason for decreased work performance, absenteeism and behavioral disturbances in dental professionals. AIM In current scenario of increasing stressful conditions in dental professionals, the present study was carried out with an aim to assess the prevalence and characteristic of headache in dental professionals in Udaipur, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional questionnaire based study was conducted in a private dental teaching hospital in Udaipur. The undergraduate, postgraduate dental students and faculty members, who gave consent, were included in the study. Information regarding the reason for headache and its various parameters was collected. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 22 and descriptive statistics was used to compare the results obtained. RESULTS The headache was found to be prevalent in 87.1% of the subjects included in the study. Females (91.9%) were more frequently affected by headaches than males (87.1%). CONCLUSION It can be concluded from the present study that headache was the main cause of absenteeism at school and work, mood and behavioral changes and inappropriate work actions.