Surgical Smile Makeover with an Unique Combination of the Lip Repositioning and Laser Depigmentation Techniques

An attractive smile is essential for a long-lasting impression. Excessive Gingival Display (EGD) during smiling and gingival pigmentation is a cause for concern to many individuals. Various treatment modalities are available to manage th

A STUDY ON UTILIZATION OF ANGIOTENSIN-CONVERTING ENZYME INHIBITORS AND ANGIOTENSIN RECEPTOR BLOCKERS IN PATIENTS WITH CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the prescribing pattern, most common indication, and adverse effects associated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) in patients with cardiovascular diseases, and to identify the risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases in a tertiary care hospital.Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out for a period of 6 months from October 2016 to March 2017 in both inpatients and outpatients of the cardiology department. Patients received either ACEIs or ARBs were enrolled in the study. The relevant details of the patients were collected from the patient case note and treatment chart and data analyzed.Results: Of 100 patients, 23.0% were female and 77.0% were male. Among them, majority of patients were in the age group of 41–60 years. Diabetes mellitus (39%), smoking (20%), and alcohol (14%) were the common risk factors. The most common indications of ACEIs were found to be ischemic heart diseases (IHDs) (17%) followed by hypertension (HTN)/IHD (12%), and IHD/heart failure (12%). Main indications of ARBs were found in HTN/ IHD (16%). Utilization of ACEIs (70%) was found to be higher when compared with ARBs (30%). Ramipril (69%) and telmisartan (18%) were the most commonly used ACEIs and ARBs, respectively. While analyzing the adverse effects of ACEIs and ARBs, about 5.71% of patients were identified with ramipril induced dry cough.Conclusions: The complications of cardiovascular diseases can be reduced by knowing the incidence of risk factors and alternative therapy can be initiated by assessing the incidence of adverse drug reactions related to ACEIs and ARB

Genetic Disorders of Calcium and Phosphorus Metabolism

In this review, we describe genetic mutations affecting metabolic pathways of calcium and phosphorus homeostasis. Calcium and phosphorus homeostasis has tight hormonal regulation by three major hormones: vitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23). We describe the physiology and pathophysiology of disorders, their biochemical profile, clinical characteristics, diagnostics, and treatments

Attitudes Toward Euthanasia Among Doctors in a Tertiary Care Hospital in South India: A Cross Sectional study

Context: Advances in expertise and equipment have enabled the medical profession to exercise more control over the processes of life and death, creating a number of moral and ethical dilemmas. People may live for extended periods with chronic painful or debilitating conditions that may be incurable. Aim: This study attempts to study the attitudes of doctors toward euthanasia and the possible factors responsible for these attitudes. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional survey of 213 doctors working at a tertiary care hospital was conducted to determine their attitudes toward euthanasia. Materials and Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess attitudes and personal perceptions about euthanasia. Statistical Analysis Used: The Chi square test was used to assess factors influencing attitudes toward euthanasia. Results: A majority of the respondents (69.3%) supported the concept of euthanasia. Relief from unbearable pain and suffering was the most commonly (80.3%) cited reason for being willing to consider the option of euthanasia. Majority of those who were against euthanasia (66.2%) felt that the freedom to perform euthanasia could easily be misused. Disapproval of euthanasia was associated with religious affiliation (P<0.001) and speciality (P<0.001). Conclusions: A majority of the doctors in this study supported euthanasia for the relief of unbearable pain and suffering. Religion and speciality appear to be significant in determining attitudes toward euthanasia

Genetic Disorders of Calcium and Phosphorus Metabolism

In this review, we describe genetic mutations affecting metabolic pathways of calcium and phosphorus homeostasis. Calcium and phosphorus homeostasis has tight hormonal regulation by three major hormones: vitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23). We describe the physiology and pathophysiology of disorders, their biochemical profile, clinical characteristics, diagnostics, and treatments

Volumetric evaluation of various obturation techniques in primary teeth using cone beam computed tomography – An in vitro study

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate the efficiency of five different obturation methods in delivering the filling material into the canals of primary teeth using cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT) scan. Method: A total of fifty prepared canals of primary teeth which further divided into five groups with ten canals in each group were obturated with zinc oxide-eugenol cement using five different obturation methods such as endodontic plugger, lentulo spiral (handheld), lentulo spiral mounted on slow speed handpiece, local anesthetic syringe, and tuberculin syringe. Using CBCT scan, the pre- and post-obturation volume and the percentage of obturated volume (POV) were calculated for each group. The results obtained were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test. Results: Following CBCT scan, the method obturated with lentulo spiral mounted to handpiece showed the highest POV value followed by the method of lentulo spiral mounted to handpiece, hand plugger, and tuberculin syringe. Local anesthetic syringe gave the least POV (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Lentulo spiral mounted to handpiece showed the best technique of obturation using CBCT evaluation among the five groups evaluated in primary teeth. However, more studies are highly essential to prove it a boon for estimating obturation quality in primary teeth