Context: Estimation of lipid profile requires fasting blood sample which needs a higher level of motivation. We were looking for simpler noninvasive tests or measurements that can be applied to larger population to predict lipid profile abnormality and at-risk population for future cardiovascular events. Aims: The aim was to measure anthropometric indices in relation to lipid profile and modifiable risk factors such as smoking and alcohol in a healthy young adult local population, and to assess the risk for future cardiovascular complications. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 500 young individuals (aged 18-30 years) across different sections of society in the local population. The lipid profile (total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, very low density lipoprotein and triglycerides) along with anthropometric indices like body mass index, waist circumference, and waist hip ratio was measured. Information on alcohol intake, smoking, and dietary habits was obtained through a prevalidated questionnaire. Data entry and all statistical analysis were done using statistical software Microsoft excel and Epi-info version 3.5.1. Results: BMI showed a significant correlation with total cholesterol (P = 0.0116), triglycerides (P = 0.0199), LDL cholesterol (P = 0.0284), and VLDL cholesterol (P = 0.0199). Smokers and alcoholics showed a significant increase in total cholesterol (P = 0.0062, P = 0.0009), triglycerides (P = 0.0437, P = 0.0317), LDL cholesterol (P = 0.0356, P = 0.0023), and VLDL cholesterol (P = 0.0437, P = 0.0317) respectively. Alcoholics showed a significant increase in waist hip ratio (P = 0.0082) when compared to the nonalcoholics. Conclusions: In agreement with other study our study reiterates the use of noninvasive anthropometric parameters as a screening tool for lipid profile abnormalities.

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Background: Many antenatal clinics (ANC)-based HIV surveillance systems in India have limited coverage of remote rural sites, a weakness that compromises adequate estimation, monitoring, and development of effective preventive and care programs. To address this void in rural area of western Maharashtra, we conducted antenatal clinic-based sentinel surveillance to know the prevalence of HIV infection among rural pregnant women. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at ANC clinic, Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Pravara Rural Hospital, Loni, Maharashtra. A total of 12,171 pregnant women from rural area accepted HIV testing after counseling who attending ANC clinic in Pravara Rural Hospital, Loni, during January 2008 to December 2011 were included in the study. Data were entered in Microsoft excel and percentage and proportion was calculated. Results: In the present study, out of 12171 pregnant women from the rural area accepted HIV testing after counseling who attending ANC clinic, only 50 (0.41%) were HIV positive and remaining 12, 221 (99.59%) were HIV negative. The study showed that the prevalence of HIV among pregnant women was 0.41%. Out of the 50 HIV positive pregnant women studied majority, 32 (64.0%), were primigravidas and 18 (36.0%) were multigravidas. Conclusion: In our study all 12171 pregnant women from the rural area accepted HIV testing after counseling and prevalence of HIV was found to be 0.41%. The need of the hour is to provide universal access to these services by involving the NGO's and the private sector.

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Background: Cystatin C is a naturally occurring protease inhibitor that protects the host tissue from Cysteine protease Cathepsins, which is a pro-atherogenic factor. Cystatin C is a reliable marker of renal functions and its plasma concentration is dependent completely on Glomerular Filtration Rate, and has emerged as a biomarker of cardiovascular risk . The main objective of present study is to estimate the serum levels of Cystatin C in individuals with normal BMI, overweight and obese, aged between 20 and 39 years and to correlate the levels of serum Cystatin C with cardiovascular risk factors. Materials and Methods: The study population was taken from healthy volunteers of Mysore city, aged between 20 and 39 years of either sex. The study population was divided into three groups based on BMI. The sample size in each group was 20. Fasting serum sample was analyzed for glucose, HDL cholesterol, creatinine by enzymatic method and serum Cystatin C by immunoturbidimetric method using autoanalyser. Results: The serum Cystatin C levels was significantly increased in overweight and obese groups, P value <0.001. The mean serum Cystatin C levels in normal BMI group was 0.7 ± 0.03, in overweight group 0.91 ± 0.009 and in obese group was 1.15 ± 0.09. In the study, serum Cystatin C showed a positive correlation with serum total cholesterol ( r = 0.71), LDL cholesterol ( r = 0.69), total CHOL: HDL ( r = 0.77), HDL: LDL ( r = 0.75), serum glucose ( r = 0.61) and negative correlation with serum HDL ( r = -0.52). Conclusion: Serum Cystatin C can serve as a good predictive marker of preclinical cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease in overweight and obese individuals.

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Objectives: To assess the oral health status and treatment needs of police personnel in Shimla city and to suggest measures to improve the present oral health status. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted on 371 subjects, aged 18-58 years who were selected by simple random sampling. Type-III examination of the subjects was conducted by a single investigator and data was recorded on modified W. H .O. format 1997. A value of P ≤ 0.05 and ≤ 0.001 was considered statistically significant and highly significant, respectively. Results: DMFT (decayed, missing, filled teeth) was significantly higher among older age group, males and constables. Subjects brushing once daily had higher DMFT 3.16 (S.D. = 3.29) than those brushing twice daily 2.8 (S.D. = 2.79) ( P < 0.05). CPI score-2 was highest among majority of subjects. Female employees were healthy in all their sextants to be examined in both arches than male employees (8.3% vs. 2.8%). Subjects brushing twice daily had significantly healthy periodontium than those brushing once daily. The percentage of healthy periodontium was higher in non-smokers (6.33%) than in smokers (1.31%). The difference was highly significant for score-3 and 4 ( P < 0.001). Prosthetic status and prosthetic needs was higher in mandible than maxilla and this difference was statistically significant ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: Most of the police personnel suffer from dental caries, periodontal diseases and edentulousness. Awareness should be created to maintain good oral hygiene, regular dental check up and abstain from smoking and alcohol among police personnel.

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Since the establishment of implant in dentistry, the use of removable prostheses in replacing missing teeth apparently becomes less popular, still the preventive prosthodontics emphasizes the importance of any procedure that can delay or eliminate future prosthodontic problems. Most patients with removable partial or complete denture are dissatisfied with their retention and stability. Semiprecision attachments offer considerable advantages such as increased retention of a denture, preservation of teeth which are otherwise indicated for extraction, as a viable alternative to implant retained overdenture and the ability to obtain parallelism in divergent abutments. A prosthodontist who familiarizes himself with semiprecision attachments will be in a position to suggest a better treatment options in retaining teeth which might otherwise be considered for extraction or immediate implant placement. However, lack of proper knowledge, overwhelming number of attachments available in the market, multiple adjustments and repairs are making dentist reluctant to offer and provide attachment-retained prostheses to their patients. This case report describes an innovative technique for improving overall prognosis of mandibular overdenture using advanced and prefabricated housing attachment system.

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Marfan syndrome is an inherited disorder of connective tissue with multisystem involvement. Associations with tuberculosis may quagmire the diagnostic capacities in delineating the exclusivity of pulmonary spectra of Marfan syndrome from tuberculosis especially in sputum negative (for acid fast bacilli) patients. The disorder also casts a huge spectrum of clinical manifestations some of them less known. We discuss our case of Marfan syndrome with sputum positive tuberculosis and explore the occurrence of such unusual presentations.

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Objectives: The objective of this study was to describe an innovative method used for teaching entomology. Setting : It was performed at Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, JIPMER, Puducherry. Materials and Methods: Fifty-five second year medical students were divided into two batches. Each batch had two sessions on entomology. In each session students were divided into small groups and assigned to prepare on the various insects of medical entomological importance and present on the prepared topic. The topics included vector characteristics, vector habits, diseases transmitted and modes of transmission of diseases, control of vectors. The corresponding photographs of the insects were projected at the end of each presentation. The modes of transmission, diseases transmitted, and control measures were learnt through the oral presentations. After each session students were shown the slides under microscopes to reinforce the features. Pretest and posttest were used to find the gain in knowledge and feedback was taken at the end of each session. Results: Comparison of pretest and posttest scores showed a statistically significant gain in the knowledge. Feedback from students revealed that objectives were clear for 42 of the 55 students. Facilitating factors included interactive session (14), group discussion (31), PowerPoint presentation (24), good moderator (14). Factors which hindered learning were lack of time for preparation (13) and afternoon sessions (2). Students suggested that more of this type of classes should be taken for them in near future (28). Conclusion: This method served as an effective alternative method as judged by students' performance and feedback.

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Every orthodontic patient requires that the treatment be completed in a short duration. During orthodontic treatment, wearing of orthodontic braces, besides being unaesthetic will also restrict patients from eating certain food; it would also make it difficult for patient to maintain good oral hygiene. Because of these reasons many patients decline for orthodontic treatment. But recently there are many techniques in orthodontics like distraction osteogenesis, corticotomy, etc. where treatment can be completed in a very short duration when compared to conventional treatment. This article discusses one of such technique known as "Wilkodontics" which helps in faster orthodontic tooth movement, thus helping the clinician to complete the treatment at the earliest.

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