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Introduction: Antibiotics are the life saving therapeutic agents used worldwide from neonates to geriatric patients for the treatment and prevention of bacterial infections. Antibiotics Self-medication (ASM) is a major public health problem due to irrational and inappropriate use of antibiotics as a routine practice among public. Aim: To assess the knowledge and ASM behaviours among Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree students and also to estimate the prevalence of ASM among students of non medical background. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from April to November 2017 in Tumakuru, Karnataka, India, using a validated questionnaire. A total of 152 degree students were enrolled in the present study. The questionnaire consisted of 28 questions based on knowledge and behaviour towards self antibiotic medication practice was used to collect data from face to face interaction. Data were entered into MS excel and were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 19.0. Results: Out of 152 students, 93 (61.2%) were treated with antibiotics and among them 64 (42.1%) were self-medicated with antibiotics. Students self-medicated with antibiotics, due to convenience 32 (50%), lack of trust in doctor 9 (14.1%). Selection of antibiotic were maximally from the previous doctor's prescription 30 (46%), followed by opinion of family members 16 (25%). Around 50% and 22% of the students obtained antibiotics from community pharmacist and from the left over from previous prescription, respectively. Conclusion: The ASM was practiced among students and was encouraged by the community pharmacists and family members. Even without the proper knowledge, due to convenience the ASM has increased among the students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been a rising trend in the number of histoplasmosis cases reported in the recent years. However, in southern India, the number of cases is relatively less. This report is about a 46-year-old Indian male from Tamil Nadu who presented with decreased appetite, vomiting, and giddiness. In view of persistent hyponatremia and hypotension, a work-up for adrenal insufficiency was done, and serum cortisol was found to be low. Contrast Enhanced Computed Tomography (CECT) showed bilateral adrenal enlargement with peripheral rim enhancement and hypodense areas within. There was a diagnostic dilemma between tubercular and fungal aetiology. Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) of the adrenal gland showed features suggestive of histoplasmosis. The patient was treated with itraconazole along with steroid replacement therapy, leading to marked improvement in his overall condition. In immunocompetent individuals, disseminated histoplasmosis with adrenal gland involvement is a rare occurrence. As an unusual presentation of histoplasmosis, this case adds to the body of literature available from Tamil Nadu, which is a non endemic region for histoplasmosis, with only 15 cases being reported as of 2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Quantification of Mitotic Figures (MFs) is a prognostic indicator in assessment of Oral Epithelial Dysplasia (OED), Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) and is part of many histopathological grading systems. Evaluation of MFs is done as part of post treatment (chemoradiotherapy) to monitor any changes in the treated area. But identification and quantification of MFs in routine stains is a tedious process and subjective to errors. Aim: To stain, compare and analyse mitosis specific marker anti-phosphohistone H3 (anti-PHH3) with H&E stain and 1% crystal violet in OED and OSCC. Materials and Methods: Study sample included archival tissues embedded in paraffin blocks histopathologically diagnosed as OED (n=30) and OSCC (n=30). Three serial sections of each tissue specimen were stained separately with H&E stain, 1% crystal violet stain and anti-PHH3 (IHC stain). The stained sections were examined for identification and counting of MFs. The data were analysed using Chi-square test and Kruskal Wallis Test. Results: MFs were significantly increased in OSCC in comparison with OED. There was a significant increase in number of MFs in anti-PHH3 in comparison with crystal violet and H&E stained tissue sections. Conclusion: It was seen that anti-PHH3 is the most specific stain for identification of MFs amongst H&E, crystal violet and anti-PHH3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Turmeric-Curcuma longa is a natural dye and has been used for various purposes since centuries.The global interest to use biodegradable materials; natural dyes/stains has evoked curiosity to explore its staining efficacy. Limited studies have been performed to determine the efficacy of turmeric as a stain for formalin fixed paraffin embedded sections that are routinely stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E). This study highlights on the comparison of turmeric extraction methods namely, maceration and soxhlet in relation to its staining efficacy which is first of its kind. Also, the staining of turmeric extracts on pathological tissues has not been tried earlier. Aim: To compare two different extraction methods for turmeric namely the maceration and soxhlet, to compare staining efficacy of turmeric with and without mordant, to compare efficacy of turmeric stain with synthetic eosin in normal and pathological tissues. Materials and Methods: Curcuma longa was dried, powdered and extracted by maceration and soxhlet techniques. Tissue sections were stained with and without the mordant potash alum in normal and pathologic tissues. The staining intensity, efficacy of prepared turmeric stain with that of eosin were compared by appreciating the respective tissue structures stained by both the components. The statistical analysis was carried out by Chisquare test. Results: Statistically significant results were observed in sections stained by maceration technique than that of the soxhlet. The Hematoxylin and Turmeric (H&T) sections in which Mordant was incorporated with Turmeric (TEM) fetched better results. Comparable results were obtained in normal and pathologic tissue sections stained with H&T (TEM) with conventionally employed H&E stain. Conclusion: Turmeric extract can be used as an adjunct stain to eosin, a synthetic stain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Oral carcinoma is a global health problem. India accounts for one-third of world burden with high prevalence rate of 2.5 million and mortality rate of 5.5 lacs per year. Oral carcinogenesis is a multistage process that frequently involves invasion and metastasis that needs early detection and treatment to improve the overall quality of life. The ability of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) to metastasize to lymph nodes does not always show a relationship with clinical staging. A spectrum of molecular mechanisms is involved in carcinogenesis, where defect in the regulation of apoptosis is assumed to contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of cancer. Apoptosis regulatory genes include the antiapoptotic protein such as B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) gene that might be used as a molecular marker to evaluate the biological behaviour of oral cancer. Aim: To evaluate and correlate the Bcl-2 expression in OSCC patients with lymphnode metastasis and without metastasis. Materials and Methods: The study comprised of 30 samples, 15 cases of metastatic and 15 non-metastatic primary OSCC. All the cases were stained for routine Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E), and Bcl-2 antibody by immunohistochemistry. The H&E stained sections were evaluated for Lymphocytic Infiltrate (LI) and Pattern Of Invasion (POI). Bcl-2 stained sections were evaluated for staining intensity and distribution. The differences between the groups were statistically analysed using chi-square test. Results: The histopathological parameters, LI and POI did not show any statistical difference between the study groups. Expression of Bcl-2 in OSCC was 33.3% among the study groups, where metastatic group showed a positive expression of 13.3% and 20% in non-metastatic OSCC that did not show statistically significance among the study groups. Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the expression of Bcl-2 between the study groups. Apoptosis is regulated by interaction among the Bcl-2 gene family. Hence, evaluation of Bcl-2 along with other apoptotic regulating proteins could define the role in pathogenesis and prognosis of metastatic and non-metastatic OSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]