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Background: Keeping in view the role of tobacco consumption as a modifiable risk factor in various diseases and gaps in scientific knowledge among the apparently healthy adult male population in India, the researchers chose to undertake this study. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among apparently healthy adult males employed in various government offices to determine the prevalence of tobacco consumption. The minimum sample size to estimate a 95% confidence interval for the prevalence of tobacco consumption with 5% absolute precision was calculated to be 340. However, 500 subjects were included in the study. The tool used for data collection was the "personal interview technique." Standard statistical methods were utilized for data analysis. Results: The overall mean age (standard deviation (SD)) of the study subjects was 30.96 yrs (4.32). Overall, the mean (SD) of number of years of tobacco use was 5.64 years (1.98). The mean (SD) of number of cigarettes smoked per day was 6.36 (3.09). The prevalence of current smokers showed a statistically significant increase from the age groups of 20–29 yrs to 50–59 yrs (P < 0.001). All subjects in the study were able to name at least three harmful effects of tobacco consumption. The overall mean amount spent on tobacco consumption per month was Rs 536.97 (1.44% of basic salary). Overall, the most common reason for smoking was peer pressure, where 40 (93.02%) gave this reason. Of forty-three tobacco users, 27 (62.79%) expressed a desire to quit tobacco consumption. The most common reason for expressing a desire to quit tobacco was the ill effects of tobacco consumption, where 23 (85.18%) tobacco users gave this reason. Conclusion: Our study on the prevalence of tobacco consumption among government employees provides an adequately clear picture of this public health epidemic in India. There is an immediate need for target group-specific policies for tobacco control, which should be integrated with the relevant national health programs at all levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modern era has observed vast technological advancements with a definite impact on the health sector. There has been an upsurge in mobile applications (mApps) used for varied purposes. Many mApps are available that target different arenas in dentistry including a range of oral health issues, the most important being oral cancer. These mApps with specific algorithms have been used for risk assessment, screening and diagnosis of oral potentially malignant and malignant disorders. Other benefits include remote consultation, timely referral, treatment of the disease, self monitoring and adherence to medications. Therefore, this review is designed to appraise the utility of mobile apps in oral cancer. The systematic research of the literature was done to find relevant articles regarding the development and applications of mApps in oral cancer by using specific research engines. PubMed, Cochrane and Clinical Key databases were searched electronically, irrespective of date of publication, with an assortment of several independent terms. A total of 423 articles were accessed, and screened. After applying the definite inclusion and exclusion criteria, 9 articles were finally selected which highlighted the impact of mApps in oral cancer. It was concluded that the potential of mobile applications could be harnessed judiciously to improve the screening, diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We investigated the pharmacokinetic behavior of pyrazinamide (PZA) and pyrazinoic acid (PA) in the presence of carbon-tetrachloride (CCl4) plus antitubercular treatment (ATT) drug-induced liver injury (DILI) in rats. Methods: Thirty rats utilized in the experiment were separated equally into five groups. Each rat was injected with 0.5 ml/kg CCl4 intra-peritoneal injection on day zero. Group, I rats did receive only CCl4 (single i.p. injection, 0.5 ml/Kg in olive oil in a 1:1 ratio). Groups II, III, IV, and V did receive daily oral PZA, PZA plus isoniazid (INH), rifampicin (RMP) plus pyrazinamide (PZA), and three drugs together, respectively, for 21-days. Pharmacokinetic sampling was performed at 0, 0.5,1,3,6,12 and 24 hours post-dosing on day-20. Liver function test (LFT) was assessed at days 0,1,7, and 21 days after CCl4 and ATT administration, and rats were sacrificed on the last experiment day. Results: ATT treatment maintained the liver function changes initiated by CCl4 administration. An evidential LFT rise was observed in groups administered with pyrazinamide. Co-administration of Isoniazid caused a 2.02 and 1.78 times increase in Area-under-the-curve (AUC) values of PZA and PA, respectively (p < 0.05). Histological and oxidative-stress changes supported the biochemical and pharmacokinetic observations. Conclusion: The enzyme inhibitory capacity of isoniazid is well-preservd in CCl4-induced liver injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: N-acetyl transferase 2 (NAT2) polymorphism testing could not see the light of success as a biomarker tool in tuberculosis management. Additionally, the antitubercular treatment (ATT) drug's reintroduction regimen variations exist because of the scarcity of robust preclinical evidence on ATT drug metabolism. Objective: The experiment was planned to understand the pharmacokinetic (PK) behavior of isoniazid and acetylisoniazid (AcINH) in a Wistar rat model of acute liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and preclinical drug-induced liver injury (DILI) model induced with CCl4 + anti-Tuberculosis (TB) drugs together. Materials and Methods: Thirty rats were used for the experiment and were divided into five groups. All rats were administered a single 0.5 ml/kg CCl4 intraperitoneal injection on day 0 to induce an animal model of DILI. Group I rats received CCl4 alone. Groups II--V were started on additional gavage feedings of isoniazid (H) alone, H plus rifampicin (R), H plus pyrazinamide (Z), and H, R, and Z together, respectively, daily for 21 days subsequently. Isoniazid and AcINH PK assessment was accomplished on day 20 of continuous once-daily dosing. Liver function test (LFT) monitoring was done at baseline on days 1, 7, and 21. On the last day of experiments, all experimental rats were sacrificed. Results: Three-week ATT administration sustained the CCl4-induced LFT changes. Area under the curve (AUC) values for isoniazid and AcINH were found to be 2.24 and 1.69 times higher in the H + R group compared with the CCl4 + H group, respectively (P < 0.05). Isoniazid and AcINH maximum concentration (Cmax) reached the highest, while isoniazid clearance reached the lowest in the H + R group. AcINH AUC increased by double in the CCl4 + Isoniazid+Rifampicin +Pyrazinamide (HRZ) group compared with the CCl4 + H group (P < 0.05). Biochemical, histological, and antioxidant changes were consistent with the new liver injury model's development. Conclusion: Rifampicin almost doubles up the isoniazid and AcINH exposure, in presence if DILI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hippocratic values on health profession target holistic patient care model and lay down the foundation of standards and ethical rules that are still convincing today. Despite various agreements or disagreements regarding its relevance in modern era, it reflects the soul of health profession. Various versions of the oath are available and followed by medical and dental students as they begin their professional journey. The vows are commitments made to the society, colleagues, and disciples to develop mutual trust and avoid the exploitation. The principles of oath may guide us when we are at the dead end of dark tunnel in our professional careers. In dentistry, the code of ethics is outlined by the hippocratic oath which inspires the dental professional to carry out their duties justly and ethically. This review attempts to discuss the relevance of hippocratic oath in dentistry and emphasizes on the need to have standardized oath for dental graduates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Controversies exist in literature regarding nature, pathogenesis, and behaviour of giant cell lesions (GCLs) of jaws. Studies were attempted to solve these mysteries with immunohistochemical analysis, using various biological markers. Thus, the aim of this review is to appraise the role of immunohistochemistry (IHC) in evaluating the pathogenesis, cellular phenotype, nature, and behaviour of GCLs of jaws. PubMed, PubMed Central, and Clinical Key (Medline) databases were searched electronically irrespective of date of publication with assortment of several independent terms. Fifty-five articles that fulfilled the eligibility criteria were included in the review. Out of 55 included articles, 49 were associated with nature, pathogenesis, and behaviour and six articles were associated with treatment and outcome prediction. Although IHC solved some of the controversies associated with GCLs of jaws such as the osteoclastic phenotype of multinucleated giant cells, immunoexpression of proliferative markers does not distinct non-aggressive from aggressive central GCL but the nature, histogenesis, pathogenesis, and exact behaviour still remain debatable. With regard to formulation of treatment plan, immunohistochemical analysis revealed that expression of glucocorticoid and calcitonin receptors could act as a tool to decide the therapeutic strategy and aid in therapeutic adjustments according to evolution of the lesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Variation in the speech of speakers is a crucial issue for the forensic system. The main reason behind incorrect speaker identification is greater intra-speaker fluctuation. In the forensic state of play, a lot of research has been carried out on speaker identification. However inter variations and intra fluctuations in speakers for the Punjabi language is still a grey area. Aims and Objectives: Our aim is to study acoustic analysis of fluctuations for inter and intra speaker variability in speech sounds. In our study, we will consider Punjabi vowel with consonants. The Statistical methods will be applied to analyze the data; firstly, the Shapiro-Wilk test will be checked for normality and then Levene's Test to assess the equality of variances. Materials and Method: Five vowels were selected with different consonants. They were combined to make meaningful words. Then these meaningful words were embedded in sentences. Ten speakers participated voluntarily. All are students of A.S College at Khanna in Punjab. The individuals were aged between 20-22 years with no hearing or speech disorder. The voice samples were recorded with help of good quality microphone and by Goldwave software in the sound proof lab. Samples were introduced directly into PRAAT software by the use of a Sony microphone and with sampling rate of 44100 Hz frequency. Acoustic Analysis has been done with help of Goldwave software in form of spectrograms. Results and Conclusion: Each formant shows a different value for inter variations and inter speaker fluctuations. F1 and F2 shows lesser speaker variation than the high-frequency region in F3 and F4, so we can say that in comparison with the lower part, high-frequency regions are more valuable. The assumptions for TWO-WAY ANOVA is violated and hence, we have used the non-parametric Friedman Test and performed its Post hoc analysis. From Posthoc analysis, we can say that F1 and F2 (p >0.05) and F2 and F3 (p>0.05) gave the same type of results. Hence, from the results of these statistical tests, we can conclude that F1 is recommended over F2, F3, and F4. As the frequency of F1 is high as well as in line with the results of statistical tests. Because we prefer more variation among frequencies so that we can easily distinguish different speakers and it would be more beneficial for inter variations and intra fluctuations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several phyto-chemicals have been identified and suggested as potential therapeutic options for hepatotoxicity management. Objective: To assess the hepatoprotective effect of scopoletin, a pure phyto-chemical, in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity model in Wistar rats. Methods: Thirty-six rats in total, six in each group, were utilized in this study. Animals in group 1 received normal saline; those in group 2 received carbon tetrachloride in olive oil (0.5 ml/kg, i.p. in ratio 1:1); those in groups 3, 4, and 5 received oral scopoletin (1 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg dose-wise groups); and those in group 6 received N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) 150 mg/kg. Blood sampling was performed on day - 3, day 1, and day 7 of the CCl4 administration. Rats were sacrificed on day 7 of the experiment for histological examination and oxidative stress measurement of the liver. Results: The 5 mg/kg scopoletin group showed a maximum reduction in AST levels [727.33 ± 29.15 in medium dose (MD) group vs 1526.66 ± 60.72 in the experimental control (EC) group (P < 0.001) and ALT levels of 532.66 ± 24.23 in MD group vs 894.83 ± 52.47 in EC (P < 0.01)]. The dose-dependent action was not observed with scopoletin doses. The protective effect of scopoletin was confirmed by MDA and GSH levels (P < 0.05) coupled with histo-pathological findings. In the present study, a reversible model of CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity was observed to get normalized in a week's time. Conclusion: The study confirms the hepatoprotective action of scopoletin in an acute model of hepatic injury with the putative anti-oxidant mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gastrointestinal tuberculosis (GITB) and Crohn's disease (CD) are close mimickers and difficult to discriminate. Recent work has focused on the immunological differences between GITB and CD based on cytokines related to T-regulatory cells and Th17 cells. In the present cross-sectional study, suspected cases of GITB or CD underwent extensive clinical, radiological, endoscopic, histological, and microbiological assessment. The diagnosis was based on standard criteria and response to antitubercular therapy endoscopically. Methods: Interleukin (IL)-10, transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß), and IL-17 were measured and compared between GITB and CD along with other parameters. Fisher's exact test and Mann-Whitney U test were used as per the data type. Results: Of the 27 patients, 11 had CD, 9 had GITB, and 7 had other conditions. Chronic diarrhea, involvement of left and long segments of the colon, and aphthous ulcers were significantly more frequent in CD; however, transverse ulcers were in GITB. IL-10 was reduced in both GITB (median-interquartile range [IQR] 9.54 [3.65-24.04]) and CD (median-IQR 13.28 [6.91-22.50]) compared to control (median-IQR 26.72 [10.34-35.43]). TGF-ß showed little variation, but IL-17 was below the detection limit in most cases. None of these cytokines were significantly different between CD and GITB. The sensitivity and specificity of multiplex Mycobacterium tuberculosis-polymerase chain reaction were 44.44% and 100%, respectively. Conclusion: Serum cytokine profiling (IL-10, IL-17, and TGF-ß) could not significantly differentiate GITB and CD. Moreover, extensive molecular, transcriptomic, chemokines, and cytokine analyses may shed light on these aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a case study of disseminated tuberculosis presenting as necrotic cutaneous ulceration in an immunocompetent young adult. Topics include rare cutaneous manifestations of disseminated tuberculosis, the challenges in diagnosing cutaneous tuberculosis due to atypical presentations, and the importance of early diagnosis through various laboratory tests like GeneXpert Ultra alongside traditional methods.