Biomedical subjects

D Ram

Publications and source records attributed to D Ram.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Clinical performance of resin-bonded composite strip crowns in primary incisors: a retrospective study.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to assess retrospectively the longevity of resin-bonded composite strip crowns placed in primary maxillary incisors. DESIGN: Records for 200 out of 387 children, aged 22-48 months, treated in a private paediatric dental practice and who presented for follow-up after at least 24 months were included in the study. The parameters recorded at baseline and/or at follow-up were: habits, the number and location of the decayed surfaces, colour, texture, and chipping of the restoration. Radiographic evaluation of the restorations, the quality of the margins, and the presence of pulpal and/or periapical pathoses were recorded. RESULTS: More than 80% of the restorations were judged to be successful at the final follow-up examination. Only the number of carious surfaces of the tooth at baseline influenced the treatment outcome. The failure rate was higher in central incisors with four affected surfaces (P = 0.005), and in lateral incisors with four carious surfaces (P = 0.0003), than in those presenting one or two carious surfaces in both central and lateral incisors (P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: The high success rate of resin-bonded composite strip crowns with a 2-year follow-up seen in this study suggests that this treatment modality is an aesthetic and satisfactory means of restoring carious primary incisors in young children. The retention rate is lower in teeth with decay in three or more surfaces, particularly in children with a high caries risk.

Child, Preschool↗

PubMed2006

Comparison of articaine 4% and lidocaine 2% in paediatric dental patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the reaction of children who received local anaesthesia with lidocaine 2% with 1 : 100 000 epinephrine and articaine 4% with 1 : 200 000 epinephrine and to assess the time of the onset, efficacy, duration of numbness of the soft tissues, children's sensation after treatment to both anaesthetic solutions, as well as the occurrence of adverse events. SAMPLES AND METHODS: Sixty-two children (34 girls and 28 boys) aged 5-13 years (mean age 8.4 +/- 2.3) from two established paediatric dental clinics who needed similar operative procedures preceded by local anaesthesia were randomly assigned to receive either lidocaine or articaine at their first or second visit. Modified Taddio's behavioural pain scale was used to evaluate pain reaction during injection and treatment. The sensation after injection and treatment was evaluated using the Wong-Baker FACES pain rating scale. Parents recorded the time when the feeling of local anaesthesia in soft tissues disappeared. RESULTS: Duration of numbness of soft tissues was significantly longer for articaine (3.43 +/- 0.7 h) than for lidocaine (3.0 +/- 0.8 h) (P = 0.003). No difference regarding the efficacy of the anaesthesia was observed. Reaction to pain was similar for both local anaesthetic solutions and no significant difference was found between genders. The efficacy of the anaesthesia was similar for both solutions. The feeling after treatment was similar for both solutions. The rate of adverse effects was similar for the two solutions. CONCLUSIONS: Articaine 4% with 1 : 200 000 epinephrine is as effective as lidocaine 2% with 1 : 100 000 epinephrine. The effect of numbness of soft tissues was longer lasting with articaine than with lidocaine.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Assessment of a palatal approach-anterior superior alveolar (P-ASA) nerve block with the Wand in paediatric dental patients.

OBJECTIVES: The purposes of the study were to compare the reaction of children while receiving local anaesthesia for anaesthetizing maxillary incisors with a computerized device Wand: a periodontal ligament injection (PDLi) and a palatal approach-anterior superior alveolar (P-ASA) nerve block compared with a conventional buccal infiltration (CBi), and to assess the efficacy of the anaesthesia and children's reaction after treatment. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-eight children aged 24-48 months participated in this study. RESULTS: More children reacted negatively during injection while receiving the CBi and positively during the injection with the Wand. After treatment, significantly more children scratched the upper lip and/or the nose or complained of numbness of the region after the CBi (P = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: Same effectiveness was achieved with the Wand and the CBi. Children displayed better behaviour during injection when they received local anaesthesia with the WanD than they did when the CBi was used. They did not scratch the upper lip/nose and/or cried after treatment when they received the PDLi and the P-ASA, whereas they did when receiving a CBi.

Anesthesia, Dental↗

PubMed2005

Clinical performance of a non-rinse conditioning sealant in three paediatric dental practices: a retrospective study.

The present clinical retrospective study describes the retention rates of a compomer sealant (Dyract Seal, Dentsply-De Trey, Germany) with non-rinse conditioning (NRC) placed in three paediatric dentistry practices. Three hundred and seventeen sealants were applied in 220 primary and 97 permanent molars of 176 children aged 2.5-13 years. The tooth surface was freshened with a #1/2 round bur mounted on a slow speed engine, and isolated with cotton rolls. Application of the NRC and Dyract Seal followed the manufacturer's instructions. Sealant retention was classified as A (fully retained), B (partially lost) or C (completely missing). From a total of 220 sealants placed in primary molars, 38 were in the mouth between 12 and 18 months, 29 functioned between 19 and 24 months and 46 were followed up between 25 and 36 months. One hundred and thirteen (51%) were fully retained (A), 73 (33%) scored B (27 for 12-18 months; 20 for 19-24 months, 26 for 25-36 months) and 34 (16%) were lost and scored C (12 for 12-18 months; 12 for 19-24 months; 10 for 25-36 months). From a total of 97 sealed permanent molars, 45 (46%) were fully retained (score A). Of these, 25 were followed up for 12-18 months, 10 for 19-24 months and 10 for 25-36 months. Thirty-eight sealed permanent molars (19%) scored B [17 for 12-18 months, 10 for 19-24 months and seven for 25-36 months and 14 (15%) were completely lost (score C: 6 for 12-18 months, seven for 19-24 months and two for 25-36 months)]. Dyract Seal has a lower retention rate than conventional sealants. It may be appropriate for sealing primary molars of very young children for a limited period of time and for permanent molars of children with pronounced gag reflex, where rinsing can become a problem and lead to disruptive behaviour.

Acid Etching, Dental↗

PubMed2005

Use of the WHO hemoglobin color scale in family welfare clinics in India.

A situation is reported for the use of the WHO color scale for the measurement of hemoglobin, which was introduced into India in 1996. Charity family welfare clinics held at a medical college hospital in North India offer free sterilization by tubal ligation under local anesthetic to women following a preliminary screening. An obligatory test of the hemoglobin level is required and must be above 7.0 g/dl for the operation. Some clinics attract large numbers, and the card gives a cheap, rapid and reasonably accurate test, adding to the smooth running and reduction of waiting time. It has proved satisfactory over a 2-year period; 2.3% of participants were shown to have a hemoglobin level of 7 g/dl or less.

Anemia↗

PubMed2004

Drug-resistant HIV infection among drug-naive patients in Israel.

BACKGROUND: In Israel, <0.06% of the general population is infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), with a much higher prevalence among specific groups. These groups are distinguished demographically by risk behavior category and by virus subtype. We investigated transmission of drug resistance within groups to assess the impact of these factors. METHODS: Plasma samples from >15% of all patients with new diagnoses of HIV infection were randomly collected between June 1999 and June 2003. Sequences from 176 drug-naive patients included 20 of subtype A, 20 of subtype AE, 2 of subtype AC, 29 of subtype B, 100 of subtype C, and 5 of subtype F. RESULTS: Major drug resistance mutations (protease: L90M; reverse transcriptase: M41L, K103N, V106M, M184V, Y181S, G190A, L210W, T215Y/F, and K219R) were detected in 1 subject with A subtype, 3 with subtype B, and 9 with subtype C. In addition, 1 subject with A subtypes, 2 with subtype B, and 10 with subtype C had secondary mutations (protease: M46I; reverse transcriptase: A98G, K101Q, and V108I). Only 1 patient had mutations associated with >1 class of drugs. Among subjects who contracted HIV infection in Israel, 16 of 56 (1 of 7 with subtypes A or AE, 4 of 17 with subtype B, and 11 of 32 with subtype C; P=.7-1.0) carried resistant virus--a significantly higher proportion (P<.001) than in subjects infected in other countries (10 of 120 infected). CONCLUSIONS: Drug-resistant virus was detected in 14.8% of patients with new diagnoses of HIV infection but in 28.6% of patients known to have been infected in Israel. The implications include a need for pretreatment resistance testing and for better programs aimed at prevention of transmission, directed particularly at patients. We did not find significant differences in transmission of resistant virus between those infected with subtypes B and C, despite the different demographic background. A conclusive analysis and interpretation should await a more extensive study.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Stage-specific alternative splicing of the heat-shock transcription factor during the life-cycle of Schistosoma mansoni.

Stage-specific alternative splicing of the heat-shock transcription factor of Schistosoma mansoni (SmHSF) generates isoforms with structural diversity that may modulate the activity of SmHSF at different life-stages, and thus may regulate the expression of different genes at different developmental stages. RT-PCR, cloning and DNA-sequence analyses showed stage-specific alternative splicing inside the DNA-binding domain (DBD) involving introns I1 and I2, and beyond the DBD involving introns I4a and I7. Retention of introns I2 and I4 would inactivate SmHSF since they contain termination codons. Retention of intron I1 would add 11 amino acids inside the DBD and may change the DNA-binding specificity of SmHSF; intron I7 would add 13 amino acids to the effector region of HSF. Retention of introns was more pronounced in cercariae (larval stage living in water) than in adult worms (parasitic form in mammals). The isoforms were expressed in bacteria, but functional evaluation was not feasible, because only the isoform lacking introns was soluble while isoforms with introns were insoluble. However, stage-specific alternative splicing that changed HSF function in vivo was evidenced in intact cercariae. The cercarial SmHSF mRNA was enriched with introns I2 and I4a that contain termination codons. Therefore, translation of the SmHSF mRNA was impaired, and the SmHSF protein was undetectable. Consequently, the HSP70 gene could not be transcribed, and the HSP70 mRNA was missing. Alternative splicing was observed for short DNA segments (33-45 bp) bound by splice signals, located in the coding region. These are not bona fida exons since they are not flanked by introns. Yet, they are not regular introns since they are often found in mature mRNA. Alternative splicing of these DNA segments caused structural diversity that could modulate the function of the gene product.

Alternative Splicing↗

PubMed2003

Influence of an organic mulching on fertilizer nitrogen use efficiency and herb and essential oil yields in geranium (Pelargonium graveolens).

In a field study, conducted at Lucknow ( 26.5 degrees N, 80.5 degrees E and 120 m altitude), India for two years (1996-1997 and 1997-1998), eight treatment combinations of two variables of organic mulch (paddy straw at 7 t/ha and no mulch) and four levels of fertilizer nitrogen (0, 80, 160 and 240 kg/ha) were examined to observe the effect of organic mulching on N-use efficiency and essential oil yield in a multi-harvested geranium crop. Results revealed that application of paddy straw mulch increased the herb and essential oil yields in geranium by 23% and 27%, respectively, over the unmulched control at planted crop harvest. Corresponding values at regenerated crop harvest were 18.7% and 19.2%. A significant response to N was observed with 160 kgN/ha in mulched plot over the same level of N in the unmulched plot. Using paddy straw mulch, nitrogen uptake by plants of planted and regenerated crops was increased by 33% and 28.4%, respectively, over the unmulched control. Apparent N recoveries by planted and regenerated crops were estimated to be 33.7% and 22.7% for the unmulched control, as against 40% and 29.2% with paddy straw mulch at 160 kgN/ha. The quality of essential oil of geranium in terms of its major constituents, citronellol and geraniol, was not affected by the use of organic mulching and nitrogen fertilization and these constituents were found to be of a standard acceptable in international trade. It was concluded from this study that use of an organic mulch with 160 kgN/ha proved better in terms of economising 80 kgN/ha to produce an economic yield of 96.1 kg geranium oil from two harvests under subtropical conditions of the north Indian plains. At 160 kgN/ha, paddy straw mulch application permitted the geranium crop to produce 18.4 kg/ha more oil which gave an additional return of Rs. 53,600/ha than that of unmulched control. Paddy straw mulch and nitrogen fertilization had no adverse effect on the quality of essential oil of geranium.

Agriculture↗

PubMed2003

Interaction of the proteasome S5a/Rpn10 multiubiquitin-binding protein and the 8 kDa calcium-binding protein of Schistosoma mansoni.

A distinct 8 kDa calcium-binding protein (CaBP) is preferentially expressed at the cercarial stage during the life-cycle of the schistosome. Available data indicate that this CaBP may be associated with tissue/organ remodelling (involving protein degradation and synthesis of new proteins) during transformation of the cercariae from free-living form in water to parasitic life in the vertebrate host. Many CaBP molecules (e.g. calmodulin) show Ca(++)-dependent interaction with target proteins and thus modulate their activity. Accordingly, the parasite 8 kDa CaBP was used as a probe to clone and identify putative target protein(s) directly by binding interaction. Screening of schistosome lambdagt11 expression library with radio-iodinated CaBP yielded several overlapping clones showing Ca(++)-dependent binding of the CaBP. Sequence analyses revealed that these clones encode the S5a/Rpn10 multiubiquitin-binding protein which is a component of the regulatory 19S subunit of the 26S proteasome. The schistosome molecule, designated SmS5a, is 420 amino acids long. The nearly full length molecule (Gln3-Ser420) as well as the amino terminal (N-S5a, Gln3-Gly200) and carboxyl-terminal (C-S5a, Asp225-Ser420) portions were synthesized in bacteria, purified, and antibodies to the parasite SmS5a were prepared. Interaction between SmS5a and the 8 kDa CaBP in a Ca(++)-dependent manner was found under various experimental conditions: CaBP-Sepharose bound soluble SmS5a, immobilized SmS5a bound soluble CaBP, and complex formation was found when both molecules were in solution. Furthermore, it was shown that the C-terminal portion of SmS5a, but not the N-terminal portion of the molecule, reacted with the CaBP. SmS5a synthesized in a cell-free system and Western blots revealed 2 species, conceivably corresponding to the naked molecule (approximately 50 kDa) and the molecule subjected to post-translational modification (approximately 70 kDa). The present studies suggest that proteasome activity may be modulated by calcium, and this modulation is mediated via CaBP molecule(s).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2003

Hysteria and other related disorders.

The term 'hysteria' is not the diagnosis any more. The various presentations which were previously diagnosed as hysteria are discussed in this article in their current nomenclature. This article emphasises the core clinical features of each presentation, the points of differentiation between various presentations and the salient points for effective management.

Humans↗

PubMed2002

Administering local anaesthesia to paediatric dental patients -- current status and prospects for the future.

UNLABELLED: Fear-related behaviours have long been recognized as the most difficult aspect of patient management and can be a barrier to good care. Anxiety is one of the major issues in the dental treatment of children, and the injection is the most anxiety-provoking procedure for both children and adults. There is a constant search for ways to avoid the invasive, and often painful, nature of the injection, and to find more comfortable and pleasant means for anaesthesia before dental procedures. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present review is to summarize relevant data on topics connected with the administration of local anaesthesia. METHODS: The review will survey the current available methods, viz. electronic anaesthesia, lidocaine patch, computerized anaesthesia (the Wand), and the syrijet as well as the conventional injection, used for paediatric patients. CONCLUSIONS: Usually new techniques for locally anaesthetizing dental patients are tested on adults. However, despite recent research in the field, the injection remains the method of choice. It is necessary to continue to conduct studies using new techniques on adults and children, so that a more acceptable technique can be found.

Anesthesia, Dental↗

PubMed2001

Differences in DNA-sequence recognition between the DNA-binding domain fragment and the full-length molecule of the heat-shock transcription factor of schistosome.

Binding and inhibition studies reveal that the DNA-binding domain (DBD) fragment and the full-length molecule of the heat-shock transcription factor of schistosome (SmHSF) differ in DNA sequence recognition. SmHSF does not recognize the ideal HSE consensus sequence (nGAAnnTTCnnGAAn) but recognizes a variant HSE that contains nGTAn instead of nGAAn in the third pentamer. The DBD reacts efficiently with the ideal HSE sequence and with lower affinity with the variant HSE sequence. These findings suggest that elements inside and outside the DBD contribute to the DNA-binding specificity of HSF.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Expression and immunolocalization of the 14-3-3 protein of Schistosoma mansoni.

The 14-3-3 protein is a key player in signal transduction processes in various species. We have previously cloned and expressed the 14-3-3 of Schistosoma mansoni. Using the purified protein we have now raised antibodies against it. A highly specific, affinity-purified antibody preparation was employed for the localization of the 14-3-3 protein in the parasite, by both immunohistochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy. The results demonstrate wide distribution of this protein. It was observed in the female excretory system, the nephridia as well as in the genital systems of both sexes, namely in the vitelline gland of female and in the testis of the male. It is also present in the parenchyma and muscle of both male and female worms. Immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated the presence of immunogold-labelled protein in the tegument, subtegument, muscle, parenchyma and in the female reproductive system, in both the cytoplasm and nucleus of vitelline cells, and oocytes. The possible role of the 14-3-3 protein in the genital organs is discussed.

14-3-3 Proteins↗

PubMed2001

First care givers of mentally ill patients: a multicenter study.

Pathways to psychiatric care were evaluated among three hundred and eighty four first-contact psychiatric patients from five socio-culturally different regions of India by a modified version of World Health Organization encounter form for 'pathways in psychiatric care'. Concerning first caregivers, out of 384 respondents 34.1% had chosen the psychiatrists, 29.4% the general practitioners and 26% had chosen faith healers and exorcists. Choice for the first caregiver was not influenced by gender differences, literacy status and family type. Mostly the subjects hailing from rural areas and those presenting with somatic symptoms chose psychiatrist as their first caregivers.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Aspiration of an avulsed primary incisor. A case report.

A 7-year-old girl had injured her maxillary primary incisors in a playground. One of the already-mobile incisors had been avulsed. The child who had a cough and breathing difficulties during sleep was diagnosed as suffering from upper respiratory infection and was treated with antibiotics. A few days later because her body temperature was elevated a chest radiograph was taken. The radiograph revealed an aspirated tooth in her right bronchus with atelectasis of the lower lobe. The tooth was removed by bronchoscopy. Dentists should suspect any tooth that has been avulsed and not found as possibly aspirated.

Airway Obstruction↗

PubMed2000

Professional education and practice arrangements: are there gender differences among paediatric dentists in Israel?

AIM: To assess gender differences in professional education, practice setting and working arrangements among dentists in Israel, who primarily treat children. SUBJECTS: All 112 participants in the meeting of the Israeli Society of Dentistry for Children that was held in February 1999. METHODS: A questionnaire completed during the meeting. RESULTS: Seventy participants (63 per cent) completed the questionnaire and returned it. There were 43 females and 27 males. Less than half of the population were specialists (40 per cent of the females, 48 per cent of the males). No significant differences were found in the educational background and working in academia between females and males. With regard to practice arrangement, males significantly reported more frequently working in two clinics or more, than females (P = 0.049), and working in clinics with general practitioners (GPs) and specialists in various fields in dentistry, while more women reported working with either GPs or specialists (P = 0.007). In all other variables, no significant gender differences were found. The results of our study show that paediatric dentistry in Israel appears as a branch of the profession which shows great sexual equality of opportunity.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Composite crown-form crowns for severely decayed primary molars: a technique for restoring function and esthetics.

Current developments in esthetic dentistry center around new techniques and materials that improve the ability of the clinician to provide esthetic services. This article describes a step-by-step method of placing composite crown-form crowns on severely decayed primary mandibular molars. The described technique allows for restoring, as close as possible, form and function lost to caries in an esthetic mode in cases of severely decayed primary molars that would have required stainless steel crowns had they been treated traditionally. Disadvantages of this treatment mode are that dryness may not be prevented in the proximal margins, especially where subgingival carious involvement is encountered and the margin areas may be contaminated with gingival fluid or blood. Although no long-term follow-up has been reported for the technique, when strong opposition by the parent or child to the stainless steel crown is encountered, and a desire for esthetic restoration is strongly expressed, the composite crown-form crowns may be considered as an alternative.

Child↗

PubMed1999

Cloning of the SmSPO-1 gene preferentially expressed in sporocyst during the life cycle of the parasitic helminth Schistosoma mansoni1.

Schistosomes are parasitic helminths with a complex life cycle in human and snail hosts. They express stage-specific genes that conceivably determine distinct properties of the parasite at different developmental stages. Here we report the stage-specific gene SmSPO-1, which is preferentially expressed in sporocysts residing in the snail host. The cDNA and the gene were cloned and sequenced. The cDNA, from cap site to the poly(A) addition site, is 498 bp long. It encodes a protein of 117 amino acids with a hydrophobic signal peptide of 18 residues, indicating that SmSPO-1 is a secreted or a membranal protein. In the gene the cDNA is split into four exons spread over 2.1 kb of chromosomal DNA.

Amino Acid Sequence↗