Aim:The objective of the present study was to detect the presence of specific periodontopathogenic bacteria in the coronary plaque of patients with coronary artery disease and to find out the significant association between the periodontal status and the presence of pathogenic bacteria in the coronary plaque.Materials and Methods:The study population consisted of 51 patients with chronic generalized periodontitis undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Periodontal parameters were recorded and deoxyribonucleic acid was extracted from the subgingival plaque and coronary atherosclerotic plaque samples of the same patients. Polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify the part of 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene to detect the presence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), Tannerella forsythia (Tf), Porphyromonas gingivali (Pg), Porphyromonas gingivalis (fimA) gene and Treponema denticola (Td).Results:Aa, Tf, Pg, Pg (fimA) gene and Td were detected in 0%, 31.4%, 45.1% 39.2% and 51% of atherosclerotic plaque samples, respectively. Tf was detected in 19.6%, Pg in 39.2%, Pg (fimA) gene in 33.3% and Td in 35.3% of both, subgingival plaque and atherosclerotic plaque samples. Periodontal parameters correlated with the presence of bacteria in coronary plaque. Aa could not be detected in coronary plaque samples.Conclusions:The study confirmed the detection of Red complex bacteria in coronary plaque samples and these bacteria correlated with the severity of periodontal destruction.

The study confirmed the detection of red complex bacteria in coronary plaque samples. However Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans could not be detected in these samples.

Background: Hypertension is a chronic condition of concern due to its role in the cardiovascular complications. Poor compliance is assumed to be an important explanation for inadequate blood pressure control, convincing evidence for the same is lacking. This study was undertaken to provide such evidence, so that corrective measures can be recommended to attain better BP control. The aims and objectives of the study were to study compliance pattern and side effects of anti-hypertensive drugs among the known hypertensive patients; to study role of different factors that influence the compliance rate such as age, number of medications, frequency and follow-up visits of antihypertensive medication.Methods: A total of 207 hypertensive patients were identified from the family folders maintained in the Urban Health Centre, RMMCH and included in the investigation. During first visits, socio-demographic, drug intake history was taken. Follow up was done every two months and thus totally six visits were completed.Results: Socio demographic factors like age, marital status, literacy, occupation and income have no role on the compliance status. Sex has significant association with the compliance level (86.1%), where males have 93.4% and females 82.7% compliance (p<0.05). BMI, exercise, smoking and alcohol, Type of the drug, doses frequency, combination therapy and regularity in refilling the prescription, have no association with compliance status. Frequency of clinical visits has significant association with compliance (visit fortnightly, monthly and occasionally is 94.1%, 85.1% and 75% respectively) p<0.05. Significant improvement (73.1%) improvement in compliance in the VI visit is seen among non-compliers from I visit (p<0.001).Conclusions: Simple once a day regimen and visits of the health provider improves the compliance and good blood pressure control.

Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) the most common type of arthritis is a degenerative joint disease primarily affecting the articular cartilage and its surrounding tissue. Drugs like Diacerein and S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) are used to remodel the cartilage and slow the progression of the disease, by acting through different mechanisms. Though there is documented evidence of the efficacy of both agents used individually in several clinical trials only a few studies report a comparison. To analyse the efficacy and safety of Diacerein Versus S-adenosyl methionine in the treatment of Osteoarthritis of the knee joint.Methods: A prospective randomised interventional study was planned comparing diacerein with SAMe for 12 w in the management of OA of the knee. 40 patients in each group were randomly assigned to receive either diacerein 50 mg twice daily or S-adenosyl methionine 200 mg thrice daily for 12 w. Both groups received a short course of diclofenac 50 mg bd for one week, to tide over the acute symptoms.Results: Assessment of both drugs individually showed an equieffective potential in reducing osteoarthritis pain over a period of 12 w. But the comparison between the two groups showed a marginal improvement in pain relief from the 4 th to 12 th week of assessment in the diacerein group. Conclusion:Both the drugs for the treatment of OA, were shown to be effective in relieving pain but with a slower onset of action. Since no radiological changes were observed during the 12-week protocol, studies of longer duration are needed to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of these drugs.

Background: Stress can be defined as a physiological response to physical and mental demands. These stresses can negatively influence the performance and wellbeing of the employees. Police officers are a part of unique occupational population who are exposed various stressful conditions daily. This study attempts to explore factors influencing occupational stress faced by Policemen.Methods: The study was a cross sectional conducted among the policemen under three subdivisions of Villupuram, Tamilnadu. Operational police stress questionnaire was used to assess the stress levels with 20 statements which were then extracted into four dimensions by factor analysis.Results: By factor analysis stress was categorized into four factors or dimensions namely social and health related stress, time management stress, emotional stress and work-related stress.Conclusions: This study highlights that the major dimensions causing occupational stress among policemen which will form a framework for planning programs for stress management.