BACKGROUND: Dissection of human cadaver forms an integral part of anatomy pedagogy. 'Willed body donation' is a must to maintain a constant supply of cadavers for anatomy teaching. To encourage the public towards body donation we must first develop a positive attitude in medical professionals towards the same. AIMS: The present study aims to evaluate the awareness, attitudes, beliefs of doctors towards willed body donation. METHOD: A questionnaire was administered to 250 consenting doctors (divided into two groups-male doctors and female doctors) practicing Delhi and NCR India. RESULTS: It was observed that though doctors unanimously agree to the importance of dissection in anatomy teaching and understanding they are themselves not keen on donating their bodies. The number of female doctors (29%) consenting to donation is significantly less than the number of male doctors (52%) (p<.0001). INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSION: Dissection does modulate the attitudes of doctors towards donation. Whether it is the disrespectful behavior they see being observed towards the cadaver in the dissection hall or the detachment and depersonalization they feel bound to develop towards the cadaver in order to dissect it, the outcome remainsthey are not eager to consider such fate for their own dead corpse. As the success of willed body donor programs lies in the trust the health care professionals develop with the public, it is imperative to first address and allay their fears -psychological and spiritual. Only when the doctors support this idea in all its entirety can we hope to address and preach the society of the importance of body donation. Inclusion of literature in the curriculum, seminars conducted in medical conferences and media such as television and print media are some of the suggested platform to address this issue. A positive change in society's attitude towards body donation is the ultimate goal.

BACKGROUND: Dermatoglyphics is the scientific study of epidermal ridges and their configurations on the palmar region of hand and fingers and plantar region of foot and toes. The myocardial infarction is almost always caused by coronary artery disease. Against the genetic background of dermatoglyphic patterns and coronary artery disease, the study was undertaken to determine the correlation between them. AIMS To do a comparative study of the dermatoglyphics (finger tip pattern) in patients with myocardial infarction and control group and to assess the usefulness of finger tip pattern in serving as a predictor for myocardial infarction. SETTING AND DESIGN: The study was done in 200 persons of age between 40 to 75 years. Out of them,100 were confirmed cases of CAD and 100 were normal healthy controls. METHODS AND MATERIAL: The finger and palmar prints of both hands were taken on white paper by Ink method and kores duplicating ink was used for taking the prints. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: In statistical analysis SPSS software was used and Z test was used. The p value less than .001 and .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: It was found that the total number of whorls are significantly higher in patients with myocardial infarction and total number of loops are significantly lower in patients with CAD. Such difference was significant only in right thumb, left thumb, right ring finger and left little finger. Similarly, loops were significantly less in right thumb, right index finger, right and left little finger. With regard to high incidence of MI, it can be concluded that the knowledge of dermatoglyphics in patients with MI can be utilized to find out genetic correlation. The existence of such relation might be important in the screening program for prevention of MI.

The mandible is having the condyloid process which articulates with the temporal fossa to form the temporomandibular joint, on which all the movements occur during the eating, chewing and even on talking also. It is having the articular facet on its head. This articulating facet is having different shapes and sizes which varies according to sex also. The shapes of condyloid processes are classified into four types i.e. convex, flat, rounded and angular. The size of the articular facet varies mandible to mandible and male to female. In the present study120 condyloid processes are studied and different shapes found were convex (55%), flat (20%), rounded (12.50%) and angled (12.50%). To measure the size of articular facet of the condyloid process of the mandible antero-posterior (AP) dimension from the anterior and posterior margins of the articular facet and medio-lateral (ML) dimension from the medial and lateral margins of the facets are taken with the help of vernier calliper. The mean of (AP) dimension of right and left condyles in male found to be (7.23±1.123) mm and (6.50±0.805) mm in females. The mean of medio-lateral dimension in male is (20.13±1.260) mm and in female it is (17.23±1.74) mm. As there is a difference in the size of condyloid process of male and female so the measurements are also helpful in determining the sex of the mandible. The present study is helpful for forensic dentistry, forensic medicine, orodental surgeons, traumatologists and plastic surgeons in the determination of sex of the mandible through the condyloid process of mandible and diagnosis and treatment of the patients.