Aims:The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the remineralization potential of bioactive-Glass (BAG) (Novamin®/Calcium-sodium-phosphosilicate) and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) containing dentifrice.Materials and Methods:A total of 30 sound human premolars were decoronated, coated with nail varnish except for a 4 mm × 4 mm window on the buccal surface of crown and were randomly divided in two groups (n = 15). Group A — BAG dentifrice and Group B — CPP-ACP dentifrice. The baseline surface microhardness (SMH) was measured for all the specimens using the vickers microhardness testing machine. Artificial enamel carious lesions were created by inserting the specimens in de-mineralizing solution for 96 h. SMH of demineralized specimens was evaluated. 10 days of pH-cycling regimen was carried out. SMH of remineralized specimens was evaluated.Statistical Analysis:Data was analyzed using ANOVA and multiple comparisons within groups was done using Bonferroni method (post-hoc tests) to detect significant differences at P < 0.05 levels.Results:Group A showed significantly higher values (P < 0.05) when compared with the hardness values of Group B.Conclusions:Within the limits; the present study concluded that; both BAG and CPP-ACP are effective in remineralizing early enamel caries. Application of BAG more effectively remineralized the carious lesion when compared with CPP-ACP.

Clinically visceral leishmaniasis is suspected in only a fraction of infected persons, as the majority of these may not have clinical manifestations and remain asymptomatic. There is scanty information on diagnosing latent infections and predicting disease in asymptomatic persons. We therefore carried out a study on asymptomatic contacts of patients with visceral leishmaniasis and post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis by using methods for detection of antibody to recombinant K39 (rK39) antigen. A total of 240 patients with leishmaniasis and 150 asymptomatic contacts were tested for anti-rK39 immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA antibodies. Fifty-five asymptomatic persons were found to be seropositive. These individuals were monitored every 3 months for 1 year. On follow-up, 43.9% of the asymptomatic seropositive contacts developed kala-azar within the first 3 months, and a cumulative total of 69% developed kala-azar within 1 year. The rest remained asymptomatic and self-healed the infection. The sensitivity and specificity of rK39 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and dipstick tests were 100%, while an in-house-developed latex agglutination test had 80% sensitivity. The antibody profile showed that the IgG anti-rK39 antibodies reached a titer of up to 10 ؊6 within 6 months of infection, started declining thereafter, and completely disappeared in 2 to 3 years in successfully treated cases. Significant titers of IgA antibodies were detectable a little earlier than those of IgG antibodies and were undetectable after 6 months. The study showed that mass screening of family members and contacts by using anti-rK39 ELISA could be a highly reliable tool for early diagnosis and to plan prophylactic treatment of latently infected asymptomatic carriers to eradicate kala-azar.

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BACKGROUNDSexual activity in humans is meant for both procreative and recreational purposes. However, with the discovery of HIV/AIDS in 1981, concerns developed worldwide over unprotected sex. The unprotected sexual activity is contributing for transmission of symptomatic and asymptomatic STIs such as HIV, HBsAg and HCV.The aim is to study seroprevalence of HBsAg, HSV & anti-HCV antibodies in STD clinic attendees of Osmania Medical College/ Osmania General Hospital, Hyderabad. MATERIALS AND METHODSIt is a descriptive study (observational study) conducted from January 2015 -December 2015 at STD Clinic OPD. A total of 3,583 patients who attended the STD Clinic during the above period were studied and patients having direct or indirect risk factors were serotested for the 3 viral infections after inclusion and exclusion criteria with informed consent. A 5 mL of venous blood is collected and the separated serum is tested for HSV 1&2, HBsAg and Anti-HCV antibodies by using ELISA kits. It is ensured that the test kits used have >95% sensitivity and specificity. Settings & Design-All eligible patients attending STD Clinic, Dept. of DVL, Osmania Medical College/Osmania General Hospital, Hyderabad were included in the study after inclusion and exclusion criteria with informed consent. A consecutive sampling methodology with zero intervals is followed. A percentage analysis method is used to derive the conclusions. RESULTSA total of 473 cases are found to be seropositives out of the 3,583 STD clinic attendees for either of 3 STIs showing a seroprevalence of 13.20%, in which male seroprevalence is 13.56% (258 cases) and female seroprevalence is 12.80% (215 cases).In the studied population of 3583, 412 cases were seropositives for HSV Antibodies with seroprevalence of 11.5%, 39 were HBsAg Antibodies positive with seroprevalence of 1.09% and 22 cases were positive for HCV antibodies with seroprevalence of 0.61%. The seropositivity in males and females respectively for HSV is 11.56% and 11.43%; for HBsAg is 1.26% and 0.89%; for HCV is 0.74% and 0.48%. The illiterates (376 of 473=79.49%) and people of low socioeconomic status (371 of 473=78%) are more affected. While 234 of 258 men are having either Premarital, Extramarital or combination accounting to 90.70%, 176 of 215 (81.86%) women are confined to marital sex. CONCLUSIONThe awareness on STIs needs to be well informed before the start of the sexual activity by incorporating the STI/RTI education in school and college curriculum, through IEC activities like mass media campaigns, print & electronic media, by using local cultural festivals, gatherings and through marriage institutions. The at-risk populations such as Sex workers, MSM & IDUs should be covered through specific targeted interventions by utilising NGOs, local bodies and associations.