The application of this light energy results in the modification or removal of tissue. Various parameters such as laser wavelength, energy level, mode of application and tissue characteristics will influence the effect of a particular laser on the tissue. With the advent of new technology lasers have taken the sheen away from scalpel particularly in most oral surgical procedures. The advantages of using the laser, however, are balanced by several significant disadvantages. However, if used safely and properly it can be a great tool to provide a modern and advanced oral health care. This article emphasizes on the principles of laser science, tissue interaction, types of lasers and their numerous clinical applications in the oral cavity.

Background: Children with ß-thalassemia major are at higher risk for myocardial dysfunction that adversely affects their quality of life. Cardiac biomarkers are valuable tool for assessment of such children. Our aim was to assess heart fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) versus B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in thalassemia patients as biomarkers of myocardial dysfunction. Methods: This controlled study involved 35 children with ß-thalassemia major and 35 healthy children. Clinical assessment, echocardiography, serum ferritin, BNP and H-FABP were done. Results: H-FABP and BNP were higher in thalassemia than healthy children. Left ventricular dimension and pulmonary pressure were significantly higher and ejection fraction was significantly lower in thalassemia patients. H-FABP has positive correlation with BNP, left ventricular dimension, pulmonary pressure, serum ferritin and the duration of blood transfusion. Conclusion: Elevated H-FABP is associated with myocardial dysfunction in otherwise asymptomatic thalassemia patients.

Cancer treatment suffers with the failure of chemotherapeutic agents because of multi drug resistance. Investigation of new molecules involves huge expenditure and time. Present investigation aims at the dual loading of anticancer agent Imatinib Mesylate along with Piperine on to bovine serum albumin nanoparticles in order to overcome multi drug resistance and to achieve the maximum therapeutic effect. Desolvation method with the addition of acetone is used to prepare the nanoparticles. Drugs and polymer are subjected to differential scanning calorimetry. Nanoparticles are evaluated for encapsulation efficiency, particle size, zeta potential and drug release studies. In-vitro anticancer activity of the nanoparticles against Human Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) cell line T98G is determined. Results indicated compatibility in DSC, an encapsulation efficiency of 52.456%-88.254%, particle size of 208.3nm -497.3nm, zetapotential of -16.5mV to -63.2mV and drug release of 86.256% to 94.56% in 24H. In in-vitro anticancer activity % of cell death is 68.257% to 79.658%. Results suggest increased anticancer activity with the nanoparticles dual loaded with Imatinib mesylate and Piperine.

Much research has concentrated on the seed extracts of Piper guineense and not on the leaves which are widely consumed and hence this study. Fifteen male wistar rats weighing 150-250g were randomly divided into control, low dose (LD) and high dose (HD) groups of five rats each. LD and HD groups received 250mg/kg and 350mg/kg b.w. respectively of aqueous leaf extract of Piper guineense by gavaging. Duration of feeding was thirty days. The results showed significant increases (p<0.001) in serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in both LD and HD groups compared with control. Serum total cholesterol (TC) was significantly (p<0.001) increased in both LD and HD groups compared with control. Serum triglyceride (TG) was significantly increased in HD group compared with control (P < 0.001) and LD (P<0.001) groups. High density lipoprotein (HDL-c) was significantly increased (p<0.001) in LD compared with control and decreased (p<0.001) in HD compared with control and LD groups. Low density lipoprotein (LDL-c) was significantly increased in LD (p<0.001) and HD (p<0.01) compared with control and decreased in HD (p<0.001) compared with LD. TG/HDL-c in the HD group was significantly (p<0.001) increased compared with control and LD groups. Aside RBC count and MCH which were significantly increased (p<0.05) and decreased (p<0.05) respectively in HD compared with LD group, all other haematological parameters (Hb, PCV, MCHC, MCV and WBC and platelet counts) did not differ significantly among the groups. In conclusion, consumption of aqueous leaf extract of Piper guineense causes dyslipidemia and elevation of liver enzymes but no significant effect on hematological indices.

Background: The examination of the lip print is known as Cheiloscopy. This is the method of identification of a person based on characteristic arrangement of lines appearing on the red part of the lips. Aim and Objective: This study was aimed at investigating gender variation in lip print pattern distribution of identical and non-identical twins. Methods: the study comprised 80 individuals (40 pairs- 25 pairs of non-identical and 15pairs of identical twins) of the Yoruba tribe of Nigeria (ranging between of ages of 5- 66 years) residing in Igbo-Ora community of Oyo state in Western Nigeria. The lips of the subjects were properly cleaned and a red lipstick was applied on it. After which, the lip print impression was made on a white plane sheet. Cellophane tape was then struck on it for permanent record. The obtained lip print was studied using a magnifying lens. Results and Discussion: The following were the results in identical twins, type I males (16.7%), females (12.5%); type I’ males and females 8.3%, type II males 33.3%, females 30.5%; type III males 18.8%, females 20.8%; type IV males I6.7%, females 18.1%; type V males and females 8.3%. whereas for the non-identical twins, type I males (18.8%), females (18.4%); type I’ males 7.8%, females 15.4%, type II males 31.2%, females 24.3%; type III males 21.9%, females 23.5%; type IV males I2.5%, females 14.0%; type V males 7.8% and females 4.4%. Conclusion: It is suggestive that certain pattern types have affinity for a particular gender probably due to hormonal interplay which ultimately results in variations in their distribution.

This project work evaluated the strip (rapid diagnostic test) method and microscopic method in the identification of malaria parasites. To evaluate the suitability of both methods and also to find the advantage and disadvantage of both methods. Two ml (2ml) blood sample was collected with a total number of 100 samples from children between the age of 5-14years presented with fever attending Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, haematology/blood group serology unit into EDTA container in the basis of first come first serve were used. Out of the 100 patients under present study, 71% turned out to be positive as overall. Out of these, 59% were positive for strip method whereas 71% were positive for microscopic method (thick film). Both methods showed that the most pathogenic and predominant species in Abakaliki is plasmodium falciparum. Thick film was made in a clean grease free slide immediately after collection and allowed to air dry and stained with Giemsa stain diluted with buffered water (pH 7.2) for 20 minutes and the stained slide was viewed microscopically by focusing with XI0 and examine with XI00 objective (oil in immersion). Strip method (rapid diagnostic test) used is manufactured from standard diagnostics, INC. (SD). The test device was removed from the foil pouch, placed on a flat, dry surface. With the aid of a 5ul capillary pipette provided, draw whole blood to a black line and then transfer the drawn whole blood into the round sample well. Four drops of assay diluents was added vertically into the square assay diluent well. Result was read after 15 minutes, one line (control line) indicate negative result while two lines test and control line indicate positive result. Both methods are good in the identification of malaria parasites, but microscopy is the “gold standard”. Microscopic method requires high skill manpower, a lot of training/expertise and are not encouraged in rural area with low/no power supply. Strip method is rapid, does not requires expertise/training and it does not consume time, but it is just a screening test, if used should be confirmed with the microscopic method.