Background: Postaural wound closure can be done in single or multiple layers depending on the choice of the surgeons. In this clinical study, we have compared the outcome of single-layer wound closure with multiple-layer wound closure after a tympanoplasty surgery. One hundred patients with chronic suppurative otitis media undergoing ear surgery by a postaural approach were studied for wound closure after the surgery. Results: It was observed that the time taken for a single-layer closure was lesser than that for a multiple-layer closure. The cost of the surgery was also significantly reduced in those undergoing single-layer closure. Conclusion: Single-layer closure is as effective as multiple-layer closure of postaural incisions. The advantages of single over multiple-layer wound closure were reduced duration and the overall cost for the surgery.

Aim and objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the 2% chitosan mouthwash on plaque reduction in comparison with 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash among young adults in Puducherry. Materials and methods: A triple-blinded crossover randomized controlled trial was conducted among 20 first-year dental students, residing at college hostel in Puducherry. The subjects were randomly allotted to two groups (group I: 2% chitosan mouthwash and group II: 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash) with 10 subjects in each group. The plaque index proposed by Silness and Loe in 1967 was used for the assessment of plaque accumulation at baseline and 1 week after using mouthwashes. After a washout period of 30 days, mouthwashes were exchanged between the two groups, and plaque index was recorded. Data were assessed using an independent t-test and paired t-test. Results: A significant reduction in plaque index scores was observed from baseline to 1 week following intervention (p <0.05) in both the groups during both phases. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in plaque reduction (p >0.05). Conclusion: This study reveals that 2% chitosan mouthwash is as effective as 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash, thereby warranting the use of the chitosan mouthwash for managing patients who show side effects associated with chlorhexidine.

Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of abnormalities, such as insulin resistance, central obesity, dyslipidemia, and high blood pressure. The definition and criteria for diagnosing metabolic syndrome keep changing and are a topic of debate. Regardless of the true criteria, the collection of these metabolic abnormalities increases the risk of developing type II diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. The pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome involves the deregulation of various metabolic pathways involved in fatty acid metabolism, mitochondrial function, and glucose utilization. Metabolic syndrome is associated with an increased risk of other disorders, like nonalcoholic fatty liver, polycystic ovarian disease current terminology (PCOS), Alzheimer's disease, lipodystrophy, and Cushing's syndrome. The management of metabolic syndrome begins with lifestyle modification followed by pharmacotherapy of the individual component of metabolic syndrome. Weight reduction and lifestyle modification remains the mainstay of therapy of metabolic syndrome. Since insulin resistance is the major pathology behind the disease, insulin sensitizers, such as metformin and thiazolidinedione, are of great use. Hypolipidemic and antihypertensive drugs are used for treating other components of this syndrome. With the development in the field of molecular biology, the therapeutic targets for treating the individual components of the syndrome have been refined. This review focuses on the etiopathogenesis of metabolic syndrome and highlights the current and future therapeutic targets.

The use of chemical compounds has beneficial effects on society in a number of ways but these benefits are offset by certain disadvantages, notably the toxic side effects of the chemical compounds, ranging from instant death to a gradual process of chemical carcinogenesis. Herein, we review the historical aspects of “chemical carcinogenesis” to understand how various studies are carried out and how the chemical substances are causing carcinogenesis, who were dedicated to establishing the association between chemical substances and carcinoma. Cancer has been mentioned by Hippocrates as “karkinos.” Over the years, many researchers starting from Sir Percivall Pott who related occupational exposure to cancer in chimney sweeps, Yamagiwa and Ichikawa, Kennaway, Berenblum and Shubik, Foulds, Rehn, and many others have done a lot of research on chemical carcinogenesis. Today, there is sufficient evidence that exposure to chemical agents is the root cause for most human cancers which theoretically implies that most human cancers are preventable by appropriate management of the human environment. In this article, we are exploring the historical perspective of chemical carcinogenesis.

The ongoing global coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has attained a pandemic status and is increasing with each day in terms of caseload, attributed deaths, and geographical distribution. Owing to the unknown nature of the disease, there is a lot of myth, misconceptions, and fear prevailing about the nature of the disease, and thus, people are very much prone to psychological and mental illnesses. At the same time, the practice of quarantine, which separates healthy individuals for 14 days from their family members, the probability of the development of anxiety, and depression also increase extensively. Considering the fact that the disease infects everyone and no population group or socioeconomic class is immune, it is the need of the hour to be empathetic and compassionate toward the affected, treated, or recovered individuals and not encourage stigma against them. In conclusion, mental illnesses and poor mental health are the potential adverse effects of this novel COVID-19 pandemic. It is the time wherein we all have to together approach toward the problem as a team and improve the mental look out of the general population as well as the diagnosed patients and their family members.

Knowledge acquired by medical students in medical institutions becomes obsolete during their medical career. Thus, medical profession is in acute need for continuous learning that can be obtained by motivating and guiding students in the practice of self-directed learning (SDL). SDL enhances critical reasoning skills, amplifies curiosity, enhances the ability to recognize knowledge deficits, and enhances enthusiasm for learning. Technology is a captivating source of interactive tool in medical education. Exploiting technology brings deeper connections between student and educational content. It helps enhancing academic performance and also improves critical thinking. The right guidance for the utility of technology by the medical students will help them to become self-directed lifelong learners.