Effect of Different Sugar Free Flavoured Chewing Gums on Salivary pH- a Double Blinded, Parallel Arm Randomized Clinical Trial.

Aim: To evaluate and compare the effect of four different sugar free chewing-gums on salivary pH at 0, 10, 20, 30 minutes. Study Design: Double blinded, parallel arm Randomized Clinical Trial. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Public Health Dentistry, College Of Dental Sciences, Davangere, India. Jan-Feb 2015. Methodology: Forty healthy dental students, aged 21 -25 years, mean age- 20.3 years were randomly allocated into 4 different study groups: Licorice group, Ginger group, Cinnamon group, and Xylitol group. Unstimulated saliva was collected from the participants at baseline, following which the participants were given respective gums to chew and the subsequent salivary samples were collected at intervals of 10, 20 & 30 minutes and pH was analyzed using pH meter. Statistical analysis was done using repeated measures ANOVA and One way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post-hoc test. Results: Intergroup comparison showed, statistically significant difference between the groups at ten minutes (P=0.025), twenty minutes (P=0.004) and thirty minutes (P=0.001). At the end of thirty minutes, Ginger group showed maximum increase in salivary pH followed by Xylitol. When intragroup analysis was done, there was statistically significant difference in Licorice (P=0.033), Cinnamon (P=0.034) and Xylitol group (P=0.041) at different time intervals. Conclusion: The above results showed that, Ginger flavoured gum followed by Xylitol gum significantly increases salivary pH, as a means of caries prevention; it can be a good way to promote dental health. Hence, it can be suggested that the ginger flavoured gums can be advised in the subjects who are more susceptible to salivary pH fall and dental caries.

Perception and Attitude towards Wearing White Coats in Public Places among Dental Undergraduates and Postgraduates of Davangere City, India.

Introduction: Wearing a white coat is an accepted part of medical and dental practice. The actual use of white coats and how often they are changed varies greatly among individuals and their specialties. There has always been some concern that white coats may actually play a part in transmitting pathogenic bacteria. Objectives: To assess the perception and attitudes of dental undergraduates and postgraduates towards wearing white coats in public. Methods: 1146 structured, closed ended questionnaires were distributed to all undergraduates and postgraduates of two colleges in Davangere. Chi-square test was used to test associations between the responses among the genders and the responses within the educational levels of the participants. Binary logistic regression models were fitted to the data to calculate odds ratios (OR) for the responses among the genders. Results: A response rate of 88.74% was obtained, 93.5% of subjects had seen doctors wearing white coats in public, 24% of participants agreed that the lack of provision for storage of aprons could be the possible reason for wearing white coats outside the clinical setting. 52.5% of students believed that white coats are potential source for spreading infection. Conclusion: The present study highlights the fact that white coats are potential source of cross infection. Strict audit process and protocols should be set in workplace for preventing cross‑contamination from the white coats.

Effect of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on growth and yield of bitter gourd.

A field study was conducted to determine the effect of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on growth and yield of bitter gourd. Four PGPR strains (Azospirillum, Phosphorous solubilising bacteria, Pseudomonas flourescens and Bacillus subtilis), one commercial organic product (Aishwarya) and non inoculated control were used. The study revealed that seeds inoculated with Azospirillum (basal @ 5 kg ha-1 + 40 days after sowing (DAS) @ 5 kg ha-1) recorded early germination (6.48 days). The maximum vine length (4.42 m) was recorded in basal @ 2 l/plant application of both Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas flourescens @ 2.5 kg ha-1. Number of primary branches was maximum (4.80) in plants applied with phosphorous solubilising bacteria (PSB) as basal @ 5 kg/ha and 40 DAS @ 5 kg/ha. Tap root length (23.57 cm) and secondary root length (39.88 cm) were highest in the plants supplied with Azospirillum (basal @ 5 kg ha-1 + 40 DAS @ 5 kg ha-1) where as, dry root weight (4.64 g) was more in case of double application of Bacillus subtilis basal @ 2 l plant -1 + 40 DAS @ 2 l plant -1. Two time application of Bacillus subtilis basal + 40 DAS @ 2 l plant -1 produced the maximum yield plant -1 and yield plot -1 (2.72 kg and 16.33 kg respectively).

Thyroid dyshormonogenesis.

Dyshormonogenesis is an uncommon cause of congenital hypothyroidism. The most common abnormality is absent or insufficient thyroid peroxidase enzyme. Perchlorate discharge test can be used to diagnose thyroid peroxidase deficiency. We report three siblings with hypothyroidism due to thyroid dyshormonogenesis. Early institution of therapy in these patients can prevent mental retardation and other features of hypothyroidism.

Hormonal requirement for blastocyst implantation and a new approach for anti-implantation strategy.

There is a growing awareness of a need for developing novel methods of contraceptive technology which should not only be effective in providing protection against conception but also take into consideration the reproductive health issues confronting men and women. This paper considers the process of embryo implantation as one such potential target. The hormonal basis of embryo implantation in primates has been discussed to indicate that progesterone, and not estrogen, from ovarian source is the primary determinant of embryo-endometrial maturation and their synchronization for implantation. Thus, low dose administration of the anti-progesterone, mifepristone, during early luteal phase has been shown to be an effective anti-implantation approach to for fertility control. Furthermore, the dissociation of endometrial-hormonal synchrony at the time of blastocyst implantation following the post-ovulatory mifepristone administration has been shown to be the physiological basis of its anti-implantation effect with undisturbed circulatory hormone profiles and ovarian functions. Further studies are required to appreciate the full potential and to mollify the limitations of this approach.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy in parenchymal liver disease.

Use and efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HOT) in liver disease has not been established. A prospective control study of HOT in liver diseases was undertaken. Sixty cases were selected for this study (30 with HOT and 30 with conventional therapy only). Almost equal number of Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HbsAg) positive cases were included in both groups. All patients were male. Only cases with serum bilirubin over 10 mg/dl were included in this study. It was found that study cases recovered faster, gained appetite and had an earlier sense of well-being. There was faster disappearance of pruritus, earlier achievement of normal liver function, HbsAg negativity and overall shorter duration of hospital stay and convalescence. Short term adverse effects were unremarkable.