Monitoring and decontamination of pesticide residues in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus Moench).

A monitoring study was carried out in okra for a period of six months to assess the level of pesticide residues of three different chemical groups ie organochlorines, organophosphates and synthetic pyrethroids. Okra samples showed residues of malathion and profenophos. To evaluate the effect of different decontaminating solutions in the removal of pesticide residues, okra var. Varsha Upahar was sprayed with a mixture of pesticides which were frequently detected in okra. Estimation of residues was done using Gas Chromatograph equipped with Electron Capture Detector. The results indicated that dipping in tamarind (2 %) solution for 15 minutes followed by washing in tap water was found to be more effective in reducing all pesticides tested when compared with other treatment solutions. This study helped to standardize simple cost effective strategies to eliminate harmful pesticides from okra which could be practiced by home makers.

Evaluation of micronutrient (zinc, copper and iron) levels in periodontitis patients with and without diabetes mellitus type 2: A biochemical study.

Context: Periodontal tissue destruction is caused by an inappropriate host response to microorganisms. Diabetes is a metabolic disease and most of its complications are due to hyperglycemia. Periodontitis is considered as its sixth complication. Micronutrients such as zinc, copper and iron are essential for human health. There is accumulating evidence that the metabolism of several trace elements is altered in diabetes mellitus and that these nutrients might have specific roles in the pathogenesis and progress of this disease and its complication. An association between micronutrients and periodontitis has also been suggested by preliminary studies. However, till date there is a lack of relevant clinical data. Aim: This study was designed to estimate and compare the serum levels of zinc, copper and iron in diabetes mellitus type 2 patients and healthy individuals with and without periodontitis. Setting and Design: Single centre case-control study. Subjects and Materials: This study included 150 subjects, 50 in each group. Group 1 comprised of 50 subject with diabetes mellitus type 2 and periodontitis. Group 2 comprised of 50 subjects with chronic periodontitis and Group 3 comprised of 50 control subjects. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry method was used to measure clinical level of zinc and copper in serum. Estimation of serum iron levels was done by bathophenanthroline method. Statistical analysis: The results obtained were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis by analysis of variance and Tukey multiple comparison tests using statistical software SPSS version 17. Results: The results showed that the serum levels of zinc decreased and serum levels of iron and copper increased in diabetes patients with periodontitis compared to healthy individuals with and without periodontitis. Conclusion: Imbalance of Zinc, copper and iron levels in the serum can predispose an individual to the risk of developing periodontitis.

Alveolar bone mass in pre- and postmenopausal women with serum calcium as a marker: A comparative study.

Context: In most women bone mass reaches its peak in the third decade of life and declines thereafter with the onset of menopause and might lead to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis may result in reduced jaw bone mass and alterations of the mandibular structure. Qualitative and quantitative indices have been used for panoramic radiographs to assess the alveolar bone quality. Aims: The purpose of this study was to compare the alveolar bone quality of premenopausal and postmenopausal women using the panoramic mandibular index (PMI). This study also aimed to estimate the levels of serum calcium in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Settings and Design: Single centre case control study. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 patients were divided into three groups of ten each - the healthy group, control group, and study group. Alveolar bone mass was evaluated by the PMI. Serum calcium was also assessed for all the patients. Statistical analysis used: The results obtained were subjected to statistical analysis by one-way analysis of variance using Statistical Software SPSS version 17, Tukey test for comparision, Pearson's correlation coefficient was employed. Results: Premenopausal women had the highest values for alveolar cortical bone mass as recorded by the PMI, followed by postmenopausal women with a healthy periodontium. The lowest values were recorded in the group of postmenopausal women with chronic generalized periodontitis. Similar results were found for serum calcium values. Conclusion: Postmenopausal women exhibit a reduced alveolar bone mass and lowered levels of serum total calcium with the increasing age. These changes may be useful indicators for low skeletal bone mineral density or osteoporosis.

Correlation between leptin and the health of the gingiva: A predictor of medical risk.

Context: Over the past decade, a growing body of scientific evidence has suggested an exquisite association between oral infection and systemic diseases (e.g. atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, premature or low birth weight babies, pulmonary diseases, etc.) and also between systemic diseases (e.g. arthritis, diabetes, HIV infection and osteoporosis) and oral and craniofacial diseases and disorders. Leptin is a hormone secreted by the adipocytes in varying quantities and regulates the body weight. The present study was undertaken in the context of knowing the role of leptin in the inflammatory process occurring in the gingiva as the disease progressed from gingivitis to periodontitis. Aims: The present study was done to correlate the concentrations of leptin and interleukin (IL)-6 within the gingiva in healthy, gingivitis and periodontitis groups of patients and to correlate gingival leptin and IL-6 concentrations with plasma leptin and IL-6 concentrations in the healthy, gingivitis and periodontitis groups of patients. Settings and Design: This was a cross-sectional study and was carried out on the patients from the out-patient department of Periodontics in A B Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences. Patients and Methods: Seventy-five patients in the age group of 18-60 years were selected and grouped based on the gingival index (Loe and Sillness) and their clinical attachment levels into healthy, gingivitis and periodontitis groups. Leptin and IL-6 levels were estimated within gingiva and the plasma of each subject using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. The results of this study were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis. Mean and the standard deviation were calculated using analysis of variance Fisher's F-test and then the results were subjected to Tukey's Honest significance difference method for multiple comparison among the three groups. Correlation among the three groups was estimated using Pearson's correlation analysis. Results: Results showed a statistically significant decrease in the concentration of gingival leptin and a statistically significant increase in the concentration of plasma leptin as the gingival disease progressed. Conclusion: It was concluded that as the gingival disease progressed, the gingival leptin concentration decreased, whereas the plasma leptin concentration increased, indicating a possible correlation between leptin concentration in the gingiva and the risk of developing systemic disease like the cardiovascular disease.