Assessment Of Knowledge Regarding COVID-19 And Its Preventive Protocol Among Dentists Of North Gujarat

Background:The World Health Organization (WHO) had declared the Novel Coronavirus as a Pandemic in March, 2020. As dentists are at an increased risk due to the aerosol transmission, it is extremely important for them to understand the virus spread.Objectives: To assess the knowledge and attitude of the dentists ofnorth Gujarat population towards the novel Coronavirus and their knowledge regarding the spread of their infections. Material And Methods:A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 274 dentists including post graduate and undergraduate dental students, faculty members and private practitioners of North Gujarat. A Questionnaire was circulated using the Google forms, consisting of two parts: first –consisted of demographic details and the second part consisted of 25 questions regarding knowledge of dentists towards the COVID-19 and its impact on their dental practice. The level of significance was set at ?0.05. Result:The study participants were well aware about the COVID-19 prevention protocols. Majority of the participants 59.5% agreed thatelective dental procedures needed to be postponed for at least 3 weeks. Also 73% stated that 90GSM of PPE kit was considered appropriate to protect from cross-infection. The results were statistically significant. Conclusion:The study concluded that dentists had sufficient knowledge regarding COVID-19 protocols but same was not implemented in their practices. Dentists should have proper knowledge regarding the transmission and prevention of infection from the virus as they are at high of developing an infection.

Blood Grouping With ABD PAD- Efficacy And Comparison With Standard Method A Pilot Study

Background:In transfusion service,it is very important to carry out blood group with perfection. Blood grouping is a fast and easy way to ensure that you receive the right kind of blood for right patient.There are many methods we usefor blood grouping like Slide method,test tube method,column agglutination method anderythrocyte magnetic technique. Test tube method is gold standard method for blood grouping. We need to verify donor blood groupin blood bank or at camp site, for patients at bed side, at the time of issue of blood unit or at the time of dire emergency so to verifythe blood group in Blood centres we require the results of blood grouping urgently. ABD PAD® is a new device for the quick confirmation of the ABO blood group. Materials And Methods:In this Pilot study,200 samples were taken of which 100 were donor samples and 100 were patient samples. Blood grouping was performed on the ABD PAD, and results were compared with conventional tube technique and automate platform, Qwalys 3 (Diagast) EMT technique.Results:All 200 tests performed on the ABD PAD were concordant with other standard methods, namely the Test Tube technique and automated platform, Qwalys 3 (Diagast).The results of ABD PAD were quicker(within 30 seconds) and easy to interpret.Discussion:The manual confirmation of the ABO group and RH-rhesus is a repetitive and time consuming task. It requiresfollowing a procedure handling several reagents. In this context, the ABD pad is a ready to use device using the latex technology M-TRAP, facilitating the procedure intendedfor the confirmation of ABO/Rh. The only drawback is that we are not able to perform reverse grouping. Conclusion:ABD PAD is very useful for blood grouping in donors in the blood bank as well as in outdoor blood donation camp and at the time of issue of blood unit when we want to re-check the blood group of the issue bag. It is easy to interpret, fast, reliable and results are comparable with standard methods.

Physiological and molecular traits conferring salt tolerance in halophytic grasses

Aim: This study was conducted to identify the physiological and molecular traits underpinning salt stress adaptation in halophytic grasses Urochondra setulosa and Leptachloa fusca. Methodology: To assess the salt tolerance potential of Urochondra setulosa and Leptachloa fusca, the rooted cuttings and seeds were collected from Rann of Kutch, Bhuj, Gujarat and ICAR-CSSRI Regional Research Station, Lucknow, India, respectively using physiological, biochemical and molecular traits. Results: Salt stress decreased the biomass production in both the species to varying extents. Leaf chlorophyll declined marginally (5-12%) in Urochondra and moderately (~28%) in Leptachloa under various salt treatments compared to controls. The values of ψw and ψs, i.e., – 3.98 MPa and 760.5 mmol kg-1 were obtained under salinity stress of ECe ~ 50 dS m-1 in Urochondra whereas the values of ψw and ψs were – 3.63 MPa and 556 mmol kg-1 in Leptachloa. Osmoprotectant (proline, glycine betaine, total soluble sugar) and epi-cuticular wax content increased with increasing sodicity/salinity stresses in both grasss. The results showed that both halophytic grasses maintained lower Na+/K+ in their roots and which excludes the salt through the shoots portion. Expression of NHX1 gene increased with an increase of not only sodic, but also saline stress in both the grasses. Interpretation: The results demonstrate that Urochondra has a better adaption towards salinity and Leptochloa towards sodicity stress

Radiological age estimation from sternum.

Introduction: Verification or determination of the age is prerequisite for personal identification in living as well as dead and age estimation is one of the important tasks for a medico-legal practice. Skeletal examination is important for identification of an individual either living or dead especially for the estimation of age. Material and Method: In the present study, authors have tried to work out the criteria for determination of age of the deceased with the help of sternum. Authors have studied 109 sterna procured from the cadavers with known age brought for post-mortem examination at the civil hospital, ahmedabad. Fusion of manubrium and xiphoid process with the body of sternum was studied radiologically. The data thus collected, were analysed statistically and conclusion was drawn. Result: According to the present study, for males, the age of fusion between xiphisterum and body of the sternum is at 42 years, for females, the age of fusion between xiphisterum and body of the sternum is at 44 years. In males, the fusion at manubrio-sternal starts at the age of 50 years and it completes after the age of 59 years but the exact age for complete fusion at manubrio-sternal joint could not be defined. Amongst females, the cases showing first degree fusion are seen increasing from the age of 54 years and complete fusion after the age of 64 years. But here also the exact pattern could not be defined. Conclusion: Estimation of age by radiology will be of very much helpful to the medicolegal experts in determining the age of unknown deceased as well as skeletonised remains.

Sero prevalence of C.trachomatis in patient of Bad Obstetric History (BOH).

Background : Bad obstetric history (BOH) implies previous unfavorable fetal outcome. Causes of BOH may be genetic, hormonal, abnormal maternal immune response and maternal infection. C.trachomatis is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection worldwide. Also it has been associated with adverse outcomes of pregnancy. The identification of C. trachomatis during pregnancy and its early treatment prior to delivery would therefore be an important strategy to prevent multiple complications in mother. Serology might act as a convenient tool for diagnosis. Methods:139 pregnant patients having history of BOH as study group and 30 normal pregnant as control group were tested by Indirect ELISA for detection of anti C.trachomatis IgM and IgG. Results: Anti C.trachomatis IgM was detected in 21 (15.11%) patients and anti C.trachomatis IgG was detected in 33 (23.74%) patients. Interpretation and Conclusion: Higher numbers of positive patients were found among younger age group. Statistical analysis shows that serological detection of anti C.trachomatis IgM and IgG antibodies for detection of current and past infection by C.trachomatis is significant in BOH patients.

Study on probiotic potential and laboratory scale production of lactic acid bacteria.

Lactic acid bacteria were isolated from dairy food. They were identified on the basis of their morphological, cultural and biochemical characterastics.The cell free supernatant of lactic acid bacteria were able to inhibit the growth of E.coli, Klebsiella aerogens, Salmonella spp. , S.aureus, P.mirabilies and Ps .aeruginosa. The probiotic properties of isolate of lactic acid bacteria (LAB-VI) were investigated. The LAB-VI was susceptible to antibiotics like ampicillin, gentamycin, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and streptomycin. Maximum biomass of LAB – VI was obtained at pH: 5, inoculum size 4% v/v & incubation period 48 hrs. Efficacy of coconut extract medium (Type I and Type II) on growth, lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide production by LABVI was studied using laboratory bioreactor in batch fermentation. The type II coconut extract medium gave higher biomass yield than type I (coconut extract medium). The biomass production from MRS was more than coconut extract medium. The formulated coconut extract medium (Type II) should be used to substitute MRS, since the substrate is economical, readily available and reduce quantity of the expensive supplements. The bacteriocin activity of the bacteriocin from fermented Type I & Type II coconut extract media were 1:6 & 1:8 respectively. The bacteriocin activity was tested against Klebsiella aerogens.

Primary PNET of kidney: report of two cases and review of literature.

PNET of the kidney is a rare tumor with only a few published reports. In view of poorer prognosis and different therapeutic approach, renal PNET should therefore be differentiated from other primary renal neoplasma such as Wilms tumor, renal neuroblastoma and malignant rhabdoid tumor which on histology resemble renal PNET. Two cases of renal PNET have been described in this report. Cut surface of the tumor in both cases was greyish white lobulated, with multiple tiny cystic areas. Histologically, tumor consisted of loosely cohesive sheets of small to medium sized monomorphic cells with round nuclei and little cytoplasm. Tumor cells showed diffuse strong membrane positivity for MIC2 and focal weak to moderate positivity for NSE and vimentin. Renal PNET should therefore be included in differential diagnosis of rapidly enlarging renal lumps presenting with local infiltration and aggressive behaviour, particularly in children and young adults. Diffuse strong membrane positivity for MIC2 in PNET is helpful in differentiating it from other primary renal neoplasms.

Studies on glucoamylase produced from Aspergillus awamori (NRRL-3112) and their effect on saccharification of potato starch.

Efficiency of an enzymatic starch saccharification process depends not only on the activity of the glucoamylase but also its purity. About 96.82% unwanted proteins present in 2-day old culture broth of A. awamori NRRL-3112 (grown in MYGP medium) were separated by precipitation with ammonium sulphate which was followed by dialysis. More than 80% activity of the glucoamylase was recovered. Three protein fractions (A, B, C) were identified using gel permeation chromatography. Fractions A and B showed comparatively higher glucoamylase activity than fraction-C. Moreover, fraction-B showed no product inhibition. The optimum temperature and pH of the purified enzyme (fraction-B) were 60 degrees C and 4.0 respectively. The saccharification efficiency of potato pulp was more in case of using purified glucoamylase (fraction-B) as compared to that of crude enzyme.