Antibacterial Activity of Mouthwash Incorporated with Silica Nanoparticles against S. aureus, S. mutans, E. faecalis: An in-vitro Study

Silica based nanoparticles are used in various fields of medical sciences to diagnose, control disease, for genetic disorders, owing to their size, surface area, biocompatibility and low toxicity. In dentistry, silica nanoparticles have been used as dental filler, teeth whitening agent but limited evidence is there regarding antimicrobial activity against oral pathogens. Therefore, the current study was conducted to assess the anti-bacterial activity of mouthwash incorporated with silica nanoparticles against oral pathogens. Tetraethoxysilane, ammonium hydroxide, absolute ethanol were used and centrifuged to obtain the silica nanoparticle pellet. XRD analysis was done to confirm the characterization of the thus obtained silica nanoparticle. The mouthwash was prepared with the synthesized silica nanoparticle as the main constituent. Agar well diffusion method was used to assess the antimicrobial activity against S. mutans, S. aureus and E. faecalis. The XRD analysis confirmed the amorphous nature of the synthesized silica nanoparticles.The zone of inhibition was found to increase as the concentrations increased mainly for S. aureus and E. faecalis. The synthesized nanoparticles incorporated mouthwash showed good potential as antimicrobial agents against strains of gram positive bacteria. Further animal studies/in vivo research should be conducted to validate the above findings

Assessment of Antimicrobial Efficacy of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Clove and Cinnamon Formulation against Oral Pathogens - An In Vitro Study.

Zinc Oxide nanoparticle is of particular interest among researchers due to its wide range of applications. Green synthesis of nanoparticles has many benefits like being eco-friendly, less time consuming, cost effective, stable operation, and more importantly the process can be carried out without the involvement of any hazardous chemicals. Clove and cinnamon are known to have antimicrobial activity. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the antimicrobial efficacy of zinc oxide nanoparticles reinforced with clove and cinnamon against oral pathogens. METHODSThis is an in vitro study. The organisms used were Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis. These bacteria were inoculated in their respective medium and incubated overnight. Agar well diffusion method was used to assess the antimicrobial efficacy of the nanoparticles at 25 µL, 50 µL and 100 µL. RESULTSZone of inhibition was found to be highest at 100 µL against Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis (15 mm, 13 mm, and 13 mm respectively). CONCLUSIONSFindings from this study suggest that zinc oxide nanoparticles reinforced with clove and cinnamon extracts has the potential as an antimicrobial agent against Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis and can be used as an alternative to commercially available antimicrobial agents.

Incidence of meningitis in term neonates with sepsis and antibiotic sensitivity pattern: an observational study

Background: To find out the incidence of meningitis in neonatal sepsis and antibiotic sensitivity pattern in term neonates.Methods: This prospective observational cohort study was done in a tertiary care hospital located in rural South India for a period of 2 years. Blood culture and lumbar puncture were performed for all term babies with clinically suspected sepsis. Growth, if detected was followed by antibiotic sensitivity testing.Results: Of a total of 50 neonates investigated with blood culture, 32(64%) were found to be culture positive for neonatal septicemia, 16 were diagnosed to have meningitis. Meningitis was present in 4(25%) early onset sepsis cases and in 12(75%) late onset sepsis cases (p-value: 0.008). Blood culture showed growth in all of the 16 cases of meningitis, but Cerebro Spinal Fluid (CSF) culture was positive in 5 cases. The most common presenting features are lethargy, seizures, decreased acceptance of feeds, instability of temperature regulation, vomiting, respiratory distress, and apnea. The most common organism in blood culture was Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus (CONS) (20%) followed by Klebsiella spp. (16%). CONS was most sensitive to Linezolid (100%), Vancomycin (90%). Of the 8 cases of Klebsiella, 62.5% cases were sensitive to Colistin and Tigecycline, 50% to Cotrimoxazole. CSF culture was positive in 5(31.25%) cases. CONS and Enterococci spp. were the most common organisms isolated in CSF.Conclusions: Clinical manifestations of meningitis overlap with those of sepsis and are nonspecific. Significant number of neonates with sepsis have meningitis. Hence, it is necessary to rule out meningitis in neonates presented with clinical features of sepsis. CONS was the most common agent isolated in both blood and CSF culture. Routine bacterial surveillance and study of their resistance patterns must be an essential component of neonatal care which helps in implementation of a rational empirical treatment strategy.

Effect of Final Irrigating Solutions on Smear Layer Removal and Penetrability of an Epoxy Resin based Sealer into Dentinal Tubules

Introduction: During instrumentation smear layer formationoccurs on dentinal wall and for a successful root canal itsremoval is necessary. Aim of the study was to compare effectof 17% EDTA, MTAD & 18%Etidronic acid (HEBP) + 5%NaOCl, irrigating solutions on smear layer removal andpenetrability of AH Plus sealer into dentinal tubules usingscanning electron microscopy (SEM).Material and methods: Sixty single rooted mandibularpremolars, were divided into three groups (n=20).Group -I17% EDTA, Group -II MTAD, Group -III 18%Etidronic acid+5% NaOCl. The final rinse was done by 5ml of solution for2 minutes. Ten samples from each group were evaluated atmiddle and apical thirds for smear layer removal using SEM.Remaining ten samples of each group were obturated withgutta-percha & AH PLUS sealer and evaluated at 5mm abovefrom the root apex for sealer penetration using SEM.Results: At middle 3rd no difference in smear layer removalwas seen between Group –I and Group -II For apical 3rdGroup- II showed better smear layer removal than Group–I and Group- III. Thus both in middle and apical thirdsMTAD showed better smear layer removal. For mean sealerpenetration Group -II showed a highest depth of sealerpenetration i.e, 231.37±18.12µm followed by Group -I154.95±22.53µm and Group –III 125.99±17.39µmConclusion: MTAD is effective in smear layer removal fromboth middle and apical thirds. Maximum depth of sealerpenetration was seen in MTAD group followed by EDTAgroup and least in Etidronic acid group

Phytochemical screening and evaluation of analgesic, anti-antiinflammatory activities of Peganum harmala Linn., seeds in rodents.

The objective of this research work is to carryout the phytochemical screening and evaluate the analgesic, antiinflammatory activities of Peganum harmala Linn., seeds. In this study different extracts of Peganum harmala (Linn) seeds were evaluated for analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities using glacial acetic acid induced writhing and carrageenan induced rat paw edema models respectively. For analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities aspirin and diclofenac were used as standard drugs respectively. The ethyl acetate extract showed significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities, thus it can be considered as a potential candidate for analgesic and antiinflammatory activities. The presence of alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids in ethyl acetate extract of Peganum harmala (Linn) seeds could be attributed for the claimed analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities.

Comparision of impact strength in three different types of denture base resins - an in-vitro study

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the impact strength of a commercially available, heat polymerized acrylic denture base material could be improved using reinforcements. A total of 30 specimens [65 mm x 10 mm x 3 mm] were fabricated, the specimens were divided into 3 groups with 10 specimens each. They were Group 1 - conventional denture base resins, Group 2 - high impact denture base resins and group 3 - glass reinforced denture base resins. The impact strength of specimens was measured using charpy's test. One-way analysis of variance [ANOVA] was used to determine statistical differences among the impact strength of three groups. Data were analyzed by SPSS software and the results were obtained. The flexural strength values showed statistically significant differences among experimental groups [P<0.005]. Within the limitations of the study PMMA reinforced with glass fibers showed the highest impact strength values, and this was followed by PMMA reinforced with butadiene styrene and the least strength was observed in the conventional denture base resins

Correlation of levels of oncostatin M cytokine in crevicular fluid and serum in periodontal disease / 国际口腔科学杂志·英文版

<p><b>AIM</b>The aim of this study was to measure the level of Oncostatin M (OSM) a gp130 cytokine in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum of chronic periodontitis patients and to find any correlation between them before and after periodontal therapy (scaling and root planing, SRP).</p><p><b>METHODOLOGY</b>60 subjects (age 25-50 years) were enrolled into three groups (n=20 per group), group I (healthy), group II (gingivitis) and group III (chronic periodontitis). Group III subjects were followed for 6-8 weeks after the initial periodontal therapy (SRP) as the group IV (after periodontal therapy). Clinical parameters were assessed as gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and radiographic evidence of bone loss. GCF and serum levels of OSM were measured by using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>It was found that mean OSM levels had been elevated in both the GCF and serum of chronic periodontitis subjects (726.65 +/- 283.56 and 65.59 +/- 12.37 pg mL(-1), respectively) and these levels were decreased proportionally after the periodontal therapy (95.50 +/- 38.85 and 39.98 +/- 16.69 pg mL(-1) respectively). However, OSM was detected in GCF of healthy subjects (66.15 +/- 28.10 pg mL(-1)) and gingivitis-suffering subjects (128.33 +/- 22.96 pg mL(-1)) and was found as below the detectable limit (approximately equal 0.0 pg mL(-1)) in the serum of same subjects. Significant correlation has been found between clinical parameters and GCF-serum levels of OSM.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Increased OSM level both in the GCF and serum, and the decreased levels after initial periodontal therapy (SRP) may suggest a use as an inflammatory biomarker in the periodontal disease.</p>

Ten-year experience with the arterial switch operation.

BACKGROUND: Arterial level repair is considered the most appropriate procedure for transposition of the great arteries. This report describes our experience with the arterial switch operation over the past decade. METHODS AND RESULTS: From January 1991 to January 2001, a total of 299 patients underwent an arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries or double-outlet right ventricle. Group I (n=169, 56.5%) comprised patients with transposition of the great arteries in whom the ventricular septum was essentially intact. Group II patients (n=130, 43.5%) had transposition of the great arteries with an additional significant ventricular septal defect or had double-outlet right ventricle with a subpulmonic ventricular septal defect. Of the total, 245 (82%) were males and 54 (18%) were females. In group I, the ages ranged from 2 days to 18 years (median 19 days) and weight ranged from 1.7 to 68 kg (median 2.5 kg). In group II, the ages ranged from 4 days to 4 years (median 90 days) and weight ranged from 2.5 to 17 kg (median 4 kg). Fifteen percent of the patients (25/169) in group I and 30% of the patients (39/130) in group II had features of bacteriologic infection. Arterial switch operation was performed on standard lines. In group I, 141 patients (83.4%) had a primary arterial switch operation while 28 (16.6%) underwent a rapid two-stage repair. Twenty-three patients required concomitant relief of associated anatomic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Operative mortality was 8.8% (15/169) in group I and 33% (44/130) in group II with an overall mortality of 19% (59/299). The major causes of operative mortality included pulmonary arterial hypertensive crisis (n=21), sepsis and related complications (n=16), and left ventricular failure (n=8). Coexisting arch anomalies, longer cross-clamp time, late presentation, and preoperative bacteriologic infections were incremental risk factors. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 10 years and was 87% complete. On follow-up, 91% of the patients were asymptomatic and off all medications. There were 3 late deaths and 5 patients required reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: Excellent long-term results are obtained in operative survivors following the arterial switch operation. However. operative mortality remains a concern in our set-up.