Functional Properties of Heavy Metal Tolerant Probiotic Strains Isolated from Curd

The two heavy metal tolerant bacterial isolates L. fermentum SN_4 and L. rhamnosus SN_6 were identified (isolated from curd samples) which were found to be potentially resistant to Cr6+, Pb2+ and Cd2+ under study. Both the isolates were resistant to simulated gastric juices at pH 2.0 and 3.0 at 0 hours and survived well more than 50% in 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.5% and 1.0% bile salt solution but the isolate L. rhamnosus SN_6 showed the best survival at all the concentrations of bile salt. These two isolates showed poor antagonistic agent activity against the four pathogenic bacteria viz. E. coli, B. cereus, S. typhimurium and V. cholera. L. fermentum SN_4 showed resistant to all antibiotic except clindamycin and azithromycin, on the other hand, L. rhamnosus SN_6 was found resistant to clindamycin and tetracycline only. Also, they were found to be haemolytic negative which proved them to be a potential probiotic.

Chuckling Smile: Ceramic Veneer.

Smiling is not a simple option in those patients who have a severe aesthetic deformity. Many definitions of aesthetics were introduced in dentistry but according to Young, beauty, harmony, naturalness and individuality are the major qualities of aesthetics. The dentist must visualize aesthetics in relation to the patient and then translate that visualization into an acceptable aesthetic result. The success of his efforts depends upon his artistic ability, his powers of observation and experience. Many treatment options are available to achieve aesthetics in compromised anterior teeth but in recent era with the introduction of advanced material (new ceramic and composite materials) has increased the demand of conservative treatment options. Porcelain laminate Veneers (PLVs) were introduced in the 1980s as an alternative to full-coverage crowns. The present case report describes the treatment of fracture & diastema in the anterior dentition with thin ceramic veneers, to restore esthetics and function.

Recurrent Somatic Embryogenesis and Plantlet Regeneration in Psidium guajava L

A simple and efficient protocol for recurrent somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration is one of the prerequisites for genetic improvement of guava. An efficient reproducible regeneration somatic embryogenesis protocol was developed in four genotypes of Psidium guajava L. using immature zygotic embryo as starter explant. Somatic embryogenesis induction was obtained on MS basal medium supplemented with 2.0 mgL-1 2, 4-D, 400 mgL-1 L-glutamine, 6% sucrose and 500 mgL-1 Malt extract. Following SE induction different developmental stages of somatic embryos (Globular, heart-shaped, torpedo, cotyledonary) was directly obtained and further recurrent embryogenesis also obtained upon prolonged incubation in induction media. Addition of polyethylene glycol (50 mgL-1) significantly improved the embryos maturation in MS supplemented with and 3% sucrose. The regeneration in MS medium supplemented with BAP (0.5 mgL-1), NAA (0.2 mgL-1), casein hydrolysate (100 mgL-1) and 3% sucrose. High plant regeneration frequency and intensity of somatic embryos (58.5%) obtained. Plant maturation on MS medium supplemented with BAP 2.0 mgL-1 with 2% sucrose. The rooted plants was successfully acclimatize in the greenhouse with a survival rate of 85%. This somatic embryogenesis protocol developed would be helpful in establishment of genetically modified guava aimed at seedlessness, increased shelf life and wilt disease.

Bipronged Inverted Impacted Third Molar-A CBCT Analysis.

Bilateral inverted impacted third molar is a very rare incidence. Dearth of dental arch length and space are also considered as the chief cause for tooth impaction. Reviewing the literatures, mandibular third molar was the most frequently impacted tooth, followed by the maxillary third molars, the maxillary canines and the mandibular premolars.

Geometrical Salvage of Split Tooth.

Aims: Management of vertically fractured mandibular first molar by intra coronal splinting applying the finite centre of rotation effect of Pythagorus theorem. Case Presentations: A 28 year old male patient presented at the Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics with the chief complaint of pain in the lower right back region of the mouth since last the 10 days. Past dental history revealed that affected tooth had root canal treatment done two years ago. History of present illness was that pain was elicited on chewing, and applying pressure on that area, with occasional bleeding from the same region. Intraoral examination revealed that tooth 46 was tender on percussion with vertically fractured crown in mesiodistal direction. Periapical Radiograph revealed that tooth was endodontically treated, with radiolucencies at apical and furcal area, and visible fracture line in mesiodistal direction at CEJ level. Technique Used in the Study: The tooth was endodontically retreated and Pythagorus theorem was used to locate the centres of rotation on both buccal and lingual sides of tooth 46 coronally. The technique was followed by drilling a vent at the same position approximating a fibre post (3M, Relyxfibre post). The centres were different both for buccal and lingual aspects which when approximated will provide antirotation. The post was placed in the buccolingual direction and the tooth was restored with posterior composites after which the restoration was checked for any high points. Follow up of the case was done for the period of one year. Discussion: The concept of the estimation of the finite centre of rotation is like the primary objective in tightening a screw joint to generate an optimum preload that will maximize the fatigue life of the screw while offering a reasonable degree of protection against loosening. The major advantage of this approach is that the fragment was stabilized properly and there was healthy development of periodontium over the year. Conclusion: Usually the vertically fractured tooth have poor prognosis and may likely be referred for extraction if not stabilized properly. This case report emphasizes the basic concept of stabilization and preventing rotation around an axis which will give the fractured tooth a better longevity and avoid the vibrations during crown preparation. The combined effect will restore the patient’s own natural tooth back and minimizes the chances of periodontal complication.

Steroid-induced Central Serous Retinopathy—A Case Report

Long-term, high-dose corticosteroid therapy is well-known to cause systemic and ocular complications. A lesser known complication is chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR). Although idiopathic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSR) is known to be mild with spontaneous recovery and minimal effects on the final visual acuity, chronic CSCR as a complication of long-term steroid therapy behaves differently, and may cause irreversible visual impairment.

Inhibition of HIV-1 Integrase gene expression by 10-23 DNAzyme.

HIV Integrase (IN) is an enzyme that is responsible for the integration of the proviral genome into the human genome, and this integration step is the first step of the virus hijacking the human cell machinery for its propagation and replication. 10-23 DNAzyme has the potential to suppress gene expressions through sequence-specific mRNA cleavage. We have designed three novel DNAzymes, DIN54, DIN116, and DIN152, against HIV-1 Integrase gene using Mfold software and evaluated them for target site cleavage activity on the in vitro transcribed mRNA. All DNAzymes were tested for its inhibition of expression of HIV Integrase protein in the transiently transfected cell lines. DIN116 and DIN152 inhibited IN-EGFP expression by 80% and 70% respectively.

Comparison of PCR based marker systems for genetic analysis in different cultivars of mango.

Native diversity is well represented in northern and eastern parts of India for mango. We evaluated three important polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based marker techniques viz., random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and directed amplified mini satellite DNA (DAMD) and examined their suitability for depicting genetic relationships and discrimination among closely related group of 46 mango varieties grown in the different agro-ecological zones in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. Nine RAPD, eleven ISSR and four DAMD primers generated 110, 160 and 43 discrete fragments, respectively, accounting for polymorphism of 87.3, 79.83 and 83.72%, respectively. Cumulative analysis of these markers resulted in comprehensive UPGMA based dendrogram where in native mangoes representing important breeding lines and varieties from Uttar Pradesh fall more or less in separate cluster, while Bihar and West Bengal cultivars represent genetically different lineage forming distinct separate cluster. The prime focus on the study was towards identification of genetic variability that warrants establishing origin and molecular evolution of mango cultivars of eastern and northern India because they are the rich gene pool for conservation. Highest diversity index (DI) and polymorphic information content (PIC) values were found in DAMD indicating it to be more informative than others. Similarly, high effective multiplex ratio (EMR) and marker index (MI) were recorded by ISSR reflecting ability to simultaneously detect a large number of bands. The study accomplished establishing genetic relationship and also DNA fingerprint development. The data is also useful for mapping studies for gene identification.

Preliminary studies on antihyperglycemic effect of aqueous extract of Brassica nigra (L.) Koch in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

In the streptozotocin induced diabetic rats treated separately with aqueous, ethanol, acetone and chloroform extracts of the seeds of B. nigra, the increase in serum glucose value between 0 and 1 hr of glucose tolerance test (GTT) was the least (29 mg/dl) in aqueous extract treated animals while it was 54, 44 and 44 mg/dl with chloroform, acetone and ethanol extracts respectively. In further studies carried out with aqueous extract, the effective dose was found to be 200 mg/kg body weight in GTT. Administration of 200 mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract to diabetic animals daily once for one month brought down fasting serum glucose (FSG) levels while in the untreated group FSG remained at a higher value. In the treated animals the increase in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and serum lipids was much less when compared with the levels in untreated diabetic controls. These findings suggest that further studies with the aqueous extract of B. nigra seeds on its antidiabetic activity would be useful.

Morbidity Profile of Elderly Persons

This cross-sectional study was conducted to know about the morbidity status of the geriatric population reporting at RHTC. A total of 285 elderly persons (>=60 yrs.) had reported at RHTC during the study period. All the subjects underwent personal interview and clinical examination. Hypertension was the commonest morbidity (41.4%) followed by musculoskeletal problems (36.8%) and respiratory problems (36.1%). The prevalence of psychosocial problems among patients was found to be 28.8 % (males-16.9%, females-48.1%). With the changing pattern of family, migration and other socio-demographic factors; there is a continuous rise in the health problems of elderly in developing countries. It makes a greater demand on the health services of a community.

Larvicidal activity of latex and stem bark of Euphorbia tirucalli plant on the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus.

The methanolic, chloroform and ether extracts of Euphorbia tirucalli latex and stem bark were evaluated for larvicidal activity against laboratory-reared larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae), vector of the brancroftian filariasis and worst urban nuisance mosquito. The latex extracts contain more potent larvicidal components (177.14 mg/L-326.37 mg/L) than the stem bark extracts (237.663 mg/L-513.39 mg/L). The order of toxicity (LC50) for the latex extracts was Methanol extract (177.14 mg/L) > Chloroform (200.76 mg/L) > Ether (326.37 mg/L) while the rank of order of toxicity (LC50) of stem bark extracts was Ether (237.66 mg/L) > Chloroform (343.515 mg/L) > Methanol (513.387 mg/L), Higher doses (LC90 24 h of mosquito larvae) of each extract did not cause any mortality among fishes after 24 h. The study gave a weight into the possibility of formulating suitable preparation from the latex and stem bark extracts of the plant for use in mosquito control programme.

Profile of asymptomatic chronic HBV infection in India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: In India, horizontal transmission in early childhood has been shown to be a significant mode of transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV). This prospective, cross-sectional study was undertaken to study the biochemical, serological and histological profile of incidentally detected asymptomatic HBsAg positive subjects (IDAHS) picked up at a tertiary care referral centre. METHODS: In 157 (M:F::123:34) HBsAg positive subjects, clinical, biochemical, virological and histological assessment was done. The histological activity index (HAI) of > 3 was considered as chronic hepatitis. Serum was tested for HBsAg, HBeAg, HBeAb, HBV DNA and alanine transaminase (ALT). RESULTS: Seventy (45%) subjects were HBeAg and 83 (53%) anti-HBe positive. While 71 per cent of the subjects with elevated ALT had an HAI > 3, only 36 per cent with normal ALT showed significant histological changes (P < 0.001). Significant histopathological lesions in the liver biopsy were seen in 92 (59%) subjects, with moderate to severe lesions in 14. IDAHS who were HBeAg +ve were more likely to have significant histological lesion than those who were anti-HBe +ve (P < 0.01). In the anti-HBe +ve group, 35 of 57 (61%) subjects for whom HBV-DNA was available, were HBV-DNA positive. Anti-HBe+ve, HBV-DNA+ ve IDAHS with elevated ALT were more likely to have chronic hepatitis vis-a-vis those subjects in this group who had a normal ALT (P < 0.001). INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: ALT is a reliable discriminant of significant histological lesion in IDAHS. The relatively young mean age of Anti-HBe +ve IDAHS suggests an early age of infection and hence, early seroconversion or mutant virus infection in this cohort. A significant proportion of these IDAHS have HBV-DNA positivity and HAI > 3. Our results clearly demonstrate ongoing liver disease in asymptomatic, so-called "HBV carriers". We propose that the term hepatitis B 'carrier' should be abandoned and replaced by 'chronic HBV infection'.