Antibacterial and antibiofilm efficacy of green synthesized ZnO nanoparticles using Saraca asoca leaves.

Biofilms are made up of bacterial colonies and their extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) matrix, which protects the bacteria from adverse environmental conditions. The increasing drug resistivity of pathogenic bacteria is becoming an emergency for developing new antibacterial agents. In this study, we have synthesized the zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using the leaf extract of Saraca asoca plant, and the antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of green synthesized ZnO NPs was measured against the biofilm-producing bacteria Bacillus subtilis. The disk diffusion data reveals that the zone of inhibition (ZOI) starts at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL and minimum inhibition concentration (100 µg/mL) and minimum bactericidal concentration (150 µg/mL) values were also evaluated for green synthesized ZnO nanomaterials. Crystal violet test and microscopic examination were used to assess the impact of produced nanoparticles on biofilm development. The findings indicated a nearly 45%, 64%, and 83% suppression of biofilm development at 0.5 × MIC, 0.75 × MIC, and 1 × MIC value, respectively. The biofilm biomass of the preformed or matured biofilms by the ZnO NPs was evaluated to be 68%, 50%, and 33% at concentrations of 0.5 × MIC, 0.75 × MIC, and 1 × MIC which was concentration-dependent. Moreover, flow cytometry results suggest damage to the bacterial cell membrane. The data indicated that the proportion of dead cells increased with NP concentration in comparison to the control. Therefore, it can be concluded that the green synthetic ZnO nanoparticles showed excellent antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against the Bacillus subtilis bacteria that produce biofilms and that they could be a promising substitute agent for the treatment of biofilms and drug-resistant bacteria.

Carbon Nano-Onion-Decorated ZnO Composite-Based Enzyme-Less Electrochemical Biosensing Approach for Glucose.

This study investigates the enzyme-less biosensing property of the zinc oxide/carbon nano-onion (ZnO/CNO) nanocomposite coated on a glassy carbon electrode. The ZnO/CNO nanocomposite was synthesized using the ex situ mixing method, and the structural characterization was done using XRD, SEM, and TEM, whereas functional groups and optical characterization were done through FTIR and UV-visible spectroscopy. The electrochemical sensing response of the ZnO/CNO nanocomposite for the linear range of glucose concentration (0.1-15 mM) was examined using cyclic voltammetry (CV) with a potential window of -1.6 to +1.6 V using 0.1 M NaOH as an electrolyte. The ZnO/CNO nanocomposites showed enhanced sensing ability toward glucose with a sensitive value of 606.64 µA/mM cm2. Amperometric i-t measurement supports the finding of CV measurement and showed good sensing ability of the electrode ZnO/CNO nanocomposite material for up to 40 days. The enhanced electrocatalytic activity of the ZnO/CNO nanocomposite is explained due to the synergetic effect of both ZnO and CNO. Our findings suggest a high potential for ZnO/CNO nanocomposite-based glucose biosensors, which could be further utilized to develop noninvasive skin-attached sensors for biomedical applications.

Development of computerized masticatory force measurement system.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the Maximum Voluntary Bite Force (MVBF) in Indian population with normal occlusion and after treatment of mandibular angle fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This paper discusses the development of a sensor fork with modified load cell and computer-based bite force measuring system that generates force profile on the computer. This is a powerful diagnostic tool in response to the needs of dentists seeking an accurate way to dynamically measure occlusion. RESULTS: This study was carried out to evaluate the maximum voluntary bite force generated by the patients after the treatment of mandibular angle fracture. The in vivo measurements were repeated on the following day, week and two months later. The measurements of the device were highly repeatable. CONCLUSION: This development provides the cost effective and handy equipment for bite force measurement further, if again sensor thickness reduced, we will be able to get more close results of forces that are exactly generated during the mastication process. Our study shows a significant difference in mean bite force efficiency between the all the treatment weeks and increased with time at α = 0.05 level. The gender difference was statistically significant in the male and female.

Women and Tobacco Use: Discrepancy in the Knowledge, Belief and Behavior towards Tobacco Consumption among Urban and Rural Women in Chhattisgarh, Central India.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco consumption has become pandemic, and is estimated to have killed 100 million people in the 20th century worldwide. Some 700,000 out of 5.4 million deaths due to tobacco use were from India. The era of global modernization has led to an increase in the involvement of women in tobacco consumption in the low income and middle-income countries. Tobacco consumption by females is known to have grave consequences. OBJECTIVES: To assess: (1) the tobacco use among urban and rural women; (2) the discrepancy in the knowledge, belief and behavior towards tobacco consumption among urban and rural women in Durg-Bhilai Metropolitan, Chhattisgarh, Central India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 2,000 18-25 year old young women from Durg-Bhilai Metropolitan, Chhattisgarh, Central India, from both urban and rural areas. Data were collected using a pretested, anonymous, extensive face to face interview by a female investigator to assess the tobacco use among women and the discrepancy in the knowledge, belief and behavior towards tobacco consumption among urban and rural individuals. RESULTS: The prevalence of tobacco use was found to be 47.2%. Tobacco consumption among rural women was 54.4% and in urban women was 40%. The majority of the women from urban areas (62.8%) were smokers whilst rural women (77.4%) showed preponderance toward smokeless tobacco use. Urban women had a better knowledge and attitude towards harms from tobacco and its use than the rural women. Women in rural areas had higher odds (1.335) of developing tobacco habit than the urban women. CONCLUSIONS: Increased tobacco use by women poses very severe hazards to their health, maternal and child health, and their family health and economic well-being. Due to the remarkably complex Indian picture of female tobacco use, an immediate and compulsory implementation of tobacco control policies laid down by the WHO FCTC is the need of the hour.

Knowledge, attitude and practice of tobacco use and its impact on oral health status of 12 and 15 year-old school children of Chhattisgarh, India.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco is a leading preventable cause of deaths worldwide; the situation is particularly serious in the developing countries. Tobacco use amongst the children and adolescents is already a pandemic and they are vulnerable targets of tobacco industry. This is also the case in India. OBJECTIVES: 1) Document and monitor the prevalence of tobacco use including smoked, smokeless and other forms of tobacco; 2) Understand studentknowledge and attitudes related to tobacco use and its health impact; 3) Assess the impact of tobacco on the oral health status of school-going children in India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample was 1,500 school children of the age group 12-15 years age. A pretested, close ended questionnaire was administered in the form of extensive face to face interview to understand student knowledge, attitudes and behavior related to tobacco use and its health impact and to assess the prevalence of tobacco use including smoked, smokeless and other forms of tobacco. Oral health status was assessed using the Community Periodontal Index (CPI). Frequency distribution, Chi-square tests and Odd's ratio was calculated. RESULTS: Prevalence of tobacco usage amongst the prevalence was 20.4%: 9.2% reported smoking, 15.8% used tobacco in the chewable form and 25.3% children were involved in consuming betel nut/areca nuts. The OR (Odd's ratio) for calculus formation was highest for guthka chewers (OR=14.322), paan masala chewers had the highest odds of developing bleeding on probing when compared to the others. CONCLUSIONS: There is an urgent need to launch school-based tobacco prevention programs for community awareness of children and the public, as preventing the initiation of a habit is far easier than stopping it.