Comparison of Adsorption Performance of Biochar Derived from Urban Biowaste Materials for Removal of Heavy Metals.

This study investigated the adsorption performance of biochar produced from different types of urban biowaste material viz., sugarcane bagasse (SB), brinjal stem (BS), and citrus peel (CP) for removal of heavy metal ions (Pb, Cu, Cr, and Cd) from aqueous solution. The effects of biowaste material, dosage of biochar, solution pH, and initial concentration of heavy metal ions and isotherm models were performed to understand the possible adsorption mechanisms. The results showed that the biochar derived from BS and SB removes Cu (99.94%), Cr (99.57%), and Cd (99.77%) whereas biochar derived from CP removes Pb (99.59%) and Cu (99.90%) more efficiently from the aqueous solution. Biochar derived from BS showed maximum adsorption capacity for Cu (246.31 mg g-1), Pb (183.15 mg g-1), and Cr (71.89 mg g-1) while the biochar derived from CP showed highest for Cd (15.46 mg g-1). Moreover, biochar derived from BS and SB has more polar functional groups and less hydrophobicity than the biochar derived from CP. This study reveals that solution pH and biochar doses play a major role in removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solution. The results of Langmuir model fitted well for Pb and Cu while the Freundlich model for Cr and Cd. Our study concludes that the biochar derived from different biowaste materials adsorbs heavy metal ions majorly through surface complexation and precipitation processes. The results of this study will be very useful in selecting the effective urban biowaste material for making biochar for heavy metal removal from the aqueous environment.

Prevalence of Candida among Denture Wearers and Nondenture Wearers.

Introduction: A denture wearer is highly prone to develop Candida-associated denture stomatitis (CADS) due to the conversion of the normal oral commensal Candida spp. into a pathogen under favorable conditions. Immuno-compromised status, trauma from the prosthesis, other systemic conditions, and improper maintenance of the dentures by the patient are few of the causative agents which turn the oral balance into an unhealthy and unsuitable foundation for the wearing of the prosthesis. Objective: The objective of this study was to compare subjects wearing complete dentures and nondenture wearers regarding Candida isolates associated with disease and colonization among the different age groups. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 60 subjects, 30 wearing complete dentures (Group-A) and 30 nondentures wearers (Group-B), were matched for gender, race, and age. The unstimulated saliva sample was collected and cultured in CHROMagar using standard protocols. Results: The mean value of the candidal colony-forming units with respect to Group A is Candida Albicans 0.36 ± 2.008, Candida krusei 0.27 ± 1.061, P value Group B: C. albicans 0.73 ± 2.196, C. krusei 0.36 ± 1.084. There was a significant relation between denture wearers and heavy growth of C. albicans and C. krusei in saliva culture with a P value of P-0.054 and P-0.036, respectively. Conclusions: These results indicate that denture wearers with oral Candida had a higher prevalence of CADS. Patients with removable prostheses should be informed about the importance of proper prosthesis and personal hygiene since dentures and age-related immunosuppression are both well-known risk factors associated with candidiasis development, the presence of yeast, even in healthy denture wearers, should be considered a risk factor for denture stomatitis that increases with the duration of denture use.

Stature Prediction by Comparing Maxillary and Mandibular Intercanine Width and Intermolar Width among Tamil Nadu Population.

Background: Teeth are one of the strongest hard tissues that can resist a variety of antemortem and postmortem insults and an important evidence in the field of medicolegal and forensics. In the identification of unknown human remains of the deceased, stature estimation is a preliminary investigation. Previously, the comparison of osteometry with odontometry in stature determination has been made. Similarly, an attempt is made to estimate stature using intercanine and intermolar width which may be a forensic tool in the future. Aim and Objective: The aim of this study was to determine stature using intercanine and intermolar width in the maxillary and mandibular arches and correlating to identify highly reliable parameter among the two. Further to evaluate the usefulness of odontometry in stature determination. Materials and Methods: Subjects for the study were recruited from the outpatient department of APDCH and students of APDCH. One hundred subjects were included in the study comprising fifty males and fifty females within the age group of 17-28 years as per inclusion criteria. Digital Vernier caliper for measuring intercanine width (cusp tips on either sides) and intermolar width (central fossa of 1st molar on either sides) on the study models and standard anthropometer for measuring the height of the subject (vertex to the floor). Results: Compared to other parameters, the maxillary intercanine distance is statistically significant to P = 0.05 with correlation value of 0.06 by Pearson correlation method. Conclusion: The data collected were subjected to statistical analysis and was found that out of the four selected odontometric parameters, maxillary intercanine width with a P = of 0.032 and Pearson correlation of 0.307 in Group 1 (males) were found to show a significant correlation with height. Regression analysis was done, and regression equations were derived. The following regression equation can be used to calculate the height of an individual, Group 1 (male) -Y = B+ Ax. Y = 135.5 + 0.947X (X - maxillary inter canine width). This method of stature prediction may be of relative importance but not of absolute certainty, thereby making it an adjunct to various other methods of stature prediction. Therefore, using odontometric parameters in combination improves the predictability of estimating stature rather than a single parameter.

Immunohistochemical expression and evaluation of cyclin D1 and minichromosome maintenance 2 in oral squamous cell carcinoma and verrucous carcinoma.

Background: The study of cell proliferation is important for assessing the tumor behavior, prognosis and patient survival of oral carcinomas. As literature search did not reveal sufficient studies of immunohistochemical expression of cyclin D1 and minichromosome maintenance 2 (MCM2) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and verrucous carcinoma (VC), the present study was undertaken. Materials and Methods: The study group included 20 cases of histopathologically diagnosed OSCC, 10 cases of VC and 10 cases of normal mucosa (NM). All samples were evaluated for the expression of cyclin D1 and MCM2 using standard Immunohistochemistry (IHC) procedure.The present study involved both qualitative and quantitative analyses. Qualitative analysis was done by evaluation of intensity and area of staining. Quantitative analysis was done by calculating the percentage of positively stained cells and assessing the labeling index (LI). Data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS statistical package (version 23.0). Results: On evaluating and comparing the intensity of staining and area of staining of cyclin D1 and MCM2 between the study groups, statistically significant values (P < 0.05) were obtained using Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA. Comparison of LI of cyclin D1 and MCM2 in NM, OSCC and VC statistically significant results (P < 0.05) was obtained using Mann-Whitney U-test. Mean LI of MCM2 was found to be significantly higher than mean LI of cyclin D1 in all the study groups. Conclusion: From the present study, we conclude that MCM2 has the potential to serve as a novel cell proliferation biomarker in OSCC and VC when compared to cyclin D1.

Stature Estimation of an Individual Using Nasal, Facial, and Palatal Height among Tamil Nadu Population.

BACKGROUND: Stature estimation in human identification has a significant forensic importance. The stature correlates positively with bones or human body parts. Measurements of various body parts such as the arm, leg, feet, and finger can be used to estimate stature. This study is done to correlate the stature of person with facial, nasal, and palatal height among Tamil Nadu population. AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The aim and objective was to determine an individual's stature using facial, nasal, and palatal height and to find out the most reliable parameter to determine the stature of the person. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Anthropometer, Vernier caliper, and palatometer were used for the analysis. The initial pilot study included 20 individuals. The representative study included 100 individuals of age 21-25 years. (Group 1 - males, Group 2 - females). Values of the three parameters (nasal, facial, and palatal) are calculated and related to that of the person's stature. RESULTS: The quantitative data collected from the subjects are studied using (Pearson correlation) statistical analysis. The quantitative data availed from nasal height were found to be more reliable compared to the other two data in stature prediction. Correlation between stature and nasal height shows a significant positive correlation among the female group (2) with (P- value = 0.57). CONCLUSION: This study may play a significant role in case of human identification immediately after mass disasters and certain criminal investigations. Further studies with larger samples may produce more reliable values.

Specific H+ level is crucial for accurate phosphate quantification using ascorbate as a reductant.

Owing to its essentiality for cellular metabolism, phosphate (PO43-) plays a pivotal role in ecosystem dynamics. Frequent testing of phosphate levels is necessary to monitor ecosystem health. Present investigations were aimed to identify the key factors that are essential for proper quantification of PO43-. Primarily, H+ levels played a critical role in the development of molybdenum blue complex by ammonium molybdate and PO43- with ascorbic acid as a reductant. Molybdenum blue complex formed in the presence of 8 to 12 mmol of H+ in 3 ml reaction mixture remained stable even after 72 h. Of different concentrations of ammonium molybdate and ascorbic acid tested, best molybdenum blue complex was formed when their concentrations were 24.3 and 5.68 µmol, respectively. More or less similar intensity of molybdenum blue complex (due to reduction of phosphomolybdic acid and not molybdic acid) was formed in the presence of H+ at levels ranging from 8 to 10 mmol in 3 ml reaction mixture. Our findings unequivocally demonstrated that (i) the reaction mixture containing 3% ammonium molybdate, 0.1% ascorbic acid and 5 M H2SO4 in the ratio of 1:1:1 is ideal for PO43- quantification; (ii) antimony (Sb) significantly curbs the formation of molybdenum blue under these ideal conditions; (iii) this fine-tuned protocol for PO43- quantification could be extended without any problem for determining the level of PO43- both in plant as well as soil samples; and (iv) Azotobacter possesses potential to enhance levels of total PO43- in leaves and grains and soluble/active PO43- in rhizosphere soils of wheat.

Cytological intracellular glycogen evaluation using PAS and PAS-D stains to correlate plasma glucose in diabetics.

BACKGROUND: Oral cytology studies have claimed that cytoplasmic Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) positivity in type-2 diabetics is due to glycogen content. But, it can also be due to mucin and glycoconjugates. AIM: 1. To confirm that cytoplasmic PAS positivity in type-2 diabetics is due to glycogen using diastase. 2. To know the effect of diabetes by determining the number of glycogen-containing cells in the smear. 3. To assess the impact of duration of diabetes based on PAS staining of cells. 4. To correlate between random blood glucose level and the number of PAS-positive cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study population comprised 45 individuals with 30 type-2 diabetics as case group (Group I < 5 years duration; Group II > 5 years duration) and 15 healthy volunteers (age and gender-matched) as control. For all subjects, random blood glucose was estimated and two cytosmears were obtained. The smears were stained with PAS and PAS-diastase stains (PAS-D). Staining intensity was documented as score 1 (mild-to-moderate) and score 2 (moderate-to-intense) and data obtained were statistically analyzed in SPSS version 16.0. RESULTS: Mann-Whitney U test revealed that in diabetics cytoplasmic PAS positivity is because of glycogen (P < 0.05). There is an increase in the number of glycogen-containing cells (P < 0.05) in diabetics. The duration of diabetes had less impact on intracellular glycogen accumulation (P > 0.05). Spearman's correlation test revealed no significant correlation (P > 0.05) between random blood glucose and a number of PAS-positive cells. CONCLUSION: PAS positivity is because of intracellular glycogen accumulation in type-2 diabetics. It can convey the glycaemic status of an individual in the recent past, thus a beneficial role in screening and therapeutic monitoring.

Evaluation of salivary alkaline phosphatase levels in tobacco users to determine its role as a biomarker in oral potentially malignant disorders.

BACKGROUND: Elevated salivary alkaline phosphatase (S-ALP) levels have been observed in oral squamous cell carcinoma, but its status in tobacco users and in individuals with oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) is less explored. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aims and objectives were to estimate and compare the levels of S-ALP among tobacco users, nonusers and in individuals with OPMD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population comprised 42 individuals, categorized into four groups with/without tobacco usage habit and with/without lesion. 5 ml of unstimulated saliva sample was collected, centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 15 min and supernatant separated. S-ALP was estimated in the supernatant by using kinetic photometric method in an automatic analyzer. RESULTS: Data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. The mean S-ALP was 18.00 IU/L for normal individuals without tobacco usage, 4.60 IU/L for smokers without lesion, 7.50 IU/L for tobacco chewers without any lesion and 64.90 IU/L for individuals with OPMD. The mean difference between the groups was statistically significant (P < 0.001) using Kruskal-Wallis' ANOVA. No statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) was obtained in the S-ALP levels between tobacco users and nonusers and between smokers and tobacco chewers, using Mann-Whitney U-test. S-ALP levels in individuals with OPMD were statistically significantly higher (P < 0.001) than those without lesions, with or without tobacco usage habit, using Mann-Whitney U-test. CONCLUSION: We conclude that S-ALP could be used as a reliable noninvasive biomarker in monitoring OPMD.

One vs. two years of anti-epileptic therapy in children with single small enhancing CT lesions.

The duration of anti-epileptic drug (AED) therapy in children with seizures due to single small enhancing CT lesions (SSECTL) is controversial. We sought to determine whether there is any difference in the rate of seizure recurrence after 1 vs. 2 years of AED therapy and to identify the factors predictive of seizure recurrence. A total of 115 consecutive children with seizures and SSECTL were randomly assigned to two groups. Group A received AED(s) for 1 year and Group B for 2 years seizure-free interval. CT scan and EEG were done prior to AED withdrawal and children were followed-up for seizure recurrence for at least 1 year. Association between seizure recurrence and clinical and CT characteristics was analysed. Groups A and B consisted of 55 and 51 children, respectively (nine were lost to follow-up). There were 61 boys and 45 girls; mean age 9.33 years. Most (93 per cent) had focal seizures: 36 per cent complex partial, 22 per cent simple partial, 35 per cent partial with secondary generalization; 21 per cent had status epilepticus. The two groups were comparable in clinical, EEG and CT characteristics. CT scan and EEG prior to AED withdrawal were abnormal in 44 per cent and 33 per cent respectively. Six children, three from each group had seizure recurrence. Significant association was found between seizure recurrence and abnormal CT (persistence/calcification of lesion) and abnormal EEG prior to AED withdrawal (p < 0.01). The relative risk of seizure recurrence in a child with abnormal CT and EEG prior to AED withdrawal was 26.2 (95 per cent confidence interval 3.3-210.2, p = 0.0003). No association was found between seizure recurrence and any of the other variables. There was no difference in seizure recurrence after 1 vs. 2 years of AED therapy. Combination of persistent/calcified CT lesion and abnormal EEG prior to AED withdrawal was the best predictor of seizure recurrence.

Sjogren-Larsson syndrome.

Sjogren-Larsson Syndrome is a rare autosomal disorder which occurs with 100% penetrance and is classically characterized by ichthyosis, spasticity and mental handicap. This has rarely been described in people of Indian origin, case reports mainly being restricted to Caucasians. We have described a 6-year-old girl with classical features of this syndrome, the symptoms having started in infancy. The spasticity is mainly diplegic in nature. Skin changes of ichthyosis are generalized and more in the flexural areas. Mental retardation is severe. Management is supportive.