Optimizing Friction Stir Welding of Dissimilar Grades of Aluminum Alloy Using WASPAS.

Aluminum is a widely popular material due to its low cost, low weight, good formability and capability to be machined easily. When a non-metal such as ceramic is added to aluminum alloy, it forms a composite. Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) are emerging as alternatives to conventional metals due to their ability to withstand heavy load, excellent resistance to corrosion and wear, and comparatively high hardness and toughness. Aluminum Matrix Composites (AMCs), the most popular category in MMCs, have innumerable applications in various fields such as scientific research, structural, automobile, marine, aerospace, domestic and construction. Their attractive properties such as high strength-to-weight ratio, high hardness, high impact strength and superior tribological behavior enable them to be used in automobile components, aviation structures and parts of ships. Thus, in this research work an attempt has been made to fabricate Aluminum Alloys and Aluminum Matrix Composites (AMCs) using the popular synthesis technique called stir casting and join them by friction stir welding (FSW). Dissimilar grades of aluminum alloy, i.e., Al 6061 and Al 1100, are used for the experimental work. Alumina and Silicon Carbide are used as reinforcement with the aluminum matrix. Mechanical and corrosion properties are experimentally evaluated. The FSW process is analyzed by experimentally comparing the welded alloys and welded composites. Finally, the best suitable FSW combination is selected with the help of a Multi-Attribute Decision Making (MADM)-based numerical optimization technique called Weighted Aggregated Sum Product Assessment (WASPAS).

Medicinal mushroom: boon for therapeutic applications.

Medicinal mushrooms are higher fungi with additional nutraceutical attributes having low fat content and a trans-isomer of unsaturated fatty acids along with high fibre content, triterpenes, phenolic compounds, sterols, eritadenine and chitosan. They are considered as the unmatched source of healthy foods and drugs. They have outstanding attractive taste, aroma and nutritional value, so are considered as functional food, which means they are beneficial to the body not only in terms of nutrition but also for improved health. Medicinal mushrooms and their extract have a large number of bioactive components called secondary metabolites. The presence of polysaccharide ß-glucans or polysaccharide-protein complexes content in mushroom extract have great therapeutic applications in human health as they possess many properties such as anti-diabetic, anti-cancerous, anti-obesity, immunomodulatory, hypocholesteremia, hepatoprotective nature along with anti-aging. The present review focuses on the comprehensive account of the medicinal properties of various medicinal mushrooms. This will further help the researchers to understand the metabolites and find other metabolites as well from the mushrooms which can be used for the potential development of the drugs to treat various life-threatening diseases.

Correlation of mast cells in different stages of human periodontal diseases: Pilot study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate and correlate the relationship between mast cells counts and different stages of human periodontal diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study sample comprised 50 patients, which were divided into three groups, consisting of 10 cases of clinically healthy gingival tissues (control group) 20 cases of dental plaque-induced gingivitis with no attachment loss and 20 cases of localized chronic periodontitis (LCP) characterized by the loss of periodontal support. The samples for control group were obtained during tooth extractions for orthodontic reasons. The specimens were immediately fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin. CONCLUSION: In this study, LCP cases had higher mast cell counts compared to gingivitis sites or healthy tissues. Increased mast cell counts in the progressing sites of periodontal diseases may indicate the importance of these cells in the progression of chronic periodontitis.

An in vitro scanning electron microscope study to evaluate the efficacy of various root conditioning agents.

AIM: The purpose of present study was to investigate the scanning electron microscopic alterations produced on scaled and root planed dentin surfaces after application of different etching modalities namely citric acid, tetracycline hydrochloride and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty specimens of teeth were collected and categorized into four groups. In group 1, control group specimens were treated with normal saline for 3 min, group 2 specimens were treated with citric acid, group 3 specimens were treated with tetracycline hydrochloride for 3 min and group 4 specimens were treated with 15% EDTA. RESULTS: Opening of dentinal tubules was seen in all specimens except for control group that was treated with normal saline. The total number of tubules seen was highest in citric acid group as compared to tetracycline hydrochloride and EDTA Group. The total number of patent tubule opening was highest in citric acid as compared to EDTA and tetracycline. The diameter of patent dentinal tubules in citric acid group was more than EDTA and tetracycline. CONCLUSION: The study showed that all the three agents were effective in removing the smear layer however number of patent and wider diameter dentinal tubules was seen in vitro best in citric acid than EDTA and then in tetracycline hydrochloride. Hence, citric acid group is more efficient than EDTA and tetracycline HCl group in removing the smear layer and in opening of number of patent dentinal tubules.

A comparative clinico-radiographic study of guided tissue regeneration with bioresorbable membrane and a composite synthetic bone graft for the treatment of periodontal osseous defects.

AIM: The aim was to evaluate the bonefill in periodontal osseous defects with the help of guided tissue regeneration, bioresorbable membrane (PerioCol) + bone graft (Grabio Glascera) in combination and with bonegraft (Grabio Glascera) alone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved total 30 sites in systemically healthy 19 patients. The parameters for evaluation includes plaque index sulcus bleeding index with one or more periodontal osseous defects having (i) probing depth (PD) of ≥ 5 mm (ii) clinical attachment loss (CAL) of ≥ 5 mm and (iii) ≥3 mm of radiographic periodontal osseous defect (iv) bonefill (v) crestal bone loss (vi) defect resolution. The study involved the three wall and two wall defects which should be either located interproximally or involving the furcation area. The statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences, the Wilcoxon signed rank statistic W + for Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: The net gain in PD and CAL after 6 months for Group I ([PerioCol] + [Grabio Glascera]) and Group II (Grabio Glascera) was 3.94 ± 1.81 mm, 3.57 ± 2.21 mm and 3.94 ± 1.81, 3.57 ± 2.21 mm, respectively. The results of the study for Group I and Group II with regards to mean net bonefill, was 3.25 ± 2.32 (58%) mm and 5.14 ± 3.84 (40.26 ± 19.14%) mm, crestal bone loss - 0.25 ± 0.68 mm and - 0.79 ± 1.19 mm. Defect resolution 3.50 ± 2.34 mm and 5.93 ± 4.01 mm, respectively. CONCLUSION: On comparing both the groups together after 6 months of therapy, the results were equally effective for combination of graft and membrane versus bone graft alone since no statistical significant difference was seen between above parameters for both the groups. Thus, both the treatment modalities are comparable and equally effective.

Periosteal Pedicle Flap Harvested during Vestibular Extension for Root Coverage.

Root exposure along with inadequate vestibular depth is a common clinical finding. Treatment option includes many techniques to treat such defects for obtaining predictable root coverage. Normally, the vestibular depth is increased first followed by a second surgery for root coverage. The present case report describes a single-stage technique for vestibular extension and root coverage in a single tooth by using the Periosteal Pedicle Flap (PPF). This technique involves no donor site morbidity and allows for reflection of sufficient amount of periosteal flap tissue with its own blood supply at the surgical site, thus increasing the chances of success of root coverage with simultaneous increase in vestibular depth.

Massive pregnancy gingival enlargement: A rare case.

Gingival enlargement related to pregnancy is sometimes seen in the oral cavity. Pregnancy is a physiological state that brings full of changes in a woman's life. The metabolism and immunology of the body are modified by progesterone and estrogen as well as other local factors, these sex hormones may modify the oral mucosa and may lead to various periodontal diseases. A case of female patient 23 yrs of age reported during 8(th) month of pregnancy with a localised gingival enlargement affecting the buccal aspect of left maxillary central incisor upto canine. The hormonal changes occurring during pregnancy may be associated with generalized or localised gingival enlargement and the presence of local factors may accentuate the gingival response. Rarely the enlargement becomes maasive and protrude out extraorally.

Root coverage with bridge flap.

Gingival recession in anterior teeth is a common concern due to esthetic reasons or root sensitivity. Gingival recession, especially in multiple anterior teeth, is of huge concern due to esthetic reasons. Various mucogingival surgeries are available for root coverage. This case report presents a new bridge flap technique, which allows the dentist not only to cover the previously denuded root surfaces but also to increase the zone of attached gingiva at a single step. In this case, a coronally advanced flap along with vestibular deepening technique was used as root coverage procedure for the treatment of multiple recession-type defect. Here, vestibular deepening technique is used to increase the width of the attached gingiva. The predictability of this procedure results in an esthetically healthy periodontium, along with gain in keratinized tissue and good patient's acceptance.

Palatogingival groove - a silent killer: Treatment of an osseous defect due to it.

A male patient of 21 years of age reported to the Department of Periodontology and Implantology with a chief complain of pus discharge in both right and left upper lateral incisors. On clinical examination a deep pocket of about 10-14 mm was noticed in both lateral incisors. Radiographic interpretation shows a teardrop-shaped radiolucency in both the laterals giving suspicion of palatogingival groove, which was later discovered and treated surgically.

An innovative cosmetic technique called lip repositioning.

A clinical report describing the successful use of the lip repositioning technique for the reduction of excessive gingival display. A female patient aged 34 years reported with a chief complaint of gummy smile and was treated with this technique performed under local anesthesia with the main objective to reduce gummy smile by limiting the retraction of elevator muscles (e.g., zygomaticus minor, levator anguli, orbicularis oris, and levator labii superioris). The technique is fulfilled by removing a strip of mucosa from maxillary buccal vestibule and creating a partial thickness flap between mucogingival junction and upperlip musculature, and suturing the lip mucosa with mucogingival junction, resulting in a narrow vestibule and restricted muscle pull, thereby reducing gingival display.

Chlorhexidine chip and tetracycline fibers as adjunct to scaling and root planing: a clinical study

Aim: Prevention of periodontal disease progression is the primary goal of periodontal therapy. When conventional therapy is found inadequate to attain periodontal health in chronic periodontitis, local antimicrobial agents have been used as adjunct to scaling and root planing, producing encouragingresults. Hence, a study was undertaken to evaluate clinically, the newly released sustained drugs, PerioColTMCG(Chlorhexidine - CHX- chip) with Periodontal Plus ABTM (Tetracycline fibers). Methods: Patients wereallocated in 3 experimental treatment groups, Group A- SRP + CHX Chip, Group B- SRP + Tetracycline fibers, and Group C- SRP alone (control group). Forty-five sites in 14 patients (9 females and 5 males) with chronic periodontitis (5-8mm probing depth), were evaluated clinically for probing depth (PD) and relative attachment level (RAL). Results: All the treatment groups were found to be efficacious in the treatment of periodontal disease as demonstrated by improvement in PD and RAL. Conclusion: Combination of SRP + CHX chip (Group A) resulted in added benefits compared to the other two treatment groups.