Topical fluoride use: Knowledge, attitudes and practices of undergraduate dental students of three Dental Colleges in South India.

OBJECTIVES: For effective utilisation of topical fluorides in caries prevention, dental professionals should have adequate knowledge regarding its appropriate use. The decision regarding preventive treatments like topical fluorides is influenced by knowledge acquired during undergraduate training. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of undergraduate dental students in the use of topical fluorides. METHODOLOGY: A descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted from June to August 2015 following ethical clearance. Three willing Dental Colleges from 3 states of South India participated. Information regarding the knowledge, attitudes and practices of students in the use of topical fluorides was collected using a validated questionnaire. RESULTS: Nine hundred and seventy-two dental students (79.6% females, 20.4% males) participated. Freshers and preclinical batches had poor overall knowledge of fluorides, which did not show substantial improvement by internship. Self-applied topical fluoride use (fluoridated toothpaste) was seen in more than 90% of interns, and majority had "positive fluoride attitude." Having knowledge of topical fluorides and positive attitudes to topical fluorides did not result in "good oral self-care behaviour" nor appropriate clinical use of topical fluorides. Students who used topical fluorides for persons with history of caries had highest odds of brushing twice a day (OR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.54, 4.12) and a "positive fluoride attitude" (OR = 1.2, 95% CI = 0.21, 1.57). CONCLUSION: Dental students showed deficiencies in their knowledge and understanding of topical fluorides. Dental education in India needs emphasis on topical fluorides across all years, with a special focus on caries risk-based topical fluoride use.

Multipoint incremental motor unit number estimation versus amyotrophic lateral sclerosis functional rating scale and the medical research council sum score as an outcome measure in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

INTRODUCTION: Monitoring the disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a challenge due to different rates of progression between patients. Besides clinical methods to monitor disease progression, such as the ALS functional rating scale (ALSFRS) and the medical research council (MRC) sum score, quantitative methods like motor unit number estimation (MUNE) are of interest. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study is to evaluate the rate of progression in ALS using multipoint incremental MUNE and to compare MUNE, ALSFRS and MRC sum score at baseline and at 6 months for progression of the disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multipoint incremental MUNE using median nerve, ALS-FRS and MRC sum score was carried out in 29 ALS patients at baseline and then at 6 months. RESULTS: Of the 29 ALS patients studied, the mean MUNE at baseline was 21.80 (standard deviation [SD]: 19.46, range 4-73), 15.9 in the spinal onset group (SD: 14.60) and 30.16 (SD: 22.89) in the bulbar onset group. Spinal onset patients had 74.02% of baseline MUNE value while bulbar onset patients had only 24.74% baseline value MUNE at 6 months follow-up (Unpaired t-test, P = 0.001). ALSFRS and MRC sum score showed statistically significant decline (P < 0.001) at 6 months follow-up. MUNE had the highest sensitivity for progression of the disease when compared to the ALS FRS and MRC sum score. CONCLUSION: Multipoint incremental MUNE is a valuable tool for outcome measure in ALS and other diseases characterized by motor unit loss. The rate of decline of multipoint incremental MUNE is more sensitive than that of MRC sum score and ALSFRS-R, when expressed as the percentage change from baseline.

Synthesis, antimicrobial and antioxidant evaluation of quinolines and bis(indolyl)methanes.

An improved and practical synthesis of substituted quinolines and bis(indolyl)methanes was achieved under microwave condition using Zn(OTf)(2) as catalyst. The synthesized compounds have been screened for antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.

Synthesis of densely functionalised C-glycosides by a tandem oxy Michael addition-Wittig olefination pathway.

Wittig olefination of 5,6-dideoxy-5,6-anhydro-6-nitro-D-glucofuranose (5) triggered a concomitant cyclisation via oxy Michael addition of the C2-hydroxyl group resulting in the formation of C-vinyl glycosides with Z-olefinic geometry.

Simple and convenient approach to the Kreohnke pyridine type synthesis of functionalized indol-3-yl pyridine derivatives using 3-cyanoacetyl indole.

Access to privileged heterocyclic scaffolds involving 4-aryl-6-(1H-indol-3-yl)-2,2-bipyridine-5-carbonitriles and 6-(2-furyl)-2-(1H-indol-3-yl)-4-arylpyridine-3-carbonitriles frameworks has been achieved via a single-step multicomponent reaction of structurally diverse aldehydes, 2-acetylpyridine (or) 2-acetylfuran and 3-cyanoacetyl indole in ammonium acetate under neat condition. Also a series of 6,6'-di(1H-indol-3-yl)-4,4'-diaryl-2,2'-bipyridine-5,5'-dicarbonitrile and 7,7,7',7'-tetramethyl-4,4'-bis(aryl)-4,6,7,8,4',6',7',8'-octahydro-1H,1H-[2,2']biquinolinyl-5,5'-dione derivatives are synthesized using cinnamil, 3-cyanoacetyl indole (or) dimedone and ammonium acetate.

Regioselective synthesis and biological evaluation of bis(indolyl)methane derivatized 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-bistriazoles as anti-infective agents.

The regioselective synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-bistriazoles from a variety of N-propargyl bis(indolyl)methanes with sodium azide using CuI as the catalyst in polyethyleneglycol-400 is reported. This process is of considerable synthetic advantages in terms of high atom economy, low environmental impact, mild reaction condition and good yields. The synthesized compounds have also been screened for their biological activity.

Mineralization of metanilic acid by Pseudomonas aeruginosa CLRI BL22.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa CLRI BL22 was able to degrade metanilic acid, a sulfonated aromatic amine upto a concentration of 1,500 mg l(-1). The degradation of metanilic acid started when the organism reached its exponential growth phase. Chromatographic and spectrophotometric analyses confirmed the presence of aniline and ß-keto adipic acid indicating the ortho pathway reaction. Further proof for this pathway was provided by dioxygenase activity of the strain grown in the medium containing metanilic acid and glucose.