Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice towards Digital Imaging and Cone Beam Computed Tomography among Dental Practitioners in North Karnataka, India.

INTRODUCTION: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has one of the most important roles for diagnosis in dentistry. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to assess the level of knowledge and awareness toward the scope of digital imaging and CBCT, among dental practitioners in North Karnataka regions such as Bidar and Raichur city. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire study was carried out among 200 dental practitioners of North Karnataka (Bidar and Raichur). A specially designed structured questionnaire (13 in number) was administered to assess the knowledge of digital imaging and CBCT. Data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient test, and any P ≤ 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 200 dentists were selected for the study, among which 93.5% were reported that digital imaging is the most useful method compared to conventional method. About 91.0% of the dentists were aware of CBCT. Of 91.5% of the dentists preferred CBCT for three-dimensional imaging in the head and neck region. Among all, majority of dentists reported that all types of radiography will be used in digital imaging (45.0%). CONCLUSION: The current study showed that knowledge of dentist regarding digital imaging and CBCT was not satisfactory; therefore, participants require an understanding of the concepts behind CBCT and related technologies, making appropriate training essential for every member of the dental team.

Investigation of Candidal Species among People Who Suffer from Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the candidal species among masses with oral potentially malignant disorders and oral squamous cell carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective and observational study was conducted by the Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, S. B. Patil Dental College, Bidar, Karnataka, India, from February 2018 to January 2019. The study composed of total of 150 individuals, of which 50 individuals did not had any visible manifestations, 50 were analyzed with potentially malignant disorders (PMDs) in particular oral leukoplakia, oral lichen planus, and oral submucous fibrosis and last group of 50 individuals were suffering from oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). First, the swab samples were elicited from culture technique after that incisional biopsy of the discernible investigated lesion was done for the purpose of justopathological verification. The swab samples were streak on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) and HiCrome Candida Differential HiVeg agar/CHROMagar medium and incubation at 37°C for 24-48 h. Biopsy was done for all the samples. RESULTS: The proportion of candidates as men and women in control was 45 (90%) and 5 (10%), in PMD was 30 (60%) and 20 (40%), and in OSCC was 45 (90%) and 5 (10%), correspondingly. On evaluation on SDA medium in controls, PMD and OSCC groups, Candida was founded in 14 (28%), 20 (40%), and 42 (84%) and not founded in 36 (72%), 30 (60%), and 8 (16%) folks, subsequently. Intragroup contrast illustrated exceedingly necessary distinction with P = 0.000 between both controls versus OSCC and PMD in comparison to OSCC. Nevertheless, controls versus PMD manifested insignificant, P = 0.119. Investigation on CHROM AGAR media among controls, PMD and OSCC groups, Candida species was seen in 11 (22%), 19 (38%), and 40 (80%) and absent in 39 (78%), 31 (62%), and 10 (20%) individuals, respectively. On statistical inspection, the variations noted were enormous, (P = 0.000). On speciation of Candida in CHROM agar among the controls, PMD and OSCC groups, Candida albicans species was present in 9 (18%), 16 (32%), and 6 (12%), Candida krusei in 3 (6%), 6 (12%), and 13 (26%), Candida glabrata in 0, 0, and 8 (16%), and Candida tropicalis in 0, 0, and 3 (6%) cases, respectively. Nonetheless, only OSCC group reveal amalgamation of species such as C. glabrata and C. krusei was present in 2 (4%) case, C. tropicalis and C. krusei in was present 3 (6%) cases, C. tropicalis and C. glabrata was present in 2 (4%) case, C. albicans and C. tropicalis was present in 2 (4%) cases, and C. krusei, C. glabrata with C. albicans was present in 1 (2%) case, respectively. All other types of fungi were regarded as infectious excluding Candida, on analysis on SDA medium, infestation in the form of fungal molds was seen in 18 (36%) in controls, 12 (24%) in PMD and 8 (16%) in OSCC groups. CONCLUSION: We interpreted that the chief carrier of candidal species in PMDs and OSCC, yet more light is to be thrown on the topic that Candida has particular establishment in PMDs or in malignancy.

Intervarietal variations in various oxidative stress markers and antioxidant potential of finger millet (Eleusine coracana) subjected to drought stress.

Drought is a major form of abiotic stress leading to lower crop productivity. Experiment was carried out for selecting the most tolerant genotype among six different genotypes of finger millet under drought stress. Seeds of six finger millet genotypes were sown in pots and grown for 35 days. After this period, drought was induced by withholding watering for stressed plants while control plants were watered regularly for comparison. Among all six different varieties of finger millet screened (PR202, PES400, PRM6107, VL283, VL328 and VL149) under varying intensities of drought stress,PRM6107 and PR202 showed highest stress tolerance by limiting excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through activation of ROS scavenging antioxidative enzymes. A 200% increase in ascorbate content was recorded in PRM6107 and PR202, while in other varieties limited increase in ascorbate content was observed. Maximum decrease in chlorophyll content was observed in VL328 (83%) while least drop was observed in VL149 (65%). Relative water content indicated that PR202 was able to retain maximum water content under stress, as it recorded least drop in relative water content (55%), contributing to its better survival under stress. In conclusion finger millet genotypes PRM6107 and PR202 possessed maximum drought tolerance potential and thus may be used for allele mining of drought tolerant genes, which can further be employed for the development of more drought stress tolerant staple crops using biotechnological approach.

Silver nanoparticle-mediated enhancement in growth and antioxidant status of Brassica juncea.

Metal nanoparticles can potentially be used as tools for engineering biological redox reactions. Present study underlines the effect of silver metal nanoparticles (at 0, 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 ppm) on the growth and antioxidant status of 7-day-old Brassica juncea seedlings. Fresh weight, root and shoot length, and vigor index of seedlings is positively affected by silver nanoparticle treatment. It induced a 326 % increase in root length and 133 % increase in vigor index of the treated seedlings. Improved photosynthetic quantum efficiency and higher chlorophyll contents were recorded in leaves of treated seedlings, as compared to the control seedlings. Levels of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide decreased in the treated seedlings. Nanoparticle treatment induced the activities of specific antioxidant enzymes, resulting in reduced reactive oxygen species levels. Decrease in proline content confirmed the improvement in antioxidant status of the treated seedlings. The observed stimulatory affects of silver nanoparticles are found to be dose dependent, with 50 ppm treatment being optimum for eliciting growth response. Present findings, for the first time indicate that silver nanoparticles promote the growth of B. juncea seedlings by modulating their antioxidant status.

Responses to drought induced oxidative stress in five finger millet varieties differing in their geographical distribution.

The study presents the impact of drought stress on five finger millet varieties (PR202, VL146, VL315, PES400 and VR708), representing contrasting areas of Indian sub-continent. Drought stress induced increase in the activity of superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase and glutathione reductase was higher in PR202 and VL315, while the activity was lower in the varieties PES400 and VR708. Ascorbate peroxidase : superoxide dismutase ratio, which is a crucial factor in alleviating drought stress, was higher in varieties PR202 and VL315, whilst the varieties PES400 and VR708 exhibited a lower ratio under stress. The variety PES400 recorded maximum stress induced damage, as indicated by higher accumulation of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide; whereas the variety PR202 recorded least stress induced cytotoxic damage. The results clearly indicate that better drought tolerance of the variety PR202 is positively related to the capacity of its antioxidant system to scavenge reactive oxygen species, resulting in a reduced incidence of oxidative damage. Ascorbate peroxidase : superoxide dismutase ratio is found to be a critical factor governing the stress tolerance potential of different varieties. Therefore, varieties PR202 and VL315 were found to be tolerant while PES400 was susceptible to drought stress.