Probiotic and Functional Attributes of Yeasts Isolated from Different Traditional Fermented Foods and Products.

Though numerous bacteria have been used as probiotics by industries, at present, Saccharomyces boulardii and Saccharomyces cerevesiae are the only yeast probiotics which are industrially exploited. In view of this, yeast probiotics were isolated from traditional fermented foods and products collected from different parts of Karnataka, India. In this work, we have studied the probiotic attributes of ten yeast isolates isolated from different traditionally fermented foods and products. About 73 yeast isolates were initially isolated by serially diluting the samples and plating on the Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) plates. The spot assay was performed to screen the yeast isolates against test pathogens. Ten isolates were selected based on their significant antimicrobial activity. These isolates were subjected to biochemical characterization and then assessed for probiotic properties. The ability of probiotics to endure at pH 2.0 and tolerate bile conditions (0.3%) are crucial attributes for the survival in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The yeast isolates were also assessed for cell surface hydrophobicity and autoaggregation capabilities. All the ten isolates showed endurance in GIT tract and > 40% of adhesion. The study further examined cholesterol assimilation, antioxidant and antagonistic properties of the yeasts. Subsequently, the molecular characterization was performed by isolating the DNA of yeast isolates by phenol-chloroform method and identified molecularly through sequencing of D1/D2 regions. The isolates tested negative for gelatinase and DNase and were non-haemolytic indicating they are safe for consumption. Among ten isolates, Meyerozyma guillermondii (MYSY23), Meyerozyma caribbica (MYSY22) and Meyerozyma guillermondii (MYSY19) showed significant results for all probiotic and functional characteristics with greater than 65% survivability in GIT tract and > 50% of antagonistic activity against test pathogens and also proved non-cytotoxic and safe. These findings suggest that yeasts with significant probiotic attributes could be recommended for various probiotic application.

Early Childhood Caries and Its Association With Behavior in Preschool Children.

Background and aim Early childhood caries (ECC) is a profoundly impactful multifactorial condition that not only influences a child's overall well-being but also diminishes their quality of life. Given the limited availability of literature on the relationship between children's behavior and ECC, the present study utilized a standardized assessment tool to assess the association between ECC and behavioral changes in preschool children. Methodology Our study cohort consisted of 120 healthy preschool children, aged 18-60 months, evenly divided into two groups: caries-free (group I) and caries active (group II). Clinical features of ECC were meticulously inspected in each child, and the parents or caregivers completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), which comprises 100 questions related to a child's daily behavior. The total scores, the narrow-band subscales, and raw scores were obtained. Accordingly, for each raw score, t-scores were obtained using the graphic display. These scores were then subjected to various statistical analyses including the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Spearman's rank correlation method. Results Results of the present study revealed that there were no significant differences in behavior based on demographic factors such as gender and age. However notable differences were observed in several aspects of behavior between the two groups. Conclusion Caries-active children exhibited significantly higher levels of behavioral problems compared to their caries-free counterparts.

Evaluation of the Efficiency to Remove the Infected Dentin viaEnterococcus faecalis Bacterial Count and to Adequately Shape the Canal Using Hand Kedo-SH Files, Rotary Kedo-SG (Blue) and Pro AF Baby Gold Files in Primary Molars: An In Vitro Study.

Background: Premature loss of primary teeth results in space loss, thus affecting the integrity of the oral tissues. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the treatment for a carious primary molar with pulpal involvement is pulpectomy. The success of this procedure depends on the elimination of bacteria, the most common being Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis), by cleaning and shaping the root canals with rotary or hand instrumentation. Aims and objectives: Evaluating and comparing the cleaning efficacy and obturation quality using Kedo-SH hand files and rotary Kedo-SG (blue) and Pro AF Baby Gold files in primary molar teeth. Materials and methods: A total of 51 extracted primary molar teeth were selected and divided into three equal groups. Group I, the control group, was instrumented with Kedo-SH hand files. Groups II and III were instrumented with Kedo-SG (blue) and Pro AF Baby Gold files, respectively. Baseline data and postinstrumentation data were sent for microbiological analysis to check microbial levels of bacteria E. faecalis. Obturation quality was then scored using Barrieshi-Nusair criteria and the T-scoring system by Robia. Results: Associating obturating length between each group, maximum samples in group I showed adequate fill. Relating to density, maximum samples in group III showed no voids present in the obturation. Distribution of the T-scoring system shows maximum samples in group III having all three qualities of ideal obturation. On comparing microbiological analysis among the groups, group I showed higher colony counts of E. faecalis compared to groups II and III. Conclusion: In the present study, rotary instrumentation in the canals showed more consistent results than hand instrumentation. Among the rotary files, Pro AF Baby Gold files show a greater reduction in E. faecalis, with a good obturation quality. Thus, the use of nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) files is a good option for root canal instrumentation in primary teeth. How to cite this article: Shanker K, Patil SB. Evaluation of the Efficiency to Remove the Infected Dentin viaEnterococcus faecalis Bacterial Count and to Adequately Shape the Canal Using Hand Kedo-SH Files, Rotary Kedo-SG (Blue) and Pro AF Baby Gold Files in Primary Molars: An In Vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(S-2):S142-S148.

Probiotics and their postbiotics for the control of opportunistic fungal pathogens: A review.

During past twenty years the opportunistic fungal infections have been emerging, causing morbidity and mortality. The fungi belonging to Aspergillus, Mucor, Rhizopus, Candida, Fusarium, Penicillium, Dermatophytes and others cause severe opportunistic fungal infections. Among these Aspergillus and Candida spp cause majority of the diseases. The continuum of fungal infections will prolong to progress in the surroundings of the growing inhabitants of immunocompromised individuals. Presently many chemical-based drugs were used as prophylactic and therapeutic agents. Prolonged usage of antibiotics may lead to some severe effect on the human health. Also, one of the major threats is that the fungal pathogens are becoming the drug resistant. There are many physical, chemical, and mechanical methods to prevent the contamination or to control the disease. Owing to the limitations that are observed in such methods, biological methods are gaining more interest because of the use of natural products which have comparatively less side effects and environment friendly. In recent years, research on the possible use of natural products such as probiotics for clinical use is gaining importance. Probiotics, one of the well studied biological products, are safe upon consumption and are explored to treat various fungal infections. The antifungal potency of major groups of probiotic cultures such as Lactobacillus spp, Leuconostoc spp, Saccharomyces etc. and their metabolic byproducts which act as postbiotics like organic acids, short chain fatty acids, bacteriocin like metabolites, Hydrogen peroxide, cyclic dipeptides etc. to inhibit these opportunistic fungal pathogens have been discussed here.

Exploring biotechnological and functional characteristics of probiotic yeasts: A review.

Probiotics are vital and beneficial organisms which offers the health benefits to the host organisms. The fungal probiotic field is one of the developing fields nowadays. Yeast has an enormous and diverse group of microorganisms that is attracting and expanding the attention from researchers and industries. Saccharomyces boulardii, the only patented strain belonging to yeast genera for the human use, has been broadly evaluated for its probiotic effect. Yeasts belonging to the genera Debaryomyces, Pichia, Yarrowia, Meyerozyma, Kluyveromyces etc.., have attained more interest because of their beneficial and probable probiotic features. These yeast probiotics produce VOCs (Volatile organic compounds), mycocins and antimicrobials which shows the antagonistic effect against pathogenic fungi and bacteria. Additionally, those yeasts have been recorded as good plant growth promoting microorganisms. Yeast has an important role in environmental applications such as bioremediation and removal of metals like chromium, mercury, lead etc., from waste water. Probiotic yeasts with their promising antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer properties, cholesterol assimilation and immunomodulatory effects can also be utilized as biotherapeutics. In this review article we have made an attempt to address important yeast probiotic attributes.

The Chondroma of Arytenoid Cartilage: A Case Report.

The chondromas of laryngeal cartilage constitute less than 1% of common mesenchymal tumors of the larynx. 70-75% of chondroma is located at the endolaryngeal surface of the cricoid cartilage. Here is a case report of the chondroma of arytenoid cartilage-a rare site of occurrence. A middle aged male patient, presented to the outpatient department of otorhinolaryngology with a history of hoarseness of voice. On Flexible laryngoscopy [Pentax, Tokyo, Japan], the right vocal cord was found to be immobile along with a smooth bulge noted over the arytenoid cartilage. The computerized tomography scan of the neck showed a well-defined peripherally calcified lesion arising from the superior aspect of right arytenoid cartilage possibly chondroma. Patient underwent microlaryngeal surgery and sub mucosal excision of the arytenoid mass which was confirmed as chondroma on histopathological examination. High degree of suspicion is required while examining a patient with hoarseness of voice and one should have chondroma as one of the differential diagnosis.

Impact of Diabetes and Low Body Mass Index on Tuberculosis Treatment Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes was identified as a tuberculosis (TB) risk factor mostly in retrospective studies with limited assessments of metabolic variables. The prospective Effects of Diabetes on Tuberculosis Severity study compared adults with pulmonary TB in Chennai, India, who were classified as having either diabetes or a normal glucose tolerance at enrollment. METHODS: Baseline TB severity, sputum conversion, and treatment outcomes (cure, failure, death, or loss to follow-up) were compared between groups with respect to glycemic status and body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: The cohort of 389 participants included 256 with diabetes and 133 with a normal glucose tolerance. Low BMIs (<18.5 kg/m2) were present in 99 (74.4%) of nondiabetic participants and 85 (33.2%) of those with diabetes. Among participants with normal or high BMIs, rates of cure, treatment failure, or death did not vary by glycemic status. Participants with low BMIs had the highest radiographic severity of disease, the longest time to sputum culture conversion, and the highest rates of treatment failure and death. Among participants with low BMIs, poorly controlled diabetes (glycohemoglobin [HbA1c] ≥8.0%) was unexpectedly associated with better TB treatment outcomes. A high visceral adiposity index was associated with adverse outcomes and, despite an overall correlation with HbA1c, was elevated in some low-BMI individuals with normal glucose tolerance. CONCLUSIONS: In this South Indian cohort, a low BMI was significantly associated with an increased risk for adverse TB treatment outcomes, while comorbid, poorly controlled diabetes lessened that risk. A high visceral adiposity index, either with or without dysglycemia, might reflect a novel TB susceptibility mechanism linked to adipose tissue dysfunction.

Probiotic Properties of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated From Neera: A Naturally Fermenting Coconut Palm Nectar.

Probiotic bacteria were isolated from different traditional fermented foods as there are several such foods that are not well explored for their probiotic activities. Hence, the present study was conducted to find the potential of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as probiotics that were isolated from the sap extract of the coconut palm inflorescence - Neera, which is a naturally fermented drink consumed in various regions of India. A total of 75 isolates were selected from the Neera samples collected aseptically in the early morning (before sunrise). These isolates were initially screened for cultural, microscopic, and biochemical characteristics. The initial screening yielded 40 Gram-positive, catalase-negative isolates that were further subjected to acid - bile tolerance with resistance to phenol. Among 40 isolates, 16 survived screening using analysis of cell surface hydrophobicity, auto aggregation with adhesion to epithelial cells, and gastric-pancreatic digestion for gastrointestinal colonization. The isolates were also assessed for antimicrobial, antibiotic sensitivity, and anti-oxidative potential. The safety of these isolates was evaluated by their hemolytic and deoxyribonuclease (DNase) activities. Based on these results, seven isolates with the best probiotic attributes were selected and presented in this study. These LAB isolates, with 51.91-70.34% survival at low pH, proved their resistance to gastric conditions. The cell surface hydrophobicity of 50.32-77.8% and auto aggregation of 51.02-78.95% represented the adhesion properties of these isolates. All the seven isolates exhibited good antibacterial and antifungal activity, showing hydroxyl-scavenging activity of 32.86-77.87%. The results proved that LAB isolated from Neera exhibited promising probiotic properties and seem favorable for use in functional fermented foods as preservatives.

Syndrome Evaluation System (SES) versus Blood Culture (BACTEC) in the Diagnosis and Management of Neonatal Sepsis--A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical outcome of a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based molecular diagnostic method -- Syndrome Evaluation System (SES) directed treatment strategy vs. standard of care (blood culture) directed treatment strategy for neonatal sepsis. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial (RCT) included 385 neonates with sepsis who were randomized into two groups -- SES and control (BACTEC). Both tests were performed for all the neonates. However, in the SES group, the results of SES test were revealed to the treating clinicians, while in the control group, SES results were withheld. Two ml of blood was drawn from each baby. One aliquot was sent for blood culture, whereas the remaining aliquot was sent for SES. Babies were then administered empirical IV antibiotics and given supportive care. Further antibiotic changes, if required were done in SES and control groups based on their respective reports. The microbiological profile, immediate outcome, duration of hospital stay, number of antibiotics used and readmission within a month in both groups were compared. RESULTS: SES was better than BACTEC in identifying the causative organism in both the groups (68 % vs. 18 % in SES group and 72 % vs. 18 % in control group). SES had 100 % concordance with blood culture by BACTEC. Detection of bacteria and fungi were four and ten-fold higher respectively with SES when compared to BACTEC culture. Microbiological diagnosis was rapid with SES compared to BACTEC (7 h vs. 72 h). Treatment based on SES resulted in significantly less mortality (3 % vs. 18 %). Readmission rate, duration of hospital stay and change in antibiotics were also significantly less in SES group. CONCLUSIONS: This new molecular based diagnostic system (SES) helps in rapid and accurate diagnosis of neonatal sepsis and reduces mortality and morbidity in affected neonates.

Synthesis, spectroscopic and electrochemical performance of pasted ß-nickel hydroxide electrode in alkaline electrolyte.

ß-Nickel hydroxide (ß-Ni(OH)2) was successfully synthesized using precipitation method. The structure and property of the ß-Ni(OH)2 were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform infra-red (FT-IR), Raman spectra and thermal gravimetric-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA). The results of the FTIR spectroscopy and TG-DTA studies indicate that the ß-Ni(OH)2 contains water molecules and anions. The microstructural and composition studies have been performed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. A pasted-type electrode is prepared using ß-Ni(OH)2 powder as the active material on a nickel sheet as a current collector. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) studies were performed to evaluate the electrochemical performance of the ß-Ni(OH)2 electrode in 6M KOH electrolyte. CV curves showed a pair of strong redox peaks as a result of the Faradaic redox reactions of ß-Ni(OH)2. The proton diffusion coefficient (D) for the present ß-Ni(OH)2 electrode material is found to be 1.44×10(-12) cm(2) s(-1). Further, electrochemical impedance studies confirmed that the ß-Ni(OH)2 electrode reaction processes are diffusion controlled.

Comparison of the validity of two dental age estimation methods: A study on South Indian population.

BACKGROUND: Forensic odontologists are often confronted with the problem of estimating age for the identification of unknown bodies or skeletal remains of accidents, crimes and disaster victims. Teeth have the benefit of being preserved long after other tissues have disintegrated and present the only means for age estimation. Different techniques have been published for dental age estimation with variable accuracy, precision and reliability. The search for optimal method by forensic odontologists has continued over the years until the present day. AIM: The present study was aimed at evaluating and comparing the accuracy of age estimation using translucent dentin and cemental annulations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 150 freshly extracted teeth were obtained and longitudinal ground sections were prepared. The length of the translucent dentin was measured and cemental annulations were counted in each section and the age was calculated separately for both the methods. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that both the methods are reliable in the middle age groups; whereas the large error obtained in the extreme age groups indicate that translucent dentin method should be preferred in older age group and cemental annulations method in the younger age group before the formation of translucent dentin.

Comparative evaluation of single and bilayered lamotrigine floating tablets.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to prepare lamotrigine (LM) bilayered and single layered floating tablets and to compare their release profiles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: LM floating tablets were prepared by direct compression method. Drug, hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose K4M, lactose monohydrate and polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 constitute controlled release layer components and floating layer components includes polymers and sodium bicarbonate. The prepared tablets were evaluated for physicochemical parameters such as hardness, friability, weight variation, thickness, floating lag time (FLT), floating time, in vitro buoyancy study, in vitro release studies. The drug-polymer interaction was studied by fourier transform infrared and differential scanning calorimetry. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The FLT of all the formulations were within the prescribed limits (<3 min). When ethyl cellulose was used as floating layer component, tablets showed good buoyancy effect but eroded within 6-8 h. Hence it was replaced with hydroxypropyl cellulose -M hydrophilic polymer, which showed good FLT and floating duration for 16 h. Formulation LFC4 was found to be optimized with dissolution profile of zero order kinetics showing fickian diffusion. A comparative study of bilayered and single layered tablets of LM showed a highest similarity factor of 83.03, difference factor of 2.74 and t-test (P < 0.05) indicates that there is no significant difference between them. CONCLUSION: Though bilayered tablet possess many advantages, single layered tablet would be economical, cost-effective and reproducible for large scale production in the industry. However, the results of present study demonstrated that the in vitro development of bilayered gastro retentive floating tablets with controlled drug release profile for LM is feasible.

Pseudoexfoliation on pseudophakos.

We report three patients with deposition of pseudoexfoliation (PXF) material on intraocular lens years after uneventful cataract surgery. PXF was not present before the cataract surgery. The PXF material was found on the anterior surface of the intraocular lens in the first patient and on the posterior surface as well in the other two patients. All the patients had a polymethylmethacrylate intraocular lens placed in the sulcus. The fellow eyes did not have PXF. All the patients had open angle glaucoma in both eyes.

Influence of mating histories and age on female remating behaviour in a few closely related species of Drosophila nasuta subgroup.

Female remating with more than one male leads to coexistence of sperm from different males in the same female, thus creating a selection pressure on sperm. To understand the extent of divergence in the reproductive behaviour among closely related species, in the present study, the influence of first mating histories like mating latency, duration of copulation and age of flies have been analysed on female remating behaviour in closely related Drosophila nasuta subgroup species with varying levels of reproductive isolation. The time taken for the once mated females to remate varied from 7 days in D. s. sulfurigaster to 19 days in D. s. neonasuta after first mating. The female remating frequency varied from a minimum of 29% in D. s. neonasuta to a maximum of 95% in D. s. sulfurigaster. The younger flies, which had remating latency of three times less than aged flies, show 100% remating frequency. In addition, it was observed that the duration of copulation in the first mating influences the remating behaviour among the nasuta subgroup members. The results revealed that D. nasuta subgroup members despite being closely related differ in their reproductive behaviour.

A comparative microbiological study to assess caries excavation by conventional rotary method and a chemo-mechanical method.

AIMS: This study was aimed to determine the effectiveness of Papacárie(®) for caries removal as compared to the conventional method with respect to microbial flora, time, the amount of tissue removal, child's behavior, pain perception, and preference of treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty primary molars of 30 children of age 4-9 years were selected randomly and divided into two groups of 30 teeth each: Group A treated by conventional method and group B with Papacárie(®) method. RESULTS: Comparatively, no statistical difference was seen in microbial growth, total bacterial count, and lactobacilli count in both the groups (P = 0.36). The mean cavity entrance size with group A was 0.98133 mm and group B was 0.26083 mm (P < 0.001). The mean preparation time for group A was 4.7 Mins (minutes) and group B was 17.96 min s (P < 0.001). Majority of kids of both group A and B scored 3 (Frankl Behavior Rating Scale) before and after the treatment showing no statistical difference in their behavioral score (P = 1). In group A 50% of children experienced no pain as compared to 86.7% in group B (P = 0.01). There was no statistical difference in the preference of treatment (P = 0.12). CONCLUSION: Thus, the Chemo mechanical caries removal method can be considered as an effective method to control pain and preserve sound tooth structure during caries excavation.

Pediatric Dental Trauma:Wide Horizon of Ignored Etiological Factors.

Trauma of the oral and peroral structures are one of the most common and frequent complaints after dental caries with which a child is being referred to a dental clinic. As an emergency, we tend to treat the injuries without understanding or neglecting the cause of trauma. The different possible etiological factors are unnoticed, not revealed or not noted while taking the history of the patient. Sometimes negligence of the etiology by the dentist himself or the accompanying person could influence the prognosis and prevention. Thus, this paper is an effort towards exploring the common yet unnoticed etiological factors of pediatric dental trauma which we tend to knowingly ignore.

Hard palate perforation in acute lymphoblastic leukemia due to mucormycosis - a case report.

Palatal perforation can occur due to trauma, infection and malignancy. Mucormycosis is a rare opportunistic fungal infection caused by an organism of class zygomycetes. Rhinocerebral mucormycosis is the most common type of mucormycosis that typically starts in maxillary antrum in immunocompromised patients. Invasion of surrounding structures leads to necrotizing ulcer of the hard palate and ultimately leads to perforation. Here, we report a case of perforation of the hard palate due to mucormycosis in a eight years child having acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), who was on prolonged chemotherapy and corticosteroid therapy. This case is being reported for its rarity. The aim of presenting this case report is to emphasize that the infection due to mucomycosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of hard palate perforation in ALL patients who are immunocompromised.

Double dens invaginatus in an impacted molariform supernumerary tooth: a unique case.

Dens invaginatus is a relatively rare developmental anomaly affecting usually the permanent maxillary lateral incisor. Various factors have been put forward regarding its pathogenesis. Involvement of crown/root has been reported as the coronal and radicular variety of dens invaginatus. One of the rarest variant is the Double dens invaginatus and only a few cases have been reported in the literature.This article focuses on a case of double dens invaginatus in an impacted maxillary anterior supernumerary tooth, the associated complications and its management.