Root surface changes following manual and ultrasonic instrumentation - a scanning electron microscopic study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of hand and ultrasonic scaling and to evaluate the surface roughness on the root surface of periodontally involved teeth using a scanning electron microscope. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A sample of 90 single-rooted teeth with a hopeless prognosis was selected for the study and divided into three separate groups. Group I consist of no treatment. In Group II, hand scaling was done using Gracey curettes, and in Group III, ultrasonic scaling was done. The teeth were then extracted and fixed in 10% formaldehyde solution for 24-48 hours and subjected to scanning electron microscopic (SEM) evaluation. RESULTS: The SEM analysis revealed that the remaining calculus index was found to be similar in the ultrasonic group and the hand scaling group, whereas the surface roughness was found to be the least in the ultrasonic group. CONCLUSIONS: Hand instrumentation has resulted in more surface roughness as compared to ultrasonic instruments.

In Vitro Antibacterial Efficacy of Sutures Coated With Aloe vera and Ciprofloxacin: A Comparative Evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Sutures which are used for wound approximation can act as a reservoir of microbes at the surgical site leading to increased chances of surgical site infection (SSI). Sutures used in oral cavity are continuously bathed in saliva which results in wicking. Several studies on sutures treated with nanoparticles, antibacterial agent and various drugs to advance the therapeutical value of surgical sutures are in consideration, drug-eluting sutures has been notable in research to deliver localized effect on the site of incision. Ciprofloxacin and Aloe vera are routinely used agents in coating sutures. AIM: This study is to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy and oral biofilm inhibition of Ciprofloxacin and Aloe vera coated 3-0 silk sutures in comparison to uncoated sutures against E.coli. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Equal segments of ciprofloxacin and aloe vera coated 3-0 silk sutures are to be incubated in E.coli culture media (blood agar) at 37°C for 24 hours in aerobic atmosphere. Plain uncoated suture served as control. Assessment was done using Total Colony Forming Units and biofilm inhibition potential of sutures. Results awaited. RESULTS: The zone of inhibition around ciprofloxacin coated suture is nearly double than that of with Aloe vera indicted that antibacterial efficacy of ciprofloxacin is more comparatively. No inhibition zone around uncoated plain 3-0 braided silk shows that it has no significant antibacterial activity. CONCLUSION: Within limitation of our study, it can be concluded that both ciprofloxacin and Aloe vera coated sutures have antibacterial property against gram negative E. coli and can have a promising role in prevention of SSI although it would require further in vivo validation.

Neurodevelopmental disorders in children aged 2-9 years: Population-based burden estimates across five regions in India.

BACKGROUND: Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) compromise the development and attainment of full social and economic potential at individual, family, community, and country levels. Paucity of data on NDDs slows down policy and programmatic action in most developing countries despite perceived high burden. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We assessed 3,964 children (with almost equal number of boys and girls distributed in 2-<6 and 6-9 year age categories) identified from five geographically diverse populations in India using cluster sampling technique (probability proportionate to population size). These were from the North-Central, i.e., Palwal (N = 998; all rural, 16.4% non-Hindu, 25.3% from scheduled caste/tribe [SC-ST] [these are considered underserved communities who are eligible for affirmative action]); North, i.e., Kangra (N = 997; 91.6% rural, 3.7% non-Hindu, 25.3% SC-ST); East, i.e., Dhenkanal (N = 981; 89.8% rural, 1.2% non-Hindu, 38.0% SC-ST); South, i.e., Hyderabad (N = 495; all urban, 25.7% non-Hindu, 27.3% SC-ST) and West, i.e., North Goa (N = 493; 68.0% rural, 11.4% non-Hindu, 18.5% SC-ST). All children were assessed for vision impairment (VI), epilepsy (Epi), neuromotor impairments including cerebral palsy (NMI-CP), hearing impairment (HI), speech and language disorders, autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), and intellectual disability (ID). Furthermore, 6-9-year-old children were also assessed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disorders (LDs). We standardized sample characteristics as per Census of India 2011 to arrive at district level and all-sites-pooled estimates. Site-specific prevalence of any of seven NDDs in 2-<6 year olds ranged from 2.9% (95% CI 1.6-5.5) to 18.7% (95% CI 14.7-23.6), and for any of nine NDDs in the 6-9-year-old children, from 6.5% (95% CI 4.6-9.1) to 18.5% (95% CI 15.3-22.3). Two or more NDDs were present in 0.4% (95% CI 0.1-1.7) to 4.3% (95% CI 2.2-8.2) in the younger age category and 0.7% (95% CI 0.2-2.0) to 5.3% (95% CI 3.3-8.2) in the older age category. All-site-pooled estimates for NDDs were 9.2% (95% CI 7.5-11.2) and 13.6% (95% CI 11.3-16.2) in children of 2-<6 and 6-9 year age categories, respectively, without significant difference according to gender, rural/urban residence, or religion; almost one-fifth of these children had more than one NDD. The pooled estimates for prevalence increased by up to three percentage points when these were adjusted for national rates of stunting or low birth weight (LBW). HI, ID, speech and language disorders, Epi, and LDs were the common NDDs across sites. Upon risk modelling, noninstitutional delivery, history of perinatal asphyxia, neonatal illness, postnatal neurological/brain infections, stunting, LBW/prematurity, and older age category (6-9 year) were significantly associated with NDDs. The study sample was underrepresentative of stunting and LBW and had a 15.6% refusal. These factors could be contributing to underestimation of the true NDD burden in our population. CONCLUSIONS: The study identifies NDDs in children aged 2-9 years as a significant public health burden for India. HI was higher than and ASD prevalence comparable to the published global literature. Most risk factors of NDDs were modifiable and amenable to public health interventions.

Effect of co-administration of different doses of phenylephrine with oxytocin on the prevention of oxytocin-induced hypotension in caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia: A randomised comparative study.

INTRODUCTION: Co-administration of phenylephrine prevents oxytocin-induced hypotension during caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia (SA), but higher doses cause reflex bradycardia. This study compares the effects of co-administration of two different doses of phenylephrine on oxytocin-induced hypotension during caesarean section under SA. METHODS: In this prospective, double-blind study, 90 parturients belonging to the American Society of Anesthesiologists' physical status 1 or 2, undergoing caesarean section under SA were randomised into Group A: oxytocin 3U and phenylephrine 50 µg, Group B: oxytocin 3U and phenylephrine 75 µg, Group C: oxytocin 3U and normal saline, administered intravenously over 5 min after baby extraction. The incidence of hypotension (the primary outcome), rescue vasopressor requirement and side effects were recorded. Statistical analyses were with analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis, chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: Demographic parameters such as age, height, weight, level of sensory block at 20 min and duration of surgery were comparable in all the groups. The incidence of hypotension (Group A - 90%, Group B - 10%, Group C - 98%, P = 0.001), magnitude of fall in mean arterial pressure (Group A-15.03 ± 6.12 mm of Hg, Group B - 6.63 ± 4.49 mm of Hg and Group C-13.03 ± 3.39 mm of Hg, P < 0.001) and rescue vasopressor requirement (Group A-45 ± 15.25 mg, Group B-5 ± 15.25, Group C-91.66 ± 26.53, P < 0.001) were significantly lower in Group B compared to A and C. CONCLUSION: Co-administration of phenylephrine 75 µg with oxytocin 3U reduces the incidence of oxytocin-induced hypotension compared to phenylephrine 50 µg with oxytocin 3U during caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia.

Excited states of aniline by photoabsorption spectroscopy in the 30,000-90,000 cm(-1) region using synchrotron radiation.

The photoabsorption spectrum of aniline (C6H5NH2) in gas phase in the 30,000-90,000 cm(-1) (3.7-11.2 eV) region is recorded at resolution limit of 0.008 eV using synchrotron radiation source for the first time to comprehend the nature of the excited valence and Rydberg states. The first half of the energy interval constitutes the richly structured valence transitions from the ground to excited states up to the first ionization potential (IP) at 8.02 eV. The spectrum in the second half consists of vibrational features up to second IP (9.12 eV) and structureless broad continuum up to the third IP (10.78 eV). The electronic states are assigned mainly to the singlets belonging to π → π* transitions. A few weak initial members of Rydberg states arising from π → 4s, np or nd transitions are also identified. Observed vibrational features are assigned to transitions from the ground state A' to the excited states 1A", 3A', 5A", 6A', and 10A" in C(s) symmetry. Time dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations at B3LYP level of theory are employed to obtain the vertical excitation energies and the symmetries of the excited states in equilibrium configuration. The computed values of the transition energies agree fairly well with the experimental data. Further the calculated oscillator strengths are used to substantiate the assignments of the bands. The work provides a comprehensive picture of the vacuum ultraviolet photoabsorption spectrum of aniline up to its third ionization limit.

Stabilization of the Isolated Zygomatic Arch Fracture Using Foley's Balloon Catheter.

Zygomatic fractures are the most common facial fractures or second in frequency after the nasal fractures. The high incidence of zygomatic fractures probably relates to its prominent position in the facial skeleton hence it is frequently exposed to fractures. This case report presents an isolated zygomatic arch fracture that was been reduced by Gille's temporal approach and stabilized using foley's balloon catheter.