Design, Synthesis, SAR, Pharmacokinetic Prediction of New 4-Quinolones as Anti-Microbial Agents.

s of new 4-quinolone derivatives was synthesized by conventional heating method. For the synthesized compounds, we performed pharmacokinetic prediction, SAR and antimicrobial assay. The presence of halogen elements plays a key role in the biological activity that is clear by in vitro analysis. Target compounds exhibit moderate to significant activity near to standard marketed drugs like amoxycillin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, griseofulvin, and nystatin.

Biomechanical preparation in primary molars using manual and three NiTi instruments: a cone-beam-computed tomographic in vitro study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate nickel-titanium rotary systems, ProTaper Universal (PTU), ProTaper Next (PTN), self-adjusting file (SAF), and stainless steel hand K files in deciduous root canals in longitudinal and horizontal sections by three-dimensional reconstruction. Whether there was any difference in shaping ability, transportation, dentine removal, untouched canal surface area, and preparation time among the different groups when used in primary root canals. METHODS: Shaping and cleaning of canals in primary molars were done using the four systems, and CBCT and specialized software were used for scanning, image processing, three-dimensional reconstruction, and analysis of pre-operative and post-operative to evaluate the groups for their shaping properties, transportation, amount of dentine removal, untouched canal surface area, and preparation time in primary root canals. RESULTS: None of the groups reported stripping of canals or instrument failure. SAF demonstrated less removal of dentine as compared to other groups. Hand K files presented with high untouched canal surface area, while it was least with SAF. In addition, rotary files provided faster preparation than hand files, and among the rotary systems, PTN took least time for cleaning and shaping of canals. All the groups were similar in transportation at cervical and apical third. CONCLUSION: Under the conditions of this study, SAF seemed to result in more conservative and meticulous removal of dentine. This is desirable to preserve the integrity of thin-walled primary root canals. SAF also showed less untouched canal areas suggesting better contact with the primary canal walls. The rotary file groups required less clinical time which is important in paediatric treatments.

Diversity of sugarcane root-associated endophytic Bacillus and their activities in enhancing plant growth.

AIMS: Plant tissues are the reservoirs of beneficial and harmful microbes that regulates plant growth. In the present study, we investigated the diversity, function and colonization of sugarcane roots associated with Bacillus spp. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 20 Bacillus strains were isolated and identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and their genetic diversity was examined by BOX, ERIC, REP, (GTG)5 PCR techniques. Among all Bacillus isolates, 65% showed indole acetic acid-like compounds production, 50% solubilized phosphorus and 25% of the isolates were able to secrete siderophore. Moreover, all 20 Bacillus isolates showed antifungal activity against eight fungal pathogens and 11 of them (55%) antagonized tomato grey mold. Based on the plant growth-promoting traits and antifungal potential, isolate Y8 was selected for root and plant tissue colonization assays and a greenhouse-level sugarcane growth promotion study. Fluorescence microscopy results confirmed that isolate Y8 has a strong ability to colonize in the sugarcane root and leaves, and the root surface association of Y8 was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, greenhouse experimental results demonstrated that Y8 has a significant effect on enhancing sugarcane biomass and root length. CONCLUSIONS: Endophytic Bacillus strains have growth-promoting properties and anti-fungal ability that can enhance plant fitness in an eco-friendly manner. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Endophytic Bacillus strains would be a potential alternative to chemical fertilizer as well as a biocontrol agent in the future.

Antibiotics: their use and misuse in paediatric dentistry. A systematic review.

AIM: The use of antibiotics by health care professionals has benefitted humankind to a great extent. Recent reports show an increasing trend of antibiotic prescription by paediatric dentists. This systematic review aims to address the current pattern of antibiotics prescription among the paediatric dental population according to the evidence-based literature. The question of research addressed here deals with the assessment of the correlation of the injudicious prescription of antibacterial agents and antibiotic resistance among the population of interest. METHODS: Electronic search databases: PubMed, Ovid and Cochrane Library, were used to review studies as per their relevance and findings. Keywords for search were associated with population: 'paediatric patients', intervention: 'antibiotics treatment', 'prescribing behaviour', and outcomes: 'antibiotic resistance' RESULTS: A total of 542 abstracts were identified, 45 of which met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. A multifactorial relationship leading to increased prescription of antibiotics in paediatric dentistry was observed. Very few studies actually correlated this prescribing behaviour with resistance to these drugs. No consensus regarding the duration of antibiotic therapy or prophylaxis was found. CONCLUSION: Insufficient literature support necessitates the requirement of increased evidence to draw a definitive association between the prescribing trends of antibiotics in paediatric dentistry and drug resistance. The development of intervention programmes like antibiotic stewardship ensuring collaboration between patients and paediatric dentists can ensure effective antibiotic prescription.

The gall wasp Leptocybe invasa (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) stimulates different chemical and phytohormone responses in two Eucalyptus varieties that vary in susceptibility to galling.

Gall-inducing insects produce various types of galls on plants, but little is known about the gall-induction mechanism of these galling insects. The gall wasp Leptocybe invasa Fisher & LaSalle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) forms galls of different sizes on several Eucalyptus species. To clarify the physiological responses of Eucalyptus to L. invasa infestation, we measured the dynamics of nitrogen (N), carbon (C), total phenolics, total tannins and four types of phytohormones (zeatin [Z] + zeatin riboside [ZR], gibberellins [GA], indole-3-acetic acid [IAA] and abscisic acid [ABA]) in galled and ungalled leaf tissues of two Eucalyptus horticultural varieties (DH201-2 [Eucalyptus grandis × Eucalyptus camaldulensis] and EA [Eucalyptus exserta]) with different susceptibility to galling throughout the larval developmental stages. Nitrogen, total phenolics, tannins and four kinds of phytohormones strongly accumulated in tissues galled by L. invasa (especially during early larval feeding stages). While N, Z + ZR and GA levels were higher, tannins and ABA levels were lower in the galled tissues on the highly susceptible variety. Nitrogen, total phenolics, GA, Z + ZR and IAA levels in the galled tissues gradually decreased during gall development, but ABA and tannins conversely increased in the galled tissues of the less susceptible variety. Our results suggest that the effects of gall-inducing insects on plants depend not only on the susceptibility of the plant infested but also on the developmental stage of galled tissues. Gall formation process is thus synergistically influenced by both gall-inducing insect and plant genotypes.

Obesity shifts house dust mite-induced airway cellular infiltration from eosinophils to macrophages: effects of glucocorticoid treatment.

Although classically characterized by chronic airway inflammation with eosinophil infiltration, asthma is a complex and multifactorial condition with numerous clinical phenotypes. Epidemiological studies strongly support the link between obesity and asthma and suggest that obesity precedes and promotes asthma development, increases asthma severity, and reduces steroid responsivity. Using a house dust mite (HDM) model of airway hyperresponsiveness in C57BL/6 mice, we examined the effects of diet-induced obesity on allergic airway inflammation and its treatment with dexamethasone. When compared to lean mice treated with HDM, obese-HDM mice had reduced plasma adiponectin, an anti-inflammatory adipokine, lower eosinophil and higher macrophage infiltration into the lungs and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, increased expression of total, M1, and M2 macrophage markers in the lungs, and enhanced Th2 and non-Th2 cytokine expression in the lungs. While Th2-associated responses in obese-HDM mice were suppressed by systemic dexamethasone, several Th2-independent responses, including total and M1 macrophage markers in the lungs, and lung CXC-motif ligand 1 (CXCL1) levels, were not improved following dexamethasone treatment. Thus, HDM combined with obesity promotes mixed localized inflammatory responses (e.g., M1, M2, Th1, and Th2) and shifts the cellular infiltration from eosinophils to macrophages, which are less sensitive to dexamethasone regulation. Because obese asthmatics exhibit more severe symptoms, lack a predominance of Th2 biomarkers, and are predicted to experience more steroid resistance when compared to lean asthmatics, this model could be used to study blunted steroid responses in obese-HDM mice and to define the macrophages found in the lungs.

Back pain among echocardiographers.

OBJECTIVE: By having to adopt unnatural postures, echocardiographers place themselves at risk of back injury. The present study sought to document the incidence and severity of back pain among echocardiographers, and to identify personal, lifestyle and occupational characteristics that may predict risk of back pain. DESIGN: A questionnaire concerning occupational, personal, and lifestyle characteristics, as well as the extent and severity of back pain was completed and returned by 183 echocardiographers. RESULTS: The standard echocardiography examination position of "machine on the left, patient on the right, and transducer held in the right hand" (used by 66% of respondents) greatly increased the risk of back pain (odds ratio (OR) = 4.9; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 1.49-16.4). Echocardiographers with more than 11 years experience in the field were also at risk of back pain (OR) = 3.4; 95% CI = 0.97-11.6). The intensity of back pain was strongly associated with the amount of time spent on echocardiography examinations (P = 0.035), limitation of lifestyle (P < or = 0.001), and interference with work (P < or = 0.001). There was a significantly higher relative risk of back pain for the respondents whose job involved frequent or occasional lifting compared with nonlifters (P = 0.01; OR = 4.8, 95% CI = 1.25-18.7). At least some limitation of lifestyle from back pain was reported by 56% of the respondents. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high incidence of back pain among echocardiographers, and specific tasks and activities increase the risk of back pain. Further research should focus on preventative measures and optimum work station designs that may serve as a guide to echocardiography departments.

Exposition of the status of girl child in urban area.

A study was undertaken to determine the sex discrimination in child rearing in an urban low socio-economic chawl type of community. Totally 1101 children in the age group of 0-14 years (631 females and 470 males) in 346 families selected at random were studied. It was found that educational and nutritional status of both the sexes were comparable but partial coverage or non-coverage of immunisation was observed in more girls as compared to boys. Majority of parents (93.9%) expressed that they would get their daughter married after 18 years of age.