A study of influence of sugars on the modulations of dental plaque pH in children with rampant caries, moderate caries and no caries

The present study is undertaken to find out the pH of resting plaque in children with no caries, moderate caries and rampant caries and to determine the modulations of plaque pH with different sugar solution rinses viz: sucrose, glucose and fructose. The study was carried out on forty five children, in the age group of 3-10 years (25 males and 20 females). The child was given 10 ml of test solution and was asked to rinse and swish it in the mouth for a period of 30 sec. Plaque samples were taken from 20 different spots after 5, 10, 20 and 30 min of the rinse and pH values of all the samples were determined. Results show that there was a statistically significant (P<0.05) difference between the pH values of plaque at different intervals of time with sucrose, fructose and glucose solution rinse in children with moderate caries, rampant caries as compared to the caries free group. Sucrose was found to be highly cariogenic in all the children with a greater potentiating effect in moderate and rampant caries. Glucose also appeared to have a cariogenic role while fructose had the least of it all.

In vivo remineralization of artificial enamel carious lesions using a mineral-enriched mouthrinse and a fluoride dentifrice: a polarized light microscopic comparative evaluation

BACKGROUND

Remineralization process is accelerated by the presence of fluoride ions in the oral environment, but this mechanism of caries reversal will be further enhanced if the concentration of calcium, phosphate and fluoride ions is supersaturated with respect to that of oral fluids.

AIM

This in vivo study was carried out to evaluate and compare the remineralizing efficacy of a urea-based mineral-enriched mouthrinse and a fluoridated dentifrice using an in vivo intraoral appliance model and polarized light microscopic evaluation technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The specimens were prepared from sound teeth and artificial caries was produced using an artificial caries medium in vitro and enamel specimens were inserted in removable orthodontic appliances that were to be worn by 14 children of 10-15 years of age. They were divided into three groups - nonfluoridated dentifrice, fluoridated dentifrice and mineral-enriched mouthrinse groups. After the 6-month experimental period, during which the enamel specimens inserted in the intraoral appliance were subjected to one of the agents (either fluoride, nonfluoride dentifrice or mouthrinse) in vivo, the specimens were retrieved from the patients and were evaluated using the polarized light microscopic technique.

OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS

On analysis, mineral gain occurred in all groups, viz. nonfluoride dentifrice group, fluoride dentifrice and mineral-enriched mouthrinse group. However, it was found to be complete in the mouthrinse group, i.e. both at the surface and at the subsurface (67%), while in the fluoridated dentifrice group, 43% of the samples showed mineral gain in both zones. In the nonfluoridated dentifrice group also, remineralization occurred but was limited either to the surface or the subsurface zone.

CONCLUSIONS

Urea-based mineral-enriched mouthrinse was shown to be more efficacious in the process of remineralization of artificial carious lesions.

Metal accumulation and growth response in Vigna radiata L. inoculated with chromate tolerant rhizobacteria and grown on tannery sludge amended soil

The effects of inoculation of four chromate tolerant rhizobacterial strains previously isolated from rhizosphere of plants from chromium contaminated area in mung plant Vigna radiata grown on tannery sludge amended soil were evaluated. An increase of 138%, 88%, 256% and 54.14% in root length, shoot length, biomass and total chlorophyll, respectively was observed after 60 days of treatments by consortium. Similarly, a significant enhancement in Fe, Mn, Zn, Ni, Pb, Cr, Cu and Cd accumulation was observed in consortium inoculated plants as compared to non-inoculated plants. Results showed that rhizobacterial strain helps in ameliorating metal induced phytotoxicity, acquiring higher biomass and metal uptake in the plant may be useful in decontamination of metal from polluted soil.

U turn to venous air embolism

There is a definitive risk of venous air embolism when the fluid infusion is complete and the drip set is still open in a glass bottle. We have devised a novel way of preventing the chances of air embolism when the fluid in the glass bottle finishes. It really gives a “U” turn to the chances of venous air embolism.

Effect of soda ash industry effluent on agarophytes, alginophytes and carrageenophyte of west coast of India

This paper presents the results of a study on the impact of the effluent released by the soda ash industry on important red and brown macro algal species Gelidiella acerosa, Gracilaria corticata, Soleria robusta, Sargassum tenerrimum, Padina tetrastromatica in the tidal zone around Veraval, on the west coast of India, in the lowest low water tide of December 2003. The study examined the effect of effluent discharge on availability of biomass and percentage of phyco-colloids extraction such as agar, alginic acid and carrageen of these commercial seaweeds.

Anaesthetic consideration in macroglossia due to lymphangioma of tongue: a case report

SUMMARY

Successful airway management of an infant or child with macroglossia prerequisites recognition of a potential airway problem. We describe our experience with a debilitated 13-year-old girl who presented with severe macroglossia, secondary to lymphangioma of the tongue. Along with the social discomfort she had inability to speak, eat or drink properly and exposure-induced dryness. Such patients are a challenge for the anaesthesiologists due to the anticipated difficult intubation associated with the oral mucosa occupying lesion. It also becomes pertinent to rule out any of the associated congenital anomalies. The importance of a thorough preoperative evaluation and attention to difficult intubation and maintenance of airway is emphasized. We endeavor to review the available literature regarding patient's perioperative management of such patients.

Cluster identification in AA5754 aluminium sheets using mathematical morphology analysis

Quantitative image analysis of particle distribution in the microstructure of continuous cast (CC) and direct chill cast (DC) AA5754 aluminium alloy sheets have been conducted. This information can be used as an input for modelling mechanical deformation and instability in these materials. The quantitative analysis reveals that there are significant differences in the microstructure of the two materials even though the total content of second-phase particles is statistically similar. Qualitative observation shows the second-phase particles to be arranged in the form of streaks parallel to the rolling direction in the CC sheets and in a uniform random manner in the DC sheets. The main difference in the geometric microstructure of the CC and DC material is the spatial arrangement of the second-phase particles. A new mathematical technique called proximity analysis is developed to identify clusters and group of particles belonging to a cluster. Quantification through proximity analysis reveals that the particle clusters in CC sheet are in the form of long clusters (streaks) parallel to the rolling direction and are significantly longer than those in DC sheets (with the largest cluster in CC being four times larger than DC), and also have anisotropic angular orientation parallel to the rolling direction. The lower value of fracture strain observed in the CC sheets compared to DC sheets is attributed to a combination of large sizes of clusters and their preferential alignment along the rolling direction in the CC microstructure.

Effect of soda ash industry effluent on protein content of two green seaweeds

The aim of the present study is to check the effect of soda ash industry effluent on the protein content of the seaweed Ulva faciata and Chaetomorpha antennina. Study shows that the effluent has positive effect on the protein content of the alga and thus these species can be used to reduce the effect of soda ash industry pollution because the rise of up to 35% of protein level is found in these species of alga due to uptake of polluted water. Thus, these seaweeds can be cultivated on a large scale in the effluent affected region and thus clean the environment while getting the proteinous food as by product.

Effect of soda ash industry effluent on bioaccumulation of metals by seaweeds of coastal region of Gujarat, India

The bioaccumulation ability of five species of seaweeds to 15 metals was studied in the seawater polluted by the effluent of soda ash industry. The bioaccumulation of Al, Mn and Fe in these seaweeds increased continuously as distance increased from outfall. However, Padina tetrastromatica showed reverse trend. Quite a number of metals like Au, Co, Hg, Ni, Pb, Pt and Sn were not recorded from any species of seaweeds from all sampling stations. Cr was recorded in Gracillaria acerosa from control site only. Accumulation of Cu in Gracilaria corticata was maximum near effluent discharge point and least at control, whereas its accumulation in P. tetrastromatica was more at station with lower pollution (station-3) than higher polluted station (station-2). Seaweeds had different pattern of bioaccumulation to Cu and Ag under the influence of the effluent. The bioaccumulation of Cd in quite a number of species was in non-detectable range, however in case of red seaweed it was more under polluted condition and non-detectable in control. The biosequestering capacity of different seaweed to different metals and their suitability for bioremediation under the influence of effluent is discussed. Bioconcentration factor for different seaweed species from different distances from outfall has been computed and discussed. The undiluted soda ash industry effluent is characterized by very high pH, density, settleable solids, total dissolved solids, ammonia and nitrate. The specific gravity, density, total suspended solids and total dissolved solids decreased continuously from undiluted effluent to seawater affected up to 1 km.