A novel one pot four-component reaction for the efficient synthesis of spiro[indoline-3,4′-pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole]-3′-carboxylate and trifluoromethylated spiro[indole-3,4′-pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole] derivatives using recyclable PEG-400

A novel, simple and efficient synthetic protocol has been developed via a one pot, four-component reaction using recyclable PEG-400.

Tadpole-shaped β-cyclodextrin-tagged poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone): synthesis, characterization and studies of its complexation with phenolphthalein and anti tumor activities

DOX-loaded β-CD-PNVP shows more effective delivery of DOX compared to free DOX towards the U2-OS, MCF-7 and HEPG2 cell lines.

N-succinyl chitosan preparation, characterization, properties and biomedical applications: a state of the art review

N-succinyl chitosan (NSC) remains a promising chitosan derivative to develop targeted drug delivery, wound dressings, and tissue engineering systems. All these systems are important in life sciences. NSC is an amphiprotic derivative obtained from the N-acylation of chitosan. NSC exhibits extraordinary biocompatibility, significantly increased aqueous solubility in acidic and basic media without affecting the biological properties, appreciable transfection efficiency, and the ability to stimulate osteogenesis. NSC shows enhanced bioavailability, which highlights its potential applications in the biomedical field. This review briefly introduces chitosan, including its limitations as a biomaterial, and modifications of chitosan with a particular focus on acylation, along with a comprehensive overview of the synthesis, characterization, properties, biodistribution, and toxicological/biopharmaceutical profile of NSC. Furthermore, it extensively surveys current state-of-the-art NSC-based formulations for drug delivery with special emphasis on protein delivery, anti-cancer activity in the colon, as well as nasal and ophthalmic targeted gene/drug delivery. Moreover, it discusses NSC-based biomaterial applications in articular, adipose, and bone tissue engineering. In addition, it describes recent contributions of NSC-based hydrogels in wound dressings along with a brief account of drug delivery in combination with tissue engineering. Finally, it presents potential current challenges and future perspectives of NSC-based formulations in the biomedical field.

Study of Efficacy and the Comparison Between 2.0 mm Locking Plating System and 2.0 mm Standard Plating System in Mandibular Fractures

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and comparison between 2.0 mm locking plate system and 2.0 mm Champy's titanium mini plating system in mandible fractures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 20 patients with mandibular fractures were selected and divided into two groups A and B on randomized basis. Group A was treated with open reduction internal fixation using 2.0 mm locking plates and group B with 2.0 mm Champy's titanium miniplates. All patients were followed up for 12 weeks postoperatively.

RESULTS

Results of the study show less screw loosening, less precision in plate adaptation and less alteration of the osseous or occlusal relationship upon screw tightening in group A. Chi square test was applied to compare the results between the two groups. Statistical analysis did not show significant difference of incidence of malocclusion between the two groups (p value = 0.606). Statistical analysis using un-paired t test showed significant difference of working time between the two groups (p value = 0.00296). When comparing the overall complication rates according to plates used, the χ(2) test showed no statistically significant difference between the locking and nonlocking plates (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

It is observed in our study that the locking plate/screw system offers significant advantages over the conventional plating system. The precise adaptation required for using conventional plates is not needed when this locking plate/screw system is used. Locking plate/screw system provides better stability than the conventional plate/screw system.

Design, statistical optimisation, characterisation and pharmacodynamic studies on Pioglitazone hydrochloride floating microparticles

The purpose of this study was to develop floating microparticles containing Pioglitazone HCl, for controlled release and perform pharmacodynamic studies. The FTIR and DSC studies revealed that there is no interaction between drug and excipients used. The 2(2) factorial design was employed to evaluate the effect of drug: polymer (total) and Eudragit RS 100: Eudragit RL 100. The floating microparticles were prepared by solvent evaporation technique. The predicted and actual values of drug release at 1 h, 8 h and drug entrapment were 38.307%, 77.76%, 84.25% and 38.712%, 76.237% and 84.62%, respectively. XRD and SEM studies showed reduced crystallinity of drug and spherical microparticles. Buoyancy studies revealed good floating of particles for 12 h. Pharmacodynamic studies showed significant reduction in blood glucose levels in male New Zealand rabbits. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the factorial design in successfully developing floating microparticles of Pioglitazone HCl for controlled release.

Alternaria alternata in a case of mass in the lung

A 50-year-old woman, an agriculture worker with diabetes and asthma presented to us with complaints of fever with chills, cough with scanty, mucopurulent sputum and dull aching chest pain in right mammary area radiating to axilla. Chest X-ray and computed tomography scan revealed mass in the right lung. Ultrasound guided fine-needle aspiration cytology was done and the greenish fluid on direct wet mount and inoculation on Sabouraud's dextrose agar isolated Alternaria species. Serum specimen was evaluated for immunoglobulin E specific titres for Alternaria species which was high. Patient was treated with fluconazole for 6 weeks after which the symptoms disappeared and chest X-ray was normal.

Evaluation of the efficacy of probiotics in plaque reduction and gingival health maintenance among school children - A Randomized Control Trial

BACKGROUND

Probiotics are live micro-organisms that when administered in adequate amounts confer health benefits upon the host. The impact of probiotics on oral health is relatively new with lots of research going on; the area of probiotics and periodontal disease is still in its infancy. The aim of the present trial was to evaluate the efficacy of the probiotics in plaque reduction among school children.

MATERIALS & METHODS

This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled parallel design study involving 216 school children (aged 14 - 17 years): 108 as experimental subjects and 108 as controls. Complete oral prophylaxes were performed for both the control group and experimental group. The pre-intervention plaque index and gingival index were recorded one week after the prophylaxis for both groups as the baseline data. The study subjects (Group A) included curd in their daily diet for 30 days, while the control subjects (Group B) excluded curd in their diet for 30 days. The post intervention plaque index and gingival index were recorded again and statistically compared with the baseline data.

RESULTS

the intervention group (Group A) was found to have statistically significant reduction in plaque when compared to that of the control group with p <0.001 and there was no significant improvement in gingival health.

CONCLUSION

A short-term daily ingestion of probiotics delivered via curd in diet reduced the levels of plaque. Hence if it can be promoted in the regular diet, it would help in improving the oral health among school children. How to cite this article: Karuppaiah RM, Shankar S, Raj SK, Ramesh K, Prakash R, Kruthika M. Evaluation of the efficacy of probiotics in plaque reduction and gingival health maintenance among school children - A Randomized Control Trial. J Int Oral Health 2013; 5(5):33-7.

Ru (III) catalyzed oxidation of aliphatic ketones by N-bromosuccinimide in aqueous acetic acid: a kinetic study

Kinetics of Ru (III) catalyzed oxidation of aliphatic ketones such as acetone, ethyl methyl ketone, diethyl ketone, iso-butylmethyl ketone by N-bromosuccinimide in the presence of Hg(II) acetate have been studied in aqueous acid medium. The order of [N-bromosuccinimide] was found to be zero both in catalyzed as well as uncatalyzed reactions. However, the order of [ketone] changed from unity to a fractional one in the presence of Ru (III). On the basis of kinetic features, the probable mechanisms are discussed and individual rate parameters evaluated.