Long-term fertilization and manuring effects on the nexus between sulphur distribution and SOC in an Inceptisol over five decades under a finger millet-maize cropping system

Our investigation revealed that alterations in sulphur (S) pools are predominantly governed by soil organic carbon (SOC), soil nitrogen (N), microbial biomass, and soil enzyme activities in sandy clay loam (Vertic Ustropept) soil. We employed ten sets of nutrient management techniques, ranging from suboptimal (50% RDF) to super-optimal doses (150% RDF), including NPK + Zn, NP, N alone, S-free NPK fertilizers, NPK + FYM, and control treatments, to examine the interrelation of S with SOC characteristics. Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy was utilized to analyze the functional groups present in SOC characterization across four treatments: 100% NPK, 150% NPK, NPK + FYM, and absolute control plots. Principal component analysis (PCA) was then applied to assess 29 minimal datasets, aiming to pinpoint specific soil characteristics influencing S transformation. In an Inceptisol, the application of fertilizers (100% RDF) in conjunction with 10 t ha-1 of FYM resulted in an increase of S pools from the surface to the subsurface stratum (OS > HSS > SO42--S > WSS), along with an increase in soil N and SOC. FT-IR spectroscopy identified cellulose and thiocyanate functional groups in all four plots, with a pronounced presence of carbohydrate-protein polyphenol, sulfoxide (S=O), and nitrate groups specifically observed in the INM plot. The PCA findings indicated that the primary factors influencing soil quality and crop productivity (r2 of 0.69) are SOC, SMBC, SMBN, SMBS, and the enzyme activity of URE, DHA, and AS. According to the study, the combined application of fertilizer and FYM (10 t ha-1) together exert a positive impact on sulphur transformation, SOC accumulation, and maize yield in sandy clay loam soil.

Design and Development of Graphene FET Biosensor for the Detection of SARS-CoV-2

The most affected disease in recent years is Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) that is notable as COVID-19. It has been started as a disease in one place and arisen as a pandemic throughout the world. A serious health problem is developed in the lungs due to the effect of this coronavirus. Sometimes it may result in death as a consequence of extensive alveolar damage and progressive respiratory failure. Hence, early detection and appropriate diagnosis of corona virus in patient’s body is very essential to save the lives of affected patients This work evolves a Silicon (Si) based label-free electrical device i.e. the reduced graphene oxide field-effect transistor (rGO FET) for SARS-CoV-2 detection. Firstly rGO FET functionalized with SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Then the rGO FET characteristic response is observed to detect the antibody-antigen reaction of SARS-CoV-2 with different molar ranges. The developed GFET shows better performance towards the drain current and limit-of-detection (LoD) up to 2E-18 M. Therefore, we believe that an intense response was observed than the earlier developed devices and signifies impressive capability for subsequent implementation in point-of-care (PoC) diagnostic tests.

Spirometric Assessment of Impact of Complete Dentures on Respiratory Performance: An in vitro Study

INTRODUCTION

Edentulism is one of the debilitating states affecting a significant portion of the geriatric population. It is often considered as the ultimate marker for predicting the pressure and burden on oral health. Respiration is also a routine vital function running continuously through the human body and most commonly assessed by a spirometer. Hence, we planned the present study to assess the impact of complete dentures on the functioning of the respiratory system.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the present study, a spirometric assessment of the effect of complete dentures on respiratory performance was done. A total of 100 subjects were included, and diagnostic spirometer was used for carrying out the spiro-metric test at different stages of each subject. The spirometric test was carried out at four different stages: In the absence of both the denture (AODs), with both the dentures (maxillary and mandibular) inserted in the patient's mouth (BDs), with only maxillary denture inserted in the oral cavity (UDs), and finally, by inserting only the mandibular dentures in the oral cavity (LDs). Forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% (FEF_25-75) were evaluated. All the results were compiled and assessed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software.

RESULTS

Of the total 100 subjects included in the study, 42 were males and 58 were females. The mean FVC values of AOD, BD, LD, and UD group were 3.10, 3.02, 2.90, and 2.93 respectively. The mean PEF values of AOD, BD, LD, and UD group were 5.79, 5.60, 5.40, and 5.48 respectively; 2.39, 2.35, 2.33, and 2.32 were the mean FEV1 values observed in AOD, BD, LD, and UD group respectively. Statistically significant results were obtained while comparing AOD-FVC and BD-FVC and other oral conditions.

CONCLUSION

Spirometric values of respiratory functional tests in edentulous patients might be unfavorably affected by wearing complete dentures.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Since subjects without complete dentures exhibited a maximum value of respiratory functional test, respiratory exercise protocols should also be carried in denture-wearing edentulous patients for increasing the performance of the respiratory system.

Association of interferon lambda-1 with herpes simplex viruses-1 and -2, Epstein-Barr virus, and human cytomegalovirus in chronic periodontitis

AIM

Periodontal tissues facilitate the homing of herpes viruses that elicit the immune-inflammatory response releasing the interferons (IFN). IFN lambda-1 (λ1) can suppress the replication of viruses, and induces the antiviral mechanism. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between IFN-λ1 and periodontal herpes viruses in the immunoregulation of chronic periodontal disease.

METHODS

The cross-sectional study design included 30 chronic periodontitis patients with a mean age of 42.30 ± 8.63 years. Gingival crevicular fluid collected was assessed for IFN-λ1 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and four herpes viruses were detected using multiplex polymerase chain reaction technique. IFN-λ1 levels were compared between virus-positive and -negative patients for individual and total viruses.

RESULTS

Fifty per cent (n = 15) of patients were positive for the four herpes viruses together; 50% (n = 15), 30% (n = 9), 26.7% (n = 8), and 40% (n = 12) were positive for herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1, Epstein-Barr virus, HSV-2, and human cytomegalovirus, respectively. The mean concentrations of IFN-λ1 in virus-positive patients (14.38 ± 13.95) were lower than those of virus-negative patients (228.26 ± 215.35). INF-λ1 levels in individual virus groups were also lower in virus-positive patients compared to virus-negative patients, with P < 0.001.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that IFN-λ1 could have antiviral and therapeutic value against the viruses in the pathogenesis of chronic periodontitis.

Comparative assessment of the prevalence of periodontal disease in subjects with and without systemic autoimmune diseases: A case-control study

BACKGROUND

Immune mechanism shares a common pathway both for systemic autoimmune diseases and periodontal diseases. Scientific exploration of literature revealed limited studies on the association between systemic autoimmune diseases and periodontal diseases in India.

AIM

The aim of the study is to find whether the presence of systemic autoimmune diseases in an individual is a risk factor for the development of periodontal disease.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

This was a hospital-based case-control study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A sample of 253 patients with systemic autoimmune diseases, attending the Rheumatology Department of Government General Hospital, Chennai-3, and 262 patients without systemic autoimmune diseases, attending the outpatient department of the Tamil Nadu Government Dental College and Hospital, Chennai-3, constituted the case and control groups, respectively. Age, gender, and oral hygiene status matching was done. Oral hygiene status was assessed using oral hygiene index (OHI) and periodontal status was assessed using community periodontal index (CPI) and loss of attachment (LOA) index.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 15 (SPSS Inc, 2006, Chicago).

RESULTS

Results showed 99.2% and 73.9% prevalence of gingivitis and periodontitis, respectively, in the case group as compared to 85.5% and 14.9%, respectively, in the control group. There is no linear relationship between OHI scores and prevalence of periodontitis (CPI and LOA scores) in the case group. Patients suffering from systemic autoimmune diseases showed more prevalence of periodontal diseases irrespective of oral hygiene scores.

CONCLUSION

It is postulated that the presence of systemic autoimmune diseases may pose a risk for the development of periodontal diseases.

Awareness of the association between periodontal disease and pre-term births among general dentists, general medical practitioners and gynecologists

In the recent decades, periodontal disease has been identified as a risk factor for pre-term deliveries. Hence, it is important to evaluate the awareness of health-care providers of the association between periodontal diseases and pre-term birth. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to random samples representing general medical practitioners (GMPs), general dental practitioners (GDPs) and Gynecologists for this study. A knowledge score was calculated for correct answers to 11 survey questions related to oral health effects during pregnancy and compared among the three groups. In this study, 133 physicians, 135 dentists and 100 Gynecologists completed the questionnaire. More GDPs (67.4%) than GMPs (56.4%) and Gynecologists (63%) reported there was an association between periodontal disease and pre-term low birth weight. Efforts to increase this awareness may prove valuable in improving preventive care during pregnancy.