Antimicrobial potential of phytocompounds of Acorus calamus: in silico approach

Medicinal plants are used from prehistoric time to cure various life-threatening bacterial diseases. Acorus calamus is an important medicinal plant widely used to cure gastrointestinal, respiratory, kidney and liver disorders. The objective of the current research was to investigate the interaction of major phytoconstituents of Acorus calamus with bacterial (6VJE) and fungal (1EA1) protein targets. Protein-ligand interactions were estimated using the AutoDock software, drug likeness was predicted by using the molinspiration server and toxicity was predicted with the swissADME and protox II servers. MD simulation of phytocompounds with the best profiles was done on the GROMACS software for 100 ns. Molecular docking results showed among all the selected major phytoconstituents, that β-cadinene showed best binding interaction in complex with bacterial (6VJE) and fungal (1EA1) protein targets with binding energy -7.66 ± 0.1 and -7.73 ± 0.15 kcal mol-1, respectively. Drug likeness and toxicity predictions showed that β-cadinene follows all rules of drug likeness and toxicity. MD simulation study revealed that β-cadinene fit in binding pocket of bacterial and fungal targets and found to be stable throughout the duration of the simulation. Based on the observations from this in-silico study it is being proposed that β-cadinene, a major phytocompound of Acorus calamus, can be considered for the treatment of bacterial and fungal infections since the study shows that it might be one of the compounds that contributes majorly to the plant's biological activity. This study needs in vitro and in vivo validation.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

CBCT Evaluation of Lingual Foramen and its Anatomic Variations in Northeast Indian Population

Background

The identification of nearby neurovascular structures is a vital part of dental implant treatment planning. Commonly two implants are placed in the mandibular inter foraminal region to support the overdenture. Placing dental implants in this region is considered relatively safe. The purpose of this study was to employ cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) on a representative sample of Northeast Indians to find out the location and distribution of lingual foramen in the anterior mandible.

Study Design

A total of 104 CBCT scans were performed using the Cranex 3D CBCT system. Three Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologists agreed on a visibility grade for assessing the lingual foramen using a 3-point scale. The number and presence of foramina were noted. On cross-sectional pictures, the distance in millimeters between the crest of the alveolar ridge and the superior cortical margin of the foramen was determined. Furthermore, the analysis of the distribution of lingual foramina in terms of frequency and percentages was performed.

Results

Scan results showed that the lingual foramen was clearly visible in 65.4% of cases, somewhat visible in 12.5% of scans, and not visible at all in 22.1% of cases. Half of the people in the study had two foramina, whereas 27.9 percent had one and 22.1 percent had none. The mean distance from the crest of the alveolar ridge was 10.84 mm in males whereas 9.91 mm in females.

Conclusion

The Northeast Indian population exhibits an unusually high prevalence of lingual foramen in the anterior portion of the mandible. This research will aid in the precise pre-operative identification of the position and number of lingual foramina prior to surgical treatments involving the midline of the mandible.

Recurrent Oral Ulcers and Its Association With Stress Among Dental Students in the Northeast Indian Population: A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire-Based Survey

Aim The term "aphthous" is derived from the Greek word "aphtha," which means ulceration. The cause of aphthous ulcers is multifactorial, but emotional stress is one of the most important risk factors for its occurrence in young individuals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of recurrent oral ulcers (ROUs) with stress among dental students in the Northeast Indian Population. Materials and methods A total of 1,134 students were recruited for the study. Two sets of questionnaires were designed. The first set consisted of 11 questions related to demographic data and information about recurrent oral ulcers. The second set of questionnaire had 14 questions related to stress symptoms. Google Forms (Google, Inc., Mountain View, CA, USA) was used for recording the responses of the study participants. Questionnaires were sent to the participants through e-mail, and responses were recorded. Statistical analysis was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 (IBM SPSS Statistics, Armonk, NY, USA) and Microsoft Office Excel (Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA, USA). The chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables. Results Among the 1,134 participants, 32.7% (371 students) reported a previous history of recurrent oral ulcers. Out of 371 participants who had given a history of oral ulcers, only 27.2% exhibited direct stress to ulcer association. On further assessment using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), it was found that a far greater percentage of students (i.e., more than 27.2%) were under some form of stress or the other. Conclusions The results of this study will help improve the quality of life among the study population, either by tackling their stress levels or by identifying adequate interventions.

Assessment of Oral Health and Prevalence of oral Conditions in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-infected Subjects Visiting Antiretroviral Therapy Centers

BACKGROUND

Weakened immune system from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) makes the individual prone to various opportunistic infections which are life-threatening including various carcinomas and disorders affecting the neurological system.

AIMS

The present trial was done to assess the prevalence of oral presentations and treatment needs in AIDS/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected subjects visiting antiretroviral therapy centers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 126 subjects. Oral cavity was assessed and dentition, periodontal condition, and lesions and conditions affecting the oral mucosa were identified along with their treatment needs. The collected data were subjected to statistical evaluation and the results were formulated.

RESULTS

Candidiasis was seen in 25.39% (n = 32) of total subjects. Concerning the periodontal status of HIV-infected study population, it was seen that maximum attachment loss both in males and females was within the range of 0-3 mm. Regarding decayed, missing, and filled teeth scores, these were statistically significantly higher in males (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The present study concluded that the majority of subjects infected with HIV present one or more oral presentation and lesion, with candidiasis being the most common condition.

TRIPLE SEQUENCES AND THEIR LIMITATIONS

In that paper, we have to established the belief of a sequence and about limits of sequences and the idea of convergence and divergence for a sequence and also it includes the double sequences and triple sequences. We will be developing the principles for triple sequences that is equivalent to the principles of double sequences and single sequence. Also we have an investigate a basic principles for triple sequences and also gives detailed proof of them.

The prosthodontic management of a young edentulous patient with the papillon lefevre syndrome-a rare case report

The Papillon Lefevre syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder which is characterized by various dermatological manifestations and periodontitis as a manifestation of a systemic disease. Its aetiopathogenesis is thought to be secondary to the mutation of the Cathepsin C gene. Various studies have shown that the immune related cells like the polymorphonuclear leucocytes and the macrophages and their precursors were affected.This report elicits about an edentulous male with this syndrome, who was treated with a modified complete denture prosthesis (hollow, maxillary, complete denture), considering his young age and low socioeconomic status.

Advances in synthetic approach to and antifungal activity of triazoles

Several five membered ring systems, e.g., triazole, oxadiazole dithiazole and thiadiazole with three heteroatoms at symmetrical or asymmetrical positions have been studied because of their interesting pharmacological properties. In this article our emphasis is on synthetic development and pharmacological activity of the triazole moiety which exhibit a broad spectrum of pharmacological activity such as antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anticancer etc. Triazoles have increased our ability to treat many fungal infections, for example, candidiasis, cryptococcal meningitis, aspergillosis etc. However, mortality due to these infections even with antifungal therapy is still unacceptably high. Therefore, the development of new antifungal agents targeting specific fungal structures or functions is being actively pursued. Rapid developments in molecular mycology have led to a concentrated search for more target antifungals. Although we are entering a new era of antifungal therapy in which we will continue to be challenged by systemic fungal diseases, the options for treatment will have greatly expanded.

Epitaxial Growth of Co3O4 Films by Low Temperature, Low Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition

The growth of strongly oriented or epitaxial thin films of metal oxides generally requires relatively high growth temperatures or infusion of energy to the growth surface through means such as ion bombardment. We have grown high quality epitaxial thin films of Co3O4 on different substrates at a temperature as low as 450°C by low-pressure metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) using cobalt(II) acetylacetonate as the precursor. With oxygen as the reactant gas, polycrystalline Co3O4 films are formed on glass and Si(100) in the temperature range 350-550°C. Under similar conditions of growth, highly oriented films of Co3O4 are formed on SrTiO3(100) and LaAlO3(100). The film on LaAlO3(100) grown at 450°C show a rocking curve FWHM of 1.61°, which reduces to 1.32° when it is annealed in oxygen at 725°C. The film on SrTiO3(100) has a FWHM of 0.330 (as deposited) and 0.29° (after annealing at 725°C). The ø-scan analysis shows cube-on-cube epitaxy on both these substrates. The quality of epitaxy on SrTiO3(100) is comparable to the best of the pervoskite-based oxide thin films grown at significantly higher temperatures.

Lifestyle riskfactors of noncommunicable diseases: awareness among school children

BACKGROUND

Currently, the health scenario is riddled with the burden of noncommunicable diseases.

AIM

The aim of this study is to assess the awareness of school children regarding the risk factors of noncommunicable diseases (NCD).

SETTING AND DESIGN

Three hundred and seventy-five school children, studying in classes 6 to 10, formed the study subjects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The school selected for the study was a government school, located in a rural area. The socioeconomic status of the children was mainly in the upper lower and lower class. Students from the 6 to 10 grades formed the study subjects and from among them, a random sample of 375 children were selected for the study. A close-ended questionnaire relating to 3 most commonly occurring NCDs, namely, Cancer, Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD), and Diabetes Mellitus (DM) was administered to the students.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Frequency and proportions were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

It is found that awareness among the school children regarding lifestyle risk factors of NCDs is not satisfactory. The areas of least knowledge were found to be regarding passive smoking, early age at marriage, and reuse of cooking oil as risk factors for NCD.

CONCLUSION

The study recommends the need for curriculum-based health education regarding the prevention aspects and motivation of the children to incorporate healthy lifestyle practices into their daily lives.

d-AMPHETAMINE AS A PREDICTOR FOR RESPONSE TO IMIPRAMINE AND AMITRIPTYLINE

Patients with endogenous depression fulfilling Feighner's criteria were included in the trial. All had pretrial scores above 20 on Hamilton's depression rating scale.Drugs were divided into groups A and B. Group A comprised of placebo and d-amphetamine. It was found that all patients who improved with d-amphetamine also improved with tricyclics. Two who did not improve with d-amphetamine did not improve with tricyclics.