Comparative evaluation of incidence of dentinal defects after root canal preparation using three different endodontic retreatment systems - An in vitro study.

Context: Safe and efficient removal of all root filling materials from the root canal system without compromising radicular dentin structure is essential for optimal nonsurgical retreatment. Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the incidence of dentinal defects caused during root canal filling removal using conventional, rotary, and reciprocating retreatment file systems. Settings and Design: A detailed protocol explaining purpose and procedures of the study was submitted to the Institutional Ethics Committee and ethical clearance obtained. Subjects and Methods: Sixty human maxillary permanent central incisors were collected and decoronated to 12-mm standardized length. The canals prepared up to a master apical file size F3 with Protaper hand files, obturated using AH plus sealer, examined under the stereomicroscope (×40 magnification): Group I: Control (n = 15), Group II: Conventional (n = 15), Group III: Protaper Universal Retreatment Files (n = 15), and Group IV: Reciproc Blue (n = 15). After instrumentation, teeth were sectioned at 3, 6, and 9 mm from the apex to evaluate the presence of dentinal defects under the stereomicroscope. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistics were performed using the SPSS, version, 25 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Initially, normality test was done using the Shapiro-Wilk test and data were not normally distributed followed by Kruskal-Wallis test. P < 0.05 is considered statistically significant. Results: Maximum percentage increase in dentinal defects was observed in Protaper Universal Retreatment Files followed by Conventional method and Reciproc Blue. Conclusions: Significantly Reciproc Blue reduced the incidence of dentinal defects after root canal preparation.

First record of Gnathia sp. an ectoparasitic isopod isolated from the coral reef fish, Heniochus acuminatus collected from the Gulf of Mannar region, southeast coast of India.

An ectoparasitic isopod, Gnathia sp. was found in the Gill chambers of Heniochus acuminatus collected from the Gulf of Mannar region, Southeast coast of India. The present study signifies the new record of Gnathia sp. an coral reef ectoparasitic isopod captured from the gill net during October 2014. Among the 36 specimens examined 5 specimens were infested with Pranzia larvae of Gnathia sp. The size of the isopods were ranged from 1.5 to 3.2 mm and the host fish length varied between 119 and 230 mm. They were specifically found attached to the gill chambers and no damage observed in the lamellar pattern.

Pharmacognostic Assesment of the Endemic and Vulnerable Medicinal Climber-Cayratia pedata (Lam.) Gagnep. var. glabra Gamble and Its Antibacterial Activity.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate a meticulous pharmacognostic cram is to supplement constructive information with regard to its identification, characterization, and standardization of endemic and endangered medicinal climber Cayratia pedata var. glabra and also screening the antibacterial activity of this climber. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The morphological characters of study plant, microscopic examination of leaf powder, anatomy of young stem, physicochemical analysis of plant powder, extractive values, phytochemical analysis, powder with different chemical reagents, fluorescence analysis of plant powder, and other World Health Organization (WHO) recommended for standardization were analyzed. The antibacterial activity of this study plant is also analyzed. RESULTS: C. pedata var. glabra belongs to the family Vitaceae, commonly known as "Kattuppirandai" is one such endemic and endangered species in Thaisholai, Nilgiris South Division, Western Ghats. With the patronage of veteran ethnic group traditional knowledge of this region, the species C. pedata var. glabra was selected for the pharmacognostical examination and antibacterial screening. There were no pharmacognostical reports of this plant, specifically to determine the anatomical and other physicochemical standards required for its quality control. The current study deals with pharmacognostical parameters for the aerial parts of study plant, which mainly consists of macromorphological and microanatomical characters, physicochemical constants (ash values and extractive values), fluorescence analysis, and phytochemical screening, one of the WHO accepted parameter for the identification of medicinal plants. The pharmacognostical exploration was undertaken for this species with the purpose of sketch the pharmacopeial standards. The antibacterial activity of this plant confirms the therapeutic power. CONCLUSION: The information obtained from pharmacognostical studies will be of used for supplementary pharmacological and therapeutical evaluation of the species and will assist in standardization for quality, purity, and authentication with the help, of which adulteration and substitution can be prevented. The antibacterial activity of this plant confirm the traditional knowledge of local healers on the wound healing property of this species and also suggest this plant species can be used as a promising source for the development of new pharmaceuticals that address the therapeutic needs to cure infectious diseases. SUMMARY: The species C. pedata var. glabra was selected for present research work, since this species is listed in Red data book and has a wider use for different ailments among the tribal population of Thiashola due to its high medicinal value. Pharmacognostical profile was generated from macroscopical analysis, microscopical studies, powder analysis, physico-chemical constituent values, fluorescence analysis and preliminary phytochemical evaluation. The antibacterial activity of this plant confirms the therapeutic power. Abbreviations Used: WHO: World Health Organization; IUCN: International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Isolation and identification of bacteria from marine market fish Scomberomorus guttatus (Bloch and Schneider, 1801) from Madurai district, Tamil Nadu, India.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the hygienic quality and freshness of fish Indo-pacific King Mackerel "Scomberomorus guttatus" through the investigation of the occurrence of bacteria which is an indicator for fish quality. Fishes were collected every fortnight from Madurai fish market on monthly twice of January 2014 to March 2014. Skin surface of the fish was examined. Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus were identified by Biochemical tests (IMViC Tests). Among the six bacterial species E. coli and K. pneumonia were found in all the collected samples where as other bacterial species were not found. The result of this study revealed that raw fish sold in Madurai fish market has high contamination so the presence of the bacterial species has strongly suggested the urgent need to improve the quality control systems in Madurai fish market.

Preliminary phytochemical studies on solanum surattense burm.f. Seeds.

Solanum surattense Burm.f. has been largely used in the indigenous system of medicine. A preliminary pharmacognostical study of the seed has been undertaken and the physico-chemical, fluorescent and qualitative phytochemical tests have been worked out and the results were presented.

3-Cyclopropyl-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b]benzothiazole monohydrate.

The title structure, C11H9N3S.H2O, contains two crystallographically independent molecules, each consisting of a 1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b]benzothiazole-fused ring fragment substituted with a cyclopropyl ring, and a water molecule. The geometry of both molecules differs slightly. Both molecules are planar within 0.041 and 0.03 A. The dihedral angle between triazole and the cyclopropyl ring is 60.0(1) and 61.7(1) degrees for molecules A and B, respectively, and the cyclopropyl ring is inclined at an angle of 2.0(1) and 1.2(1) degrees to the benzothiazole moiety for molecules A and B, respectively. The packing of the molecules is stabilized by O-H...N-type hydrogen bonds.

Characterization of ribonuclease P isolated from rat liver cytosol.

Rat liver ribonuclease P was isolated from a cytosolic fraction and shown to have optimal activity in the presence of 1 mM MgCl2 and 150-200 mM KCl using Escherchia coli pre-tRNA(Tyr) as substrate. In cesium sulfate isopycnic density gradients, the enzyme had a buoyant density of 1.36 g/ml, indicating that it is a ribonucleoprotein complex. Analysis of the RNAs in the enzyme sample purified through two successive Cs2SO4 density gradient steps revealed the copurification of two major species of RNA (RRP1 and RRP2) along with several less abundant RNAs. Rat liver ribonuclease P activity was insensitive to micrococcal nuclease pretreatment. However, the nuclease-treated preparations contained several incompletely degraded RNA species that may have been sufficient to support the ribonuclease P activity. When RNase A was substituted for micrococcal nuclease, the ribonuclease P activity was diminished by greater than 90%, suggesting the requirement for an RNA subunit for activity.

Effect of DL alpha-lipoic acid on some carbohydrate metabolising enzymes in stone forming rats.

DL alpha-lipoic acid has been shown to prevent the induced precipitation of calcium oxalate crystals in the renal tissues of laboratory animals. The acid seems to have a profound influence on carbohydrate metabolism in diabetic rats. Here the effect of alpha-lipoic acid was studied on certain key carbohydrate metabolising enzymes in the tissues of calcium oxalate stone forming rats administered with glycollate as oxalate precursor. There was augmentation of glycolysis in the renal tissues of stone forming as well as lipoate administered rats. The two major gluconeogenic enzymes, glucose-6-phosphatase (G6P) and fructose-1, 6 diphosphatase (FDP) were significantly inhibited in tissues of calculogenic rats. Lipoic acid also reduced the enzyme activities significantly. The citric acid cycle enzymes were not influenced to an appreciable extent. The observed alterations are likely to be due to the regulatory effects of oxalate and lipoate on the enzyme systems.

Synergistic interaction of a protease and protease inhibitors from Russell's viper (Vipera russelli) venom.

An acidic proteolytic enzyme, RVVX, was purified from Vipera russelli venom by successive chromatography on CM-Sephadex C-25, DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G-100 columns. RVVX is a glycoprotein with a mol. wt of 79,000. It exhibited caseinolytic and factor X activating properties. Two trypsin inhibitors, TI-I and TI-II, were purified from V. russelli venom in a single step by CM-Sephadex C-25 column chromatography. The trypsin inhibitors interacted with the proteolytic enzyme RVVX. TI-I inhibited only the factor X activating property of RVVX while TI-II inhibited both, the caseinolytic and also factor X activating properties of RVVX. The edema inducing activity of RVVX increased markedly in the presence of non-edema inducing doses of TI-I and TI-II. RVVX, TI-I and TI-II were non-lethal in mice. The combination of RVVX and TI-II demonstrated enhanced toxicity.

Dissociation of catalytic activity and neurotoxicity of a basic phospholipase A2 from Russell's viper (Vipera russelli) venom.

A neurotoxic phospholipase A2, VRV PL-V was purified from Vipera russelli venom in a single step by CM-Sephadex C-25 column chromatography. VRV PL-V is a basic PLA2 with a mol. wt of approximately 10,000. The lethal potency of VRV PL-V was greater than that of the crude V. russelli venom. VRV PL-V showed anticoagulant activity and induced edema in the foot pad of the mouse. VRV PL-V undergoes aggregation at pH 4.8. The size of the aggregate increased as the temperature at which the enzyme was incubated was raised. A highly aggregated form with a mol. wt of 53,100 was formed at 96 degrees C. This aggregate showed a two-fold increase in its catalytic activity, while its neurotoxic activity disappeared. The aggregate also showed a significant increase in its anticoagulant activity when compared to the monomeric form. Edema-inducing activity decreased upon association to higher molecular form.

Geographical variation in India in the composition and lethal potency of Russell's viper (Vipera russelli) venom.

Venom samples of Russell's viper (Vipera russelli) from three localities in India were analysed for their composition and toxicity. Column chromatographic fractionation on CM-Sephadex C-25 showed the absence of three fractions in the venom samples of southern India compared with the samples from northern and western India. The SDS-PAGE pattern of southern Indian venom samples also showed lack of three protein bands corresponding to molecular weights of 66,000, 39,000 and 9000. Venom samples from northern and western India possessed high acidic phospholipase activity while acidic phospholipase activity was absent in the samples from southern India, which in contrast showed large basic fractions with phospholipase activity. Proteolytic activity was present in all the venom samples; however, this activity, as well as trypsin inhibitor activity, was very low in the southern Indian samples. The ratio of proteolytic activity to inhibitor activity remained constant in most of the venom samples studied. LD50 values for most of the venom samples from northern and western India were twice as high as that of the samples from southern India. High phospholipase activity correlated with high lethal potency in the venom samples studied.