Addition of nisin to high-viscosity glass-ionomer cement: a comparative in vitro study on antibacterial and physical properties.

PURPOSE: Nisin is a lantibiotic effective against Gram-positive microorganisms such as Streptococcus mutans. The study aimed to determine the effect of the addition of nisin to high-viscosity glass-ionomer cement (HVGIC) on its antibacterial activity, setting time, surface microhardness, and compressive strength. METHODS: 1 and 3% w/w nisin were added to HVGIC before mixing. Unmodified HVGIC was the control. Agar disc diffusion, direct contact test, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis were used to evaluate antibacterial activity against S. mutans. Setting time, surface microhardness, and compressive strength were measured using Gilmore needle apparatus, digital microhardness tester, and universal testing machine, respectively. Statistical analysis included Student's t test, one-way ANOVA with Tamhane's post hoc test, and repeated-measures ANOVA. RESULTS: As evidenced by the agar disc diffusion (p < 0.001), direct contact tests (p = 0.025), and SEM analysis of the S. mutans cell count and cell surface area (p = 0.049 and 0.003), 3% nisin had the strongest antibacterial activity. There was a dose-dependent increase in setting time (p = 0.005) and surface microhardness (p = 0.006), with no significant difference in compressive strength compared to control. CONCLUSION: The addition of 3% nisin to HVGIC enhances the antibacterial action against S. mutans and surface microhardness without adversely affecting setting time and compressive strength.

Association between type 2 diabetes mellitus and anthropometric measurements - a case control study in South India.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Clinical evidence indicates a stronger association of diabetes with central obesity than general obesity. The present study aimed to compare the association between type 2 diabetes mellitus and different anthropometric measurements and evaluate the usefulness of these measurements in clinical practice. METHODS: A case-control study was done among 102 individuals; of whom 51 cases included diagnosed T2DM (≥ 20 years age) patients attending the Medicine out-patient consultation of a tertiary care hospital and 51 controls who were screen negative for T2DM and recruited from the local community. Various anthropometric measurements were used according to standard World Health Organization (WHO) protocols. Data was entered and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 15. RESULTS: The proportion of cases with Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2 was 55% as compared to 22% of controls and this association was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The proportion of cases with high waist circumference cut-offs (WC) was 74.5% as compared to 45.1% healthy individuals and this association was also statistically significant (p < 0.05, OR = 3.56). A Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve for both gender revealed highest area under the curve for body mass index (area = 0.787). Body mass index had the best discriminatory power. Waist to hip ratio was not a sensitive marker especially for females. CONCLUSIONS: A strong association between obesity indices and diabetes was identified. BMI and WC could be used in clinical practice for suggesting life style modifications.

An analysis of cleaner production and its impact on health hazards in the workplace.

The main focus of this paper is to bring out the cost effectiveness of cleaner production and the role played by cleaner production in minimizing the health hazards of pollutants in the workplace. Improvement in workplace health hazards due to implementation of cleaner production has been illustrated with the results of the study. This study was carried out in 16 Manufacturing units in two states of Maharashtra and Gujarat in India. The results clearly shows with the help of cost benefit analysis that cleaner technologies not only add to the bottom line of the company but also minimize exposure to toxic chemicals like Ammonia, phenol, carbon tetrachloride, toxic dust, etc. The main driving forces motivating the firms to go in for cleaner production are evaluated. It is found that in most of the units safety and health factors were ranked as one among the first four driving forces behind implementation of cleaner technologies. The paper ends with recommendations for the promotion of cleaner technologies.

Enterogenous duplication cyst presenting as obstructed inguinal hernia.

We report a 5-year-old boy with enterogenous tubular duplication cyst presenting as obstructed inguino-scrotal hernia.

Optimization of the mechanical properties and water-vapor transmission properties of free films of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose.

Free films of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose were prepared by a spraying technique. Methocel E5 and Methocel E15 were used in varying proportions in the preparation of films. The free films were studied for their mechanical properties and moisture permeability characteristics. A 2(2) factorial design was used to quantitate the effect of each polymer on the tensile strength and permeability constant of the films.

Antiulcer and cytoprotective action of wedelia calendulacea less.

The gastric antiulcer and ulcer healing effect of the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the dried leaves of Wedelia calendulacea. Less was found to be significant. The effect of the aqueous extract was observed to be more pronounced in comparison with that of the ethanolic extract.