Silicon nanowire piezoresistor and its applications: a review.

Monocrystalline bulk silicon with doped impurities has been the widely preferred piezoresistive material for the last few decades to realize micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) sensors. However, there has been a growing interest among researchers in the recent past to explore other piezoresistive materials with varied advantages in order to realize ultra-miniature high-sensitivity sensors for area-constrained applications. Of the various alternative piezoresistive materials, silicon nanowires (SiNWs) are an attractive choice due to their benefits of nanometre range dimensions, giant piezoresistive coefficients, and compatibility with the integrated circuit fabrication processes. This review article elucidates the fundamentals of piezoresistance and its existence in various materials, including silicon. It comprehends the piezoresistance effect in SiNWs based on two different biasing techniques, viz., (i) ungated and (ii) gated SiNWs. In addition, it presents the application of piezoresistive SiNWs in MEMS-based pressure sensors, acceleration sensors, flow sensors, resonators, and strain gauges.

Manasamitra Vatakam on Scopolamine-Induced Amnesia in Female Wistar Rats.

Background: Neurodegenerative diseases induce amnesia, and effective treatment is still elusive. Aims and Objectives: The present study highlights the ameliorating effects of Manasa Mitra Vatakam (MMV) using behavioral parameters on scopolamine-induced memory loss in female Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: MMV was compared with DPZ as a standard in the present study to determine the behavioral parameters through elevated plus maze (Hebb William maze/rectangular maze)and locomotor activity in scopolamine-induced memory loss in female Wistar rats. Results and Discussion: The results of the study illustrate the effectiveness of MMV in reversing memory dysfunction and memory-enhancing effects. Conclusion: The study paves the way for exploring research in CNS disorders and its potential application in drug-induced neurotoxicity.

A Single-Center Experience of Internal Pancreatic Fistulas.

Background Internal pancreatic fistula (IPF) is a complex disease with different etiologies, varied clinical presentations, and multiple management options. Unlike postoperative pancreatic fistula, IPF lacks guidelines for classification and management. The rarity of the disease makes randomized control studies unlikely and difficult to formulate guidelines. This has resulted in different approaches to managing IPF. IPF associated with both acute and chronic pancreatitis is treated with a step-up approach. Chronic pancreatitis-associated IPF treated with the traditional step-up approach is associated with increased morbidity. Prolonged fasting, drainage of protein-rich pancreatic fluid, and extended hospital stay add to the morbidity. Early surgical intervention in patients with IPF associated with chronic pancreatitis can treat both the fistula and underlying disease processes simultaneously. This may contribute to reduced morbidity and hospital stay. Methodology A retrospective observational study was conducted between June 2018 and May 2019. IPF patients with fluid amylase >1,000 IU/L and fluid albumin >3 g/dL were included in the study. Results In total, 32 patients were included in the study. A total of 13 patients had acute pancreatitis and 19 were associated with chronic pancreatitis. Pseudocyst and walled-off pancreatic necrosis were present in 18 patients. The duration of treatment for the traditional group was 8-14 weeks, and for the early surgery group, it was 8-10 days. Patients were followed up for two years, and none of the patients in the early surgery group had a recurrence. Conclusions The overall mortality of IPF is low but it has high morbidity. The delay in treatment may contribute to high morbidity; hence, early surgical intervention may change the clinical course. The primary pathology of the pancreas can be addressed simultaneously as well. In our study, early surgical intervention was associated with lesser morbidity and decreased duration of hospital stay while recurrence rates and mortality were comparable to the traditional management protocol.

Comparative evaluation of chelating efficacy of nano-chitosan, pomegranate extract, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid on primary radicular dentin: An in vitro study.

Background: Irrigation is a crucial aspect of root canal treatment, and it is imperative to employ chelating agents to eliminate the smear layer during biomechanical preparation. They in turn react with mineral content of dentin, leading to decreased strength and increased susceptibility to fracture. Aims: This study aimed to assess and compare mineral loss and microhardness from primary root canal dentin following the usage of different irrigating solutions and determine the least detrimental irrigant among the tested solutions. Materials and Methods: Sixty-six primary anterior teeth were divided into three groups with 22 in each- Group I: 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) Group II: 0.2% Nano chitosan Group III: Pomegranate extract. The decoronated teeth were split longitudinally. Half of it was directly subjected to Vickers test, and the other half was immersed in a magnetic stirrer bath containing test solution to record the mineral loss from solution. Postmicrohardness values were recorded on the specimen and compared with initial values. Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software (Version 20, SPSS, IBM, Armonk, NY, U. S. A). Results: Descriptive statistics were calculated, and the groups were compared using analysis of variance test and post hoc Tukey test. Pomegranate extract showed least effect on mineral content and microhardness compared to 17% EDTA and 0.2% nano chitosan. P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Conclusion: Pomegranate aril extract showed better results with selected parameters.

A Pragmatic Approach to Pancreatic Trauma: A Single-Center Experience From a Tertiary Care Center.

Introduction Pancreatic trauma is rare and is usually associated with adjacent organ and vascular injuries, which adds to the high morbidity and mortality. In the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) pancreatic trauma (PT) grading system, the higher grades are a composite of less and more severe extents of injuries. We hereby present an observational study of PT with management based on an indigenous algorithmic approach. Our protocol incorporating both the extent of disruption of the main pancreatic duct (MPD) and its amenability to interventions (endoscopic, radiological, or surgical) is pragmatic. Methods Ours is a retrospective observational study of 28 consecutive cases of PT, done over a three-year period in an academic institution, by an expert Surgical Gastroenterology unit. All patients diagnosed with PT on a contrast abdominal CT scan were included. After stabilization, they were stratified and managed according to an indigenous protocol. The primary outcome measure was treatment success in terms of recovery. The secondary outcome measure was morbidity of any form. Results One patient with Grade 1 PT was operated on for associated hollow viscus injury. Two patients with AAST Grade 2 and two patients with AAST Grade 3 injury were managed successfully without surgery. Twelve of 21 patients with Grade 3 PT underwent Kimura's splenic vessel preserving distal pancreatectomy. Distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy and central pancreatectomy with Roux-en-Y pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) was done for 7/21 and 2/21 patients, respectively, with Grade 3 PT. Two with Grade 5 injury underwent trauma Whipple. The overall mortality and morbidity rates in our series were 15.7% and 64%, respectively. Conclusion The pathogenesis in PT is a dynamic process and shows temporal evolution. These patients require serial and periodical clinical and radiological monitoring, especially in those managed conservatively initially. PT can be low or high grade. Patients with isolated low-grade PT can be managed according to the standard step-up approach for acute pancreatitis. A carefully selected subgroup of patients with partial MPD disruption either in the head or body of the pancreas can be managed by endotherapy. Complete distal parenchymal transections require early surgery tailored to individual patients in the form of either splenic vessel preserving distal pancreatectomy (SPDP) or distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy (DP+S). Damage control surgery is the dictum in unstable patients with Grades 4 and 5 injuries not responding to resuscitative measures. A trauma Whipple can be done in a carefully selected subgroup of stable patients with proximal massive disruptions in an experienced hepato-pancreatico-biliary (HPB) unit.

Evaluation of centralization ability and canal transportation of root canals prepared with three commercially available pediatric rotary files.

Background: The complex root canal anatomy of primary root canals is considered to be most challenging. The quality of the root canal preparation plays a significant role in the success of endodontic treatment. Now, there are very few root canal instruments that are capable of cleaning the canal three dimensionally. To evaluate the efficacy of root canal instruments, various technologies have been used; one of the most reliable strategies was cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Aim: The aim of this study is to compare the centralization ability and canal transportation of three commercially available pediatric rotary file systems using CBCT analysis. Materials and Methods: Thirty-three extracted human primary teeth with a minimum 7 mm root length were randomly divided into three groups (group I - Kedo-SG Blue, group II - Kedo-S Square, and group III - Pro AF Baby Gold). Biomechanical preparation was done according to the manufacturers instructions. Pre- and postinstrumentation CBCT images were taken for each group to evaluate the remaining dentin thickness thereby assessing the centering ability and the canal transportation ability of different file systems. Results: Significant difference was noticed in canal transportation and centering ability between the three tested groups. Mesiodistal canal transportation was significant at all three levels, whereas buccolingual canal transportation was significant only at the apical third of the root. However, Kedo-SG Blue and Pro AF Baby Gold showed lesser canal transportation compared to Kedo-S Square rotary file system. Mesiodistal centering ability was significant at cervical and apical thirds of the root with Kedo-S Square rotary file system maintaining less canal centricity. Conclusions: All three file systems tested in the study were effective in removing the radicular dentin. However, Kedo-SG Blue and Pro AF Baby Gold rotary file systems showed comparatively less canal transportation and more centering ability than Kedo-S Square rotary file system.

Unexpected intraoperative finding of gallbladder torsion.

Gallbladder (GB) torsion or volvulus is a rare entity affecting elderly women. Only ~500 cases have been reported in the literature. Incidence is rare seen in ~1 in 365 520. A constant finding is the presence of the GB on a mobile mesentery. Torsion, or volvulus, of the GB occurs when it twists axially, with the subsequent obstruction of bile and/or blood flow. We briefly describe a 75-year-old female patient with acute abdomen and ultrasound and Computed tomography of abdomen revealed a distended GB. On laparotomy, we encountered a twisted GB with gangrene and cholecystectomy was done. GB volvulus is a rare occurrence and clinically mimic's acute cholecystitis and should be sought with high suspicion especially when encountering a thin elderly woman. Immediate diagnosis is prime as delay may be fatal. Even with recent advances in imaging, it is difficult to make a correct preoperative diagnosis of GB torsion.

Germline ATM variants predispose to melanoma: a joint analysis across the GenoMEL and MelaNostrum consortia.

PURPOSE: Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM) has been implicated in the risk of several cancers, but establishing a causal relationship is often challenging. Although ATM single-nucleotide polymorphisms have been linked to melanoma, few functional alleles have been identified. Therefore, ATM impact on melanoma predisposition is unclear. METHODS: From 22 American, Australian, and European sites, we collected 2,104 familial, multiple primary (MPM), and sporadic melanoma cases who underwent ATM genotyping via panel, exome, or genome sequencing, and compared the allele frequency (AF) of selected ATM variants classified as loss-of-function (LOF) and variants of uncertain significance (VUS) between this cohort and the gnomAD non-Finnish European (NFE) data set. RESULTS: LOF variants were more represented in our study cohort than in gnomAD NFE, both in all (AF = 0.005 and 0.002, OR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.56-4.11, p < 0.01), and familial + MPM cases (AF = 0.0054 and 0.002, OR = 2.97, p < 0.01). Similarly, VUS were enriched in all (AF = 0.046 and 0.033, OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.6-5.09, p < 0.01) and familial + MPM cases (AF = 0.053 and 0.033, OR = 1.63, p < 0.01). In a case-control comparison of two centers that provided 1,446 controls, LOF and VUS were enriched in familial + MPM cases (p = 0.027, p = 0.018). CONCLUSION: This study, describing the largest multicenter melanoma cohort investigated for ATM germline variants, supports the role of ATM as a melanoma predisposition gene, with LOF variants suggesting a moderate-risk.

Accidental displacement of primary anterior teeth following extraction of neonatal teeth.

Eruption of the first tooth at 6 months of age is a significant stage in a child's life. However, the presence of a tooth in the oral cavity of a newborn can lead to a lot of delusions. Natal and neonatal teeth are of utmost importance not only to a dentist but also for a pediatrician due to parental anxiety, folklore superstitions, and numerous complications associated with it. The present case report describes a 1.5 cm × 1.5 cm, slow-growing, soft-tissue gingival mass which developed following the extraction of a tooth-like structure in a 4-month-old male patient. Histological examination revealed that it contained a tooth-like hard tissue intermingled with bone and fibrous tissue. Based on clinical and histological findings, the present case was diagnosed as gingival hyperplasia with displaced tooth buds of 71 and 81, which might be due to chronic irritation or traumatic extraction of the neonatal teeth. No abnormal recurrence of the lesion was detected during the follow-up period. However, postoperative clinical and radiographic photographs further reconfirmed the absence of tooth in relation to 71 and 81.

An In Vitro evaluation of biodegradability of stainless steel crowns at various salivary pH.

AIM: To evaluate the biodegradability of preformed stainless steel crowns at varying salivary pH and the cytotoxic effect of leached out elements on fibroblasts. METHODOLOGY: A total of 243 stainless steel crowns were selected and were divided into 3 groups (I, II, III) based on Ph of immersion media. The pH of samples in group I, II, III were 4.3, 5.5 and 6.3 with 81 crowns in each group. Each group has 9 samples with 8 crowns in each sample. All samples were immersed in polyethylene bottles containing 10ml of artificial saliva and incubated at 37°C for 4 weeks. All the samples were analyzed on 1,7,14 and 21 days by atomic absorption spectrophotometer for the quantitative assement of Ni, Cr and Fe. Fibroblast tissue culture was used to assess the cytotoxicity of the samples. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Analysis of variance. RESULTS: Maximum release of Ni, Cr, Fe ions were observed at pH 4.3 followed by pH 5.5 and least release of ions were observed at pH 6.3 from SS crowns. The cytotoxic results showed that the least cell viability of cells was seen at pH 4.3. CONCLUSION: With decrease in pH, there is an increase in ion release from stainless steel crowns and the mean release of nickel, chromium and iron were very much below the average dietary intake. But the allergic manifestations of ions like nickel can't be ruled out.

Primary reinforcement with rectus abdominis muscle flap-a salvage technique for a tenuous post traumatic duodenal perforation- a case report.

INTRODUCTION: The conventional techniques for management of complex duodenal injuries are duodenal diverticularisation, pyloric exclusion or triple tube decompression. We here present a salvage technique of primary reinforcement with pedicled rectus abdominis muscle flap (RAMF) for a tenuous post traumatic duodenal perforation (PTDP). The majority of the studies in the literature are on the use RAMF for the secondary repair of peptic duodenal perforations. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 38 year old male presented with an acute abdomen, three days after sustaining a blunt abdominal trauma. The clinical and radiological findings in the abdomen were subtle and not contributory. An emergency laparotomy with a high index of suspicion revealed a large perforation in the anterolateral wall of the second portion of the duodenum with a friable unhealthy wall and shearing of the serosa around the perforation site. The entire omentum was unhealthy, contused with areas of gangrene and omentectomy done. The perforation site was closed using 3.0 vicryl and reinforced with a pedicled right RAMF based on the superior epigastric artery. The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged. DISCUSSION: The addition of conventional diversion techniques to primary duodenorrhaphy is sophisticated, time consuming and adds morbidity. CONCLUSION: RAMF is a good tissue substitute to buttress tenuous duodenal injuries presenting late with inflamed, friable perforation sites and associated tissue loss, where duodenorrhaphy alone may not be successful. RAMF is a valuable salvage technique when the omentum is not available and the local tissue condition negates the effectiveness of other simpler techniques.

Evaluation of validity of the STOP-BANG questionnaire in major elective noncardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: The STOP-BANG questionnaire screens for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in surgical patients. In prior research, the association of STOP-BANG scores with comorbidities and outcomes was inconsistent. The objective of this study was to evaluate the validity of the STOP-BANG score. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing major elective noncardiac surgery at the University Health Network (Toronto, ON, Canada) between 2011 and 2015. Cross-sectional construct validity was evaluated based on proportions with diagnosed OSA across STOP-BANG strata. Concurrent construct validity was assessed based on the correlation of STOP-BANG with ASA Physical Status (ASA-PS), the Revised Cardiac Risk Index, and the Charlson Comorbidity Index. Predictive validity was assessed based on the adjusted associations of STOP-BANG risk with 30-day mortality (logistic regression), cardiac complications (logistic regression), and length-of-stay (negative binomial regression). RESULTS: Of 26 068 patients in the cohort, 58% were in the low-risk STOP-BANG stratum, 23% in the intermediate-risk stratum, and 19% in the high-risk stratum. The proportion with previously diagnosed OSA was 4% (n=615) in the low-risk stratum, 12% (n=740) in the intermediate-risk stratum, and 44% (n=2142) in the high-risk stratum. The correlations of STOP-BANG with ASA-PS (Spearman ρ=0.28), Revised Cardiac Risk Index (ρ=0.24), and Charlson Comorbidity Index (ρ=0.10) were weak, albeit statistically significant (P<0.001). After risk-adjustment, STOP-BANG risk strata were not associated with 30-day mortality, cardiac complications, or length-of-stay. CONCLUSIONS: The STOP-BANG questionnaire has modest construct validity but did not predict postoperative mortality, hospital length-of-stay, or cardiac complications.

Correlation of Mother and Child's Taste Perception and their Caries Experience.

AIM AND BACKGROUND: Nowadays, clinical assessment of caries susceptibility is evaluated by the individuals taste perception. As food habits of the child are mostly influenced by the parents (mothers), it would be beneficial to assess the relation between mother and child's taste status and their caries experience to predict the caries susceptibility of the child. METHODOLOGY: A convenience sample of 310 mother-child dyads of both the sexes were selected. After obtaining the data on the taste preferences, dietary habits, and oral hygiene practices, caries experience of both the mother and child were recorded using the DMFT and defs indices, followed by the taste assessment using 6-n propylthiouracil (PROP) tester strips. RESULTS: Irrespective of the taste status, the majority of the mother and child dyads showed preference to sweet foods. A statistically significant relationship between taste status and caries experience was noticed among mothers and children individually. However, there was no significant association between mother and child taste status. Whereas, a weak-positive correlation is observed between the mother and child's caries experience. The children of supertaster mothers have relatively less caries experience compared to children of moderate and nontaster mothers, which was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Mother's taste perception or caries experience may not always be a risk predictor for their child's caries experience, but the PROP tester strips were very effective in predicting the caries risk of an individual.

A Review on Surface Stress-Based Miniaturized Piezoresistive SU-8 Polymeric Cantilever Sensors.

In the last decade, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) SU-8 polymeric cantilevers with piezoresistive readout combined with the advances in molecular recognition techniques have found versatile applications, especially in the field of chemical and biological sensing. Compared to conventional solid-state semiconductor-based piezoresistive cantilever sensors, SU-8 polymeric cantilevers have advantages in terms of better sensitivity along with reduced material and fabrication cost. In recent times, numerous researchers have investigated their potential as a sensing platform due to high performance-to-cost ratio of SU-8 polymer-based cantilever sensors. In this article, we critically review the design, fabrication, and performance aspects of surface stress-based piezoresistive SU-8 polymeric cantilever sensors. The evolution of surface stress-based piezoresistive cantilever sensors from solid-state semiconductor materials to polymers, especially SU-8 polymer, is discussed in detail. Theoretical principles of surface stress generation and their application in cantilever sensing technology are also devised. Variants of SU-8 polymeric cantilevers with different composition of materials in cantilever stacks are explained. Furthermore, the interdependence of the material selection, geometrical design parameters, and fabrication process of piezoresistive SU-8 polymeric cantilever sensors and their cumulative impact on the sensor response are also explained in detail. In addition to the design-, fabrication-, and performance-related factors, this article also describes various challenges in engineering SU-8 polymeric cantilevers as a universal sensing platform such as temperature and moisture vulnerability. This review article would serve as a guideline for researchers to understand specifics and functionality of surface stress-based piezoresistive SU-8 cantilever sensors.

Dermatoglyphic Analysis in Parents with Cleft Children: A Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: There were studies in the literature which showed the altered dermatoglyphics in the cleft children. But it would be beneficial if probable expression can be proved in prior generations, so that genetic counseling and other preventive measures can be undertaken. The aim of the study is to determine variations in dermatoglyphics of prior generations which would serve as bench markers to predict the occurrence of cleft in off springs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 400 parents aged between 25-45 years were selected and divided into two groups - Group A consisted of parents with cleft children and Group B comprised of parents with at least 2 healthy children who met the inclusion criteria. Dermatoglyphic prints were collected by ink method and evaluated for pattern types, total ridge count and palm prints were evaluated for a-b ridge count, atd angle and asymmetry. RESULTS: Significant difference was observed between Group A and B with reference to pattern types; TRC and a-b ridge count and atd angle. Absence of t point was variably noticed in the mothers of affected children. CONCLUSION: Dermatoglyphics can be used as tool to study the developmental instability of cleft anomalies and provides data to assess the genetic etiology of clefting.

Piezoresistive Composite Silicon Dioxide Nanocantilever Surface Stress Sensor: Design and Optimization.

In this paper, we present the design and optimization of a rectangular piezoresistive composite silicon dioxide nanocantilever sensor. Unlike the conventional design approach, we perform the sensor optimization by not only considering its electro-mechanical response but also incorporating the impact of self-heating induced thermal drift in its terminal characteristics. Through extensive simulations first we comprehend and quantify the inaccuracies due to self-heating effect induced by the geometrical and intrinsic parameters of the piezoresistor. Then, by optimizing the ratio of electrical sensitivity to thermal sensitivity defined as the sensitivity ratio (υ) we improve the sensor performance and measurement reliability. Results show that to ensure υ ≥ 1, shorter and wider piezoresistors are better. In addition, it is observed that unlike the general belief that high doping concentration of piezoresistor reduces thermal sensitivity in piezoresistive sensors, to ensure υ ≥ 1 doping concentration (p) should be in the range: 1E18 cm-3 ≤ p ≤ 1E19 cm-3. Finally, we provide a set of design guidelines that will help NEMS engineers to optimize the performance of such sensors for chemical and biological sensing applications.

Impact of Isolation and Immobilization Layers on the Electro-Mechanical Response of Piezoresistive Nano Cantilever Sensors.

In the last decade, piezoresistive nano cantilever sensors have been extensively explored, especially for chemical and biological sensing applications. Piezoresistive cantilever sensors are multi-layer structures with different constituent materials. Performance of such sensors is a function of their geometry and constituent materials. For a fixed material set, the pre-requisite for optimizing the performance of a composite piezoresistive cantilever sensor is careful geometrical design of its constituent layers. Even though, treatise encompasses various designs of such sensors, typically for computational simplicity the functional layers i.e., the isolation and immobilization layers are neglected in the modeling stages. In this paper, we elucidate the impact of the functional layers on the electro-mechanical response of composite piezoresistive nano cantilever sensors. Systematic and detailed computations are performed using theoretical models and numerical simulations. Results show that both the isolation and immobilization layers play a critical role in governing the sensor performance. Simulation results depict that compared to a sensor with an isolation layer of thickness 100 nm, a sensor without isolation layer has 36.29% and 42.51% better deflection sensitivity and electrical sensitivity respectively. Furthermore, it is found that when an immobilization layer of thickness 40 nm is added atop the isolation layer, the deflection sensitivity and electrical sensitivity reduces by 12.98% and 15.83% respectively. Through our investigation it is shown that the isolation and immobilization layers not only play a vital role in determining the stability and electro-mechanical response of the sensor but their negligence in the design stages can be detrimental. Apart from investigating the impact of the immobilization layer thickness, to model the sensor closer to real time operational conditions, we have performed analysis to understand the impact of non-uniformity in the immobilization layer thickness and non-uniform surface stress loading on the electro-mechanical response of the sensor. Results and inferences obtained from this study will help NEMS engineers to optimize the performance of piezoresistive nano cantilever sensors and to design multi-layer cantilever platform structures for other transducers.

Endodontic treatment of chronically infected primary teeth using triple antibiotic paste: An in vivo study.

AIM: Maintenance of primary dentition is imperative for the development of arch form, esthetics, function, mastication, and normal eruption of permanent teeth. Premature loss can cause various problems such as ectopic eruption, space loss for the successor permanent teeth, alterations in speech, and impairment of function. Hence, decayed primary teeth should not be extracted and treated whenever possible. Pulpectomy is generally recommended as a treatment of choice in such cases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic success of pulpectomized primary teeth with chronic infection using a mixture of metronidazole, ciprofloxacin, and minocycline (3MIX)-MP as an intracanal medicament before the obturation. METHODOLOGY: Sixty primary teeth were selected, which were randomly divided into two groups (Group A and Group B) with thirty teeth in each group. In Group A, 3MIX-MP was used as intracanal medicament whereas in Group B, conventional pulpectomy was performed. Resolution of clinical signs and symptoms were evaluated within 2 weeks after the treatment and at recalled 3rd, 6th, and 12th month intervals. The treated teeth were evaluated clinically and radiographically. RESULTS: High success rate was observed in Group A samples both clinically and radiographically. Although the difference in clinical success was not statistically significant, the difference in radiographic success was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: All the primary teeth with chronic infection which were treated using 3MIX-MP, followed by the instrumentation and obturation provided excellent clinical and radiographic success when compared to conventional pulpectomy and noninstrumentational lesion sterilization tissue repair therapy.

Utilization of in silico EST-SSR markers for diversity studies in castor (Ricinus communis L.).

Castor (Ricinus communis L.) a chief non-edible oilseed crop has numerous industrial applications. Systematic genetic diversity analysis utilizing DNA based markers has been quick and reliable method that ensures selection of diverse parents for exploitation of higher levels of heterosis in breeding programs. From NCBI database, 63,852 EST sequences of castor were mined. One thousand one hundred and five (1105) EST-SSRs and 1652 repeat motifs sequences were identified from 20,495 non-redundant unigene sequences. Repeat motifs consisted of 29.7 % mono nucleotide repeats, 24.8 % di nucleotide repeats, 27.27 % tri nucleotide repeats and 3.94 % tetra nucleotide repeats. Twenty eight primer pairs were chosen from SSR-containing ESTs to determine genetic diversity among 27 castor accessions. Twelve EST-SSRs showed polymorphism. Number of alleles detected were 2-3 with an average of 2.33 per locus. 150-400 bp was the size of an allele. Dendrogram analysis grouped the 27 accessions into two separate clusters. Genetic similarity coefficient of dendrogram ranged from 0.24 to 0.83. The polymorphic information content value of 0.28-0.49 revealed medium level of diversity in castor. Results of present study indicated that EST-SSRs to be efficient markers for genetic diversity studies. Knowledge on level of diversity existing in castor genotypes would be useful for breeders to plan efficient hybrid breeding programme.