Differential gene expression in irradiated potato tubers contributed to sprout inhibition and quality retention during a commercial scale storage.

Current study is the first ever storage cum market trial of radiation processed (28 tons) of potato conducted in India at a commercial scale. The objective was to affirm the efficacy of very low dose of gamma radiation processing of potato for extended storage with retained quality and to understand the plausible mechanism at the gene modulation level for suppression of potato sprouting. Genes pertaining to abscisic acid (ABA) biosynthesis were upregulated whereas its catabolism was downregulated in irradiated potatoes. Additionally, genes related to auxin buildup were downregulated in irradiated potatoes. The change in the endogenous phytohormone contents in irradiated potato with respect to the control were found to be correlated well with the differential expression level of certain related genes. Irradiated potatoes showed retention of processing attributes including cooking and chip-making qualities, which could be attributed to the elevated expression of invertase inhibitor in these tubers. Further, quality retention in radiation treated potatoes may also be related to inhibition in the physiological changes due to sprout inhibition. Ecological and economical analysis of national and global data showed that successful adoption of radiation processing may gradually replace sprout suppressants like isopropyl N-(3-chlorophenyl) carbamate (CIPC), known to leave residue in the commodity, stabilize the wholesale annual market price, and provide a boost to the industries involved in product manufacturing.

Age estimation of indian adults from orthopantomographs

The aim of this study was to develop a method for estimating the chronological age of Indian adults based on the relationship between age and various morphological variables of canine teeth, obtained using orthopantomographs. Orthopantomographs of 120 selected patients were digitized, and radiographic images of the right maxillary canine in each case were processed using a computer aided drafting program. Pulp/tooth area ratio, pulp/root length ratio, pulp/tooth length ratio, pulp/root width ratio at the cemento-enamel junction level, pulp/root width ratio at midroot level, and pulp/root width ratio at the midpoint between the cemento-enamel junction and the midroot of the canine were calculated by measuring various features on the images. Pearson's correlation, multiple linear regression, one way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Student's t-test were used for statistical analysis. Regression equations were developed to estimate age from morphological variables. The observed minus the estimated age in the total study sample ranged from -2.2 to +1.5 years, in males from -0.9 to +0.8 years, while in females it was from -1 to +0.8 years. Differences between observed and estimated ages of subjects were not statistically significant. In conclusion there is a linear relationship of pulp/root width ratio at mid-root level and pulp/tooth area ratio of the right maxillary canine with chronological age in the Indian population. Age of subjects can therefore be estimated with a good degree of accuracy using regression equations.

Assessment of plasma and salivary antioxidant status in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant levels in plasma and saliva of patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) and healthy controls. Material and methods: Forty patients with RAS and 40 health controls were included into the study. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activities and uric acid (UA) levels were measured in plasma and saliva. Chi-square and Student's t-test was used to estimate the significance between parameters. P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Plasma analysis showed significantly decreased SOD and CAT activities, and UA level in RAS patients compared to control group. Plasma GSHPx activity was significantly higher in RAS patients. In saliva, SOD and CAT activities, and UA levels were significantly higher in RAS patients, while GSHPx activity was lower compared to control. Conclusion: Plasma and saliva antioxidant system is affected in RAS patients and both may be considered as an appropriate indicator of antioxidant status of body.

Laboratorial evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy of herbal dentifrices commercialized in India / Avaliação laboratorial da eficácia antimicrobiana de dentifrícios herbais comercializados na Índia

Objective: The purpose of this in vitro study to evaluate antimicrobial efficacy of commercially available herbal dentifrices in comparison with conventional dentifrices against seven oral microbes, namely, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus salivarius, Actinomyces viscosus, Candida albicans, and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Materials and methods: Antimicrobial properties of dentifrices were evaluated by measuring zone of inhibition at 48h on blood agar plates inoculated with microbial strains, using disc diffusion method. Each dentifrice was tested in 100% and 50% concentration. Sterile distilled water was used as control. One way Analysis of Variance followed by Tukey post hoc was used for multiple group comparisons. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: In both, 100% and 50% concentrations maximum zone of inhibition was observed with Smyle™ herbal toothpaste followed by Himalaya herbals™ dental cream. Conclusion: Antimicrobial activity of Smyle™ herbal toothpaste is the best against microorganisms tested in present study.

Objetivo: O propósito deste estudo foi avaliar e comparar a eficácia antimicrobiana de dentifrícios herbaiscomerciais e convencionais contra sete micro-organismos: Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus mitis, Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus salivarius, Actinomyces viscosus, Candida albicans, and Lactobacillusacidophilus. Materiais e métodos: Propriedades antimicrobianas dos dentifrícios foram avaliadas a partir damedição da zona de inibição utilizando o método de difusão em disco após 48h em placas de ágar sangue inoculadascom as cepas microbianas. Cada dentifrício foi testado nas concentrações de 100% e 50%. O controleconsistiu em água destilada estéril. As comparações entre grupos foram realizadas por ANOVA a um critério eteste de Tukey post hoc, ambos com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: Em ambas as concentrações de100% e 50%, a zona de inibição máxima foi observada para o dentifrício herbal Smyle® seguido do dentifrícioherbal Himalaya herbals®. Conclusões: O dentifrício herbal Smyle® apresentou o melhor resultado contra osmicro-organismos avaliados no presente estudo.