Micro-Raman spectroscopy analysis of dentin remineralization using eggshell derived nanohydroxyapatite combined with phytosphingosine.

The aim of this study was to assess the remineralization efficacy of chicken eggshell-derived nano-hydroxyapatite (CEnHAp) combined with phytosphingosine (PHS) on artificially induced dentinal lesions. PHS was commercially procured whereas CEnHAp was synthesized using microwave-irradiation method and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), high-resolution scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (HRSEM-EDX), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A total of 75 pre-demineralized coronal dentin specimens were randomly treated with one of the following test agents (n = 15 each): artificial saliva (AS), casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP), CEnHAp, PHS, and CEnHAp-PHS under pH cycling for 7, 14, and 28 days. Vickers microhardness indenter, HRSEM-EDX, and micro-Raman spectroscopy methods were used to assess the mineral changes in the treated dentin samples. Data were submitted to Kruskal-Wallis and Friedman's two-way analyses of variance (p < 0.05). HRSEM and TEM analysis depicted irregular spherical structure of the prepared CEnHAp with a particle size of 20-50 nm. The EDX analysis confirmed the presence of Ca, P, Na and Mg ions. The XRD pattern showed the characteristic crystalline peaks for hydroxyapatite and calcium carbonate that are present in the prepared CEnHAp. Dentin treated with CEnHAp-PHS revealed highest microhardness values along with complete tubular occlusion compared to other groups at all test time intervals (p < 0.05). Specimens treated with CEnHAp showed increased remineralization than those treated with CPP-ACP followed by PHS and AS groups. The intensity of mineral peaks, as observed in the EDX and micro-Raman spectra, confirmed these findings. Further, the molecular conformation of the collagen's polypeptide chains, and amide-I and CH2 peaks attained peak intensities in dentin treated with CEnHAp-PHS and PHS whereas other groups revealed poor stability of collagen bands. Microhardness, surface topography, and micro-Raman spectroscopy analyses revealed that dentin treated with CEnHAp-PHS have an improved collagen structure and stability as well as highest mineralization and crystallinity.

Conformational analysis, molecular structure, spectroscopic, NBO, reactivity descriptors, wavefunction and molecular docking investigations of 5,6-dimethoxy-1-indanone: A potential anti Alzheimer's agent.

The objective of the present study is focused to elucidate the structure of potential anti-Alzheimer's compound 5,6-Dimethoxy-1-indanone (5,6-DMI) and study its binding interaction towards the active site by molecular docking studies. The structural and various spectroscopic tools are used to understand the various interaction behaviors of the title compound. The theoretical calculation of 5,6-DMI molecule is computed by Gaussian 09W software with Density functional B3LYP and CAM-B3LYP method utilizing 6-311G(d,p) as basis set. The Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) analysis has been performed to find all possible transition was correlate with electronic transition. The Non covalent interaction of 5,6-DMI molecule was examined by adopt Reduced Density Gradient (RDG) analysis and colour filled ELF diagram. Molecular docking results suggest that 5,6-DMI may exhibit inhibitory activity against apoE protein and may act as potential against Alzheimer's disease.

Influence of RE (Pr3+, Er3+, Nd3+) doping on structural, vibrational and enhanced persistent photocatalytic properties of ZnO nanostructures.

Rare earth (RE- Pr, Er and Nd) doped ZnO nanostructures were prepared through simple wet chemical precipitation route. The RE doping induced interesting morphological transition from spherical to flower like structures were analyzed. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements revealed that the prepared materials were of highly crystalline in nature and RE dopant ions did not altered the crystal structure of ZnO. The microstrain of ZnO was altered with respect to the nature of dopants. In the case of the Pr doped ZnO, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis confirmed that the dopant (Pr) ions successfully substituted in the ZnO lattice. Raman spectra revealed RE doping induced lower energy side shift and variation in intensity of the peaks related to the characteristic phonon modes of ZnO. In the case of Nd doped ZnO nanostructures, dopant induced suppression in classical Raman modes and evolution of multiphonon related modes were identified. Optical diffuse reflectance spectral (DRS) measurements, along with the characteristic excitonic band of ZnO, other bands associated to the transitions of 4f energy levels related to the RE ions were observed. The partially filled 4f orbitals led to the enhanced photocatalytic activity in RE doped ZnO nanostructures. The observed enhanced photocatalytic activity in RE doped ZnO when compared to bare ZnO was discussed. The decolorization efficiency of MB ensued the following order 96 > 94 > 86 > 78% for ZnErO, ZnNdO, ZnPrO and ZnO, respectively.

A study of Factors Affecting Dialysis Recovery Time in Haemodialysis Patients in India.

BACKGROUND: Patients on maintenance haemodialysis (MHD) often complain of fatigue and tiredness following haemodialysis sessions leading to poor compliance with the dialysis schedule. There is limited Indian data on dialysis recovery time (DRT). The present study was designed to assess the factors affecting DRT in our haemodialysis population. METHODS: We recorded self-reported patient recovery times of 120 patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria, over three consecutive dialysis sessions by asking the question, 'How long does it take to recover from a dialysis session'? Data recorded included patient factors like age, sex, co-morbidities, Charlson comorbidity index score (CCI), dialysis vintage, duration of kidney disease, interdialytic weight gain (IDWG), treatment factors like ultrafiltration rate (UFR), SpKt/V, blood pump speed, dialysate sodium, session length, pre and post HD blood pressure and laboratory parameters. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was assessed with the KDQOL-SF v. 1.3 questionnaire. Results from the SF-36 score were summarised into the physical composite score (PCS), mental composite score (MCS) and kidney disease composite score (KDCS). RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 50.6 ± 12.6 years. Among the 120 patients, 77 (64.2%) were males. Thirty-nine patients (32.5%) were diabetic and 95 (79.1%) patients were hypertensive. The mean dialysis vintage of the study population was 26.1 ± 18.6 months, 41 (34.2%) patients reported DRT <2 h; 48 (40%) reported DRT between 2-6 h and 31 (25.8%) reported DRT >6 h. On multivariate regression analysis, higher IDWG, CCI score and UFR were associated with prolonged DRT. Reported DRT also inversely correlated with PCS (r = - 0.66), MCS (r = - 0.65) and KDCS (r = - 0.59) scores which was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that higher CCI scores, IDWG and UFR were associated with prolonged DRT in Indian haemodialysis patients and patients with longer recovery time had poor HRQoL. Interventions to reduce DRT need to be assessed in further trials in Indian MHD patients.

Post Renal Transplant Collapsing Glomerulopathy is Associated with Poor Outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Collapsing glomerulopathy (CG) is a distinct morphologic pattern of proliferative renal parenchymal injury. It differ from focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) by clinicopathologic pattern and its adverse outcome. The clinical significance of CG in renal allograft biopsies is not yet clear due to scant data and less occurrence of CG in renal transplant recipients. We conducted this single-center retrospective study to evaluate the prevalence, clinicopathological features, and outcome of post renal transplant CG. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We studied 127 renal allograft biopsies performed over a period of 45 months (Jan 2015-Oct 2018). A diagnosis of CG was made if at least one glomerulus demonstrated global or segmental collapse of the glomerular capillary walls, associated marked hyperplasia, and hypertrophy of the overlying visceral epithelial cells. We analyzed clinical, biochemical, and pathological characteristics and its impact on renal allograft outcome. Statistical analysis was performed and continuous variables were expressed as means ± standard deviation (SD) or medians (interquartile range and noncontinuous data were expressed in percentage and numerical values. RESULTS: The prevalence of CG was 5.3% (7/127) of allograft biopsies. Out of the seven patients, six patients had undergone live donor transplant and one patient had undergone deceased donor renal transplant. The native kidney disease was unknown in these patients except one (IgA nephropathy). The median duration of diagnosis for CG was 17 months after transplantation (range 5-132months). Presenting symptoms were pedal edema and hypertension in 71.4% (5) patients each. All patients had proteinuria of more than 1 gm and renal allograft dysfunction and median serum creatinine of 3.05 mg/dl (1.5-4.8 mg/dl). All patients received standard triple immunosuppression. Over a period of 2-20 months, 57.14% (4) patients developed a graft failure and 43% (3) of the other patients had functioning grafts with serum creatinine of 1.5-4.2 mg/dl. CONCLUSIONS: CG presents with moderate to severe proteinuria and may lead to rapid graft dysfunction and subsequent graft failure in most of the patients.

Using a Composite Graft of Natural 15% Chitosan Gel in the Management of Intrabony Defects: A Case Series.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to compare effects of smoking and smokeless forms of tobacco consumption (tobacco chewing) on periodontal disease parameters and response of these subjects to non-surgical periodontal therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients aged between 30 and 55 years with intrabony defects greater than or equal to 3 mm and pocket probing depth (PPD) greater than or equal to 5 mm were selected. All participants received chitosan gel (15% w/v) plus bovine porous bone mineral as a composite bone graft. Clinical and radiographic measurements were recorded at baseline, 3 months after healing and at 6 and 9 months. Significance was set at 0.05. RESULTS: After nine months, all the defects treated with this combination showed PPD reduction of 5.30 ± 0.822 mm, relative clinical attachment level (CAL) gain of 5.80 ± 0.499 mm, reduction in intrabony defect (IBD) depth of 3.00 ± 0.497 mm and defect resolution of 78.32 ± 5.80 %, all of which were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Within the limits of this study, this case series study suggests that chitosan gel, along with bovine porous bone mineral, has a promising role to play in periodontal regeneration.

HR-TEM and FT-Raman dataset of the caffeine interacted Phe-Phe peptide nanotube for possible sensing applications.

Sensing ability of caffeine interaction with Phe-Phe annotates (PNTs), is presented (Govindhan et al., 2017; Karthikeyan et al., 2014; Tavagnacco et al., 2013; Kennedy et al., 2011; Wang et al., 2017) [1-5] in this data set. Investigation of synthesized caffeine carrying peptide nanotubes are carried out by FT-Raman spectral analysis and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). Particle size of the caffeine loaded PNTs is < 40 nm. The FT-Raman spectrum signals are enhanced in the region of 400-1700 cm-1. These data are ideal tool for the applications like biosensing and drug delivery research (DDS).

Environment dependent enhanced photoluminescence and Boolean logic gates like behavior of Bi2O3 and Ag:Bi2O3 nanostructures.

In the evolution of nanotechnology research for smart and precise sensor fabrication, here we report the implementation of simple logic gate operations performing by luminescent nanostructures in biomolecule environment based on photoluminescence (PL) technique. This present work deals with the luminescence property of α-Bi2O3 and Ag modified α-Bi2O3 nanostructures for d-glucose and Bovine serum albumin (BSA) sensing applications. These nanostructures are prepared by simple co-precipitation method and their morphology are examined using transmission electron microscope (TEM). We explore the PL characteristics of the prepared nanostructures and observe their change in PL intensity in the presence of d-glucose and BSA molecules. Enhancement in PL intensity is observed in the presence of d-glucose and BSA. Based on the PL response of prepared nanostructures in the biomolecule environment, we demonstrate biophotonic logic gates including YES, PASS 0, OR and INHIBIT gates.

Optimization of Treatment Modality in Elderly End-stage Renal Disease Population: Peritoneal Dialysis versus Transplant.

Despite kidney transplantation (KT) being considered as the best treatment modality for end-stage renal disease (ESRD), patient and graft survival in the elderly population is poorer than younger individuals. Many authors argue that prolonged life expectancy outweighs the risk of remaining on dialysis, but few studies had compared the treatment modalities, especially with peritoneal dialysis (PD). A retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary care institute to compare outcome of elderly ESRD patients, who received KT with those continued on PD; and to evaluate the predictors of patient survival. Patient survival at 1 year was (76.2% vs. 91.1%); 5 years (53.7% vs. 21.8%); and 10 years (35.6% vs. 0.00%) among KT and PD population, respectively. Infection was the most common cause of death among KT group (35 [41.2%] vs. 34 [28.2%]) while cardiovascular mortality in PD group (55 [46.2%] vs. 7 [8.2%]). Technique survival at 1, 5, and 10 years in PD group was 92.8%, 58.5%, and 0%, respectively. Similarly, graft survival at 1, 5, and 10 years in KT group was 98.7%, 90.2%, and 90.2%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed body mass index (BMI) (hazard ratio [HR] 0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.82-0.93, p < 0.001), and albumin (HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.37-0.80, p = 0.002) were significant predictors of survival. In the 1st year, patient survival was better in PD than KT, but after adjustment for BMI and albumin, both short-term and long-term survival in elderly KT group was better than that of PD. Hence, elderly ESRD patients should not be barred from KT just because of age.

Maternal Risk Factors and Periodontal Disease: A Cross-sectional Study among Postpartum Mothers in Tamil Nadu.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: It is inconclusive that periodontitis is an independent risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study aims to investigate the association between maternal periodontitis and preterm and/or low birth weight babies. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a prospective cross-sectional study. After prior informed consent, 3500 postpartum mothers were selected from various hospitals in Tamil Nadu and categorized into the following groups: group-1 - Normal term normal birth weight (n = 1100); Group-2 - Preterm normal birth weight (n = 400); Group-3 - preterm low birth weight (PTLBW) (n = 1000); and Group-4 - Normal term low birth weight (n = 1000). Periodontal examination was done, and risk factors were ascertained by means of questionnaire and medical records. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Comparison between case groups and control groups were done, odds ratio (OR) was calculated, and statistical significance were assessed by Chi-square tests. To control for the possible confounders, all variables with P < 0.05 were selected and entered into multivariate regression model, and OR and 95% confidence limits were again estimated. SPSS-15 software was used. RESULTS: Periodontitis was diagnosed in 54.8%, 52.3%, 53.8%, 59.4%, respectively. On comparison between the groups, none of periodontal parameters showed significant association except for the crude association observed in Group-4 for mild periodontitis (OR - 1.561; P = 0.000) and PTLBW. CONCLUSION: Periodontitis is not a significant independent risk factor, and obstetric factors contribute a major risk for preterm and/or low birth weight babies.

XRD and spectral dataset of the UV-A stable nanotubes of 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzylamine derivative of tyrosine.

The data presented in this article are related to the research entitled of UV-A stable nanotubes. The nanotubes have been prepared from 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzylamine derivative of tyrosine (BTTP). XRD data reveals the size of the nanotubes. As-synthesized nanotubes (BTTPNTs) are characterized by UV-vis optical absorption studies [1] and photo physical degradation kinetics. The resulted dataset is made available to enable critical or extended analyzes of the BTTPNTs as an excellent light resistive materials.

Repositioning of a pathologically migrated tooth using autologous platelet-rich plasma: a case report with 3-year follow-up.

An intricate balance between the periodontal tissues and the forces of occlusion, tongue, and lips helps to maintain a tooth in its physiologic position within the dental arch. Disturbances in the equilibrium can cause a tooth to migrate pathologically, often requiring multidisciplinary treatment approaches. The present case demonstrates, for the first time, the use of autologous platelet-rich plasma to aid in tooth repositioning after pathologic tooth migration. A 25-year-old woman presented with extrusion and labial migration of the maxillary left central incisor, a diastema of 3 mm, and grade II mobility. Radiographic evaluation showed a deep, angular bone defect, extending to the apical third of the root, on both the mesial and distal aspects of the maxillary left central incisor. Comprehensive treatment consisted of nonsurgical and surgical periodontal therapy with autologous platelet-rich plasma. Without orthodontic intervention, the unesthetic diastema had completely closed by the end of 3 months postoperatively, and the results were stable at a 3-year follow-up examination. This successful, novel approach can be adopted as a conservative and time-efficient modality for management of unesthetic spaces caused by pathologic tooth migration.

Förster resonance energy transfer and excited state life time reduction of rhodamine 6G with NiO nanorods in PVP films.

In the present study, we report the preparation of NiO nanorods (NNR) and its Förster resonant energy transfer (FRET) behaviour with rhodamine 6G (R6G) in a Polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) polymer matrix. The prepared nanocomposite polymer (NCP) films contain PVP and R6G whose concentrations are kept constant and different concentrations of NNR. Spectral overlap between the absorption and fluorescence spectrum of R6G and NNR shows the possibility of FRET phenomena to be occurring in the prepared NCP films. Steady state and time resolved fluorescence measurements are carried out at two excitation wavelengths (330 and 510nm) to study the energy transfer process between R6G and NNR in the PVP host. The obtained results show that the energy transfer is from R6G (serves as a donor) to NNR (functions as an acceptor). Calculated radiative efficiencies, donor-acceptor distances and average lifetime also confirm the energy transfer from R6G to NNR.

Synthesis, characterization of Ag-Au core-shell bimetal nanoparticles and its application for electrocatalytic oxidation/sensing of l-methionine.

The Ag-Au core-shell bimetal nanoparticles (BNPs) was prepared using chemical reduction method. The prepared Ag-Au core-shell BNPs were characterized by UV-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) pattern. These results showed the Ag-Au BNPs exhibited core-shell shape. The Ag-Au core-shell BNPs was examined towards electrocatalytic oxidation of l-methionine (l-Met) by cyclic voltammetry (CV), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and chronoamperometry. According to the results, l-Met is determined with detection limit of 30µM. Interference studies in biological buffer was also studied.

Management of gingival recession with acellular dermal matrix graft: A clinical study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Obtaining root coverage has become an important part of periodontal therapy. The aims of this studyare to evaluate the clinical efficacy of acellular dermal matrix graft in the coverage of denuded roots and also to examine the change in the width of keratinized gingiva. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 20 sites with more than or equal to 2 mm of recession depth were taken into the study, for treatment with acellular dermal matrix graft. The clinical parameters such as recession depth, recession width, width of keratinized gingiva, probing pocket depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were measured at the baseline, 8th week, and at the end of the study (16th week). The defects were treated with a coronally positioned pedicle graft combined with acellular dermal matrix graft. RESULTS: Out of 20 sites treated with acellular dermal matrix graft, seven sites showed complete root coverage (100%), and the mean root coverage obtained was 73.39%. There was a statistically significant reduction in recession depth, recession width, and probing PD. There was also a statistically significant increase in width of keratinized gingiva and also gain in CAL. The postoperative results were both clinically and statistically significant (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study were esthetically acceptable to the patients and clinically acceptable in all cases. From this study, it may be concluded that acellular dermal matrix graft is an excellent substitute for autogenous graft in coverage of denuded roots.

Chlorhexidine varnish implemented treatment strategy for chronic periodontitis: A clinical and microbial study.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the short-term clinical and microbiological effect of chlorhexidine varnish when used as an adjuvant to scaling and root planing in the treatment of chronic periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A split-mouth design was conducted in 11 patients suffering from chronic periodontitis. The control site underwent scaling and root planing, and the experimental site was additionally treated with chlorhexidine varnish application. Clinical parameters, namely, gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BoP), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment level were recorded at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively. Furthermore, microbial examination of the plaque samples was done at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months. RESULTS: Both treatment strategies showed significant improvement in GI, PI, BoP, PPD, and clinical attachment level, at both follow-up visits by comparison with baseline levels. At study termination, chlorhexidine varnish implemented treatment strategy resulted in additional improvement in the clinical parameters, and more reduction in the total anaerobic count at 1 month and 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that a chlorhexidine varnish implemented treatment strategy along with scaling and root planing may improve the clinical outcome for the treatment of chronic periodontitis in comparison to scaling and root planing alone.

The versatile subepithelial connective tissue graft: a literature update.

Harmony between hard and soft tissue morphologies is essential for form, function, and a good esthetic outlook. Replacement grafts for correction of soft tissue defects around the teeth have become important to periodontal plastic and implant surgical procedures. Among a multitude of surgical techniques and graft materials reported in literature, the subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) has gained wide popularity and acceptance. The purpose of this article is to acquaint clinicians with the current understanding of the versatile SCTG. Key factors associated with graft harvesting as well as applications, limitations, and complications of SCTGs are discussed. This connective tissue has shown excellent short- and long-term stability, is easily available, and is economical to use. The SCTG should be considered as an alternative in all periodontal reconstruction surgeries.

Surfactant assisted control on optical, fluorescence and phonon lifetime in α-Bi2O3 microrods.

We report preparation of pure and surfactant added α-Bi2O3 microrods through simple chemical method at moderate temperature. Cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) is used as a surfactant. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, UV-Vis absorption and photoluminescence (PL) measurements were carried out to understand the effect of surfactant (CTAB) on structural, phonon and optical properties of the prepared material. It is observed that the crystallite size, optical band gap and the structural defects (oxygen vacancies) decreases due to the effect of surfactant. Raman spectral studies exhibit various phonon modes of Bi2O3 and also decrease in the FWHM of the phonon modes is observed after the addition of CTAB.