Investigation of liver-targeted peripheral focused ultrasound stimulation (pFUS) and its effect on glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a proof of concept, phase 1 trial.

BACKGROUND: Mechanical waves produced by ultrasound pulses have been shown to activate mechanosensitive ion channels and modulate peripheral nerves. However, while peripheral ultrasound neuromodulation has been demonstrated in vitro and in pre-clinical models, there have been few reports of clinical tests. AIM: We modified a diagnostic imaging system for ultrasound neuromodulation in human subjects. We report the first safety and feasibility outcomes in subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2D) mellitus and discuss these outcomes in relation to previous pre-clinical results. DESIGN: The study was performed as an open label feasibility study to assess the effects of hepatic ultrasound (targeted to the porta hepatis) on glucometabolic parameters in subjects with T2D. Stimulation (peripheral focused ultrasound stimulation treatment) was performed for 3 days (i.e. 15 min per day), preceded by a baseline examination and followed by a 2-week observation period. METHODS: Multiple metabolic assays were employed including measures of fasting glucose and insulin, insulin resistance and glucose metabolism. The safety and tolerability were also assessed by monitoring adverse events, changes in vital signs, electrocardiogram parameters and clinical laboratory measures. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: We report post-pFUS trends in several outcomes that were consistent with previous pre-clinical findings. Fasting insulin was lowered, resulting in a reduction of HOMA-IR scores (P-value 0.01; corrected Wilcoxon signed-rank test). Additional safety and exploratory markers demonstrated no device-related adverse impact of pFUS. Our findings demonstrate that pFUS represents a promising new treatment modality that could be used as a non-pharmaceutical adjunct or even alternative to current drug treatments in diabetes.

Timely sown maize hybrids improve the post-anthesis dry matter accumulation, nutrient acquisition and crop productivity.

Delayed sowing of maize hybrids could exacerbate the capability of maximizing the yield potential through poor crop stand, root proliferation, nutrient uptake, and dry matter accumulation coupled with the inadequate partitioning of the assimilates. This study appraised the performance of five recent maize hybrids viz., PMH-1, PJHM-1, AH-4158, AH-4271, and AH-8181 under timely and late sown conditions of the irrigated semi-arid ecologies. Timely sowing had the grain and stover yields advantage of 16-19% and 12-25%, respectively over the late sown maize hybrids. The advanced hybrids AH-4271 and AH-4158 had higher grain yields than the others. During the post-anthesis period, a greater dry matter accumulation and contribution to the grain yield to the tune of 16% and 10.2%, respectively, was observed under timely sown conditions. Furthermore, the nutrient acquisition and use efficiencies also improved under the timely sown. The nutrient and dry matter remobilization varied among the hybrids with AH-4271 and PMH-1 registering greater values. The grain yield stability index (0.85) was highest with AH-4158 apart from the least yield reduction (15.2%) and stress susceptibility index (0.81), while the maximum geometric mean productivity was recorded with the AH-4271 (5.46 Mg ha-1). The hybrids AH-4271 and PJHM-1 exhibited improved root morphological traits, such as root length, biomass, root length density, root volume at the V5 stage (20 days after sowing, DAS) and 50% flowering (53 DAS). It is thus evident that the timely sowing and appropriate hybrids based on stress tolerance indices resulted in greater yields and better utilization of resources.

Experimental investigation of performance characteristics of compression-ignition engine with biodiesel blends of Jatropha oil & coconut oil at fixed compression ratio.

The present research investigates raw oil (Jatropha and coconut oil Fuel), which lies in the edible and non-edible vegetable oils category. We have a set opinion to be taken as potential alternative fuels for C.I. engines and are choosing to search out their quality being employed as a future fuel. The most effective distinction between these two varieties of oils and diesel fuel is viscosity. The blends of the above oils prepared along with pure diesel. Each oil was separately blended in variable proportion (20%-50%) with pure diesel. We have experimented to monitor and analyze the performance of pure diesel fuel against various blends (B20 to B50) of Jatropha-biodiesel & Coconut-biodiesel at a fixed compression ratio i.e. eighteen. The performance limits that were under study and compared are the variation of brake specific fuel consumption & brake thermal efficiency with various loads for many fuel blends.

An evaluation of craniofacial growth pattern in North Indian children.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess craniofacial growth pattern in children with generalized decreased skeletal age and compare it with the children having normal skeletal age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lateral cephalograms and hand wrist radiographs of 40 patients (age group 3-14 years) were taken and skeletal age assessment was done with hand wrist radiographs according to Greulich and Pyle, based on which two groups were made, Group A - Control group (normal skeletal age) and Group B - study group (decreased skeletal age). Group A had a sample size of 21 and Group B, a sample size of 19. These were further divided into subgroups according to age: subgroup (a) - 3 to 6 years, subgroup (b) - 7 to 11 years and subgroup (c) - 12 to 14 years. The skeletal and dental patterns were analyzed with Down's Cephalometric analysis. Student "t" test was used to verify comparisons in all the subgroups of patients of Group A and Group B. RESULTS: The facial angle and Cant of occlusal plane exhibited maximum difference between the two groups which indicated that mandibular growth was affected more than other bones in diseased child patients. CONCLUSION: The present study led to the conclusion that craniofacial growth was retarded in children with generalized decreased skeletal age in comparison to healthy child patients.

Qualitative and Quantitative Effect of a Protective Chlorhexidine Varnish Layer Over Resin-infiltrated Proximal Carious Lesions in Primary Teeth.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the progression of noncavitated initial proximal carious lesions in primary teeth, infiltrated with low viscosity resins, both with and without an overlying layer of chlorhexidine varnish. METHODS: Forty-five children, with at least two white spot lesions on the proximal surfaces of primary molars, were assessed. The clinical procedure of resin infiltration (DMG, ICON) was similar in both groups. In the test group, after infiltration a double layer of chlorhexidine varnish (Cervitec Plus) was coated on the surface. Participants were recalled after nine months. Radiographic assessment was performed with GIMP software using representative histograms of the lesion. McNemar and chi-square tests were used to measure clinical and radiographic scores within and between groups. A two-sided (α equals two) P-value less than 0.05 (P≤0.05) was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The carious lesion with an International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) three score had a statistically significant shift of pixel count distribution to a higher grayscale range in the test compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: The statistically significant positive histogram changes in the test group suggest benefits of an overlying chlorhexidine varnish layer on resin infiltration only when the carious surface had microcavitations.

Effect of different design preparations on the flexural and fracture strength of fiber-reinforced composite fixed partial dentures: an in vitro study.

PURPOSE: To determine and compare the flexural and fracture strength of three-unit fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) fixed partial dentures (FPDs) using three abutment design preparations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The flexural and fracture strength of three-unit FRC FPDs were evaluated using three design preparations of the abutments (conventional full crown [group A], box-shaped [group B], and tub-shaped [group C]). Thirty three-unit FRC FPDs were fabricated (10 specimens per group) for the replacement of missing mandibular first molars and were adhesively luted to extracted human teeth. The flexural and fracture strength were determined using a universal testing machine with a steel loading pin of 20 mm diameter with a 3-mm-diameter hardened circular tip. Each specimen was evaluated under SEM to determine mode of failure. RESULTS: Mean fracture strength for group A was 820.00 ± 56.51 N, group B was 536.94 ± 65.62 N, and group C was 501.24 ± 66.71 N. The highest mean flexural strength was found in group A (68.33 ± 4.71 MPa), followed by group B (44.74 ± 5.46 MPa) and lowest in group C (41.77 ± 5.56 MPa). The SEM evaluation showed partial or complete debonding of veneering composite from fiber framework, leaving intact fiber frameworks in all the specimens. CONCLUSION: Full-coverage design had significantly higher flexural and fracture strengths than box and tub-shaped designs. Since both values were noted to be in the order of masticatory stresses, the full coverage design is a good alternative for the replacement of missing molar teeth; however, the framework veneering composite interface was the weakest phase of FRC FPDs, thus indicating that further improvement in veneering composite or fiber framework is needed to improve the compatibility of veneering composite with that of fiber framework for long-term clinical implications.

Effect of intermaxillary tooth-size discrepancy on accuracy of prediction equations for mixed dentition space analysis.

AIM: Correlation-statistical methods are widely used for prediction of size of unerupted permanent canines and premolars in mixed dentition space analysis. The present study was planned to evaluate the effect of selecting dental study casts with no intermaxillary tooth-size discrepancy on the accuracy of predicting mesiodistal widths (MDWS) of permanent canines and premolars. STUDY DESIGN: Bolton ratios were calculated for all the screened study dental casts fulfilling the inclusion criteria. Subjects were divided into two groups. Group A: all subjects with no intermaxillary tooth-size discrepancy within ±2 SD (Standard deviation) of the mean values. Group B: increased percentage of subjects with intermaxillary tooth-size discrepancy beyond ±2 SD (Standard deviation) of the mean values. STATISTICS: Linear regression equations were established for both maxilla and mandible in both the groups, with different tooth combinations as independent variables. Validation of best possible regression equations was done on an independent set of 40 subjects. The actual and predicted values of MDWS of permanent canines and premolars were compared by paired samples t test in both groups, for both arches. RESULTS: The accuracy of equations derived from group A was higher than those derived from group B. The difference between actual and predicted values was statistically insignificant in group A and statistically significant in group B. CONCLUSION: The results confirm the accuracy of simple linear regression equations derived from a sample of children with no intermaxillary tooth-size discrepancy.

Structural, magnetic and dielectric properties of Ni(1_x)Zn(x)Fe2O4 (x = 0,0.5 and 1) nanoparticles synthesized by chemical co-precipitation method.

Ni(1-x)Zn(x)Fe2O4 (x = 0, 0.5 and 1) ferrite nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical co-precipitation method. X-ray diffraction technique and Rietveld refinement were used to investigate the structural characteristics and determination of the particle size which was found to decrease from 4.9 to 4.1 nm as a function of increasing Zn from 0 to 1.0. Vibrating sample magnetometer was used to study magnetic properties of nickel zinc ferrite nanoparticles. Field-dependent magnetization measurements (M-H curve) at 300 K revealed that Zn substitutions on inverse spinel nickel ferrites enhance the magnetic properties. Magnetization as a function of temperature showed the superparamagnetic behavior of Ni(1-x)Zn(x)Fe2O4 (x = 0,0.5 and 1) nanoparticles. Dielectric permittivity and a.c. conductivity were measured as a function of frequency from 100 kHz to 1 MHz at certain temperatures. The observed response in a.c. conductivity as a function of log of frequency of these nickel zinc ferrite systems was believed to be due to the presence of Maxwell-Wagner type interfacial polarization and hopping of electron by means of quantum mechanical tunneling.

Revascularization of an immature tooth with a necrotic pulp using platelet-rich fibrin: a case report.

AIM: To discuss the clinical and radiological outcome of a revascularization procedure in an immature tooth with a necrotic pulp using platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), a second-generation platelet concentrate. SUMMARY: A 7-year-old male reported with pain in the maxillary anterior region as a result of the injury to his immature right maxillary central incisor tooth. After preparation of the access cavity, the necrotic pulp was removed and the canal irrigated using 5.25% sodium hypochlorite solution. The canal was then dried and packed with triantibiotic paste for 3 weeks. After removal of the antibiotic paste, a 5 mL sample of whole venous blood was drawn from the patient's forearm to prepare PRF. The freshly prepared PRF was condensed in the canal until the cementoenamel junction. Three millimetres of white MTA was placed directly over the PRF clot. Three days later, the tooth was restored using a permanent restoration. At 7-, 12- and 15-month recall, the tooth was asymptomatic with no sensitivity to percussion or palpation. At 12- and 15-month follow-up, the tooth responded positively to cold and an electric pulp test, and similarly to adjacent lateral incisor and canine teeth. Radiographic examination demonstrated continued thickening of root canal walls, root lengthening and apical closure. KEY LEARNING POINT: Platelet-rich fibrin might serve as a potentially ideal scaffold in revascularization of immature permanent teeth with necrotic pulps as it is rich in growth factors, enhances cellular proliferation and differentiation, and acts as a matrix for tissue ingrowth.

An evaluation of Vitamin E and Pycnogenol in children suffering from oral mucositis during cancer chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of Vitamin E (E) and Pycnogenol (P) in treatment of Chemotherapy-Related Oral Mucositis (ChROM) in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 72 children, aged between 6 and 15 years, with ChROM were selected and randomly divided into three groups after assessment of oral mucositis (OM) by WHO grading system. Glycerine (control), E, and P were topically applied in group I, II, and III, respectively, and the prognosis of OM was assessed by functional, objective, and subjective parameters. RESULTS: Patients of group II and III showed significant improvement when ChROM was analyzed through scoring systems - WHO grading, Oral Mucositis Assessment Scale (OMAS), and Children's International Mucositis Evaluation Scale (ChIMES) as compared to group I (P < 0.001); however, there was no significant difference between groups II and III. CONCLUSION: Both the drugs E and P per se are effective for treatment of OM with P being not effective for the treatment of severe mucositis (grade 4). Combination of E and P and additional agents may be tried for better results.

Erupted composite odontoma associated with malformed teeth - unusual dental aberrations following maxillofacial trauma.

BACKGROUND: Tooth development may be hampered following traumatic injuries to maxilla or mandible. The developmental deviations that occur in a tooth bud in the line of a jaw fracture range from agenesis to hamartomatous proliferation. Odontomas are benign odontogenic hard tissue tumors, which are hamartomas characterized by slow growth and non-aggressive behavior. 'Erupted odontoma' is a term used to specifically denote odontomas, which are exposed into the oral cavity. These are rare entities with only 25-30 cases being reported so far in the dental literature. CASE DESCRIPTION: This clinical report is pertaining to a rare case of an erupted odontoma in an adolescent patient which was presenting as a hard tissue outgrowth along with an extra-oral sinus in the posterior mandibular region. The surgical excision of the odontoma along with the associated malformed teeth resulted in resolution of pain and sinus discharge associated with this lesion. CONCLUSIONS: Erupted odontomas need to be considered in the differential diagnosis of hard tissue projections or outgrowths in the site of past maxillofacial injuries. Surgical excision of these lesions enable resolution of patient symptoms associated with this condition as evidenced in the present case and in other cases cited in the literature. The erupted odontoma attached to malformed molars and presenting with signs and symptoms suggestive of osteomyelitis is a rare combination of developmental aberrations following maxillofacial injury.

Steroidal feedback on photoperiodic induction of testicular growth and development in two bird species.

Present study was performed to demonstrate the effect of exogenous administration of testosterone propionate on photoperiodic induction of testicular growth and development in brahminy myna (Sturnus pagodarum) and baya weaver (Ploceus philippinus). Two groups of brahminy myna and baya weaver (n=5 each) were exposed to 15L:9D (group-I) and 9L:15D (group-II), and received 30 microg of TP bird(-1) for 15 days. Then, the photoperiod was reversed; the one receiving 15L was exposed to 9L and vice versa. Observations on body mass and testis volume were taken at the beginning and at 15 days interval. In brahminy myna, a significant change in body mass occurred under 9L:15D, transfer to 15L:9D, but not under 15L:9D group, transfer to 9L:15D. Also, testes were stimulated under 15L:9D transferred to 9L:15D, but not under 9L:15D transferred to 15L:9D. In baya weaver, body mass increased under 15L:9D and 9L:15D for first 15 days and was maintained until the end of the experiment. Testes enlarged gradually in both groups (15L:9D and 9L:15D transfer to vice versa), but it regressed in 15L:9D group, transferred to 9L:15D after 45 days. Taken together it appears that body mass response indicates the photoperiodic effect and gonadal response indicates the hormonal effect. Finally results conclude that the photoperiod and circulating testosterone levels feedback on to hypothalamus regulates reproductive cycle in these birds.

Novel mutations in calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV (CAMK4) gene in infertile men.

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV (CAMK4) is a multifunctional serine/threonine protein kinase, which plays an important role in the spermatogenesis by phosphorylating protamines. It has been shown to be involved in the regulation of human sperm motility. Moreover, the Camk4 knockout mice were infertile because of severely reduced sperm count and morphological abnormalities. As no study is available on the association of this gene with male infertility, we analysed all the exons of CAMK4 gene in ethnically matched 283 infertile and 268 fertile Indian men. We identified twenty nucleotide substitutions, of which twelve were novel. Of these novel variants, eight were exclusively detected in infertile men. Moreover, two infertile men-specific mutations were non-synonymous replacing amino acids at the highly conserved region. In silico analysis predicted both of these mutations as 'deleterious'. In addition to nucleotide substitutions, we identified five novel insertion-deletion mutations; of these, g.150264_66delGCG was exclusively found in two oligoasthenoteratozoospermic men. In silico analysis of infertile men exclusive mutations predicted that they can alter/diminish the potential binding sites of splicing factors, which may affect the mRNA splicing and protein translation. Our study suggests that the mutations in CAMK4 may lead to abnormal semen parameters.

An estimation of fluoride release from various dental restorative materials at different pH: In vitro study.

BACKGROUND: In the mid of 1980s, the cariostatic effect of fluoride ions on enamel caries had been demonstrated in many studies. The use of fluoride releasing dental restorative materials has seen increasing from many years for the specific purpose of leaching of fluoride into the surrounding tissues to inhibit secondary dental caries as well as prevention of caries in the newly erupted tooth. In the dental caries, acidic environment causes the demineralization of tooth structure and also affect the restorative margins of dental restoration. AIM: various restorative materials show different behavior in different pH conditions of oral cavity. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the fluoride release of the various restorative materials at different pH. DESIGN: In this in vitro study, 30 samples of each dental restorative material were prepared and grouped into five with six samples in each group as per the pH of the solution 4.3, 4.6, 5.0, 5.5, and 6.2. All the samples were subjected to alternate cycling of the demineralizing solution (6 h) and remineralizing solution (18 h) for 15 days. RESULTS: the fluoride release was measured by using fluoride ion specific electrode and digital ion analyzer. The result showed that the fluoride release rate was significantly higher in first day and reduced after third day to nearly constant level. At pH 4.3, the fluoride release was highest and lowest at pH 6.2. CONCLUSION: the Amalgomer CR showed the highest fluoride release among all the experimental dental restorative materials.

Arthroscopic subacromial decompression is effective in selected patients with shoulder impingement syndrome.

A total of 92 patients with symptoms for over six months due to subacromial impingement of the shoulder, who were being treated with physiotherapy, were included in this study. While continuing with physiotherapy they waited a further six months for surgery. They were divided into three groups based on the following four clinical and radiological criteria: temporary benefit following steroid injection, pain in the mid-arc of abduction, a consistently positive Hawkins test and radiological evidence of impingement. Group A fulfilled all four criteria, group B three criteria and group C two criteria. A total of nine patients improved while waiting for surgery and were excluded, leaving 83 who underwent arthroscopic subacromial decompression (SAD). The new Oxford shoulder score was recorded pre-operatively and at three and 12 months post-operatively. A total of 51 patients (group A) had a significant improvement in the mean shoulder score from 18 (13 to 22) pre-operatively to 38 (35 to 42) at three months (p < 0.001). The mean score in this group was significantly better than in group B (21 patients) and C (11 patients) at this time. At one year patients in all groups showed improvement in scores, but patients in group A had a higher mean score (p = 0.01). At one year patients in groups A and B did better than those in group C (p = 0.01). Arthroscopic SAD is a beneficial intervention in selected patients. The four criteria could help identify patients in whom it is likely to be most effective.

Dental management of a pediatric patient with Burkitt lymphoma: a case report.

Recent advancements in the field of cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy have led to higher rates of survival for children with malignant tumors. More than 75% of pediatric patients diagnosed with malignancies survive more than 5 years. These advancements have resulted in additional responsibilities for dental professionals to diagnose, evaluate, prevent, stabilize, and manage the oral and dental problems that can compromise the quality of life of these children. This case report highlights the importance of professional and self-administered oral prophylactic measures and patient compliance in the successful oral rehabilitation of a pediatric patient with Burkitt lymphoma.

The effect of mouth breathing on dentofacial morphology of growing child.

BACKGROUND: The oral mode of respiration cause postural adaptations of structures in the head and neck region producing the effect on the positional relationship of the jaws. AIM: The aim of this study is to verify the skeletal relationship of mouth and nose breathing child. STUDY DESIGN: A cross sectional study was performed to assess the association of changed mode of respiration with dentofacial growth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred children among which 54 were mouth breathers and 46 were nasal breathers of 6-12 years of age were submitted to clinical examination and cephalometric radiographical analysis. Statistical analysis : Chi-square test for proportions and independent sample's "t" test for parametric data is used. RESULT: The mean values of N-Me (P<0.001) ANS-Me (P<0.001) and SN-GoGn (P<0.001) for mouth breathers is significantly higher. ArGo-GoMe (P=0.003) and (P<0.011) for 6-9 and 9-12 years age group, respectively, were significantly low in nasal breathers group. CONCLUSIONS: Changed mode of respiration was associated with increased facial height, mandibular plane angle and gonial angle.

An assessment of the relationship between cervical vertebrae maturation index and eruption of permanent maxillary canines.

AIM: The purpose of the present study was to establish the relationship between the eruption of permanent maxillary canines and cervical vertebral maturation stages (CVMs) to assess an alternative method for determining time of canine eruption in the late mixed dentition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty subjects with erupting permanent maxillary canines were observed both intraorally and radiographically with orthopantamograms. Lateral cephalograms were recorded to divide subjects according to CVM stage into prepeak (CS1 and CS2), peak (CS3 and CS4) and postpeak (CS5 and CS6) groups of puberty. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The differences between the prevalence rates of canine eruption in different groups of puberty were estimated using 'z test'. RESULTS: Prepeak group comprised of forty six subjects, peak group sixty eight subjects and postpeak group six subjects. The differences in prevalence rates between peak and prepeak and between peak and postpeak groups were noticed highly significant (p<0.001), while prevalence rates between peak and postpeak was found less significant ( p0 <0.01). CONCLUSION: Eruption of the permanent maxillary canine can occur at any CVM stage till end of the puberty or after puberty (CS1-CS6). Thus, an absence of maxillary canine during or after postpeak stage of puberty (CS5 or CS6) suggests delayed eruption and canine impaction.

A comparative evaluation of intranasal midazolam, ketamine and their combination for sedation of young uncooperative pediatric dental patients: a triple blind randomized crossover trial.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of intranasal (IN) administration of midazolam (M), ketamine (K) and their combination (MK) to produce moderate sedation in young, uncooperative pediatric dental patients. STUDY DESIGN: In this three stage crossover trial forty five uncooperative ASA type-1 children, who required dental treatment, were randomly assigned to receive one of the three drugs/combination by IN route during three subsequent visits. The efficacy and safety of the agents were assessed by overall success rate and by monitoring of vital signs, respectively. RESULTS: The onset of sedation was rapid with K as compared to M and MK. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01) between K and M. The overall success rate was 89% with K, MK was 84% and 69% with M. The difference between the overall success rates of K and M was statistically significant (P < 0.01). Vital signs were within physiological limits and there were no significant adverse effects with any medication. CONCLUSIONS: M, K and MK are safe and effective by IN route to produce moderate sedation for providing dental care to pediatric dental patients who have been otherwise indicated for treatment under general anesthesia.

An evaluation of nanocomposites as pit and fissure sealants in child patients.

BACKGROUND: Dental caries affects populations of all ages in all the regions of the world, with the child patient being at the highest risk. Fifty percent of the permanent molars are decayed by the age of 12, due to lack of information about protection and occlusal morphology. Pit and fissure sealing undoubtedly plays a fundamental role in preventing occlusal caries. The most common approach to assess the sealing ability of pit and fissure sealants of tooth/restoration is the measurement of dye penetration along the interface. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The present study aims to evaluate the microleakage and penetration depth of three different types of dental materials, namely (A) Conventional pit and fissure sealant, (B) Flowable composite, (C) Flowable nanocomposite. STUDY DESIGN: This in-vitro comparative study comprised of extracted human posterior teeth mounted as blocks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, microleakage and penetration depths of conventional sealants/flowable composite and nanocomposite were measured with the help of a dye under stereomicroscope. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: A student't' test and Analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests were performed to compare the mean microleakage and penetration depth. RESULTS: Microleakage was found to be highest for the flowable composites, and least for the conventional sealant. The nanocomposite values were intermediate. Penetration depth was highest for nanocomposite and least for flowable composite. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results, the nanocomposite was found to be an excellent dental material for penetration in deep pits and fissures, though it exhibits mild microleakage. Hence, it can be recommended for use in pediatric dental patients, as a pit and fissure sealing agent.