Edible oysters — Present status of product development and domestic market potential in India

The fishery for oyster is worldwide. Extensive scientific studies on this species have taken place in our country also and the fishery, though in a moderate scale, is in existence along the coasts of Maharashtra and Kerala

SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERISATION AND APPLICATION OF PHENOL-FORMALDEHYDE RESIN BLENDED WITH SULPHONATED PHYLLANTHUS EMBLICA, LINN., CARBON

Phenol – Formaldehyde Resin (PFR) is blended with Sulphonated Phyllanthus emblica, Linn., Carbon (SPEC) in various proportions by weight percentage (0-50%w/w). A few composite cation-exchangers were prepared by varying the amount of SPEC (a source of cheap and renevable plant material) in the blends from 10 to 50% (w/w). Reaction conditions for the preparation of blends were optimised. IR spectra, TGA traces, and SEM photos were taken for the characterization of  resins. Physico-chemical, properties of the composite resins have been determined. The composites are insoluble in various solvents and reagents and stable towards heat.   Cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the composite resins, decreased with the increasing percentage of SPEC in the blend. Thermodynamic equilibrium constants (lnK) are calculated for H+ - Zn2+ exchanges on the resins having a different amount of SPEC. Thermodynamic parameters are also calculated and suitable explanations are given. The composites up to 20% (w/w) blending retains all the essential properties of the original PFR, since the Phyllanthus emblica, Linn., is the low cost, freely available plant material. Therefore, the composites could be used as low cost ion-exchangers, when SPEC partly replaces the original PFR up to 20% (w/w) blending without affecting the properties of PFR

Evaluation of the accuracy of working length determination and automatic apical reverse function accuracy of endodontic rotary motor integrated apex locator: an in-vitro study

Background: The outcome of a Root canal therapy depends upon complete cleaning of the root canal system without damaging periapical integrity. Accurate determination of working length determination is essential. The development of Endodontic motor integrated apex locators (EALs) for locating canal terminus has been significant innovation in the field of Endodontics. Aim: To evaluate the accuracy of Endomotor integrated electronic apex locator in determining the working length before and after cleaning and shaping with Automatic Apical Reverse action set at the "0.5mm" mark. Methodology: Forty extracted premolars were decoronated, patency was verified. The actual length of tooth measured and teeth were embedded in alginate and file was advanced. Readings at the apex and 0.5mm short of the apex was recorded using Dentaport ZX (DZ group) and EConnect S (ES group) apex locator. Cleaning and shaping were done with rotary files with Automatic Apical Reverse action set at 0.5mm short of apex and reading recorded as Automatic Apical Reverse Length (AARL), and actual tooth length is measured. The data obtained were statistically analyzed. Results: Within the limitations of the study, the EALs readings of the DZ group & ES group provided an acceptable determination of working length within range ± 0.5mm, and AAR function set at 0.5mm mark of Endomotor integrated apex locator (E Connect S) provided an adequate apical limit. Conclusion: Under the invitro conditions of this study, both Electronic Apex Locators showed an acceptable determination of working length within range ± 0.5mm from the actual length. The AAR function set at the 0.5mm mark of Econnect S provided an adequate apical limit

Microstructure and Wear Study of Al 7075-T6/Eggshell/SiC/Al2O3 Hybrid Composites

In present experimental investigation, hybrid aluminium metal matrix composites were fabricated using stir casting technique by infusing eggshell particles (0.5, 1 wt%), SiC particles (1, 1.5 wt%) and Al2O3 particles (1.5, 2.5 wt%) into Al 7075-T6 metal matrix. The developed composites were further characterized for microstructures using FESEM, X-ray diffractometry and EDS techniques. Tribological behaviour investigations were carried out using a pin-on-disk tribometer for comparative study between as-cast Al 7075-T6 alloy and Al-7075-T6/Eggshell/SiC/Al2O3 composites. During dry sliding wear test at room temperature, there was a decrease of 33% in wear rate, 20% in coefficient of friction and 20% in frictional force of composites, whereas in presence of lubricant, the developed composites exhibited maximum reduction of 85% in wear rate, 46% in coefficient of friction and 46% in frictional force as compared to their unreinforced counterparts. Due to augmented tribological properties, fabricated hybrid composites can reasonably be used for lightweight wear-resistant applications

Violence against women: a study on nature, prevalence and extent

Background: To study the nature, prevalence and extent of domestic violence against women in the study area.Methods: The cross-sectional study was carried out in the urban and rural area of Surendranagar district of Gujarat. Total 600 ever married women of 15-49 years of age were selected for the study purpose. The self-administered questionnaire was used to gather all the information. Steps were taken up to maintain confidentiality.Results: Out of total 600 women, 231 (38.5%) were victims of domestic violence in one form or the other. The analysis based on each form of violence discloses that about 83% were victims of psychological violence, about 54% of the victims had experienced physical violence, about 32% were victims of economical violence and about 24% were victims of sexual violence.Conclusions: Husband was the frequent instigator of domestic violence. Psychological violence is the commonest form of violence experienced by the victims

Prevalence of middle mesial canals and Isthmi in mandibular molars in a subpopulation of Andhra Pradesh: An in vivo investigation using CBCT.

Background: Pulp and root canal space is enigmatic and highly complex. Encountering rare has become a norm with the advancements in the technology of materials and types of equipment. The success of the root canal treatment depends on the effective removal of bacteria from the whole pulp space. A high percentage of the missed canal is reported for the failure of Endodontic therapy. Mandibular molars have complex root canal anatomy. Two roots with two canals in mesial root and one to two canals in distal root is a common occurrence.    Nevertheless, the incidence of variation is relatively high, including separate distolingual, mesiobuccal, C-Shaped canals, isthmus, and additional canal in the mesial root. A wide range of the middle mesial canal occurrence, i.e., 3.1 to 46.1%, is reported in the world and 28.3% in North India. Aim: To identify the prevalence of the true middle mesial canal (MM) and configuration of Isthmi in the mesial root of the mandibular molar in the AP   subpopulation of South India.   Materials and methods: CBCT of 89 patients were randomly selected from the institutional database. Data entry was performed in Excel, and data analysis was done with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: Four images (4.5%) revealed Middle Mesial canals with no statically significant occurrence. The frequency of isthmi in the mesial roots was 52.7%.  This showed a considerable presence. Conclusion: MM canals are 4.5% in a subpopulation of Andhra Pradesh. Isthmuses are very common in the mesial roots of permanent mandibular molars. Isthmus about 58% was seen with Type II configuration that is the presence of two canals without a definite communication

ONE STEP QUANTIFICATION ANALYTICAL METHOD AND CHARACTERIZATION OF VALSARTAN BY LC-MS

Objective: To develop precise LC-MS method for the estimation of valsartan impurities and perform validation as per ICH guidelines.Methods: Valsartan (VLN) and its degradation products were analyzed by reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) using mobile phase water: acetonitrile: glacial acetic acid: phosphate buffer in the ratio of 500:500:1:0.5 v/v/v/v at 225 nm using column nucleosil C18, 125 ×4.0 mm, 5 µm. VLN sample (VLN SPL) thus obtained an unknown major impurity (UIMP) of 0.5 % at 0.38 retention time ratio (RRt) and purity of VLN was found to be 98.70 % respectively.Results: Estimation of VLN SPL total unknown impurities was found to be 1.3% by RP-HPLC. In similarly by liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy (LC-MS) a typical chromatogram of valsartan (VLN) at Rt 9.03 min and UIMP at Rt 3.3 min were recorded at a total run time of 23 min. Assay of VLN SPL was validated as per international council for harmonization (ICH) guidelines. Average % recovery was found to be 100.04 % for VLN SPL.Conclusion: The proposed work clearly indicates that the method can be easily adapted for the routine one step estimation of VLN active pharmaceutical ingredient (API)

Comparison of push-out bond strength of bioceramic sealer with bioceramic coated and non-bioceramic coated Guttapercha: an in vitro study

Background: The goal of the endodontic treatment is to achieve a fluid-tight impervious seal to prevent the ingress of bacteria and the occurrence of any pathology in future. The endodontic sealer plays a crucial role in obtaining the hermetic seal by filling all the spaces and by binding to the root dentin and to the core obturating material, which is usually gutta-percha. Aim: This study aimed to compare the push-out bond strength of Endosequence BC sealer with bioceramic coated gutta-percha and non-bioceramic coated gutta-percha. Materials and methods: A total of 36 extracted human maxillary central incisors were decoronated to standardize the root length of 15mm. Working length was determined and Biomechanical preparation for all the samples was done with a Mtwo (VDW Company) rotary file till 40/.06. Samples were randomly divided into three groups containing 12 teeth in each group based on the obturation procedure, namely Group 1: Endosequence BC sealer along with Endosequence bioceramic coated gutta-percha (n=12), Group 2: Endosequence BC sealer along with normal gutta-percha (n=12), Group 3: AH Plus sealer along with normal gutta-percha. All the samples were obturated using single cone technique. The specimens were sectioned orthogonally at middle third to obtain three sections of 1mm thick. All the samples were subjected to the push-out bond strength test with the universal testing machine. The data were subjected to one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) followed by post hoc analysis. Results: Samples obturated with Endosequence BC sealer with Endosequence bioceramic coated gutta-percha showed the maximum push-out bond strength followed by Group 3 and Group 2.  One-way Anova showed significant differences (p=0.021) among the groups. In posthoc analysis, the specimens from group 1 exhibited significant differences (p=0.016) with the group 2 specimens. Conclusion: The push-out bond strength of Endosequence Bioceramic sealer with Endosequence Bioceramic coated gutta-percha was significantly higher than that of Endosequence Bioceramic sealer with normal gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer with normal gutta-percha

Rhodobacter johrii sp. nov., an endospore-producing cryptic species isolated from semi-arid tropical soils

An oval to rod shaped phototrophic purple nonsulfur bacterium, strain JA192T was isolated from an enrichment culture of a pasteurized rhizosphere soil sample of jowar crop collected from Godumakunta village, near Hyderabad, India. Strain JA192T is Gram-negative, motile and produces endospores. Phylogenetic analysis on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain JA192T is closely related to Rhodobacter sphaeroides DSM 158T (99.9% sequence similarity), Rhodobacter megalophilus JA194T (99.8%) and Rhodobacter azotoformans JCM 9340T (98.1%) and clusters with other species of the genus Rhodobacter of the family Rhodobacteraceae. However, DNA-DNA hybridization with Rba. sphaeroides DSM 158T, Rba. megalophilus JA194T and Rba. azotoformans JCM 9320T showed a relatedness of only 38-57% with respect to JA192T. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, DNA-DNA hybridization data, morphological, physiological and chemotaxanomic characters, strain JA192T represents a novel species of the genus Rhodobacter, for which the name Rhodobacter johrii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JA192T (= DSM 18678T = JCM 14543T = MTCC 8172T)