A comparative clinical evaluation of Herbal and synthetic dentifrices in dentinal hyper-sensitivity

Background: Dentin hypersensitivity could be defined as a short, sharp pain arising from exposed dentin in response to stimuli typically thermal, evaporative, tactile, osmotic, or chemical and which cannot be ascribed to any other form of dental defect or pathology. In Ayurveda Dentinal Hypersensitivity can be compared with Dantaharsha. When teeth are sensitized to cold/breeze, hot, dry and sour eatables and have pain and shaky feeling, the condition is called ‘Dantaharsha’. Toothpastes are the most widely used dentifrices for delivering over-the-counter desensitizing agents. The aim study was to evaluate the effect of Herbal dentifrices in Dentinal hypersensitivity. The objective of this study was to prepare palatable formulation of Herbal Dentifrices to maintain oral health and prevent oral pathologies Materials and Methods: In this open-labelled, randomized, controlled study, 60 assenting patients between 18-40 years of age were enrolled and randomized into trial and control groups, after obtaining EC approval and informed consent. Those in the trial group received Herbal dentifrices, control group participants received Synthetic dentifrices. Herbal and synthetic dentifrices given to apply twice a day for 3 wks. Follow up was taken after second week and third week.The duration of treatment was of 21 days. Dentifrice was prepared under all hygienic conditions and safety precautions in GMP certified pharmacy.  Effect in Dentinal hypersensitivity was assessed by scored using VAS on air stimulus and cold-water stimulus and Air Blast Stimulation Schiff Cold Air Sensitivity Scale. Appropriate statistical tests applied to the data to obtain results  Results: On analysis of data generated through clinical assessment, improvement was seen in dentinal hypersensitivity in both the groups. Though synthetic dentifrice showed better results than the herbal one, the trial drug exhibited a promising output in the study. Statistically Group B shows better results in the median Hypersensitivity score on VAS and Air blast stimulation compared to Group A.   Conclusion: In present study, improvement was seen in dentinal hypersensitivity in both the groups. Synthetic dentifrice showed better results than the herbal one. Although the results in the trial group were not disappointing. The results were encouraging enough to use the drug for further research. &nbsp

Two – Arm, Randomized, Open Labeled, Comparative, Prospective Clinical Study to Assess the Efficacy of Amalaki Ghrita Aashchyotana versus Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Eye Ointment in Dry Eye Syndrome with special reference to Shushkaakshipaka

Background: Increased computer work hours, reduced blinking and effect of light rays and radiation lead to raised number of cases of dry eye. Amalaki Ghrita Aashchyotana can be useful in the management of dry eye. Objectives: to compare the clinical efficacy of Amalaki Ghrita Aashchyotana with Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) eye ointment as a surface lubricant in dry eye syndrome with special reference to Shushkaakshipaka. Methods: In an open labeled, comparative, randomized, prospective clinical study, 60 patients of Dry eye syndrome were randomly selected randomly and categorized into 2 groups, each comprising 30 patients each. Patients in trial group were given Amalaki Ghrita Aashchyotana while patients in the control group were given local application of HPMC eye ointment for consecutive 90 days. Patients were assessed on various clinical parameters before and after the treatment. The data generated through clinical study was subjected to appropriate statistical tests. Results: On treatment of Amalaki Ghrita Aashchyotana in trial group and HPMC eye ointment in control group for 90 days showed significant difference in all objectives as well as subjective parameters on intra-group comparison. The statistically insignificant inter-group comparison shows that both the treatments were equivalent. No adverse events during or after the completion of study in any of the groups. Conclusion: Amalaki Ghrita Aashchyotana is equally efficient as HPMC eye ointment in Dry eye syndrome and has more advantage over HPMC ointment, as it also can help to improve visual acuity

A DESIGN OF SOLAR POWERED AGRICULTURE ROBOT

The idea of applying robotics in agriculture is very new. The ultimate goal is to optimize the performance of robot in an efficient manner with greenenergy. The main reason behind the automation of farming processes are saving time and energy required for performing repetitive faming task. The paper deals with agriculture device for fertilizer spraying and grass cutting at a time by using solar energy. Therefore these unpredictable features like use of renewable source of energy and complete automation makes it most economical, unique and compatible

Assessing the sustainability of subsistence fisheries of small indigenous fish species: fishing mortality and exploitation of hill stream loaches in India

Small, least conspicuous fish species are targeted through subsistence fisheries in many regions of the world, but little is known about their population dynamics or exploitation levels. In the Western Ghats of India, part of a global biodiversity hotspot and an exceptional region of freshwater fish diversity and endemism, several small species of loaches are caught and sold in the local markets by marginalized communities through an unmanaged fishery, resulting in high levels of exploitation. Of particular concern is the fishery for the spiny loach, Lepidocephalichthys thermalis whose exploitation rates at various sites in the northern part of the Western Ghats region were observed to be greater than their E50 (exploitation rate where the stock is reduced to half its virgin biomass). A comparison of various fishing sites showed that populations in the high anthropogenic impact areas (located close to urban settlements with high human population density, and impacted by various threats, i.e. introduced species, pollution) are exploited at a rate greater than 86% of their Emax (exploitation producing maximum yield). The first quantitative information on population dynamics and exploitation levels of small indigenous fish species in tropical rivers indicates their potential vulnerability to over fishing, and is an important starting point for further investigations into similar fisheries in other regions of Asia and Africa

Length-weight and length-length relationships of seven loach species (Teleostei: Cypriniformes) from five localities in northern Western Ghats, India

Length-weight (LWR) and length-length (LLR) relationships of seven loach species (Teleostei: Cypriniformes): Botia striata, Lepidocephalichthys thermalis, Paracanthocobitis mooreh, Indoreonectes evezardi, Nemacheilus anguilla, Nemachilichthys rueppelli and Schistura denisoni were studied from five localities within the Krishna River system of the Indian Western Ghats: Lonawala (Indrayani River), Paud (Mula River), Warje (Mutha River), Bhor (Nira River) and Patan (Koyna River).  With the exception of L. thermalis all species are endemic to peninsular India, and to our knowledge this is the first presentation of LWR and LLR data for them.  New maximum lengths are also reported for I. evezardi, N. anguilla, N. rueppelli and S. denisoni. </div

Phylogenetic position and relationships of mountain loaches (Teleostei: Balitoridae) of the Western Ghats as revealed by CO1 sequences

Sidharthan, Arya, Raghavan, Rajeev, Anoop, V. K., Keskar, Ashwini, Dahanukar, Neelesh (2021): Phylogenetic position and relationships of mountain loaches (Teleostei: Balitoridae) of the Western Ghats as revealed by CO1 sequences. Zootaxa 4926 (1): 79-92, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4926.1.

Redescription of Nemachilichthys rueppelli, a senior synonym of N. shimogensis (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae)

Keskar, Ashwini, Kumkar, Pradeep, Katwate, Unmesh, Ali, Anvar, Raghavan, Rajeev, Dahanukar, Neelesh (2015): Redescription of Nemachilichthys rueppelli, a senior synonym of N. shimogensis (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae). Zootaxa 4059 (3): 555-568, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4059.3.

A Design of Solar Powered Agriculture Robot

The idea of applying robotics in agriculture is very new. The ultimate goal is to optimize the performance of robot in an efficient manner with greenenergy. The main reason behind the automation of farming processes are saving time and energy required for performing repetitive faming task. The paper deals with agriculture device for fertilizer spraying and grass cutting at a time by using solar energy. Therefore these unpredictable features like use of renewable source of energy and complete automation makes it most economical, unique and compatible