Novel Molecules for Intra-Oral Delivery of Antimicrobials to Prevent and Treat Oral Infectious Diseases

New molecules were designed for efficient intra-oral delivery of antimicrobials to prevent and treat oral infection. The salivary statherin fragment, which has high affinity for the tooth enamel, was used as a carrier peptide. This was linked through the side chain of the N-terminal residue to the C-terminus of a defensin-like 12-residue peptide to generate two bifunctional hybrid molecules, one with an ester linkage and the other with an anhydride bond between the carrier and the antimicrobial components. They were examined for their affinity to a HAP (hydroxyapatite) surface. The extent of the antimicrobial release in human whole saliva was determined using 13C-NMR spectroscopy. The candidacidal activity of the molecules was determined as a function of the antimicrobial release from the carrier peptide in human saliva. The hybrid-adsorbed HAP surface was examined against Candida albicans and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans using the fluorescence technique. The bifunctional molecules were tested on human erythrocytes, GECs (gingival epithelial cells) and GFCs (gingival fibroblast cells) for cytotoxicity. They were found to possess high affinity for the HAP mineral. In human whole saliva, a sustained antimicrobial release over a period of more than 40–60 h, and candidacidal activity consistent with the extent of hybrid dissociation were observed. Moreover, the bifunctional peptide-bound HAP surface was found to exhibit antimicrobial activity when suspended in clarified human saliva. The hybrid peptides did not show any toxic influence on human erythrocytes, GECs and GFCs. These novel hybrids could be safely used to deliver therapeutic agents intra-orally for the treatment and prevention of oral infectious diseases

Effect of different packaging materials on the efficacy of sweet flag rhizome powder (Acorus calamus L.) treated sorghum against Sitophilus oryzae

An experiment was conducted to know the effect of different packaging materials and sweet flag rhizome on seed quality of sorghum. The graded seeds were packed in six containers viz., polythene cover, mud container, cloth bag, gunny bag, glass container and steel container and seeds were treated with two percent of sweet flag rhizome powder before storage. The different observations viz., number of live adults, seed damage (%) by Sitophilus oryzae and germination (%) of seeds were recorded. The results revealed that the sweet flag rhizome treated seeds packed in steel container, recorded lowest seed damage percentage (32.00%), number of live adults (5.11) and highest seed germination (76.00%) after nine months of treatment. Hence seeds treated with sweet flag rhizome stored in steel containers reduces the insect infestation and steel containers can be effectively used for maintaining seed quality of sorghum during storage

Parotid fistula due to iatrogenic parotid duct injury

The most common cause of parotid fistula is trauma, operative complications followed by malignancy and infection. Injury to the duct may be difficult to diagnose unless one has high index of suspicion while operating in the parotid region. Sequelae of inadequate diagnosis and treatment include parotid fistula and sialocele formation which are inconvenient for the patient and difficult to treat. We are reporting a case of parotid fistula due to injury to parotid duct following extensive debridement for necrotising fasciitis of cheek extending to the neck following tooth extraction

An Investigation of Ultra-Wideband Filters for Cognitive Radio Networks

The requirement for radio spectrum has been increasing and this has resulted in the materialization of wireless applications with enhanced features and higher data rate. The spectrum is scant, and the current radio spectrum regulation is making its use inefficient. This necessitates the development of new dynamic spectrum allocation policies to better exploit the existing spectrum. According to the present spectrum allocation regulations, specific frequency bands are allocated to particular services and only approved users are granted access to licensed bands. Cognitive radio (CR) is expected to modernize the mode spectrum is allocated. In a CR network, the intelligent radio part allows secondary users (unlicensed users) to access spectrum bands allocated to the licensed primary users with the avoidance of interference. A solution to this inefficiency has been highly successful in the ISM (2.4 GHz), the U-NII (5–6 GHz), and microwave (57–64 GHz) bands, by making the unused spectra accessible on an unlicensed basis. However, in order to obtain spectra for unlicensed operation, new sharing concepts have been introduced to allow the usage of spectra by secondary users under the prerequisite that they limit their interference to the primary users. This would start by studying techniques employed in the design of UWB filters. This study is aimed to investigate the filters for overlay and underlay CR. This paper presents a comparative study of ultra-wideband filters for Cognitive Radio Networks

Implementation of Dynamic Frequency Controlled Parallel-Pixel Processing System

The main objective of this work is to develop an effective hardware system that respond to a run-time power constraint. These are handled on FPGAs by Dynamic Frequency Control (DFC) for the management of digital image and video processing architectures. In proposed design, the DFC is handled by utilising minimum resources. The pixel-processor architecture designed here is based on the implementation of single-pixel gamma correction operation. Here, the power and performance in-terms of throughput are constraints of digital image depend on the frequency of operations and number of pixel processing cores. The dynamic frequency controlled parallel-pixel processor is implemented on Virtex-6 FPGA’s and parallel-pixel processor architecture is verified by using System Generator

Hybrid Composites for the Design and Development of Pressure Vessel for Underwater Applications

The study’s main objective is to design and develop pressure vessels in underwater applications using Hybrid composites-Fibre Metal Laminates (FML) so that the weight will be reduced. The proposed pressure vesselaccommodates electronics in the underwater ambient noise measurement system under an external hydrostatic pressure of 1 MPa (10 bar). The research study aims initially to design and develop a pressure vessel with stainless steel 316 L and subsequently design a pressure vessel with hybrid composites with a combination of composite materials of E-glass and carbon/epoxy materials with a metal alloy stainless steel 316 L. The pressure vessel has been optimised with varying metal and composite percentage combinations. The cylinder’s wall thickness has been pivotal in optimizing pressure vessel design. Classical Laminate Theory (CLT) transforms the FML pressure vessel or cylinder into a rectangular plate. As preliminary measures, FML specimen with a size of 0.45 m square laminate and 0°orientation has been developed with 50 % metal layer and 50 % fibre composites, and corresponding mechanical tests have been carried out as per the standards. The tensile strength of the developed FML is 420 MPa compared to base metal (SS316 L) strength of 556 MPa, and similarly, Flexural and Impact properties have shown a higher level when compared to other types of FMLs

Learner’s perspectives on competency-based medical education in pharmacology at a tertiary care teaching hospital in South India

Background: Competency based medical education (CBME) was implemented recently in India. The study was conducted to evaluate the perspectives of undergraduate medical students towards CBME curriculum in pharmacology at a tertiary care medical college in South India.Methods: After the completion of the curriculum, feedback was taken in a semi-structured, validated questionnaire. It was based on Kirkpatrik’s level 1 model of evaluation. Majority of the questions were framed on a 5-point Likert's scale (1 being poor to 5 being excellent). Qualitative data was collected by open ended question on additional comments.Results: The response rate was 72.8%. Majority of the participants rated the theory classes, practical classes, small group discussions, self-directed learning, integration, and assessments as good and excellent. More than 80% participants rated role play as an innovative and worthwhile concept towards mastering prescription communication. They felt that role play ignites team work, and provides confidence. Close to 90% of the participants rated the overview on emergency use authorization, orientation on drug regulators, perspectives on hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis as effective and excellent. More than 85% participants felt that AETCOM provided them insight on ethical issues, patient communication, and perspective of doctors as caregivers. 9.8% (16) participants provided comments to open ended question for feedback.Conclusions: The study provided an insight of medical undergraduates towards CBME curriculum. Further studies can be designed to look into the effectiveness of teaching learning methods based on the performance of the students, perspective of faculties with focus faculty development, and role of various stakeholders

Integrated coastal management for sustainable development

This paper examines how the coastal areas are highly productive rich in biodiversity and support intense economic and social activities. Indian subcontinent has a vast coastline extending 8129 km with enormous potential for development. These coastal areas are often the sites of wealthiest settlements and the most dynamic growth centres and as a consequence rapid development has taken place utilising the vast resources sustaining the life of coastal villages and the 'fishermen, besides economic gains for the country as a whol