The relevance of Physico-chemical and diagnostic properties of saliva during orthodontic treatment

Saliva is the principal defensive mechanism in the oral cavity and is critical for preserving and maintaining the health of oral tissues. The physico-chemical properties of saliva are affected by the local factors in the oral cavity and general health of an individual. Orthodontic treatment significantly affects the chemical composition and physical nature of oral fluids. The alteration in the properties of saliva can be utilised to evaluate the advent of orthodontics treatment in an individual. The present article focuses on the relevance of the physic-chemical properties of saliva during the progression of orthodontic treatment and the significance of saliva as a diagnostic analyte during orthodontic treatment

NATURAL ENEMIES OF DAPHORIANA CITRI KUWAYAMA (HOMOPTERA: PSYLLIDAE) : A PEST OF CITRUS CROPS AT WESTERNUTTAR PRADESH

D. citri is a serious pest of citrus crops in India and other countries. Eight natural enemies including six predators and two parasitoids affecting only nymphal stage have been recorded. Predators are Camponatus compresis, Solenopsis geminata (ants), three species of lady bird beetles, Coccinella septumpunctata, C. rependa and Brumus saturalis, one Arachnid spider Marpisa tigrina are noticed. Two hymenopteran parasitoids Tamarixia radiata and Diaphorencyrtus aligarhensis have also been recorded parasitizing late immature stages of D. Citri

Metal Hypersensitivity in Orthodontic Patients

Orthodontic treatment of individuals with metal hypersensitivity is a matter of concern for the orthodontist. Orthodontic appliances contain metals like Nickel, Cobalt and Chromium etc. Metals may cause allergic reactions and are known as allergens. Reaction to these metals is due to biodegradation of metals in the oral cavity. This may lead to the formation of corrosion products and their exposure to the patient. Nickel is the most common metal to cause hypersensitivity reaction. Chromium ranks second among the metals, known to trigger allergic reactions. The adverse biological reactions to these metals may include hypersensitivity, dermatitis and asthma. In addition, a significant carcinogenic and mutagenic potential has been demonstrated. The orthodontist must be familiar with the best possible alternative treatment modalities to provide the safest, most effective care possible in these cases. The present article focuses on the issue of metal hypersensitivity and its management in orthodonti

Interdisciplinary management for restoration of function and esthetics in a patient with hereditary amelogenesis imperfecta

Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a type of the hereditary disorder which is expressed as a group of conditions causing developmental alterations in the structure of enamel. It is associated with a reduction of oral health-related quality-of-life, has an impact on psychological well-being, and leads to various physiological problems. Children or adults with AI express varying degree of malocclusions either in the form of crowding, impacted teeth, spacing, retained teeth, reduced vertical height due to abnormal tooth structure or undue tooth loss. Orthodontic treatment should precede esthetic rehabilitation. Proper diagnosis of the case is quintessential to provide durable functional and esthetic result to these patients, improving the quality of their lives. We present a case of interdisciplinary management for restoring function and esthetics in a patient with hereditary AI of the hypoplastic type accompanied with tooth impaction and some other dental anomalies

Typical and atypical cutaneous leishmaniasis in Himachal Pradesh (India)

Background: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is in elimination phase in India while cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is being reported from new foci. In Himachal Pradesh (HP), a foci of CL had been reported along Satluj River, but the causative agent poses a dilemma, hence the present study was undertaken in Shimla, Kullu and Kinnaur districts. Methods: A total of 28 CL patients from Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital Shimla (IGMC) in 2018, were tested by rK39., Twelve fresh cases were subjected to microscopic detection of Leishmania parasite, PCR and sequencing. Skin biopsies of 3–4 mm diameter were cultured, as well as imprints were prepared for the detection of Leishmania amastigotes. Biopsy samples were inoculated into different culture media (M199, RPMI 1640, NNN) and were incubated at 22–24 °C. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to characterize Leishmania parasite species. Results: Of 28 patients, one was positive by rK39 dipstick test and one imprint was found positive for Leishmania amstigotes. Twelve biopsy DNA samples subjected to PCR for Leishmania kDNA, were found Lesihmania positive. Identification of Leishmania species was confirmed by PCR-RFLP and sequencing method. Of 12 Leishmania positive samples, six were identified as L. donovani, three L. tropica, two L.major and one remained unidentified. Conclusions: This study revealed the existence of three species of parasites i.e., L. donovani, L. tropica and L. major indicating the existence of typical and atypical leishmaniasis in Himachal Pradesh. The occurrence of CL cases in HP, Kerala or elsewhere should not be ignored considering them just cases of CL alone. Further studies are warranted to confirm the existence of L.donovani zymodeme MON37 from cases of CL in HP or L.donovani zymodeme MON2 strain causing VL in Bihar. Elimination of CL should also be considered along with goal of Kala -Azar elimination

Bioformulation Containing Cohorts of Ensifer adhaerens MSN12 and Bacillus cereus MEN8 for the Nutrient Enhancement of Cicer arietinum L.

Here we examine the effects of different carrier based bioinoculants on the growth, yield and nutritional value of chickpea and on associated soil nutrients. A consortium of two taxonomically distinct endophytic bacteria—Ensifer adhaerens MSN12 and Bacillus cereus MEN8—have promising plant growth promoting (PGP) attributes. We demonstrate their delivery from the laboratory to the field via the formulation of an effective bioinoculant with economic and accessible carriers. Sugarcane straw ash (SCSA) was found to be an efficient carrier and bioformulation for enhancing viability and shelf-life of strains up to 12 months. A bioformulation containing an SCSA-based consortium (MSN12 + MEN8) increased seed germination by 7%, plant weight by 29%, length by 17%, seed-yield by 12%, harvesting index by 14% and proximate nutritional constituents by 20% over consortium treatment without SCSA. In addition, the bioformulation of post-harvest treated soil improved the physico-chemical properties of the soil in comparison to a pre-sowing SCSA-based bioformulation treated crop, being fortified in different proximate nutritional constituents including dry matter (30%), crude protein (45%), crude fiber (35%), and ether extract (40%) in comparison to the control. Principal component analysis and scattered matrix plots showed a positive correlation among the treatments, which also validates improvement in the soil nutrient components and proximate constituents by T6 treatment (MSN12 + MEN8 + SCSA). The above results suggest efficiency of SCSA not only as a carrier material but also to support microbial growth for adequate delivery of lab strains as a substitute for chemi-fertilizers