Comparative evaluation of the physical properties and biocompatibility of zinc oxide-ozonated eugenol and conventional zinc oxide eugenol as an endodontic sealer: An In vitro study

BACKGROUND : The challenge to the prognosis of endodontic therapy lies on the quality of root canal filling. The zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) based sealers were introduced in Endodontics by Grossman in 1936 and they have been used in dentistry over a long period of time. It has been reported that eugenol released from ZOE is an irritant to the periapical tissues and has cytotoxic properties. To overcome these disadvantages, there is a continued research for chemical compounds with better physical properties and more biocompatibility. Ozone therapy has a long history of research and clinical application with humans because of its interesting biological properties. AIM : The aim of the study is to evaluate and compare the physical properties and biocompatibility of zinc oxide- ozonated eugenol and conventional zinc oxide eugenol. MATERIALS AND METHODS : Following physical properties of conventional zinc oxide eugenol and zinc oxide-ozonated eugenol were evaluated and compared. [Group I: Zinc oxide – eugenol; Group II: Zinc oxide - ozonated eugenol]. Hardness of the mixed samples was measured using Shore hardness Durometer type A.Solubility was tested as a percentage of the mass of specimen removed from the distilled water compared with the original mass of the specimens using Mettler analytical balance. pH of the fresh samples and the set samples were measured using calibrated pH meter after predetermined time intervals. Biocompatibility of the tested samples was evaluated using the MTT tetrazolium reduction assay. RESULTS : The results of the present study have shown that the hardness and solubility of the tested samples were almost similar in both the groups. pH and biocompatibility of the samples in Group II where eugenol is ozonated was higher when compared to the samples in Group I. The proportional values obtained were statistically analysed by unpaired t-test. CONCLUSION : Within the limitations of the study, it could be concluded that ozone with interesting biological properties seems to be a better treatment modality in improving the properties of eugenol. However further clinical trials and randomized control studies are required in this field to use ozonated eugenol in combination with zinc oxide powder to use it as an endodontic sealer invivo

Oral Rehabilitation of a child with Chondroectodermal dysplasia (Ellis-van Creveld Syndrome) – A case report

Aims and objectives: This case report aims to describe the dental management strategy of a case of Chondroectodermal dysplasia [Ellis-van Creveld syndrome], an autosomal recessive disorder with the characteristic features of short-limbed dwarfism, postaxial polydactyly, ectodermal and congenital heart defects. Case Description: This case reports presents the dental management a 12 year old girl who reported with the complaint of multiple missing teeth and malformed teeth. The management strategy aimed at aesthetics to improve the social well being of the child. Conclusion: Though few case reports on Ellis Van Creveld syndrome has been reported, managing the oral problems are quiet rare

Climate-Smart Groundnuts for Achieving High Productivity and Improved Quality: Current Status, Challenges, and Opportunities

About 90% of total groundnut is cultivated in the semi-arid tropic (SAT) regions of the world as a major oilseed and food crop and provides essential nutrients required by human diet. Climate change is the main threat to yield and quality of the produce in the SAT regions, and effects are already being seen in some temperate areas also. Rising CO2 levels, erratic rainfall, humidity, short episodes of high temperature and salinity hamper the physiology, disease resistance, fertility and yield as well as seed nutrient levels of groundnut. To meet growing demands of the increasing population against the threats of climate change, it is necessary to develop climate-smart varieties with enhanced and stable genetic improvements. Identifying key traits affected by climate change in groundnut will be important for developing an appropriate strategy for developing new varieties. Fast-changing scenarios of product ecologies as a consequence of climate change need faster development and replacement of improved varieties in the farmers’ fields to sustain yield and quality. Use of modern genomics technology is likely to help in improved understanding and efficient breeding for climate-smart traits such as tolerance to drought and heat, and biotic stresses such as foliar diseases, stem rot, peanut bud necrosis disease, and preharvest aflatoxin contamination. The novel promising technologies such as genomic selection and genome editing need to be tested for their potential utility in developing climate-smart groundnut varieties. System modeling may further improve the understanding and characterization of the problems of target ecologies for devising strategies to overcome the problem. The combination of conventional breeding techniques with genomics and system modeling approaches will lead to a new era of system biology assisted breeding for sustainable agricultural production to feed the ever-growing population

Climate-Smart groundnuts for achieving high productivity and improved quality: Current status, challenges, and opportunities

About 90% of total groundnut is cultivated in the semi-arid tropic (SAT) regions of the world as a major oilseed and food crop and provides essential nutrients required by human diet. Climate change is the main threat to yield and quality of the produce in the SAT regions, and effects are already being seen in some temperate areas also. Rising CO2 levels, erratic rainfall, humidity, short episodes of high temperature and salinity hamper the physiology, disease resistance, fertility and yield as well as seed nutrient levels of groundnut. To meet growing demands of the increasing population against the threats of climate change, it is necessary to develop climate-smart varieties with enhanced and stable genetic improvements. Identifying key traits affected by climate change in groundnut will be important for developing an appropriate strategy for developing new varieties. Fast-changing scenarios of product ecologies as a consequence of climate change need faster development and replacement of improved varieties in the farmers’ fields to sustain yield and quality. Use of modern genomics technology is likely to help in improved understanding and efficient breeding for climate-smart traits such as tolerance to drought and heat, and biotic stresses such as foliar diseases, stem rot, peanut bud necrosis disease, and preharvest aflatoxin contamination. The novel promising technologies such as genomic selection and genome editing need to be tested for their potential utility in developing climate-smart groundnut varieties. System modeling may further improve the understanding and characterization of the problems of target ecologies for devising strategies to overcome the problem. The combination of conventional breeding techniques with genomics and system modeling approaches will lead to a new era of system biology assisted breeding for sustainable agricultural production to feed the ever-growing population