Cyanophycean (Cyanobacterial) diversity from the Lakhimpur-Khiri District of Northern Uttar Pradesh, India

In the present study, the cyanophycean diversity of the Lakhimpur-Khiri district, northern Uttar Pradesh, India, has been investigated for the first time. Algae samples were collected in plastic bottles and preserved in 3-4% formalin from Lakhimpur-Khiri district of northern Uttar Pradesh in different seasons from 2015 to 2016. The field photographs of the selected localities were also taken and the location of each site noted down. For the Microscopic study of Cyanophycean algae, the samples were stained with 1 % aqueous methylene blue solution according to the standard method. The observations and photomicrography were done with help of Nikon Labophot-11 microscope. A total of 31 cyanophycean algal taxa have been recorded from different water bodies of Lakhimpur-Khiri. These algal taxa belong to 14 genera and 9 families of the division Cyanophyata. Of these, Oscillatoria (7), Phormidium (4) and Lyngbya (3) are abundant.

Effect of garlic supplementation on zootechnical performance and hepato-renal functions in nitrate-treated rabbits

The effect of garlic supplementation on zootechnical performance and hepato-renal functions of rabbits exposed to experimental nitrate poisoning was evaluated. Adult male 6-8 week-old albino rabbits (n= 24) were randomly divided into four groups (A - D) and subjected to nitrate intoxication through the oral administration of sodium nitrate solution at 2 ml/kg bodyweight per day for 40 days. Group A was a control that received no treatment except sodium nitrate. Rabbits in groups B and C were treated with 1% methylene blue solution (2 mg/kg bodyweight per day) and aqueous garlic extract (500 mg/kg bodyweight per day) through intraperitoneal and oral routes, respectively. Rabbits in group D were treated with both 1% methylene blue solution (2 mg/kg bodyweight per day, intraperitoneally) and aqueous garlic extract (500 mg/kg bodyweight per day, orally). On completion of the treatment period, the groups were compared in growth performance, biochemical profile and histopathological changes of hepato-renal tissues. Although the total feed consumption of the groups remained comparable, Group C showed relatively better weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Likewise, garlic extract significantly increased the serum bilirubin concentration and reduced the level of other biochemical attributes in comparison with control animals. The hepatic and renal tissues of Groups C and D remained normal, whereas those of the control group exhibited distinct histopathological alterations. It was concluded that garlic supplementation ameliorated the deleterious effects of nitrate intoxication on production performance and hepato-renal functions of rabbits.

Superficial dye penetration of two conventional ionomers used as dental fissures sealants

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate surface dye penetration of two conventional glass ionomer cements (GIC), one of them a high viscous ionomer. Methods: 20 standard disk samples measuring 2 mm thick and 4 mm in diameter were made for each conventional GIC. The high viscous ionomer was used as the control (Group 1). Samples were embedded in wax and submitted to pH cycling for 7 days simulating a high cariogenic challenge in a kiln (37ºC). All samples were brushed with an extra-soft bristles infant toothbrush to mimic oral hygiene after exposure to a demineralizing solution for 6 hours. The samples were immersed in a 1% methylene blue solution for 2 hours at the end of cycling. The Mann-Whitney Rank Sum Test was used to analyze the difference between the two GIC. Results: All samples disclosed a superficial dye penetration of 0.6 to 1.5 mm depth. There was no statistical d ifference b etween t he G IC t ested ( p = 0.883). Conclusion: Both GIC tested in this study exhibited superficial dye penetration to depths of at least until their superficial third.

Comparison of Microleakage and Compressive Strength of Different Base Materials

This study compared the microleakages and compressive strengths of various base materials.<br/>To evaluate microleakages, 50 extracted permanent premolars were prepared. The teeth divided into 5 groups of 10 each according to the base materials. Cavities with a 5.0 mm width, 3.0 mm length, and 3.0 mm depth were formed on the buccal surfaces of the teeth. After filling the cavities with different base materials, a composite resin was used for final restoration. Each specimen was immersed in 2% methylene blue solution and then observed under a stereoscopic microscope (× 30). To evaluate the compressive strength, 5 cylindrical specimens were prepared for each base material. A universal testing machine was used to measure the compressive strength.<br/>The microleakage was highest in the Riva light cure^TM group and lowest in the Biodentine^TM and Well-Root^TM PT groups. For the compressive strengths, in all groups, acceptable strength values for base materials were found. The highest compressive strength was observed in the Fuji II LC^TM group and the lowest strength in the Well-Root^TM PT group.

Highly efficient and cheap treatment of dye by graphene-doped TiO2 microspheres

Highly efficient dye wastewater treatment by photocatalytic catalysis commonly requires expensive catalysts, long degradation time and a complicated procedure. Here, we for the first time prepared cheap graphene-doped titanium dioxide microspheres with a simple procedure to degrade dye with high efficiency. When the catalyst concentration was 0.2 g·L−1, the photocatalysis degradation extent of methylene blue solution, methylene green solution and 1,9-dimethyl methylene blue solution reached 96.4, 85.9 and 98.7%, respectively. The results showed that the degradation reactions accorded with the Langmuir–Hinshelwood model, and the photocatalytic reactions belonged to a first-order reaction in the primary stage. Furthermore, different photocatalytic degradation mechanisms were proposed, which have not been found in other literature. This work opened a new route for simple preparation of cheap microspheres in photocatalytic dye wastewater treatment with high efficiency.