Anticancer and Gene Expression Analysis of Piper nigrum Extract on Colon Cancer Cell Lines

One of the most prevalent malignancies among geriatrics is colorectal cancer (CRC), which starts to develop in the forms of genetic syndromes in young adults. The Piper nigrum is one important common spice used in the household having anticancer activities. The current study aims to evaluate P. nigrum seed extracts potency as anticancer against CRC cell line (COLO205). The extract is used to elucidate the MTT assay, DNA damage studies (COMET assay), Acridine Orange/Ethidium Bromide dual staining, cell death, cell cycle arrest using Flow cytometry, and regulation of Bcl-2, Bax & P53 gene regulation. To check the cell cytotoxicity by MTT assay methanolic extract was used. To evaluate anticancer activity the sample was extracted in methanol. RT-PCR was used to elevate gene expression studies of Bcl-2, Bax, and P53. In the dose-dependent mode, the extract inhibited the growth of COLO205 cells and the IC50 value was calculated at 48.2 μg/ml. The DNA fragmentation induced by apoptosis was the primary reason for the cell toxicity as observed by DNA damage studies & AO/EB dual staining technique. The extract concentration ranging from 40 & 80 μg/ml remarkably increased the proportion of cells in the S & G2/M phase. Cells at the late-apoptotic stage were found to be in the range of 22% - 57%. The Bax and P53 were upregulated and Bcl-2 was downregulated when treated with the extract. From this investigation underlying the mechanism of CRC was found to be P. nigrum extract caused to induce apoptosis and upregulation of tumor suppressor gene downregulation of apoptosis-suppressing gene bcl-2.

Isolation and Molecular Identification of Phenol Degrading Bacterium from Industrial Wastes, Collected from Jeddah Saudi Arabia

In the past two decades, phenolic compounds have had different applications, however their use in densification has increased considerably due to Covid 19. Discharge of these dangerous materials is highly toxic and causes risk and severe problems to the environment and health of human and animals, in addition to it being harmful to the aquatic life. Phenol degradation is very important due to high toxicity and stability. The aim of this study is to isolate phenol-degrading aerobic bacteria from hydrocarbon contaminated soil or wastewater, collected from the industrial area of Jeddah. Minimal medium containing phenol as carbon source was used to isolate different bacteria. About 30 actinomycete isolates were obtained, purified and preserved on Starch nitrate. Out of 30 isolates, eight isolates (27%) grow well in medium containing 0.1% phenol. After growing in broth medium, isolate BA4 and isolate BA8 were very active in phenol degradation. Growth and phenol degradation was measured in liquid medium for the two isolates. Morphological and physiological characters of these isolates were detected using different methods. Using molecular methods, they were belonging to a genus of actinomycetes. They were identified as Streptomyces flavabus BA4 and Streptomyces sp. BA8.The effects of some growth factors on growth and phenol degradation were determined. Growth was measured by dry weight (mg/l) while phenol degradation was detected by assaying the residual phenol concentration. The presence of electron donors such as glucose, starch, glycine, peptone, and Na acetate affect both growth and phenol degradation. It was clear that addition of 1 g/l peptone enhanced both growth and phenol degradation. The isolate use phenol and its derivatives m-cresol and o-cresol as carbon sources and addition of vitamin B complex increased the bacterial growth. In conclusion, phenol degradation was detected by actinobacteria and was affected by some physical and biochemical factors. It was noticed that optimization of growth conditions enhanced both growth and phenol degradation by the two selected Streptomyces isolate. Degradation process by isolate BA4 could be a promising solution for removal of phenol from wastewater.

Impact of Increased Screen Time on Physical and Psychological Health of Indian Students During COVID-19

Now in the 21st century, both physical and psychological health are associated with technology. By the late March 2020, the Indian government announced multiple lockdowns to fight with COVID-19 pandemic which included the shutdown of all educational institutes due to which all schools, college, and universities had shifted all their classes online by using video conferencing apps which also accounted for a large proportion of tasks that resulted in increased screen time after lockdown compared to pre-lockdown during COVID-19. So, the present study was conducted to determine the impact of increased usage of the screen on Psychological and physical health during the COVID-19 among Indian Students. A cross sectional survey was conducted on Indian students by using self- made Questionnaire with snowball sampling method. A total of 210 responses were received online from various schools and colleges students between 15th August to 30th August 2020. The results showed a statistically significant difference between the screen time spent before and during COVID (t= 19.96; p<0.01). Similarly, a statistically significant positive correlation at 0.01 level was found between screen usage time during COVID-19 pandemic with backache (0.62), neck pain (0.71), headache (0.50), and weight gain (0.52) and with mental health (0.40). Hence the study concluded positive association between screen time with physical and psychological health during COVID-19 among Indian students. It further implies that adequate preventive health measures need to be incorporated among students. There is a scope of further study to identify the impact of over usage of screen on health of individuals of specific population i.e., either adolescents or adults’ group and also on the larger sample size to get more reliable and accurate results.

Synthesis, Characterisation and Antimicrobial Potential of Novel N-Alkylated Pyrrole Derivatives of Chitosan

Chitosan, a cationic biopolymer is a major derivative of chitin. It is biocompatible, non-toxic and environ-friendly material and has broad spectrum antimicrobial activity. However, it is less effective in neutral or basic conditions due to its solubility only in acidic medium. Therefore, chemical modification with suitable groups is necessary to enhance the potency of chitosan. The present study was mainly conducted to explore the effect of structural modifications on antimicrobial potential of chitosan. N-Methyl, N-Ethyl and N-Propyl pyrrole were reacted with N-chloroacyl-6-O-triphenylmethylchitosan prepared by stepwise modification of chitosan to form N-Methyl, N-Ethyl and N-Propyl pyrrole derivatives of chitosan. Structural characterization of these pyrrole derivatives was done by IR, NMR, XRD, DSC and Elemental Analysis. The gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli, gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus were selected for antibacterial activity and the fungus C. albicans was selected for antifungal activity by agar diffusion method and MIC method. Antimicrobial activity of the N-Methyl, N-Ethyl and N-Propyl pyrrole derivatives on E. coli, S. aureus and C. albicans showed an inhibitory effect on all the organisms. The potency of inhibition was found to be varied with the substitutions. The maximum activity was shown by N-pyrrolylpropylchitosan against E. coli (zone of inhibition 1.2±0.05cm, MIC 0.15±0.03mg/ml), S. aureus (zone of inhibition 1.4±0.03cm, MIC 0.15±0.01mg/ml), C. albicans (zone of inhibition 0.8±0.03cm, MIC 0.2±0.03mg/ml). The study also confirmed that all the three derivatives exhibited higher inhibition than that of chitosan against E. coli (zone of inhibition 0.7±0.03cm, MIC 0.09±0.02mg/ml), S. aureus (zone of inhibition 0.8±0.03cm, MIC 0.09±0.02mg/ml), C. albicans (zone of inhibition 0.6±0.03cm, MIC 0.09±0.03mg/ml). Results demonstrated that these three N-alkylpyrrole chitosan derivatives exhibited improved potency and hence can have the more applicability as antimicrobials.

Effect of Different Finishing and Polishing Methods for Color Stability of the E-Max Dental Ceramics: In vitro Study

In order to assess the influence of finishing and polishing on the surface brightness and color stability of the ceramic veneer, fifty specimens were fabricated with 10 mm diameter and 2 mm thickness using IPS E-Max Ceramic. After glazing, 10 specimens were untouched as control group, and the other 40 specimens were abraded using 125µm diamond bur to create surface roughness. Forty specimens were divided into four groups (n=10), in group 1: specimens were finished using diamond point, in group 2 specimens’ surface was polished with a polishing kit, Group 3: Each specimen surface was polished with the polishing kit as in protocol 2 and was polished a polishing past and group 4 Each specimen was glazed by heating at 621℃ for 3 minutes followed by a temperature increase of 83℃/min up to 918℃ for 30 seconds. Color measurement was performed using spectrophotometer. Color stability data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test (α=0.05). For Ra values, paired-samples t-tests were used to analyze the data and compare groups. The change in L and E showed a significant difference among the study groups; (group 1, group 2, group 3 and group 4) with respect to three variables L, a and b. A significant difference was noted when compared each group with the control; however, only group 2 showed a significant difference from group 4; the remaining groups demonstrated similar findings for all three variables. The study displayed a significant impact of the finishing and polishing technique on the surface brightness and color stability of ceramic restoration. However, it was evident that combination of two or three polishing techniques which includes polish kit and glaze enhances the surface finish and adds color stability by alternating the yellow – blue axis (increase in b) and red- green axis (decrease in a).

Screening and Evaluation of a Potential Bacteriocin Producing Lactobacillus in Milk and Dairy Products Collected from Puducherry

In an array of identifying safe antimicrobial compounds, bacteriocin producing Lactobacillus strain have been investigated in this study from the daily consuming food resources of humans. Till now, the best studied bacteriocins are nisin A produced by Lactobacillus lactis and pedocin PA-1 synthesized by Pediococcus acidilactici which have been accredited as a preservative in the food industries by the World Health Organization (WHO). For this study, four different milk and dairy products viz., curd, cheese, yoghurt and butter were collected from the local markets of Karaikal region, Puducherry, India and were used for the isolation of Lactobacillus species using MRS agar. Totally, five morphologically distinct strains were collected and were initially named as MPD 1 to MPD 5. During the screening process of bacteriocin production, the strain MPD 5 showed maximum antimicrobial activity against Vibrio cholerae MTCC 3906 with 900AU/ml. This strain was molecular identified as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum MDP 5 based on 16S rRNA partial sequence method. This 16S rRNA partial sequence was submitted to the NCBI nucleotide GenBank and provided with the accession number, MW301154.1. Further, this strain revealed an enhanced production of bacteriocin using the standardized physicochemical factors such as pH 7, 35°C, 2% fructose and 1% peptone. Furthermore, these optimal conditions revealed more than 2-fold increase in the bacteriocin production. All the above information suggesting the possibilities of bacteriocin for the bioindustrial production using the L. plantarum MDP 5 of this study and its future prospects for the investigation of biocidal activities against many highly infectious pathogens of human and veterinary.

On the Ten-Year Success in the Application of Partial Extraction Therapy: A Systematic Review

Hürzeler presented the socket-shield technique (SST) more than 10 years ago. The partial extraction therapy (PET), a collective concept of utilizing the patient’s own tooth root to preserve the periodontium and peri-implant tissue, has been remarkably developed. PET comprises a group of novel techniques for post-extraction implant placement. Several modifications of PET and simultaneous implant placement have been presented since its inception. Since its origin, several alterations have been employed in the methodology of partial extraction of the root and the simultaneous implant placement. A repeatable, predictable protocol is needed to provide tooth replacement in esthetic dentistry. Moreover, a standardized procedure provides a good framework for clinicians to report data relating to the technique with procedural consistency. This review aims to illustrate a reproducible and systematic protocol for the PET techniques with immediate implant placement at the aesthetic zone. The most used technique is the socket-shield technique, which is potentially offers promising results, minimizing the necessity for invasive bone grafts round implants in the aesthetic area, clinical data to support this is very inadequate. The limited research data existing is cooperated by a deficiency of well-designed prospective randomized controlled investigations. The present case studies and techniques are of actual incomplete technical value. Retrospective studies published in limited records but are of inconsistent plan. At this point, it is indistinct whether the socket-shield technique will offer a stable long-time outcome or not

Significance of Addressal of Clinical Investigations of Kidney Functions in Recovery/Mortality of Certain COVID-19 Patients

Clinical management of COVID-19 patients through a robust protocol is key to the good recovery and reduced mortality of patients. Efficient kidney functions during treatment period can contribute for improvised recovery and reduced mortality of patients. Analysis of the kidney function among Recovered and Dead cases of COVID-19 was made to reveal the degree of association of kidney functions with the two categories of patients. 83.4% of recovered patients did not show hyper values of blood urea whereas 72.5% of dead patients showed hyper-urea level in blood. 88.8% of survivors showed non-hyper creatinine level of blood whereas only 40% of dead cases showed hyper creatine level. Strong degree of association of blood urea with recovery/mortality was observed. Sodium levels were seen to be low while potassium and chloride ions were seen to be high in COVID-19 individuals. Our preliminary study suggests that kidney functions especially the value of blood urea and creatinine need to be addressed during COVID-19 patients to ensure the best recovery and reduced mortality. After more number of case studies, the present observation could sensitize consideration for inclusion of addressal and treatment of kidney functions into treatment protocol against COVID-19. It was also interesting to observe that levels of sodium and potassium ions among Survivors and Dead cases have impacted function of the essential ion channels in patient’s physiology.

Economic Availability of Forest Resources in Russia: An Analytical Assessment

The topic of the availability of forest resources is especially relevant for Russia, given the volume of the existing potential of these resources, distributed over a huge area of the country. The purpose of the article is to substantiate the possibilities of using the economic availability of forest resources in the practice of forestry in the Russian Federation. The article presents an analysis of the application of tools based on the economic availability of forest resources. It presents the classification of the forms of forest resources availability and analysis of possible situations that may occur assessing the economic availability of forest resources. The authors analyzed various methods of assessing the economic availability of forest wood resources, formed a criterion of economic availability and considered various conditions of economic availability. The results of calculations of economic availability assessments for the Vilegodskoe forestry located in the southeastern part of the Arkhangelsk region, according to which 19.1% of the analyzed plots were recognized as economically unavailable, are presented. The analysis of the characteristics of economically unavailable forest wood resources in the studied object has been carried out. Proposals have been developed on the spheres of the possible use of the toolkit for the economic availability of forest wood resources. The economic availability of forest resources can be widely used in the forestry practice of the Russian Federation in the areas of pricing and forest exploitation optimization. Its application will increase the level of payments for forest resources, due to the withdrawal of excess profits of loggers, and will also ensure the formation of more realistic forest plans.

Radiographical Measurements of Overeruption in Unopposed Posterior Teeth Among Selected Population of Saudi Arabia

The suspended replacement of extracted teeth may disrupt the structural integrity of the whole dental arch, particularly in posterior maxillary or mandibular tooth/teeth. This phenomenon often has consequences of masticatory deficiency and temporomandibular joint disorders. This work aims to assess and measure the overeruption of posterior teeth from panoramic radiographs (OPGs) and its relation to gender, age, tooth type, arch, sides, and cause of tooth loss. A total of 100 OPGs were included in this in vitro study. The level of posterior overeruption was measured in mm using the panoramic digital radiograph machine and its software systems. Other variables such as gender, tooth/teeth involved, arches, and side were considered. All parameter values were inputted to a software program and assessed. P value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Males accounted for 63% of the OPGs. Age groups 18–30 and 31–45 years had the highest frequency and percentage (34%). Approximately 74% of the patients got their tooth/teeth extracted 4–6 years ago. The 0.7–1.2 mm overeruption subgroup had the highest proportion of 41%. The rate of overeruption in mandibular molars was 36%, which was the highest among the subgroups. Males had higher percentage than females in ≥60 and 31–45 age groups (84.65% and 76.5%, respectively), 4–6 years post-extraction time (85.7%), with significant differences, also, mandibular molars (85.0%) and mandibular arches (74.3%) were the higher among males. The highest level of overeruption was 0.7–1.2 mm, and mandibular molars were the most affected type. Significant differences between genders were detected in age groups, years after tooth loss, and arch side but not in cause of tooth loss, supra-erupted tooth type, and arch type parameters.