In vitro comparison of flexural strength and elastic modulus of three provisional crown materials used in fixed prosthodontics

Objectives: To evaluate and compare the flexural strength and the elastic moduli of three provisional crown materials (methyl methacrylate based autopolymerized resin, bis acryl composite based autopolymerized resin and urethane dimethacrylate based light polymerized resin) after storing in artificial saliva and testing at intervals of 24 hours and 7 days. Study design: A metal master mould with four slots of dimensions 25x2x2 mm was fabricated to obtain samples of standard dimensions. A total of 135 specimens were thus obtained with 45 each of three provisional materials. Further 15 samples of each group were tested after storing for one hour at room temperature and again at intervals of 24 hours and 7 days after storing in artificial saliva. Three point flexural tests were carried out in the universal testing machine to calculate the flexural strength and the elastic modulus. The changes were calculated and data was analyzed with Fisher's test and ANOVA. Results: The flexural strength of the methyl methacrylate resin reduced significantly while bis-acrylic composite resin showed a significant increase in its flexural strength after storing in artificial saliva for 24 hours and the values of both remained constant thereafter. Contrary to these findings, light polymerized resin showed a significant decrease in flexural strength after storing in artificial saliva for 24 hours and then significantly increased in flexural strength after 7 days. However the changes in the values for elastic modulus of respective materials were statistically insignificant. Conclusion: Methacrylate based autopolymerizing resin showed the highest flexural strength and elastic moduli after fabrication and after storing in artificial saliva and for 24 hours and 7 days. Bis-acrylic composite resin showed the least flexural strength and elastic moduli

Direct measurements of the effects of salt and surfactant on interaction forces between colloidal particles at water-oil interfaces

The forces between colloidal particles at a decane-water interface, in the presence of low concentrations of a monovalent salt (NaCl) and of the surfactant sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) in the aqueous subphase, have been studied using laser tweezers. In the absence of electrolyte and surfactant, particle interactions exhibit a long-range repulsion, yet the variation of the interaction for different particle pairs is found to be considerable. Averaging over several particle pairs was hence found to be necessary to obtain reliable assessment of the effects of salt and surfactant. It has previously been suggested that the repulsion is consistent with electrostatic interactions between a small number of dissociated charges in the oil phase, leading to a decay with distance to the power -4 and an absence of any effect of electrolyte concentration. However, the present work demonstrates that increasing the electrolyte concentration does yield, on average, a reduction of the magnitude of the interaction force with electrolyte concentration. This implies that charges on the water side also contribute significantly to the electrostatic interactions. An increase in the concentration of SDS leads to a similar decrease of the interaction force. Moreover the repulsion at fixed SDS concentrations decreases over longer times. Finally, measurements of three-body interactions provide insight into the anisotropic nature of the interactions. The unique time-dependent and anisotropic interactions between particles at the oil-water interface allow tailoring of the aggregation kinetics and structure of the suspension structure.Comment: Submitted to Langmui

ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE OF PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA STRAINS FROM PATIENTS WITH URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS IN SBMPMC HOSPITAL BIJAPUR, INDIA

Objectives: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common bacterial infections affecting humans throughout their life span. There is paucity of literature in relation to pathogenesis of UTIs caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Therefore the current study was conducted to know the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of P. aeruginosa isolated from UTIs from our hospital.Methods: The study was carried out over a period of 3 years from January 2010 to December 2012. Urine specimens from both outpatients and inpatients of our hospital were processed. Urine samples which yielded the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were included in the study Results: Among females, frequency of UTI was more among 21-50 years age groups and among males elderly patients were more commonly affected. The most active antimicrobial agent against Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were piperacillin-tazobactum (54% sensitive), closely followed by Cefoparazone –salbactam (48%).Conclusion: This study stresses the importance of prior knowledge of the sensitivity pattern of the pathogen. Treatment should be given only after culture and sensitivity has been performed which will prevent the misuse of antibiotics and reduce the development of drug resistance among bacteriaÂ

A Geo-illustration Studies of Nagamangala, Mayasandra, Yediyur area of Chitradurga Schist belt, Dharwar Craton, Southern India

In recent times the Precambrian shields of the world have became nerve centers of global research aimed mainly at decipher the early history of the Earth. Various agencies like the Geological Survey of India (GSI), Ministry of Mines (MoM), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), research institutes and universities of not only India but from the other countries also are involved in this task. As such the craton portion of Karnataka has been gaining lot of importance in recent years on account of its unique geo-illustration. The present study area covers southern extensions of the Chitradurga schist belt, which includes the parts of Nagamangala, Mayasandra and Yadiyur schist belts and associated gneissic terrain with enclaves of mafic and ultramafic rocks exposed around Nagamangala town. Both the Nagamangala and Mayasandra schist belts are correlated to the Sargur Group ( 3400 my) while the Yadiyur schist belt to Dharwar Super Group. The present area is better suited for above mentioned studies as in this area the various litho units belonging to two stratigraphic units are well exposed and lie almost side by side. The present study of the area around the parts of Nagamangala, Mayasandra and Yadiyur dykes of Chitradurga schist belts of Dharwar Craton and is situated in Mandya and Tumkur district of Karnataka State. Sampling has been done so as to include all the noted variations in the field characters and to have a good geographic coverage. Satellite imagery has helped in picking up a number of major and minor lineaments cutting across the schist belts and gneisses. The geological map produced here has been prepared on the basis of the detailed observations in the field using Geoinformatics tools. The representative samples have been examined using geological microscope and the rocks have been classified on the basis of their mineral assemblages and textural features. The extensive igneous activity undergone by the study area is represented by the numerous dykes. A detailed geological characterization of the environs in the Nagamangala, Mayasandra and Yadiyur area on the basis of field observations has tried to give not only an unified illustration of the geology of the area but also has commented on the possible modes of advancement of the different necessary components like topography, climate, rainfall, drainage, soil and lithology of the study area

ANTIBIOTIC SENSITIVITY PATTERN OF CITROBACTER SPP. ISOLATED FROM PATIENTS WITH URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN SOUTH INDIA

Objectives: Urinary tract infection (UTIs) caused by Citrobacter species have been described in 5 to 12% of bacterial urine isolates in adults. The genus Citrobacter is a distinct group of aerobic Gram-negative bacilli from the Enterobacteriaceae family. We report here the emergence of Citrobacter as an increasingly common urinary pathogen in patients attending this medical college.Methods: The study was carried out over a period of 2 years from January 2010 to December 2011. Urine specimens from both outpatients and inpatients of our hospital were processed. Urine samples which yielded the growth Citrobacter spp. were included in the study Results: E. coli was the most common organism isolated followed by Klebsiella spp. and Citrobacter spp. The most active antimicrobial agent against Citrobacter isolates was piperacillin-tazobactum (55% sensitive), closely followed by amikacin (47%).Conclusion: The emergence of this usually rare organism as the third most common urinary pathogen, which is resistant to commonly available antibiotics is alarming. Such studies will guide clinicians to choose accurate empirical treatment options and will help to reduce the mortality and morbidity rates from infections. Â

SEROPREVALENCE AND GENOTYPING OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS AMONG HOSPITAL BASED GENERAL POPULATION IN VIJAYPUR, INDIA

Objective: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has emerged as a leading cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. According to World Health Organization (WHO) there are 180 million people affected with HCV worldwide and about 12.5 million carriers in India. Genotypes of HCV can vary in pathogenecity and can impact on treatment outcome. Hence this study was undertaken to know the seroprevalence and different genotypes of HCV among hospital based general population in Vijaypur, Karnataka.Methods: Study subjects were those attending various Out-Patient Department (OPD) and In-Patient Department (IPD) of Shri B. M. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Vijaypur, Karnataka. 5 ml of blood sample was aseptically collected in plain vial from the study subjects. Serum was separated and aliquoted in different vials. All the 1,200 serum samples were tested for HCV antibodies by third generation Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The serum samples positive by ELISA were tested for HCV RNA by Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Serum samples positive for HCV RNA were subjected to geno typing by RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) and direct sequencing.Results: Of the 1,200 samples tested, 32 (2.6%) were positive for anti-HCV antibody and 25 (2.1%) were positive for HCV RNA. HCV genotype 1 (68%) was found to be the most predominant type followed by genotype 3 (32%). The subtypes of genotype 1 were 1a and 1b, whereas subtypes of genotype 3 were 3a and 3b.Conclusion: The seroprevalence of HCV in this study was 2.6% and HCV genotype 1 and genotype 3 were found to be the predominant genotypes respectively. For physicians, knowing the genotype of hepatitis C virus is helpful in deciding type and duration of therapy. In addition, knowledge of circulating genotypes could impact on future vaccine formulations.Â

Development and performance evaluation of servo based PLC operated grain automatic weigher for Flour mill industry

Weigher is the necessity of a flour mill either to weigh the clean wheat before 1st break rolls or to weigh the final products to calculate extraction rate.  Low cost automatic weighing machine using latest technology of servo control and Programmable Logic Control was developed considering the advantages of electronic weighing and linear motion guide ways moving accuracies.  Statistical analysis indicated that there was no significant difference in mean value of measurements from set mass (1500, 3500, 5000g) and measured mass at the 95% probability level.  Minimum average percentage error (< 0.2%) was observed for 3500 to 5000g weight measurements.  Mass measurements on the dispensed material under repeatability conditions produced results within ± 0.22% of displayed set mass for 3000 to 5000g and     revealed that mass measurement of product by auto grain weigher was quite precise.  Automatic weigher can be used for mass measurement of granular products in automated production processes. Keywords: Wheat, Weigher, Servo, PLC, Ballscrew, Loadcel

An Economic Analysis of the Cost Structure and Constraints of Maize Cultivation in Hyderabad-Karnataka Region

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most versatile emerging crops, with a wide range of adaptation under a multitude of agro-climatic conditions. It is primarily a kharif crop (the kharif cropping season is also called as fall harvest season and is from July to October during the south-west monsoon in Indian subcontinent), with 85 per cent of the area under cultivation during kharif season. After rice and wheat, maize is India's third most important cereal crop. The current study attempts to analyze the cost and return structure of the maize crop in Koppal district of Karnataka state, as well as the marketing costs incurred by 120 maize respondent farmers and the constraints coupled with maize production and marketing. The study concluded that large farmers have incurred higher costs in all the inputs such as seed, farm yard manure (henceforth FYM), fertilizer, plant protection chemicals (henceforth PPCs), human labour and machine labour. For cultural operations, both medium and large agriculture depends on machine labour rather than bullock power. Transportation and packing costs were higher in all farmer categories. The transportation cost varied according to the quantity of produce and the distance between the regulated market and the study area. The maize respondents said that erratic rainfall behaviour was a major production constraint (90.0%), whereas lack of news dissemination was a major marketing constraint, ranking first with 85 per cent

DRUG RESISTANCE PATTERNS OF CLINICAL ISOLATES OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS IN TERTIARY CARE CENTER OF SOUTH INDIA

Objectives: Staphylococcus aureus were initially described in 1961 and emerged in the last decade as one of the most important nosocomial pathogens. The current study was undertaken to provide data for empirical selection of appropriate antibiotics for the treatment of diseases caused by S. aureus. Methods: Various clinical samples like pus, urine, stool, sputum, blood and other body fluids of patients were selected for study from June 2012 to June 2013. Staphylococcus aureus were identified by various biochemical tests and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the isolates were performed by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Detection of the MRSA was done by Oxacillin disc diffusion method.Results: A total of 137 isolates of S. aureus were obtained over duration of 12 months. These included isolates from the sample of pus, urine, sputum, body fluids. Out of 137 S. aureus strains isolated, 62 (45.3%) were identified as MRSA and 75 (54.7%) were identified as MSSA based on oxacillin disk diffusion method. Anti-biograms revealed the high level of resistance among MRSA isolates when compared to MSSA isolates The most effective agent against MRSA isolates was linezolid (96.8%sensitive), followed by tetracycline (90.9%) and piperacillin/tazobactam (80.6%).Conclusion: The prevalence of MRSA in our hospital was high. Therefore to reduce the incidence of infections due to MRSA, we suggest implementation of the strict antibiotic policy guidelines and continuous monitoring of antibiotic susceptibility patterns of such pathogens.Â