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In Indian writing in English, Kamalaya Markandaya is a well-known writer, as her novels deal with sociological issues derived from her deep understanding of Indian tradition and culture. Among the Indian English novelists, Markandaya is a name that beckons. Known for her ability to narrate epic stories from Indian reality, she is a wonderful storyteller. She is prompted by the encounter with foreign culture to reflect on her own Indian culture. Markandaya's novels are well known for their utilitarian views on nature. Her novels comprise gripping tales of human struggles amidst devastating turmoil and turbulence. Markandaya is one of those novelists who believe in human endurance and human power. The protagonist is the novel Nectar in the Seive, Rukmani stands as a testimony for her belief in the idea that human beings, especially women, can face adversity at any cost as they have always been silent suffers. Markandaya's novels offer a significant role and a considerable scope for women, as she describes how each woman has her own unique way of communicating her feelings and silencing herself for the sake of society and culture. She truthfully and honestly presents women in the Indian society, characterized, like much other traditional, Indian culture, morals and inter. This paper aims at analysing Kamalaya Markandaya's novel Nectar in the Sieve characters as true representatives of their tradition and individuality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine disorder. The plant Syzygium cumini has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes. The present study investigated the effect of ethanol extract of S. cumini seeds on uptake of glucose by L-6 rat skeletal muscle cells. S.cumini seeds were extracted with varying solvents and quantitative phytochemical analysis was carried out, ethanol extract of seeds exhibited higher content of tested phytochemicals. The effect of different concentrations (300μg/ml – 1000μg/ml) of ethanol extract of seeds were studied on glucose uptake activity of L-6 rat skeletal muscle cells. It was observed that with the increase in concentration, the glucose uptake activity was also increased. The results of the study supports and demonstrates the antidiabetic potential of ethanol seed extracts of Syzygium cumini utilizing in vitro model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this randomized, controlled, double-blinded, clinical study is to evaluate and compare the clinical effectiveness of low-level diode GaAlAs laser and glutaraldehyde-based topical desensitizing agent on cervical dentin hypersensitivity with the help of visual analog scale (VAS). Materials and Methods: Fifty teeth of patients aged between 20 and 50 years were included, and VAS was used to assess the dentin hypersensitivity. The teeth were randomly allocated to either Group 1 or 2 using flip coin technique. Group 1 received glutaraldehyde desensitizer and Group 2 received 905 nm low-level laser. The sensitivity scores were recorded, immediately, after1 week and 3 months after therapy. Data was analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test for intergroup comparison and Friedman's test for intragroup comparison. Results: There was a significant reduction in pain in both the groups at 3 months evaluation (P = 0.001).However, Group 2 showed a significant decrease in mean VAS scores when compared with Group 1 at both the one week and three month follow ups (P = 0.04, P = 0.03, respectively). Conclusion: Although topical desensitizer and Low Level Laser are both effective in reducing dentinal hypersensitivity, Low Level Lasers are comparatively more effective at the studied time intervals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Poisoning ranks as the 13th leading cause of death worldwide & it is the fourth most common cause of accidents in children. The World Health Organization(WHO) reports an uptrend in suicidal poisoning worldwide and consumption of pesticides is the most common method of suicide. Thorough knowledge about the nature and magnitude of the problem is hence essential for developing strategies to tackle such casualties. Objective: To study the socio-demographic pattern of poisoning cases admitted in Aarupadai Veedu Medical College & Hospital, Puducherry. Methodology: Retrospective analysis of all 548 poisoning cases reported to the casualty of Aarupadai Veedu Medical College & Hospital over a period of 5 yrs i.e. from 1st July 2009 to 30th June 2014 was done. Data regarding age, sex, educational status, marital status, socioeconomic class, place of residence, type of poison, time of exposure and intention of poisoning was entered into excel & analysed in SPSS for calculating percentages and Chi square test. Results: Peak incidence was observed in the age group of 21-30 yrs (31.57%) & majority (58.03%) were female victims, 75.36% were from rural area & in 52.92% of cases poisoning happened during the day time. In 75.90% cases, intention of poisoning was suicidal while 23.70% cases were accidental. The most common class of poison involved was pesticides (38.87%) with Organophosphorus compound in majority patients (25.73%). Conclusion: There is an urgent need to reinforce the regulations regarding sales of drugs & agrochemicals which will definitely reduce the misuse of these substances by the general public. Equally important is to focus on vulnerable, ignored groups and pool together researchers, clinicians, politicians, policy makers to develop a national plan for providing sustainable mental health support for our community for suicide prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To compare the efficacy of chewing gum containing casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) and xylitol on salivary characteristics in 8-10 years old children with molar incisor hypomineralization., Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled trial using CPP-ACP chewing gums (group I) and xylitol chewing gums (group II) was conducted among 32 children affected with mild molarincisor hypomineralization (MIH). Salivary flow rate, pH and buffering capacity were measured using saliva check kit (GC America). Data obtained were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS software version 20. Descriptive statistics-mean, standard deviation, 95% confidence interval. Inferential statistics-independent t tests were used., Results: A significant increase in mean salivary pH, flow rate and buffering action was observed from baseline to immediately after spitting the chewing gum in both the study groups ( p 0.05)., Conclusion: Casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate containing chewing gums improve salivary characteristics in MIH-affected children., Clinical Significance: Xylitol and CPP-ACP chewing gums are recommended in MIH children with early demarcated opacities as it improves the salivary properties in those children and prevents further complications., How to Cite This Article: Prathima GS, Narmatha M, Selvabalaji A, et al. Effects of Xylitol and CPP-ACP Chewing Gum on Salivary Properties of Children with Molar Incisor Hypomineralization. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(3):412-415., Competing Interests: Source of support: Nil Conflict of interest: None, (Copyright © 2021; Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd.)

Aim: To bridge the gap between urban and rural population, a vast number of researches are being carried out. Teledentistry is one of the technological advances in dentistry. It is defined by Cook in 1997 as "the practice of using video-conferencing technologies to diagnose and provide advice about treatment over a distance." This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of teledentistry among general dentists in and around Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu, India., Materials and Methods: A self-administered closed-ended questionnaire was designed. The questions were divided into three sections based on knowledge, attitude, and practice. Data collected from the questionnaire were entered in Microsoft Excel. Level of significance ( P < 0.05) was set at 95% confidence interval and P < 0.01 at 99% confidence interval was maintained, and the data were statistically analyzed., Results: The majority of the dentists had less knowledge about teledentistry. About 73% of the dentists believe that teledentistry can provide access of specialists to the rural population., Conclusion: Of the dentists, 90% agree that teledentistry would be the major advancement in the future; however, there needs to be a specific module of operation and promotion of the module in future., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2020 Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences.)

Hetero atoms containing conductive nanocarbon materials are being studied extensively for their electrochemical energy storage and conversion applications. Herein, we report a facile process for the preparation of N-containing carbon/graphene nanocomposites by simultaneous thermal decomposition of polypyrrole into N-containing carbon and reduction of graphene oxide into graphene in H2/Ar atmosphere. The XRD pattern of N-containing carbon/graphene nanocomposites prepared at different temperatures indicated the formation of reduced graphene oxide from the reduction of GO. The FT-IR and Raman spectroscopic analysis revealed the presence of N atoms in the nanocomposites and the elemental analysis was used to estimate the amount of N in the nanocomposite. The XPS analysis distinguished the pyridine, pyrrolic and quaternary forms of N present in the nanocomposite. The slow decomposition of polypyrrole resulted in the mesoporous structure to the resulting nanocomposite, which was confirmed by the BET adsorption–desorption isotherm. The electron microscopic analysis confirmed the presence of highly transparent carbon nanosheets. The amount of N in the nanocomposite that depends on the decomposition temperature was found to influence the electrochemical performance. The nanocomposite prepared at 700 °C showed a large specific capacitance of 296 F/g with an excellent cycling stability of 93% after 1000 cycles.