It is well documented that the primary etiological agent of periodontal disease is a polymicrobial complex, predominantly gram-negative anaerobic or facultative bacteria within the subgingival biofilm. These bacteria trigger the release of numbers of cytokines, leading to elevated numbers and activity of polymorphonucleocytes (PMNs). As a result of stimulation by bacterial antigens, PMNs produce the reactive oxygen species (ROS) superoxide via the respiratory burst as part of the host response to infection. The human body does contain an array of antioxidant defence mechanisms to remove harmful ROS as soon as they are formed and to prevent their deleterious effects. This review focuses predominantly on the role of ROS and antioxidant defence systems in the pathobiology of periodontitis, with a view to identify specific therapeutic targets for future host-modulating therapies.

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Aim: The aim of present investigation was to formulate and evaluate the ameliorative effect of aqueous extract of Cucumis sativus L. fruit cream formulation on experimentally induced wounds in rats. Materials and Methods: The cream was formulated using soft white paraffin base containing 2.5%, 5%, and 10% w/w of aqueous extract of of Cucumis sativus L. fruit. Excision wounds of size 300 mm ² and 2 mm depth were used for the study of rate of contraction of wound and epithelization. All the three formulations were evaluated for various pharmaceutical parameters such as pH, viscosity, spreadability, and acute skin irritation study. Epithelialization period, wound contraction, scar width, and histopathological evaluation parameters were used for pharmacological evaluation of wound healing activity of the formulation. Statistical Analysis: All the results were expressed as mean±SEM. Data analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism 5.0 software (GraphPad, San Diego, CA, USA). Statistical comparisons were made between drug-treated groups and disease control animals. Data of disease activity index were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance; Dunnett's multiple range test was applied for post hoc analysis, whereas data of wound area and percent wound contraction were analyzed using two-way repeated analysis of variance, Bonferroni's multiple range test was applied for post hoc analysis. A value of P<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: Cream formulation of AECS when applied topically did not show any sign and symptoms of skin irritation. The treatment with aqueous extract of C. sativus fruit cream formulation (2.5%, 5%, and 10% w/w) resulted in significance decrease (P<0.05, P<0.001, and P<0.001, respectively) in wound area, epithelization period, and scar width, whereas rate of wound contraction significance increased (P<0.001 respectively) when compared with control group animals. Conclusion: The present investigation demonstrates that by virtue of its antioxidant property and presence of the flavanoids content in C. sativus may responsible for wound contraction and elevated rate of epithelization in wound healing in laboratory animals.

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Alginate and chitosan are commonly used polymers in modifying the drug release. These two polymers can be used together or separately to form drug loaded modified release beads. The ionotropic gelation method and a slight modification in various ways are used to prepare these beads of different characteristics. The bead characteristics like morphology, buoyancy, swelling nature, drug entrapment efficiency, adsorption, and release behavior are of importance. Also the therapeutic uses of the different modifications of the beads can be immense for the drugs which have low water solubility, short biological half life, require organ specific targeting, and are proteineous in nature.

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Aim: Currently available antifilarial drugs diethylcarbamazine, ivermectin and albendazole and their combinations, are not able to control lymphatic filariasis. Therefore, a better antifilarial agent is urgently required for proper management of the disease. Materials and Methods: In this study, we evaluated the antifilarial activity of gum extract of plant Moringa oleifera Lam. against the human lymphatic filarial parasite Brugia malayi using adult worms and microfilariae (mf) in two in vitro assays (motility and inhition in MTT reduction) for viability and two animal models, primary (Meriones unguiculatus implanted with B. malayi adult worms in the peritoneal cavity) and secondary (subcutaneous B. malayi infective larvae induced Mastomys coucha, the model closer to the natural human filarial infection) screens. Results: The gum extract inhibited 100% motility (irreversible loss of motility) of mf and inhibited more than 56% MTT reduction potential of the adult female worms. The extract was safe in cytotoxicity test using Vero cell line, therefore followed in vivo in primary and secondary screens. In primary screen, the extract (5×500 mg/kg) caused 69% macrofilaricidal and 83% sterilization of female worms and 44% macrofilaricidal activity in secondary screen (5 × 1000 mg/kg) by oral route. Conclusion: Thus, it is concluded that the gum of the plant is macrofilaricidal in both in vitro and in vivo and may provide valuable leads for design and development of new antifilarial agents. This is the first ever report on the antifilarial efficacy of M. oleifera.

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This paper is intended to discuss a critical need expressed by present healthcare system of India, and how to provide a better health facility and diluting the medication errors caused by inappropriate management of the hospitals. Adverse events related to medication occur due to pathetic infrastructures, corporal punishment by the patient if unsatisfied, doctors on strike and working only for riches, trivial financial aid, and lack of basic amenities in the government-run hospitals of India. Government should reduce the barriers of awareness, accountability, ability, and action into accelerators of patient safety in the government organizations. Physicians, nurses, and pharmacists are truly the critical ingredient to rapid safety practice adoption. Various approaches like Technological Iatrogenesis, Computerized Provider Order Entry, and Electronic Health Record should be used. Although patient safety is recognized as a serious issue in health system, there is an urgent need for development and implementation of strategies for prevention and early detection of errors.

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Aims and Objectives: It has been observed that various microorganisms are acquiring resistance to most of the available potent antibiotics; hence, there is a need for every hospital to follow the use of antibiotics according to antibiotic sensitivity pattern in that particular hospital or geographical area. It has been reported that Enterobacteriaceae group of microorganisms are increasingly acquiring resistance to many antibiotics and this resistance varies geographically. As there is a short of recent data with respect to Indian hospital, this particular study was designed with the aim of establishing sensitivity pattern of Enterobacteriaceae group of microorganisms to various antibiotics. Materials and Methods: Data of antibiotic sensitivity from December 2010 to April 2011 of different Enterobacteriaceae was taken from the Department of Microbiology, Govt. Medical College, Surat. Sensitivity of different Enterobacteriaceae was shown as using descriptive statistics. Results: E. coli (55.6%) and Klebsiella (31.2%) were the most frequent bacteria isolated. Enterobacteriaceae were very less sensitive to amoxicillin + clavulanic acid (13.7%), chloramphenicol (7.6%), cefoperazone (14.4%), cefixime (15.7%), and cefuroxime (17.6). Sensitivity to aztreonam was 32.7%. Sensitivity to carbapenem group of drugs included in this study, i.e., meropenem was 69.8%. Highest sensitivity was shown for ceftazidime (74.1%). E. coli is more sensitive to meropenem as compared with Klebsiella. Conclusion: Sensitivity of Enterobacteriaceae group of microorganisms to known antibiotics is decreasing. Decreased sensitivity to carbapenem group of antibiotics is a matter of concern.

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Background: Injuries from occupational accidents are associated with agents of biological risk, as they are the gateway to serious and potentially lethal infectious diseases that can be spread by contact between people. Several studies have demonstrated that dental students are among the most vulnerable to blood borne exposure. Materials and Methods: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding risk of HIV transmission through accidental needle stick injury amongst dental students and providing supportive and proper guidelines regarding needle stick injuries and HIV infection. Study Design: This was a cross sectional study done at a dental college attached to a tertiary care hospital which included third, fourth year students and interns. The results obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using Chi square test. Results: Of the 120 students 13(11%) were not even aware that virus could be transmitted through infected needle. A significant proportion of the third year students i.e. 27 (67.5%) were not aware of correct method of disposal of disposable needles and syringes as against interns 17(42.5%). Around 31(26%) said that they would promote active bleeding at the site of injury and 37(30%) said they would take post exposure prophylaxis. Conclusion: Dental professionals are at a risk of occupational acquisition of HIV primarily due to accidental exposure to infected blood and body fluids. There is a need of correcting the existing misconceptions through education programmes early in the course and providing supportive and proper guidelines regarding needle stick injuries and HIV infection.

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Toxicovigilance is the active process of identifying and evaluating the toxic risks existing in a community and evaluating the measures taken to reduce or eliminate them. It should be viewed as a useful complement to prevent poisoning. The section serves to enhance epidemiological surveillance for identification of poisoning/risk of poisoning in the community, the substances, circumstances, and the population involved in and to strengthen investigation of poisoning incidences of public health significance so as to implement control measures in a timely manner. Data mining of large databases, such as those of poison centers, can be extremely helpful by triggering signals for health authorities. So far, very few countries have set up structured toxicovigilance systems and it is anticipated that in future, national and international initiatives will help bridging this gap in our knowledge of the toxicity of many chemicals and commercial products to human beings.

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Biotechnology is expected to be a great technological revolution followed by information technology. It is an application of scientific and engineering principles to the processing of material by biological agents to provide better goods and services to mankind. Commercially its techniques are applied long back in 6 ^th century in the art of brewing, wine making and baking. It has progressed there after crossing different land marks. Modern biotechnology has developed significantly in the late 19 ^th century with groundbreaking discoveries applicable in medicine, food, agriculture, chemistry, environmental protection and many more industries. It is widely used in the development of high-yielding, disease-resistant, better quality varieties by applying tissue culture and recombinant DNA techniques. It has wide application in animal breeding using techniques such as artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Specific enzymes used in laundry, fuel and leather industries for better quality, economically feasible and environmental friendly production. Biotechnology in healthcare system uses body's own tools and weapons to fight against diseases, manufacturing of targeted therapeutic proteins, gene therapy and so on. Novel approaches such as proteomics and structural biology are contributing to understanding the chemistry of life and diseases. Malfunctioning gene replaced with correctly functioning gene by using gene therapy. Tissue engineering has opened up the use of in vitro developed tissue or organ in repairing wounded tissue and system biology which is a computer-based approach to understand cell functions. Although every new discovery related to biology and its implications is significant and has taken the technology ahead. This includes applications, commercialization, controversies, media exposure and so on. Hence, we have enlisted some of the chronological development avenues in biotechnology across the world.

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In the present work, a comparative antimicrobial study of different hypoglycemic drugs (Metformin, Phenformin, and Rosiglitazone) was carried out. The main objective was to ascertain the antimicrobial activity by using "non-antibiotics" as the test substances. The antimicrobial activity was carried out against different bacteria and fungi namely Bacillus liceniformis, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella flexneri, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus subspp., and Staphylococcus epidermidis by using disc diffusion method and agar dilution method. Ciprofloxacin was taken as the standard antibiotic. The entire procedure was carried out in an aseptic area under the laminar flow by inoculating the bacterial strain to the agar media in which the drug solution was added. Different concentrations (300 and 400 μg/ml) of the standard antibiotic and selected drugs were subjected for minimum inhibitory concentration, and zone of inhibition tests and the antimicrobial activity of the selected drugs were determined.

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