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INTRODUCTION: Fruits are very good sources of micronutrients. In the present era, eating fruits is questionable due to hazardous effects of artificial ripener usage on fruits. Ascorbic acid (C6H8O6), a major antioxidant water-soluble vitamin, acts as a reducing agent for many metabolic reactions as a coenzyme. Since it is heat-labile, fruits remain as a prime source as they are eaten uncooked. Mangoes, Banana, and Papaya are the most commonly subjected fruits for artificial ripening. However, artificial ripeners such as ethephon and calcium carbide have antinutritional and hazardous effects on health. This study analyzed the effect of the second most commonly used artificial ripener ethephon on mangoes in comparing with naturally ripened mangoes. STUDY PURPOSE: To fulfill the increasing fruit demand and for commercialization fastening of fruit ripening is done. The aim of the present study is to assess whether artificial ripening will affect the Vitamin “C” level in mangoes or no. OBJECTIVES: Compare the Vitamin C levels in artificially ripened with naturally ripened mangoes. METHODS: Vitamin C was analyzed using simple UV spectrophotometric method using 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine reagent. RESULTS: The results of the present study showed that the naturally ripened mangoes had a mean of 7.6 ± 6 mg/100 g more of Vitamin “C” than artificially ripened mangoes. CONCLUSION: The Study concludes that the Vitamin C contents is more in naturally ripened mangoes than the artificially ripened mangoes with using 1000 ppm of ehtephon.

Introduction: Adolescents' tobacco usage is a serious health concern. Advertisements in mass media are influential for initiating tobacco use in youth among India. Advertisements and promotional activities for tobacco lead to initiation and progression of tobacco among Indian adolescents which have been reviewed for tobacco prevention and cessation. Aim: The aim of the study is to summarize the effect of glorified advertising among teenagers. Methods: Electronic database was searched to identify suitable literature using Medline, PubMed, EBSCO, Cochrane library, and Google Scholar. The search was focused on studies examining the influence of advertisements and promotional activities of tobacco use among adolescents. Results: The search resulted in 31 articles, of which 10 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in this systemic review. These studies were conducted in India from 2005 to 2016. Glorified marketing and advertising of tobacco play a significant role in tobacco initiation and experimentation of tobacco intake among adolescents. Conclusions: Glorified advertising traps the vulnerable adolescents for tobacco usage. They develop normalcy toward tobacco usage through attractive advertising. Measures such as banning tobacco usage in movies and television should be strictly implemented as youth get easily trapped in the influence of movies and television. Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products Act should be strictly implemented. All the loopholes in the legislation should be evenly covered.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine remineralizing potential of grape seed extract (GSE) compared to casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) and calcium glycerophosphate (CaGP) through pH-cycling model and subsequent evaluation using polarized light microscope (PLM). Subjects and Methods: Twenty sound human teeth fragments of ten teeth were obtained from the cervical portion of the roots and were stored in demineralizing solution for 96 h at 37°C to induce artificial root carious lesion. The sections then were divided into four treatment groups including: 6.5% GSE, CPP-ACP, 0.5% CaGP, and control group (no treatment). The demineralized samples were then pH cycled through treatment solutions, acidic buffer, and neutral buffer for 8 days at six cycles per day. The samples were subsequently evaluated using PLM. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Scheffe post hoc comparison test (P < 0.001). Results: PLM data revealed a significantly thicker mineral precipitation band on the surface layer of the GSE-treated lesions compared to the other groups (P < 0.001). Conclusion: GSE positively affects the demineralization and/or remineralization processes of artificial root caries lesions.

Introduction: Creatinine and urea are nonprotein nitrogenous compounds which are eliminated from the body. Creatinine is a word obtained from a Greek term "Kreas" meaning flesh. An anhydrous form of creatine is creatinine. Around 0.5% of total muscle weight constitutes creatine. Muscle, brain, blood, etc., are the tissues, in which creatinine is present as high-energy compound, phosphocreatine, and creatine as free compound. Optimal storage of serum specimens in biobanks for long time for multicenter reference interval studies remains to be determined. Hence, in this context, the present study was undertaken to determine the effect of storage time and temperature on the laboratory results of urea and creatinine in pooled serum samples. Objective: To determine the effect of storage and temperature on two biochemical analytes (creatinine and urea) in pooled serum samples stored at -20°C. Materials and Methods: The study comprised ten pooled serum samples. Each pooled serum sample was prepared by mixing ten individual serum samples. The serum samples were used for the estimation of effect of storage and temperature on two biochemical analytes (creatinine and urea) in pooled serum samples stored at -20°C in semi-automated analyzer by kit method. Results: The results of the present study on creatinine concentration were found to increase above the normal levels in ten pooled serum samples after storage for 10 days at -20°C. Concentration of urea was found to increase above the normal levels (>20-40 mg/dL) in two samples out of ten, whereas other eight samples were found to be within the normal range. Conclusion: The levels of creatinine were affected due to storage at -20°C for 10 days. However, urea retained its stability when stored at -20°C for 10 days. Thus, to ensure valid results, the samples should be analyzed within 24 h of collection.

Objectives: The current study was intended to compare and to evaluate in vitro the antimicrobial efficacy of Morinda citrifolia juice (MCJ) with chlorhexidine (CHX) as endodontic irrigants and their effect on micro-hardness of root canal dentin. Methodology: The study was divided into two parts. Part I for antibacterial testing consisted of preparing 60 dentin blocks of 4 mm height. All the dentin blocks were infected with Enterococcus fecalis for a period of 21 days. The experimental groups were Group I: 0.2% CHX; Group II: 6% MCJ; Group III: 6% MCJ + 0.2% CHX; Group IV: Saline. After 28 days of medication with the irrigants, the dentin shavings from root canal dentin was harvested and colony forming units counted. Part II for micro-hardness testing consisted of preparing 32 root halves and mounting them on blocks of acrylic resin. 8 samples per group were randomly divided into the experimental groups. The samples were then medicated with the irrigants for a period of 15 min and micro-hardness values were recorded. Results: Data obtained was analyzed using one-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-test and Student's paired t-test. Part I: Group I showed highest antibacterial activity followed by Group III with Group II taking the third place and were statistically significant (P 0.4). Conclusion: Nearly 0.2% of CHX showed the highest antimicrobial activity even after 28 days and 6% of MCJ also showed antibacterial activity, but to a lesser degree than CHX. None of the irrigants tested had any effect on the micro-hardness of root canal dentin.