A number of peptides and peptide analogs derived from the membrane proximal region of gp41 ectodomain are found to be effective inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-mediated fusion events. One of them, T20 (aa 638-673), was found disordered and sparingly soluble in water, but became soluble upon mixing with selected, structured peptides from the amino terminal heptad repeat (HR1) region of gp41 using a simple and sensitive method of reduction in the scattering of T20 suspension. From the results on mapping the locus of interaction with T20 by employing partially overlapping peptides derived from HR1, it was concluded that the LLSGIV segment was a critical docking site for the C-terminal peptide of gp41 in its putative inhibitory action consistent with a previous fluorescence study. It was also found that peptides capable of solubilizing T20 dispersion have a high content of helix, as well as beta-strand, conformation in aqueous solution. Specificity of T20/HR1-derived peptide binding was ascertained by using a scrambled sequence of a T20-active peptide and a plateau in scattering reduction of T20 suspension with variation in the concentration of a T20-active HR1 peptide. Implications on the mechanism of T20 inhibition and the sequence of folding of the gp41 core structure are discussed.
A
BSTRACT
Aim and Objective:
The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of probiotic and green tea mouthrinse on salivary pH.
Materials and Methods:
This study was conducted over a period of 1 month among 40 healthy schoolchildren aged between 6 and 8 years. The subjects who fulfilled inclusion criteria were selected and randomly divided into two groups, namely probiotic and green tea groups. Salivary pH was recorded at baseline (0 day) and at the end of the specified time using GC pH strips. Statistical analysis was done using paired
t
test.
P
< 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Result:
The comparison of mean pH scores for green tea showed that the pH of saliva was increased in the children after rinsing with green tea (6.00–7.60) and was statistically significant (
P
< 0.001). Similarly, when pre- and post-mean pH was compared in the probiotic group, the pH was found to be higher in the probiotic rinse group (5.60–7.20). The results were statistically significant.
Conclusion:
The study conducted shows the beneficial effects of green tea in providing a alkaline environment, which is conducive to the oral health of children.
A blight white smile has always been a symbol of health, beauty and vitality for hundreds of years. Discoloration of the front teeth causes a significant disturbance in the aesthetics and may also decrease the patient's self-esteem. Public demand for the aesthetic dentistry which includes the tooth whitening has increased in recent years. Dental bleaching offers a simplified, conservative and low cost approach to change the color of discolored teeth. The pigments oxidation is responsible for tooth bleaching and can be carried out with two different products; carbamideperoxide and hydrogen peroxide. The present case reports reflect a remarkable change of tooth color by in-office bleaching.
A
BSTRACT
Background:
Eugenol released from zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE)–based sealants may cause irritation to the periapical tissues and has cytotoxic potential. Ozone therapy has numerous clinical applications with humans because of its bactericidal action, detoxifying effect, stimulation of angiogenesis, and wound-healing capacity. Therefore ozone can be incorporated in ZOE sealer to exploit these properties.
Materials and Methods:
Eugenol was ozonated using ozonator machine and the samples were divided into two groups: Group I: zinc oxide eugenol (
n
= 10) and Group II: zinc oxide–ozonated eugenol (OZOE;
n
= 10). The pH of the fresh sealer samples and the set samples was measured using calibrated pH meter after predetermined time intervals. Cytotoxicity of the set sealer was evaluated on mouse L929 fibroblasts using cellular metabolic assay.
Results:
pH of the samples in Group II was higher when compared to Group I. Group II showed higher cell viability than the Group I.
Conclusion:
OZOE sealers can be used as an alternative to the conventional ZOE sealers.
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