Microorganisms invading the root canal system of a tooth may interact with the host tissue and cause pulpo-periapical pathosis. The goals of root canal treatment are to disinfect the root canal system and to prevent subsequent reinfection. The disinfection is attempted with endodontic instruments, irrigants, and medications. Due to the complex canal anatomy, microorganisms can persist even after thorough disinfection regimens are used. After disinfection, the canal is sealed with a root filling material along with sealers. To curtail residual microorganisms, root-filling materials should ideally be bactericidal, as well as biocompatible. In addition, the root filling materials are expected to act as a physical barrier to prevent the leakage of substrate to any residual microorganisms and the ingress of additional microorganisms.The aim of the present study was to assess the antimicrobial activity of various Endodontic sealers on the Enterococcus faecalis. Enterococcus faecalis is a microorganism commonly detected in asymptomatic, persistent endodontic infections. In the changing face of dental care, continued research on E. faecalis and its elimination from the dental apparatus may well define the future of the endodontic specialty.

Background: Infant and young child feeding are the corner stone for child development. More than a third of the world’s undernourished children reside in India. Inadequate infant and young child feeding practices with inadequate care and management of common illnesses contributes to malnutrition. Objective: To study the prevailing infant feeding practices and determine influence of factors on infant feeding in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: A descriptive longitudinal follow-up study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital between November 2010 and April 2012. Maternal and baby’s profiles were obtained using oral questionnaire after birth by personal one-to-one interview. These cases were followed up for their infant feeding practices till 1 year of age in outpatient department and also by telephonic conversation. Continous variables were analysed by mean and SD. For categorical variable frequency and percentage were determined. Results: 61.25% mothers had initiated breastfeeding within 1 h. Prelacteal feed was given to 28.6% babies. 61.5% had initiated complementary feed at 6 months. Bottle feeding was preferred mode of feeding. There was a statistically significant association between initiation of breastfeeding and parity (p=0.022) and type ofdelivery (p<0.0001), religion and complementary feeding introduction (p<0.001), religion and duration of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) (p=0.003), occupation and EBF duration (p=0.005), education (p=0.015), and religion (p=0.001) were associated with prelacteal feeds. Conclusions: Infant feeding practices observed from the study include early initiation of breastfeeding, appropriate duration of EBF, and timely introduction of complementary feed. Practice of prelacteal and bottle feeding was seen. Infant feeding practices are found to be influenced by several socio-demographic factors.

Background: Breastfeeding is being practiced since the existence of mammals on earth. Breastmilk can make the world healthier, smarter and more equal, it also saves lives of infants and reduces disease burden of both mother and infants. Common reasons for avoiding or stopping breastfeeding are medical, cultural, psychological, physical discomfort and inconvenience. This study was conducted to know the spectrum of problems related to breast feeding faced by mother-infant pairs in the first 6 months of life. Methods: A hospital based observational study was conducted in an urban tertiary care hospital from November 2010 to February 2012. Maternal and newborn data were obtained during postnatal period and they were later followed up in Pediatric Outpatient Department at regular intervals and information was also collected through telephonic conversation. Descriptive statistics were reported using mean, standard deviation or median, range for the continuous variable. Numbers and percentage were used for the categorical variable. Chi-square test or fisher's exact test was done to test the association between the breast-feeding problems with demographical and clinical variables. p<0.05 was considered as significant. Results: Prelacteal feed was given to 17.7% babies, 30.9% mothers had breastfeeding problems. 41.3% babies were initiated on breastfeeding within one hour of birth. Parity (0.001) and mode of delivery (0.017) had significant association with breastfeeding problems. Conclusions: Breastfeeding issues like delayed initiation of breastfeeding, practice of prelacteal feeding, formula feeding, latching problems, perception of inadequate milk were noted. Parity and mode of delivery had an association with breastfeeding problems.