Aim: The aim was to evaluate the salivary pH reversal phenomenon by chewing paneer and processed cheese after a chocolate challenge.Materials and methods: Thirty caries-free children were randomly selected and divided into 2 groups: Control group was given processed cheese (Amul) and the experimental group was given paneer (Amul) after a chocolate challenge. After determining the resting salivary pH using GC pH strips, the subjects were asked to eat the test foods and salivary pH was measured at time intervals of 5, 10, 15, 30 and 60 minutes to record the time taken for the salivary pH to return to baseline values after an acidogenic challenge.Results: The data was analyzed and intergroup comparison was done using paired student’s t-test. The test meals increased salivary pH after chocolate challenge significantly from baseline values and neutralized the fall in pH after a chocolate challenge. The protective effect was evident after 5 minutes of consuming chocolate and was highest up to 30 minutes after which the salivary pH gradually fell but had not returned to baseline values even at 60 minutes.Conclusion: The findings suggest that chewing of paneer like cheese abolishes the fall in salivary pH caused by sugar consumption and maybe recommended as a protective food in pediatric diet counseling.How to cite this article: Tayab T, Rai K, Kumari V, Thomas E. Effect of Chewing Paneer and Cheese on Salivary Acidogenicity: A Comparative Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2012;5(1):20-24.

Electrospinning is one of the techniques to produce non-woven fiber mats using polymers. The diameters of the fiber produced by this technique are in the range of 10 m to 10 nm. Electrically conducting ultra fine fibers are useful in many applications in the fields of sensors, and nanoelectronics. However, it is very difficult to obtain fibers of conducting polymers like polyaniline (PANI) and polypyrrole through electrospinning. Hence they are invariably mixed with other insulating polymers such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) to obtain a conducting composite depending on the percolation of the conducting polymer. Here, we report the preparation of PANI-PMMA composite fibers by electrospinning. The scanning electron micrographs and the frequency dependent complex conductivity (()) of these polymer fibers are investigated at room temperature with different concentrations of PANI (5%, 10%, 15%, 20% w/w). It is observed that there is a significant enhancement in the ac conductivity of these fibers with the increase in the concentration of PANI.

Determination of species from wildlife specimens is one of the prime goals of forensic laboratories analyzing samples involved in wildlife crimes. The conviction rate in wildlife crimes is often low due to a lack of evidential support in identification of the species involved in crime. When species identification by application of morphological techniques fails due to sample autolysis or lack of anatomical markers in wildlife specimens, DNA analysis provides the vital, foolproof cue. Sequences generated from mitochondrial DNA regions are used to determine the species by matching against a known reference sequence, either using the global GenBank database or using references created locally. The present study employed species identification by DNA analysis using wildlife samples received from the Forest Department across Tamil Nadu, India. The study demonstrates the utility of partial Cytb and 12S rRNAgenes for determination of species from 18 samples without recognizable morphological features, including tissue, hair and blood. The species of the collected specimens were correctly identified by sequence similarity search with 99 to 100% match and taxonomic classification using phylogenetic tree reconstruction. Of the 18 samples analyzed, accurate species identification using 12S rRNA gene was possible for all the samples, while Cytbgene-based identification was successful for 16 samples. Sequences generated from the study could also serve as a local genetic databank for the State Forest Department to match against sequences from wildlife forensic samples referred to the Institute for ascertaining species involved in wildlife trade. The sequences will also be useful to bridge gaps in genetic data on species native to Tamil Nadu.

Poaching is one of the major reasons for declining heterotrophic wild populations attributed to illegitimate economic gain. It causes serious threats not only to the specific population but also generates a negative impact on the entire world population of wildlife. In recent years prohibited trade for canines is going through an upward trendline, adversely impacting a number of significant species of mammals. Increasing reports of canine seizures demand forensic inspection and thorough investigation of evidence for species identification. Though examination of canine samples through morphometric technique is acceptable, it falls short when the complete sample is not recovered for analysis. Thus, molecular analysis provides error-free and reliable proof of evidence in identifying species. This report investigates two separate canine seizures using combined approaches of morphometry and DNA analysis. Seizure 1 comprised a 10 years old broken canine sample and seizure 2 contained 4 canine samples (n=4). Morphometrically, physical examination, X-ray analysis and mensuration were undertaken. For molecular analysis, the mitochondrial regions of Cytochrome b (Cytb), 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA were targeted. BLASTn search and comparison with the genetic repository at Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) clearly indicated that seizure 1 belongs to Tiger (Panthera tigris) and seizure 2 belongs to Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus). To examine wildlife forensic case samples, both morphometric and molecular databases must be strengthened to increase the conviction rate while prosecuting under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 of India.