GO NATURAL, SAY NO TO CHEMICALS - A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW ON EFFECTIVENESS OF GREEN TEA EXTRACT CONTAINING FORMULATIONS ON DENTAL CARIES

Objective: In recent years, the side effects encountered with the use of chemicals has led to the search for safe anticariogenic alternatives. Green tea is one such naturally occurring alternative which possesses anticariogenic activity through a direct bactericidal effect against cariogenic microorganisms. Therefore, the objective of this systematic review was to analyze the existing literature on the effectiveness of green tea extract containing formulations on dental caries. Methods: The databases of PubMed, Cochrane, Science Direct, Metapress, and Google Scholar were searched up to July 2015 for the related topic. References of the selected articles and relevant reviews were searched for any missed publications. Results: The systematic search revealed a total of 437 publications which were scrutinized based on eligibility criteria. Six publications fulfilled the criteria and 431 publications were excluded from the review. Out of six studies, three studies reported a statistically significant difference in favor of green tea while two studies showed no statistically significant difference between the groups. One study reported no statistically significant difference between the two groups; however, the reduction observed in chlorhexidine (control group) was slightly greater than green tea. Conclusion: With the available evidence, it can be concluded that green tea extract containing formulations are effective in reducing cariogenic microflora and caries increment

Covid-19 disease, women’s predominant non-heparin vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia and kounis syndrome: A passepartout cytokine storm interplay

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) constitute one of the deadliest pandemics in modern history demonstrating cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, hematologic, mucocutaneous, respiratory, neurological, renal and testicular manifestations and further complications. COVID-19-induced excessive immune response accompanied with uncontrolled release of cytokines culminating in cytokine storm seem to be the common pathogenetic mechanism of these complications. The aim of this narrative review is to elucidate the relation between anaphylaxis associated with profound hypotension or hypoxemia with pro-inflammatory cytokine release. COVID-19 relation with Kounis syndrome and post-COVID-19 vaccination correlation with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis (HITT), especially serious cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, were also reviewed. Methods: A current literature search in PubMed, Embase and Google databases was performed to reveal the pathophysiology, prevalence, clinical manifestation, correlation and treatment of COVID-19, anaphylaxis with profuse hypotension, Kounis acute coronary syndrome and thrombotic events post vaccination. Results: The same key immunological pathophysiology mechanisms and cells seem to underlie COVID-19 cardiovascular complications and the anaphylaxis-associated Kounis syndrome. The myocardial injury in patients with COVID-19 has been attributed to coronary spasm, plaque rupture and microthrombi formation, hypoxic injury or cytokine storm disposing the same pathophysiology with the three clinical variants of Kounis syndrome. COVID-19-interrelated vaccine excipients as polysorbate, polyethelene glycol (PEG) and trometamol constitute potential allergenic substances. Conclusion: Better acknowledgement of the pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical similarities, multiorgan complications of COVID-19 or other viral infections as dengue and human immunodeficiency viruses along with the action of inflammatory cells inducing the Kounis syndrome could identify better immunological approaches for prevention, treatment of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as post-COVID-19 vaccine adverse reactions

Clinical Advances in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: A Position Statement by the International College of Obsessive Compulsive Spectrum Disorders

© 2020 The Author(s). This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives License 4.0 (CC-BY-NC-ND - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), where it is permissible to download and share the work provided it is properly cited. The work cannot be changed in any way or used commercially without permission from the journal.In this position statement, developed by The International College of Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders, a group of international experts responds to recent developments in the evidence-based management of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The article presents those selected therapeutic advances judged to be of utmost relevance to the treatment of OCD, based on new and emerging evidence from clinical and translational science. Areas covered include refinement in the methods of clinical assessment, the importance of early intervention based on new staging models and the need to provide sustained well-being involving effective relapse prevention. The relative benefits of psychological, pharmacological and somatic treatments are reviewed and novel treatment strategies for difficult to treat OCD, including neurostimulation, as well as new areas for research such as problematic internet use, novel digital interventions, immunological therapies, pharmacogenetics and novel forms of psychotherapy are discussed.Peer reviewe