Association of thalassemia major and gingival inflammation: A pilot study

Peer reviewe

Changing the system through instrumentalizing weak political institutions: the quest for a presidential system in Turkey in historical and comparative perspective

Since the 1990s, debates on a constitutional system reform in Turkey have ignited controversies over the executive structure of its parliamentary system. This article looks at the debate in terms of the interaction between institutional dynamics and politicians' choices, shaped by past institutional transformations following transitions. It is contended that institutional weaknesses underlying both the presidency and executive-legislative relations in Turkey have provided strong incentives for incumbent elites to challenge existing parliamentary norms and advocate presidential alternatives. Far from contributing to a sober diagnosis of the problems of parliamentarism, the recent constitutional amendment introducing a system of executive presidency has further divided Turkey's already polarized political and civil society

Clinical periodontal status and inflammatory cytokines in gestational diabetes mellitus

WOS: 000387835400012PubMed ID: 27552375Objectives: The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to compare clinical periodontal findings as well as gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and IL-33 between women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods: Serum and GCF samples were collected, full-mouth recordings comprising plaque index, bleeding on probing and probing depth were performed in 96 females with GDM (cases) and 65 non diabetic pregnant females (controls). Age, smoking status, pre-pregnancy body mass index, pregnancy outcomes were recorded. Serum and GCF IL-10, IL-33, TNF-alpha levels were determined. Results: The GDM group was significantly older than the control group with an age difference of 3.27 years (mean ages were 32.05 and 28.78 years, respectively) (p < 0.0001). Plaque Index (50.0 and 30.0 p = 0.005), bleeding on probing (50.0 and 30.0 p = 0.003) values were significantly higher in the GDM group. Serum TNF-alpha concentrations were significantly higher in the nonGDM group than the GDM group (p = 0.001). GCF IL-10 concentrations and total amounts were significantly higher in the GDM group than the controls (p = 0.004 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Conclusion: Elevated GCF IL-10 levels may be a consequence of higher levels of inflammation as indicated by higher PI and BOP in the GDM group. However, the investigated clinical parameters may not have prominent effects on INF-alpha and IL-33 levels. These findings provide further support for the importance of periodontal health during pregnancy. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Research Foundation of Ege University, Izmir, TurkeyEge University [2013DIS026]There are no conflicts of interest to declare. This study was supported by a grant from the Research Foundation of Ege University, Izmir, Turkey (project no. 2013DIS026)

Salivary Adiponectin and Leptin Levels are Increased in Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Gingival Inflammation

WOS: 000457800200009PubMed ID: 30574608Purpose: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as glucose intolerance with first onset or diagnosis in pregnancy. This study evaluated clinical and biochemical parameters in a possible association between GDM and gingival inflammation. Materials and Methods: A total of 87 pregnant women - 44 with GDM and 43 without (NGDM) - were included. Subgroups were created according to gingival inflammation. Plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), and probing depth (PD) were recorded. Results: Age, anthropometric variables and baby weight (g) were all statistically significantly higher in the GDM group (p < 0.0001). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (mmHg), saliva, serum leptin and adiponectin levels were similar in the GDM and NGDM groups (p = 0.605, p = 0.662, p = 0.737, and p = 0.596, respectively). Salivary adiponectin levels were statistically significantly higher in the two subgroups with gingivitis compared to those with clinically healthy periodontium (p < 0.01). Serum adiponectin levels were statistically significantly higher in the NGDM subgroup with gingivitis than the NGDM group with clinically healthy periodontium (p < 0.05). Statistically significant positive correlations were found between PD, PI, BOP and saliva adiponectin levels in the GDM group (p < 0.05). Positive correlations were also found between clinical periodontal parameters and saliva, serum levels of adiponectin in the control group without GDM (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The higher salivary adiponectin levels in the gingivitis groups suggest that gingival inflammation is more likely to influence local inflammatory parameters both in the presence and absence of GDM. Further largerscale studies are required to better clarify the possible interactions between gingival inflammation and GDM.Ege University Research FoundationEge University [2013 DIS 026]This research was supported by a grant from the Ege University Research Foundation (Project No: 2013 DIS 026). The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Medical Faculty of Ege University (protocol number 13-2/9). No benefits in any form have been received or will be received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article

The Association Between Thalassemia Major and Periodontal Health

Background: The aim of this cross-sectional study is to compare the local and systemic levels of soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (sRANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL), B-cell activating factor (BAFF), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-8 in bio-fluids of patients with thalassemia major (TM) with or without gingivitis