Clinical Approach of Laser Application in Different Aspects of Pediatric Dentistry

The application of laser in dentistry is considered as a favorable technique for patients due to its many advantages compare to other current methods. One of the main goals in pediatric dentistry is to provide the treatment as comfortable as possible without any risks for the care. Laser is being used in different pediatric dental conditions including caries detection, caries removal and cavity preparation, soft tissue surgery and in low level laser therapy applications. The application of current common lasers in dentistry resulted in less stress and fear in patients during dental procedures, also leading to more conservative non-invasive methods for soft and hard tissues with minimal discomfort and bleedin

Sensorimotor adaptation to auditory perturbation of speech is facilitated by noninvasive brain stimulation

Repeated exposure to disparity between the motor plan and auditory feedback during speech production results in a proportionate change in the motor system’s response called auditory-motor adaptation. Artificially raising F1 in auditory feedback results in a concomitant decrease in F1 during speech production. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can be used to alter neuronal excitability in focal areas of the brain. The present experiment explored the effect of noninvasive brain stimulation applied to the speech premotor cortex on the timing and magnitude of adaptation responses to artificially raised F1 in auditory feedback. Participants (N = 18) completed a speaking task in which they read target words aloud. Participants' speech was processed to raise F1 by 30% and played back to them over headphones in real time. A within-subjects design compared acoustics of participants’ speech while receiving anodal (active) tDCS stimulation versus sham (control) stimulation. Participants' speech showed an increasing magnitude of adaptation of F1 over time during anodal stimulation compared to sham. These results indicate that tDCS can affect behavioral response during auditory-motor adaptation, which may have translational implications for sensorimotor training in speech disorders

Racial Inequality and the Implementation of Emergency Management Laws in Economically Distressed Urban Areas

This study examines the use of emergency management laws as a policy response to fiscal emergencies in urban areas. Focusing on one Midwestern Rust Belt state, we use a mixed methods approach – integrating chronology of legislative history, analysis of Census data, and an ethnographic case study – to examine the dynamics of emer- gency management laws from a social justice perspective. Analysis of Census data showed that emergency man- agement policies disproportionately affected African Americans and poor families. Analysis indicated that in one state, 51% of African American residents and 16.6% of Hispanic or Latinos residents had lived in cities that were under the governance of an emergency manager at some time during 2008–2013, whereas only 2.4% of the White population similarly had lived in cities under emergency management. An ethnographic case study high- lights the mechanisms by which an emergency manager hindered the ability of residents in one urban neighbor- hood, expected to host a large public works project, to obtain a Community Benefits Agreement intended to provide assistance to residents, most of whom were poor families with young children. We conclude with a dis- cussion of how emergency management laws may impact social service practice and policy practice in urban communities, framed from a social justice perspective. We argue that these are not race neutral policies, given clear evidence of race and ethnic disparities in their implementation

Analysis of methylation and mRNA expression status of FADD and FAS genes in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

Background: Apoptosis is an important mechanism that is responsible for the physiological deletion of harmful, damaged, or unwanted cells. Changed expression of apoptosis-related genes may lead to abnormal cell proliferation and finally to tumorigenesis. Our aims were to analyze the promoter methylation and gene expression profiles of FADD and FAS genes in risk of OSCC. Material and Methods: we analyze the promoter methylation status of FADD and FAS genes using Methylation - Specific PCR (MSP) in 86 OSCC tissues were kept in paraffin and 68 normal oral tissues applied as control. Also, FADD and FAS genes expression were analyzed in 19 cases and 20 normal specimens by Real-Time Reverse- Transcripts PCR. Results: Aberrant promoter methylation of FADD and FAS genes were detected in 12.79 % (11 of 86) and 60.46 % (52 of 86) of the OSCC cases, respectively, with a significant difference between cases and healthy controls for both FADD and FAS genes ( P <0.001). The gene expression analysis showed statistically significant difference between cases and healthy controls for both FADD ( p <0.02) and FAS ( p <0.007) genes. Conclusions: To the best our knowledge, the data of this study are the first report regarding, the effect of promoter hypermethylation of the FADD and FAS genes in development of OSCC. To confirm the data, it is recommended doing further study in large sample sizes in various genetic populations

Effects of Puncture Vine Plant (Tribulus Terrestris L.) Extract on All Larval Stages of Mosquito, Culex Pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae)

The existing research was conducted in Duhok city to investigate the biological impact of extracting secondary chemical compounds from punctured vine plants (Tribulus terrestris L.) on the mortality of all larval stages of (Culex pipiens). Bioassay experiments were carried out by using solvent extraction methods and different concentrations (0.1,0.3,0.5,0.7) mg/ml. The results showed that the ethyl extract of puncture vine plant’s leaves demonstrated promising larvicidal activity, and fatal results were observed where the high rate of mortality was within the 1st larval instar 97.3% and 100% at a concentration(0.5 mg/ml) after 24 and 72 hours exposure respectively, while the lowest mortality rate was within the 4th larval instar 7.4% and 38% at a concentration(0,1mg/ml) after 24 and 72 hours exposure, respectively, also ,it was observed that the leaf extracts modified the morphology of the larval development stage. According to this initial research, those plants are possible alternatives to mosquito larvicide which can be used to produce cost-effective, safe chemicals to control mosquitoes

A comparative study of the in vitro antimicrobial and synergistic effect of essential oils from Laurus nobilis L. and Prunus armeniaca L. from Morocco with antimicrobial drugs: new approach for health promoting products

Laurus nobilis L. (laurel, Lauraceae) and Prunus armeniaca L. (apricot, Rosaceae) are important industrial crops and display significant biological properties, including antimicrobial activity. In this work, essential oils (EOs) prepared from the leaves of both species from Morocco were evaluated for the first time for possible synergistic in vitro antibacterial and antifungal effects with some conventional antimicrobial drugs, namely fluconazole, ciprofloxacin and vancomycin. Samples were further evaluated for chemical composition by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The main volatile compounds detected in L. nobilis were eucalyptol (40.85%), α-terpinyl acetate (12.64%) and methyl eugenol (8.72%), while P. armeniaca was dominated essentially by (Z)-phytol (27.18%), pentacosane (15.11%), nonacosane (8.76%) and benzaldehyde (7.25%). Regarding antimicrobial activity, both EOs inhibited significantly all the microorganisms tested. The EO from L. nobilis had the highest activity, with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 1.39 to 22.2 mg/mL for bacteria and between 2.77 and 5.55 mg/mL for yeasts. Conversely, the combination of the studied EOs with ciprofloxacin, vancomycin and fluconazol resulted in a noteworthy decrease in their individual MICs. In fact, of the 32 interactions tested, 23 (71.87%) demonstrated total synergism and 9 (28.12%) a partial synergistic interaction. The EO from L. nobilis exhibited the highest synergistic effect with all the antibiotics used, with fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index values in the range of 0.266 to 0.75 for bacteria, and between 0.258 and 0.266 for yeast. The synergistic interaction between the studied EOs and standard antibiotics may constitute promising anti-infective agents useful for treating diseases induced by antibiotic-resistant pathogens.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

LYMPHOMA: EXPLORING AWARENESS IN LEBANON

In 2012, 14.1 million patients were diagnosed with cancer worldwide of which 385,700 estimated new cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Also, 81,080 new cases of lymphoma were reported in the United States (US) among both genders in 2016. In Lebanon, Lymphoma represents the fifth most frequent cancer, nonetheless, little is known regarding its epidemiological attributes. This study aims to determine the current knowledge of the Lebanese people living in Lebanon about Lymphoma. About 400 participants were approached in public places, universities, hospitals or work places in different regions across Lebanon. A survey including questions about lymph nodes, cancer and lymphoma as well as demographic characteristics was given to all eligible participants. The data was collected and analyzed using SPSS and p value \u3c 0.05 was considered significant. When asked about the types of cancers they knew, the majority of participants (93.5%) were able to identify breast cancer, while less than half of (30.67%) identified lymphoma as a cancer. Enlargement of the lymph nodes (LN) was the most common recognized symptom (93.4%) whereas 76.42% thought that family history of lymphoma was the most frequent risk factor for lymphoma. Among those who claim to know about lymphoma (30%), true in-depth knowledge about lymphoma was still lacking. The results of this independently conducted survey reveal the lack of awareness about lymphomas among the Lebanese population and highlight the need for campaigns to increase the knowledge and awareness

The prevalence of dental caries among Egyptian children and adolescences and its association with age, socioeconomic status, dietary habits and other risk factors. A cross-sectional study [version 1; referees: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations]

Background: Dental caries is a chronic, multifactorial disease, with limited data available for the Egyptian population. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of dental caries among Egyptian children and adolescents in correlation with age, gender, body mass index, socioeconomic status, parental education, biological risk factors and dietary habits. Methods: A total number of 369 Egyptian children and adolescents (age ranges from 3-18 years) were examined over the period from 15th November 2017 to 13th January 2018. Socio-demographic data, oral hygiene measures and dietary habits for children were recorded. Dental status was analyzed using decayed, missing and filled tooth index (dmft) for deciduous dentition and (DMFT) index for permanent dentition. For mixed dentition (deft) index was used, d (decayed tooth indicated for filling), e (decayed tooth indicated for extraction) and f (filled tooth). Results: 74% of the children had dental caries with mean dmft: 3.23±4.07; deft: 4.21±3.21; DMFT: 1.04±1.56. In primary dentition, dmft of the children was positively correlated with age, beans, candies, crackers, chocolates and inversely correlated with gender, socio-economic status (SES), parental education, brushing frequency of the parent, brushing frequency of the parent to the child teeth, brushing frequency of the child and consumption of eggs, fruits/vegetables, milk and milk products. In mixed dentition, deft was positively correlated with candies, crackers, citric juices, while negatively correlated with age, SES, parental education, brushing frequency of the parent to the child, brushing frequency of the child, fruits/vegetables. In permanent dentition, DMFT in children was positively correlated with age and chocolates while not correlated with any of the remaining risk factors. Conclusion: The present study clarifies the significant risk factors associated with dental caries amongst Egyptian children. This will help in planning strategies to prevent and treat such disease

The potential impact of age, gender, body mass index, socioeconomic status and dietary habits on the prevalence of dental caries among Egyptian adults: a cross-sectional study [version 1; referees: 2 approved]

Background: Dental caries is a major public health problem and the most widespread chronic disease to affect individuals throughout their lifetime. Little information exists about the prevalence of dental caries among Egyptian adults. Therefore, this study investigated the dental caries experience among Egyptian adults in correlation with different risk factors. Methods: A total of 359 Egyptian adults (age range, 18-74 years) were examined over a period of 3 months, starting on the 15th of November 2017 until the 13th of January 2018. Socio-demographic data, brushing frequency, body mass index (BMI) and eating habits were recorded and collected using a questionnaire. Dental examination was performed using the Decayed, Missing and Filled tooth (DMFT) index. Results: In total, 86.63% of participants had dental caries experience. Of the participants, 60.45%, 48.47% and 55.43% had at least one decayed, missing and filled tooth, respectively. The mean number of decayed, missing, filled or DMFT for the whole sample were 2.4±3.6, 1.98±3.99, 1.79±2.45, 6.09±5.7, respectively. Decayed teeth were inversely correlated with socio-economic status (SES), education level, brushing frequency and milk consumption and positively correlated with grains, junk food and soda drinks consumption. Missing teeth were inversely correlated with SES, education level and brushing frequency, while positively correlated with age, BMI and caffeinated drink consumption. Conversely, filled teeth were positively correlated with age, BMI, SES and education level, while negatively correlated with grains and sugars in drinks. Conclusion: The present study clarifies that age, BMI, SES, education level and brushing frequency are risk factors significantly associated with dental caries prevalence amongst Egyptian adults. Egyptian adults' dietary habits might lead to obesity, which indirectly causes dental caries rather than directly as in children

Efficacy and safety of empagliflozin in type 2 diabetes mellitus Saudi patients as add-on to antidiabetic therapy: a prospective, open-label, observational study

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) approved sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in 2018. The efficacy and safety of empagliflozin (EMPA) have been confirmed in the U.S., Europe, and Japan for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); however, analogous evidence is lacking for Saudi T2DM patients. Therefore, the current study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of EMPA in Saudi patients (n = 256) with T2DM. This is a 12-week prospective, open-label, observational study. Adult Saudi patients with T2DM who had not been treated with EMPA before enrolment were eligible. The exclusion criteria included T2DM patients less than 18 years of age, adults with type one diabetes, pregnant women, paediatric population. The results related to efficacy included a significant decrease in haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (adjusted mean difference −0.93% [95% confidence interval (CI) −0.32, −1.54]), significant improvements in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (−2.28 mmol/L [95% CI −2.81, −1.75]), and a reduction in body weight (−0.874 kg [95% CI −4.36, −6.10]) following the administration of 25 mg of EMPA once daily as an add-on to ongoing antidiabetic therapy after 12 weeks. The primary safety endpoints were the change in the mean blood pressure (BP) values, which indicated significantly reduced systolic and diastolic BP (−3.85 mmHg [95% CI −6.81, −0.88] and −0.06 mmHg [95% CI −0.81, −0.88], respectively) and pulse rate (−1.18 [95% CI −0.79, −3.15]). In addition, kidney function was improved, with a significant reduction in the urine albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR) (−1.76 mg/g [95% CI −1.07, −34.25]) and a significant increase in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (3.54 mL/min/1.73 m2 [95% CI 2.78, 9.87]). Furthermore, EMPA reduced aminotransferases (ALT) in a pattern (reduction in ALT &gt; AST). The adjusted mean difference in the change in ALT was −2.36 U/L [95% CI −1.031, −3.69], while it was −1.26 U/L [95% CI −0.3811, −2.357] for AST and −1.98 U/L [95% CI −0.44, −3.49] for GGT. Moreover, in the EMPA group, serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) significantly increased (0.29 mmol/L [95% CI 0.74, 0.15]), whereas a nonsignificant increase was seen in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (0.01 mmol/L [95% CI 0.19, 0.18]) along with a significant reduction in plasma triglyceride (TG) levels (−0.43 mmol/L [95% CI −0.31, −1.17]). Empagliflozin once daily is an efficacious and tolerable strategy for treating Saudi patients with insufficiently controlled T2DM as an add-on to ongoing antidiabetic therapy