Risk Factors Associated with Denture Stomatitis in Healthy Subjects Attending a Dental School in Southeast Iran

Objectives: There is scant information regarding the multifactorial aetiology of denture stomatitis (DS) in the world and, despite its frequency, associated factors are not completely understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors that may be associated with this lesion. Methods: A total of 70 edentulous patients, all wearing removable dentures, were divided into two groups. The test group comprised 43 patients with DS and the control group comprised 27 subjects with clinically healthy palatal mucosa. A thorough history-taking and physical examination were carried out; the subjects also answered a questionnaire. The serum level of vitamin A for each subject was assayed from a blood sample taken after the examination. Results: This study showed a significant relationship between the incidence of DS and three major factors: denture age (in terms of years), the practitioner manufacturing the dentures (general dental practitioner versus dental hygienist), and the nightlong wearing of dentures. Also, the vitamin A serum level was low in 94.29% of all subjects (cases and controls). Conclusion: Although many predisposing conditions were related to this situation, the most important risk factor was the continuous use of the dentures

Expression of divIB of Bacillus subtilis during vegetative growth

Expression of the division initiation gene, divIB, of Bacillus subtilis vegetative growth was examined. lacZ fusion studies and transcription start point mapping have established that a sigma A promoter proximal to divIB is utilized in vivo. The -10 region of this promoter, which is located 93 bp upstream of the start codon, has been defined precisely by site-directed mutagenesis that destroys the promoter. Examination of transcripts by Northern (RNA) blotting has shown that there are at least two transcripts for divIB. The established proximal promoter was found to give rise to a very minor transcript which could not be convincingly demonstrated in wild-type cells but which became apparent upon insertion of a plasmid into the chromosome just upstream of this promoter. The major transcript for divIB originated from a site several kb upstream of the gene and is probably the same as the long polycistronic message also traversing the murD-spoVE-murG genes that was identified previously by others (A.D. Henriques, H. de Lencastre, and P.J. Piggot, Biochimie 74:735-748, 1992). Transcription from the proximal promoter alone, in an upstream-deletion mutant strain, provided sufficient DivIB for normal growth and division as well as sporulation

Anti-hyperglycemic Activity of Four Plants Extracts Effective against Alpha Glucosidase in Normal and Diabetic Rats

Abstract: Background & Aims: Postprandial hyperglycemia results in the development of chronic complications. Therefore, its control is critical in the treatment of diabetes. One of the main therapeutic approaches for reducing postprandial hyperglycemia is to reduce the absorption of carbohydrates by enzyme inhibitors such as Acarbose which have already been clinically used as a medicine for diabetic patients. Methods: Aqueous and methanolic extracts of Zataria multiflora, Pistachio hulls, Myrtle leaves and Quercus infectoria which had inhibited alpha glucosidase (>90%) in our previous study were prepared by maceration method. Male wistar rats were divided into two, streptozotocin-induced diabetic group and non-diabetic group. Then each group subdivided into 6 groups of control receiving 2g/kg maltose, positive control receiving 2g/kg maltose as well as Acarbose and 4 other groups receiving 2g/kg maltose and one of the prepared extracts (1000mg/kg) after deprivation of food. Blood glucose level was measured before and 30, 60 and 120 min. after extract administration. Results: In non-diabetic rats, Quercus infectoria and Myrtle extracts significantly reduced the postprandial glucose levels (60 and 50% respectively, P0.05) but showed a reveres effect on plasma glucose and remained at high level up to 60 minutes. Conclusion: Further studies must be done for proving the efficacy of Zataria multiflora and Quercus infectoria for hyperglycemic patients with uncontrolled diets. Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Alpha glucosidase, Multiflotriol, Pistachio, Myrtle, Quercu

The Relationship between Copper & Zinc Concentration and Free Radical Markers in Copper Industry Workers

Abstract: Introduction: Copper and zinc play a key role in oxidative reactions and in vivo studies have shown their different effects. In this study we examined the influence of exposure to copper and zinc on catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in erythrocytes, total serum antioxidant capacity and malondiadehyde (MDA) production of copper industry workers. Methods: In the present study, 70 workers in a Copper Industry and 70 healthy controls with the age range of 35-55 years were studied. The catalase assay and SOD activity in RBC lysate and total antioxidant were measured by spectrophotometric methods. Using thiobarbitoric acid reaction, MDA concentration was determined. Results: The results showed a higher copper and zinc concentration in serum of worker group (113.8±2.2 & 148.3±3.2 μg/L respectively, P0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that occupational exposure to copper and zinc induces oxidative stress followed by anti oxidative defense system Keywords: Copper, Zinc, Copper Workers, Malondialdehyde, Catalase, Super oxide dismutase, Total antioxidant capacit

Timing of spoII gene expression relative to septum formation during sporulation of Bacillus subtilis.

spoII mutants formed heat-resistant spores when transformed with spo+ DNa near the start of sporulation. Many of the spores formed remained genetically spoII. It is deduced from this result and previous epistasis experiments that the spoII loci are transcribed before the spore septum is formed

Trace elements content of some traditional plants used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus

Diabetes is a public health problem that affects life quality. Trace elements have a critical role in the activity and structure of the enzymes involve in carbohydrate metabolism. Many traditional herbs have been used for the treatment and management of Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Anti-diabetic medicinal plants have a significant lowering effect on blood sugar, then assessment of mineral content of these plants has a great value to judge their mechanism of action. Determination of Cobalt (Co), Chromium (Cr), Ferrum (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Molybdenum (Mo), Selenium (Se), Vanadium (V), and Zinc (Zn) values in twenty-eight anti-diabetic plants were conducted and the estimation carried out by atomic absorption spectrophotometry after wet digestion. We found that the levels of Mn, Mo, Co, and Cr were in trace amount, whereas Fe, Se, V and Zn contents were higher. Because of trace elements variations between the studied plants, the hypoglycemic effect of these herbs is not due to a unique element present in the herbs, it rather a synergic effect of several elements might account for the hypoglycemic nature of these plants. Further work is necessary to evaluate this phenomenon. © 2020 by the authors