Signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders and oral parafunctions in urban Saudi arabian adolescents: a research report

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and oral parafunction habits among Saudi adolescents in the permanent dentition stage. METHODS: A total of 385 (230 females and 155 males) school children age 12–16, completed a questionnaire and were examined clinically. A stratified selection technique was used for schools allocation. RESULTS: The results showed that 21.3% of the subjects exhibited at least one sign of TMD and females were generally more affected than males. Joint sounds were the most prevalent sign (13.5%) followed by restricted opening (4.7%) and opening deviation (3.9%). The amplitude of mouth opening, overbite taken into consideration, was 46.5 mm and 50.2 mm in females and males respectively. TMJ pain and muscle tenderness were rare (0.5%). Reported symptoms were 33%, headache being the most frequent symptom 22%, followed by pain during chewing 14% and hearing TMJ noises 8.7%. Difficulty during jaw opening and jaw locking were rare. Lip/cheek biting was the most common parafunction habit (41%) with females significantly more than males, followed by nail biting (29%). Bruxism and thumb sucking were only 7.4% and 7.8% respectively. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of TMD signs were 21.3% with joint sounds being the most prevalent sign. While TMD symptoms were found to be 33% as, with headache being the most prevalent. Among the oral parafunctions, lip/cheek biting was the most prevalent 41% followed by nail biting 29%

Sweet Taste Receptor Expressed in Pancreatic β-Cells Activates the Calcium and Cyclic AMP Signaling Systems and Stimulates Insulin Secretion

BACKGROUND:Sweet taste receptor is expressed in the taste buds and enteroendocrine cells acting as a sugar sensor. We investigated the expression and function of the sweet taste receptor in MIN6 cells and mouse islets. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:The expression of the sweet taste receptor was determined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Changes in cytoplasmic Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](c)) and cAMP ([cAMP](c)) were monitored in MIN6 cells using fura-2 and Epac1-camps. Activation of protein kinase C was monitored by measuring translocation of MARCKS-GFP. Insulin was measured by radioimmunoassay. mRNA for T1R2, T1R3, and gustducin was expressed in MIN6 cells. In these cells, artificial sweeteners such as sucralose, succharin, and acesulfame-K increased insulin secretion and augmented secretion induced by glucose. Sucralose increased biphasic increase in [Ca(2+)](c). The second sustained phase was blocked by removal of extracellular calcium and addition of nifedipine. An inhibitor of inositol(1, 4, 5)-trisphophate receptor, 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate, blocked both phases of [Ca(2+)](c) response. The effect of sucralose on [Ca(2+)](c) was inhibited by gurmarin, an inhibitor of the sweet taste receptor, but not affected by a G(q) inhibitor. Sucralose also induced sustained elevation of [cAMP](c), which was only partially inhibited by removal of extracellular calcium and nifedipine. Finally, mouse islets expressed T1R2 and T1R3, and artificial sweeteners stimulated insulin secretion. CONCLUSIONS:Sweet taste receptor is expressed in beta-cells, and activation of this receptor induces insulin secretion by Ca(2+) and cAMP-dependent mechanisms

Kundziņsalas parka (stacijas Rīga-Krasta pievedceļš, Latvijas dzelzceļš) dzelzceļa infrastruktūras jaudas analīze

The author of this article has made a research of functional and necessary infrastructure of track facilities for the opportunity to increase re handling on the way to park Kundzinsala, which backs onto railway yard Riga-Krasta. This article consists of the load size analysis in the Riga-Krasta station. Indeed in this work was considered existing capacity of the "Zemitana- park Kunzinsala" section and the raise of it with the help of developing technical infrastructure. The author of this article has made the calculation of the necessary quantity of railway tracks on the Kundzinsala park for the securing cargo handling up to 12,5 million tons. (according to the calculation of freeport of Riga Authority to 2020 year). During the work with the calculations the author has used methods of Theory of mass service. The author has used estimated amounts to define the necessary amount of railway tracks, what is assures estimated capacity of Kundzinsala park.Rakstā ir analizēta stacijai Rīga - Krasta pievienotā pievedceļā Kundziņsalas parka esošā un perspektīvi nepieciešamā sliežu ceļu infrastruktūra, pārstrādes spējas palielināšanai. Raksts satur pētījumu par stacijas Rīga – Krasta un tai pievienotā pievedceļa Kundziņsalas parka apstrādātajiem kravu apjomiem. Tika izskatīta iecirkņa “Zemitāni – Kundziņsalas parks” pašreizējā caurlaides spēja un tās palielināšanas iespējas attīstot infrastruktūras tehniskos līdzekļus. Rakstā ir veikts Kundziņsalas parka sliežu ceļu skaita aprēķins, pārstrādes spējas nodrošināšanai, pielietojot Masu apkalpošanas teorijas paņēmienus, pie uzdotā kravu apjoma pēc Rīgas brīvostas Pārvaldes prognozēm līdz 12,5 miljoniem tonnu 2020. gadam. Balstoties uz iegūtajiem aprēķiniem, ir noteikts papildus nepieciešamais sliežu ceļu skaits Kundziņsalas parkā, nodrošinot uzdoto pārstrādes spēju tajā

Reliability mathematical model for systems operator functionality

In this article considered safety and reliability question on railway transport. In diagrams seen that too much failures depends on operator factor in train and maneuver work. That is why came an idea to make mathematical model, including operator factor. It means that in system can be two different failure types - "technical" and "man" factor. Using this model is possible to find out system with optimal parameters

Improvement of train control system in Ziemelblazma-Skulte section, Latvia

In the article the updating of the section Ziemelblazma-Skulte by the dispatching system is discussed

Setting up of automatic train and wagon number recording (reading), control and tracking devices at sectional and sorting stations, Latvia

In the article the RFID System (Radio Frequency Identification) is presented

Markov models of fail-safe devices of automation and telecontrol systems of railroad transport

The article introduces the concept of fail-safety of devices of automation and telecontrol of railroad transport. It proposes a fail-safety indicator for a complex evaluation of device safety and reliability. A model scheme of a fail-safe device of railroad automation and telecontrol is developed. Markov models of devices are developed to evaluate the level of fail-safety of these device

Enhancing effectiveness of use of the rolling stock through route optimization

The article deals with issues of enhancing efficient use of the rolling stock of urban passenger transport through route optimisation. The authors offer to upgrade urban route network opt for: optimisation of routing system. In order to streamline passenger transport performance, the authors propose to calculate transport route schemes by applying economically mathematical methods of planning

Enhancing effectiveness of use of the rolling stock through route optimisation

The article deals with issues of enhancing efficient use of the rolling stock of urban passenger transport through route optimisation. The authors offer to upgrade urban route network opt for: optimisation of routing system. In order to streamline passenger transport performance, the authors propose to calculate transport route schemes by applying economically mathematical methods of planning