Comparison of the effect of low level laser therapy with alvogyl on the management of alveolar osteitis

Background: This study investigated the efficacy of low level laser therapy (LLLT) for managing alveolar osteitis (AO). Material and Methods: Sixty patients with alveolar osteitis of mandibular third molars were randomly divided into three groups. In group 1, socket irrigation was followed by alvogyl placement, and the treatment was repeated 48 hours later. In group 2, socket was irradiated with a low power red laser for 3 consecutive days (200 mW, 30 seconds on each of the buccal and lingual surfaces and 30 seconds at the middle of the socket, 6 J per area). The subjects in group 3 underwent treatment with a low power infrared laser with the same parameters as group 2. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to record the degree of pain at the morning (T0, before intervention) and at 6 (T1) and 12 (T2) hours later for 3 days. Results: Pain was significantly lower in the alvogyl group than the other groups at T1 and T2 points on day 1 and at T0 and T1 points on day 2 ( p <0.05). At T2 point on day 2 and on day 3, VAS became significantly lower in the red laser group compared to the other groups ( p <0.05). The infrared laser was not more efficacious than the other groups at any of the treatment intervals, but it reduced VAS to an acceptable level. Conclusions: LLLT displayed good results in this study for treatment of alveolar osteitis and should be further investigated as an alternative to alvogyl for AO management

Feasibility of fractal analysis for detecting primary bone changes in chronic periodontitis

Background: Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of the supporting tissues of teeth. Although several clinical and radiographic symptoms have been employed to detect periodontitis; however, no scheme has yet been introduced for the detection of gingivitis-to-periodontitis transition phase. Fractal analysis, as a mathematical tool to explore morphological features, has efficiently been used to investigate the complex structural pattern of alveolar bone texture. Aim: In this study, fractal analysis is examined for its feasibility to efficiently detect trabecular structure of interdental bone for individuals with healthy gums from patients with moderate periodontitis using digital images. Materials and Methods: Patients are divided into two groups of healthy individuals (H-group) and patients with moderate periodontitis (MP-group) (20 individuals in each sample group). Clinical indices involving pocket depth, attachment loss, and bleeding on probing, digital radiographic periapical images of posterior mandibles region are provided using phosphor plate system, and two rectangular regions out of interdental zone of mandibles molars are selected as regions of interest for each individual. The use of box-counting algorithm of image J software, fractal dimensions (FD) for both regions are then calculated, out of which the mean FD index is obtained for each patient. Clinical and FD indices are finally compared for both groups through a t-test examination. Results: Clinical indices for H-group are noticeably higher than those of MP-group (P ≤ 0.05). The mean FD for H- and MP- groups is 0.84 and 1.02, respectively. Statistical analysis proves a significant difference between the two groups for this index. Conclusion: Fractal analysis can efficiently quantify changes in trabecular pattern of bones, implying that temporal variation of such index may effectively demonstrate disease progression. The proposed scheme can be effective to detect and monitor variations due to periodontitis. Clinical Significance: Fractal analysis is a non-invasive method for early detection of moderate periodontitis.

PERIODONTITIS AND BIRTH OF PRETERM INFANTS WITH LOW WEIGHT: A REVIEW ARTICLE

Abstract. About 9.6% of infants are born prematurely around the world. In addition to infection of reproductive system, inflammation and infection of distant organs are one of the risk factors for preterm low birth weight (PTLBW). Since periodontitis is a prevalent disease and also premature labor is a common complication with high treatment cost, it is important to elucidate the relationship between these two conditions. Such a knowledge could be helpful to prioritize the preventive interventions for reduction of adverse pregnancy outcome. Epidemiologic studies , as the first line of evidence,showed the higher prevalence of PTLBW among women with periodontitis. When a condition is being proposed as a risk factor, it is necessary to explain the biologic mechanisms underlying such a relationship. The relationship between periodontitis and PTLBW is biologically plausible. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease in which anaerobic bacteria being colonized in deep pathologic pockets and produce large amount of inflammatory mediators. Perio-pathogens and their products enter the placenta and amniotic fluids. They could activate the inflammatory signaling pathways and induce the PTLBW. Despite the large number of randomized control trial (RCT) studies, the effect of periodontal treatmenton the incidence of PTLBW is not well understood. Although the periodontal treatment could not necessarily reduce the incidence of PTLBW, but oral hygiene, is a pivotal compartment of health care during pregnancy. The aim of this article was to review the current evidences about different aspects of the relationship between periodontitis and PTLBW.Key words: periodontitis, periodontal diseases, pregnancy, preterm birth, low birth weight

Use of nanotechnology in the diagnosis and treatment of coronavirus

Coronavirus is a beta virus that has caused a worldwide pandemic since December 2019. Many treatments such as antiviral drugs, immunosuppressive drugs, neutralizing antibodies, and monoclonal antibodies have been tested on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that most of them were effective. Given that nanotechnology-based approaches have been successful in detection and treatment of viral systems such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza A virus subtype H1N1 and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), they also seem to be effective in detecting and treating COVID-19. Nanotechnology is used in various methods for early and rapid diagnosis of the disease. Nanoparticles can be used in products for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of COVID-19. These substances are very effective in the controlled delivery of antiviral drugs and biomolecules and they are also used in the manufacture of personal safety equipment, widely, and the production of anti-virus coatings for surfaces, air filters and the production of vaccines. In general, nanomaterial can play an important role in controlling the disease, based on strategies to prevent the virus from entering the host cell, inhibiting virus replication, virus delivery systems, and nano-based vaccines. Nanotechnology is a multidisciplinary tool that can offer a variety of solutions based on disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment strategies

Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Oral Lichen Planus: A Report from Northeast of Iran

Introduction: Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory disease in oral mucosa and skin. Recently, reports have demonstrated a possible relationship between lichen planus and liver diseases. During the past decade, there has been a hypothesis regarding viral etiological agents that have been found to be in association with hepatotrophic viruses known as Hepatitis B and C with LP. This research was studied in Mashhad, northeast of Iran, to find a relationship between OLP and HBV infection. Methods: Age and gender of 134 patients (with OLP) and 134 controls (without OLP) were not matched and their serum samples were respectively screened for HBsAg by ELISA (third generation) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for HBV-DNA. Results: Tests were positive (for both HBsAg and HBV-DNA) for 9 patients (6.71%) with OLP and 2 healthy individuals (1.49%) infected with HBV (P=0.03). Conclusion: There was a relationship between HBV and OLP in our population. Based on our findings, it is recommended that viral serology for Hepatitis B and OLP patients be conducted as a routine screening process

A comparison of the Effects of Low and High Doses of Corticosteroids on Recovery of the Patients with Covid-19

Background & Aims: SARS-CoV-2 is a new coronavirus type that first appeared in Wuhan, China, and caused a pandemic of respiratory diseases from the end of 2019. Severe infections of this virus can cause incorrect adjustments of cytokine and chemokine responses, which ultimately causes damage to the lung tissue. Corticosteroids are a class of drugs that reduce inflammation and immune system activities in the body. For this reason, many doctors and researchers thought of using corticosteroid treatments to control the cytokine storm. Materials & Methods: In this retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study, the files of Covid-19 patients who were admitted to Shahid Mohammadi Hospital, Bandar Abbas, Iran, were examined. On the basis of the severity, the patients were grouped into two groups of moderate and severe patients. Patients in each group were then sub-categorized into high dose and low dose, according to the received dose of corticosteroids. Then we investigated the effect of different doses of corticosteroids on the course of recovery of Covid-19 cases. Results: In the severe group, the patients who received high-dose of corticosteroids had a higher mortality rate as compared to the low-dose group. In both the severe and moderate groups, the LDH level of the patients who received low doses of corticosteroids at the time of discharge were significantly less compared to those who received high doses. In the moderate group, the percentage of lymphocytes in the low-dose corticosteroid group was considerably higher compared to the high-dose corticosteroid group at the time of discharge. Conclusion: According to the results, in the case of patients with moderate clinical severity, a low dose of corticosteroids improved the disease, but in the case of patients with severe clinical severity, the results were contradictory, which may be caused by interference of other factors such as underlying diseases, the severity of the illness, etc. in the severe group