Evaluation of biochemical parameters, local and systemic levels of osteoactive and B cell stimulatory factors in gestational diabetes in the presence or absence of gingivitis

Aim: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as varying glucose intolerance with first onset or recognition in pregnancy. This study evaluated clinical and biochemical parameters in a possible association between GDM and gingivitis.<p></p> Materials & Methods: A total of 167 pregnant women were included in the study. There were 101 women with GDM and 66 women without GDM. Subgroups were created according to the presence or absence of gingival inflammation. Plaque index, bleeding on probing, probing depth were recorded at 4 sites/tooth. Serum, saliva, and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (sRANKL), osteoprotegerin, B-cell activating factor (BAFF), a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) were determined by ELISA. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U tests, and Spearman correlation analysis.<p></p> Results: Age and anthropometric indices were higher in the GDM than nonGDM group (p<0.0001). Clinical periodontal recordings, serum BAFF, IL-8, saliva sRANKL levels were higher in the GDM group (p<0.05). Saliva IL-6 level was higher in the GDM with gingivitis group than nonGDM with gingivitis (p=0.044). Serum, GCF BAFF (p<0.0001); serum, saliva, GCF APRIL (p<0.0001; p<0.0001; p=0.032, respectively); GCF osteoprotegerin (p=0.036); serum, saliva sRANKL (p<0.0001) were higher in the GDM with gingivitis than GDM without gingivitis.<p></p> Conclusion: The inflammatory response seems to be more pronounced in women with GDM. The observed increase in both local and systemic levels of inflammatory cytokines may suggest an interaction between gingivitis and GDM

Occupational Health Nursing in Turkey

This article discussed Turkey's occupational health system and the current education, legislation, and practice of occupational health nursing

Apple production and apple value chains in Europe

This paper presents an overview of the apple sector in nine major apple producing countries in Europe, in order to assess factors for the competitiveness of the national apple value chains and identify challenges for the future development of the sector. Based on international and national statistical data and expert assessment, key characteristics of apple production and value chains are analyzed. For each country, a brief description of the development of apple production and acreage over the past ten years, farm size distribution, level of production technology and main market channels is presented, followed by a discussion of differences and similarities. Results show a diverse picture of the apple sectors in Europe. Similarities are observed in the existence of regional production clusters and a generally small farm size. Differences are found in the technology level, with a broad range of very traditional extensive production systems up to highly intensified orchards with high tree density. All countries experienced high fluctuation in apple production quantities over the past years, mainly due to weather events, particularly spring frost and drought, and climate risks are expected to increase in the future, leading to increasing costs for mitigation measure

Determination of anthropometric measurements in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in Turkish population

Introduction: In this study, we aimed to determine the values of anthropometric measurements and rates used in the evaluation of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in our country. Materials and Methods: Twenty accredited sleep centers in thirteen provinces participated in this multicenter prospective study. OSAS symptoms and polysomnographic examination and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) >= 5 cases OSAS study group; patients with AHI <5 and STOP-Bang <2 were included as control group. Demographic characteristics (age, sex, body mass index-BMI) and anthropometric measurements (neck, waist and hip circumference, waist/hip ratio) of the subjects were recorded. Results: The study included 2684 patients (81.3% OSAS) with a mean age of 50.50 +/- 0.21 years from 20 centers. The cases were taken from six geographical regions of the country (Mediterranean, Eastern Anatolia, Aegean, Central Anatolia, Black Sea and Marmara Region). Demographic characteristics and anthropometric measurements; age, neck, waist, hip circumference and waist/hip ratios and BMI characteristics when compared with the control group; when compared according to regions, age, neck, waist, hip circumference and waist/hip ratios were found to be statistically different (p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.05, respectively). When compared by sex, age, neck and hip circumference, waist/hip ratio, height, weight and BMI characteristics were statistically different (p<0.001, respectively). Neck circumference and waist/hip ratio were respectively 42.58 +/- 0.10 cm, 0.99 +/- 0.002, 39.24 +/- 0.16 cm, 0.93 +/- 0.004 were found in women. Conclusion: The neck circumference was lower than the standard value in men, but higher in women. The waist/hip ratio was above the ideal measurements in both men and women. In this context, the determination of the country values will allow the identification of patients with the possibility of OSAS and referral to sleep centers for polysomnography

Association between Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Oral Microbiota and Systemic Antibody Responses

WOS: 000342921200079PubMed ID: 25232962Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder of women that not only is the leading cause of infertility but also shows a reciprocal link with oral health. This study aimed to investigate the hypothesis that the levels of putative periodontal pathogens in saliva and their antibody response in serum are elevated in PCOS, compared to systemic health. A total of 125 women were included in four groups; 45 women with PCOS and healthy periodontium, 35 women with PCOS and gingivitis, 25 systemically and periodontally healthy women, 20 systemically healthy women with gingivitis. Salivary levels of seven putative periodontal pathogens were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and serum antibody levels were analyzed by ELISA. In women with PCOS, salivary Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Streptococcus oralis and Tannerella forsythia levels were higher than matched systemically healthy women, particularly in the case of gingivitis. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Treponema denticola levels were similar among study groups. The presence of PCOS also enhanced P. gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia and S. oralis serum antibody levels, when gingivitis was also present. Gingival inflammation correlated positively with levels of the studied taxa in saliva, particularly in PCOS. The presence of P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum in saliva also exhibited a strong positive correlation with the corresponding serum antibody levels. In conclusion, as an underlying systemic endocrine condition, PCOS may quantitatively affect the composition of oral microbiota and the raised systemic response to selective members of this microbial community, exerting a confounding role in resultant gingival inflammation and periodontal health. The most consistent effect appeared to be exerted on P. gingivalis.Continental European Division of the International Association of Dental Research; Institute of Oral Biology, Center of Dental Medicine, University of ZurichThis study was supported by a Visiting Research Fellowship (AA) of the Continental European Division of the International Association of Dental Research, and the Institute of Oral Biology, Center of Dental Medicine, University of Zurich. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript