EVALUATION OF DIURETIC ACTIVITY OF BOSWELLIA SERRATA LEAF EXTRACTS IN ALBINO MICE

Objective: The objective of the current study is to evaluate the diuretic activity of Boswelliaserrata leaf extracts in albino mice.Methods: The leaf extracts were prepared using petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanol and distilled water. The effective dose of 250mg/kg, 200mg/kg, 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg were used respectively. A preliminary phytochemical screening was performed to know the constituents in each extract. All the extracts were then evaluated for their diuretic activity. The volume of urine and excretion of electrolytes in the urine was measured to assess the diuretic activity.Results: Phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, anthraquinone and steroids. Petroleum ether extract and aqueous extract showed a higher volume of urine excreted when compared to other groups. In analyzing the discharge of electrolytes, petroleum ether extract showed excretion of Na+ and K+ while Chloroform extract showed excretion of Cl- ions. Ethanolic group portrayed low excretion of both electrolytes and urine volume. In the petroleum ether extract and chloroform extract, BUN levels were significantly more when compared to other groups. There was no significant effect on the levels of serum creatinine in all the extracts. Overall the petroleum ether extract substantiated a near to equal value in comparison with the standard drug [furosemide].Conclusion: The data obtained in this study showed that the leaves of Boswelliaserrata showed diuretic activity with no toxic effects on the kidneys.Â

Oral health status and its impact on academic performance of young adolescents in Jazan, Saudi Arabia

Apart from the physical and psychosocial impact, oral diseases in children have been linked to poor school performance that influences later life potential. Earlier studies have examined a range of oral health conditions using various clinical and subjective measures; nevertheless, there is a lack of empirical evidence and discussion explaining the pathway model of any specific oral health condition leading to poor academic performance. The current thesis hypothesized that dental caries, which operates through toothache, can disrupt learning activities and result in poor performance at school. Two studies, one cross-sectional and one case-control were carried out on two non-overlapping samples of schoolchildren aged 12-14 years in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. The outcome measures were a pass/fail GPA grade and teacher perception of the child’s academic performance. The exposure parameters comprised the common oral health conditions in children, which were assessed by clinical examinations and a self-perceived questionnaire. The relationships between poor oral health-impacted sleep and study activities, and academic performance were also assessed. The findings of both studies were consistent in showing that dental caries, gingivitis, plaque deposits, toothache, tooth discolouration, and oral health impacts that are related to sleeping and studying were significantly associated with academic performance. The finding also showed that dental caries is the most likely oral health condition that can be linked to poor academic performance. The odds of failing the examination were between 3-6 times greater for every unit increase in decay severity (OR boys = 3.09; 95%CI: 2.25, 4.25, OR girls = 3.23; 95%CI: 2.48, 4.19 in the cross sectional study) (OR boys = 6.34; 95%CI: 3.82, 10.50, OR girls = 5.26; 95%CI: 2.86, 9.66 in the case-control study). Subsequent mediation analysis found two models indicating the indirect effect of caries on academic performance. Toothache and impacted sleep (Boys: bootstrap 95%CI: 0.02, 0.29) (Girls: bootstrap 95% CI 1.37, 12.81) and toothache and impacted study activity (Girls: bootstrap 95% CI 0.10, 0.82) were the significant mediators in the two-mediator pathway analysis. The investigation of a causal relationship using the Bradford Hill criteria had further supported the pathway models; the direct effect of dental caries on academic performance lacks rationale and the pathway through the mediators explain the relationship better. Thus, the findings of this thesis supported the hypothesis that dental caries has a role in explaining poor academic performance in children and it operates through mediators including toothache, and impaired sleep and study activities

Perceived Stress among Undergraduate Dental Students in Relation to Gender, Clinical Training and Academic Performance

Cilj: Ovo istraživanje usmjereno je na procjenu uočenog stresa i njegovih izvora među studentima dodiplomskog studija dentalne medicine Sveučilišta Jazan u Saudijskoj Arabiji. Materijali i metode: U ovoj presječnoj studiji podatci su prikupljeni DES upitnikom. Ukupan rezultat stresa i rezultati po pojedinim područjima opisani su i analizirani različitim čimbenicima grupiranja – prema spolu, godini studija, bračnom stanju i prosjeku ocjena (GPA). Rezultati: Ukupno 366 studenata dentalne medicine pristalo je sudjelovati u ovom istraživanju. Među njima je bilo 57 posto žena. Ukupan DES iznosio je 1,67 ± 0,45. Studentice i oženjeni studenti pokazali su veći stres od svojih kolega. Stres se znatno povećavao na višim godinama studija. Suprotno tomu, pokazatelji stresa bili su niži kod sudionika s visokim GPA-om. Višestruke linearne regresijske analize pokazale su stupanj studija i spol kao važne neovisne determinante ukupnoga DES-a i većine područja stresa. Obje ove odrednice objasnile su 41 posto varijabilnosti u DES bodovima. Zaključak: DES među studentima dentalne medicine Sveučilišta Jazan umjeren je i neznatno povećan. Veći je među ženama i znatno se povećava na višim godinama studija. No studenti s višim GPA-om pokazali su nižu razinu stresa. Kliničko značenje: Smanjenje i/ili ublažavanje stresa među studentima dentalne medicine pozitivno će utjecati na njihov uspjeh u učenju, što će rezultirati boljim upravljanjem i brigom o pacijentu.Aim: This study aimed at evaluating the perceived stress and its sources among undergraduate dental students at Jazan University, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the data were collected using the DES questionnaire. The overall score of stress and scores by individual domains were described and analyzed by different grouping factors: gender, study level, marital status and GPA. Results: A total of 366 dental students agreed to take a part in this study. Up to 57% of the participants were females. The overall DES score was 1.67 ± 0.45. Female students and married students scored higher stress levels than their counterparts. Stress increased significantly among students as their educational level increased. Inversely, the stress levels were lower in participants with high GPA. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that “Study level” and “Gender” were significant independent determinants of overall DES and, also, most of the stress domains. Forty one percent of the variability in DES score can be explained by these determinants. Conclusion: DES among dental students in Jazan University is moderate and slightly higher. It is higher among females and increases significantly with study progression. However, students who had higher GPA showed lower levels of stress. Clinical significance: Reduction and/or relief of stress among dental students will reflect positively on persistence and academic achievement, which will lead to better management and care of patients

Association of Awake Bruxism with Khat, Coffee, Tobacco, and Stress among Jazan University Students

Objective. The objective is to assess the prevalence of bruxism among the university students and to check its association with their khat chewing habit. Materials and Methods. A cross-sectional descriptive study is designed using cluster random sampling. Pretested questionnaire was administered by a trained interviewer to assess awake bruxism and the use of variables like khat, coffee, tobacco, and stress. Chi-square test at 5% significance was used for assessing the association. Logistic regression was also performed after adjusting for covariates. Results. A high response rate (95%) was obtained as the distribution and collection of questionnaire was within an hour interval. 85% (63%, males; 22%, females) experienced an episode of bruxism at least one time in the past six months. Regression analysis revealed an association of stress (P=0.00; OR = 5.902, 95% CI 2.614–13.325) and khat use (P=0.05; OR = 1.629, 95% CI 0.360–7.368) with bruxism. Interestingly, it is observed that the one who chew khat experienced 3.56 times (95% CI; 2.62–11.22) less pain when compared to the nonusers. Conclusion. This study is the first of its kind to assess the association of bruxism with khat chewing. High amount of stress and khat use can be considered as important risk indicators for awake bruxism

Factors associated with financial security, food security and quality of daily lives of residents in Nigeria during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic

An online survey was conducted to identify factors associated with financial insecurity, food insecurity and poor quality of daily lives of adults in Nigeria during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The associations between the outcome (experience of financial loss, changes in food intake and impact of the pandemic on daily lives) and the explanatory (age, sex, education level, anxiety, depression, HIV status) variables were determined using logistic regression analysis. Of the 4439 respondents, 2487 (56.0%) were financially insecure, 907 (20.4%) decreased food intake and 4029 (90.8%) had their daily life negatively impacted. Males (AOR:0.84), people who felt depressed (AOR:0.62) and people living with HIV -PLHIV- (AOR:0.70) had significantly lower odds of financial insecurity. Older respondents (AOR:1.01) had significantly higher odds of financial insecurity. Those depressed (AOR:0.62) and PLHIV (AOR:0.55) had significantly lower odds of reporting decreased food intake. Respondents who felt anxious (AOR:0.07), depressed (AOR: 0.48) and who were PLHIV (AOR:0.68) had significantly lower odds of reporting a negative impact of the pandemic on their daily lives. We concluded the study findings may reflect a complex relationship between financial insecurity, food insecurity, poor quality of life, mental health, and socioeconomic status of adults living in Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic

Factors associated with COVID-19 pandemic induced post-traumatic stress symptoms among adults living with and without HIV in Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

Background: Nigeria is a country with high risk for traumatic incidences, now aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to identify differences in COVID-19 related post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) among people living and not living with HIV; to assess whether PTSS were associated with COVID-19 pandemic-related anger, loneliness, social isolation, and social support; and to determine the association between PTSS and use of COVID-19 prevention strategies.Methods: The data of the 3761 respondents for this analysis was extracted from a cross-sectional online survey that collected information about mental health and wellness from a convenience sample of adults, 18 years and above, in Nigeria from July to December 2020. Information was collected on the study's dependent variable (PTSS), independent variables (self-reported COVID-19, HIV status, use of COVID-19 prevention strategies, perception of social isolation, access to emotional support, feelings of anger and loneliness), and potential confounder (age, sex at birth, employment status). A binary logistic regression model tested the associations between independent and dependent variables.Results: Nearly half (47.5%) of the respondents had PTSS. People who had symptoms but were not tested (AOR = 2.20), felt socially isolated (AOR = 1.16), angry (AOR = 2.64), or lonely (AOR = 2.19) had significantly greater odds of reporting PTSS (p p Conclusion: The present study identified some multifaceted relationships between post-traumatic stress, HIV status, facemask use, anger, loneliness, social isolation, and access to emotional support during this protracted COVID-19 pandemic. These findings have implications for the future health of those affected, particularly for individuals living in Nigeria. Public health education should be incorporated in programs targeting prevention and prompt diagnosis and treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder at the community level.</p

Low-Level Laser Therapy and Topical Medications for Treating Aphthous Ulcers:A Systematic Review

Objective: The study compares low-level laser therapy with topical medications for treating aphthous ulcers. Methods: A search of articles in this systematic review was completed in six databases. Treatment and comparative groups comprised of patients subjected to laser therapy and topical medications, respectively. Two different treatment outcomes were considered; pain and size of the lesion. Risk of bias was assessed using the Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials. Results: From 109 articles, five randomized control trials fulfilled the selection criteria. The overall sample comprised of 98 males and 232 females, with a mean age of 32.4 years. The laser therapies in each included study had different active media and varying wavelengths. Topical medication used in the comparative group were triamcinolone acetonide, amlexanox, granofurin, and solcoseryl. Findings showed that patients who reported lower pain and decreased aphthous ulcer lesions were more in the laser therapy group than in the topical medication group. Conclusion: Low-level laser therapy was better in treating aphthous ulcer lesions in comparison to topical medications, and all laser wavelengths in the included reports were seen to be effective. However, the results should be interpreted with caution, because no study demonstrated low-risk of bias in all the assessed domains

Low-Level Laser Therapy and Topical Medications for Treating Aphthous Ulcers: A Systematic Review

Objective: The study compares low-level laser therapy with topical medications for treating aphthous ulcers. Methods: A search of articles in this systematic review was completed in six databases. Treatment and comparative groups comprised of patients subjected to laser therapy and topical medications, respectively. Two different treatment outcomes were considered; pain and size of the lesion. Risk of bias was assessed using the Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials. Results: From 109 articles, five randomized control trials fulfilled the selection criteria. The overall sample comprised of 98 males and 232 females, with a mean age of 32.4 years. The laser therapies in each included study had different active media and varying wavelengths. Topical medication used in the comparative group were triamcinolone acetonide, amlexanox, granofurin, and solcoseryl. Findings showed that patients who reported lower pain and decreased aphthous ulcer lesions were more in the laser therapy group than in the topical medication group. Conclusion: Low-level laser therapy was better in treating aphthous ulcer lesions in comparison to topical medications, and all laser wavelengths in the included reports were seen to be effective. However, the results should be interpreted with caution, because no study demonstrated low-risk of bias in all the assessed domains

SARS-CoV-2 Reinfection Is a New Challenge for the Effectiveness of Global Vaccination Campaign: A Systematic Review of Cases Reported in Literature

Reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 seems to be a rare phenomenon. The objective of this study is to carry out a systematic search of literature on the SARS-CoV-2 reinfection in order to understand the success of the global vaccine campaigns. A systematic search was performed. Inclusion criteria included a positive RT-PCR test of more than 90 days after the initial test and the confirmed recovery or a positive RT-PCR test of more than 45 days after the initial test that is accompanied by compatible symptoms or epidemiological exposure, naturally after the confirmed recovery. Only 117 articles were included in the final review with 260 confirmed cases. The severity of the reinfection episode was more severe in 92/260 (35.3%) with death only in 14 cases. The observation that many reinfection cases were less severe than initial cases is interesting because it may suggest partial protection from disease. Another interesting line of data is the detection of different clades or lineages by genome sequencing between initial infection and reinfection in 52/260 cases (20%). The findings are useful and contribute towards the role of vaccination in response to the COVID-19 infections. Due to the reinfection cases with SARS-CoV-2, it is evident that the level of immunity is not 100% for all individuals. These data highlight how it is necessary to continue to observe all the prescriptions recently indicated in the literature in order to avoid new contagion for all people after healing from COVID-19 or becoming asymptomatic positive