Diabetes Status, Predisposing, Enabling, and Oral Health Illness Level Variables as Predictors of Preventive and Emergency Dental Service Use

The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between diabetes and dental service use. This study addressed the question of whether individuals with diabetes are more or less likely to utilize dental services, measured in terms of preventive and emergency services during the past year. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the contributions of diabetes status to dental service use, relative to the contributions of Andersen and Newman Framework of Health Services Utilization dimensions (predisposing, enabling, and illness variables) in predicting dental service utilization during the past year using a nationally representative sample from a 2001-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) dataset. A stratified multistage design was used to obtain a representative probability sample. A series of selection criteria was applied to comply with the purpose of the study. The target population of this study was U.S. civilian, non-institutionalized adults, who were 18 years of age or older. A total of 11,039 subjects participated in the 2001-2002 NHANES. Of those, 4,707 were eligible to participate in the study based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The appropriate procedures in Statistical Analysis Software (SAS®) were utilized to accommodate the NHANES sampling design and weights. The data analysis using Chi-Square Test reveals that individuals with diabetes (3%) were significantly (p=0.0002) less likely to utilize dental services in the past 12 months compared to individuals without diabetes (67%). Significant predictors in preventive service utilization model were: gender (OR=1.38, 95% CI: 1.16, 1.65), marital status (OR=0.72, 95% CI:0.56,0.91), age (OR=0.63,95% CI:0.45,0.88), education (OR=2.0, 95% CI:1.53,2.63), income (OR=5.21, 95% CI:1.69,15.98), regular source of care (OR=15.8, 95% CI:11.95, 20.91), dental insurance (OR = 1.53, 95% CI:1.15,2.04), self-reported pain (OR=0.75, 95% CI:0.56,0.99), and recommended care based upon oral exam findings (OR=0.30, 95% CI:0.23,0.41). Diabetics were less likely to obtain preventive service use than non-diabetics (OR=0.60, 95% CI: 0.40, 0.92). Significant predictors in emergency service utilization model were: unmarried status (OR=0.72, 95% CI: 0.54, 0.94), age (OR=0.63, 95% CI: 0.44, 0.89), education (OR=1.53, 95% CI: 1.13, 2.06), regular source of care (OR=6.7, 95% CI:4.77, 9.44), dental insurance (OR= 1.9, 95% CI:1.36, 2.65), self-reported painful tooth (OR=2.02, 95% CI:1.60, 2.57), and recommended care based upon oral exam findings (OR=0.72, 95% CI:0.54, 0.97). The results of this study indicate that diabetes status is a significant predictor of not having a preventive dental visit, even after controlling for age, gender, marital status, income, race/ethnicity, and education. This finding is a reason for concern due to the fact that the literature is full of studies showing the effect of diabetes on oral health and the effect of periodontitis on glycemic control among individuals with diabetes. Therefore, a regular dental visit for individuals with diabetes is necessary. Understanding the relationship between diabetes and periodontal diseases is important for individuals with diabetes to reduce oral complications, improve quality of life, and improve health outcomes. Integrating oral health with diabetes management care helps in clarifying this association

Bilingualism matters: Early childhood teachers' attitudes toward children's creativity

Children can learn any language and acquire its skills at a very early age. Creativity is central to the curriculum. Early Childhood (EC) teachers should provide children with appropriate resources to individually spark their imaginations and encourage them to adopt different ideas. The objective of the current study was to determine the attitudes of EC teachers who are teaching bilingual students and integrating creativity into classroom activities. The study adopted the exploratory approach, where a total of 299 EC teachers in the western region of Saudi Arabia participated in this study by filling out a questionnaire. EC teachers believed that there are differences between bilingual boys and girls in creative competencies. Most teachers stated that they did not receive sufficient training and preparation to incorporate creativity into all subjects in EC schools. Teachers in private EC schools showed more positive attitudes toward creativity than teachers in government schools. These findings provide reliable evidence for international research on teachers' attitudes and perceptions toward creativity in bilingual children. Policy makers can also benefit from these results and pay more attention to teacher preparation programs in order to raise their efficiency in supporting and enhancing the creative inclinations of learners

Performance of Hot Mix Asphalt Concrete Produced with Waste Glass Powder Filler

Previous studies have revealed the beneficial effects of adding Waste Glass Powder Filler (WGPF) to Bitumen Emulsion Mixtures (BEMs). These effects were confirmed for some dense graded mixtures based on recipes currently used for hot asphalt concrete mix and being considered for usage in BEMs. On the other hand, Hot Rolled Asphalt (HRA) which is a gap graded mixture is extensively used for surfacing major roads because it provides a dense, impervious layer, resulting in a weather resistance durable surface able to endure the demands of modern traffic loads and providing good resistance to fatigue cracking. This laboratory study attends to study the performance of asphalt concrete mix, where some of fractional conventional mineral filler is substituted with different percentages of crashed glass materials of 25%, 50%, 75% and 100 %. The specimens were compacted by 75 blows on each side and left to cool at room temperature for 24 hours. Marshall stability and flow tests were performed on each specimen, where the cylindrical specimens were placed in water path at 60 ºC for 30 to 40 minutes then compressed on the lateral surface at constant rate of 2 inch/min. (50.8mm/min.) until the maximum load (failure) is reached. The study concluded that satisfactory performance of upper asphalt pavement layers can be achieved by adding waste glass powder with 50% of the conventional mineral filler

MISEXPRESSION OF CANCER/TESTIS (CT) GENES IN TUMOR CELLS AND THE POTENTIAL ROLE OF DREAM COMPLEX AND THE RETINOBLASTOMA PROTEIN RB IN SOMA-TO-GERMLINE TRANSFORMATION

Misexpression of germline genes like Cancer Testis (CT) genes, called a soma-to-germline transformation, is a phenomenon linked to tumorigenesis. However, the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are poorly understood. A soma-to-germline transformation in Caenorhabditis elegans occurs due to the loss function of the highly conserved DREAM (Dp, Retinoblastoma (Rb)-like, E2F, and MuvB) transcriptional repressor complex. In mammalian cells, the DREAM complex (Muvb core complex, E2F4/5, DP1/2, and p130/p107 proteins), as well as the Retinoblastoma protein (pRb), are implicated in transcriptional repression of cell cycle genes in quiescence or G0. We hypothesize that the expression of CT genes in malignant cells occurs because of the loss of activities of DREAM complex or pRb, similar to how the soma-to-germline transformation occurs in C. elegans. Thus, we expect that cancer cells that express CT genes will either fail to arrest in G0 or display defective repression of key cell cycle genes. To test sensitivity cells to arrest in response to limiting growth conditions, we did flow cytometry to measure the DNA content of 10 cell lines. We found that seven cell lines arrested in G0/G1, indicating that these cells have downregulated CT genes expression, and DREAM or Rb is involved in repressing cell cycle in G0/G1. This result also suggested that in the cells that did not arrest, both DREAM and Rb are inactive. Next, to test the mRNA expression of CT genes of all the cell lines, we did mRNA analysis of CT genes. We found that CT genes are expressed in proliferating cells of both cells that can arrest under limiting growth conditions and the cells that do not, indicating we did not observe a difference in mRNA expression between cells that arrest and cells that do not. To test if CT misexpression is associated with dysfunction in either Rb or DREAM, we did further analyses to test early and late cell cycle genes expression in SW480, NCI-H1299, and 8MGBA, comparing the expression of cell cycle cells in proliferating cells to arrested cells in G0/G1. We found that mRNA expression of early cell cycle genes MCM5, ORC1, and CDC45 are downregulated, as expected since DREAM and Rb regulation of these genes overlap. However, DREAM solely regulates G2/M genes like CCNB2, PBK, and BUB1. We found that G2/M genes were not in significantly downregulated in NCI-H1299 and SW-480 cells, suggesting that DREAM is dysfunctional in these cell lines. As a secondary test of DREAM and Rb function, we performed luciferase reporter assays with promoters of DREAM and Rb target genes in SW480 and NCI-H1299 cell lines. Surprisingly, we observed that Rb is dysfunctional in SW480 cells. Together, these studies will facilitate future studies into the link between cell cycle regulation and CT upregulation in cancer cells

Jordanian Dentists\u27 Knowledge and Implementation of Eco-Friendly Dental Office Strategies

The purpose of this study was to determine if Jordanian dentists have knowledge about eco-friendly dental offices strategies and were employing these in their dental practices. Male and female dentists between the ages of 23–65, who work in private dental practices in the city of Amman, the capital of Jordan, were included in this study. Dentists\u27 names and addresses were obtained from the Jordanian Dental Association. Data for this study was gathered via a researcher-designed questionnaire distributed to a convenience sample of 150 dentists. Dentists were selected according to their dental practice locality until the required number was completed. The questionnaire consists of three sections: information on subjects\u27 age, gender, income, education level, and time of practice were obtained from the first section; information about Jordanian dentists\u27 knowledge and implementation of eco-friendly strategies; and information about Jordanian dentists\u27 perceived barriers to implementation of eco-friendly strategies. Data were processed using SPSS computer program. Frequencies and percentages were used to summarize categorical data and chi-square was used to analyze nominal data. Sample profile included 73% were between 23–40 years of age; 67% were males, and 33% were females; 54% earned between $500–$1000 a month; 81% had university degree, 82% reported 1–19 years in practice. In terms of knowledge and implementation, the majority of Jordanian dentists have high knowledge and low implementation about eco-friendly dental office strategies. Cost and no advantages from the government were the most identifiable barriers to implement these strategies. The chi-square analysis revealed statistically significant relationships between the knowledge about eco-friendly dental office strategies and Jordanian demographic characteristics. Limited association was found between the implementation of eco-friendly dental office strategies and Jordanian demographic characteristics. No research could be found related to Jordanian dentists\u27 knowledge and implementation of eco-friendly strategies. This research provides the decision maker with evidence-based information about this topic

Carbetocin versus Oxytocin in placental separation and postpartum haemorrhage in caesarean section-comparative observational study

Background: Carbetocin and oxytocin are indicated for the prevention of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) due to uterine atony. Carbetocin is a newer analogue of oxytocin with longer half life and more heat stable. PPH can be effectively reduced by the prophylactic use of uterotonics. The aims of the present study were to compare effects of oxytocin and carbetocin in separation of placenta, in controlling the blood loss and the additional uterotonic needed in caesarean section (CS) at high risk of primary PPH.  Methods: Women in the carbetocin group (group A) received a bolus of 100 µg IV; women in the control group (group B) received 20 IU of oxytocin in 1000 ml of 0.9% NaCl solution IV (150 mL/ hour). The efficacy of drugs in controlling blood loss was evaluated. Also, the haemodynamic effects and the need for additional uterotonic agents was compared. In addition, we compared the drop in haemoglobin level, the placental separation, the uterine tone.  Results: Both drugs produce hypotension but the effect was greater in oxytocin group. Placental separation was seen early in oxytocin group. Uterine tone was attained earlier in oxytocin group however the tone was maintained persistently in carbetocin group. Additional uterotonic agents were needed in the oxytocin group (46% vs 0%, p=0.05). Conclusions: A single injection of carbetocin appears to be more effective than a continuous infusion of oxytocin to maintain sustained and adequate uterine tone and to prevent the PPH. However, there is delayed placental separation and delayed attainment of adequate uterine tone after use of carbetocin

The Relationship among the Past, the Present and the Future Scenario: A Critical Study of George Orwell's 1984

The relationship among the past, the present, and the future has interested writers in all ages everywhere. The present paper focuses upon such a relationship in George Orwell's Futuristic novel 1984. All the time, the protagonist is preoccupied with the past, as he is cut off from the present. The novel talks about totalitarianism, the most significant ism of the 20th century. It has been critically reviewed from the present day perspective. The miserable condition of England due to war is portrayed. Orwell himself directly participated in the Spanish Civil War. The setting is not so charming, but ideal alternatives are portrayed. Orwell has soft corner for the working class. The novel hints at the power enjoyed by the Party, how It imposes its attitudes upon the civilians. It even breaks the relationship between Winston and Julia. He loses faith in humanity and deserts all principles. The novelist shows that the Party can even devoid people of their souls. Suffering is shown here. This paper reanalyses this control.   An attempt has been made to see how the past, the present and the future are interwoven wonderfully. Viewing the work from a realistic point of view, it has also been praised as fiction. Keywords: Totalitarianism, Novel, 1984, George Orwell

Pharmaceutical and chemical analysis of the components carrying the antiplatelet activity of extracts from allium ursinum and allium sativum

Allium sativum has a long tradition in medicine. While much is known about its potential healthy effects, nearly nothing is known about wild garlic (allium sativum, ramson), which is very common in the area of Leipzig and has been used as a herbal remedy since centuries. The goal of the present study was to assess a potential anti-platelet activity of these two allium species and to try to identify the chemical active principle. For that purpose various extracts (hydrophilic and lipophilic) were prepared from Allium sativum and Allium ursinum, and analysed using thin layer chromatography and HPLC. After identifying an active, i.e. antiaggregatory extract (see below), this was fractionated and the active fraction was further sub-fractionated for subsequent chemical analysis by mass spectroscopy, ESI (Electrospray ionization), and COSY (Correlation effect spectroscopy), and functional testing. Anti-platelet activity was assessed in human platelets (platelet rich plasma) using a classical turbidimetric method. Platelets were stimulated with various agonists (arachidonic acid, ADP, epinephrine, collagen, A23187) with and without the addition of the extracts or the fractions /sub-fractions. Both Allium Ursinum and Allium sativum extracts exert antiaggregatory effects with EC50 values around 0.1 mg/ml. The garlic extracts are acting by inhibition of the ADP pathway comparable as known from the clinically used drug clopidegrol.The pharmacological active antiaggregatory component of the extracts appears to be lipophilic rather than hydrophilic. This is the first report on an antiplatelet activity of Allium Ursinum. One final structure determined by HPLC, MS, ESI and COSY which exerts the antiplatelets inhibitory effect is β-sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucoside of the fraction 7-14 crystals. It is considered that about three up to five grams of dried leaves might be enough to exert antiaggregatory effects (comment: in pharmacy normally dried plant material is used in therapy). The second compound with antiaggregatory activity was identified as 1-β-D-galactopyranoside-2, 3-bis-linolenic glycerate. The problem of loosing the active volatile oily components by drying the leaves in future studies looking for the clinical use may be solved by looking for a raw or a refined extract which would be the form of a real phytomedical drug; for example capsules about 120 to 200 micrograms of an alcoholic or better an heptane / oily extract gained from wood garlic leaves would be an useful drug formulation to reach respective concentrations in blood. However, we have to admit that since our investigations were in-vitro, the in-vivo situation is somewhat different due to the metabolism, which is nearly unknown. Nevertheless, this study shows for the first time that allium ursinum does exert anti-platelet activity and that both allium species can unfold antiaggregatory effects which are worth to be investigated in subsequent in-vivo studies. β-sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucoside and 1-β-D-galactopyranoside-2, 3-bis-linolenic glycerate could be identified as active antiaggregatory principals