Retrospective Radiographic Survey of Unconventional Ectopic Impacted Teeth in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVES: Ectopic unconventional impacted teeth are rare. These teeth erupt in an unusual direction with limited unconventional access and have increased surgical risks. AIM: This study aimed to investigate and assess the prevalence and distribution of rare ectopic impacted teeth at the Taibah University Dental College and Hospital (TUDCH), Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: The study designed through a retrospective radiographic cross-sectional survey involving the review and examination of 9000 archived digital orthopantomograms of patients who visited the (TUDCH) in the period from January 2014 to December 2019 and to analyze any associated factors. RESULTS: There were 63 ectopically impacted teeth, with an incidence of 0.7%. The age of the patients ranged from 18 to 68 years, with a mean of 32.4 ± 13 years. Regarding patient nationality, 68.3% were Saudis. The most common ectopically impacted teeth were the extra impacted premolars, with an incidence of 0.2%, followed by the inverted molars, impacted first or second molars, and buccoversion or lingoversion third molars, with incidences of 0.16%, 0.13%, and 0.12%, respectively. The mandible was affected with ectopic impaction more than the maxilla, with an incidence of 55.6%. There was no difference between the right and left sides. Impacted teeth in the sinus were the least common. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of ectopic impacted teeth was 0.7% among the surveyed patients at TUDCH, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia. Hence, the oral surgeon must have readiness for such a challenging, increasing situation

Tobacco Smoking, Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Cessation Perceptions by Dental Students in Al Madinah, a Conservative Saudi Society

Objective: To explore the prevalence of tobacco use and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure in dental students and to investigate their perceptions on the role of dentists in tobacco cessation activities. Material and Methods:  A questionnaire-based study was conducted in a public university in Al Madinah, Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire investigated demographic factors, tobacco use practices, SHS exposure, and student perceptions of tobacco cessation activities. Descriptive statistics and statistical significance of differences between demographic groups were calculated. Results: A total of 228 students participated with 43.0% (n=98) males and 57.0% (n=130) females. A proportion of 30.7% (n=70) of the participants smoked tobacco, and these constituted 51 males (73%) and 19 females (27%). Only 39 students (15 females and 24 males) indicated their method of tobacco use, which was mainly cigarettes and waterpipes. One in two students was exposed to SHS. Non-smokers had better awareness of the health hazards of SHS (p<0.001), and were more likely to adopt tobacco cessation activities recommended by dentists (p<0.05). Conclusion:  A substantial proportion of dental students in a very conservative religious area smoke tobacco and are exposed to SHS. Their perceptions of the harms of SHS and attitudes on cessation need improvement. The influence of culture and religion in shaping health risk behaviors in conservative communities needs to be verified

Anticancer effects of punicalagin and 5-fluorouracil on laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma: an <i>in vitro</i> study

The purpose of this study was to assess the apoptotic effects of punicalagin alone and in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (Hep-2) cell line. Hep-2 cells were cultured and divided into four groups: Group 1 received no therapy and served as control, Group 2 received 5-FU only, Group 3 received punicalagin only, and Group 4 received a combination of 5-FU and punicalagin. After 48 hours of incubation, cellular changes were examined under an inverted microscope. The methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay, caspase-3 gene level, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level were assessed. The control group showed the highest mean value of cancer cell proliferation rate (1.595±0.58), followed by the punicalagin group (1.263±0.447), then the 5-FU group (0.827±0.256), while the combination group showed the lowest proliferation rate (0.253±0.111). The combination group showed the highest mean value of caspase-3 concentration (3.177±0.736), followed by the 5-FU group (1.830±0.646), and punicalagin group (0.741±0.302), while the control group showed the lowest mean value (0.359±0.117). Regarding VEGF levels, the control group had a statistically significant higher mean value, followed by the punicalagin and 5-FU groups, and finally, the combination group which showed the lowest value. Punicalagin exerts an anticancer effect through anti-proliferative action and induction of apoptosis on Hep-2 cell line. Combining punicalagin with 5-FU potentiates its anti-proliferative, apoptotic, and anti-angiogenic actions. It, further, helps in mitigating the putative side effects of 5-FU by reducing the dose required for its therapeutic effects

Unusual pattern of mandibular fracture displacement in a child: A case report

إن غالبية كسور الفك السفلي عند الأطفال هى من نوع كسر الغصن النضير مع وجود إزاحة بسيطة. نقوم هنا بتسجيل حالة كسر لقمي وإكليلاني للفك السفلي مع إزاحة شديدة، مع عرض مقدماتها السريرية وعلاماتها الإشعاعية والجراحية. أُزيحت اللقمة والإكليلاني اليُمنَيَان إلى الناحية الوحشية حتى استقرا بالكامل فوق الجانب الوحشي للقوس الوجني، مع إزاحة جزء من الإكليلاني إلى الناحية الإنسية. كان هناك تجمع دموي كبير في جدار البلعوم الوحشي امتد إلى الأسفل حتى الحد الأسفل للفك السفلية، مع إصابة شديدة للنسج الرخوة في المنطقة تحت الفك السفلي. ندرة مثل هذه الإصابة في الأطفال في منطقة الرأس والرقبة ومعالجتها تجعل هذه الحالة أكثر إثارة للاهتمام لجرَّاحي الوجه والفكين

Botanical and genetic characterization of Hydrocotyle umbellata L. cultivated in Egypt

Hydrocotyle umbellata L. is a creeping aquatic herb belonging to family Araliaceae. The plant has been used in folk medicine as an anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic and memory stimulant herb. This study targets the botanical features of the leaf, rhizome and roots, in addition to DNA fingerprinting using rapid amplified (RAPD) and inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) based polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. Microscopically, leaves and rhizomes are characterized by numerous brown schizogenous ducts containing volatile oils. On the other hand, a total of 34 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were identified using seven random decamer primers and a total of 15 inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers were identified using five decamer random primers. Both the botanical study and DNA fingerprinting could be useful in identification and authentication of the plant

Adjunctive systemic antibiotic effect on periodontal state, salivary enzyme activity, and glycemia imbalance in type-2 diabetics after non-surgical periodontal management

ABSTRACTAim: The current study aimed at analyzing the effect of non-surgical periodontal treatment accompanied by systemic antibiotics on salivary enzyme activities, periodontal parameters, and glycemic control in type−2 diabetic (T2D) patients with chronic periodontitis.Methods: The study included 125 type−2 diabetic patients with chronic periodontitis who had good glycemic control (T2Dc), 125 type−2 diabetics who had bad glycemic control (T2Dpc). The 125 T2Dpc were divided randomly into two groups. The first one enrolled 63 T2Dpc and received a non-surgical periodontal treatment (T2Dpc + NST). The second group enrolled 62 T2Dpc and received the non-surgical treatment accompanied by systemic antibiotics (T2Dpc+NST+A). HbA1c, periodontal indices, and salivary enzyme activities were assessed for all groups. The Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was assessed. The Salivary alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine kinase (CK) activities were measured.Results: The T2Dpc were characterized by the highest probing depth (PPD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL) periodontal scores, as well as ALP, AST, and ALT enzymatic activities. However, BOP did not differ significantly between T2Dc and T2Dpc. Whereas the rest of clinical parameters PI, GI, and OHI-S did not significantly differ between groups. The Pearson’s analysis revealed three correlations between ALP-PPD, ALP-CAL, and ALP-BOP (bleeding on probing) in both T2Dc and T2Dpc (P < 0.05). Interestingly, a significant decrease in periodontal indices, salivary enzyme activities, and HbA1c was recorded in T2Dpc+NST+A group.Conclusion: The increase in ALP, AST, and ALT activities reflects the impact of uncontrolled T2D on periodontal tissue alteration. The ALP activity increase was associated with the severity of periodontal status in diabetic patients. In comparison to non-surgical treatment alone, the adjunct use of systemic antibiotics improves periodontal state, enzyme activity, and glycemic control

Ruthenium(II)/(III) DMSO-Based Complexes of 2-Aminophenyl Benzimidazole with In Vitro and In Vivo Anticancer Activity

New anticancer ruthenium(II/III) complexes [RuCl2(DMSO)2(Hapbim)] (1) and [RuCl3(DMSO) (Hapbim)] (2) (Hapbim = 2-aminophenyl benzimidazole) have been synthesized and characterized, and their chemotherapeutic potential evaluated. The interaction of the compounds with DNA was studied by both UV-Visible and fluorescence spectroscopies, revealing intercalation of both the Hapbim ligand and the Ru complexes. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the compounds was tested on human breast cancer (MCF7), human colorectal cancer (Caco2), and normal human liver cell lines (THLE-2), with compound (2) the most potent against cancer cells. The cytotoxic effect of (2) is shown to correlate with the ability of the Ru(III) complex to induce apoptosis and to cause cell-cycle arrest in the G2/M phase. Notably, both compounds were inactive in the noncancerous cell line. The anticancer effect of (2) has also been studied in an EAC (Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma) mouse model. Significantly, the activity of the complex was more pronounced in vivo, with removal of the cancer burden at doses that resulted in only low levels of hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. An apoptosis mechanism was determined by the observation of increased Bax and caspase 3 and decreased Bcl2 expression. Furthermore, (2) decreased oxidative stress and increased the levels of antioxidant enzymes, especially SOD, suggesting the enhancement of normal cell repair. Overall, compound (2) shows great potential as a chemotherapeutic candidate, with promising activity and low levels of side effects

Clinical and radiological comparison of a dynamic implant valve vs a hydraulic maxillary sinus lift augmentation technique with simultaneous implant insertion

The study aimed to compare between dynamic implant valve (DIVA) and the crestal ballooning techniques in elevating the maxillary sinus membrane (MSM) in conjunction with simultaneous implantation. Patients and methods: 20-patient prospective clinical cohort study. Ages ranged from 42 to 53 years, and had atrophic edentulous maxillae in the posterior region. To determine maxillary sinus status, patients were investigated utilizing intraoral clinical photographs and CBCT series. &nbsp;Closed Sinus Lifting done and compared between DIVA and ballooning techniques on patients who were randomly separated into two equal groups. The predicted research variables were intraoperative primary stability and level of sinus membrane lift. The main outcome factors were secondary implant Osseointegration stability (ISQ) and the amount of bone height gain. Results: Before surgery, the DIVA and Balloon groups had mean bone heights of 5.8 ± 0.67mm and 6.8 ± 0.86mm , which increased significantly to 12.8± 0.53 and 10.8± 0.67 after 6 months postoperatively. ISQ for DIVA and Balloon groups were 39.0± 2.16 and 40.0±2.16 preoperatively, respectively, and increased to 71.7±1.60 and 70.4±1.27 nine months postoperatively which was significantly higher at 3 months in DIVA group.&nbsp;&nbsp