Oxidant-antioxidant balance in childhood asthma

Background: Asthmatic patients generate reactive oxygen species impairing the antioxidant defense system and creating a state of oxidative stress in asthmatics. Objectives: Determination of the oxidant - antioxidant status in asthmatic children, by measuring the activities of antioxidant enzymes; superoxide dismutases (SOD) and glutathione peroxidases (Gpx) and estimating plasma level of malondialdehyde (MDA) as an index of lipid peroxidation, to find a relation between antioxidant levels and the severity of asthma and the early response to treatment. Methods: This study included 60 children; group (1): 40 asthmatic children and group (2): 20 apparently healthy children as a control group. The following were measured in all the children; plasma level of (MDA), erythrocytes (SOD) and (Gpx) (in asthmatic children two samples were taken; the first during acute attack and the second after 48 hours of treatment). Results: Significant lower erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes activities and higher malondialdehyde was found in asthmatic children compared to the control group, either before or after receiving treatment. In asthmatics, MDA was significantly decreasing and SOD was significantly increasing with treatment. MDA was significantly higher, while SOD was significantly lower with the severity of asthma either before or after receiving treatment. A significant negative correlation was observed between MDA with both of SOD and Gpx, in acute asthmatic attacks. A significant positive correlation was detected between the activities of SOD and Gpx enzymes. Conclusion: Acute asthma leads to a considerable oxidative stress that is indicated by the high level of malondialdehyde and low level of antioxidant enzymes.Keywords: bronchial asthma, superoxide dismutases (SOD), glutathione peroxidases (Gpx), malondialdehyde (MDA), antioxidantsEgypt J Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2013;11(1):35-4

Association between Self-Reported Bruxism and Sleeping Patterns among Dental Students in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to identify sleeping patterns among dental students and their association with self-reported bruxism in Riyadh Colleges of Dentistry and Pharmacy (RCsDP). Methods. A cross-sectional study was performed including 549 students (67 men and 482 women). A structured questionnaire was adopted from The PSQI (The Pittsburgh Sleep Questionnaire Index) used for data collection. It included questions which are categorized into sleeping habits, sleep-related symptoms, and additional questions concerning bruxism. This questionnaire was randomly distributed among all college preclinical and postclinical students. Sleep bruxism diagnosis was based on self-reported data. The data were analyzed using Chi-square tests through SPSS software for Windows. Results. Statistical analyses revealed significant correlations between self-reported bruxism and sleeping habits including sleep initiation (χ2=22.6, p=0.000), continuous sleep until morning (χ2=19.2, p=0.001), nighttime sleep duration (χ2=20.2, p=0.000), and length of daytime naps (χ2=28.35, p=0.000). There was an association between self-reported bruxism and sleeping-related symptoms including awakening early in the morning before the usual time without a cause (χ2=16.52, p=0.000) and increased nightmares (χ2=13.7, p=0.001). Conclusions. Poor sleeping pattern was an important factor among dental students, who reported sleep bruxism

Consanguinity-related hyperdontia: An orthopantomographic study

Background: The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the distribution of the non-syndromal supernumerary teeth (NSST) in a population of patients who attended the clinics of Riyadh Colleges of Dentistry and Pharmacy (RCsDP), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: The study reviewed 1521 panoramic radiographs of Saudi and non-Saudi subjects who attended RCsDP clinic from November 2009 to November 2010. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, utilizing Chi-square. Results: Eighteen (1.2%) patients were found to have NSST, comprising twelve males (66.7%), and six females (33.3%). The most common supernumerary teeth (ST) were the pre-molars six cases (33.3%), followed by the mesiodens, five cases (27.8%). The canines and distomolars three cases (16.6%) each respectively, while the least were the lateral incisors and paramolars of the two cases (11.1%) each. Conclusion: Consanguinity appeared to have a role in the development of hyperdontia in Saudi population because 13 cases (72.2%) out of 18 cases had consanguineous parents, while all patients having consanguineous parents had eumorphic ST

Assessment of Labial and Palatal Alveolar Bone Thickness and Height in Maxillary Anterior Teeth in Saudi population Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)

Aims & Objectives: The aim of this study was to measure alveolar bone thickness and height of the labial and palatal surfaces of maxillary anterior teeth in Saudi Population using cone beam computed tomography. Materials and Methods: The thickness and vertical bone height of the labial and palatal alveolar bone of 108 maxillary anterior teeth were measured. Measurements were performed using, Galileos CBCT, for each tooth at three levels cervical, middle and apical. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis (MANOVA), Spearman’s correlation coefficient and the chi-square test. Results: The labial plate of bone in canine showed the least thickness. Vertical bone loss was severer in the labial surfaces than the palatal surfaces, with a mean of (2.9 ± 0.26 mm.)  for central incisor, while the lateral incisors and canines showed  (3.6 ± 0.32mm.) and (4.3 ± 0.32) bone loss respectively.  Females showed lesser bone thickness in the apical and middle third of the root than males,  while males had thinner alveolar bone than females. Conclusion: Labial bone plate is thinner than palatal plate in all cases investigated, which require ridge augmentation in case of implant placement. Vertical bone loss is dependent on thickness of alveolar bone

Association between Self-Reported Bruxism and Sleeping Patterns among Dental Students in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to identify sleeping patterns among dental students and their association with self-reported bruxism in Riyadh Colleges of Dentistry and Pharmacy (RCsDP). Methods. A cross-sectional study was performed including 549 students (67 men and 482 women). A structured questionnaire was adopted from The PSQI (The Pittsburgh Sleep Questionnaire Index) used for data collection. It included questions which are categorized into sleeping habits, sleep-related symptoms, and additional questions concerning bruxism. This questionnaire was randomly distributed among all college preclinical and postclinical students. Sleep bruxism diagnosis was based on self-reported data. The data were analyzed using Chi-square tests through SPSS software for Windows. Results. Statistical analyses revealed significant correlations between self-reported bruxism and sleeping habits including sleep initiation ( 2 = 22.6, = 0.000), continuous sleep until morning ( 2 = 19.2, = 0.001), nighttime sleep duration ( 2 = 20.2, = 0.000), and length of daytime naps ( 2 = 28.35, = 0.000). There was an association between self-reported bruxism and sleeping-related symptoms including awakening early in the morning before the usual time without a cause ( 2 = 16.52, = 0.000) and increased nightmares ( 2 = 13.7, = 0.001). Conclusions. Poor sleeping pattern was an important factor among dental students, who reported sleep bruxism