RESUMEN
High levels of inflammatory cytokines in serum have been reported in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. There is growing interest in recognizing the role of inflammatory biomarkers in saliva in diagnosing systemic diseases. This study assumed that estimating biomarkers in saliva samples from patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 would distinguish between mild and severe cases. Saliva was collected from 142 controls and 158 SARS-CoV-2 patients (mild 72 and severe 86) to measure interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand-10 (CXCL-10). IL-6 and CXCL-10 were significantly increased in patients with mild and severe SARS-CoV-2 infections. CRP was significantly increased only in severe SARS-CoV-2 cases. All biomarkers were significantly higher in severe cases than in mild cases (p < 0.001). Among patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, men showed significantly higher CRP and CXCL-10 levels than females (p < 0.01 and 0.05, respectively). In addition, elderly patients (40-80 years) had significantly higher IL-6, CRP, and CXCL-10 (p < 0.001). Patients with diabetes and hypertension showed elevated IL-6, CRP, and CXCL-10 (p < 0.001). There was a significant positive correlation between IL-6, CRP, CXCL-10, and between age, IL-6, CRP, and CXCL-10. Saliva may have a future value in measuring the inflammatory biomarkers associated with the severity of SARS-CoV2 infection and therapeutic monitoring.
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Aim: The study aimed to determine the applicability of psychological traits identified by Piaget sixty years ago to children in the current generation and to utilize these traits clinically for behavior modification. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 200 participants aged 4-7, divided into four groups. Three tests were administered to evaluate the manifestation of preoperational features. Based on the most noticeable aspect of cognitive development, tailored behavior management strategies were applied to help improve cooperation among the children. The study utilized Frankl's behavior rating scale both before and after the intervention, and statistical analysis was performed to assess the outcomes. Results: Contrary to Piaget's findings, the study revealed that 94% of children displayed egocentrism and centration at the age of four, with these traits gradually decreasing from four to seven years old. Moreover, better patient cooperation was observed when cognitive-based behavior management techniques were employed clinically, and the improvement was statistically significant at P < 0.001. Conclusion: The study concluded that the Amelioration, a cognitive feature-based behavior modification technique, represented the most effective way to elicit cooperative responses from children. This technique can be considered a novel and pioneering behavior management strategy for enhancing patient cooperation.
RESUMEN
Energy drink (ED) consumption has become increasingly popular. Due to a lack of evidence, it was crucial to assess the effects of Red Bull (RB) consumption on the rat submandibular salivary gland and the potential therapeutic impact of blueberry (BB). Thirty rats were randomly assigned to five groups. Group 1 (Control) received distilled water. Group 2 (RB) received RB (10 mL/100 g/day) for 8 weeks. Group 3 (BB) rats were administered BB (500 mg/day for 8 weeks). Group 4 (RB + BB (L)) received RB for 8 weeks, and from the 5th week, were concurrently given BB (250 mg/day) for 4 weeks. Group 5 (RB + BB (H)) received RB for 8 weeks, and from the 5th week, were concurrently given BB (500 mg/day) for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected, the animals were euthanized, and their submandibular salivary glands were harvested. Oxidative stress markers (MDA, GPx, CAT, and SOD) were assessed in both serum and tissue. Inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10) were quantified in tissue. Submandibular gland specimens were prepared for light microscopy, and immunohistochemical staining was performed using anti-α-SMA. RB consumption resulted in a significant increase in MDA, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10, while GPx, CAT, and SOD levels decreased significantly. Degenerative changes in the gland's structure were observed in the RB group. A significant increase in α-SMA immunoreaction was detected in myoepithelial cells. Administration of BB, particularly at a high dose, ameliorated the aforementioned findings. In conclusion, blueberry administration exhibited therapeutic effects due to its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties.