Association of IL-4 polymorphism with severe periodontitis in a sample of Iraqi population.

INTRODUCTION: Specific bacterial plaque and environmental factors cannot be considered the only cause of periodontitis. Still, several genetic factors affect the host response to the bacteria, like gene polymorphisms in anti-inflammatory cytokines. Several studies have reported that clones of T-helper 2 lymphocytes (TH2) are generated in response to dental plaque in periodontitis patients, while in healthy individuals, they are regulated by T-helper 1 (TH1) lymphocytes. Accordingly, such patients consistently produce more IL-4 (TH2) in response to bacterial stimulation, whereas healthy controls with intact periodontal tissues produce a significantly higher level of TH1.

Antioxidant and Antineoplastic Activities of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. Petal Extracts against Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Line.

PURPOSE: To assess the antioxidant and antineoplastic effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. on oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human squamous cell carcinoma HSCC cells were tested for cytotoxicity by a methanol extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa (MEHSP). After 24, 48, and 72 h, the MTT assay and Trypan blue exclusion test were used to determine cell survival and death. 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), DNA Protection Assay (DPA), and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAPA) measured the antioxidant activity of MEHSP. RESULTS: The antioxidant activity (%) ranged from 47.92-82.24 in the DPPH test, 11.61-73.65 in the DPA, and 4.97-52.09 in the FRAPA. The HSCC in-vitro cytotoxicity assay showed dose- and time-dependent cell viability. MEHSP at 5 µg/ml inhibited viable cells, while increasing MEHSP doses decreased cell viability. The Trypan blue exclusion test showed that MEHSP significantly reduced cell viability at 24, 48, and 72 h. CONCLUSION: Hibiscus sabdariffa contains antioxidant and HSCC-cytotoxic properties.

Short-Term (4 Day) Effects of Oral Rinsing with Miswak and Green Tea on Gingival Crevicular Fluid Flow and IL-1ß Levels: A Pilot Study.

Despite the antiplaque effect of mouth-rinsing with a combination composed of miswak (Salvadora persica L.) and green tea (Camellia sinensis var. assamica) extracts, no data are available regarding its effect on gingival tissue at the molecular level. This pilot study aimed to assess the effect of oral rinsing with this combination on gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) flow and IL-1ß levels. Ten subjects rinsed with either the combination, 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) or distilled water without toothbrushing for 4 days after receiving baseline polishing. GCF IL-1ß concentration, influx, resting volume and plaque quantity were measured at baseline and after 4 days for each intervention. No significant differences in GCF flow or resting volume were detected after rinsing with the different mouthwashes. A significant increase in GCF IL-1ß concentration was evident only after rinsing with distilled water. Rinsing with combination induced a significant reduction in GCF influx (-0.086 ± 0.222) compared to CHX (0.088 ± 0.247) and distilled water (0.075 ± 0.201). Less plaque was detected after rinsing with combination and CHX. Short-term oral rinsing with this combination could potentially induce no significant changes in GCF flow and IL-1ß concentration, and might retard inflammation. Thus, it might be considered in the production of natural oral healthcare products.

Performance of multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging through PIRADS scoring system in biopsy naïve patients with suspicious prostate cancer.

Background: Use of multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (mp-MRI) and Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) scoring system allowed more precise detection of prostate cancer (PCa). Our study aimed at evaluating the diagnostic performance of mp-MRI in detection of PCa. Methods: Eighty-six patients suspected to have prostate cancer were enrolled. All patients underwent mp-MRI followed by systematic and targeted trans-rectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided prostate biopsies. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy of mp-MRI were evaluated. Results: Forty-six patients (53.5%) had prostate cancer on targeted and systematic TRUS biopsies. On mp-MRI, 96.6% of lesions with PI-RADS < 3 revealed to be benign by TRUS biopsy, 73.3% of lesions with PI-RADS 4 showed ISUP grades ≥1, whereas all PI-RADS 5 lesions showed high ISUP grades ≥ 3. For PI-RADS 3 lesions, 62.5% of them revealed to be benign and 37.5% showed ISUP grades ≥1 by TRUS biopsy. PI-RADS scores ˃3 had 69.57% sensitivity and 85% specificity for detection of PCa. On adding the equivocal PI-RADS 3 lesions, PI-RADS scores ≥3 had higher sensitivity (97.83%), but at the cost of lower specificity (32.5%). Conclusion: Mp-MRI using PI-RADS V2 scoring system categories ≤3 and >3 could help in detection of PCa. PI-RADS 3 lesions are equivocal. Including PI-RADS lesions ≥3 demonstrated higher sensitivity, but at the cost of lower specificity for mp-MRI in diagnosis for Pca. Abbreviations: CDR: cancer detection rates; DRE: digital rectal examination; ISUP: international society of urological pathology; mp-MRI: multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging; NPV: negative predictive value; PCa: prosatate cancer; PI-RADS: Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System; PPV: Positive predictive value; PSA: prostate specific antigen; TRUS: transrectal ultrasound.