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Objectives: In this study, we measured and compared serum and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1ß) in pregnant women with periodontitis and pregnant women with a healthy periodontium. We also determined the prevalence of periodontitis among pregnant women attending Omdurman Midwifery Hospital. Materials: This was a hospital-based clinical study and laboratory investigation using ELISA tests of 80 pregnant women in the third trimester conducted at the Omdurman Midwifery Hospital in Khartoum, Sudan. The study group consisted of 50 women while the control group consisted of 30 women. Results: Independent samples t-tests were used to compare serum and GCF levels of IL-1ß between the study and control groups. Pearson's correlation analysis was also used to compare gingival parameters and IL-1ß levels in the GCF. For each comparison, the p-value was fixed at 0.05. The GCF in the research group showed a considerable increase in IL-1ß levels. There was also a strong positive association between high IL-1ß levels in the research group's GCF and probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) levels. Conclusions: Our study provides further evidence that periodontitis, as measured by a PD ≥4 mm and a CAL ≥3 mm, is associated with an increased level of IL-1ß in the GCF of pregnant women with active periodontal disease during pregnancy and may include the transient translocation of oral organisms to the utero-placental unit, inciting placental inflammation or oxidative stress early in pregnancy, ultimately resulting in placental damage and clinical manifestations.
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Objectives: This research aimed to determine the fluoride levels in commercially available bottled waters and assess the accuracy of the fluoride levels labels on the bottles. Methods: We obtained the labels from 28 water bottles from markets in Almadinah Almunawwarah. Water samples were diluted with an equal volume of total ionic strength adjustment buffer at the General Administration for Water Services. The electrode potential of each sample was then directly compared to standard fluoride solutions. For each sample, two readings were taken, and the average was recorded. Fluoride-ion levels were determined using a fluoride-ion-selective electrode and a digital readout ion meter. Results: On average, the mean fluoride levels in the labelled bottles were 0.94 ± 0.14 PPM. The level of the actual fluoride content was 1.13 ± 0.31 PPM. Inconsistencies between the brand labels and true levels of fluoride were detected. Only one brand of bottled water was comparable in terms of the fluoride levels on the labels and the analysed fluoride levels. Only 85.71% of the brands tested had fluoride levels within the permissible fluoride range (0.6-1.5 PPM), 10.71% had fluoride levels above the permissible fluoride range, and 3.57% had fluoride levels below the permissible fluoride range. Conclusions: In the KSA, most brands of bottled waters had fluoride levels above the ideal levels that are vital to the prevention of dental caries. There were differences in the fluoride levels recorded on the labels and the true levels determined in the laboratory. Fluoride levels must be accurately reported if we are to achieve necessary aesthetic and cosmetic benefits. Bottled water must meet critical quality standards to avoid the negative consequences of higher fluoride levels. Dentists and parents should be aware of this discrepancy.
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New approaches to treating periodontal diseases aim to balance sustaining the natural oral microbiota and modifying the host immune response. Gum Arabic (GA) is a natural polysaccharide rich in prebiotics.The aim of this study was to assess the effect of GA on clinical (Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI)) and immunological (Gingival Crevicular Fluid Interleukin 1 Beta (GCF IL-1 ß)) parameters in patients with plaque-induced gingivitis. Materials and methods: This placebo-controlled, double-blinded randomised clinical trial was conducted at the Department of Periodontology at Khartoum Dental Teaching Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan, from July to October 2016. Patients diagnosed with plaque-induced gingivitis meeting the study eligibility criteria were enrolled. At baseline, PI, GI and GCF IL-1ß were measured. Patients received full-mouth scaling and were randomly assigned to receive either GA powder (intervention group) or Microcrystalline cellulose powder (placebo group). The patients were instructed to apply the treatment twice a day throughout the study. The PI, GI and GCF IL-1ß were reassessed after 30 and 60 days. Results: A total of 60 patients were enrolled (30 in each group). Compared to the placebo group, the intervention group showed a statistically significant reduction in GI scores after 30 days and improved PI scores at 30 and 60 days. Between baseline and 60 days, patients who received GA exhibited a significant reduction in GCF IL-1ß levels compared to the placebo group. Conclusion: GA was found to be effective in controlling plaque and gingivitis.Clinical Trial Registration. ISRCTN registry ISRCTN14209449.
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COVID-19, occurring due to SARS-COV-2 infection, is the most recent pandemic disease that has led to three million deaths at the time of writing. A great deal of effort has been directed towards altering the virus trajectory and/or managing the interactions of the virus with its subsequent targets in the human body; these interactions can lead to a chain reaction-like state manifested by a cytokine storm and progress to multiple organ failure. During cytokine storms the ratio of pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory mediators is generally increased, which contributes to the instigation of hyper-inflammation and confers advantages to the virus. Because cytokine expression patterns fluctuate from one person to another and even within the same person from one time to another, we suggest a road map of COVID-19 management using an individual approach instead of focusing on the blockbuster process (one treatment for most people, if not all). Here, we highlight the biology of the virus, study the interaction between the virus and humans, and present potential pharmacological and non-pharmacological modulators that might contribute to the global war against SARS-COV-2. We suggest an algorithmic roadmap to manage COVID-19.
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OBJECTIVES: Dental caries are associated with high counts of Streptococcus mutans (SM) and Lactobacillus (LB) and low saliva buffering capacity (BC). This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of black tea on salivary cariogenic microflora, SM and LB species in an adult population. Antimicrobial activity was measured from the number of colony forming units (CFUs) of SM and LB, and BC of saliva. METHODS: In this prospective experimental study, unstimulated saliva samples were acquired from the participants before, immediately after, and 1 h after drinking tea by collecting saliva in sterilised containers. Samples were taken to the laboratory for incubation and subsequent counting. SM and LB counts and BC of saliva were calculated using the caries risk test (CRT). RESULTS: A total of 21 participants, 13 males and 8 females, with a mean age of 32.6 ± 8.02, were recruited in this study. Black tea had no significant effect on reducing the cariogenic bacterial counts (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Based on this study, it can be deduced that black tea exhibits an insignificant antimicrobial effect against Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus bacteria.
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Helicobacter pylori (HP) is a facultative anaerobic bacterium. HP is a normal flora having immuno-modulating properties. This bacterium is an example of a microorganism inducing gastric cancer. Its carcinogenicity depends on bacteria-host related factors. The proper understanding of the biology of HP inducing gastric cancer offers the potential strategy in the managing of HP rather than eradicating it. In this article, we try to summarize the biology of HP-induced gastric cancer and discuss the current pharmacological approach to treat and prevent its carcinogenicity.
