Analysis of Saliva Composition: Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein, Total Protein, and Secretory Immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in Rattus norvegicus with Stunted Growth.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine total protein, secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) and parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) levels in the saliva of rats with stunted growth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Experimental laboratory research with a pre-and posttest control group design was conducted. Seventeen albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) were divided into the control group (eight rats) and the treatment group (nine rats). Rats in the treatment group were exposed to aflatoxin B1 5µg/kg orally for 5 weeks. Anthropometry data (body length, body weight) and saliva of R. norvegicus were collected. The levels of PTHrP and sIgA in the saliva were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit for rats and the Bradford test for total protein and analyzed using SPSS 25.0. RESULTS: Aflatoxin caused stunted growth in rats in the treatment group. There was a significant difference in body length, salivary flow, PTHrP, sIgA, and total protein in the treatment group compared with the control group. The average rat's body length change in the control group was 6.4 ± 1.1mm/5 weeks, while in the treatment group, the change was 3.7 ± 0.9 mm /5 weeks. There was no significant weight gain in the treatment group compared with the normal group. The average values of PTHrP, sIgA, and total protein in the control group were x̄0.9, x̄18, and x̄0.7 m./L, respectively, while in the treatment group, they measured x̄0.4, x̄10.7, and x̄0.5 mg/L, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study showed that salivary flow, PTHrP, sIgA, and total protein levels in the saliva were significantly lower in stunted rats compared with normal rats.

Oral health behavior and its association with the Caries Index in visually impaired children.

AIM: To assess the correlation between oral health behavior and the Caries Index (CI) among visually impaired children. METHODS AND RESULTS: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from September to October 2017 in four schools in Surabaya, Indonesia. A total of 34 visually impaired and 34 nonvisually impaired children were selected and included in the study using a total sampling method. The oral health knowledge of, attitude towards, and practice of subjects were assessed by means of questionnaire. The author subsequently performed an intraoral examination of all subjects. The presence and extent of dental caries were recorded using dmft and DMFT scoring and categorized according to WHO classification. Visually impaired children were shown to have a low confidence of interval [CI] of 1.5. A Spearman's statistical test showed that, while knowledge significantly affected the CI of visually impaired children (P < .05), attitude (P = .98), or practice (P = .42) did not. CONCLUSION: A correlation clearly exists between oral health knowledge relating to CI in visually impaired children. However, there appeared to be no relationship between attitudes towards and actions in maintaining dental health through a CI in visually impaired children.

Prevalence of Caries and Periodontal Disease Among Indonesian Pregnant Women

Objective: To determine the extent of bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth and the level of oral hygiene and caries prevalence among pregnant women. Material and Methods: Random samples of pregnant women attending eight public health centers were examined. Their periodontal and caries statuses were examined using the Community Periodontal Index, Simplified Oral Hygiene Index and DMF-T. The good criteria of OHI-S ranged from 0 to 1.2, the fair from 1.3 to 3.0 and the poor from 3.1 to 6.0. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate the absolute and relative frequencies. Results: 84.7% had caries and the DMF-T index score was 4.34 (fair). 73% suffered gingival bleeding, 34% with 4-5 mm pocket depth, 2% with 6 mm or deeper pocket depth, while the majority had good oral hygiene. The prevalence of 4-5 mm probing pocket depth increased between the first and second trimesters (12.1% to 48.5%), before undergoing a slight decrease in the third trimester (39.4%). Gingival bleeding was found to be most prevalent in the third trimester. Pocket depth of 4-5 mm was found to be highest in the second trimester. Pocket depth of 6 mm or more was restricted to the third trimester. Oral hygiene scores increased in tandem with gestational age. Conclusion: The majority had caries, which strongly suggests that the awareness of the pregnant women regarding their oral hygiene remains limited.