Frequency and pattern of oral manifestations and oral hygiene practices among cases with diabetes mellitus in Ajman, United Arab Emirates

To determine the frequency and pattern of oral manifestations in patients with Diabetes Mellitus and to assess factors associated with oral manifestations in patients with Diabetes Mellitus A hospital based study adopted a prospective cross-sectional design. All subjects [both Type I and II] with diabetes, attended department of internal medicine Gulf Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Ajman, UAE. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was designed and used for data collection. Standard methods of systematic sequential examination for any clinical manifestations in respect to infection control using sterile disposable diagnostic instrument, cheek retractors, and periodontal probes. Examination of the oral cavity done to find out any oral lesion and to correlate the symptoms with the signs observed and for periodontal evaluation. The Statistical package SPSS 20 version, with a descriptive and inferential analysis was used. All data will be expressed as frequency and percentage, frequencies and percentage. The level for statistical significance for all hypothesis will be set at a minimum of p < 0.05. A total 404 subjects with Diabetes Mellitus with age ranged from 16-79 years. Majority [42.4%] of the subjects were in the age group 46-60 years, 61.1% were males and 38.9% were females. In regards to diabetes type, 91.4% of the subjects were diagnosed as having type II Diabetes. 32.1% of the subjects were firstly diagnosed at age over 40 years. 76.0% of the subjects had family history of type I and 19.7% of type II, 4.3% had family history without knowing the exact type. In regard to diabetes duration, 76.3% of the patients had diabetes history less than 5 years, on the other hand only 5.3% of the subjects had more than 16 years diabetes history. HbA1c level was less than 7% in 80.8% of the subjects. 30.7% of the subjects were taking insulin injection for diabetes control. Smokers consist 22.6% of the sample. Some diabetic subjects had other systemic diseases in addition, 60 [16.8%] subjects had hypertension also, one of them had Grinspan's syndrome in whom lichen planus found also as a reticular type in both sides buccal mucosa. Halitosis found in 60.65% followed by dry mouth in 59.1%, only 9.8% complain from burning sensation, which is cited in the tongue in 5.5% and in oral mucosa in 4.6% of the subjects. While both recurrent oral ulceration and reticular lichen planus were found in 8 subjects located on buccal mucosa and tongue. Males show frequent oral findings in older age, poor controlled groups had periodontitis. Oral lesions showed no significant relation to the age of the subjects, diabetes type and family history of diabetes. Disturbance of taste sensation shows a significant association with duration of diabetes by using Chi-square test. Diabetes mellitus prevalence has been increasing, it affects people of all ages, both genders. When it's not controlled it can result in systemic and oral manifestations and complications. Prevention and management of diabetes and its oral complications requires proper medical monitoring, life style change, routine professional dental, oral checkups and a rigorous home care

Screening the efficacy of some traditional herbal drugs for treatment of hymenolepis diminuta infection in rats

Hymenolepis nana [human infecting tapeworm] and H. diminuta [rodent infecting tapeworm] are currently incriminated to be the cause of non-specific bowel disturbances. They are in most instances resistant to the available anticestodal compounds due to misuse of drugs and probably adaptation of the parasites to the commercially available drugs Our objective is to study the toxicity and curative efficacy of different medicinal plants that are candidate for the treatment of tapeworm infections in man. Four medicinal plants were tested for their ability to treat Hymenolepis diminuta tapeworm infection in rats. These plants are Amaranthus viridis, Cucurbita maxima, Hagenia abyssinica and Balanites aegyptiaca. Selection of these plants was based on ethnobotanical information. The evaluation of the efficiency of these medicinal plants was based on the controlled test design, modified from Moskey and Harwood10: Following pre-infection screening, and life cycle establishment rats were grouped to six experimental groups for each plant. Stool specimens were collected from all groups, the mean of eggs counts per gram of faeces were counted. The reduction percentage of eggs per gram [EPG] was calculated and time to clear eggs was compared with that of Niclosamide. Niclosamide drug was used in this study as a control treatment14. There were no signs of toxic effect on the rats due to administration of any of the tested medicinal plants. Amaranthus viridis leavs exhibited a very weak efficacy. It did not reduce eggs in either water or food significantly as compared to the untreated control group [p>0.05]. The deparasitization activity of this plant [35%] was not significant. Similarly, Balanites aegyptiaca seeds were not effective in treatment of the infection in rats. Egg counts and deparasitization in food and water, were not significantly [p>0.05] different from those of the untreated control group. On the other hand, Cucurbita maxima and Hagenia abyssinica seeds were very effective in the treatment of Hymenolepis diminuta infection in rats. Egg reduction [100%] was highly significant [p<0.01] in food and water as compared to that of the untreated control group of rats [zero%]. C. maxima seeds in food deparasitized 80% of the worms, while Hagenia abyssinica deparasitized 100%. Our conclusion was that Hagenia abyssinica was the most active plant of this group in the treatment of Hymenolepis diminuta infection in rats

Characterization of two isolates of prunus necrotic ringspot virus [PNRSV] from peach and apricot in Egypt

Two isolates of PNRSV were isolated from peach and apricot trees at the Experimental Station of the Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt. The peach isolate of PNRSV [PNRSV-PF] was differentiated from the apricot isolate [PNRSV-AP] by ten differential host species. Both isolates were purified successfully with the electro-elution technique. Both isolates had A[max] and A[min] at 260 and 240 nm respectively. The A260/280 ratios were 1.55 and 1.60 for the AP and the PF isolates, respectively. Electron microscopy examination showed spherical virions with ca 27-29 nm in diameter. Both isolates had molecular weight of coat protein subunits of 29 kDa, determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis [SDS-PAGE]. Antisera raised against the two isolates detected their counter antigens in peach and apricot trees. Both antisera cross reacted with their homologous and heterologous antigens in dot blot immunoassay [DBIA] and agar-double diffusion [ADD] tests. The two virus isolates appeared to belong to the same sero-group and represent two different pathotypes. PNRSV-AP varied in sero-grouping of that of beet necrotic ringspot ilarvirus, a tentative isolate of PNRSV, when examined in ADD test. Indirect ELISA showed that 64.2% of 210 tested apricot trees were infected, while 150-inspected peach trees showed 29.5% infection. Four sets of primers were used to amplify both movement protein [MP] and coat protein [CP] genes of the two Egyptian isolates of PNRSV isolated from apricot and peach trees. Amplicons of the correct size [ 894 bp] for the MP gene and [ 704 bp] for the CP gene were obtained from the two examined isolates of PNRSV. Nested PCR using specific primers for both the MP and the CP genes confirmed the authenticity of the PCR amplified products. RT-PCR detected successfully the presence of PNRSV in the pollen grains of infected apricot and peach trees. Nucleotide sequences of the MP genes of the two isolates were revised by the GenBank and given the accession # EU100388 for the peach isolate and EU106649 for apricot isolate. Phylogenetic analysis of RNA 3-MP showed ca 65% similarity between PNRSV-AP and PNRSV-PF; indicating that the two isolates of PNRSV are distantly related. The relatedness between the two isolates and other PNRSV isolates is discussed

Biological, serological and molecular studies on prunus necrotic ring spot virus infecting Rosa hybrida L. in Egypt

Prunus necrotic ring spot virus [PNRSV] was isolated for the first time in Egypt from naturally infected rose plants collected from the experimental farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University. Observed symptoms circumvented necrotic ring spots on leaves, bud failure, and color breaking of petals. The virus was transmitted mechanically. The purified virus had Amax and A min at 260 and 240 nm respectively. The 260/280 ratio was 1.56. Yield of purified virus from infected Gompherina globosa was 0.182 mg/g tissue. Electron micrograph of the purified virus showed spherical [23-nm] as well as bacilliform virus particles [42x23 nm]. The induced antiserum from the purified virus was successfully used to detect PNRSV in rose plants in several locations in Egypt. The full length of the replicase gene of PNRSV was successfully amplified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] using different sets of specific primers. A sensitive and specific IC-RT-PCR protocol was used for the detection of PNRSV from rose tissues. Sequence analysis of PNRSV/rep gene of the rose isolate indicated 60% similarity to that of PNRSV-AF278534 and NC-004362

Immunological investigation of urinary protiens in Algerian diabetic patients

115 Juvenile and adult algerian diabetic patients were subjected for urine proteins investigation by gel electrophoresis and the immunoelectrophoresis. The results obtained were correlated with age of patients; duration of the disease; sex and type of treatment. In patients with diabetes for less than 5 years and proteinuria not more than 100 mg/dl, albumin; transferrin and ceruloplasmin were the protein components mostly excreted in urine and the proteinuria in such cases was described as selective. In patients with diabetes of more than 5 years and proteinuria exceeding 100 Mg/dl, additional relatively high molecular weight proteins including IgA and IgG were detected and the proteinuria in such cases can be considered as non selective. It is concluded that, selective proteinuria was encountered in young males as well as the same number of young females at the same age, whereas the non-selective proteinuria seems to be of higher frequency among adult female than adult male diabetics and it can be considered as a sign of advanced nephrotic ailment that would require much more intensive medical care

Study of kinetics of circulating schistosome antigens in tissues and sera of infected mice using anti-schistosoma mansoni soluble egg antigen monoclonal antibody

In the present study, the kinetics of uptake and deposition of Schistosoma mansoni antigens in liver, spleen, kidney and intestine of C57BL/6 mice infected with 100 Schistosoma mansoni cercariae as well as their levels in sera have been investigated during the course of infection [12 weeks]. The presence of antigen was demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence using IgM anti-soluble egg antigen monoclonal antibody [anti-SEA MAb]. Immunofluorescence reactivity was evident in both renal and spleen tissues 3 weeks post-infection [p.i.], in Kupffer cells of liver 4 weeks p.i. and in intestinal mucosa [5 weeks p.i.]. Maximal immunofluorescence staining was reached during the patent phase [5-9 weeks p.i.]. During the chronic stage of infection [9-12 weeks pi.], diminution of immunofluorescent intensity was evident in liver tissue, while it remained constant in other studied organs. Circulating schistosome antigen [CSA] level in mice sera was determined using a sandwich ELISA with a MAb for both antigen capture and detecting antibody. CSA was demonstrated in mice sera [one week p.i.] reaching its peak at 6 weeks p.i. and remained at a detectable level until the end of the study [12th week p.i.]

Botanical biocides. 8 impact of some plant extracts on Biomphalaria alexandrina snails and on Schistosoma mansoni miracidia and cercariae

The present work evaluates the molluscicidal, cercaricidal and miracidicidal activities of certain plants extracted by different solvents of increasing polarity [e.g., petroleum ether, chloroform, acetone, ethanol and water]. The data obtained from preliminary screening tests conducted on 20 plant species belonging to 10 different families revealed that the highly potent extracts were obtained from 14 plants [e.g., Ambrosia maritima, Artemisia herba-alba, Nigella sativa, Cymbopogon schoenanthus, Mentha longifolia, Thymus capitatus, Acacia nilotica, Lupinus termis, Syzygium aromaticum, Piper nigrum, Quassia amara, Ammi majus, Ammi visnaga and Pimpinella anisum]. The toxicity results indicated that the petroleum ether extract of A. maritima was the most toxic to Biomphalaria alexandrina snails [LC50=56ppm], while M. longifolia ethanolic one was the least [LC50=500ppm]. The LC50 values of 38 different extracts from 12 plant species revealed the high potency of acetone extract of P. nigrum [LC50 = 37ppm] against cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni, while water extracts of P, nigrum and A. visnaga as well as acetone extract of N. sativa [LC50 = 100ppm] were of low potencies. The toxicity tests against miracidia of Schistosoma mansoni indicated that the petroleum ether extract of T. capitatus was the most toxic [LC50 = 27ppm], while chloroform one of A. visnaga was the least toxic [LC50 = 96ppm]

Diclazuril interaction with avoparcin and virginiamycin as growth promoters in growing rabbits

The effect of feeding avoparcin and virginiamycin [10 ppm] alone or in combination with diclazuril [1 ppm] to growing rabbits for 10 successive weeks on absolute body weight, body gain and feed efficiency were studied. Moreover, their effects on blood picture and the activity of AST, ALT as well as urea and creatinine levels were also investigated, In addition, the residual pattern of avoparcin and virginiamycin were also demonstrated using the microbiological assay technique. Avoparcin or Virginiamycin supplementation with the basal ration significantly increased the absolute body weight [5.7 or 8.8%], amount of feed consumed [3.2 or 1.6%] as well as plucked weight. Avoparcin was found to be compatible with diclazuril as their combination induced large improvement in the body weights [10.6%]; and the amount of feed consumed [6.2%]. Combination of diclazuril with virginiamycin did not after the absolute body weight and the weight gain, but increased the amount of feed consumed [4.5%] as compared with group fed virginiamycin alone. Avoparcin or virginiamycin alone and combination of diclazuril with avoparcin significantly increased R.B.Cs count, hemoglobin content and PCV. Combination of diclazuril with avoparcin increased the activity of AST and ALT and that with virginiamycin increased AST and ALT activity as well as urea and creatinine levels. No residues of either avoparcin or virginiamycin were detected at the end of the experiment in organs and tissues of rabbits fed 10 ppm for 10 successive weeks. In conclusion, Feeding avoparcin or virginiamycin to growing rabbits at 10 ppm stimulates growth, feed efficiency and blood picture. Diclazuril [1ppm] was found to be more compatible with avoparcin than viginiamycin

Bacterial and genital mycoplasmal colonization of cervix: role of copper containing intrauterine devices

Bacterial and Genital Mycoplasmal colonization of the cervix were evaluated among 120 women using copper T 380 A intrauterine contraceptive device [IUD]for periods of variable lengths compared to 40 women attending the family planning clinic at Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital for IUD application. We found that there is no significant difference among bacterial isolates in both groups, however, there is a highly significant relationship between the use of copper containing IUD and the increased prevalence of Ureaplasma urealyticum [U. urealyticum] [P < 0.01] but not Mycoplasma hominis [M. hominis] [P < 0.05]. So our conclusion was that copper containing devices are not associated with qualitative difference among bacterial isolates but there is an increased prevalence of U. urealyticum which may have an effect later on the next expected pregnancy after removal of the IUD

Epidemiology of left handedness and the associated health probiems in prematurely born children

Hand preference was measured in a total group of 294 premature children to determine patterns of hand preference at ages 4 - 10 years and the possible associated health problems with left handedness. The overall prevalence of left handedness was 10.5%, while 6.5% and 4.1% were left leg preferable and suffering from squint. The prevalence in male children was 12.6% versus 8.6% in females [RR = 1.47] and the prevalence decreased with increasing age. Among the left handed children 29% were of low birth weight. Also, 6.5%, 3.2% and 28.8% fathers, mothers and siblings of the left handers were left handers. As regards the associated diseases, 35.5% of the left handed children were suffering from diseases versus 18.6% from right handed children. No association between left handedness and weight, height, head circumference, mid arm circumference and triceps skin fold thickness was found. In conclusion, a great attention and care must be given to children born prematurely. Also, nutritional and health education programs concerning importance of antenatal, natal and post-natal care must be directed towards women, especially those of low socioeconomic levels

CSF cytokines, nitric oxide and prostaglandins in diagnosis and pathophysiology of childhood CNS leukemia and lymphoma

To clarify the role of cytokines, nitric oxide [NO] and prostaglandin- E2 [PG-E2] in diagnosis and pathogenesis of infiltration of central nervous system [CNS] in cases with leukemia and lymphoma, the levels of these indices in the cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] of those children were determined. Their levels were correlated with other laboratory studies of CSF and clinical criteria. This study included twenty- seven children with acute leukemia [twenty with acute lymphoblastic leukemia [ALL] and seven with acute myeloid leukemia [AML]] and fifteen with non- Hodgkin's lymphoma [NHL]. Clinical evidence of CNS involvement was present in seventeen patients with acute leukemia and seven cases with NHL. The study revealed significantly elevated levels of two types of cytokines [TNF-alpha, IL-6] NO and PG-E2 in CSF of children with acute leukemias and lymphoma compared with control group [children with tension headache or meningism]

Neonatal septicemia and its outcome: clinical and laboratory evaluation

Sepsis is often associated with hemostatic dysfunction. This study aimed to relate changes in some fibrinolysis and coagulation activation markers to neonatal sepsis and its outcome. Plasminogen activity, fibrinogen level and fibrin monomer complexes were measured in 22 infants with neonatal septicemia [9 cases with uncomplicated sepsis and 13 cases with septic shock] and the results were compared with those observed in 10 normal neonates. All neonates were subjected to proper clinical examination and routine laboratory investigation. The TLC was higher in uncomplicated sepsis relative to control and septic shock although not statistically significant. The platelet count showed significant decrease in both groups of sepsis. Fibrinogen level showed significant increase in uncomplicated sepsis group compared with control and septic shock groups. Plasminogen activity showed a significant difference between control and septic shock groups, highly significant difference between subgroups of sepsis and insignificant difference between control and uncomplicated sepsis. The frequency of fibrin monomers positivity, CRP positivity and DIC was higher in septic shock relative to uncomplicated sepsis although the difference was not statistically significant. The incidence of septic shock was higher with gram +ve septicemia. This study highlights the importance of measuring fibrinogen level, plasminogen activity, fibrin monomers, TLC and platelets count as diagnostic and prognostic markers for predicting morbidity and mortality of neonatal septicemia

Radial keratotomy versus excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy in treatment of low and moderate myopia

Radial keratotomy [RK] was used for management of 14 eyes of seven patients with myopia ranging from -1.75 to -5.0 diopters. In all eyes 8 radial incisions were performed from IN to OUT, optical zone ranged from 3 to 4 mm, age of patients ranged from 19 to 27 years with mean of 22 years. On the other h and, 39 eyes of 20 patients with myopia from -1.5 to 5.5 diopters with astigmatism from -0.25 to -2.0 diopters were managed by excimer laser [keracor 116], photorefractive keratectomy [PRK] with multizone mode program. Age of these patients ranged from 19 to 45 years with mean of 25.5 yeaers. RK was successful in 71.4% while PRK was successful in 92.3% of cases [patients gained after surgery without glasses the same preoperative best corrected visual acuity]. No vision threatening complication occurred in failed cases. Follow up periods ranged from 3 to 9 months for RK cases and from 3 to 11 months for PRK cases

Changes in corneal topography after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy for low and moderate myopia

Computer assisted analysis of corneal topography was performed in 39 eyes [20 patients] during follow up after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy by using keracor 116 excimer laser with multizone mode program with pretreatment zone 50% for myopia from -1.5 to -5.5 diopters [spherical], with -0.25 to -2.0 diopters [astigamtism]. The most frequent undesirable finding was decentralization, also central island was noted in some cases. In spite of these findings visual outcome was satisfactory

Monoclonal protein and its complication in chronic lymphoproliferative disorder [CLD]

Investigations of monoclonal proteins and Bence-Jones globulin in serum and urine were carried out in 15 normal subjects and 49 patients with chronic lymphoproliferative disorders divided into: a] 10 cases with multiple myeloma, b] 9 cases with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, c] 12 cases with chronic lymphoyctic leukemia, d] 9 patients with Hodgkins distyping of Bence-Jones and monoclonal protein were studied by the immunofixation technique. Immunoglobulins and the light chain proteins [kappa and lambda] as well as the determination of urea and creatinine were also studied in five groups of patients as compared to control. It is concluded that, in multiple myeloma and Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, some patients were characterized by light chain diseases, due to the high detection of light chain globulin in both serum and urine with the evidence of abnormal proliferating plasmacytes. In addition, the occurrence of renal dysfunction or insufficiency could be demonstrated among many patients of both groups as compared to Hodgkin's and non Hodgkin's lymphoma

Tretment of stones in anomalous kidneys by ESWL

A total of 9 patients [2 children and 7 adults] underwent ESWL using the Dornier MPL 9000 lithotriptor in prone and supine positions. Three patients had horseshoe kidneys, 2 patients had ectopic lower lumber kidneys, and 4 patients had ectopic pelvic kidneys. Stones inside horseshoe kidneys were localized by X-ray and treated in supine position and stones inside ectopic kidneys were sonographically localized and treated in prone position. Complete disintegration was achieved in all patients, 7 after one ESWl treatment and 2 after 2 ESWL treatment sessions. Seven patients were stone free after 3 months and the other 2 patients needed another 2 months to be stone free. The study recommended ESWL for treatment of stones in anomalous kidney, and the prone position for stones near the bony pelvis is recommended

Paraproteinemia in chronic lymphoproliferative disorders

49 patients suffered from chronic lymphoproliferative disorders were classified according to the clinical diagnosis. The classification and typing of serum paraproteins in these cases were investigated by using both immunofixation and radial immunodiffusion techniques. The monoclonal protein was found in 90% of the cases with multiple myeloma, 77.77% with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, 50% with chronic Iymphocytic leukemia, and 55.55% with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma while, the cases with Hodgkin's disease showed no detectable amount. The high proportion of the patients with different type and amount of abnormal protein might be referring that the appearance of paraproteins in serum could be used as tumor marker

Early marker of monoclonal light chain in bladder cancer

Bladder cancer complicating schistosomiasis is a major cause of cancer mortality in Egypt. It usually affects farmers who suffer from repeated and severe chronic schistosomal cystitis. The late presentation of this disease is probably due to the overlapping and similar symptoms of simple bilharzial cystitis and bladder carcinoma. The present work deals with study of the variation of low molecular weight proteins, immunoprotein patterns present in both serum and urine in different groups of bladder cancer patients in an attempt for predicting and screening the early and late stages of bladder carcinoma. The increased urinary excretion of high molecular weight proteins, the immunoglobulins [IgA, IgM, IgG], especially IgG and low molecular weight proteins such as light chain protein of kappa [K] as well as beta 2-microglobulin demonstrated in the patients of bladder carcinoma in the present study, may be caused by the admixture of proteins to urine from tumor surface. In conclusion, results demonstrated that detection of monoclonal light chain proteins can be used for diagnosis and predicting the early or late stages of the disease and its different groups