ABSTRACT
Background & objectives: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the death rate was reportedly 5-8 fold lower in India which is densely populated as compared to less populated western countries. The aim of this study was to investigate whether dietary habits were associated with the variations in COVID-19 severity and deaths between western and Indian population at the nutrigenomics level. Methods: In this study nutrigenomics approach was applied. Blood transcriptome of severe COVID-19 patients from three western countries (showing high fatality) and two datasets from Indian patients were used. Gene set enrichment analyses were performed for pathways, metabolites, nutrients, etc., and compared for western and Indian samples to identify the food- and nutrient-related factors, which may be associated with COVID-19 severity. Data on the daily consumption of twelve key food componentsacross four countries were collected and a correlation between nutrigenomics analyses and per capita daily dietary intake was investigated. Results: Distinct dietary habits of Indians were observed, which may be associated with low death rate from COVID-19. Increased consumption of red meat, dairy products and processed foods by western populations may increase the severity and death rate by activating cytokine storm-related pathways, intussusceptive angiogenesis, hypercapnia and enhancing blood glucose levels due to high contents of sphingolipids, palmitic acid and byproducts such as CO2 and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Palmitic acid also induces ACE2 expression and increases the infection rate. Coffee and alcohol that are highly consumed in western countries may increase the severity and death rates from COVID-19 by deregulating blood iron, zinc and triglyceride levels. The components of Indian diets maintain high iron and zinc concentrations in blood and rich fibre in their foods may prevent CO2 and LPS-mediated COVID-19 severity. Regular consumption of tea by Indians maintains high high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low triglyceride in blood as catechins in tea act as natural atorvastatin. Importantly, regular consumption of turmeric in daily food by Indians maintains strong immunity and curcumin in turmeric may prevent pathways and mechanisms associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 severity and lowered the death rate. Interpretation & conclusions: Our results suggest that Indian food components suppress cytokine storm and various other severity related pathways of COVID-19 and may have a role in lowering severity and death rates from COVID-19 in India as compared to western populations. However, large multi-centered case?control studies are required to support our current findings.
ABSTRACT
Objectives: To explore the prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity and associated risk indicators among Saudi adults in Riyadh. Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed to assess the presence of dentine hypersensitivity in 547 adults who attended the College of Dentistry’s clinics. The assessment tools were questionnaires and clinical dental examinations. Questionnaires included sections of sociodemographic, behavioral, dietary and medical condition variables. Dentine hypersensitivity was examined by passing dental explorers on all teeth surfaces in addition to the application of a blast of cold air from three-in-one syringe. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, t-tests, One-Way Analysis of variance and correlation coefficient tests. Results: Dentine hypersensitivity was observed in 759 teeth among 182 participants yielding tooth prevalence and person’s prevalence of 4.8% and 33.27% respectively. The mean number of teeth with dentine hypersensitivity was 1.39 teeth per person. Dentine hypersensitivity was not significantly related to gender, marital status, or occupation. Also, dentine hypersensitivity was not related to smoking, brushing, flossing, and sewak uses. Drinking soda and coffee, and eating citrus fruits, pickles and seeds were not significantly correlated to dentine hypersensitivity. No associations of dentine hypersensitivity with diabetes, anorexia or Bulimia Nervosa were found. The mean number of teeth with dentine hypersensitivity was higher among those who use of desensitizing toothpaste and those with GERD. Conclusion: Dentine hypersensitivity was present in 4.8 teeth and in 33.3 persons. No significant associations between demographic, behavioral, and medical conditions variable were observed with dentine hypersensitivity except for desensitizing agents users and those suffering GERD condition.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: E-cigarettes or vaping have increased amongthe young generation especially between college students, Ecigarettes are electronic products with a small pump and liquidtank who emerged to the public in the past 20 years. Ecigarettes users can be motivated by their urge for theirnicotine addiction, trying to stop smoking R-cigarettes, practicesmoking in places where R-cigarettes are prohibited, simplypleasures or seeking trying new things.Objectives: A survey study to assess knowledge, attitude andaddiction of E-cigarettes among college of medical sciencesstudents.Methods: This cross-sectional study of a convenient samplecovered 337 students in the four departments nursing,laboratory, radiology and physiotherapy. A web-basedquestioner was distributed to all students. Data collectedincluded age groups, department and smoking status werecollected.Results: The response was 25% of the total students at thecollege, data showed only about 26% of all students aresmokers, ex-smokers and passive smokers. The findings arecuriously different between smokers’ groups. R-cigarettes arethe preferred choice of most of the students. Whole smokersgroup believe that E-cigarettes are more addictive than Rcigarettes.Conclusion: There is a lack of knowledge, also differentopinions emerged between the whole smokers and nonsmokers groups. Whole smokers believe E-cigarettes are moreaddictive while non-smokers have contradictory opinion.