Current understanding of the relationship between periodontal and systemic diseases

Periodontal disease [PD] is among the most common infectious diseases affecting humans. While the burden of periodontal disease on oral health has been extensively investigated, a possible specific relationship between the disease and systemic health is a relatively new area of interest. More recently it has been suggested that PD has an etiological role in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and preterm low-birth weight, among others. In this review, we critically evaluate the current knowledge on the relation between PD and systemic diseases overall, and specifically with cardiovascular diseases. The best available evidence today suggests that the infection and inflammatory reaction associated with PD may contribute toward systemic disease. It is critical that dentists and physicians are well informed of the potential general health impact of periodontal disease so that they are in a position to knowledgeably counsel patients

Oral health considerations in cancer survivors

Over the past decade, advances in cancer treatment have helped in prolonging the survival rate for cancer patients. However, the patients who undergo treatment for cancer are potentially at high-risk for developing a number of oral complications, including oral mucositis, infections, hyposalivation, dental caries, and jaw osteonecrosis. Cancer survivors may remain at life-long risk of developing oral complications, and therefore require long-term dental follow-up, well after completion of cancer therapy. Patients should typically undergo thorough oral examination prior to initiation of therapy, during and after therapy to identify any active infection. In addition, and in order to maintain adequate oral health throughout treatment, patients should continue normal oral hygiene with tooth brushing and interproximal cleaning. The aim of this review is to discuss potential oral complications as a result of cancer therapy, and the certain precautions we should be aware of these patients

Entomological study of chikungunya infections in the State of Kelantan, Malaysia.

Background & objectives: Chikungunya infection has become a public health threat in Malaysia since the 2008 nationwide outbreaks. Aedes albopictus Skuse has been identified as the chikungunya vector in Johor State during the outbreaks. In 2009, several outbreaks had been reported in the State of Kelantan. Entomological studies were conducted in Kelantan in four districts, namely Jeli, Tumpat, Pasir Mas and Tanah Merah to identify the vector responsible for the virus transmission. Methods: CHIKV cases records were obtained from State Health Department, Kelantan and localities involved were identified. Larva survey was conducted to collect the immature mosquito stages. Modified aspirators were used to collect the adult mosquitoes. All samples on dry ice were transferred to laboratory and the presence of the virus was detected using reverse transcriptase PCR. Results: A total of 1,245 mosquito larvae were collected during larval survey and 2,019 adult mosquitoes were collected using aspirator. From these collections, 640 mosquito pools were tested for the presence of CHIKV by RT-PCR but none found positive. Ae. albopictus was the most abundant mosquito collected, followed by Culex sp., Armigeres sp. and Anopheles sp. A total of 2, 814 artificial containers were inspected during the study. Interpretation & conclusions: Since none of the mosquito samples was found to be positive for chikungunya virus, the vector(s) of chikungunya virus in these localities could not be identified.

Maternal energy during labor intrapartum nutrition and nourishment: a clinical study

This study aims to explore the relationship between maternal oral intake during labor, and the duration of labor and to examine if oral intake does affect labor and the incidence of operative and instrumental deliveries. A clinical study was conducted on 2340 child bearing women. 390 women were allowed to oral liquids and soft diet intake and 1950 were considered as a control group and kept fasting according to the hospital routine. Type of delivery of each woman and duration of the 2[nd] stage of labor were recorded. There were fewer cesarean sections [7.9%] in the oral intake group than those in the fasting group [10.5%]. Of the oral intake group [2.1%] had instrumental deliveries versus 4% of the fasting group. The incidence of normal vaginal deliveries in the oral intake group was 90% while it reached 85.5% in the fasting group. Women who were allowed to oral intake had shorter 2[nd] stage of labor. For the average women in labor, fluids and light snacks can safely be given orally

Serum complement 3 and complement 4 in normal pregnancy and pre-eclampsia

Serum levels of C3 and C4 were measured in normal nonpregnant [n=4], normal pregnant [n=15] and preeclamptic women [n=45] during last month of pregnancy, labor and within 24 hr after delivery. A highly significant rise was found in C3 and C4 in normal pregnancy and in preeclampsia compared to nonpregnant, while insignificant difference was found between preeclamptic and normal pregnant women. Apart from significant rise in C4 during labor in normal pregnancy, no significant changes were found in C3 or C4 during pregnancy, labor or postpartum in normal pregnancy as well as preeclampsia. In severe preeclampsia, no significant changes were found in C4 during pregnancy, labor or postpartum, while C3 levels were significantly increased during pregnancy, significantly decreased during labor and insignificantly increased after labor when compared to mild preeclampsia

Serum complement 3 and complement 4 in normal pregnancy and preeclampsia

Serum levels of C3 and C4 were measured in normal nonpregnant [n=4], normal pregnant [n=15] and preeclamptic women [n=45] during last month of pregnancy, labor and within 24 hr after delivery. A highly significant rise was found in C3 and C4 in normal pregnancy and in preeclampsia compared to nonpregnant, while insignificant difference was found between preeclamptic and normal pregnant women. Apart from significant rise in C4 during labor in normal pregnancy, no significant changes were found in C3 or C4 during pregnancy, labor or postpartum in normal pregnancy as well as preeclampsia. In severe preeclampsia, no significant changes were found in C4 during pregnancy, labor or postpartum, while C3 levels were significantly increased during pregnancy, significantly decreased during labor and insignificantly increased after labor when compared to mild preeclampsia

Primary extranodal lymphoma of the mandible and maxilla

12 cases with maxillary and mandibular manifestations of non Hodgkin's lymphoma have been studied with reference to age, sex, location of the lesion and the histologic type. There were 3 children ranging in age from 2 to 5 years and 9 adults ranging from 20 to 75 years. There is a male preponderance M/F ratio 10/2. All cases examined were of B cell origin. Different histological patterns were detected 4 cases [33.4%] showed Burkitt's Lymphoma, 3 cases [25%] showed small lymphocytic lymphoma and [25%] showed mixed cell pattern. 2 cases [16.6%] showed large cell type. No cases of Hodgkin's lymphoma nor nodular type of non Hodgkin's lymphoma were detected

Argenine tolerance test and amniotic fluid c-peptide in pregnancies with intra uterine growth retardation

Amniotic fluid C-peptide [AFCP] was measured under basal conditions and two hours after arginine load in twenty pregnant women with intrauterine growth retardation [IUGR] at 36-38 weeks gestation and twenty women with uneventful pregnancies of the same gestational age. Significant reduction of AFCP was found in pregnancies with IUGR compared with normal pregnancies. Two hours after arginine tolerance test, sluggish secretory response of B cells was detected in the IUGR group compared with the control one. An underlying explanation was presented. Data suggested that arginine tolerance test might be of value in assessing fetal wellbeing