Histological study of mast cells in human

A total number of 75 gingival biopsies were examined by haematoxylin and eosin and toluidine blue. The specimens were obtained from 15 subjects with normal gingiva. Twenty subjects for each of the three groups representing gingivitis, moderate periodontitis and advanced periodontitis. The quantitative relationship between mast cells, inflammatory cells and gingival health was made. Mast cells assumed a variety of shapes and most of them were present in the reticular layer in a peculiar perivascular distribution. Mast cells and inflammatory cells increased in number in gingival inflammation. They were present without numerical change in the neighborhood of the plasma cells and their number was reduced in the presence of lymphocytes

Trace elements and postmenopausal manifestations

Postmenopausal women frequently suffer from oral complications, the etiology of which is still not clear. Various etiologic possibilities have been presented by various authors but none is completely satisfactory. Since several trace elements play important roles in vital biochemical reactions and since various trace element changes accompany different groups of diseases and endocrinological disorders, the serum levels of three important trace elements that is zinc, strontium and magnesium were measured in twenty postmenopausal and twenty menstruating non lactating women. Clinically postmenopausal women showed significantly increased gingival and periodontal indices and 60% of them had abnormal or diminished taste sensations. Serum zinc and strontium were significantly decreased while magnesium level showed no significant difference. Zinc is crucial to growth development and normal functions of all living forms, it is an essensial component of many enzyme and both DNA and RNA polymerases are zinc metalloenzymes. Its deficiency in animals is associated with manifestations simulating those occuring in postmenopause. Strontium is deposited in much greater quantities in calcified tissues than other trace elements and seems to be of importance in bone calcification. The present work presents an evidence that deficiency of zinc, strontium and possibly other trace elements occurs in the postmenopause and might be responsible for at least some of its manifestations. Supplementation of these trace elements in the treatment of postmenopausal oral complications is worthwhile

Study of immunoglobulins [IgA and IgM] in serum, saliva and gingival tissues of schistosomal hepatic fibrosis and splenomegaly patients before and after splenectomy

The concentration of three immunoglobulins IgG, IgA and IgM were determined by radial immunodiffusion in serum, resting mixed saliva and gingival tissues of 20 patients with schistosomal hepatic fibrosis and splenomegaly for whom splenectomy was indicated. The procedure was carried out before and four weeks after splenectomy. Twenty healthy reference individuals were chosen as control without splenectomy. Before splenectomy serum IgM, and, serum salivary and gingival IgG showed higher levels compared to control, while IgA showed no difference. After splenectomy, significant increase in gingival and salivary IgA, were obtained. The results are tabulated and discussed with possible explanation

new antibacterial mouth wash as plaque control

The efficacy of a mouth wash prepared in collaboration between the Faculty of dentistry and the Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria University, was studied. A base line of an almost zero G.I. and PL. I. was established by polishing, scaling and meticulous oral hygiene in three groups of dental students, 10 in each group. For twenty days, the first group used the mouth wash in combination with proper mechanical cleaning procedures, the second group rinsed with the mouth wash only while the third group performed mechanical cleaning procedures only. The two groups who used the mouth wash showed significant reduction in salivary viable count and no significant change neither, in the PL. I. nor in the G.I. On the other hand the group who was maintained on mechanical cleaning only showed no reduction in the salivary viable count, an increase in the PL. I. On the proximal surfaces and a significant increase in G.I. denotes the development of gingivitis The taste of the mouth wash was acceptable and its use was not accompanied by any side effects throughout the period of the study