Assessment of Dental Service Provided by Undergraduate Dental Students in Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya

@#Patient satisfaction can be used as one of the indicator for measuring quality of dental care provided. The objective of this study was to assess patient experiences with dental service provided by undergraduate dental students in Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya. A cross sectional study was done by distributing a self-answered questionnaire to patients treated by undergraduate dental students. Patient level of satisfaction was assessed by using five point Likert-like scale (strongly disagree, disagree, neutral, agree and strongly agree), with a list of items divided into three domains, consist of interpersonal skills, dental treatment and services. The response rate was 71.3%. The mean satisfaction scores were 83.09%, 78.62 and 74.16 for interpersonal skills, dental treatment and services domains respectively and the overall mean satisfaction score was highly satisfactory (78.62%). The percentage of satisfied patients was 82.4%, 66.2% and 55.4% for interpersonal skills, dental treatment and services domains respectively. There was significant association between satisfaction score with age (p-value=<0.001), treatment received by examination and diagnosis (p-value=0.027), denture treatment (p-value=0.032), others treatment (p-value=0.043) and ‘year of study’ of the students (p-value=0.001). Patients were satisfied with their overall experiences while receiving dental care provided by undergraduate dental students. They were highly satisfied with the students’ interpersonal skills, dental treatment received and services provided at the undergraduate dental clinics.

Characterization of inhibitory activity of camel urine on human platelet function

Objectives: Previous studies have shown that both camel plasma and urine display inhibitory action on human platelet function. This study aimed to determine whether the platelet-inhibiting activity in camel plasma is filtered into urine or if this activity is initiated by the kidney and to evaluate the impact of the camel's reproductive status on this inhibitory activity

Methods: The study included 67 non-pregnant, pregnant and lactating female camels. Platelet function was tested in the camels by light transmission aggregometry and platelet function analyser [PFA-100[registered]] studies

Results: In comparison to the results in human beings, camel platelet aggregation responses to both adenosine diphosphate [ADP] and arachidonic acid [AA] agonists showed a significant reduction. Furthermore, human platelet aggregation responses were significantly inhibited by camel urine. Some camels displayed inhibitory activity in both plasma and urine, while others displayed this activity in either blood or urine. In camel categories with markedly inhibited platelet aggregation responses, urine caused marked inhibition of human platelets. In camels with antiplatelet urine effects, camel platelet inhibition was also confirmed by prolongation of platelet function analyser 100 [PFA-100[registered]] closure times in all categories. Lactating camels showed stronger urine inhibitory activity compared to other groups

Conclusions: These findings suggest that an inhibitory factor could be filtered from camel plasma; however, a renal source cannot be excluded. Lactating camels seem to possess more potent urine inhibitory activity compared to other camel groups. These findings support the fact that the claimed beneficial therapeutic properties of camel urine originate in part from the kidney and could be filtered from plasma

Effect of electron beam on prepared hap-gel composition

Polyvinyl alcohol liquid PVA1 was used as the organic carrier for Hydroxylapatite-gel [Hap-gel] composite. PVA1 has the ability to form a nano- hydroxylapatite polyvinyl alcohol composite gel which has a wide range of uses in different environmental and medical applications. Prepared Hap-gel is known to have a very similar composition to human bone and is used as a substitute for bones in compound fractures and artificial dentures. In this work prepared HAP- gel was exposed to a high ionizing radiation electron beam [5 kilo Gray] and an aqueous solution containing aluminum ions [Al[+]]. Some investigations were done to illustrate the effect of radiation exposure and aluminum contamination on prepared Hap-gel. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis [EDx] showed that the electron beam used caused an obvious increase in the calcium ions [Ca[++] content of the prepared Hap-gel from 60% to 65.69% with a prominent decrease in phosphorus ions [P[+] content from 40% to 34.31% in addition to an increase in the Ca/P ratio from 1.5 to 1.91. Exposure of the pre-irradiated Hap-gel samples to aluminium ions [Al[+] resulted in a noticeable decrease in Ca[+] content from 65.69 atomic% to 32.14% atomic% and a further noticeable decrease in P+content from 34.31% atomic% to 13 atomic% as well as an increase in the Ca/P ratio from 1.91 to 2.47. The levels for the original prepared Hap-gel were Ca[++]; 60 atomic% and P+; 40 atomic%. It was deduced that exposure of the Hap-gel to Al+had a further damaging effect on the pre-irradiated Hap-gel composition in addition to the damaging effect that the electron beam used induced on the samples. it could be concluded that electron beams and Al+ have an injurious effect on human bone tissue taking into consideration the similarity in composition between Hap-gel and bones. Therefore, this study could be beneficial in the field of osteoporosis research and assist the understanding of the effects of radiation such as that of electron beams and some pollutants such as aluminium present in running water on the health of human bone tissue

TRPC signaling mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities: trapdoors are monitored by gatekeepers

This Review summarizes our current state of knowledge of the functional role of TRPC channels in health and disease, with particular emphasis on current advancements in the field. Additionally, this review provides an up-to-date summary of SKF-96365 acting on TRPC channels, and discusses strategies to further investigate the potential of these channels for therapeutic intervention

Medical and dental health status of orphan children in central Saudi Arabia

To evaluate the medical and dental health status of orphan children from 4 to 12-years-old, and compare them with children living with their parents. This analytical, cross-sectional study took place in 3 government orphanages and 3 ordinary schools in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from July 2011 to January 2012. All orphans aged 4-12 year were selected [N=90]. Ninety children living with their parents were selected randomly to serve as the controls. Demographic data, medical, and dental history were obtained through a questionnaire answered by the orphans' foster mothers and childrens' parents. The study groups were examined to evaluate their caries status using the Decayed-Missing and-Filled Teeth/ Surface indices [DMFT/DMFS] for permanent teeth and [dmft/dmfs] for primary teeth. Oral hygiene status [OHI], plaque deposition [PI], and gingival health [GI] were also assessed. Pearson Chi-square, Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for statistical analysis. Approximately 36% of the orphans had medical conditions compared to 14.4% of the control children. The control children visited the dentist more than the orphans [p<0.001]. Approximately 96% of the orphans had dental caries compared to 90% of the control children [p<0.001]. Decayed-missing and-filled teeth/surface index scores were higher among orphans [p=0.004] compared to the control children [p<0.001]. Orphans scored higher in PI [p=0.009], GI [p=0.002], and OHI [p<0.001]. Medical health conditions were more prevalent among orphans living in government orphanages, but they were provided with good and continuous medical care. However, they had more dental caries and worse oral hygiene, as dental care was provided to them only in case of emergency

Prevalence and factors associated with diabetic retinopathy, a multi-centric study in Kuwait

Diabetic retinopathy [DR] remains one of the major causes of vision loss and blindness in young adults despite the availability of effective treatment. To determine the prevalence of DR among adult diabetic patients attending primary health care centers in Kuwait and to identify factors that could be associated with DR. The current study is a part of a larger multi-centric one. The first phase of the study is a cross sectional one to determine the prevalence of DR among diabetic patients attending the selected primary health care centers. The second one was a nested case-control study, whereas all patients with DR [case group n = 216] were compared with all other diabetic patients without DR [control group n = 488] to determine the associated factors with cases. A pre-designed questionnaire included socio-demographic, clinical data, in addition to health care characteristics and personal practice. Basic univariate analyses were followed by multiple logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of DR among adult diabetic patients attending primary health care centers was 43.6%. Of the personal factors examined, age was the only significant determinant of DR [OR = 2.2, 95% CI: 1.1 - 5.2] and [OR = 4.6, 95% CI: 2.0 - 11.0] for age groups 50 - 59 and > 60 as compared with those < 40 years respectively. Among clinical factors, patients with type 2 - insulin treated diabetes were more prone to have DR [OR = 8.0, 95% CI: 3.5 - 19.4]. Duration of diabetes was a significant predictor of DR [OR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.61 - 4.2] and [OR = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.5 - 5.5] for a duration of 10 - 19 and > 20 years as compared with < 10 years respectively. Also, poor glycemic state and uncontrolled hypertension were associated factors [OR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.2 - 2.8] and [OR = 3.1, 95% CI: 2.0 - 4.9] respectively. Cardiovascular complications, neuropathy, nephropathy and diabetic foot were significantly associated with DR. Within patients' practice, regular follow-up was proved to be a protective factor [OR = 0.5, 95% CI: 0.3 - 0.8] Regular follow-up is the strongest modifiable risk factor for DR. Old patients with longer duration of diabetes particularly those having other types of long term diabetic complications and on insulin therapy are more prone and should be regularly screened for DR

Utility of hydrazonoyl halides as precursors for synthesis of novel antitumor pyrazolo [3,4-d] pyrimidine derivatives

Novel substituted pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-4,6-dione [5a-j] have been prepared by reacting 1,3-dimethylbarbituric acid 1 with hydrazonoyl chloride [2a-j].The cytotoxicity [SRB assay using tumor cells] of compounds 5c,e against liver [HEPG2] and breast carcinoma [MCF7] cell lines revealed that 5c was more efficient than the standard drug [Doxorubicin]

one pot regioselective synthesis of new functionalized derivatives of [1, 2, 4] triazolo

Reaction of S-cyano-6-aryl-2-thiouracil 1A-C or its methylthio derivatives 2A-C with hydrazonoyl chlorides 3a-h led to the formation of 7-atyl-6-cyano-1, 2, 4-triazolo [4, 3-alpha] pyrimidin-5 [1H]-one derivatives 8. The mechanism and the regioselectivity of the studied reactions were discussed with the help of the given X-ray crystallographic data

Gene expression profiling in women with breast cancer in a Saudi population

To generate consensus gene expression profiles of invasive breast tumors from a small cohort of Saudi females, and to explore the possibility that they may be broadly conserved between Caucasian and Middle Eastern populations. This study was performed at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from January 2005 to January 2007. Gene expression profiles were generated from 38 invasive breast tumors, and 8 tumor adjacent tissues [TATs] using BD Atlas cDNA expression arrays containing 1176 genes. Results were confirmed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, and analyzed by 2-dimensional unsupervised hierarchical clustering. The analysis identified 48 differentially expressed genes in tumors from which 25 are already reported by various western studies. Forty-three of these genes were also differentially expressed in TATs. The same data set has been able to distinguish between tumors and the TATs, interestingly by using only 4 of the differentially expressed genes. Moreover, we were able to group the patients according to prognosis to an extent by hierarchical clustering. Our results indicate that expression profiles between Saudi females with breast cancer and the Caucasian population are conserved to some extent, and can be used to classify patients according to prognostic groups. We also suggest 3 differentially-expressed genes [IGHG3, CDK6, and RPS9] in tumors may have a novel role in breast cancer. In addition, the role of TATs is much more essential in breast cancer, and needs to be explored thoroughly

Photochemical synthesis and antimicrobial activities of 1 -phenyl-3-[2-thienyl]-pyrazoline derivatives

Irradiation of 2-phenyl-5-[2-thienyi]-tetrazole 1 with acrylate derivatives 2A-E [molar ratio 1:1] in anhydrous benzene gave the corresponding title compounds 1-phenyl-3-[2-thienyl]-pyrazoline derivatives 4A-E as end products. The mechanism and the regiochemistry of the studied reactions are discussed

Endocarditis caused by Abiotrophia defectiva

A 35-year-old man with pre-existing rheumatic heart disease and aortic regurgitation [AR] presented with intermittent fever, ankle swelling and clinical evidence of endocarditis. Transoesophageal echocardiogram [TEE] revealed vegetations and destruction of the aortic valve [AV]. Blood cultures grew a gram positive coccobacillus which was phenotypically identified as Abiotrophia defectvia [A.defectiva]. A diagnosis of infective endocarditis [IE] due to A.defectiva was made. Treatment, with penicillin and gentamicin, was administered for 4 weeks. Mechanical valve replacement was required few days after starting the antibiotic therapy. The patient had a favorable outcome on follow up. Although A.defectiva is an uncommon cause of endocarditis, early and correct identification of this pathogen is important to improve the outcome and the prognosis of patients with IE due to this organism

Gene expression profiles of the flbroblasts from breast tumors and normal tissue compared with the tumor expression profiles

The study was designed to examine whether the gene expression profiles of fibroblast cell lines, established from the tumor and the normal tissue from the same breast, exhibit any similarities with the profiles of the original tissues. Fibroblast cell lines were established from invasive ductal carcinoma [IDC] and ductal carcinoma in situ [DCIS] of the breast and the adjacent normal tissues. Isolated total RNA from the cell lines and tissues were used to prepare labeled cDNA which was hybridized to Becton Dickinson Atlas TM microarrays for obtaining profiles of expressed genes. The profiles of tumors and cell lines were compared. This study was carried out at King Faisal specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during 2004 and 2005. Alterations of expression of most of the genes in the tissues were not detectable in the cell lines. The expression of a lower number of genes was altered in DCIS compared with that in IDC tumors. Although the fibroblasts discharge important functions, their gene expression profiles do not represent the breast tissue to the extent that any prognostic decisions could be made

Comprehensive dental treatment of healthy and medically compromised children under general anesthesia

This study was conducted to compare the pattern of dental treatment under general anesthesia [GA] for healthy and medically compromised children. One hundred and seventy five dental records of patients who had comprehensive dental care under GA were reviewed at the College of Dentistry, King Saud University [KSU], Riyadh, Saudia Arabia from 1994 to 2004. The records showed that a total of 95 healthy children and 80 medically compromised children were treated during this period. The mean number of dental procedures [15.6] for healthy child was significantly higher than the medically compromised child [14.0]. A significantly greater number of extractions were carried out in medically compromised children. The number of composite and stainless steel crown restorations and pulpal procedures was significantly greater in healthy children, while the number of amalgam restorations and sealants was significantly higher in medically compromised children. It was concluded that while dental treatment under GA is beneficial to both uncooperative young healthy children and medically compromised children, the underlying medical conditions influenced the pattern of dental treatment when provided under GA

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases [ESBLs]: a global problem

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases [ESBL[s]] constitute a growing class of plasmid-mediated beta-lactamases which confer resistance to broad spectrum beta-lactam antibiotics. They are commonly expressed by Enterobacteriaceae but the species of organisms producing these enzymes are increasing and this is a cause for great concern. The prevalence of ESBL - producing organisms is increasing worldwide and several outbreaks have been reported. Serious infections with these organisms are associated with high mortality rates as therapeutic options are limited. The emergence of ESBLs creates a real challenge for both clinical microbiology laboratories and clinicians because of their dynamic evolution and epidemiology, wide substrate specificity with its therapeutic implications, their significant diagnostic challenges and their prevention and infection control issues. The aim of this review is to increase awareness about this serious antibiotic resistance threat

Distribution of c and ida species among bloodstream isolates

To identify the distribution of C and ida species causing bloodstream infections. This study was conducted at the Armed Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. All cases of c and idemia from the period 1996 through to 2002 were retrospectively identified through the records from the Department of Clinical Microbiology. Two hundred and ninety-four c and idemic episodes were identified, 176 [59.9%] occurred in the intensive care units [ICUs], 32 [10.9%] medical, 30 [10.2%] surgical wards, 24 [8%] from patients with hematologic malignancies and 15 [5%] from pediatric wards. C and ida albicans [C. albicans] was the most frequently isolated species with 149 [50.7%] cases, followed by C and ida tropicalis [C. tropicalis] 61 [20.7%], C and ida parapsilosis 32 [10.9%], C and ida krusei [C. krusei] 23 [7.8%] and C and ida glabrata 21 [7.1%]. Other species were not common. There is an increase in the proportion of non C. albicans species as the causative agents of c and idemia. In certain clinical settings, non C. albicans species predominate as in the Adult General Intensive Care Unit with C. tropicalis as the most common. While in patients with hematologic malignancies, C. krusei species is the most common. These findings reinforce the need for continued and active surveillance programs to address the changes in the species distribution among c and idal bloodstream isolates which will help to develop effective, preventive and therapeutic strategies

Antimicrobial susceptiblity pattern of clinical isolates of pseudomonas aeruginosa

To determine the level of resistance to the widely used antipseudomonal antibiotics in clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa [P. aeruginosa]. The microbiology database of all clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa at the Armed Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from January 1999 to December 1999 was reviewed. The antimicrobial susceptibilities were determined by a standardized method. Seven hundred and four P. aeruginosa isolates were tested. These strains were commonly isolated from surgical patients followed by intensive care units. Respiratory tract was the most common source of isolation. The antibiotic susceptibility rates were as follows: ciprofloxacin 92.2%, meropenem 91.6%, imipenem 90.2%, amikacin 85.8%, ceftazidime 81.8% piperacillin/tazobactam 81.3% and gentamicin 77.7%. Among 704 strains 6.4% were designated as being multidrug resistant. These were commonly isolated from respiratory tract specimens of patients in intensive care units. The clinical significance of these findings is important in the selection of appropriate empiric treatment of serious P. aeruginosa infections. It emphasizes the importance of a conservative approach to antibiotic therapy and continued antimicrobial susceptibility testing surveillance programs to curtail the problem of antibiotic resistance

Clinical profile of patients operated for benign adnexal tumors and the histopathological types

To study the clinical presentation of patients with benign adnexal tumors who had surgical management and the histopathological types of the tumors. Retrospective data were collected on 110 patients who underwent surgery for benign adnexal tumor from January 1999 through to April 2002, in Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Sultanate of Oman. The histopathological types of the tumors were also studied. Abdominal pain was the commonest presenting symptom in 65% of the patients followed by abnormalities of vaginal bleeding. Most of the patients were managed by laparotomy and ovarian cystectomy. The commonest histopathological type was benign mature teratoma in 28% of the patients. Benign mature teratoma was the commonest histopathological type. Most of the patients had laparotomy; ovarian cystectomy and recurrences were few

Study of HER2/neu status in Qatari women with breast carcinoma

The study is aimed at determining the prevalence of HER2/neu overexpression in Qatari women with breast cancer and to assess the survival in patients with HER2/neu positive tumors. This is a retrospective study of clinical data of 70 Qatari female patients diagnosed with breast cancer during the period 1991 through to 2001, at Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar. We also performed a retrospective review of breast tissue sample for those patients using paraffin sections and applying immunohistochemistry staining-[Hercep test [DAKO Inc]] to determine the HER2/neu status. Eighteen patients [26%] were HER2/neu positive [2+ and 3+] with a mean age at diagnosis of 49.3years, and 52 [74%] were negative [0 and 1+] with mean age at diagnosis of 46.6 years. Of the patients with positive HER2/neu, 5 [28%] had a relapse of the disease and 4 [22%] died of the disease during follow up. Of the patients with HER2/neu, negative test 9 [17%] had a relapse of the disease and 10 [19%] died of the disease. The median survival function at mean of covariates for HER2/neu positive patients was 26 months, and for HER2/NEU negative patients was 28 months. The prevalence of HER2/neu over expression in Qatari female with breast cancer in this study is 26%, but due to a small sample size it may not reflect really the prevalence. Patient with HER2/neu positive were older at diagnosis than patients with HER2/neu negative, also they had higher relapse rate and mortality. Median survival function was better for HER2/neu negative patients

Urinary calculi and pattern of fertility among women: a retrospective study

The aim of this study is to reveal the relationship between urolithiasis and pattern of fertility among women as indicated by the age at first pregnancy, the number of pregnancies and the use of contraceptive pills as well as to determine the lateralization of stone. The study was conducted on 250 female patients suffering from urinary stones and a similar number of control randomly selected from the same hospital. Data were obtained by an interviewing questionnaire. The study demonstrated that the mean number of pregnancies of cases is significantly higher than that of control [t = 3.5797]. However, history of pregnancy, the age at first pregnancy and the duration of use of contraceptive pills are not significantly related to urolithiasis [X[2] = 0.3415, 0.7688 and 1.5120 respectively]. Right side stone are more encountered in cases with history of pregnancy than those who have never been pregnant

Risk of occupational eye injury

Occupational eye injury is one of the common injuries occurring at work. This research used the matched pair case control esign to study 377 pairs of workers. The maximum likelihood estimate of the odds ratio was utilized to statistically evaluate the findings. The results indicated that young age [less than 25 years], inexperience at present work chronic illness, performing unusual tasks and failure to use safety goggles were significant risk factors for occupational eye injury