Exploring the anthelmintic activity of Olea europaea L (Olive) leaves extract and oleuropein in mice naturally infected with Aspiculuris tetraptera.

Oxyuriasis, caused by the nematode Enterobius vermicularis, is one of the cosmopolitan intestinal infections of humans. Aspiculuris tetraptera commonly infects mice and it is morphologically similar to E. vermicularis. Parasitic resistance reduces the efficiency of synthetic drugs and poses economic impacts on the dairy sector, thus necessitating novel anthelmintic agents. Olea europaea L. (Olive) is a bioactive plant with potent pharmacological activities. However, its effects on oxyurids are poorly known, and no studies are currently exploring olives' anthelmintic potential. In this study, we investigated the pharmacokinetic behaviors of O. europaea leaves extract (OLE) and its phenolic compound oleuropein in mice infected with A. tetraptera, in comparison with Albendazole (ABZ), a standard drug used to treat parasitic worms. Fecal flotation method was used to identify the infestation with A. tetraptera eggs by examining the stool samples from mice. Infected animals were divided into 7 groups. 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, and 1000 mg/kg doses of OLE, 5 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg doses of oleuropein, 10 mg/kg of ABZ and tap water were orally administered by gavage for 7 days during treatments. Drug efficacies and statistical differences between the treatments and controls were evaluated. Our results revealed 92.43 % efficacy of ABZ, similar to 92.19 % efficacy of 1000 mg/kg of OLE. At the same time, 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg concentrations of OLE remained 70.03 % and 63.18 % effective in reducing worm counts. Efficacy percentages of 5 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg of oleuropein were 9.27 % and 70.56 %, respectively. Statistical analysis of ABZ was significant compared to 1000 mg/kg of OLE, which was almost equal but insignificant. In general, our results confirm the anthelmintic potential of OLE and oleuropein against mice pinworms and open the way for targeted extraction of bioactive compounds from plants to optimize its use in human and veterinary medicine.

The effect of photodynamic therapy on the salivary flow rate, IgA concentration and C-reactive protein levels in active smokers: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on the salivary flow rate, secretory immunoglobulin A, and C-reactive protein levels in active smokers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The present study is a prospective case-control study. Twenty active smokers were allocated to two groups randomly of ten participants each: the experimental group was irradiated while the control was exposed to sham irradiation by turning off the equipment. In the experimental group, methylene blue mediated PDT was applied both intra- and extra-orally over the major and minor salivary glands using a diode laser. 780 nm wavelength and 4 J/cm2 of energy were used to irradiate the 10 points of major salivary glands (6 for parotid and 2 for submandibular glands and 2 for sublingual glands). On the other hand, 660 nm was used to apply 10 J/cm2 of energy over the minor salivary glands at numerous points. The samples of the stimulated and unstimulated saliva were collected from both groups to assess the SFR. ELISA method was used to assess the level of salivary IgA levels, statistical analysis was done using a one-way ANOVA, and a p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The results showed a significant increment in salivary and secretory immunoglobulin A levels of subjects undergone photodynamic therapy. C-reactive protein levels were significantly decreased in subjects exposed to irradiation. CONCLUSIONS: The present study concludes that photodynamic therapy significantly improves the salivary flow rate, secretory Immunoglobulin A, and oral health quality of life in smokers. The inflammatory salivary marker C-reactive protein, which is usually raised in smokers, is also reduced.

Association of HMGBP1 expression with clinical periimplant parameters among smokers and never-smokers with and without peri-implantitis.

OBJECTIVE: With our study we aimed at investigating the levels of high mobility group box chromosomal protein-1 (HMGB-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-1ß in periimplant crevicular fluid (PICF) of smokers and never-smokers, with and without periimplantitis, and correlate these levels with the clinical and radiographic periimplant parameters. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Sixty participants (n=15/group) were recruited and divided into 4 groups: cigarette smokers with periimplantitis (CSPI); cigarette smokers without periimplantitis (CSNPI); never-smokers with periimplantitis (NSPI); and never-smokers without periimplantitis (NSNPI). Clinical and radiographic periimplant parameters, including plaque scores (PS), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD) and crestal bone level (CBL), were assessed. Crevicular levels of HMGB-1, TNF-α, and IL-1ß were quantified using human enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. p-values were generated using Kruskal-Wallis' test for comparison between the study groups, while correlations between HMGB-1, TNF-α, IL-1ß levels and clinical variables were analyzed using Spearman rank correlation coefficient analysis. RESULTS: Bleeding on probing was least in NSNPI and CSNPI followed by CSPI and NSPI (p<0.05). The highest PD and CBL was recorded for CSPI and NSPI groups, while the least PD and CBL were recorded among non-periimplantitis groups. HMGB-1 and IL-1ß were found to be significantly highest in CSPI groups followed by NSPI and CSNPI groups with no statistically significant difference between CSPI and NSPI groups (p<0.05). CSPI groups reported the highest TNF-α levels in the PICF in comparison to other groups (p<0.05). A significant negative correlation was observed between plaque scores (p=0.0187) and CBL (p=0.0049) in NSNPI and CSPI groups with HMGB-1, respectively. A significant positive correlation was seen for HMGB-1 in groups CSPI (p=0.0023) and NSPI (p=0.0018) for BOP. In CSPI group, a significant positive correlation was observed between TNF-α and PD (p=0.0443). On correlating IL-1ß, a significant positive correlation was observed for CBL in CSPI (p=0.0006) and NSPI (p=0.0275) groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: HMGB-1 could play a significant role in periimplant inflammatory response and inflammation. Higher crevicular fluid HMGB-1 levels are indicative of a possible surrogate biomarker for peri-implantitis.

Natural and synthetic photosensitizers activated by photodynamic therapy on enamel reconditioning rebonded to metallic brackets: an in vitro study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the bond efficacy and failure rates of rebonded metallic brackets after enamel reconditioning with chemical 37% phosphoric acid (PA) and natural and synthetic photosensitizers activated by PDT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50 non-cavitated, and cautiously extracted human premolars were congregated after sample size calculation. The enamel exterior was etched, washed, dried for adhesive application, and cured. Metallic brackets were then oriented and adapted to enamel surface using composite. Later, brackets were debonded from the surface via a Weingart plier. Enamel was finished for ensuing surface reconditioning. Ultimately, specimens were randomly distributed into five groups (n=10). Enamel surface before rebonding was reconditioned with curcumin photosensitizer (CP), riboflavin photosensitizer (RP), rose bengal photosensitizer (RBP), methylene blue photosensitizer (MBP), and 37% PA (control) respectively. After following reconditioning protocol, brackets were rebonded to the enamel exterior employing a composite adhesive system. Then, specimens were subjected to the universal testing machine for analyzing shear bond strength (SBS), and bond failures were predicted using an ARI index. One-way ANOVA and Tukey multiple comparison tests were used for statistical analysis at a variance value of p < 0.05. RESULTS: Enamel reconditioned with 37% PA demonstrated the highest SBS for bracket rebonding, and the lowest SBS was presented by CP actuated by PDT. Enamel reconditioned with RP and RBP corroborated the analogous SBS outcome to 37% PA. Likewise, enamel surface treatment with MBP revealed a statistically significant result to CP for metallic bracket rebonding. The most prevalent failure scores anticipated among groups were 0 and 1 indicating an adhesive failure with the exemption of group 5 (control) that encountered more score 2 cohesive failure on debonding metallic brackets from enamel exterior. CONCLUSIONS: Rose bengal and riboflavin photosensitizers activated by photodynamic therapy with low ARI scores have the potential to be used as viable enamel reconditioning alternatives to 37% phosphoric acid for rebonding metallic brackets.

Association of Hypothyroidism with Body Mass Index, Systolic Blood Pressure and Proteinuria in Diabetic Patients: Does treated Hypothyroidism with Thyroxine Replacement Therapy Prevent Nephropathy/Chronic Renal Disease?

Untreated or sub-clinical hypothyroidism is associated with insulin resistance, obesity, adverse effects on cardiovascular system, hypertension and in turn risk of nephropathy. However, these changes are reversible with thyroxine replacement therapy (TRT). Current research studied 4235 diabetic patients, divided into two groups, those with clinical hypothyroidism /on TRT, compared to those without thyroid disease or undiagnosed. BMI, blood pressure, creatinine, urine microalbumin and spot urine protein levels were compared between these two groups. Study finding demonstrated that for hypothyroid cases, BMI was higher (32.2 ± 7.44 versus 29.4 ± 5.7; p < 0.0001), serum creatinine was on lower levels (0.75 ± 0.27 versus 1.0 ± 0.74; p = 0.001), systolic BP was on lower side (123.7 ± 15.9 versus 128.13 ± 16.8; p= 0.015); spot urine microalbumin was on lower side (52.58 ± 71.65; versus 87.77 ± 140.86; p=0.010) and spot urine protein had lower levels (25.3 ± 38.3 versus 44.28 ± 123.58; p < 0.0001). Current research also demonstrated that Pearson`s x2 and odds/protective odds for hypothyroidism (on TRT) was strongly associated with obesity (p <0.0001; odds ratio 2.28, 95% CI 1.47 to 3.56). However, they were protected from HTN (p= 0.272; protective odds ratio 1.28, 95%CI 0.824 to 1.98), nephropathy (p=0.386; protective odds 1.36, 95% CI 0.861 to 2.14) and chronic renal disease (p= 0.112; protective odds 3.42, 95% CI 0.83 to 14.13). In conclusion, TRT itself has protective effects on cardiovascular and renal system. Hence, thyroid screening is essential among diabetics to detect sub clinical or clinical hypothyroidism.

Correlation of Urine Biomarkers: Microalbuminuria and Spot Urine Protein among Diabetic Patients. Application of Spot Urine Protein in Diabetic Kidney Disease, Nephropathy, Proteinuria Estimation, Diagnosing and Monitoring.

Current study has invented a new method for utilizing spot urine protein among diabetic patients. There have been various efforts and strategies in research internationally to detect, diagnose and monitor nephropathy/DKD. Although 24-hour urine studies are gold standard, however, there exist some controversies about microalbuminuria and spot urine protein. The current study was designed to utilize spot urine protein among diabetic patients and to find its association with routine dipstick urine test for albumin, and microalbuminuria. The study demonstrated significant association of spot urine protein with urine dipstick albumin, and has demonstrated increasing spot urine protein with increasing albumin in urine (p-value < 0.0001). This study also demonstrated significantly higher levels of spot urine protein between the groups with nephropathy/DKD as compared to those without nephropathy/DKD (p-value < 0.0001). Similarly, spot urine protein and spot urine protein/creatinine were also significantly associated with microalbumin and microalbumin/creatinine in urine. Significant regression models for spot urine protein and microalbuminuria were also developed and proposed to detect and estimate microalbumin in urine while utilizing spot urine protein (< 0.0001). Synthesized regression equations and models can be used confidently to detect, rule out and monitor proteinuria and DKD. ROC curves were utilized to detect spot urine protein cutoff points for nephropathy and DKD with high specificity and sensitivity. Some important patents were also discussed in the paper regarding albuminuria/proteinuria detection and management. Current study has demonstrated and concluded, for the first time, that there exists a significant association of spot urine protein with routine dipstick albumin in urine and microalbuminuria. It is also essential to detect early, monitor and manage proteinuria, hypertension and dyslipidemia with good glycemic control to prevent diabetes complications.

Effect of fasting ramadan in diabetes control status - application of extensive diabetes education, serum creatinine with HbA1c statistical ANOVA and regression models to prevent hypoglycemia.

Ramadan fasting is an obligatory duty for Muslims. Unique physiologic and metabolic changes occur during fasting which requires adjustments of diabetes medications. Although challenging, successful fasting can be accomplished if pre-Ramadan extensive education is provided to the patients. Current research was conducted to study effective Ramadan fasting with different OHAs/insulins without significant risk of hypoglycemia in terms of HbA1c reductions after Ramadan. ANOVA model was used to assess HbA1c levels among different education statuses. Serum creatinine was used to measure renal functions. Pre-Ramadan diabetes education with alteration of therapy and dosage adjustments for OHAs/insulin was done. Regression models for HbA1c before Ramadan with FBS before sunset were also synthesized as a tool to prevent hypoglycemia and successful Ramadan fasting in future. Out of 1046 patients, 998 patients fasted successfully without any episodes of hypoglycemia. 48 patients (4.58%) experienced hypoglycemia. Χ(2) Test for CRD/CKD with hypoglycemia was also significant (p-value < 0.001). Significant associations and linear regression were found for HbA1c and sunset FBS; RBS post-dawn with RBS mid-day and FBS at sunset. The proposed regression models of this study can be used as a guide in future for Ramadan diabetes management. Some relevant patents are also outlined in this paper.

Management of type-1 and type-2 diabetes by insulin injections in diabetology clinics - a scientific research review.

Better control of the diabetic metabolic state will prevent the diabetes complications. However in current clinical practice, it is sometimes difficult to achieve this goal. Additionally, physicians find themselves in an equivocal position to initiate insulin therapy, its selection, combining with Oral agents and further management. The current article was written to focus on diabetes pathogenesis at molecular level, its classification and management by insulin injections. Knowledge of basic biochemistry, pharmacology with kinetics of Insulin is essential for diabetes management. Nonetheless, it should be a priority to search for evidence based clinical methodologies for selecting the patients for initiating, modifying or combining the insulin therapy. Type-1 diabetic patients are best controlled on basal bolus insulin regimens. However in type-2 diabetes, metformin with lifestyle modifications should be the first line therapy, thereafter combined with oral hypoglycemic agents or shifting to insulin gradually if diabetes remains uncontrolled. Metformin is recommended to be prescribed with insulin as compared to oral hypoglycemic agents which should be discontinued while starting insulin. Monitoring the insulin therapy on regular visits to diabetologist and diabetes multidisciplinary team remains the integral part of diabetes management. The review also outlines relevant and recent insulin analogue patents for the management of Diabetes.

Lead in blood and tissues of mice after administration of low lead doses.

Lead levels in whole blood could be determined reliably up to a lower limit of 2 micrograms/100 ml blood, using a modified micromethod of the graphite tube furnace technique. Lead contents of various tissues were also determined by using the automated graphite tube furnace after wet ashing of the organs with nitric acid in autoclaves. Animal experiments with mice showed no measurable increase in blood lead level after a single, 10- or 30-days oral administration of lead in doses of 10--1000 micrograms lead acetate/kg body weight/day. However, these doses led to a rise in tissue lead content. There was a clear dependence of tissue lead content on type of organ examined, lead dose and duration of lead exposure. According to our experiments, the threshold dose which leads to a long-term increase in tissue lead content is assumed to be about 100 micrograms lead acetate/kg body weight/day, orally administered.