THE IMPACT OF ALOE VERA GEL ON REMINERALIZATION OF THE TOOTH AND ITS EFFECT AGAINST ENTEROCOCCUS FAECALIS: AN IN VITRO STUDY.

The Aloe vera plant is a cactus-like plant in the Liliacea family that has been known and utilized for its medical benefits. It has been attempted to be used as a remineralizing agent and shows an antibacterial effect. Aim of the study - assessment of the remineralizing effect of solution of saturated Aloe vera gel compared to distal water by microhardness Vickers test and Densometric X-Ray Analysis and effect of Aloe vera gel against Enterococcus faecalis. 10 extracted permanent molars were used in this in vitro study. each tooth enrolls in Teflon tape and only the enamel of the occlusal surface was exposed to a demineralizing solution (acid etch) for 45 seconds in-vitro and randomly assigned to two groups: Group 1 was treated with distal water; group 2 was treated with Aloe vera gel. All groups except the control baseline group were treated with their respective remineralizing solution for 10 days. Vicker's Microhardness Number (VHN) and Densometric X-Ray Analysis were carried out at baseline, post-demineralization and later post 10 days of remineralization. The antibacterial effect of Aloe vera gel was assessed by the disc diffusion method. The filter paper was immersed in 20µl of different concentrations of Aloe vera gel extract as fresh Aloe vera (100 %) and (50 % and 25 %) diluted with de-ionized water after that the disc was distributed in a plate containing the E. faecalis. Antibiotics disc of Augmentin (Amoxicillin and Clavulanic acid 30ug) were also poured in the same plate and incubated at 37°C for 24 hours and the zone of inhibition of antibiotic was measured for comparison with a zone of inhibition of filter paper saturated with Aloe vera gel. Densitometric X-Ray Analysis and Microhardness Number (VHN) evaluation showed improvement in the enamel density and the surface hardness after remineralization. The mean value in the group treated with Aloe vera solution was higher than the recorded mean value for the group treated with distal water. There was a significant difference between Aloe vera solution and distal water. Significant (p-value≤0.05) after 10 days. The antibacterial effect showed that E. faecalis was resistant to Aloe vera gel in different concentrations compared with Augmentin (Amoxicillin and Clavulanic acid 30ug). Aloe vera gel could be used for caries prevention in terms of safety and efficiency. While E. faecalis show resistance activity against Aloe vera gel.

EVALUATION OF PAIN-KILLING ACTION OF ACETYLSALICYLIC ACID NANOPARTICLES ON THERMAL NOCICEPTION IN MICE.

Pain is a common experience that can range from mild annoyance to debilitating agony. As such, finding effective ways to relieve pain is a crucial aspect of healthcare. Aspirin, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is a commonly used analgesic that works by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, which are responsible for causing pain. However, the effectiveness of aspirin can be influenced by various factors, including the form in which it is administered. The current study aimed to compare the effects of aspirin's ordinary particles and nanoparticles as an analgesic utilizing the hot plate method in topical formulations (gel, ointment, cream). The study employed 120 albino mice, all males, divided into six groups. In the three groups, aspirin was topically applied using various formulations (gel, cream, and ointment, respectively) and concentrations (0.25, 0.5, and 1%). The same composition and concentration of aspirin nanoparticles were administered to the other three groups. The reaction time was assessed after aspirin was topically applied at 2-, 10-, 20-, 30-, 40-, 50- and 60-minute intervals. Extended delay durations in comparison to control values were used to express the ant-nociceptive effects of aspirin. The results of the study showed that aspirin nanoparticles produced the best analgesic impact, followed by the cream and then the ointment, according to the data. This suggests that the form in which aspirin is administered can significantly influence its effectiveness as an analgesic. The use of nanoparticles may increase the bioavailability of aspirin, allowing it to be more efficiently absorbed by the body and produce a more significant analgesic effect. Overall, the study's findings suggest that aspirin nanoparticles may be a more effective form of aspirin for pain relief than ordinary particles. Further research is needed to explore the potential benefits and drawbacks of this form of aspirin and determine its efficacy in human subjects. Nevertheless, the current study provides valuable insights into the factors that can influence the effectiveness of aspirin as an analgesic and may inform future developments in pain management.

The Association of Helmet Use with the Occurrence of Maxillofacial Injuries Following Bicycle or Scooter Accidents: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Study Design: Retrospective Cohort Study. Objective: Yearly, bicycle and scooter accidents in the Netherlands amount to 90 thousand emergency department visits. Maxillofacial injuries are common after cycling or scooter accidents. To prevent these injuries, helmet use might be beneficial. However, the effect of helmet use on maxillofacial injuries remains unclear. The aim of this retrospective study is to assess the effect of helmet use on maxillofacial injuries in patients who had a bicycle or scooter accident. Methods: We collected data from the emergency department of the Erasmus Medical Center in the period from October 2017 to October 2019. Patients that were involved in a bicycle or scooter accident and subsequently received a CT scan of the head were included. We compared the incidence of maxillofacial injuries in helmeted cyclists and scooter users to non-helmeted users. Descriptive and analytic statistics were computed. Level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Helmet use among scooter users was associated with a significant reduction in maxillofacial fractures (p < 0.001) and soft tissue injuries (p < 0.001). Helmet use among cyclists was not associated with a reduction in maxillofacial fractures (p = 0.17) or soft tissue injuries (p = 0.30). Helmet use was not associated with a reduction in soft tissue injuries of the lower face in both cyclists (p = 0.47) and scooter users (p = 0.24). Conclusions: Helmet use should be considered among cyclists and scooter users to prevent maxillofacial injuries. Especially unhelmeted scooter users might benefit from helmet use as this is associated with a lower incidence of maxillofacial injuries.

Haplotype analysis of a BRCA1: 185delAG mutation in a Chilean family supports its Ashkenazi origins.

At least 25% of Ashkenazi Jewish families with two or more cases of premenopausal breast cancers are attributable to one of three founder mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2. As these three founder mutations are common in the Ashkenazi Jewish population ( approximately 2.5%) and can easily be tested for in a multiplex assay, establishing ethnicity can expedite genetic testing. It is not always possible, however, to conclusively establish ethnicity before offering testing. We report here the occurrence of a founder Ashkenazi Jewish BRCA1 mutation, 185delAG (also known as 187delAG), in a non-Jewish Chilean family with no reported Jewish ancestry. The linked haplotype present in this family was identical to that identified in the Ashkenazi Jewish population. This case report not only illustrates the problem of the definition of ethnicity but also points to the possibility of further studies of the frequency of founder Ashkenazi Jewish mutations in populations not generally considered to be of Ashkenazi Jewish origin.

Phenotype of a patient with pure partial trisomy 2p(p23-->pter).

We present the case of a 7-month-old girl with the karyotype 46,XX, der(13) t(2;13)(p23;p11.2).ish der(13)(wcp2+) de novo. Painting confirmed that the additional segment on 13p was of chromosome 2 origin, resulting in trisomy 2p23 -->2pter. The child had a prominent forehead with a flat hemangioma, depressed nasal bridge, protruding tongue, posteriorly angulated ears, esotropia with poor abduction of the right eye, bilateral severe myopia (-5.5 D), retinal hypopigmentation, foveal hypoplasia, and striking left optic nerve hypoplasia. She also had pectus excavatum, a protruding abdomen with diastasis recti, generalized hypotonia, delayed fine and gross motor development, grade II reflux on the left side, and grade III-IV reflux on the right side. An EEG showed epileptiform discharges. Computed tomographic scan of the brain showed decreased white matter, but magnetic resonance imaging showed normal results.

Evidence that recipient CD8+ T cell depletion does not alter development of chronic vascular rejection in a rat heart allograft model.

Progressive chronic vascular rejection is a central feature of indefinitely surviving WF.1L LEW/Gut (RT1(1)) heart grafts transplanted to LEW (RT1(1)) recipients in unmodified donor-recipient combinations. At 70 days posttransplantation, large vessels of the grafts are characterized by the presence of vasculitis, vasculitis with associated variable myointimal thickening, and occlusive myointimal thickening with minimal or absent concomitant vasculitis. To assess the potential role of CD8+ T cells as critical effectors of chronic vascular rejection in this model, LEW recipients of WF.1L heart grafts were effectively depleted of CD8+ T cells as a result of prior thymectomy and anti-CD8 (MRC OX8) monoclonal antibody administration prior to transplantation. WF.1L heart grafts transplanted to LEW recipients that had undergone prior sham thymectomy and MRC OX8 administration, or thymectomy and administration of antibody-free culture supernatant, provided appropriate controls. At 70 days posttransplantation, large vessels of WF.1L heart grafts in all 3 transplantation groups showed similar morphologic features, which were comparable to those observed in heart grafts of long-surviving unmodified donor-recipient pairs. This study has shown that profound selective depression of recipient CD8+ T cells does not alter the characteristic features of chronic vascular rejection in this rat cardiac model, and provides evidence that CD8+ T cells play no critical role in the initiation or development of progressive vascular damage in this setting.

Association between HLA-DR antigens and rheumatoid arthritis in Arabs.

Eighty five Arab patients with classical and definite rheumatoid arthritis were typed to determine the prevalence of HLA A, B, C, and DR antigens. A significant increase in the prevalence of HLA-A10, B8, B21, and DR3 was found in comparison with a control population matched for age and sex. HLA-DR5 was significantly decreased in the patient group. The classical association of HLA-DR4 with rheumatoid arthritis could not be confirmed in the Arab patients resident in Kuwait, supporting reported observations in different ethnic groups of associations with HLA antigens other than HLA-DR4 and indicating a heterogeneous genetic susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis.

Histocompatibility antigens (A, B, C, and DR) in Arabs with rheumatoid arthritis.

Eighty-five Arab patients in Kuwait with classical and definite rheumatoid arthritis were typed to examine the frequency of HLA-A, B, C, and DR antigens. The results showed a significant increase in the frequency of HLA-A10, B8, B21, and DR3 antigens when compared to an age- and sex-matched control population. HLA-DR3 was present in 34 per cent of the patients compared with 2 per cent of the controls (p less than 0.001). The association of RA in the Arab population with HLA-DR3 rather than HLA-DR4 or HLA-DR1 as reported in other ethnic groups emphasizes further the complexity of the genetics of RA.

Insulin binding substances, autoimmunity and type I diabetes in Kuwaiti patients and their kindred.

Insulin autoantibodies (IAAs) are associated with type I diabetes mellitus (DM) and have been suggested as predictive markers of the disease. Using an ELISA assay, we have studied the prevalence of binding to human insulin in sera from an Arab type I DM population and compared it with the prevalence in the family members (FMs) of the probands, in type II DM patients from the same population, and in Arab control subjects. Significant levels of binding occurred in 11/16 (69%) of type I DM patients and in 21/34 (62%) of their FMs, but in only 5/31 (16%) of type II DM patients and in 1/25 (4%) of control subjects. Within families, there was homogeneity with regard to the level of insulin binding and the mean family levels correlated with those of the proband (r = 0.68, df = 7, p = 0.05). HLA-DR3 or -DR4 antigens occurred in 55/63 (87%) of type I DM patients and in 95/118 (81%) of their FMs. This was significantly higher (p less than 0.001) than in either type II DM patients (39/75, 52%) or in control subjects (34/93, 37%). ICAs were present in significantly more (25/43, 58%) of type I DM patients than their FMs (3/82, 3%) (p less than 0.001). They did not occur in either type II DM patients or in the control group. In conclusion, insulin binding occurred in sera from both type I diabetic patients and their kindred, and hence did not appear to be specifically associated with the development of clinical diabetes.

HLA-DR and tuberculin tests in rheumatoid arthritis and tuberculosis.

Responses to four new tuberculins were found to be significantly reduced in 46 patients with rheumatoid arthritis in comparison with a control group of 79. Except for tuberculin itself, the same was found in 111 patients with tuberculosis. In common with patients with tuberculosis and leprosy, those with rheumatoid arthritis did not respond to common mycobacterial (group i) antigen. Three DR haplotypes were found to have significant effects on skin test responsiveness of the rheumatoid patients but had little or no effect on that of the patients with tuberculosis and none on that of the healthy control group. Rheumatoid patients with the HLA-DR4 haplotype had significantly greater responses to all four reagents than did non-DR4 patients, but their responses to leprosin A and scrofulin remained significantly lower than those of the control group. Possession of HLA-DR3 haplotype was associated with skin test positivity approaching normal, but the sizes of responses were reduced. Possession of DR7 was associated with an unexpected reduction in skin test positivity, especially in the case of tuberculin. These results support the hypothesis that mycobacteria, or autoantigens cross reactive with mycobacteria, may be involved in the aetiology of rheumatoid arthritis. The results also show that the regulation and specificity of responsiveness to mycobacterial antigens are different in patients with rheumatoid arthritis with different HLA-DR haplotypes.

Antibody levels to mycobacteria in relation to HLA type: evidence for non-HLA-linked high levels of antibody to the 65 kD heat shock protein of M. bovis in rheumatoid arthritis.

We previously reported DR2 and DR7-associated regulation of antibody binding to mycobacteria in rheumatoid arthritis sera (RA), but not in tuberculosis (Tb). An extensive analysis of antibody to mycobacteria in matched normal sera, in relation to both HLA class I and class II has revealed no class II correlations, confirming that the original findings were due to RA. There was however a very strong association between IgM binding to M. tuberculosis and Cw1 (P = 0.0004). RA patients have strikingly raised levels of IgG (but not of IgA or IgM) binding to the 65 kD heat shock protein of M. tuberculosis, recently implicated in the pathogenesis of adjuvant arthritis in the rat. Remarkably, levels in RA were significantly higher even than in tuberculosis. Levels of this antibody showed no HLA associations. Thus the 65 kD antigen does not account for the DR7, and DR2 associations of IgM and IgA binding to mycobacteria reported previously, but does suggest a role for cross-reactive autoimmunity in RA.

Type 2 diabetes in Arab patients in Kuwait.

We describe the characteristics of 75 Arab Type 2 diabetic patients in Kuwait. Their age (+/- SD) at onset was 41 +/- 10 years, and fasting serum C-peptide concentration was 0.32 +/- 0.23 nmol/l (n = 51). Fifty-three percent (37/70) possessed HLA-DR3 or -DR4 epitopes, and 64% (47/73) had a family history of diabetes. Data review suggested that they could be segregated into two groups, those under 40 years old at onset (32 +/- 6 years, n = 37), and the remainder (48 +/- 6 years, n = 38) (p less than 0.001). Those in the former group had a significantly higher frequency of a family history of diabetes than those in the latter group (92% vs 38%, p less than 0.001) suggestive of a greater genetic influence on the development of Type 2 diabetes in those with early onset disease.

HLA associations in an Arab type 1 diabetic population.

We have studied HLA-A, -B, -C, -DR, and -DQ antigen frequencies in 63 Type 1 diabetic Arab patients resident in Kuwait. Both HLA-DR3 (relative risk (RR) = 5.80) and -DR4 (RR = 2.87) showed positive associations with Type I diabetes mellitus in these patients whilst -DR2 (RR 0.16) and -DR5 (RR = 0.15) were negatively associated. The strong positive association with both HLA-DR3 and -DR4 was confirmed in Non-Gulf Arabs (RR = 12.55 and 4.29, respectively) whereas the Gulf Arabs had a significant positive association with HLA-DR3 (RR = 4.41) only. The disease was negatively associated with HLA-DR2 (RR = 0.05) in Gulf Arab patients only and with HLA-DR5 (RR = 0.10) in Non-Gulf Arabs only. HLA-DRw52 and -DRw53 were increased in Non-Gulf Arabs only (RR = 3.14 and 4.63, respectively). In both groups there was strong association with HLA-DQ3 (Gulf, RR = 28.11; Non-Gulf, RR = 6.25). Amongst HLA-A, -B, and -C loci, there was a positive association with HLA-B8 (RR = 19.06).

Association between HLA-D region epitopes and multiple sclerosis in Arabs.

We have studied the HLA associations of MS patients in Arab patients from two regions. Those patients from the Mediterranean area showed an association of MS with HLA-DR2 (p less than 0.001) and -DQw1 (p less than 0.05), whilst in those from the Gulf there was an association with -DRw53 (p less than 0.02). In the Mediterranean patients -DRw52 was negatively associated with MS (p less than 0.05). In the control populations from the two regions there was a considerable variation in the incidence of HLA antigens. Thus, Gulf Arabs had an increased incidence of -DR1 (p less than 0.05), -DR2 (p less than 0.02), -DR6 (p less than 0.05) and decreased incidence of -DR5 (p less than 0.05), -DRw52 (p less than 0.02) and -DQw3 (p less than 0.01) compared to the Mediterranean control population. These findings are discussed in relation to the aetiology of the disease.