Mycobacterium tuberculosis : a new hitchhiker in the etiopathogenesis of periodontitis.

Periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the gums affects both the ligament and alveolar bone. A severe form of periodontal disease affects a strikingly high number of one billion adults globally. The disease permutes both the soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity leading to localized and systemic diseases. Periodontitis has a deleterious impact on systemic health causing diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and other disease. The cause of the enhanced inflammatory process is due to dysbiosis and an unregulated immune response. Innate immune response and T cells trigger uninhibited cytokine release causing an unwarranted inflammatory response. The RANK- RANKL interaction between osteoblasts, immune cells, and progenitor osteoclasts results in the maturation of osteoclasts, which promote bone resorption. It is well established that dysbiosis of the oral cavity has been implicated in periodontitis. But emerging reports suggest that the pulmonary pathogen, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), causes extrapulmonary diseases such as periodontitis. Many clinical case reports advocate the involvement of Mtb in periodontitis, which poses a threat with the surge of tuberculosis in HIV and other immunocompromised individuals. Fostering a better understanding of the mechanism, causative agents and control on inflammatory response is imperative in the prevention and treatment of periodontitis.

Innovative Biosensing Approaches for Swift Identification of Candida Species, Intrusive Pathogenic Organisms.

Candida is the largest genus of medically significant fungi. Although most of its members are commensals, residing harmlessly in human bodies, some are opportunistic and dangerously invasive. These have the ability to cause severe nosocomial candidiasis and candidemia that affect the viscera and bloodstream. A prompt diagnosis will lead to a successful treatment modality. The smart solution of biosensing technologies for rapid and precise detection of Candida species has made remarkable progress. The development of point-of-care (POC) biosensor devices involves sensor precision down to pico-/femtogram level, cost-effectiveness, portability, rapidity, and user-friendliness. However, futuristic diagnostics will depend on exploiting technologies such as multiplexing for high-throughput screening, CRISPR, artificial intelligence (AI), neural networks, the Internet of Things (IoT), and cloud computing of medical databases. This review gives an insight into different biosensor technologies designed for the detection of medically significant Candida species, especially Candida albicans and C. auris, and their applications in the medical setting.

Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Aspirin and Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin in Patients With a Fracture: A Meta-Analysis.

The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of aspirin and low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) in preventing thromboembolic events in patients with fractures. The present meta-analysis was reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We searched EMBASE, PubMed, and EBSCO to find articles comparing aspirin and LMWH in patients with orthopedic trauma from inception to April 15, 2023. Limits were set to studies published in the English language only. Outcomes assessed in this meta-analysis included VTE and all-cause mortality. VTE can manifest as deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism. For safety analysis, rates of wound complication, infection, and bleeding complications were compared between the two study groups. A total of three studies were included in this meta-analysis enrolling 12884 patients. The study found no significant difference between the two groups in the risk of DVT and pulmonary embolism, and aspirin was non-inferior to LMWH for the prevention of all-cause mortality in patients. Additionally, no significant safety risk was associated with aspirin thromboprophylaxis. These findings suggest that inexpensive over-the-counter aspirin is as effective as LMWH in terms of safety and efficacy profile, making it a feasible option to consider in clinical practice.

Healthcare System in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: An Expat Doctor's Perspective.

Saudi Arabia has made significant progress in its healthcare system through increased healthcare spending, improved healthcare infrastructure, and better quality of care. The government has introduced initiatives such as universal health coverage, accreditation programs, and healthcare technology adoption. As a result, there has been an increase in access to healthcare services and improvements in healthcare indicators. However, the system still faces challenges such as a shortage of healthcare workers, a lack of preventive care, and health disparities between urban and rural areas. Addressing these challenges is crucial for achieving a more equitable and sustainable healthcare system in Saudi Arabia.