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Background Non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) known as gold standard treatment in managing periodontitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the response of NSPT in periodontitis subjects who were obese. Clinical parameters of periodontitis, changes in serum resistin and periodontal pathogens in subgingival plaque were compared before and after NSPT in periodontitis subjects who were obese and with normal weight. Methods A total of 48 periodontitis subjects (obese, n = 18; normal weight, n = 30) were recruited (hereafter will be referred as participants) to participate into a prospective, before and after clinical trial. Obesity status is defined by body mass index (BMI) criteria (obese: ≥30 kg/ m2; normal weight 2). Visible Plaque Index (VPI), Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI), Probing Pocket Depth (PPD) and Clinical Attachment Loss (CAL) were recorded; and serum and plaque were collected at baseline and following 12 weeks post-NSPT. Serum resistin level was analyzed using enzyme-linked immune-sorbant assay (ELISA), while detection of periodontal pathogens in dental plaque were carried out using real time PCR (qPCR). Results Following NSPT, means VPI and GBI showed significant improvement between obese and normal weight groups (p P. gingivalis, T. forsythia, and P. intermedia between obese and normal weight groups following NSPT. Conclusions Regardless of obesity status, NSPT has a significant impact on VPI and GBI in periodontitis subjects. However, the impact of NSPT towards serum resistin and periodontal pathogens was non-significant in those with periodontitis. Trial registration This study followed the Consolidation Standards of Reporting Trials Statement and retrospectively registered on 26/11/2015 at clinicaltrials.gov (No. NCT02618486).

BackgroundPrevious studies have reported conflicting findings between serum anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) levels in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) participants with and without periodontitis (Pd). This study aimed to analyse possible correlations between serum ACPA levels and clinical parameters in Pd and RA participants.MethodsFull mouth periodontal examination (probing pocket depth, clinical attachment levels, gingival bleeding index, visual plaque index) was conducted and serum samples obtained from 80 participants comprising RA, Pd, both RA and Pd (RAPd) and healthy individuals (HC). Erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) and periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) were obtained. Serum samples were analysed for ACPA quantification using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsMedian levels (IU/mL) of ACPA (interquartile range, IQR) in RAPd, RA, Pd and HC groups were 118.58(274.51), 102.02(252.89), 78.48(132.6) and 51.67(91.31) respectively. ACPA levels were significantly higher in RAPd and RA as compared to HC group (p ConclusionsAt individual level, the amount of serum ACPA seem to have an increasing trend with the diseased condition in the order of RAPd > RA > Pd > HC. However, lack of any significant correlation between the serum ACPA levels with the clinical Pd and RA parameters warrants further studies to investigate the causal link between RA and Pd for such a trend. Further studies involving more inflammatory biomarkers might be useful to establish the causal link between Pd in the development and progression of RA or vice versa.

As far as comorbidity is concerned, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) appear to be accounted for the highest prevalence, severity, and fatality among COVID 19 patients. A wide array of causal links connecting CVD and COVID-19 baffle the overall prognosis as well as the efficacy of the given therapeutic interventions. At the centre of this puzzle lies ACE2 that works as a receptor for the SARS-CoV-2, and functional expression of which is also needed to minimize vasoconstriction otherwise would lead to high blood pressure. Furthermore, SARS-CoV-2 infection seems to reduce the functional expression of ACE2. Given these circumstances, it might be advisable to consider a treatment plan for COVID-19 patients with CVD in an approach that would neither aggravate the vasodeleterious arm of the renin-angiotensinogen-aldosterone system (RAAS) nor compromise the vasoprotective arm of RAAS but is effective to minimize or if possible, inhibit the viral replication. Given the immune modulatory role of Zn in both CVD and COVID-19 pathogenesis, zinc supplement to the selective treatment plan for CVD and COVID-19 comorbid conditions, to be decided by the clinicians depending on the cardiovascular conditions of the patients, might greatly improve the therapeutic outcome. Notably, ACE2 is a zinc metalloenzyme and zinc is also known to inhibit viral replication.

Background Periodontitis (PD) is a multifaceted inflammatory disease connected to bacterial infection that results in the destruction of tooth supporting structures and eventually tooth loss. Given their involvement in infection and inflammation, both metallothionein (MT) and zinc (Zn) might play vital roles in the development and progression of PD. More specifically, both MT and Zn are heavily involved in regulating immune functions, controlling bacterial infection, balancing inflammatory responses, and reducing oxidative stress, all of which are associated with the pathogenesis of PD. Objective This review paper will explore the physiological functions of MT and Zn and hypothesise how dysregulation could negatively affect periodontal health, leading to PD. Findings Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from periodontal pathogens, namely P. gingivalis initiates the acute phase response, thus upregulating the expression of MT which leads to the subsequent deficiency of Zn, a hallmark of periodontal disease. This deficiency leads to ineffective NETosis, increases the permeability of the gingival epithelium, and disrupts the humoral immune response, collectively contributing to PD. In addition, the presence of LPS in Zn deficient conditions favours M1 macrophage polarisation and maturation of dendritic cells, and also inhibits the anti-inflammatory activity of regulatory T cells. Collectively, these observations could theoretically give rise to the chronic inflammation seen in PD. Conclusion A disrupted MT and Zn homeostasis is expected to exert an adverse impact on periodontal health and contribute to the development and progression of PD.

As far as the comorbidity is concerned, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) appear to be accounted for the highest prevalence, severity, and fatality among COVID 19 patients. A wide array of causal links connecting CVD and COVID-19 baffle the overall prognosis as well as the efficacy of the given therapeutic interventions. At the centre of this puzzle lies ACE2 that works as a receptor for the SARS-CoV-2 and functional expression of which is also needed to minimize vasoconstriction otherwise would lead to high blood pressure. Furthermore, SARS-CoV-2 infection seems to reduce the functional expression of ACE2. Given these circumstances, it might be advisable to consider a treatment plan for COVID-19 patients with CVD in an approach that would neither aggravate the vasodeleterious arm of RAAS nor compromise the vasoprotective arm of RAAS but is effective to minimize or if possible, inhibit the viral replication. A zinc supplement to the selective treatment plan, to be decided by the clinicians depending on the cardiovascular conditions of the patients, is hereafter proposed that might greatly enhance the therapeutic outcome. Notably, ACE2 is a zinc metalloenzyme and zinc is also known to inhibit viral replication.

Graphical Abstract The SARS-CoV binds its spike (S) proteins to host angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Following entry, the viral RNA is released in the cytoplasm - a potential site of thymoquinone to stop the release. ORF1a and ORF1ab are translated to RdRP which eventually synthesizes mediate both replication and transcription. The Zn2+ can stop viral replication by inactivating (―|) RdRP. Another bioactive component of black seed i.e., nigellimine might have dual actions working as ionophore (→) to enhance Zn entry into the infected cells as well as to inhibit (―|) the uncoating of the virus inside the infected cells. However, if allowed to continue, replication, full-length (-) RNA copies of the genome are produced and used as templates for full-length (+) RNA genomes. During transcription, sub-genomic RNAs are produced through discontinuous transcription which are eventually translated to synthesize viral proteins. Generally, viral nucleocapsids are assembled from genomic RNA and N protein in the cytoplasm, followed by budding into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum–Golgi intermediate compartment. Virions are then released from the infected cell through exocytosis. (→, activation or stimulation; ―|, inhibition) (modified from(Rahman and Idid, 2020), Highlights • The COVID-19 has been declared a pandemic while there is no specific medicine against its causative agent SARS-CoV-2. • Chloroquine or Hydroxychloroquine – a known drug against malaria- is being tried to treat COVID-19 • As an complementary medicine Nigella sativa (black seed) could be considered for its bioactive components such as thymoquinone which was proven to have anti-viral activity. • Among the other bioactive components of Nigella sativa, nigellimine has structural similarities to chloroquine. • Further benefits to use N. sativa could be augmented by Zn supplement. Notably, Zn has been proven to improve innate and adaptive immunity in course of microbial infection • The effectiveness of the Zn salt supplement can be enhanced with N. sativa as its major bioactive component might work as ionophore to allow Zn2+ to enter pneumocytes and inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication by stopping its replicase enzyme system., An effective vaccine to prevent the SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19 is yet to be approved. Further there is no drug that is specific to treat COVID-19. A number of antiviral drugs such as Ribavirin, Remdesivir, Lopinavir/ritonavir, Azithromycin and Doxycycline have been recommended or are being used to treat COVID-19 patients. In addition to these drugs, rationale and evidence have been presented to use chloroquine to treat COVID-19, arguably with certain precautions and criticism. In line with the proposed use of chloroquine, Nigella sativa (black seed) could be considered as a natural substitute that contains a number of bioactive components such as thymoquinone, dithymoquinone, thymohydroquinone, and nigellimine. Further benefits to use N. sativa could be augmented by Zn supplement. Notably, Zn has been proven to improve innate and adaptive immunity in the course of any infection, be it by pathogenic virus or bacteria. The effectiveness of the Zn salt supplement could also be enhanced with N. sativa as its major bioactive component might work as ionophore to allow Zn2+ to enter pneumocytes - the target cell for SARSCoV-2. Given those benefits, this review paper describes how N. sativa in combination with Zn could be useful as a complement to COVID-19 treatment.

The current COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has prompted investigators worldwide to search for an effective anti-viral treatment. A number of anti-viral drugs such as ribavirin, remdesivir, lopinavir/ritonavir, antibiotics such as azithromycin and doxycycline, and anti-parasite such as ivermectin have been recommended for COVID-19 treatment. In addition, sufficient pre-clinical rationale and evidence have been presented to use chloroquine for the treatment of COVID-19. Furthermore, Zn has the ability to enhance innate and adaptive immunity in the course of a viral infection. Besides, Zn supplement can favour COVID-19 treatment using those suggested and/or recommended drugs. Again, the effectiveness of Zn can be enhanced by using chloroquine as an ionophore while Zn inside the infected cell can stop SARS-CoV-2 replication. Given those benefits, this perspective paper describes how and why Zn could be given due consideration as a complement to the prescribed treatment of COVID-19.

Academics and researchers, willingly or unwillingly, continue to fall a “victim” to predatory journals. The entire cascade of moving forward in academia depends on one’s ability to publish papers - as many as possible and in the shortest possible time. Such a requirement for a “number” persuades an academician or a researcher to race for an increased number of papers rather than to ensure the quality of the papers they want to publish. Thanks, but no thanks to the predatory journals - for providing a comfortable avenue for those papers to get published. An effective way out could be to train the academics and create awareness among them to conduct research following the codes of responsible research. Policymakers may also need to consider adopting policies that will not force their academic and research staff to race against time and compromise the codes of responsible research.

The present study investigated the effect of piezoelectric sutural ostectomies on accelerated bone-borne sutural expansion.Sixteen male New Zealand white rabbits (20 to 24 weeks old) were randomly divided into 4 experimental groups (n = 4): group 1, conventional rapid sutural expansion; group 2, accelerated sutural expansion; group 3, accelerated sutural expansion with continuous ostectomy; and group 4, accelerated sutural expansion with discontinuous ostectomy. All sutural ostectomies were performed using a piezoelectric instrument (Woodpecker DTE, DS-II, Guangxi, China) before expander application with the rabbits under anesthesia. Modified hyrax expanders were placed across the midsagittal sutures of the rabbits and secured with miniscrew implants located bilaterally in the frontal bone. The hyrax expanders were activated 0.5 mm/day for 12 days (group 1) or with a 2.5-mm initial expansion, followed by 0.5 mm/day for 7 days (groups 2 to 4). After 6 weeks of retention, the bone volume fraction, sutural separation, and new bone formation were evaluated using micro-computed tomography and histomorphometry. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests and Spearman's rho correlation (P .05).Ranking of the median sutural separation was as follows: group 1, 3.05 mm; group 2, 3.97 mm; group 4, 4.78 mm; and group 3, 5.66 mm. The least and most bone formation were observed in groups 1 (63.63%) and 3 (75.93%), respectively. Spearman's correlation showed a strong, positive, and significant correlation (r = 0.932; P .01) between the new sutural bone formation and amount of sutural separation.Piezoelectric sutural ostectomies increased the rate of sutural separation and promoted new sutural bone formation/osteogenesis. Continuous ostectomy gave better results than discontinuous ostectomy.

Objective To establish a suitable method of diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) using peripheral blood, spleen or bone marrow aspirates. Methods Peripheral blood, bone marrow and spleen aspirate samples were collected from clinically suspected VL patients ( n = 26). A new PCR primer pair (MK1F/R) was designed targeting kinetoplast mini circle DNA sequences of Leishmania donovani , and Leishmania infantum , and was used to diagnose VL along with some other established primers for VL in polymerase chain reactions. Test was validated by comparing with several other diagnostic methods. Results The designed primer set showed 100% specificity and 98% sensitivity in detecting VL using blood samples, when compared with more invasive samples: bone marrow or spleen aspirates. Conclusions The newly designed primer MK1F/R could be a better alternative for PCR based diagnosis of VL using less invasive sample, peripheral blood instead of bone marrow or spleen aspirates.

Halal (permissible or lawful) poultry meat production must meet industry, economic, and production needs, and government health requirements without compromising the Islamic religious requirements derived from the Qur'an and the Hadiths (the actions and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him). Halal certification authorities may vary in their interpretation of these teachings, which leads to differences in halal slaughter requirements. The current study proposes 6 control points (CP) for halal poultry meat production based on the most commonly used halal production systems. CP 1 describes what is allowed and prohibited, such as blood and animal manure, and feed ingredients for halal poultry meat production. CP 2 describes the requirements for humane handling during lairage. CP 3 describes different methods for immobilizing poultry, when immobilization is used, such as water bath stunning. CP 4 describes the importance of intention, details of the halal slaughter, and the equipment permitted. CP 5 and CP 6 describe the requirements after the neck cut has been made such as the time needed before the carcasses can enter the scalding tank, and the potential for meat adulteration with fecal residues and blood. It is important to note that the proposed halal CP program is presented as a starting point for any individual halal certifying body to improve its practices.

Summary Objective This systematic review aims to determine the effects of non-surgical rapid maxillary expansion (RME) on breathing and upper airway structures. Materials and methods An electronic search of the scientific literature from January 2005 to June 2016 was done using Web of Science, Dentistry & Oral Sciences Source and PubMed databases. A combination of search terms “rapid maxillary expansion”, “nasal”, “airway” and “breathing” were used. Studies that involved surgical or combined RME-surgical treatments and patients with craniofacial anomalies were excluded. Results The initial screening yielded a total of 183 articles. After evaluation of the titles, abstracts and accessing the full text, a total of 20 articles fulfilled both inclusion/exclusion criteria and possessed adequate evidence to be incorporated into this review. Conclusions Non-surgical RME was found to improve breathing, increase nasal cavity geometry and decrease nasal airway resistance in children and adolescents.

Therapeutic interventions deal with healthy living i.e., maintenance of good health, dealing with conditions that requires special care such as child birth and healing i.e., treatment and cure of the sickness. Islam guides mankind to have ultimate faith on Allah Almighty’s approval for healthy living and healing as well as provides guidelines for cleanliness, healthy eating/drinking habits and controlled physical and mental stress. Thus, holistic view of healthy living and healing in Islam is founded both on the faith on the oneness and the almighty authority of Allah as well as physical, social, psychological factors. Revealed scriptures before Qur`an, gave equal emphasis on the same faith and factors. At the same time, different schools of thought of therapeutic interventions deal either with the physical or the metaphysical means of health and healing. This paper will discuss the links and gaps between Islamic principles and practices for health and healing and similar practices in other faith and therapeutic interventions observed in (post)modern community.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.14(2) 2015 p.119-129

In this study, we evaluated the effect of bone-borne accelerated expansion protocols on sutural separation and sutural bone modeling using a microcomputed tomography system. We also determined the optimum instant sutural expansion possible without disruption of bone modeling.Sixteen New Zealand white rabbits, 20 to 24 weeks old, were randomly divided into 4 experimental groups. Modified hyrax expanders were placed across their interfrontal sutures and secured with miniscrew implants located bilaterally in the frontal bone. The hyrax appliances were activated as follows: group 1 (control), 0.5-mm per day expansion for 12 days; group 2, 1-mm instant expansion followed by 0.5 mm per day for 10 days; group 3, 2.5-mm instant expansion followed by 0.5 mm per day for 7 days, and group 4, 4-mm instant expansion followed by 0.5 mm per day for 4 days. After 6 weeks of retention, sutural separation and sutural bone modeling were assessed by microcomputed tomography and quantified. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests and the Spearman rho correlation (P 0.05).Median amounts of sutural separation ranged from 2.84 to 4.41 mm for groups 1 and 4, respectively. Median bone volume fraction ranged from 59.96% to 69.15% for groups 4 and 3, respectively. A significant correlation (r = 0.970; P 0.01) was observed between the amounts of instant expansion and sutural separation.Pending histologic verifications, our findings suggest that the protocol involving 2.5 mm of instant expansion followed by 0.5 mm per day for 7 days is optimal for accelerated sutural expansion. When 4 mm of instant expansion was used, the sutural bone volume fraction was decreased.

Completing a course in Immunology is expected to improve health care knowledge (HCK), which in turn is anticipated to influence a healthy lifestyle (HLS), controlled use of health care services (HCS) and an awareness of emerging health care concerns (HCC). This cross-sectional study was designed to determine whether these interrelationships are empirically supported. Participants involved in this study were government servants from two ministries in Malaysia (n = 356) and university students from a local university (n = 147). Participants were selected using the non-random purposive sampling method. Data were collected using a self-developed questionnaire, which had been validated in a pilot study involving similar subjects. The questionnaire items were analyzed using Rasch analysis, SPSS version 21 and AMOS version 22. Results have shown that participants who followed a course in Immunology (CoI) had a higher primary HCK (Mean = 0.69 logit, SD = 1.29 logits) compared with those who had not (Mean = -0.27logit, SD = 1.26 logits). Overall, there were significant correlations among the HLS, the awareness of emerging HCC, and the controlled use of HCS (p

Aim: Nigella sativa oil has been shown to improve metabolic syndrome-associated dyslipidemia and oxidative stress. Effects of N. sativa oil on letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)-associated hormonal, metabolic, redox, and lipid dysregulation in rats were investigated. Methods: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into four groups (n=10 per group): control, PCOS, and PCOS treated with N. sativa oil (5 mL/kg/day or 10 mL/kg/day) once daily p.o. starting at day 7 after the commencement of letrozole (1mg/kg) until day 56. Body weight and estrous cycle were recorded starting from days 7 and 28 respectively until day 56. Rats were dissected and serum and ovaries were collected for biochemical and histomorphological assessments. Results: N. sativa oil (10 mL/kg/day) treatment significantly increased: number of rats undergoing regular cycle (80% vs 20%; p< 0.05), average number of regular cycles (5.00±0.59 vs 0.20±0.42; p< 0.05), appearance of corpus luteum; but reduced number of cystic follicles (7.60±1.51 vs 6.10±0.19; p< 0.05) in PCOS rats. Body weight was also reduced by the oil in PCOS rats. However, ovarian weight, granulose and theca cells layers showed no significant change. The oil also restored altered circulating levels of gonadotropins, steroids and reduced fasting blood glucose. The ovarian total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, malondialdehyde were markedly reduced while insulin sensitivity and ovarian high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities were greatly increased. Conclusion: N. sativa oil improved polycystic ovarian-morphology and metabolic disorders via its anti-androgenic and insulin-sensitizing actions to ameliorate PCOS-associated dyslipidemia and redox disturbances.

Disease and its healing in most of the therapeutic strategies are mainly based either on physical or metaphysical aspects. Therapeutic strategies in Islam, on the other hand, are based on a combination of spiritual, psychological, and material means. It is, therefore, important to analyze current therapeutic strategies according to the Qur’an and Sunnah and their relation to other medical models, as many options aiming at better health outcomes are now being used throughout the world. This paper examines how the guidelines and principles of the Qur’an and Sunnah may contribute to the understanding and evaluation of different therapeutic interventions. A successful activation of the Islamic therapeutic model and its furtherance apart from the use of limited therapeutic strategies on the individual level can take place only within a reactivation of an authentic Islamic way of life.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5915/39-4-6320 This paper highlights the scientific advancements in immunology and other fields that have given deeper insights into healthful living by advocating guidelines similar to the ones revealed to mankind in the 7th century of the common era (CE) in the Qur'an and Hadith. Discussions are made linking published scientific evidence and recent discoveries in the field of immunology and related sciences with the related Islamic guidelines on various aspects of life. Scientific evidence is consistent with the benefits of the guidelines in Islam for cleanliness (e.g. bathing, ablution, miswāk), eating and drinking habits (e.g. giving importance for honey and olive oil, abstinence from alcohol, avoidance of excessive eating), lifestyle (e.g. managing stress, sex habits), breast feeding, and excretion of body waste in public places.

The traditional use of papaya to treat many diseases, especially skin conditions and its prohibition for consumption during pregnancy has prompted us to determine whether papaya extracts both from green and ripe fruits improve wound healing and also produce foetal toxicity. Aqueous extracts of green papaya epicarp (GPE) and ripe papaya epicarp (RPE) were applied on induced wounds on mice. GPE treatment induced complete healing in shorter periods (13 days) than that required while using RPE (17 days), sterile water (18 days) and Solcoseryl ointment (21 days). Extracts were administered orally (1 mg/g body weight/day) to pregnant mice from day 10 and onwards after conception. 3 (n=7) mice and 1 (n=6) mice given RPE and misoprostol, an abortive drug, respectively experienced embryonic resorption while this effect was observed in none of the mice given GPE (n=5) and water (n=5). The average body weight of live pups delivered by mice given GPE (1.12+/-0.04 g) was significantly lower than those delivered by mice given water (1.38+/-0.02 g). In SDS-PAGE, proteins were distributed in three bands (Mr range approximately 8-29 kDa). Band intensity at Mr approximately 28-29 kDa was higher in GPE than in RPE. In contrast, band intensity at low Mr (approximately 8 kDa) was found to be higher in RPE than in GPE. Notably, the band corresponding to Mr approximately 23-25 kDa was absent in RPE. These differences in composition may have contributed to the different wound healing and abortive effects of green and ripe papaya.

Background Increased wound healing efficiency by Se2+ added Carica papaya L. (Caricaceae) fruit extract was linked to increased antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses during healing. We investigated the impact of Se2+ or Zn2+ added papaya water (WE) and phosphate-buffered saline (PE) extracts on cells recruitment and bio-molecular alterations on days 4 and 10 post wounding in an in vivo excision wound. Methods Excision wounds were created on the dorsum of Sprague Dawley rats and treated topically twice/day with 20 μL of PE and WE (5 mg extract/mL), 0.5 μgSe2+ added PE and WE (PES and WES), or 100 μMZn2+ added PE and WE (PEZ and WEZ). Deionised water (negative) and Solcoseryl (positive) were applied on the control groups. Histochemical and biochemical assays were used to evaluate cellular and bio-molecular changes in the wound. Results PES (PE + 0.5 μg Se2+) only increased significantly (p