International Medical Journal

Abstract :

The current study aimed to identify the oral microbiome in waterpipe and electronic cigarette smokers and compared with oral microbiome of non-smokers in United Arab Emirates. A total of 60 gargled saline samples were collected from the volunteers including waterpipe and e-cigarette smokers and non-smokers from September 2020 to April 2021. Out of 60 samples, 45 samples were collected from waterpipe (n=21), e-cigarette smokers (n=20), both waterpipe and e-cigarette smokers (n=4) and smokers (n=15). All the samples were cultured in double strength BHI agar, Mitis salivarius agar with tellurite and Blood agar. In total 116 different bacterial colonies were isolated and selected for further gram staining reactions and various biochemical utilization tests using analytical profile index 20NE & 20E tests for non-enteric and enteric bacteria. Antibiotic sensitivity test was done on the identified bacterial colonies. In the current study, both gram negative and gram-positive bacteria including rod and coccus were isolated in all the 60 samples. Based on the cultural characteristics and analytical profile index sore, 13 different bacteria were identified in all the 3 cohort. They were A. hydrophilia, P. pneumotropica, P. luteola, P. damselae, C. indologenes, S. multivorum, Moraxella species, B. cepacia, E. coli, E. faecalis, Neisseria species, S. salivarious, S. mitis. In waterpipe, e-cigarette and non-smokers cohorts, 09, 07 and 11 different bacteria were identified respectively. The bacteria A. hydrophila, P. pneumotropica, P. luteola, C. indologenes, P. damselae, Neisseria species, S. mitis were the common bacterial isolates in all the three different cohorts.

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Abstract : A high caries prevalence was recorded among the Head and neck Cancer children who treated with radiotherapy. Prevention was recommended to strengthen the hard dental tissues against the direct effects of radiotherapy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of diode laser and two types of remineralizing agents on the chemical structure of primary teeth enamel which are exposed to radiation. 40 enamel specimens from primary molars were prepared and randomly allocated into 5 groups. Group 1(Control Negative) n=5, was not exposed to any treatment or radiation, Group 2 (Control positive) n=5, received dose of 60 Gray gamma irradiation. In groups 3-5, the specimens were splitted up into 2 subgroups A and B (n=5 each). Subgroups A were gamma irradiated followed by different surface treatments, 3A:10% nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) paste, 4A: 5% Sodium Fluoride varnish (FV) and 5A: diode laser 980nm. Subgroups B were received surface treatments (3B: 10% nHA, 4B: 5% FV and 5B: diode laser 980nm) then gamma irradiated. Environmental Electron Dispersive Analytical X-ray was used in this study to quantify the Calcium (Ca), Phosphorus (P) weight (wt)% and the Ca/P ratio. Regarding Ca (wt%), there was a significant difference between different groups (P=0.032). The highest value was found in subgroup 4A while the lowest value was found in 5A. The highest value of P (wt%), was found in subgroup 4A while the lowest was found in Group2. Considering Ca/P wt%, there was insignificant difference between different groups (P=0.096). The highest value was found in Group1 while the lowest was found in subgroup 5B. The chemical structure of enamel in gamma irradiated teeth had been enhanced with the application of nHA and FV. Using the diode laser alone didn’t show a positive effect in improving the minerals of enamel..
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Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), is an inflammatory, demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy characterized by areflexia, ascending symmetrical limb weakness and sensory disturbances. GBS is associated with Autonomic Dysfunction in up to two-thirds of patients. Cardiovascular system is most commonly involved with tachycardia as most common manifestation. Gastrointestinal dysmotility occurs in 15% of patients of GBS due to the autonomic neuropathy. Here we present  a case series of GBS presenting with gastrointestinal dysmotility leading to paralytic ileus.

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Abstract : Acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) application is used for dental caries prevention. Combination of APF with different laser wavelengths increases acid resistance in enamel. To assess the effects of Er-Yag (2.94 μm) laser and Diode (940 nm) laser after the application of APF on the morphology, mineral content and micro-hardness of the enamel surface of human teeth in-vitro. 40 freshly extracted 3rd molars crowns were collected then splitted longitudinally into 80 halves. (20 halves/ group; 10 halves/assesment). The four groups were divided as follows; Group 1 (Control group), group 2 (Application of 1.23% APF gel only), group 3 (diode laser; 1W for 60 sec, contact mode after APF gel) and group 4 (Er-YAG; 80 mJ, 0.8 W, 10 Hz; 0% air; 0% water, pulsed mode for 10 sec after APF gel). Specimens were morphologically examined by Scanning electron microscope (SEM and microhardness by Vickers Microhardness (VMH) test. Collected data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA test. Applying diode laser after APF showed superior VMH, and obliterated ERE in SEM while Er-YAG laser application after APF revealed the least microhardness with obliterated EREs and more cracks over other groups. Diode laser (940 nm) after APF application showed superior SEM with less cracks and VMH results over application of APF alone then control group. However, the poorest SEM with more cracks and least VMH was obtained upon Er-YAG laser application after APF..
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Abstract :

Background: Thyroid nodules are common, and there is an increasing awareness about Thyroid-stimulating hormoneas a cancer risk. The current meta-analysis aimed to assess the link of TSH to thyroid malignancy among patients with thyroid nodules.

Subjects and Methods: We searched PubMed, EBSCO, Cochrane Library, and the first 100 articles in Google Scholar from the first published article up to April 2022; we included prospective cohorts, retrospective studies, and case-control studies. Case series and case reports were not included. The following terms were used: thyrotropin-releasing hormone, TSH, thyroid nodule, malignant potential. The Revman system was used for data analysis.

Results: In the present meta-analysis, (9 studies and 4565 patients were included, the studies were six retrospective, two prospective, and one cross-sectional). More than half of the studies were from Asia, two from Europe, one from the USA, and one from South America. The TSH level was associated with thyroid nodule malignant potential (odd ratio, 0.78, 95% CI, 0.27-1.30, P-value, 0.003). However, the heterogeneity was substantial, I2, 83%, P-value, <0.001, and Chi-square, 24.05.

Conclusion: Higher TSH levels were associated with increasing malignancy among patients with thyroid nodules. Serum TSH level might be included among risk factors of malignancy in patients with thyroid nodules. Larger prospective studies with longer duration are needed.   

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