Background: Pregnancy is a stressful state of increased inflammatory activity, and pregnancy – associated hormone changes can influence periodontal tissues, these inflammatory activity lead to production of inflammatory mediators. Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) is a potent pro-inflammatory cytokines that is consistently associated with periodontal diseases. This study was designed to determine the periodontal health status and detect the serum level of IL-1β in the healthy pregnant women at first, second and third trimester and compare it with healthy non pregnant women, and determine its correlation with different clinical periodontal parameters. Materials and Methods: Subjects included in the study were sixty six (66) healthy pregnant women with an age range of 20-35 years old. They were divided into three subgroups according to gestational age, as twenty two (22) women in each trimester. Also the sample included fifteen (15) married, non pregnant women and didn’t take contraceptive pills, as control group with same age rang of 20- 35 years. Clinical periodontal parameters were measured in this study (plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level). Blood samples were collected from all women under study (pregnant & non pregnant women) to asses concentrations of IL-1β by mean of enzyme – linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Highly significant statistical differences were observed among the study groups regarding the gingival index (GI)with p-value( 0.007) and the percentages of bleeding on probing (BOP) p- value(0.00), a significant difference regarding the probing pocket depth ( PPD) with p-value (0.046) ,and non significant statistical differences regarding the plaque index (PLI), p-value(0.6) and clinical attachment level (CAL) with p-value (0.371). Interleukin 1-beta ( IL-1β) serum level showed a highly statistical significant difference among the study groups with p-value (0.00).A pregnant women showed higher level than non pregnant with a higher value in the second trimester. Conclusions: The present result revealed that the serum level of IL-1β was higher in pregnant women than non pregnant women with a highly significant difference. The IL-1β serum concentration reaches the maximum value in the second trimester of pregnancy. Nevertheless there were weak correlations between clinical periodontal parameters and serum level of IL-1β.
Background: The desire for an attractive appearing fixed orthodontic appliance fueled the use of ceramic brackets and clear accessories. Elastics are one of the most versatile materials available to orthodontists so studying their effect on the esthetic appearance is important. This an in vivo study, conducted to evaluate the effect of exposing stretched clear elastomeric ligatures to the oral environment from four different companies (OrthoTechnology, Morelli, Ortho Organizer, and Ormco). Materials and Methods: A total of 240 elastomeric modules were examined, 60 modules from each brand. Each of the 60 patients enrolled in the study, received 4 elastomeric modules on the 4 lower incisors, one from each brand. The specimens were placed on t
... Show MoreMonitoring water quality in hemodialysis systems is extremely important to maintain adequate quality services for patients suffering from kidney failure. This work aims to examine and evaluate bacteriological characteristics and endotoxin contamination levels in hemodialysis water produced in dialysis centers. Forty‐eight water samples were collected and analyzed from four major hospitals in Baghdad for one year to evaluate seasonal effects. The analysis included the determination of total heterotrophic bacteria using the pour plate method, identification of bacterial isolate using the Vitek2 compact instrument, and the determination of endotoxins levels using Limulus ameboc
Background: The use of electronic apex locators for working length determination eliminates many of the problems associated with the radiographic measurements (interference of anatomical structures, errors in projection such as elongation or shortening, and lack of three-dimensional representation). Its most important advantage over radiography is that it measures the length of the root canal to the apical constriction, not to the radiographic apex. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of a new fifth generation apex locator (Joypex 5) in recording the apical constriction and comparing it with a third generation apex locator (Root ZX) in vitro. Materials and method: Twenty four single-rooted sound human premolars, extracted for t
... Show MoreThe city of Samawah is one of the most important cities which emerged in the poverty area within the poverty map produced by the Ministry of Planning, despite being an important provincial centre. Although it has great development potentials, it was neglected for more than 50 years,. This dereliction has caused a series of negative accumulations at the urban levels (environmental, social and economic). Therefore, the basic idea of this research is to detect part of these challenges that are preventing growth and development of the city. The methodology of the research is to extrapolate the reality with the analysis of the results, data and environmental impact assessment of the projec
Objective: to assess the risk factors of coronary artery disease patients.
Methodology: A non-probability (purposive) sample of (100) patients. The study population consisted of
a sample of adults from both genders whose ages were 30 years and more, and was newly diagnosed as
having CAD by coronary angiography in the cardiac catheterization unit of An Nasiriyah heart center.
Results: The result of the study showed that the most common modifiable risk factors were low HDL-C
levels (58%), smoking (53%), hypertension (46%), diabetes mellitus (34%), obesity (30%), high
triglycerides (19%), hypercholesterolemia (17%), and high LDLC (14%). All these factors were positively
and significantly associated with the development
Background: Data on the impact of neonatal and total pediatric admissions volume on neonatal mortality are sparse. Objectives: This study is done to estimate the neonatal mortality in relation to neonatal admissions and to total hospital admissions in Al-Alwyia Pediatric Teaching Hospital through years 2005-2012 Type of the study: A retrospective study.Methods: statistical records of all cases admitted to APTH were studied during 2005-2012.Results: Neonatal mortality decreased to the nadir at last year of study period (2012) and reached 6.1% of neonatal admissions compared to 2005 level which was 9.7 %. Mortality rate among premature and low birth weight (LBW) infants decreased also. The study also reveals that neonatal mortality constit
... Show More