Background: Oxidative stress is a deleterious process that can be an important mediator of damage to cell structures and consequently various disease states. Exposure to free radicals from a variety of sources has led organisms to produce a series of defense mechanisms. The antioxidant ceruloplasmin is a copper-containing ferroxidase that can oxidize ferrous iron (Fe2+) to its nontoxic ferric (Fe3+) form. Ferrous iron (Fe2+) is extremely damaging because of its ability to generate toxic free radicals. Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory oral mucosal disease of unknown etiology. Previous studies reported that reactive oxygen species may be involved in the pathogenesis of lichen planus. The aim of this study was to estimate the role of oxidative stress in pathogenesis of OLP through the study of serum and saliva ceruloplasmin as a marker of antioxidant status. Methods: Forty eight patients with histologically confirmed OLP by oral pathologist were included in this study. The sample group was split up in to two groups according to the clinical presentation of the lesions, 21 patients with reticular formation and 27 patients with erosive form together with 32 healthy looking volunteers that were age-matched with the patients. Serum and saliva ceruloplasmin activity was determined by oxidation of P-Phenylenediamine to give a blue - violet color that measured spectrophotometricaly at 525 NM. Results: Statistically, there was a substantial increase in serum and saliva ceruloplasmin levels of OLP patients group as compared to controls (p<0.01) and there was no statistically significant differences in serum and saliva ceruloplasmin when compared between reticular and erosive forms (p>0.05). The study showed that there was no statistically significant correlation between serum and saliva ceruloplasmin levels in OLP patients group (r=-0.029, p>0.05). Conclusion: Oxidative status play a role in the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus represented by increased serum and saliva ceruloplasmin levels.
Background: One way to target polypharmacy and inappropriate medication in hemodialysis (HD) patients is with medication deprescribing. Objective: To assess the impact of implementing a pharmacist-led deprescribing program on medication adherence among HD patients. Method: A prospective interventional, one-group pretest-posttest-only design study was conducted at a hemodialysis center in Wasit Governorate, Iraq. Medication reconciliation followed by medication review based on the deprescribing program was done for all eligible patients, and the patients were monitored for three months for any possible complications. Results: Two hundred and seventy patients were screened for eligibility. Only one hundred and eighteen were enrolled i
... Show MoreThe purpose of the current study was to explore the standards that teachers take into consideration when selecting and using assistive technology (AT), in addition to their knowledge and skills in this area. A quantitative, descriptive survey design was used and a convenience sample of 79 teachers of students with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) participated in the current study. Based on the four main areas of the SETT Framework—student, environment, tasks, and tools—, teachers reported a lack consideration for most of the standards in each area. Among other findings, statistically significant differences were found between teachers’ standards of the SETT Framework, with teachers who had previous profe
... Show MoreThe investigation of natural convection in an annular space between two concentric cylinders partially filled with metal foam is introduced numerically. The metal foam is inserted with a new suggested design that includes the distribution of metal foam in the annular space, not only in the redial direction, but also with the angular direction. Temperatures of inner and outer cylinders are maintained at constant value in which inner cylinder temperature is higher than the outer one. Naiver Stokes equation with Boussinesq approximation is used for fluid regime while Brinkman-Forchheimer Darcy model used for metal foam. In addition, the local thermal equilibrium condition in the energy e
Rudimentary non-communicating functional uterine horn with unicornuate uterus, originating from anomalous embryological development of one Mullerian duct, is prone to different complications either at the gynecological or obstetrical level such as chronic pelvic pain, hematometra, subfertility and decreased quality of life. This unique case report presents a 14-year-old female with a history of severe chronic pelvic pain. She was diagnosed with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) and had an appendectomy for suspected appendicitis within the symptoms’ interval. Ultrasound showed a right 5*6 cm right complex cystic mass assuming ovarian in place. She underwent a suspected endometrioma cystectomy operation and was diagnosed with left unico
... Show MoreBackground:Nocturnal Enuresis is a common problem affecting 20% of five years old children and up to 2% of adolescent and young adult. Although it is a self limiting benign condition, it has social and psychological impact on the child and his family. Many pathophysiological theories had been suggested, but none is confirmed. Hypercalciuria has been suggested to be associated with higher incidence of nocturnal enuresis. Objectives:The aim of our study to test the value of Ca/Cr ratio, on random urine sample, in diagnosing hypercalciuria in enuretic children. Type of study: Cross sectional study.Methods:Forty four enuretic children were enrolled in this study and forty five children without nocturnal enuresis were taken as control group.
... Show MoreBackground: This study was conducted to assess the effect of sonic activation and bulk placement of resin composite in comparison to horizontal incremental placement on the fracture resistance of weakened premolar teeth. Materials and method: Sixty sound human single-rooted maxillary premolars extracted for orthodontic purposes were used in this study. Teeth were divided into six groups of ten teeth each: Group 1 (sound unprepared teeth as a control group), Group 2 (teeth prepared with MOD cavity and left unrestored), Group 3 (restored with SonicFill™ composite), Group 4 (restored with Quixfil™ composite), Group 5 (restored with Tertic EvoCeram® Bulk Fill composite) and Group 6 (restored with Universal Tetric EvoCeram® co
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