Introduction: Salivary melatonin is a critical antioxidant that contributes to oral health by mitigating oxidative stress. Psychological stress linked to thumb sucking may disrupt oral homeostasis, leading to conditions such as dental caries and fungal infections. Aim: This study explores the relationships between thumb sucking, salivary melatonin levels, dental caries, and the presence of Candida albicans (CA) in children. Materials and methods: A case-control study was conducted with 60 children aged 4-5 years at the University of Baghdad’s College of Dentistry. Participants were divided into thumb-sucking (n=30) and non-thumb-sucking (n=30) groups. Salivary melatonin levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), dental caries were assessed via the dmfs index, and CA counts were quantified on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA). Statistical analyses were performed, including t-tests, ANOVA, and correlation assessments. Results: Thumb-sucking children exhibited significantly lower salivary melatonin levels (28.620±2.278 pg/mL) compared to controls (34.525±2.142 pg/mL; p=0.044). The thumb-sucking group also had higher dmfs scores (15.033±1.449 vs. 8.667±0.899; p=0.000) and greater CA counts (18.900±1.048 vs. 13.583±0.549; p=0.000). Negative correlations were observed between salivary melatonin levels and the severity of dental caries, while positive correlations linked CA with dental caries. Conclusions: Thumb sucking adversely affects pediatric oral health by reducing salivary melatonin, increasing dental caries risk, and promoting fungal overgrowth. Early intervention to curb thumb-sucking behaviors may mitigate these risks and improve oral health outcomes.
The technique of plant tissue culture has been used to In vitro micropropagation of Spilanthes acmella (L.) Murr. It is an ornamental and medicinal plant not cultivated in Iraq. Seeds were sterilized and cultuared on full strength Murashige and Skoog medium(1962)(MS). Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), 6- furfuryl aminopurine (Kin.) growth regulators were used at the Initiation stage.The combination between IAA and Kin. was used in multiplication stage. IAA was used for rooting the shoots. Results showed that 1.5% sodium hypochlorite for 15 min was very effective for disinfecting and survival. Nodes exhibited relatively highest response as compared with apical meristems and leaflets culture. Supplying the culture medium with 1 mg/L.
... Show MoreAbstract: Coriandrum sativum leaves are used in folk medicine to treat several diseases such as digestive system disorder, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. This study was designed to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of Coriandrum sativum on the structure and function of kidney, 30 males of white Swiss mice Mus musculus were divided randomly to three groups with 10 mice in each group. Animals of first group (control group) had been given orally 0.1 ml of tap water, animals in the second group had been treated orally with 0.1 of single dose (125 mg/Kg b. w./day) of C. sativum leaves extract and animals in the third group has been treated orally with 0.1 ml (250mg/Kg. b. w./day) of the same extract for 30 days. At the end of experiment,
... Show MoreThis study examines the species composition, biodiversity, zoogeography, and ecology of freshwater gastropods of 12 springs in Andijan region of Uzbekistan. The study used generally accepted malacological, faunistic, ecological, analytical, and statistical methods. As a result of research in the springs, 14 species of freshwater gastropods belonging to 2 subclasses, 5 families, and 10 genera were recorded. 7 of them are endemic to Central Asia. When indicators of biodiversity of mollusks were analyzed according to the Shannon index, it was found that the highest value was recorded in the springs besides the hills. According to the biotope of distribution and bioecological features, they were divided into cryophilic, phytophilic, pelophil
... Show MoreOptical properties and surface morphology of pure and doped Polystyrene films with different divalent metals of Zn, Cu and Sn and one concentration percentage have been studied. Measurements of UV-Vis spectrophotometer and AFM spectroscopy were determined. The absorbance, transmittance and reflectance spectrums were used to study different optical parameters such as absorption coefficient, refractive index, extinction coefficient and energy gap in the wavelengths rang 200-800nm. These parameters have increased in the presence of the metals. The change in the calculated values of energy gaps with doping metals content has been investigated in terms of PS matrix structural modification. The value of opt
... Show MoreThe international business environment faces many challenges, including the intensity of competition, the speed of expansion, and control of the market. This leads to its shadow on the local business environment, which prompted many economic units to adopt modern strategies, including mergers and acquisitions, for expansion and prosperity. The research was conducted to verify the role of internal audit in the governance of strategy operations (Mergers and acquisitions) and its reflection on management decisions and making them efficient and effective. Internal auditing is the independent variable related to the other variable, the governance of strategic operations and its impact on management decisions for strategic operations as a depende
... Show MoreThis study was carried out in Plant Tissue Culture Labs, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Baghdad from November 2018 to June 2019. Fresh stem cuttings, 5 cm long were selected from 6-month old C-35 Citrange rootstock. Five concentrations of BA (0, 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 mg.L-1) were studied and addition of meta-Topolin (mT) at four concentrations (0, 1, 5 and 10 mg.L-1) was also studied to find out its effect individually on shoot number and shoot length in multiplication stage. Rooting media supplemented with four concentrations of IBA (0, 1, 2 and 3 mg.L-1) was also studied to find out its effect on rooting percentage, root number and root length. Results showed that BA as concentration of 2.5mg.L-1 significantly gav
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