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.
Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) are generally used in different types of applications such as the industry of plastics, paper industry, paints, toothpaste, cosmetics, sunscreens, and in various lifestyles, because of the vast range of applications and our daily exposure to these nanoparticles and a lack of information on animal and human health this study was designed to reveal dose and time-dependent effects of TiO2-NPs on the thyroid gland and kidney functions in male rats.
For this study 54, Sprague-Dawley albino adult male rats were classified into three main groups each of 18 rats treated for a particular duration (1,2, and 4) weeks respectively. Each group was subdivided i
... Show MoreOil from Brassca campestris (local variety) was extracted with hexane using Soxhlet. The extracted oil was characterized and its antimicrobial activity was determined as well. The content of extracted oil was 40% with 0.5% of volatile oil .Oil was immiscible with polar solvent such as ethanol, acetone and water, while it was easily miscible with chloroform due to its hydrophobicity. The result of organoleptic tests revealed that the oil is clear yellow in color and odorless with acceptable taste. The oil was stable at 4 -25 C? for a month. Refractive index (RI) of oil was 1.4723 with density of 0.914, [both at 4-25 C?]. Boiling point 386 C?. Infra red spectroscopy (IR) indicated the presence of different chemical groups (C=C
... Show MoreAnatomical changes in internal tissue of stem and leaf when seed and plant treated with acids to enhance growth and development in maize was studied during the spring seasons of 2019 and 2020. Randomized complete block design was used with three replications. Main plots received foliar nutrition treatments, including ascorbic acid (AA), citric acid (CA), and humic acid (HA) at concentrations of 100 mg L−1, alongside HA at 1 ml L−1, with distilled water as the control. Sub-plots underwent corresponding treatments for seed soaking. Results indicated variations in vascular bundle size among treatments, with foliar CA treatment showing superior results in both years, as well as seed soaking in CA and HA. Interaction effects were observed, n
... Show MoreHall effect measurements have been made on a-As2Te3 thin films different thickness film in the range (200-350) nm. The Hall mobility in a-As2Te3 thin films decreases with increasing annealing temperature but the carrier concentration increases. When increasing the film thickness increases the Hall mobility decreases, while the carrier concentration increases.
The purpose of the study is to analyze the extent of the impact of liquidity as an independent variable on profitability as an intermediate variable and the value of banks listed in the Iraq Stock Exchange as a dependent variable, as the research problem is summarized by the fact that most banks focus on profitability as a phased goal without focusing on maximizing its value as a strategic goal by enhancing the wealth of owners and shareholders. On the long term, the research community is represented by the banks listed on the Iraq Stock Exchange, while the research sample was deliberately chosen, which included three private banks such as Baghdad Commercial Bank, the Iraqi Commercial Bank and the Iraqi Investment Bank, an
... Show MoreThe predisposing factors and their effect on the increasing of vulvovaginal Candidiasis have been studied in this research. The result indicated that the highest of infection with vaginal Candidias was in the age of women with age of (21-30years) with vaginal itching and discharge, also the results revealed that the pregnancy was the main predisposing factor. The percentage of the infected pregnant Ladies was 33.7% followed by the women who used the IUCD and OCP 22.1%, those who used steroids 5.2% comparing with control women (without predisposing factors).The results also indicated that the most cases of infection were during the third trimester of pregnancy (where the rate of infedion) was 53.9%.-OCP- Oral Contraceptive Pills-IUCD- Intrr
... Show MoreIn the present study, a pressure drop technique was used to identify the phase inversion point of oil-in-water to water-in-oil flows through a horizontal pipe and to study the effect of additives (nanoparticles, cationic surfactant and blend nanoparticles-surfactant) on the critical dispersed volume fraction (phase inversion point). The measurements were carried for mixture velocity ranges from 0.8 m/sec to 2.3 m/sec. The results showed that at low mixture velocity 0.8 and 1 m/sec there is no effect of additives and velocity on phase inversion point, while at high mixture velocities the phase inversion point for nanoparticles and blend (nanoparticles/surfactant) systems was delayed (postponed) to a higher value of the dispers
... Show MoreThis study aimed to determine the possibility of culturing genus Artemia in under laboratory conditions for locally culturing and producing. Different salinity concentrations were used, ranging from 5-40g/l . the results showed that the concentration 30g/l is the best for hatching. This concentration recorded hatching efficiency of 68800 nauplii/g cysts and hatching percentage of 45.86%, while the concentration 5g/l recorded less hatching efficiency and hatching percentage of 20266 nauplii/g and 13.5% respectively . Investigating the effect of salinity on individuals survival and growth using saline concentrations ranging from 30to 100g/l, revealed that the best percentage was 75.00% in the first week with 70g/l, whilst the best rates of
... Show MoreField experiment was conducted during 2007 in the experimental field of crop science Department/ Collage of Agriculture/ University of Baghdad, in order to identify the mechanism of compensation of cotton plant of Lashata Variety, with different levels of fruiting form removal in various time intervals and the effect of this factor on yield component. We use complete randomized block design with three replications. To compare the treatments: (control), 50% bud removal for one, two and three successive weeks, and 100% bud removal for one, two and three successive weeks, 50% flower removal for one, two and three successive weeks and 100% flower removal for one, two and three successive weeks, 50% boll removal for one, two and three successive
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