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 experiment was conducted in two stages: first stage: determination of the most effective dose of Cyperus rotundus tubers aquatic extract in male rats for 5 days, which was concentrated as (200 mg/kg body weight). The second stage was designed to observe and test the protective effects of C. rotundus tubers aquatic extract in the liver and kidney functions of male rats exposed to cadmium chloride poisoning (5 mg/kg bw) for 30 days. The animals were divided into (4) groups within each group (5) animals weighted (200-220g). The results of oral dose of cadmium chloride showed a significant increase of (P˂0.05) in the activity of both enzymes Alanine aminotransferas
... Show MoreThe aim of this study was to determine the effect on using the McCarthy Model (4MAT) for developing creative writing skills and reflective thinking among undergraduate students. The quasi-experimental approach was adopted. And, in order to achieve the study objective, the educational content of Teaching Ethics (Approach 401), for the plan for the primary grades teacher preparation program was dealt with by using a teaching program based on the McCarthy Model (4MAT) was used.
The study which was done had been based on the academic achievement test for creative writing skills, and the reflective thinking test. The validity and reliability of the study tools were also confirmed. The study was applied to a sample consisting of
... Show MoreThe research topic dealt with the strategic recovery of the insurance service, which is one of the approaches that have an important role in providing solutions and remedies for the recession that affects companies and hinders them from achieving their strategic goals. The research also addressed the strategic objectives of the company as the rationale and actual guide for companies of all activities in order to protect their systems from deviation for its desired purpose. So the aim of the research is to demonstrate the repercussions of the strategic recovery of the insurance Service represented by (compensation, speed of response, apology, initiative (identifying the problem). The company's strategic goals are represented (prof
... Show MoreBackground: Rehabilitation of the carious tooth to establish tooth structure integrity required cavity design that show a benign stress distribution. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the cavity position on the stress values in the reamining tooth structure restored with amalgam or resin composite. Materials and methods: Seven 2-D models of maxillary first premolar include class I cavity design was prepared, one sound tooth (A) 3 composite (B1, B2, and B3) and 3 amalgam (C1, C2, and C3). In design (BI and C1) the cavity position is in the mid distance between bacc-lingual cusp tip, design (B2 and C2) and (B3 and C3) shifted toward the buccal cusp and the lingual cusp for 0.5 mm respectively. One hundred N vertical
... Show More1-Objective:- Polyphenols are biochemical compounds with antioxidant activity against differences diseases related to Lipid peroxidation such as diabetes mellitus. Polyphenols distributed widely in medical plants, the aim of the study is to extract and analyze some polyphenolic compounds from grape seeds and examine their effects on (STZ) induced diabetic mice. 2-Methods:- In the present study , a group of polyphenols has been extracted from Iraq
... Show MoreBackground and Objectives: Wound healing is a complex process with overlapping phases haemostasis, inflammation, proliferation and maturation/matrix remodeling. Each phase of wound healing requires different management strategies, and inappropriate treatment can delay wound healing. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of topical application of calmodulin as a significant augmentation of the granulation tissue production process of wound healing and to express of genes CaMKK2, MaP2K6 and CXCR4 at site of wound defect, that have versatile effects on the body and they belong to Ca/camodulin related genes. Material and Methods: In this study thirty albino male rats, weighting (300-400) gram, aged (6-8) months, wil
... Show MoreThe aim of the study was to investigate the effect of magnetized water on the histological structure of heart, lung and spleen. For this purpose, twenty five albino rats were divided into five equal groups, the first group was considered as control group. The other groups were given magnetized water with intensity of 250, 750, 1000, 1500 gause every day for 30 days. Then the animals were sacrificed and the histological change on heart, lung and spleen was studied. Histopathology of heart in rats treated with magnetic water with intensity of 250, 750, 1000, 1500 gause showed no clear pathological lesion. Lung section of rats treated with 250 gause of magnetic water showed no pathological lesion, while lung section belongs to rats group given
... Show MoreObjectives: The study objectives were to evaluate customer satisfaction with community pharmacy services and measure the relationships between customer satisfaction and pharmacy/pharmacist characteristics and customer quality of life. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of a convenience sample of customers at 20 community pharmacies in 10 different geographical areas in Baghdad city between May and September 2018. We used the satisfaction items which were developed by Paterson and colleagues in 2013. The survey also assessed customer quality of life (QoL) with 12 QoL items. Results: The study recruited 400 pharmacy customers. Overall, customers reported good satisfaction with community pharmacy services. The most
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