The Libyan journal of medicine
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Comparative Study
Periodontal bone height of exclusive narghile smokers compared with exclusive cigarette smokers.
To compare the periodontal bone height (PBH) of exclusive narghile smokers (ENS) with that of exclusive cigarette smokers (ECS). ⋯ Both ENS and ECS exhibited the same PBH reduction, which means that both types of tobacco smoking are associated with periodontal bone loss.
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Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, which can be improved by using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. However, the pathophysiological links between the two kinds of disease and the mechanism of the CPAP effect remain incompletely understood. We aimed to inquire into the myocardial involvement in this relationship. We suggested that serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is sensitive enough to detect myocardial stress caused by OSAHS. ⋯ BNP seems to be sensitive enough to detect myocardial stress caused by OSAHS. As such, it is a potential marker for screening of preclinical cardiovascular damage in patients with untreated OSAHS. Application of CPAP decreases levels significantly in normotensive and particularly in hypertensive OSAHS. These findings are consistent with previous results suggesting the potential benefits of CPAP on cardiovascular outcome in OSAHS patients.
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Estimation of food portion sizes has always been a challenge in dietary studies on free-living individuals. The aim of this work was to develop and validate a food photography manual to improve the accuracy of the estimated size of consumed food portions. ⋯ The difference between the 24-hour recall method using digital photos and the weighing method is acceptable. Our findings indicate that the food photography manual can be a useful tool for quantifying food portion sizes in epidemiological dietary surveys.
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Objective Alteration of the antioxidant status in the kidneys may be related to lead (Pb) intoxication. The present study aimed to investigate the possible beneficial effect of thymoquinone (TQ), the major active ingredient of the volatile oil of Nigella sativa seeds, on Pb-induced renal antioxidant defense system impairment. Methods A total of thirty two healthy adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four equal groups as follows: a control group, which received no treatment; a Pb group, which was exposed to 2,000 ppm of Pb acetate in drinking water; a Pb-TQ group, which was cotreated with Pb plus TQ (5 mg/kg/day, per os); and a TQ group receiving only TQ. ⋯ By contrast, Pb exposure significantly decreased reduced glutathione level and superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and glutathione reductase activities in the renal tissue. Interestingly, supplementation with TQ significantly improved the affected antioxidant parameters. Conclusion Our data are the first to provide evidence on the protective effect of TQ against Pb-induced renal antioxidant capacity impairment and suggest that this component might be a clinically promising alternative in Pb nephrotoxicity.