Author: Zaid Mustafa Akram

Inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions contributed to a global issue of antimicrobial resistance. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of bacterial pathogens and antimicrobial resistance isolated from maxillofacial infections (MIs). Two hundred and twenty-two patients with different MIs were included in this study. Swab samples were taken from the site of infections. Samples were cultured, and isolated bacteria were identified using various biochemical tests. Antimicrobial resistance patterns of isolates were assessed by the disk diffusion method. The mean age of the patients was 50.8 years. The male-to-female ratio was 127/95 (P< 0.05). Smoking and alcohol consumption were found in 60.36% and 37.38% of patients, respectively. Most patients had a≤ 1-week infection duration (P< 0.05). Abscess lesion was the most predominant infection type (P< 0.05). The prevalence of aerobic bacteria among abscess, pus localization, and deep facial infections was 59.33%, 64.28%, and 46.66%, respectively. The prevalence of anaerobic bacteria among abscess, pus localization, and deep facial infections was 40.66%, 23.80%, and 53.33%, respectively. Staphylococcus aureus (10.36%) and Prevotella buccalis (8.55%) had the uppermost distribution amongst all examined samples. Isolated bacteria exhibited the uppermost resistance rate toward penicillin (65.76%), tetracycline (61.26%), gentamicin (58.10%), and ampicillin (57.65%) antimicrobials. The lowest resistance rate was obtained for linezolid (25.67%), ceftriaxone (31.08%), and azithromycin (31.08%) antimicrobials. Linezolid, ceftriaxone, and azithromycin had effective antimicrobial activities …   DOI link: Antimicrobial resistance of bacterial pathogens isolated from the infections of post maxillofacial surgery.

High blood pressure (hypertension) is one of greatest risk factors for cardiovascular disease, which is a remarkable cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The outcome of hypertension (HTN) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is influenced by a wide variation of risk factors like use of tobacco; excessive alcohol consumption; unhealthy diet, few physical activity, overweight and obesity; high blood glucose, and abnormal blood lipids. The objectives of this study were to evaluate taste detection thresholds (of four basic tastes) of hypertensive patients on Amlodipine 5 mg and on Losartan 50 mg. And to estimate Zinc level in saliva of those patients and compare it with control subjects. A total of 90 subjects were incorporated in this study they were divided into three groups: 1-Thirty patients on Amlodipine (5mg) 2-Thirty patients on Losartan (50mg) and 3-Thirty healthy control subjects. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected from all subjects including in this study. Volume of 5 ml of each taste gradient solution, was offered to the participants. The samples were subjected to biomechanical analysis to estimate zinc level by using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The result showed that the taste detection threshold of sucrose and sault were significantly higher in patients on Amlodipine and on Losartan treatment than in control subjects. While the taste detection threshold of sour and bitter showed no significant differences between the study groups. Also there is un alteration in salivary Zinc, Zinc in patients on Amlodipine and on Losartan was significantly lower compared to control group.   DOI link: Salivary Zinc level and Taste Detection Thresholds in Hypertensive Patients on Amlodipine and on Losartan (A Comparative Study)

Background: Alveolar bone regeneration can be guided by the application of a collagen protein coupled with neuroinductive protein, following tooth extraction. Aim of the study: The present study was designed to evaluate the radiologic, histologic and histomorphometric aspects of socket healing in extraction site received placental collagen with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), compared with control site that healed spontaneously. Materials and Method: Twelfth Sprague-Dawley male rats were subjected for a surgical tooth extraction of upper central teeth of both sides. The right side be the control one as the socket healed spontaneously. while left side be the experimental site, as tooth socket treated with 1μL of placental collagen with 1μL of BDNF. The rats were scarified at 2 and 4 weeks post extraction. Socket healing was examined radiographically and histologically. Results: Experimental site illustrates trabecular bones formation between the peripheral and central regions of the sockets at 2 weeks and increment of bone formation was observed, filled most of socket at 4 weeks with reepithelization recognized at the surface. Radiographical view shows radiopaque that comprising 50% to 74% of the overall area of the socket and was assigned a score of 3 with a high p value in comparisum to control. Conclusion: The present study, high lighted on osseo-inductive effect of the local application of placental collagen with BDNF in socket healing. DOI link: Acceleration of Socket Healing by Using Placental Collagen with BDNF: Radiological and Histological Studies

Background: Aloe vera was used to enhance defense mechanisms, and it has a variety of components that affected on periodontal healing and other oral condition. It was used also around dental implants to control inflammation from bacteria contamination. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is of particular interest because of its ability to induce neovascularization (angiogenesis), VEGF also acts to recruit and activate osteoclasts as well as stimulate osteoblast chemotaxis, differentiation, and matrix mineralization. Aim of study: The objective of this research was to illustrate the biological actions of topical application of aloe vera and growth factor VEGF on implant tissue contact surface which is involved in osseointegration. Materials and Method: Commercially pure Titanium (cpTi) implants with aloe vera/and VEGF, were placed in the tibia of (24) New Zealand white rabbits, Mechanical test (torque removal test) was performed as an indicator for the presence of osseointegration and bone implant contact (BIC) measurement as a test for the property of bone-implant interface. Histological investigation was performed on all the implants of both control and experimental groups at (1, 2, and 6weeks) healing intervals. Results: Findings illustrated that removal torque mean and BIC values in experimental implant showed high value in comparison to control. Histological results show an early bone deposition and early maturation in combination group. Conclusions: Bone formation &maturation was accelerated by adding biological materials and using a combination of Aloe Vera and VEGF is a powerful tool for enhancement of osseointegration. DOI link: Combination Use of Aloe Vera and VEGF Promotes Osseointegration and Stability of Titanium Implants