Small Ubiquitin-Like Modifier Protein 3 Enhances the Solubilization of Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 in E. coli.

Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) fusion technology is widely used in the production of heterologous proteins from prokaryotic system to aid in protein solubilization and refolding. Due to an extensive clinical application of human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (hBMP2) in bone augmentation, total RNA was isolated from human gingival tissue and mature gene was amplified through RT-PCR, cloned (pET21a), sequence analyzed, and submitted to GenBank (Accession no. KF250425).

Food Exchange List and Dietary Management of Non-Communicable Diseases in Cultural Perspective.

This review focuses at highlighting the importance of Food Exchange List in cultural perspective, as an effective dietary tool to help individuals' manage their dietary modifications in relation to non communicable diseases whilst specifying measures that can help improve the quality of Food Exchange Lists for combating various non communicable diseases and addressing adherence related issues to specialized diets. A search was done using PubMed & Google Scholar till June 2016. Search terms used were food exchange list AND disease, diet AND non-communicable diseases.

Dental graduates perspective of professionalism competences from a developing country.

Objective: To evaluate the perception of fresh dental graduates regarding professional competences essential for a graduating dentist.

Methods: This quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at four public and four private sector dental colleges in Punjab, Pakistan, from June to December 2014, and comprised dental graduates of the years 2013 and 2014. A comprehensive document containing 32 professionalism competences, divided into 3 sub-domains, was developed based on the competence documents of local and foreign accrediting bodies.

The role of repetition and reinforcement in school-based oral health education-a cluster randomized controlled trial.

Background: Repetition and reinforcement have been shown to play a crucial role in the sustainability of the effect of Oral Health Education (OHE) programs. However, its relevance to school-based OHE imparted by different personnel is not depicted by the existing dental literature. The present study was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of the repeated and reinforced OHE (RR-OHE) compared to one-time OHE intervention and to assess its role in school-based OHE imparted by dentist, teachers and peers.

Association of periodontal and cardiovascular diseases: South-Asian studies 2001-2012.

Large proportion of Asian populations have moderate to severe periodontal disease and a substantial number are anticipated to be at high risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This study reviews epidemiology and association of periodontal and CVDs from the South-Asian region. Observational studies and clinical trials published during January 2001-December 2012 focusing association between periodontitis and CVDs in South-Asian countries were retrieved from various databases and studied.

Salivary Immunosuppressive Cytokines IL-10 and IL-13 Are Significantly Elevated in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is considered to be one of the most fatal diseases worldwide, owing to its late diagnosis and lack of availability of established reliable biomarkers. The aim of this study was to highlight the significance of immunosuppressive cytokines as potential biomarkers in OSCC. Whole unstimulated saliva was collected from each individual (30 OSCC patients and 33 age- and gender-matched healthy controls).

Extrinsic stain removal with a toothpowder: A randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: The efficacy of a commercially available toothpowder was compared with toothpaste in removing extrinsic dental stains.

Methods: In this single-blind, randomized controlled trial, 77 volunteers were included from a residential professional college. All study subjects (control toothpaste users and test toothpowder users) plaque control measures.

Bidirectional Relationship between Chronic Kidney Disease & Periodontal Disease.

Unlabelled: Non communicable diseases (NCDs) affect the life of an individual in terms of mortality, morbidity and financial crises. Main NCDs are diabetes mellitus (DM), cardiovascular diseases (CVD), pulmonary diseases, osteoporosis and chronic kidney diseases (CKD). About 40% of the total deaths can be controlled by eliminating the risk factors for NCDs.

Oral hygiene assessment by school teachers and peer leaders using simplified method.

Background: A significant proportion of children in developing countries are having plaque-induced gingivitis. A public health strategy may involve teachers and peer leaders to motivate and train school children for regular and thorough removal of dental plaque. The monitoring and evaluation of such a strategy may require teachers and peer leaders to assess oral hygiene status of children at periodic intervals.

School-based strategies for oral health education of adolescents--a cluster randomized controlled trial.

Background: Oral health education (OHE) in schools has largely been imparted by dental professionals. Considering the substantial cost of this expert-led approach, the strategies relying on teachers, peer-leaders and learners themselves have also been utilized. However the evidence for comparative effectiveness of these strategies is lacking in the dental literature.

Diagnostic utility of p63 (Ab-1) and (Ab-4) tumor markers in the squamous cell carcinomas of head and neck.

P63 is a gene product required in cell cycle regulation which plays vital roles in tumor differentiation. Aims of the present study were to assess the frequency, pattern, sensitivity and specificity of two p63 protein clones P63 4A4 and P63 4A4+Y4A3 in squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). Thirty cases of head and neck region SCC diagnosed on the basis of HandE staining were examined along with 60 cases of head and neck region biopsies other than squamous cell carcinoma, negative on HandE staining, were taken as control.

Tooth loss in institutionalized coronary heart disease patients of Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore, Pakistan.

Objective: To observe frequency and possible association of tooth loss with prevalent coronary heart disease in Pakistani population.

Methodology: Angiographically determined coronary heart disease (CHD) patients of Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore, Pakistan, and healthy individuals were enrolled for status of tooth loss.

Results: Nine hundred and thirty six CHD patients and 595 healthy subjects with mean age of 51.

Poor oral health and coronary artery disease: a case-control study.

Background: There is insufficient research on the relationship of oral health and coronary artery disease (CAD) from developing countries, such as Pakistan. This study observes the status of oral health in the CAD population.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 145 cases and 145 controls.

Dental caries experience in preschool children: is it related to a child's place of residence and family income?

Purpose: To assess the caries prevalence in 3- to 5-year-old children and determine whether urbanisation and income are associated with the dental decay status of these preschool children residing in the district of Lahore, Pakistan.

Materials And Methods: Multistage random sampling was done to collect the sample of children from urban and rural areas. A list of children 3 to 5 years of age was prepared, and every 2nd child on the list was randomly selected until a total of 700 children were enrolled in the study.

Effect on blood pressure and pulse rate after administration of an epinephrine containing dental local anaesthetic in hypertensive patients.

Objective: To document safety for use, through recording changes in blood pressure and pulse rate, after administering 3.6 ml of a 2% lignocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine dental local anaesthetic in a group of hypertensive patients.

Methodology: The present study was conducted at Shaikh Zayed Medical Complex, Lahore, from May to December 2008, using a convenience sampling technique.

Helicobacter pylori in dental plaque; is it related to brushing frequency, plaque load and oral health status?

Objective: To determine the relation between presence of H. pylori in supra-gingival dental plaque with oral hygiene habits and oral health status of patients suffering from symptomatic dyspepsia.

Study Design: Descriptive study.

Oral health status of CHD and non-CHD adults of Lahore, Pakistan.

Background: Evidence on association of oral health and coronary heart diseases (CHD) is mounting in the literature. This study was designed to observe an association between status of oral health and cardiac diseases in Pakistani adults.

Materials And Methods: A case-control study was conducted on CHD and non-CHD adults aged >30 years.

Bidirectional relationship between diabetes and periodontal disease: review of evidence.

Presently there are 170 million diabetic patients worldwide. Pakistan ranks sixth in the world with approximately 6.2 million in the 20-79 year age affected by the diabetes.

Simultaneous amplification of two bacterial genes: more reliable method of Helicobacter pylori detection in microbial rich dental plaque samples.

Polymerase Chain reaction (PCR) assay is considered superior to other methods for detection of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in oral cavity; however, it also has limitations when sample under study is microbial rich dental plaque. The type of gene targeted and number of primers used for bacterial detection in dental plaque samples can have a significant effect on the results obtained as there are a number of closely related bacterial species residing in plaque biofilm.

Non-surgical periodontal therapy lowers serum inflammatory markers: a pilot study.

Background: Evidence suggests an association between periodontal disease and coronary heart disease (CHD). C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, and white blood cell (WBC) counts are markers of inflammation, and their systemic levels have been associated with CHD risk. This pilot study investigated the effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy on systemic levels of CRP, fibrinogen, and WBC counts in subjects with CHD or no CHD (NCHD).

Caries prevalence in Chikar, Kashmir, post-earthquake: implications for service provision.

Aim: To conduct a preliminary assessment of the level of dental caries among school children in Chikar.

Design: A cross sectional epidemiological survey (following WHO standard protocol) of children in Chikar with convenience sampling from five schools was utilised.

Setting: Schools in Chikar.

A simplified dental examination for detection of cavitated carious lesions in school setting.

Objective: The objective of the study was to compare a simplified dental examination involving the use of a wooden spatula and a toothpick (TS examination) with the conventional dental mirror and probe examination (MP examination) for detection of cavitated carious lesions in schoolchildren.

Methods: The study involved three groups of caries-positive schoolchildren aged 4-5, 9-10 and 13-14 years with 179, 188 and 202 children, respectively. All children were examined by a trained and calibrated examiner using a wooden spatula and a toothpick under natural light.

Uncompensated tooth loss in cardiac patients of Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore.

Objective: To observe replacement of missing teeth with artificial teeth in subjects with and with out cardiac diseases and find its possible association with coronary heart diseases (CHD).

Methodology: Consecutive patients aged 20 and above with coronary heart disease and accompanied healthy subjects with tooth loss were examined for oral prosthesis after having a verbal consent, over a one month period in a cross-sectional study at Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore. Chi-square and T- test were applied to analyze variables in subjects with and without coronary heart disease.

Comparison of the plaque-removing efficacy of toothpaste and toothpowder.

Background: Removing dental plaque may play a key role in maintaining oral health. Methods for oral hygiene vary from country to country and from culture to culture. Chewing sticks (miswak) and toothpowders are popular oral hygiene tools in Pakistan.