Materials and Methods: Convenience sampling was performed in 20 cats from the Gasing Veterinary Hospital in Selangor. Plasma and saliva samples were collected from 15 clinically ill cats and 5 healthy cats subjected to one-step reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction with primers targeting a highly conserved gene of U3-LTR-gag.
Results: Two clinically ill cats' plasma and saliva samples tested positive for FeLV RNA. Partial nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the current isolates were 94-99% homologous to the previous Malaysian and Japanese FeLV isolates.
Conclusion: Current FeLV isolates from this study displayed higher similarity with the previous Malaysian isolates, signifying that a similar FeLV strain circulated among the cat population in Selangor.
METHODS: We recruited 81 travelers and 15 non-travelers (including ten controls) prospectively within a mean of 3·22 days of RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19. Each study participant provided 2 mls of early morning fresh drooled whole saliva separately into a sterile plastic container and GeneFiX™ saliva collection kit. The saliva specimens were processed within 4 h and tested for SARS-CoV-2 genes (E, RdRP, and N2) and the results compared to paired NPS RT-PCR for diagnostic accuracy.
RESULTS: Majority of travellers were asymptomatic (75·0%) with a mean age of 34·26 years. 77 travelers were RT-PCR positive at the time of hospitalization whilst three travelers had positive contacts. In this group, the detection rate for SARS-CoV-2 with NPS, whole saliva, and GeneFiX™ were comparable (89·3%, 50/56; 87·8%, 43/49; 89·6%, 43/48). Both saliva collection methods were in good agreement (Kappa = 0·69). There was no statistical difference between the detection rates of saliva and NPS (p > 0·05). Detection was highest for the N2 gene whilst the E gene provided the highest viral load (mean = 27·96 to 30·10, SD = 3·14 to 3·85). Saliva specimens have high sensitivity (80·4%) and specificity (90·0%) with a high positive predictive value of 91·8% for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis.
CONCLUSION: Saliva for SARS-CoV-2 screening is a simple accurate technique comparable with NPS RT-PCR.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was done among 253 children of 5-, 12-, and 15-year-olds living in various orphanage houses of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Demographic data, and dietary and oral hygiene practices were collected through a structured questionnaire. Clinical examinations of children were conducted to assess oral health status and recorded in the World Health Organization oral health assessment form (1997). Stimulated saliva was collected for S. mutans and Lactobacilli levels. The statistical software, namely, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 19.0 was used for the analysis of the data.
RESULTS: The final data analysis included 253 children of which 116 (45.8%) were boys and 137 (54.2%) were girls. Overall, 140 (55.33%) children were caries-free and 113 (44.66%) children presented with caries (decayed/missing/filled surface >0). High levels of salivary microbiological counts (S. mutans and Lactobacilli), i.e., ≥105, stress the importance of necessary preventive oral health services. Treatment needs among orphan children showed that most of the children, i.e., 58 (22.9%), need preventive or caries-arresting care followed by 49 (19.4%) who require two-surface filling as an immediate measure.
CONCLUSION: From the results of our study, orphan children have low utilization of preventive and therapeutic oral health services. Urgent attention is required to plan a comprehensive dental health-care program to improve their oral health status.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Parents are the primary caretakers of children, but woefully some of them have to lead their lives without parents, the latter either being dead or incapable of bringing up their children. Such a group of children is known as orphans. As oral health is an integral part of general health, it is essential for health-care policy makers to address oral health needs of this underprivileged group of society. This article highlights the risk factors and treatment needs among orphan schoolchildren.
Methods: The posterior parts of the archwires were sectioned into 20 mm segments (N = 102) and divided among six groups. Four groups were treated with different pH levels and two served as controls. The specimens were immersed in individual test tubes containing 10 ml of artificial saliva adjusted to a pH of 6.75 or 3.5. The tubes were sealed and stored in a 37 °C water bath for 28 days. After 28 days, the specimens were ligated to brackets embedded in an acrylic block and subjected to mechanical stress using an electronic toothbrush for 210 s. The specimens were photographed, and images were measured for coating loss using AutoCAD® software. Surface morphology was observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM).
Results: Significant coating loss (p
Materials and methods: Sixty (60) extracted sound Maxilla (Mx) and Mandibular (Mn) premolars were randomly divided into 2 groups (test and control). Artificial WSLs were produced on buccal surface of teeth and were immersed in artificial saliva for 8 weeks. Colour components (L∗, a∗, b∗) and surface roughness (Sa∗) were assessed on 40 teeth using colour difference meter RD-100 and Alicona® Infinite Focus profilometer respectively. The measurements were done at baseline (T1), directly after artificial WSLs (T2), after 24 hours immersed in saliva and application of resin (T3) and immersion in artificial saliva for 1 (T4), 2 (T5), 4 (T6), 6 (T7) and 8 (T8) weeks. SEM images analysis were carried out on 20 teeth in four time points.
Results: The values of L∗ (lightness), b∗ (yellow/blue) and Sa∗ (surface roughness) are gradually reduced to the baseline value. Whereas, the value of a∗ gradually increased with distinct treatment time to achieve the baseline value. The higher value of L∗ and Sa∗, the whiter the lesion suggesting higher degree of enamel demineralization and surface roughness. Lower L∗ values suggest a masking colour effect.
Conclusion: The material produced favorable esthetics on colour and the surface roughness of teeth at distinct treatment times. It is recommended to be used to improve WSL post orthodontic treatment.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 129 healthy blood donors and staffs of Penang General Hospital were recruited from June 2018-May 2019. Paired (morning and late-night) saliva samples were collected from individuals aged between 18 and 60 years old with no history of chronic medical illness. Salivary cortisol was assayed using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay technique. Non-parametric statistics were used for calculation of reference interval and 90% confidence intervals (90% CIs).
RESULTS: The reference interval for morning and latenight salivary cortisol was 2.09 - 22.63 nmol/L and <12.00 nmol/L, respectively.
CONCLUSION: The locally-derived adult reference intervals for morning and late-night salivary cortisol concentration was determined and varied with previous studies emphasising the need in establishing individual laboratory reference interval.
Methods: Ten males recreational runners were randomised to three running trials with a 1 week recovery period between the trials. Each trial involved running at 75% maximum heart rate (HRmax) for 1 h, followed by a 15 min time trial. The participants used a CHO mouth rinse, placebo (PLA) solution or control (CON, no solution) every 15 min during the exercise. Heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and mood states were recorded pre-, during and post-exercise. Saliva samples were collected pre-, post- and 1 h post-exercise.
Results: There was no significant interaction and time effect (P > 0.05) on the salivary lysozyme concentration and running performance, but it was significant (P < 0.05) for HR and RPE (increase in all trials). However, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in salivary lysozyme concentrations, running performances, HR values or RPE between the trials. Mood states were not significantly different (P > 0.05) between the trials, but one of the mood sub-scales showed a significant (P < 0.001) time effect (increase fatigue in all trials).
Conclusion: CHO mouth rinsing did not affect physiological parameters, salivary lysozyme concentrations, mood states or running performance among recreational runners.
METHODS: Forty-one healthy sedentary males were recruited and randomised into four groups: sedentary control with placebo (C), probiotics (P), circuit training with placebo (Ex), and circuit training with probiotics (PEx) groups. Participants in the Ex and PEx groups performed a progressive load of circuit training at 3 times/week for 12 weeks. Each circuit comprised 10 exercises with work to rest ratio of 1:2. Participants consumed either multi-strain probiotics or placebo twice daily for 12 weeks. Body height and weight, blood pressure, resting heart rate, saliva and blood samples were collected at pre- and post-tests.
RESULTS: Saliva flow rate and salivary IgA, α-amylase, lactoferrin and lysozyme responses were not significantly different (P>0.05) between groups and also between pre- and post-test within each group. Similarly, total leukocytes, total lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, T-helper, T-cytotoxic, B lymphocytes, and natural killer cells counts were not significantly affected (P>0.05) by the probiotics and/or circuit training. However, circuit training significantly increased (P<0.05) immune cells count at post-test as compared to pre-test. Yet, a combination of circuit training and probiotics showed no significant (P>0.05) effects on immune cells count.
CONCLUSIONS: This study did not provide enough support for the positive effects of probiotics on immune responses among sedentary young males following resistance exercise. However, 12 weeks of circuit training enhanced immune cells count.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to determine the wetting properties of 3 different commercially available denture base resin materials with artificial salivary substitute by using contact angle measurements and to compare these properties before and after thermocycling.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total 120 specimens were fabricated with 3 different denture base materials (n=40): heat-polymerized polymethylmethacrylate (DenTek), injection-molded nylon polyamide (Valplast), and microwave polymerized (VIPI WAVE). The advancing and receding contact angles were measured with a goniometer by using the WinDrop++ software program. The contact angle hysteresis was calculated from the advancing and receding contact angles values. The same specimens were subjected to thermocycling to measure the advancing and receding contact angles values. The comparative evaluation was carried out before and after thermocycling.
RESULTS: The mean ±standard deviation contact angles of the microwave-polymerized material were (62.40 ±1.21 degrees) advancing contact angle, (32.12 ±0.66 degrees) receding contact angle, and (30.28 ±1.40 degrees) contact angle of hysteresis. It was followed by the injection-molded nylon polyamide material, whose mean ±standard deviation contact angle values were (68.57 ±1.72 degrees) advancing contact angle, (43.02 ±1.39 degrees) receding contact angle, (26.27 ±2.05 degrees) contact angle hysteresis and high impact strength heat-polymerized polymethylmethacrylate material, whose mean ±standard deviation contact angle values were (69.81 ±0.16 degrees) advancing contact angle, (41.90 ±1.02 degrees) receding contact angle, and (27.91 ±0.97 degrees) contact angle hysteresis. The statistical analysis showed significant differences among contact angle values of the microwave-polymerized material as compared with the heat-polymerized polymethylmethacrylate and injection-molded nylon polyamide materials (Psaliva substitute than heat-polymerized polymethylmethacrylate and injection-molded nylon polyamide.