Low-level laser therapy in dentistry: Extra-oral applications AA Nadhreen, NM Alamoudi, HM Elkhodary Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice 2019 22(10):1313-1318 Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is considered as a recent technique in the dental field. Nowadays, it is used by many clinicians in dentistry. The stimulation of the healing process and pain relief are among its most popular uses. The purpose of this paper is to discuss and review the latest extra-oral applications of LLLT in the dental field. An electronic search of English scientific papers from 2000 to 2018 was accomplished using PubMed and Google Scholar search engines. The following key words were used extra-oral, applications, LLLT, and dental field. This review demonstrates the marked effectiveness of LLLT in the management of many conditions and how it could improve the quality of life of many patients. However, LLLT is still considered a recent alternative and requires more understanding of its mechanism of action by conducting more high-quality randomized clinical trials with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods.

Roles of UGT2B7 C802T gene polymorphism on the efficacy of morphine treatment on cancer pain among the Chinese han population M Ning, Y Tao, X Hu, L Guo, J Ni, J Hu, H Shen, Y Chen Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice 2019 22(10):1319-1323 Background: Morphine is a common analgesic often used to manage chronic pain, especially for patients with pain due to malignancies. Since UGT2B7 plays an important role in the metabolism of morphine, UGT2B7 gene mutation may influence the efficacy of morphine in patients with cancer being treated by this medication. Aims: The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the polymorphisms of UGT2B7 and the efficacy of morphine treatment on cancer pain among the Chinese Han population. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 patients with cancer pain were enrolled in this study. Morphine was administrated through patient-controlled analgesia infusion pump, and the visual analog score (VAS) was used for pain assessment at 0.5, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72-h post morphine treatment, respectively. The plasma concentration of morphine and genetic polymorphism of UGT2B7 C802T and G221T was analyzed, respectively. Results: The frequencies of UGT2B7 C802T were CC: 13.33%, CT: 45% and TT: 41.67%, and the frequencies of UGT2B7 G221T were GG: 76.67%, GT: 22.5% and TT: 0.83%. Moreover, the VAS score of patients with either C802T CT or TT was significantly higher than that in patients with C802T CC. However, no difference of VAS scores was observed between patients carrying G221T GG and patients carrying G221T GT. The plasma concentration of morphine for patients with the C802T CC was significantly lower than that in patients carrying C802T CT or TT, while there was no significant difference in the level of morphine between patients with G221T GG and G221T GT. Conclusion: The polymorphism of UGT2B7 C802T, but not UGT2B7 G221T, has been associated with the efficacy of morphine treatment on cancer pain among Chinese Han population.

Clinical observation in edaravone treatment for acute cerebral infarction Z Sun, Q Xu, G Gao, M Zhao, C Sun Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice 2019 22(10):1324-1327 Background: Acute cerebral infarction threats human health and life safety. The edaravone is a new antioxidant and hydroxyl radical scavenger, which is the novel scavenger for clinical use, mainly for nervous system diseases. Objective: The purpose of this study is to observe the clinical treatment effects of edaravone on the degree of improvement of neurological impairment and functional movement impairment in patients with acute cerebral infarction. Method: A total of 130 patients admitted to our hospital because of acute cerebral infarction from December 2015 to May 2017 were selected for group analysis. These patients were divided into a control group (n = 65) and a treatment group (n = 65) with a random odd–even method. The control group accepted conventional treatment, while the treatment group received edaravone treatment on top of the conventional treatment of the control group. After treatment, the differences in functional movement, living ability score, neurological score, treatment effect, and adverse reaction of these two groups were tested and compared. Results: The total treatment efficiency of conventional treatment in the control group was significantly lower than the combination treatment in the treatment group (P < 0.05). The inter-group differences in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, activities of daily living, and Fugl–Meyer assessment scores after the treatment were significant between these two groups (P < 0.05). The posttreatment effect on the treatment group was superior to that on the control group (P < 0.05). The adverse reaction rate of the treatment group did not significantly vary from that of the control group (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Edaravone can significantly improve the degree of neurological impairment during acute cerebral infarction, functional movement, and living quality with a definite effect and high safety. Thus, this drug has a good prospect in clinical treatment.

Evaluation of the effect of honey on the healing of tooth extraction wounds in 4- to 9-year-old children S Mokhtari, I Sanati, Sh Abdolahy, Z Hosseini Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice 2019 22(10):1328-1334 Objective: The aim of the this study was to evaluate the effect of honey on the healing of tooth extraction wounds in children 4‒9 years of age. Subjects and Methods: In the present randomized clinical trial, 51 patients, 4‒9 years of age were selected randomly. All the subjects required extraction of one deciduous molar tooth. The subjects were randomly assigned to two groups. In group 1, after extraction of the tooth, the dentist used a cotton swab applicator to place a layer of honey on a piece of gauze moistened with normal saline solution (NSS) and placed it on the socket. In group 2, honey was not used; rather, NSS was applied. On days 3 and 7 after tooth extraction, the wound sizes were measured. Results: In both groups, the wound sizes decreased significantly on the third day compared with baseline and on the seventh day compared with the third day (P < 0.05). On the third and seventh days after tooth extraction, wound sizes in the honey group were significantly lower than those in the NSS group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Honey resulted in a decrease in wound sizes and faster healing after extraction of teeth in children. Therefore, use of honey can be recommended after minor surgeries in the oral cavity.

Cyclic fatigue resistance of waveone gold, protaper next and 2shape nickel titanium rotary instruments using a reliable method for measuring temperature K Olcay, TF Eyuboglu, E Erkan Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice 2019 22(10):1335-1340 Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cyclic fatigue resistances of the WaveOne Gold (WOG), ProTaper Next (PTN), 2Shape (TS) instruments. Materials and Methods: Totally 45 new WOG (25/.07), PTN (25/.06), TS (25/.06) files were tested inside the artificial canal of a custom-made stainless steel block with an inner diameter of 1.5 mm, a 60° angle, and a 5-mm radius of curvature. A 16-mm-long file segment (from the tip) was introduced and was immersed in 37°C water. The number of cycles to fracture (NCF), time to failure (TTF), fractured fragment length (FL) was recorded and the fractured surface was examined using microscope. Results: WOG > PTN > TS according to TTF results (P = 0.00). PTN > TS according to NCF results (P = 0.00). The FL values showed no significant difference (P = 0.335). Conclusions: Reciprocating motion can be used more safely than continuous rotation due to the higher cyclic fatigue resistance.

Incident HIV infection and perinatal transmission rates among HIV negative pregnant women who retested in labor in a tertiary health centre, South East Nigeria SD Ejikunle, II Mbachu, C Okeudo, E Dike, E Ejikem Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice 2019 22(10):1341-1348 Background: To reduce the number of new HIV infections among children, retesting of HIV negative pregnant women in labor to identify new infections and instituting appropriate modified obstetrics practices (MOP) has a huge role to play. Aims and Objectives: This study evaluated the HIV sero-positivity in labor among pregnant women who earlier tested negative in antenatal clinic, associated risk factors and the corresponding rate of mother-to-child transmission of HIV infection. Methods: This was a prospective observational study where pregnant women in labor who had earlier tested HIV negative in the antenatal clinic at Imo State University Teaching Hospital Orlu, Imo state, Nigeria, were retested. The infants of the women who seroconverted were tested for HIV infection at 6 weeks using Deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase chain reaction (DNA PCR) by collecting Dried Blood Sample. This study was conducted from October 2015 to March 2016. Result: Out of the 163 patients studied, 6 demonstrated HIV seroconversion giving a seroconversion rate of 3.7%. Deliveries from the seroconverted patients were 5 live births and 1 intrauterine fetal death. All the 5 live babies tested HIV negative at 6 weeks of age. Predictors of seroconversion in late pregnancy include spouse's HIV status and number of other sexual partners. Conclusion: Retesting of HIV negative pregnant women in labor to identify new infections and instituting appropriate modified obstetrics practices has a huge role to play in the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV infection.

Alterations of heart rate variability and turbulence in female patients with hyperthyroidism of various severities C Tudoran, M Tudoran, M Vlad, M Balas, T Ciocarlie, F Parv Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice 2019 22(10):1349-1355 Objective: The objective of the this study is to document the existence of statistically significant differences between parameters of heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate turbulence (HRT), determined in women with overt hyperthyroidism (hT), compared to controls and to highlight their correlations with the level of thyroid hormones and the incidence of arrhythmias. Methods: We studied the HRV in time and frequency domain, and the HRT in a group of 113 women with overt hT, without other cardiovascular risk factors or comorbidities, admitted to the endocrinology clinic of our hospital, between 2012 and 2016. Depending on the severity and duration of hT and levels of thyroid hormones, the patients were assigned to three groups: mild and moderate forms, severe hT with thyrotoxicosis and persistent cases with a relapse of hT. We performed 24 h Holter monitoring in all patients. Results: HRV parameters in time domain (TD) were significantly depressed in patients comparing to controls. All patients had abnormal, positive values of turbulence onset (TO) with significant statistically differences (P < 0.0001) comparing to controls. Although positive, the values of turbulence slope (TS) decreased according to the severity of hT. Conclusion: Patients with hT had depressed values of HRV parameters in TD, correlated with the severity of the thyroid disease and with the incidence of arrhythmias. All patients presented pathological values of TO. TS values were positive, but lower compared to controls.

Percentage difference of hand dimensions and their correlation with hand grip and pinch strength among schoolchildren in Saudi Arabia KA Alahmari, VN Kakaraparthi, RS Reddy, Paul Samuel Silvian, I Ahmad, K Rengaramanujam Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice 2019 22(10):1356-1364 Aims: The study aimed to assess the percentage difference of hand dimensions and their correlation with grip and pinch strength among school children in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: Anthropometric measurements, hand dimensions, grip, and pinch strength measurements were obtained from 200 healthy schoolchildren in both genders aged 6-16 years. A Jamar electronic handgrip dynamometer was used to measure handgrip strength in kg. Pinch dynamometer was used to measure the two-point pinch strength, three-point pinch strength and lateral pinch strength in kg. Hand circumference was measured following hand arch at the maximum palm level. Hand span from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger with the hand opened as broad as possible. Hand length from the tip of the middle finger to the midline of the distal wrist crease. Palm length from the distal wrist crease to the base of the middle finger. Results: The percentage of difference of hand dimensions between both the genders was statistically significant. Both handgrip and pinch strength were significantly correlated with anthropometric measurements and hand dimensions. Body mass index had mild correlation with both handgrip strength and pinch strength (P < 0.05). Age, hand circumference, hand span, hand length and palm length had moderate to strong correlation with both grip and pinch strength (P < 0.01). Conclusion: The current study provides a source of perspective reference values in clinical settings for hand dimensions. The present study showed significant correlations with handgrip and pinch grip strengths among schoolchildren in Saudi Arabia.

Dentists' knowledge of chronic orofacial pain EM Hadlaq, H Khan, AB Mubayrik, NS Almuflehi, H Mawardi Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice 2019 22(10):1365-1371 Objective: Orofacial pain (OFP) is a unique group of dental conditions with focus on chronic nonodontogenic pain affecting mouth, jaws, and face. The aim of this study is to investigate the knowledge of dentists in Saudi Arabia toward OFP assessment. Materials and Methods: An English language questionnaire containing 20 close-ended questions was used to capture data. The questionnaire included diagnostic criteria and clinical symptoms and signs of various OFP conditions. It was distributed to general dental practitioners (GDP) and dental specialists in four major provinces in Saudi Arabia. Results: A total of 318 questionnaires were completed by 163 males and 155 females. Most participants were GDPs (193/318) and the remaining were specialists from different dental specialties. A majority of participants were not able to diagnose neuropathic OFP or neurovascular/vascular OFP conditions (33% and 28.6%, respectively). On the other hand, only 40.3% were confident enough to diagnose different types of temporomandibular disorders. The results also showed that graduates from non-Saudi programs had significantly higher self and knowledge assessment score (59.8% and 43.4%, respectively) compared with graduates from Saudi programs (39.9% and 22.6%, respectively). The dental specialists had higher self-assessment scores compared with GDPs (48% vs. 43.7%). Overall, there was a weak positive correlation between self-assessment and knowledge assessment (20.2%). Conclusion: This study demonstrates a higher OFP knowledge and confidence for dental specialists compared with GDPs. However, this difference does not necessarily translate into more competencies in clinical practice. Therefore, the implementation of OFP courses in dental schools' curricula may benefit future dentists and improve patients' care.

Evaluating surgical outcomes of conventional versus endoscopic septoplasty using subjective and objective methods S Doomra, M Singh, B Singh, A Kaushal Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice 2019 22(10):1372-1377 Objectives: The aim of the study is to compare the pre- and post-operative symptomatology, endoscopic findings, and nasal patency and to evaluate the postoperative outcomes of conventional compared to endoscopic septoplasty (ES). Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted at Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, Punjab, India, on 50 patients aged between 18 and 60 years having symptomatic deviated nasal septum and refractory to medical treatment. The patients were divided into two groups: Group A, which included 25 patients in whom conventional septoplasty (CS) was performed, and Group B, which included 25 patients in whom ES was conducted. The postoperative assessment was carried out at once weekly for 1 month and twice weekly for another 2 months. Results: Nasal obstruction was relieved in 79.1% cases belonging to Group A and 91.3% cases to Group B. Headache was relieved in 62.5% cases belonging to Group A and 93.3% cases to Group B. Postnasal drip was relieved in 73.3% cases in Group A and 94.1% cases in Group B. The results were found to be statistically significant. An improvement in visual analog scale score was observed in both groups, but statistically significant difference was seen at 2nd and 4th week. Postoperative nasal patency improvement was observed in both groups by the Gertner plate, and the results were found to be statistically significant. Postoperative hemorrhage was observed in 24% cases in Group A and 12% cases in Group B. Septal perforation, septal hematoma, and mucosal tear were observed in 4%, 4%, and 8% of cases, respectively, in Group A. No such complication was reported in Group B. Conclusion: ES is more effective in terms of relief of symptoms and improvement of nasal patency. It is best for isolated spur, posterior deviation, and revision surgery, but anterior caudal dislocation is best handled with CS. Both these techniques should be taken as an adjuvant to each other.