It can be concluded that the reconstructed CT image can provide valuable measurements for the FM and could be used for sexing when other methods are inconclusive.

No abstract

Background Levels of cortisol, melatonin, ghrelin, and leptin are highly correlated with circadian rhythmicity. The levels of these hormones are affected by sleep, feeding, and general behaviors, and fluctuate with light and dark cycles. During the fasting month of Ramadan, a shift to nighttime eating is expected to affect circadian rhythm hormones and, subsequently, the levels of melatonin, cortisol, ghrelin, and leptin. The present study aimed to examine the effect of diurnal intermittent fasting (DIF) during Ramadan on daytime levels of ghrelin, leptin, melatonin, and cortisol hormones in a group of overweight and obese subjects, and to determine how anthropometric, dietary, and lifestyle changes during the month of Ramadan correlate with these hormonal changes. Methods Fifty-seven overweight and obese male (40) and female (17) subjects were enrolled in this study. Anthropometric measurements, dietary intake, sleep duration, and hormonal levels of serum ghrelin, leptin, melatonin, and salivary cortisol were assessed one week before the start of Ramadan fasting and after 28 days of fasting at fixed times of the day (11:00 am-1:00 pm). Results At the end of Ramadan, serum levels of ghrelin, melatonin, and leptin significantly (P<0.001) decreased, while salivary cortisol did not change compared to the levels assessed in the pre-fasting state.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the salivary content of lipid peroxidation and antioxidants in patients with type 2 diabetes. Method: We studied 25 patients with type 2 diabetes and other 25 age-and sex-matched health control. To evaluate the oxidative status we measured the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the saliva and serum of all participants. Lipid profile was also estimated through measuring total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) levels. Antioxidant levels were also assessed through measuring the salivary and serum concentration of uric acid, superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione (GSH). Results:The high concentration of lipid fractions in saliva usually follows that recorded in serum. Salivary MDA levels, a product of lipid peroxidation, were significantly increased among diabetics together with uric acid. However, GSH levels were similar to those of the control group. Conclusion: Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant parameters assessed in saliva of diabetic patients may be of great importance in evaluating the disease activity and severity. The increase in lipid peroxidation and the tendency of antioxidants to rise in diabetes is probably due to an adaptive response to the pro-oxidant status of diabetes.

Tooth wear—attrition, erosion and abrasion—is perceived internationally as an ever-increasing problem. Clinical and epidemiological studies, however, are difficult to interpret and compare due to differences in terminology and the large number of indices that have been developed for diagnosing, grading and monitoring dental hard tissue loss. These indices have been designed to identify increasing severity and are usually numerical. Some record lesions on an aetiological basis (e.g. erosion indices), others record lesions irrespective of aetiology (tooth wear indices); none have universal acceptance, complicating the evaluation of the true increase in prevalence reported. This article considers the ideal requirements for an erosion index. It reviews the literature to consider how current indices have evolved and discusses if these indices meet the clinical and research needs of the dental profession.