Search Results

Abstract : Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system characterized by demyelination, neurodegeneration, and progressive disability. Increasing evidence suggests that the gut microbiota plays an important role in immune regulation. Through the microbiota-gut-brain axis, intestinal microorganisms may influence inflammatory processes and immune balance in patients with MS. This review aims to provide a synopsis of the current knowledge on the alterations of the gut microbiota in MS, highlighting its functional impact on immune and neurodegenerative processes. A comprehensive review of peer-reviewed studies indexed in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was performed. Articles published between 2011 and 2025 examining gut microbiota composition and the microbiota-gut-brain axis in MS were included. Both early studies based on 16S rRNA sequencing and more recent large-scale metagenomic analyses were considered. Across multiple studies, patients with MS demonstrate reduced microbial diversity, depletion of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria, and enrichment of taxa such as Akkermansia and Methanobrevibacter. Alterations have also been reported in Blautia and Dorea, together with a consistent reduction in Prevotella. These microbial changes have been associated with impaired intestinal barrier function, systemic immune activation, and increased Th17-mediated inflammation. Gut dysbiosis may contribute to neuroinflammation and disease progression in MS. While current findings are promising, heterogeneity across studies highlights the need for future, large cohort studies.

Abstract : Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major global health concern particularly in developing countries. Accurate diagnosis is essential for early treatment and prevention of transmission. To compare serological detection of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) with molecular detection of HBV DNA using real time polymerase chain reaction(rt-PCR). A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 66 patients over one year. Serum samples were tested for HBsAg using a rapid immunochromatographic assay and for HBV DNA using rt-PCR. Diagnostic performance parameters were calculated. HBV DNA was detected in 4(6.1%) patients by rt-PCR while HBsAg was positive in 2(3.03%) patients. Two cases showed discordant results suggestive of occult hepatitis B infection. Rt-PCR demonstrated a sensitivity of 66.7% and specificity of 100% when compared with serology. Real-time PCR detects additional HBV infections missed by serological testing and may be useful in identifying occult hepatitis B infections. However larger studies are required to validate diagnostic accuracy.

Abstract : The focus of implant site preparation has shifted toward techniques that aim not only to preserve but also to enhance the quality and density of bone around the implant. Three groups with 8 implants in each group (with a total number of 24 Implants) were selected. All patients had missing maxillary posterior teeth in the maxilla that have poor bone density. Implant site preparation was different in these groups. First group depending on Densah bur in preparation, second group depending on reverse drilling technique and third group depending on conventional drilling technique. After nine months postoperatively, there was an increase in the peri-implant bone density in three groups with superior advantage for conventional technique, and changes with no significant difference in term marginal bone loss after 6 and 9 months. Regarding primary stability the Densah group has the best results. The study concluded that the Densah bur drilling technique is found to have a superior advantage in term of primary stability which may help in immediate loading planning in medium and soft trabecular bone qualities.

Abstract : Lichen simplex chronicus (LSC) is a chronic pruritic dermatosis characterized by a persistent itch–scratch cycle that significantly impairs patients’ quality of life. The pathogenesis of LSC involves complex interactions among neuroimmune mechanisms, psychological stress, and dysregulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. Emerging evidence indicates that the gut microbiota plays a role in modulating stress responses and inflammation through the gut–brain–skin axis. Lactobacillus plantarum has been reported to exert immunomodulatory and anti-stress effects; however, its impact on neuroimmune biomarkers and clinical severity of LSC remains limitedly explored. To evaluate whether adjunctive Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 administered for four weeks improves pruritus severity and dermatology-specific quality of life in patients with lichen simplex chronicus, and to explore its effects on serum cortisol (stress-related biomarker) and selected inflammatory biomarkers (IL-31, TNF-α, and eosinophil counts). This experimental analytic study employed an intervention and control group design involving patients with LSC. Participants received either Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 supplementation or control for four weeks. Outcome measures included serum cortisol, IL-31, TNF-α, peripheral blood eosinophil counts, pruritus severity assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), stress-related quality of life assessed using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), and clinical severity evaluated using the Objective Clinical Severity Score–LSC (OCSS-LSC). A strong, statistically significant positive correlation was observed between changes in serum cortisol levels and changes in OCSS-LSC scores (rₛ = 0.629; p < 0.001). In contrast, changes in interleukin-31 (rₛ = −0.268; p = 0.095), TNF-α (rₛ = −0.135; p = 0.406), and eosinophil counts (rₛ = 0.160; p = 0.323) were not significantly correlated with changes in OCSS-LSC scores. Four-week supplementation with Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 effectively reduced pruritus severity in patients with LSC, potentially mediated through modulation of stress responses and non-eosinophilic neuroimmune pathways. However, this intervention did not result in significant changes in systemic inflammatory biomarkers IL-31, TNF-α, or eosinophil counts after adjustment for baseline values. These findings indicate that clinical improvement in LSC may occur independently of significant changes in systemic inflammatory biomarkers and highlight the need for longer intervention durations to comprehensively evaluate the immunological effects of probiotic supplementation.

Abstract : Early vaginal bleeding with a closed cervix and a viable embryo is known as imminent abortion, and it increases the chance of unfavorable pregnancy outcomes. In the acute phase, fibrinogen is a positive protein while albumin is a negative one. There is some evidence that the fibrinogen-albumin ratio (FAR) can provide information about coagulation, nutrition, and inflammation. Particularly in Indonesia, there is a lack of research on the correlation between FAR and imminent abortion. Analyzing the relationship between FAR and the incidence of imminent abortion. This is an observational analytical study with a cross-sectional design involving 80 pregnant women with gestational ages of 6–20 weeks from several hospitals in Makassar. A total of 35 pregnant women with imminent abortion, 10 pregnant women with spontaneous abortion, and 35 pregnant women with normal pregnancies. Serum fibrinogen and albumin levels were measured using the ELISA method, then calculated FAR. Data were analyzed statistically to evaluate the relationship between variables using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 30. The mean fibrinogen levels in the imminent abortion and spontaneous abortion groups were significantly higher than those in normal pregnancies (p<0.001). Albumin in imminent abortion was significantly higher than in spontaneous abortion and normal pregnancies (p < 0.001), while FAR in imminent abortion was significantly lower than in spontaneous abortion and normal pregnancies (p<0.001). Fibrinogen, albumin, and FAR levels differed significantly in the three groups, with the same pattern also found in early pregnancy. In late pregnancy, only albumin and FAR differed significantly in the three groups (p<0.001), and there was no difference in fibrinogen in the three groups (p = 0.056). FAR and albumin showed significant differences between imminent abortion and normal pregnancy at advanced gestational age.