Drinking black tea is an excellent option if you are looking for an alternative of coffee or energy drinks. Black tea is not only a non-sweetened or less-calorie drink but also provides several health benefits as it contains powerful groups of polyphenols including epigallocatechin gallate, theaflavins, thearubigins, an amino acid L-theanine, and several other catechins or flavonoids which provide protection against the onset of several chronic disorders. Recently, Autumn Enloe has reviewed the health benefits of black tea. In her excellent review, she mentioned that drinking black tea has a range of health benefits as it contains lots of powerful antioxidants and other compounds which have potential to decrease inflammation and to reduce the risk for the onset of chronic conditions.[1] In the past two decades, research on natural health products at molecular levels has extensively performed[2-9] and their health benefits are now globally well accepted as their usage is free from side effects.[10,11] Besides water, black tea is one of our most consumed drinks obtained from a plant Camellia sinensis and now available in the markets of all over the world in both unblended form such as Assam tea, and Darjeeling tea or blended with various other plants products to obtain different flavors such as Earl Grey, Bigelow, and Chai. As we know elevated cholesterol, high triglyceride level, and obesity are directly associated with a number of cardiovascular disorders including heart attack, which are now considered as number one cause of death in all over the world.[12] Studies have shown that drinking black tea on a regular basis helps to reduce the chances of onset of cardiovascular disorders.[13,14] Gardner et al. performed databases searched from 1990 to 2004 on both aspects (helpful or harmful) of black tea, and they concluded that drinking black tea on a regular basis significantly reduced the risk of onset of heart disorders.[13] By discussing the results from some studies, they pointed out that the drinking black tea three cups per day significantly improved the antioxidant status of the body and most importantly, no credible evidence has found by them that showed back tea is harmful.[13] Moreover, similar benefits of drinking black tea on the onset of risk factors of cardiovascular disorders were reported by Bahorun et al. through their randomized controlled clinical trial.[14] Furthermore, Davies et al. also reported health benefits of black tea against cardiovascular disorders, as the inclusion of black tea in the diet reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic humans.[15] Another study also showed that drinking black tea improves the cholesterol levels not only in adults with risk of heart disorders but also in obese.[16] Besides these benefits, drinking black tea also plays a key role in reducing body weight.[17] Pan et al. reported that the polyphenols present in black tea inhibit obesity by suppressing the digestion and absorption of lipid and complex sugar. They also noticed that the black tea polyphenols also increase lipolysis and decrease lipid accumulation by reducing the proliferation of fat cells.[17] Interestingly, Pan et al. also reported that black tea polyphenols are more effective than polyphenols present in green tea.[17] Hypertension or high blood pressure is very common and is either directly or indirectly linked with several deadly complications such as heart failure, heart attack, stroke, kidney damage, and a risk of atherosclerosis.[18] Studies also show that long-term drinking black tea results in the improvement of blood pressure either from lower or higher sides.[19] Greyling et al. have reviewed and pointed out the same benefit of drinking black tea on blood pressure among normal adults.[20] In views of these findings, it is suggested that drinking black tea helps us to reduce the risk of these deadly complications associated with hypertension.[19,20] Besides these, regular drinking of black tea also reduces the risk for stroke.[21,22] Larsson et al. performed an extensively study on 74,961 stroke patients during the course of 10.2 years and concluded that drinking four or more cups of black tea on a daily basis inhibited the risk associated with stroke.[21] Not only this, Arab et al. performed a meta-analysis on black tea intake and risk of stroke. By pooling the data from nine studies on 194,965 adults including 4378 stroke patients, concluded that drinking three cups of black tea on a daily basis reduced the risk of stroke.[22] Interestingly, drinking black tea also prevents the risk of cancer onset. As Way et al. reported that black tea polyphenol theaflavins perform chemoprotective action against hormone-dependent breast tumors.[23] In addition, Liang et al. demonstrated anti‑proliferative activity of black tea polyphenol, the aflavin‑3,3-digallate on tumor cells.[24] In another study, Beltz et al. have reviewed the action of black tea polyphenols against the cancer onset and found that black tea polyphenols inhibited the survival of cancerous cells by regulating their growth and metastasis at both nucleic acid and protein levels.[25] Furthermore, Hudlikar et al. have recently reported that black tea polyphenols markedly reduced the proliferation of cancerous cells and increased their apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in experimental animals.[26] Moreover, Singh et al. recently have given an update on molecular constituents of black tea leaves and their clinical applications. They noticed that black tea leaves contain a range of bioactive constituents including polyphenols, amino acids, volatile compounds, and alkaloids that exhibit several promising anti-disease activities at various points.[27] They mentioned that drinking black tea on a regular basis inhibited the risk of cancer onset as the phytochemicals present in black tea are known to inhibit the key events of cancer stimulation including tumor necrosis factor-α, p53, cyclooxygenase-2, nuclear factor-κB, activator protein-1, STAT, epidermal growth factor receptor, AKT, Bcl2, PARP, Bcl-xL, caspases, FOXO1, 5-LOX, and mitogen-activated protein kinases.[27] It is also important to point out that although studies at in vitro and pre-clinical levels fully supported the role of black tea against cancer development but its role at human trails level remains to be completely investigated. Beside anticancer property, consumption of black tea is also good for diabetic patients, as it is a non-sweetened drink that not only decreases the blood glucose but also reported to improve the status of insulin.[28-31] Tanga et al. reported that black tea extract reduced the blood glucose level and improved the body ability to metabolize the sugar.[29] In another study, investigators reported that black tea catechin improved the status of insulin hormone.[30] Moreover, Butacnum et al. reported that the intake of black tea improved postprandial blood sugar levels in normal and pre-diabetic adults.[31] Drinking black tea also performed the antimicrobial activity as the polyphenols present in black tea are reported to kill the growth of harmful bacteria.[32] The antimicrobial potential of black tea constituents is also proved by another study, showed significant reduction in the growth of a range of harmful bacteria.[33] Excess generation of free radicals has the ability either directly or indirectly to damage our biomolecules including the damage of nucleic acids or proteins, which has now considered being one of the key sources responsible for the induction of a number of chronic disorders.[34-40] It is now well documented that black tea polyphenols have potential to perform an antioxidant function to neutralize the harmful effects of elevated levels of free radicals, and thus drinking black tea reduced the chances of onset of numerous chronic disorders.[1,41,42] Specifically, Rietveld and Wiseman pointed out that drinking black tea 1–6 times/day significantly increased the plasma antioxidant potential in humans and decreased the oxidative biomolecular damage including the damage of nucleic acids and lipids.[41] Another mechanism was reported by Luczaj and Skrydlewska in their excellent review that black tea polyphenols inhibited the activity of pro-oxidative enzymes such as nitric oxide synthase and xanthine oxidase.[42] In short, it is now well established that drinking black tea on a regular basis improves the antioxidant potential of the body which helps us to reduce the risk of chronic disorders and to improve the overall health. However, the quality of the studies at molecular levels is still lacking to further validate the health benefits of drinking black tea. Therefore, further evidences at molecular level are required.

Objective: Cervical cancer, which is caused by human papillomavirus, is one of the common cancers in women worldwide. The proportion of precancerous cervical lesion among HIV-infected women has not been investigated yet in this study area. The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of precancerous cervical lesion and its associated factors among HIV-infected women on ART in Woldia and Dessie Hospitals, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 284 HIV-infected women. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and visual inspection. Pap smear test was employed for confirmation of cancer. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize findings. A logistic regression model was considered to identify predictors of precancerous cervical lesions. Those predictor variables with P < 0.05 at a 95% confidence interval were considered as statistically significant. Results: The overall proportion of the precancerous cervical lesion among HIV-infected women in this study was 9.9%. The HIV-infected women with age greater than 30 years old, who were single in their marital status, being commercial sex worker, who had any other sexually transmitted infection, those with more than one sexual partner, with more than two children and with vaginal wall abnormality were factors associated with the occurrence of precancerous cervical lesion. Conclusion: The proportion of precancerous cervical lesion among HIV-infected women was low compared to some previous studies conducted in Ethiopia. Therefore, regular screening of HIV-infected women for precancerous cervical lesion is very important by giving especial consideration to the identified associated factors.

Objective: The objective present investigation was to determine the in vivo and in vitro antidiabetic potentials of the methanol extract of Tephrosia pumila. Materials and Methods: The present study was designed to evaluate the acute and chronic effects of the methanol extract of T. pumila (TPME) against alloxan-induced diabetes in rats. For acute study, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed to check the ability of the TPME to utilize oral glucose load and the chronic study of 21 days was done to assess the effect of TPME for long time in diabetic rats and its effect was compared with glibenclamide (5 mg/kg i. p). The in vitro α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory properties were performed and IC50 values were determined. The glucose uptake by rat hemidiaphragm model was also used to evaluate potentials of the TPME to enhance utilization of the blood glucose by peripheral tissues. Results: In OGTT, blood glucose level was significantly reduced in glibenclamide and TPME at 200 and 400 mg/kg treated animals compared to diabetic control group. In chronic model, the TPME effectively reduced abnormalities of diabetes in therapeutic groups. Both α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitor assays have exhibited significant IC50 values and also increased utilization of glucose by the skeletal muscle. Conclusion: The results of the present investigation recommend that TPME possess significant in vivo antidiabetic property. The data of the study also suggest that the enhancement of insulin secretion and reduction of insulin resistances are the mode of antidiabetic activity shown by TPME.

Objective: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ranks among the top neuropsychiatric disorder of childhood and adolescents. Methylphenidate (MPH) is the most frequently used pharmacologic agent to treat this condition. Its long-term use has been associated with many unwanted and adverse effects on many organs including male gonads, but so far no study has been done to find out a protective agent. This study investigated the protective potential of Vitamin E (Vit E) against the microscopic and morphometric alterations in male gonads induced by MPH, using albino rats. Materials and Methods: Adult male albino rats were assigned into three equal groups including one control and two experimental groups. Experimental groups administered with MPH (10 mg/kg) and MPH (10 mg/kg) + Vit E orally (50 mg/kg), daily for 40 days. Testes of the sacrificed animals were removed, processed, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for examining the microscopic and morphometric alterations and protective potential of Vit E. Data were analyzed using ANOVA. Results: Experimental animals treated with MPH showed a significant decrease in the diameter of seminiferous tubules (296.86 ± 14.70 μm) and height of germinal epithelium (51.73 ± 3.15 μm) with a corresponding gain in the thickness of the interstitium (47.05 ± 4.94 μm). Animals treated with MPH + Vit E did not reveal any significant testicular microscopic changes and seminiferous tubular alterations induced by MPH. Conclusion: Vit E demonstrated a protective potential against the adverse changes induced by MPH in the male gonads in albino rats.

Objectives: Therapeutic and procedural aspects have been primarily focused on the bone graft treatments with least priority to patients’ perception and preferences. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the patient’s choices about various bone grafts used in the bone replacement dental treatments. Methods: A self-structured, an anonymous questionnaire with eight items was administered to 100 patients. The questionnaire recorded the responses of selected patients regarding their acceptance and refusal to each type of bone grafts; intraoral and extraoral autograft, allograft, xenograft, and alloplast. The patients’ responses were compared with age, gender, and educational level. The descriptive statistical analysis was performed for the collected data, and with P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The overall acceptance ratio for intraoral autografts, extraoral autografts, allografts, xenografts, and alloplasts was 89%, 72%, 46%, 33%, and 87%, respectively. The xenograft (67%) had the highest rate of refusal followed by allografts (54%), extraoral autogenous grafts (28%), alloplast (13%), and intraoral autograft (11%) being the least refused bone graft. Age had no statistically significant influence on the acceptance rate to different types of bone grafts, whereas the gender and educational levels were associated with higher acceptance rates. Conclusions: The xenograft (67%) had the highest rate of refusal, followed by allografts (54%), extraoral autogenous grafts (28%), alloplast (13%), and intraoral autograft (11%) being the least refused bone graft among the surveyed participants. Moreover, age had no statistically significant influence on the acceptance and refusal to different types of bone grafts, whereas the gender and education level was associated with the acceptance and rejection rates.

Objective: Normal sensory perception and environmental stimuli play an important role in learning and development of basic milestones among children. The current research aimed to explore the effects of sensory integration on attention span among children with infantile hemiplegia (IH). Methods: Quasi-experimental research design with a control group. 17 children who had left-sided IH visiting the Rehabilitation Centre were recruited for the study (sample of convenience) after their parental consent. The 12–15-year-old children were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n = 9) and control group (n = 8). A 10-treatment session of sensory integration training was provided to the children in the experimental group whereas the control group received conventional physical therapy. The conventional therapy which consisted of gait training, exercise sessions on Swiss Ball, stretching, and Mat exercises. The Stroop color-word test was used to assess attention span among the children. The data obtained from the assessment were analyzed by multivariate analysis of covariance. Results: The statistical test showed a significant difference in attention span (P > 0.0001) between the experimental group and the control group. Highlights: Sensory integration showed a positive effect on attention among children with left IH. There was a significant difference between the experimental and control group on attention span. Change in the scores is improved and retained after 4 months follow-up. Conclusion: Sensory integration practice among children with left-sided IH lead to improvement in their attention span.

Background: Postponing childbearing is becoming increasingly common among higher education students. The awareness about the extent of the age-related decline in female fertility is unknown in Saudi Arabia. Objective: The main aim of the study was to assess fertility awareness, particularly age-related fertility decline, and attitudes toward parenthood. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted utilizing a self-administered questionnaire which was filled by 248 female students in multiple colleges at King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Science (KSAU-HS). The questionnaire adapted from the Swedish Fertility Awareness Questionnaire; it contains 31 items that can be grouped into five categories: Sociodemographic characteristics, the future intention of having children, important circumstances for the decision to have children, which have seven items, participant perception regarding motherhood impact on life, and knowledge about fertility issues. Results: Nearly 80% of undergraduate female students want to have children. They have a positive attitude toward parenthood. On the other hand, 85% of the respondents plan to postpone having children until they finish their studies and have a stable career. Conclusion: The study revealed that most of the students are concerned about childbearing. However, the participants are not aware of the decline in fertility caused by aging. More effort should be directed toward spreading awareness regarding age-related fertility decline among health profession students and the general population.

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the relationship between a number of health-promoting behavior and dental visits. Materials and Methods: A stratified sample from 16 primary schools in Riyadh was selected. A total of 1087 students aged 6–12 years were included in the study between October 2017 and January 2018. The World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for assessing dental caries were used to collect clinical data. Information on dental visits and health-promoting behaviors were collected through modified WHO questionnaire. An aggregate variable of eleven health-related behaviors was created. Logistic regression model was used to examine the relationship between regular dental visits and the aggregate health behavior variable accounting for age, sex, parental education, family income, and caries experience. Results: Only 6.8% of the sample reported regular dental visits. The logistic regression showed that the aggregate variable of health-promoting behavior was significantly related to regular dental visits with odds ratio 1.23 (confidence interval 95% 1.10–1.39). Other variables significantly related to regular dental visits included sex (female), higher family income, and lower mean of caries experience. Conclusion: Despite the availability of free dental services in Saudi Arabia, most of the dental visits are symptomatic. The observed association between health-promoting behaviors and regular dental visits implies that those at higher risk of oral diseases are less likely to visit a dentist regularly.

Objective: This study intends to understand the barriers to self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients. In addition, it also aims to know the factors that influence the compliance with SMBG-testing among GDM patients. Materials and Methods: The study primarily comprised a search of various databases (PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, PsycINFO, PROQUEST, and CINAHL). Research papers published between March 2010 and June 2018 were searched for this review. Article types considered for this review were observational studies, experimental studies, and systemic reviews with or without meta-analysis. Using a set of eligibility criteria; initially, the papers were scrutinized by reviewing the abstracts, following which a full-text review of the selected papers was undertaken. Finally, a critical appraisal and an overall qualitative assessment of these studies were done. Results: Literature search identified 25 papers, excluding the duplicates. Six studies (two qualitative and four quasi-experimental) that matched the eligibility criteria of this study were reviewed. The barriers of SMBG in GDM patients were nonprescription of SMBG by the health-care providers, poor perception and fear of SMBG, and family history of Type 2 diabetes. Use of smartphone technology and SMBG-education improved the compliance to SMBG testing. However, most of the quasi-experimental studies did not have a pre- and post-intervention comparison of their results or comparison of their findings with any control group. Moreover, the way of determining compliance among three of these studies was not identical. Similarly, among the qualitative studies, one study does not have a clear mention of the language in which the interviews were conducted, whereas the other qualitative study does not state, if the English language translation of the verbatim transcripts was validated or not. Only one study mentioned the diagnostic criteria used to diagnose GDM. Conclusion: The recent evidence to the barriers of SMBG and the factors that influence the compliance of SMBG is weak and not generalizable. Moreover, there is a scarcity of literature that addresses the context.

This paper reports a case of glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC) in a 12-year-old male patient. GOC is a rare entity occurring in the jaw bones. Known for its aggressive behavior and nonspecific clinical features, it may mimic other clinicopathological lesions such as botryoid odontogenic cyst and central mucoepidermoid tumor making the diagnosis challenging. It is more prevalent in the middle age adult population, and very few cases have been reported in children.