Prunes and liver function: a clinical trial

Prunes are used by folks as a remedy of various diseases including hepatitis. A clinical trial was designed to see the effects of prunes [Prunus domestica] on liver function. 166 healthy volunteers were divided into three groups randomly. Either three [about11.43g] or six [23g approx.] prunes were soaked in a glass of water [250ml] overnight. Each subject from two test groups was asked to drink prune juice and eat whole fruit[single or double dose of prunes] as well, early in the morning, daily for 8 weeks; whereas each subject from control group was given a glass of water to drink. Blood samples were taken at week 0 and week 8 for chemical analysis. There was significant reduction of serum alanine transaminase [p 0.048] and serum alkaline phosphatase [p 0.017] by the lower dose of prunes. There was no change in serum aspartate transaminase and bilirubin. Alteration in liver function by use of prunes may have clinical relevance in appropriate cases and prunes might prove beneficial in hepatic disease

Use of prunes as a control of hypertension

Fruits and vegetables are shown to reduce blood pressure. It is not merely the antioxidants contained in fruits and vegetables that have health benefits such as lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressures. This study was undertaken to see the cardiovascular protective effects of prunes. A placebo controlled clinical trial study was designed to see the effects of Prunus domestica on blood pressure in 259 pre-hypertensive [Systolic BP=120-139 mmHg, diastolic BP=80-89 mmHg] volunteers. Treated groups drank prune juice and ate the whole fruit [dried plums] while either 3 [about 11.5 gm] or 6 prunes were soaked overnight in a glass of water whereas control group took only a glass of plain water early in the morning on empty stomach. Blood pressure was recorded fortnightly for 8 weeks, and blood samples were taken at 0 and 8 weeks. There was significant reduction of blood pressure by single dose of prunes daily group and the controls [p<0.05]. With the double dose of prunes, only systolic BP was reduced significantly [p<0.05]. Control group had significantly increased serum HDL whereas test groups had significantly reduced serum cholesterol and LDL [p<0.05]. Data was analysed by paired-sample t-test with 95% confidence interval. The data predicts cardiovascular protective effects of prunes

Traumatic injuries of the permanent maxillory incisors at dental department, Pakistan institute of Medical Sciences Islamabad: a retrospective study

The study aims to ascertain the prevalence of traumatic dental injures of the maxillary permanent incisors at Dental Department, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Islamabad during the years 2003-2005. Information concerning age, sex, cause, type of tooth, number of injured teeth and patterns of tooth injury were recorded retrospectively from 336 patients aged between 8-40 years, comprising 498 traumatized teeth. The dental records of all the patients presenting with dental trauma were examined for collection of data relating to age, sex, cause, number of injured teeth, type of tooth and type of tooth trauma. Type of tooth trauma was recorded according to the Andreason classification. The data was subsequently processed and analyzed using the SPSS statistical software programme. The statistical significance level was set at 5%. Of the 336 patients, 227 were males [67.6%] and 109 were females [32.4%]. The gender difference was statistically significant [P < 0.0001]. The patients had a total of 498 traumatized teeth. A large number of dental trauma occurred in patients aged between 9-11 years. Most injuries involved one tooth in 227 patients [67.6%]. However two teeth in 90 patients [26.7%], three teeth in 11 patients [3.2%] and only in 8 patients [2.3%] four teeth were involved. Fractures in enamel only occurred in 74 teeth [14.6%]. Uncomplicated crown fractures in 208 teeth [41.9%] were the most commonly encountered dental trauma. 137 teeth [27.6%] suffered complicated crown fractures, 44 teeth [8.9%] uncomplicated crown-root fractures, 19 teeth [3.8%] complicated crown-root fractures and avulsion in 16 teeth [3.2%] only. The main causes were falls in 225 patients [66.9%], collision with objects in 40 patients [11.9%], road traffic accident in31 patients [9.2%] violence in 21 patients [6.2%], and sports in 19 patients [5.6%]. The maxillary central incisor was traumatized in 384 teeth showing a high percentage of 77%. Raising public dental awareness regarding the serious outcome of traumatic dental injuries is mandatory to improve the prognosis of dental trauma and to avoid complications

Dental caries status in 6-9 years old children

The purpose of this study was to determine the dental caries status in six to nine years [6-9 years] old children. Total [n=543] patients with dental caries between 6-9 years were selected from dental OPD of Children's Hospital, PIMS, Islamabad. Names, ages, sex, addresses and caries status of each patient was recorded in separate questionnaires. Intra oral examinations were performed with mirror, probe and good light. X-rays were not taken to diagnose the caries. Among total n=543 patients, the female were 244 [45%] and male were 299 [55%]. The dmft was 7.45, 6.52, 5.74 and 5.33 for aged six, seven, eight and nine respectively. The frequency of caries was higher in age group of eight. The DMFT was 0.39 for each child. In present study the frequency of caries was found to be higher than reported by Almoudi in Saudi children and reported by Kerala in India

Comparison of radiographic and electronic working length in anterior teeth

The aim of this study was to compare the endodontic working length of anterior teeth by electronic apex locator and conventional radiographic method to determine the accuracy and reliability of latest generation electronic apex locator [Sybron Endo]. The study was carried out in the dental department of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad from April 2004 to January 2005. The use of electronic devices to determine working length has gained increasing popularity in the recent years particularly after introduction of latest generation of apex locators. An in vivo study was conducted on 30 permanent single rooted anterior teeth that were indicated for root canal treatment. First the working length was taken by electronic apex locator followed by conventional radiographic [Ingle's method]. After recording both measurements, the difference between the two results were compared to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy and ability of an electronic apex locator for accurate determination of working length. In 23 among 30 root canals, [76.6%] electronic measurement coincided with the radiographic measurements. In 4 cases [13.3%] it was short of radiographic measurements by 0.5mm. Both these results were considered acceptable however, in the remaining 3 cases the results were considered unacceptable, as in 2 cases [6.67%] it was more than radiographic measurement by 0.5mm and in 1 case electronic measurement was more than radiographic by 1.5mm. It has been concluded from the present study that the electronic apex locator is an effective device with an accuracy of more than 90%; hence it can be used as adjunct to conventional radiography but cannot replace it