relation of semi-adjustable articulators to clinical outcome-a review

Success or failure of prosthodontic clinical procedures often relies on the proper application of the principles of occlusion. This article reviews in vitro and in vivo studies on strategies that attempt to explain the capabilities of semi-adjustable instruments In the development of occlusion. This critical review enables the clinician to choose the most suitable instrument to improve clinical outcomes. Scientific studies have been reviewed in relation to the following components of semi-adjustable instruments: [1] condylar-fossa mechanism, [2] intercondylar distance, and [3] anterior incisal guidance and type of incisal guide pins. Positive and negative restorative occlusal errors using semi-adjustable articulators are explained and documented. Recommendations are provided for the selection of articulators that meet clinical requirements

Anthyroid antibodies and thyroid dysfunction in Saudi children with Down Syndrome

Fifty children [ages seven months to nine years] with Down syndrome compared with age and sex matched controls were tested for antithyroid antibodies. Seven [14%] of the Down group were found to be seropositive; six [12%] for antimicrosomal antibodies; three for both antimicrosomal and antithyroglobulin; none was positive for antithyroglobulin alone. All the control group were seronegative and had no clinical evidence of thyroid disease. Three [6%] of the Down group had hypothyroidism, two due to autoimmune thyroiditis and one had thyroid dysgenesis; one of the previous two had insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. One child had Graves disease. Thyroid dysfunction was not previously suspected in the two symptomatic children. In view of our findings, recommendations are made to regularly screen these children for autoantibodies and evidence of thyroid dysfunction

Predation of acacia seeds by bruchid beetles and its relation to altitudinal gradient in south-western Saudi Arabia

The distribution of the acacia trees and their bruchid seed beetles in South-Western Saudi Arabia revealed that each of the host-insect pair occupied a specific range along the altitudinal gradient from sea level to 2500 m. At low to intermediate altitudes, between sea level and 1750 m, at hot to worm environments, the following host-insect pairs were recorded: Acacia asak - Bruchidius. sp., A. ehrenbergiana - B. saudicus, A. hamulosa - B. sp., A. oerfota - B. sp., A. Seyal - B. sp., A. tortilis - B. aurivilli, and A. tortilis - B. sahelicus. At high altitudes between 1750 and 2500 m, at cool environment the following host insect pairs were recorded: A. negrii - B. arabicus and A. gerrardii - B. arabicus. The rate of seed predation varied among Acacia spp., but the highest were recorded in A. tortilis and A. ehrenbergiana