Diversity, physiochemical and phylogenetic analyses of bacteria isolated from various drinking water sources

Objective: To evaluate the indigenous bacterial strains of drinking water from the most commercial water types including bottled and filtered water that are currently used in Saudi Arabia

Methods: Thirty randomly selected commercial brands of bottled water were purchased from Saudi local markets. Moreover, samples from tap water and filtered water were collected in sterilized glass bottles and stored at 4[degree]C. Biochemical analyses including pH, temperature, lactose fermentation test [LAC], indole test [IND], methyl red test [MR], Voges-Proskauer test [VP], urease test [URE], catalase test [CAT], aerobic and anaerobic test [Ae/An] were measured. Molecular identification and comparative sequence analyses were done by full length 16S rRNA gene sequences using gene bank databases and phylogenetic trees were constructed to see the closely related similarity index between bacterial strains

Results: Among 30 water samples tested, 18 were found positive for bacterial growth. Molecular identification of four selected bacterial strains indicated the alarming presence of pathogenic bacteria Bacillus spp. in most common commercial types of drinking water used in Saudi Arabia

Conclusion: The lack of awareness about good sanitation, poor personal hygienic practices and failure of safe water management and supply are the important factors for poor drinking water quality in these sources, need to be addressed

Percutaneous extraction of an infected permanent pacemaker in association with superior vena cava obstruction

The procedure of lead removal has recently matured into a definable, teachable art with its own specific tools and techniques. It is now time to recognize and formalize the practice of lead removal according to the current methods of medicine and the health care industry. In this article we report the first case in the United Arab Emirates of infected pacemaker extraction after 9 years of implantation of passive fixation lead for a VVI pacemaker using a locking stylet and countertraction technique with associated superior vena cava obstruction, which had been dilated using the balloon technique with deployment of a stent

Effect of aging on the reparative ability of rat gastric mucosa after acute injury

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aging on the regenerative capacity of the gastric mucosa after acute injury. This study was conducted on 36 male albino rats for the study of mucosal injury by using 2 M NaCI. The animals were equally divided into 3 subgroups aged 4, 12, 24 months. The animals in each subgroup were killed 1, 6, 24, and 48 hours after intake of NaCI. Paraffin sections were prepared from specimens of the gastric mucosa of rats and stained by Hx and E, PAS and Alcian blue/PAS. One hour postinjury, the gastric mucosa of young rats showed a lesion index of 70.1% and the grade of mucosal injury was classified as grade I. The gastric mucosa of old rats demonstrated a lesion index of 88.3%, and the mucosal injury was grade II. The gastric mucosa of senescent rats demonstrated a lesion index of 100% with mucosal injury of grade III. Six hours post-injury, the lesion index of young rat gastric mucosa was 10.7%, several areas of regeneration with groups of flattened cells covering most of the mucosal surface were observed and further expansion of the neck region was demonstrated. The gastric mucosa of old rats showed a lesion index of 26.5%, and regeneration was detected in some areas. In senescent rats, the lesion index was 74.9%, the neck region was expanded and the mucosal surface was still mostly exposed with no signs of regeneration. Twenty four hours post-injury, the mucosal surface of young rats showed complete regeneration with small, cubical cells having rounded nuclei. Partial re-establishment of the glandular structure pattern was also observed. On the other hand, the gastric mucosa of old rats showed a lesion index of 10.0%, and clumps of proliferating cells were seen covering most of the mucosal surface. The gastric mucosa of senescent rats showed a lesion index of 37% with only intermittent clusters of regenerating epithelial at the same time post-injury. Forty eight hours post-injury, the glandular structure of young rat gastric mucosa has been completely re-established and the regenerated epithelial cells appeared normal. The gastric mucosa of old rats also showed evidence of regeneration and partial re-establishment of the glandular architecture and gastric pits. However, gastric mucosa of senescent rats demonstrated a lesion index of 10.2%, partial healing with focal sites of healing failure and incompletely reestablished glandular architecture. Aging is associated with increased susceptibility of the gastric mucosa to injury and delayed repair process. Irritating foods and drugs such as NSAIs should be avoided in the elderly and if necessary, their dose should be adjusted and proper follow up should be provided to avoid severe gastric mucosal injuries

Aging related changes in the gastric enteroendocrine cells

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the age-related histological changes in the gastric enteroendocrine [EN] cells. This study was conducted on 30 male albino rats divided into three groups. Each group comprised 10 animals aged 4, 12, 24 months. Paraffin sections were prepared from specimens of the gastric mucosa and stained by Hx and E, toluidine blue, Grimelius silver stains. Small tissue pieces were obtained from the gastric mucosa of young [4 month old] rats and senescent [24 month old] rats and used for electron microscopic study. Morphometric studies and statistical analysis of the obtained data were done. The gastric mucosa of young [4 month old] rats showed EN cells which were mostly found in the gland bases and appeared as small cells with clear cytoplasm and rounded nuclei and gave positive argyrophilic reaction. The gastric mucosa of old [12 month old] rats demonstrated an increase in the number of EN cells. The gastric mucosa of senescent [24 month old] rats showed changes similar to those of old rats with further increase in the number of EN cells especially in the dilated glands. Electron microscopic study of young rat gastric mucosa demonstrated three types of EN cells with different secretory granules. Electron microscopic study of senescent rat gastric mucosa demonstrated the EN cells with some changes in their cytoplasm and granules. Statistical results demonstrated a significant increase in the number and diameter of EN cells. It was concluded that aging is associated with an increase in the number and diameter of EN cells. The morphometric changes that occur in the gastric mucosal EN cells with age seem to be responsible for the gastric functional disorders observed in the elderly or could be secondary to structural and functional changes in the alimentary tract caused by aging

Tooth size, arch length and arch relationship in Egyptian and Saudi Arabian preschool children

The purpose of this study was to compare the tooth size, arch length and arch relationship in Egyptian and Saudi preschool children. Measurements were taken from study casts of 120 Egyptian and Saudi preschool children. Statistical analysis revealed that the mesiodistal tooth width of Saudi was larger than Egyptian children but with no significant difference except at the canine region of both maxillary and mandibular teeth. Teeth of boys were insignificantly larger than girls both in Egyptian and Saudi children. Arch length of both Egyptian and Saudi boys was significantly larger than that of girls, whereas Saudi children have significantly larger arch than Egyptian children. No significant difference was detected as regard arch relationship. Authors concluded that sex may influence crown diameter, arch length and arch relationship but within the same race such differences were not evident

Comparison of the occluso-gingival crown length between Egyptian and Saudi Arabian samples

This investigation was carried out on a sample of 200 Saudi adolescent subjects [100 males and 100 females]. All the subjects had accepted normal occlusion. Their ages ranged from 16-21 years. This study was carried out to establish normative data of the occluso-gingival crown height of the twelve permanent maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth and to compare the results of this sample with that of the Egyptian one. New vertical standards for bracket levels were developed. The coronal height of all the teeth investigated were found to be significantly larger in the Saudi males than the females. The maxillary teeth of the Egyptian males were found to be significantly longer than that of the Saudi one except the central incisors and canines which showed no statistical significant difference. The mandibular teeth of the Egyptian males were found to be significantly longer than that of the Saudi one except the central and lateral incisors and the first molar, which showed no statistical significant difference. The maxillary and mandibular teeth of the Egyptian females were found to be longer than those of the Saudi ones except the central incisors which revealed no statistical significant difference

Description of occlusion in Saudi Arabian population

This study was done on 600 adult males and females Saudi Arabian subjects to provide information about the occlusion status and the incidence of malocclusion in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The results of this study demonstrate that only 31.16% of the total sample had normal occlusion. The incidence of Angle class I malocclusion was 36.33% while that of class II malocclusion was 21.83%, that of class III was 9.5% and that of class IV was 1.16%. Angle classes I and II malocclusion were higher in females than males, but angle classes III and IV were higher in males than females. Angle class III type I percentage was higher than class III type III and double that of class III type II. Carefull diagnosis of the occlusion and the dentogacial musculature function is highly recommended during dental examination. The Saudi Arabians are in strong need to the preventive and the interceptive orthodontic treatment measures which should be performed as early as possible to decrease the incidence of malocclusion in their country

method for assessing the mesio distal width of maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth in a group of Egyptian population

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth in a group of Egyptian population with normal occlusion and Angle class I malocclusion and to describe an equation between the maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth which may help in localization of the intermaxillary tooth size discrepancy. The study group consisted of 100 individuals classified into 4 subgroups according to sex and type of occlusion. Using a sharply pointed Bolley gauge the maximum mesiodistal widths of the maxillary [I[1] +I[2] +C] and mandibular [I[1] +I[2] +C+ +bic[1]] were measured on the properly trimmed casts to the nearest 0.1 mm. A high correlation was detected between the sum of mesiodistal width of maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth among all the 4 groups. No statistical significant sex difference was detected in both the normal occlusion group and Angle Class 1 malocclusion group, whereas a significant statistical difference was found between the normal occlusion group and Angle Class I malocclusion in both sexes. The relation between the maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth will be defined as the difference between the anterior mesiodistal widths in the lower jaw [I[1] +I[2] +C +bic[1]] and the tooth widths in a corresponding segment in the upper jaw [I[1] +I[2] +C]. In the normal occlusion, the mean of the difference is 3.2 mm and stripping or reproximation of teeth may be done if the discrepancy is within 2-3 mm

Anchorage loss and vertical dentofacial components

A cephalometric radiographic study was carried out to measure the possible dentofacial vertical changes that might be caused by mesial movement of anchor molars during canine retraction with maximum intraoral anchorage. The sample composed of 15 preoperative and post-operative lateral cephalometric radiographs and study models for patients having class 11 division 1 malocclulusion and their treatment necessitated premolar extraction and canine retraction. Their ages ranged between 16 to 23 years while the average treatment time to complete canine retraction was 6 months. The results showed significant mesial molar tipping, noticeable but statistically unsignificant anticlock wise rotation of the occlusal plane and increase of the lower anterior facial high as measured by ANS-Me linear measurement and ANS-Xi-Pm angle. Also, negligible increase of the mandibular plane steepness and incisal over bite were observed

Evolution of a new crown shape index for the mandibular incisors

In this study the role played by the mandibular incisors crown size and shape in influencing their alignment has been tested. A new crown shape index [gingival MD width] was deviced and evaluated on a incisal MD width sample of 137 subjects divided into 3 groups having normal, crowded and spaced mandibular incisors. Statisttically, the gingival MD width of the mandibular incisors was able to differentiate between the 3 groups. The crown shape indices of both the mandibular central and lateral incisors demonstrated a highly statistically significant difference between the three groups. From the results of this study, it is clear that the crown shape index be considered in the routine diagnosis as an important cause of mandibular incisors crowding and that the orthodontic clinicians should evaluate it and normalize it