ABSTRACT
Background: β-thalassaemia major is a hereditary hemolytic anemia and the patients often experience growth retardation, protrusive maxilla, and depressed nasal bride leading to various degrees of malocclusion. Aim: The purpose of this investigation is to find the prevalence of dentofacial abnormalities in β-thalassaemia major patients. Subjects and Methods: Seventy-two patients between 6 and 18 years of age diagnosed with β-thalassaemia major were examined for extraoral abnormalities, malocclusion, oral hygiene, and dental caries. Data obtained were tabulated and statistically analyzed using Chi-square and paired t-test. Results: Thirty-nine (54.2%) were males and 33 (45.8%) were females. Prominent extraoral abnormalities were found in 41 (56.9%) of the individuals. Study population predominantly had class I occlusion (59.7%) followed by class II occlusion (23.6%) and no class III occlusion. Mean oral hygiene index-simplified score was 2.43 ± 1.24, mean decayed missing filled teeth (DMFT) score was 7.10 ± 3.92, and deft was 5.68 ± 3.12. Conclusion: Despite starting regular blood transfusion at an early age, β-thalassaemia major patients showed marked facial abnormalities. When compared with individuals with no systemic disease, oral hygiene status was similar, but the caries experience was higher in β-thalassaemia major patients. Therefore, emphasis to educate these patients in the prevention and control of dental caries and maintenance of good oral hygiene should be considered.
ABSTRACT
To investigate changes of glycoconjugates (GC) on the duodenal mucosa of Korean chipmunks (Tamias sibiricus) after cold-treatment, chipmunks were maintained in cold conditions (6 C) for 3, 5 or 9 months in an attempt to mimic conditions occurring during seasonal hibernation. Most chipmunks were active as before until 3 months in the cold room and since then were hibernated. Although there was significant decrease in neutral GC in cold-treated chipmunks compared with warm chipmunks, acid GC changed little. As for histochemical properties of acid GC in the duodenum, the cold-treated chipmunk showed some differences, such as appearance of villus goblet cells which contained the mixture of sulfated and nonsulfated GC. The affinities for all lectins used in this study were shown in the columnar cells of the duodenal villus and crypt, more intensive DBA, SBA, PNA, BSL-1, RCA-1 and sWGA affinities were demonstrated in the Golgi zone of columnar cells. These affinities decreased in the cold-treated groups, especially in the Golgi zone of columnar cells. The affinities with DBA, RCA-1, sWGA and BSL-1 was demonstrated in the goblet cells of the duodenum, but these affinities except DBA decreased in the cold-treated chipmunks. All lectin affinities except UEA-1 detected in duodenal gland, but cold-treatment induced a decrease of these affinities. The changes in amount and properties of GC in the present experimental model for hibernation may be due to the different intestinal environment associated with food intake. However, the present experimental model for hibernation, especially 9 months cold-treated chipmunks, stills need to be demonstrated during seasonal hibernation in the wild.