Climate change and potential impact on disease: what are the public health agenda?

Globally, the impact of climate change on human health is widely discussed. There are several mechanisms how environmental variability can influence the occurrence of diseases that are communicable or noncommunicable. The biophysical underlying causes of climate changes are not proportionately distributed between developed and developing countries. Developed countries contribute more greenhouse emissions, but the population health effects of climate change are estimated to be higher in developing countries compared to developed countries. Therefore, examination of challenges associated with climate change should be a priority. In the countries of North Africa and the Middle East, a clear public health agenda needs to be developed, even if local/regional factors contributing to unpredictable climatic changes are not well-known. Targeting risk factors associated with noncommunicable diseases, and adopting lifestyle changes are interventions to consider

Inappropriate use of antibiotics in the treatment of pharyngo-tonsilitis in children in Khartoum, Sudan

Pharyngo-tonsillitis represents a major public health problem all over the world. Recent studies in Sudan have revealed alarming results reporting antibiotics over prescription in the management of acute tonsillitis. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of Group A Beta hemolytic streptococci and document the appropriateness of using antibiotics in the treatment of acute tonsillo-pharyngitis in Jaafar Ibn Auf Pediatrics Hospital. A cross sectional hospital based study was conducted in the period January to August 2012 in Jaafar Ibn Auf Hospital, the largest tertiary pediatrics hospital in Sudan. The sample size was 100 including children aged 2-17 years and got antibiotics treatment for their current sore throat. A pharyngeal swab was collected at presentation from tonsils and posterior pharynx. Gram staining was done first, and then Group A Beta hemolytic streptococci were isolated and identified in the laboratory by their growth characteristics. All children included in the study were assessed clinically and subjected to a structural questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 19. The estimated prevalence of Group A Beta hemolytic streptococci tonsillitis and/or pharyngitis was 22%, nevertheless the proportion of antibiotic prescription was 100%. Most children were treated inappropriately regarding the need for using antibiotics, the type of antibiotics used and the duration of management. As many studies suggested that increased using of antibiotics may be due to uncertainty of diagnosis, requesting scoring system or rapid diagnostic test can contribute to the reduction of the rate of antibiotics prescription

Chemistry of oral saliva related to dental caries in a group of Egyptian Turner syndrome children

Research on salivary functions and the underlying molecules has been intensive for the last three decades. Saliva acts as an ocean of anions, cations, nonelectrolytes, amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids flowing in waves against and into the plaque. There are only a few references on caries prevalence in patients with Turner syndrome with the majority of investigators observing the low incidence of dental caries among the permanent teeth of Turner syndrome children. This study was undertaken to assess the chemistry of saliva in relation to caries in a group of Egyptian Turner syndrome children. Caries index was recorded and 5 ml saliva was collected from thirty children aged 8 to 14 years. Samples analyzed for pH, viscosity, immunoglobulin A, electrolytes and streptococcus mutans counts. Caries incidence in Turner children was lower than that of the control ones. Salivary electrolytes, pH and immunoglobulin A have significant higher values in Turner group; the reverse occurred for viscosity and Streptococcus mutans count. Low caries index in Turner syndrome children can attribute to lower viscosity, lower streptococcus mutans count, alkaline pH and rise in immunoglobulin A

Evaluation of a cooling intra-anal device Anurex for the symptomatic treatment of certain anal conditions

This study included 50 patients with anorectal symptoms. Their ages ranged between 19 and 67 years. The results of treatment have been assessed regarding pain, bleeding, swelling, discharge and pruritus ani. Thirty-nine patients were diagnosed to have hemorrhoids and 12 patients presented with anal fissure. Thirteen out of the 18 female patients presented with temporary anorectal disorders, 53.8% of them related to pregnancy and 46.2% presented in the postpartum period. Anurex was used twice daily for at least seven days. There was a significant reduction of anal pain, specially in the cases of acute anal fissures. Also, significant reduction was recorded in anal bleeding, discharge and pruritus ani. From this study, it was concluded that Anurex cryotherapy is easy, cheap, drug free, morbidity free and can be used for anal pain and minor bleeding as the commonest anal symptoms, especially on temporary basis, temporary etiology as in pregnancy and lactation, or temporary indication during traveling or for patients unfit or refusing surgery

Effects of copper on photosynthetic activity and chlorophyll-a content of chaectoceros radicans Schutte

Chaetoceros radicans was selected to test the effect of copper concentrations of 0.001, 0.005, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.5 ppm for 6 days on the photosynthetic activity and chlorophyll-a content under laboratory conditions. The photosynthetic activity decreased with time of exposure and copper concentration. The control photosynthetic activity reached a maximum value at 120 hours and chlorophyll-a at 72 hours. Chaetoceros radicans cultures treated by copper showed a slight decrease in its photosynthetic activity and chlorophyll-a at levels 0.001 and 0.005 ppm, while they rapidly decreased at higher copper concentrations

Studies of the effect of different diets on fish performance and the water quality changes in fertilized fish ponds

Two experiments were conducted for 6 months to declare to what extent the artificial feed could serve in addition to the optimum fertilizer dose [urea and superphosphate] in polyculture fish ponds. The water quality parameters of different ponds were monitored and analyzed every twenty weeks during the growing period. The results showed a significant differences in fish performance of Tilapia. The high values were obtained from the fish fed balanced diet with fertilizers. Moreover, the high protein efficiency ratios [PER] were obtained from fish fed wheat bran with or without fertilizers, as the feed efficiency decreased linearly with increasing protein level in the diet. In case of carp, significant differences were found in fish performance. The high values were obtained from fish fed balanced diet with or without fertilizers. The highest PER values were obtained from fish fed wheat bran without fertilizers. Concerning the water quality, obvious changes in the nutrient salts and dissolved oxygen were observed. Nitrogen as nitrate proved to be phytoplankton limiting growth, however phosphorus as orthophosphate showed the opposite. These changes can be attributed to phytoplankton blooms and crashes. Economically, highest net revenue was obtained by using balanced diet with optimnum doses of fertilizers, followed by balanced diet only

comparative scanning electron microscopic study of human enamel and seven other experimental animals

This study was carried out to compare the ultrastructure of human enamel [deciduous and permanent] with enamel of other seven animals of dental interest. Lower central incisors were etched with 30% orthophosphoric acid subjected to scanning electron microscopic examinations. The electron microscopic examination revealed the characteristic features of each species. Aprismatic enamel was more frequent in deciduous than permanent incisors and other studied experimental animals. Prismatic pattern varied in different species which probably met the functional demands of the teeth. However, rodent incisors showed the most complex and highly organized enamel structure within these mammalia. In addition, the arrangement and the course of enamel prisms [presented as Hunter-Schreger bands in longitudinal sections] in different species was genetically determined whereas the cross striations were due to variations in the width of enamel prisms

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

Effect of iontophoresis on fluoride acquisition by primary and permanent enamel from two fluoride solutions

The effect of iontophoresis on fluoride acquisition by primary and permanent enamel was tested using two fluoride solutions. Twenty six sound premolars extracted for orthodontic treatment and twenty eight sound primary molars extracted at time of shedding were used in this study. Each tooth was divided into two halves and prepared for treatment with 2% sodium fluoride and 1.23% acidulated phosphate fluoride topically applied with and without iontophoresis. The source of current was a DC voltage supply adjusted to a potential of 12V connected to a series of adjustable resistance. An ameter was included to measure the intensity of current which is kept constant at 2m A. An enamel biopsy was taken from every tooth half and analyzed for calcium and fluoride content. The results of this study revealed that iontophoresis enhanced fluoride acquisition from acidulated phosphate fluoride solution by enamel of both primary and permanent teeth and from sodium fluoride for permanent teeth only. Iontophoresis was more effective when used with acidulated phosphate fluoride than when used with sodium fluoride. These results may have an important application for clinical use in caries prevention

Ceramic and metal brackets: their bacterial adherence

The aim of the present study was to clarify and compare the degree ofbacterial adherence in association with the surface of ceramic and metalorthodontic brackets. Equal disks of ceramic, stainless steel as well ashydroxyapatite were used in this study, adhesive properties of Streptococcusmutans to the above mentioned materials were tested experimentally. It wasfound that the bacterial adhesion on ceramic material was significantly higherthan both the stainless steel and hydroxyapatite. While, there was nostatistical significant differences between the two later materials

Diagnosis and screening of children with caries using microbial tests

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of Alban test as adiagnostic test for caries predictions and to relate its acid production tothe number of Lactobacillus and Streptococcus mutans in saliva of children. The study sample consisted of sixty caries active and thirty caries freepreschool children as a control. Clinical examination was done. Salivasamples were collected and 3 tests were adopted for each child. Highcorrelation was detected between dmf index and acid produced from Alban test[r=0.9]. Similar correlations were found between dmf index and Lactobacillusand Streptococcus mutans count [r=0.86 and 0.72 respectively]. AccordingAlban test can be used as a caries predictors in children. It can be done indental clinic due to its simplicity as a routine diagnostic test foridentification of children at caries risk

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

Mesiodens and paramolar supernumerary teeth: histological observations and a prevalence study in Egyptian children

Sixteen mesiodens and paramolar teeth were collected from 14 children after examining 1080 Egyptian children. The prevalence of these supernumeraries in Egyptian children was found to be 1.296%. Light microscopic examination of their hard tissues was carried out. Numerous structural abnormalities were observed including: some variation in enamel thickness, multidirectional arrangement of enamel prism bundles at some sites, absence of amelodentinal junction and incremental lines of Retzuis at the incisal and the small cusp tip regions, interlacing of the inner ends of enamel prisms and the branching terminal ends of dentinal tubules at sites where A.D.J. is absent with numerous enamel spindles, observation of an outer surface layer of enamel having a honeycomb appearance on top of the longitudinally arranged enamel prisms in paramolar sections, numerous interglobular dentine spaces in the crown and sometimes in the root portions, sparce cellular cementum, presence of dark granules in acellular cementum in mesiodens, increased thickness of acellular cementum at the wide apical region of paramolar roots containing irregular large spaces, presence of hard structureless and clear network across paramolar pulp cavity, detection of an enamel-like mass containing longitudinally and transeversly sectioned enamel prisms and embedded in the crown dentine of some paramolar sections

Pilot study of the risk factors for coronary heart disease in Sudanese subjects

Results of a detailed case-control study of the risk factors for coronary heart disease [CHD] in 63 Sudanese subjects [32 patients and 31 age- and sex-matched controls], showed that comparing to patients and controls only diabetes mellitus, hyperuricaemia and possibly family history of CHD were significantly more common in patients. A marginally significant difference was noted in hypertension, total serum cholesterol and low density lipoproteins. No significant difference in triglycerides level, obesity [Quetelet's Index], cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and psychological factors [short type A scale] was found. Interestingly, none of the patients had a raised total Cholesterol or triglyceride level. Reassuringly, more than half of the smokers in both patients and controls smoked less than 20 cigarettes per day. From available data regarding the major risk factors of CHD probably the glucose/CHD relationship is particularly strong in the Sudanese. Otherwise it is possible that risk-factors for CHD in Sudan are not the same as those in the developed countries. However, monitoring of more individuals is needed fully to elucidate the situation