Study of some morphometric and meristic characteristics of Alepes vari (Cuvier, 1833) collected from the Arabian coast / Estudo de características morfométricas e merísticas de Alepes vari (Cuvier, 1833) coletados na costa da Arábia

The present study examines the correlations between fifteen morphometric and ten meristic characters and total length (TL) of males, females, and combined sexes of Alepes vari (Cuvier, 1833) collected from Karachi fish harbor, West Wharf of Karachi Coast. Statistical analyses of linear regression relationships show mostly strong correlations (r≥0.70; p<0.05) between total length (TL) and most morphometric characters in males, females, and combined sexes, except the height of pectoral-fin (PFH), and pelvic-fin base length (PelFL); whereas, meristic characters were found to be constant and indicate weak or negative type correlations (r≤0.50; p>0.05) with total length (TL). Hence, according to our present results, there is a direct relationship between the total length of fish and all morphometric characters, which were found to be the best indicators of positive allometric pattern growth in fish. Moreover, analysis of the 2-sample t-test revealed (t-test; p>0.05) that no sexual dimorphism was reported in Alepes vari. Thus, our present study could be valuable in systematic classification, sexual dimorphism, and management of this species on the Karachi coast.

O presente estudo examina as correlações entre 15 caracteres morfométricos e 10 caracteres merísticos e comprimento total (CT) de machos, fêmeas e sexos combinados de Alepes vari (Cuvier, 1833), coletados do porto de Karachi, West Wharf, na costa de Karachi. As análises estatísticas das relações de regressão linear mostraram, principalmente, correlações fortes (r ≥ 0,70; p < 0,05) entre o CT e a maioria dos caracteres morfométricos em machos, fêmeas e sexos combinados, exceto a altura da nadadeira peitoral e o comprimento da base da nadadeira pélvica, enquanto os caracteres merísticos foram constantes, indicando correlações fracas ou negativas (r ≤ 0,50; p > 0,05) com o CT. Portanto, de acordo com nossos resultados, existe uma relação direta entre o CT dos peixes e todos os caracteres morfométricos, que foram considerados os melhores indicadores de crescimento do padrão alométrico positivo em peixes. Além disso, a análise do teste t de duas amostras revelou (teste t; p > 0,05) que nenhum dimorfismo sexual foi relatado em A. vari.

Class III Malocclusion: Missense Mutations in DUSP6 Gene

Objective: To determine the DUSP6 gene mutation in three generations of Malaysian Malay subjects having Class III malocclusion. Material and Methods: Genetic analyses of DUSP6 gene were carried out in 30 subjects by selecting three individuals representing three generations, respectively, from ten Malaysian Malay families having Class III malocclusion and 30 healthy controls. They were submitted Clinical Evaluation to clinical examination, lateral cephalometric radiographs, dental casts, and/ or facial and intra-oral photographs. Buccal cell was taken from each participant of Class III malocclusion and control groups. DNA extractions from buccal cell were carried out using Gentra puregene buccal cell kit. Bio Edit Sequence Alignment Editor software was used to see the sequencing result. Results: A heterozygous missense mutation c.1094C>T (p. Thr 365 Ile) was identified in DUSP6 gene in three members of one family with Class III malocclusion, whereas no mutation was found in the control group. Conclusion: Current study successfully identified a missense mutation in DUSP6 gene among one Malaysian Malay family affected by Class III malocclusion. The outcome of this study broadened the mutation spectrum of Class III malocclusion and the importance of DUSP6 gene in skeletal functions.

Influence of Functional Clinical Temperature over Compressive Strength and Diametral Tensile Strength of Various Luting Cements

Objective: To estimate the effect of temperature over the physical properties of commonly used luting cements. Material and Methods: The two set of cylindrical shaped cement samples measuring 12mm X 6mm and 4mm X 8mm were fabricated from non-eugenol zinc oxide, glass ionomer, zinc phosphate, Zinc polycarboxylate, resin cements. These two sets of samples were utilized to test compressive and diametral tensile strength respectively. Forty cement samples from each mold were fabricated and distributed between 14, 22, 37 and 550C (N=10). The samples were tested under universal testing machine, and data subsequently analyzed using One-way ANOVA and Tukey multiple comparison's statistical methods at p > 0.05. Results: The higher temperature resulted in noticeable reduction in the compressive strength of non-eugenol -zinc oxide, Zinc-phosphate, Zinc poly carboxylate cements. The highest compressive strength was recorded for non-eugenol zinc oxide (8.08 Mpa) at 370C, Zinc phosphate (91.01Mpa) at 140C, and for zinc polycarboxylate (83.06 Mpa) at 370C. The comparative values for respective cements at 550C were 6.40Mpa, 59.80Mpa, and 52.88 Mpa. The higher temperature had insignificant effect on the compressive strength of glass ionomer cement, while composite resin cement indicated minor deterioration. Conclusion: The relative mouth temperature influences the physical properties of the luting cements.

Three-Rooted Mandibular First Molars in a Saudi Arabian Population: A CBCT Study

Objective: To know the prevalence three-rooted mandibular first molars in a Saudi Arabian population by using CBCT. Material and Methods: A total of 428 CBCT scans in the database of the College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were analyzed. All well-developed permanent mandibular first molars were analyzed for the presence of extra root in three dimensions and the reconstructed volumetric images by two qualified and experienced observers. The total incidence, distribution and comparison regarding gender, bilateral and unilateral appearance, and the side of occurrences of these permanent three-rooted mandibular first molars were analyzed by the Chi-square test. The level of significance was set at 5%. Results: The CBCT scans of 14 subjects had three rooted mandibular first molars with a prevalence of 3.27%. The prevalence in males and females was 2.96% respectively, with no significant differences between genders (p=0.865). The frequency of bilateral three-rooted mandibular first molars was 1.16%, with unilateral frequencies of 1.40% and 0.70% on the right and left sides, respectively. No significant relationship between sides (p=0.981) and the bilateral prevalence of three-rooted mandibular first molars (p=0.668) was observed. Conclusion: Dental practitioners must be aware of the fact that though it is rare, an extra or third root can be present in mandibular first molars and CBCT can aid in accurate diagnosis of the presence of third root.

Prevalence and molecular characterization of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli isolates from human and sheep in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah / Prevalencia y caracterización molecular de cepas de Escherichia coli productoras de toxina Shiga en seres humanos y ovejas de Al-Medina Al-Munawarah

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains have emerged as important foodborne pathogens of global public health concern, causing life-threatening diseases. Sheep and their products have been documented as important reservoirs for STECs, especially E. coli O157. The aim of this study was to investigate STECs from diarrheal human and sheep in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, Saudi Arabia. Fecal samples were collected between June and August, 2015 from diarrheal humans (n = 134) and sheep (n = 87). Presumptive E. coli human-and sheep-isolated strains were identified for their serotypes, the associated virulence genes (Shiga toxin [stx1 , stx2 ], haemolysin [ehxA] and intimin [eae]) by polymerase chain reaction and their susceptibility to antibiotics. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to demonstrate the genetic relatedness between Serotype O157:H7 human- and sheep-isolated strains. Forty eight (48/221; 21.7%) STECs were recovered from both human and sheep, their serotypes were as follows: O157:H7, O26:H11, O157:HNM, O26:HNM, O128:H2, O48:HNM, O111:HNM and OUT:HUT. Various virulence profiles and multiple antibiotic resistance were observed among the isolates. Twenty eight O157:H7 serotypes (17 human isolates and 11 sheep isolates) were identified in 13 PFGE pulsotypes, where human and sheep isolates were highly related. PFGE banding profiles together with serotypes and genotypes afford proof that human and sheep can be colonized and infected with similar E. coli O157:H7 strains. Our findings highlight the importance of epidemiological and microbiological surveillance of STECs; as well as the development of control measures to decrease risks associated with zoonotic O157:H7.

Las cepas de Escherichia coli (E. coli) productoras de toxina Shiga (STEC, del inglés Shiga toxin-producing E. coli) han surgido como importantes agentes patógenos de origen alimentario que son motivo de preocupación para la salud pública mundial, ya que provocan enfermedades potencialmente mortales. Se ha confirmado que las ovejas y sus productos son reservorios importantes para la STEC, especialmente E. coli O157. El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar STEC procedentes de deposiciones diarreicas humanas y ovinas en Al-Medina Al-Munawarah (Arabia Saudí). Se recogieron muestras fecales entre junio y agosto de 2015 de deposiciones diarreicas humanas (n = 134) y ovinas (n = 87). Se identificaron las presuntas cepas de E. coli humanas y ovinas por sus serotipos, los genes de virulencia asociados (toxina Shiga [stx1, stx2], hemolisina [ehxA] e intimina [eae]) por reacción en cadena de la polimerasa y la susceptibilidad a los antibióticos. Se utilizó la electroforesis en gel de campo pulsado (EGCP) para demostrar el parentesco genético entre el serotipo O157:H7 de las cepas humanas y el de las ovinas. Se aislaron 48 STEC (48/221; 21,7%) tanto humanas como ovinas y sus serotipos fueron los siguientes: O157:H7, O26:H11, O157:HNM, O26:HNM, O128:H2, O48:HNM, O111:HNM y OUT:HUT. Entre las cepas se observaron varios perfiles de virulencia y resistencia a múltiples antibióticos entre los aislamientos. Se identificaron 28 serotipos O157:H7 (17 cepas humanas y 11 cepas ovinas) en 13 pulsotipos de la EGCP, en los que las cepas humanas y ovinas estaban sumamente vinculadas. Los perfiles de bandeos de la EGCP, junto con los serotipos y genotipos, ofrecen una prueba de que seres humanos y ovejas pueden ser colonizados e infectados por cepas similares de E. coli O157:H7. Nuestros resultados destacan la importancia de la vigilancia epidemiológica y microbiológica de STEC, así como del desarrollo de medidas de control para reducir los riesgos asociados con la O157:H7 zoonótica.

Social health in the Arab city

The physical aspect of a Healthy City is obvious, but Healthy Cities can also be used to promote social health-spirituality, moral behaviour, etc. Can planners and architects help in attaining this type of health which is tied to social conduct