Anthropometric study of maxillary arch forms in Libyan students

The fact arch forms must be bridged with other practical sciences, the fact that was confirmed by Grianger years later. Recently, it is believable that arch form studies could aid in the choice of artificial teeth and orthodontic evaluations. The results indicated that no statistical difference in all axis between males and females in each group and indicated that max arch dimensions of Libyan children were greater than the British and less than the Nigerian. It confirmed the fact that Libyan have larger max. arch dimensions than British. This showed that no dimensional changes occur in the arch form in the age between 10-19 years. Comparing results with other races showed that Libyans have larger arch form than the Europeans and smaller than the black Africans

Comparison between synthetic and natural plant exudates as gingival retracting agents

The aim of the study was to compare between the synthetic drugs, i.e. alum 100%, aluminum chloride 5% and zinc chloride 10% and natural plant exudates, i.e. pods of acacia 20%, pale catechu 20%, black catechu 20%, and to determine the effect of ethnic, sex, and environment on the performance and potentiality of the retracting agents on the gingival tissue. Dried in locally prepared impregnated cotton strings with alum 100%, aluminum chloride 5%, and zinc chloride 10% and natural plant exudates [pod of acacia 20%, pale catechu 20%, black catechu 20%] were the materials. The best retracting synthetic agent was alum 100%, so it is recommended as gingival retracting agent. Aluminum chloride 5% had corrosive effect on the sulcular epithelium and retracting cord causing inflammation of the sulcular epithelium, also declassified the tooth structure. Zinc chloride 10% had caustic effect with severely inflamed gingival tissue. Also, it is not recommended as gingival retracting agent. Natural plant exudate agents 20%: pods of acacia, pale catechu, black catechu were the best retracting agents, for its good retracting width and period of time. They have not any harmful effect on the gingival tissue or tooth substances. It controls gingival crevice exudates and seepage. They are strongly recommended as gingival retracting agents, in 20% concentration and application time of 5 minutes. The comparative results of the measurements between the white Egyptians, and the black Nigerians, females and males, and moderate and tropical climates were negative

Psoriasis and atopy

In an attempt to correlate psoriasis and atopy, personal and family history of atopy together with serum total immunoglobulin E [IgE] levels and peripheral blood absolute eosinophilic counts [AEC] were investigated in 50 Libyan patients with psoriasis [Sex: 21 males, 29 females; age: 12-60 years]. A random group of 100 subjects and their first degree relatives was included as 'control subjects' for comparing the prevalence of atopy. The serum total IgE levels and AEC in psoriatic patients were compared with a control group of 70 healthy subjects [Sex: 35 males, 35 females; age: 19-44 years]. Further comparison was mode with a group of 30 non-psoriatic patients with one or more atopic manifestations [Sex: 7 males, 23 females; age: 13-40 years]. Although 17 [34%] and 9 [18%] psoriatic patients gave personal history and only family history of atopy respectively, these were found to be similar to these of control subjects [P > 0.01]. No difference was also observed regarding the prevalence of atopy in first degree relatives of psoriatic and controls [P > 0.25]. Both serum IgE levels and AEC in psoriatic as well as atopic patients were significantly higher than in controls [Controls vs psoriatics - IgE: P < 0.005, AEC: P < 0.001; Controls vs atopics - IgE P < 0.05, AEC: P < 0.001], but no differences were noted between psoriatics and atopics [P > 0.5]. These changes in IgE levels and AEC in psoriatics were found to be independent of history of atopy as well as severity of the disease suggesting that there is no relation between psoriasis and atopy