Prevalence of root dilacerations in Central Anatolian Turkish dental patients / Prevalencia de las dilaceraciones radiculares en pacientes dentales turcos de la región de Anatolia Central

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine, retrospectively, the prevalence and distribution of the dilaceration of the root for each tooth-type in a sample of Central Anatolian Turkish population by using panoramic radiographs. METHOD: Panoramic radiograhs of 6912 patients (3860 women and 3052 men, mean age 29.04 years, range, 15 to 50 years) were examined for the presence of root dilacerations. Chi-square test was also used to compare the prevalence of dilacerations between male and female subjects and upper and lower jaws. RESULTS: Data showed that 1108 (16.0%) of these subjects had one or more teeth that were dilacerated and these were detected in 466 (15.2%) males and 642 (16.6%) females. Statistical analysis (χ² test) showed a significant difference in the prevalence of dilaceration among male and female patients. Mandibular third molars were dilacerated most often (3.76%), followed by mandibular second molars (1.81%). Dilaceration was found in 1.23% of maxillary second premolars and 1.23% of mandibular second molars. CONCLUSION: Root dilacerations are not uncommon among Turkish dental patients, and their early detection could be important in treatment problems associated with it. However, further larger scale studies are required to assess its prevalence in the general population in order to compare it with other ethnic groups.

OBJETIVO: El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar retrospectivamente la prevalencia y distribución de la dilaceración radicular para cada tipo de diente en una muestra poblacional turca de Anatolia Central, usando radiografías panorámicas. MÉTODO: Se examinaron las radiografías panorámicas de 6912 pacientes (3860 mujeres y 3052 hombres, edad promedio 29.04 años, rango 15 a 50 años) en busca de presencia de dilaceraciones de la raíz. También se usó la prueba de Chi-cuadrado para comparar la prevalencia de dilaceraciones entre los sujetos varones y hembras, y la mandíbula inferior y superior. RESULTADOS: Los datos mostraron que 1108 (16.0%) de estos sujetos tenían uno o más dientes dilacerados, detectados en 466 (15.2%) varones y 642 (16.6%) hembras. El análisis estadístico (prueba χ²) mostró una diferencia significativa en la prevalencia de dilaceración entre los pacientes varones y las hembras. Los terceros molares mandibulares se hallaban dilacerados con mayor frecuencia (3.76%), seguidos por los segundos molares mandibulares (1.81%). Se halló dilaceración en 1.23% de los segundos premolares maxilares y 1.23% de los segundos molares mandibulares. CONCLUSIÓN: Las dilaceraciones radiculares no son poco comunes entre los pacientes dentales turcos, y su detección temprana podría ser importante en el tratamiento de problemas asociados con ellas.

Ethnic differences in genetic susceptibility to atopy and asthma.

The genetics of asthma and atopy is complex, but can be approached by studies of both candidate genes and mapping of susceptibility loci. Genetic factors conferring susceptibility to disease may vary among ethnic groups. We present our experience with some candidate gene studies for asthma and atopy and susceptibility locus mapping for linkage to chromosome 5q.

Cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity responsiveness in lepromatous and borderline lepromatous leprosy patients as determined by MULTITEST CMI.

To assess cell mediated immune (CMI) function in patients with lepromatous and borderline lepromatous leprosy (LL and BL), 35 patients were examined with the MULTITEST CMI system to evaluate cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responsiveness to 7 recall antigens. Reactions were assessed quantitatively and qualitatively. In addition, patients were classified as "responsive" (> or = 2 positive reactions), "hypo-responsive" (1 positive reaction), or anergic. Only hyporesponsive and anergic patients were re-tested. In 23 patients tested before treatment started (Group 1), 9 were responsive, 4 hypo-responsive, and 10 anergic. Upon re-testing, 10 of the 14 hyporesponsive-anergic subjects showed improvement. In 12 patients assessed after therapy initiation (Group 2), 9 were responsive and 3 others became responsive upon re-testing. Quantitative assessment indicated variable deficiencies in cutaneous DTH reactivity that, in many cases, improved with therapy. Correlations between reactivity and disease severity (LL versus BL) or duration of disease were not observed. The MULTITEST CMI system provided a convenient, safe, and reproducible method to assess cutaneous DTH responsiveness in LL and BL patients. Our findings indicated that most LL and BL patients are able to generate detectable but generally fewer and less robust cutaneous DTH responses to recall antigens, many improving with therapy. However, a semi-quantitative classification whereby patients that reacted to 2 or more antigens were considered "responsive" showed little difference between patients and controls. Overall, the data support the contention that deficits in cutaneous DTH responsiveness probably neither predispose nor necessarily accompany lepromatous disease, a practical consideration as efforts to develop a leprosy vaccine continue.