True hermaphrodite with teratoma.

A 32 years old healthy male, married for 6 years presented with infertility. Clinical examination revealed normal external genitalia with underdeveloped empty scrotum. Radiological investigations reported bilateral intra abdominal testis with left testis showing features of teratoma. Intra- operative findings showed bilateral intra abdominal testis along with uterus and fallopian tube and left testis with features of teratoma. Histopathology confirmed the presence of uterus, cervix, right adnexa with atropic testis with tube, seminal vesical, epididymis, and left adnexa ovotestis withmature teratoma, tube and epididymis. Cytogenetics reported 46, XY karyotype. This case is rare presentation of combination of male phenotype true hermaphrodite with presence of teratoma.

Evaluation of common operator errors in panoramic radiography in Trinidad and Tobago: a comparison of formally vs informally trained operators / La evaluación de los errores comunes de los operadores de radiografía panorámica en Trinidad y Tobago comparación de los operadores adiestrados formalmente frente a los adiestrados informalmente

AIM: To evaluate and compare the frequency of common operator errors seen on panoramic radiographs in dental private practices and in the dental hospital (taken by informally and formally trained operators, respectively) in Trinidad and Tobago. METHOD: One thousand panoramic radiographs of patients over the age of 10 years were included in this study. These comprised 500 from the dental hospital and 500 from dental private practices. The radiographs were reviewed using standardized criteria to identify the most common operator errors. RESULTS: There were only 21 (4.2%) error free radiographs in the dental private practice sample and 29 (5.8%) in the dental hospital sample. Frequencies of specific errors were significantly higher in the dental private practice sample in each category except for "Chin tipped too low" (Chi-square p < 0.05) CONCLUSION: This study supports the need for the introduction of statutory guidelines with respect to the use of ionizing radiation in dentistry in Trinidad and Tobago and in particular, the implementation of formally assessed dedicated dental radiography training for all operators of dental X-ray equipment.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar y comparar la frecuencia de los errores comunes de los operadores, observados en las radiografías panorámicas en las clínicas dentales privadas y en el hospital de odontología (tomadas por operadores adiestrados formalmente e informalmente, de forma respectiva) en Trinidad y Tobago. MÉTODO: Mil radiografías panorámicas de pacientes de más de 10 años de edad, fueron incluidas en este estudio. Las mismas comprendían 500 provenientes del hospital odontológico y 500 provenían de las prácticas privadas de dentistas. Las radiografías fueron examinadas a partir de criterios estandarizados, a fin de identificar los errores más comunes de los operadores. RESULTADOS: Hubo sólo 21 (4.2%) radiografías sin errores en la muestra de la clínica dental privada, y 29 (5.8%) en la muestra del hospital de odontología. Las frecuencias de errores específicos fueron significativamente más altas en la muestra de la clínica dental privada en cada categoría, salvo el caso del "mentón inclinado excesivamente hacia abajo" (Chi-cuadrado p < 0.05) CONCLUSIÓN: Este estudio subraya la necesidad de introducir pautas reglamentarias con respecto al uso de la radiación ionizante en la cirugía dental en Trinidad y Tobago, particularmente en lo que concierne al adiestramiento especializado en radiografía dental, formalmente evaluado, para todos los operadores de equipos de rayos x para el trabajo dental.

Dental health knowledge and attitudes of primary school teachers toward developing dental health education / Conocimiento de la salud dental y actitudes de los maestros de la escuela primaria hacia el desarrollo de la educación de la salud dental

OBJECTIVE: To assess the dental health knowledge of primary school teachers, their attitudes toward the prevention of dental diseases and to identify any barriers to the implementation of oral health promotion programmes in schools. METHOD: Teachers' knowledge of the causes and prevention of dental decay and gum disease, their attitudes toward oral health and barriers to the implementation of dental health education programmes were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: School teachers were generally very well informed about the causes and prevention of dental decay and gum disease. Knowledge of the appropriate management of serious dental trauma was very poor among this group although they seemed to have greater awareness of the appropriate management for less serious dental injuries. The majority of teachers demonstrated positive attitudes toward dental health and its incorporation into the school curriculum. Teachers' attitudes to their own involvement in school-based dental health education were also positive. Lack of training and resources and time within the curriculum were identified as major barriers to the implementation of a dental health education programme in primary schools. CONCLUSION: Developing teacher training programmes that include oral health knowledge and an evidence-based approach to dental health education within a school setting could enable primary school teachers to play a significant part in oral health promotion for young children in Trinidad.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar el conocimiento de los maestros de escuela primaria sobre salud dental, y sus actitudes hacia la prevención de enfermedades dentales, e identificar cualquier barrera a la implementación de programas de promoción de la salud oral en las escuelas. MÉTODO: Haciendo uso de un cuestionario auto-administrado, se evaluó el conocimiento de los maestros sobre las causas y prevención de las caries dentales, y las enfermedades de la encía, así como las actitudes de aquellos hacia la salud oral y las barreras a la aplicación de programas de educación de salud dental. RESULTADOS: Los maestros escolares estaban generalmente muy bien informados acerca de las causas y prevención de las caries dentales y las enfermedades de la encía. El conocimiento sobre el tratamiento apropiado del trauma dental serio era muy pobre entre este grupo, aunque parecían tener mayor conciencia del tratamiento apropiado para las lesiones dentales menos serias. La mayoría de los maestros demostró poseer actitudes positivas hacia la salud dental y su incorporación en el plan de estudios. Las actitudes de los maestros hacia su propia participación en la educación para la salud dental con base en la escuela, fueron también positivas. La falta de entrenamiento, así como de recursos y tiempo dentro del plan de estudios, fueron identificados como las barreras principales a la implementación de un programa de educación de salud dental en las escuelas primarias. CONCLUSIÓN: El desarrollo de programas de entrenamientos para los maestros, que incluyan conocimientos de salud oral y un enfoque de la educación para la salud dental, basado en evidencias, dentro del contexto de la escuela, podría permitirles a los maestros escolares primarios desempeñar un papel significativo en la promoción de la salud oral entre los niños jóvenes en Trinidad.

A Preliminary investigation of periodontal disease and diabetes in Trinidad / Una investigación de la enfermedad periodontal y la diabetes en Trinidad

OBJECTIVES: To describe periodontal disease status in diabetic patients in Trinidad. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Patients attending a tertiary referral centre for diabetes at an out-patient clinic were invited to undergo oral examinations. The basic periodontal examination (BPE) was used to assess periodontal disease status. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients participated in the study. Mean age was 55.7 years, 54.2% were female, with 66.7% and 22.2% being of Indo-Trinidadian and Afro-Trinidadian ethnicity respectively. There were 61.1% who had not attended for dental treatment within the last year and 56.9% only attended when in pain; 15.3% had a history of cigarette smoking and 31.9% currently wore a denture. Plaque was detectable with the use of a probe in 40.3% of the 67% that underwent a BPE assessment; 38.8% were found to have advanced periodontal disease. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of periodontal disease in this sample of diabetic patients suggests that regular dental examinations, oral health education, and collaborative patient care between medical and dental practitioners should form part ofthe routine management ofdiabetic patients in Trinidad.

OBJETIVOS: Describir el estado de la enfermedad periodontal en los pacientes diabéticos en Trinidad. MÉTODO: Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal. Un número de pacientes que asistían a un centro terciario de remisión terciario para la diabetes en una clínica ambulatoria, fue invitado a recibir exámenes orales. Se usó el examen periodontal básico (EPB) para evaluar el estado de la enfermedad periodontal. RESULTADOS: Setenta y dos pacientes participaron en el estudio. La edad promedio fue 55.7 años, 54.2% fueron hembras; 66.7% y 22.2% fueron de etnicidad indotrinitense y afrotrinitense respectivamente. Hubo un 61.1% que no habían asistido para recibir tratamiento dental en el último año, y 56.9% que sólo asistieron cuando tuvieron dolor; el 15.3% tenía una historia de hábito de fumar cigarrillos, y el 31.9% usaba una prótesis dental. La placa era detectable usando una sonda dental en el 40.3% del 67% que recibió la evaluación del EPB, en tanto que se halló que el 38.8% tenía la enfermedad periodontal en estado avanzado. CONCLUSIÓN: La prevalencia de la enfermedad periodontal en esta muestra de pacientes diabéticos indica que los exámenes dentales regulares, la educación para la salud oral, y el cuidado colaborativo entre pacientes y trabajadores de la salud dental, deben formar parte del manejo de los pacientes diabéticos en Trinidad.

Urinary fluoride levels in children in a single school in Trinidad and Tobago: a preliminary investigation

OBJECTIVE: To determine urinary fluoride levels in school children in a non-fluoridated area in Trinidad and Tobago. METHOD: Morning urine samples were requested from 750 children aged 5 to 14 years, attending a primary school in the area of St Joseph, north west Trinidad. Urine was collected at home and brought to school in labelled plastic bottles. Urinary fluoride concentration (ppm) was measured using an ion-specific electrode. RESULTS: Urine samples were available for 500 children (67). Mean age was 8.5 years. Overall mean fluoride concentration was 0.5 ppm +/- standard deviation (SD) 0.27; males (n = 263) were 0.58 ppm +/- 0.28 and females (n = 237) 0.55 ppm +/- 0.27. Children in the 5 to 7-year age group had the highest levels (0.64 ppm +/- 0.33). CONCLUSION: Mean urinary fluoride levels in this sample of school children were low indicating a fluoride intake below the optimum level for caries prevention. Fluoridation programmes may need to be implemented to increase fluoride intake among school children in the study area.

Tobacco smoking in the Caribbean. The role of dental professionals in smoking cessation programmes

Cigarette smoking constitutes the most common form of tobacco use in the western world. Although the prevalence in the Caribbean is lower compared with Latin American and North American countries, cigarette smoking is gaining popularity with adolescents in the Caribbean. Tobacco smoking is injurious to general and oral health and is responsible for at least ten per cent of all deaths in the English-speaking Caribbean countries. These observations imply an urgent need to implement anti-smoking programmes in this region. Such programmes should focus on prevention of the acquisition of tobacco smoking habits, implementing smoking cessation programmes and providing support for those who have quit smoking. A variety of approaches involving health professionals, government and non-governmental agencies, media and other interest groups is required to address this issue. This paper proposes a strategy for a smoking cessation programme in the Caribbean that should be incorporated in day-to-day general dental practice.

Screening of Bacillus thuringiensis serotypes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for insecticidal crystal genes toxic against coffee berry borer.

Using PCR,257 isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt) were screened for cry-type genes. Of 257 isolates/strains, 60 isolates were identified as cry7/8, 10 isolates as cry3 and 36 isolates as cry 1I. One specific strain of B. thuringiensis (sumiyoshiensis; T03B 001) was investigated for the presence of cry7 and cry8 genes. Genes Cry7 and cry8 were first detected in this strain using family primers prior to analysis by exclusion polymerase chain reaction (E-PCR) using specific type primers. E-PCR conducted with the above said primers led to the identification by agarose gel electrophoresis of a remaining 1.5 Kb family band indicating a potentially novel gene. This PCR product, (1.5 Kb), was purified from the gel and cloned in pGEM-T Easy vector. Twenty recombinant colonies bearing 1.5 Kb insert were identified and three randomly selected representatives of the group, clones 7, 8 and 10, were sequenced and compared to all cry7 and cry8 sequences available from Gene Bank. Alignments with available DNA and protein sequences showed that all these clones contained a gene related to cry8Aa1. Analysis using protein sequence alignment showed that the sequence from clone 7 differed from the closest relative, known under the new nomenclature as cry 8Aa1, by 44%. The crystal proteins from B. thuringiensis sumiyoshiensis (T03B 001) was toxic to coffee berry borer larvae.

Malignant teratoid medulloepithelioma: a case report.

A case report "Malignant Teratoid Medulloepithelioma" is herewith presented for its rarity. Medulloepitheliomas are embryonic tumors occurring infancy and are probably congenital. Occasionally they show glial tissue and cartilage.

Effect of sciatectomy and induced ammonia stress on Mg2+- adenosine triphosphatase activity in frog tissues.

Mg2 + dependent —adenosine triphosphatase activity has been studied in the muscle, brain, kidney and liver tissues of frog, Rana hexadactyla (Lesson) after sciatectomy and induced chronic ammonia stress. The enzyme activity decreased in the tissues of the denervated frog. The activity of the enzyme increased in all the tissues of the normal and denervated frogs except in the denervated muscle when ammonium lactate was infused intraperitoneally.