Mandibular pre-molars endodontic anatomy and role in sex dimorphism for Western Asia population using CBCT 3d imaging technique / Anatomía endodóntica de premolares mandibulares y papel en el dimorfismo sexual para la población de Asia Occidental utilizando la técnica de imagen 3d CBCT

SUMMARY: Cone Beam Computerized Tomography (CBCT) imaging technique can be used for identifying the root canal anatomy and its use in determining sexual dimorphism. The aim of current study was to identify the commonly found root canal morphology and gender dimorphism for mandibular pre-molars in Western Asia population according to Vertucci's classification using CBCT 3D imaging technique. On ethical approval 470 patients from Western Asia population with intact healthy mandibular first and second pre-molars were included in the study. The selected patients were sent to radiology department of Riyadh Elm University, Saudi Arabia for CBCT images. The observations recorded included: i) number of roots; and ii) type of root canal morphology based on Vertucci's classification. All the mandibular first and second pre-molars had single root both in males and females. The type of Vertucci's classification commonly observed was Type I both in males (88.94 %) and females (100 %) in mandibular first pre-molars. Similarly Type I was identified as a common root canal configuration in mandibular second pre-molars for males (82.77 %) and females (100 %). The two canal configurations Type IV and V were only observed in the males. It can be concluded from the results mandibular first and second pre-molars in the Western Asia population are single rooted with common Vertucci's Type I canal configuration in the females with rare evidence of two canals in males. Additionally CBCT is an effective technique and should be used for detection of root canals in the mandibular pre-molars which can aid dentists in providing a successful endodontic therapy.

RESUMEN: La imagen de la tomografía computarizada de haz cónico (CBCT) se puede utilizar para identificar la anatomía del conducto radicular y para determinar el dimorfismo sexual. El objetivo del estudio fue identificar la morfología del conducto radicular y el dimorfismo de sexo, comúnmente encontrados en los premolares mandibulares en la población de Asia occidental, de acuerdo con la clasificación de Vertucci, utilizando la técnica de imágenes CBCT 3D. Tras la aprobación ética, se incluyeron en el estudio 470 pacientes de la población de Asia occidental con primeros y segundos premolares mandibulares sanos intactos. Los pacientes seleccionados fueron enviados al departamento de radiología de la Universidad de Riyadh Elm, Arabia Saudita, para las imágenes CBCT. Las observaciones incluyeron: i) número de raíces; y ii) tipo de morfología del conducto radicular según la clasificación de Vertucci. Se observó solamente una raíz en los primeros y segundos premolares mandibulares tanto en hombres como en mujeres. El tipo de clasificación de Vertucci comúnmente observado fue Tipo I tanto en hombres (88,94 %) como en mujeres (100 %) en los primeros premolares mandibulares. El Tipo I se identificó como una configuración común del conducto radicular en los segundos premolares mandibulares para hombres (82,77 %) y mujeres (100 %). Ambas configuraciones de canal Tipo IV y V solo se observaron en los varones. Se puede concluir a partir de los resultados de los primeros y segundos premolares mandibulares en la población de Asia occidental, que éstos tienen una sola raíz con una configuración de canal de Vertucci Tipo I común en mujeres con una evidencia de dos canales infrecuente en los hombres. La CBCT es una técnica eficaz y debe usarse para la detección de conduc- tos radiculares en los premolares mandibulares, lo que puede ayu- dar a los dentistas a proporcionar una terapia endodóntica exitosa.

Tobacco use, exposure to second-hand smoke, and cessation training among the third-year medical and dental students in selected Member States of South-East Asia region: A trend analysis on data from the Global Health Professions Student Survey, 2005-2011.

Background: The Medical and Dental Global Health Professions Student Surveys (GHPSS) are surveys based in schools that collect self-administered data from students on the prevalence of tobacco use, exposure to second-hand smoke, and tobacco cessation training, among the third-year medical and dental students. Materials and Methods: Two rounds of medical and dental GHPSS have been conducted in Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, among the third-year medical and dental students, between 2005 and 2006 and 2009 and 2011. Results: The prevalence of any tobacco use among third-year male and female medical students did not change in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal between 2005 and 2006 and 2009 and 2011; however, it reduced significantly among females in Myanmar (3.3% in 2006 to 1.8% in 2009) and in Sri Lanka (2.5% in 2006 to 0.6% in 2011). The prevalence of any tobacco use among third-year male dental students did not change in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Thailand between 2005 and 2006 and 2009 and 2011; however, in Myanmar, the prevalence increased significantly (35.6% in 2006 to 49.5% in 2009). Among the third-year female students, a significant increase in prevalence was noticed in Bangladesh (4.0% in 2005 to 22.2% in 2009) and Thailand (0.7% in 2006 to 2.1% in 2011). It remained unchanged in the other three countries. Prevalence of exposure to second-hand smoke (SHS) both at home and in public places, among medical students, decreased significantly in Myanmar and Sri Lanka between 2006 and 2009 and in 2011. Among dental students, the prevalence of SHS exposure at home reduced significantly in Bangladesh, India, and Myanmar, and in public places in India. However, there was an increase of SHS exposure among dental students in Nepal, both at home and in public places, between 2005 and 2011. Medical students in Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka reported a declining trend in schools, with a smoking ban policy in place, between 2005 and 2006 and 2009 and 2011, while proportions of dental students reported that schools with a smoking ban policy have increased significantly in Bangladesh and Myanmar. Ever receiving cessation training increased significantly among medical students in Sri Lanka only, whereas, among dental students, it increased in India, Nepal, and Thailand. Conclusion: Trends of tobacco use and exposure to SHS among medical and dental students in most countries of the South-East Asia Region had changed only relatively between the two rounds of GHPSS (2005-2006 and 2009-2011). No significant improvement was observed in the trend in schools with a policy banning smoking in school buildings and clinics. Almost all countries in the SEA Region that participated in GHPSS showed no significant change in ever having received formal training on tobacco cessation among medical and dental students.

MPOWER and the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control implementation in the South-East Asia region.

The 11 member states of WHO's South-East Asia Region share common factors of high prevalence of tobacco use, practice of several forms of tobacco use, increasing prevalence of tobacco use among the youth and women, link of tobacco use with poverty, and influence of tobacco advertisements in propagating the use of tobacco, especially among young girls and women. The effects of tobacco use are many-fold, leading to high morbidity and mortality rates as well as loss of gross domestic product (GDP) to respective countries. The WHO Regional Office for South-East Asia has been actively involved in curbing this menace essentially by way of assisting member states in implementing the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). This paper gives an overview of these activities and discusses the opportunities and challenges in implementing the FCTC and possible practical solutions.

Prevalence of smokeless tobacco use among adults in WHO South-East Asia.

Smokeless tobacco (SLT) use is an understudied problem in South-East Asia. Information on SLT use among the adult population was collected from various available sources. SLT use prevalence varies among countries in the region. The prevalence of SLT use is known for all countries at national level in the region with the exception of Bhutan and DPR Korea. For Bhutan, data pertains to Thimphu only. There is no available data on SLT use for DPR Korea. Using all available data from Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, SLT use was found to be higher among males as compared to females; however, in Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Thailand, SLT use was higher among females as compared to males. Among males, prevalence of SLT use varied from 51.4% in Myanmar to 1.1% in Thailand. Among females, the prevalence of SLT use varied from 27.9% in Bangladesh to 1.9% in Timor-Leste. The prevalence also varies in different parts of countries. For instance, the prevalence of current use of SLT in India ranges from 48.7% in Bihar to 4.5% in Himachal Pradesh. In Thailand, prevalence of current use of tobacco use varies from 0.8% in Bangkok to over 4% in the northern (4.1%) and northeastern (4.7%) region. Among all SLT products, betel quid was the most commonly used product in most countries including Bangladesh (24.3%) and Thailand (1.8%). However, Khaini (11.6%) chewing was practiced most commonly in India. Nearly 5% of the adult population used tobacco as dentifrice in Bangladesh and India. SLT is more commonly used in rural areas and among disadvantaged groups. Questions from standard "Tobacco Questions for Surveys (TQS)" need to be integrated in routine health system surveys in respective countries to obtain standardized tobacco use data at regular intervals that will help in providing trends of SLT use in countries.

Involvement of health professionals in tobacco control in the South-East Asia Region.

Tobacco use is widely entrenched in the South-East Asia (SEA) Region leading to high morbidity and mortality in this region. Several studies revealed that tobacco use is widespread among youth and school children. Exposure to second-hand smoke was reported as around 50% or more in three countries - Myanmar (59.5%), Bangladesh (51.3%), and Indonesia (49.6%). Health profession students encompassing medical, dental, nursing and pharmacy disciplines, and even qualified health professionals are no exception from tobacco use. While they are regarded as role models in tobacco cessation programs, their tobacco addiction will carry a negative impact in this endeavour. A mere inquiry about the smoking status of patients and a brief advice by doctors or dentists increases quit rates and prompts those who have not thought about quitting to consider doing so. Evidence from some randomized trials suggests that advice from motivated physicians to their smoking patients could be effective in facilitating cessation of smoking. However, the low detection rate of smokers by many physicians and the small proportion of smokers who routinely receive advice from their physicians to quit have been identified as a matter of concern. This paper describes the role and issues of involvement of health professionals in tobacco control. Data from a variety of sources is used to assess the status. Although there are some differences, tobacco use is widespread among the students and health professional students. Exposure to second hand smoke is also a matter of concern. Tobacco-related problems and tobacco control cut across a vast range of health disciplines. Building alliances among the health professional associations in a vertical way will help synergize efforts, and obtain better outcomes from use of existing resources. Health professional associations in some countries in the SEA region have already taken the initiative to form coalitions at the national level to advance the tobacco control agenda. In Thailand, a Thai Health Professional Alliance against Tobacco, with 17 allies from medical, nursing, traditional medicine, and other health professional organizations, is working in a concerted manner toward promoting tobacco control. Indian Dental Association intervention is another good example.

Best practices in tobacco control in the South-East Asia Region.

The tobacco epidemic is an increasing threat to public health with the tobacco burden particularly high in WHO's South-East Asia Region (SEAR). The Region has many obstacles to tobacco control, but despite these challenges, significant progress has been made in many countries. Although much work still needs to be done, SEAR countries have nevertheless implemented strong and often innovative tobacco control measures that can be classified as "best practices," with some setting global precedents. The best practice measures implemented in SEAR include bans on gutka, reducing tobacco imagery in movies, and warning about the dangers of tobacco. In a time of scarce resources, countries in SEAR and elsewhere must ensure that the most effective and cost-efficient measures are implemented. It is hoped that countries can learn from these examples and as appropriate, adapt these measures to their own specific cultural, social and political realities.

Epidemiology of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in Asia: A Systematic Review

Ethnic and geographical differences are important factors in studying disease frequencies, because they may highlight the environmental or genetic influences in the etiology. We retrieved the studies which have been published regarding the epidemiologic features of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in Asia, based on the definitions of GERD, study settings, publication years and geographical regions. From the population-based studies, the prevalence of symptom-based GERD in Eastern Asia was found to be 2.5%-4.8% before 2005 and 5.2%-8.5% from 2005 to 2010. In Southeast and Western Asia, it was 6.3%-18.3% after 2005, which was much higher than those in Eastern Asia. There were robust epidemiologic data of endoscopic reflux esophagitis in medical check-up participants. The prevalence of endoscopic reflux esophagitis in Eastern Asia increased from 3.4%-5.0% before 2000, to 4.3%-15.7% after 2005. Although there were only limited studies, the prevalence of extra-esophageal syndromes in Asia was higher in GERD group than in controls. The prevalence of Barrett's esophagus was 0.06%-0.84% in the health check-up participants, whereas it was 0.31%-2.00% in the referral hospital settings. In summary, the prevalence of symptom-based GERD and endoscopic reflux esophagitis has increased in Asian countries. However, the prevalence of Barrett's esophagus in Asia has not changed and also still rare.

Biomedical publications in south Asian countries.

By and large, biomedical research is not a priority sector in south Asian countries, land of world's one-fifth population. The total number of studies published during 1990-98 from each of the south Asian countries were elicited based on MEDLINE database. The number of studies were normalised by population and physician size, and gross domestic products. The results showed that the following countries are more productive: India and Sri Lanka, when publications were normalised to population; India, Sri Lanka and Nepal when normalised to GDP; Nepal and Sri Lanka when normalised to physician number.

High-resolution analysis of Y-chromosomal polymorphisms reveals signatures of population movements from Central Asia and West Asia into India.

Linguistic evidence suggests that West Asia and Central Asia have been the two major geographical sources of genes in the contemporary Indian gene pool. To test the nature and extent of similarities in the gene pools of these regions we have collected DNA samples from four ethnic populations of northern India, and have screened these samples for a set of 18 Y-chromosome polymorphic markers (12 unique event polymorphisms and six short tandem repeats). These data from Indian populations have been analysed in conjunction with published data from several West Asian and Central Asian populations. Our analyses have revealed traces of population movement from Central Asia and West Asia into India. Two haplogrops, HG-3 and HG-9, which are known to have arisen in the Central Asian region, are found in reasonably high frequencies (41.7% and 14.3% respectively) in the study populations. The ages estimated for these two haplogroups are less in the Indian populations than those estimated from data on Middle Eastern populations. A neighbour-joining tree based on Y-haplogroup frequencies shows that the North Indians are genetically placed between the West Asian and Central Asian populations. This is consistent with gene flow from West Asia and Central Asia into India.

Special features of coronary heart disease in people of the Indian sub-continent.

Contrary to the popular belief, coronary heart disease (CHD) is indeed common in the Indian sub-continent. Expatriate Indians in their newly adopted countries have 3 to 5 times more chance of developing CHD than the native population or the other immigrant groups. The well-known risk factors such as hypercholesterolemia, hypertension and smoking do not appear to play a major role, while the syndrome of insulin resistance seems to be an important risk factor for CHD in people of this sub-continent. Abdominal obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, and low plasma HDL cholesterol are the markers of this syndrome. Increased plasma insulin levels or even better, the C-peptide measurement may help in identifying the abnormality early. As CHD among Indians has been found to be severe and more diffuse with serious complications and increased mortality at a younger age, preventive measures need to be instituted early. Low fat and complex carbohydrate diet along with regular aerobic exercise may help reduce abdominal obesity, improve insulin sensitivity and HDL cholesterol levels. Hypertriglyceridemia uncontrolled by above measures may require pharmacotherapy with agents such as gemfibrozil. Smoking must be stopped to help reduce insulin resistance and improve HDL levels and endothelial function. Those with hypertension should be considered for therapy with ACE inhibitors, which may improve insulin sensitivity. In patients with insulin resistance, therapy with metformin or troglitazone may be helpful.

Adolescentes: with a special reference to middle East and North Africa Regions

Adolescent health in Middle East and North Africa Regions is reviewed. This paper includes the proportion of adolescent in total population, enrolment of secondary school, gender discrimination, health problems, health behaviours and reproductive health.

The effects of climatic patterns and agricultural practices on the population dynamics of Culex tritaeniorhynchus in Asia.

Annual population curves for C. tritaeniorhynchus are presented for representative localities distributed from Pakistan, east through Southeast Asia and the Philippines and north to Japan and Korea. In the dry temperature (Pakistan) and colder maritime climates (Japan and Korea). C. tritaeniorhynchus populations apparently overwintered as hibernating adults, while in the warmer maritime climates (Okinawa and Taiwan), gonotrophic activity and larval development continued throughout the winter months. In these climatic types, the population curves closely paralleled the annual temperature curves. In the tropical climates, however, temporal population patterns were closely related to available moisture either in the form of annual precipitation and/or rice irrigation. The extremely variable environmental conditions tolerated C. tritaeniorhynchus throughout its distribution attests to the physiological and ecological plasticity of this species and suggests that further ecological and genetic studies may reveal marked clinical variances among selected biological parameters.