Sulforaphane formation and bioaccessibility are more affected by steaming time than meal composition during in vitro digestion of broccoli.

Broccoli is a rich source of the glucosinolate glucoraphanin (GR). After hydrolysis of GR by the endogenous enzyme myrosinase, sulforaphane (SF) or sulforaphane nitrile (SFN) are produced, depending on environmental conditions. How the conversion of GR and bioaccessibility of released breakdown products are affected by steaming (raw, 1min, 2min and 3min steamed) and meal composition (protein or lipid addition) was studied with an in vitro digestion model (mouth, stomach, intestine, but not colonic digestion). The main formation of SF and SFN occurred during in vitro chewing. The contents of GR, SF and SFN did not change after further digestion, as the irreversible inactivated myrosinase under gastric conditions caused no further GR hydrolysis. SF concentrations were up to 10 times higher in raw and 1min steamed broccoli samples after digestion compared to longer-steamed broccoli. Protein or lipid addition had no influence on the formation and bioaccessibility of SF or SFN.

One-year evaluation of atraumatic restorative treatment and minimum intervention techniques on primary teeth.

Atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) and minimal intervention treatment (MIT) techniques were evaluated under field conditions in 5 regions of the Western Cape Province of South Africa, where caries prevalence exceeds 60% and remains mostly untreated. The purpose of the study was to compare and evaluate results of ART and MIT techniques in the primary dentition of 6-9 year-old schoolchildren using glass-ionomer (GI) (Fuji IX) and compomer (Dyract AP) materials. At baseline 401 children were treated, and 1,119 restorations placed by 5 calibrated dentists, 53% with ART (using hand instruments only) and 47% with MIT (minimal use of slow hand-piece) techniques. Evaluations were done with a CPI periodontal probe to measure marginal defects and to detect decay. A pain assessment for the restoration procedures indicated that 80% of subjects experienced no pain, 18% discomfort and slight pain, and 2% required local anaesthetic. After one year 90.5% of subjects and 80% of restorations were followed up (11.1% lost as a result of exfoliation); of these restorations 86% were clinically acceptable (84.1% of the ART and 88% of the MIT). With the art technique 82.7% of GI restorations and 85.6%, of compomer restorations were acceptable. With the MIT technique 86.5% of GI restorations and 89.9% of compomer restorations were acceptable. Success of restorations per region varied significantly: regions 1 and 2-90%, region 3-80%, region 4-70% and region 5-95%. There were no significant statistical differences in respect of materials or methods employed. ART and MIT techniques were well accepted as complementary caries approaches by operators. One-year results show that ART and MIT techniques were successful, substantiating its use for the primary dentition in areas with high caries prevalence. Longer-term assessments are required.

Attitudes to water fluoridation in South Africa 1998. Part II. Influence of educational and occupational levels.

The purpose of this report is to investigate the influence of education, income and occupation on public perceptions of water fluoridation (WF). A questionnaire on current knowledge, sources of information, the purpose of WF and its desirability was administered to a representative sample of 2,220 individuals over the age of 18 years. Knowledge of WF increased with educational level (range from 13.5% in the grade 0-5 group to 59% in the grade 12 plus group). Lack of knowledge decreased from 76% to 37% in these groups respectively. Knowledge levels varied from 19% to 68% across the occupational spectrum and from 13% to 88% across the income spectrum. In educational levels up to grade 12, electronic media were most frequently cited as dominant sources of information among 40-50% of respondents, whereas in the grade 12 plus group print media (37%) dominated. Sources of knowledge on fluoridation were largely obtained from print and electronic media for both categories. Only 28% in the educational level up to grade 5 thought the purpose of WF was to protect teeth against decay. This gradually increased to 55% in the grade 12 plus category. More than a quarter of the population in both the occupational and income categories indicated that the purpose of WF was to purify water and protect teeth from decay. The number of respondents who thought that water should be fluoridated increased with level of education from 58% to 70%, while those who disagreed decreased as qualifications increased. The lower- and middle-income groups were more supportive of WF than the very-high-income groups. Persons in high administrative professional and executive positions were more opposed (27%) to WF than semi-skilled and unskilled workers (5%).

Hypohydrotic ectodermal dysplasia: an unusual presentation and management in an 11-year-old Xhosa boy.

Ectodermal dysplasia (ED) is an inherited disorder in which two or more ectodermally derived structures fail to develop, or are abnormal in development. Hypohydrotic ectodermal dysplasia (HED) or Christ-Siemens-Touraine syndrome, is an X-linked recessive syndrome with an incidence of 1/10,000 to 1/100,000 births. Because of its X-linked inheritance pattern, it is more common in males. HED is characterised by hypohydrosis (diminished perspiration), hypotrichosis (decreased amount of hair) and microdontia (small teeth), hypodontia (lack of development of one or more teeth) or adontia (total lack of tooth development). These patients present diagnostic and treatment challenges because of variable oral manifestations. This report describes an 11-year-old Xhosa boy, who was referred to the University Dental Faculty by his general medical practitioner because of hypodontia. General facial features included: frontal bossing, a depressed nasal bridge, 'butterfly' pattern of eczema over the nasal bridge to the malar process of each cheek, thinned out hair, loss of vertical dimension of face and dry skin. Intra-oral examination revealed hypodontia with peg-shaped anterior teeth and diastemas. Radiological examination revealed no developing permanent teeth or tooth buds. Diagnosis was confirmed by doing a sweat gland count. Management included oral hygiene instruction, fluoride treatments, construction of a partial lower denture and counselling about his condition with particular reference to the danger of hyperthermia and control of allergies.