Accuracy of Estimating Chronological Age from Nolla's Method of Dental Age Estimation in a Population of Southern Saudi Arabian Children.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to test the accuracy of estimating chronological age using Nolla's method of dental age assessment in a Saudi Arabian population considering sex and age group variables. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved a retrospective evaluation of 458 orthopantomographs (187 males and 271 females) of 5-11 years old healthy Saudi children. Seven permanent left mandibular teeth were assessed as per Nolla's method to record dental age. The mean difference between dental age and chronological age was calculated using a paired t-test. Correlation between chronological age and dental age was analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) between the estimated dental age and chronological age in all age groups irrespective of gender. The mean difference between estimated dental age and chronological age in males ranged from -2.68 to -6 months and -2.17 to -4.24 months in females. Pearson's correlation coefficient showed a strong positive correlation (r = 0.95 for males and r = 0.94 for females) between estimated dental age and chronological age. CONCLUSION: Nolla's method is suitable for estimating chronological age in Southern Saudi children, as the mean difference between estimated dental age and chronological age was within an acceptable range.

Caries preventive practices and dental caries among boys aged 6-15 in Saudi Arabia.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to assess caries preventive practices and dental caries among boys aged 6-15 in Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present cross-sectional study included a sampling frame of all male school students aged 6-15 years in a subpopulation of Saudi Arabia. A questionnaire was developed to collect information from mothers on the use of recommended caries preventive practices (RCPP) by the child. Children were examined clinically for dental caries status using DMFT index. RESULTS: A total of 722 children and respective mothers participated in the study. The mean DMFT scores were significantly greater in children with no RCPP than those who used at least a single RCPP and a combination of RCPP (p<0.05). Regression analysis revealed that all RCPP were significantly associated with dental caries (p<0.05). Children not using any RCPP tool had higher risk of developing dental caries (OR 8.69; 95% CI 6.38-11.83). CONCLUSION: Brushing teeth at least twice a day, use of fluoridated toothpaste and consumption of sugary snacks less than once a day have significant influence in occurrence of dental caries. Using all RCPP tools were more effective in caries prevention than used individually.

A Critical Role for Extracellular DNA in Dental Plaque Formation.

Extracellular DNA (eDNA) has been identified in the matrix of many different monospecies biofilms in vitro, including some of those produced by oral bacteria. In many cases, eDNA stabilizes the structure of monospecies biofilms. Here, the authors aimed to determine whether eDNA is an important component of natural, mixed-species oral biofilms, such as plaque on natural teeth or dental implants. To visualize eDNA in oral biofilms, approaches for fluorescently stained eDNA with either anti-DNA antibodies or an ultrasensitive cell-impermeant dye, YOYO-1, were first developed using Enterococcus faecalis, an organism that has previously been shown to produce extensive eDNA structures within biofilms. Oral biofilms were modelled as in vitro "microcosms" on glass coverslips inoculated with the natural microbial population of human saliva and cultured statically in artificial saliva medium. Using antibodies and YOYO-1, eDNA was found to be distributed throughout microcosm biofilms, and was particularly abundant in the immediate vicinity of cells. Similar arrangements of eDNA were detected in biofilms on crowns and overdenture abutments of dental implants that had been recovered from patients during the restorative phase of treatment, and in subgingival dental plaque of periodontitis patients, indicating that eDNA is a common component of natural oral biofilms. In model oral biofilms, treatment with a DNA-degrading enzyme, NucB from Bacillus licheniformis, strongly inhibited the accumulation of biofilms. The bacterial species diversity was significantly reduced by treatment with NucB and particularly strong reductions were observed in the abundance of anaerobic, proteolytic bacteria such as Peptostreptococcus, Porphyromonas and Prevotella. Preformed biofilms were not significantly reduced by NucB treatment, indicating that eDNA is more important or more exposed during the early stages of biofilm formation. Overall, these data demonstrate that dental plaque eDNA is potentially an important target for oral biofilm control.

Risk factors for long-term mortality of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia.

Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) is a fatal disease. We aimed to describe risk factors for long-term mortality with SAB. We analyzed data from a retrospectively collected database including 1,692 patients with SAB. We considered variables of infection and background conditions for the analysis of long-term survival. The Kaplan-Meier procedure was used for analysis of long-term survival. Variables significantly associated with mortality were analyzed using a Cox regression model. We included 1,692 patients in the analysis. Patients were followed for up to 22 years. Within one year, 62% of patients died and within 5 years 72% died. A total of 82% of patients aged 65 years and older died within 5 years. Independent predictors of long-term mortality were older age (Hazard ratio 1.029, 95% confidence interval 1.022-1.036), female gender (HR 1.302, 95% CI 1.118-1.517), pneumonia or primary/ unknown source of infection (HR 1.441, 95% CI 1.230-1.689), dementia (HR 1.234, 95% CI 1.004-1.516), higher Charlson score (HR 1.155, 95% CI 1.115-1.196), shock at onset (HR 1.776, 95% CI 1.430-2.207) and arrival to hospitalization from an institution (HR 1.319, 95% CI 1.095-1.563). Long-term survival of patients older than 65 years and of women with SAB is severely curtailed.

The thermoluminescence glow curve and the deconvoluted glow peak characteristics of erbium doped silica fiber exposed to 70-130 kVp x-rays.

In regard to thermoluminescence (TL) applied to dosimetry, in recent times a number of researchers have explored the role of optical fibers for radiation detection and measurement. Many of the studies have focused on the specific dopant concentration, the type of dopant and the fiber core diameter, all key dependencies in producing significant increase in the sensitivity of such fibers. At doses of less than 1 Gy none of these investigations have addressed the relationship between dose response and TL glow peak behavior of erbium (Er)-doped silica cylindrical fibers (CF). For x-rays obtained at accelerating potentials from 70 to 130 kVp, delivering doses of between 0.1 and 0.7 Gy, present study explores the issue of dose response, special attention being paid to determination of the kinetic parameters and dosimetric peak properties of Er-doped CF. The effect of dose response on the kinetic parameters of the glow peak has been compared against other fiber types, revealing previously misunderstood connections between kinetic parameters and radiation dose. Within the investigated dose range there was an absence of supralinearity of response of the Er-doped silica CF, instead sub-linear response being observed. Detailed examination of glow peak response and kinetic parameters has thus been shown to shed new light of the rarely acknowledged issue of the limitation of TL kinetic model and sub-linear dose response of Er-doped silica CF.

Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea and colitis.

Clostridium difficile is a spore-forming toxigenic bacterium that causes diarrhea and colitis, typically after the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. The clinical presentation ranges from self-limited diarrhea to fulminant colitis and toxic megacolon. The incidence of this disease is increasing, resulting in major medical and economic consequences. Although most cases respond quickly to medical treatment, C difficile colitis may be serious, especially if diagnosis and treatment are delayed. Recurrent disease represents a particularly challenging problem. Prevention is best accomplished by limiting the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and following good hygienic techniques and universal precautions to limit the transmission of bacteria. A high index of suspicion results in early diagnosis and treatment and potentially reduces the incidence of complications.

Surgical management of patients receiving haemodialysis for chronic renal failure.

This study was carried out on 22 patients seeking dental extractions of one molar tooth. The first group consisted of 12 patients suffering from chronic renal failure undergoing haemodialysis, while the other group consisted of 10 apparently healthy dental patients acting as a control group. The scope of this work is based on the proper handling and management of chronic renal failure patients receiving haemodialysis and undergoing an oral surgical procedure. Complete blood picture, screening of bleeding and coagulation and postextraction complications were monitored for the two groups.

The predictive value of circulating immune complexes (CIC) in patients with malignant salivary gland tumors.

The present study included nine patients suffering from various types of malignant salivary gland neoplasms. The patients were monitored both pre and post operatively utilizing the circulating immune complex assay. The (CIC) levels decreased significantly after the surgical eradication of the neoplasms. This diagnostic parameter proved to be of great value in monitoring therapy in patients with various types of malignancies.

Prognostic value of tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) plasma levels in patients with malignant salivary gland tumors.

Nine subject with various malignant salivary gland tumors were monitored with tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) pre and post operatively utilizing TA radio-immunoassay kit. The TPA radioimmunoassay proved to be a specific and sensitive method aiding in diagnoses monitoring and a post operative follow up in malignancies.

Parasites in cytodiagnosis: a case report of Strongyloides stercoralis in Papanicolaou smears of gastric aspirate, with a review of the literature.

A case is reported of a 79-year-old Jamaican patient suspected of having malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract. This diagnosis was excluded by a Papanicolaou stain of his gastric aspirate, which revealed ova and larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis. This is the first time such ova have been reported in a Papanicolaou smear of gastric aspirate. A review of the literature on parasites encountered in the Papanicolaou smear is presented. The primary goal of the Papanicolaou cytologic screening technique is early diagnosis of malignancy. However, like fungal, bacterial and viral infections, parasitic infections impose themselves on cytodiagnosis. Here we report a case of Strongyloides stercoralis infection diagnosed in a Papanicolaou smear of gastric aspirate.

Ovarian morphological changes with injectable contraceptives and their relation to cycle control.

PIP: Ovarian morphological changes with injectable contraceptives and the ir relation to cycle control were studied to determine any differences between amenorrheic cases and those with normal cycles. 27 women received either 200 mg norethisterone enanthate every 84 days or 150 mg medroxyprogesterone every 3 months. 16 of the women suffered from ameno rrhea, 4 of whom received estrogens for induction of bleeding. Endometrial biopsies and vaginal smears were taken. Laparotomies were performed for sterilization at which time ovarian biopsies were obtained. Corpora lutea were not detected in any of the cases. Those with acceptable cycles revealed Graafian follicles in all stages of development and more follicular cysts than in the controls. Amenorrheic cases revealed no developing follicles and scanty and atrophic cysts, with marked cortical and perifollicular fibrosis. After estrogen the 4 cases showed the amenorrheic picture and ovarian congestion.^ieng