Epilepsy: Asia versus Africa

Is epilepsy truly an “African ailment”? We aimed to determine this, since international health agencies often refer to epilepsy as an African disease and the scientific literature has spoken the same tone. Various published materials, mainly reports, articles, were used to gather Asian and African evidence on various aspects of epilepsy and many of its risk and associated factors. Our results suggest that in no way can epilepsy be considered as an African ailment and such characterization is most likely based on popular beliefs rather than scientific evidence. In comparison to Africa, Asia has a 5.0% greater burden from all diseases, and is 17.0% more affected from neuropsychiatric disorders (that include epilepsy). Given that more countries in Asia are transitioning, there may be large demographic and lifestyle changes in the near future. However these changes are nowhere close to those expected in Africa. Moreover, 23 million Asians have epilepsy in comparison to 3.3 million Africans and 1.2 million sub‐Saharan Africans. In comparison to Africa, Asia has more untreated patients, 55.0% more additional epilepsy cases every year, because of its larger population, with greater treatment cost and possibly higher premature mortality. Of several associated factors discussed herein, many have more importance for Asia than Africa. The current state of epilepsy in Asia is far less than ideal and there is an urgent need to recognize and accept the importance of epilepsy in Asia. In no way can epilepsy be considered as an African ailment. This is most likely based on popular beliefs rather than scientific evidence. A PowerPoint slide summarizing this article is available for download in the Supporting Information section here .     

In vivo assessment of DNA damage induced in oral mucosa cells by fixed and removable metal prosthodontic appliances

Given long-term effect on oral tissues due to contact with dental appliances, the biocompatibility studies of casting alloys are of great importance. It has been previously documented that metal dental appliances, due to corrosion, might induce genotoxic and mutagenic effects in cells. Therefore, the aim of presented study was to examine the genotoxicity of two dental casting alloys (Co-Cr-Mo and Ni-Cr) commonly used in fixed and removable prosthodontic appliances that are in contact with the oral epithelium for 5 years or more. For that purpose, 55 age-matched subjects were included in the study; 30 wearers of prosthodontic appliances and 25 controls. Buccal cells of oral mucosa were collected and processed for further analysis. The cell viability has been assessed by trypan blue exclusion test, while genotoxic effect of metal ions on DNA in oral mucosa cells was studied by use of alkaline comet assay. Results have shown significantly higher comet assay parameters (tail length and percentage DNA in the tail) in the group wearing metal appliances. Both subjects with Co-Cr-Mo alloy and Ni-Cr alloy showed significantly higher comet assay parameters when compared with controls. It has been confirmed that metal ions released by the two base metal dental casting alloys examined in this study, might be responsible for DNA damage of oral mucosa cells. Therefore, the results of this study emphasize the importance of the in vivo evaluation of dental materials with respect to their genotoxicity, which is of major importance to ensure long-term biocompatibility.     

Inhibition of mineral loss at the enamel/sealant interface of fissures sealed with fluoride- and non-fluoride containing dental materials in vitro

Objective. In this in vitro study we evaluated the enamel mineral loss effect of fluoride-containing and non-fluoride-containing materials at different distances from the sealant margin, and verified the fluoride-releasing capability of these materials. Material and methods. Extracted molars were randomly assigned into nine groups (n=12): Concise (C), FluroShield (F), Helioseal Clear Chroma (H), Vitremer (V), Fuji II-LC (FII), Ketac Molar (KM), Fuji IX (FIX), Single Bond (SB), and Clearfil Protect Bond (CF). All groups were subjected to thermo and pH cycling. Enamel mineral loss was evaluated by cross-section micro-hardness analysis at distances: ?100?µm, 0?µm, 100?µm, 200?µm. The mineral loss data were analyzed using a multi-factor ANOVA with split-plot design, and fluoride-released data were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey tests. Results. FIX demonstrated a lower mineral loss than C, F, and H, but did not differ from the SB, CF, V, FII, and KM groups, which also demonstrated no difference among them. C, F, H, and V presented the highest mineral loss, with no difference among them. V did not differ from the other groups (p>0.05). Regarding the different distances from the sealant margin, ?100?µm presented the lowest mineral loss. FIX showed the highest fluoride release on the 7th and 14th days of evaluation, while CF showed high fluoride release only on the 7th day. Conclusion. Resin sealant did not prevent enamel mineral loss, contrary to glass-ionomer cement, which showed the highest capacity for fluoride release. It is not exclusively the presence of fluoride in a material's composition that indicates its capability to interfere with the development of enamel caries-like lesions.     

Carbon dioxide laser and bonding materials reduce enamel demineralization around orthodontic brackets

Altering the structure of the enamel surface around the orthodontic bracket by reducing its content of carbonate and phosphate resulting from application of CO₂ laser may represent a more effective strategy in preventing caries in this region. This study aimed at determining whether irradiation with a CO₂ laser combined with fluoride-releasing bonding material could reduce enamel demineralization around orthodontic brackets subjected to cariogenic challenge. Ninety bovine enamel slabs were divided into five groups (n?=?18): non-inoculated brain–heart infusion broth group, non-fluoride-releasing composite resin (NFRCR—control group), resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC), CO₂ laser + Transbond (L+NFRCR) and CO₂ laser + Fuji (L+RMGIC). Slabs were submitted to a 5-day microbiological caries model. The Streptococcus mutans biofilm formed on the slabs was biochemically and microbiologically analysed, and the enamel Knoop hardness number (KHN) around the brackets was determined. The data were analysed by ANOVA and Tukey tests (α?=?0.05). Biochemical and microbiological analyses of the biofilm revealed no statistically significant differences among the groups. Lased groups presented the highest KHN means, which statistically differed from NFRCR; however, no difference was found between these lased groups. RMGIC did not differ from NFRCR which presented the lowest KHN mean. The CO₂ laser (λ?=?10.6 μm; 10.0 J/cm² per pulse) use with or without F-bonding materials was effective in inhibiting demineralization around orthodontic brackets. However, no additional effect was found when the enamel was treated with the combination of CO₂ laser and an F-releasing material.     

Body mass interacts with fat quality to determine the postprandial lipoprotein response in healthy young adults

Background and aimsPostprandial lipemia predicts the evolution of cardiovascular disease. Obesity is associated with an increase in the magnitude of postprandial lipemia. Our objective was to evaluate the influence of body mass index (BMI) on the effects of acute ingestion of different types of fat on the postprandial lipemic response.Methods and resultsTwenty-one healthy men followed a 4-week baseline diet and then consumed three fat-loaded meals that included 1 g fat/kg body wt (65%fat) according to a randomized crossover design. The compositions of the three meals were olive oil meal (22% saturated fatty acids (SFA), 38% monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), 4% polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)); butter meal (35% SFA, 22% MUFA, 4% PUFA); walnuts meal (20% SFA, 24% MUFA, 16% PUFA, and 4% α-linolenic acid). Higher-weight (HW) subjects (BMI greater than the median 26.18 kg/m², n = 11) presented higher incremental area under the curve (iAUC) for triglycerides (TG), both in large- and small-TG rich lipoproteins (TRL) than lower-weight (LW) subjects (BMI < 26.18 kg/m², n = 10) (p < 0.05), and a similar trend for plasma TG (p = 0.084). Moreover, HW subjects presented higher concentrations for small TRL-cholesterol and small TRL-TG in different timepoints of the postprandial lipemia after the intake of enriched walnuts or butter meals compared with the olive oil-enriched meal (p < 0.05) No significant differences were observed between the three types of meals in the postprandial response of LW subjects.ConclusionHW subjects present a greater postprandial response than LW subjects, and they benefit from the consumption of monounsaturated fatty acids from olive oil, to lower their levels of TRL particles during the postprandial state.     

Orthodontic anomalies and malocclusions in Late Antique and Early Mediaeval period in Croatia

ObjectiveMalocclusions are relative infrequently analysed in bioarchaeological investigations and if investigated the samples are very small. This research provides analysis of orthodontic anomalies of even 1118 individuals from the Late Antique (LA) and Early Mediaeval (EM) period. Aims were to describe the prevalence of orthodontic anomalies in this historical period and to analyse which orthodontic anomalies are best suitable for bioarchaeological investigations.Methods1118 skulls were examined for anomalies of tooth number, tooth displacement (rotation, malposition, diastema and crowding) as well as for malocclusions.ResultsThe prevalence of hypodontia in the LA was 41.02% and 30.61% in the EM sample. Tooth displacement was noticed in 15.63% individuals from the LA and in 12.42% individuals from EM. About 26% of the LA sample and 7.19% of the EM sample were affected with tooth crowding and the difference was statistically significant.ConclusionOrthodontic anomalies affecting only one tooth or group of teeth are more suitable for examination in bioarchaeological investigations than orthodontic features requiring presence of both jaws and all or almost all teeth. Clinical investigation protocols and methodology should be adopted for bioarchaeological researches and international standards and recommendations should be established for this kind of investigation on skeletal remains.     

l-dopa-induced dyskinesias in unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats are not modified by excitotoxic lesion of the entopeduncular nucleus and substantia nigra pars reticulata

l -Dopa-induced dyskinesias (LIDs) are a troublesome complication in Parkinson's disease after long-term therapy and a major reason for surgical treatment. LIDs are effectively eliminated by surgery. We aimed to reproduce such effect in the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned rat model. Single or combined lesions with quinolinic acid were caused in the entopeduncular nucleus (EP) and substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) on 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned rats treated for 3 weeks with l -Dopa (6 mg/kg plus 15 mg/kg benserazide, i.p.). l -Dopa administration was continued for a further week following the lesion and abnormal involuntary movements (AIMs) scored at the end of treatment. Neither the individual lesions of the EP and SNr nor the combined lesions had any antidyskinetic effect nor decreased the total number of rotations. These results suggest that excitotoxic lesions of neurons bodies of the output nuclei of the basal ganglia, which destroy cell bodies and spare fibers of passage, do not induce a beneficial reduction of dyskinesias in contrast to thermolytic lesions in humans (which provokes a complete tissue destruction), thus supporting the possibility that other nuclei or systems might be involved in the antidyskinetic effect of pallidotomy. Synapse 67:407–414, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.