The Moroccan Genetic Disease Database (MGDD): a database for DNA variations related to inherited disorders and disease susceptibility

National and ethnic mutation databases provide comprehensive information about genetic variations reported in a population or an ethnic group. In this paper, we present the Moroccan Genetic Disease Database (MGDD), a catalogue of genetic data related to diseases identified in the Moroccan population. We used the PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases to identify available articles published until April 2013. The Database is designed and implemented on a three-tier model using Mysql relational database and the PHP programming language. To date, the database contains 425 mutations and 208 polymorphisms found in 301 genes and 259 diseases. Most Mendelian diseases in the Moroccan population follow autosomal recessive mode of inheritance (74.17%) and affect endocrine, nutritional and metabolic physiology. The MGDD database provides reference information for researchers, clinicians and health professionals through a user-friendly Web interface. Its content should be useful to improve researches in human molecular genetics, disease diagnoses and design of association studies. MGDD can be publicly accessed at http://mgdd.pasteur.ma.     

Usefulness of radiofrequency ablation of supraventricular tachycardia to decrease inappropriate shocks from implantable cardioverter-defibrillators

Inappropriate implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapies can lead to significant adverse events and increased mortality. These therapies are often the result of supraventricular tachycardias (SVTs). The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence of SVT leading to inappropriate shocks in a large cohort of patients with ICDs and assess the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in decreasing these therapies. Patients with ICDs and recurrent SVTs were identified. A cohort of patients with ICD therapies subsequently underwent electrophysiologic study and RFA. Eighty-four patients (13%) were found to have SVT leading to 122 inappropriate ICD shocks and 130 episodes of antitachycardia pacing therapies. Median time to SVT onset after ICD implantation was 269 days. Electrophysiologic studies were performed in 30 patients. Successful RFA was performed for atrial tachycardia, atrial flutter, or atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia in 22 patients. Ninety-five percent of patients who underwent successful SVT ablation had no further inappropriate ICD therapies compared to 63% of patients in whom ablation was not performed during a mean follow-up of 20.7 ± 11.9 months. In conclusion, SVT is responsible for a significant number of inappropriate ICD therapies. RFA is an effective strategy to substantially decrease subsequent inappropriate ICD therapies.     

Comparison of immediate complete denture, tooth and implant-supported overdenture on vertical dimension and muscle activity

PURPOSE

To compare the changes in the occlusal vertical dimension, activity of masseter muscles and biting force after insertion of immediate denture constructed with conventional, tooth-supported and Implant-supported immediate mandibular complete denture.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients were selected and treatment was carried out with all the three different concepts i.e, immediate denture constructed with conventional (Group A), tooth-supported (Group B) and Implant-supported (Group C) immediate mandibular complete dentures. Parameters of evaluation and comparison were occlusal vertical dimension measured by radiograph (at three different time intervals), Masseter muscle electromyographic (EMG) measurement by EMG analysis (at three different positions of jaws) and bite force measured by force transducer (at two different time intervals). The obtained data were statistically analyzed by using ANOVA-F test at 5% level of significance. If the F test was significant, Least Significant Difference test was performed to test further significant differences between variables.

RESULTS

Comparison between mean differences in occlusal vertical dimension for tested groups showed that it was only statistically significant at 1 year after immediate dentures insertion. Comparison between mean differences in wavelet packet coefficients of the electromyographic signals of masseter muscles for tested groups was not significant at rest position, but significant at initial contact position and maximum voluntary clench position. Comparison between mean differences in maximum biting force for tested groups was not statistically significant at 5% level of significance.

CONCLUSION

Immediate complete overdentures whether tooth or implant supported prosthesis is recommended than totally mucosal supported prosthesis.     

Histopathological and functional effects of antimony on the renal cortex of growing albino rat

Contamination of the environment with antimony compounds may affect human health through the persistent exposure to small doses over a long period. Sixty growing male albino rats, weighing 43-57 grams, utilized in this study. The animals were divided into 3 groups; each of 20 rats: animals of group I served as control, animals of group II received 6 mg/kg body weight antimony trisulfide daily for 8 weeks with drinking water, and those of group III received the same dose by the same route for 12 weeks. The Malpighian renal corpuscles showed distortion, destruction and congestion of glomerular tuft, vacuoles in the glomeruli, peritubular haemorrhage, obliteration of Bowman’s space, and thickening with irregularity of Bowman’s membrane. The proximal convoluted tubules demonstrated patchy loss of their brush border, thickening of the basement membrane with loss of its basal infoldings, disarrangement of the mitochondria, pleomorphic vacuoles in the cytoplasm, apical destruction of the cells, apical migration of the nuclei, and absence of microvilli. On the other hand, peri-tubular hemorrhage, apical vacuolation, small atrophic nuclei, swelling of mitochondria, obliteration of the lumina, destruction of cells, and presence of tissue debris in the lumina, were observed in the distal convoluted tubules. The present work demonstrated the hazardous effect of antimony on the renal function as evidenced by the significant increase of the level of blood urea, serum creatinine, and serum sodium and potassium. In conclusion, this study proposed that continuous oral administration of antimony for 8 and 12 weeks has hazardous toxic effect on the structure and function of the kidney in growing albino rat. Based on the results of the present study, it is recommended to avoid the use of any drinking water contaminated with antimony compounds and forbidden its use in infants and children foods.     

Oral health status in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Leukemia is a malignancy of the bone marrow. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common pediatric malignancy and accounts for nearly 75% of all newly diagnosed leukemias and 25% of all malignancies in childhood. The aim of the present study was to review the oral health status in children with ALL. Databases were explored using various combinations of the following keywords: "acute lymphoblastic leukemia", "children", "inflammation", "pediatric", "periodontal disease" and "periodontitis". Oral inflammatory conditions including chelitis, gingivitis, herpetic gingivostomatitis, mucositis, oral candidiasis, periodontitis and ulcerations are common manifestations in children with ALL. RESULTS: Periodontal inflammatory conditions and oral mucositis were reported to be significantly higher in children with ALL as compared to healthy controls. Tooth morphological disorders including agenesis, microdontia, short roots and developmental defects in the enamel and dentin were more often observed in children with ALL as compared to healthy controls. Children with ALL have a reduced salivary flow rate, which makes them more susceptible to dental caries as compared to healthy children. Malocclusion due to microdontia may also trigger temporomandibular joint disorders in children with ALL; however, this relationship needs further investigations. CONCLUSION: Oral inflammatory conditions including mucositis and gingivitis are common in children with ALL as compared to healthy children. Tooth morphological disorders including microdontia and enamel and dentin are common manifestations in children with ALL.