Effects of severity and location of nonsyndromic hypodontia on craniofacial morphology

Objective:To evaluate the effects of severity and location of nonsyndromic hypodontia on craniofacial morphology.Materials and Methods:A total of 154 patients with at least two or more congenitally missing teeth were selected and divided into two groups (group I [mild]: patients with two to five missing teeth; group II [severe]: patients with six or more missing teeth). The patients with hypodontia were divided into three groups according to the location of missing teeth in the dental arches (anterior, posterior, and both anterior and posterior) and location of missing teeth between the jaws (maxilla, mandible, and both maxilla and mandible). Fifty Class I patients without any missing teeth served as the control group. Twenty-one measurements were performed on lateral cephalograms. Intergroup differences for the severity and location of hypodontia were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc Tukey tests.Results:Significant decreases were found in mandibular plane angles (P < .05), upper and lower incisor measurements (P < .05), anterior (P < .001) and posterior (P < .05) face heights, and ramus height (P < .01), as well as a significant increase in the soft tissue convexity angle (P < .05) among the hypodontia groups and control group. These differences were more excessive in the severe hypodontia group. Upper lip-E plane measurements were significantly longer in the mandible group than in the maxilla group (P < .01).Conclusions:Patients with congenitally missing teeth have different craniofacial morphologies. The severity and location of missing teeth have a significant effect.     

Effectiveness of primer and bond in sealant retention and caries prevention

PURPOSE: The purpose of this clinical trial was to test the use of a primer and bonding agent to increase the retention of a fissuresealant in a group of Kuwaiti children. METHODS: In 78 6- to 9-year-old children who required sealants in all 4 permanent frst molars, sealants were placed in 2 teeth using a primer and bond (3M Scotch Bond) and in 2 teeth without primer and bond. Sealant retention was evaluated 1 and 2 years later. Sealant retention was scored as: (1) complete retention; (2) partial loss of sealant; and (3) complete loss of sealant Caries was scored for those teeth in which the sealant was partially or completely lost RESULTS: At the 2-year examination, in teeth sealed with primer and bond (a) 64% of the sealants were completely retained; (b) 23% were partially lost; and (c) 13% were completely lost. In teeth sealed without primer and bond: (a) 68% of the sealants were completely retained; (b) 20% were partially lost; and (c) 12% were completely lost There was no difference in sealant retention (P=.22) and caries (P=.56) in teeth sealed with and without bond. In multivariate analyses after controlling for age, gender, tooth surface, and arch, no differences in sealant retention and caries were seen. CONCLUSION: If a proper technique is used in sealant placement, primer and bond does not enhance sealant retention.     

Multiple sulfatase deficiency: A case series of four children

Multiple sulfatase deficiency is biochemically characterized by the accumulation of sulfated lipids and acid mucopolysaccharides. The gene sulfatase-modifying factor 1 (SUMF1), recently identified, encodes the enzyme responsible for post-translational modification of a cysteine residue, which is essential for the activity of sulfatases. We describe clinical findings and mutation analysis of four patients. The patients presented with hypotonia, developmental delay, coarse face, ichthyosis, and hepatosplenomegaly. The diagnosis was made through clinical findings, enzymatic assays, and mutation analysis. We were detected to be homozygous for a novel missense mutation c. 739G > C causing a p.G247R amino acid substitution in the SUMF1 protein.Key Words: Child, multiple sulfatase deficiency, sulfatase-modifying factor 1 gene     

Acute type A aortic dissection in a patient with ventricular septal defect

We report the case of a 38-year-old man with a long-standing history of a small ventricular septal defect presented with chest pain. Electrocardiography revealed sinus rhythm, ST-segment elevation in leads V1–6. The chest X-ray showed mild cardiomegaly. He underwent cardiac catheterisation laboratory to primary coronary angioplasty. Coronary angiography showed normal coronary arteries. Aortic root angiography revealed type A aortic dissection. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography showed aortic dissection in ascending aorta and a perimembranous ventricular septal defect. Thoracoabdominal CT angiography confirmed the aortic dissection before the surgery.The patient underwent cardiac surgery immediately. The ventricular septal defect and aortic dissection were repaired successfully. The postoperative recovery was uneventful and he has thus far remained asymptomatic at 6 months' follow-up.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor +405 C/G polymorphism is highly associated with an increased risk of endometriosis in Turkish women

Objective  

Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disease characterized by the growth of hormonally responsive, endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity. The present study aims to analyze two vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) polymorphisms (−460 C/T and +405 C/G) in Turkish women with and without endometriosis.