Ankle-brachial index as an indicator of arterial stiffness in patients without peripheral artery disease

We tested the hypothesis that the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) in patients without peripheral arterial disease ([PAD] ABI > 1.0) is an indicator of arterial stiffness. Fifty-five patients had measurement of carotid pulse wave contour, pulse wave velocity (PWV), and ABI. Vascular stiffness as assessed by augmentation index (AIx) showed a significant (P = .002) inverse correlation with ABI. Dichotomizing ABI into groups above and below the median showed that persons with a lower ABI, >1.0 to 1.5 (n = 27) had a significantly (P < .01) higher AIx than those with a higher ABI > 1.5 (n = 28). In contrast, vascular stiffness assessed by brachial-ankle or carotid femoral PWV did not correlate with ABI. In summary, ABI is an indicator of arterial stiffness assessed by AIx. Vascular changes detected by AIx are not the same as those detected by PWV. Assessment of ABI may have utility in cardiovascular risk assessment in patients without PAD.     

“Denture Marking” as an Aid to Forensic Identification

??Identification through forensic science is an art of giving the corpse a name A real life detective work that would put even Sherlock Homes to shame.?? Forensic dentistry deals with proper handling and examination of dental evidence and proper evaluation and presentation of dental findings in interest of justice. Denture marking or labeling is not a new concept in either Prosthetic or Forensic dentistry and its routine practice has been urged by Forensic dentists internationally for many years. Denture marking is accepted as a means of identifying dentures and persons in geriatric institutions or post mortem during war, crimes, and civil unrest, natural and mass disasters. Prosthodontists are playing very important role in forensic dentistry as they are concerned with fabrication of various prostheses which can serve as an important tool for identification. Identification is essential requirement of any medico-legal investigation because a wrong identity may pose a problem in delivering justice. The main objective of this article is to discuss the various methods of denture marking and to emphasize the importance of denture marking for person identification in medico legal investigations.     

Dental caries and its association with diet and dental erosion in Libyan schoolchildren

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2011; 22: 68–76 Background. The change towards a more Westernised diet in Libya may increase the risk of caries and erosion in children. Aims. To investigate any association between dental caries, dental erosion, and potential dietary risk factors in Libyan schoolchildren. Methods. A random sample of 791 schoolchildren aged 12 years underwent dental examination for caries and erosion and completed a questionnaire to provide dietary data. Dental caries was assessed using the WHO (Oral Health Surveys: Basic Methods, 1997) criteria. Erosion was assessed using UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS, Young People Aged 4–18 years. Volume 2: Report of the Oral Health Survey, 2000) criteria. Associations between caries and dietary variables were investigated through bivariate and multivariate analyses. Results. Of the 791 12‐year olds, 57.8% (457) had caries experience and 40.8% (323) had experience of erosion. One hundred and ninety‐two subjects (42%) of the subjects with caries experience also had erosion, whilst 131 subjects (39.2%) of the 334 without caries had clinical signs of erosion (P = 0.464; OR, 1.123; 95% CI, 0.842, 1.497). There was no statistically significantly relationship between dental caries and dental erosion. Frequency of consumption of fruit‐based sugared drinks was statistically significantly positively associated with experience of caries (P = 0.002). Conclusions. Dental caries experience was associated with frequency of consumption of sugared dietary items but not with dental erosion.     

The cytotoxic effects of three different bisphosphonates in-vitro on human gingival fibroblasts,osteoblasts and osteogenic sarcoma cells

IntroductionOsteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is an emerging condition in patients undergoing long-term administration of bisphosphonates (BP) for the treatment of osteoporosis and hypercalcaemia associated with malignancy, multiple myeloma, and metastatic breast and prostate cancers. This is a follow-up study, its purpose was to examine the effects in-vitro of intravenous zoledronic acid (ZOL) and pamidronate (PAM) and oral alendronate (FOS) on the human oral cavity using gingival fibroblasts and osteoblasts cells and, in addition, osteogenic sarcoma cells (SaOS-2-cells).Materials and methodsHuman gingival fibroblasts, osteoblasts and SaOS-2-cells were seeded on multiple 6-well plates at a density of 5 × 10⁵ cells in a 4-week cell culture. Four different concentrations (1, 5, 10, 20 μM) of each BP (ZOL, PAM, FOS) and pyrophosphate were used in this study.ResultsAll BP decreased collagen production and lowered cell proliferation in-vitro. ZOL was the component with most inhibitory effect.ConclusionThe findings in this study suggest that ZOL, PAM and FOS generally diminish cell proliferation and collagen production of human gingival fibroblasts, osteoblasts and SaOS-2-cells. The present follow-up study shows that not only ZOL and PAM but also FOS have a strong inhibitory effect on collagen production and cell survival in-vitro.     

Considerations for proper selection of dental cements

Selecting the proper cement for sufficient bond strength has become progressively complicated as the number of different materials for indirect restorations has increased. The success of any restoration is highly dependent on the proper cement being chosen and used. The function of the cement is not only to seal the restoration on the tooth but also, in some cases, to support the retention of the restoration. This ability to strengthen retention varies by the cement chosen by the clinician; therefore, careful consideration must precede cement selection.     

Low Entomological Impact of New Water Supply Infrastructure in Southern Vietnam,with Reference to Dengue Vectors

We did a prospective study in southern Vietnam where new water infrastructure was added. New 1,200-L tanks may present potential breeding grounds for Aedes aegypti, particularly when sealed lids were not always supplied. Some householders in these communes received a piped water supply, however there was no reduction in water storage practices. The prevalence of Aedes aegypti immatures in tank and tap households reached 73%, but were non-significantly different from each other and from control households that received no infrastructure. In all three communes, standard jars comprised from 48% to 71% of containers but were associated with > 90% of III–IV instars and pupae on occasions. In contrast, project tanks contributed from 0–21% of the total population. Non-functional or no lids were apparent 4 months after installation in 45–76% of new tanks, but there was no difference between communes with lids and without lids.