Family history as an independent risk factor for ischaemic heart disease in a low incidence area (Galicia, Spain)

It has been suggested that a family history positive for coronaryheart disease (CHD) increases the risk of CHD. We studied thisassociation to determine the degree of risk, the independenceof this association and the presence of interaction of a familyhistory of CHD with the major known risk factors in a law incidencearea. One hundred and six hospital cases (85 males and 21 females)of CHD and 106 hospital controls individually matched with eachcase for sex, age and place of residence (rural–urban)were studied. From every participant, information was collectedon their personal and family history of cardiovascular diseaseand risk factors; height, weight, lipid profile and blood pressurewere measured, and an electrocardiogram was recorded. Conditionallogistic regression was used in the analysis. The observed odds ratio of patients suffering from CHD amongthose with, compared to those without, a positive family historyof CHD was 4.95 (95. confidence interval = 1.27–19.28)after adjusting for the major known risk factors in each individualand their families (no interaction term remained in the model). The results support the hypothesis that a family history ofCHD, acting through mechanisms other than known risk factorsor their familial aggregation, is an independent risk factorfor CHD even in a low incidence area. No interaction effectwas observed between family history and the presence of thethree major risk factors of CHD. This should help to identifyindividuals at greater risk of CHD.     

Evaluation of Microbial Reduction in Root Canals Instrumented with Reciprocating and Rotary Systems

Objective

This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the disinfection of root canal systems carried out with Reciproc^TM and ProTaper Universal^TM systems using 1% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl).

Methods

Forty human single-rooted mandibular premolars were infected with Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, and twenty were not infected. The specimens were randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 10): Group 1: ProTaper Universal^TM + 1% NaOCl; Group 2 (positive control): ProTaper Universal^TM + saline; Group 3 (negative control without microorganisms): ProTaper Universal^TM + saline; Group 4: Reciproc^TM + 1% NaOCl; Group 5 (positive control): Reciproc^TM + saline; Group 6 (negative control without microorganisms): Reciproc^TM + saline. Samples were collected before and after the completion of specific treatments, and plated in specific media cultures. The Fisher exact test was used for the statistical analysis of differences in terms of presence or absence of microbial growth among groups. For all tested pathogens, significant differences (p < 0.001) were verified between the instrumentation systems used.

Results

ProTaper Universal^TM associated with 1% NaOCl completely eliminated all microorganisms. Microbial growth, however, was observed when Reciproc^TM was used associated with 1% NaOCl.

Conclusion

According to the protocol executed for this study, the Reciproc^TM system associated with 1% NaOCl was not able to completely eliminate E. faecalis, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus and C. albicans from the root canal systems.Key words: endodontic treatment, Enterococcus faecalis, single-file instrumentation, sodium hypochlorite     

Analysis of five polymorphic DNA markers for indirect genetic diagnosis of haemophilia A in the Brazilian population

Summary. Hemophilia A is an X‐linked, inherited, bleeding disorder caused by the partial or total inactivity of the coagulation factor VIII (FVIII). Due to difficulties in the direct recognition of the disease‐associated mutation in the F8 gene, indirect diagnosis using polymorphic markers located inside or close to the gene is used as an alternative for determining the segregation of the mutant gene within families and thus for detecting carrier individuals and/or assisting in prenatal diagnosis. This study characterizes the allelic and haplotype frequencies, genetic diversity, population differentiation and linkage disequilibrium of five microsatellites (F8Int1, F8Int13, F8Int22, F8Int25.3 and IKBKG) in samples of healthy individuals from São Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul and Pernambuco and of patients from São Paulo with haemophilia A to determine the degree of informativeness of these microsatellites for diagnostic purposes. The interpopulational diversity parameters highlight the differences among the analyzed population samples. Regional differences in allelic frequencies must be taken into account when conducting indirect diagnosis of haemophilia A. With the exception of IKBKG, all of the microsatellites presented high heterozygosity levels. Using the markers described, diagnosis was possible in 10 of 11 families. The F8Int22, F8Int1, F8Int13, F8Int25.3 and IKBKG microsatellites were informative in seven, six, five and two of the cases, respectively, demonstrating the effectiveness of using these microsatellites in prenatal diagnosis and in carrier identification in the Brazilian population.     

Human aconitase polymorphism in three samples from northeastern Brazil

Human aconitase (ACNO₈) polymorphism was studied in three samples from northeastern Brazil. Two of the samples were collected in the State of Bahia and one in the State of Sergipe. The main characteristic of the samples was given by different degrees of Black admixture. The results showed that the more negroid the saniples the higher the frequencies of the alleles ACNO⁴₈and ACNO⁶₈. These findings fit well with the known ACON_sgene frequencies in prcmnt-day Siperians and with the past history of Yoruba slaves in Bahia.     

Effect of the application of the new diagnostic criteria of diabetes mellitus in the prevalence estimates and diagnostic level in the general population

Background: The objective was to study the effect of the applicationof the new diagnostic criteria for diabetes mellitus on itsprevalence in Galicia (northwest Spain). Methods: Analysis using‘old’ and ‘new’ criteria (diabetes undertreatment and/or fasting glycaemia 140 mg/dl or 126 mg/dl respectively)was performed in a cross-sectional study (1,275 participants)in the general population aged 40–69 years. Results: Prevalenceof diabetes rose from 7.5 (95% Cl: 6.1–9.1) to 10.4% (95%Cl: 8.8–12.2) with the new criteria. The proportion ofnon diagnosed diabetes rose from 22.2 to 37.8%. Conclusions:The new diagnostic criteria for diabetes mellitus make it necessaryto increase previous prevalence estimates by 30–35% Inmiddle age (40–69 years).