An In Vitro study of Fracture Resistance of Weakened Tooth Roots Reinforced with Two Types of Adhesive Restorative Materials.

Introduction: Composite resin (CR) is among the commonly used material for intraradicular reinforcement of weakened tooth roots. Purpose: This study was to compare the fracture resistance of experimentally weakened tooth roots reinforced using auto-polymerized composite resin and light-polymerized composite resin. Materials and Methods: Fifty-six extracted human maxillary incisors were divided into 2 groups (n = 28) and the root canals were over prepared to weaken it. The samples in Group A were restored using light-cured CR Z100 and light-transmitting polymerizing post (Luminex), whereas Group B using auto-cured CR Alpha-dent. Both groups were placed with metal parapost cemented with a resin luting cement (Nexus 2). Specimens were subjected to compressive load (N) using Instron machine until fracture. Data were submitted to independent t test analysis of variance (p < 0.05). Results: There was no significant difference (p = 0.233) in fracture resistance between the teeth reinforced with light-polymerizing and auto-polymerizing CR are 549.3 (± 95.44) and 490.7 (± 110.37) respectively. Conclusion: The use of less technique sensitive auto-polymerizing CR give equivalent benefit effect on reinforcing weakened roots, as the more commonly light-polymerized composite resin.

Dental Education: Restorative dentistry in Malaysia.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the requirements in restorative dentistry that undergraduate dental students have to fulfill in order to sit for final examinations in dental schools in Malaysia and to compare those requirement with the competencies stipulated by the Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA). Materials and Methods: Questionnaire from a study done previously was modified and used in this study. All questionnaires were sent by post with a reply envelope. Eight dental schools had responded (72%) to the survey and the results showed that although dental schools may differ in the number of numerical requirements, their assessments were quite similar. One school does not practice numerical requirements at all. Results: In term of requirement for full crown, majority of the schools (88%) agreed that porcelain bonded to metal crown should be included in the numerical requirement. In contrast, majority of the schools (88%) did not include inlay/onlay in their numerical requirements. For plastic restorations like composite resin, amalgam and glass ionomer, majority of the schools (88%) used numerical requirements. Majority of the schools also agreed on numerical requirements for conventional bridge (88%) and incisor to molar endodontics (88%), but not for resin bonded bridge (75%). Conclusion: This study shows that there is a disparity among institutions in Malaysia in terms of finals requirement in restorative dentistry. Ideally, all requirements should be similar among institutions and should closely follow the guidelines provided by the MQA.

Evaluation of the clinical usefulness of blood cultures in hospitalised patients with community acquired pneumonia

Pneumonia that develop outside the hospital is considered CAP. Bacteremia is a serious clinical condition and can lead to death. To give the best chance for effective treatment and survival, a BC is done as soon as an infection is suspected. The aim of this work is to evaluate blood culture in patients with community acquired pneumonia and to correlate it with clinical response to medical treatment. This study was conducted on 50 patients; 36 males and 14 females. Sputum and blood samples are collected, transported and processed immediately in the laboratory by a technician under the supervision of a bacteriologist where blood and sputum culture were done. This study revealed that Strept. pneumoniae and H. infleunzae represented 38% of positive cultures, while Staph aureus and E.coli represented 30%. In conclusion, there was a little clinical usefulness of both sputum and BCs in the management of CAP and the empirical therapy is important as it gave 96% success without any antibiotic modification after the results of blood and sputum cultures have been available

Colorectal cancer in young patients under 40 years of age Comparison with old patients in a well defined Jordanian population

To determine the incidence of colorectal cancer [CRC] in young Jordanians and to compare the clinical and pathological characteristics with those in older patients and with those in high risk populations. Clinical and pathological data of all the patients with CRC managed at Princess Basma Teaching Hospital, Irbid, Jordan over a 10 year period [January 1990 through December 1999] were recorded. The patients were divided according to age into group one [those <40 years] and group 2 [> 40 years]. The 2 groups were compared regarding sex, predisposing conditions, tumor stage at presentation, tumor differentiation, mucin secretion, tumor invasion, presentation with complications and tumor location. The data were compared with those of "high risk" Western populations and with the few reports coming from "low risk" populations, mainly from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Out of 202 patients evaluated, 4 were excluded. Group1 constituted 20.2% of the patients, 17.5% of them have predisposing conditions. Comparison between group 1 and 2 revealed the following: female sex [65% versus 50.6%, p=0.104], advanced stages at presentation [65% versus 41%, p=0.005], rectal tumors [50% versus 39.2%] and right side tumors [15% versus 29.1%] [p=0.18]. Mucinous and signet ring tumors [30% versus 15.8%, p=0.04], poor tumor differentiation [20% versus 18.3%, p=0.78] and presentation with complications [21% versus 22.2%, p=0.96]. The incidence of CRC in young Jordanians was much higher than high risk populations. Half of the tumors were rectal. Young patients have more advanced stage and more mucin secreting tumors. The relative high frequency and frequency of predisposing conditions calls for family screening and surveillance in the presence of predisposing conditions