Reasons for extraction of permanent teeth in Jordan.

This investigation was carried out to determine the reasons for extraction of permanent teeth in Jordan. A random sample of 200 Jordanian Dentists (1:10) were asked to record reasons for the extraction of permanent teeth during a two week period. Of the 139 dentists responding, only 97 dentists extracted teeth during the study period. A total of 934 teeth were extracted from 582 patients, of these 33.4 per cent were extracted for periodontal disease, and 27.6 per cent because of caries and its sequelae. The study suggests caries and its consequences affected tooth loss throughout life while the rate of tooth loss due to periodontal disease increases with age.

Nitration of surfactant protein A (SP-A) tyrosine residues results in decreased mannose binding ability.

Nitric oxide (.NO) is a signal transducing free radical which can modify oxidant stress by limiting superoxide (O2.-)-mediated injury. However, the product of .NO reaction with O2.-, peroxynitrite (ONOO-), is a potent oxidizing and nitrating agent. Exposure of a mixture containing phosphatidylcholine liposomes and surfactant apoprotein A (SP-A; 10% by weight) to increasing concentrations of .NO, generated by spermine NONOate, and constant O2.- levels, produced by the action of xanthine oxidase on lumazine, suppressed O2.(-)-induced lipid peroxidation in the presence of Fe3(+)- EDTA. On the other hand, an increase in the .NO/O2.- value resulted in nitration of SP-A tyrosine residues, located in the carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD), and decreased the ability of SP-A to aggregate lipids and bind mannose, two functions that require an intact CRD. SP-A was also nitrated to a large extent following exposure to 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1) or tetranitromethane at pH 8. In each case, increased nitrotyrosine content correlated in a monotonic fashion with inhibition of lipid aggregation and mannose binding, correlated with the extent of functional inhibition. Superoxide dismutase (2400 U/ml) and urate (100 microM; nonspecific scavenger of both ONOO- and hydroxyl radical), but not mannitol (50 mM; hydroxyl radical scavenger), prevented the SIN-1-induced injury to SP-A. In contrast, spermine NON-Oate or xanthine oxidase plus lumazine alone neither inhibited SP-A function nor nitrated the protein. These results indicate that at high concentrations, .NO inhibit O2.-induced lipid peroxidation. However, ONOO., formed by the reaction of .NO and O2.-, nitrates SP-A leading to decreased ability to aggregate lipids and bind mannose.

Congenital unilateral fusion of the maxilla and mandible.

We present an uncommon severe first branchial arch congenital malformation, in which complete unilateral bony fusion between the maxillary and mandibular processes was found in a newborn exposed to carbamazepine medication all through pregnancy. This condition interferes with oral feeding, intubation, growth and development. In a review of previously reported cases it was found that this anomaly was commonly associated with other abnormalities. The etiology of this malformation was uncertain in our case, as carbamazepine was not proven to be the definite cause.