Efficacy evaluation of Mongolian medical warm acupuncture for sciatica caused by lumbar disc herniation: a randomized, controlled, single-blind clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the short-term and long-term efficacy of Mongolian medical warm acupuncture for sciatica caused by lumbar disc herniation (LDH). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The patients diagnosed with sciatica caused by LDH were randomly divided into the warm acupuncture of the Mongolian medicine group (n = 42, warm acupuncture treatment), the sham acupuncture group (n = 38, sham acupuncture using blunt-tipped needles) and the conventional drug group (n = 40, ibuprofen sustained release capsule). All patients were treated for 4 weeks and followed up for 8 weeks. The visual analog scale for leg pain (VAS-LP), Mongolian medicine indicators (efficacy indicators), VAS for waist pain (VAS-WP) and the Mos 36-item short form health survey (SF-36) score were analyzed at baseline, after two-week treatment, after four-week treatment, at four-week follow-up and at eight-week follow-up. RESULTS: Warm acupuncture treatment significantly decreased the VAS-LP and VAS-WP scores of patients at treatment and follow-up (p < 0.05), and pain was improved compared to the conventional drug group and sham acupuncture group. The total effective rate was markedly higher in the warm acupuncture of the Mongolian medicine group compared with the conventional drug group at 8-week follow-up (p < 0.05), but sham acupuncture treatment resulted in no evident improvement in the Mongolian medicine indicators. Additionally, at treatment and follow-up, warm acupuncture of the Mongolian medicine group showed a significant increase in the physical function, physical role, body pain, and emotional and mental health role scores of the SF-36 survey compared with the sham acupuncture groups. CONCLUSIONS: Mongolian medical warm acupuncture effectively relieves leg and waist pain and improves the total therapeutic effect and the quality of daily life for patients with sciatica caused by LDH, with significant long-term efficacy. Our study provides a basis for warm acupuncture in the treatment of sciatica caused by LDH. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ID: ChiCTR- INR-15007413.

Utilization of direct oral anticoagulants in a Saudi tertiary hospital: a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the appropriateness of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) utilization in a Saudi tertiary hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Adult inpatients and outpatients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis, or pulmonary embolism were included in a retrospective cohort study. Patients received at least one month of apixaban, rivaroxaban, or dabigatran. The duration of the study at the Armed Forces Hospital Southern Region in Khamis Mushait, Saudi Arabia, was from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2021. The study assessed the appropriateness of DOACs dosing, initial and follow-up monitoring, the presence of clinically significant interactions, and treatment duration adherence. RESULTS: 778 patients were included in the analysis (mean age 71.34 ± 15.98 years, equal male and female representation). Rivaroxaban was administered to 40.8% of the patients, while apixaban and dabigatran were administered to 31.02% and 28.18% of the patients, respectively. The most prevalent indication for DOACs was atrial fibrillation (72.84%), followed by deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (27.16%). The most prevalent category of medication errors was inappropriate maintenance dose (41.7%), followed by inappropriate initial dose (37.97%) and lack of laboratory parameter monitoring (36.42%). 31.5 percent of the study sample lacked baseline renal functions, while 24.5% of patients lacked baseline liver functions. 115 patients (14.8%) had potential clinically significant interactions. Regarding treatment duration, 232 patients (29.8%) were improperly prescribed DOACs based on their indications. CONCLUSIONS: In a significant proportion of DOAC patients, the prescribed rational DOAC utilization parameters were not implemented. The results of the study provide specific improvement areas and objectives for Anticoagulation stewardship programs.

Proteomic insights into Helcococcus kunzii in a diabetic foot ulcer-like environment.

PURPOSE: Helcococcus kunzii is a skin commensal, Gram-positive bacterium, mostly isolated from infected chronic wounds. This opportunistic pathogen is usually co-isolated with Staphylococcus aureus. The present dataset explores the production and secretion of H. kunzii bacterial virulence interacting proteins in a growth medium mimicking chronic wounds in exponential and stationary growth phases. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The H. kunzii cellular proteome and exoproteome were assessed by analyzing three biological replicates per condition tested. Samples were analyzed using a Q-Exactive HF mass spectrometer. Comparative and functional analyses were performed to profile the identified protein set. RESULTS: The H. kunzii's cellular proteome encompassed 969 proteins, among which 64 and 53 were specifically identified in the exponential and stationary phase of growth, respectively. Its exoproteome comprised 58 proteins, among which 16 and 14 were characteristic of each growth stage. Metabolic differences between the two phases of growth are discussed. Besides, the production of previously shortlisted and novel putative H. kunzii targets involved in modulating the virulence of S. aureus is investigated. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This work, pioneering the study of H. kunzii physiology in a chronic wound-like environment, should assist future research on this opportunistic pathogen and the search for innovative approaches for wound management.

The perspective of pharmacist on pharmacovigilance and adverse drug reaction reporting in Asir region, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are widespread worldwide, and their intervention is critical to patient safety and healthcare quality. Pharmacists are essential in monitoring and reporting ADRs, directly influencing patient care. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of ADRs among pharmacists and their knowledge regarding ADRs, including the factors affecting ADR reporting. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: From September 2021 to November 2021, a cross-sectional survey among pharmacists in the Asir area of Saudi Arabia was planned. This study involved contacting 97 pharmacists using a cluster sampling method. The study's goals were met using a 25-item self-administered questionnaire. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 25 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). RESULTS: Ninety-seven pharmacists (male 53.6% and female 46.4%) completed the survey. More than three-fourths of the participants (78.4%) know the ADR reporting system. The survey was completed by 97 pharmacists (male 53.6% and female 46.4%). More than three-quarters of the participants (78.4%) were aware of the ADR reporting system, and the majority (70.8%) were aware that it is done using an online system. Still, only 56.7% knew that the Saudi FDA is the regulatory agency collecting ADR data in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, 73.2% cited stress in the workplace as a critical deterrent to reporting. Most respondents (76.3%) had an unfavorable attitude about reporting ADRs. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacists understand ADR reporting, but most lack the mentality to report the incidents. As a result, comprehensive and ongoing training for pharmacists is required to raise awareness of the need for ADR reporting.

Bacterial Interactions in the Context of Chronic Wound Biofilm: A Review.

Chronic wounds, defined by their resistance to care after four weeks, are a major concern, affecting millions of patients every year. They can be divided into three types of lesions: diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), pressure ulcers (PU), and venous/arterial ulcers. Once established, the classical treatment for chronic wounds includes tissue debridement at regular intervals to decrease biofilm mass constituted by microorganisms physiologically colonizing the wound. This particular niche hosts a dynamic bacterial population constituting the bed of interaction between the various microorganisms. The temporal reshuffle of biofilm relies on an organized architecture. Microbial community turnover is mainly associated with debridement (allowing transitioning from one major representant to another), but also with microbial competition and/or collaboration within wounds. This complex network of species and interactions has the potential, through diversity in antagonist and/or synergistic crosstalk, to accelerate, delay, or worsen wound healing. Understanding these interactions between microorganisms encountered in this clinical situation is essential to improve the management of chronic wounds.

Insect pest scenario in Uttarakhand Himalayas, India, under changing climatic conditions.

The Himalayan mountains are early indicators of climate change, wherein slight changes in climate can lead to a drastic variation in faunal diversity, distribution, invasion of fauna into higher altitudes, rapid population growth, shortening of life cycle and increased number of overwintering species. The insects best represent the faunal diversity. In recent years, due to variation in pattern of rainfall and temperature regimes, several insect pests have moved northwards and are posing great threat to hill agriculture. Few among them are greenhouse whiteflies, thrips and mites in protected cultivation system; blister beetles on flowers of cereals, pulses and oilseeds; invasive insect pests like fall armyworm of maize and tomato pin worm and sporadic pests like grasshoppers that are reaching a status of major key pest in various crops. Keeping in mind the phenomenon of climate change and associated changes in pest population, the present article focuses on emerging insect pest problems in cereals, millets, pulses, oilseeds and vegetables of Indian Himalayas, along with their changing population density with respect to different climatic parameters, the per cent increase in the pest damage over the years and their potential of gaining the status of major pests in near future and causing huge economic losses to hill agriculture.

Comparative genomics analysis of two Helcococcus kunzii strains co-isolated with Staphylococcus aureus from diabetic foot ulcers.

Helcococcus kunzii is a commensal Gram-positive bacterial species recovered from the human skin microbiota and considered as an opportunistic pathogen. Although little is known about its clinical significance, its increased abundance has been reported in infected wounds, particularly in foot ulcers in persons with diabetes. This species is usually detected in mixed cultures from human specimens and frequently isolated with Staphylococcus aureus. Modulation of staphylococci virulence by H. kunzii has been shown in an infection model of Caenorhabditis elegans. The aim of this study was to compare the genomes of two H. kunzii strains isolated from foot ulcers -isolate H13 and H10 showing high or low impact on S. aureus virulence, respectively- and the H. kunzii ATCC51366 strain. Whole genome analyses revealed some differences between the two strains: length (2.06 Mb (H13) and 2.05 Mb (H10) bp), GC content (29.3% (H13) and 29.5% (H10)) and gene content (1,884 (H13) and 1,786 (H10) predicted genes). The core-proteome phylogenies within the genus characterised H. kunzii H13 and H10 as genetically similar to their ancestor. The main differences between the strains were mainly in sugar-associated transporters and various hypothetical proteins. Five targets were identified as potentially involved in S. aureus virulence modulation in both genomes: the two-component iron export system and three autoinducer-like proteins. Moreover, H13 strain harbours a prophage inserted in 1,261,110-1,295,549 (attL-attR), which is absent in H10 strain. The prophage PhiCD38_2 was previously reported for its ability to modulate secretion profile, reinforcing the autoinducer-like hypothesis. In the future, transcriptomics or metaproteomics approaches could be performed to better characterize the H13 strain and possibly identify the underlying mechanism for S. aureus virulence modulation.

Revisiting the plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria: lessons from the past and objectives for the future.

Plant beneficial rhizobacteria (PBR) is a group of naturally occurring rhizospheric microbes that enhance nutrient availability and induce biotic and abiotic stress tolerance through a wide array of mechanisms to enhance agricultural sustainability. Application of PBR has the potential to reduce worldwide requirement of agricultural chemicals and improve agro-ecological sustainability. The PBR exert their beneficial effects in three major ways; (1) fix atmospheric nitrogen and synthesize specific compounds to promote plant growth, (2) solubilize essential mineral nutrients in soils for plant uptake, and (3) produce antimicrobial substances and induce systemic resistance in host plants to protect them from biotic and abiotic stresses. Application of PBR as suitable inoculants appears to be a viable alternative technology to synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Furthermore, PBR enhance nutrient and water use efficiency, influence dynamics of mineral recycling, and tolerance of plants to other environmental stresses by improving health of soils. This report provides comprehensive reviews and discusses beneficial effects of PBR on plant and soil health. Considering their multitude of functions to improve plant and soil health, we propose to call the plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPR) as PBR.

Bio-efficacy of chitinolytic Bacillus thuringiensis isolates native to northwestern Indian Himalayas and their synergistic toxicity with selected insecticides.

Pesticidal properties of Bacillus thuringiensis and its associated toxic proteins is an ever-growing science with potential implications in biological pest management. In the present study 80 Bacillus thuringiensis isolates native to Uttarakhand Himalayas were evaluated for chitinolytic activity and potent ones (11 isolates) were further subjected to multiphasic characterization for their antifungal, insecticidal and synergistic properties with selected chemical insecticides. Although all the 11 potent isolates were biologically active, only three isolates (VLBt27, VLBt109 and VLBt238) showed >90% inhibition in radial growth of 3 out of 4 tested plant pathogenic fungi (Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporum, Alternaria pori and Pyricularia oryzae). The key antagonism was manifested in the form of disruptions in growing tips and uneven mycelial thickenings. In insect bioassays (against Helicoverpa armigera, Mythimna separata and Thysanoplusia orichalcea), no considerable direct mortality was observed. However, the larval weight reduction was prominent in four isolates (VLBt27, VLBt38, VLBt109 and VLBt135) which accounts to >75% in first instar larvae of H. armigera. Joint action of these four isolates with chemical insecticides showed an overall additive interaction against Brevicoryne brassicae and synergism against H. armigera. All the isolates were compatible with tested insecticides at their field recommended doses except for chlorpyriphos with around 130 kDa protein as chitinase. The study identified VLBt27 and VLBt109, two native isolates of B. thuringiensis with potential antagonistic activity and synergism as well. These isolates have possible implications as single strategy against two diverse pest problems (pathogenic fungi and phytophagous insect) of agriculture with a view of reduced pesticide application.

Les pneumopathies acquises sous ventilation mécanique (PNAVM) en Réanimation au Centre Hospitalier de Soavinandriana

Introduction : A l'heure actuelle, aucune étude n'a été publiée concernant la pneumonie acquise sous ventilation mécanique au Centre Hospitalier de Soavinandriana. L'objectif est de déterminer les caractéristiques de cette pathologie au sein d'un service de Réanimation Polyvalente. Matériels et Méthodes : Une étude rétrospective, descriptive, transversale sur une période de 12 mois (de janvier à décembre 2016), incluant tous les patients âgés de plus de 18 ans, développant une PAVM. Ont été exclus les patients un examen cytobactériologique des crachats négatif. Les paramètres étudiés étaient : l'âge, le motif d'admission, l'antibiothérapie probabiliste entamée, la microbiologie, la durée de séjour en réanimation et l'issue des patients. Résultats : Cent soixante-dix patients ont eu une ventilation mécanique de plus de 2 jours, parmi lesquels 32 patients avaient une PAVM (soit une fréquence de 20%). L'âge médian était de 53 ans, de sex-ratio 3,57. Vingt-deux cas présentaient une pathologie vasculaire céré¬brale. Dix-huit patients ont un antécédent neurologique et 15 patients avaient un antécédent cardiovasculaire. L'amoxicilline-acide clavulanique et le métronidazole étaient utilisés comme antibiothérapie probabiliste initiale. Les germes les plus fréquemment retrouvés étaient le Pseudomonas aéruginosa (15 cas) et le Klebsiella pneumoniae (10 cas). Ils sont sensibles à l'amikacine et à l'imipenème. La durée médiane de la ventilation mécanique était de 7j et celle du séjour en réanimation 17j. Le taux de mortalité était de 56%. Conclusion : La fréquence de cette pathologie est élevée. La connaissance de l'écologie bactérienne locale permettrait de modifier l'antibiothérapie probabiliste afin de diminuer la mortalité

Morfologia e dinâmica testicular em cutias (Dasyprocta prymnolopha) adultas / Testicular morphology and dynamic in adult agoutis (Dasyprocta prymnolopha)

Este trabalho objetivou apresentar a caracterização da morfologia do testículo de cutia (Dasyproctaprymnolopha) macho, com o intuito de colaborar com o conhecimento da morfofisiologia reprodutiva da espécie. Foram utilizados testículos de 47 animais, com idade entre um e dois anos, pesos homogêneos (2,08 ± 0,23kg), oriundos do Núcleo de Estudos e Preservação de Animais Silvestres do Centro de Ciências Agrárias da Universidade Federal do Piauí. As estruturas foram dissecadas, descritas, e fragmentos foram processados para a microscopia de luz, sendo, posteriormente avaliada a atividade gonadal. Observou-se que os testículos são órgãos elipsoides alongados, podendo ser encontrados na região inguinal ou na cavidade abdominal, não apresentando um escroto bem delimitado. Verificou-se também parênquima com característica histológica padrão para o órgão em mamíferos, com a identificação de oito tipos de associações celulares, caracterizando os estádios do ciclo do epitélio seminífero, com menor e maior frequência dos estádios 3 e 5, respectivamente.(AU)

This study meant to characterize the morphology of the testicle from (Dasyprocta prymnolopha) agouti males, in order to collaborate with the knowledge of reproductive morphophysiology of the specie. Testicles were used from 47 animals aged between 1 and 2 years, homogeneous weight (2.08±0.23kg), coming from the Centre for the Study and Conservation of Wild Animals of Agricultural Sciences Center of the Federal University of Piauí. The structures were dissected, described and fragments were processed for light microscopy, and, subsequently, gonadal activity was evaluated. Testes were observed to be elongated ellipsoidal bodies that can be found in the groin or in the abdominal cavity, not having a clearly defined scrotum. We also could see parenchymal with standard histological characteristic for the mammalian body, with the identification of eight types of cell associations, characterized epithelium Seminiferous stages of the cycle, with lower and higher frequency of stages 3 and 5, respectively.(AU)

Sensibility of male rats fertility against olive oil, Nigella sativa oil and pomegranate extract.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the modulatory effects of daily consumption of pomegranate extract (PE), olive oil (OO) and Nagilla sativa oil (NSO) on antioxidant activity, sperm quality and pituitary-testicular axis of adult male wistar rats. METHODS: Thirty-two adult male Wistar rats were divided into four equal groups, eight rats each. Using rat gastric tubes, 1.0 mL distilled water, 1.0 mL PE, 0.4 mL NSO and 0.4 mL OO were orally administered daily for 6 weeks in the first, second, third and fourth groups, respectively. Reproductive organs, body weight, sperm criteria, testosterone, FSH, LH, inhibin-B, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzyme activities were investigated. At the end of the study protocol, analyses occurred at the same time. Data were analysed by ANOVA test and P<0.05 was considered to be a significant value. RESULTS: In all studied groups, malondialdehyde level was significantly decreased accompanied with an increases in glutathione peroxidase and glutathione. Rats treated with PE showed an increase in catalase activities accompanied with an increase in sperm concentration which was also observed in NSO group. In PE treated group, sperm motility was also increased accompanied with decreased abnormal sperm rate. NSO, OO and PE treated groups shows an insignificant effect on testosterone, inhibin-B, FSH and LH in comparison with control group. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that administration of PE, NSO and OO could modify sperm characteristics and antioxidant activity of adult male wistar rats.

First report of a small supernumerary der(8;14) marker chromosome.

Small supernumerary marker chromosomes (sSMC) are structurally abnormal chromosomes, generally equal in size or smaller than a chromosome 20 of the same metaphase spread. Most of them are unexpectedly detected in routine karyotype analyses, and it is usually not easy to correlate them with a specific clinical picture. A small group of sSMCs is derived from more than one chromosome, called complex sSMCs. Here, we report on a patient with a de novo complex sSMC, derived from chromosomes 8 and 14. Banding karyotype analysis, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based array, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were performed to investigate its origin. Array and FISH analyses revealed a der(14)t(8;14)(p23.2;q22.1)dn. The propositus presents some clinical features commonly found in patients with partial duplication or triplication of 8p and 14q. This is the first report describing a patient with a congenital der(14)t(8;14)(p23.2;q22.1)dn sSMC.

Wide clinical variability in cat eye syndrome patients: four non-related patients and three patients from the same family.

A small supernumerary marker chromosome (sSMC) derived from chromosome 22 is a relatively common cytogenetic finding. This sSMC typically results in tetrasomy for a chromosomal region that spans the chromosome 22p arm and the proximal 2 Mb of 22q11.21. Using classical cytogenetics, fluorescence in situ hybridization, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, and array techniques, 7 patients with sSMCs derived from chromosome 22 were studied: 4 non-related and 3 from the same family (mother, daughter, and son). The sSMCs in all patients were dicentric and bisatellited chromosomes with breakpoints in the chromosome 22 low-copy repeat A region, resulting in cat eye syndrome (CES) due to chromosome 22 partial tetrasomy 22pter→q11.2 including the cat eye chromosome region. Although all subjects presented the same chromosomal abnormality, they showed a wide range of phenotypic differences, even in the 3 patients from the same family. There are no previous reports of CES occurring within 3 patients in the same family. Thus, the clinical and follow-up data presented here contribute to a better delineation of the phenotypes and outcomes of CES patients and will be useful for genetic counseling.

Interstitial 4q Deletion and Isodicentric Y-Chromosome in a Patient with Dysmorphic Features.

We present a 2-year-old boy with a de novo 46,XY,idic(Y)(q11.221),del(4)(q26q31.1) karyotype. G-banding, FISH, MLPA, and SNP-array techniques were used to characterize the 24-Mb deletion in 4q and the breakpoint in the isodicentric Y-chromosome region between 15,982,252 and 15,989,842 bp. The patient presented with mild facial dysmorphism, hemangioma, mild frontal cerebral atrophy, and Dandy-Walker variant. Essentially, this case reveals that patients can present more complex genomic imbalances than initially suspected.

The antifungal properties of chlorhexidine digluconate and cetylpyrinidinium chloride on oral Candida.

INTRODUCTION: C. tropicalis and C. krusei have emerged as virulent species causing oral infections. Both have developed resistance to commonly prescribed azole antifungal agents. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to determine the effect of mouth rinses containing chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX), cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) and their combination (CHX-CPC) on the growth of these strains. METHODS: The minimal inhibition concentrations (MIC) of the mouth rinses were determined. The growth curves of the strains produced under the mouth rinse-treated and untreated conditions, as well as alterations to the morphology of the growth colonies and cells following the treatments were compared and analysed. RESULTS: The MICs of CPC compared to CHX mouth rinses were found to be lower for both Candida sp. In the mixed formulation, CPC doubled the inhibitory effect of CHX towards both Candida sp., while CHX quadrupled the activity of CPC towards C. tropicalis. The growth colonies also appeared coarse, wrinkled and dried. CONCLUSION: The profound effects shown may suggest the fungicidal activities of the mouth rinses incorporated with CHX, CPC or their combination on both C. tropicalis and C. krusei. Gargling using mouth rinses with such fungicidal activity would enhance a rapid reduction in the candidal population of patients with fungal infection.

Expression of insulin-like growth factor-II, matrix metalloproteinases, and their tissue inhibitors as predictive markers in the peripheral blood of HCC patients.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Elevated relative expression of insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) was observed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) liver tissues with a role in neovascularization and associated with poor prognosis. IGF-II is influenced by the proteolytic cleavage of IGF-binding protein 3 and by matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), which are further regulated by their tissue inhibitors tissue inhibitor of metalloprotienase-1 (TIMP-1). Our aim is to study new molecular markers for HCC. PATIENTS/METHODS: RNA was extracted from the peripheral blood for evaluating the relative expression of IGF-II, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 in correlation with clinical staging of 39 HCC patients and 15 healthy controls using TaqMan real-time PCR. RESULTS: The relative expression of IGF-II and MMP-9 mRNA were significantly elevated in HCC patients compared with healthy controls; P-value <0.0001 for both. There was a significant correlation between MMP-9 and different HCC stages. On the other hand, TIMP-1 was significantly down-regulated in HCC patients; P = 0.0003 with the elevation of the IGF-II/TIMP-1 ratio. Significant correlation between TIMP-1 and HCC Stage III and Stage IV was found; P-value = 0.0138. CONCLUSION: These results highlight the importance of profiling the expression of IGF-II, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 in the peripheral blood as prognostic molecular biomarkers in HCC.

Protocol for 18F-FDG quantification in PET-CT whole-body exams.

The aim of the present work is to propose a protocol for quantification of (18)F-FDG activities at organ level through whole body exams with Positron Emission Tomography. They were selected patients with normal uptake or a single tumor. In the period 2004-2005, 745 patients were studied. Among then, it was selected 97 adults for the normal uptake control group. The main studies were: intestine; colon, rectum, lung, lymphoma and melanoma, liver, esophagus, gonads and breasts. For "prospective screening", it were selected 20 patients with the identical physical characteristics of the control group. For internal dosimetry, the main organs should be elected according the kinetics of (18)F-FDG, either considering normal uptake or pathologies. Absorbed doses due to Computed Tomography and F-FDG uptake were estimated. Comparisons between internal and external exposures, for the same organ, point out higher doses due to external irradiation, except for bladder and kidneys. For individual dose estimation, parameters such the effective half-life should be known and this information may be achieved by an adaptation of the routine protocol.

Internal root morphology of the maxillary first premolars in Kenyans of African descent.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the internal root morphology of the maxillary first premolar in Kenyans of African descent. DESIGN: In vitro descriptive cross-sectional study. SETTING: School of Dental Sciences, University of Nairobi. SUBJECTS: One hundred and fifty five extracted maxillary first premolars obtained from patients aged between 13-30 years attending dental clinics within Nairobi. RESULTS: There were 77 premolars from males and 78 from females. Majority (87.1%) of the teeth had two canals. Males presented with three canals more commonly than females. This difference was statistically significant. According to Vertucci's classification, male specimens demonstrated five of the canals types while female specimens demonstrated all the eight canal types. These differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Kenyan maxillary first premolar was mostly found to have two canals. There were eight canal types, with type IV being the commonest.