Comparison of cleaning effectiveness of single rotary file OneShape and reciprocating F2 Protaper with Protaper Universal sequence: A SEM analysis.

AIM: This in vitro study intend to compare the cleaning effectiveness of Protaper universal sequence with reciprocating F2 Protaper and single rotary file One shape. MATERIALS AND METHOD: 30 extracted human 1st mandibular molars were chosen for the analysis. Three NiTi file systems were used for mechanical preparation, ProTaper full sequence in rotary motion, single F2 Protaper file used in reciprocating motion, and One shape single file used in a circular motion. Irrigation was carried out after each instrument use using 5 ml of 5% NaOCl followed by normal saline. The root canal surface was evaluated at three different areas (coronal, middle and apical thirds) using Scanning Electron Microscopy. Debris and the Smear layer were evaluated. Data were analyzed statistically using the Friedman test and Kruskal-Wallis test (p ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: A statistically significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) was observed in the debris score of the Protaper universal group when the 3 thirds of the root were compared. Intergroup comparisons confirmed a statistically significant difference at the coronal and apical third of the roots when debris scores were evaluated. Intragroup comparison for the smear layer demonstrated a statistically significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) at all the 3 levels of the radicular canal for the 3 groups studied. Intergroup comparisons revealed a statistically significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) in the middle and apical 1/3rd when the smear layer was evaluated. CONCLUSION: The Protaper full sequence group provided better results than Single F2 ProTaper and One shape groups when debris and smear layer removal was investigated.

Association of serum selenium with thyroxin in severely iodine-deficient young children from the Amhara region of Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Selenium (Se) as part of glutathione peroxidase and iodothyronine deiodinase enzymes influences thyroid metabolism. This study investigated the association of serum Se levels with thyroid metabolism of severely iodine-deficient young children from the Amhara region of Ethiopia. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, Se, thyroid-stimulating hormone, total thyroxin, total triiodothyronine and thyroglobulin in serum of children (N=628) 54-60 months of age from the Amhara region, Ethiopia, were analyzed. In addition, iodine in urine and household salt was analyzed, and the presence of goiter was assessed. RESULTS: The median serum Se concentration was 61.4 µg/l (10.7-290.9 µg/l). Selenium deficiency (serum Se <70 µg/l) was detected in 57.8% (N=349) of the children. The median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was 9.8 µg/l. The majority (86.6%, N=449) of children had UIC below the recommended value (100 µg/l). In addition, 59.8% (N=310) of children were severely iodine deficient (UIC<20 µg/l). Only 12.7% of salt samples had iodine. Goiter was present in 44.6% (N=280) of the children. Selenium-deficient children had higher serum thyroxin (T4) than children with normal serum Se concentration (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Serum Se was negatively associated with T4 level in young children from the Amhara region of Ethiopia and may endanger the effectiveness of the salt iodization program.

Risk factors for iron deficiency anaemia in preschool children in northern Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine risk factors for anaemia in preschool children. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: Tigray province, northern Ethiopia. SUBJECTS: 2080 of 2373 children aged 6-60 months provided blood to assess anaemia. RESULTS: Anaemia was highly prevalent (42%) and constituted an important nutritional problem in the region. In a sub-sample of 230 anaemic children, 56% had a low red blood cell (RBC) count, and 43% had a serum ferritin of less than 12 microgl(-1) indicating that the anaemia was largely due to iron deficiency. Unlike other regions in developing countries, hookworm (0.4%) and malaria (0.0%) were rare and contributed little to the anaemia. Even though their diet lacked variety, the amount of iron consumed through cereal-based staple foods was adequate. However, the iron in these foods was not readily available and their diets were probably high in iron absorption inhibitors and low in enhancers. Dietary factors associated with anaemia included frequent consumption of inhibitors, such as fenugreek and coffee, and poor health in the child such as diarrhoea and stunting. CONCLUSIONS: Underlying causes of anaemia were lack of safe water and inadequate human waste management, maternal illiteracy and mother being ill, and having no food reserves. The root cause of these factors was poverty. The optimal control strategy for iron deficiency anaemia should have a holistic approach which includes the alleviation of poverty, the empowerment of women and the provision of a safe environment.

Effect of consumption of food cooked in iron pots on iron status and growth of young children: a randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: In less-developed countries, novel strategies are needed to control iron-deficiency anaemia, the most common form of malnutrition. METHODS: We undertook a community-based randomised controlled trial to assess the effects of iron or aluminium cooking pots in young Ethiopian children. Analysis was by intention-to-treat. The primary outcomes were change in children's haemoglobin concentration, weight, or length over the study period. We also did a laboratory study of total and available iron in traditional Ethiopian foods cooked in iron, aluminium, and clay pots. FINDINGS: 407 children, one per household, entered the study. The change in haemoglobin concentration was greater in the iron-pot group than in the aluminium-pot group (mean change to 12 months 1.7 [SD 1.5] vs 0.4 [1.0] g/dL; mean difference between groups 1.3 g/dL [95% Cl 1.1-1.6]). The mean differences between the groups in weight and length gain to 12 months (adjusted for baseline weight or length) were 0.6 cm (95% CI 0.1-1.0) and 0.1 kg (-0.1 to 0.3). The laboratory study showed that total and available iron was greatest in foods cooked in iron pots, except for available iron in legumes for which there was no difference between types of pot. INTERPRETATION: Ethiopian children fed food from iron pots had lower rates of anaemia and better growth than children whose food was cooked in aluminium pots. Provision of iron cooking pots for households in less-developed countries may be a useful method to prevent iron-deficiency anaemia.