Determination of potentially toxic elements bioaccumulated in the commercially important pelagic fish narrow-barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson).

Anthropogenic activities have increased the discharge of marine contaminants threatening marine life. Small gulfs, such as the Arabian Gulf, are vulnerable to accumulating potentially toxic elements in marine species due to slow water exchange. The concentration of 21 elements was determined in the tissues of Scomberomorus commerson from Umm Al Quwain (United Arab Emirates) and Bandar Abbas (Iran). Chromium, Copper, and Iron exceeded internationally established maximum permissible limits. Sites could not be distinguished based on Principle Component Analyses of elements. Elevated Cu and Cr in muscle are of concern to marine species as well as humans. Metal Pollution Index showed a significant difference between sites, with 20.34 % and 100 % of individuals suffering high metal toxicity and poor body conditions, respectively. The Arabian Gulf is experiencing an increase in discharge of industrial wastes. Implementation of strict policies to reduce discharge of toxic substances is required to protect marine organisms and humans.

The role ovariectomies and/or the administration of artificial female sex hormones play in orthodontic tooth movement: A systematic review.

The objective was to assess how ovariectomy or the administration of artificial female sex hormones affects orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) with fixed appliances. An electronic search of indexed databases was completed without language or time restrictions up to June 2022. The following eligibility criteria were utilized: (i) prospective original controlled clinical studies; (ii) experimental studies on animal models; (iii) subjects undergoing orthodontic therapy with fixed appliances; (iv) clearly defined control groups not undergoing ovariectomy or administration of artificial female sex hormone; and (v) studies with experimental groups receiving the intervention of interest (ovariectomy or artificial female sex hormone administration). Review articles, letters to the editor, case reports, case series, commentaries, cross-sectional studies, retrospective studies, and studies with no well-defined control group were excluded. The quality of the available evidence and the risk of bias within the studies were assessed. All disagreements were resolved via discussion. Seven animal studies were included in the systematic review. Five studies reported that ovariectomy increased the rate of orthodontic tooth movement. Two studies reported that the administration of artificial female sex hormones decreased the rate of orthodontic tooth movement. There is an association between ovariectomies and OTM and between the administration of artificial female sex hormones and OTM. The full extent of the association remains unclear due to the biases that are present and the length of time of orthodontic therapy.

Tele-orthodontics education model for orthodontic residents: A preliminary study.

OBJECTIVES: Tele-orthodontics is an important medium to use for diagnosis and treatment planning and to refer patients for specific treatment when deemed necessary. The effectiveness of the Tele-orthodontics Education Model serves to improve resident's knowledge, confidence, and skills in delivering tele-orthodontic patient care. The purpose of this educational single-arm pre-test-post-test interventional study was to assess and educate orthodontic residents (6 year-one, and 6 year-two) to appropriately use tele-orthodontics. METHODS: The Tele-orthodontics Education Model utilizes three learning modules, a questionnaire before and after the training to assess participant knowledge, confidence and skills levels, three online multiple-choice questionnaires, three explanatory videos and an in-person simulation session. The Blackboard Learning Management System (virtual learning platform) facilitates access to the various modules of the program. Within each learning module, a participant's knowledge level was determined by utilizing five multiple-choice questions before and after each module. The various modules were introduced to the participants and then evaluated by reviewing the participant's responses to the multiple-choice questions. RESULTS: Twelve orthodontic residents completed the model in one session. Everyone fully completed the questionnaire. Post-test results showed higher mean scores for all questions addresses knowledge, the mean confidence, and skills score for post-test showed no change when compared to pre-test. CONCLUSIONS: This education model was effective in improving basic knowledge in tele-orthodontics among first, and second-year orthodontic residents. We hypothesize that the residents are more informed and prepared for future tele-orthodontic practices.

The role of the dentist in the diagnosis and management of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea.

The objective of this article is to review the role of the dentist in the early diagnosis of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and to provide an in-depth review of the best evidence-based practices available to treat and/or to refer these patients for intervention. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A narrative review was performed using indexed data bases (PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, OVID, Scopus and Cochrane) up to year 2020, and approximately 1000 articles were reviewed. The articles included were those with the best information provided. RESULTS: Detailed review of the literature suggests that the role of the dentist has been redefined owing to their expertise in the orofacial region. Every patient consulting a dental practice is not merely a dental patient; he/she also requires a comprehensive medical review. The role of the dentist is pivotal in pediatric patients once diagnosed with OSA; as the patients grow, growth modification can be achieved, and future management will be easier. Initiating dental treatments during growth can benefit patients two-fold, saving them from malocclusion, and intervening in orofacial structural growth can help to avoid cumbersome treatments, such as CPAP and various surgeries. Proper diagnosis and management of systemic illnesses can prevent compromised quality of life, delays in treatment, morbidity and, in some cases, mortality.

Use of Laser in Sleep Disorders: A Review on Low Laser Uvulopalatoplasty.

METHODS: A comprehensive and systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, Web of Science, the US National Institutes of Health Trials Registry, WHO Library, and Medline. The search strategies were developed to cover publications from January 2010 through March 2020. The past 10 years of the search were performed to report the data following systematic review and meta-analysis protocol (PRISMA-P) 2015 statement. RESULTS: With the help of keywords, the total number of abstracts identified was 946. These abstracts were further reviewed as per inclusion and exclusion criteria, and 106 abstracts were identified to match the selection criteria. Further review of full articles resulted in 12 articles that matched the inclusion criteria for the study. CONCLUSION: Er:YAG can be a good alternative and least invasive therapy for managing snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. Er:YAG therapy is considered to nonsurgical intervention with minimum side effects and can be performed chairside.

A retrospective comparison of dental and skeletal ages between African American, Caucasian, and Hispanic subjects.

OBJECTIVE: To compare dental and skeletal ages among African American (AA), Caucasian (C) and Hispanic (H) subjects (chronological ages 9 to 15-years). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 168 subjects (9 to 15 years old) were equally divided into AA, C, and H groups, with an equal number of males and females. Each group was divided equally into 7 chronological age-groups, ranging from 9 to 15 years. Dental age was determined from panoramic radiographs as primary, early mixed, late mixed, or permanent dentition (scored as 1-4). Skeletal age was calculated from hand-wrist radiographs using Fishman's Skeletal Maturation Index (SMI 1-11). One-way analysis of variance and Tukey's test were used to compare skeletal and dental ages among AA, C and H subjects; and AA, C and H subjects in each chronological age-group. The two-sample t-test was used to compare SMI and dental age among females and males. RESULTS: Skeletal and dental age were not significantly different between AA, C and H subjects. Mean SMI was higher in females than males; and there were no significant gender differences regarding dental age. Mean SMI and dental age were significantly different among AA, C and H subjects in the 12-year-old and 11-year-old age groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Dental and skeletal maturation are fairly similar among AA, C and H subjects (aged 9 to 15 years).

Optimal Use of a Panoramic Radiograph as a Screening Tool for Condylar Resorption in Patients Undergoing Active Orthodontic Treatment: A Case Series.

Condylar resorption of temporomandibular joint findings in the panoramic radiographs is an indication of bone resorption suggesting possible degenerative joint disease that warrants early screen and subsequent referral to a dedicated specialist. This case series reports three patients that underwent the active orthodontic treatment for the duration of approximately 24-36 months. The patients were asymptomatic at the initial examination. The clinical examination was negative for clicking; the range of motion on opening, lateral excursion, and protrusion was normal. Neither of these patients had a history of rheumatic disease or bruxism. During the later stages of orthodontic treatment, two of the three patients reported mild pain and clicking during mastication, which was also confirmed chairside on clinical evaluation. Patients were referred to the orofacial pain specialist, were they were prescribed specific medication for the symptoms, along with cognitive behavioral therapy, and were further evaluated for splint therapy. Panoramic radiographs taken before the start of the treatment, during the treatment and at the completion of the orthodontic treatments indicate the progression in the resorption of mandibular condyle in all three patients suggesting possible degeneration that warrants further investigation and therapy.

Bioaccumulation of trace elements in tissues of Indian oil sardine (Sardinella longiceps) from the northern United Arab Emirates.

Small, partially enclosed gulfs are especially vulnerable to coastal pollution. The Arabian Gulf is a shallow, hypersaline, warm gulf with rising levels of pollution caused by rapid development and industrialization. We measured 19 trace elements in the gastrointestinal tract, liver and muscle of Indian oil sardines (Sardinella longiceps) from three sites from the United Arab Emirates in the southern Arabian Gulf. Concentrations of cadmium, chromium, copper and zinc exceeded international maximum permissible limits (MPL) in all three tissues in most sites. High concentrations in muscle raises concerns about the risk to humans, as muscles are widely consumed by humans. Discriminant Function Analysis showed that the three study sites (Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain) could be discriminated based on a combination of elements. Improved monitoring of pollutants is needed to ascertain the concentration of pollutants in species at different trophic levels. We recommend better control measures to reduce the discharge of pollutants into this fragile marine ecosystem.

Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in tissues of Indian anchovy (Stolephorus indicus) from the UAE coast, Arabian Gulf.

Pollution in the Arabian Gulf has risen in recent decades due to rapid development in the region. We studied 21 elements in the liver, gastrointestinal (GI) tract and muscles of the Indian anchovy (Stolephorus indicus) to characterize bioaccumulation in this abundant forage fish. Mean concentrations (µg/g wet weight) of elements ranged as follows: Cd: 0.1-8.0; Cr: 0.1-24.0; Cu: 1.2-24.0; Ni: 0.3-76.5; Ca: 1237.0-15,270.0; S: 2966.0-7467.0; Zn: 7.1-247.0; V: 0.1-27.0; Hg: 0.04-0.18 and Sr: 8.1-191.0. Zn, Cu, Cr, and Cd in the tissues exceeded the maximum permissible limit recommended by FAO, WHO and EC. We suggest that bioaccumulation in fish could be a hazard for human consumption. Therefore, further monitoring is needed to better characterize pollutant levels in fish of higher trophic levels in the Arabian Gulf.

Evaluation of jawbone morphology and bone density indices in panoramic radiographs of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor users: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVES:: To assess the influence of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) use on jawbone and bone mineral density by retrospective analysis of panoramic radiographs. METHODS:: Radiographic and clinical records were sourced from the Division of Orthodontics and TMJD, Eastman Institute for Oral Health, University of Rochester. Randomly selected adults (20-65 years) were categorized into: "Active" (with history of SSRI use of >6 months) and a "Control" group. Panoramic indices: Klemetti index (KI), panoramic mandibular index, antegonial notching index, condylar pathology, mandibular cortical width (MCW)⁠ and mean ramus height were recorded. Frequency-weighted Χ2 tests and multinomial regression controlling for age and gender were applied to categorical indices (KI, condylar pathology, antegonial notching index). Multivariate generalized linear modeling was applied to mean ramus height, MCW and panoramic mandibular index. Multiple regression analyses determined: (a) panoramic indices that best predicted SSRI use, and (b) independent predictors of KI category. RESULTS:: 64 SSRI users and 48 Controls were assessed. SSRI users had significantly higher odds of having worse KI status than normal [mildly to moderately eroded cortex: odds ratio (OR) = 2.926, 95% CI (1.07-8.04) and severely eroded cortex: OR = 19.86, 95% CI (3.91-100.69)], more frequent flat condylar anatomy (right side: p = 0.009, left side: p < 0.001) but greater ramus height (p = 0.001) and mandibular cortical width (p = 0.032). Age, gender, SSRI use each significantly impacted KI. Only SSRI use significantly impacted condylar pathology, ramus height and MCW. KI category (OR = 1.3) was the best panoramic predictor of SSRI use. Conversely, KI category C3 was significantly predicted by SSRI use (OR = 31.2, p = 0.002), female gender (17.5, p = 0.006), and severe antegonial notching (OR = 1289, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS:: SRRI use was significantly associated with worse panoramic morphometric indices: KI, condylar pathology, ramus height, and MCW, where KI was its strongest predictor. Worse KI was independently predicted by SSRI use.