Association between the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphisms and risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Serbian children.

SUMMARY: Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) regulates the metabolism of folate and methionine, essential components of DNA synthesis and methylation. Polymorphisms in the MTHFR gene have been associated with susceptibility to some types of cancer. We investigated a possible association of MTHFR polymorphisms (677C>T and 1298A>C) and increased risk for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 78 affected children. The frequencies of both MTHFR 677 genotypes and alleles were significantly different between patients and controls. A significant association between CT/TT individuals and reduced risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia was found. The odds ratios were 0.53 (95% confidence interval, 032-0.89) and 0.30 (95% confidence interval, 0.12-0.81). Polymorphism 1298 did not show statistical difference between patients and controls.

[Hard dental tissue minimal-invasive preparation using contemporary polymer rotating instruments and laser].

Goal of contemporary dentistry is to decrease the patient's discomfort during treatment. Dentists aim to achieve maximum with the newly developed dental materials as well as with new cavity preparation techniques in the shortest time span. Since the development of the first constructed borer (drilling machine) for caries removal, the preparation techniques have considerably changed. The progress of dental materials as well as the cavity preparation techniques has led us to contemporary carbide tungsten and diamond borers that are used with obligatory water cooling. The innovation within this field represents newly developed polymer borers that can detect the difference between carious lesions and healthy tooth structure. In this way the cavity preparation may be performed without damaging dental healthy tissue. This is possible owing to their hardness which is lower than the hardness of intact dentin. Polymer borer preparation is painless with less vibration, while the increase in temperature is negligible. Lasers have been used in clinical dentistry since 1980s so it can be said that they represent a new technology. The function of lasers is based on ablation which requires water. Erbium lasers have shown the highest potential with their ability to produce effective ablation of hard dental tissues. Laser application in dentistry requires special training as well as some protective measures. Laser advantages, compared to traditional preparation techniques, involve the absence of vibration, painless preparation, possibility of preparation without anesthetic and easier patient's adjustment to dental intervention which is of importance, especially in pediatric dentistry.

[Oral health in children with cerebral palsy]. / Stanje oralnog zdravlja kod dece obolene od cerebralne paralize.

Cerebral palsy is one of the commonest children's physical handicaps with frequency of 1.5-3/1000. Beside many other disturbances, these children may have serious disorders caused by dental diseases. Concerning this fact, the objective of our study was to examine children with cerebral palsy in our contry and determine condition of dental health and suggest adequate protective measures. A total of 116 children, 3-18 years old, with cerebral palsy were examined and the results were compared to the control group of healthy children of the same age. Among healthy children, 7-10 years old, 66.3% had healthy parodontium, while none of children with cerebral palsy had healthy parodontium. Children, 11-14 years old with cerebral palsy had higher percentage of untreated caries, but lower percentage of filled teeth (18.7%) compared to healthy children (55.0%). Children, 15-18 years old with cerebral palsy had significantly higher percentage of extracted teeth (10.6%) than healthy children (4.1%) and more often orthodontic anomalies (70.6%), compared to healthy children (46.9%). Results of these study indicate that children with cerebral palsy need special and planned dental care.