Mutations in C4orf26, Encoding a Peptide with In Vitro Hydroxyapatite Crystal Nucleation and Growth Activity, Cause Amelogenesis Imperfecta

Autozygosity mapping and clonal sequencing of an Omani family identified mutations in the uncharacterized gene, C4orf26, as a cause of recessive hypomineralized amelogenesis imperfecta (AI), a disease in which the formation of tooth enamel fails. Screening of a panel of 57 autosomal-recessive AI-affected families identified eight further families with loss-of-function mutations in C4orf26. C4orf26 encodes a putative extracellular matrix acidic phosphoprotein expressed in the enamel organ. A mineral nucleation assay showed that the protein’s phosphorylated C terminus has the capacity to promote nucleation of hydroxyapatite, suggesting a possible function in enamel mineralization during amelogenesis

Native Arabic Language Use Acceptability and Adequacy in Health Professional Instruction: Students and Faculty’s Perspectives

Purpose: This study had three main purposes which were (a) to assess the adequacy and desirability of Arabic in health professional instruction by investigating students and teachers’ perspectives and attitudes, (b) to explore aspects of Arabic medical translations which are not meeting expectations, and lastly, (c) to examine whether the level of education is a predictor of attitude. Method: A questionnaire survey of medical and dental students at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels was carried out in 2019 at major universities in Damascus. Faculty members were also invited to participate. 346 respondents in total completed the questionnaires. Data were processed and analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. Attitude theory and Health belief model were employed to analyse and interpret the study findings. Results: Overall attitudes toward Arabic as a language of instruction were relatively negative. Students consistently exhibited a preference for English as the language of instruction. The one-way Welch’s ANOVA test found a significant difference among the main subgroups (undergraduates, postgraduates, faculty). Findings also showed that students and teachers suffer from the inadequacy of Arabic medical translations in quality and quantity. Respondents were generally dissatisfied with the proficiency of medical translators, and the majority agreed that there is a shortage of up-to-date Arabic study materials. Discussion: Students’ implicitly considered Arabic as a threat to their career advancement. Inadequacy of teaching in Arabic was more evident among postgraduates. Syrian students’ desire to join the international medical community was one of the data implications. This study shed new light on the anomalous Syrian educational system as it provided a theortical framework which could further understanding of the interaction between different concepts that affect attitudes towards the language of instruction. In terms of directions for future research, qualitative field research is recommended to give an idiographic account of students and teachers’ subjective perception of the career threats posed by using Arabic as the medium of instruction in medical education

Dietary patterns and oral health in schoolchildren from Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic ‫السورية‬ ‫العربية‬ ‫اجلمهورية‬ ‫دمشق،‬ ‫يف‬ ‫املدارس‬ ‫أطفال‬ ‫لدى‬ ‫الفم‬ ‫وصحة‬ ‫الغذائية‬ ‫األنامط‬

ABSTRACT This study investigated the association between dietary patterns and oral health in primary-school children from Damascus. A total of 504 children aged 6-12 years were enrolled and food frequency questionnaires were distributed to their guardians to evaluate food consumption. Dental health was evaluated by gingival index and presence of untreated dental caries. Consumption of food groups was lower than recommended frequencies, whereas consumption of sugars was high. High sugar consumption (OR 5.26), low consumption of dairy products (OR 2.45) and poor oral hygiene (OR 2.98) remained risk factors for dental caries in multiple regression analysis. Poor oral hygiene (OR 18.5), high consumption of sugars (OR 1.82) and low frequency of tooth brushing (OR 1.98) also remained as risk factors for gingivitis regardless of all confounders included in the analysis. Comprehensive educational programmes about dietary patterns and their relation to oral health should be provided for children and their guardians. Habitudes alimentaires et santé bucco-dentaire chez des écoliers à Damas (République arabe syrienne) RÉSUMÉ La présente étude a examiné l'association entre les habitudes alimentaires et la santé bucco-dentaire chez des écoliers du primaire à Damas. Au total, 504 enfants âgés de 6 à 12 ans ont été recrutés et des questionnaires de fréquence alimentaire ont été distribués aux personnes qui avaient la charge des enfants pour évaluer leur consommation d'aliments. La santé dentaire a été évaluée par rapport à un indice gingival et la présence de caries dentaires non soignées. La consommation des aliments des différents groupes était inférieure aux recommandations, alors que la consommation de sucre était supérieure