Lead levels in deciduous teeth of children from selected urban areas in the Cape Peninsula

The lead levels in shed deciduous teeth of children from two selected urban regions in the Cape Peninsula were compared. The average levels in the teeth of children living in the vicinity of two large industrial plants were: whole teeth 20,419 ppm, enamel 10,952 ppm, and dentine 22,733 ppm. The lead levels in teeth from children living in the vicinity of light industries were: whole teeth 16,556 ppm, enamel 2,919 ppm, and dentine 19,926 pp·m. These differences were significant at the 1% level (teeth and enamel) and 5% level (dentine)

A qualitative and comparative study of elements in teeth by neutron activation and high resolution gamma spectrometry

KI

The areca nut chewing habit and oral squamous cell carcinoma in South African Indians

A retrospective study (1983 - 1989) of oral squamous carcinomas and concomitant oral habits was undertaken in South African Indians from Natal. Information came from hospital records and interviews with patients, famlilies and friends. There were 143 oral squamous carcinomas; these occurred in a ratio of 1:1,6 for men and women respectively. Squamous carcinomas of the cheek (buccal mucosa, alveolar sulcus and gingiva) occurred most frequently, especially in women (57/89 - 64%), while in men tongue cancer predominated (22/54 - 41-%). Ninety-three per cent of women (83/87) and 17% of men (9/54) habitually chewed the areca nut. Thirty-nine of 57 women (68%) with cheek cancer and 21/25 (84%) with tongue cancer only chewed the nut (no tobacco, snuff or smoking). Analyses confinned an association between nut chewing and cheek cancer. The odds ratio (OR) for oral cancer in women 25 years and older who only chewed the nut was 43,9 and the attributable risk (AR) 0,89 (89%). With tobacco the OR increases to 47,42 and the AR to 0,91 (91%). The data showed that the areca nut habit with or without tobacco use is important in the development of oral squamous carcinoma. Elimination of this habit can reduce the risk in these women substantially (89 - 91%) if all other factors remain the same

Potential Phytopharmacy and Food Applications of Capsicum spp.: A Comprehensive Review

Capsicum genus (Solanaceae) is native to the Americas. Today, it is an important agricultural crop cultivated around the world, not only due to its economic importance, but also for the nutritional value of the fruits. Among their phytochemical constituents, capsaicinoids are characteristic and responsible of the pungency of sharp-tasting cultivars. Moreover, Capsicum and capsaicinoids (mainly, capsaicin) have been largely studied because of their health benefits. Thus, this study reviews the scientific knowledge about Capsicum spp. and their phytochemicals against cancer, diabetes, gastrointestinal diseases, pain, and metabolic syndrome, as well as their antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. These bioactivities can be the basis of the formulation of functional ingredients and natural preservatives containing Capsicum extracts or isolated compounds

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Fluoriednavorsing

LetterThe original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.za[No abstract available]Publisher’s versio

Lead levels in deciduous teeth of children from selected urban areas in the Cape Peninsula

ArticleThe original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.zaThe lead levels in shed deciduous teeth of children from two selected urban regions in the Cape Peninsula were compared. The average levels in the teeth of children living in the vicinity of two large industrial plants were: whole teeth 20,419 ppm, enamel 10,952 ppm, and dentine 22,733 ppm. The lead levels in teeth from children living in the vicinity of light industries were: whole teeth 16,556 ppm, enamel 2,919 ppm, and dentine 19,926 ppm. These differences were significant at the 1% level (teeth and enamel) and 5% level (dentine).Publisher’s versio

Advancements at the Faculty of Dentistry, now the School for Oral Health Science--an overview [Navorsing in die Fakulteit Tandheelkunde, nou Skool vir Mondheelkunde--'n oorsig.]

The aim of this communication is to give an overview of the contributions made by the faculty of Dentistry, now School of Oral Health Science, at scientific meetings of the SA Division of the IADR since 1970, the year that research started in the faculty. With the increase of staff from 1970 research started in the faculty. With the increase of staff from 1970 research papers increased in leaps and bounds. In 1970 one paper was presented in 1978 there were 15 and in 1980, 27. The abstracts of 423 presentations have been published in the Journal of Dental Research - 17% of all the abstracts of all the papers read at IADR meetings. The majority of papers from this faculty concerned pathological conditions of the mouth (77 or 18.2%), followed by community-oriented research (8.3%), fluoride (8%), and microbiology and orthodontics (7.8% respectively). Also prominent were papers on röntgenology, oral biology, pharmacology, periodontics, prosthetics, forensic dentistry, oral surgery and research on lead uptake. Epidemiology featured in 19.9% of the research papers. Of note are the number of doctorates awarded: 20 PhDs, 4 senior doctorates (DSc), 1 DEd, DSc from the University of Pretoria and an Honorary Doctorate also from Pretoria.Articl

A novel way to identify a cobra bite [7]

LetterThe original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.za[No abstract available]Publisher’s versio