INTRODUCTION: General dentists are often reluctant to perform interceptive orthodontic treatment (IOT) in their practices. As IOT can be of great benefit to some patients, the study aimed to explore the factors that influence the implementation of such treatment. METHODOLOGY: A sample of 24 general dental practitioners was selected. One-on-one interviews, guided by two questionnaires, were conducted with each of the participants at either their place of work or in a public location. They answered structured questions regarding the treatment plans for five paper patient scenarios to test their knowledge on interceptive orthodontics (IO). The knowledge scores were assessed according to whether the participants were in private or public practice and on a socioeconomic scale according to where they practiced. A second questionnaire focused on the patient confidence levels with respect to performing IOT as well as other practical issues that have a bearing on IOT. RESULTS: All the participants in the study achieved a knowledge score over 70% with no statistically significant differences found between the private and public sectors. However, when compared according to the different socioeconomic areas, the practitioners from the middle-income socioeconomic area displayed a lower knowledge score that was statistically significant (p=0.029). This group also performed significantly (p=0.001) poorer than the other groups when "treating" Case 1. Seventy-five percent of the participants were very confident regarding their IO diagnosis and treatment planning. However, this confidence was tempered by their confidence (42%) in their undergraduate orthodontic programme. All the participants acknowledged the importance of timeous IOT, yet only 79% stated that they would have treated the "patients" in their own practices. Factors affecting the non-delivery of IOT in practice showed that 50% of the dentists expressed no interest in orthodontics, 54% mentioned medical aid remuneration as a negative factor and 58% did not have the practice infrastructure to be able to perform IOT. CONCLUSION: The lack of interest compounded by the practical challenges of finances, practice infrastructure and lack of patient motivation and compliance are the real issues, with patients often being considered for treatment when it is too late for IOT. Factors influencing dental practitioners' decision to perform interceptive orthodontic treatment in public and private practice settings in the Tshwane metropole, South Africa.

INTRODUCTION: Reciprocal associations have been found to exist between various dental anomalies.1-14 Maxillary canine ectopia may, however, occur in dentitions without any anomalies AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to establish the prevalence of dental anomalies in a sample of panoramic radiographs. The objective was to establish whether associations exist between canine ectopia and the presence of one or more of a range of selected developmental dental anomalies. A cross-sectional study was carried out on 574 mixed dentition panoramic radiographs in patients with a dental age ranging from 8 to 12 years RESULTS: Signs of potentially ectopic maxillary canines were evident in 85% of the radiographs and of these, 80.7% showed no evidence of the selected dental anomalies which were studied. The most prevalent association of potential canine ectopia and the anomalies studied was found with supernumerary teeth (6.5%), followed by infraocclusion of primary molars (4.5%). Peg-shaped lateral incisors showed a statistically significant association (p=0.043) with mesial overlap of the cusp tip of the maxillary canine and the root of the lateral incisor. Taurodontism was significantly associated with increased angulation of the developing canine (p=0.0049) and dilaceration showed a statistically significant association (p=0.03) with non- resorption of canines CONCLUSION: In cases where dental anomalies are present, the developing canines should be carefully monitored both clinically and radiographically

Maxillary canine ectopia is an anomaly of the mixed dentition which can and should be diagnosed early and treated interceptively wherever possible. Various radiographic markers have been associated with canine ectopia, and these are significant aids to a thorough clinical examination, in order to diagnose ectopia. METHODOLOGY: A cross sectional study was carried out on a sample of 465 mixed dentition panoramic radiographs in order to establish the prevalence of maxillary canine ectopia according to a set of radiographic markers. The sample of radiographs included patients with dental ages between 10 and 12 years of age RESULTS: 404 radiographs displayed signs of canine ectopia according to the markers studied. Non- resorption of the root of the primary canine was the most common marker (63%) found. This was followed by overlap in 25.2% of cases, whilst increased angulation of the developing canine was the least prevalent (4.7%). Non-resorption showed a statistically significant association with distal overlap and overlap over the pulp chamber. Increased angulation was significantly associated with non-resorption in all degrees of overlap. Unilateral increased size of the mandibular canine showed a significant association with cases displaying a mesial overlap (p= 0.027 CONCLUSION: Dental age is an important aspect of predicting canine ectopia. Non-resorption of the roots of the primary canine must be viewed with caution at the dental age of 10 years. Enlargement of the mandibular canine maybe viewed as a potential early warning sign for maxillary canine ectopia

INTRODUCTION: Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and associated travel restrictions, the physical presence of international external examiners was a challenge when assessing the exit level outcomes of the MSc (Dent) in Paediatric Dentistry at the University of the Western Cape External moderation of final examinations ensure an acceptable standard, coverage of content as specified by the programme outcomes and eliminates bias during assessment. Internationalization of the moderation and examination process allows countries to compare and maintain international standards and graduate attributes expected for professional qualifications.Qualifications requiring assessment of skills often rely on Objective Structured Clinical Examinations, Objective Structured Practical Examinations and simulated cases in combination with an oral examination, which requires the presence of all examiners to assess the student. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This paper describes how the final examination in this MSc (Dent) degree was adapted and conducted in order to overcome the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, to maintain the academic integrity and rigour of the programme. Design and Methods: A narrative essay-style approach was adopted, which reflects on the challenges and opportunities created by Covid-19. CONCLUSION: The adapted assessment method proved to be an effective alternative to the more traditional assessment approaches employed pre-Covid.

Abstract In this paper, a configuration of a passive Q-switched Erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL) using a Lutetium Oxide (Lu2O3) thin film as a saturable absorber (SA) is experimentally implemented to generate high pulse energy with a high signal to noise ratio. A stable Q-switched pulse train is initiated at the input pump power of 30.442mW, and a maximum pulse energy of 16.11 nJ is obtained at an output power of 0.97 mW, which confirms the stability of the pulses. It was possible to increase the repetition rate of the Q-switched laser from 31.25 to 60.2 kHz as the pump power was raised from 30.442 mW to 71.652 mW. Moreover, the pulse width decreased from 11.4 µs to 4.27 µs and 66.4 dB of the received signal-to-noise ratio at the radio frequency spectrum was achieved.

BACKGROUND. Continuous intravenous infusion (CII) of insulin is the preferred method of treating diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) worldwide, especially in patients with severe DKA. There is limited evidence evaluating low-dose bolus intravenous (IV) insulin management of DKA out of the intensive care unit (ICU). OBJECTIVES. To conduct an audit of patients admitted with DKA, who were managed with bolus IV insulin at the medical acute-care unit (MACU), Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH), Johannesburg, South Africa, over a 4-month period to evaluate whether this is an effective treatment modality, as well as assess patient, disease and management characteristics related to the admissions. Methods. A prospective cross-sectional cohort study was done, interviewing 69 DKA patients from 1 September to 31 December 2017, and collecting relevant biochemical results from their hospital records. The current management protocol at CHBAH was observed, i.e. insulin therapy administered hourly as 10 IU IV insulin. The time to resolution of DKA, complications and deaths were recorded. RESULTS. Our cohort was predominantly male (60.56%), with an average age of 36 years. All patients were successfully treated with bolus IV insulin, with an average time to resolution of 21 hours. DKA was categorised as mild (19.72%), moderate (50.7%) and severe (29.58). Most patients presented with raised inflammatory markers (64.79%) and some degree of renal impairment (>60%). Complications occurred in 9 patients (12.68%); 7 of these were related to factors precipitating the DKA admission. No deaths occurred. The only factor predicting a longer time to resolution was severity, with an odds ratio of 4.89 (confidence interval 1.04 - 22.84; p=0.044). CONCLUSIONS. Outcomes are favourable, with bolus IV insulin being used as the treatment modality in patients with mild, moderate and severe DKA at CHBAH. Further studies are needed to corroborate these results in other centres.

RESUMO: Neste estudo, a micropropagação de Impatiens balsamina foi estabelecida a partir de explantes de caule e parte aérea. Os efeitos do GA3 e da glutationa na morfogênese dessa espécie também foram investigados, de modo a induzir o florescimento in vitro. Verificou-se que a melhor regeneração in vitro de plantas foi obtida em meio MS adicionado com 1,0 mg L-1 de GA3, e o florescimento in vitro também foi obtido a partir do mesmo meio após quatro semanas de cultura. Para entender o comportamento das células durante o florescimento in vitro, o Índice Mitótico (MI), a contagem de cromossomos, a medição da área média de célula e núcleo, as medições de DNA e os níveis de ploidia foram analisados a partir de plantas in vivo, plantas cultivadas in vitro e plântulas que floresceram in vitro. A contagem cromossômica foi a mesma para todos: 2x=2n=14 ou n=7. No entanto, observou-se que as plantas de Impatiens balsamina com florescimento in vitro apresentaram a maior porcentagem de células poliploides (30,7%), com base em um histograma executado pelo software AxioVision 4.7. Verificou-se que os reguladores de crescimento das plantas, especialmente o GA3, aumentaram o nível de poliploidia das células de raiz meristemáticas.

ABSTRACT: In this study, the micropropagation of Impatiens balsamina was established from stem and shoot explants. The effects of GA3 and glutathione on the morphogenesis of this species were also investigated, in order to induce in vitro flowering. It was found that the optimum in vitro plant regeneration was achieved on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg L-1 GA3 and in vitro flowering was also obtained from the same medium after 4 weeks of culture. To understand cellular behavior during in vitro flowering, Mitotic Index (MI), chromosome counts, measurement of mean cell and nuclear areas, DNA measurements and ploidy levels were analyzed from in vivo plants, in vitro grown plants and plantlets that flowered in vitro. The chromosome count was the same for all, 2x=2n=14 or n=7. However, it was observed that in vitro flowering plants of Impatiens balsamina had the highest percentage of polyploid cells (30.7%), based on a histogram plotted by the AxioVision 4.7 software. It was found that plant growth regulators, especially GA3, increased the polyploidy level of the meristematic root cells.

PURPOSE: The fibre-reinforced composite space maintainer (FRCSM) has been suggested as an alternative to the band-and-loop space maintainer (BLSM). The aim of this in-vivo study was to evaluate the clinical performance and the reasons for failure of the two types of fixed space maintainers over a six-month period. METHODS: Twenty patients, ranging from 4-9 years old, were selected for this study. They were randomly divided into two groups (n=10) according to the type of space maintainer that was placed. The patients were recalled on a monthly basis for clinical evaluation over a period of six months. The two-sample t-test and the non-parametric Wilcoxon rank sum test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Both groups of space maintainers had a 50% failure rate. The main reason for BLSM failure was bending of the wire with impingement on the soft tissue. The FRCSM failed due to debonding and fracture of the fibre loop. There was no statistically significant difference between the failure rates (P=0.53) CONCLUSION: The clinical performances of both space maintainers were disappointing. Only 50% of fixed space maintainers were still clinically acceptable according to the strict evaluation criteria used. Further research is recommended on the loop-design FRCSM.

INTRODUCTION: Dental age is an indicator of the physiological maturity of growing children. Different methods for estimating the dental age in contrast to the chronological age have been proposed. Aims and objectives. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the accuracy of the Phillips and the Proffit methods in estimating the dental age in a mixed sample of South African children. METHODS: A random selection was completed of 100 panoramic radiographs of patients with known chronological ages, ranging between 6 and 11 years. Dental age for each radiograph was estimated using both the Phillips and the Proffit methods. RESULTS: The Phillips method underestimated the age of combined sample by four months (statistically significant ρ =0.03), whilst the age of the boys sample was underestimated by six months (statistically significant ρ <0.0001). For the girls' sample, the Proffit method underestimated the age by only two days (not statistically significant ρ =0.97). Proffit's method underestimated the age of the boys by two months (not statistically significant (p= 0.15). CONCLUSION: Even though it has not previously been validated, Proffit's description of dental development has been shown to be accurate in estimating the dental age.

RESUMO: Um protocolo eficiente para a floração in vitro foi estabelecido com sucesso para Impatiens balsamina cv. Dwarf Bush, uma planta medicinal importante, através de técnicas de cultura de tecidos. Foram utilizados explantes com broto, talo e pecíolo, extraídos de mudas assépticas com quatro semanas de vida, cultivadas em meio MS, suplementadas com diferentes concentrações de reguladores de crescimento de plantas (RCP), para indução de floração in vitro. O tratamento com ácido giberélico (GA3), benzilaminopurina (BAP) e cinetina (Kin), aplicado isoladamente em meio MS (pH 5,8), conseguiu estimular a floração a 23-26 oC, com fotoperíodo de 16 horas com luz e 8 horas sem. Observou-se que os explantes de broto eram mais responsivos que os explantes de talo na formação floral. A regeneração foi obtida via organogênese direta. Para explantes de broto, o tratamento que induziu a maior taxa de floração in vitro (7,30 ± 0,16 flores por plântula) foi o de 1,0 mg L-1 GA3. Análises ultraestruturais e histológicas de flores in vivo e in vitro foram realizadas para detectar qualquer variação somaclonal. Esta pesquisa descreveu um protocolo simples para a rápida floração in vitro, que será muito benéfico para futuras pesquisas em genética, citologia e biologia molecular.

ABSTRACT: An efficient protocol for in vitro flowering was successfully established for Impatiens balsamina cv Dwarf Bush, an important medicinal plant, through tissue culture techniques. Shoot, stem and petiole explants obtained from 4 week-old aseptic seedlings cultured on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of plant growth regulator (PGR) were used for in vitro flower induction. Gibberellic acid (GA3), benzylaminopurine (BAP) and kinetin (Kin) treatment singly applied in MS media (pH 5.8), could all stimulate flowering at 23-26 oC with photoperiod of 16 hours light and 8 hours dark. It was observed that shoot explants were more responsive than stem explants in floral formation. Regeneration was achieved via direct organogenesis. For shoot explants, the treatment that induced the highest rate of in vitro flowering (7.30 ± 0.16 flowers per plantlet) was 1.0 mg L-1 GA3. Ultrastructural and histological analysis of in vivo and in vitro flowers were done to discover any somaclonal variation. This research described a simple protocol for rapid in vitro flowering that will be very beneficial for further breeding, cytological and molecular biology research.

Forensically, a bite mark on human skin is reliant on the matching of the alignment and position of the dentition of the perpetrator with the bruise pattern inflicted by the bite. If there is more than one suspect, the bite pattern of each suspect needs to be analysed. At least hypothetically, a bite delivered by a person who has had orthodontic treatment will result in a bruise pattern of an ideal arrangement of the teeth. If there are two suspects, both of whom have had orthodontic treatment, could that "ideal" alignment compromise identification of the perpetrator of the bite mark? AIM: To determine the accuracy of an ideal bite pattern and whether an exact match could be obtained when comparing acetate overlays with bite patterns registered in wax of treated orthodontic cases. METHOD: The biting patterns of upper and lower teeth of each of the study models were recorded in grey bite registration wax (Alminax®). Two examiners viewed the bite mark patterns and correlated them with the study models. RESULT: In some cases an exact match between the teeth of the plaster model and the bite mark was not possible.

It is expected that most mouth guards will provide some level of protection to teeth. In this study a device was developed to measure the relative impact absorption of two different mouth guards (Proform, Type III vacuum-formed and Max, Type IV pressure laminate). Seven of each of the two types of mouth guards were made and each batch was exposed to between six and 10 impact trials. RESULTS: The variations in shock absorption between the batches per mouth guard were found to be not statistically significant on a 1% significance level (two-way ANOVA and the Tukey multiple comparison test). Furthermore, impact absorption on the control where no mouth guard was in place, was more than four times lower. The Max mouth guard was found to be superior with a shock absorption value of 88%. It is advised that a mouth guard should always be used in all contact sports. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study shows that the two tested mouth guards (Max and Proform) have the ability to significantly reduce the force of an impact on teeth.

RESUMO O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a genotoxicidade do Dipterygium glaucum que se desenvolve amplamente no deserto da Arábia Saudita produzindo produtos de ação protetora à base de plantas. Este trabalho é uma pesquisa pioneira no assunto devido à falta de pesquisas sobre espécies de plantas e à sua mutagenicidade, genotoxicidade e efeitos citogenética. Efeitos citogenéticos de D. glaucum sobre estudos mitóticos em raízes de Vicia faba mostrou redução na atividade mitótica usando três extratos; água, etanol e acetato de etila. Anormalidades em cromossomos foram evidenciadas, as quais incluem a aderência de cromossomos, ponte cromatinicas, fragmentos de cromossomos e micronúcleos. Bandas de proteínas e análises de RAPD em V. faba tratadas com três extratos de D. glaucum revelaram algumas proteínas induzidas, fragmentos de DNA e outros não identificados. A composição e avaliação química de determinadas espécies de plantas devem ser identificadas visualizando as suas atividades biológicas contra células de câncer humanas e animais, e linhagem celular de células HeLa. Assim, estamos desenvolvendo o uso de testes de genotoxicidade adicionais e outros testes de toxicidade sobre a cultura animal com diferentes concentrações e também utilizando vários genes de plantas resistentes ao calor para desenvolver e melhorar outras plantas cultivadas em vez de usar espécies como fármacos via oral.

ABSTRACT The aim of the present study is to assess the genotoxicity of Dipterygium glaucum grows widely in Saudi Arabia desert to produce safety herbal products. This work is considered the first and pioneer report so far due to the lack and poor evaluated reports of the plant species for their mutagensity, genotoxicity and cytogenetics effects. Cytogenetic effects of D. glaucum on mitotic in roots of Vicia faba showed reduction in mitotic activity using three extracts; water, ethanol and ethyl acetate. Chromosomal abnormalities were recorded that included stickiness of chromosomes, chromatin bridge, fragments, lagging chromosome and micronuclei. Protein bands and RAPD analyses of V. faba treated with three D. glaucum extracts revealed some newly induced proteins and DNA fragments and other disappeared. Chemical constitution of the plant species should be identified with their biological activities against human and animal cells like HeLa cancer cell line. We are recommending using additional genotoxicity tests and other toxicity tests on animal culture with different concentrations and also utilizing several drought and heat tolerant genes of the plant species in gene cloning to develop and improve other economical crop plants instead of using the species as oral herbal remedy