Bantu Patients Research Articles

Determination of the Root Canal Length of Teeth of Bantu Patients Attending the Teaching Hospital of Kinshasa University

Background: There is paucity of literature on the determination of the root canal length of Bantu subjects in dental professional practicing in Africa and Democratic Republic of Congo in particular. Aims: The aim of the present study was to determine the root canal length of teeth of Bantu patients extracts attending the Teaching Hospital of Kinshasa University. Methods and Material: Prospective cross-sectional study was carried out in the service of Conservative Dentistry. The patients suffering with pulpitis of permanent teeth which were selected for root canal treatment during the period of January 2014 to December 2016 were included. All patients whose main root canals were inaccessible, teeth carrying prosthesis, teeth with large coronal decay, teeth having periapical periodontitis, supernumerary teeth, wisdom and primary teeth were excluded. Results: The upper canines presented some significant longer canals compared to the lower canine (23.4 ± 2.3 mm and 21.6 ± 1.8 mm). Palatal canals of the first and second molar were respectively longer as compared to the superior teeth canals (21.5 ± 1 mm, 21.3 ± 2 mm). The distal canals of the first and second molar were the longest in the mandibular arch respectively measuring 20.7 ± 2.0 mm and 21.5 ± 1.7 mm. Conclusion: Data obtained from Bantu patients show slightly shorter roots compared to some European populations, but longer than some Asian populations.

Distribution of Orofacial Clefts and Frequent Occurrence of an Unusual Cleft Variant in the Rift Valley of Kenya

To investigate the pattern and distribution of nonsyndromic orofacial clefts among patients in the Rift Valley region of northwestern Kenya. Subjects were categorized anatomically for occurrence of an atypical cleft lip variant (ACL), typical cleft lip (CL), cleft lip and palate (CLP), or cleft palate (CP), and family history of orofacial clefts. Tribal ethnicity data were obtained from both cleft and noncleft clinic attendees. There were 194 patients with CL (52.7%), 153 with CLP (41.6%), and 21 with CP (5.7%). CL constitutes a greater fraction of orofacial clefts in the Rift Valley region than reported elsewhere in Africa, principally due to frequent occurrence of ACL (52.5% of all CL). Among noncleft clinic attendees there was a lower fraction of Bantu and larger fraction of Nilotic-Paranilotic tribal ethnicity than in Kenya overall. In contrast, among patients with orofacial clefts there was significant underrepresentation of Bantu and overrepresentation of Nilotic-Paranilotic tribes, particularly Kalenjin. Patients of Kalenjin origin had a much higher rate of positive family history of orofacial clefts than Bantu patients. There is an unusual anatomic distribution of orofacial clefts in the Kenya Rift Valley, with frequent occurrence of an atypical CL variant. Our findings indicate that Bantu tribes have lower risk of orofacial clefts than Nilotic-Paranilotic tribes, possibly due to inherited genetic differences, perhaps accounting for the relatively low prevalence of orofacial clefts through much of Africa.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Saudi Arabia: Evaluation of Prognostic Factors

ABSTRACT The medical records and pathologic materials of 41 Saudi patients (22 males and 19 females) with confirmed diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma were reviewed retrospectively. None of the ...

PRIMARY CARCINOMA OF THE LIVER

Liver biopsies from 27 Bantu patients with primary carcinoma of the liver from Malawi were examined histologically. All the biopsies showed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Structurally the tumours consisted of trabeculae or groups of such, separated by a variable amount of connective tissue which in a few cases was so pronounced that the tumour had a scirrhous character. Evaluation of the grade of differentiation showed 3 cases to be of grade I, 10 of grade II, 5 of grade III, and 8 of grade IV. The grade could bary in tumour tissue from the same patient, but never extremely so. The histological structure did not differ significantly from that found in other African and Caucasian series. The reticulin structure of tumour tissue was found distinctly different from that of benign tissue and thus an important tool in the differential diagnosis between HCC grade I and normal or cirrhotic liver tissue. Out of 15 patients 12 had cirrhosis which was of the postnecrotic type.

Hepatitis-B surface antigen and antibody in Bantu patients with primary hepatocellular cancer.

Hepatitis-B surface antigen (HBsAg) was found in the serum of 58 of 158 (36-4%) southern African Bantu patients with primary hepatocellular cancer by counter immunoelectrophoresis and in 94 (59-5%) by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The prevalence of this antigen in the general Bantu population using these methods was 7% and 9% respectively. Antibody against HBsAg was detected in 11-6% of the patients by passive haemagglutination (PH) and 13-4% by RIA, and in 33-4% (by PH) of a control population. Antibody sub-types were predominantly "adw" (69-2%) with a lesser frequency of "ayw" (23%), while 7-8% were indeterminate. The corresponding figures in the controls were 80-4, 8-4 and 11-2%. HBsAg was more common in younger patients. No relationship could be demonstrated between hepatitis-B antigenaemia and the presence of alpha-foetoprotein in high concentration, although there were far fewer patients in the alpha-foetoprotein-negative group.

Therapeutic approaches to hepatoma

<h2>Summary</h2> Primary liver cancer is seldom resectable, and is not radiosensitive. Clinical control must be sought by means of chemotherapy. 5-Fluorouracil intravenously has been generally accepted for the treatment of primary liver cancer, and although remission has been reported in patients treated in the United States and Europe, this has not been observed in Bantu patients treated in South Africa. Recent advances in chemotherapy make it probable that cytostatic treatment of value will be forthcoming during the next years.

Audiometric Weber and Rinne test as compared pure-tone thresholds

Results of the audiometric Weber and Rinne tests were compared to pure tone thresholds in 185 Bantu patients. The frequency of 1000 Hz was selected as being most suitable for Weber and Rinne testing. The Weber was found to be of limited diagnostic value even with unilateral conductive losses whilst the Rinne displays a fair degree of efficiency and is of value as a routine supplement to audiometric threshold tests.

Hepatitis-B antigen and cirrhosis in Bantu patients with primary liver cancer.

Hepatitis-B antigen (HBAg) was found in the serum of 30 of 75 (40%) Bantu patients with primary liver cancer (PLC), but in only 7% of 18,377 apparently healthy rural Bantu, confirming an association between this tumor and persistence of the hepatitis-B virus. No relationship could be demonstrated between hepatitis-B antigenemia and alpha-fetoprotein, which was present in 77% of the patients. HBAg was not more common in the younger patients. In 60% of the patients, PLC coexisted with „posthepatitic” or postnecrotic cirrhosis. HBAg was found in 45.6% of the patients with cirrhosis, but also in 31% of those without, an insignificant difference. Our findings may be interpreted as meaning that persistence of the hepatitis-B virus is the cause or result of PLC, or that some immunologic defect is responsible for both. If the former, the virus must be directly oncogenic, in addition to having the potential to induce neoplasia indirectly via chronic parenchymal liver disease.

Serum alpha-feto-protein. VII. The range of apparent serum values in normal people, pregnant women, and primary liver cancer high risk populations.

A radioimmunoassay for alpha-feto-protein (AFP) has been used to compare the distribution of AFP levels in adults and children from areas of southern Africa who have increased susceptibility to primary liver cancer (PLC) and non-susceptible children of other races from the same areas. The serum AFP values in pregnant women, ill Bantu patients, proven PLC cases who were AFP-negative on immunodiffusion, and patients with hepatitis have been determined. People from PLC high-risk areas appear to have raised AFP levels more often than in other populations. There is a complete overlap between normal levels and levels in hepatitis and PLC. The dynamics of the AFP response assists in distinguishing hepatitis from PLC. The AFP in maternal serum shows fluctuations, a fall before delivery, and a spike of AFP on disruption of the placenta.

Ultrastructure of the liver in Bantu patients with pneumonia and jaundice.

The Journal of PathologyVolume 106, Issue 2 p. 113-117 Article Ultrastructure of the liver in Bantu patients with pneumonia and jaundice J. J. Theron, J. J. Theron National Institute for Nutritional Diseases, Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South AfricaSearch for more papers by this authorW. J. Pepler, W. J. Pepler National Institute for Nutritional Diseases, Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South AfricaSearch for more papers by this authorR. C. P. M. Mekel, R. C. P. M. Mekel National Institute for Nutritional Diseases, Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South AfricaSearch for more papers by this author J. J. Theron, J. J. Theron National Institute for Nutritional Diseases, Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South AfricaSearch for more papers by this authorW. J. Pepler, W. J. Pepler National Institute for Nutritional Diseases, Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South AfricaSearch for more papers by this authorR. C. P. M. Mekel, R. C. P. M. Mekel National Institute for Nutritional Diseases, Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South AfricaSearch for more papers by this author First published: February 1972 https://doi.org/10.1002/path.1711060207Citations: 6AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Citing Literature Volume106, Issue2February 1972Pages 113-117 RelatedInformation

Ultrastructural Changes in Patients With Heat Stroke

The effects of heat stroke on hepatic structure were studied in 32 Bantu patients who worked underground in the Transvaal and Orange Free State Gold Mines.Judging from biochemical and morphologic findings, liver damage is an invariable complication of heat stroke. In the milder cases (90 per cent) raised enzyme levels, bromsulphalein retention, and increased prothrombin times were the most common abnormalities.

Idiopathic mitral subannular left ventricular aneurysm in the Bantu

Seven cases of idiopathic mitral subannular left ventricular aneurysm in Bantu patients are reported. The symptoms, physical signs, electrocardiographic and radiologic changes, together with the findings at catheterization, angiography, and surgery are presented. The problems in diagnosis, hemodynamic abnormalities, etiology, and surgical treatment are briefly discussed.

Subvalvular and apical left ventricular aneurysms in the Bantu as a source of systemic emboli.

Systemic emboli originating from apical and subvalvular left ventricular aneurysms are described in two Bantu patients. The infrequency of embolism from these aneurysms is probably related to the fact that such aneurysms usually have small ostia. The pertinent literature is reviewed and the similarity between these aneurysms, congenital epicardial cysts, and fibrous diverticula is discussed. It is postulated that these conditions share a common etiology, namely, a congenital weakness in the left ventricular wall in the form of a persistent primitive endothelial-lined channel. The high pressure in the left ventricle converts these channels into fibrous aneurysms with ostia lined by endocardium at the two sites where the ventricular wall is thinnest, namely, the apical and subvalvular areas.

SIDEROSIS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN BANTU.

Post-mortem examinations have shown that siderosis is a common finding in adult Bantu subjects, particularly males in the fourth and fifth decades of life. The deposition of iron occurs mainly in the liver and reticulo-endothelial system. In a small proportion of cases the siderosis is of a severe degree and may be associated with portal fibrosis or cirrhosis. The present radiological investigation has shown that a marked increase in density of the liver and spleen may be observed in Bantu patients with severe siderosis. Liver biopsy studies have demonstrated that these radiological changes are undoubtedly due to the excessive iron deposits in the liver and spleen. Moreover, in a fairly large proportion of patients with radiologically demonstrable hepatic and splenic siderosis (12 out of 21 cases in the present series) evidence of osteoporosis of the spine with collapse of vertebral bodies, especially in the lumbar region, was noted. Although a definite relationship between Bantu siderosis and osteoporosis of bone with vertebral collapse is as yet unproven, it is suggested that the radiological findings in the present series of cases indicate the need for a careful re-assessment of this problem. Furthermore, the radiological observations in these patients have suggested that the 3rd and/or 4th lumbar vertebral bodies would provide the most suitable material for any pathological study which may be undertaken to investigate the possibility of a direct relationship between vertebral siderosis and osteoporosis. Alternative factors which may have been responsible for the vertebral changes are briefly discussed.

Virus-like particles in the cells of a primary carcinoma of the liver.

PRIMARY hepatocellular carcinoma of the liver (malignant hepatoma) is a tumour which is frequently encountered in the Bantu of Southern Africa. After an extensive review of the aetiology and pathology of liver cancer and cirrhosis in Africa, Steiner1 came to the conclusion that “a likely cause for African liver cancer was viral infectious hepatitis with, possibly, prior malnutrition acting as an adjuvant”. In view of the possible aetiological importance of virus infection we decided to conduct electron microscopical investigations of liver biopsies from Bantu patients with malignant hepatomas. The technique used in the preparation of biopsy material for cytological studies with the electron microscope has been described2.

Electrocardiographic changes in head injuries.

Electrocardiograms of 164 Bantu patients with head trauma were recorded and studied with reference to two control groups, 100 Bantu patients with trauma to limbs and 164 healthy Bantu subjects. The electrocardiographic abnormalities that occurred more commonly in the head injury group than in either of the control groups were an increased Q-T c interval and an increased voltage of the P wave. Both traumatic groups differed from the healthy controls in showing a higher incidence of increased QRS voltage and raised S-T segments in precordial leads, inverted T waves in precordial leads V 4 to V 6, U waves of more than 1 mm. in height, sinus arrhythmia with fixed pacemaker, and sinus arrhythmia with pacemaker wandering in the sinoatrial node. The number of electrocardiographic abnormalities increased as the level of consciousness deteriorated.

Glomerulonephritis in Africans in Uganda.

Nephritis is a common disease in the African (Gelfand, 1957) and is a common cause of death from hyper tensive heart failure. Becker (1946), from Johannes burg, found that out of a total of 3,000 necropsies hypertensive heart failure was present in 247 cases and that 85 of these were due to glomerulonephritis, the great majority being in the chronic phase of the disease. Uys (1954), again from necropsy studies, found glomerulonephritis to be the commonest cause of secondary hypertension. In Uganda, Davies (1949) found some form of nephritis to be present in 301 out of 2,994 necropsies, and, in these, congestive heart failure was the commonest single mode of death. Raper (1953), however, reporting on nephritis and allied lesions in Central Africans, found only 23 cases of nephritis among 92 necropsies in which advanced renal disease had been present. No comprehensive clinical studies of glomerulo nephritis have been made on the African native in his home environment, the only recorded study being an analysis by Furman (1955) from Johannesburg of the case-records of European and Bantu patients suffering from nephritis. The present study was therefore made in order to learn more of the clinical features, the biochemical and histological findings, and, if possible, the course of glomerulonephritis in the Bantu.

Coronary heart disease in the South African Bantu ∗

The results are reported of a clinicopathologic investigation into three problems of cardiac disease in the South African Bantu: (1) the incidence of coronary atherosclerosis in the Bantu; (2) the effect of any such coronary atherosclerosis on the myocardium of the Bantu; (3) the problem of the large number of Bantu patients with cardiac disease reported as suffering from clinically unidentified heart disease, i.e., the so-called “cryptogenic” group of cardiac patients. The material consisted of 206 consecutive cardiac patients admitted to the Edendale Hospital medical wards over a six-month period, and of 513 necropsies specially investigated of a total of 1,048 autopsies performed at Edendale Hospital from June 1957 to June 1958. The postmortem material showed that coronary atherosclerosis does occur in the Bantu and is sometimes found in severe degree. The clinical findings were in agreement, e.g., the presence of myocardial ischemia in the cardiac patients was shown by the finding that angina pectoris was a not uncommon presenting symptom. In the postmortem and clinical series the incidence of proved frank myocardial infarction in the Bantu was about 1.4 per cent, an incidence higher than that reported by other workers but much lower than that in European patients. Histopathological examination of the autopsied hearts showed patchy fibrosis was a common finding in the myocardium of the Bantu dying of heart discase. There was a close relationship between the incidence and severity of patchy fibrosis and coronary atherosclerosis. The hearts of Bantu patients with cardiac disease suffering from occlusive disease of the coronary arteries and/or the ostia do not commonly present with gross frank myocardial infarction but rather with minute infarcts. A suggested explanation is advanced to account for this difference between Bantu and European patients suffering from coronary heart disease. It is suggested that the so-called “cryptogenic” group of Bantu cardiac patients consists largely of undiagnosed examples of well recognized causes of heart disease, notably coronary heart disease, decompensated hypertension and pericardial disease.

A hypermelanotic rash complicating sulphone therapy

A hypermelanotic rash is described in 160 Bantu patients undergoing sulphone treatment for leprosy in the Belgian Congo. A similar rash has been observed in a patient taking sulphaguanidine, and in another taking sulphathiazol. The histology of the lesions is described, and the mechanism of their production is discussed.

An Effect of Pantothenic Acid on Serum Copper Values in Human Pellagra

In Pretoria, roughly 5 per cent of Bantu (Negro) patients seen at the Skin Out-Patients Department have clinically obvious pellagra, and 5 per cent of the Bantu cases admitted to the medical wards show the clinical consequences of malnutrition. Latent malnutrition must therefore be widespread in the apparently normal Bantu population (1).