The effect of geochemical factors on prevalences of dental diseases for prehistoric inhabitants of the state of Missouri

In previous epidemiological studies, it has been suggested that geochemical factors besides fluoride may affect the prevalences of dental diseases. Our objective in this study was to determine whether the prevalences of periodontal diseases, coronal caries, and root caries for prehistoric inhabitants vary between geochemical regions of the state of Missouri. Burial sites were located on unique maps that depict geochemical variation among regions of the state. Data on dental caries and alveolar bone loss were gathered from 179 of the best preserved skeletal remains of the Late Woodland (A.D. 400-900) and Mississippian (A.D. 900-1700) periods. Mean caries scores and proportions of individuals with caries were calculated for these geochemical regions. Average alveolar bone loss was regressed on age for the individuals of these regions. Significant differences in caries and bone loss were found between several regions. These differences cannot be adequately explained by fluoride concentrations or by diet. It is suggested that geochemical factors, in addition to fluoride, may have affected the prevalences of dental diseases.     

Neem (Azadirachta indica) cultivated in Haiti

So that valuable products from the neem tree (Azadirachta indica) will be readily available in the future, countries in the neotropics should emulate Haiti and grow the species where it thrives even in eroded, semiarid, depauperate areas suitable for few other trees.     

Natural antimycobacterial metabolites: current status

Over the years the introduction of very effective drugs has revolutionized the treatment of tuberculosis. In recent years, however, emerging multiple drug resistance has become a major threat and thus calls for an urgent search for new and effective treatments for this deadly disease. This review is complementary to earlier reviews and covers more recent reports of naturally occurring compounds, and in some cases synthetic analogs, largely from plants, fungi and marine organisms that demonstrate significant activity in the in vitro bioassays against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and other mycobacterial species. Included also are traditional medicinal uses of specific plants when utilized to treat tuberculosis and other pulmonary diseases.