Implant-supported overdentures: a valuable restorative alternative

This paper raises some issues for discussion and debate concerning the nature of research within a mental health setting. Research, no matter what form it takes, is always an intervention. Sensitivity to various concerns surrounding research is required of the mental health worker. Participatory research, which is seen as empowering participants, has become popular in mental health programmes. Attention needs to be paid, however, to the meaning of participation and the process of decision-making. Researchers are often uncomfortable with shedding their "objective informer" stance and adopting a position that requires social action. Some of this has to do with the epistemological view taken by the researcher. This paper suggests that the knowledge produced in research is a social construction created in interaction between the researcher and participants and has a multiplicity of potential meanings. The instrumental, conceptual and persuasive uses of research are discussed, and two intervention-type research procedures (needs assessment and evaluation) are critically reviewed. It is concluded that research, as with all other interventions, should be carefully planned, implemented, monitored and evaluated.     

An unusual cause of apparent regional hyperperfusion on radionuclide cerebral angiography study: case report

An unusual pattern of radioactivity in the venous phase was noted in the 99mTc-DTPA cerebral angiogram of a patient with persistent headaches. Initially the possibility of a small arteriovenous malformation with large draining veins was considered. However, contrast angiography revealed dilated cerebral veins with significant arteriovenous shunting. The differential diagnosis of regional hyperperfusion on the radioactivity study is discussed.     

An alternative method for treating buccal osseous defects

This case demonstrates the successful use of a hydroxylapatite block for maintenance of ridge contour. The procedure offers an alternative to guided tissue regeneration for treating osseous defects of the buccal cortical plate, which may occur following tooth extraction.     

An ovarian leiomyoma: a case report

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the dynamic parathyroid response to rapidly induced, sustained hypocalcaemia in patients with acute malaria and in healthy volunteers. DESIGN: Serum intact parathormone (PTH) concentrations were measured on samples taken before and during a variable-rate tri-sodium citrate infusion designed to 'clamp' the whole blood ionised calcium concentration 0.20 mmol L-1 below baseline for 120 min. SUBJECTS: Six Malaysian patients aged 17-42 years with acute malaria, four of whom were restudied in convalescence, and 12 healthy controls aged 19-36 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Whole-blood ionised calcium and serum intact PTH concentrations. RESULTS: The mean (SD baseline ionised calcium was lower in the malaria patients than in controls (1.09 +/- 0.06 vs. 1.18 +/- 0.03 mmol L-1, respectively; P = 0.01) but PTH concentrations were similar (3.0 +/- 1.8 vs. 3.3 +/- 1.3 pmol L(-1); P = 0.33). Target whole-blood ionised calcium concentrations were achieved more rapidly in the controls than the patients (within 15 vs. 30 min) despite significantly more citrate being required in the patients (area under the citrate infusion-time curve 0.95 (0.25 vs. 0.57 +/- 0.09 mmol kg-1; P < 0.01). The ratio of the change in serum PTH to that in ionised calcium (delta PTH/ delta Ca2+), calculated to adjust for differences in initial rate of fall of ionised calcium, was similar during the first 5 min of the clamp (132 +/- 75 x 10(-6) vs. 131 +/- 43 x 10(-6) in patients and controls, respectively, P > 0.05), as were steady-state serum PTH levels during the second hour (7.0 +/- 2.2 pmol L-1 in each case). Convalescent patients had normal basal ionised calcium levels but the lowest serum intact PTH levels before and during the clamp, consistent with an increase in skeletal PTH sensitivity after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: There is a decreased ionised calcium 'set point' for basal PTH secretion but a normal PTH response to acute hypocalcaemia in malaria. Skeletal resistance may attenuate the effects of the PTH response but patients with malaria appear relatively resistant to the calcium chelating effects of citrated blood products.     

The case study as a scientific method for researching alternative therapies

This article argues that the case study design is a research method capable of providing valuable data and insight into alternative therapies. The background and roots of the case study in medicine and clinical practice are covered, and the status of the case study as a scientific method is examined. The highly regarded randomized controlled clinical trial--though often powerful and useful--is neither feasible nor ideal for understanding the effects of many unconventional treatment approaches. Given the complexity of the factors involved in unconventional therapeutic applications--health beliefs, changing health paradigms, patient/practitioner interactions, multiple treatment modalities, multiple symptom profiles--the case study approach offers an alternative methodological route for investigating and generating findings in this arena. Reliability and validity of data collection, data reduction, and interpretation can be enhanced through steps discussed in this article. As it continues to work with evidence that is currently unorganized, the field of alternative medicine can benefit both in clinical prowess and scientific stature from additional, carefully conducted case studies.     

A new approach in restorative treatment of external root resorption. A case report

This case report describes the treatment of an external root resorption with extensive loss of tooth structure and bone at the labial surface of an upper left central incisor. The area of bone loss and root resorption was surgically exposed and an impression was taken using curing silicone. An individual ceramic insert was fabricated, allowing endodontic retreatment through an artificial root canal. The insert was incorporated using a dentin bonding system and a dual curing luting composite. Following endodontic retreatment and internal bleaching, a ceramic veneer was bonded to the tooth to obtain good esthetics and to improve stability. Twenty months after surgical treatment no further root resorption could be detected radiographically. A shallow residual pocket but no bleeding on probing was found.     

An alternative method for evaluating congruence coefficients with Procrustes rotation: A bootstrap procedure.

Comparing factor structures across samples has long been an important topic in psychological research. Traditionally, the congruence coefficient is used to measure the degree of similarity between 2 factor matrices. However, as the congruence coefficients do not have known sampling distributions, it is difficult to assess factor replicability statistically. In this study, a bootstrap procedure was proposed to test factor invariance by examining the statistical significance of 3 types of congruence coefficients. A Monte Carlo study evaluated the performance of the proposed bootstrap procedure. Results provide strong support for this procedure as a powerful tool to assess factor replicability across groups. Two real examples demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed method. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Fluoride release from tooth-colored restorative materials: a 12-month report

BACKGROUND: This study measured the amount of fluoride released from three light-activated glass polyalkenoate (ionomer) cements, a conventional glass polyalkenoate, a compomer and a fluoridated composite over a period of 12 months. METHODS: Five discs (7 x 2 mm) of each material were sequentially immersed in 4 mL portions of deionized water at 37 degrees C and before each measurement, the test specimen was rinsed with 1 mL of deionised water. An Orion Model 901 microprocessor digital Ionalyzer was used for the measurements and the data obtained were converted into microgram/cm2. The amount of fluoride released was measured 86 times during the 12-month test period. RESULTS: It was found that the pattern of fluoride release from the light-activated glass polyalkenoates was similar to that of the conventional glass polyalkenoate. The light-activated glass polyalkenoates, however, released significantly more fluoride than the conventional material. The composite and the compomer released significantly less fluoride than any glass polyalkenoate tested and the difference between the composite and the compomer was not significant. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the light-activated glass polyalkenoates tested released more fluoride than a conventional glass polyalkenoate, a compomer or a composite, and that with regard to fluoride release the compomer behaved more or less like the composite.     

Postnatal undernutrition: an alternative method

Rat pups were undernourished from birth by placing them for 12 hr/day with a normal lactating mother and 12 hr/day with a nipple-ligated mother each day for 25 days. The method resulted in a marked delay in the body growth of the undernourished pups, especially during the first 2 weeks of life. Observations of the behavior of the mothers towards the underfed pups were made at different times of the day and compared to the behavior of the mothers suckling well-fed pups. The results show that (1) nipple-ligated mothers are able to provide adequate maternal care for undernourished pups, and (2) both ligated and nonligated mothers caring for underfed pups spend more time with those pups than mothers caring for well-fed pups.     

Conversational discourse analysis as a method for evaluating progress in aphasia: a case report

The gains made by a woman with Broca's aphasia as documented by traditional measures were paralleled by changes in conversation, including increased verbal output and efficiency, and changes in conversation repair patterns. Her conversational partner decreased her verbal output, as predicted. The progress documented with conversational discourse analysis was not observable from other test measures. Clinical and theoretical implications are discussed.     

An unusual consequence of stereotactic colloid cyst aspiration: case report

The removal of a colloid cyst of the third ventricle by stereotactic cyst aspiration is frequently performed as an alternative to a transcortical-transventricular or transcallosal operative route. A consequence of a CT-guided stereotactic aspiration, where residual colloid cyst material has been dislodged into the lateral ventricle and likened to an intraventricular mouse, is described.     

Rhinosporodium: case report

This is the first reported case of rhinosporidiosis in Ibadan, Nigeria. A review of literature shows that the patient came from northern Nigeria where the first case was reported in the country. The organism is difficult to culture and the diagnosis was based on microscopy and histological examination of the polyp. We present the case of recurrent rhinosporidiosis in a 16 year old girl a year after polypectomy in Zaria, northern Nigeria.     

An unusual presentation of post-traumatic pseudocyst of the spleen: case report

Splenic pseudocysts are rare complications of abdominal trauma. Through rare, these lesions have been well-documented in the literature. According to current classification schemes, approximately 30% of all splenic cysts or pseudocysts result from direct abdominal trauma. The case report herein is an example of a splenic pseudocyst with an atypical presentation. The patient was evaluated and treated for progressive hypertension initially. Inability to control hypertension, and the appearance of symptoms suggesting intra-abdominal pathology prompted radiographic evaluation and surgical consultation. Prompt resolution of the hypertension followed operative resection of the splenic pseudocyst.