The value of repetition and reinforcement in improving oral hygiene performance

The purpose of this study was to assess the value of including repetition and reinforcement in a dental health education program for school children. Sixty-one pupils, 11 to 13 years of age, were divided into three groups according to room assignments. Group I (control) received no oral hygiene lectures or instructions until the conclusion of the experiment. Group 2 (nonreinforced) received one lecture and a toothbrushing lesson, but no repetition or reinforcement. Group 3 (reinforced) received the same program as Group 2 on the initial visit and also received two additional visits for repetition and reinforcement of the lectures and instructions, plus a final summary lecture. Six visits were conducted at intervals of 0, 1, 5, 3, 8, 20 and 52 weeks, following a double-blind experimental format. PHP scores were obtained on all subjects on each of the six visits. It was concluded that the repetition and reinforcement components of this dental health education program were of significant value in improving the oral hygiene performance of the school children over a period of 1 year. The findings provide evidence of the desirability of incorporating these concepts in plaque-control program.     

Role of chewing and smoking habits in the etiology of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF): a case-control study

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF), a premalignant and crippling condition of the oral mucous membrane, was studied to identify its relationship to various chewing and smoking habits. Two hundred and thirty-six consecutive cases of OSF were compared with 221 control subjects matched for age, sex and socio-economic conditions. It was found that chewing of areca nut/quid or pan masala (a commercial preparation of areca nuts, lime, catechu and undisclosed colouring, flavouring and sweetening agents) was directly related to OSF. Also, pan masala was chewed by a comparatively younger age group and was associated with OSF changes earlier than areca nut/quid chewing. However, chewing or smoking tobacco with various other chewing habits did not increase the risk of developing OSF. It was also found that frequency of chewing rather than the total duration of the habit was directly correlated to OSF.     

Ethnic stereotypes: The traditional approach, a new look.

In this paper it is proposed that it is both meaningful and socially relevant to view ethnic stereotypes as beliefs generally shared in the community about characteristics of various groups. The implications of this traditional approach are discussed. The argument is also made, however, that traditional assessment procedures do not readily permit the measurement of individual differences in the tendency to adopt stereotypes and thus do not allow for the investigation of stereotyping as a process. An alternative measurement procedure is described, and its applications to study a number of aspects of the stereotyping process are summarized. Research bearing on the consequences on ethnic stereotypes viewed as consensual beliefs is also discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cigarette smoking and chewing gum: Response to a laboratory-induced stressor.

The current study examined the anxiolytic effects of cigarette smoking and chewing gum on urge to smoke, withdrawal, and anxiety in response to a public speaking task in 45 undergraduate smokers. Participants were asked to smoke, chew gum, or do nothing in response to the stressor. Participants completed measures of anxiety, withdrawal symptoms, and urge to smoke pre- and poststressor. The smoke group reported fewer urges to smoke pre- and poststressor than the other groups. The smoke and gum groups reported fewer withdrawal symptoms than did the control group poststressor. Chewing gum was helpful in managing levels of withdrawal symptoms compared with the control group. Groups did not differ on measures of anxiety. Results suggest that smoking in response to a stressor may not reduce levels of affective stress. Furthermore, chewing gum may be helpful in managing withdrawal symptoms in response to a stressor. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

采场出矿振动助流器的研制与工业应用研究

采场出矿振动助流器是新研制成功的一种安装在出矿口内的辅助出矿设备,工业应用实践表明,该设备配合常规电耙出矿,不仅设备成本低,结构简单,而且基本上解决了出矿过程中因大块卡堵及结拱等严重影响和业作的难题,大幅度提高了电耙出矿的生产能力。     

Medical sculpture: a valuable aid to patient rehabilitation

Silicone rubber is the most satisfactory material for cosmetic prostheses. It has a soft, lifelike texture, is easily worked and easily colored and is strong enough to withstand frequent application and removal. Examples of patients referred to the medical sculptor include those with congenital defects of one or both ears, loss of the nose or an eye and orbit due to cancer surgery, loss or absence of fingers or parts of the hand and those who have had radical breast surgery.     

The irrigation jet: an aid in microvascular surgery

The contents of the rat cecum and, to a lesser extent, those of the small intestine, synthesized methylmercury from mercuric chloride labeled with Hg 203 in vitro under aerobic or anaerobic conditions. The rate of formation was approximately 18 ng/g cecal contents/20 hr. The synthesis of methylmercury was inhibited by antibiotics and by filtration of the cecal contents through membrane filters, indicating that the bacterial flora of the gut participates in the reaction. Pure cultures of bacteria, isolated from the intestinal tract of the rat, could methylate mercuric chloride. It was estimated that the total amount of methylmercury synthesized from ingested inorganic mercury in man in approximately 400 ng/day.     

Oral health-related quality of life: a model for dental hygiene

During the past decade, dental hygiene has been challenged to develop conceptual models to define the discipline. Such models can provide a common language and infrastructure for the discipline to define the process of care. Health-Related Quality of Life conceptual models have been adopted by many health professions to assist in planning health-related interventions and assessing outcomes to care. Based on the Natural History of Disease Schema, the Wilson & Cleary model, and Neuman's Systems Model, a new conceptual model for dental hygiene is proposed. The Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Model, composed of six primary domains: Health/Preclinical Disease, Biological/Clinical Disease, Symptom Status, Functional Status, Health Perceptions, and General Quality of Life. This model proposes a dynamic relationship among these domains and characteristics unique to individual clients or populations, and may have utility for interdisciplinary communication. As an integrated model, it may serve as a foundation for assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating outcomes to dental hygiene care. This paper reviews possible application of the model for clinical practice, research, and education.     

The annual evaluation of a program to aid the smoker

The cases are described of three adolescents in whom hip pain was found to be due to chondrolysis. Arthroscopy revealed chronic synovitis in all three cases. It is stated that the synovitis is probably the cause of the articular damage and that the disorder should be regarded as juvenile chronic arthritis of the oligoarticular type. Treatment with intra-articular triamcinolone acetonide and in two patients with an anti-inflammatory agent as well resulted in almost complete recovery of hip function.     

The practical implications of a critique of traditional science

Patti Lather writes of the convincing critique of traditional science that has amassed in the past 2 decades. The displacement of the assumptions of traditional science makes space for some interesting and exciting developments in the human sciences. However this theoretical rearrangement is not matched in practical spheres. While Lather is referring to education research I would include nursing when she writes, '...positivism retains its hegemony over practice'. There is ample evidence of the effects of this domination in nursing. Nurses work closely with the medical profession, which is still predominantly influenced by 'scientific' research, and health administrators who are in organizations which are bureaucratic and preoccupied with rationally. Medical practitioners control research ethics committees and funding bodies, which have relatively few nursing representatives and continue to judge proposals for qualitative projects by applying standard 'scientific' criteria. The administrators control budgetary matters and impose standards in the organizations. The dominance of traditional science needs to be challenged if nurses wish to make a place for different ways of knowing in their practice.     

The microcirculation in periodontal tissues: 2. The action of the regular use of chewing gum

The various doses of dopamine efficacy, applied for the inotropic support in 30 donors of kidneys, was investigated, as well as the preparation influence on the renal transplantation function. Inotropic support of donor using dopamine was needed in 21 donors. The occurrence rate of an acute necrosis of tubules have depended upon dopamine doses. Dopamine is the preparation of choice for the intensive therapy conduction and securing of cardiovascular stability of the donors kidneys.     

The fluoride content of enamel as a diagnostic aid in fluorosis

This study was undertaken to compare the fluoride content ([F]) of sound and hypoplastic enamel of dogs' teeth for use as a diagnostic aid for fluorosis. Enamel biopsies (0.5N HClO4; 15 seconds; 3.143 mm2) were conducted on macroscopically sound areas of the middle buccal surfaces of the right upper canine teeth. The [F], and the calcium concentrations of the etching solutions were determined using the potentiometric analytical method and the flame spectrophotometer respectively. Depth of etch (DOE) was calculated. The results of the study showed that the higher [F] in the hypoplastic enamel when compared to that of sound enamel (p > 0.05), was more a result than a cause of the hypoplasia. In this study, the [F] of the enamel was used successfully to exclude the possibility of fluorosis.     

Effect of a traditional Chinese medicine, Bu-zhong-yi-qi-tang on the protection against an oral infection with Listeria monocytogenes

Gene therapy for vascular disease is in the beginning stages. Each year investigators are increasing our understanding of the molecular and cellular biology of vascular disease and its complications. Our genes exert exquisite control over the expressed molecular pattern that results in biological function and pathology. Gene transfer techniques can be used to affect the pattern of gene expression. Gene therapy is a powerful tool that will allow specific manipulation of the genetic cascade that determines biological function. Gene transfer techniques should help to define the molecular mechanisms involved in vascular pathology, such as atherosclerosis and its complications. Currently, gene therapy has only reached clinical trials, but this new technology will likely play a major role in our treatment of vascular problems in the future. An understanding of the significance of this new technology is important for both health care providers and patients.     

GRAFTER: a computational aid for the design of novel proteins

The GRAFTER suite of programs provides geometric search and evaluation functions that simplify and automate the process of identifying the best scaffolds for a particular structural motif. Three application of the GRAFTER suite are presented. Potential grafts between lambda repressor and 434 repressor were identified that should change the DNA binding specificity of these repressors. These results are compared with site-directed mutagenesis experiments that have been shown to alter repressor-DNA binding specificity. Next, 26 loops from antibody structures were grouped into families of similar structure. Grafts of antibody loops onto a pre-existing scaffold are an essential component of antibody humanization. Finally, interleukin (IL)-4 was searched as a scaffold that might accept the graft of a five residue epitope from human growth hormone (hGH). The existence of a crystal structure of the hGH-hGH receptor complex, extensive mutagenesis studies of the hGH residues that contribute to the energetics of ligand-receptor interactions and the gross structural homology between hGH and IL-4 make this an appealing computational target. The approach presented here could aid the development of novel enzymes and binding proteins.