Equivalence in periodontal trials: a description for the clinician

AIMS: To describe the clinical picture and electrophysiological findings in Müller cell sheen dystrophy, a recently reported retinal dystrophy. METHOD: A basic ophthalmological evaluation as well as recording of standard electro-oculography and electroretinography were performed in one patient at the onset of visual loss and after 1 year of follow up. RESULTS: A 61 year old woman presented with visual loss in the right eye. Multiple folds at the level of the internal limiting membrane were seen at the posterior pole in both eyes. Macular oedema was present in the right eye. The visual acuity of the right eye was 6/30 and of the left 6/9. A paracentral scotoma was found in the right eye. Electro-oculographic examination of both eyes gave normal results. Electroretinography (ERG) revealed reduced b-wave and flicker amplitudes in the right eye; these potentials were normal for the left eye. The ON response in the right eye was reduced and delayed; it was normal in the left eye. A further loss of visual function was noted 1 year later in the right eye, but the ophthalmoscopic findings were unchanged. The ERG of the right eye had a negative waveform when dark adapted. Light adapted responses showed an unusual delayed b-wave, broad and delayed ON and OFF responses and a missing flicker response, suggesting a Müller cell dysfunction. Light adapted responses were slightly reduced in the left eye. CONCLUSIONS: Electrophysiological data indicate Müller cell dysfunction as a background of functional loss in Müller cell sheen dystrophy. This is in agreement with previously reported histological findings in this disorder.     

Problems in bandwith measurement and a suggested solution

A recent series of bandwidth measurements by several Bell Labs and Western Electric locations on the same set of fibers (a bandwidth measurement round robin) has addressed and clarified some of the problems that cause disagreement between test sets. Three measurements out of twelve had a large standard deviation (based on the results of all participants), which raised the overall ratio of the standard deviation to the mean (sigma/mu) to 12 percent. These three fibers had double-peaked outputs; the resulting transfer functions had either a plateau or an undulating behavior around the 3-dB level: changes in the launch conditions or source spectral width could shift the plateau or undulations from above the 3-dB level to below it, producing large changes in measured 3-dB bandwidth. Reducing measurement variations for such fibers will require closer control over the launch conditions and, for short wavelength measurements, the source spectral width. In addition, using the 3-dB bandwidth from a Gaussian fit to the transfer function instead of the transfer function itself greatly reduces measurement variations and in some cases provides a better prediction of the bandwidth of fiber concatenations.     

Effects of behavioral, cognitive, and combined treatments for assertion as a function of differential deficits.

Investigated the interaction of demonstrated knowledge of assertive behavior with treatments for nonassertive behavior to help clarify the interaction of deficits with treatments. 88 female undergraduates were classified as low or high on knowledge of assertive behavior and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment conditions: behavioral rehearsal, cognitive self-statement, combined behavioral rehearsal/cognitive self-statement, and a waiting-list control group. Multiple measures were administered over time (e.g., Conflict Resolution Inventory). Results support the effectiveness of each treatment and the stability of treatment effect over a long-term follow-up but failed to support a differential treatment approach to assertion based on demonstrated knowledge. Behavioral and cognitive treatments seemed to have the greatest effect on measures that were similar to the treatment focus, but also registered effects on measures similar to the other treatment. Treatment groups had significantly higher self-efficacy scores than the controls, and self-efficacy correlated significantly with many dependent variables. (26 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effect of triple pelvic osteotomy on the articular contact area of the hip joint in dysplastic dogs: an in vitro experimental study

This study compares the frequency of signs and symptoms from the cervical spine in 24 patients diagnosed with Meniere's disease and 24 control subjects from a population sample. From a previous controlled comparative study concerning signs and symptoms of craniomandibular disorders, 24 patients diagnosed with Meniere's disease (10 males and 14 females) and their 24 matched control subjects participated in this investigation on the state of the cervical spine. Symptoms of cervical spine disorders, such as head and neck/shoulder pain, were all significantly more frequent in the patient group than in the control group. Most of the patients (75%) reported a strong association between head neck movements in the atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial joints and triggered attacks of vertigo. Also, 29% of the patients could influence their tinnitus by mandibular movements. Signs of cervical spine disorders, such as limitations in side-bending and rotation movements, were significantly more frequent in the patient group than in the control group. Tenderness to palpation of the transverse processes of the atlas and the axis, the upper and middle trapezius, and the levator scapulae muscle were also significantly more frequent in the patient group. The study shows a much higher prevalence of signs and symptoms of cervical spine disorders in patients diagnosed with Meniere's disease compared with control subjects from the general population.     

Gallium citrate Ga 67 scanning: clinical usefulness in lymphoma patients

Gallium citrate Ga 67 (67Ga) scans were performed in 50 consecutive lymphoma patients who underwent routine staging. The overall accuracy of 67Ga scans was greater than 80% for all nodal sites except the spleen (68%). Sensitivity was greater than 88% in the neck and mediastinum, 67% in the abdomen-pelvis, and 33% for the spleen. Specificity was greater than 85% for all nodal sites except for the mediastinum (67%). The accuracy of pedal lymphangiograms was 75%, sensitivity 87%, and specificity 68%. Gallium 67 scans complemented the lymphogram in the abdomen-pelvis but, due to limited sensitivity and high number of equivocal studies (16%), did not replace it. Infraclavicular, pectoral, and mediastinal lesions were detected by 67Ga scans when missed by other means. In 20% to 25% of patients, 67Ga scans provided information not afforded by other diagnostic studies and are therefore considered an important staging procedure for lymphoma patients.