Cell-based assays for the detection of MOG antibodies: a comparative study

Journal of Neurology - The detection of antibodies to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) is fundamental for the identification of MOG antibody-associated disorders (MOGAD), and the...     

Uniportal video assisted thoracic surgery: summary of experience,mini-review and perspectives

The uniportal-video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) technique comprises operations which can be performed with skin incisions ranging from 2 to 8 cm and the manifest result of the introduction of the uniportal lobectomy had made possible to increase rapidly the number of published papers on this subject. Many of the large ensuing literature report incomplete historical information on uniportal VATS, and doubts exist about the indication of uniportal VATS for some thoracic oncologic pathologies. Known limitations have been overcome. On the other hand, the modern thoracic surgical team includes one surgeon, one assistant and a scrub nurse, and it is clear that the new generation of thoracic surgeons need to use the “less” used hand. The new technology which permitted the introduction of the uniportal VATS could influence the future need of thoracic surgeons worldwide.     

Determining dental utilization rates for children: an analysis of data from the Iowa Medicaid and SCHIP programs

OBJECTIVE: Accessing dental care is a significant problem for children in Medicaid and SCHIP. Evaluating the extent of the access problem is affected by the differential dental utilization rates as calculated by unique approaches used by national organizations. The problem is related to the intermittent enrollment in Medicaid and SCHIP for many children during the year. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of four different approaches for calculating dental utilization rates for children in Medicaid and SCHIP programs. METHODS: All Iowa Medicaid and S-SCHIP dental claims and enrollment files for CY 2001 were used to characterize the populations, calculate dental utilization rates and evaluate the types of services received by dental utilizers. Dental utilization rates were calculated four ways using the following different rate denominators: 1) any child enrolled during the year (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services method), 2) children enrolled for 11-12 months (National Committee for Quality Assurance method), 3) a full-time equivalents (FTE) method, 4) only newly enrolled children. RESULTS: The methodology employed greatly affected the dental utilization rates. Rates varied from 18% for newly enrolled children in Medicaid to 58% for S-SCHIP-enrolled children using the FTE method. Methods that included children who were more likely to be in for more months during the year, such as the NCQA approach, produced the highest rates. CONCLUSIONS: The method used to determine the dental utilization rates for Medicaid and SCHIP enrollees should be clearly stated when these rates are being presented. This will allow the reader to be able to make a careful and appropriate interpretation of the results.     

Are general dentists' practice patterns and attitudes about treating Medicaid-enrolled preschool age children related to dental school training?

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study were to investigate the willingness of general practitioners to provide dental care for preschool-aged children, and to explore the relationship between dental school experiences and practitioners' attitudes about treating Medicaid-enrolled children 3 years of age and younger. METHODS: A survey was mailed to 3,559 randomly selected general dentists in Texas. Respondents were asked to answer questions about their willingness to provide specified dental procedures for children of different ages, their dental school experiences with pediatric dentistry and whether these experiences were hands-on, lecture or no training, and their attitudes concerning treating Medicaid-enrolled children 3 years of age or younger. Associations between attitudes about treating Medicaid-enrolled children and dental school experiences were determined. RESULTS: The response rate was 26%. Almost all respondents were willing to provide routine procedures such as an examination (95%) and prophylaxis (94%) for children 5 years or younger. However, as children became younger and procedures more difficult, the number of general dentists willing to provide treatment decreased. The level of dental school training was significantly associated with the attitudes of general dentists about providing dental care for Medicaid-enrolled preschool-aged children (P < or = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Identification of factors associated with general dentists' willingness to see young children may improve access by increasing the number who will provide care for preschool-aged children.     

Teeth with large amalgam restorations and crowns: factors affecting the receipt of subsequent treatment after 10 years

BACKGROUND: The authors evaluated the factors associated with the receipt of subsequent treatment by teeth restored with a large amalgam restoration or a large amalgam restoration and crown restoration after 10 years. METHODS: The authors used retrospective data from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry (Iowa City, Iowa) administrative database and patient records to evaluate patient and tooth factors for their association with the two primary outcomes: receipt of any subsequent treatment and receipt of catastrophic treatment (extraction, endodontic therapy). RESULTS: The authors followed 518 teeth over a 10-year period (49 percent with large amalgam restorations and 51 percent with crowns). Sixty-four percent of the large amalgam restorations and 32 percent of the crowns received subsequent treatment during the 10 years. In addition to restoration type, the patient's sex, history of grinding teeth and having a broken tooth were related to the tooth's receiving subsequent treatment. Twenty-two percent of large amalgam restorations and 12 percent of crowns received catastrophic treatment with the odds of teeth with large amalgam restorations receiving a catastrophic treatment being 2.1 times the odds of teeth with crowns receiving catastrophic treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Teeth with crowns were less likely to receive any treatment or catastrophic treatment over 10 years than were teeth with large amalgam restorations. Patient and tooth factors also were related to a tooth experiencing subsequent treatment. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Teeth with crowns received less subsequent treatment than teeth with large amalgam restorations. This could be related to both the difference in longevity between the two restorations, as well as how appropriately treatment was planned for each procedure. Cost differences between the two restorations need to be factored into the decision-making process.