Reduction of hospitalizations with diarrhea among children aged 0–5 years in Nouakchott,Mauritania, following the introduction of rotavirus vaccine

Introduction

Rotavirus vaccine was introduced in Mauritania in December 2014. We investigated hospitalizations with diarrhea during pre and post-vaccination periods among children aged 0–5?years in Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania.

Blur adaptation: clinical and refractive considerations

The human visual system is amenable to a number of adaptive processes; one such process, or collection of processes, is the adaptation to blur. Blur adaptation can be observed as an improvement in vision under degraded conditions, and these changes occur relatively rapidly following exposure to blur. The potential important future directions of this research area and the clinical implications of blur adaptation are discussed.     

Retrograde Inversion Stripping as a Complication of the Clarivein? Mechanochemical Venous Ablation Procedure

The endovenous revolution has accelerated the development of new techniques and devices for the treatment of varicose veins. The ClariVein^® mechanochemical ablation device offers tumescentless treatment with a rotating ablation tip that can theoretically become stuck in tissue. We present the first report of retrograde stripping of the small saphenous vein without anaesthesia following attempted use of the ClariVein^® device, without adverse sequelae.     

Learner-control vs. program-control instructional multimedia: a comparison of two interactions when teaching principles of orthodontic appliances

BACKGROUND: Many studies have compared computer assisted learning (CAL) to more traditional learning formats and have shown CAL to be as effective as or superior to the alternative resources. However, there are only scarce attempts to show which style of CAL leads to the best learning outcomes in orthodontics. AIM: To compare the effectiveness of a learner-control (group A) vs. program-control (group B) multimedia learning environment courseware packages regarding knowledge, understanding and transfer of content when applied to teaching principles of orthodontic appliances to undergraduate students. METHODS: Pre- and post-test assessments of undergraduate dental students (n = 30) who either studied a learner-control multimedia learning environment courseware package (n = 15) or a program-control version (n = 15) on equivalent material of the orthodontic appliances curriculum. Both groups were evaluated by means of multiple-choice questions covering knowledge, understanding and application. A one-way ANOVA was carried out in order to check for statistical difference between the two groups. The P-value was set at 0.05. Results: There was no difference in prior knowledge between both groups at baseline. Although, both groups significantly improved their scores after having studied the course, no significant difference was found between both groups in relation to answers to questions about knowledge, understanding and application. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the learner-control instructional multimedia program was found to be as effective as the program-control version when teaching principles of the orthodontic appliances to undergraduate students. The focus needs to be on improving the value of CAL. Comparative evaluations of how different CAL approaches compare with or complement one another are certainly needed.     

A clinical and radiographic evaluation of stainless steel crowns for primary molars

AIM: This study was performed to evaluate clinically and radiographically the effect of stainless steel crowns placed on primary molars on gingival and bone structures. SAMPLE: 254 crowns were evaluated in a sample of 177 children aged 3.5-12 years old with a mean age of 7 years. METHOD: The clinical parameters that were evaluated were, crown marginal extension, crown marginal adaptation, intact proximal contact, gingival index and the duration of presence of the crowns, together with the oral hygiene index of the child. Bitewing radiographs were viewed for extension and adaptation of crown margins and for evaluating the interproximal bone level. RESULTS: The results of the study showed that interproximal bone resorption was not significantly affected by either crown marginal extension or adaptation, preserving tight proximal contact between molars, oral hygiene level or duration of presence of the crown. On the other hand, there was significant bone resorption when the crown was judged radiographically as non-satisfactory. While oral hygiene level had a significant effect on the gingival index, presence or absence of proper proximal contact did not have an effect on the gingival index. CONCLUSION: It was concluded from this study that stainless steel crowns are still a valuable procedure that has no harmful effect on the gingiva and bone provided that good oral hygiene level was maintained.