Changes of facial gingival dimensions in children

Abstract Facial gingival surfaces of maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth were monitored to evaluate changes of the width of the keratinized and attached gingiva. 96 children 6 to 12 years of age were examined 2 × with an interval of 2 years. Measurements included dental plaque, gingival inflammation, probing depth, and width of keratinized and attached gingiva. In addition, study models were used to determine the facial/lingual position of the teeth. The results of this report, evaluating well-aligned teeth only, showed that during the 2-year observation period, increases in widths of the facial keratinized and attached gingiva took place. Increases occurred for the various teeth regions examined, and for deciduous as well as permanent teeth. During transition from the deciduous to the permanent dentition, patterns of change were variable. The increase of gingival widths was greatest for sites with the smallest baseline width of attached gingiva, and smallest for sites with the greatest baseline width. It was concluded that in well-aligned teeth, a conservative, monitoring approach prior to a corrective, surgical intervention seems prudent in children of this age with a minimal zone or absence of attached gingiva.     

玻璃纤维表面的乙烯基单体接枝聚合

用玻璃纤维表面处理剂ＭＡＣ处理玻璃纤维后，再进行臭氧处理，使玻璃纤维的表面产生活性中心，引发苯乙烯、甲基丙烯酸甲酯、及丙烯酸等乙烯基单体在玻璃纤维表面上接枝聚合。接枝纤维的密度减小，对水的浸润性下降，红外光谱及扫描电镜观察证明玻璃纤维表面上接枝聚合物的存在。     

Management of hepatocellular carcinoma presenting as obstructive jaundice

Eleven (3%) of 340 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presented with obstructive jaundice. The tumor extensively infiltrated the major bile ducts in eight patients. Jaundice was relieved by endoscopic endoprosthesis in four patients, nasobiliary drainage in two patients, percutaneous transhepatic stenting in one patient, and surgical intubation in one patient. The survival interval of these eight patients (mean +/- SD) was 35 +/- 20 days. Three patients had tumor fragments in the common bile ducts. In two patients, major hepatic resection was done after initial tube decomposition of the biliary system. One patient remained tumor-free on follow-up at 24 months, and the other patient had recurrent tumor detected on follow-up at 17 months after surgery. The tumor was irresectable in the third patient. Multiple surgical and endoscopic procedures kept the bile duct patent for 17 months before the patient died of the disease. Not all patients who present with obstructive jaundice due to HCC are terminally ill. With proper management, good palliation and occasional cure are possible.     

ELECTRICAL REMODELLING OF CHRONIC ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

1. It is now recognized that atrial fibrillation (AF) is not a benign condition, as it is associated with a 40% increase in mortality and a doubling of the risk of stroke. 2. The development of AF leads to mechanical, electrophysiological and cellular changes in the atria that tend to sustain AF. This process is known as atrial remodelling. 3. The three electrophysiological elements in the atria that initiate and sustain AF are: (i) shortening of the refractory period and an increase in dispersion; (ii) slowing of conduction velocity; and (iii) the presence of triggerin. foci. 4. As AF is a heterogeneous disorder, therapeutic strategies include the use of devices (pacemakers and atrial defibrillators), radiofrequency ablation (focal ablation or the creation of linear lines) and drug therapy that may reverse a remodelle. atrium.     

Chemical structure of plasticizers,compatibility of components and phase equilibrium in plasticized cellulose diacetate

The phase equilibrium of plasticized polymer systems on the basis of cellulose diacetate and ethylene glycol esters of dibasic aliphatic acids (from oxalic acid to 1,10-decanedicarboxylic acid) was studied and the solubility parameters and the thermodynamic interaction parameters of the components were calculated. It is shown that an increase in molecular weight of the plasticizers leads to a lower miscibility of the components, a fact which is reflected in a regular rise of the upper critical solution temperature (UCST), a tendency of the systems for gelation, a decrease of the solubility parameter of the plasticizer δ₁, and a growth of the interaction parameters χ_H and χ₁₂. The results are discussed in terms of the existing theories for polymer solutions.     

Unknown Uterine Sears, Unknown Risks

EDITORIAL COMMENT: We accepted these case reports for publication not only to remind readers that a classical Caesarean scar is more likely than a lower uterine segment scar to rupture or dehisce, but also to stress that women should be counselled appropriately when classical Caesarean section has been performed. Our Australian population is also mobile and women may not return to the same institution or obstetrician for their next confinement. Tracing the details of a previous delivery from another hospital or practitioner even in the same community should be a routine enquiry when a patient has had a Caesarean section in a previous pregnancy but the required information is often difficult to obtain. The woman herse(fis the essential repository for this information. It should also be noted that the recent increase in the number of Caesarean sections performed for fetal indications before 30 weeks' gestation has resulted in more vertical incisions because of a poorly formed lower uterine segment.     

BUERGER'S DISEASE IN HONG KONG: A REVIEW OF 89 CASES

Background : A retrospective analysis of 103 case records from 1978 to 1996 with a provisional diagnosis of Buerger's disease was undertaken at the Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital. The aim of the study was to elucidate the clinical course and evaluate the results of surgical intervention of Buerger's disease in Hong Kong Chinese people. Methods : Fourteen patients were subsequently excluded from the study because of inability to fulfil our diagnostic criteria. Data on clinical presentation, investigations, indications and results of surgical intervention were reviewed. Sympathectomies and arterial reconstructions were performed on 42 and four patients, respectively, for critical ischaemia or rest pain. Outcome was analysed with respect to the rate of ulcer healing, pattern of recurrence and limb loss. Results : The patients were all young male heavy smokers with a mean age of 36.5 years. The majority of patients (80%) presented with ischaemic ulceration or gangrene. Vascular reconstruction was undertaken in four patients and satisfactory long-term results were obtained in three patients. Sympathectomy was able to relieve symptoms in 87% of operated patients and ischaemic ulceration healed in 2.6 (mean) ± 1.7 (SD) months after the operation. If the patient continued to smoke, surgical intervention did not exempt the patient from a relapse or amputation. Conclusion : Sympathectomy provides short-term pain relief and promotes ulcer healing in patients with Buerger's disease but carries no long-term benefit. Complete abstinence from smoking is the only means of arresting the progression of the disease.     

Immunology

A selection of interesting papers that were published in the two months before our press date in major journals most likely to report significant results in immunology.     

不同膳食特点地区中老年人血红蛋白及其与膳食营养的关系

测定分析不同膳食特点地区975例年龄45～74岁中老年人的血红蛋白及其与膳食营养素的关系。结果牧民及城市居民贫血率低，北京及新疆托里分别为7.6％和4.6％。男性比女性血红蛋白高，血红蛋白随年龄增加而降低。相关分析结果血红蛋白与膳食热能、蛋白质、动物蛋白质与总蛋白质比值呈显著正相关。结果说明血红蛋白可用于中老年人营养状态监测。