Plaque-removing effect of dental floss and toothpicks in children 12–13 years of age

The aim of the present study was to assess the cleaning effect of dental floss and toothpicks on interproximal surfaces. The plaque situation was assessed in a group of children 12-13 years of age by the Patient Hygiene Performance Index (PHPI). It was found that dental floss has a greater plaque-removing effect of the interproximal areas than toothpicks, predominantly on the mesial surfaces of the teeth.     

Fluoride uptake and caries rate in hamster molars after topical fluoride application followed by acidulation.

Daily topical application of 2% NaF on hamster molars for 4 days in vivo, followed by acidulation (grapefruit beverage, pH 3.3) resulted in a lower caries rate than NaF followed by water application. Fluoride uptake was somewhat higher, but not significantly so in the acidulated group.     

Prevalence of dental caries and demands for services among Israeli kibbutz youth

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to assemble information regarding caries prevalence among adolescent residents of kibbutzim in Israel. A total of 465 teenagers in 10 kibbutzim were examined for dental caries experience. The DMFT figures derived in the study were almost double the values recorded for a comparable kibbutz age group in the late 60's. Mean DMFT values were found to increase with age. The mean number of decayed teeth (D) showed a similar distribution. The proportion of teenagers free of caries was 1.5% and only 2.3% did not require any treatment. Despite the overwhelming need for dental care noted among kibbutz youth, only 21.6% were receiving care of their dental needs. Since physical blocks to access to dental care are almost non-existent in the kibbutz, it was suggested that the reason for the high rates of unmet needs, could, at least partially, be attributed to fear of pain and anxiety about the treatment.     

Quantitative evaluation of renal excretion on the dynamic DTPA renal scan

In order to evaluate the renal excretion quantitatively, the authors analyzed the Tc-99m DTPA renogram using mean transit time (MTT) with deconvolution analysis and compared it to the perfusion index. One hundred thirteen studies consisting of 25 normal, 11 obstruction, 35 transplant-norm, 12 transplant-obstruction, and 30 transplant-rejection were evaluated. In the non-transplant obstruction, MTT is significantly long (3.40 +/- 0.85 minutes vs 2.02 +/- 0.42 minutes) and has high sensitivity (100%) and specificity (93%, 23/25) for the diagnosis of obstruction. In the transplant-obstruction, if the field of view includes both transplant and liver or spleen as a blood pool image, MTT has high sensitivity for the diagnosis (10/11) and for the follow up of obstruction (12/12), with the same specificity, but low sensitivity for rejection (25%). Perfusion index is of value in the diagnosis of rejection (73% specificity, 77% sensitivity) but is useless for the detection of obstruction (25% specificity, 75% sensitivity). The authors conclude that MTT is a useful marker for diagnosis and serial quantitative evaluation of renal obstruction. Also, they suggest the use of multiple techniques based on different principles for the complete evaluation of the renal scan.     

Value of percutaneous core needle biopsy in the differential diagnosis of renal transplant dysfunction

The value of percutaneous core needle biopsy in the differentiation of rejection from other causes of renal allograft dysfunction, and its subsequent effect on patient management were assessed in 64 consecutive biopsies performed on 34 patients in whom the clinical diagnosis was was uncertain. A complete clinical, biochemical and radiographic assessment was made in each patient before biopsy. Only 1 biopsy (1.6 per cent) yielded tissue inadequate for evaluation, while another biopsy caused a renal artery pseudoaneurysm that ruptured and resulted in graft loss. In 27 of these 64 biopsies (42 per cent) the results differed from the pre-biopsy diagnosis and directly affected patient management, particularly the use of steroids. The remaining biopsy specimens were helpful to confirm uncertain clinical impressions, and allowed accurate counseling for patients and family. Biopsies were of special usefulness in separating acute rejection from complications, such as acute tubular necrosis, cytomegalovirus infections, recurrence of original disease, cyclosporin toxicity and acute superimposed-upon chronic rejection. Of 64 biopsies 22 (34.3 per cent) demonstrated the absence of rejection and 8 demonstrated chronic rejection (12.5 per cent), thereby averting the use of steroids in 46.8 per cent of the patients. All patients with evidence of severe small vessel disease and/or antibody-mediated rejection eventually lost the grafts, including 2 with cytomegalovirus glomerulopathy who also suffered such vascular changes. These data highlight the extreme usefulness of needle biopsy in the evaluation and management of renal allograft dysfunction.