Idiopathic Headache as a Possible Risk Factor for Phantom Tooth Pain

Following tooth pulp extirpation, some subjects suffer from persistent pain which affects edentate sites in absence of any local pathology. As regards this peculiar pain, called phantom tooth pain (PTP), what is puzzling is the fact there is a low prevalence of PTP in a very large population showing identical conditions of tooth pulp extirpation. The present investigation indicates that PTP mainly affects migraine (M) and cluster headache (CH) sufferers, whereas it does not affect subjects who have a negative personal and family history for idiopathic headache (IH). These results circumscribe the presence of PTP to a specific section of the population. The present results, besides indicating that PTP may be the result of a peculiar neuronal predisposition relating to IH pathogenesis, suggests some practical therapeutic hints. In fact, successful anti- M and anti-CH prophylactic treatment greatly improve PTP syndrome.     

Plasma proteins in a standardised skin mini-erosion (II): effects of extraction pressure

Background  

A standardised suction technique has been used to sample plasma proteins in dermal interstitial fluid (IF) serially for 5 to 6 days from a suction-induced skin mini-erosion. Increased protein concentrations ascribed to inflammation have been shown from day 1 onward. In this study, we assessed the effect of two different extraction pressures on IF sample composition.     

Acoustic variations in reading produced by speakers with spasmodic dysphonia pre-botox injection and within early stages of post-botox injection.

Acoustic analysis of a reading passage was used to identify the abnormal phonatory events associated with adductor spasmodic dysphonia (ADSD) pre- and postinjection of Botulinum Toxin A (Botox). Thirty-one patients (age 22 to 74 years) diagnosed with ADSD were included for study. All patients were new recipients of Botox, and the examination of their voice occurred before and after their initial injection of Botox. Acoustic events were identified from reading samples of the Rainbow Passage produced by each of the patients. These events were examined from sentences containing primarily voiced sound segments. Dependent variables included the number of phonatory breaks, frequency shifts, and aperiodic segments--all variables previously defined by the investigators. Additionally, calculated variables were made of the percentage of time these events occurred relative to the duration of the cumulative voiced segments. A sex- and age-matched control group (+/-2 years) was included for statistical comparison. Results indicated that those with ADSD produced more aberrant acoustic events than the controls. Aperiodicity was the predominant acoustic event produced during the reading, followed by frequency shifts and phonatory breaks. Within the ADSD group, the number of atypical acoustic events decreased following Botox injection. It is important that the occurrence of specific abnormal acoustic events was sufficient to differentiate the disordered speakers from the controls following as well as preceding initial Botox injection, as indicated by discriminant function analysis. This paper complements our previous work using this acoustic analysis method for defining the abnormal events present in the voice of those with ADSD and further suggests that these measures can be used in conjunction with perceptual impressions to differentiate speakers on the basis of initial severity.     

Assessment of value of glycosylated albumin and protein in detection of gestational diabetes

There is a recognized need for the early detection of gestational diabetes, and a single blood test, if reliable, would be advantageous. Because serum albumin and total protein are glycosylated and have short life spans, we investigated the usefulness of glycosylated albumin and glycosylated protein in the detection of gestational diabetes. We studied five groups, each with 20 subjects: nonpregnant and pregnant controls, nonpregnant and pregnant insulin-dependent diabetic (IDDM) patients, and gestational diabetic patients. All patients with no history of diabetes had an oral glucose tolerance test to define their carbohydrate status. Our results showed that percent glycosylated albumin and percent glycosylated protein were significantly elevated in both groups of IDDM patients compared with the other groups. However, gestational diabetic patients had glycosylated albumin and glycosylated protein values similar to those of both control groups. Both glycosylated albumin and glycosylated protein correlated well with HbA1c determinations. Thus, glycosylated albumin and glycosylated protein may be a good index of glycemic control, but they are of little value in the diagnosis of gestational diabetes because of a lack of sensitivity: 8 and 3% for glycosylated albumin and glycosylated protein, respectively.     

Natural history of penetrating ocular injury with retinal laceration in the monkey

In one eye each of four cynomolgus monkeys, an 8-mm penetrating injury was made through the equator; there was retinal perforation with vitreous loss. None of the four eyes with this injury developed posterior vitreous detachment or retinal detachment during a follow-up period of 8 months to 1 year.Another group of 26 monkeys had the same injury but also had 0.5 ml autologous whole blood injected into the vitreous at the time of injury. The eyes were examined weekly and enucleated at scheduled intervals from 1 day to 52 weeks post-injury. Posterior vitreous detachment occurred at the earliest at 2 weeks post-injury, and was ultimately present in 91% of the eyes. Vitreous detachment can occur either as a separation at the level of the internal limiting membrane or as a cleavage within the cortical vitreous. Retinal detachment occurred at the earliest at 8 weeks post-injury, and eventually was present in 50% of the eyes. The retinal detachment was tractional; no retinal breaks were detected in any of the eyes.This study was supported by grants EY02061 and EY03040 from the National Institutes of HealthPresented at the 1984 meeting of the Club Jules Gonin in Lausanne, Switzerland     

Monitoring pressure ulcer healing in persons with disabilities.

Pressure ulcers are a high-risk, high-volume, and high-cost problem for persons with disabilities. This article describes four tools published in the literature and reports the validity, reliability, strengths, and limitations of each. These tools include the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH), the Pressure Sore Status Tool (PSST), the Sussman Wound Healing Tool (SWHT), and the Sessing Scale. Rehabilitation nurses should use a consistent framework with accurate quantification to assess, document, and monitor changes in pressure ulcers over time. Such a measurement tool must prove valid for the disabled population in which the tool is used. This will enable healthcare providers to communicate more effectively and evaluate the therapeutic plan of care.