Early Designs for the Occlusal Anatomy of Posterior Denture Teeth: Part III

Part III of this series of articles, like Part II, reviews the pioneering efforts in the 19th century to improve the quality of artificial teeth. The focus of this article, unlike that of Part II, is specifically modifications in the design of the occlusal anatomy of the 19th century denture teeth, along with the theories of mandibular movement that inspired those modifications. This article concludes the introductory phase of this project, which seeks to unravel the confusing history of the development of (posterior) denture teeth.     

Congenital rubella in babies of south Asian women in England and Wales: an excess and its causes

The incidence of congenital rubella was found to be 2.3 times higher in Asian than non-Asian births in England and Wales. This was attributed in part to higher susceptibility to rubella in Asian than non-Asian women, as shown by antenatal serological data from public health laboratories in Leeds, Luton, and Manchester. Examination of the ethnic origin of pregnant women requesting laboratory testing after contact with rubella or rash and of women with laboratory confirmed rubella in pregnancy also suggested that the disease was being underdiagnosed in pregnant Asian women. Failure to prevent congenital rubella by termination of infected pregnancies may therefore contribute to the increased incidence of the syndrome in Asians. Health education programmes about the dangers of rubella in pregnancy and of the need for vaccination can readily be promoted in the Asian community through existing ethnic organisations. Protection of other ethnic minorities likely to be at similar increased risk may require a vaccination programme aimed at national elimination of rubella.     

The surgical risk of colectomy in patients with cirrhosis

The records of 54 patients with documented cirrhosis who underwent colectomy between January 1970 and January 1984 were studied to assess the operative risk and to determine the preoperative predictive risk factors. In-hospital mortality was 24 percent (13 patients), and postoperative complications occurred in 48 percent (26 patients). The risk of surgical intervention was significantly increased if encephalopathy, ascites, anemia, or hypoalbuminemia was present before operation. A simple operative risk index involving the presence of encephalopathy and ascites and the levels of hemoglobin and albumin is proposed to help distinguish a low-risk subgroup in whom postoperative mortality was 12.8 percent from a high-risk subgroup in whom postoperative mortality was 53.3 percent.     

High throughput screening of protein formulation stability: practical considerations.

The formulation of protein drugs is a difficult and time-consuming process, mainly due to the complexity of protein structure and the very specific physical and chemical properties involved. Understanding protein degradation pathways is essential for the success of a biopharmaceutical drug. The present review concerns the application of high throughput screening techniques in protein formulation development. A protein high throughput formulation (HTF) platform is based on the use of microplates. Basically, the HTF platform consists of two parts: (i) sample preparation and (ii) sample analysis. Sample preparation involves automated systems for dispensing the drug and the formulation ingredients in both liquid and powder form. The sample analysis involves specific methods developed for each protein to investigate physical and chemical properties of the formulations in microplates. Examples are presented of the use of protein intrinsic fluorescence for the analysis of protein aqueous properties (e.g., conformation and aggregation). Different techniques suitable for HTF analysis are discussed and some of the issues concerning implementation are presented with reference to the use of microplates.     

Complications of orthodontic-orthognathic surgery treatment in mentally handicapped patients.

AIM: The aim of this study was to analyse possible intra- and postoperative complications and long-term results in combined orthodontic-orthognathic treatment of mentally handicapped patients compared with a control group of patients without handicap. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A group of 20 mentally handicapped patients (male = 7, female = 13) and of 102 non-handicapped patients (male = 36, female = 66) were evaluated retrospectively. The results of the two point-discrimination sensory test and the cephalometric findings of both groups were assessed. Complications during and after the operation, the results of nerve function tests and relapse rates were reported. The statistical analysis was carried out using binary logistical regression analysis with adjustment according to the diagnosis and the type of operation (p < 0.05) RESULTS: No significant differences could be found between the mentally handicapped and the non-handicapped patients. Only the nerve function test immediately postoperatively revealed differences between the two patient groups. The relapse rate in mentally handicapped patients was similar to non-handicapped patients. Forty-seven months after the operation, relapse (change in the ANB angle of more than 0.5 degrees ) was observed in four patients only (handicapped patients). CONCLUSION: Orthognathic surgical procedures in mentally handicapped patients can be carried out with a similarly high success rate as in mentally healthy patients.