Palatogram Assessment of Maxillary Complete Dentures

Phonetics, esthetics, function, and comfort form the foundation of a successful dental prosthesis. A review of the mechanics of speech as well as common speech problems encountered with a removable maxillary prosthesis are presented. The use of a palatogram to aid the clinician in the assessment and resolution of speech problems associated with a maxillary denture is demonstrated.     

Pharmacokinetics of the 13C labeled anticancer agent temozolomide detected in vivo by selective cross-polarization transfer

The anticancer agent temozolomide labeled with ¹³C (8-Carbamoyl-3-13C-methylimidazo-[5,1-d]-1,2,3,5-tetrazin-4-(3H)-one), was noninvasively detected in subcutaneous RIF-1 tumors by a selective cross polarization ¹³C NMR method, at a field strength of 9.4T. Pharmacokinetics of the drug, at a dose of 150 mg/kg, were determined for intravenous and intraperitoneal modes of administration (three animals per mode). The half-life of the drug in the tumors was approximately 60 min. The uptake and clearance of the drug, however, varied significantly between individual hosts, for both modes of administration. These results demonstrate the feasibility of obtaining pharmacokinetics of anticancer agents for individual tumors without the need for a label that might modify drug activity (e.g., fluorine). The variability of the in vivo measurements, even within the same tumor model, demonstrates the necessity of directly monitoring the tumor to evaluate drug pharmacokinetics.     

The long-term outcome of head injury: Implications for service planning

As most of those experiencing traumatic brain injury tend to be young, disabled survivors will be gradually accruing in each locality as each year passes. How many need continuing care a decade after injury? How many need day care, or need help with finding work, or continuing support for carers? 190 patients who had been admitted to two UK regional neurosurgical units on average some 7 years earlier were followed up. With an average age of 29 years these patients stayed in hospital for an average 33 days. At follow-up 23% were classified as having moderate disability or worse on the Glasgow Outcome Scale, including 7.4% who had died subsequent to discharge. Survivors were given a neuropsychological assessment and a socioeconomic interview. Of the survivors, 17% had failed to make a good recovery, but 36% were failing to occupy their time in a meaningful way. Age over 30 at time of injury, not occupied before injury, and above-average length of stay were some of the predictors for failing to occupy time. Quality of life was severely curtailed for those who could not occupy their time, as was the case for their carers. Appropriate counselling, vocational evaluation and family support in the early years following injury may help to improve quality of life for both the head-injured person and their carers.     

Sequential bilateral germ cell tumours of the testis

Bilateral germ cell tumours of the testis are rare but a rise in their incidence is expected since with the new therapeutic possibilities a significant improvement in prognosis has been achieved even in patients with advanced metastatic spread. Of the 210 patients treated for malignent germ cell tumours at our Department, six (2.9%) developed a contralateral testicular tumour. All patients had metachronous tumours and the second tumours occurred after an interval ranging between 1 and 22 years. The epidemiology, histology, diagnosis, therapy and prognosis are discussed, and the significance of regular self-examination of the remaining testis in patients with testicular tumour is emphasized.     

A rare case of gigantic calyx dilatation manifested as renal ectopia

We present a very rare case of gigantic hydrocalycosis which was caused by an obstructed stone. It was so large that it displaced the rest kidney into the contralateral lumbar fossa giving the appearance of a crossed ectopic kidney.