The potential harm of oxygen therapy in medical emergencies

In medical emergencies, supplemental oxygen is often administrated routinely. Most paramedics and physicians believe that high concentrations of oxygen are life-saving [1]. Over the last century, however, a plethora of studies point to possible detrimental effects of hyperoxia induced by supplemental oxygen in a variety of medical emergencies. This viewpoint provides a historical overview and questions the safety of routine high-dose oxygen administration and is based on pathophysiology and (pre)clinical findings in various medical emergencies.     

Prognostic implication of early posttransplant hypercholesterolemia in liver transplantation for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Background: Hyperlipidemia is a common complication after liver transplantation(LT) and develops mostly in the early posttransplant period. Recently, some studies have reported a positive correlation between hyperlipidemia and favorable prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) undergoing hepatectomy. This study aimed to evaluate the possibility of predicting prognosis in HCC patients receiving LT by early posttransplant dyslipidemia. Methods: From January 2015 to December 2017, a...     

Evolving capacity and decision-making in practice: adolescents' access to legal abortion services in Mexico City

The rights of adolescents and young people in international law and agreements have evolved significantly from a focus on protection to a recognition of “evolving capacities” and decision-making ability. Unclear policies and regulations and variations in actual practice may leave providers with little clarity on how to support adolescent decision-making and instead create unintended barriers. This study in Mexico City in 2009 explored whether regulations and clinical attitudes and practice were supporting or hindering the access of adolescent girls aged 12–17 to information regarding abortion and to abortion services. We surveyed abortion clinic directors and staff, and adolescents arranging or just having had an abortion, and sent mystery clients to clinics to ask for information. While providers were generally positive about adolescents' ability to decide on abortion, they had different understandings about the need for adult accompaniment and who that adult should be, and mystery clients seeking information were more likely to receive complete information if accompanied by an adult. Clarification of consent and accompaniment requirements is needed, and providers need to be made aware of them; adolescents should have access to information and counselling without accompaniment; and improvements in privacy and confidentiality in public sector clinics are also needed. These all support complementary concepts of protection and autonomy in adolescent decision-making on abortion.     

Hepatocolonic fistula: a rare consequence of retained gallstones after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Spillage of gallstones during laparoscopic cholecystectomy occurs in up to 30% of cases but complications due to stone retention are less frequent. We report the first case of a hepatocolonic fistula as a consequence of a retained gallstone.     

Light activated disinfection: an alternative endodontic disinfection strategy

Background:  An improved light activated disinfection technique utilizing a specific photosensitizer formulation, liquid optical-conduit, oxygen-carrier and light energy of appropriate wavelength has been introduced recently. This study tested the efficacy of this improved light activated disinfection on ex vivo biofilms of Enterococcus faecalis at two different stages of maturation.
Methods:  Eighty-five tooth sections were prepared and endodontic biofilm of E. faecalis were grown within the root canal. In stage 1, conventional light activated disinfection (LAD), chemical disinfectant (sodium hypochlorite) and improved LAD were tested on four-day-old (immature) biofilms. In stage 2, conventional LAD, improved LAD and chemomechanical disinfection (alone and in combination with improved LAD) were tested on four-week-old (mature) biofilms.
Results:  Sodium hypochlorite and improved LAD showed the ability to significantly inactivate bacteria in four-day-old biofilms when compared to the control and LAD (p < 0.05). Inactivation of bacteria from deeper dentine was higher in improved LAD than sodium hypochlorite. In four-week-old biofilms, a combination of chemomechanical disinfection and improved LAD produced significant bacterial killing compared to either chemomechanical disinfection or improved LAD alone.
Conclusions:  This study highlighted the potential of improved LAD to kill bacteria within dentinal tubules. In combination with chemomechanical preparation, the improved LAD significantly inactivated four-week-old biofilm bacteria.     

Dental hygienists’ views on communicative factors and interpersonal processes in prevention and treatment of periodontal disease

To cite this article:
Int J Dent Hygiene 8, 2010; 213–218
DOI: 10.1111/j.1601‐5037.2010.00459.x
Stenman J, Wennström JL, Abrahamsson KH. Dental hygienists’ views on communicative factors and interpersonal processes in prevention and treatment of periodontal disease. Abstract: Objective: The aim of this study was to explore views of DHs on communicative issues and interpersonal processes of importance in the prevention and treatment of periodontal disease. Method: The qualitative method of Grounded Theory (GT) was chosen for data sampling and analysis. Audio‐taped and open‐ended interviews were conducted with 17 dental hygienists. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed in a hierarchical coding process, according to the principles of GT. Result: In the analysis a core category was identified as ‘to be successful in information and oral health education and managing desirable behavioural changes’. The core concept was related to four additional categories and dimensions; (i) ‘to establish a trustful relationship with the patient’, (ii) ‘to present information about the oral health status and to give oral hygiene instructions’, (iii) ‘to be professional in the role as a dental hygienist’ and (iv) ‘to have a supportive working environment in order to feel satisfaction with the work and to reach desirable treatment results’. Conclusion: The results describe a psychosocial process that elucidates the importance of building a trustful relationship with the patient, feeling secure in one’s professional role as a DH and last but not least, the importance of having support from colleagues and the clinical manager to be successful in the prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases.     

第二届海峡两岸消化论坛获得圆满成功

秉承海峡两岸学术交流, 促进医学进步, 为民谋福祉的宗旨, 第二届海峡两岸消化论坛在美丽的海上花园城市-厦门拉开帷幕.     

开胸手术前指导患者进行肺功能锻炼的意义

1 临床资料挑选均能配合指导的肺功能异常的患者66(男38,女28)例,年龄43～80岁,其中限制性通气功能障碍32例,阻塞性通气功能障碍20例;有40 a以上吸烟史25例;伴有糖尿病3例.术前心电图检查提示异常21例,按肺功能测定分类[1]分为高度危险17例,中度危险31例,低度危险18例.进行手术前肺功能锻炼的指导.