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.     

High resolution solid-state 29si nmr spectroscopy of silicone gels used to fill breast prostheses

We have used ²⁹Si solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to study the chemical structure of the silicone gels in virgin and explanted breast prostheses. Despite evidences of alteration in the morphological appearance of the silicone gel inside the breast prosthesis, our results do not reveal changes in the chemical nature and structure of the silicone gels after implantation. In addition to the main ²⁹Si resonance peak at ?22.26 ppm that corresponds to the resonance frequency of the D repeat unit of the polysiloxane chains, the high sensitivity of our NMR technique allows the detection of very low concentrations of silicone compounds. Within our experimental detection limit of 0.2%, no signal between ?90 ppm and ?150 ppm are observed. This indicates that no silica products are present inside the gel of the prostheses. Furthermore, our ²⁹Si NMR spectra indicate differences in the chemical compositions of the silicone gels from different manufacturers.     

Orthotopic placement of the dunning R3327 AT-3 prostate tumor in the copenhagen X fischer rat

Orthotopic placement of in vitro propagated Dunning R3327 AT-3 tumor cells resulted in a greater percentage of tumor takes and a two-fold shift in the exponential growth curve compared to flank implantation. The orthotopic tumor appeared to disseminate preferentially to regional lymph nodes, rather than to the lungs which is characteristic of flank tumors. The results suggest an important role of stromal-epithelial interactions in the growth of this tumor. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Lithium for irritability in Post-Traumatic stress disorder

Irritability is often a problem for patients with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). We describe two cases that illustrate the use of lithium in the treatment of veterans with PTSD who complained of serious problems with irritability or angry outbursts. These cases are discussed in the context of evidence that lithium may be useful in other patients with disorders of impulse control. The evidence linking disorders of anger and impulse control to a dysregulation in neurotransmitter regulation, particularly in serotonergic pathways, supports a psychopharmacologic approach to treatment. These findings should lead to further study of the role of lithium in the treatment of this symptom complex in patients with PTSD.     

Transurethral resection syndrome after transurethral resection of bladder tumours

The transurethral resection syndrome has not previously been described after bladder surgery. This article reports four patients who developed signs of this syndrome after transurethral resection of bladder tumours (TURB). Symptoms included abdominal pain, arterial hypotension, nausea and vomiting. There was evidence in all cases that the cause was absorption of irrigating fluid by the extravascular route. Fluid absorption was detected by ethanol in two patients and the urologist noted a perforation during the third operation. The most complicated clinical course occurred in the case where there was a delay of three hours before the diagnosis was made. Medical treatment consisted of antiemetics and volume expansion of the extracellular fluid compartment as extravasation is associated with hypovolaemia. Diuretics were not given until the circulation had been restored.     

Atraumatic retractor for endoscopic surgery

A novel retractor has been designed to achieve atraumatic retraction of the liver and displacement of hollow viscera during endoscopic surgery. The functional section of the instrument, when locked, forms a silicon-covered uniplanar hook which can be deployed for horizontal lift of solid organs such as the liver or be used to engage bowel for displacement from the operative field. Following laboratory testing, the instrument has been evaluated clinically and its ease of deployment and atraumatic nature have been confirmed. It has been found to be particularly effective for elevation of the thick fatty left lobe of the liver during antireflux surgery.