Recovered Memory of Childhood Sexual Trauma: A Documented Case from a Longitudinal Study

A case of recovered memory of childhood trauma is reported with documented sexual trauma in early childhood, chronicled evidence of the absence of memory for traumatic experience over a period of time, and substantial evidence of spontaneous recovery of memory. This account contains the first available prospective report of memory loss in a case in which there is both documented evidence of trauma and evidence of recovery of memory. The case emerged as part of a broadband, large-scale study of children followed closely from birth to adulthood which was not focused on memory for trauma. Prospective data gathered in a neutral research context, corroborated and supplemented by retrospective information, circumvent many limitations of previous retrospective accounts of recovered memories.     

Zinc oxide-eugenol and calcium hydroxide pulpectomies in baboon primary molars: histological responses.

AIM: To compare histological responses to zinc oxide-eugenol (ZOE) and calcium hydroxide (CH) pulpectomies in primary molar teeth with inflamed pulps. STUDY DESIGN: This was an experimental study in 17 juvenile baboons (Papio ursinus). METHODS: Pulpitis was induced with fresh human carious dentine or Streptococcus mutans placed into occlusal cavities in 78 primary molars; after 14 days a pulpectomy was performed on the same primary molars with the two root fillings randomly allocated. The root canal openings were then covered with IRM and the cavity filled with amalgam. After 90 days specimens were harvested and examined under the light microscope with the examiner blind to the treatment. RESULTS: Reaction frequencies in the ZOE-treated versus CH-treated teeth were: no recognisable pulp 89% and 82%, internal root resorption 0% and 1%, external root resorption 11% and 24%, presence of bacteria 5% and 18%, periapical abscesses 24% and 52%. STATISTICS: Fisher's exact probability test showed a statistically significant higher prevalence of periapical abscesses in the CH-treated group (P=0.03, relative risk 2.2). CONCLUSIONS: ZOE pulpectomy is preferred to CH for the treatment of infected pulps in primary molars.     

Effect on plaque pH of fruit drinks with reduced carbohydrate content.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the acidogenic response in dental plaque after challenge with four fruit drinks, including two blackcurrant drinks newly formulated, with low levels of carbohydrate. METHODS: 24 adult volunteers rinsed, in randomised order, with each of two new formulations of a blackcurrant drink (7% juice with 0.49% and 10% juice with 0.65% carbohydrate concentration respectively), an apple and blackcurrant drink with no added sugar (0.8%), and a mixed citrus fruit drink with a higher carbohydrate concentration (4.5% w/v). Solutions of 10% sucrose and 10% sorbitol were used as controls. Plaque pH was assessed, in vivo, before and after the acidogenic challenge using the plaque-harvesting technique. RESULTS: Results showed that the minimum plaque pH after the subjects rinsed with the new blackcurrant drinks was higher as compared with all the other test products and significantly so compared with the mixed citrus drink (P = 0.0001). It was also found that with the 7% blackcurrant juice drink none of the subjects and with 10% blackcurrant juice drink only one subject recorded a pH drop below the pH of 5.7. Ten minutes after consumption, both the new formulation blackcurrant drinks produced significantly higher plaque pH than the mixed citrus drink. In addition, overall change in the hydrogen ion concentration over the study period (sigma delta cH) was significantly less with both new blackcurrant drinks compared with the mixed citrus drink. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that the two new formulations with low levels of carbohydrate had a low acidogenic potential and did not depress the plaque pH below the critical level and their consumption could not be considered to pose a significant risk for enamel demineralisation.     

Evaluation of Serum Levels of Procalcitonin and C-Reactive Protein as Prognostic Indicators in Burns

Background Burn is a leading cause of fatality in a developing country. C-reactive protein levels (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) can be prognostic indicators for the burn patients'' mortality. Aim To assess serial levels of serum PCT and serum CRP as prognostic indicators in burns. Patient and Methods In patients admitted with burns, alternate-day serum PCT and CRP were measured from the time of admission until the time of discharge or until survival. The change in trends of CRP and PCT serum levels were studied, and it was then correlated with mortality among these burn patients. Results The first-day value of serum PCT > 1772 pg/mL and serum CRP > 71 mg/mL or any value of serum PCT > 2163 pg/mL and of serum CRP > 90 mg/L indicate a poor prognosis in burns. Conclusions The day-1 values of PCT and CRP were significantly higher in nonsurvivors than survivors in burns. The increasing trends of serum PCT and CRP levels are independent predictors of mortality in burns requiring prompt intervention. Rising PCT and CRP level denote poor prognosis in burns with an increased likelihood of death by 4.5 and 23.6 times, respectively.     

Reversing the immune ageing clock: lifestyle modifications and pharmacological interventions

It is widely accepted that ageing is accompanied by remodelling of the immune system, including reduced numbers of naïve T cells, increased senescent or exhausted T cells, compromise to monocyte, neutrophil and natural killer cell function and an increase in systemic inflammation. In combination these changes result in increased risk of infection, reduced immune memory, reduced immune tolerance and immune surveillance, with significant impacts upon health in old age. More recently it has become clear that the rate of decline in the immune system is malleable and can be influenced by environmental factors such as physical activity as well as pharmacological interventions. This review discusses briefly our current understanding of immunesenescence and then focuses on lifestyle interventions and therapeutic strategies that have been shown to restore immune functioning in aged individuals.     

Discoloration of Teeth after Avulsion and Replantation: Results from a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction

There is evidence to suggest that Ledermix, placed as an intervisit root canal dressing, might improve periodontal healing after replantation of avulsed teeth. As a part of a multicenter randomized controlled trial, we aimed to compare the effect of 2 root canal medicaments, Ledermix and Ultracal XS, on the discoloration of replanted teeth.

Methods

Discoloration was investigated by using 3 methods: patient satisfaction with the color of replanted teeth, clinical photographs taken at baseline and 12-month reviews, and estimation of color change by using CIELAB scores for baseline and 12-month photographs.

Results

Twenty-two patients (27 teeth) were recruited. Ten patients (12 teeth) were randomized to the Ledermix group and 12 patients (15 teeth) to the Ultracal XS group. At 12 months, 8 patients were concerned with the discoloration of their teeth. Seven came from the Ledermix group and 1 from the Ultracal XS group. This difference was significant (Fisher exact test, P = .009). Standardized photographs were taken for the patients recruited at one center only (17 patients). There was significant discoloration of teeth from baseline with Ledermix, causing a darkening and gray-brown discoloration (mean change from baseline to 12 months, L∗ = -5.1, a∗ = 0.3, b∗ = -1.2, and ΔE = 8.1) and Ultracal XS, causing a yellowing and lightening of teeth (L∗ = 1.9, a∗ = 0.3, b∗ = 3.3, and ΔE = 5.4). There was a significant difference for the L∗ and b∗ variables (independent t test) between the 2 groups.

Conclusions

Both root canal medicaments cause discoloration, with Ledermix proving less acceptable to patients.     

Temporomandibular joint adaptations following two-phase therapy: an MRI study

Authors – Wadhawan N, Kumar S, Kharbanda OP, Duggal R, Sharma R Aim – To document the alterations within the condyle‐glenoid fossa (C‐GF) complex and the positional changes of the glenoid fossa in the cranium after removable functional appliance therapy and after the completion of fixed appliance therapy. Setting and Sample – The Department of Orthodontics, Centre for Dental Education and Research, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. The study sample consisted of 12 growing children (eight girls and four boys) between 10 and 14 years of age with skeletal Class II division 1 malocclusion selected on well defined criteria. Materials and Methods – All patients were treated with either the Twin Block or the Bionator appliance followed by fixed appliances. Mean total treatment duration was 28 months. The changes in and around the C‐GF complex were evaluated using MRI at pre‐treatment stage, after functional appliance therapy and at the completion of fixed mechanotherapy. Results – Forward condylar position within the glenoid fossa and articular disc retrusion with respect to the condylar head were statistically significant after functional appliance therapy. However, the condyles had a relatively concentric position within the glenoid fossa, while the articular disc resumed its pre‐treatment position at the end of the treatment. Linear measurements from the centre of the external auditory meatus to the post‐glenoid spine revealed a 1.3‐mm forward relocation of the post‐glenoid spine along the Frankfurt Horizontal plane. Conclusions – Forward relocation of the C‐GF complex seems to be one of the mechanisms of action of functional appliances, while the internal anatomic arrangement within the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) complex normalizes to its pre‐treatment position.