Maternal perceptions of child behavior: handicappec versus nonhandicapped

This study compares the ratings of child behavior in short stories by mothers of children with handicapping conditions versus those whose children had no handicapping conditions. Each of the mothers rated 12 short stories or vignettes and indicated their self-perceived level of stress. The results showed that the mothers of children with handicapping conditions expressed significantly greater stress levels and rated inappropriate child behavior in a more tolerant fashion than the mothers of children without handicapping conditions. This information may be of value to the dentist who treats patients with handicapping conditions, and it provides a greater understanding of the mothers' concerns and daily life stresses.     

Effect of Antiarrhythmic Drugs on Defibrillation Threshold: Case Report of an Adverse Effect of Mexiletine and Review of the Literature

Antiarrhythmic agents can influence defibrillation threshold (DFT). Basic research suggests that some class I drugs may have deleterious effects by raising defibrillation energy requirements. Evaluation of this problem in man has been limited to reports of patients who were more difficult to cardiovert or defibrillate after treatment with amiodarone and class IC agents. In the present report, mexiletine appeared to be the probable cause of an important elevation of DFT in a patient undergoing replacement of a malfunctioning automatic implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (AICD). This report and the accompanying literature review suggest that more information at both the basic and clinical levels is required. Retesting of device efficacy in terminating induced arrhythmia in the laboratory appears prudent in patients who require antiarrhythmic drug therapy subsequent to AICD implantation.     

Writing Research Reports

The findings of nursing research are of little value unless they are communicated to other nurses and other health professionals. Therefore, writing the research report is an essential component of the research process. This article gives a general guide for the organization and presentation of a research report. For specific rules on style and format, the reader is referred to style manuals and to guides for authors for specific journals.     

Formation of a dehydroalanyl residue from S-benzylcysteine upon HF cleavage of a [Sar1, Cys8]-angiotensin II peptide resin

Attempted removal with hydrogen fluoride (HF) of an S-benzyl group from a cysteine-containing peptide resulted in the formation of a dehydroalanine residue by elimination of benzyl mercaptan.     

Panoramic screening for dental anomalies assessed by professionals with identical and different backgrounds

Abstract – The aim of the present study was to evaluate how dental professionals with identical and different backgrounds assess dental anomalies viewed on panoramic radiographs. 101 panoramic radiographs performed of 9-to-10-yr-old children were examined independently by three orthodontists and two radiologists. All observers agreed on the recording of number and identification of congenitally missing permanent teeth. The observers' assessments of malpositioned teeth, teeth in infraocclusion, and primary teeth with atypical/non root resorption varied, however, to a great extent. Two of the orthodontists seemed to report only major deviations from normality (in 38 and 51 of the children respectively) while one reported several more findings (in 85 children). The radiologists reported abnormal findings in 80 and 88 children respectively. In only three children were no dental anomalies reported by any observer. The inconsistent reporting of the majority of dental anomalies (except for agenesis) in children, even among members of subgroups with a similar educational background (e.g. orthodontists), substantiates the need for an evaluation of the expedience of panoramic screening.     

Oral radiographic screening in Danish children

Abstract – The aim of the present study was to ascertain frequency and type of radiographic screening in the Danish Dental Service for children. A 5-item questionnaire was sent to each department of public dentistry in the 275 communities of Denmark. A total of 269 questionnaires were returned, four unanswered. Radiographic screening examinations were done on 162 respondents. Of these, 25% had bitewing screening and 25% panoramic screening. Two types of routine radiographic examinations were performed on more than one third of the respondents. The most frequent combination for screening radiography was bitewing and panorama. Even though the risks included in the use of ionizing radiation for dental screening purposes may be considered negligible, it is still ethically correct to avoid unnecessary exposure by a careful selection of patients prior to radiography. As economic support for dental health care had been cut, the radiographic screening procedure must prove itself to be cost/effective to be kept unchanged.     

Sex and grommet operations

Sex differences in patients having grommet operations in Scotland were analysed to provide further evidence on whether girls should be managed differently from boys. In children treated at less than one year, 64% were boys, but this proportion declined with age and, after the age of 13 years, became less than 50%. The median age at treatment and the repeat operation rate were similar for both sexes. Different management according to the sex of the patient does therefore not appear to be justified.