Pain and fear in connection to orthodontic extractions of deciduous canines

International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2010; 20: 193–200 Background. Interceptive extractions of deciduous canines are, from a patient perspective, poorly investigated. Aims. To describe pain, discomfort, and dental fear in connection to extractions of the deciduous canines, indicated as an orthodontic treatment procedure. Design. Thirty‐two Swedish children aged 7–9 years had all four deciduous canines extracted over three occasions. The children rated procedural and postoperative pain on visual analogue scales. Acceptance of injections and extractions was assessed by the treating dentists. Analgesic consumption and recovery time for drinking and eating was reported by parents. Dental fear was assessed using the Children’s Fear Survey Schedule questionnaire. Results. Procedural pain showed low median levels, although some individuals reported high values. Boys reported significantly more pain at appointments when two (as opposed to one) canines were extracted. Postoperative pain levels were low and use of analgesics sparse. Dental fear paralleled norm values and did not increase from pre‐ to post‐extraction. Conclusions. Pain management routines during extractions of this kind should be revised. Single tooth extractions seem to be preferable to extractions of two canines at the same appointment. Extraction of four deciduous canines should not cause major postoperative inconvenience; these extractions neither triggered nor increased dental fear.     

Improved speech and language development after unilateral cochlear implantation in children with a potentially useable contralateral ear

Objectives: Increasingly, children are considered for a unilateral cochlear implant (CI), even if the contralateral ear falls outside current audiological guidelines, especially if they are not considered to be reaching their educational potential. Here we present the outcomes of CI in children with potentially useable hearing in the contralateral ear.

Methods: A retrospective case note review was performed for a total of 57 patients. Primary outcome was speech and language (SaL) development, as measured by the Manchester Speech and Language Development Scale (MSLDS) and SaL age equivalent. Secondary outcomes were auditory perception, perceived parental benefit and compliance; respectively measured by Categories of Auditory Performance (CAP), Brief Assessment of Parental Perception (BAPP) and reported use.

Results: SaL development improved after CI with a mean pre-operative MSLDS score of 5.8 to a postoperative score of 8.0 (n?=?57) and a mean SaL age equivalent of 14 months in a one-year period (n?=?14). Furthermore, CAP scores improved from 4.9 to 7.0 (n?=?57). Analysis of BAPP scores showed improved quality of life in 18/19 patients (94.7%). With regards to compliance, 50/57 (87.7%) are fulltime users of both their CI and their HA.

Conclusion: The present study indicates that despite one ear having potentially useable hearing outside national audiological criteria, the majority of participants received benefit from a CI in the poorer hearing ear. We suggest that assessment of each ear separately and treatment with the most appropriate amplification device, has given these children a benefit they may not otherwise have acquired if they only had bilateral HA.     

Immunologic significance of respirable atmospheric starch granules containing major birch allergen Bet v 1

BACKGROUND: Birch-pollen allergens are an important cause of early spring hay fever and allergic asthma. Recently, we reported a mechanism for the release of respirable allergenic particles from birch pollen containing the major allergen Bet v 1. In this study, we aimed to assess the immunologic significance of the released Bet v 1-containing starch granules in the environment. METHODS: A two-site monoclonal antibody-based assay (ELISA) was employed to quantitate Bet v 1 in high-volume air sampler filter extracts, and immunogold-labelling was used on sections of these extracts to localize Bet v 1. Immunoblot analyses were performed with pooled sera from patients sensitive to birch pollen. RESULTS: Atmospheric starch granules contained Bet v 1, and the concentration increased upon light rainfall. Sera from patients allergic to birch allergens recognized extracts from isolated starch granules. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical implications of these findings are that starch granules released from birch pollen are potentially able to trigger allergic asthmatic reactions to Bet v 1, since the allergen occurs in respirable particles. Thus, clinicians can advise asthma patients to remain indoors on days of light rainfall during the birch-pollen season to avoid high levels of allergen exposure.     

血透对慢性肾功能衰竭患者心脏结构和功能的影响

目的 探讨慢性肾功能衰竭（ＣＲＦ）患者心脏结构和功能的改变及血液透析对心脏的影响。方法 ４０例正常对照及２０例慢性肾衰患者血透前后分别用彩色多普勒超声心动图（ＵＣＧ）进行心脏结构和功能的测定,并监测透析前后血压、肾功能的变化。结果 ＣＲＦ患者与正常对照组相比,ＳＢＰ显著升高（Ｐ〈０．０１）,ＡＯＥ降低,ＬＡＤ、ＲＡＡ、ＩＶＳＴ、ＬＶＰＷＴ及ＬＶＭＩ均明显增高（Ｐ〈０．０１）,心脏收缩功能代偿性增强