Tobacco smoking: a major risk factor for loss of teeth in three 70-year-old cohorts

Oral health was examined in a random sample of 1377 people in three 70-year-old cohorts studied within 5-yr intervals. During the studied period 1971-1983 the prevalence of toothlessness decreased from 52 to 34%. Toothlessness in men was more common in smokers, 48%, and ex-smokers, 32%, than in non-smokers, 20%. Eichner's index was used as a measurement of dental invalidity. This index showed a worse dental state among smokers and ex-smokers compared to non-smokers. Multivariate analyses indicated that tobacco smoking was a major independent risk factor for tooth loss in elderly men.     

Patient experience with, and use of, an electronic monitoring system to assess vaccination responses

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the user experience and acceptability of an electronic patient monitoring system. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: 822 Military and civilian personnel at a health clinic at a major US military headquarters used an Internet and telephone-based electronic monitoring system to report vaccination-site responses and symptoms after receiving the smallpox vaccination. Focus groups of vaccinees were conducted to help develop a survey about the experience that was distributed to 379 vaccinees (96% completion rate). RESULTS: Users of the electronic monitoring system reported that it was fast and easy to use and reported they would use a system like this again and recommend an electronic monitoring system to a friend or relative. Most users (84%) were comfortable with a physician tracking their vaccine reaction using their electronic reports, but only half (51%) were comfortable with eliminating the post-vaccination follow-up visit with their health-care provider based on their electronic reports. CONCLUSIONS: This electronic monitoring system was well received by vaccinees and allowed health-care providers to track the status of vaccinees. However, vaccinees were not comfortable replacing a physician visit with electronic monitoring, at least for the smallpox vaccination. A monitoring system like this may be useful in public health settings, such as mass vaccination or prophylaxis during a bioterrorism event, a pandemic influenza outbreak, or another public health emergency.     

神经化组织工程骨构建的初步观察

目的评估两种组织工程骨体内神经化重建方法的成骨效果,研究神经化与成骨的相互关系。方法26只新西兰大白兔,其中24只随机分成四组:组织工程骨组(A组),感觉神经束植入组(B组),运动神经束植入组(C组),血管束植入组(D组);另2只为空白对照组。每只动物均制备左侧股骨长1.5cm的段缺性骨与骨膜缺损,钢板固定后骨缺损处分别植入用四种方法制备的组织工程骨。植入的神经分别是隐神经和股神经肌支。术后4、8、12周摄股骨正位X线片,用放射影像学评分和X线阻射影分析比较骨缺损修复情况。结果在组织工程骨中植入感觉神经束后,比单纯组织工程骨和运动神经束植入的修复效果均有明显提高,而在组织工程骨中植入运动神经束与单纯组织工程骨修复骨缺损的效果相比较无明显差异,感觉神经束植入与血管束植入的成骨效果比较无明显差异,血管束植入组的成骨效果优于其它两组。结论利用感觉神经束植入的方法可以提高组织工程骨的成骨作用,而植入运动神经束却无此作用。     

护理本科生关爱能力调查分析

目的了解护理本科生关爱能力现状,为护理本科生关爱能力的培养提供依据。方法采用关爱能力评价表,对四川省4所医学院校579名护理本科生关爱能力进行问卷调查。结果护理本科生关爱能力评分为189.72±19.57,在各维度中耐心维度得分最高,勇气维度得分最低;不同性别、民族、是否独生子女关爱能力比较,差异无显著性意义（均P〉0.05）;四年级护理本科生关爱能力评分显著高于二、三年级（均P〈0.05）。结论护理本科生关爱能力仍需提高,建议从实践关爱和课程设置等方面提高护理本科生的关爱能力。     

Early Designs for the Occlusal Anatomy of Posterior Denture Teeth: Part III

Part III of this series of articles, like Part II, reviews the pioneering efforts in the 19th century to improve the quality of artificial teeth. The focus of this article, unlike that of Part II, is specifically modifications in the design of the occlusal anatomy of the 19th century denture teeth, along with the theories of mandibular movement that inspired those modifications. This article concludes the introductory phase of this project, which seeks to unravel the confusing history of the development of (posterior) denture teeth.