Oral function in patients wearing fixed prosthesis on osseointegrated implants in the maxilla: 3-year follow-up study

Seventeen consecutive selected patients rehabilitated by means of a full maxillary bridge on osseointegrated implants ad modem Brånemark were evaluated over a 3-yr period. Besides a subjective evaluation by means of a questionnaire an examination of the occlusal relationship, chewing force, chewing efficiency and interocclusal threshold level was performed before, immediately after, 3–6 months after, and finally 3 yr after bridge installation. All subjects were very pleased with the oral rehabilitation. The chewing force and the chewing efficiency development increased over time, while the threshold level for interocclusal detection remained unchanged. The clinical dysfunction index according to Helkimo indicated that there was no marked change in signs of dysfunction of the patients' masticatory systems during the observation period. From the present longitudinal investigation one can conclude that the replacement of a full maxillary denture with a fixed prosthesis on osseointegrated implants, facing a natural dentition or an osseointegrated implant supported bridge in the opposite jaw, leads to a progressive increase of chewing efficiency and chewing force, and a constant subjective improvement of jaw function, while no masticatory dysfunction seems to occur during the observation period.     

A clinical evaluation of fixed-bridge restorations supported by the combination of teeth and osseointegrated titanium implants

Abstract. The present paper reports on the result of the use of osseointegrated titanium fixtures and teeth as combined abutments for fixed-bridge restorations in 10 partially dentate patients. In these patients, the remaining teeth were too few or too unfavourably distributed in the jaws to serve as sole abutments for fixed bridgework. Titanium fixtures ad modum Brånemark were therefore implanted in suitable positions and used as abutments in combination with the remaining teeth. Evaluations at periods of 6 to 30 months postoperatively revealed good clinical results. Some tissue reactions, however, were also observed, indicating the presence of certain clinically significant differences in the functional behaviour of tooth abutments and titanium fixture abutments. These reactions and differences are discussed.     

Partial purification and characterization of soluble TMV replicase

A soluble TMV replicase (TMV-RNA dependent RNA polymerase) has been partially purified from systemically TMV-infected tobacco leaves. The enzyme was obtained by gel filtration on 8% agarose followed by affinity chromatography on agarose with chemically coupled RNA. The presence of Mg²⁺, all four nucleoside triphosphates, and an RNA were absolutely required for enzyme activity with the purified replicase, which showed some preference for the homologous viral RNA. The product was largely resistant to ribonuclease at high salt concentration. Based on the sedimentation in sucrose gradients, the molecular weight of the replicase was estimated to be 130,000.     

The distribution of terminal sympathetic nerve fibers in bundle branches and false tendons of the bovine heart. An immunohistochemical and catecholamine histofluorescence study

Summary The sympathetic innervation in false tendons as a whole and the distribution of the terminal sympathetic nerve fibers in the conduction tissue in the bundle branches is unclear. Therefore, in the present study, false tendons and bundle branch regions of the bovine heart were examined using tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemistry and the glyoxylic acid induced catecholamine (CA) fluorescence method for demonstration of sympathetic nerve fibers. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) histochemistry was also applied. Some of the nerve fascicles in the false tendons were found to contain large numers of sympathetic nerve fibers and such nerve fibers formed plexuses in the walls of arteries and arterioles in these structures. In both false tendons and bundle branches sympathetic nerve fibers 1) were non-homogeneously distributed in the conduction tissue, most regularly occurring in the channels of extracellular space that are present within the bundles of Purkinje fibres. and 2) showed the same pattern of distribution in relation to Purkinje fibre bundle surfaces as the AChE-positive nerve branches. The observations show that there is a substantial sympathetic innervation in false tendons. The final distribution of the nerve fibers in these structures and in the bundle branches are discussed in relation to what is known of tissue morphology and the occurrence of sympathetic nerve influences in these regions. In the present study, previous CA-fluorescence observations of a marked sympathetic innervation in bundle branch regions, in terms of the presence of sympathetic nerve fibers in nerve fascicles and vessel walls, were also corroborated by the application of TH-immunohistochemistry.     

Experiences of Guilt as a Mother in the Context of Eating Difficulties

The aim of this study was to explore motherhood in the context of eating difficulties. The research question was: What are mothers' daily life experiences when suffering from ED? An explorative design was used. In-depth interviews (n = 8) focused on experiences of motherhood and eating difficulties. Data were interpreted by hermeneutic analysis. The main theme, “experiencing guilt as a mother in the context of eating difficulties,” comprised two themes: (1) having a guilty conscience in relation to being a good enough mother and (2) being preoccupied about not involving the children in the eating difficulties. The study illuminates the importance of identifying mothers with eating difficulties and offering them treatment and support.     

Influence of bone marrow on membrane-guided bone regeneration of segmental long-bone defects in rabbits

Defects 10 mm long were created in long bone in the diaphysis of both radii of 18 rabbits (test and control side). On the test side, ingrowth of bone marrow into the defects was hindered or delayed by: plugging the opening of the cut bone ends with gutta-percha points (n = 7); plugging with Gelfoam (n = 6); or by removing the bone marrow by flushing with saline (n = 5). The defects on both test and control side were covered with an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane, shaped as a tube. Healing was followed with radiographs for four to five months, after which the animals were killed and ground sections of the areas of the defects were prepared for histological examination. On the control side, nine of 18 animals had complete osseous bridging of the defect, and a small transverse non-mineralised zone remained in the centre of the healed defect in the other animals. This zone consisted of loose connective and cartilagenous tissue as well as connective tissue obviously derived from the outside of the membrane. By preventing or delaying the ingrowth of bone marrow we retarded the regeneration of mineralised bone, particularly in the gutta-percha and flushed bone marrow groups. The principle of guided tissue regeneration may be used to achieve regeneration of extensive long-bone defects. Any attempts to delay or prevent bone marrow ingrowth into the defects did retard regeneration of segmental long-bone defects.