The effects of literacy and education on the quantitative and qualitative aspects of semantic verbal fluency.

Semantic verbal fluency tasks are commonly used in neuropsychological assessment. Investigations of the influence of level of literacy have not yielded consistent results in the literature. This prompted us to investigate the ecological relevance of task specifics, in particular, the choice of semantic criteria used. Two groups of literate and illiterate subjects were compared on two verbal fluency tasks using different semantic criteria. The performance on a food criterion (supermarket fluency task), considered more ecologically relevant for the two literacy groups, and an animal criterion (animal fluency task) were compared. The data were analysed using both quantitative and qualitative measures. The quantitative analysis indicated that the two literacy groups performed equally well on the supermarket fluency task. In contrast, results differed significantly during the animal fluency task. The qualitative analyses indicated differences between groups related to the strategies used, especially with respect to the animal fluency task. The overall results suggest that there is not a substantial difference between literate and illiterate subjects related to the fundamental workings of semantic memory. However, there is indication that the content of semantic memory reflects differences in shared cultural background--in other words, formal education--, as indicated by the significant interaction between level of literacy and semantic criterion.     

Predictive power of various models for longitudinal attachment level change

Abstract Several statistical models that have been suggested in the periodontal literature for describing longitudinal attachment level changes, such as the gradual loss, single-burst, multiple-burst, and random walk models as well as other models introduced in this paper are compared by their power to predict future attachment loss. The data used in this analysis is from 1061 sites of 8 subjects, with moderate to severe periodontal disease, monitored monthly for about a year. This study found that none of the suggested models could significantly outperform the naive mean predictor, which predicts the future attachment level from the past mean. It was also found that no single model, such as the burst, gradual, or random walk, together with measurement error can fully explain the variation in the data. These results indicate that in the course of one year, the attachment level change may not follow the same model. Consequently, a model that fits well to past data cannot be accurately extended to the future.     

The use of methotrexate in steroid-resistant systemic lupus erythematosus

Although the use of methotrexate (MTX) is gaining acceptance in the treatment of several connective tissue diseases, there is little evidence of its therapeutic value in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We examined the response to MTX in patients with steroid-resistant SLE in an open, unblinded study. Of 10 SLE patients treated with MTX (7.5 mg/weekly), 7 showed improvement. The other 3 stopped therapy because of lack of response or because of side effects. Improvements were noted within 3 months in responding patients. These promising observations suggest that controlled studies of MTX for the treatment of SLE are justified.     

Centrally active modulators of glutamate receptors facilitate the induction of long-term potentiation in vivo.

An experimental drug, 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylcarbonyl)piperidine, that facilitates glutamatergic transmission in brain after systemic administration was tested for its effects on the induction of long-term potentiation in the hippocampus of rats. Intraperitoneal injections of the drug markedly increased the degree and duration of long-term potentiation; similar results were obtained with an analogue of 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylcarbonyl)piperidine that was also found to improve retention of memory in a radial maze task and in an odor-matching problem. These results define tools for enhancing long-term potentiation in vivo and confirm an important prediction from the hypothesis that long-term potentiation is a substrate of memory.     

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.     

Caries experience in Icelandic 12-year-old urban children between 1984 and 1991

Abstract – In order to evaluate trends in caries experience, a 20% random sample of 12-yr-old residents of Reykjavik, Iceland (252 children) was examined clinically and radiographically in 1991 under conditions consistent with those of the survey conducted in 1984. In addition to caries data, frequency of toothbrushing and use of fluoride dentifrice were recorded. The mean DFT and DPS were 3.0 and 4.1, respectively. The decrease in caries experience reached 60% with an annual fall in DPS of nearly 10%. During the 7-yr period between examinations the decline in DFT and DFS scores averaged 5.2 and 8, respectively, the annual reduction amounting to 0.7 DF teeth or 1.1 DF surfaces per child. The ratio of approximal/occlusal caries and the proportion of approximal caries were similar in both surveys. Fourteen percent of the children were free from manifest caries in 1991, but only 2% in 1984. Polarization between low and high prevalence individuals had intensified. Ninety-five percent of the children brushed their teeth regularly and 97% reported using a fluoride dentifrice.