Multidimensional evaluation of a radio frequency identification wi-fi location tracking system in an acute-care hospital setting.

Real-time locating systems (RTLS) have the potential to enhance healthcare systems through the live tracking of assets, patients and staff. This study evaluated a commercially available RTLS system deployed in a clinical setting, with three objectives: (1) assessment of the location accuracy of the technology in a clinical setting; (2) assessment of the value of asset tracking to staff; and (3) assessment of threshold monitoring applications developed for patient tracking and inventory control. Simulated daily activities were monitored by RTLS and compared with direct research team observations.

Minimal and moderate oral sedation in the adult special needs patient.

Oral minimal/moderate sedation can be an effective tool to aid in the dental management of adult special needs patients. Specific sedative drugs must be chosen by the dentist that can be used safely and effectively on these patients. This article focuses on a select number of these drugs, specific medical and pharmacologic challenges presented by adult special needs patients, and techniques to safely administer oral minimal and moderate sedation.

Patient characteristics associated with receipt of dental radiographic procedures during a 48-month population-based study of dentate adults.

Objective: The objective was to test hypotheses that patient characteristics are associated with receipt of specific types of radiographic procedures.

Study Design: The Florida Dental Care Study was a prospective cohort study of dentate adults.

Results: From 19% to 59% of participants received a full-mouth series, panoramic, bitewing, or periapical radiograph(s), depending on procedure type.

The asthma patient and dental management.

Asthma is increasing worldwide at a dramatic rate. The way the medical community defines asthma is changing, from considering it solely a respiratory disease to recognizing it as a more complex inflammatory disease process. This means that the treatment of asthma is becoming multifocal, depending upon the varied symptoms displayed.

Localized thermal anomalies in haloclines of coastal Yucatan sinkholes.

A temperature spike is reported in the haloclines of three Yucatan sinkholes along a 1 km NW-SE transect from 5 to 4 km inland from the Caribbean coast. The temperature spike decreases in magnitude from 3.5 degrees C to 0.

Acute porphyric disorders.

Acute porphyrias are classified into 3 distinct groups of rare genetic disorders of metabolic enzyme biosynthesis. Acute porphyrias can significantly impact multiple organ systems, which often provides a challenge to the dentist presented with such a patient. A case of hereditary coproporphyria is reported in a patient with many of the classical signs and symptoms.

Evaluating neoadjuvant therapy effectiveness on systemic disease: use of a prostatic-specific membrane reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

Objective: An on-going study at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center assessed the effectiveness of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) prior to surgical removal of the prostate. In this report, we evaluate the effectiveness of ADT on systemic disease by monitoring the presence or absence of circulating prostatic epithelial cells using a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for prostatic-specific membrane antigen (PSM).

Methods: PSM RT-PCR was performed on a total of 38 prostate cancer patients.

Treatment modalities for intraoral Kaposi's sarcoma: report of case.

Intraoral Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a lesion seen commonly in patients with AIDS. These lesions can interfere with both speech and mastication. The dental team should be aware of the various treatment modalities for KS and the complications associated with these treatments.

Ipsapirone and 1-(2-pyrimidinyl)-piperazine increase rat locus coeruleus noradrenergic activity.

The effects of systemically administered ipsapirone, an aryl-piperazine compound, and its major metabolite 1-(2-pyrimidinyl)-piperazine (1-PP), on locus coeruleus (LC) noradrenergic activity was investigated. On an equimolar basis both ipsapirone and 1-PP were approximately equipotent in increasing LC neuronal activity. However, pretreatment with 1-PP caused a significantly greater parallel shift to the right of the dose response curve for the inhibitory action of the LC alpha 2-receptor agonist clonidine compared to ipsapirone.

Midazolam, diazepam, and placebo as intravenous sedatives for dental surgery.

This study was a comparison of the sedative and amnestic properties of midazolam and diazepam when administered for relief of patient discomfort during dental surgery. It was a double-blind placebo-controlled group study, which entailed the analysis of 60 patients randomly assigned to the three groups: midazolam, diazepam, and placebo. There were 20 patients in each group.

Bilateral fusion of the maxillary central incisors to supernumerary teeth: report of case.

A rare occurrence of bilateral dental fusion is reported. An alternative to conventional treatment is described in which the supernumerary teeth are separated and maintained as part of the anterior complement of teeth.

Idiopathic external root resorption of the entire permanent dentition: report of case.

A puzzling case is presented, in which no known etiology existed for a progressively worsening idiopathic external root resorption throughout the entire dentition. Parents of the patient did not pursue the option of pulp extirpation and calcium hydroxide treatment as a possible means of arresting the condition.