Reoperation for neurological complications following carotid endarterectomy.

Background: There remains a dilemma whether or not to re-explore the carotid artery when a neurological complication occurs after carotid endarterectomy. This study reviewed the indications for, findings and clinical outcomes following re-exploration.

Methods: Patients who experienced transient or permanent neurological events following carotid endarterectomy were identified from a prospectively compiled computerized database.

Measuring the impact of oral health on quality of life in Britain using OHQoL-UK(W).

Objectives: This study assessed the impact of oral health on quality of life (OHQoL) in Britain and identified disparities in OHQoL among subgroups of the population.

Methods: A national survey involved a random probability sample of 2,667 households. Participants were interviewed about their oral health status and sociodemographic information was collected.

Characteristics of non-respondents in a US national longitudinal survey on drinking and intimate partner violence.

Aims: To identify non-respondents' characteristics in a longitudinal household survey of intimate partner violence and drinking among United States couples.

Design: Multistage probability sampling procedure with over-samples from black and Hispanic populations. A total of 1635 couples 18 years of age or older were interviewed at baseline (1995) for a response rate of 85%.

Charged assembly helix motif in murine leukemia virus capsid: an important region for virus assembly and particle size determination.

We have identified a region near the C terminus of capsid (CA) of murine leukemia virus (MLV) that contains many charged residues. This motif is conserved in various lengths in most MLV-like viruses. One exception is that spleen necrosis virus (SNV) does not contain a well-defined domain of charged residues.

Patient-centred outcome measures for oral mucosal disease are sensitive to treatment.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of two patient-centred outcome measures to the topical application of a corticosteroid (betamethasone) in the treatment of oral lichen planus (OLP). Forty-eight patients with clinical and histological features of OLP were recruited to take part in a 6-week study of the effectiveness of topical betamethasone for the treatment of symptomatic OLP. Participants completed a questionnaire incorporating the 16-item UK Oral Health Related Quality Of Life measure (OHQOL) and the 14-item Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), rated their pain on 'global' and visual analogue scales (VAS) and underwent an oral examination, at the start and end of the trial.

Hypoxia-inducible erythropoietin signaling in squamous dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix and its potential role in cervical carcinogenesis and tumor progression.

Tissue hypoxia is a characteristic property of cervical cancers that makes tumors resistant to chemo- and radiation therapy. Erythropoietin (Epo) is a hypoxia-inducible stimulator of erythropoiesis. Acting via its receptor (EpoR), Epo up-regulates bcl-2 and inhibits apoptosis of erythroid cells and rescues neurons from hypoxic damage.

Dental services and perceived oral health: are patients better off going private?

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine associations between method of payment for dental services and perceived oral health in the UK.

Method: A national UK study involving a random probability sample of 2718 adults. Respondents were interviewed in their homes about their method of payment for dental services (private or NHS), service use (time and reason for last dental visit), self-reported oral health status (number of teeth possessed and denture status) and the impact of their oral health on their quality of life (employing the 16-item OHQoL-UK( Copyright) measure).

Determination of the incidence of sensitization after penicillin skin testing.

Background: Concerns for sensitization after penicillin skin testing are a factor in limiting the timing and population for whom this testing is offered. The sensitizing potential of the penicillin skin test has never been studied directly.

Methods: A total of 329 volunteers underwent prick and intradermal skin testing with penicillin G, benzylpenicilloyl-polylysine, and a minor determinant mixture.

An evaluation of the oral health quality of life (OHQoL) instrument in a Brazilian population.

Objectives: To translate and evaluate the performance of a Brazilian Portuguese version of the United Kingdom Oral Health related Quality of Life instrument, OHQoLUK, in assessing the impact of oral health on quality of life among a Brazilian adult population.

Design: Following forward-backwards translation the 16-item OHQoLUK measure was administered to adults utilising municipal dental health services in Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil. The instrument's psychometric properties, validity and reliability, were assessed.

Changes in life quality following third molar surgery--the immediate postoperative period.

Objectives: This study describes patients' perceptions of changes in oral health related quality of life (OHQOL) in the early postoperative period following third molar surgery.

Methods: One hundred patients were enrolled in a prospective cohort study of the surgical removal of lower third molars under local anaesthetic. Two specific oral health related quality of life measures, OHIP-14 and OHQoLUK, were administered to the study group prior to surgery.

Descriptive study of sexually transmitted diseases in Tarrant County, Texas, from 1998 through 2000.

Incidence rates of sexually transmitted diseases in Tarrant County, Texas, from 1998 through 2000 were assessed and compared with the rates in Texas and the United States, with the focus on similarities and differences in gender, age, and race/ethnicity. Data were obtained from the Tarrant County Public Health Department, the Texas Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The rates for gonorrhea and syphilis in Tarrant County were significantly higher than rates in Texas and the United States.

A study of the comparative efficacy of three common analgesics in the control of pain after third molar surgery under local anaesthesia.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the comparative efficacy of three commonly used analgesics (Panadeine, Diflunisal and Etodolac) in the control of pain after third molar surgery under local anaesthesia.

Methods: A randomized control study. Outcome of primary efficacy was judged by overall assessment of the area under the curve of graphs for pain intensity, measured from serial visual analogue scales over a 24-hour period.

Patient-centred outcome measures in oral surgery: validity and sensitivity.

The performances of patient-centred outcome measures after oral surgery were evaluated in a prospective cohort study of 100 patients who had third molar extractions. Participants self-completed a questionnaire incorporating a general health (12-item short form health survey: SF-12) and two specific outcome scales to oral health (oral health impact profile: OHIP-14, and The United Kingdom Oral Health related Quality of Life measure: OHQoL-UK) preoperatively, daily during the immediate postoperative period, and at the review appointment (7-days later). Ninety-seven completed the study.

Population based norming of the UK oral health related quality of life measure (OHQoL-UK).

Objectives: The aims of this study were to establish normative age-gender values for the UK oral health related quality of life measure (OHQoL-UK) in Britain and to provide a local reference for its interpretation. In addition, to identify key factors associated with oral health related quality of life in the UK.

Materials And Methods: A national survey conducted with the assistance of the Office for National Statistics involving a random probability sample of 2,718 households.

Disparities in self reported oral health problems among a young Syrian adult population.

Objective: To describe the prevalence of dental pain and other oral health problems among a young Syrian adult population and to identify socio-demographic factors associated with these experiences.

Subjects: An industrial sample of 400 men and women aged 18-34 years from Damascus, Syria.

Methods: Study participants were interviewed about their experience of oral health problems in the previous year (1998).

Oral health behind bars: a study of oral disease and its impact on the life quality of an older prison population.

Objective: The principal aims of this study were to report on the prevalence of oral disease and its impact on the life quality of older (aged 60 and above) prisoners at Hong Kong SAR's elderly detention centre, China.

Design: A cross-sectional epidemiological survey involving clinical oral examinations and face-to-face interviews with 64 older prisoners at the centre. Clinical oral examinations were carried out following WHO criteria.

Patient-centred outcome measures in oral medicine: are they valid and reliable?

The present study evaluates the performance of patient-centred outcome measures in the oral medicine setting in patients with oral lichen planus. The study included 48 patients with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of oral lichen planus who completed a questionnaire incorporating two patient-centred outcome measures: the 16-item UK Oral Health Related Quality Of Life Measure (OHQOL-UK) and 14-item Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). They subsequently underwent an oral examination and rated the pain they experienced on a visual analogue scale (VAS).

Thiolytic chemistry of alternative precursors to the major metabolite of the cancer chemopreventive oltipraz.

The compounds 7-methyl-6,8-bis(methyldisulfanyl)pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine (5; "bis disulfide") and methanethiosulfonic acid S-((6-(methanesulfonylsulfanyl)-7-methyl)pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazin-8-yl) ester (6; "bis methanesulfonic acid thioester") have been synthesized to serve as alternative precursors to the major metabolite, 4, of the cancer chemopreventive oltipraz, 1, to test whether they possess similar biological activities. In the present work the mechanisms by which these compounds react with glutathione have been investigated in order to validate the assumption that they would be chemically competent in the presence of the biological thiols to give the oltipraz metabolite. A kinetic and product study was carried out in mainly aqueous media, View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Understanding the value of oral health to people in Britain--importance to life quality.

Objectives: The study was designed to determine whether the British public perceived oral health as being important to quality of life (QoL) and if so, to identify in which most important ways. In addition, to identify socio-demographic variations in these perceptions.

Method: In a national survey conducted with the assistance of the Office for National Statistics, attempts were made to conduct face to face interviews with a random probability sample of 2,668 United Kingdom residents.

Overexpression of p16INK4A in liquid-based specimens (SurePath) as marker of cervical dysplasia and neoplasia.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is recognized as a causal agent for cervical carcinomas. Assimilation of HPV oncogenes E6 and E7 into the host DNA promotes upregulation of cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKI) p16(INK4A), detectable by monoclonal antibody in the developing cervical cancer cells. The aim of this study was to 1) develop a protocol for p16(INK4A) immunocytochemical staining on SurePath preparations, and 2) determine its utility as an HPV marker on a spectrum of cervical reactive and neoplastic lesions.

An fMRI study of facial emotion processing in patients with schizophrenia.

Objective: Emotion processing deficits are notable in schizophrenia. The authors evaluated cerebral blood flow response in schizophrenia patients during facial emotion processing to test the hypothesis of diminished limbic activation related to emotional relevance of facial stimuli.

Method: Fourteen patients with schizophrenia and 14 matched comparison subjects viewed facial displays of happiness, sadness, anger, fear, and disgust as well as neutral faces.

Influences of social support on the oral health of older people in Britain.

A national UK study involving a random sample of 876 non-institutionalized older people (aged 65 or older) were recruited, to identify the association between social support (living alone), self-reported oral health status and oral health behaviour (use of services). Home interviews were undertaken exploring oral health behaviour (time and reason for last dental visit) and oral health status measures (self-reported number of teeth possessed and denture status). In addition, socio-demographic characteristics were collected.

Cytomorphologic features of fine-needle aspiration of metastatic and recurrent melanoma.

Melanoma is an aggressive malignancy with a growing prevalence. Although early detection and excision offer a potential cure, recurrences and metastases are not uncommon. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) can play a vital role in their detection as a relatively noninvasive, rapid, and economical alternative for tracking disease evolution.

Brain activation during facial emotion processing.

Functional neuroimaging studies have helped identify neural systems involved in cognitive processing and more recently have indicated limbic activation to emotional stimuli. Some functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have reported increased amygdala response during exposure to emotional stimuli while others have not shown such activation. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that activation of the amygdala is related to the relevance of the emotional valence of stimuli.

Measuring the impact of oral health on life quality in two national surveys - functionalist versus hermeneutic approaches.

Objectives: This study compares a functionalist (quantitative) versus a hermeneutic (qualitative) approach to assessing the impact of oral health on life quality in two United Kingdom national surveys.

Methods: The vehicles for this study were two Office for National Statistics' Omnibus Surveys completed in 1998 and 1999. In both studies a random probability sample of 3000 household addresses was selected from the British Postcode Address File (PAF).