Survey of currently used materials for fabrication of extraoral maxillofacial prostheses in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Purpose: The purpose of this survey was to review the extraoral maxillofacial materials currently used as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the materials in the fabrication of facial prostheses. Results of this survey will enhance scientific knowledge, generate research study ideas, and possibly lead to production of alternative or new maxillofacial materials.

Material And Methods: A 47-question survey was delivered via e-mail to all members (combined total of 260 members) of the American Anaplastology Association (AAA) and American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics (AAMP) for evaluation of personal preference involving maxillofacial prosthetic materials (intrinsic/extrinsic silicone elastomers and pigments/colorants used, polymerization/curing process, advantages and disadvantages of the most often used materials, most important characteristic of material/technique used).

Primary, combined, atypical carcinoid and squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx: a new variety of composite tumour.

Objective: We report the first case of a laryngeal composite tumour consisting of a squamous cell carcinoma combined with an atypical carcinoid.

Methods: Case report and review of the literature concerning laryngeal composite tumours.

Results: Primary laryngeal carcinoma is the most common malignancy of the upper aerodigestive tract.

Quantifying movement demands of AFL football using GPS tracking.

Global positioning system (GPS) monitoring of movement patterns is widespread in elite football including the Australian Football League (AFL). However documented analysis of this activity is lacking. We quantified the movement patterns of AFL football and differences between nomadic (midfield), forward and defender playing positions, and determined whether the physical demands have increased over a four season period.

Do depressive symptoms predict mortality in older people?

Context: Depressive symptoms are common in older persons, and may predict mortality.

Objectives: To determine: (1) If depressive symptoms predict mortality; (2) If there is a gradient in this effect; and (3) Which depressive factors predict mortality.

Population: In 1991-1992, 1751 community-dwelling older persons, sampled from a population-based registry, were interviewed.

Factors influencing mammography participation in Canada: an integrative review of the literature.

This integrative review critically examines quantitative and qualitative evidence concerning factors influencing the participation of Canadian women in mammography. Empirical studies published between 1980 and 2006 were identified and retrieved by searching electronic databases and references listed in published studies. Among the 1461 citations identified and screened, 52 studies met the inclusion criteria and were independently appraised by two researchers.

Further experience with modification of an intraluminal button for hands-free tracheoesophageal speech after laryngectomy.

Tracheoesophageal (TE) speech using a voice prosthesis and hands-free speaking valve with an intraluminal attachment is the gold standard for voice restoration after total laryngectomy. Modification of a standard self-retaining silicone cannula or laryngectomy button often aids in the attachment of a speaking valve within the tracheal lumen for hands-free TE speech production. An increased number of laryngectomized individuals are able to achieve hands-free TE speech when the standard length, flange, and diameter of a silicone button is customized to accommodate individual tracheostomal contours.

The effect of claudication pain on temporal and spatial gait measures during self-paced ambulation.

We determined the effect of claudication pain on temporal and spatial gait characteristics, and on ambulatory symmetry at preferred and rapid self-selected walking paces in patients with unilateral peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Twenty-eight patients with PAD limited by intermittent claudication were studied. Patients ambulated at their preferred and rapid paces over a 7.

Homelessness, a state of mind?: a discourse analysis.

This article presents a discourse analysis of a woman's written account of mental illness and homelessness. In her preparation as a co-presenter at a conference for decision- and policy-makers, Anna wrote eight distinct drafts of her speaking notes; each time emphasizing different aspects of her experiences with mental illness and homelessness. By sharing her preparatory writings, Anna offers a rare insight into the 'evolution' of the thinking that went into representing her story to an audience of professionals.

Women with postpartum depression: "my husband" stories.

Background: The research on Postpartum Depression (PPD) to date suggests that there is a knowledge gap regarding women's perception of their partners' role as carer and care activities they perform. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe women's understanding of their partners' or husbands' involvement in the midst of PPD.

Methods: This study used interview data from a larger study of northern and rural Ontario women's stories of help-seeking for PPD.

An unusual cause of obstructive sleep apnoea.

Introduction: Rhabdomyoma of the larynx is a rare condition, with less than 40 cases recorded worldwide.

Clinical Record: A 76-year-old man was referred to our clinic with progressive, severe hoarseness and dysphagia. He had been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnoea by the respiratory physicians and commenced on nocturnal continuous positive airway pressure ventilation.

Marital status, partner satisfaction, and depressive symptoms in older men and women.

Objectives: To determine if marital status is associated with depressive symptoms in men and women, and to determine if partner satisfaction is associated with depressive symptoms.

Methods: Community-dwelling adults (n = 1751) aged 65 years and older were sampled from a representative population-based registry. Age, sex, education, and marital status were self-reported.

Validation of heart rate monitor-based predictions of oxygen uptake and energy expenditure.

To validate VO2 and energy expenditure predictions by the Suunto heart rate (HR) system against a first principle gas analysis system, well-trained male (n = 10, age 29.8 +/- 4.3 years, VO2 65.

Exploring differences between community-based women and men with a history of mental illness.

Relatively little is understood concerning the role of gender in persons with a history of mental illness residing in the community. This paper aims to explore gender's effect using data from the Community Research University Alliance project entitled, Mental Health and Housing. The primary five-year longitudinal study examined housing situations for psychiatric consumer/survivors in a mid-size, central Canadian region in an effort to improve the number and quality of appropriate housing situations.

Does a single-item measure of depression predict mortality?

Objective: To determine if a single-item measure of depression predicts mortality over 5 years.

Design: Secondary analysis of a population-based cohort study.

Setting: Province of Manitoba.

Resting energy expenditure in subjects with and without intermittent claudication.

Subjects with peripheral arterial disease and intermittent claudication have ischemia of the lower extremities, but little is known how this influences resting energy expenditure. The objective of the study was to compare the resting energy expenditure of subjects with and without intermittent claudication. One hundred six subjects limited by intermittent claudication and 77 controls who did not have peripheral arterial disease and intermittent claudication participated in this study.

COPD stories of complex causal 'truths' 'Sure I've smoked all my life/but I also put in 37 years at the mine'.

Aims And Objectives: Secondary analysis was conducted to interpret the causes of illness stories told by patients living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Despite the abundance of quantitative evidence regarding the causal relationship between smoking and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, there is limited research that provides a contextual emic understanding of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease aetiology.

Design: Interview data from two earlier focused ethnography studies were examined by retrospective interpretation, a type of secondary qualitative research.

Guide to the assessment of competence and performance in practising surgeons.

Surgical performance is increasingly under public scrutiny and non-technical behavioural issues are more frequently the focus of complaints. Currently, there is a lack of a suitable framework or template to assist surgeons in the assessment of their own performance or that of their colleagues. A Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) Working Party considered the methods currently available to define and assess surgical performance.

Early results for treatment of unilateral vocal fold palsy with injection medialisation under local anaesthetic.

Background: The diagnosis and treatment of unilateral vocal fold palsy is a common part of otolaryngology practice. In those patients in whom resolution of symptoms is slow, the resulting dysphonia can have a dramatic effect on the patient's quality of voice and life. We have previously described the procedure of direct phonoplasty under local anaesthesia using the transnasal laryngoesophagoscope.

Sex differences in calf muscle hemoglobin oxygen saturation in patients with intermittent claudication.

Purposes: We tested the hypotheses that women have greater impairment in calf muscle hemoglobin oxygen saturation (StO(2)) in response to exercise than men, and that the sex-related difference in calf muscle StO(2) would partially explain the shorter claudication distances of women.

Methods: The study comprised 27 men and 24 women with peripheral arterial disease limited by intermittent claudication. Patients were characterized on calf muscle StO(2) before, during, and after a graded treadmill test, as well as on demographic and cardiovascular risk factors, ankle-brachial index (ABI), ischemic window, initial claudication distance (ICD), and absolute claudication distance (ACD).

Patient health outcomes in psychiatric mental health nursing.

This integrative literature review examined evidence concerning the relationship between psychiatric mental health nursing interventions and patient-focused outcomes. Empirical studies, published between 1997 and 2007, were identified and gathered by searching relevant databases and specific data sources. Although 156 articles were critically appraised, only 25 of them met the inclusion criteria.

Provincial prenatal record revision: a multiple case study of evidence-based decision-making at the population-policy level.

Background: There is a significant gap in the knowledge translation literature related to how research evidence actually contributes to health care decision-making. Decisions around what care to provide at the population (rather than individual) level are particularly complex, involving considerations such as feasibility, cost, and population needs in addition to scientific evidence. One example of decision-making at this "population-policy" level involves what screening questions and intervention guides to include on standardized provincial prenatal records.

Vagal nerve stimulator implantation: the otolaryngologist's perspective.

Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) is a recognised and effective measure in treating refractory epilepsy and depression. VNS implantation is a widely accepted surgical procedure, most commonly performed by neurosurgeons. Otolaryngologists, in particular those with an interest in head and neck surgery, are very familiar with the surgical anatomy and dissection of the vagus nerve in the carotid sheath.

Genome-wide SNP genotyping highlights the role of natural selection in Plasmodium falciparum population divergence.

Background: The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum exhibits abundant genetic diversity, and this diversity is key to its success as a pathogen. Previous efforts to study genetic diversity in P. falciparum have begun to elucidate the demographic history of the species, as well as patterns of population structure and patterns of linkage disequilibrium within its genome.

DIFFERENCES IN EXERCISE PERFORMANCE AND LEISURE-TIME PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN OLDER CAUCASIANS AND AFRICAN-AMERICANS.

PURPOSES: (a) To compare exercise performance and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) between older Caucasians and African-Americans, (b) to assess the relationship between exercise performance and LTPA, and (c) to determine whether group differences in exercise performance persist after adjusting for differences in LTPA. METHODS: A total of 207 Caucasians and 160 African-Americans who were 65 years of age and older participated in this study. Subjects were characterized on exercise performance by a 6-minute walk test, and by a short physical performance battery (SPPB) score consisting of a repeated chair rise test, a standing balance test, and a 4-meter walk test.