A randomised clinical study to evaluate the effect of brushing duration on fluoride levels in dental biofilm fluid and saliva in children aged 4-5 years.

Objectives: To compare the effect of 40 seconds versus 2 minutes brushing on saliva and dental biofilm fluid fluoride in children ages 4-5 years over 1 hour.

Design: This was a single-blind, cross-over, randomised, two-period clinical study in healthy children. Three days before the start of each treatment subjects received a thorough brushing and then refrained from all oral hygiene procedures.

A randomised clinical study to evaluate experimental children's toothpastes in an in-situ palatal caries model in children aged 11-14 years.

Objectives: To compare three children's sodium fluoride toothpastes to placebo with respect to enamel remineralisation potential, enamel fluoride uptake and net acid resistance using an in situ palatal caries model in children aged 11-14 years following a single brushing.

Design: This was a randomised, single blind (laboratory analyst), single-centre, four-treatment, crossover study with a 7-day washout period between treatments. The treatments were 1,426 ppm fluoride, 1,000 ppm fluoride, 500 ppm fluoride and 0 ppm fluoride (placebo) toothpaste (NaF/silica).

Evaluation of mouthrinse and dentifrice regimens in an in situ erosion remineralisation model.

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of dentifrice/mouthrinse regimens in a clinical in situ erosion remineralisation model.

Methods: Thirty-six subjects completed a randomised single-blind cross-over trial of five treatment regimens. R1: Dentifrice A [1450 ppm fluoride as the sodium salt (NaF), 50000 ppm potassium nitrate (KNO(3))] plus 450 ppm fluoride (NaF) rinse; R2: Dentifrice A plus sterile water rinse; R3: Dentifrice B (fluoride-free Dentifrice A) plus sterile water rinse; R4: Dentifrice B plus 450 ppm fluoride (NaF) rinse; R5: Dentifrice C (1000 ppm fluorine as sodium monofluorophosphate, 450 ppm fluoride as NaF) plus sterile water rinse.

A systematic literature review on the effectiveness of non-invasive therapy for cervicobrachial pain.

Cervicobrachial pain is a common cervical spine disorder. It is frequently managed through non-invasive therapy. The objective of this systematic review was to assess effectiveness of non-invasive therapy for the management of cervicobrachial pain, in terms of pain, function and disability.

Effects of oral contraceptives containing ethinylestradiol with either drospirenone or levonorgestrel on various parameters associated with well-being in healthy women: a randomized, single-blind, parallel-group, multicentre study.

Background: The combined oral contraceptive Yasmin (drospirenone 3 mg plus ethinylestradiol 30 microg [DRSP 3 mg/EE 30 microg]) has been shown to be a well tolerated and effective combination that provides high contraceptive reliability and good cycle control. Furthermore, DRSP 3 mg/EE 30 microg has been shown to have a positive effect on premenstrual symptoms and well-being/health-related quality of life, and to improve the skin condition of women with acne. To date, however, there have been relatively few studies that have compared the effects of DRSP 3 mg/EE 30 microg on the general well-being of women with those of other oral contraceptives.

Comparison of a dietary survey and the duplicate plate method for determining dietary fluoride ingested by young children: a pilot study.

Background: Investigators have attempted to establish the diet's contribution to the total body burden of fluoride in response to a reported trend towards an increase in fluoride intake.

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the suitability of two methods to collect dietary data for fluoride intake assessment.

Design: Assessments were made in 12 children using the duplicate plate and dietary diary methods following a randomized cross-over design.

Chest pain center accreditation is associated with better performance of centers for Medicare and Medicaid services core measures for acute myocardial infarction.

The aim of this study was determine whether hospitals accredited by the Society of Chest Pain Centers hospitals (accredited chest pain centers [ACPCs]) are associated with better performance regarding Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services core measures for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) than nonaccredited hospitals. The study was a retrospective, observational cohort study of hospitals reporting Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services core measures for AMI from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2005, on the basis of the presence or absence of Society of Chest Pain Centers accreditation. Data were obtained from the Web sites of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (Hospital Compare), Society of Chest Pain Centers listings, and the American Hospital Directory.

Deployment of left ventricular lead from the ipsilateral side of central vein obstruction.

Cardiac resynchronisation therapy improves symptoms and reduces mortality in patients with chronic heart failure. In patients with previously implanted devices, particularly automatic defibrillators, central venous stenoses provide a challenge to upgrading to resynchronisation devices. We present a patient with central venous obstruction secondary to previously implanted defibrillator leads, in whom we achieved coronary sinus pacing through the ipsilateral internal jugular vein.

Long-term venous complications after full-size and segmental pediatric liver transplantation.

Objective: To assess the long-term incidence of venous complications, including portal vein and hepatic vein stenoses, in both whole cadaveric and reduced-size cadaveric and living related liver transplants in a pediatric population, and to assess the therapeutic modalities in the treatment of these lesions.

Summary Background Data: A shortage in appropriate-sized liver grafts for pediatric patients led to the use of segmental liver grafts, which became the predominant graft used in 325 of 600 (54%) transplants at the authors' institution. To assess the long-term impact of this strategy, the authors examined the incidence of late (>90 days) venous complications and the efficacy of all therapeutic interventions.

The fluoride content of foods and beverages from negligibly and optimally fluoridated communities.

In the spring of 1996, foods and beverages most commonly consumed by adolescents were analyzed for fluoride as part of a larger investigation. These foods were selected by interviewing 711 adolescents, 12-14 years of age, who were long-time residents of either an optimally or negligibly fluoridated community. The brand names of the identified foods and beverages most commonly purchased were determined by interviews with the parents.

A pilot study of cidofovir for progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in AIDS.

Objective: To assess the safety, tolerability and effect of cidofovir for HIV-1 associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

Design: Prospective, open-label study in nine AIDS Clinical Trials Units.

Patients And Methods: Twenty-four HIV-1-infected individuals, with neuroimaging and clinical findings consistent with PML, and symptoms for 90 days or less, whose diagnosis was confirmed by the detection of JC virus DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid or brain biopsy, received cidofovir 5 mg/kg intravenously at baseline and 1 week, followed by infusions every 2 weeks with the dose adjusted for renal function.

Speaking out.

I am writing in response to the article in the Nursing Standard, week ending November 28, regarding the proposed cuts in nurses' extra duty payments.