Increased erythropoietin requirements in patients with failed renal transplants returning to a dialysis programme.

The response to erythropoietin (Epo) is dose dependent but, for various poorly understood reasons, variable. In a cross-sectional study we determined the Epo requirement of 60 patients in a dialysis population to identify those patients requiring a high dose of Epo, and ascertained the reasons for higher requirements, paying particular attention to the effect of previous transplantation. All 289 patients attending a single centre were surveyed.

Relationships between mutans streptococci and perceived treatment need of primary root-caries lesions.

A total of 447 primary root-caries lesions from 169 dental patients was studied to determine the relationships between mutans streptococci and the perceived treatment need of primary root-caries lesions. Samples of this altered dentine for microbiological culture were obtained. Lesions were classified into 5 treatment categories: soft and restore, leathery and restore, leathery and debride of caries, leathery and treat chemotherapeutically, and hard, to receive no treatment.

beta-Lactam antibiotics in respiratory tract infections.

beta-Lactam antibiotics have played a major role in the treatment of respiratory infections for many years. The use of the three main groups of beta-lactam antibiotics-penicillins, cephalosporins and non-classical beta-lactams-in respiratory infections is reviewed. Their development and efficacy have more or less kept pace with the changes in microbial resistance, emergence of new pathogens and changes in medical practice.

Non-infectious diseases of the oral soft tissue: a new approach.

A significant proportion of the non-infectious diseases of oral mucosa are either auto-immune in nature or have lesions which are the result of immunologically-mediated events. These include pemphigus, benign mucous membrane pemphigoid, linear IgA bullous dermatosis, dermatitis herpetiformis, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, erythema multiforme, and lichen planus. Although each of these has certain specific characteristics, all may produce bullae, erosions, and ulcers on the oral mucosa, resulting in confusingly similar clinical presentations.

The oral surgery/orthodontic interface: 2. Local causes of malocclusion.

This is the second of two articles discussing the minor oral surgery/orthodontic interface. The vital role played by the general dental practitioner in monitoring the normal development of the occlusion and the early diagnosis of the local causes of malocclusion was emphasized in the first article. Part 2 discusses the problems associated with the prominent labial frenum, supernumerary teeth and submerged deciduous molars.

The oral surgery/orthodontic interface: 1. Ectopically positioned teeth.

The number of patients seeking orthodontic treatment has increased over the last decade. A proportion of these patients present with minor irregularities due to the so-called 'local causes' of malocclusion, many of which require surgical treatment. Some general dental practitioners have taken up the challenge of correcting these causes and the resulting malocclusion themselves; however, all practitioners must be aware of the treatment options available and the surgical and orthodontic considerations to be taken into account.

Masticatory efficiency of patients treated with implant retained fixed bridges in the upper jaw over a 2-year period.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the rehabilitation of the upper jaw with a fixed bridge supported by Brånemark implants upon patient's masticatory efficiency. Five patients wearing complete dentures in the upper jaw were selected for the study. Chewing tests using Optosil tablets were performed before fixture installation, immediately after bridge connection and 2 years after bridge delivery.

Regeneration in periodontics.

The regeneration of periodontal tissues and the formation of a new attachment apparatus is now feasible in certain situations. This article reviews the techniques and literature on the subject and discusses the extremely important area of case selection.

Enforced Intermaxillary Fixation (IMF) as a Treatment of Obesity.

Intermaxillary fixation (IMF) using metal cap splints and various linkages was tried in a group of 11 patients who had requested restriction of solid diet as a treatment for their obesity (Quetelet's index > 25-35). Compliance with treatment protocols was successfully addressed by means of support from physicians, dietitians, clinical psychologists and by peer groups. Non-compliance was defined and agreed.

Adhesion molecule expression in Graves' thyroid glands; potential relevance of granule membrane protein (GMP-140) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in the homing and antigen presentation processes.

To assess the potential role of adhesion molecules in the pathogenesis of Graves' disease, we examined the expression of several of these adhesion molecules, including intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) and granule membrane protein-140 (GMP-140), in sections of Graves' thyroid glands and control thyroids, using immunohistochemical techniques. Up-regulated expression of GMP-140 was frequently observed on endothelial cells (EC) of post-capilliary venules in all Graves' thyroids examined, compared with an occasional weak staining on EC control glands. Some capillary EC around thyroid follicles (perifollicular EC) were strongly positive for GMP-140 in the Graves' thyroids in contrast to a negative staining on the same structures in the control glands.

Management of oral complications following radiotherapy.

Radiotherapy for the treatment of neoplastic disease in the head and neck region results in a number of oral changes liable to cause pain and discomfort during therapy. In the longer term, it increases the patient's susceptibility to caries and periodontal disease. The aim of this paper is to outline these changes and to suggest a regime for the dental management of these patients before, during and after radiotherapy.

Dimensional stability of condensation silicone rubbers.

The linear shrinkage during 24 h after setting of a number of proprietary condensation silicone dental impression materials was studied. Weight loss and change in volume were measured over the same time period by weighing similar specimens in air and water. The weight-loss data conformed to a linear t1/2 plot, indicating that the loss of volatile material was diffusion controlled.

Failure of two macrolide antibiotics to prevent post-extraction bacteraemia.

Two macrolide antibiotics, erythromycin and josamycin, were compared in a double-blind trial to examine their efficacy in the prevention of post-dental extraction bacteraemia in a group of healthy patients. An in vitro blood culture system was used. Isolates of streptococci were identified to species level.

Case report: the management of severe tooth wear with palatal resin bonded cast restorations combined with removable partial dentures.

The restoration of advanced tooth wear can present considerable problems. Conventional fixed prosthodontic treatment can be destructive to the already compromised dental tissues, time consuming and therefore costly. With recent advances in resin bonded technology, this may now be considered an option for definitive treatment in such cases.

Undergraduate endodontic teaching at the London Hospital Dental Institute.

Integration, whole patient care and small group teaching are concepts which set the pattern for undergraduate teaching at 'The London'. This system promotes co-operation between disciplines, enables students to see the basic teaching in a wider clinical context, activates the learning process and gives students an opportunity to learn responsibility by running their own 'mini-practices'. Unfortunately, the system also has some undesirable effects, which are discussed with special reference to the teaching of endodontics.

Depth of cure of light-cured glass-ionomer cements.

The depth of cure of three light-cured glass-ionomer cements was examined immediately after polymerization under the curing light and 12 hours after polymerization. The duration of illumination was also varied among groups to determine its effect on the depth of cure. Light-Cured Zionomer showed a greater immediate depth of cure than did either Vitrabond or XR Ionomer.

Tooth wear and some factors influencing its severity.

Tooth wear has been studied in a dentally attending population, aged 46-85 years. The level of tooth wear was recorded for 100 persons using the tooth wear index of Smith and Knight. Aetiology was assessed using a history/questionnaire/examination.

Soft prosthesis materials based on powdered elastomers.

A new class of soft prosthesis material has been developed, based on the combination of a powdered elastomer and a methacrylate monomer that polymerizes to an elastomer. Such systems are processable by conventional dental technology. This principle avoids the use of plasticizers.

Load deformation behaviour during a diametral test.

The deformation of a cylinder in the diametral mode proved to be a linear function of the applied load for silicate cements, glass ionomer cements and glass. Two theoretical analyses were investigated, namely, Hertzian indenter theory and integration of the Hondros diametral theory. Whilst both theories predicted the experimentally observed linear behaviour, neither were quantitatively correct.

An investigation of factors influencing the longevity of restorations in primary molars.

The treatment records of three dentists working in south-east England were screened and 361 chosen for the investigation of the longevity of restorations placed in primary molars. The analysis was carried out using an independent sampling technique, i.e.

Application of x-ray microtomography in materials science illustrated by a study of a continuous fiber metal matrix composite.

The advantages of the use of x-ray microtomography in materials science are discussed, and illustrated by the nondestructive study of the mechanical damage in a continuous fiber SiC/Al composite at a resolution of about 25 μm. A laboratory x-ray source was used, and it was shown that quantitative measurements of the linear absorption coefficient at this resolution are possible, even though the AgKα radiation used is accompanied by a considerable amount of white radiation, provided that the counter system is properly corrected for pulse pile up and dead-time.