Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Sensitivity Testing (sensitivity + testing)
Selected AbstractsToothache referred from auriculotemporal neuralgia: case reportINTERNATIONAL ENDODONTIC JOURNAL, Issue 9 2009R. A. Murayama Abstract Aim, To present a 52-year-old male patient who complained of intense pain of short duration in the region of the left external ear and in the ipsilateral maxillary second molar that was relieved by blockade of the auriculotemporal nerve in the infratemporal fossa. Summary, Extra- and intraoral physical examination revealed a trigger point that reproduced the symptoms upon finger pressure in the ipsilateral auriculotemporal nerve and in the outer auricular pavilion. The patient's medical history was unremarkable. The maxillary left second molar tooth was not responsive to pulp sensitivity testing and there was no pain upon percussion or palpation of the buccal sulcus. Periapical radiographs revealed a satisfactory root filling in the maxillary left second molar. On the basis of the clinical signs and symptoms, the auriculotemporal was blocked with 0.5 mL 2% lidocaine and 0.5 mL of a suspension containing dexamethasone acetate (8 mg mL,1) and dexamethasone disodium sulfate (2 mg mL,1), with full remission of pain 6 months later. The diagnosis was auriculotemporal neuralgia. Key learning point ,,Auriculotemporal neuralgia should be considered as a possible cause of nonodontogenic toothache and thus included in the differential diagnoses. ,,The blockade of the auriculotemporal nerve in the infratemporal fossa is diagnostic and therapeutic. It can be achieved with a solution of lidocaine and dexamethasone. [source] Establishment, characterization and drug sensitivity testing in primary cultures of human thymoma and thymic carcinomaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 12 2008Volker Ehemann Abstract Thymomas and thymic carcinomas are peculiar epithelial tumors of the anterior mediastinum. They may show aggressive clinical behavior and are a paradigm for the interaction between the tumor and the immune system. So far, adequate functional studies enabling a better understanding of this malignancy have not been performed, since human thymoma/thymic carcinoma cell lines have not been available. Here, the authors describe the establishment, characterization and functional analyses of epithelial cell lines from a Type B1-thymoma and a poorly differentiated thymic carcinoma. By Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analyses, both cell lines were aneuploid. The aneuploid cell fraction of the thymic carcinoma cell line was characterized by a high proliferation index of 55.9%, in contrast to a lower proliferation rate of the aneuploid cell fraction of the thymoma (19.7%). Array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) and conventional cytogenetic analysis of the thymoma revealed only minor imbalances whereas the thymic carcinoma was characterized by a complex karyotype in the hyperdiploid range that was readily defined with multicolor FISH (mFISH). Application of a selective COX-2 inhibitor reduced cell viability in both cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, these first cell lines of a thymoma and a CD5-positive thymic carcinoma are useful tools for further in vitro studies of cellular, molecular and genetic aspects of the disease and for functional tests to evaluate new therapeutic targets. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Assessment of pulp vitality: a reviewINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, Issue 1 2009VELAYUTHAM GOPIKRISHNA Background., One of the greatest diagnostic challenges in clinical practice is the accurate assessment of pulp status. This may be further complicated in paediatric dentistry where the practitioner is faced with a developing dentition, traumatized teeth, or young children who have a limited ability to recall a pain history for the tooth in question. A variety of pulp testing approaches exist, and there may be confusion as to their validity or appropriateness in different clinical situations. Aim., The aim of this paper is to provide the clinician with a comprehensive review of current pulp testing methods. A key objective is to highlight the difference between sensitivity testing and vitality testing. A biological basis for pulp testing is also provided to allow greater insight into the interpretation of pulp testing results. The rationale for, and methods of, assessing pulpal blood flow are described. [source] Application of surrogate indicators of insulin sensitivity to critically ill catsJOURNAL OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION, Issue 11-12 2005D. L. Chan Hyperglycaemia associated with critical illness is a common finding in non-diabetic human patients and has important implications for nutritional support. The aetiology of the hyperglycaemia is multi-factorial but believed to involve alterations in hormones regulating glucose metabolism and the development of insulin resistance. We have previously demonstrated that hyperglycaemia in critically cats similarly involves alterations in circulating concentrations of insulin, glucagon, and cortisol. Namely, with critical illness cats had hypoinsulinaemia, hyperglucagonaemia, and hypercortisolaemia. However, direct determinations of insulin sensitivity in critically ill cats have remained untested due to the complexity of calculations and frequent blood sampling required. Such techniques have, therefore, been limited to experimental models. In the interest of studying insulin sensitivity in clinical cases, surrogate indicators of insulin sensitivity, e.g, Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA), and Quantitative Insulin Check Index (QUICKI), have been recently applied to cats and shown to correlate to more traditional insulin sensitivity testing. HOMA is calculated ([insulin]x[(glucose)/22.5]), while QUICKI is (1/ [log insulin + log glucose]). The goal of this study was to apply the HOMA and QUICKI indices to hyperglycaemic critically ill cats and compare them to those of euglycaemic critically ill cats and controls. Twenty-six critically ill, and 21 healthy control cats were evaluated. Groups were matched for age, weight, and body condition. Of the critically ill cats, 10 were euglycaemic, and 14 were hyperglycaemic (glucose > 180 mg/dL). As compared to euglycaemic critically ill cats, HOMA was found to be significantly greater in hyperglycaemic cats [median 5.30 (range 0.90 , 25.14) vs. [2.19 (0.69 , 7.33); p = 0.016], while QUICKI was significantly lower in hyperglycaemic cats [median 0.30 mg/dl (0.25 , 0.39 mg/dl) vs. [0.34 mg/dl (0.29 , 0.38 mg/dl); p = 0.039]. Higher HOMA and lower QUICKI indices are consistent with an insulin resistant state. However, HOMA and QUICKI were not significantly different between hyperglycaemic and control cats. While the application of these indices may prove useful in determining insulin sensitivity in critically ill cats, future studies are needed to resolve discrepancies demonstrate in the current study. [source] Limitations of current paradigms for visceral sensitivity testingNEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY & MOTILITY, Issue 2 2008L. Van Oudenhove First page of article [source] Quantifying the duration of pre-diabetesAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 3 2010Melanie Y. Bertram Abstract Objective: Interventions for individuals with pre-diabetes are efficacious, however, identification of people with pre-diabetes does not occur in Australia. This study aims to calculate the duration of pre-diabetes, in order to provide supporting evidence for a screening program. Methods: We carried out a systematic review and random effects meta-analysis to identify if an increased risk of mortality is present in people with pre-diabetes. The result of this meta-analysis as well as information on prevalence, remission of pre-diabetes and transition to diabetes from an Australian cohort study, were used in the software program DisMod to calculate duration. Results: From 2,578 articles identified, 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. The pooled relative risk of all-cause mortality was 1.26 (1.17-1.34) with no sign of heterogeneity between the studies. The average duration of pre-diabetes was 8.5 years in males aged 30+ and 10.3 years in females aged 30+. Conclusions: The duration of pre-diabetes in Australia is long enough to warrant a screening program. The finding is robust to sensitivity testing of very large variations in the epidemiological parameters. Implications: If the interventions following screening are shown to be cost-effective, a strong rationale for the implementation of a screening program exists. [source] Fitness to drive in glaucoma patients- Preliminary study resultsACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2009AM STEVENS Purpose To develop a useful binocular 30° visual field criterion to predict safe driving behaviour in glaucoma patients by comparing perimetric data with an actual driving test on the road. Methods The sample will consist of 200 driving glaucoma patients, recruited in 2 university based glaucoma clinics (Ghent and Leuven, Belgium). Inclusion criteria are glaucomatous optic disc damage and/or glaucomatous field defects. Exclusion criteria are concomitant ocular disease, cataract > LOCS 2, systemic disease or medication affecting the visual field. Data collection will include demographic and medical data, driving habits, and Mini Mental Status. A complete ophthalmic examination wil be done including Goldmann, SAP and Esterman visual field testing. In addition, UFOV test, stereopsis and contrast sensitivity testing will be performed. All subjects will perform an on the road driving test with a driving expert of the Belgian Institute for Traffic Safety. Subjects can pass, fail, or pass the test with limitations. An attempt will be made to develop an algorithm of visual field abnormalities that predict as accurately as possible the outcome of the practical driving test. Results Preliminary results of the first 50 included patients will be presented. [source] The value of contrast sensitivity in diagnosing central serous chorioretinopathyCLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL OPTOMETRY, Issue 4 2007S Plainis MSc PhD A 39-year-old hyperopic male was referred for laser refractive treatment. In the course of the pre-operative evaluation he complained of a recent deterioration of vision. The suspicion of unilateral central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) was confirmed by contrast sensitivity testing and by ocular fundus examination. Contrast sensitivity (CS) for six spatial frequencies (1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 c/deg) was evaluated using Gabor patches of gratings projected on a high-resolution display by means of a stimulus generator card. Although VA remained unaltered, the pattern of contrast sensitivity function varied at different stages of CSCR: during the acute stage, performance at all spatial frequencies was depressed, while at two-month follow up, intermediate and high spatial frequencies were mainly affected. It is concluded that the level of visual deficit in CSCR cannot be evaluated by measuring visual acuity. History and contrast sensitivity can play a central role in setting the correct diagnosis and characterising its stage. [source] A standardized protocol for the treatment of severe pneumonia in kidney transplant recipientsCLINICAL TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 6 2002Pierpaolo Sileri Abstract:, Although the incidence of pneumonia after kidney transplantation is the lowest among all solid organ transplants, it is associated with high mortality rate (40,50%). We evaluated the efficacy of a protocol consisting of bronco-alveolar-lavage (BAL) for early microbiological diagnosis, reduction of the immunosuppressive therapy, and prompt administration of standardized antibiotic regimen in renal transplant recipients with severe pneumonia. Between 6/1989 and 5/1999, 40 kidney transplant recipients developed 46 episodes of severe pneumonia (hypoxia and/or infiltrate on the chest X-ray). According to protocol, in all these cases, a BAL was immediately performed and empirical antibiotic therapy was initiated with erythromycin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole i.v. Furthermore, the immunosuppressive therapy was drastically reduced. Analyses of BAL fluid included cell differential count, cytopathologic examination and cultures for bacteria, fungi and viruses. Within 48 h, the therapy was switched to proper i.v. antibiotics, if necessary, according to the results of sensitivity testing of BAL specimens. The mortality rate was 12.5% (5 of 40). Mechanical ventilation was required in 20 cases (34.5%) and four of the patients that required intubation died. BAL alone established a diagnosis in 67.4% (31 of 46) of the patients. Bacteria were responsible for 61% of the episodes, with fungi responsible for 29% and viruses for 10%. Seven cases of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia were treated with the prolongation of the initial therapy. We conclude that a combination of early detection of the responsible pathogen by BAL, aggressive reduction of the immunosuppressive therapy and the immediate empirical administration of erythromycin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is an effective strategy to treat pneumonia kidney transplantation (KTX) recipients. [source] | ||||||||||