Effect of enamel preparation method on in vitro marginal microleakage of a flowable composite used as pit and fissure sealant.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the microleakage in occlusal surfaces, after preparation with Er:YAG laser and compared to the diamond-bur conventional technique. METHODS: Thirty premolars were divided into three groups: I - high-speed handpiece + 37% phosphoric acid; II - Er:YAG laser (350 mJ, 4 Hz and 112 J/cm(2)) + 37% phosphoric acid; and III - Er:YAG laser (350 mJ, 4 Hz and 112 J/cm(2)) + Er:YAG laser (80 mJ, 4 Hz, and 25 mJ/cm(2)). All cavities received the same adhesive system and were restored with flowable composite according to manufacturer's instructions. Teeth were submitted to thermal cycling and immersed in 50% silver nitrate solutions for 8 h in total darkness. Specimens were sectioned longitudinally in the bucco-lingual direction, in slices of 1 mm thick. Each slice was immersed into photo developing solution and was photographed, and microleakage was scored from 0 to 7, by three calibrated examiners. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference (P < 0.0001) was observed between Er:YAG laser prepared and etched specimens and those in the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that no significant difference was noted between the two types of enamel preparation when etching was performed. Preparing and treating the enamel surface exclusively by Er:YAG laser resulted in the highest degree of leakage.

Time to abandon electroconvulsion as a treatment in modern psychiatry.

This review examines the evidence for the current use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in psychiatry. The history of ECT is discussed because ECT emerged with no scientific evidence, and the absence of other suitable therapy for psychiatric illness was decisive in its adoption as a treatment. Evidence for the current recommendation of ECT in psychiatry is reconsidered. We suggest that ECT is an unscientific treatment and a symbol of authority of the old psychiatry. ECT is not necessary as a treatment modality in the modern practice of psychiatry.

Evidence for the existence of schizophrenia in medieval Islamic society.

It has been claimed that descriptions of schizophrenia-like disorders were rare before 1800 in the Western world. Historical evidence from medieval Islamic society shows that madness was common in that society. Despite the limitations of the evidence, we propose that medieval Islamic physicians probably diagnosed and treated many cases of schizophrenia.

The impact of group reminiscence counseling on a depressed elderly population.

Elderly patients present an enormous challenge to the mental health care system. Statistics have shown a high rate of mental disorders, especially depression and suicide, among this population group. Reminiscing about the past has been theoretically linked to positive adjustment in old age. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of group reminiscence counseling on the level of depression of elderly women residing in nursing homes. A sample of 60 women 65 years and older participated in this study. Subjects were randomly classified into two experimental groups and one control group. An interview schedule that included demographics and Beck's Depression Inventory was employed to collect data. Chi-square analysis was used to test the homogeneity of the three groups with respect to their demographic characteristics. Analysis of data using the analysis of variance method showed that the differences between the levels of depression before and after the reminiscence counseling sessions were statistically significant in the younger subjects (65 to 74 years), and insignificant in the older subjects (over 74 years). Findings imply that group reminiscence counseling did have an effect on the elderly's level of depression. From the findings of this study, implications and recommendations are drawn.

Discharge planning for psychiatric patients: the effects of a family-patient teaching programme.

The aims of this study were (1) to develop and implement a family-patient teaching programme for psychiatric inpatients prior to their discharge, and (2) to assess the effect of the teaching programme on patients' functional level and readmission rate. The population of this study consisted of 30 hospitalized psychiatric patients, with schizo-affective disorders. Subjects were randomly assigned to two groups--a control group and an experimental group. Families of the experimental group subjects were involved in the patient-family education sessions twice a week. The subjects were followed-up after discharge for a 12-month period. In analysing the data, results indicated that improvement in functional level based on the Global Assessment Scale (GAS) was clearly noticed among subjects of the experimental group. In addition, the findings of this study lend support to other studies which showed that patient-family education is an effective means of reducing the readmission rate among psychiatric patients.

Crisis intervention: a group-therapy approach for hospitalized breast cancer patients.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of nursing intervention on the level of depression and the self-esteem of hospitalized breast cancer patients. The theoretical framework was based on crisis theory (Caplan 1964). The population of this study consisted of 18 female hospitalized breast cancer patients. Ten were in the control group and eight in the experimental group. Two self-administered instruments were selected for the pre- and post-testing of all clients. Nursing intervention was employed for the experimental group, over a 2-month period. The findings demonstrated that there was a change in the level of depression and improvement in self-esteem among the subjects in the experimental group after nursing intervention.

Adherence to therapy in psychiatric patients: an empirical investigation.

Patient adherence, i.e. the extent to which a patient's behavior, in terms of taking medications and keeping scheduled appointments, has been demonstrated to be essential for the successful treatment of various psychiatric disorders. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of patient education on patient compliance to psychotropic medication after discharge from hospital. A sample of 36 psychiatric patients discharged from an inpatient care facility and receiving an oral form of psychotropic drug were the subjects of this study. Subjects were randomly assigned to two groups: a control group; and a directive patient education group. The subjects were followed up after discharge for a 6-month period. In analyzing the data, results indicated that the difference in percentage of compliance between the two groups was statistically significant. Findings imply that patient education did have an effect on patient compliance to medication. The findings of the study support a technique that can be incorporated in both in-patient and out-patient programs in psychiatric mental health facilities. It would increase patient compliance to medication and hence decrease chances of rehospitalization.

Compliance with therapeutic regimens: a follow-up study for patients with affective disorders.

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of patient education on patient compliance to psychotropic medication after discharge from the hospital. A sample of 36 patients discharged from an in-patient care facility and receiving an oral form of psychotropic drug were the subjects of this study. All subjects were patients of affective disorders. Subjects were randomly assigned to two groups: a control group; and a directive patient-education group. The subjects were followed up after discharge for a 6-month period. In analyzing the data, results indicated that the difference in percentage of compliance between the two groups was statistically significant. Findings imply that patient education did have an effect on patient compliance to medication. The findings of the study support a technique that can be incorporated in both in-patient and out-patient programmes in psychiatric-mental health nursing. It would increase patient compliance to medication and hence decrease chances of rehospitalization.