Oral health status of newly admitted residents living in residential aged care.

BACKGROUND: It is important to understand whether older people are admitted into residential care with existing dental diseases or their oral health deteriorates while residing in residential care. There is, however, little research available exploring the oral health status of people newly admitted into residential care. Understanding this disease trend would lead to effective prevention and treatment strategies to be trialled and implemented prior to admission. In this cross-sectional study, we hypothesize that older people with one or more natural teeth might have poor oral health prior to admission to residential care. METHOD: The study was carried out using the de-identified oral health assessment database of an established domiciliary oral health care program in metropolitan New South Wales, Australia. Four hundred and nine participants with mean participant age of 85.56 years from 13 facilities from 2015 to 2018 fulfilled the inclusion criteria for this study. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that dentate, newly admitted residents to residential care had pre-existing dental problems and oral health concerns. Almost half of the newly admitted residents had an unsatisfactory oral cleanliness score when examined in their residential care setting.

Attributes of the complete dental record: a Delphi approach to standards.

BACKGROUND: Adherence to the Dental Board of Australia Guidelines on dental records is not universal and remediation of deficient practise requires clarity in the practical application of standards. The aim of this research is to clarify practical requirements of dental record keeping in New South Wales. METHODS: Seventeen experts were invited to participate in an electronically administered series of Delphi questionnaires. Concepts were refined until consensus was reached. RESULTS: Two rounds were required to achieve a satisfactory level of consensus (>80%). A high level of consensus was obtained across the two rounds, with 72% and 86% agreement on propositions in the first and second rounds, respectively. Consensus criteria were established in 14 domains to establish attributes of the complete dental record (ACDR). CONCLUSIONS: The ACDR may supplement existing national guidelines and are likely to be useful in a remediation context in which clear, unambiguous expectations for conduct are paramount.

Predicting bone scan positivity in non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate PSA levels and kinetic cutoffs to predict positive bone scans for men with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) from the Shared Equal Access Regional Cancer Hospital (SEARCH) cohort. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 531 bone scans of 312 clinically CRPC patients with no known metastases at baseline treated with a variety of primary treatment types in the SEARCH database. The association of patients' demographics, pathological features, PSA levels and kinetics with risk of a positive scan was tested using generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: A total of 149 (28%) scans were positive. Positive scans were associated with younger age (odds ratio (OR)=0.98; P=0.014), higher Gleason scores (relative to Gleason 2-6, Gleason 3+4: OR=2.03, P=0.035; Gleason 4+3 and 8-10: OR=1.76, P=0.059), higher prescan PSA (OR=2.11; P<0.001), shorter prescan PSA doubling time (PSADT; OR=0.53; P<0.001), higher PSA velocity (OR=1.74; P<0.001) and more remote scan year (OR=0.92; P=0.004). Scan positivity was 6, 14, 29 and 57% for men with PSA<5, 5-14.9, 15-49.9 and ⩾ 50 ng ml(-1), respectively (P-trend <0.001). Men with PSADT ⩾ 15, 9-14.9, 3-8.9 and <3 months had a scan positivity of 11, 22, 34 and 47%, correspondingly (P-trend <0.001). Tables were constructed using PSA and PSADT to predict the likelihood of a positive bone scan. CONCLUSIONS: PSA levels and kinetics were associated with positive bone scans. We developed tables to predict the risk of positive bone scans by PSA and PSADT. Combining PSA levels and kinetics may help select patients with CRPC for bone scans.

The University of Newcastle's first cohort of Bachelor of Oral Health students: a social profile.

BACKGROUND: This paper reports on the socio-demographic characteristics of the first year cohort of 52 students enrolled in the Bachelor of Oral Health programme at the University of Newcastle, New South Wales. METHODS: Forty students completed paper-based questionnaires. RESULTS: Results show that the cohort is predominantly female (94%), the mean age of students was 26.3 years and 72.5% of students had worked as dental chairside assistants prior to enrolment as mature-entry students. CONCLUSIONS: This study provided a unique opportunity to compare and contrast the socio-demographic profile of first year BOH students with similar research on first year dentistry students at the University of Sydney. Aspects of the study included age, gender, type of school attended, post-secondary qualifications and work experience, ethnicity, parents' level of education and occupation, and career choice motivation.

A systematic review of musculoskeletal disorders among dental professionals.

Musculoskeletal problems have become a significant issue for the profession of dentistry and dental hygiene. This review provides a detailed examination and discussion regarding the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) in dental personnel and possible causative factors. All research studies or literature reviews, which have reported on the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms and/or potential risk factors for this problem in dentists, dental hygienists and dental students, were selected for inclusion. Our literature suggests that the prevalence of general musculoskeletal pain ranges between 64% and 93%. The most prevalent regions for pain in dentists have been shown to be the back (36.3-60.1%) and neck (19.8-85%), while the hand and wrist regions were the most prevalent regions for dental hygienists (60-69.5%). Interestingly, we found that studies on MSDs among dental and dental hygiene students are quite limited. Many risk factors have been identified, including static and awkward posture and work practices. Overall, the review suggests that musculoskeletal problems represent a significant burden for the dental profession. More research in the form of larger studies is urgently required, to help more clearly elucidate the development of this important issue for dental hygienists and dental hygiene students.

Prevalence and correlates of musculoskeletal disorders among Australian dental hygiene students.

INTRODUCTION: Although musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) have been identified as a significant occupational health issue for dental hygienists, few studies have explored this problem among the dental hygiene student population. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and correlates of MSD among a selection of undergraduate dental hygiene students in Australia. METHODOLOGY: A self-reporting questionnaire was distributed to dental hygiene students at an Australian university during 2008, from which a response rate of approximately 72% was achieved. RESULTS: Musculoskeletal disorders were most commonly reported by students at the neck (64.29%), lower back (57.94%) and shoulder (48.41%) regions. Logistic regression indicated various correlations with MSD. Students who did not undertake regular exercise every week experienced an increased risk of lower back pain [Odds Ratio (OR): 4.88, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.75-14.9]. Students undertaking 16-20 h of desk-based study per week were much more likely to report neck pain (OR: 19.7, 95% CI: 1.34-378.94). Working 6-10 h on a computer each week was a risk factor for shoulder (OR: 7.03, 95% CI: 1.42-39.49) and upper back pain (OR: 5.29, 95% CI: 1.21-25.56). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this study suggests that MSD are a reasonably common problem for dental hygiene students in Australia. As such, further studies are required to establish epidemiological patterns of MSD, and our profession will need to carefully consider preventive strategies to help minimize the impact of this important occupational health issue on the next generation of dental hygienists.

A new era of dental education at the University of Sydney, Australia.

Dental education is currently under scrutiny in order to most appropriately address community needs for the new millennium. Educational outcomes need to include a commitment to life-long learning, and an emphasis on professional ethics and moral responsibility. These needs are supported by new forms of information delivery with a focus on the electronic media, by student centred and self-directed coursework, and by clinical stimulation. Additionally, at the University of Sydney, selection will follow a first degree. This will allow candidates time for an informed decision to be made for their future professional career and for a period of experience in the tertiary education system.

Isolation, purification, and characterization of pregnancy-specific protein B from elk and moose placenta.

Pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB) was isolated, purified, and partially characterized from elk and moose placenta. The procedure, which was monitored by bovine PSPB (bPSPB) RIA, included homogenization and extraction in aqueous solution, acidic and ammonium sulfate precipitation, and ion exchange, gel filtration, and affinity chromatographies. The estimated molecular sizes of moose PSPB (mPSPB) were 58 kDa and 31 kDa, and of elk PSPB (ePSPB) were 57 kDa, 45 kDa, and 31 kDa by SDS-PAGE. The isoelectric points of mPSPB were 4.8, 6.6, and 6.7, and of ePSPB were 4.8, 4.9, 6.1, and 6.2 as determined by isoelectric focusing and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The carbohydrate contents of mPSPB and ePSPB were approximately 3.15% and 4.98%, respectively. Although ePSPB and mPSPB were recognized by anti-bPSPB in an Ouchterlony double immunodiffusion test, they were found to share identical epitopes and partial identities compared to bPSPB. After treatment at different temperatures (20-60 degrees C) for 1 h, the immunoreactivities of ePSPB and mPSPB in serum were very stable. Only ePSPB in serum treated at 60 degrees C lost some immunoreactivity. After alteration of serum pH (pH 3-11) for 2 h, the immunoreactivities of ePSPB and mPSPB became lower at pH 3 and 4, and remained stable from pH 5 to 11. These data show that moose and elk PSPB have properties similar to those of bovine and ovine PSPB.

Autosomal dominant nanophthalmos (NNO1) with high hyperopia and angle-closure glaucoma maps to chromosome 11.

Nanophthalmos is an uncommon developmental ocular disorder characterized by a small eye, as indicated by short axial length, high hyperopia (severe farsightedness), high lens/eye volume ratio, and a high incidence of angle-closure glaucoma. We performed clinical and genetic evaluations of members of a large family in which nanophthalmos is transmitted in an autosomal dominant manner. Ocular examinations of 22 affected family members revealed high hyperopia (range +7.25-+13.00 diopters; mean +9.88 diopters) and short axial length (range 17.55-19.28 mm; mean 18.13 mm). Twelve affected family members had angle-closure glaucoma or occludable anterior-chamber angles. Linkage analysis of a genome scan demonstrated highly significant evidence that nanophthalmos in this family is the result of a defect in a previously unidentified locus (NNO1) on chromosome 11. The gene was localized to a 14.7-cM interval between D11S905 and D11S987, with a maximum LOD score of 5. 92 at a recombination fraction of .00 for marker D11S903 and a multipoint maximum LOD score of 6.31 for marker D11S1313. NNO1 is the first human locus associated with nanophthalmos or with an angle-closure glaucoma phenotype, and the identification of the NNO1 locus is the first step toward the cloning of the gene. A cloned copy of the gene will enable examination of the relationship, if any, between nanophthalmos and less severe forms of hyperopia and between nanophthalmos and other conditions in which angle-closure glaucoma is a feature.

Effects of unilateral prepartum milking on concentrations of immunoglobulin G1 and prolactin in colostrum.

Concentration of IgG1 in colostrum of Holstein cows is often low at calving. Unilateral prepartum milking was applied twice daily beginning 10 d prepartum to seven dry cows to determine whether premature lactogenesis caused cessation of IgG1 transfer into secretion. All four quarters were milked twice daily for 3 d postpartum. Samples of blood sera and mammary secretion were collected at each milking and analyzed for IgG1, progesterone, and prolactin. Four cows that produced > 4 L/d of milk by 4 d prepartum were retrospectively designated as responders. Three cows produced less and were designated as nonresponders. Milk volume was greater for responders than nonresponders from 6 d prepartum through parturition. Concentrations of prolactin and IgG1 in secretion were lower for responders than nonresponders and for milked than unmilked sides by 6 d prepartum. For responders, cumulative secretions of IgG1, milk, and prolactin were higher for milked than unmilked sides. For non-responders, the trend was similar, but differences were not significant. Cumulative secretion of IgG1 was higher for nonresponders. Differences between sides indicate that local control is important to the regulation of colostrogenesis. Differences in IgG1 between response groups indicate that maintenance of transport and dilution are important determinants of IgG1 concentration in colostrum.

Regulation of colostrum formation in beef and dairy cows.

Fifteen beef cows and 13 dairy cows were used to investigate the physiological basis of breed differences in IgG1 concentration in colostrum. Concentrations of progesterone and alpha-LA in sera and IgG1 in sera and secretion were quantified in samples collected prepartum. Serum progesterone concentration decreased significantly between 30 and 10 d prepartum, but breeds did not differ. Serum alpha-LA concentration was initially low but increased to 150 ng/ml in beef cows and 720 ng/ml in dairy cows at parturition. Serum IgG1 concentrations averaged 8.4 in beef cows and 5.7 mg/ml in dairy cows between 28 d and 24 d prepartum and subsequently declined to 6.7 in beef and 1.4 mg/ml in dairy cows between 4 d prepartum and calving. Overall, IgG1 concentration was greater in secretion from beef cows (113.4 mg/ml) than from dairy cows (42.7 mg/ml). The greater disappearance of IgG1 from serum suggested that more IgG1 was transferred into secretion of dairy cows, but concentration in secretion was lower. The reduced IgG1 concentration in secretion was associated with greater lactogenic activity in dairy cows, evidenced by fivefold higher alpha-LA concentration in sera. Dilution of IgG1 in secretion may be responsible for breed differences in colostral IgG1 concentration.

An adverse reaction following sialography.

Reactions following the administration of iodine are well documented in general radiography, but are unusual following sialography. A patient who experienced an adverse reaction following sialography with an iodine-based, low osmolar, contrast medium, Hexabrix 320, is presented. The reaction consisted of severe shoulder and back pain 24 h after the procedure. A skin rash was identified involving the right axilla, groin and elbow, with swelling visible around the right elbow joint. It was not possible to distinguish, on the basis of the available evidence, between an anaphylactoid and idiosyncratic allergic reaction.