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Biomedical subjects

A Harrison

Publications and source records attributed to A Harrison.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Denture fixatives--an update for general dental practice.

While some clinicians accept that denture fixatives have a valuable function in certain situations and contribute significantly to denture retention and stability, others disapprove of their use, believing that there is no substitute for a properly constructed, accurately fitting denture. It is also believed that their inappropriate use can lead to problems such as impairment of the development of the neuromuscular system which is important for the retention and stability of dentures. However, because these fixatives are available over the counter, it is important that clinicians, whatever their opinion, can give patients informed advice. The aim of this paper, therefore, is to provide an update, advice and recommendations on the use of denture fixatives.

Adhesives↗
PubMed1996

DIY dentures--a case report.

Minor self adjustments to dentures is a common finding. This case report describes do-it-yourself major adjustments to a removable prosthesis in an attempt to convert it to a fixed prosthesis and the resultant damage to the dental tissues.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Two functional thioredoxins containg redox-senesitive vicinal dithiols from the Chlamydomonas outer dynein arm.

We describe here the molecular cloning and analysis of the Mr 14,000 and 16,000 outer arm dynein light chains (DLCs) from Chlamydomonas flagella. Within the outer arm, the Mr 14,000 DLC apparently is associated with the intermediate chains at the base of the soluble dynein particle; the Mr 16,000 DLC interacts directly with the a dynein heavy chain. Sequence analysis indicates that both molecules are novel members of the thioredoxin superfamily and share approximately 30% sequence identity with thioredoxin from Penicillium. Both DLCs have a perfect copy of the thioredoxin active site (WCGPCK); the Mr 16,000 DLC also contains the canonical P-loop motif (AX4GKS). There is a single gene for both DLCs within Chlamydomonas and only single messages that were upregulated more than 10-fold upon deflagellation were observed on Northern blots. Both recombinant DLCs were specifically eluted from a phenylarsine oxide matrix with beta-mercaptoethanol indicating that they contain vicinal dithiols competent to undergo reversible oxidation/reduction. Furthermore, we demonstrate that outer (but not inner) arm dynein may he purified on the basis of its affinity for phenylarsine oxide suggesting that the predicted redox-sensitive vicinal dithiols exist within the native complex.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Does sharing a mother-tongue affect how closely patients and nurses agree when rating the patient's pain, worry and knowledge?

A convenience sample of 50 hospitalized patients who had experienced major care from two nurses, one of whom shared their mother-tongue (Arabic) and one of whom did not, were asked to rate, using 10-point visual analogue scales, their current pain, worry about their medical condition, and knowledge about the medical investigations carried out. The two nurses nominated by each patient were asked to rate their patient's pain, worry and knowledge using the same scales. Pain assessments by the three respondent groups did not differ significantly; but only nurses sharing a mother-tongue with the patient provided pain ratings which correlated significantly with those of their patients. Both groups of nurses consistently rated patients as being more worried and more knowledgable than patients rated themselves. Nurses, unlike patients, associated greater knowledge with greater worry. The limitations of the study undertaken are reviewed. Discussion centres on the implications of these findings for optimizing nursing care, including situations where nurse and patient do not share a cultural background and cannot converse readily.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Patients' evaluations of their consultations with primary health clinic doctors in the United Arab Emirates.

BACKGROUND: Patient satisfaction must be taken into account when evaluating the quality of medical care, along with health status outcome measures. OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study were to characterize the composition of consultations with government primary health clinic doctors in the United Arab Emirates and explore which factors mediate Emirati patients' satisfaction. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-two patients at a Primary Health Clinic were interviewed by structured questionnaire. RESULTS: Most of the 152 patients interviewed rated their consultations positively; but less than a tenth were completely satisfied. Components associated with patient satisfaction in developed countries (such as taking a history and advising how to deal with the condition) also had the same impact in the United Arab Emirates. The doctor's decision about whether or not to include a component was usually perceived as appropriate by the patient. Nonetheless, patients tended to give higher ratings to doctors who discussed issues with them and whom they perceived as empathic. Mothers consulting the doctor about their children's health were especially sensitive to such factors. CONCLUSIONS: Among the issues discussed is whether doctors should more routinely be addressing social, family and affective issues; so shaping patients' expectations that such components are appropriate an sometimes vital. Although difficult, given the lack of continuity of care in primary health clinics, the present study suggests that Emirati patients would be comfortable with, and many would value, inclusion of such components.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Structural change in hospitals: the implications for research.

This paper begins by considering briefly the interdependent nature of the health care sector and suggests that most research on structural change in the hospital system has ignored that obvious fact. It then goes on to argue that this failure will become even more significant in the face of the large scale changes that are expected in the way health services are delivered. Its central proposal is that the research horizons should be widened, particularly if change on the scale that appears likely is to be properly evaluated. How that may be done is considered in the final section.

Health Care Sector↗
PubMed1996

The reactions of patients and doctors in the united arab emirates towards smoking.

One hundred male U.A.E. nationals (50 smokers and 50 non-smokers) rated their own risk for developing heart disease, developing arthritis and having an automobile accident; and the risks facing the average smoker and average non-smoker. Smokers in the U.A.E., like smokers in the U.K., exhibited "constrained optimism." Non-smokers, unlike non-smokers in the U.K., were "pessimistic" about their chances of developing heart disease and having an accident. Eighty-two male doctors, 41 smokers and 41 non-smokers, were asked to respond to two hypothetical patients (one with long-term obesity newly diagnosed as being hypertensive, the other a long-term smoker newly diagnosed as having lung cancer). Compared with smoker doctors, doctors who themselves did not smoke expected to feel more uncomfortable when managing the smoker patient, and perceived him as more responsible for his condition. Possible reasons for these results, their implications and ways of pursuing the issues raised are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Antenatal assessment using the FECG obtained via abdominal electrodes.

During the past decade a variety of intrapartum fetal monitors have been constructed that process the entire fetal electrocardiogram (FECG), obtained via a scalp electrode. They therefore differ from conventional monitors in aiming to extract relevant timing and magnitude information from the morphology of the FECG rather than simply the RR interval and hence heart rate. An intrapartum monitor such as this has been successfully developed by ourselves. This paper describes the early results obtained whilst attempting to extend this form of monitoring forward into the antenatal period. In order to achieve this the FECG must be acquired via surface electrodes placed on the maternal abdomen, which yields a signal containing the FECG amidst a number of noise sources. Our investigations into the feasibility of "antenatal abdominal FECG analysis" have been on two fronts. The first has been to produce a bedside monitor similar in function to our intrapartum device, whilst the second has been to address the possibility of performing such monitoring in ambulant subjects. At present the antenatal bedside monitor has successfully extracted and processed the FECG in approximately 75% of the cases studied, with subjects ranging from 20 weeks through to term having been monitored. We also have demonstrated the feasibility of the long term monitoring of maternal and fetal heart rate using a portable instrument.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1995

Cross-infection control in dental laboratories.

The attitudes to cross-infection control of 800 dental laboratories registered with the Dental Laboratories Association have been surveyed. Considering the topicality of the subject material and the need for careful cross-infection control within and beyond the dental surgery, the response rate of 22% (175) was disappointingly low. As a result of the low response rate, the results should be seen as a guide only. Forty-nine percent of respondents had a cross-infection policy and of those with no policy 64% intended to implement one in the future. Thirty percent of laboratories receive known undisinfected work from the dental surgery. Of those items disinfected on arrival at the laboratory, those most frequently disinfected are dental impressions (77%) and dentures (51%). The most popular chemicals used for disinfection are household bleach, chlorhexidine and glutaraldehyde. Forty-four percent of the respondents generally (90% or more of the time) wear gloves when handling dental work received and opened in the laboratory. Seventy-four percent wear protective eye spectacles when trimming or polishing prostheses. Sixty-one percent used no disinfectant in the pumice and 93% did not disinfect the polishing instruments, eg wheels and mops. Forty-six percent had a policy for immunisation of staff against Hepatitis B.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1995

Denture cleansing--the best approach.

Denture cleanliness is essential to prevent malodour, poor aesthetics and the accumulation of plaque/calculus with its deleterious effects on the mucosa. There are a large number of solutions, pastes and powders available for cleaning dentures with a variety of claims for their relative efficacies. Denture cleansers in common use can broadly be divided into those having mechanical or chemical effects. Surveys show that some denture wearers experience difficulty in cleaning their dentures satisfactorily and many wear dirty dentures. Replacement dentures are sometimes necessary due to general deterioration of the denture base material because of the misuse or abuse of a range of approved denture cleaning methods or do-it-yourself cleaning methods such as the use of household bleach. Current popular cleaning methods used among complete and partial denture wearers are discussed and advice is given on recommended methods of cleaning dentures. The results of a survey conducted to assess patients' knowledge of cleaning procedures and methods and materials used are also presented. Respondents used a variety of combinations of cleaning methods. The findings of this survey that a large number of people do not know how to clean their dentures satisfactorily are in agreement with those of previous surveys. Recommendations are given on suitable methods of cleaning both metal and acrylic resin dentures.

Denture Cleansers↗
PubMed1995

Finite element analysis of stress distribution at the tooth-denture base interface of acrylic resin teeth debonding from the denture base.

Acrylic resin teeth present a problem when they detach unexpectedly from the denture base resin. Detachment is caused by stress concentrations at the tooth/denture base resin interface. In this study, the finite element method was used to examine the stress distribution at this interface when a single static force that resembled incisal bite force was applied. The results indicated that irrespective of the type of acrylic resin teeth used, maximum tensile stresses were found at the palatal aspect of the interface. It is suggested that boxing the tooth in the acrylic resin will help redistribute stress concentrations favorably.

Acrylic Resins↗
PubMed1995

The feasibility of long-term fetal heart rate monitoring in the home environment using maternal abdominal electrodes.

It is well established that fetal and maternal electrocardiograms (ECGs) can be obtained from the maternal abdomen using standard surface electrodes, although this cannot be guaranteed. The unobtrusive and non-invasive nature of such monitoring lends itself naturally to the long-term ambulatory collection of this data on cardiac activity. By employing suitable algorithms it would then be possible to extract records of both fetal and maternal heart rate. This article presents results of the collection of raw electrophysiological signals, containing both fetal and maternal ECGs from a single volunteer from the 20th week of gestation until term. The significance of the data is that they were recorded by the mother herself in her own environment. Previously written software was then used to extract fetal and maternal heart rate data. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using this method for the long-term recording of fetal and maternal heart rate in the mother's normal surroundings.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1995

An in vitro investigation into the wear effects of selected restorative materials on enamel.

Abrasive wear testing of five restorative materials was carried out with human enamel as the opposing surface using a wear machine specifically designed to simulate the masticatory cycle. The results showed that enamel demonstrated good abrasion resistance against amalgam and microfine composite and moderate abrasion resistance against gold. Conventional composite produced marked destruction of enamel and the greatest amount of enamel wear was produced by porcelain. The ranking order compared favourably with results from in vivo studies.

Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate↗
PubMed1995

An in vitro investigation into the wear effects of selected restorative materials on dentine.

Wear testing of five restorative materials was carried out against plates of human dentine using a wear machine specifically designed to simulate the masticatory cycle. The results showed that dentine is substantially less wear resistant than enamel when compared to previous findings. Amalgam produced no measurable wear of dentine, conventional composite produced extreme destruction and porcelain produced the greatest amount of wear. Great care should be taken with the choice of restorative material when opposing dentine.

Analysis of Variance↗