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Biomedical subjects

M J Hicks

Publications and source records attributed to M J Hicks.

At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Prospective study of the safety and financial benefit of ketoconazole as adjunctive therapy to cyclosporine after heart transplantation.

In a prospective study of the relative safety and potential benefit of concomitant ketoconazole and cyclosporine after heart transplantation, 15 transplant recipients were followed up for up to 1 year (mean, 10.7 months) after ketoconazole was added to their immunosuppressive regimen of cyclosporine, prednisone, and azathioprine, and these patients were compared with a matched cohort over the same time. There was an 88% reduction in the mean (+/- SD) dose of cyclosporine, from 394 (115) mg/day to 47 (21) mg/day (p less than 0.0005) in the ketoconazole group, compared with an insignificant change in the control group. The projected annual cost of cyclosporine was reduced by 88%, with a 72% reduction in the projected cost of immunosuppressive drugs and prophylactic antifungal therapy, from a mean of $6800 to $1862 per year per transplant recipient in the ketoconazole-treated group. Other beneficial effects found over the study period included a significant reduction in the mean and diastolic systemic arterial pressure and a significant reduction in serum cholesterol. The mean total serum cholesterol fell from 265 (44) to 204 (38) mg/dl in the ketoconazole group but did not change significantly in the control group (p less than 0.005). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol also fell from a mean of 167 (32) mg/dl to 112 (28) mg/dl (p less than 0.005). Renal function was not significantly affected by ketoconazole when compared with the control group. Ketoconazole and other drugs of potential use in organ transplant recipients should be evaluated for financial as well as for other potential clinical benefits in the long-term management of these patients.

Azathioprine↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A retrospective radiographic evaluation of primary molar pulpectomies.

Relatively few long-term studies have been performed to evaluate the clinical success of one-appointment pulpectomies in primary molar teeth. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the radiographic appearance of nonvital primary molars before and after treatment with a one-appointment formocresol pulpectomy technique. The mean length of time since pulpectomy treatment for the 62 primary molars was 40.2 months. Based upon strict radiographic criteria, the one-appointment pulpectomy procedure was considered to be successful in 82.3% (51) of the cases, with 3.2% (2) of pulpectomized primary molars needing retreatment, and 14.5% (9) of pulpectomy procedures failing. The pulpectomy procedure is indicated when inflammation of the pulpal tissue extends into the root canals, and possibly involves the periapical and/or bifurcation areas. This procedure provides an alternative to extraction and space maintenance when the pediatric dentist encounters a nonvital primary molar tooth.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Radiographic evaluation of pulpal therapy for primary anterior teeth.

A total of 144 anterior primary incisors with formocresol pulpotomies or pulpectomies comprised the study sample. Although the former had a moderately high success rate, those incisors treated with the latter procedure had a better prognosis. It may be the preferred treatment when the extent of pulpal involvement cannot be determined.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of the anterograde amnesic effect of rectally administered diazepam in the sedated pedodontic patient.

Randomly, a dosage of 0.6 mg/kg of either diazepam in solution or sodium chloride was dispensed rectally to twelve preschool children. Before the local anesthetic injection, each child was shown a toy and, before dismissal, asked to identify the toy displayed earlier. Amnesia was observed in the majority of children during the diazepam treatment appointment.

Amnesia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Acid-etching of caries-like lesions of enamel treated with acidulated phosphate fluoride: an in vitro study.

Using the scanning electron microscope and the polarized light microscope, the effects of acid-etching on acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF)-treated caries-like lesions of enamel were investigated, with respect to the etching patterns produced and the suitability of those patterns for resin bonding, and the histopathological features of the caries-like lesions.

Acid Etching, Dental↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Dens invaginatus with partial coronal agenesis: report of case.

This developmental phenomenon may occur in as many as 10 percent of maxillary lateral incisor teeth. The case described in this report occurred in a maxillary right central incisor which was also inflicted with a partial coronal agenesis.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Double-blind comparison of rectally administered diazepam to placebo for pediatric sedation: the cardiovascular response.

The sedative and cardiovascular effects of rectally administered diazepam (0.6 mg/kg) were compared to placebo in uncooperative children who required sedation during dental treatment. Twelve healthy preschool children, who required amalgam restorations, were treated during two standardized restorative appointments in a double-blind, crossover study. Blood pressure and pulse were obtained during four specified intervals during the appointment. The behavior of the children during the treatment visits was videotaped and later statistically analyzed using a kinesics/vocalization instrument. Behavioral ratings of cooperation were significantly improved during the treatment visit following diazepam. All interfering bodily movements, patient vocalizations and operator commands for the diazepam group were reduced significantly (p≤0.0001). No significant differences were observed for noninterfering behavioral response. Rectally administered diazepam did not alter blood pressure or pulse significantly in these sedated children when compared to the placebo. These findings indicate that rectal diazepam is an effective sedative agent with minimal effect on the cardiovascular system for the management of the young pediatric dental patient.

Anesthesia, Dental↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Primary diagnosis of disseminated coccidioidomycosis by fine needle aspiration of a neck mass. A case report.

Coccidioidomycosis is a pulmonary fungal infection endemic to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Disseminated coccidioidomycosis occurs in 0.1-0.5% of cases and is a life-threatening condition. We report a case of disseminated coccidioidomycosis in an immunocompetent black male with cutaneous lesions, a flocculent neck mass, bilateral hilar adenopathy, persistent fever, night sweats and malaise. The clinical suspicion was lymphoma with cutaneous involvement. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of the neck mass provided the primary diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis. It was confirmed by culture of FNA-obtained fluid and a subsequent biopsy of a cutaneous lesion. As shown in this case, FNA of soft tissue masses may provide rapid identification of the responsible organism and allow early initiation of therapy for this potentially life-threatening infection.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Argon laser irradiation and acidulated phosphate fluoride treatment in caries-like lesion formation in enamel: an in vitro study.

The purpose of this in vitro study was to determine the combined effects of argon laser irradiation (ArI) and acidulated phosphate fluoride treatment (APF) on caries-like lesion formation in human enamel. Each specimen was divided into tooth quarters with each quarter assigned to one of four groups: 1) control; 2) ArI Only; 3) ArI before APF treatment; 4) APF treatment before ArI. After a fluoride-free prophylaxis, acid-resistant varnish was applied to the tooth quarters, leaving sound enamel windows exposed on buccal and lingual surfaces. Argon laser irradiation was at 2 watts for 10s (100J/cm2). APF treatment was with a 1.23% APF gel for 4 min. Lesions were created in sound enamel windows with an acidified gel. After lesion formation, sections were obtained and imbibed with water for polarized light study. Body of the lesion depths were determined and compared among the four groups. Lesion depths were: 195 +/- 23 microns for control; 129 +/- 17 microns for ArI only; 96 +/- 14 microns for ArI before APF; and 88 +/- 11 microns for APF before ArI. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were found between the control group and all treatment groups, and between the ArI only group and both combined APF and ArI groups. Significant difference (P > 0.05) was not found between the ArI before APF and the APF before ArI groups. Laser irradiation alone reduced lesion depth by 34% compared with control lesions. When ArI was combined with APF treatment, lesion depth decreased by more than 50% compared with control lesions, and by 26 to 32% when compared with lased-only lesions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Role of the acid-etch technique in remineralization of caries-like lesions of enamel: a polarized light and scanning electron microscopic study.

The aim of this in vitro study was to determine the effect of acid-etching on remineralization of caries-like lesions with calcifying fluids (CF). Caries-like lesions were created in two windows of sound enamel on both buccal and lingual surfaces of human molars. A central longitudinal section was taken from each tooth to serve as control lesions (CL). Each tooth was then sectioned into quarters and each quarter assigned to one of four groups: 1) 1mM Ca CF Remineralized (RC1); 2) 1mM Ca CF Remineralized Etch (RE1); 3) 3mM Ca CF Remineralized (RC3); 4) 3mM Ca CF Remineralized Etch (RE3). Lesions in the etch groups were exposed to 30 percent H3PO4 for 30s prior to CF. Etch and non-etch groups were treated with 1mM or 3mM Ca CFs (prepared from HAP [Ca/P ratio = 1.63], pH 7.0, 0.05mM F-) for ten 60-second periods, interspersed with deionized water rinses. Mean lesion depths were determined using a digitized tablet. Following 1mM Ca CF, mean lesion depths were: 179 microns for CL, 157 microns for RC1 and 118 microns for RE1. Following 3mM Ca CF, mean lesion depths were: 188 microns for CL, 171 microns for RC3 and 143 microns for RE3. SEM topographic features of the remineralized etched lesions consisted of adherent surface coatings with finely globular patterns in the 1mM Ca CF group and densely adherent surface coatings which masked the effects of etching in the 3mM Ca CF group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acid Etching, Dental↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Symptomatic choroid plexus xanthogranuloma of the lateral ventricle. Case report and brief critical review of xanthogranulomatous lesions of the brain.

Xanthogranulomas of the choroid plexus are found relatively frequently at autopsy; however only 8 cases of symptomatic choroid plexus xanthogranuloma of the lateral ventricle have been reported. We describe an additional case in a 63-year-old man who presented with headache. A well circumscribed mass located in the trigone of the right lateral ventricle and extending into the periventricular white matter was detected on imaging studies. The clinical impression was metastasis. The resected material had the typical histological appearance of a xanthogranuloma of the choroid plexus. The clinical and histopathologic features of these lesions are reviewed and other xanthogranulomatous processes involving the brain are briefly discussed.

Calcinosis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Remineralization of caries-like lesions of enamel with acidulated calcifying fluids: a polarized light microscopic study.

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effects of acidulated calcifying fluids (CF) on remineralization of caries-like lesions of enamel. Lesions were created in sound enamel using an acidified gel. Central longitudinal sections were taken from each tooth (N = 20) following lesion formation to serve as control lesions (CL). Each tooth was sectioned into quarters and each quarter was assigned to one of four groups: 1) 1 mM calcium CF at pH 7.0 (CF1); 2) 1 mM calcium CF at pH 5.0 (ACF1); 3) 3 mM calcium CF at pH 7.0 (CF3); 4) 3 mM calcium CF at pH 5.0 (ACF3). Tooth quarters were treated with assigned CFs (HAP [Ca/P = 1.63], pH 7.0 or 5.0, 0.05 mM Fl) for ten 60-sec periods. Longitudinal sections were prepared and imbibed in water for polarized light study. Mean lesion depths were determined and compared (ANOVA and DMR). With 1 mM calcium CFs, mean lesion depths were 187 microns for CL, 154 microns for CF1 and 133 microns for ACF1. With 3 mM calcium CFs, mean lesion depths were 192 microns for CL, 172 for CF3 and 149 for ACF3. Acidulated (22%, 29%) and nonacidulated (10%, 18%) CFs resulted in significant reductions (P < 0.05) in lesion depths when compared with control lesions. Acidulated CFs (13%, 14%) resulted in significant lesion depth reductions (P < 0.05) when compared with nonacidulated CFs. The acidulated 1 mM calcium CF produced the greatest degree of remineralization. Acidulation of CFs enhanced the degree of remineralization over that attained by nonacidulated CFs. This improvement in remineralizing ability of acidulated calcifying fluids may be due to creation of a more reactive enamel surface.

Acids↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of carbamide peroxide whitening agents on enamel surfaces and caries-like lesion formation: an SEM and polarized light microscopic in vitro study.

Whitening enamel with carbamide peroxide (CP) to remove cosmetically displeasing stains has become common-place in dental practice. This in vitro study evaluated CP treatment effects on enamel surface morphology and caries-like lesion susceptibility. Tooth quarters were prepared from 10 caries-free human molars following a fluoride-free prophylaxis. The tooth quarters were assigned to the following treatment groups: 1) Distobuccal-10 percent NW gel (Nite White, Discus Dental); 2) Distolingual-10 percent PL paste (Platinum, Colgate); 3) Mesiobuccal-16 percent NW gel; and 4) Mesiolingual-Control. Following the manufacturers' recommended treatment, each quarter was sectioned with one portion prepared for SEM and the other portion for caries-like lesion formation. Intact enamel surfaces were present with all treatments. Enamel prism markings with exaggerated prism peripheries and mild to moderate prism core loss were seen with both 10 percent NW and 16 percent NW gels, but was more prominent with 16 percent NW gel. Amorphous surface layers with occasional exposure of indistinct prism markings occurred with 10 percent PL paste. Body of lesion mean depths were 135 microns control, 159 microns 16 percent NW, 144 microns 10 percent NW, and 122 microns 10 percent PL. Lesion depths were significantly different (p < 0.05 DMR paired design) between 10 percent PL and 16 percent NW, and between control and 16 percent NW. Whitening enamel surfaces in vitro with 10 percent carbamide peroxide paste containing dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (Colgate-Platinum) produced an amorphous surface layer and reduced caries susceptibility when compared with 16 percent carbamide peroxide gel (Nite White).

Carbamide Peroxide↗