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Biomedical subjects

M J Hicks

Publications and source records attributed to M J Hicks.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Dermatopathology of skin necrosis associated with purpura fulminans.

Dermal vascular skin necrosis is associated with a complex group of clinical disorders. Many of these disorders are associated with an underlying abnormality of the PC anticoagulant system or DIC, or both. The clinical appearance and histopathologic features of dermal vascular skin necrosis are similar regardless of the etiology. Acute infectious purpura fulminans is distinct in that an acute vasculitis may be present in addition to microvascular thrombosis. Skin biopsy is a valuable diagnostic tool in the early recognition of these clinical disorders, since skin involvement is frequently an early manifestation of the disease process. Prompt recognition and institution of appropriate therapy at the reversible stages of dermal vascular thrombosis will, it is hoped, reduce the morbidity and mortality currently associated with skin necrosis and purpura fulminans.

Heparin↗
PubMed1990

Comparison of pit and fissure sealant utilization by pediatric and general dentists in Colorado.

The purpose of this study was to conduct a survey of Colorado pediatric and general dentists concerning attitudes toward and use of sealants. The survey results indicated that sealants were used in the following manner by pediatric vs. general dentists, respectively: 1) Routinely 73.4% vs. 40.1%; 2) Occasionally 15.6% vs. 32.6%; 3) Seldom 6.6% vs. 10.0%; 4) Do Not Use 4.4% vs. 17.3%. Reasons for limited or non-utilization of sealants by both groups included: 1) Not covered by insurance; 2) Inadvertent sealing in caries; 3) Do not last; 4) Not cost effective. Delegation of primary responsibility for sealant placement differed as follows between pediatric and general dentists, respectively: 1) Dentist 73.3% vs. 64.8%; 2) Hygienist 0% vs. 17.8%; 3) Assistant 26.7% vs. 17.4%. Continuing education courses on sealants had been attended by 62% of pediatric dentists and 16.9% of their auxiliaries and by 29.1% of general dentists and 6.3% of their auxiliaries. Approximately 50% of pediatric and general dentists expressed an interest in attending sealant courses. This study indicates that: 1) Colorado dentists report a relatively high sealant utilization rate. 2) Pediatric dentists place sealants more frequently than general dentists. 3) The most frequent reason for restricting sealant placement was lack of insurance coverage. 4) A need for continuing education of dentists and auxiliaries exists.

Colorado↗
PubMed1989

Low circulating T-helper cells in relapsing multiple myeloma.

Peripheral blood T-lymphocyte subsets were studied serially over a 6 year period in 50 patients with monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance and multiple myeloma. The results were correlated with clinical status as measured by responsiveness to treatment (response vs. relapse). To allow assessment of the effects of treatment per se upon T-lymphocyte subset levels, patients were studied prior to as well as on and off therapy. After adjustment for treatment effects, the significant correlation (P less than 0.001) between low percentages of T4-bearing cells and relapse status persisted in all patients. Following multivariate analysis, beta 2-microglobulin and m-protein values correlated with relapse status, but these correlations were not unexpected since these parameters were often used in association with other clinical and laboratory findings to assess relapse status. The most striking finding of this study was the independent correlation between decreasing percent of T4 levels and increasing probability of relapse (P less than or equal to 0.003). Specifically, in this study the proportion of subjects with T4 levels less than 20% who relapsed was 67% regardless of other parameters. The strength of the correlation between the T4 values and relapse may provide insight into the biology of relapsing myeloma as well as adding a clinically useful test for disease assessment.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Enhancement of the expression of activation markers on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells by in vitro culture with retinoids and carotenoids.

Retinoids (retinol, retinal, retinoic acid, retinyl beta-glucuronide, and 13-cis retinoic acid) and carotenoids (beta-carotene and canthaxanthin) were evaluated for their immunomodulatory effects on human peripheral blood T-lymphocyte subpopulations and natural killer (NK) cells. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy young volunteers were isolated and incubated for 72 hours at various levels of retinoids and carotenoids including a physiological concentration (10(-8) M). Expression of surface antigens for total T cells, T-helper and T-suppressor cells, and activation markers (transferrin receptor, HLA-Dr antigen, and interleukin 2 receptor) were analyzed with an EPICS V flow cytometer. Retinoic acid and 13-cis retinoic acid (13-cRA) produced significant increases in the percentage of cells with markers for total T-helper cells, with a minimal effect on percentage of lymphocytes with markers for NK cells. However, beta-carotene (BC), canthaxanthin (CTX), and retinyl beta-glucuronide (RBG) dramatically increased the percentage of PBMC with markers for NK cells and produced a smaller increase in lymphocytes with surface antigens identifying them as T-helper cells. Furthermore, retinol and retinal did not show significant change either in the percentage of lymphocytes with markers for T-helper cells or in the helper/suppressor ratio. An increase in the expression of HLA-Dr antigen and transferrin receptors was greater when cells were incubated with 13-cRA than with either BC, CTX, or RBG, while carotenoids produced a greater increase in the expression of IL-2 receptors than 13-cRA. Our study indicates that both retinoids and carotenoids might be activating different subpopulations of immune cells.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

DNA ploidy, grade, and stage in prognosis of uterine cervical cancer.

A retrospective study of 56 cases of uterine cervical squamous carcinoma evaluated DNA content, histological grade, and clinical stage as indicators of prognosis. Minimum survivor follow-up was 24 months. Following standard radiation therapy, there were 40 cures and 16 treatment failures. DNA content was measured by flow cytometry of pretreatment biopsies removed from paraffin. There were 18 diploid cases and 38 aneuploid (67.9%). Aneuploid cases included 6 with very high G2-M peaks (greater than or equal to 15% of the cell sample). DNA ploidy correlation with prognosis was not statistically significant. However, both grading by a multiple parameter method (P less than 0.0133) and staging (P less than 0.0064) were significant prognostic factors. Higher grade and stage correlated with treatment failure.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Prevalence of bottled water usage by pediatric dental patients: implications for dental health.

Drinking bottled water has become a popular substitute for tap water because of the concern over the contamination of municipal water supplies. The purpose of this study was to determine the percentage of pediatric dental patients drinking bottled water as their primary source of water. The fluoride content of these products was obtained from the distributors and the products were independently analyzed to ensure accuracy. Approximately 10 percent of 1,126 randomly selected patients from a private pediatric dental practice were routinely using bottled water from nine different sources. The fluoride content of these products varied from 0.04 ppm to 1.4 ppm. Independent analysis of the fluoride content of the different brands of bottled water using a microanalyzer with a fluoride-specific electrode indicated that the measured fluoride content was within +/- 0.1 ppm of the distributors' reported fluoride levels. The results of this study found that 16.9 percent of the pediatric patients were receiving less than the optimal level of fluoride and 72.4 percent were receiving greater than the recommended level of fluoride. Ten percent of the patients were being supplemented with additional fluoride tablets by their pediatrician, although the fluoride levels in the bottled water ranged from 0.9 to 1.4 ppm. In order for children to receive the optimal caries-preventive benefit from fluoride, the pediatric dentist needs to question the source of the patients' drinking water routinely. When bottled water is being used, the fluoride content should be obtained from the distributor or submitted for laboratory evaluation for fluoride content.

Child↗
PubMed1989

Colorado pit and fissure sealant survey: attitudes toward and use of pit and fissure sealants by Colorado general dentists.

The purpose of this study was to conduct a survey of Colorado general dentists regarding the use of and attitudes toward pit and fissure sealants. The survey consisted of a questionnaire to determine the utilization levels of sealants by general dentists, reasons for limited placement or non-utilization of sealants, whether sealant placement was delegated to dental auxiliaries or not, and if continuing education courses on sealants had been attended by the dentists and/or their dental auxiliaries. A total of 544 completed questionnaires were available for study. The results indicated that sealants were used by 82.7% of the dentists. Approximately 70% of the practitioners reported that they utilized sealants either routinely or occasionally. Reasons for limited placement or non-utilization of sealants were, in descending order: 1) Not covered by insurance; 2) Inadvertent sealing in of caries; 3) Sealants do not last; 4) Sealants too expensive; 5) Not familiar with sealant technique; 6) Sealants not effective. Placement of sealants was delegated as follows: 1) Dentists, 64.8%; 2) Hygienists, 17.8%; 3) Assistants, 17.4%. Continuing education courses had been attended by 29.1% of the dentists surveyed. Only 6.6% of the dentists indicated that their staff had attended continuing education courses on sealant placement. A relatively high percentage of Colorado dentists are utilizing sealants on a frequent basis. Major reasons for limited usage or non-utilization of sealants relates to lack of insurance coverage and concern regarding sealing in of caries. A need for continuing education courses on sealants appears to exist.

Colorado↗
PubMed1989

A system for insuring success of long-term supportive periodontal therapy.

The article describes a program of supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) for patients who have been treated for periodontal disease. Emphasis is placed on identifying the specific supportive therapy needs of periodontally treated patients as distinct from the needs of patients who are not at risk for periodontal disease. The critical components of SPT for clinical practice are defined and discussed. The parameters necessary for a through clinical and radiographic assessment are outlined. The use of assessment data to direct therapy is explained. Implementation of site-specific therapeutic measures as well as the use of evaluative procedures to assure appropriate long-term care are defined.

Humans↗
PubMed1988

Clinical usefulness of lymphocyte transformation in patients with coccidioidomycosis.

The development of an appropriate host defense in coccidioidomycosis is predicated on the presence of a positive delayed skin test reaction to coccidioidin. In severe and/or disseminated disease, coccidioidin reactions are routinely negative. By employing serial in vitro spherulin-induced lymphocyte blast transformation (LT) studies in a group of eight severely-ill coccidioidomycosis patients, prognostic clinical data were provided which could not have been obtained from their skin test status alone. Four of the eight demonstrated positive LT responses early in the course of their disease, quickly converted their skin tests to positive, and were cured of their disease. Two patients had negative LT responses until their skin test converted after several months of therapy. The final two have continued to demonstrate negative LT values despite several years of therapy and have experienced exacerbations of their disease when treatment was discontinued. The use of LT data in such patients can be very helpful in guiding therapeutic decisions in this difficult clinical problem.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Marginal finishing for cast gold restorations: reciprocal-action instrumentation.

This study compared rotary finishing instruments with a set of reciprocating diamond particle instruments. These reciprocating diamond tips were designed for use in a Dentatus EVA contra angle handpiece to finish cast gold margins. They are also recommended for smoothing amalgam and composite restorations, but this capability was not examined. These small-particle size diamond tips could facilitate finishing techniques of cast gold margins for surfaces inaccessible to rotary instrumentation.

Carbon↗
PubMed1987

A comparison of Ultraspeed and Ektaspeed dental x-ray film: in vitro study of the radiographic appearance of interproximal lesions.

This study investigated the difference between Ektaspeed and Ultraspeed dental x-ray film in detecting incipient interproximal carious lesions, in vitro. Molars and premolars were radiographed with 60, 70, or 90 kVp and 15 mA. Time was varied, so the density of all films was closely matched. The radiographs were viewed by ten dentists who judged the presence and extent of caries according to a predetermined scale. Inter-rater reliability was determined for each film type and tooth surface by using Pearson's Product-Moment Correlation Test. Results showed that inter-rater reliability was high and significant at p less than 0.01. Differences in kilovolt (peak) exposure had no significant effect on Ektaspeed and Ultraspeed film correlation. This study suggests no statistically significant difference in caries-detection ability for Ektaspeed or Ultraspeed radiographic film.

Dental Caries↗
PubMed1987

An evaluation of the clinical analgesia/anesthesia efficacy on acute pain using the high frequency neural modulator in various dental settings.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of high frequency neural modulation as a substitute for traditional local anesthesia in various dental procedures. This double-blinded study was done to evaluate patient comfort and degree of satisfaction as well as manageability of pain control by the operator during the dental procedures. Procedures included restorations, tooth extractions, root planing, pulp extirpation, and temporomandibular joint therapy. In the experimental group, favorable responses ranged from 0.0% to 92.8%, depending on the procedures. An overall favorable rating of 71.8% was given by the experimental group, and an overall favorable response of 8.5% was given by the placebo group.

Acute Disease↗