The efficacy of a topical gel with triester glycerol oxide in denture-related mucosal injuries

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00549.x
The efficacy of a topical gel with triester glycerol oxide in denture‐related mucosal injuries Objective: The efficacy of a topical gel with triester glycerol oxide for treating ulcerations related to new complete dentures was studied and compared with a placebo gel. Materials and methods: Fifty edentulous patients were enrolled in this double‐blind clinical study. All subjects received new maxillary and mandibular complete dentures and were recalled 1, 3 and 7 days after denture placement. Twenty‐five subjects received topical gel with triester glycerol oxide (TGO), and 25 subjects received topical gel without TGO. At each visit, pain and discomfort with the new dentures was assessed, and at the last visit, healing of ulcerations was also graded by a clinician. Subjects also graded the gel’s taste, smell and ease of use. Results: Specifically, there was no statistically significant difference in ulcer healing (p > 0.05), ratings of smell, taste and ease of use (p > 0.05) or pain and discomfort scores (p > 0.05). However, within‐group differences were observed in pain and discomfort scores between follow‐up sessions (p = 0.01 for all comparisons). Conclusion: Clinically, TGO gel is not effective in the treatment of mucosal injuries occurring following placement of complete dentures.     

Influence of psychological factors on the acceptance of complete dentures

Objectives: To assess the influence of psychological factors on the acceptance of complete dentures in a population wearing dentures judged to be clinically satisfactory. Design: Subjects were asked to complete personality profiles and also to rate their dentures using a denture satisfaction questionnaire. Setting: The survey was conducted in the prosthetics clinic of a teaching hospital. Subjects: Patients were selected from those who had new complete dentures constructed in the department within the previous two years. Intervention and main outcome measures : The personality inventory was a self‐administered questionnaire comprising 240 items covering the five domains of personality. Denture satisfaction was scored on a nine item scale with four Likert type responses to each. Results: A group of 16% consistently complained about their dentures. Statistical analysis showed that personality factors especially Neuroticism had a significant relationship with denture satisfaction. Conclusion: Psychological factors significantly influence denture satisfaction and profiles may provide useful in predicting potential difficult denture wearers.     

Do all backbone polar groups in proteins form hydrogen bonds?

Evidence from proteins and peptides supports the conclusion that intrapeptide hydrogen bonds stabilize the folded form of proteins. Paradoxically, evidence from small molecules supports the opposite conclusion, that intrapeptide hydrogen bonds are less favorable than peptide-water hydrogen bonds. A related issue-often lost in this debate about comparing peptide-peptide to peptide- water hydrogen bonds-involves the energetic cost of an unsatisfied hydrogen bond. Here, experiment and theory agree that breaking a hydrogen bond costs between 5 and 6 kcal/mol. Accordingly, the likelihood of finding an unsatisfied hydrogen bond in a protein is insignificant. This realization establishes a powerful rule for evaluating protein conformations.     

Variables affecting denture satisfaction in Israeli elderly:a one year follow-up

The purpose of this study was to investigate patient satisfaction with complete dentures after one year of use and several potential mitigating factors in Israeli elderly. Eighty–four patients who were 54 years of age or older and who were rehabilitated with complete dentures were recalled for examination 12-15 months later; 84.5% (n=70) were interviewed and reexamined by calibrated examiners who judged all prostheses to be clinically acceptable. The mean age of participants was 71.90 years and two-thirds were females. Over 73 % reported that they wore their dentures “always.” Nearly 79% indicated that they were pleased with their denture appearance. Difficulties were reported by 28.2%, while 46.5% reported difficulties with chewing. Chewing problems were significantly related to swallowing problems (P<.001); food enjoyment “as much now as you did five years ago” (P<.001); difficulties speaking (P<.00105) and “having sores under your dentures” (P<.00101) which affected 28.2% of the survey group. Married elderly expressed higher satisfaction with denture comfort as compared to “single” patients, and patients suffering from any systemic chronic diseases were more dissatisfied with appearance. A summary satisfaction scale of 7 items was constructed (Cronbach alpha reliability 0.6834) and logistic regression performed to identify key model variables for overall satisfaction. Stat sign findings included: 1) immigration year; 2) neurological or psychological disorder; and 3) age. The model correctly classified 92.75%. Findings suggest that a variety of factors may influence denture satisfaction. Gathering detailed information by means of a questionnaire before new denture fabrication may be an important tool for the dentist in predicting and consequently enhancing patient satisfaction with complete dentures.     

The Impact of Obesity on Primary Care Visits

Objective: To investigate the influence of patient obesity on primary care physician practice style. Research Methods and Procedures: This was a randomized, prospective study of 509 patients assigned for care by 105 primary care resident physicians. Patient data collected included sociodemographic information, self‐reported health status (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form‐36), evaluation for depression (Beck Depression Index), and satisfaction. Height and weight were measured to calculate the BMI. Videotapes of the visits were analyzed using the Davis Observation Code (DOC). Results: Regression equations were estimated relating obesity to visit length, each of the 20 individual DOC codes, and the six DOC Physician Practice Behavior Clusters, controlling for patient health status and sociodemographics. Obesity was not significantly associated with the length of the visit, but influenced what happened during the visit. Physicians spent less time educating obese patients about their health (p = 0.0062) and more time discussing exercise (p = 0.0075). Obesity was not related to discussions regarding nutrition. Physicians spent a greater portion of the visit on technical tasks when the patient was obese (p = 0.0528). Mean pre‐visit general satisfaction for obese patients was significantly lower than for non‐obese patients (p = 0.0069); however, there was no difference in post‐visit patient satisfaction. Discussion: Patient obesity impacts the medical visit. Further research can promote a greater understanding of the relationships between obese patients and their physicians.     

Identification of patient's requirements in quality management system in health care institutions

AimTo present the solutions implemented in health care institution in the context of identification of patient's requirements, and evaluation of the level of patients’ satisfaction in accordance with the requirements of ISO norm 9001:2008 based on the experience of GPCC.BackgroundThe fundamental mechanisms behind the free market, such as competition, start applying also to the public health sector. Health service providers are gradually realising that patients are actual clients of health care institutions, with physicians, nurses, supporting personnel, registration officers and other staff responding to patients demand for medical and auxiliary services (e.g. exam registration, provision of information).Material and methodsPN-EN ISO 9001:2009 “Quality Management Systems. Requirements”, relevant literature and documentation of quality management system from the GPCC.The review of relevant literature and legal requirements; interpretation of provisions in relation to the functioning of health care institutions.ResultsModel of identification of patient's requirements and satisfaction in accordance with the requirements of ISO 9001:2008 has been elaborated and implemented in the GPCC.ConclusionThe identification of patient's requirements is much more complicated than evaluating the same parameters in manufacturing companies. In the context of medical services one should be aware of the subjectivity of patient's feelings, the psycho-social status and the general state of health during his or her treatment. Therefore, the identification of patient's requirements and satisfaction must be carefully thought out, implemented and regularly improved.     

Exploring Wellness of Wildlife Carers in New Zealand: A Descriptive Study

The rescue and care of vulnerable wildlife is rewarding. Most people involved in animal rescue have a strong commitment to service but the work can be profoundly challenging. The ability to know and respond appropriately to an animal's needs depends on the professional skills and knowledge of wildlife carers. In the face of unrelenting suffering and countless numbers of animals in need, there are multiple stressors, vulnerabilities, and barriers that can undermine carers’ wellbeing and put them at risk of compassion fatigue. The balance between compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue is considered professional quality of life. The aim of this study was to provide a preliminary understanding of the potential for compassion satisfaction and the risk of compassion fatigue among wildlife carers within New Zealand. Thirty wildlife carers voluntarily completed a self-report survey, which included questions on socio-demographics, self-perceived quality of life (EUROHIS-QOL), professional quality of life (ProQOL), job satisfaction, motivation for ongoing work in wildlife rehabilitation, and coping mechanisms. We found that there were significant differences in compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue on the basis of age, gender, financial capability, and years of experience. Overall, this sample showed high levels of compassion satisfaction and low levels of compassion fatigue. Understanding the elements of professional quality of life can have a positive effect on work environment. These results may provide clues to help identify wildlife carers’ strengths for compassion satisfaction and vulnerabilities to compassion fatigue, and to help develop strategies to improve their professional quality of life.     

沙化土地封禁保护政策的农户满意度及影响因素分析——以甘肃省为例

农户是生态治理政策的"践行者",也是政策效果的"检验者",其满意度对政策的可持续实施至关重要。基于甘肃省沙化土地封禁保护区周边1417份农户调查数据,运用帕累托分析方法和Ordered Logit模型,就沙化土地封禁保护政策的农户满意度及影响因素展开分析。研究结果表明:沙化土地封禁保护政策的农户总体满意度介于"一般"和"满意"之间,均值为3.67("非常满意"为5);外部影响因素分析表明,政策实施效果中风沙危害削减程度、荒漠化逆转程度、家庭收入提升状况、破坏行为减少程度与农户满意度之间存在正相关性;生态变化感知中的风沙强度、水资源紧缺程度对农户满意度起负向作用,降雨(雪)次数变化、荒漠植被盖度对农户满意度起正向作用。农户内部自身因素中,家庭人均收入、耕地、政府补贴、性别、教育程度、健康状况与农户满意度均通过显著性检验。控制变量因素中地方政府治理重视程度与农户满意度呈正相关性,平原地区的农户满意度明显高于山区。从政策角度看,农户生计改善是未来沙化土地封禁保护政策成功实施的关键保障。     

An in-depth look into the association between morningness–eveningness and well-being: evidence for mediating and moderating effects of personality

Morningness–eveningness and standard personality traits are associated with well-being but few studies have directly compared the two types of construct as correlates of life satisfaction. Influences on well-being common to both chronotype and personality may include shared biological bases for depression and sleep disturbance, tendencies toward social jetlag, and emotion-regulation mechanisms. The current study tested mediation and moderation hypotheses in a sample of 379 Polish adults. The first hypothesis was that conscientiousness and emotional stability traits would mediate the relationship between morningness and life satisfaction. Consistent with previous results, morningness, the two personality traits, and satisfaction tended to be mutually positively correlated. A multiple mediation analysis showed that both traits partially mediated the morningness–satisfaction association. Data are compatible with morningness influencing personality development adaptively, although other causal hypotheses could be advanced. The second hypothesis was that extraversion would moderate the association between chronotype and satisfaction. This hypothesis was supported, with extraverted evening types showing disproportionately high life satisfaction, whereas introverted evening types showed the lowest levels of satisfaction. Level of extraversion may influence whether or not evening types choose to engage in adaptive social activities that boost well-being during the evening hours. Results demonstrate the importance of investigating both chronotype and personality in studies of well-being.     

草原生态补助奖励政策牧民满意度及影响因素研究——基于甘肃青藏高原区与西部荒漠区的实证

草原生态补偿是我国建设生态文明的必由之路之一。牧民对草原生态补助奖励政策的满意度,一定程度上反映了补奖政策实施的绩效。甘肃省针对不同牧区特点,实施了差别化的补奖标准。选取甘肃青藏高原区和西部荒漠区两个不同草原牧区类型351户牧民为调研对象,结合入户深度访谈和调查问卷,构建满意度评价指标体系,测定了不同牧区牧民对草原生态补奖政策的满意度,借助Logistic模型分析不同牧区牧民政策满意度与影响因素。结果表明:(1)牧民对草原生态补奖政策总体满意度偏低,满意度综合指数为67.24%。(2)牧民生计多样化对政策评价具有重要影响。西部荒漠区牧民收入来源较青藏高原区多样化,畜牧业所占比重低于青藏高原区,政策实施对牧民收入影响较小,青藏高原区牧民满意度为62.43%,低于西部荒漠区的72.35%。(3)牧民对政策作用的认知、家庭规模以及对政策的了解,是影响两个区域牧民对政策满意度的共同因素,但两个区域呈现出较大差异性。因此,在后续政策实施中,实施"精准补偿"措施,多样化补偿标准和补偿方式,加强政策宣传和引导,示范引领安置牧民,延长畜牧业产业链,实现畜牧产业"三产"融合,逐步实现草原生态保护、牧业转型发展和牧民增收三方共赢。