Fiber-Reinforced Framework in Conjunction with Porcelain Veneers for the Esthetic Replacement of a Congenitally Missing Maxillary Lateral Incisor: A Case Study

This article presents a case of a congenitally missing right maxillary lateral incisor and the contralateral incisor with discolored composite resin restorations. The technique of fiber reinforcement in conjunction with porcelain veneers was used to provide a satisfactory outcome for the patient. The key learning points of the article are the following: proper diagnosis, treatment plan and appropriate utilization of materials are mandatory for a successful result.

The relationship of social function to depressive and negative symptoms in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis

BACKGROUND

Social dysfunction is a hallmark symptom of schizophrenia which commonly precedes the onset of psychosis. It is unclear if social symptoms in clinical high-risk patients reflect depressive symptoms or are a manifestation of negative symptoms.

METHOD

We compared social function scores on the Social Adjustment Scale-Self Report between 56 young people (aged 13-27 years) at clinical high risk for psychosis and 22 healthy controls. The cases were also assessed for depressive and 'prodromal' symptoms (subthreshold positive, negative, disorganized and general symptoms).

RESULTS

Poor social function was related to both depressive and negative symptoms, as well as to disorganized and general symptoms. The symptoms were highly intercorrelated but linear regression analysis demonstrated that poor social function was primarily explained by negative symptoms within this cohort, particularly in ethnic minority patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Although this study demonstrated a relationship between social dysfunction and depressive symptoms in clinical high-risk cases, this association was primarily explained by the relationship of each of these to negative symptoms. In individuals at heightened risk for psychosis, affective changes may be related to a progressive decrease in social interaction and loss of reinforcement of social behaviors. These findings have relevance for potential treatment strategies for social dysfunction in schizophrenia and its risk states and predict that antidepressant drugs, cognitive behavioral therapy and/or social skills training may be effective.

The safety of nitrofurantoin during the first trimester of pregnancy: meta-analysis

Asymptomatic bacteriuria is common during pregnancy and may adversely affect both the mother and her fetus. Nitrofurantoin (NF) has been long recognized as an effective agent in both nonpregnant and pregnant women suffering from urinary tract infections. This meta-analysis was conducted in order to evaluate the safety of NF ingested during early pregnancy. Of twenty-two studies, only four met the inclusion criteria and their analysis could not demonstrate any significant correlation between NF ingestion and fetal malformation. The pooled odds ratio was 1.29 with 95% confidence interval 0.25-6.57. Although the number and quality of the studies included are limited, we thought it important to present the existing data. More extensive controlled studies are urgently needed in order to increase the significance of our study.

New concepts in restorative dentistry. The CEREC CAD/CAM system

The CEREC system offers the dentist a conservative means to esthetically restore posterior teeth in a single patient visit. It uses advanced restorative materials. It does not require traditional impression techniques, temporaries or outside laboratories. Seven-year recalls in Europe and five-year recalls in the United States establish a firm basis for predicting continued clinical success of these restorations. The technology is currently being taught in 13 dental schools in the United States. Four schools are continuing clinical research.

Tooth-colored posterior restorations using Cerec Method (CAD/CAM)-generated ceramic inlays

The ability to provide patients with esthetic tooth-colored posterior restorations produced from "factory-standardized" ceramics in a single visit is a unique feature of CAD/CAM technology. Recent improvements in the hardware and computer software of the Siemens CEREC CAD/CAM System have improved its ease of use and the quality of the restoration produced. Attention to tooth preparation requirements and care in the cementing and finishing procedures remain requirements for the production of these restorations.

Flavor formation in tissue cultures of garlic (Allium sativum L.)

Differentiated and undifferentiated cultures of garlic (Allium sativum L.) were analyzed for the study of flavor formation in cultures. Attempts were made to correlate alliin content with free and bound amino acid contents and with enzymes like phenylanine ammonialyase (E.C. 4.1.1.5) and alliin-lyase (E.C.4.4.1.4) which play important roles in formation of the flavor percursor alliin.It was observed that in differentiating cultures showing shoot formation, there is an increase in alliin content as well as in free and bound amino acid contents. Corresponding to this there was also an increase in the activity of phenylalanine ammonialyase in differentiating cultures. Alliin-lyase activity was found to be significantly different in differentiating and undifferentiated cultures. The significance of these results is discussed.