Tranz <---> Tech [1999] : Toronto International Video Art Biennial

This publication for the [1999] International Video Art Biennial in Toronto includes introductory texts for specific video screenings, usually written by the curators. There are also descriptions of selected installations and exhibitions connected with the biennial. Includes a schedule, as well as a listing of the curators participating in the event

Adherence issues related to sublingual immunotherapy as perceived by allergists

Objectives: Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is a viable alternative to subcutaneous immunotherapy to treat allergic rhinitis and asthma, and is widely used in clinical practice in many European countries. The clinical efficacy of SLIT has been established in a number of clinical trials and meta-analyses. However, because SLIT is self-administered by patients without medical supervision, the degree of patient adherence with treatment is still a concern. The objective of this study was to evaluate the perception by allergists of issues related to SLIT adherence. Methods: We performed a questionnaire-based survey of 296 Italian allergists, based on the adherence issues known from previous studies. The perception of importance of each item was assessed by a VAS scale ranging from 0 to 10. Results: Patient perception of clinical efficacy was considered the most important factor (ranked 1 by 54% of allergists), followed by the possibility of reimbursement (ranked 1 by 34%), and by the absence of side effects (ranked 1 by 21%). Patient education, regular follow-up, and ease of use of SLIT were ranked first by less than 20% of allergists. Conclusion: These findings indicate that clinical efficacy, cost, and side effects are perceived as the major issues influencing patient adherence to SLIT, and that further improvement of adherence is likely to be achieved by improving the patient information provided by prescribers. © 2010 Scurati et al, publisher and licensee Dove Medical Press Ltd

An evaluation of compliance in the use of mouth protection devices (Mgs) in a group of young athletes

Introduction: The use of mouth guards is strongly recommended in a number of sports, and there are numerous works in the relevant literature that stress the effectiveness and importance of using personal Mouth Guards (M.Gs.) It is also common knowledge that persuading people, especially young children, to use these protective devices regularly is not an easy task. Aim:This study has aimed to establish whether or not the use of an electronic system measuring frequency of use, installed directly in the Mouth guard, will encourage young sportspeople to use these devices without the need for continuous motivational reinforcement The appliance used is known as Thera Mon and is a Class I Medical Device. Thera Mon is an electronic system which provides constant documentation of the actual wearing time of removable appliances. Materials and methods: We carried out a preliminary observational study on the behavior manifested by a group of 12 young males who wore mouth guards equipped with the electronic measuring system four times a week for nine months, without any external motivational reinforcement being provided. The procedure used to produce the mouth-guards was the traditional Tecnica Erkodent for the Medium three-layer model of the Play safe teeth-guard line. Results: We found that all the young sports-people had remained in the screening program. Specifically, 7 participants had continued to use their mouth guards regularly (4 times a week), 3 had used their devices not more than three times a week and 2 used theirs only during competition events. Conclusion: These findings show that the use of these devices does not influence participants’ attitude to wearing them. Indeed, they demonstrated a willingness to use them regularly and we believe that particularly in the case of young children who practice sports, it is a method that can replace or provide a valid alternative to the established motivational reinforcement methods that may at times be unreliable

Studio clinico osservazionale sull' uso di ponti Maryland in composito rinforzato con fibre(FRC):successi e fallimenti in cinque anni.

Abstrac t Objectives. This observational study aims to clinically verify the rate of success of Fixed Partial Dentures (FPDs) made of resin and glass fiber composite (Fiber- Reinforced Composite, FRC). Materials and methods . Our study sample involved 50 subjects (30 males and 20 females) aged between 14 and 45 who have been rehabilitated with FRC Maryland bridges (for a total of 67 FPD-FRC). The observational study was performed for five years following the general rules coded by the modified US Public Health Service (USPHS) system. Resu lts. After five years of follow-up, seven out of 67 prosthesis (five belonging to the adult group and two belonging to the adolescent group) were found unsuitable. Four of these FPD-FRCs were considered unsuitable because of break of the framework, the remaining three FPDFRCs were regarded unsuitable because of leakage of the marginal seal. Conclus ions. This clinical investigation showed that the FPDs made with FRC technique can be considered a viable alternative to the traditional removable and fixed prosthesis

Prosthetic rehabilitation interventions in adolescents with fixed bridges: a 5-year observational study

Abstract AIM: The aim of this work is to verify the rate of success and failure causes of 32 FRC-FPD (Fiber Reinforced Composite Fixed Partial Dentures) placed on 30 adolescents with dental agenesis, over a follow-up period of 5 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study sample involved 30 subjects (10 males and 20 females) aged between 13 and 17 years who have been rehabilitated with FRC Maryland bridges to treat agenesis of maxillary incisors (for a total of 32 FRC-FPD). The observational study spans 5 years following the general rules coded by the modified United States Public Health Service (USPHS) system. RESULTS: After 5 years of follow-up of a sample of 32 FRC-FPD bridges, 30 were still in effective use (so 2 were excluded). All the bridges were FRC, replacing a missing lateral incisor, and had a double wing retention. All requirements of stability, peripheral seal and morphology preservation were well satisfied. The two failed bridges had a structural failure after about two years from placement. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In adolescents our orientation about the edentulous rehabilitation is towards solutions that, when possible, provide an acceptable aesthetic and functional restoration with fixed partial dentures, or removable dentures in cases of severe oligodontia. Obviously, techniques involving the placement of dental implants before the end of skeletal growth were never adopted. In our study FRC bridges showed a great functional performance and good compliance from young patients. Considering the positive cost-benefit ratio and the reversibility of the treatment in case of failure, such interventions can be considered a highly reliable early rehabilitation. Further studies are necessary to verify the maintenance requirements tested for longer periods

Use of mouth guard in basketball: observational study of a group of teenagers with and without motivational reinforcement

Aim This study aims at ascertaining the capacity of 2 groups of young athletes to be faithful to the initial oral prevention project, with the difference that the study group received motivational reminders by either researchers and technical staff members of the team during the observation period, while the control group did not receive any motivational reminders. Materials and methods This observational study was based on two groups selected from a wide group of 150 adolescent basketball players who accepted to use a custom-made mouth guard during their sport sessions. None of the selected athletes (60 adolescents aged between 12 and 15 years ) had ever worn a mouth guard during their sports activity. A customised mouth guard was supplied, and subjetcs were requested to wear it for 12 months during training sessions and competitions. The study group was composed of 30 athletes, 15 males and 15 females, who received a constant motivational reinforcement to the use of the mouth guard by their coach and during checkups. Similarly, the control group was composed of 30 athletes (15 males and 15 females) who did not receive any motivational reinforcement. Results Twelve months after the beginning of the study, 24 subjects belonging to the control group werenot using the mouth guard, while only 7 subjects of the study group were not using it. It was also noticed, six months after the beginning of the observation period, a rapid decline in the participants’ interest in the use of the mouth guard. Conclusion No traumatic event was registered among those adolescents who had used the mouth guard for the whole period of the study. Female athletes showed greater compliance to this prevention project. It is important that all technical staff members, and particularly the leading coach, encourage the regular use of oral protection device

Preventive treatment of post-traumatic dental infraocclusion: study on the knowledge of dental decoronation in a sample of Italian dental students and dentists

AIM: The aim of the present work is to investigate whether dental decoronation is a procedure known by a sample of dental students and Italian dentists. Dental decoronation technique is performed in order to mitigate the outcomes which may occur after a delayed tooth replantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cognitive survey about the knowledge of the dental decoronation technique was carried on two groups: a sample of 120 dental students (5th year of dental school), from University of Cagliari, Sassari and of Chieti-Pescara (60 males and 60 females), and a group which involved 200 Italian dentists (age comprised between 25 and 45, 130 females and 70 males) enrolled at pedodontics and orthodontics Masters and CE courses (University of Roma Sapienza, Chieti- Pescara, Cagliari). The latter group's main field of work was paediatric dentistry and orthodontics, two dental specialties often involved in treating Traumatic dental injuries. RESULTS: Only 20 dentists out of the 200 interviewed answered that they knew this technique and only 5 of them proved to know it and were able to describe it correctly. No students interviewed knew this technique. CONCLUSION: It is apparent from the results of this survey that there is very little information about the dental decoronation technique both during the Degree Course in Dentistry and Post Graduate specialty programmes (Continuing Education Courses and Masters)