The Effect of Theological Education on the Spiritual Formation of the Women of a Local Church

This thesis project seeks to utilize seven weeks of theological training and spiritual discipline practices to facilitate the spiritual formation of the adult female members of Christ the Foundation Church (CFC). The aim is to develop Christians that are hearers and doers of God’s Word. Consequently, equipping them for the Kingdom task assigned to every follower of Christ, recorded in Matthew 28:18-20. Qualitative research with a sample size of 10 participants was conducted. A pretest/post-test questionnaire was used to assess spiritual growth. Bloom’s educational model taxonomy was employed for intervention evaluation. Exposure to sound theology, spiritual formation practices, and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit propels the participants toward Christlikeness. The importance of this thesis project can only be understood in light of the Church’s mission. The Church of Christ is mandated to disciple and equip the believers to participate in spreading the Gospel of God’s Kingdom. This equipping involves the development of believers with sound biblical/theological knowledge and with a heart that gravitates toward being Christlike

Single horizontal Y-V vermilion plasty including orbicularis oris muscle repair for secondary correction of the whistling defect: a universal technique

Objectives: The present prospective study aimed at objectively evaluating the relevance of a single horizontal Y-V vermilion plasty including orbicularis oris muscle repair for secondary correction of whistling deformities in unilateral as well as bilateral cleft lip cases. Study Design: Ten patients were included in the study (mean age 20.2±6.2 years). The size of the whistling defects was determined on photographs before and 12 months after surgery. Additional surgical procedures like columella lengthening and rhinoplasty were documented. Results: Seven minor and 3 moderate whistling defects were corrected. In 7 patients additional procedures were carried out. The data of the 12 months follow-up showed that the whistling defect was significantly reduced in size (p<0005). In 7 out of 10 patients the result of surgery was rated "good" and in 3 patients "moderate". Conclusions: The present prospective study is the first one to show on an objective basis that the presented technique allows reducing whistling deformities significantly with good overall results in the majority of the cases. Moreover, the technique can be combined with other corrective procedures like columella lengthening without problems. As a consequence, it is a relevant and universal surgical technique for the correction of whistling defects

Bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the jaw is linked to suppressed TGFβ1-signaling and increased Galectin-3 expression: A histological study on biopsies

Background Bisphosphonate associated osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) implies an impairment in oral hard- and soft tissue repair. An understanding of the signal transduction alterations involved can inform therapeutic strategies. Transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) is a critical regulator of tissue repair; galectin-3 mediates tissue differentiation and specifically modulates periodontopathic bacterial infection. The aim of this study was to compare the expression of TGFβ1-related signaling molecules and Galectin-3 in BRONJ-affected and healthy mucosal tissues. To discriminate between BRONJ-specific impairments in TGFβ1 signaling and secondary inflammatory changes, the results were compared to the expression of TGFβ1 and Galectin-3 in mucosal tissues with osteoradionecrosis. Methods Oral mucosal tissue samples with histologically-confirmed BRONJ (n = 20), osteoradionecrosis (n = 20), and no lesions (normal, n = 20) were processed for immunohistochemistry. Automated staining with an alkaline phosphatase-anti-alkaline phosphatase kit was used to detect TGFβ1, Smad-2/3, Smad-7, and Galectin-3. We semiquantitatively assessed the ratio of stained cells/total number of cells (labeling index, Bonferroni-adjustment). Results TGFβ1 and Smad-2/3 were significantly decreased (p < 0.032 and p(0.028, respectively) in the BRONJ samples and significantly increased (p < 0.04 and p <0.043, respectively) in the osteoradionecrosis samples compared to normal tissue. Smad-7 was significantly increased (p < 0.031) in the BRONJ group and significantly decreased (p < 0.026) in the osteoradionecrosis group. Galectin-3 staining was significantly (p < 0.025) increased in both the BRONJ and the osteoradionecrosis (p < 0.038) groups compared to the normal tissue group. However, Galectin-3 expression was significantly higher in the BRONJ samples than in the osteoradionecrosis samples (p < 0.044). Conclusion Our results showed that disrupted TGFβ1 signaling was associated with delayed periodontal repair in BRONJ samples. The findings also indicated that impairments in TGFβ1-signaling were different in BRONJ compared to osteoradionecrosis. BRONJ appeared to be associated with increased terminal osseous differentiation and decreased soft tissue proliferation. The increase in Galectin-3 reflected the increase in osseous differentiation of mucoperiosteal progenitors, and this might explain the inflammatory anergy observed in BRONJ-affected soft tissues. The results substantiated the clinical success of treating BRONJ with sequestrectomy, followed by strict mucosa closure. BRONJ can be further elucidated by investigating the specific intraoral osteoimmunologic status

Implication of bisphosphonate use in the treatment of SAPHO syndrome: Case report and discussion of current literature

AbstractEven though increasing knowledge is emerging about synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis and osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome its pathogenesis remains enigmatic. Women are preferentially affected by SAPHO syndrome. Here we present the case of a 39-year-old woman suffering from this syndrome whose bone involvement was first interpreted as diffuse sclerosing osteomyelitis of the mandible. As treatment with clindamycin did not improve the symptoms, the decision was made to administer bisphosphonates intravenously. This treatment led to a rapid improvement in symptoms, which could be explained by the apparent tendency of bisphosphonates to exert a positive effect on the jaw. With this case report we attempt to offer an explanation for the influence of this group of medications on patients suffering from SAPHO syndrome with mandibular involvement

The effect of various thread designs on the initial stability of taper implants

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM. Primary stability at the time of implant placement is related to the level of primary bone contact. The level of bone contact with implant is affected by thread design, surgical procedure and bone quality, etc. PURPOSE. The aim of this study was to compare the initial stability of the various taper implants according to the thread designs, half of which were engaged to inferior cortical wall of type IV bone(Group 1) and the rest of which were not engaged to inferior cortical wall(Group 2) by measuring the implant stability quotient(ISQ) and the removal torque value(RTV). MATERIAL AND METHODS. In this study, 6 different implant fixtures with 10 mm length were installed. In order to simulate the sinus inferior wall of type IV bone, one side cortical bone of swine rib was removed. 6 different implants were installed in the same bone block following manufacturer s recommended procedures. Total 10 bone blocks were made for each group. The height of Group 1 bone block was 10 mm for engagement and that of group 2 was 13 mm. The initial stability was measured with ISQ value using Osstell and with removal torque using MGT50 torque gauge. RESULTS. In this study, we found the following results. 1. In Group 1 with fixtures engaged to the inferior cortical wall, there was no significant difference in RTV and ISQ value among the 6 types of implants. 2. In Group 2 with fixtures not engaged to the inferior cortical wall, there was significant difference in RTV and ISQ value among the 6 types of implants(P < .05). 3. There was significant difference in RTV and ISQ value according to whether fixtures were engaged to the inferior cortical wall or not(P < .05). 4. Under-drilling made RTV and ISQ value increase significantly in the NT implants which had lower RTV and ISQ value in Group 2(P < .05). CONCLUSIONS. Without being engaged to the inferior cortical wall fixtures had initial stability affected by implant types. Also in poor quality bone, under-drilling improved initial stability

Quantitative Comparison of Cone Beam Computed Tomography and Microradiography in the Evaluation of Bone Density after Maxillary Sinus Augmentation: A Preliminary Study

Purpose Cone beam computed tomography ( CBCT ) and microradiographic analyses were comparatively performed in maxillary sinus augmentation to preliminarily verify the diagnostic potential of CBCT on the evaluation of bone regeneration. Materials and Methods A two‐stage protocol was conducted in 19 consenting patients, all having the crestal bone ≤2 mm, in private dental office. Mineralized human bone allograft particles were used to augment sinus using lateral window approach. A succession of CBCT scans of the maxilla was taken before surgery, after sinus augmentation, and immediately after implant insertion. Using virtual probes, CBCT data were processed by medical imaging software and expressed as gray level ( GL ). A bone core biopsy was taken at implant placement, 6 months after surgery. Microradiography of transverse sections, taken 6, 8, and 10 mm from the crestal surface, of methacrylate‐embedded biopsies was performed to analyze and to evaluate the mineralized material amount ( MM %). Results A total of 21 sinus augmentations were performed. CBCT (mean GL : 646–693) data were not statistically different when comparing 6‐, 8‐, and 10‐mm sites to after grafting/implant‐insertion values. Furthermore, microradiographic (mean MM %: 45.3–48.3) data were not statistically different comparing 6‐, 8‐, and 10‐mm sites, due to variation of values among patients. A GL and MM % parallelism was identified considering each patient, instead. A significant correlation ( p  < .001) between GL and MM % was found after both W ilcoxon test for paired data and simple linear regression analysis. Conclusions The preliminary result clearly demonstrated the predictability of the CBCT analysis. Due to the limited sample and great variations of the MM % recorded in patients, further clinical and morphometric studies are needed to fulfill diagnostic expectations.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/108331/1/cid12016.pd