The use of patient specific polyetheretherketone implants for reconstruction of maxillofacial deformities

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate polyetheretherketone (PEEK) as a patient-specific implant (PSI) material in maxillofacial reconstructive surgery. Materials and methods: The retrospective study included a cohort of 24 patients who underwent maxillofacial surgery using PEEK PSIs. Each patient underwent preoperative multislice computed tomography (CT) with 0 degrees tilt of gantry. Based on the CT scan, the PEEK PSIs were planned and manufactured using three-dimensional (3D) modeling and computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) techniques. All procedures were performed under general anesthesia. Implants were placed intraorally, extraorally or through subciliary, transconjuctival or coronal incisions. Results: In 22 of 24 cases, the PEEK PSI fit well without adjustments. Although the fit to the surrounding bone was perfect in almost all of the cases, the outer contour of the PSI was modified in nine cases before fixation. However, intraoperative implant modification did not affect the infection rate. In two cases, postoperative wound dehiscence and infection needed additional treatment and healed without removal of the implants. Conclusion: The follow-up data in this study showed good outcomes with reliable results for PSI made of PEEK in the maxillofacial region. (C) 2019 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd.Peer reviewe

Training the Trainers in Embedding Assessment Literacy into Module Design: A Case Study of a Collaborative Transcreation Project

Translator trainers are being asked to respond in their course and module design to a variety of changing requirements, including institutional, professional and pedagogical ones. This paper proposes a way that translator trainers can respond to two sets of these new requirements. The first are those for a widening conception of translation brought about by the rapid globalisation of markets and the needs for intercultural mediators (Katan, 2016; Massey et al., 2017; Massey & Wieder, 2019). Indeed, Katan finishes the paper with the startling statement ‘There is really no question about it: if T/Is are going to survive they must make the transcreational turn’ (ibid.: 378). The second set of requirements comes from the process of articulating what attributes a graduate should possess and how these attributes are developed (Hughes, 2010). As the Higher Education Academy (HEA, 2012; see also Elkington, 2016) state, one way to ensure that the graduate skills are developed is through new assessment practices based on assessment for learning and assessment literacy. New assessment practices mean that assessment ‘does not just contribute to learning at university, but develops learning and evaluative skills essential for employment and lifelong learning’ (ibid.: 10). This paper offers translation trainers an approach to module design which can address both these sets of demands. The module is designed with a collaborative transcreation project at its core and has incorporated assessment literacy into the design. The study is supported with quantitative and qualitative data gained from a survey of participating students. By introducing the case study of our module design and linking the design to the underlying theories which informed it, the paper provides trainers with a set of concepts which could be applied to their own curricula needs in order to future proof their students in the changing employment market

Ethics and social responsibility in practice: interpreters and translators engaging with and beyond the professions

Interpreting and translation are unregulated activities in most countries, yet interpreters and translators perform challenging work in sensitive domains, such as the law, medicine and social work. Other professionals working in these sectors must complete formal ethics training to qualify, then subscribe to Codes of Practice or Ethics. When they face ethical challenges in their work, they can access ongoing support. They must undertake regular refresher training in ethics. Interpreters and translators rarely have access to this sort of ethical infrastructure. This places the onus on interpreters and translators to reflect on ethical aspects of their practice, for reasons related to both professional performance and social responsibility. This contribution presents original UK-based research with one type of professional ‘clients’ who rely on interpreters and translators, social workers and social work students prior to their first work experience placement. Findings suggest that insufficient attention has been paid to such professional clients and that ethical aspects of professional communication can be compromised as a result. By framing ethics training and ongoing support in terms of social responsibility, we point to some ways in which the different professional groups might communicate and work more effectively with one another and with service users

Teaching Intercultural Competence in Translator Training

In this position paper we define an interculturally competent translator as one that demonstrates a high level of intercultural knowledge, skills, attitude and flexibility throughout his or her professional engagements. We argue that to attain this goal in translator training intercultural competence needs to be introduced into the curriculum explicitly and in a conceptually clear manner. In this article we provide an overview of earlier attempts at discussing the role of intercultural communication in translator training curricula and we discuss the various pedagogical and practical challenges involved. We also look at some future challenges, identifying increasing societal diversity as both a source of added urgency into intercultural training and a challenge for traditional biculturally based notions of translators’ intercultural competence and we argue for the central role of empathy. Finally, and importantly, we introduce the contributions to the special issue

Minimalismiin pohjautuvan dokumentointiprosessimallin kehittäminen

Abstract Minimalism, a user-centered, contextual and action-oriented concept for creating customer documentation, has been one of the major trends in technical communication since the 1990’s. However, many of the texts dealing with minimalism are relatively theoretical and seem to be best suited for creating and assessing the user guidance of consumer software. In recent years, however, many Finnish technical communicators have instead found themselves documenting complicated business products and systems. This trend was also visible in the makeup of the special training programme Minimalism in responsive design (Tverko), which ran in 2017–2018 and was funded by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture. The programme brought together 18 technical communication specialists and five Finnish universities, and it was clear from the beginning of the programme that concrete tools are needed to apply the principles of minimalism in practice. One of the central development areas was linking minimalism to the different stages of the documentation process. In this article, we present a model where minimalism, the documentation process and the best practices in technical communication are combined, keeping the user in the focus throughout

An aMMP-8 Point-of-Care and Questionnaire Based Real-Time Diagnostic Toolkit for Medical Practitioners

The aim of this cross-sectional study is to propose an efficient strategy based on biomarkers adjunct with an interview/questionnaire covering risk factors for periodontitis for the identification of undiagnosed periodontitis by medical professionals. Active matrix metalloproteinase (aMMP)-8 levels in mouthrinse were analyzed by a point-of-care (PoC)/chairside lateral-flow immunotest, and salivary total MMP-8, total MMP-9 and calprotectin levels were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and active MMP-9 by gelatin zymography for 149 Greek patients. Patients underwent a full-mouth oral health examination for diagnosis according to the 2018 classification system of periodontal diseases. In addition, patient characteristics (risk factors: age, gender, education level, smoking and body mass index) were recorded. Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis indicated better diagnostic precision to identify undiagnosed periodontitis for oral fluid biomarkers in adjunct with an interview/questionnaire compared with a plain questionnaire (i.e., risk factors): aMMP-8 AUC (95% confidence interval) = 0.834 (0.761-0.906), total MMP-8 = 0.800 (0.722-0.878), active MMP-9 = 0.787 (0.704-0.870), total MMP-9 = 0.773 (0.687-0.858) and calprotectin = 0.773 (0.687-0.858) vs. questionnaire = 0.764 (0.676-0.851). The findings of this study suggest that oral fluid biomarker analysis, such as a rapid aMMP-8 PoC immunotest, could be used as an adjunct to an interview/questionnaire to improve the precision of timely identification of asymptomatic, undiagnosed periodontitis patients by medical professionals. This strategy appears to be viable for referring patients to a dentist for diagnosis and treatment need assessment.Peer reviewe

Individual changes of central blood pressure in response to upright posture : different hemodynamic phenotypes

OBJECTIVES: Most studies about upright regulation of blood pressure have focused on orthostatic hypotension despite the diverse hemodynamic changes induced by orthostatic challenge. We investigated the effect of passive head-up tilt on aortic blood pressure. METHODS: Noninvasive peripheral and central hemodynamics in 613 volunteers without cardiovascular morbidities or medications were examined using pulse wave analysis, whole-body impedance cardiography and heart rate variability analysis. RESULTS: In all participants, mean aortic SBP decreased by -4 (-5 to -3) mmHg [mean (95% confidence intervals)] and DBP increased by 6 (5--6) mmHg in response to upright posture. When divided into tertiles according to the supine-to-upright change in aortic SBP, two tertiles presented with a decrease [-15 (-14 to -16) and -4 (-3 to -4) mmHg, respectively] whereas one tertile presented with an increase [+7 (7-- 8) mmHg] in aortic SBP. There were no major differences in demographic characteristics between the tertiles. In regression analysis, the strongest explanatory factors for upright changes in aortic SBP were the supine values of, and upright changes in systemic vascular resistance and cardiac output, and supine aortic SBP. CONCLUSION: In participants without cardiovascular disease, the changes in central SBP during orthostatic challenge are not uniform. One-third presented with higher upright than supine aortic SBP with underlying differences in the regulation of systemic vascular resistance and cardiac output. These findings emphasize that resting blood pressure measurements give only limited information about the blood pressure status.publishedVersionPeer reviewe