Steven Bornstein, Associate Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders, College of Health and Human Services, Travels to Rusia

Professor Steven Bornstein traveled to Russia in November 2008 to present a paper at Mari-State University in Yoshkar-Ola, Russia, on the effects of hearing loss on oral language and speech development

Can adjunctive corticosteroid therapy improve patient-centered outcomes following third molar surgery? A systematic review

Third molar surgery is frequently associated with postoperative discomfort such as pain, edema and trismus. We aimed to evaluate the current evidence on the efficacy of adjunctive corticosteroid therapy in improving patient-centered outcomes following third molar surgery

Suicide around anniversary times

The anniversary of the loss of a loved one is known to induce negative emotions, which for some can be significant. The present study examined the incidence of suicide around the time of such anniversaries using data from the Queensland Suicide Register for the years 1998 to 2008. There were statistically significant increases in suicide events immediately after the loss of a loved one and around the anniversary of the loss. Limitations of the study are noted.Griffith Health, Australian Institute for Suicide Research & PreventionFull Tex

Scleroderma and dentistry: Two case reports

© 2016 The Author(s).Background: Scleroderma is a chronic connective tissue disorder with unknown etiology. It is characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix in the connective tissues causing vascular disturbances which can result in tissue hypoxia. These changes are manifested as atrophy of the skin and/or mucosa, subcutaneous tissue, muscles, and internal organs. Such changes can be classified into two types, namely, morphea (localized) and diffuse (systemic). Morphea can manifest itself as hemifacial atrophy (Parry-Romberg syndrome) although this remains debatable. Hence, we present a case of morphea, associated with Parry-Romberg syndrome, and a second case with the classical signs of progressive systemic sclerosis. Case presentation: Case one: A 20-year-old man of Dravidian origin presented to our out-patient department with a complaint of facial asymmetry, difficulty in speech, and loss of taste sensation over the last 2 years. There was no history of facial trauma. After physical and radiological investigations, we found gross asymmetry of the left side of his face, a scar on his chin, tongue atrophy, relative microdontia, thinning of the ramus/body of his mandible, and sclerotic lesions on his trunk. Serological investigations were positive for antinuclear antibody for double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid and mitochondria. A biopsy was suggestive of morphea. Hence, our final diagnosis was mixed morphea with Parry-Romberg syndrome. Case two: A 53-year-old woman of Dravidian origin presented to our out-patient department with a complaint of gradually decreasing mouth opening over the past 7 years. Her medical history was noncontributory. On clinical examination, we found her perioral, neck, and hand skin to be sclerotic. Also, her fingers exhibited bilateral telangiectasia. An oral examination revealed completely edentulous arches as well as xerostomia and candidiasis. Her serological reports were positive for antinuclear antibodies against centromere B, Scl-70, and Ro-52. A hand and wrist radiograph revealed acro-osteolysis of the middle finger on her right hand. Hence, our final diagnosis was progressive systemic sclerosis. Conclusion: Through this article, we have tried to emphasize the importance of a general examination when diagnosing rare systemic diseases such as scleroderma and the role of the general dentist when caring for such patients, even though they can be quite rare in general practice.published_or_final_versio

Predictors of Goggle Use among Racquetball Players

Racquetball is a popular, high-intensity competitive sport that requires quick reflexes and keen spatial awareness. Players may be vulnerable to eye injuries, which could be prevented through use of proper protective eyewear (Feigelman, Sugar, Jednock, Read, & Johnson, 1983). Given the low rates of goggle use among squash players (Eime, Owen, & Finch, 2004), the use of goggles among racquetball players is suspected to be low. However, to date there have been no studies investigating predictors of goggle use in racquetball players. Understanding the rates and predictors of goggle use among racquetball players is an important prerequisite to developing effective intervention programs. The present study explores: (a) the rate of goggle use in a sample of racquetball players from the Midwest US; (b) self-reported reasons for use/non-use, and; (c) the relationship between demographic variables, player characteristics, and behavioral variables and cognitive variables. The majority of racquetball players in this study reported not using goggles and that they had never given much thought to doing so. Players who perceived their risk of injury to be low and the cost and comfort of goggles to be unacceptable were least likely to report using goggles. This suggests the need for increased awareness of injury risk and free access to comfortable, effective eyewear as a first step towards promoting goggle use. However, education rarely leads to significant behavior change in the absence of a broader ecological approach (Eime et al., 2004). The present findings are consistent with Eime et al.’s (2004) Protective Eyewear Promotion (PEP) model. This model suggests that educating squash players regarding the need for appropriate eyewear, increasing the availability of eyewear, making specific recommendations for use, and offering incentives for eyewear adoption all help to promote behaviour change. A recent effectiveness study indicated that PEP was associated with increased use of goggles by squash players (Eime, Finch, Wolfe, & McCarty, 2005). Similar intervention studies among racquetball players are needed and would help inform efforts to reduce the incidence of racquetball-related eye injury

Vulvodynia: A disease commonly hidden in plain sight

Vulvodynia is a poorly recognized entity by clinicians – even by those who deal with female sexual health. While the study of vulvovaginal diseases, including pain disorders, is included in most residency programs in North America, it is acknowledged that clinical exposure may be insufficient. The scenario in the rest of the world is probably no better. Vulvodynia affects at least 6% of women (up to 20% in some series), and can be found at any age and in all ethnic groups. The disease is common and dramatically affects quality of life, beyond the obvious sexual aspect. The importance of investigating vulvar symptoms even in younger women is underlined by studies reporting that the prevalence of vulvodynia among adolescents is similar to that among adult women. The International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD) defined vulvodynia as vulvar pain of at least 3?months'' duration, without clear identifiable cause, which may have potential associated factors– or, more simply, idiopathic vulvar pain. It was subdivided according to location (generalized, localized) and the need of a stimulus to elicit the symptoms (provoked, spontaneous, or mixed). In the terminology recommended in 2015 it was acknowledged that there are potential associated factors..

The definition and diagnosis of developmental prosopagnosia.

Over the last 20 years much attention in the field of face recognition has been directed towards the study of developmental prosopagnosia (DP), with some authors investigating the behavioural characteristics of the condition, and many others using these individuals to further our theoretical understanding of the typical face-processing system. It is broadly agreed that the term "DP" refers to people who have failed to develop the ability to recognize faces in the absence of neurological illness or injury, yet more precise terminology in relation to potential subtypes of the population are yet to be confirmed. Furthermore, specific diagnostic techniques and inclusion and exclusion criteria have yet to be uniformly accepted across the field, making cross-paper comparisons and meta-analyses very difficult. This paper presents an overview of the current challenges that face research into DP and introduces a series of papers that attempt to further our understanding of the condition's characteristics. It is hoped that this special issue will provide a springboard for further research addressing these issues, improving the current state of the art by ensuring the quality of theoretical investigations into DP, and by posing advances that will assist those who have the condition