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Biomedical subjects

E Kidd

Publications and source records attributed to E Kidd.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Spontaneous ambulatory activity as a quantifiable outcome measure for rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To validate the objective monitoring of ambulatory activity as an outcome measure for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: We have compared ambulatory activity to a range of currently favoured outcome measures, ranging from subjective opinions to X-ray damage, in a population of 93 RA sufferers. RESULTS: Correlations were stronger with measures of joint damage and disability, and less strong with measures of disease activity. Sensitivity to change was good. Three different interventions were compared for the quantity of the response, and the results agree with clinical experience, with steroid injection of the knee and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) having a similar response and the provision of surgical shoes producing a more modest increase in ambulation. CONCLUSION: The measurement of ambulatory activity has validity for RA assessment. It provides different but related data to the currently used measures. It is objective, relevant, quantifiable and of unlimited scale. It could be used to quantify interventions aimed at increasing ambulation, in carefully constructed studies.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed1998

Distribution of P2X3 receptors in the rat trigeminal ganglion after inferior alveolar nerve injury.

The ATP-gated cation channel receptor P2X3 is associated with nociceptive primary sensory neurons. We have, using immunohistochemistry, examined the expression of P2X3 in rat trigeminal ganglia 4-22 days after ligation/section or chronic constriction of the mandibular inferior alveolar nerve. In the normal trigeminal ganglion the anti-P2X3 receptor antibody labeled 37-58% of all neurons. Double labeling demonstrated that about 70-95% of the small neurons that bind the isolectin I-B4 displayed P2X3-immunoreactivity, and that about 40% of larger RT97-positive nerve cells were P2X3 receptor-immunoreactive. At 4 and 10 days after inferior alveolar nerve injury, the proportion of P2X3-immunoreactive neurons had increased to about 65% (range 52-78%). Examinations at the injury sites showed an intense P2X3 receptor-immunoreactivity in nerve endings. At longer survival stages the proportion of P2X3 receptor-positive sensory neurons had returned to control values. These results show that the P2X3 receptor is transiently upregulated and anterogradely transported in trigeminal primary sensory neurons after nerve injury. Since the receptor is accumulated in injured nerve endings, it may be associated with abnormal impulse propagation from these sites.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Hidden caries: what is it? Does it exist? Does it matter?

Hidden caries is a term used to describe occlusal dentine caries that is missed on a visual examination, but is large enough and demineralised enough to be detected radiographically. The detection rate of such lesions will depend upon the prevalence of caries in the population and the frequency with which bitewing radiographic examinations are performed. Whether 'hidden caries' is a distinct clinical entity, reflecting a particular anatomical fissure topography or a different bacterial aetiology, is unknown. It is possible that an improved visual examination, with careful cleaning and drying of teeth, may improve occlusal caries detection to the point where 'hidden caries' no longer exists. However, this possibility has yet to be tested clinically and until it is, practising dentists would be wise to examine bitewing radiographs carefully for occlusal demineralisation. The authors would treat such hidden lesions by removing soft caries and placing sealant restorations.

Dental Caries↗
PubMed1994

Radiographic detection of occlusal caries: effect of X-ray beam factors on diagnosis.

The aim of this laboratory study was to determine whether the diagnostic potential of bite-wing radiographs in the diagnosis of occlusal caries could be improved by alteration of X-ray beam properties. Bite-wing radiographs of molar teeth with 16 sound and 32 carious occlusal surfaces were taken at conventional settings of 65 kVp, 15 mA and 0.3 s (4.5 mAs) and at 70 kVp, 10 mA and 1.0 s (10 mAs), to produce a darker overexposed film. Results showed that, although the overexposed radiograph resulted in more correct diagnosis of dentine caries, its use increased the number of false-positive diagnoses. More importantly, the experimental exposure factors would have led to an unacceptably high radiation dose to the patient with arguable diagnostic benefit. As such it cannot be recommended in any way for patient examination.

Bicuspid↗
PubMed1992

The potent 5-HT3 receptor antagonist (R)-zacopride labels an additional high affinity site in the central nervous system.

The binding characteristics of [3H](R)- and [3H](S)-zacopride were investigated in membranes from the rat entorhinal cortex and NG 108-15 clonal cells. In contrast to [3H](S)-zacopride which bound solely to 5-HT3 receptors, [3H](R)-zacopride recognized another class of binding sites, called the (R)-sites, in both membrane preparations. In addition to (R)-zacopride (Ki = 3-11 nM), only (R)-iodo-zacopride, (R)-dechloro-zacopride, prazosin and mianserin exhibited high to moderate affinity for the (R)-sites, whose possible functions remain to be established.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Depth of occlusal caries assessed clinically, by conventional film radiographs, and by digitized, processed radiographs.

Occlusal caries depth was assessed in 47 extracted premolars and permanent molars by 4 observers on a rank scale by eye inspection, by film radiographs, and by 2 of the observers also by digitized radiographs after filtering and contrast enhancement of the image. Quantitative estimates of caries depth were obtained from the digitized radiographs. Accuracy of scorings was determined with the histologic section as validating criterion. Occlusal caries was present in a spectrum from incipient fissure decalcification to large cavity formation. Clinical as well as radiographic scorings most frequently under-estimated lesion depth. Accuracy of radiographic assessments increased substantially by digital processing of the radiographic image. Quantitative measures of caries depth on digitized radiographs were strongly correlated to the histologic measures (r = 0.91). Interobserver agreement was fair to moderate according to kappa coefficients for the clinical and the radiographic scorings. The agreement was highest for the scorings of the digitally enhanced images. The study suggests that digital processing of radiographic images constitutes a diagnostic aid that may give a more accurate estimate of occlusal caries depth.

Analog-Digital Conversion↗