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Biomedical subjects

W P Smith

Publications and source records attributed to W P Smith.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Eruption of teeth in the nose following trauma to the primary and permanent dentitions.

Oro-facial trauma is common and forms a large component of any maxillofacial service workload. Even minor trauma can result in significant oro-facial and dental injury. This report reinforces the importance of a careful dental history and thorough examination, particularly when teeth remain missing after initial inspection. Other anatomical sites should be considered to ensure they do not contain traumatically displaced teeth. These two case reports show the late presentation of incisor teeth in the nasal cavity following dentoalveolar trauma.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Capture and release of a conditional state of a cavity QED system by quantum feedback.

Detection of a single photon escaping an optical cavity QED system prepares a nonclassical state of the electromagnetic field. The evolution of the state can be modified by changing the drive of the cavity. For the appropriate feedback, the conditional state can be captured (stabilized) and then released. This is observed by a conditional intensity measurement that shows suppression of vacuum Rabi oscillations for the length of the feedback pulse and their subsequent return.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Defects of the external auditory canal: a new reconstruction technique.

This report describes the clinical and radiographic findings together with surgical management of temporomandibular joint contents herniation through the tympanic plate of the external auditory canal. Two patients are reported. A review of the literature is presented, including a brief discussion of the embryological development of the external auditory canal. Excluding infection, trauma or neoplasm, the defect in the tympanic plate of the external auditory canal represents a developmental aberration with failure of the foramen of Huschke to close during development. A pre-auricular approach with insertion and fixation of an onlay polyethylene implant to prevent prolapse of the peri-articular tissues into the ear canal is presented and described.

Ear Canal↗
PubMed1997

Social comparison and task prediction: ability similarity and the use of a proxy.

It is argued that an important aspect of the self-appraisal of ability involves a person's prediction of his or her own performance level on untried tasks through acquisition of knowledge about how other people have fared at the task. These others are treated as substitutes for a person's own participation in the task--as proxies. It is further argued that social comparison plays a significant role in both the selection of proxies and the impact of proxy information on task prediction. The first experiment, following earlier research on comparison preference in the context of performance prediction, showed that participants interested in performance prediction chose a proxy who had performed at about the same level as they had on a reference task, while those interested in improving their performances chose to see the performances of someone who had done far better than they on the reference task. The second study indicated that participants made more confident predictions for themselves from a similar proxy's task outcome than from that of a proxy whose ability was unknown to them. Participants predicted they would do worse than a more able proxy and better than a less able proxy, but were less confident in their predictions than were those with a similar proxy. Ratings of usefulness of the proxy followed the patterns of confidence ratings closely.

Aptitude↗
PubMed1997

The diagnostic and treatment approach to two common conditions by the physician members of a community health maintenance organization.

We retrospectively collected data from one community managed care organization on all ambulatory care patients initially diagnosed with pneumonia or acute bronchitis from October, 1, 1992, to March 31, 1993, and from November 1, 1993, to January 31, 1994. We considered treatment to be successful when patients did not return for any related service within 15 days of initial diagnosis. We identified 2,490 episodes of illness, 85.7% which were acute bronchitis and 14.3% which were pneumonia. Overwhelmingly, physicians approached these conditions empirically (no diagnostic test); just 8.6% of patients had a diagnostic test during the 15-day episode of illness. Two-hundred twenty-nine of the episodes (9.2%) were apparently related to initial diagnoses, as they occurred during the 15-day period. More branded prescriptions (vs. generic) were dispensed during these related episodes. One patient was hospitalized and 19 patients used the emergency room either for first or subsequent visits. Empiric treatment is associated with effective diagnosis and therapy in ambulatory care patients with acute bronchitis and pneumonia. It remains unclear, however, if this strategy is the most cost-effective or if it leads to the most effective utilization of services.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1996

Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acid.

BACKGROUND: Many alpha-hydroxy acid products, containing low- or high-acid concentrations, are being used. It is not known whether different products perform differently or whether they modulate changes in both the epidermis and dermis. OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to examine whether treatment with 5% and 12% lactic acid produces different cosmetic results and produces changes in the epidermis and dermis. METHODS: Test participants applied either 5% or 12% lactic acid twice a day for 3 months. Changes in skin smoothness and texture, the depth and number of lines and wrinkles, and epidermal and dermal firmness and thickness were determined. RESULTS: Treatment with 12% lactic acid resulted in increased epidermal and dermal firmness and thickness and clinical improvement in skin smoothness and in the appearance of lines and wrinkles. No dermal changes were observed after treatment with 5% lactic acid; however, similar clinical and epidermal changes were noted. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that cosmetic benefits from the use of alpha-hydroxy acids are caused by modification of the skin surface, the epidermis and the dermis. Although 5% lactic acid modulates surface and epidermal changes, 12% lactic acid influences both the epidermis and the dermis.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1995

Meditation as an adjunct to a happiness enhancement program.

This study investigated the impact that meditation has on Fordyce's (1977, 1983) Personal Happiness Enhancement Program (PHEP). Experimental subjects were divided into two groups, both of which received instruction on the PHEP. Subjects in one experimental group were taught a meditation exercise in addition to the PHEP. A control group received no instruction. The Happiness Measure, Psychap Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, and State-Trait Anxiety Scale were dependent measures. The three (groups) x two (pre-post) mixed ANOVAs with Student Newman-Keuls found that the meditation plus PHEP group significantly improved on all dependent measures over both the PHEP only group and the control group. The PHEP only group improved significantly over the control group on all measures except state anxiety.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Primary closure of the cleft alveolus: a functional approach.

The growth and development of the premaxilla in both normal and cleft lip and palate subjects is described and its relevance in surgery of the cleft alveolus discussed. Embryologically, the cleft alveolus results from failure of fusion of the median nasal and maxillary processes. Consequently, ossification centres in the premaxilla and maxilla cannot migrate and unite such that normal growth and development in the territory of the premaxillary-maxillary suture cannot occur. Functional repair of the cleft lip and soft palate encourages spontaneous alignment of the alveolar segments, facilitating the introduction of vascularized periosteum across the bony defect by gingivoperiosteoplasty. Early reconstruction in the region of the premaxillary-maxillary suture encourages a more normal development of the alveolus, particularly in the bilateral cleft subject.

Alveolar Process↗
PubMed1994

Sagittal split mandibular osteotomy for irreducible dislocation of the temporomandibular joint. A case report.

A case of irreducible dislocation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) which proved to be resistant to conventional methods of treatment is reported. The patient was successfully treated by a sagittal split mandibular osteotomy with bi-cortical screw fixation. The report discusses the shortcomings of the current classification of TMJ dislocation and suggests an alternative classification.

Bone Screws↗
PubMed1993

Primary closure of cleft palate: a functional approach.

The role of the different zones of palatal mucosa in maxillary growth are considered and their relevance in surgery of cleft palate discussed. A method of cleft palate repair is described, based on a functional repair of the soft palate, followed by later closure of the hard palate taking into account the anatomy and physiology of the palatal mucosa.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1993

A needs assessment of sick-child care benefits for nurses.

Women are entering the healthcare workforce in greater and greater numbers. As many of these women have children, increased attention is being given to the types of employer-sponsored benefits offered to workers, especially assistance for those with sick children. The authors describe the results of a small survey conducted in Maryland on this subject, the results of which point to the need for changes in human resources management in hospitals.

Absenteeism↗
PubMed1993

Submandibular gland surgery: an audit of clinical findings, pathology and postoperative morbidity.

A series of 86 patients who underwent submandibular gland surgery were reviewed retrospectively. Of the 92 glands excised, non-neoplastic disease accounted for 96% of cases. Preoperative clinical findings were inconsistent such that early surgery should be considered for an enlarged non-tender submandibular gland. The incidence of temporary paresis of the lower branches of the facial nerve was 36% with full recovery, on average, 4 months after surgery. The low 'non-identification' approach to the submandibular gland appears to be the technique which offers the least likelihood of permanent damage to the lower branches of the facial nerve.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Facial balance in cleft lip and palate. I. Normal development and cleft palate.

A full understanding of balanced facial growth, based on a complete knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the region, is essential if cleft lip and palate is to be treated successfully. The cleft abnormality is the cause of underdevelopment and subsequent loss of function. Cleft surgery must aim to restore normal anatomy and physiology with emphasis on muscle reconstruction of the lip and soft palate if normal facial development is to be achieved.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Facial balance in cleft lip and palate. II. Cleft lip and palate and secondary deformities.

The cleft abnormality is the cause of underdevelopment and subsequent loss of function. Primary cleft surgery and surgery to correct the secondary deformities of previous non-functional repair should aim to restore normal anatomy and physiology, with an emphasis on muscle reconstruction of the lip and soft palate if normal facial development is to be encouraged.

Cleft Lip↗
PubMed1991

Internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint: an audit of clinical findings, arthrography and surgical treatment.

Forty seven patients who underwent double contrast video-arthrography followed by surgery for internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint were reviewed retrospectively. Of the 50 joints assessed, arthrography demonstrated 39 (78%) with irreducible meniscal displacement and 11 (22%) with reducible displacement. Clinical findings were found to be unreliable in demonstrating the degree of internal derangement: 49% of irreducible meniscal displacements presented with clicking and only 20% with loss of click. The importance of video-arthrography is emphasised. Surgery for internal derangement proved successful. It is proposed that patients who have clinical evidence suggestive of irreducible meniscal displacement and have disabling symptoms should undergo early video-arthrography and be offered surgical correction.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Delayed miniplate osteosynthesis for mandibular fractures.

Forty patients with 51 mandibular fractures were reviewed retrospectively following miniplate osteosynthesis which had been delayed beyond the recommended time interval. All patients received preoperative antibiotics. The incidence of wound dehiscence (2.5%), wound infection (2.5%) and delayed union (2.5%) were found to be comparable to osteosynthesis performed within 24 h. The sitting of incision lines is important in preventing wound dehiscence and infection. Stainless steel plates appear as effective in the short term, as those constructed of more expensive alloys.

Adolescent↗