ABSTRACT
Various methods for statistical analysis of data are available to clinicians and researchers. Meta-analysis is a tool by which small, related studies are identified and, through systematic review, are combined into a common data pool for a single, larger population analysis. As with all statistical methods, there are indications and contraindications for the use of meta-analysis. Additionally, meta-analysis is dependent upon the quality of data applied, the bias of the test itself, and the interpretation of the results. This article will discuss these aspects of meta-analysis, including the history of its development and usage in the scientific community, basic terminology, and a relevant literature review.
Subject(s)
Meta-Analysis as Topic , Humans , Methods , Terminology as TopicABSTRACT
Human gestation is a period of dynamic physiologic changes designed to support the development fetus. Systems affected include the respiratory, gastrointestinal, circulatory, and musculoskeletal. These alterations influence the patient's general health and make her prone to develop complications unique to pregnancy. Such complications include pre-eclampsia, gestation diabetes, and pregnancy tumors. The fetus's development is also affected by its mother's health, social habits, and medication usage. To protect both the mother and unborn child, dental professional may need to incorporate maternal counseling, treatment modifications, or changes to their customary medication repertoire.
Subject(s)
Dental Care , Pregnancy Complications , Pregnancy/physiology , Diabetes, Gestational/physiopathology , Female , Fetal Development/physiology , Humans , Pharmacology , Pre-Eclampsia/physiopathology , Pregnancy Complications/physiopathology , Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic/physiopathology , Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/prevention & controlSubject(s)
Antifungal Agents/administration & dosage , Dental Caries/etiology , Excipients/adverse effects , Nystatin/administration & dosage , Sucrose/adverse effects , Xerostomia/complications , Aged , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Candidiasis, Chronic Mucocutaneous/drug therapy , Candidiasis, Chronic Mucocutaneous/microbiology , Dental Caries/chemically induced , Excipients/administration & dosage , Humans , Male , Nystatin/therapeutic use , Sucrose/administration & dosage , Suspensions , Tracheal Diseases/drug therapy , Tracheal Diseases/microbiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: As the maintenance medium of the oral cavity, saliva is secreted from exocrine glands that include the parotid, submandibular, sublingual, and minor salivary glands. Considering that saliva is a fluid suffused with protein, it is possible that the solubilized by-products of oncogenic expression may be present in saliva. Recent studies suggest the presence of solubilized extracellular domain portion of the c-erbB-2 protein in serum, nipple aspirates, and saliva. As a consequence, the purpose of this study was to determine the presence and concentration of c-erbB-2 in major salivary gland secretions. METHODS: Fifteen healthy women had serum, stimulated whole (SWS), parotid (SP), and submandibular/sublingual (SS) salivary secretions collected. The specimens were analyzed for c-erbB-2 using enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Western blots using c-erbB-2 were also performed on these specimens. RESULTS: The ELISAs revealed the presence of c-erbB-2 in SWS (24.50 Units/ml), SP (19.66 Units/ml), SS (15.59 Units/ml) and serum (1472.15 Units/ml). Western blots confirmed the presence of these 185 kDa proteins. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the protein, c-erbB-2, is present in relatively equal amounts in both SP and SS glandular secretions. Elevated glandular salivary c-erbB-2 concentrations could be useful as a preliminary, non-invasive test in clinical decision making when diagnosing salivary gland carcinomas. Additionally, this marker may have utility in distinguishing between oral lesions that are benign, pre-malignant and malignant in the oral cavity. Further research is required to determine if these findings have clinical utility.
Subject(s)
Receptor, ErbB-2/metabolism , Saliva/chemistry , Salivary Glands/metabolism , Adult , Blotting, Western , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Parotid Gland/metabolism , Receptor, ErbB-2/analysis , Receptor, ErbB-2/blood , Reference Values , Statistics, Nonparametric , Sublingual Gland/metabolism , Submandibular Gland/metabolismABSTRACT
A dire need for additional dental educators is emerging. This article reflects on the heavily skewed age groups of our current dental educators and the lack of sufficient new faculty to undertake the tasks of faculty members. A literature review is presented of previous studies monitoring the current demographics of dental faculty, projected trends, and factors that influence an individual's career choices concerning dental education involvement. Both intrinsic and extrinsic factors are explored to offer potential avenues for interesting, recruiting, and retaining qualified individuals as dental faculty. The goal of this article is to stimulate thought-provoking discussions and/or solutions within academic dentistry in regard to the question: Who will be our dental school faculty in the next decade?
