The development of a uniform method of epidemiological assessment and grading of malocclusion has been of interest for several decades. Recently, Daniels and Richmond (2000) proposed a new orthodontic index namely the Index of Complexity, Outcome and Need (ICON). Their aim was to develop a single index for assessing treatment inputs and outcomes.<br /> <br /> The aim of this study was to critique the ICON and to assess to the extent to which each component of the ICON fulfils the ideal requirements of the ideal index as identified in a World Health Organization Report (WHO, 1966). The study was performed in three parts: 1) a gold standard was established to test reliability and validity of the ICON / 2) to assess ease of use and simplicity of the index / 3) and to test the applicability of the index on patients and study casts. The results showed that the ICON identified 25% of the cases as &lsquo / no treatment&rsquo / , as apposed to the 100% of the gold standard. Validity of the index was shown to be &lsquo / poor&rsquo / for complexity (? = 0.2) and degree of improvement (? = 0.34) and &lsquo / excellent&rsquo / for outcome. Reliability was high for all the components except for treatment need (? = 0.63). This study concluded that except for complexity and degree of improvement, the index performed well with respects to reliability, validity (of treatment outcome), ease of use and simplicity and applicability to patient and study casts.

No description available.

A microwave enhanced advanced oxidation process using hydrogen peroxide (MW/H₂O₂-AOP) was used for the release of nutrients and the destruction of solids from secondary municipal sewage sludge. The significant factors affecting the MW/H₂O₂-AOP that would yield maximum soluble substrates were studied. Using a computer statistical software package for experimental design and data analysis, four factors including microwave heating temperature, heating time, hydrogen peroxide dosage, and sludge solids content, were selected and examined. The initial sludge TS content and hydrogen peroxide dosage were the most significant factors for the solubilization of COD and nutrients release under the experimental conditions selected in this study. Overall, the maximum solubilization of nutrients was obtained at 2.5 % of total solids content, 2% of hydrogen peroxide by weight, 5 min. of microwave heating and 120 ºC. The effects of combination of microwave treatment and oxidative reagents on solids destruction and nutrients release were also investigated. Microwave enhanced advanced oxidation processes (MW-AOP), such as MW/O₃, MW/H₂O₂ and MW/H₂O₂/O₃, were conducted at 100 °C. In terms of nutrients release and solids reduction, the MW/H₂O₂/O₃-AOP yielded the best result. Subsequently, three factors including microwave heating temperature, hydrogen peroxide dosage, and ozone dosage, were investigated. The best result, in terms of the release of phosphate and ammonia, and solids reduction, was obtained with additions of 2 % hydrogen peroxide by weight and ozone dosage of 5.09 mg/ml, and operating at 120ºC. About 95%, 32% and 78% of TP, TKN and COD were released into the solution, respectively. The microwave enhanced advanced oxidation processes, with and without an addition of ferrous sulfate (MW/H₂O₂-AOP and MW/H₂O₂/Fe+²-AOP), were also studied for reducing solids, and solubilizing nutrients from the secondary sewage sludge. For the MW/H₂O₂/Fe+²-AOP, the best results of solubilization, in terms of orthophosphate, ammonia and soluble chemical oxygen demand, were obtained at treatment temperatures of 40 ºC, the yields decreased as the temperature was increased. The highest yields of solubilization were obtained at 60 ºC for orthophosphate, and at 80 ºC for both ammonia and soluble chemical oxygen demand.

Aims: The aim of this study was to compare two different methods of root surface debridement for the treatment of moderate to advanced chronic periodontitis; fluorescence-guided laser debridement using an Er:YAG laser (ERL) or mechanical scaling and root-planing (SRP/UL) using an ultrasonic scaler and hand instruments. The effectiveness of each treatment method was assessed by patient-centred outcomes such as clinical periodontal measurements and patients� overall experience. Methods: This study was a phase IV randomised controlled clinical trial, with all examinations and treatments carried out between 1st February 2007 and 7th March 2008. Using a split-mouth design, each patient received both test and control treatments. The control quadrants received scaling and root planing using a Piezon� (EMS, Nyon, Switzerland) ultrasonic scaler and Gracey curettes, while the test quadrants received fluorescence-guided Er:YAG laser root debridement (Keylaser 3, Kavo, Biberach, Germany; panel settings 160mJ/pulse, 10Hz, water spray, 655nm fluorescence calculus-detection system). Full mouth clinical measurements [plaque index (PlI), probing depth (PD), gingival recession (GR), bleeding on probing (BOP), and clinical attachment level (CAL)] were recorded at baseline, and 6 and 12 weeks post-therapy. A patient questionnaire was used to evaluate patient perception in terms of pain, discomfort and satisfaction during treatment, and 24 hours and one week post-treatment. A wash-out period of 6 weeks enabled each patient to evaluate their experience of each treatment on its own merit. Results: Twenty-eight patients received both treatments and completed the patient perception questionnaire. No significant difference was found between ERL and SRP/UL in terms of pain and discomfort during treatment, and 24 hours and one week post-treatment. In terms of patient satisfaction, none of the patients rated ERL more favourably than SRP/UL immediately following treatment, however no significant difference was found 24 hours later and one week post-therapy. Complete clinical data was collected for 22 patients, four of whom increased their tobacco consumption to [greater than or equal to] 10 cigarettes/day. Therefore, the analysis of clinical data was carried out twice with respect to patients� smoking status. In patients who smoked [less than or equal to] 9 cigarettes/day (n = 18 patients), ERL provided less PD reduction at 6 and 12 weeks (p < 0.001, 6 weeks; p < 0.05, 12 weeks) than SRP/UL. Even though SRP/UL quadrants had a greater proportion of sites with BOP (% BOP) at baseline, at 6 weeks they showed a significantly greater reduction in %BOP (p = 0.0123) than ERL quadrants, however there was with no significant difference in bleeding scores (p = 0.202) at 12 weeks post-therapy. When patients who smoked [greater than or equal to] 10 cigarettes/day were included in the analyses (n = 22 patients), ERL resulted in less BOP reduction and PD reduction at 6 and 12 weeks following treatment (BOP reduction: 6 weeks p < 0.05, 12 weeks p < 0.001; PD reduction: 6 weeks p < 0.01, 12 weeks p < 0.05). Although statistically significant, the differences between the treatment groups were very small and were not clinically significant. Conclusion: The use of ERL for root surface debridement offers no significant advantages over mechanical therapy in the treatment of moderate to advanced chronic periodontitis, in terms of clinical outcomes and patient perception of pain, discomfort or satisfaction related to the procedure.

This thesis presents work that focused on the customised detection and measurement of aluminium (Al) in labile and simple organic speciation in natural waters with particular reference to water treatment. The techniques developed were applied to several alum-based coagulation studies of water from the Myponga reservoir. Experiments examined total Al levels as well as the proportion of Al that was bound to natural organic matter (NOM). / The detection of Al was based upon the electrochemical determination of its complex with the ligand 1, 2-dihydroxyanthraquinone-3-sulphonic acid (DASA). The voltammetry of this complex allows the measurement of low levels of Al (LOD of 10 µg/L). This can be achieved by indirect analysis through oxidation by amperometry of DASA (+0.6V vs Ag/AgCl/KCl at a glassy carbon electrode) or by the reduction of the Al-DASA complex through adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry (-1.15V vs Ag/AgCl at a mercury film electrode). / An automated flow injection analysis (FIA-Al) manifold was developed based upon the above detection methods. The manifold utilised a number of switching valves, pumps and reactors under computer control. Reductive Al-DASA chemistry at the mercury film electrode to FIA-Al encountered a number of difficulties which prevented its application to real samples. Oxidative amperometry was successfully applied to probe Al levels during water treatment with coagulation. An instream low-level UV lamp, placed between switching valves, allowed Al speciation to be probed by preferentially irradiating different samples. Two Al fractions were thus determined, labile Al- the DASA reactive fraction without UV treatment, and total Al, the DASA reactive fraction processed semi-automatically with a high degree control of the key reaction conditions leading to good reproducibility. / The Al protocol developed was applied to different coagulation experiments with alum. In these experiments, standard and enhanced coagulation conditions were explored with both jar test apparatus and a coagulation/ flocculation pilot plant. This application of the FIA-Al process to the pilot plant allowed the Al levels in treated water to be determined on-line for a wide range of residual Al. / The application of organic matter characterisation techniques enabled further correlation between the Al speciation as derived by the FIA-Al procedure and the character of NOM that binds most readily with Al. Al speciation observed in this study follows the generalised trends observed in other more complex Al studies. During the treatment process, a proportion of Al exists as complex Al polynuclear species and as Al bound to NOM. After the precipitation/ sedimentation process has removed the majority of NOM and colloidal species, the majority of Al exists as the labile form that is free or bound to simple inorganic ions such as hydroxide, fluoride and sulphate. / Thesis ([PhDBiomedicalScience])--University of South Australia, 2004.

This thesis looks at developing an immunotherapy strategy for prostate cancer patients.

Peritoneal carcinomatosis is a complex clinical-pathological condition and most patients with this disease would die within 6 months. The disadvantage of systemic cancer therapy is that only a small portion of the administered drug can reach the tumor cells, and side effects could occur due to its wide distribution in the body. In recent years, cytoreductive surgery combined with intraperitoneal chemotherapy has been the effective way for the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis. But the anticancer agents in aqueous form can be easily absorbed through capillaries below the large serosal surface into the systemic circulation, and it is difficult to retain the drug at a high concentration for a long time in the peritoneal cavity. The ideal drug for intraperitoneal chemotherapy should have a high molecular weight, a prolonged retention in the peritoneal surface, and increase drug exposure to tumor cells, decrease drug absorption and hence reduce systemic toxicity. ABZ (albendazole) with its properties of poor water solubility and strong anticancer effects could be a potential effective agent for the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis. The aims of this study are: to compare oral versus i.p administration of ABZ, study pharmacokinetic characteristics of ABZ in i.p administration; to study the efficacy ofABZ on early, middle and later stages of cancer development, to find out the possible antitumor effect of ABZ in suppressing cancer cell proliferation, ascites control and longer survival of mice with peritoneal carcinomatosis; to solve the occurring problems during ABZ i.p administration, reduce side effects and increase the drug efficacy; to investigate possible mechanisms ofABZ suppressing tumor proliferation and ascites formation. A series of experiments were designed in order to achieve the study objectives. The pharmacokinetic study of ABZ gives some dynamic characteristics by oral versus i.p administration in rabbits. Three sets of experiments of ABZ treatment were performed on different stages peritoneal carcinomatosis arising from the OVCAR-3 cancer cells in nude mice, from which the efficacy of ABZ in suppressing tumor growth and ascites formation by i.p administration is clearly demonstrated. The increased solubility of ABZ with three surfactants and in human ascites was carried out in different tests, and the combination of ABZ with Tween 80 has achieved better control of peritoneal carcinomatosis when given by i.p administration. The results from this study have revealed for the first time the capacity of ABZ suppressing VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and ascites formation profoundly, confirmed that ABZ has potent anti-proliferation effects on ovarian cancer cells (OVCAR3); it suppressed tumor growth in early stage of cancer development; and prolonged survival of all ABZ treated mice by i.p administration. The major contributions from this study are: ABZ i.p treatment increases survival, inhibits ascites production, reduces tumor burden at relatively early stage of cancer, changes tumor morphology and reduces vascular density, reduces CA-125 (cancer antigen 125) and VEGF level, decreases in vitro VEGF secretion, and down regulates VEGF mRNA expression. The study results concluded that ABZ could be a potential anticancer agent for the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis by i.p administration. The significance of this study is that the fundamental results obtained from all experiments, including the major contributions and other associated works, have provided the scientific foundation for a clinical trial. Currently the maximum tolerated dose of ABZ i.p treatment in mice is on going before clinical trial and studies in related area of ABZ anticancer pathways are continuing in our laboratory.

Includes bibliography (leaves 322-349). / 349 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / A prospective study to examine skeletal, dento-alveolar and muscular adaptations to forward repositioning of the mandible as a result of treatment with the Clark Twin Block appliance in children with Class II division 1 malocclusions. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Dentistry, 1999

Single-visit root canal treatment was first documented in 1887. The controversy and debate within the dental community has been ongoing for over a century without resolution. The concept of evidence-based health practice has provided a structure on which the clinically-relevant questions in this debate can be dealt with systematically. When clinicians are faced with choices of which treatment regimen should be offered to patients, the central issues that should be considered are effectiveness, complications, patient/operator preference/satisfaction, and cost. Systematic review and meta-analysis techniques were used to reach definitive conclusions where high quality primary studies are available. The issue of satisfaction was studied using a quality of life concept, while the issue of cost was addressed by an economic evaluation (cost-minimization analysis). Treatment effectiveness and complications of single- and multiple-visit approach were similar. Patients overwhelmingly preferred single- over multiple-visit treatment with high satisfaction scores for both regimens. Australian endodontists were reluctant to embrace single-visit root canal treatment. Single-visit root canal treatment costs society less than multiple-visit treatment. On balance single-visit treatment offers substantial advantages with no identified adverse effects.

Title page, table of contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University of Adelaide Library. / Mucositis is a common side-effect of chemotherapy, which is characterised by ulceration to the epithelium lining of the gastrointestinal tract. Recently, a non-invasive breath test, the ¹³C-sucrose breath test (SBT), has been developed and applied as a biomarker to detect small intestinal damage associated with methotexate (MTX)-induced mucositis in rats. This thesis extended this work, and concluded that the non-invasive SBT is a biomarker of small intestinal function that can be applied easily and cost-effectively, in both animals and humans, to monitor gut function in relation to chemotherapy agents and/or potential anti-mucositis treatments. This thesis has illustrated the important application of the SBT in the arena of supportive cancer care, where new chemotherapy and anti-mucositis agents can be assessed in relation to small intestinal toxicity. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1277572 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, 2007