Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate if the addition of biologic agents to a particulate bone graft enhances horizontal ridge augmentation outcomes in terms of bone dimensions, bone density, and successful implant placement. Materials and Methods A retrospective chart review was done to assess the clinical and radiographic outcomes in 52 horizontal ridge augmentation sites in 43 patients. Information was gathered regarding surgical technique, type of graft material, biologic agents used (PRP or rhPDGF‐BB), method of space maintenance, and achieved alveolar ridge width and bone density changes as quantified on CBCT scans. Results The use of tenting screws, a resorbable membrane, and a combination of particulate allogenic and xenogenic bone graft material provided an average horizontal bone gain of 3.6 mm in the 52 augmented sites. There was no statistically significant difference observed in the amount of horizontal bone gain between sites treated with the addition of biologic agents (n = 21), or with a particulate bone graft alone (n = 31). A marginally statistically significant difference was found in the density of the grafted bone with the addition of biologics (p value = .0653). Conclusion The addition of biologic agents to the graft materials did not have a significant effect on the amount of horizontal bone gain or successful implant placement; however, it marginally enhanced the bone density of the grafted area.

Drift-current-pulses in semiconductors with vanishing dark conductivity measured according to the method of Kepler and LeBlanc deviate from the expected rectangular pulse shape even under ideal experimental conditions. In this work it will be shown that among other processes the diffusion of current carriers is responsible for the deviation. Under appropriate experimental conditions one is able to measure diffusion-constants in anthracene by a method to be described. Within experimental error the diffusion-constant obtained agrees with the value calculated from the Einsteinrelation using the independently measured drift-mobility. The differences in method from the known techniques used with dark conducting semiconductors are discussed. The measurements succeed only with very good crystals for which quality criteria are given.

The concept of Project Alpha, a chapter-level program to promote the implementation of perioperative nursing content in nursing education programs, was introduced at the 27th annual AORN Congress in 1980. Project Alpha activities were designated as basic (ie, Project Alpha awareness, education), intermediate (ie, Project Alpha promotion, clinical preceptoring), and advanced (ie, extern program, integrated perioperative module). This article reports one chapter's success in implementing Project Alpha.

Due to preclotting of the vascular prosthesis, autologous blood has shown good results provided that heparinization has not become necessary, or blood coagulation disorders are not present. In cases where replacement of the aorta is performed in the thoracic cavity with extracorporeal circulation or in the case of severe coagulopathies, preclotting with autologous blood does not show satisfactory results. In this presentation we report on a new method of sealing vascular prostheses with the help of autologous blood activated electrically "in vitro". The direct current changes the blood in vitro into a thrombogenic substance. Sealing is effected by placing the outer wall of the prosthesis in electrically activated blood.

Postoperative Nursing Care Contributions to Symptom Distress and Functional Status after Ambulatory Surgery, B Swan, Medsurg Nursing, Vol 7, June 1998, 148–158