Development of Ac-doped biocompatible nanoparticles for targeted alpha therapy.

Targeted alpha therapy (TAT) relies on chemical affinity or active targeting using radioimmunoconjugates as strategies to deliver α-emitting radionuclides to cancerous tissue. These strategies can be affected by transmetalation of the parent radionuclide by competing ions in vivo and the bond-breaking recoil energy of decay daughters. The retention of α-emitting radionuclides and the dose delivered to cancer cells are influenced by these processes.

Longitudinal Follow-up Comparing Future Care of Primary Teeth Treated with Silver Diammine Fluoride: A Private Dental Claims Review.

The purpose of this study was to longitudinally evaluate follow-up treatment on primary teeth initially treated with silver diammine fluoride (SDF). This retrospective cohort evaluated private insurance (not Medicaid) claims data from 2018 to 2019 for children no older than 12 years with at least one primary tooth initially treated with SDF. Additional treatment per tooth was recorded over a follow-up of at least 24 months.

Quantifying platinum binding on protein-functionalized magnetic microparticles using single particle-ICP-TOF-MS.

This work describes an analytical procedure, single particle-inductively coupled plasma-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-TOF-MS), that was developed to determine the platinum binding efficiency of protein-coated magnetic microparticles. SP-ICP-TOF-MS is advantageous due to its ability to quasi-simultaneously detect all nuclides (Li-Pu), allowing for both platinum and iron (composition of magnetic microparticles) to be measured concurrently. This method subsequently allows for the differentiation between bound and unbound platinum.

Characterization of the Deuteration of Native Phospholipids by Mass Spectrometry Yields Guidelines for Their Regiospecific Customization.

Customization of deuterated biomolecules is vital for many advanced biological experiments including neutron scattering. However, because it is challenging to control the proportion and regiospecificity of deuterium incorporation in live systems, often only two or three synthetic lipids are mixed together to form simplistic model membranes. This limits the applicability and biological accuracy of the results generated with these synthetic membranes.

Evaluation of Claim Reports for Potential Impact of COVID-19 on Pediatric Dental Procedures.

Purpose: To evaluate whether the postponement of dental elective procedures at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with an increased number of simple dental extractions, and/or decreased restorative procedures by analyzing data obtained from state-funded insurance dental claims.

Methods: Paid dental claims collected from March 2019 to December 2019 and from March 2020 to December 2020 for children ages two to 13 years old were analyzed. Dental procedures were selected based on Current Dental Terminology (CDT) codes for simple dental extractions and restorative procedures.

Potent and Selective Covalent Inhibition of the Papain-like Protease from SARS-CoV-2.

Direct-acting antivirals are needed to combat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The papain-like protease (PLpro) domain of Nsp3 from SARS-CoV-2 is essential for viral replication. In addition, PLpro dysregulates the host immune response by cleaving ubiquitin and interferon-stimulated gene 15 protein (ISG15) from host proteins.

Developmental changes in lignin composition are driven by both monolignol supply and laccase specificity.

The factors controlling lignin composition remain unclear. Catechyl (C)-lignin is a homopolymer of caffeyl alcohol with unique properties as a biomaterial and precursor of industrial chemicals. The lignin synthesized in the seed coat of switches from guaiacyl (G)- to C-lignin at around 12 to 14 days after pollination (DAP), associated with a rerouting of the monolignol pathway.

Effect of a Tea Polyphenol on Different Levels of Exposure of Nicotine and Tobacco Extract on Biofilm Formation.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of different levels of nicotine and tobacco extract exposure on biofilm formation and the inhibitory effect of the polyphenol epigallocatechin-3 gallate (EGCG) found in green tea. This study addressed the results of biofilm assays with EGCG and varying relative concentrations of nicotine and tobacco extract consistent with primary, secondary and tertiary levels of smoking exposure. Primary smoking exposure to nicotine has been demonstrated to significantly increase biofilm formation, while EGCG has been demonstrated to reduce biofilm formation.

Potent and Selective Covalent Inhibition of the Papain-like Protease from SARS-CoV-2.

Direct-acting antivirals are needed to combat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The papain-like protease (PLpro) domain of Nsp3 from SARS-CoV-2 is essential for viral replication. In addition, PLpro dysregulates the host immune response by cleaving ubiquitin and interferon-stimulated gene 15 protein (ISG15) from host proteins.

Pediatric Phantom Dosimetry of a Portable Handheld X-ray Device.

The purpose of this study was to quantify radiation dose from the XTG (Xray2Go) handheld X-ray device for bitewing and maxillary anterior occlusal projections using a pediatric phantom. The aim was to evaluate effects of thyroid shielding on total effective dose (E) and tissue equivalent doses (HT) and assess operator backscatter radiation. Methods:A pediatric phantom head with 24 tissue site dosimeters was exposed to radiation from the x-ray device.

Structure determination of the HgcAB complex using metagenome sequence data: insights into microbial mercury methylation.

Bacteria and archaea possessing the hgcAB gene pair methylate inorganic mercury (Hg) to form highly toxic methylmercury. HgcA consists of a corrinoid binding domain and a transmembrane domain, and HgcB is a dicluster ferredoxin. However, their detailed structure and function have not been thoroughly characterized.

Hole Hopping through Cytochrome P450.

High-potential iron-oxo species are intermediates in the catalytic cycles of oxygenase enzymes. They can cause heme degradation and irreversible oxidation of nearby amino acids. We have proposed that there are protective mechanisms in which hole hopping from oxidized hemes through tryptophan/tyrosine chains generates a surface-exposed amino-acid oxidant that could be rapidly disarmed by reaction with cellular reductants.

Pediatric Phantom Dosimetry Evaluation of the Extraoral Bitewing.

This study's purpose was to evaluate the effective dose (E) and equivalent dose () of exposing a pediatric phantom to the extraoral bitewing programs of the Planmeca ProMax 2D S3 (ProMax) and Instrumentarium Orthopantomograph OP30 (OP30) and compare these results with dosimetry associated with the intraoral bitewing and panoramic radiograph. Dosimetry was acquired by placing 24 dosimeters in tissues of interest in a 10-year-old phantom. Manufacturer child settings were used for all scans.

Polyarticular Septic Arthritis Due to Non-Typeable With Concomitant New-Onset Acute Gouty Arthritis.

is serologically classified into two main categories based on the presence or absence of the polysaccharide capsule. Strains that possess polysaccharide capsules are identified as typeable , whereas strains that do not have capsules are identified as non-typeable . Only on very rare occasions, affects adult joints, and almost 95% of cases have been identified as type b serotypes.

Silver Diamine Fluoride and Potassium Iodide Disruption of In Vitro .

The purpose of this study was to investigate the inhibitory in vitro effects of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) with and without a saturated solution of potassium iodide (SSKI) on established biofilm. Fifty μl of an overnight culture (10 CFU per mL) in Tryptic Soy Broth (TSB) and three ml of fresh TSB supplemented with one percent sucrose (TSBS) were incubated for 24 hours to establish an biofilm in six-well tissue culture plates. Four treatments (SDF, SSKI, SDF plus SSKI, and untreated control) were used to disrupt the biofilm.

The Effects of Different Levels of Ambient Oxygen in an Oxygen-Enriched Surgical Environment and Production of Surgical Fires.

Surgical fires require an oxygen-enriched environment, a flammable substrate, and an ignition source. We hypothesized ambient oxygen concentration is proportional to the latency time to combustion and the incidence of surgical fires that are detected. We examined latency time and number of events, utilizing the VanCleave et al model of intraoral fire ignition under 60, 80, and 100% oxygen concentration and flow rates of 4 and 10 L/min.

Office-Based Anesthesia: Safety and Outcomes in Pediatric Dental Patients.

The number of children with caries requiring general anesthesia to achieve comprehensive dental care and the demand for dentist anesthesiologists to provide ambulatory anesthesia for these patients is increasing. No current published studies examine the safety and outcomes of ambulatory anesthesia performed by dentist anesthesiologists for dental procedures in pediatric patients, and there is no national requirement for reporting outcomes of these procedures. In 2010, the Society for Ambulatory Anesthesia Clinical Outcomes Registry was developed.

Pediatric Phantom Dosimetry of Kodak 9000 Cone-beam Computed Tomography.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the radiation dose of the Kodak 9000 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) device for different anatomical areas using a pediatric phantom.

Methods: Absorbed doses resulting from maxillary and mandibular region three by five cm CBCT volumes of an anthropomorphic 10-year-old child phantom were acquired using optical stimulated dosimetry. Equivalent doses were calculated for radiosensitive tissues in the head and neck area, and effective dose for maxillary and mandibular examinations were calculated following the 2007 recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP).

Factors Associated With the Use of Postoperative Analgesics in Patients Undergoing Direct Microlaryngoscopy.

Objective: Morbidity associated with suspension laryngoscopy has been well documented. However, standard of care with regard to postoperative analgesia has not been described, and anecdotal evidence suggests wide variability with regard to postoperative narcotic and non-narcotic recommendations. We sought to quantify the postoperative course following suspension microlaryngoscopy by relating patient-based and intraoperative measures with analgesic use.

The Effect of Fluoride Varnish on Enamel Shear Bond Strength of Pit and Fissure Sealants.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of fluoride varnish on the enamel shear bond strength of pit and fissure sealants.

Methods: Ninety-six teeth were divided into three duplicated test groups: sealant (S)/sealant thermocycle (ST) received Clinpro Sealant only; varnish sealant (VS)/varnish sealant thermocycle (VST) received five percent sodium fluoride (NaF) varnish plus sealant (VPS); and VPS/VPS thermocycle (VPST) received NaF, polish with Clinpro Prophy Paste, plus sealant. One set of each group (ST, VST, VPST) was thermocycled to represent aging, and one set (S, VS, PVS) was not.

Fluoride in the diet of 2-years-old children.

Objectives: This study aimed to calculate the fluoride concentrations of commonly consumed foods and beverages for 2-years-old children utilizing market basket information for the US Midwest region.

Methods: Total Diet Study food lists were cross-referenced with National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey-What We Eat in America data to determine the foods and beverages to be included. Fluoride concentrations were determined using a modification of the hexamethyldisiloxane microdiffusion technique.

False Vocal Fold Characteristics in Presbylarynges and Recurrent Laryngeal Neuropathy.

Objective: Conflicting data exist regarding false vocal fold (FVF) anatomy; it is unclear if this structure is an extension of the thyroarytenoid muscle or an independent muscle system. This confusion is amplified by diverse clinical findings in the setting of unilateral recurrent laryngeal neuropathy and presbylarynges. We sought to characterize FVF behavior in these contexts.