A clinical evaluation of two in-office bleaching regimens with and without tray bleaching.

This study evaluated the degree of color change of teeth, the rebound effect and the sensitivities of teeth and gingiva associated with the use of an in-office bleaching agent followed by an at-home bleaching agent to lighten stained teeth in an in vivo study. Thirty-seven subjects who met the Inclusion/Exclusion criteria were divided into two cells. Twenty-five subjects received three 15-minute in-office bleaching treatments in succession with 36% hydrogen peroxide (HP) on the maxillary anterior teeth, followed by at-home overnight bleaching with 15% carbamide peroxide (CP) for seven days on one side of the dental arch.

Effect of time to titration to maximum dose of statins on cardiovascular outcomes: a retrospective analysis in high-risk patients.

Background: Recent trials have shown that high-dose HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) therapy reduces cardiovascular events in high-risk subjects within weeks of initiating therapy. We investigated the effect of time to titration to maximum dose of statin therapy on cardiovascular events.

Methods: From a list of all patients actively taking simvastatin 80 mg/day as of April 2003 at our hospital, two clinical pharmacists reviewed 213 electronic medical records including pharmacy records from November 1992 to April 2003.

Presenilin 1 modifies lipid raft composition of neuronal membranes.

Protein-lipid interactions in the nervous system may provide insight into the causes of neurological disorders. In this study, we elucidated if expression of human presenilin 1 (PS1) in a mouse model changes the physico-chemical properties of brain membranes. PS1 is a multifunctional transmembrane protein and part of the gamma-secretase complex.

Metabolic syndrome attenuates effect of chronic kidney disease on prevalence of coronary disease in men referred for stress imaging study.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are both strongly associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). Components of MS also cause CKD. The incremental effect of CKD on CAD prevalence in MS patients referred for stress imaging studies is unknown.

Comparison of a dietary survey and the duplicate plate method for determining dietary fluoride ingested by young children: a pilot study.

Background: Investigators have attempted to establish the diet's contribution to the total body burden of fluoride in response to a reported trend towards an increase in fluoride intake.

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the suitability of two methods to collect dietary data for fluoride intake assessment.

Design: Assessments were made in 12 children using the duplicate plate and dietary diary methods following a randomized cross-over design.

Influence of fluoride availability of dentifrices on eroded enamel remineralization in situ.

Remineralization of eroded enamel by dentifrices containing similar sources/concentrations of fluoride was investigated in situ. Fifty-three subjects completed a double-blind crossover study with 3 randomly assigned dentifrice treatments: placebo (0 ppm F, PD); reference (1,450 ppm NaF, RD) and test (1,450 ppm NaF + 5% KNO(3), TD). Fluoride availability for each dentifrice was analyzed in vitro by standard tests (1-min fluoride release rate and enamel fluoride uptake).

Is being small for gestational age a risk factor for retinopathy of prematurity? A study with 345 very low birth weight preterm infants.

Objective: To analyze prevalence and risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) among preterm infants born small for gestational age (SGA) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA).

Methods: A prospective cohort study included preterm infants with birth weight (BW) < or = 1,500 grams and gestational age (GA) < or = 32 weeks, divided into two groups: AGA or SGA. Prevalences and risk factors for ROP were determined in both groups.

Validity of caries detection on occlusal surfaces and treatment decisions based on results from multiple caries-detection methods.

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate whether having results available from multiple detection methods influences dentist's treatment decisions for incipient caries lesions on occlusal surfaces. The occlusal surface of 96 extracted permanent molars without frank cavitation was examined by three examiners initially by visual examination alone, following which they chose one of three treatment options: (i) no treatment, (ii) preventive or non-invasive treatment (sealants), and (iii) invasive treatment. Four weeks later the examiners again selected one of the three treatment options for the surfaces, but this time were able to refer to the results from additional caries-detection methods [bitewing radiographs, electric conductance measurement (ECM), quantitative light fluorescence (QLF), and DIAGNOdent] that had been performed in the interim time.

Growth factor regulation of growth factors in articular chondrocytes.

Several lines of evidence indicate that polypeptide growth factors are important in articular cartilage homeostasis and repair. It is not yet clear how these growth factors are regulated. We tested the hypothesis that the growth factors responsible for regulating cartilage are themselves regulated by growth factors.

Association of the calcium-sensing receptor gene with blood pressure and urinary calcium in African-Americans.

Context: Calcium binding to the Ca-sensing receptor (CASR) expressed in thick ascending limb inhibits the Na,K,2Cl cotransporter, which decreases sodium reabsorption and secondarily decreases Ca reabsorption. CASR gene variants could influence blood pressure (BP) by affecting Na retention.

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine whether variations in CASR associated with BP in African-Americans, an ethnic group at high risk for hypertension.

Paradoxical lower postmyocardial infarction mortality among veteran women--does a sex bias exist in the Veterans Affairs medical system?

Background: Outcomes after acute coronary disease are reportedly worse among women in general and more so among women with diabetes compared with men. Sex differences were evaluated in postmyocardial infarction (MI) mortality among veterans (who are predominantly male) to determine whether evaluation and treatment in Veterans Affairs hospitals amplifies sex differences in outcome.

Methods: All patients discharged with the primary diagnosis of acute MI from any Veterans hospitals in the United States between October 1990 and September 1997 were identified.

Neonatal sinovenous thrombosis: presentation and association with imaging.

Few studies have examined when children with neonatal sinovenous thrombosis come to medical attention, risk factors associated with time of presentation, what clinical presentations are more likely to occur early or late, or whether the timing of presentation or severity of clinical presentation correlate with radiographic findings. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to explore associations in a cohort of 59 neonates with sinovenous thrombosis. Most (66%) came to medical attention within 48 hours of birth (defined as early presentation).

Isoprenoid quantitation in human brain tissue: a validated HPLC-fluorescence detection method for endogenous farnesyl- (FPP) and geranylgeranylpyrophosphate (GGPP).

Farnesyl- and geranylgeranylpyrophosphate (FPP and GGPP) are isoprenoid intermediates in the mevalonate pathway. They play a crucial role in cell survival, growth and differentiation due to their attachment (isoprenylation) to small GTPases (Ras, Rho, etc.).

Changes in gingival dimensions following connective tissue grafts for root coverage: comparison of two procedures.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in gingival dimensions and root coverage using the same surgical procedure but varying the amount of the connective tissue graft left uncovered.

Methods: Twenty-five Class I or II recession defects in 20 healthy subjects were randomly assigned to test (exposed connective tissue group; E group) or control (fully covered connective tissue group; FC group) groups and treated with a connective tissue graft procedure. In the E group, 1 to 2 mm of the graft was left uncovered at the completion of the surgery, whereas the FC group had the graft completely covered by the flap.

Long term postischemic stroke mortality in diabetes: a veteran cohort analysis.

Background And Purpose: Recent data on stroke mortality in diabetics in the United States is lacking. We investigated trends in diabetes prevalence and stroke morality among diabetics in a large veteran cohort.

Methods: The Patient Treatment File was used to identify all patients discharged from any Veterans hospital between October 1990 and September 1997 with a diagnosis of ischemic stroke (ICD-9-CM codes 434, 436) listed as primary diagnosis.

A synthesis of variability in nearshore Alaskan marine populations.

One of the primary goals of any monitoring program is to detect anthropogenic changes; however natural variability can be so high that it prevents detection of human-induced effects. This project synthesized existing data to identify patterns of temporal variation within nearshore marine habitats in the Gulf of Alaska and was motivated by the need for monitoring in this environment vulnerable to oil spills, such as the Exxon Valdez. I collected 786 time series that were greater than 2 years in length from unimpacted (control) sites for 226 species.

Ethnic differences in renal responses to furosemide.

Blacks have a greater tendency to retain Na than whites. The present study sought evidence for ethnic differences in parameters reflective of Na uptake by the Na,K,2Cl cotransporter in the thick ascending limb, namely, the urine concentration and urinary excretion of certain cations before and after furosemide administration (40 mg IV). Subjects were healthy (ages 18 to 36 years).

The relationship between acute otitis media and the anatomic form of the hard palate.

Purpose: Acute otitis media (AOM) is a serious health concern for millions of children. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between AOM and the shape of the hard palate.

Methods: Intraoral examinations were performed on 175 pediatric dental patients ages 4-6.

Metabolism of boswellic acids in vitro and in vivo.

Boswellia serrata resin dry extract is among the few herbal remedies designated with an orphan drug status for the treatment of peritumoral brain edema. In addition, boswellic acids (BAs), the main active ingredients of B. serrata extracts, have potent anti-inflammatory properties, and may represent promising agents for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Health literacy in an adult dental research population: a pilot study.

Objective: The purpose of this investigation was to gather data concerning the level of health literacy in adults who frequently volunteer for our clinical research programs.

Methods: A convenience sample of 99 adults was recruited from our database of subjects taking part in an ongoing series of investigations. Health literacy was measured using the Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (S-TOFHLA).

In vivo study of two carbamide peroxide gels with different desensitizing agents.

This study evaluated tooth whitening and sensitivity that occurred during and after 14 days of overnight bleaching with 15% carbamide peroxide gel with potassium nitrate and fluoride (Opalescence 15% PF, OP) and 16% carbamide peroxide with amorphous calcium phosphate (Nite White 16%, NW). Thirty-two subjects bleached their teeth using custom trays. The subjects had a baseline evaluation and returned after 7, 14, 21, 35 and 90 days for subjective and objective color evaluations.

Apolipoprotein E genotype and alpha-tocopherol modulate amyloid precursor protein metabolism and cell cycle regulation.

Apolipoprotein E4 (apoE4) genotype is associated with an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). This is thought to be in part attributable to an impact of apoE genotype on the processing of the transmembrane amyloid precursor protein (APP) thereby contributing to amyloid beta peptide formation in apoE4 carriers, which is a primary patho-physiological feature of AD. As apoE and alpha-tocopherol (alpha-toc) have been shown to modulate membrane bilayer properties and hippocampal gene expression, we studied the effect of apoE genotype on APP metabolism and cell cycle regulation in response to dietary alpha-toc.

Regional variation in health care utilization and outcomes in ischemic stroke.

Little information is available about regional variation in health care utilization and the effect of utilization on outcomes after ischemic stroke. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of regional variation in outpatient health care use on mortality after ischemic stroke. We performed a retrospective cohort study of 55,094 veterans hospitalized for ischemic stroke at any US Veterans Affairs Medical Center between October 1, 1990, and September 30, 1997.

An evaluation of DNA yield, DNA quality and bite registration from a dental impression wafer.

Background: The authors determined the amount and quality of the DNA captured by a bite impression wafer and analyzed any inaccuracies in the impression wafer.

Methods: The authors made bite registrations for subjects aged 7 to 12 years by using a dental impression wafer (Toothprints, Kerr, Orange, Calif.), obtained an oral rinse sample, took cheek cells by using buccal swabs and made an alginate impression to pour a stone model.