High-throughput determination of grain size distributions by EBSD with low-discrepancy sampling.

Because microstructure plays an important role in the mechanical properties of structural materials, developing the capability to quantify microstructures rapidly is important to enabling high-throughput screening of structural materials. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) is a common method for studying microstructures and extracting information such as grain size distributions (GSDs), but is not particularly fast and thus could be a bottleneck in high-throughput systems. One approach to accelerating EBSD is to reduce the number of points that must be scanned.

Oral Lichen Planus and Mutated -A Road to Cancer?

The malignant potential of oral lichen planus (OLP) has been discussed and disputed for decades. The lesions are often characterized by strong expression of the TP53 protein in the basal layer of the mucosa. In 2002, we reported the presence of mutations in nine out of 27 OLP lesions tested.

Evaluation of mucoadhesiveness and texture profile analysis of doxycycline hydrogels.

Delivery of active ingredients to the oral mucosa from topically applied formulations reduces side effects from systemic administration and enhances the treatment efficiency. The challenge however, is to maintain the formulation at the administration site due to rapid salivary flow and mechanical movements of the mouth. Therefore, addition of mucoadhesive polymers could aid in enhancing the formulation residence time by increasing the mucoadhesion capacity but this effect is negligible especially if low ratio of mucoadhesive polymers are added to the formulation.

Porosity production in weathered rock: Where volumetric strain dominates over chemical mass loss.

Weathering in the critical zone causes volumetric strain and mass loss, thereby creating subsurface porosity that is vital to overlying ecosystems. We used geochemical and geophysical measurements to quantify the relative importance of volumetric strain and mass loss---the physical and chemical components of porosity---in weathering of granitic saprolite of the southern Sierra Nevada, California, USA. Porosity and strain decrease with depth and imply that saprolite more than doubles in volume during exhumation to the surface by erosion.

Links between physical and chemical weathering inferred from a 65-m-deep borehole through Earth's critical zone.

As bedrock weathers to regolith - defined here as weathered rock, saprolite, and soil - porosity grows, guides fluid flow, and liberates nutrients from minerals. Though vital to terrestrial life, the processes that transform bedrock into soil are poorly understood, especially in deep regolith, where direct observations are difficult. A 65-m-deep borehole in the Calhoun Critical Zone Observatory, South Carolina, provides unusual access to a complete weathering profile in an Appalachian granitoid.

Long-term Stabilization of Aqueous Doxycycline Formulations, in Mucoadhesive Hydrogels for Treatment of Oral Mucosal Conditions.

Background: The main aim of this work was to develop stable (>2 years) doxycycline formulation, at clinically relevant concentrations and using clinically relevant formulation. Doxycycline has a MMP- inhibitory effects that is important for the treatment of various oral mucosal conditions. Therefore, protecting doxycycline from degradation in aqueous formulation requires halting or prevention of oxidation and epimerisation of the active compound.

Geophysical imaging reveals topographic stress control of bedrock weathering.

Bedrock fracture systems facilitate weathering, allowing fresh mineral surfaces to interact with corrosive waters and biota from Earth's surface, while simultaneously promoting drainage of chemically equilibrated fluids. We show that topographic perturbations to regional stress fields explain bedrock fracture distributions, as revealed by seismic velocity and electrical resistivity surveys from three landscapes. The base of the fracture-rich zone mirrors surface topography where the ratio of horizontal compressive tectonic stresses to near-surface gravitational stresses is relatively large, and it parallels the surface topography where the ratio is relatively small.

The Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) applied retrospectively to two studies.

Objectives: A scoring method for tooth erosion is needed to enable community-based assessments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) scoring method, using data previously collected from two studies.

Materials And Methods: In a national survey of erosion in children and adolescents, a representative, 20 % nationwide sample of 2,251 children, aged 6, 12 and 15 years, was examined.

Approximal Caries Detection by DIFOTI: In Vitro Comparison of Diagnostic Accuracy/Efficacy with Film and Digital Radiography.

The aim of the present study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy/efficacy of digital imaging fiber-optic transillumination (DIFOTI) with film and digital radiography, in detection of approximal caries lesions. One hundred and twelve approximal surfaces were scored for caries, using DIFOTI images film and digital radiographs. All three sets of images were examined twice by 8 observers, with a minimal interval of one week between examinations.

Studies on strains of Streptococcus mutans isolated from caries-active and caries-free individuals in Iceland.

Background: Dental caries has been strongly associated with mutans streptococci, particularly Streptococcus mutans and S. sobrinus. Many studies have linked these organisms to the carious process and counts of mutans streptococci have been used to monitor caries risk.

A study of the clinical activity of a gel combining monocaprin and doxycycline: a novel treatment for herpes labialis.

Background: Current treatment of herpes labialis is usually with topical antiviral drugs and early drug administration is required for effectiveness. Monocaprin, a 1-monoglyceride of capric acid, has high microbicidal activity in vitro and efficiently inactivates herpes simplex virus. Tetracyclines are inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases that are part of the inflammatory response and contribute to the breakdown of tissue in ulcers.

A 6-year longitudinal study of caries in teenagers and the effect of "dropouts" on the findings.

Objectives: To investigate attrition of subjects in a longitudinal study of caries.

Design: A radiographic study of caries and caries-associated factors was carried out in subjects, initially aged 14 years, and followed-up for six years. Attrition of subjects occurred at the last stage of the study.

Prevalence of dental erosion in children: a national survey.

Objectives: To measure the prevalence of dental erosion in permanent teeth in Iceland as part of the National Oral Health Survey.

Methods: A representative, nationwide sample of 2251 Icelandic children, 20% of those aged 6, 12 and 15 year, was examined. Dental erosion was recorded for all erupted permanent teeth and graded using the modified scale of Lussi.

Caries prevalence of permanent teeth: a national survey of children in Iceland using ICDAS.

Objectives: The Icelandic Oral Health Survey aimed to obtain new national data on the oral health of Icelandic children and teenagers.

Methods: A representative stratified random cluster sample of 2251 Icelandic children in first, seventh and 10th grade, aged approximately 6-, 12- and 15-years old was examined for caries prevalence using the ICDAS criteria. Bite-wing digital radiographs were obtained for the children in 7th and 10th grade.

Dental health of patients with Parkinson's disease in Iceland.

The oral and dental health of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) has not been well documented and the findings are conflicting. Patients with PD were invited to take part in a clinical and radiographic examination together with a comparison control group of persons who were a spouse or family member. Subjects (n = 67) and controls (n = 55) were examined and compared.

Gastric reflux is a significant causative factor of tooth erosion.

Dental erosion is caused by dietary or gastric acid. This study aimed to examine the location and severity of tooth erosion with respect to causative factors, and to determine whether the clinical pattern of erosion reflected the dominant etiological factor. The study involved 249 Icelandic individuals and included: a detailed medical history; clinical oral examination; salivary sampling, and analysis for flow rate, pH, and buffering capacity.

Role of TP53 in the progression of pre-malignant and malignant oral mucosal lesions. A follow-up study of 144 patients.

Background: Prediction of progression from pre-malignant oral mucosal lesions to malignancy, or recurrence of an existing oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), is an important clinical problem in oral medicine.

Methods: This study presents a follow-up of a study published in 2002. Samples from 54 patients with OSCC, 45 with oral lichen planus (OLP) and 45 with hyperkeratosis (clinically leukoplakia), diagnosed between 1987 and 1996, were analysed for TP53 protein expression and TP53 mutation.

Longitudinal study of TP53 mutations in eight patients with potentially malignant oral mucosal disorders.

Objectives: In a previous cross-sectional study, the authors found a higher rate of TP53 mutation in oral lichen planus (OLP) than in hyperkeratosis. By analysing for TP53 mutations in serial samples from patients on long-term follow-up of their oral lesions, it was hoped to determine if these mutations were related to disease progression.

Methods: Eight patients presenting with lesions diagnosed clinically as oral leukoplakia or lichen planus were followed from 2 to 12 years.

Clinical assessment of the effect of a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor on aphthous ulcers.

Objective: Aphthous ulceration is a common form of recurrent ulceration of the oral mucosa. Numerous treatments have been tried as a means of relieving pain, disinfecting the ulcer base, and reducing inflammation, but with limited success. Tetracycline and its derivatives have been shown to be inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are part of the inflammatory response and contribute to the breakdown of tissue in the ulcer.

Balancing the role of the dental school in teaching, research and patient care; including care for underserved areas.

Inequalities within dentistry are common and are reflected in wide differences in the levels of oral health and the standard of care available both within and between countries and communities. Furthermore there are patients, particularly those with special treatment needs, who do not have the same access to dental services as the general public. The dental school should aim to recruit students from varied backgrounds into all areas covered by the oral healthcare team and to train students to treat the full spectrum of patients including those with special needs.

Is diagnosing exposed dentine a suitable tool for grading erosive loss?

Quantifying tooth wear in general and erosion in particular mostly is made by distinguishing between lesions restricted to enamel and lesions reaching the underlying dentine. Various scores for grading have been used, but in all systems, higher scores are given in cases of exposed dentine, thus, indicating a more severe stage of the condition. Clinical diagnosis of exposed dentine is made by assessing changes in colour or optical properties of the hard tissues.