Remineralization potential of dentifrices with calcium sodium phosphosilicate and functionalized tri-calcium phosphate in the deeper incipient carious lesions: An in vitro study.

Objectives: This study evaluated the remineralization potential of calcium sodium phosphosilicate and functionalized tri-calcium phosphate (f-TCP) dentifrices in deeper incipient carious lesions (ICLs).

Materials And Methods: Artificial ICLs were created by placing premolars into demineralizing solutions. Teeth were randomly assigned into four groups: calcium sodium phosphosilicate (Group 1), f-TCP (Group 2), 1450 ppm fluoride (Group 3), and distilled water (Group 4), which were subjected to 10-day pH cycling.

Not all silicon quantum dots are equal: photostability of silicon quantum dots with and without a thick amorphous shell.

Luminescent colloidal silicon quantum dots (SiQDs) are sustainable alternatives to metal-based QDs for various optical applications. While the materials are reliant on their photoluminescence efficiency, the relationship between the structure and photostability of SiQDs is yet to be well studied. An amorphous silicon (a-Si) shell was recently discovered in SiQDs prepared by thermally-processed silicon oxides.

Asphaltene-Derived Graphene Quantum Dots for Controllable Coatings on Glass, Fabrics, and Aerogels.

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) derived from natural asphaltene byproducts can produce controlled hydrophobic or hydrophilic interfaces on glass, fabrics, and aerogels. A set of facile solvent extraction methods were used to isolate and chemically prepare materials with different surface functionalities from a commercially derived asphaltene precursor. The organic-soluble fraction was used to create hydrophobic and water-repellent surfaces on glass and cotton fabrics.

Dental and oro-facial features of Foetal Anticonvulsant Syndrome.

Aim: Emerging evidence suggests dental/oro-facial anomalies are features of Foetal Anticonvulsant Syndrome (FACS) and have an impact on quality of life. Currently there is limited research on these, and no Aotearoa New Zealand data on FACS overall. This study aimed to collect national data on the dental and oro-facial features of FACS.

Synthesis and properties of multi-functionalized graphene quantum dots with tunable photoluminescence and hydrophobicity from asphaltene and its oxidized and reduced derivatives.

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) with tunable photoluminescence (PL) and hydrophobicity were synthesized from an abundant natural carbon source containing nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen heteroatoms. Asphaltene and its oxidized and reduced derivatives were used as precursors to produce GQDs in organic solvents (, methanol, toluene, and chloroform) using a facile ultrasonication technique. Asphaltene surface chemistry was tuned by sequential oxidation and reduction to investigate the surface effects on GQD properties.

The effect of organic acids and storage temperature on lite salad dressing rheology and growth.

Unlabelled: () causes spoilage in salad dressings due to its tolerance to osmotic pressure. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of organic acids and storage temperatures (4, 10, and 25 °C) on growth and salad dressing mechanical properties. Acetic, lactic, and gluconic acids were used alone and in combination to acidify salad dressing.

Time-Resolved Photoluminescence Spectroscopy of Semiconductor Nanocrystals and Other Fluorophores.

Time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) is a key technique for understanding the photophysics of semiconductor nanocrystals and light-emitting materials in general. This work is a primer for setting up and conducting TRPL on nanocrystals and related materials using single-photon-counting (SPC) systems. Basic sources of error in the measurement can be avoided by consideration of the experimental setup and calibration.

Comparison of self-perceived competence of recent dental graduates from the Universities of Otago and Dalhousie.

Introduction: This study investigates and compares the self-perceived competencies of recent dental graduates from the University of Otago (UoO) (Dunedin, New Zealand) and Dalhousie University (DU) (Nova Scotia, Canada).

Materials And Methods: A validated survey was emailed to recent graduates from the UoO (December 2019) and DU (May 2020). Chi-squared statistical analysis examined the differences between groups.

Safety and Effectiveness of Outpatient Total Ankle Arthroplasty.

Background: Total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) is a surgical procedure commonly reserved for patients suffering from symptomatic end-stage ankle arthritis. As the number of TAAs increases, so does the associated economic burden. Given these economic constraints, there has been interest in the feasibility of outpatient TAA.

A Nanometric Probe of the Local Proton Concentration in Microtubule-Based Biophysical Systems.

We show a double-functional fluorescence sensing paradigm that can retrieve nanometric pH information on biological structures. We use this method to measure the extent of protonic condensation around microtubules, which are protein polymers that play many roles crucial to cell function. While microtubules are believed to have a profound impact on the local cytoplasmic pH, this has been hard to show experimentally due to the limitations of conventional sensing techniques.

Ultrasensitive Picomolar Detection of Aqueous Acids in Microscale Fluorescent Droplets.

We report on a fluorescent-droplet-based acid-sensing scheme that allows limits of detection below 100 pM for weak acids. The concept is based on a strong partitioning of acid from an aqueous phase into octanol droplets. Using salicylic acid as a demonstration, we show that at a high concentration, the acid partitions into the organic phase by a factor of 260, which is approximately consistent with literature values.

Working characteristics for practising dental hygienists in two countries in different hemispheres.

Objectives: The study aimed to collect and compare practising characteristics for dental hygienists (DHs) in New Zealand (NZ) and Sweden.

Methods: Dental hygienists from NZ and Sweden were invited to participate in an anonymous online survey focussing on their working practices. An email, with a link to the online survey and a participant information sheet, was sent to DHs registered with their professional association in their respective country.

Identifying perceptions and themed learning outcomes between pharmacy and dentistry students through interprofessional education and collaboration in the dental clinic.

Background: The educational value of interprofessional education (IPE) experiences inside a dental clinic are largely unexplored. Increasing research suggests that pharmacists, as medication experts, may positively impact dental care in collaborative settings and dentists, as oral health experts, may provide insightful knowledge and understanding to pharmacists. The purpose of this project was therefore to investigate perceptions and associated learning outcomes of a dental clinic-based IPE experience between pharmacy and dentistry students.

Silicon Quantum Dot-Polymer Fabry-Pérot Resonators with Narrowed and Tunable Emissions.

Luminescent silicon nanoparticles have been widely recognized as an alternative for metal-based quantum dots (QDs) for optoelectronics partly because of the high abundance and biocompatibility of silicon. To date, the broad photoluminescence line width (often >100 nm) of silicon QDs has been a hurdle to achieving competitive spectral purity and incorporating them into light-emitting devices. Herein we report fabrication and testing of straightforward configuration of Fabry-Pérot resonators that incorporates a thin layer of SiQD-polymer hybrid/blend between two reflective silver mirrors; remarkably these devices exhibit up-to-14-fold narrowing of SiQD emission and achieve a spectral bandwidth as narrow as ca.

Nutritional Implications of Baby-Led Weaning and Baby Food Pouches as Novel Methods of Infant Feeding: Protocol for an Observational Study.

Background: The complementary feeding period is a time of unparalleled dietary change for every human, during which the diet changes from one that is 100% milk to one that resembles the usual diet of the wider family in less than a year. Despite this major dietary shift, we know relatively little about food and nutrient intake in infants worldwide and virtually nothing about the impact of baby food "pouches" and "baby-led weaning" (BLW), which are infant feeding approaches that are becoming increasingly popular. Pouches are squeezable containers with a plastic spout that have great appeal for parents, as evidenced by their extraordinary market share worldwide.

Tibial Component Migration After Total Knee Arthroplasty With High-Viscosity Bone Cement.

Background: High-viscosity (HV) bone cements have been formulated to offer potentially advantageous handling characteristics. However, alteration in the handling characteristics could influence implant fixation and survival. The primary objective of this study was to use radiostereometric analysis after total knee arthroplasty to assess the migration of the Triathlon tibial component fixed with HV cement (Simplex HV).

Olecranon Osteotomy Implant Removal Rates and Associated Complications.

Objective: This study reports on olecranon osteotomy implant removal rates, fixation types, and associated complications.

Design: Multicentre case series.

Setting: Patients were identified through an electronic medical database at one Level 1 trauma center and three Level 2 trauma centers.

Working together in clinical pathology: An interprofessional education initiative for dentistry, oral health, and medical laboratory science teachers and students.

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. .

Twelve tips for introducing simulation based assessment in the objective structured clinical examination.

The use of simulation as a tool for assessment in medical examinations is expanding. We describe 12 practical tips for the implementation of simulation based critical evaluation for the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). The material in this article is a combination of personal experience and the available literature.

Tailorable Indirect to Direct Band-Gap Double Perovskites with Bright White-Light Emission: Decoding Chemical Structure Using Solid-State NMR.

Efficient white-light-emitting single-material sources are ideal for sustainable lighting applications. Though layered hybrid lead-halide perovskite materials have demonstrated attractive broad-band white-light emission properties, they pose a serious long-term environmental and health risk as they contain lead (Pb) and are readily soluble in water. Recently, lead-free halide double perovskite (HDP) materials with a generic formula A(I)B'(III)B″(I)X (where A and B are cations and X is a halide ion) have demonstrated white-light emission with improved photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs).

An Ultrasensitive Fluorescent Paper-Based CO Sensor.

We demonstrate a versatile and easily fabricated paper-based CO sensor. The sensor consists of a specially designed fluorescent color-shift chromophore infused into standard filter paper. The emission color of the resulting fluorescent paper changes upon exposure to CO due to the formation of carbonic acid, which underlies the sensing mechanism.

Consistently High Values in p-i-n Type Perovskite Solar Cells Using Ni-Doped NiO Nanomesh as the Hole Transporting Layer.

Leading edge p-i-n type halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) severely underperform n-i-p PSCs. p-i-n type PSCs that use PEDOT:PSS hole transport layers (HTLs) struggle to generate open-circuit photovoltage values higher than 1 V. NiO HTLs have shown greater promise in achieving high values albeit inconsistently.

The relative frequency of paediatric oral and maxillofacial pathology in New Zealand: A 10-year review of a national specialist centre.

Background: There has been no previous report of the prevalence of paediatric oral and maxillofacial pathology in a New Zealand oral pathology diagnostic service.

Aim: The aim of this study was to review cases of paediatric oral pathology to determine relative frequencies of oral lesions in this age group.

Design: Paediatric oral pathology cases (≤15 years of age) received between 2007 and 2016 were retrieved from the electronic database of the Oral Pathology Centre, University of Otago.

Functional lasing microcapillaries for surface-specific sensing.

Lasing-based sensors have several advantages over fluorescent devices, specifically related to the high light intensity and narrow mode linewidth that can improve the speed and accuracy of the sensor performance. In this work, a microcapillary-based lasing sensor is demonstrated, in which the lasing wavelengths are sensitive to the surface binding of specific materials. In order to achieve this, we utilized lasing into the "star" and "triangle" modes of a conventional microcapillary and tracked the mode positions after the deposition of a polyelectrolyte tri-layer and the subsequent amide binding of carboxy-functionalized polystyrene microspheres.