A qualitative exploration of change processes relevant to compassion-focused therapy that occurs when people view both soothing and non-soothing images.

Objective: Using soothing imagery within psychotherapy may support people to undertake positive visualisation exercises. However, little is known about what processes happen when people view images they find to be soothing or non-soothing.

Design: Exploratory qualitative methods were used.

Histologic, histomorphometric, and radiographic monitoring of bone healing around in-office-sterilized orthodontic mini-implants with or without immediate load: study in rabbit tibiae.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to describe bone healing around self-drilling orthodontic mini-implants (MIs), sterilized in an office with an autoclave, with or without immediate orthodontic loading.

Materials And Methods: One hundred forty-four self-drilling MIs (TOMAS, Dentaurum) were inserted into the tibiae of 18 white rabbits, with full-thickness flaps elevated under general anesthesia. An immediate load (50 cN) was applied to 50% of the MIs.

A comparative clinical study of the failure rate of orthodontic brackets bonded with two adhesive systems: conventional and self-etching primer (SEP).

Objective: This study compared the clinical performance of orthodontic brackets bonded with Transbond adhesive paste after two primer systems: a two-stage conventional system (acid etching + Transbond XT adhesive primer) and a single-stage self-etching primer (SEP) (Transbond Plus).

Methods: The sample comprised 480 metal brackets bonded to the teeth of 24 consecutive patients treated for 36 to 48 months. A split-mouth design was used for bonding, and both systems were used in each patient.

Periodontopathogens around the surface of mini-implants removed from orthodontic patients.

Objective: To verify if mini-implant mobility is affected by the presence of periodontopathogens, frequently associated with peri-implantitis.

Materials And Methods: The surfaces of 31 mini-implants used for skeletal anchorage in orthodontic patients were evaluated. Polymerase chain reaction was used for identification of the presence of DNA from three different periodontopathogens ( P.

Precise insertion of orthodontic miniscrews with a stereolithographic surgical guide based on cone beam computed tomography data: a pilot study.

Purpose: Orthodontic miniscrews are commonly used to achieve absolute anchorage during tooth movement. One of the most frequent complications is screw loss as a result of root contact. Increased precision during the process of miniscrew insertion would help prevent screw loss and potential root damage, improving treatment outcomes.

Quantitative analysis of bone density in direct digital radiographs evaluated by means of computerized analysis of digital images.

Objectives: minimal density variations of mineralized tissues can be reliably detected with quantitative image subtraction analysis. The aim of this study was to evaluate quantitative variations of in vitro mineral density by varying the exposure time of direct digital radiographs using a computer assisted densitometric image analysis (CADIA) program.

Methods: in a human mandibular segment a three-wall periodontal defect was created mesial to a molar.

Microflora associated with successful and failed orthodontic mini-implants.

Objectives: Mini-implants are used for orthodontic bone anchorage. The reasons for a potential instability or loss of the mini-implants during treatment are multiple. Among other factors, colonization of implants with pathogenic bacteria is discussed.

Bovine lactoferrin inhibits the efficiency of invasion of respiratory A549 cells of different iron-regulated morphological forms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cenocepacia.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cenocepacia are two important opportunistic respiratory pathogens of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Infections caused by these microorganisms are particularly difficult to eradicate because they are usually highly resistant to several currently available broad-spectrum antibiotics. Lactoferrin (Lf), a glycoprotein found in physiological fluids of mammals and present at high concentrations in infected and inflamed tissues, plays an important role in the natural defence mechanism against pathogens and in immune regulation.

Violacein and biofilm production in Janthinobacterium lividum.

Aims: To analyse the environmental stimuli modulating violacein and biofilm production in Janthinobacterium lividum.

Methods And Results: Violacein and biofilm production by J. lividum DSM1522(T) was assayed in different growth conditions.

Lactoferrin downregulates pro-inflammatory cytokines upexpressed in intestinal epithelial cells infected with invasive or noninvasive Escherichia coli strains.

Intestinal epithelial cells are able to differentially interact with commensal or pathogenic microorganisms, triggering a physiological or destructive inflammation, respectively. To mimic commensal-enteroinvasive bacteria-host cell interaction, we infected Caco-2 cells with noninvasive Escherichia coli HB101 and with recombinant invasive E. coli HB101(pRI203).

Iron availability influences aggregation, biofilm, adhesion and invasion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cenocepacia.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cenocepacia are predominant opportunistic pathogens in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. In healthy humans the lower respiratory tract as well as all mucosa, contains a very low free iron concentration (10(-18) M), while in CF patients sputum iron concentration is very high, showing a median value of 63x10(-6) M. Accumulation of catalytic reactive iron heavily contributes to subsequent clinical complications in the lung disorders by the production of reactive oxygen species and increases bacterial growth and virulence.

Both lactoferrin and iron influence aggregation and biofilm formation in Streptococcus mutans.

Streptococcus mutans, a gram-positive immobile bacterium, is an oral pathogen considered to be the principal etiologic agent of dental caries. Although some researches suggest that trace metals, including iron, can be associated with dental caries, the function of salivary iron and lactoferrin in the human oral cavity remains unclear. The data reported in this study indicates that iron-deprived saliva (Fe3+ < 0.

Effect on bovine lactoferrin on the activation of the enteroinvasive bacterial type III secretion system.

Shigella and enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC) strains secrete virulence proteins by a complex machinery called the type III secretion (TTS) apparatus. Secretion of virulence proteins is a tightly-regulated phenomenon such that the TTS system is weakly active when bacteria are grown in common laboratory media. Activation of the TTS system is triggered by contact with eukaryotic cells, or can be artificially stimulated by the addition of Congo red dye to the growth medium.

Development of an opto-electronic positioning device for serial direct digital images of oral structures.

The aim of this study was to develop and test in vitro an opto-electronic positioning device for serial direct digital images of oral structures, i.e. to associate direct digital imaging with the principles of computer-aided surgery.

The development and validation of an occlusal site-specific plaque index to evaluate the effects of cleaning by tooth brushes and chewing gum.

These studies sought to develop and validate an occlusal site-specific plaque index to be used to measure plaque removal by brushing or chewing gum. The index divides the occlusal surfaces into imaginary zones from which scores are apportioned on a 0-4 basis dependent on the perceived % plaque coverage of each zone. Examiner calibration was conducted over 2 studies assessing inter-examiner reproducibility and intra-examiner repeatibility, respectively.

Sternal plating for the treatment of sternal nonunion.

Background: Sternal nonunion, defined as sternal pain with clicking, instability, or both for more than 6 months in the absence of infection, is an uncommon complication of median sternotomy. Nonunion is frequently complicated by the presence of multiple transverse fractures, which make simple rewiring inadequate.

Methods: Six patients with debilitating pain secondary to sternal nonunion were treated with the technique of sternal plating between 1989 and 1995.

Temperature change in the pulp chamber during complete crown preparation.

This study observed the temperature changes in the pulp chamber during tooth preparation for a complete crown. Twelve extracted, morphologically intact human teeth were chosen: four canines, four premolars, and four molars. Six teeth, two of each, were cooled during preparation with an air-water spray; the remaining six were air-cooled.

Quantitation of ischemia during total coronary occlusion with computer-assisted high resolution ST-segment monitoring: effect of collateral flow.

The effect of increasing grades of collateral flow to the distal target vessel on the clinical and electrocardiographic manifestations of ischemia was evaluated in 118 patients undergoing transluminal coronary angioplasty (TCA). A qualitative scoring system for collateralization was defined as follows: 0--no visible collaterals; 1--visualization of collateral vessels only with no filling of the distal TCA vessel; 2--partial filling of the distal TCA vessel, and; 3--complete filling of the distal TCA vessel. All patients underwent computerized ST-segment monitoring using 3-channel Holter recorders.