Use of restraint and management style as parameters for defining sedation success: a survey of pediatric dentists.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify factors that may influence current American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) members' definitions of a successful oral sedation.

Methods: Surveys were electronically mailed to all AAPD members with registered e-mail addresses, and printed surveys were sent via postal mail to all other members. The survey included: (1) items on demographic variables; and (2) questions on sedation methods and definition of success.

[Application of electrostatic spinning technology in nano-structured polymer scaffold].

Objective: To review the latest development in the research on the application of the electrostatic spinning technology in preparation of the nanometer high polymer scaffold.

Methods: The related articles published at home and abroad during the recent years were extensively reviewed and comprehensively analyzed.

Results: Micro/nano-structure and space topology on the surfaces of the scaffold materials, especially the weaving structure, were considered to have an important effect on the cell adhesion, proliferation, directional growth, and biological activation.

Students' opinions about treating vulnerable populations immediately after completing community-based clinical experiences.

The purpose of this study was to analyze students' perceptions of comfort and anticipated willingness to treat selected special needs and traditionally underserved populations immediately upon completion of community-based clinical assignments. The sample consisted of University of Iowa senior dental students who completed a questionnaire that asked, in part, about student comfort with and future willingness to treat twelve vulnerable population groups. With student comfort and future willingness to treat each group as dependent variables, logistic models were developed to determine whether there were significant associations between dependent variables and gender, graduation year, and students' prior experience with these groups.

Predictors of oral health counseling by WIC providers.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess selected predictors for the inclusion of oral health counseling by Illinois Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) providers.

Methods: A questionnaire was developed and mailed to all 166 WIC sites to assess attitudes towards oral health counseling. Variables that revealed significant associations in bivariate analysis (P< or =.

Resin-dentin bond strength as related to different surface preparation methods.

Objective: To determine the microtensile bond strength and micromorphological structures on bonding of two adhesives (OptiBond FL and Clearfil SE Bond) to dentin surfaces ground with different preparation methods.

Methods: Extracted human molars were ground flat to expose mid-coronal occlusal dentin surface with one of six preparation methods--P120 grit SiC paper, P400 grit SiC paper, P1200 grit SiC paper, medium grit diamond bur, fine grit diamond bur, and carbide bur. Each of the adhesives was used to bond resin-based composite to the dentin surface.

Child temperament and risk factors for early childhood caries.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship existed between a mother's perception of her child's temperament and the child's risk factors for early childhood caries (ECC).

Methods: Data was collected from 629 records of children ages 0 to 4 who were patients of the University of Iowa's Infant Oral Health Program. Data included: (1) maternal report of child's temperament; (2) knowledge of ECC; (3) dietary and oral hygiene habits; and (4) clinical evidence of cavitated and noncavitated lesions and visible plaque on maxillary incisors.

Prevention of demineralization by CO2 and Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation of overdenture abutments.

Purpose: To assess the effects of Er,Cr:YSGG and CO2 laser irradiation on the prevention of demineralization of overdenture abutments.

Methods: 32 human canines, premolars, and molars were acquired, cleaned, and scaled. They were randomly divided into two groups.

A BAFF antagonist suppresses experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by targeting cell-mediated and humoral immune responses.

BAFF [B cell-activating factor of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) family] and APRIL (a proliferation-inducing ligand) are two TNF family members with shared receptors. While, physiological roles for APRIL are not fully understood, BAFF is critical for B cell homeostasis and also acts as a co-stimulator of T cells. Using a B and T cell-mediated mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), we observed that a BAFF/APRIL antagonist (soluble BCMA-Fc) inhibited central nervous system inflammation and demyelination such that it suppressed the onset and progression of clinical symptoms of EAE.

Survey of Iowa general dentists regarding the age 1 dental visit.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess Iowa general dentists regarding the age 1 dental visit.

Methods: A 15-item survey was mailed to 1,521 licensed dentists to address their knowledge, attitudes, and behavior regarding the age 1 dental visit. Chi-square statistics and logistic regression models were used to analyze data.

Dopant-free GaN/AlN/AlGaN radial nanowire heterostructures as high electron mobility transistors.

We report the rational synthesis of dopant-free GaN/AlN/AlGaN radial nanowire heterostructures and their implementation as high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs). The radial nanowire heterostructures were prepared by sequential shell growth immediately following nanowire elongation using metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies reveal that the GaN/AlN/AlGaN radial nanowire heterostructures are dislocation-free single crystals.

Effects of exogenous collagenase and cholesterol esterase on the durability of the resin-dentin bond.

Purpose: The purpose of this work was to determine microtensile dentin bond strengths (microTBS) of dentin-resin composite bonds after three-month storage in artificial saliva containing either collagenase (COL) or cholesterol esterase (EST). The null hypothesis tested is that the resin-dentin bond strength is equivalent for each storage medium at the tested storage times.

Materials And Methods: Resin composite was bonded to occlusal dentin, and microTBS specimens were formed and stored in the artificial saliva, COL, EST, or synthetic oil.

Allelic variation of the ovine Toll-like receptor 4 gene.

The family of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) is responsible for recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) recognizes not only exogenous ligands such as the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Gram-negative bacteria, but also a number of endogenous ligands. Variation in the nucleotide sequence of the ovine TLR4 gene was investigated by amplification of a fragment containing a putative ligand-binding region using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), followed by single-strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis and DNA sequencing. Four novel SSCP patterns, representing four different sequences, were identified.

Structure activity relationships of monocyte chemoattractant proteins in complex with a blocking antibody.

Monocyte chemoattractant proteins (MCPs) are cytokines that direct immune cells bearing appropriate receptors to sites of inflammation or injury and are therefore attractive therapeutic targets for inhibitory molecules. 11K2 is a blocking mouse monoclonal antibody active against several human and murine MCPs. A 2.

Formation of virus-like clusters is an intrinsic property of the tumor necrosis factor family member BAFF (B cell activating factor).

The oligomeric state of BAFF (B cell activing factor), a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family cytokine that plays a critical role in B cell development and survival, has been the subject of recent debate. Myc-tagged BAFF starting at residue Gln136 was previously reported to crystallize as trimers at pH 4.5, whereas a histidine-tagged construct of BAFF, starting at residue Ala134, formed a virus-like cluster containing 60 monomers when crystallized at pH 9.

Identification of a putative mitochondrial RNA polymerase from Physarum polycephalum: characterization, expression, purification, and transcription in vitro.

Mitochondrial RNA polymerases (mtRNAPs) are necessary for the biogenesis of mitochondria and for proper mitochondrial function since they transcribe genes on mtDNA for tRNAs, rRNAs, and mRNAs. The unique type of RNA editing identified in mitochondria of Physarum polycephalum is thought to be closely associated with transcription, and as such, RNA editing activity would be expected to be closely associated with the mtRNAP. In order to better characterize the role of mtRNAPs in mitochondrial biogenesis and to determine the role of the Physarum mtRNAP in RNA editing, the cDNA of the Physarum mtRNAP was identified using PCR and degenerate primers designed from conserved motifs in mtRNAPs.

Students' comfort level in treating vulnerable populations and future willingness to treat: results prior to extramural participation.

This study analyzed senior dental students' perceptions prior to extramural rotations for comfort and future willingness to treat patients with special needs and other vulnerable groups. The sample included 690 University of Iowa senior dental students who graduated from 1992 through 2004. These students completed a questionnaire concerning twelve vulnerable population groups.

Identification of allelic polymorphism in the caprine IGHA gene.

Variation in the immunoglobulin heavy alpha chain (IGHA) constant region has been reported in a number of species. In this study, the IGHA gene was investigated in goats using PCR-single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis and DNA sequencing. Three novel sequences were identified from 111 Boer and Angora goats.

The effect of chronic methylphenidate administration on tooth maturation in a sample of Caucasian children.

Purpose: Over the past 3 decades, methylphenidate hydrochloride (MH; brand names are Concerta, Metadate, Ritalin) has been increasingly prescribed for children and adolescents diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Previous studies have demonstrated growth suppression with chronic MH administration in children and adolescents and an association of delayed dental maturation with delayed growth. It was hypothesized that, perhaps with MH use, there is a concurrent retardation in dental development.

Core/multishell nanowire heterostructures as multicolor, high-efficiency light-emitting diodes.

We report the growth and characterization of core/multishell nanowire radial heterostructures, and their implementation as efficient and synthetically tunable multicolor nanophotonic sources. Core/multishell nanowires were prepared by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition with an n-GaN core and InxGa1-xN/GaN/p-AlGaN/p-GaN shells, where variation of indium mole fraction is used to tune emission wavelength. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy studies reveal that the core/multishell nanowires are dislocation-free single crystals with a triangular morphology.

General synthesis of manganese-doped II-VI and III-V semiconductor nanowires.

A general approach for the synthesis of manganese-doped II-VI and III-V nanowires based on metal nanocluster-catalyzed chemical vapor deposition has been developed. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy studies of Mn-doped CdS, ZnS, and GaN nanowires demonstrate that the nanowires are single-crystal structures and homogeneously doped with controllable concentrations of manganese ions. Photoluminescence measurements of individual Mn-doped CdS and ZnS nanowires show characteristic pseudo-tetrahedral Mn2+ ((4)T1-->(6)A1) transitions that match the corresponding transitions in bulk single-crystal materials well.

Polymorphism of the IGHA gene in sheep.

Genetic variation in immunoglobulin A, the most abundant immunoglobulin in mammalian cells, has not been reported in ruminants. In this study, variation in the immunoglobulin heavy alpha chain constant gene (IGHA) of sheep was investigated by amplification of a fragment that included the hinge coding sequence, followed by single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis and DNA sequencing. Three novel sequences, each characterized by unique SSCP banding patterns, were identified.

Factors related to utilization of dental services during pregnancy.

Objectives: The purposes of this study were to investigate factors related to utilization of dental services during pregnancy and to assess the extent of mothers' knowledge regarding oral health during pregnancy and its effect on pregnancy outcomes.

Materials And Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected from 625 women using a structured questionnaire mailed to mothers who had given birth in Johnson County, Iowa from August 2001 to March 2002. The survey assessed knowledge, behaviours, attitudes toward dental care during pregnancy, and personal, demographic and pregnancy-related factors.

A retrospective review of treatment of the odontogenic keratocyst.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate different surgical treatment methods for odontogenic keratocysts and the outcome of those treatments over a 25-year period.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective review was performed of 40 patient charts treated at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (Iowa City, IA) from 1977 to 2002 with the diagnosis of odontogenic keratocyst. Demographic data were collected along with lesion location, symptoms present at initial presentation, surgical treatment rendered, length of follow-up, and incidence of recurrence.

Buccal corridors and smile esthetics.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of buccal corridors on smile attractiveness when judged by lay persons.

Material: Full-face color slides of 10 randomly selected smiling subjects (5 women, 5 men) were digitized. The maxillary posterior dentitions for all subjects were digitally altered to produce a range of smile fullness: narrow (28% buccal corridor), medium-narrow (22% buccal corridor), medium (15% buccal corridor), medium-broad (10% buccal corridor), and broad (2% buccal corridor).

Selectivity of BAFF/BLyS and APRIL for binding to the TNF family receptors BAFFR/BR3 and BCMA.

BAFF (B cell activating factor of the TNF family, also known as BlyS and TALL-1), a TNF family cytokine critical for the development and function of B cells, has been reported to bind to three receptors, BCMA (B cell maturation protein), TACI (transmembrane activator and CAML [calcium-modulator and cyclophilin ligand] interactor), and BAFFR (BAFF receptor), but with widely conflicting values for the affinity and selectivity of binding. BCMA and TACI additionally bind APRIL (a proliferation-inducing ligand), the TNF family ligand most homologous to BAFF. Using soluble, monomeric forms of the receptors, we demonstrate that BAFFR binds BAFF with K(D) approximately 16 nM, while BCMA binds with K(D) approximately 1.