Polyamine biomarkers as indicators of human disease.

The significant increase of periodontitis, chronic kidney disease (CKD), Alzheimer's disease and cancer can be attributed to an ageing population. Each disease produces a range of biomarkers that can be indicative of disease onset and progression. Biomarkers are defined as cellular (intra/extracellular components and whole cells), biochemical (metabolites, ions and toxins) or molecular (nucleic acids, proteins and lipids) alterations which are measurable in biological media such as human tissues, cells or fluids.

Exploring the putative interactions between chronic kidney disease and chronic periodontitis.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and chronic periodontitis (CP) are both common diseases, which are found disproportionately comorbid with each other and have been reported to have a detrimental effect on the progression of each respective disease. They have an overlap in risk factors and both are a source of systemic inflammation along with a wide selection of immunological and non-specific effects that can affect the body over the lifespan of the conditions. Previous studies have investigated the directionality of the relationship between these two diseases; however, there is a lack of literature that has examined how these diseases may be interacting at the localized and systemic level.

A novel microbiological medium for the growth of periodontitis associated pathogens.

A novel microbiological medium designed to be more representative of gingival crevicular fluid. Chosen representative periodontal microorganisms showed good growth with minimal effect on human cell viability. This will enable more comparisons between different periodontitis associated organisms and their potential role in host health and systemic disease.

The effect of model inclination during fabrication on mouthguard calliper-measured and CT scan-assessed thickness.

Aim: Excessive material thinning has been observed in the production of custom-made mouthguards in a number of studies, due to production anomalies that may lead to such thinning. This study investigated thinning material patterns of custom-made mouthguards when the anterior angulation of dental model was increased during the thermoforming process.

Materials And Methods: A total of 60 samples of mouthguard blanks were thermoformed on identical maxillary models under four anterior inclination conditions (n = 4 × 15): control 0, 15, 30 and 45°.

An investigation into the relationship between thickness variations and manufacturing techniques of mouthguards.

Background: The aim of this study was to measure the finished thickness of a single identical 4-mm EVA mouthguard model from a large fabricated sample group and to evaluate the degree of material thinning and variations during the fabrication process.

Materials And Methods: Twenty boxes were distributed to dental technician participants, each containing five duplicated dental models (n = 100), alongside 5 × 4 mm mouthguard blanks and a questionnaire. The mouthguards were measured using electronic callipers (resolution: ±0.

Combined effects of energy development and disease on greater sage-grouse.

Species of conservation concern are increasingly threatened by multiple, anthropogenic stressors which are outside their evolutionary experience. Greater sage-grouse are highly susceptible to the impacts of two such stressors: oil and gas (energy) development and West Nile virus (WNv). However, the combined effects of these stressors and their potential interactions have not been quantified.

Treatment with algae extracts promotes flocculation, and enhances growth and neutral lipid content in Nannochloropsis oculata--a candidate for biofuel production.

Marine microalgae represent a potentially valuable feedstock for biofuel production; however, large-scale production is not yet economically viable. Optimisation of productivity and lipid yields is required and the cost of biomass harvesting and dewatering must be significantly reduced. Microalgae produce a wide variety of biologically active metabolites, many of which are involved in inter- and intra-specific interactions (the so-called infochemicals).

Exposure to copper and a cytotoxic polyunsaturated aldehyde induces reproductive failure in the marine polychaete Nereis virens (Sars).

A number of metabolites from microalgae, including polyunsaturated aldehydes (PUAs), have been implicated as inducers of reproductive failure in aquatic invertebrates. Current work describes the impacts of the model PUA 2E, 4E-decadienal and copper sulphate applied in isolation and combination on the reproductive performance of the infaunal polychaete, Nereis virens (Sars). The reproductive and life cycle parameters investigated were; fertilisation success, larval survival, sperm motility (percent motility and curvilinear velocity) and sperm DNA damage.

A review of facial protective equipment use in sport and the impact on injury incidence.

Sporting activities have an inherent risk of facial injury from traumatic impacts from fellow competitors, projectiles, and collisions with posts or the ground. This retrospective review systematically describes the interplay between the type of sport (including the level at which specific sports are played), the sex of the players and their musculoskeletal characteristics, the technology behind the materials used, the protective devices commonly used, the anatomical site, and the regularity of incidence of fractures. We describe how variations in sporting activities induce different orofacial fracture patterns, and critically consider the methods used to test protective headgear against more contemporary techniques.

Effect of element concentration on nickel release from dental alloys using a novel ion beam method.

Objectives: Nickel chromium is widely used as a restorative material in dentistry but its biocompatibility is of concern as there are reports of patients suffering adverse effects caused by exposure to nickel-based restorations. The aim of this work was to quantify the amount of nickel released into solution from commercially available nickel-based alloys with varying compositions and to identify the potential use of thin films in further understanding the role of chromium in reducing nickel release.

Methods: Six commercially available nickel-based alloys were cast using the lost wax technique.

In vitro colonization of an experimental silicone by Candida albicans.

Denture soft-lining materials are exposed to the oral cavity for long periods and are in continuous contact with saliva, subject to inhibition of liquid molecules, and susceptible to colonization by microorganisms. The opportunist yeast Candida albicans is of particular concern in this context, being associated with denture plaque and denture-related stomatitis. In this study, penetration of C.

SEASONAL VARIABILITY IN POLYUNSATURATED ALDEHYDE PRODUCTION POTENTIAL AMONG STRAINS OF SKELETONEMA MARINOI (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE)(1).

The cosmopolitan bloom-forming diatom Skeletonema marinoi Sarno et Zingone is known to produce toxic polyunsaturated aldehydes (PUAs) in response to cell damage that can affect a diverse suite of organisms, including grazing species and competitor plankton species. The production of PUAs in nine different S. marinoi strains isolated at three different times of the year (spring, summer, and autumn) was assessed in relation to the predominant conditions at the time of isolation from Gullmar Fjord, Skagerrak.

Colonization and deterioration of soft denture lining materials in vivo.

Colonization of denture lining materials by microorganisms including Candida albicans can result in deterioration of the material, as observed by a previous in vitro study by the authors. The current in vivo study monitored the microbial colonisation and penetration of five types of denture liners and their topography over six months. There was no significant difference in the microbial colonisation on the denture liners and no penetration observed, indicating a slower rate of deterioration of materials in vivo.

Toxicity of algal-derived aldehydes to two invertebrate species: do heavy metal pollutants have a synergistic effect?

The recent discovery of the production of anti-proliferative aldehydes in a variety of microalgal species has lead to considerable investigation into the effects of these toxins on aquatic invertebrates. Studies have, however, rarely considered the impact pollutants may have on grazer responses to algal toxins. In this study, the acute toxicities of five aldehydes to the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis and nauplii of the brine shrimp Artemia salina are examined using immersion assays.

Microbiological hazard analysis in dental technology laboratories.

Dental technicians are trained in a range of skills involved in the fabrication of prostheses used in the mouth and facial region. Items entering the dental laboratory are essentially inert materials which have been in contact with the patient's mouth, saliva, and possibly blood. Appliances leaving the laboratory are then returned to the clinician to be tried/inserted in the patient's mouth.

Colonization and penetration of denture soft lining materials by Candida albicans.

Objectives: Colonization of denture soft lining materials by Candida albicans can result in clinical problems, and deterioration of the material. This study aimed to monitor this interaction by comparing the short-term adhesion of C. albicans to six denture lining materials and to monitor any longer term penetration of material by the yeast.

Disinfection procedures: their effect on the dimensional accuracy and surface quality of irreversible hydrocolloid impression materials and gypsum casts.

Objectives: This study primarily investigated the effect of disinfection procedures (Perform and sodium hypochlorite) on the dimensional accuracy and surface quality of four irreversible hydrocolloid impression materials and the resultant gypsum casts. The antibacterial efficacy of the procedures was also studied.

Methods: Dimensional accuracy was determined from the mean percentage deviation of six measurements taken from casts made from disinfected impressions compared with corresponding measurements from the master model and controls.