Benefit of the power component of sonic and rotation-oscillation modes of action for plaque removal using power toothbrushes.

Purpose: To assess the benefit of the power component of two power toothbrushes, with sonic and rotation-oscillation mechanisms, on plaque removal efficacy.

Methods: Two independent studies with identical designs were used to assess the benefit of the power component of two power toothbrushes, with sonic and rotation-oscillation mechanisms, on plaque removal efficacy. Each brush was tested with the power 'On' relative to a control of the same brush with the power 'Off' used like a manual toothbrush.

Mechanical induction of PGE2 in osteocytes blocks glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis through both the β-catenin and PKA pathways.

Glucocorticoids are known to induce osteocyte apoptosis, whereas mechanical loading has been shown to sustain osteocyte viability. Here we show that mechanical loading in the form of fluid-flow shear stress blocks dexamethasone-induced apoptosis of osteocyte-like cells (MLO-Y4). Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2) ), a rapidly induced signaling molecule produced by osteocytes, was shown to be protective against dexamethasone-induced apoptosis, whereas indomethacin reversed the antiapoptotic effects of shear stress.

Beneficial effect of cinacalcet in a child with familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia.

We describe a child with familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH) in whom the hypercalcemia seemed to interfere with tissue healing after tympanoplasty. Consequently, he was placed on cinacalcet (30 mg/day), changed after 2 weeks to 60 mg/day. The treatment resulted in a decrease in serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) from 148 to 32 pg/mL (normal 7-75) and ionized calcium from 1.

Healthcare worker knowledge and attitudes regarding influenza immunization and childhood vaccination.

We surveyed healthcare workers (HCWs) about influenza vaccination and routine childhood vaccinations. We found that most HCWs' children received vaccinations, despite concerns regarding safety and efficacy. HCWs who received influenza vaccine were more likely to immunize their children against influenza, although a substantial proportion of HCWs' children did not receive influenza vaccination.

Comparison of rotation/oscillation and sonic power toothbrushes on plaque and gingivitis for 10 weeks.

Purpose: Although power toothbrushes provide valuable tools toward improving oral health, contrasting results are discerned in their efficiency. This 10-week study was conducted to compare the safety and efficacy of rotation/oscillation and sonic power toothbrushes in the reduction of plaque and gingivitis.

Methods: This two-treatment, parallel group, examiner-blind, randomized study had the subjects brush twice daily at home with their assigned rotation/oscillation or sonic toothbrush following manufacturer's instructions with center visits at baseline, and at 4 and 10 weeks following the baseline visit, for assessment of oral safety (all visits), plaque (baseline, Weeks 4 and 10), and gingivitis (baseline and Week 10).

Cisplatin pharmacokinetics in a child receiving peritoneal dialysis.

Cisplatin is a highly effective and frequently used drug in the chemotherapy of solid tumors in children, but there is currently no information to guide dosing in children requiring dialysis. Here, we present the case of a 2-year-old boy with end-stage renal disease managed with peritoneal dialysis and requiring cisplatin for a newly diagnosed hepatoblastoma. A pharmacokinetic study was performed to personalize the cisplatin dose with the goal of providing adequate cisplatin exposure and avoiding excessive exposure and toxicity.

Health care worker knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding mandatory influenza vaccination.

Objective: To determine the attitudes, beliefs, and knowledge of children's hospital health care workers toward mandatory influenza vaccination.

Design: Self-administered, Web-based questionnaire.

Setting: A large, tertiary children's hospital.

Attributes of successful and unsuccessful female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery fellowship applicants.

Objective: : To evaluate qualifications of successful applicants to Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS) fellowship programs.

Methods: : A 55-point web-based survey was sent to 49 applicants participating in the 2008 FPMRS Match.

Results: : The survey achieved a 59% response rate, with a total of 29 respondents.

Innate immunity as a key element in host defense against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a frequent reason for healthcare visits. Both pathogen and host differences likely are factors in determining the frequency of recurrent MRSA infections in otherwise normal hosts. Among such host factors are altered innate immune responses in skin and soft tissues.

Is the diagnosis of physical abuse changed when Child Protective Services consults a Child Abuse Pediatrics subspecialty group as a second opinion?

Objectives: To characterize the changes regarding the diagnosis of physical abuse provided to Child Protective Services (CPS) when CPS asks a Child Abuse Pediatrics (CAP) specialty group for a second opinion and works in concert with that CAP group.

Methods: Subjects were reported to CPS for suspected physical abuse and were first evaluated by a physician without specialized training in Child Abuse Pediatrics (non-CAP physician). Subjects were then referred to the area's only Child Abuse Pediatrics (CAP physician) group, located in a large metropolitan pediatrics center in the United States, for further evaluation.

An exploratory retrospective evaluation of ropinirole-associated psychotic symptoms in an outpatient population treated for restless legs syndrome or Parkinson's disease.

Background: Traditional treatment approaches for the management of restless legs syndrome (RLS) and Parkinson's disease (PD) include the use of medications that either directly or indirectly increase dopamine levels. In turn, a potential adverse event that could be expected is the development or exacerbation of psychiatric-related symptoms.

Objective: To evaluate and describe the incidence of psychosis and associated behavioral features in patients taking ropinirole for RLS or PD.

In vivo evaluation of vaginal films for mucosal delivery of nitric oxide.

Nitric oxide (NO)-releasing vaginal films were developed and evaluated as a potential advanced treatment option for female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD). The polymeric films containing s-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), an endogenous NO donor, were prepared using the reduced-pressure drying method. The surface morphology, thermal/mechanical properties, stability, loading efficiency and physicodynamic properties were characterized and the pharmacological activities were evaluated through in vitro and in vivo studies.

Expression of multidrug resistance associated protein 5 (MRP5) on cornea and its role in drug efflux.

Purpose: The purpose of this manuscript is to investigate the presence of nucleoside/nucleotide efflux transporter in cornea and to evaluate the role in ocular drug efflux.

Methods: RT-PCR, immunoprecipitation followed by Western blot analysis and immunostaining were employed to establish molecular presence of multidrug resistance associated protein 5 (MRP5) on cornea. Corneal efflux by MRP5 was studied with bis(POM)-PMEA and acyclovir using rabbit and human corneal epithelial cells along with MRP5 over expressing cells (MDCKII-MRP5).

Urine calcium/citrate ratio in children with hypercalciuric stones.

Hypercalciuria is a common cause for stone formation in children. The aim was to delineate the role of urinary citrate in hypercalciuric children for protection against calcium stone formation. We evaluated random urine calcium, citrate, and creatinine in 149 controls, 78 hypercalciuric nonstone formers, and 34 hypercalciuric children with stone.

An evaluation of knot integrity when tied robotically and conventionally.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knot integrity of 3 commonly used sutures in sacrocolpopexy that were tied conventionally (by hand) and robotically.

Study Design: Knots were tied with polyglactin 910, polypropylene, and polyester, with 5-6 knots tied, depending on the suture used. We compared the knots that were subjected to tensile force until the suture broke or untied.

Staphylococcal complement inhibitors: biological functions, recognition of complement components, and potential therapeutic implications.

It has been known for quite some time that many pathogenic microorganisms are capable of specifically attenuating or bypassing complement-mediated immune responses. Over the last several years, our understanding of the complement evasion mechanisms utilized by pathogens has increased precipitously through the study of the virulent bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. The combination of structural and functional characterization of S.

Evolving applications for patient-centered health status measures.

Patient-centered health status measures-assessments of patients' symptoms, function, and quality of life-have matured substantially over the past 2 decades. Currently, valid, reliable, and sensitive disease-specific measures are available for quantifying the health status of patients with cardiovascular disease. This article briefly reviews the concept of health status measures, with a focus on their interpretation.

Time lapse imaging techniques for comparison of mineralization dynamics in primary murine osteoblasts and the late osteoblast/early osteocyte-like cell line MLO-A5.

Mineralization of bone matrix and osteocyte differentiation occur simultaneously and appear interrelated both spatially and temporally. Although these are dynamic events, their study has been limited to using static imaging approaches, either alone or in combination with chemical and biochemical analysis and/or genetic manipulation. Here we describe the application of live cell imaging techniques to study mineralization dynamics in primary osteoblast cultures compared to a late osteoblast/early osteocyte-like cell line, MLO-A5.

Studies of the DMP1 57-kDa functional domain both in vivo and in vitro.

Dmp1-null mice and patients with mutations in dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) resulting in autosomal recessive hypophosphatemic rickets display similar skeletal defects. As mutations were observed in the last 18 amino acids of DMP1 in 1 subset of patients and as fragments of intact DMP1, a 37-kDa N-terminal and a 57-kDa C-terminal fragment, have been purified from bone and dentin, we hypothesized that the cleaved 57-kDa C-terminal fragment is the essential functional domain of DMP1. To test this hypothesis, different forms of recombinant DMP1 were expressed in 293EBNA, CHO and 2T3 cells.

Potential role of proprotein convertase SKI-1 in the mineralization of primary bone.

The biochemical mechanism controlling nucleation of mineral crystals in developing bone, along with the growth and propagation of these crystals once formed, remains poorly understood. To define the nucleation mechanism, a proteomics analysis was begun on isolated biomineralization foci (BMF), sites of initial crystal nucleation in osteoblastic cell cultures and in primary bone. Comparative analyses of the protein profile for mineralized BMF with that for total osteoblast cultures revealed the latter were enriched in several proteins including BAG-75 and BSP, as well as fragments of each.

Impact of standardization of creatinine methodology on the assessment of glomerular filtration rate in children.

There is a global effort to standardize clinical laboratory serum creatinine measurements to the reference method of isotope-dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS). Creatinine values in serum and urine are frequently used in children to calculate creatinine clearance (mCrCl) or estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by Schwartz's equation (eGFR). The original normative data of mCrCl and eGFR were developed using Jaffe method.

Implant surface modification using laser guided coatings: in vitro comparison of mechanical properties.

Purpose: Plasma-sprayed hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated implants show failures along the coating-substrate interface due to poor bond strength. We analyzed HA coatings obtained by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) and compared them to commercially used plasma-sprayed coatings with respect to their bond strength to titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V), as well as surface roughness alterations produced by each of the two deposition methods.

Materials And Methods: Twelve titanium alloy disks were plasma-sprayed under commercial implant coating conditions, and 24 titanium alloy disks were coated using PLD.