BhSGAMP-1, a Gene That Encodes an Antimicrobial Peptide, Is Developmentally Regulated by the Direct Action of 20-OH Ecdysone in the Salivary Gland of Bradysia hygida (Diptera, Sciaridae)

Recently we have shown that BhSGAMP-1 is a developmentally regulated reiterated gene that encodes an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) and is expressed exclusively in the salivary glands, at the end of the larval stage. We show, for the first time, that a gene for an AMP is directly activated by 20-OH ecdysone. This control probably involves the participation of short-lived repressor(s). We also found that the promoter of BhSGAMP-1 is not equipped with elements that respond to infection, provoked by the injection of microorganisms, in the salivary glands or in the fat body. We produced polyclonal antibodies against the synthetic peptide and found that the BhSGAMP-1 peptide is secreted in the saliva. The BhSGAMP-1 gene was also activated during the third larval molt. These facts confirm our hypothesis that this preventive system of defense was selected to produce an environment free of harmful microorganisms in the insect`s immediate vicinity, during molts. genesis 47:847-857, 2009. (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

DETERMINATION OF ENERGY VALUE OF HAMBURGERS AND MEATBALLS BY DIRECT CALORIMETRY AND FOOD ANALYSIS COMPOSITION. COMPARISON WITH NUTRITION INFORMATION DISPLAYED ON PACKAGES

The nutritional composition found in the laboratory and those present on labels of manufactured foods can differ significantly. The purpose of this study was to determine the nutritional composition of hamburgers and meatballs and compare them with your labels. The food analysis was performed following the Analytical Standards Institute`s Adolfo Lutz and energy content was determined by bomb calorimetry. Regarding the energy value, all the samples had values less than informed on the label. The content of lipids of hamburgers and meatballs ( except the beef) were lower than those reported on the label. The values of protein for the meatballs and chicken hamburger had lower values than those labels. Thus, the labels may overestimate as underestimate some nutritional values, leading to population erroneous information.

Accuracy of working length determination using 3 electronic apex locators and direct digital radiography

Objectives. The objectives of this study were to assess the accuracy of working length determination using 3 electronic apex locators and direct digital radiography and to compare the results with those obtained using the visual method (control measurement). Study design. Twenty extracted human maxillary premolars were selected: 17 two-rooted and 3 single-rooted (total of 37 canals). Working length was measured using electronic apex locators Elements Diagnostic, Root ZX, and Just II. Subsequently, teeth were positioned in the alveolar bone of a dry skull and submitted to direct digital radiography. A variation of +/- 1 mm was considered as acceptable. Results were analyzed using the Wilcoxon and the chi(2) tests. Results. Results presented an accuracy of 94.6% for Elements Diagnostic, 91.9% for Root ZX, 73.0% for Just II, and 64.9% for direct digital radiography when considering the margin of +/- 1 mm in relation to the control measurement. Comparisons with the actual control measurements resulted in accuracy results of 13.51%, 13.51%, 10.10%, and 2.70%, respectively. Conclusions. Root ZX and Elements Diagnostic are more accurate in determining working length when compared with Just II and Schick direct digital radiography. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2011;111:e44-e49)

Morphological assessment of dentine and cementum following apicectomy with Zekrya burs and Er:YAG laser associated with direct and indirect Nd:YAG laser irradiation

Objectives. This study aimed to assess the apical surface morphology of maxillary central incisors resected 3.0 mm from the tooth apex using Zekrya burs or Er:YAG laser, with or without subsequent direct Nd:YAG laser irradiation (apical and buccal surfaces) and indirect irradiation (palatal surface). Study design. Forty maxillary central incisors were instrumented and obturated. The roots were divided into 4 groups according to the root resection method (Zekrya bur or Er: YAG laser -1.8 W, 450 mJ, 4 Hz, 113 J/cm(2)) and further surface treatment (none or Nd: YAG laser -2.0 W, 100 mJ, 20 Hz, 124 J/cm(2)). The teeth were prepared for SEM analysis. Scores ranging from 1 to 4 were attributed to cut quality and morphological changes. The data were analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis test and by Dunn`s test. Results. SEM images showed irregular surfaces on the apical portions resected with Zekrya burs, with smear layer and grooves in the resected dentine and slight gutta-percha displacement and plasticization. On the other hand, apicectomies carried out with Er: YAG laser showed morphological changes compatible with ablated dentine, with rough surfaces and craters. In spite of the presence of plasticized gutta-percha, with the presence of bubbles, an irregular adaptation of the filling material to the root walls was also observed. Direct Nd: YAG laser irradiation of the apical and buccal surfaces of the resected roots resulted in areas of resolidification and fusion in the dentine and cementum, with a vitrified aspect; indirect Nd: YAG laser irradiation of the palatal surfaces yielded a lower number of changes in the cementum, with irregular resolidification areas. Conclusions. There were no differences in terms of cut quality between the use of burs and Er: YAG laser or between the 2 surfaces (apical and buccal) treated with Nd: YAG laser with direct irradiation. However, morphological changes were significantly less frequent on surfaces submitted to indirect irradiation (palatal) when compared with those directly irradiated. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2010; 109: e77-e82)

Accuracy of direct digital radiography for detecting occlusal caries in primary teeth compared with conventional radiography and visual inspection: an in vitro study

Objectives: The diagnosis of caries lesions is still a matter of concern in dentistry. The diagnosis of dental caries by digital radiography has a number of advantages over conventional radiography; however, this method has not been explored fully in the field of paediatric dentistry. This in vitro research evaluated the accuracy of direct digital radiography compared with visual inspection and conventional radiography in the diagnosis of occlusal caries lesions in primary molars. Methods: 50 molars were selected and evaluated under standardized conditions by 2 previously calibrated examiners according to 3 diagnostic methods (visual inspection, conventional radiography and direct digital radiography). Direct digital radiographs were obtained with the Dixi3 system (Planmeca, Helsinki, Finland) and the conventional radiographs with InSight film (Kodak Eastman Co., Rochester, NY). The images were scored and a reference standard was obtained histologically. The interexaminer reliability was calculated using Cohen`s kappa test and the specificity, sensitivity and accuracy of the methods were calculated. Results: Examiner reliability was good. For lesions limited to the enamel, visual inspection showed significantly higher sensitivity and accuracy than both radiographic methods, but no significant difference was found in specificity. For teeth with dentinal caries, no significant differences were found for any parameter when comparing visual and radiographic evaluation. Conclusions: Although less accurate than the visual method for detecting caries lesions confined to the enamel, the direct digital radiographic method is as effective as conventional radiographic examination and visual inspection of primary teeth with occlusal caries when the dentine is involved. Dentomaxillofacial Radiology (2010) 39, 362-367. doi: 10.1259/dmfr/22865872

Direct comparison of the bond strength results of the different test methods: A critical literature review

Objective. The goal of this paper is to undertake a literature search collecting all dentin bond strength data obtained for six adhesives with four tests ( shear, microshear, tensile and microtensile) and to critically analyze the results with respect to average bond strength, coefficient of variation, mode of failure and product ranking. Method. A PubMed search was carried out for the years between 1998 and 2009 identifying publications on bond strength measurements of resin composite to dentin using four tests: shear, tensile, microshear and microtensile. The six adhesive resins were selected covering three step systems ( OptiBond FL, Scotch Bond Multi-Purpose Plus), two-step (Prime & Bond NT, Single Bond, Clear. l SE Bond) and one step (Adper Prompt L Pop). Results. Pooling results from 147 references showed an ongoing high scatter in the bond strength data regardless which adhesive and which bond test was used. Coefficients of variation remained high (20-50%) even with the microbond test. The reported modes of failure for all tests still included high number of cohesive failures. The ranking seemed to be dependant on the test used. Significance. The scatter in dentin bond strength data remains regardless which test is used confirming Finite Element Analysis predicting non-uniform stress distributions due to a number of geometrical, loading, material properties and specimens preparation variables. This reopens the question whether, an interfacial fracture mechanics approach to analyze the dentin - adhesive bond is not more appropriate for obtaining better agreement among dentin bond related papers. (C) 2009 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Public attitudes to the use of wildlife by Aboriginal Australians: Marketing of wildlife and its conservation

Indigenous Australians have socioeconomic attributes similar to those of residents in some developing countries. Their utilisation of wildlife could add to their economic opportunities. Attitudes of a sample of the Australian public towards the subsistence use of wildlife by Indigenous Australians and whether or not they should be allowed to sell wildlife and wildlife products are examined. Allowing such possibilities could provide economic incentives for nature conservation among local people. We explore whether those sampled believe that Indigenous Australians should do more than other groups and institutions to conserve Australia's tropical species, and whether or not they should be allowed to take common as well as endangered wildlife species for food. Attitudes of the sampled public towards Indigenous Australians earning income from trophy hunting and from the harvesting of northern long-necked turtles for the pet trade are canvassed. The possible conservation consequences of sale of wildlife by Indigenous Australians are discussed.