State of the art etch-and-rinse adhesives

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the therapeutic opportunities of each step of 3-step etch-and-rinse adhesives. Methods: Etch-and-rinse adhesive systems are the oldest of the multi-generation evolution of resin bonding systems. In the 3-step version, they involve acid-etching, priming and application of a separate adhesive. Each step can accomplish multiple goals. Acid-etching, using 32-37% phosphoric acid (pH 0.1-0.4) not only simultaneously etches enamel and dentin, but the low pH kills many residual bacteria. Results: Some etchants include anti-microbial compounds such as benzalkonium chloride that also inhibits matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in dentin. Primers are usually water and HEMA-rich solutions that ensure complete expansion of the collagen fibril meshwork and wet the collagen with hydrophilic monomers. However, water alone can re-expand dried dentin and can also serve as a vehicle for protease inhibitors or protein cross-linking agents that may increase the durability of resin-dentin bonds. In the future, ethanol or other water-free solvents may serve as dehydrating primers that may also contain antibacterial quaternary ammonium methacrylates to inhibit dentin MMPs and increase the durability of resin-dentin bonds. The complete evaporation of solvents is nearly impossible. Significance: Manufacturers may need to optimize solvent concentrations. Solvent-free adhesives can seal resin-dentin interfaces with hydrophobic resins that may also contain fluoride and antimicrobial compounds. Etch-and-rinse adhesives produce higher resin-dentin bonds that are more durable than most 1 and 2-step adhesives. Incorporation of protease inhibitors in etchants and/or cross-linking agents in primers may increase the durability of resin-dentin bonds. The therapeutic potential of etch-and-rinse adhesives has yet to be fully exploited. (C) 2010 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Influence of occlusal access on demineralized dentin removal in the Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) approach

Purpose: To verify the influence of cavity access diameter on demineralized dentin removal in the ART approach. Methods: 40 non-carious human premolars were randomly divided into four groups. The occlusal surface was ground flat and the teeth were sectioned mesio-distally. The hemi-sections were reassembled and occlusal access preparations were carried out using ball-shaped diamonds. The resulting size of the occlusal opening was 1.0 mm, 1.4 mm, 1.6 mm and 1.8 mm for Groups A, B, C, and D, respectively. Standardized artificial carious lesions were created and demineralized dentin was excavated. After excavation, the cavities were analyzed using: (a) the tactile method, (b) caries-detection dye to stain demineralized dentin, as proposed by Smales & Fang, and (c) Demineralized Tissue Removal index, as proposed in this study. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher, Spearman correlation coefficient, kappa, Kruskal-Wallis and Miller tests (P < 0.05). Results: The three methods of evaluation showed no significant difference between Groups A vs. B, and C vs. D, while statistically significant differences were observed between Groups A vs. C, A vs. D, B vs. C and B vs. D. Based on the results of this study, the size of occlusal access significantly affected the efficacy of demineralized tissue removal.

Treatment of lupus nephritis: art or science? [Editorial]

No Abstract

In situ hybridization to mRNA: from black art to guiding light

In situ hybridization to mRNA in embryo sections or wholemount embryos is one of the most powerful analytical tools available to the molecular developmental biologist. For many workers, this procedure provides the first insights into the function of newly isolated genes, allowing the formulation of hypotheses and setting the course for further research. This paper presents a personal historical perspective of the development of in situ hybridization, looks at the theory and practice of the technique, summarizes the current state of the art, and speculates on possible directions for the future as a tool in functional genomics.

Whither our Art? Clinical Wisdom & Evidence-based Medicine

The relationship between evidence-based medicine (EBM) and clinical judgement is the subject of conceptual and practical dispute. For example, EBM and clinical guidelines are seen to increasingly dominate medical decision-making at the expense of other, human elements, and to threaten the art of medicine. Clinical wisdom always remains open to question. We want to know why particular beliefs are held, and the epistemological status of claims based in wisdom or experience. The paper critically appraises a number of claims and distinctions, and attempts to clarify the connections between EBM, clinical experience and judgement, and the objective and evaluative categories of medicine. I conclude that to demystify clinical wisdom is not to devalue it. EBM ought not be conceived as needing to be limited or balanced by clinical wisdom, since if its language is translatable into terms comprehensible and applicable to individuals, it helps constitute clinical wisdom. Failure to appreciate this constitutive relation will help perpetuate medical paternalism and delay the adoption of properly evidence-based practice, which would be both unethical and unwise.

Resolu????o simplificadora de formalidades e procedimentos relativos aos atos de que trata o art. 54 da Lei n?? 8.884 de 11 de junho 1994

O controle de ag??ncias de defesa da concorr??ncia sobre a estrutura dos mercados constitui pr??tica comum em pa??ses maduros e vem ganhando import??ncia crescente em economias emergentes. Tal atividade envolve exame de atos de concentra????o econ??mica tais como fus??es, aquisi????es, joint ventures ou incorpora????es. No Brasil este tipo de controle ?? recente, tendo sido institu??do pela Lei n?? 8.884, de junho de 1994. Desde ent??o, o Conselho Administrativo de Defesa da Concorr??ncia - CADE julgou 29 (vinte e nove) atos de concentra????o, em contraste com a experi??ncia secular de pa??ses como EUA, Canad?? e Austr??lia e de v??rias d??cadas nas na????es europ??ias depois da Segunda Guerra. A exemplo de v??rias outras ??reas de pol??tica p??blica, tornou-se imperativo agilizar os ??rg??os de defesa da concorr??ncia. Isto decorre, entre outros fatores, do intenso processo de reestrutura????o produtiva em curso no pa??s associados ?? desestatiza????o e abertura da economia. Diante das circunst??ncias descritas, ?? preciso assegurar agilidade, transpar??ncia, excel??ncia t??cnica no processo decis??rio e estabilidade de regras, todos ingredientes indispens??veis para gerar seguran??a jur??dica. Esta ??ltima, por seu turno, diminui o risco do investimento, estimulando invers??es, produ????o e emprego. Nesse sentido, o CADE promoveu mudan??as importantes no procedimento de an??lise de atos de concentra????o em colabora????o com a Secretaria de Direito Econ??mico do Minist??rio da Justi??a (SDE) e a Secretaria de Acompanhamento Econ??mico do Minist??rio da Fazenda (SEAE) mediante a edi????o da Resolu????o 5, de 28 de agosto de 1996

Resolu????o n?? 6, de 21 de junho de 2012: estabelece no ??mbito da Escola Nacional de Administra????o P??blica - ENAP, os crit??rios e procedimentos espec??ficos de avalia????o de desempenho individual e institucional e de atribui????o da Gratifica????o de Desempenho do Plano Geral de Cargos do Poder Executivo - GDPGPE, conforme determina o art. 7?? do Decreto n?? 7.133, de 19 de mar??o de 2010

A Resolu????o n?? 6, de 21 de junho de 2012 estabelece os crit??rios e procedimentos espec??ficos de avalia????o de desempenho individual e institucional e de atribui????o da Gratifica????o de Desempenho do Plano Geral de Cargos do Poder Executivo (GDPGPE).

Mapping Culture and Compromised Art in the Era of Globalization

This work presents an analysis of the cultural and artistic field, positively compromised with social and political questions. The authors start with the categorization of the idea of culture and move to vindication art movements. These movements, which followed the first vanguards and worked from the compromise with “otherness”, are at the origin of the contemporary denomination of political art. In this context, the authors approach the origins of activist art, referring to issues of gender, multiculturalism, globalization, and poverty. The different forms of presenting content are also an object of analysis: from art tradition to the contamination of daily life, from local to global, from street contact to digital.