Post-Retained Single Crowns versus Fixed Dental Prostheses: A 7-Year Prospective Clinical Study

Biomechanical integrity of endodontically treated teeth (ETT) is often compromised. Degree of hard tissue loss and type of final prosthetic restoration should be carefully considered when making a treatment plan. The objective of this prospective clinical trial was to assess the influence of the type of prosthetic restoration as well as the degree of hard tissue loss on 7-y clinical performance of ETT restored with fiber posts. Two groups (n = 60) were defined depending on the type of prosthetic restoration needed: 1) single unit porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crowns (SCs) and 2) 3- to 4-unit PFM fixed dental prostheses (FDPs), with 1 healthy and 1 endodontically treated and fiber post-restored abutment. Within each group, samples were divided into 2 subgroups (n = 30) according to the amount of residual coronal tissues after abutment buildup and final preparation: A) >50% of coronal residual structure or B) equal to or <50% of coronal residual structure. The clinical outcome was assessed based on clinical and intraoral radiographic examinations at the recalls after 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 84 mo. Data were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier log-rank test and Cox regression analysis (P < 0.05). The overall 7-y survival rate of ETT restored with fiber post and either SCs or FDPs was 69.2%. The highest 84-mo survival rate was recorded in group 1A (90%), whereas teeth in group 2B exhibited the lowest performance (56.7% survival rate). The log-rank test detected statistically significant differences in survival rates among the groups (P = 0.048). Cox regression analysis revealed that the amount of residual coronal structure (P = 0.041; hazard ratio [HR], 2.026; 95% confidence interval [CI] for HR, 1.031–3.982) and the interaction between the type of prosthetic restoration and the amount of residual coronal structure (P = 0.024; HR, 1.372; 95% CI for HR, 1.042–1.806) were statistically significant factors for survival (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01532947)

N-Terminal Arginines Modulate Plasma-Membrane Localization of Kv7.1/KCNE1 Channel Complexes

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The slow delayed rectifier current (I(Ks)) is important for cardiac action potential termination. The underlying channel is composed of Kv7.1 α-subunits and KCNE1 β-subunits. While most evidence suggests a role of KCNE1 transmembrane domain and C-terminus for the interaction, the N-terminal KCNE1 polymorphism 38G is associated with reduced I(Ks) and atrial fibrillation (a human arrhythmia). Structure-function relationship of the KCNE1 N-terminus for I(Ks) modulation is poorly understood and was subject of this study. METHODS: We studied N-terminal KCNE1 constructs disrupting structurally important positively charged amino-acids (arginines) at positions 32, 33, 36 as well as KCNE1 constructs that modify position 38 including an N-terminal truncation mutation. Experimental procedures included molecular cloning, patch-clamp recording, protein biochemistry, real-time-PCR and confocal microscopy. RESULTS: All KCNE1 constructs physically interacted with Kv7.1. I(Ks) resulting from co-expression of Kv7.1 with non-atrial fibrillation '38S' was greater than with any other construct. Ionic currents resulting from co-transfection of a KCNE1 mutant with arginine substitutions ('38G-3xA') were comparable to currents evoked from cells transfected with an N-terminally truncated KCNE1-construct ('Δ1-38'). Western-blots from plasma-membrane preparations and confocal images consistently showed a greater amount of Kv7.1 protein at the plasma-membrane in cells co-transfected with the non-atrial fibrillation KCNE1-38S than with any other construct. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study indicate that N-terminal arginines in positions 32, 33, 36 of KCNE1 are important for reconstitution of I(Ks). Furthermore, our results hint towards a role of these N-terminal amino-acids in membrane representation of the delayed rectifier channel complex

Acceptance of technology-enhanced learning for a theoretical radiological science course: a randomized controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Technology-enhanced learning (TEL) gives a view to improved education. However, there is a need to clarify how TEL can be used effectively. The study compared students' attitudes and opinions towards a traditional face-to-face course on theoretical radiological science and a TEL course where students could combine face-to-face lectures and e-learning modules at their best convenience.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>42 third-year dental students were randomly assigned to the traditional face-to-face group and the TEL group. Both groups completed questionnaires before the beginning and after completion of the course on attitudes and opinions towards a traditional face-to-face lectures and technology-enhanced learning. After completion of the course both groups also filled in the validated German-language TRIL (Trierer Inventar zur Lehrevaluation) questionnaire for the evaluation of courses given at universities.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Both groups had a positive attitude towards e-learning that did not change over time. The TEL group attended significantly less face-to-face lectures than the traditional group. However, both groups stated that face-to-face lectures were the basis for education in a theoretical radiological science course.</p> <p>The members of the TEL group rated e-mail reminders significantly more important when they filled in the questionnaire on attitudes and opinions towards a traditional face-to-face lectures and technology-enhanced learning for the second time after completion of the course.</p> <p>The members of the technology-enhanced learning group were significantly less confident in passing the exam compared to the members of the traditional group. However, examination results did not differ significantly for traditional and the TEL group.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>It seems that technology-enhanced learning in a theoretical radiological science course has the potential to reduce the need for face-to-face lectures. At the same time examination results are not impaired. However, technology-enhanced learning cannot completely replace traditional face-to-face lectures, because students indicate that they consider traditional teaching as the basis of their education.</p

Estimation de la qualite bacteriologique du lait cru par microrespirometrie

National audienc

Tri-layer soft UV imprint lithography and fabrication of high density pillars

International audienc

Fabrication and surface functionalization of high aspect ratio plastic nanostructures

International audienc

Sprayed Tl-1223 films: formation kinetics and superconducting properties

International audienceTlBa/sub 2/Ca/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 9/ superconducting films, 0.5 to 1 /spl mu/m in thickness, have been prepared in a two step process. Using a nitrate solution, a precursor layer with composition Ba/sub 2/Ca/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub x/ is first sprayed on a LaAlO/sub 3/ heated substrate and then thallinated, following a procedure established for bulk samples. The critical temperature of the films ranges from 108 to 113 K, and the critical current density of the best samples reaches 0.7 MA/cm/sup 2/. The reaction kinetics for the formation of the Tl-1223 phase between 880 /spl deg/C and 910 /spl deg/C has been studied for a better control of the grain growth and texture. The effect of fluorine addition on both the microstructure and superconducting properties have been also analyzed