THE IMPACT OF MATERNAL INFLUENCES ON EARLY CHILDHOOD DENTAL CARIES

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the maternal influences on the development of infant oral biofilm and early childhood dental caries. Methods: The study utilized a cross-sectional design to evaluate factors influencing biofilm colonization and the identification of bacterial strains present in mother and child by utilizing oral health literacy surveys, clinical examinations, and plaque samples. Participants were enrolled in the Children’s Health Involving Parents of Greater Richmond (CHIP). Plaque samples and dental disease levels were collected from mother and children ages six months to thirty-six months. Oral Health Literacy was compared to both mother and child’s dental disease levels. Results: Sixty-two CHIP families were involved in the pilot study yielding caries in 88% of mothers and 26% of children. The DMFTs for adults was 32.60 and the dmft for children was 7.69

Evolution of Religious Belief and Naturalism: Agency, Character and Adaptation in Christian Belief

In this project, I defend Alvin Plantinga’s evolutionary argument against naturalism from Blake Roeber’s use of the inscrutability argument. I argue that Roeber’s criticism does not account for all species of religious practice. The primary subject is in reference to a criticism against religious beliefs which says that religious belief is little more than successful social or evolutionary adaptation in believing agents, here after referred to as the Genetic Criticism of Religion. I argue that a successful reply to his criticism shows that there are actually two modes of religious belief, which can be distinguished at least in part, by the motivation of the believing agent. Each mode has distinct implications for the reliability of human faculties. One way in which we might understand this distinction is through an account of motivation proper to the proper function of the believing agent. I conclude by arguing that Roeber’s inscrutability argument is only successful with respect to one mode but not the other.Philosoph

The effect of MAP on the growth and survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Staphylococcus aureus in chilled minced beef

With modern culture moving towards convenience in terms of fresh produce, especially with meat products, science needs to constantly evolve to serve these customer needs. These needs however can sometimes be implemented too hastily without the proper assessment done for factors such as food safety. One such improvement is the use of modified atmosphere packaged minced meat. This form allows the minced meat to be kept for much longer than normal without freezing the product, providing the fast pasted consumer both the convenience of having fresh, unfrozen meat as well as an added shelf life. MAP works by disrupting the atmosphere within these packages, retarding the growth of the spoilage micro-organisms, thus causing them to require a longer time span to reach spoilage numbers. The problem however arises that although most of these techniques are tried and trusted on the products’ spoilage organisms, it does not take into consideration the effect MAP and the altered spoilage organism communities would have on a pathogen that might be present on the products. This study thus aimed to assess the effect of both factors on Escherichia coli O157:H7 (phase 1) and Staphylococcus aureus (phase 2) in minced meat kept at 5°C as well as trying to identify the major affecting factors. The two subject organisms were each inoculated into 2 different types of MAP packs and a non-atmosphere modified PVC overlaid minced meat sample at two differing concentrations of 105 and 102 to also assess the impact of high andlow initial pathogen presence. These packs were then analysed over a time period of 16 days to track the changing minced meat environment. APC, Pseudomonads, LAB and Enterobacteriaceae counts were all investigated along with the pathogenic counts. Apart from colony enumeration, the colour of the minced meat samples were also taken to determine the effect that these parameters have on the appearance of the product, as colour is often the first sensorial characteristic that determines the purchase of fresh meat products. pH was determined to ascertain the environmental changes occurring in the product and whether groups such as the LAB would change the environment to better suit their needs. Finally the atmospheric makeup was also measured to determine the effect of the MAP system and the change occurring in a closed system that could be attributed to the growth and respiration of the bacterial communities present. Apart from the main aim of the study, two additional studies were performed that arose during the planning and analyses of the two primary phases. Firstly the use of a quarter versus a full plate enumeration was studied to determine its accuracy as well as possibility of use in full studies to aid enumeration and decrease time and financial input. Here a direct comparison was done between the two techniques after which they were compared and assessed in their functionality for both homogenous and heterogeneous community enumeration on selective and non-selective media. The other secondary study focussed on the use of new technology for both the enumeration and tracking of genetically modified organisms in a variety of different environments. Here a bioluminescent imaging system was used on a genetically modified strain of E. coli to track its spread through minced meat, packaged either in a MAP or PVC overlaid pack, over 48 hours in an accelerated shelf life study. Enumeration of said organism was also undertaken whereby the intensity of emitted light would correspond to a defined count, enabling rapid enumeration of samples, whether overgrown or not. CopyrightDissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2012.Food Scienceunrestricte

Avoiding Psychological (Re)Traumatisation in Dentistry when working with Patients who are Adult Survivors of Child Sex Abuse

Introduction Seven percent of the adult population in the UK, including one in six women, report unwanted sexual experiences before the age of 16. The impacts of psychological trauma following child sexual abuse (CSA) creates difficulties for many survivors in accessing dental care due to fears of reminders of abuse, the power imbalance with the dentist and triggered traumatic responses. Aims To analyse and report CSA survivor perspectives of dental care and offer suggestions for practice. Method Qualitative semi-structured interviews of 17 CSA survivors generated data as part of a broader study investigating trust and trustworthiness in survivor-professional relationships. The range of dental interactions and the needs survivors described when receiving dental treatment are presented. Transcripts were analysed using NVivo software and thematic analysis methodology. Results Three main themes were identified: the dental encounter ('it really panics me'); the opportunity to disclose; and choice and control. Conclusion This is the first UK study to present qualitative data from CSA survivors about their experiences of dental care. Survivors wish to access dental care but tailored support is needed to ameliorate reminders of abuse and traumatic stress triggers. Trauma-informed care may address difficulties with treatment if dental staff adopt flexible approaches and work collaboratively with survivors to facilitate relational safety. (Please note, in this paper, 'survivors' refers to those sexually abused as children)

Biochemical and morphological changes of the rat adrenal medulla induced by peroral xylitol

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/46155/1/204_2004_Article_BF00316333.pd