To characterize the mineralization potential of CPP-ACP and a BIOMINF glass using MAS- NMR at an acidic pH

Objectives: Casein Phosphopeptide and Amorphous Calcium Phosphate complex (CPP-ACP) is the main remineralizing additive in GC Tooth Mousse®. The objective of this study was to analyze the fluoride mineral phase formed on enamel after application of GC Tooth Mousse (GC), BIOMINF® (BF) and fluoride in an acidic environment. Methods: Enamel blocks (n=1), measuring ~5×5mm with a maximum thickness of ~1mm, were cutfrom caries-freepermanenthumanmolars. Eachenamelblockwasimmersedin50mlofacidicsolution (0.1M acetic acid pH 4.0) at 37°C for 24hrs. Subsequently, the samples were subjected to remineralization by immersing them in a fresh acidic solution (0.1MaceticacidpH4.0) containing either 1g of BF, 1g GC, 1g GC +18ppm F – or 18ppm F. These samples were then stored for a further 96 hrs at 37°C. All five enamel blocks were accurately weighed (±0.0001g) before and after the demineralization and remineralization cycle to calculate the percent weight loss/gain. At the end of their mineralization cycle the enamel blocks were ground to a powder and analyzed for fluoride mineral phase using 19FMAS-NMR. The remineralization solutions were tested for changes in pH using a calibrated pH electrode. Changes in F-concentration was monitored using ISE, whereas Ca and P concentrations were analyzed using ICP-OES. Results: BF showed highest weight increase during remineralization cycle. This was followed by GC + 18ppm F and GC Tooth Mousse. The18ppm F-samples showed a further weight loss. BF showed enhanced buffering capacity as compared to any of the materials tested. It also showed highest consumption of fluoride during remineralisation.19FMAS-NMR spectra showed formation of fluorapatite and CaF2 in varying proportions for all the samples. However, for 18ppm F- samples, the peak for CaF2 was more prominent as compared to others. Conclusion: Both BIOMINF® and GC tooth Mousse have enhanced remineralization properties and forms acid resistant appatite on the surface of enamel

Social media usage among health care providers

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of social media among healthcare workers in an attempt to identify how it affects the quality of patient care. Results An anonymous survey of 35 questions was conducted in South Texas, on 366 healthcare workers. Of the 97% of people who reported owning electronic devices, 87.9% indicated that they used social media. These healthcare workers indicated that they spent approximately 1 h on social media every day. The healthcare workers below the age of 40 were more involved in social media compared to those above 40 (p < 0.05). The use of social media among physicians and nurses was noted to be identical (88% for each group), and both groups encouraged their patients to research their clinical conditions on social media (p < 0.05). A higher number of physicians reported awareness of a social media policy in their hospital compared to nurses (p < 0.05). However, a large proportion of healthcare workers (40%) were unaware of their workplace policy, which could potentially cause a privacy breach of confidential medical information. Further studies are required to evaluate specific effects of these findings on the quality of patient care