Medborgardygd : Den europeiska staden och det offentliga rummets etos

What does it mean to be a good citizen? Starting with Aristotle’s ethics and philosophy of friendship formulated between the private and the public in politics' and with the timeless question of what makes a society possible as a backdrop, the author outlines a possible answer. A good citizen is a virtuous citizen, and a virtuous citizen is prudent, courageous, moderate and just. In addition, a good citizen is an active and conversing citizen in need of public places for deliberation and social interaction. By virtue of its proximity and density, the European city has throughout history generated such places and has provided a vigorous public sphere—the city has thus nurtured civic virtues. The phenomenon also has specific spatial characteristics. In the spatial configuration of the city, in the morphology of the city and the “grammar” of public spaces—of streets, squares and buildings—we find the physical environment of civic interaction. In the city we find places whose spatial qualities have stimulated the development of civic virtues and have given birth to a public ethos. The city has, however, not only been an expression of civic harmony. Throughout history it has also been an arena for antagonism and conflict and through its spatial configuration an expression of power, dominance and control. Between these analytical extremes—between the city as civic public life and the city as authoritarian control—the author tells a vivid story of the European city drawing on various examples across time and space. On a more abstract level, the book argues for the importance of using both normative and empirical theories in an attempt to give meaning to a complex reality. Moreover, a comprehensive use of methodological ideal types provides a pragmatic stance in the classical debate between realism and relativism in the philosophy of science

In vitro polishing effectiveness of interdental aids on root surfaces

. The purpose of this study was: (1) to determine whether polishing standardized proximal root surfaces with dental floss, Superfloss, wood and plastic interdental cleaners, using a polishing paste, produces any significant change on root surface roughness; and (2) to determine the effectiveness of different number of strokes in polishing. 80 tooth specimens were prepared, 10 in each of 8 sample groups. Each proximal root surface was standardized with 600A grit silicone carbide paper and polished with either waxed dental floss, Superfloss, wood or plastic interdental cleaners, using alkali aluminum silicate polishing paste. All specimens were mounted on a flossing machine and polished with 10 or 20 strokes. Before and after polishing, measurements were recorded with the Surfanalyzer 150 System to produce profile and average roughness tracings. Average maximum peak heights, mean number of peaks, and mean average roughness values were calculated from the tracings. The data were analyzed statistically by paired t-test and Student t-test. No significant mean differences were found between the number of strokes used. No significant differences were found for waxed dental floss in relation to the values analyzed. Significant differences were found for maximum peak heights for Superfloss following 20 strokes of polishing. However, no significant differences were found for Superfloss for mean number of peaks and average roughness. Significant differences were found for average roughness values, maximum peak heights, and mean number of peaks for the wood and plastic interdental cleaners. It was concluded that root surface roughness increased significantly with the use of wood and plastic interdental cleaners but not with waxed dental floss or Superfloss.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/75532/1/j.1600-051X.1986.tb00853.x.pd

Informationskompetens – generella färdigheter för fördjupat lärande

Förmågan att effektivt utnyttja och kritiskt förhålla sig till olika informationsresurser – ”information literacy” eller informationskompetens – är en central färdighet i det moderna samhället. Det utgör också en allt viktigare del av lärandet i högre utbildning. Syftet med detta paper är tvåfaldigt: 1) att problematisera relationen mellan informationskompetens som en generell färdighet och mer specifika ämnesorienterade kunskaper och färdigheter; 2) ge exempel på och utveckla redskap för lärare att på ett ämnesmässigt integrerat sätt arbeta med, utveckla och examinera studenternas informationskompetens. Ett huvudspår i framställningen är att synliggöra hur träningen i informationskompetens kan stimulera och hjälpa studenterna till fördjupade ämneskunskaper

Nonsurgical and surgical periodontal therapy in single-rooted teeth

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of tooth related and patient related factors on the success of non-surgical and surgical periodontal therapy. In 41 patients (22 female) with untreated and/or recurrent periodontitis, no therapy, scaling and root planing (SRP), or access flap (AF) were assigned according to probing pocket depth (PPD). PPD and vertical relative attachment level (RAL-V) were obtained initially, 3 and 6 months after therapy. Baseline data were compared according to therapy, jaw, tooth type, and site. Factors influencing clinical parameters were identified using multilevel analyses. Baseline PPDs were deeper interproximally, in the maxilla and at premolars compared to buccal/oral sites, mandibular, and anterior teeth. At 6 months, PPD reduction and RAL-V gain were significantly greater at sites receiving SRP and AF as compared to untreated sites (p < 0.001). PPD reduction and RAL-V gain were significantly less (p < 0.005) in smokers as compared to nosmokers and at interproximal sites (p < 0.0001) as compared to buccal/oral sites. RAL-V gain was less in aggressive periodontitis, and PPD reduction was less in the maxilla (p < 0.001). In sites with greater bone loss and infrabony defects, a poorer response was observed regarding RAL-V gain or PPD reduction, respectively. The conclusions of the study are the following: (1) Nonsurgical and surgical periodontal therapies are effective in single-rooted teeth; (2) severe interproximal bone loss and infrabony defects deteriorate clinical results; and (3) there seem to be more defect-associated (tooth, site) factors influencing treatment outcome than patient-associated factors

Principles of Periodontology

Periodontal diseases are among the most common diseases affecting humans. Dental biofilm is a contributor to the etiology of most periodontal diseases. It is also widely accepted that immunological and inflammatory responses to biofilm components are manifested by signs and symptoms of periodontal disease. The outcome of such interaction is modulated by risk factors (modifiers), either inherent (genetic) or acquired (environmental), significantly affecting the initiation and progression of different periodontal disease phenotypes. While definitive genetic determinants responsible for either susceptibility or resistance to periodontal disease have yet to be identified, many factors affecting the pathogenesis have been described, including smoking, diabetes, obesity, medications, and nutrition. Currently, periodontal diseases are classified based upon clinical disease traits using radiographs and clinical examination. Advances in genomics, molecular biology, and personalized medicine may result in new guidelines for unambiguous disease definition and diagnosis in the future. Recent studies have implied relationships between periodontal diseases and systemic conditions. Answering critical questions regarding host‐parasite interactions in periodontal diseases may provide new insight in the pathogenesis of other biomedical disorders. Therapeutic efforts have focused on the microbial nature of the infection, as active treatment centers on biofilm disruption by non‐surgical mechanical debridement with antimicrobial and sometimes anti‐inflammatory adjuncts. The surgical treatment aims at gaining access to periodontal lesions and correcting unfavorable gingival/osseous contours to achieve a periodontal architecture that will provide for more effective oral hygiene and periodontal maintenance. In addition, advances in tissue engineering have provided innovative means to regenerate/repair periodontal defects, based upon principles of guided tissue regeneration and utilization of growth factors/biologic mediators. To maintain periodontal stability, these treatments need to be supplemented with long‐term maintenance (supportive periodontal therapy) programs

4 modalities of periodontal treatment compared over 5 years *

The purpose of the present study was to assess in a clinical trial over 5 years the results following 4 different modalities of periodontal therapy (pocket elimination or reduction surgery, modified Widman flap surgery, subgingival curettage, and scaling and root planing). 90 patients were treated. The treatment methods were applied on a random basis to each of the 4 quadrants of the dentition. The patients were given professional tooth cleaning and oral hygiene instructions every 3 months. Pocket depth and attachment levels were scored once a year. 72 patients completed the 5 years of observation. Both patient means for pocket depth and attachment level as well as % distribution of sites with loss of attachment ≥2 mm and ≥3 mm were compared. For 1-3 mm probing depth, scaling and root planing, as well as subgingival curettage led to significantly less attachment loss than pocket elimination and modified Widman flap surgery. For 4 6 mm pockets, scaling and root planing and curettage had better attachment results than pocket elimination surgery. For the 7-12 mm pockets, there was no statistically significant difference among the results following the various procedures.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72788/1/j.1600-051X.1987.tb02249.x.pd

Effect of the probiotic Lactobacilli reuteri (Prodentis) in the management of periodontal disease: a preliminary randomized clinical trial

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Lactobacilli reuteri (Prodentis) alone and in combination with scaling and root planing (SRP) in a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial of volunteers with chronic periodontitis. Methods: Thirty, otherwise systemically healthy, chronic periodontitis patients (19 males and 11 females, aged between 34 and 50 years) were included. The study period was 42 days. &#x2018;Split-mouth&#x2019; design was used for the SRP, which was performed on day 0; two quadrants (either right or left) were treated with SRP whereas the remaining two quadrants were left untreated. The participants received a toothbrush, toothpaste, and brushing instructions. L. reuteri Prodentis lozenges (1&#x00D7;108 CFU DSM17938&#x200A;+&#x200A;1&#x00D7;108 CFU ATCC PTA 5289) or the corresponding placebo lozenges were taken twice daily from day 21 to day 42. Statistical analysis was done for comparisons of clinical parameters (Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI), probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL)) and microbiological levels of the pathogens Aggregibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), and Prevotella intermedia (Pi). All p-values less than 0.05 were considered significant. Assessments were made on day 0 before SRP treatment, on day 21 before administration of the lozenges, and on day 42. Results: At day 42, the PI, GI, and GBI were significantly reduced by all treatment modalities. When ranked, the amount of PI, GI and GBI reduction by the different treatments was SRP&#x200A;+&#x200A;Prodentis&#x200A;&#x003E;&#x200A;Prodentis&#x200A;&#x003E;&#x200A;SRP&#x200A;+&#x200A;placebo&#x200A;&#x003E;&#x200A;placebo; all differences were statistically significant. For PPD and CAL, the best result was obtained with the SRP&#x200A;+&#x200A;Prodentis treatment. PPD was reduced from 5.08&#x00B1;0.75 to 3.78&#x00B1;0.61&#x2009;mm (p&#60;0.001) and CAL from 3.93&#x00B1;0.93 to 2.85&#x00B1;0.74&#x2009;mm (p&#60;0.001). Prodentis, either alone or following SRP, reduced Aa, Pi, and Pg by 1 log10 unit (p&#60;0.01). The SRP&#x200A;+&#x200A;placebo combination did not significantly affect the levels of the pathogens. Conclusion: The present randomized controlled trial confirms the plaque inhibition, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects of L. reuteri Prodentis. L. reuteri Prodentis probiotic can be recommended during non-surgical therapy and the maintenance phase of periodontal treatment. Considering the beneficial effects of probiotics, this therapy could serve as a useful adjunct or alternative to periodontal treatment when SRP might be contraindicated. Further studies are required in this direction

Maintenance care for treated periodontitis patients

This paper is a review of current literature combined with clinical observations. Well-controlled maintenance care is a key consideration in the long-term prognosis of treated periodontitis patients. Periodic professional tooth cleaning every 3 to 4 months often is recommended. Furthermore, recent studies indicate a potential need for selected retreatment in problem areas, since minute residual accretions may be left behind during active therapy - even with “open” surgery. While efficient plaque control is essential for optimal results during the healing phase of periodontal therapy, periodic prophylaxis may prevent loss of clinical attachment over long periods of time even for patients with less than perfect oral hygiene.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72615/1/j.1600-051X.1987.tb02247.x.pd