Good Dog! Applications of Dog Science

Each year 6 to 8 million pet dogs enter shelters, and unfortunately, many are returned to shelters, or euthanized, due to behavioral problems. Many behavioral problems can be alleviated if dogs get exercise; however, some owners cannot provide dogs sufficient exercise. Further, some dogs may be physically unable to exercise. One possible solution is to provide dogs with mental exercise. We are currently developing a series of touchscreen computer tasks with the hope that they provide mental stimulation and can be made available to owners via a tablet application. As of now, a few dogs in our lab have learned to effectively use the touch screen. In the near future, we hope such touch screen tasks will transfer over into an application that will serve as an effective program to minimize the amount of behavioral problems, and hence, the number of dogs sent to, returned to, and euthanized in shelters

The Isolation and Characterization of Novel Bacteriophages from Central Illinois

Members of the Illinois Wesleyan University General Biology Science Education Alliance (SEA) laboratory isolated and characterized a number of distinctive mycobacteriophages. Each student collected soil samples from the central Illinois area then used streak assays and titrations to isolate unique phages that infect Mycobacterium smegmatis. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and DNA restriction enzyme digests were used to determine the morphology and tentative cluster placement of each phage. By the end of the semester, fifteen novel phages were isolated with a wide range of characteristics, despite the small sampling area. This data was submitted to the Mycobacteriophage DataBase. After analysis and class discussion, the DNA from three different phages were sent to the University of Pittsburgh for genome sequencing

Group 2 ITI Consensus Report: Prosthodontics and implant dentistry

ObjectivesWorking Group 2 was convened to address topics relevant to prosthodontics and dental implants. Systematic reviews were developed according to focused questions addressing (a) the number of implants required to support fixed full‐arch restorations, (b) the influence of intentionally tilted implants compared to axial positioned implants when supporting fixed dental prostheses (FDPs), (c) implant placement and loading protocols, (d) zirconia dental implants, (e) zirconia and metal ceramic implant supported single crowns and (f) zirconia and metal ceramic implant supported FDPs.Materials and methodsGroup 2 considered and discussed information gathered in six systematic reviews. Group participants discussed statements developed by the authors and developed consensus. The group developed and found consensus for clinical recommendations based on both the statements and the experience of the group. The consensus statements and clinical recommendations were presented to the plenary (gathering of all conference attendees) and discussed. Final versions were developed after consensus was reached.ResultsA total of 27 consensus statements were developed from the systematic reviews. Additionally, the group developed 24 clinical recommendations based on the combined expertise of the participants and the developed consensus statements.ConclusionsThe literature supports the use of various implant numbers to support full‐arch fixed prostheses. The use of intentionally tilted dental implants is indicated when appropriate conditions exist. Implant placement and loading protocols should be considered together when planning and treating patients. One‐piece zirconia dental implants can be recommended when appropriate clinical conditions exist although two‐piece zirconia implants should be used with caution as a result of insufficient data. Clinical performance of zirconia and metal ceramic single implant supported crowns is similar and each demonstrates significant, though different, complications. Zirconia ceramic FDPs are less reliable than metal ceramic. Implant supported monolithic zirconia prostheses may be a future option with more supporting evidence.</p

3D bioactive composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

Bone is the second most commonly transplanted tissue worldwide, with over four million operations using bone grafts or bone substitute materials annually to treat bone defects. However, significant limitations affect current treatment options and clinical demand for bone grafts continues to rise due to conditions such as trauma, cancer, infection and arthritis. Developing bioactive three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds to support bone regeneration has therefore become a key area of focus within bone tissue engineering (BTE). A variety of materials and manufacturing methods including 3D printing have been used to create novel alternatives to traditional bone grafts. However, individual groups of materials including polymers, ceramics and hydrogels have been unable to fully replicate the properties of bone when used alone. Favourable material properties can be combined and bioactivity improved when groups of materials are used together in composite 3D scaffolds. This review will therefore consider the ideal properties of bioactive composite 3D scaffolds and examine recent use of polymers, hydrogels, metals, ceramics and bio-glasses in BTE. Scaffold fabrication methodology, mechanical performance, biocompatibility, bioactivity, and potential clinical translations will be discussed

Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density

Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals &lt;1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data

Primary assessment of a self-adhesive Gutta-Percha material

AIM: To evaluate a prototype gutta-percha material (Bio-Gutta), which is claimed to work without sealer because of its incorporated ultrafine bioactive glass particles, in terms of its induction of pH and calcium phosphate (CaP) precipitates, and its self-adhesiveness in root canals. METHODOLOGY: Bio-Gutta was compared with conventional gutta-percha (GP, composition: 70 wt% ZnO, 30 wt% polyisoprene). Test and control materials (N = 3) were immersed in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at 37 °C for 30 days. The pH in the solution was monitored. Apparent CaP formation was assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The root canals of 33 single-rooted teeth were filled by vertical compaction of heated Bio-Gutta, 33 control canals were filled with vertically compacted GP without sealer. Push-out bond strengths associated with the filling materials in root cross-sections from middle root thirds was determined 1, 8, and 30 days after root filling (N = 11 per group). These values were compared between groups using one-way anova (α < 0.05). RESULTS: Bio-Gutta induced a high pH in the PBS solution, which plateaued at values between 11.4 and 11.8. Apparent CaP crystals covered the Bio-Gutta material after 30 days of immersion in PBS, whilst no such structures were observed on GP. Both materials under investigation had similar initial push-out bond strength values (P > 0.05). The adherence of Bio-Gutta increased from day 1 to 8 and was significantly higher than that of conventional GP at 8 and 30 days (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The experimental gutta-percha material under investigation was alkaline and caused CaP precipitates on its surface. It improved its adherence to the root canal wall within 1 week