The changing form of Antarctic biodiversity

Antarctic biodiversity is much more extensive, ecologically diverse and biogeographically structured than previously thought. Understanding of how this diversity is distributed in marine and terrestrial systems, the mechanisms underlying its spatial variation, and the significance of the microbiota is growing rapidly. Broadly recognizable drivers of diversity variation include energy availability and historical refugia. The impacts of local human activities and global environmental change nonetheless pose challenges to the current and future understanding of Antarctic biodiversity. Life in the Antarctic and the Southern Ocean is surprisingly rich, and as much at risk from environmental change as it is elsewher

Gastrointestinal decontamination in the acutely poisoned patient

ObjectiveTo define the role of gastrointestinal (GI) decontamination of the poisoned patient.Data sourcesA computer-based PubMed/MEDLINE search of the literature on GI decontamination in the poisoned patient with cross referencing of sources.Study selection and data extractionClinical, animal and in vitro studies were reviewed for clinical relevance to GI decontamination of the poisoned patient.Data synthesisThe literature suggests that previously, widely used, aggressive approaches including the use of ipecac syrup, gastric lavage, and cathartics are now rarely recommended. Whole bowel irrigation is still often recommended for slow-release drugs, metals, and patients who "pack" or "stuff" foreign bodies filled with drugs of abuse, but with little quality data to support it. Activated charcoal (AC), single or multiple doses, was also a previous mainstay of GI decontamination, but the utility of AC is now recognized to be limited and more time dependent than previously practiced. These recommendations have resulted in several treatment guidelines that are mostly based on retrospective analysis, animal studies or small case series, and rarely based on randomized clinical trials.ConclusionsThe current literature supports limited use of GI decontamination of the poisoned patient

A Reduced Astrocyte Response to β-Amyloid Plaques in the Ageing Brain Associates with Cognitive Impairment

Aims β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques are a key feature of Alzheimer’s disease pathology but correlate poorly with dementia. They are associated with astrocytes which may modulate the effect of Aβ-deposition on the neuropil. This study characterised the astrocyte response to Aβ plaque subtypes, and investigated their association with cognitive impairment. Methods Aβ plaque subtypes were identified in the cingulate gyrus using dual labelling immunohistochemistry to Aβ and GFAP+ astrocytes, and quantitated in two cortical areas: the area of densest plaque burden and the deep cortex near the white matter border (layer VI). Three subtypes were defined for both diffuse and compact plaques (also known as classical or core-plaques): Aβ plaque with (1) no associated astrocytes, (2) focal astrogliosis or (3) circumferential astrogliosis. Results In the area of densest burden, diffuse plaques with no astrogliosis (β = -0.05, p = 0.001) and with focal astrogliosis (β = -0.27, p = 0.009) significantly associated with lower MMSE scores when controlling for sex and age at death. In the deep cortex (layer VI), both diffuse and compact plaques without astrogliosis associated with lower MMSE scores (β = -0.15, p = 0.017 and β = -0.81, p = 0.03, respectively). Diffuse plaques with no astrogliosis in layer VI related to dementia status (OR = 1.05, p = 0.025). In the area of densest burden, diffuse plaques with no astrogliosis or with focal astrogliosis associated with increasing Braak stage (β = 0.01, p<0.001 and β = 0.07, p<0.001, respectively), and ApoEε4 genotype (OR = 1.02, p = 0.001 and OR = 1.10, p = 0.016, respectively). In layer VI all plaque subtypes associated with Braak stage, and compact amyloid plaques with little and no associated astrogliosis associated with ApoEε4 genotype (OR = 1.50, p = 0.014 and OR = 0.10, p = 0.003, respectively). Conclusions Reactive astrocytes in close proximity to either diffuse or compact plaques may have a neuroprotective role in the ageing brain, and possession of at least one copy of the ApoEε4 allele impacts the astroglial response to Aβ plaques

Comparative Evaluation of varying Photo-polymerization Time on Shear Bond Strength and Microleakage of Four Orthodontic Adhesives: An in vitro Study

Introduction High early bond strength, extended working time for optimal bracket placement, and easy cleanup of excess adhesive are few advantages of visible light-cure orthodontic adhesives. However, the shorter duration of polymerization may lead to polymer shrinkage and eventually microleakage. Objective To observe and evaluate shear bond strength (SBS) and microleakage of orthodontic brackets bonded to enamel with four commercially available orthodontic adhesives, cured only from incisal direction at various polymerization times. Materials and methods A total of 160 bovine incisors were randomly assigned to four groups according to adhesive used. Group I: bonded with Transbond XT (3M Unitek™, USA); group II: Enlight (Ormco, USA); group III: Light Bond (Reliance Ortho, USA); and group IV: Discover (Prime Dental, USA). Each group was further divided into four subgroups of A, B, C, and D according to the polymerization duration of 5, 10, 15, and 20 seconds respectively. The bonded teeth were immersed in dye solution. Brackets were then subjected to SBS test on a Universal testing machine. Surface microleakage was observed with the help of optical stereomicroscope. Results The SBS was obtained within the range of clinically accepted values, with curing time for Enlight at 5 seconds, Transbond XT and Discover at 15 seconds, and Light Bond at 20 seconds. However, Enlight was demonstrated to provide optimum SBS at least curing time: Minimum duration of 5 seconds achieved adequate SBS ~11 MPa SBS for each of Transbond XT and Enlight. The surface microleakage observed is statistically insignificant among the groups. Conclusion From a clinical perspective, a composite resin that needs minimum curing time without compromising on the bond strength is most advantageous. The results for SBS tests showed a better performance for Enlight as compared with the other adhesives: it reached its bond strength of optimum value at curing time of 5 seconds. How to cite this article Zanke PN, Patni V, Maskarenj M. Comparative Evaluation of varying Photo-polymerization Time on Shear Bond Strength and Microleakage of Four Orthodontic Adhesives: An in vitro Study. J Contemp Dent 2017;7(3):156-160