Evaluation of a Human Virtual-Reality Endoscopy Trainer for Teaching Early Endoscopy Skills to Veterinarians.

Competency in flexible endoscopy is a major goal of small animal internal medicine residency training programs. Hands-on laboratories to teach entry-level skills have traditionally used anesthetized laboratory dogs (live dog laboratory [LDL]). Virtual-reality endoscopy trainers (VRET) are used for this purpose in human medicine with the clear benefits of avoiding live animal use, decreasing trainee stress, and allowing repeated, independent training sessions. However, there are currently no commercially available veterinary endoscopy simulators. The purpose of the study was to determine whether a human VRET can be a reasonable alternative to a LDL for teaching early veterinary endoscopy skills. Twelve veterinarians with limited or no endoscopy experience underwent training with a VRET (n = 6) or a LDL (n = 6), performed two recorded esophagogastroduodenoscopies (EGD) on anesthetized dogs for evaluation purposes (outcomes laboratory), and then underwent training with the alternative method. Participants completed questionnaires before any training and following each training session. No significant differences were found between training methods based on: measured parameters from the outcomes laboratory, including duration of time to perform EGD; evaluators' assessment of skills; and, assessment of skills through blinded review of the esophageal portion of EGD recordings. The VRET was less stressful for participants than the LDL (p = .02). All participants found that the VRET was a useful and acceptable alternative to the LDL for training of early endoscopy skills. Based on this limited study, VRET can serve as a reasonable alternative to LDL for teaching endoscopy skills to veterinarians.

In-vivo characterization of left-ventricle pressure-volume telemetry system in swine model.

We present in-vivo study related to the use of our implantable RF telemetry system for pressure-volume (PV) cardiac monitoring in a animal subject. We implant a commercial MEMS PV sensor into the subject's heart left-ventricle (LV), while the telemetry system is implanted outside of the heart and connected to the sensor with a 7-microwires tether. The RF telemetry system is suitable for commercial application in medium sized subjects, its total volume of 2.475cm(3) and a weight of 4.0g. Our designed system is 58 % smaller in volume, 44 % in weight and has a 55 % reduction in sampling power over the last reported research in PV telemetry. In-vivo data was captured in both an acute and a freely moving setting over a 24 hour period. We experimentally demonstrated viability of the methodology that includes the surgical procedure and real-time monitoring of the in-vivo data in a freely moving subject. Further improvements in catheter design will improve the data quality and safety of the subject. This real-time implantable technology allows for researchers to quantify cardiac pathologies by extracting real-time pressure-volume loops, wirelessly from within freely moving subjects.

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS-A CASE OF SPONTANEOUS HEPATIC PORTAL VEIN GAS IN AN 11-MONTH-OLD WEST HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIER.

An 11-month-old female entire West Highland White Terrier presented for chronic diarrhea with acute deterioration in demeanor and progression to systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Transcutaneous abdominal ultrasonography identified colonic ulceration and secondary mucosal gas. Suspected hepatic portal vein gas and hepatic parenchyma gas were also visualized. The patient was stabilized and managed for ulcerative colitis. Based on endoscopic biopsies, the dog was diagnosed with severe, chronic, pyogranulomatous colitis. On repeat ultrasonographic evaluation the portal vein and hepatic gas had resolved but the patient deteriorated and was ultimately euthanized due to sepsis.

Magnetic resonance image guided transurethral ultrasound prostate ablation: a preclinical safety and feasibility study with 28-day followup.

PURPOSE: We determine the safety and feasibility of magnetic resonance image guided transurethral ultrasound prostate ablation using active temperature feedback control in a preclinical canine model with 28-day followup. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After a long acclimatization period we performed ultrasound treatment in 8 subjects using the magnetic resonance image guided TULSA-PRO™ transurethral ultrasound prostate ablation system. Comprehensive examinations and observations were done before and throughout the 28-day followup, including assessment of clinically significant treatment related adverse events. In addition to gross pathology evaluation, extensive histopathological analysis was done to assess cell kill inside and outside the prostate. We evaluated prostate conformal heating by comparing the spatial difference between the treatment plan and the 55C isotherm measured on magnetic resonance imaging thermometry acquired during treatment. These findings were confirmed on contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging immediately after treatment and at 28 days. RESULTS: Clinically there were no adverse events in any of the 8 subjects throughout the 28-day followup. All subjects had normal urinary and bowel function. Gross necropsy and histology confirmed that the intended thermal cell kill was confined to the prostate. No surrounding tissue was damaged, including the rectum and the external urinary sphincter. Conformal heating was achieved with an average -0.9 mm accuracy and 0.9 mm precision. Contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and histological analysis confirmed tissue ablation in targeted areas of the prostate. Urethral tissue was spared from thermal damage. CONCLUSIONS: Magnetic resonance image guided transurethral ultrasound is a safe, feasible procedure for accurate and precise conformal thermal ablation of prostate tissue, as demonstrated in a preclinical model with 28-day followup.

Management of bilateral idiopathic renal hematuria in a dog with silver nitrate.

Renal hematuria has limited treatment options. This report describes management of bilateral idiopathic renal hematuria in a dog with surgically assisted installation of 0.5% silver nitrate solution. Initial treatment resulted in freedom from clinical signs or recurrent anemia for 10 months; however, recurrence of bleeding following a nephrectomy resulted in euthanasia.

Gestion de l'hématurie rénale idiopathique bilatérale chez un chien à l'aide du nitrate d'argent. L'hématurie rénale offre des options de traitement limitées. Ce rapport décrit la gestion de l'hématurie rénale idiopathique bilatérale chez un chien à l'aide de l'installation assistée par chirurgie d'une solution de nitrate d'argent de 0,5 %. Le traitement initial a produit une disparition des signes cliniques ou de l'anémie récurrente pendant 10 mois. Cependant, la récurrence des saignements après une néphrectomie se sont traduits par l'euthanasie.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Factors associated with successful passage of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine general examination.

BACKGROUND: Board certification relies on passing the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) general examination. Pass rates might depend on properties of residency training programs (RTP). HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that <4 weeks of dedicated study time, lack of board preparation lectures, status as a re-taker, and private practice RTP would result in lower pass rates of the ACVIM general examination. SUBJECTS: Two hundred forty-eight ACVIM general examinees. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. Examinees were surveyed using a Qualtrics survey over a 3-year period. Factors included: study weeks, on-call duty, board preparation lectures, academic or private practice program, and status as a re-taker. RESULTS: First-attempt examinees were more likely to pass (P < .0001, OR 5.12, 95% CI [2.53, 10.52]). For first-attempt examinees, on-call duty during study weeks resulted in a lower pass rate (P = .002, OR 0.31, 95% CI [0.16, 0.67]). General didactic and specific board-preparation lectures resulted in higher pass rates (P = .003, OR 3.08, 95% CI [1.44, 6.61]; P = .02, OR 3.04, 95% CI [1.20, 7.68]). Diplomate-led board-preparation lectures resulted in higher pass rates than resident-led (P = .007, OR 10.67, 95% CI [1.75, 64.91]). Using a mixed effect logistic model, predicted pass rates were highest with both lack of on-call duty and presence of didactic lectures (predicted pass rate 95%, 95% CI [0.87, 0.98]). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: To optimize pass rates, RTP should provide study time without on-call duty. Provision of didactic lectures and specific board-preparation lectures by diplomates assist in candidate preparation.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal lesions in dogs chronically treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

BACKGROUND: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most common pharmaceutical associated with gastroduodenal ulceration and perforation. The prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) injury associated with chronic use of NSAIDs in dogs is unknown. OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: To determine the prevalence of GI mucosal erosions in dogs receiving chronic treatment with NSAIDs. We hypothesized that dogs receiving NSAIDs would have more GI mucosal erosions and longer GI transit time than a control population. ANIMALS: Fourteen client-owned medium- and large-breed dogs receiving an NSAID for at least 30 days and 11 client-owned control dogs undergoing video capsule endoscopy (VCE) for evaluation of chronic GI disease. METHODS: Dogs were prospectively recruited after determining no clinically relevant comorbidities were present and VCE was performed. The GI transit time and the presence of mucosal lesions were recorded. RESULTS: Twelve dogs receiving NSAIDs and 11 retrospectively evaluated control dogs were included. The NSAIDs administered included carprofen (9 dogs), meloxicam (2 dogs), and firocoxib (1 dog) for a median of 6 months. Ten (83.3%; 95% confidence interval; 51.6%-97.9%) NSAID-treated dogs had GI erosions. Erosions were seen with all 3 NSAIDs in at least 1 dog. Three of 11 control dogs had gastric erosions. Dogs receiving NSAIDs had more erosions detected (P = .004). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Subclinical GI erosions are more common in dogs receiving chronic treatment with NSAIDs than in control dogs with chronic GI disease, suggesting that NSAIDs be used with caution, particularly in dogs with comorbidities predisposing them to GI ulceration.

Management of a urethral tear with porcine small intestinal submucosa-augmented urethroplasty and balloon dilation for subsequent urethral stricture in a cat.

CASE DESCRIPTION: As a result of vehicular trauma, a 3-year-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat sustained luxation of the sacrocaudal joint and a urethral tear. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Retrograde contrast urethrocystography revealed a urethral tear at the level of the ischiatic tuberosity. Conservative treatment for 7 days with a urethral catheter was unsuccessful. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: An approach for a perineal urethrostomy was performed and revealed a large urethral tear (4 mm in length in a craniocaudal orientation and encompassing approx 50% of the urethral circumference) proximal to the bulbourethral glands. Urethroplasty was performed with a graft of a rectangular section of single-layer porcine small intestinal submucosa. Perineal urethrostomy was then completed routinely, and a urethral catheter was left in place for 5 days. Two days after removal of the urethral catheter, stranguria was noted. Retrograde contrast urethrocystography revealed a urethral stricture. Balloon dilation of the urethral stricture was performed, and the cat's stranguria improved. Ten weeks following balloon dilation, the cat developed hematuria, and a urinary tract infection and urethral stricture were diagnosed. Balloon dilation was repeated with instillation of triamcinolone solution at the stricture site. Eighteen months later (approx 21 months after the initial surgery), the cat was urinating normally. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The outcome for the cat of this report indicated that porcine small intestinal submucosa may be used to successfully augment urethroplasty for treatment of traumatic urethral tears in cats. Urethral balloon dilation with triamcinolone instillation may be used to treat postoperative urethral strictures.

Corrigendum: A Nanomule Peptide Carrier Delivers siRNA Across the Intact Blood-Brain Barrier to Attenuate Ischemic Stroke.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.611367.].

A Nanomule Peptide Carrier Delivers siRNA Across the Intact Blood-Brain Barrier to Attenuate Ischemic Stroke.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) hinders the distribution of therapeutics intended for treatment of neuroinflammation (NI) of the central nervous system. A twelve-amino acid peptide that transcytoses the BBB, termed MTfp, was chemically conjugated to siRNA to create a novel peptide-oligonucleotide conjugate (POC), directed to downregulate NOX4, a gene thought responsible for oxidative stress in ischemic stroke. The MTfp-NOX4 POC has the ability to cross the intact BBB and knockdown NOX4 expression in the brain. Following induction of ischemic stroke, animals pretreated with the POC exhibited significantly smaller infarcts; accompanied by increased protection against neurological deterioration and improved recovery. The data demonstrates that the MTfp can act as a nanomule to facilitate BBB transcytosis of siRNAs; where the NOX-4 specific siRNA moiety can elicit effective therapeutic knockdown of a gene responsible for oxidative stress in the central nervous system. This study is the first to conclusively demonstrate both siRNA-carrier delivery and therapeutic efficacy in any CNS disease model where the BBB remains intact and thus offers new avenues for potential treatments of oxidative stress underlying neuroinflammation in a variety of neuropathologies that are currently refractory to existing therapies.

Cystoscopic guided removal of ectopic eggs from the urinary bladder of the Florida cooter turtle (Pseudemys floridana floridana).

Three gravid, female, wild Florida cooter turtles (Pseudemys floridana floridana) were evaluated and treated by the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine Turtle Rescue Team as a result of traumatic injuries or infection. As part of medical management, oviposition was induced using oxytocin, which was only partially effective. In all three cases, ectopic eggs were subsequently identified in the urinary bladder by ultrasound and were successfully removed via a minimally invasive cystoscopic-guided technique. One of the three turtles died within several days of the procedure, and necropsy revealed granulomatous bacterial cystitis. It is hypothesized that these complications were likely due to the length of time between induction with oxytocin and the identification and removal of the ectopic egg.

Gastrointestinal Tract Dysfunction With Critical Illness: Clinical Assessment and Management.

The gut is the site of digestion and absorption as well as serving as an endocrine and immune organ. All of these functions may be affected by critical illness. This review will discuss secondary effects of critical illness on the gut in terms of gastrointestinal function that is clinically observable and discuss consequences of gut dysfunction with critical illness to patient outcome. Because there is little evidence-based medicine in the veterinary field, much of our understanding of gut dysfunction with critical illness comes from animal models or from the human medical field. We can extrapolate some of these conclusions and recommendations to companion animals, particularly in dogs, who have similar gastrointestinal physiology to people. Additionally, the evidence regarding gut dysfunction in veterinary patients will be explored. By recognizing signs of dysfunction early and taking preventative measures, we may be able to increase success with treatment of critical illnesses.

Use of video capsule endoscopy to identify gastrointestinal lesions in dogs with microcytosis or gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is a noninvasive imaging modality that can identify mucosal lesions not detected with traditional endoscopy or abdominal sonography. In people, VCE is used in diagnostic and management protocols of various gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, particularly in GI bleeding of obscure origin or unexplained iron deficiency anemia (IDA). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of VCE in the identification of mucosal lesions in dogs with evidence of GI hemorrhage. ANIMALS: Sixteen client-owned dogs that underwent VCE. METHODS: Retrospective case-control study. Medical records were reviewed to include dogs with microcytosis, low normal mean corpuscular volume, or clinical GI bleeding that received VCE. RESULTS: Median age of dogs was 8.7 years (range, 8 months to 15 years) with a median weight of 21.7 kg (range, 6.9-62.5 kg). Abdominal ultrasound (16), abdominal radiography (4), and abdominal CT (1) did not identify a cause for GI blood loss. Gastric mucosal lesions were identified by VCE in 15 of 16 dogs and small intestinal lesions in 12 of 14 dogs, with 2 capsules remaining in the stomach. Endoscopy was performed in 2 dogs before VCE; 1 dog had additional small intestinal lesions identified through the use of VCE. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Video capsule endoscopy is a minimally invasive diagnostic tool that can identify GI lesions in dogs presenting with microcytosis with or without GI hemorrhage when ultrasonography is inconclusive; however, the majority of lesions identified would have been apparent with conventional endoscopy.

Transient middle cerebral artery occlusion induces microglial priming in the lumbar spinal cord: a novel model of neuroinflammation.

BACKGROUND: Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) in mice results in a brain infarct, the volume of which depends on the length of occlusion. Following permanent occlusion, neuropathological changes - including a robust glial inflammatory response - also occur downstream of the infarct in the spinal cord. METHODS: We have performed short, transient MCAo in mice to induce penumbral damage spanning the motor cortex. A 30 minute MCAo using a poly-L-lysine-coated intraluminal suture introduced through a common carotid artery incision was performed in 17 female C57BL/6 mice. Five sham-operated mice received common carotid artery ligation without insertion of the suture. Neurobehavioural assessments were performed during occlusion, immediately following reperfusion, and at 24 and 72 hours post-reperfusion. Routine histological and immunohistochemical studies were performed at 24 and 72 hours. RESULTS: In 11 of the surviving 16 mice subjected to MCAo, we observed a focal, subcortical necrotic lesion and a reproducible, diffuse cortical lesion with accompanying upper motor neuron involvement. This was associated with contralateral ventral spinal cord microglial priming without significant reactive astrocytosis or lower motor neuron degeneration. CONCLUSION: The advantages to this method are that it yields a reproducible cortical lesion, the extent of which is predictable using behavioural testing during the period of ischemia, with upper motor neuron involvement and downstream priming, but not full activation, of microglia in the lumbar spinal cord. In addition, survival is excellent following the 30 minutes of occlusion, rendering this a novel and useful model for examining the effects of microglial priming in the spinal motor neuron pool.

Minimally invasive treatment of sino-nasal aspergillosis in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Sino-nasal aspergillosis is a common nasal disease in dogs. Recommended treatment protocols typically involve trephination of the frontal sinuses or the use of an antifungal solution instilled into the frontal sinus under anesthesia, both of which have associated morbidity and complications. OBJECTIVES: To assess a minimally-invasive topical treatment protocol for sino-nasal aspergillosis in dogs. ANIMALS: Twelve client-owned dogs diagnosed with sino-nasal aspergillosis that completed recommended treatment. METHODS: Medical records were retrospectively reviewed to identify dogs with sino-nasal aspergillosis that received treatment. Fungal plaques were manually debrided and irrigated via frontal sinuscopy in 12 dogs that then were treated topically with 1% topical clotrimazole cream. Irrigation and topical medication application was achieved using a catheter placed retrograde directly into the frontal sinuses using the Seldinger technique over a guidewire, thereby avoiding the need for frontal sinus trephination. Invasion into the calvarium was recorded before treatment but was not considered a criterion for exclusion. Debridement and cream deposition was repeated every 2 weeks as needed until negative culture and histopathologic findings were obtained. RESULTS: All dogs were cured (negative results for Aspergillus on endoscopy, fungal culture, and histopathology) with a median of 2 treatments. Treatments were well tolerated, with minimal adverse effects reported. Three dogs had evidence of erosion into the calvarium on computed tomography imaging. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This protocol appears to be an effective and well-tolerated minimally invasive treatment for sino-nasal aspergillosis, including in dogs with erosion into the calvarium. Only mild adverse effects were noted.

Effect of sucralfate on gastric permeability in an ex vivo model of stress-related mucosal disease in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Sucralfate is a gastroprotectant with no known systemic effects. The efficacy of sucralfate for prevention and treatment of stress-related mucosal diseases (SRMD) in dogs is unknown. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To develop a canine ex vivo model of SRMD and to determine the effect of sucralfate on mucosal barrier function in this model. ANIMALS: Gastric antral mucosa was collected immediately postmortem from 29 random-source apparently healthy dogs euthanized at a local animal control facility. METHODS: Randomized experimental trial. Sucralfate (100 mg/mL) was applied to ex vivo canine gastric mucosa concurrent with and after acid injury. Barrier function was assessed by measurement of transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and radiolabeled mannitol flux. RESULTS: Application of acidified Ringers solution to the mucosal side of gastric antrum caused a reduction in gastric barrier function, and washout of acidified Ringers solution allowed recovery of barrier function (TER: 34.0 ± 2.8% of control at maximum injury, 71.3 ± 5.5% at recovery, P < .001). Sucralfate application at the time of injury or after injury significantly hastened recovery of barrier function (TER: 118.0 ± 15.2% of control at maximum injury, P < .001 and 111.0 ± 15.5% at recovery, P = .35). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Sucralfate appeared effective at restoring defects in gastric barrier function induced by acid and accelerating repair of tissues subjected to acid in this model, suggesting that sucralfate could have utility for the treatment and prevention of SRMD in dogs.

Submucosal Collagen Injection for Management of Urinary Incontinence Following Urethral Stent Placement.

An 8-year-old, entire, male British Bulldog was referred for a week-long history of severe stranguria and dysuria. A prostatic wash was diagnostic of prostatic carcinoma. A transluminal urethral stent was placed in the proximal urethra, which resulted in resolution of the urinary obstruction, however, the dog developed severe urinary incontinence after the procedure. Cystoscopically-guided submucosal collagen injections were performed immediately proximal to the os penis. The dog's incontinence resolved with a single collagen injection for the 10-month follow-up period.

Context-specific protection of TGFα null mice from osteoarthritis.

Transforming growth factor alpha (TGFα) is a growth factor involved in osteoarthritis (OA). TGFα induces an OA-like phenotype in articular chondrocytes, by inhibiting matrix synthesis and promoting catabolic factor expression. To better understand TGFα's potential as a therapeutic target, we employed two in vivo OA models: (1) post-traumatic and (2) aging related OA. Ten-week old and six-month old male Tgfa null mice and their heterozygous (control) littermates underwent destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) surgery. Disease progression was assessed histologically using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) scoring system. As well, spontaneous disease progression was analyzed in eighteen-month-old Tgfa null and heterozygous mice. Ten-week old Tgfa null mice were protected from OA progression at both seven and fourteen weeks post-surgery. No protection was seen however in six-month old null mice after DMM surgery, and no differences were observed between genotypes in the aging model. Thus, young Tgfa null mice are protected from OA progression in the DMM model, while older mice are not. In addition, Tgfa null mice are equally susceptible to spontaneous OA development during aging. Thus, TGFα might be a valuable therapeutic target in some post-traumatic forms of OA, however its role in idiopathic disease is less clear.

The Relationship between Methamphetamine Use and Dental Caries and Missing Teeth.

PURPOSE: This study examined the relationship between methamphetamine use and oral health status. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected in 1998 from 174 newly admitted prisoners in Iowa. Oral examinations identified dental caries and missing teeth, and personal interviews identified methamphetamine use and covariates. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, and bivariate and multivariate linear regression analyses, including testing for interaction effects, were used to examine the effects of methamphetamine use on oral health status. RESULTS: Multivariate regression analyses for carious teeth and surfaces showed significant interaction effects: methamphetamine*race/ethnicity (carious teeth: p=0.039; surfaces: p=0.023) and methamphetamine*tooth brushing when on drugs (carious teeth: p=0.044; surfaces: p=0.035). Methamphetamine use had a significant effect on dental caries among Non-Whites and among those who brushed their teeth less than once a day when on drugs. Soda consumption (carious teeth: p=0.026; surfaces: p=0.030) and reason for last dental visit (carious teeth: p=0.025; surfaces: p=0.011) were also associated with caries. For missing teeth there was a significant methamphetamine*race/ethnicity interaction (p=0.028) among Whites who used methamphetamine compared to Whites who did not use methamphetamine. Age (p=0.0001) and reason for last dental visit (p=0.0001) were also associated with missing teeth. CONCLUSION: The effect of methamphetamine use on missing teeth was moderated by race/ethnicity,; while its effect on dental caries was moderated by race/ethnicity and tooth brushing when on drugs.

A comparison of dental caries and tooth loss for Iowa prisoners with other prison populations and dentate U.S. adults.

PURPOSE: When one compares National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (NHANES III) data to previous national surveys it appears that oral health in the United States has improved. The purpose of this study was to determine if this trend holds for prisoners in Iowa, specifically in regard to number of decayed teeth, number of decayed surfaces, and number of missing teeth. METHODS: This original research is a report of cross-sectional data regarding untreated decay and missing teeth. A representative sample of inmates newly admitted to the Iowa Medical Classification Center (IMCC) between June and December 1998 was selected. Oral health data were collected from records obtained as the result of dental treatment screening examinations conducted by the IMCC staff dental hygienist. Demographic data were obtained from questionnaires. The oral health status of this Iowa inmate population was compared with the status of previously studied samples of inmates throughout the nation using descriptive and parametric statistics and with dentate, noninstitutionalized U.S. adults using descriptive, non-parametric, and parametric statistics. RESULTS: Of the 174 study participants, 149 were male and 25 were female. On average, male inmates had 7.09 decayed teeth, 15.3 surfaces of decay, and 4.07 missing teeth. The female inmates averaged 5.56 teeth with untreated decay, 14.4 surfaces of decay, and 5.12 missing teeth. Findings showed that male Iowa inmates have more untreated decay than previously studied samples of inmates throughout the nation. IMCC Caucasian male inmates had 1.6 to 7.8 times as many untreated decayed teeth as previous inmates, while African American inmates showed 1.2 to 3.4 times as many untreated decayed teeth. The Iowa male inmates had fewer missing teeth than most of the inmate comparison groups. Compared with dentate, noninstitutionalized U.S. adults, the IMCC inmates, male and female combined, had 8.4 times the amount of untreated decay but similar numbers of missing teeth. CONCLUSIONS: Newly admitted male and female inmates were disparate from the general dentate U.S. adult population in terms of untreated decay. This also was found for IMCC male inmates compared to previous studies of male inmates. Inmates of both genders at IMCC did not appear to be disparate with the comparison population with regard to number of missing teeth.