The DMFS160: A new index for measuring post-radiation caries.

The current systems used to measure post-radiation caries underestimate the severity of the disease by failing to account for the unique spread of post-radiation caries, including incisal-edge and cusp tip decay, enamel delamination and crown amputation. A novel and clinically applicable index to measure post-radiation caries is proposed. The DMFS160 index counts 5 surfaces per tooth, accounting for incisal-edge caries, and is broken down into missing surfaces and decayed/filled surfaces. A staging and grading system is used to capture enamel delamination and crown amputation. The staging and grading provides a clinically-relevant measure at the whole-mouth level and is paired with evidence-based treatment strategies. In this paper the DMFS160 index is applied to three cases and compared to the DMFS index, demonstrating the improved accuracy of the DMFS160 index in measuring the extent of post-radiation caries.

International test results for objective lens quality, resolution, spectral accuracy and spectral separation for confocal laser scanning microscopes.

As part of an ongoing effort to increase image reproducibility and fidelity in addition to improving cross-instrument consistency, we have proposed using four separate instrument quality tests to augment the ones we have previously reported. These four tests assessed the following areas: (1) objective lens quality, (2) resolution, (3) accuracy of the wavelength information from spectral detectors, and (4) the accuracy and quality of spectral separation algorithms. Data were received from 55 laboratories located in 18 countries. The largest source of errors across all tests was user error which could be subdivided between failure to follow provided protocols and improper use of the microscope. This truly emphasizes the importance of proper rigorous training and diligence in performing confocal microscopy experiments and equipment evaluations. It should be noted that there was no discernible difference in quality between confocal microscope manufactures. These tests, as well as others previously reported, will help assess the quality of confocal microscopy equipment and will provide a means to track equipment performance over time. From 62 to 97% of the data sets sent in passed the various tests demonstrating the usefulness and appropriateness of these tests as part of a larger performance testing regiment.

The endosomal adaptor protein APPL1 impairs the turnover of leading edge adhesions to regulate cell migration.

Cell migration is a complex process that requires the integration of signaling events that occur in distinct locations within the cell. Adaptor proteins, which can localize to different subcellular compartments, where they bring together key signaling proteins, are emerging as attractive candidates for controlling spatially coordinated processes. However, their function in regulating cell migration is not well understood. In this study, we demonstrate a novel role for the adaptor protein containing a pleckstrin-homology (PH) domain, phosphotyrosine-binding (PTB) domain, and leucine zipper motif 1 (APPL1) in regulating cell migration. APPL1 impairs migration by hindering the turnover of adhesions at the leading edge of cells. The mechanism by which APPL1 regulates migration and adhesion dynamics is by inhibiting the activity of the serine/threonine kinase Akt at the cell edge and within adhesions. In addition, APPL1 significantly decreases the tyrosine phosphorylation of Akt by the nonreceptor tyrosine kinase Src, which is critical for Akt-mediated cell migration. Thus, our results demonstrate an important new function for APPL1 in regulating cell migration and adhesion turnover through a mechanism that depends on Src and Akt. Moreover, our data further underscore the importance of adaptor proteins in modulating the flow of information through signaling pathways.