Differential effects of everyday stress on the episodic memory test performances of young, mid-life, and older adults.

This research explored the differential association of everyday stress with the episodic memory test performances of young, mid-life, and older adults. Participants included 98 community-dwelling adults ranging in age from 19-89 years. Everyday stress was assessed via the Perceived Stress Scale and the Elder Life Stress Inventory. A brief battery of episodic memory tasks was administered which included tests of Logical Memory, Verbal Paired Associates, Digit Symbol Substitution, and Digit Symbol Incidental Learning. Results suggest that everyday hassles and irritations as well as the accumulation of challenging life events may exacerbate age-related decline on episodic memory tests that require greater executive resources and more integrated and elaborative processing. The functional relationship between affective status and risk for dementia is discussed, and consideration of individual differences in everyday stress is suggested so as to allow more sensitive interpretation of episodic memory tests commonly used to discern mild cognitive impairment.

In vivo evaluation of the surface of posterior resin composite restorations: a pilot study.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Several methods have been used to determine the surface characteristics of resin composites in vivo and compare composite wear rates with enamel wear rates. PURPOSE: This pilot study describes the surface characteristics of resin composites and the wear of resin composites and enamel during 1 year of in vivo service. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A single Class II posterior resin composite restoration (Z100) was placed in 10 patients. Restored teeth and unrestored adjacent control teeth were measured for wear 4 times within the first year. A null point contact stylus profiler and fitting software were used to measure epoxy casts. Maximum depth of wear, average depth of wear, and characteristics of the restoration margin were determined. Paired t tests were used to compare the control and restored teeth, and ANOVA was used to assess the progression of wear over time (P<.05). RESULTS: After 1 year, maximum depth of wear over the entire preparation region was on average 204.8 microm (+/- 129.8), significantly greater than the 36. 8 microm (+/- 10.1) average maximum depth of wear of enamel at occlusal contact areas on control teeth (P=.009). Maximum depth of wear progressed over time (P=.009). Fracture of excess composite, commonly called flash fracture, occurred in 50% of the restored teeth extending over the preparation margin. CONCLUSION: Composite restorations wore significantly faster than enamel contact areas on control teeth. Also of concern were the marginal flash fractures that could facilitate secondary caries.

Nutrition training in graduate medical (residency) education: a survey of selected training programs.

Because limited information exists about nutrition training of residents, we studied the teaching practices of nationally recognized nutrition programs. Two hundred thirty-eight nutrition educators and 787 residency-program directors identified 160 institutions with strong nutrition training. The 23 highest-ranked programs were surveyed and 7 were visited. The results showed that 1) clinically active physician-nutritionist role models are the key elements in teaching residents clinical nutrition; 2) multidisciplinary nutrition support teams are valuable learning resources unless they function primarily as technical support services; 3) nutrition elective rotations, although highly effective, are taken by a minority of residents; 4) the nutrition curriculum should include practical learning materials and conferences; and 5) a research environment is important to attract qualified physician-nutritionist role models. A major deficit is teaching nutritionally based approaches to disease prevention in the ambulatory setting. Finally, a shortage of nutrition-oriented physician role models is probably the major constraint in teaching nutrition to residents.

The ability of the radiograph to determine the location of the apical foramen.

An in-vitro radiographic study of human teeth was performed in order to evaluate the ability of radiographs to determine the location of the apical foramen. The tip of an endodontic file was positioned at the apical foramen of each canal in 117 extracted human teeth (213 canals) and in 56 teeth (92 canals) still within the alveolus of dried jaw specimens. Parallel radiographs were taken in a bucco-lingual plane of all teeth. The tip of the instrument appeared to be at the root surface (apical foramen) in 82 per cent of canals. There was no significant difference in results between the teeth radiographed in the alveolus of dried jaw specimens and extracted teeth when the radiographs were evaluated under a stereomicroscope.

Components of effective clinical-nutrition training: a national survey of graduate medical education (residency) programs.

A national survey was conducted by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition's Committee on Medical/Dental School and Residency Nutrition Education to assess the context in which nutrition training is provided in medical residency programs. Accreditation guidelines for residency programs suggested eight nutrition components that were endorsed by content experts for inclusion in residency training. Directors and nutrition educators from all accredited residencies in the United States were surveyed to determine the perceived importance of the components and the extent to which the components were actually present. The eight components appear to be relevant for exemplary nutrition training at the residency level. An important identified need is to train and involve more clinical-nutrition faculty members in residency programs.

An in vitro evaluation of injectable thermoplasticized gutta-percha, glass ionomer, and amalgam when used as retrofilling materials.

An in vitro dye leakage study was performed to evaluate the sealing ability of the following retrofilling materials: high- and low-temperature injectable thermoplasticized gutta-percha with and without sealer, a glass ionomer cement, and amalgam with and without varnish. The roots of 105 extracted human maxillary anterior teeth were instrumented and obturated with single cones of gutta-percha and sealer. The apical 3 mm of the roots were then resected and 2-mm deep retrograde preparations were prepared. Each root was then randomly placed into one of seven groups and retrofilled with one of the test materials. After 72 h in India ink, the roots were cleared and evaluated for leakage using a stereomicroscope. Statistical analysis of the results indicated that injectable high-temperature gutta-percha without sealer demonstrated significantly more leakage than the other materials. There were no significant differences in leakage among the other evaluated materials.

Update on antibiotics for the endodontic practice.

The increasing reports of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the introduction of new antibiotics have resulted in a change in prescribing antibiotics in many dental offices. The purpose of this article is to provide a rationale for selecting the appropriate antibiotic for odontogenic infections and to review the basic concepts of antibiotic therapy.

Evaluation of the controlled placement of injected thermoplasticized gutta-percha.

Ninety extracted human teeth with a single canal and a large patent foramen were obturated by one of three methods after placement of a master gutta-percha cone and sealer. The apical seals were evaluated by ink penetration. Statistical analysis of the results indicated that the group obturated with the high-temperature injected thermoplasticized technique (Obtura) had an apical seal comparable to the group obturated by lateral condensation. The group obturated with the low-temperature injected thermoplasticized technique (Ultrafil) produced an apical seal significantly better than the other two techniques.