In vitro degradation of resin–dentin bonds with one-bottle self-etching adhesives

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the durability of one-bottle self-etching adhesive during long-term water-storage testing. Resin–dentin bonded specimens were prepared using four commercially available one-bottle self-etching adhesives. The specimens were sectioned perpendicular to the adhesive interface to produce beam-shaped specimens that were stored in water for 24 h (control group) and 100, 200, and 300 d (experimental groups). After each storage period, the beams were subjected to a microtensile bond test. After the bond test, fractured surfaces were examined using a scanning electron microscope. In addition, interfacial observations of the silver tracer were performed using the secondary and back-scatter modes of the scanning electron microscope. The bond strength of all tested adhesives decreased significantly after 100 or more days in water. The interfacial observations showed an oxygen-inhibition zone as electron lucent in the adhesive–composite border in control specimens, displaying silver impregnation with breakage after aging. The deterioration of the oxygen-inhibition zone in the adhesive–resin composite junction resulted in a decrease in bond strength after 100 d in water for one-bottle self-etching adhesives.     

A case of scleroderma spectrum disorder with anticentriole antibody and pulmonary hypertension

We describe the case of a patient with anticentriole antibody-positive scleroderma spectrum disorder (SSD) who developed pulmonary hypertension. A 54-year-old woman had noticed Raynauds phenomenon and digital ulcers during the winter for the past 10 years. Although sclerodactyly was not present, digital ulcers, swelling of her hands, and phalangeal contracture were observed. An indirect immunofluorescence test revealed anticentriole antibody. Other SSc-specific antoantibodies were negative. An echocardiogram demonstrated that the estimated right ventricular systolic pressure was increased to 51 mmHg. She was diagnosed as SSD with pulmonary hypertension. This is the first case of SSD with anticentriole antibody to develop pulmonary hypertension.Abbreviations SSD Scleroderma spectrum disorder - SSc Systemic sclerosis     

Contribution of respiratory disease to nonrespiratory mortality associations with air pollution

Many time series studies have found that individuals with primary cardiac conditions were susceptible to the adverse effects associated with increased ambient particle levels. However, the mechanism(s) of these associations is not yet understood. In this study, we evaluate whether individuals with nonrespiratory primary causes of death who also had contributing respiratory causes listed on their death certificates were more affected by air pollution, as compared with those not having contributing respiratory conditions. Short-term associations between ambient particulate matter (10 microm or less in aerodynamic diameter) and mortality were modeled in New York City for the years 1985-1994. It was observed that among those 75 years or more, those with contributing respiratory disease had higher relative risks (95% confidence intervals) calculated per interquartile range, as compared with those without contributing respiratory disease for both circulatory deaths (relative risk = 1.066 [1.027-1.106] versus 1.022 [1.008-1.035]) and cancer deaths (relative risk = 1.129 [1.041-1.225] versus 1.025 [1.000-1.050]). However, this pattern of association was not observed for those who were less than 75 years old. The results of this study suggest that past studies may have underestimated the role of respiratory disease in pollution-mortality associations, especially among older adults.     

Genetic basis for the evolution of vertebrate mineralized tissue

Mineralized tissue is vital to many characteristic adaptive phenotypes in vertebrates. Three primary tissues, enamel (enameloid), dentin, and bone, are found in the body armor of ancient agnathans and mammalian teeth, suggesting that these two organs are homologous. Mammalian enamel forms on enamel-specific proteins such as amelogenin, whereas dentin and bone form on collagen and many acidic proteins, such as SPP1, coordinately regulate their mineralization. We previously reported that genes for three major enamel matrix proteins, five proteins necessary for dentin and bone formation, and milk caseins and salivary proteins arose from a single ancestor by tandem gene duplications and form the secretory calcium-binding phosphoprotein (SCPP) family. Gene structure and protein characteristics show that SCPP genes arose from the 5' region of ancestral sparcl1 (SPARC-like 1). Phylogenetic analysis on SPARC and SPARCL1 suggests that the SCPP genes arose after the divergence of cartilaginous fish and bony fish, implying that early vertebrate mineralization did not use SCPPs and that SPARC may be critical for initial mineralization. Consistent with this inference, we identified SPP1 in a teleost genome but failed to find any genes orthologous to mammalian enamel proteins. Based on these observations, we suggest a scenario for the evolution of vertebrate tissue mineralization, in which body armor initially formed on dermal collagen, which acted as a reinforcement of dermis. We also suggest that mammalian enamel is distinct from fish enameloid. Their similar nature as a hard structural overlay on exoskeleton and teeth is because of convergent evolution.     

Impact of a Letter-Grade Program on Restaurant Sanitary Conditions and Diner Behavior in New York City

Objectives. We evaluated the impact of the New York City restaurant letter-grading program on restaurant hygiene, food safety practices, and public awareness.Methods. We analyzed data from 43 448 restaurants inspected between 2007 and 2013 to measure changes in inspection score and violation citations since program launch in July 2010. We used binomial regression to assess probability of scoring 0 to 13 points (A-range score). Two population-based random-digit-dial telephone surveys assessed public perceptions of the program.Results. After we controlled for repeated restaurant observations, season of inspection, and chain restaurant status, the probability of scoring 0 to 13 points on an unannounced inspection increased 35% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 31%, 40%) 3 years after compared with 3 years before grading. There were notable improvements in compliance with some specific requirements, including having a certified kitchen manager on site and being pest-free. More than 91% (95% CI = 88%, 94%) of New Yorkers approved of the program and 88% (95% CI = 85%, 92%) considered grades in dining decisions in 2012.Conclusions. Restaurant letter grading in New York City has resulted in improved sanitary conditions on unannounced inspection, suggesting that the program is an effective regulatory tool.Restaurant food safety is increasingly important, with almost half of the US food dollar spent on restaurant food1 and about one third of caloric intake from foods prepared outside the home.2 In New York City (NYC), residents eat out nearly 1 billion times each year.3 Although most diners do not get sick, foodborne pathogens cause millions of preventable illnesses in the United States annually.4 The exact proportion of restaurant-attributable foodborne illness is unknown, but national surveillance in the United States found that two thirds of reported foodborne outbreaks from 1998 through 2008 occurred in the restaurant or deli setting,5 and consumption of food prepared outside the home has been linked to an increased risk of sporadic foodborne diseases.6Regular inspection of restaurants for food safety is a core function of local health authorities, guided by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Code.7 Although all states have sanitation codes modeled after the FDA Food Code,8 implementation methods vary by jurisdiction. The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (hereafter, Health Department) is charged with inspecting restaurants, coffee shops, bars, nightclubs, employee or university cafeterias, bakeries, and fixed-site food stands (hereafter, restaurants). Its inspection program uses a scoring system to measure compliance with the NYC Health Code, which is updated regularly to maintain consistency with the FDA Food Code and the New York State Sanitary Code. Restaurants are entitled to an impartial review of inspection results by an administrative tribunal, which can improve an assigned score and reduce associated monetary fines.Before letter grading, the Health Department aimed to inspect restaurants at least once per year and imposed monetary fines for violations cited at inspections. Inspection results were available on the Health Department Web site. However, financial disincentives and the Web site posting were insufficient to drive improvements across the industry, with most restaurants cited for multiple public health hazards. Mean inspection scores and restaurant sanitary conditions were stagnant (D. Kass, email communication, February 2009).In an effort to improve restaurant food safety and increase transparency of inspection information, the Health Department launched its letter-grade program on July 27, 2010. The program uses public disclosure of inspection scores in the form of letter grades at point of decision-making; a more finely tuned, risk-based inspection schedule; and financial incentives to encourage high food-safety standards. It began after an 18-month planning process that included a public announcement of the intent to begin letter grading; meetings with restaurant industry representatives, food safety experts, and regulators from a jurisdiction with a restaurant sanitary grade program; promulgation of 2 regulations subject to notice and comment; and training and education for restaurateurs. The process was covered by the media, and by July 2010, restaurateurs were aware of the program and anticipating the launch.9,10We evaluated the impact of the restaurant letter-grade program by assessing (1) hygiene and food-safety practices as characterized by inspection outcomes before and after program implementation and (2) public response to the program measured by 2 population-based telephone surveys.