Influence of thermo-mechanical cycling on porcelain bonding to cobalt–chromium and titanium dental alloys fabricated by casting,milling, and selective laser melting

Purpose

The aim has been to determine the effect of thermo-mechanical cycling on shear-bond-strength (SBS) of dental porcelain to Co–Cr and Ti-based alloys fabricated by casting, computer-numerical-controlled milling, and selective-laser-melting (SLM).

Cell membrane integrity and internalization of ingested TiO(2) nanoparticles by digestive gland cells of a terrestrial isopod

The present study was motivated by the paucity of reports on cellular internalization of ingested titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) nanoparticles (nano-TiO(2)). The model invertebrate (Porcellio scaber, Isopoda, Crustacea) was exposed to food dosed with nano-TiO(2) containing 100, 1,000, 3,000, or 5,000?μg nano-TiO(2) per gram of food. After 14?d of exposure, the amount of Ti in the entire body was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, and elemental analyses of tissue cross sections were performed by particle induced X-ray emission. In addition, a series of toxicological markers including feeding parameters, weight change, and survival, as well as cytotoxic effects such as digestive gland cell membrane stability, were monitored. Internalization of ingested nano-TiO(2) by the isopod's digestive gland epithelial cells was shown to depend on cell membrane integrity. Cell membranes were found to be destabilized by TiO(2) particles, and at higher extracellular concentrations of nano-TiO(2), the nanoparticles were internalized.     

Job satisfaction and subjective well‐being among Czech nurses

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between domains of the job satisfaction and components of subjective well‐being in nurses. A convenience sample of hospital nurses was recruited from six hospitals in Czech Republic. Data were collected using a set of questionnaires that included the McCloskey/Mueller Satisfaction Scale, the Positive Affect Scale, the Negative Affect Scale and the Personal Well‐being Index. We confirmed low association between job satisfaction and subjective well‐being of nurses. Satisfaction with extrinsic rewards, co‐workers and family/work balance accounted for only a small percentage of variance in cognitive component of subjective well‐being. Positive affect was predicted by interaction opportunities and scheduling. Negative affect was predicted by interaction opportunities and scheduling and intention to leave the actual workplace. Low percentage of the variance suggests that subjective well‐being is not strongly influenced by job satisfaction.     

Evaluation of two commercial amplification assays for detection ofMycobacterium tuberculosis complex in respiratory specimens

Summary To evaluate the usefulness of two standardized commercially available amplification assays for the detection ofMycobacterium tuberculosis: Amplicor® test (Roche) and MTD-Amplified direct test (Gen-Probe) a total of 281 respiratory specimens from 198 patients with symptoms of pulmonary diseases were examined and compared with conventional methods. Fifty-seven specimens were positive and 218 negative by both amplification assays. Three specimens were reactive by Amplicor® only, and three by MTD only. In comparison with culture, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 96.0, 94.8, 80.0, and 99.1%, respectively, for the Amplicor® test; the corresponding values were 94.0, 94.4, 78.3, and 98.6%, respectively, for the MTD. However, when 28 specimens from 14 patients on antituberculous therapy were excluded the improvement in PPV and specificity of both assays was obtained. In conclusion, both commercially available amplification tests are almost equally sensitive and specific and are suitable for the implementation in daily routine work in the specialized clinical laboratories.

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Bewertung zweier kommerzieller Amplifikationsassays für den Nachweis vonMycobacterium tuberculosis complex in Proben aus den Atemwegen

Zusammenfassung Um die Brauchbarkeit zweier standardisierter, kommerziell erhältlicher Amplifikationsassays für den Nachweis vonMycobacterium tuberculosis (Amplicor® Test (Roche und MTD Amplified Direct Test (Gen-Probe) zu beurteilen, wurden insgesamt 281 Proben aus den Atemwegen von 198 Patienten mit Symptomen einer Lungenerkrankung vergleichend mit konventionellen Methoden untersucht. 57 Proben waren positiv und 218 in beiden Amplifikationsassays negativ. Drei Proben waren nur mit Amplicor® positiv, drei nur mit MTD. Im Vergleich zur Kultur ergab sich eine Sensitivtät von 96,0%, Spezifität von 94,8%, ein positiver prädiktiver Wert von 80,0% und ein negativer prädikativer Wert von 99,1% für den Amplicor® Test. Die entsprechenden Werte für den MTD-Test sind 94,0, 94,4, 78,3 und 98,6%. Wenn man jedoch 28 Proben von 14 Patienten, die unter tuberkulostatischer Therapie standen, ausschließt, erhöhen sich der positive prädiktive Wert und die Spezifität bei beiden Testsystemen. Es folgt, daß beide kommerziell erhältlichen Amplifikationstests an Sensitivität und Spezifität nahezu gleich sind und sich für die Anwendung in der täglichen Routinearbeit in klinischen Speziallabors eignen.