Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons are responsive to altered neuromuscular activity and play a role in diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). We present evidence that small and large DRG neurons are differentially affected by exercise and diabetes. We examined gene expression in samples of small and large neurons of rat L4/L5 DRG, and the specific responses after exercise and diabetes, to identify potential molecular processes involved in activity-dependent changes. Small and large DRG neurons were collected using laser capture microdissection. Relative mRNA levels were determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction experiments. In study 1, healthy adult rats received treadmill exercise for 1 or 17 weeks, or voluntary wheel exercise for 16 weeks. In study 2, STZ-induced diabetic rats received 15 weeks of sedentary treatment or voluntary wheel exercise. Behavioural testing of thermal latency response was performed on all animals in study 2. In study 1, there were no significant changes in small or large DRG neuron gene expression after acute treadmill exercise. After chronic treadmill exercise, mRNA levels changed relative to healthy sedentary rats in small (↑ 5HT1D; ↓5HT1F) and large (↓ 5HT1A, TrkC, SYN1) DRG neurons. After chronic voluntary wheel exercise, mRNA levels changed relative to healthy sedentary rats in small (↓ 5HT1D, OPRD1, TrkA; ↑ GAP43) and large (↓ 5HT1D, Nav1.6, OPRD1, TrkA, TrkC, SYN1; ↑ 5HT3A, GAP43) DRG neurons. In study 2, there were no significant changes in large DRG neuron gene expression. In small DRG neurons, mRNA levels were changed in the diabetic sedentary group (↓TrkB; ↑5HT1F) as well as the diabetic wheel group (↓ CGRP) relative to healthy sedentary rats. 5HT1A receptor mRNA levels were higher in diabetic sedentary rats relative to diabetic wheel rats. Our results demonstrate that small and large DRG neurons respond, but in different ways, to the duration and intensity of exercise. DRG neurons show a greater response to voluntary compared to forced exercise, and chronic compared to acute exercise. The genetic changes in small DRG neurons of rats with DPN that exercise may be correlated with the positive change in progression of thermal hypoalgesia associated with exercise. / May 2016

Dentine caries has a microbiological aetiology whilst the diagnosis relies on clinical signs. This study examined relationships between the Locations, Colours, Textures, Sizes, Perceived Treatment Needs, Cavitations and microbiological characteristics of Primary Root Caries. The relationships between some microflora of Primary Root Caries deemed to require restoration and the overlying plaque as well as the effects of a Chemotherapeutic agent on some microflora of lesions were also studied. In all, 610 lesions in 303 patients were investigated. 447 lesions in 169 patients were examined in the main study. The Locations of lesions were related to the gingival margins; Colours were designated: Black, Yellow, Light Brown or Dark Brown; Textures were recorded as Hard, Leathery or Soft, Sizes as products of Heights and Widths, and Cavitations as the greatest loss of surface contour. The total numbers of colony forming units ; Gram-positive pleomorphic rods; Mutans streptococci; Lactobacilli; and Yeasts expressed as Log1p as well as the proportions and Frequency of isolation, in each dentine biopsy were determined, eg - 90.9 percent of Soft but only 3.3 percent of Hard lesions were <1 mm from gingivae (P < 0.001); - 68.6 percent of Soft but only 6.7 percent of Hard lesions were sized >7 mm2 (P < 0.01); - more cavitated lesions were larger (P < 0.01); - higher total numbers, proportions and frequencies of isolation of Mutans streptococci and Lactobacilli were in Soft and Leathery than in*Hard lesions (P < 0.01); - the mean total numbers of colony forming units, Mutans streptococci, Lactobacilli and Gram-positive pleomorphic rods were less in each group of lesions with a reduced Perceived Treatment Need (P < 0.01); - lesions deemed to require restoration most frequently contained Yeasts (P < 0.01); - the most reliable indicators of microbiological activity were Texture and Location rather than Colour; From 81 Primary Root Caries lesions deemed to require restoration in 52 patients, not amongst the 169 in the larger study, higher proportions of Gram-positive pleomorphic rods (P < 0.001) and Lactobacilli (P < 0.01) were in carious dentine than in the associated plaque, indicating that precision in sampling is paramount. 42 of 82 lesions deemed to require restoration in another 82 patients, were coated with a varnish containing 1 weight (wt) percent chlorhexidine and 1 wt percent thymol and after 24 hours these and the lesions not varnished were biopsied. The varnish significantly reduced the numbers of micro-organisms (total colony forming units, P<0.001; Mutans streptococci, Lactobacilli and Yeasts, P<0.01). These studies will help clinicians and epidemiologists to diagnose the levels of activity in Primary Root Caries and to indicate how Chemotherapy rather than the removal of carious dentine might be developed as a preferred strategy for its management.

Investigou-se o efeito da radiopacidade de diferentes materiais obturadores sobre a sensibilidade, especificidade e confiabilidade da análise radiográfica de obturações endodônticas. Após determinação da radiopacidade dos materiais, um total de 80 dentes caninos tiveram seus canais radiculares preparados com a técnica clássica antes de serem divididos em 5 grupos cada qual a ser obturado com um dos cimentos obturadores estudados (AH Plus, Endomèthasone®, Sealer 26, Acroseal e cimento não-radiopaco). Antes do preenchimento com a técnica de condensação lateral da guta-percha, em metade dos dentes de cada grupo, inseriu-se um fio de nylon radiolúcido (Ø 0.25 mm), ao longo do canal radicular para simular um defeito de obturação (n=8). Um total de 36 dentes molares superiores, depois de instrumentados, foram divididos em 3 grupos cada qual a ser obturado com um dos cimentos testados (AH Plus, Acroseal e cimento não-radiopaco) (n=12). Antes da obturação com a mesma técnica utilizada nos caninos, um fio de 0.08 mm de espessura foi estendido no canal disto-vestibular de cada dente. Após a utilização de artifícios para simular a sobreposição dos tecidos humanos, os dentes obturados foram radiografados e as imagens periapicais analisadas por endodontistas e radiologistas quanto à presença de defeitos de preenchimento nas obturações. Após análise estatística empregandose os testes exato de Fisher, Kappa e teste t (p<0.05). Observou-se menor sensibilidade no exame dos dentes anteriores obturados com os cimentos radiopacos, principalmente na avaliação dos radiologistas, e identificou-se maior especificidade para as obturações efetuadas com os cimentos endomethasone® e Acroseal. No julgamento dos dentes posteriores, o cimento Acroseal proporcionou menor sensibilidade do que o AH Plus e houve menores valores de especificidade na avaliação dos endodontistas, embora sem diferenças entre os grupos de cimentos estudados. A confiabilidade mostrou-se maior para as obturações dos caninos realizadas com Endomethasone® e Sealer 26 e não se detectaram diferenças entre os grupos na avaliação das obturações dos molares. Concluiu-se que a radiopacidade dos cimentos influenciou na sensibilidade, especificidade e confiabilidade da análise radiográfica de obturações endodônticas, assim como a especialidade dos examinadores. / The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different radiopaque sealers in the sensitivity, specificity and realiability of radiographic root canal filling exam. After radiopacity distinction of root canal sealing materials, a total of 80 extracted single-rooted upper canines had their canals prepared with classic technique before being divided into 5 groups, each to be filled with one of the tested sealers (AH Plus, Endomèthasone®, Sealer 26, Acroseal and non-radiopaque sealer). In half specimens a radiolucent nylon monofilament string (Ø 0.25 mm) positioned inside the root canal to simulate a radiolucent void before being filled with gutta percha lateral condensation (n=8). A total of 36 maxillary molars were divide into 3 groups, each to be filled with one of the tested sealers (AH Plus, Acroseal and non-radiopaque sealer). Before being filled with lateral condensation technique, a Ø 0.08mm string was positioned alongside distobuccal root canal. After root canal filling, each tooth was strictly positioned in a device to simulate bone and soft tissue before being exposed to X rays. The resulting images were interpreted for presence of voids by radiologists and endodontists. The differences between groups were assessed using Fisher Exact, Cohens Kappa and t test (>0.05). There were less sensitivity for all radiopaque sealers, specially for radiologists, and higher specificity when Endomethasone® and Acroseal were used to fill the upper canines. Root canal fillings performed in maxillary molars with Acrosel showed lower sensibility values than AH Plus mainly to endodontists, but no difference in specificity between groups. There were lower reliability than control group for canines filled with Endomethasone® and Sealer 26. The differences of reliability between groups were not statistically significant. It was concluded that radiopacity of sealers influenced on sensitivity, specificity and reliability of radiographic root canal filling exam, as well as the speciality of examiners.

Thesis (M. Sc. (Biochemistry)) -- University of Limpopo, 2003 / Refer to document / National Research Foundation (NRF)

Introduction: The purposes of this study were several. The first was to establish a mean value for the crown-to-root angle, or collum angle (CA), for maxillary central incisors in Class I normal occlusions. The second was to create a new crown-to-root angle based on anatomic points, the labial crown-root angle (LCRA), and correlate it with the CA for Class I normal occlusions and Class II division 2 malocclusions. Third, torque values were measured for maxillary central incisors using these anatomic points, and mean values were calculated for Class I normal occlusions and Class II division 2 malocclusions. Finally, mean values for CA and LCRA were analyzed for Class I normal occlusions and Class II division 2 malocclusions to detect differences between the two groups. Methods: 51 Class I normal samples and 42 Class II division 2 samples who met the inclusion criteria were studied cephalometrically. Relevant landmarks were placed, analyzed for reliability, and recorded for the measurements of interest. Results: The mean CA for Class I normal occlusions was not statistically different from zero (p= .0657). A strong increasing correlation between CA and LCRA was found for all samples (Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.88, p < .0001). Mean torque values for Class I normal occlusions and Class II division 2 malocclusions were statistically different (3.95±10.85 degrees vs. 12.54±5.82 degrees, p < .0001). The mean CA for Class I normal occlusions and Class II division 2 malocclusions were statistically different (4.29±5.77 degrees vs. 1.78±3.94 degrees, p = .0178). The mean LCRA for Class I normal occlusions and Class II division 2 malocclusions were statistically different (31.60±4.24 degrees vs. 34.84±5.95 degrees, p = .00037). Conclusions: The mean CA in Class I normal occlusions is not statistically different from zero degrees. The LCRA is strongly correlated with the CA in both Class I normal occlusions and Class II division 2 malocclusions. The mean maxillary central incisor torque values for Class I normal occlusions is similar to that found in bracket prescriptions currently offered. Patients with Class II division 2 malocclusion exhibit statistically higher mean CA and LCRA values than patients with Class I ideal occlusion.

During the last few years, red raspberry growers in Utah have been finding that plantings gradually lose vigor and are not profitable. In the largest raspberry growing area in Utah, Utah County, figures taken from the U.S. census from 1930 to 1950, show a decrease in acres of raspberries grown from 401 in 1930 to 190 in 1950 (2). In many instances this deterioration of raspberry plantings in Utah has not been definitely associated with known plant pathogenic fungi or virus infections. Neither can the expansion of suburbs account for this decrease. In certain cases it has been obvious that other factors were involved. Since attention had already been directed to above-ground symptoms, the next logical step was to exam in the roots.

In the present research, nicotine alkaloid production by Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco) hairy roots and tropane alkaloid production by Hyoscyamus niger hairy roots were investigated. The first objective of this research was to improve the oxygen mass transfer in hairy root cultures with microbubbles. Oxygen was shown as a critical nutrient for the growth of tobacco and H. niger hairy roots. In a 1-liter fermentor, microbubble dispersion improved the oxygen mass transfer, tobacco hairy root growth, and nicotine production in the medium. In a novel ground-joint column bioreactor, microbubbles enhanced the oxygen mass transfer and the growth of H. niger hairy roots. The second objective of this research was to enhance the release of alkaloids from the hairy roots into the culture medium. In a l-liter fermentor, nicotine concentration in medium was improved by adjusting the medium pH to 6. Unlike the nicotine alkaloid, hyoscyamine concentration in medium was not detectable at medium pH 6, whereas hyoscyamine in medium increased to 42 mg l-1 at medium pH 3. Similar to the hyoscyamine, scopolamine in medium increased from 0.1 to 11 mg l-1 when the medium pH was adjusted from 6 to 3. The release of alkaloids into culture medium provides opportunities to isolate a high-value alkaloid directly from the culture fluid, and reduces the cost of product recovery.

No description available.

Thesis (M.A.)--Covenant Theological Seminary, 2007. / Includes abstract. Tsdḳ appears in Hebrew script on t.p. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 99-104).

Thesis (M.A.)--Texas State University-San Marcos, 2006. / Vita. Appendices: leaves 83-122. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-136).