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AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hyperinsulinaemia is a state of sympathetic nerve hyperactivity, which can develop subsequently in non-diabetic first-degree offspring of patients with type 2 diabetes. Although both type 2 diabetes and sympathetic activation are major cardiovascular risk factors, the level of sympathetic nerve activity is as yet unknown in offspring of type 2 diabetic patients who are ostensibly normal. We therefore sought to quantify sympathetic nerve activity and its relationship to plasma insulin levels in ostensibly normal offspring of patients with type 2 diabetes, relative to a matched normal control group with no family history of type 2 diabetes. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In two closely matched groups comprising 23 non-diabetic offspring of type 2 diabetic patients and 23 normal control individuals we measured resting muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) as the mean frequency of multi-unit bursts of MSNA and single units of MSNA (s-MSNA) with defined vasoconstrictor properties. RESULTS: In offspring of type 2 diabetic patients, the fasting plasma levels of insulin (7.4+/-0.80 microU/ml) and s-MSNA (45+/-3.2 impulses/100 beats) were greater (p<0.009 and p<0.003) than those in control persons (4.6+/-0.76 microU/ml and 32+/-3.1 impulses/100 beats, respectively). MSNA bursts and derived insulin resistance followed similar trends. Sympathetic nerve activity was significantly correlated to insulin levels (p<0.0002) and resistance (p<0.0001) in offspring of type 2 diabetic patients, but not in control subjects. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Sympathetic activation occurred in normal non-diabetic offspring of patients with type 2 diabetes in proportion to their plasma insulin levels. Our data indicate the presence of a mechanistic link between hyperinsulinaemia and sympathetic activation, both of which could play a role in the subsequent development of cardiovascular risk factors.

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AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Acute insulinaemia activates the sympathetic drive in a nonuniform manner. The extent and nature of such activation in type 2 diabetic patients who do not have neuropathy have not yet been addressed despite evidence relating sympathetic activation to cardiovascular risk. We planned to determine the magnitude and extent of the sympathetic drive and its reflex responses in patients with type 2 diabetes and fasting hyperinsulinaemia. METHODS: We measured resting muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) as the mean frequency of multi-unit bursts and single unit muscle sympathetic nerve activity (s-MSNA) in 17 overweight patients with type 2 diabetes and two matched normal control groups comprising 17 overweight and 16 normal-weight subjects. We also tested the MSNA and s-MSNA responses to cold pressor and isometric hand-grip tests, along with the effect of sympatho-vagal balance on heart period variability. RESULTS: Both MSNA and s-MSNA in the group with type 2 diabetes (66+/-3.5 bursts/100 beats and 78+/-4.5 impulses/100 beats) were greater (at least p<0.0001) than in the overweight control group (42+/-2.6 bursts/100 beats and 48+/-3.4 impulses/100 beats) and normal-weight control group (43+/-6.2 bursts/100 beats and 51+/-7.1 impulses/100 beats), though the three groups had similar reflex responses, baroreflex sensitivity and sympatho-vagal balance controlling the heart period. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The patients with type 2 diabetes had no evidence of impaired reflex or autonomic control of heart period variability at a time when there was central sympathetic activation to the periphery. Furthermore, being overweight itself was not associated with sympathetic activation.

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Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic analyses of bile of a territorial benthic fish, oyster toadfish (Opsanus tau), indicated that fish from reference stations in the York and Elizabeth Rivers, Virginia, contained lower concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolites than fish from polluted stations. PAH metabolite levels in the bile of fish from mildly polluted stations were 7 to 10 times greater than those from reference stations. PAH metabolite levels in fish from a moderately polluted station and a highly polluted station were, respectively, 20 and 50 times greater than those from reference stations. Differential patterns of five major PAH metabolites in fish from the same station suggested individual variability in metabolic pathways possibly further convoluted by the differential inductions or suppressions of hepatic mixed-function oxygenase isozyme systems under various natural or anthropogenic habitat parameters. PAH metabolite levels in the bile of oyster toadfish correlated well with the gradient of PAH contamination in the Elizabeth River sediments. High levels of biliary PAH metabolites were not detected in muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) collected along the polluted sections of the Elizabeth River, probably due to their primarily herbivorous nature. Assuming that the hepatobiliary system and the gastrointestinal tract are the major routes of biotransformation and excretion of PAHs in the muskrats, the contaminated diet appears to be a more important routes of exposure of muskrats (and possibly oyster toadfish) to PAHs than the transdermal transfer. Occurrence permitting, we propose oyster toadfish as a useful biological sentinel for early detection of estuarine PAH pollution.

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Acrylic resin teeth present a problem when they detach unexpectedly from the denture base resin. Detachment is caused by stress concentrations at the tooth/denture base resin interface. In this study, the finite element method was used to examine the stress distribution at this interface when a single static force that resembled incisal bite force was applied. The results indicated that irrespective of the type of acrylic resin teeth used, maximum tensile stresses were found at the palatal aspect of the interface. It is suggested that boxing the tooth in the acrylic resin will help redistribute stress concentrations favorably.

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In this study, the hypothesis examined is that differences in polymer particle size affect the doughing and manipulation times and the mechanical properties of the cured product. Six batches of polymers were used varying in particle size from <38 micrometers diameter to > 75 micrometers diameter. A penetration test was undertaken to investigate the influence of polymer particle size on the doughing and manipulation times of acrylic resin. It was demonstrated that the particle size in the range examined influenced the doughing and manipulation times, the smaller particle sizes having shorter times. No significant difference was demonstrated in the impact resistance of surface hardness of acrylic resin specimens constructed from polymers of varying particle size and although there were some significant differences in the transverse (flexural) strength these were small in real terms. Further, the molecular weight of the polymerised product was found to be consistently higher than that of the original powder component.

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The attitudes to cross-infection control of 800 dental laboratories registered with the Dental Laboratories Association have been surveyed. Considering the topicality of the subject material and the need for careful cross-infection control within and beyond the dental surgery, the response rate of 22% (175) was disappointingly low. As a result of the low response rate, the results should be seen as a guide only. Forty-nine percent of respondents had a cross-infection policy and of those with no policy 64% intended to implement one in the future. Thirty percent of laboratories receive known undisinfected work from the dental surgery. Of those items disinfected on arrival at the laboratory, those most frequently disinfected are dental impressions (77%) and dentures (51%). The most popular chemicals used for disinfection are household bleach, chlorhexidine and glutaraldehyde. Forty-four percent of the respondents generally (90% or more of the time) wear gloves when handling dental work received and opened in the laboratory. Seventy-four percent wear protective eye spectacles when trimming or polishing prostheses. Sixty-one percent used no disinfectant in the pumice and 93% did not disinfect the polishing instruments, eg wheels and mops. Forty-six percent had a policy for immunisation of staff against Hepatitis B.

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The historical and general use of shellac is discussed and its particular value in dentistry outlined. The effects of variations in the mica and aluminium content of shellac are evaluated. Measurements of elastic modulus, modulus of rupture and glass transition temperature are reported.

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The degree of polymerization of an acrylic resin repair material, as established by residual monomer estimation, was compared using three different polymerization methods, i.e. bench-cure, hydroflask-cure and microwave irradiation cure. The repair strength of a conventional heat-polymerized resin was then assessed following repairs using each of these three methods. The lowest level of residual monomer was achieved with the microwave irradiation cure. It was also demonstrated that of the three methods, polymerization using microwave energy resulted in the strongest repair.

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The fracture of acrylic resin dentures remains an unresolved problem. It is known that eventual fracture of an appliance occurs due to crack initiation and propagation from areas of high stress concentration. In order to understand and overcome the problem of fracture, it is important to identify the regions of stress concentration. A number of different methods are used in stress analysis. However, the finite element method, a numerical technique, appears to overcome most of the problems associated with the earlier experimental methods. This article reviews the different techniques and their application to examining stresses in dentures.

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The fracture of dentures is an unresolved problem. Despite increasing costs incurred by the nation on the repair of these prostheses, very little has been documented on the type of fracture encountered. This survey was carried out to determine the prevalence of type of fracture by the distribution of questionnaires to three different laboratories. Results obtained showed that 33% of the repairs carried out were due to debonded/detached teeth. Twenty-nine per cent were repairs to midline fractures, more commonly seen in upper complete dentures. The remaining 38% were other types of fractures, the majority of which constituted repairs to upper partial dentures. The latter involved detachment of acrylic resin saddles from the metal in metal based dentures and the fractures of connectors in the all-acrylic resin partial dentures.

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It is known that high levels of residual monomer have a deleterious effect on the properties of denture base polymers and may cause irritation or hypersensitivity of the oral tissues. In the present study variations in determination methodology and their influence on residual monomer levels are evaluated. The results demonstrate that filtration of the sample, sealed storage and incorporation of an appropriate volume of internal standard enhanced the accuracy of the technique.

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The rheologic characteristics of different formulations of acrylic resin denture base materials are presented in this study. This is of practical significance in selecting resins with optimum rheologic properties for denture base construction. The materials are characterized in respect to their constituents, mean powder particle size and distribution, molecular weight averages and distributions, and glass transition temperature. A comparison of the polymers indicates that smaller particles saturate with monomer more readily, and this results in a higher viscosity. A higher viscosity for higher molecular weight and lower viscosity for lower molecular weight have been observed. Increasing the percentage of copolymerization increases the viscosity. No correlation has been found between the rheologic properties of denture base polymers and the powder glass transition temperature.

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OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to measure the effect of viscose rayon esthetic fibers on the flow properties of an acrylic resin denture base material. METHODS: Two testing methods using a needle penetrometer and an oscillating rheometer were employed on weighed proportions (0.1%, 0.2%, 0.8%, and 0.3%) of fiber. RESULTS: The results show that the fibers affect the flow properties of the polymer/monomer mix. Increasing the percentage of fibers decreases the flow of the material and reduces the doughing time. With increasing amounts of fiber, a rapid increase in the viscosity occurs with a corresponding adverse effect on flow properties. SIGNIFICANCE: It is concluded that these properties are important for the successful handling of acrylic materials since they can influence the accuracy and quality of the molded denture.

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The most common cause of teeth detaching from the denture base is the presence of impurities along the tooth denture-base interface. However detachment after a period of wear of the denture probably occurs due to the presence of stress concentrations along the interface from which cracks may initiate. The presence of the impurity will inevitably lower the stress threshold for cracks to propagate thereby increasing the risk of tooth detachment. Although this is obvious, there is no evidence to show the effect of impurities on the stress distribution at this interface. This pilot study utilised the finite element method to examine stresses at the tooth-denture base interface in the presence of simulated impurities interspersed along different positions on the interface. Within the limitations of the two-dimensional model used, it was concluded that the presence of an impurity at the edge of the palatal aspect of the interface has a significant effect on the stress magnitude. However, the presence of impurities elsewhere along the interface had no significant effect on the stress magnitude. This would have important implications during the processing of dentures.

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Aesthetic fibres are added to denture base polymers to simulate the natural appearance. The aim of this study was to measure the effect of aesthetic fibres on the low strain rate transverse bend strength and the high strain rate impact strength of an acrylic resin denture base material. Varying amounts of 2 and 4 mm Viscose Rayon aesthetic fibres, ranging from 0.1 to 3%, were incorporated into the polymer to evaluate their effect on these strength properties. The results showed that the fibres had minimal physical effect and that bonding of the fibres to the denture base polymer is not uniform or complete.

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Bar glasses are often used as weapons in interpersonal violence. Violence often erupts spontaneously and assailants use objects close to hand as weapons. After an initial national Accident and Emergency Department study to identify glass designs most often implicated in interpersonal violence, the impact resistance of 1-pint beer glasses was tested in a materials laboratory with a Zwick 5102 pendulum impact tester. Both straight-sided (nonik) glasses (annealed and tempered) and handled tankards (annealed) were tested to destruction. The impact resistance of new glasses was compared with that of glasses subjected to wear. The mean impact resistance of new annealed noniks did not differ significantly although new glasses were significantly more resistant than worn glasses (p < 0.01). It was not possible to break any of the tempered glasses with the pendulum used (maximum impact energy, 4 J). When noniks had been scratched at the rim to mimic wear, tempered glasses also had the highest impact resistance (p < 0.01) whereas the mean resistance of the annealed noniks was not significantly different. When tempered glasses failed during testing, they all disintegrated into relatively harmless cubes of glass, particularly the thicker bases of glasses. In contrast, annealed designs fractured leaving sharp shards although the thicker bases remained intact. The mean impact resistance of new annealed noniks was 0.5 J, of worn annealed noniks 0.08 J, of tempered new noniks > 4 J, of worn tempered noniks 0.18 J, and of tankards, 1.7 J.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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An historical review of the general uses of shellac is presented and the various manufacturing processes, properties and chemical composition are discussed. The applications, advantages and disadvantages of shellac and its uses in dentistry are outlined.

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Although acrylic resin teeth are the most popular artificial teeth used for denture construction, a high number fracture away at the tooth-denture base interface. Various causes have been documented for this failure; however, it is logical that eventual fracture occurs due to localised tensile stresses at this interface. Examination of these stresses using the finite element method showed that on load application to the upper incisors, the maximum tensile stresses were concentrated within the body of the tooth and not at the tooth-denture base interface. Stresses encountered at the interface were relatively low and introduction of a crack made no significant difference to their magnitude.

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