Using BAMLET complex in a functional spreadable cheese elaborated with bovine colostrum.

BAMLET is a bioactive complex formed by the interaction between α-Lactoalbumin (α-LA) and oleic acid which exhibits cytotoxic activity against cancer cells. BAMLET is selectively cytotoxic to malignant cells while sparing the healthy ones. There are, however, no reports about its application in a food matrix. The objective of this work was to synthetize the BAMLET complex from oleic acid and bovine colostrum from the second and third milkings which naturally contain α-LA to prepare two functional spreadable cheeses. The complex was successfully formed and retained in the cheeses as verified through SDS-PAGE applied to the whey obtained. The spreadable cheese from the second milking had a higher protein content (13.56 ± 0.02%) and a higher yield (40%) than the product obtained from the third milking. Even though the cheeses did not show any significant differences (p > 0.05) in the inhibition of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 1, their inhibitory activities were good, as a 0.5 g portion of the cheese from the second milking was sufficient to inhibit 57.52 ± 9.17%, while the cheese from the third milking inhibited 51.48 ± 1.07% of the enzyme. The sensory analysis showed a good acceptance for both spreadable cheeses.

The Oral Health Needs of Wisconsin Farmers and the Need for Patient Activation: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the level of oral health need of Wisconsin farmers based on sociodemographic variables, perceived oral health, and actual oral health, and to evaluate the effectiveness of a dental hygiene patient activation intervention. METHODS: Oral health screenings were administered by calibrated dental hygienists to 60 Wisconsin farmers attending the 2016 Wisconsin Farm Technology Days. Study participants self-administered the Oral Health Inventory Profile-14 survey and participated in an Adult Basic Screening Survey. Validity and reliability of both instruments have been established in previous studies. A follow-up phone call for Wisconsin farmers with a moderate- to high-risk oral health condition determined study participants followed the dental hygiene recommendations signified if study participants followed the dental hygiene recommendations and if patient activation had been achieved. RESULTS: Study participants represented Wisconsin farmers (N = 60; n = 32 men, n = 28 women) with an average age range between 50 and 60 years old. The Oral Health Impact Profile-14 survey results indicated that this group of Wisconsin farmers did not perceive themselves to have an oral health problem. The Adult Basic Screening Survey results also indicated that the majority of study participants did not currently have active oral disease. There were 32% (n = 19) who qualified for follow-up phone call, with 15% (n = 3) seeking oral health care based on the dental hygiene recommendation. Significant associations between sociodemographic variables and actual oral health were not found, and the null hypotheses were not rejected. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that this group of Wisconsin farmers is receiving regular oral health care and patient activation despite literature suggesting that farmers and rural individuals might face unique barriers to health and oral health care.

E-Model for Online Learning Communities.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the students' perspectives on the phenomenon of online learning communities while enrolled in a graduate dental hygiene program. METHODS: A qualitative case study method was designed to investigate the learners' experiences with communities in an online environment. A cross-sectional purposive sampling method was used. Interviews were the data collection method. As the original data were being analyzed, the researchers noted a pattern evolved indicating the phenomenon developed in stages. The data were re-analyzed and validated by 2 member checks. RESULTS: The participants' experiences revealed an e-model consisting of 3 stages of formal learning community development as core courses in the curriculum were completed and 1 stage related to transmuting the community to an informal entity as students experienced the independent coursework in the program. The development of the formal learning communities followed 3 stages: Building a Foundation for the Learning Community, Building a Supportive Network within the Learning Community and Investing in the Community to Enhance Learning. The last stage, Transforming the Learning Community, signaled a transition to an informal network of learners. The e-model was represented by 3 key elements: metamorphosis of relationships, metamorphosis through the affective domain and metamorphosis through the cognitive domain, with the most influential element being the affective development. CONCLUSION: The e-model describes a 4 stage process through which learners experience a metamorphosis in their affective, relationship and cognitive development. Synergistic learning was possible based on the interaction between synergistic relationships and affective actions.

Building online learning communities in a graduate dental hygiene program.

PURPOSE: The literature abounds with research related to building online communities in a single course; however, limited evidence is available on this phenomenon from a program perspective. The intent of this qualitative case study inquiry was to explore student experiences in a graduate dental hygiene program contributing or impeding the development and sustainability of online learning communities. METHODS: Approval from the IRB was received. A purposive sampling technique was used to recruit participants from a stratification of students and graduates. A total of 17 participants completed semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was completed through 2 rounds - 1 for coding responses and 1 to construct categories of experiences. RESULTS: The participants' collective definition of an online learning community was a complex synergistic network of interconnected people who create positive energy. The findings indicated the development of this network began during the program orientation and was beneficial for building a foundation for the community. Students felt socially connected and supported by the network. Course design was another important category for participation in weekly discussions and group activities. Instructors were viewed as active participants in the community, offering helpful feedback and being a facilitator in discussions. Experiences impeding the development of online learning communities related to the poor performance of peers and instructors. CONCLUSION: Specific categories of experiences supported and impeded the development of online learning communities related to the program itself, course design, students and faculty. These factors are important to consider in order to maximize student learning potential in this environment.

Mortalidad del primer molar permanente y principal factores asociados en usuarios del sistema público de salud en tres municipios de El Salvador, 2013 / Mortality of the first permanent molar and main associated factors in users of the public health system in three municipalities of El Salvador, 2013

Objetivo: Determinar la mortalidad del primer molar permanente y sus principales factores asociados en usuarios del sistema público de salud en los municipios de Soyapango, Apastepeque y Cacaopera. Materiales y métodos: El diseño corresponde a un estudio descriptivo trasversal de asociación de variables. La muestra fue de 720 usuarios de tres centros de atención del primer nivel del Sistema Nacional de Salud Pública de El Salvador, con edades entre 7 a más de 60 años en el último trimestre del año 2013; se consideró como variable dependiente la mortalidad del primer molar permanente y como variables independiente las enfermedades bucodentales y factores sociodemográficos. Las pruebas estadísticas utilizadas fueron: valor p, prueba de razón de prevalencia y prueba de homogeneidad entre niveles. Resultados: El 50.4% de la población presentó uno o más primeros molares permanentes ausentes; siendo el rango de edad de más de 60 años el que presentó mayor porcentualidad de pérdida (100%). El cuadrante 4 presentó el mayor porcentaje de pérdida (45.0%). Mientras que el menor correspondió al cuadrante 2 (35.4%). La principal enfermedad referida de pérdida del primer molar permanente fue la caries dental con 52.10%. El índice CPO-D total de la muestra es de 3.48. Las pruebas estadísticas determinan que no existe una relación significativa (p= 0.17) entre la mortalidad del primer molar permanente y el sexo del paciente. Encontrándose una relación estadísticamente significativa entre la pérdida e ingresos económicos (p= 0.00) y entre la mortalidad del primer molar permanente y nivel educativo (p: 0.0024). Conclusiones: La mortalidad del primer molar permanente aumenta a medida aumenta la edad del paciente. La caries dental, los ingresos económicos y el nivel educativo se constituyen los principales factores asociados a la pérdida del primer molar permanente en la población en estudio.

Objective: To determine the mortality of the first permanent molar and its main associated factors in users of the public health system in the municipalities of Soyapango, Apastepeque and Cacaopera. Materials and Methods: The design was a descriptive cross- association study of variables; the sample was 720 users of three attention centers of the first level of the National Public Health System of El Salvador, aged 7 to 60 years in the last quarter of 2013. It was considered as an independent variable the mortality of the first permanent molar and as independent variables the oral diseases and the sociodemographic factors. Results: the 50.4 % of the population presented one or more first permanent molars absent; the range of more than 60 years showed higher loss percentually (100 %). The four quadrant presented the highest loss (45.0%), while the lowest corresponded to quadrant 2 (35.4%). The main concerned disease referred of the loss of the first permanent molar was the dental caries with 52.10 %. The total of the DMF-T index is 3.83. Statistical tests determine that there is no significant relationship (p = 0.1716) between the mortality of the first permanent molar and the sex of the patient, finding a statistically significant relationship between the mortality and economic income (p = 0.0000) and between the mortality of the first permanent molar and educational level (p = 0.0024) Conclusions: The mortality of the first permanent molar increases as patient age increases; dental caries, economic income and education level constitute the main associated factors with the loss of the first permanent molar in the studied population.

A survey of degree completion programs in dental hygiene education.

The purpose of this descriptive study was to identify specific information related to U.S. dental hygiene baccalaureate degree completion programs. Learning experiences, assessment methods, and baccalaureate institutional partnerships were assessed. Of the sixty dental hygiene programs that offer a degree completion program, the forty-two that met the inclusion criteria (including having operated for at least three years) were invited to participate in a thirty-eight item online survey. A 62 percent (n=26) response rate was obtained. Learning experiences in responding programs included core dental hygiene courses, general education courses, and elective dental hygiene courses. Emphasis areas offered by various programs were in the specialty areas of education, public or community health, and research. Respondents reported that their graduates were employed in multiple settings (65 percent; n=17), with 19 percent (n=5) reporting employment in the combined grouping of private practice, education, and public health. Institutional partnerships included articulation agreements (88 percent; n=21), community college baccalaureate (8 percent; n=2), and university extension (4 percent; n=1) models. The findings of this study provide a baseline for assessing the educational composition and design of U.S. dental hygiene degree completion programs. However, results of this study showed inconsistencies among learning experiences that might raise concerns when considering students' level of preparation for graduate education and future leadership roles in the profession.