An Electronic Screening System for Oral Health Examination and Collection of Critical Data in a Nonclinical Setting: Validation Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reliability, ease, and efficiency of data entry for an oral health screening app that allows iPad® entry of data, including permanent versus deciduous teeth present, visual image comparison grading of demineralization/caries, fluorosis, periodontal inflammation, oral hygiene status, identification of sealants/restorations, dental trauma, orthodontic malocclusion, mandibular joint dysfunction, and early childhood caries. METHODS: 89 consented children were examined first by a public health dental hygienist in a dental office reception area and then by a dentist in a treatment operatory. The same research associate was used to prompt and record both examinations. RESULTS: The screenings prompted by the electronic oral health screening system were completed in 2 to 3 minutes each with favorable levels of comparison between examiners as assessed by weighted Kappa scores measuring 0.531 for all teeth examined, with the lower back teeth showing the greatest agreement (K = 0.601) and the upper back and upper front demonstrating less agreement (K = 0.446 and 0.468, respectively). Neither examiner identified any carious lesions among the lower front teeth. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the first description of an oral health screening entry app with visual image comparisons and touchscreen data entry for efficient collection of oral health information.

Exaggerated coronary vasoreactivity to endothelin-1 in aged rats: role of protein kinase C.

OBJECTIVE: The interaction between advanced age and increased susceptibility to ischemic insult is well documented. Age-related increases in coronary vascular resistance, in part due to impaired dilator responses, have been reported. Our aim was to determine the role of endothelin-1 (ET-1) on enhanced constrictor responses in aged coronary arteries (CAs) and whether protein kinase C (PKC) signaling mechanisms impact ET-1 responses. METHODS: Vasoreactivity was assessed in CAs isolated from aged (24 months; n=16) and adult (4 months; n=21) male F344 rats following ET-1 (10(-10)-10(-8)) with and without specific ETA/ETB receptor antagonists (BQ-123, 1 microM; BQ-788, 30 nM) or the PKC inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide (Bis; 10(-6) M). Constrictor responses to KCl (80 mM) were also measured and voltage-gated Ca2+ channel (VGCC) determined in isolated coronary smooth muscle cells. Dilator responses to acetylcholine (ACH) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were assessed. RESULTS: Passive diameter was greater (357+/-19 vs. 309+/-9; p<0.02) while spontaneous tone was similar in 24 months vs. 4 months. ET-1 resulted in greater constriction in 24 months vs. 4 months (79% vs. 67%; p<0.01). Group differences persisted following selective ETB inhibition with BQ-788 (p<0.02), while BQ-123 abolished contractile responses to ET-1. Importantly, inhibition of ET-1 constriction by Bis occurred in 24 months but not 4 months (p<0.01). Constrictor responses to KCl and peak VGCC current density were similar in 24 months vs. 4 months (48% vs. 50%). No age-related differences were observed in ACH- or SNP-mediated dilation. Western blotting revealed increases in Ca2+-sensitive PKCalpha, -betaI, and -betaII levels with age, while eNOS and ETA receptor protein levels were unchanged. CONCLUSION: Aberrant ETA constrictor responses and directional changes in PKC are likely to contribute to coronary vascular pathology with advanced age.