Degradation of the sealing properties of a zinc oxide-calcium sulfate-based temporary filling material by entrapped cotton fibers.

During root canal therapy cotton may be placed in the pulp chamber before placement of a temporary filling. This study evaluated the effect on the sealing of a zinc oxide-calcium sulfate-based temporary filling material when fibers of the internal cotton passed through the filling material and reached the external surface of the temporary filling. Glass tubes were filled with a 3.5 mm thickness of the temporary filling incorporating a bundle of cotton fibers that passed from the inner surface of the restoration to the outer surface. The time for methylene blue stain to penetrate the filling was compared among four groups. Group 1 (large bundles of fibers) had 20 to 40 fibers, group 2 (medium bundles) had 10 to 15 fibers, group 3 (small bundles) had 3 to 5 fibers, and group 4 (negative controls) had no cotton fibers. All samples with cotton fibers leaked within 12 min. None of the negative controls leaked within the 21 -day observation time. These results demonstrate that even a very small amount of cotton trapped between the wall of the tube and the filling material dramatically reduced the sealing quality of the temporary restoration.

Rubber latex allergy and the endodontic patient.

Increasingly, patients with rubber latex allergy are being seen in dental offices. Health care workers, persons allergic to certain foods and those with certain medical histories are potentially latex-sensitive. This article presents the case of a patient with a history of severe rubber latex allergy and the associated management of an endodontically involved tooth. The possibility of the latex allergic patient being sensitive to gutta-percha obturation material is also raised.

Automated chemical synthesis: from resins to instruments.

Solid-phase organic synthesis is now a prevalent activity in drug discovery. In keeping with this keen interest is the need to develop reliable automated synthesis instrumentation as well as polymeric supports and linkers suitable for the full range of organic synthesis applications. In this paper, we review our activities in the development of new and enabling tools for automated chemical synthesis, including the following: (i) new solid supports such as ArgoGel (PS-PEG-based) and Argo-X203 (PS-based); and (ii) the Nautilus 2400 system, a fully closed and inert automated chemistry development workstation. Selected chemistry optimization and synthesis examples performed on the Nautilus and new solid supports will be described.

Graduate nursing concentration in women's health at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

The Graduate Nursing Concentration in Women's Health was formalized in the 1980s as a program of study that emphasizes nursing theory, research, and practice related to women's health. We describe the purposes of the program and the assumptions underlying the care of women as well as the curriculum and characteristics desired of graduates. In this program, the goal of advancing women's health is balanced by the desire to create a productive, educational environment that facilitates the personal construction of knowledge by learners.

Mycobacterium bovis infection in North American elk (Cervus elaphus).

A naturally occurring outbreak of Mycobacterium bovis infection in captive wild elk (wapiti) in Montana was confirmed by mycobacteriologic examination. Twenty-eight of 143 elk responded to M. bovis purified protein derivative (PPD) tuberculin injected intradermally in the cervical region (SCT). The results of comparative cervical tuberculin skin tests conducted within 9 days of SCT revealed greater responses to M. bovis PPD tuberculin than to M. avium PPD tuberculin in 23 of 28 elk responding. At necropsy, several grossly visible tuberculous lesions were observed in the parenchyma of the lung, thoracic lymph nodes, and submandibular lymph nodes. Microscopic examination of appropriately stained tissue sections revealed the presence of granulomatous lesions containing acid-fast bacilli. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed using a sarkosyl extract of M. bovis (antigen) and peroxidase-labeled protein G (conjugate); reactions were detected in the sera of 8 of 9 elk responding to M. bovis PPD tuberculin. Lymphocyte blastogenic assay responses were detected using M. bovis antigens in 7 of 9 elk positive on skin tests using M. bovis PPD.

Research publication credit assignment: nurses' views.

A national survey of 1,693 persons (primarily nurses) from eight target groups was done to assess views on publication credit assignment. Data were collected using scenarios in a questionnaire based on the instrument developed by Spiegel and Keith-Spiegel (1970). Scenario items and the percentages of 897 respondents selecting each response alternative are presented in an appendix. Response rates indicated that authorship credit assignment is an important issue for nurses functioning primarily in academic settings. Among items selected by 85% or more of 620 nurses in four subsample groups (American Academy of Nursing, Council of Nurse Researchers, authors, and nursing doctoral students) with response rates greater than 50%, 10 points of agreement were found. These points are summarized as possible guidelines for publication credit assignment. Few differences were found among scenario item responses of: (a) subjects classified as high and low publishers, (b) those with research as their major role responsibility and others, and (c) doctoral students and others.

Clarification of the database concept.

Our concern is that nursing databases be structured to improve the efficiency of decision-making in nursing. The selection of database management systems that are compatible with the computer resources in a majority of settings is important to methodology. To facilitate methodological development, we encourage the inclusion of information in the nursing literature that details the investments in personnel, equipment, and facilities required to develop computerized databases. In the current state of affairs, determining the personnel and budgets for the development, update, and maintenance of computerized databases and related data management systems is somewhat like trying to pin the tail on the donkey while blindfolded. However some of the frustrations encountered at the start of new endeavors can be lessened if we share our experiences in project management as we report findings from our work.