Linda Rosenberg

Cathepsin B and L activities in isolated osteoclasts.

Cathepsin B and L activities were examined with chicken osteoclasts isolated by sequential filtration and inhibitors were added to disaggregated rat osteoclasts on cortical bovine bone. Z-Phe-Phe-CHN2, a selective inhibitor of cathepsin L, at 1, 5, and 10 microM, inhibited bone resorption by rat osteoclasts 50, 85, and 100 per cent and, in chicken osteoclasts, cathepsin L activity was comparably inhibited. Cathepsin L in avian osteoclasts was also 25-fold higher than cathepsin B. Chicken osteoclasts treated with Z-Phe-Ala-CHN2, a generalized cysteine proteinase inhibitor, had both cathepsins inhibited to the same extent. Cathepsin L may play a key role in resorption.

Mobile health units. Design and implementation considerations.

The decision to provide health care services with a mobile van is one which educational and service facilities are increasingly pursuing. The benefits include: The potential to increase the availability of services to underserved populations where access to care is perceived to be one reason for underuse of available services. The opportunity to increase and broaden the educational experiences of students in a training program. The opportunity to develop a sense of social responsibility in the health care provider. The process of deciding to pursue a van purchase is complicated, and administrators may best be served by obtaining experienced consultants to help them fully comprehend the issues involved. After the decision to purchase a mobile unit is made, it is necessary to focus on van requirements and design to meet federal, state, and city codes concerning motor vehicles and health requirements. Some modifications of ones standard practices are needed because of these codes. Being aware of them in advance will allow a smooth project completion. This article provides information about some of the steps required to implement a mobile unit. The approximate time from initial concept to van delivery was 1 year, with one fully dedicated project coordinator working to assure the projects success in such a short time frame. Seeing the gratified personnel and students who serve the children on the Smiling Faces, Going Places Mobile Dental Van of the NYUCD (see Figure 2), and knowing the children would otherwise not have received such services, allows the health care professionals involved to feel the development of this van is an exciting mechanism for delivery of health care to individuals who would otherwise go without.

Interprofessional Educational Experience among Dietitians after a Pediatric Dentistry Clinical Rotation

Interprofessional education is interactive learning focused on collaboration and prepares professionals to improve patient care in a collaborative team environment. This article explores how registered dietitians views and clinical practices regarding pediatric oral health and nutrition have been influenced by interprofessional education with pediatric dentists. Surveys were e-mailed to 150 dietitians who graduated from New York University and may have participated in a pediatric dental rotation between 2005 and 2010. Out of the 109 who were eligible, 36 (33%) responded. The respondents experienced positive collaboration (72%) as well as an increase in awareness (61%) and knowledge (58%) of the relationship between oral health and dietary habits. Dietitians and dentists have the potential to address overall health and the current obesity epidemic.