GP5+/6+ SYBR Green methodology for simultaneous screening and quantification of human papillomavirus

Background: Detection and quantification of human papillomavirus (HPV) may help in predicting the evolution of HPV infection and progression of associated lesions. Objectives: We propose a novel protocol using consensus primers GP5+/6+ in a SYBR Green quantitative real-time (Q-RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The strategy permits screening for HPV infection and viral load quantification simultaneously. Study design: DNA from 153 archived cervical samples, previously tested for HPV detection by GP5+/6+ PCR and typed by EIA-RLB (enzyme immunoassay-reverse line blot) or sequence analysis, was analysed using SYBR Green Q-RT PCR. Melting temperature assay (T(m)) and cycle threshold (C(t)) were used to evaluate HPV positivity and viral load. The T(m) in the range of 77-82 degrees C was considered to be positive for HPV-DNA. HPV results generated through GP5+/6+ conventional PCR were considered the gold standard against which sensitivity and specificity of our assay were measured. Results: Out of 104 HPV positive samples, 100 (96.2%) were also determined as positive by SYBR Green Q-RT PCR; of the 49 HPV-negative samples, all were determined as negative. There was an excellent positivity agreement (K = 0.94) between the SYBR Green Q-RT and the previous methods employed. The specificity and sensitivity were 100% and 96.2%, respectively. Comparison of SYBR Green Q-RT and TaqMan oligo-probe technologies gave an excellent concordance (pc = 0.95) which validated the proposed strategy. Conclusions: We propose a sensitive and easy-to-perform technique for HPV screening and viral load quantification simultaneously. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of curing protocol on the polymerization of dual-cured resin cements

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to evaluate how curing protocol affects the extent of polymerization of dual-cured resin cements. Methods. Four commercial resin cements were used (DuoLink, Panavia F 2.0, Variolink II and Enforce). The extent of polymerization of the resin cements cured under different conditions was measured using a (1)H Stray-Field MRI method, which also enabled to probe molecular mobility in the kHz frequency range. Results. Resin cements show well distinct behaviours concerning chemical cure. Immediate photo-activation appears to be the best choice for higher filler loaded resin cements (Panavia F 2.0 and Variolink). A photo-activation delay (5 min) did not induce any significant difference in the extent of polymerization of all cements. Significance. The extent of polymerization of dual-cured resin cements considerably changed among products under various curing protocols. Clinicians should optimize the materials choice taking into account the curing characteristics of the cements. (C) 2010 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cleft Palate Obturation With Branemark Protocol Implant-Supported Fixed Denture and Removable Obturator

A 41-year-old man with cleft palate presented with a wide dehiscence and missing teeth. Six implants had been placed for fabrication of an overdenture, which was unsatisfactory. A bar was waxed and cast for connection to the implants; precision attachments were placed laterally for retention. A fixed partial denture was fabricated, and milled crowns were fabricated at the molar region to provide a guiding plane for insertion of a removable palatal obturator. Good swallowing and speech outcomes were achieved. This technique provided functional and esthetic benefits, enhanced oral hygiene, and improved the psychological condition of the patient.

A modified orthodontic protocol for advanced periodontal disease in Class II division 1 malocclusion

An interdisciplinary approach is often the best option for achieving a predictable outcome for an adult patient with complex clinical problems. This case report demonstrates the combined periodontal/orthodontic treatment for a 49-year-old woman presenting with a Class II Division 1 malocclusion with moderate maxillary anterior crowding, a 9-mm overjet, and moderate to severe bone loss as the main characteristics of the periodontal disease. The orthodontic treatment included 2 maxillary first premolar extractions through forced extrusion. Active orthodontic treatment was completed in 30 months. The treatment outcomes, including the periodontal condition, were stable 17 months after active orthodontic treatment. The advantages of this interdisciplinary approach are discussed. Periodontally compromised orthodontic patients can be satisfactorily treated, achieving most of the conventional orthodontic goals, if a combined orthodontic/periodontic approach is used. (Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2011; 139:S133-44)

Influence of curing protocol on selected properties of light-curing polymers: Degree of conversion, volume contraction, elastic modulus, and glass transition temperature

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of light-curing protocol on degree of conversion (DC), volume contraction (C), elastic modulus (E), and glass transition temperature (T(g)) as measured on a model polymer. It was a further aim to correlate the measured values with each other. Methods. Different light-curing protocols were used in order to investigate the influence of energy density (ED), power density (PD), and mode of cure on the properties. The modes of cure were continuous, pulse-delay, and stepped irradiation. DC was measured by Raman micro-spectroscopy. C was determined by pycnometry and a density column. E was measured by a dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA), and T(g) was measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Data were submitted to two-and three-way ANOVA, and linear regression analyses. Results. ED, PD, and mode of cure influenced DC, C, E, and T(g) of the polymer. A significant positive correlation was found between ED and DC (r = 0.58), ED and E (r = 0.51), and ED and T(g) (r = 0.44). Taken together, ED and PD were significantly related to DC and E. The regression coefficient was positive for ED and negative for PD. Significant positive correlations were detected between DC and C (r = 0.54), DC and E (r = 0.61), and DC and T(g) (r = 0.53). Comparisons between continuous and pulse-delay modes of cure showed significant influence of mode of cure: pulse-delay curing resulted in decreased DC, decreased C, and decreased T(g). Influence of mode of cure, when comparing continuous and step modes of cure, was more ambiguous. A complex relationship exists between curing protocol, microstructure of the resin and the investigated properties. The overall performance of a composite is thus indirectly affected by the curing protocol adopted, and the desired reduction of C may be in fact a consequence of the decrease in DC. (C) 2009 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Platyhelminth phylogenetics - a key to understanding parasitism?

The comparative method, the inference of biological processes from phylogenetic patterns, is founded on the reliability of the phylogenetic tree. In attempting to apply the comparative method to the understanding of the evolution of parasitism in the phylum Platyhelminthes, we have highlighted several points we consider to be of value along with many problems. We discuss four of these topics. Firstly, we view the group at a phylum level, in particular discussing the importance of establishing the sister taxon to the obligate parasite group, the Neodermata, for addressing such questions as the monophyly, parasitism or the endo or ectoparasitic nature of the early parasites. The variety of non-congruent phylogenetic trees presented so far, utilising either or both morphological and molecular data, gives rise to the suggestion that any evolutionary scenarios presented at this stage be treated as interesting hypotheses rather than well-supported theories. Our second point of discussion is the conflict between morphological and molecular estimates of monogenean evolution. The Monogenea presents several well-established morphological autapomorphies, such that morphology consistently estimates the group as monophyletic, whereas molecular sequence analyses indicate paraphyly, with different genes giving different topologies. We discuss the problem of reconciling gene and species trees. Thirdly, we use recent phylogenetic results on the tapeworms to interpret the evolution of strobilation, proglottization, segmentation and scolex structure. In relation to the latter, the results presented indicate that the higher cestodes are diphyletic, with one branch difossate and the other tetrafossate. Finally, we use a SSU rDNA phylogenetic tree of the Trematoda as a basis for the discussion of an aspect of the digenean life-cycle, namely the nature of the first intermediate host. Frequent episodes of host-switching, between gastropod and bivalve hosts or even into annelids, are indicated.

Synthetic studies of the HIV-1 protease inhibitive didemnaketals: Stereocontrolled synthetic approach to the key mother spiroketals

[GRAPHICS] The stereocontrolled synthesis of (2S,4R,6R,8S,10S,1'R,1"R)-2(acetylhydroxymethyl)-4, 10-dimethyl-8(isopropenylhydroxymethyl)-1, 7-dioxaspiro[5,5]-undecane (4a) and its C1"-epimer (4b), the key mother spiroketals of the HIV-1 protease inhibitive didemnaketals from the ascidian Didemnum sp., has been carried out through multisteps from the natural (R)-(+)-pulegone, which involved the diastereoselective construction of four chiral carbon centers(C-2, C-6, C-8, and C-1') by intramolecular chiral induce.

How cracks in SiOx-coated polyester films affect gas permeation

In this paper theoretical models have been established that can account for the gas transmission through nanocomposite laminates, consisting of an oxide layer of finite permeability containing defects, on a polymer sheet of finite thickness. The defect shapes can either be in the form of long cracks or rectangular holes. The models offer a choice of exact numerical calculations or fast and intuitive analytical approximations. The experimental measurements of oxygen permeation through four different SiOx/poly (ethylene terephthalate) samples that were strained to produce distributions or cracks showed good agreement when compared with predicted results from the approximate analytic model. As a consequence of this observation, a key practical conclusion is that, because of the logarithmic dependence of transmission on the width of a crack, for a given strain it is better to have a small number of large cracks rather than a large number of small cracks. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

On the nonlocality of the quantum channel in the standard teleportation protocol

By exhibiting a violation of a novel form of the Bell-CHSH inequality, Żukowski has recently established that the quantum correlations exploited in the standard perfect teleportation protocol cannot be recovered by any local hidden variables model. In the case of imperfect teleportation, we show that a violation of a generalized form of Żukowski's teleportation inequality can only occur if the channel state, considered by itself, already violates a Bell-CHSH inequality. On the other hand, the fact that the channel state violates a Bell-CHSH inequality is not sufficient to imply a violation of Żukowski's teleportation inequality (or any of its generalizations). The implication does hold, however, if the fidelity of the teleportation exceeds ≈ 0.90. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

ReoPro rules: results from the 'DoTirofiban and ReoPro give similar efficacy trial' (TARGET) - A Key Paper Evaluation (Topol, Ej et al)

In the treatment of atherosclerotic disease, stenting in the presence of a glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa antagonist is becoming an increasingly common procedure. The ‘Do Tirofiban and ReoPro Give Similar Efficacy Trial’ (TARGET) was designed to determine whether the cheaper tirofiban was as effective and safe as abciximab in the prevention of ischaemic events with stenting. Unexpectedly, abciximab was shown to be superior to tirofiban. Tirofiban is a selective GP IIb/IIIa antagonist whereas abciximab has additional anti-inflammatory actions, which may contribute to its superiority.