Effect of Varying Layers of Two Die Spacers on Precementation Space of Full Coverage Restorations.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the effect of varying layers of two commercially available die spacers on pre-cementation space of full coverage restorations in vitro and in vivo. Seven dies were prepared for each of 15 subjects. On three dies 1, 2, 3 layers of Pico-fit and on other three dies 1, 2, 3 layers of Yeti die spacers applied, wax pattern fabricated, invested and cast.

Functional and esthetic rehabilitation of mutilated dentition associated with amelogenesis imperfecta.

This clinical case report describes the oral rehabilitation of an adult female patient diagnosed with hypoplastic amelogenesis imperfecta with inadequate, deteriorated restorations of anterior teeth, inadequate clinical crown heights of posterior teeth due to severe attrition of hypoplastic enamel. Treatment included extraction of teeth with poor prognosis, root canal treatment and crown lengthening of severely worn out teeth & full coverage porcelain-fused-to metal fixed restoration of entire dentition. The main objectives of the selected treatment were to enhance the esthetics, restore masticatory function and eliminate the teeth sensitivity.

Comparative study of shade matching performance of dental students under natural daylight and daylight lamp conditions.

Background: As visual shade matching is subject to light source variables, this study was conducted to compare shade matching performance of dental students under two lighting conditions, ie, natural daylight and a commercially available daylight lamp.

Materials And Methods: Two sets of porcelain discs were prepared. The first set consisted of eight porcelain discs of shades A2, A3, A3.

A simplified chair-side remount technique using customized mounting platforms.

Correct occlusal relationships are part of the successful prosthetic treatment for edentulous patients. Fabrication of complete dentures comprises of clinical and laboratory procedures that should be executed accurately for achieving success with fabricated dentures. Errors occurring during the clinical and laboratory procedures of a denture may subsequently lead to the occlusal errors in the final prosthesis.

Comparison of effect of desensitizing agents on the retention of crowns cemented with luting agents: an in vitro study.

Purpose: Many dentists use desensitizing agents to prevent hypersensitivity. This study compared and evaluated the effect of two desensitizing agents on the retention of cast crowns when cemented with various luting agents.

Materials And Methods: Ninety freshly extracted human molars were prepared with flat occlusal surface, 6 degree taper and approximately 4 mm axial length.

Ten-yr renal allograft survival of patients with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.

Background: Long-term allograft survival of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APAS) patients as well as patients who have antiphospholipid antibodies but no thrombotic complications remains largely unknown. This study evaluates long-term allograft survival of APA as well as patients with APAS.

Methods: During the study period from January 1, 1992 through May 31, 2009, 1625 patients with ESRD awaiting renal transplants were screened for APAS.

Transplantation of high panel-reactive antibody left ventricular assist device patients without crossmatch using on-bypass pheresis and alemtuzumab.

Background: Highly sensitized (HS) left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients with high panel-reactive antibody (PRA) levels present a challenge. Alemtuzumab, a potent depleting agent for T and B lymphocytes (months to years), and plasmapheresis, offer an opportunity for heart transplantation to these patients who might die of VAD complications on the transplant waiting list. This study compared rates of acute rejection and survival of a HS LVAD cohort with a contemporaneous control group after heart transplant.

Peri-operative alemtuzumab (Campath-1H) and plasmapheresis for high-PRA positive lymphocyte crossmatch heart transplant: a strategy to shorten left ventricular assist device support.

Patients on a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) often have a high level of panel-reactive antibodies (PRA). Conventional therapy is to await a heart from a negative prospective-crossmatch donor. We transplanted three high-PRA patients with non-crossmatched hearts, using intra- and post-operative plasmapheresis and long-term T-/B-/plasma-cell therapy with alemtuzumab.

Clinical importance of anti-human leukocyte antigen-specific antibody concentration in performing calculated panel reactive antibody and virtual crossmatches.

Background: Highly sensitized patients develop multi-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) specific antibodies. This study measures concentrations of anti-HLA antibodies in multispecific sera by converting fluorescence intensity into molecules of equivalent soluble fluorochrome (MESF) units. This was used to determine MESF units required for a positive T and B flow crossmatches (FLXM).

DP reactive antibody in a zero mismatch renal transplant pair.

This study describes molecular basis for positive B-cell flow crossmatch in a zero mismatch (0MM) transplant pair. Our end-stage renal disease patient was B-cell flow crossmatch positive with a 0MM deceased donor. DNA from the donor and patient were further typed by a high-resolution method.

Alemtuzumab (Campath 1H) induction with tacrolimus monotherapy is safe for high immunological risk renal transplantation.

Immunosuppression for immunologically high-risk renal transplant patients usually involves antithymocyte globulin induction with triple drug maintenance therapy. Alemtuzumab, a humanized anti-CD52 antibody, has shown promise in tolerogenic induction protocols, requiring minimal maintenance immunosuppression. In this prospective, open-label, randomized, controlled trial, we enrolled 21 high immunological risk patients (i.

Pretransplant soluble CD30 is a better predictor of posttransplant development of donor-specific antibodies and acute vascular rejection than panel reactive antibodies.

Background: This study tests a hypothesis that pretransplant concentration of soluble CD30 (sCD30) is a better predictor of posttransplant development of donor-specific HLA antibodies (DSA) and acute vascular rejection (AVR) than panel reactive HLA antibodies (PRA).

Methods: Pretransplant sera from 115 patients were evaluated for their PRA and sCD30 concentrations. All patients received calcineurin-inhibitor based immunosuppressive therapy.

Prediction of crossmatch outcome of highly sensitized patients by single and/or multiple antigen bead luminex assay.

Background: We used a solid-phase assay to identify human leukocyte antigen (HLA) Class I and II specificities in highly reactive sera, and applied this information to predict crossmatch outcome with greater than 90% accuracy.

Methods: Sera from 20 highly sensitized end-stage renal disease patients reactive to 70-100% of HLA Class I and II antigen panel were analyzed by single and/or multiple antigen flow microparticle bead assay using Luminex platform (Luminex assay). These sera contained antibodies directed against high frequency public HLA class I and/or II epitopes accounting for 70-100% of serum's total reactivity.

Soluble CD30 concentrations in ESRD patients with and without panel reactive HLA antibodies.

Background: In this retrospective study we compared accuracy of panel reactive antibodies (PRA) with serum soluble CD30 (sCD30) contents in predicting acute rejection crisis post-renal transplant.

Methods: Pre-transplant sera from 115 patients were evaluated for their PRA and sCD30 concentrations. All patients received calcineurin inhibitor-based immunosuppressive therapy.

Campath and renal transplant rejection.

No clear guidelines exist for the treatment of acute vascular rejection following renal transplantation. This report documents one patient who was treated with plasmapheresis, immunoglobulin and Campath with good initial response. However, rejection recurred resulting in graft loss and, in addition, the patient developed post-transplant lymphoma.

Efficacy of anticoagulation therapy in end-stage renal disease patients with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.

Background: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APAS) remain at high risk for the development of renal thrombosis without the benefit of anticoagulation therapy. This study examines the efficacy of anticoagulation therapy in this high-risk patient population.

Method: Of nine APAS renal-transplant patients, seven were treated with coumadin, whereas two were treated with heparin.