Distal movement of buccal segments with the "en masse" removable appliance: its value in treating patients with mild Class II, Division 1 malocclusion. Part II: the model measuring system and results.

The model of 25 children with mild Class II, Division 1 malocclusions who had their upper buccal segments moved distally with an en masse appliance were measured at the beginning of treatment and at the completion of buccal segment retraction. A reflex microscope, interfaced to a personal computer, was adapted for this purpose. A custom-made jig and linear stepping motor permitted the recording of both buccal and incisal measurements of the teeth in occlusion, as well as individual arch parameters.

Activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB in human inflamed synovial tissue.

Objective: The transcription factor nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) has been implicated in the inflammatory response and is known to be activated by a process involving reactive oxygen intermediates. The purpose of the present study was to demonstrate the presence and distribution of activated NF-kappaB in synovium samples from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) and from autopsy subjects with no known history of arthritis.

Methods: Immunohistochemical staining was performed using both polyclonal and monoclonal "activity-specific" antibodies to the Rel-A (p65) subunit of NF-kappaB (anti-Rel-A nuclear location sequences).

Neurotrophins and peripheral neuropathy.

Endogenous nerve growth factor (NGF) levels were studied in patients with nerve trauma, diabetes mellitus and leprosy, the most common causes of human peripheral neuropathy. In diabetics, there was an early length-dependent dysfunction of small-diameter sensory fibres, with depletion of skin NGF and the sensory neuropeptide substance P. The NGF depletion correlated significantly with decreased skin axon-reflex vasodilatation, which is mediated by small sensory fibres at least partly via substance P release.

Increased activity and sensitivity of mitochondrial respiratory enzymes to tumor necrosis factor alpha-mediated inhibition is associated with increased cytotoxicity in drug-resistant leukemic cell lines.

The drug-resistant leukemic cell lines, CEM/VLB100 and K/DAU600, are more sensitive to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha)-mediated cytotoxicity compared with their parental cell lines, CCRF-CEM and K562 cl.6. Drug-resistant leukemic cell lines have more active mitochondrial function, which is associated with a greater susceptibility to TNFalpha-induced respiratory inhibition.

Case report: the use of a resin retained bridge with movable joint.

The use of resin retained bridge work is commonplace within dental practice. Factors that may affect long term success include the type of metal used and surface preparation, the resin, operator technique, the surface area of the tooth, differing movement of the abutment teeth and occlusal forces. A clinical case is reported in which a resin retained bridge with a movable joint was used to restore missing anterior teeth in a 15 year old girl with a developing occlusion.

The purification and characterization of biological 6-sulphatoxymelatonin and comparison with synthetic 6-sulphatoxymelatonin.

We have purified the major metabolite of melatonin, 6-sulphatoxymelatonin, from urine and compared it to its synthetic counterpart. For preparation of the biological material, oral melatonin was administered to human volunteers and their urine extracted onto Amberlite XAD-2 resin to remove urea; the glucuronide metabolites of melatonin were removed by silica chromatography; and 6-sulphatoxymelatonin was separated from N-acetyl serotonin sulphate, the other sulphate metabolite of melatonin, by preparative thin-layer chromatography. Synthetic 6-sulphatoxymelatonin was produced by reacting 6-hydroxymelatonin with chlorosulphonic acid in dimethylformamide; the reaction mixture was purified on Florisil and preparative thin-layer chromatography was used to remove indolic by-products of the reaction.

Prediction of postoperative nausea and vomiting using a logistic regression model.

In a previous study, logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association of independent fixed patient factors with the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Female sex, previous history of PONV, use of postoperative opioids, previous history of motion sickness and an interaction between male sex and previous history of PONV were combined in an equation from which risk of PONV could be estimated. The present study was designed to test this equation in a group of patients with wide selection criteria.

An immunohistochemical investigation of the expression of parathyroid hormone receptors in rat cementoblasts.

Cementoblasts share many of the features of the osteoblast phenotype. To investigate their expression of cell surface receptors for parathyroid hormone (PTH) (i) unlabelled PTH was bound to tissue sections and subsequently detected with anti-PTH monoclonal antibodies; and (ii) digoxigenin (DIG)-labelled PTH was applied to the sections and the bound hormone detected with anti-DIG antibodies. The use of non-radioactive DIG-labelled PTH represents a novel approach for the immunodetection of PTH receptors in situ.

A comparison of the mineral content of enamel and dentine in human premolars and enamel pearls measured by X-ray microtomography.

Mineral content gradients in two composite enamel pearls from permanent human upper molars were measured by X-ray microtomography (XMT) at a resolution of 15-30 microns. This non-destructive microscopic technique was used to make 15-microns thick XMT slices with 100-microns separation through one pearl and 250-microns separation through the other. Average mineral contents were calculated from the linear absorption coefficients determined from regions of the XMT slices assuming the inorganic component to be calcium hydroxyapatite.

Susceptibility of Haemophilus influenzae isolates with known resistance mechanisms to five cephalosporins.

The in vitro activities of cefaclor, cefetamet, cefixime, cefotaxime and cefuroxime were determined against 150 isolates of Haemophilus influenzae. These included 50 ampicillin-susceptible, 50 beta-lactamase-producing and 50 intrinsically ampicillin-resistant isolates. A closer relationship was apparent between the intrinsic resistance to ampicillin and reduced susceptibility to cephalosporins.

Physical measures of recovery from anorexia nervosa during hospitalised re-feeding.

Objective: To examine the relationship between weight gain, changes in body composition and physiological characteristics of fitness during the recovery from anorexia nervosa.

Design: Longitudinal over eight weeks of intensive inpatient re-feeding (Wk 0-8).

Setting: The London Hospital Medical College.

Detection of Epstein-Barr virus early replicative phase using monoclonal antibody BZ-1 in oral hairy leukoplakia and other hyperkeratotic oral mucosal lesions: a retrospective study.

The early replicative phase of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was detected by immunohistochemistry, in addition to routine histology with hematoxylin eosin staining, in formalin fixed, paraffin-embedded archive specimens of 97 hyperkeratotic lesions including oral hairy leukoplakia (HL) in order to assess whether EBV is specific to HL, or if it occurs in other hyperkeratotic lesions of the oral mucosa. Monoclonal antibody (MAb) BZ-1 directed against the BZLF-1 gene product of EBV was used for immunostaining by the avidin-biotin peroxidase technique. The reaction was visualized with DAB/H2O2 solution and counterstained with PAS stain to detect any coexisting of hyphae of Candida.

A synthetic 10-kD heat shock protein (hsp10) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis modulates adjuvant arthritis.

The heat shock protein, hsp10, is an abundant protein in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), its nucleotide sequence encoding a protein of 99 amino acids with a molecular mass of 10.7 kD. This sequence is phylogenetically conserved, being represented by the GroES homologue of Escherichia coli.

Distal movement of buccal segments with the "en masse" removable appliance--its value in treating patients with mild Class II, Division 1 malocclusions: Part I, clinical techniques (how to do it).

This retrospective study examines the therapeutic changes during the buccal segment retraction phase of treatment in 25 children with mild Class II, Division 1 malocclusions and for whom distalization of buccal teeth was the treatment of choice. Where significant mandibular retrognathia was diagnosed clinically, a functional treatment approach was indicated, and these children were not included in this study. Therapy was carried out with an upper removable expansion appliance and extraoral traction.

Inactivation of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 by peroxynitrite.

Peroxynitrite (ONOO-) has recently been implicated in connective tissue destruction in vivo. We have studied the effect of ONOO- on the activity of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in vitro. The inactivation of TIMP-1 by ONOO- was dose dependent with 50 microM ONOO- reducing the inhibitory activity of TIMP-1 towards gelatinase-A by 50%.

The Norton score and pressure sore prevention: Critique II.

The prevention and management of pressure sores presents enormous challenges to health professionals, particularly those working in specialties such as elderly care or spinal Injuries. Bringing together the findings of three investigations and offering practical guidance to nursing colleagues, this frequently quoted study has become established as a key contribution to pressure area care. Certainly the work displays great foresight and conviction that something could, and indeed should, be done about pressure area care.

Candidal renal papillary necrosis: report of a case and review.

Renal papillary necrosis (RPN) due to Candida is a rare disease with only 19 cases reported over the past 37 years. But the diagnosis in 17 of the 19 cases was not made until a necropsy was carried out. The 2 cases that were diagnosed antemortem had radiographic sonography.

Oral psoriasis.

We present a patient with oral lesions consistent with a diagnosis of oral psoriasis and discuss the relationship of oral and skin lesions in psoriasis.

Keratin expression in pilosebaceous epithelia in truncal skin of acne patients.

This study compared the pattern of keratin expression in pilosebaceous follicles in uninvolved trunk skin of acne patients, comedones, and normal control skin by immunohistochemistry, using both immunofluorescent (IF) and immunoperoxidase (IP) techniques. The shape, size and gross morphology of truncal follicles varied greatly. There was no difference in keratin expression between normal skin and uninvolved skin of patients with acne.

The use of tensor analysis to investigate facial changes in treated class II division 1 malocclusions.

This retrospective cephalometric study examined the facial changes brought about by treatment in 62 Class II division 1 children, using tensor analysis. Thirty-two children were treated with Fränkel appliances, whilst the remaining thirty received premolar extractions, headgear, and conventional Edgewise mechanics. Each child was matched for age and sex with an untreated individual in whom the occlusion was deemed satisfactory and the treatment changes were compared with those expected during normal development.

Criteria of good dental practice generated by general dental practitioners and patients.

A survey was carried out asking patients to evaluate the criteria of good dental practice proposed by patients and dentists. A total of 344 patients from 4 different general dental practices in South East England evaluated 16 criteria of good dental practice. Eight criteria were generated by 30 general dental practitioners and the other eight by 30 patients.

The effect of intra-articular capsaicin on nerve fibres within the synovium of the rat knee joint.

The aim of this study was to establish the effects of intra-articular capsaicin (pelargonic acid vallinylamide) on synovial innervation of the rat knee. Rats were sacrificed 1, 2, 4 and 7 days after intra-articular injection of capsaicin and joint tissues stained with either conventional haematoxylin and eosin (H and E) or with specific antibodies to the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P (both of which are markers for primary afferent fibres), the C-flanking peptide of neuropeptide Y (CPON) (localised in postganglionic sympathetic fibres), or protein gene product 9.5 (a pan-neuronal marker).

Class II/Division 2 malocclusion: a method of planning and treatment.

This paper presents a method of cephalometric treatment planning for Class II division 2 malocclusions. The method combines improvement in dental and facial aesthetics, with reduction in overbite and inter-incisor angle. An individual case is illustrated; examples of the appliances commonly used being shown in the treatment of an adolescent patient.

Individualized catenary curves: their relationship to arch form and perimeter.

Study casts of the lower arches of 35 children in whom arch alignment was considered acceptable, were examined using a reflex microscope. Arch perimeter was calculated mathematically from a method which required measurement of the mesio-distal widths of the teeth only. This was described as the 'overlap' method.