Forensic bitemark identification: weak foundations, exaggerated claims.

Several forensic sciences, especially of the pattern-matching kind, are increasingly seen to lack the scientific foundation needed to justify continuing admission as trial evidence. Indeed, several have been abolished in the recent past. A likely next candidate for elimination is bitemark identification.

Central role for marginal zone B cells in an animal model of Sjogren's syndrome.

Patients with Sjogren's syndrome (SS) have been shown to have abnormal B cell function and increased numbers of marginal zone B cells (MZB and MZB precursors. The current studies utilized the Interleukin 14 alpha transgenic mouse model (IL14aTG) for SS to investigate the roles of marginal zone B cells (MZB) of the innate immune system in the pathophysiology of the disease. Eliminating MZB from IL14aTG mice by B cell specific deletion of RBP-J resulted in complete elimination of all disease manifestations of SS.

Gastrointestinal disease in Sjogren's syndrome: related to food hypersensitivities.

Patients with Sjogren's syndrome (SS) frequently have irritable bowel like symptoms (IBS). Some have celiac sprue. The current studies were designed to examine the presence of food hypersensitivities in a population of patients with SS and IBS.

Investigation of novel autoantibodies in Sjogren's syndrome utilizing Sera from the Sjogren's international collaborative clinical alliance cohort.

Background: Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disease mainly affecting salivary and lacrimal glands. Current diagnostic criteria for SS utilize anti-Ro and anti-La as serological markers. Animal models for SS have identified novel autoantibodies, anti-salivary gland protein 1 (SP1), anti-carbonic anhydrase 6 (CA6) and parotid secretory protein (PSP).

Xerophthalmia of Sjogren's Syndrome Diagnosed with Anti-Salivary Gland Protein 1 Antibodies.

Purpose: The purpose of this report is to describe 2 patients with persistent severe dry eyes, positive Schirmer tests for Sjogren's syndrome (SS) but lacking antibodies to either Ro or La. These patients were diagnosed to have SS by detecting antibodies to salivary gland protein 1 (Sp1) and parotid secretory protein (PSP). This report emphasizes the existence of patients with SS who lack antibodies to either Ro or La and may therefore be misdiagnosed.

Platelet-derived growth factor enhancement of a mineral-collagen bone substitute.

Background: Anorganic bovine bone-collagen matrix is commercially available for bone regeneration procedures. Platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) has been demonstrated to stimulate bone formation in vivo and in vitro. It was the aim of these studies to examine 1) the interaction of this mineral-collagen matrix with PDGF-BB and 2) determine if the adsorption of PDGF-BB to the mineral-collagen matrix stimulates osteoblastic cell proliferation above that of the untreated matrix.

Modification of an osteoconductive anorganic bovine bone mineral matrix with growth factors.

Background: Osteoconductive anorganic bovine bone mineral matrix material has been used clinically in bone regeneration procedures. Platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) are important anabolic growth factors for bone. It was the aim of these studies to 1) examine the interaction of this bone graft material with PDGF-BB and IGF-I and 2) determine if the combination of growth factors with the matrix could stimulate osteoblastic cell proliferation.

Anorganic bovine bone supports osteoblastic cell attachment and proliferation.

Background: It was the aim of these studies to examine the ability of an anorganic bovine bone matrix material as an alternative to autogenous bone grafts and demineralized cadaver bone to support the attachment, spreading, and proliferation of isolated osteoblastic cells.

Methods: Primary culture osteoblastic cells were isolated from neonatal rat calvaria by sequential collagenase digestion. In the attachment studies, cells which had been labeled with 3H-leucine were incubated with the matrix material in sterile microfuge tubes for 15, 90, or 180 minutes or 24 hours.

Primary leiomyosarcoma of the mandible in a 7-year-old girl: report of a case and review of the literature.

Leiomyosarcoma is a malignant neoplasm of smooth muscle origin that manifests itself uncommonly in the oral cavity because of the paucity of smooth muscle in that location. To the best of our knowledge, only 10 cases of leiomyosarcoma primary to the jawbones have been reported in the English language literature. We report the first pediatric case of leiomyosarcoma arising from the mandible.

An alternative to dental floss in a personal dental hygiene program.

The concept of gingival massage on maintaining the health of the gingiva may be of value as an adjunct in the periodontal maintenance phase of treatment. This study compared dental floss to a test product, a massage device, in a randomized population of 20 male and female subjects. Clinical measurements were taken at baseline, week 3, and week 6.