Dental erosion and acid reflux disease.

Objective: To determine the relation between gastroesophageal reflux disease and dental erosion using ambulatory 24-hour esophageal pH testing.

Design: Cross-sectional observational study.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

Up-regulation of urokinase and urokinase receptor genes in malignant astrocytoma.

To understand the role of urokinase (u-PA) and the urokinase receptor (u-PAR) in malignant astrocytoma cell invasion of normal brain, astrocytic expression of u-PAR and u-PA mRNAs were analyzed by riboprobe in situ hybridization in astrocytoma and non-neoplastic brain biopsies. In eight of eight malignant astrocytomas (glioblastomas), u-PAR and u-PA mRNA expression was demonstrated, whereas in seven non-neoplastic brain biopsies, u-PAR and u-PA mRNAs were not expressed. In one of four low grade and all anaplastic astrocytomas u-PAR mRNA was expressed, although u-PA mRNA was undetectable.

Radiographic evaluation of occlusal caries: effect of training and experience.

The purpose of this study was to investigate what effect differing levels of didactic education and clinical experience have on the ability to diagnose occlusal caries from radiographs. Freshman and senior dental students and dental school faculty were asked to evaluate bitewing radiographs for the presence of occlusal caries and for a recommendation for restorative treatment. The agreement between histologic and radiographic diagnosis was assessed by calculating sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and interexaminer agreement.

The impact of aortic valve homografts on the treatment of aortic prosthetic valve endocarditis.

Prosthetic valve endocarditis, which is an uncommon but potentially fatal complication of valve replacement, may result in annular abscess formation (mechanical valves) or primarily leaflet infection (xenografts and homografts). Insertion of a mechanical or xenograft valve in the setting of aortic root infection carries a risk of reinfection, which is highest in the first 4 months after valve replacement. In contrast, the homograft aortic valve does not have this early risk of prosthetic valve endocarditis, but instead a constant and low risk across time.

L-arginine and arginine analogs in progressive renal failure.

This review summarizes the envolving role of L-arginine, the metabolic precursor of nitric oxide (NO), in disease states that produce progressive loss of kidney function. Hypertension and hypertensive nephrosclerosis manifested in the Dahl/Rapp salt-sensitive rat are exquisitely sensitive to oral L-arginine, which can completely prevent hypertension and subsequent renal damage in these rats. L-Arginine also has been shown to decrease glomerular sclerosis in the remnant kidney model and improve renal hemodynamics and function in animal models of diabetes mellitus.

Characterization of poliovirus replicons encoding carcinoembryonic antigen.

Recombinant vaccines hold great promise for the prevention and therapy of infections diseases and cancer. We have explored the use of poliovirus as a recombinant vector to deliver genes into cells for the purpose of vaccination. For our studies, we have chosen to express the gene-encoding carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) using a novel poliovirus vector.

Effect of angiographic and hemodynamic results of coronary balloon angioplasty on late angiographic outcome.

A small residual stenosis and a low residual translesional pressure gradient after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) are thought to be associated with lower rates of restenosis. However, these two posprocedure parameters have not been studied simultaneously in relation to late angiographic outcome. Restudy angiograms after successful single-vessel and single-lesion PTCA were performed in 1261 patients, who were divided into three groups according to final residual stenosis: group 1, 0% to 19%, group 2, 20% to 34%, and group 3, 35% to 49%.

Surface energy characterization of unalloyed titanium implants.

Osteointegration is dependent on a variety of biomechanical and biochemical factors. One factor is the wettability of an implant surface that is directly influenced by its surface energy. This investigation used the Zisman plot to determine critical surface tension as one representative measurement of surface energy.

Colonization by mutans streptococci in the mouths of 3- and 4-year-old Chinese children with or without enamel hypoplasia.

This case-control study compared the prevalence and concentration of mutans streptococci (MS) in saliva between children with and without enamel hypoplasia (EHP). A total of 486 3- or 4-year-old Chinese children were initially screened for EHP, then distributed into two groups: 234 children diagnosed as having EHP were assigned to the case group; 252 who were free of EHP were included in the control group. The concentration of MS in saliva was assayed for each child.

Monoclonal antibodies to a TCR idiotope modulate the superantigen-induced responses of encephalitogenic rat T cells.

Superantigens, such as staphylococcal enterotoxins, activate T lymphocytes by linking MHC class II molecules on antigen presenting cells to the V beta element of the TCR. Through this effect on T cells, superantigens may influence the immune response and autoimmune disease. In fact, superantigens may activate or anergize cells involved in the production of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis.

Renal apical membrane sodium-hydrogen exchange in genetic salt-sensitive hypertension.

Inbred Dahl/Rapp salt-sensitive and salt-resistant rats differ in their blood pressure response to dietary salt. We studied sodium-hydrogen (Na-H) exchanger kinetics in renal brush border membrane vesicles prepared from both strains on either a 1% or 8% NaCl diet. Kinetics measurements were made with the acridine orange fluorescence quenching technique in vesicles prepared at pH 6.

Lidocaine interrupts the conditioned natural killer cell response by interfering with the conditioned stimulus.

In the present study, lidocaine, a local anesthetic that inhibits the initiation or conduction of nerve impulses, was used to differentiate between the memory for the conditioned stimulus (CS) and the memory for the CS and unconditioned stimulus (US) association. Lidocaine was used to block memory formation. It was administered into the cisterna magna to localize the inhibition to the central nervous system (CNS) where circuits for the CS and US exist.

Analysis of the genetic contamination of salt-sensitive Dahl/Rapp rats.

Genetic contamination of Dahl/Rapp salt-sensitive rats (SS/JrHsd) was recently discovered in animals received from Harlan Sprague Dawley, Inc, the main supplier of this strain to researchers in the United States. We were interested in determining how this problem occurred and the extent of contamination in the breeding colony in hopes of quickly correcting the problem and reestablishing the supply of this important model of genetic hypertension. DNA was extracted from whole blood obtained from each rat in the Harlan foundation colony and their offspring, the pedigree expansion colony.

Angiotensin II binding to human embryonic lung fibroblasts causes transient changes in cytosolic calcium and promotes fibrin gel contraction.

Contraction of granulation tissue is promoted by the peptide vasoconstrictor angiotensin II (AII), which presumably acts on the fibroblasts present in granulation tissue. Direct effects of AII on fibroblast contraction were examined using an in vitro fibrin gel contraction model. Fibrin gels were formed by mixing cultured human embryonic lung fibroblasts with fibrinogen, in the presence of thrombin and measurement of gel volume was used to determine the extent of fibrin gel contraction by fibroblasts.

Expression of p160erbB-3 and p185erbB-2 in prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and prostatic adenocarcinoma.

Background: Although prostatic adenocarcinoma is the most frequent malignancy among American men, little is known concerning the roles of growth factors, growth factor receptors, or proto-oncogene products in the development and progression of this malignancy.

Purpose: We examined and compared the expression and cellular distribution of the erbB-3 protein (p160erbB-3) and the erbB-2 protein (p185erbB-2) in various stages of development and progression of prostatic adenocarcinoma.

Methods: Immunoperoxidase staining was used to determine the expression of p160erbB-3 and p185erbB-2 in benign prostatic epithelium, prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, localized adenocarcinomas (pathologic stages B and C) as well as matching primary and lymph node lesions from patients with stage D adenocarcinoma.

Re-evaluating pulp protection: calcium hydroxide liners vs. cohesive hybridization.

Certain clinical and biological studies have reported that prepared dentin and the underlying pulp must be protected with a calcium hydroxide base and liners that supposedly impart biological and structural integrity to tissues. Since the mid-1950s, dentists have relied on a number of calcium hydroxide medicaments for this goal. But recent studies imply that clinicians need to re-evaluate the generous use of certain calcium hydroxide medicaments under restorations.

Evaluation of lactate production and clearance kinetics by 1H NMR in a model of brief repetitive cerebral ischemia.

Pilots of high-performance aircraft are subject to repeated transient cerebral ischemia during high-gravitational stress maneuvers. Previously we have demonstrated that repeated episodes of transient cerebral ischemia and reflow are cumulative and lactate accumulations appear to be exponential. To evaluate the metabolic events determining the kinetics of lactate accumulation, and therefore the rates of substrate utilization, we have used in vivo 1H nuclear magnetic resonance with a 5-s time resolution to measure lactate production and clearance.

Neurotensin binding to human embryonic lung fibroblasts.

Several neuropeptides have been shown to regulate the function of cells involved in immune response and inflammation. Neurotensin is a 13 amino acid neuropeptide localized primarily to the nervous system and gut. Neurotensin also stimulates mast cell degranulation and enhances phagocytic and cytolytic capability of macrophages, suggesting that this peptide regulates inflammatory and immune responses.

Monoclonal and polyclonal antibody responses to the myelin basic protein epitope present in human urine.

The myelin basic protein (MBP)-like material (MBPLM) in human urine is expressed in a cryptic epitope(s) present in MBP peptide 80-89 and absent or inaccessible in intact MBP. These features of urinary MBPLM have made it difficult to produce reagents for its further characterization. Using an immunogen of keyhole limpet hemocyanin conjugated to MBP peptide cys 74-89, polyclonal antiserum to urinary MBPLM was prepared.

Correlation of clinical features and findings on cranial magnetic resonance imaging with urinary myelin basic protein-like material in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Immunoreactive material that appears to be a peptide encompassing all or a portion of residues 80 to 89 of myelin basic protein is present in normal unconcentrated urine and is increased in certain patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Compared with normal controls, urines collected randomly from 158 MS patients or in a clinical research unit from 8 patients with MS had higher mean values of urinary MBP-like material (MBPLM). The level of MBPLM in urine showed no direct relationship to MBPLM in cerebrospinal fluid and did not correlate with clinical relapses of disease.

Medical management of esophageal reflux.

Gastroesophageal reflux of varying severity is a common disorder for which medical attention is sought at all levels, from pharmacists to specialist physicians and surgeons. This brief overview represents my current understanding of reflux, its effects on the esophagus and my personal approach to treatment of these disorders. Of necessity, because the literature is so extensive (a Medline search on reflux from 1966 to 1993 yielded over 1500 papers.