bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Suppression of tumor formation in lymph nodes by L-selectin–mediated natural killer cell recruitment
Authors: Chen Shihao , Kawashima Hiroto , Lowe John B. , Lanier Lewis L. , Fukuda Minoru
Published: December 2005

Natural killer (NK) cells are known to reject certain tumors in vivo; however, the ability of NK cells to prevent metastasis of tumors into secondary lymphoid organs has not been addressed. Here, we report that in tumor-bearing hosts, NK cells are recruited to regional lymph nodes in wild-type mice, but not in mice deficient for L-selectin or L-selectin ligands. By adoptive transfer and complete Freund's adjuvant stimulation experiments, we demonstrated that L-selectin on NK cells and L-selectin ligands on endothelial cells are essential for NK cell recruitment to lymph nodes. Furthermore, freshly isolated resident lymph node NK cells lysed tumors efficiently, and metastasis of B16 melanoma cells to draining lymph nodes was suppressed in wild-type or Rag-1–deficient mice, but not when NK cells were depleted. Although L-selectin–deficient NK cells efficiently lysed tumor cells in vitro, NK cell–dependent suppression of tumor metastasis was diminished in mice deficient for L-selectin or L-selectin ligands because of insufficient NK cell recruitment to lymph nodes. Moreover, tumor metastasis was substantially inhibited in L-selectin–deficient mice reconstituted with wild-type NK cells. These findings indicate that L-selectin–mediated NK cell recruitment plays a crucial role in the control of tumor metastasis into secondary lymphoid organs.
Learned society business models and open access: overview of a recent JISC‐funded study
Authors: Waltham Mary
Published: December 2005

A summary of the findings of a study which included an in‐depth exploration of journal business and pricing models of nine learned societies in the context of their requirements and of the open access (OA) business model. Detailed information on current trends in revenue costs and surplus is included. The article considers whether and how OA can be adopted by the representative sample of STM publishers.
A simple method to predict protein-binding from aligned sequences—application to MHC superfamily and β2-microglobulin
Authors: Duprat Elodie , Lefranc Marie-Paule , Gascuel Olivier
Published: December 2005

Motivation: The MHC superfamily (MhcSF) consists of immune system MHC class I (MHC-I) proteins, along with proteins with a MHC-I-like structure that are involved in a large variety of biological processes. β2-Microglobulin (B2M) non-covalent binding to MHC-I proteins is required for their surface expression and function, whereas MHC-I-like proteins interact, or not, with B2M. This study was designed to predict B2M binding (or non-binding) of newly identified MhcSF proteins, in order to decipher their function, understand the molecular recognition mechanisms and identify deleterious mutations. IMGT standardization of MhcSF protein domains provides a unique numbering of the multiple alignment positions, and conditions to develop such predictive tool.

Method: We combine a simple-Bayes classifier with IMGT unique numbering. Our method involves two steps: (1) selection of discriminant binary features, which associate an alignment position with an amino acid group; and (2) learning of the classifier by estimating the frequencies of selected features, conditionally to the B2M binding property.

Results: Our dataset contains aligned sequences of 806 allelic forms of 47 MhcSF proteins, corresponding to 9 receptor types and 4 mammalian species. Eighteen discriminant features are selected, belonging to B2M contact sites, or stabilizing the molecular structure required for this contact. Three leave-one-out procedures are used to assess classifier performance, which corresponds to B2M binding prediction for: (1) new proteins, (2) species not represented in the dataset and (3) new receptor types. The prediction accuracy is high, i.e. 98, 94 and 70%, respectively. Application of our classifier to lower vertebrate MHC-I proteins indicates that these proteins bind to B2M and should then be expressed on the cellular surface by a process similar to that of mammalian MHC-I proteins. These results demonstrate the usefulness and accuracy of our (simple) approach, which should apply to other function or interaction prediction problems.

Availability: Data and MhcSF multiple alignments are available on the IMGT website ().

Contact:  gascuel@lirmm.fr, duprat@ligm.igh.cnrs.fr, lefranc@ligm.igh.cnrs.fr

Supplementary information: Supplementary material is downloadable at .
Differential gene expression detection and sample classification using penalized linear regression models
Authors: Wu Baolin
Published: December 2005

Differential gene expression detection and sample classification using microarray data have received much research interest recently. Owing to the large number of genes p and small number of samples n (p ≫ n), microarray data analysis poses big challenges for statistical analysis. An obvious problem owing to the ‘large p small n’ is over-fitting. Just by chance, we are likely to find some non-differentially expressed genes that can classify the samples very well. The idea of shrinkage is to regularize the model parameters to reduce the effects of noise and produce reliable inferences. Shrinkage has been successfully applied in the microarray data analysis. The SAM statistics proposed by Tusher et al. and the ‘nearest shrunken centroid’ proposed by Tibshirani et al. are ad hoc shrinkage methods. Both methods are simple, intuitive and prove to be useful in empirical studies.

Recently Wu proposed the penalized t/F-statistics with shrinkage by formally using the ℒ1 penalized linear regression models for two-class microarray data, showing good performance. In this paper we systematically discussed the use of penalized regression models for analyzing microarray data. We generalize the two-class penalized t/F-statistics proposed by Wu to multi-class microarray data. We formally derive the ad hoc shrunken centroid used by Tibshirani et al. using the ℒ1 penalized regression models. And we show that the penalized linear regression models provide a rigorous and unified statistical framework for sample classification and differential gene expression detection.

Availability: For the computer programs, detailed analysis results and R functions for the proposed methods, please see

Contact:  baolin@biostat.umn.edu

Supplementary information:
Improved pairwise alignments of proteins in the Twilight Zone using local structure predictions
Authors: Huang Yao-ming , Bystroff Christopher
Published: December 2005

Motivation: In recent years, advances have been made in the ability of computational methods to discriminate between homologous and non-homologous proteins in the ‘twilight zone’ of sequence similarity, where the percent sequence identity is a poor indicator of homology. To make these predictions more valuable to the protein modeler, they must be accompanied by accurate alignments. Pairwise sequence alignments are inferences of orthologous relationships between sequence positions. Evolutionary distance is traditionally modeled using global amino acid substitution matrices. But real differences in the likelihood of substitutions may exist for different structural contexts within proteins, since structural context contributes to the selective pressure.

Results: HMMSUM (HMMSTR-based substitution matrices) is a new model for structural context-based amino acid substitution probabilities consisting of a set of 281 matrices, each for a different sequence–structure context. HMMSUM does not require the structure of the protein to be known. Instead, predictions of local structure are made using HMMSTR, a hidden Markov model for local structure. Alignments using the HMMSUM matrices compare favorably to alignments carried out using the BLOSUM matrices or structure-based substitution matrices SDM and HSDM when validated against remote homolog alignments from BAliBASE. HMMSUM has been implemented using local Dynamic Programming and with the Bayesian Adaptive alignment method.

Availability: Matrices, source codes and programs are available at .

Contact:  bystrc@rpi.edu, huangy2@rpi.edu
Priming of CD4+ T cells and development of CD4+ T cell memory; lessons for malaria
Authors: STEPHENS R. , LANGHORNE J.
Published: December 2005

CD4 T cells play a central role in the immune response to malaria. They are required to help B cells produce the antibody that is essential for parasite clearance. They also produce cytokines that amplify the phagocytic and parasitocidal response of the innate immune system, as well as dampening this response later on to limit immunopathology. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms by which T helper cells are activated and the requirements for development of specific, and effective, T cell memory and immunity is essential in the quest for a malaria vaccine. In this paper on the CD4 session of the Immunology of Malaria Infections meeting, we summarize discussions of CD4 cell priming and memory in malaria and in vaccination and outline critical future lines of investigation. B. Stockinger and M.K. Jenkins proposed cutting edge experimental systems to study basic T cell biology in malaria. Critical parameters in T cell activation include the cell types involved, the route of infection and the timing and location and cell types involved in antigen presentation. A new generation of vaccines that induce CD4 T cell activation and memory are being developed with new adjuvants. Studies of T cell memory focus on differentiation and factors involved in maintenance of antigen specific T cells and control of the size of that population. To improve detection of T cell memory in the field, efforts will have to be made to distinguish antigen‐specific responses from cytokine driven responses.
Antigen presentation and dendritic cell biology in malaria
Authors: STEVENSON M. M. , URBAN B. C.
Published: December 2005

Dendritic cells (DCs) are important both in amplifying the innate immune response and in initiating adaptive immunity and shaping the type of T helper (Th) response. Although the role of DCs in immune responses to many intracellular pathogens has been delineated and research is underway to identify the mechanisms involved, relatively little is known concerning the role of DCs in immunity to malaria. In this review, we provide an overview and summary of previous and current studies aimed to investigate the role of DCs as antigen presenting cells (APCs). In addition, the role of DCs in inducing innate and adaptive immunity to blood‐stage malaria is discussed and, where information is available, the mechanisms involved are presented. Data from studies in humans infected with Plasmodium falciparum, the major human parasite responsible for the high morbidity and mortality associated with malaria throughout many regions of the developing world, as well as data from experimental mouse models are presented. Overall, the data from these studies are conflicting. The possible reasons for these differences, including the use of different parasite species and parasite strains in the mouse studies, are discussed. Nevertheless, together the data have important implications for development of an effective malaria vaccine since the selection of appropriate Plasmodium antigens and/or adjuvants, targeting innate immune responses involving DCs, may provide optimal protection against malaria. It is hoped that this review promotes more investigation among malariologists and immunologists alike on DCs and malaria.
Immune effector mechanisms in malaria
Authors: MARSH K. , KINYANJUI S.
Published: December 2005

That humans in endemic areas become immune to malaria offers encouragement to the idea of developing protective vaccines. However natural immunity is relatively inefficient, being bought at the cost of substantial childhood mortality, and current vaccines are only partially protective. Understanding potential targets and mechanisms of protective immunity is important in the development and evaluation of future vaccines. Some of the problems in identifying such targets and mechanisms in humans naturally exposed to malaria may stem from conceptual and methodological issues related to defining who in a population is susceptible, problems in defining immune responsiveness at single time points and issues related to antigenic polymorphism, as well as the failure of many current approaches to examine functional aspects of the immune response. Protective immune responses may be directed to the pre erythrocytic parasite, to the free merozoite of the blood stage parasite or to new antigens induced on the infected red cell surface. Tackling the methodological issues of defining protection and immune response, together with studies that combine functional assays with new approaches such as allelic exchange and gene knock out offer opportunities for better defining key targets and mechanisms.
Intergenic recombination with HLA‐C leads to a novel HLA‐A*19 allele, HLA‐A*2910†, that is characterized by a functionally inactive amino acid exchange in the loop connecting the α2 and α3 domains
Authors: Mosebach M. , Brixner V. , Bader P. , Klingebiel T. H. , Seifried E. , Seidl C.
Published: December 2005

This report describes the HLA‐A*29 allele (A*2910) that has been identified by sequence‐based typing in an 8‐year‐old Turkish female with leukaemia during search for a family‐related stem cell donor. The allele is characterized by a nucleotide substitution (Guanine to Adenine) in exon 3 at position 258, leading to an amino acid exchange from glutamic acid to lysine at position 177. From family analysis and sequence comparison, the HLA‐A*2910 allele has arisen from intergenic recombination with HLA‐C. Structurally, the amino acid exchange at position 177 is probably functionally inactive due to the location of this amino acid exchange in the loop connecting the α2 and α3 domains.
Levels of the soluble forms of CD80, CD86, and CD83 are elevated in the synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis patients
Authors: Hock B. D. , O'Donnell J. L. , Taylor K. , Steinkasserer A. , McKenzie J. L. , Rothwell A. G. , Summers K. L.
Published: December 2005

The release of soluble forms of CD80 (sCD80), CD86 (sCD86), and CD83 (sCD83) provide a potentially powerful immunoregulatory mechanism. We therefore investigated the potential presence and relative levels of these molecules in the synovial fluid (SF) and serum of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). Serum and SF levels were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Serum levels of sCD80, sCD86, and sCD83 in RA and OA patients were similar to those present in normal donor serum (NDS) and the SF of OA patients. In contrast, when compared with NDS and OA SF levels, almost all RA SF samples had elevated sCD83 levels (32/35, >0.63 ng/ml) and a substantial proportion had elevated sCD80 (13/29, >0.22 ng/ml) or sCD86 (16/33, >2.31 ng/ml) levels. Analysis of matched pairs of serum and SF from RA patients demonstrated that the SF/serum ratio for sCD80 (95% CI = 1.7–3), sCD86 (95% CI = 1.5–3.1), and sCD83 (95% CI = 3.6–7.8) levels was >1 in almost all patients. In conclusion, this study shows that the SF from almost all RA patients contain elevated levels of sCD83 and the majority of these samples also contain elevated levels of sCD80 and/or sCD86. These molecules may play a role in modulating immune responses within the rheumatoid joint.
A deletion in exon 3 results in a new HLA‐A*01 null allele (A*0115N) in a Martinican woman
Authors: Béra O. , Dubois V. , Assaqa A. , Belon P. , Favre‐Victoire I. , Gebuhrer L.
Published: December 2005

We report the identification of a new HLA‐A null allele, HLA‐A*0115N. This null allele has been identified within the A*01 group by a combination of serological and molecular typing [Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequence‐specific primers, PCR sequence‐specific oligoprobes and sequence‐based typing (SBT)] in a potential intrafamilial bone marrow donor from Martinique (French West Indies). To characterize this A*01 null allele, we performed DNA typing by PCR‐SBT on genomic DNA from the beginning of exon 2 (position 84) through the end of the exon 4 (position 895) and revealed a nucleotide deletion at the end of the exon 3. This sole difference between the new allele and the HLA‐A*0101 generates a premature stop codon (TGA) in the beginning of exon 4. This deletion most likely explains the lack of cell surface expression of the encoded protein despite the presence of A*01 allele. The absence of correct expression of the antigen on the cell surface was confirmed by one‐dimensional isoelectric focusing (1D‐IEF). To date, this is the fourth null allele described within the A*01 group.
Activated mouse T cells downregulate, process and present their surface TCR to cognate anti‐idiotypic CD4+ T cells
Authors: Lal Girdhari , Shaila Melkote S , Nayak Rabindranath
Published: December 2005

The ability of activated T cells to present foreign antigens through the MHC class II pathway has been shown in the case of human, rat and mouse T cells. In the present study, the ability of activated T cells to present their endogenous TCR in association with MHC class II molecules to CD4+ T cells was shown. Upon activation mouse T cells downregulate their surface TCR, which are degraded into peptides in endosomal/lysosomal compartments. The idiopeptides (peptides derived from the variable region of the TCR) are presented to cognate anti‐idiotypic CD4+ T cells, resulting in activation and proliferation of these cells. Interaction of idiotypic and anti‐idiotypic T cells brought about by presentation of TCR idiopeptide may have important implications for T‐cell vaccination and perpetuation of T‐cell memory not requiring persisting antigen or long‐lived memory cells.
Coinoculation with hepatitis B surface and core antigen promotes a Th1 immune response to a multiepitopic protein of HIV‐1
Authors: Iglesias Enrique , Thompson Rafael , Carrazana Yamilka , Lobaina Yadira , García Daymir , Sánchez Jorge , García José , Cruz Otto , Brown Emma , Martin Alejandro , Muzio Verena L , Aguilar Julio C
Published: December 2005

It has been defined that strong and multispecific cellular immune responses correlate with a better prognosis during the course of chronic diseases. A cross‐enhancing effect on the resulting immune response obtained by the coadministration of recombinant hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface and core Ag was recently observed. With the objective of studying the effect of such Ag on the immune response to coinoculated heterologous Ag and vice versa, several formulations containing the recombinant HBV Ag and a multiepitopic protein (CR3) composed by CTL and Th epitopes from HIV‐1 were evaluated by s.c. and mucosal administration. Combinations of two and three Ag were evaluated for cellular and humoral immune responses. The results showed that the best Ag combination for nasal immunization was the mixture comprising the CR3 recombinant HIV protein and both HBV Ag. Similarly, it was also the best formulation for s.c. immunization in aluminium phosphate adjuvant. In conclusion, it is possible to induce a Th1 stimulation of the cellular immune response specific for a HIV‐based recombinant protein by formulating this Ag with the recombinant HBV Ag.
Response to Antiepileptic Drug Therapy: Winners and Losers
Authors: Brodie Martin J.
Published: December 2005

Summary:  Recent evidence suggests that the vast majority of people with epilepsy will respond to their first or second treatment regimen or will be refractory de novo. Two patients with symptomatic epilepsy secondary to underlying cortical dysplasias are presented to illustrate these different scenarios. Clinical observations can provide insights to the processes underlying pharmacoresistance.
A Case of Extended Spectrum GEFS+
Authors: Grant Arthur C. , Vazquez Blanca
Published: December 2005

Summary:  A 10‐year‐old boy developed febrile convulsions at age 2 years, and multiple types of nonfebrile generalized seizures over the ensuing months and years. Gestation, birth, and early development were normal, as were initial EEG and brain imaging studies. By age 5 years, he had developed behavioral difficulties, and the EEG demonstrated both interictal and ictal generalized epileptiform patterns, as well as mild background slowing. Seizures were poorly controlled with multiple medication trials. There was a strong family history of clinically benign febrile seizures in the maternal lineage. Genetic analysis revealed a novel mutation in the voltage‐gated neuronal sodium channel SCN1A. This patient's relatively malignant clinical course is consistent with “extended spectrum” generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+), and along with the family history illustrates the phenotypic variability of this disease.
Cause‐Specific Mortality in Epilepsy
Authors: Lhatoo Samden D. , Sander Josemir W. A. S.
Published: December 2005

Summary:  Epilepsy is associated with a two‐ to three‐fold increase in mortality. Studies of cause‐specific mortality show that deaths may be classified into those that are directly or indirectly related to epilepsy, those that are related to the underlying pathology giving rise to epilepsy, and those that are unrelated to both epilepsy and its causes. Overall, direct epilepsy related deaths are infrequent. Pneumonia, especially in the elderly, central nervous system (CNS) and non‐CNS neoplasias, and cerebrovascular disease are frequent causes of death. Suicides, accidental deaths, and ischemic heart disease do not appear to be significant contributors to mortality in community‐based studies. In hospital/institution‐based analyses, epilepsy‐related deaths are common and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) may account for up to 17% of all deaths in epilepsy. A small proportion of these deaths may be witnessed and most such witnessed deaths occur in relation to convulsive seizures. The exact pathogenetic mechanisms are unknown although it is very probable that lack of seizure control is an important risk factor. Patients who continue to suffer seizures appear to have an almost 40 times higher risk of mortality than those in remission.
Mortality after Epilepsy Surgery
Authors: Sperling Michael R. , Harris Adam , Nei Maromi , Liporace Joyce D. , O'Connor Michael J.
Published: December 2005

Summary:  Mortality rates are higher in people with refractory epilepsy than in the general population. We assessed mortality rates in a prospectively followed cohort who had epilepsy surgery, to examine the factors related to mortality and to assess the relationship between seizure control and mortality. Five hundred eighty‐three patients were evaluated. Mortality was strongly related to seizure control (p = 0.001), with 18 deaths observed in patients with recurrent seizures (mortality rate = 11.4 per 1,000 person‐years) and 1 death in patients with no recurrent seizures (mortality rate = 0.85 deaths per 1,000 person‐years). Patients with generalized epilepsy who had corpus callosotomy had a higher mortality rate than patients who had resective or transective surgery. The side of surgery and gender did not influence mortality rates. The standardized mortality ratio was 5.75 for patients with recurrent seizures and was significantly higher for females than males. These data show that the excess mortality associated with refractory epilepsy is eliminated after epilepsy surgery when seizures are abolished and suggest that epilepsy surgery reduces the risk of epilepsy‐associated death.
Clinical Acceptability of Crown Margins Versus Marginal Gaps as Determined by Pre‐Doctoral Students and Prosthodontists
Authors: Bronson Michael R. , Lindquist Terry J. , Dawson Deborah V.
Published: December 2005

Purpose: Marginal integrity is a very important element in evaluating a restoration; however, there is no agreement in definition of a clinically acceptable margin. The purpose of this investigation was to examine margin acceptability using an explorer versus the actual marginal gap widths at four locations on uncemented crowns on three extracted teeth using both predoctoral students and prosthodontists as evaluators.

Materials and Methods: The crown margin evaluation used 16 surfaces of four crowns fitting to three extracted caries‐free teeth fitted into a dentiform. The teeth (nos. 14, 20, and 29) were prepared for a full cast (gold) crown using a chamfer finish line configuration, with some margins supragingival and others subgingival. After final impressions and working casts were made, die spacer was applied to the marginal area of the die before waxing to vary the marginal opening. The dentiform was placed in a mannequin in a supine position. Predoctoral students (N = 10) and prosthodontists (N = 9) evaluated each axial surface of each crown in the zone along the margin with an explorer and rated each surface as either “clinically acceptable” or “unacceptable.” After casting, the axial marginal openings were measured with Image Pro Software using a digital microscopic image of the surface. Each participant repeated the margin evaluations 6 months later.

Results: Upon casting, marginal gaps ranged from 40 μm to 615 μm. The proportions of prosthodontists and of predoctoral students rating a given surface as “clinically unacceptable” were highly correlated (Spearman rank correlation = 0.81, p= 0.0001). The prosthodontists did not provide more or fewer ratings of clinical acceptability than the students, although kappa results indicated that the prosthodontists might be more consistent among themselves than the student raters. Upon re‐evaluation, both groups rated between one and six of the surfaces differently than they had previously: the median number of inconsistencies was 1 for prosthodontists and 3 for predoctoral students. The prosthodontists tended to have fewer inconsistencies than the predoctoral students (0.05 < p < 0.10 Wilcoxon rank sum test), but this was not statistically significant.

Conclusion: The data provided evidence that those surfaces associated with greater margin gaps tended to have a greater proportion of ratings of “clinically unacceptable.” The proportion of prosthodontists and predoctoral students rating a margin “clinically unacceptable” were highly correlated. Prosthodontists tended to have fewer inconsistencies than predoctoral students, but that difference was not statistically significant.
The Effect of Water Absorption on Acrylic Surface Properties
Authors: Devlin Hugh , Kaushik Prashant
Published: December 2005

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to determine whether an increased water content during thermal cycling of hot water‐treated acrylic was associated with a reduction in surface hardness and an increased opacity or whitening of the surface.

Materials and Methods: Ten acrylic samples were treated with 30 soak cycles (cycle duration, 24 hours), using warm water (40°C) and an alkaline peroxide tablet (Efferdent® control group); a further ten samples were treated with boiling water (100°C) and one Efferdent® tablet (experimental group). Indentation hardness of the acrylic specimens was measured prior to and immediately following the completion of the warm and hot water treatments, using an automated micro‐indentation system. The hydrated acrylic specimens were then allowed to air dry at room temperature (20°C) and were weighed weekly until they had obtained a constant dry weight. The loss in weight of the acrylic specimens represented the maximum water absorption.

Results: The hot water‐treated specimens were much whiter than the warm water‐treated specimens. The mean reduction in hardness (HIT) of the acrylic specimens following the treatment with hot water and alkaline peroxide tablet was 12.9%. Treatment with warm water and alkaline peroxide resulted in a slight increase in mean hardness (2.63%). There was a significant correlation between the water content of the acrylic specimens after treatment and the percentage of change in indentation hardness (r= 0.495, p= 0.026).

Conclusions: The hot water treatment of the acrylic was associated with a significant reduction in hardness. We attribute the whitening and reduction in the hardness of the hot water‐treated specimens to absorption of water and a disruption of the acrylic surface structure.
A Survey of U.S. Prosthodontists and Dental Schools on the Current Materials and Methods for Final Impressions for Complete Denture Prosthodontics
Authors: Petrie Cynthia S. , Walker Mary P. , Williams Karen
Published: December 2005

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to survey members of The American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) to evaluate current materials and methods for final impressions for complete denture prosthodontics in the United States. In addition, those methods were compared with methods and materials taught in U.S. dental schools via a second survey sent to the chairpersons of prosthodontic/restorative departments.

Materials and Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was mailed to all 1762 active ACP members in the United States in 2003. A slightly modified questionnaire was also distributed to chairpersons of prosthodontic/restorative departments in the 54 U.S. dental schools. Data analysis was performed via frequency distribution and chi‐square statistics.

Results: Nine hundred and forty‐five questionnaires were returned by members of the ACP (54% return rate) and 42 questionnaires were returned by the U.S. dental schools (78% return rate). The majority of the reporting prosthodontists (88%) and dental schools (98%) use a border‐molded custom tray for final impressions for complete denture prosthodontics. The most popular material for border molding was plastic modeling compound (67% of reporting ACP members, and 95% of the responding dental schools). Variability of the materials used for final impressions was observed, with the most popular materials being polyvinylsiloxane for the ACP members (36%) and polysulfide for the dental schools (64%). Statistically significant differences were found in the materials used for border molding by prosthodontists based on the time elapsed since completion of prosthodontic training. No differences were found in the materials used for impression of edentulous arches based on years of experience. Geographic location did not influence the materials and methods used by prosthodontists for complete denture final impressions.

Conclusions: There was variability of the materials and techniques used for final impressions by ACP members and dental schools; however, overall there was an agreement on the materials and techniques used by prosthodontists and dental schools. Distinct trends for increasing use of polyvinylsiloxane and polyether for border molding procedures and impressions of edentulous arches were observed both in members of the ACP and in the U.S. dental schools.
Comparison of Bond Strength of a Pressed Ceramic Fused to Metal versus Feldspathic Porcelain Fused to Metal
Authors: Schweitzer Daniel M. , Goldstein Gary R. , Ricci John L. , Silva N.R.F.A. , Hittelman Eugene L.
Published: December 2005

Purpose: To compare the debonding/crack initiation strength (D/CIS) of a low‐fusing pressable leucite‐based glass ceramic (PC) fused to metal to a feldspathic porcelain (FP) fused to metal.

Materials & Methods: As per ISO 9693:1999, 40 rectangular metal specimens (25.0 mm × 0.5 mm × 3.0 mm) were prepared. Twenty of the specimens were cast in a base metal nickel‐chromium alloy (BA), and 20 were cast in a noble metal palladium‐silver alloy (NA). Ten randomly selected NA and BA alloy specimens had FP applied. The remaining 10 NA and BA alloy specimens had ash‐free wax patterns applied, the metal‐wax complexes invested, and were pressed with a PC. The dimensions of the ceramic specimens were 8.0 mm × 1.0 mm × 3.0 mm, creating a combined metal‐ceramic complex thickness of 1.5 mm. All specimens were subject to a three‐point bending test at a crosshead speed of 1.5 mm/min. Fracture loads were recorded in Newtons and D/CISs calculated by the formula τb=k×Ffail.

Results: Mean D/CISs, measured in MPa (standard deviations): NA‐FP 32.56 (4.62), NA‐PC 30.23 (5.06), BA‐FP 30.98 (4.41), and BA‐PC 31.81 (3.48). A two‐way ANOVA (p > 0.05) did not demonstrate significant difference between groups.

Conclusion: The debonding/crack initiation strength of a low‐fusing pressable leucite‐based glass ceramic fused to metal was equivalent to that of a feldspathic porcelain fused to metal.
Red blood cell alloantibodies after transfusion: factors influencing incidence and specificity
Authors: Schonewille Henk , Van De Watering Leo M.G. , Loomans Dominique S.E. , Brand Anneke
Published: December 2005

BACKGROUND:  Alloimmunization after exposure to red cell (RBC) alloantigens depends on genetic and acquired patient‐related factors, dose and route of administration, and the immunogenicity of the antigen, but exact kinetics are still unknown.

STUDY DESIGN and METHODS:  A 5‐year retrospective multicenter study analyzing factors influencing the rate and specificity of RBC alloimmunization was performed, with special emphasis on the time interval between transfusion event and antibody detection. Included were clinically significant alloantibodies against the Rhesus, Kell, Duffy, Kidd, and MSs blood group systems.

RESULTS:  Multivariate analysis involving 1710 immunized patients revealed that time interval between transfusion and antibody tests was strongly associated with the antibody specificity. Anti‐Jka and anti‐Jkb were predominantly found in patients tested within 3 months, whereas anti‐K and anti‐Fya were the most encountered antibodies at more than 5 years after transfusion. Of all immunized patients, new antibodies were detected within 14 days after transfusion in 299 patients (16.8%) and in 1479 patients (83.2%) after more than 14 days. Fifty percent of transfusion recipients were retested for alloimmunization because of a new transfusion indication. Eleven of 2932 patients (0.4%) retested up to 3 days after transfusion had formed new antibodies.

CONCLUSION:  The time interval between transfusion and antibody test was associated with RBC antibody specificity. Because RBC antibody tests after transfusion are not routinely performed, many antibodies may (not) be detected at the time of a new transfusion event, posing the transfusion recipient at risk for transfusion delay or a (delayed) hemolytic transfusion reaction. Routine RBC antibody screening at set time intervals after transfusion would reduce these risks.
Worse quality of life in volunteer blood donors with hepatitis C
Authors: Dias Teixeira Maria Cristina , De Sá Ribeiro Maria de Fátima Gomes , Gayotto Luis Carlos da Costa , Chamone Dalton de Alencar Fischer , Strauss Edna
Published: December 2005

BACKGROUND:  Health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) encompasses many different aspects of health perceived by the individual, and its alterations in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) have been recently reported. The objective was to study a population of volunteer blood donors at different stages of HCV liver disease.

STUDY DESIGN and METHODS:  The Medical Outcomes Study 36‐Item Short‐Form Health Survey (SF‐36), a generic tool, was used to evaluated HRQOL. The SF‐36 scores of HCV patients were compared with those of matched healthy blood donors and at the sixth month in those who were submitted to antiviral treatment. Sex, drug use, and alcohol consumption were also evaluated. A total of 120 HCV chronic carriers were divided into three groups: 1) patients with no indication for liver biopsy (n = 37); 2) patients submitted to liver biopsy with mild liver disease (n = 40); and 3) patients with moderate to severe liver disease submitted to interferon plus ribavirin treatment (n = 43).

RESULTS:  HCV patients had significantly lower SF‐36 scores when compared with matched healthy blood donors. There was no correlation between SF‐36 scores and history of intravenous and/or inhaled drug use or alcohol consumption. Women had lower SF‐36 scores than men in six domains. At the sixth month of treatment, patients who continued to be positive for the presence of HCV RNA (nonresponders) had lower quality of life than those who became HCV RNA–negative.

CONCLUSION:  Healthy blood donors with HCV showed significantly reduced HRQOL that was more marked in women. The presence of the virus is one of the possible explanations for the reduced HRQOL.
Donor reactions in high‐school donors: the effects of sex, weight, and collection volume
Authors: Newman B.H. , Satz S.L. , Janowicz N.M. , Siegfried B.A.
Published: December 2005

BACKGROUND:  The high incidence of donor reactions in first‐time, 17‐year‐old Caucasian whole‐blood donors makes this group ideal for the study of donor reactions.

STUDY DESIGN and METHODS:  Donor reaction rates were retrospectively evaluated in 7274 first‐time, 17‐year‐old Caucasian whole‐blood donors based on observa‐tions recorded at the collection sites. The effect of sex and weight on donor reactions was determined. In addition, a model was developed to estimate how different blood collection volumes would affect donor reaction rates.

RESULTS:  The donor reaction rate was 12.0 percent (870/7274). Female donors overall had a higher donor reaction rate than male donors (16.7% vs. 7.3%) and also had a higher donor reaction rate than male donors at each 20‐lb weight interval in the range from 110 to 189 lb. A model suggested that a change in the blood‐unit volume from 450 to 500 mL would increase donor reaction rates by 18 percent in either female or male donors, whereas a reduction in the blood‐unit volume from 500 to 400 mL would decrease donor reaction rates by 29 and 27 percent in female and male donors, respectively.

CONCLUSION:  First‐time, 17‐year‐old Caucasian female donors had a higher donor reaction rate than male donors overall and at equivalent donor weights. In the range of present US blood‐unit volumes, a change in collection of as little as 50 mL could have a significant impact on blood donor reaction rates in high‐school students.
Risk‐behavior reporting by blood donors with an automated telephone system
Authors: Fielding Richard , Lam Tai Hing , Hedley Anthony
Published: December 2005

BACKGROUND:  Donor risk‐behavior assessment is important for blood safety. Few evaluations of automated telephone systems for eliciting risk exposure among voluntary blood donors have been reported.

STUDY DESIGN and METHODS:  A modified risk‐behavior questionnaire was presented after donation via an automated telephone polling system to 805 of 15,092 Hong Kong Chinese voluntary blood donors. Risk‐behavior rates were compared to those of all other donors (14,287) simultaneously completing the questionnaire in a pencil‐and‐paper format.

RESULTS:  The telephone group included proportionally more women (46.3% vs. 44.9%), previous donors (93.3% vs. 83.6%), and sexually inactive donors (66.5% vs. 71.2%) with lower educational achievement (60.7% vs. 54.5%). The telephone group demonstrated fewer missing data (mean 1.3%, range 0.4%‐3.1% vs. mean 9.8%, range 8.0%‐14.2%) and more complete demographic detailing, probably accounting for the demographic differences. The telephone group reported higher prevalence rates of needle or syringe sharing (1.5% vs. 0.3%), homosexual and/or bisexual intercourse (4.1% vs. 1.3%), knowing or suspecting that partner had intercourse with another during past year (12.4% vs. 8.5%), and future intention to use blood donation as a means to test for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; 19.1% vs. 13.7%). There was no difference in knowledge of the HIV window period or proportions visiting or using condoms with commercial sex workers between telephone and pencil‐and‐paper groups.

CONCLUSION:  This survey with automated telephone screening of potential blood donors revealed increased reporting of risk exposure relative to commonly used paper‐and‐pencil methods. This raises questions of possible underreporting of risk among blood donors screened by paper questionnaire and perhaps face‐to‐face interview.
Washing platelets with new additive solutions: aspects on the in vitro quality after 48 hours of storage
Authors: Ringwald Jürgen , Althoff Frauke , Zimmermann Robert , Strasser Erwin , Weisbach Volker , Zingsem Jürgen , Eckstein Reinhold
Published: December 2005

BACKGROUND:  Rare clinical conditions cause the need for washed platelet (PLT) concentrates (PCs). Saline‐washed PCs can only be stored shortly, however, owing to lack of substrates for PLT metabolism. New PLT additive solutions (PASs) contain such substrates and might be used alternatively. The in vitro quality of apheresis PCs washed with Composol‐PS or modified PAS‐III (PAS‐IIIM) stored up to 48 hours after wash was compared.

STUDY DESIGN and METHODS:  Twelve blood donors underwent two apheresis procedures (A and B) collecting 6.0 × 1011 PLTs in 500 mL of plasma with a least 2 weeks in between. The PCs collected by Apheresis A were stored for 3 days and then split in two equal units before washing with Composol‐PS or PAS‐IIIM. The PCs collected by Apheresis B were split after collection. One unit was released for transfusion and 1 unit was stored unwashed up to Day 6 and used as reference unit. In vitro testing was performed before and after washing as well as 24 and 48 hours after wash.

RESULTS:  After 48 hours of postwash storage, the units washed with either PAS showed acceptable results for hypotonic shock response (HSR), P‐selectin expression, and pH, whereas PLT aggregability was significantly impaired. Throughout the storage, unwashed units showed better in vitro quality. HSR and P‐selectin expression were similar before and immediately after the washing procedure.

CONCLUSION:  Based on these in vitro results, 48‐hour postwash storage of washed PCs with the two PASs seems to be feasible. In vivo recovery studies, however, must confirm this finding in the future.
Influence of trauma from occlusion on progression of experimental periodontitis in the beagle dog
Authors: Lindhe Jan , Svanberg Gunnar
Published: December 2005

Abstract The experiments were performed in six beagle dogs fed a soft diet which allowed dental plaque formation. During a pre‐experimental period of 7 weeks, periodontitis was induced by (1) surgically creating a bony pocket and (2) adapting a copper band to the exposed tooth surface. Two dogs were sacrificed at the end of this period and tissue sections were prepared for histological examination. In the remaining four dogs, trauma from occlusion was produced on the left mandibular fourth premolar by the installation of a cap splint and a bar device. The contralateral premolar served as a control.

At the start of, and at regular intervals during, an experimental period of 180 days, tooth mobility, gingival inflammation and plaque accumulation were assessed. After sacrifice, radiographs were taken of test and control tooth regions and histological sections analysed regarding the width of the marginal periodontal ligament space and the degree of apical downgrowth of the gingival pocket epithelium.

Only the test teeth showed a gradually increasing horizontal mobility, but gingival inflammation and Plaque Index scores were similar on test and control sides. Radiographs revealed (1) horizontal bone loss in both test and control areas, and (2) angular bone destruction only in test areas. Histological sections showed that the degree of apical proliferation of the pocket epithelium was more pronounced in test than in control regions.
Splinting of teeth with removable bridges – Biological effects
Authors: Renggli H. H. , Schweizer H.
Published: December 2005

Abstract Fifteen abutment teeth with pathologic mobility were splinted with removable telescoped bridges. Mobility was measured at the time the splints were placed and at 1‐ and 12‐month intervals. Average mobility of the abutment and control teeth did not change significantly during the experimental period.
An oral contraceptive drug and gingival enlargement; the relationship between local and systemic factors
Authors: Pearlman B. A.
Published: December 2005

Abstract A case of ‘pregnancy tumour’ associated with the administration of an oral contraceptive drug is described. The lesion was excised and adequate levels of oral hygiene maintained post‐operatively. No recurrence occurred throughout a further 21‐month period of hormone administration. The effect of the drug on the gingiva was dependent upon the presence of bacterial plaque.
Penicillin control of swelling and pain after periodontal osseous surgery
Authors: Kidd Edwina A. M. , Wade A. Bryan
Published: December 2005

Abstract Comparable flap operations incorporating curettage and osteoplasties were performed in 17 patients on opposite sides of the same jaw on separate occasions. For one side a cover of phenoxymethyl penicillin 250 mg q.d.s. for 5 days commencing at the time of operation was given and for the other side a placebo was used.

Healing was more advanced at 1 week after operation and there was less post‐operative discomfort during the first week when the penicillin cover was used. There was a tendency towards less facial swelling when penicillin was administered but the difference was not significant.
Exfoliative cytological studies in evaluation of free gingival graft healing
Authors: Lange D. E. , Bernimoulin J.‐P.
Published: December 2005

Abstract Free palatal grafts were transplanted into the alveolar mucosa area in 12 patients. Smears were taken daily from the graft surface for 9 days and then weekly until the 5th week; smears were taken from the palatal wound only weekly. In addition 5 to 8, 8 to 12 and 12 to 29 months respectively after grafting, cytology was studied at the recipient, palatal donor and control sites, in alveolar mucosa and attached gingiva areas.

Degenerative changes in the epithelial cells of the graft were observed during the first few days in the most superficial and the intermediate layers. On the 7th day no degenerated superficial cells were present in the smears. Five weeks postoperatively the superficial cell index had increased to 100 % and the keratinization index to 57 %. It is concluded that the transplanted basal, parabasal and intermediate epithelial cells were active in the healing process which, up to 21/2 half years postoperatively, resulted in cytological smears typical for the palatal but not the alveolar mucosa.
Occlusal interferences and functional disturbances of the masticatory system
Authors: Geering Alfred H.
Published: December 2005

Abstract A total of 282 patient histories and occlusal analyses made by students for instructional purposes were evaluated. An attempt was made to correlate the slide from centric relation to centric occlusion (maximum intercuspation), and occlusal interferences in eccentric movements, to pain and/or symptoms of functional disturbances of the masticatory system.

A slide in combination with balancing interference(s) was found almost twice as frequently in patients with pain and/or symptoms compared to patients with no symptoms. Neither the amount nor the direction of the slide was correlated with the pain and/or symptoms. The balancing interferences tended to be located on the pain and/or symptom side.
Implanting of allogenic demineralized dentin in human gingival tissue
Authors: Knudsen G. E. , Bang G. , Kristoffersen T.
Published: December 2005

Abstract Previous studies have shown that implants of allogenic demineralized dentin in the abdominal muscle of rats and guinea‐pigs, and possibly also in the gingival tissues of man, may induce heterotopic bone formation. A preliminary study of the bone‐inducing effect of allogenic demineralized dentin in human gingival soft tissue is reported.

A total of 15 dentin specimens were implanted in the gingiva of six patients (32–58 years of age) who required surgical periodontal treatment. In addition, one implant was placed in the frenulum labiale superior of each of eight patients. The implants remained in the tissues for 4–30 weeks and showed evidence of varying degrees of resorption, but they appeared to be well tolerated. The amount of resorption was not related to the observation time. Dentinal tubules were invaded by connective tissue cells. In a few instances remineralized of the demineralized dentin seemed to have occurred. In one case, an area resembling newly‐formed hard tissue was observed. There was, however, no conclusive evidence of bone formation induced by the dentin implants.