Measles virus-specific IgG4 antibody titer as a serologic marker of post-vaccinal immune response

In previous research, we concluded that measles virus specific IgG4 antibody titer could be used to differentiate between natural [IgG4 GMT 80 (95% CI, 33 to 191)] and vaccinal source of measles infection [IgG4 GMT 13 (95% CI, 7 to 26)]. The aim of this paper is to show that this new serologic marker (IgG4 measles antibody titer) can be applied to help interpret rare but well documented cases of measles Ig M-positive results in vaccinated individuals who, 1-2 months after vaccination, developed rash and fever and therefore do not meet the criteria for post-vaccinal measles infection. Six measles IgM-positive serum samples obtained from measles vaccinated individuals who developed rash/fever 1 to 2 months post-vaccination were studied by Immunofluorescence assay for the quantification of IgG4 measles specific antibody. IgG4 antibody titers from all these samples were between 1:10-1:20, consequently, the IgM positive results from the study cases could be ascribed to post-vaccinal immune response. Thus, measles virus specific IgG4 antibody titer could be used as a serologic marker of post-vaccinal immune response.     

Modeling of Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization with Bifunctional Initiators: Diffusion Effects and Case Studies

Summary: A mathematical model for atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) with bifunctional initiators was developed. The model was validated with three case studies in bulk and solution polymerization. We used only polymer yield data to estimate some of the model parameters, while others were obtained from the literature. The model fits the polymer yield data and also predicts weight‐average molecular weights and polydispersities very well. The free volume theory was also incorporated to the model to study the effect of diffusion‐controlled reactions. The adjustable parameters in the free volume theory for the termination, propagation, activation, and deactivation reactions were varied to show the effect on monomer conversion, polymer chain length, and polydispersity. The model shows that diffusion‐limited termination reactions produce polymer with smaller polydispersities, while diffusion‐limited propagation reactions have the opposite effect. Both models, considering and neglecting diffusion effects on the kinetic rate constants, were compared with experimental data. Even though the model predictions for monomer conversion, number‐average molecular weight, and polydispersity are good in both cases, the simulations indicate that diffusion‐controlled reactions can be ignored for the cases studied in the three case studies described in this paper.

Comparison between model predictions and experimental data for BA polymerization of number‐average molecular weight in bulk at 90 °C.     

Effect of water storage on tooth displacement in maxillary complete dentures

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of water storage at 37 degrees C (1 week, 1 month and 3 months) on tooth displacement in maxillary complete dentures. Ten maxillary dentures were constructed with Clássico acrylic resin using the conventional method of packing in metallic flasks. Metallic reference pins were placed in the incisal border of the central incisors (I), labial cusp of the first premolars (PM), and mesiolabial cusp of the second molars (M). Twelve hours after final flask closure, the acrylic resin was cured in water at 74 degrees C for 9 h. The flasks were removed from the thermo-polymerizing unit after water-cooling and the dentures were deflasked, finished and stored in water at a temperature of 37 degrees C for 1 week, 1 month and 3 months. At deflasking and at the water storage intervals, the I-I (incisor to incisor), PM-PM (pre-molar to pre-molar), and M-M (molar to molar) transversal distances, and LI-LM (left incisor to left molar) and RI-RM (right incisor to right molar) anteroposterior distances were measured using an optical microscope with 0.0005 mm accuracy. Data were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey's test (5%). Comparing the evaluation periods for each individual transversal and anteroposterior reference point, no statistically significant differences were observed among deflasking and the water storage intervals for I-I, PM-PM, M-M and RI-RM distances (p>0.05). For LI-LM, however, deflasking values were statistically different from those of 1-week, 1-month and 3-month water storage intervals (p<0.05), which, in turn, did not differ statistically to each other (p>0.05). These results confirm the complexity of tooth displacement in complete dentures. From a clinical standpoint, the difference observed in LI-LM distance after water storage would not be detected by the patients during clinical use.     

Microhardness of Ni-Cr alloys under different casting conditions

This study evaluated the microhardness of Ni-Cr alloys used in fixed prosthodontics after casting under different conditions. The casting conditions were: (1-flame/air torch) flame made of a gas/oxygen mixture and centrifugal casting machine in a non-controlled casting environment; (2-induction/argon) electromagnetic induction in an environment controlled with argon; (3-induction/vacuum) electromagnetic induction in a vacuum environment; (4-induction/air) electromagnetic induction in a non-controlled casting environment. The 3 alloys used were Ni-Cr-Mo-Ti, Ni-Cr-Mo-Be, and Ni-Cr-Mo-Nb. Four castings with 5 cylindrical, 15 mm-long specimens (diameter: 1.6 mm) in each casting ring were prepared. After casting, the specimens were embedded in resin and polished for Vickers microhardness (VH) measurements in a Shimadzu HMV-2 (1,000 g for 10 s). A total of 5 indentations were done for each ring, one in each specimen. The data was subjected to two-way ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparison tests (alpha = 0.05). The VH values of Ni-Cr-Mo-Ti (422 +/- 7.8) were statistically higher (p < 0.05) than those of Ni-Cr-Mo-Nb (415 +/- 7.6). The lowest VH values were found for Ni-Cr-Mo-Be (359 +/- 10.7). The VH values obtained in the conditions induction/argon and induction/vacuum were similar (p > 0.05) and lower than the values obtained in the conditions induction/air and flame/air torch (p < 0.05). The VH values in the conditions induction/air and flame/air were similar (p > 0.05). The microhardness of the alloys is influenced by their composition and casting method. The hardness of the Ni-Cr alloys was higher when they were cast with the induction/air and flame/air torch methods.     

Leukoaraiosis predicts hidden global functioning impairment in nondisabled older people: the LADIS (Leukoaraiosis and Disability in the Elderly) Study

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether leukoaraiosis severity is independently associated with differences in global functioning in nondisabled elderly patients. DESIGN: Cross-sectional data analysis from an ongoing longitudinal multicenter and multinational study. SETTING: The Leukoaraiosis and Disability Study, a collaboration aimed at assessing leukoaraiosis as an independent predictor of the transition to disability in older people. PARTICIPANTS: Six hundred thirty-nine nondisabled subjects (288 men, 351 women, mean age+/-standard deviation 74.1+/-5.0) with magnetic resonance imaging-detected leukoaraiosis of different severity and presenting with one of the following: mild cognitive or motor disturbances, minor cerebrovascular events, or mood alterations or in whom leukoaraiosis was incidentally identified. MEASUREMENTS: Centralized assessment of leukoaraiosis severity according to the three severity degrees of the Fazekas scale; Disability Assessment for Dementia (DAD) Scale for measurement of global functioning. RESULTS: At baseline, 44% of participants had a mild, 31% a moderate, and 25% a severe degree of leukoaraiosis. A significant trend toward declining performance on the DAD Scale was apparent with increasing leukoaraiosis score severity (total score=98.8, 98.6, 97.5, respectively, in the three leukoaraiosis categories, analysis of variance P=.002). Similar trends were obtained for basic (P=.01) and instrumental (P<.001) function items. The statistical significance of these differences was confirmed in a multiple linear regression analysis correcting for numerous factors known to influence disability in older people. Executive function test performance declined along with increasing leukoaraiosis severity and was significantly related to DAD total score. CONCLUSION: Even in nondisabled elderly patients, levels of functional ability are related to white matter lesion severity. Executive dysfunction may mediate this relationship.     

Effects of glucose-insulin-potassium infusion on myocardial perfusion and left ventricular remodeling in patients treated with primary angioplasty for ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction

The role of glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) infusion in the management of acute coronary syndrome is controversial. Limited data are available on the effects of adjunctive high-dose GIK (30% glucose, 50 IU of insulin, 80 mEq of potassium chloride infused at 1.5 ml/kg/hour over 24 hours) on myocardial perfusion and left ventricular (LV) remodeling in patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. In this prospective study, 73 patients were randomized to receive GIK infusion (n = 40) or saline (placebo, n = 33) in addition to standard therapy. The primary end points were myocardial perfusion after PCI and LV remodeling at 6 months. Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction frame count and myocardial blush grade were evaluated before and after reperfusion treatment. LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes, ejection fraction, and wall motion score index were assessed in each patient after PCI and after 6 months. Although no differences in final Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction flow were observed between the 2 groups, myocardial blush grade 3 was more frequently achieved in the GIK group (p <0.05). At 6 months, ventricular remodeling was more often observed in the control group (24% vs 3%, p <0.05). In conclusion, GIK infusion in adjunct to primary PCI in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction was safe, improved myocardial perfusion after revascularization, and was associated with less LV remodeling at follow-up.     

Comparison of clinical outcomes of overlapping sirolimus- versus paclitaxel-eluting stents in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

Sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) and paclitaxel-eluting stent (PES) implantation for the treatment of single coronary lesions has proved to be effective and durable. However, the safety and efficacy of overlapping drug-eluting stents for the treatment of long lesions have not been well established. In total, 114 patients who received overlapping drug-eluting stents were identified, 55 of whom received overlapping SESs and 59 received overlapping PESs. Baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics were balanced. In-hospital complications were similar between the 2 groups. At 30-day and 6-month follow-ups, all clinical outcomes were also similar. In addition, the event-free survival rate was comparable (p = 0.71). Implantation of overlapping drug-eluting stents for the treatment of long, native coronary lesions is feasible and effective. In conclusion, in this observational study, clinical outcomes appeared similar in patients treated with overlapping SES implantation compared with those treated with overlapping PES implantation.