Role of pentamer complex-specific and IgG subclass 3 antibodies in HCMV hyperimmunoglobulin and standard intravenous IgG preparations

Medical Microbiology and Immunology - HCMV hyperimmunoglobulin-preparations (HIG) contain high concentrations of HCMV-specific IgG. The reduced maternofetal-HCMV-transmission rate of IgG may be due...     

Workplace Lactation Programs in Small WIC Service Sites: A Potential Model

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) has an opportunity to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding by implementing and modeling workplace lactation programs in small WIC agencies that may have barriers regarding the lack of both human and financial resources. The goal of this article was to describe effective strategies for agency administrators in small WIC service sites so that they can reduce barriers, successfully implement workplace lactation policies and programs, and model successful strategies for other small employers.     

Fracture process characterization of fiber-reinforced dental composites evaluated by optical coherence tomography, SEM and optical microscopy

This study used optical coherence tomography (OCT) compared to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy (OM) to evaluate qualitatively crack propagation and final fracture in restorative composite materials - Filtek Z250 and Filtek Z350 (3M ESPE) - with fiber reinforcement after cyclic loading. Samples were made using a split mold. Initially, 3-point bending tests were performed to determine the maximum force and tension at the fracture moment using samples without fiber reinforcement. Then, mechanical cycling tests were performed using samples with glass fiber embedded internally. The failures were analyzed using the 3 methods described before. OCT permitted good characterization of internal crack propagation of the dental composites, which, however, could not be visualized by either SEM or OM. OCT was proven to be laboratory research tool that is easy to use, does not require any specific preparation of the samples, and is less expensive than SEM.     

Condensation silicones: do new materials really presents better dimensional stability?

The aim of this study was evaluate the dimensional stability of some condensation silicones. The following materials were studied: Coltex/Coltoflax - Coltène, Speedex - Coltène, and Optosil Comfort/Xantopren VL Plus - Kulzer. They were evaluated by dimensional analysis and gas chromatography (GC) performed at the following times: T0, T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5 (immediately after setting, thirty minutes, two hours, twenty four hours, seventy two hours, and seven days after setting, respectively). The dimensional changes were measured directly in the molds using a Mitutoyo microscope. The Coltex fine/Coltoflax and Optosil Comfort/Xantopren VL Plus materials presented dimensional stability for up to thirty minutes after molding, while the Speedex material remained stable for up to two hours after molding. The gas chromatography experiment demonstrated that these materials release ethanol even after clinical setting.     

Preliminary clinical reports of a novel night-guard tooth bleaching technique modified by casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CCP-ACP)

Although supervised night-guard bleaching has proved successful for whitening teeth, both mineral loss and tooth sensitivity are still common problems. The present study introduces a novel remineralizer as well as describes the utilization of a possibly low sensitivity supervised night-guard vital tooth bleaching technique. A 22% carbamide peroxide gel was mixed with the casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate-containing MI Paste. The peroxide/MI Paste mixture was prepared with 1 ml of each material until obtaining a homogeneous paste. Five patients were instructed to follow a home bleaching protocol for 3 weeks. The outcome was assessed visually with a Vitapan scale. All subjects presented reduction of at least two Vitapan scale units after bleaching and no sensitivity was reported. The concomitant use of MI Paste and peroxide might not affect the gel effectiveness and still reduce hypersensitivity levels.     

Proliferative activity in oral salivary gland tumors: the role of PCNA and AgNOR assessed by a double staining technique

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of PCNA and AgNOR in the assessment of salivary gland tumor proliferation using a double staining technique. Ten cases of pleomorphic adenoma (PA) and seventeen cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) were examined. Numeric and morphometric parameters of AgNOR were evaluated and compared in PCNA-positive and PCNA-negative nuclei. There were statistically significant differences in AgNOR numbers, perimeters and contour indices between PCNA-positive and -negative nuclei in the PA samples. The ACC samples demonstrated significant differences only in the AgNOR areas. Our results show that in salivary gland tumors there is not always a relationship between proliferative activity evaluated by AgNOR numeric and morphometric parameters and PCNA immunostaining.