Efficiency of Immunological Methods in the Diagnosis of Active Tuberculosis in Children

Nowadays, no clear diagnostic criteria for tuberculosis in children exist as absolute majority of tuberculosis cases in childhood have no bacterial excretion, unlike adults where bacterial excretion is observed not rarely. This fact leads to necessity to implement immunological methods in diagnostic complex in children. Tuberculin test is a routine one which is used for diagnosis of tuberculosis, However, there are a number of factors which interfere with the diagnostic value of tuberculin test. This study helped to ascertain the superiority ofDST （Diaskintest） and QFT-G （QuantiFERON-TB Gold IT） with respect to the wealth of information they provide when compared with the TST （tuberculin screening test） in determining the activity of tuberculosis infection in children. The evaluation parameters of diagnostic value （DSS （diagnostic sensitivity）, the DSC （diagnostic specificity）, PPV （positive predictive value） and NPV （negative predictive value）, and DE （diagnostic efficiency）） with DST, QFT and TST （tuberculin skin test） were： DSS--84.3%, DSC--59.1%, PPV--61.9%, NPV--82.7%, DE--71.7%） with QFT （DSS--78.4%, DSC--68.2%, PPV--57.7%, NPV--85.1%, DE--73.3%） were significantly higher than with TST （DSS--91.5%, DSC--15.7%, PPV--74.4%, NPV--45.8%, DE--53.6%）. New immunologic methods DST and QFT-G have higher specificity and diagnostic value in comparison with TST that makes their implementation in the diagnosis of TB in children essential.     

Dimerization of complement factor H-related proteins modulates complement activation in vivo

The complement system is a key component regulation influences susceptibility to age-related macular degeneration, meningitis, and kidney disease. Variation includes genomic rearrangements within the complement factor H-related (CFHR) locus. Elucidating the mechanism underlying these associations has been hindered by the lack of understanding of the biological role of CFHR proteins. Here we present unique structural data demonstrating that three of the CFHR proteins contain a shared dimerization motif and that this hitherto unrecognized structural property enables formation of both homodimers and heterodimers. Dimerization confers avidity for tissue-bound complement fragments and enables these proteins to efficiently compete with the physiological complement inhibitor, complement factor H (CFH), for ligand binding. Our data demonstrate that these CFHR proteins function as competitive antagonists of CFH to modulate complement activation in vivo and explain why variation in the CFHRs predisposes to disease.     

High genetic diversity of measles virus, World Health Organization European Region, 2005-2006

During 2005-2006, nine measles virus (MV) genotypes were identified throughout the World Health Organization European Region. All major epidemics were associated with genotypes D4, D6, and B3. Other genotypes (B2, D5, D8, D9, G2, and H1) were only found in limited numbers of cases after importation from other continents. The genetic diversity of endemic D6 strains was low; genotypes C2 and D7, circulating in Europe until recent years, were no longer identified. The transmission chains of several indigenous MV strains may thus have been interrupted by enhanced vaccination. However, multiple importations from Africa and Asia and virus introduction into highly mobile and unvaccinated communities caused a massive spread of D4 and B3 strains throughout much of the region. Thus, despite the reduction of endemic MV circulation, importation of MV from other continents caused prolonged circulation and large outbreaks after their introduction into unvaccinated and highly mobile communities.     

Ureteral injury in laparoscopic gynecologic surgery

The introduction of laparoscopy to gynecologic surgery has allowed for both innovative advancements and new challenges in the field. As the complexity of laparoscopically approached gynecologic cases continues to increase, it is imperative for surgeons to be aware of the risk of ureteral injury. Although rare, ureteral complications with gynecologic surgery may be quite morbid; therefore, knowledge about their prevention, diagnosis, and management is of the utmost importance.     

Effect of Fiber Post and Cusp Coverage on Fracture Resistance of Endodontically Treated Maxillary Premolars Directly Restored with Composite Resin

IntroductionThere are different reinforcement methods in restoring root-filled teeth. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of fiber post and cusp coverage on fracture resistance of endodontically treated maxillary premolars directly restored with composite resin.MethodsSeventy-five maxillary premolars were divided into 5 groups (n = 15). Except for the control group (intact teeth), in other groups mesio-occlusodistal (MOD) cavities were prepared after endodontic treatment. In the groups with cusp coverage, both buccal and lingual cusps were reduced up to 2 mm. Then specimens in the experimental groups were prepared as follows: composite resin restoration without post and cusp capping, composite resin restoration without post but with cusp capping, composite resin restoration with post but without cusp capping, and composite resin restoration with post and cusp capping. After finishing and polishing, the specimens were stored in distilled water at 37°C for a week. Subsequent to thermocycling and exertion of compressive forces parallel to the long axes of the teeth at a strain rate of 2 mm/min, data were analyzed by using one-way analysis of variance and χ² test.ResultsThere were no significant differences in fracture resistance between the groups (P = .057). However, χ² test showed statistically significant differences between the groups in failure mode (P < .001). The highest number of favorable fractures was observed in the control group (intact teeth).ConclusionsRoot-filled maxillary premolars, restored with direct resin composite with or without fiber post and cusp capping, had similar fracture resistance under static loading.