Identification and pathogenicity analysis of a novel non-tuberculous mycobacterium clinical isolate with nine-antibiotic resistance

With mycobacteriosis increasing, the study of non-tuberculous mycobacteria is imperative for clinical therapy and management. Nontuberculous mycobacteria are naturally resistant to most anti-tuberculosis drugs. Accordingly, it is important to decipher the biology of the novel non-tuberculous mycobacteria through complete genomic analysis of novel pathogenic mycobacteria. We describe Mycobacterium sinense JDM601, a novel, slow-growing mycobacterium of the Mycobacterium terrae complex resistant to nine antibiotics, by clinical presentation, cultural and biochemical characteristics, minimal inhibitory concentrations, and genome-sequencing analysis. JDM601 is closest to Mycobacterium nonchromogenicum according to mycolic acid composition, but closest to Mycobacterium algericum sp. nov according to 16S rDNA. JDM601 is resistant to isoniazid, streptomycin, rifampin, euteropas, protionamide, capromycin, ciprofloxacin, amikacin and levofloxacin but not ethambutol. The clinical information, mycolic acid composition, and virulence genes indicate that JDM601 is an opportunistic pathogen.     

Digital Workflow for Retrofitting a Surveyed Crown Using a Removable Partial Denture as an Antagonist

Digital workflow expedites the procedure of retrofitting a surveyed crown against an existing removable partial denture (RPD). This article describes a simple and straightforward technique of digital workflow where an existing RPD is scanned as an antagonist to design the rest seat, guide plane, and height of contour of a surveyed crown.     

整体切削的聚醚醚酮可摘局部义齿即刻修复1例

聚醚醚酮(PEEK)是一种具有良好的力学性能和生物安全性的新型高分子化合物,近年来逐渐应用于口腔修复、种植、正畸等领域。目前,PEEK在可摘局部义齿中的应用已有临床报道,但整体切削的PEEK可摘局部义齿还未见相关临床报道。本病例应用全程数字化设计和PEEK材料,整体切削制作了集支架、人工牙和基托为一体的可摘局部义齿,对1例83岁上下颌牙列缺损的患者进行了即刻修复治疗,并进行了3~6个月的随访,患者对修复效果满意。     

Novel fully digital workflow for removable partial denture fabrication

PurposeThis technical procedure report introduces a newly developed method for removable partial denture (RPD) fabrication using computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) and rapid prototyping (RP) technologies.MethodsFull-arch digital impressions of the partially edentulous jaw were made by an IOS or the conventional method. The denture framework, artificial teeth, and denture base were designed by commercially available CAD software. Each of the denture components including connectors, clasps, and artificial teeth and the denture bases were fabricated separately by the CAM machine or the three-dimensional (3D) printer, and then assembled using an adhesive material.ConclusionsRPDs were successfully fabricated using fully digital workflow and delivered to the patient, and no clinical complications were reported. Within the limitations of this report, the newly developed RPD fabrication techniques have the potential to change clinical and laboratory workflow from analog to digital.     

Cumulative effect of complete left bundle-branch block and chronic atrial fibrillation on 1-year mortality and hospitalization in patients with congestive heart failure. A report from the Italian network on congestive heart failure (in-CHF database).

BACKGROUND: Many clinical variables have been proposed as prognostic factors in patients with congestive heart failure. Among these, complete left bundle-branch block and atrial fibrillation are known to impair significantly left ventricular performance in patients with congestive heart failure. However, their combined effect on mortality has been poorly investigated. The aim of this study was to determine whether left bundle-branch block associated with atrial fibrillation had an independent, cumulative effect on mortality for congestive heart failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analysed the Italian Network on congestive heart failure (IN-CHF) Registry that was established by the Italian Association of Hospital Cardiologists in 1995. One-year follow-up data were available for 5517 patients. Complete left bundle-branch block and atrial fibrillation were associated in 185 (3.3%) patients. In this population the cause of congestive heart failure was dilated cardiomyopathy (38.4%), ischaemic heart disease (35.1%), hypertensive heart disease (17.3%), and other aetiologies (9.2%). This combination of electrical defects was associated with an increased 1-year mortality from any cause (hazard ratio, HR: 1.88; 95% CI 1.37-2.57) and sudden death (HR: 1.89; 95% CI 1.17-3.03) and 1-year hospitalization rate (HR: 1.83; 95% CI 1.26-2.67). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with congestive heart failure, the contemporary presence of left bundle-branch block and atrial fibrillation was associated with a significant increase in mortality. This synergistic effect remained significant after adjusting for clinical variables usually associated with advanced heart failure. We can conclude that this combination of electrical disturbances identifies a congestive heart failure specific population with a high risk of mortality.     

VDD起搏治疗幼儿完全性房室阻滞(附一例报告)

一例３．５岁的女性幼儿因室间隔缺损修补术致迟发性完全性房室阻滞（ＣＡＶＢ）而安置ＶＤＤ起搏器。经锁骨下静脉途径埋置单根心房感知、心室触发起搏电极，使之于右房内塑形并贴靠房壁；起搏器埋于同侧皮下胸大肌筋膜上囊袋内。术中测得起搏阈值０．１Ｖ、脉宽０．４ｍｓ、电极阻抗５２０Ω、Ａ波振幅１．５ｍＶ、Ｖ波振幅１０．６ｍＶ，Ａ波感知设定０．２５ｍＶ。术后房室同步起搏率１００％，临床症状改善。表明ＶＤＤ起搏器不仅埋置简便，而且具有房室同步、频率应答等生理性起搏特点，是治疗幼儿ＣＡＶＢ的理想起搏方式。     

Continuous complete remission in adult patients with acute lymphocytic leukaemia at a median observation of 12 years after autologous bone marrow transplantation

We report our long-term experience with autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) for 32 adult patients with acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL) in second or later remission (CR), or in first CR but with high-risk. Bone marrow was purged with mafosfamide (n = 25) or with immunomagnetic beads and monoclonal antibodies (n = 7). Retrospective analysis showed that 12 out of 32 patients were in continuous complete remission (CCR) at a median of 143 months (range 66-181 months). A plateau was reached at 50 months and the disease-free and overall survival rates were both 37.5%. It was notable that durable CCR could be achieved for patients in second (three out of nine) or third (one out of six) CR. ABMT could produce durable CCR and the long-term outcome compared favourably with those reported for allogeneic transplantation.     

Flexible Removable Partial Denture Prosthesis: A Survey of Dentists’ Attitudes and Knowledge in Greece and Croatia

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate through a questionnaire the knowledge, attitudes and possible differences in the use of flexible RPDPs among dentists in Greece and Croatia.

Material and Methods

A questionnaire of 16 questions was originally created in English, translated into Greek and Croatian language following a two way translation and tested for apprehension, precision, clarity and homogeneity by a number of native English speaking Greek and Croatian dentists. Following the necessary corrections, the questionnaires replicated in two online surveys and their addresses with an informed consent were sent by emails to nearly 4000 dentists in each country to participate. Collected data were analyzed by chi-square tests at a= .05 level of significance.

Results

378 dentists from Greece and 304 from Croatia participated in the study. 137(36.2%) dentists from Greece and 56(18.4%) from Croatia provided flexible RPDPs to their patients. Statistical analysis for all providers indicated no significant difference between genders (P>.05), significant differences between age groups (P<.01), years of practice (P<.05), specialization (P <.001), and instruction on flexible prostheses (P <.001). The analysis between the two countries showed differences for gender and age groups (P<.01) but no differences between experienced, specialized or instructed groups (P >.05).

Conclusion

The survey indicated differences between the two countries in the percentages of dentists using, selecting and providing RPDPs for their patients. Practitioners’ age, years in practice and instruction were associated with the provision of the prostheses, while comfort, esthetics and cost were the reasons for deciding to use the flexible RPDPs.

Conclusion

Although dentists are not educated in their schools about flexible RPDPs, almost a third of them offer this treatment to their patients. Long term success of these devices depends on clinical education, more experience and definitely more research.