The relationship of various arch forms and cortical bone thickness

OBJECTIVE

Implants are being used in orthodontics as a reliable mode of anchorage. Among other factors, the cortical bone thickness plays a major role in determining the stability of these implants. The objective of this study was to study the relationship of various arch forms and the cortical bone thickness and to determine if the cortical bone thickness varies between various arch forms. This would help to determine the ideal length of an implant for a particular arch form.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross sectional tomograph was obtained from 30 patients. Based on arch forms the patients' tomographs were equally divided into three basic square, tapered and ovoid categories, each consisting of 10 patients. Consequently, their buccal and lingual cortical plate thicknesses were measured.

RESULTS

The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the three arch forms, in which the square arch form had the greatest cortical bone thickness among the three arch forms.

CONCLUSION

Patients having a tapered arch form may require implants with greater length than patients having a square or an ovoid arch form. Since the availability of the cortical bone in square arch patients is greater, there is more stability for the implants in these cases; therefore, implants with a shorter length may be used in these cases.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of beta-Aroylpropionic acid based 1,3,4-Oxadiazoles

In the present investigation, two new series, 1-(4-benzylphenyl)-3-(5-substituted-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)-1-propanone and 1-(4-ethylphenyl)-3-(5-substituted-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)-1-propanone from β-(4-benzylbenzoyl)propionic acid and β-(4-ethylbenzoyl)propionic acid, respectively, were synthesized and tested for antiinflammatory, analgesic, lipid peroxidation, ulcerogenic and antibacterial actions. A fair number of compounds were found to have good antiinflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced rat paw edema test, while a few compounds showed significant antibacterial activity. The newly synthesized compounds showed very low ulcerogenic action.

Relationship between mucosal levels of interleukin 8 and toxinogenicity of Helicobacter pylori

AIM OF STUDY

To investigate if an association exists between in-vivo mucosal levels of IL-8 and bacterial expression of cytotoxin and cagA gene of H. pylori.

METHODS

Seventy-two dyspeptic patients referred for endoscopy were studied, including 36 patients with peptic ulcer (PU) and 36 with non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD). Biopsies were taken for histology, H. pylori culture and measurement of IL-8 by ELISA. To test the ability of H. pylori to produce cytotoxin (VacA), broth culture supernatants were assayed on Vero cells and vacuolation measured. PCR was used to detect the cagA gene of H. pylori.

RESULTS

H. pylori was isolated in 52 of 72 patients studied. Among the 52 strains, 25 (49%) were VacA+ve/cagA+ve; 12 (23%) were VacA-ve/cagA-ve; the remaining 15 strains (28%) were either VacA+ve/cagA-ve or VacA-ve/cagA+ve. IL-8 levels (median (interquartile) pg/mg) in patients infected with VacA+ve (1.5 (0.64, 2.84)) or cagA+ve strains (1.25 (0.72, 2.34) were significantly higher than in those with VacA-ve (0.76 (0.4, 1.0)) or cagA-ve strains (0.5 (0.4, 1.5); p<0.05). The neutrophil infiltration score was also higher in patients infected with VacA+ve or cagA+ve strains than in those infected with VacA-ve or cagA-ve strains (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

VacA+ve/cagA+ve strains were associated with an enhanced production of mucosal IL-8 in vivo and correlated with a stronger infiltration of neutrophils. Enhanced mucosal production of IL-8 and its role in neutrophil chemotaxis and activation could be important in H. pylori-induced gastroduodenal inflammation and in the development of peptic ulcer disease.

A phase II trial of voreloxin in women with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer

5559

Background: Voreloxin is a naphthyridine analog that intercalates DNA and inhibits topoisomerase II, inducing apoptosis. Clinical activity has been observed in ovarian cancer and AML. Results are reported from a fully enrolled phase II study of 3 dose levels of single agent voreloxin in patients (pts) with 1° or 2° platinum-resistant or refractory ovarian cancer. Methods: Pts may have received ≤ 3 prior platinum regimens plus one additional non-platinum regimen. PS of 0–1 was required. Voreloxin regimens: Cohort A 48 mg/m2q3weeks (wk) (N = 65), Cohort B 60 mg/m2q4wk (N = 35), and Cohort C 75 mg/m2q4wk (N = 35) by short IV infusion. BRCA status is reported by pt consent. Results: Cohort A: 2CRs, 5PRs; ORR 11%; median PFS 82 days (52–98 days 95%CI); Cohort B: 1CR, 3PRs; ORR 11%, median PFS too early to evaluate (TETE); Cohort C - TETE. Cohort A: Febrile neutropenia (FN) incidence was low (8%). Other common G3 or G4 AEs reported (≥ 5%) were fatigue (14%) and nausea (5%). Dose delays or reductions (40%) occurred typically at Cycle 1, largely due to neutropenia. Cohort B: Dose was increased to 60 mg/m2 and dosing interval was lengthened to 4 wk, maintaining dose intensity (DI) and allowing adequate time for marrow recovery. ANC dosing criterion was changed from ANC ≥ 1,500 to ≥ 1,000. There was a marked decrease in dose delays and reductions (14%) with only 3% incidence of FN. Common G3 or 4 AEs reported (≥ 5%) were fatigue (11%) and nausea (5%). The safety profile supported further dose escalation to 75 mg/m2q4wk (Cohort C- DI increased by 25%). Data are TETE. Conclusions: Preliminary data suggest Cohorts A and B have similar safety and efficacy profiles as anticipated based on comparable DI. Fewer dose reductions and delays occurred in Cohort B, due to revised dosing criteria and increased cycle length to 4 wk. Accrual to Cohort C is complete. Efficacy and safety data for all cohorts will be reported.

[Table: see text]