Subcutaneous low dose arabinosyl-cytosine and oral idarubicin in high risk adult acute myelogenous leukemia

In order to further explore low dose chemotherapy for high risk acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), low dose Ara-C and oral idarubicin (LAI) were given to 33 patients of 24-84 (median 66) years with AML after myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) (12 patients), refractory AML (13 patients), and AML with contraindications to intensive chemotherapy (8 patients). Patients received 1 to 4 cycles of Ara-C 10 mg/m2 q 12 h s.c. inject. on days 1-14 and idarubicin 20 mg/m2/d orally days 3, 4, 5. Three Three patients attained complete remission, four patients partial remission and one patient minor response, whereas 11 patients succumbed to early mortality from hemorrhage (two patients) and/or infections (10 patients). Three of 13 patients with heavily pretreated refractory AML went into remission compared to 3/12 with AML after MDS and 1/8 with AML and contraindications against intensive treatment. Median duration of CR is 102 (70-488 +) days. Thirty-two of 33 patients developed grade 4 hematological toxicity requiring platelet transfusions. The non-hematologic toxicity was acceptable. LAI provides a standardized therapeutic option especially for heavily pretreated patients with AML.

The relationship between cognitive characteristics and decision making

Team handball players (N = 118) underwent a number of cognitive tests to examine how much of their decision making (DM) ability, as measured through responses to game slides projected to them for 2 seconds under low and high exertion levels (i.e., walking and running), was accounted for by cognitive components. A stepwise multiple linear regression indicated that experience was the most pronounced predictor of DM capacity in both exertion conditions. In the walking condition, concentrational consistency, avoidance of concentrational mistakes, and short-term memory, together with experience, produced a multiple R of 0.48 with decision making. In the running condition, choice reaction time (CRT), intelligence, and short-term memory, together with experience, correlated 0.46 with DM. These differences in cognitive abilities, as predictors of DM under walking and running conditions, are discussed in terms of information processing models and other cognitive processes.

Sensitometric comparison of direct- and indirect-exposure films used in intraoral radiography

In Japan, some dentists use indirect-exposure (screen) films for intraoral radiography, without the use of intensifying screens. The purpose of the present investigation was to determine whether film speed, inherent contrast, and latitude of Japanese indirect-exposure films used without intensifying screens were comparable to those of direct-exposure (non-screen) films used for intraoral radiography. The characteristic curves of Kodak Ektaspeed ("E" speed) and Ultra-speed ("D" speed) films were used as standards for comparison. Indirect-exposure films without intensifying screens were extremely slow compared with direct-exposure "E" and "D" speed films. Therefore, they should not be used for intraoral radiography because they needlessly expose the patient to excessive X-ray radiation. The direct-exposure films Hanshin Hi-Fi and Hanshin New Silver were equivalent in speed, higher in contrast, and narrower in latitude than Kodak Ektaspeed film. In general, the indirect-exposure films had lower speed, lower contrast and wider latitude than the direct-exposure films. Their speed and contrast would have been increased if intensifying screens had been used. Therefore, indirect-exposure films without intensifying screens should not be used for intraoral radiography.

Nonreplicating viral vectors as potential vaccines: recombinant canarypox virus expressing measles virus fusion (F) and hemagglutinin (HA) glycoproteins

The development of canarypox virus (CPV) recombinants expressing the hemagglutinin (HA) and fusion (F) glycoproteins of measles virus (MV) is described. Inoculation of the CPV-MV recombinants into avian or nonavian tissue culture substrates led to the expression of authentic MVF and MVHA as determined by radioimmunoprecipitation and surface immunofluorescence. In contrast to avian-derived tissue culture, no productive replication of the CPV recombinant was evident in tissue culture cells derived from nonavian origin. On inoculation of dogs, a species restricted for avipoxvirus replication, the recombinants elicited a protective immune response against a lethal canine distemper virus (CDV) challenge. The level of MV neutralizing antibodies and the level of protection induced against CDV challenge achieved by the host-restricted CPV vector were equivalent to that obtained by vaccinia virus vectors expressing the same MV antigens.

Automatic processing: effects of temperature and time changes on the sensitometric properties of light-sensitive films

The effects of changes in the processing temperature and time of automatic processors were studied with three light-sensitive Kodak films: (1) blue-sensitive X-Omat RP film, (2) green-sensitive T-Mat G film, and (3) ultraviolet-sensitive X-Omat duplicating film. Speed and inherent contrast were derived for each of the three films from sensitometric curves at six different temperatures and at five different processing times. The T-Mat G film (T-grain technology) was comparatively less sensitive than conventional films (X-Omat RP) to increases in processing temperature or time. Unlike dental intraoral films, which cannot be processed at low processing time or temperature, the light-sensitive films were of archival storage quality even at a low processing time of 2.5 minutes or at a low processing temperature of 21 degrees C. Therefore the processing time of an automatic processor may be decreased for light-sensitive films.

Efficacy of nucleoprotein and haemagglutinin antigens expressed in fowlpox virus as vaccine for influenza in chickens

Fowlpox virus (FPV) recombinants expressing influenza virus H5 haemagglutinin (HA), nucleoprotein (NP) or co-expressing both of these antigens were tested for vaccine efficacy in chickens. Immunization with the recombinant FPV-HA was highly efficacious but provided no cross protection between subtypes. Bursectomy established that immunity against the H5 subtype was antibody-mediated despite the presence of very low levels of antibody in the vaccinated birds. Immunization with the recombinant FPV expressing the cross-reactive NP antigen did not provide protective immunity despite hyperimmunization and provided no benefit above HA expressed alone. The results suggest that the kinetics of viral replication outpaces immunity induced by NP.

Efficacy studies on a canarypox-rabies recombinant virus

Recombinant avipox viruses have been developed expressing the rabies glycoprotein gene. A fowlpox-rabies recombinant has previously been shown to be protective against live rabies virus challenge in a number of non-avian species. This report describes the development of a canarypox-rabies recombinant. A comparison is made of the protective efficacy of this recombinant with other pox-rabies recombinants.

Automatic processing: effects of temperature and time changes on sensitometric properties of ULTRA-SPEED and EKTASPEED films

The effects of changes in the processing temperature and time of automatic processors were studied with Kodak ULTRA-SPEED and EKTASPEED dental x-ray films. Speeds and inherent contrasts were derived for the two films from sensitometric curves at seven different temperatures and at five different processing times. As opposed to manual processing, only a slight change in film fog was observed with increases in automatic processing temperature or time. Film speed and contrast could be increased by increasing the processing temperature or time. The EKTASPEED film was more sensitive to these changes than was the ULTRA-SPEED film. Temperature had a stronger influence than processing time. All films were of archival storage quality except those processed at the low processing times of 2.5 or 3.5 minutes, and at the low processing temperature of 21 degrees C.

Protection of chickens with a recombinant fowlpox virus expressing the Newcastle disease virus hemagglutinin-neuraminidase gene

A recombinant fowlpox virus expressing the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) protein of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strain Texas was generated. Immunoprecipitation with chicken anti-NDV serum confirmed authentic expression of the HN protein. Protection of chickens from infection with NDV was observed when birds were immunized with the recombinant HN fowlpox virus by the intramuscular route after one or two inoculations. Vaccination by the ocular route with a mixture of fowlpox recombinants expressing the fusion and HN proteins did not show added protection over that seen with the individual viruses.

Shear bond strength of ceramic orthodontic brackets to enamel

The recent introduction of ceramic orthodontic brackets has generated interest among orthodontists. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the in vitro shear bond strengths to enamel of four ceramic orthodontic brackets and one stainless steel bracket in trials with two separate acid-etching times for enamel. Eighty extracted human central incisors were prepared for bonding to Starfire, Allure, Transcend, Quasar, and stainless steel (in the control group) orthodontic bracket systems. Enamel etching times of 15 seconds and 60 seconds were used. There was a total of 10 groups. After acid etching, one coat of low-viscosity bonding agent was applied and the brackets were bonded to etched enamel with Concise orthodontic bonding resin. The bonded test specimens were stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 14 days, after which they were thermocycled for 500 cycles (5 degrees C to 60 degrees C). The bonds were stressed to failure in an Instron machine at a crosshead speed of 0.02 inch per minute. The shear bond strengths were calculated and Weibull analysis was used to obtain a shape factor (the slope of the straight line and a measure of predictability) and the characteristic level (the 63.2% bond strength value of median rank on the strength line) for each group. Predictability and high bond strength, along with other factors, are important in the clinical selection of a bracket system. When either predictability or bond strength was considered independently, several bracket systems, coupled with a particular etch time, had either high predictability or high bond strength. The highest predictability and the highest bond strength were both found with the Allure bracket system.

Posterior composite and glass ionomer/composite laminate restorations: 2-year clinical results

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate and compare the clinical performance of two posterior composite materials, and two placement techniques, unlaminated and laminated to glass ionomer base. Forty Class II carious lesions were randomly assigned for restoration with one of two composites: Status or Ful-Fil; and using one of two techniques: with and without a glass ionomer base. In the 20 restorations using the laminate technique, the glass ionomer base covered the dentin and extended to the cavosurface in the gingival third of the proximal box. The restorations were evaluated clinically at 24 hours, 6 months, 12 months and 24 months. The clinical parameters used for the examination were: anatomic form, marginal adaptation, color, secondary caries, marginal discoloration and contact. Bitewing radiographs were taken at 24 hours and at 24 months to evaluate gingival margin discrepancy. Impressions of the restorations were made for fabrication of stone dies. Of the 40 restorations, 38 (95%) were available for evaluation at 24 months. For both materials there was a deterioration in anatomic form, in marginal adaptation, and in marginal discoloration. Anatomic form was significantly worse with Status (P less than 0.05). Of the 20 restorations placed using the laminate technique, two had observable loss of the glass ionomer material. Radiographic radiolucencies were observed for both materials and with both techniques. For the laminate technique, all radiolucencies were between the glass ionomer and the composite. The radiographic observations did not change after the initial evaluation. All the restorations were functioning well at 24 months, but longer observation will be required to determine whether there is a clinically significant difference between the two placement techniques.

Effect of dentin surface roughness on shear bond strength

The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of dentin surface roughness on the shear bond strength of a dentin bonding agent. Seventy-five dentin samples were divided into five surface preparation groups: (1) 60-grit SiC; (2) 320-grit SiC; (3) 600-grit SiC; (4) 600-grit SiC followed by AI2O3, and (5) 320-grit SiC followed by a #245 carbide bur. The prepared dentin was treated with a dentin primer, and one coat of dentin bonding agent was applied and light-cured for 30 s. Each dentin specimen was mounted in a device with a split Teflon mold (I.D. = 3.5 mm, depth = 5.0 mm). Three increments of a restorative composite were placed, compressed firmly, and light-cured for 30 s in the mold. After 24 h of storage, the bonds were stressed to failure in a mechanical testing machine at a cross-head speed of 0.5 mm/min. Weibull analysis was used to obtain a shape factor and characteristic level for each group. The results showed that, with the possible exception of the 600-grit SiC and AI2O3 group, the grit size used for preparation of dentin specimens for shear bond strength testing in this study did not significantly affect bond strength.

Sensitometric comparison of unexpired and expired duplicating films used in dentistry

This investigation compared the sensitometric properties of unexpired and expired duplicating films. The characteristic curve derived for a duplicating film is the negative slope of a solarization curve; that is, it is different in direction to that of a regular x-ray film. An expired duplicating film is slower than an unexpired duplicating film. Unlike a negative working film, which gains fog past its expiration date, a positive working film (for example, a duplicating film) gains contrast past its expiration date. An expired duplicating film has a narrower latitude than that of an unexpired duplicating film for a useful density range. Clinically, a duplicating film can be used years after its expiration date even though there is a change in its speed and contrast.

Shear bond strength of four orthodontic bonding systems

Recently new orthodontic bonding systems have been developed for attachment of brackets to the etched facial surfaces of teeth. Two of these new systems use bonding agents that contain solvents. It is claimed that this improves the polymerization of the unfilled resin primer and may increase bond strength. A new light-cured restorative enamel/dentin-bonding agent has also recently been introduced. Its value in orthodontic bonding has not been determined. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the shear bond strengths of the three new bonding systems and to compare these with a conventional orthodontic bonding system. Forty-eight enamel specimens were prepared with 600-grit silicone carbide paper, acid etched with 37% phosphoric acid, and assigned to four enamel-bonding treatment groups: (A) Saga sealant; (B) Maximum Cure; (C) Scotchbond-2; and (D) Concise enamel bond. After enamel priming, the specimens were bonded to Concise orthodontic bonding resin. The bonded specimens were thermocycled (15 degrees C to 45 degrees C) and then stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 7 days. Shear bond strength was tested with an Instron testing machine at a strain rate of 0.02 in/min. The mean shear bond strengths and standard deviations reported in MN/m2 were (A) 20.34 (5.37); (B) 25.33 (5.96); (C) 14.59 (5.25); and (D) 20.13 (4.98). The mean shear bond strengths for groups A, B, and D were significantly greater (p less than 0.05) than that for group C. The addition of solvents to the new orthodontic bonding systems does not appear to have a clinically significant effect. The new restorative bonding resin does not provide comparable enamel bond strengths.

Microleakage of glass ionomer/composite laminate Class V restorations

The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the effects on microleakage of pretreating dentin with polyacrylic acid (PAA), prior to placing a glass ionomer base/composite laminate restoration. Class V erosion-type lesions with the incisal margin on enamel and the cervical margin below the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ), were prepared in 50 sound extracted teeth. These teeth were divided into five dentin treatment groups: A) 10% PAA; B) 20% PAA; C) and D) 40% PAA; E) no dentin preconditioning. In groups A, B, C and E, a glass ionomer base was placed within 1 mm of the margins. In group D the glass ionomer base extended to the cervical margin. The glass ionomer base and the incisal enamel were etched with 37% phosphoric acid prior to placing a bonding agent and restoring with a composite. The restorations were finished and polished and the teeth were stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 7 days. They were thermocycled in 0.5% fuchsin dye for 500 cycles (5 degrees C to 60 degrees C), embedded in epoxy resin, and sectioned at 250 mu intervals through the restorations. The section of each tooth exhibiting the most severe dye penetration along the tooth/restoration interface was evaluated and scored both incisally and cervically: 0 = no leakage; 1 = leakage up to the glass ionomer base; 2 = leakage up to 1/2 the wall length; 3 = leakage exceeding 1/2 the wall length. Cervically, the median leakage for all groups was 3.0. Incisally, the median leakage for all the groups was 0.0.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bonding glass-ionomer cements to chemomechanically-prepared dentin

The aim of this investigation was to compare the shear bond strengths of two commercially available glass-ionomer cement base materials to remaining dentin: (1) after conventional caries removal and polyacrylic acid conditioning; (2) after chemomechanical caries removal (Caridex); and (3) after chemomechanical caries removal and polyacrylic acid conditioning. Ninety freshly extracted carious teeth were randomly assigned for caries removal with either the chemomechanical technique (N = 60), or with conventional mechanical drilling (N = 30). Caries removal was continued until the remaining dentin surfaces were judged sound. The remaining dentin in 30 of the teeth prepared with the chemomechanical technique, and in all of the teeth prepared with mechanical drilling, was treated with 10% aqueous polyacrylic acid for 10 seconds. Groups of 15 teeth were assigned for bonding with either Ketac-Bond or Shofu Glasionomer Base Cement. All bonded specimens were stored in a humidor at 37 degrees C for 24 hr. Shear bond strength was tested by means of a mechanical testing machine at a cross-head speed of 0.05 cm/min. Analysis of variance indicated no significant difference (p greater than 0.05) in the mean bond strength among the groups.

A bond strength study of luted castable ceramic restorations

Accurate intracoronal castings can be produced using a castable ceramic--DICOR--for which there is a need to identify a suitable luting cement. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the bond strength of three glass-ionomer luting cements and one resin cement to treated and untreated DICOR, enamel, and dentin surfaces. Forty "cerammed" DICOR specimens were assigned to four groups: (1-3) grit-blasting and bonding to each of the three glass-ionomer cements; and (4) acid-etching, silane coating, and bonding to the resin cement. Seventy enamel specimens were assigned to seven groups: (1-3) no etching and bonding to each of the glass-ionomer cements; (4-7) acid-etching and bonding to the glass-ionomer cements and the resin cement. Seventy dentin specimens were assigned to seven groups: (1-4) bonding to each of the three glass-ionomer cements and the resin cement; (5-7) polyacrylic acid preconditioning and bonding to each of the three glass-ionomer cements. The mean resin cement bond strengths (MN/m2) to DICOR (9.4) and to etched enamel (10.7) were significantly greater (p less than 0.01) than those of the glass-ionomer cements (DICOR, 0.8-1.2; enamel, 0.4-0.9). Preconditioning of enamel and dentin significantly increased (p less than 0.05) the bond strengths to the glass-ionomer cements. The mean bond strength of the resin cement to untreated dentin (4.3) was significantly higher (p less than 0.05) than the glass-ionomer bond strengths to untreated dentin (1.0-1.7) and to preconditioned dentin (2.1-3.3). The high bond strengths achieved with the resin cement are encouraging. Selected surface treatment of DICOR, enamel, and dentin prior to luting should be clinically useful.

Recombinant fowlpox virus inducing protective immunity in non-avian species

The natural host of fowlpox virus is limited to avian species. When inoculated into non-avian tissue culture cells, however, fowlpox virus can initiate an abortive infection. A fowlpox virus was engineered to express rabies virus glycoprotein. On inoculation of the recombinant virus into either avian (permissive) or non-avian (non-permissive) cells, the rabies glycoprotein was expressed as a membrane-associated antigen. Inoculation of the fowlpox virus recombinant into six different species of mammal resulted in specific immune responses to both fowlpox antigens and to rabies glycoprotein. In mice, cats and dogs the immune response was sufficient to protect against a live rabies virus challenge. The results demonstrate the utility of a fowlpox virus vector in immunizing non-avian species against rabies in the absence of productive viral replication of the fowlpox vector.

Protective immunity against avian influenza induced by a fowlpox virus recombinant

Fowlpox virus, the prototypic virus of the genus Avipoxvirus has a natural host range limited to avian species. As such, fowlpox virus provides a suitable candidate for the development of a species-specific recombinant viral vector. This paper reports the development of a fowlpox virus recombinant expressing the haemagglutinin molecule from a highly virulent avian influenza virus. On immunization of chickens and turkeys with the recombinant, protection is afforded against a lethal challenge with either the homologous or a heterologous influenza virus strain.

Orthodontic bonding to porcelain--bond strength and refinishing

Glazed porcelain surfaces are not amenable to resin penetration for orthodontic bonding. The aims of this study were to evaluate (1) the bond strengths of two orthodontic composite materials to treated porcelain surfaces, (2) the effect of thermocycling, and (3) the porcelain surfaces after refinishing. Sixty glazed porcelain disks were assigned to three surface treatment groups: Silane (S), roughening and silane (RS), and roughening (R). The acid-etched enamel surfaces of 20 extracted teeth served as a control group. Ten specimens in each group were bonded with either Concise or System 1. They were stored in water at 37 degrees C or thermocycled 8 degrees to 45 degrees C. Shear bond strength was tested with an Instron testing machine (0.05 cm/min). Analysis of variance showed that the four surface treatment groups and the two composite materials produced significantly different bond strengths (P less than 0.01 and P less than 0.05, respectively). The effect of thermocycling was not significant (P greater than 0.05). Acid-etched enamel/Concise produced the highest mean bond strength (17.4 MN/m2). This was significantly greater (P less than 0.05) than the mean bond strengths of S/Concise (11.1), RS/System 1 (8.6), RS/Concise (8.1), and enamel/System 1 (7.8). The latter four mean bond strengths in turn were significantly greater (P less than 0.05) than S/System 1 (2.5), R/Concise (2.1), and R/System 1 (1.8). Of the four refinishing systems evaluated, all produced smooth surfaces but were unable to reproduce a glazed appearance. Roughening of porcelain and the silane treatment achieve bond strengths that should be clinically successful.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analytic and preparative separation of apolipoproteins A-I, A-II, and A-IV by reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography

We have developed a rapid reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatographic technique capable of separating apolipoproteins A-I, A-II, and A-IV and their constituent isoforms. The separations were performed on a 30 cm x 3.9 mm C18 reverse-phase silica-based column (Waters Associates) using a 47-55% gradient of acetonitrile in 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid. Injection of a mixture of equal weights of apolipoproteins A-I, A-II, and A-IV yielded a single peak for apoA-IV, two peaks of apoA-I isoforms, and three peaks of apoA-II isoforms, with negligible overlap of each peak. When applied to the isolation of apoA-IV from a crude protein mixture obtained by incubation of phospholipid-triglyceride emulsion particles with lipoprotein-depleted plasma, the technique yielded a single peak of highly pure apoA-IV cleanly separated from isoforms of apoA-I and higher molecular weight proteins. A positive linear correlation was observed between apoprotein hydrophobicity and column retention time, thus indicating that the system provided a true reverse phase separation. We conclude that reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography can separate human apolipoprotein A-IV from isoforms of apoA-I and apoA-II on the basis of differences in mean molecular hydrophobicity. The technique has direct application to the isolation of human apolipoprotein A-IV.