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PubMed1983

Dentinogenesis imperfecta with dens in dente.

An uncommon case of dentinogenesis imperfecta with dens in dente was studied by light microscopy, microradiography, and electron-microprobe analysis. Numerous canals and cellular inclusions were found in the coronal portion of the dentin where the tubules were sparse and irregularly distributed. In the radicular portion of the molar, large canals ran parallel to each other down to the apical region. The cementum was thinner and the Tomes granular layer greater in amount than usual. A dens in dente occurred in the radicular portion of the molar. It was located in a cavity and consisted of a mineralized cap of enamel, a spherical dentinal mass, and cellular cementum, located outside the cavity and in the "cervical" portion of the dens in dente.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Bronchoscopic removal of foreign body from airway through tracheotomy or tracheostomy].

OBJECTIVE: Most foreign bodies in the airway are removed by respiratory endoscopy. Rarely, the removal of the foreign body has to be performed through endoscopic control by tracheotomy or tracheostomy. This article reports three cases of foreign body removal in children performed by tracheal opening. DESCRIPTION: Retrospective review of records with report of three cases of children who aspirated foreign bodies into the airway. In the first case, there was rupture of the tracheostomy tube, with aspiration of its distal portion. Endoscopic removal was performed by tracheostomy. The second child aspirated a pen cap. It could not be removed by endoscopy because it would not pass through the subglottic region. Cervical tracheotomy was performed and the foreign body was removed with endoscopic control. In the last case, the foreign body was in the left main bronchus. It was removed by bronchoscopy through tracheostomy opening. All children presented good outcome after the endoscopic procedure. The trachea of the patient submitted to tracheotomy was sutured after the foreign body removal. Tracheostomy was not necessary. In the children with previous tracheostomy, the tube was put back after the foreign body removal. COMMENTS: Most foreign bodies in the airway of children can be removed by endoscopy. When the foreign body is too large to pass through the subglottic region, or so sharp that it can injure the airway, the use of tracheotomy or tracheostomy is indicated.

Airway Obstruction↗
PubMed1996

Ultrastructural study of external cuneothalamic neurons and their synaptic relationships with primary afferents in the gerbil.

The present study examined the synaptic organization of external cuneothalamic neurons and their relationships with primary afferents in the gerbil external cuneate nucleus (ECN) following an injection of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) into the anterodorsal cap of the ventrobasal thalamus in conjunction with a simultaneous injection of HRP into the contralateral brachial and cervical nerve plexuses. The thalamus-projecting neurons have been shown to be confined to the intermediate portion of the caudal half of the ECN at the light microscopic level (Lan et al., 1994c). In this study, HRP-labelled external cuneothalamic neurons were ultrastructurally characterized by their relatively small-sized soma bearing a variable number of somal spines. Their nucleus had a slightly indented contour with an eccentric nucleolus. The HRP-labelled somata were postsynaptic to many axon terminals, which were classified into round (Rs type; 53.0%), pleomorphic (Ps type; 32.7%), and flattened (Fs type; 14.3%) vesicle-containing boutons. The HRP-labelled dendritic elements were postsynaptic to a greater number of axon terminals, which were also classified into the round (Rd; 64.7%), pleomorphic (Pd; 25.2%), and flattened (Fd; 10.1%) type boutons. These presynaptic axonal boutons tended to synapse on distal and secondary dendrites of external cuneothalamic neurons. In the present simultaneous HRP labelling study, some of the primary afferent terminals made direct synaptic contacts with the dendrites of the external cuneothalamic neurons. In view of the multiple inputs onto the external cuneothalamic neurons, impinging particularly on their somata and secondary dendrites, it is suggested that the proprioceptive information reaching these neurons is intensively modulated and integrated before transmission ultimately to the cerebral sensorimotor cortex.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Two cases of tuberculosis of the skull cap (author's transl)].

The authors report two cases of tuberculosis of the skull cap. The first in a Black African with heterozygous sickle cell disease also presenting with: tuberculosis of the cervical lymph nodes, subcutaneous frontal tumefactions bacteriologically confirmed to be of tuberculous origin, multiple lacunae of the vault from the same origin; the second case is an Asian woman having a multifocal tuberculous osteitis involving the skull, spine, pelvis and probably the same affection in the spleen. These cases are a reminder that the principal features of tuberculosis of the skull vault are very often associated with other tuberculous lesions, and to the problems of diagnosis it entails; the existence of a subcutaneous tumefaction of the vault or of any accessible site one can aspirate and/or perform biopsy constitutes a diagnostic aid.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Interleukin-1-inducible expression of gro-beta via NF-kappa B activation is dependent upon tyrosine kinase signaling.

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) induces programmed growth arrest in human melanoma cells, A375-C6. IL-1 action in these cells is associated with induction of a cell type-specific immediate-early (IE) gene expression program characterized by strong, rapid, and sustained induction of gro-alpha and gro-beta, but transient induction of c-jun, IRG-9, and NAK-1, and lack of induction of c-myc. With the exception of gro-alpha and gro-beta, these IE genes are also associated with growth-stimulatory responses in the melanoma cells, suggesting that the gro-genes may play key roles in the growth arrest action of the cytokine. To elucidate the early intracellular signals associated with IL-1 action, we are studying the second messenger signals and transcription factors required for induction of gro-genes. Here, we present evidence that IL-1-inducible gro-gene expression is dependent on tyrosine kinase signaling. Using gel retardation and transient expression assays, we show that IL-1 causes protein tyrosine phosphorylation-dependent activation of NF-kappa B enhancer binding protein, which then induces transcription of the gro-genes via an NF-kappa B site located 76 base pairs upstream from the cap site. IL-1-activated protein tyrosine phosphorylation is also required for gro-gene induction in human cervical carcinoma cells, HeLa; human fibroblast cells, WI-38; and mouse fibroblast cells, L929. Thus, in diverse cell types, IL-1 induces gro-genes via tyrosine kinase-dependent signals.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗
PubMed2002

Heart remodeling in the hereditary hypertriglyceridemic rat: effect of captopril and nitric oxide deficiency.

AIM: The hereditary hypertriglyceridemic (hHTg) rat is characterized by insulin resistance, hypertension, and hypertriglyceridemia. Thus, we investigated whether (a) remodeling of the heart left ventricle (LV) is present under the given hypertensive situation and (b) whether this potential alteration could be influenced by an inhibition of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and/or by a blockade of nitric oxide production. METHODS: Five groups of rats were investigated: control Wistar (C) rats, hHTg rats, hHTg rats given captopril (100 mg/kg/day) (hHTg + CAP) or NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 40 mg/kg/day) (hHTg + L-NAME), and hHTg rats given the combination of both drugs (hHTg + CAP + L-NAME) for 28 days. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured by tail-cuff plethysmography each week. After cervical dislocation, the relative weights of the left and right ventricles (LV/BW, RV/BW) were obtained, the LV nucleic acid concentrations were analyzed, and the fibrosis amount was quantified with aid of a semiquantitative histological technique. RESULTS: In the hHTg group, the increased SBP (141.7 +/- 4.4 vs. 117.2 +/- 3.1 mmHg in controls) was linked to hypertrophy of the LV (1.63 +/- 0.05 vs. 1.30 +/- 0.03 g/kg in controls) with only a minimum of fibrosis. DNA concentration in the LV was decreased (0.45 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.69 +/- 0.04 mg/g w.w. in controls) in the hHTg group. Captopril normalized SBP and decreased the LV/BW (1.44 +/- 0.04 g/kg). Chronic administration of L-NAME to the hHTg rats additionally enhanced (189.3 +/- 5.9 mmHg) the already raised SBP, stimulated fibrosis development, and increased DNA concentration (0.54 +/- 0.02 mg/g w.w.) in the LV compared to hHTg group, yet without additional weight increase of the LV. The combined treatment of the hHTg rats with CAP and L-NAME resulted in normal SBP and the development of LV hypertrophy, and fibrosis was substantially reduced. CONCLUSIONS: (a) The heart of hHTg rats carries signs of LV hypertrophy with minimal fibrosis. (b) Nevertheless, LV fibrosis was increased in the hHTg + L-NAME group. (c) Captopril normalized SBP and decreased the extent of LV hypertrophy in both the nontreated hHTg and the hHTg + L-NAME groups and (d) substantially reduced the development of LV fibrosis in the hHTg + L-NAME group. LVH in hHTg rats may be induced by sympathoadrenal system activation, circulating volume enlargement, and impairment of nitric oxide (NO) production rather than by activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗
PubMed1989

[Cervical discrepancies and closeness of marginal fit of full cast crowns in correlation with the luting agent used].

In an in-vitro study 75 extracted teeth were prepared with a chamfer and a 12 degree convergence angle. After corrective impression taking and preparation of the dies accurately fitting caps were made of "Stabilor G" alloy. The marginal defects were measured at 4 points on each tooth under the light-microscope before and after cementing with three different luting agents. Before cementation the mean values and standard deviation of the cervical discrepancies were 105 +/- 43 microns. The crowns fixed by means of zinc oxyphosphate cement (Harvard) exhibited marginal defects of 142 +/- 33 microns, those fixed with Fuji-Ionomer type I glass polyalkenoate cement had 159 +/- 20 microns, and the crowns cemented with Ketac-Cem had 127 +/- 6 microns. After exposing the specimens to thermal cycling, additional data on the sealing capacity of these cements could be obtained which showed zinc oxyphosphate cement to have the most favorable properties.

Cementation↗
PubMed1992

Immunolocalization of acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors during mouse odontogenesis.

Acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors (aFGF and bFGF), are both known to bind to extracellular matrix components, particularly proteoheparin sulfates, and to regulate in vitro proliferation, differentiation and morphology of cells of neuroectodermal and mesodermal origins. Their patterns of distribution were studied during mouse odontogenesis by means of indirect immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase histochemistry on frozen fixed sections and after Bouin's fixative and paraffin embedding. Localization of aFGF on frozen fixed sections was observed in the oral epithelium, dental lamina and oral mesenchyme (day-12 of gestation), the stellate reticulum and oral epithelium (day-14), the stratum intermedium and at the basal and apical poles of preameloblasts at bell stage. After birth aFGF epitopes were localized within the predentin-dentin area, the stratum intermedium and at the secretory pole of ameloblasts. There was no staining with anti-aFGF antibodies after Bouin's fixative and paraffin embedding. In contrast, using this protocol, intense stainings were found with anti-bFGF antibodies predominantly within dental and peridental basement membranes and mesenchyme: staining of the dental basement membranes was transient (bud and cap stage) and discontinuous; a preferential concentration of bFGF epitopes in the condensed dental mesenchyme of incisors (cap stage) and the dental papillae mesenchymal cells of molars (bell stage) was observed in the posterior and the cervical part of tooth germs. An intense immunostaining of the stellate reticulum with anti-bFGF antibodies was also found on paraffin sections from bud to bell stage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Identification of a novel constitutive enhancer element and an associated binding protein: implications for human papillomavirus type 11 enhancer regulation.

The human papillomavirus type 11 enhancer, when linked to the minimal simian virus 40 early promoter, has been dissected into two domains in monkey kidney CV-1 cells, one being constitutive (designated CEI) and the other inducible by trans-acting E2 proteins encoded by homologous and heterologous papillomaviruses (H. Hirochika, T.R. Broker, and L.T. Chow, J. Virol. 61:2599-2606, 1987; H. Hirochika, R. Hirochika, T.R. Broker, and L.T. Chow, Genes Dev. 2:54-67, 1988). We have demonstrated that the natural promoter regulated by this enhancer is located immediately upstream of the E6 open reading frame (the E6 promoter). We have mapped the cap site to nucleotide 99 by RNase protection. We further demonstrate a second constitutive enhancer element, CEII, which is required for transcription from the E6 promoter in the human cervical carcinoma cell lines C-33A and HeLa but not in CV-1 cells. By deletion mapping, we have localized this cell type-specific domain to 71 base pairs by using chloramphenicol acetyltransferase assays. Deletion of either CEI or CEII dramatically decreased the constitutive activity of the enhancer and the E6 promoter, whereas multimerization of either domain in the absence of the other could independently restore expression. Furthermore, when either of these elements was deleted, the full-length E2 protein of human papillomavirus type 11 abolished the remaining basal E6 promoter activity, demonstrating for the first time that the enhancer-activating E2 protein of human papillomaviruses can also function as a transcriptional repressor for the homologous E6 viral promoter. The presence of multiple copies of each element in tandem overcomes the repression by the E2 protein. The effects of CEII are at the level of transcription, without changing the cap site. By gel shift assay, we have shown that a protein present in nuclear extracts of C-33A and HeLa cervical carcinoma cells binds to the newly identified constitutive element II. This protein did not bind the simian virus 40 enhancer, nor did it bind to the enhancer region of many other papillomaviruses tested. UV cross-linking experiments revealed major 44-kilodalton and minor 34-kilodalton proteins that bound specifically to CEII. These two proteins are either related or bind to CEII with high cooperativity. We conclude that transcriptional activities directed by the enhancer and E6 promoter reflect an intricate balance among viral and cellular factors. We present a model on the regulation of the E6 promoter by host and viral transcription factors.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

The vasculature of the periodontal ligament: a scanning electron microscopic study using corrosion casts in the rat.

The purpose of this study was to examine the 3-dimensional architecture of the microvascular system of the rat periodontal ligament (PDL). Vascular corrosion casts were prepared and examined by scanning electron microscopy. Cervically, arterioles and venules communicated with the profuse capillary network of the gingiva. The mid-root segment of the PDL contained arterioles and venules that mainly coursed occluso-apically near the alveolar wall, as well as capillary loops located closer to the root surface. Arterioles entered the PDL through vascular canals from the bone marrow, then coursed coronally and branched into an interconnected network of capillaries. The capillaries formed hairpin loops pointing coronally. At the tip, the capillary loops were enlarged in diameter and had an irregular luminar surface. The capillaries then coursed apically, anastomosing freely, until entering a venule. Large venules mainly followed a coronal-apical path, giving the PDL vasculature a palisade-like appearance. These vessels either left the PDL through vascular canals in the alveolar wall or connected in an apical, venous cap with venules exiting through the apical foramen. The results show that the microvasculature forms a highly organized system presumably related to the specialized functions of the periodontium. Cervically, a dense capillary system may be required for antimicrobial defense and rapid tissue turnover. The vasculature in the middle segment supports the suspensory structures, while the venous cap in the apical region may be designed to cushion masticatory forces.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1991

Associations between transforming growth factor beta 1 RNA expression and epithelial-mesenchymal interactions during tooth morphogenesis.

We have studied the expression of transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta 1) RNA during mouse tooth development, using in situ hybridization and experimental tissue recombinations. Analysis of the serial sections revealed the appearance of local expression of TGF-beta 1 RNA in the dental epithelium at bud-staged teeth (13-day embryos). Just before transition to the cap stage, TGF-beta 1 RNA expression rapidly increased in the epithelial bud, and it also extended to the condensed dental mesenchyme. At cap stage (14- and 15-day embryos), there was an intense expression of TGF-beta 1 RNA in the morphologically active cervical loops of the dental epithelium. During early bell stage (16- and 17-day embryos), TGF-beta 1 RNA expression was detected in the inner enamel epithelium where it subsequently almost disappeared (18-day embryos). After birth TGF-beta 1 transcripts transiently appeared in these cells when they were differentiating into ameloblasts (1-day mice). The transcripts were lost from the ameloblasts when they became secretory (4-day mice), but the expression continued in ameloblasts in enamel-free areas. Transient expression of TGF-beta 1 RNA was also detected in epithelial stratum intermedium cells at the time of ameloblast differentiation. In the mesenchyme, TGF-beta 1 RNA was not detected during bell stage until it appeared in differentiated odontoblasts (18-day embryos). The secretory odontoblasts continued to express TGF-beta 1 RNA at all stages studied including the odontoblasts of incisor roots. Analysis of the distribution of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation indicated apparent correlations between TGF-beta 1 RNA expression and cell proliferation at the bud and cap stages but not at later stages of tooth development. Tissue recombination experiments of bud-staged (13-day embryos) dental and non-dental tissues showed that tooth epithelium, when cultured together with tooth mesenchyme, expressed TGF-beta 1 RNA. When the tooth epithelium was combined with non-dental jaw mesenchyme, TGF-beta 1 transcripts were not expressed. However, TGF-beta 1 RNA expression was seen in oral epithelium cultured with dental mesenchyme, while no expression of TGF-beta 1 transcripts was seen in the oral epithelium during normal development. Thus, TGF-beta 1 RNA expression seems to be regulated by epithelial-mesenchymal interactions.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Expression of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) during the first molar development in the mouse.

NCAM, the neural cell adhesion molecule, was immunolocalized in the mandibular first molar tooth germ of the mouse. NCAM was first detected in the tooth germ of the late bud stage, where only the cells in the outer part of the condensed mesenchyme (primitive dental follicle) exhibited faint immunoreactivity. The entire dental follicle was intensely immunostained for NCAM from cap stage to the stage when root formation started. During root formation, NCAM disappeared from the follicular tissue surrounding the cervical root as well as from the part covering the crown top. This loss of NCAM proceeded in the direction of the root apex, but even after the tooth had achieved functional occlusion, NCAM was still expressed by the mesenchymal cells adjacent to the root apex. On the other hand, NCAM was negative in the dental papilla until birth. After birth, NCAM-immunoreactivity appeared in the basal portion of the dental papilla, but this NCAM-positive area gradually diminished in width during the root elongation. Instead, another NCAM-positive zone appeared in the core of the pulp during root formation. Even in the tooth that had already erupted, the pulp core contained cells that were strongly positive for NCAM immunostaining. In addition to its expression in the above two mesenchymal cell lineages, NCAM was transiently expressed by epithelial components of the tooth germ, some of the cells of the dental lamina and the enamel organ. The results suggest that NCAM participates in several processes of tooth development.

Aging↗
PubMed1998

Interfacial characteristics of resin-modified glass-ionomer materials: a study on fluid permeability using confocal fluorescence microscopy.

The tooth interface with resin-modified glass-ionomer cements (RM GICs) is poorly understood. This study examined the interface, especially with dentin. Cervical cavities in extracted teeth were restored with Fuji II LC, Vitremer, Photac-Fil, or a conventional GIC, Fuji Cap II. Fluorescent dye was placed in the pulp chambers for 3 hrs before the specimens were sectioned. Examination of the tooth/material interface with a confocal microscope showed that dye uptake by the restoration varied among materials. A "structureless", non-particulate, highly-stained layer of GIC was observed next to dentin in Fuji II LC. This layer varied in width, was prominent where the dentin tubules were cut "end-on" and in areas closer to the pulp, and was not seen adjacent to enamel. Vitremer showed minimal dye uptake, and the "structureless" layer was barely discernible. Photac-Fil showed more uniform uptake and absence of this layer. Cracking of enamel was also noted with these materials. The conventional GIC did not show any dye uptake, presence of a "structureless" layer, or enamel cracking. We elucidated the potential mechanisms involved in the formation of a "structureless" interfacial layer in Fuji II LC by studying the variables of cavity design, surface pre-treatment, water content of the tooth, time for it to develop, early finishing, and coating of the restoration. This layer, the "absorption layer", is probably related to water flux within the maturing cement, depending on environmental moisture changes and communication with the pulp in a wet tooth. The "micropermeability model" was useful in this study of the interfacial characteristics of RM GICs.

Absorption↗
PubMed2006

Immunohistochemical localization of alpha-Smooth muscle actin during rat molar tooth development.

The dental follicle contains mesenchymal cells that differentiate into osteoblasts, cementoblasts, and fibroblasts. However, the characteristics of these mesenchymal cells are still unknown. alpha-Smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) is known to localize in stem cells and precursor cells of various tissues. In the present study, to characterize the undifferentiated cells in the dental follicle, immunohistochemical localization of alpha-SMA was examined during rat molar tooth development. Rat mandibles were collected at embryonic days (E) 15-20 and postnatal days (P) 7-28. Immunohistochemical stainings for alpha-SMA, periostin, Runt-related transcription factor-2 (Runx2), tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP), and bone sialoprotein (BSP) were carried out using paraffin-embedded sections. alpha-SMA localization was hardly detected in the bud and cap stages. At the early bell stage, alpha-SMA-positive cells were visible in the dental follicle around the cervical loop. At the late bell to early root formation stage (P14), these cells were detected throughout the dental follicle, but they were confined to the apical root area at P28. Double immunostaining for alpha-SMA and periostin demonstrated that alpha-SMA-positive cells localized to the outer side of periostin-positive area. Runx2-positive cells were visible in the alpha-SMA-positive region. TNAP-positive cells in the dental follicle localized nearer to alveolar bone than Runx2-positive cells. BSP was detected in osteoblasts as well as in alveolar bone matrix. These results demonstrate that alpha-SMA-positive cells localize on the alveolar bone side of the dental follicle and may play a role in alveolar bone formation.

Actins↗
PubMed1996

Clinical evaluation of tooth-colored materials in cervical lesions.

PURPOSE: To determine the 18-month clinical performance of four tooth-colored restoratives in non-carious cervical lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Buccal abrasion lesions in 83 teeth were restored with each of the following materials: Fuji Cap II, Fuji II LC, APH/Universal Bond 3, Lite Fil II A/Imperva Bond. Baseline and an 18-month recall was carried out using the Ryge (USPHS) method for retention, color match, marginal adaptation, cavosurface marginal discoloration, anatomic form and secondary caries. RESULTS: The USPHS results (% alfa) for the four products were, respectively: color match (9%, 48%, 57%, 55%), marginal discoloration (71%, 76%, 52%, 50%), marginal adaptation (24%, 24%, 33%, 15%), anatomic form (67%, 86%, 95%, 45%) and retention (100%, 95%, 100%, 65%). Results indicated that (1) Fuji Cap II exhibited a poor color match at baseline (2) Color matching of Fuji II LC was comparable to the resin composites and (3) seven Lite Fil II/Imperva Bond restorations (35%) were dislodged after 1 1/2 years.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

[Using mineral trioxide aggregate as a direct pulp-capping material in dogs].

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the dental pulp responses in dogs after MTA (Mineral Trioxide Aggregate) and a calcium hydroxide (Dycal) were applied as pulp-capping materials. METHODS: Twelve cuspids in three healthy adult beagle dogs were divided into two groups randomly. MTA or Dycal was used to repair the exposed site which was created with a fissure bur in a high-speed handpiece with copious water spray at the labial cervical access. Then the cavity was filled with glass ionomer cement (GIC). Four months later, the specimens were processed for histologic examination to observe the pulpal inflammation and dentin bridge formation. RESULTS: Five of six samples capped with MTA were free of pulpal inflammation, and all of samples in this group had dentin bridge formation. In contrast, all of samples capped with Dycal showed pulpal inflammation, and dentin bridge formation occurred in only 2 samples. CONCLUSION: MTA is a biocompatible material which can promote dentin bridge formation. It can be used as a direct pulp-capping material during vital pulp therapy.

Aluminum Compounds↗
PubMed2005

Anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 microbicide cellulose acetate 1,2-benzenedicarboxylate in a human in vitro model of vaginal inflammation.

The sexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is facilitated by inflammation and related epithelial barrier perturbation. Microbicides for vaginal applications are currently being developed to reduce the risk of HIV-1 transmission. However, little is known about their interference with epithelial immune function. In recent clinical trials, nonoxynol-9 (N-9), a virucide with a long history of intravaginal use as a contraceptive, failed to protect against HIV-1 possibly due to mucosal inflammatory damage. Cellulose acetate 1,2-benzenedicarboxylate, also named CAP (for "controls AIDS pandemic"), is an anti-HIV-1 microbicide selected from pharmaceutical excipients that are regarded as safe for oral administration but have not been assessed for potential effects on inflammatory factors in the vaginal environment. Here we use a sensitive human cell culture system to evaluate proinflammatory profiles of soluble CAP in reference to N-9 and known epithelial activators such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and bacterial lysates. Within 6 h of exposure, TNF-alpha and N-9 triggered NF-kappaB and AP-1/cFos activation and upregulated interleukins and an array of chemokines by vaginal and polarized cervical epithelial cells. The induced proinflammatory status continued after removal of stimuli and was confirmed by enhanced transepithelial neutrophil migration. While sustaining stability and anti-HIV-1 activity in the epithelial environment, CAP did not increase the production of proinflammatory mediators during or after exposure, nor did it modify the epithelial resistance to leukocyte traffic. CAP attenuated some TNF-alpha-induced responses but did not interfere with epithelial cytokine responsiveness to gonococcal determinants. The described system may be useful for predicting proinflammatory side effects of other microbicide candidates for vaginal application.

Anti-HIV Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Choosing a cervical disc replacement.

BACKGROUND CONTENT: Three important basic scientific studies are presented that measured the volumetric density of longitudinal bony columns within the cervical vertebra. The most solid bone is lateral, adjacent to the uncovertebral joints in a radial pattern. PURPOSE: To characterize the best footprint, profile and biomaterials to construct a cervical disc replacement. STUDY DESIGN: A compilation of biomechanical and anatomical basic scientific studies. METHODS: Microcomputed tomographic imaging, trabecular density and mineral distribution were quantitated from human cervical vertebra. RESULTS: The lateral portions of the cervical vertebra are subjected to higher bending loads than the lumbar vertebral bodies. Therefore, the optimal prosthesis needs to be anchored in the lateral uncovertebral bone. To reduce the incidence of cervical subsidence, the prosthesis needs to be more rectangular than round to take advantage of the radially oriented lateral trabeculae. TiCaP (titanium/calcium phosphate) (Cervitech, Inc., Rockaway, NJ) bony ingrowth coating leads to 10% to 15% greater bony integration than plasma-sprayed titanium. TiCaP causes a supersaturated solution of CaP at the metal-bone interface, which enables reprecipitation of hydroxyapatite and superior bony integration. The optimum pore size of the ingrowth coating of the lumbar spine is 75 to 300 microns, whereas in the cervical spine the optimal ingrowth coating is 20 to 30 microns. This is an order of magnitude lower in pore size to match the smaller cervical trabecular architecture. CONCLUSIONS: Kinematic considerations for the cervical spine show the load is 1/9th the load carried by the lumbar spine or 50 N per segment. Knowing the sliding distance and wear characteristics of conventional biomaterials (ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene and cobalt chrome) demonstrates that the generation of particulate debris should be a very minor consideration with cervical arthroplasty.

Arthroplasty, Replacement↗