Treatment of gingivitis and periodontitis. Research, Science and Therapy Committee of the American Academy of Periodontology

This paper is one of three in a series prepared by the Research, Science and Therapy Committee of The American Academy of Periodontology and is intended for the information of the dental profession. It represents the position of the Academy regarding the current state of knowledge about treatment of gingivitis and periodontitis. The other papers are entitled The Etiology and Pathogenesis of Periodontal Diseases and Diagnosis of Periodontal Diseases.     

Evaluation of natural Psoroptes ovis (Acarina: Psoroptidae) soluble proteins as candidate vaccine immunogens

In this study potential vaccine candidate immunogens were identified and evaluated in a vaccine challenge trial. Calves vaccinated with a partially purified fraction of Psoroptes ovis-soluble proteins had 8 of 14 calves free of palpable lesions 8 wk after a challenge infestation. A self-grooming behavioral response elicited by a pruritic immediate-type allergic reaction was believed to be an effector in protecting the vaccinated calves from a clinical P. ovis infestation.     

Observations on the prevalence of trypanosomosis in small ruminants, equines and cattle, in relation to tsetse challenge, in The Gambia

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) hydrolyses triglycerides in chylomicrons and in very low density lipoproteins. In this study, a new sensitive enzyme immunoassay, the dissociation-enhanced lanthanide fluorescence immunoassay (DELFIA), for the quantification of immunoreactive LPL mass in biological specimens was developed. In the indirect sandwich DELFIA assay polyclonal anti-human or anti-bovine LPL IgGs were used as capture antibodies, monoclonal antibody (mAb) 5D2 and Eu(3+)-labelled goat anti-mouse IgG were used as detection antibodies. In the direct sandwich DELFIA assay, mAb 5D2 was used as capture and Eu(3+)-labelled mAb 5D2 as detection antibodies. Both purified bovine and human LPL proteins served as standards in the indirect and the direct DELFIA assay. Standard curves were linear between 0.1 and 1000 ng LPL/ml, assuring the sensitivity of the DELFIAs within this range. Mean values for immunoreactive LPL mass in normal individuals were found to be 40.3 +/- 14.4 ng/ml preheparin plasma and 334.1 +/- 71 ng/ml postheparin plasma. In patients affected with type I hyperlipoproteinemia 82.4 +/- 29.3 ng/ml (postheparin plasma) were determined. Coefficients of inter- and intra-assay variation were 4.3% and 6.2% on average. The correlation coefficient between the indirect and the direct DELFIA technique was 0.9694. The correlation coefficient between immunoreactive LPL mass (estimated by DELFIA) and LPL activity (estimated by the LPL activity assay) was 0.9345. Our data are consistent with the concept that LPL is active as a dimer. Dissociation of the LPL dimer into monomers is tightly coupled to both loss of immunoreactivity and enzyme activity of LPL.     

NPH4, a conditional modulator of auxin-dependent differential growth responses in Arabidopsis

Although sessile in nature, plants are able to use a number of mechanisms to modify their morphology in response to changing environmental conditions. Differential growth is one such mechanism. Despite its importance in plant development, little is known about the molecular events regulating the establishment of differential growth. Here we report analyses of the nph4 (nonphototropic hypocotyl) mutants of Arabidopsis that suggest that the NPH4 protein plays a central role in the modulation of auxin-dependent differential growth. Results from physiological studies demonstrate that NPH4 activity is conditionally required for a number of differential growth responses, including phototropism, gravitropism, phytochrome-dependent hypocotyl curvature, apical hook maintenance, and abaxial/adaxial leaf-blade expansion. The nph4 mutants exhibited auxin resistance and severely impaired auxin-dependent gene expression, indicating that the defects associated with differential growth likely arise because of altered auxin responsiveness. Moreover, the auxin signaling events mediating phototropism are genetically correlated with the abundance of the NPH4 protein.     

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection associated with oral contraceptive use

A 39-year-old woman presented with acute myocardial infarction due to spontaneous dissection of the left anterior descending artery. This was treated conservatively. She had been on combined oral contraceptive pills from the age of 22. Repeat coronary angiography 7 months later revealed spontaneous complete healing.     

Intravenous dolasetron mesilate in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting in females undergoing gynecological surgery

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a range of doses of intravenous (i.v.) dolasetron mesilate, in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). DESIGN: Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, multicenter trial. SETTING: Ten hospitals and/or surgical centers. PATIENTS: 281 women undergoing gynecologic surgery with general anesthesia. INTERVENTIONS: Patients received one of four single, i.v. doses of dolasetron mesilate (12.5 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg) or placebo administered following cessation of anesthesia. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patients were monitored for 24 hours following study drug administration. The antiemetic efficacy of each dolasetron mesilate dose was evaluated by recording the number and timing of emetic episodes, and the effects on nausea were assessed by use of visual analog scales (VAS). Safety was assessed by adverse event reports, clinical laboratory tests, electrocardiographic (ECG) measurements, and monitoring vital signs. Complete responses (patients with no emetic episodes and no escape antiemetic medication requirements in 24 hours) were achieved by 54% in the 12.5-mg, 67% in the 25-mg, and 59% in both the 50-mg and 100-mg dolasetron mesilate dose groups, and by 43% in the placebo group. Nausea VAS assessments demonstrated that dolasetron-treated patients were significantly (p = 0.048) more likely to report no nausea (VAS score < 5 mm) than those in the placebo group. Adverse events reported generally were mild in intensity, and there were no clinically significant changes in laboratory tests, vital signs, or ECG parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Dolasetron was effective and well tolerated for the prevention of PONV in female patients undergoing gynecologic surgery with general anesthesia.     

Comparison of proximal isovelocity surface area method with pressure half-time and planimetry in evaluation of mitral stenosis

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to 1) compare the accuracy of the proximal isovelocity surface area (PISA) and Doppler pressure half-time methods and planimetry for echocardiographic estimation of mitral valve area; 2) evaluate the effect of atrial fibrillation on the accuracy of the PISA method; and 3) assess factors used to correct PISA area estimates for leaflet angulation. BACKGROUND: Despite recognized limitations of traditional echocardiographic methods for estimating mitral valve area, there has been no systematic comparison with the PISA method in a single cohort. METHODS: Area estimates were obtained in patients with mitral stenosis by the Gorlin hydraulic formula, PISA and pressure half-time method in 48 patients and by planimetry in 36. Two different factors were used to correct PISA estimates for leaflet angle (theta): 1) plane-angle factor (theta/180 [theta in degrees]); and 2) solid-angle factor [1-cos(theta/2)]. RESULTS: After exclusion of patients with significant mitral regurgitation, the correlation between Gorlin and PISA areas (0.88) was significantly greater (p < 0.04) than that between Gorlin and pressure half-time (0.78) or Gorlin and planimetry (0.72). The correlation between Gorlin and PISA area estimates was lower in atrial fibrillation than sinus rhythm (0.69 vs. 0.93), but the standard error of the estimate was only slightly greater (0.24 vs. 0.19 cm2). The average ratio of the solid- to the plane-angle correction factors was approximately equal to previously reported values of the orifice contraction coefficient for tapering stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: 1) The accuracy of PISA area estimates in mitral stenosis is at least comparable to those of planimetry and pressure half-time. 2) Reasonable accuracy of the PISA method is possible in irregular rhythms. 3) A simple leaflet angle correction factor, theta/180 (theta in degrees), yields the physical orifice area because it overestimates the vena contracta area by a factor approximately equal to the contraction coefficient for a tapering stenosis.     

Comparative analysis of antibiotic resistance, immunofluorescent colony staining, and a transgenic marker (bioluminescence) for monitoring the environmental fate of rhizobacterium

Field releases of the wild-type plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens 89B-27, its bioluminescent derivative GEM-8 (89B-27::Tn4431), and a spontaneous rifampin-resistant variant estimating the wild-type population. Seed and root samples were taken 0, 7, 14, 21, or 28, 35 or 42, and 70 days after planting in each year and processed for enumeration by spiral plating or immunofluorescent colony staining (IFC). In both years, the populations of 89B-27, R34, and GEM-8, as measured by IFC, were not significantly different (P > 0.05) from each other at each sampling time. However, the populations of R34 and GEM-8, as measured by spiral plating and differentiation based on their respective phenotypes, were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than the wild-type populations and their IFC-determined populations. These data indicate that traditional marker systems may underestimate populations and hence the survival and colonization of genetically marked bacteria.