JUMP-C: a randomized trial of mericitabine plus pegylated interferon alpha-2a/ribavirin for 24 weeks in treatment-naïve HCV genotype 1/4 patients.

UNLABELLED: Mericitabine is a selective nucleoside analog inhibitor of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, with activity across all HCV genotypes. Treatment-naïve patients infected with HCV genotype 1 or 4 were randomized to 24 weeks of double-blind treatment with either mericitabine 1,000 mg (N = 81) or placebo (N = 85) twice-daily (BID) in combination with pegylated interferon alpha-2a (Peg-IFNα-2a)/ribavirin (RBV). Patients randomized to mericitabine with HCV RNA <15 IU/mL from week 4 to 22 (extended rapid virologic response; eRVR) stopped all treatment at week 24; all other patients continued Peg-IFNα-2a/RBV to complete 48 weeks of treatment. The primary efficacy endpoint was sustained virologic response (SVR; HCV RNA <15 IU/mL after 24 weeks of treatment-free follow-up). SVR was achieved in 56.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 45.9-67.0) of mericitabine-treated patients and 36.5% (95% CI: 27.0-47.1) of placebo-treated patients (Δ = 20.3%; 95% CI 5.5-35.2). SVR rates were higher in mericitabine- than placebo-treated patients when subdivided by IL28B genotype (CC, 77.8% versus 56.0%; non-CC, 44.1% versus 16.2%) and hepatic fibrosis (noncirrhotic, 63.3% versus 41.9%; cirrhotic, 38.1% versus 21.7%). Overall relapse rates were 27.7% and 32.0% in mericitabine- and placebo-treated patients, respectively. No evidence of NS5B S282T-variant virus or phenotypic resistance to mericitabine was observed in the one patient who experienced partial response. No S282T variants were detected in any baseline samples. The safety profile of mericitabine was similar to that of, and fewer patients in the mericitabine than in the placebo group discontinued treatment for safety reasons. CONCLUSION: A 24-week response-guided combination regimen of mericitabine 1,000 mg BID plus Peg-IFNα-2a/RBV is well tolerated and more effective than a standard 48-week course of Peg-IFNα-2a/RBV.

Radiographic and clinical evaluation of single-tooth Biolok implants: a 5-year study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this prospective clinical and radiographic study was to evaluate Biolok implants used for single-tooth replacement during 5 years of function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine patients received Biolok implants for single-tooth replacement. Clinical and radiographic recordings were made at baseline (placement of restoration) and at 1, 3, and 5 years. Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), and clinical attachment level were the clinical parameters recorded. Clinical attachment level was measured using a customized probing template and a standard pressure electronic probe. Bone level changes were measured from standardized radiographs. Clinical attachment level and bone level were recorded to the nearest 0.1 mm. Correlations between clinical attachment level, bone level, PI, and GI were evaluated. RESULTS: The cumulative survival rate was 97.4% (38 of 39 implants). The mean clinical attachment level change over 5 years was a loss of 0.17+/-0.23 mm. Significant correlations between clinical attachment level change and PI were found at 3 and 5 years (P < .015). Significant correlations between clinical attachment level change and GI were not found (P >.05). Mean bone loss was 0.83+/-0.03 mm from baseline to 1 year, 0.26+/-0.03 mm from 1 year to 3 years, and 0.14+/-0.04 mm from 3 to 5 years. Significant correlations between bone level changes and PI or GI were not found (P > .05). DISCUSSION: Over a 5-year evaluation period, the bone levels and clinical attachment levels were stable. These results were consistent with other studies of single-tooth implants. CONCLUSIONS: After 5 years of function, the results suggest that Biolok implants can be successfully used for single-tooth replacement.

An esthetic technique to fill screw-retained fixed prostheses.

Currently, many composite materials have been used in the filling of access openings for screw-retained implant prosthesis. The main disadvantage of these materials is the compromise in esthetics that they place on the implant crown. An additional disadvantage is leakage of bacterial contaminants around traditional light-cured composites placed in the screw access hole. This article introduces a technique that uses opaqueing composites and the expansion properties of panacea (Zeza Inc, Chester, NY) resin to help remedy these problems. The fabrication of the silicone obturator is explained in previous literature. By following this technique, the dentist can use resin to decrease microleakage and opaqueing composite to improve esthetics.