Association of the HLA-B*52 allele with non-progression to AIDS in Brazilian HIV-1-infected individuals.

Several human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I alleles are associated with the susceptibility to human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection and/or AIDS progression. Of these, the HLA-B alleles are considered the strongest genetic determinant of disease outcome. We evaluated the influence of the HLA-B alleles on AIDS progression among HIV-1-positive individuals from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, who were categorized as rapid progressors (RPs), typical progressors (TPs) or long-term non-progressors (LTNPs). In this study, significant differences in HLA-B allele frequencies were observed among the three progression groups for the B*48, B*49 and B*52 alleles. After controlling for other factors associated with AIDS progression, the presence of the B*52 allele was shown to be a significant protective factor (hazard ratio (HR) 0.49 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.27-0.90) P<0.03). Although no direct association was observed between the presence of the B*27 or B*57 allele and the LTNP profile compared with the TP or RP groups, the adjusted model confirmed that these alleles are protective factors against AIDS progression (HR 0.62 (95% CI 0.38-0.99) P<0.05), as previously described. These data corroborate the existence of significant differences in HLA-B allele frequencies among the distinct AIDS progression profiles and further elucidate the role of HLA alleles in the outcome of HIV infections in diverse populations.

Tissue sculpturing: an alternative method for improving esthetics of anterior fixed prosthodontics.

Esthetics associated with health of surrounding tissues in fixed prosthodontics is arduous, especially when treating the maxillary anterior region. An unfavorable relationship between residual ridge, pontic, and gingival papilla commonly compromises the final result. Alternative procedures based on biologic procedures can be developed to improve relationships and provide esthetic and functionally acceptable fixed partial dentures. This article describes a technique for the improvement of esthetics with conditioning of the tissue beneath the pontics, by displacing tissue with a treatment restoration. Lateral displacement of tissue under gradual, controlled pressure enhances the interdental papilla, which improves esthetics. The role of plaque control is also discussed in this article.