Large-scale preparation of fluorescence multiplex host cell reactivation (FM-HCR) reporters.

Repair of DNA damage is a critical survival mechanism that affects susceptibility to various human diseases and represents a key target for cancer therapy. A major barrier to applying this knowledge in research and clinical translation has been the lack of efficient, quantitative functional assays for measuring DNA repair capacity in living primary cells. To overcome this barrier, we recently developed a technology termed 'fluorescence multiplex host cell reactivation' (FM-HCR). We describe a method for using standard molecular biology techniques to generate large quantities of FM-HCR reporter plasmids containing site-specific DNA lesions and using these reporters to assess DNA repair capacity in at least six major DNA repair pathways in live cells. We improve upon previous methodologies by (i) providing a universal workflow for generating reporter plasmids, (ii) improving yield and purity to enable large-scale studies that demand milligram quantities and (iii) reducing preparation time >ten-fold.

Flapless dental implant surgery and use of cone beam computer tomography guided surgery.

Flapless implant surgery is increasing in popularity, particularly due to advances and increased usage of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and dental implant treatment planning software allowing three-dimensional assessment of the implant site. It is the aim of the article to provide an overview of flapless implant surgery and CBCT guided flapless implant surgery and summarise the literature with regard to the effectiveness of this surgical technique.

The Current Evidence on Retaining or Prosthodontically Replacing Retained Deciduous Teeth in the Adult Hypodontia Patient: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: This systematic review aims to evaluate the survival of retaining or replacing deciduous teeth in hypodontia patients with a variety of prosthetic tooth replacement options, to evaluate prognostic factors associated with retaining deciduous teeth, and report on patient based outcomes with these treatment modalities. METHODS: MEDLINE, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Science Direct databases were searched (01/1980 - 08/2017) for studies reporting outcomes associated with retaining or replacing deciduous teeth via prosthetic means in adult hypodontia patients. RESULTS: Twenty-one articles were included. The following survival figures were reported; retaining deciduous tooth/teeth (83%-93%), resin-bonded bridgework (59-96.9%) and implants (86-100%). No survival data was reported for fixed or removable partial dentures. Prognostic factors for deciduous tooth survival, quality of life and patient satisfaction data were also reported. CONCLUSION: Within the limits of this review, retaining deciduous teeth have reasonable survival; however, studies beyond the third decade of life are lacking. Dental implants appear to be a highly successful long-term tooth replacement option with high patient satisfaction within this patient group, as have resin-bonded bridgework, albeit over the short to medium term. Tooth replacement options in the form of fixed and removable partial dentures were poorly reported upon.

Implant retention systems for implant-retained overdentures.

Implant retained overdentures are being increasingly utilised in both general and specialist practice to rehabilitate patients with missing teeth, particularly those that are edentate. This article aims to inform the reader of a variety of retention systems that are available to retain an implant overdenture and to understand how these systems work, their advantages and disadvantages and to outline some of the clinical and treatment planning considerations involved in selecting the most appropriate retention system for patients.

The restorative management of microdontia.

Microdontia is a dental abnormality that will often present to the dental practitioner due to the aesthetic concerns of the patient. Treatment is therefore aimed at addressing the aesthetics issue of the patient and this can present a number of challenges which may require a multidisciplinary approach in its management. This article presents the restorative management of localised and generalised microdontia.

Removal techniques for failed implants.

The use of dental implants is an accepted and predictable way of replacing missing or lost teeth. However, implants can and will fail and there are a variety of reasons why this occurs, which the practitioner should understand. In some instances failed implants may require removal and, therefore, practitioners should be aware of techniques that can be used to remove failed implants to potentially enable future rehabilitation of an edentulous region.

Salivary gland dysfunction ('dry mouth') in patients with cancer: a consensus statement.

A group of interested professionals was convened to develop some evidence-based recommendations on the management of salivary gland dysfunction (SGD) in oncology patients. A Medline search was performed to identify the literature on SGD. The abstracts of all identified papers were read, and the full texts of all relevant papers were reviewed. The evidence was graded according to the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network grading system for recommendations in evidence-based guidelines. The summary of the main recommendations are: (1) patients with cancer should be regularly assessed for SGD (grade of recommendation - D); (2) the management of SGD should be individualised (D); (3) consideration should be given to strategies to prevent the development of radiation-induced SGD (C); (4) consideration should be given to treatment of the cause(s) of the SGD (C); (5) the treatment of choice for the symptomatic management of SGD is use of an appropriate saliva stimulant (C); (6) consideration should be given to prevention of the complications of the SGD (D); (7) consideration should be given to treatment of the complications of the SGD (D); and (8) patients with SGD should be regularly reassessed (D).

Overview of studies comparing human normal cartilage with minimal and advanced osteoarthritic cartilage.

A major area under study in the osteoarthritis (OA) research field is the characterization of specific molecular and biochemical changes that distinguish advanced diseased cartilage from less involved or normal tissue. This information is important to better define the pathogenic mechanisms that are operating during OA progression and to identify disease-specific markers. This review describes recent studies that have addressed changes in chondrocyte gene expression, proliferation, and apoptosis in "experimental" (more advanced OA cartilage) versus "control" (less involved or non-OA cartilage). Included is a comprehensive listing of recently published studies in this area with general findings. The review also includes a discussion of study design and the strengths and weaknesses of the various approaches. In addition, specific strategies to deal with some of the important issues are discussed. One particular model utilizing minimal and advanced OA cartilage obtained from the same patient is described in more detail.

Guidelines in respect of advance directives: the position in England.

The fundamental aim of the advance directive is to provide a means for the patient to continue to exercise autonomy and shape the end of his/her life. The principle is not new. Patients who are aware of approaching death have for many years discussed with their health-care team how they wish to be treated. The advance directive registers these views in a more formal way. However, inconsistencies persist in the understanding of the legal issues around advance directives in the UK, and suggest that national guidelines would encourage National Health Service trusts to develop local policies to improve understanding and compliance with the law. This article draws on English law to address misunderstandings and proposes which information advance directives should include.

Protocols and guidelines for managing wounds.

The management of a chronic wound is aimed at symptom control and maintaining the individual's quality of life. Wound-care guidelines will promote a co-ordinated and systematic approach to wound management. The administration of wound-care products according to protocol can enhance the care of patients with complex chronic wounds.

Critically ill polyneuropathy: electrophysiological studies and differentiation from Guillain-Barré syndrome.

A polyneuropathy of varying severity has been observed in association with sepsis and critical illness in 15 patients. Since clinical evaluation is often difficult, electrophysiological studies provided definitive evidence for polyneuropathy. These revealed reductions in the amplitudes of compound muscle and sensory nerve action potentials, the most marked abnormality. Near-nerve recordings confirmed such reductions for sensory fibres. Needle electromyography revealed signs of denervation of limb muscles. Phrenic nerve conduction and needle electromyographic studies of chest wall muscles suggested that the polyneuropathy partially explained difficulties in weaning patients from the ventilator, an early clinical sign. No defect in neuromuscular transmission was demonstrated, despite the use of aminoglycoside antibiotics in some patients. In those who survived the critical illness, clinical and electrophysiological improvement occurred. The 15 critically ill polyneuropathy patients were compared with 16 Guillain-Barré syndrome patients observed during the same period. The analysis showed that the two polyneuropathies are likely to be separate entities that can be distinguished in most instances by the predisposing illness, electrophysiological features and cerebrospinal fluid results.

Effects of anesthetics and dichlorodifluoromethane on the activities of glyceraldehyde-phosphate dehydrogenase and pectin methylesterase.

Solutions of glucose-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPD) and pectin methylesterase (PME) were exposed to various anesthetics and dichlorodifluoromethane (F-12) to determine the abilities of these chemicals to inhibit enzyme activity. An aqueous solution of PME was exposed to saturation levels of the test chemicals for 30 min at 21 degrees. All test chemicals were inhibitory (measured after release of the test chemical) with propane being most inhibitory followed in order by F-12, cyclopropane, Ethrane (F2HCOF2CCHClF) and halothane (CF3CHClBr). GPD was exposed to various concentrations of F-12 and halothane for various times at 0 degrees and 33 degrees. Halothane at 33 degrees and a saturation concentration reduced the initial reaction velocity of GPD to zero after a 10-min exposure period. F-12 was somewhat less inhibitory than halothane, but inhibition in all instances was irreversible. Halothane was found to affect the circular dichroism and optical rotary dispersion spectra of GPD, with the magnitude of the changes generally increasing with treatment time. The observed changes were believed to arise from side-chain transitions of GPD.

Effect of anaesthetics and dichlorodifluoromethane on the viability of the cells of Escherichia coli and the activities of some of its enzymes.

Three anaesthetics (halothane, CF3CHClBr; Ethrane, F2 HCOF2CCHClF; cyclopropane) and one other halogenated, short-chain hydrocarbon (F-12, Cl2F2C) were tested under various conditions to determine their effects on the viability of cells of Escherichia coli and the activities of some of its enzymes. When any of the test chemicals were applied for 60 min at concentrations slightly in excess of saturation, the number of surviving cells decreased substantially, with halothane being the most biocidal of the four chemicals and F-12 the least. Three enzymes (malate dehydrogenase, MD; NADH dehydrogenase; glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, GPD) were tested for activity after treatment of E. coli with the test chemicals. In all instances, GPD was least resistant to inactivation and MD was most resistant. Halothane was most inhibitory followed in order by Ethrane, cyclopropane and F-12. Treatment of E. coli with halothane for 60 min at 23 degrees C and a concentration slightly in excess of saturation, resulted in nearly complete inhibition of all three enzymes.