Botryoid odontogenic cyst. Exploration of proliferative activity, apoptosis and expression of TP53 and BCL2 compared to the histologically identical lateral periodontal and gingival cysts.

The botryoid odontogenic cyst (BOC) is a rare, locally more aggressive variant of the usually indolent lateral periodontal cyst (LPC) and gingival cyst (GC). A recent case of BOC provided an opportunity for an exploratory study on the causes of its more aggressive behavior. The limited objective was to see if the BOC was sufficiently different from the other cysts to warrant an investment in a large study. Sections of neutral buffered formalin fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from the BOC and archival specimens of four GCs, four LPCs and three odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs) were stained using immunohistochemistry for Ki-67, a marker of proliferating cells, caspase-3, a marker of cells undergoing apoptosis, tumor suppressor p53, and the apoptosis inhibitor BCL2. The mean labeling index (LI) of immunoreactive cyst epithelial cells was computed for each antibody and type of cyst. Compared to the LPCs and GCs, the BOC exhibited a moderately larger Ki-67/caspase-3 LI difference, which indicates that the BOC had a net higher rate of growth. We found a much higher level of LI, therefore likely dysregulation of p53. We also found a much higher LI of BCL2. The LIs of p53 and BCL2 in the BOC were similar to and more than twice that of the OKCs, respectively. Although meaningful statistical analysis was precluded by our use of only one case of BOC and a small number of the other cysts, the high p53 and very high BCL2 labeling indices of the BOC offer a potential explanation for its reportedly more aggressive behavior that clearly is worthy of further investigation.

Abbott AxSYM Vancomycin II assay: multicenter evaluation and interference studies.

The authors evaluated the performance characteristics of the Abbott AxSYM Vancomycin II immunoassay in sera of patients with (n = 93 samples) and without (n = 327 patients) renal dysfunction. Correlation of vancomycin measurements with the Abbott AxSYM Vancomycin, Abbott TDx/TDxFLx, Syva enzyme-multiplied immunoassay technique (EMIT), DuPont automated chemistry analyzer (ACA), and high-performance liquid chromatography methods showed acceptable correlation as indicated by: slope values >0.95, r-values >0.97, y-intercepts <1.7 microg/ml, and S(y/x) ranging from 9% to 15% of the average vancomycin value. The AxSYM Vancomycin II assay showed acceptable correlation with AxSYM vancomycin, TDx/TDxFLx, and high-performance liquid chromatography methods in 93 samples from patients with renal dysfunction. This monoclonal antibody-based assay showed no apparent interference from the presence of human antimouse antibody (HAMA) or the microbiologically inactive vancomycin crystalline degradation product (CDP). The authors conclude that the AxSYM Vancomycin II assay showed satisfactory agreement with other methods tested in this study.

Submerged alumina dental root implants in humans: five-year evaluation.

This article describes the placement, success rate, and evaluation of an experimental alumina (Al2O3) ceramic dental implant at a mean placement time of 5 years. The study compared the longevity of a submerged implant of the same root design and a refined surgical technique with previously reported studies of the implant exposed to the human oral environment during initial healing. A 54% success rate was achieved for 29 implants placed in the maxillae and mandible, all restored with cast gold dental crowns. A significant difference (p = 0.05) appeared between success and failures at 7.8 months following placement. Crown/root ratio slopes were an earlier and more sensitive indicator of potential success or failure than the bone height slopes. Computer analysis revealed no apparent correlation between implant mobility and/or pocket depths and implant longevity. Delayed implant root fractures and a cast post fracture occurred in 20% of the implants that survived.