OBJECTIVETo investigate the method of enhancing the accuracy of titanium crowns by improving the casting method.

METHODSA self-assembled die was used to fabricate 48 standardized wax crowns. The dies were averagely divided into two groups. 21 crowns were successfully fabricated from one group according to the improved techniques. 18 crowns were fabricated by traditional method. A reference mark was scribed 90 degrees apart at four sites on the margin of each wax pattern and respective die. The distance between the margins of the wax pattern and the die was measured under a stereomicroscope. Similar method was also applied to measure the margin of castings. The castings were longitudinally split through midline. The distance between the 4 points(B',C',D',E') selected in the inner part of the crown and the die was respectively examined.

RESULTSCastings acquired by the improved method were more complete and had smoother surface. Marginal discrepancy value had significant difference between the two groups. Value in experimental group was smaller. Distance from B',E' to die between the two groups had no significant difference, but the distance from C',D' to the die was significantly different. The experimental group was smaller.

CONCLUSIONStandardized crowns fabricated by the improved titanium casting technique were more accurate, but special investment for titanium crowns and bridges should be developed to compensate the casting shrinkage of metal.

Crowns ; Dental Alloys ; chemistry ; Dental Casting Technique ; Denture, Partial, Fixed ; Humans ; Titanium ; chemistry

Female ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; transplantation ; Humans ; Liver ; cytology ; Liver Failure ; surgery ; Male ; Tissue Donors

BACKGROUND: The immunological characteristics of human hair follicles with the hair growth cycle have not yet been fully elucidated. It is suggested that expressional changes of the immunological markers in the hair cycle may play a role in catagen induction of the hair follicles. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the immunological features in human hair follicles according to the hair growth cycle. METHODS: An immunohistochemical study was performed on frozen sections of human hair follicles using major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I & II, CD1a, Fas, Fas ligand, and ACTH antibodies. We then compared the hair cycle-associated expressional changes of these markers. RESULTS: Human anagen hair bulbs showed very low level of the MHC class I expression. In catagen transition, enhanced expression of the MHC class I was observed in the proximal hair follicles. This change may correspond to regressing morphological change of hair follicles in the catagen transition. Some changes in the expression of MHC class II and Fas/FasL in hair follicles were also observed in catagen transition. CONCLUSION: Downregulation of MHC class I expression in the proximal epithelium of the anagen hair bulb may contribute to so-called 'immune privilege'. In catagen transition, the expression of MHC class II and Fas/FasL, together with upregulation of MHC class I, might be related to morphologic changes of the hair follicle.
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; Antibodies ; Down-Regulation ; Epithelium ; Fas Ligand Protein ; Frozen Sections ; Hair Follicle* ; Hair* ; Humans* ; Major Histocompatibility Complex ; Up-Regulation

PURPOSE: Differences in the utility of routine angiographic follow-up (RAF) and clinical follow-up (CF) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are not well understood. The present study aimed to compare the 3-year clinical outcomes of RAF and CF in AMI patients who underwent PCI with drug-eluting stents (DES). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 774 consecutive AMI patients who underwent PCI with DES were enrolled. RAF was performed at 6 to 9 months after index PCI (n=425). The remaining patients were medically managed and clinically followed (n=349); symptom-driven events were captured. To adjust for any potential confounders, a propensity score matched analysis was performed using a logistic regression model, and two propensity-matched groups (248 pairs, n=496, C-statistic=0.739) were generated. Cumulative clinical outcomes up to 3 years were compared between RAF and CF groups. RESULTS: During the 3-year follow-up period, the cumulative incidences of revascularization [target lesion revascularization: hazard ratio (HR), 2.40; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.18–4.85; p=0.015, target vessel revascularization (TVR): HR, 3.33; 95% CI, 1.69–6.58; p=0.001, non-TVR: HR, 5.64; 95% CI, 1.90–16.6; p=0.002] and major adverse cardiac events (MACE; HR, 3.32; 95% CI, 1.92–5.73; p<0.001) were significantly higher in the RAF group than the CF group. However, the 3-year incidences of death and myocardial infarction were not different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: RAF following index PCI with DES in AMI patients was associated with increased incidences of revascularization and MACE. Therefore, CF seems warranted for asymptomatic patients after PCI for AMI.
Coronary Angiography ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Logistic Models ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention* ; Propensity Score