Cardiopulmonary assessment of patients with systemic sclerosis for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: recommendations from the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Autoimmune Diseases Working Party and collaborating partners.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare disabling autoimmune disease with a similar mortality to many cancers. Two randomized controlled trials of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) for SSc have shown significant improvement in organ function, quality of life and long-term survival compared to standard therapy. However, transplant-related mortality (TRM) ranged from 3-10% in patients undergoing HSCT. In SSc, the main cause of non-transplant and TRM is cardiac related. We therefore updated the previously published guidelines for cardiac evaluation, which should be performed in dedicated centers with expertize in HSCT for SSc. The current recommendations are based on pre-transplant cardiopulmonary evaluations combining pulmonary function tests, echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and invasive hemodynamic testing, initiated at Northwestern University (Chicago) and subsequently discussed and endorsed within the EBMT ADWP in 2016

Bonding of resin composites to etchable ceramic surfaces - An insight review of the chemical aspects on surface conditioning

summary The longevity of silane promoted adhesion of the surface conditioned etchable ceramic materials is a continuous and costly concern in dentistry. Moreover, it poses a functional and aesthetic dilemma both for the dentist and the patient. Several methods for surface conditioning exist, however some of them are not any more widely in clinical use. Tribochemical silica-coating combined with silane application, compared in vitro and in vivo to some other silanization protocols, is according to the literature a clinically proved, relevant adhesion promotion method to enhance bonding of resin composites to etchable ceramics. The repair of fractured ceramic with tribochemical silica-coating and followed by a silane application is, according to the literature a relevant adhesion promotion method in prosthetic dentistry. Silica-coating is followed by a silane coupling agent application. The bonding is adequate for clinical use according to the literature study. © 2007 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.link_to_subscribed_fulltex