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I Stander

Publications and source records attributed to I Stander.

22 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

A critical comparison of three methods for measuring dental models.

A critical comparison of three methods for measuring distances between various fiducial points on orthodontic plaster casts is presented. The first method consisted of using a vernier caliper by which direct measurements (Dv) of the distances were recorded. The second method consisted of measuring the same casts using a reflex metrograph (Dm), where the co-ordinates of the points relative to two axes were recorded and the distances between various points were calculated. In the third method, reflection holograms of the casts were made, and the same distances were measured on the holographic images (Dh) using the reflex metrograph. The Wilcoxon sign rank test indicated no significant differences (p greater than 0.1) between measurements made by the various techniques. The means of the different distances scored varied within less than 0.5 mm (Dv-Dh), 0.5mm (Dv-Dm) and 0.2mm Dm-Dh). This study indicated that holograms can provide sufficiently accurate representations of orthodontic study models. Their retention as case records may solve the problem of the storage of orthodontic plaster casts.

Dental Records↗

Analysis of the NRAMP1 gene implicated in iron transport: association with multiple sclerosis and age effects.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is believed to be an autoimmune process occurring in genetically susceptible individuals after an appropriate environmental exposure. We have exploited the homogeneous Afrikaner population of European ancestry to investigate the likelihood that iron dysregulation, in association with infectious and/or autoimmune disease susceptibility, may underlie the MS phenotype in a subgroup of patients. The functional Z-DNA forming repeat polymorphism of the natural resistance-associated macrophage protein-1 (NRAMP1) gene was analyzed in 104 patients diagnosed with MS and 522 Caucasian controls. A family-based control group consisting of 32 parental alleles not transmitted to MS offspring was additionally studied to exclude the likelihood of population substructures. Statistically significant differences in allelic distribution were observed between the patient and control samples drawn from the same population (P < 0.01). Evidence is furthermore provided that alleles considered to be detrimental in relation to autoimmune disease susceptibility may be maintained in the population as a consequence of improved survival to reproductive age following infectious disease challenge. Although it remains to be determined whether the disease phenotype in MS patients with allele 5 of the NRAMP1 promoter polymorphism is directly related to dysregulation of iron or modified susceptibility to viral infection and/or autoimmunity, a combination of these processes most likely underlies the disease phenotype in these patients. In view of the emerging role of polymorphic variants in complex diseases and minimizing of possible confounding factors in this association study, we conclude that allelic variation in the NRAMP1 promoter may contribute significantly to MS susceptibility in the South African Caucasian population.

Adult↗