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The literature relating to inaccuracies in the mounting of casts of semi-adjustable articulators and other factors that influence the fabrication of indirect restorations is reviewed. The effects of such discrepancies often result in "high" cast restorations which require considerable adjustment clinically before definitive placement. Some solutions to "high" cast restorations are offered with indications and contraindications for their use.

Recent outbreaks of disease caused by Escherichia coli O157:H7 have focused much attention on this newly emerged pathogen. Identification of the H7 flagellar antigen is critical for the confirmation of E. coli O157:H7; however, clinical isolates are frequently nonmotile and do not produce detectable H antigen. To further characterize nonmotile isolates (designated NM), we developed a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) test to identify and characterize the gene encoding the H antigen (fliC) in E. coli. The entire coding sequence of fliC was amplified by PCR, the amplicon was restricted with RsaI, and the restriction fragment pattern was examined after gel electrophoresis. Two hundred eighty E. coli isolates representing serotypes O157:H7 and O157:NM, flagellar antigen H7 groups associated with other O serogroups, and all other flagellar antigen groups were analyzed. A single restriction pattern (pattern A) was identified for O157:H7 isolates, O157:NM isolates that produced Shiga toxin (formerly Shiga-like toxin or verotoxin), and 16 of 18 O55:H7 isolates. Flagellar antigen group H7 isolates of non-O157 serotypes had one of three banding patterns distinct from pattern A. A wide variety of patterns were found among isolates of the other 52 flagellar antigen groups; however, none was identical to the O157:H7 pattern. Thirteen of 15 nonmotile strains that did not produce the A pattern had patterns that matched those of other known H groups. The PCR-RFLP in conjunction with O serogroup determination will be useful in identifying E. coli O157:H7 and related strains that do not express immunoreactive H antigen and could be expanded to include other clinically important E. coli strains.

Two young women developed oligomenorrhoea and galactorrhoea 4 and 7 years after whole brain irradiation for brain tumours. Both had mild hyperprolactinaemia due to irradiation-induced hypothalamic damage. In both patients, oral bromocriptine normalized prolactin levels and menstruation resumed. One patient then had a successful pregnancy.

CCNU, a nitrosourea compound, has been found effective in the management of both primary and secondary tumours of the brain. It is proposed to carry out an investigation comparing radiotherapy alone with radiotherapy and CCNU combined, in cerebral gliomata.