Repetitive pain experiences modulate feedforward control of hemodynamics and modification by nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation in humans

Background

Repetitive experiences of certain stresses evoke feedforward cardiovascular responses via central command (CC)--central signals from the higher brain. However, it is unclear whether the anticipatory cardiovascular responses before pain stimulation occur after repetitive pain experiences and how nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation (N2O), a sedative widely used in dentistry, affects the responses. We tested the hypothesis that the repetitive cold pressor test (CPT) alters the anticipatory cardiovascular responses, which are attenuated by N2O.

Materials and methods

Beat-to-beat systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), and finger arterial stiffness (β-stiffness) were measured during the 5-min rest, 30-s countdown (CD) before CPT, 2-min CPT, and 3-min recovery (CPT[1st]) in 15 young adults [age, 28 ± 4 years]. The same protocols were repeated randomly with the second CPT (CPT + CC) or placebo test (PLCB + CC).

Results

SBP and DBP increased from baseline in CPT[1st] and CPT + CC under room air (RA) and 40 % N2O, while SBP was lower under N2O than under RA in CPT[1st]. HR in CPT[1st] was lower under N2O than under RA. The change (Δ) in HR was smaller during CPT[1st] than during CPT + CC under N2O, and a similar trend was observed under RA. ΔSBP by CD was lower under N2O than under RA in CPT[1st] but not in CPT + CC. HR increased with CD in CPT + CC but not in CPT[1st] under both RA and N2O. β-stiffness increased by CD regardless of the pain experience, while it was lower under N2O.

Conclusion

Repetitive pain experiences induce a feedforward HR increase. 40 % N2O decreases vascular stiffness, which may attenuate the anticipatory pressor response only when the feedforward HR increase does not exist.

Prognostic value of machine learning for acute heart failure

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

At onset of acute heart failure (AHF), various clinical fundamental parameters including vital sign, laboratory data, or initial treatment were investigated, and we can roughly estimate the prognosis. However, machine learning method for prediction of the prognosis was not studied.

Purpose

To elucidate prognostic value of machine learning for AHF comparing conventional statistical model.

Methods

We enrolled consecutive 300 patients with AHF (79.5 ± 12.1 years, 158 Males). Patients with acute coronary syndrome, mechanical circulatory support cases, and cardio-pulmonary arrest cases were excluded. The patients were randomly divided into 80% (240 cases) and 20% (60 cases), and the former was used as train data, and the latter as validation data. Objective variable was set as cardiac death in one year. First, logistic regression analysis with Akaike’s information criterion (AIC) was performed, and extracted predictive parameters. The predictive model for the cardiac prognosis was constructed by cut-off value of ROC curve analysis of propensity score was calculated. Next, machine learning (random forest method and deep learning) to build predictive model was performed with the predictors. Finally, accuracy of each predictive model was compared.

Results

Thirty cases showed cardiac death in one year. Logistic regression with AIC extracted 8  predictors, and the cut off-value of propensity score with the 6 parameters was 0.110. The accuracy was 0.714 and area under ROC (AUROC) was 0.836. Conversely, random forest method demonstrated the accuracy as 0.927, AUROC 0.860. On deep learning, the accuracy was 0.937 and AUROC 0.901. 

The top 4 high feature importance of random forest were Cl/red blood cell count/pH/Anion Gap. However, accuracy of those predictors was lower than that of machine learning.

Conclusion

Machine learning was a powerful tool to predict cardiac prognosis of AHF, comparing with conventional statistical model. Abstract Figure. Statistical model

Diagnostic performance of deep learning on 12-leads electrocardiography for recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation

Background

Several patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (per-AF) suffer from recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). Various methods to predict the recurrence were tried, but deep learning on 12-leads electrocardiography (ECG) after PVI was not studied.

Purpose

To elucidate diagnostic performance of deep learning on 12-leads ECG after PVI in patients with per-AF

Methods

We enrolled consecutive 109 patients with per-AF who underwent PVI (68.8±10.0 years, 83 males) excluding failure cases. We defined recurrence in 3–12 months after PVI. From the ECG just after PVI, five beats of each lead were sampled separately. Deep learning (convolutional neural network on bitmap ECG image) was performed by transfer learning of Inception-Resnet-V2 model. Gradient weighted class activation color mapping (GradCam) was performed to detect convolutional importance in the lead.

Results

Thirty-six patients showed recurrence in the period. Lead II (accuracy 0.701), aVR (0.690) were the top 2 leads of prediction, which showed larger accuracy than statistical accuracies of Non PV foci = SVC (accuracy = 0.541) and left atrial diameter >50mm (0.596). In lead II, GradCam spotlighted strong convolution of latter half of P wave in recurrent case, and former half of P wave and T wave in no-recurrent case.

Conclusions

Deep learning on ECG was a powerful tool to predict recurrence of per-AF after PVI.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Results of deep learningResults of GradCam

Sphenoparietal sinus and superficial middle cerebral vein thrombosis: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is rare and might be overlooked by healthcare providers. It often occurs in the transverse sinuses, superior sagittal sinus, and the vein of Trolard. Sphenoparietal sinus (SPS) and/or superficial middle cerebral vein (SMCV) thrombosis is rare and only 12 cases reported in the literature.

CASE DESCRIPTION

We report a 47-year-old woman with iron deficiency anemia associated with myoma uteri who developed left SPS and SMCV thrombosis. She presented with sudden unconsciousness, right hemiplegia, and aphasia. Brain computed tomography showed subcortical hemorrhages in the left frontal and temporal lobes. Magnetic resonance imaging did not reveal the cause of the bleeding. Although antihypertensive treatment with nicardipine was initiated, she deteriorated into coma the next day and underwent emergency decompressive craniectomy. Thrombosis of the SMCV was identified during surgery. Re-examination of preoperative T2 star-weighted imaging revealed thrombosis of the SPS and SMCV.

CONCLUSION

All but one of the reviewed cases had the thrombosis develop on the left side, which may be attributed to anatomical and brain functional laterality. When an edematous change or cortical hemorrhage of unknown cause is encountered within the perisylvian region, especially on the left side, the possibility of SPS and SMCV thrombosis should be considered.

Chronic Intra Oral Pain and Depressive Symptoms in Japanese Community-Dwelling Elderly: A Longitudinal Study

OBJECTIVE

The incidence of major depressive disorder in the elderly ranges from 0.2 to 14.1/100 person-years, and the incidence of clinically relevant depressive symptoms is 6.8/100 person-years. This study aimed to assess the longitudinal relationship between chronic intra oral pain and depressive symptom in Japanese elderly.

BASIC RESEARCH DESIGN

3-year cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

212 community-dwelling seniors (129 men, 83 women) aged 77 years residing in the city of Niigata, Japan in 2005.

INTERVENTIONS

At baseline, subjects were asked about chronic intra oral pain (tooth, gingival or denture pain), with response choices of "yes" or "no". Any type of pain, was counted as chronic intra oral pain.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The General Health Questionnaire 30 (GHQ-30) was used to assess depression at follow up. The Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology (TMIG) Index of Competence was used to assess activities of daily living.

RESULTS

In multivariate logistic regression, baseline intra oral pain predicted depressive symptoms at follow up (Odds Ratio = 3.2, 95% CI = 1.32-7.81) after adjusting for serum HbA1c, creatinine and working life.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic intra oral pain increased the risk for the development of depressive symptoms in the elderly.

Abstract P5-03-05: Sphingosine-1-phosphate produced by sphingosine kinase 1 and exported via ABCC1 shortens survival of mice and humans with breast cancer

Background: Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a bioactive sphingolipid mediator that is generated by sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) when it is phosphorylated (pSphK1) inside cells, has been implicated in regulation of many process important for breast cancer progression. Previously we have shown that S1P is exported out of human breast cancer cells by ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter ABCC1, but not by ABCB1, both known multidrug resistance proteins that efflux chemotherapeutic agents. However, the pathological consequences of these events to breast cancer progression and metastasis have not been elucidated. Here, we report that high expression of ABCC1, but not ABCB1, is associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer patients via exporting S1P.

Materials and methods: Microarray based gene expression data of 2509 patients associated with their survival were obtained from METABRIC database. Single gene survival analysis based on expressin of SphK1, and dual ABCC1 or ABCB1 and SphK1 survival analyses were perfomerd. For protein analyses, tissues were obrained from 275 patients with stage 1-3 breast cancers treated in Yokohama City University Medical Center in Japan between 2006 and 2008. The expression of pSphK1 was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and investigate the relationship with clinicopathological findings. For in vitro and in vivo experiments, breast cancer cell lines were transfected by ABCB1, ABCC1 or vector transiently or stably. BALB/c nu/nu mice and BALB/c mice were used for in vivo experiments. S1P was measured by LC-ESI-MS/MS.

Results: SphK1 expression significantly associate with worse overall survival (median survival of 124 months with high SphK1 expression compared to 163 months for patients with low SphK1 expression, p=0.0014). Although patients with high ABCC1 expression had only a slightly worse overall survival of 150 months, those with high levels of both SphK1 and ABCC1 had much worse prognosis with median overall survival of 114 months (p < 0.0068). Such association was not observed with ABCB1 expression. The frequency of strong pSphK1 protein expression was higher in HER2 enrhiched or TNBC than in Luminal. pSphK1 was more prevalent and increased in a larger tumors and in tumors from patients with lymph node metastases. Patients with breast cancers that express both pSphK1 and ABCC1 proteins have significantly shorter disease free survival. Overexpression of ABCC1, but not ABCB1, in human MCF7 and murine 4T1 cells enhanced S1P secretion, proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells. Implantation of breast cancer cells overexpressing ABCC1, but not ABCB1, into the mammary pad markedly enhanced tumor growth, angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis with concomitant increases in lymph node and lung metastases as well as shorter survival of mice. Interestingly, S1P exported via ABCC1 from breast cancer cells upregulated transcription of SphK1 and its own formation.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that production and export of S1P via ABCC1, but not ABCB1, is associated with worse overall and disease free survival of breast cancer patients and that S1P axis play a role in aggressive biology of breast cancer progression and metastasis.

Citation Format: Yamada A, Nagahashi M, Aoyagi T, Huang W-C, Lima S, Miyazaki H, Narui K, Ishikawa T, Endo I, Waters MR, Milstien S, Spiegel S, Takabe K. Sphingosine-1-phosphate produced by sphingosine kinase 1 and exported via ABCC1 shortens survival of mice and humans with breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-03-05.

A 5-year longitudinal study of association of maximum bite force with development of frailty in community-dwelling older adults

To determine whether maximum bite force (MBF), an objective measure of oral function, is associated with development of frailty in community-dwelling older adults. This prospective cohort study included community-dwelling Japanese adults aged 75 years at baseline (n = 322). Baseline MBF was measured using an electronic recording device (Occlusal Force-Meter GM10). Follow-up examinations, including physical fitness and anthropometric evaluation and structured questionnaires, were administered annually over a 5-year period to determine the incidence of frailty, which was defined by the presence of 3 or more of the following 5 components derived from the Cardiovascular Health Study: low level of mobility, low physical activity level, weakness, shrinking and poor endurance and energy. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) of incidence of frailty according to sex-stratified tertiles of baseline MBF were calculated using Cox proportional hazards regression models. During the follow-up, 49 participants (15.2%) developed frailty. Participants in the lower tertile of MBF exhibited a significantly greater risk of frailty than those in the upper tertile. After adjustment for sex, depression, diabetes and Eichner index, the adjusted HRs for frailty in the upper through lower tertiles of MBF were 1.00 (reference), 1.27 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.50-3.20) and 2.78 (95% CI: 1.15-6.72), respectively (P for trend = .01). Poor oral function, as indicated by low MBF, increases the risk of development of frailty among elderly men and women.

In-situ straining and time-resolved electron tomography data acquisition in a transmission electron microscope

This paper reports the preliminary results of a new in-situ three-dimensional (3D) imaging system for observing plastic deformation behavior in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) as a directly relevant development of the recently reported straining-and-tomography holder [Sato K et al. (2015) Development of a novel straining holder for transmission electron microscopy compatible with single tilt-axis electron tomography. Microsc. 64: 369-375]. We designed an integrated system using the holder and newly developed straining and image-acquisition software and then developed an experimental procedure for in-situ straining and time-resolved electron tomography (ET) data acquisition. The software for image acquisition and 3D visualization was developed based on the commercially available ET software TEMographyTM. We achieved time-resolved 3D visualization of nanometer-scale plastic deformation behavior in a Pb-Sn alloy sample, thus demonstrating the capability of this system for potential applications in materials science.

Tuning of the interval in a nanohole array of anodic porous alumina through deformation of polymer templates

A new type of process for the fabrication of ideally ordered anodic porous alumina with the desired hole interval is demonstrated.

Socio-Demographic Risk Indicators for Tooth Mortality in Rural Sri Lankans

To explore the socio-demographic factors associated with tooth loss in rural inhabitants of Sri Lanka, a random sample of 2178 males aged 20-60 years was selected using multistage cluster sampling procedure. The number of missing and present teeth was recorded excluding third molars and the subjects were interviewed to elicit socio-demographic information as well as oral hygiene and tobacco consumption habits. The mean number of teeth lost in the sample was 5.17±5.43. Tooth loss increased significantly with age. Sinhalese had significantly fewer lost teeth (5.05±5.38) compared to Tamils (6.54±6.18) and Muslims (6.02±5.21) whereas education, income, oral hygiene practices and tobacco use were significantly associated with tooth loss in the bivariate analysis. A forward stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that age, Muslim ethnicity and quantified tobacco use were positively associated with tooth loss while better socio-economic conditions and good oral hygiene habits were negatively linked with tooth mortality independent of other factors. Age, Muslim ethnicity, quantified tobacco use, income, education, brushing frequency and substance used for cleaning had significantly affected tooth loss. Quantified tobacco use and oral hygiene may be regarded as modifiable socio-demographic risk indicators associated with tooth mortality in Sri Lankans. Asia Pac J Public Health 2003; 15(2): 105-110.

Factors Associated with Severe Periodontitis in Rural Cambodia

An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with 812 subjects aged 35-74 years in Prek Russey commune, Cambodia to detect some factors associated with severe periodontitis. Four calibrated examiners employed Community Periodontal Index (CPI) to ascertain periodontal pocket depth (PD) and loss of epithelial attachment (LA). A questionnaire was used to obtain tobacco and alcohol consumption habits. One hundred (12.3%) subjects had one or more sextants with ≥ 4mm PD and ≥ 6mm LA (severe periodontitis). Smoking, tobacco chewing and age were significantly associated with severe periodontitis in bivariate analysis while only age and quantified smoking remained significant in a logistic regression analysis. The impact of quantified smoking on severe periodontitis was almost negligible [OR: 1.0006 (95% CI: 1.0001, 1.001)] compared to that of age [OR ranged from 8.3 at 45-54 years to 22 at 65-74 years (95% CI: 3.1, 62.3)]. Nevertheless, both age and quantified smoking can be considered as factors associated with severe periodontitis in rural Cambodians. Asia Pac J Public Health 2004; 16(1): 50-53.

Maximum bite force at age 70 years predicts all-cause mortality during the following 13 years in Japanese men

There is limited information on the impact of oral function on mortality among older adults. The aim of this prospective cohort study was to examine whether an objective measure of oral function, maximum bite force (MBF), is associated with mortality in older adults during a 13-year follow-up period. Five hundred and fifty-nine community-dwelling Japanese (282 men and 277 women) aged 70 years at baseline were included in the study. Medical and dental examinations and a questionnaire survey were conducted at baseline. Maximum bite force was measured using an electronic recording device (Occlusal Force-Meter GM10). Follow-up investigation to ascertain vital status was conducted 13 years after baseline examinations. Survival rates among MBF tertiles were compared using Cox proportional hazards regression models stratified by sex. There were a total of 111 deaths (82 events for men and 29 for women). Univariable analysis revealed that male participants in the lower MBF tertile had increased risk of all-cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR) = 1·94, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1·13-3·34] compared with those in the upper MBF tertile. This association remained significant after adjustment for confounders (adjusted HR = 1·84, 95% CI = 1·07-3·19). Conversely, no association between MBF and all-cause mortality was observed in female participants. Maximum bite force was independently associated with all-cause mortality in older Japanese male adults. These data provide additional evidence for the association between oral function and geriatric health.

Association between dental status and food diversity among older Japanese

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship of dental status to food diversity among older Japanese.

DESIGN AND SETTING

A community-based cross-sectional study conducted in the town of Tosa, Kochi Prefecture, Japan.

METHODS

The study participants were 252 Japanese (84 men and 168 women, average age 81.2 years) and dentate participants were classified into three groups: 1-9 teeth, 10-19 teeth and 20 or more teeth. Food diversity was assessed as a validated measure of dietary quality using the 11-item Food Diversity Score Kyoto (FDSK-11), which evaluates frequency of consumption of 11 main food groups. Multivariable analysis of the differences in FDSK-11 score ranging from 0 to 11, with a higher score indicating greater food diversity, among the three dental status groups was conducted using general linear models. All the performed analyses were stratified by gender.

RESULTS

There was no association between dental status and food diversity score in models for men. In contrast, women with ≤ 9 teeth and with 10-19 teeth had significantly lower FDSK-11 scores than women with ≥ 20 teeth after adjusting for confounders (p < 0.001 and p = 0.009, respectively). Additionally, there was a trend toward lower scores for FDSK-11 with fewer teeth (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

A less varied diet, as indicated by low FDSK-11 score, was observed in female participants with fewer teeth. Tooth loss was associated with poor diet quality among older Japanese women.

Development of a novel straining holder for transmission electron microscopy compatible with single tilt-axis electron tomography

We have developed a newly designed straining specimen holder for in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) compatible with high-angle single tilt-axis electron tomography. The holder can deform a TEM specimen under tensile stress with the strain rate between 1.5 × 10(-6) and 5.2 × 10(-3) s(-1). We have also confirmed that the maximum tilt angle of the specimen holder reaches ±60° with a rectangular shape aluminum specimen. The new specimen holder, termed as 'straining and tomography holder', will have wide range potential applications in materials science.

Lower lip repair using double opposing rectangular rotation flaps with reconstruction of the mentolabial groove and mental protuberance

The use of a rectangular flap is a well known technique for upper lip repair in cleft lip, but is less common for lower lip repair after tumour resection. We have found this type of flap to be favourable for lower lip reconstruction, especially for the lip to mental region. We describe herein an improvement to the technique in which two opposing rectangular flaps, with the length of one side equal to the vertical distance from the mentolabial groove to the vermilion border, were raised on the lateral sides of a U-shaped defect. Reconstruction was performed by interdigitation of the two flaps and a bilateral vermilion advancement flap. This new approach allows a distinct mentolabial groove and mental protuberance to be created by utilizing two opposing rectangular flaps and redundant tissue, without sacrificing sensation and muscle function. Our results suggest that the technique provides excellent functional and cosmetic outcomes in restoration of the lower lip in properly selected patients.

Mandibular inferior cortex erosion as a sign of elevated total serum calcium in elderly people: a 9-year follow-up study

OBJECTIVES

The mandibular inferior cortex (MIC) classification that was determined by observing the mandible distally from the mental foramen in panoramic radiography can be considered to reflect bone loss in the jaws. The purpose of this 9-year study was to investigate whether there is a relationship between MIC condition and total serum calcium (TSC) in elderly Japanese people.

METHODS

A total of 280 subjects aged 70 years at baseline (137 males and 143 females) took part in this longitudinal study design. TSC and dental panoramic radiographs were carried out at the baseline in 1998 and the final year in 2007.

RESULTS

The results of the MIC measurement were divided into two groups according to changes in MIC after the 9-year study period, namely no change group and change group. A significant relationship was found in females but not in males between the MIC condition and the TSC. The regression showed that female subjects are 3.26 times more likely to have increased erosion of the inferior border of the mandible than male subjects after the 9-year study period.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that an increase in erosion of the inferior border of the mandible was significantly associated with an elevated TSC after 9 years and only in females.

Discontinuation of leisure time impact-loading exercise is related to reduction of a calcaneus quantitative ultrasound parameter in young adult Japanese females: a 3-year follow-up study

A 3-year follow-up study on 334 young Japanese females enrolled in a university at the age of 18 years revealed that discontinuation of leisure time impact-loading exercises performed in junior high and/or high school was associated with increased risk of reduction in calcaneus osteo-sono assessment index (OSI).

INTRODUCTION

Bone strength rapidly increases during puberty and reaches its peak by the end of adolescence. The aim of this study was to determine the lifestyle factors that influence the maintenance of calcaneus OSI in young adult females around the time when peak bone mass is attained.

METHODS

Annual health checkups including OSI measurements, anthropometrics, lifestyle analysis, and blood examination were performed 4 times on 334 Japanese females enrolled in a university at the age of 18 years. According to the slope of OSI change during the 3-year follow-up, the subjects were grouped into two categories: OSI loss (the lowest tertile) and OSI gain/stable (the second and third tertiles).

RESULTS

At the baseline assessment, the OSI loss group had higher OSI and height and an earlier menarche age than the OSI gain/stable group. Performing leisure time impact-loading exercise in junior high and/or high school but discontinuing it at university was associated with increased risk of OSI loss, independent of OSI, height and weight at the age of 18 years, weight change during follow-up, age of menarche, energy-adjusted nutrient intake, and alcohol drinking; the odds ratios were 4.1-4.9 compared with those performing impact-loading exercise at university. In particular, duration, frequency, and subjective intensity of impact-loading exercise during high school were positively associated with OSI loss.

CONCLUSION

Discontinuation of leisure time impact-loading exercises performed during late adolescence is associated with an increased risk of OSI loss in young adult females during the 3-year follow-up period.

Serum albumin levels and 10-year tooth loss in a 70-year-old population

Serum albumin levels are a practical marker of general health status in the elderly and have been used to determine the severity of underlying diseases and the risk for death. This longitudinal study evaluated the relationship between serum albumin concentrations and tooth loss over 10 years in elderly subjects, after controlling for confounding factors. A sample of 554 dentate subjects among enrolled subjects (n = 600) was involved in this planned longitudinal study with follow-up examinations after 5 and 10 years. At the 5-year follow-up, 373 (67·3%), subjects were available for re-examination. In addition, 331 (59·7%) were available at the 10-year follow-up. Multiple Poisson regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the relationship between the number of missing teeth over 5 or 10 years and serum albumin levels at baseline after adjusting for 10 variables: gender, serum markers levels at baseline, dental status, smoking habits and educational years and oral health behaviour. The number of missing teeth over 5 or 10 years was significantly negatively associated with serum albumin levels at baseline [incidence rate ratios (IRR) = 0·373, P < 0·0001 for 5 years; IRR = 0·570, P < 0·0001 for 10 years]. We conclude that elderly subjects with hypoalbuminemia are at high risk for 5- and 10-year tooth loss.

Atomic and electronic structure of ultrathin Bi(111) films grown on Bi2Te3(111) substrates: evidence for a strain-induced topological phase transition

We studied the atomic and electronic structures of ultrathin Bi(111) films grown on Bi(2)Te(3) by means of angle-resolved photoemission, first-principles calculations, and low-energy electron diffraction. These Bi films were found to be strained due to the influence of the substrate. Accordingly, the band structure is affected and Bi undergoes a topological phase transition; it is shown that the Z(2) topological invariant in three dimensions switches from +1 (trivial) to -1 (nontrivial or topological). This was clearly confirmed from the change in the surface-state dispersion near the Fermi level. Our discovery offers a method to produce novel topological systems from simple materials.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ polymorphism, vitamin D, bone mineral density and periodontitis in postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVES

PPARg regulates bone metabolism and inflammation. Our previous study suggested PPARg Pro12Ala polymorphism to represent a susceptibility factor for periodontitis in pregnant Japanese women. Several recent papers have drawn attention to a possible link between low bone mineral density (BMD) and periodontitis in postmenopausal women. Since the pathogenesis for both involve bone remodeling, they might share common risk factors such as gene polymorphisms and vitamin D level. The present study investigated possible associations between the PPARgPro12Ala polymorphism, periodontitis, BMD and serum 25(OH)D in postmenopausal Japanese women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

PPARgPro12Ala genotypes of 359 women were determined by PCR-RFLP. BMD and periodontal parameters of each woman were measured. Serum 25(OH)D levels were determined by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTS

PPARgPro12Ala polymorphism was not associated with periodontitis or BMD as an independent factor. Serum 25(OH)D was significantly higher in Ala allele carriers compared to non-carriers. Only in the Ala allele carriers, positive correlations were found between mean clinical attachment level and BMD, between BMD and 25(OH)D, and between percentage of sites with probing depth ≥ 4 mm and 25(OH)D.

CONCLUSIONS

PPARgPro12Ala polymorphism was not independently associated with periodontitis or BMD. However, the polymorphism might be a modulator of the relationship between the two conditions in postmenopausal Japanese women.

Differential effects of a murine monoclonal antibody reactive with the disialylgalactosyl residue on the growth of melanoma cells and T cell activation

A murine monoclonal antibody, S2-566, was generated by immunization with a melanoma line, SK-MEL-28. Although AbS2-566 showed a similar reaction pattern with that of anti-GD3 mAbR24 in cell surface serology, it recognized a disialyl galactosyl structure not only in GD3 but in GT1a and GQ1b. The suppression of the growth of cultured melanoma cells by AbS2-566 was not obvious, in contrast with AbR24. However, the mitogenic effects of AbS2-566 on peripheral lymphocytes were observed showing similar kinetics to those of mAbR24, suggesting different signaling effects based on the different epitope structures.

Thrombopoietin stimulates proliferation and megakaryocytic differentiation of mouse pro-B cell line BF-TE22

We have isolated and characterized a thrombopoietin (TPO)-dependent BF-TE22 cell line endogenously expressing murine Mpl, which is a subclone of murine pro-B Ba/F3 cells. TPO stimulated the proliferation of BF-TE22 cells in a dose-dependent manner, and also induced the expression of megakaryocyte lineage-specific AP-51 and CD61 cell surface antigens. The results indicate that the murine Mpl on BF-TE22 cells can transmit both proliferation and megakaryocyte lineage-specific differentiation signals to cells. Furthermore, it was shown that IL-3 inhibits the TPO-induced differentiation signals of BF-TE22 cells. These results suggest that the signals mediated by IL-3 predominate over those of TPO in BF-TE22 cells. Thus, BF-TE22 cells will be useful for the biological and biochemical studies of the TPO-Mpl signal transduction mechanism.

Ultrasound-guided intralesional laser treatment of venous malformation in the oral cavity

An ultrasound-guided intralesional photocoagulation (ILP) technique using a laser is described for treatment of deep venous malformations in the oral cavity. ILP is basically a blind operation and has a risk of unintended destruction of surrounding normal tissue, therefore the authors now routinely use guidance by ultrasonography using a mini-probe to improve the safety and reliability of ILP. This approach enables safe fibre insertion, appropriate laser irradiation, and intraoperative assessment of coagulation. The use of this technique is described in 8 patients. The authors conclude that ultrasound-guided ILP with a laser is a promising technique for less-invasive treatment of a vascular malformation in the oral cavity.

Serum antibody to Porphyromonas gingivalis in chronic kidney disease

Potentially significant associations between periodontal disease and chronic kidney disease (CKD) have been reported in recent studies. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between serum antibody to the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) and CKD in 215 Japanese individuals, aged 79 yrs. Serum antibody levels to P. gingivalis were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. An elevated serum antibody response was defined as the upper quartile and was compared with the bottom three quartiles. Participants were classified as having CKD when their glomerular filtration rate was between 15 and 59 mL/min/1.73 m(2). A multivariable logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association between elevated antibody status and the presence of CKD. Study participants with an elevated serum antibody to P. gingivalis were 2.6 times more likely to have CKD. The adjusted odds ratio of CKD for participants in the highest quartile of serum antibody to P. gingivalis was 2.59 (95% confidence interval, 1.05-6.34) when compared with others in lower quartiles after simultaneous adjustment for other covariates. In conclusion, the present study suggests that elevated serum antibody to P. gingivalis was significantly associated with decreased kidney function in a community-based cohort of elderly Japanese.

Tablets containing a cysteine protease, actinidine, reduce oral malodor: a crossover study

Tongue coating (TC) mainly consists of protein mostly from exfoliated epithelial cells. Until now, to reduce TC accumulation, only mechanical measures have been available, and the procedure involves unpleasant side effects, such as gagging reflex or carcinogenesis related to mechanical stimulation. We expected that protease might be effective in reducing the accumulation of TC causing oral malodor. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of long-term use of candy tablets containing protease, actinidine, on both TC accumulation and concentration of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) in mouth air. We employed 14 subjects aged 24 to 54 years old for this study, and conducted a double-blind randomized crossover trial. The subjects sucked the tablets containing actinidine three times a day until the sixth day after starting the study. The tablets without actinidine were utilized as a placebo. Measurements of VSC concentration and TC accumulation were carried out before and after chewing tablets on the first day, and also on the seventh day. The levels of VSC and TC significantly (p < 0.05) decreased after tablets were taken on the first day in both the test and placebo groups. There was a statistically significant decrease (p < 0.05) in VSC after seven days of use only in the test group. The results of the study suggest that the tablets containing actinidine had an accumulative effect in reducing VSC in mouth air with long-term use.

Relations of serum ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol to periodontal disease

Low concentrations of serum anti-oxidants, including ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol, are associated with higher risks of many inflammatory diseases that interrelate with oral health. The present study examined the longitudinal relationship of serum ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol to periodontal disease in 224 Japanese individuals, aged 71 yrs, for whom data were available for the years 1999-2007. Participants were classified by tertiles of serum ascorbic acid and of α-tocopherol. Full-mouth periodontal status, measured as clinical attachment level (CAL), was recorded at baseline and annual follow-up examinations. The number of teeth with a loss of CAL ≥ 3 mm at any site over the study period was calculated as 'periodontal disease events'. Poisson regression analysis was conducted to assess predictors of periodontal disease events, with serum ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol as the primary predictors of interest. The multivariate adjusted relative risks (95% confidence intervals) in the highest, middle, and lowest tertiles were 1.00 (reference), 1.12 (1.01-1.26), and 1.30 (1.16-1.47) for ascorbic acid and 1.00 (reference), 1.09 (0.98-1.21), and 1.15 (1.04-1.28) for α-tocopherol, respectively. Our findings support the hypothesis that low serum levels of ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol may be a risk factor for periodontal disease in Japanese elderly.