The aim of this study was to clarify the effects of the muscarinic receptor agonist, cevimeline, on saliva flow and expression of aquaporin5 (AQP5) in submandibular gland after X-ray irradiation. Using a previously established radiation-induced xerostomia model mouse, saliva flow from at 7 days before irradiation to at 28 days after irradiation was investigated in mice that were treated with cevimeline before or after irradiation. Radiation caused a significant decrease in saliva flow compared with nonirradiated salivary glands. Cevimeline post-treatment also caused a significant decrease in saliva flow. In contrast, cevimeline pre-treatment did not significantly decrease saliva flow. Expression of AQP5 fluorescent intensity and mRNA were also analyzed. Irradiation significantly decreased expression of AQP5 in submandibular gland. However, pre-treatment with cevimeline prevented this decrease in AQP5 expression. These data suggest that pretreatment with cevimeline prevents radiation-induced xerostomia and radiation-induced decrease in expression of AQP5 in submandibular gland.

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Measurement of the pressure applied to the anterior region of the palate and incisor region of the mandible during thumb-sucking was carried out 3 female children. A polyethylene bag embedded with a high-sensitivity small pressure sensor was fixed on the ventral side of the thumb so that the baroreceptor could be interposed between the thumb and palate during thumb-sucking. The children were allowed to perform habitual thumb-sucking, and the resulting pressure signals were detected with a high-response dynamic strainmeter and recorded. Measured peak pressures were about 2-4.5kgw, with large individual variation, and waveform patterns also varied. Characteristics of thumb-sucking habits and thumb-sucking pressure were related to malocclusion. Measurement of thumb-sucking pressure is believed to be effective for assessment of the qualitative relationship between thumb-sucking and malocclusion.

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This report describes a case of recurrence of chronic paracoccidioidomycosis 10 years following the initial diagnosis. A 56-year-old female was admitted to the Dental Clinic of the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná complaining of oral soreness. Mulberry-like ulcerations were observed on the gingiva, right labial comissura, and vermillion of the lip. The patient reported persistent chronic cough, weight loss, appetite loss and fever. The anamnesis revealed that the patient had developed and been treated for paracoccidioidomycosis 10 years earlier. A biopsy was performed and microscopic examination revealed microabscesses, collections of macrophages organized into granulomas, multinucleated giant cells and Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. The patient was treated with Itraconazole and, the oral lesions disappeared within 3 months. Persistent follow-up examination in patients with a history of paracoccidioidomycosis is essential in the management of this disease.

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Sotos syndrome is an overgrowth syndrome leading to peculiar facial characteristics, large hands and feet, and mental retardation. The maxillofacial characteristics are metopic protrusion, a high and narrow palate and a tapered mandible. In this study, we evaluated changes in maxillofacial growth in 2 patients with cerebral gigantism during the peripubertal period.
       Patient 1 was a boy aged 8 years at the first examination. The face showed midface retraction and a tapered mandible. Maxillary median diastema with an OJ of 2.5 mm and OB of 1.0 mm was observed, and the molar region showed mandibular mesial occlusion. Radiography revealed a lack of 15, 25, 37, 47, 14, 24, 34 and 44. Cephalometrics demonstrated maxillary and mandibular retrusion with an SNA of 68° and an SNB of 70°, and the patient had leptoprosopia with a mandibular plane of 38.0°. This plane was 45° at the time of re-examination when the patient was 14 years old, showing an increase in the lower facial height and decreases in facial axis and depth. Patient 2 was a boy aged 14 years at the first examination. The face showed mandibular retrusion and tapering. The occlusion was angle class II div. 1, OJ 14 mm, and OB -1 mm. Cephalometrics demonstrated maxillary and mandibular retrusion with an SNA of 74.5° and an SNB of 69.5°, and the patient had leptoprosopia with a mandibular plane of 37.0°. At the time of re-examination, when the patient was 16 years old, the mandibular plane was 42.5°, showing an increase in lower facial height and decreases in facial axis and depth.
In this syndrome, excessive facial height without mandibular forward overgrowth is observed. Since the facial height tended to increase by growth during the peripubertal period, maxillofacial vertical growth is considered important in the treatment of this syndrome.

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A 60-year-old man with missing maxillary molar teeth received dental implant therapy for reconstruction of occlusion. Sinus floor elevation with autogenous bone graft consisting of iliac bone block and particulate cancellous bone and marrow (PCBM) was performed in the bilateral maxillary sinuses for implant placement. On the right side, bone height in the molar region was less than 2mm. Therefore, a delayed protocol was applied, and 2 implants were placed 4 months after bone grafting. Bone graft resorption occurred during the healing period of 4 months. On the left side, 3 implants were placed simultaneously with sinus floor elevation, as bone height in the molar region was more than 4-5mm. The bone graft was carried out at the same time as implant placement. After implant placement, resorption of the bone graft stopped, and the superstructures were delivered on both sides. The tissues around the implants were clinically healthy at one year after examination. Sinus floor elevation with autogenous bone graft is an acceptable option for implant treatment in the maxillary molar region where there is adequate height of existing bone. In postoperative care, it is important to undertake adequate follow-up to ascertain occurrence of bone graft resorption.

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The name of the second author was misspelt in the following article in the Bulletin of Tokyo Dental College Volume 48 (No. 1) page 9?17 entitled “Effects of Sex Hormones on Rat Tongue Carcinoma Induced by 4-Nitroquinoline 1-Oxide (4NQO)”. The correct spelling is Dr. “Akira Katakura”. Wrong:Akira Katakuta
Right:Akira Katakura

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