Odontogenic ameloblast-associated protein（ODAM）is a secretory protein that contributes to cell adhesion and is expressed by ameloblasts and junctional epithelium（JE）. MicroRNAs（miRNAs）are non-coding small RNAs which silence gene expression in post transcriptional regulation. In our previous study, we used miRNA and DNA arrays to demonstrate that expressions of miR-223 and ODAM were induced in the inflamed gingiva of periodontitis patients. To verify the effect of mir-223 on ODAM expression in Ca9-22 human gingival epithelial cells, we purified total RNA and protein from the cells transfected with miR-223 expression plasmid or miR-223 inhibitor and treated with TNF-α or IL-1β. ODAM, inhibitor of κB kinase α（IKKα）, inhibitor of κB kinase β（IKKβ）, and mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase 5（MKP-5）protein and mRNA levels were studied by Western blot and qPCR. -480ODAM 3’-untranslated region（3’-UTR）luciferase（LUC）construct and miR-223 expression plasmid were transfected in Ca9-22 cells, and LUC activities were measured with or without TNF-α or IL-1β stimulation. ODAM mRNA expressions increased by TNF-α or IL-1β stimulation, but were suppressed by miR-223 overexpression, and conversely increased with a miR-223 inhibitor. MKP-5 mRNA and protein expressions increased with TNF-α or IL-1β but were inhibited by miR-223. IKKα mRNA levels were unchanged with TNF-α or IL-1β but were suppressed by miR-223 overexpression. The activities of -480ODAM 3’-UTR LUC were induced by TNF-α or IL-1β, whereas suppressed by miR-223. SB203580（P38 MAPK inhibitor）, U0126（MEK1/2 inhibitor）, IMD0354（IKKβ inhibitor）, BMS345541（IKKβ and IKKα inhibitor）, and triptolide（NF-κB inhibitor）decreased TNF α and IL-1β-induced -480ODAM 3’-UTR LUC activity. These data suggest that miR-223 targets ODAM, IKKα and MKP-5 mRNAs expressed in human gingival epithelial cells to suppress ODAM expression.

The incidence and mortality rates of oral and pharyngeal cancer in Japan continue to increase. This study aimed to evaluate and compare specimen adequacy between conventional and liquid-based cytology（LBC）in oral exfoliative cytology through quantitative image analysis. Specimens were self-collected by 71 university dental students using conventional and LBC methods. The specimens were stained using the Papanicolaou method and analyzed using ImageJ software to quantify parameters such as cell smear area, uniformity of cellular distribution, and cluster formation. LBC demonstrated significantly higher median values for cell smear area, green cell area, and uniformity in cellular distribution compared to conventional cytology（p＜ 0.001）. The conventional cytology, although effective, showed greater variability in non-uniformity of cellular distribution and lower overall cell counts. Additionally, LBC specimens presented fewer but smaller cell clusters, indicating superior uniformity, likely due to the enhanced preparation process inherent to LBC. These findings suggest that LBC provides more consistent specimen adequacy and uniformity of cellular distribution, which is essential for accurate cytological assessment. By offering objective metrics to compare cytology methods, this study supports the adoption of LBC in oral cancer screening, particularly in cases where scalpel biopsy is declined. The differences in specimen quality and uniformity between the two methods highlight the utility of LBC as a viable improvement over conventional cytology, aligning with the need for reliable and accessible oral cytology techniques.

In recent years, an increasing number of middle-aged female patients have requested orthodontic treatment. Although retainers are used after orthodontic treatment, dentition relapses can occur. Daidzein（DZ）is used to treat osteoporosis as it can inhibit bone resorption and promote bone formation. This study aimed to investigate the effect of DZ on dentition relapse after orthodontic treatment in middle-aged females, focusing on the inhibitory effect it has on bone resorption. To investigate the effect of DZ on bone resorption, the experiment was initiated in female Wistar rats（n = 36）that were ovariectomized at 60 and 88 days of age. Rats were randomly divided into two groups: the DZ group, in which DZ was administered during the retention period, and the Control group, in which teeth were moved over a 14 day period and retention was performed for 14 days. After retention, dentition relapse was observed for 14 days. Immunohistochemical staining was performed using TRAP, RANKL, and OPG involved in bone resorption. Both the DZ and Control groups showed a significant increase in RANKL-positive cells and osteoclasts on day 14. On day 28, OPG-positive cells increased, and RANKL-positive cells and osteoclasts decreased in the DZ group compared with those in the Control group. This suggests that DZ administration may inhibit bone resorption after dynamic orthodontic treatment in middle-aged females, thereby reducing the risk of dentition relapse.

This study focused on Daidzein（DZ）. The aim was to promote bone formation and suppress relapse by administering DZ after tooth movement in a middle-aged female orthodontic patient model rat. Using female Wistar rats（n=36）, we performed an ovariectomy（OVX）at 60 days of age and started the experiment at 88 days of age. The rats were randomly divided into two groups: the DZ group, which received DZ administration during the retention period, and the Control group. The right first maxillary molar was moved over a 14-day period, followed by a 14-day retention using composite resin（CR）. After retention, the CR was removed, and a 14-day relapse observation was conducted. bone structure analysis, including bone density and bone volume fraction, was performed using micro-CT to measure tooth movement and relapse amount. Immunohistochemical staining was also conducted using BMP-2, Runx-2, and Osx, which are bone formation markers. The relapse rate was significantly lower in the DZ group compared to the Control group. Bone density and bone volume fraction were significantly increased in the DZ group on days 28 and 42 compared to the Control group. Immunohistochemical staining showed a significant increase in bone formation factors Runx-2, BMP-2, and Osx in the DZ group on days 28 and 42. The results of administering DZ during the retention period in a middle-aged female orthodontic patient model rat suggest the possibility of reducing the risk of relapse in middle-aged female orthodontic patients.

Because excessive intake of salt causes high blood pressure and renal failure, regulation of salt intake is important for maintenance of health. The amount of salt intake may be influenced by perception of salt taste, i.e. the recognition threshold for salty taste and salt concentration that makes food good taste（preference concentration）. Although salt intake increases with age, the effect of age on salty taste perception is unclear. We have previously reported that preference for salty taste was associated with ion concentrations in saliva. Because saliva components was also reported to change with age, ion concentrations in saliva may be a factor that affects the sensitivity and preference for salt of elderly people. To clarify the determinants to increase salt intake of elderly people, we measured the perception of salty taste and concentrations of sodium and potassium ions in 75 adult volunteers. We also conducted a questionnaire on dietary habits to examine the preference degree and intake frequency for salty foods. The subjects were divided into the younger（＜40 y）and elder（≧40 y）groups. Significant differences were not observed between the two groups except for intake frequency of salty foods. In the elder group, the positive correlations were observed between sodium ion concentration in the resting saliva and recognition threshold, preference concentration and preference degree, which were not shown in the young group. These results suggest that long-standing dietary habits affected saliva components, which in turn affected taste perception.