X-ray phase-contrast imaging（PCI）is used to visualize phase shifts that occur when X-rays pass through a specimen, which enables ultra-sensitive imaging of soft tissues composed of light elements. PCI has been shown to be approximately 1000 times more sensitive to light elements than conventional absorption contrast. This makes it possible to distinguish between extremely small differences in density and to clearly visualize the fine structure of soft tissue. The aim of this study was to achieve high-resolution, three-dimensional reconstruction of tongue tissue and evaluate the effects of embedding materials（10 ％ neutral buffered formalin［formalin］, low-temperature polymerized acrylic resin［resin］, and 1％ agar［agar］）on the quality of PCI acquisition, using tongue granulation tissue as a sample. Absorption, refraction angle, and ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering images were extracted from the raw data and subjected to three-dimensional（3D）reconstruction. Sagittal images of the tongue showed that the refraction-angle image of samples embedded in acrylic resin provided the clearest visualization of granulation tissue structure. 3D reconstructed refraction-angle images of acrylic resin- and agarose-embedded samples captured the filiform papillae on the tongue tissue surface. Embedding materials thus significantly affects image quality in PCI analysis of soft tissues. Collectively, these findings suggest that high-clarity images and three-dimensional structural details obtained using PCI can provide valuable information for improving diagnostic imaging techniques and formulating treatment plans.

This study investigated the prevalence of Candida infections in elderly denture users and their association with oral functional decline and denture management. Forty-three elderly individuals aged 65 years or older from Chikusei City, Japan, participated. The oral environment and function were evaluated using oral hygiene status with tong coating index, oral dryness, number of remaining teeth, oral diadochokinetic, tongue pressure, masticatory function, masticatory function, repetitive saliva swallowing test. Participants were also asked about their denture management, denture base fitness and denture cleaning items. Participants were grouped as Candida-negative, C. albicans, C. glabrata, and C. albicans, C. glabrata double positive groups. A high concordance of Candida species between dentures and the tongue was observed（Kappa coefficient = 0.652）. The C. glabrata group showed a higher rate of ill-fitting dentures（62.5%）, reduced masticatory function, and poor denture cleanliness. Candida infections were associated with impaired masticatory function and inadequate cleaning. Candida detection positively correlated with oral hypofunction（rs = 0.411）and detection on the tongue（rs = 0.750）. Poor denture management, including insufficient chemical and mechanical cleaning, significantly increased infection risk. These findings emphasize the importance of proper denture care and professional intervention in preventing Candida infections and maintaining oral health.

The Hippo pathway is a major regulator of organ size and tissue homeostasis. Yes-associated protein（YAP）and Transcriptional co-activator with PDZ binding motif （TAZ）are essential downstream effectors of the Hippo signaling pathway, and they can translocate into the nucleus to induce the expression of genes for cell growth and proliferation mediated by Transcriptional enhanced associate domain（TEAD）. Branching organs that are similar in embryology, such as salivary glands, mammary glands, pancreas, kidneys, lungs, and lacrimal glands, undergo a series of key events that are conserved throughout the tissue, namely, initiation, tubulogenesis, branching morphogenesis, cell differentiation, and homeostasis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the localization patterns of YAP and TAZ proteins in the morphogenesis of the parotid gland in ICR mice at E16, E18, and E20 by immunohistochemistry, and to clarify their roles. During the development of the fetal parotid gland, the localization of YAP and TAZ was similar. YAP and TAZ proteins were expressed in the salivary epithelium and mesenchyme from E16. At E20, these proteins were expressed in the ductal epithelium, not in the acinar cells. These results suggest that YAP and TAZ proteins are involved in the morphogenesis of the parotid gland in mouse embryos, promoting branching, cell proliferation, and duct formation.

Aliphatic polyesters, such as polylactic acid（PLA）, are gaining popularity as biodegradable materials for biomedical applications. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of collagen immobilization on PLA films for the attachment and proliferation of osteoblast-like cells（OLCs）after alkali treatment with potassium and sodium hydroxide （KOH/NaOH）. The surfaces of the PLA films were chemically modified by hydrolysis with 0.5 M KOH/NaOH to introduce carboxylic acid（COOH）groups（PLA-KOH-COOH or PLA-NaOH-COOH）. Subsequently, collagen was surface-immobilized via a condensation reaction between the COOH groups on the hydrolyzed surface and the amino groups of collagen using water-soluble carbodiimide to form the Coll-PLA-KOH and -NaOH films. The contact angle of the PLA surface with respect to the double-distilled water decreased significantly after alkali treatment and collagen immobilization（CollPLA-KOH and Coll-PLA-NaOH）, indicating reduced hydrophobicity. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy（XPS）analysis showed the presence of nitrogen on the surface of the Coll-PLA-KOH and Coll-PLA-NaOH films, indicating successful collagen immobilization. The number of mouse OLCs or MC3T3E-1 cells attached on the surface of the Coll-PLA-KOH and Coll-PLA-NaOH films increased significantly. Moreover, morphological differences were observed between cells cultured on Coll-PLA-KOH/NaOH and PLA films. The cells cultured on Coll-PLA-KOH/NaOH exhibited significantly enhanced mineralization than those on PLA after 21 days. These results confirmed that the alkali-treated collagen-immobilized PLA films successfully enabled cell attachment and proliferation. Treatment of the PLA surface with KOH enhances the biological activity of MC3T3-E1 cells, consistent with our previous study using NaOH. Therefore, the Coll-PLA-KOH film can potentially be used in dental medicine and bone regeneration applications.