Arthritis often accompanies the bone destruction, however the relationships between pain and bone destruction are not clear. In the present study, we investigated the effects of substance P on synovial fibroblasts. NK1-R localized in synovial fibroblasts and 10^-6 to 10^-10 mol SP stimulated the proliferation of synovial fibroblasts. SP antagonist and NK1-R antagonist blocked these effects of SP. SP increased the expression of RANKL that became clear by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence stainings indicated the increase of RANKL expression in synovial fibroblasts by the adding of SP. These results suggest that SP stimulates the proliferation of synovial fibroblasts and increased the expression of RANKL in synovial fibroblasts, which may result in the increase of osteoclasts.

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This study investigated the effects of grape seed proanthocyanidins extract (GSPE) on bone formation in rat tibia following a low-calcium feeding, by examining the bone density,mineral content, geometry and bone strength. Wistar male rats, 5-week old, were used and divided into 4 groups. The metaphysis tibia bone was analyzed by peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography (pQCT), and the whole tibia by using material testing machine. Trabecular bone density, trabecular bone mineral content, yCSMI, xSSI and stiffness were increased in GSPE group. Increasing of the bone mass seems to be accompanied by the bone strength.

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We study the relation between antral floor and root of tooth in odontogenic maxillary sinusitis of patients with leukemia by means of orthopantomography. Materials in this study were the films of orthopantomography which were taken for medical treatment about odontogenic maxillary sinusitis of 12 patients with leukemia and 14 patients with only sinusitis. The age of patients is 30 to 59 in the result, the root apex of the diseased tooth neared the antral floor in all cases of odontogenic maxillary sinusitis of 14 patients with only sinusitis. On the other hand , in the patients with leukemia, 8 cases were just the same with the relation between antral floor and root of diseased tooth in all cases of patients with only sinusitis. But, the root apex of the diseased tooth was free from the antral floor in cases of odontogenic maxillary sinusitis of 4 patients with leukemia.

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The Notch signaling pathway is involved in cell fate decisions during development. To explore the role of this signaling cascade in the taste system, we have investigated the expression patterns of Notch signaling genes in fetal and adult mouse tongues using in situ hybridization. These genes are expressed in the developing circumvallate papilla, and in taste cells within adult taste buds. The timing and pattern of embryonic Mash1 and Hes6 expression in particular, with respect to papillary and taste bud morphogenesis and innervation suggests a role for these genes in specifying taste receptor cell lineages. Further, expression of Notch pathway genes in adult taste buds suggests that this signaling system may continue to function in lineage decisions within the constantly renewed population of receptor cells within taste buds.

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P2Y-like receptors are appeared to play some roles in taste signal transductions in taste bud cells on the basis of the physiological studies. However, the expression patterns of P2Y receptor subtypes have not been revealed in taste tissue. In this study, the expression patterns of P2 (P2Yl, P2Y2 and P2Y4) receptor subtypes were examined by using RT-PCR immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization in rat gustatory papillae. These analyses showed that P2Yl receptor, but not P2Y2 receptor and P2Y4 receptor, was expressed in circumvallate taste buds. Therefore, P2Yl receptor may play some roles in ATP mediated signal transductions.

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The neuropeptide substance P (SP) modulates bone metabolism. This study examined the temporal appearance of SP, BDNF, and their receptors (NK1-R and Trk B, respectively) in the rat TGG, to investigate the role of SP in healing after dental extraction. SD rats upper right first molars were extracted. 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days after extraction, the TGG and maxillary bone were excised. Cryosections were immunostained using specific antibodies against SP, BDNF, NK1-R, and Trk B. In the tooth sockets after extraction, new bone and a few SP-immunopositive nerve fibers appeared at day 7, and bone completely filled the sockets at day 21. Three hours after extraction, the number of neurons positive for SP, BDNF, NK1-R, and Trk B decreased. Then, the number of BDNF and Trk B neurons rapidly increased to control levels by day 1. The number of SP and NK1-R neurons increased and reached control levels by day 3. These findings suggest a close relationship between the appearance of SP in the TGG and reinnervation of SP-immunopositive nerve fibers during the healing process after extraction.

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The questionnaire related the menopausal disorders (MD) by using the Simplified Menopausal Index (SMI) was done to 17 TMD female patients and 17 age-matched female patients without TMD problems in our clinic. TMD patients were significant higher SMI score than non-SMI patients. It was found that some of MD patients visited our clinic to treat TMD symptom in this study. These results suggest that it is important for us to examine about MD at the first visit of the patients of a menopausal generation and to introduce patients who were suspected MD by the SMI to a gynecologist.

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We investigated about 22 patients who were implanted the plate of Skeletal Anchorage System (SAS). SAS was mostly used for the distalization of the molar, and second, for the intrusion of the molar. According to the case, anterior open bite case was mostly selected. The accepted complications were the infection of the implanted site that was 32.1%. But the relevance of development of symptoms of these infection and dental prophylaxis was not accepted. It is necessary to examine further the method of administration and use of SAS over the long period of time.

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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of frequency-selective fat saturation MR images for the detection of joint effusion in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). TMJ effusion was sought on FS T2-weighted images and conventional T2-weighted images in 400 joints obtained from 200 patients with TMJ-related pain. The relationship between the pain and TMJ effusion, which were judged by FS-sequences or conventional sequences, was analyzed. The detection rate of TMJ effusion by FS-sequences was significantly greater than by conventional methods, and the results showed a significant relationship between the MRI interpretation of TMJ effusion, using FS-sequences or conventional methods, and the presence of pain. The correlation between TMJ effusion on FS-sequences and the pain was significant than the conventional method.

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There is yearly an increase tendency of the senior citizen population of our country. Regarding this condition, to grasp in details of the elderly patients is very important. We surveyed the newly out patients who visited our clinic from April, 2002 to March, 2003. The elderly patient of 65 years old or more were 119 in 330 outpatients (36.1%). In the residential area of these patients, Kitakyushu city was 98(82.4%). The patients with some systemic disease were 73(61.3%). We will be continue this survey and hope to grasp in detail of the elderly patients.

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To investigate the role of periodontal disease on atherosclerosis, we assessed the effects of periodontal treatment on lipid peroxide (LPO) in diabetic patients comparing non- diabetic patients. Five diabetic patients (age 49.2 years- old, male 4 female 1) and six non- diabetic patients (age 60.4 years- old, male 2, female 4) were given periodontal treatment. After the treatment, periodontal pocket depth and bleeding on probing were improved in both groups. LPO in diabetic group and anti- MDA- LDL antibody in both groups were significantly decreased. Periodontal treatment is useful to improve oxidative stress and expected to prevent the atherosclerosis in diabetes mellitus.

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The CDTS constitute a family of heat-labile toxins produced by several bacterial species. CDT is encoded by three genes, cdtA, cdtB and cdtC, and their products, CdtA, CdtB and CdtC, are responsible for the toxic activity. In this study, to investigate cytotoxic activity of CdtB, we tried to deliver CdtB protein alone into cancer cell. CdtB gene from A.actljlonlyceteJ12comjtans was transformed into E.colj to induce the recombinant protein. CdtB protein extracted from E.colj transformant was delivered into Ca9-22 cells, human gingival squamous cell carcinoma, using BioPORTERTM, and cytotoxic activity was assessed by MTT assay, flow cytometry and hoechst staining. We found that CdtB itself could induce G2 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.

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We examined local and systemic toxicity of second-generation soft electrolyzed water (AP water) for oral administration in mice. The animals were given AP water or tap water (as a control) from a tapped bottle for seven days ad libitum. In both group's general signs, change in body weight, food consumption, autopsy, organ weight were normal. Water consumption in experimental group was slightly smaller than control group, although there was no statistically difference. Histopathological examination of liver, kidney and tongue, and observation of lower molars surface by SEM showed no particular change. The results indicate that the local and systemic toxicity of AP water is so slight that no possibility of adverse effect is found in use of a gargle and a mouthwash.

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The application of electrolyzed acid water has been increasing for sterilization in clinical dentistry because of its excellent bactericidal activity. In the present study, the applicability of the electrolyzed neutral water, which was recently developed, to sterilization of dental bur was examined as compared with those of the electrolyzed strong and weak acid water. And corrosion tests were also carried out. When the ultrasonic cleaning action was added in the electrolyzed water, all the bur (steel and carbide burs) were sufficiently sterilized by only one-minute treatment. The electrolyzed neutral water was less corrosive than the strong and weak acid waters although the corrosion was found on the overall surface of the steel burs and a localized loss occurred at the blazed area between the blade and shank of the carbide burs.

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We have previously reported that the periodontopathic bacterium Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans infection induces apoptosis in the mouse macrophage cell line J774.1. In the present study, we examined the involvement of cytochrome c and caspases in the induction of apoptosis in A. actinomycetemcomitans-infected J774.1 cells. After J774.1 cells were infected with A. actinomycetemcomitans, the expression levels of cytochrome c, caspase-9 and caspase-3 were examined by immunoblot analysis. Cytochrome c was released from mitochondria into the cytoplasm, when A. actinomycetemcomitans-infected J774.1 cells were cultured for 6 h. Both caspase-9 and caspase-3 were found to be cleaved to active form in J774.1 cells infected with A. actinomycetemcomitans. In addition, phosphorylated p53 was detected in J774.1 cells after 30 h of A. actinomycetemcomitans infection. These findings suggest that apoptosis in J774.1 cells infected with A. actinomycetemcomitans is regulated by cytochrome c relased from mitochondria into cytoplasm and subsequent activation of caspases via p53 dependent pathway.

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Nucleolin is one of the major proteins in AgNORs stained with silver nitrate. In th~ present study, we examined apoptosis-induced alterations of nucleolin and AgNOR proteins in human osteoblastic Saos-2 cells and Mg63 cells. Apoptosis was induced by the treatment with okadaic acid. AgNORs and nucleolin were changed in the localization and disappeared from the nuclei. According to the induction of apoptosis, the intensity of a 110-kDa AgNOR protein was decreased and the 80-kDa band was appeared. Similarly Western blot analysis also revealed that nucleolin was cleaved and the 80-kDa proteins appeared. AgNOR proteins and nucleolin are involved in the cell proliferation. These results suggest that AgNOR proteins and nucleolin are useful markers for not only malignant tumor prognosis but also assessing apoptosis.

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Recently, the number of patients who complain of dry mouth is increasing. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between spinability of saliva measured by the NEVA METER, a novel apparatus developed by our project and subjective symptoms in 92 patients who have dry mouth examinations. Higher spinability of saliva was found in the patients with symptoms such as xerostomia, dysphagia, sticky mouth and burning tongue compared with patients without such symptoms. These results suggest that the NEVA METER reflects clinical signs of oral mucosa and tongue, and is useful as an apparatus for dry mouth examinations.

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The cases hospitalized in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Tagawa Municipal Hospital were studied in four years. There were hospitalizations of 323 persons, 370 cases. The cases were 170 men and 200 women. There were many diseases in order of Permaxillary inflammation, Benign tumor, Phlegmon, Jawbone cyst, and Malignant tumor. Surgery disposal was 309 cases. Among those, the number of general anesthesia was 165 cases. 179 cases had a basic disease. There were much Circulatory organ disease, Liver disease, and Diabetes mellitus. 201 cases were introduction from the department of others. The rate of introduction is high. It is necessary to improve a relation with the department of others.

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The University of Washington Head and Neck Disease Specific questionnaire (UWQOL) is self-administered QOL questionnaire by the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Washington in 1993 for head and neck cancer patients. In 1999, UWQOL Ver.4 is produced. The author use the translation of UWQOL Ver.4 for oral cancer patients at the time of first visit, postoperative l, 3, 6, 12, 24 months. For the order made therapy of cancer patients, patients with oral cancer are explained not only the extent of the disease, the diagnosis of cancer, another department of oral cancer, the importance of second opinion about the disease, the treatment of cancer but also physical and mental problem after treatment based on UWQOL Ver.4 and prognosis. The data based on UWQOL Ver.4 plays an important role at the reveal of medical information for oral cancer patients. This paper investigate QOL assessment of ten cases of lingual carcinomas which are followed over 1 year by UWQO L Ver.4 between first visit and postoperative periods.

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The recent progress in dental implant is remarkable. A lot of patients who are suffering from malmastication are getting better with remodeling of the jaw by distraction osteogenesis, GBR or sinus lift. Even in a small city with a population of 120 thousand in Yamaguchi prefecture, many patients are getting more concerned with implant and the request of implant is on the increase. The state of implant by a dental practitioner in a local city was reported.

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We report my clinical experience in department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Graz University for one year from April 1, 2002.1700 cases were operated under general anesthesia for one year in department of oral and maxillofacial surgery, Graz University. In these cases, I actually participated in operations of 396 cases ( injury cases: 106cases, malignant tumor cases: 48 cases, benign tumor cases and comparatively big cyst cases: 22 cases, reconstructive surgery of dental occlusion: 48 cases, cleft lip and palate cases: 26 cases, Jaw deformity cases: 32 cases, dental treatment cases under the general anesthesis: 18 cases). 62 cases of reconstructive surgery in maxillofacial region using microsurgery were included in these cases. Additionally We report one interesting case of ankylosis of mandible treated using vascularised iliac bone.

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314 patients who visited the Temporornandibular Disorders Clinic of Kyushu Dental College Hospital 'from April Ist, 2002 to March 15th, 2003, were evaluated their gender, age, chief complaint, type of disorders, treatment. The number of patients tended to increase year by year. Ratio of male to female was 1:4.23. There were various chief complaints except main symptoms of TMD. They were treated mainly by splint therapy, medication. Removable prosthesis treatment increased than last year.

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The infection control system is necessary for a hospital to offer a safe medical care for both the medical staffs and patients. To realize the fact of the needle-stick injury is a way to prevent the medical staffs from having an infection during the medical procedure. We investigated the needle-stick injury occurred within the past six years in the Kyushu Dental College hospital. During the six years, 60 needle-stick injuries were reported. Based on the results as analyzed, it is suggested that the establishment of a safe management system, the improvement of the staffs' consciousness and the execution against for needle-stick injury should be carried out hastily.

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Dental treatment and maintenance for the serious disables are difficult. Science only the filling and the extraction of tooth are generally performed for them, they are to loose their teeth as they take some treatment. In many case, the missing teeth are not restored. Therefore the occlusal pressure on the remaining teeth is increased, and it occurs occlusal destruction, and finally end up in edentulous jaw. Dental implantation was of contraindication for the disables who could not do the plaque control. However they can maintain their oral condition by professional tooth cleaning and the helper's cooperation. This is a case of 4.5 years after implantation for a Down's-syndrome patient. It shows he has kept good oral condition.

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In the present study, we examined the relations between the periapical condition and the periapical filling on vertical obturation technique. 275 root canals of 208 teeth were treated endodontically by three dentists. Tac-Endo Gutter and Canals-N were used for vertical root canal filling. Periapical radiographs were taken after root canal filling. The apical legion of the root canal filling were evaluated and classified into 5 types of radiolucent lesion according our criteria. The lesion size of each periapical radiograph was also measured. The lesion with small and clear radiolucency indicated the overfilling ratio more than other legion types (the large and clear radiolucency, and the large and unclear radiolucency). These results suggest that the periapical status, not the lesion size, may effect on the periapical filling status when we used the vertical obturation technique.

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Lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)-containing vesicles were isolated from the matrix vesicle enriched fraction of the cultured osteoblast-like cells(MC3T3-E1). LDH actiyity was detected only in the presence of detergents, suggesting that NADH, the cofactor for the assay, does not penetrate the membrane of LDH-containing vesicles. In contrast, the activity of alkaline phosphatase, a marker enzyme of the matrix vecicles, was not detected in LDH-containing vesicles both in the presence and absence of detergent. These results show that LDH-containing vesicles are clearly differ from the matrix vesicles. The electrophoretic profiles of LDH isoenzymes from LDH-containing vesicles and the cytosolic LDH of the cell were nearly identical. On the other hand, other cytosolic enzymes were not detected in the vesicles. These results suggest the presence of mechanism for the specific up take of cytosolic LDH.

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The electrolyzed waters have been widely used in dentistry because of their excellent bactericidal activities and less side effects. However, one of their disadvantages is a potential to cause corrosion of metals. The present study examined the corrosion behaviors of dental alloys in electrolyzed strong acid water, weak acid water and neutral water. The precious metal alloys, Au alloy, Ag alloy and Au-Ag-Pd alloy showed the largest surface color change and dissolution of constituents in strong acid water and the smallest in neutral water. X-ray microanalysis revealed that the corrosion products were AgCl crystals. Co-Cr alloy showed better corrosion resistance in strong acid water rather than in weak acid water and neutral water. Ti was sound in any electrolyzed water.

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The expression of NGF and its tyrosine kinase receptor, trk A in the trigeminal motor nucleus, the facial nucleus, the hypoglossal nucleus and the nucleus ambiguus of the rat was investigated by immunohistochemical methods. In adult rats, the immunoreactivities of NGF and trk A in all nuclei examined were detected. The expression of them in suckling animals was also examined and the immunoreactivities of them were detected at postnatal day 5 weakly. This result and our previous results about the expression of other neurotrophins suggested that various neurotrophins might play roles in the survival and/or regulation of the motoneurons involved in eating and swallowing.

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The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the changes of condylar cartilage and apoptosis in antigen-induced arthritis model of the rabbit temporomandibular joint. Twenty adult male New Zealand White rabbits were used in this study. Unilateral arthritis was induced with intra-articular injection of ovalbumin. Each four animals were sacrificed at 1, 3, 7, 21 and 42 days after the induction of arthritis. Apoptosis of the mandibular condyle was observed by TUNEL method . Although little morphological change of condylar cartilage was observed in the late acute phase arthritic joint, a larger number of TUNEL positive chondrocytes were observed in the arthritic joint than in sham induced joint. In the chronic stage of arthritis, TUNEL positive cells were close to the area of cartilage degradation.

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Relationship among the five species (Martes melampus, Martes zibellina, Mustela itatsi, Mustela sibirica and Meles meles) of family mustelidae, carnivore, was studied in the morphology and ultrastructure of hair observed by the binocular (OLYMPUS) and the scanning electron microscope of field emission type (HITACHI S-4300). Four species except M. meles had many resemblances. This tendency was especially strong between two species of genus Martes and of Mustela. Four species were, however, sorted in the cuticular patterns and the structure of medulla, partitions, compartments and so on. Hair of M. meles was similar to one of Sus scrofa of family suidae, artiodactyla, in the size of medulla and the split hair.

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MgluRl and taste-mGluR4 are expressed in taste tissues as a putative umami (glutamate) taste receptor. However the expression patterns of group II mGluRS (mGluR2 and mGluR3) in rat taste tissues have not been revealed. We examined the expressron patterns of mGluR2 and mGluR3 m rat gustatoly - tissues. RT-PCR assay showed that mGluR2 and mGluR3 mRNAS expressed in circumvallate papillae. In cryosections of fungifollTl, foliate and circurnvallate papillae, the antibody against mGluR2/3, ave labelling of the subset of taste bud cells and nerve fibers below taste lingual epithelium. These results show that mGluR2 and mGluR3 may function as receptors for glutamate to neuromodulation in rat taste buds.

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The purpose of this study is to evaluate a validation of the NEVA METER and to measure the spinability of saliva as well as viscosity, which is another property in resting saliva. We evaluated the reproducibility of spinability by using polyvinyl alcohol as a standard solution. Resting saliva from 146 subjects (range:25-69, average: 39) were collected and the relationship between spinability and viscosity was investigated. The spinability of polyvinyl alcohol increased depended on its concentration. Spinability of resting saliva showed a positive correlation with viscosity at a shear rate of 306/s (r=0.65, P<0.05). It was suggested that spinability of saliva measured by the NEVA METER could be added into a novel diagnostic criteria for dry mouth.

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