The establishment of a correct working length is one of the fundamental parameters for endodontic success. Traditionally this has been determined using radiography, but electronic apex locators are increasingly being used. Electronic apex locators reduce the number of radiographs required and assist where radiographic methods create difficulty. The use of an electronic apex locator in combination with the radiograph is greater precision in the determination of root canal length. The aim of this paper is to review the electronic determination of the length of the root canal.

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Objective: Clear cell adenocarcinoma of the ovary is more resistant to chemotherapy and has a worse prognosis than other ovarian carcinomas. In order to clarify the factors that contribute to the poor prognosis of clear cell adenocarcinomas, we examined the expression of proliferation- and apoptosis-related factors. In addition, we attempted to discover correlations between the structure of clear cell adenocarcinomas and prognosis. Material and Methods: We evaluated clinicopathological data on 39 patients with ovarian clear cell adenocarcinoma who underwent resection at the Tokyo Medical and Dental University Hospital. The tumors were examined for the expression of proliferation- related factors (mitotic index, Ki-67 labeling index) and apoptosis-related factors (apoptotic index, bcl-2 and p53). In addition, we investigated correlations between the expression of these factors and the cell types and structure of the tumors. Results: High bcl-2 expression and low apoptotic index were associated with a reduced survival rate. The survival rate of patients with tumors of the hobnail cell type was shorter than that of patients with clear cell type, and expression of bcl-2 was significantly associated with the hobnail cell type. Tumors with a papillary structure showed lower apoptotic index and the patients had a lower survival rate than those with a tubulocystic structure. Conclusion: The results of the current study suggest that a low apoptotic activity controlled by bcl-2 correlated with shorter survival in patients with ovarian clear cell adenocarcinoma. The cases with poorer prognosis, associated with higher expression of bcl-2 and lower expression of apoptosis-related factors, may be discerned by morphological characteristics of routinely sampled specimens.

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In this study, bolus passage through the pharynx and the mechanism that causes laterality of bolus passage were examined in 29 dysphagic patients with Wallenberg’s syndrome (63±10 years). Videofluorography was taken to visualize the bolus passage. For the purposes of analysis, the pharynx was divided into the thyropharyngeal portion and the cricopharyngeal portion. The period after disease onset of the cases with bolus passage dominantly on the affected side in the thyropharyngeal portion was significantly shorter than that of cases with bolus passage on both sides. The period was not different among the passage sides in the cricopharyngeal portion significantly. The bolus passages in the cricopharyngeal portion were significantly associated with the passages in the thyropharyngeal portion. Passage of the bolus dominantly on the affected side in the thyropharyngeal portion may be attributed to the asymmetric contraction of the pharynx caused by the paralysis of the pharyngeal constrictor. Together, the bolus passage in the thyropharyngeal portion and the open status of the cricopharyngeal portion presumably determine the path that the bolus takes in the cricopharyngeal portion.

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The national survey on health and welfare conducted in 1999 reported approximately 15% of people, who had some dental problem, suffered from oral malodor. Oral malodor was ranked the fourth highest dental complaints in Japanese. However, there is a scarcity of epidemiological studies assessing the prevalence of oral malodor in the general population. Thus the aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of oral malodor and its relationship with oral health indicators among general adults aged 40 to 75 years in Akita Prefecture, Japan. The prevalence of oral malodor, diagnosed using the organoleptic method, revealed that approximately 37% of subjects had oral malodor. Logistic regression analysis suggested that oral hygiene, periodontal disease and oral dryness were influential factors which could cause oral malodor. Hence oral malodor related health education, preventive interventions such as tooth and tongue brushing instruction, and treatment regimens targeting periodontal disease should be incorporated into community oral health programs. Such an approach would bring about not only a reduction in the complaint of oral malodor condition, but also the promotion of overall oral health.

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