Background and Aims : Activin was originally found as a stimulating factor of follicle stimulating hormone in pituitary cell cultures. To establish a simple culture system for studying the effects of activin on prolactin production, we examined the effects of activin in rat somatolactotroph derived GH3 cells cultured in a serum free condition. Methods : GH3 cells were cultured in Ham's F10 medium containing 2 mM L-glutamine and 0.1% (w/v) BSA with activin, follistatin (an activin binding protein), or a vehicle (control). Results : The cell viability was between 80 to 90% throughout the 96 hour incubation period in the three groups. Activin stimulated prolactin production in a time dependent (24-96 hours) and dose dependent (75-300 ng/ml) manner. A co-treatment with graded doses of follistatin and 100 ng/ml of activin suppressed the increase of prolactin production brought about by activin in a dose dependent manner, and the production decreased to the control level after the addition of 300 ng/ml of follistatin. Conclusions : The present study demonstrated the stimulatory effect of activin on prolactin production and the antagonism between activin and follistatin in GH3 cells in a serum free condition. This culture system is thus useful to study the effects of activin on prolactin production.

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Background : It is important to examine the cognitive functions in dementia patients for further diagnostic evaluation and rehabilitation. Materials and methods : 164 patients with complaints of memory disturbances visited and/or were admitted to our clinic from October 2003 to August 2005. Among them, 84 patients had suffered stroke episodes. The results of the newly revised cognitive function test were compared to those of the MMSE. Also, 5 of the patients were trained using the same cognitive function tasks. Results : The "delayed recall of 3 words" in the MMSE and the "4 words memory task" in the cognitive function test were frequently disturbing for those in the early stage of dementia. The "naming of a prefecture and 2 items" in the MMSE, as well as visual gnosis, auditory gnosis, and long-term memory function in the cognitive function test were unaffected in those in the advanced stage of dementia. The results of both the MMSE and the cognitive function test showed no significant differences between patients who had suffered a stroke and those who had not. Conclusion : The cognitive function test used in the diagnosis and rehabilitation of dementia patients is as useful as the MMSE.

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Background and Aims : Although several studies have been conducted on measurement of lip pressure, no reliable method of measuring lip pressure is yet available. We developed a new device for measuring lip pressure, and in this paper we describe the device and the results obtained by measuring of lip pressure with it. Methods : The device consists of a lip pressure sensor and a pressure gauge (HANDY MANOMETER ^® Model PG-100). The lip pressure sensor is made of synthetic rubber. Lip pressure was measured in 40 subjects (20 males and 20 females ; mean age, 26.9±3.6 years). Results : With lips closed, lip pressure was 96±26 g/cm² (males : 104±31 g/cm², females : 89±26 g/cm²). With the lips pursed, the lip pressure was found to be 72±36 g/cm² (males : 81±40 g/cm², females : 62±30 g/cm²). Conclusions : The results indicated that the lip pressure is higher in males than in females. This device is useful for functional assessment of patients with facial paralysis or postoperative dysfunction of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Further measurements of lip pressure are required to determine the normal range of lip pressure.

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Background and Aims : The survey was conducted on residents over 40 years of age in a depopulated mountain village where the elderly account for 50.7% of the population. Materials and Methods : All 968 residents between 40 and 64 years of age were surveyed by means of a self-report questionnaire. One hundred fifty-six residents over 65 years old were randomly sampled in a 1/10 age-stratified manner and interviewed by the authors. Results : The response rate was 87% in the 40-64 year old group and 98% in the over-65 group. The characteristics of the residents revealed by the questionnaire in the 40-64 year old group were 30% were smokers ; half of the alcohol drinkers drank every day ; 30% were obese, and obesity morbidity was higher among males. The characteristics of the residents in the over-65 group included morbidity due to some disease 70% of the population. Eighty percent of the residents used hospitals and clinics and went shopping outside the village. Eighty percent of the residents wanted to continue living in their homes. Conclusion : It is crucial to design health promotion and care prevention programs for adult and elderly residents of depopulated villages. The results showed that smoking cessation programs and programs to control drinking and body weight need to be developed. Health-care system so that residents can continue to live in their own homes.

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Background and Aims : Poor oral health has been reported among psychiatric patients in hospitals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the oral health of community-dwelling patients with mental disorders and to discuss the problem of community dental services for them. Methods : Twenty-six patients with mental disorders living in the community and attending rehabilitation programs in Gunma Prefecture were asked about oral health habits and examined by a dentist. The results were compared with the results obtained from workers in the rehabilitation programs. Results : The main reason patients gave for reluctance to consult dentists was fear of dental treatments. Patients with mental disorders had more decayed teeth (DT) and a higher debris index (DI) than the workers in the rehabilitation programs. Seventy percent of the patients required dental treatments. Conclusion : Despite unhealthy oral conditions patients with mental disorders hesitate to consult dentist because of fear of dental treatments. Dentists and dental hygienists should know about mental disorders and study how to treat patients with such disorders. A dental examination system should be established for community-dwelling patients with mental disorders.

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