The cancer stem cell of oral squamous cell carcinoma is reported to have relevance to growth, differentiation and proliferation of tumors. Nanog protein is one of the transcriptional factors of embryonic stem cells. Recent data suggest that the expression of Nanog is upregulated in tumor development. We investigated the expression and localization of Nanog protein in HSC 4, which is an oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line. The results showed that Nanog protein is located in the nuclei of cells in cell line. Furthermore, Nanog protein is translocated from the nucleium to the cytoplasm in a condition of dense culture. These findings suggest that Nanog protein is related to the proliferation of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

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Since 95% of Japanese diabetic patients have the type II variety, it is important to understand the relationship between this disease and perjodontal disease. We did enzyme-histochemical and immunohistochemical analyses of the osteoblast and osteoclast functions of normal rats and type II diabetes mellitus (DM) model rats. There were fewer alkaline phosphatase (ALP)-positive osteoblasts, fewer tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive osteoclasts, less receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) expression, and more osteoprotegerin (OPG) expression on the alveolar bone surface on the root membrane side in Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats than in Wistar rats. The differentiation capacity of osteoblasts themselves was attenuated in alveolar bone in non-obese type II DM, and the lack of efficient bone resorption by osteoclasts resulted in failure of bone formation, that is, a change in the balance of bone remodeling.

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We investigated changes in the S. mutans level and progression of early dental caries on the occlusal surface of first molars of 19 elementary school children over one year. The progression of early caries was measured by the quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) method. QLF analysis revealed that the progression over one year of early carious lesions in the first molars was faster in the mandible than in the maxilla. However, when the initial early caries level was greater, the progression level of tooth decay was faster in the maxilla. The tendency for change in the ΔQ level for each variole of the occlusal fissure of first molars showed that each variole did not have a constant change in half of the subjects. Moreover, as the S. mutans level increased during the year, the results of QLF analysis also progressed. We concluded that we should examine the fissures of the occlusal surfaces in detail for the S. mutans level during oral examinations.

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We investigated the effects of the properties of heat and moisture exchangers on airway pressure. We interconnected an artificial lung, artificial sputum injection port, heat and moisture exchanger, hose and artificial respirator, and used a differential manometer to measure differences in pressure between each end of the heat and moisture exchanger and pressure at the anesthesia patient-side of the heat and moisture exchanger (compared with atmospheric pressure). Based on these results, we calculated the pressure on the patient-side of the heat and moisture exchanger. Measurements were taken prior to injection of artificial sputum and at the point of positive end-expiratory pressure immediately after injection of from 1 to 12 mL of artificial sputum, increasing at 1-mL intervals. Heat and moisture exchangers were the 'Pharma HME 10' and 'Pharma Mini' (Pharma Systems, Knivsta, Sweden), while 2% methyl cellulose (Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Osaka, Japan) (1500 mPa-s) was used as artificial sputum.
    With the Pharma Mini (heat and moisture exchanger in combination with bacterial filtration), pressure tended to increase with injection of more than 4 mL artificial sputum. Pressure at both the anesthesia apparatus- and patient-sides of the heat and moisture exchanger increased significantly following the 5 mL injection, after which pressure increased with increased injection volume. No change in pressure with artificial sputum injection was observed for the Pharma HME 10 (heat and moisture exchanger).
    The user manual for heat and moisture exchangers states that the device should be immediately replaced if secretions accumulate. However, this warning is given for all types of heat and moisture exchangers and disregards the considerable structural differences in heat and moisture exchangers. Provision of more detailed information regarding patients safety is needed from the manufacturers these devices.

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