Influence of Carisolv on resin adhesion for two different adhesive systems to sound human primary dentin and young permanent dentin

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the influence of Carisolv (Medi Team) for resin adhesion to sound human primary and young permanent dentin. METHODS: The buccal surfaces of 28 primary molars and 64 premolars were used. Two adhesive systems and resin composites were used; SE: Clearfil SE (Kuraray) and Clearfil APX (Kuraray), and SB: Single Bond (3M) and Z250 (3M). Six groups were prepared. Groups 1-2 were primary dentin and Groups 3-6 were permanent dentin. Groups 1 and 3: SE was used. Groups 2 and 4: treated with Carisolv and then primed, SE was used. Group 5: SB was used. Group 6: treated with Carisolv and then etched, SB was used. The microstructural effects of primer or etchant, and Carisolv plus primer or etchant applied to dentin were evaluated by SEM. In addition, the microstructure of the resin-dentin interfaces of each group was studied using SEM. Shear bond strengths (SBS) were tested, and the failed surfaces were observed using SEM. Data was statistically analyzed using ANOVA with subsequent application of Fisher's PLSD at p<0.05. RESULTS: The mean SBS (unit: MPa) of Groups 1-6 were: 27.8, 19.2, 21.3, 21.7, 6.7 and 7.6. The SBS of Group 2 was significantly lower than that of Group 1. There was no significant difference of the SBS among Groups 1 and 4, 2, 3 and 4, and 5 and 6. In SE groups, the hybrid layer for primary dentin was thicker than that for permanent dentin. CONCLUSIONS: Carisolv treatment before priming significantly decreased the SBS to primary dentin in SE groups, but did not influence the SBS to permanent dentin in both SE and SB groups.     

Placental corticotropin-releasing hormone may be a stimulator of maternal pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone secretion in humans.

To clarify the physiological role of placental corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), we measured plasma CRH, ACTH, and cortisol throughout pregnancy. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) CRH levels and ACTH responsiveness to synthetic CRH were also quantified in pregnant and nonpregnant women. Maternal plasma CRH levels, which increased progressively during pregnancy, correlated well with both ACTH and cortisol in early labor, delivery, and postpartum samples, and also with cortisol levels in samples before labor. CSF CRH levels in term pregnant women did not differ from those of nonpregnant women. CRH infusion that attained similar plasma CRH levels to those found in late pregnancy elicited significant ACTH release in vivo and regular CRH test provoked normal ACTH response during early pregnancy but no response during late pregnancy. We concluded that: (a) maternal pituitary-adrenal axis correlates well with plasma CRH levels, which are high enough to provoke ACTH release from maternal pituitary; (b) hypothalamic CRH secretion in term pregnant women is not exaggerated; and (c) maternal pituitary is responsive to synthetic CRH in early but not late pregnancy, suggesting that maternal pituitary-adrenal axis is already activated by high circulating CRH. Placental CRH may be an important stimulator of the maternal pituitary-adrenal axis during pregnancy.     

Single institution experience with a right-sided interrupted aortic arch

Interrupted aortic arch is a rare congenital heart disease, whereas right-sided interrupted aortic arch is an extremely rare disorder with few reported cases in the literature. We report our institutional experience with two such patients and review the recent literature.     

Correction to: Detection of acute rib fractures on CT images with convolutional neural networks: effect of location and type of fracture and reader’s experience

Emergency Radiology -     

Human placental thyroxine inner ring monodeiodinase in complicated pregnancy

Production of rT3 from T4 in the placenta were measured in four patients with induced abortion, in three patients with spontaneous abortion, in 19 patients with various complications of pregnancy including Graves' disease, and in 18 normal pregnancies. The placentas, obtained at delivery, were homogenized and centrifuged at 800 X g. Supernatants (1 mg protein) were incubated with 1 microgram of stable T4 and 50 mmol/L dithiothreitol at 37 degrees C for 60 minutes. The generated rT3 was measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). In patients who delivered at 38 to 41 weeks with complicated pregnancy, the net placental rT3 production from T4 was 7.3 +/- 2.5 ng/tube, which was not significantly different from that obtained in normal pregnancy (8.5 +/- 2.4) at an equivalent gestational age. In patients with abortions, the net placental rT3 generation from T4 was very high, and there was a significant negative correlation between the net placental rT3 production from T4 and gestational age. These results indicate that the net placental rT3 production from T4 is not affected by complications of pregnancy, but shows a significant change with the progress of gestation.     

Cochlear outer hair cells in a dominant-negative connexin26 mutant mouse preserve non-linear capacitance in spite of impaired distortion product otoacoustic emission

Mutations in the connexin26 gene (GJB2) are the most common genetic cause of congenital bilateral non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss. Transgenic mice were established carrying human Cx26 with the R75W mutation that was identified in a deaf family with autosomal dominant negative inheritance [Kudo T et al. (2003) Hum Mol Genet 12:995–1004]. A dominant-negative Gjb2 R75W transgenic mouse model shows incomplete development of the cochlear supporting cells, resulting in profound deafness from birth [Inoshita A et al. (2008) Neuroscience 156:1039–1047]. The Cx26 defect in the Gjb2 R75W transgenic mouse is restricted to the supporting cells; it is unclear why the auditory response is severely disturbed in spite of the presence of outer hair cells (OHCs). The present study was designed to evaluate developmental changes in the in vivo and in vitro function of the OHC, and the fine structure of the OHC and adjacent supporting cells in the R75W transgenic mouse. No detectable distortion product otoacoustic emissions were observed at any frequencies in R75W transgenic mice throughout development. A characteristic phenotype observed in these mice was the absence of the tunnel of Corti, Nuel's space, and spaces surrounding the OHC; the OHC were compressed and squeezed by the surrounding supporting cells. On the other hand, the OHC developed normally. Structural features of the lateral wall, such as the membrane-bound subsurface cisterna beneath the plasma membrane, were intact. Prestin, the voltage-dependent motor protein, was observed by immunohistochemistry in the OHC basolateral membranes of both transgenic and non-transgenic mice. No significant differences in electromotility of isolated OHCs during development was observed between transgenic and control mice. The present study indicates that normal development of the supporting cells is indispensable for proper cellular function of the OHC.     

Insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia and reproductive disorders in infertile women

Obesity, which disturbs lipid and glucose metabolism, is a recent medical concern. It threatens human health and also has adverse effects on reproductive functions by causing insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia, especially in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). For PCOS patients to prevent these adverse effects, it is important to take into account improving their lifestyles by exercise and proper diets. The relationship between insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia and reproductive disorders should be understood as fully as possible in order to provide effective treatment. It is well known that insulin resistance and compensatory hyperinsulinemia can be triggered by obesity with visceral fat accumulation. Hyperinsulinemia affects granulosa cells in small follicles and theca cells. This condition induces early response to luteinizing hormones on granulosa cells of small follicles and causes premature differentiation of these cells, which eventually results in anovulation. For improvement of anovulation because of hyperinsulinemia, insulin-sensitizing agents (biguanide and thiazolidinedione derivatives) are useful. Hyperinsulinemia may adversely affect the endometrial functions and environment, and evoke implantation disturbance. Treatment with an insulin-sensitizing agent (metformin) improves the levels of glycodelin, insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1, and blood flow in spiral arteries during the peri-implantation period. It supports endometrial function, improves the endometrial environment, and facilitates embryo implantation. The rate of early pregnancy loss during the first trimester is 30–50% in women with PCOS, which is threefold higher than for normal women. Metformin treatment improves the levels of insulin, the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance, and plasminogen activator inhibitor activity, and decreases early pregnancy loss. It goes without saying that lifestyle change is fundamental for improving reproductive performance in addition to treatment with insulin-sensitizing agents.