Effect of electrical stimulation of the internal capsule on nociceptive neurons responding to orofacial stimuli in the medullary dorsal horn of the rat

Internal capsule (IC) stimulation has been used clinically to alleviate central pain. However, the neuronal mechanisms underlying pain relief by IC stimulation are poorly understood. In order to elucidate the analgesic mechanism, the effect of IC conditioning stimulation on nociceptive neurons in the rat medullary dorsal horn was investigated in the present study. Rats were anaesthetized with N(2)O-O(2) (2:1) and 0.5% halothane and were immobilized with pancuronium bromide. Two kinds of nociceptive neurons, wide dynamic range (WDR) and nociceptive specific (NS) neurons, responding to noxious stimulations of the face and oral structures were recorded in the trigeminal caudal nucleus and the medial reticular subnuclei. A test stimulus with a single rectangular pulse (2ms in duration, 5-70V) was applied to the centre of the receptive field. Responses in 55.9% of the WDR neurons and in 60% of the NS neurons were inhibited by conditioning stimuli to the ipsilateral IC with trains of 33 pulses (100-300microA) at 330Hz. The percents of peak inhibitory effects on WDR neurons and NS neurons were 78.1+/-25.0% (n=19) and 89.0+/-13.6% (n=3), respectively. The inhibitory effect continued for conditioning-test intervals of up to 500ms. Effective sites for conditioning stimulation were concentrated in the lateral side of the IC. These findings suggest that modulation of nociceptive transmission by IC stimulation occurs at second-order neurons via a presynaptic phenomenon by corticofugal fibers in the IC.     

Influence of novel resin monomer on viability of L-929 mouse fibroblasts in vitro

We have previously synthesized a novel acrylic resin monomer, methacryloyloxyethyl methyl succinate (TA). The aim of this in vitro study, therefore, was to examine its influence on cell viability using L-929 mouse fibroblasts and then compare the results with MMA, EMA, and LMA. Medium containing each monomer was changed every 15 minutes as some monomers were volatile. After one hour of exposure, these mediums were replaced with a normal medium and cells were further incubated for 72 hours. IC50 value for each monomer was determined, and chronological cell viability and cytomorphologic observation were evaluated. Viability was impaired in a dose-dependent manner. All monomers, except TA, tended to correlate between molecular weight and cell viability. On the other hand, TA showed excellent viability and did not impair growth abruptly. These results thus demonstrated that cellular damage by TA was much lower than that by other monomers.     

Influence of thermal and mechanical load cycling on microtensile bond strengths of total and self-etching adhesive systems

This study evaluated the influence of different thermal (TC) and mechanical (MC) cycling protocols on microtensile bond strength (muTBS) to cervical dentin margins of Class II restorations using two total-etch (TE) adhesives and one self-etching (SE) primer. Class II slot cavities were prepared on the mesial surfaces of 168 bovine incisors and were divided into three groups according to the bonding system used: Single Bond, OptiBond Solo Plus and Clearfil SE Bond. All cavities were restored with Filtek Z250 composite. Following restorative procedures, the restored teeth were allocated to seven subgroups (n = 8) according to the thermal/mechanical protocol performed: G1-control (no cycling), G2-100,000 MC, G3-200,000 MC, G4-500,000 MC, G5-100,000 MC+1,000 TC, G6-200,000 MC+1,000 TC, G7-500,000 MC+1,000 TC. TC was performed using 5 +/- 2 degrees C and 55 +/- 2 degrees C baths, with a dwell time of 60 seconds in each bath. MC was achieved with an axial force of 80 N at 2 cycles/second. The restorations were sectioned perpendicular to the cervical bonded interface into two 0.8-1-mm thick slabs. The slabs were trimmed at the interface to obtain a cross-sectional surface area of 0.8-1 mm2. All specimens were then subjected to muTBS (v = 0.5 mm/minute). Fracture mode analysis was performed using SEM. Bond strength mean values (MPa) were analyzed with ANOVA 3-way and Tukey's test (alpha = 5%). Dunnett's test was used to compare tested groups against Control groups of each adhesive system (alpha = 56%). SE primer presented lower mean bond strength values when compared to TE adhesives (p = 0.05). In addition, specimens restored with the SE primer did not resist to the 200,000 and 500,000 MC associated with TC. The application of 100,000 MC did not present a significant decrease in bond strength when compared to the control. Mixed failures were predominant for all groups. The higher the amount of thermal/mechanical cycles, the greater the number of mixed failures and the lower the percentage of adhesive failures.     

Inspection by infection control team of the University Hospital, Faculty of Dentistry, Tokyo Medical and Dental University

Factors affecting infection are the existence of infectious microorganisms, sensitivity of hosts, number of microorganisms, and infectious routes. Efforts to prevent infection focus on not allowing these factors to reach the threshold level. Inspection by an infection control team (ICT) of a hospital is one countermeasure for preventing nosocomial infection. We summarize here the problems for complete prevention of nosocomial infection based on the results of inspection by our ICT, so that staff working in the hospital can recognize the importance of preventing nosocomial infection. The following were commonly observed problems in our clinics found by the ICT : (1) incomplete practice of standard precautions and/or isolation precautions, (2) noncompliance with guidelines for the prevention of cross-infection, and (3) inappropriate management of medical rejectamenta. Infection control can be accomplished by strictly observing the standard precautions and isolation precautions. The ICT inspection round in the hospital could be an effective metaff working in the hod to clarify and overcome the problems involved in infection.     

Diagnosis and treatment of an infant case with temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis caused by tumor

Introduction

We reported an infant with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis who required long-term tracheostomy.

Case findings

At 1 year of age, he received urgent tracheostomy because of apnea due to pneumonia. The tracheal cannula could not be removed thereafter due to trismus. Computed tomography (CT) images demonstrate irregular bone formation. However, we could not diagnose osteoarthritis of temporomandibular joint because TMJ adhesion was not clear on CT images.

Interventions

Arthroplasty was performed under general anesthesia, but there was no significant improvement. A 3-D plastic model based on intraoperative findings showed that atrophic change of the muscles also disturbed movement of the mandible. Therefore, an additional procedure called “pan-muscle-release surgery” was performed, resulting in further improvement of mandible movement. After confirming that mouth opening was stable, the tracheal cannula was removed.     

The effect of supragingival plaque control on the subgingival microbiota in subjects with periodontal disease

The present investigation was performed to study the effect on the subgingival microbiota, of a plaque control program which included meticulous oral hygiene instruction, supragingival scaling and professional monitoring during a 2 year period. 300 subjects were examined for periodontal disease and monitored for 2 years without treatment. After the 2 year examination, 80 subjects were invited to participate in a treatment program intended to improve the standard of their self-performed plaque control. 40 of the invitees had a gingivitis and only minor attachment loss, while 40 subjects had moderate signs of periodontitis. 62 subjects volunteered for this treatment. 23 of the volunteers (Group AB) had several sites with deep pockets (> 4 mm). 39 of the volunteers had gingivitis but shallow pockets only (Group C). Group AB contributed 31 shallow pocket sites (A-sites) and 40 deep pocket sites (B-sites), while Group C contributed 63 shallow sites (C-sites). After the clinical examination, samples of the subgingival microbiota were harvested from the 134 A, B and C sites. The 62 subjects were enrolled in a supervised oral hygiene program. Supragingival scaling was carried out. Oral hygiene instruction was provided and repeated on an individual need basis so that all subjects reached and maintained a supragingival plaque score which was < 20%. 24 months after the year 2 examination, the 62 subjects were examined again using both clinical and microbiological examination procedures. The findings demonstrated that carefully performed supragingival plaque control changed the quantity and the composition of the supragingival microbiota.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)