Catalase expression of Propionibacterium acnes may contribute to intracellular persistence of the bacterium in sinus macrophages of lymph nodes affected by sarcoidosis

Immunologic Research - Bacterial catalase is important for intracellular survival of the bacteria. This protein of Propionibacterium acnes, one of possible causes of sarcoidosis, induces...     

DXA-Rectified Appendicular Lean Mass: Development of Ultrasound Prediction Models in Older Adults

Objective

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)-derived appendicular lean soft tissue mass (aLM) is used to diagnose sarcopenia. However, DXA-derived aLM includes non-skeletal muscle components, such as fat-free component of adipose tissue fat cell. These components, if not accounted for, could falsely inflate the aLM in individuals with a high amount of adipose tissue mass. B-mode ultrasound accurately measures muscle size in older adults. We sought to develop regression-based prediction equations for estimating DXA-rectified appendicular lean tissue mass (i.e. DXA-derived aLM minus appendicular fat-free adipose tissue (aFFAT); abbreviated as aLM minus aFFAT) using B-mode ultrasound.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Measurements

Three hundred and eighty-nine Japanese older adults (aged 60 to 79 years) volunteered in the study. aLM was measured using a DXA, and muscle thickness (MT) was measured using ultrasound at nine sites. An ordinary least-squares multiple linear regression model was used to predict aLM minus aFFAT from sex, age and varying muscle thicknesses multiplied by height. Based on previous studies, we chose to use 4 MT sites at the upper and lower extremities (4-site MT model) and a single site (1-site MT model) at the upper extremity to develop prediction models.

Results

The linear prediction models (4 site MT model; R² = 0.902, adjusted R² = 0.899, and 1-site MT model; R² = 0.868, adjusted R² = 0.866) were found to be stable and accurate for estimating aLM minus aFFAT. Bootstrapping (n=1000) resulted in optimism values of 0.0062 (4-site MT model) and 0.0036 (1-site MT model).

Conclusion

The results indicated that ultrasound MT combined with height, age and sex can be used to accurately estimate aLM minus aFFAT in older Japanese adults. Newly developed ultrasound prediction equations to estimate aLM minus aFFAT may be a valuable tool in population-based studies to assess age-related rectified lean tissue mass loss.

     

The influence of medial implant location in three-unit posterior cantilever fixed partial dentures on stress distribution in surrounding mandibular bone

This study examined the influence of medial implant location in three-unit posterior cantilever fixed partial dentures (FPDs) on stress distribution in mandibular bone surrounding two implants. A three-dimensional finite element model that included three-unit FPD and two cylindrical-type implants (4 mm in diameter and 10 mm in length) osseointegrated in the posterior mandible, was digitized. Five different models were created according to the medial implant location between the missing second premolar and the first molar location. The distal implant was fixed at the missing second molar location. Oblique bite force of 100 N at 30 degrees buccal to the vertical direction was directed on each of three artificial teeth, respectively and simultaneously, while the lower surface of the mandible was fixed. The maximum equivalent stress in the cortical and the trabecular bone generally increased as the medial implant shifted to a distal position. Under the simultaneous bite force, relatively low maximum stresses within the cortical bone: between 55 MPa and 57 MPa, were shown in the models with the medial implant placed within the range of one implant diameter from the most medial position, while higher maximum stresses: between 64 MPa and 73 MPa, were demonstrated with more distally placed medial implants. The results suggest that reasonably low mechanical stress in the surrounding bone may be assured when the medial implant is placed in the range between the missing second premolar position and one implant diameter distal from that location.     

Effects of Actinomyces and Fusobacterium on humoral immune response in vitro

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Actinomyces viscosus and Fusobacterium nucleatum sonicates on antibody formation in vitro and to elucidate their mechanisms on the cellular basis. Suspensions of A. viscosus and F. nucleatum were sonicated, and the supernatant was filtered and heated. After AKR mouse spleen cells were stimulated with sheep red blood cells, the antibody formation was assayed by counting the plaque-forming cells (PFC). Macrophages, T- and B-cells were harvested from the mouse peritoneal exudate and spleen. Mitogenicity of the sonicates was determined by counting the uptake of ³H-thymidine.
The PFC number, when A. viscosus or F. nucleatum sonicate was added, increased significantly by 2.4–6.6 times more than the control. Two sonicates were found to activate the macrophages, resulting in an increase of PFC.
F. nucleatum sonicate was effective to PFC response via activation of helper T-cells. Stimulation index of F. nucleatum sonicate on T-cells was 4.1 and that of A. viscosus sonicate on B-cells was 3.2. In conclusion, the enhanced antibody formation by A. viscosus sonicate depends on the activation of macrophages and B-cell mitogenicity, and the F. nucleatum sonicate enhances the PFC response by activation of both macrophages and helper T-cells and by T-cell proliferation.     

Age-related differences in expression of vascular endothelial growth factor by periodontal ligament cells in vitro

The purpose of this study was to evaluate age-related differences in expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by periodontal ligament (PDL) cells. PDL cells were obtained from Wistar male rats weighing approximately 150 g each in the young group and 350 g each in the old group. PDL cells derived from upper and lower incisors were seeded in 35-mm culture dishes after primary culture. For cell proliferation assays, cells were detached and counted at 1, 3, 5, 7, 11 and 14 days after culture. VEGF mRNA expression was analyzed with TaqMan. The number of cells in both groups increased day by day, but the rate of increase in the young group was higher than that in the old group. VEGF mRNA expression in the young group increased from 3 to 14 days, but in the old group increased only slightly over the same time period. Expression ratios in the young group were higher than those in the old group, and there were significant differences between the young and old groups at 7 and 14 days of culture. In conclusion, the data revealed that PDL cells varied with age, and suggest that in view of such changes in cell proliferation and VEGF mRNA expression, age should be taken into consideration in periodontal treatment.     

An ultrastructural analysis of the prototype single-step adhesive applied on enamel and dentin surfaces

A new type of self-etching agent, the single-step adhesive, was developed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in the ultrastructural features of enamel and dentin surfaces following application of the prototype single-step adhesive (EXM618, 3M, MN, USA). Extracted caries-free human premolars were used in this study. Occlusal enamels of teeth--to be used as cut surface specimens--were removed perpendicular to the long axis of the specimens. The mesial and distal surfaces of these teeth, on the other hand, were used as uncut surface specimens in the test. In addition, Mega Bond (Kuraray Medical Inc., Tokyo, Japan) and Xeno CFII Bond (Dentsply Sankin, Tokyo, Japan) were used as controls. After covering half of the tooth surfaces with nail varnish (for control), the other half of each surface was treated with one of the three test adhesives--EXM618, Mega Bond, or Xeno CFII Bond--according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Conditioned enamel and dentin surfaces (i.e., decalcified depth and rugged surface) were observed with a scanning confocal laser microscope (SCLM 1100, Olympus, Tokyo, Japan; henceforth abbreviated as SCLM). Based on the findings of this study, the prototype single-step adhesive EXM618 appears to be suitable for use in dental clinics.     

Do patients have a preference for major connector designs?

AIM: The aim of this research was to evaluate patients' preferences for resin analogs of four major connector designs formulated to have equal rigidity once fabricated in the same alloy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Nineteen Kennedy Class I or II partially edentulous patients participated at two centers. The four major connector analogs (MCAs) were fabricated for each subject using light-polymerizing acrylic resin. The subjects were asked to wear each of them in the mouth for 30 seconds in six pairs in random order, and to report their preference for each pair. Based on these data, the four analogs were ranked in a descending preference order for each patient. Within-subject comparisons preferences were performed with the Friedman test, and the multiple comparisons were performed with the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test for data of each sample independently. RESULTS: Statistically significant and consistent preference orders were revealed for both samples, and the thin and wide design was significantly preferred to the thick and narrow design. However, a higher variation was observed for the first preference of each subject. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects demonstrated a tendency to prefer thinner MCAs. However, the individual predilections of patients may not be an appropriate basis for an attempt to find a 'best design' applicable to all patients.     

The effect of duration and force of mechanical toothbrushing stimulation on proliferative activity of the junctional epithelium

BACKGROUND: Gingival bleeding is frequently accompanied by an ulcerated epithelium, with repair depending on the proliferative activity of the epithelial cells. The present study examined the proliferative activity of the junctional epithelium (JE) under several different methods of toothbrushing stimulation. METHODS: Twelve dogs were used in this 3-week experiment. Prior to the experiment, all teeth underwent daily removal of plaque and calculus using a scaler. Teeth were then divided into quadrants: 9 teeth in 3 quadrants (test, 3 per quadrant) were mechanically stimulated by toothbrushing for various time intervals (10, 20, or 40 seconds) and at various forces (100, 200, or 250 gf). The 3 teeth in the fourth quadrant served as controls. The proliferative activity of the basal cells of the junctional epithelium was evaluated for expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The numbers of PCNA-positive basal cells and total basal cells were counted, and the width of the junctional epithelium was measured. RESULTS: Toothbrushing force significantly affected the PCNA-positive basal cell ratio (P < 0.05). The 200 g toothbrushing force produced the highest PCNA-positive basal cell ratio, which was significantly higher than that using the 100 g force (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In junctional epithelium stimulated with a toothbrush, the PCNA-positive basal cell ratio is more sensitive to toothbrushing force than to duration.