Does oral dryness influence pressure pain sensitivity in the oral mucosa of removable denture wearers?

Clinical Oral Investigations - This study aimed to determine if oral dryness is associated with oral pain sensitivity in removable denture wearers. The pressure pain threshold (PPT) in the mucosa...     

Development of invasive adenocarcinoma in a long-standing diverted ileal J-pouch for ulcerative colitis

We report a case of a 50-year-old male with ulcerative colitis who developed well-differentiated adenocarcinoma in the ileal J-pouch, which had been defunctioning for 18 years. The extension of the carcinoma in the pouch suggested that it had recently appeared in the pouch. Monitoring by endoscopic examination and biopsy or pouch excision seems to be an appropriate action if a pouch is out of the fecal stream.     

Prediction of healing progress of pressure ulcers by distribution analysis of protein markers on necrotic tissue: A retrospective cohort study

Predicting the short‐term healing progress of pressure ulcers is important for providing timely and appropriate intervention. Although there are some prediction methods available, these are unsuitable for ulcers with abundant necrotic tissue. We aimed to elucidate the relationship between necrotic tissue alteration and protein distributions on ulcers to establish a new prediction method. Thirty‐eight pressure ulcers were retrospectively analyzed. Protein distributions on necrotic tissue were evaluated by the wound blotting at three levels: marker protein positivity, signal patterns (speckled, heterogeneous, or homogeneous), and the occupation of heterogeneous pattern. Peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, tumor necrosis factor α, and matrix metalloproteinase‐2 were used as marker proteins. One‐week necrotic tissue alteration was classified as liquefaction or nonliquefaction, and associations with protein distributions were analyzed. The peroxidase positivity was significantly higher in the liquefaction than in the nonliquefaction (p = 0.031). In peroxidase‐positive samples, the proportion of nonliquefaction samples was significantly higher in the heterogeneous pattern (p = 0.029). In the heterogeneous‐patterned samples, the proportion of samples with an occupation values greater than the median value tended to be higher in the nonliquefaction (p = 0.087). There was no significant relationship between liquefaction and other markers. Peroxidase positivity predicts 1‐week liquefaction of necrotic tissue, while a heterogeneous pattern indicates nonliquefaction.     

Modulation of G-protein expression and adenylyl cyclase signaling by high glucose in vascular smooth muscle

OBJECTIVE: We have recently shown a decreased expression of Gialpha proteins and associated functions in aorta from short term (5 days) streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Since hyperglycemia is one of the underlying causes of diabetes-induced cardiovascular complications, it was of interest to examine if hyperglycemia may play a direct role in down regulating the expression of Gialpha in vascular smooth muscle cells of diabetic subjects. For this, the effect of high glucose treatment on Gialpha protein expression and adenylyl cyclase signaling in intact aorta and vascular smooth muscle cells (A10 cells) was investigated. METHODS: The cells were grown in normal glucose (5.5 mM) medium and were subsequently exposed to high glucose (26 mM) or normal medium for various time periods (24-96 h). Aorta from control rats were exposed to normal and high glucose medium for 72 h. The levels of G-proteins were determined by immunoblotting using specific antibodies. Adenylyl cyclase activity stimulated or inhibited by agonists was determined to examine the functions of G-proteins. RESULTS: The levels of Gialpha-2 and Gialpha-3 proteins in membranes from A10 cells and aorta exposed to high glucose for 3 or 4 days were significantly decreased as compared to control cells and control aorta, respectively, whereas the levels of Gsalpha protein were not altered. In addition, receptor-dependent and -independent functions of Gialpha proteins were attenuated in hyperglycemic cells, as demonstrated by inhibition of forskolin (FSK)-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity by low concentration of GTPgammaS or by angiotensin II (Ang II), oxotremorine or C-ANP(4-23) (a ring deleted analog of atrial natriuretic peptide). On the other hand, the stimulatory effects of GTPgammaS, glucagon, isoproterenol, FSK and sodium fluoride on adenylyl cyclase were significantly augmented in hyperglycemic cells as compared to control cells, whereas basal adenylyl cyclase activity was significantly lower in hyperglycemic cells as compared to control cells. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that high glucose decreased the levels and functions of Gi proteins in A10 VSMC and aorta. It may thus be suggested that decreased levels and activity of Gi proteins and adenylyl cyclase signaling induced by hyperglycemia may be one of the important mechanisms contributing to the cardiovascular complications associated with diabetes.     

Comparison of caregiver strain in Parkinson's disease between Yamagata,Japan, and Maryland,The United States

BackgroundJapan and the United States (US) have different cultures of caregiving including differences in family structure and social programs that may influence caregiver strain. Differences in caregiver strain between regions in Japan and in the US have not been investigated in patient–spouse dyads in PD.ObjectivesTo compare caregiver strain in spouses of PD patients between Yamagata, Japan and Maryland, US. Correlations between caregiver strain and patient/spousal variables are also examined.MethodsIn Yamagata and Maryland, spouses of patients with PD completed questionnaires assessing caregiver strain. Patients and spouses completed scales assessing mental health, and medical co-morbidity. PD severity and disability were assessed with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale and the Schwab and England Activities of Daily Living Scale. Results in the two regions were compared with Chi-square and Student's t-tests. Relationships between caregiver strain and patient/spousal variables were analyzed with univariate correlations and multivariate regression.Results178 Spouse–patient pairs were assessed. The level of caregiver strain in PD did not differ between Yamagata, Japan and Maryland, US despite differences in demographics and social support programs in the two regions. Yamagata spouses reported physical, time and financial constraints, while Maryland spouses reported more emotional distress. In both regions, spousal depression was a significant contributor to caregiver strain.ConclusionDifferent approaches to reduce caregiver strain will likely be necessary in Yamagata and Maryland since the contributing factors to caregiver strain are influenced by differences in culture and social supports in each country.