Assessment of Demineralization Inhibition Effects of Dentin Desensitizers Using Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mechanism of action and the inhibiting effects of two types of desensitizers against dentin demineralization using pre-demineralized hypersensitivity tooth model in vitro. In this study, we confirmed that a hypersensitivity tooth model from our preliminary experiment could be prepared by immersing dentin discs in an acetic acid-based solution with pH 5.0 for three days. Dentin discs with three days of demineralization were prepared and applied by one of the desensitizers containing calcium fluoro-alumino-silicate glass (Nanoseal, NS) or fluoro-zinc-silicate glass (Caredyne Shield, CS), followed by an additional three days of demineralization. Dentin discs for three days of demineralization (de3) and six days of demineralization (de6) without the desensitizers were also prepared. The dentin discs after the experimental protocol were scanned using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) to image the cross-sectional (2D) view of the samples and evaluate the SS-OCT signal. The signal intensity profiles of SS-OCT from the region of interest of 300, 500, and 700 µm in depth were obtained to calculate the integrated signal intensity and signal attenuation coefficient. The morphological differences and remaining chemical elements of the dentin discs were also analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. SS-OCT images of CS and NS groups showed no obvious differences between the groups. However, SS-OCT signal profiles for both the CS and NS groups showed smaller attenuation coefficients and larger integrated signal intensities than those of the de6 group. Reactional deposits of the desensitizers even after the additional three days of demineralization were observed on the dentin surface in NS group, whereas remnants containing Zn were detected within the dentinal tubules in CS group. Consequently, both CS and NS groups showed inhibition effects against the additional three days of demineralization in this study. Our findings demonstrate that SS-OCT signal analysis can be used to monitor the dentin demineralization and inhibition effects of desensitizers against dentin demineralization in vitro.     

Endoscopic imaging modalities for diagnosing the invasion depth of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review

Esophagus - Endoscopic diagnosis of the invasion depth of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is an important determinant of the treatment strategy. The three endoscopic imaging...     

A case of undiagnosed pheochromocytoma caused by negative metoclopramide test

Metoclopramide (MCP), a dopamine antagonist, was recently used as the pharmacological test for the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. There have been no reports involving false negative cases in the MCP test. We experienced a rare case of pheochromocytoma which showed a negative MCP test, and it caused a failure of the diagnosis. A 51-year-old man visited our hospital with a sudden onset of headache and palpitation. Blood pressure was 218/98 mmHg at another hospital. When he came to our hospital, blood pressure returned to normal (120/80 mmHg), and both serum adrenaline (E) and noradrenaline (NE) were within normal limits. A computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and angiography demonstrated a 1.8 x 1.8 cm right adrenal mass. No changes in blood pressure and plasma catecholamine were observed following the injection of 10 mg of MCP. The pathologically resected right adrenal gland contained a typical pheochromocytoma which was 1.0 x 1.0 cm in size and weighed 8 g. The detailed mechanism of the negative MCP test in this case was not known but might be related to the small size of the tumor.     

Effect of GnRH-associated peptide on prolactin secretion from human lactotrope adenoma cells in culture

The effect of GnRH-associated peptide on PRL secretion by human pituitary lactotropes in culture was studied. Pituitary adenomas obtained at selective transsphenoidal adenomectomy from a patient with prolactinoma, and two patients with mixed GH- and PRL-secreting pituitary adenomas were cultured in monolayer. When cells were incubated with dopamine (10 nmol/l), a significant inhibition in PRL secretion was observed in all the experiments, which was blocked by co-incubation with haloperidol. In mixed GH- and PRL-secreting adenoma cells, dopamine likewise decreased GH secretion. Incubation of cells with synthetic GnRH-associated peptide at concentrations up to 100 nmol/l, on the other hand, failed to affect both PRL and GH secretion. These results suggest that synthetic GnRH-associated peptide has no inhibitory effect on PRL secretion in human pituitary lactotropes.     

Membrane Apheresis Technology: Historical Perspective and New Trends toward Bioincompatible Systems

Abstract: During the past 25 years, membrane apheresis technology has been well developed through the use of biocompatible devices and immunomodulation. Now, however, we must move into a new era reconsidering the concepts of apheresis technology and considering the urgent need to develop a bioincompatible apheresis system. In the past, our aim in this field was to develop the best blood compatible system possible. With these systems, best efforts were made to reduce procedurally induced immunomodulation effects. However, it is these authors' opinion that procedurally induced immunomodulation effects should be augmented rather than reduced by incorporating such a bioincompatible apheresis system. Augmented immunoactivation and immunosuppression introduced by such systems should add therapeutic effects to the apheresis procedures. Therefore, we anticipate that the current marginally effective diseases may benefit from this strategic change in apheresis procedures.     

Does high-power computed tomography scanning equipment affect the operation of pacemakers?

BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT) is widely used in clinical practice, but there has not been a detailed report of its effect on the functioning of pacemakers. METHODS AND RESULTS: During CT, ECGs were recorded in 11 patients with pacemakers and the electromagnetic field in the CT room was also measured. The effect of CT on a pacemaker was also investigated in a human body model with and without shielding by rubber or lead. Transient malfunctions of pacemakers during CT occurred in 6 of 11 patients. The model showed that malfunctioning of the pacemaker was induced by CT scanning and this was prevented by lead but not by rubber. The alternating electrical field was 150 V/m on the CT scanning line, which was lower than the level influencing pacemaker functions. The alternating magnetic field was 15 muT on the CT scanning line, which was also lower than the level influencing pacemaker functions. CONCLUSIONS: Malfunctions of the pacemaker during CT may be caused by diagnostic radiant rays and although they are transient, the possibility of lethal arrhythmia cannot be ignored.     

Elevation of plasma truncated elastase alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor complexes in patients with inflammatory lung diseases.

Human neutrophil elastase plays an important role in the development of several inflammatory lung diseases; however, there have been relatively few investigations using plasma samples. In this report, we describe alterations in the plasma elastase:alpha 1-PI complex in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (15 cases), COPD with infection (8), diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) (8), bronchiectasis (9), pneumonia (10), and the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (14), and in 15 normal volunteers. The elastase:alpha 1-PI complex concentration was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Western immunoblot analysis of the elastase:alpha 1-PI complex was also performed. Plasma elastase:alpha 1-PI complex was also performed. Plasma elastase:alpha 1-PI complex levels in patients with COPD with infection (504 micrograms/L +/- 93 micrograms/L) were significantly higher, as compared with those with COPD but without infection (118 micrograms/L +/- 9 micrograms/L) and normal volunteers (122 micrograms/L +/- 4 micrograms/L). Increased complex concentrations were also found in patients with DPB and bronchiectasis (643 micrograms/L +/- 222 micrograms/L and 558 micrograms/L +/- 198 micrograms/L, respectively) as compared with normal volunteers. Increased complex concentrations were also found in patients with pneumonia and ARDS (450 micrograms/L +/- 101 micrograms/L and 1,400 micrograms/L +/- 438 micrograms/L, respectively). Western immunoblot analysis using anti-alpha 1-PI antibody and antineutrophil elastase antibody showed two types of elastase:alpha 1-PI complexes, one with a molecular weight of 60,000 daltons (60 kilodaltons [KD]) and the other at 50,000 daltons (50 KD). Although the native 80-KD elastase:alpha 1-PI complex was detected in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, it was not found in plasma. In summary, these results demonstrated that levels of the truncated complex were increased in patients with various inflammatory lung diseases. This truncated form may play an important role in the pathophysiology of inflammatory processes.     

Etiology and outcome of community-acquired pneumonia in relation to age and severity in hospitalized adult patients]

The aim of this study was to determine the etiology and outcome of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in relation to age and severity in hospitalized patients. Overall, 652 consecutive patients with CAP were studied retrospectively during a 4-year period from 2002. Severity of pneumonia was classified according to the guidelines of the Japanese Respiratory Society (JRS 2005) and American Thoracic Society (ATS 2001). The etiology was identified in 401 of 652 (61.5%) cases. The four most frequent pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae (26.2%), influenza virus (12.4%), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (10.9%), and Haemophilus influenzae (5.9%). The most common pathogen in the younger (15-44 years) group and very severe patients (JRS) was Mycoplasma pneumoniae (38.4%) and influenza virus (28.6%), respectively. The three most frequent pathogens in severe CAP patients (ATS) were Streptococcus pneumoniae (29.0%), influenza virus (17.4%), and Legionella species (13.0%). The overall mortality was 6.4%. The mortality of CAP patients among aged 1544, 45-64, 65-74, and 75 years or older was 1.4%, 3.3%, 6.9% and 9.3%, respectively. The mortality of mild, moderate, severe, and very severe patients (RS) was 0%, 4.1%, 15.5%, and 53.6%, respectively. The mortality of non-severe and severe patients (ATS) was 1.8% and 23.9%, respectively. Age and severity had influence on the prevalence of the main microbial pathogens. Streptococcus pneumoniae remained the most important pathogen that needs consideration in initial antibiotic therapy in patients with CAP of all ages and severities. Pathogens identified in patients with severe CAP in Japan were similar to those of Western countries, except for the high incidence of the influenza virus.     

Low‐carbohydrate diet and risk of cancer incidence: The Japan Public Health Center‐based prospective study

Epidemiological evidence on the effects of a long‐term low‐carbohydrate diet (LCD) on cancer incidence remains sparse. We investigate the association between LCD and the risk of overall and specific cancer site incidence in a Japanese population‐based prospective cohort study among 90 171 participants aged 45‐74. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). During a median 17.0 y of follow‐up, we identified 15 203 cancer cases. A higher overall LCD score was associated with increased overall cancer risk (HR = 1.08 [CI: 1.02‐1.14], P‐trend = .012), while it was associated with decreased gastric cancer (GC) risk (0.81 [0.71‐0.93], P‐trend = .006). A higher animal‐based LCD score was associated with higher risk of overall cancer (1.08 [1.02‐1.14], P‐trend = .003), colorectal cancer (CRC) (1.11 [0.98‐1.25], P‐trend = .018), rectal cancer (RC) (1.24 [1.00‐1.54], P‐trend = .025), lung cancer (LC) (1.16 [1.00‐1.34], P‐trend = .042), and lower risk of GC (0.90 [0.79‐1.01], P‐trend = .033). Furthermore, we found that plant‐based LCD score was related to lower GC incidence (0.87 [0.77‐0.99], P‐trend = .031). Additionally, adjusted for plant fat intake amplified the adverse associations (overall cancer: 1.08 [1.02‐1.14] vs. 1.11 [1.05‐1.18]; CRC: 1.08 [0.95‐1.22] vs. 1.13 [0.99‐1.30]; LC: 1.14 [0.98‐1.33] vs. 1.19 [1.01‐1.41]). We conclude that LCD enriching with animal products was associated with increased overall cancer, CRC, and LC incidence. These adverse associations could be attenuated by plant fat consumption. LCD reduces the risk of developing GC. Long‐term adherence to LCD without paying attention to the balance between animal and plant food source consumption might cause adverse overall cancer incidence consequences.     

Family history of cancer and subsequent risk of cancer: A large-scale population-based prospective study in Japan

Family history (FH) of cancer is an important factor of increased risk of several cancers. Although the association between FH of cancer and concordant cancer risk has been reported in many previous epidemiological studies, no comprehensive prospective study with adjustment for lifestyle habits has evaluated the association of FH of cancer and concordant cancer risk. We investigated the association between FH of cancer and concordant cancer risk in a Japanese population-based prospective study, initiated in 1990 for cohort I and in 1993 for cohort II. We analyzed data on 103,707 eligible subjects without a history of cancer who responded to a self-administered questionnaire including FH of cancer at baseline. Study subjects were followed through 2012 and analyzed using multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression models. During 1,802,581 person-years of follow-up, a total of 16,336 newly diagnosed cancers were identified. Any site (Hazard ratios = 1.11 (95% confidence interval = 1.07–1.15]), esophagus (2.11 [1.00–4.45]), stomach (1.36 [1.19–1.55]), liver (1.69 [1.10–2.61]), pancreas (2.63 [1.45–4.79]), lung (1.51 [1.14–2.00]), uterus (1.93 [1.06–3.51]) and bladder cancers (6.06 [2.49–14.74]) with FH of the concordant cancer were associated with an increased risk compared to those without FH. Our findings suggest that having FH of cancer is associated with an increased risk of several concordant cancer incidences in an Asian population. Enquiring about FH of several types of cancer may be important in identifying groups at high-risk of those cancers.