Effects of sodium selenite on the cytotoxicity of dental amalgam

The antagonistic action of sodium selenite against dental amalgam-induced cytolysis in the L cells was studied using the ⁵¹Cr-release assay and photomicroscopic observations. Three pieces of dental amalgams (2.12 ± 0.04 cm²) were immersed in 1 ml of culture medium composed of Eagle's minimum essential medium, 10% ($\text{v}\text{v}$) calf serum, and 10 mm Hepes buffer (pH 7.4), at 37°C for 96 hr. ⁵¹Cr-labeled L cells were incubated in culture medium containing 39.4% ($\text{v}\text{v}$) amalgam-dissolved solution (ADS) obtained above, at 37°C for 24 hr. Compared to the release of 29.1 ± 0.7% of ⁵¹Cr in the control, ADS-treated cells released 73.1 ± 1.5% of ⁵¹Cr which corresponded to the lysis of all cells. Morphologically, the ADS-treated cells underwent lytic changes. A simultaneous administration of 25, 50, and 100 μm sodium selenite produced a marked decrease in the ⁵¹Cr release of ADS-treated cells. Sodium selenite (50 μm) suppressed the elevated ⁵¹Cr release caused by ADS and prevented all of the morphological changes induced by ADS.     

中性红染色法定量检测牙科材料细胞毒性的研究

前言细胞毒性试验是牙科材料生物安全性评价体系中很重要的一项体外检测项目,因为相对于体内动物试验,它具有实验周期短、灵敏、简便、可重复、价廉和易普及等优点。美国牙科学会（ＡＮＳＩ／ＡＤＡＮｏ４１）和国际标准化组织（ＩＳＯ）在“口腔材料生物学评价标准”文...     

Postoperative speech development based on cleft types in children with cleft palate

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this historical cohort study was to compare the speech development of children with three types of cleft palate while controlling for some confounding factors. METHODS: Subjects included 28 children with bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP), 74 with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), 33 with isolated cleft palate (ICP), and 168 normal control children. Children with cleft palate attended a speech clinic in Fukuoka, had attained adequate velopharyngeal function after palatoplasty carried out within 18 months after birth, and had no syndromic diseases, persistent hearing loss, mental retardation, or central nervous system problems. RESULTS: Children with BCLP began using two-word sentences later than other children (3 months, P<0.01). However, the difference based on sex was also statistically significant. Female patients started using two-word sentences earlier than male patients (2 months, P<0.01). Children with BCLP had lower verbal scores on the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI) than other children (12.4-14.9 points, P<0.01). There was no significant difference based on sex. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this research indicate the following: speech development of children with ICP and UCLP was similar to that of normal children; however, speech development of children with BCLP was delayed compared with other children with or without cleft palate.     

Staged cranial reconstruction after epidural abscess associated with dural substitute exposure

Cadaveric dura mater was widely used for a long time but has recently been associated with the transmission of Creutzfelt-Jakob disease. Expanded polytetrafluoethylene sheet has been suggested as a suitable alternative in Japan. Recently epidural abscesses associated with exposure to Expanded polytetrafluoethylene have been on the increase in Japan.We experienced one case of staged cranial reconstruction for chronic ulcer of the head associated with MRSA epidural abscess.Surgical Technique: the exposed expanded polytetrafluoethylene must be completely removed along with the skin. Reconstruction of dura mater should be made watertight with the application of autologous free fascia lata collected from the paralyzed thigh. Autologous free fascia lata is reconstructed with the rectus abdominis muscle so that there is no dead space remaining. Calvarial bone should be reconstructed in a separate operation as at a second stage.     

Tricuspid valve replacement with the St. Jude Medical valve

A study was conducted on 20 patients who underwent tricuspid valve replacement (TVR) with the St. Jude Medical (SJM) valve. Isolated TVR was performed on 9 patients, and additional mitral, or mitral and aortic valve replacements were performed on 11 patients. Four patients (20%) died in the early postoperative period, but there were no deaths related to the SJM valve in the tricuspid position. The mean follow-up period of the 16 survivors was 74.4 months, and there have been no deaths during the follow-up period. The postoperative actuarial survival rate was 80%, 10 years after surgery. Three patients, representing 0.25%/patient-months, developed valve thrombosis, the valve thrombosis-free rate being 72.8%, 10 years after surgery, while entrapment of a leaflet by endothelial pannus was found in one patient, representing 0.08%/patient-months. Thus, the incidence of all prosthetic valve-related complications was 0.34%/patient-months, and the postoperative complication-free rate was 65.3%, 10 years after surgery. The medium-term follow-up study of TVR with the SJM valve revealed no prosthetic valve-related deaths and a relatively low incidence of prosthetic valve-related complications. However, as with other mechanical valves, valve thrombosis was a major risk posed by the SJM valve in the tricuspid position.     

Evaluation of a new selenium-containing amalgam on mice

The effects of a selenium-containing amalgam on mice were studied in comparison with the amalgam without selenium. The amalgam specimens were immersed in culture medium, and the amalgam-immersed medium was injected ip daily into mice for 7 days. In mice receiving the amalgam without selenium, the body weight of the mice did not increase and the proximal tubules of the outer medulla of the kidneys were disrupted. Whereas with the selenium-containing amalgam, the body weight increased and the renal tissues of the mice were not damaged. These findings suggest that there is a marked decrease in amalgam toxicity in mice when selenium is added to the amalgam alloy.     

Three-dimensional cranial expansion using distraction osteogenesis for oxycephaly

Oxycephaly is associated with raised intracranial pressure as a result of the fusion of multiple cranial sutures. We have performed an effective and less invasive cranial expansion by means of three-dimensional cranial distraction for the treatment of oxycephaly with suspicion of increased intracranial pressure. We describe two oxycephaly cases and the surgical technique of three-dimensional cranial expansion using distraction osteogenesis.     

Cardio-aortic operation in octogenarians

OBJECTIVE: Aging of the population is a current phenomenon in Japan, and life expectancy at 80 years old is getting longer. So we reviewed cardio-aortic operations on octogenarians at our institution. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty-three consecutive octogenarian patients who had undergone cardio-aortic operations from 1992 to 1998 were studied. There were 14 men and 19 women. The mean age was 81.9 years. Of the 33, 19 patients (58%) were in New York Heart Association class IV, and 21 patients (64%) were operated on urgently or in emergency. The procedures undergone were operation for coronary artery disease in 17 patients, operation for valvular disease in 7 patients, operation for thoracic-aorta in 7 patients, and others in 2 patients. RESULTS: The hospital mortality rate was 27% (9 patients). However, 89% of patients experiencing hospital death were in New York Heart Association class IV preoperatively and had required an emergency/urgent operation. On the other hand, there was only one hospital death (1/12, 8.3%) among the elective patients. The statistically significant risk factors for hospital death were renal insufficiency, shock, New York Heart Association class IV, intra-aortic balloon pumping, and longer cardiopulmonary bypass time. The one-, three-, and five-year-survival rate was 73%, 68%, and 55%, respectively. Of the survivors, 77% were in class I or II. CONCLUSION: Although octogenarians' hospital mortality was still very high, the mid-term results were acceptable and the survivors' quality of life was satisfactory. These data suggested that we should operate on cardio-aortic patients before they reach a very serious state, especially in octogenarians.     

A case of pulmonary eosinophilic granuloma that remitted after cessation of smoking]

A 43-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of productive cough and an abnormal chest radiograph. He had smoked one pack of cigarettes per day for 23 years. Chest radiograph on admission showed diffuse reticulo-linear infiltrates, most prominent in both upper lung fields. Chest HRCT scan showed multiple micronodules, cavitated nodules, and thick-walled cysts with ground-glass attenuation. These radiographic findings suggested pulmonary eosinophilic granuloma (PEG). Histological findings of the biopsy specimen obtained from video-assisted thoracoscopy demonstrated granulomatous lesions consisting of S-100 protein-positive Langerhans cells with infiltration of eosinophils and fibrous lesions (starfish-like fibrosis). A definitive diagnosis of PEG was made, and he immediately ceased smoking. The symptoms and radiographic findings markedly improved within 3 months after cessation of smoking. Chest HRCT on the final scan revealed that nodules and almost all cystic lesions vanished. He resumed smoking without any sign of recurrence.