Acid-insoluble human dentin as carrier material for recombinant human BMP-2.

The aim of this study is to estimate the increase of bone-inductive potency by human demineralized dentin matrix (DDM) with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2). Human teeth were crushed, completely demineralized in 0.6M HCl, and freeze-dried.

BMP-2 release and dose-response studies in hydroxyapatite and beta-tricalcium phosphate.

The purpose of this study is to compare in vivo retention of BMP-2 and bone induction in HAp (porosity: 60-80%, pore size: 100-600 mum, sintering temperature: 800 degrees C, surface area: 1 m(2)/g) and beta-TCP (porosity: 75%, pore size: 100-400 mum, sintering temperature: 1050 degrees C, surface area: 4 m(2)/g). We estimated the in vivo release profile of (125)I-labeled BMP-2 and bone induction of hard tissues histologically. The amount of BMP-2 remaining in the beta-TCP at 1 day after implantation was 49.

Lactoferrin suppress the adipogenic differentiation of MC3T3-G2/PA6 cells.

Lactoferrin accelerates the differentiation of osteogenic and chondrogenic lineage cells, whereas it inhibits the myogenic and adipogenic differentiation of pluripotent mesenchymal cells; however, the effect of lactoferrin on the differentiation of preadipocytes is unknown. In this study, we examined the effect of lactoferrin on adipogenic differentiation using a mouse preadipocyte cell line, MC3T3-G2/PA6. The cells were cultured in differentiation medium with or without lactoferrin to induce cellular differentiation.

Effects of lactoferrin on the differentiation of pluripotent mesenchymal cells.

Lactoferrin accelerates bone formation, but the precise cellular mechanism behind this is still unclear. We examined the effect of lactoferrin on the differentiation of pluripotent mesenchymal cells using a typical pluripotent mesenchymal cell line, C2C12. Cells were cultured in low-mitogen differentiation medium to induce cell differentiation, with or without the addition of lactoferrin.

Blood permeability of a novel ceramic scaffold for bone morphogenetic protein-2.

A functionally graded apatite (fg-HAp) with body fluid permeability was developed from bovine bone. The tissue reaction of fg-HAp and its efficacy as a scaffold for recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) were evaluated histomorphometrically, and a component of permeable fluid into the fg-HAp was analyzed by immunoblotting assay. The fg-HAp block (27 mm(3)) combined with and without BMP-2 (5 microg) was implanted subcutaneously in 4-week-old Wistar rats.

Inhibitory effects of fermented brown rice and rice bran on the development of acute hepatitis in Long-Evans Cinnamon rats.

To investigate the effects of fermented brown rice (FBRA) on the development of hereditary hepatitis in Long-Evans Cinnamon (LEC) rats, we compared the incidence and grades of acute hepatitis among rats fed 5% and 10% FBRA in the conventional diet and the conventional diet alone. Both the 5% and 10% FBRA-supplemented diets indicated a tendency to prevent the development of hepatitis, and the significant effect of 10% FBRA was observed until 16-17 weeks of age in the accumulated incidence and survival ratio compared with the unsupplemented conventional diet, although no significant difference was observed between 5% and 10% FBRA-supplemented diets. At the age of 12 weeks, which is just before the rats develop hepatitis, serum copper levels in rats fed either of the test diets were similar to those in rats fed the conventional diet.

Biodegradation and bioabsorption innovation of the functionally graded bovine bone-originated apatite with blood permeability.

Bioabsorbable and functionally graded apatite (fg-HAp) ceramics were designed using bovine bone by the calcination and partial dissolution-precipitation methods. The fg-HAp ceramics that were developed had gradual distributions of the degree of crystallinity and the grain size of single-phase hydroxyapatite from the surface layer of the pore wall to the bulk structure region. Calcination at 1073 K gave a specific surface area of 30 m2 x g-1 and porosities of 60-80%.

[Functional characteristics of pharmacy services related to home care--results from two pharmaceutical association surveys in suburban and old town areas].

In order to investigate the implementation about pharmacy services focusing on home care and to identify differences in functional characteristics in accordance with pharmacy location, questionnaire surveys were conducted on all 75 pharmacies belonging to T-City Pharmaceutical Association in a suburban area and on all 161 belonging to K-Ward Pharmaceutical Association in a central downtown district. Using data, a principal component analysis was performed. The following services were investigated: medication guidance for patients and their families; provision of drug information to patients; management of patients' drug history; dispensing; advice to physicians; inquiries; management of prescriptions for home infusion services; sales of items such as over-the-counter [OTC] drugs [commercially available drugs that do not require a physician's prescription]; display and catalogue sales of nursing items; consultation on home care; holding events such as health education programs; guidance for drug management by home visits; and information exchange with other medical professionals and social workers.

Rho regulates the hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor-stimulated cell motility of human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells.

To investigate the effects of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) on the invasion and metastasis of human oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells, we examined cell motility and intercellular signal transduction of a human oral SCC cell line (SAS) obtained from the primary lesion of a tongue carcinoma. HGF/SF stimulation significantly enhanced the motility of SAS cells in a dose-dependent manner. Clostridium botulinum C3 exoenzyme (C3), which is known to selectively impair the function of Ras-related small G-protein p21rho (Rho), significantly reduced the motility of SAS cells.

Hemodialyzability of ionizable fluoride in hemodialysis session.

The fluoride ion content in serum and in dialysate medium was determined by means of a fluoride ion-selective electrode in 29 patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment. Abnormally high serum fluoride of 65.9 +/- 28.

Treatment of habitual temporomandibular joint dislocation with miniplate eminoplasty: a report of nine cases.

Eminoplasty using T-shaped titanium miniplate was performed on 15 joints in nine patients suffering from recurrent dislocation of the temporomandibular joint with several general complications. After the conventional pre-auricular approach to the zygomatic arch and eminence, the bent over miniplate was inserted anteriorly against the articular eminence and fixed to the zygomatic arch with miniscrews to limit the over-movement of the condyle. In one case, the miniplate fractured, but no recurrence of dislocation was observed.

Bone induction in subcutaneous tissue in rats by a newly developed DNA-coated atelocollagen and bone morphogenetic protein.

A unique biomaterial, a mixture of DNA and collagen (DNA/collagen), was developed and its efficacy as a carrier matrix for bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) was evaluated histologically. The material was prepared as a composite of DNA from salmon milt and pepsin-digested type I collagen (atelocollagen) from bovine dermis. Phase-contrast and fluorescence microscopy showed atelocollagen fibres with DNA coating.

Immunohistochemical localization of amelogenin in human odontogenic tumors, using a polyclonal antibody against bovine amelogenin.

In the present study, we investigated the localization of amelogenin in odontogenic tumors, using an anti-amelogenin polyclonal antibody. In order to make the antibody, antisera against an amelogenin fraction obtained from the enamel matrix of unerupted bovine tooth was raised in rabbits. By Western blot analysis, a main band of 25 kDa and six minor bands (6.

Bone augmentation by onlay implant using recombinant human BMP-2 and collagen on adult rat skull without periosteum.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether bone augmentation could be obtained by the composite of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) and bioabsorbable atelocollagen when the periosteum was resected, and to compare the efficacy of the rhBMP-2/collagen implant and the collagen alone implant. The onlay implant was inserted into the space between the elevated galea aponeurotica and the skull without the periosteum of 10-month-old rats. The rhBMP-2/collagen implant resulted in osteoblasts differentiation under the galea at 1 week and active bone formation without a prior formation of cartilage.

Inhibitory effects of malotilate on in vitro invasion of lung endothelial cell monolayer by human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells.

We have previously reported that malotilate (MT) inhibited the invasion and metastasis of rat mammary carcinoma cells through the modification of host endothelial cells. In this study, we examined the inhibitory effects of MT on invasion of human cancer, using five oral squamous cell carcinoma cells (SAS, Ca9-22 and HSC-2, -3 and -4). MT did not affect the growth of these tumor cells and the invasion of reconstituted basement membrane, Matrigel.

Unsaturated fatty acid feeding prevents the development of acute hepatitis in Long-Evans cinnamon (LEC) rats.

To investigate the effects of dietary alpha-linolenic acid (18:3, n-3; alpha-LNA) and linoleic acid (18:2, n-6; LA) on the development of hereditary hepatitis, we compared incidences and grades of acute hepatitis between the Long-Evans cinnamon (LEC) rats fed with safflower oil-supplemented diet and perilla oil-supplemented diet. Both safflower and perilla oil supplemented diets reduced the incidence of hepatitis and significantly prolonged its onset as compared to the non-supplemented conventional diet. No significant difference was observed between safflower and perilla oil diets in the rats of incidence of hepatitis.

Bone augmentation by recombinant human BMP-2 and collagen on adult rat parietal bone.

A composite of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) and collagen was implanted beneath the cranial periosteum of 10-month-old rats to observe bone development and absorbent change of carrier collagen. The rhBMP-2/collagen onlay implant resulted in active bone formation and the augmented bone was connected directly with the original bone, whereas the collagen alone resulted in neither bone nor cartilage. The ossification process in the rhBMP-2/collagen occurred directly through bone formation, similar to intramembranous ossification.

Bilirubin pigmentation of human teeth caused by hyperbilirubinemia.

This study was conducted to identify bilirubin in deciduous teeth obtained from two patients with a history of severe liver dysfunction. Teeth were histologically analyzed and bilirubin was extracted and quantified spectrophotometrically. Histological analysis revealed a green line in the dentine running parallel to the incremental lines.

Enhancement of experimental pulmonary metastasis and inhibition of subcutaneously transplanted tumor growth following cryosurgery.

We have previously reported that inhibition of anti-tumor immune responses and a corresponding enhancement of metastatic tumor growth occurred in rats following cryosurgery of 3-methylcholanthrene-induced WKA rat fibrosarcoma (KMT-17). In this study, to evaluate the enhancement of metastasis arising from the inhibition of anti-tumor immune responses following cryosurgery, we examined how cryosurgery affected experimental pulmonary metastasis and the growth of subcutaneously transplanted tumor. To reveal the effect of cryosurgery on pulmonary metastasis, rats received a subcutaneous inoculation of KMT-17 tumor in the right flank (1 x 10(6)) and i.

Carrier-dependency of cellular differentiation induced by bone morphogenetic protein in ectopic sites.

Partially purified bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) was delivered into two different types of carriers, porous particles of hydroxyapatite (PPHAP) and particles of insoluble bone matrix (IBM), and the ossification process was examined after subcutaneous implantation of the BMP/PPHAP and BMP/IBM in rats. The ossification in the BMP/PPHAP system was predominantly direct through bone formation similar to intramembranous ossification, whereas in the BMP/IBM system it was predominantly endochondral. The differences observed between the BMP/PPHAP and the BMP/IBM indicate the importance of the structure and nature of the carrier in the process of bone induction.

Immunological analysis of enhanced spontaneous metastasis in WKA rats following cryosurgery.

We have previously reported that inhibition of anti-tumor immune responses and enhancement of metastatic tumor growth occurred in rats following cryosurgery of the transplantable 3-methlcholanthrene-induced rat fibrosarcoma KMT-17. In this study, to elucidate the immunological responses in rats following cryosurgery, we examined whether rat serum obtained from rats which underwent cryosurgery (c-serum) might affect the in vivo neutralizing activity of the Winn assay. In this assay, c-serum did not reduce the anti-tumor immunity, though spleen cells obtained from rats undergoing surgical excision indicated strong anti-tumor immunity as compared with cryosurgery.

Basaloid-squamous cell carcinoma of the oral mucosa: report of two cases and study of the proliferative activity.

Two cases of basaloid-squamous cell carcinoma (BSC) of the oral mucosa are described. The first case occurred at the floor of the mouth in a 58-year-old man, and the second case occurred at the mandibular gingiva in a 79-year-old woman. The laboratory data of the first case showed a positive response to hepatitis C virus antibody.

Inhibitory effects of malotilate on invasion and metastasis of rat mammary carcinoma cells by modifying the functions of vascular endothelial cells.

Malotilate (diisopropyl,1,3-dithiol-2-ylidenemalonate, MT) is clinically used as a hepatoprotective agent. Because we noticed that MT induced the differentiation of cultured vascular endothelial cells, we have examined its effects on lung metastasis of the highly metastatic rat mammary carcinoma c-SST-2. MT was orally administered to syngeneic SHR rats from 7 days before or after s.

Comparison between submucosal (extra-nodal) and nodal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in the oral and maxillofacial region.

Fifty-two cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) in the oral and maxillofacial region, comprising 31 submucosal (extra-nodal) and 21 cervical node NHLs, were investigated. The patients' ages ranged from 5 to 86 years, with a bimodal age distribution among young people below 12 years of age (average 8 years) and in those aged 30 years or older (average 60.3 years).

The LEC (Long-Evans Cinnamon) rat as an animal model for bilirubin-induced tooth pigmentation.

The LEC (Long-Evans Cinnamon) rat is well known as a useful animal model for hepatic disease. We noticed the green pigmentation in incisors 2-3 weeks after acute hepatitis accompanied by severe jaundice. This study was undertaken to elucidate the cause of this phenomenon.