Sphingosine-1-phosphate aggravates antigen-induced airway inflammation in mice.

Unlabelled: Recent investigations suggest an involvement of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) in the pathogenesis of allergic bronchial asthma. However, the role of S1P in the development of asthma is still controversial. Our aim was to investigate the effects of intranasal application of S1P on antigen-induced airway inflammation in a mouse model of allergic bronchial asthma.

Downregulation of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors in bronchial smooth muscle of mouse experimental asthma.

To determine whether or not sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is involved in the augmented bronchial smooth muscle (BSM) contractility, one of the causes of airway hyperresponsiveness in asthmatics, the effects of S1P on BSM tone were investigated in control and repeatedly antigen-challenged mice. Both in the control and antigen-challenged animals, S1P had no effect on basal tone of the isolated BSM tissues. However, in the BSMs pre-depolarized by 60mM K(+), S1P caused a significant increase in tension in the control mice.

Detection of subgingival calculus and dentine caries by laser fluorescence.

Objectives: Detection of subgingival calculus and dentine caries in the bottom of deep periodontal pockets is often difficult without visual observation. We thus examined the possibility of its detection using autofluorescence induced by laser irritation.

Methods: Autofluorescence was measured at various excitation and emission wavelength settings in five specimens each of sound dentine and enamel, subgingival calculus, and root caries.

Low salivary flow and volatile sulfur compounds in mouth air.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a reduction of salivary flow would influence the production of methylmercaptan (CH(3)SH) and hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S), which are volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) known to cause oral malodor.

Study Design: The VSCs in mouth air were measured by means of gas chromatography. Spitting and masticatory (stimulated) methods were used to determine the salivary flow rates of 174 patients.