Survey on changes in subjective symptoms, onset/trigger factors, allergic diseases, and chemical exposures in the past decade of Japanese patients with multiple chemical sensitivity.

Background: Recently, with rapid changes in the Japanese lifestyle, the clinical condition of patients with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) may also have undergone change. Thus, we conducted a new survey for subjective symptoms, ongoing chemical exposures, the prevalence of allergic diseases, and presumed onset/trigger factors in patients with MCS and compared results with those of an old survey from ten years ago.

Methods: The new survey was conducted from 2012 to 2015 and the old survey was independently conducted from 1999 to 2003, meaning it was not a follow-up study.

Effect of EDTA solution on corrosion fatigue of Ni-Ti files with different shapes.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of EDTA solutions (3% and 10% EDTA•2Na) on corrosion fatigue of three Ni-Ti files with different shapes, in comparison with other solutions (6% NaClO, 3% H2O2, 0.9% NaCl and distilled water). Ni-Ti files were subjected to rotational bending in a bent glass tube (30° and 60° angles) filled with the solutions, and the number of rotations to failure was counted.

A new method for fabricating zirconia copings using a Nd:YVO4 nanosecond laser.

The purpose of this work was to fabricate zirconia copings from fully sintered Y-TZP blocks using a Nd:YVO4 nanosecond laser in order to avoid complicated procedures using conventional CAD/CAM systems. To determine the most appropriate power level of a Nd:YVO4 laser, cuboid fully sintered Y-TZP specimens were irradiated at six different average power levels. One-way ANOVAs for the average surface roughness and laser machining depth revealed that an average power level of 7.

Intraoral conversion of occlusal force to electricity and magnetism by biting of piezoelectric elements.

Very weak electrical, magnetic and ultrasound signal stimulations are known to promote the formation, metabolism, restoration and stability of bone and surrounding tissues after treatment and operations. We have therefore investigated the possibility of intraoral generation of electricity and magnetism by occlusal force in an in vitro study. Biting bimorph piezoelectric elements with lead zirconate titanate (PZT) using dental models generated appropriate magnetism for bone formation, i.

Electric toothbrushes induce electric current in fixed dental appliances by creating magnetic fields.

Magnetic fields can represent a health problem, especially low frequency electromagnetic fields sometimes induced by electric current in metallic objects worn or used in or on the body (as opposed to high frequency electromagnetic fields that produce heat). Electric toothbrushes are widely used because of their convenience, but the electric motors that power them may produce electromagnetic waves. In this study, we showed that electric toothbrushes generate low frequency (1-2000 Hz) magnetic fields and induce electric current in dental appliances (e.

The use of complementary and alternative medicine by pediatric food-allergic patients in Japan.

Background: In developed countries, increasing food allergy prevalence and concern regarding food allergies have been reported. Although the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for the treatment of allergic diseases has increased in some Western countries, the actual proportion and patterns of CAM use for pediatric food allergies in Japan are still unknown.

Methods: Fourteen allergy centers in Japan participated in the study using a questionnaire survey regarding the use of CAM by pediatric patients.

Wear and mechanical properties of composite resins consisting of different filler particles.

To investigate the effects of different fillers and their contents on the wear of composite resins, four composites (CS: non-porous spherical silica, AS: porous spherical silica, AZ: porous spherical zirconium silicate, and IS: non-porous irregular-shaped silica) were experimentally prepared using different fillers (CS, AZ, AS and IS). Simulated occlusal wear and toothbrush wear were evaluated for these composites and their worn surfaces were observed. The mechanical properties (flexural strength, elastic modulus and hardness) of these composites were determined to examine the relationships between wear and these mechanical properties.

Surface textures of composite resins after combined wear test simulating both occlusal wear and brushing wear.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between the texture of worn surfaces of composite resins and the maximum wear depth. Three types of composite resins were investigated: a hybrid composite resin consisting of irregular-shaped inorganic filler particles (APX); a composite resin which contained small, irregular-shaped, inorganic filler particles and large organic composite filler particles (SRE); and another which contained spherical inorganic filler particles and large organic composite filler (SDX). Surface profile measurement and elemental analysis were carried out on the worn surfaces of these three composite resins using an electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA).

Casting of MOD inlay using rings with holes on both sides: 12∼18 wt%Au-20∼26Pd-14.48∼26.48Cu-40Ag-1.5Zn-0.02Ir alloys.

Using a casting ring with openings on both sides and a water-absorbent polymer, heterogeneity is maintained in a single casting and a precise MOD inlay can be produced. We produced 9 different kinds of gold-silver-palladium (Au-Ag-Pd) alloys by changing the ratio of palladium, gold, and copper and investing them, and changing parameters such as the angulation of the casting ring openings and the water:powder ratios to produce MOD inlay castings. We measured the expansion and shrinkage percentage of the castings in both the buccolingual and mesiodistal directions.

Dedifferentiated fat cells: an alternative source of adult multipotent cells from the adipose tissues.

When adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are retrieved from the stromal vascular portion of adipose tissue, a large amount of mature adipocytes are often discarded. However, by modified ceiling culture technique based on their buoyancy, mature adipocytes can be easily isolated from the adipose cell suspension and dedifferentiated into lipid-free fibroblast-like cells, named dedifferentiated fat (DFAT) cells. DFAT cells re-establish active proliferation ability and undertake multipotent capacities.

The grinding efficiency by diamond points developed for yttria partially stabilized zirconia.

Recently, the use of all-ceramic restorations has increased and been applied for many types of clinical treatment such as bridges which can be made with high strength ceramic material: yttria partially stabilized zirconia (Y-PSZ) employing the CAD/CAM system. Consequently, points that can grind high strength ceramic material effectively are necessary for modifying the shape of restorations or removing them. So in our research, we fabricated new diamond points used to grind Y-PSZ.

[Fatal esophageal hemorrhage in patients with severe motor and intellectual disabilities complicated with severe scoliosis, during catheter placement in esophagus].

In patients with severe motor and intellectual disabilities (SMID), fatal esophageal hemorrhage including penetration of the descending aorta, has often been reported. We experienced 2 patients with severe scoliosis who developed esophageal hemorrhage during catheter placement in the esophagus. We compared chest CT images of these cases with those of 38 SMID patients in our hospital.

Effect of particle diameter on air polishing of dentin surfaces.

We examined the abrasiveness of glycine powders with particle diameters of 63 and 100 mum by measuring the depth and volume of defects produced during air polishing of human dentin. A total of 36 extracted human teeth were embedded in acrylic resin. The resin blocks were polished until the dentin surfaces were exposed.

Effects of abrasive and fiber components in medium on wear of composite resins.

Effects of abrasive and fiber components in a medium on the wear behavior of composite resins were evaluated. Calcium diphosphate and methyl cellulose were included in the medium as abrasive and fiber components respectively. A range of 0, 4, or 8% abrasive- or fiber-containing media were applied on a composite resin specimen during a simulated occlusal wear test.

Effect of additive metals, Sn, Ga, and In in Ag-Pd-Au-Cu alloys on initial bond strength of 4-META adhesive cement to these alloys.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of three additives, Sn, Ga, and In, as well as the main constituents, Pd and Cu, of Ag-Pd-Au-Cu alloys on the initial bond strength of 4-META adhesive cement to these alloys. The Ag-Pd-Au-Cu alloys consisted of 20%, 30% or 40% Pd, and 10%, 15% or 20% Cu, 20% Au, and Ag as balance. Besides, additive metals (Sn, Ga, and In) of 2% and 4% were added to these compositions.

Effects of occlusal and brushing cycles on wear of composite resins in combined wear test.

The effects of occlusal cycles and brushing cycles on wear of composite resins were investigated using a combined wear test, which carried out occlusal and toothbrush wear tests alternately. Worn volume and maximum worn depth were measured to evaluate wear under four combinations of two different cycles (occlusal cycles: 50 and 150 cycles; brushing cycles: 20 and 50 cycles). With composite resin APX, which consisted of relatively large and irregular-shaped filler particles, its worn volume and worn depth significantly increased with the number of occlusal cycles.

Infliximab treatment for refractory Kawasaki disease with coronary artery aneurysm.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is considered to be 1 of the factors that induce vasculitis, including coronary artery aneurysm (CA), in Kawasaki disease (KD), because the blood concentration of TNF-alpha is higher in patients with CA compared with those without. Therefore, an anti-TNF-alphaagent (infliximab) was administered to a 1-month-old girl with refractory KD complicated by CA and subsequently, the CA improved and KD was controlled without complications 20 months after the onset.

Development of casting investment preventing blackening of noble metal alloys. Part 4: effect of Mg(OH)2 and Ca(OH)2 as additives.

The objective of this study was to develop a casting investment that prevents the blackening of the cast surface of noble metal alloys. Experimental investments were prepared using a gypsum-bonded investment in which a hydroxide, namely Mg(OH)2 or Ca(OH)2, was added. An Ag-Pd-Cu-Au alloy was cast into the mold made of the prepared investment.

Guidelines for diagnosis and management of pediatric food allergy in Japan.

In Japan, the prevalence of food allergy has been increasing and a variety of problems have emerged regarding what should be considered a food allergy. A treatment regimen consists of avoiding the offending food (elimination diet therapy) and receiving nourishment from alternative foods (substitutional diet therapy). There is a growing concern that confusion has resulted from the lack of a consensus on the procedures for diagnosing and treating food allergies.

Dermal testing of vaccines for children at high risk of allergies.

Vaccinations for children with allergic diseases often need to be postponed or terminated because of the presumed risk of an immediate-type allergic reaction such as anaphylaxis. A new skin test protocol for predicting allergic reactions using the vaccine itself and the following stepwise vaccination method were developed and tested. Intradermal tests using 1:10 and 1:100 diluted measles vaccine indicated that the former was superior to the latter because a positive reaction against 1:10 diluted vaccine was found in 28.

[Trial of isolation of sick house syndrome and unclassified multiple chemical sensitivities--Definition of sick house syndrome, and symptoms].

Purpose: This study was designed to clarify the definition of sick house syndrome (SHS).

Methods: SHS was defined based on the disease related to habitation as follows. 1.

Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) induces production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines by bronchial epithelial cells via the epidermal growth factor receptor and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways.

Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) is known as one of causes of occupational asthma and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. To investigate the stimulatory effect on bronchial epithelial cells in response to TDI, the authors examined production of cytokines by the bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B and intercellular signal transduction stimulated by TDI-human serum albumin (HSA) conjugate. The production of interleukin (IL)-8, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) from the bronchial epithelial cells were augmented by the TDI-HSA conjugate.

Effects of occlusal and brushing forces on wear of composite resins.

Effects of occlusal and brushing forces on the wear of composite resins were investigated using three different wear tests: simulated occlusal wear test, toothbrush wear test, and combined wear test which carried out toothbrush wear test and occlusal wear test alternately. Test specimens were prepared from four commercial composite resins. Worn volume and maximum worn depth were measured under different occlusal forces (40 N and 80 N) and brushing forces (1.

[Complications of tracheostomy in patients with severe motor and intellectual disabilities and their management].

Some patient with severe motor and intellectual disabilities have a narrow mediastinum due to severe scoliosis or thoracic deformity. Complication of tracheostomy in these patients, such as granulation of the lower end of the cannula and tracheo-innominate artery fistulae, are difficult to treat. The causes of recurrent respiratory distress after tracheostomy in four patients with severe motor and intellectual disabilities were investigated, and its management was evaluated based on chest CT and bronchoscopy.