Relationships between life-space mobility, physical function, and empowerment in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

[Purpose] This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between the Life-Space Assessment measure, which conceptualizes physical activity in terms of life-space, and indicators of empowerment, and physical function, in stable patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. [Participants and Methods] This was a cross-sectional study. The participants were 25 stable outpatients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (22 males, mean age 75.

Utility of a haemoglobin test of gingival crevicular fluid: A multicentre, observational study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to verify the accuracy and utility of clinical parameters (plaque index, gingival crevicular fluid volume, probing depth, clinical attachment level, bleeding on probing and gingival index) and biochemical parameters (aspartate aminotransferase, protein and haemoglobin) in a longitudinal analysis during the supportive periodontal therapy period.

Subjects And Methods: A total of 279 test sites of 128 patients were investigated clinically and biochemically. After the first examination of clinical and biochemical parameters, periodontal support treatments were administered immediately and performed once every three months up to the second examination.

Non-contact acquisition of brain function using a time-extracted compact camera.

A revolution in functional brain imaging techniques is in progress in the field of neurosciences. Optical imaging techniques, such as high-density diffuse optical tomography (HD-DOT), in which source-detector pairs of probes are placed on subjects' heads, provide better portability than conventional functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) equipment. However, these techniques remain costly and can only acquire images at up to a few measurements per square centimetre, even when multiple detector probes are employed.

Useful immunochromatographic assay of calprotectin in gingival crevicular fluid for diagnosis of diseased sites in patients with periodontal diseases.

Background: Calprotectin, an inflammation-related protein, is present in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), and the determination of calprotectin is useful for diagnosing periodontal diseases. The authors have recently developed a novel immunochromatographic (IC) chip system to determine calprotectin levels in GCF. In the present study, the usefulness of this diagnostic system is investigated in patients with periodontal diseases.

Comparative study on morphologic changes and cell attachment of periodontitis-affected root surfaces following conditioning with CO2 and Er:YAG laser irradiations.

Objective: Clinical application of lasers in periodontal therapy has continued to expand in last decades; however there are still some controversies. The present study aimed to compare the conditioning effects of the carbon dioxide (CO2) or erbium-doped: yttrium, aluminum and garnet (Er:YAG) laser on periodontally diseased root surfaces following scaling and root planing (SRP) in terms of the alteration of morphologies as well as the attachment of periodontal ligament cells.

Methods: Forty-five periodontally affected root specimens were prepared and randomly assigned into three groups: I control (untreated diseased), II.

Association of untreated metabolic syndrome with moderate to severe periodontitis in Thai population.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) correlates with systemic inflammation. A relation of MetS to periodontitis has been reported. This study aims to evaluate whether periodontitis is associated with untreated MetS, plasma adiponectin, and leptin among Thai people.

Comparison of salivary and plasma adiponectin and leptin in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Background: The relationship of saliva with plasma protein levels makes saliva an attractive diagnostic tool. Plasma levels of adiponectin and leptin in healthy individuals or diabetes mellitus patients have been previously reported. Nevertheless, salivary levels of these adipocytokines in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) have never been investigated.

Inhibitory effect of aqueous spinach extract on degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells.

The inhibitory effect of an aqueous extract from spinach on degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells is herein reported. The extract significantly suppressed antigen-induced degranulation in a dose-dependent manner without affecting cell viability. Active substances in the extract were heat-stable and trypsin-resistant with molecular weights ranging from 500 Da to 14 kDa.

Effect of PDGF-BB combined with EDTA gel on adhesion and proliferation to the root surface.

Periodontal regeneration using EDTA or PDGF showed promising results, but the effect of combined application was still unclear. This study aimed to verify the effect of EDTA and/or PDGF application on root adhesion and proliferation of PDL fibroblast cells. Eighty specimens were prepared from forty periodontitis teeth and made five groups: (1) diseased (untreated), (2) SRP (scaling root planing), (3) EDTA (24%), (4) PDGF (25 ng/ml) and (5) Combined application of EDTA and PDGF.

Effect of human beta-defensin-3 on the proliferation of fibroblasts on periodontally involved root surfaces.

Human beta-defensin-3 (HBD-3) has versatile antibacterial activity against oral bacteria and can promote the proliferation of fibroblasts. The goal of the present study was to investigate the effect of HBD-3 on attachment and proliferation of periodontal ligament cells (PDL) onto the periodontitis affected root surfaces. PDL cells were seeded onto healthy and diseased root specimens with scaling and root planing (SRP), SRP & HBD-3 (100 ng/ml), or SRP & HBD-3 (200 ng/ml) treatment for 1, 3, and 7 days incubation.

Long-term histologic analysis of bone tissue alteration and healing following Er:YAG laser irradiation compared to electrosurgery.

Background: The erbium-doped:yttrium, aluminum, and garnet (Er:YAG) laser is reportedly useful for periodontal therapy. However, the potential thermal damage that Er:YAG laser irradiation can produce on bone tissue has not been fully clarified. The purpose of this study was to histologically examine the effects of the Er:YAG laser on bone tissue and subsequent wound healing compared to electrosurgery in a long-term study.

Intralesional laser treatment of voluminous vascular lesions in the oral cavity.

Objective: In laser treatment of voluminous vascular lesions, there are many cases in which submucosally located angioma remnants cannot be reached by noncontact superficial laser application. To diminish these remnants we used intralesional photocoagulation (ILP) in treatment of oral vascular lesions, because this approach is effective in treatment of voluminous vascular lesions of the skin.

Study Design: Four cases of voluminous vascular malformation in the oral cavity were treated by ILP using a potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP) laser.

Molecular effects of the tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase gene polymorphism (787T > C) associated with bone mineral density.

Based on studies of hypophosphatasia, which is a systemic skeletal disorder resulting from tissuenonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP) deficiency, TNSALP was suggested to be indispensable for bone mineralization. Recently, we demonstrated that there was a significant difference in bone mineral density (BMD) among haplotypes, which was lowest among TNSALP (787T [Tyr-246Tyr]) homozygotes, highest among TNSALP (787T > C [Tyr246His]) homozygotes, and intermediate among heterozygotes. To analyze protein translated from the TNSALP gene 787T > C, we performed the biosynthesis of TNSALPs using TNSALP cDNA expression vectors.

Submucosal glycerol injection-assisted laser surgical treatment of oral lesions.

Recently, we modified laser surgery for superficial lesions in the oral cavity by using submucosal glycerol injection. This procedure was based on a technique for endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) in the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the modified laser surgery assisted by a submucosal glycerol injection.

Functional polymorphisms of the FPR1 gene and aggressive periodontitis in Japanese.

Aggressive periodontitis (AgP), a severe and early onset type of periodontitis, is thought to be subject to significant genetic background effects. Formyl peptide receptor 1 (FPR1) is a gene strongly implicated in AgP. To determine whether variations in this gene are associated with AgP, we performed an association study with 49 AgP patients and 373 controls using 30 variations identified by sequencing the 21.

Effect of Er:YAG laser combined with rhPDGF-BB on attachment of cultured fibroblasts to periodontally involved root surfaces.

Background: The use of the erbium-doped:yttrium, aluminum, and garnet (Er:YAG) laser in periodontal therapy has been the focus of much research. Recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor-BB (rhPDGF-BB) is suggested as a potent stimulator and strong mitogen for human periodontal ligament cells. The present study tested the direct effects of Er:YAG laser irradiation, alone or with rhPDGF-BB application, on the biocompatibility of periodontally diseased roots through fibroblast attachment and proliferation.

Effect of low-level Er:YAG laser irradiation on cultured human gingival fibroblasts.

Background: Low-level laser irradiation has been reported to enhance wound healing. Activation of gingival fibroblasts (GF) has a potential for early wound healing in periodontal treatment. The present study aimed to investigate the direct effect of low-level Er:YAG laser irradiation on gingival fibroblasts proliferation in order to clarify the laser effect on healing.

Gallbladder reefing for cholelithiasis as a complication of colon cancer.

In an 83-year-old woman presenting with gallstones and a cancer in the sigmoid colon, resection was performed through a median incision, after which the wound was extended, the stones were crushed, and the gallbladder was infolded and sutured (reefed). Even in elderly patients, some treatment for bile stones should be done at abdominal section to avoid future cholecystitis or complications. Reefing is a useful technique that can be done easily from a comparatively narrow field of view.

A secure technique of intracorporeal Roux-Y reconstruction after laparoscopic distal gastrectomy.

Background: Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy [LDG] is a minimally invasive surgery for gastric carcinoma. The Billroth I method has been commonly employed to reconstruct alimentary tract after LDG. Conversely, Roux-Y reconstruction is employed far less commonly despite its merits.

Characterization of the mutant (A115V) tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase gene from adult-type hypophosphatasia.

Hypophosphatasia (HOPS) is a clinically heterogeneous heritable disorder characterized by defective skeletal mineralization, deficiency of tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP) activity, and premature loss of deciduous teeth. To date, various mutations in the TNSALP gene have been identified. Especially, A115V located in exon 5 has been detected in a Japanese patient with severe periodontitis and adult-type HOPS.

Histological and TEM examination of early stages of bone healing after Er:YAG laser irradiation.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the early healing process of bone tissue irradiated by Er:YAG laser and compare it with that treated by mechanical drilling and CO(2) laser.

Background Data: Er:YAG laser has a great potential for cutting hard tissues as it is capable of ablation with less thermal damage.

Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were used for this study.