CT depiction of small arteries in the pancreatic head: assessment using coronal reformatted images with 16-channel multislice CT.

Background: To assess the capabilities of 16-channel multislice CT in acquiring almost exclusively arterial-phase images of the pancreas and depicting small pancreatic arteries in coronal reformatted images.

Materials And Methods: In 45 consecutive patients, arterial-phase contrast enhancement was measured in the aorta and its branches, portal venous system, and pancreas. Coronal reformatted images of 1.

Regulation of insulin biosynthesis in pancreatic beta cells by an endoplasmic reticulum-resident protein kinase IRE1.

In pancreatic beta cells, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an important site for insulin biosynthesis and the folding of newly synthesized proinsulin. Here, we show that IRE1alpha, an ER-resident protein kinase, has a crucial function in insulin biosynthesis. IRE1alpha phosphorylation is coupled to insulin biosynthesis in response to transient exposure to high glucose; inactivation of IRE1alpha signaling by siRNA or inhibition of IRE1alpha phosphorylation hinders insulin biosynthesis.

Archaeal proteasomes effectively degrade aggregation-prone proteins and reduce cellular toxicities in mammalian cells.

The 20 S proteasome is a ubiquitous, barrel-shaped protease complex responsible for most of cellular proteolysis, and its reduced activity is thought to be associated with accumulations of aberrant or misfolded proteins, resulting in a number of neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy, Parkinson disease, and Alzheimer disease. The 20 S proteasomes of archaebacteria (archaea) are structurally simple and proteolytically powerful and thought to be an evolutionary precursor to eukaryotic proteasomes. We successfully reproduced the archaeal proteasome in a functional state in mammalian cells, and here we show that the archaeal proteasome effectively accelerated species-specific degradation of mutant superoxide dismutase-1 and the mutant polyglutamine tract-extended androgen receptor, causative proteins of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy, respectively, and reduced the cellular toxicities of these mutant proteins.

Occlusal interference during mastication can cause pathological tooth mobility.

Background And Objective: Despite little evidence regarding the relationship between tooth mobility and nonworking contact, the evaluation of occlusion is performed mainly by the detection of premature and/or nonworking contacts during tapping movements and lateral excursion. The hypothesis of this study is that occlusal contact during mastication is potentially traumatic to periodontal tissue. It clarifies the relationship between chewing patterns and the status of periodontal tissue.

Clinical effectiveness of cognitive behavior therapy in the management of TMD.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate whether cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) was effective as a standard intervention for temporomandibular disorders (TMD).

Materials And Methods: The subjects were 134 TMD outpatients with no history of treatment for TMD. They had pain persisting for 1 month or more and/or limited jaw movement.

Gene expression profile of spinal motor neurons in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

The causative pathomechanism of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is not clearly understood. Using microarray technology combined with laser-captured microdissection, gene expression profiles of degenerating spinal motor neurons isolated from autopsied patients with sporadic ALS were examined. Gene expression was quantitatively assessed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization.

Multi-slice CT of thyroid nodules: comparison with ultrasonography.

Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness of multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) in comparison with ultrasonography (US) for the differentiation of benign from malignant thyroid nodules and the evaluation of tumor extension.

Materials And Methods: Thirty patients with thyroid nodules (14 malignant, 16 benign) who underwent both MSCT and US participated in the present study. MSCT with contrast enhancement was performed, and 3D shaded volume rendering (SVR) and multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) were employed to differentiate benign from malignant nodules and to evaluate tumor extension.

Physical and functional interaction between Dorfin and Valosin-containing protein that are colocalized in ubiquitylated inclusions in neurodegenerative disorders.

Dorfin, a RING-IBR type ubiquitin ligase (E3), can ubiquitylate mutant superoxide dismutase 1, the causative gene of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Dorfin is located in ubiquitylated inclusions (UBIs) in various neurodegenerative disorders, such as ALS and Parkinson's disease (PD). Here we report that Valosin-containing protein (VCP) directly binds to Dorfin and that VCP ATPase activity profoundly contributes to the E3 activity of Dorfin.

Dorfin prevents cell death by reducing mitochondrial localizing mutant superoxide dismutase 1 in a neuronal cell model of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Abstract Dorfin is a RING-finger type ubiquitin ligase for mutant superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) that enhances its degradation. Mutant SOD1s cause familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS) through the gain of unelucidated toxic properties. We previously showed that the accumulation of mutant SOD1 in the mitochondria triggered the release of cytochrome c, followed by the activation of the caspase cascade and induction of neuronal cell death.

Congenital pseudoarthrosis of the tibia treated with low-intensity pulsed ultrasound stimulation (LIPUS).

A 16-year-old Japanese boy was admitted to our institution in September 2000 because no apparent callus had appeared around a fracture after 6 weeks of cast fixation. Physical examination revealed a tenderness of the right lower leg, and multiple small subcutaneous tumors and café-au-lait spots in extremities and trunk. Radiographs showed the fracture of the right lower tibia with bony sclerosis and a localized fusiform osteolytic lesion at the fracture site.

Dorfin localizes to the ubiquitylated inclusions in Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, multiple system atrophy, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

In many neurodegenerative diseases, the cytopathological hallmark is the presence of ubiquitylated inclusions consisting of insoluble protein aggregates. Lewy bodies in Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies disease, glial cell inclusions in multiple system atrophy, and hyaline inclusions in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are representative of these inclusions. The elucidation of the components of these inclusions and the mechanisms underlying inclusion formation is important in uncovering the pathogenesis of these disorders.

Dorfin localizes to Lewy bodies and ubiquitylates synphilin-1.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by loss of nigra dopaminergic neurons. Lewy bodies (LBs) are a characteristic neuronal inclusion in PD brains. In this study, we report that Dorfin, a RING finger-type ubiquityl ligase for mutant superoxide dismutase-1, was localized with ubiquitin in LBs.

Caspase-1 and -3 mRNAs are differentially upregulated in motor neurons and glial cells in mutant SOD1 transgenic mouse spinal cord: a study using laser microdissection and real-time RT-PCR.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is characterized by selective motor neuron degeneration. An apoptotic pathway is thought to be involved. It is difficult, however, to analyze the molecular pathogenic mechanism in single motor neurons because of complexity in the neural tissue, which consists of multiple lineages of cells neighboring motor neurons.

Bilateral congenital cataracts result from a gain-of-function mutation in the gene for aquaporin-0 in mice.

Cataract Tohoku (Cat(Tohm)) is a dominant cataract mutation that leads to severe degeneration of lens fiber cells. Linkage analysis showed that the Cat(Tohm) mutation is located on mouse chromosome 10, close to the gene for aquaporin-0 (Aqp0), which encodes a membrane protein that is expressed specifically in lens fiber cells. Sequence analysis of Aqp0 revealed a 12-bp deletion without any change in the reading frame, which resulted in a deletion of four amino acids within the second transmembrane region of the AQP0 protein.

Biomechanical stress in bone surrounding an implant under simulated chewing.

The concept of reducing nonaxial loading of dental implants has been widely regarded as the standard procedure. The aim of this study was to reveal the biomechanical stress distribution in supporting bone around an implant and a natural tooth under chewing function. Three-dimensional finite element models of the mandibular first molar and the titanium implant both with the mandible in the molar region were constructed.

Influence of abutment substrates on the colour of metal-free polymer crowns.

New-generation composite materials have excellent strength and wear resistance, and thus can be used to make metal-free crowns. However, composite materials are translucent, and so when using them to make metal-free crowns, it is necessary to take the effect of the abutments into consideration. In this study, five types of materials including three types of new-generation composite materials, a conventional composite material, and a ceramic material were used to examine the translucency (contrast ratio) of the materials and the effects of the colour of the abutments on the final appearance of metal-free crowns.

Fracture resistance of pressable glass-ceramic fixed partial dentures.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the mechanical strength of the Empress2 system, which is based on the use of a high-strength glass--ceramic core of lithium disilicate, and the fracture resistance of fixed partial dentures fabricated with this material. To evaluate mechanical strength, four types of ceramic materials were tested for four-point flexural strength and diametral tensile strength: Empress2 core material, Empress2 layering porcelain, conventional Empress material and Dicor. Then, using Empress2, conventional Empress and Dicor, actual clinical type anterior fixed partial dentures were fabricated for fracture testing.

Differentially expressed genes in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis spinal cords--screening by molecular indexing and subsequent cDNA microarray analysis.

To analyze the genes related to the pathophysiology of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (SALS) we performed gene profiling of SALS spinal cords using molecular indexing combined with cDNA microarray. Eighty-four fragments were cloned in the first screening procedure with molecular indexing. Subsequent quantitative microarray screening revealed 11 genes which were differentially expressed in SALS.

Mitochondrial localization of mutant superoxide dismutase 1 triggers caspase-dependent cell death in a cellular model of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

The mutations in superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) cause approximately 20% of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cases. A toxic gain of function has been considered to be the cause of the disease, but its molecular mechanism remains uncertain. To determine whether the subcellular localization of mutant SOD1 is crucial to mutant SOD1-mediated cell death, we produced neuronal cell models with accumulation of SOD1 in each subcellular fraction/organelle, such as the cytosol, nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria.

Influence of abutment substrate and ceramic thickness on the colour of heat-pressed ceramic crowns.

All-ceramic crowns made of leucite-based heat-pressed ceramics are widely used to restore non-vital teeth in conjunction with various post and core materials. However, as some light passes through the ceramic, the colour of the abutment substrate can negatively affect the final aesthetic appearance of the all-ceramic crown. In this study, we made background specimens simulating gold-alloy cast posts and other simulating porcelain veneered cast posts, overlaid different thickness of heat-pressed ceramic on these background specimens, and measured the shifts in colour.

Interobserver agreement and performance score comparison in quality control using a breast phantom: screen-film mammography vs computed radiography.

Our objective was to evaluate interobserver agreement and to compare the performance score in quality control of screen-film mammography and computed radiography (CR) using a breast phantom. Eleven radiologists interpreted a breast phantom image (CIRS model X) by four viewing methods: (a) original screen-film; (b) soft-copy reading of the digitized film image; (c) hard-copy reading of CR using an imaging plate; and (d) soft-copy reading of CR. For the soft-copy reading, a 17-in.

X-Linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein is involved in mutant SOD1-mediated neuronal degeneration.

Mutations in the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene cause the degeneration of motor neurons in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS). An apoptotic process including caspase-1 and -3 has been shown to participate in the pathogenesis of FALS transgenic (Tg) mouse model. Here we report that IAP proteins, potent inhibitors of apoptosis, are involved in the FALS Tg mouse pathologic process.

Dorfin ubiquitylates mutant SOD1 and prevents mutant SOD1-mediated neurotoxicity.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive paralytic disorder resulting from the degeneration of motor neurons in the cerebral cortex, brainstem, and spinal cord. The cytopathological hallmark in the remaining motor neurons of ALS is the presence of ubiquitylated inclusions consisting of insoluble protein aggregates. In this paper we report that Dorfin, a RING finger-type E3 ubiquitin ligase, is predominantly localized in the inclusion bodies of familial ALS with a copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) mutation as well as sporadic ALS.

Stress analysis of metal-free polymer crowns using the three-dimensional finite element method.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the stress distribution under various loading conditions within posterior metal-free crowns made of new composite materials.

Materials And Methods: A three-dimensional finite element model representing a mandibular first molar was constructed. Variations of the model had crowns of two types of composite, a glass ceramic, and porcelain fused to metal.