Publications by authors named "Kazushi Kunimatsu"

Article Synopsis
  • The study investigated the use of hemoglobin (Hb) detection in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) as a potential improvement in diagnosing periodontal disease, alongside traditional metrics like probing depth (PD) and bleeding on probing (BOP).
  • Hb was found in over 64% of GCF samples from BOP-negative sites, suggesting that it could indicate underlying issues even when traditional measures appear stable.
  • The findings imply that analyzing Hb in GCF could enhance early diagnosis of periodontal conditions, particularly in patients who seem to be stable based on standard clinical parameters.
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We investigated the efficacy, safety, and clinical significance of trafermin, a recombinant human fibroblast growth factor (rhFGF)-2, for periodontal regeneration in intrabony defects in Phase III trials. Study A, a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, was conducted at 24 centers. Patients with periodontitis with 4-mm and 3-mm or deeper probing pocket depth and intrabony defects, respectively, were included.

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Article Synopsis
  • * Researchers analyzed GCF from 401 sites and found that the amount of GCF correlated most strongly with other clinical parameters, leading to the identification of cut-off values for BOP and probing pocket depth (PPD).
  • * The results showed that some sites with high enzyme levels were BOP-negative, suggesting that integrating biochemical tests with traditional examinations could enhance the accuracy of diagnosing periodontal disease, highlighting the need for improved diagnostic methods in future research.
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Background: Cyclosporin A (CsA) is an immunosuppressant with side effects including gingival hyperplasia. Sarcoidosis is a systemic disease characterized by granulomas. Here, we report on a rare case of sarcoidosis with gingival hyperplasia to clarify whether clinical observation corresponds to in vitro results.

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Fusobacterium nucleatum produces a large amount of the toxic metabolite hydrogen sulfide in the oral cavity. Here, we report the molecular basis of F. nucleatum H(2)S production, which is associated with two different enzymes: the previously reported Cdl (Fn1220) and the newly identified Lcd (Fn0625).

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To evaluate enzymes that produce hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) in species of Fusobacterium nucleatum, we developed an assay based on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with renaturation followed by active staining. This assay provided precise insight into the enzymes that produce H(2)S in terms of their number and molecular weights.

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Indole produced via the beta-elimination reaction of l-tryptophan by pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-dependent tryptophanase (EC 4.1.99.

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The objective of this study was to find the sites with proliferative activity in the human gingival epithelium, where stem cells are likely to exist. Gingival tissues were excised from 16 adult patients and immunohistochemically examined for the presence of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-incorporating, p63- and low affinity nerve growth factor receptor (p75(NGFR))-expressing cells. BrdU-incorporating cells were rarely present in the junctional epithelium.

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To investigate the relationship between histological changes and distributions of medullasin, a neutrophil elastase-like serine proteinase, in phenytoin-induced gingival overgrowth, we established a rat model of gingival overgrowth. Thirty-two, 20-day-old male Fischer 344 rats were fed a diet containing phenytoin and sacrificed at 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks. Control rats (n = 40) were fed the same diet, but without the drug and killed at the same weeks as experimental rats (n = 32) and 0 week (n = 8).

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